Dining Room Update

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 :) !}

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!!):

Before I left for vacation we added these pretty soft white curtain panels from Pottery Barn:



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...



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!

We Have a Winner!

....And it's The Rodgers!!!

Congratulations, please send me an e-mail so we can get your goodies sent your way! :)

Last Day to Enter Giveaway!

Stella & Dot
Belle Fleur Ring - Hematite


Don't forget!!!
Today is the last day to sign up to win a
$50 Gift Certificate
to my Stella & Dot jewelry e-boutique!

Leave a comment *here* to enter.

:)

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!!

Enjoy!

I'm Back -- With a Stella & Dot Giveaway!

Whoo-hoo!!!!! A Great Giveaway!!!!!

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!!!}

*To say "Thank You!" in a BIG way, I have decided to do a FUN giveaway!*

I'll be giving away a
$50 Gift Certificate
towards YOUR CHOICE of beautiful Stella & Dot Jewelry!!!!!

One of the great things I was doing during my bloggy-break was having fun with my new Stella & Dot business!

I am now an Independent Stylist with Stella & Dot -- a fabulous, fresh, oh-so-stylish jewelry company that celebs love and is regularly featured in magazines like InStyle, Lucky, and O Magazine!

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!

The NEW Fall 2010 line just came out, and I adore all of it!

Top L: Belle Fleur Ring - Gold
Top R: Vintage Cluster Ring
Bottom: Charlotte Pearl Ring

Love these rings! Wear one on your middle or pointer finger for a fresh look!

Audrey Cluster Bracelet

Nolita Necklace

The statement necklace of the season! It looks great with everything from jeans and a t-shirt to your favorite LBD!

Belle Fleur Ring - Hematite

Chelsea Necklace

Looks great when worn long, or doubled up! A favorite!!

Deco Drop Earrings

The perfect, wear with anything earrings -- and at a great price!

Isn't this fun?!!

Owl Charm Necklace


*********************************************

To enter to Win the $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway:

1) Visit my e-boutique & tell me what you would get with the gift certificate if you won!

2) If you make a purchase, leave another comment & get 5 extra entries!!!

3) If you're a Follower, or sign up to Follow then get another entry too!

---This Giveaway will run until Midnight Saturday Aug. 7th!---

Thank you SO much for your support :) & Good Luck!

And She Realized That It Was a "Good Thing"...

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".

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...)

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.

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.

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! :)

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.

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!!

And that is a very GOOD THING!