More fabulous blogs to share...

One of my blogging sidekicks just told me about the blog Honey We're Home.  Thanks, Nic! Take a click over to Megan's site to check out her gorgeous home (look at that closet!!!), organization & DIY tips.

And another one of my girls told me about The Pleated Poppy.  Lindsey has all kind of goodies about decorating, crafting, sewing, organizing, etc., etc., etc.  She also has as shop that features whimsical headbands, pins, bags, clutches, necklaces, aprons, among other fun things. 

Two more fabulous sites to check out!

Happy blogging!

~E

FOUR MONTHS OLD!!!!

Today my little man is 4 MONTHS OLD!!!  As I sat him up ready to take his picture on this big day, he clearly told me (non-verbally of course, he's not THAT advanced...hehe) what he thinks of his Mommy, A.K.A. the papparazzi, and my non-stop picture taking by manhandling my little printed sign...

He's clearly all set with this!



Here are a couple with his crinkled sign...but I think it just adds character... ;)

And in case you don't get the idea of how freakin' adorable he is from the first gazillion photos above, here are a few more without his dreaded sign...

His four month appointment is tomorrow, so I will give you an update afterwards.

Happy Hump Day!

~E, A.K.A. "The Papparazzi"

Check out this blog...

I was watching one of my recent episodes of Nate Berkus (I heart you, Nate...) on DVR and he promoted this cute little blog called Thrifty Decor Chick.  This "Thrifty Chick" Sarah loves decorating on the cheap via Goodwill and thrift stores - right up my alley these days!  She pursued a career as a writer, and then after the birth of her son decided to follow her passion of interior design.  Now, she dedicates her time solely to her great blog - Thrifty Decor Chick.  Check it out for yourself!

Happy blogging!

~E

Chair Swap

I have a chair next to my front door, and it was one of my kitchen table chairs which had been painted turquoise.  When I changed up my colors for the fall, I wanted to swap chairs to match my new but temporary decor.  This little guy was in my guest room upstairs so I brought it down for the season.  It was a plain wood chair that I painted a very soft minty hue.

Have a good day!

~E

Green Vase...

I picked this little vase up a couple of summers ago at one of my favorite stores on the Cape, which has since closed. :(  I love it, but somehow during renovations it ended up in the attic.  When I was up there a few weeks ago I found it unexpectedly...forgot I even had it!

Cute, huh?  I miss you, OoLaLa!!

~E

Changing it Up...Fall Decor...

I got a little bored one day and decided to change up some of my decor for fall.  To keep it easy and inexpensive...diapers are more important than pillows these days...I just used things I already had.  Some things I pulled from other rooms and others I had "laying around"...yes, I have lots of random goodies in my attic!  Take a peek... 

And of course I had to update the chalkboard...HAPPY FALL EVERYONE!!

~E

Local Anthro Pics...

I realize the picture quality below is AWFUL, but please forgive me as I do not have one of those "smart phones."  In fact, when my hubby went to Verizon to upgrade himself to the Droid the salesperson asked if he wanted to upgrade to a smart phone for his wife as well, since I was due for a new phone.  He nicely declined and replied that I am all set with my "dumb phone."  So, excuse the crummy pictures from my "dumb phone" but here are a few of the pics I was able to snap of my local Anthropologie's holiday display.  Hopefully you can get the gist of it...

And here is the cool handmade chandelier I was telling you about...

Today I spent my afternoon on the front porch starting to create my own organic winter forest.  A few days ago I picked up some reasonably priced trees at Target, and then hit Jo-Ann Fabrics for LOTS of burlap and some jute.  I need a few more odds and ends so hopefully tomorrow Bentley and I will go for a ride out to get what I need to finish up before it gets too cold!  I will take some preview pics and share soon!

Enjoy your Sunday evening!

~E

Anthropologie...AGAIN...

OK, I know I've overdone it on Anthro this week but when I hit the store on Monday I saw so many incredible goodies I want!  Surprise, surprise...I'm always wanting something!  And then when I got home the newest catalog was in my mailbox...FANCY THAT!  Some of my favs in the latest catalog...as usual I'm obsessing over the home decor...

This Brava Throw is amazing...I LOVE me some texture...in gray or chartreuse (I could find a place for one of each!):

The Horned Beauty Bottle Opener is rustic & cool:

And so is the Branch Bit Stopper:

Love the Boreal Barstool - if I only had a bar in a cabin somewhere I can envision it with an amazing antler chandelier:

These two sheet sets are pretty & earthy, too - the first is Falling Leaves and the second is Wakeful Ikat:

I LOVE THIS TABLE!!!  I'm a sucker for rustic, handmade-looking tables like this Plank House Coffee Table:

And if I had the need to drop $600 on a jewelry box, it would be this Quartz Jewelry Box:

I think this candle holder is amazing! Not cheap but this Rustic Romp Taper Holder would look fabbbbulous on my big oak dining table:

And last but nto least, I don't need a journal but the fabric is gorgeous on this Wanderlust Ikat Journal:

All photos are courtesy of Anthropologie's website.

Most of these things I either have no practical use (or place) for right now, or no money for because they are so expensive...but a girl can dream!  Coming up I'll show you some of their adorable children's stuff and cool holiday decor as well.  Happy shopping!

~E

Two New Blogs...

When I was looking for some pics of Anthropologie's store displays I stumbled across two blogs dedicated just to Anthropologie, and I am such a fan of Anthro I wanted to share.

The first is Effortless Anthropologie.

The other is Anthropologie Addict.  I cannot get over the adorable picture of the Boston Terrier with the "finger mustache" featured here...I will be stealing that idea for my Hurley!!!  So cute!!

If you love Anthro like me go check them out!

Happy blogging!

~E 

Anthropologie's Amazing Store Displays...

I walked into my local Anthropologie earlier this week and when I turned the corner into the store entrance it was like the lights of heaven shone down!!!  The holiday decorations were unreal!  Every time I go into the store I am checking out the amazing displays and decor...massive wings on the wall made completely out of feathers or whimsical flowers made from white paper plates.  I found out the store actually has an "art department" consisting of one incredibly talented lady (I asked the clerk at the counter if this mystery person ever needed help but they only take on interns every once in awhile...booooo). 

Well let me tell you, the "art department" did it up for the holidays!!  When you walk through the entrance, to the right was a chandelier structured from tree branches that had been strung together, wrapped with white round-bulbed Christmas lights, dusted with fake snow, and hung with that pretty but rustic brown twine/rope.  The center display was a very organic feeling forest with wooden North Pole-type signs, more fake snow, and this funky organic looking moss dusted everywhere.  Gorgeous trees of different sizes with the bases wrapped in burlap and flaked with snow.  There was even a tree made from green plastic twist tie-type "thingys" for lack of a better way to describe them. ;)  On the left wall was a deer head (fake) with hugeeeeee antlers (also fake) that were decorated with ornaments and all kinds of pretty Christmas goodies and things.  Overall a gorgeous & Adirondack-feeling organic scene. 

I have decided that I am going to design my own rendition of the Anthropologie's winter forest for our front porch this year so I will be starting to "collect" fake trees immediately.  Christmas will be coming early this year in Strazz-land since I have big decor ideas for Baby B's christening in December and then his first Christmas!

I snapped a couple of pictures of the displays on my phone but they didn't come out well.  So I tried my luck at Googling 'Anthropologie Store Decorations' and actually came up with some pictures of holiday displays at an NYC store.  Very different from my local store but also amazing!  Pictures below courtesy of Platinum Blonde Life:

Remember making those paper chain-link garlands when you were little?  What a great idea!  I also found this picture but not sure what store or who it belongs to so if you recognize it please let me know so I can add proper credit. What a cool Christmas tree!

High five to the Anthropologie art department in Natick, MA and to all of the Anthropologie store decorators!!!  The stores always look amazing and as someone who loves design it really inspires my creativity.

~E