My Sanctuary

Thank you for the counseling session yesterday!  You all are the best!

This comment said it best:

Amy R. said...

I vote you leave the grids out and just paint the inside frames black. Yes you are crazy but we are all crazy too! That's why we all get along so well:)

xo
Amy R.

I am definitely going to paint the windows black.  Not sure about the grids yet, but it can be done in stages.  Now for an hour of time.  If you know where I can find that let me know.

Today I have been invited over to Cove & Grey to share my sanctuary.  Lauren is an interior design student who graduates this semester.  Congratulations Lauren!  So head on over for a visit and be sure to check out her inspiring blog.

Proving That I am Crazy...

I don't know if it is pinterest overload or what, but these roller shades just aren't doing it for me in the kitchen.  While I am happy that this little project inspired literally thousands of people (and by the way, I wasn't the first one to do this), I am ready to move on.  This is the good thing about not spending a lot on home improvements.  If you change your mind, ahem, then the cost is minimal to shift gears later.

In walk new pillows from Joss & Main.  I am in love!  Gray and green makes me one happy girl.  Now I have a plan for the banquette cushion or at least I think I do.  Maybe that should be another post.

So back to the window.  Because the bay window doesn't lend itself to window treatments I am beginning to like the idea of painting them black.  What do you think?  Here are some images that might sway you in case you need convincing.

Charleston Home & Design via House of Turquoise

William Waldron Photography, Elle Decor via Decor Pad

 Young House Love

Country Living

Jill Brinson via Willow Decor

Southern Accents via Willow Decor

Canadian House and Home

Some of the images are with black doors and others are with white.  I think either way works and lean toward keeping everything white except the windows.  I still have the grids for the windows and could easily paint those and the windows black.  

 Urban Grace

Or leave the grids out like this.  What do you think?  Am I crazy?  Don't answer that ;)

Christmas Cards & the New Do

Over Thanksgiving I asked my sister-in-law to take a few pictures of our family.  Of course I didn't plan the outfits to co-ordinate so I had to make the images black and white to avoid looking busy.  Choosing Christmas cards is never easy for me, but Personalized Greeting Cards from Tiny Prints  makes it a little easier.  You can choose the style and colors, and upload the photo in no time.  I must have had 15 favorites.

Here is the one I finally settled on.  Now for the Christmas shopping...

And finally, here is the new do.  Not a major change, but I am happy with the length.  Maybe next time I will go a little shorter in the back to look a little more like Gwenyth. 

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In case you missed the giveaway including fabric and e-design, you can check it out here.

'Tis Better to Give...

****THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED****

My longest standing sponsor, Fabulous But Frugal and I have partnered to bring you a fun little giveaway.

The giveaway comes from FBF's newest etsy store, The Dizzy Tulip and includes either:

1) 2 yards of the following geometric fabrics.  The winner can choose 2 yards of one fabric or can mix and match the 2 yards.   

 Dwell Studio Robert Allen "New Damask"

Dwell Studio Robert Allen "Bella Porte"

Premier Prints

OR
2)  3 yards of burlap

Burlap

As part of the giveaway, I am offering an e-design board valued at $75 to go along with your new fabrics. 

To enter the giveaway:


1.  Leave a comment stating which fabric(s) you would like to win and how you would use it.

2.  You may tweet the giveaway and be sure to include @cottageandvine.  Leave a comment saying that you tweeted.



3.  Post this giveaway on your blog or like this post on facebook using the icon at the end of the post and be sure to leave a comment.


The winner will be chosen at random and will be announced next Friday.  Good luck!!!

Holiday Sponsors & Black Friday Deals

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Today marks the biggest retail day of the year and what better time than now to introduce to you my holiday sponsors.

Provence Rugs

Rugs are fabricated in Provence, the southern region in France favored by artists for it's astonishing light and deep blue skies. Hand woven and hand finished with genuine French fabrics, these colorful rugs and their coordinating accessories bring a touch of sunshine and French romance to any interior. If you let them, they will transport you to Van Gogh's fields....Cezanne's mountains...and the whispered summer song of the cicada.

Window Treatments by Melissa

I have been sending clients to Window Treatments by Melissa ever since I saw Fran's Roman shade.  Melissa's shop on etsy offers custom window treatments in designer fabrics.  "Like" Window Treatments by Melissa on facebook to stay informed of promotions, coupon codes, and giveaways. 

M. A. Hadley Pottery

M.A. Hadley is offering free shipping with on-line orders of $50 or more, a Black Friday discount today on select items, and a 15% discount on all Christmas items on Cyber Monday.

Creative Memories

Simply Said Notebook

Creative Memories has a wonderful selection of scrapbooking materials including Christmas and holiday papers, stickers, and ribbon.  Also save 20% on 4x8 photo cards.  For more offers visit Creative Memories.

Idari

Idari offers Cottage & Vine followers 30% off anything in the store.  Use promo code COTTAGE30 at checkout.

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Tis the season...

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a special giveaway from us to you.  I have partnered up with one of my sponsors for a giveaway you are sure to love.  I'll give you a hint, it involves fabric and a custom design board.

Thanksgiving Table Inspiration

Thanksgiving is the one time each year that we are able to reconnect with my husband's family.  It has become a tradition to go to Maryland and the cousins look so forward to seeing each other year after year.  I always love to see how much they have grown.

This picture was taken last Thanksgiving and you can imagine what it is like organizing 10 kids.  Herding a litter of puppies might be easier.  As a side note, I could squeeze those little baby toes.  They probably don't look like that now.

For Thanksgiving, we always push two tables together so that there is no kids' table.  It doesn't really look good, but it is nice having everyone (20+) together in one room.  However, if there was such thing as a kids' table, I love this idea from Country Living using butcher paper and crayons.


When I think of Thanksgiving I think of tables-capes that take on an organic element.  A little more rustic I guess you could say.  Here are a few of my favorites I have been collecting on Pinterest.

 Young Married Chic

100 Layer Cake

Wedding Chicks

Martha Stewart

I will be taking off the next couple of days to spend time with family.  Best wishes for a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Be sure to come back Friday for an introduction to holiday sponsors.

XO,

René

Room By Room Dining Room Highlights

Thank you to everyone who attended the Room by Room party!  In case you missed it, the focus this month was dining rooms.  There were so many gorgeous dining rooms and each month I pick a few rooms to show you that haven't been featured before.  Here are my favorites for this month, but there are so many more...

Classic, Casual Home

The Table

Triangle Honeymoon

The Vintage Object

 Lovely Things

The party next month is all about Christmas.  The link will open December 19 and will remain open all week.  If you would like to help spread the word, grab a button and place it in your sidebar.  I hope to see you there!

 

<a href="http://cottageandvine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Cottage & Vine" src="http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz45/renezieg/rbrchristmas.jpg"/></a>

 

Blog Design, Hair, & a Discount on Pillows

This post is long overdue, but with all of the guest posts, parties, etc. this week I have waited until now.  Many of you have noticed my new blog design.  Thank you for your sweet comments!  If you usually read from reader I invite you to pop in to have a look.  Elizabeth from The Mustard Ceiling did the design and I could not be happier.  When I first contacted Elizabeth I told her that I wasn't sure that I could see my blog objectively.  Elizabeth does read my blog so I hoped that she could provide that perspective for me.  I wanted a design that would give a taste of what Cottage & Vine is about with colors that aren't too trendy.  I think she nailed it.  If you would like to read more about the design Elizabeth has shared the details here.  Thank you Elizabeth!

via

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It has been at least six months since my last haircut.  So, to avoid looking like a cat hoarder, I have an appointment this morning for a little happy.  It is time for something new.  Over the last few days I have been showing my personal stylists boys my "she style" pinboard.  These are the two styles they liked best.  I always get a little nervous/excited before a big change.  Do you?

 My wonderful sponsor Idari is offering my followers 30% off anything in the store.  Use COTTAGE30 at checkout.

Have a great weekend! 

If My Blog Was a Room...

Amber from the blog Simple Dwellings has invited me over to answer a challenging question today.  If my blog was a room what would it look like?  This is much harder than it sounds.  Come on over to get my answer and find out the meaning behind the name "Cottage & Vine".  By the way, Amber has a stencil giveaway going on so be sure to check it out.

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In other news, the link is still open for the "Room By Room" dining room series.  If you would like to share your dining room, feel free to jump right in.  Also, I have a couple of holiday sponsorship spots left.  This is a great opportunity to show off your product for the holidays.  If you are interested email me.

My Favorite Room: Rachel from Just a Touch of Gray

Today I would like to welcome the absolutely adorable Rachel from the blog Just a Touch of Gray.  Welcome Rachel!

Hi! I'm Rachel from {Just a Touch of Gray} and I'm thrilled to be here at Cottage and Vine today! When Rene asked me to pick a favorite room to share with you it was a harder decision than I would have thought! But today I'm going to share our MASTER BEDROOM with you.

I love this room. It is our little retreat to end our nights and start our mornings. When I started thinking about the design I knew I wanted a neutral color palette and a calming and sophisticated atmosphere. To start I wanted to create a focal point, an element of drama. It all started when I laid eyes on this fabric... 

... so Operation: Headboard Build was officially underway. And I wanted it tall tall tall!  

First comes the plywood... 

Do you like hubs makeshift compass? :)

 Then comes power tools...

Then comes foam, batting, fabric, and a lot of staples... 

 What's the end result, you ask?  

Tah-dah!

 

Next the walls went grey, Ikea dressers were brought in, and my favorite mirror I've had since high school was added to the corner.

Stools were added to the foot of the bed, and accessories adjourn the nightstand.

Did I mention the room looked like this when we bought the house?

And I have to admit it really didn't look much better when we moved our stuff in...

 

But we went right to work transforming it into a relaxing and stylish oasis that made us happy to walk in. 

Now back to the afters... 

Ok, ok. Want one more before pic? 

Opposite the bed we have a little hallway with closets on each side leading into our master bathroom...

And now...

This fall we added these frames to a blank wall to the right of our bed. They are all images from our wedding and I love highlighting that incredible day in our bedroom.

So that's it! 

I hope you enjoyed the tour of our master bedroom! It really has become a favorite room of ours! 

Rene - Thanks so much for having me on your amazing blog - definitely a favorite of mine! 

Rachel, I'm just gonna come right out with it, I want that headboard!  You guys did a great job making it - the curves are just gorgeous!  Thanks so much for sharing your favorite room today!

To check out more of Rachel's home improvements go here.

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In honor of the thanksgiving season, Laura of Bright, Bold, & Beautiful has invited me over to share things I am thankful for.  The post should be up around 10:00 EST this morning so please drop by then.