Matchy Matchy

I'll admit it. I am NOT in denial. I am not a matchy matchy person. If you are a matchy person, I think you know who you are. You know, your bed has to be in the center of the wall and you have identical end tables on each side of the bed and one medium sized picture directly above your headboard. You, are far better organized then I, and when your items are in perfect proportion you are calm and happy. But alas, I don't match. I am me. My brain needs to jump from here to there, notice this and that. It will glaze over and shut down if everything is an exact match. Lets face it, we've all been there...walked into a room where every piece of wood is stained the same color, every fabric is from the same line (even the wallpaper), and every accessory looks like it was purchased from the same store. Beautiful? Sure. Do my eyes glaze over? Yes. Even you matchy people know when it's just tooooo much. In my opinion, coordinating, not exact matching is what feels good to me. This brings me to the house project that has been floating around in my head...my kitchen. I'd like to replace my island (work station, seats 4 people) with something that doesn't MATCH my other cupboards....remember it will coordinate.
Here are a few pictures I got from http://www.kitchens.com
Notice the variety of colors, countertops, and textures in the same kitchen. The islands are all different, and it just feels good to my brain.











My cabinets are honey oak and the layout is similar to this kitchen (below). I don't have a sink in my island. I think I would like to go with an island in almond or black. I'm liking these light fixtures too. We'll see....

What's in the Jar?

Strolling down a store aisle, I spied some glass jars @ 75% off! We all know that these are a MUST HAVE in decorating and organizing. I already have a couple of glass containers in my sitting room, so these beauties will go in my studio to hold bits and baubbles of supplies.

First, I wanted to show you a few things that you can display in your own jar.

sea shells and eggs

miniature Madame Alexander dolls

fabric yo yos

pink shredded paper

miniature tea set

sheet music tied up with ribbons

silver candleholders

lemons and oranges

silverware

crepe paper bird nests

cake decorating supplies

I'd love to hear your ideas!

Update: Be sure to read the wonderful comments. There are some really fantastic ideas!

For the Birds

I've noticed a little theme going on in my house lately, so I present to you..."for the birds!"

The kitchen table seems to have gone to the birds. Who wouldn't love to live in this mosaic mirrored house?


Look closely at the wire urn and you will see that Mrs. Robbin has laid her blue beauties in a nest.


Peace of Earth....stays up all year at our house.


A Bird's got to eat! A tasty sunflower treat.



I bought this little birdie the other day. She's not the prettiest tweetie, but she really wanted to come home with me. I've promised her a crown and a floral necklace.


My cottage chic friends, I have not forgotten you. Here's a gaggle of geese in a corner bathroom cabinet...




I know some of you have seen this before, the little collage made by Lori, and these sweet eggs. I just had to show them again. It's a sweet thing!


Where I live we can't plant outside until the end of May, so these little seedlings will still have more time to grow inside.


Hope everyone had a happy Sunday!

Dolls!

As a child, I was fortunate enough to receive Madame Alexander dolls as gifts from my parents. I have taken pictures of a few of my favorites.
The first picture is Sleeping Beauty in the blue along with a pink school girl.


Renior and Snow White


Rebecca of Sunny Brook Farm


Romeo and Juliet


Wendy from Peter Pan



Wednesday's Child and Baseball player


Baby Huggums


Rocco Bride Doll


Scarlett Ohara




Pinocchio, Tinker Bell, Peter Pan and Captain Hook



Not Madame Alexander, but very special to me. My father won me this Bride doll at Bingo at the Fair when I was a little girl. The whole time he kept telling me he was saving his "points" for an electric blanket! Much better then an electric blanket, don't you think?


A girl just has to have a few Barbies too!

Rest & Relaxation

Hi Everyone! Sorry it has been over two weeks since I have posted, but I have been on a mission of rest and relaxation. I have since returned home and am spreading a little warmth, especially for those of you in the northern part of the country like me. I have missed you all and thank you to everyone that visited my blog while I was away. This was the view from my patio doors,


and this was MY view for 99% of the day in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico.


Swam in the pool and snorkeled in the ocean.


Going out for the evening.


Volcano cake with warm chocolate sauce inside, yum!


Looking across the bay. If you look closely, you can see two pink houses!


Pink heaven in Mexico.







I returned home to find lots of the snow melted. Spring is on its way after all!