tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24004814630482372122024-03-28T01:58:05.546-04:00The Blessed NestStacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-5205873893573022022013-04-17T14:23:00.000-04:002013-04-17T14:23:51.440-04:00I'm Back With Big News!Hello Friends,<br />
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I have some exciting news: I've changed the name of my blog to: Two Four Six:Eight!!! <br />
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I'll be sharing about home, hospitality, adoption (yes, we're in the process of adopting!) and more.<br />
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Click the link below to re-direct: <a href="http://www.twofoursixeightblog.com/">www.twofoursixeightblog.com</a><br />
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Blessings,</div>
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Stacey</div>
Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-35062131419103622772010-09-02T10:06:00.012-04:002010-09-23T13:01:04.387-04:0010 Things...Beginning to Decorate for Fall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XV1rO-JbxiGef7q07xAnUIG9B0qkKhNQ_mbGTh6zTtwnlXWKqkqxrTzWYj-DG9QvEU2Y2cbmcocjgfcSnvWqk9pDYlvAXfS3utGXh_BkRUrBlouXkEm5Tr6XPBGw_bXRbrfekDKah-I/s1600/10+things.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XV1rO-JbxiGef7q07xAnUIG9B0qkKhNQ_mbGTh6zTtwnlXWKqkqxrTzWYj-DG9QvEU2Y2cbmcocjgfcSnvWqk9pDYlvAXfS3utGXh_BkRUrBlouXkEm5Tr6XPBGw_bXRbrfekDKah-I/s400/10+things.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512317666143525650" border="0" /></a><br />I don't know about you, but I just can't wait for the leaves to change colors, & the air to turn crisp and cool!<br /><br />Just as nature is changing (or soon will be!) all around us at the beginning of a new season, there are little things that we can be doing in our homes to reflect that beautiful new beginning and make our homes a warm, welcoming place to be!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here's a few fun & easy ideas for transitioning into our Fall Decor:</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qirgd-koaZXHK3IHEfxX-LWU5fJfIPWCaWXThc7toktL9iCba3kLhgAAcsKb0d_R3KR29DGjjf59sHIVp68BQiQzM5MF9715Eqoey6NDVhLqPN9JAkN4ND6wCoKTfCVJxTrISOQ0Hyw/s1600/Retreat+Centerpiece10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qirgd-koaZXHK3IHEfxX-LWU5fJfIPWCaWXThc7toktL9iCba3kLhgAAcsKb0d_R3KR29DGjjf59sHIVp68BQiQzM5MF9715Eqoey6NDVhLqPN9JAkN4ND6wCoKTfCVJxTrISOQ0Hyw/s400/Retreat+Centerpiece10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512317658093161762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">{photo: BHG.com}</span><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">1) Think apples! </span>Not only is the start of school a clue (apple for the teacher!), but nature makes these delicious fruits available to pick soon for making pies, tarts, applesauce, cakes, & cider!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNn5rOiJPdh7304WpWiKASGPned3WzgxmVpy7ZJHlOkzFEhJdRIM-waZJvQpv_HouUxvbmlIEONo4VR9MYzmtz-f_Vl5lcJqpUZnBk-q9KX1fl3cgIGK_ipQoOiSxqv_byAUixOwUk7w/s1600/Apples.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNn5rOiJPdh7304WpWiKASGPned3WzgxmVpy7ZJHlOkzFEhJdRIM-waZJvQpv_HouUxvbmlIEONo4VR9MYzmtz-f_Vl5lcJqpUZnBk-q9KX1fl3cgIGK_ipQoOiSxqv_byAUixOwUk7w/s400/Apples.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520153139707923746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Go ahead and add some apples to your kitchen decor. Put some fresh apples in a pretty bowl or colander and place on the counter (or on your coffee table!) for a healthy treat that's perfect for eating in season.<br /><br />Or pile a bunch in a large glass vase with a candle nestled in the middle for a lovely table centerpiece!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzN4L_P904abphIMcOZz5-ZpxNFA-Yj1F5gCq0k2WRj_3hQF6lw7ALOdRK3lKODJaOHrVar4n6MhgKUH1OdTIhR1uxn0_lgKrMPmPQA0-3ynCxJ6-pUkoMPHdQnM21hXcrMX8PwSfDj3w/s1600/PB+-+Apples.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzN4L_P904abphIMcOZz5-ZpxNFA-Yj1F5gCq0k2WRj_3hQF6lw7ALOdRK3lKODJaOHrVar4n6MhgKUH1OdTIhR1uxn0_lgKrMPmPQA0-3ynCxJ6-pUkoMPHdQnM21hXcrMX8PwSfDj3w/s400/PB+-+Apples.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520149813528624370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">{photo: Pottery Barn}</span><br /><br /></div>Choose your favorite variety & enjoy!!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be adding to this "10 Things" list over the next week!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Happy Fall Everyone!!!</span><br /></div><br /><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-79785504208680719852010-08-12T09:23:00.008-04:002010-08-12T09:56:34.549-04:00Dining Room Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXC8VVy2SkWf6yfaoIcXNeOEiok4kmL_N0IxQD0CE213kFQs6lGwJl5y5AqwJlHEDy9PX0rZPVa4E2wt-0HK2MUHsIlzGvBWBejEwMGy7ln9OwqJGC5BcHf2D49gc_FPnBcmdyLGIq80/s1600/LaunchParty+004.JPG"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrqE1aGWippf4Rm3Jsbjc4KpwtjvZ0g6PqXMAKUp5ckOx0bpdJhRgpyvSBp2DxP_iaXaY8P_XyO-I-NHmwyfrfn3XIbMTq74Qnf71su0rOQ1U5pvYGY01XtxCgGjb63YiMIv2hFLKA8c/s1600/Dining+Room+Ideas.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrqE1aGWippf4Rm3Jsbjc4KpwtjvZ0g6PqXMAKUp5ckOx0bpdJhRgpyvSBp2DxP_iaXaY8P_XyO-I-NHmwyfrfn3XIbMTq74Qnf71su0rOQ1U5pvYGY01XtxCgGjb63YiMIv2hFLKA8c/s400/Dining+Room+Ideas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504516138712038706" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Today I thought I'd share some of the additions we've made to our Dining Room Makeover! I made an "Inspiration Board" of the look we are after, and have been using that as my guide when making decorating decisions. I think it's very Fresh! {Fresh is my favorite descriptive decorating word lately :) !}<br /><br />Here's our newly painted, yet still blah looking little dining room. It still has it's 1980's chandelier, and a microwave from our kitchen remodel that needs to be replaced with something better (new microwave or new fall clothes -- right now I'm voting for an updated wardrobe! LOL!!):<br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB-mM_BjtFpmEkcSrSBIZ2oz_e9puQyrb1q6XyE_k6Cnz1IcXjFLFH7N7TkPD-yWLz6Xk8c7z5VT0sfuScJ0NmwD3FLtnuispR2aU22Y3Blu1SiPqVkPsUZyTEK53K8V5zltpc7wDTLA/s1600/Bird+on+Twig+Silhouette.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvANpEmlh55HpYm3OksDJh2cLQ3Fqv8R7oIcRvJC0plzU7CO2Ps8N8_X4-tiZHAlKPj0EfRQkouZnfeCYjLF8VsLIPMgYY7XcO_EMCW7C1j9w1SUU4yTcjld-IErVW3Ov7pttqBZHJlQw/s1600/Tree,+DiningRm,+School+028.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvANpEmlh55HpYm3OksDJh2cLQ3Fqv8R7oIcRvJC0plzU7CO2Ps8N8_X4-tiZHAlKPj0EfRQkouZnfeCYjLF8VsLIPMgYY7XcO_EMCW7C1j9w1SUU4yTcjld-IErVW3Ov7pttqBZHJlQw/s400/Tree,+DiningRm,+School+028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504514502713382690" border="0" /></a><br />Before I left for vacation we added these pretty soft white curtain panels from Pottery Barn:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupN6VANMXiR9REcMsxKiRv4SuM8PJQEKo46fpqniBCHDueR3br111xOXFQyiplb9iseltUexcqEFA0iJHKZvS7iG-FXnrXljscowCyN8yxCIC41iB-zuCYNYA6_8wtK8flXV1htjlZ-s/s1600/PB+-+Curtains.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupN6VANMXiR9REcMsxKiRv4SuM8PJQEKo46fpqniBCHDueR3br111xOXFQyiplb9iseltUexcqEFA0iJHKZvS7iG-FXnrXljscowCyN8yxCIC41iB-zuCYNYA6_8wtK8flXV1htjlZ-s/s400/PB+-+Curtains.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504514489801011074" border="0" /></a><br />And a mirror that looks very much like this one from PB, but I scored mine at HomeGoods! $19.99 -- can't beat that!! It's hung on the long wall of the room, and REALLY opened things up visually! Can't decide if I'm going to paint it yet or not...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZJUEEbJUtyGHwDqmIQWsIochki47Jb7Hchc97eSTkMYvCULEhzkAvj0GpZE_1ln1co1law6qomd2XIdeYBjHe3ye3xXPAKyukZ6EOLRa8199F8NGb3fJ8af2mBmoknyjeItai7VXHfE/s1600/PB+-+Mirror.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZJUEEbJUtyGHwDqmIQWsIochki47Jb7Hchc97eSTkMYvCULEhzkAvj0GpZE_1ln1co1law6qomd2XIdeYBjHe3ye3xXPAKyukZ6EOLRa8199F8NGb3fJ8af2mBmoknyjeItai7VXHfE/s400/PB+-+Mirror.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504514483686476802" border="0" /></a><br />I've also added an orchid, and got some black lanterns (also from HomeGoods) to add in. Next up is finding an old buffet to re-do and getting a new chandelier!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgieFnbFNOWqPcgPfuqra5DNNmkck3CXGqvZiTj2KIM95iLzQhMvhPpZSWnQ5dyrnRm4e0qlbIqL_1DpIkO_Ucv7cJ5qXe6NVLtrYbI4-qcSGGAiBLYVslJjeyYogY6Wa53noWAUkgVg/s1600/PB+-+Mirror.jpg"><br /></a><br /><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-35838203436928115142010-08-08T18:48:00.003-04:002010-08-08T18:52:23.117-04:00We Have a Winner!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPXc5aKMDxDyOKf9WKQKWM1NEB5n-VMbs72mOSKLti0fR6HO01TjNn9h87iiQNthuiasgGUcSQ7X6cyQpVvw-Od7_jRAE6OFDOvWoHYnqst-tqytD38wciLJV_pXSaxulqr0qVtje-bE/s1600/giveaway+result.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPXc5aKMDxDyOKf9WKQKWM1NEB5n-VMbs72mOSKLti0fR6HO01TjNn9h87iiQNthuiasgGUcSQ7X6cyQpVvw-Od7_jRAE6OFDOvWoHYnqst-tqytD38wciLJV_pXSaxulqr0qVtje-bE/s200/giveaway+result.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503174735112385826" border="0" /></a>....And it's <a href="http://therodgershouse.blogspot.com/">The Rodgers</a>!!!<br /></div><br />Congratulations, please send me an e-mail so we can get your goodies sent your way! :)<br /><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-59922180664464464502010-08-07T14:24:00.004-04:002010-08-07T14:36:03.578-04:00Last Day to Enter Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.stelladot.com/staceykopchick"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIt4kkSpggayvXPw-Eg_rg-PECSWj16wodplWapFtdK_ZdHA0IEztSeJX3-dFuuX6JNO27nChFwpRK903MvDekaduRhuujVC2N1JmWu67dhGL6vPCwkGoxsVanfdqFKs-aJqbeq_X0FQU/s400/SD+Fall10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502735760670595922" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.stelladot.com/staceykopchick"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stella & Dot</span></span></a><br />Belle Fleur Ring - Hematite<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotlwOlON-PS9RgVj-p0l1x75kCooGo-UXhFZKvYjpMupazvUtaYCvY5cEyt2SycBivgTrRMzrLz1mOgr54Q6E7yxfJgYdLZjcXsMB7mGmKFkHfks3V7xza4R0kS6_Z05WTchiQcvW8Jc/s1600/Stella+Dot+Logo.htm"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotlwOlON-PS9RgVj-p0l1x75kCooGo-UXhFZKvYjpMupazvUtaYCvY5cEyt2SycBivgTrRMzrLz1mOgr54Q6E7yxfJgYdLZjcXsMB7mGmKFkHfks3V7xza4R0kS6_Z05WTchiQcvW8Jc/s200/Stella+Dot+Logo.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502738078180353986" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Don't forget!!!</span><br />Today is the last day to sign up to win a<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">$50 Gift Certificate</span></span><br />to my Stella & Dot jewelry e-boutique!<br /><br />Leave a comment <a href="http://theblessednest.blogspot.com/2010/08/im-back-with-stella-dot-giveaway.html">*here*</a> to enter.<br /><br />:)<br /><br />Hope y'all are having a wonderful weekend! We went to our town's French Market this morning, and then to Home Depot for a few more things...trying to get the backyard lookin' pretty! The girls want a butterfly garden, so a butterfly bush and phlox are making their way into the garden bed today!!<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-81709826213635062432010-08-03T17:49:00.019-04:002010-08-04T16:47:14.862-04:00I'm Back -- With a Stella & Dot Giveaway!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.stelladot.com/staceykopchick"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq0TosgMFbXYZkYjVbSwCXPf9rH7yIie5tOjnLhvDZezwsMXDVQ50BhqRFjH1TTos2mcRptmjR2uum5SnDcWcY1pl7rcMkFTwC5Ve8CnV8jLCg8nwV0eMUp9Sx3BGiU8kQlYltjYw4D8/s400/Stella+Dot+Logo.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501645006795508946" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Whoo-hoo!!!!! A Great Giveaway!!!!!<br /></span></div><br />Wow, you all have been so amazing & sweet while I was on my little "bloggy break"! I'm back feeling refreshed and ready to share more inspiration with you all here!! :) {Can't even believe how many new followers I've gotten in the past few weeks -- THANKS!! You rock!!!}<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhlLKVLr5VfX51417pueaCtnZjyrPvQ7Ah52Z3KuNodfEYkplY_DANapXEcfxrg6zGDkID6VHQo664hMD0ER9Dp9w0dXWB5uEwwW5CqLQrgv92btAZ0BnjuAGiBcoqgizXWlQiJvM7wc/s1600/SD+Fall14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhlLKVLr5VfX51417pueaCtnZjyrPvQ7Ah52Z3KuNodfEYkplY_DANapXEcfxrg6zGDkID6VHQo664hMD0ER9Dp9w0dXWB5uEwwW5CqLQrgv92btAZ0BnjuAGiBcoqgizXWlQiJvM7wc/s400/SD+Fall14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501305382578109666" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">*To say "Thank You!" in a BIG way, I have decided to do a FUN giveaway!*<br /><br />I'll be giving away a <span style="font-size:180%;"><br />$50 Gift Certificate</span><br />towards YOUR CHOICE of beautiful Stella & Dot Jewelry!!!!!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.stelladot.com/staceykopchick"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 93px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNQ9fa35_eqk-7w4cpPnVdkPFwlWOCNS2iJ5OXCkr2sReq_QSeyMo9fkh04eU301wEq1RdAyd_g6HTE9SUMpW3bgNWAf7ugyjI8fuzXVfrRz-H2_xjeiwB7aiat0sJi-7fF35OSfPqs0/s400/SD+Fall16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501305386461578914" border="0" /></a><br />One of the great things I was doing during my bloggy-break was <span style="font-style: italic;">having fun</span> with <span style="font-weight: bold;">my new Stella & Dot business! </span><br /><br />I am now an <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/staceykopchick">Independent Stylist with Stella & Dot</a> -- a fabulous, fresh, oh-so-stylish jewelry company that celebs love and is regularly featured in magazines like <span style="font-style: italic;">InStyle</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Lucky</span>, and <span style="font-style: italic;">O Magazine</span>!<br /><br />I am earning money to pay for my kiddos school tuition by basically having FUN playing dress-up with gorgeous jewelry at girls-nights-out trunk shows!!! How awesome is that?!! I have to tell you, I am seriously LOVING this!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The NEW Fall 2010 line </span>just came out, and I <span style="font-style: italic;">adore</span> all of it!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNSx5w46DJnSkdShozeXnXVfWVbQBdzjVxuVLOCGPMgKoHmosiuVKhF_ihjFzY667Jml2QAaQ7FMLCSz5SPnbBH-DOXA1zfPvXZ_L9qWWAORUkStaKooN7-ceiCQ-vLTW29ZupXeaahE/s1600/SD+FallCollage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNSx5w46DJnSkdShozeXnXVfWVbQBdzjVxuVLOCGPMgKoHmosiuVKhF_ihjFzY667Jml2QAaQ7FMLCSz5SPnbBH-DOXA1zfPvXZ_L9qWWAORUkStaKooN7-ceiCQ-vLTW29ZupXeaahE/s400/SD+FallCollage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501624028219424722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwaLPuVGC7TJswiFY1uARtouNV75XFhQfehugvBK_CxqhhBe6je2hH7mZqgf154edxlqiq2Cwxn3LU-pbphDGS5fj2TEwDijHXUq6F2fONNoPUCl4iroEY2tq3JHIhtpkvx60hV8gazc/s1600/SD+Fall13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwaLPuVGC7TJswiFY1uARtouNV75XFhQfehugvBK_CxqhhBe6je2hH7mZqgf154edxlqiq2Cwxn3LU-pbphDGS5fj2TEwDijHXUq6F2fONNoPUCl4iroEY2tq3JHIhtpkvx60hV8gazc/s400/SD+Fall13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501305377427147378" border="0" /></a><br />Top L: <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/staceykopchick/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=R105G">Belle Fleur Ring - Gold</a><br />Top R: <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/staceykopchick/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=R104G">Vintage Cluster Ring</a><br />Bottom: <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/staceykopchick/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=R106G">Charlotte Pearl Ring</a><br /><br />Love these rings! Wear one on your middle or pointer finger for a fresh look!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsKKWKe7jRyWVxuS3kragyiUVCx5kUHnm20myE5on_YVeDUGiWBFZYmlC1T22oj2sKpPO7kW-3koeXYIkFuSZvpeZljlCaI3KhbuRNBvd2_iYKkZzi1dEEESEkAwlbRwinepcEZAZ4lM/s1600/SD+Fall4.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCysO9ptNn4Q2TsTXyTeCXWc6I9pzdYsN5miF3ydjKTRFPUY85yBG-b6K8rRti_rO3ZFowJwjrBRplSqA9Kie0gXRXlq_iHOdBssZj0xwQHOYe1YrbBq8BawCvji04lUDHWfWM4QgP4A/s1600/SD+Fall5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCysO9ptNn4Q2TsTXyTeCXWc6I9pzdYsN5miF3ydjKTRFPUY85yBG-b6K8rRti_rO3ZFowJwjrBRplSqA9Kie0gXRXlq_iHOdBssZj0xwQHOYe1YrbBq8BawCvji04lUDHWfWM4QgP4A/s400/SD+Fall5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501304564112926226" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/staceykopchick/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=B122">Audrey Cluster Bracelet</a><br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3x5dQum3HVT_FyJtTR3KZJPy-Q6HROoh2xDgA0gZp-QC-r7-L39Pctzxy_1_twjj3rjaPqSkjMzFMN1-I36L58d87EKyAzryyC9Yiw_y8SvMw3PTc0RR7kQMIEJAc_7nhFN7dtqMeHI/s1600/SD+Fall11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3x5dQum3HVT_FyJtTR3KZJPy-Q6HROoh2xDgA0gZp-QC-r7-L39Pctzxy_1_twjj3rjaPqSkjMzFMN1-I36L58d87EKyAzryyC9Yiw_y8SvMw3PTc0RR7kQMIEJAc_7nhFN7dtqMeHI/s400/SD+Fall11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501305065838055986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLHxrNDzh8fqmGyPhYUNj4LVvMuKU9Fl4HEhWNOG5JD4xo5TaFaC9jr3ZZnE9-7uuXULyj-MUZDvEPv7KAxlBMxZq0yvu3Dam6pvVS8OE_Ve_tiIvhNaJrRe97XI9hSkhyphenhyphenrawcNHmesk/s1600/SD+Fall8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLHxrNDzh8fqmGyPhYUNj4LVvMuKU9Fl4HEhWNOG5JD4xo5TaFaC9jr3ZZnE9-7uuXULyj-MUZDvEPv7KAxlBMxZq0yvu3Dam6pvVS8OE_Ve_tiIvhNaJrRe97XI9hSkhyphenhyphenrawcNHmesk/s400/SD+Fall8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501305046843496386" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/staceykopchick/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=N150">Nolita Necklace</a><br /><br />The statement necklace of the season! It looks great with everything from jeans and a t-shirt to your favorite LBD!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Pclzfm6J3gxdirhPvpm9ygbdY2AV46iHmXGp2CRJR09J4Ab9IBFtD-WKIfsM-lR4lWb8B49OVNPOvftxyev2cP4NAvvMH33pGA8bcSAJq-D_TPJkEsOjqVw0lFn710Xh6bfjLGNkZjY/s1600/SD+Fall10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Pclzfm6J3gxdirhPvpm9ygbdY2AV46iHmXGp2CRJR09J4Ab9IBFtD-WKIfsM-lR4lWb8B49OVNPOvftxyev2cP4NAvvMH33pGA8bcSAJq-D_TPJkEsOjqVw0lFn710Xh6bfjLGNkZjY/s400/SD+Fall10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501305061853337442" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/staceykopchick/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=R105H">Belle Fleur Ring - Hematite</a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_Qmap47XDwKBKLZ_2MkeR-ZUEpEUjUE0ifh7rUpe1fpNyIJLibzxyhXUoGTOn2K3x41lx9BGhGM4nut3K8opvYHWNWzHK0swFAeYotgByL_z2Hmn4nrdpFBAU0vWmZ574Dn92625Z1A/s1600/SD+Fall6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_Qmap47XDwKBKLZ_2MkeR-ZUEpEUjUE0ifh7rUpe1fpNyIJLibzxyhXUoGTOn2K3x41lx9BGhGM4nut3K8opvYHWNWzHK0swFAeYotgByL_z2Hmn4nrdpFBAU0vWmZ574Dn92625Z1A/s400/SD+Fall6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501304569574280818" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/staceykopchick/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=N131H">Chelsea Necklace</a><br /><br />Looks great when worn long, or doubled up! A favorite!!<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOVugEX8fA2zv2J1bmM9HDSKsqUx68luo3ZlRv9oCub8vp78yMIvqqMccfULmjqSmbskiJceHZreESp2rfO7jrpIrITlbIBDgBtnbfQJCzBZCQr8QCt64KafIQKVvKoHi8lPB3rym1ls/s1600/SD+Fall3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOVugEX8fA2zv2J1bmM9HDSKsqUx68luo3ZlRv9oCub8vp78yMIvqqMccfULmjqSmbskiJceHZreESp2rfO7jrpIrITlbIBDgBtnbfQJCzBZCQr8QCt64KafIQKVvKoHi8lPB3rym1ls/s400/SD+Fall3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501304550542277346" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/staceykopchick/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=E113S">Deco Drop Earrings</a><br /><br />The perfect, wear with anything earrings -- and at a great price!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwX8sjvT1b5g7nW_v4r_62FtPtR8tAZQFfe9R4i4PBSA833pW8CAhwqH5McEYjY1hFfL7yJrec6-LKYYNQ7ZC5Xv-9YIl6gpcFHLEGUYDm_2NTe15PNR4-650_N-Y59EduJjFT5baQ11E/s1600/SD+Fall7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwX8sjvT1b5g7nW_v4r_62FtPtR8tAZQFfe9R4i4PBSA833pW8CAhwqH5McEYjY1hFfL7yJrec6-LKYYNQ7ZC5Xv-9YIl6gpcFHLEGUYDm_2NTe15PNR4-650_N-Y59EduJjFT5baQ11E/s400/SD+Fall7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501305038841601714" border="0" /></a><br />Isn't this fun?!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/staceykopchick/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=N137">Owl Charm Necklace</a><br /><br /><br />*********************************************<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To enter to Win the $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway:</span><br /><br />1) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Visit my <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/staceykopchick">e-boutique</a> </span>& tell me what you would get with the gift certificate if you won!<br /><br />2) If you <span style="font-weight: bold;">make a purchase</span>, leave another comment & get <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">5 extra entries!!!</span><br /><br />3) If you're a Follower, or sign up to Follow then get another entry too!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">---This Giveaway will run until Midnight Saturday Aug. 7th!---</span><br /><br />Thank you SO much for your support :) & Good Luck!<br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-7288343024308804812010-07-13T11:53:00.004-04:002010-07-13T12:20:42.071-04:00And She Realized That It Was a "Good Thing"...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLWygWFgEuEXBz6hiBjMWuK-mfkzzP8T6eeMPboVDbR4bO7pPZMzfpG4QgI9qcsJPwpJSxq-ga5OkM2jw17wJ8oyRG7122Fv4pfaXNt4j-8IBsF9z2tkTxGe-9WkgrYXRB_J8MRjsAbs/s1600/LaunchParty+004.JPG"><br /></a>Yes, I've been away from blogging for a couple of weeks, but rest assured, all is well! In fact, I would have to say that taking a bloggy break every now and then is, as dear Martha would say, "a good thing". <br /><br />At first I was frustrated by the "writer's block" that appeared. I had a post (still in my drafts section btw) with pictures uploaded of the wonderful time I had at the Eddie Ross event all ready to go...but the words wouldn't come. I thought of a million things to share with you, but everything seemed like drivel when I tried to write it out. And quite frankly, it seems like a waste of my time and yours to just type out a little bit of nothing with a picture and post it. (Though sometimes those are my most commented on posts....hmmm...)<br /><br />As Day 1 of "Not Blogging" turned into days 4, 6, and 10, I began to realize that this bloggy break was good. Good for my soul. Good for my family. Good to actually give me time to pursue the design & decorating I love to do. Good for me to pursue another idea and dream. Just GOOD. <br /><br />I actually considered not blogging anymore at all. But then realized that the camaraderie and friendships I've developed with you all, not to mention the fun creative and inspirational outlet that blogging has given me is also a good thing. And so The Blessed Nest goes on.<br /><br />The change is that I will not apologize for "not blogging" in a while. I think too many of us feel like we need to say "sorry" when we haven't posted for a bit. This is really such a shame! And I think that it actually goes against why we blog in the first place! :) <br /><br />If I blog about home and family and decorating and hospitality, but spend so much time focusing on my blog and what to blog about that my home, family, friends, ministry, and personal creativity suffer as a result, what does that say about me? About my priorities? I certainly can't write a post inspiring you to make a welcoming home if I'm too burnt out from time on my computer editing words and pictures to make my OWN home a welcoming place to be. <br /><br />And so, as I continue to post here (and love doing it!), from time to time you may see me taking a bloggy break. And I will come back when the time is right, feeling refreshed and inspired by spending time doing what is truly inspiring to ME!! <br /><br />And <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> is a very GOOD THING!<br /><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-43097548213818778222010-06-17T17:59:00.003-04:002010-06-17T18:12:58.017-04:00Later Gators!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3kpRoyczk1NwwnBPmj36pm14HbWzEeS41DvXkppJd7AhVBwNIpWGxvhRORT4PU908NulBHpM0UMzwf5YJ83YKN1hQH0EXAnYGCh6r8juQuDvrpV38iKVoIu9-3oNVSEJRr8ojLEtcLM/s1600/EddieRoss4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3kpRoyczk1NwwnBPmj36pm14HbWzEeS41DvXkppJd7AhVBwNIpWGxvhRORT4PU908NulBHpM0UMzwf5YJ83YKN1hQH0EXAnYGCh6r8juQuDvrpV38iKVoIu9-3oNVSEJRr8ojLEtcLM/s400/EddieRoss4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483865625301178242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm off to go see Eddie Ross!!!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(squeals of excitement!!!!!!!!!)</span><br /><br />I secretly hope he'll be wearing a bow tie.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />&<br />I also hope I am not a complete dork.</span><br /><br />Tell ya about it tomorrow!<br /><br />:)<br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-89807714882847582252010-06-11T12:24:00.004-04:002010-06-11T12:59:54.905-04:00A Favorite Summertime Treat<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxPIpaGUMlRVnI3hCj5rYeaUfPPamT46z1gfMRi1xdKsWaCgvEElCMdQDX_Wtxib77UtcoM_Dh5mE2NesIavOopVV1t2jM_Rx-GHLNC8G0A64iUy4p9f1RUXvNuRcG2XW-ePpkaQcJLg/s1600/Popsicle+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxPIpaGUMlRVnI3hCj5rYeaUfPPamT46z1gfMRi1xdKsWaCgvEElCMdQDX_Wtxib77UtcoM_Dh5mE2NesIavOopVV1t2jM_Rx-GHLNC8G0A64iUy4p9f1RUXvNuRcG2XW-ePpkaQcJLg/s400/Popsicle+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481557147528993234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Mmm...Popsicles!!!</span><br /><br />Every year, during the first hot days of summer, I start to crave a good ol' fashioned popsicle!<br /><br />We used to make our own a lot when I was a kid, using juice poured into a plastic mold. No ice cream trucks going by our house in the country :). <br /><br />And this year I wanted to have the kiddos experience a fun, summertime treat, that's also healthy too!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseb0XVGn9_egk-GuYWSsN97YeT7DLiGYqE_X3a36saff5WTLdvEY0MWk8CPVGA4lDHAjRpWn29XA2pjIGuH3NxkhC7AswR3e7VqdNprzlxSvKEqLRx_hxZ_-vg36hlaehzqyDL9EOBjE/s1600/Popsicle+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseb0XVGn9_egk-GuYWSsN97YeT7DLiGYqE_X3a36saff5WTLdvEY0MWk8CPVGA4lDHAjRpWn29XA2pjIGuH3NxkhC7AswR3e7VqdNprzlxSvKEqLRx_hxZ_-vg36hlaehzqyDL9EOBjE/s400/Popsicle+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481557139059650834" border="0" /></a><br />I got these cute popsicle molds at Target a few days ago. So far we've done orange juice or pink lemonade with sliced fruits.<br /><br />Yummy!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUPY1EqCrfMn8y-zpMinog2I5Tq9-4Da_LnwqaCH9LM9V96HJo4fz8Kaac5Wo8XlFnsMvxjLU92OVhYCcNos9XtQwZCb81dibc6kr5kH0K9jSXyfOInYNGARLH6LierxhBP6K-R9wqUg/s1600/Popsicle-CL.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUPY1EqCrfMn8y-zpMinog2I5Tq9-4Da_LnwqaCH9LM9V96HJo4fz8Kaac5Wo8XlFnsMvxjLU92OVhYCcNos9XtQwZCb81dibc6kr5kH0K9jSXyfOInYNGARLH6LierxhBP6K-R9wqUg/s400/Popsicle-CL.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481555114227219090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">{photo courtesy of: Country Living}</span><br /><br />Love the idea of placing them in a big ol' bowl filled with ice for the neighborhood kids to help themselves to a treat!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZ0LoZ_mQ91IKZUG1X_NKi-DjMsw7U6YvZvQxbNYizgo6chGuGyFBZgnzRQI67hmZauflXqhiDrek7Yq0nSfzrj9G4Dj3bc9e_m1SXEYud0hehWhRM5uK1bEQYZpwrhq2zaoKuxtME9Y/s1600/Popsicle-CL2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZ0LoZ_mQ91IKZUG1X_NKi-DjMsw7U6YvZvQxbNYizgo6chGuGyFBZgnzRQI67hmZauflXqhiDrek7Yq0nSfzrj9G4Dj3bc9e_m1SXEYud0hehWhRM5uK1bEQYZpwrhq2zaoKuxtME9Y/s400/Popsicle-CL2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481555064837239362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">{photo courtesy of: Country Living}<br /></span><br />Aren't these molds fun? You can get creative and use so many different things!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJTRPpj_fNFSzn2p7UmAOO5NS8MsYvTmq1sGtxGHd24gvBEnivzYY0t0yjdWnSm9z9Q9yuWh-sd3p-XgjuboGsk1va__Z7vUYhuj7thf0GFkM8Li6AtUBb3Zs6OJtnNl7jVc9SDjWvjY/s1600/Popsicle-MS.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJTRPpj_fNFSzn2p7UmAOO5NS8MsYvTmq1sGtxGHd24gvBEnivzYY0t0yjdWnSm9z9Q9yuWh-sd3p-XgjuboGsk1va__Z7vUYhuj7thf0GFkM8Li6AtUBb3Zs6OJtnNl7jVc9SDjWvjY/s400/Popsicle-MS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481555049546982114" border="0" /></a>{photo courtesy of: Martha Stewart}<br /><br />I love the idea of making a layered popsicle, with different juices, purees, and yogurts & fruits for a healthy snack.<br /><br />Plus, they look pretty too! :)<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theidearoom.net/2010/05/fresh-fruit-popsicles.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTuAzQ1oyu0jysE34-RXI1fLt_hl2RavpdKTHoCZSM6WXtYz-F7t7myf4Ou4yHGGQnacqDHOsIQjrpagArert5-GtXmPfgY6hQ03mtgC2t4_ViLApCHdCAFN1B3Nd61MiZSWHXhIrNcQ/s400/Popsicle-IR.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481555043921411058" border="0" /></a><br />And if you're looking for a simple, lovely treat, check out <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/2010/05/fresh-fruit-popsicles.html">The Idea Room </a>for a Fresh Fruit Popsicles "recipe". I'll be making these next!<br /><br />Enjoy this Summer day, & stay cool!!<br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-43377867580569957292010-06-08T11:14:00.003-04:002010-06-08T11:58:22.980-04:00I'm Gonna Party With Eddie Ross!!! {& YOU can too!}<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qnRkJHsLylCkFSXrkGnDyKQNK_9SNczOXEJhPq1UTJ7KDiNgiBXxVlMxiMT3tkIM44DIv81wjhvjik3FCTovXxESYkZPLD7wkUR9EnIuTfkNlHETbKIvDfD6AeSQ3Tl2nKHpQA1cuek/s1600/EddieRoss1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qnRkJHsLylCkFSXrkGnDyKQNK_9SNczOXEJhPq1UTJ7KDiNgiBXxVlMxiMT3tkIM44DIv81wjhvjik3FCTovXxESYkZPLD7wkUR9EnIuTfkNlHETbKIvDfD6AeSQ3Tl2nKHpQA1cuek/s400/EddieRoss1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480421837469702642" border="0" /></a><br />Have you heard?<a href="http://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/2010/05/youre-invited-creating-the-wow-party-.html#comments"> Eddie Ross is coming to Chicago!<br /></a><br />And I get to meet him! :)<br /><br />He's holding an event called <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Creating a WOW Party"</span><br /><br />{WOW stands for With Out Work -- now that's the kind of fun entertaining I love! Plenty of style to make your guests feel special, but without all of the work!}<br /><br />And since Eddie can decorate, entertain, and flea market like nobody's business, this is going to be one event I sure don't want to miss!!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQopa8_PJ2QP-l51Dm75-vySm2Md74uMtZsRSYJTYteFtyfi-2xJGvmEbzN0IZEm7-Yl6EtQppp1m_hLOW2ihi7pOD4n00t5lknCmEyqUmJD7w16pBDSrMhtn1S6AgwpA7Iy0_UpkPa3M/s1600/EddieRoss2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQopa8_PJ2QP-l51Dm75-vySm2Md74uMtZsRSYJTYteFtyfi-2xJGvmEbzN0IZEm7-Yl6EtQppp1m_hLOW2ihi7pOD4n00t5lknCmEyqUmJD7w16pBDSrMhtn1S6AgwpA7Iy0_UpkPa3M/s400/EddieRoss2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480421827356225906" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Eddie writes:</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">"Hello, Chicago! On Thursday, June 17th</span>, we're throwing the kind of party that will help <em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">you</span></em> throw better parties!<br /><br />I'm talking time-saving tricks and insider tips for easy entertaining with style.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><em style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Creating the WOW Party</span></em>, we're calling it, (<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">without work). <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal;"><br /><br />These days, I think we're all staying in a little more than we used to, preferring casual gatherings at home that are a lot easier on the wallet than fancy evenings out. But when it comes to cocktail parties at home, hors d'oeuvres needn't be limited to store-bought hummus and pita, chips and and a chunky salsa.<br /><br />Now don't get me wrong: As an ex-caterer, I'm all for cutting corners if it saves time and money, but the critical part of the equation—<span style="font-weight: bold;">the WOW factor everyone's always after</span>—is presentation, presentation, presentation. It's the golden ticket, the insider secret all the pros know but never tell you.<br /><br />Until now. </span></span></em><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Well, not quite now, but soon! <span style="font-weight: bold;">The 17th of June at 7 pm, to be precise, at the historic </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.dunhamwoodsridingclub.com/" target="_blank">Dunham Woods Riding Club</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> in Wayne, Illinois.</span> Joining me will be the talented Debra Phillips, owner of <a href="http://www.scentimentalgardens.com/" target="_blank">Scentimental Gardens</a> in Geneva, a fantastic home and garden store full of beautiful, one-of-a-kind antiques."<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfkDbUDspcv3EhJlK9msdxSJf6qOe8SAwKEzWxiKtjI5FKNx4xEZjPOcHtsRdF54FGEuGP_pDsadL2o4eoH6u3d-wumMm9Y0RznK4NCWB8brlgWBfwDbjLKqnOjrGErun2yRJGFyFJxY/s1600/EddieRoss3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfkDbUDspcv3EhJlK9msdxSJf6qOe8SAwKEzWxiKtjI5FKNx4xEZjPOcHtsRdF54FGEuGP_pDsadL2o4eoH6u3d-wumMm9Y0RznK4NCWB8brlgWBfwDbjLKqnOjrGErun2yRJGFyFJxY/s400/EddieRoss3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480421816622389026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">{all images courtesy of eddieross.com}</span><br /><br />So, Friends...<br />If you live anywhere near the Chicagoland area, come & meet Eddie Ross & learn some fun tips for <span style="font-weight: bold;">entertaining</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">WithOut Work, but with plenty of style!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/2010/05/youre-invited-creating-the-wow-party-.html#comments">Check this out for more information!<br /></a><br />I'm going to be there!<br />:)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Are you going?<br /></span><br />Let me know, I'd love to meet you there!!<br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-61742991038661982212010-06-01T09:52:00.010-04:002010-06-01T11:31:09.989-04:0010 Things...Quick & Easy Ideas for a Tidy Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxmLQym3EQE1opeUoIL69aYTCN5KwOkC_2qhBO4eSiwrPMPYRoUz4RKFpoOfQ3juqLesBjp69beI534dG6KgHkdr8Eosi2izV8VwMH-9tDTU66csT3Hm6sSDoe2qUsM3GlACQYGqtZ3s/s1600/10+things.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxmLQym3EQE1opeUoIL69aYTCN5KwOkC_2qhBO4eSiwrPMPYRoUz4RKFpoOfQ3juqLesBjp69beI534dG6KgHkdr8Eosi2izV8VwMH-9tDTU66csT3Hm6sSDoe2qUsM3GlACQYGqtZ3s/s400/10+things.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477815546658226306" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Need an easy way to get your home straightened up in a jiffy?</p><p style="text-align: center;">Company coming over in a minute or there's just no time in your day?<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Here are some easy tips!</span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">{Focus on a few main areas, and you'll be surprised how tidy your home can be!}</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*********************************<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">1) Have a nice, clean entrance! </span> Clear the entry table and floor area from all clutter. Put bills & mail away, shoes in the closet, and straighten the door mat/rug.<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2)</span> Wipe down <span style="font-weight: bold;">kitchen counters and sink</span>. No time to do the dishes? Pile them in the sink and place a pretty dishtowel on top to hide the mess!<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">3)</span> Wipe off kitchen <span style="font-weight: bold;">table </span>and push in the chairs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4)</span> Fluff <span style="font-weight: bold;">couch cushions and pillows</span>. Your living room will instantly look nice & neat!<span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRbQTVlukpv08jZYp-pKfYczDUbS-2NpwPkLWTZ-3ZOE8wCR3DeV5vqbnImSNfulKzTadiKpwXQIqFPGqVEt0rGa26fm4F-svvNDDExebrLlupba4HJlyd0Xiq9zri1QDtMMC1tcXvag/s1600/Sunroom+Makeover+2+005.JPG"><br /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5)</span> Straighten up the <span style="font-weight: bold;">coffee table</span>. Stack magazines neatly, plop remotes in a basket or on a tray, and take any stray snack dishes to the kitchen sink.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6)</span> Place a fresh, <span style="font-weight: bold;">clean hand towel</span> in the bathroom, and wipe down the sink.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />7) Grab a big basket </span>and place all of the stuff left on the floor (toys, a book, slippers, whatever your family leaves all over!) inside. Put in a closet and be sure to have the family put those items away later in that same day!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />8) Open your curtains</span> and blinds and let in the light. If it's a nice day then open a window for a breeze and to hear the sounds of nature. This looks beautiful and makes your rooms seem brighter and bigger too!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />9) Turn on a lamp or three</span> for a nice, warm, welcoming glow!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10)</span> Close doors to untidy areas, light a pretty candle, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">greet those at the door with a</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">smile</span>! <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />*********************************<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">And Remember:<br /><br />A Welcoming Home Begins With A Welcoming Heart!</span><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhMC3YA3KI9dYd42txEvNjXe9MDLq1lrDtRGTPbN6CNduOUW9C39HxXF6tFZuZ24nc4Ce-KSfgSuzxajxS0XLO5lsF8ONJOg0eLs0jO4eGMbfv4Bw62cPkEvSXt7ij-wky6gGxaq3pvc/s1600/RedLetterWordsBanner.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhMC3YA3KI9dYd42txEvNjXe9MDLq1lrDtRGTPbN6CNduOUW9C39HxXF6tFZuZ24nc4Ce-KSfgSuzxajxS0XLO5lsF8ONJOg0eLs0jO4eGMbfv4Bw62cPkEvSXt7ij-wky6gGxaq3pvc/s400/RedLetterWordsBanner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477826025339846802" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">This post brought to you by our sponsor <a href="http://www.redletterwords.com">Red Letter Words.</a>..faith inspired art.<br /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-26553080385062740542010-05-28T17:32:00.002-04:002010-05-28T17:52:32.208-04:00This Weekend...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9LkRv7yfI54PMEan8VTTVWVmc8cZJ2rewp6ms2MjdqOEawesvEsGK1QRIctO-GSWTFqCbTdWY6GFCePH4c2PDmMUqDhUVQhqV_kyPbQEF4I7aZpqWu6R3XjIIDV5y7kUVeStLmRM2Os/s1600/CL+-+Patriotic.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9LkRv7yfI54PMEan8VTTVWVmc8cZJ2rewp6ms2MjdqOEawesvEsGK1QRIctO-GSWTFqCbTdWY6GFCePH4c2PDmMUqDhUVQhqV_kyPbQEF4I7aZpqWu6R3XjIIDV5y7kUVeStLmRM2Os/s400/CL+-+Patriotic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476439765919611170" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here's wishing you all a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!<br /><br />I hope it's full of friends and family gathered together...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02AF73iEa4HUHhKOu89ETDqEZy9a932ymT9bgZC5U089_k6a7gePDB796PUAclGd8yXe-AjbV5efc8LRyNbaGMRoqnyJ_Tu8JPU9ZJYNm5cklRi4lpvLwAHl0IIYKbkSQalUTScx9xkU/s1600/CL+-+Patriotic2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02AF73iEa4HUHhKOu89ETDqEZy9a932ymT9bgZC5U089_k6a7gePDB796PUAclGd8yXe-AjbV5efc8LRyNbaGMRoqnyJ_Tu8JPU9ZJYNm5cklRi4lpvLwAHl0IIYKbkSQalUTScx9xkU/s400/CL+-+Patriotic2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476439759831913074" border="0" /></a><br />.....sharing in a patriotic picnic!<br /><br />Enjoying the laughter & fun, and remembering....<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno1G49izKP68XfbDIiyE7LUmnSER-6VxOV7QW2SbkohS_ugPBXml78kO4fUCPHmocCW3xDKRobm_HfJervHrKsUE08gPKoW98yHdtSJZMMUzzoF9sZYPM9nOxy8SFXgK49o7fERswphY/s1600/CL+-+American+Flag.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno1G49izKP68XfbDIiyE7LUmnSER-6VxOV7QW2SbkohS_ugPBXml78kO4fUCPHmocCW3xDKRobm_HfJervHrKsUE08gPKoW98yHdtSJZMMUzzoF9sZYPM9nOxy8SFXgK49o7fERswphY/s400/CL+-+American+Flag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476439751553013074" border="0" /></a><br />...those brave men and women who gave their lives,<br /><br />that Freedom's bell may continue to ring forth.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CODOkmilXJNaSn7y71q_D9PkRw8kIQagOvmal4UTVTReJtJhTrbhLIpbz1ziWLXiEoGczwcoc46bE6au_civ08JpH0Kj_VOhgBzVS59uGBKPi08lAB5Z7wRgI3TjGiuAU5Dd1S0vLZw/s1600/CL+-+Patriotic4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CODOkmilXJNaSn7y71q_D9PkRw8kIQagOvmal4UTVTReJtJhTrbhLIpbz1ziWLXiEoGczwcoc46bE6au_civ08JpH0Kj_VOhgBzVS59uGBKPi08lAB5Z7wRgI3TjGiuAU5Dd1S0vLZw/s400/CL+-+Patriotic4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476439748239582642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">{all photos courtesy of Country Living Magazine}</span><br /><br /><br />Have a wonderful holiday, dear friends!<br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-944902809374956332010-05-28T11:14:00.003-04:002010-05-28T11:21:02.764-04:00"The Season of Second Chances" WINNER is....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP9adYrX2g6280YDsGSIMHGIc3RNXiMR4GOZtaYlG8PzDj2_3-A8RxasFP5g24d2V-NF0yewJCLmuHlt-mooXxDjGHZD8WbsnazgD-66nZzQNC5SgDmOJ5Xsru0Kzl0gdCkkBOiCyscU/s1600/SeasonOfSecondChances.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP9adYrX2g6280YDsGSIMHGIc3RNXiMR4GOZtaYlG8PzDj2_3-A8RxasFP5g24d2V-NF0yewJCLmuHlt-mooXxDjGHZD8WbsnazgD-66nZzQNC5SgDmOJ5Xsru0Kzl0gdCkkBOiCyscU/s400/SeasonOfSecondChances.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476340814458790370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90K5rehC4_Tl07GKA477iWRaarnVN0sxemSIpEhtkhHgos6mFjybcUHSd9JW10nLX6ZohS0vLtI2kt0ztAs_F4f3_sBCPHdekkUqahpbP8T-vGB78RsgWkWHdRqR1XKJygj2ta0Lgmik/s1600/giveaway+winner.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90K5rehC4_Tl07GKA477iWRaarnVN0sxemSIpEhtkhHgos6mFjybcUHSd9JW10nLX6ZohS0vLtI2kt0ztAs_F4f3_sBCPHdekkUqahpbP8T-vGB78RsgWkWHdRqR1XKJygj2ta0Lgmik/s400/giveaway+winner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476339688008349282" border="0" /></a>..... <a href="http://www.studiojru.com/">Jennifer from Studio JRU</a>!<br /><br />Congratulations, Jennifer!!! :)<br />E-mail me with your address & I'll get this out to you.<br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-31270974644588739272010-05-27T10:07:00.007-04:002010-05-27T10:39:11.639-04:00Easy Organizing & Gift Idea!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk6wZgIgwVD-obPCi6Pk7S-bazPE-_KdGtfmtdUBGHYbup2omh6QFyjF6UB4iHvAvBCW9psKLBvGbmx69Xqf3zUdExBMxZMN9JSxIVpOIk4-kz3AouhWZMVa9tKGz4zbguYyGJcl37Ew/s1600/Imagine+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk6wZgIgwVD-obPCi6Pk7S-bazPE-_KdGtfmtdUBGHYbup2omh6QFyjF6UB4iHvAvBCW9psKLBvGbmx69Xqf3zUdExBMxZMN9JSxIVpOIk4-kz3AouhWZMVa9tKGz4zbguYyGJcl37Ew/s400/Imagine+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475952064231939010" border="0" /></a><br />I got this <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">super cute gift</span> from one of my best friends recently, and knew I just had to share it with you!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you need a way to organize:</span><br /><br />magazine pages you tear out<br />fabric swatches<br />room measurements<br />party ideas<br />craft patterns<br />...and more??<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQH0J8XOlUISIRIbX5h9yfcSxFyqB0_wiguo46vulFy6-VQSSCST61TMebqtcn9wgmbPi17ImsNI1A9AlpDXW4D-i0N1krML5mhQACf93Ij66ylDW7so_A_KV6mQ4t6M7F_SiwG7dxnWY/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQH0J8XOlUISIRIbX5h9yfcSxFyqB0_wiguo46vulFy6-VQSSCST61TMebqtcn9wgmbPi17ImsNI1A9AlpDXW4D-i0N1krML5mhQACf93Ij66ylDW7so_A_KV6mQ4t6M7F_SiwG7dxnWY/s400/014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475952040065872658" border="0" /></a><br />Take a look at this!<br /><br />She took a fun file folder tote and simply added Scrabble letters to the front with some hot glue to spell out "IMAGINE".<br /><br />Boy, does she know me well! :)<br /><br />This is perfect for someone (or yourself!) who loves to decorate, plan parties, or get crafty!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBku9-kS3QOBncFyrirkKl_ilnW3ninFESp39U7F0p66S4Ff2qpRM0J6CTAFW9s-hpLEdkPzKwxtN9a9kO_ycNIPGHhbSBeyFcLjydPnnB49d4pW-EU4xh4zU59nXTQhLhf-P6umyiMQI/s1600/Imagine+File+Tote+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBku9-kS3QOBncFyrirkKl_ilnW3ninFESp39U7F0p66S4Ff2qpRM0J6CTAFW9s-hpLEdkPzKwxtN9a9kO_ycNIPGHhbSBeyFcLjydPnnB49d4pW-EU4xh4zU59nXTQhLhf-P6umyiMQI/s400/Imagine+File+Tote+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475951532739714354" border="0" /></a><br />What a <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">great way to organize</span> </span>and keep all of those loose tear sheets and samples for a project!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Use Scrabble letters to spell out any number of things:</span><br /><br />DECORATE<br />LET'S PARTY<br />DREAM<br />NEST<br />CREATE<br />IMAGINE<br />or<br />-your blog's name-<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjd7oXTBuodNLbNABw6HMfOx4NGZH5iWxhuGlV6_QS7bpPDR1ed2_fSSVfUuwPKQtlLEFuBqwUpU2O4eO5ZkzAKBHDLjmGJYnzw5KjiMO_IWvwakEIfP45C5zI1ANW3Tk5INsTat2jJE/s1600/Imagine+File+Tote+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjd7oXTBuodNLbNABw6HMfOx4NGZH5iWxhuGlV6_QS7bpPDR1ed2_fSSVfUuwPKQtlLEFuBqwUpU2O4eO5ZkzAKBHDLjmGJYnzw5KjiMO_IWvwakEIfP45C5zI1ANW3Tk5INsTat2jJE/s400/Imagine+File+Tote+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475951520533643154" border="0" /></a><br />Use the file compartments for lots of different ideas (one compartment for each room of your home)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">or</span><br /><br />for gathering all of your ideas and samples and inspiration for just one project!<br /><br />Then just change things out when a new project comes a' callin'!!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGkiUfrNAZP8qzYGtLIHmteR6cQWREjbfQ0-NXliw3NUY_yK63HQFh_TLhc4xPZ__K_5XHtCZdxiSaBPCStvAmeOZZHiNRuKDIB04CFWsXx2ZcFqytwQAQXoqBXuOzEwAzvpxK93OJpY/s1600/Imagine+File+Tote+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGkiUfrNAZP8qzYGtLIHmteR6cQWREjbfQ0-NXliw3NUY_yK63HQFh_TLhc4xPZ__K_5XHtCZdxiSaBPCStvAmeOZZHiNRuKDIB04CFWsXx2ZcFqytwQAQXoqBXuOzEwAzvpxK93OJpY/s400/Imagine+File+Tote+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475951519534618514" border="0" /></a><br />Isn't this fun?!!<br /><br />I can't wait to fill mine up with <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dream</span></span> ideas for decorating my home!<br /><br />Thanks, Friend!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">{i think this file folder came from target}</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*********************************<br /><br />p.s.: DON'T FORGET...<br /><br />You only have until Midnight today (Thursday, May 27th)<br />to enter the <a href="http://theblessednest.blogspot.com/2010/05/book-review-giveaway.html">book giveaway</a>!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_isVU9EAb_NsJqcd9XbngG6Ar5_DeTQA8TdB8qn8Kn15mYw3EbA_ASYEi4jr9gOIpn8SDST54_OOUjSR5LLbJrOmMXu6tJwI0gwzKjaleqbAvJgyhet0YjPY31fpCzaliz9sjBkfWmBk/s1600/SeasonOfSecondChances.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_isVU9EAb_NsJqcd9XbngG6Ar5_DeTQA8TdB8qn8Kn15mYw3EbA_ASYEi4jr9gOIpn8SDST54_OOUjSR5LLbJrOmMXu6tJwI0gwzKjaleqbAvJgyhet0YjPY31fpCzaliz9sjBkfWmBk/s200/SeasonOfSecondChances.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475951299100373890" border="0" /></a><br /><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-91870239246322615952010-05-25T11:15:00.003-04:002010-05-25T12:38:59.797-04:00Book Review & Giveaway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jW4iZsYtEJzl1ugXjHPNUX8f-nvltoug6y34AFr-Y5WCmysjRNlieKWiKI7XyZEe4NAcLz0I_vkmD88tY0BjTRwZoK3LNX__5_BjRZezaFEy8jIkF7Wfya1csjIY95NNukwiba3GlHo/s1600/SeasonOfSecondChances.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jW4iZsYtEJzl1ugXjHPNUX8f-nvltoug6y34AFr-Y5WCmysjRNlieKWiKI7XyZEe4NAcLz0I_vkmD88tY0BjTRwZoK3LNX__5_BjRZezaFEy8jIkF7Wfya1csjIY95NNukwiba3GlHo/s400/SeasonOfSecondChances.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475226806061853682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am probably the only person </span>who was asked to review this book and got incredibly excited about not only the story I was about to read within, but the fact that the art design on the hardcover book jacket comes from an 1885, blockprinted Garden Tulip Wallpaper by William Morris. Love that! <br /><br />Plus the fact that the <span style="font-weight: bold;">soft robin's egg blue </span>of the hardcover with the lovely gold lettering will look incredible on my bookshelf! <br /><br />But this is a review of the actual novel, not the cover, so here goes... :)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"The Season of Second Chances" by </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.dianemeier.com">Diane Meier</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>follows the main character of Joy Harkness as she learns through a year of making choices and taking chances<span style="font-style: italic;"> what Home, Family, and True Friendship is all about. </span><br /><br />Joy has spent her entire life yearning to feel at home. As a young woman she fled her mid-western roots for the big city of New York, certain that the excitement and whirlwind of the city would be what she needed to transform herself into the woman she had always wanted to become. When she realized that that had never materialized, she was already divorced, at a job at a university she didn't enjoy, had no real friendships and ready for anything to help her start over. <br /><br />She got her chance when a university in Massachusetts came knocking, and she impulsively said "Yes!". As Joy transforms a rundown old house slowly into a home, as she picks out fabrics and paint colors, as she trusts new friends, and meets others in this small town, she comes to realize that <span style="font-style: italic;">she does indeed have a Home at last! </span><br /><br /><br />I am not a person who jumped on the Book Club bandwagon. But, this book, "The Season of Second Chances", would certainly be interesting to read in a book club. The diverse characters, the many themes within (what is home, loss, a new way of looking at feminism, true friendship, etc), the fact that you may relate to and yet want to shake the shoulders of the main character in exasperation, the desire for realizing a Second Chance of your own...these would all be so interesting to discuss! <br /><br />Overall, I'd have to say that I really did enjoy reading this book! I really enjoyed Diane Meier's writing style, her humor she infused in her writing, the rich character development (she could probably create a series of books based on these characters), and the way she allowed her main character to learn and grow. <span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">{FYI--as a Christian with a larger Christian readership, I will say that I do not personally & morally agree with all of the character's choices in this book, though I will say that it is minimal.}<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">***************************************<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">If you would like a chance to<span style="font-size:130%;"> win a copy of "The Season of Second Chances"</span> for your own, then please leave a comment below!!! <br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">This giveaway will close at midnight on Thursday. </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><br /><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-23484297480623546232010-05-21T12:02:00.004-04:002010-05-21T12:23:41.053-04:00Back to the Drawing Board...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboGijdhJWTLLBh-KjvKHPXOec_VD4ZRuGuVIRnVMiSvNc-rHgFddzvrYdwaYOdWG4-0GrmYax2PUgCUDhthjyv1MsxEsarOVSy_QSjsmq2SdXFp9xmnME2xtSzhyqahqw8qFQZtDlJn0/s1600/PB+Hundi+Lantern.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboGijdhJWTLLBh-KjvKHPXOec_VD4ZRuGuVIRnVMiSvNc-rHgFddzvrYdwaYOdWG4-0GrmYax2PUgCUDhthjyv1MsxEsarOVSy_QSjsmq2SdXFp9xmnME2xtSzhyqahqw8qFQZtDlJn0/s400/PB+Hundi+Lantern.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473754371368915202" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sometimes when you're decorating a space things don't quite go as planned... </span><br /><br />Ever happen to you??<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Oh, how I loved </span>this Pottery Barn light in the catalog! It looked so beautiful online, too! I couldn't wait for it to arrive for over my kitchen table, I just knew it would be perfect for my design.<br /><br />But it really really wasn't.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Poo.</span><br /><br />Let's just say that it didn't look the same as was pictured by PB. Disappointing. And it looked a little too big for the space, too. *sigh*<br /><br />So.....<br /><br />Now I've been <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">shopping like crazy</span> all over trying to find something with the right "look" for the kitchen. <br /><br />I have a few things in mind.....Gotta see what Hubby thinks now.... :) !!!<br /><br />Hopefully I'll have something to show you soon...<br /><br />Keep your fingers crossed!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">{and can i just say that it is REALLY hard to not jump to other projects in the rest of the house in the meantime!!!!!! good thing i have y'all to keep me accountable!}</span><br /><br /><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-78343058906262837312010-05-17T14:09:00.006-04:002010-05-19T11:46:19.417-04:00Something Old, Something New...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fXtdIIW1tb96rnfRUWzc0eqfQhCDvUs53nIw9IKlhxmNRHwAAAS2iVXRDeIzkNDITm1pE6IpAHZpwGtbOrQd4nd6LZBaq0-ROv2tLNDucJ0thAa5SYUVjrE_WYGSm2r3jkvtbTgrOmI/s1600/Sunroom+Makeover+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fXtdIIW1tb96rnfRUWzc0eqfQhCDvUs53nIw9IKlhxmNRHwAAAS2iVXRDeIzkNDITm1pE6IpAHZpwGtbOrQd4nd6LZBaq0-ROv2tLNDucJ0thAa5SYUVjrE_WYGSm2r3jkvtbTgrOmI/s400/Sunroom+Makeover+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473004416468230626" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">{my old sunroom}</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Something OLD</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Something NEW</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Something BORROWED</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Something....TRUE ?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Well, I changed the old bride's saying up a bit :), but I think this works very well when decorating, too!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Something OLD</span> --<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Every space in a home needs a little something "OLD" in it! It adds to the character and history of a room. Whether it's a stack of antique books, or your grandmother's china displayed, or a piece of architectural salvage,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> this really adds something unique and special to your space!! </span> This gives your home a warmth that can only be created as time goes by!<br /></div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Something NEW</span> </span>--<br /></div><br />A lot of what we own would technically be considered NEW, but how about <span style="font-weight: bold;">adding a dash of something more modern</span> to a traditional or more vintage-filled setting? Great lighting is a fun way to add a dash of something new & updated! Add a new pillow or two in a fresh fabric, or how about just updating some of your framed family photos?!!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Something BORROWED</span> --<br /></div><br />Ok, I'm using the term BORROWED loosely here! But why not <span style="font-weight: bold;">save on your budget and also get something fun & "new to you" </span>by either doing a swap with a friend, picking up an object at a thrift store or flea market or neighborhood yard sale for a song, or even finding some treasure-in-the-rough curbside! You may be surprised!! Just add slipcovers or paint, and you've got a great new look!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Something TRUE</span> --<br /></div><br />No matter what the current trends are, <span style="font-weight: bold;">stay true to yourself!</span> Have something in each room of your home that really TRUEly reflects who YOU and your FAMILY are! This can be expressed through heirloom pieces, candid photos of the family, a favorite color being used, a fun trend you love, etc.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What did I add to my Sunroom?</span><br /><br />Old -- Vintage scale, antique mirror, architectural pieces<br /><br />New -- Pillows I made, white slipcovers, a sisal rug<br /><br />Borrowed -- Free couch & chair from my sister when she got new furniture<br /><br />True -- Garden items, birdhouses, favorite things!<br /><br />Boy, do I ever miss that sunroom! But I've added my Somethings Old, New, Borrowed & True to each space at my new home!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Look around your home & see if you need to add:</span> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />Something Old, Something New,</span> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />Something Borrowed & Something True!</span><br /><br />Blessings to you today, my friends!!!<br />:)<br /></div></div></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-82375182358035430612010-05-17T11:16:00.009-04:002010-05-17T12:20:02.596-04:00Sponsor: Red Letter Words<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xhibbf3CVHHo5aqNgCU_NQVMVuLYmznUqjBoOsJY4kxal1PiqKvb7Euwjun4eW1YAuKcTXEd1f_o0FtrrfIvjNv0uM76aCp9cvgbf4HKMwOMqEA34wn6sWQitMcB3CnfZKc1F__JxLM/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xhibbf3CVHHo5aqNgCU_NQVMVuLYmznUqjBoOsJY4kxal1PiqKvb7Euwjun4eW1YAuKcTXEd1f_o0FtrrfIvjNv0uM76aCp9cvgbf4HKMwOMqEA34wn6sWQitMcB3CnfZKc1F__JxLM/s400/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472271440587980642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAqmJgCBczKjIyguAqxXXzjpHX5vfeA_Hu9EC7m_Z54Z9ZXAzW-4fE4gcxeWrDLQ3SAJZrLNSgwnaP-s3RPFaUGZQkVR-eattNsfd7J3RNs8om1OpXKTtQ3QmU9ECCsPo7ccXDthb8vg/s1600/RedLetterWordsBig.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I am so happy to have <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.redletterwords.com/">Red Letter Words</a> </span>as a sponsor of The Blessed Nest!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />{I just love my "Fruits of the Spirit" Print hanging in my kitchen!!!}<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.redletterwords.com"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjous1y-rAMHGxDX1UGsgYerTNrh1WBMxE-Q7paUMmtPcjSI8AfJkCMf13NRC5HjjZiCG-Ua-44I7ejajvIMg-aPupXOD1pHHCnDegfCUmiGJWvwYgor1uFwKghvSv5sDzEe9b_8fzUe9U/s400/RedLetterWordsBanner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472258903958271570" border="0" /></a><br />If you're anything like me, you want the art that hangs in your home to be <span style="font-weight: bold;">unique, inspirational, and meaningful for your family!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This is what Red Letter Words is all about!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Beautiful, Meaningful, Faith Inspired Art!</span> </span><br /><br />Now that's something to get excited about!!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhh5ktbz2xZKR2fCgT_aNRznDMHOptdoS9PecyfSteVoRGmuCL_rwIS7LmIj8PJIbJtROvY5MTMjNh7bDxPDQGKfxAMVmcFDWc4wX6Y8fhH7OJRXCWXt49waWUvn-F6jbQpEQxuwJdf8/s1600/Easter+2010+047.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhh5ktbz2xZKR2fCgT_aNRznDMHOptdoS9PecyfSteVoRGmuCL_rwIS7LmIj8PJIbJtROvY5MTMjNh7bDxPDQGKfxAMVmcFDWc4wX6Y8fhH7OJRXCWXt49waWUvn-F6jbQpEQxuwJdf8/s400/Easter+2010+047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472258910614142642" border="0" /></a><br />This is the lovely piece of artwork that Dee from Red Letter Words created for me! I just love it!!<br /><br />What a wonderful reminder for my family, especially since <span style="font-weight: bold;">JOY is our Family "Word of the Year"!</span><br /><br />Not only are we working on having Joyful attitudes of the heart,<br />but we use the letters <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">J.O.Y.</span></span> as a reminder to put:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">J</span><span style="font-style: italic;">esus</span> first in our hearts & lives,<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">O</span><span style="font-style: italic;">thers</span> come next,<br />and then<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Y</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ourself</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-nKe2wKYcmM4aKfHCVvn9blqyDTtQyUwO9Nhc-OkxxWxwHFbN5Vw8vO1yD6Rppg1bl3dfSjAkqp9FmG32jsIN1EiP_4WxQR3s6YV9Lnp69sGUNrA6mNC6180RACMxeQ253SVcoxs8PM/s1600/RedLetterWords10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-nKe2wKYcmM4aKfHCVvn9blqyDTtQyUwO9Nhc-OkxxWxwHFbN5Vw8vO1yD6Rppg1bl3dfSjAkqp9FmG32jsIN1EiP_4WxQR3s6YV9Lnp69sGUNrA6mNC6180RACMxeQ253SVcoxs8PM/s400/RedLetterWords10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472263188554474786" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Go check out the artwork that<a href="http://www.redletterwords.com"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Red Letter Words</span></span></a> offers!<br /><br />***The <span style="font-weight: bold;">May Print of the Month</span> is the above "She Knew....Rubies", and<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">is on sale</span> through the end of May!***<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />Thank you Red Letter Words for sponsoring The Blessed Nest!<br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" />ps: Want to bring more traffic to your website or business? I currently have affordable advertising spots open!! Please e-mail me at: theblessednest (at) gmail (dot) com for more information!<br /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-13682845598868086942010-05-13T11:19:00.016-04:002010-05-14T15:02:32.696-04:00The Queen of Too Many Projects at Once<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnGRDJST-PUtuWHEoIb1e4vJe5ZYtXfmXP70ZpKPJK2mwKRkQBCrtGrUDRaug-9WHHw_jD_i6diOAKTcjgOIFrP4dfjVjPYOLvGHMbAc02XMxC4uDogXtnOHAHdBTCxP3uWg6YHCebnw/s1600/Stacey+B%26W+wCrown.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1OE1o0_rJS0qS_UZXnzoN_cxAa82b1JCFximpbwvfvhe_WNGdlW5DrKwVP2Yg7-pNMJ0grENQuOPx4x9F5PKKxKnEvdftlcYT9e89CH2NfyYGUo8Eqjs2FfotusCBcvLgv0UKl-7uXQ/s1600/Stacey+B%26W+wCrown.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1OE1o0_rJS0qS_UZXnzoN_cxAa82b1JCFximpbwvfvhe_WNGdlW5DrKwVP2Yg7-pNMJ0grENQuOPx4x9F5PKKxKnEvdftlcYT9e89CH2NfyYGUo8Eqjs2FfotusCBcvLgv0UKl-7uXQ/s200/Stacey+B%26W+wCrown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471197150505066258" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />That's me!<br /><br />:)<br /><br />I tend to pick a project to work on (like my kitchen), then just like the dog in the movie "Up", I get distracted by something shiny in another room ("Squirrel!!") and start another project going. Then something in the next space (my dining room) looks like it really needs attention, so I plan that out, and so on & so on.<br /><br />Till what I'm left with is a lot of half-done projects and not a one of them actually finished!<br /><br />Not to mention a brain left swirling and feeling frustrated!<br /><br />I'm very, very, very good at this, by the way!!! LOL!!<br /><br />So....<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">here's the plan:</span></span><br /><br />I am going to pick a room and actually finish every little thing in there before going on to another room. And by "finish", I mean I still can tweak things and change stuff around a bit...just all of the major stuff will be done. 'Kay?!<br /><br />Sound good? Ya with me?<br /><br />Great. Cause I really am going to need the accountability to make sure this happens ;)!<br />(And Hubby and my sanity thanks you for it!)<br /><br />Since I got going so strong in the kitchen, I think I'll keep going in there & finish it up!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKf_3MvFndr8-ny1OffMPfg5roqfbRhyphenhyphent7G1qqwJDkB3E8TaVLI-FqGGutl5rAm_fbZHvOL8f2jIHvq3UlGHGBcRpoxmzMR7pFHvK3-Ssv13Z3VHd5xmgXtGYULRKGbhX63qdhu9SXtY/s1600/IMG_2522.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKf_3MvFndr8-ny1OffMPfg5roqfbRhyphenhyphent7G1qqwJDkB3E8TaVLI-FqGGutl5rAm_fbZHvOL8f2jIHvq3UlGHGBcRpoxmzMR7pFHvK3-Ssv13Z3VHd5xmgXtGYULRKGbhX63qdhu9SXtY/s400/IMG_2522.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471168473279714978" border="0" /></a><br />{yes, this is the same kitchen! :) "BEFORE" we moved in....<br /><br />& "DURING"....}<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9oWuxhJFDO8XlDfPCLradhmyDD4X44EY6VN6_PQuXOCXgLVLUxmqDToR_hgB03WPuGJjCPjoHoquwWyQIrBssHADz2H-x9ByksCua2AJNSyRrQe7vNMy0tLNdpAgkfBrGAcuSl3Arbk/s1600/Tree,+DiningRm,+School+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9oWuxhJFDO8XlDfPCLradhmyDD4X44EY6VN6_PQuXOCXgLVLUxmqDToR_hgB03WPuGJjCPjoHoquwWyQIrBssHADz2H-x9ByksCua2AJNSyRrQe7vNMy0tLNdpAgkfBrGAcuSl3Arbk/s400/Tree,+DiningRm,+School+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471153865468857362" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">On my list:</span></span><br /><br />Make curtains for the sliding glass door.<br />Change the light fixture overhead.<br />Make a "Command Central" area on the side of the fridge.<br />Add plates by the chalkboard.<br />Have the trim for the bottom of the cabinets installed.<br />Add mini white subway tiles on backsplash.<br />Get new microwave for over stove.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-M_bxWPc8X9zv_AKtM3MU5c73Jw1ySmv1qm09kV7B-6ArKmZTOWdowlZtUoy8A9rfnVzRvicgUCQU4Iy6Ot8jPnQ6UpKYpwdYip7QoF6OfNHIASqa5CdfTcUPIZbapUSTk5KCLDl9T8/s1600/Kitchen+with+changes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-M_bxWPc8X9zv_AKtM3MU5c73Jw1ySmv1qm09kV7B-6ArKmZTOWdowlZtUoy8A9rfnVzRvicgUCQU4Iy6Ot8jPnQ6UpKYpwdYip7QoF6OfNHIASqa5CdfTcUPIZbapUSTk5KCLDl9T8/s400/Kitchen+with+changes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471167351843695122" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">{My very real, wonderful life ... in my very real, definitely used, "DURING" Kitchen.}</span><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00fMPk1VlYw5a5Qn9VIbsa_3BA6r2eHjoaFz6RODkC2Vt-DjIE69DVNpW8c_VaT_hlEhyN-UqaA2CKXghYSdenNdiCrB1videvKeduN2xOwuO56uFlNWpvgHHuuSyMehlaekZzZoHvIQ/s1600/Tree,+DiningRm,+School+009.JPG"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">************************************<br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />This weekend I'll be working on my list (for the kitchen only!) and hope to try to knock out the whole thing very soon!!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you also suffer from Too Many Projects at Once - Itis?</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What's your strategy for getting projects done?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'd love to hear it!!</span><br /></div><div></div><br /><div></div> <div></div><div><br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p><p><br /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-81573200485347237552010-05-11T09:31:00.004-04:002010-05-11T11:24:47.125-04:00Family Photos Without Faces<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxSaUrL7XP7V5ZRHzBskbKH039b0ANBBzHU1zfDxvP4aFKnx2hNO0dyUymuFrlTEmjHYxDoBqfBpsUO46jeA-W2hC6_0Zer2ugkuyq5LLvNlb0goxtbKsYqhBWf4a3V_emb5NuO5Lx7I/s1600/Kate's+8th+Birthday+054.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxSaUrL7XP7V5ZRHzBskbKH039b0ANBBzHU1zfDxvP4aFKnx2hNO0dyUymuFrlTEmjHYxDoBqfBpsUO46jeA-W2hC6_0Zer2ugkuyq5LLvNlb0goxtbKsYqhBWf4a3V_emb5NuO5Lx7I/s400/Kate's+8th+Birthday+054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470015441902541106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sometimes the best family photographs are ones that don't have any faces in them!</span><br /><br />The photo above is my newest addition to the <a href="http://theblessednest.blogspot.com/2010/04/mini-makeover-on-my-upstairs-landing.html">upstairs landing</a>.<br /><br />It was inspired by a photo I took when my oldest kiddo was a baby of her little hand laying on my bigger hand. I wanted to re-create that with the whole family a couple of years ago, and when we had our photo taken by a professional I asked her to include one of all of our hands. I think she thought I was nuts at first, but it is truly one of my very favorite family pictures!<br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA09XwqDRjBDXW4FXz54OdNXkUgNRfYS8iU1GYZ77f-Ite3wVu6esOuhgFVlFlxWw9iC5YH5wAkllHPUqyNYjWozzqxIpdrONSjNAWOE0ppf67QOXreCXDdVOuA-m8M4oy9S1FKUvJVAw/s1600/Holiday+2010+238.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA09XwqDRjBDXW4FXz54OdNXkUgNRfYS8iU1GYZ77f-Ite3wVu6esOuhgFVlFlxWw9iC5YH5wAkllHPUqyNYjWozzqxIpdrONSjNAWOE0ppf67QOXreCXDdVOuA-m8M4oy9S1FKUvJVAw/s400/Holiday+2010+238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470015440268137362" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />I'd like to think that maybe someday when my kiddos are all grown up I'll still be able to see their little hands holding mine. Or maybe they'll be able to show their children their Grandmother's hand and tell them stories about what I was like.<br /><br />Or we could remember a chilly walk on the beach where we just <span style="font-style: italic;">had</span> to wiggle our toes in the sand and then wade into the cold ocean!<br /><br />These photos allow you to let your mind wander. To remember the story behind the photograph. Or just to imagine a story of what may lie around the path's bend, or what a loving family that must be.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEe3pTXrf3bZDhLo2jWMviic9Vgi5GypZiousqEjaJ3bnT8r9q2SuYC6f0MYOpYKsl9jbVMBVmqI10zPAhw8_a9pr1ibAYCEDPyWmd4Krn-tPOVD5lkA8mP1rffSxzlSKzFYfqNWs8gw/s1600/Beach+Day+2010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEe3pTXrf3bZDhLo2jWMviic9Vgi5GypZiousqEjaJ3bnT8r9q2SuYC6f0MYOpYKsl9jbVMBVmqI10zPAhw8_a9pr1ibAYCEDPyWmd4Krn-tPOVD5lkA8mP1rffSxzlSKzFYfqNWs8gw/s400/Beach+Day+2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470026402450607634" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Not only do I love the classic pictures of baby feet & other tiny features, but I love when I see pictures of:<br /><br />Feet all jumbled because the family is piled together on the couch watching a favorite movie.<br /><br />Someone walking away from the camera.<br /><br />Hands on a momma's pregnant belly.<br /><br />Close ups of features like dimples, or eyes.<br /><br />Kids hands playing with a favorite toy.<br /><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0Jf6chCEvX_T7oyV_zeDhYfcHbeT9QuvD8bYGVitS-Ava-ZwWTS6VcSwB6P887WFOqvfLCgeHpJQgZyp8tRV6XpFa3QHtk15MS0xIFCvt-1iaaLMAh7G-IMHddKL0pNwuDIrAG-9MA4/s1600/Biltmore+Spring+Trip+035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0Jf6chCEvX_T7oyV_zeDhYfcHbeT9QuvD8bYGVitS-Ava-ZwWTS6VcSwB6P887WFOqvfLCgeHpJQgZyp8tRV6XpFa3QHtk15MS0xIFCvt-1iaaLMAh7G-IMHddKL0pNwuDIrAG-9MA4/s400/Biltmore+Spring+Trip+035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470015424008378962" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Do you ever take Family Photos Without Faces?<br /><br />:)<br /><br />Try it!<br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-32813122716843414152010-05-03T11:20:00.007-04:002010-05-03T12:22:42.769-04:00Easy Ideas for a Cheerful Home<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OFV2ROHArWb7NB-ynEf9drrasrOOlWf2MBTkSeTt0Owai25208MZAPTz7ZgOfo7XPqNvkHeKwVPUN3z3EfGTQraf7-Ic7VqsN3hyphenhyphenk57X9dwlT3cGmpzaXzcuzY0B3LngjvYV637Bf38/s1600/blue+hydrangea2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OFV2ROHArWb7NB-ynEf9drrasrOOlWf2MBTkSeTt0Owai25208MZAPTz7ZgOfo7XPqNvkHeKwVPUN3z3EfGTQraf7-Ic7VqsN3hyphenhyphenk57X9dwlT3cGmpzaXzcuzY0B3LngjvYV637Bf38/s400/blue+hydrangea2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467068635230303698" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">{photo of my old Lemon Daddy Hydrangea}</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">One of my very favorite flowers is the lovely<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255); font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >hydrangea</span>. And when it's tipped in blue...my heart skips a beat!!<br /><br />So today I'm going to find some pretty cut hydrangea to put in a vase in my home. A spot of beauty to bring a smile to my face and brighten my day!<br /><br />And I know that my Girls and Husband love to see fresh flowers in the house, too. :) They enjoy coming home to a place that reflects peace and beauty.<br /><br />Everyone can use a little cheery lift in their home. It just makes "Home" a more Welcoming, positive place to be!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">There are lots of simple, quick ways to bring a bit of cheer to your home:</span><br /><br />Greet family members at the door with a big hug and a smile!<br /><br />Frame a recent picture that brings good memories.<br /><br />Add a new Spring wreath to your front door.<br /><br />Light a candle at the dinner table tonight!<br /><br />Write a special note on a chalkboard.<br /><br />Put a single flower in a vase in everyone's bedroom.<br /><br />Make a favorite treat!<br /><br />Keep a positive attitude (<a href="http://theblessednest.blogspot.com/2008/09/creating-welcoming-home-if-mama-aint.html">even when it's not easy!</a>)<br /><br />Play a fun game together.<br /><br />Snuggle, laugh, and talk together!<br /><br />Put out a colorful kitchen dishtowel.<br /><br />Enjoy your blessings!<br /><br /><br /><br />So, for today...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">How will you make your home a more cheerful, positive, welcoming place to be?</span><br /><br />Share your idea(s) with us in the comments!<br /></div><br /><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-52485344246808254132010-04-29T11:30:00.012-04:002010-04-29T15:49:30.742-04:00Dining Room Decorating Ideas<div style="text-align: center;">I really have to say a big, HUGE <span style="font-size:180%;">"Thank You!"</span> to all of you who gave me ideas for what to do with my dining room. I did have some ideas of my own going into this Dining Room Makeover, but as the saying goes, sometimes "two heads are better than one", and I really wanted to hear what you all had to say! It was so much fun to read through your creative suggestions, and imagine all of the possibilities!! So, Thanks! :)<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This is an inspiration board I made up to share the "feel" of the new space: </span><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a5HgxWFbFxBa2FiqRAEek2OHtufS4wizr65G6Hj82_8SFYWhstoGKFDS3Jj3LYx4Ui9qsqE3sIBgbQg0FfbCUTrjrggqkiaRX_EwGfJ3RRS9gcGkNmQU2az90I1r9rZj4hzoUQ5xkcQ/s1600/Dining+Room+Ideas.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a5HgxWFbFxBa2FiqRAEek2OHtufS4wizr65G6Hj82_8SFYWhstoGKFDS3Jj3LYx4Ui9qsqE3sIBgbQg0FfbCUTrjrggqkiaRX_EwGfJ3RRS9gcGkNmQU2az90I1r9rZj4hzoUQ5xkcQ/s400/Dining+Room+Ideas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465582455888031346" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Here's what I'm going for:</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The look in my home is what I've termed <span style="font-size:180%;">"Fresh Classic"</span>. A more modern, clean, updated look with traditional bones. Add in a little dash of vintage and coastal and garden elements, and you have my style!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I really gravitate toward neutrals with pops of fun & seasonal color.<br /><br />Wood floors and table will contrast nicely with light creamy colored walls and white slipcovers/clean-lined skirts on the chairs.<br /><br />Full curtain panels with trim at the inside edges will hang floor to ceiling. Bamboo shades will also be used.<br /><br />Add in color and texture with a possible sisal rug, artwork of pressed ferns, colorful fabrics & table linens, accessories & flowers.<br /><br />Find a vintage/antique sideboard & paint (black? a color? who knows??), and hang a large mirror above with artwork and sconces flanking.<br /><br />A new chandelier (still narrowing down) & lamps will go in the room too.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">There you have it!</span><br /><br />I can't wait to get started!!!<br /><br />******************************************<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">{oh, and if you're wondering what happened with the dropcloth project experiment....let's just say it didn't quite work! bummer. i was hoping to save a lot of money with this one, but hey --<br /><br />as thomas edison said,<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward."</span><br /><br />so....guess i'll be trying something different & coming up with a NEW project for that dropcloth!!}</span><br /><br />:)<br />Have a great day!<br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-84108697762696108722010-04-28T13:24:00.009-04:002010-04-28T14:44:05.849-04:00Why Blogging Is Fun!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wanna know one of my favorite things about blogging?</span><br /><br />It's getting to meet other bloggy friends in real life!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiU290_O3f0InGK9vohV54GPrddwvheF55k015fhHbvEzIbPr0VB4Y6sRBOkSSAv7PR3SyxnPWWi07D9exd86QQkE5piocFSFtlNk0UlvMi8sVkTQo668-Tgvc3iu-1rUknftj1evmu98/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiU290_O3f0InGK9vohV54GPrddwvheF55k015fhHbvEzIbPr0VB4Y6sRBOkSSAv7PR3SyxnPWWi07D9exd86QQkE5piocFSFtlNk0UlvMi8sVkTQo668-Tgvc3iu-1rUknftj1evmu98/s400/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465240759546167330" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday I had the <span style="font-style: italic;">best</span> time meeting Jennifer Rizzo from <a href="http://sanctuaryart.blogspot.com">Sanctuary Art</a>! We met for coffee and talked and talked (and talked some more!), and even scored a couple of fun things at the thrift store next door, too! We had such a good time & I loved getting to meet another friend! :)<br /><br />I've been lucky to meet several other amazing bloggers over the past couple of years, & have found that bloggers are friendly, welcoming, fun people! It's so easy to get along when you know you already have things in common, and have already "met" each other through visiting each other's blogs. I have met bloggers from all over the country, and feel lucky to have these wonderful friends!<br /><br />Love y'all!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What do YOU love about blogging?</span><br /><br />Is it the friendships?<br />Expressing your creative side?<br />Finding new inspiration?<br /><br />Share with us in the comments!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">**************************************************************************<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />...and stay tuned...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-fFAUKgG4HdFNnS3JXJ6kealCTbFxS-Rp6GPokPID786eVk76eoNSOPN4EaSWKD8999FM94DWgi9LrZ4mblen9gZ0LRJeRZ98U-puUmbZhQVoA9IyT16lH7yZENBX3WYfushFxw_qVY/s1600/dropcloth+pic.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-fFAUKgG4HdFNnS3JXJ6kealCTbFxS-Rp6GPokPID786eVk76eoNSOPN4EaSWKD8999FM94DWgi9LrZ4mblen9gZ0LRJeRZ98U-puUmbZhQVoA9IyT16lH7yZENBX3WYfushFxw_qVY/s400/dropcloth+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465256983572576818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've got a project planned for this little guy, the canvas drop cloth...<br />...come back tomorrow to see if my little experiment worked or not!<br />{let's really hope that it works!}<br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-8367566698292679902010-04-27T08:33:00.004-04:002010-04-27T08:58:58.153-04:00Time For A Dining Room Makeover!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz-dYBqWCLiTEBmSc77SQHUqkQ-uPP0vpW0X7ExszhFHKoM3V2FQo54zBbPnlslueB_VG_fCljd7_r1VCMX65JYfyBQts6rkcVJS_uPk5xMsCOwXTSvlq1IQuFMT5mUyBHN_689dDN0U/s1600/80's+Dining+Rm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464794966732905698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 345px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz-dYBqWCLiTEBmSc77SQHUqkQ-uPP0vpW0X7ExszhFHKoM3V2FQo54zBbPnlslueB_VG_fCljd7_r1VCMX65JYfyBQts6rkcVJS_uPk5xMsCOwXTSvlq1IQuFMT5mUyBHN_689dDN0U/s400/80's+Dining+Rm.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> Haaa-loooo! Time to say, "Buh-Bye!" to the 1980's in this Dining Room!!!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">First up on the agenda:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Paint<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2zajkjtvC_R-KzwvUU7kri_TBB9qUlGbrKdcWN9RJCp6DhVLOrrpm0SDmVOGOkXj4dospb5-DjO4haYJBEFLxkBa1gF4T5i7va74o2KrI9lQcWDlK1uwH55Z0xdqdE3todpTgkg0pW8/s1600/Tree,+DiningRm,+School+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464794956018416994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2zajkjtvC_R-KzwvUU7kri_TBB9qUlGbrKdcWN9RJCp6DhVLOrrpm0SDmVOGOkXj4dospb5-DjO4haYJBEFLxkBa1gF4T5i7va74o2KrI9lQcWDlK1uwH55Z0xdqdE3todpTgkg0pW8/s400/Tree,+DiningRm,+School+017.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Hubby rolled on some of Mr. S. Williams's "Medici Ivory" for a fresh, creamy look on the walls. I think I really like it! I say <em>think</em>, because the ,um, love-er-ly chandelier in here is casting weird shadows on the walls.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">But our goal was to get rid of the cave like feel in here, and make this room feel much bigger than it actually is.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Goal accomplished!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XmT21vL9ew-ZQ9cuF7wHalbLLLULGK7zLbzEb2a-6L0zSl9AuCqxgj-C6pxR2Go8G25uJCk8YS97gGHuPA6TnLGGv2GRFqsNNIhZK4YIgYdQwEHG4ahBWlkJySf2rTam38uol-y00s8/s1600/Tree,+DiningRm,+School+028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464794948187191218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XmT21vL9ew-ZQ9cuF7wHalbLLLULGK7zLbzEb2a-6L0zSl9AuCqxgj-C6pxR2Go8G25uJCk8YS97gGHuPA6TnLGGv2GRFqsNNIhZK4YIgYdQwEHG4ahBWlkJySf2rTam38uol-y00s8/s400/Tree,+DiningRm,+School+028.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> <span style="font-size:78%;">(Oh, and ignore the microwave in the corner...that's until we get our new microwave put in the kitchen soon!)<br /></span></div><div align="center">Next up:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Choosing a new light fixture & window treatments!</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxOoQKMSKb58VXMG4QAoKlTpWGlqhLrNXuN6x8y6qs1_TqSriJwT39TWNFGYGbTSYlv8PycOpZ_QVgSe5yzmeoQPPOJ_iXpSBcEXUujxeJ0CMH0Sl4kstKe58I84uKUn-JIiVf65zs5I/s1600/Tree,+DiningRm,+School+029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464794938824591074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxOoQKMSKb58VXMG4QAoKlTpWGlqhLrNXuN6x8y6qs1_TqSriJwT39TWNFGYGbTSYlv8PycOpZ_QVgSe5yzmeoQPPOJ_iXpSBcEXUujxeJ0CMH0Sl4kstKe58I84uKUn-JIiVf65zs5I/s400/Tree,+DiningRm,+School+029.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Ok, here's the deal....</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong>I would really really really like to know what you would do with this space if it were your room to make over!</strong></div><p align="center">Leave me lots of comments with your suggestions!</p><p align="center">Get creative!</p><p align="center">I'd love to hear your ideas!!!<br /></p><p align="left"><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2400481463048237212.post-71681890818832354562010-04-23T10:29:00.006-04:002010-04-23T11:30:18.018-04:00This Color Is Back in a Fresh, New Way!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rAuXmkaHajk3zasX-8ddciC22nukomPSNXHoKmXEBbPWsymcaB2rbLCFwE8tV-kP3epAjDm3jGopENZWsvLuwZUnFHm-FI20_NiNuMMACZi3jGjVjEP2mrzCR1kwgeRhPifgXu7iUeA/s1600/CL+-+Red6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rAuXmkaHajk3zasX-8ddciC22nukomPSNXHoKmXEBbPWsymcaB2rbLCFwE8tV-kP3epAjDm3jGopENZWsvLuwZUnFHm-FI20_NiNuMMACZi3jGjVjEP2mrzCR1kwgeRhPifgXu7iUeA/s400/CL+-+Red6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463341780880635138" border="0" /></a><br />Have you spotted it yet? The color that is making it's way back "in"? Some of you are always in love with this color, and some of you have erased it from your homes by now in favor of another. Have you noticed? I'm predicting it's gonna be "back" in a big way soon. <br /><br />What am I talking about? Why, <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">R E D</span>, of course! Don't believe me? Take a look around!!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mbzzJCzfvZGruE0x6nV0fSd6VyCNekBjI9ZS29IuEj8Bh3-YhelXunHHCjD7y_mrgerYbcbOpMkBjuT1Gf4j-v03oEuRNkMl7bzI5Y_5I18FleNorCYukAD3iBpXsUIYy1DHvPNjg30/s1600/CL+-+Red3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mbzzJCzfvZGruE0x6nV0fSd6VyCNekBjI9ZS29IuEj8Bh3-YhelXunHHCjD7y_mrgerYbcbOpMkBjuT1Gf4j-v03oEuRNkMl7bzI5Y_5I18FleNorCYukAD3iBpXsUIYy1DHvPNjg30/s400/CL+-+Red3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463340718879633906" border="0" /></a><br />The neutral backdrop that we've all created in our homes is perfect for <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">POPS of R E D</span> used as an accent color! Red looks great & classic & fresh with creamy whites, but is also lovely with sand, tobacco, greys, blues, greens..... the list could go on! <br /><br />And don't expect anyone to go painting red walls anytime again soon (still too reminiscent of the dining rooms of the last decade), but look for it in little touches. Pillows, books, a throw, fruit, flowers, fabrics, art, even a kitchen island! (Have you seen the HGTV Green Home 2010? They used a red countertop on their island....too much for the average homeowner, but there's that RED again!)<br /><br />Good-bye stuffy, super traditional......HELLO FRESH, FUN, & GORGEOUS!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNlG97U6NxebIpIFLgr4_ieuNols58GiHbGO7OjEgIj9r-55c5NpJ3ZuTNfwtYHpNPsDr8nHcIuLy7tPRO1_l2BLBfvqjBcAbk1Op4WS9kbsrcZ95huUdcw-eJ1MP8knyuQRooGvu7OU/s1600/CL+-+Red.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNlG97U6NxebIpIFLgr4_ieuNols58GiHbGO7OjEgIj9r-55c5NpJ3ZuTNfwtYHpNPsDr8nHcIuLy7tPRO1_l2BLBfvqjBcAbk1Op4WS9kbsrcZ95huUdcw-eJ1MP8knyuQRooGvu7OU/s400/CL+-+Red.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463340878556532194" border="0" /></a>The red fabric on this white painted bench looks so fresh and cheery against the neutral, sandy painted walls. Paired with another accent of apple green and who wouldn't love this spot in their home? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFC-_hR0ME75GOeWA2TARyoV9Gk5Z_zlIYRyGPY5dZP7UbGGD2Al9alZi5rw6gFHmj1Ur_K_AMkIRdr_PEoDZbOfn_BPp1l0A3OktRnXofO496DqU2sKkBL9_ZgRQKMIxoR_irnWX1kAc/s1600/CL+-+Red2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFC-_hR0ME75GOeWA2TARyoV9Gk5Z_zlIYRyGPY5dZP7UbGGD2Al9alZi5rw6gFHmj1Ur_K_AMkIRdr_PEoDZbOfn_BPp1l0A3OktRnXofO496DqU2sKkBL9_ZgRQKMIxoR_irnWX1kAc/s400/CL+-+Red2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463340875390225186" border="0" /></a><br />Love love love love love red paired with gray here! (Can you tell I like this? LOL!!)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fKu0xhaE1mCzoJSh23FKlZq7SeGEbhIryPjPn6fr0ZktuyiJHFqGu3XctYWTACNocZ9HcuFjJSNXeknKRLqlMZY52rOzf8Q99l2dgfjFSSe33FbBtfTzqTVySfulVTxJJ7MU3goevIU/s1600/CL+-+Red4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fKu0xhaE1mCzoJSh23FKlZq7SeGEbhIryPjPn6fr0ZktuyiJHFqGu3XctYWTACNocZ9HcuFjJSNXeknKRLqlMZY52rOzf8Q99l2dgfjFSSe33FbBtfTzqTVySfulVTxJJ7MU3goevIU/s400/CL+-+Red4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463340717119264962" border="0" /></a><br />Red looks incredible paired with the soft blues and watery greens that we all adore right now, too! That makes it perfect to use as an accent color!<br /><br />(Is this not the cutest artwork for a kid's room or playroom? How fun!)<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWSeZgNJUHwDqiH2dIbmlIrgXkUHAzLbBM9yq96sXUWdbZI9gJQmy9PkNAVfbAbQELhoD6Ill7SmwPlqborNDE3mkCn0XzI75htrXA0xF03cKFBBhwI9uZEijtiCNvVp3tjvhROXTtRU/s1600/CL+-+Red5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWSeZgNJUHwDqiH2dIbmlIrgXkUHAzLbBM9yq96sXUWdbZI9gJQmy9PkNAVfbAbQELhoD6Ill7SmwPlqborNDE3mkCn0XzI75htrXA0xF03cKFBBhwI9uZEijtiCNvVp3tjvhROXTtRU/s400/CL+-+Red5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463340713697950962" border="0" /></a><br />Take away the red pillows from this room above and you have a nice room, but add that pop of color and the feel of the room goes from "lovely but ok" to.... "Wow, that's a great space!"<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpI5aF3ZwOjm6VrEFn8tvtMp9DsnqN-SllcKAy4JI2H70M7xg0IQo4_m2OTIbsxVlj5N1rCTILUQYySXuoLqJwNMNtLCyo-bKwMJUKE_irQq1o72LrXnieu4NxCq2oZCPBYIofiv-KUg/s1600/CL+-+Red7.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEruqH0lujMdA1oeNyAIZrFmz1p75nvgHn-WDCf68Sj7jgUTTtvrpSh_qebluZ_eZdydL-mK4tUl2Kzr9QVK2xHiSHA7uK2EVrXbr9fmsbURcmzUYrxPoVG3kZ9a2kDVj1wlZBdgYYQXU/s1600/PB+-+Red.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEruqH0lujMdA1oeNyAIZrFmz1p75nvgHn-WDCf68Sj7jgUTTtvrpSh_qebluZ_eZdydL-mK4tUl2Kzr9QVK2xHiSHA7uK2EVrXbr9fmsbURcmzUYrxPoVG3kZ9a2kDVj1wlZBdgYYQXU/s400/PB+-+Red.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463340269248401586" border="0" /></a><br />Neutral backgrounds (walls, major furniture pieces) mixed with updated colors as accents gives you an affordable & fun way to change the look of your home. Or even your outdoor spaces!<br /><br />Again, paired with that blue....love that!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUpjutsrsx1MAlk02u1NuLT1s3RCpQAN0kgWp6fKwvwwvKYMiy6h2kX9z0loDzEahqlKpgcQhyphenhyphena-GhqA9SEUZqyZnslD2odWmWGj44OCR9TstIiDqW8Sgu4ZJgNa8__3rMokez1fos-U/s1600/PB+-+Red3.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLYdHFuj7l4KMIcknjcJ0fqMN-NK6ljwaUIkfGH2uNpiWiwiEynxU_jSWd59a0npqcVqu-VYOGt328cC_X5727UzW8K39dnbXfCZeiel6kJ_dKX4qLJYeVsAaAMfBrgfJ8-_jLHsIC0I/s1600/PB+-+Red4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLYdHFuj7l4KMIcknjcJ0fqMN-NK6ljwaUIkfGH2uNpiWiwiEynxU_jSWd59a0npqcVqu-VYOGt328cC_X5727UzW8K39dnbXfCZeiel6kJ_dKX4qLJYeVsAaAMfBrgfJ8-_jLHsIC0I/s400/PB+-+Red4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463340253586896834" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'm planning to add some red accents in my home for fun!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What do you think of <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">R E D</span>? <br /><br />How would you use red in your home?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Leave a little comment to say "Hello!" and let us know!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">{bottom 2 photos: Pottery Barn, all others in this post: Country Living}</span><br /></div><p><img src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/The%20Blessed%20Nest/staceysig.png" />ps--If you have a home-based business, contact me about great, affordable advertising here at The Blessed Nest! theblessednest (at) gmail (dot) com<br /></p>Stacey @ The Blessed Nesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033930461129202765noreply@blogger.com22