One thing I have never done is gone shopping on Black Friday. Yes, it’s true. Traditionally, my family is recovering from the tryptophan, and then we manage to consume another round of leftovers, only to “drag” ourselves to a few wineries on Friday afternoon. I typically do most of my shopping locally or online, especially…
One of my most favorite blog sisters is Liz at It’s Great to Be Home. I discovered her last summer when she was writing all about her adventures in home improvement, design, and do-it-yourself projects. She and her hub recently flipped a home, and the story of their renovation was so interesting and most informative. …
Over the course of our remodel, we hired a dear friend Mike to handle some of the larger painting projects. Mike is a professional painter with 20 years experience, and a wealth of information when it comes to choosing paint products. Mike has taught me a lot about painting, and is always available when I…
Watching the leaves fall from the trees reminds me of how much I am drawn to branches used in decor. I found some interesting accessories online, and also some out-of-the-box uses for branches. First, here are some dynamic images that inspire me these days. Image: Wedding Bee
I’m not one of those people you’ll find decorating my home at Halloween with anything gory, although I know the teenagers love it. I prefer the whimsical kid friendly version of Halloween, especially since I’ve got to look at it all day. And so do my little ones. So yesterday, I sent my cousin and…
One of the many magazines I receive every month is a subscription to Real Simple. I really can’t keep up with the magazines and catalogs that come in the post – I rarely read them cover to cover. But now and then I’ll glance at them before they end up in the recycling bin. This…
My cousins are staying with us this week, and they’ve traveled all the way from Tucson, Arizona. Of course, we had to show them a spectacular day in San Francisco. Despite the typical fog, it was a great day to be in the City by the Bay. What’s better than clam chowder and crab at…
Our master bedroom hasn’t changed much over the years. The linens and accessories get rotated over time, but the colors, textures, and wood tones have remained the same. While I swoon over so many designer rooms, for my personal bedroom, I retreat to the comfort I find in timeless and traditional style. This is the…
When I go to an antique fair, I sometimes go incognito, then I photograph all of the things I love, or the things that inspire me. What I truly love about outdoor antique fairs is the exposure to other people’s conversations. I’m not eavesdropping on purpose. But one can’t help overhearing the most interesting observations with so…
Ever since I repurposed some bookshelves into a media center in our guest studio, I’ve had bookcase styling on my mind. I am always drawn to bookcases where the back has been enhanced with paint or wallpaper. I took a few hours to decorate my own media bookcases in an inexpensive way. But first, here…
We took a weekend getaway to Napa over the Labor Day holiday. I’ve traveled to several different European countries and one of the best kept secrets about living in the Wine Country is how reminiscent it is of many of European regions I’ve visited like France and Italy. In winter, Napa’s hills are so green, it’s…
My friends, I must be frank. The past week has not been easy for me. My entire family, including myself, has been sick with the flu so I didn’t get to do any of my DIY projects during the week. Bummer. When I can’t get to my primer and power tools, my knees start to…
After a weekend of relaxation, I was very excited to jump into my long list of new projects for fall. Unfortunately, I was up all night with an ill daughter, and as a result, tethered to my house today tending to a sick child. It forced a change in plans for the day. But no…
One of my favorite books, A Tale of Two Valleys, humorously chronicles the history of the two most prominent Northern California Wine Country counties, Napa and Sonoma. From a visitor’s point of view, the book fuels the ongoing fiery debate as to which county has more to offer its residents and visitors. Mr. CG and…