The Faster I Go, The Behinder I Get and A Giveaway

I can scarcely believe it's been almost a week since my last post...time flies when you're feeling ill...actually it just kind of drags on when you realize how many things are piling up as you huddle in bed!  My title is a quote from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, and it perfectly describes my life at the moment!  You all were so sweet to leave me wonderful comments about my blog anniversary, and send me well wishes as I muddled through the virus I had, and when I was feeling better and finally sat down to try and return emails and answer comments, I realized how very far behind I am on absolutely everything right now!

So instead of becoming overwhelmed, I'm doing what I said I should do, I'm moving forward and tackling what I can and letting go of the rest.  Which reminds me of another great quote from wise Mr. Carroll... "Alice generally gave herself good advice (though she very seldom followed it)."  This time I'm following my own good advice which was Tip #5 from my recent post on blogging!  See, you can teach an old dog new tricks!

I truly did appreciate each and every comment and email and if I could clone myself I would reply personally to every single one of them, but a stack of work emails and deadlines has me busier than a one armed paper hanger right now.

If you could see the Christmas tree still standing in my family room (sans ornaments at least), the holiday decor stacked on my dining room table waiting to be put away, the dust Velociraptors (oh they've grown way past cute bunnies) that litter my floors, and the empty pantry that cries Mother Hubbard's Cupboard each time I open it, you'd understand!

I did however manage to make it out of my house yesterday and today.  Last night I took homemade chili over to my friend Ms. M, and we had dinner with her.  She is doing great and because she's housebound and reliant on the help she has hired, she was thrilled to have a little extra company and one of her favorite meals.  Then today I met a realtor at my parent's house.  We are so very close to getting it on the market, and we hope to finish up the final details before the end of the month!

On my way home tonight, I decided to pop into a few of my favorite stores since I feel like I've been out of the loop for so long now.  I know I should have headed to the grocery store, but it was 4:30 and that meant that everyone and their brother was shopping after work and in preparation of the ice storm we might be getting so I decided we could subsist on what's in the freezer for a few more days...English muffins aren't just for breakfast right?!

I first stopped at Cecil's Country Store, but they had wisely closed down early since it was starting to sleet.  So I drove to another favorite, Lola Belle Co. in Leonardtown and picked up a few things to use as a giveaway.  It's my way of saying thank you for understanding, being supportive, and well, for just being you!

By the time I reached the store the temperature had dropped significantly and the roads were starting to get slippery so I immediately gravitated toward anything that reminded me of spring or summer.  You can tell by my photos that I was craving a little pop of color in everything I purchased, probably because it's been so bleak and colorless outside.

After milling about in the store, I got a phone call from Mr. Tide telling me that I should really head home since he almost fell on our back patio.  So I gathered up my treasures and then jumped in my car to head home before the roads got really bad.

So here is my spring/summer wishes giveaway.  A little mercury glass birdie in pale green to remind you that springtime and birds chirping are just around the corner.  A Village Candle called Summer Breeze, because I could use one right about now!  A bright floral hand towel that ironically is made by Dena Fishbein, whose house I wrote about in Romantic Country Magazine, and I didn't even notice that until I got home...such a small world!  Some lavender bath salts from PRE de Provence, because lavender is soothing no matter what the season.  And last but not least, a bracelet made from shells to remind you that beach weather will be upon those of us in the northern hemisphere before we know it!

This little group of goodies is my way of sending a little springtime and sunshine your way along with a great big hug of thanks!

In order to enter, and because I know you all are just as crazy busy as I am, all you need to do is leave me a comment telling me whatever you like.  Yup, you can say "hi" or maybe tell me what the weather is like in your neck of the woods today, it's up to you!

The Giveaway is open to everyone, and will end on Tuesday, January 18th, at Midnight PST.

Sweet Dreams With Dena Designs

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Dena Fishbein, a hugely talented artist and designer, when I wrote about her beautiful California home.  Her house is being featured in the upcoming issue of Romantic Country Magazine, and trust me, you won't want to miss seeing it!

Along with being an amazing award winning designer, author, and TV host, Dena is simply a wonderful person!  I knew right away after speaking to both Dena and her husband Danny, that everything they create is done with passion.  Whether they are scouring the flea markets in Paris together, or working on Dena's next design venture, the two of them are enjoying every minute of it.

One of Dena's latest projects is a line of beautiful bedding that will be available through Bed, Bath and Beyond stores this fall.  Thanks to Dena and her great team, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at these wonderful collections and even had the opportunity to photograph them to share with all of you! 

True to her fun and whimsical romantic style, Dena has created three wonderful collections that will make any bed envious!  The first collection is known as the Wish Collection!

 

It is a gorgeous grouping of pillows done in a soft green and paired with crisp white details, all of which coordinate perfectly with the lovely floral quilt from the same Wish line.  

The quality of all three of Dena's collections is really amazing and the attention to detail is unsurpassed.  Each of the pillows in the Wish Collection is a unique play on the green and white color scheme, and I love how they compliment the quilt without everything being too matchy!

Wouldn't you love to dress up a bed with this very sweet collection, I know I would!

And I just love all of the feminine touches Dena has infused into each of her collections!  Just look at those darling ruffles and the appliques on the two pillows pictured above.  

Dena's next fabulous collection is the Cloud Collection.  This dreamy bedding is soft, simple, and oh so pretty!

It boasts shams, a quilt, and bolster pillows each adorned with delicate ruffles.

The Cloud Collection, along with all three of Dena's latest lines of bedding, is really perfect for someone of any age.  I can see this beautiful ruffled bedding on a toddler's bed, providing glamour to a teen's room, or adding sophistication and romance to any bedroom!

Just look at how pretty it looks with the turquoise walls in my own bedroom!!

The crisp white color, flirty ruffles, and covered button details on the bolster make me want to re-do my daughter's room in all white and buy this gorgeous bedding to be the icing on the cake!

Just in case you weren't having quite enough trouble deciding between the last two collections, take a look at the Moroccan Garden Collection!  This colorful bedding collection has something for everyone with it's bold colors and fun floral designs!

The moment I opened the boxes for the Moroccan Garden Collection I was in love!  Dena has paired stripes and florals to create a beautiful one of a kind collection that is colorful, fun, and just makes you want to smile!

The quilt has the perfect mix of vintage charm and lively rich color to make it my own personal favorite among her new collections, though I have to say that choosing just one collection to love is not an easy task!

And the details are what really set all of Dena's bedding apart from your average run of the mill bedding I see so much of these days.  Instead of boring, the Moroccan Garden collection is bold, beautiful and with its many colors, it would be at home in almost any bedroom!

Just look at the detail on this embroidered pillow...and you could easily use this with The Cloud Collection too.  I love the versatility of all of Dena's bedding and how you can mix and match among the three collections!

I also love this pillow that combines striped fabric, ribbon, and beautiful crewel work!

The Moroccan Garden collection will definitely be on my wish list when it comes out in just a few months...and I'm thinking that with three bedrooms and a son leaving for college this fall I might just have to buy all three of Dena's collections! ;-)

I would like to thank Dena, Alex, and Allison for helping me get this beautiful bedding so that I could share it with you.  And to the wonderful girls from The Vintage Source for letting me borrow one of their great quilt racks to use to display the Wish and Cloud Collections in some of the photographs.

And be sure to pick up a copy of Romantic Country Magazine this September to see Dena's gorgeous home!