Be Inspired Showcase and a Winner

Today I'm starting something just a little different...

I've decided that instead of just posting the top visited links from the previous week's Be Inspired, I'm going to showcase three blog posts that I feel are worthy of just a little extra attention here in the blogging kingdom. Many times the top visited links are posts of Pinterest images or other images that are not the sole "inspiration" of the linker. While these are often inspirational and are gorgeous photos, I want this space to be dedicated to a few more posts that are the creation of the blog author themselves. Believe me, I love a great home tour or Pinterest post as much as anyone, I'm just going to be sharing a little more "original" inspiration in this spot. I'm still welcoming your wonderful home tours and Pinterest posts, I'll just be showcasing links in this spot that are original to the blog author. 

And today I have three that are exceptionally inspiring!

 Decorating in the Dining Room

 from A Rosy Note

Spring Vignettes in the Garden Room

from Vintage 541

Casual Cottage Easter Brunch from Sophia's

Don't you agree?

These three posts are inspiring me for Spring!

The winner for the $30 Gift Certificate for Bel Monili is

Nita from Mod Vintage Life

Thanks so much all of you who entered the Give Away!!

See you tomorrow for

xoxo,

Seeing red...

I have a little case of Spring Fever. Last week when it was gray and gloomy my wheels started turning about doing something to change up the downstairs sitting area.  And when I say "most of my attention" that means the sofa. Yes, the sofa that's had a slipcover on it for the last almost three years.  It was boring me, and it looked a little "sloppy".  This is one of those areas I'm just never happy with, but it's not a place I want to put the big buck$ into.  

Enter 2 wonderful linen toile thrifted pillows...

yes, with fringe and real feathers.

I know there are several of you that have these, and you know how fabulous they are. I could not pass them by at $25 dollars a piece. I actually had to go back the next day, the whole time crossing my fingers and saying a selfish prayer that they would still be there. Yes, I can be selfish and self absorbed at times. ( I know, totally hard to believe...)

I passed them by the first time, because I didn't know what I would do with them...where to put them...because they're BIG. B.I.G. Back to the sofa... so a few years ago I bought the off-white slipcover for this monster red fruit and floral couch. I loved this sofa when I bought it 10 years ago, but as you can see...it's RED. R.E.D. and my "red" days were numbered. I broke my cardinal rule in decor. Only buy neutral big ticket items. Save the flowers and color and prints and busy-ness for the accessories. I broke my own rule, because I thought I was in love, and that I would be... for eternity. I think in 10 years it's been sat on a sum total of maybe 25 times and is in pristine condition.

OK, so maybe I was secretly wanting to try out having just a teensy bit of red back. maybe... just a teensy bit. I know that sounds silly to some of you, but when you've spent the last three years going "whites" and "neutrals" then it can be a little intimidating (and bright).

So out came a vintage quilt that has a fun little plaid on the back.

OK, that helped tone down the red.

better...

So, I'm kinda, sorta, getting used to the little bit of red again.

 maybe...

coming up...the Holiday Cupboard for Easter.

Thank goodness it's much easier, 

and less expensive to change than sofas.

joining in for these weekly parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

A Daily Dose of Mrs. Olson

TTT at Stonegable

From My Front Porch to Yours

Rooted in Thyme

The Charm of Home

French Country Cottage

xoxo,