I've seen a couple of bloggers (Young House Love & Struggling to be Stylish) write about the Ethan Allen style quiz, so I decided to try it out for myself. I liked the idea of choosing between two photos, rather than rating each photo on a 5 or 10-point scale. My results on these quizzes always surprise me, and this one was no exception. I would never ever characterize my style as glamour, since I like a "lived-in" atmosphere and I don't really like rooms where I am afraid to touch anything. I do like the pictures below, but I wouldn't consider these rooms and design elements "glamour." But what do I know? I can't even pick out curtains!
I even took this quiz twice, and I got Glamour both times.
Some photos that represent "Glamour"
What I like about these pictures: dark furniture, glass accessories, natural elements (wood in the fireplace, plants on the tables, etc), soft and airy colors.
Accent walls aren't exactly a new trend, but I'm seeing more and more accent walls with wallpaper. I still tend to think of wallpaper as a negative design element, only because paint was all the rage for so long. But there is some really beautiful wallpaper (or ways to create a wallpaper look) these days. And an accent wall is the perfect place for it if you don't want your room to look too busy.
This was Lonni's final project on Design Star, and it's kind of shame that she was sent home over this room. It is absolutely gorgeous, and the printed grasscloth wallpaper is pretty much the whole reason I love this room.
I love the light and airy colors and patterns of this accent wall. It's subtle and sweet, and not "in your face", which creates a more sophisticated look. And I like how it meshes with the striped material on the chairs.
I think this is kind of a neat idea if it actually looks this good in real life...placemats hung symmetrically to mimic wallpaper...but for a fraction of the cost. It photographs well, but I just don't know how well it would translate.
This next picture just makes me happy. It is my favorite accent wall on this post.
But if the wallpaper is too expensive for that look, try stenciling it on with chalk first, then painting over the chalk.
This may not fool you into thinking it's wallpaper, but the painted stripes add so much to an otherwise less exciting room. See before and afters here.
I can't really think of a place in my house that would be appropriate for an accent wall, but I love looking at other people's creations!
Hubs and I have set a goal for ourselves this weekend - pick out curtains for our dining room. Sounds like a fun task, since I like to shop, I like to decorate, and I like that Hubs is interested. But I've mentioned before that I'm not the best decision maker. Let me take you through my thought process so you can see what I mean.
Exhibit A - the dining room:
Thought 1: Since the room is a light beige and the furniture is pretty dark, I should try to bring in some color...the few accents I have (picture on the wall, a few accessories, a vase, and placemats) are red. Red curtains?
Thought 2: But what if I change my mind down the road about red accents and I am stuck with red curtains? Maybe I should stick to a more neutral color...a safer color. Well, what color is safer than white?
Thought 3: But maybe the white will blend into the wall too much... Maybe it needs a slight pattern?
Thought 4: That still might not be enough contrast... What about a more prominent pattern?
Thought 5: But I have three windows in my dining room, which means I'll need six panels. Could a pattern like this be too busy? I don't want the curtains to overwhelm my room... Oh, look these very random blue curtains are pretty!
So that's my thought process. Am I the only crazy person who does this? More importantly, do you have an opinion about what I should do? Please share!
Didn't Betty Draper look beautiful on Sunday's episode of Mad Men? Rome suits her, don't you think? We're finding out that Betty is more than just a pretty (albeit very unhappy) little housewife - attended Bryn Mawr College, majored in Anthropology, speaks fluent Italian... How else will she surprise us?
Calloway's Nursery is hosting its Fifth Annual Fall Harvest Festival tomorrow in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston.
From their press release: "Throughout the day customers browse and shop from a unique pumpkin selection while children can decorate a free pie pumpkin and participate in various activities including a slime-making station, a picture takin’ place, a decoratin’ parlor, and learn from the Mad Scientists. The day will also include several free clinics for adults focusing on fall’s colorful flowers and a fall container garden. A number of workshops including a pumpkin decorating, wreath decorating and make-it and take-it color creation class for a small fee."
Free Kid Activities: pumpkin decorating slime station chalk garden
Free Adult Clinics: colorful fall flowers fall color creations
I'll be taking advantage of the pumpkin decorating with my favorite three-and-a-half-year-old twin nephews.
I've settled into my fall tv habits so I thought I would share. Maybe you will take a chance on some of the new shows I like so they don't go the way of Pushing Daisies. I'm still sad about losing that show.
Believe it or not, I have somewhat limited the amount of tv shows I watch. The biggest difference is that I am not watching Dancing with the Stars this season. It just takes up too much time...2 -3 hours per week. I even deleted it from my season pass, so that is really serious!
Sunday: Mad Men
Monday: How I Met Your Mother
Tuesday: nothing...that's right NOTHING!
Wednesday: Glee
I love musicals, and while this show is a little over the top, the musical numbers just make me so happy. I'm still thinking about last night's performance of Somebody to Love. Do yourself a favor and watch this video.
Thursday: The Office 30 Rock (premieres October 15) Community It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Thursday is always a big tv night and this year is no exception.
DVR worthy - may or may not watch when I have time
The Vampire Diaries - my new guilty pleasure (and for the record, this show is based on a series of books that were written in 1991, so it's definitely not a Twilight rip-off)
Grey's Anatomy - just curious about the new season without George
Modern Family - I haven't watched this yet, but I've heard great things and the previews make me laugh. I'll probably record a few eps before I jump in.
If you're like me, then you didn't make it to the Texas State Fair on opening weekend. Whenever you're able to go, pay attention to these deals and save some money!
Dr Pepper $3 Tuesdays: Every Tuesday, bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $3.
Dr Pepper $5 after 5pm: Bring an empty Dr Pepper can to any State Fair admission gate after 5pm and enter for $5.
Kroger "Three for $1" Wednesdays: Every Wednesday, admission is $1 for each visitor who brings 3 cans of food for area food banks.
Coke $4 Thursdays: Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product and enter for $4.
FREE Thursdays for Senior Citizens: Senior Citizens 60 years and older enter for free every Thursday.
FREE Thursday admission with a Cinemark Theater ticket stub.
Any Day - McDonald's offers $4 off general admission: with one of their State Fair coupons (available on tray liner or bag stuffer) any day. A free child ticket (with purchase of general admission) coupon is also distributed by McDonald's.
I'll be using the savings to buy more fried oreos and pineapple ice cream...yummm.
I tend to think that the end of summer means the end of delicious and fresh in-season produce, but I couldn't be more wrong. There are tons of fruits and veggies that thrive in the fall, which of course makes sense when I think about apple crisp or cream of mushroom soup.
For information about the nutritional value and how to select and prepare each item, visit KraftFoods.com. And check out their recipes, too - they are easy and delicious!
A great story with a simple concept - the friendship between two women that starts when they are fourteen and lasts for the next three decades. Tully is completely career driven, while Kate longs for love and family. Both women get exactly what they want out of life (career vs. family), but it's the age-old battle of "What if I could have had both?"
This sunscreen absorbs into your skin in a matter of minutes, so you don't feel that typical sunscreen grease. It fully protected my skin on my beach vacation, but I still got a little bit of color, too. (Just don't forget to put sunscreen on your ears.)
Favorite summer style: fun sandals
I pretty much wore my white Target sandals everywhere this summer, and wore my gold Steve Maddens when my outfit needed a little bit of flair. Since it stays so warm in Texas until November, I'm hoping I can get away with wearing them for a while longer even though it's technically fall.
Favorite vacation: A tie - Seacrest Beach and 4th of July in DC Ok, so these are the only two vacations I took this summer, but both deserve to be mentioned. Hubs and I hung out in DC with some friends over 4th of July and got to see the amazing fireworks show over Washington Monument. We also toured the Smithsonian, ate at Old Ebbitt Grill, walked the streets of Old Town Alexandria, and feasted on some Maryland blue crabs. We were beach bums the whole time in Seacrest, but that's really the best part of a beach vacation - doing nothing laying on the beach!
Inspired by Modern Eve's "Love of the Lake" inspiration board, I put together a "Beach Bound" board for my family vacation to Seacrest, Florida. We arrived yesterday for an entire week of relaxation, sun, surf, play, grilling out, putt putt, family pictures, board games, music, swimming, tanning, bike riding, reading, and pretty much whatever else we want to do.
Clockwise left to right:
1) Hurley beach umbrella for some shade and shameless promotion for my sister's company; 2) Coppertone Nutrashield SPF 30 to protect against sunburn (and had a $2 off coupon!); 3) Target beach tote on sale for $9.08; 4) rolling cooler while relaxing in the sand, a graduation present from my in-laws; 5) iPod speakers for all those beachy playlists; 6) margarita machine for...well, do I need to explain this one?; 7) Uno and other fun games for family fun time and bonding
I would never ever characterize my style as glamour, since I like a "lived-in" atmosphere and I don't really like rooms where I am afraid to touch anything. I do like the pictures below, but I wouldn't consider these rooms and design elements "glamour." But what do I know? I can't even pick out curtains! 
