Simple Style

Bella

2011-07-21T01:55:00.001-04:00

She is mine! Dream come true!

Stylish Blogger Award -

2011-02-02T21:27:00.003-05:00

Emily at Senseless Sophistication nominated me for a Stylish Blogger Award. I am pretty sure I will owe her Starbucks, wine and cheese for this nomination.

Here are the rules - I am supposed to share seven things about myself and then nominate 15 blogs for the Stylish Blogger Award.

1. I am socially awkward. This will not come as a surprise to anyone who knows me. I keep five close friends at a time and I currently have a few openings. I need really great friendships that have depth and substance. I don't have fluffy friends. If you are in my life, I care about you immensely, pray for you often and want the best for you.

2. I don't have a facebook page (please see #1). I know I should have a facebook page but I am not that cool and I doubt anyone cares what I am doing every minute of the day. My mom has a facebook page so you can befriend her if you need to know where I am and what I am doing. YES - Jan has a facebook page!

3. I am a bona fide - out of the closet - freak flag flying - CAT LADY! I love my furry kids and can't imagine my life without them.

4. I wish I had embraced my inner nerd in high school instead of pursuing cheerleading and coolness. I would have joined the math club, science club and debate club. I would have become a psychologist or a scientist working for the CDC.

5. My husband and I have been married for 16 years and we don't have children. This is by choice much to the chagrin of my mother but we try to keep it real and kids haven't been in the plans for us so far. I still have a little time on my biological clock so I am not going to say we will never have them.

6. The first blog I ever read was dooce.com. I still read it every day. I love Heather Armstrong's sarcasm and wit. She writes about the things the rest of us only say in the comfort of our home and she doesn't apologize for it. Very cool.

7. I have an obsession with buying high heels shoes that I never wear. I buy them all the time and put them on the shoe rack in my closet so I can see them everyday but I don't actually ever wear them. I think this may be part of an undiagnosed shopping illness. I pray that no one ever finds a cure!

Now the 15 blogs I stalk ...

Keep It Chic
Atlantis Home
A Country Farmhouse
My Favorite and My Best
The Gardener's Cottage
The Roof Over My Head
Anna Kuperberg
Things That Inspire
Grace Happens
Little Green Notebook
Two Ellie
Elements Of Style
Nest Egg
Mod Girl
Hi Sugar Plum

Foyer Makeover - Ray Hartl - Black and White Photography

2011-01-27T11:09:00.003-05:00

Bad decorating happens to the best of us. When we first moved into our house I thought my foyer looked fabulous. WRONG! I think a few of my decorating friends should have intervened - I am not going to name names! Emily, Kerri and Maureen! The time had finally come to give the foyer a small makeover. I say small because now I want to paint but that is a whole different story.

Last year I purchased one Ray Hartl black and white photo at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. I got home and realized one photo was not going to be enough - I quickly jumped online and ordered two more. I procrastinated about having them framed for months; I finally broke down three weeks ago and took them to a frame shop. Last Sunday I got the call - the photos were ready to be picked up.

It took a few days to get them hung but I couldn't be happier with the results. A big thank you to my husband for hanging these photos not once but twice (due to spacing issues) with minimum use of profanity.

The Foyer Before - Don't Judge!

The Transformation Begins!

Everyone helped.

The Final Results!

Details!

Next Year's Purchase!

http://www.rayhartl.com/

Brides and Bridal Showers...

2011-01-20T22:19:00.002-05:00

My friend Emily at http://www.senselesssophistication.blogspot.com/ mentioned on her blog today the beautiful bridal shower that she hosted last year for her best friend Paige - What she did not mention was that she was also a beautiful bride last year and had a few great party's thrown in her honor! I co-hosted a shower for Emily at JCT Kitchen in Atlanta. If you ever visit Bungalow Classic, Lewis and Sheron Fabrics or Sid Mashburn on the west side of Atlanta JCT Kitchen is "the" place to stop for a great lunch!

Golden Globes - I want a do over!

2011-01-19T20:08:00.000-05:00

I am a life long horse lover!

2011-01-17T21:15:00.003-05:00

When I was younger I rode horses- I can honestly say this will always be my one true passion in life. I would love to own a small farm one day and have horses in my backyard. Until that day arrives I may have to settle for boarding a horse near my home. Seriously contemplating...

Beautiful Bay

Badgley Mischika Barn

Badgley Mischika Living Room

Country Living Kitchen

Keep it Chic

2011-01-14T11:53:00.002-05:00

Do you ever come across a blog that you read from beginning to end in one sitting? This blog had that affect on me yesterday. They discuss art, interiors, photography, horses and Manolo Blahniks. The writer's of this blog work for Vogue and Harper's Bazzar. Does it get better than that?

http://www.keepitchic.com/

All images from http://www.keepitchic.com/

Kelly Hoppen - My Favorite Designer of all time!

2011-01-13T13:02:00.004-05:00

Kelly Hoppen is in one word - Fabulous! Her style is zen - no-clutter - minimalistic - perfection. She started her career at age 16 and has been working as a designer for 33 years. What was I doing at 16? She was born in South Africa and now lives in London. She is the stepmother of actress Sienna Miller and is rumored to be working with Kate Middleton on her new home with Prince William - Please let it be true!

I love her books and her style!

She is 51 - WOW!

She loves taupe - I love taupe. Does that make us sisters?

Snow - Over it!

2011-01-12T15:39:00.002-05:00

Being a total cat lady!

My new mirror from Scott's - I am a happy girl!

2011-01-12T14:14:00.009-05:00

I have been looking for a large architectural salvage piece for my kitchen. I went to Scott's on Saturday and found the perfect piece. It's a church window that was converted into a mirror. Big thank you to the girl's - Emily, Jen, Corey and Brittany - for being patient with me during the indecisive phase. Can't wait to go back to Scott's next month...

I'm Back...

2011-01-11T17:24:00.003-05:00

# 3 Images I must keep to inspire me later.

2009-08-14T09:00:00.008-04:00

#2 Images I must keep to inspire me later.

2009-08-14T08:01:00.007-04:00

# 1 Images I must keep to inspire me later.

2009-08-13T21:01:00.008-04:00

NO - I am not pregnant but I would love to plan a nursery!

2009-07-24T08:36:00.004-04:00

White Walls...

2009-05-28T13:32:00.011-04:00

I love to see homes with white walls and natural elements. I think it keeps life simple.

All photos - http://www.alysbeach.com/

Bungalow Classic...

2009-05-08T08:47:00.009-04:00

Bungalow Classic is one of my favorite stores in Atlanta. The owners of the store are Courtney and Randi Tilinski. Their home was featured in the March 2008 issue of Cottage Living. The home is currently for sale so you can compare the real estate pictures with the beautiful pictures from cottage living. I have also thrown in a few pictures from their great store.

http://www.bungalowclassic.com/

Pretty in Pink...

2009-04-21T08:49:00.008-04:00

I am looking for an accent color in my guest room. I can't decide between pink or orange.

CottageLiving.com - It's really gone...

2009-02-24T08:39:00.006-05:00

I know everyone said that Cottage Living was going to take down their website but I was in denial. It's gone ....it's really gone.

Anthony Kiedis - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Rocking Style

2009-02-23T09:44:00.003-05:00

This is my all time favorite celebrity home. I am posting the pictures on my blog so I remember why I get up and go to work everyday.(A girl can dream!) I don't even like the color yellow but I could live with this kitchen for the rest of my life.

All photos...http://realestalker.blogspot.com/

Feeling blue...

2009-02-18T10:53:00.005-05:00

It's raining in Atlanta today so I thought a little blue would reflect the mood.

Amy Smart - Instyle magazine - Cottage

2009-02-17T12:44:00.003-05:00

Since we don’t have cottage living magazine anymore, I was excited to see Amy Smart’s home in InStyle magazine this month. It’s nice to see a Hollywood movie star so grounded and living in a simple cottage style home.

FOYER - Love the stairs!

Fireplace and Chair in the Master bedroom.

Sweet little garden!

Beautiful Hoboken Condo - Eli and Abby Manning

2009-02-02T13:29:00.005-05:00

Photo : http://www.electronichouse.com/

Charleston, SC....My FAVORITE southern City!

2008-10-02T09:56:00.005-04:00

The perfect nights sleep...

2008-09-24T09:17:00.003-04:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I value my sleep. I think you could get the perfect nights sleep in any of these bedrooms.

Savannah, Ga.

2008-09-10T14:44:00.005-04:00

Savannah is my second favorite southern city. The homes are amazing and the city is home to SCAD. (Savannah College of Art and Design) Love the history…Love the food …Love the style.

Check out http://corabettthomas.com/for more Savannah homes.

Changing the blog...

2008-09-10T14:27:00.004-04:00

I have decided to change the theme of the blog to mostly decorating. I know…I just lost ½ my readers but it should be an exciting change for the three people left. Jason wants his own blog with less girly posts so I will post the link to his blog once he gets it up and going.

I am dreaming of a white kitchen...

2008-09-05T22:07:00.005-04:00

No... I don't have a white kitchen BUT I still think they are beautiful.
For many people, my self included, white kitchens offer a clean, fresh, timeless, classic look. I know some detractors will say that white is boring. They are WRONG!

Happy Birthday Big Brother!

2008-09-04T11:13:00.006-04:00

A birthday should always be a joyous occasion,Family and friends; obvious invasion.
Duplicate gifts, you don’t even like,If you complain, we will go on strike.
One simple day, placed on display,Carefully observed, for signs of decay.
Honest smiles, they mingle in truth,As if you were the only one losing your youth.
At such a wise age, everything seems so clear
Deep down inside, you know that we care,
Our family is unique, normal is rare.

Happy Birthday Ken.....We love you!

CAMIL

2008-09-03T16:22:00.002-04:00

Alright, Camil is going off the deep end now about my bike dilemma. She thinks that I don't know how to ride casually but I'm getting too old now to go fast. I think that I'm going to get both bikes now just to make her angry. A little background on Camil. My mother in law Jan is CAMIL. CAMIL stands for Crazy Ass Mother In Law. Don't go stealing my acronyms for people now! I have plenty more where that came from. Anyway, don't listen to Camil, she used to throw firecrackers at me when I was teenager just to aggravate me. She could have blown off a hand and then I wouldn't have been able to ride bikes or play golf in the first place!

Bike Dilemma

2008-09-03T13:37:00.006-04:00

Ok, I know that I am not supposed to be riding due to my neck problems and knee problem but I am looking at getting another bike just to stay in shape. No off road riding just some light riding in the neighborhood. Here are a couple of bikes that I'm looking at.
The red Redline is hot! But the Specialized looks unique and dope! Help me out here.

If anyone is struggling over what to get me for Christmas...

2008-09-03T12:58:00.007-04:00

I would like a beach house. Maybe this one?

Grey the new color for 2009.

2008-08-28T11:47:00.005-04:00

I have seen a lot of information lately on the new "it" color for 2009. Grey! I am really excited. I was never a fan of grey until the last few years. I think it works as a great neutral and the new paint colors are very warm .

It's official - The cat's name is......

2008-08-28T10:39:00.003-04:00

Mr.Leo Bob Marley Chandler (The third)
He will go by kitty or kitty-kitty.

I really want to live in a ranch home one day.

2008-08-25T12:32:00.009-04:00

Jason and I have moved several times during our marriage but we have never lived in a "true" ranch home. I have always dreamed of a home WITHOUT stairs. Since we won't be moving any time soon (Jason says 10 years!) I thought I would post a few pictures of a ranch home that I love.

My dream WHITE Kitchen!

This picture is for my mom!

Photos from CottageLiving.

Guess What...Meghan McCain has a blog.

2008-08-22T09:38:00.003-04:00

For those of you who don’t know….Meghan McCain is the daughter of John McCain and she has a very interesting and insightful blog that follows the day to day action on the campaign trail. If you have time check it out!

http://www.mccainblogette.com/

Oh yeah....We also have a dog!

2008-08-22T09:01:00.007-04:00

Jason is pretty upset that I haven't mentioned Katie on our new blog. He thinks she should have been mentioned before the cat due to her years(13) of loyal service to our family. If you haven't actually met Katie don't let her appearance fool you. She is a big baby. Siberian Huskies are known for their sweet temperament and playful nature. They are NOT watchdogs. They love everyone (almost too much). They also have a shedding problem but don’t tell her we don’t want her to get a complex.

We have a new cat...

2008-08-20T22:02:00.014-04:00

No...We didn't buy,borrow,beg or steal a cat. He showed up at our house a month ago so we started feeding him and of course he stuck around. We THINK he is a boy and he needs a name. Please help us decide on a name.

Nothing to it...

2008-08-20T12:45:00.000-04:00

We are up and blogging!