Lovin' in the Kitchen ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, folks, the tree is still up!  </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Out went the Christmas elves and gingerbread men ...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTU71GViJzCfCqezr7hyphenhyphen_lUL5PftJtWvlMPBlzwUCVIrDbk8DPdU1soSKJ1sI_BCIbqzJAfY2nRTCG6ENt-B7vjRupWjagkpKbAJIwsOgfIngXoy2pTwvDWKhtsVjAz_bGo6GUYZXvQ/s1600/vdaykitchenoverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTU71GViJzCfCqezr7hyphenhyphen_lUL5PftJtWvlMPBlzwUCVIrDbk8DPdU1soSKJ1sI_BCIbqzJAfY2nRTCG6ENt-B7vjRupWjagkpKbAJIwsOgfIngXoy2pTwvDWKhtsVjAz_bGo6GUYZXvQ/s640/vdaykitchenoverall.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and in came the hearts.  There are flowers embellished with hearts ....</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46Cy5G0Fs-8DoNSmib4QXirDsYXKH3UfejtCyGm0WfgBcgzUrAmmWSxP4sfBh2U0KZg0XP2KeSlr4oaQMQpWgQu0hECs_VWbtcacejS6AqUDaTuXJ1IN1DxPbshtLannlZ0g_qeqO1A/s1600/vdaykitchenflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46Cy5G0Fs-8DoNSmib4QXirDsYXKH3UfejtCyGm0WfgBcgzUrAmmWSxP4sfBh2U0KZg0XP2KeSlr4oaQMQpWgQu0hECs_VWbtcacejS6AqUDaTuXJ1IN1DxPbshtLannlZ0g_qeqO1A/s640/vdaykitchenflowers.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hearts that say "I like you!"</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYD-K5UNC_uaAf0_7lQ4zDUnleKj0BlSK_D0JoiXO_unKorD5RcnNeK1wwlX004-vp6uavw4xZqperxjCZ7tddPGHPkm3WxXuRqL5nyPjwXDKEFdl6dcsMnC7SKgB5XOxmIQaCG7cvQ/s1600/vdaykitchencanisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYD-K5UNC_uaAf0_7lQ4zDUnleKj0BlSK_D0JoiXO_unKorD5RcnNeK1wwlX004-vp6uavw4xZqperxjCZ7tddPGHPkm3WxXuRqL5nyPjwXDKEFdl6dcsMnC7SKgB5XOxmIQaCG7cvQ/s640/vdaykitchencanisters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">one with a simple word of:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCQ2FGjM9002O0638RLxz434KX35YwbdYQTdG_TnZ4ds1ZShUFmcOD9FA9dPi00vrloD9OvBHFDFN2HUNxprcpwi6OowT9ygZo0QsJKMR-IIl5EecF9PFl3iSQFJKmLH2TsdZrabRyw/s1600/vdaykitchentowel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCQ2FGjM9002O0638RLxz434KX35YwbdYQTdG_TnZ4ds1ZShUFmcOD9FA9dPi00vrloD9OvBHFDFN2HUNxprcpwi6OowT9ygZo0QsJKMR-IIl5EecF9PFl3iSQFJKmLH2TsdZrabRyw/s640/vdaykitchentowel.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and, ones that don't say anything at all.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlr4YKc83bIHQ1-OFInEIA0lxKR3XKAv7SeZGC9BGFxmU3SkR9XkKu4Xx-h_297iRCAINni8TOpMDxYsZEfptA12yImGAPu5W16h33hsFUMWMOdjXOa3f8_pvIY-O-HHE01HmvEOX-Q/s1600/vdaykitchenscale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlr4YKc83bIHQ1-OFInEIA0lxKR3XKAv7SeZGC9BGFxmU3SkR9XkKu4Xx-h_297iRCAINni8TOpMDxYsZEfptA12yImGAPu5W16h33hsFUMWMOdjXOa3f8_pvIY-O-HHE01HmvEOX-Q/s640/vdaykitchenscale.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, there are *YUM*mies to indulge on ...</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouHSxyExl2rp9-w1S21vkzo-kXi7_GmX8nTWQO6QzKcpTXIJ9CM031gZPndeOzixy5PCrEARjmScUMggNhJlwM8O3iBAmRjXnh2gJlS_oaF5xf60toqfUU-5datVMmic1kGhjkZUAew/s1600/vdaykitchenyum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouHSxyExl2rp9-w1S21vkzo-kXi7_GmX8nTWQO6QzKcpTXIJ9CM031gZPndeOzixy5PCrEARjmScUMggNhJlwM8O3iBAmRjXnh2gJlS_oaF5xf60toqfUU-5datVMmic1kGhjkZUAew/s640/vdaykitchenyum.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKDXyRcTKZ348MEo0qiJCwvuhixkPUulPFYOCXbMy8P31Kpmike0Shi5Z6TYhqbHaQsvn7c4isFVo93nUP9UxmZ8o6rtsT7jDy7RSqZTqpw33OENXiUnu2l1Tjc8KZf30aGdLxVrtjw/s1600/vdaykitchencandycorns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKDXyRcTKZ348MEo0qiJCwvuhixkPUulPFYOCXbMy8P31Kpmike0Shi5Z6TYhqbHaQsvn7c4isFVo93nUP9UxmZ8o6rtsT7jDy7RSqZTqpw33OENXiUnu2l1Tjc8KZf30aGdLxVrtjw/s640/vdaykitchencandycorns.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">because they're nice and ...</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlYe-QkrfN1YwCBYE3vwFy9X7AoOdclrt3MmR_ZeJHtzJd8eDwqtSqihq3jS1V3bbBt4Qv5RpjjLJh4rOAT1_DZOs3uA6jIUEQGs37fY5iPM5e3NZx4TagzfDS73hgorDMzm3oqH6nw/s1600/vdaykitchensweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlYe-QkrfN1YwCBYE3vwFy9X7AoOdclrt3MmR_ZeJHtzJd8eDwqtSqihq3jS1V3bbBt4Qv5RpjjLJh4rOAT1_DZOs3uA6jIUEQGs37fY5iPM5e3NZx4TagzfDS73hgorDMzm3oqH6nw/s640/vdaykitchensweet.jpg" width="612" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Annnnd, there's a reminder of what we all want ...</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oTYdTqSwLUQjF_NsjO_rX7nICEhsu7OYfu2uy81jqaIOuCj1USj2_xhgVQJOu_dYp0wIKZHtpZZwVBSN651pj-s9WxtvApPYiwdy8rwmjFr6op8boF6Tc519diFu5XM71zp_2pixDA/s1600/vdaykitchenxo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oTYdTqSwLUQjF_NsjO_rX7nICEhsu7OYfu2uy81jqaIOuCj1USj2_xhgVQJOu_dYp0wIKZHtpZZwVBSN651pj-s9WxtvApPYiwdy8rwmjFr6op8boF6Tc519diFu5XM71zp_2pixDA/s640/vdaykitchenxo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">along with a big reminder of what we all need!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLs5EtikJQINU0fDxF9wgcE3B6CUdrHhvOFVUGIhlRrtLVr42e0vRi-jA5HvPDWnunZUVMMkHKTAEtiDOrxIXMdnBfJOm4mZ9BFMwf7WJOIdJT1c2g8jjFcxsVIaPi6ch8JbdNwIo-Q/s1600/vdaykitchenchalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLs5EtikJQINU0fDxF9wgcE3B6CUdrHhvOFVUGIhlRrtLVr42e0vRi-jA5HvPDWnunZUVMMkHKTAEtiDOrxIXMdnBfJOm4mZ9BFMwf7WJOIdJT1c2g8jjFcxsVIaPi6ch8JbdNwIo-Q/s640/vdaykitchenchalk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, is there "lovin'" going on in your kitchen?</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfixVimODEfkD8rFYzf5CZYylTxk5Gq978fqc8PIFblH8hqxv_Jcwndl9Xr5_l-sDoSmJcLMu95HHQyOTSiTJ_XJ4jpvkSwklCNLLwWuW2LIOGjT45ByOQdXvEXdinTzP2ShCQTroWXQ/s1600/vdaykitchenfrombed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfixVimODEfkD8rFYzf5CZYylTxk5Gq978fqc8PIFblH8hqxv_Jcwndl9Xr5_l-sDoSmJcLMu95HHQyOTSiTJ_XJ4jpvkSwklCNLLwWuW2LIOGjT45ByOQdXvEXdinTzP2ShCQTroWXQ/s640/vdaykitchenfrombed.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing with:  </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/<a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-122/">Tuesday's Treasures</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Savvy Southern Style/<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/02/wow-us-wednesdays-104.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SavvySouthernStyle+%28Savvy+Southern+Style%29">WUW</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Becca</i></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><br />

Lovin' in the Kitchen ...

Yes, folks, the tree is still up!  Out went the Christmas elves and gingerbread men ...and in came the hearts.  There are flowers embellished with hearts ....hearts that say "I like you!"one with a simple word of:and, ones that don't say anything at all.Of course, there are *YUM*mies to indulge on .…

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Our *Wanna Be* Sanctuary

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of you may remember when I redecorated a few rooms at my parents' house this past summer, to include their sunroom.  In this space, I replaced a wicker loveseat, two chairs (all with red cushions) and *yellow-y* walls with a relaxing 4 chair configuration dressed in blues and creams, with a few pops of coral and a big ol' boat that appears to be floating on the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, which is right in their backyard.  Once I was done, my parents named their "new" room "The Sanctuary."  </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrn-laKzv_SQe6cB8OtQnQ4vL52ghdc2c6r0EsYlUKWOv40mj012Q0o8rA6gFBoQHsZkxknda7AgQ6RSy7_fZ9I1r-rhBUp23No-4CnVYXpXIjKs-QqligE7Sgpk6kOI9e28eaM7S-Q/s1600/beachsunlast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrn-laKzv_SQe6cB8OtQnQ4vL52ghdc2c6r0EsYlUKWOv40mj012Q0o8rA6gFBoQHsZkxknda7AgQ6RSy7_fZ9I1r-rhBUp23No-4CnVYXpXIjKs-QqligE7Sgpk6kOI9e28eaM7S-Q/s640/beachsunlast.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever since then, I've wanted to create a little "Sanctuary" in our sitting room; however, it's not as big as my parents room, NOR does it overlook the ocean (bummer)!  Still, I'm determined ...</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here's what it looked like this time, last month:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2en87gc8-XJZvQ9v29zikvmTlyUrMm4lY13or1t3uDDGihTPT4i4-77aIUjLhZ-olfEXxQJjZA0cqyZuM7lTnjp3OIftA8fv4N3eBnn7U0MfYlDVlS4TRWSaxkeaYkh5Wj9d34kLb5A/s1600/xmassittingoverallw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2en87gc8-XJZvQ9v29zikvmTlyUrMm4lY13or1t3uDDGihTPT4i4-77aIUjLhZ-olfEXxQJjZA0cqyZuM7lTnjp3OIftA8fv4N3eBnn7U0MfYlDVlS4TRWSaxkeaYkh5Wj9d34kLb5A/s640/xmassittingoverallw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, here's what it looks like now:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPnUWPKzggPiWFvlIpSXA_9oHsF-ulnBdBk5O-4oY9zjKebKEw_njSOIa8C0r7QYzTO7o6oRB7_QAnmYODQtXKXeX9v1ZOIqIZYSXD1YcSyr76oLaBkNOV_NiZBhi1BfTQGvEFuWvZQ/s1600/sittingvoverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPnUWPKzggPiWFvlIpSXA_9oHsF-ulnBdBk5O-4oY9zjKebKEw_njSOIa8C0r7QYzTO7o6oRB7_QAnmYODQtXKXeX9v1ZOIqIZYSXD1YcSyr76oLaBkNOV_NiZBhi1BfTQGvEFuWvZQ/s640/sittingvoverall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Like my parents' "Sanctuary," I really want to have 4 white accent chairs in this space (possibly EKTORP Jennylund chairs from IKEA) and position them  around this perfectly-sized round ottoman I recently snagged at Home Goods:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLQwYT-JBdddPakcCvVbGhir5vj7Dtekdv3T_qz-g0hwqG7bn-S2l8WdhDdrqkcpitJXw3vtQT2RAVedBwOqjVuGFJSWEHrxKsbp55Kl7HaF4wN8zyDrM9QnG3_pfUoc1MsJ3MIz44Q/s1600/sittingvottoman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLQwYT-JBdddPakcCvVbGhir5vj7Dtekdv3T_qz-g0hwqG7bn-S2l8WdhDdrqkcpitJXw3vtQT2RAVedBwOqjVuGFJSWEHrxKsbp55Kl7HaF4wN8zyDrM9QnG3_pfUoc1MsJ3MIz44Q/s640/sittingvottoman.jpg" width="506" /></a></div></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, while I won't be painting our walls Wythe Blue like I chose for my parents' sunroom, I've added pops of blue back in ... like with this fun, new, geometric fabric, </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlaPURnrebRhYTk8WSKiwvjl04HvB6r4XW7QzYfgPKEq1eQlITFS-G3-hTHLtowfv3r-rSCKf5Sr4IijsNgTfKOWFqeK4RVU4h41JZThrXj9VeLYNSJkNXBQ-qR2WHnrgavR0SFTdkQ/s1600/sittingwheat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlaPURnrebRhYTk8WSKiwvjl04HvB6r4XW7QzYfgPKEq1eQlITFS-G3-hTHLtowfv3r-rSCKf5Sr4IijsNgTfKOWFqeK4RVU4h41JZThrXj9VeLYNSJkNXBQ-qR2WHnrgavR0SFTdkQ/s640/sittingwheat.jpg" width="426" /></a></div></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii92OuZfrmPFNC3jX2DLTK2_BpGqvr9G8ReMunmnAMTjwWlb1Dw2VKzOdIwTtcb-Z6gQbnE6U_dvXWEBElrjMJdrAyiKOMbGEZaX4jda0Az-XwVc2xNcgsHZ1Jk-WLJKUSbHodX_6odA/s1600/sittingsidefabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii92OuZfrmPFNC3jX2DLTK2_BpGqvr9G8ReMunmnAMTjwWlb1Dw2VKzOdIwTtcb-Z6gQbnE6U_dvXWEBElrjMJdrAyiKOMbGEZaX4jda0Az-XwVc2xNcgsHZ1Jk-WLJKUSbHodX_6odA/s640/sittingsidefabric.jpg" width="426" /></a></div></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">along with bringing back the blue accent chest that I replaced during the Christmas season:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oRF03FWIMrHDNRhx5puV5p-lHZMBkKLl8MIVjGMIFA3K8opR7abZZrI2FCeV_8duoXH17ZYNbuwKd0-rF3XvRMLK0VfCg9Yr6XqQHoEYZSIJr_sT_lYnZutHfx7mvIHakjATpi49uw/s1600/sittingvchest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oRF03FWIMrHDNRhx5puV5p-lHZMBkKLl8MIVjGMIFA3K8opR7abZZrI2FCeV_8duoXH17ZYNbuwKd0-rF3XvRMLK0VfCg9Yr6XqQHoEYZSIJr_sT_lYnZutHfx7mvIHakjATpi49uw/s640/sittingvchest.jpg" width="426" /></a></div></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Also, I'll re-introduce pops of coral once Spring draws near ... for now, I've kept a bit of red for Valentine's Day:</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k_SYk4GJtCT9v__BGRjDKe1RAywWnREZ4D-bdVzL8tbZMdgDXIWdKWwj9EjkwOo4rTXxB659hVlcCX822uLiDEd-H21NfPciWp6yrZZDbWhMiy7yGLcDmF6MzYUU32IaSORQIM-MTA/s1600/sittingvjax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k_SYk4GJtCT9v__BGRjDKe1RAywWnREZ4D-bdVzL8tbZMdgDXIWdKWwj9EjkwOo4rTXxB659hVlcCX822uLiDEd-H21NfPciWp6yrZZDbWhMiy7yGLcDmF6MzYUU32IaSORQIM-MTA/s640/sittingvjax.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOiCbrZsZilpBss9jvvjMfaN9W2ZCIJmmcL7_3uDPGA5npchXdiMeOv4mszy7kSCeoHZCYD3HHJvVDNO8OW7hAdCD4dFnTShnkl7tR705MsHpaRoJPHfpOPdy4TW2uAPVIvmCAPq7Lg/s1600/sittingrose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOiCbrZsZilpBss9jvvjMfaN9W2ZCIJmmcL7_3uDPGA5npchXdiMeOv4mszy7kSCeoHZCYD3HHJvVDNO8OW7hAdCD4dFnTShnkl7tR705MsHpaRoJPHfpOPdy4TW2uAPVIvmCAPq7Lg/s640/sittingrose.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjak-KIjIUJop3xLgJLtbac24DRuBGc6bQrnWVhjbyCIejuEzSzEe05tWhw5sUHGQ-r_jqjGU6-htfZhaa-SgTM9CcBO6GGldkvq2mPkMyHeQ70duKkzUe-d01X9SqVdTcJQp0QXZFTPw/s1600/sittinghearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjak-KIjIUJop3xLgJLtbac24DRuBGc6bQrnWVhjbyCIejuEzSzEe05tWhw5sUHGQ-r_jqjGU6-htfZhaa-SgTM9CcBO6GGldkvq2mPkMyHeQ70duKkzUe-d01X9SqVdTcJQp0QXZFTPw/s640/sittinghearts.jpg" width="426" /></a></div></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Bessie (the cowhide that *was* in our breakfast area) is now enjoying this space that is filled with lots of white, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">to include a sofa table that was oak stained a couple of weeks ago, but is now Annie Sloane's "Pure White,"</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKjRFW_O9xGSFxvZePzsqeOnZJrJWqd8SCuMy25ZOaG5Dko6ookg1SNE7ERo3jwLNaIG0JybaGRW7NZh1TdVtCnMPolO142dWHtg9L0s759gOdqdo2B-h_nptYPiD4g7fu0Dj5xCt4g/s1600/sittingfromgreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKjRFW_O9xGSFxvZePzsqeOnZJrJWqd8SCuMy25ZOaG5Dko6ookg1SNE7ERo3jwLNaIG0JybaGRW7NZh1TdVtCnMPolO142dWHtg9L0s759gOdqdo2B-h_nptYPiD4g7fu0Dj5xCt4g/s640/sittingfromgreat.jpg" width="426" /></a></div></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">a pretty, white garden seat I recently scored at TJMaxx, </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvI9QgCGRlJPHEZMtQVL6EmZLdGKTq8zcpDpHrekVQ_gJ44gnxor4rB3JtKI2FNlJMVBo_QAdcI8XQUsjYjfFo6mFTva6h1J6GqTdkO_gO2u-ahwGSBIaYoFaTLnEFBH2hnCO2dkCAug/s1600/sittinggarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvI9QgCGRlJPHEZMtQVL6EmZLdGKTq8zcpDpHrekVQ_gJ44gnxor4rB3JtKI2FNlJMVBo_QAdcI8XQUsjYjfFo6mFTva6h1J6GqTdkO_gO2u-ahwGSBIaYoFaTLnEFBH2hnCO2dkCAug/s640/sittinggarden.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>  </div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">lots of white pieces in the bookcase:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDf1Z24ijDvpgzdsqQXBNpEiyu9v0PEK73Eo-SoXhyphenhyphenoLAIzb0VjXChvbsvODYer55xnFxzbYa8fOJ_pfhz7MHwNCFxhfXd-DDGlI5dxhnWf621LA_zYkZzDAlXAI8XnCDv0L56NLsNA/s1600/sittingbcaseclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDf1Z24ijDvpgzdsqQXBNpEiyu9v0PEK73Eo-SoXhyphenhyphenoLAIzb0VjXChvbsvODYer55xnFxzbYa8fOJ_pfhz7MHwNCFxhfXd-DDGlI5dxhnWf621LA_zYkZzDAlXAI8XnCDv0L56NLsNA/s640/sittingbcaseclose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">and, okay, a few shells ... just because.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4wGkkW8HV80u3TfznKY6Uxyw2aTnPcgouZntOZu7tCNB0clfEHETXf17_CgPw9cn18oC4oVKctUK7DBWI4H-ADhYf7hvqmMQxC_dqsiGSXIW4tJHptEB2LapUwwT4HAg0QdRZ6efww/s1600/sittingshells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4wGkkW8HV80u3TfznKY6Uxyw2aTnPcgouZntOZu7tCNB0clfEHETXf17_CgPw9cn18oC4oVKctUK7DBWI4H-ADhYf7hvqmMQxC_dqsiGSXIW4tJHptEB2LapUwwT4HAg0QdRZ6efww/s640/sittingshells.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here's hoping that I can find the perfect chairs to fill this space, without overwhelming it. Until then, I suppose I'll just enjoy our "Wanna Be Sanctuary." (lol)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As always, thanks for stopping by!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, be sure and come play with us:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/<a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-121/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tuesdays-treasures-121">Tuesday's Treasures</a></span></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Savvy Southern Style/<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/01/wow-us-wednesdays-102.html">WUW</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">From My Front Porch to Yours/<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2013/01/treasure-hunt-thursday-91.html">Treasure Hunt Thursday</a></span></div><div align="justify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">French Country Cottage/<a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/01/feathered-nest-friday_24.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FQoLtm+%28FRENCH+COUNTRY+COTTAGE%29">Feathered Nest Friday</a></span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr68/jbbecca/blogsig_zps4ebbd032.png" /></div><br /><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br /><br />

Our *Wanna Be* Sanctuary

Some of you may remember when I redecorated a few rooms at my parents' house this past summer, to include their sunroom.  In this space, I replaced a wicker loveseat, two chairs (all with red cushions) and *yellow-y* walls with a relaxing 4 chair configuration dressed in blues and creams, with a few…

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An Unexpected Valentine Mantel

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greetings, friends!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gone is the glitter, faux snow and reindeer; however, one thing that didn't have to leave after Christmas were splashes of red ... thanks to Valentine's Day! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After running into World Market a couple of weeks ago to grab one "little" thing, I found myself unexpectedly loading a NOT-so-little thing into my car.  That purchase then became the surprise focal point for our Valentine's Day mantel:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYANu5Y49HI3QLNgZytFph96ln8AFj4YAMzIcdGu5WBK7oo0s0muu5GcvBsCTHAu60okZfrQefxquXGez-WOHXirB3SQaMWVjr1pd-02-F-LMyDB-DyZsOHigvqJrQGd1ifXe3oHqqA/s1600/vdaymanteloverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYANu5Y49HI3QLNgZytFph96ln8AFj4YAMzIcdGu5WBK7oo0s0muu5GcvBsCTHAu60okZfrQefxquXGez-WOHXirB3SQaMWVjr1pd-02-F-LMyDB-DyZsOHigvqJrQGd1ifXe3oHqqA/s640/vdaymanteloverall.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, I *then* found my car driving on auto pilot to Michael's to find a few goodies to complement such unexpected purchase! First, I spotted simple, inexpensive red vases to add faux florals (already had on hand): </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPWYkOpV1-bNUfWTNGX5uGfPAriO7p7zX4DLJzazGh_TGLZJtb2bD6jg9xqttC3TTNP-iaoejJO2pIZBcnT8ACEUW2piobvJG4ZgEdX5g3-vtxzCK48gwyBo1PvW511Q4b-fgBjrDLw/s1600/vdaymantelflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPWYkOpV1-bNUfWTNGX5uGfPAriO7p7zX4DLJzazGh_TGLZJtb2bD6jg9xqttC3TTNP-iaoejJO2pIZBcnT8ACEUW2piobvJG4ZgEdX5g3-vtxzCK48gwyBo1PvW511Q4b-fgBjrDLw/s640/vdaymantelflowers.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next, while there, I found a pack of red and pink hearts, which I would later embellish with smaller Martha Stewart adhesive hearts and hang at varying heights across the mantel:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjJk7xPreavvcXczaAAiP0XSR1BOyD-PtitFdRA2RzADdM0_Ohtg06h4JdOpyVGEAU5Qh0YRwlfcOzMxguyQuIgZIH8w1G1KpWgqlvmnZQQd8YTPqjmd8bsiK5J7V4YkxWpQzNOupqg/s1600/vdaymantelclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjJk7xPreavvcXczaAAiP0XSR1BOyD-PtitFdRA2RzADdM0_Ohtg06h4JdOpyVGEAU5Qh0YRwlfcOzMxguyQuIgZIH8w1G1KpWgqlvmnZQQd8YTPqjmd8bsiK5J7V4YkxWpQzNOupqg/s640/vdaymantelclose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, what's Valentine's Day without Cupid?  These cuties were actually part of a gift bag ... I simply detached them from the bag and gave them a spot on the mantel, as well, along with a few, scattered rose petals:  </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKF8N5nkKlOzcBNRrr8uhKai4KehAOVXkb5hLcRFMicKDLYUfT1VQH3WJ9u_Vc31jXkkycbIGF7wLqC2rQi5Fxvckkr8794yIC0loetEBhyrVMNOObVvxm5fT_-k3oanE_G1XpRZaOA/s1600/vdaymantelleft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKF8N5nkKlOzcBNRrr8uhKai4KehAOVXkb5hLcRFMicKDLYUfT1VQH3WJ9u_Vc31jXkkycbIGF7wLqC2rQi5Fxvckkr8794yIC0loetEBhyrVMNOObVvxm5fT_-k3oanE_G1XpRZaOA/s640/vdaymantelleft.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLolhhOp7snt56cZ2mPd4-Mo0gZyg9O8lxrR6rcJKN7uo2kEYf0wlwkGhO8PxDqJfprNkwqMxxDPxm3scre4z92eEXeRlAwddZmzHpamdPsi-Ee7-az67kkDbosTSHDhTSkQkLtOSug/s1600/vdaymantelright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLolhhOp7snt56cZ2mPd4-Mo0gZyg9O8lxrR6rcJKN7uo2kEYf0wlwkGhO8PxDqJfprNkwqMxxDPxm3scre4z92eEXeRlAwddZmzHpamdPsi-Ee7-az67kkDbosTSHDhTSkQkLtOSug/s640/vdaymantelright.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plain, white candles were given a bit of Valentine whimsy by adding layers of decorative ribbon:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nk6hbIOPLB0L9BhP1pYThhYsCLtZ5HyxDcr2po7NbGaun9s82oJgteefKjHdedDyKsuxdQF6LJA80jtS8umvS-lP8D_N2AwRLjUjEq4UqqazlcFXOOpEGil9Z2_DAC6IP03Gdwo5Mw/s1600/vdaymantelside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nk6hbIOPLB0L9BhP1pYThhYsCLtZ5HyxDcr2po7NbGaun9s82oJgteefKjHdedDyKsuxdQF6LJA80jtS8umvS-lP8D_N2AwRLjUjEq4UqqazlcFXOOpEGil9Z2_DAC6IP03Gdwo5Mw/s640/vdaymantelside.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Lastly, after finding these cute, adhesive tiles, I thought it'd be fun to frame them:  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY74JOQXv2Z3eBB9-0k1YX5xQdB5l1wnPmFWz3dB59C8unTQ7CaPo6v1-cCcS9wEzMoHB3CZotHGKRwHJlIQ7tHzGdmFWZ_G2UeIfMQEn-rKZA2TXZkfYcOR7j-ie6vlSmeWtj7Ks9XA/s1600/vdaymantelbemine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY74JOQXv2Z3eBB9-0k1YX5xQdB5l1wnPmFWz3dB59C8unTQ7CaPo6v1-cCcS9wEzMoHB3CZotHGKRwHJlIQ7tHzGdmFWZ_G2UeIfMQEn-rKZA2TXZkfYcOR7j-ie6vlSmeWtj7Ks9XA/s640/vdaymantelbemine.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One last peek at our unexpected Valentine mantel:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZil3ORcayhX-DF5ekm49dklDsrpTiD3jUEsS5jUm5Uds-kc6w8eFE9ODH0Q50maO7iexZSTKe3fWosEyXcAoBWg4Vr9FncmYpBLt06dQgK_MdqE6D5HZCLlLcN3w4X1kUud-1FI6bA/s1600/vdaymantellast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZil3ORcayhX-DF5ekm49dklDsrpTiD3jUEsS5jUm5Uds-kc6w8eFE9ODH0Q50maO7iexZSTKe3fWosEyXcAoBWg4Vr9FncmYpBLt06dQgK_MdqE6D5HZCLlLcN3w4X1kUud-1FI6bA/s640/vdaymantellast.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by ... hope to see your unexpected additions, too!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come play:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Savvy Southern Style/<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/01/wow-us-wednesdays-101.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SavvySouthernStyle+%28Savvy+Southern+Style%29">WUW</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">French Country Cottage/<a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/01/feathered-nest-friday_17.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FQoLtm+%28FRENCH+COUNTRY+COTTAGE%29">Feathered Nest Friday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jennifer Rizzo/<a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/01/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party_17.html">Fabulously Creative Friday Linky Party</a></span></div><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/324/23F7A341254AC000A256EF1E6BE921AB.png" />

An Unexpected Valentine Mantel

Greetings, friends!Gone is the glitter, faux snow and reindeer; however, one thing that didn't have to leave after Christmas were splashes of red ... thanks to Valentine's Day! After running into World Market a couple of weeks ago to grab one "little" thing, I found myself unexpectedly loading a NOT…

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A New Addition

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greetings, friends!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I should be putting our house back together after taking Christmas down last week ... SOMEhow, I found myself with a paint brush in my hand.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see ... I've wanted to add an antique secretary to our great room for quite some time now, but, have never found one that I liked ... that is, until the other day (thanks to a rainy morning and Craigslist).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's what *she* looked like after we brought her inside ... in pretty good condition, despite dings here and there.  Still, I could practically hear her begging me for a makeover ... so, that's exactly what I did.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrSSLdC9tEiF4OvqR4eukyGiVPvWyOKqRu4VSDkpAfybwAE04C5uGDxtUQqqJNso9_Q3sCf-UbpHw7qNSdTF6lZ7tD8_H4TxkIkU33ONdhhed5fbkI5D7x0XYiPZpyfGg3a086eGwHw/s1600/secretaryfrontb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrSSLdC9tEiF4OvqR4eukyGiVPvWyOKqRu4VSDkpAfybwAE04C5uGDxtUQqqJNso9_Q3sCf-UbpHw7qNSdTF6lZ7tD8_H4TxkIkU33ONdhhed5fbkI5D7x0XYiPZpyfGg3a086eGwHw/s640/secretaryfrontb4.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, here's how she looks now, thanks to a can of Annie Sloane's "Pure White:"</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSCKyVrF7iGUuGdkPutOuVacQ3cylLTRgnc-sAesF_RkqZQwinIE9L58Wlx9Lbsz_veLldYeQkadvIUBM7MO6io9M0PNs445F3HtZR8fokHR4eodoWqynKkQ2M0z6j3bsojeQBodsqA/s1600/secretaryafterside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSCKyVrF7iGUuGdkPutOuVacQ3cylLTRgnc-sAesF_RkqZQwinIE9L58Wlx9Lbsz_veLldYeQkadvIUBM7MO6io9M0PNs445F3HtZR8fokHR4eodoWqynKkQ2M0z6j3bsojeQBodsqA/s640/secretaryafterside.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, I had to distress her a bit to honor peeks of her history (love the ball and claw feet):</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVArnHr2dNGmxBTGonNO5_Vpo1C5gcTqb_EhrIRJKpJXEBnJBqPwfYKGQXsSvEF82Uo0AAasp52ozomMIRqKv5XvBYzEqr0EzKkDqCXS_pJ_xi8m7XfcBOqqXCi5ZyDib3hSrbHgirGg/s1600/secretaryfoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVArnHr2dNGmxBTGonNO5_Vpo1C5gcTqb_EhrIRJKpJXEBnJBqPwfYKGQXsSvEF82Uo0AAasp52ozomMIRqKv5XvBYzEqr0EzKkDqCXS_pJ_xi8m7XfcBOqqXCi5ZyDib3hSrbHgirGg/s640/secretaryfoot.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also decided she needed to be a bit fancy, so I replaced her rather nondescript wooden knobs with fun, clear *vintage-y* ones:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XflySy8SamsUNdGMQr0ac5MRhq75jnNO08JDopxVBrtJu9lf83WduG4-wtl112JkEnrBZuWLAmp8R7p4iS6Z1T-ARjIEdSxmQ3Ab8mEThijVWupABOxivZVCjw_JXvoxW9AN-IOFow/s1600/secretarykeys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XflySy8SamsUNdGMQr0ac5MRhq75jnNO08JDopxVBrtJu9lf83WduG4-wtl112JkEnrBZuWLAmp8R7p4iS6Z1T-ARjIEdSxmQ3Ab8mEThijVWupABOxivZVCjw_JXvoxW9AN-IOFow/s640/secretarykeys.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, to add a bit of pizazz, I painted on a simple, French graphic (thank you, again, Graphics Fairy)!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDF5SvDuOtacNxAfyJ9HEKVg00jlXpam5fmp9Z6NAqMF-yPAgoQV9ttKuGBwWU-TmFgvvzdR3S7DdN1YsqRUPzRWee-hDdhM3CGv1NHpxTXWDQv9r5qBf-eoiab1Z6QTR1RTiVNGPdQ/s1600/secretarygraphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDF5SvDuOtacNxAfyJ9HEKVg00jlXpam5fmp9Z6NAqMF-yPAgoQV9ttKuGBwWU-TmFgvvzdR3S7DdN1YsqRUPzRWee-hDdhM3CGv1NHpxTXWDQv9r5qBf-eoiab1Z6QTR1RTiVNGPdQ/s640/secretarygraphic.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8uQSfXLqITwoOqL-WOWSx29PcrXvDZXa7clA_TfiQbEaLUp2xi-Ulh83AtlRMdLXxBKydZ7FSdGhQS8FouCpwLM15026WnARc7Cr7BMb47VNv_7P3X-lDYhmBecxzlDeUIcyhKtcBw/s1600/secretaryfrontb41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8uQSfXLqITwoOqL-WOWSx29PcrXvDZXa7clA_TfiQbEaLUp2xi-Ulh83AtlRMdLXxBKydZ7FSdGhQS8FouCpwLM15026WnARc7Cr7BMb47VNv_7P3X-lDYhmBecxzlDeUIcyhKtcBw/s640/secretaryfrontb41.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, AFTER!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhHQqoxejH9l03cJOqWkgopk1Clga7UL6XICboiB8iJ5YSw_cTg6S4r3H28F532IgmRja13hQdBmWg1E9i3-pqIXEEbELnJGpAJhDPI264R-J6rv1KVl4zl-m4Uuf5E3CfsRRglAY8w/s1600/secretaryafterfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhHQqoxejH9l03cJOqWkgopk1Clga7UL6XICboiB8iJ5YSw_cTg6S4r3H28F532IgmRja13hQdBmWg1E9i3-pqIXEEbELnJGpAJhDPI264R-J6rv1KVl4zl-m4Uuf5E3CfsRRglAY8w/s640/secretaryafterfront.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I truly hope she approves of her new look!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, back to vacuuming up glitter and finding everything I tucked away for the holidays!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, come on over and play with us:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Savvy Southern Style/<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/01/wow-us-wednesdays-100.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SavvySouthernStyle+%28Savvy+Southern+Style%29">WUW</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/<a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-119/">Tuesday's Treasures</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">French Country Cottage/<a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/01/feathered-nest-friday_17.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FQoLtm+%28FRENCH+COUNTRY+COTTAGE%29">Feathered Nest Friday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jennifer Rizzo/<a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/01/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party_17.html">Fabulously Creative Friday Linky Party</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From My Front Porch to Yours/<a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2013/01/treasure-hunt-thursday-90.html">Treasure Hunt Thursday</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/324/23F7A341254AC000A256EF1E6BE921AB.png" />

A New Addition

Greetings, friends!While I should be putting our house back together after taking Christmas down last week ... SOMEhow, I found myself with a paint brush in my hand.You see ... I've wanted to add an antique secretary to our great room for quite some time now, but, have never found one that I liked .…

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