with these fun espadrilles from Nine West! Which color fits you?
Other Bright Finds: Sky High Platforms, Sephora by OPI Glee
More Fashion blog posts and Mo
re ways to follow BB&B
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway
I'm so excited about this giveaway! You know I love children's clothing, but today it's all about the women. This exclusive giveaway is from Shabby Apple, a boutique clothing company specializing in women's and little girls dresses. They will be giving away the dress pictured above (in your size) to one lucky The Cottage Home blog reader.
Click HERE to enter the giveaway, retrieve the exclusive discount code, and find out more about this amazing company.
Etsy Finds: Butterflies
I just found the most wonderful surprise this morning on the front page of Etsy....
My favorite thing to collect - Butterflies!
More Etsy Finds
and
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Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Where We Blog - Home Office / Favorite Cozy Spot
I am excited to share with you my next featured blogger in the "Where We Blog" series. Barbara Dettweiler of Haus Design wrote to me and explained that she has lived in Munich for the past four years with her family and she would like to share the different cafes where she blogs from. This is such a treat... so enjoy the tour, I sure did!
In Barbara's words, "I thought it might be fun to give you a tour of some of my favorite cafes here in Munich where I love to blog. Because Munich is at such a cross-roads in Europe, it's not unusual on any given day to encounter people in the cafes from all over Europe and beyond, speaking all sorts of languages, with all kinds of stories to tell. I love to be inspired in these beautiful surroundings while soaking up the quintessential European cafe culture. Here are my favorite cafes where I blog."
A short walk to many of Munich's fantastic art museums, Cafe Puck is a classic European cafe with a laid back feel. It is located in the district called "Schwabing" which in the early 20th century was the hub of the bohemian art scene in Munich, and you can still fell that creative vibe today.
A swanky bar by night, Comercial Cafe is a great cafe during the day. This is located in one of the nicest shopping district of Munich, so there are always a few shopping stops along the way to and from this very cool spot!
I love the old world touches in the lighting, the floors and the bar areas at Caffe Florian. Their "Heisse Schokolade" (hot chocolate) on a wintry Munich morning can't be beat.
The trendy Cafe Wiener Platz, located across from Vienna Square (Wienerplatz), is definitely modern Munich. It is great for sophisticated people watching with their dogs in tow!
For an authentic Bavarian experience, I head to Georgenhof. This cafe is cozy with dark woods and lots of Bavarian touches.
Barbara states, "We love Munich's vibrant cultural scene, beautiful architecture and many greenspaces, all set against the backdrop of the Alps. The location is also amazing since all kinds of adventures are at our doorstep in every direction. As you can imagine, our time here and traveling throughout Europe have provided me with a TON of design inspiration!"
Thank you Barbara for this fabulous tour! I know where I want to visit soon...
Please submit your "home office" or "favorite cozy spot to blog" by
e-mailing your photo to laura.trevey@gmail.com
Related: My Home Office / Art Studio
Bright ideas: Creative Work Spaces and Organizing Tips
Beautiful Home Living - Pegboards and Bulletin Boards
More ways to follow BB&B
Tortellini with Lemon Cream Sauce
Sometimes the most delicious dishes only contain a few ingredients. My tortellini with lemon cream sauce is one of those. So simple, yet indulgently delicious.
Tortellini with Lemon Cream Sauce
Ingredients:
1 package fresh cheese tortellini (8 oz.)
3 tablespoons butter
1.5 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese1 lemon
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
Begin cooking fresh tortellini according to package directions.
In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add in heavy cream and bring to a boil. Once you've reached a boil, reduce the heat to medium. Add in the juice of one lemon, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Taste the sauce to check for salt and pepper. I like a lot of pepper in my cream sauce and if it doesn't taste savory enough, it probably needs more salt.
Allow the sauce to bubble lightly until it reaches your desired consistency. Once you are happy with the thickness of your sauce, reduce the heat to low until your tortellini is ready.
Drain tortellini and add to the large saucepan. Toss to coat. Serve with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, freshly grated black pepper and a slice of lemon.
Enjoy!
How To Make an Easter Egg Tree
I have to share this easy and fun DIY project - How to Make an Easter Egg Tree found on Fresh Home Ideas. Click here for step by step instructions. Be sure to pick up the new Spring 2011 issue of Fresh Home magazine as well.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Color Inspiration: Brown and Orange
This bedroom by Jonathan Adler is so dreamy! The chocolate brown paint color, the gorgeous orange and white designs, the stunning rug... This room gets an A+ in my book!
Last week's color inspiration: Lilac and Honeysuckle
Another Color Inspiration ~ Easter Pastels
More color inspiration and
Mo
re ways to follow BB&B
Have you heard of Bamboopink! It's coming your way soon!!!
In Matthew's Steps: The Greatness Debate
The First Steps: Read: Matthew 18
Focus Verse: At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:1-3
Meditation: The Greatness Debate
It snowed here! Again! Last week we received a recogrd breaking 18 inches of snow...all in the same night. Even after the first day, the snow was piled up alongside the road. Huge hills of snow can be seen.
As an adult snow at any time is a bit...annoying. But I remember as a kid playing on these huge hills of snow our school would push up on the sides of the parking lot. The hills weren't probably all that big...but as a kid they were huge! And when no one was looking we'd play a game known as "King of the Hill". A game to decide who was the greatest climber and stayer on the mountain of snow.
As an adult I have grown past that childish game...right? Not quite. The question: "Who's the greatest?" is still up for grabs. Only now the question is: "Who's the greatest pastor?" ... "Who's the greatest citizen?" ... "Who's the greatest person...period?" Adults rank greatness depending on social status in the community, salary, influence. Greatness is found for us in how popular we are, how well-traveled we are, or how successful our children are.
The disciples too competed for greatness... greatness in this new "kingdom of heaven" Jesus was talking about. And this chapter in Matthew today highlights just how radically different Jesus' idea of greatness is from ours. Let's see what Jesus says...
"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."... One of the ways we determine greatness as adults is by educational level. The more education we have, we figure, the greater we become. Doctors and surgeons are paid so much, not because of what they do, but because of how much education they need to do what they do. The greater the education...the greater you are. Jesus says... NO. Education doesn't measure greatness in the kingdom of heaven. When we must become like an uneducated child to enter it, greatness takes on a whole new meaning. Our worth doesn't depend on the "Dr." in front of our names or on how many degrees we obtained after high school. Becoming humus(dirt) is what helps you achieve greatness in this new kingdom of heaven. Lowering yourself and becoming the servant to others is what makes you great.
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."... Think of the ones you "look up" to...and those you "look down" on. You might think of the homeless man on the street compared to, say, Donald Trump. Which one is great in the world's eyes? Trump of course. And which one is looked down on? Jesus says that the little ones looked down on have a special place in God's heart. They are truly great!
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you."...Apart from being a celebrity and the educational level we achieve, another way we measure greatness is by our sinlessness. By our perfection. The less we offend others, the less we do wrong, the greater we think we are. The more we offend, the more we risk being seen as weak. Take, for example, the ever common pastoral offense. This happens when your pastor(who is human) does something that offends you. Immediately you feel...strange. The man (or woman) you thought was so great...isn't. Their perfection is flawed. Their sin is apparrent. You struggle with what to do. Do you go to them? Or not? How do you handle their fall from grace? Do you leave? Or do you make them leave?
"'Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?'" Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"... Finally Jesus asserts that true greatness is found in forgiveness. We can measure our greatness in this kingdom of heaven by our ability to forgive others. This is a different teaching that what the world teaches us where greatness is found in the justice we can weild against others and the power we hold over their lives, not in our ability to forgive and forget their mistakes. Sin gives the victim power. And that power is a sign of greatness. In the kingdom of heaven, though, that power is dispursed. The sinner is forgiven. And the ability to forgive becomes a mark of true greatness.
To be humble, lowly like a child, forgiving(not grudge holding), to place yourself at the lowest station. That is truly greatness according to Jesus. So... how does your definition measure up? What needs to change...for you to be truly great? Amen!
Questions to Ponder...
1) Imagine a "great" person... What does he or she look like? What is so great about them?
2) We measure greatness with money in our culture. With that said, who is "great" in the world's eyes? Who are the "little ones?"
3) How do you struggle with being great? What would you life look like if you just relaxed and trusted in God like a child?
A Prayer to Pray...
Heavenly Father, your Son comes announcing a new kingdom of heaven that is foreign to everything we know or see. Give us eyes of faith that we might trust in His word, believing in his greatness, and serving him in humility that we might become even as little children in this new kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
New Sponsor and Pattern Giveaway - Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops
I am so excited about the newest sponsor of The Cottage Home blog -
This online shop is full of amazing sewing patterns, fabrics and notions. Today, owner Terri, is giving away one sewing pattern of your choice from her amazing shop for TWO readers.
Click HERE to read more about this exclusive giveaway for The Cottage Home readers and enter to win. Also, find out why I love Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops and why you will too!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Cool Quotes ~ Giveaway!
** Suzanne, you are the winner - Congrats!! **
I am really excited about today's giveaway by Cool Quotes! Not only is Carole Trevey a wonderful illustrator, she is also my daughter. She is offering 3 prints ($48.00 value) of your choice. You could make a collage on your wall with the live, laugh, and love - or -
Also, why wait? Use code BBBSALE at checkout for 30% off this week!
To qualify, Visit Cool Quotes and leave a comment below.
Also Click on the Facebook
"like" button
(right above the comments)
for an extra entry.
Burlap Covered Lamp Shade Tutorial
I'm definitely in full-on nesting mode now and have been tackling all sorts of home improvement projects. I have been working on bringing more texture into our home lately. While I love bright, fresh fabrics for little girls clothing, I much prefer a warm, earthy palette for my home decor.
I love looking through the Potterybarn and Ballard Designs catelogues for ideas and inspiration. Both of these stores are a little out of my budget these days, but I think they do such a wonderful job of putting rooms together with color, texture and natural elements.
image via Ballard Designs
I have been eying these burlap covered lamp shades in the Ballard Designs catelogue lately, but at $35 - $50 per shade, I just can't justify the splurge. So what is a girl to do? How about a DIY version for only $1.50 per shade? Now, that's more like it!
Burlap Covered Lamp Shade Tutorial
Materials:
1 solid color lamp shade (any size)
1-2 yards burlap (more yardage for bigger shades)
Spray adhesive
Heat n' Bond
Glue gun
Iron
Clothes pinsScissors
Directions:
Grab your lamp shade. This was an IKEA shade that I've had for quite some time. I covered two of these and one much larger shade. I like the shape of this shade, but I never loved the fact that the light looked so white coming through it. I knew the burlap would help fix that problem and warm it right up.
Make sure you choose a solid color shade. Any patterns will show through the burlap and the shade will lose it's earthy look.
I purchased my burlap at my local Joann's. It was $3.99 per yard, but I had a 50% off coupon, plus an additional 25% off coupon - got love coupons for fabric!
Turn your lamp shade on its side and trace it (by rolling it along your burlap). Leave an inch or two allowance on the top and bottom. It's hard to see my markings in the picture above, but I just used a pink highlighter.
Cut out your pattern. Most angled shades will look like the shape above. If you are using a drum shade (meaning round), you will have a less curved pattern.
Spray your entire lamp shade with spray adhesive. Do this outside since the fumes can be a little overwhelming. You can find spray adhesive in most craft stores and hardware stores. Wrap your burlap around the shade, smoothing all the bumps as you go.
Cut off any excess burlap from the top and the bottom of the shade. The burlap should not extend past the top or bottom of the shade.
Now to make the finished edge or binding. Measure around the top and the bottom of the shade. You will want a long enough length of burlap to cover these two measurements plus and extra inch or so. Cut the burlap 2 inches wide. Grab your Heat n Bond for the next step.
Iron the Heat n Bond (paper side up) down the middle of your long burlap strip. Once it has cooled remove the paper backing.
Next you will fold in both sides and press. This will secure the two raw edges of the burlap. Do this all the way down the entire strip.
Heat up your glue gun. Turn the outside raw edge of the burlap under and glue in place down the back of the shade.
Take the binding and hot glue it to the top and bottom of the shade. This will hide any raw edges. Trim any excess burlap that might be poking above or below the binding.
I used clothes pins to hold the binding in place. Because of the angled shape of this shade I really had to work to get the binding to lay flat since I did not cut it on the bias. This step will be a lot easier with a round drum shade. The clothes pins really helped me here, so I highly recommend using them during this step. Once the glue has cooled, remove clothes pins.
When your lamp shade is complete, place it on your lamp base and enjoy this beautiful, natural look! This lamp base is also one I have had for many years from IKEA.
I considered using bias tape for binding the top and the bottom of the lamp shade. You certainly could give that a try if you want to skip the step of making your own burlap binding. I think brown, cream or natural would look really nice. Or if you are feeling a little wild try blue, green or red.
Here's the extra-large shade that I covered for the lamp in our playroom. This shade was a hand-me-down and had a little hole in it that drove me nuts. But the size was so wonderful, that I couldn't bare to part with it. With the burlap on the shade, you would never know it ever had a hole.
Three lamp shades for a total of $4.00 - sure beats three shades for $105 - $150, don't you think? Granted they would be a little more if you don't have all the supplies (I only had to buy the burlap), but still, I think it was well-worth taking the time for a little DIY!
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