Upcoming Show!

We will be participating in a new Vintage and Handmade market next weekend on the North Fork of Long Island, NY. Come say hello if you're local. It's for a great cause! And just in time for Mother's Day shopping! Info below.

Exciting news!!!

So excited to announce I have been chosen to be a part of the Magnolia Story Street Team! You know I am a huge fan of Joanna and Chip Gaines. Can't wait to share information with you all as we help promote their new book coming out this October! Stay tuned!

Mother's Day Wishes

Wishing you all a beautiful Mother's Day!

I've started creating social media greetings (because they're so much fun!). Feel free to share.
Personal use only.

Survey says...

This was a fun survey!  Thanks to all who participated! Many responders had multiple design styles, which I love. I can't decide on one style myself. Too many things appeal to me.

So here are the results for around the country.

24% Traditional              
9%   Tuscan                    
29% French Country
20% Modern Country
27% Farmhouse/Rustic
29% Cottage
7%   Coastal/Beach
4%   Shabby Chic
4%   Romantic
2%   Modern/Minimalist
2%   Botanical
2%   Victorian
2%   Eclectic

The most popular were Cottage and French Country with Farmhouse/Rustic a close second.
Not Surprising!

llama, llama another new momma

Something I haven't shared on my blog before...I love llamas! One day I hope to move to a farm and have a few of our own. For now, we get to spend time with the llamas at the Long Island Livestock Company where my daughter takes lessons.  A new baby was born this weekend and we were able to meet her last night. So sweet!

I don't want to leave anyone out, so here are a few more of the cuties at the farm.

These beauties produce some gorgeous fiber. If you ever need wool, Tabbethia has some gorgeous colors. I wish I knew how to knit. One day! Another thing I would love to do.  I'm definitely asking for a pair of llama socks for Christmas. (Tabbethia sells them in her shop too).

Visit her shop at lilivestockco.com . Great stuff!

Jennifer Lanne's painting class...highlight of the weekend!

I am a longtime fan of artist Jennifer Lanne. The day I found out about the painting classes she was holding in her barn studio in upstate NY, I was ecstatic! I think I registered before even looking at my calendar. I would make it work. Luckily the weather was OK (a lot of rain but at least it wasn't snow!), for our 4 hour ride to her farm. You can see a picture tour of her gorgeous farmhouse HERE in this Country Living feature.  Jennifer and her husband Richard are so talented and were so sweet. She has more classes lined up if you are interested in taking a class which I strongly suggest if you are a painter or have always wanted to try painting. Jennifer is a great teacher! But don't wait to sign up - her classes fill up quickly!  You can find her class info HERE.

A lot of fun! The girls came from all over NY and CT. I love how each painting has a very different look. They thought my painting had a shabby look to it - PERFECT! I made it for our youngest daughter's bedroom. She was so excited to hang it over her bed.

Dreams of France...

My first Etsy treasury. These are fun to put together!
Just wanted to share some of the beautiful things you can find on Etsy.

'toutes choses francais' by myhydrangeahome

all things french...

La Poule Blanche - Fine Art ... honeytree $28.00	Paul French Patisserie - 8x1... rebeccaplotnic... $30.00	Vintage French Country Metal... chicfrangine $65.00	Vintage French music sheets lapomme $48.00
8 oz or 1/2 pound - Very Fin... GlassHouseSupp... $9.95	SALE Antique French Encyclop... elitas $75.00	French Petite Antique Crysta... ParisCoutureAn... $450.00	Vintage Bordeaux France Wine... sevenbc $120.00
French Antique House plate N... LucieTalesVint... $6.00	Vintage French Birds on a Fe... Bluebirdlane $6.00	Brocante - Black and White ... honeytree $28.00	Le Carrousel- beautiful past... TCaponePhoto $30.00
Parisian Ballerina II fififlowers $30.00	The French Emblem - Burlap a... JolieMarche $37.00	White Chocolate Raspberry Ma... TheWhimsicalSp... $24.95	Paris Door LindaJanePhoto... $12.99

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Pinterest has my Interest!

This can be addicting - but so fun! A place for gathering your favorite pics from the internet.
Check out Pinterest.

I just started a few of my own boards - but have to get to work now...

Heirloom Philosophy

Maybe I'll find time tonight to add more.

Notes from the Nest

We had this ugly door to enter the garage from inside the house.  It's a steel door, therefore already magnetic and we thought it would be fun to make it into a magnetic chalkboard/door. Bye-bye eyesore.

I loved it painted black but thought it needed a little something. So I painted this cute little bird and nest in a tree with the message "Notes from the Nest".  I used white acrylic paint - looks like it's drawn with chalk.

I've seen tons of chalkboard projects in blogland and just needed to do some of my own. So simple and fun.  Prime, and paint (2 good coats) with chalkboard paint - we bought ours at Lowes.
The kids can't wait to come home and draw on the door!

I still have some paint left, hmmm.........

This post is contributing to the following link ups. Be sure to visit them!

Great Giveaways!

I still can't believe I won this great Pom Pom Interiors bag from Lori of Lavender Fields - a gorgeous store in Port Jefferson, NY.
I'm lucky enough to be just 20 minutes from her shop.
Visit her online boutique HERE and her adorable blog HERE.

It's huge!
And I love it with one Erica's handmade roses.

A perfect spring/summer bag.
Thank you Lori!
Lori is now carrying the Pom Pom Home Bedding and Accessories. I've always LOVED Pom Pom.
Just look at this tablecloth......

 And speaking of giveaways...

check out this one from Kasey at Lola B's - one of my favorite blogs.

Her favorite lip balm from Anthro...

a gorgeous custom shade...

or 3 mini ones...

and 4 pretty plates from Anthro...

but you need to act quick..

like now...

the giveaway ends tonight!

Party Time!

Today is my daughter's 14th bday. Can't believe it!

Where did the time go?

So, on Saturday night we had 20 girls over for a celebration. 

Thanks to the snow day, we had time to make some fun party pom poms.

Inspired by the ones on this gorgeous blog...

Dreamy Whites

We used a Martha Stewart tutorial except we added a few more layers of tissue than instructed for fuller pom poms. Here is the link to the how-to.

We also used mixed the tissue colors and made little ones for the table.

Some of the girls wore these in their hair to dance the next day.

They just loved them!

The desserts!

We made mini and regular cupcakes in vanilla and chocolate.

But the frosting is what I need to share.

I found this recipe on a cooking forum a while back. 

Fluffy (not too sweet) Amazing Frosting

1 C Whipping Cream

1/4-1/2 C Milk

1/2 package instant pudding mix (4 serving box)

Combine all ingredients in a chilled mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer until cream is whipped and pudding is dissolved and thick. 

You may need to adjust the amount of milk to get the right consistency. Too thick - add a little more milk. Too thin - add a little more pudding mix. 

I made a chocolate and a vanilla batch and piped the frosting on using a pastry bag. 

Here's what I'm thinking about for some other combos:

Pistachio frosting

Lemon frosting with a fresh blueberry on top

Lime (is there lime pudding mix?) with a fresh raspberry.

Don't they sound delicious?

You can also pipe some right into the cupcake before frosting for a yummy surprise filling!

Holy cow - I just went on the Jello website.

They have banana, COCONUT!, butterscotch, CHEESECAKE!, white chocolate....

I'm in trouble!

So, besides the cute little cupcakes, we also set up the chocolate fountain with fruits, marshmallows, pretzels and graham crackers for dipping.

Always a huge hit!

The Games

Some great fun games for teen parties.

We created a questionnaire for the girls to fill out. 

Twenty questions about the bday girl.

 The top 3 that knew her best got to choose a prize. 

A lot of fun!

Charades including pop songs, movies, etc.

Winning team chooses a prize.

And we were planning on playing Left, Right, Center (a fun dice game). 

We were going to use candy for this one but we ran out of time. 

The greatest story ever told. Someone starts of the story with a couple of sentences on paper. The book goes around the room and each girl adds to the story. The story is read out loud and the end. It's pretty funny what 14 year old girls write about. (mostly Justin Bieber)

The Prize Basket

Assorted lotions and lip gloss from Bath and Body

Nail Polish in funky colors

Hair flower clips

Headbands

Cosmetic bags

Genie twist hair towels

Starbuck's gift cards (this was a hot one)

Maybe you have some more great teen party ideas?

If you do, please share in the comments.

Thanks so much!

This post is participating in the following events. 

Make sure you visit them for some more creative inspiration!

at Twice Remembered

at Cindy's Romantic Home

Happy New Year - A Year in Review

I would like to wish all of my readers a very

Happy and Healthy New Year!

Hope you enjoy the photos -My Highlights of 2009.

A new puppy! Welcome Bella.

You know I love to cook!

Completed projects at home.

A sample of my work this year. My creative outlet.

Summer memories. The East End...

Northport, LI

A favorite concert with mom.

Shades of Autumn

Merry Christmas! 

The giving....

The decorating...

And finally, an important highlight this year is being a part of this group and the NY Shelter Project. 

Thanks so much to all of my customers and friends that take the time to read my blog, get to know me and leave such beautiful comments.

 I really appreciate it!

Please visit Cindy at My Romantic Home for her

 Year in Review Party.

And make sure you stop by Melissa at The Inspired Room for her Best of 2009 Party!

And Layla at The Lettered Cottage for her "Favorite Blog Post of the Year" Party.