Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Your questions answered, part one

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Since the most popular question I got from my post on Monday was about enlarging blog photos I thought I would answer that first today. It's really easy to do but you have to go in and edit the HTML and I think a lot of people are afraid to even attempt that. It was really confusing and scary to me at first also but luckily I found a tutorial that made it really easy so rather than try to explain it myself, I'm going to send you over to where I learned. Just click here to see it. As you can see from these two photos it really makes a big difference when you enlarge your blog photos. The photo below was just uploaded as a large photo through blogger and the one above is what it looks like when you edit the html.
Here are is another question and my answer:


Anonymous said...
Cindy, I,too, am a follower and a fan. I may run into you sometime while shopping as i live nearby!

Do you ever wonder how a new man would fit into your very feminine environment? This has been disturbing me on your behalf.

Cindy:
I live in the moment. I'm doing what I love and decorating in a way that pleases me. I had to compromise in my decorating style when I was married (both times) and I'm really enjoying doing it my way now. To be honest, I'm not sure I ever want to live with a man again. gasp! I'm so much happier now than I ever was when I was married. I've gotten so used to doing what I want, when I want and only having to answer to myself. If by chance I ever did meet a great guy and fell in love and he hated my style, I could change because there is so many different styles I like. I could just never be with a man that has no taste but thinks he does...and trust me there are a lot of those types out there! LOL

Since you live in my area, if you see me please say hi! I get recognized when I'm out quite a bit now and it's very exciting. I warn you though...I'm still not used to it. So many different emotions come over me when some recognizes me. I get excited and embarrassed and I feel like I make a fool of myself! I blush and stutter all over my words.
I'll apologize now to those of you I have met out there..I'm sure you all noticed this! Oh and please do not say "I feel like I'm meeting a celebrity" (not just because I'm so not a celebrity, just a blogger) because for some reason every time someone says that (and it's happened about 4 or 5 times), it causes me to break out in a sweat...I'M NOT KIDDING!
I've really enjoyed reading all your questions and comments and it's good to know that so many of you want to see more projects and recipes so I'll work on doing more of that. I'll answer more questions soon!

46 comments:

Joanne said...

Anonymous shouldn't worry about any man that may or may not come into your life. You have to learn to live for yourself. You're a better person when you are happy - and that includes where and how you live. Although I do believe that you never want someone to live in an uncomfortable environment, some changes may be necessary but you should never change who you are. Hey, isn't that part of the reason why someone likes you to begin with? Joanne @ glamourgirljoanne@yahoo.com

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

I love your new blog look. I enjoy changing my blog, it's so much fun. It's kinda like decorating. Thank-you for the tip on enlarging the pictures, I will have to try that next time.
Blessings,
Ginger

A Southern Rose said...

Thanks Cindy for the info on enlarging pictures. I will have to go and check it out. I agree with you about decorating and living just like you want to. I say 'make yourself happy'. If you meet someone and y'all decide to spend the rest of your lives together, I'm sure if he really loves you he will love everything about you, that includes your decorating style too. You could always make him a 'man's den' and decorate it in whatever style he likes. That would make him feel special too.

Have a great day!
Hugs,
Lee Laurie

P.S. Come by and see my post today if you have time. I finally finished my china cabinet.

Cottagecheap said...

Kudos to you about your living in the moment! I am married and have a few things I 'give' on but early on we tried to mesh our styles and I realized that DH only had an opinion at the store and then when the chair I hated was in my house he didn't care. He could care that his Roast is served on a plate with pink roses...because he is eating ROAST! Oddly, we are happier when I love how our home looks, because I am happier...

So...man or no future man...you go girl!

Marlis said...

i decorated house one to suit left brain, then i gave him one room in house two and now house three.. it's all mine to decorate how i wish and he agrees.. aren't i lucky?

love the new look

KimmyLynn2u2@aol.com said...

Cindy
someone once said that too me about my hubby asked in fron of him don't you feel a lil bit emasculated here in this room? i said nope my hubby is secure in his manhood plus let me see him even try to decorate or attempt it hubby was like no wayyy!!!! plus i figure i am the one who spends the most time here and spends time cleaning my hubby would have nothing more then a couch and chair he doesnt even think about things like decorating and he will be the first to admit it! any man that truly loves you would not want you to change or stop being who you are besides my hubby always gets a room or space to put all his mis matched stuff in like gargoyles etc i think as long as your place is not dripping in pink and having flowers everywhere you are fine!!! don;t ever change who you are cindy for anyone!!! be true to yourself!!!!

KimmyLynn2u2@aol.com said...

Cindy
i forgot to add i like the new blog i also liked the other one too!! i like the bigger pictures! have a great day!

KimmyLynn2u2@aol.com said...

love the new blog! liked the old one too though!!! Ü

Marilyn said...

Cindy,

I thought you gave a very well thought out and articulate answer to the question concerning a man living in your environment.

You are creating an environment and lifestyle that makes you happy. Actually it makes us all happy, or we wouldn't be returning each day!!

Whose to say that your own taste and color choices might change down the road, of your own accord, and not necessarily because of a relationship.

Just be true to yourself and bring joy into your life.

Marilyn (in Dallas)

Diane and Kelly said...

Hi Cindy,
Thanks for the tip. I am still struggling with the blogging technology and am often afraid to try new things on my blog but I am going to give this one a try!

Kelly
Second Hand Chicks

Unknown said...

I agree about the man thing. I get so tired of arguing with my husband about what constitutes "decorating". He is a hunter and he thinks that throwing up his carcasses on the walls makes for good decorating. Ugh.

Tra La La Boom De Ay said...

Miss Manners says...lol. Ok Seriously one of the BEST Tag Sales I ever hit was put on by a woman similar to yourself. She was a shabby chic hound at all stages and suddenly found that life had sent her the most wonderful partner. She was only selling off half of her stuff to create spaces for each of them to enjoy. Beyond that they were taking off to explore the world together. I was in heaven and so was she! Love your blog and hope you are with us for quite some time. Much love! Cherie

Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien said...

Love the new blog look!! And who's to say that you wouldn't meet a great man who loves your style?? My husband loves antiques and our Victorian house--even if some people might say it's a little "girly". He doesn't identify himself or how "manly" he is strictly by his surroundings and he loves the way our house looks!

Elsie said...

Cindy~ You answered Anonymous very
well. The only one you have to
worry about is Y-O-U and if that's
the way "you" like it so be it. If
a man really loves you it will be
for you not your decorating style.
If he can't live with it then he
needs to move on. My poor hubby
has lived with "my junk"
(collectibles) for the last 43yr.
That makes him a "Keeper".:O)

pogonip@meadowsweet cottage said...

I didn't realize how much impact a larger photo had until I saw your before and after. I'll give that a try for sure.

I loved your philosophy about men and decorating. Why worry about crossing the stream if there turns out to be a bridge across it when you get there, lol!

nina@themissadventuresofnina said...

Since I read this from work (shhhh) I cannot see the new layout until I get home :(
I'm sure is beautiful though...I'll miss the old one.

Betty Jo said...

Everything looks nice Cindy and I'm sure you'll love the new layout. I'm going to switch my blog soon to basically the same style, downloaded the template yesterday. Now to find the time to do it. BTW, on the photo enlargement instructions. I use Blogger but my code is different than in the example. All I have to do is change the s400, or s576. The first step of the instructions isn't necessary with mine as far as deleting width and height. Not sure why mine is different. ♥

afistfullofweeds* said...

Hey, I have always decorated the way that makes me feel good... cause if mama ain't happy.... nobody's happy!! Most men do not care about decorating anyway, as long as they can "control" whats left! LOL Check out my newly "created table" from my last blog. Rhonda

Pink said...

Beautiful new set up !! I LOVE it. My question is.......... How is Lauren's room coming ? I would love to see some progress shots.

irais said...

Cindy I just love your new look, you have such as beautiful blog.
I wish I had one as cute as yours but you are unique. Thank you for all the ideas you give us. And what r you talking about not being a celebrity you for sure are i have seen you on HGTV:) hopefully i meet you one day...

Q:are you almost done with lauren's room?

House and Garden Boutique said...

Great new look Cindy!! And thank you for the HTML tip on the photos.....that helps a lot. Your photos always look so crisp and beautiful. Love the shabby chic look of your home too. You only go around once, so "hats off" to you for living your life the way you want to!!!! Enjoy!!!

Sandy said...

Hi Cindy,
I'm so new to blogging and to Blogger just so you know. I use Blogger to upload my photos from my desktop and they come out LARGE because I choose X-Large when doing my post in compose and inserting the photos. I don't do anything with HTML. This is so confusing. You probably don't remember but you gave me some tips on how to do good photos that were very helpful. I do like your photos in a larger size though. Have a nice day!

Teacup Lane (Sandy)

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy. I couldn't imagine having a husband who would have an opinion of how I decorate. I'm lucky there. Mine says that whatever makes me happy is all he wants. I guess if one has a partner who wants his preferences, too, you would want to compromise. But I sure would hate to see you change anything from your gorgeous taste. I hope you find a great guy someday just so you'll have someone to spoil you.

Kelly Roehrkasse said...

Hi Cindy! On the romantic style decorating scale, with your home being a 10, mine is probably a 7. Anyway, my husband doesn't mind at all. He knows it's "what I do" and understands that it makes me happy. He even encourages me and helps me shop. On our last vacation he picked out and payed for a decorative column with two cupids floating up the side. Any man who loves you, would, I'm sure be just like him and enjoy your interests right along with you!

Anonymous said...

Your photos are even more beautiful larger. I always was so
envious of your beautiful "shabby" home. But fact is I know I can't
live with all the Whiteness. It would be dirtyness real fast But I
have found some direction and inspiration for my home.
P.S. can't wait to see your garden pictures in new mode.

Brenda said...

I'm excited to try the enlarged photo thingy..thanks for sharing - I just want you to know that it is because of you I started my blog - every day I would go and see what you had posted..It was so fun to go see what your 'comment' section said and to go visit their sites I HAD to be part of this wonderful community..so thanks Cindy!

Brenda

Glenda said...

I see what happens when I don't come by to often, you change your look. It very nice, very clean in appearance.

I haven't had a man around in so long, I think he would invade my space. It would have to be very gradual introduction.

Ciao

Jessica said...

Our house is very romantic, floral, pink, etc. and my husband and 2 little sons don't mind at all. I think they like it. :-)And my husband is definitely not feminine. Haha
I've always said that decorating should be the woman's thing. I think it's odd when men have too much say about it. Haha
Anyway, I'm sure the right man would love your house. :-)

Olga Poltava said...

Cindy, thank you for the info on enlarging pictures. I tried it and it worked! From now on, I will enlarge pictures on my blog. Thank you again.

Montse said...

I've been a fan of yours for some time now and let me tell you that I love your home and decorating tips, but what I admire the most is the umpretencious style on everything you do, you are a natural classy woman. Kudos to you, I hope to meet you in a near future.
MonA

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy, love your new look!! Yes it does help to have larger photos I think thats one of the reasons why I moved my blog to another host. Do come and visit when you have a cuppa and a spare minute :0)
alicia

My Cottage Charm said...

Hey Cindy, I'm having a treasure trove Thursday party at my blog...would you like to put up a link? :) It's just supposed to be something you love. :) Have a great day and I love your new look!

Anonymous said...

nice refreshing change- your new banner- but I think the 2 pics on the right side of the name of your blog look too similar- both with the white roses...When I first saw it I surely thought it was a mistake that the same photo was used twice in error! With all the pics you have taken surely you could have found something a bit different? Just my opinion.

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hi Cindy,
Thanks for the great link. Regarding the question about your living environment and men, it made me giggle a little. Any man that's comfortable with himself isn't going to let the feminine, romantic style of your home dictate whether he wants a relationship with you or not. Okay, off to view the link - thanks again!

Marie Arden said...

Love everything you do!!So glad you did the little tutorial on how you paint your furniture. I am going to try to paint something soon. You have inspired me.

Cindy~ said...

Cindy, a woman makes a house a home and a man?... well, that's why they call it a 'man cave'! lol

linda said...

i really never thought about a man not likeing what i did at least none of them ever said they didnt like it my house always have been on the fenamin side and its just me things i really like and enjoy looking at i dont think i could be with someone who told me i couldnt do what i wanted to its what makes me happy and what do they say a happy wife is a happy life:)

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Hi Cindy~ ~I love your new look and the Big pictures. I've got a ?? for you.

Do you find that when you visit other blogs some of them take forever to load the page? I took specific note today when loading your page and it happened rather quickly, which is Great. I was afraid that by changing my blog to big pictures it would take too long to load and people would get fed up and just buzz off to another blog without waiting to see mine.

There are a few big name blogs that take forever for me to load so I just walk away for about 10 minutes and do something else while they load. Mostly it's a very quick load as I'm cruising around, and all is well.

Please share your experiences and thoughts concerning this. Do you find this to be an issue?

Thanks so much~ ~
Ahrisha

Donna said...

Hi, Cindy,
I'm the one who bought the vintage tablecloth from your etsy shop. Go here to see it. :)
http://sunnysideofthesunporch.blogspot.com/2010/03/vintage-tablecloth-tablescape.html
(sorry, I don't know how to add a link here)
Donna

Vickie Ramos said...

really like the new look of your blog! change is always good! hoping for clear skies for alameda!

The Tablescaper said...

Hi Cindy:

I give you a lot of credit to answer the question from Annonymous.

I belive how you decorate is part of who you are. If someone falls in love with you, they'll learn that's part of who you are.

My biggest "mistakes" in decorating and collecting were when I thought I was catering to my husband's taste. Seriously. All that happened was that the choice didn't suite him or me.

We've been married over 20 years with plenty of ups and downs. In addition to decorating, I love tablescaping. There are times that there isn't a place in the house to eat, as every table is either set or in the process. Thankfully he's been very patient.

The truth is he's been very supportive of my blogging. I think he see's how happy it makes me.

I'm sure if and when you find someone, he'll realize what an important part of you that it is.

Man, I've gone on and on. But I just think that it's so improtant to be happy with yourself and thought I'd share my insight.

- The Tablescaper

The Single Nester said...

I love it! Live for the moment. Don't start sticking a bunch of NFL team flags around your bedroom to entice a man to enter :) Be your own sweet, romantic self! Also, thanks for the blog tips. I learn so much from you!

Susan said...

Cindy there is a country son done by Tim McGraw or something like that. Anyways its called Live Like You Are dieing.
You decorate for you and no one else!! You have a beautiful home!! Living for the moment is just what you should do, no one is promised tommorrow!!

Rita's Recipes said...

I love your new blog design. I hope you still have a picture of the old one that we can always see. The bigger pictures are so much easier to look at. How about making your font larger too?
XOXO
Rita

Nishant said...

You are creating an environment and lifestyle that makes you happy. Actually it makes us all happy, or we wouldn't be returning each day!!

work at home in india

w00ts up said...

Thanks so much for telling us how to enlarge our pictures. It really does make a huge difference! Thanks again!