Thank You For Sharing, Dear Sister...

  While sitting here, snow-bound in the cabin amongst the cornfields of Central Illinois, my dear sister Jill and husband are on a trip get-away… somewhere on the Gulf of Mexico, bummer!  

   Her e-mail with “warm” greetings this morning set the mood for her day and mine. Complaining a bit about the nip in the air (71 degrees) and looking forward to sitting by the poolside sipping on tropical drinks with their friends… while I lace up my ice skates and do a few spins on mine, with a stiff Captain to warm me up when finished.  Thank you for sharing, dear sister.  Love you, mean it.

Virtual Valentine???

When your significant other is not in the same state or country as you are on VALENTINE'S DAY, don’t despair.  Here’s a way you can still celebrate Valentine’s Day with your honey.  By adding a little CREATIVITY to the situation, you can enjoy being on “Cloud 9” and celebrate it together as if you were sitting at the same table.  If you are not in this situation, but know someone who is… please pass this on to them. 

1. Make sure that both of you are signed up for Skype (and have video capabilities on the computers that you are using).  Skype is a social networking software application for making free calls over the Internet to anyone else who has Skype.

2. Decide what time your Valentine date will take place, mark it on the calendar and have all of the steps below completed and ready for your romantic virtual date at the exact planned time.  It is essential that you plan ahead so that you are ready and on-time.  Being late will not be acceptable. 

3. Plan your menu ahead of time, such as a filet, baked potato, salad and a bottle of your favorite champaign or wine.  Don’t forget to have candles on hand as well.  Each of you, wherever you are will get the items from the store ahead of time.

4. Ahead of time, each of you should write a special poem for the other.  Don’t worry if you’re not the greatest writer, it will be the effort and thought put into it that counts.

5. On February 14^th, Prepare your meals so that they will be ready just before date time.  Try to out-do each other with your romantic presentation.  Lower the lights, light the candles and have the wine ready to be opened.  Don’t forget to have your poem handy.

6. Skype your "Doll Face".  Once both of you are on the screen, touch fingers or lips to the screen. Let each other know how special the other is in your life and take turns reading your special poems to each other.  Focus upon how happy you are to be with each other on this special occasion, rather than how sad you are to be apart.

7.  Pop the corks on your champaign/wine bottles, pour a glass and have a toast.  Enjoy your meal ‘together’ and just have a wonderful time.  Get silly, drink the whole bottle if you want to.  Remember, you don't have to drive home.  How cool is that!  And by all means, save any confrontational or unhappy conversations for another Skype session, but not on this special date. 

HAVE A HAPPY, ROMATIC, VIRTUAL VALENTINES DAY! 

GET THE LOOK...

Just a note to let you know that I've been working on writing a series of articles on How to GET THE LOOK of different DECORATING STYLES.  


There are hundreds of styles out there that are being used these days.  So far I've just tapped the surface with Traditional, Contemporary, Retro, and French Country Styles.  I'm currently getting ready to finish one on Coastal Living.  Others that will be coming soon are:  Mediterranean, Tuscan, Cottage, African, Art Deco, British India, Victorian, South Western and Man Cave :-)  If there are any in particular that you are interested in, please let me know and I will add them to my list!


The series can be found on my Springfield Interior Decorating Site  for Examiner.com.

Lively Bookends

  While taking a journey through cyber space this morning as I was researching information on the Coastal Style of Decorating for my GET THE LOOK Series, I landed on a page from WellDressedHome.com where this picture of “lively” bookends” caught my eye.  For goldfish or tropical fish fans, this is a really cool idea.  My idea of the best way to enjoy fish is sitting at the sushi bar, and I certainly don’t have any interest in feeding any more critters than I’m already committed to.  Balking at the $59 price tag as well, my mind was captured with thoughts and ideas as to how I could get this look by making my own.  

In a whirlwind of brainstorming, I’m asking myself… What else could I fill the clear jars with and where in the world would I find flat-sided jars?  After doing more on-line research, Target and Pottery Barn have square shaped clear vases.  Other options would be to use antique glass bottles or if you’re patient enough, wait until the garage and estate sales start up again in the Spring.  I’m not that patient, however. 

Options for filling would be sand and a few shells for a Coastal look, clear glass marbles with candles, potpourri, or partially filled with river rock for a neutral, natural look as shown above.  The possibilities are endless.  Let me know what ideas you’ve come up with!