Valentine's Goodness

It's a really drizzly, gloomy kind of Valentine's Day, so I corralled my girls into a little cookie-baking session.  We made Linzer Cookies, which in the end, are really almost too pretty to eat.  If you want to get the recipe I used, check out my other, more highly-caloric blog - HERE.

Ben is out of town tonight (yes,it's a common theme in our casa), so we'll be rainchecking our Valentine's tomorrow.  He'll make it up to me by sitting through movie night of Breaking Dawn.  And not providing running commentary.

 

 It's a win-win, you see?

Ready to BOO! *with cupcake update*

We're just about ready to roll with tonight's festivities.  All my girls have their costumes...

Been doing a lot of this...

...and this

...and still need to attempt this...

Source: tumblr.com via Alison on Pinterest

I'm not the best baker, so wish me luck, and have a safe and Happy Halloween!

*UPDATE*  OK, Done.  Sometimes, I surprise myself....

Feeling confident now...onto these...

Source: notquitenigella.com via Alison on Pinterest

Inspired by October

Now that October is in full swing, I feel I have permission to begin seasonal sprucing around our casa. I don't go all-out for the holidays in general, but I do love Halloween. This month, I'm playing hostess-with-the-mostess for a couple of small soirees, so I'll probably go a bit beyond my usual.
Avery is dying to decorate pumpkins, and I need a new centerpiece, so I'm thinking some blingy pumpkins might be a fun projecto.

Source: stylelist.com via Alison on Pinterest

..but otherwise, I think a subtler approach - maybe a hint at glossy black goodness, or a speck of harvest orange might be enough to set the mood just right.

Source: None via harim on Pinterest

High gloss black doors can do no wrong in my book.

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Whoever said dark walls retract space clearly never saw a powder room this grand.

Source: thedecorista.com via Jen on Pinterest

However, an all-white kitchen benefits from a shot of color

Source: bystephanielynn.com via DL on Pinterest

Making a huge mental note on the pumpkin detail of the bookshelves amid the slate-y walls. And wait! Is that a cowhide? Cut to mimic Moroccan tile? I die.

Source: flickr.com via Alison on Pinterest

New Trad goodness. Stripes never fail.

Source: janiemolster.com via Lacey on Pinterest

There's just so much gone right in this reading room, but I'll go ahead and note the orange leather.

Source: stylebyemilyhenderson.com via Virginia on Pinterest

So, go on. Let some orange and black do the talkin'.

Brazilian Road Trips, Birds and Non-Scientific Surveys

We took a little road trip this weekend to Rio Quente. The area (Southern-Central Brazil) is known for its natural, thermal springs, and there are many attractions centered around warm-water activities. Our destination was a water park - aptly named Hot Park - to let the kids scamper in the lazy waters while the Winter air temps are mild-to-cool.

The drive was longish, but amazingly-scenic...

The park is like an oasis in the middle of the Brazilian cerrado (High Plains)

...and, the girls had a great time wearing themselves out

Inside the park, there's also a bird preserve. Now, I have a thing with tropical birds, not a weird thing - I just think they're incredibly beautiful, and amazingly-intelligent. Every time I see one up close, I'm more convinced I want one as a pet.

My favorite - Mr. Toucan (If I had one, I'd name him Mr. T - original, right? ;)

Incredible Hyacinth Macaw.

Several of the parrots in the preserve were very friendly - LOOK at his coloring!

So, I was still in "bird-want mode" when I spied this ginormous painting at a local display. Ben said it belonged right next to the Velvet Elvis, but I think it was pretty amazing - especially given the scale. I picture it in a room with large, white walls (ahem, our casa), but without other tropical references. Balance it out.

So, tell me. Am I off my rocker? Has the taste side of my brain taken a vacation, too, or could this painting steal a room? Set me straight, Peeps!

Weekend Wishes

Wishing you lots of this

...and this

this Easter weekend.

Giveaway Winner!

I planned to show the screen shot of the random number generator (random.org), and then, in brilliant form, closed the tab before I had saved the screen. ANYWAY...the selected comment was number

30

Which corresponded to:
Shel said...

CSN is pretty fantastic...I want the Venture Horizon - 1255-x - Craft Hutch / Organizer - White

Promised myself that this year I'd organize my craft/sewing/crap room so it doesn't look like the fabric fairy puked everywhere. That organizer would be a start.

Congratulations, Shel! Be on the lookout for an email from me, with instructions on claiming the $50.

I'm bugging out to spend the day with my sweethearts, but will be back tomorrow with something I KNOW you're gonna love!

P.S. - If you need last-minute valentines, check out TipJunkie for free downloads - SOOPer cute (and free).

Not playing fair

I told my husband I would really love a painting by artist Michelle Armas for Valentines Day. My desire to own one of her colorful abstracts was instant and visceral.

Zena (and consequently, already sold)

He replied with, "So, I guess you no longer want this?"

He clearly does not understand the rules of this game...

MLHP Best of 2010

This blog continues to amaze me in the ways it offers the chance to virtually "meet" all you wonderful people out there in bloggyland. I can't thank you enough for being such a sweet, eclectic and inspiring group of stalkers! ;)
For those of you who have recently jumped on this bandwagon, or for anyone who just likes a good re-read, I offer to you the Best of MLHP - 2010, and bid you a

Safe and Happy New Year!

A little B&A action: B&A Bathroom Ecstacy

The design talents of MLHP: Mary's Room Revealed

MLHP made it Famous: He Said, She Said design commentary

For those Lamp Tramps (like me!): The Lamps of Walmart

...and, if you're the DIY type: Sunburst Mirror DIY style

Buzzin'

I woke up the day after Christmas in serious need of a design or redo fix. Problem is, I'm at the mercy of someone else's home - namely, my sister and BIL's. Still, visions of fabric and furniture dance in my head.

As does a good banquet scene...

Note to self: Inexpensive lattice for interesting architectural detail.

We're also in a toss-up as to whether we'll go wallpaper or antique mirror panels.

These aren't antiqued, but I think the look could be easily achieved. So much to do...so LITTLE time *sigh*