Monday Funnies

As you may know, Georgia has gotten nonstop rain for over a week now. I love rain…good thing, but it has become a bit of a nuisance. It has caused major flooding all over the state.

This was my front yard during yet another storm this afternoon:

I have drains running under my driveway and on this side the water got to about three and a half feet deep.  At one point it covered the landscape timbers and was touching the top of the pine straw!

So I found this from Kanye West in honor of our flooding: ( You must read the caption.)

 

And if that’s not enough to make you laugh on this incredibly rainy Monday, how about this, since I feel like I live in Forks:

Sorry honey, it was just so funny I couldn’t resist.  I hope you understand!

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait until November 22nd!

~Misti

Finally found the perfect fireplace surround!

 

Leave it to County Living to show me the most perfect fireplace surround for my home.

I’m loving the black distressed look!

I can picture it already…

~Misti

Fab and Functional Office Space

Better Homes and Gardens goes out of their way to bring us some of the best projects for everyday do-it-yourselfers like us. I can’t get enough of their magazine! So, when I find a project that really knocks my socks off, I have to share it with you.

While having my Saturday morning coffee, I stumbled upon this fabulous office space in BHG. The homeowner made this small room so very functional and practical, not to mention beautiful!

They transformed these small, but deep closets into storage space and a charging station. One side houses the flat screen TV, and the other side houses office supplies and a filing cabinet. Electrical outlets were installed to get maximum benefit!

Such a smart use of space! By removing the doors and adding draperies, it makes the closets easier to use. Besides, the fabric is much nicer to look at than doors. I mean REALLY. The fabric was also used on the opposite wall to bring the room together.

White painted walls reflect the natural light and make the room appear larger.  The rug is actually two rugs held together by carpet tape. Using the light colored rug against the dark wood floor, again, lightens up the space.

Even the furniture choices are so practical. The small sofa opens into a twin bed to also make this room serve as a guest room. The acrylic table takes up no visual space, yet is still so functional.

Love the desk that they painted to coordinate with the drapery colors!

Another thing that caught my attention is how they used a white curtain rod against the white walls to visually make it disappear.

Really, they thought of every possible storage and space solution here! The wall shelves are economical pieces that can be found at any department store or Ikea, I’m sure… Did you notice that they painted the backs of shelves green? So clever.

Even the filing cabinet got a spray paint treatment! I am in love with this office/room. How about you?

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!

~Misti

What a day…

This morning I see mums blooming and I smell cinnamon brooms in the air and they make me smile…

…but all I can  really think about is that sad day years ago…

May we never forget.

Using your space wisely

Kudos to Better Homes and Gardens for always showing us such great ideas!

An entryway like this is so functional and yet so pretty!

Instead of leaving this basement area one large space, the homeowners made an open foyer simply by adding this low wall. One side of the wall is for seating and shoe storage, and the other side is used for displaying books and artwork.

Keeping the wall low allows the room to remain open while letting in as much light as possible.

The beadboard was attached to cover the lower cement portion of the basement walls and was extended to the entry wall.

Beautiful and functional!

The homeowners also chose to paint the floor instead of adding carpet or spending the money for hardwoods. I think this a a fabulous use of space!

I do love a well-thought-out room!

~Misti

Things to do List

Lately all I have had time to do is study, study, and study. I just took my midterm exam today and scored an awesome 100!

So that means I am on my way to the finish line. That can’t come soon enough in my book. I just can’t believe that I will have a new career in a very short time! How exciting!!!

When I have some down time (or when I just cannot stare at the computer anymore) I start making lists. Lists of all kinds.

But the list that keeps getting longer and longer is my to-do list.

Some small projects, some large, and some that I have been planning to do since we moved in four years ago.

Let me walk you through a few of them:

I am dying to paint this wall a light suede brown, and have my Ballard drapes from floor to ceiling.

The stairway will also get the same light brown suede paint.

I would love to paint the inside of the front door a satin black.

Still thinking about painting the ugly white fridge in black chalkboard paint, and wrapping the handles in jute twine.

     Restaining the deck is my husband’s first priority. Not exactly one I am excited about, but it sure does need it!

And the one I have been dying to do since the month we moved in…painting the garage door a dark tan to match the house, and adding the brackets and hinges. Can’t wait!

Oh…and I still need to tackle the basement. It is just covered in home decor that is waiting to be re-invented! I’ll spare you that picture.

My to-do list never ends!

~Misti

I could NEVER (decorate like that.)

Being a decorator for a few years, I have been lucky enough to have done some pretty cool things, in some pretty cool homes.

When I am decorating for my own home, however, I am quite practical. I believe in comfortable, family-friendly spaces.

So when I am looking through magazines I see things that just make me cringe. I know we all do it. We look at those great ideas, and think…"'No way could I ever decorate like that.”

Here are a few examples:

Anything free standing that could possibly fall, would definitely fall. Never could I do that. 

Now, I am all for cool architectural decor, but having a giant target over the mantel in a houseful of boys…

I think NOT. 

Certain colors look great on certain people, however, I will never paint my house aqua blue because, quite frankly, the color is hideous on me. You really need to use colors in your home that look great on you. If you can’t wear it, only use it in small doses in your decor. Don’t cover your walls in it!

As much as I love a full-length mirror… I really don’t want a full-body shot of me as I slink into the tub, or the ever-ungraceful getting out of the tub. Ugh! I could never place a long mirror that close to the tub or shower. {Shaking just thinking about it.}

Everyone loves a great tablescape, but when I look at this picture, I see my cat eating the plants and drinking out of the glasses. Cracks me up! I never do table settings, and yes, if I did the cat(s) would be locked in a room somewhere upstairs.

Same as the aqua room…I am NOT a pink kind of gal.

I could NEVER…have white upholstered or slip-covered chairs in the kitchen or dining room! NEVER. It looks fabulous, but so not practical for a family of five.

{All photos courtesy of House Beautiful.}

So, that’s my short list of things I could never decorate with.

How about you? Practical or a little on the fancy schmancy side?

Hope everyone has a fabulously comfortable Labor day!

~Misti

Mushrooms on Parade

Holy mushroom madness--Our yard has been taken over by fungi!

The lawnmower has been on the fritz for a while, and we haven’t been able to cut the grass in about three weeks. In that time, we have been overcome with the craziest mushrooms you’ve ever seen. Some are so fascinating that I just had to blog about them!

It’s the weekend…I needed something different to blog about anyway, right?

This would make a great umbrella for a little mouse.

These brown guys looked like rough rocks!

Looks like a Portobello, right?

This one looks like a mini birdbath.

Have you ever seen so many mushrooms?

I mean REALLY…what’s with all the ‘shrooms?

I know I’m crazy, but I didn’t think anyone would believe me unless I posted about the mushroom insanity going on in my yard.

Okay—I saved the best for last… It’s bigger than my HAND!

Thanks for indulging me while I showed off the mushroom parade!

I really do have much more interesting posts coming this week, so stay tuned!

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

~Misti

What’s for dinner Thursday?

 

Can you believe it’s Thursday already? Well, every week my friend (and awesome blog designer) Joanna of This Southern Girl’s Nest hosts ‘What’s for dinner Thursday?’

This week I am featuring Taco Soup.

First you have to decide if you want ground beef, ground turkey or chicken. I went for ground turkey this time because my booty has not been fitting into my pants very well lately. So turkey it was.

You must also have these ingredients. You may not leave any of them out, or it will not be the same. You can choose to use all yellow corn or all white corn, and you can change the beans to ranch or kidney, but don’t leave out anything!

Pretty colors huh?

1. First thing…cook the meat and onions. Lots of onions! I like to add salt and pepper here, and since I was using turkey I added some extra cumin, but it’s not necessary.

2. Drain if needed.

 3. Drain corn before adding, then add the tomatoes, and the can of beans. Pour in two cans of water, more or less according to how soupy you like it.

4. Stir together and bring to a boil, then let simmer on low. The longer it cooks, the better it tastes, but it is a very quick and easy meal done in less than 30 minutes.

Since I was attempting to be healthy--I topped it with low-fat Mexican blend cheese, and low-fat tortilla chips.

Rawr! Looks yummy, huh?

  

Today I had grilled fish, and I am walking every night, too. Maybe sometime soon I will be back into shape! My husband’s 30-year reunion is coming in October, so I have to be LOOKIN’ GOOD.

Head on over to Joanna’s place to see what she and others are cooking for dinner! If you have a recipe to add, please do; she will love it! Click the button below for her place.

Thanks for hosting Joanna!

~Misti