Sarah's House

Is anyone else watching Sarah's House on HGTV? It's on Saturday nights 7:30 central (probably 8:30 for most of you.) SET YOUR DVR. I gave up design shows years ago, until THIS one. I love it. I love her. I love Tommy. I adore her design.

How's that working for you?

Hair Update, life as a brunette.

My husband: really likes it. I can tell he is still deciding whether or not he likes the blond better, but he definitely likes the brunette too.

Reactions from others: Overwhelmingly positive. Although, do you think anyone would tell me if they hated it?

Interesting observations:

-Most people don't recognize me at first. Some people still have trouble recognizing me. (HLuxe, T!)
-At a church party every kept wondering why my husband was dancing with a brunette.
-Most of the reactions has been from men. They know more about hair than I ever realized.
-A lot of people thought the blonde was natural. Ha. ha.
-The lone naysayer calls me Elvira but also used to call me Heather Locklear when I was blonde so I am not sure we can fully trust his judgement.
-Lots of people comment on how the color compliments my eyes. I'll admit it, this pleases me the most. I've always wanted great eyes.
-Most unexpected: my hair looks thicker, healthier, and more shiny than ever. I love that.

My super talented photographer friend Meredith offered to capture my brunette-ness in all it's glory. If you live anywhere near Kansas City, you should have her take your pictures. She is amazing and adorable. Contact her via her website, MeredithRae Photography. You can see more of her work on her photography blog.

In posting these pictures, I am reminded of a line from Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos: "There were no photographs of her . . . after seeing the photo of her, I took it as a sign of enormous modesty and restraint because, if I looked like that, it would take Herculean modesty and restraint not to plaster every wall with my own image." I am no beauty, but Meredith took some great pictures. I will restrain myself from plastering pictures on every wall in my home. I will however plaster them on this blog.

When was the last time you posed for pictures - just you? High school? Wedding? I felt very self conscious. That is probably why in nearly every picture I have an awkward-smile-borderline-smirk. I'm cool like that.






(smirk)
Can you tell something's missing? Only one earring. Don't worry, I didn't lose it.


The book was my idea but you probably figured that out.


I love this one. As if I lay on the couch often, eating bon-bons and watching soap operas.

To sum up, I think all middle aged women (am I really middle aged? I guess so) should have their pictures taken (by Meredith if possible.) Especially if you don't think you are beautiful. At first it seemed indulgent and narcissistic but now I am so glad I did it. And so is my husband. Thanks Mer for offering!

Color Love

I tend to fall in love with colors easily, then stay in love for a long,long time. This is my new favorite color.








I would take one of everything for my kitchen.

Making Shirts

I made this shirt from this tutorial.


For Valentine's Day, I had this shirt made at a shop in town. (My husband speaks Portuguese.) Inspired by this and this.

While I was at it, I had these shirts made for my girls:

(She designed this herself.)

acquisition

Did anyone else fall in love with the pillows on the cover of Country Living?
I did. I have been stalking Target awaiting their arrival. I was rewarded today.

I think it goes perfectly with my Room&Board lumbar* pillow. (both pictures taken with a camera phone so not that great quality.)*not to be confused with the lumber pillow.

On the cover the yellow looks bright and sunshine-y. In real life, it is a more green-yellow.

While I was there, I also spied this bedding. Perfection.


Three cheers for DwellStudio at Target.

How Ardently

Hope you had a Happy Valentine's day.

Will You Be Mine?

We made these valentines for my little one to take to her class party.



Who wouldn't want a valentine from this sweet girl?
This guy choose store bought. No complaints from me.

Even though my two oldest no longer exchange valentines, my daughter had a few ideas:

With a deflated balloon: "Hope your Valentine's Day doesn't blow."
With a lollipop: "Hope your Valentine's Day doesn't suck." (she's actually been wanting to do that one a few years running.)

Perfect Valentine's Gift

I saw this tea towel (via Design Mom.) Isn't it perfect? You can get one here, if there are any left.

If you don't recognize the phrase, here is a clue.

Prepare Yourself for Something Dreadful

I am very nervous to post this.

Let's remember 2 things when looking at these pictures 1. I am undoubtedly the least photogenic person on the planet. 2. These are self-taken timer shots, not the best quality.

I know. It looks like I am wearing a wig, right? It does. All-over color does that. I was told by my trusty hair-care professional, Robin, that it will calm down in the next few weeks. We will see. I had to go a shade darker to cover all my old blonde.

Pros: Love having a change. Love not fighting regrowth. Love not having to pay serious $$$ every 8 weeks. Love having my ponytail be all the same color.

Cons: Wig-like appearance. Will take some getting used to. Wondering if my children will recognize me. Not sure if I can pull this off.

Husband's response- and let's be honest, what opinion matters more than his?- "I fell in love with you as a brunette." (Although I was not nearly this dark, I might add.)

Give it to me straight people - I can take it- what say you?

Picture clues

See if you can use these picture clues to figure out what I plan to do today at my hair appointment:

Wish me luck. I will post real life pictures after.

I do not cough for my own amusement

("Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces.''

"Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,'' said her father; "she times them ill.''

"I do not cough for my own amusement,'' replied Kitty fretfully.)

I have been sick the last several days. The worse kind of sick: just sick enough to feel awful but not quite sick enough to fully take advantage of the "sick card." I gave about a half day every day. It was all I could muster.

I seem to finally be on the mend. One more good night's rest and I will be good as new. About time because my house is desperately needing my attention.

Clothes of Note

Old Navy has a really fantastic line of clothes for baby girls/big girls. Very crewcuts.






And plenty more in stores that couldn't find online.