creating our own circle of bliss {Blissdom 2012}

Blissdom...

The party I wanted to go to but couldn't..because of money, time,...oh and school obligations.

But I wanted to go....probably more than I could ever explain without sounding pathetic.

But I did not want to go alone.

I had this fear that if I went alone...I would be alone. Ever have that fear? The fear kinda reminded me of a fear at lunch time during school.

Do you remember that 1st day of school and the apprehension that came with lunch time? The fear of not having a seat at a table was a very real and very intense feeling.

Well...I have a solution, but the solution will only work if you join me.

In this world of blogging, and boy oh boy have I been peeking into a lot of uber cute corners since Gail and I's blog hop....I have reaffirmed my belief that people who blog..blog because they want to feel connected.

It is great to be a follower, but I want to take blogging to the next level. I don't want followers...I want friends. I want my blog to be set in a community where we come together, embrace each other, and support each other...not by our stats, not by our numbers, but by our ideas and creative vision...and most importantly -- our friendship.

And so...I am inviting you to create -- "Our Own Circle of Bliss."

This circle, no matter how small or how big, will become a network of friends old and new that commit to supporting each other and getting to be more than followers, but friends.

My ultimate goal?

That all of us go to Blissdom 2012. That we create our own lunch table. :)

Having their clothes & shoes would be a much added bonus

If you want to be a part of this circle, comment or email me...and I will take it from there to create our little family...and together we will create our own bliss.

Cheers~

e {and just think...you would finally get to know my real name}

PS

You don't have to commit to Blissdom right now, but keep it in the back of your mind.

the bold & the beautiful {your blog reviewed}

Each one of us attempt to create so many beautiful things in our lives. We put so much love into finessing our homes and creating those swoon worthy crafts/projects, and yet how many of us forget to create a space for ourselves {just think how often the master bedroom is the LAST room to decorate}....In a world where we search for the perfect space, we forget our blogs ARE our perfect space.

Who needs a real-life wife/mommy cave when we have the entire virtual playground of our blog?

This blog hop is all about taking the snooping and peeking that we love to do with homes & projects to a whole new level with our blogs. While this year seems to be filled with organization and decluttering, how fitting is it to do the same with our blogs.

Gail and I KNOW this can be scary. Our blog is an extension of us and sometimes more completely defines who we are...so there is such a vulnerable feeling when putting your blog out there. But....we invite you to do it and take the risk.

Be bold.

Be beautiful.

Show us your blog....your virtual home.

When you link to the blog hop, Gail & I will give you our 2 cents on your blog {and we invite you to review all party members too}. Just promise to review each blog with grace and style. Gail & I will be gentle and we want you to be too. We know some people love chocolate ice cream while others are all about vanilla...and that is the same with blogs.

So go ahead and start with me {you can leave your reviews on my blog here}. It is always easier to take a risk when someone is standing beside you. :)

Please link your "The Bold and the Beautiful" post below. By doing so, you are inviting Gail, myself, and other guests to your blog to give you tips and advice about what might or might not be pleasing to the eye (or ear) on your blog.

And who knows....you might just make a new friend in the process.

Important Link Notes:
For the url please copy and paste the url for the post that you have written specifically for this party.
For “name” please enter your blog’s name.
For the thumbnail, please choose your blog’s button or your profile picture when prompted.

Not sure what to write about in your post for your review? See here for a BLURB...and just copy/paste it in a new post. Don't forget to grab the button up top. Also if you want the blog hop code, it is at the bottom of the blog hop and says, "get blog hop code here." :)

Oh and the best part? We are having a GIVEAWAY too! Why review a blog if you can't also get a makeover?

One lucky winner will receive a premade blog design of their very own, that will be customized by one of the great ladies, over at Designer Blogs!

In order to enter you must:
1. Be a follower of both Gail & myself.
2. Comment on this post that you would like to enter the giveaway.
{we know some of you are quite happy with your blog design but want to join in the blog hop...this allows wiggle room for those that want to party but would not use the giveaway.}

Ok, time to party! {And just a tip..for every area of improvement you suggest, tell them something you LOVE about their blog}...*party and giveaway are open for a whole week*

Cheers~
e

my blog review {have to join my own party}

Please take a look around my blog, check out the layout, pages, buttons, sidebar and gadgets. I would love for you to gently critique my blog. I’m hoping you will leave me some positive feedback about my blog. It would be great if you could give me constructive criticism but be sure to tell me what you like about my blog too! Do you like my pictures? Does my blog load quickly for you? How about the font? All tips and tidbits welcome!
Thank you for reviewing my blog and participating in my party! Come join the party and review other blogs...Be Bold....Be Beautiful!

Cheers~
e

coming to a blog near you

Coming to TOMORROW ----

A blog party hosted by Gail @ My Repurposed Life & me.

I figure if Gail gets a toon...so do I. :) {Any nesties out there remember these?}

_____________________________________________________________________________

As Gail said in her recent post:

So many bloggers are going to Blissdom, do you feel left out? MeaganDVD and I do! We’ve come up with a plan to keep us busy while the others are living it up in Nashville! Kim @ Today’s Creative Blog recently did a great series over at her Blog Frog Community where bloggers were invited to “critique” others’ blogs. I thought it was a great idea and I told MeganDVD about it and we thought it would make a great blog hop!

Here’s what you do-write a short post (or use our blurb below) explaining to your readers that you are joining in “The Bold and the Beautiful-your blog reviewed” . Invite your readers to lovingly critique your blog. Link up to the blog hop and get a critique from gail@mrl and MeganDVD@beauty in the attempt. If you link up your blog, please visit some of the other participants and gently critique their blog. Sometimes it helps to have a set of “fresh eyes” look at your layout etc.

We would love it if you join in the blog hop and paste the code to your site. The party starts Thursday night at 10 PM EST. That gives you a couple of days to make any last minute changes and tidy up before company arrives!

More info to come tomorrow! This is going to be so exciting. I love a great party!

blurb

(feel free to copy and paste, or write your own blurb)

I am so excited to be part of a very unique blog hop. Gail @My Repurposed Life and MeganDVD @ Beauty in the Attempt are hosting “The Bold and the Beautiful-your blog reviewed”.

Please take a look around my blog, check out the layout, pages, buttons, sidebar and gadgets. I would love for you to gently critique my blog. I’m hoping you will leave me some positive feedback about my blog. It would be great if you could give me constructive criticism but be sure to tell me what you like about my blog too! Do you like my pictures? Does my blog load quickly for you? How about the font? All tips and tidbits welcome!

You are welcome to join the party, it starts Thursday night and is open for a week.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Gail and I are SUPER excited about this little party. We would love for you to invite your followers and join in the fun. It all starts tomorrow at 10 PM EST. :)

Cheers~
e

house hunters: a girl can dream {even on Tuesday}

I know I usually do this series on Friday, but I have plans ---- and they involve you. Can I tease a bit more? Just you wait...I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Look at this home...go on...look. I would have big plans if this were my home.

203 Mt. Tabor Road

The pool alone...and the home is on a little over an acre...with a lake.

But...in all honesty, I would take it a step further and redo the exterior.

To this...

I definitely think this could be done...definitely. Right?

This may be a dream...but isn't it lovely?

Cheers~
e

green, glass, & something unexpected

So in the world of decor, the cheapest thrill for me is the Pottery Barn catalog. Not only does it come in the mail to my home, but it is free. How divine is that?

I love getting the catalog in the mail. It is almost a religious ceremony for me when I see it on my counter in the afternoon. Anywho, I have come to define for me the 3 main components of the January 2011 catalog.

The 3 lovely elements that I see interwoven with each page of design is:

1. green

2. glass

3. something unexpected

Just look at these following images. You will find a hint of green, a glimmer of glass, and a dash of the unexpected.

Do you see those green branches in the corner and see how they are in a glass jar? Oh..and the unexpected {imo} is the wood coat hanger with that dainty little mirror and picture framed with cards...oh the fact it is off centered -- even more unexpected.

You can see the green & the glass..and the unexpected -- I think it is the architectural elements with the tealights and the ladder side table.

Your turn...do you see the green, glass, and unexpected?

This room is full of unexpected.

The itty bit of green is still there, and the decanter still gives the sparkle. What element is the unexpected for you?

And once again...this dining room is all about green, glass, and the unexpected.

The best part is a lot of these elements you can do without spending a penny. I plan to use a few myself. So which elements would you use? And what would you do to make something unexpected in the room?

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And now for my little unexpected for you. Coming soon in honor of Blogs & Blissdom {since we can't go}.......a blog hop party is well in the works. Stay tuned for more details. I think a giveaway is in order too. Tell your friends. A party is ALWAYS more fun with lots of guests. 

Ahhh...I love a little unexpected when it means presents. :)

Cheers~

e

the battle I can not win

Here it is...the salt in the wound of a my master bathroom blahness. I have yet to even touch my master bathroom. It lacks color. It lacks character. It lacks class. It is completely utilitarian.

This little corner showcases the battle I can never win. I am not sure the war is over quite yet, but I do know that the troops are always there.

I have tried baskets {metal & natural materials}..both on the counter and under the sink. I have tried to organize them and do something with them to make Mr. B's toiletries not become the main decor of my master bathroom...but I am losing.

What would you do? I am so sick of looking at this....and then I thought, maybe you have some ideas of what to do that will not be too drastic to start WW3.

When I think of a master...I don't want much, just something a tad shy of stunning.

both pics are from DecorPad

A mix of the above two would be fabulous...but on a VERY limited budget, I would be happy with just cleared off countertops.

Any thoughts? I have tried everything in hiding them, but Mr. B wants them always accessible. He finds it silly to hide every day necessities...and here I find it a necessity to hide every day things.

I am open to any strategy or game plan.

Cheers~

e