Susan

Celebrating Autumn With A Woodsy, Country Lodge Style Table Setting

September 19, 2024 by Susan 5 Comments

Welcome to the 834th Tablesape Thursday! With the kitchen finally back together after the recent leak behind the fridge, I was excited to set a table this week for Tablescape Thursday. Ignore the half-covered swing chain in the background. When the house/exterior was painted a few weeks back, I removed the swing chain covers. I had just started putting them back on when all the kitchen work started and I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fall Tablescapes, Seasonal Decor, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: autumn table setting, David Carter Brown Country Lodge Dinnerware, Fall Tablescape, Tablescape Thursday, Woodland Dinnerware

6 Major Purchases That Could Not Wait: What I Purchased & Why

September 17, 2024 by Susan 14 Comments

When I bought a second home a few months back, I wasn't sure how long it would be before I moved there full-time. So I had some tough decisions to make about what to purchase for the home right away, and which things could wait. After thinking it over, I did what I always do when I'm in an unfamiliar situation and not exactly sure where to start—I started with the "knowns." In my mind, there were two … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, My Nest, Storybook Cottages Tagged With: Moving, Moving to New Home, Must Haves When Moving, New Home Purchases

2 Updates For A Cottage Dining Room, One Is Small But Surprisingly Impactful!

September 15, 2024 by Susan 18 Comments

Welcome to the 816th Metamorphosis Monday! If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you may remember when I changed out the badly yellowed, plastic candle covers on my dining room chandelier for Lumiere's beautiful, realistic-looking candle covers. At that time, I also upgraded the bulbs in my chandelier to these beautiful, silk-wrapped bulbs. I love this look for a chandelier sooo … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Dining Room, Storybook Cottages Tagged With: Before and After, Chandlier Updates, Cottage Dining Room, Cottage Home, Metamorphosis Monday, Storybook Cottages

It’s Sale-on-Sale Time & This Is What I’m Loving For Fall!

September 13, 2024 by Susan 3 Comments

I love it when Talbots does a sale on sale! They have an awesome flash sale going on right now that's in addition to another sale they've been running. Their Flash sale is buy one, get one 50% and if you spend $200 you get another $50 off! Here are some of my fall favorites that I'm considering in this sale. I've always loved Talbots shirts that have the contrasting collars and cuffs. They are my favorite … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds

The Kitchen Is Finally Done & A Beachy Table Setting With Beautiful Dinnerware From The Amalfi Coast

September 12, 2024 by Susan 28 Comments

Welcome to the 833rd Tablescape Thursday! After months and months, the kitchen is finally back together. The desk was rebuilt and the refrigerator is no longer sitting in the middle of the breakfast room. Please excuse the darkness of these photos, they were taken early this morning just as it was getting daylight out. The breakfast room table and chairs are back where they belong … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beachy Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Amalfi Coast Dinnerware, Beach Themed Table Setting, Fish-Themed Dinnerware, Nautical Table Setting, Sailboat Flatware, Tablescape Thursday

The Best Way To Remove Tape Residue From Hardwood Flooring

September 9, 2024 by Susan 28 Comments

Welcome to the 815th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday! Hope your weekend was awesome! I have a house full of painters here right now, they are working on finishing up the painting in the kitchen and the basement. I'm still anxious and nervous about how the kitchen desk restoration will look in the kitchen once that is completed. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out. Today, I'm sharing a smallish … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Historic Homes, Storybook Cottages Tagged With: Before and After, Metamorphosis Monday, Remove Tape from Hardwood Flooring

All My August Favorites, It Was A Big Month For Outfitting The Dollhouse!

September 7, 2024 by Susan 11 Comments

August was the month I bought a lot of things that I really needed for the Dollhouse, mainly items for my office and kitchen. As much as I have tried to not duplicate things that I already own back in Georgia, there were some must-haves, need-right-now items that I didn't mind duplicating. Starting here in the hallway that leads to my office, the anti-skid pad that I purchased to go under the runner is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Monthly Favorites Tagged With: Best Kitchen Appliances, Best Kitchen Tools, Household Favorites, Monthly Favorites, Office Favorites

Sad To See This Collection Appears To Be Going Away

September 5, 2024 by Susan 10 Comments

Welcome to the 832nd Tablescape Thursday! It has been a busy morning here so I'm running way behind. Thought I'd give you an update on the kitchen and share something I'm excited to see is back, but in limited quantities. The kitchen currently looks like this. The repairs have been completed after the recent issue where the hose to the icemaker decided to spring a leak. I'm so happy to see the wall whole … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Tablescape Thursday

When Am I Selling My Home & Moving? Answering All Of Your Questions

September 4, 2024 by Susan 68 Comments

Ever since I shared in a post that I had purchased a home near family in Ohio, I've received quite a few questions via comments and emails. Today, I thought I'd try to answer some of those questions, although I'm not sure I have all the answers myself. Before we jump into the questions, let me give you a little background about how I came to find the home I've come to affectionately call the "Dollhouse" due … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Repairs and Fixes, Historic Homes, My Nest, Storybook Cottages Tagged With: Cottages, Downsizing, Leaving Your Forever Home, Moving

Luxury Bathing: A 1938 Cinderella Bathtub, Plus Knob Upgrades For 2 Laundry Chutes

September 2, 2024 by Susan 60 Comments

Welcome to the 814th Metamorphosis Monday! I'm back in Georgia and work will start back up again in the kitchen next Monday. I'm glad to have a week to get caught up before work begins again. Hopefully, they will be done this next week with the painting and the rebuilding of the desk. A week or so ago I shared how I had the unique and unusually-shaped tub in the Dollhouse master bath reglazed. I could … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baths, Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes Tagged With: Antique Bathtubs, Before and After, Laundry Chute Knobs, Luxury Baths, Master Bath Tub, Metamorphosis Monday, Vintage Bathtubs

Knocking It Out Of The Park for Autumn! Love These Colors & Styles!

September 1, 2024 by Susan 6 Comments

I have to say, the algorithm on Instagram knows me well. A few days ago it flashed up some fall inspiration from Coldwater Creek, a store I haven't shopped in for quite a while, and I loved everything I saw as I scrolled through! Sadly, the Coldwater Creek location near me closed a few years back, but thankfully, I can still shop there online. Do you still have any locations open near you? I was so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods

Another Dollhouse Upgrade—Wish I Had Done This Sooner!

August 30, 2024 by Susan 29 Comments

Over the years, I have really enjoyed having a Ring doorbell at my home in Georgia. It has captured some fun moments, in addition to being handy for knowing when a package has been delivered. Also, if working and the bell rings unexpectedly, I love being able to talk to the person at the door to see who it is and what they need. I've found that it saves a lot of unnecessary … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Garden, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Porches Tagged With: Ring Doorbell, Ring Doorbell Installation, Ring Extender, Ring Floodlight, Ring Install In Narrow Spot

Pumpkin Tureens For Fall, Toasty Chicken Pot Pies, & My Favorite Labor Day Sales

August 29, 2024 by Susan 14 Comments

Welcome to the 831st Tablescape Thursday! A while back, even before buying the Dollhouse, I took you on a little tour of my favorite grocery store here, Dorothy Lane Market. DLM is how I would imagine grocery shopping was back in the day when my parents would have gone to the grocery store. The store is not so large as to feel like a big chain, (there are 4 locations at present) and the people who work … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Autumn Finds, Best Beef Pot Pie, Best Chicken Pot Pie, Fall Favorites, Tablescape Thursday

So Many Lighting Updates, Plus A New Console Table For the Upstairs Hall

August 26, 2024 by Susan 48 Comments

Welcome to the 813th Metamorphosis Monday! When I first moved into the Dollhouse, it was a dim, dark place! I didn't have any lamps, yet, and a lot of the lighting either wasn't working properly or contained dim, low-wattage bulbs. For example, the master bedroom has an overhead ceiling fan with a light attachment, but one of the bulbs was physically shattered and the other bulb was a 40-watt bulb. I was so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Lighting, Upstairs Hall Tagged With: Before and After, Console Table, Lighting Updates, Metamorphosis Monday, Stairway Lighting

Found The Perfect Spot For My Dyson Vac, Gift Ideas, + The Most Delightful Card

August 25, 2024 by Susan 17 Comments

Over the past 4-6 weeks, I've made a lot of smallish updates to the Dollhouse. Though small, those kinds of updates are often my favorite since they can yield big results and make the everyday chores in life more convenient. A couple of years back I purchased a Dyson vacuum for the Georgia house. For several months I had it stashed in a closet, then one day it dawned on me that I really should store it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds

Spode Woodland, My Favorite Dinnerware For Autumn And Thanksgiving

August 22, 2024 by Susan 14 Comments

Welcome to the 830th Tablescape Thursday! The weather here in Ohio has been unseasonably cool. I've been waking up to temps in the 50s! In August! That's all about to change over the next few days, though, and it will soon be feeling like August again. The cooler weather we've been experiencing the last few days has been a great reminder that autumn will soon be here. One of my favorite dinnerware patterns … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fall Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, Thanksgiving Table Settings, Thanksgiving Tablescapes, Winter Tablescapes

Reglazing, Refinishing The Bathtub—How Does It Look? Plus, Hummingbird Visits!

August 21, 2024 by Susan 52 Comments

Over the years I've had the pleasure of going on a lot of historic/old home tours, almost always at Christmastime. I've also attended gatherings and holiday parties that were held in very old homes. One thing I've noticed about really old homes is that "things" are not always perfect. During a holiday party, if you happen to visit the bathroom, you may notice a little darkening of the grout over in a corner … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baths, Before & After, Historic Homes

Office Updates: New Console, New Desk Chair, More Baskets, & A Refrigerator Update

August 19, 2024 by Susan 36 Comments

Welcome to the 812th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a fantastic weekend! I've made some exciting and useful updates in my office recently that I'm excited to share, but first, I want to give you an update on the refrigerator that was delivered the middle of last week. I'm cautiously optimistic because this one is doing a lot better than the dented one that was previously delivered. The current arrived … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: Before and After, Closet Upgrade, Console, Executive Office Chair, Kallax Baskets, Metamorphosis Monday, My Home Office, Sofa Table

All My July Favorites, Including A Shampoo That’s Great For Hard Water Issues

August 17, 2024 by Susan 22 Comments

Happy weekend! There is nothing like trying to set up house in a new place to cause you to shop and discover a lot of new things. One pretty big adjustment that I knew I'd need to make was getting used to living with water that registers as "hard" water. In the metro Atlanta area and actually, I think it includes most, if not all of Georgia, we are blessed with fairly balanced water. I've never known anyone … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Monthly Favorites

Yay, It Has Arrived! Plus, A Halloween Piece I’m Obsessing Over!

August 15, 2024 by Susan 23 Comments

Welcome to the 829th Tablescape Thursday! I finally have a non-dented refrigerator! Yay! The new one arrived a week sooner than Lowe's had predicted and it was delivered yesterday. You may remember from a previous post that when my LG CounterDepth, Door-in-Door refrigerator was delivered a few weeks ago, it arrived with with a big gash in the box and two very obvious dents in the front … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: LG Refrigerators, Tablescape Thursday

A Most Welcome Change Of Heart

August 14, 2024 by Susan 30 Comments

I've made it no secret that my favorite room in the Dollhouse is the F.R.O.G—the finished room over the garage. The moment I saw this room in the real estate listing, I knew if I had the opportunity to buy the home, this room would most likely be where I'd place my office. I tend to decorate slowly, but I'm especially slow right now since I've been working on so many other necessary repairs … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds

From Hidden, Weedy, Window Boxes To Window Boxes Filled With Flowers

August 12, 2024 by Susan 87 Comments

Welcome to the 811th Metamorphosis Monday! Back when the Dollhouse was listed for sale in 2022, this is how the landscaping looked in the front yard. Notice the small tree on the right that's planted right up against the house. Two years ago when this photo was taken, you could barely see the window box behind it on the lower window, and you couldn't see the one under the top window at … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Historic Homes, Storybook Cottages Tagged With: Cottage Home, English Cottage Style, Gardening, Metamorphosis Monday, Window Boxes

End of Summer Clearance And Everything That’s On Sale Is Another 50% Off!

August 11, 2024 by Susan Leave a Comment

I've been so busy with "house" updates, I've been missing out on all the great summer clearance sales that have been going on, and some are really, really good, like "50% off the already reduced sales price" good! I love the color green and this is my favorite shade of green! Though linen and a great piece for chilly evenings in the summer, I think this jacket would make a great transition piece into … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods

How To Remove Tape & Sticky Glue Residue From A Painted Door, You’ll Never Believe What I Used!

August 9, 2024 by Susan 26 Comments

See that closet door on the other side of the room here in the office? All the closets in this home badly needed to be painted, but that particular closet had another issue, and I'm not just talking about the bare bulb light with the pull-string that hung right in your face when you opened the door. Thankfully, that's gone! On the inside of the door, someone had stuck tape on the door and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Fashion & Beauty Tagged With: Remove Brittle Tape, Remove Glue from Painted Door, Remove Sticky Tape Residue, Remove Tape from Painted Door

A New Addition To The Kitchen & This One’s A Definite Winner

August 8, 2024 by Susan 45 Comments

Welcome to the 827th Tablescape Thursday! Still no dining table here in the Dollhouse, however my sales guy at Rooms to Go has been trying to find a way to get the one I wanted delivered here without it costing a blooming fortune. Since they don't deliver to Ohio (yet) is this the universe telling me to not buy this table? I know it's not the absolute highest quality, although it felt quite sturdy when I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Bagel Toaster, Cuisinart Toaster, Favorite Kitchen Appliances, Great Toaster, Pastry Toaster, Waffle Toaster

What Is The Name of That Blue Paint In The Bedroom, Bathroom & Your Office?

August 7, 2024 by Susan 16 Comments

Ever since I shared a tour of the upstairs part of the Dollhouse in THIS previous post, I've had several comments and emails asking if I know the brand/name of the blue paint that was used for the Master Bedroom, Master Bath, and the FROG (Finished Room Over the Garage) that I'm using as my office. Recently, I came across several paint cans in the Dollhouse basement, and as I cleaned those off before moving … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Blue & White Design & Decor, DIY Decorating, Office/Craft/Sewing Room

Great Storage Solution For The Home Office Closet Or, Really, Any Closet

August 6, 2024 by Susan 21 Comments

Remember this room? ;) Right now, this room almost seems like it's from another lifetime. I love this office, it's very different from the one I'm gradually putting together in the Dollhouse. This is probably a good time to explain a little better how I'm kind of envisioning this room looking if/when I finally move to the Dollhouse permanently. The Pottery Barn Bedford file cabinets/storage … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Closets & Pantries, DIY Decorating, DIY Organization and Storage Tagged With: Baskets for Kallax, Closet Lighting, Expedit, Home Office, Kallax, Motion Activated Lighting, Motion Sensor Lighting, Storage Solutions

How Do I Like My New LG InstaView, Door-in Door, Counter-Depth Refrigerator

August 5, 2024 by Susan 41 Comments

Welcome to the 810th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? I hope it was a great one! We ended up spending all day Saturday at a huge, 364-acre amusement/water park called King's Island. We arrived a few minutes after 9:00 am and didn't leave for 12 hours! What an experience! We hit the ground running as soon as we entered the park, making our first ride the Diamondback roller coaster, which is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Kitchen & Breakfast Area Tagged With: LG Refrigerator, Metamorphosis Monday, Model LRMVC2306S, Refrigerator Review

Beautiful, Vintage, Hazel Atlas Pink Crinoline, A Dramatic Table Setting in Pink & Black

August 1, 2024 by Susan 12 Comments

Welcome to the 827th Tablescape Thursday! Recently, I received an email from Kathryn, a lovely BNOTP reader who enjoys creating pretty table settings for the guests who frequent her beautiful Bed and Breakfast. Kathryn said, "We own a bed and breakfast in Garden City, KS and I love doing tablescapes." Kathryn went on to say that she often posts her tablescapes at her Sunnyland Bed & Breakfast Facebook … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Hazel Atlas Pink Crinoline, Tablescape Thursday, Vintage Dinnerware

Larger Rug For The Office, Dented Refrigerators, & A Great Dish Soap Dispensing Brush

July 31, 2024 by Susan 41 Comments

So, how's the 9' x 12' rug look here in the office? It arrived yesterday, a day earlier than projected, and my oldest grandson helped me get it into the room. It arrived folded in a big, rectangular package. We were a team cartwheeling it up the 7 stairs to the office, moving it into place, and getting it up underneath the desk. In the photo below, you can see how the 8 x 10 rug looked that I shared a few … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds

So Many Kitchen Updates, Plus, My New Speed Queen Washer & Dryer Are Here!

July 30, 2024 by Susan 10 Comments

Since moving into the Dollhouse, I've been gradually updating a lot of the things that I need and use every single day. Recently, I shared the repairs and updates I made to this super wide drawer here in the kitchen. I am still crazy in love with the expandable flatware/organizer that I found for it. It drastically improved the functionality of this drawer. (Expandable organizer can be found here: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Speed Queen Dryer, Speed Queen Washer

Damaged Bookcases, Triple Monitors, Drawer Organizer, Best Shampoo, Shutters Ordered & More!

July 29, 2024 by Susan 27 Comments

Welcome to the 809th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a fun, relaxing weekend! I was busy as usual working on projects in the Dollhouse. On Saturday, I shared the updated office with a new rug and plans I had to add bookcase cabinets behind my desk here in the office. Update: I've had some questions about the rug, it's available in several sizes/colors here: All-Wool Rug. This was the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Office/Craft/Sewing Room

Beautiful Updates For The Dollhouse Office & The Desk Is Finally Here!

July 26, 2024 by Susan 56 Comments

Happy Friday! Hope your week has been a great one! I've gotten a tremendous amount accomplished here in the Dollhouse this week, including in my office. I will be adding some more items this weekend, so will share even more updates for Metamorphosis Monday, but I thought it would be fun to share where things are as of right now. If you've been following along the last couple of months, you'll probably … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: Beautiful Wool Rug, Blue & White Ginger Jar Lamp, Decorating in Blue and White, Executive Desk, Feminine Desk, Home Office, Home Office Updates, Woman's Executive Desk

Dollhouse Dining Room Updates & Mail Served On A Silver Platter ;)

July 25, 2024 by Susan 25 Comments

Welcome to the 826th Tablescape Thursday! I finally figured out why everything is so hectic when I'm here at the Dollhouse. It usually goes like this: Today, I had two appointments scheduled. Just two. I had a shutter company representative stopping by at 8:30 to take an order for some plantation shutters, and later this afternoon I have a meeting/call with a developer to look into a new blog design. That … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Dining Room, Seasonal Decor, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Dollhouse Dining Room, Tablescape Thursday

A Look at My New Expandable Flatware Organizer, Great For Wide Kitchen Drawers

July 24, 2024 by Susan 13 Comments

A few days ago, I shared about this wide drawer that is located in the kitchen of the dollhouse, and how I had found it with the center bottom of the drawer busted downward, held that way due to a large bolt that had somehow become wedged between the back wall of the drawer and its bottom. I discovered it was that way the first time I placed something in that drawer and immediately heard the item fall out … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes Tagged With: Expandable Flatware Holder, Expandable Flatware Organizer, Flatware Organizer for Wide Drawers, Kitchen Update

So Many Updates For The Dollhouse, & More To Come!

July 22, 2024 by Susan 30 Comments

Welcome to the 808th Metamorphosis Monday! Whenever I'm here at the Dollhouse, I always feel a lot of pressure to get stuff done, and get it done right now! That's because my time is always limited since I have projects going on back in Georgia, too. The minute I pull into the driveway, I'm on the go. I usually have appointments set up with repairmen or tradesmen starting the very next day, so there's no … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Garden, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Office/Craft/Sewing Room

I Didn’t Think Elena Could Top Her Safari Tablescape, But She Did!

July 18, 2024 by Susan 18 Comments

Welcome to the 825th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Thursday from the Dollhouse. Yesterday, I made the long 8-9 hour drive back and it's been non-stop since I arrived. I had my SUV packed to the gills with boxes of dishes and stemware, my older Air Fryer, a folding table, a summer firescreen, tons of books, DVDs, Disney movies that my son enjoyed when he was growing up, and a bunch of sweaters to store away in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Themed, Safari Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday

My Prime Day Favorites, Part 2—Today Is The Final Day!

July 17, 2024 by Susan 23 Comments

Though I don't do a lot of cooking, I would really like to purchase a quality set of cookware for the Dollhouse. There are two sets that are part of the Prime Day deals that I've been eyeing. I love the look of this beautiful set of stainless All-Clad cookware. I've often admired it when I've come across it in Williams-Sonoma. It's on sale for Prime Day and the pricing totally beats anything I've found … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds

My Favorites For Prime Day & Considering A Hidden Television For The Dollhouse

July 16, 2024 by Susan 16 Comments

I've been waiting and watching for Prime Day, and it's finally here! I just recently shared how much I love this Dyson vacuum I just purchased, and now it's a Prime Day deal! If you've always used a corded vacuum, this vacuum will cut your vacuuming in half, or at least it did that for me! I can whiz through my house and vacuum both floors so fast! The combination of not having to fight an electrical cord … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds

How Does The Backyard At The Dollhouse Look Now?

July 15, 2024 by Susan 36 Comments

Welcome to the 807th Metamorphosis Monday! I feel so fortunate to have found someone who is willing to help me with the landscaping and ongoing lawn/yard maintenance at the Dollhouse. It was one of those meetings that truly felt like divine intervention. During the time I was staying with my son/DIL following the closing on the home and before the sellers moved out, a gardener knocked on my son's front … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gardening & Birding Tagged With: Backyard Clean-up, Before and After, Gardening, Landscaping, Metamorphosis Monday

All My June Favorites, Including The Ones I Buy Again & Again

July 13, 2024 by Susan 21 Comments

The month of June may have been one of the busiest months of my life in the last few years. Buying a home 8—9 hours away in another state was both exciting and challenging. The sellers of the home I purchased, asked to remain in the home for approximately two weeks after the closing. They were being transferred to another state, so they had their own moving challenges with which to deal. Though I was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Monthly Favorites Tagged With: Best Household Items, Best of the Best, Monthly Favorites, Moving Tips

We’re On Safari For This Week’s Tablescape Thursday!

July 11, 2024 by Susan 22 Comments

Welcome to the 824th Tablescape Thursday! Busy day here today, as workmen have been arriving this morning to get started on replacing/repairing the sheetrock that was damaged recently when the hose to my icemaker decided to spring a leak behind the refrigerator. Now that the floors are all refinished, they will be working in both the kitchen and the basement. I can't wait to see it all finished and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Themed, Safari Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Animal-Themed Table Setting, Safari, Safari Table, Safari Tablescape, Safari Themed Table Setting, Tablescape Thursday, Zebra Centerpiece

Trapped A Second Time & This Is How 2 Years Of Neglect Looks!

July 10, 2024 by Susan 62 Comments

There are so many crazy stories I could share from my visits to the Dollhouse. In a previous post a few weeks back, I shared how I managed to trap myself in an upstairs bedroom when a tiny, original-to-the-house deadbolt on a bedroom door, refused to release. I still don't know how/why it finally worked and let me out. A friend suggested that we need a ghost to blame these strange occurrences on, or maybe … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gardening & Birding

Removing The Sticky, Deteriorating, Residue From Tool Handles, Surfaces, & Devices

July 9, 2024 by Susan 47 Comments

Years ago, I noticed the handle on my hand mixer had become super sticky. Washing it with soap and water didn't help, it's as if the rubbery surface of the handle was dissolving. The mixer still worked great, so I didn't want to replace it. Over the years, on the rare occasion when I needed to use it (I normally use my stand mixer) I always wrapped a paper towel around the handle, otherwise it was way too … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: DIY Repair, Remove Deteriorating Sticky Residue, Sticky Bluetooth Speakers, Sticky Handles, Sticky Remotes, Sticky Tool Handles

Grandfather Clock Relocation & Refrigerator Shopping For The Dollhouse

July 7, 2024 by Susan 54 Comments

Welcome to the 806th Metamorphosis Monday! However you spent it, I hope you had a fun, relaxing 4th of July weekend! This wasn't one of my favorites since I was kinda all over the place. I spent two days in Big Canoe while the hardwood floors on the main floor of my home were being refinished due to a leak from the icemaker hose behind the refrigerator in the kitchen. The holiday delayed the process a bit, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Entry/Foyer, Living Room (Downstairs), My Nest Tagged With: Before and After, Grandfather Clocks, Hardwood Floor Refinishing, Metamorphosis Monday, Refrigerator Shopping

Happy Independence Day!

July 4, 2024 by Susan 26 Comments

Welcome to the 823rd Tablescape Thursday! This is the current state of my garage. Crazy times! The floors inside are looking great, though. Here's a view of the living room at present. In case you're new to reading BNOTP, the hose to my icemaker leaked and it damaged a small section of the flooring underneath the refrigerator. Since my hardwood flooring is continuous throughout the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tablescape Thursday

Gotta Leave Now, So I’m Staying In A Big Canoe TreeTopper—Plus, A Fabulous Dress!

June 30, 2024 by Susan 26 Comments

Welcome to the 805th Metamorphosis Monday! I am looking forward to a few slower days sometime soon. Right now every day is jam-packed. I just got back from donating some things to Goodwill, including some of the mirrors that I had down the front staircase wall. I'm preparing to have the upstairs hall painted so it was time to remove everything along this wall. The boxes are growing in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Repairs and Fixes, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: Before and After, Big Canoe, Designer Dress, Holloway Dress, Hunter Bell, Hunter Bell Holloway Dress, Metamorphosis Monday

Happy Chaos, Progress Is Being Made

June 27, 2024 by Susan 24 Comments

Welcome to the 822nd Tablescape Thursday! I wish I could share with you everything that's going on in real time, but there's so much happening each day, it's hard to keep up. I try to think of it as Happy Chaos because it means things are moving in the right direction. All the windows in my home looked like this for a couple of days as the painters worked on painting the exterior of the house. I had them … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tablescape Thursday

The “Necessary Room” & How I Plan To Hide The TP

June 25, 2024 by Susan 37 Comments

In my home in Georgia, the main-level, half/guest bath is outfitted with a nice-sized vanity. The cabinet is so large, in addition to toilet paper, I use it to store the paper towels that I use in the kitchen that's just a few feet away. The half bath in the Dollhouse in Ohio is a very different story! That bathroom is quite small and has a pedestal sink, so there's no place to hide away … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Decorating, DIY Organization and Storage Tagged With: Guest Bath, Half-Bath, Storage, Storage Solution

2 Mysteries In This 1938 Cape Cod: 1 Marked Solved, 1 Still Unsolved. Any Ideas?

June 24, 2024 by Susan 42 Comments

Welcome to the 804th Metamorphosis Monday! Buying a 1938 Cape Cod has been an interesting, intriguing, and sometimes challenging experience. Some days are days are challenging, and some days are filled with mystery and intrigue. In a recent post, I shared a mystery electrical switch that I discovered in an unusual spot in the master bedroom. If you look closely at this picture of the room when the home was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Storybook Cottages

A Large Item I Need Is Back In Stock & I’m Loving This Triple Sale on Sale on Sale!

June 22, 2024 by Susan 40 Comments

Yay! Got some good news last night! You may remember that I ordered an inexpensive temporary desk to use here in my office in the Dollhouse until the desk I really wanted was once again available. The desk I've been hoping to order for my office in Ohio is finally back in stock and for the best price I've seen it anywhere online. I know a few of you also expressed interest in this desk, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods

4th of July Poolside Celebration In The Cool Shade Of A Fabulous Backyard Pavillion

June 20, 2024 by Susan 13 Comments

Welcome to the 821st Tablescape Thursday! Imagine having a wonderful pavilion for dining poolside during the summer months, then imagine decorating it for the 4th of July! Elena has set a fabulous patriotic table setting for the 4th, and we are invited! Elena shared a funny story. She said, "When our kids were little, we would have a huge Fourth of July party every summer. Bands would play and I made … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Independence Day Table Settings, Independence Day Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: 4th of July Table Settings, Backyard Pavillion, Independence Day Tablescape, Outdoor Dining, Party Pavillion, Tablescape Thursday

A Few Bathroom Updates & Cute Daisy Towels

June 19, 2024 by Susan 41 Comments

I'm back home in Georgia, arrived late yesterday afternoon. The painters arrived bright and early this morning. There's been lots of pressuring washing going on, the actual painting outside will start tomorrow. I'm not doing a color change, just refreshing the exterior paint in the areas that are painted. During my time in Ohio, you know I had to make a few visits to my favorite grocery store, Dorothy … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baths, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Storybook Cottages

Beautiful, Affordable, Comfy Bed & Mattress, Plus, A Special Secret Storage Space

June 17, 2024 by Susan 37 Comments

Welcome to the 803rd Metamorphosis Monday! If you've been following along, you may remember that the closing on the Dollhouse took place on the 30th of May. The sellers had asked to stay through the 14th, but they ended up moving out on the 8th, except for a few items that they came back for over the following week. They graciously allowed me access to the house a bit earlier, which worked out great since I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Storybook Cottages

More Dollhouse Adventures, Including Trapping Myself In One Of The Rooms!

June 15, 2024 by Susan 45 Comments

It feels like I've been working on projects inside the house for weeks and weeks, when in reality I've only had access to the Dollhouse for about a week. I'll be sharing the temporary sleeping quarters I've created for this week's Met Monday. Over the past week, when I haven't been building something, taking boxes to the nearby recycling center, meeting with internet installers, electricians, plumbers, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room, Storybook Cottages Tagged With: Historical Houses, Old Homes, Old House Secrets, Secret Features

Whirlwind Week!

June 13, 2024 by Susan 12 Comments

Welcome to the 820th Tablescape Thursday! It has been a whirlwind week! I've been in non-stop motion and every muscle in my body is aching. I just spent the morning with an electrician who is making repairs and updates, which is why this post is going up now. There's so much I'd like to share, but none of it is table-related, but I'll be sharing a lot of updates very soon. In the meantime, please enjoy the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tablescape Thursday

Setting Up My New Office & Playing In The Dining Room

June 10, 2024 by Susan 28 Comments

Welcome to the 802nd Metamorphosis Monday! So much has happened over the past week since the closing on May 30th. I wish now I had kept a diary of sorts, detailing each day. At the end of each day, I fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow, but if you were to ask me what I did that day, I'm not sure I could remember half of it. I've been in almost constant motion since arriving in Ohio. Things are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Dining Room, Living Room (Downstairs), My Nest, Storybook Cottages

So Many “May” Favorites To Share, Including A Few Surprises!

June 8, 2024 by Susan 23 Comments

Oh my goodness, I am all over the place with my shopping finds this past month! But that's kinda how my life is right now during this big transition period. So I have quite a variety of goodies to share for my monthly favorites. After I arrived here in Ohio for the closing on the new house that I have affectionately dubbed the "Dollhouse" because of all its whimsical "dollhouse-like" features, I realized I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Monthly Favorites Tagged With: Monthly Favorites

I’m An Airbus Beluga, Awaiting Clearance To Land!

June 6, 2024 by Susan 60 Comments

Welcome to the 819th Tablescape Thursday, and welcome to my holding pattern. I'm a big ole 747 Freighter circling around and around the airport. Or, maybe I'm an Airbus Beluga XL (love how those look!) circling and circling patiently (or, not so patiently) for clearance to land. Well, at least that's how it feels. Everywhere I look here in my son/DIL's guest bedroom, I'm surrounded by … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tablescape Thursday

A Very Special Mother’s Day Gift

June 5, 2024 by Susan 24 Comments

Last year for Christmas, my sweet, thoughtful daughter-in-love, Nancy, gave me a beautiful painting of my home that she had commissioned from a local artist. At the time, neither of us knew I would possibly be moving to Ohio the following year. Though I haven't yet chosen a frame for it, the painting has been hanging on the wall in my living room, and I love seeing it there whenever I'm in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Commissioned Painting, Home Gift Ideas, Special Gift Ideas

Let’s Tour the Basement, Bedrooms, Baths and Gardens In The Home I Just Purchased

June 3, 2024 by Susan 93 Comments

Welcome to the 801st Metamorphosis Monday! When I last left you on Saturday, we had just taken a tour of the downstairs part of the home that I recently purchased. If you missed that post, you'll find it here: Not Going To Make You Wait—Let's Go Inside The Home I Just Bought. Before we head upstairs, let's go downstairs and check out the basement. You may remember from my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Historic Homes, My Nest, Storybook Cottages Tagged With: Before and After, Cottage Home Tour, English Cottage Style Home, Garden Tour, Home Tour, Metamorphosis Monday

Not Going To Make You Wait—Let’s Go Inside The Home I Just Bought

May 31, 2024 by Susan 115 Comments

The closing on the house went great yesterday—no hiccups. There were 5 of us present at the closing: the title agency representative (not sure of her exact title), the seller, the seller's realtor, my realtor, and of course, yours truly. The representative leading the closing sat at the head of the big conference table with the seller to her left and the buyer (me) to her right. Our realtors sat beside us, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Historic Homes, My Nest, Storybook Cottages Tagged With: Cottage Charm, Cottage Home, English Cottage, Home Tour, Old Home Tour

Celebrating a Special 21st Birthday with a Crab and Shrimp Boil

May 30, 2024 by Susan 9 Comments

Welcome to the 818th Tablescape Thursday! Thanks so much for all the encouraging and supportive comments that you left on yesterday's post. I am so looking forward to taking you along on this new adventure! A few weeks back I heard from Sheri who said, "Our granddaughter had her 21st birthday yesterday, and we celebrated Sunday with a Crab and Shrimp Boil...her choice. We always let the birthday person … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beachy Tablescapes, Birthday Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday

Exciting (And Just A Little Scary) News

May 29, 2024 by Susan 111 Comments

Remember this adorable cottage playhouse—the one I've had a crush on for so many years? I've always loved its design and imagined how wonderful it would be if it were built to grownup size. Well, about a month ago I made an offer on an adorable cottage, and my offer was accepted. Yikes! It doesn't look exactly like this cute cottage, but it does share some similar characteristics. I'm truly in love with it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Inspire, My Nest

Sharing My Daughter-in-Law’s Favorite Beauty-Care Secrets For Our 800th Metamorphosis Monday!

May 27, 2024 by Susan 6 Comments

Welcome to the 800th Metamorphosis Monday! Last month, I shared my favorite "beauty/care" products in a single post. Since I've been away visiting family this week, I thought this would be a great time to get the skinny on what products my daughter-in-law, Nancy, likes and recommends. She is much more conscientious about how she cares for her skin than I am. I tend to be a little lazy about those things. I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Favorite Beauty Products, Favorite Skin Care

A Horse-Themed Table Setting In Honor Of The 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival

May 23, 2024 by Susan 16 Comments

Welcome to the 817th Tablescape Thursday! When Elena emailed to share a special table she created for an upcoming event, I could not wait to share it with you. It's a "theme" that I've never featured before for a Tablescape Thursday. Elena said, "I think you know we live in Saratoga Springs, NY home of Health, History and Horses. Health is for the baths and our famous mineral waters, History from the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Themed, Tablescape Thursday, Tablescapes Occasion, Themed Tablescapes

Summer Favorites & An Outdoor Dining Set I’m Considering Ordering Again

May 22, 2024 by Susan 16 Comments

Spring is here and that first day of summer is just a few weeks away! Love this time of year so much! When spring comes around, I always pull out my favorite summer pillows for the porch. The ones below are from Ikea, many years ago. A few years back, I purchased pillow inserts. I got that idea from you guys since it's a great way to save on storage space—just swapping out the cases instead … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds

How To Save Your Favorite Jacket When It’s Ruined From Color Bleed In The Wash

May 20, 2024 by Susan 14 Comments

Welcome to the 799th Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever had a favorite top or outfit ruined due to color bleed in the wash? My friend, Teresa, loves to travel, and one of her favorite jackets that she often takes along when she travels is a Tommy Bahama jacket in a nice neutral color. Having just returned from a trip, her hubby, Frank, was trying to be helpful by washing some of the clothes they wore … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Fashion & Beauty

Upcycled Furniture Covers Are The Star Of This Wonderful Garden-Themed Tablescape

May 16, 2024 by Susan 11 Comments

Welcome to the 816th Tablescape Thursday! Norma set a beautiful spring table recently, and you're going to love how she acquired the gorgeous, linen tablecloth she used! Norma said, "You may remember that the man who did the work on our garden gave me the table cloth that they had covered their machinery with each night, and then I used it for Halloween." "Well, he came to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Dragonfly Napkin Rings, Floral Tablecloth, spring table setting, Tablescape Thursday, Upcycled Tablecloth

Hope This Tip Will Save You A $149 Electrician Visit—Still Can’t Believe It Worked!

May 15, 2024 by Susan 17 Comments

Thanks so much for your helpful comments and suggestions yesterday. I am much, much better today and feeling right back to normal, thank goodness! No more wall paper stripping without a mask on! So, I have to share this crazy "lighting" thing I just discovered in case you ever run into this issue. Hopefully, it will save you from having to call an electrician and pay a troubleshooting fee, as I just had … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), DIY Decorating, DIY Repairs and Fixes Tagged With: DIY Repair, Easy Fix for Lighting Issue, LED Lighting Problem

I Did The Dumbest Thing Last Night—Learn From My Mistake + A Very Tempting Sale

May 14, 2024 by Susan 25 Comments

I did the dumbest thing last night, I have been removing wallpaper from my bathroom walls and I had finally reached the area that is above the tub/shower. My full size ladder would not fit inside the tub, so I was having to stand on a small stepladder. Unfortunately, that put me standing beneath the area I was working on and the remover solution I was spraying was misting down each time I sprayed it. I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds

An Easy, No-Stress Way To Try Out A Variety of Furniture Arrangements In Any Room

May 13, 2024 by Susan 7 Comments

Welcome to the 798th Metamorphosis Monday! This is the current state of my kitchen. As you can see, the refrigerator is smack in the middle of the breakfast room, blocking one of the doors to the screened porch. Ugh. The water hose thingy that goes to the icemaker decided to spring a leak, and the kitchen floor is currently going through a restoration process. They even ripped out the built-in desk that's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After Tagged With: Before and After, Furniture Arranging, Furniture Arranging Kit, Metamorphosis Monday

Antiquing on Mother’s Day Weekend

May 11, 2024 by Susan 18 Comments

Every time I go antiquing, I wonder why it's taken me so long. I'm always so surprised and amazed by all the wonderful things I find and how reasonably priced they are, especially compared to what supposedly passes as good furniture these days. Today, I visited the Queen of Hearts location that's just 3–4 miles from my home. Just inside the front door I saw so many beautiful furniture pieces, including this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Antiquing Tagged With: Antiques, Antiquing & Thrifting, Mother's Day Holiday Home, Mother's Day Weekend

12 Spring Table Settings That Would Work Great For A Mother’s Day Gathering

May 9, 2024 by Susan 9 Comments

Welcome to the 815th Tablescape Thursday! Mother's Day is just three days away, so I thought it would be fun to look back at some of the Mother's Day tables I've set in the past, along with a few spring-themed table settings that are more recent and that would also work well for Mother's Day. How ever you spend Mother's Day this year, I hope it's a relaxing, enjoyable day for you and your loved … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Mother's Day Holiday Home, Mother's Day Table Setting, Spring Table Settings, Tablescape Thursday

All My April Favorites Together In One Post

May 8, 2024 by Susan 5 Comments

Before May gets too far gone, I'm sharing all my favorites from the month of April. As usual, there's quite the variety here. Last month, I went on a search for a cell phone holder that would fit on the handlebars of my Peloton bike. Occasionally, when I'm taking a "scenic" ride, unless it's one of the guided scenic rides, I like having my phone nearby so I can easily check and reply to emails while I'm … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Monthly Favorites

Covering Edges Of Melamine Shelves & What Happened To My Fave Wallpaper Remover

May 6, 2024 by Susan 24 Comments

Welcome to the 797th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a fabulous weekend! I've been working on a few bathroom projects this weekend. One of the tasks I worked on involved the shelves in the closets of both upstairs baths. When this house was built many years ago, I'm not sure why, but the closets were built with wood boards inside for shelves. I think they were 1 x 12s or something like that. There are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baths, Before & After, DIY Decorating, DIY Repairs and Fixes Tagged With: Bath Update, Before and After, Best Wallpaper Remover Ever, DIY Bath, DIY Melamine Shelves, Melamine Shelving, Metamorphosis Monday

All My Favorites Are On Sale For Mother’s Day! ♥

May 4, 2024 by Susan 5 Comments

I have several semi-big projects that I've been working on around the house this week, including stripping wallpaper from two bathrooms. Spring-cleaning fever has hit, and I really want to get the bathroom projects underway and completed over the next month or two. I'm very tired today from all the cleaning I've been doing this week, so I gave myself the day off to let my muscles recover. I spent some time … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds

Celebrating Spring With A Table Setting In A Surprising Color For This Time Of Year

May 2, 2024 by Susan 25 Comments

Welcome to 814th Tablescape Thursday! Recently, when I was down in the storage area of the basement, I spotted this adorable bunny cake holder and thought that I should really use it in a spring table this year. It's one of my favorite pieces to pull out and use this time of year. Every table needs a starting point, some kind of inspiration. This bunny server was my inspiration for this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Easter Table Settings, Easter Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Bunny Cake Server, Centerpiece Ideas, Easter table setting, Easter Tablescape, spring table setting, Tablescape Thursday

The Upstairs Living Room Window Seat Just Got A Much Needed Update

April 30, 2024 by Susan 19 Comments

A few days ago, I made a small update/repair here in the upstairs living room, aka the bonus room or FROG. It turned out so well, I thought I'd share it in case you find it helpful. When I moved into this house so many years ago, the upstairs living room already had window seats under all the windows. There's storage built in under each of the window seats. The two dormer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs) Tagged With: Before and After, DIY Window Seat Update, Hinges for Windowseat, Lid Support, Toy Box Lid Hinges

Favorite Beauty-Care Products, Including A New Fave I’m Completely Obsessed Over

April 28, 2024 by Susan 20 Comments

Welcome to the 796th Metamorphosis Monday! It's been ages since I shared some of my favorite beauty products in a post. Recently, I tried a mascara that I had never tried before, and it's, by far, the easiest to apply and best mascara I have ever used. I feel like I have finally found my favorite mascara of all time, so that prompted me to create this post today for this week's Met … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Fashion & Beauty, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Best Beauty Products, Favorite Beauty Products

Sharing A Much-Needed Favorite, Porch Update, & How Do I Stop Squirrels From Eating My Roses

April 27, 2024 by Susan 17 Comments

Still working on getting the porch wiped down after its long winter's nap, but thought I'd pop in and share how the new swing chain covers look on the swing. I kinda wished I had washed them first since the fabric is a bit stiff which makes it stick out a little awkwardly in a few spots, but overall, I really like them! They were a gazillion times easier to put on since they close with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: Favorite Things, Heated Gloves for Arthritis, Hide Swing Covers, Porch Updates, Squirrels Eating Roses

A Visit To The Brand New Centurion Lounge in Atlanta, Plus, A Few Porch Updates

April 26, 2024 by Susan 4 Comments

This has been a busy, crazy week. I had a quick trip to visit family in Ohio, and I just returned home on Tuesday. One of the cool things that happened on that trip is I had the opportunity to visit the brand new American Express Centurion Lounge that just opened up a few weeks ago in Atlanta. I had read so many good things about it online, so I was excited to experience it in person. The new Atlanta lounge … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches, Porches & Decks

Beautiful Candlelit Table Setting, A Captivating Centerpiece & An Incredible Menu/Dessert

April 25, 2024 by Susan 7 Comments

Welcome to the 813th Tablescape Thursday! I have a beautiful table setting to share with you this week, but first, I wanted to let you know that I'm having a little problem with my replies to your lovely comments not reaching your Inbox. I changed blog hosts recently and everything went great except with that one issue. We are working to get that resolved. In the meantime, the easiest way to see my reply to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tablescape Thursday, Valentine's Day Table Settings, Valentine's Day Tablescapes Tagged With: Candlelit Table Setting, Centerpiece Ideas, Romantic Table Setting, Tablescape Thursday, Valentine's Day table setting, Valentine's Day Tablescapes

My Dream Home Revisited, Still Dreaming Of Life In An Adorable Cottage Home

April 22, 2024 by Susan 42 Comments

Welcome to the 795th Metamorphosis Monday! Many years ago, I shared this photo in a post called, My Dream Home. I don't remember now how I first came across it, but the photo was of an adorable playhouse available to purchase at the website PoshTotsdotcom. In that post, I shared that if/when I ever move, I would love to find a cute cottage home similar to this one. Of course, it would need to be made to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, My Nest Tagged With: Adorable Playhouse, Before and After, Cottage Home, Dream Home, Metamorphosis Monday

Just A Few Of My Favorites and Most-Loved Essentials For Summer

April 20, 2024 by Susan 6 Comments

With spring in full swing and the increasingly warmer temps, I've been thinking about my favorite summer essentials, those pieces I love using and wearing throughout the summer months. One of my favorites to pull out every summer are my incredibly comfortable Ecco sandals. I love how adjustable these are, which means they work for the pickiest of feet. I have Ecco sandals in several colors … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty,