Thank You Notes & Sharing Blog Awards!

Time to get those overdue thank-you notes out!

My sincere thanks to Mona of Providence Ltd and Danielle of Fresh Quince for giving me the Stylish Blogger Award. In addition, I'd like to thank Renae of Renae Moore Designs for passing The Super Comments award to me. These are blogs that I enjoy a great deal and these 3 ladies have plenty of talent and wonderful blogs, so if you're not familiar, click over and say hello!

In the spirit of the Stylish Blogger Award, I was requested to pass it on to 10 blogs that are newish to me and share 7 things about myself. Talk about difficult with so many wonderful blogs popping up, but here are some recent discoveries that I think are quite stylish!

Ann of Peggy & Fritz
David of Savoir Faire
H.H. of Hill House Ramblings
Jessica of 24 Corners
Joan of For The Love of a House
Kate of Party Resources
Reggie of Reggie Darling
Shari of Little Blue Deer
Stacey of Quintessence
Victoria of Art House Design

And now to tell 7 things you may not know about me...I thought about opting out, but instead I've decided to have a little fun with it!

1.) Most of the time, I enjoy cooking especially for parties and holidays, but I despise grocery shopping. As often as possible, I will coerce my husband and teenage children into doing it. One of the good things that has come from it, is that my son has no trouble navigating the mysteries of the grocery store and does not think that it is a chore just for the wife. When I do go, often it is to higher end or smaller grocers in an effort to make it more pleasant. For me "pleasant" means I bought flowers and no one was in the check-out line torturing me with their cell phone conversation.

2.) In my real life I swear. Not like a sailor or even close. My favorite expletive is sh*t. I say it even when I'm not particularly upset...working on that. I once did it in front of a client who's bathrooms I was renovating at the end of 2009 when I saw something the contractor had done incorrectly. He laughed and said "you don't strike me as the swearing type!?" Of course, I was embarrassed and he quickly said "don't worry, we're going to get along just fine." I blame this flaw as a result of a long career with "the suits" in my former life.

3.) I don't understand the appeal of most reality TV. Especially the stupid women on the "Housewives" shows. I've tried watching various episodes on more than a few occasions, and I'm bored silly. My dog is more intelligent, attractive and amusing.

4.) Currently, my favorite television shows are Mad-Men, Boardwalk Empire and Modern Family (did you all see the last episode with the grape juice spill on the $50K designer rug and the uh...bedroom interruption...so FUNNY!) But given the choice, I much prefer movies to television.

5.) I love to read, but since I started blogging, I've noticed I'm reading less and less for pleasure. And, I don't mean design books, because that's always a pleasure. Working on that too.

6.) I drive my family nuts with my recycling issues. It's really only an issue because they can't remember that things like empty toilet paper rolls need to be recycled and yet no matter how many times I tell them pizza boxes can not be recycled, they put them in the bin anyway. The recycle bin is in the garage, the trash can is outside...draw your own conclusion.

7.) In the winter I turn the fireplace on in the master bedroom every night just before bed and once I am warm and toasty....I make my husband get out of bed and turn it off. I still consider myself a good wife.


And now to the Super Comments Award, that was easier, except for the questions...please forgive me Renae for opting out with the specific questions attached to this award, but I think one round about me is plenty for one post. If by chance anyone is interested in additional snippets, they can be found here.

Many thanks to the bloggers, including Renae, who regularly take time to share a comment of wit, wisdom, support and most especially contribute your thoughts and opinions about art & design.  I pass the award on to these 10 fabulous bloggers:

Danielle of Fresh Quince
Elizabeth of Pretty Pink Tulips
Kat of Low Tide High Style
Kathysue of The Good Life of Design
Mona of Providence Ltd
Patricia of PVE
Stacey of Quintessence
Sue of The Zhush
Suzanne of Privet & Holly
Tina of Tina Steele Lindsey

~Rebecca

Six, Six & Sixty: Getting Personal

This past April, Marija the author of  Holding Court, one of my very favorite blogs, awarded me The Beautiful Blogger  award.   While I was flattered and most appreciative, I really wasn't keen on the idea of sharing "personal stuff" with blogworld.  You see that has been one of the biggest surprises of blogging to me...most of you do this willingly...and wonderfully.  Many of you share nothing, including your identities! And some of you, I think may be on the fence... like me?

Me at age 6

When I started blogging, I swore I would never post a single photo of myself or family....well I've loosened up a bit, but still haven't quite decided how I will navigate this part of blogging. Guess I will likely just make it up as I go.

So, I e-mailed Marija and told her my issues and she graciously responded saying that she understood and maybe I would want to consider saving it to do down the road when things may be too busy to post.  Good advice.  Well....you may have guessed I was away on vacation, returned home to loads of laundry, mail and oh,  a twisted knee (a story for another time) so I thought while I am sitting here with my leg propped up, why not?   I understand for this award, the recipient is suppose to share 7 things about themselves ( I modified it to 6), show the 6th picture they ever posted and this just so happens to be my 60th post!

1.) Before I was a designer I had a long career as the director of a very large and well known brokerage firm. It was a  testosterone driven atmosphere that only 4 women, including myself, occupied such positions with this firm's offices throughout the country.....which I certainly hope has changed by now! The uber competitive and serious environment of investment & financial services with "the suits" was worlds apart from my current life in design and blogging. For starters, this !!! or this :) would have been greatly :( upon.  And , this ;) would have likely got me fired! I miss the big paycheck, the smell of men's cologne and little else from my former career.

My 6th picture is from a bathroom renovation project you can read about  HERE.

2.) I was born in Florida. The sun, surf, sand and the need for several great pairs of flip-flops are in my blood!  My father was a colonel in the Air Force so we moved a lot growing up.  I have lived everywhere from Oklahoma to New York. Our family settled in Virginia when my father retired and started his own company.   As a result of growing up in such a variety of environments I learned to adapt quickly to change, enjoy many types of people and adjust to different accents!  I think there are wonderful people everywhere.  I also think there are are plenty of rude people everywhere!

Scene from our recent vacation

3.) I am a bit of a germaphobe and I think the creation of hand santitizer & wipes are some of the greatest contributions to society ever !!! I loathe clutter and I am a recovering perfectionist.  But, I have always used my "good" things regularly. If this blog can accomplish one thing, I would like readers to really think about this and use their nice things and not save them for someone, some occasion....someday. Please make it a priority to Live Beautifully Everyday! 

Flowers....beautiful everyday!

4.) I love to travel, but can be super picky about the accommodations!  I have been to Europe and the Carribean several times and my list of other places I'd love to visit just keeps getting longer!  My design aesthestic is greatly influenced by European sensibilities and Southern traditions. My tastes lean towards tradtional, but I love a modern twist here and there.

My favorite house both inside and out. Charleston, SC

5.) Giving back is important to me. There are so many opportunities that don't require writing large checks.   For example, while my husband was in Afghanistan he discovered an orphanage for children of all ages who's parents had been killed as a result of the war.  After speaking to the director, it was determined what they really needed were school supplies.  A quick flyer made up by my son was sent out to friends and neighbors. Within days bags of donations came pouring in.  We packed & shipped hundreds of pounds of supplies in a 2 year time span.  It was so easy, so rewarding and something I think will stay with my children forever.

 

Some of the many school supplies donated

6.) We have owned our home since 1993 and have lived in it for all but 4 years, when we rented it out.  Due to it's age and the neglect it suffered from the renters, we embarked on a whole house renovation (inside & out) 5 years ago and I am happy to say we are nearly done!!!

Our basement ( AKA teen/media pad) after completion, but before decorating! One of these days I'll show the afters!

Ok, if I stick to the original rules...

7.) My favorite kind of people have both good manners and a sense of humor.  Did I mention I wear a tiara when I blog?  

All photos courtesy of A&A

Tuesday Tip

Guest relations.  Week to week I am never sure what will pop into my head to share with you all.  Most often it is something that comes about in a quick and unexpected way.  On more than one occassion I have had that sinking feeling Tuesday will be disappointing because either I am slammed with life, work or both.  Lately, it's been both.  Had it not been for the email I received from a reader, this Tuesday would have been a blank page. 

This reader wanted to know what I would recommend for guest soaps and did I keep favorites always on hand?  I suggest that you only supply your guests with soaps that you would enjoy using yourself.  I offer an assortment.  I also choose the soaps based on whether my guests are male or female and what I think they will like.  I almost always have some on hand, because....well,  I love soap!  But, if it's more than a few days stay, I probably need to shop.  And, yes, multiple soaps for multiple people and uses!!!

When people stay with me, I want them to feel it was pleasurable in the way that good hotels always make you feel.  But, of course everything in the contex of real living.  In other words, plenty of beautiful soaps and stacks of fluffy white towels, just not delivered everyday!

So here is what I have on hand now.  All in dishes and containers I already own.  I would also use any of these in my powder room.  Which would you choose?

One last thing, I have been so late in thanking the very kind  Amy of Pemberley Style  who gave me a blogger award.

She has a wonderful online shop Pemberley Collections that among many other things sells the most delightful soap dishes!

Vintage Spindles

The popularity of architectural salvage shows no sign of stopping.  I am sure in great part do to the effort of many to be more green.  It may also be attributed to the downturn of our economy.   But I believe for a vast majority, it is a way to avoid the abundance of mass produced items in favor of original artisan creations that add unique character to our homes.

In the recent issue of NapaStyle there was the most unusual and charming Chandelier that caught my eye.  It is made of beautiful lathe-turned wooden spindles that have been salvaged mostly from the midwest.  In addition, there are several other pieces that have been reinvented as fabulous one-of-a-kind useful home decor.  Here is a look at the collection:

Chandelier:

End Tables:

Towel Bars:

Magazine Basket:

Lazy Susan:

I would also like to take this opportunity to extend a very big THANK YOU to Averill for giving me the "Sunshine Award" this past Wednesday!  It was a crazy busy week and this was just such a wonderful  surprise!  Averill's blog Odi et Amo was one of the first handful of blogs that I became hooked on!

She is a lawyer by day and a decorating DIY extraordinare in her spare time, who always inspires me with one amazing post after another!!!

So in the spirit of receiving this award, I would like to pass it on to these 5 wonderful blogs:

Tracy at Comfort & Luxury

Debra at 5th and State
Linda at Lime In The Coconut
Renae Moore of Renae Moore Designs
Delores at Vignette Design