Gift Ideas for the Holidays & Sharing a Special Love of Mine That I’ve Never Shared Before

With Christmas just 43 days away, I'm sharing some of my absolute favorites that I know from personal experience make great gifts--either for you or for someone else. Before we go holiday shopping, if you plan to hang wreaths this year, especially outdoors, the shop where I purchased mine when I replaced all mine a few years ago, has them back in stock again this year.   The bows with the … [Read more...]




A Sassy GPS, Renaissance Fun and Some Adorable Shopping Finds

I've just returned from spending time with family in Ohio. It was a fun visit with football games, great food, Halloween shenanigans, and a visit to the Renaissance festival. It has been many years since I visited a Renaissance festival--we used to go almost every year when my son was growing up. After spending a fun day going through mazes, eating barbeque, and watching full-armored combat that went from … [Read more...]




It’s June Again, But I’m Still Shopping the Autumn-Winter Sale!

October has decided to be June. I'm in Ohio today and it's so warm outside! It's going to be in the 80s today! What?! Everyone here is wearing shorts except me! I brought along a suitcase full of wool sweaters and corduroy pants that will be useless this week. I still remember the year I visited and we were Trick-or-Treating in the snow! It was the first Halloween I've ever spent watching snow fall from the … [Read more...]




24 Charger Plate Designs, Including Several DIY-Low Cost Options

Welcome to the 734th Tablescape Thursday! Back on June 1, 2017, I shared my entire charger plate collection in one post. Since then, I've added 7 new charger designs to my collection and donated two sets.   The two sets I decided to no longer keep are the large corn platter (top right corner) and the watermelon platter at the bottom right corner. The reason I decided to part with those is … [Read more...]




New Tablescaping Goodies, Attractive Storage Idea & the Room I’m Renovating Next

I'm headed over to Home Depot today. I have a project I'm working on in both the unfinished, the semi-finished, and the storage area of my basement. I will share a lot more about that on Monday for Metamorphosis Monday. In the meantime, I wanted to share a couple of table purchases I just made recently, as well as a few photos of the semi-finished part of the basement at the end of this post. The fall … [Read more...]




Shopping The Early Access Sale And A Favorite Out-of-Stock Item is Back!

Back in 2015, I made a small change to my front porch that had a huge impact. I changed out this dinky, not-so-nice-looking doormat for a bigger, better one.   I was amazed by how it transformed my entrance! What a dramatic difference a doormat can make! This one below looked beautiful for many years. After about 5 years, I decided to order a new one since the original one shown below was … [Read more...]




My September Favorites–Some New Goodies and A Few Perennial Favorites

I have a variety of favorites to share this month. A few I have shared before, but they bear sharing again since I continue to use and love them on a regular basis. You may even spot a few great Christmas gifts in today's post. After setting last week's Halloween table setting for Tablescape Thursday, and using some Colonial Candle tapers in that table, I decided to check out what they had available for … [Read more...]




5 Autumn Outfits, Embroidered Cords I Just Purchased & A Sweater I’m Stalking

It has been chilly here in North Georgia this week! I'm really getting excited about all the beautiful fall fashions. I just purchased these fall-themed corduroy pants today--caught them on sale.   I love, love, love the embroidered autumn leaves and acorns! Sooo dang cute! You'll find them currently on sale here: Corduroy Pants for Fall.   During the winter, I wear a lot of … [Read more...]




My 10 August Favorites–Definite Lifestyle Improvements!

We're 2/3rds through September and I've never gotten around to sharing my August favorites. A lot of my favorites are those things related to the major garage overall I completed recently, but a few fall outside that renovation--like my new desk chair. I'm pretty crazy about the new desk chair that I bought in August when the gas lift cylinder failed on my previous chair and I was unable to repair it after … [Read more...]




A Colorful Upgrade–I’m In Love With This Beautiful Weather Station!

Welcome to the 712th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? I hope it was restful and fun! For this week's Met Monday, I have a small Before/After that makes me smile from ear-to-ear each time I see it--which just so happens to be multiple times per day. It's a small addition here in the kitchen. I've been enjoying it so much, I ended up purchasing another one for my office. What has me grinning ear … [Read more...]




What I Just Bought in the Flash Sale–Couldn’t resist 30% Off!

Just putting out a quick post because I just discovered Talbots is having a Flash Sale...and it's 30% off everything! Whooo, hooo! Usually, I don't discover their Flash Sales in time to share them but this one I did! I already have their corduroy jeggings in the color black and light tan and love them, so I ordered two more pairs. I love corduroy jeggings because I find them sooo much warmer than jeans … [Read more...]




Favorite Fall Fashions for Sweater Weather, I’m Shopping the Sale!

You can really feel autumn trying to sneak in here in Georgia. The temps will be going back up again this coming week, but lately, there's been a crispness in the air and the nights are much cooler. Autumn will be here before we know it! The cooler temps have put me in the mood for a bit of fall shopping and I just discovered one of my favorite stores has a 2-day sale going on their new fall arrivals. … [Read more...]




It’s Here–My Fortnum & Mason Bespoke Hamper Arrived & It’s Delightful!

The Fortnum and Mason hamper I ordered a few weeks back arrived this week. If I ever make it back to London again, I would love to visit their Piccadilly store in person. In today's post, I thought I'd share what I ordered. I also have a sneaky plan for the hamper, looking forward to sharing that very soon.   When I placed my order, I chose their "Large" size hamper. I knew it would be a … [Read more...]




Even Better Than I Expected! Love It When That Happens!

It is sooo nice when you order something online and when it arrives, you discover it's even better than you had expected. That's pretty much the way it always is when I order from L.L. Bean. So many things have changed over the years with so many companies going out of business or just not offering the same level of goods or services that they have in the past. L.L. Bean is one of the few companies where … [Read more...]




Is it True? Will LED Light Fixtures Cause Your Garage Door Opener to Malfunction?

Over the past few weeks as I've shared the updates I've been making here in the garage, one question I've been asked in the comments a couple of times was if the new LED lighting I had installed would create any issue with my garage door opener.   During the renovation process, one of the things I had done was the replacement of the original seal on the garage door. Sometime over the past 40 … [Read more...]




A Unique Birthday/Holiday Gift Idea + 2 Awesome Sales from Two Favorite Stores

Thanks so much to Gail for letting me know about a sale I would have surely missed. Gail knows how much I love Fair Isle sweaters, especially the beautiful ones L.L. Bean carries every winter. This one below was one I purchased a few fall seasons back and I still wear it often during the winter months. It' sooo warm!   They have some really pretty ones on sale right now. This one has been a … [Read more...]




20 Favorites That I Buy Over and Over Again–Can’t Do Without Them!

I've been wanting to put this post together for ages. Sometimes I'll be in the middle of using something and I'll think, I need to share how awesome this is! It took a while and I'm sure I'm leaving some things off that I'll remember later (so this list/post may grow today) but these are some of my favorite things, from clothes to household items, that I find myself purchasing again and again. Since fall … [Read more...]




Susan Albright’s Whimsical Designs, Beautiful Toile Dresses For Summer

This past summer I've been seeing the cutest dresses on Instagram. The dresses were a brand that I had never heard of before called, Susan Albright. I loved the designs I was seeing, they were so fun and whimsical--perfect for summer. Curious to see more, I checked out the website and fell hard for this adorable blue and white toile design depicting scenes around Pawleys Island. Have you ever heard of … [Read more...]




What I Bought in the Sale & Sandals So Comfortable, I Ordered Them Twice

I couldn't resist picking up something from the current Talbots sale since everything on the entire site is 40% off. I'm still debating on this top--I LOVE the design but I prefer all cotton and it's a blend. It probably has enough cotton that I will love it. I may go ahead and order it today since the sale ends today. (Update: I did order it...just too pretty to pass up.) If you love this design as much as … [Read more...]




Garage Sneak Peek & My Favorites from the Talbots and the Amazon Prime Sale

There are so many great sales going on right now! Talbots has a huge sale going on and here are some of my favorites. I love, love, love their linen tunics and have quite a few. They are perfect for wearing on super hot days since they keep the sun off of your arms, yet are so airy, light, and breathable. This beautiful aqua-colored tunic is on sale 40% off. It was originally $89.50, was marked down to … [Read more...]




My June Favorites: Some Practical, Some for Fun & One Almost Got My Grandson in Trouble

Last month I purchased this awesome Margaritaville frozen drink maker as a gift for my son and daughter-in-law who have June birthdays just 6 days apart. I may have had ulterior motives...like hoping for a frozen drink or two on Catan-playing night. lol       I've been seeing this frozen drink maker for many years and I've always wanted to try it out. It did not disappoint! … [Read more...]




Garage Flooring Has Been Chosen & A Back-Saving, Step-Saving New Purchase

Welcome to the 719th Tablescape Thursday! A few days ago I shared plans to have my garage's concrete floor prettied up. I was trying to choose between two flooring systems: Epoxy vs Polyaspartic Polyurea.   After getting estimates for both methods, I've decided to go with the Epoxy system which is also finished off with a topcoat of Polyaspartic. I know several of you asked that I share in … [Read more...]




Trying Out Wedge Pillows for a Better Night’s Sleep, What Worked & What Didn’t

A week or so ago I mentioned I had purchased a wedge pillow to see if it would help with my ongoing sinus issues that seem to always plague me at night. The pillow I've been sleeping on is super low, which I like, but I was concerned that it was contributing to my sinus problem since my head is at such a flat level while I sleep. I've been fighting sinus issues for years. I am beginning to suspect that … [Read more...]




Going Preppy, Favorite Starch/Sizing, & How I Wash Those Favorite Pieces

Yesterday I drove over to Avalon, a local shopping area that's around 25 minutes from my home. I had a Tommy Bahama dress to return that unfortunately wasn't the color I expected when I ordered it online. I never visit Avalon without stopping in to see what's new in Lilly Pulitzer. I really prefer shopping LP in person whenever possible since they offer clothes in such a variety of fabrics. It's kinda … [Read more...]




A 50% Off Sale, A Shirt That Has My Heart, and Something Weird I’m Trying Out

I've been going non-stop since getting back home--going through 2 weeks of mail, returning sandals that didn't fit, getting a very dirty car (on the outside) washed, washing clothes, coloring my hair, creating posts, setting tables, and putting everything back away, and getting a much-needed pedicure. Chipped polish isn't pretty. Do you enjoy pedicures? I don't, just don't like the wasted time sitting … [Read more...]




My May Favorites and An Exciting Discovery That is Saving $$$

I have some really fun favorites to share this month and one is a recent $$$-saving discovery that I wish I had known about ages ago! Let's dive in! Wireless Charger for iPhone and Android Phones: I actually just purchased this at the very beginning of June but wanted to share it now because I'm so pleased with it. At home, I have a wireless charger that I keep by my bed for charging my phone. I forgot … [Read more...]




What I Purchased at the Summer Style Event, Got Some Great Deals

A while back I ordered two pairs of jeggings from Talbots, one in the regular fit and one in the curvy fit. I love their curvy fit in their slim ankle jeans. When the jeggings arrived, I found the legs of the "curvy" fit jeggings were a bit baggier than I prefer. I have a Talbots very close to my home so it's convenient to return an item when it doesn't fit as I wish. Today when I headed out the door, I … [Read more...]




It’s a Sale-on-Sale and I’m Obsessed With This Maxi Skirt

I have been in a summer shopping mood this weekend! It's been so sunny and pretty here and that always puts me in the mood to pickup a few new summer clothes. Talbots is having an awesome sale on just about everything! I notice the sizes are going quickly right now on the "sale-on-sale" items. This top was already on sale and now it's an additional 40% off. Last time I looked, they still have it … [Read more...]




Let’s Go Antiquing!

It's time, time to go antiquing! Grab your water bottle, and your bag, and let's go! We're headed off to the Marietta Antique Mall for this antiquing excursion! Trunk Coffee Table: $250. In the first booth I entered, I came across this really cute coffee table designed to look like a suitcase or trunk. It would be so cute almost anywhere but I could really see it in a vacation home or a lake … [Read more...]




Peloton Bike: Add a Handlebars Adjuster to Move the Handlebars Closer

Welcome to the 694th Metamorphosis Monday! I have a dressing room right off of my master bedroom. Many years ago that room was a 5th bedroom but the first owners of my home walled off the door in the hallway to that room and cut a big opening in the master bedroom wall into the bedroom next door.   I sometimes wonder if/when I move one day, if the future owners of this home will turn that … [Read more...]




Updating My Spring Wardrobe and Finding So Many Cute Things!

Thanks so much for all your comments on Monday's post! You gave me so much to think about. I'm super tempted to look for another Chuck Pinson Giclee to hang above my bed for spring and summer, but here's the thing: once framed, the paintings are really heavy. It was a challenge getting this one up and into place! I had to place two fat pillows across the top of the headboard, and heave the painting up onto … [Read more...]




My April Favorites–So Many Good Ones to Share This Month!

I have so many favorites to share with you from the month of April! You may remember last month I had a lightning strike right outside my home that took out my garage door opener, my computer modem, and my computer speakers. My printer, computer, and everything else survived--thankfully! I purchased a new surge protector the next day since surge protectors can only take so many hits before they no longer … [Read more...]




Louis Vuitton Inspired Agenda Calendar Refill Inserts & To-Do Lists

Quite a few years back I splurged and purchased a Louis Vuitton Large-Ring Agenda in the GM (A-5) size. I had never had an agenda before and wasn't sure how I would like it and if I would really use it. It turned out to be a great purchase! I absolutely love having an agenda and find I use it a lot! My agenda stays open on my desk full time and I refer to it daily. Whenever I travel, it always goes with me. … [Read more...]




Pull-up Jeggings, Beachy Sweaters, Eyelet Tops and Beautiful Summer Dresses

We are really seeing the warmer temps now and it's got me thinking more about my summer wardrobe. I love this time of year when we can finally tuck away some of our heavy sweaters and start wearing lighter, more carefree prints. I was thinking about this yesterday, how "happy" the spring/summer patterns and prints are, compared to fall and winter. I wondered what it would be like to live someplace where it … [Read more...]




“Growing” Flowers That Never Need Watering: A Stylized Floral Bouquet

Welcome to the 691st Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Nothing too exciting going on here this weekend, just a lot of spring cleaning. I cleaned at least 2 inches of pollen (slight exaggeration) from the benches on the front porch and, standing on a ladder, managed to wipe down all the screens on the screen porch without crashing through the screens to the ground below. lol I also cleaned the … [Read more...]




Thinking Way Outside the Box for Mother’s Day Gifts This Year

With Mother's Day just a couple of weeks away, I've pulled together a few gift ideas that I think most Moms would love to receive. There's a little something for every Mom and a couple of these would work as Father's Day gifts for the Dads, as well. Could your Mom use a beautiful tote for grocery shopping or just everyday use? This tote started out at $129, was marked down to $109.99 and now is 40% off … [Read more...]




Freshening Up My Wardrobe for Spring

Recently, I shared this pretty lemon topiary shirt I planned to order for spring. It took me back to my travels to Italy, especially to the Island of Capri.   It arrived and it's so much prettier in person than in the photos. I love it!   I can't wear an all yellow top, though I love yellow so much and wish I could. But since this top has so much green and cream, it looks … [Read more...]




Garage Nesting Doves, An Albino Squirrel and So Many Spring Goodies

Welcome to the 688th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy New Week! I hope your week is off to a great start! I just returned from visiting family in Ohio. It was a wonderful visit, so wish we didn't live so far away from each other. While I was there, we had some return visitors. Every year, a pair of Mourning Doves return to nest on the top shelf of a storage shelf in the garage. This is their 3rd year … [Read more...]




An Easy Way to Store and Display Your Summer and Winter Scarves

Welcome to the 686th Metamorphosis Monday! Do you love wearing a scarf--a woolly warm scarf for winter, or an airy, bright scarf in the spring or summer? My winter scarves tend to get worn a lot more than my summer ones, probably because this girl can't stand being cold for even a minute. lol I think I would wear my summer scarves a lot more if I had them displayed in my closet where I could actually see … [Read more...]




Steaming Wrinkles from Silk Scarves & Two New Pairs of Shoes

A while back I shared some outfits I love to wear come summertime. With this outfit below, I shared a favorite pink wicker bag that unfortunately has canvas handles. I don't know why they chose to put canvas handles on a bag because they are inevitably going to get dirty.   In an attempt to avoid getting the handles dirty, I purchased these handle-covers on Etsy. They worked well except I've … [Read more...]




My February Favorites and A Couple of Things I Have My Eye On

Winter decided to return to Georgia for a period of 2-3 days. It's blustery and cold this weekend but fortunately, our warmer weather is coming back on Monday. In the meantime, the birds are loving the dried mealworms I've been putting out this winter. That's a fluffy bluebird with his back to us atop the mealworm dish--which is really just a flower pot saucer.   A sassy Robin came down for … [Read more...]




My New Summer Dress, End-of-Winter Sale Finds & A Great Spring/Summer Sale

I've been shopping the online sales for spring, there are some great sales underway right now. Before we dive into the sales, I wanted to share a dress I purchased recently. I first spotted it on Instagram and as so often happens, it was sold out. Seems like every time I see a dress I love on Instagram, when I check out the website, it's sold out. I guess everyone else sees it on Instagram and beats me to … [Read more...]




It’s the Weekend, Let’s Go Antiquing!

Recently I mentioned that I was going to start antiquing more. I used to go antiquing every single weekend, but as my home filled up with lovely finds, I started slacking off. I have really missed it so I'm enjoying getting back out on these beautiful, sunny days and seeing what treasures I can find. This weekend I decided to visit the Queen of Hearts antique shop that's about 30 to 40 minutes away from … [Read more...]




Spring Shopping & What I Brought Home from HomeGoods Today

This is our weather right now, it's unbelievably gorgeous outside today. The daffodils and Tulip Magnolias are blooming beautifully! I think the Red Bud trees may already be done, spring has come so early this year!     I love being at home but all this sunshine pulled me out. I've been hoping to visit HomeGoods to see what they had in for spring. I was hoping for some St. Patrick's … [Read more...]




Planning Some Updates to My Spring-Summer Bag Wardrobe, Here are My Faves

Welcome to the 683rd Metamorphosis Monday! My timing is always off for our Metamorphosis Monday party. I seem to always have a Before/After to share about two days after the party. lol If you missed it earlier in the week, I shared an update for the small passageway between my kitchen and living room here: I Listened to You and Went Back for Them. I have a small Before/After in the works, I'm finally … [Read more...]




Preparing for Spring and My Favorite Spring Finds, Both Home and Fashion

I have a serious case of spring fever now. The daylight is staying longer and longer each day and the birds are chirping up a storm. Yesterday I cleaned out the last of the birdhouses, readying them for spring nesting. This was the one I cleared out yesterday and surprisingly, there was only one nest inside. Usually, I find two or three nests inside, but I think that's been when the bluebirds have nested … [Read more...]




I Listened to You and Went Back for Them!

Okay, this is all y'all's fault! Ha! Since so many of you left comments and emailed saying I needed to go back for the vintage birdie prints I saw while antiquing a few days ago, I decided to take your advice and go back and get 'em. I was shocked by how heavy they were when I removed them from the wall in the antique shop to take them up to the register. I noticed that the frames were real wood, I could … [Read more...]




Tempting Finds, May Go Back for a Few Things

Welcome to the 682nd Metamorphosis Monday! No big "Before and After" happening around here for today but I did get some inspiration from antiquing this weekend. The first place I visited was The Market in Woodstock, Georgia.   Saw this big guy just inside the front door.   I don't know why I'm always drawn to sleds and toboggans since I absolutely can't stand cold weather. … [Read more...]




My Top 10 Amazon Purchases for 2021 + a Bonus

I meant to share this post in January, but I'm running a bit late. I thought it would be fun to share those items I purchased last year via Amazon that turned out to be my best or favorite purchases. I forced myself to limit it to just 10 items, which means I had to leave off the wool seat cover I added to my office chair that saved me from being "electrocuted" (only a slight exaggeration) every time I … [Read more...]




Spring Temptations & Should I Spray These Before Baking In Them?

Welcome to the 681st Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Valentine's Day! I hope this Valentine's Day finds you feeling much loved and appreciated! I probably should have waited and shared the display case today instead of on Saturday, but I was too excited to share how it turned out to wait. lol So, I don't have a Before/After to share but I do have a few ideas for spring and Easter from a recent shopping … [Read more...]




It Finally Arrived and I Love How It Looks and Works!

Back just before Christmas, I succumbed to temptation and ordered this awesome Home Alone LEGO house. The house in the movie, Home Alone is one of my favorite movie houses of all time, so I just couldn't pass up on this fabulous LEGO build. (Take a tour of the home as seen in the movie in this previous post: Tour the Home Alone Movie House.)   It was a pretty big undertaking with 3,955 pieces … [Read more...]




Shopping the Spring Fashions & Everything’s on Sale!

It was 61 degrees here today and the birdies were singing their little hearts out. My daffodils are poking their heads up out of the ground and the first day of spring is just a little more than 5 weeks away! Can you believe it?! I'm getting so excited! I've been scoping out the spring fashions today and I came across an awesome sale. I love this sweater that's currently on sale. I especially love it in … [Read more...]




They Mystery of the Bumpy Plates: Sarah Needs Your Help to Solve This Mystery!

A few days ago, Sarah, a lovely BNOTP reader, left a comment on a previous spring shopping post where I had shared some bunny plates I came across in Pottery Barn. She had a question about the plates due to something really odd she was seeing on Peter Rabbit bunny plates she had purchased both last year and this year. Sarah said, "Do you find the Pottery Barn Peter Rabbit stoneware to have bumps on them? … [Read more...]




An Idea That I Hope Will Work–What Do You Think?

A week or two ago I ordered these black jeggings during an awesome sale. I loved them the moment I noticed the beautiful button detail on the side near the bottom of each leg.   I've never seen jeggings with a decorative button detail like this and I love it! (Jeggings with jewel button detail are available here on sale: Bejeweled Jeggings. All jeans and jeggings currently on sale can be … [Read more...]




A New Addition for My Home Office

Welcome to the 678th Metamorphosis Monday! There's a new addition here in my office. It may not be the most aesthetically pleasing piece that I've added to this room, but I'm definitely enjoying it. Recently, I was thinking how nice it would be if I had a smallish treadmill here in the office so when I was in the mood to watch a YouTube video or anything online, I could also be "out for a walk" at the … [Read more...]




How I Finally Purchased (and Funded) a Handbag I’ve Been Stalking for 3 Years

The last time I purchased a handbag was February 19, 2020, almost two years ago. That's showing great restraint for me, considering how much I love handbags. lol Back in 2019, Louis Vuitton produced a Limited Edition shearling version of their iconic Speedy bag. They named it the "Teddy Speedy" and I loved it the moment I saw it. It looked so cozy for fall and winter! Unfortunately, it was priced a good bit … [Read more...]




You’ve Heard of Cozy Mysteries–How About Cozy Puzzles?! They Are The Best!

We are deep into the heart of winter now--it's bloomin' cold outside! Though I sorta hate to admit this, I have kinda come to enjoy winter the last few years. I think deep down I'm a bit of an introvert who is pretty happy staying snuggled up inside reading, puzzling, and working on whatever project I have going at the time. I truly love spending time with friends but I also need my alone time to recharge. … [Read more...]




Most Comfortable Jeggings Ever & What I Bought Shopping the Sale

I'm working on a fun post for tomorrow but I wanted to pop in today to share with you the awesome sale I just caught on some of my favorite jeans. Currently, Talbots has a ton of things marked 50% off. In addition to that, the sale includes another 20% off! Ridiculously awesome sale!   I ended up purchasing 4 pairs of jeggings. I always buy the "curvy" style in their regular jeans to avoid a … [Read more...]




Let’s Go Antiquing at the Queen of Hearts!

A few weeks before Christmas, I was out running errands and couldn't resist a stop by the Queen of Hearts. They had their windows so festively decorated for winter. I love it when shops do that!   So cute! Let's go inside and see what's new--or maybe I should say, what's old! lol   I really liked this lamp, just didn't care for shade. I much prefer my lamps to have either white … [Read more...]




These Shoppes Are Still Promising Delivery by Christmas

It's 4 days before Christmas and if you are still shopping online for gifts, these are my favorite shops that are still saying they can get your gifts to you before Christmas. Talbots has a sitewide 40% sale going on right now.   They are promising delivery by the 24th for all orders placed by 2:00 PM today. You'll find the sale here: Talbots.   Ralph Lauren is advertising … [Read more...]




All The Things! A Gift Giving Guide for Christmas & the Holidays

How's your Christmas/Holiday shopping going? If you're struggling a bit or looking for some last-minute items, here are some of my favorites. You hear me rave about L.L. Bean's Wicked Good Slippers allll the time because my son and daughter are always asking for these when their birthday or Christmas rolls around. They are crazy about them! They come in a ton of different styles.   This is … [Read more...]




Christmas-Winter Favorites are on Sale, Awesome Gift Ideas, Too!

How was your Thanksgiving? I hope it was relaxing and wonderful! Mine was great--I had so much fun visiting with friends in the great state of Texas. I managed to squeeze in a bit of Black Friday shopping while there. I love that we don't have to get out in the fray to shop on Black Friday (unless, of course, we want to) but can stay snuggled up in our jammies and shop the sales right from home. One sale … [Read more...]




20 Toys They Will Love Getting for Christmas This Year

Do you have little ones on your shopping list? In today's post, I've put together a list of both play and learning toys that I've given to my grandsons in recent years. These are the ones they always ask me to play with them whenever I visit. If you've got little ones on your shopping list, I hope you find these ideas helpful. My oldest grandson has always loved this game, now the youngest one really … [Read more...]




Awesome Sales, Hostess Gift Ideas & Gifts for Your Special Loved Ones

I love this time of year! I can feel the excitement of the upcoming holidays in the air, especially when I visit some of my favorite places to shop this time of year. I have a lot of different things I want to share today, so we'll be jumping around a bit in today's post. I think that's the way my brain works anyway. lol A while back I set a fun, mystery-themed table for Tablescape … [Read more...]




New Purchases for the Holidays & An Item You Asked About is Back

Before I forget, wanted to let you know this adorable Christmas Vacation Wrapping Paper is back in stock. I had several folks ask me about it last year and I couldn't find it in stock at that time, but it appears to be back for this year. This has to be my favorite Christmas wrapping paper ever!   I love the whimsical design plus, it's really nice quality paper. There's also a lot of paper on … [Read more...]




Shopping Ahead for Christmas & My Fave Cashmere Shop is Having a Big Sale!

I always start my Christmas shopping a bit early. This year, I've been hearing about all these cargo ships that are stuck off the coast of CA and how there could be shortages of some items. That got me motivated to go ahead and get my shopping done for my two grandsons just in case the shortage rumors turn out to be true. I've been eyeing this awesome robot for them for some time. When their dad was … [Read more...]




My Favorite Fall-Winter Clothing Hack

We've been having beautiful autumn days here in Georgia. The nighttime temps are a bit chilly but then the days warm up so nicely--definitely the kind of weather where layering is in order. I tend to do a lot of layering even in the dead of winter because I don't like wearing a coat unless I'm going to be outside for an extended period of time. I don't normally find a coat necessary if I'm just out … [Read more...]




Advent Calendars for the Tea, Coffee, Chocolate & Wine Lover

A couple of days ago I shared some of my favorite Advent Calendars that have just come out for the holiday season. Most of the ones I shared in that previous post were beauty-themed, although there were a few surprises like this over-the-top beautiful Wedgwood Advent Calendar. If you missed that previous post, you'll find it here: They are Here! The Most Beautiful Advent Calendars of the … [Read more...]




It’s 1921! Let’s Shop the Newest Fashions: Silk-Taffeta Dresses, Oxford Boots & Floral Straw Hats

How about another trip in my time machine? This time we're headed back to January 1921 to check out the news, the movies that are playing at the Capitol Theater, what's on sale at the Piggly Wiggly, and how much the latest styles in hats and shoes will set us back. Actually, some of the prices are a bit higher than I expected. You may remember a few weeks ago I shared this unique end table in my upstairs … [Read more...]




Finally Sharing All Those Photos, Ideas and Tips That I’ve Been Saving

Welcome to the 663rd Metamorphosis Monday! Throughout the year, I'm always taking photos of things that I want to share with you that I think you'll enjoy. I've been going through photos this morning, and I thought it would be fun to share an assortment of random pictures and ideas for this week's Met Monday, especially since one of two of these are Before/After ideas. Hope you enjoy! During one of my … [Read more...]




I Had My Car Windows Tinted: Here’s How They Look & How Much It Costs

Have you ever had your front car windows tinted? I have never had that done with any car that I've owned, but I decided to do that with the car I purchased recently. My main goal in having the two front windows tinted was to get some of the sun that streams in through the windows off of my arms. That's the one part of my body that I think has suffered sun damage over the years. As with most things we do … [Read more...]




My September Favorites & A Long-Needed Pillow Upgrade

I have just a few favorites to share from September and among them I definitely have to sing the praises of these corduroy pants I ordered from Talbots. I love their cords because they don't add inches/lbs to your body like some corduroy pants tend to do. They hug the body just right. I always buy their  "curvy" fit in pants or jeans--that just works best for my body shape. The curvy fit is super … [Read more...]




A Fashion Book Collection & Prada Marfa, A “Shop” in the Middle of the Desert

Welcome to the 661st Metamorphosis Monday! It's always dangerous when I start a new project. Usually, I start out thinking that it's going to be a gradual process, something I'll be working on for a while. Then before I know it, I want to see it completed. Right now! Once I get a vision in my head, I can't seem to put the brakes on or slow down. Anyone else have that problem when starting a … [Read more...]




I Can’t Live Without This Thing–Keep Finding New Ways to Use It!

In the past, I've shared this awesome little desktop vacuum with you. It is amazing! I like it so much, when I set up a desk in the guest room at my son's home, which is also a great workspace for my oldest grandson when I'm not there, I immediately purchased a second one since I use it so much at home.   I use it at least once a week to vacuum my large desk mat that does double duty as a … [Read more...]




Planning Ahead for Autumn and Thanksgiving Holiday Tables

Welcome to 678th Tablescape Thursday! Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma are having some of the same issues a lot of companies are having right now, they are having trouble getting stock into the stores. When I visited Pottery Barn yesterday, I didn't see nearly as many holiday-themed goodies as I would normally expect to see.   I thought these pumpkin-shaped bowls were really cute! There … [Read more...]




8 Ways to Stay Warm and Cozy in the Fall-Winter Home

Tomorrow is the first official day of Autumn. Though the mid-day temps are still in the 70s and lower 80s here in the Atlanta area, you can sense that fall is just around the corner. Not sure why, but for once I'm not dreading the cooler weather as I normally would. Maybe I'm just relishing the return of all the hunkering-down coziness I associate with fall--like woolly, soft, throws, snuggly sweaters, … [Read more...]




Hop in My Time Machine! Destination: January 1957!

Welcome to the 660th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday to you! I hope your week is off to a great start! Last week I shared a new lamp I had added to the upstairs living/bonus room.   In that post, I also shared a little about the "end table" on which the lamp was sitting.   As mentioned in that previous post, my sister, Glenda, used to work as the bookkeeper for a … [Read more...]




August Favorites & An “Autumn is Coming” BOGO Sale

September is halfway over and I just realized today that I hadn't shared my favorites from last month. I spent the first 3 weeks of August visiting my son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons. When I arrived, I was not happy to discover that I had left my toiletry bag with all its contents, at home! Argggh! I had it filled with everything I would need over the next few weeks and I turned right around and drove … [Read more...]




The Painting Arrived & I Found the Perfect Place for It!

I can't quit playing in this room. lol Recently I added some cabinets down the left wall of this guest bedroom that's quickly become my "woman cave." lol   I love handbags and have been really wishing for a long time to gather them all together in one spot where I could see and access them more easily. This wall in the guest room was the only wall big enough and the guest room is very rarely … [Read more...]




This End of Season Sale is Killin’ It! Autumn is on Sale, Too!

I love this time of year when all the end-of-season sales are in full swing while the autumn sales are just kicking off! The end of summer sales are the best right now so this is my favorite time to pick up some great deals for next year. Or, if you live in the south as I do, you can still wear them for another couple of months! I just ordered these earrings. They are normally 29.50 and I got them for $6 … [Read more...]




Musical Lamps

Welcome to the 657th Metamorphosis Monday! Did you ever play the game, Musical Chairs, when you were little? Well, it's been like musical lamps around here lately. lol I may end up with one odd lamp out in the end, not sure at this point. Last week I shared a new lamp I had purchased to use in my home office. It turned out to be much larger than I had expected so not a good fit for the office. Lesson … [Read more...]




A Special Book Inspired This Post, Starting My Holiday Shopping Now

Recently I was scoping out books on Amazon and I came across a book that looked amazing and was available to be pre-ordered. Extraordinary Voyages combines our love of fashion, particularly Lous Vuitton fashion, as well as our love for travel. That makes a lot of sense since Louis got his start in 1854 making beautiful trunks designed for travel. How wonderful it would be to own a vintage or antique LV … [Read more...]




2 Beautiful, New Lamps–Unique in Color and Size, Crazy About Both!

Welcome to the 656th Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks so much for all your input on Friday's post! Appreciate all of your suggestions so much! After three weeks in Ohio, I'm back home now. The weekend was spent unpacking, going through mail, washing clothes, and all the catch-up stuff that usually needs to be done after a few weeks away from home. The two lamps I ordered prior to my trip arrived and I'm … [Read more...]




HomeGoods Shopping Trip: What Would You Keep & What Would Go Back?

A few days ago when I visited HomeGoods, I was surprised by how many things they had in for creating pretty tables and decorating for the holidays.  It felt like old times as I walked through and checked out the new offerings for fall. When I shop for items I may want to use in table settings or my holiday decor, I love to find pieces that aren't necessarily holiday-themed so that I can use them all … [Read more...]




Bow Lipstick Case Repair & A Tale of Two Throws

Welcome to the 655th Metamorphosis Monday! A few years back I shared these absolutely gorgeous lipstick cases by the House of Sillage. I think I first came across them in a post on Instagram and I was smitten!   House of Sillage periodically comes out with new additions and they are always beautiful. Over the last few years, I've added to my collection and I use them all the time. I use … [Read more...]




Warehouse Sale, Up to 75% Off, Ending in 6 Hours–Wish I Had Found It Earlier!

I just discovered a few minutes ago that some of my favorite stores have a huge Warehouse Sale going on and many things are 50-75% off! I wish I had seen the sale earlier since there are only a few hours left (6 hours left as I write this) and the sale ends today. Below I'm sharing a few of my faves and I'll add to this post as I continue to shop the sale.   I've always wanted a piece of Le … [Read more...]




My July Favorites & Today is the Last Day of the Sale!

Today is the last day of the Nordstrom sale, only 13 hours left and the sale will be gone for another year. I ended up purchasing these Mother-of-Pearl heart earrings after a friend of mine purchased them and said they were beautiful! (Thanks, Susan!) That was all the push I needed. Can't wait until they arrive! They are available on sale here: Mother-of-Pearl Drop Earrings. The other item I am still … [Read more...]




Is it Time to Ditch Those Floral Valances in the Guest Room?

In some of my recent posts, we've been playing here in the guest room a lot. In one post I shared a new lamp I had purchased for this room. (See that post here: New Lamp for the Guest Room.)   A week or two later, I added some Ikea Oxberg cabinets down one wall as a fun, attractive way to corral all my handbags into one area. The guest room is so rarely used since family prefers the larger … [Read more...]




Antiquing at the Queen of Hearts.

I hadn't realized how much I missed antiquing until recently when I ventured out to one of the nearby antique malls. Having really enjoyed that trip, a couple of days ago I stopped by a Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors shoppe. As I entered the store, this was the first thing I saw and I could feel the anticipation and excitement coming back that I used to feel during a fun antiquing excursion, … [Read more...]




Magic Bee Dinnerware & Iridescent Flatware-A Mesmerizing Shopping Trip!

Welcome to the 670th Tablescape Thursday! Yesterday I stopped by HomeGoods to see if they had a particular book I would like to find at a discounted price. They didn't but I enjoyed checking out the dinnerware and flatware they had in stock. I haven't shopped inside a HomeGoods in a long, long time because I noticed a few years ago, they seemed to be carrying fewer dinnerware sets. I took some photos … [Read more...]