Our Kitchen Tour and TWO Giveaways!

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greetings, friends!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm so excited to be joining an incredible group of gals in sharing our kitchens!  And, even more excited that one, no, make that TWO of you, have a chance to win either a new Pfister faucet (worth up to $300) or a $250 Visa gift card (details below)!</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;">Because I've shared our kitchen with those of you who have visited before, I thought I'd take a trip down decorating lane ...</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, once upon a time, in the land of red, green and gold, lived a kitchen that looked like this.  Eventually, I began a love affair with a paint brush (and a lighter and brighter color scheme) ...</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/AVvXsEiha_zUX5frCDufFaHmRad9mNMP4kxkATdMVXQ6DEAEZ00PPhHw1u_WIPck9DkoUwNimsCvnLQVhEAaya7edXhx_PAzBhQfO0MxEVnHrfcMzE-E8tbN-XTpJ-dYwD3jcXiak_rChqW-fA/s1600/kitchenb43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiha_zUX5frCDufFaHmRad9mNMP4kxkATdMVXQ6DEAEZ00PPhHw1u_WIPck9DkoUwNimsCvnLQVhEAaya7edXhx_PAzBhQfO0MxEVnHrfcMzE-E8tbN-XTpJ-dYwD3jcXiak_rChqW-fA/s640/kitchenb43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That love affair with paint eventually turned our kitchen into THIS!  I think one of the first changes you might notice is our island, which we first had face panels added to it.  I then painted it Annie Sloane's Old White, followed by her Chateaux Grey (then distressed) ... added a butcher block top and farmhouse legs.</span></div><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/AVvXsEhET2GgfLl3bI6TdWgHgRkEPI5ZF27pkJOUpaD5CzMLqUPFMfkCAEZNQtts0Ze-sAzlEPh6AQqTIALVjAGep-U5IeyC9czpBFgOalwv8DoN5zPxZ9TaylXtarL0gM6dipFhgB_D7CHuEg/s1600/kitchentourfirst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET2GgfLl3bI6TdWgHgRkEPI5ZF27pkJOUpaD5CzMLqUPFMfkCAEZNQtts0Ze-sAzlEPh6AQqTIALVjAGep-U5IeyC9czpBFgOalwv8DoN5zPxZ9TaylXtarL0gM6dipFhgB_D7CHuEg/s640/kitchentourfirst.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />It's now a favorite spot for me to attempt to style vignettes to suit the seasons ...</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/AVvXsEh8Ua2iEm4RmDaxARt9EJn6LHi0RQjYF-7_05bMiwqRsoXyQE2mt_r-nRVaCeoqnwSFQcQQ_qN2JPsKoPJflvhU-BGcrUoxkr8zZs9JeuCLy-DdUAt44PQ6dZi-XBb_L47U7halZRuvgA/s1600/kitchentourislandclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ua2iEm4RmDaxARt9EJn6LHi0RQjYF-7_05bMiwqRsoXyQE2mt_r-nRVaCeoqnwSFQcQQ_qN2JPsKoPJflvhU-BGcrUoxkr8zZs9JeuCLy-DdUAt44PQ6dZi-XBb_L47U7halZRuvgA/s640/kitchentourislandclose.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and to "welcome" you with Scrabble tiles to one of our favorite spots in our humble abode:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBShcdebx7P0cmOI3ws_lQgIUPPl_s3peCWaPZw8e7RqwRNKhs2zJFlaKcv3X8DSOmBQ37YiFO5FVVpTp47uqygHXYka3J71oj8VV7CdJ7W6Qyv9T5h9IiCqfozlvf3xPeWVosqWZWeA/s1600/kitchentourwelcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBShcdebx7P0cmOI3ws_lQgIUPPl_s3peCWaPZw8e7RqwRNKhs2zJFlaKcv3X8DSOmBQ37YiFO5FVVpTp47uqygHXYka3J71oj8VV7CdJ7W6Qyv9T5h9IiCqfozlvf3xPeWVosqWZWeA/s640/kitchentourwelcome.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another big change is that we said goodbye to our laminate countertops, maple cabinets and red accent wall ...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXViV9h2BXRbka-PTSmGr3Cx0l3zNbRA8RnsJDqCcrafFcr_pQGJcEaXJy9Q_q2zsM_1u2Ajfs5nQ_inyTH5taQGW5wowjlXF4SvyqR_LzCpAVizSW_ax1e6URC8IsYphfTWg-n_rbfA/s1600/kitchenoldb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXViV9h2BXRbka-PTSmGr3Cx0l3zNbRA8RnsJDqCcrafFcr_pQGJcEaXJy9Q_q2zsM_1u2Ajfs5nQ_inyTH5taQGW5wowjlXF4SvyqR_LzCpAVizSW_ax1e6URC8IsYphfTWg-n_rbfA/s640/kitchenoldb4.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and a big, fat HELLO(!) to Golden Beach granite, cabinets which I painted Annie Sloane's "Pure White," walls painted Ben Moore's Manchester Tan and bead board backsplash!  Amazing what a can of paint (or 10) can do, isn't it?</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS3c_Vx3rMCOTpN5nEUk7OIfgTLnfjlHXSG9HDTWRdn1kbmkgpSp7WHczj77hEYe2oHrwwNnRcr18ciwq1uUNtCT5T8H_EVoSvRB2BMETVPeocxk9ETtrRM3a8kahOm5FlNghyG49mg/s1600/kitchentourfromdining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS3c_Vx3rMCOTpN5nEUk7OIfgTLnfjlHXSG9HDTWRdn1kbmkgpSp7WHczj77hEYe2oHrwwNnRcr18ciwq1uUNtCT5T8H_EVoSvRB2BMETVPeocxk9ETtrRM3a8kahOm5FlNghyG49mg/s640/kitchentourfromdining.jpg" width="426" /></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 love how things placed on our counters now really "pop" against the white beadboard and how fabulous the granite is for hiding crumbs (oops):</span></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/AVvXsEhuY36mTrLe7IyTaGso4vwsWCl9ZNlaiP-1IdKhcY_VAYDvUOzaf4wKRb32WDraOHTYk9Zgkf_OAVcbfCno2bhWfo_rH_NKjhA8OyELJ6MgDIy5siEZ4g5ZNuh1o5ZRz_rUj-gHvyBGjw/s1600/kitchentourgrapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY36mTrLe7IyTaGso4vwsWCl9ZNlaiP-1IdKhcY_VAYDvUOzaf4wKRb32WDraOHTYk9Zgkf_OAVcbfCno2bhWfo_rH_NKjhA8OyELJ6MgDIy5siEZ4g5ZNuh1o5ZRz_rUj-gHvyBGjw/s640/kitchentourgrapes.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfWDRR4JG40qxbvhfhKgyvWSsKYQwW9e3ZVxz27VV0khr0JL3GOwrCeCk5tWTwKLWXxd4MMqgQqe8mgW_pXNBXOL9VUJ0yWAmpTlnyM8jguOM7-6KWN9qauXrx6EkDdc4N89QAduaWw/s1600/kitchentourscale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfWDRR4JG40qxbvhfhKgyvWSsKYQwW9e3ZVxz27VV0khr0JL3GOwrCeCk5tWTwKLWXxd4MMqgQqe8mgW_pXNBXOL9VUJ0yWAmpTlnyM8jguOM7-6KWN9qauXrx6EkDdc4N89QAduaWw/s640/kitchentourscale.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />BEFORE:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4v_5nGeMuBR77NV17OBBnIOpcpGfVfJV43u_XaZgP6z7zxu5ijm1DQF6qL4yypR1hLhRcQtWauvDsQdGFmAfhjufqAIyFA1SUGmG1oerFWNhefWPkcufDl0IHWJJiQFeVay2RDNN-w/s1600/kitchenoldb41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4v_5nGeMuBR77NV17OBBnIOpcpGfVfJV43u_XaZgP6z7zxu5ijm1DQF6qL4yypR1hLhRcQtWauvDsQdGFmAfhjufqAIyFA1SUGmG1oerFWNhefWPkcufDl0IHWJJiQFeVay2RDNN-w/s640/kitchenoldb41.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>AFTER!</b>  We also retired our wrought iron bar stools pictured above (which I eventually painted AS's Pure White) and replaced them with "bare wood" Napoleon rush seat bar stools, which I then painted AS Pure White and Chateaux Grey to tie in with the island and dry bar in our breakfast area.  We also had molding and shadow boxes added to the back of our breakfast bar:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4pNdJqnzzx9xGbyw45arIWqJMjYMSfAvGiWn2jaAau1jd8EwF5tGFb66dm3Q3njedoYT8I3HoiAvUA98_wvhfVBg_3DyvP1uUcyguwk1K3gp1XzykOmjO3ef14Vdz6xqwjAWj7mEZg/s1600/kitchentourfromgreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4pNdJqnzzx9xGbyw45arIWqJMjYMSfAvGiWn2jaAau1jd8EwF5tGFb66dm3Q3njedoYT8I3HoiAvUA98_wvhfVBg_3DyvP1uUcyguwk1K3gp1XzykOmjO3ef14Vdz6xqwjAWj7mEZg/s640/kitchentourfromgreat.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See that lone maple cabinet in the left corner?  It didn't like being by itself, so, down it came ...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Pc70zYdfhFANZV01ubXFdJi8mOFgOhyphenhyphens-Afcu0qIjnnoE2U2I1uxofOX-1tToyO2wwrdCHuEVM0yMDvJAMSCFJb_3qp-3V9dkOf8A_zYLO3YVD2X-zgDE4zcuRrFzSzWHYpT-aHykw/s1600/kitchenoldb42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Pc70zYdfhFANZV01ubXFdJi8mOFgOhyphenhyphens-Afcu0qIjnnoE2U2I1uxofOX-1tToyO2wwrdCHuEVM0yMDvJAMSCFJb_3qp-3V9dkOf8A_zYLO3YVD2X-zgDE4zcuRrFzSzWHYpT-aHykw/s640/kitchenoldb42.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and up went 3 shelves which I made ... they will soon be splashed with pumpkins!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEo3BUIojV82s8nt8A3LzUYNJ9ARRwSFutW5Xwj2HKqotMsbJZNkh5kbbJRJP3Bv8PMTjAIK9PNQS-PE876vmcbfpUA6kkNgf8QW01odq-7ulStNMsN0kn1S0a_mxVuKKWuNv1x5IMg/s1600/kitchentourfrombed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEo3BUIojV82s8nt8A3LzUYNJ9ARRwSFutW5Xwj2HKqotMsbJZNkh5kbbJRJP3Bv8PMTjAIK9PNQS-PE876vmcbfpUA6kkNgf8QW01odq-7ulStNMsN0kn1S0a_mxVuKKWuNv1x5IMg/s640/kitchentourfrombed.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBTXioV7hpgDuNR3Uw4WUVIwWXjiAdTcDFIWqOtLYUX4qaYRaoNsHkIBWZWA3tmvOyOTFKXG4MYNxWsH0v8wOmwicon98Oc7bPot9wSC3JW-Y8UlkLes9sUDEHxyzvZwl9_y8aL6_7w/s1600/kitchentourvignette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBTXioV7hpgDuNR3Uw4WUVIwWXjiAdTcDFIWqOtLYUX4qaYRaoNsHkIBWZWA3tmvOyOTFKXG4MYNxWsH0v8wOmwicon98Oc7bPot9wSC3JW-Y8UlkLes9sUDEHxyzvZwl9_y8aL6_7w/s640/kitchentourvignette.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing that will NEVER change is my laziness ... yes, our chalkboard (that we  made and added to our pantry door) still says Happy "Holly" Day from last Christmas.  Shame!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOdGVKVJXBonXR5OKxrXawcQ8YeSzy834mxyL5ItT2i3YJSqFF0n2NaF3yGs6d5Kz8tBc1SUBtFOwY8L3O48LAaC0t_IzEkKHKV4Y-tCIcZLKeMmnnlC4CXH3zWkhdQ_kDvSA3S3uxg/s1600/kitchentourchalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOdGVKVJXBonXR5OKxrXawcQ8YeSzy834mxyL5ItT2i3YJSqFF0n2NaF3yGs6d5Kz8tBc1SUBtFOwY8L3O48LAaC0t_IzEkKHKV4Y-tCIcZLKeMmnnlC4CXH3zWkhdQ_kDvSA3S3uxg/s640/kitchentourchalk.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Skip on over to our breakfast area now.  Sometimes, I truly can't believe it once looked like this.  I do miss the vibrant red, especially around the holidays...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPgtnwVZguaQbgwN8cYKxOeVMj8ivhZVjWbbRHCQo0I6ls17w2bYpQeelgNEtDMBDifk95iQ-P_sanWSFbE0eoOQzgFBKK9Phyphenhyphen5M3lI-H5gH9WMZGZXJGabXw0GGW0AGL805cDe7Ufw/s1600/kitchentourbreakfastb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPgtnwVZguaQbgwN8cYKxOeVMj8ivhZVjWbbRHCQo0I6ls17w2bYpQeelgNEtDMBDifk95iQ-P_sanWSFbE0eoOQzgFBKK9Phyphenhyphen5M3lI-H5gH9WMZGZXJGabXw0GGW0AGL805cDe7Ufw/s640/kitchentourbreakfastb4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>HERE</b> is what it looks like today!  It doesn't even look like the same space, does it?  That's thanks to a dry bar that we had installed, which, of course, I then painted AS' Pure White and Chateaux Grey.  We also replaced the chandelier with one that was once in our dining room.  New curtains and bamboo shades were eventually added, along with a farmhouse table, to help complete the French Country look that I was hoping to achieve:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyavEtJw2ShVmX-wfekLOOdu7rxc-xWrhyYko8hK28b23OssjCngXLntPt329FlZkdrc8BHxK3jEvkpgRs5utOyE4FbnB3hHSseQDMT6rdEs0rq_y4so6bulBv9sZCoA91Nss5IQlnNA/s1600/kitchenbenchcushionoverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyavEtJw2ShVmX-wfekLOOdu7rxc-xWrhyYko8hK28b23OssjCngXLntPt329FlZkdrc8BHxK3jEvkpgRs5utOyE4FbnB3hHSseQDMT6rdEs0rq_y4so6bulBv9sZCoA91Nss5IQlnNA/s640/kitchenbenchcushionoverall.jpg" width="464" /></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;">Now, that summer is coming to a close, it's time to starting splashing a bit of Fall around!  </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and allowing me to share our kitchen/breakfast area!  Who knows what it will look like if you stop over again!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8smvjcJQY8jnJwk_AG-eGrO3RcmA6Dv-emHz-7AXAmISrx3wDYyGLDNSD_0CnFLvPjNsG3MQfVA_Oj49tYm4b9y_e5MPwQgtvtHYMtGvv83I9I5Lc_Zn_ki4igw3LsQkCrI4IfVPlg/s1600/kitchentouroverall1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8smvjcJQY8jnJwk_AG-eGrO3RcmA6Dv-emHz-7AXAmISrx3wDYyGLDNSD_0CnFLvPjNsG3MQfVA_Oj49tYm4b9y_e5MPwQgtvtHYMtGvv83I9I5Lc_Zn_ki4igw3LsQkCrI4IfVPlg/s640/kitchentouroverall1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before you go, you simply MUST visit the other tours that are taking place!  AND, don't forget to enter our giveaway (details below)!  </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday, August 22</span></u></b></div><br /><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.attagirlsays.com/2013/08/22/all-about-the-details-kitchen-tour-2-great-kitchen-giveaways/" style="color: #ff001c; text-decoration: none;">Atta Girl Says</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://practicallyfunctional.com/kitchen-tour-make-the-most-of-small-kitchen/" style="color: #ff001c;">Practically Functional</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://whilewearingheels.blogspot.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">While Wearing Heels</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creeklinehouse.com/2013/08/all-about-details-kitchen-home-tour-how.html" style="color: #ff001c;">The Creek Line House</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://backporchmusings.typepad.com/blog/2013/08/detailsa-kitchen-story.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Back Porch Musings</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/08/all-about-details-kitchen-home-tours.html" style="color: #ff001c;">A Stroll Thru Life</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.recreateanddecorate.com/2013/08/22/whats-cookin-in-the-kitchen/" style="color: #ff001c;">Recreate and Decorate</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.worthingcourtblog.com/2013/08/all-about-the-details-kitchen-tour.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Worthing Court</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thehappierhomemaker.com/2013/08/kitchen-tour-2.html" style="color: #ff001c;">The Happier Homemaker</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rainonatinroof.com/2013/08/kitchen-tour-all-about-the-details/" style="color: #ff001c;">Rain on a Tin Roof</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mom4real.com/2013/08/my-kitchen-tour-25-more-blogger-kitchens.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Mom 4 Real</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.town-n-country-living.com/5-kitchen-decorating-tips.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Town and Country Living</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://foxhollowcottage.com/2013/08/tour-24-killer-kitchens.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Fox Hollow Cottage</a></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday, August 23</span></strong></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.everydayhomeblog.com/2013/08/kitchen-tour.html" style="color: #ff001c;">The Everyday Home</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/2013/08/kitchen-details-tour-giveaway.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Good Life of Design</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">French Country Cottage</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.martysmusings.net/2013/08/its-all-about-the-details-kitchen-tour.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Marty’s Musings</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com/p/house-tour.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Adventures in Decorating</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/2013/08/cedar-hill-ranch-kitchen-tour-and.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Cedar Hill Ranch</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.somuchbetterwithage.com/2013/08/kitchen-details-tour-and-giveaways/" style="color: #ff001c;">So Much Better With Age</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oursouthernhomesc.com/2013/08/kitchen-tour-the-details.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Our Southern Home</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thelilypadcottage.com/2013/08/kitchen-showcase-my-kitchen-tour-and-a-giveaway.html" style="color: #ff001c;">The Lily Pad Cottage</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/08/kitchen-home-tours-sneak-peek.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Stone Gable</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/2013/08/showcase-of-24-kitchen-home-tours-2013.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Debbiedoo’s</a></div><h3><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And now for the giveaway!</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Kitchen Tour Giveaway!" class="aligncenter" height="614" src="http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo75/GritsandGlamour/KitchenTourGiiveaways.jpg" width="434" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There will be two winners for this giveaway! Pfister generously donated a prize for this giveaway, so one winner will receive a free faucet worth up to $300, and a second winner will receive a $250 Visa gift card! To enter for your chance  to win, just follow the steps below!</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;"><strong>Step 1: Follow the bloggers below on Pinterest:</strong></span></div><div style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; width: 500px;"><img alt="" border="0" height="904" id="Image-Maps_6201308121040293" src="http://practicallyfunctional.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Pinterest-Collage.jpg" usemap="#Image-Maps_6201308121040293" width="500" /> <map id="_Image-Maps_6201308121040293" name="Image-Maps_6201308121040293"> <area alt="Practically Functional" coords="14,12,123,142" href="http://pinterest.com/practicallyf/" shape="rect" title="Practically Functional"></area> <area alt="" coords="134,15,243,145" href="www.pinterest.com/ajastro" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="256,15,365,145" href="http://pinterest.com/micmanno/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="375,14,484,144" href="http://pinterest.com/jenniferzuri/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="13,158,122,288" href="http://pinterest.com/becinsc/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="135,157,244,287" href="http://pinterest.com/mom2gracie/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="255,157,364,287" href="http://pinterest.com/Kathysue/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="375,157,484,287" href="http://pinterest.com/martysmusings/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="14,306,123,436" href="http://pinterest.com/TheEverydayHome/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="134,306,243,436" href="http://pinterest.com/suzyh" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="255,306,364,436" href="http://pinterest.com/stoneg" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="375,306,484,436" href="http://pinterest.com/oursouthernhome/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="15,456,124,586" href="http://pinterest.com/patf/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="135,456,244,586" href="http://pinterest.com/martyo/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="254,455,363,585" href="http://pinterest.com/recanddec" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="375,456,484,586" href="http://pinterest.com/cottagefox/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="14,608,123,738" href="http://pinterest.com/rainonatinroof/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="134,608,243,738" href="http://pinterest.com/creeklinehouse/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="255,606,364,736" href="http://pinterest.com/krinze/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="375,606,484,736" href="http://pinterest.com/melissariker/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="14,757,123,887" href="http://pinterest.com/jamsand24" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="134,757,243,887" href="http://pinterest.com/mom4real/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="255,757,364,887" href="http://pinterest.com/frnchcntrycttge/" shape="rect" title=""></area> <area alt="" coords="376,756,485,886" href="http://pinterest.com/cedarhillranch/" shape="rect" title=""></area> </map></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Step 2: Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget:</strong> <a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/89eb2d7/" id="rc-89eb2d7" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></span> <script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good Luck, everyone ... and, thanks for stopping by!</span><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr68/jbbecca/blogsig_zps4ebbd032.png" style="width: NaN%;" />

Our Kitchen Tour and TWO Giveaways!

Greetings, friends!I'm so excited to be joining an incredible group of gals in sharing our kitchens!  And, even more excited that one, no, make that TWO of you, have a chance to win either a new Pfister faucet (worth up to $300) or a $250 Visa gift card (details below)!Because I've shared our kitche…

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Kitchen Tour Series Has Begun ...

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greetings, friends!  You're all in for a real treat as a bunch of bloggers (and myself) are sharing our kitchens as part of our Kitchen series.  PLUS, there's going to be not one, but two, giveaways ... one lucky person will receive a new Pfister faucet, worth up to $300, and a second person will win a $250 Visa gift card! </span></div><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/AVvXsEjzhE8UGDxumtvlD6jdFIHToJXnQKiV5l_AEFP-zz4Hi_ZjQLpNZ-Ony3CSXTGTGrgWPiVWA6Yz5lEYcUDYCpqtB1Ds_U5U67Sj5Lz85WEV4BWePVSPShix3tqTQONwQ1KhxnhL0BbyoA/s1600/kitchentourbutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhE8UGDxumtvlD6jdFIHToJXnQKiV5l_AEFP-zz4Hi_ZjQLpNZ-Ony3CSXTGTGrgWPiVWA6Yz5lEYcUDYCpqtB1Ds_U5U67Sj5Lz85WEV4BWePVSPShix3tqTQONwQ1KhxnhL0BbyoA/s640/kitchentourbutton.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, go grab something refreshing and take a peek at the following blogs starting today!</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday, August 22</span></u></b></div><br /><br /><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.attagirlsays.com/2013/08/22/all-about-the-details-kitchen-tour-2-great-kitchen-giveaways/" style="color: #ff001c; text-decoration: none;">Atta Girl Says</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://practicallyfunctional.com/kitchen-tour-make-the-most-of-small-kitchen/" style="color: #ff001c;">Practically Functional</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://whilewearingheels.blogspot.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">While Wearing Heels</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creeklinehouse.com/2013/08/all-about-details-kitchen-home-tour-how.html" style="color: #ff001c;">The Creek Line House</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://backporchmusings.typepad.com/blog/2013/08/detailsa-kitchen-story.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Back Porch Musings</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/08/all-about-details-kitchen-home-tours.html" style="color: #ff001c;">A Stroll Thru Life</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.recreateanddecorate.com/2013/08/22/whats-cookin-in-the-kitchen/" style="color: #ff001c;">Recreate and Decorate</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.worthingcourtblog.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">Worthing Court</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thehappierhomemaker.com/2013/08/kitchen-tour-2.html" style="color: #ff001c;">The Happier Homemaker</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rainonatinroof.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">Rain on a Tin Roof</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mom4real.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">Mom 4 Real</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.town-n-country-living.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">Town and Country Living</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.foxhollowcottage.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">Fox Hollow Cottage</a></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday, August 23</span></strong></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.everydayhomeblog.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">The Everyday Home</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">Good Life of Design</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">French Country Cottage</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.martysmusings.net/" style="color: #ff001c;">Marty’s Musings</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com/p/house-tour.html" style="color: #ff001c;">Adventures in Decorating</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">Cedar Hill Ranch</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.somuchbetterwithage.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">So Much Better With Age</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oursouthernhomesc.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">Our Southern Home</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thelilypadcottage.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">The Lily Pad Cottage</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://stonegableblog.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">Stone Gable</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/" style="color: #ff001c;">Debbiedoo’s</a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by,</span><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr68/jbbecca/blogsig_zps4ebbd032.png" style="width: NaN%;" />

Kitchen Tour Series Has Begun ...

Greetings, friends!  You're all in for a real treat as a bunch of bloggers (and myself) are sharing our kitchens as part of our Kitchen series.  PLUS, there's going to be not one, but two, giveaways ... one lucky person will receive a new Pfister faucet, worth up to $300, and a second person will wi…

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Tic Tock ... it's a New Clock

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Tuesday!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we first bought this secretary (you can see how I transformed it <a href="http://adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-new-addition.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>) earlier this year, I added an iron piece I had on hand above it as a temporary filler.  For months, I couldn't decide between a piece of art OR a clock ... art ... clock; clock ... art. Po-tae-to ... po-tah-to.  I gave up.</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/AVvXsEjUrsUcc9RvUje_3u9PliTaiqqwsaBJHT7-IbNtiWf4dwzk7hc9TknM5wAFLiA9EHCc1yqlGXMnmkrrVEFgBnbWPZScsY4ngAvN9XAfMqlxcG4YRfsOB7fSUeivaS5CS4rhmu9t4eXQcQ/s1600/summergreatsecretary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrsUcc9RvUje_3u9PliTaiqqwsaBJHT7-IbNtiWf4dwzk7hc9TknM5wAFLiA9EHCc1yqlGXMnmkrrVEFgBnbWPZScsY4ngAvN9XAfMqlxcG4YRfsOB7fSUeivaS5CS4rhmu9t4eXQcQ/s640/summergreatsecretary.jpg" width="426" /></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;">Then, last week, as I ran into Big Lots to grab something totally unrelated, I spotted this pretty (and really inexpensive) clock.  Without debating with myself in aisle 3, I scooped it up thinking it.just.might.work. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8pW5k-R88IBLhtdyrzhwcXW74rgttaETMrQFob_kvWu7Ij5JHm2U_NnWyJMxXLIznxRgK2A_0bgu_9Jecoac5GmlBd72d3z9bCcR2ehyphenhyphene72HO5H8SnDyUtXeQE3eZ4F2av8scQFDzA/s1600/secretaryclockfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8pW5k-R88IBLhtdyrzhwcXW74rgttaETMrQFob_kvWu7Ij5JHm2U_NnWyJMxXLIznxRgK2A_0bgu_9Jecoac5GmlBd72d3z9bCcR2ehyphenhyphene72HO5H8SnDyUtXeQE3eZ4F2av8scQFDzA/s640/secretaryclockfront.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It looks a bit heavy and ornate, doesn't it?  Well, thankfully, it's not!  In fact, it's made of PLASTIC and light as a feather!  My clumsy self truly appreciated that as I tried to balance the "tiny" mounting hole onto the wall.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yGN-R0Nfz3jElAN75XpLT7KRgFAExjXtHijxx6eS3I1AWTFUV7NrStWjE6aZwef6rpf2VCIDAZeqqsTQew6LlJLEhuOHE4TiK442ys6BqtVtOKvebm5zh8kC9ypFlfCktmcfxkoOdg/s1600/secretaryclockclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yGN-R0Nfz3jElAN75XpLT7KRgFAExjXtHijxx6eS3I1AWTFUV7NrStWjE6aZwef6rpf2VCIDAZeqqsTQew6LlJLEhuOHE4TiK442ys6BqtVtOKvebm5zh8kC9ypFlfCktmcfxkoOdg/s640/secretaryclockclose.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once it was up, I then decided to add a bit of greenery on top of the secretary to give the clock a bit more presence:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nf8WYw7TtsfochwqWxBrczwvTYLQ7ySBV4hZ63NoHY5fJbKtZsn8TdRSgyWStLsOLgCqxGFi2BOezLKCQx21RSCDhlYDHlyHKTHaRLi2W68GHsSrCOQEIUyicR45GYG3p0D0D-c_3g/s1600/secretaryclockside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nf8WYw7TtsfochwqWxBrczwvTYLQ7ySBV4hZ63NoHY5fJbKtZsn8TdRSgyWStLsOLgCqxGFi2BOezLKCQx21RSCDhlYDHlyHKTHaRLi2W68GHsSrCOQEIUyicR45GYG3p0D0D-c_3g/s640/secretaryclockside.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BEFORE:</span></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrsUcc9RvUje_3u9PliTaiqqwsaBJHT7-IbNtiWf4dwzk7hc9TknM5wAFLiA9EHCc1yqlGXMnmkrrVEFgBnbWPZScsY4ngAvN9XAfMqlxcG4YRfsOB7fSUeivaS5CS4rhmu9t4eXQcQ/s1600/summergreatsecretary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrsUcc9RvUje_3u9PliTaiqqwsaBJHT7-IbNtiWf4dwzk7hc9TknM5wAFLiA9EHCc1yqlGXMnmkrrVEFgBnbWPZScsY4ngAvN9XAfMqlxcG4YRfsOB7fSUeivaS5CS4rhmu9t4eXQcQ/s640/summergreatsecretary.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>AFTER:</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nf8WYw7TtsfochwqWxBrczwvTYLQ7ySBV4hZ63NoHY5fJbKtZsn8TdRSgyWStLsOLgCqxGFi2BOezLKCQx21RSCDhlYDHlyHKTHaRLi2W68GHsSrCOQEIUyicR45GYG3p0D0D-c_3g/s1600/secretaryclockside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nf8WYw7TtsfochwqWxBrczwvTYLQ7ySBV4hZ63NoHY5fJbKtZsn8TdRSgyWStLsOLgCqxGFi2BOezLKCQx21RSCDhlYDHlyHKTHaRLi2W68GHsSrCOQEIUyicR45GYG3p0D0D-c_3g/s640/secretaryclockside.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Yup,* it.just.might.work!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, I'm off to get my kitchen ready as I'm excited to be part of another series, featuring kitchen tours!  I hope you'll join us ... there's going to be an amazing giveaway!</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/AVvXsEgVdybjjnZaODDJvbpYUhCAVoHHq6kJpal8MgQkrFD5RgH35GLpQu1SOj2hXF6QgMKCZVrCbVjRNZSNlijANL3IJiCPfx6BxtuW1Xt67Cm7Ui-8KxZwPrj3Noa9cyaEbt1Ma6PBpCFHmA/s1600/kitchentourbutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdybjjnZaODDJvbpYUhCAVoHHq6kJpal8MgQkrFD5RgH35GLpQu1SOj2hXF6QgMKCZVrCbVjRNZSNlijANL3IJiCPfx6BxtuW1Xt67Cm7Ui-8KxZwPrj3Noa9cyaEbt1Ma6PBpCFHmA/s640/kitchentourbutton.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by,</span><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr68/jbbecca/blogsig_zps4ebbd032.png" style="width: NaN%;" />

Tic Tock ... it's a New Clock

Happy Tuesday!When we first bought this secretary (you can see how I transformed it HERE) earlier this year, I added an iron piece I had on hand above it as a temporary filler.  For months, I couldn't decide between a piece of art OR a clock ... art ... clock; clock ... art. Po-tae-to ... po-tah-to.…

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It's the Little Things ...

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes, I think that the name of my blog should be changed to "The Forgetful Blogger!"  There are so many little projects I do around our home that I intend to blog about as soon as I do them, alas, it's then weeks/months later, and I have yet to snap pictures ... oops! Hopefully, having been so inspired at the Haven Conference last week in Atlanta will make me a better blogger!  *fingers crossed*</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;">For example ... in our breakfast area, I had this pretty buffalo checked cushion made for our bench a few months ago by my super talented neighbor, Christy.  Here we are ... months later, and I'm *just* now sharing it ... please tell me you can relate!</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/AVvXsEiOhyphenhyphenvTPCesWT2TsTn3tpAlM8sFHybMUxNqcYB6pugc_QU123BiYCocHI6zFqNLloV5RzJ8WEbUdpOQQqxR1nTlTXhX9Ks_beh4AKoljkXSw2ZPWEVoy9P6O1h06rElWPsCLRblTbv4iw/s1600/kitchenbenchcushionoverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhyphenhyphenvTPCesWT2TsTn3tpAlM8sFHybMUxNqcYB6pugc_QU123BiYCocHI6zFqNLloV5RzJ8WEbUdpOQQqxR1nTlTXhX9Ks_beh4AKoljkXSw2ZPWEVoy9P6O1h06rElWPsCLRblTbv4iw/s640/kitchenbenchcushionoverall.jpg" width="464" /></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;">It's not a huge change (here is the <b>BEFORE</b>):</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW5NomQwPG16XMCt4ukJkZrneWtYzboYZtkvUt75I6ngCZAmm2SBMemfh7yOA3PXjfIZpo47UgFc1zcmpJTf6gfoHLAf2JEmM6hetIKf4yjaR4jDRm6fWXIrdAnJQP74c3EIBuI2-cg/s1600/easterbreakfastoverall1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW5NomQwPG16XMCt4ukJkZrneWtYzboYZtkvUt75I6ngCZAmm2SBMemfh7yOA3PXjfIZpo47UgFc1zcmpJTf6gfoHLAf2JEmM6hetIKf4yjaR4jDRm6fWXIrdAnJQP74c3EIBuI2-cg/s640/easterbreakfastoverall1.jpg" width="426" /></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;">BUT, I think it adds a nice little pop to our breakfast area.  Sometimes, it's the little things, right?</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfu0U5QqVgT-w8eXS8WMD3O0L_dsT2L2JFs6u9T8DKHgrx6IsFNwnCM7sVgVn2Xft6hLI2DxOC1P4LC2yVGCECUZNiOCNWvaBrOGbAm65ZF7CCzcBbUiGZdtjic9FFeO5SDhcXQNtqQ/s1600/kitchenbenchcushionclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfu0U5QqVgT-w8eXS8WMD3O0L_dsT2L2JFs6u9T8DKHgrx6IsFNwnCM7sVgVn2Xft6hLI2DxOC1P4LC2yVGCECUZNiOCNWvaBrOGbAm65ZF7CCzcBbUiGZdtjic9FFeO5SDhcXQNtqQ/s640/kitchenbenchcushionclose.jpg" width="426" /></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;">The vignette on our table hasn't changed much ...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9Rjld7NGO0DHTTo-svK0YS6Q1_WkQo2Wq6RWrQcK5bisyTf0wTwOSYYNaDYsI95Sfz4x7kqXITniIzhs5Q3lSNHmMWzxHCxwWcPvTp_8NFTkTAV-99oXO_5tOTFMLFK_PfHBhmto4A/s1600/kitchenbenchcushionvignette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9Rjld7NGO0DHTTo-svK0YS6Q1_WkQo2Wq6RWrQcK5bisyTf0wTwOSYYNaDYsI95Sfz4x7kqXITniIzhs5Q3lSNHmMWzxHCxwWcPvTp_8NFTkTAV-99oXO_5tOTFMLFK_PfHBhmto4A/s640/kitchenbenchcushionvignette.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Except for an added little white pitcher, filled with spare utensils.  Again, the little things ...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzMcWbd2eF-9-yXoL_O8QmzK2LR_JlG2HtPqhZVVwfcWRVgiFR8umGjI4cSl76XPIGU2pjG9LYzF6MaDsXhP20xxU6RhHZb6nnP8trRZw2Wcb7EVWrhbfQV-W6qs9O24r5nh0APLtDw/s1600/kitchenbenchcushionvignetteclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzMcWbd2eF-9-yXoL_O8QmzK2LR_JlG2HtPqhZVVwfcWRVgiFR8umGjI4cSl76XPIGU2pjG9LYzF6MaDsXhP20xxU6RhHZb6nnP8trRZw2Wcb7EVWrhbfQV-W6qs9O24r5nh0APLtDw/s640/kitchenbenchcushionvignetteclose.jpg" width="426" /></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;">Over on our dry bar, I added two decorative matching plates from Home Goods, which are identical to the plates I now have flanking the secretary in our great room.  I'm a repeat offender, what can I say?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><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/AVvXsEibdjTMLounTxKojWic3E3NTiLbBRWJl7tmfXnw-OfBZujp_mIWJsw18RgmlTOTXIvgzuFC2HBOXoKhc-QhvE8xENJIdB-r9g2jGQGiIaP4fN4y7QiZTArZasti11b-ChSnFNeXXRMjlA/s1600/kitchendrybaroverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdjTMLounTxKojWic3E3NTiLbBRWJl7tmfXnw-OfBZujp_mIWJsw18RgmlTOTXIvgzuFC2HBOXoKhc-QhvE8xENJIdB-r9g2jGQGiIaP4fN4y7QiZTArZasti11b-ChSnFNeXXRMjlA/s640/kitchendrybaroverall.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love how the green in the plate is "picked up" by the green faux grapes I have tucked inside one of my handy glass cloches:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9YTIgf0C9vNM4MCX8j108tHRoUiP19znmLD6Y-e63DHPgePl-XS64DVi80Xf_NrtZkXLN5ao3TZ58puZLod7W6dXdH2Ve3mCu3CUqQnGusTfYktouAt5SscdMFk9-jZHuV8k-jb1dA/s1600/kitchendrybargrapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9YTIgf0C9vNM4MCX8j108tHRoUiP19znmLD6Y-e63DHPgePl-XS64DVi80Xf_NrtZkXLN5ao3TZ58puZLod7W6dXdH2Ve3mCu3CUqQnGusTfYktouAt5SscdMFk9-jZHuV8k-jb1dA/s640/kitchendrybargrapes.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Annnnd, I also added this cute little wrapped pitcher ready to be filled with a summer drink ... love the texure!</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/AVvXsEhCSgCYoDRqQgET0pRt8TOWulj5m0G0LJivTuxupnnarlteKqO_fuaLZgJr5va2va4ZxMm37P28xU9aH8yjqM0nXjrgvCT5AUVojeRfsPpGQbuZyS0e-e-GAJtObL_32SmMkMU6ZI_ozw/s1600/kitchendrybartwinepitcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSgCYoDRqQgET0pRt8TOWulj5m0G0LJivTuxupnnarlteKqO_fuaLZgJr5va2va4ZxMm37P28xU9aH8yjqM0nXjrgvCT5AUVojeRfsPpGQbuZyS0e-e-GAJtObL_32SmMkMU6ZI_ozw/s640/kitchendrybartwinepitcher.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Little things can go a long way!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaZVH6nsO0eiB6gvcjP48pfIfN0XX2K6whJxfH772K3k0jdxff8TOYPZeDSjFv4yPPZoJu91ILtHNxQkmDp3WA7RtyCrS-m-UxodZ0E0z4fCYkFzkjUXyHqkKWx54qKEMOysTwBVJLQ/s1600/kitchenbenchcushionoverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaZVH6nsO0eiB6gvcjP48pfIfN0XX2K6whJxfH772K3k0jdxff8TOYPZeDSjFv4yPPZoJu91ILtHNxQkmDp3WA7RtyCrS-m-UxodZ0E0z4fCYkFzkjUXyHqkKWx54qKEMOysTwBVJLQ/s640/kitchenbenchcushionoverall.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, I simply have to share something that's NOT so little!  I was truly flattered when Jennifer, from the beautiful and inspiring magazine "Artful Blogging," contacted me and asked if they could include my little old blog banner in the "Banners We Love" section!  I'm beyond flattered and sincerely appreciative!  THANK YOU, Artful Blogging!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJgsC3M0V6zqYTBRu87HuBnXxBg9dyhop-S_pB27uw4zUHUxTcErHnfs_zLRbyvXwaPAMmhV9jIpVGrRDucAwUebQgCJPjk5-sF5F4Ohb3Sb4AFpSVtS2XGmsfRmMlO1ye9y4CkO6eA/s1600/artfulbloggingcol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJgsC3M0V6zqYTBRu87HuBnXxBg9dyhop-S_pB27uw4zUHUxTcErHnfs_zLRbyvXwaPAMmhV9jIpVGrRDucAwUebQgCJPjk5-sF5F4Ohb3Sb4AFpSVtS2XGmsfRmMlO1ye9y4CkO6eA/s640/artfulbloggingcol.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come party with me:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coastal Charm/<a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2013/08/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no175.html" target="_blank">Nifty Thrifty Tuesday</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/<a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-147/" target="_blank">Tuesday's Treasures</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Savvy Southern Style/<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/08/wow-us-wednesdays-131.html" target="_blank">WUW</a></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, thank YOU for stopping by!</span><br /><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr68/jbbecca/blogsig_zps4ebbd032.png" style="width: NaN%;" />

It's the Little Things ...

Sometimes, I think that the name of my blog should be changed to "The Forgetful Blogger!"  There are so many little projects I do around our home that I intend to blog about as soon as I do them, alas, it's then weeks/months later, and I have yet to snap pictures ... oops! Hopefully, having been so …

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