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

February 6, 2021 by 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: ,



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

February 3, 2021 by 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



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

January 29, 2021 by 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: , ,



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

January 23, 2021 by 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



My Winter Survival Favorites: Part 1

January 11, 2021 by 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 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



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

January 5, 2021 by 69 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



If Santa Didn’t Bring Everything You Wanted…

December 29, 2020 by 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



21 Christmas Stocking Stuffers-Gift Ideas in All Price Ranges

December 19, 2020 by 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



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

December 16, 2020 by 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: , , ,



Favorite Winter Fashions And They Are All On Sale!

December 13, 2020 by 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



My Favorite Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales

November 29, 2020 by 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 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: , , ,



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

November 21, 2020 by 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



My October Favorites Including Christmas Gifts for Family & Friends

November 7, 2020 by 14 Comments

I've been doing a fair amount of Christmas shopping for family over the last few weeks. Today I had planned to share some of my Christmas finds when I realized I had never done a favorites post for the month of October. So this post is a little of both--my favorites from October and some of the Christmas gifts I've purchased for friends and family. This awesome storage pouch definitely makes the … [Read more...]

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



Bringing Out the Cozy: Fave Flannel Sheets & New Art for My Bedroom

November 2, 2020 by 42 Comments

Welcome to the 614th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! This post is going up a bit late because I changed horses midstream. lol When I awoke this morning, all I could think about was how much I wanted to put my flannel sheets on the bed. I'm definitely in the mood for some autumn/fall decorating. Time to cozy up the house before the cold weather arrives! Though I'm … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods



A Dead Computer & The 2 Things That Made The Power Outage Bearable

October 31, 2020 by 50 Comments

Finally, the power is back on. You know, it's amazing how fast our brains adapt to a new situation. I was working on a puzzle and listening to a book on Audible when a loud snap sound happened from the direction of my computer and the lights came on. It felt so weird to have electricity at my fingertips again, to be able to just flip a switch and have light in a room! lol I know that sounds weird but it was … [Read more...]

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



A Cute Retro-Style Refrigerator for My Home Office

October 21, 2020 by 31 Comments

Often when sharing an update here in my bedroom, I end up sharing this view of the room. But just around the corner and out of view is another room.   Previously this was a 4th bedroom, or 5th if counting the Bonus/Frog room, but the first owners of my home closed off the entrance to this room from the upstairs hallway, cut a big opening in the wall to connect it to the Master Bedroom and … [Read more...]

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



It’s Been a Whirlwind Month: Lots of Cleaning, Painting and the Doors Arrived!

October 19, 2020 by 50 Comments

Welcome to the 612th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you probably know I spent much of summer and the start of the school year helping with my grandchildren in Ohio. School is still just 3 hours a day there so it definitely makes it challenging for working Moms and Dads. Once I returned back home, it was full steam ahead! I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods



When Hope Is Not Enough & My September Favorites

October 13, 2020 by 26 Comments

A few weeks back when I was visiting with family, I mentioned to my daughter-in-law that I was super annoyed that as I have gotten older, the pores on my face seem to be more visible. I had heard women complain of having big pores or visible pores all my life, but I had never really understood what that meant. As I've gotten older, I've noticed that I have pores on my face, too! lol I know that sounds … [Read more...]

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



How I Protect My Cashmere-Wool Scarves from Moths & Other Dastardly Bugs

October 6, 2020 by 22 Comments

As you know if you've been reading BNOTP for very long, this girl doesn't do cold weather. Not. A. Fan. However, over the years I've come to discover that winter isn't near so bad if you have the right gear, i.e., quality coats, Uggs, warm sweaters, Uggs, woolly scarves, Uggs, wool socks, Uggs--you get the idea. ;) Next to woolly Uggs, my other favorite cold-weather gear is soft, wool or cashmere … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Organization and Storage, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: , , , , ,



The Best Desk Chair I’ve Ever Had: An Update for My Home Office

October 5, 2020 by 22 Comments

Welcome to the 610th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Today is going to be a busy day around here. The two screened doors for the porch are being delivered and painters will be here cleaning and painting the front porch and washing the decks and the exterior of the screened porch. The cleaning/painting was actually supposed to be done earlier in the spring but … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Finally, They are Back in Stock, I Just Ordered Three New Ones Today

October 3, 2020 by 25 Comments

I've been meaning to create this post for months but I couldn't because all the puzzles in the whole world were sold out the minute it appeared we were all going to be staying home a lot. Okay, that's a slight exaggeration, but barely. Honestly, 500, 750, and 1000 piece puzzles (my faves) were as scarce as toilet paper for months and months! I guess a lot of folks love puzzles as much as I do! I was … [Read more...]

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



There’s a New Guy in Town! Love My New Air Fryer with 2 Baskets!

September 28, 2020 by 43 Comments

Welcome to the 609th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! There's a new guy in town! Do you see him there on my counter?   Each time I visit my son, daughter-in-love and grandchildren, Nancy cooks up the best meals in her Air Fryer. I've been hoping to add one to my kitchen and I finally did that this past week.   This is the one I chose. … [Read more...]

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



A Much-Needed Outing, Cozy Pumpkin Pillows and Buying My First Pair of Embroidered Sundance Jeans

September 26, 2020 by 23 Comments

It's been a minute since I've really felt like myself. Yesterday I committed to something that I wasn't sure I was really up to. I'm so glad I did because I think it was the best thing I could have done. I was trying to chase down some of these adorable cozy pumpkin pillows.  You may remember when I shared these in a recent post. I tried to resist them but it was futile. I love anything that even hints of … [Read more...]

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



How Teresa Protected the Vachetta Leather on her Beautiful LV Croisette Bag

September 21, 2020 by 27 Comments

Welcome to the 608th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Sorry, this week's Met Monday is going up a bit late. I'm still fighting a horrible sinus infection and pneumonia so not at my best right now. But enough of that, let's have a little travel adventure and some fashion fun for this week's Metamorphosis Monday! If you are a handbag lover, especially a Louis … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: , , ,



My August Favorites for Organizing, Cleaning, Fashion, Makeup, Better Sleep + Gifts Ideas

September 12, 2020 by 17 Comments

It's that time again, time to share all my favorites from the previous month--the things I really enjoyed and feel comfortable recommending. I rarely wear slides or backless sandals these days but I fell in love with the design of these. They reminded me so much of the turtles I saw on the beaches during a trip to Hawaii a couple of years ago. I've been wearing them outdoors here when the kiddos are … [Read more...]

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



Cozy Tops I’ve Purchased for Staying Comfortable and Warm This Fall and Winter

August 26, 2020 by 17 Comments

Partially as a joke, but mostly to memorialize a year that none of us will soon forget, I purchased this sweatshirt. It's pretty much how I feel about this year, except for the "spending more time with family" part. That part has been great! But the rest--definitely a "1 Star, Would Not Recommend" kind of year! ;) I purposely bought the hoodie above in a Large. I've never done that before--purchased a … [Read more...]

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



Thinking Ahead to Autumn For This Tablescape Thursday

August 20, 2020 by 25 Comments

Welcome to the 622nd Tablescape Thursday! Have schools opened up yet in your area, yet? Here in Ohio, where I'm currently helping with my grandsons, the opening date has been delayed, but it looks like they will opening for half days very soon. Just wondering what you're seeing in your area? I was thinking ahead to fall and Halloween this morning. I love Halloween, it was always one of the most … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fall Tablescapes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Tablescape Thursday



Great End of Summer Sale & 2 New Pairs of Shoes for Less than 1/2 Price

August 19, 2020 by

Have you noticed how all the shops are gearing up for the arrival of fall-winter fashions? It's still very much summer here in the south so this is a great time to shop the summer clearance sales. Talbots is having their first-ever Cyber  Warehouse Sale and it's a good one! You can access the sale here: Talbot's Summer Sale.     What have I picked up so far? I couldn't resist these … [Read more...]

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



10 July Favorites: One for My Daughter-in-Law, Then I Had to Have One, Too!

August 12, 2020 by 22 Comments

I have to kick off this month's Monthly Favorite's post with a surprise purchase I wasn't expecting to make. Back in the spring of last year, I ordered this adorable bamboo bag below. Originally, I thought this bag design was inspired by the Cult Gaia bag that's been so popular the last few years but then I learned these bamboo arc bags have been around for many, many years. I guess Cult Gaia just brought … [Read more...]

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



Life is Short, Buy the Dish!

August 6, 2020 by 17 Comments

Welcome to the 620th Tablescape Thursday! With the big Nordstrom Anniversary sale going on this week, I was curious to see if it included any tabletop items. I'm always on the watch for great sales for kitchen and dishware goodies. I'm not at home this week to set a table so today I'm sharing some of my faves from the sale. I've also included a few items that I really like but may not be on sale right … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beachy Tablescapes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday



2 Big Sales: Nordstrom and Talbots Are Doing It Again

August 5, 2020 by 14 Comments

Two of my favorite stores have huge sales going on right now. Nordstrom just kicked off their big Anniversary Sale that they only have once a year. The early access started yesterday and you'll find the sale here: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. If you're a Barefoot Dreams fan, def check out the barefoot dreams cardigan and throws linked below. Talbots also has a big sale going on with 40% off any 2 … [Read more...]

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



My Favorite Summer Bags and Many Are Currently On Sale or Clearance

August 1, 2020 by 11 Comments

I've always had a big love for handbags in woven natural materials like wicker, rattan, straw, and bamboo. Growing up in the south, I saw a lot of those bags being carried throughout my childhood into adulthood. Even today, wicker bags are still so popular, a classic style that I don't ever see going away. I have a small collection of wicker/rattan/bamboo bags and I'm always tempted to add another one … [Read more...]

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



Add Stars to the Ceiling of Your Bedroom, Living Room or Theater Room for a Magical Experience

July 27, 2020 by 67 Comments

Welcome to the 600th Metamorphosis Monday! Last week I shared this photo of a bedroom with a star-covered ceiling. I loved the look of this so much, I ordered a few stars to see how they would look on my bedroom ceiling.   After doing a little test run with a few stars, I decided to go for it. I ordered a bunch more stars from different companies and got to work placing them on my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , , ,



I Love These Shorty Pajamas, But If You Sew, Is This Normal?

July 25, 2020 by 39 Comments

I always love tweaking things to make them a bit more functional or even just a little most pleasing to the eye. Since I've been staying home a little more than usual, I've found myself noticing even the smallest of things that could use some improvement. One of those recently was the nightclothes I sleep in each night. For winter, it's always heavy flannel PJs because I love the extra warmth and … [Read more...]

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



Only Hermes Can Make You Feel This Spoiled When Buying a Book

July 22, 2020 by 26 Comments

If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you know I love collecting books about decorating and gardening. In the last few years, I've also purchased a few books on designer fashion, another topic I sometimes enjoy. I don't buy a lot of fashion books but recently I saw one online that I'd heard about. It sounded really cute so I decided to order it.   This book is a bit unusual because it's a … [Read more...]

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



June Favorites & A Miracle Cleaner That Saved My White Cabinet from Ruin

July 17, 2020 by 32 Comments

We're already halfway through July and I just realized I never shared my favorites from the month of June. These Lilly Pulitzer inspired masks are at the top of that list. When I'm out and about these days, it's mostly just for a stop by the grocery store or the bird store for more birdseed. Every single time I wear one of these, someone compliments them. I had to stop by my Endocrinologist's office … [Read more...]

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



Making a Few Changes and Upgrades, From the Kitchen to the Bath

July 13, 2020 by 29 Comments

Welcome to the 598th  Metamorphosis Monday! It's funny all the things you notice when you're home a lot! I've been making a lot of small changes, little updates in both the kitchen and bath that are really long overdue. For example, a while back I noticed the wood tray I store my flatware in had somehow gotten stained over the years. I'm guessing something splashed or dripped inside the drawer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: , , ,



A Fabulous Sale & A Surprise Find for 1/3 the Cost! Could It Be The Same?

July 11, 2020 by 16 Comments

Happy Weekend! This whole past month I have been working on tons of little mini-projects here around the house. Ever since I returned from Ohio, I've been deep into spring cleaning, actually more like spring clearing. I've been going through bathroom closets, replacing the old, warped, brown-stained wood shelving with bright-white, wide, flat melamine shelving. I've been clearing out drawers, … [Read more...]

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



Sharing Before These Sales End, A Little Christmas and Back-to-School Shopping

July 8, 2020 by 5 Comments

July is when I normally start picking up a few Christmas gifts here and there for family. I've bought a few sweaters for my grandsons recently. They came today and they were so nice, I decided to go ahead and create a post to share the sale before it ends or before the sizes are all gone. Unfortunately, these items sell out quickly. This sweater arrived today and I love it! I can't wait to give it to my … [Read more...]

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



You Asked and I Found ‘Em! Happy Summer & 4th of July!

July 4, 2020 by 23 Comments

Happy Independence Day! I hope you are having a great 4th! I had planned this weekend to work on a fun project but that got postponed when I couldn't get the item I needed from the Atlanta Ikea. When I drove down on Friday, there was a monstrous line coming out the door, going around the building and down the side of the building. I'm guessing there were at least 100 people (probably more) standing in … [Read more...]

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



Answering Your Questions & Recent Purchases Including One That’s a Bit Over the Top

June 28, 2020 by 16 Comments

I started to save this post for tomorrow's Metamorphosis Monday, but I have some great eye-candy I'll be sharing in that post. Today, I'm answering some of the questions I've received on recent posts and sharing a few purchases that are making me ridiculously happy. When I posted about this cute desk caddy/organizer, someone asked about the mercury glass balls in the background.   Some of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: ,



A Great Sale & A Tactic for Getting the One You Missed

June 24, 2020 by 13 Comments

Have you ever come across a shirt or dress that you liked so much,  you didn't wait for it to go on sale for fear it would sell out? That's what happened to me with this beautiful shirt below. I loved how it looked so much, I bought it the day I came across it, not waiting for a sale. I wish I had taken the time to read the reviews because after it arrived, I discovered it ran quite large. I had ordered my … [Read more...]

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



Turning Lemons into Lemonade: New Doors for My Screened Porch

June 22, 2020 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 595th Metamorphosis Monday! You know that old saying, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Well, today's Before and After is definitely a case of me trying to turn some pretty sour lemons into some delicious lemonade. But before I pour you a glass of lemonade, I want to share some napkins I'll be using later this week in a patriotic table setting, in case you are in need of napkins … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,



I Went Antiquing and the Prices I Found Blew Me Away!

June 20, 2020 by 35 Comments

It has been ages since I've been antiquing. I used to go all the time. I miss it, it's such a fun, relaxing way to spend a few hours. Yesterday I stopped by Flourish Antiques which is located inside the Marietta Antique Mall. I had three lamps that needed small repairs. One lamp was kinda wobbly and needed tightening up and the other two were doing that weird thing where you have to turn the switch … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods



Create a Beautiful, Arched, Balloon Garland for Birthdays & Other Special Occasions

June 10, 2020 by 28 Comments

During the first part of June, it's Birthday Central here at my son's home. My son's birthday is immediately followed by my youngest grandson's birthday, which is followed a few days later by my daughter-in-law, Nancy's, birthday. So there was a lot of decorating, partying and cake-eating happening over the past week or so! For my youngest grandson's 4th birthday celebration, Nancy decorated in a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decorating, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



How I Remove Dirt & Scuff Marks from the Corners of My Leather Handbags & Boots

June 8, 2020 by 20 Comments

Welcome to the 593rd Metamorphosis Monday! It has been Birthday Central here this past week. In just a 7 day period, we've celebrated my son's birthday, my youngest grandson's birthday and today is my daughter-in-law's birthday. For this week's Met Monday, I had hoped to share some of the decorations, including some info about how I made this balloon arch, but I couldn't get all the pictures ready in … [Read more...]

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



May Favorites: A New Book & A Beautiful Dress I Bought That’s Now $22.95!

June 6, 2020 by 18 Comments

Happy weekend! It's sooo pretty here and finally, the weather has warmed up. Hope you are seeing blue skies and sunshine today! Last month, for my Monthly favorites, I did a switcheroo and shared all my daughter-in-law's favorites. If you missed that post, you'll find it here: Nancy's April Favorite and the Ones I'm Buying for Myself.  This month I'm again sharing my favorites, a few items I've … [Read more...]

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



My Favorite Bag Organizer and One So Poorly Made, I Will Never Buy It Again

June 1, 2020 by 43 Comments

Welcome to the 592nd Metamorphosis Monday! A well-designed, well-made bag organizer or bag insert can be one of the best purchases you'll ever make to protect and support your favorite handbag, but a poorly designed or constructed organizer can actually do more harm than good--damaging or warping the shape of your bag. Today I'm sharing my favorite places to shop for bag organizers and one organizer I … [Read more...]

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



New Additions to My Summer Wardrobe and Big Changes at Lilly Pulitzer

May 20, 2020 by 10 Comments

Since I left Georgia with only cold-weather clothing in my suitcase, I've been gradually building a small summer wardrobe. It's given me a good excuse to do some spring/summer clothes shopping, so I'm not complaining. Over the past few weeks, I've purchased quite a few casual summer dresses. I love casual dresses for hot summer days! While shopping online, I was thrilled to discover that Lilly Pulitzer … [Read more...]

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



Springtime Fun: Let’s Go On a Picnic!

May 10, 2020 by 10 Comments

Welcome to the 589th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently, we went picnicking in beautiful Smith Gardens. We had sooo much fun, we are hoping to do a lot more picnics this spring and summer.   I thought it would be fun to upgrade our picnic supplies, so this weekend I went picnic shopping and found the cutest baskets! I wanted a picnic basket that would work for four adults and found several … [Read more...]

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



How We’re Zooming (and Escaping) While Stuck Inside

May 8, 2020 by 22 Comments

If you're stuck inside, my philosophy is you might as well have some fun with it. Over the past few weeks, my grandsons have had a few virtual meetings with their classmates, hosted by their teacher. After a couple of those, I got an idea. I ordered some fun backdrops for their meetings like the one shown below. I also ordered a couple I thought my daughter-in-law, Nancy, would enjoy for some of the Zoom … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Photography, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , ,



A New Bag for Walks-Hikes, Gifts for My Son and More Summer Wardrobe Updates

May 3, 2020 by 18 Comments

Welcome to the 588th Metamorphosis Monday! Pssst: I'm sharing some awesome deals I've scored on spring clothing the past few days at the end of this post, including some great shirts for the guys. So if that's of interest, check those out at the end of the post. A Bag for Walks and Hiking Whenever I visit my son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, we always go hiking on the weekends and for walks … [Read more...]

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



Springtime and It’s All About the Bunnies

April 23, 2020 by 19 Comments

Welcome to the 605th Tablescape Thursday! We've been seeing so many bunnies here lately. There are several that live in our backyard and we just saw another during an afternoon walk yesterday. This area feels a bit like a preserve or park with how comfortable the bunnies and squirrels are around the people who live here. It's surprising how many you see and how close they will let you get. Yesterday … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday



March Favorites, New Summer Clothes & How I’m Storing My Shoes & Handbags

April 19, 2020 by 17 Comments

I'm late in sharing March favorites. There are really so many I could share since I've purchased a number of things over the past month while setting up a mini workspace and shopping for spring clothes online during the time I've been visiting with my son and daughter-in-law. I've narrowed it down to my absolute favorites and I hope you find these favorites helpful. A few summers back, I put together a … [Read more...]

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2 Before & Afters: How My Daughter-in-Love, Nancy, and I Work from Home

April 13, 2020 by 27 Comments

Welcome to the 585th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope everyone had a great weekend! I have an exciting, pretty "Before and After" to share today, actually a couple of Before and Afters! You may remember a while back I purchased this small desk to use when visiting my son, daughter-in-love and grandchildren. In the past, I always brought along my laptop. Combined with an exterior monitor, this set up worked … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Starting Over: Poor Planning & Building a Summer Wardrobe from Scratch

April 8, 2020 by 26 Comments

When it appeared the schools would be closing here in Ohio back in early March, I hurriedly packed my suitcase, loaded up my SUV with a bunch of my son's old, childhood toys and some other gifts I've been meaning to bring up, and I headed north. It was still very cold in Ohio, in fact, it was snowing the day I arrived. I didn't pack quite as many clothes as I normally do. I tossed in 2 coats: a favorite … [Read more...]

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On the Hunt and I’ve Found a Keeper!

April 6, 2020 by 73 Comments

Welcome to the 584th Metamorphosis Monday! Back in March 2015, I wrote a post about my search for the perfect sleeping pillow. At that time, I had just ordered a new mattress/box springs for my bed and had foolishly tossed my old pillows thinking I should replace those, too. Unfortunately, the new pillows I purchased were super uncomfortable and I really regretted getting rid of my old ones. I found … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods



Spring Cleaning and All My Favorite Cleaning Products In One Post

April 4, 2020 by 16 Comments

Recently I received an email asking about the Eye Vac I purchased a few years back. I still love and use it allll the time! It and my Mopnado have made keeping my floors clean so much easier/faster. That email got me thinking about how this is the time of year so many of us would normally be doing our spring cleaning. Since we are all home so much more this spring than we ever have been before, I thought … [Read more...]

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



How I’m Passing the Time and Keeping My Sanity

March 27, 2020 by 52 Comments

Do you consider yourself an Introvert or an Extrovert, or somewhere in between? I'm pretty sure I'm more of an Introvert since I can spend days and days at home alone and never get bored. Between books, movies, home projects, puzzles, and online entertainment, I have to really work at it to get bored. If you're finding this time depressing or a real struggle, probably the best antidote is getting out for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods



My Favorite Hairstyle and Anxiety at the Hair Salon

March 24, 2020 by 106 Comments

I've never enjoyed going to a hair salon, I find it a huge anxiety-producing experience, mostly because I rarely walk out with a haircut that I like. Many years ago I had a stylist who did cut my hair just as I liked, but the salon went out of business and I have no idea where she went or if she just retired. She was consistent and always cut my hair the same way without me having to do a full rundown of … [Read more...]

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Sharing All My Favorites for a “Spoil-You-Quickly” Home Office

March 23, 2020 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 582nd Metamorphosis Monday! Whenever I visit my son, daughter-in-love and grandsons, I'm usually here for a few weeks. Initially, I worked from my small travel laptop at their dining room table during my visits, but one day it dawned on me that I could fit a smallish desk into a corner of the guest room. I purchased a large monitor thinking it would help take the place of the double … [Read more...]

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My Go-to Easy, Delicious, Filling Breakfast & A Project I’ve Been Working On

March 21, 2020 by 33 Comments

Thanks so much for all the lovely emails and the comments on our 600th Tablescape Thursday post! Appreciate those so much! It's been so busy around here with two little ones home fulltime, I haven't had a chance to reply but I will be doing that very soon. I had hoped to post yesterday but I spent the day putting a desk together and setting up a little office space here in the guest room of my … [Read more...]

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Beautiful Spring-Easter Dinnerware & My Last Trip Before The Stores All Closed

March 18, 2020 by 32 Comments

Day 3 of my captivity. This self-isolation stuff reminds me of the "Cat's Diary." Such strange times we're living in!   Just before I left for Ohio, I stopped into Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma to check out their spring dinnerware and decor. I'm so glad I did now since almost all the stores have closed their doors. It's really weird to imagine all the stores out there filled with … [Read more...]

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Updating My Spring Wardrobe & A Designer Inspired Purchase I Made

March 7, 2020 by 11 Comments

This morning I had a $25 Talbots Reward Certificate that was burning a hole in my pocket. lol The weather has been sunny and beautiful the last few days so I decided it was time to use that certificate and shop the awesome spring sale they have going right now. The sale gives you 30% off everything at the site, including all sale items. I also received an email with a code for 40% off any one item that's … [Read more...]

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



My February Favorites

March 3, 2020 by 23 Comments

Yay, for March! Once March arrives, I feel like spring can't be too far behind. I know many of you still have weeks of cold weather left (as we do here in Georgia) so you may find this post especially helpful since I'm sharing a lot of my fave winter pieces that have made winter a lot more tolerable, if not enjoyable. My go-to pants for the past few fall/winter seasons have been my Talbots straight-leg … [Read more...]

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See The Christian Dior Exhibition For Yourself in This Exciting New Book!

February 26, 2020 by 2 Comments

Last summer I traveled to England for the first time. During that trip, I was fortunate to be in London at the same time Christian Dior Exhibition was taking place in the Victoria and Albert Museum.   The exhibition was an in-depth look at many of Christian Dior's designs spanning from 1947 to the present day.   It was a truly wonderful exhibition! If you missed that previous … [Read more...]

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



January Favorites & My Absolute Favorite Cozy, Warm Shoes for Indoors

February 19, 2020 by 18 Comments

Definitely one of my most favorite purchases during the month of January was a new pair of Ugg boots. I love wearing Uggs inside, especially when I'm working at my desk because they keep my feet sooo warm. And if your feet are warm, that's half the battle to staying warm all over, at least it is for me. I had a pair of pink Uggs I purchased a year or so ago, but shortly after I purchased them, they began … [Read more...]

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



An Awesome President’s Day Sale & Some Great Transition Pieces Going Into Spring

February 16, 2020 by 7 Comments

I've been waiting for the end of season sales to kick in and they have! On top of that, there are some awesome President's Day sales going on right now. Wait until you see the discounts, I was shocked by how great they are, so many of the things I like are close to 75%  off! For example, this adorable polka dot shirt was $44.50 and now it's only $11.99! You'll find it on sale here: Polka Dot Shirt. I … [Read more...]

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



What Women Really Want for Valentine’s Day, Plus a Couple of Ideas for the Guys

February 8, 2020 by 16 Comments

Forget the flowers and the chocolates, I love a gift for Valentine's Day that truly lasts, not one that's consumable or will wilt within a few days. Today I'm sharing a few of my faves that I think any woman would love getting either from her sweetheart (or for herself) on Valentine's Day. I'm also sharing a couple of ideas for the guys because they deserve a special gift on Valentine's Day, too! For … [Read more...]

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Tips On Using a Sweater Shaver & How I Almost Ruined My L.L. Bean Boots

February 3, 2020 by 32 Comments

Welcome to the 575th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday! I hope you had an awesome weekend! Before I get into my Met Monday post, I wanted to share a few thoughts I had this weekend about the sweater shaver I just purchased a few days ago. I know several of you have shared stories from the past where you used an electric shaver/pill-fuzz remover and ended up having the device cut your sweater. I used … [Read more...]

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



Fastest Way to Remove Fuzz and Pills from Winter Sweaters

February 1, 2020 by 12 Comments

Since we're deep into sweater weather where I live, I've been very tempted to try out one of the battery-operated sweater shavers, the kind that removes pills and fuzz from sweaters. I've been using a sweater comb and it does work just fine, but with the number of sweaters I have, and wear (I wear one almost every day) it can take a while to de-fuzz them all.   Recently, I ordered the sweater … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods



Compact Leather Cardholder Wallet in a Cute Bee, Deer and Fox Motif, Perfect for Smaller Handbags

January 29, 2020 by 37 Comments

I have two full-size wallets that I enjoy using, but occasionally when I'm carrying one of my smaller handbags and need to carry a few more things along with me that day, I'll downsize into a compact wallet/cardholder. I have one compact wallet in a pretty blue color but would like one in a more neutral color to go with my other smaller size bags. I was leaning toward buying a black Chanel cardholder, … [Read more...]

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The Secret(s) to Keeping My Favorite Sweaters Looking New for Many Years

January 26, 2020 by 36 Comments

Welcome to the 574th Metamorphosis Monday! A few days ago I blogged about a unique company that specializes in making beautiful cashmere sweaters at affordable price points. I loved the story behind the company and ended up purchasing several of their sweaters. If you missed that previous post, you'll find it here: Two Hilarious Videos & Ordering Cashmere from a Company with a Sense of … [Read more...]

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Two Hilarious Videos & Ordering Cashmere from a Company with a Sense of Humor

January 22, 2020 by 19 Comments

I can't remember where I first discovered Naadam, it may have been via an Instagram ad. Anyway, for some time now I've been looking for a really long cashmere sweater, the kind that's about the length of a coat. The only problem was, the ones I was finding were quite pricey...in the $400-600 range. Then I discovered Naadam's long cashmere sweater and the price was much better! Unfortunately, a lot of other … [Read more...]

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Where Are the Magical Un-decorating Fairies & Buying ALL the Tartan!

January 18, 2020 by 23 Comments

Happy Weekend to you! How is your weekend going? It's raining here today so it's a great day to stay inside and read, do puzzles or watch a good movie. I've been running hither and yon since I returned home from my month-long visit to Ohio for the holidays. My son and daughter-in-law asked that I stay through my birthday, just as they did last year. That helps them with babysitting needs for the school … [Read more...]

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How Do They Look & Which Way Is Your Favorite?

January 13, 2020 by 66 Comments

Welcome to the 572nd Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday! I hope your week is starting off great! Mine has started off with an interesting twist. Unfortunately, my car left me stranded last night at the grocery store. I think it's probably a dead battery. Apparently, my battery doesn't like really cold weather. It's used to sleeping inside a garage at night in Georgia and not outdoors in Ohio. lol I've … [Read more...]

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



December Favorites, Comfort Clothes for Everyday Life & 2 Wish-List Items On Sale

January 11, 2020 by 30 Comments

I'll be heading back home in the next few days. It has been a wonderful visit with a lot of this going on. I will miss these moments, snuggling and reading. The book we are reading, A Dark, Dark Tale, is a favorite of my youngest grandson, as it was with his dad. I love it, too. We love looking for the black cat on every page and it has the cutest surprise ending. (Book is available here: A Dark, Dark … [Read more...]

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



A Whimsical “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” Table Setting

January 9, 2020 by 24 Comments

Welcome to the 590th Tablescape Thursday! I have such a treat for you today, especially if you're still a kid at heart, as I am. Recently Elena shared the most adorable table she put together for her Christmas gathering with family. I know Christmas has passed but this table was just way too adorable to wait another whole year to share. Feel free to bookmark this post or pin these photos to Pinterest if … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , , ,



2020 Calendar Insert & Delightful Dashboards for an Agenda

January 6, 2020 by 22 Comments

Welcome to the 571st Metamorphosis Monday! Toward the end of 2017, after years of buying a new agenda/calendar at the start of each year, I decided to make a change for 2018. I decided to purchase an agenda cover that I could refill each year. Having just fallen hard for Louis Vuitton after seeing one of their amazing antique trunks in an LV store while vacationing in Maui, I decided to go with an LV … [Read more...]

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



Favorite After-Christmas Sales & Cozy Styles for the Upcoming Winter Months

December 28, 2019 by 7 Comments

Happy New Year to you! How was your Christmas? I can't believe 2020 is almost here! We still have three more months of cold weather to get through, maybe four months for some areas, so I've been checking out the after Christmas sales to see what's available to help make these next few cold months a bit more bearable. I love this cashmere cable knit sweater that's currently on sale. Navy is such a … [Read more...]

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



Last Minute Gift Ideas for Christmas, Stocking Stuffers, Too!

December 21, 2019 by 18 Comments

Christmas is just four days away. If you're still struggling to find the right gift for someone on your list, here are a few suggestions ranging in cost. All these products are from stores that state they can still ship in time for Christmas, although some items may not include free shipping. I've also included some great stocking stuffer ideas. Merry Christmas and Happy Shopping! I love a cashmere … [Read more...]

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



Rug Shopping and the Art of Making Fur Angels

December 16, 2019 by 20 Comments

Welcome to the 568th Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever read the children's book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie? It was a favorite of my son's when he was growing up and the title quickly became a common catchphrase in our home. For example, when we added hardwood flooring to our home, we instantly wanted rugs for the floors. If you buy a new handbag, you may find yourself longing for a new wallet. And … [Read more...]

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Christmas Gift Ideas & A Cuddly Splurge I Made for Christmas

December 10, 2019 by 7 Comments

This morning a good friend emailed to tell me about an awesome deal from L.L. Bean. I jumped on it quickly because it ends today and I knew the popular sizes would go fast. I bought this Anorak pullover in two colors: red/blue and the olive/teal shown below.   It was already on sale and after using the code, Gift20, it brought the price down to just $27! Everything right now is on sale at … [Read more...]

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Tent Beds & Dinosaur Sleeping Bags for Visiting Children During the Holidays

December 4, 2019 by 18 Comments

Merry Christmas! How was your Thanksgiving? Our Thanksgiving was great, the days just passed way too quickly. Having this house filled with family and two boisterous little boys was a joy! I was so sad when it was time for them to go home, I was almost in tears as they drove away. The only thing that made me feel a bit better was knowing I'd be seeing them again in just a couple of weeks. Do you have … [Read more...]

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



Transforming My Home, Table & Wardrobe This Cyber-Monday

December 2, 2019 by 22 Comments

Welcome to the 566th Metamorphosis Monday! Today is Cyber Monday! There are so many amazing deals going on right now, I had to share some of my favorites today. The ones I'm sharing will transform your home and your table for the holidays. Some will even give your wardrobe a holiday boost. Before we get into some of the amazing sales I've found, if you are starting to decorate for Christmas and will … [Read more...]

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



The Best of Black Friday Sales

November 29, 2019 by 5 Comments

I haven't done any Black Friday shopping until this evening but I'm finding some awesome deals! Here's what I'm loving so far! Noritake is offering 30-50% off sitewide! You'll find the sale here: Noritake: 30%-50% Off.   Tartan Bedding On Sale I'm often asked about the tartan bedding in my master bedroom. It's currently on sale 50% off here: Tartan Bedding. That's the most I've ever … [Read more...]

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Super Heros in My Refrigerator

November 25, 2019 by 15 Comments

Welcome to the 565th Metamorphosis Monday! I spent the entire weekend cooking, decorating and cleaning, mostly cleaning. I went ahead and made the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup that I plan to serve on Thanksgiving Day. The squash smelled so good roasting in the oven!   While it roasted, I got the onion, butter, apple and sage cooking. Ummm, I love the smells of Thanksgiving and Christmas … [Read more...]

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



Affordable Gift Ideas, Beautiful Party Dresses & 2 Awesome Sales

November 19, 2019 by 15 Comments

There are some awesome sales going on right now! Before I get into some of the gifts I've been buying, if you are interested in hanging wreaths on your windows for Christmas this year, the is the best place I've found to purchase the type bows you saw me using in yesterday's post: 12 Pack of Red Velvet Bows. The price is excellent and reviews look great! When my bows ultimately need replacing, that's … [Read more...]

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