Window Makeover

It's been well overdue.  Our front windows (Living Room windows) have needed a step up, some "ummmf", a bit of love for quite a while now.  With our tax return in our account, we headed out to get the well-needed drapes and treatments, and even got them installed!  Here's what we got:

Inspiration- Linen drapes with grommets:

Photo via West Elm

Color purchased: Platinum

Renewable Bamboo Roman shades, purchased at Lowes

Color: Jakarta Cocoa

They actually have a very nice "rope" detail woven within them!

Curtain Rod hardware: Allen + Roth via Lowes

Glass Ball finial with brushed nickel rod

And the finished, installed look in our living space:

We're still awaiting our new sofa sectional, and have quite a bit of projects to complete, so no "after" photos until it's complete.  We're getting there, and it's quite exciting.

Who's Next

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Usually I don't post on weekends, and yes I'm still up over my head with Etsy orders, but I'm taking a minute to eat a slice of chocolate cake (that D just made), and am wondering who's going to be the 200th fan of the S&S shop?...................Really?  199 people heart S&S- so sweet!

Expecting Cold

It's suppossed to pour rain this weekend.  I have to make a trip to the craft supplier, to the Post, and hopefully curl up inside the rest of the time.  D offered to cook chili all day in the crock pot tomorrow..............ummmmm..........YES!

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Whoa Wellies!

Oh my, Lisa Roy just posted a lovely feature on red colored Wellies, and I fell in love with the last pair of Joules ones.  I'm not able to find the color in their US web shop (boo)- they are stunning!  And they caught my eye particularly because we're gearing up for rain this weekend.  I admit I would probably only get use of them the few months when it rains on and off, but boy would they be stylish! 

Dear husband, can you contact someone you know out of the country- maybe Canada- to purchase this special color for a special someones birthday coming up?

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Dreaming of......Relaxation

Relaxing at a secluded beach house.........................oh the thought!

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Decor Miss-Outs

Do you ever look back on shopping trips and say "darn it, I should have bought that _______ when I had the chance"?  Grrrrrrrrr.

I will, for the rest of my life, wish I would have bought that darn outdoor bistro set that I saw at Amvets (second-hand Veterans Thrift Store) of $35!  What was my problem?  It was a situation of me being by myself, wondering how I'm going to get all three pieces into my Jeep, and not wanting to pay the ATM fee at the store to withdraw cash.  Was I delusional?  Next time, I'm telling myself to go for it.  This was my ultimate miss out opportunity and my Husband knows I just can let it go.  It was the perfect vintage, ratty tatty unfinished wood, slightly rusted frame, with a decent sized diameter table.  Boo.  Someone else better really be enjoying that set.  (this was probably over a year ago, can you tell I'm not over it)?  The photo below shows a similar style to what I fell in love with, except the one I adored was unfinished wood with a wood slatted table top (probably finished at one time long ago):

Photo via Google

Also, careless mistake, was admiring Pottery Barn's knit holiday stockings and saving the photo for the after Christmas sale.  Who was I kidding, these things weren't going to go on sale, they were going to SELL OUT!  Really?  I need to step up my game.

Photo via Pottery Barn

Do you have any missed opportunities?  Something you wish you would have bought, and you could have visualized where it would have perfectly fit into your home or life?  I created a new formula for asking myself if I really love something, and D even chimes in at the store too:  If I'm eyeing something for longer than two minutes, walk around the store and go back to that item, he asks "Can you live without it, if we go back home are you going to think about it the rest of the day and have dreams about it"?    Haaaaaaa.

Sweets

So I'm not sure if this post will remain up, if Hubby D gets too embarrassed I may have to pull it.  He shouldn't though, because it's a testament to how Bad A$$ he is. 

You know the phrase is "You are what you eat"?  Well, if so, yesterday for dinner, I was nachos, peanut butter M&M's, and Girl Scout cookies. WOW.  I'm embarrassed typing that.  Anyhow, D must have known this time of the month was coming to have bought all of those M&Ms.

Then, this morning, he brought my usge Strabucks Frappuccino, and.............................feminine products that I was in dire need of.  Um, I've already dubbed him Husband of the Lifetime.   xoxoxo

The Foundary- is amazing!

Hello lovelies, I'm so excited to share an awesome find today!  And I mean awesome!  It's one of those things I felt like "I found", although I'm clearly not the only one to be in the know.  Have you ever wanted the inside scoop on home essentials, major deals, with up to 70% off retail?  Um, no second thoughts for me, sign me up!

The Foundary is a site with new daily finds featuring items for your home, from furniture, to bath towels, to accessories, baskets, rugs, children's furniture, and more.  I just discovered the site and already purchased my first find..........I'll be sure to post photos when it arrives.  Their motto is Happiness Loves Company, how sweet is that- so I'm sharing the news with the company of my blog.  Enjoy!

Sign up!

SIGN UP HERE!

For the Bride

A soft color palette is always stunning.  Peony chair signs- will be added to the shop soon!

Pretty in Pink

Just finished some bouquet tags for PW bride, Stephanie.  Enjoy!

Happy Anniversary S&S! Feelin Loved

It's official, today is the one year mark of the launch of Sweet Peas and Seashells Etsy shop, as well as this little blog!  I started this blog 2 years ago actually (although not counting the first year of sadly only a few posts- what was I thinking on starting a blog while planning a wedding)???  I am LOVING this little anniversary.  It's slightly ironic that both S&S ventures begun on V-Day, I guess it just goes to show that a passion was born on the day dedicated to LOVE!  Thank you to all who have contributed in the success of S&S from the bottom of my heart, I heart you all!

A special shout out to Hubby D, who has been by my side through it all.  We shared our very first Valentine's Day 13 years ago...(WHAT!!!)..........and he still continues to surprise me with Starbucks Fraps in the morning, shoulder rubs when my neck goes whack, drawing bubble baths when needed, and does more around the house then any woman could imagine!  LOVE.......always.

Lovely

Aren't these hearts from A Creative Mint amazing?  I love that she puts together these awesome vignettes and photographs them to share via blog!

Hope you have a lovely weekend and some fun plans for V-Day!  Whether your spending time with your partner, family, or friends- make it an amazing day!

Long.......Week

It's been a dragging week filled with "blah-ness" (yes, I made up that word), but I am so looking forward to the weekend and spending some much needed, quality time with my Husband!  Thank you to everyone for your sweet comments this week.  I'm looking forward to next week, as S&S has some special shop/blog anniversaries coming up!

I had some fabulous news come in yesterday.........I am so proud to annouce that S&S has won the:


Press Release:

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Sweet Peas and Seashells has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for wedding decor!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds.  Past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.
Sweet Peas and Seashells stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.
“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Sweet Peas and Seashells for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”


I am happy to announce that Sweet Peas and Seashells is among the very best wedding decor vendors within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee.   For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit http://www.weddingwire.com/.

Thank you so much to each and every S&S client, as each order fulfills my desire to be a successful business owner and create one-of-a-kind personalized items.  You're all AWESOME!!!

Untitled

Sometimes, things that happen or things that are said put life into perspective.  Lots on the mind.

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Back to Blogging

Oh Wow, have I missed my little blog.  Life has been super busy and I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine as well as catching up with you all!

Did you have a nice weekend?  I finished up Etsy orders, we ran errands, bought new parfait dishes, had our usge Coffee Bean Sunday morning, we drove around looking for second hand stores to find me a sewing table (still in search), bought The Town on demand which was an awesome movie, and had a bit of chill time

I'm really digging some new tunes, D always discovers the best ones:




How are you all?  I know I am missing so much and can't wait to hear from you!

-Jen, did you get your invites sent out? (I can't wait to feature them on the blog)
-T-Tams, are you enjoying your new outdoor lounge?
-Margo, my thoughts have been with you and your family these past few weeks!
-Faith- what's new?  What movies have you seen, what outfits have you worn, what have you cooked lately?
-Yanyan, I can't wait to see the new collection!
-Nicole, how's the planning? I can't wait to help you with those details you discussed (I'll email ya).
-Kathy- I love the new dining room, you have been so busy on the homefront lately!
Everyone else- You've been missed and I can't wait to get back into the loop!


Oh, and guess what?  Sweet Peas and Seashells has recently become a  proud sponsor of both the White Flower Farmhouse and  Frugal Farmhouse Design .  Browse on over to these lovely blogs when you have a moment.  Nothing better than supporting people and their businesses in which you truly believe- these ladies are fantastic!

Have a lovely start to you week!