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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




Sad To See This Collection Appears To Be Going Away

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...]




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

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...]




Another Dollhouse Upgrade—Wish I Had Done This Sooner!

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




A Few Bathroom Updates & Cute Daisy Towels

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




A Very Special Mother’s Day Gift

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




All My April Favorites Together In One Post

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




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

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...]




How Did The Whimsical Animal Scarf Work Out, Plus One More Design That I Ordered

A few days ago, I shared some cute silk scarves a lovely BNOTP reader told me about. I liked them so much, I decided to buy one so I could compare it to the Hermes silk scarves I've occasionally bought in the past for my handbags and to give as gifts.   This was the first scarf I purchased. I couldn't resist all the cute animals featured on this scarf including birds, horses, deer and bears. … [Read more...]




Twilly-Style Silk Scarves Protect & Add A Touch Of Spring To Your Handbag & Wardrobe

A few years back, I shared the process my friend, Teresa, used to protect the Vachetta leather on her Louis Vuitton Croisette handbag. If you missed that post, you'll find it here: How Teresa Protected the Vachetta Leather on her Beautiful LV Croisette Bag. I am crazy about the LV Croisette bag—it's so perfect for spring and summer! I read an article a while back that said Louis Vuitton created this Damier … [Read more...]




All My Favorite Must-Have Tools Gathered Into A Single Post

Welcome to the 793rd Metamorphosis Monday! Last month, Pam left this comment on a post where I shared a photo of my tool chest in my garage. Over the years, as I've completed a few DIY projects around the house, I've gradually accumulated quite a few tools that I really enjoy using. I have too many to try and list them all in a comment, so I let Pam know I would work on a post sharing my favorites, those … [Read more...]




March Favorites & I’m Shopping (& Loving) A Place That Two Readers Recommended

Happy weekend! I hope you're having a great one! I don't have a large amount of favorites to share from last month, but I do have something to share that I'm really excited about—more on that in just a sec. Toward the end of March, I started changing the items I carry in my handbag from my winter bag to one of my spring/summer bags. Inside a little accessory bag I always carry in my handbag, I had a very … [Read more...]




Love With These Adorable Tea Infusers, They Come In So Many Cute Motifs!

Normally I'm just a big iced tea fan, but recently on a very cold morning I was trying to think of something to help warm me up, and I decided to give hot tea a try. I was surprised how much I liked it for an early morning drink, it kinda warmed me up from the inside out. The tea I drank that morning was the tea that I chose for the basket I ordered from Fortnum and Mason a while … [Read more...]




The Sale Is On, So Many Beautiful Designs for Spring & Summer!

Update: It's Sunday and I just noticed the sale has gotten even better today. Through midnight, it's now 40% off any one item and 30% off everything else. Love the spring sales that are going on right now! Talbots is at it again and after checking out the sale, these are all my favorites. I love, love, love blue and white together, no matter if it's dishes or clothes. This shirt caught my eye. Notice the … [Read more...]




Wow, If You Ever Wanted A Peloton Bike, This Is The Best Price I’ve Ever Seen

If you've ever thought about getting a Peloton Bike so you can take spin classes right in the comfort of your own home, now is the time! Peloton Bikes are currently on sale for $1,250, or $250 a month for 5 months. I've never seen Peloton Bikes for that price before. To give you an idea how much they normally cost, I paid $2,000 for mine. I would love to have gotten a bike for that incredible price! You'll … [Read more...]




How I Repaired A Loose Strap Keeper On My Pochette Metis Hand Bag

Welcome to the 789th Metamorphosis Monday! Almost six years ago, in August 2018, I purchased a Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis bag in the Reverse Monogram style. This bag has been a workhorse! It's the bag I wear during the fall/winter months the most, especially on days when it's pouring rain and I have a ton of errands to run. It's impervious to rain, and when wearing it crossbody it somehow becomes one with … [Read more...]




So Many February Favorites!

Happy weekend! What are you up to this weekend? It's been raining non-stop here for a few days, but I think it may finally slow down a bit today. I hope so, I never thought I was a person to be affected by weather, but I think this non-stop rain is starting to get to me. I need some sunshine! I had way too many favorites during the month of February to share them all, so I have tried to narrow it down to … [Read more...]




My Absolute Favorites For Spring Cleaning The Porches And The Garage

Update: Just noticed that Talbots has made their 25% off sale even better with 40% off any one item and 25% off everything else. You the code SPRING40 to get 40% off any one item. If you missed my spring favorites post, you'll find it here: Getting a Jump on My Spring Wardrobe, Everything is Currently on Sale. You'll find the Talbots spring sale here: Talbots Spring Sale. The temps here this week have … [Read more...]




Getting A Jump On My Spring Wardrobe, Everything Is Currently On Sale!

Update: Just noticed that Talbots has made their 25% off sale even better with 40% off any one item and 25% off everything else. Use the code SPRING40 to get 40% off any one item. You'll find the Talbots spring sale here: Talbots Spring Sale. A few days ago someone asked about this adorable bunny vase that I've had for a few years. I was worried I'd have to deliver bad news that it was no longer … [Read more...]




All My Favorites For Spring and Summer

Happy Weekend! My head is completely in spring/summer mode now. With the daylight staying with us a little bit longer each day and my daffodils all poking their little heads up out of the ground, I know that spring is almost here and I can't wait!   With spring just around the corner, I thought this would be a great time to share some of my favorites that I love and use on repeat during the … [Read more...]




My January Favorites + A Couple of Extras That Couldn’t Wait!

Happy Weekend! Okay, I'm cheating a little. This is supposed to be a January Favorites post but I want to share this with you now because I expect it will sell out pretty quickly. A few days ago I purchased this adorable Spring/Easter-themed LEGO set for my grandsons, and I thought it was so cute (and reasonably priced) that I ended up buying one for myself. I love that LEGO keeps coming out with these sets … [Read more...]




Shopping The New Dinnerware Collections For Spring–So Much Inspiration!

Welcome to the 801st Tablescape Thursday! I am such a homebody, love being at home probably a bit too much. All the rain we've been having, combined with the cold, has made it easy to justify staying inside. But the sun is out again, at last! So I decided to head out yesterday to do a bit of window shopping, which of course often turns into actual shopping. There's a shopping center just 2-3 miles from … [Read more...]




Best Purchases & My Must-Have Favorites Of 2023

I've been seeing a lot of YouTube videos this month where YouTubers have been sharing their favorite finds/purchases for 2023. I love that idea for a post but, Wow—this has been the most difficult post to write! I've been working on it off and on for a couple of weeks and it's been torture. Ha! It's so hard to narrow down all the wonderful discoveries and upgrades I've made over the past year to a … [Read more...]




New Addition To The Office: Walking Pad Treadmill For Getting My Steps In Each Day

Welcome to the 782nd Metamorphosis Monday! Hope your weekend was amazing! I spent part of mine working on a puzzle that I've had for a while and have been itching to do.   With the super cold weather we've been experiencing, this was the perfect weekend for snuggling down inside and working a spring-themed puzzle—a reminder to myself to hang in there because spring is coming! (Puzzle is … [Read more...]




2 Of My Favorite Shops Are Having A Sale-On-Sale & I’m Loving The Deals!

It's that time of year when the winter sales really swing into gear! I've been doing a bit of shopping this morning and I've found some great sale-on-sale deals where items that were on sale have now been further reduced. Those are my favorite types of sales, although usually, the most popular sizes tend to go quickly when the prices are so reduced. One item that's currently on sale is this mock … [Read more...]




Would You Have The Nerve To Do This? Yikes!

Mr. Gingerbread Man and his many stories live on! Hahaha! During November and December, whenever I shared about this adorable Kate Spade Gingerbread House bag, the emails, pictures, stories, and comments I received from BNOTP readers, friends, and my daughter-in-law were the best! This fun bag stole the show and was always the topic of conversation everywhere it traveled. I could write a blog post doing … [Read more...]




A Favorite Winter Escape Into The World Of Fashion + A Little Bookcase Decor

Welcome to the 781st Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Winter! Hope this cold January day finds you hunkered down under a warm throw, or if you're working, it's time to take a little break and enjoy a bit of eye candy. Do you ever feel a little scatterbrained? Maybe our brains go through cycles of indecision because I changed my mind at least three times this weekend about what I would share today. Sometimes I … [Read more...]




My December Favorites, Favorite Updates In Real Time & A Very Special Gift

Thanks for all the great suggestions and tips for saving and removing the wax that's left over when a candle is finished. I love the suggestion a couple of you mentioned about putting it in the freezer for a few minutes. I had read about that online, but then forgot to mention it in the post, so thanks for that reminder! I will try that in the future, for sure. I have such a variety of favorites to share … [Read more...]




How To Make A New Candle With Wax Left In The Bottom Of A Candle Jar

Welcome to the 780th Metamorphosis Monday! Do you love candles? Have you ever had an issue with a candle creating a well down the center of the candle as it burned? I've read so many tips about how to avoid that issue, the main one being to let the candle burn allllll the way out to the edges of its container the first time you light it. That, along with keeping the wick trimmed to a normal height, is … [Read more...]




Beautiful Hand-Crafted Christmas Ornaments + A Way To Save On Baccarat Rouge 540

Welcome to the 777th Metamorphosis Monday! Wow, hard to believe Christmas is just a week away now! Lovely Norma (who lives in France) shared a few photos of her tree for this year and it's beautiful! Norma makes a lot of her ornaments by hand so I love seeing how she designs/decorates her tree each year.   Her tree is so elegant this year--dressed in gold, silver, and white! As mentioned, … [Read more...]




My November Favorites & Why Is The Universe Doing This To Me?! Ha!

Have to kick off this November favorites post with something that's torturing me right now. Ha! Last summer, I made the decision to purchase a Yeti Tundra cooler. If you're not familiar with Yeti's "Tundra" cooler, it's the one that has wheels which makes it super easy to move around. That especially comes in handy when it's loaded with ice and drinks. I had purchased a Tundra for my son a year or so … [Read more...]




Sale Shopping Mode Activated & My Favorite Gift Wrapping Paper Is Back!

I'm sure you are super busy with all your holiday decorating and preparations. I spent two solid days (Friday and Saturday) wrapping gifts. So happy to have that done. A few years back I used this adorable paper and I noticed recently that it is back again.   If you're looking for a really cute, whimsical gift wrap for your gifts this year, you'll find this one available here: Christmas … [Read more...]




DIY Festive Christmas Nails, My Ninja Air Fryer Decision & A Fun Way To Pop Popcorn

Just popping in (pun intended) to share some fun things today! Many, many years ago I used to have a microwave popcorn popper. It always made great popcorn. I was thinking recently about how I like popcorn, but do not like prepackaged microwave popcorn. Whenever I've eaten it, it always leaves this disturbing coating on the roof of my mouth. I have no idea what that coating is, but I figure it can't be … [Read more...]




It’s The Battle Of The Ninjas–Which One Will Win?

Welcome to the 775th Metamorphosis Monday! I've often shared with you in previous posts how much I love my Ninja Air Fryer.   I use it almost every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. If someone said to me, you have to give up either your microwave or your air fryer, I wouldn't even have to think twice. The microwave would get the boot because I can't imagine not having this air … [Read more...]




You’ve Been Asking For This–Sorry It Has Taken So Long, But At Last, It’s Ready!

Happy Weekend! I hope you're having a great one! I finally, finally got around to doing something I should have done ages ago, so I apologize in advance for it taking me so long! A few weeks ago (or has it been months now?) someone left a comment asking if I would add a link somewhere on the blog, linking out to the things I often mention in posts--those products I love, recommend and repeatedly use/buy. I … [Read more...]




It’s Currently Sold Out–But I Found It + Fave Phone/iPad Stand & A Puzzle Board Hack

Recently I decided to resubscribe to Netflix. I had unsubscribed years ago because I didn't really care for much of their programming. The reason I decided to give them one more try is that I'd like the ability to watch movies while walking on my treadmill here in the office. My treadmill has a slanted thingy that I could lean my iPad against, but it's really low so would be kinda hard to view. Then I … [Read more...]




Favorite Black Friday Sales & Some Have Been Extended!

Whoo, hoo! The sales are amazing today! This adorable gingerbread bag that I purchased recently at 50% off, has just been marked down another 25% for Black Friday! You'll find that amazing sale here: Gingerbread House Bag, Half Off + An Additional 25% off! The cardholder is also discounted another 25% here: Gingerbread CardHolder.   Now that Thanksgiving has passed, I can't wait to wear this … [Read more...]




A Last Minute Centerpiece Idea & Some New Gifts I’ve Purchased for Loved Ones

Whoa, Thanksgiving is almost here! I'm not hosting this year so I'm going to be spending today hanging my wreaths on my exterior windows. I've also been shopping online since so many of the Black Friday sales are going on everywhere. Before I share the ones I've jumped on, I wanted to share a couple of things you may find helpful as you are finishing up your last-minute details for your Thanksgiving … [Read more...]




A Wish List Item I Finally Purchased AND Some Great Holiday Gift Ideas!

A few days ago someone left a comment that they were having a tough time finding the Newman's Own Lemon Pepper that I mentioned during a previous post that was about making Lemon Pepper Chicken. They also mentioned that they thought it was being discontinued. What?! That put me in a bit of a panic and I immediately bought two more. I hope it doesn't get discontinued since it's my favorite for seasoning … [Read more...]




It Arrived And It’s Even Better Than Before!

I'm popping in to share a quick update. I think I mentioned a few days ago that I was planning on ordering additional place settings of Spode Woodland this year.   Many, many years ago I purchased 6 place settings from either Macy's or Dillards--can't remember which now. I think it was from Macy's--seems like it was Lenox Winter Greetings that I purchased in Dillards. Stinks--not having a … [Read more...]




Cutest Thing Ever–I Could Not Resist! Plus, It’s On Sale 50% Off!

Over the years, Kate Spade has produced some of the cutest, most adorable handbags you can imagine or dream up. As much as I have always loved them, I've been able to resist getting one. Until now.   When I saw this enchanting Gingerbread House bag, it was instant love and I knew I had to have one. Of course, it didn't hurt that it's on sale 50% off right now! (Gingerbread House Bag is … [Read more...]




October Favorites, Much-Loved Holiday Gift Ideas + Found A Dispenser For Cutemol!

I am counting the days until it's time to put my wreaths up in the windows. It's always my favorite way to decorate for Christmas. I used to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to hang the wreaths, but now I put them up a few days earlier so I can enjoy them a little bit longer.   A few years back, I changed out all the ribbons/bows on my wreaths. The old ones had lasted for many years--at … [Read more...]




Don’t Do This With Your Speed Queen Washer, Plus, Affordable Christmas Gifts

Do you own a Speed Queen washer or are you thinking of getting one? If so, be super careful if you use the bleach dispenser that's located in the left front corner! After I shared a post recently with a quick update on how I'm using and loving my SQ washer, I heard from a lovely reader, Cathy, who warned me about using the bleach dispenser. Her Speed Queen washing machine is around 4 years old and she is … [Read more...]




Love This Idea For Keeping Valuables and Collectibles Safe

Since I'm a crazy, handbag-obsessed woman, I like to occasionally watch YouTube videos of handbag unboxings or handbag reviews. In one particular video I watched recently, the YouTuber shared how she secures her expensive handbags and jewelry when she's away. She hinted that there had been an issue in the past, saying, "If you know, you know." I'm not sure what she was referring to but it sounded like she's … [Read more...]




Fall-Winter Survival Favorites & What I’m Buying In The 30% Off Winter Clothing Sale

Happy Weekend! It has been quite chilly here the last few nights although I think we're going to warm up a little this week--just in time for Halloween. I've noticed the leaves are definitely changing now and starting to fall. The cooler temps have had me dreaming of cozy evenings inside, burning candles while sipping yummy hot chocolate. Every season has its own special moments, doesn't it? Though I'm … [Read more...]




Whimsy In The Kitchen, My Favorite Lemon Pepper Seasoning & Incredible Cookware

So, you all know that I'm a bit of a lazy cook. I do enjoy cooking/baking when friends or family are here, but the rest of the time, I go for the fastest, easiest meal I can make. My favorite food that I enjoy at least once a week, sometimes more, is Lemon Pepper Chicken. Over the years I've tried various Lemon Pepper seasonings and I've found them all to be about the same--until recently! Oh my gosh, have … [Read more...]




My September Favorites & Some Are Prime Day Deals! Perfect Timing for Holiday Shopping!

Thanks so much for sharing yesterday how autumn is looking in your area! I loved reading your comments--they made me feel so much more connected with what you're experiencing where you live. We are way behind here in leaf-color-changing compared to so many of you. It was really interesting hearing from those who live in areas that don't necessarily experience a big change--a great reminder that fall isn't … [Read more...]




A Few of My Favorites For Autumn & Thanksgiving Entertaining

It's been ages since I stopped into Pottery Barn or Williams Sonoma. A few days ago I saw some cute Halloween ghost plates for sale on the PB website and wanted to see how they looked in person. Silly me--thinking that there would actually still be any Halloween goodies left in store! Where did I finally end up finding the ghost plates? They are all on eBay marked up for double and triple the price. Argggh! … [Read more...]




7 Big, Beautiful Wreaths For Autumn, All 60% Off! Amazing Fall Sale!

I've been doing a bit of wreath shopping online today and I was super excited to find an incredible sale! All the wreaths in this post were originally $90-$100, but are currently marked down to between $36-$40! That's 60% off! The thing that really caught my eye is how big they all are! Usually, when you find wreaths in the $40 range, they are really too small for most front doors. Not these! Every wreath … [Read more...]




I’m Finally Doing It–Ordering A Sweater I’ve Been Stalking for Years!

How is your weekend going? I have a pretty big update to share tomorrow, something I've put off for many years but am finally getting done. In the meantime, the cooler 60's temps we've been experiencing every night the last couple of weeks are really motivating me to think about my fall wardrobe. If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you know I'm a sweater nut. I may not like cold weather but I sure do … [Read more...]




Brief Cabinetgate Update & Some Halloween-Autumn Inspiration

Here's a quick little update on Cabinetgate for those who are interested--if not, just skip on down a few photos to the fun stuff! On Friday, after the UPS driver left with the storage cabinets I had ordered still in her truck because she was physically unable to get them off the truck in order to deliver them...   ...AND after having told me she would mark them in their system as damaged … [Read more...]




Autumn Handbag Shopping, So Many Beautiful Styles for Fall!

A week or so back I shared a post with a very cool trick I had just read about for removing ink marks from leather handbags. (That post can be found here: Miracle Trick for Removing Pen & Ink Marks from Leather Bags.) Sherry left a comment asking if I had any plans to share a post with some of the new fall handbag styles. Being a huge handbag lover, I thought that would be a fun post to create. Thanks … [Read more...]




My August Favorites + A Heads Up For The Ice Cream Lovers

This girl is whipped right now! lol I've been clearing out the two attic eaves for the last two days and wow, I had forgotten just how large that area is and how much stuff (holiday decor) was stored under there. I have everything out now and have carried around 3/4ths of it down to the basement. Just a little bit more to go and I'll have it all downstairs. It's been quite the job carrying everything down … [Read more...]




This Miracle Trick For Removing Pen & Ink Marks From Leather Saved My Handbag

Recently I discovered an amazing little trick that I never knew about! I had a mini-disaster occur with one of my handbags. There's a barbecue restaurant about 15 minutes from my home. I'm rarely in that area so when I do find myself near the restaurant, I'll sometimes go through their drive-thru to order one of their BBQ plates. On my last visit a few weeks back, when I reached the window where you pay … [Read more...]




How To Adjust The Size Of The Grind On A Salt Or Pepper Shaker

This is probably one of those, "everyone in the world knows this but me" things. lol I love this salt and pepper shaker that I purchased a few years back--except for one thing. Over the past few months, the pepper shaker puts out these huge pepper chunks when I grind a little pepper into my eggs in the morning. This morning, after it happened once again, I started thinking I was just going to have to look … [Read more...]




End of Summer Sale-On-Sale From One Of My Favorite Shoppes

I've been so bad this weekend! I'm trying to save for home renovations but there are so many great end-of-summer sales going on right now, I can't resist! Here are a few of the items that are tempting me. This beautiful linen shirt was already on sale and now it's an additional 40% off. Love the length! This is basically how I dress every day all summer long, white scalloped shorts (from Talbots years … [Read more...]




My July Favorites, Including Some That Would Make Great Birthday or Holiday Gifts

I have some really great things to share with you that were my favorites for the month of July, starting with a new addition to my Penhaligon's perfume collection. If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you know I seriously love me some perfume and have become a wee bit obsessed with the house of Penhaligon's over the past couple of years. I have a lot of their fragrances and love them all! When I heard … [Read more...]




How NOT to Have a Microwave Installed!

This is the state of my kitchen right now, after multiple attempts to purchase and have a microwave installed. When it comes to buying appliances, I'm snakebit and starting to develop a case of ASPTSD--Appliance Shopping Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If that's not an actual medical diagnosis, it may be time to suggest it.   In June, my microwave started making bizarre noises, like a … [Read more...]




An Epic End-of-Summer Sale-on-Sale–So Many Beautiful Pieces!

I love this time of year because this is when all the best summer sales start popping up. Talbots is doing it again--they have a great 25% off sale going, then on top of that, they are giving 50% off the sale prices! I have several things in my cart right now and I am shocked by how great the pricing is coming out. You see the true sale price once the item is in the cart...and it's really good! One of … [Read more...]




These Pierced Charger Plates Appear to Be Available Now In Very Limited Quantity

I've been blogging now for 15 years, and in all those years of sharing table settings here on the blog, the item I've received the most questions about has to be these pierced, cream-colored charger plates I purchased from Horchow back in 2008.   Though I've look several times over the years, I've never seen them available again at either Horchow or Neiman Marcus.   They aren't … [Read more...]




How Do I Like My Speed Queen Washer & Would I Recommend It

Welcome to the 755th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? I hope you had a great one! If you've been following along with my recent washing machine saga, you may remember my 43-1/2-year-old GE washing machine recently started having issues. The appliance repairman I've used in the past when my icemaker acted up, confirmed that parts are no longer available, so it was time to go washing machine … [Read more...]




Prime Days Are Here & Here’s What I’m Eyeing & Have In My Cart!

If you shop a lot on Amazon and are a Prime member as I am, there are some awesome sales going on right now for Prime Members. I've been scoping out the sales today and so many things that I've personally purchased or given as gifts are currently on sale. If you start your holiday shopping early as I normally do, you're going to love the sales! Note: The Prime Days discount shopping is only going on today … [Read more...]




Why I Returned My Brand New Washer And The Washer I’ve Chosen To Replace It

Welcome to the 754th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I mentioned that my beloved 43-1/2-year-old washing machine, the only one I've ever owned, had to be replaced. The washer I purchased to replace it was delivered on June 21st and within 24 hours I was calling the store from which I purchased it, asking them to please come pick it back up.   The Speed Queen washing machine you see on the left … [Read more...]