decisions, decisions

I'm not good at making decisions. I'm a list-maker, a pros & cons weigher. Small decisions like furniture are not my strong suit. Big decisions I've always made based on my gut, and they've worked out well for me. But choosing little things? I labor over these decisions, ask for input, drive my husband and friends crazy.

Nope, I haven't yet painted my table & chairs or chosen fabric for the chairs. I have bought 5 yards of burlap but for some reason I bought it in an ivory tone. Maybe I'll stencil it. Maybe I'll dye it with coffee (can that be done?). Maybe it will sit there for another year, who knows.

My latest decision that I have not yet made and I bet won't make for a while yet is which storage solution I want to use on the big wall in the kitchen. I made a couple of mock-ups (terrible photoshop skills) hoping it would help...but it hasn't yet.

I like the idea of shelves because the baby won't be able to get to them. But hanging shelves and I are not really friends, and I can imagine that everything will get dusty. However, I have a ton of white porcelain serving dishes and such that I'd love to get out of the cabinets.



A glass cabinet would be nice because they're so pretty (that is, if I can find one I actually do like at a price to match). The cabinet would take some floor space, but not much; however, with a 160 pound Great Dane who likes to walk around with us, clearance between furniture is quite important. I taped it out on the floor and it seems doable.



Just haven't the slightest what I should do. I'd like to get it all done so I'd quit wondering about it, have my kitchen cabinets cleared out a bit (I absolutely despise the sound of clanking pots when I need to start dinner), and can't take looking at the oak table any longer. Anybody out there have an opinion? Experience to share? Help!

been having fun

I've been having fun baking and making invitations lately. I should probably be cleaning the house...but a girl needs some 'me' time, don't you think?

Both of these were designed to be e-mailed in PDF format. They were so fun to make.

I've made a ton of stuff, including mini cupcakes for the cupcake birthday party, but only thought to take a picture of this chocolate pumpkin bundt cake I made for my aunt & uncle's birthday (they share a birthday - isn't that sweet?).

Sorry for the blurry photos - I never remember to use my DSLR and use my iPhone instead.

I've also made pumpkin cake balls dipped in white chocolate and milk chocolate and lemon meringue pies. Now I think I'll make some dog biscuits for my poodlemutt Paisley's 4th birthday, which is today. At least that's one baking project that won't put pounds on my hips.

Operation Cupcake: Take 2

Better...



These are pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting - and miraculously even my husband, who insists that chocolate is the only good dessert, raved about them.

And I am happy because they look much better than last week's attempt and I have someone to split the calories with.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Operation Cupcake: Fail

I promised my dear friend I'd help bake and decorate the cupcake menagerie for her daughter's birthday.

So I tried decorating some cupcakes in the simple style of thick piped icing, like these pretty cakes...



But my cupcakes turned out so ugly!


(not to mention flat due to the silicone pan I used)


I think I've figured out a couple of things I'm doing wrong, and I'm going to get some more supplies. Luckily I was able to pawn off a few cupcakes on my family but I've eaten three before noon today. Oh, the sacrifices we make for our friends!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

busy busy life

The little one is keeping me so busy! He's getting more independent (now I truly understand the meaning of bittersweet) but I hate to just plop him down so I can spend more time than I need to on the computer. Besides, I enjoy spending all the time I can trying to figure out sillier and sillier ways to make him laugh.

I am helping a friend plan her daughter's first birthday party. Since I have another 6 months to go with the little man until that milestone - and I am super girly - this is a blast for me.

1. Etsy answin23 2. Bakerella 3. Etsy TuChae
4. Bakerella 5. Real Simple 6. No Fuss Fabulous
7. Etsy Whimzy Creations 8. Martha Stewart 9. La Fuji Mama

Isn't the idea of a high chair sign saying "I am 1" so cute? And I love the mini-sandwich in a cupcake wrapper. We'll just have to make sure the guests aren't expecting frosting and sweetness when they bite into a savory sandwich.

holidays

The weather's finally turned crisp here - for a couple of days, at least - and I am having silly little thoughts of the holidays.


dress via The Bottom of the Ironing Basket
My son's first Christmas allows me a little license with formality, no?

Or perhaps something a little more restrained, but still festive...

Candela Sequined Cuff & Hem dress, Saks Fifth Avenue, via ShopStyle

But this, so casual and warm, would look nice with my new over-the-knee boots, and wouldn't make my jeans-wearing family give me a sideways glance...

Cowl neck pocket tunic by emilyryan, Etsy

Finding a focus

Since I'm all over the place with ideas for the kitchen, I've decided to follow Living with Lindsay's Making Your Dream Room a Reality Series. The first goal is to identify what inspires you in the photos you are drawn to.


I love the monochromatic white look in this kitchen, the drawer pulls, and the glass-front cabinets. This kitchen reminds me of ours, which has a breakfast nook, kitchen, and family room area in one big room.


I love much of the same in this kitchen - monochromatic white, glass cabinets, and I also adore the feminine table and chairs.


The pops of blue appeal to me in this kitchen, as well as the plank ceiling.


I love the worn finish on this table, which is quite similar to the shape of ours. I also enjoy the mismatched chairs and white grommet-top panels. I'd bought some like these for the kitchen but ended up using them in my baby's room.



I've been searching for the perfect china cabinet/armoire for the kitchen on Craigslist for what seems like forever. The simple lines and white finish are so appealing.


But the detail and bright color of this one are also drawing me back to it (from Design Gal & Her Handyman.)

This photo's open shelving would be great on the wall next to the fireplace - and the chairs are similar to mine. I love the distressed look (from Jennifer at The Old Painted Cottage.)


And again...the similar chairs, but in blue. I also love, love the wall color.

Does that all seem contradictory? I love monochromatic white but I also love pops of color. There's not much color in my house - not even in my baby son's room - but I think I'm ready for a little.