Maria Menounos....

I am reading this little gals book,

and I wanted to share it with you...

Her name is Maria Menounos.

I first heard about her and her book

on the Nate Berkus show.

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the book,

because...ok, lets face it,

I already think I know it all,

so why would I need a book about how to know it all?

You see how this would be a waste of money for me, right?

Well, in spite of myself, I bought it anyway.

{just because I like to read, mind you}

 I have actually learned some really clever things from it!

After you pick yourself up off the floor from shock

that I could have not known something,

remember that I DO now know it,

and that would mean I officially DO know it all now.

Let's just keep that straight.

Any who, I am recommending that you get yourself a copy,

or borrow one from a friend. 

It is a light, easy read,

and it is packed full of fun and helpful advise.

I will warn you, she is a bit of a name dropper,

but my friend Cher and I were talking the other day with

Elton and we all said, "Who doesn't drop a name here and there!"

So, as I was telling, Ringo, long as you can handle that,

you will enjoy the book.

Such a cute girl too.

She lost 40lbs. a while back.

She looks like the type that has always

been adorable, but it makes her more

personable and real to know that she wasn't always perfect.

She shares some of her "diet" food

that absolutely looks scrumptious!

and not "diety" at all....

Oh, and she is Greek,

so you know it is going to taste great.

So there is one of my Summer reads....

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

bringing the indoors outside....

I thought I would share with you all one of this month's TV segments.

It was all about bringing the indoors outside... 

and making your square footage larger

by creating rooms outside

 for your family and for entertaining.

My favorite times to entertain are the

months that allow us to have our guests outside,

So, an out door dining area is just as important as

an outdoor lounging area to us...

Hope you enjoy the video....

click here to watch the video

white floors....

My latest and greatest obsession...

PAINTED WHITE FLOORS!

I mean just look at how they make a room

look instantly cool, calm and clean.

{these images found here}

They go with any style decor,

and they make color just pop.

{view this image here}

{view this image here}

They are even able to bring this Versace style
down a notch or two, to make it
a livable interior.
{view this image here}

and of course, my favorite way to pair it,
with a shabby chic, cottage style.
{view this image here }

These floors take the cake though.
I love how they embraced the timeworn floor that
was there before.
{view this image here }

 {view this image here }

I have been mentioning the whole white floor thing to Hubby lately.
Our floors are in desperate need to refinishing,
but it would be SO much easier to paint them .

Needless to say,
he has not yet bought into the idea.

Working on that though....

nate burkus....

Is everyone else as obsessed with this guy as I am?

I mean he can design a room like this....

and then looks like this....

His work is incredible.

And his show is even better!

I relate more to him than

some of the other top designers

because he love the eclectic mix that I do,

and encourages shopping in thrift stores and flea markets.

He even suggests grabbing furniture off the side of the road!

How many other "high end" designers would say that?

He seems to keep it "real"

and keep it "real life"

It is inspiring to see a  designer

who is into a house becoming a home....

and not just a cold modern space

or an over the top opulent room.

You can check out his website here

Have an exciting weekend!

4th of July inspiration...

I have pulled all the Independence day decorations down from

storage, and I am getting ready to turn the cottage into a patriotic paradise.

I wanted a little inspiration,

so I got online, and

I thought I would share with you what I found...

Old homes draped in flags and bunting

scream 4th of July to me....

I adore this paper banner above.

and this outdoor farm setting

with the American flag as a back drop is priceless...

And finally, all the lanterns with the American flag, perfection.

I am feeling the inspiration!

Off I go, to get busy...

ralph lauren...

 I am sure everyone saw this interview

that Oprah did with Ralph Lauren

on his Colorado ranch....

 Well, if you didn't,

let me just tell you that I was

not paying ANY attention to what either one

of them were saying....

I was too busy gawking

at the interiors of his home,

his guest tepees,

and his gorgeous family!

 above is a picture of some of

 the tepees on the ranch.

They are decorated better than most homes....

 and this out door area,

are you kidding me?

I would not be able to go to work.

I would sit out here all day and all evening.

 the picture above and below are the interiors

of some of his tepees.

*swoon*

 another view of the tepees....

and another *swoon*

 and if all that were not enough,

look at this gorgeous family!

and this is where that gorgeous family

lives on the ranch...

 it is all so perfect!

It is like he designed every thing in his life.

Even the family members....

as much as I *swoon* and adore all this,

I have to tell you, 

I would choose mine everyday of the week.

{maybe just an invite to spend the weekend in the tepee would be nice} 

a table moved....

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while....

My computer got stepped on, dropped, tossed, _________

{add your own guess}

by the "ididntdoitmusthavebeenher trolls"

The screen now looks like a lava lamp.

I am hoping it can be repaired.

For now I am using hubby's laptop.

It feels strange not to have my old faithful.

Any who,

I wanted to show you a table that I moved a corner

in my dining room...

I love the mix of a shabby old table

elevated by throwing some crystal candelabras on it.

This is the caddy that I move in and outside

for outdoor dining.

It is filled with old ball jars

that hold utensils....

and then finally,

a pair of old shutters behind everything

to fill the corner....

This is what the table used to look like,

before it got a fresh coat of paint

and a new location....

You can click here to see what landed in the spot

that this got stolen from....

Have a great Monday!