Monday Jackpot: Craigslist Booty, Before and After, and a New DIY.

I spent the first few days of this year reading blogs that were new to me. First, I stumbled upon Brooklyn Limestone and read every post in her blog detailing the amazing transformation of her house from haunted to hubba-hubba.

If that didn't make me feel like a founding member of Underachievers Anonymous, I started reading Little Green Notebook. This young designer mom with two toddlers and a newborn kicks DIY ass and takes designer names on a weekly basis. Talk about feeling the need to step up your game.

My first project of the year was a small DIY of recovering the kitchen chairs with faux croc from JoAnn fabrics. Then I moved onto the project of making roman shades from mini-blinds as found on Little Green Notebook combined with a real roman shades project from Martha Stewart. I never realized how simple (if time-consuming) it is to make roman shades.

But when I saw the photo above on isuwanee and the project below from High Street Market, I fell in love and knew I had to get me some faux bamboo.


Here's how she found it:


Then when I saw this black version on 1st Dibs for $4500, I began my frenetic search.

So, I scoured Craigslist until I found this in Boston - a full set of Henry Link Bali Hai circa 1972 or so:


After weeks of waiting for its delivery, it is now mine. I really only needed the dresser or chest for our bedroom but I can use the rest around the house or at the beach. I also found a shipping company that will ship items up and down the eastern seaboard for reasonable prices. Email me if you'd like the info because I just noticed a dresser and chest on Craigslist in High Point, NC (apologies to MFAMB for getting dangerously close to her territory).

So, now I just need to get a power sander and get to town on this project. Either the dresser or chest is going to go in the Imperial Trellis project bedroom. What do you think: Dresser or chest? Black or white?

Free Holiday Brandy.

This photo of Ryan Reynolds' abs is designed to cheer Brandy up.

Okay, you drunks. I know you are thinking, "Yeah, I could use some MORE brandy." This was merely an attempt to lure you into my blog's clutches.

People have been asking you for a lot of things this year: money, food, donations of all sorts. I have a request that doesn't even require you to get up from your chair. It comes from my blogging bud Brandy.

She is a twenty-something from Canada who writes the brilliant blog "It's like I'm...mmmagic!" She's a great writer and an excellent schoolteacher and she and her boyfriend have received a shitty Christmas present. Quite possibly the shittiest present ever.

And while it's not certain, she's taking action. Just in case. And calling for prayers or positive vibes or thoughts or canned goods* or whatever the universe can send her way.

Actually, this is not funny at all. It's serious business. Here goes:

"My name is Brandy. And I have a blog.

And a plea.

I use my blog to showcase the crazy I meet everyday, share the stories of the kids I teach and document my love for tequila, dairy products and the abdominal muscles of Ryan Reynolds. Rarely do I talk about personal issues on my blog- as personal as the dude that I adore (who I actually met through my blog - single ladies, let that be a very good reason to blog, the possibility of meeting someone as wonderful as my man), but I need your help. And it involves my dude.

He's a guy who made math comics for my class, so they would love learning about addition. He's the kinda guy who sends my friends gift cards when they are having hard times, who remembers every story I ever told him, who was the first person I celebrated with when I got a teaching job. He's the guy who sent flowers to me at school- dozens of my favourite pink roses just because he loves me. He's a guy who has spent a year patiently explaining (and re-explaining) everything there is to know about football during the important games when silence is preferred. He's made me word puzzles and comics and stayed up late playing Scrabble with me (even though I beat him almost every time). He's listened to me cry about school and family and jobs. He is everything I never knew I needed and everything I always knew I wanted.

The holidays have hit us hard. He's recently been told he may have something called multiple myeloma - an incurable cancer that gives a person an average of five years of continued life. Though this news has came as a shock, he continues to be exactly who has always been- spending his time worrying about me rather than worrying about himself. He's the most selfless individual I know (he stayed late on Christmas Eve to work, so his co-workers could leave early) and a post like this would never be something that he would encourage but when I'm overwhelmed and feeling helpless, the blogging community has always given me tremendous support and comfort - two things I desperately need at this time.

As I write this, the future is uncertain and we aren't sure what's happening. He'll need to see an oncologist soon, to verify what's going on in his body. My hope is that everyone who reads this think positive thoughts and if you are a person who prays, could you add him to your list? (You can refer to him as 'brandy's hot awesome dude'). If you don't pray, please keep him in your heart. This cancer is only a possibility and I believe that the prayers and positive thoughts of people can make sure it never becomes a reality.

I want to give a big thank you to the blog owners who scrapped their original blog plans and graciously put this up. My goal is to get as many people as possible to see and read this post. If you are reading this and want to help, copy and paste my plea into your blog or send a link through twitter, so more people can keep him in their thoughts. I would be so very grateful (even more grateful than I am to my friend who first showed me the picture of Ryan Reynolds on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. If you haven't seen it, google it. You. Are. Welcome).

I realize this all sounds dramatic, a Lifetime movie in the making- but this is life. Right now. And I'm throwing away any hint of ego and am humbly asking for you to pray or think kind thoughts. If you are able to pass this on, thank you and if you know anything regarding MM- please email me (my email is on my blog). This isn't a call for sympathy or a plea for pity. It's just one girl hoping you can think positive thoughts for the person she adores. If my current heartache provides you with anything, let it be with the reminder that life is short, love is unbending and no one knows what could happen next. Maybe it is silly, but I really do believe that positive thoughts can make a huge difference. Thank you for reading this and if you haven't already? Please tell someone you love them today.

I did."

Now, if there's anything I hate worse than cancer, it's cancer in young people. Let's get some 70s good vibes going people, and help to send good things her way and Hot Awesome Dude**'s way.

Thanks ever so.

*No, she really doesn't want canned goods. Unless they're really good.

UPDATE: In case you haven't heard, her bf was diagnosed with Myeloma. Keep those thoughts and prayers coming.

Flower Power.

Oh, yes, I changed the headline...

I love this girl's style. She has a blog, Emerson Made, which I discovered via Material Girls blog.

She creates handmade, hand-dyed blossoms to add a little something sassy to a sweater, wedding dress or tee shirt. I love it.

The Big Dandy linen clutch, available here.

Ungloom Bloom: "Maybe you know someone who's been
temporarily clobbered by life..." Wouldn't they love this?
(Although I feel the need to insert another comma... :-)

And her blog is clever, too. Make a new friend today.

Mad Woman: Vote for Porter!

AMC and Banana Republic are having an online casting call contest for a single episode walk-on role on Mad Men. How much fun is that? And Porter Hovey of Hovey Girls fame is desperate to win. Vote for her by clicking on her photo above. You can vote once per day - now, that's voting Chicago-style (you know: vote early, vote often).

You can also visit Hollister Hovey's site here to see one of her other photos. She looks like a cast member already, doesn't she?

Good luck, Porter! The new season starts August 16. Can't wait.

HOVEY UPDATE: Don't miss Porter and Hollister in today's New York Times. Click here for the article on those pith-helmet-wearing, taxidermy-lovin' sisters. Thanks to Pigtown*Design for the heads up.

April Food Day.

Please watch:




Now pony up, baby.

If you feel lucky that you don't need what this organization provides, think about donating $5 or $10 or more. Click on the Feeding America icon above to donate. And add April Food Day to the Joint Donor line.

One in 6 children in America goes hungry. Click here to take the pledge to Dine In to Fight Childhood Hunger and Stouffers will donate $5 to Feeding America on your behalf.

You can also click on Feeding America icon to get information on your local food banks as well as information on volunteering and other ways you can help.

Here are some EXCELLENT examples of fabulous human beings who are participating in this today (if you join, leave a comment and I'll add you to the list):

Scented Glossy Magazines
Carla Loves Photography
tzd
Townhouse Lady
Inspiration for Everyday Living

Okay kids, make me proud!!

Use Your Blog for Good.

Meg from Pigtown*Design and Easy and Elegant Life have joined creative and fundraising forces to create April Food Day, a one-day* fundraiser to raise money and donations for food banks across America through Feeding America (formerly Second Harvest), a national food bank with 200 member banks across the country. Click here for Feeding America. Click here for April Food Day.

How to Get Involved:

1. Write a post on March 31 or April 1 for this project (or just cut and paste this post if you're short on time).

2. Ask readers to donate and add a link to Feeding America.

3. Link to April Food Day and they will link back to your blog and your post.


Please also consider donating $1 or more. One dollar will buy 10 pounds of food!! I have got to find out where these people shop.

I'm in and the Huffington Post is in. Are you? I know you are, because you're awesome! If you participate, tell me and I'll link to you that day as well.


*Of course, donations will be accepted anytime. And, of course, you can take a bag to your local food bank.

Meet Me at Design Crisis.

Hey, everyone: I'm guest posting today at Design Crisis! Come see me HERE. I have a thing or two to say on behalf of silver...

AIG Execs Give Pigs a Bad Name.

Edward Liddy, AIG, compliments of Design Crisis

Erin of Design Crisis has written an excellent post today on this very topic (with a design twist!). Read it here.

Free! Kitchen Stuff.

Paul from Residential Kitchen Design is having a contest. I am doing my part for the economic stimulus of our country by helping to promote it. (Click on images to enlarge.)

The deal is this: Paul is co-sponsoring a Tell Me About Your Fantasy Kitchen contest along with Metallo Arts, the creators of these fab range hoods (available in a world of colors and designs) and hand-wrought counters whereby you go to his blog and enter by telling a wildly creative story about what your fantasy kitchen looks like. Contest details are on his blog here.

The winner receives a $3200 gift cert. toward the range hood or zinc or pewter
countertop of his choice (plus 10 hours of Paul's design time for a total value of $4500). Aren't they gorgeous? So, if you're into it, you have until April 2 to enter. Good luck!

(Apologies to people who subscribe on a reader: I can't get this to post properly for some reason!)

Take That, Kate Winslet.

Ahem.

What I mean to say is that I am beyond humbled at the multitude of award riches I have received compliments of the beautiful and talented Vicki Archer of the coveted blog French Essence. Merci, mon petit chou! Because, seriously, I blush.

Before I get to the awards, I would like to spend a moment on Vicki. When I first discovered her blog, I immediately loved it (along with everybody else in blogland). It wasn't until I had been reading it for some time that she mentioned her book and I realized that she was the author of the book I had sitting on my coffee table. This book:


If you are the only person who doesn't read her blog (here), you owe it to yourself to do so and become as infatuated as I was and am with her photos and words and her life!! There will be a new book published in the fall, also with photography by the beyond-talented Carla Coulson. Visit her blog, Carla Loves Photography, here.

Now, onto the awards. I am to pass along these fine prizes to 10 people I deem worthy. They, in turn, are to pass them along to 10 people or blogs they enjoy to spread the love.

First, the Your Blog is Fabulous Award:

You know, I happen to be dressed exactly like that today, channeling Audrey Hepburn.


The aim of the Excessively Diverting Blog Award is to acknowledge writing excellence in the spirit of Jane Austen's genius in amusing and delighting readers with her irony, humor, wit and talent for keen observation. Recipients will uphold the highest standards in the art of sparkling banter, witty repartee and gentle reprove. That's me: the highest standards (please ignore Cougar Barbie) and gentle reprove. *smile*


The Superior Scribbler Award is pretty self-explanatory. U can has pen?

Those 3 awards go to the following 10 bloggers whom I luf (some of whom just received an award from me and now too will be beside themselves with award riches):

(Click on blog names to visit)

Raina: The pith and hilarity of If the Lampshade Fits
Gracie: The mucho funny and kooky sweetness of Woolgathering & Miscellany
Erin & Karly: The doozie bosom of Design Crisis
Persian Tea: If you haven't visited this blog, you need to, it's gorgeous
Greta: Noodle-ing Adventures of a single momma in My Kind of Town
Jamie: Small Expectations - cat artist extraordinaire
Pam: Garden Designs & More - a wealth of info on plants and garden design
Brandy at It's like I'm...mmmagic! She's awesome. And brainy.
Miss S.K. at A Little More Than a Thousand Words. Awesome and brainy as well. And I think she needed some awards today.
Molly at Designers' Brew: Even though I want her old Nerdy blog name back, she is kicking ass and taking (new) names.


Last, the Share the Love Award goes to the following 5 (who each will pass it along to 5):

Chris and John at Shore Haus: my beach boys!
Megan at Shop at Moxie: DeKalbalicious!
Decorina at Decorina and Skylar: fighting the good fight
David - Midwestern Malaise: Kansas City's finest
Jill at Stella's Roar: shoe lover's paradise and hedonist's heaven

You know the rules, you gorgeous people. Take the love, decorate your blog with it, post it, link it and pass it along. You know what they say: love isn't love 'til you give it away. Or it's like a box of chocolates. Something like that.

It's a Major Award!

Oops, wrong one. Wait, this one:


I am unforgivably late in publicly acknowledging and passing along this award which loosely translates to "Your blog makes my dog fat" or "Your blog...completes me," I'm not sure which.

Thanks to Missy from That's So Missy for bestowing this award upon my blog.

I'll pass it along to 5 (who pass it along to 5 and so on and so on and so on...):

Raina at If the Lampshade Fits
Erin and Karly at Design Crisis
The Artist Formerly Known as The Nerdy Fashionista over at Designers Brew
Persian Tea
David at Midwestern Malaise (I just think he might like a pink butterfly award today)
I'd like to add a bonus person: Gracie at Woolgathering & Miscellany because she cracks me up

Okay, kids, take it away.

Hello, Lovahs.

(Not really. I got nothing but love, baby.)

xoxo,

HG

Annie's Empire.

If you don't read the blog Relish Small Pleasures, starring Annie Empiric, you are missing something special. She is part absolutely adorable/part absolutely hysterical/part absolutely rock 'n roll. She has a great take on life and her honesty will just draw you in.

A while ago, she and her then-boyfriend, now-husband Michael, had a visit from HGTV for its show "Small Space, Big Style." The episode below features their apartment above the store, a 900-square-foot space, in all its streamlined gorgeousness.



There's so much to love in that little space. For one, it doesn't look so small, does it? Their creative design has allowed them to fit so much into the space without its looking even remotely cluttered. I'd like to hear what you think.

They also own the Culver City, Calif., store Empiric Studio. I'd like to take you on a little trip inside their online store. Their combined eye is impeccable. You'll find everything from the best of mid-century furniture to vintage art and accessories and every odd and end in between:

Florence Sofa, $2375

Empiric's own design, Chamfered Dresser, $2460

Paricutin Volcano print, 1962

Vintage 3-cylinder chandelier, $1500.

Vintage architectural panels, $425 each.

Raw steel bar cart, $665.



Vintage pewter flasks, assorted, from $35-$490.

Are you drooling yet? If you like what you see, visit her online store here. And her blog here.

And don't just let me know what you think, let her know.