An open letter........

I am sorry to interrupt my normally happy, cheerful and for the most part pretty posts to address a few things. This is an open letter, this will mean something to some, and nothing to others and hopefully to the person who has written me more than once with some very insulting and rude comments, you are reading this as well. While I am not going to give in to rehashing over some of the mean spirited comments that were left by a "certain someone"  I do want to set the record straight on a few things once and for all, so please take note. First off, if this blog isn't "your thing"....don't come here. Seems pretty simple to me. I have gotten comments on everything from questioning the size of the home I am building to what charities I support to calling me a fraud living in a make believe world. An "anonymous" commenter (you arent' surprised are you) left me a scathing comment that rattled me, as much as I hate to admit it. And I need to address it as well as address this person directly and you know who you are. A few of your hateful insinuations implied below and I quote the following comment and my comments are highlighted....

Frankly in my opinion not a word you say here is true. I have actually built a home similar to the one you portray here and nothing about your time line, last minute selections etc. seems plausible. Because we all know every home ever built follows the exact same time line, right? YOU don't think its palusible, do I care? Our home took 3 years to complete with similar finishes and detailing. At 12,000 sq feet, there were 84 lighting fixtures to choose--not a canned light in the entire place--not even in the closets or garages and this was done well in advance as was hardware, carpeting, flooring, natural stone, fireplace surrounds, plumbing fixtures (2 kitchens, 11 bathrooms). Well good for you, you obviously were way more on top of things than I am. I believe in taking my time and doing it right and loving every decision I make, if it means it takes a few extra months so be it. Get over it, we might be living with some light bulbs and gasp maybe not having fixtures for awhile in our garage or closets!! Do you even KNOW what I have and haven't ordered? You seem to be making A LOT of presumptions but even still it is MY house and if I want to live with canned lights then I will.  And for the record we are going on over three and a half years since we started this! With all of your last minute decisions 'your" contractor must find this a nightmare. No to the contrary, we have  a wondeful relationship and count him as a friend, he is a phenomenal builder and a person of high standards and integrity.I also question some of your low-end selections for a home of this caliber. As far as I know, every single thing I have done has been of  very high quality, for which I feel very fortunate to have been able to do,  so if you have something specific you want to "call me out on" have at it. And let me tell you with all the effort it took, I for sure would not have had time to take care of my children AND blog like you do plus get around and comment to so many other blogs. Well, thats why you are you and I am me. Some can multi task and others cannot.  If there is one quality I can say I like about myself it is my ability to do A LOT in a day, that said I will also say I enjoy blogland very much and spend more time than I should on some days but that is purely my perogative and if you don't "get' how I do it all, then that is your problem, not mine. Others feel the same way that I do and we are watching you. You are watching me? Oooooh....sounds scary. OK, have fun! I also find your recent drops of oh I did volunteer work this weekend, or I am doing something for a needy family very conveniently thrown in lately...most of us who do regular charity work never casually mention this to bolster our credibility...we keep our mouths shut about it or only highlight it when there is a particular event to showcase or to rally support for. I know what I do and am proud of the little I have done. I believe in being charitable and giving what you can. If I want to talk about ON MY BLOG I WILL. I have spoken of Wounded Warriors Project, and a few other things, I am not saying it for a pat on the back or for accolades, its just something I enjoy doing. I love when I read about others and the charitible work they do, and in fact get inspired by it,  I do not think they are bragging, the insinuation is ridiculous. I challenge you to prove us wrong. You seem to have made a tremendous attempt to validate yourself with VIRTUAL friendships, but never have you talked of meeting another blogger face to face. This is not something I HAVE to do, I will if I want to. Incidentally there are a few  people who I have spoken to who I plan on meeting up with and you know what, I am not going to be talking about it on this blog. Why? Because I dont't want to and have NOTHING to prove to you. Neither do you show anything else that validates your blogging persona--trips to wonderful f=resorts and you have to pull the photos off the websites. I have been fortunate to have taken many fabulous trips to many amazing places (I dont' have to 
"prove" that to you), for the record in Feb. I posted on my trip to France and ugh..those were MY pictures. Since buidling we haven't been away nearly as often as I would liked, so shoot me! I am also private when it comes to certain aspects of my life and will not share family trips or weekend getaways with my husband on this blog. I do not post pictures of my family and other personal aspects of my life by choice. So here is the challenge: invite at least one REAL blogger that we all know to be legitimate to your new home to hang out with you for the day. You don't know me but I would as soon take "your challenge" as I would dye my hair purple and get a mohawk and give up chocolate. I will meet a blogging friend if and when I want to. And when I do I will NOT be talking about it. I have NOTHING to prove to you. Better yet, how about inviting several real bloggers to your slumber party. No thanks.I would be relieved to learn that you are actually a great REAL person and that the enchanted home is not a virtual fantasy of yours or of whomever you work for. Why don't you instead keep believing I am not a real person and that I am living in a makeblelieve world and this house is all a virtual dream and I just go in the middle of the night in camo and warpaint and take pictures and pretend its all mine. and then go back to the little bridge I live under.  I think we are both better off that way, "friends" like you...I DO  NOT WANT OR  NEED!..We all know a sham blog is possible--I and several others I know have been contacted to create blogs for some rather large entities under assumed names and personas to promote their concerns--so it can happen. Well they sure asked the right person didn't they? This is my opinion and I would be very happy and relied to learn that is unsound. Just trying to keep some authenticity here in the blog world.  Really? If you are trying to keep some authenticity in the blog world, try being authentic and OWN YOUR COMMENT and put a name to it, instead of wimping out and signing as an anonymous commenter. If you have a problem then address it to me in an email and we will discuss it like adults but I will not have you come to MY blog and basically imply that I am a sham. NO THANK YOU. 

I do believe the truth comes out, always. I could so easily find out who you are with the IP address I have for you for the comment you left at the exact time you left your comment, but its not worth my time or effort. My suggesion to you? Don't come here anymore. How's that for keeping the blog world authentic.

Very truly yours, Tina

I am sorry to have "wasted" an entire post on this but I had to get it off my chest. As much as I wish I could say this didn't bother me, it did, it really hurt me. I am an honest to the core kind of person and it really surprised me that someone would speak out like this. Anyone who knows me can vouch for this. I needed to address it. I cannot thank the 99.9% of you that are just AMAZING and so supportive, truly you are what makes doing this so much fun. Blogging is such an integral part of my life and I cannot imagine a day not coming here!! I will not let this get me down, I am a fighter and never a quitter, I just felt compelled however to address this in no unspoken terms and if someone has an issue, feel free to email me. Thank you for your support and understanding........

Random musings continued and better than ever!!!!!

               

   ****I want to quickly say thank you and I am sorry*****

Thank you SO MUCH for your INCREDIBLE support and FRIENDSHIP (that's right friendship) that I was shown literally by the hundreds of emails and comments I received yesterday and today. I was BLOWN AWAY by the reaction of so many loyal followers and readers, to say I was touched to my core is an understatement. (and I bet she didn't know what hit her)!! I was indeed very rattled, shaken and incredibly hurt to have received such a harsh comment but I have brushed myself off, realized its their problem not mine and will continue doing what I am doing EXACTLY the same way, only better!!!!! ( canned lights and all)

And I am sorry for "wasting" an entire post on my rant. Wasting because that person is not worth my time and energy or yours, my respected and treasured readers and followers!  I realize it might not have sat right with some of you and I sincerely apologize if you did not agree with that decision. But part of my blog is it being  a truthful representation of who I am and frankly I just had to do it. It was important for me to address it in order to fully move on.  Now that I have, it is time to carry on and time to have some fun!!!!!!!!!!! Back the the post I had posted yesterday.......

Happy Saturday morning to you.... its another random post, a little bit of this and a little bit of that and a few questions answered. This week has been hectic but VERY productive. Though I am extremely disappointed I will not be moving before Thanksgiving, my parents are coming up and just knowing we are really close to moving and starting to slowly box things up here around here makes it exciting and palpable. Its in the air and right now, that is good enough for me. Of course I would prefer moving but the end is really in sight. We are tying up a lot of loose ends, the devil REALLY is in the details!  Oh and GREAT news, got the marble for the island! Yippee, they come Tues. to template the island and with luck I will have the island completed within a week or two and then at last the kitchen will finally be done, except for the lanterns, small potatoes! So here we go with the randomness.......
First a few questions.....
1. What color are the cabinets in the laundry room? They are painted Benjamin Moore OC-14 and this color was enhanced with a taupe colored enhancer, we matched it up to Starks Slate II and did a very subtle taupe glaze over it.
2. What marble is in the kitchen? Calcutta gold select honed 
3. What are the carpets names and manufacturers? The light tan with the blue dots is Helios, pattern Rosemoor in color Dega Hemp  the woven med. and light carpet I do not have the sample for anymore so have to get back to you on that....the light tan plaid carpet is Helios, pattern Highland Cloth and color Thistle  and finally the trellis beige and ivory in the guest is Glen Eden's Simple Irresistible. They are all wool carpets.
4. Several commented about the outlets being placed in the baseboards which creates a cleaner look and makes the walls clutter free. Someone asked if this is to code or purely done for aesthetic reasons? It is total aesthetics, as so many of your keen eyes observed, it does in fact create a very clean feeling to the room and an uninterrupted expanse of wall. Our builder does this often, and its in fact a great idea!
5. When are we moving in? Well.....this question has had many answers over the last year, and the most recent would have been before Thanksgiving but now I can almost safely say before Christmas. Not sure when and dont' want to say because I am tired of saying it only to eat my words once again but God willing sometime within the next 2-3 weeks, fingers crossed!
6. Did we use the same paint color in all the bedrooms? We did, we tweaked Linen White, used it as a base but took a little of the yellow out, and for my sons room (the one with the light tan carpet with blue dots) used a light camel color, a few asked for that color and I promise I will have it for next weeks post.

OK, these are kind of over the top and some might even say unnecessary (but fun and so appropriate for a Chanel fan) and you have to admit they are really cute and there is some serious artistry behind these Chanel confections......amazing baked goods always blow me away, mostly because it is so out of my realm of what I am capable of doing!

Family room is well underway and this is really exciting news for me, spent a good part of the day on Thursday, finalizing fabrics and getting furniture ordered, got two large sofas in the navy striaed velvet, with assorted pillows, two English armed club chairs in a "Ralph-y" herringbone tweed, two in a camel striae velvet with nail heads, one large square leather tufted ottoman, and a large slightly distressed French over sized cocktail table. Obviously we will still need much more with plenty of fill ins, but this is a great starting point and once this all arrives, we will be able to gauge how much more is needed and fill in from there. Below are a reminder of the fabrics and rug to give you an idea of the look we are going for and as luck would have it, my beloved dog pillows that I have owned for years, work beautifully with my palette!

This is the tufted leather ottoman, but we went with a more chestnut colored brown leather

My dog pillows! The colors are wacky here, some kind of setting on my phone!

I have always wanted to have a "slumber party" for a few of my closest friends, have them come over in their pj's, we would whip up a great dinner together, and of course something decadent for dessert, watch a really great girly chic flick (with plenty of buttery popcorn, milk duds, hot tamales and Swedish fish) and make it a great girls nights, just like when we were kids minus the gossip, well maybe a little could be fun!! How fun would that be??? I really want to do that perhaps for my next birthday! I am one of those people who doesn't have to be waited on hand and foot on my birthday, to me a gift is being able to give, and cook for my friends, just being in their company, laughing and having fun is gift enough for me. Then the next morning I would whip up an old fashioned country breakfast, no holds barred and hand out these little "favors" as a little reminder of our fun party.....cute, huh?

Speaking of food and friends,  a friend just came back from a short trip to Chicago, said she hadn't been there in years but that it was amazing, and was telling me how "food halls" are all the rage not only in Chicago but apparently are a future trend nationwide (I am very out of the loop on whats hip and big, contrary to her who knows everything on whats new and in) so she was telling me about the new Foodease market in the Water Tower Place which she was really impressed with and she just had to bring me back a little souvenir, feast your eyes on this, pistachio almond brickle with sea said....have you ever! How amazing does it look  you ask.... it is EVEN better tasting, not a morsel left! This my dear friends, is one of those things where  just one decadent bite warrants a trip to Lake Michigan....any takers on a bloggers conference at Foodease? :)

Moving right along onto non food related items! I am finalizing the lighting for hubby's bathroom Monday morning, all of these are in stock ( a first for me). The double sconces for above his tub, the lantern for when you walk into his bathroom, and the single sconces for his vanity.  So, you will see two sets, sets A. and B. I am leaning towards one of them, curious to what you like....and then ditto for the lanterns. These are all in polished nickel. All from Visual Comfort. Thoughts and you choices?

SET A.

SET B.

                                                                  LANTERN 1

                                                                 

                                                               LANTERN 2

Then I decided to go for something a little more girly and feminine for the hardware for my bathroom....why not, its the one space in the whole house that is entirely my own, so why not live it up and go all out feminine? So I ordered these pretty knobs...hopefully they are as pretty in person as they are in the picture. Also got this hardware from Anthropologie which I love but its much bigger in person than I realized so it doesn't work for my bathroom but am determined to use it somewhere, perhaps my closet? What do you think about these?

Moving right along...so you know the onyx floor you liked a lot yesterday? The reason that bathroom is not done is that they messed up on the border, it wasn't entirely their fault it was also the fact that I was having a hard time "realizing my vision" for lack of a better word but at last its in the works well kind of.  Don't ask it was a debacle. We are fixing it. This is the wallpaper we are using in that room, it will be great looking when its all said and done and here is the vanity chest we are making into a vanity cabinet, just so you get "the vibe" of what we are doing in there, its a very small bathroom but very cozy and elegant.

I know, I know we are back to food..sorry, this one I just wouldn't resist and where else but one of my random posts to throw this in!  I think I may need to start a new blog solely devoted to food....but had to show this one adorable picture. How cute his this! A cupcake burger. Genius. And easy!! Take a cupcake, slice it in two...fill it with icing and "the fixings" and top with other half or "the bun"....how great is this! Now this is my kind of BBQ!

The great thing, well one of the great things about blogging is the connections and friendships you make along the way. Frankly almost 10 months ago when I started, I didn't realize this was part of the deal and what a wonderful perk it is. Case in point.....I had a picture of a wonderful fig tart but couldnt' remember where I found it but loved it. Posted it on Thurs. post. Many of you commented. Kathysue from Good life of design wrote me that I may have seen it on a post she did and sure enough she was right and on top of that was kind enough to dig up the link to where she found the original recipe....I am so excited! I mean its ambitious for someone like me, a non baker but I am going to be attempting this for Christmas, and I pledge to you, pass or fail I will blog about it. I am thinking I may go for the mini's...so pretty!  Here is the link, and how gorgeous are these pictures...drool!  THANK YOU KATHYSUE!

Well, that's about it for my randomness today. I have lots of errands to get busy doing....its been so cold here lately. Today with an afternoon all to myself, at last, I need to start thinking about Thanksgiving. Its not going to be very glamorous, many things are packed, this house is somewhat out of order and physically I am here but mentally I am in my new house, but we will make the most of it and be thankful to be together as a family. 

I pledge to do something for someone needy every holiday, sometimes its a fairly big thing (relatively speaking) sometimes its a small gesture. I think a lot of us, at times myself included, think "whats my one contribution going to do", but the truth is if we ALL contribute something it all adds up, there are so many amazing organizations to support, which you choose is highly personal but I hope you too might consider helping out a needy person or family during the holidays, a time when so many families suffer and are not able to provide the simple basic needs that many of us often take for granted. I like sitting down to my dinner table at Thanksgiving knowing I helped to make a needy families' Thanksgiving perhaps a little more joyous. What might be a small gesture to me or you could be a life changing day for another family. If we can all sit down knowing we each helped one family, that is a pretty powerful and beautiful thing.  Thank you, wishing you a wonderful day.

Things I am loving Thursday and house updates!!

Hi everyone! Hope you all are doing great this Thursday.....I have had a pretty good week, especially since I have been headache free for the last three days, yippee!! Amazing how you take for granted things like good health and feeling well. I am convinced that much of this is stress induced, and no doubt stress has triggered a lot of these headaches. But enough of the headache talk, moving on, hope you are well. There is a lot going on of course at the house, the front entrance is really moving and shaking now and has totally transformed the front facade of the house, its exciting to see it nearly done though the scaffolding is blocking the view, its looking really beautiful. Inside, upstairs dare I say parts of the the second floor are DONE! The boys rooms and a guest room is completed including the carpet. That is very exciting! However downstairs is a whole other story. The goal was to have the kitchen, family room and breakfast room done by Thanksgiving. I think we are going to be just about there but if so it will be Thanksgiving eve. At midnight. LOL, in other words at this point I have resigned myself to the fact that I may not be having my Thanksgiving turkey in my new house BUT I will be having my Christmas turkey there! That much I know for sure. So.....here we go with this weeks happenings. Would love to know if there is something exciting going on where you are or if you have discovered something wonderful.....Lots to cover today and forewarning, this is a rather lengthy post. Pour yourself a second cup of coffee:)

First congratulations to the lucky winner of the Scout Deano tote! I used random picker to determine a winner, and the lucky winner is...........

Prize ID	Winner ID	Public Info	Private Info	Random Sorting ID	Weight
1: TOTE	474232	Travelkate		0094F6AD-516F-47B4-B687-8F4AF557A07B 1	1

Step right up to claim your prize. Please email me and let me know which pattern you want and I will arrange to have your bag sent to you. Enjoy! Moving right along......

Results from this weeks "which would you choose"......I was thrilled to see the first place as that was one of my top three picks too. All lovely, not a bad one in the bunch in my book. Thanks for participating...we had a record number!
                                                      1 ST PLACE WITH 52 VOTES

2ND PLACE WITH 40 VOTES

3RD PLACE WITH 36 VOTES

4TH PLACE WITH 27 VOTES

HOUSE UPDATES. I present to you today, the finished bedrooms and baths of the boys, this is very exciting to have some completed spaces!! I got one sample of the smaller knob for pantry and so glad I went with my gut on that one, so appreciate all your input, I know to some it seemed trivial but to me, it was important. Wallpaper ordered for powder rooms, very pleased with my choices. Family room and breakfast room has been painted. Front entrance is the big news around here this week, so included several pictures. Most surfaces and completed rooms are now swathed in paper and plastic so not much to photograph, but here is what I have.....A little frustrating as much of the house is now "under wraps" so the posts might be a little light over the next week or two. I am sad to say I don't think I will be there by Thanksgiving seeing that its next week. Yes I am so anxious to be there but at some point you also tell yourself you are only capable of making so much happen, the rest you just need to let it go. And that, my friends is what I am doing, letting it go, trying to be patient and sit tight. Easy it is not. We are working as fast and furious as we possibly can to get in ASAP. 

Close up

Got a quick shot with my IPhone when it was quickly uncovered between the rain!

The infamous knob, this is the smaller one

Front door

Rear foyer door

Bedroom #1

Close up, light tan with navy dots

The vanity/bathroom for that room

Bedroom  #2

Close up, light and medium tan woven through

Bathroom for that bedroom

Bedroom #3

Bathroom for that room

Guest room

Back stair hall getting the "limed effect" over glaze

Laundry room in process

Door color

Against the floor

Close up with subtle taupe glaze

Chevron onyx floor in library powder room, waiting on border

Doors for laundry room awaiting glazing

Looking to front entrance 

A GREAT BOOK ABOUT TRAVELING THROUGH ITALY. Next best thing to being there, and a little bit of therapy in a book! I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed it. Aptly named "Go slow Italy" it is about taking the slow road through Italy's countryside (sounds good already, huh) and how to unplug and relax and enjoy the ride.  It reads like the journal of a friend that talks about the best of Italy's local offerings from local intimate hotels to quaint restaurants all embracing the sustainable food movement. Hear about innkeepers and vintners, you get the idea...yes, very worth the read if this is your sort of thing.... It is very much mine. A keeper! (I also bought one as a gift for Christmas for someone who  I know also enjoys this kind of book)

LIGHTING FOR MY FAMILY ROOM. As the one room we are planning out is coming together, we are working on lighting. This room calls for iron lighting of a very large scale. My architect had something slightly Gothic in mind as it goes so well with the architecture of the room. These are all from the exquisite handwork of Arte De Mexico.  Here are a few samples of a few fixtures and sconces that are the direction we are heading into...thoughts?

LETTERPRESS STATIONERY. I have been a long time fan of stationery. All kinds. Seriouly nuts for it. Whether or not I need it. I just love looking at it. I know in my next life I must be a party planner. I love and have an undying obsession with flowers, cakes and especially stationery. Duh...need to be a party planner. Letter press stationery makes my knees week, does it have that effect on you? Check out this gorgeousness from The lettered Olive, even the name I love!  Click here to visit their site and swoon some more.

A GREAT SITE FOR GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS. I hate to admit it but I am surrendering myself to the fact that Christmas is approx. six weeks ago and its not going away. So in addition to thinking about moving, I have the holiday frenzy to contend with. Therefore I am staritng now and I am starting online. Making it as easy on myself as possible! I LOVE Erin Condren. I have found so many amazing gifts there! I ordered the life planner for two people who lead super busy lives after rave reviews about this hold everything must have planner, the Lucite tray where you can download a favorite family picture and turn it into a beloved use everyday tray,ordered a few iPhone cases, an Ipad sticker for my niece, there really is something for everyone and it was soooo great to find so many unique gifts that showed I spent time and thought behind them! Click here to visit Erin Condren. Below a sampling of some of their goodies!

The lucite tray with a favorite picture, a great keepsake!

The Ipad "skin" personalized (how great are these, you only have to supply the pictures)!! Got the last one for my college aged niece.

The Iphone skin personalized with either names or pictures

The life planner book either with a picture or your name as below

Another option for the phone case

Personalized notepads, ordered for a few people, these are fun and everyone needs them!

A FEW DEALS AND STEALS ON ONE KINGS LANE. Do you ever shop on this site? I don't too often though lately have been more so. I in the last few days since I have been headache free, have been trying to get organized and get a headstart on Christmas shopping. A few things I bought that were great looking and great deals were these wine coolers and cashmere slippers (if anyone is reading this, I would't mind a pair myself)! Great gifts, don't you think?

THE CUTEST CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS. How cute are these wellies ornaments? I got them for my two nieces who I know will flip out over them and then how could I not get my beloved nephew a video game controller ornament if I am getting them wellies? Too cute and soooo fitting for their personalities!

FUN RETURN ADDRESS LABELS. Ordered a few for gifts and one for myself. Unique things on this site. How cute are these? Shop to your hearts content, on everything from stationery, embossers, stamps, gifts, etc.....its a great little company!! Right now they are offering 15% sitewide and free shipping! Great time to stock up on gifts.....happy shopping! Click here to visit.

Stampers

Embossers

Those family stickers to use wherever, cars, boats, trains, planes

Letterpress monogrammed personal notes

Cute personalized paperweights, fun for teachers

Fun personalized stamp stationary sets

A BEAUITFUL DESSERT. This has nothing to do with anything but how beautiful and elegant is this fig tart? I want to replicate it. I don't know where I found it, but I know I love it. It is so pretty and I bet its delicious too. What do you think?

OK, I think I have talked quite enough about shopping for now and don't even get me started on the subject of food, there willl be no stopping me! But whether we like it or not, the season is upon us and I for one, am not going to find myself in the lurch that I did last year, practically on the verge of a nervous breakdown, still searching for gifts Dec.23rd! No thank you. I want to be done and completed by Dec. 1st. I think I can do it. Thanks to e-commerce its easier than ever. Any great tips you want to share? Sites you have discovered that you recommend?  Spill the beans and don't hold back.....Share it with us! Wishing you all a wonderful day!!