The Art of Living Beautifully

Living room inspiration...

2012-01-20T10:00:00.000-08:00

With our impending move back to the old house I own in the Carolinas, I've been doing a lot of thinking about decorating. The one room that is closest to being formulated in my mind is the living room. The living room is about 20 x 20, so it's a lovely large room. There is a lovely fireplace with a window flanking either side on one wall; opposite that is one long, uninterrupted wall. The other two walls consist of a large picture window with two smaller windows on either side and the front door tucked down at the end; on the opposite wall is a doorway leading to the hall and next to that is a set of french doors that lead into the dining room. I'm afraid I don't have any digital photos (only prints), so I'm hoping you'll be able to visualize for now.
Because I've lived in the house before and knew I would be moving back someday, I've had a chance to play off-and-on with various decorating ideas in my mind. We've decided to start from scratch on the furniture, so I have an opportunity to really redo the entire room. I've gone through various color palettes and styles, but I think I've finally hit on what I want to do, and that's basically what you see in the photograph above. My color scheme will be pink and white, with a few brighter touches here and there, and plenty of pattern. I'm planning on a comfortable couch and love seat that are relatively plain like in the photo, in a nice off-white/linen (this is one of those times the no-kids thing comes in handy). They'll provide a lovely blank canvas.

I'll use pillows to punch up the color and add a little pattern, like those in the photos above. I already have a coffee table just like the one you see in the top photo ~ it was an old kitchen table I had cut down and repainted. I used it in the room when I lived there before and because the room is so big and square, having a good-sized round table to gather around is perfect. So that's one piece of furniture off the list. I'll pick up a chair to go next to the fireplace in a pretty pattern or color and there will be some other pieces of furniture in the room as well (a writing table tucked in a corner, an armoire of some sort, etc.), but the seating will provide the structure.
I've also been collecting art over the last several years in anticipation of this move. I have been particularly drawn to Janet Hill's work, which you can see here. She has an amazing collection of feminine women portraits and I purchased a number of those prints and framed them all to match. I also picked up a couple of other pieces of woman-centric art and framed those to coordinate so they could all hang together. They are all going to hang on my long, uninterrupted wall ~ the wall of women, as I call it in my head. I'm going to wallpaper that wall in a pattern I've designed and I'll make drapes out of the same pattern, which you can see directly below:

The pattern is called Pink Medley and actually comes in a variety of colors in my shop, The Pink Home. (Just fabrics for now ~ I'm still working on the wallpaper.) I just finished the pink version, with this room in mind. The pink is feminine without being too girly, thanks to the slight peach undertone, and the intricate pattern balances out the playful flowers.
To balance that great pink wall (a.k.a. the wall of women), above the fireplace will hang a huge fine art photograph, which you can view here, with glorious pink flowers and a peachy sky. The drapes will also carry the Pink Medley pattern throughout the room. The other walls will be painted an off-white to match the white flowers in the wallpaper and the drapes, and I have a few other pieces of art that will likely be making an appearance.
I still need to settle on an area rug (the room has hardwood flooring) and I'm sure there will be a few changes once I actually get the project under way, but I know I'm headed in the right direction because every time I picture the room in my head, it brings a smile to face. A pink and white living room ~ doesn't that sound like bliss?

I am linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound.

Photo credits: 1, 2; Design (third photo) by The Pink Home

Color love...

2012-01-16T02:00:00.000-08:00

There is something about this lovely sea foam color that is calling to me lately. It's a heavenly mix of blue, green and gray that is just delightful. It also goes wonderfully with pink, my favorite color. It's good to let new inspiration take hold and indulge what you find to be beautiful, so I am going to have to find a place for this color in my home.
Are there any colors calling to you at the moment?

Photo from Pinterest

A little desktop beauty...

2012-01-10T10:40:00.000-08:00

Vera Bradley is launching its new spring colors later this month ~ Rosy Posies, Camellia, Island Blooms and Ellie Blue ~ and judging by the brief preview, they're all lovely. As a little treat, they have designed four new desktop wallpapers, which you can see here. Aren't they pretty? I love a little dash of color on the computer. You can download the wallpapers easily by going here. You can see a brief preview of the new colors and patterns there, too. I quite like all the new patterns, but I think Island Blooms is my favorite (it would be lovely to take on our honeymoon), with Ellie Blue a close second. My favorite of the wallpapers is Camellia and Rosy Posies. Which do all of you like?

Catching up...

2012-01-08T16:15:00.000-08:00

Hello, all. 2012 is only a week old and I am happy to report I've already had my cold for the year. I always seem to get one cold a year. This one started New Year's Day and seems to pretty much be gone today, so I'm thinking that's over and done with for the year (fingers crossed).

Feeling like rot is why I've been so absent this past week. My holidays were absolutely wonderful ~ I got engaged! ~ and now I'm looking forward to a year of big changes. Things are going swimmingly at The Pink Home, too ~ lots of plans and goodies in the works. We'll be moving back East this year (possibly sooner rather than later, depending...), and I'll be starting on redecorating my old house. Of course, that will mean lots of before and after pics for all of you ~ and I'm sure a few help-me-decide posts as well ~ so that will be fun.

I'm so excited about everything that's going on this year, I can hardly stand it ~ it's going to be a fabulous year. Of course, there's also the added joy of the return of Downton Abbey on Masterpiece. It starts tonight and I can hardly wait. Two whole months of beautiful Edwardian soapy fabulousness ~ yet one more reason to love 2012. (If you're on Pinterest, check out my Downton Abbey Obsession board.)

I hope all of you have lots of wonderful plans and things to look forward to this year.

Top photo from PBS; bottom photo from Vanity Fair

Blooming in the cold...

2012-01-01T18:12:00.000-08:00

It's amazing what blooms sometimes when it's cold, isn't it? Some flowers only bloom when the temperature drops, of course, but there's still something exciting about seeing a gorgeous new bloom when the rest of the world seems to be freezing.
This beautiful plant is climbing all over a trellis in our back yard, blooming its little heart out. Can anyone tell me what it is? It's clearly been here awhile, long before we moved in this past summer, but I can't say I've ever seen a plant quite like it. Whatever it may be, it's glorious.
I hope all of you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season. Here's to a fabulous 2012, full of beauty, celebrations and love...

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

The beauty of Christmas angels...

2011-12-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Love came down at Christmas; love all lovely, love divine; love was born at Christmas, stars and angels gave the sign.

~ Christina G. Rossetti

May the angels bless each of you with a beautiful Christmas, full of love and joy...

Photo by The Pink Home

Stop and smell the evergreen...

2011-12-22T10:39:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we get so caught up in preparing and planning we forget to enjoy the holiday beauty around us. I woke up this morning thinking I had to plunge into more Christmas chores. I turned on the Christmas tree lights and for the first time this holiday season, it seems, actually looked around my house. I suddenly realized I didn't need to keep doing and doing ~ it was done, and time to sit back and enjoy the season. After all, the decorations are hung, the presents are all bought and wrapped and under the tree and I finished the grocery shopping yesterday. I am going to slow down and enjoy myself as I bake only the Christmas cookies I really love and make some other goodies over the next couple of days. There are cups of tea and pumpkin bread waiting to be devoured, holiday magazines to leaf through and a few parties to enjoy ~ you know, the good things about the holidays that sometimes we all rush through in our bid to just get done.
I snapped some photos of the Christmas beauty around my home this morning to share with you. I hope you will take some time to enjoy your holiday, too.

I am linking to Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home and Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. Stop by for more holiday beauty.

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

Christmas beauty...

2011-12-19T00:05:00.000-08:00

A few pinecones, berries and greenery are perfect to create a little Christmas cheer at my front gate. Isn't it wonderful how sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful?

Wishing you a wonderful week...

Photo by The Pink Home

Rainy days and chicken soup...

2011-12-15T00:05:00.000-08:00

It's been cold and rainy here, the kind of weather that chills you to the bone. The best remedy I know for that is homemade soup and grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. Simple and delicious.

I had plenty of chicken stock on hand so I decided to make chicken soup this time ~ comforting and warming all in one. I like to cook my chicken separately while the carrots and celery cook in the stock, then add the chicken to the pot, seasoning as I go. I cook the pasta separately, too, and add it when I'm close to serving the soup so it doesn't soak up all the broth. The great thing about homemade chicken soup is it is easy to make in any quantity ~ enough for one or two, or a pot full, as I made. And it smells heavenly cooking on the stove.

That's my favorite way to beat cold, damp weather. What's yours?

I am linking to Thursday Favorite Things at Katherines Corner.

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

Pink inspiration...

2011-12-14T14:45:00.000-08:00

Don't you love it when you come across something that inspires you? I have been wanting to spruce up my other blog, The Pink Home, for a couple of weeks now, only I'd been stumped as to what exactly it was that I wanted to do. Then I came across the above photo when I was sorting through my photo library and suddenly, there was the answer. I turned it into my new blog header and used it as my inspiration to make a few adjustments to the layout and colors. Pop by and have a look and let me know what you think.

A few Christmas touches...

2011-12-13T00:05:00.000-08:00

It's finally starting to look like Christmas at my house. The tree is up, most of the presents are bought, some of them are wrapped, and a few little holiday touches are scattered about. By the end of the week, I should have everything in order and looking lovely ~ and that will be wonderful.
How are your holiday preparations coming along?

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

Preparing for holiday houseguests...

2011-12-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

With the holidays usually comes travel and, therefore, the occasional houseguest. Let's be honest, having a guest staying in your home, while enjoyable, is work. I came across these tips on preparing for a houseguest and thought they were worth sharing. Think of it as a helping hand this holiday season. The tips are from Martha Stewart's Website; you can find a printable checklist here.

Preparing for a houseguest, Martha style:
~ Allot adequate closet and drawer space and provide hangers.
~ Fully stock your refrigerator and pantry, and take into account any special food requirements.
~ Have a full-length mirror in the bedroom.
~ Have a working alarm clock in the bedroom.
~ Invest in a few small touches in the room, such as bottled water, chocolates, or fresh flowers.
~ Provide a sitting area with a pillow and throw, an adjacent table, and a good adjustable-brightness lamp in the room your guests will be staying in.
~ Provide extra blankets for temperature control in the bedroom.
~ Provide reading material, including several magazines and a daily newspaper.
~ Stock enough towels, washcloths and hand towels for all guests.
~ Stock up on toilet paper and other necessities and make sure they know where to locate extras.

Does anyone else have any other tips for hosting houseguests?

Photo from www.marthastewart.com

Collected holiday loveliness...

2011-12-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

I hope all of you are enjoying the holiday season so far. I am woefully behind on both shopping and decorating, but there always seems to be a few minutes to check out what's new on Pinterest. I've come across some lovely holiday ideas, so I thought I'd share. Click on the photo numbers below for the original link.
Wishing all of you a lovely week full of holiday beauty...

Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4

I am linking to Pinning and Singing at 5 Minutes Just for Me.

Welcome, December...

2011-12-01T00:05:00.000-08:00

December is here. Time to prepare in earnest for the holidays, bundle up against the start of winter and indulge in all those wonderful traditions. It's the month to enjoy cups of hot cocoa, candy canes and cookies. Try and finish your shopping early so you can snuggle in against the cold. December is a month best spent warm and cozy with loved ones.
May all of you be blessed with a beautiful holiday season...

Photo from Front Porch Ideas and More

Holiday decorating...

2011-11-30T00:05:00.000-08:00

My holiday decorating has begun, but I must admit it's quite a bit less than past years. With our plans to move in less than a year and quite a bit of our stuff in storage in the meantime, including most of my Christmas decorations, the decorating is going to be pretty light. Still, I'm managing to add a little holiday cheer here and there, which I'll show you in the coming days.
How is your decorating coming?

Photo by The Pink Home

And the holiday season begins...

2011-11-26T00:05:00.000-08:00

With Thanksgiving over, the Christmas holiday season is officially upon us. I feel like Christmas came early to me this year as I am writing this on my brand new iMac, which is a treasure to behold. My ancient iBook has been bordering on the brink for quite awhile now, so I figured I had better upgrade before it was too late. I decided to go with the iMac instead of another notebook because of the large screen. Really, I've had televisions that were smaller and much less crisp and clear. :) It's going to be a huge help with my work for The Pink Home and just generally lovely to play on. (By the way, everything is on sale in The Pink Home Shop, so if you're looking for a unique holiday gift, stop by.)
My Thanksgiving was wonderful and my pies turned out fabulously ~ thank you, Martha. I did manage to get in a little bit of shopping late Friday and now I need to get the house cleaned and in Christmas mode. What are all of you up to this weekend?

Photo by The Art of Living Beautifully

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T00:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Americans. May your holiday be filled with family, friends, good food, laughter, and most of all, thankfulness. Blessings to all.

Photo: Alan Richardson/Country Living

The search for perfect holiday pies...

2011-11-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

It's nearly Thanksgiving, which means I've been deciding for a week now which pies to make. I've settled on a pumpkin (of course) and an apple. I've made both before with great success, but I feel the urge to try new recipes. So, this year, I've decided to make Martha Stewart's version of both, from her recent book, Pies &Tarts. When I've made apple pie in the past, I've done a lattice design for the top crust, but this year I thought I would do a plain cover, sugared well, with some vents poked through in a pretty pattern. I'd also like to try making a more elaborate crust on the pumpkin pie, perhaps with little leaves around the edge. Since I wanted to switch up the crust, I thought it might be a good time to try new recipes for the fillings as well, although, honestly, there isn't really a huge amount of difference in ingredients. Still, it's always fun to experiment to see if a little modification improves the flavor.
Should they both turn out to be a disaster (please, Martha, don't fail me...), I've got plenty of pumpkin bread in the freezer as a back up. If you're interested, here are the pumpkin pie and apple pie recipes from Martha I'll be trying. I'll let you know how they turn out. And if any of you have a pie recipe you think I should try, let me know.
Hoping all your Thanksgiving Day preparations go smoothly...

Photos from marthastewart.com

Autumn pillow love...

2011-11-19T10:05:00.000-08:00

Pillows are one of my favorite things ~ they make a home seem more welcoming, hard edges softer and little nooks sweetly inviting. I came across these lovely pillows while looking for something else and thought their beauty suited the season perfectly.

Today I'm off to run errands and prepare for Thanksgiving. I hope all of you are having a lovely weekend.

Pillow 1 ~ Pottery Barn; Pillow 2 ~ Pier One; Pillow 3 ~Pier One

Setting a Thanksgiving table...

2011-11-17T00:05:00.000-08:00

I am so looking forward to Thanksgiving next week ~ a house full of people and a table full of delicious food is a great combination. I love setting the table, too, and making it as pretty and seasonal as possible.
Which brings me to my latest dish "need": Thanksgiving dishes. I have plenty of dishes that I can and have used for Thanksgiving, including some autumn-themed dishes, but I suddenly have this desire for some actual turkey dishes. I'm thinking something along the lines of these salad plates and this platter from Pottery Barn. Aren't they lovely? I would probably use them throughout the fall, though, rather than just one day, just like I use my Christmas dishes throughout the the holiday season.
Do you have special Thanksgiving dishes?

Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4 ~ all from Pottery Barn

The perfect seasonal treat...

2011-11-14T00:05:00.000-08:00

A few nights ago, I spent the evening making pumpkin bread. This is a recipe my mom used to make and every time I make it, my co-workers, friends, etc., go nuts for it. The only thing is you must bake it in coffee cans (3 per batch, as a matter of fact). Now I know that sounds odd and you're probably thinking, well, I can use a regular loaf pan or a bundt pan. You can, but the texture isn't quite as good (I know this from personal experience). Baked in the coffee cans ~ and yes, I know they are hard to find these days ~ the bread (which is really more of a dessert type item, or great with tea or coffee) is perfectly moist and absolutely addicting. In a regular baking pan, it can come out a little dry if you're not careful. It's still good, mind you, but not as good.

And remember, when you create something wonderful in the kitchen, you are bringing a little more beauty and love into the world. Hope you enjoy.

Pumpkin Bread

4 eggs

3 cups sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup oil

1 cup pumpkin

2/3 cup water

3 cups flour

2 tsp. baking soda

Mix starting from the top and continue down. Grease and flour three 1 lb. coffee cans. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes to one hour. Test with broom stick or long tester.

I've found it's best to make the bread the day before you plan to eat it. After it cools, you can remove the bread from the cans and keep it wrapped in aluminum foil. When serving, I usually cut the slices in half. Serve with cream cheese slightly softened for spreading on top, if desired. (It's bliss.) This bread makes a great dessert, or a perfect treat with your coffee or hot tea. It also freezes well.

Bon appetit.

P.S. For those of you who follow my other blog, The Pink Home, you're not seeing double. I just thought readers of this blog would enjoy this recipe as well.

I am linking to Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage.

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

Scents of the season... Autumn

2011-11-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

Autumn is my favorite season for many reasons ~ the beautifully colored leaves, the crisp weather, pumpkin-flavored goodies, apples, the holidays...
And of course, the scents. I love cinnamon and nutmeg ~ they smell like autumn to me. Not to mention hot apple cider mulling on the stove and a pumpkin pie baking in the oven. Swoon worthy.
Scent is one of those finishing touches in a beautiful home ~ spices in the autumn, peppermint and evergreen in the winter, flowers in the spring and freshly cut grass and the ocean in the summer are my favorites. Do you have a favorite autumn scent?

Photo by liladobbs

The joy of new dishes...

2011-11-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

New dishes are one of the great thrills in life, at least to me. I have been wanting a soup tureen for some time and when I saw this one from Longaberger, I knew I had found the right one, even if it was a bit pricey. I loved the matching mini-tureen bowls that you could purchase to go along with it, so I started with those. Then my parents came to visit from the opposite coast and my mom insisted I open my Christmas present early. Inside was the soup tureen I had been coveting, along with two more matching bowls. I had mentioned to her in passing that I wanted it and of course being a mom, she made a mental note. I am still over the moon about my new set, which happens to match a few other Longaberger pieces I have. We used it while they were here, so it's all broken in. What do you think?

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

The beauty of dreams...

2011-11-07T00:05:00.000-08:00

Colorful Autumn

Fences & Flowers, Fine Art Print

The Pink Home Signature Collection fat quarter bundle

Miniature Pink Rose and Antique Yellow Note Cards

As some of you know, I launched The Pink Home in September. I've been hard at work on this venture and thought you might be interested in seeing what I've been up to.

For those who don't know, The Pink Home is my little dream come to life; you can find my original fabric designs, fine art prints, note cards and framed art all available in my shop. I also have a blog, Facebook page, Twitter account (@ThePinkHome) and Pinterest account under The Pink Home name.

These are some of my fabrics, note cards and prints; all are my original work. I hope you enjoy this little snapshot and will stop by and see me at The Pink Home.

Wishing everyone a lovely week, full of beauty...

Tea Time Note Card Set

Pewter & Peach fat quarter bundle

Purple Medley

Autumn Birds

Scattered Pink Flowers

Tea Cup Painting Card

Simply Teal

Photos by The Pink Home

Autumn afternoons on the porch...

2011-11-03T00:05:00.000-07:00

I stopped by the market a couple of weeks ago and picked up some pumpkins ~ I love the white one for a spot of unexpected color ~ and a beautiful mum. I love chrysanthemums as a rule, but this rusty brown is my favorite. It's just perfect for autumn. Together, they provide a nice little bit of seasonal beauty for the front porch, don't you think? I just wish I had more free afternoons to spend sitting in that chair...

I am linking to Thursday Favorite Things at Katherine's Corner.

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

Welcome November...

2011-11-01T00:05:00.000-07:00

Ah, November ~ the month of falling leaves, cold nights, and Thanksgiving. I've always enjoyed the month of November ~ I love bundling up for an evening walk, the run-up to the holiday season and Thanksgiving. It's a month to be grateful, to give thanks for our family and friends. The photo is the design of the calendar that hangs near my desk. A lovely thought, don't you think?
I hope all of you enjoyed a fun Halloween. Have a wonderful week...

Cute, cute, cute...

2011-10-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

My dogs were full of cuteness this weekend, so I thought I'd share. Nick was outside lounging under one of the succulents, while Emily thought a dining room chair provided just the right amount of cover. Aren't they adorable?

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

Pumpkin love...

2011-10-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins are beautiful on their own, but I'm always interested to see any new ideas people have for decorating with them. I came across these adorable pumpkins in The Cottage Journal newsletter from Victoria magazine and just loved them, so I thought I'd share. I've seen a couple of pumpkins with that engraved look, but I wasn't sure how they did it. Turns out, it's pretty simple. You just print out the letter in the desired font at the desired size, then trace it onto the pumpkin and carve it out. I'm assuming you would need a special carving knife to do this ~ anyone know?

The pink daisy mum pumpkin is inspired. You just gather whatever flowers you're going to use ~ mums are probably easiest ~ and poke holes into the pumpkin wherever you want the blooms placed. I'm thinking you'd just poke a bunch of holes in to start and then fill in the gaps; cut the stems of the flowers short and put them in the holes. It looks like it would take a little bit of time, but it seems easy and you end up with a gorgeous centerpiece. I'm thinking it's a great way to add a little seasonal beauty to a holiday table. If we end up hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, I'm going to try this. (And I may try it anyway, just for fun.)

By the way, if you're thinking something is different, you're right. I decided to change the look of my blog. I know I just changed everything a month or two ago, and I don't usually change it that often, but it just didn't feel quite right to me and I couldn't figure out why. It finally dawned on me that it looked too much like my other blog, The Pink Home. I decided I'm going to change the look of this blog seasonally, since that's how I like to live and tend to focus on here anyway, while my other blog will continue to be pink and focus on the creations for my shop and living The Pink Home lifestyle. What do you think of my new look?

I am linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. Stop by Beverly's place for more autumn and pink loveliness.

Photos from The Cottage Journal

Seasonal touches...

2011-10-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

I love these fall tables from Victoria magazine. Just small, easy touches that provide a little seasonal beauty. The place cards are inspired, and what's simpler a little gourd at each place setting or a bowl of seasonal fruit for a centerpiece? Perfect autumn inspiration.

All photos from Victoria magazine

A pink dream house...

2011-10-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my last post, there is a pink house on Rodeo Drive that I absolutely fell in love with. This is it. I love the recessed front door, the second floor balcony, and (of course) the color. It has a wonderful feeling about it and looks to me like a home a starlet would have lived in back in the 40s or 50s. Isn't it fabulous? I can just imagine throwing wonderful parties in a home like this.
I am linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. As always, thanks to Beverly for hosting this weekly tribute to pink.

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

Lovely old houses...

2011-10-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Most people associate Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles with expensive, fabulous shopping ~ Chanel, Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., etc. And while it's true that you'll find luxury beyond your wildest dreams there, if you drive down the road a little, away from all the craziness, you'll find a wonderful old neighborhood, full of great houses. My favorite is an early 1900s pink home (shocking, huh?) that looks like it belongs in old Hollywood. I'm keeping photos of that one to share for Pink Saturday later this week, but I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the other lovely old homes on Rodeo Drive in the meantime.
Hope all of you are having a lovely week...

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

A stunning collection...

2011-10-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

I adore wearing gems, but not because they are mine. You can't possess radiance, you can only admire it.

~ Elizabeth Taylor

After viewing The Elizabeth Taylor Collection in Los Angeles this past weekend, I have to say it was incredible to see so much unbelievably stunning jewelry in one place. I took many photos, which I'm sharing with you as promised, but trust me when I say the photographs won't do these exquisite pieces justice. To see them catch the fire of the light was magical; their sheer beauty and allure are breathtaking in person. Their enormous value is unmistakable, underscored by the many watchful guards stationed throughout the exhibit (classily attired in black suits so as not to call attention to the fact they were armed). I suspect Christie's is right when they say the auction in December will set records. It's unlikely we will ever see the likes of such a collection again, outside of royalty. I am so glad I got to see some of it with my own eyes before it is broken up and sold.

The Elizabeth Taylor diamond ~ more than 33 carats of stunning perfection, given to her by Richard Burton. This is the ring she always wore.

Beautiful emeralds from Bulgari. Another gift from Richard Burton.

A lovely Art Nouveau brooch, by Boucheron.

One of several gold charm bracelets. We were able to see that some of the charms were engraved on the back.

La Peregrina, the famous 16th century pearl, dangles from the bottom of this pearl, ruby and diamond necklance. La Peregrina was another gift from Richard Burton. Elizabeth Taylor designed the necklace with the help of Cartier to give the pearl the perfect display.

A gorgeous diamond and ruby set from Cartier, a gift from Mike Todd. Sorry about the photo; my flash was acting up.

The Taj Mahal diamond. Another gift from Richard Burton.

A stunning set in lavender, her favorite color. By Van Cleef & Arpels.

The gorgeous Mike Todd Antique Diamond Tiara.

The Windsor Brooch. This once belonged to the Duchess of Windsor, the former Wallis Simpson. Taylor and Burton, who were friends of the Duchess and the former king, purchased it after her death.

The Mike Todd Diamond Ear Pendants are in this set, along with other diamond pieces.

A stunning set of diamonds and sapphires. The necklace was another gift from Richard Burton. If you have not read Furious Love, a recent book about their love affair, do. It's a fabulous read.

There was more than jewelry on display, though it was without a doubt the star of the show. Gowns by Chanel and Dior and Andy Warhol's Liz ~ inscribed to the actress ~ were worth seeing all on their own. Elizabeth Taylor's three Oscars were on display as well (never thought I'd see an Oscar up close and personal), as were scripts of movies she starred in and many, many photographs. I know this is a long post, but I didn't want to leave anything out. Hope you enjoy.

A Chanel ballgown and cape, worn to the premiere of Taming of the Shrew.

A couple of Christian Dior gowns.

The famous Scorpio evening cape worn to Princess Grace's 40th birthday party, to which only Scorpio's were invited. Richard Burton was a Scorpio, hence the invite, but Elizabeth Taylor was not, hence the cape.

Andy Warhol's Liz. It is inscribed to the actress at the bottom.

Elizabeth Taylor's three Oscars. The photo is of her getting up to receive her first Oscar, for Butterfield 8. She won a second Oscar for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The third was a humanitarian award.

Photos from her films, with various memorabilia.

I've been through it all, baby. I'm Mother Courage. I'll be dragging my sable coat behind me in old age.

~ Elizabeth Taylor

All photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

The beauty of a life well-lived...

2011-10-15T00:05:00.000-07:00

Consider this a detour from my usual blog topics, but I'm so excited I wanted to share. You'll never guess where I'm off to today. (OK, so the photograph might be a little bit of a hint.) I'm off to Los Angeles to see The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor. As some of you have probably heard, Christie's is auctioning off Elizabeth Taylor's art, clothes, movie memorabilia and those fabulous jewels in New York City in December. But before they do, they have sent the collection on a world tour of a few select cities.
The collection is only making two stops in the United States ~ LA and New York. Since I live in southern California, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see in person all those amazing jewels, the dress she married Richard Burton in the first time (and the one she married him in the second time) and even her amazing art collection. She lived such a remarkable life; I can't wait to actually see some of the famous touchstones of it.
Since it will be hard for most people to see all this beauty up close and personal (the Los Angeles stop is already sold out), I thought I'd share it with you. I'll take as many photos as allowed and report back so all of you can enjoy it, too.
Wish me luck with the constant traffic nightmare that is LA.

The beauty of (e)books and magazines...

2011-10-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

I have a confession: I'm in love with my new NOOK Color from Barnes & Noble. I am a huge book lover (as my regular readers know), but at first I was quite skeptical of e-readers. It's not just reading I love, it's books ~ I love their beauty, their solidness, flipping through the pages, everything. The Kindle just never appealed to me because it seemed so bland, even though I know lots of people who love it. But then along came the iPad (which I'm saving my pennies for) and suddenly I began to think that reading books and magazines on a tablet might not be so bad or boring after all. My love gave me a NOOK Color for my birthday and six weeks later, I'm hooked. It's easy, useful, fun ~ and everything is beautiful to read on it.

While I'll never give up physical books or magazines completely ~ I just love them too much ~ the NOOK has found a niche in my life. In particular, I'm loving my magazines on it. I had stopped subscribing to several magazines simply because I knew I would end up throwing them away and it seemed like a waste (but if I don't have a clear-out every once in a while, we'd drown in magazines and books). But now, with my NOOK, I can keep my magazines forever without them taking up space. Love it. So now I've got subscriptions to RealSimple, Food Network Magazine and Martha Stewart Living again, all on my NOOK.

I have even bought a couple of cookbooks to see how I liked the experience of reading and using a cookbook on an e-reader, and so far, so good. I purchased one of Giada's cookbooks (which is fabulous, by the way) and Paul Deen's new cookbook. Very easy to read, navigate, everything. I'm quite happy and thinking that I may shift to buying some of my cookbooks on the NOOK, since my cookbook collection is threatening to take over as well.
As I said to a friend of mine, my e-reader is a wonderful enabler: It helps feed my reading habit while also somewhat stemming the tide of physical books and magazines into my home (i.e., fewer clear-outs). Now that is a beautiful thing.

Cookies and cookie jars...

2011-10-12T00:05:00.000-07:00

I love to get surprise packages in the mail. There's something delicious about having a package unexpectedly delivered to your front door ~ the wondering of what it could be while you carry the box inside, the little thrill of getting the box open (and the even bigger thrill of finally wrangling whatever goodies were sent you from the reams of ridiculous encasement that everything seems to come packaged in these days) and the wonderful moment when you instantly fall in love with your present.
I was the happy recipient of such a package a couple of weeks ago. Inside was this adorable purse cookie jar. I've never seen one quite like it. Isn't it cute? I thought all of you would enjoy seeing it, and since it is a cookie jar, it seemed fitting to share one of my all-time favorite cookie recipes as a means of celebration. We used to make these when I was a kid growing up, and I still do. One of the great things about them is they're very adaptable to holidays and such because you can always buy seasonal M&M's. Of course, everyday M&M's work just as well. Enjoy.

M&M Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups plain M&M's

Blend shortening and sugars. Beat in vanilla and eggs. Sift remaining dry ingredients together; add to the sugar and egg mixture. Mix well. Stir in M&M's. (You may reserve some for decorating if you wish, but we always just threw them all in there and sometimes more besides.) Drop from teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown. (Note: After baking, some of the candies may be slightly cracked.)

Makes 5 to 6 dozen cookies, depending on size.

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

Bright autumn color...

2011-10-10T00:05:00.000-07:00

My sweetie brought this colorful bouquet to me. Isn't it beautiful? I love the bright colors. And while they're not traditional autumn colors, for some reason I still think they have a seasonal look about them. They're a nice little bit of cheer, that's for sure.

Wishing all of you an enjoyable start to the week...

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

A beautiful obsession...

2011-10-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

I have a new obsession: Pinterest. It's amazing how addicting it can be. I just got on there yesterday thanks to Laura at Cleaning House & Baking Cookies (a wonderful and funny blog, by the way) and I've already spent a few hours on the site. There's so much beauty to be had there, I can't seem to tear myself away.

For those who don't know what Pinterest is, and I didn't before yesterday, it's basically an online inspiration board, a place to "collect" favorite photos, books, recipes, etc. The links come along with the pin, so, for example, you can always go back and get that recipe you really liked. You can "pin" just about anything to one of your boards and create as many collections as you like. I thought I'd share snapshots of a few of my pinboard collections so you can get an idea of what I'm talking about. (Click on the photos to enlarge for a better view.)

If you'd like to find me on there, I'm under ThePinkHome. Happy pinning and happy Pink Saturday!

I am linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. Thanks as always to Beverly for hosting.

From every rose, petals must fall...

2011-10-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

The beautiful autumn rose in my previous post just dropped its petals. Since it's a bloom from an old rose tree, it actually smells like a rose ~ heavenly. The petals are so lovely and smell so good, I didn't want to just throw them out right away, so I scooped them up and put them in a bowl on my coffee table. A lovely little bit of autumn color and aromatherapy all in one.

May you discover bits of beauty all around this week...

Photo by The Art of Living Beautifully

Welcome, October...

2011-10-01T00:05:00.000-07:00

In the garden, autumn is indeed the crowning glory of the year,

bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil.

And at no season, save perhaps in daffodil time, do we get such superb color effects as from August to November.

~ Rose G. Kingsley, The Autumn Garden

That certainly seems to be true in this case. The rose tree at our house is suddenly blooming again ~ big, beautiful pale orange blooms. The perfect color to welcome October, don't you think?
Wishing all of you a fabulous weekend full of autumn beauty...

More seasonal changes...

2011-09-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Autumn's influence continues at my house. After I got the living room situated for the season, I decided the dining room needed a little change, too. I put away my fab yellow embroidered placemats and put down a beautiful wrap someone gave me for a table runner. I don't get to wear it often, so I thought, why not? It's much too pretty to spend its life in a drawer, so it now has a second life as a table runner. The earth tones are perfect for fall. What do you think?

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

Seasonal changes...

2011-09-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

With autumn here and cooler weather already starting, I figured it was time for a few seasonal changes around the house. I like reds and oranges in the fall, so I swapped my brightly colored quilt on the sofa for an autumn-hued leaf pattern quilt. I pulled out a favorite red pillow, put away the summer magazines, lit a few pumpkin spice candles and suddenly it felt like autumn had arrived at my house. Bliss indeed...

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully

Happy autumn...

2011-09-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Fall is here! The first day of autumn is always worth celebrating in my book. The colors, the leaves, the crisp air, Halloween, apples and pumpkins ~ it's just a great time of year and my favorite season. I'm looking forward to warmer clothes, colorful leaves, homemade goodies like apple cake and pumpkin bread and decorating for the ghosts and goblins that come knocking on the door looking for candy. What are you looking forward to this season?

P.S. I'm having a giveaway on my other blog, The Pink Home. It's open through Monday. Hop over and check it out.

Photo from Midwest Living

The beauty of good news...

2011-09-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

After what seems like forever, but really was only several months, I have finally opened my little shop. The Pink Home has shops on Etsy and Spoonflower. On Etsy you'll find my original note cards, fine art prints and framed art; the Spoonflower shop has my original fabric designs. I hope you'll stop by both. I'll be holding a giveaway on The Pink Home blog later this week, so watch for that.
I know I've been somewhat absent of late, but with all the craziness of vacation and shop openings now behind me, I'll be around a lot more. I'm looking forward to catching up on my visits and getting back to posting more regularly.
To celebrate all this wonderful news, I decided a blog makeover was in order (two in fact, as I updated The Pink Home blog, too). What do you think?

A little vacation loveliness...

2011-09-13T22:02:00.000-07:00

The South Carolina Lowcountry is a lovely place. I'm back from having spent a week there with very good friends and I thought I'd share some of the beauty with you. We stayed on Frampton Inlet on Edisto Island, and you can see the Atlantic Ocean beyond the inlet in some of the photos. Hope you enjoy.

I am linking to Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer.

All photos by The Pink Home

Back soon...

2011-09-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

Vacation used to be a luxury, but in today's world

it has become a necessity.

~ Author Unknown

I'm off for a lovely break on the Carolina coast with a group of friends. Fingers crossed Katia doesn't spoil things for us next week. When I get back, it'll be time to open The Pink Home Shop. I am so excited ~ September is going to be just wonderful.

Wishing all of you a lovely start to the month. I'll see you in a couple of weeks.

P.S. And for anyone stopping by from the No Rules Blog Tour, please leave me a comment so I can return your visit.

Photo by The Pink Home

Fading summer...

2011-08-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

Summer is beginning to wind down ~ shorter days, even the occasional evening chill in the air. A couple nights ago, I took a tour around the yard to see how things look as the season begins to fade. Everything is still lovely, especially in that soft early evening light.
How are things where you live?
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend full of beauty...

All photos by The Pink Home

I am linking to:

Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

Easy summer beauty...

2011-08-23T09:50:00.000-07:00

Who knew baking cups could be so cute and multi-functional? Martha, of course. I was looking for ideas for summer entertaining when I came across these on her website. The idea of using straws and paper cups to make flowers is adorable and simple, though I would probably use these for a quick centerpiece ~ just splash some pretty pink and yellow lemonade in a few different sized glasses and plop a couple of these in ~ rather than actually drinking from them. The idea of using baking cups for glass covers is an ingenious way to keep the flies at bay, don't you think? Easy, inexpensive, cute and functional, all in one. Love it.

Photos from marthastewart.com

P.S. If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for Kathie's blog tour. Just click on the button in my sidebar. It's the easiest thing in the world to join and you may find lots of new blog friends.

Busy, busy, busy...

2011-08-22T00:05:00.000-07:00

I've been somewhat absent of late, I know, but it's not without good reason. I have been busy, busy, busy working on getting my Etsy shop, The Pink Home, ready to open. I thought I'd share just a few of the things I'll have in the shop when it opens next month ~ framed art, greeting cards, etc. I've been busy with paperwork and photographing the items I'll have for sale and it's all really coming together. I'm so excited to know my little shop will be open soon ~ I can't wait to share my little bits of beauty with the world and hopefully brighten someone's home.
Stop by my other blog, The Pink Home, for more on what I've been up to lately.
Wishing all of you a wonderful week...

All photos by The Pink Home

Fresh air rooms to love...

2011-08-14T00:05:00.000-07:00

I was perusing the Better Homes & Gardens site when I came across these outdoor rooms ~ or fresh air rooms, as they call them ~ and fell in love. Each one is glorious and lovely, perfect inspiration for the sunroom on the front of my house back East. I'm going to file them away in the house ideas folder I keep on my computer. And while I doubt that my fresh air room will be as elaborate as these, it's still fun to dream, isn't it?

All photos from Better Homes & Gardens

The beauty of fresh eggs?

2011-08-09T10:05:00.000-07:00

All photos by Ray Kachatorian from Country Living. Click here for the slideshow.

A few months ago, I came across an article in a magazine about these people who built their own chicken coop and have a few chickens that give them fresh eggs. The coop was so adorable and the idea of fresh eggs appealed so much, I thought, hmmm, we might have to try that one day. While we don't live on a farm, neither did the people in the article, and they seemed to manage fine. The more I read, the more I was convinced I'd love to do that.
Then, today, I spotted an article on Country Living's Website about the very same thing ~ different people, but they had built their own coop and were raising their own chickens, living in a city. The coop is absolutely adorable, as you can see from the photos, as are the eggs their hens produce.
Seeing all of this, I'm beginning to wonder if having your own chicken coop is a new trend, especially after a conversation I had last week. I was talking to a friend of mine who just moved into a fabulous old house with plenty of yard and she was telling me about wanting a little chicken coop for a few hens so they could have fresh eggs. I told her what I had seen in the first article and how I was thinking it sounded like something I'd love to do, and then we talked about various ideas for cute little coops and the beauty in having your very own fresh eggs. So now I'm curious ~ do any of you have your own chicken coops? If not, is it something you've ever thought of doing?

All photos by Ray Kachatorian from Country Living. Click here for the slideshow.

Scents of the season... Summer

2011-08-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

When I think of how summer smells, I always think of the beach ~ that blend of salt air, the ocean and that coconut scent that seems to abound in summer creams. One whiff of that heavenly blend and I know it's summer.
Of course, there's also a need to wash off that scent (and the sand) before you head indoors. For that, you can't beat an outdoor shower. This is perhaps one of the coolest things about our new place that I haven't shown you ~ we have our very own outdoor shower, right next to the back door. It's heaven.
I'm off today to file paperwork for my little Etsy shop, so I won't be putting it to good use. But there's always next weekend...

The last edition of Furry First Fridays...

2011-08-04T19:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Furry First Friday! I hope you will link up your pet posts and then hop around to visit. You can link up through Sunday.
I've decided this month will be the last edition. I think it's been fun, but with the move and not doing it for a month, I nearly forgot about it, which has happened a couple times. If my blogging buddy Kathie hadn't asked about it this month, it would have passed me by completely.
For the last edition, I thought I'd share this photo I snapped of Russ, Nick and Emily as they head into the house. I'm also linking up to some recent photos of shared of our Emily. Hope you enjoy.

A lovely day to sit on the porch...

2011-07-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's a good idea to just sit on the porch and watch the world go by. It's a lovely day here today ~ the weather is a gorgeous 74 degrees and there's a breeze blowing in off the ocean. Emily has taken to her new favorite spot and I must say, she has excellent taste. I'm off to join her.
Wishing all of you a lovely, relaxing weekend.

Photos by The Pink Home

The beauty of a day to yourself...

2011-07-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning and my body and mind were saying, politely, nope, we're not gonna do it. We're done. Finito. So, for once, I listened and decided to stay home from work. I figured everyone feels under the weather occasionally and just needs a day to themselves.
It's wonderful to be home alone sometimes ~ this morning I have indulged in nearly three hours of cooking shows. Heavenly. The dogs are all asleep around me as I write this and shortly I'm going to go crawl back into bed, surround myself with pillows and read. It's delicious to have time to peruse a few of the books I bought recently and decide which to settle down with and read first. Later I'm going to do a little work on my shop ~ create a banner, sort things so they're easy to list, etc. I've got a roast in the crockpot, so in a few hours I'll add some carrots and potatoes and that will be dinner handled. All in all, I think it's going to be a beautiful day.

I am linking to Simple Pleasures at A Collection of This and That.

Photo by The Pink Home

The charms of an antique bathroom...

2011-07-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

To my mind, there is nothing more charming in a bathroom than wainscoting and an old clawfoot tub. Add a simple pedestal sink, creamy walls, an antique mirror, old cream and pale green tile, a built-in magazine rack and cupboard and a skylight that floods the room with natural light and you've got a dream come true for a bathroom. Yes, it's a little small and the shower in the clawfoot tub takes a little getting used to, but it's a small price to pay for such charms. With the floaty curtains and touches of pink here and there, it's a very feminine room, but not too girly. It is, by far, the loveliest bathroom I've ever had. And more importantly, it perfectly suits our new little cottage, which I love more and more each day.

P.S. If you'd like to see the rest of our cottage, click here for living room, here for the dining room and here for the kitchen, which is my second favorite room in the house.

I am joining Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses and Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound.

All photos by The Pink Home

Kitchen love...

2011-07-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

From the fabulous old cupboard filled to the brim with my colorful dishes to the skylight above the pan hanger that floods the room with natural light to the island that has electricity and shelves for my cookbooks, the kitchen in our new home ticks all my boxes. Character, function, storage ~ I'm absolutely in love.

I like red in the kitchen, so you'll see quite a bit of sprinkled around. I hope you haven't tired of the home tour yet. The last room I want to show you is our bathroom, which is the most beautiful bathroom I've ever had the pleasure of inhabiting, right down to the fabulous claw foot tub. I'll have pictures for you sometime this weekend.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful week full of beauty.

P.S. As always, click on the photos to enlarge for a better view.

A room of surprises...

2011-07-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love it when a room surprises you, like the dining room in our new house. The room has a slight nautical feel to it, completely unplanned by me, thanks to the old oars over the double window/built-in window seat. To complement the oars and the light fixture, I used an old nautical picture I had, placing it on top of the armoire. It works well with all the wood in the room, too. And since there was blue in the picture and a little blue in the dishes under the window, I tucked a blue lamp in the corner for better lighting. I finished off the look with splashes of yellow, as planned, setting the table with some fabulous embroidered yellow place mats and the cheery napkin rings my friend sent me. I originally planned to use some yellow cafe curtains in this room as well, but the owners put in new wooden plantation blinds and I quite like them, so I nixed the curtains.
I'm not thrilled with having to place my magazines in the bookshelf in this room, but they just wouldn't go anyplace else, so I'm living with it. All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the room ~ it seems to suit the feel of the cottage. What do you think?

P.S. Again, you can click on each photo to enlarge.

A colorful cottage...

2011-07-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

The view as you walk in the front door. Below, you can see the dining room to the left, the hall that leads to the bathroom and bedroom on the other side of the book case, and of course, the kitchen off to the right.

My friend's fabulous quilt.

I piled some bright pillows in the reading chair as well and used my old trunk for a coffee table.

Color, color, color seems to be my motto for our new little cottage.
I'm a pastel girl as a rule, as you know, but I was inspired by a fabulous quilt that belongs to a friend of mine to go bolder in the living/family room this time. With the move to a smaller place, we got rid of a few things, and quite a few more things headed to storage to wait for our move back East next year. We ended up keeping my sweetie's leather couch for the living room because it was the newest piece of furniture. Well, as nice as it is, I'm not one for leather ~ and leather in the summer in a beach cottage with no air conditioning is unfathomable, even with the mild weather we usually enjoy here. I knew I'd have to throw something over it. But instead of going with my pretty pink rose slipcover, I thought I'd try something different. I wanted more color, a little more funky feel, if you will. I felt like the house was crying out for bright, happy colors. I knew my friend's quilt was the answer to both my problems ~ cheery and bright while still being pretty, it also doesn't feel too warm on your skin when you sit on it.
So I threw the quilt over the couch (thank you, Julie, for again inspiring me), bought some brightly-colored pillows at Target, selected some art that played off the bright colors and before I knew it, I had a cozy, comfy and bright living room, chock full of books, art and flowers ~ perfect.
Next up in the new home tour is the dining room, which I'll show you in my next post. Wishing everyone a lovely Saturday...

P.S. Click on each photo to enlarge for a better view.

The beautiful fireplace. The stones mirror the ones used in the pillars for the porch.

The gorgeous archway that leads to the kitchen. The archway is not original to the house; the latest owners built it to match the rest of the Craftsman features in the home.

From a time gone by...

2011-07-08T00:05:00.000-07:00

One of the little things that I love about our new home is the old mail slot by the front door. There's a new mail box by the gate that the Post Office uses to deliver the mail, but the old mail slot was never taken out (and yes, it still works). It's a beautiful little reminder of a time gone by, when letters were delivered morning and afternoon and people communicated through handwritten notes, not computerized social networks. As much as I think we're fortunate to live in the era we do, I sometimes wonder if we haven't left something important behind in our race to discover the latest thing. It's lovely to have a beautiful old reminder to perhaps slow down a bit and remember the world didn't always move so fast.
Stop by over the weekend for more photos from our new home. Wishing everyone a lovely Friday...

Home sweet home...

2011-07-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

Our cute little Craftsman cottage near the beach.

The side gate and peach rose tree at our new house.

Call off the search parties ~ I'm back. Best of all, I'm moved! I honestly don't know how we made it through the past week, but we did, thank goodness. On top of the moving chaos, our little dog Emily had to spend three days in the hospital for pancreatitis. We were frightened at one point that she might not make it, but she seems to be recovering, so please keep your fingers crossed. I am so grateful to put this move behind me, I can't tell you. As I write this, our new house is probably 99 percent together, so I can head back to work and not come home to boxes for the first time in a month. What a wonderful thought.

I will be taking photos of each room over the next couple of weeks and sharing them with you. For now, here's the outside and a couple tiny sneak peeks at the interior.

Hope all of my fellow Americans had a wonderful Fourth of July. Wishing everyone a fabulous week!

The front porch swing.

A glimpse into the kitchen.

Daisies on my coffee table ~ my reward for three solid days of unpacking.

Back soon...

2011-06-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

Couldn't you just get lost in all that pink loveliness? I found this photo on flickr and thought, wow, I would love to climb in there for a nap and leave the cares of the world behind.
It looks like we're definitely going to be able to move on the first of the month (keep your fingers crossed), so I'll be on a blogging break until after the Fourth of July weekend. When I return, I'll have lots to share with you as we get settled in our new house.
Until then...

P.S. Furry First Fridays will return in August.

Photo by Carl Smith via flickr

The garden beckons...

2011-06-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

If you're in the mood for a garden party, be sure to stop by my other blog, The Pink Home, this week. There's plenty of beauty to be had there.
Wishing all of you a lovely week...

All photos by The Pink Home

There's no beauty in moving...

2011-06-09T21:15:00.000-07:00

I wish it were otherwise, but even I have to admit there's not much beauty to be found while in the midst of packing and moving. But at least some of our containers are brightly colored ~ it adds a bit of cheerfulness to an otherwise dreary task.
Slowly but surely, scenes like the one below are taking over our house. This is a stack of items waiting to go into storage ~ things that we can either live without for a year or that we have no room for in our new place, which is adorable but a tad small. Have I mentioned that we're moving back East in a little over a year? Yes, two moves rather on top of one another (which is partly why I was so upset about having to suddenly move now). But once we're back in the Carolinas next year, we're staying put. Now that is a cheery thought.
In the meantime, my weekend will be full of boxes. Here's hoping yours is full of something a little more fun (and beautiful)...

Beauty from a friend...

2011-06-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

About a week ago, one of my dearest friends told me she found a little something for me and would be putting it in the mail. A small box arrived today and wrapped delicately in tissue paper were a half-dozen adorable napkin rings. She said they looked like sunshine to her, perfect for summer, and I couldn't agree more.

In thanking her today, I relayed that I had been thinking of changing out the look of my dining room table after we moved. I have these beautiful cream and yellow embroidered placemats and I thought I'd set up four of them instead of the usual runner or tablecloth. Upon receiving these little pieces of beauty, I knew instantly that was indeed what I would do ~ don't they look fabulous together? So, after we move, I'm going to put a lovely napkin in the holder and place one in the middle of each placemat. They will play nicely off my yellow cafe curtains. I'm beginning to see our new dining room in my head and I think it's going to look fabulous.

A last stroll through the garden...

2011-06-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

I decided to take a break from packing and sorting for our unexpected move and take a quick stroll through the yard to see what was blooming. I have been so blessed to live in a home where the flowers are nearly always something worth seeing and today was no different. The roses in particular are lovely right now, so I captured a few photos to share with you. Hope you enjoy these little bits of beauty from my garden.
On the moving front, I do have wonderful news. We found a new house to rent in our neighborhood, which we love so much, thanks to our fabulous neighbors. In fact, we are still going to be living on the same block, just around the corner, which will make moving much easier. We've leased an absolutely adorable Craftsman beach cottage, complete with outdoor shower for washing off the sand and white picket fence ~ how fabulous is that? The owners are finishing up some work inside and we will be able to move in next month. I'll share some photos of our new place as soon as I am able.
In other happy news, it's also my blog anniversary this weekend ~ The Art of Living Beautifully is officially 2 years old. Thanks to all of you who keep reading.

I am linking to Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses.

Furry First Friday...

2011-06-02T22:38:00.000-07:00

With so much going on with our unexpected move, I nearly forgot it was the first Friday of the month and therefore time for Furry First Friday. I hope all of you didn't forget as well.
I thought I'd share photos of my Russ with his new summer haircut. He's usually very fluffy with his longer fur, but we like to cut it short in the summer. It gives his coat a good chance to grow back out. He looks quite a bit younger with his short fur ~ it's odd, because of course, he's not getting any younger, bless him. At almost 14, he's nearly totally deaf, he doesn't see all that well and his arthritis causes him to be on regular pain medication. Despite all that, he's still quite happy. Dogs are the best, aren't they?

A busy June ahead...

2011-06-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

"It is the month of June,

The month of leaves and roses,

When pleasant sights salute the eyes,

And pleasant scents the noses."

~ Nathaniel Parker Willis

I'm hoping your June has started with more peace and quiet than mine. Due to circumstances beyond our control, it appears we have to move from our fabulous little rented beach cottage, where we have lived for nearly four years. We are busy hunting another house to rent and I have already started packing. I spent the weekend incredibly upset ~ the move also means I have to delay the opening of my little Etsy shop, The Pink Home. Monday, I woke up and realized I couldn't afford to waste my energy on things I couldn't change, not when there are so many other things that need my attention. So for the next few weeks, I will be busy, busy, busy packing and doing other moving chores. Not quite how I wanted to spend June, but oh well ~ such is life sometimes.

Photo from Midwest Living

Chicken by request...

2011-05-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

Do you have a few dishes people always ask you to make? I get lots of requests for various baked goods (I love to bake), my mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese ~ and this chicken. I had a request for it the other day, so when I made it, I thought I'd take a couple photos and share the recipe with you.
The recipe is from an old cookbook I got maybe a dozen years ago called "Country Chicken." It's one of those spiral bound cookbooks full of recipes from people all over the country. Chicken is one of my favorite things to cook, partly because I find it to be so adaptable and reliable ~ I mean, you really have to work to mess up chicken, or maybe forget you left it on the grill... which I have never done. Ever. Really.
This chicken is a simple recipe, made with ingredients you very likely have on hand. The secret ingredient? Cola. Seriously. When the ingredients mix together, they form a sort of wonderful sauce and the chicken comes out moist and covered in this flavorful sauce. It's delicious.
Bon appetit.

Cola Chicken

Recipe by Jean Jarvis from Country Chicken

1 can (12 ounces) diet or regular cola
1/2 cup ketchup
2 to 4 tablespoons minced onion
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 chicken pieces, skin removed

In a large skillet, combine first five ingredients. Bring to a boil; boil for 1 minute. Add chicken, stir to coat. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Uncover and simmer for 45 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.
Yield: 4 servings

Notes: I like to add a few flakes of red pepper to kick this up a notch. Also, I cook the onion first for a few minutes in the pan with a little salt and pepper before I add the other ingredients.
To make a smaller batch, for just a couple people, use one of those half-size cola cans and about a 1/4 cup ketchup. You should keep the spices about the same, just a little less than what the original recipe calls for. Thawed chicken tenderloin pieces will cook easily in a half hour.
Enjoy.

I am linking to:
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
It's a Keeper Thursday at It's a Keeper
Fat Camp Friday at Mangoes and Chutney

Beauty x 300 = a milestone...

2011-05-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful;

for beauty is God's handwriting ~ a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower,

and thank God for it as a cup of blessing."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Being surrounded by beauty always makes one feel better. Be it flowers, dishes, pretty pillows, good food, soothing colors or whatever else strikes your fancy, I believe there is plenty of beauty to be embraced and appreciated in this world, as you know. So much so, in fact, I've managed to reach 300 posts on this blog. To mark the milestone, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite snapshots of beauty and comfort from around my home. Some you've seen, some you haven't. And I'm not the only one celebrating a milestone this week ~ Pink Saturday is 3 years old, so congratulations to Beverly for hosting such a wonderful event each week.
Hope you enjoy this little beauty trip.

Perfect pink hydrangeas on my coffee table...

My favorite old pink and blue dishes...

Beautiful cakes and tulips to greet guests...

My dining room, ready for a spring dinner...

A lovely yellow rose in an old orphan tea cup...

Tea, cakes and flowers for a blissful afternoon...

My favorite tea pot and tea cups...

Beautiful tulips in the afternoon light on the reading porch...

The soft glow of a candle in the autumn...

A profusion of tulips and piles of books delight on my coffee table...

My fabulous pink love seat...

Gentle reminders...

Some favorite dishes drying in the rack...

And flowers, flowers everywhere...

Wishing all of you days full of beauty and happiness. Thank you for your support and friendship these last couple of years.

Cheers,
Eileen

I am linking to:
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound ~ Happy 3rd Birthday!

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Lovely pink blooms...

2011-05-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with this flower arrangement tucked inside this pink butterfly tea pot. I love all the different shades of pink ~ and who can resist a cute tea pot? A perfect combination for a little spring loveliness.
Wishing all of you have a beautiful weekend. Happy Pink Saturday!

I am linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. Stop by Beverly's place for more pink loveliness.

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Area delights...

2011-05-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

I'm curious: Do the rooms in your home have various functions? I know that creating various "areas" can be hard, particularly if a room is small. We currently have that problem in our little beach cottage, which is full of charm but incredibly small rooms. I figure it's a small price to pay to live so close to the ocean, so I've learned to deal with it. However, we will probably be moving back East at the end of next year, back to our great old southern home that has wonderfully large rooms. And that's gotten me thinking even more lately about how we'll decorate some of the rooms. (Dreaming about how I'll decorate when we move back has gotten to be a favorite past time. You should see the notebooks full of ideas. In fact, maybe I'll dig them out and show them to you in the future. Hmmm...)
Browsing on the Better Homes and Gardens' website, I came across this photo of a perfect little area in a room. It struck me for a number of reasons. First, even though I'm not much for black and white, I am in love with the runners they used over the chairs. It's a perfect pop of color. I love the arrangement of the chairs so close to the fireplace and I love the little table in the middle, and how it's set for a meal. I love the built-in shelves and the chandelier that's perfectly scaled for the space. But what I love most is that this perfect little room area could easily be adapted for a number of uses. Leave the table there and it could be used for games, or writing thank you notes. You could move the table out and just have a cozy conversation area. Pull up a stool and you've got a lovely space to read a little bit. It's a delightful little area, one I'm thinking I could easily emulate in my home back East. What do you think?

Photo from Better Homes and Gardens

Daisy, daisy...

2011-05-18T00:05:00.000-07:00

I honestly don't know how some people live without flowers. They are one of those simple, beautiful things truly necessary to life. And here's a little trivia for you: Even though you wouldn't know it from my blog, where tulips, roses and other flowers seem to rule, daisies are actually my favorite blooms. These are from a vase full of flowers currently sitting on my dining room table. Daisies are just such happy flowers, I think. Put a vase full of white daisies in your home and I'll bet you smile more.

We're having unusually cool, rainy days here, so my daisies seem even brighter than usual ~ a spot of sunshine in the gray. I hope all of you are enjoying a lovely week wherever you are, with plenty of your favorite flowers around you.

Photo by The Art of Living Beautifully

Just roll with it...

2011-05-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

Greetings, all! That was quite an outage for Blogger, wasn't it? I was beginning to wonder if it would ever come back.
Now that we can all blog and visit again, on to more enjoyable things: When I saw that Happier Than a Pig in Mud was hosting a Paula Deen Cook Along, I thought it was the perfect excuse to finally try out a quick roll recipe from The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook. I've had the recipe marked for quite a while, intrigued because it only contained four ingredients ~ two of which are sugar and mayonnaise.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but the rolls were indeed easy and tasty. The recipe only makes a half-dozen rolls, so it's perfect for just a couple people. It's also easy to double, if needed. The rolls are fairly dense, so if you prefer lots of air in your rolls, this recipe probably isn't for you. But if you like your rolls fairly doughy and almost biscuit like, with lots of butter, definitely try these.

Easy Rolls

From The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook

Yields 6 rolls

1 cup self-rising flour
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon sugar
2 Tablespoons mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together flour and milk. Add sugar and mayonnaise. Pour into greased muffin tins and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

Notes: I only had all-purpose flour on hand, so I added 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the flour. You can do the same if you don't have self-rising flour on hand.
These rolls are great slathered with honey butter (it's a Paula Deen recipe, so butter in one form or another is practically a must). I also think they would take a little shredded cheese mixed in fairly well, if you're so inclined. I might try that next time.
Bon appetit.

I am linking to:
Celebrity Cook Along at Happier Than a Pig in Mud. Stop by for more Paula Deen recipes.
Fat Camp Fridays at Mangoes and Chutney.
Savory Sunday at Eating in Winnepeg.

Calling all bloggers: Join the tour...

2011-05-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

Don't you love discovering new blogs? And don't you love it when a kindred spirit discovers yours? It's like a whole new group of beautiful friends suddenly appears.
Kathie at Like a Box of Chocolates will be hosting a blog tour later this month. Not a party, exactly, but a tour. The idea is to list the blogs of participants with links and a description of their blog, so everyone can see if there are any they would like to visit and perhaps add to their reading list.
The only rule is that the blog tour is open to personal blogs only ~ no review or giveaway blogs. (If you do the occasional giveaway on your personal blog, that's fine.)
If you'd like to participate, here's what you need to do:

Send an e-mail to kathiedp75@yahoo.com with Blog Tour in the subject line with the following information by May 21st:
1. First name (Whatever you use on your blog. If you use an alias, that's fine.)
2. Your blog's name
3. Your blog button code OR your blog's url.
4. A brief description of your blog, 5 sentences or less. You can use your profile if you'd like, but make sure that you describe what you blog about so people will know if they share the same interests.

Kathie will post the tour on Monday, May 23rd and it will stay up on her blog until Thursday, June 2. A couple of other notes: you can post the day the tour begins if you like and mention the tour, but you don't have to. The point of the tour is to find whole new blogs to explore and continue to enjoy over time, not just one specific post. Click here to visit Like a Box of Chocolates for more information.
Hope you'll join us!

Favorite find... Butterfly dishes

2011-05-10T00:05:00.000-07:00

I came across these adorable butterfly dishes at Target and decided they were too cute to pass up. Believe it or not, I bought them for a gift, not myself (shocking, I know, considering my obsession with dishes). I just think they are so cheery. And, because they are Melamine, they're perfect for outdoor use this spring and summer. I mean, why bother with paper plates and cheap plastic cups when you can have something this cute and inexpensive that will last for years? Think of it as a little seasonal beauty for the table.
In case you're wondering, you can still find them at Target and yes, the giftee loved them. Happy hunting.

A memory for Mother's Day...

2011-05-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

"Sweater, n.: garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly."

~Ambrose Bierce

Happy Mother's Day! I thought today was an appropriate day to share one of my favorite mementos from childhood: this knitted pullover my great-grandmother made for me. I remember wearing it as a little girl, running back and forth between my grandmother and great-grandmother (they lived across the street from one another). Even at 4 or 5, I knew that what I couldn't get from one grandmother, I could probably finagle from the other. Good times.
I hope all the mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers enjoy a day filled with beauty and love. You deserve it.

Photo by The Art of Living Beautifully

For my fellow dish lovers...

2011-05-07T00:05:00.000-07:00

For the dish lovers out there who may not follow my other blog, The Pink Home, hop over to see the latest additions to my dish collection and read about how one set was patiently waiting for the other to be found so it could be made whole. Click here for more.

Furry First Friday...

2011-05-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

For the return of Furry First Fridays after a hiatus last month, I thought I'd share one of my all-time favorite photos of my Emily. This was taken a couple of years ago. I love how she's smiling directly into the camera. You can feel happiness radiating from her.
Thanks to everyone for joining. If you didn't have time this month, mark your calendars for the first Friday in June.
Happy Friday!

Furry First Fridays is back!

2011-05-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder to everyone that I am resuming Furry First Fridays this month, after a break last month. To participate, all you need to do is post photos of your pets on Friday and link up to my party post, which will be available sometime Thursday evening. Please include a link to my blog and feel free to grab the above button as well. Furry First Fridays is held on the first Friday of every month, so mark your blog calendars.
Also, I wanted to say a quick thank you to my new followers. I'm still making the rounds from Saturday, so I'll be by your place soon if I haven't already.
Looking forward to seeing everyone's loved ones on Friday!

Scents of the season... Spring

2011-05-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

Fragrance is part of creating a beautiful home and each season brings with it its own olfactory wonders. I always associate spring with floral scents ~ lilacs, hyacinth, daffodils. Then there are the "fresh" scents of spring activities ~ the smell of laundry after it's been dried on the line, and the first bit of freshly cut grass. While I always enjoy flowers and we leave the windows open quite a bit as the weather gets warmer, which lets the smell of freshly cut grass waft in on the weekends, I also like to switch up my candle scents each season.

There are many wonderful candle makers out there and I often try new ones, but I always find myself returning to Yankee Candles. I just prefer how strongly they smell and how well and long they burn. Some of their new spring scents include Fluffy Towels, Garden Hideaway and Pink Lady Slipper ~ all of which I can't wait to sample. They have a Lemon Lavender scent I'm going to have to try as well.

What spring scents do you love?

I am linking to Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper.

PHOTO CREDITS: Lilac photo by Muffet via flickr; Fluffy Towels photo from Yankee Candle

A spring home tour...

2011-04-29T00:05:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about the change in seasons is the opportunity/ excuse it affords to change things up in your house. When we move from cool to warm temperatures, it makes sense to lighten up, put away heavy blankets, clear some things out and do a little rearranging. I like to try and step back and evaluate a) what's bugging me in the house or simply isn't working, b) what I am tired of looking at for whatever reason, and c) what I have put away that I could use to switch things up. I firmly believe that changing things up in our environment invigorates us and makes us feel better ~ if you don't already practice this seasonal clear-out, try it and you'll see what I mean.

I knew I wanted to put my pretty pink slipcover on my couch, so that meant the rug in the living room had to be moved or put away, because it simply wouldn't work. I was going to put it in storage and then I had an idea to try it in the dining room. The dining room is a little on the narrow side, so I decided to lay the rug the opposite way, which accomplished two things. First, it made the room seem wider, and second, it took care of the expanse of wood floor behind the table that needed a little something. (Even Russ seems to approve of the new placement, as you can see.) I freshened up the linens and table centerpiece, but left my pretty tea cups and tea pot out on display on the chest under the double window ~ I never tire of looking at dishes.

The living room...

The living room sofa got its Shabby Chic pink rose slipcover back, and a few pink accent pillows. I also took out the ottoman swamping the room and put down two smaller rugs. One is a runner in front of the fabulous old chest that holds the TV (not shown ~ it's a hideous huge, widescreen that my sweetie adores) and the other is in front of the sofa. You can sort of see them in the photo directly above, which was taken from the front room, or reading porch. My little tea cup lamp now resides near one of the built-in bookcases on either side of the fireplace.

The reading porch...

I love to keep flowers on this table to greet people as they come in the front door. You'll usually find whatever is in season at the moment in bloom there ~ right now, it happens to be tulips. The comfy papasan chair, now decked out in spring colors, is a favorite spot to cuddle up with a book, which is why I always think of this room as the reading porch, even though I refer to it as the front room so as not to confuse people.

I hope you enjoyed this little mini-tour of spring changes. If you'd also like a quick peak into my kitchen, click here.

I am linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. Stop by Beverly's place to join in or see more lovely pinks.

I am also linking to Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper. Stop by for more seasonal beauty.

Photos by The Pink Home

Kitchen updates...

2011-04-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

My kitchen has been in need of a little help here of late, mostly thanks to my aging dogs. We have hardwood floors in the kitchen and throughout the house, which I love, so I use quite a few area rugs to help define spaces. I had, until this past weekend, a lovely 8x10 rug with lots of reds and blues in the middle of the main part of the kitchen. Our kitchen is huge ~ it seriously is as big as our living and dining room put together ~ so it needed something to sort of ground it and make it feel not quite so cavernous, especially as we also have a breakfast area, which almost seems to be its own little room, as you can see above and below. The rug, which I had acquired some time ago, worked beautifully, especially as I love red in the kitchen.
Unfortunately, as my dogs age (one is going on 14, another 12), they seem to have the occasional problem with making it outside and for some reason, the kitchen rug seemed to be ground zero. One accident too many and it was time for the rug to go. I figured it probably wasn't worth it to replace the rug since my dogs would probably do the same thing again, but the kitchen needed a little something, so I found a couple small, colorful rugs at TJ Maxx ~ the rooster one above and the fruit one below. The rooster is in front of some cabinets and the fruit one in front of the refrigerator. Between the two, they add a little fun and color, without being prime targets for the dogs. I figure that's as good as it's going to get for now.
Since I switched out the rugs, I figured I might as well do a few more updates. We had already moved the breakfast table and put in a bookshelf to accommodate all (OK, most) of my cookbooks. I hung the dish fabric canvas on the opposite wall, changed the tablecloth, put a big bowl on the table and filled it with fruit and presto ~ an easy, quick kitchen update. Since I have been making other seasonal changes in the house, it was nice to give the kitchen a little bit of a lift, too.
Come back later this week to see the change in seasons in my other rooms.

Photos by The Pink Home

A springtime treat...

2011-04-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

It really is the simple things that make the change of seasons so enjoyable. I always think of deviled eggs as one of those things that helps herald in spring/summer. We always had deviled eggs at Easter growing up, so that's probably why. After that, we enjoyed them at summer barbecues and picnics and, of course, on Fourth of July. They're a simple, wonderful warm-weather dish ~ easy to pop in your mouth and they never last long enough to spoil in the heat. They usually make their last appearance around Labor Day weekend and then they are gone again, waiting to be rediscovered next spring.

I've always thought deviled eggs were one of the easiest things to make, but I recently came across someone who said they had never learned. In case there are any others out there, I thought I'd share my simple recipe.

Enjoy.

P.S. For the dish lovers out there, the fabulous pink plate the eggs are sitting on is a vintage beauty I picked up at a flea market. It only makes an appearance in spring and summer, it seems.

Deviled Eggs

Boil a dozen eggs until cooked through. Cool, then peel the eggs. Cut each egg in half lengthwise and gently pop out the hard egg yolks into a bowl. Using either a masher or food processor, crumb the egg yolks. Add about 2 teaspoons of mustard (I use a teaspoon each of yellow and golden), 1 teaspoon of sweet relish and 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup of mayo. Add a pinch of salt and stir together, blending well. Taste the mixture and see if it needs a little more salt or perhaps a little sugar (as odd as that sounds). I often find that a little less than a packet of Splenda will do the trick. It may need a little more mustard or mayo to suit your taste.

Fill each egg with a teaspoon full of the creamy yolk mixture and refrigerate for a couple of hours. Before serving, you can sprinkle with paprika, fresh chives or even little pieces of crumbled bacon ~ whatever strikes your fancy.

Note: This should serve 4 to 6, depending how many deviled egg lovers you have on hand. I find that two deviled eggs (1 whole egg) per person is a good rule of thumb.

Photo by The Pink Home

Easter blooms...

2011-04-23T00:05:00.000-07:00

"Easter spells out beauty ~ the rare beauty of new life."

~ S.D. Gordon

Beautiful lilies, tulips and a lovely rose ~ a mix of traditional Easter flowers and a little extra beauty, in perfect spring colors. These are some of the lovely blooms I will be gazing on this weekend, so I thought I would share them with you. Wishing all of you a beautiful Easter holiday.

Photos by The Pink Home

Change of plans... and a new look

2011-04-21T00:05:00.000-07:00

Dearest readers ~

To quote Mark Twain, "The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." Or, I should say, reports of the demise of this blog have been greatly exaggerated. Well, more like flat-out wrong.
Please understand there is no conspiracy afoot, no blogging rumors gone awry. It's simply that I reported several times, wrongly as it turns out, that I was planning to take down this blog and take up permanent residence at The Pink Home. While I have taken up residence at The Pink Home, and the two blogs do share some common ground, the truth is I can't bear to take this blog down. I tried. Really. And failed. It felt like I was putting one of my dogs down. I kept coming across things I wanted to share that didn't exactly fit the scope of The Pink Home blog and then I kept thinking about all of you, who have given me so much affection and encouragement. And then I started to wonder exactly why I felt I had to take this blog down anyway ~ it's not like I couldn't have two. And then yesterday, I got the urge to shine the place up, add a little new sparkle to it. After all, I didn't need two pink blogs. And I have been rather neglectful here of late, though I prefer to think of it as a needed break. The more I worked on freshening up The Art of Living Beautifully, the happier it made me and I realized I was definitely going to hang around.
So, here I am. Still. And yes, still at The Pink Home, though that blog will chronicle more of my efforts to open a shop under the same name and feature my photography more prominently. Pink abounds there, and will likely show up here, too. For those that would like to follow both blogs, I would absolutely love to have you. (I don't blog daily on either, so you won't be bombarded with posts. And thank you to those who already follow both.) For those who follow one or the other and hop back and forth to see what I'm up to, bless you. And while there will be the occasional overlap, I've discovered that each blog really has its own personality, so it's best to honor those.
For Furry First Friday fans, I will be restarting that next month. May 6 is the first Friday, so mark your calendars and get your posts ready.
Oh, and there's one more thing: I finally decided to put my real name, which is Eileen, on my blogs. Bella is a pen name I took when I started blogging a couple of years ago because it means beauty and it seemed to suit. But with The Pink Home venture, it seemed like keeping a pen name would just confuse things, particularly with the planned shop. So it's just Eileen from now on.
Break's over. Hope you enjoy the new look.

Cheers,
Eileen

Lightening up for spring...

2011-04-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

I love fabrics and pattern, as you know, and will look for basically any excuse to add more ~ new pillows, bedding, curtains, table linens, napkins, etc. Lap blankets fall into this category. I love seeing a neatly folded stack of blankets when I open a cupboard, ready to be pulled down for a cozy read or a snuggle on the porch.
With the change in seasons, I have switched out which blankets get used. The heavyweight, darker colors are put away and in their place are light, almost airy, blankets with soft colors, like this one above. I bought this blanket a few years ago and each spring when I get it back out, I remember how much I love it. The soft blues and greens are so pretty ~ perfect for spring.
How is the season shaping up at your home?

The beauty of dreaming and doing...

2011-04-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

Please forgive my absence this past week ~ I have been busy, busy, busy trying to get my dream off the ground while still handling all of my other responsibilities (you know, life). As some of you know, I have launched a new blog, The Pink Home, in preparation for the launch of my Etsy shop by the same name. (If you haven't already, please do stop by The Pink Home blog and follow me there. I would be so grateful.)

And if all good things come to those who wait, that must mean I'm in for a bit of luck with The Pink Home shop when it finally opens. Slowly but surely, I am making headway on getting it open ~ emphasis on slowly. I'm trying to make sure I do things properly, from paperwork to merchandise, and that takes time. So much time, as I am learning. And when you already have a full-time job and other responsibilities, well... let's just say I have an even greater respect for those who have Etsy and other online shops ~ it is indeed a labor of love.

I have been busy paring down offerings, trying to start on a manageable level as I get my feet under me. To kick things off, I will be stocking prints of various beautiful photographs, notecards and art ~ all the original work of moi. (One of my latest snapshots is featured above.) I have ordered some of the prints and art for the shop and am (still) designing the stationary offerings. Fingers crossed these turn out as good as I am hoping or else it's back to the drawing board. Perish the thought.

If there's one thing I have noticed about all this work, it's that I am rather enjoying it. In fact, I'm actually having a ball.

As author Sarah Ban Breathnach says, "The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do."

On that note, it's back to work...

P.S. If you haven't already, please be sure to stop by The Pink Home on Facebook and like us. I'll be posting special offers, extras, etc., as things get moving. You can click on the badge in the left column to take you there. Merci.

Wallpaper as art...

2011-04-12T14:15:00.000-07:00

When I come across an image that makes me think, "Oooh, good idea...", I file it away for future reference. I have a mountain of these images from magazines that I periodically sort through. I started keeping images on my computer a couple years ago ~ I store them all in a folder and use it as my screensaver source so these beautiful ideas are always sort of popping up. I came across this forgotten image from Country Living in my e-mail yesterday when I was cleaning it out. The wallpaper squares are kind of a neat way to add visual interest to a room ~ wall covering and art all in one, while making use of scraps of leftover paper. Beauty and resourcefulness... perfection.

Photo credit: Country Living

Combating the gray...

2011-04-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

It's a gray, rainy day here and it looks like we're in for plenty more of the same, along with an added dash of cold temperatures, for the next few days. I am missing the gorgeous spring weather we enjoyed last week. I am also lamenting that I likely missed my window to photograph my neighbor's gorgeous flowers. I've been meaning to snap photos for a few days and now it's unlikely I'll get a chance with all this rain ~ the wet weather and wind will probably do them in. Sigh...
Of course, there is always some color and beauty to be found to combat the gray. I stumbled across a most marvelous slide show on Midwest Living's web site all about peonies ~ growing tips, varieties, etc. These photos are from there ~ aren't they gorgeous? Beautiful enough to brighten the grayest of days. I absolutely love peonies; they are so graceful and elegant. One day I hope to have a whole huge batch of them growing in my yard, though I'm not quite sure how ~ they love sun and my yard has a lot of shade. I may have to lose a tree. Hmmm...
I hope you're enjoying lovely weather and lots of beautiful color wherever you are. If you haven't had a chance to stop by my new blog, The Pink Home, please do. It's a lovely place and I'd love your company.

Photos from Midwest Living

To buy or not to buy?

2011-03-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

I keep seeing this pop up in various places and I was wondering if any of you have purchased Martha Stewart's latest cookbook, Pies & Tarts, or had a chance to flip through it. What did you think? I keep reading good things about it, but I haven't made it to the bookstore yet. Any thoughts on whether I should add it to my cookbook collection? I don't buy all of Martha's books ~ even a book lover like me can't keep up with all of them ~ but the ones I do have I quite like. And since I have a sweet tooth, well... this looks like a good candidate. Thoughts?

Furry First Fridays on hold...

2011-03-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let all of you know Furry First Fridays is on hold for now. I'm not sure if I will continue it or not at my new blog, The Pink Home. I may, I just haven't decided yet. Pop over there and let me know if you'd like me to restart it next month.
Just a reminder ~ I will be shutting this blog down completely at some point and you'll only be able to find me at The Pink Home, so please follow me there.
Wishing everyone a beautiful week...

Pink lessons...

2011-03-25T14:05:00.000-07:00

Photo by The Pink Home

Hop over to my new blog, The Pink Home, to check out my first Pink Saturday post there. You can read about what I've learned from the color pink.

Cheers,
Bella

The Art of Living Beautifully is moving...

2011-03-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

Spring seems like a good time for a fresh start, so I decided to take the plunge and make one.
I am moving my blog home. You'll now find me at my new blog, The Pink Home. I will be shutting down this blog in the next couple of months as I complete the transition. I hope all of you will hop over there for a look and follow me there. Click here to visit.
I decided to move for several reasons. At some point, I'm planning on opening a little shop under the name The Pink Home, so it seemed to make sense to put everything under one name. I also thought it might be fun to branch out a little and my new blog will allow me to do that by expanding the focus of my writing and photography. The Pink Home will be similar to The Art of Living Beautifully in that it will contain home/gardening/cooking content, but I'm hoping it will be even better.
I hope you'll join me at The Pink Home and visit often.

Welcome, spring...

2011-03-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

"In the spring I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside

of four and twenty hours."

~ Mark Twain

Spring is here! For some reason my anticipation of spring has been even greater than usual this year. Of course, now that it is officially here, I'm afraid where I live we're going to be having one of those days like Mr. Twain was speaking of above. Actually, it looks like we may be in for a week of those kind of days. The sun is sort of shining right now through the clouds, but we're expecting rainshowers of varying strengths throughout the day, topped off by bad winds and apparently, a flash flood watch.
This past week, I ventured outside to cut some of the gorgeous indications of spring in my yard and fashioned this bouquet. I've enjoyed seeing a little spring beauty sitting on my dining room table for the week, even if the actual arrival of the new season leaves a little to be desired. Oh well...
How are things blooming where you live?

Calla lilies in clover... Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T00:05:00.000-07:00

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, an Irish blessing...

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

Wishing all of you lots of luck on this lovely green holiday. Have a wonderful day.

The beauty of yellow...

2011-03-16T00:05:00.000-07:00

Spring, which is just around the corner, always makes me think of yellow. It's such a sunny, cheerful color, bursting with the promise of something new and fresh ~ much like spring itself. I personally love yellow in the kitchen; for some reason, it seems to suit to me. I've had various shades in my kitchens over the years, from pale to creamy to golden.
But lately, I've been intrigued by the idea of using yellow in other ways, perhaps in a new room, like the beautiful dining room above. I just love how the lavender seat cushions set off the buttery walls. The room just looks like spring to me.
And then there's the great, simple idea I saw in Better Homes and Gardens of putting pretty yellow fabric or fancy paper under glass to cover the top of a nightstand (or a side table). So easy and so pretty ~ and you don't have to live with it forever.
Do you have a color that you associate with spring?

Photos from Better Home and Gardens

A little spring baking, anyone?

2011-03-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

I saw this idea for a little spring baking in Paula Deen's newsletter and thought it was fantastic. Her Sour Cream Pound Cake is divine, and the little boxes for packaging (below) are adorable. It's a simple, inexpensive idea for a beautiful little gift, housewarming or otherwise.
Do you have a simple gift idea everyone loves that you turn to again and again?

Paula Deen's Sour Cream Pound Cake

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add the sour cream and mix until incorporated. Sift the baking soda and flour together. Add to the creamed mixture alternating with eggs, beating in each egg 1 at a time. Add vanilla.

Pour the mixture into a greased and floured loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes to 1 hour or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Photos from Paula Deen's Web site

A lovely white Wednesday...

2011-03-09T00:05:00.000-08:00

As I'm anxiously awaiting spring, I thought I'd share photos of this beautiful white rose in my yard. I love how the center is the palest of pinks. Isn't it lovely? Nothing like a little outdoor beauty to brighten the week.

I am linking to Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer and White Wednesday at Faded Charm. Stop by for more lovely posts.

A pretty new newsletter...

2011-03-05T00:05:00.000-08:00

The other day, I discovered something in my e-mail called The Cottage Journal. It's a new newsletter from Hoffman Media (the company publishes Southern Lady, Tea Time, Victoria and other magazines). I was signed up for the Victoria newsletter, which is why I received it. The Cottage Journal combines features from a number of the company's magazines and I found the first issue to be lovely and interesting ~ not to mention delicious, since it included two delectable recipes. The newsletter is supposed to come out a couple times a month. I thought some of you might be interested, especially since it's free, so I thought I'd share. Click here to sign up.

Furry First Friday ~ Spring is in the air...

2011-03-03T20:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Furry First Friday ~ the "spring is almost here" edition.
Today I'm sharing a couple of photos. The first is one of my favorite funny photos of Emily from a couple years ago (good thing she doesn't surf the Web or she'd be mad at me for showing her with her hair all messed up). She was scratching her head and managed to pull out quite a bit of hair from her pigtails. I caught her just sitting next to the hydrangea taking in the world and snapped this photo. She looks like she's had a wild night on the town, doesn't she?
And below, my sweet Russ, who will be 14 this summer, is lounging in one of his favorite spots, tucked under a bush in the back yard. I love how he's just peeking out, watching me take a photo of him.
Thanks to everyone who links up this month. For those new to this party, Furry First Fridays is hosted on the first Friday of the month by moi. To join, all you need to do is post photos of your pets and link up at the bottom of this post. The party is open throughout the weekend. Please do include a link back here in your blog post as well.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Friday!