Blogger’s new design options

As with design in my home – I’m always looking for ways to keep the blog looking fresh.  There’s just something in me that likes to keep things changed up.  It’s kind of like re-arranging some furniture but with a lot less back work involved. ☺

I was checking out Blogger’s blog and they’ve introduced some new ways to display your blog.  It’s called Dynamic Views.  The cool thing about this option is your “guest” can decide how they would like to view your blog.  Whether they want to see more pictures than words – whether they want to look at it month by month.  Lot’s of fun ways to change it up.

Here are some examples of what it would look like:

Sidebar

Flipcard:

Magazine:

Mosaic:

Snapshot:

Timeslide:

Classic:

You can update the colors and the header but it’s got to be a thin header.  I like the sleek design – clean, crisp.  I can’t say I’m ready to hop on board today.  My main concern is: will my guest know what to do?  It’s a rather new option so Blogger is still working out some kinks. But I’m going to keep it in the back of my mind as option.

Oh and if you want to see what your blog would look like you can hop over to the Blogger blog and check it out…  Let me know what you think!

Photo Challenge Week 4

It’s that time again! Here’s what we had on tap for this week:

Technically we had Day 20-24 but I left out Day 17 last week but already did Day 20 so I’m jumping around a bit!

I didn’t get anything accomplished for the Day 22 – Hands; so I’ll keep working on that one.  Have you been attempting some photography?  Don’t forget to hop over to Michelle’s and check out the Photo Party!  Oh and if you want to check out:

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Go for it!!

Dining Inspiration

As you may remember, I have been trying to figure out what I’m going to do in our Dining Room.  We’ve been talking about this for a while here and here. So I have been scouring my favorite website…  PINTEREST for inspiration for a little refresh. I have been having a hard time trying to decide what direction to take (since I’ve been thinking about it since FEBRUARY!)  Our dining room is open to the Living room and kitchen, so you really have to treat them like 3 rooms in 1, which makes it a bit challenging! 

The walls in the kitchen and dining room are a bright cheery green.  The kitchen and dining room have to be the same color.  I’ve gone around and around trying to figure out a way to create a transition area so the rooms could be painted different colors but it just doesn’t work.  I’ve actually had multiple conversations with my design team (a.k.a Shannon & Cindy).  All that is to say that the green walls are staying – which I love anyway!

So when I saw this pin by Katie Bower on Pinterest via Canadian House & Home, I knew it was the perfect solution!

The combination of the celery green, navy and golden browns are just scrumptious!

So we already have the celery taken care of with the wall color.  The natural tones will be in our dining table – a family piece from my Grandmother, hardwood floors and antique corner cabinet.  To bring in the navy I will be painting a set of vintage bamboo chairs courtesy of my Mother in law.  She has the whole set from the 70’s – table, chairs and china cabinet!  She is still using the cabinet and had given us the table a while back.

I will need to add new soft furnishings: rug, fabric for chair covers and window treatments.  We replaced the chandelier a while back with this super good bargain from CB2 for $50 smack-a-roos!  Can you say deal?!?!  So here’s what I’m thinking…

So what do you think??  The rug is another good bargain from Shades of Light.  The 5 x 8 is only $280.00.  The Ikat panels are from West Elm – and might not be the final selection but give the right idea of what I’m thinking.  And the artwork is just another idea – we’ll see where we end up.  I have been toying around with the idea of gallery wall there.  It’s a long wall that could use some different shapes and sizes.

So what do you think??  Are you working on any re-designs?  Any great sources for window treatments I need to know about??

Photo Challenge Week 3

We’re in week 3 of the Photo Challenge with Ten June

This photo challenge really has me thinking outside the box and trying things I’ve been wanting to do for a while now but without a specific motivation it hasn’t happened!  So yippee – I’m trying to work on my photography skills and y’all are the suckers stuck checking them out.  I love a baited audience! 

This week I had a lot of fun with the editing via Picnik.  I told ya last week but I’m going to say it again. You must go play with the editing tools via Picnik!  So fun!  I thought it’d be fun to see the SOC (straight-out-of-camera) along side the final edited picture.

Used the “black & white” edit and brightened up Annie’s coat a bit and cropped to bring more focus to the eyes

“Focal black & white” with some “boost” added afterwards

All the sunlight rays were in the original shot.  Used “cross process” & “vignette” for edit

“1960’s” edit style

“Orto-nish” & “vignette” edit

 

So which one is your favorite?  Have you been taking any pictures lately – well if your answer is yes you better get over to Picnik and play with some editing features!  ☺ And don’t forget to link up to Michelle’s Party!

Check out Photo Challenge Week 1 & Week 2

Photo Challenge Week 2

Well it’s already time again for the Ten June PHOTO CHALLENGE!!  But first make sure you checked out my submissions for week 1

We’re on week 2 of the assignment – and I have to say I’m enjoying this!  I’m having fun with the actual picture taking but also having fun with editing.  I’ve wanted PhotoShop for a long time but just can’t make the very hefty plunge to purchase it!  So I’ve been playing with Picnik and I have to say I’m enjoying it.  I did sign up for the premium membership ($25 / year) which if you’re going to use it I think makes it totally worth it!  But anyhoo…  on to this week’s shots:

Day 8 – a bad habit (oh so bad…)

Day 9 – Someone I love – the super cute mug – wuv ‘em

Day 10 – A childhood memory – my Granddaddy’s pipe

Day 11: Something blue – Blue Moon that is – YUM!

Day 12 – Sunset – courtesy of an amazing weekend @ Ocean Isle Beach

Day 13 – Me with 13 things

Some fun shots!  I told ya I love playing with the editing!  So are you joining up over at Ten June??  I think you should!!  No pressure if you didn’t get all 7 shots – share what ya got!

Birchbox Numero Uno!

Well….  I received my first Birchbox this week!!  I’ve been super excited to get this in the mail ever since I signed up last month.  Kate over @ It’s the Small Things introduced me to this super cool company.  You sign up for $10/month and they send you a box of “goodies” each month with all kinds of different hair care, skin care, cosmetics, or perfumes!

Here’s this month’s box – and oh b.t.w.  you don’t always get the same items in your box as someone else for example you can see what Kate got in her box this month here.

Cute presentation right?!?!  Hey what can I say I’m a designer peeps – the wrapping is almost as important as the present!!

   

                       Ahava Foot Cream                        blinc mascara – super cool concept

   

Lash Card – use this not to get mascara anywhere but your lashes.  Seems a bit excessive to me – not sure I’ll see myself using this.

Pandea Organic Facial Scrub & Ouidad Humidity Gel

My overall impression of this month’s box: some good picks and some not so much picks.  But I kind of think that’s the general idea – and I’m cool with that!! If you would like to sign up for your very own Birchbox just click here!

You know I love me some packages!  Have you gotten anything fun in the mail recently??  Do tell!

Photo Challenge–Week 1

Sweet Michelle over @ Ten June is hosting a Photo Challenge

Here’s the run down on the challenge:  Every day you take a picture – well at least after 7 days have your pictures ready to post (can’t say I’m great at doing one a day.)  Truthfully I didn’t necessarily set out to take each picture this week for the category but it just worked out that pictures that I did take this week fit into the category!  So this is super easy to join along and work on your photography skillz!  Hop on the band wagon!  She’s actually got a linky party going on each Wednesday to check out everyone’s progress!!

Here’s the list of photos to take:

You can see she “borrowed” this list from Kristi James Photography – check out her site here.

So see how I did this week:

Self – Portrait @ the Panther game with my main squeeze!

What you wore – playing with reflection

Clouds

Something Green – a little something from our CSA share

From a high angle – foyer in the March of Dimes Showhouse

From a low angle – well relatively low – we are in the “cheap seats” but compared to the skyscrapers of the Queen City it’s low ☺

Fruit – some more bounty from our CSA share

I’m really enjoying this challenge…  hoping to work on my creativity a bit more this next week…  We’ll see if I step up to the challenge!  Come join the fun!!