Around Here

Did you make it to The Coop?

It was crazy good!!

Me and The Birds..Ann & Hooper

Big fun was had by all...

If you missed it, you can stop by today from 10:00-1:00

The Coop 

1930 B Oleander Drive

Savoir- Flair posted some great pictures from the night and I loved getting to meet Lindsey!! Be sure to check out the killer lucite bench she got...

And I just wanted you to know so you won't worry yourself sick..I found a good home for my boots!! A cute friend here in Wilmington bought them and I hear they are very happy together!!

And one of my readers passed on some good info, if you buy your shoes from Zappos and they don't fit after one wearing, they may let you exchange them!! Good to know for the future!! Thanks for the tip!!

The Coop

Are you going? 

The Coop 

Saturday December 7th 

5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

1930 B Oleander Drive

Big Red Barn

Ann and Hooper, better known as Birds of a Feather, have been shopping like crazy just for you. They're nice like that.

All kinds of good stuff will be available for sale...

You can shop any time you want between 5 and 9 but I will be there from 5 til 7. I'll be checking people out, pointing out the good stuff and just generally adding good cheer.

Come say hi and buy!!!

So Sad...Too Bad For Me, Good For You

 I agonized over buying a new pair of Frye Boots..they ain't cheap. Once I decided I needed them I agonized over the size. I am afraid Zappos is going to ban me from shopping with them since I ordered and sent back several pairs of boots. I am always between a 7 and a 7 1/2. 

Melissa Button Boot 

I decided the 7 1/2 was my best option. I wore them ONCE, yes ONCE and have decided they are too big!!! I feel sick! Yes, I could keep them and wear big socks, but I would rather sell them at a loss and get a pair that fits better. I hate waste and once I find the right boot, right size, I will wear them for years, so they need to be perfect. 

And here they are...perfect in every way!!

I am putting them on Ebay, but wanted to offer them to my readers first. They are such a fabulous pair of boots and I want them to go to a good home, to someone who loves boots, jeans, camo and lots of accessories. Retail $348

I am selling my practically brand new
 Size 7 1/2 Frye Melissa Button Boots in Cognac for $240.00 (What a deal!!)

Shipping: $15

Interested? e-mail me at siskotte@ec.rr.com

The Dark Side

After two years of talking about it ....

And six months of paint samples on my walls, I finally painted Bill's den!!

(Actually when the painters came to paint my closet I had them do it so I was forced to make a color choice. Sometimes pressure is a good thing...)

Here's a sneak peak. I LOVE it!! The room is so much cozier and happier. 

 

Before...a little bland...just waiting for some color...

Now isn't that much better? I'll have better pictures soon. I need to get everything hung back up and moved around. Now that the walls are darker some of my art no longer works in the room so I got some shuffling to do. But for now I am happy!!

Mirror Mirror

Closet part two...

Remember this picture from my closet makeover...

Well that mirror is not going to stay....

  pic found here    

I do like the look of a hanging mirror but I think I like....

pic found here

This more!! The whole area covered in mirror!! Isn't it fabulous??!!

pic found here

And this, super glam, puts my closet to shame!! So this is the way I am going....all mirror, fitted to the space. Hope to get it put in next week.

If I don't see you tomorrow Happy Thanksgiving!!

Closet Before and After

My new closet is installed and I love it!!!

Things got a little shaky last week after the painters came...

I was not thrilled with the outcome. Colors, great. I especially love the blue on the ceiling but the cedar looked awful after it was painted. All the flaws were really obvious. Yikes!

I did like it better than before but it was not the smooth, even finish I wanted so I did what I always do...I panicked. After a good hissy fit I felt much better. I decided to wait and see the closet installed and then I could add backing or mirrors to cover any areas I didn't like.

So..here it is...

Ta da!

It's not a huge closet but I feel like it has doubled in size!!

It brings me joy.

Especially compared to this before!

And now with clothes.

I hung this mirror on a whim. The wall where it is hanging will be covered by a mirror cut to fit the size and will really open up the closet. I'll show you some pictures tomorrow...

A little closer...

I still need some baskets or boxes for accessories and belts and maybe a small stool to reach the top shelf. I also need new hangers...and maybe some new clothes...it never ends!!!

I used California Closets and was really pleased with the service. If you are in the Wilmington area contact Jennifer Wells at: jwells@calclosets.com

Making Friends

Remember my new happy toaster? 

He made me happy, happy, happy but Mr. Toaster wasn't happy. Seems he didn't like being the only brightly colored super fab appliance in the kitchen. He felt different and lonely. I knew what he needed...

Who says you can't buy friends?

And this little friend was on sale.

Now every one is happy and bright.

La Senorita Jolie - My New Favorite Dress

Recently a friend of mine started carrying a new line of clothes, La Senorita Jolie, designed by North Carolina native Jennifer Dixon; you gotta love that! Have you heard of it? I hadn't and when I found out it was a casual line of comfy t-shirts and dresses, I couldn't wait to stop by and take a look. I think I must have tried on almost everything there and came home with some really great pieces. Here are my favs...

The Charlotte $34

This is such a great tee.

Loose and flowy at the top with a nice wide band at the bottom. It takes your basic t shirt up a notch or two. I got it in the gray...

Gabriella Dress $68

This has to be one of my all time favorite dresses. I LOVE a maxi dress and this one fits perfectly.

OK, brace yourself, I actually had Bill take some pics of me in my new dress. He was watching football and would only participate during commercials and I have to tell you, his heart was not in it!! 

The back is my favorite part...

I know what you are thinking, it's getting colder, I am not going to be walking around with my shoulders hanging out...

Don't worry, all you need is some layers...

Start with a white tank and cute necklace...

 Add a jacket or sweater.

Perfect for fall days.

 Still chilly, throw on a camo jacket

 

And for those really cold days add The Margot Scarf $34

Don't you love the fringe?

Now you are nice and cozy and still super comfy. 

I tell you, you can wear this dress year round.

There are so many other cute tops, dresses, and accessories you can check out here.

Here's the really good part, to get free shipping enter code LSJ-SMC-FS. (There will be a section at the very end of check out that will ask you for a code) Order $100 or more and you get a free tote bag!!

This line is only sold online and through home shows. If you are in Wilmington you can contact Stuart Cherry - stuartmcherry@gmail.com. Otherwise get over to La Senorita Jolie and order you up something good!!

I'm Out of the Closet...

I can't believe I am showing you this but you can't have a good "after" if you don't have a really bad "before"...

So I present to you my closet...

Yikes!! Are you scared? Disgusted? I know it's bad. Every Sunday night I try to clean it up and get everything straight to start the week but then all hell breaks loose and I end up with this mess. There is no storage, it is cedar which means dark, dark, dark and it has a poor layout.

So I am gonna fix this mess...

I emptied it last night, Bill ripped out the shelves and the painters come Thursday. The new closet will be installed next week. I hope I love it!! I hope my clothes all fit and have their own special little spot where they can stay.

Cross your fingers.

And what about you? Neat closet or clothing disaster?

Tassels

Saw this scarf online at Anthropologie.  Love it and it's on sale..but it got a terrible review. Hmmm....what to do? It's the tassels you know, they make me happy.

Then while browsing through Forever 21 I came across this scarf. Pretty cute and there are lots of tassels. Plus, it gives you the whole Aztec look without going crazy. Icing on the cake? It was $8. Yep, $8, you can't go wrong. 

Forever 21 will surprise you sometimes. Can't wait to show you the leather jacket Cricket got to wear as part of her Halloween costume. To her it was just a prop but I made sure she got a size that I could wear too because I am going to dig it out of the costume box. 

Ninja Treats and Decor

I should file this in my "Monkey See, Monkey Do" folder. 

Once I saw these guys on Pinterest I knew they would be perfect for Locke's birthday since he can't eat cake or cupcakes. 

And voila! Helpful hint: if you can't find your round cookie cutter and you go to three stores and still can't find one, you can use an aluminum can to cut the Rice Krispies. 

And while this was not terribly difficult it was time consuming so I decided to simplify for the treats Locke will take to school.

Store bought Rice Krispies spray painted and decorated. 

I cut a stencil out and then sprayed away... 

Have you ever used this stuff? Color Mist? It's great! The possibilities are endless.

Locke told me I was the best mom he ever had. You think it was because of all the Ninja Turtle treats? Nope...it was because I ordered this...

 I am serious, I ordered this for my home!! Did you even know they made a Ninja Turtle sofa? Me either. Isn't that going to be the perfect touch in Bill's den in all it's polyester purple finest?

All I can say is that the kids are wearing me down and for $35 -$45 it was well worth it for the joy it is going to bring one little boy!!

Happy Toast

A fire is never a good thing BUT..since my old toaster went up in flames I ran to Target last night for a replacement. Bill asked if I got white or stainless...I said neither...

I got a happy toaster!!

Making breakfast has never been so fun!

And since my crock pot recently died...

I am thinking I need this. 

You can see the whole line here.

Do you like or is it a little much for you?

Around Here

I've been spending most nights with Jessica...

Jessica Seinfeld and her fabulous new cookbook. 

Did y'all try that chicken and potatoes recipe I blogged about here?

Everything I have tried so far has been excellent and easy!! 

I highly recommend this cook book.

More details on what I've been fixing later..

This wallpaper may move from the dining room to the kitchen...

Found this giant basket at Homegoods...now I am on the search for a fiddle leaf fig tree. 

And I have narrowed down the search for a paint color for Bill's den. 

So, what's going on with you?