Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Finally...St. Vincent Nursery Pictures

This past Spring I had the incredible honor of being asked by St. Vincent's Hospital to design a nursery for a deserving family.  St. Vincent's partnered with ABC33/40 to host the contest.  Out of all the entries three were chosen to share their story on Talk of Alabama.  From there, viewers voted and one deserving family was picked.  The Reed family lost their home during the January tornados that came through Alabama.  They had to rebuild from the ground up.  I am so, so grateful I was able to design the nursery for them.  Two weeks was all the time I had once the winner was chosen.  Usually in this industry you cannot accomplish anything in two weeks but some amazing people and companies helped me out.  Details shots and information coming in a follow-up post.  
 
Images Wynter Byrd Photography and Marianne Strong Interiors

Last Tour of the Season



                                                         Hello everyone!

           We had a nice sunny Autumn day for our last tour of the season. Why don't you come along with us and see the autumn colors in our garden. We did have a frost a couple of times but not a killing frost.
         This will be the last time this year for a big bus to roll in with some lovely visitors from Japan.
                             There was 27 visitors  today for a house and garden tour. I was happy to have such a nice sunny day for them to enjoy their visit.
                           The little "Gardener's Cottage' always meets with approval!

                   This beautiful gentle lady brought me a gift of powered green tea and the cup,wisk, etc. to make it. She also,gave me a demonstration on how to make it.
                               The garden is mostly fall foliage colors now.

                          We make a little trek down to the woods and the brook.
                                               It is very peaceful in here.
                   The ferns add interesting color in the autumn.
                                                    The hillside garden.

                                Hosta,Japanese Barberry and limelight hydrangea.
                                           Japanese Barberry up close and personnal. I love the bright red seeds..
            The fall blooming monkshood gives some late season color.
              The 'Burning Bush' or Euonymus alata "Compactus" is putting on a good show.
                              The virginia creeper on the chimney and side of the house is turning red here.
            Well, this pretty much ends our tour but you may wander around if you please.
This is where I like to spend my evenings with a cup of hot apple cider.




  Thank you to all who have joined me in a late season tour around our garden.

           Take care,
               Carolyn

grey and white in the garden




A busy day today, but a glimpse at my autumn garden ... and not an orange leaf in sight!!




I hope you're not fed up with my white dahlias,  I just can't keep my eyes off them, 
and the more I pick, the more heads grow!




This week it is all about grey and white -
pumpkins  in my potager this year are all creamy white.
































My little bit of garden fun for today.  
A grey and white vignette for a very grey day.
From me to you with best blogging love!  :)

another california road trip


Last weekend Susan and I decided we needed to hop in the truck and head over to California to find some good treasures for the store.  As usual, we found so much goodness, the truck was busting at the seams as it hit the road back to Phoenix.  Poor, me, I actually had to stay in California to head to the mart this week to do some apparel shopping with Mary.  Rough life, I know.  While we were in Newport, we had to hit up Pizzeria Mozza to try their raved about pizzas using Phoenix's own Chris Bianco's tomatoes.  Mmmm, mmm good.  Definitely put it on your list next time you are in the Newport Area.  I am sure we will come back from market with all sorts of new wonderful apparel items, as well, so keep a lookout around the shop!  We are always getting new things in and they are always flying right out!

Hi, ho!  Off to work we go!  I swear, we are working, not just drinking...

Be back soon!

Girl's Night Out ~ Joann's Fabric and Craft Stores~

Last Friday, I had a great opportunity to mingle with some of the amazing bloggers. Thanks to Jessica from Me Sew Crazy who organized this amazing night.

Even though I didn't attend the Sewing Summit, I felt like I was a small part of it.

Most of these wonderful people I met for the first time, but having the same interest makes it so much easier to become friends with everybody. I had a great time!

I attempted to take many pictures, but inside the restaurant was so dark and most of the pictures didn't turn out so great... Here are a couple pictures I can share though.

Here is me with Jessica. She was such a sweetheart. I was so happy to finally meet her in person.

With Sara of Sew Sweetness. I had the pleasure of sitting next to her. She is one talented girl; her blog is filled with awesomeness.

Jessica made this keepsake for each one of our blog names. It must have taken her a long time to do this. You see? Isn't she so nice?

We each received fabulous swag bags to take home. Are you wondering what was inside? (I was! It was like getting an early birthday gift!).

Special thanks to our sponsors for making our GNO so special. Jo-ann Fabric, Coats & Clark, Pellon, Michael Miller Fabric, Fat Quarter Shop, The Ribbon Retreat, Fiskars, Riley Blake Designs.

I will be back with more posts about my Japanese trip later. I will see you soon!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

jeanne d'arc living


The latest issue has arrived and it is absolutely stunning, as always!  Hurry in to pick yours up today!  
Or call the shop if you need one mailed to you!  If I lived somewhere that was already chilly, I would be drooling over this wonderful magazine by the fire with my morning coffee.  Instead I will just enjoy our lovely outdoor weather on the back porch with my copy of the latest Jeanne d'Arc.  Here's to beautiful print magazines!

when blog content shifts .....


A few weeks ago I was talking with a girlfriend and the topic of blogs came up. Although many of my friends don't have blogs of their own, like me they like to read a few favorites and it occasionally sparks interesting conversation. During one conversation a friend remarked that a blogger had gone from being one of her favorites to one that she really disliked. Her frustration was that the author's writing style and content had changed.

Obviously that conversation made me reflect on my own blog. But it also made me reflect on the relationship between blogger & reader. Seeing as you read at least one blog, you may be interested in this conversation, how it evolved in my brain and some info about my blog content....

Read more »

ALCS Game 3 Lineups

YANKEES (0-2)
Brett Gardner LF
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Raul Ibanez DH
Russell Martin C
Eric Chavez 3B
Granderson CF
Eduardo Nunez SS

Phil Hughes RHP

TIGERS (2-0)

Austin Jackson CF
Quintin Berry LF
Miguel Cabrera 3B
Prince Fielder 1B
Delmon Young DH
Andy Dirks RF
Jhonny Peralta SS
Alex Avila C
Omar Infante 2B

Justin Verlander RHP

fashion on the streets of paris



How often do you look at fashion shoots and think, "not for me!" .....

I find that with my busy days, I'm more comfortable in trousers than skirts or dresses, and in the summer I tend to favour wide legged linen trousers that always fall well.   

But now we are heading back in to autumn and winter,  I am happy for once to conform to current fashion and opt for the tighter fitting skinny jeans and trousers.

This cut is all over Paris at the moment: it looks fun and feminine, and is really practical for rushing around all day.  Easy to dress up or dress down, especially since they work just as well with brogues as high heels!

This picture is great, yet only French high street fashion.   Just love the detail of the leather trim on the suede coat, and the liberty print shirt peeking out beneath a simple cardigan.






Flat shoes in the summer mean ballerines for me, but they aren't so well suited to our wet autumns.  Luckily this season there is a great selection of brogues around.  Below  pairs from Armani, Church and Gucci, but high street can work well too.






And if  you don't have to run for a taxi, or climb too many stairs, then why not try skinny jeans with high heels.








And for the days when I'm feeling really bright and cheerful, I may even tiptoe into my daughter's closet and borrow a pair of flowery skinnies!  Love them!!





How closely do you follow fashion?  Do you just stick to the same style no matter what the magazines are saying, or do you like to find bits from a new season that work for you, and blend into your favourites?  

I'd love to know just how important fashion is to you today; do you think that as we grow older we need to may more attention to current styles and not be left behind, or on the contrary is it the time to say "this is my style and I ain't budgin'!!"  ?






photo 1 thanks to Gala magazine
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