Holy cow, it looks like a house!

What a difference a few days makes! The guys are furiously framing and before we know it we'll have an upper floor.

From the west -- this is the guest room.

Standing in the guest room, looking east.

The boys' rooms (tall windows) with their bathroom (high window) in between.

From the east, looking at the boys' rooms on down.

Etsy Gifts for Men

Etsy Gifts for Your Dude under $45

Tis the season! It's about that time to hit the pavement and fight the dreaded crowds. I love shopping, yes I do, but I hate holiday shopping. Maybe I'll try something different this year and shop for gifts online. (Good idea eh, who ever though of that!?) I'm a strong supporter of Etsy, so enjoy this list of 8 pretty sweet gifts for men (in my opinion) that also helps to support the small business community.

 For the technology man. A leather ipad case...with a sweet engraved bicycle. $45 Here.

 For the adventure man (ie: my husband). A personalized engraved knife. $26 Here.

 For the hairy man? A genuine shaving kit with handmade soap. $31 Here.

 For the musical man (you lucky lady!). A personalized engraved guitar pick. $18 Here.

 For the clean man, or the coffee lover. Coffee body wash! $7 Here.

 For the cellphone savvy, or the texting man. Thumb-free gloves. $25 Here.

 For the commuter man, or coffee lover. A personalized engraved travel mug. $16 Here.

 For the hip working man. Some brightly colored skinny ties. (yes please!) $19 Here.

Snowmen, Sparkles, and Pinecones

I love a variety at Christmastime. 

I love simple, but I also love sparkles.

I love nature, but I also love glitter.

At Christmastime, I can marry all that I love.

I also have to bring my simple tastes together with my children’s “let’s go all out” taste.

My Christmas fireplace showed a little of both styles.

My beautiful old German dough bowl filled with sparkly ornaments, pinecones, and fresh greens captures all that we love..

We’ve got sparkles and we have nature…

A little further beyond my coffee table is another little white table filled with Christmas!

This little snowman is probably the last thing left in my house that came from Kirkland’s.  He is a favorite “friend” of ours during the cold winter months.

Baskets of pinecones and greens are such a beautiful thing.

From my heart and home today, I wish you all a blessed day and upcoming weekend.

Linking up at Common Ground

Modern bedrooms designs ideas.

Modern bedrooms designs ideas.

Modern bedrooms designs ideas.

Modern bedrooms designs ideas.

The Baby’s Portrait + Ramsign Winner

Do y’all remember back in September when I dolled up the baby for his three year formal portrait?  Well, Mother and I picked it up last week and I am just speechless.  It perfectly captures his precious personality and fleeting innocence, and I can’t help but smile every time I walk past it in the dining room.  We’ve been anxiously saving his spot for three years!







John’s portrait was done at the very same age, in front of the very same fence, in a very similar outfit (I wanted them to each have one to pass down) three short (but so long in many ways) years ago.  I will treasure these.  Always.

And while I have the baby on my mind, I have to share an exchange from earlier in the week...  While he was cutting paper at the kitchen table (a "job" he takes very seriously and performs so many times a day that it's a wonder I have anything left to write on), I reminded him that we need to clean up the play room before bed.

To which he replied in his practiced and most authoritative voice "Mommy I very busy and I not a octopus."  And I'm outsmarted by the baby.  Again!

Lastly, I want to thank everyone that entered my Ramsign giveaway!  I loved reading what numbers you'd choose and what styles were your favorites.  So, without further ado, the lucky winner (by way of random number generation) is... drumroll please...

Christine of Sweet Girl Design!!  It just so happens that I adore her choice (not that it's binding or anything) "Love the Metropolitan - that blue is gorgeous! I would get "4" for my 4 boys - it would be terrible to leave such a pretty sign behind if I ever moved!! :)"  

CoNgRaTs!!!  Look for an email from me lickety split!
xoxo

Beta-Plus latest publications, the perfect Christmas gift

 

 

I would love to inform you about the latest Publications of Beta-Plus Publishing.

Each one of these 4 new titles could be a perfect Christmas gift.

 

Cover Building and Renovating with Reclaimed Materials

!!!THIS IS A ‘MUST HAVE’ BOOK ! It is a gorgeous publication!!! You will love it !

Antique building materials immediately give timeless, inimitable style to a new or restored home. Reclaimed wooden floors, terracotta tiles, traditional Burgundy slabs, old roof tiling, antique fireplaces ... these all fit perfectly into contemporary or classic surroundings. This new book presents dozen of inspiring examples and also provides addresses of dealers in antique construction materials.

‘Building and Renovating with Reclaimed Materials’   Source : preview (here)

 

‘Building and Renovating with Reclaimed Materials’   Source : preview (here)

 

‘Building and Renovating with Reclaimed Materials’   Source : preview (here)

 

‘Building and Renovating with Reclaimed Materials’   Source : preview (here)

_____

Cover The New Living Kitchen

In our quickly changing living environment, the kitchen is one of the most important locations in the interior. It is here that the family members meet every day, where they cook and eat, where they also work and play.
Interior architects and kitchen designers pay a lot of attention to the arrangement and organisation of open-plan kitchens in their new projects. This book offers readers dozens of useful addresses and visual tips for the design and realisation of their dream kitchen.

‘The New Living Kitchen’   Source : preview (here)

 

‘The New Living Kitchen’   Source : preview (here)

 

‘The New Living Kitchen’   Source : preview (here)

 

‘The New Living Kitchen’   Source : preview (here)

_____

Cover Contemporary Architecture & Interiors-Yearbook 2013

The fifth edition of this reference work on contemporary architecture & interior design. With technical plans.

‘Contemporary Architecture & Interiors – Yearbook 2013’   Source : preview (here)

 

‘Contemporary Architecture & Interiors – Yearbook 2013’   Source : preview (here)

 

‘Contemporary Architecture & Interiors – Yearbook 2013’   Source : preview (here)

 

‘Contemporary Architecture & Interiors – Yearbook 2013’   Source : preview (here)

_____

Cover Wood Marsh Architects – Residential Work

The architecture and design of Wood Marsh Architects has been judged as possessing great conceptual strength and clarity. Contextual issues of locality and region are used as a foundation for ideas that bring bold and sculptural architecture to our communities. This beautifully published book showcases a selection of their best public and private projects.

‘Wood Marsh Architects – Residential Work’   Source : preview (here)

 

‘Wood Marsh Architects – Residential Work’   Source : preview (here)

 

‘Wood Marsh Architects – Residential Work’   Source : preview (here)

 

‘Wood Marsh Architects – Residential Work’   Source : preview (here)

 

www.betaplus.com

TO ORDER CLICK HERE.

Be sure to stay informed about the publications to come out in 2013! Contact Beta-Plus at info@betaplus.com.

I wish you all a nice weekend !

xx

Greet

.All images & text : website www.betaplus.com with the approval of Wim Pauwels.

Beta-Plus latest publications, the perfect Christmas gift

    I would love to inform you about the latest Publications of Beta-Plus Publishing. Each one of these 4 new titles could be a perfect Christmas gift.   Cover Building and Renovating with Reclaimed Materials !!!THIS IS A ‘MUST HAVE’ BOOK ! It is a gorgeous publication!!! You will love it ! Antique building materials immediately give timeless, inimitable style to a new or restored home.

Lynch Creek Farms Christmas Giveaway

For years I have used my own homemade garland and greenery cut from nearby woods and occasionally picked up some things from Lowe's. Well, last year as our photo shoot approached and my greenery was started to dry out (the shoot wasn't until mid January) I decided to splurge and order some fresh new greenery. I had some trouble finding anything available seeing how Christmas had come and gone at that point but saw that Kate from Centsational Girl had mentioned using Lynch Creek Farm the prior year. I went on their website and ordered a bunch of garland and several wreaths. I was absolutely delighted when they arrived. They wreaths were huge and so lush! Here is one of the wreaths on our porch last year:

and here in our dining room:

This year they were so sweet and sent me boxes full of greenery including the garland on my chandelier and the gorgeous Southern Magnolia wreath above our buffet: 

And two of these darling window wreaths (I will show you where I put the other one next week):

I think my favorite thing, though is this little vintage wooden sled! I will show you more photos of it next week as well!

Today I am excited to let you all know Lynch Creek Farm is giving one of their beautiful wreaths away to one of our readers.

The winner can choose between the  Southern Magnolia:

 or their beautiful Country Christmas Wreath:

So, how can you win one of these gorgeous wreaths from Lynch Creek Farm?

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post!

You don't have to have a blog to enter, either. If you aren't a blogger, just enter a comment and then where it says "comment as" scroll down near the bottom and click on anonymous. However, if you do that, make sure to leave your e-mail address so we can confirm that you are the winner. If we draw the name of someone who doesn't leave any identifying information we will simply draw a new name. Make sure to check back here on the blog to collect your prize!

You can comment each day if you would like to up your chances!

For an extra entry simply visit Lynch Creek Farm

 and come back here and tell us your favorite item! 

This giveaway runs through Sunday evening.

Have a wonderful weekend!