Adopting August

I realize that my last few posts have gotten far off the topic of this blog, but it's mine and, I'm sorry, but I can do that sort of thing if I want.

A friend of mine referred this blog to me several months ago and I have been following it since then. This is a young couple who made the decision to adopt before they tried to concieve a child of their own. They are in the VERY home stretch and are still short on the funds needed for paying for their baby. I'm posting the link to their newest post here where they are selling prints of Steven's photography for $35.00. It is good stuff for a good price for a great cause. It is definitly worth the visit. {http://adoptingaugust.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/im-selling-prints-to-raise-money-for-our-adoption/}

Product Endorsement

This is a product endorsement post. I usually don't do this - but it's too good for me not to recommend!

A while back I posted this photo:

I made the comment that I wish my floors would reflect due to their shininess. Shortly after a friend of mine referred me to Holloway House Quick Shine Floor Finish {http://www.hollowayhouse.net/}.

My husband and I used this on our dark stained hardwoods and OH MY. They are gorgeous! If you've got hardwoods (although you can use it on tile and I believe also on laminate) you've got to try this out. Talk about wonderful.

Wildflower Linen

As summer has come and gone, fall is now upon us and with it brings the rich colors of falling leaves and the scent of pumpkins and baked apple pies. It is with those things in mind that I am setting the fall-stage in my home.


As most people know, I love weddings. Even though I'm no longer working in the industry I still look to weddings for inspiration for events and decor. One fabulous source of inspiration is Wildflower Linen {www.wildflowerlinens.com}, who specializes in event tabletop linen rental. Their gallery is split into three subcatagories: Bridal, Event, and Seasonal. All three have absolutely FAB-U-LOUS photos sure to inspire. Here are some that really relish the true feeling of fall:

Kitchen Dreams

My kitchen is ugly. I have an ugly kitchen. It's hard to admit, but it's better to have it out there than have to keep it a secret. I dream of a day when my kitchen is bright and clean (it's technically clean now, but it is ugly and therefore always looks gross) and lovely. I generally think that I will have white cabinets but I'm not opposed to any of these either.

House Beautiful {www.housebeautiful.com}

This isn't a kitchen per se, but it is kitchen-esque, and I really love the white against the black.

House Beautiful {www.housebeautiful.com}

A classic all white kitchen. I love the island and the gi-normous monkey vase.

Southern Living {www.southernliving.com}

Love the bold colors! Even though the cabinets are so bold the overall isn't because of the neutral upper cabinets.

Southern Living {www.southernliving.com}

Clean, bright, and lovely, all in one. :)

Here are some absolutly fabulous photos that I've collected that I unfairly cannot credit:

Wedding Ettiquette

As someone who has gotten married, has friends and family who have gotten married, and a former wedding professional there are several things that I just hate to see future brides and grooms do. One of the BIGGEST things that I HATE to see is when people include registry information in with their invitations. I was reading Dear Prudence via MSN when I stumbled across an interesting letter/response about wedding registries.

Dear Prudence,

I was recently invited to a friend's wedding. Enclosed with the invitation was a slip of paper listing the stores where the couple is registered along with the message: "Please include a gift receipt." Am I right to find this message a bit rude? I feel like my friend is announcing, "We have picked out exactly what we want you to buy but still think you'll screw up the job, so we want to make sure it's returnable." Or maybe they already know that they don't want the crap they registered for and are just looking for a way to get cash? Frankly, I'd rather skip the middle man (and the shipping fees) if they don't trust me enough to buy what they have already indicated they want. Am I out of line? (And isn't there a better way for them to ask for cash if that's what they need most?)
—Presumptively Incompetent Giver

Dear Presumptively,

I always enjoy hearing about the ever-escalating ways engaged couples seek to chisel the goods out of their friends and loved ones. The innovation here is that the couple clearly doesn't want the stuff they've designated, but they feel they're too classy to come right out and say, "Just give us cash." Here's a tip for engaged couples: The invitation should announce the where and when of the wedding and say nothing about the "What I want." For that, you wait until your guests start inquiring, and then, as Peggy Post (heir to Emily's mantle) advises, you graciously say anything they feel like getting you would be delightful and that you've also registered at Crate and Barrel if they want some guidance. If what you want is cash, Ms. Post advises saying you're saving for a big purchase and a check would be most appreciated. (Miss Manners demurs that there is no polite way to say, "Show me the money.") What couples like your friends don't realize is that people who care about them actually enjoy the act of getting them something meaningful to mark the occasion of their starting their lives together. But these couples are killing that pleasure by acting as if they are collection agencies calling in their friends' debts. So, sure, go ahead and write this couple a check—maybe they'll even surprise you and send a thank-you note.
—Prudie

{http://www.slate.com/id/2199318/?GT1=38001}

My advice to couples planning to wed: invite those that you love because you love them, not because you'd love the toaster.