Susan

Tulips and Butterflies: Entertaining on the Porch with a Spring Tablescape

April 15, 2021 by Susan 26 Comments

Welcome to the 655th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! It's been so pretty and sunny all week, including this morning. But wouldn't you know, just as I was finishing this table setting today, it turned quite dark out. It looked more like 8:00 at night than 3:00 in the afternoon. I'm not complaining, though. We did get a nice bit of rain and we really … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Butterfly Napkin Fold, Noritake Colorwave Dinnerware, spring table setting, spring tablescape, Tablescape Thursday, Tulip Centerpiece

2 Great Ways to Hide Those Unattractive, Metal Swing Chains

April 14, 2021 by Susan 4 Comments

Recently when I shared how I've decorated the porch for spring, I received an email asking about the covers I have over the chains of the porch swing. You got a closer view of them in this photo showing the large egg wreath I hung on the porch for Easter. I've written a couple of posts over the years sharing in more detail about these covers which are really just electrical … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: Hide Swing Chains, Porch Swing, Porch Swing Chains

The Most Beautiful Vignette–So Much Inspiration!

April 13, 2021 by Susan 21 Comments

I love, love, love when I get an email from a lovely BNOTP reader letting me know that something I have suggested has worked well in their home, too! That makes me so happy! Recently, after sharing my spring porch makeover where I mentioned how much I was loving these realistic-looking, faux tulips, I received an email from Sam. Sam said, "Once again your recommendation was spot on! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Decorating, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: Decor Ideas, Decor Tips, Faux Flowers, Faux Tulips

Build the Porch of Your Dreams

April 11, 2021 by Susan 30 Comments

Welcome to the 637th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Porch season is almost year-round here in the south. If you live further north and design your porch with a fireplace, you may even be able to enjoy some time on the porch during the wintertime. The design of my screened porch was kinda serendipitous, coming together after several months of talking with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches Tagged With: Building a Porch, Building a Screened Porch, Decorating a Porch, DG Porches, Furnishing a Porch, Porch Addition, Screened Porches

March Favorites, Update on the Curling Shirt Issue & Adorable Spoons I’ve Ordered

April 10, 2021 by Susan 20 Comments

Happy Weekend! I'm popping in today to share a few of my favorites from the month of March. As always, this is an eclectic mix and I hope you find these helpful. One night recently, we had a power outage. Fortunately, it didn't last very long but when it happened, I was so thankful for these little emergency lights that I have plugged in all throughout my home. The second the power went out, they … [Read more...]

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

A Delightful Alice in Wonderland, Cheshire-Cat-Themed Birthday Celebration

April 8, 2021 by Susan 12 Comments

Welcome to the 654th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Last week I shared a delightful, whimsical Alice in Wonderland table setting Elena created in celebration of her daughter's birthday. There were little ones present at this birthday celebration, too, so Elena set the cutest table for the kiddos going with a Cheshire Cat … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Birthday Tablescapes, Children's Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Alice in Wonderland, Alice in Wonderland Table Setting, Cheshire Cat, Cheshire Cat-Themed Table, Children's Birthday Party Table, Kid's Table, Tablescape Thursday

Fanciful, Enchanting Decorations for an Alice in Wonderland Birthday Party

April 7, 2021 by Susan 10 Comments

On this past Tablescape Thursday, I shared a whimsical Alice in Wonderland table Elena created in celebration of her daughter's birthday. If you missed seeing that enchanting tablescape, you'll find it here: Alice in Wonderland Birthday Celebration Table Setting. In that post, I also shared the festive way Elena decorated her sideboard for the party. I didn't get a chance … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Birthday Tablescapes, Children's Tablescapes Tagged With: Alice in Wonderland, Birthday Party Decorations

A Screened Porch and Hutch Decorated for Spring and Easter

April 4, 2021 by Susan 52 Comments

Welcome to the 636th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Happy Spring! Happy Easter! It was so pretty here this weekend, I couldn't resist playing a bit on the porch. We're in the height of pollen season now so I gave the porch a good cleaning before decorating it for spring and Easter. Hope you enjoy this little porch makeover! I love tulips, they are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Easter Decorating, Porches, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: DG Porches, Easter Easter Decorations, Easter Pillows, Egg Wreath, Porch Decorations, Screened Porch, Spring Pillows

A Whimsical Alice in Wonderland Table Setting Featuring Singing-Talking Flowers from the Garden

April 1, 2021 by Susan 22 Comments

Welcome to the 653rd Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Almost 5 years ago, I posted this delightful table created by Elena, a lovely reader, now friend, of BNOTP. (View that previous table here: Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Party.) Elena has done it again! Recently, she created a wonderful, whimsical table for her daughter's birthday … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Birthday Tablescapes, Children's Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Alice in Wonderland, Birthday Party Decorations, Children's Birthday Party Table, Tablescape Thursday, Whimsical Tablescape

4 Cheerful Ensembles for Spring and Summer

March 31, 2021 by Susan 20 Comments

I love wearing casual dresses during the spring and summer months because they are so comfortable and cool for our hot, humid days. A dress that I purchased last year and really enjoyed wearing was this Lilly Pulitzer dress below called the Ophelia Swing Dress. I love the patterns Lilly P designs for their clothing so was happy to discover last year that they are now making some of their dresses a bit … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: Spring Dress Sale, Spring Fashion, Summer Dress Sale, Summer Dresses, Summer Fashion

Adorable Bunny Napkin Fold: So Easy and Fast to Make!

March 29, 2021 by Susan 23 Comments

Welcome to the 635th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! I have the cutest bunny napkin fold to share with you! I remember seeing a similar fold years ago somewhere and last night I decided to see if I could recreate it from memory. This has to be the easiest, fastest napkin fold to make! Seriously! It is so easy and takes just a few seconds to make. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Easter Napkin Folds, Napkin Folding Tutorials Tagged With: Bunny Napkin, Bunny Napkin Fold, Easter Napkin Fold, Spring Napkin Fold

A New Way I’ve Found for Storing Silver or Silverplate to Slow or Prevent Tarnishing

March 26, 2021 by Susan 15 Comments

A couple of months back I shared this wintery-themed table setting for Tablescape Thursday. The centerpiece for this table setting was two silverplate ornament trees purchased from Ross Simon around 20-25 years ago. View this table in detail in this previous post: A Beautiful Bird-Themed China Pattern for Wintertime. Since the ornament trees are silverplate, they have a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes

Celebrating Spring and Easter in Soft, Subtle Shades of Tan, Beige and Cream

March 25, 2021 by Susan 12 Comments

Welcome to the 652nd Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! A few months back Diann, a lovely BNOTP reader, shared some photos with me of an adorable table setting she put together for Easter last year. With Easter just a couple of weeks away, I've been looking forward to sharing it for Tablescape Thursday. This table isn't exactly your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Easter Table Settings, Easter Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Easter table setting, Easter Tablescape, spring table setting, spring tablescape

Spring Smiles, Favorite Summer Dresses & Need Sewing Advice for a Problem Shirt

March 24, 2021 by Susan 36 Comments

Happy Spring! I hope you seeing some nice weather, it's so pretty here right now. Remember the flowers I used recently in a table setting? The lilies are starting to open and they are sooo pretty! The birds are pretty happy with our spring weather. I glanced out the window of the dressing room upstairs a few days ago and saw this handsome fella perched on the roof of the front porch. I have … [Read more...]

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

A Salvaged Mirror Becomes a Memory-Filled Travel Bulletin Board

March 22, 2021 by Susan 17 Comments

Welcome to the 634th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! A few days ago I was chatting in the comments with Cyndi, a lovely BNOTP reader, and now friend, about how much we were looking forward to traveling again in the future. Cyndi mentioned she was so looking forward to it, she had created a “travel bulletin board for posting snapshots of former vacations to remember … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decorating, DIY Repairs and Fixes Tagged With: Before and After Mirror Project, DIY Bulletin Board, DIY Project

February Favorites & Beautiful Spring Pillows I’m Eyeing for the Porch

March 20, 2021 by Susan 12 Comments

Happy spring! I realized earlier today that I haven't shared my February Favorites, so wanted to do that before we got too much further into March. The weather here has been so beautiful! We've had some early spring rains, but we needed it so I'm not complaining. I hope you are seeing spring weather or at least hints of spring where you live. A little less than a week ago I shared how I had decorated my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Monthly Favorites Tagged With: Porch Pillows, Spring Pillows

Mischievous Bunnies in a Spring Garden

March 18, 2021 by Susan 30 Comments

Welcome to the 651st Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! This Saturday will be the official first day of spring! I know we may have some chilly days still ahead, but I can't help but get excited that spring is almost here! This week I put together a lighthearted table that would work well for spring or for Easter. I've been looking … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Easter Table Settings, Easter Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Bunny Floral Table, Easter table setting, spring table setting, spring tablescape, Tablescape Thursday

A Mini Shopping Haul: What I Found Today in Marshalls

March 17, 2021 by Susan 24 Comments

I ventured out today for a bit of shopping. Actually, I was out running an errand to pick up some flowers and decided to stop into Marshalls since this is the time of year they often get in really cute spring decor goodies. I picked up these two pillar candle holders with the idea of using them in a future Halloween table setting. Or, they would work great on a sideboard or chest when decorating for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: Spring Shopping, Spring Wreath

St. Patty’s Celebration with Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, Ginger Shamrock Shortbread & Irish Whiskey Bars

March 16, 2021 by Susan 19 Comments

For this past Tablescape Thursday, I shared a beautiful tea party Selma hosted for the staff at the specialty vet clinic that cares for her sweet kitties. Selma humorously called her party a St. Catrick's Day party since the clinic is just cats. Selma set two tables for the occasion, one in her dining and one in her living room. If you missed seeing the table she set in her dining room, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: St. Patrick's Day Table Settings, St. Patrick's Day Tablescapes Tagged With: Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, Ginger Shamrock Shortbread, Irish Whiskey Bars, St. Patrick's Day, St. Patrick's Day Food

A St. Patrick’s Day Porch: Fun Ideas for Decorating Your Porch for St. Patrick’s Day!

March 15, 2021 by Susan 37 Comments

Welcome to the 633rd Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! We've been having the most amazing weather over the last few weeks. It was 78° out on the porch today and I couldn't wait to get out there and play a little. I turned on the fans overhead--love those soft breezes. After a bit of cleaning and sprucing, I began adding a few touches for St. Patrick's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, St. Patrick's Day Decor Tagged With: Screened Porch, St. Patrick's Day, St. Patrick's Day Decorations, St. Patrick's Day Pillows, St. Patrick's Day Porch

Bunnies, Butterflies and Blossoms for Spring

March 13, 2021 by Susan 15 Comments

So, I have this thing for bunnies. This sweet bunny first appeared in a spring table setting back in 201o and ever since then, bunnies seem to always find a way into my spring tables. Who could resist that face?! Over the years I've continued adding to my bunny menagerie, they are great as a spring or Easter centerpiece or for any place you would like to add a bit of spring … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Easter Decorating, Easter Table Settings, Easter Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes

A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with a Twist, In Honor of a Special Kitty Clinic

March 11, 2021 by Susan 13 Comments

Welcome to the 650th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Last year I shared a beautiful "Sweet 16" Birthday celebration party put together by Selma, a lovely BNOTP reader and fellow tablescape lover. Selma is definitely one of us--she loves entertaining and setting beautiful tables for her family and friends. If you missed this wonderful table below, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: St. Patrick's Day Table Settings, St. Patrick's Day Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: St. Patrick's Day, St. Patrick's Day Shamrock China, St. Patrick's Day Table, St. Patrick's Day Table Setting, St. Patrick's Day Tablescape, St. Patrick's Day Tea, Tablescape Thursday

Toni’s Elegant & Practical Solution to Upgrade Her Desk Space and Closet Storage

March 10, 2021 by Susan 7 Comments

Last year, while I was staying with family and helping with my grandsons for a couple of months, you may remember that I purchased a desk to work at while I was there. I actually purchased a couple of desks during that time. The first one turned out to be a bit too shallow for my needs so I ended up purchasing a second one. My daughter-in-law and l were both desk shopping around the same time and I sent … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Decorating, DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods

My Favorite Products for the Best Shiny & Clean “Afters”

March 8, 2021 by Susan 18 Comments

Welcome to the 632nd Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Over the last couple of weeks, I've received several emails from BNOTP readers asking about the various cleaning products I use and have mentioned loving in previous posts. Since it's almost time for some serious spring cleaning, for this week's Met Monday I'm sharing all the products I love and use in my home. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: Best Cleaning Products, Cleans Everything, House Cleaning Products, Spring Cleaning

Dreaming of Travel to Faraway Places

March 7, 2021 by Susan 18 Comments

I'm reminiscing today...dreaming and reminiscing about travel to faraway places. If you are craving a little travel excursion today, check out the following posts. (Click the title of any post to view it.) A Visit to the Giza Plateau, the Last Remaining Member of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World Dining at Mama's Fish House in Maui, Hawaii Tour the Belleek Pottery … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Travel

Why I Never Get Anything Done…

March 5, 2021 by Susan 59 Comments

A recent morning... Awaken. Need to make bed. Start to make bed but notice lint on duvet cover. Go to closet to get lint roller, but find the buffalo-plaid, wearable blanket bought this past winter folded on top of the basket where lint rollers are stored. Oh. Yeah. Remember never got around to finding a good place to hang the blanket after returning from … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods

Tablescaping Inspiration for Your St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

March 4, 2021 by Susan 22 Comments

Welcome to the 649th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! St. Patrick's Day is less than two weeks away! For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I'm sharing a few of the festive tables I've put together in the past for this very green holiday. Hope they provide inspiration for any St. Patty's celebrations you have planned this year. ☘ … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: St. Patrick's Day, St. Patrick's Day Decor, St. Patrick's Day Table Setting, St. Patrick's Day Tablescape, Tablescape Thursday

Big Sale on Favorite Spring Fashions + Adorable Bee-Themed Dinnerware

March 2, 2021 by Susan 12 Comments

A few days ago I took you shopping with me in Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma. There were a few more items I saw and snapped photos of that I didn't get to share in that post, so I'm back today with those, plus some spring clothes inspiration that I think you will love. They even brought back my favorite goes-with-everything polka dot shirt! Do you ever watch Shark Tank? This cutting board was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods

Nancy’s Beautiful Porch Addition Helps Keep The Snow at Bay

March 1, 2021 by Susan 31 Comments

Welcome to the 631st Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! I love it when I open up my e-mail Inbox and find emails like this one I received recently from Nancy, a reader of BNOTP. Nancy wrote: Dear Susan: I hope all is well. I'm one of your fans and blog subscribers. I have owed you this thank you letter for a long time. I moved into my current house 5 years ago in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Halloween Decor, Porches Tagged With: Christmas Porch, DG Porches, Front Porch Addition, Halloween Porch, Porch Addition, Porch renovation, Red Front Door, Topiary Planters

Shopping the Spring-Easter Dinnerware in Two of My Favorite Stores

February 28, 2021 by Susan 19 Comments

I ventured out yesterday to a couple of my favorite shops to see what's new in for spring. The first place I stopped was Pottery Barn. I was surprised to see that they only had a couple of tables set for spring. I remember this cute floral, Peter Rabbit pattern featuring Peter running and jumping through the flowers from last year. Doesn't this make you long for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Easter Table Settings, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Spring & Summer Tablescapes Tagged With: Easter Holiday Home, Spring Dinnerware

Crowing for an Early Spring!

February 25, 2021 by Susan 29 Comments

Welcome to the 648th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! A few months back during a long drive home, I stopped into a Cracker Barrel for a break and to stretch my legs with a little walk through their shop. During my visit, I spied this handsome guy and decided to bring him home to join the mini-menagerie of critters I've gradually collected over the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Rooster-Themed Table, Sunflower-Themed Table, Tablescape Thursday

Recipe: Minnesota Wild Rice Soup

February 23, 2021 by Susan 6 Comments

Last week for our Tablescape Thursday party, I shared this beautiful table setting created by Phyllis who blogs at The Relevant Tea Leaf. Phyllis prepared a wonderful meal for her dinner party, including a delicious Earl Grey Tea Cake served with a London Fog Latte. (A printable recipe for both the Earl Grey Tea Cake and the London Fog Latte are available here: Earl Grey Tea Cake and London … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Recipes

London Fog Latte

February 23, 2021 by Susan 4 Comments

Last week for our Tablescape Thursday party, I shared this beautiful table setting below created by Phyllis who blogs at The Relevant Tea Leaf. Phyllis prepared a wonderful meal for her dinner party, including a delicious Earl Grey Tea Cake. (A printable recipe for the Earl Grey Tea Cake is available here: Earl Grey Tea Cake.) Phyllis made each of her guests a delicious London Fog Latte … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Recipes

Earl Grey Tea Cake

February 22, 2021 by Susan 6 Comments

Welcome to the 630th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! This past Tablescape Thursday, I posted this beautiful table setting created by Phyllis who blogs at The Relevant Tea Leaf. Phyllis prepared a wonderful meal for this dinner party, including a delicious Earl Grey Tea Cake for dessert. Several BNOTP readers asked about the recipe so I e-mailed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Recipes

January Favorites and How I’ve Been Passing These Cold Winter Days

February 20, 2021 by Susan 32 Comments

I'm sooo happy right now. I just looked out the window and though it's almost 5:30 PM, it's still bright and sunny outside! That means the daylight is staying with us longer and longer each day! No wonder the birds have been so happy and singing their little hearts out today--they know spring is on its way! I'm late as usual but wanted to share the few things that made it to my "favorites" list for the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods

Winter Table: Blue Madrid Depression Glass, Earl Grey Tea Cake & London Fog Latte

February 18, 2021 by Susan 28 Comments

Welcome to the 647th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Recently Phyllis, a BNOTP reader, had her cousins over for a lovely dinner. I was so excited when she shared these beautiful photos from that event and knew I had to share them for an upcoming Tablescape Thursday. Phyllis said, "It's very much winter here in Michigan with snowflakes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tablescape Thursday, Winter Tablescapes Tagged With: Blue Madrid Depression Glass, Earl Grey Tea Cake, Federal Glass Petal, London Fog Latte, Minnesota Wild Rice Soup, Tablescape Thursday

Every Year They Sell Out, But This Year I Caught Them + They’re on Sale!

February 17, 2021 by Susan 5 Comments

Seems like every year I miss out on these! For the past few years in early spring, Talbots gets in these pretty jeans that are in the most beautiful shade of pink, and almost every year I miss out on getting a pair because they always sell out so quickly. For once, I've caught them early--plus they are on sale 30% off today in a Pop-up sale! They call this soft pink color, French Rose and it is sooo … [Read more...]

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

Kissing Booth, This Way Please!

February 15, 2021 by Susan 19 Comments

Welcome to the 629th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Hope you had an awesome Valentine's Day yesterday! If you didn't get to spend it with a special someone, I hope you spoiled yourself and spent the day doing whatever you enjoy most! Elinda, whose lovely tables I've featured previously for Tablescape Thursday, shared some delightful photos with me yesterday of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Valentine's Day Decor, Valentine's Day Table Settings, Valentine's Day Tablescapes Tagged With: Valentine's Day Decorating, Valentine's Day table setting

Sparkly Beading is the Star of this Beautiful Valentine’s Day Tablescape!

February 12, 2021 by Susan 11 Comments

How about one more Valentine's Day table before we head into Valentine's Day weekend! Maureen recently shared some photos of the beautiful table she has put together this year for Valentine's Day and I'm in love with all the beautiful beaded pieces she's used in her table. Love the beaded table runner down the center, you'll see a closer photo of it a bit further down in this post. Maureen … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Valentine's Day Table Settings, Valentine's Day Tablescapes Tagged With: Valentine's Day Table, Valentine's Day table setting, Valentine's Day Tablescape

Porch Dining: A Valentine’s Day Table on a Warm February Day + A Tree Update

February 11, 2021 by Susan 21 Comments

Welcome to the 646th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! It was sunny and 70 degrees out on the porch yesterday! Since I stay inside hunkered down this time of year, I discovered it purely by accident when I walked outside to refill all the bird feeders. I was astonished and couldn't pass up the chance to set a table outside. It happens every year, the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tablescape Thursday, Valentine's Day Table Settings, Valentine's Day Tablescapes, Winter Tablescapes Tagged With: Candlelit Table Setting, Mercury-glass Hearts, Tablescape Thursday, Valentine's Day Centerpiece, Valentine's Day table setting, Valentine's Day Tablescape, Valentine's Day Tablescapes

Beautiful Antiques and Wonderful, One-of-a-Kind Lamps

February 10, 2021 by Susan 40 Comments

Recently I noticed one of the lamps on my desk had become a bit wobbly. The next day I dropped it by my favorite lamp shop, Flourish Antiques, to have it repaired. David Puffer, the owner of Flourish, has his lamp shop inside the Marietta Antique Mall. To fill the time while David was repairing my lamp, I took a stroll up and down the aisles inside the mall, snapping photos of some of the beautiful antiques … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: Antiquing & Thrifting, Lamps, Thrifting

Valentine’s Day Craft: Make a Valentine’s Day Garland or Banner for Your Home

February 8, 2021 by Susan 33 Comments

Welcome to the 628th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! A few weeks ago I shared Jackie's beautiful Valentine's Day table along with her dining room all decorated for Valentine's Day. I loved the darling Valentine's Day garland/banner she had hanging in front of the window in her dining room. You may remember these two close-up photos that I shared of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Valentine's Day Crafts, Valentine's Day Decor Tagged With: Metamorphosis Monday, Valentine's Day Banner, Valentine's Day Craft Project, Valentine's Day Garland, Valentine's Day Tablescapes

The Weirdest Thing, A “Shocking” Experience & How I Finally Solved It

February 6, 2021 by Susan 55 Comments

So I've had the weirdest thing going on the past few months. At first, I thought it was a fluke but when it wouldn't stop I had to seek out a solution. I thought it was worth sharing because 1. It strikes me as kinda funny now looking back and 2. In case you've experienced this, maybe this weird little tale and how I solved it will help somehow. Update: I'm getting a lot comments asking if it's an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: Pottery Barn Office Furniture, Static Shock Solution

3 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Tables

February 4, 2021 by Susan 39 Comments

Welcome to the 645th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! I was feeling a little nostalgic this morning as I was looking back through some of my previous Valentine's Day table settings. If you are looking for a bit of inspiration for your upcoming Valentine's Day, you'll find all the tables I've set over the past 12 years for Valentine's Day here: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tablescape Thursday, Valentine's Day Table Settings, Valentine's Day Tablescapes Tagged With: Heart Napkin Fold, Tablescape Thursday, Valentine's Day Table Settings, Valentine's Day Tablescapes

10 Favorites, Must-Haves, & Time-Savers for the Kitchen

February 3, 2021 by Susan 31 Comments

Carrying on in the theme of Monday's post where I shared some changes I've made that have enhanced my life in both small and big ways, I thought I'd share a few more tips/ideas I use on a daily basis that I've found to be super helpful-- only this time we're in the kitchen. Some of these I have touched on in previous posts but with all the staying in we're doing more right now, this seems like a good time … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Organization and Storage, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods

3 Changes I’ve Made: 2 Time-Stress Reducers and 1 Just for Fun

February 1, 2021 by Susan 47 Comments

Welcome to the 627th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! From time to time as I'm working around the house, I will see or think of something that I think would be a great little idea or tip to share with you. Often it's not anything that's worthy of a full post, but just an idea I think you may like or find handy. I've been thinking about writing this post for a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes

Beautiful Necklaces Crafted from Broken China & A Shirt I Need in My Wardrobe

January 29, 2021 by Susan 36 Comments

Recently when my dear friend, Teresa, was in town, she and I got together for dinner. We had so much fun catching up that evening. I had forgotten what it was like having dinner out with friends! Teresa and I are ready to go back to Egypt--what a trip that was! You may remember our crazy "Lucy and Ethel" adventure when we tried to have dinner in the Old Cataract … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: China Crafts, Dish Crafts, Valentine's Day Fashion

Valentine’s Day Table: Adorable and Budget Friendly!

January 28, 2021 by Susan 30 Comments

Welcome to the 644th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Jackie, whose beautiful tables I've shared a few times in the past, has put together a fun table for Valentine's Day this year. I love how Jackie always adds a little something to her chandelier for her holiday dinners. The roses are the perfect touch for a Valentine's Day … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tablescape Thursday, Valentine's Day Table Settings, Valentine's Day Tablescapes Tagged With: Tablescape Thursday, Valentine's Day table setting, Valentine's Day Tablescapes

Best & Easiest Way to Save or Preserve a Puzzle Without Using Messy Glue

January 25, 2021 by Susan 25 Comments

Welcome to the 626th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Over the last few weeks I've had several questions about what I do with all the puzzles I complete and if I ever save them. In today's post, I'm answering that question and also sharing exactly how I preserve a completed puzzle that I wish to keep. Typically when I complete a puzzle, if it's one I especially … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes

My November and December Monthly Favorites (Better Late Than Never)

January 23, 2021 by Susan 28 Comments

With all the busyness of the holidays, I never got around to sharing some of my favorites for the months of November and December...and here we are in the last week of January! Below you'll find just a few of my favorites, hope you find this helpful! A few months back I purchased a sampler Discovery Set of Frederic Malle Perfumes, mainly because the set included two perfumes I've heard reviewers rave … [Read more...]

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

A Beautiful, Bird-Themed China Pattern for Wintertime: Lenox Winter Greetings

January 21, 2021 by Susan 61 Comments

Welcome to the 643rd Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Recently I was chatting with a lovely BNOTP reader about our mutual love of a wonderful, bird-themed Lenox pattern called, Winter Greetings. I realized during our email exchange that it's been years since I used that pattern in a table for Tablescape Thursday. I don't know why I never think to bring … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, Winter Tablescapes Tagged With: Bird-Themed China, Lenox China, Lenox Winter Greetings, Swarovski Ornament. Swarovski Crystal Star Ornament, Swarovski Snowflake Ornament, Tablescape Thursday, Winter China

Making My Bed Like a Pottery Barn Bed

January 18, 2021 by Susan 51 Comments

Welcome to the 625th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Over the past month, I've been getting regular emails from Pottery Barn reminding me that I have a $25 credit that's soon to expire. There's nothing that I particularly need right now but after about the 3rd time that email arrived, I decided to click over and check out their spring goodies. The first thing I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After Tagged With: Pottery Barn Bed Linens

A Birthday Present & A Few More of My Favorite Finds

January 16, 2021 by Susan 23 Comments

Being a serious handbag lover, I typically purchase a new bag every year or two. Sometimes I purchase it new if I can find it in the color I want, other times I will buy it pre-loved from the only site I really trust for preloved bags, Fashionphile. I like buying from them because if the bag isn't what you expected once it arrives, you have 30 days from the date of purchase to return it for a full refund. … [Read more...]

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

Celebrating a Special New Year’s Eve with a Snowy, Star-filled Table Setting

January 14, 2021 by Susan 43 Comments

Welcome to the 642nd Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! I've been working on a table to share this week but it's not quite ready for prime time. Yesterday was my birthday so I gave myself the day off to relax and play a little. As you get older, seems like celebrating each birthday becomes a bit more important--know what I mean? I'll share in another … [Read more...]

Filed Under: New Year's Table Settings, Tablescape Thursday

My Winter Survival Favorites: Part 1

January 11, 2021 by Susan 35 Comments

Welcome to the 624th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Each year I love to put together a post with my favorite winter survival goodies, those things that help make the winter season a lot more comfortable and maybe even a little fun. If you've been reading BNOTP for very long, you probably know that I pretty much go into hibernation come wintertime. Has this … [Read more...]

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

A Fun Find During My Drive Back Home

January 10, 2021 by Susan 19 Comments

A few years back I stumbled across a big, fat turkey in Pottery Barn. He was a bit on the pricey side so I didn't buy him that day, hoping to catch him in a sale later on. Well, much to my dismay he sold out faster than you can say Jiminy Cricket! Amazingly, Pottery Barn brought him back the following year. I was so surprised! I remember a sales representative in Williams Sonoma once … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods

A Beautiful Idea to Keep Those Spirits Up Through the Cold Winter Months

January 8, 2021 by Susan 23 Comments

These long dark days of winter can sometimes feel a bit drab. Personally, I'm not too prone to feeling sad or depressed during the winter because I love snuggling up inside reading, puzzling, or just plotting little decor updates for the spring season. But I know winter can be hard on a lot of us, especially after the rush of the holiday season has passed and we put away all the holiday decor. Sandra, a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: Winter Tree

The Last Christmas Table Setting of the Season

January 7, 2021 by Susan 30 Comments

Welcome to the 641st Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! It was a long, long drive but I'm finally back home now. I'll be spending the day taking down the cedar garland and removing the wreaths across the front of the house. It makes me a little sad to do that since I was gone almost the entire month of December, so I didn't have time to get used to or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday

When Night Becomes Day! Does It Do This Where You Live When It Snows?

January 5, 2021 by Susan 62 Comments

Since I've been visiting family in Ohio, it has snowed several times. We even had a white Christmas this year. A few days ago, after another relatively light snowfall, I was working at my computer late at night when I got thirsty and decided to get something to drink. I walked into the kitchen, flipped on the light, got my drink, and as I was standing near the sink I noticed the house next door was clearly … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Inspire

Two Beautiful Transformations, All Through the Magic of Paint

January 4, 2021 by Susan 19 Comments

Welcome to the 623rd Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! A few weeks back I shared how Lorelei transformed her dining room with paint. Lorelei liked the color I used in my dining room, Benjamin Moore, Raspberry Truffle and decided to use the same color in her dining room. Beautiful transformation! Here's a picture showing Raspberry … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, DIY Repairs and Fixes Tagged With: Before and After, Metamorphosis Monday, Paint colors, Paint Transformation

Beautiful, Festive Tables from Kansas, Maine and Mexico!

January 2, 2021 by Susan 21 Comments

Thanks so much to all the lovely readers who shared their holiday tables with me over the past few weeks! Before we say goodbye to Christmas for another year, I thought I'd share some of the lovely tables the BNOTP readers shared with me over the last few days. Sheri's Christmas Table Setting with a Beautifully Hand-Crafted Centerpiece Sheri, who lives in Kansas, created this beautiful table for her … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes

This Beautiful, Elegant Table is Perfect for Christmas or New Year’s

December 31, 2020 by Susan 39 Comments

Welcome to the 640th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Jackie shared so many beautiful tables with me this season, I loved, loved, loved her cozy kitchen table! When I saw her beautiful dining room table setting, I knew it would be perfect to share with you for New year's Eve! It's absolutely stunning! Jackie dressed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Christmas Table Setting, Lenox Eternal, New Year's Table Setting

A Festive Drink and Delicious Appetizer for Your New Year’s Celebration

December 30, 2020 by Susan 8 Comments

I know most of us won't be throwing a big New Year's party this year, but the two recipes I'm sharing today are awesome for any size gathering, be it small or large. This is my absolute favorite punch recipe ever! At Christmastime, I dip the champagne rims in colored sugar for a festive look. When I make it for New Year's, I dip the rims in these adorable nonpareils. I love how festive … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Recipes, New Year's Recipes, Recipes Tagged With: Christmas Punch, Devils on Horseback Recipe, New Year's Day Punch, New Year's Eve Punch

If Santa Didn’t Bring Everything You Wanted…

December 29, 2020 by Susan 9 Comments

A couple of my favorite stores are having big after-Christmas, end-of-season clearance sales. Even though winter is still with us for several more months, the new spring clothes are already appearing in-store and online, so it's time for some great winter sales! I've been eyeing this adorable snowflake sweater all winter! It's currently on sale 2/3rds off! You'll find it on sale here: Snowflake … [Read more...]

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

So Whatever Happened to Those Peeling, Bubbling Columns…

December 28, 2020 by Susan 25 Comments

Welcome to the 622nd Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Last October, I shared some photos of my front porch columns and the developing issue I've had with them over the past year. It has been quite a few years since the porch was last painted. Trying to remember--I think I may have had it painted once since it was added on in 2008, but maybe it was just pressure … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Porches, Porches & Decks

Jackie’s Beautiful Home Decorated for Christmas & Her Putz House Collection

December 26, 2020 by Susan 23 Comments

A few months back I shared some photos of Jackie's beautiful home decorated for Halloween. If you missed that post, you'll find it here: Decorate for Halloween. Today Jackie has invited us back for a little Christmas home tour. Sadly all the Christmas home tours in my area were canceled this year. I hope they will be back again next year since I truly missed them. Thanks so much to Jackie … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor

Special Christmas Dinner with Spode Christmas Tree & the Sweetest Birdie Linens

December 24, 2020 by Susan 30 Comments

Welcome to the 639th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Merry Christmas Eve and Happy Holidays! I have another wonderful table setting to share with you from a BNOTP reader. I love it when you share your beautiful table settings, you give me so much inspiration with the tables you create for those you love! Recently, Maureen and I were chatting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Bird-Themed Table Linens, Christmas Table Setting, Christmas Tablescape, Spode Christmas Tree, Tablescape Thursday

A Cozy Christmas Table Setting Dressed with a Johnson Brothers China That’s Been Tempting Me for Years

December 22, 2020 by Susan 37 Comments

I have a very special table to share with you today! Jackie recently shared photos of the beautiful table she created for her kitchen and it has stolen my heart! Love everything about this table starting with the wonderful antler chandelier hanging above. I've always wanted an antler chandelier made with shed antlers for my paneled family/living room. For this cozy table setting, Jackie … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes Tagged With: Johnson Brothers A Friendly Village

The Magic of Paint: Lorelei’s Dining Room and Entry Transformed

December 21, 2020 by Susan 19 Comments

Welcome to the 621st Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I have a wonderful transformation to share with you today for Metamorphosis Monday! Lorelei, a lovely BNOTP reader, recently shared a big change she made in two of the rooms in her home. Before we go inside, I have to share how beautifully Lorelei has decorated the exterior … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes Tagged With: Before and After, Metamorphosis Monday, Paint Transformation

21 Christmas Stocking Stuffers-Gift Ideas in All Price Ranges

December 19, 2020 by Susan 32 Comments

The countdown is on--just a few more days until Christmas. In today's post, I'm sharing some of my favorite Stocking Stuffers, some are actually nice enough to be given as full-on gifts. Hope you find these suggestions helpful as you finish your Christmas and holiday shopping! I always drool over these beautiful hand warmers when a Sundance Catalog arrives at my door. They are wool (not polyester) so … [Read more...]

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

Warren’s Beautiful Table Settings & I’m Loving Franki’s Christmas Tree Napkin Fold

December 18, 2020 by Susan 11 Comments

Christmas Tree Napkin Fold I know this Christmas will be a bit different for some families depending on where you live, but no matter if you'll be celebrating Christmas with just your closest family or a larger gathering, we can still choose to celebrate with a beautiful table setting for our Christmas feast. Several Christmases ago I set a table that included a cute Christmas tree napkin … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes Tagged With: Christmas Napkin Fold, Christmas Table Setting, Christmas Tablescape

A Winter Forest Centerpiece for a Beautiful Christmas Table Setting

December 17, 2020 by Susan 14 Comments

Welcome to the 638th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Today Jo Alice has invited us into her beautiful home for a pre-Christmas dinner. Such a beautiful entrance! Jo Alice set a beautiful Winter Forest Table for Christmas this year. I love the candlelit centerpiece with glittering forest trees of different … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday

Gift Ideas for All Ages, Including Cashmere on Sale! These are Some of My Faves!

December 16, 2020 by Susan 5 Comments

How is your holiday shopping going? Are you all finished? Is it all wrapped. I have mine all wrapped but I've purchased a few more last-minute gifts, so need to get those wrapped over the next few days. I bought one of these wearable blankets for myself a month or so ago with plans to take it with me the next time I visited family in Ohio. I showed it to my son one night when he was watching TV and was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Shopping, Holiday Gift Ideas, Holiday Shopping

Delightful Christmas Train Village & Decorating the Living Room for Christmas

December 14, 2020 by Susan 22 Comments

Welcome to the 620th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! A few months back I shared Jackie's beautiful home all decorated for Halloween. The Halloween decorations are long gone now and Jackie has her home beautifully decorated for Christmas. I love her decorations here in the living room! Do you see the extra special decoration there in the center of the coffee … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor

Favorite Winter Fashions And They Are All On Sale!

December 13, 2020 by Susan 11 Comments

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! I've been doing a bit of online shopping this weekend and two of my fave stores are having great sales. If you're in need of some pretty winter clothes, all the items I'm sharing below are currently on sale 50% off. In fact, everything is on sale, 50% off. Love these straight leg cords! They are available in several colors, including neutral colors, but I do love … [Read more...]

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

Sometimes Small Changes Can Make Your Heart Happy

December 11, 2020 by Susan 37 Comments

A few weeks ago I shared a little addition to my office space. If you look closely, you can just see it there to the side of my left monitor. I'm not sure how, but I came across this clear tissue holder online and loved it. I liked how modern it looked, which is surprising since I normally don't care for modern decor pieces. I liked that it didn't fight the other patterns/colors in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), DIY Decorating, DIY Organization and Storage, Living Room (Downstairs), Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), Office/Craft/Sewing Room

Dining Poolside for Christmas

December 10, 2020 by Susan 7 Comments

Welcome to the 637th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Jackie, whose beautiful tables I've shared before here at Between Naps On The Porch, recently set a wonderfully festive, holiday table outdoors. Jackie said, "This is the perfect setting for the Holiday Meal - outdoor dining social distancing with your family. (Hopefully the weather will cooperate - … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Christmas Table Setting, Christmas Tablescape, Tablescape Thursday

A Christmas Porch

December 7, 2020 by Susan 49 Comments

Welcome to the 619th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! I had so much fun this weekend decorating the front porch for Christmas. It was just starting to get dark outside as I finished, so I hurriedly grabbed my camera from inside and snapped a few pics before all the light was gone. As I snapped, it got darker and darker and that magic … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Porches Tagged With: Cedar Garland for Christmas, Christmas Decorations, Christmas Porch, Christmas Porch Decorations, Decorating with Fresh Greenery, Metamorphosis Monday

Decorate for Christmas with Whimsical Christmas Pillows

December 5, 2020 by Susan 18 Comments

Do you love decorating with pillows? I really love it when a pretty decor item is also functional and pillows definitely fall into that category. In addition to lamps, cozy throws, art, and books, I love, love, love using lots of pillows in all the rooms of my home. They can add so much whimsy, not to mention a ton of cozy during the fall and winter months. I guess in a way, they are like the scarf or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas Decorations, Christmas Pillows

A Grinch Christmas Table Setting That’s Super Kid Friendly

December 3, 2020 by Susan 10 Comments

Welcome to the 636th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! A couple of weeks ago I set this fun Grinch-themed Christmas table setting in the breakfast room. Here's a bit better view of that table. I set that same table again in the dining room the first evening my son, daughter-in-love, and grandsons were here. I knew the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Christmas Table Setting, Christmas Tablescape, Grinch Christmas Table, Tablescape Thursday

A Thanksgiving Recap with a Few New Ideas for Christmas

December 2, 2020 by Susan 23 Comments

Does an idea ever come to you in the form of a picture or an image? You're just going about your day and suddenly an idea comes to you out of nowhere, but it doesn't come to you as a conscious thought. Instead, it pops into your head as a picture or an image. Has that ever happened to you? That happened to me about two weeks before Thanksgiving. I had been picking up a few goodies for my grandsons in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Holiday Home, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Thanksgiving Holiday Home Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas Decorating, Christmas Decorating Ideas, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Porch Swing

25 Beautiful Ways to Decorate & Dine for Christmas + An Insanely Awesome Christmas Punch

November 30, 2020 by Susan 26 Comments

Welcome to the 618th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! How was your Thanksgiving? I hope it was awesome! My son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons were here so that made it extra special. I need to do a post sharing some of the things I did differently this year, especially regarding the turkey. Both my son and dil commented that this year the food was the best ever and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Home Tours, Christmas Movies, Christmas Napkin Folds, Christmas Recipes, Christmas Table Settings Tagged With: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor Ideas, Christmas Napkin Folds, Christmas Recipes

My Favorite Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales

November 29, 2020 by Susan 12 Comments

If you didn't do any shopping for Black Friday, I discovered today while I was shopping online that there are still a lot of BF sales going on. In some places, Cyber Monday is already underway. I get a lot of emails/comments asking about my office furniture. It's currently on sale for Black Friday. The corner desk is currently on sale here: Corner Desk with Drawers. Plus, I think the … [Read more...]

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

Thanksgiving by Candlelight

November 26, 2020 by Susan 24 Comments

Welcome to the 635th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Sorry our Tablescape Thursday party is going up a day late. Hope you enjoy it even though I'm running a bit behind this year. Pssst: I'm sharing my three fave Black Friday sales at the end of this post in case you're doing some shopping today or this weekend. Just before everything was about to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: Thanksgiving Dining, Thanksgiving Holiday Home, Thanksgiving Table Setting, Thanksgiving Tablescape

Which Frame Do You Like Best with The Governor’s Party by Chuck Pinson?

November 23, 2020 by Susan 61 Comments

Welcome to the 617th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! I had planned to share some holiday decorating on the porch today, but I didn't finish the decorating since I stopped to wash the swing covers. That's an older photo below from a previous summer when I removed the covers for washing. So instead of a decorated porch, how about looking at some … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After

Christmas Decorating, Door Updates & Keeping the Little Ones Busy this Thanksgiving

November 21, 2020 by Susan 20 Comments

Will you have little ones visiting your home for Thanksgiving? With two wiggly, little boys headed my way, I've been thinking about fun things to keep them from getting too bored while they are here. I still have a few of their dad's toys here, but the majority of those have already been taken to their home during my previous visits. I picked up a few things over this past week that I think they will … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods

9 Thanksgiving Table Settings, Plus a Colonial Williamsburg Centerpiece

November 19, 2020 by Susan 17 Comments

Welcome to the 634th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Wow, Thanksgiving is just one week away! Wasn't Halloween just yesterday? Do you ever feel like life is flying by way, way too fast! The older I get, the faster it seems to go. I know everyone says that, but it really does feel that way. For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I'm sharing links to 9 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tablescape Thursday, Thanksgiving Table Settings, Thanksgiving Tablescapes Tagged With: Apple Tree Centerpiece, Colonial Williamsburg Centerpiece, Tablescape Thursday, Thanksgiving Table Setting

Spreading Bits of Whimsy

November 18, 2020 by Susan 22 Comments

I'm currently in the "overwhelmed" stage of holiday decorating--you know, that stage where you have everything out, yet nothing is really finished yet. I know it will get better but at present, it looks like utter chaos in the upstairs family room where I've pulled out all the decorations. The downstairs living room isn't looking any better since the tree is in the process of being decorated. We're going … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor

Two Small Updates That I’m Loving!

November 16, 2020 by Susan 27 Comments

Welcome to the 616th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! I'm running behind this morning. I have painters here to do some touch-up work on the front porch columns that were painted recently. They are also going to be painting the new screened doors that arrived a few weeks back. Then it will be time to get those installed. Two New Purchases: Small but … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage

Christmas Tree Shopping Tips, Hanging Wreaths on Windows & A New Addition to the Bedroom

November 14, 2020 by Susan 43 Comments

A few years back, the Christmas tree I had been using for many years lost a big section of lights. I spent hours and hours over several days trying everything to get the lights working, replacing fuses, using a little handheld device to try and detect which light or lights were not working, all to no avail. Since the tree was pretty old, I guess the lighting has just deteriorated over the years. Realizing I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor