Cupcakes!

I saw these cupcakes on someone's blog (sorry I don't remember who's) and I knew I had to try them. I love lemon and I love cream cheese frosting...the two together are divine! So much for the diet!
I bought the little sign-holder stand yesterday. I've been wanting one of these and I was so happy to find one locally.

The recipe for the cupcakes can be found here. I added a little extra powdered sugar to the frosting so I could pipe it on. I also added some lemon zest to cake batter. They are yummy!

UPDATED to add: I should know better than to put something on my blog and not let you know where I got it ~ The cupcake holder I bought at Target, it's made by Wilton. I've also seen them at Michaels. Click here (mine is smaller than this one). The little sign holder I bought at a small shop in downtown Campbell, California called Garofalo's. They don't have a website but you can see the shop here. The owner Cyndi told me her friend is opening a new shop across the street in May that is going to be more "romantic decor" I can hardly wait...a romantic decor store in my own city! When they open, I'll take photos of both to show you. Since you probably don't live close to Campbell you can find similar ones on eBay. Click here.

Absolutely Gorgeous!

I received the nicest comment on my blog about a week ago from Joy~Cupids Charm .  She used my painting technique on her armoire.  I went over to visit her blog and saw that she has a beautiful online boutique where she sells this drop-dead gorgeous jewelry made from broken china.  It is so beautiful I just had to share it with all of you.

I've seen jewelry made from old china before but none as beautiful as hers!  Every one I look at just takes my breath away!  
I know what I'm going to be buying with some of my tax refund!  It will be my Mother's Day gift to myself...I must have one of these bracelets!  I bet I would get compliments every time I wore this!  Her necklaces are stunning too!  She also has some beautiful bracelets made out of vintage spoons.  
I think I would  buy a special outfit just to match the jewelry!  

How cute are these bunnies!

Okay, here is the armoire she painted.  I love the plates she hung on the doors!  You'll have to go to her blog and see the "before" photo.  I really need to get my armoire finished and this is the inspiration I needed!

I hope you enjoyed all this beauty as much as I did!

Click here to visit her shop and click here to visit her blog.  Make sure you tell her Cindy sent you!  And thank you Joy for letting me share this with everyone!

Tagged!

I was tagged by LeAnn ~Pink Icing on the Cake

RULES:
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

What was I doing 10 years ago: I was unhappily married and just months away from finding out he was having an affair...What I didn't know at the time is that it was all a blessing in disguise...I'm so much happier now!

Five things on my to-do list today:
work 8:30-5:00
cook dinner
do the dishes
straighten up the house
watch TV
(this is a typical M-F day)

Snack I enjoy:
candy
chips & dip
Brie Cheese

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Quit work!
Buy my own cottage, nothing huge...just something quaint.
Buy my kids new cars
Give my family members a lot of money
Have a huge party weekend for my blogging friends on Martha's Vineyard!
Help some single moms who are struggling
Travel

Three of my bad habits:
Driving too fast
eating too fast
not enough patience

Five places I have lived:
(I've only lived in the South Bay Area of San Francisco, CA)
San Jose, CA
Saratoga, CA
Mountain View, CA
Sunnyvale, CA
Campbell, CA

Five jobs I have had:
Administrative Assistant
Chauffeur for Limo Company
Sales Clerk
Amusement Park worker
Day Care Provider

Five people I want to know more about (a nice way of saying TAG!!): I won't tagged anyone...as usual.

I took these photos of my flowers yesterday when I got home from work. Everything is really starting to get lush and bloom!

More Vintage Lace Pillowcases!

I'm obsessed with vintage lace pillowcases lately! This is the latest pair I bought on eBay. I know they look really similar to the pair I just showed you a couple weeks ago but they're a little different. The inset is an ecru colored lace. I have had such great experiences with eBay sellers and this was no exception. These came from an eBay seller called ragpicker50. She even included an extra white hankie and a lavender sachet. Oh did it smell good when I opened the box! Below is a pair that I'm very sad to say that I didn't win on eBay! Oh, I really wanted them and I actually had to stop myself from increasing my bid. It took a lot of self-control for me to stop myself. They ended selling for $45 which is still not bad for all that beautiful drippy lace but it's out of my budget! Some lucky woman is probably waiting for the mailman to drop these off any day...I'm so envious! 

That Summer Beach Cottage Feel

Remember this little glass house terrarium thing I got last summer at a garage sale for only $5? It's now in my bedroom and I've added more shells since the last time I posted about this. Some I found here in California, some I brought home from Martha's Vineyard and some I bought. I just found those starfish at TJ Maxx for $6.99 a bag. The abalone shells I just bought a florist shop for $5 each. I'm seeing a lot of shells at the stores lately and the prices are great!
I wanted to give my room a little more of the old summer beach cottage feel. Amazingly if you put a few shells around...you get that look quickly!
It's been about a year since I redid my bedroom and I still love it! It's so nice to open my eyes on a Saturday morning with the sun streaming in and everything is soft blue and white. It's so tranquil.
That little oil painting of a cluster of grapes ( on the right of the shelf) was painted by my son when he was about 10 years old. Precious! The little Stride Rite baby shoes belonged to my kids and the little white slip was mine. The photos are of my mom and dad.

I always get lots of emails about paint color. My bedroom walls are painted Glidden "Cancun Blue" 10BB 50/157. It's a little lighter than it photographs. I painted it this color about 3 years ago and I think I'm ready for a little change. I'm going to paint it a lighter shade of blue... a little more on the blue/green side (to match the color in my quilt.) If I weren't just renting I would add white beadboard all around the bottom half of the room...I really need my own home!

It's Monday already?

What a year this has been...and it's only March! First to be featured in Romantic Country Magazine was just amazing and now I'm in the Snooty Woman's Club "Blogs of Fame"! You know why this is such a honor? Because Barbara Jacksier ~The Book Blog, Kathryn Bechen Ink Blot, and Kim~Daisy Cottage were the previous bloggers featured. Wow, I feel like I'm playing in the big league now!

Go on over to http://www.snootywomansclub.com/ and check it out and find out what the Snooty Woman's Club is all about. They're not Snooty Women...it stands for Social Neighborhood of Outstanding Talented Young Spirited Women.

(that's why I had to update my photo last week)

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Easter...we had a strange Easter. Lauren was really sick with a bad cold so we just stayed home. At about 9:00 PM she decided to go to bed. She could barely make it upstairs. I told her to climb in my bed so I could keep an eye on her. She has asthma but it's usually not extreme. She was wheezing and coughing and her chest hurt so bad she could hardly breath. I was getting worried about her so I called urgent care and after answering a ton of questions they told me to call 911. I ran outside when I heard the sirens and I see a huge fire truck and ambulance and next thing I know there are 6 men standing in my bedroom! The good news is she's okay. It wasn't a asthma attack after all, just a panic attack. When she couldn't breathe, she thought she was having an asthma attack and she panicked and started trying to catch her breath and she was hyperventilating, which is why she was clammy and looked like she was about to pass out when I was on the phone with 911. They hooked her up to a machine that showed how many breaths she was taking a minute... I can't remember the numbers but she was WAY over normal. Once they gave her oxygen, and coached her to breathe slowly she was okay. I'm just so thankful she was okay!

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I added a link to my furniture painting technique on my sidebar. A lot of people email me asking where to find that post so I've made it easier to find! Thanks to my son, Vince, for helping with that! Vince, I'm very proud to say was just elected into the Phi Beta Kappa Society! He's the brains of the family and I couldn't be any prouder of him!

Happy Easter!

I hope you all have a very wonderful Easter!

California Lilacs

My lilacs are in full bloom right now! I found this lilac plant at the nursery about 3 years ago. It said on the tag that it was a good variety to grow in California. Lilacs grow here but they don't get huge like in other parts of the country. I've been really impressed with this one. It was just a tiny little plant and now 3 years later it's thriving! Sorry, I don't remember the name of this one. I really should keep a gardening journal.
Thanks you so much for all your very nice comments yesterday. You are all too nice! Some of my coworkers said I look sad in that picture I put on my profile and that I should put one of me smiling because I'm always smiling...ahhh that made my day. For now, that picture will have to do but I promise not to wait 5 years to update it!

I hope every one has a wonderful Easter weekend!

I listened to you

I just added a full head shot to my profile. Yikes! (Taken this morning...you can't get more current than that) Scroll down...it's on the right sidebar.

Peek-A-Boo!

I've been meaning to update my photo on my blogger profile for a long time. That old photo of me dressed in black holding a glass of wine was taken at my 25 year high school reunion. This summer will be my 30 year reunion so that photo is almost 5 years old! The problem is ~ I hate every single photo of myself.

I was asked to submit a photo of myself for something ~ I will share more on that with you next week. I took over 40 photos and the one above with my face partially hidden is the only one I sort of like. I've gained so much weight in the last 5 years...I quit smoking 3 years ago and put on weight but I'm still glad I quit. So I'm going to continue to try to take a good picture of myself but for now I'll use this one on my blogger profile. Oh....and I'm starting a diet today!!!!

Welcome Spring!

Here is my first garden bouquet for 2008! My lilacs and roses are blooming! It looks like it's going to be a good year for the roses ~ I can see a lot of blooms just forming now. This rose is called "Nancy Reagan" I can't say that I was a big Ronald Reagan fan but I sure do love this rose named after the former first lady! It's usually not this ruffled, I think it's because it was still cold out when it first started to bud.
I planted a new climbing rose this year called "Eden". I can hardly wait to see it bloom!

How could I resist?

There is a Marshall's right behind the company I work for which is why it seems I'm always buying things from Marshalls. I went there last Wednesday on my lunch hour with one of my coworkers and didn't find anything (which is a good thing because I'm running out of room in my little place). Then last Friday I went with another coworker because I didn't have anything better to do at lunch. I really didn't expect to find this "perfect for me" lamp! A lamp is something I don't need! I have a lamp addiction. I have so many that I have lamps I'm not using in the closet! But how could I resist birds and toile! I couldn't because it was only $29. I have it in my kitchen for now but I'm sure it will be moved around to different locations because that's what I usually do. There's even a little bird on top!
I also found this cute little bunny to hold Easter candy. He was marked down to $5.

Happy Nesting

This is a special gift! Robyn ~ Happy House of Haas ordered this from Rosemary ~ RosePetiteMaisone as a gift for me! Wasn't that thoughtful! I've always admired Rosemary's little works of art but let me tell you....the photos do not do them justice at all! When I opened this package and saw this, it took my breath away. The glitteriness (I know that's not a word) of it is just amazing. It's all aglow in sparkly glitter. I wish the camera would capture that better!

Thank you Robyn for the wonderful gift! I really love it!

Look what I found yesterday at Borders Books!

And I bought every copy they had! When I went up to pay for the magazines, I was so excited that I blurted out to the cashier that I was in this magazine and that's why I was buying 4 copies...she wasn't impressed...at all! Oh well, I'm very excited and I couldn't contain myself! I've always dreamed about being in a magazine but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think it would come true! Thank you Fifi for featuring my blog in your beautiful magazine and thank you to Tara Frey for writing the article.

The article is about decorating on a budget and how I share that on my blog. It's on page 28. The magazine is just full of beautiful things. Once again Fifi has done an amazing job! It's so nice to see others I know in this issue too!

If you found my blog through the magazine article: Welcome and please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you!

Armoire Update

I got the armoire painted but I still have all my other steps to do on it. I won't be able to add the appliques to the top doors because they slide into the cabinet when they are open and there isn't enough clearance. I'm glad I was actually smart enough to think about that before I put them on. Do you think it would look weird if I added some just to the bottom doors? I don't remember the exact measurement of the raised panel area on the bottom door but I think it's 12" x 18". Here are some I'm considering, although I'm undecided if I should use any at all. I need your help to decide!
This wreath applique is 12" wide by 7.5" long. I thought about centering these on each side of the bottom doors. It would take up the whole width of the bottom doors. I'm not sure if this would make it looked unbalanced with just a huge applique at the bottom and nothing else on top.
The swag above is smaller than the wreath. It's 10" wide by 3" inches high. I would put this near the top of the panel on each bottom door or maybe center it.
This rose drop applique is 4.5" wide by 11" long and would be centered on each bottom door.

What do you think? Should I add one of these, if so which one, or should I leave it as is?

I also bought some wood knobs that I painted white, which aren't on there yet because the screws weren't long enough to go through those ultra-thick doors but I'm wondering if glass knobs would be better???

Edited to add: Thank you Annie for Photoshopping the applique on my photo so I can see what it would look like. I think it looks great (see below)!

Thank you all!

I was in a bit of a panic because I couldn't think of anything to blog about today and then I thought about all the great friends I've met online here and how I should thank you all for coming by to visit. I had no idea when I first started blogging, almost 3 years ago, what I was in for. This blog has become such a huge part of my life now. I sometimes wonder what thoughts filled my head before this blog. I seem to always be thinking about the next project, how I can take better photographs, what will I put on my next post and I could go on and on. Sometimes when I arrive home from work at the end of the day, I realize that I was thinking about blogs and blogging for my whole 35 minute drive home! So I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all. You have no idea how much I appreciate all your comments and kind words. You motivate me!

Thrift Store Finds

I found this adorable cherub lamp at the Saver thrift store for $5.99. I can't tell you how excited I was when I saw it! Of course, it didn't look like this when I found it. It was gold. I found the lamp shade at Ross for only $6.99. So for only $12.98 I got a beautiful lamp...don't you just love thrifting! I also found another mirror to add to my stairway mirror collection. I painted it white and added some touches of silver. I'm still on the lookout for more mirrors to add and once I add a few more I'll show you some updated pictures.

Here are the before photos of the lamp and mirror. It's amazing what a little spray paint does!

Vintage Lace Pillowcases

I painted my armoire this weekend but I still have to rehang the doors so I can't show it to you yet. I also still need to sand it, distress it, etc. It looks great and it makes my living room look so much better! Okay, on to the subject of this post. Here are some vintage pillow cases I got from eBay. I love them!

They look so much better than the plain white pillow cases I was using before. Now I want to find a lot more so I don't wear these two out by washing them every week!

More Beautiful Armoires!

Someday I would love to have an old French mirrored armoire like the one above. All of these armoires are from The Bella Cottage. They have some beautiful things on their website!

I will be starting my armoire project this weekend. A few people asked where I get my floral appliques...here are a few that I have bought from in the past (click on the name to go to the website):

Do it yourself chic

The Shabby Suite

I haven't had any problems using resin appliques and there is a better selection of shabby chic florals made out of resin but if you prefer wood appliques, here is a place that has a good selection:

Van Dykes

I'm thinking of adding these wreaths to the top portion of each top door. These are both from Do it yourself Chic I'm going to get my armoire all painted white before I make my decision on what appliques to order. I'm having a hard time visualizing what I want.

Armoire Inspiration Pictures

I got the armoire last night! It is beautiful and VERY HEAVY! It was quite a challenge to get it home. I even had help from my ex because he has a truck. To get it out of the truck we had to take all the doors off and remove all the drawers. It's solid wood and very good quality. It's the heaviest piece of furniture I've ever had. I know I will never live in an upstairs apartment if I want to keep that!

Because I get obsessed with these types of things, I started looking online at painted armoires to get some inspiration to paint mine. I think I'm going with white. Here are some beautiful painted armoires I found online.


This one above is from here.
The one below is form Layla Grace.I can't remember where I saw this one below, if I find it I'll update this post. I really love this one! I'm thinking of adding some floral appliques to mine.

Here is one (below) from Ballard Designs


This armoire above is from Painted Furniture Designs I love this one, I think it would look great in a little girl's room! You have to click on the link above and visit their website. They have some of the most beautiful painted furniture I've ever seen!

You Make My Day & An Armoire Project

Cathy at Treasured Heirlooms gave me this "You Make My Day Award"! I'm sure you've all been to Cathy's blog before but in case you haven't you really should visit. Her blog is beautiful! I'm in love with her little pink cottage in her backyard, which has been featured in a few magazines. I first saw it on Flickr and I was so thrilled when she started a blog! Also, make sure you visit her boutique. She has some beautiful things for sale!

"The rules for the “You Make My Day” award are to re-present it to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blog land. Let them know through email or by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times, and if you do, consider yourself really, really loved. So to pass it on and keep the love going.

You know I never pass these on but if your blog is on my sidebar, it's there because you make my day. There are many other blogs I read that aren't there too, I feel like if I added every blog I love the list would go on and on and on! I wish I had more hours in the day to read all the great blogs out there. It seems like I find new ones starting up almost every day!

In other news....I'm going to look at an entertainment center armoire tonight (pictured below) that I found on Craigslist. The one my landlord gave me doesn't have a shelf for a TV, it's more of a wardrobe armoire. I'll probably use the smaller one in my daughter's room because her TV is smaller. So hopefully I will get this one below. Of course, it means I have another painting project to do. Hmmm, now should I paint it blue or white? Click here to see the blue I'm thinking about. Of course then I'll have to get slipcovers for my sofa because the blues will clash, maybe I should just paint it shabby chic white.

Spring is in the air!

The tulips are from the Farmer's Market.

I planted the hyacinths below last fall. My plan was to plant some more bulbs in the back, as you can see, I never got around to it.
I'm so happy~my lilacs are starting to bloom! I planted this lilac a couple years ago. It's been really fun watching it get bigger each year. This is a variety that is supposed to do well in California.
The weather has been so great but there is so much pollen in the air. I took my car to the car wash on Saturday and a couple hours later I went outside and it was covered in yellow-green dust! Luckily I have one of these...it works great at removing dust and pollen from your car!

Blogging in bed!

I bought myself a MacBook!  I love this time of year because my company hands out bonuses. Since I was in desperate need of a new computer, I decided to switch over to Apple and not just because it's white...although I love that!  I decided on a Mac because they aren't as prone to viruses.  My old computer was...well..OLD...very old!  It was a hand-me-down and it kept freezing on me. It got to be very frustrating!  I sure am loving this and now with a laptop and a wireless connection I can blog anywhere in my home.  

I don't even need Adobe PhotoShop, I was able to lighten and blur the edges of the photo above just with the standard software on my MacBook.  Ahhh, Life is Good!

You Make my Day and California Dreamin'

 

Tara from Days Missed on a Hammock sent me this "You Make My Day Award" this morning.  Someone else sent me this about a week or so ago, and I'm so sorry but I can't find the email and I don't remember who it was.  If it was you, please let me know and I add your link to this post!  I've learned my lesson. I need to post these as soon as I get them or I lose them in my unmanageable amount of emails! 

"The rules for the “You Make My Day” award are to re-present it to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blog land. Let them know through email or by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times, and if you do, consider yourself really, really loved. So to pass it on and keep the love going."

You know me, I never pass these along which I know makes me a party-pooper but I have a hard time choosing!  Besides, you ALL make my day!

It's supposed to be 65 degrees here today and in the 70s the rest of the week....I'm so happy! Speaking of that (nice weather), have any of you seen the commercial for California?  I think it's funny they are playing it here when we already live here and I'm wondering if they are playing it all over the U.S.  It starts in the wine country and ends with Arnold Schwartneger and his wife.  Have you seen it?  If I already didn't live in California I swear I'd be moving here after watching that!  I couldn't find it on YouTube but this is another one that was good too.