Oh my gosh I am sorry!

....but I have been caught up with taking care of a sick family member.

I look forward to blogging more regulalry soon.

I've missed you guys!

*hUgS* to you all

Kendra

CoTtAGe HaLLoWeEn

Every year, our outdoor Halloween decorations are dictated by our son's ever-changing and maturing tastes - things become less "scary" and more "silly" as he gets older - so, whereas a few years ago, Jack-o-lanterns may have been scary enough, now only the bloodiest and creepiest fog-laden special effects-type decorating techniques will do. My son may be the creative force behind the outdoor decorating, but my husband's the muscle who actually brings it all to "life" so-to-speak. I will spare you the gory details (pun intended) - I do have photos of last year's front yard but really, that's not the sort of thing you visited my blog to see, is it? My tastes run a little more femine - a little softer (shocking, I know). So I let the boys have the outdoors and I get to have total control of the indoor decor (I said TOTAL control - cue evil laughter....*muah-ha-ha-ha....*)

So I have been browsing the web looking for inspiration for a "Cottage" - style Halloween, maybe black & white with little touches of orange, or just for fun, an overtly feminine take on the holiday. I do like the idea of doing something unexpected.

I have never been a big fan of decorating for any holiday besides Christmas - which I start doing in mid-November. That's how much I love Christmas decorating. This year, I'm going to try to like Halloween just a little bit more. I'm hoping some of these ideas might help:

(most pics off flickr unless noted otherwise)

feminine & "unexpected" decorating ideas.....(unless you've been in my house, then they are very much expected - almost predictable):

blue pumpkins!

shabby decorating for Halloween.....

cute idea - got this off flickr somewhere.....

top 3 photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sparkledvintagecharm/

and how cute is this poster?!

black & white, so classic:

photos above: Country Living & Country Home

and just look athis this gorgeous hand-painted pumpkin!

painted pumpkin photo above from flickr

Some cute kitchens I found

Browing the web I found more kitchen inspiration. Some of these kitchens only have a few elements I like, some are nearly perfect, IMHO. Enjoy!

Roll out the *AqUa* carpet for the first annual SHaBBy ViNTaGe CHiC *sMiLe* Awards :) - plus and honorable mention

A very sweet fellow blogger I'm sure you all know - Susan (Moomlightandmagnolias on RMS - her blog is BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH - gave me a *sMiLe* Award.

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Susan. This means a lot to me coming from you - as you have made me and I'm sure many others smile, and I continue to be in awe of your beautiful tablescapes & talent overall.

Here are the five bloggers I would like to pass this *sMiLe* award to (and one more who deserves an honorable mention):

VANNA - LVROFTIQUES - Has always made me smile with her funny & sweet comments. She doesn't have a public blog to deliver this award to but she deserves an honorable mention.

DESIGNS BY GOLLUM - Who doesn't love this blog? Great read!

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

Susan - BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH - and I don't care if I'm not "supposed" to give this award to the person who gave it to me - it's totally appropriate! Her blog is already one of my faves.

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Artie - COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES - Artie is amazingly talented and I always enjoy his writing.

http://niagaranovice.blogspot.com/

Nikki - Blah, Blah, Blah, blog - Thanks for all the sweet comments!

http://nikkicrumpet.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth - Thoughts form an Evil Overlord - Thanks for your support when my son was ill.

http://ebogie.blogspot.com/

There are several others I'd love to list - why stop at 5 or even 6 - (right, Susan ;)) - but you know what? I am pretty new to blogging and it's already taken me a half an hour just to figure out how to copy & paste the links above so I guess the rest of you will just have to trust me when I say - you have all made me smile with your fun to read blogs and comments. Smile award or no smile award, you're *WoNdErFuL*, each and every one of ya!

So now here are the "rules" I am contractually obligated to post, LOL:

THE SMILE AWARD...here are the rules:

1. The recipient must link back to the award's creator (note, the original creator of the award is shown on the award)

2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.

3. You must chose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.

4. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.

5. You must create a post sharing your win with others.

6. You must thank your giver.

*hUgS*

Kendra

Yes, I still want to talk about my favorite accent color

All things aqua.....
(photos from flickr.....thanks to whoever put them together, they're gorgeous!)

Yes, I am still obsessed with this color.....

(photos from flickr.....thanks to whoever put them together, they're gorgeous!)

And now, for the important part:

THINGS I WANT.....


Aqua wall sconces and chandeliers......

Just hand them over.....
and.....

nobody gets.....

hurt!
For my laundry room to look like this adorable little kitchen nook (my laundry room is decorated in pink, aqua & red but does not look half as cute as this).....This in my backyard.....
For my husband to paint my living room accent wall like this.....

This entry mirror so so very much.....

Oh, and pretty much everything in this dining room.....

I'd like to think that if I visualize things I want, anything's possible. Maybe next week I'll write a post and inculde pics of at least one of the things on my wishlist above.