Ugly Curtain Contest

"U-G-L-Y! You ain't got no alibi..."

No, no, not you. You are lovely and smart/kind/important, as Aibee would say. It's our ug-to-the-LY drapes. UGH.

They came with the house. We should have gotten a discount on the house, since the curtains are so horrific, they really devalue the property.

Is this why it was on the market for over 7 months? Maybe our nation's real estate slump would benefit from better drapes all around!

 Chris, bless his heart, tried to bleach them and soaked them in Clorox and vinegar. For 2 days. Then 2 more days because they smelled awful. Like Clorox and vinegar.

As you can see, they just transformed into a brighter, more hideous version of themselves. Like some Aliens nightmare. 

 Not sure which ones are uglier. But now the bleached ones are highwaters.

Anyone care to vote on which are the worst?

We both like these from Anthro, but they're unlined and boy, they sure ain't cheap. But at least they ain't ugly.

But seriously, which ones are uglier? I know, I know...so hard to choose--either way, I think we have a winner.

xo
shelia

The Wonder of Christmas

The newest member of our family arrived last week from the newborn nursery at Crate and Barrel. Isn't she gorgeous? A little red, but I think she fits right in.

 Chris and I have a hard time agreeing on furniture, so when we actually do find a big item we both like, he pounces like a ninja. 

Next up, we need chairs that aren't of the plastic patio variety. 
Maybe a bit too casual.

 In happier news, we put some lights up. And if there's anything cuter than a baby playing with Christmas lights, I don't know what it is.

 Hooray for Christmas!

Setting Up House

It's so exciting! Chris and I are picking out paint colors and furniture for the new house. We're both partial to warm colors--so hoping for shades of citrus for the kitchen, guest bedrooms, and the family room.

scraps of whimsy

According to our domestic goddess friend Heidi, quilting used to be just an everyday part of life.

Little scraps of fabric from little Sally's work apron, sister Mabel's new spring dress, and say, Johnny Jr.'s overalls were painstakingly and matter-of-factly hand-stitched together, either by individuals or quilting groups, resulting in some of the magic seen below.

Heidi told me these older quilts were stuffed with shreds of wool after the sheep were sheared in days gone by.

To quilt was not a trend or a hobby. It was not fashionable. It was just a way of life because you couldn't just buy a down comforter from Nordstrom's for 100 bucks.

The quilt below was made by Heidi's mother in law, decades ago. By hand! EVERY perfect little stitch!
And aren't the colors just so timeless and beautiful?

I wanted to hug it tightly to me--while quickly inspecting the underside for a "Made in China" tag.

Find it impossible to believe this flawless perfection was NOT made by machine or mass production.
Just a very organized, determined woman who wanted to keep her family warm. 

nalynne's housewares

this is what nalynne had to say about some recent purchases:
1. cactus is modeling the "pardus floor cushion" which is gigantic. on sale on site, but not in stores.
2. recently on sale is the salt bin and the nesting duck measuring cup set.
3. the big white bowl is from anthro recently found on sale,
4. also there is a lamp, cookie jar, measuring cup, and penny candy jar pictured last.