Freckled Star

Romantic dressing.....

The good thing about living in California is we can still wear dresses in the Fall and even the Winter:)

All these items are from Ruche an online retailer that I am in LOVE with!

I have never been disappointed with anything I have purchased from them. They are very much like Anthro but half the price!!

Very romantic clothing.....

And accessories....

There is a contest going on right now to name this cardigan and you can win it.....

I never win and couldn't wait so I had to get it before my size sold out. It will be so cute with dark denim jeans and my brown boots:)

Love, love, love this dress.......

And this one....

Are you seeing a theme here?? I love neutrals and lace and kind of flowy fabrics:)

I am kicking myself because I bought a jacket at Anthro that almost looks exactly like this...

And I paid twice as much!! Ughh....

I want those shoes!! But my size is out of stock. Aren't they cute!

Tan and olive;)

Well that's it for me. Have to go to work now:)

Have a wonderful weekend. I can't wait for workshop tomorrow! I need to get my hands dirty;)

 

Good Morning:)

Get ready to blog jump!

First up....

Life On Grace

She is doing a 12 Days of Handmade Christmas tutorials. Great ideas! I just ordered fabric to do the ragamuffin garland she made. I also went to Lowes yesterday and low and behold I found the tiles to do the coasters. Seriously probably the cheapest and cutest Christmas gift ever!!!!

Speaking of the fabric.....

I have mentioned SewLoveFabrics before but this is her blog. It has a link to her Etsy. Aren't those colors gorgeous. Okay so I don't sew necessarily but now I have something to do with all my beautiful purchases from her. She has the greatest selection. It's hard not to buy everything!! This will go in my bathroom. Perfect:)

Next.....

Lily Bean Paperie is one of best paper crafting blogs I have seen. Rich colorful pictures. Makes me want to scrapbook right now! Would you just look at my desk.....

I have got to get ready for workshop on Saturday!! I still have paper and millinery to pull out. I still need to go buy linen.....

I'll think about that later....:)

French Larkspur has great colors. Blues and creams love them! Check out the Christmas ornaments with the vintage buttons inside. Or the garland made of vintage buttons. So many ideas!! I have to add those ornaments to my list today:)

Jeez two projects for using all the fabric I have accumulated (because let's face it I don't know when to say when;) and my abundance of buttons. Fabulous!!

Maybe one more.....

Simply Me Art because her post today was hysterical:) And her jewelery ain't to bad either;)

Happy jumping!

Hope it gets your creative juices flowing:)

Changes.........

Did you know.........

I don't like change.

I like schedules and lists.

I like knowing where everything is.

I like doing it all by myself.

Even if I am not capable.

I don't like to concede that I am not.

I have a very hard time letting go of things I control.

Even if it's just loading a dishwasher.

Case in point......

For as long as Frank and I have been together our weeknights consist of me making dinner. I set the table. Placemats, napkins, condiments and such. I clear the table. I wash the dishes and load the dishwasher. I wash the coffee pot (why did I buy one of those fancy kinds that every little piece has to be washed??? I don't even drink coffee!). I make the coffee and set the timer. I make his lunch. I wipe down the counters. I am done.

That's a lot of I's.

For the last couple of weeks Frank has randomly just started washing dishes and loading the dishwasher. I tell him every time "you don't have to do that". Because let's face it compared to his work, his commute I am sitting pretty:) But it's more than that......

I am not ready to be that kind of team.

I have always loved the "you work" and "I'll take care of the home and kids". I am a nester. I love my things. My French pots, my shun knives. My kitchen is like a sanctuary to me. And when the man starts putting my $100 bread knife that I bought 5 years ago and lovingly sharpen every other week in the dishwasher I want to push him aside and say "please go sit down, I can do this". I can do this........

So last night.....

Frank was going on and on about what a champion dish washer he is as I clear the table and I say "why after 18 years of marriage have you suddenly decided to help out in the kitchen?????". He says "so you'll get done faster and you can come sit by me."

Some of these changes I can definitely get used to;)

This is a picture of me taken by him. I found it while trying to organize our random pictures into folders. This is our backyard. I have no idea what I am looking at. Or when he took it. This is how he sees me.

After 18 years.........

Ever evolving..............

Always changing.

 

Going green.....

New website ladies.....

Viva Terra

I got thier catalog last week and all I can say is "why me?":)

Needless to say I love it and just about everything in it. Very zen like. Peaceful and calming. They call it Eco Living with style. Take a look....

Absolutely gorgeous place settings......

Plates made of recycled glass. Love the hand gathered river stone place mat!

As we all know I am a sucker for succulents.....

Basket made of driftwood found on Oregon coast beaches.

Recycled glass terrariums.

Organic Cotton Spa Towels. They look heavenly:)

I want my spa to look like that outside! Love all the ways they use stones to catch your eye.

They have stone bath mats too....

Makes me want to redo my back yard yet again.....

 

I am so many different styles I could not say exactly how I decorate. There is no name for it. If I see it and I like it I use it. I have a very ecclectic house to say the least. But I do love the Zen, Feng Shui, organic type style. Woods and glass. Oh and I am really liking those stones. Green and blues. Lots of white too.

I know I am all over the place:)

Just another place to get ideas. Leads to inspiration and movement of everything in my house and yard;)

Sign up for the catalog you'll love it!

 
 

Happy Halloween!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween!

It's the annual Cychner Boo Bash tonight......

We are all going as Spartans. Yes I live with lots of boys!! But Lindsay and I get to wear pretty dresses:) And she is doing my make up this evening. Hmmmmm don't know if this is a good idea or not:)

Here is pictures of when we went to California Adventure last week for trick or treating....

No we had not been drinking:) Just a candy high!

Remember it's all fun and games til someone throws up in thier candy bag on the Toy Story ride:(

I am not naming names. Except to say it wasn't me and it wasn't someone in costume;)

Even Mr. Potato Head knows you don't go upside down on California Screamin' and then get on some 3-D ride!! After a bag full of candy and a piece of pizza;)

Trick or Treat:)
 
  

More crowns.......

I love these......

 

I really need to stop looking in my Ballards catalog!!

Ohh all the Christmas stuff!!!!

And I must have these......

Wisteria

Makes me want to go outside and clean my backyard after the crazy wind we have had the last couple of days. Nahh......the wind will be back and it's too darn cold outside right now:) I think it may be 65!! I hope that made all of you in the snow laugh at my weakness;)

Have a wonderful weekend:)

Speaking of things that are French.......

 Four things I can't live without in my kitchen.........

   

   Oliviers & Co.

Fleur de Sel from Williams-Sonoma and you can't go wrong with Ina's Barefoot in Paris Cookbook. She makes everything really easy!! Forget Julia Child. I have her books too and she is a wee bit more complicated. With these four things you can make any salad, vegetable or piece of meat taste 5 star. I promise:) These are standards I use everyday. And you'll never buy a bottle of salad dressing again. The balsamic is so flavorful and in a vinaigrette is fantastic! Bottled dressings have so much fat and preservatives in them anyway and the light one's taste yucky:) You don't have to try these but pick up a decent bottle of balsamic and olive oil at your grocery store and try a vinaigrette.

Remember 1 part acid (balsamic, lemon juice, vinegar) to 3 parts olive oil. Little salt, little pepper(My Favorite) and voila! Oh and at the very least pick up a box of kosher salt and throw the blue Morten's table salt away!! It's not good for you! Oh and one other thing....

Le Creuset Dutch Ovens! So that makes 5 things:)

Next from Lola B's Boutique.......

Yum French Sugar and....

Honey! Ohhh get in my shopping cart now!!

Things I think I am going to try.......

  

French Wine Club and Cheese Selection from Williams-Sonoma. Where else?? Frank and I have been on this wine kick lately and on Sunday's we usually lie around watching sports and nibbling. This looks like fun!! Throw in some good French bread and that honey from Lola's and I think we may just have a party for two;)

How many more days til Sunday???????
 

I should also tell you that I am a cheater....

That cheese spread and wine you see up above I am not going to pay shipping and handling and wait two weeks for that !! No I am an instant gratification type of girl:) I am going to write down the description for both and take it to my local BevMo and Trader Joe's and find if not the exact same thing for half the price then at least it's equivilent. I do this alot. There are SOOOO many speciality and gourmet food websites. One day I will have to tell you about them all! But it's really that easy. Find a nice tray and there you go;) Maybe I'll show you all how to put one of these together......

There is an idea:)

There are some things that are definetly worth the price and the drive (that balsamic!!) or worth the wait (can't wait to get my honey!!). Others you can improvise. Either way "Eat well, live well and be well".

Until next time....

 
 

  

The French General

A few weeks ago Char and I made our way to LA to find The French General.

We didn't get lost!!

I could spend hours in this place:)

It smells so good and you are surrounded by all these beautiful notions, fabrics, bits and pieces and so and so on....

I went in search of one thing.....

I had to have that pin cushion. Even though I don't necessarily sew.....

I did fall in love with making those fabric cuffs at my Artistic Bliss event back in November.

So.....

I had to buy fabric, a tape measure and a sewing kit too. Right???

And just look at these little charms and tacks....

Now the scissors are another story....

Those are from Andrea over at One Hundred Wishes but she is closed til after the first of the year. Which may be a good thing for me. Thank god you can't see how much I paid for those;) But they feel so good in my hands. Just nod and smile if you know what I am talking about:)

They have a great website too. Here is a little preview....

And the candles I was talking about.....

These kits are awesome....

Pick up a book and you'll see what I mean. 

Have you seen Rachel Ashwell's new book?? It is amazing:) And if you love to entertain you have to get the Homemade Soirees book by the French General. Both available at Amazon.

I have to go pretend to know what the heck I am doing now:)

This work stuff is for the birds;)
 
 
 

A little note....

Hi girls~

Just a little note today:)

It seems as though I have not had a chance to really sit in a long time......

And even now Tyler is about to walk through the door......

Today is good weather to make cookies and that's what I really feel like doing although I really don't need the cookies!

Especially considering yesterday I vowed to take better care of myself.....

Meaning more walks, more sit ups and push ups (man do my chicken wings hurt today:), taking my vitamins, drinking more water, remembering to wash my face and floss at night (which I have not been doing), eat something for breakfast, chill out the laundry can wait and the list goes on........

But I also vowed to not let go of the little things I truly hold dear. Like the smell of cookies throughout the house when kids come home from thier long day at school. The first thing Tyler does is open the fridge and pour himself a tall glass of milk. When he gets older and has a family of his own I hope he remembers these days and how important it is to have mommy at home. My love for my children has no bounds and as long as they take that into adulthood that's all I can ask for. Even if it would have been a lot easier for me if I had started this whole dealer thing earlier:) Why can't we know our path from the beginning?? I guess that wouldn't be much fun would it:)

My daughter had that picture in her photo bucket she keeps on my computer. This one too....

Photos from Bleu Bird Vintage

What can I say the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree:)

I have kids to go hug;)

Your morning laugh:)

My Home Ideas again. Who would have thought to put a flower arrangement in a roasting pan!! Love it:) Click on site to get directions.

Now for your morning laugh.........:)

Creation~

A man said to his wife one day

"I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time"

The wife responded

"Allow me to explain God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me....

"God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you."

Now Frank has never come out and just said this. But I am sure he has thought it several times over the last 20 years!! Every time I get that LOOK from him I am going to think of this and laugh. I can't help the fact that I don't know how to clean a pool filter or change a tire or I burn bread frequently or I can't steer a boat or find the studs in the wall before hanging something heavy, which reminds me one of my curtain tie backs is hanging by a thread:) Oh and the list goes on and on. If it requires a glue gun or a butter knife I am all over it......any tools other than that well not so much.

Thanks Grace that was funny:)

Happy Thursday.

I get to leave for Monterrey tomorrow. HURRAY!!!