Small Changes Can Make A Difference!

In the summer months I make little changes in my environment to freshen things up a bit. This year I kept it simple and added something new to my kitchen counter top.

This is the before and how it looks on a daily basis:

I tend to like things simple and not too cluttered, but this year I added three more items to replace the tray. Three is  a lot for me to have on my counter tops.

Here is what I added and it will also be useful in my cooking:

I now have three pots of herbs to cook with. I purchased these pots about 3 years ago for $4 each at none other than Walmart. I knew eventually this is what I wanted to do with them. I am not quite sure why it has taken me so long to do a 30 minute project. I am really glad I finally did it.

 I was inspired by none other than, “The Barefoot Contessa”, Ina Garten. I love the  kitchen in her home.  Remember how she had the three pots of herbs on her counter to the left of her stove? She also had a thinner green on green striped wallpaper and a black and white checked floor!!

 

I really like the new look even though it is a simple change it is still fun to make some simple changes.

I have also changed out my mantle for the summer. I will do a post on that next and show you all how it turned out. I really like it. It is calm and peaceful looking to me.

Do you make changes in your decor for the summer months? What do you add or take away to make small changes? If you would like to see more of my kitchen you can go to this post and see it!

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Making small changes for a new look in your home.

Kathysue

Persistence and Determination Pays!!

I have been helping my beautiful DIL with the design of their Master bedroom. She wanted something at the foot of their bed to sit on to put on shoes and to hold the comforter and extra pillows while they were sleeping. In making plans for the room I had a design in mind and in that design I saw an X bench.

 We found one at William Sonoma for $1,550. Sorry not in the budget. So that began the search. She found other benches in a different style, but it just was not going to work for the vision that was in my head. Do you do that? I get a picture in my head of entire rooms and I can not get it out. We both continued to look to no avail.

Well, today that all changed!! She sent me an email of the X bench with the white upholstery that I had envisioned for a mere $149 and free shipping. I know it probably won’t be the quality of WS Home, but at that price I think we will adjust. I will let you be the judge:

Here is the WS Home X bench in a brown upholstery for $1550

Now for the white upholstered X bench with free shipping for $149

Pretty amazing isn’t it? You will be glad to know that she placed the order for two of the benches today!! We are on our way to completion. I will show you some of the other elements that we are using in the room on another post.

Here is a sneak peek:

I just had to share this wonderful deal with you all. If you are looking for an X bench you can go here to get this great deal!!

I will let you know how they look once they get them.

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Being persistent and finding a great deal!!

Kathysue

A Hard Post To Write

I have hesitated to write this post because, frankly the words are hard for me to write. Late Sunday night I recieved a phone call from a dear friend. I was so happy to hear his voice, but then the words he was about to say to me would pierce my heart.
He told me that Marija Stephens of Holding Court blog had been killed in a tragic car accident. I must admit I did not comprehend it at first and when I did, I had to have him repeat what I thought I had just heard.

As many of the bloggers in blogland I knew Marija through her witty, insightful, intelligent , well written blog. I also had the privilege of emailing her about a post that pulled at my heart strings. It was the post about her father. We both had written Fathers day post about our Dads who were no longer with us. She left me a wonderful comment and I emailed her. The thoughtful and wonderful person Marija was emailed me about how I had touched her.
That is the kind of person she was. The kind that would take time to contact someone to let them know how she felt. A person that was warm , kind and encouraging to others.
I always could tell that she was a woman that knew what she wanted and would work hard to get it. She was also a woman that would never let anything get in the way of her top priority, her family.
She loved them fiercely and she liked them as people and liked to spend time with them. The love and respect she had for her husband Cory or Mr. Court, as she would call him on her blog, was so evident.
You see Marija was a talented designer and the kind of writer that never wrote about something that was not important to her. In her writings you could learn so much about the woman behind the words, because her words were always typed with honesty and integrity.
The last words she wrote to me personally were at the end of her email,
 I hope you find yourself in Chicago some day. I would love to share a cocktail or a coffee and learn more about you.  Seems we have much in common.  Blogging can be truly beautiful...
Have a wonderful week.  And from the very bottom of my heart, thank you.
Love,
Marija
I am sorry to say I will now never have the opportunity of meeting this wonderful lady. She will be missed by so many of us in blog land.