Just Listed!

Click on the arrow to view a little clip of new products just added. I really just wanted to try out the iMovie program on my Mac.

Fall Cooking

I have to post about the yummy Butternut Squash ravioli we had for dinner last night. Now, I bought mine at Costco and we were all amazed by how good these were. Here is the link to the company that makes them: www.Nuovopasta.com. The cinnamon and nutmeg flavors were so good with the thyme brown butter sauce I made for them - my son said they taste like fall! If you want to make them from scratch (but using wonton wrappers), click HERE for a recipe. Enjoy!

Photo credits: www.AllRecipes.com

Office Chic at Make Mine Pink Friday

I don’t know when it happened, but office spaces for women have become so much more personalized and chic! Whether you spend your working hours in a casual home office or go out for the workday, work spaces are being all gussied up. Women are putting their own stamp on their office space making it more feminine and a lot more fun. Take a look around the next time you visit a friends office. It could be something as simple as an altered art tag dangling on a ribbon from a memo board. Or a fabric covered photo frame, boasting her favorite photos of friends and family. It’s not only acceptable to use a feminine eye when planning your office space, it’s become the norm. I don’t know about you, but I love it!

When looking for furniture, remember, it doesn’t have to be boring to be practical and comfortable. An old vanity or desk freshened up with a coat of paint becomes a work space that is not only comfortable but economical and pleasing to the eye. The worn work table you picked up at a flea market can be refinished to give you extra room to spread out your current project. Go ahead - cover that utilitarian black desk chair with a pretty slipcover in a floral or striped pattern. I did and it made a huge difference in how my office space looks and feels. Your office will never be ordinary again.

Don’t forget - everyday office accessories get a feminine makeover as well! Add a touch of feminine and whimsy by switching the document tray for a vintage wire basket. Adding magazine holders in fun patterns help you keep your office space organized and chic. Look for unusual items that can be used as mail or office caddies, again adding to the personalization of your work space. Adding a decorative mouse pad to further enhance your work space is an inexpensive way to add a little pizzazz to your desktop. Perhaps a favorite vintage creamer or coffee cup would be the perfect accessory to store your pens nearby in feminine style. Embellishments make everyday items fun while still being useful. A clipboard can be transformed with flowers, trims and appliquéd accents. Tie a stack of file folders together with lace and pretty trims. Even your stapler can be dressed up with ribbons and roses in colors to match the office décor.

Do you have a vision board in your office? Vision boards inspire you to reach for and achieve your dreams. Dream big with a board embellished with pretty fabrics, pearls, charms and crystal beads. Keeping it nearby will add style as well as keeping you focused on your goals and dreams.Working in a space that is pretty and calming is a great stress reliever. By adding a few embellishments and feminine touches, you can create a chic office space where your office hours will become more fun and less tedious.

Joyce Lucas, Founder
Make Mine Pink

Click HERE for some of my "Office Chic" products.
Click HERE to see more at Make Mine Pink.

Tent Sale Tuesday-Wire Votives

Aren't these cute? I just listed them under the Tent HERE.

What's Your Style?

According to the Stylescope quiz at Homegoods I'm....

COUNTRY ECLECTIC

You have wide-ranging interests and influences and therefore appreciate a mix of styles, periods, and objects. You would never use a matching suite of furniture or could stand a home that seemed cookie-cutter. But you love the breezy, layered look of wonderfully personal beach houses and the happy florals of English cottages. Bringing the outdoors in makes you happy: a little chintz or ruffle or weathered furniture, urns filled with tennis rackets, colored glasses filled with cut flowers, vintage-looking, mixed tea cups, and all things that give a sense of a happy, simple life.

You value comfort. Your home is a warm and open friendly place, and you feel happiest when everyone is cared for and relaxed in your space. Elements like pillows, throws, overstuffed furniture, and good lighting set the mood. You may also enjoy layering different fabrics or mixing patterns to create a cozy effect.

Click HERE to take the quiz and see what they say about your style.

Doors of Maine

Okay, I promise this is my last post about our trip to Maine. I have been wanting to paint my side door (the most used in our house) a fun color. After driving around Maine I am going to do it! I'm thinking a Robin's Egg Blue. I was so inspired by these pretty doors around Maine.

Do you have a pretty color on your door? If so, let us know!

This post is participating in Hooked on Fridays HERE.

Shopping in Maine

Wish I had time to do more! But the little bit I did was great. I found this shell mirror and starfish at this gorgeous cottage store - The Cherished Home in Belfast.  She had the largest selection of Dash and Albert rugs I have ever seen and 2 floors of themed rooms full of great cottage home decor!  Visit their website HERE.   After coming home from our trip I clicked on their About Us page and was not too surprised to see the owner was another LI, NY'er but I was shocked to see it was Genie Francis from General Hospital! We met quite a few that were originally from our area and relocated to beautiful Maine. I just know we'll end up there one day!

These amazing water views and chippy old chairs are what we found behind The Painted Lady in Lincolnville. She had the most amazing pieces and vignettes in her store. I absolutely LOVED everything she sells. I wish I had taken pics on the inside. But when you looked out the back of the store this is what you saw. So beautiful! Visit her website HERE.


Here is a little glimpse of Camden Village and the cute little shops there.
This was another great store right across the street from Lincolnville Beach. Couldn't find a website for this shop. But it's worth the visit if you're ever in the area.

Coming soon: The Doors of Maine...

"Working Round the House"

Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday September 4, 2009 as we present "Working Round the House"

With the arrival of September, our nesting instincts return. With the kids back in school, there is more time for yourself and to care for your living spaces. It's time to create a cozy fall home in preparation for cooler days and more time spent indoors.

Living spaces that were moved outdoors over the summer will now come back into the house. Afternoon teas in the garden return to the kitchen or dining room.  A favorite vintage tablecloth spattered with hints of autumn flowers pulled from the linen closet and ironed to get ready for the first guests. Your reading nook on the patio will be returned to the living room or den. Favorite pillows ad cushions stitched in deeper shades of autumn, are fluffed to make the corner cozy again.

This is traditionally the time of year we start fall cleaning, tucking away summer accents and decorations until next year.  Summer curtains are put away and replaced with warm fabrics in vibrant shades. 

The fragrances of fall fill your home now too, coming in through the windows and wafting from the fall bouquet you placed in a vintage metal bucket on the table in the hall. The scents of a fresh apple pie in the oven, and apple cinnamon scented potpourri that fills bowls throughout your home and simmers on the stove. The familiar scents inspire feelings of comfort and home.

Fall is also a perfect time to begin a few of the projects you’ve been putting off.  The small pieces of furniture you picked up at summer flea markets now hold the promise of becoming your next painted projects. The vintage fabrics you found at neighborhood estate sales will likely become your next stitched masterpiece. The possibilities are endless as we happily work around our homes. Somehow, we never seem to mind. Instead, we settle back into our routines and enjoy the first hints of excitement of upcoming family gatherings and holidays not far off.


Joyce Lucas, Founder
Make Mine Pink

Click HERE for Hydrangea Home's "Working Round the House" picks.

Click HERE for the participating Boutiques at Make Mine Pink.

I'm looking forward to getting back into creating for my business and for my home this fall.

I don't accomplish too much of that over the summer with all of the kids home. And I am just dying to work on some great pieces of furniture that we've picked up recently. Here's a little list of some of the immediate projects I want to tackle.

1. My husband found a great hutch (for free!) on Craig's list a few weeks ago. It's a real 70's piece but that just means real simple lines to work with. I plan to change the legs, add some molding and paint it. 

2. I also have an old dresser that I plan on turning into a new bathroom vanity.

3. Stairwell art gallery for my kids projects.

4. Vacation picture wall.

What are your fall projects? 

I would love to hear all about them!

Beautiful sites around Maine

I understand why they call Maine "Vacationland".

And why they say Maine - "The way life should be".

These are just a few of the shots we took around Camden and the surrounding area. I could definitely get used to looking at these views everyday.

The view from the dock - can you hear the quiet?


Bella enjoying the view of the pond

Camden Harbor boats


I know they're just cliffs but we don't have those on LI


We don't have these either -Belted Galloway Cows - Don't they look like Oreo cookies?

Pretty Lincolnville Beach

Camden Harbor from the top of Mt. Battie



If you have visited Maine, I would love to hear all about it, what region, your favorite part.....

Visit Serendipity's post about Camden HERE.

Next post..shopping in Maine.

I'm participating in Southern Daydreamer's Outdoor Wednesday. Click on the graphic below to visit more participants.

I've been here...enjoying the end of summer

...in Maine.

So many pics to share.

The beautiful scenery in Camden and the rest of the Mid-Coast region, colorful doors of Maine, the shops, etc.

Have you been there? Such a gorgeous part of our country.

More pics coming soon.

Make Mine Pink Friday "Getting Organized"

Getting Organized has taken on a new look! From being strictly functional to being functional and stylish has become the latest and greatest way of getting and staying organized. Pretty and stylish organization means that you no longer have to hide everything away in back room closets and filing cabinets. Instead, old locker baskets painted pink and stylishly chic organizers help you get organized in creative ways.
By using decorative boxes, vintage baskets and embellished magazine organizers, you can carry your decorating theme throughout your home, office, and even your laundry room.

Storage boxes filled with odds and ends, office supplies or ribbons and trims can fit into the décor in any room. A repurposed basket or box can beautifully organize your odds and ends while keeping them out of the way. A vintage metal file box hand painted with pink roses keeps your papers safe while adding romantic charm. Elegant wooden boxes painted with flowers store photos, CDs and letters in plain view.A vintage china plate might hold a stack of favorite napkins on a table or open shelf. A pretty pink basket can store clean dishtowels by the kitchen sink. A white wicker basket keeps guest towels or magazines, or perhaps organizes your craft space. Vintage nursery jars can hold cotton balls and other necessities while a refinished side table can keep your address book and notepaper handy.

When you need to organize, forget about boring boxes and folders that will keep everything out of sight. Instead, look around you for creative ways to accent your décor and store everything you need within arm's reach.


Joyce Lucas, Founder
Make Mine Pink

Click HERE on Friday August 28th to see our choices for "Getting Organized"
And don't forget to visit the shops HERE at Make Mine Pink for more beautiful organization products.

Also, check out THIS post (DIY creative storage) and THIS post for more creative organization - (an old entertainment center turned craft studio storage cabinet).

Creative Studio...storage project

I've seen these done before and finally just found a way to have them for myself.  My kids wanted to earn some money and they're too young to get a job, so I put them to work....

I bought these unassembled, unfinished storage drawers at IKEA. 

My son got to work putting them together (way too many nails for my patience).

My daughter did the sanding, priming, painting and decoupaging. She used heavy stock scrapbook paper. 

I just love them!

My daughter enjoyed the project, however, thought the wages of $20 for all her hard work was unfair.....

I'm participating in Kimba's DIY day. Click on the graphic below to visit more projects.

Summer in Northport, LI

An early appointment in Northport Village was a good reason to spend some time there. I love this quaint little village in the summer. 

And so do my kids.  

We enjoyed the boats, the playground, the variety store and of course the candy shop and lunch at Sweet Mamas!

Some changes...

With much thought, I have decided to make some changes regarding Tent Sale Tuesday. I will continue the popular Tent Sale category on my website. I just won't be adding something to it each week. Instead it will be an occasional announcement. I feel the weekly sale announcement on my blog was a bit overkill and beginning to annoy me each week. Like last week when my computer wouldn't cooperate and it was TENT SALE TUESDAY!

Too much stress...

And that's not what I want...

If you become a follower you won't miss the next Tent Sale announcement!

Blogging For Bliss Party

Kari over at Artsy Mama is hosting a party for the release of Tara's new book Blogging For Bliss. I picked it up as soon as I heard it was in stores. I am taking my time reading it (usually while I'm sitting in the car alone at one of my kids sporting practices). It's a great book if you haven't read it yet - so many great tips for bloggers new and old!

I started my blog 3 years ago. I wanted to connect with my website customers. When I first began selling online, I thought it was all so amazing to be able to sell to customers all over the country. But, I was missing something and it was knowing who my customers were and them getting to know me. I was so used to selling in person, either at shows or my open house sales. So this was an obvious way for me to let them know a little more about the person behind Hydrangea Home.

Through my blog I also show some of the many trash to treasure projects my husband and I have worked on over the years. Decorating a home really can be done on a budget!

I also love to share recipes. Cooking healthy is really important to me. And it's not easy when you're always on the run - but it's possible and I hope to inspire my readers with quick and simple recipes that can also involve the kids.

You can also find simple how-to projects on my blog, maybe a centerpiece project or tablescape for entertaining. My guests know I love those tablescapes!

I also post about sales and new products at Hydrangea Home.

As a stay-at-home mom of 4 (it's been 13 years now!), I feel very lucky to be able to have my home business. It's my creative outlet and something for ME! It does get very hard to find time for "my work" (especially in the summer), but I wouldn't give it up for the world. I have met so many great women through my online business and blog.

Hopefully, my blog is a place that women can come for inspiration to create something, decorate something or maybe even to start their own business or blog.

That would be my dream!

Tent Sale Tuesday

I'm having some computer trouble but will get this week's tent sale up as soon as I can!

Pizza on the Grill-So Good!

Have you tried it?

Tired of hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill?

So good and so easy.

Get yourself some good pizza dough from your local pizzeria or bakery. Unless of course you like to make your own. That's not my thing so I buy it ready made.

For this one, I used sliced up breaded chicken cutlets, ricotta, marinara sauce, mozzarella and fresh basil.

Stretch out your dough, brush it with a little olive oil and place it right on the hot grill.

When you see it getting crispy, flip it and take it off so you can put your toppings on (the cooked side). This is easiest to do on a large flat cutting board or pizza peel if you have one. It does get a little heavy once the toppings are on and you need to be able to slide it off to get it back on the grill. You can also sprinkle a little cornmeal on your surface to help it on and off.

So, you throw it back on the grill until the bottom is cooked and your toppings are hot and melted.

Take it off, sprinkle with some fresh snipped basil and cut up and enjoy!

So many options for these: ricotta with ham and grilled pineapple(my kids' fave), sausage and cheese, spinach with gorganzola and red onion....

I'd love to hear how you made yours!

I'm also participating in Kimba's DIY day! Click on the graphic above to visit a ton of DIY projects by other bloggers. Thanks so much for visiting!

Long Island, NY...The North Fork

Last week I took my mom, brother and his bride-to-be to a cooking class at the Farmhouse Kitchen in Southold. My mom and I have attended Paula's classes before and I thought that this particular class "Entertaining North Fork Style" would be a great fit for them. They are planning a North Fork wedding at the beautiful Macari Vineyard. Our first stop was at the vineyard and I was able to look at some photo books of previous weddings held there. They were gorgeous. There is a great red barn on the property and it will make for some beautiful wedding pics. I can't wait! We sat on the deck with a bottle of wine and brainstormed about some centerpiece ideas. I'm so excited for them! They are still looking for a caterer, so if you know of any out in that area, please let me know.

After Macari, we had a few minutes before our class was to begin so I had to stop in at the Whiteflower Farmhouse. I have been dying to see this shop after finding their website and blog. Such a beautiful store, I bought one of their teacup candles for each of us and it smells amazing! This store inspired my sister-in-law to think about using gray and robin's egg blue as the colors for her wedding.

So we finally made it to the cooking class which was held by the pool. It's so relaxing at Paula's. For us it's like being on another planet. You sit, relax, listen and watch Paula cook up some amazing foods and the best part of course it tasting it all. During this class she demonstrated and we tasted: Grilled Fruit Salsa on Grilled Brochetta, Summer Sippers, Grilled Corn, North Fork Baked Stuffed Clams, Grilled Clams, Mini Pesto Burgers with Red Pepper Mayo, Watermelon Salad, Grilled Romaine Salad with Blueberries and Feta(who would've thought? This was amazing), and dessert was Grilled Pound Cake with Nutella, Grilled Peaches and Toasted Coconut. I wish I took pics of all of this great food but we ate it too fast!

After the class ended, we drove down to the end of Paula's street. There is a little private beach there and I took a couple of pics of the views (that's my brother's fiancee in one of them). Right across the water is the South Fork of Long Island where you will find the Hamptons. Also very beautiful, but the North is my favorite! I just had to pull over to take a pic of that gorgeous field of sunflowers we spotted on our way home from a perfect day....

If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend this experience. Paula and her husband also own a vineyard - Croteaux Vineyard - which is also on the property of their home complete with an adorable tasting barn shown in the photos below.

Clicking on the highlighted text above will take you to the mentioned sites.

Click HERE for previous post about the Farmhouse Kitchen experience.