pillow talk

We had a small snow storm in Louisville very early this lovely Saturday morning. By our definition that means staying safe and cozy via: sipping warm tea, staying in jammies, watching cartoons, snuggling with fleece blankets, and lounging on pillows.

Since I am home and snow reflects light wonderfully all through my house, I took advantage of the time and put my Euro-Supersized toile pillows together. Here is a sneak peak:

Instead of stuffing the pillows, I used real pillows as my forms that I found while at Tuesday Morning. At $9 a pillow, how could I resist? And they are HUGE! I love their size and overstuffed form.

I used drop cloth as my fabric for the back so that I could have two looks in one and save a little on the toile fabric. I then trimmed the pillows 3 sides around with delicious chocolate pom pom trim. (I limited the trim to 3 sides for 3 reasons: 1. to save a little money 2.I figured that no one would care about the bottom since it would never be seen and 3. I did not want the extra challenge at the sewing machine.)


And so here they are:

I am thrilled with the results! I haven't sewn since 7th grade so I was pleasantly surprised with myself in completing this little project. I still plan to make a small boudoir pillow with this lovely toile fabric to infuse the toile throughout the bedding.

Now if only I had a bed like this to place these pillows upon:

Once again Pottery Barn...you marry cream and white so beautifully.

Have a delightful weekend!

Cheers~
e

capri pants do not flatter everyone

Capri pants have had their moment in fashion. They have graced the bodies of many of my favorite actresses:

Audrey Hepburn

Mary Tyler Moore

But their aspects of flattery can only travel so far, and windows with “Capri” drapes are NOT flattering.

I purchased these scrumptious velvet drapes at Tar-jay on sale and with a birthday gift card from one of my dearest friends.

Sadly I did not calculate the height when you use a grommet drape. Hence, I had Capri drapes.

Luckily the Christmas Tree blocked my dilemma into mid January, but then once the tree came down I had to face my problem head on.

Now I should have been studying Therapeutics, but I seem to notice decor flaws more while I am studying than anytime else. Sitting at my dining room table, I could not stand those capri drapes snickering at me any longer. So I immediately jumped at the chance (to avoid studying)..I mean to figuring out a solution..heart failure can wait. Hehe!

While crouching down on my knees trying to see if I could cheat with a wide burlap ruffle, I noticed the drapes had a 3 inch hem. All I needed was a little more fabric! Eureka! It was serendipity.

Out came a safety pin (I had no time to hunt for my seam ripper) and I ripped.

And ripped.


And ripped.


And now, I have conquered my Capri drapes.


Yes, there is Atticus AGAIN! The little fluff ball is always in a pic. I swear I do not "place" him. And yes, there is my Bath and Body diffuser on the ground. And yes, I know my sheers are not to the floor, but #1 that doesn't bother me as much as the chocolate capris and #2 it gives me an excuse to find something else later.

And so with a glorious smile and overwhelming sense of contentment, I can now head back to my therapeutic notes.

Cheers~
e

divinity versus creme brulee

After delightfully purchasing my lovely toile fabric (with coupons of course), and imagining oodles of ways to create a “heavenly” bed infused with texture, softness, and style...I have come to a terrifying halt.

I can not for the life of me decide on a "foundation or base" bedding. I have though narrowed it down to two colors:

White versus Creme or as I like to say –

Divinity

versus

Creme Brulee

Who would have thought such sweetness could create such turmoil? Here I have two huge pharmacy exams fast approaching me next week and I can not detour from this dividing decision.

It all began with a darling post from the one and only My Sweet Savannah. I was under the impression I could harmonize both. That I could intertwine the serenity and crispness of white with the lucid and indulgent nature of creme.

Unfortunately after a trial run with my ivory velvet PB shams and a white duvet from my stash of goodies that I have collected, I questioned the look. It just did not work.

And so, I began to rethink EVERYTHING (except the toile of course).

How come these pictures can master what I can't?

(This last duvet set whispers to my Filipino heritage..so lovely all unto itself.)

And then it hit me...the toile. The toile does not gracefully bow to both colors. And so, I am caught in a love triangle between two of the sweetest shades...divinity versus creme brulee.

What are your suggestions?

Cheers~
e

master bedroom: the BEFORE pics

I cringe at the fact that I am posting this, but I believe we have to face our fears...so here it goes (please hold my hand).

Here she is, our master bedroom, in her sad state:


Yes those are pharmacy textbooks and notes by my side tables..and yes, those are Mr.B’s shoes tucked under the bed.

Here is the other side of the room (oh please do not disown me & leave my blog after I show you this):
This side makes me ill: the Pack ‘n’ Play with clothes spilling over (my husband LOVES piling his clothes over there), the TV, and the lovely cable cord.

And now for the long wall with the hideous OFF centered window. Why oh why builder did you place the window there? I try my best to embrace my home, but this window has become such a demanding family member that I just ignore her:


There it is…for better or for worse a glimpse into a room that is in need of a spa day AND a makeover. Calgon take her away!

Cheers~
e

PS These pictures are from a while ago, but they serve the purpose of exploiting my home decor flaw..my master bedroom.

Oh, and I have come to terms with the fact that being a pharmacy student = bad pictures. I leave home when it is dark and come home in the dark, which means not the greatest photography lighting. Just another reason to long for Spring. :)

there are fabrics..and then there is TOILE

My master bedroom has been at a standstill when it comes to decorating for quite some time. Moving into our home, I began pinching pennies for just the right furniture at just the right time.

Then when my son was born, I treated myself to new bedroom furniture that knocked me off my feet when we first met: dark wood, sleigh bed without a footboard-


a high dresser with a round mirror (I have such an affection for round mirrors)-


and to top it off sale that made my knees weak.

I then found 2 butler tray tables I could use as end tables on clearance at BBB (gotta love the extra 20% coupons) that complimented everything even more completely. I drew bedding inspiration from a Macy’s ad that I stumbled upon and so I finished the room with some discount bedding that I enjoyed. It looked crisp and tailored but it never spoke to me.

Truth be told, I LOVE an indulgent bed. There is something about lounging in a bed while reading a good book or lingering under the covers on a crisp morning that makes my heart go pitter pat. I love a bed that calls you to engage in napping and cuddling. I love pillows (maybe too much according to Mr. B) and textures surrounding me like a blanketed womb. Ok…maybe I want too much out of my bed, but then again, when I sleep..I want it to be a sweet slumber.

I then took it upon myself last year to seek out the aid of the one and only Layla Palmer from the Lettered Cottage. She is so sweet and genuine that I would name my first daughter after her. She is a friend from afar and I have much admiration for her ability both in design and in living life. She re-surged my hopes in claiming the master bedroom that I yearned for with her fabulous ideas. Yet even with her picturesque vision, I lacked the inital spark. I lacked my muse.

Until now-




Let the excitement and the renovations begin.

Cheers~
e

the art of mimesis in home decor

I love the word mimesis.

mimesis (noun) - a representation or imitation, especially in literature and art.

I have found so many uses for it in all my attempts at home decor and in defining the style I try to infuse within each space. So back to the secret..almost 3 years ago, I was paging thru the latest Ballard Designs catalog and came across this delicious piece.

Did I have a place for it? No. Did I want it? Yes. But! There is always a "but."

The cost of this (with all 4 pieces ) was too overwhelming for my teacher's salary to even comprehend...so I decided to invest in the art of mimicry. And here is my TOP SECRET trade secret that I am about to share with you and encourage you to use.

I hired a high school art student to "copy" the painting for me. Now..being a high school teacher, I KNEW who to ask and about the ballpark of what to pay for the "commission." And the results? You can be the judge.

Please note: I chose the colors and the dimensions of each canvas

So this masterpiece was 1/4 of the cost of what I would have paid and my student was able to use it for her art school portfolio application and..oh yeah...she got a B+ on the painting (she worked on it IN class so a grade had to come with the project). I definitely would have given her an A.

Right now it is hanging over our garden bathtub in the master, but I am not sure if that will be its permanent home. I have another idea that I would like to "copy" and think it might be divine over the tub. We shall see.

All I know is that I LOVE the piece and it was created by a student (now almost a college graduate) who I adore.

So next time you drive past your local high school, just imagine the talent that you could untap, and the treasures you could obtain.

Cheers~
e

saturday mornings

At our house, we wake up by 6 am to get good seats for morning cartoons.

During commercials, we dump out all the toys and play with them....

till cartoons return and then we return to business as usual (I try to squeeze in a few moments blog surfing or window shopping).

But my favorite moments...between cartoons, blogging, milk, and fruit loops are our kisses. I love kissing him and hearing him giggle.

And I love it even more when he kisses me.

I will get up early every Saturday for moments like this.

So..how do you spend your Saturday mornings?

Happy Saturday!

Cheers~

e


PS No makeup, hair all blah, and is that a bra strap I see? Oh my...please excuse my looks, and focus on the precious little boy.