Summertime Fun!

Summer is here! This is such a special time of year. Flowers are in bloom, kids are out of school, long weekends to play, and great memories of childhood come to mind. Enjoy those long days of summer because it goes by fast.

"Pass the corn on the cob please Uncle Mike..."

In the summer, I have lemonade everyday! It was my first job ever!

Drinks are more refreshing & food tastes better outdoors! Decorating outside is really like adding on to your house- like having a party where everyone's invited!

Dinner parties that are '...just because it's summer' are the best!

I have a few favorite recipes to share- great for hosting or going to a party.

- Aunt Diane & Aunt Beth's Whiskey Sours are a must on hot days or warm nights. Easy to make & gets a party going!

6 oz Lemonade

6 oz Whiskey

Ice

Water

Fill the blender in this order: lemonade, then ice 3/4 up to top, 6oz of whiskey and 1/2 to 3/4 cup water. Then blend away! Put a cherry in bottom of glass for color and top with a whiskey sour- Cheers!

My mom is one of five girls...VA VA VOOM!

Hoisin Chicken Burgers are a favorite in our house because young or old, everyone loves them and can make it all their own! My brother-in-law Scott makes 'em right.

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

1 clove of crushed garlic

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Mix all the above ingredients together in a ziploc baggie & plop chicken breasts in and marinade at least 4 hours or best overnight in the frig.

Onion Buns (buttered & toasted on the BBQ)

Coleslaw (to put on the onion bun for your crunch and flavor)

Hoisin Sauce (spread on the toasted onion bun for an added kick)

After the chicken breasts have been BBQ'd, cut them up in nice long slices to layer on the bun- then add your Hoisin sauce and coleslaw and there you have it, great Chicken Burgers! Enjoy!

so good for summer- slice the chicken instead of using a whole chicken breasts

Really my family is a ball of fun with loads of laughs- just not in this photo!

This candy bar is a hoot to have in the summer- reminds me of the State Fair. We have a lot of summer birthdays in our family so great party ideas to follow...

a nice dip in this pool after a long day at the office...

Confessions of a Shopkeeper

I confess. I love being a designer...but it's not all that glamorous.

Doesn't she look so classic, so stylish, so caught up on her sleep?

I confess. I am an adrenalin junkie, a thrill-seeker, a risk-taker, a wild woman! Why??? Because I'm in RETAIL in the year 2010! Many of our days (and nights) are spent researching, planning, and dreaming about decorating homes...tirelessly being fueled by coffee & taco bell. Oh dear.

maybe on this day, you don't eat or drink ANYTHING...

I confess. I do love to shop. Finding that right piece for others is a real fun and exciting job. Actually gives me a boost. A jolt. A heart-pounding good time when that special piece for a customer is found! And they love it as much as we had hoped. That's what we do for a living. We listen to you, buy for you, and decorate for you. Along with making fun memories along the way.

Found this Chandelier for a farmhouse-

My mom calls this, "...icing on the cake."

Here sits a perfect dining chair-

changing the fabric to something more practical

and colorful would make it last longer than two days in an active home!

We just got two of these little darlings in!

They come with two sets of shades, linen & chocolate.

Perfect for a seasonal boost.

I confess. I am not good sitting at a desk and doing paperwork. Fortunately, that's not what my job requires all the time. I am out on the field hunting for new things for our stores or pounding the pavement pulling paint colors, carpet samples, and lighting to help the client see the entire look together! Those of you who know my sisters Ann and Beth know that they are the most organized women in the world! Thank goodness!

"Has anyone seen my grocery list? I just had it here a second ago?"

I confess. I can't take a picture if my life depended on it. We got a call from a wonderful magazine to have our work featured in a summer issue. They asked me to send in some pictures and none of them turned out. All Fuzzy! Oh dear...

fuzzy but sweet...this was suppose to show how birds are still big now.

My attempt at a closeup shot.

Showing how old & new can mix well together.

Kitchen nook...this one wasn't quite right either.

I confess. I love parties. I can't cook but I love gathering with family and friends. We had a bridal shower for our lovely cousin, Molly. She is so special to us and it was fun to have everyone come celebrate this blessed time in her life!

Molly's signature drink was like a party in your mouth!

Every bride-to-be should have a fancy feather duster...

and cute jammies too! We love you Molly!

I confess. Sometimes I can't decide. Found this picture of super dark floors and love them. But with most of my other pieces not being that dark, now I'll have to sleep on it for a few days and picture living with it. What do you think?

Love these floors but are they too dark?

Cute dog. He looks good with the floors.

Don't worry...it's just wood floors for goodness sakes!

I have to confess. My hubby John brought these eggs home the other day and I loved them so much, I took the middle blue-green one into the paint store to see if there was a match for a kitchen wall color. Who says my job isn't dangerous? If that egg had cracked in my pocket, what a mess! Luckily, everything worked out and I'll snap some fuzzy pics of how it looks!

nature inspiration...you never know when you'll find it!

this inspires me!

oh dear...why did I eat that dessert!

Anticipation

Some New Arrivals for spring...yes we still deliver! And yes...I still have this haircut!

This time of year we get excited for the Anticipation of what's new for Spring- there is something about this season that puts a little kick in our step. The sisters and I have been ordering new things and we are excited to get the shelves stocked and the pillows fluffed!

Let there be light! Pretty Paper Cloud Pendant lights- lots of cool & warm toned linen shades to select from. This could brighten up any corner that needs a little life...

Our French Flea Market...this is where we get to mix new and previously loved pieces. It's a favorite room for many who stop by the store. Makes you feel like you're shopping in Europe!

Fun rugs for indoor/outdoor use from Dash & Albert-

great for humans or doggies! Woof!

Me (middle) with sisters Beth (left in green) and Ann (denim girl) in the Eugene store.

Local newspaper did a write up on us- we learned sister owned stores are very rare these days. We wouldn't have it any other way. Well, we couldn't...we don't have brothers!

This Arthur Court master wine cooler is gorgeous-

silver & gold together are always a classic!

Stickley's new collector's piece for 2010...charming little phone stand with
Harvey Ellis Inlay. Ring Ring!

On the home front, we are anticipating the building project of our new little house. Spring has sprung and that means we've broken ground and the walls are starting to take shape.

breaking ground on our little house...

wish I had that tractor around all the time to weed with!

two weeks later...

Does it look like we'll be able to move in by June?

Greenroom

When March rolls around I always think of:

Lads & Lassie's celebrating St. Patrick's Day- don't start without me!

The Academy Awards- One of my favorite Sunday nights of the year

Anything green! Decorating with the color GREEN...

If you live in a beige or cream world, it doesn't hurt to add a little fresh color in your home. Green can be the answer to your prayers.

Going Green never looked so pretty!

Brunswig & Fils Fabric: Corals & Greens collection

Did you know:

Green is the color of nature, fertility, life...Grass green is the most restful color...Green symbolizes self-respect and well being...Green is the color of balance...It also means learning, growth and harmony.

Currey & Company lamp- simply lovely

Adding a piece or two of green tones to one main room can make your space feel updated, fresh and give a sense of peace and harmony. I love green accessories. A little goes a long way. Three times a charm in my book, tells the story without going overboard.

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Egyptians wore green eyeliner because they felt it to be a strong healing color. I would wear green eyeliner everyday if I thought I looked like cleopatra...

sorta says, "Don't mess with me...I'm not afraid to use green eyeliner!"

It's Oscar month and another favorite GreenRoom is always at the Academy Awards. This room designed by Carleton Varney brings back old Hollywood Glamour in Interior Design.

Black, white and green add drama right where it needs to be.

"Oh George Clooney, that's my drink over there...would you mind passing it this way handsome."

Put some green in your life when you want:

• a new state of balance
• feel a need for change or growth
• freedom to pursue new ideas

Do you have something green already that you just love or are you looking for a particular green accessory that will help complete your look? Try a little GREEN...I think you'll find loads of luck with it!

L-O-V-E

I played this game when I was a kid. Mostly, he loved me not.

Do you believe in love at first sight? I do. I've fallen in love with puppies and kittens without even blinking an eye. When it comes to non-living pretty things that can fit in my handbag, around my neck, or in my house...I have fallen head over heals in no time. One rule of thumb, if you aren't madly in love with it, don't even let it through your front door.

Here are a few of my LOVES in life:

I have the best little faucet in my bathroom. It's not fancy, but I love turning it on when I go to brush my teeth or wash my hands. Call me crazy, I love to turn that faucet. Makes me happy. Sue me.

I adore my area rug downstairs. It has every color in the rainbow and makes me giggle when I walk on it-- which some days, can be over 100 times. Makes going to the laundry room more exciting. I love that rug! Makes me happy.

I can't live without my coffee cup. It's big and reminds me of my old dog Miles. Playing outside in the wintertime all bundled up ice-skating...too cute! This mug makes me happy.

I'm in love with this old pocket watch. I have it with a few of my necklaces in my bathroom and see it every morning before I get ready for the day. I wondered who had this treasured keepsake for years and where it has traveled before winding up in my house. I especially love it because it doesn't have hands...so I never feel like I'm running late!

Do you have a favorite thing or two in your house right now that you love? Of course your family & friends are keepers for sure, but I wanna know what special things you have and where they are at home? Happy Valentine's Day! Cheers to Love.

Balancing Act

Can we all relate to life feeling a bit like a balancing act? Do you juggle your family and work life and sometimes feel like both are a three-ring circus?

At work, my to do list is long but good. We just changed the window displays for February. New colors and eye-catching merchandise help to make our windows tell a story. With 42 room settings inside the store, it's a lot to play with. My sister Beth and I are ordering new sofas, beds, rugs, lamps, and everything in between. We've been caught in our PJ's at the store late at night redoing a room or two. We work best in flannel, what can I say? Next week, I am going to Gearhardt on the coast to help a wonderful client with her home. We ordered this bed for her- so pretty! What to put with it? Oh just wait...

Great neutrals with a hint of color makes for a relaxing room.

At home, my February list is a busy one. My hubby John and I are at the beginning stage of building a small home in Eugene. I'll keep you posted on how the two of us work together on this...gulp! Also on the list: throwing a bridal shower for my cousin, water baby swim lessons, weekend trip to visit John's family, help set up for 'Shall We Dance' charity, a few friends' birthday parties, a niece's play, mail out Valentine cards, and big sister Ann's Birthday! Oh yeah, and keeping up with my love of movie watching- must get ready for the Oscars!

I'm right here Precious!

Life clicks along whether you like it or not. There are days I would love to just fast-forward through and others that need repeating. Thank goodness for some ringleaders to help for the greater good of our work life and home schedule too. Crazy days make for some fun stories and remind me to be light-hearted about things. Don't let life overwhelm you, because this too will pass. Maybe one or two mini-meltdowns are allowed. But like Cher said in Moonstruck, "...Snap out of it!" And so I do.

These last five years...

I've always enjoyed my work life. In my twenties and early thirties, my hobby was my job. For over fifteen years, I've decorated homes and tried to sell more sofas than any girl this side of the Mississippi!

Five years ago, our family decided to open a shop in Downtown Bend, Oregon about 120 miles from our Eugene store. Bend is beautiful, with mountains and rivers to boast about, sunny weather, and interesting people from all over.

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We wanted a smaller, more boutique style store

and that's just what we got...

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First summer in Bend, met cute guy named John.

Then John and I got married...

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John & I are no spring chicks, so we were ready to start our family.

Baby Charlie was born!

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I juggled being a new mom, wife, and shopkeeper...acquired a taste for coffee and attempted to finally use those stainless steel things that stare at me in the kitchen. Me, cook? Why not!

Take your baby to work? Not such a good idea...

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It was time to be closer to family once Charlie was here. It takes a village, you know, and starting a family made us realize that there's more to life than sunny weather! But it's not farewell Bend.

Our shop in Bend is still clicking along and we are happy to say the shop is there to stay! We are in Eugene more and it's been so much fun catching up with customers/friends. Stop in next time you're driving by...unless you live far away, then just check on us here...our new adventure in blogging!