Wedding Flowers for the Tables

Today I'm guest posting over at Doberman by the Sea.  I spent a day this past weekend practicing arranging the flowers for my son's upcoming wedding in May.  Come on over and have a look at how the table arrangement worked out. 


And just so you know - they involved using all of these and then some.

Linked to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence
Friday Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Help Needed

As many of you know I will be away for most of the summer traveling to and working in Bangladesh (you can read more about it here and here).  I've been pondering what to do with my blog for the seven weeks I will be away.

I'm hoping to be able to upload photos and write some posts while I am on the road and teaching.  However, I can't guarantee that I will have electricity, internet access, or time and energy to do regular blog posts.  Thus I'm coming to you, seeking volunteers to write some guest posts.

I would encourage you to consider being a guest blogger as it is a good way to find other blogs and have other people find yours.  I thought it would be fun to have the guest post give us three glimpses into your home, along the following lines:

• the oldest thing in your home
• the favourite thing you have made (or made-over)
• the favourite room in your house and why

I will need to have the post sent to me by the middle of June so I have time to upload it and it is ready to publish before I leave.  If you think you would be interested in volunteering to be a guest blogger this summer please drop me an email at aliasgracie@gmail.com

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
XOXO

Talking about Blue

I'm pretty excited to be guest posting over at Frugal Mom x3.  I'm posting about decorating and the colour blue.  Could it get any better than that?  

I have looked and looked through my stash of photos and even taken some new ones for this post.  I was searching for beautiful shades of blue!

And then I googled and googled and found rooms with those same colours in them.

Are you inspired yet?  Come on over to Bette's blog and have a look at the other lovely rooms.

Welcome Pamela from French Buttons

Today I'm excited to have Pamela, from the blog French Buttons, doing a guest post.   I first met Pamela, who recently moved from Ontario to beautiful British Columbia, when she left comments on my blog saying how much she enjoyed my posts about places I went to in Southern Ontario and how much she was missing it (not sure if I was a help or a hindrance there).  We have since emailed each other and become friends.  If you haven't visited Pamela's blog, you should hop on over to get to know her more and see the sweet house she and her husband and son are presently living in.  It is my dream house - with a lovely garden, large front porch, beadboard everywhere, built-in shelving, and character galore.

Thanks Pamela for doing a guest post!

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Hello Everyone!

My name is Pamela from French Buttons and today I am doing a guest post for Grace of Sense and Simplicity!

When Grace asked me to be a guest on her lovely blog I immediately said YES! I just love Grace and her blog. Grace was my very first follower (not including family or friends) when I started my blog. She also lives in my hometown province of Southern Ontario....so I feel a real attachment to her!!

Grace has sent me some questions so all of you can learn a bit more about me and my blog.

What inspires you more- the mountains or the ocean?

My family and I have just moved to Vancouver Island, British Columbia from Niagara Falls, Ontario last December. My husband was born and raised here in the Cowichan Valley and missed it very much especially the smell of the sea air.

The island is surrounded by mountains and the ocean. I have to say I have fallen in love with the ocean. I live only five minutes from it and everyday that I go and visit the ocean it is never the same. For me the ocean is a soothing place that you never tire of. I feel a real calmness come over me every time I am by it.

This ocean here is only a ten minute walk from my front door. It is so peaceful here and my favourite past time is to collect shells along the beach. The nice thing about the island is you can enjoy the mountains and ocean together. It is the best of both worlds!

What is your dream vacation?

Paris!!! My dream vacation would be to visit Paris , France. I want to stroll down the cobblestone streets eating my baguette . Visit all the stores to see the latest fashions. I envision myself having lunch and sharing a bottle of red wine with my husband at one of their lovely bistros!

Who do you consider to be a style icon?

This will be a shock to alot of people but my all time favourite person since I was nine years

old is Stevie Nicks. To me she has to be the most talented female artist in history. Not only do

I like her music but her sense of style has always been so incredibly unique, beautiful and feminine. Her style is gypsy/romantic/old Hollywood star like Greta Garbo. I admire the way she expresses who she is through her clothes. I am the same way always expressing who I am by what I wear. Even Vera Wang is a big fan!

What is your favourite way to entertain?

Being a Leo I have a tendency to go over the top when it comes to entertaining. Whether it's a

barbecue, fancy party or informal get together with friends I like to bring out all my good stuff. And of course lots and lots of food...it's the Italian in me!

Cooking and entertaining people is one of my passions and it makes me feel good to give my

guests the best that I have.

Some dinners I will use my pink vista transfer ware china....

Or other times a dinner will be with my lovely green Portuguese china...

But no matter what the meal...it may be just my homemade Italian pizza ,

I like to use the best!

Do you prefer decks or Patios?

Patios. Period. Nothing is more romantic and charming than a cobblestone

patio! 

Do you prefer white kitchen cabinets or wood kitchen cabinets?

My dream is to one day have an all white kitchen complete with solid maple painted

white cabinets. I love white cabinets. Wood cabinets to me can look dated quickly.

This would be my dream kitchen!

 

What three words would you use to describe your decorating style?

Romantic Country French!

This is the sleeping porch off of my master bedroom.... Romantic

 

This is my dining room which is more rustic with a country french feel.

I had so much fun being a guest today on Grace's blog! Thank you Grace for having me and always being there for my blogging problems!

Thank you to everyone else who stop by for a visit!

Pamela xo

Welcome Angie from Echoes of Laughter

I've been having guest bloggers all summer and today I'm excited that Angie from Echoes of Laughter is doing a post.  Don't you love the name of her blog - just reminds me of happy family times.   I'm not sure how I found Angie's blog (or maybe she found mine first), but either way I'm sure glad I did.   Angie is a sweetheart who lives in Edmonton now, but grew up in Nova Scotia.  She has recently been doing a wonderful series of posts on camping food, including preparation and recipes, which I have found really interesting and informative.  All I can say is that I think she eats way better than I do when we go camping.  Head on over to Angie's blog to get to know here better and see her crafts, recipes, and home projects.

 

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I really want to thank Grace for inviting me to guest post on Sense & Simplicity. I am delighted to be here and to share the company of the guest posters of Summer 2010. Grace and her blog have been a huge inspiration to me and have really helped me to comfortably grow into the 'roots' of my blog. Thank you Grace! xo Angie


This is me.

I am a 42 yr. old homemaker. It's a job the I LOVE. I became a homemaker 5 years ago when we moved 3000 miles across the country from Nova Scotia to Alberta. 


I grew up next to the Atlantic Ocean. I could see it in the distance everyday. For me, the ocean is calming and peaceful. I think of the many voyages that people have undertaken in search of a new life. When I left Nova Scotia, I kissed the ocean goodbye. And when I go home in the summer to visit, I greet it like an old friend.

I started reading blogs because I was lonely and knew no one in new city. I started blogging in the Fall of 2005...as I  needed some type of writing therapy.


I called my blog, "Echoes of Laughter" and wrote about 4 entries. Then I abandoned my blog for a few months. When I can back, I couldn't remember my password. So I had to start a new blog,  called "Mindless Chatter" because the name 'Echoes of Laughter' was already taken...by me...who couldn't remember my password. haha.


In my 5 years as homemaker, I have had loads and loads of fun. I have done many things that I might not have done otherwise.

I love to make meals for my family. I love to bake and entertain....all in a very casual way.
I love feeding people. I get that from my mother!

I love to offer guests a drink from my little martini bar:

And I like to host small, intimate parties....like this birthday celebration for my sweet Mom.

You will notice that my table is often set with my blue & white Spode china. My table centrepieces are always homemade with whatever fits the occasion.

This picture also reveals one of my all-time favorite colour schemes....blue & white.  I adore blue & white. I find blue so comforting....maybe it comes from my love of the ocean. You will see that delicious colour combination in my house over and over again.

From a quilt that I tackled in a beginner quilting class:

To my decorative accessories:

 To paint on the walls:

To little vignettes around my house:

 I think I would describe my decorating style as:

 Casual. Traditional. And Beach-Influenced.

If I could have any designer work on my house...it would be Sarah Richardson.

Why?

 She gets my blue & white. She gets my Beach-Influenced.

Thanks again to Grace for inviting me to join this party. I had a wonderful time!

Many thanks to all you bloggers out there who have taken a few minutes of your busy day to let me share a little about myself.

You all inspire me with your wit, writing, ideas, photography and talent!

Welcome Elizabeth from Blue Clear Sky

I'm excited to have Elizabeth from Blue Clear Sky doing a guest post today.  I met Elizabeth early on in my blogging career when she recognized where one of my pictures was taken and emailed.  We soon realized that not only do we work in the same town but we live fairly close to each other and we even know some of the same people in the community.  Small world, eh?  If you haven't been over to Elizabeth's blog, then hop on over to get to know her better, read about her amazing sons, see her lovely patio and garden, and read about all the things she has been doing in her house, especially her family room.


Thank you, Elizabeth, for doing a guest post today.

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My friend Grace at Sense and Simplicity has invited me to do a post for her summer series of Mondays’ guest posts. She sent some great questions to choose from and I hope you enjoy learning a bit more about me. Thanks Grace!




What inspires you more - the mountains or the ocean?

The mountains! I have always been attracted to movies, art and design with a mountain or rocky setting. I'm very fond of rustic. I love rocks and trees. I love the textures and colours. Growing up we spent a lot of time in the outdoors in Northern Ontario and I think that has a lot to do with it. Even better would be a lake in the mountains. I love inland lake beaches. The HGTV dream home is always in my inspiration file. I love the building structure, the scenery and many of the decor choices.

Images: HGTV DREAM HOME 2009

If you could choose would you like a personal assistant, a personal chef, a gardener, or a chauffeur?

Definitely a personal chef! I like to dabble in my garden and it is on the small side, so no personal gardener needed here. Organizing is near and dear to my heart, so no personal assistant required. I drive all the time, to work and travelling with the family and actually chuckle at friends who avoid the 400 series highways here in Ontario. But a chef would be a dream. I would love to have someone tailor a healthy menu for us and cook great food all the time.

What are 3 colours you love and do you have them in both your home and your wardrobe?


I really believe the old advice that says to look to your closet to see what colours, and often textures, you can live with comfortably in your home. My three favourite colours are blue, blue and blue. Oh, three different colours. Do white, off white, black, tan and brown count? Of course I have other colours in my closet, some pink, red, and greens, but blue, black and white are predominant. Lots of shades of blue. If I was to translate the materials of the items in my closet to my home it would be denim, cotton, twill, and leather. I'm a casual kind of girl!

Image: Wrangler

Image: Buffalo jeans

If you could live in a house anywhere in the world for one month - where would it be and what type of house?


A beautiful Timber Frame home in the west. Timber Frame is my favourite architectural style. I would love to have one built one day and fill it with all kinds of leather and wood and white. I would love to spend a month on a working ranch in Alberta or Montana. My kids and hubby could do the work though, I would just soak up all the beauty and maybe mess around with some baking in the kitchen. Or The Pioneer Woman's home and ranch! Farm animals, a lodge and a dream kitchen all in one.

 Above 2 images: The Pioneer Woman

If you could have one decorator help you work on your house who would it be and why?

Sarah Richardson, and her budget of course! I would love her help in getting the look I want in our home. Sort of a rustic lakeside farmhouse feel. Phew, that was a mouthful! I really admire both her Georgian Bay cottage and the farmhouse in the Collingwood/southern Georgian Bay area. Partly because both of those locations are near and dear to us. I also love that both those homes have a collected feel and are not showroom matchy. I adore quilts and pine furniture and always have.

If you could fill your home with furniture from only one store, what store would it be?


I would love to shop at Ethan Allen, http://www.ethanallen.com/. Buying one good piece there would be a treat, but to fill my home with furniture from Ethan Allen would be so much fun. I especially like the New Country series.

A friend gave me one of their design catalogs, a book really, and I refer to it often. I also visit their website just for ideas or inspiration. Just for fun, here are some of the pieces I would choose:

Above 4 images: Ethan Allen

What is the oldest item in your home?


Besides hubby and I? ;) Probably an old Canadian sideboard a relative gave to my mom. The inside is really cool, old cherry is my guess. The original little casters are on it, but it could use some new hardware. It was refinished many years ago but I plan to strip it to the original wood and maybe wax it. I like that it is a piece that can be used in different rooms for different uses. It has been in our dining room and family room for baking pan storage and now it's being used as a TV stand. We have upcoming plans for a flat screen and some detail to highlight this area.