J’adore 4

With Winter on Its Way Out and Spring on its way In, I find myself mesmerized by color.

We have pretty much completed the Family Room.  Meaning, it has everything it needs. But, I would like to add a little bit to it here or there.  I have always been a fan of built-ins, but hubby isn’t a fan of big furniture, unless you count the TV.  So, a compromise of sorts for that room, will most likely be bookshelves. I like the idea of being able to style the bookshelves, with pictures, art, as well as books.  Therefore, not having to destroy the walls, should I choose to change it up at some point.  Even more than that, I like the fact that one of the recent trends in book shelf styling encourages adding color to the insides of bookshelves to make the room pop.  This would most likely be something else hubby and I would have to discuss further, but check out these three looks.

1 – This one actually is a “built-in”.

2 – This one is more for a kid’s room or playroom.  The colors are so festive and Spring like.

3 – This one is probably the closest to what I am looking for.  Especially since, the largest piece of furniture in our Family Room is our Red Leather Sofa.

Another Color that keeps drifting into everything these days is Yellow. According to Benjamin Moore, Yellow or “Breath of Fresh Air“, as they are calling it is the Color of 2014.  It’s a little pale for my preferences, but, I find myself gravitating towards this Color Scheme.  The yellow here is a little stronger.

It is used here to Decorate this Outdoor Space for an Event.  Here as a DIY that caught my eye, to glitz up your front door. And, in this Gorgeous Nursery Set Up.  And, my favorite of course the Giraffe and Elephant Pillows available for purchase in our Etsy Store.

Spring is Officially Approaching.  Don’t forget to set your Clocks Forward tonight!!

spring

 

What’s on your Agenda for the Change of Season?

Did you read our Last Blog?

 

J’adore 3

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February is over… Can you believe it?  The good thing about that, is that Warmer Weather is right around the corner, and my little one has a birthday in March.  So these are things to look forward to.

My latest obsession is Herringbone.  From Beadboards, to Backsplashes, to Floors.  I am even feeling this Herringbone Fabric.  You may find that showing up in Pillow Form in our Etsy Store soon.  Shhhh….

I have also Fallen in Love with Inslee Haynes. Apparently, I am VERY LATE, where her illustrations are concerned.  But, these are my favorites.   So far, I keep finding new ones.

Good

Better

Best

And…It’s About That Time to Get your Spring Cleaning Plan Together… I am starting with my Digital Spring Cleaning.  I spent a good portion of today, deleting Spam, and Cleaning Out My InBox.  Check out these 17 Apps for all Kinds of Spring Cleaning.

Lastly, I am sad to see Black History Month Go.  I spent this month finding Black History Facts to post on our FB Page, and I learned so much.  Here’s a link to my Tribute to Black History Month.

“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”
― Nelson Mandela

 

 

The Greatness From Whence we Came — A Tribute to Black History Month

During the month of February(Black History Month), I have been sharing Black History Facts on our Facebook Page.  And, I was amazed at how much I didn’t know, almost every person that I shared, I either didn’t know about before, or knew nothing of the scope of their contribution to society.

The Greatness from Whence We Came - A Tribute to Black History Month

The whole experience left me in awe of the “greatness from whence we came”.  The ability to overcome and conquer the circumstances under which we were forced to live and the injustices that we had to endure created DIAMONDS.  “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” – Peter Marshall

Our contributions to this country are immeasurable and continuous. These quotes by many of the “GREATS”, give a glimpse into the struggle and those who fought to not be defined by it.

If we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibility ourselves and allow those responsible to salve their conscience by believing that they have our acceptance and concurrence. We should, therefore, protest openly everything . . . that smacks of discrimination or slander. – Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) “Certain Unalienable Rights”
It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others. . . . One ever feels his twoness,—an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warrings ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder. -W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963) The Souls of Black Folk (1903)
I am not tragically colored. There is no great sorrow dammed up in my soul, nor lurking behind my eyes. . . . Even in the helter-skelter skirmish that is my life, I have seen that the world is to the strong regardless of a little pigmentation more or less. No, I do not weep at the world—I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife. – Zora Neale Hurston (1901-1960) “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” (1928)
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. – Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) Up From Slavery (1901)

I am both proud and humbled.

J’adore 2

Fotor0221204240This week was a busy and trying one, but somehow it still seemed like it flew by.

So, anyway lets jump right in with things that are on my radar this week..

Currently obsessing over this color scheme.

Trying to rationalize purchasing this Smila SOL Ceiling Lamp, even though it doesn’t match the decor in either of the girl’s rooms.  Wondering if it is too kiddie for my office, lol.

Slowly, being talked into decorating for Easter/Spring, by the [voices in my head].  And, all the great inspiration found here and here and here.

Anyway, the weekend is calling… So, I must run… Hope you all have an AMAZING WEEKEND!!

 

J’adore….

j'adore

 

Always looking for a way to both display my jewelry as well as keep it organized, I am always tickled pink by setups like this one.

I am always looking for a way to pack more into my day.  No matter, what I do, I could always think of more things I could have gotten done in my day.  So I am always reading articles about time management.

I am not all that interested in “Functional Fashion for my Refrigerator”.  But, I hate cleaning the Fridge.  Ick!! So these caught my eye.  Anything that makes my job easier. Working smarter, and not harder…. and all that jazz.

Even though we have a Fireplace in the Family Room, we rarely use it.  So it stays a little chilly down there, I have been on the hunt for a throw, that is both warm, and (sexy).  You know, one that makes my living room look we aren’t just Mommy and Daddy.  I love this one, but not the price, so I am still on the prowl!!

Finally, I love to put you all on… to blogs that I have recently fallen in love with. This isn’t a new one for me, but lately, she’s been back on my radar.  So check out the Polished Pebble.

Until next time…

Valentine’s Day Across The Web!!

I literally wish I could do all of the amazing crafts and Valentine’s Day ideas that I have found across the web, but that would be virtually impossible.   So….. instead, I will share some of my favorite links.

Valentine's Day Craft Ideas from around the Web (Links Below)

There’s only a day left, but these are easy enough that you can work on them today, if needs be. I finished early this year, but it looks like the kid’s wont get to celebrate with their friends this year, due to the weather.

Do you have a little “foodie”, in your family?  If so this Free Valentine’s Day Printable Lunch Box Notes, will be perfect for you.

Got Construction Paper, and some Hand Eye Coordination, this Super Easy “Bee Mine” Valentine’s Day Craft is Super Cute!!

I know a lot of folks think Valentine’s Day is for the ladies, but I think our little men would beg to differ.  Check out this amazing Lego Valentine’s Day Boxes  made over @ The Blackberry Vine.  In 2012, she did this Lego Darth Vader Valentine Box.

I shared this on Facebook, last week sometime. But, I think it bears repeating. You can use things you already have at home to set a Festive Table for Valentine’s Day!! Ambiance, Ambiance, Ambiance.

Set up An Easy Valentine's Day Tablescape with things you have at home.

I used Scrap Fabric, Scrapbook Paper, A Valentine’s Snow Globe, and my Dinnerware and Silverware to create a Festive Table-setting.

Easy Tablesetting for Valentine's Day (with things you have at home)

Hope you all have the Happiest of Valentine’s Days, with the ones you love.  Be it your significant other or the whole family!!

Valentine's Day Quote Photo Source: Pinterest

Our 2013 Christmas Home Tour

I got this idea of a Home Tour from seeing so many other amazing Holiday Spaces featured across several blogs.  And, let’s face it, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Our 2013 Christmas Home Tour

For as long as I can remember, Christmas has been my favorite holiday.  Being surrounded by family, the sights and smells, they have all played a part in memories that I hold dear to my heart.

It’s one of the reasons why I literally throw myself every year into “Decking The Halls”,  for my family, the way my mom did for my sister and I.  And the way her Mom did for her.

This is our second year having two trees.  The Family Room/Foyer Tree has all the ornaments that the kids have made through the years, our keepsake ornaments, and the traditional Christmas Colors.  It is the first thing you see when you walk through the front door of our home.

Our 2013 Christmas Home Tour - The Front Foyer and Hallway

This hallway takes you into our Family Room, where we decorated our fireplace/mantel with our Luxe Stockings and DIY Scripted Glitter Letters.

Our 2013 Christmas Home Tour - The Mantel

Our Formal Living Room and Dining Room flow into each other and house our 8 ft.  Douglas Fir.  This year we went with the accent color of purple and I had a ball “marrying” the two rooms.

Our 2013 Christmas Home Tour- Teal Purple and Silver Color Scheme

Needless to say, at this time of year, I am in my element.

Our 2013 Christmas Home Tour - Dobbie Our Christmas Elf Sighting

So from Our Stage Presents Family to yours, Have a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!!  I hope you enjoyed our home, as much as we enjoyed sharing it!!

DIY Scripted Glitter Letters

Looking for an Alternative to Monogrammed Stockings? Last year we bought some Luxe Stockings, which I am still very much in love with.  We wanted to personalize them, but without actually having to alter the stockings.  So we settled on Scripted Glitter Letters instead.

DIY Scripted Glitter Letters

This was very simple to do.  I purchased the Scripted Wooden Letters, from Hobby Lobby (my favorite store according to my 4 year old).

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I guess you could sand the letters if you wanted to, but we opted for a more rustic look, so  just went ahead and painted them.  Once the paint dried then we applied the glitter spray.  Both items pictured below:

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And, there you have it the completed project!!

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According to my dh, my projects always turn into his, so I should add that.. we did throw in some”Hubby Elbow Grease”!!  To see more of how we decorated our home for the Holidays check out Our 2013 and 2014 Christmas Home Tours.

Black Friday Do’s, Don’ts, FYIs, and You Better Nots.

Black Friday, better known as “Black and Blue Friday” in some parts of the country, is fast approaching. Deals and steals galore, right? Not in all instances. There are some deals to be found but unless you are a die hard Black Friday shopper, your time would be better spent digesting the Thanksgiving dinner you just ingested.
Black Friday Dp's Don'ts, FYIS and You Better Nots
1.  Shop at stores that allow you to wait in line inside such as Walmart.
2.  Compare regular prices to Black Friday prices. I have seen instances where the Black Friday price is only $5 cheaper. Is driving around town, in the cold really worth it?
3.  Stock up on clothing. There are many more stores that have deals on clothing than toys and electronics. Believe it or not, this is a good time to buy Christmas PJ’s.
4.  Leave purses and other unnecessary objects at home. There are thieves that target Black Friday shoppers.  Be aware of your surroundings.
5.  Place purchases in the trunk, and out of view. Smash and Grabs are prevalent around this time of year.  Not something you want to come back to.
6.  Don’t go Black Friday shopping at all. You have a month until Christmas and there will be many more sales and similar deals.
7.  Go early. Some stores give out tickets for items such as TVs and computers before the sale actually starts. When the tickets go, the items are done.
8.  Don’t get your hopes up. Most stores don’t follow the rules set forth in their advertisements. Their job is to make money, not to accommodate you.Black Friday Do's and Don'ts
written by my darling husband (dh) – Anwar Thomas
**For more information on this year(2015 Black Friday Sales), follow this link.**(Updated Yearly)

My Sister’s Baby Shower : A Labor of Love!!

It’s no secret that I love entertaining (a trait, I know I got from my Mommy).  This party was no different, except that it was EXTRA SPECIAL because it was for my “not so little baby sister”.

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They say your sister is your very first friend, and in my case my very best friend.  So, I was over the moon knowing that soon we would be able to share the joys of motherhood, and to learn I was gonna be an Auntie to her twin girls.  Making this party and this day extra special was all that I could think about for months.

I eventually decided that I would go with a Noah’s Ark theme because she was having twins.  But, I couldn’t help but include some of my favorite colors and threw in some polka dots and chevron prints too.

Here Is A Glimpse Into My Sister’s Pink and Green Noah’s Ark Twin Baby Shower.

My Sister's Pink and Green Noah's Ark Baby Shower for Twins

My Sister's Pink and Green Noah's Ark Baby Shower for Twins

My Sister's Pink and Green Noah's Ark Baby Shower for Twins

Favorite Features:

  • Pink and Green Chevron Table Runners and Cupcake Stands
  • The Mommy Cake – Small Round Cake with White Icing and Pink Piping by Publix
  • Edible Baby Building Block Cake Toppers and Noah’s Ark Animal Cake Toppers (Fondant) – Like Butter Etsy Shop
  • Pink and Green Polka Dot Napkins shaped to look like Napkin Flower Displays
  • Baby Animals 3D Favor Boxes – Beaucoup
  • Personalized Twins Labels – Big Dot of Happiness
  • Onesie Wish Board – Handmade by Stage Presents
  • Welcome Chalkboard – Handmade by Stage Presents
  • Library Books in place of Greeting Cards for the Twin’s Nursery

Credits:

– Styling: Sheree Thomas of Stage Presents
– Photography: Anwar Thomas Photography
– Venue: The Hindsman Estate
– Invitations: Anwar Thomas Photography
– Desserts: Publix