Thoroughly Besotted...

For those of you who are unaware, I moved to England from the US when I was 14. It was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. My love of the English people and traditions are deeply cemented in my heart. 17 years ago England was still a slower paced, simpler land. Each day we would go and get our fresh produce, cheese and milk to bring back to our tiny little fridge and home. A huge change from the overwhelmingly big fridges and big everything in the United States, but that was better. It was simple and smart. You took more of the world in on the walks to the High street and took time to think, instead of rush around. It was like that in many aspects of living there. There was so much family and social time as everything shut there at 5:30 pm-everything!! It has now changed and gotten a lot more Americanized with late night hours in shops and fast food chains popping up. Of course it still retains it's classic British nature but it has changed a bit since 1993.

I made such good friends and learned so much about the world outside of America. My outlooks and ideas were broadened. My life has been enriched forever by the 10 years I lived there and marrying an Englishman has only continued my love affair with all things British.

I am sure that any of my readers that have been with me for awhile, will have seen that I am thoroughly in love with an English designer named Cath Kidston. Her English, vintage, country style just really speaks to me, and evokes the beautiful feelings I had whilst I lived in England.

There is talk of a store opening here in the USA but until then, I can just dream of the day when I can buy these dishes. One by one I will collect them, and I know they will look beautiful in my green dining room. Don't you?

My beautiful mother and sister in-law gave me these books for Christmas. My heart jumped when I saw them.

*****LOVE*****


It even included the fabric and tag to make this bag.

Look at this adorable bag with classic scenes of London on it!! Adorable. And it is made out of oil cloth because she is so smart like that.

*Drool*

To all of my English friends and loved ones who read this...(Yes, I can see who visits my blog ;-)
I love you and the time we shared together. You have forever imprinted joy on my heart.
And to all of my other readers- you guys are the best. My readership grows every day and the places from across this earth that you come from daily, just blows me away.
Hello
India, Brazil, China, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, France, Portugal, Denmark and so on.

Muah and thanks for coming to hear my ramblings.

xo Emily xo

Dazzling, Divine, Dining Room Do-Over

Don't freak out!!
This is not the finished product. I bought this baby at Goodwill in Maryland 9 yrs ago for $10. The top was ruined so I refinished the bottom and and marbled the top. It worked then- for the room I needed it in, not so much now.
3 moves later it is in need of some TLC and a face lift.
A coat of white paint would do the trick.

It was built in the 60's and made so well, with such beautiful lines. I wanted it in my entry at first but then I had a miracle take place. I found a brand new Broyhill buffet topper at a discount furniture place for $50- I crossed my fingers, prayed a little and hoped it would fit.

This is the dining room where it would reside before I went to work on it.
So cold, so blahhhhhhh.

And here it is after...

The topper fit like a GLOVE, a glove I tell ya. Like they were long lost lovers reunited!!

This light was on clearance at Lowe's for oh just $30 BUCKS!! I traded out some photography with a friend who wired it up for me. Some holly wrapped around just made it pop for the holidays.

My white tin ceiling tiles with mirrors glued in the middle, off set the other side of the room perfectly. Clearance wreath $ 9-used as a centerpiece with a candelabra I found at a consignment sale for $1.

No, my tree is not still up, that's just how behind on posts I am. ;-)

Inside the buffet I kept a green and white theme going. Most things I already had and just added a few bits and bobs.

This was a simple idea that was really stunning. Christmas bobbles set on some moss and placed under a cloche.

Most of the white dishes came from Goodwill for like .20 cents except for the crown ones.

Such a cheap and beautiful makeover if I do say so myself.
Work with what you have when designing.

Now I just need to find my curtains. I want to find ones exactly like the ones in
"The Sound Of Music".
Remember, the ones Maria cut up to make play clothes?
I'm not having much luck...

xo Emily xo

Denver L-O-V-E birds

This is my sister Mary (and y'all know me) right after we arrived in Denver, Colorado for my brothers wedding. I was so excited to wear a winter coat again and feel the cool crisp air on my face and in my lungs.

I made the "lovebirds" a painting as their wedding gift.
What do you think?

I love the texture and colors of this painting. The sad thing was- in transit a huge hole was ripped in it.

Here are the actual love birds. That's my new sister-in-law Kara and my adorable brother Ben.

They were married here on a glorious sunny morning.

The snow set such a beautiful back drop for pictures.

Look at these wicked purple shoes Kara was rockin'.

And to see my brother wearing a wedding band...weird but so awesome!


At the reception we left messages for the bride and groom on this old typewriter. So cool huh?

My cousin Alison drove 4 hours with her little girl Ella just to see us for 2.
We could all be sisters I think.

This Art Deco hotel was were Ben and Kara honeymooned and it was too beautiful not to show.

Denver is an amazing city and now holds a special place in my heart.

To my sweet lovebirds...congrats and good luck in all that your new journey together will bring.

xo Emily xo

Ghosts of Christmas past...

So Christmas was just 13 days ago and it seems like it was months ago. For me this holiday whizzed by and now is just a beautiful memory. My in-laws made it after going to hell and back with delays and lost luggage but they were here for Christmas and that was all that mattered.

Here are some of the deposits I made in my memory bank...

My little Annabelle forever primping herself or the trees.

Enjoying my house, the warmth and coziness after the crazy dash to get it "done"
(even though I still have curtains to put up).

The abundance and blessings of the many things we have, especially here in the US.

Shopping, shopping and more shopping.

Making our gingerbread house masterpiece that would fall apart minutes after finishing it.

Being with family and the joy it brings.

Enjoying my new dining room and the delicious food we ate there.

Being in the outdoors and cuddling this little lady on a cold walk.

Long walks and watching the bonding with Grandma.

My new boots....LOVE THEM!!!

Canoe rides until the sun went down.

Dress up dress up and more dress up.

Just being with my kids.
Realizing that as each year passes, they grow up a little more, and this time is precious.

For now they are still excited to listen as Grandad reads our traditional "The Night Before Christmas" before they are tucked into bed on Christmas Eve, but that won't always be the case.
(check out my red head trying to make us laugh LOL)


Hoping you and yours had the most amazing memories this year too.

xo Emily xo