Pretty posts to ponder, part II AND Irene is coming!

Hi there and happy Friday! First want to say to anyone who is in the path of that meanie, Irene...be safe and hope you will take the precautions that the our local authorities and the government are advising. I am not one to ever get too worked up over things like this, however this time I am taking it a bit more seriously and erring on the side of caution. Just to be sure, I am stocked up on my candles, batteries, flashlights, dry food and water. I made the very brave move of going to the local market this morning where some were acting like the Apocalypse was arriving at our doorstep any minute.
Then in the 2 minutes it took me to unload my groceries to my car, I kid you not, I witnessed TWO fender benders in the mayhem that ensued in the crazy loony toon zone parking lot. Seriously, it is scary but this is when people need to remain calm. All I kept thinking was get me home in one piece! There was not a water bottle to be had, forget a case, but I have 3 at home so think I am fine. How about you? Is this affecting you where you are?  Hoping this will have a lesser impact than what they are predicting and come Monday morning we will all go back to normal! But if for some reason you don't hear from me on Monday or Tuesday it will be because of lost power ..... and you know just who to blame!

Quick side note..did anyone recieve their 10 lb arm weights Restoration Hardware new catalog entitled "Fall 2011 source book", it is GINORMOUS, my poor mailbox could barely hold it!

I am back with another fabulous round of posts to ponder. Figured its a perfect weekend to spend inside and catch up on some fantastic posts you may have missed! Think of this as a mini awards show handing out blog awards to different bloggers for exceptionally beautiful and well done posts that touched, awed or wowed me in some way. Of course there are many many more, that I have saved in my little treasure trove of keepers but those will come out in the next round. These are all winners and I think you will be very happy to take a little break and go through each and every one.




Truth is, on any given day there are so many fabulous posts to bookmark that are worth saving so this is a drop in the bucket of all the goodness. If there is a particular post you have seen that you felt this way about and want to share, let me know about it in the comments section! Always fun to discover something, new, beautiful, informative and inspirational. I am headed to the house (where else) for a few appts. and then coming back to "batten down the hatches". Wishing you a wonderful day and now those posts I am talking about.......stay safe to anyone in Irene's path!

CASTLES CROWNS AND COTTAGES  Such a beautiful and inspiring, moving post (turn speakers on for full effect)

http://wwwcastlescrownscottages.blogspot.com/2011/08/breakfast-at-tiffanys.html__________________________________________________MEADOWBROOK FARM A truly beautiful wedding on the farm that you must see!

http://themeadowbrookblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/big-day.html?________________________________________________________STONE GABLE A setting fit for a queen

http://stonegable.blogspot.com/2011/07/summer-picnic.html

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THE LETTERED COTTAGE A story I promise you won't regret checking out

PLEASE visit this and PLEASE watch the video. I PROMISE you that you will be glad you did (get a tissue)

http://theletteredcottage.net/the-good-to-be-crazy-crew

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HOME BUNCH Gorgeous beach house!

http://www.homebunch.com/page/9/ (you must click on pg.9 at bottom of page)

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THE FRENCH TANGERINE How does your garden grow?

http://www.thefrenchtangerine.com/2011/05/my-pots-finally.html

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BELCLAIRE HOUSE A peek inside the ultimate beach house from "Its Complicated"

http://belclairehouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/somethings-gotta-give-house.html

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ECLECTIC REVISITED Elegant spaces to stay cool in!

http://eclecticrevisited.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/staying-cool-when-its-hot/

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PARTY RESOURCES This is to me one of the most amazing wedding videos I have ever seen, think you will agree!

http://partyresources.blogspot.com/2011/08/best-wedding-video-ever.html#

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SPLENDID SASS Dream house in Ponte Vedre....love this house!

http://splendidsass.blogspot.com/2011/03/at-home-in-ponte-vedra-beach.html#

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UNDER SPANISH MOSS Beautiful inspiration

http://underspanishmoss.com/2011/07/reflection-of-a-journey/

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HOME STORIES A 2 Z Find out how to make an office out of a closet!

_http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/07/cloffice-inspiration-closet-office.html

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THE RICH LIFE (ON A BUDGET) over 20? Then you will love this......

http://therichlifeonabudget.blogspot.com/2011/07/25-benefits-to-middle-age.html 

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VELVET AND LINEN...explore the Paris flea  market with Brooke

 http://brookegiannetti.typepad.com/velvet_and_linen/2011/07/a-little-side-trip-to-the-paris-flea.html

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KATIE DID What a fun way to spend time with your girlfriends!

http://katie-d-i-d.blogspot.com/2011/07/date-with-shakespeare-at-la.html

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SPLENDEROSA pure beauty for your eyes to behold

http://splenderosa.blogspot.com/2011/07/softly.html

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VIGNETTE DESIGNS Gorgeous tablescapes....

http://vignettedesign.blogspot.com/2011/08/tablescapes-that-inspire-me.html

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CLASSIC CASUAL HOME Talk about a brilliant do it yourselfer!

http://www.classiccasualhome.com/2011/08/customize-your-own-elegant-envelopes.html

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COTE DE TEXAS Love Joni's new living room redo!

http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-living-room-redo.html

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RENEE FINBERG If this won't melt your heart, don't know what will!

http://reneefinberg.blogspot.com/2011/07/shit-tzu-maltese-muttsand-other-shit.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ReneeFinberg+%28RENEE+FINBERG+%22+TELLS+ALL%27+in+her+BLOG+of+her+Adventures+in+Design%29

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LA POUYETTE  Like monograms and linen? You have to see this!

http://lapouyette-unddiedingedeslebens.blogspot.com/2011/07/monogrammed-french-linen-draps.html?showComment=1310736745215#c7595831907109582706_

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THE ENCHANTED HOME Because I wish I was in the Hamptons right now! (had to include this)

http://theenchantedhome.blogspot.com/2011/07/hallelujah-for-hamptons.html

Would love for you to let me know which you loved after you have visited some or all! Wishing you well, enjoy your weekend and most important stay safe to all those in Irene's path!

Things I am loving Thursday and house updates!

OMG I prepared a wonderful post for you that I spent a lot of time on last night and the entire thing erased!!!!!!! I cannot believe it! Here we go again, blogger please do not be acting up again. Has that ever happened to you? SO frustrating!! Better publish this before it happens again!
Busy busy week for me. A few little mishaps at the house but I am not going to dwell and I am glad they all worked out, but there were a few hair raising moments, to be expected when building I suppose! This week the post is house heavy as nearly all my time these days is consumed with finishing it up. It is the first week that I have visited that I felt like it was "home" and not just a construction site with no end in site. When I am there, it feels like home and like I don't want to leave and its really exciting to see it all finally come together.
I also attended a baby shower given by one of my best friends for her daughter who is so adorable and expecting her first baby. It was so lovely and the colors were bright pink and green aka Lilly Pulitzer. The setting was their beautiful boat club right on the water so the setting was so picture perfect despite the high humidity and overcast day. I start off with a few highlights then move on to the house and a few things I am loving this week.

How beautiful is this arrangement that greeted you and was used on the place card table!

The beautiful views...

Pretty centerpieces for tables....

The sweet cake, notice the sleeping baby!

You know I love gift wrapping! I couldnt' resist getting this pair of adorable bears to add on top

HOUSE UPDATES OK lots going on this week, the buzz word is definitely the kitchen. Its really starting to look like a kitchen and the long awaited limestone hood got put in yesterday!! Very exciting to see the vision come alive. I am loving it and cannot stop staring....just love the kitchen. I am awaiting the rest of appliances (pay no attention to the funny looking temporary stove that we had to place there to get the CO)! Upstairs last coat of paint getting done, and all we are waiting for is the carpeting for some of the bedrooms and the shower doors, other than that we are nearly done upstairs..woo hoo! Finally the stone is coming in for the front door and surround and our main stair railing is coming in next week. So over the next few weeks BIG changes are on the horizon!! Enough talking, let me show you......

I would not do this color but this idea I think is a little more along the lines of what the house is calling for, thinking a dark bronze

Other 4 possibilities......

This one is a little ornate but this company does incredible work!

Marble decisions continue but think I am just about there!

The long awaited hood getting put in!

The brackets just got installed.....yippee!

Wall going to family room features a pair of cabinet hutches, there will a wire grill going on the doors

Loving my island, will like it more with the white marble instead of the plyboard......

Husbands top went in and sink and faucet, now we need to get his vanity stained and glazed

Love polished nickel...so elegant

Loving my black island...still a lot to do but you get the idea!

Refrigerator and freezer got installed and panels applied, now awaiting hardware samples

Breakfast room bay getting last coat of paint/glaze

Breakfast room looking into kitchen

Final "limed oak" finish in breakfast room

Peeking into kitchen from breakfast room

Choosing a fabric for powder room in kitchen powder room.....here are the choices!

Choice 1 is more greens, pale yellow, white and gray

Choice 2 is soft blues, grays and whites

Closer up.....

Marble top installed on guest room counter top

 

Sons #1 bathroom done except for cabinet hardware and shower door!

Love the clean fresh appeal

Don't know why this came out so yellow, but tried two pretty colors, for my closet and sm. office

Ben Moores, silver mist...(a little more gray)

Farrow and Ball borrowed light (hard to tell but more blue than gray)

Stark sent over these loaner panels, one is pretty but totally wrong and the other while beautiful is way too gold

Close up of guest powder room floor, perhaps that Schumacher is best after all?

Here it is as a reminder...thoughts?

TOMATOES. Many in blogland have been talking about natures best, the seasons picks and all the goodness coming from the farm and fruit stands. Tomatoes reign supreme for me! Nothing in the world like a still warm, ripe, juicy tomato right off the vine! I have been using them a lot in all their variations. Have been using them in omelets, making tons of brushetta ( could live on the stuff), tried Emerils stuffed tomatoes (which were very good) and made a fresh tomato pizza, my kids love homemade pizza which I make every few weeks, so needless to say we have been eating lots of tomatoes! Definitely something I am really loving this week......

WILLIAMS SONOMA Had to send a gift to someone and after seeing a post my buddy, Desiree from Chic Coastal Living did on a few of their goodies, went to check them out. Not only did I find a great gift, but I also found so many other beautiful items. William Sonoma is looking better than ever!! I am so impressed with their entire line...here are some takeaway highlights for me.....

Love the pomegranate serving bowl, comes with matching bowls (This is what I bought her with matching bowls)

Gorgeous crewel place mats, perfect for fall entertaining

Always love navy and white, part of their mix and match program

Beautiful textiles...great colors!

Love a square place mat

Pretty wicker cloche

How great are these acrylic monogrammed glasses for outside!

Love this banquette for a breakfast or dining seating

Great reclaimed table

SOME QUALITY TIME OUTDOORS. Haven't done this in months but last night I came home utterly wiped out and emotionally spent. I made myself a cocktail to unwind, took a few of my favorite design books out on the patio, sat down and RELAXED. I took a deep breath, enjoying the picture perfect weather (0 humidity and really nice breeze..thanks Irene) and felt all the pressure and stress literally melt away. It was wonderful and I sat there thinking, about why I haven't done this much more often! So when my husband came home,he joined me and we sat there for about an hour talking, relaxing and enjoying the peace. I must say it was wonderful! That was definitely something I was loving this week,this picture is not us but it certainly gives you the vibe!

Well everyone that's a wrap up for me! I would love to know as always if there is anything that you are loving this week...do tell! Also don't forget about the awesome Peter Callahan giveaway that Kate from Party Resources and I are offering. Click here to get the details (you must leave a post on each of our blogs to be eligible) Have a wonderful day!