Who Says?

Who says you can't play outside in a skirt...

with rubber boots...

A creamy skirt and black rubber boots...Do you think the fashion police will get us?

Cottage-y Pillows

Sweet things for the house often turn up in the most surprising places. One place where I often find inexpensive, pretty household items is the dollar store. How convenient that it's just seconds from my house!

A few weeks ago I was in need of extra pillows for guests. At the dollar store, I found these cute little things for just $5 each. My house is mostly traditional, but I'm a fan of cottage decorating...So a pretty pillow is the perfect way to sneak in a little cottage flair!

Red in the Kitchen

I've never been a red person. But lately I find myself craving cool, cheerful colors. Especially in the kitchen.

Savoring Autumn

September to Christmas has always been my favorite, favorite time of year. Hurricane Gustav stole about 4 weeks of our fall this year, though. The Christmas season is almost upon us, and I don't feel ready. I who usually can't wait for Christmas! I'd like a little more fall, please.

In the warm climate where I've lived for years (three different states, all growing zones 8 or 9), it's finally chilly enough for a cup of tea in the morning. As the season goes on, we pull out jeans and sweaters, and occasionally even coats.

I'm squeezing out the last bit of fall pleasure before Thanksgiving. It's not Christmas yet!

New Orleans Streetscapes

Recently Rebecca posted "Maybe I'm an Impressionist," where she took on the idea of global thinkers as opposed to detail people. I concluded that I'm definitely a global thinker. My (detail-oriented) husband could have told you I'm not about details. It's the big picture, people.

So now I'm noticing this difference everywhere I go. And sometimes, like today, it makes me laugh.

We got new furniture yesterday, a barter with a friend who's moving. It's not what I would have chosen if I were going to pick all by myself, but it's very beautiful. It's definitely Billy's style: traditional and a little ornate. I can't help but love it. Especially since it replaces the freecycle futon we've had for so long.

I told Billy it looks like married people live here now. Now that we have furniture, I'm thinking about paint and curtains. And art. I could picture exactly what I wanted. A New Orleans streetscape. Deep, saturated color. Oils.

So Billy and I browsed Allposters together. "That doesn't match our furniture," he said. "It's sort of weird and ethereal. See?" Then he found some different prints. "This is nice. Clean, straight lines."

And, I noticed, details. Traditional, realistic details.

How funny that this idea of global versus detail thinkers came full circle when we were looking at paintings.

We haven't purchased any art. Maybe another day. Maybe we'll find just the right thing that's a perfect blend of what we both like. Or not.