Random Roundup of Lovely

Woodstock again

Every once in a while I get a renewed interest in our project upstate.  Then I realize how much it is going to cost and I get depressed and put it on the back burner...like WAY back.  Well, due to some irresponsible 401k nonesense, we have some $ that we need to do something smart with.  I can't think of any investment smarter than developing real estate that we want to use anyway.  (Actually I totally can but let's roll with this.)



Hello beautiful beams and massive firelplace!  I love how the warm wood tones don't feel too oppressive here.



White kitchen married with warm woods.  Chevron floor?  Why yes, I don't mind if I do.  What's that you say?  It's more costly?  Oh, hush girl, shut your mouth! 



Big barn doors as the fronts?  Me likey!

Bedroom Do-Over?

I've always loved this room and am now considering repositioning the bed in front of our windows and going with something like this.  Hmmmmmm....

Here are some Copy Cat Chic suggestions to help out with the budget.

Inspiration

small spaces

dont you just love it?

Gold Industrial Shelving

Am I just blinded by all things sparkly, shiny and gold lately?  Or is this actually awesome?

French Kids Eat Everything

...of course they do...

the story of a hat

So, here in the states we simply don't do this.  But why the heck not?

I am starting a collection of images to pull from for my next "dressy" event to turn to.

















She just does it so well.  Spot on every single freakin time.  Does she have a hat/fascinator stylist on staff 24/7?!  What am I saying?  Of course she does!

New...well, let's call it an "interest"

I received a crazy nice gift on Valentine's Day, a pair of diamond earrings.  Let's just say he didn't need to and he did anyway.  The very best kind of gift.  I also got a replacement wedding band.  My original one had a tiny diamond missing and I had asked for a relatively inexpensive one to replace it.  In typical hubby style, he replaced it with one that was WAAAAY more pricey than necessary and, well, to be honest, wasn't exactly what I wanted.  So we resolved to return that.  Then he said to me- and you really should have seen my face- "why not upgrade the earrings too then?"  Hello, whaaaat?  Yes!

So now, instead of going to the jewelers that he used (which is a very popular commercial jeweler) and in typical me style (equal bashing time) I am over analyzing, researching and driving everyone crazy with figuring out where to go and what to get. 

I discovered Pricescope, an online forum dedicated to gems and all loveliness associated with the pursuit of them!

Now, I want an upgrade on my earrings and eventually a redo on my engagement ring and wedding band.  Oh, the floodgates have opened!




I know I want my emerald cut diamond (which if I had to choose over again I would have gone with a cushion cut, but it is still lovely and quite unusual) in a prong setting with a halo also in prongs.  I want an ultra thin band with the tiny diamonds on it and a matching wedding band.

I don't like the bezels as seen up here.

I do like this- but maybe not for the both the band and the ER...too much?




Ooooo- and I haven't even started on the actual gift!
This is what I am thinking-



Cushion cut studs.  I don't think a halo with them.  I like the clean lines of the naked stones.  I am ok with enhanced or laser treated stones- I have heard they are crappy for rings but great for earrings- I guess it has to do with the way you see a diamond on your hand as opposed to seeing them on your ears?

Loved in Lonny

Because I can't figure out this computer I'm on I will have to be more specific,  I love the pic on the RIGHT!! That hallway, the lights, the kilm rug, the panoramic wallpaper, the white paneled doors, the molding on the ceiling, the dark wood floors.  I really think I am hardpressed to find something i DONT like about this space.  OK, if pressed maybe, maybe, I would  change the light fixtures.  Yeah, on second thought, I don't like those.  So everything except those.  Love it.