Spring Has Sprung

     Besides the April Showers and high pollen count - Spring has sprung and nothing to me says Spring better than Tulips.  I went to my local Field of Flowers this past Saturday to purchase some flowers for a bouquet on my kitchen island.  I chose redish/pink Tulips and Tiramisu and Scarlett Spray Roses.  Upon checking out, I received some interesting tips/trivia for Tulips that I did not previously know:
     (1) Tulips are one of the only cut flowers that continue to grow once they've been cut - interesting and now that I know this I've observed that over the past three days they've grown at least one inch.
     (2) Do you hate how Tulips and Gerber Daisies stop standing up straight?  I certainly do and to combat that you can place a penny in your vase.  Apparently, the copper from the penny does something and prevents the Tulips from drooping.  Three days in and my Tulips are standing tall.
     (3) Did you know that you can keep your Tulips color truer longer by placing an ice cube each morning into the vase?  I did not know this either and so far it has been working.
     I've attached a picture of my most recent bouquet.  I'd like to let everyone know that spray roses are an inexpensive way to get the beauty of a rose without the cost.  A bunch of spray roses is $3.45 (I purchased two) and a bunch of Tulips is $6.95 - I was able to make this bouquet for less than $15.00.  I also find spray roses to be a much more attractive "filler" than your traditional babies breath or greenery.  Let me know if you have any other interesting bouquet tips.

We're Staying Put

     After several months of looking for a house (unsuccessfully) we've decided to stay put in the apartment that we've rented for the past two years.  This was initially a hard pill for me to swallow.  However, after I let the idea settle in I became okay about it.  We've decided to re-decorate, which I, of course, love.  Over the years we've amassed a hodge-podge of furniture and accessories.  I'm cleaning house.  We're breaking out the wedding gifts.  Tomorrow is the big day!  Our brand new wall unit is being delivered and assembled.  I will make sure to post some pictures for all of you once it's all set up and squared away.  The living room, the largest of the three rooms in my apartment, is undergoing a major overhaul.  Aside from the wall unit we've got a new coffee table on the way.  To make Matt go for any of this he had a price, which in man-speak is our new 50" plasma TV.  Don't worry, it will fit in the wall unit.  I've double checked. 

     I've got a beautiful, antique, barrel chair that my mom gave me, which I upholstered 2 years ago and will admit that I chose the wrong fabric.  Luckily, for me, I was given another antique chair from my mom that I chose the correct fabric for and I'm on a mission to correct my mistake.  I also bought a very nice ottoman from Home Goods 4 years ago.  My mom has assured me that she has a great new fabric store.  We're going to pick out fabric and have the barrel chair and ottoman upholstered to work in a set with my other chair.  I really enjoy picking out fabric and having my furniture changed by simply changing the upholstery.  Does anyone else enjoy this too? 
     I'm on a mission to find a new throw rug for in front of my sofa.  The sofa is the big brown elephant in the living room.  We vascilated about purchasing a new sofa too, but squashed that idea because that is something that will wait until we move.  Maybe, I'll pick out fabric and have a slipcover made.  I'm still not sure about that one.  I'll keep you posted.  Pictures to follow, my friends in the blogosphere.

I'm a Road Warrior

     This past weekend, Matt and I officially leased our first car together as a married couple.  What an experience!  It's a Monday so I'm exhausted, but my quiet and soft spoken husband is truly a master negotiator.  I was so impressed and it was nice to see how pleased he was with himself.  We've had such a nice time driving around together and taking turns driving.  While we don't have a huge need for our new SUV - I wanted to be a road warrior again - Matt is scared...If you see me on the road, make some room!

Olivia Riegel...I Love You!

     No - I'm not gay, but yes, I'm in love with a picture frame designer named Olivia Riegel.  I was so happy when I got to put together my wedding registry at Bloomingdales and I selected one of her frames and got it as a bridal shower gift (see left).  It displays the one and only photo that I have out of the wedding and it's prominately displayed in my living room.  I've even turned my mom onto her and she assures me that she is going to get them for me as gifts from time to time.  I absolutely cannot wait. 
     Here is a brief description from one of her retailers:  "Olivia Riegel products are gorgeous handmade enameled and Austrian crystal jeweled frames, candlesticks, trays, bottle stoppers, and boxes. We know that you will be extremely thrilled with the quality of these items, hand enameled, and decorated with Swarovski crystals. Olivia Riegel hails from Texas and her works are collected worldwide."
     I only collect her frames (for now), but I can definitely see why people collect her work.  She creates the perfect mix of flash and understated.  I've attached some of my favorite designs below.  Let me know what you think of Olivia Riegel - if you haven't heard of her before take some time to learn about her now.  I guarantee that even if you don't become obsessed like myself, you'll certainly appreciate her creativity. 
     The frames start at $50 and go all the way up to $300+, but on average these are very reasonable and will last forever.  They also usually go on sale whenever Bloomingdales has a home sale - unlike some other high end brands that use Swarovski crystals - the ones that come to mind are Jay Strongwater and L'Objet (these never go on sale).  If you're trying to think of a nice gift for a mom, grandma, or friend don't forget about Olivia Riegel!

Shabby Chic

     Years ago I used to watch the Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic television show.  I can't even remember what station it was on, maybe Style Network, maybe not - that's neither here nor there, but something about the Shabby Chic Lifestyle really rings my bell and it sings to me.  I like that it is feminine, clean, formal and comfortable all at the same time. If I was millionares living in a beach house in Malibu, sans my husband, I would decorate my beach front cottage from top to bottom in shabby chic.  I love antique furniture, painted furniture, china, flowers, linens - I love it all - I'm an uber-girly-girl.  I grew up in a bedroom that I frequently joke looked like "Laura Ashley threw up all over it."  I've attached a picture for your viewing pleasure (please disregard the mess, I had just graduated from college and found out my parents had sold our house). 

     In a land far far away from my Malibu fantasy - a young girl (insert me) was walking through Target one day after work and somehow without fail ended up looking at the Simply Shabby Chic collection in the bedding and bath section.  This particular line, which is one of three for Rachel Ashwell, is carried exclusively at Target.  There are two reasons that I never buy anything (1) I don't think Matt would appreciate it, he's a sport, but I can't have chintz and flowers everywhere and (2) I feel like a fake because isn't the whole premise behind Rachel Ashwell's designs the antithesis of a big warehouse type store?  Isn't the premise of work to find an old chair at a salvage yard, refinish it, upholster it with antique linens, and then resale it for a lot money? 
     Lucky for Matt, I'm over my "pink phase," but I still love hints of pink and adore the beachy, french country, vibe.  Here are some things that I think every home needs:

(1) A peticoat hanging lampshade - it would be perfect for a bedroom.  I kid here, but it's pretty creative.  I love crystal chandeliers and Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Couture has plenty of those - I don't want to even think of the price.  

(2) No dining room is complete without farmhouse table.  In my opinion the bigger a table and more rustic a table is the better.  I like when wood tells a story.  Don't you? 

     And unfortunately, for those of us that are just starting out - riddled with student loan debt (courtesy of my husband's schooling) there is always Target and the stuff is pretty nice. Maybe I'll buy something one of these days, because like Rachel says "Homestyle that fits your lifestyle and pocketbook:" Simply Shabby Chic.  Maybe one day, when I hit the lottery I'll be able to afford her higher end brands, but it's fun to look: Shabby Chic.

Does 3D Make Anyone Else Out There Nauseous?

     It only took us three months since the movie's release to see "Avatar" in 3D.  I've been to the IMAX one time, on a high school field trip, and had to leave the theater after about one hour because I got motion sickness.  I had not gone to the IMAX or to a 3D movie since that horrifying experience (almost ten years had passed before I gave that type of movie experience a chance again). 
    A couple of years ago we went to see "Journey to the Center of the Earth" in 3D and I did okay.  When I left, I realized that movie had 3D elements, but the entire film was not in 3D to the caliber of James Cameron's "Avatar."  Last night I felt dizzy, nauseous, and left the theater with a horrible headache.  I still enjoyed every moment of the film.  Visually it was beautiful and the underlying messages about how we're all connected to one another and to the planet was moving.  However, I would be lying if I didn't say that 2 hours and 40 minutes, plus 10 minutes of 3D previews didn't make me wish I'd just saved the extra $5 and gone to "Avatar" not in 3D.  Am I a wimp?  Does anyone else out there in the blogosphere suffer from 3D Movie Motion Sickness? 

Holla @ My Sister

     This is a first since my blog's inception in October 2009.  My younger sister, Liz, is blogging now too and she's a fantastic writer.  Her blog is what you would consider a "Lifestyle Blog," and all of my readers and followers should do a solid and check it out - maybe even start following her blog too.  There are four categories, (1) Fabulous Finds, (2) People's Politics - she's a Washington, DC insider, (3) Music Musts, and (4) Everything Else.  Check it out and let me know what you think!  Happy reading: holla-at-me-blog.blogspot.com