Spring Cleaning... How I love thee!

Today's post is from my Aunt KBL. She is so inspiring, and when she says that she loves cleaning, she REALLY does! Enjoy!

"Ah, Spring cleaning...How I love thee, let me count the ways... Not everybody loves to clean. But I believe that Spring Cleaning is a must. While there are so many products out there today to make life simpler, I believe we have no excuse not to. I love to approach Spring Cleaning in a non-conventional way. I use this time to actually take stock in each room and look at it NOT as a boring job, but as something that will be quite satisfying. I may use an old fashion method or even a great smelling one that is offered by Mrs. Meyers or Caldrea. They will actually make your heart sing while you are cleaning! FIRST...I put on some 40's music (my preference) and take a room and while I clean I will rearrange and re-purpose! I may even take a jaunt to my favorite antique place, home improvement store or wherever to refresh a room. You will be surprised at how your mood will change when you have completed a room. And, you will be able to look out your windows to see a gorgeous Spring coming!

Welcome a beautiful Spring with fresh and clean rooms!

Favorite Products: Swiffers, Baking Soda, Scotch Brite Dusting Cloths (that you can use, wash and reuse!), Mrs. Meyers Scouring Surface Powder, Surface cleaner by Caldrea or Mrs. Meyers. I also love the wipes that are made by them... EASY Cleaning... But cleaning all the same!" - KBL

Not your grandmother's tray... Or maybe...

Silver trays, whether old or new, sparkling or tarnished, simple or fancy, can be added to any style decor and be used all year round. I love silver in all shapes and forms and I probably inherited that from my Aunt KBL. She inspired this post and almost every silver antique piece I came across I thought of her!

Silver trays are so versatile... Even the old vintage, scratched and blackened ones. Not only can trays be used for serving purposes, you can use them on the wall, in groups or not... in a bathroom holding beautiful paper hand towels or soaps... in the kitchen just holding a bottle of lotion, hand soap, and even dish soap... You can even use them as a backdrop in a bookcase or on a shelf! There are so many uses!



I used a gorgeous, large antique silver tray that my parents found years back at an antique store up in the mountains to display my wedding cake! It was perfect! Funny, but sad story... it was another couple's at their wedding and even had their initials engraved on it...they ended up divorcing so the wife sold it to the antique shop! It ended up displaying my cake beautifully! (click picture to enlarge)


Vanity Tray by Pierre Duex- A reproduction of a silver-plated 18th-century French gallery tray makes an elegant accent for vanity or bath.


Love this display for a buffet brunch! Beautifully rolled linen napkins on a silver tray!


Gorgeous tray! There are so many uses! image via Country Living


Love this one too... Reminds me of Aunt KBL ;)


Love the tray with wood handles! Pottery Barn Silver Platters


Oh so pretty bedside tray! Pottery Barn Breakfast Tray


A vintage silver bowl is used to house gorgeous roses, all atop a silver tray. So pretty! image via Country Living


Ornament filled cloches on top of antique silver trays are a simple way to decorate around the holidays! image via gritsglamour.blogspot.com


I'm in love with this mirrored antique silver vanity tray... image via Country Living


Trays of various sizes grouped on a wall make a beautiful statement. image via Real Simple


Natural elegance! Put seashells on display on antique silver serving dishes. image via Country Living


A simple tray hangs so chicly by its lonesome... image via SkonaHem.com

Weekend Recap and Recipe Catch up...

This weekend went by so fast! There's never enough time to get done what needs to get done, but Barrett and I were quite productive! We finished painting our office, and I love the color. Barrett was on the fence about it, but he liked it after I helped him visualize the color as a perfect backdrop for deer heads and hunting pictures! ;)


The paint we used is Dried Parsley by Benjamin Moore

On Saturday we purchased some glass knobs for our master bath cabinets! Who knew I'd be as excited about cabinet knobs as I am about a new pair of shoes!? I love them and they look great on our dark cabinets!


our chic glass knobs ;)

This week our goal is to finish painting the hallways. I am ashamed to admit that the blue tape has been up in the hallways since January... That being said, WE WILL GET IT PAINTED AND THE BLUE TAPE WILL COME DOWN BY FRIDAY! So excited... I will keep you posted on the progress!

Since I haven't been able to post a "Sunday Satisfier" recipe the last two Sundays, I decided to share a recipe today! I know you'll love this Squash Casserole recipe from my Aunt Lisa. It is the perfect side dish at holiday dinners, Sunday lunch, or for any get together. Everyone LOVES it, and it always gets rave reviews! It's so yummy Barrett eats it, and he hates squash! Enjoy!



Little Lisa B’s Squash Casserole

2 cups cooked squash, (sliced about 1/4"- 1/2" thick)
1 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs, beaten
¾ cup butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
1 ½ cup grated cheese, divided
¾ cup Ritz Crackers, crushed

Mash cooked squash and add all other ingredients, except crackers and ¾ of cheese. Mix well. Pour mixture into a greased casserole dish and top with cheese and crushed Ritz Crackers. Bake 375 degrees for about 40 minutes.

Hot Pink Inspirations

Yes, I'm a girly girl... I love hot pink, light pink, bright pink, and any other pink you can think of! Whether it's juicy pink nails, or a hot pink lamp, it's all great by me!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, I hope you have a fun and glorious Saturday!



Fabricadabra Pillow; Peonies via Country Living; Baccarat Ring; Elaine Turner Tote; Tory Burch Sandals; Robert Abbey Lamp

Fabulous Friday & Birthday Wishes!

Happy Friday! I can't get over how quickly this week has flown by! Not too many plans this weekend, just working tomorrow, then relaxing and enjoying the weather the rest of the weekend! We will probably finish painting our little home office too! We chose a color this past week and have one more wall to paint! I think the color is great, but we will see when the blue tape comes down! ;)




I want to say a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my best friend, Christina! She's 25 today! WOOP WOOP! I wish I could be in Orlando with her, but we will celebrate soon enough! Love you!


Christina and I at my wedding in October!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! XOXO

LOVE... John Wind Jewelry Box Collection

I love John Wind- Maximal Art Jewelry. I love the modern yet vintage feel and the beautiful uniqueness of all of his designs. I especially love the new Jewelry Box Collection! I had the pleasure of writing up an order with John this past January at market in Atlanta. He was super excited about all of the new pieces in this collection, and you can see why... They are all so fun! All of the pieces aren't listed on the website, but you can see more here!


Vintage Daisy Earrings (LOVE THESE!)


Midsummer Night Dream Collage Necklace


Vintage Gold Brooch


Pearl Coil Bracelet

pads with a purpose...

These fun notepads help to organize so many aspects of our every day life! Keep everything in order with one of these little handy, dandy pads!


WHOMI Everyday and Shop, Call, Do Pads


Knock Knock Essential Pads (Love these!)


"Sometimes Brides Forget" Hanging Door Memo Pad (So cute!) available at Gracious Bridal


Mom Agenda Permission Slip and Weekly Menu/Grocery Pads


Help Me "Honey Do List" Pad (So funny!) available here


Knock Knock New Parent Checklist Pad


Knock Knock Paper Email Nifty Notepad


Importance Sticky Notes available at RSH


Buttoned Up Petsitter and Chore Pad available here


Kate Spade Sticky Set available here

A Sunny Retreat

I would have never dreamed of painting our master bath yellow, but my Aunt KBL recommended a beautiful, soothing, light yellow paint color, so we took her advice and splashed the walls yellow! I love it! Every morning I wake up to a happy bathroom! Yellow is so inviting and cheerful, and can make a big statement or be very subtle and elegant! Here are some great sunny bathrooms I came across!


Cottage Living


Coastal Living


Country Homes and Interiors


House Beautiful


House Beautiful


Coastal Living


House Beautiful (Add a touch of yellow with pretty soaps! I love my soaps!)

MY OH IOMOI!

I am obsessed with Iomoi home accessories, chic paper and fun gifts. I have always loved and wanted one of the customized Lucite trays for a coffee table, or just to display because they are just so darn cute! My heads spins because there are so many fun patterns to choose from, I can't choose just one!


Custom Lucite Trays


This sunny yellow tray makes me happy! ;)


Darling Custom Coasters


Lucite Ice Buckets (So cute!)


Oversized Label (LOVE IT!!)


Coral Gift Tag


Adorable Address Labels


Obsessed with this Calling Card!


Love this one too!


Chic Stationary

images via Iomoi