SHOW OFF YOUR COTTAGE MONDAY

I’m showing you around my kitchen and dinning room area today. I don’t have a big kitchen, and don't have a formal dinning room. Our dinning room is very small; in fact it's more like a breakfast nook; contiguous to the kitchen.

I’m always looking for a piece of furniture where I can store my daily china, glasses, and serve-ware in the dining room, but that’s not an option for now. Still, this is the place were we seem to gravitate towards to in our home; it is a happy place and thus, it is my favorite room of my house.

Everything here is the same; nothing new, but I do like to rearrange and move things around quite often to create fun vignettes and bring new interest.

Whenever possible, I like to use a lot of roses around my house; particularly in my kitchen and dinning room area; being freshly cut from my garden (my favorites), from the market, dried or silk roses, they’re heavenly; they bring so much joy into my life…

I like to use baskets in my decoration; particularly in the kitchen; they serve so well and keep everything handy and looking so pretty at the same time…

This is how my tabletop looks now… I'm always creating new tabletop vignettes. It makes me happy.

Etiquette for linky parties usually includes:

1) Link to a recent project post, and not a link to the front page of your blog, your Etsy store or a giveaway.

2) Link back to the host’s blog via a button or text link. This is a common courtesy, and it is usually appreciated if you link back in the same blog post that you are linking up.

More Tips

If you are really a go-getter, why not leave a nice comment for the blogger hosting the party each week? It’s a bit of work to set up and manage a regular linky party, so make sure your host knows that their efforts are appreciated, and that you are not just looking for some free promo.

Of old jars and roses...

An old jar simply embellished with dried roses from the garden stands with the white dishes. It’s pretty enough with or without flowers as a tabletop display… but I can hardly wait to put a lovely display of purple Royal Amethyst roses in this jar.

Thinking of my garden in full bloom makes me happy. During our gloomy cold days I think a lot about my garden. Time spent inside with not much to do give me the option of making plans ahead of time to later accomplish all the things I want to see done in my favorite place. I think of unique garden art ideas and dream with unusual and whimsical decorating touches—a new birdbath amidst the red Knockout roses in that corner; a fun display of birdhouses in an assortment of colors and sizes in that empty space on the west side of the fence; perhaps another mirror on my garden wall. I love mirrors; they're a wonderful addition to your garden and can help add the illusion of more space and more flowers and plants. I also want a new arbor covered in grapevine in the center of the yard across from my kitchen window, where I would put a rustic table and hung an old chandelier.

Dreams dreams… but it’s not just all about dreaming around here. I make my dreams happen too! So, I have already started collecting and gathering some pretty things--things I've found during my treasure hunt through thrift stores, and I have already started embellishing a few jars.

I love old jars and vintage vases. I think that a table needs little more than a beautiful vase...

Right at the turn of the season last summer, I found this lovely vintage vase at a thrift store. I filled it up with the last of my roses and enjoy it for a few days. I can already imagine it filled with freshly cut roses when again everything will be smelling like pollen and dust and roses...

May you have a lovely weekend... and remember: “Life ends when you stop dreaming, hope ends when you stop believing, love ends when you stop caring, friendship ends when you stop sharing... so share this with whom ever you consider a friend.”

See you super soon!

10 Ways to Feel Sexy!

With Valentine’s Day coming up, I thought it would be fun to make a list of easy reminders that we can all do to feel sexy!!!

  After having 3 kids, sometimes you need to remind yourself things like this!!  

Am I right?

I keep seeing super cute Valentine mantels, tablescapes and crafts all over blogland and that is great.  

I will do some crafts with my kiddos of course, but I can paint a whole room pink and my hubby would probably not notice or care.  It would not put him in the Valentines mood at all, lol!

I know what would get his attention and that would be him seeing me feel great about myself and looking my best for him!  Some new Victoria Secret undergarments wouldn’t hurt either, lol!

I don’t know what we are going to do on the big V-day but I know I want it to be something romantic  where we can tell each other how much we love each other after 8 1/2 years of marriage!  

I think it is important for couples to make time for each other, no matter what else is going on!  

I love dating my husband and I really get excited about date nights!

TOP 10 WAYS TO FEEL SEXY this Valentine’s Day!

1) SMILE.  

Smiling is extremely sexy and you look way more attractive!

2) GO OUT.  

I always feel better just getting out of the house.  You feel better after getting fresh air.  Don’t hibernate in your house!

3) WORKOUT.  

I don’t care what shape or size you are, you will ALWAYS feel better about your self after a good sweat!  Exercise gives you endorphins which will kick your sexiness is high gear!

4) DRESS UP.  

Black yoga pants may be super cozy and that is great but they are not sexy!  This is a hard one for me because I love my yoga pants but try putting on some cute jeans, black leggings with boots or even a skirt.  That will for sure change your cat walk!

5) DRINK WATER.  

Water is important for so many reasons.  You will be more hydrated and your skin will look great! 

6)  DANCE.  

Put on your favorite Pandora station and dance around to some upbeat, motivating music!  Come on, we all do it, lol, don’t we?

7) SHOWER.  

I always feel awesome after a nice, long, hot shower with my favorite shower gel and a new razor.  Get those legs silky smooth!

8) HIGH HEELS. 

I love heels, especially being on the shorter side.  (I am 5’4”.)  Heels make you walk sexier and elongates your legs.  Plus, they are super cute!!

9)  DITCH THE GRANNY PANTIES.  

I don’t care what you say, granny panties are not sexy!  Get some new ones, try a new color or something with lace.

10)  WEAR MAKE-UP.  

You don’t have to put on much, but it will make you feel better!  I will always use a little more mascara and lip gloss to feel great!  I little goes a long way!

So there is my list!  

I know there are a lot more things to do but this is a simple list that everyone can do starting now!!

What other things do you do to feel great about yourself?  

Please share!

What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?

Bonnie :)