Color A Room

I am very busy this week with school activities, baking, working a booth today at the Fall Festival at my son's school. I am baking cupcakes right now for tomorrow at my daughter's school, -the owl cupcakes from my very first blog post.

I was going to share an article at Better Homes and Garden's website about French Country decorating, but then I saw this... Color a Room.

Give it a try. If you don't have a username and password with BHG, it's quick and easy to sign up for one and then you can sign in and give Color a Room a try. You can choose colors and patterns for walls and fabrics. You can save your creations, email them to a friend, and also print them out.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

French Country Touches

I wasn't sure what I would write about for today, but then I received an email from a friend in France, -Catherine. She has been visiting my graphics site and purchasing graphics from me for quite a while now. I was thinking that she had helped me translate the "Fruits of the Spirit" into French for a graphic I created for my French Country Collection a while back, but I believe it was Vicki from Canada. Anyway, I have met so many wonderful people on the internet that I would have never met otherwise, -from all over the world.

Catherine just visited my blog and emailed me and shared a wonderful website, Comptoir de Famille. They have been featured in many magazines here including Country Home, Home, Martha Stewart Living, Vogue, ...just to mention a few.

After visiting Comptoir De Famille it reminded me of a trip a few years ago. My husband surprised me and booked a room for us for our anniversary at a quaint bed & breakfast in Fernandina Beach, FL. Which at the time was only a 30 minute drive from where we lived. Fernandina is a nice small town with lots of unique shops to stroll around in. One of those shops was my favorite: French Market Antiques. They had some very beautiful furniture pieces as well as pottery and dishes. If you're ever in that area, don't forget to visit.

I'm not quite sure what my decorating style is. I like the cozy cottage country look, but I also like to add a little French touch here and there. A good example would be this soap dish and soap from Comptoir de Famille (left). Isn't that gorgeous? I would love to have that in my guest bath.

I just wanted to throw a little French inspiration your way. If you want a cozy, but more sophisticated look, a touch of French accents really does the trick. Visit Comptoir de Famille or French Market Antiques or Google "French Country Decor" or "French Country Accents" and see what comes up. Let those visuals inspire you to add French Country touches to your home.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

500 Bungalows

Need a great Coffee Table Book? Do you like bungalow style homes? Then this is your book.

I was recently in the hospital for 3 days (viral spinal meningitis, terrible). During my stay my husband surprised me with this lovely book. My husband had actually seen the book in one of my Cottage Living magazines that he perused one day (which he normally doesn't do) and had remembered seeing this book and "filed away" the idea for a later gift. He went to the book store and picked up this book for me on his way to the hospital one of the days I was in. I didn't have to share all that to tell you about a great book, but it makes the book even more special to me because I was really, really sick and he was so worried about me. At the time my dr.'s weren't sure if I had the viral or bacterial meningitis. They did a spinal tap and started me on antibiotics and we had to wait several days for the results. Everyone that came in to see me had to wear masks. My kids could not even come up to see me for fear it was the bacterial kind and dangerously contagious. Thankfully, it was the viral kind. But, anyway, he went all the way to the book store, remembering how much I would like this book and got it for me. Of course, even feeling so badly, I was so happy to receive it. I still love to look through it.

I really love the craftsman bungalow style home. They just say "Home Sweet Home" from the front porch and all the way through.

The craftsman bungalow reminds me of the homes I grew up in and around as a child in Indiana and Illinois. There were tons of bungalows in town and farmhouses in the country, but they had the bungalow style.

This book, 500 Bungalows takes you t0 California, Washington, Tennessee, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Featuring the Prairie Style, Spanish Style, Craftsman, Craftsman Eclectic, and finally Bungalow Bazaar. Each page is a front front view of each bungalow and the city and state it is in.


Text and photographs by Douglas Keister, published by The Taunton Press. <--- (That link takes you right to the page for 500 Bungalows and 500 Cottages). Douglas Keister also offers 11 other books on Bungalows, as well as Cottages, Storybook-Style Homes (ooooh!), Spanish-Style Homes, and Cemeteries.

Here's the cover of 500 Cottages. Click on The Taunton Press link above to visit and purchase, if you wish.

This one's on my Christmas wish list!

They're also available at www.Amazon.com.



Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Country Curtains

Ever heard of Country Curtains? I, personally, sew my own window treatments, but if you don't like to sew or you just don't have the time you should check out Country Curtains. They're a mail order window treatment business that has been selling quality tailor made curtains since 1956.

To me, they used to be known as really Country Curtains. As in the muslin-ruffled country curtains from the 80's. If that's how you remember them, you ought to check them out now.

They have all types of window treatments in fabric prints including plaids (my fave), stripes, checks, solids, florals, toiles, ticking stripes, and paisleys. In an array of fabrics ranging from 100% cotton to silk taffeta and every thing in between.

They carry roman shades, roll-up shades, sheers, tab top curtains, cafe curtains, valances, full panels, and yes, they still sell the cheery, welcoming wide ruffle curtains in that classic country style.

They offer braided rugs, chair pads, decorative pillows, comforters, curtain rods, and tiebacks and tassels in a large array of styles and finishes.

You can sign up for their free catalog or you can shop online at www.countrycurtains.com. And if anything, you can get lots of window treatment ideas from their catalog and website to do yourself!

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

The Country House

Sharing another source with everyone this post. The Country House is a catalog, but you can also visit their website at www.thecountryhouse.com and view their catalog page by page and order on their site.

Do you like a little touch of prim? Maybe you decorate all primitive. Or maybe you like the old fashioned Christmas decor. Well, this company has it all.

Check out their website. You might find something you like even if you don't like the primitive look.

I've purchased from them before and the order was shipped quickly and very nicely package in a nice box.

Be sure to sign up for their catalog. Very inspirational to look through the pages. Especially now with the Holiday 2007 catalog.

Be inspired! -Karol :0)

Small finds at the auction...

In yesterday's post I shared some of the larger things I've bought at auction. But I didn't want to scare anyone away from visiting an auction thinking it was all large amoires and dressers and things. They also auction off small items at auctions. Such as linens, dishes, pottery, and collectibles. Above is an egg tray I just loved when I saw it. I think I paid $10 for it. It's gorgeous and I've really used it to serve devilled eggs.


I was sharing with someone that commented on my entry from yesterday that at one auction I purchased a beautiful British etching titled "Evening Shades". It's an English country cottage. It's very old. I have it hanging in my master bedroom. I just adore this piece.

And last, I'll share something that may look familiar. It's the little green table and chairs in my banner at the top of my blog. I also got this at an auction. It's just so cute. I had it at my front door most of fall last year.

It's funny, each time I would come back with goodies from the auction I'd place them at the front door for a few days until I figured out where I would put them. The little table and chairs I ended up liking right where they were.

I wish I was home so I could take some more pics of the smaller things that can be found at auctions. Trust me, just go.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Ever been to an auction?

Have you ever been to an auction? There's nothing like it. It's fun, it's exhilarating, it's expensive sometimes! Especially if you really, really want something that someone else really, really wants, too. The picture to the left is of an awesome white cabinet I got at auction the last time I went (which was almost 6 months ago now). Since I've moved I don't get to go to the one I frequented. :0(

There's an awesome site I want to share that you can visit. http://www.auctionzip.com/ You type in your zip code, the mile radius you want to search for auctions, and it will pop up a calendar for that month of all the auctions in the area you designate to search. If you're lucky, the auction business will even list photos of what they will be auctioning off that week (or biweekly). That way you can see if there's any items you'd be interested in.

In my post from Monday about quilts, there's a lovely pie safe in the picture from my entryway. That is one of my auction finds! Below is a china cabinet I picked up for $100.00. I just love the honeycomb wood detail on the hutch doors. This is a keeper. Since the picture I have my small collection of truffle dishes and my mom's china displayed in the hutch.

If you haven't been to an auction, it's worth going. Go, get a number, and bid on something if you really like it. Who knows, maybe you'll win and get a great deal to boot! Below is one more picture of a gorgeous dresser I got at auction. This is in my master bedroom and fit in this spot just perfect...



One tip, if you've never been, is to go early if possible, and look at everything before you decide to bid. Be sure it's well made and it's what you want. At most auctions you can walk around during the auction and look at everything so even if you're running late you can still look around.


Send me an email or comment if you attend one. I'd love to hear about your experience! Want to have even more fun? Take your spouse or a friend. They'll love it, too.


Be Inspired... -Karol :0)

I L-O-V-E Quilts!

I love quilts. I have lots of them decorating my home. Some are new, some are family heirlooms made for my husband by his grandmother, others are finds at estate sales and then some are winning bids at the auction.

Each bed in my home has a quilt in the layer of bedding, a quilt at the end of the bed and at least one or two more in the room. Living in Florida there's never a need for layers of quilts for keeping warm, although the temperatures do dip from time to time. I just love the cozy look and feel they give my home. There are quilts in my living room draped over the arm of the sofa, draped over the back of the rocking chair, and several dispersed here and there for color. Most are not just for decorating, they're to use.

Below you'll see, in my son's room, I have a patchwork quilt for the bed cover, then I have a mustard color throw quilt over the end of the bed and another small throw quilt at the end of the bed. There are touches of red
and yellow in his room and the throw quilts just accent those colors.

I love the older quilts I have because I can just imagine the love that went in to making them. The time spent with family or friends, or even possibly alone, sewing the pieces together, hand stitching the quilting stitches. I have one that dates back to the early 1900's. It's in the category of a "utility quilt" from what an appraiser told me at a quilt show. I took it so I could get an approximate age for it. It's got a few blemishes. The appraiser even showed me where some fabric from the 40's had been added to repair some damage. That just adds to the character.

Below is a narrow cabinet in the entryway of my home. I have small quilts and ones that are older (not for use) displayed here. You can add quilts just about anywhere to add a cozy look.



I just love visiting quilt shops, looking at quilting magazines and quilting sites. I found a great site today called All People Quilt. Chock full of ideas, free patterns, projects, links to other sites, how-to, videos, and more. They have tons of articles on quilts and to top it off they even have travel ideas for quilt-friendly destinations!

Be sure to click on the picture at this post (or click on the linked text) and visit All People Quilt's website to tour the Quilting In The Garden event held each September at Alden Lane Nursery in California. Beautiful slideshow.


Do you have some quilts in your linen closet? Get them out and decorate with them!


Be Inspired. -Karol :0)

Fall Wreath

Sorry for the terrible picture, but I wanted to share last year's wreath on my door with you. I am sharing last year's wreath on last year's door. I say that because I don't live in this home right now. It's for sale and we live somewhere else. I miss this home though. We still live there when we go to visit family (until it sells).

What I wanted to share is how easy it is to make up a nice fall wreath quickly. I bought a nice berry wreath to start off from Home Goods, I believe (which reminds me I need to share about THAT store with you!). You can get a nice full fall berry wreath just about anywhere. Then purchase a long garland of fall leaves. The one on my wreath contains fall leaves, acorns, and assorted berries. I just wrapped it around my berry wreath tucking it in the berries or twisting a wire branch of berries around wires of the leaf garland so they stay together. Then I plopped Mr. Scarecrow right on the bottom and wired him in place around his waist. You can't even see the wire. It is just so simple to do and I didn't need any special tools. The good part is, I can change it if I want or add to it. You can purchase these little scarecrows at the hobby stores, too. This one in the photo is one I made years ago.

I just went home this last weekend and hung up this same wreath. The only thing I think I would have added if I had had more time would have been some little black crows on wire or something. Just disperse a few black crows around the wreath. You can get them as plant picks at all the hobby stores right now for fall.



Then as it gets closer to Thanksgiving you can remove Mr. Scarecrow and any crows he didn't manage to scare away and add some gourds and pumpkins and fruit. Making a cornucopia wreath!



If you really like your wreath once that season is through, be sure it's clean and wrap it in a trash bag and hang it in your attic on a nail. Then each Fall it will be ready to hang. You can remove from it or add to it each year to keep it fresh and updated.



Be Inspired! Karol :0)

Autumn Desktop Wallpapers

Who doesn't like a pretty desktop wallpaper to create a cozy feeling. Better Homes & Gardens' website has a gorgeous selection of Autumn themed desktop wallpapers you can download, free! You can also search by celebration, season, or a just for fun category for desktop wallpapers in those themes. Click here or on the picture (which happens to be my desktop right now) to see the Autumn themes.

Enjoy! -Karol :0)

Family Fun!

I was going to post about Plaids again since there's also a section on Plaids in the Better Home & Gardens Magazine, but instead I want to share a great family magazine with you. Part of making your home "Home Sweet Home" is having fun and creative things to do for your family.

I've had a subscription to Family Fun magazine for several years now. My daughter loves it when we get a new issue in the mail! This magazine is packed with tons of fun recipes. -Recipes that the whole family can get involved with.

There's always interesting craft projects to do. Themed party ideas to be inspired by, always including fun games to play as well. Fun ways to make snacks that are healthy and fun to eat. There are boredom buster ideas that kids can do and they always seem to be educational, too.

If you have a family, check out this magazine. Each issue is packed with great ideas! They have a great website for resources and archives. You can also subscribe to their magazine right on their site. You defintitely save money by subcribing at $10 for 1 year of 10 issues! Not sure what the news stand price is, but it has to be a few dollars more per issue.

Be Inspired for family fun! -Karol :0)

I Love Plaids!

In the new November issue of Country Home there is an article on plaids called "Forever Plaid". Plaids to me are cozy. I like to add a touch of plaid to every room of my home. If it's making draperies I add a little plaid to contrast with florals or I just use plaid drapes. If it's my son's room, just a plaid pillow mixed in with the outdoorsy pillows adds a little coziness. If it's my daughter's romantic shabby chic room, just a touch of a pastel plaid for the bed skirt and to add balance -an 18" trim of plaid to the bottom of the drapes.

Below, you'll see I added just a touch of plaid as trim to the valance and wider trim to the bottom of the drapes I made for my daughter's playhouse. This softened them up, making them a little whimsical and cozy, rather than too formal...

Plaid is not for modern decor (well, I could make it work, but I don't see it often). It's more for the cozy, lived-in look that I love so much. If that's your style, do you have a touch of plaid here and there?

As Country Home suggests, add a little plaid to your wardrobe with this plaid casual handbag from Target. Click on handbag to go to Target website.

A nice wool throw blanket in rich, warm earthy colors takes me right to a nice autumn day when the air is crisp and the leaves are falling, snuggled up in a warm blanket sipping some warm cider.

I love to layer tablecloths during the autumn season. Layer a nice plaid tablecloth with a matching solid for a cozy table setting.

Try a little plaid in your decor!

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Divine Design

Divine Design is my favorite show on HGTV. Next on the list is reDesign by Kenneth Brown. But anyway, back to Divine Design. Candice Olson is an amazing designer. The picture to the left is one of the very first episodes I watched. It is a romantic little girl's room. I LOVE it.

Have you ever watched Divine Design? Click here to visit Candice's website. It opens with an interactive window that you can use to choose episodes and view the Before, Sketch, and After pictures.

Almost as beautiful as Candice's finished products are her sketches!

Please visit her site and be inspired by her beautiful work.

Have fun! -Karol :0)

Special Subscription Offer!

I promise to not post about Martha Stewart too often, but if you like her magazine or her Everyday Food magazine(ette). I received a special email offer today and HAD to pass along to anyone that wants to save a bunch of money! You get 12 issues of Martha Stewart Living for $1.65 per issue and 10 issues of Everyday Food is included. Plus, with your paid subscription, you get a MSL tote/shopping bag free (picture below). The "news stand" price for MSL is $4.75 per issue, which is what I've been paying when one catches my eye at the store.

MSL Magazine is full of inspiring ideas, recipes, decorating ideas, wonderful handmade craft instructions. The Everyday Food is a great little book. It's worth the $1.65 just for that!

In order to take advantage of this special offer, you have to follow this link from my email I received this morning. Then you have to click on the "click here to take advantage of this special offer" to order. I recieved the offer because I am a subscriber to the MSL website for updates. Don't worry, they'll ask for your email address when you purchase the discount subscription. If you wish to not receive MSL email updates, just uncheck the box where it asks for your email address. *please note this offer is for US orders only. :0(

Be Inspired!...and save money, too. -Karol :0)

Comments

Thanks to Judy for letting me know that with Blogger I had to change a setting to receive comments from everyone, not just registered users! I am new to this blogging thing, can you tell? Anyway, I have changed the settings for comments so feel free to leave a comment if you wish!

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

P.S. I'll add a new HSHI post later today.

Cook's Illustrated

Since I've just shared a recipe I'll next share a fantastic Cooking Magazine. -Cooks Illustrated. The covers alone are worth framing. In fact, you can buy posters of their cover art right on their site. The cover is what caught my eye one day in the grocery store as I scanned the magazine section to see what looked interesting.

The recipes in Cook's Illustrated are not quick and easy. They are more in depth, but so worth it. I love this magazine because each issue teaches you about essential equipment they have tested in their test kitchen and highly recommend. They teach you cooking techniques. For example in this October, 2007 edition I have, they have a section titled "The Best Way to Cook Vegetables". I also like that each edition has a section called "Equipment Corner" where they will test toaster ovens to apple corers. They'll list several brands they tested, the cost of each, and how each rated and why. In fact, in this edition they have tested cast-iron skillets. They tested 8 types and brands. Very detailed tests of each and everything you'd want to know when shopping for a cast-iron skillet!

I also like that with each recipe they have facts about the foods in the recipe and proper ways to prepare certain ingredients in the recipe. I've learned so much from Cook's Illustrated. This October edition has a section on Perfecting Pear Crisp. Not only do they have an awesome recipe, they have info about a video on their website to make it, they have step by step illustrated instructions on preparing pears for the crisp, info on three different types of pears that they used in this recipe and how each one compared (talk about in depth!), and also how to get the crisp topping just right.

You can visit their website here, where there's a plethora of information, videos, recipes, and more. I really hope this inspires you to try new recipes and even if it looks difficult, give it a try! There might be a little gourmet in you and you didn't even know it!

Be Inspired! Karol :0)

Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Lemon, and Asparagus

I am so excited to share this recipe with you. It's a Martha Stewart favorite recipe of mine.

The ingredients are fairly simple and it's all made in one dish. How nice is it to serve dinner and only have one pan to clean?!

You can click here or on the picture to go to the recipe on Martha Stewart's website. But first, consider tweaking the recipe a little as I have done. Add some cubed zucchini and yellow squash, maybe even some mushrooms when you add the asparagus as the recipe calls. Also, for a little more flavor, I like to add a little chicken herb seasoning when I salt & pepper the chicken. And lastly, please use coarse ground salt, coarse ground pepper, lemon wedges, and fresh thyme sprigs (if at all possible). If you've never used coarse ground salt, give it a try. You'll love cooking with it. (The same goes for course ground pepper.) I buy the Morton's Kosher Coarse Ground Gourmet Salt. It comes in a big box and will last forever. The fresh thyme is the final touch that really makes this dish. It smells so good when it comes out of the oven. The lemon wedges give it a great flavor, too, so be sure to have those when you prepare this dish.

Instead of snagging the photo from MSL's website for the recipe, I've placed my own on here. Mine looks different because I added the extra veggies I mentioned above. It makes it more of a meal with all those yummy steamed veggies on top. This is what I'm making for my family tonight.

If anyone tries this dish, please let me know how it turned out.

Enjoy! -Karol :0)

Karen Weir-Jimerson

I'm not finished sharing about Country Home magazine yet! When I get the new issue of Country Home I first leaf through the pages quickly, looking at all the beautiful homes, rooms, gardens, ideas, etc. Then I look for Karen Weir-Jimerson's article, "Slow Lane". I love her writings. She writes of life on her Iowa farm. She's very funny and her stories are always heartwarming.

You can read her blog (by clicking here), which she mentions the newest "Slow Lane" story from the October issue called "Blowing in the wind", about a local windmill restorer, Jim Boll. Enjoy!

Be inspired! Karol :0)

Country Home Magazine

One of my absolute favorite magazines is Country Home. The mere glimpse of the cover draws me in! The covers of each issue are worth displaying! I have posted to the left a picture from their website from the crafting section of their new issue. It's "Apples to Apples", ...celebrating autumn's splendor at the orchard. They include 7 seasonal projects for decorating outside (or inside). A wreath, table centerpiece, place cards, bowl arrangement, votive holders, garland, and mini arrangement, --all using fresh apples. Can you just imagine how good that would smell to have all of that made and displayed for an autumn lunch or dinner outside?!

Beware! This is an addictive magazine. They do share so much of their current issues on their website, although having a copy in your hand is easier to look through and through.

Please visit their site, you can post your own country home photos and so much more. Very inspiring magazine and website. Enjoy!

And one more thing. As much as I love this magazine, I have inadvertently purchased more than one copy of the same issue because last year they had "Collector's Covers". I'm sure they made some extra dough on us decorating magazine addicts! As beautiful as the covers were, I was disappointed to have done it twice.

Be Inspired. Karol :0)

Great Storage Solution

Do you use a sofa table? The mahogany dresser you see in this picture is behind my sofa in my living room. It was one of my great buys at the auction one week. I love it because the wood is gorgeous, but also because it has 9 drawers!

Nine drawers to store things and it backs up nicely to my sofa with greenery and candles displayed. It separates my office/desk area/back door and my living room.

In the nine drawers my daughter and I have drawers for our craft supplies. I also have several drawers dedicated to cards, gift wrap, curl ribbon, and tissue paper. Everything stays neat and I know right where it is when it's time to wrap a gift.

I hope this inspires you to think of new ways to use furniture pieces and also to find storage solutions for your home!

Be Inspired. Karol :0)

Antique to Sink

Have you ever been to an auction? I love auctions! I was hooked after the first one I attended. There are so many great finds at auctions.

If you want to know if there are any auctions near you, go to http://www.auctionzip.com/. Just type in your zip code, the miles radius you want it to search, and then enter and it will search out auctions and display them by month. Just click on the day and it will display information about the auction(s). Then if you're lucky, the auction company will display pictures of the items they will be auctioning. The one I used to go to before I moved to the other side of Florida was in St. Mary's Georgia. This auction company would post pictures on Wednesdays before the auctions they had on Thursday and Friday. I could do a little window shopping before I got there. That auction was the best. It was 6 hours of fun. It is a family business and they cut up and have fun as they auction off things. I really miss that place. :0(

One of my great buys there was this "dry sink". When I saw it I knew it would be perfect for Ashton's playhouse as a kitchen sink. I think I paid $30.00 for it. My husband, Mitch, cut a whole in the top to fit a deep baking pan. Then he added a faucet set. Since my husband had already added electric to our daughter's playhouse I decided adding running water was NOT a good idea. So it's a fake sink. ...keeps the imagination working.

I'll do some more posts soon about some of the great things I won at the auction.

Be Inspired! Karol :0)

HOME Made Simple

I love this site. I am on their email list and get an email once per month, which reminds me to visit.

Home Made Simple is what their site is all about. "simple solutions for easy living" is their motto.

They have organizing help, recipes, cleaning tips, decorating ideas, inexpensive ideas for entertaining and gift-giving. If you sign up for their email list you get offers and subscriber perks, plus it will help you remember to visit the site and see what's new!

Enjoy! Karol :0)

Hobby Lobby

Ever been to Hobby Lobby? Do you have one near you?

Some of my posts will be about how to decorate your home and how to do it saving money. Hobby Lobby is one of the places you can shop and save.

Hobby Lobby, of course, sells crafts supplies. They have everything you need to craft with, but they also offer home decor and accessories.

I like shopping there because everything is grouped into its kind by themes or like items. And the very best part about Hobby Lobby is their weekly specials. Each week Hobby Lobby has a new specials sheet that lists all the items they have on sale. For example on any given week all the metal accents will be 50% off, all candle holders 50% off, all pillows, quilts and throws 50% off, all lamps and lamp shades 50% off, all framed art 50% off, and so on. My little secret is to only buy things when they are on sale. If you are a patient decorator you can save a lot of money this way. Check the flyer each week to see what the specials are. If there's something on sale in the category you wanting, go save money! Click here to see weekly specials.

Weekly specials begin on Mondays. They are closed on Sundays because it is a Christian owned company and the owner, David Green, decided to have all his stores closed on Sunday so that employees could be free to attend worship services and spend time with their families. There's a book called "More Than A Hobby", the story of how David Green started the Hobby Lobby stores. Great book and story.

So, check out a Hobby Lobby near you. You can search for a store right on their site. If you don't have one, don't worry -you will. They building new ones all the time. You can also sign up for the email list and you will receive the flyer in your email each Sunday night that you can print out if you want. There's also a coupon each week you can print out and use. Usually it's for 40% off one item, but sometimes it will be a certain percentage off a particular item.

I purchased lamps for my bedroom for around $40.00 each, but I waited til the lamps were on sale and got 2 for $40.00. I also LOVE to decorate with throw quilts and Hobby Lobby has a small selection of quilts. I waited until they were 50% off to purchase the ones I have from there. I have a french country mirror/clock in my kitchen. I believe it was $49.99 and I waited (patiently) for a few weeks until the clocks were on sale. They considered it a clock because it had a clock on top and I got it 50% off!

Through The Country Door

One of my favorite catalogs to get in the mail is "Through The Country Door". I subscribed to their catalog several years ago and have ordered a few items from them. I've always been pleased with the price and quality of the items I've received.

My favorite part is looking at the front cover. Each new catalog has a Country Door decorated. Very inspiring.

I also like how they offer things in several decorating styles in their catalog; country, cottage, french country, rustic, classic country, farmhouse, victorian, northwoods/cabin, and seasonal. ...Wow!

I'm not locked in to a certain style. I kind of mix and match styles, but I like that they have them separated and you can go right to your style(s) and browse. The same goes for their website.

I really hope you enjoy visiting their site. Don't forget to sign up for their free catalog.

Be inspired. Karol :0)

My Home Ideas dot com

As I mentioned yesterday, I am sharing a link to a sister site of Cottage Living. It's called My Home Ideas.

I can't explain it any better than they have when you click on "Design Assistant": For design inspiration you can apply at home, browse thousands of photos from the pages of Cottage Living, Southern Living, Sunset, Southern Accents, Coastal Living, Real Simple, and more of your favorite magazines.

Wow! Pictures from magazines?! That's my kind of site. I haven't had time to really browse around yet, but from what I've see so far it's going to be a favorite website of mine.

Be Inspired. Karol :0)