Hello world!
Please excuse my absence from the blogosphere. I've been insanely busy (lazy) and working myself to death (lazy). I have lots of great ideas for blog posts though (rather uninspired these days) and I can't wait to get them down in a post (which who knows when that will be.)
See you soon!
Apologetically (procrastinatingly) yours,
Nay
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Friday, December 17, 2010
Dear Santa Claus...
I know it's so close to Christmas. And I know the time for wishlists has come and gone. But I got my Anthropologie catalog in the mail the other day... and I found a few things that I would just LOVE to have :) My birthday IS around the corner you know ...
Happy Holidays, I love you all.
Nay
Happy Holidays, I love you all.
Nay
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| Austin's Flora Measuring cups, $28 |
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| Saturated Speckles Vase, $128 |
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| Topography dessert plates, $7.50 ea. |
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| Verdant Acres dinnerware, $10-16 |
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| Sip of Nectar mug, $12 |
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| Pen and Ink Tulips, $498 |
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
DIY Ladder Shelves by PrettyHandyGirl
Check this out- you know those cute as hell ladder shelves at Pottery Barn?
The following link is a blog that was a guest post on Centsational Girl from PrettyHandyGirl.com- she made her own ladder shelves!
LOVE THIS and I can't wait to try it!
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/11/guest-post-how-to-build-ladder-shelves/
Do it yourself!!
Nay
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| Like these?? |
The following link is a blog that was a guest post on Centsational Girl from PrettyHandyGirl.com- she made her own ladder shelves!
LOVE THIS and I can't wait to try it!
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/11/guest-post-how-to-build-ladder-shelves/
Do it yourself!!
Nay
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Manners Matter, or, Move Over Emily Post.
It's that most wonderful time of year! Time for holiday parties and get togethers and... *gulp*... in-laws.
Oh sweet Jesus.
For a lot of us, the holidays are our time to shine. It's the time of year that we deck our halls, bring out the fancy dishes, and make sure we're dressed to the nines. What a glorious time of year! It's also the time of year that families do the most fighting, the most despicable things, and forget their manners. Which is exactly what this post is all about. Manners.
Manners are a forgotten art in today's society. While most people believe in manners, they don't necessarily practice what they preach. This is understandable because many of our new creature comforts (email, Facebook, etc) have blurred the communication lines, and have created their own etiquette or made previous mores obsolete. It's time to brush up on our manners, people!
And what better time of year than at the holidays when our calendars dictate our lives, and thus, our social graces.
Brush up on your manners at:
A Holiday Open House or House Party
What to give:
Not flowers. They may not go with the look of the party, but the host would feel obligated to put them out. Instead, try a low-maintenance potted plant, which will last beyond the holiday season. A pail full of shiny red apples or a box of small, sweet clementines would be just divine!
What to do:
RSVP, for God's sake. Even for a casual event, the host needs to plan how much food and drink to get.
Make an effort to mingle, so the host doesn't feel she has to entertain you. Don't take the term "open house" literally. Keep to the areas clearly decorated for the party.
How to dress: A crowded party can get hot. To stay comfortable, make sure the layer closest to your skin is something lightweight. A colorful shawl adds festive flair and is easier than a sweater to put on and take off as necessary.
Coming and going: Showing up anytime from five minutes after the designated start time to 30 minutes before the stated finish is OK.
How to follow up: Send a thank-you note, and if you have talked to the host about something in particular―a DVD she might like, for instance―send that along, too.
The Office Holiday Party
What to give:
Remember the classroom rule: If you don't have gifts for everyone, don't hand them out in front of everyone. If you're giving presents to only some of your coworkers, do so at another time.
What to do:
Introduce yourself to the company bigwigs. If they seem busy, just add that you enjoy working there, and move on. Listen more than you speak. Avoid conversations about politics or religion with coworkers you don't know well. Consider sticking to club soda. Nobody's the talk of the office for eating too many cheese puffs, but anyone who gets looped is discussed forever.
How to dress: Upgrade your normal office look. Accessorize a suit with an evening handbag and pumps. If you normally wear pants, a black skirt and a twinset should do the trick.
Coming and going: Don't be fashionably late; arrive no more than 10 minutes after the start time. Leave when you're ready- no one is watching the door and you don't have to clock out.
How to follow up: If someone took trouble to plan the party, a thank-you note would be thoughtful.
New Years Eve Bash
What to give:
A morning-after basket of teas and coffee, muffins or scones, and some aspirin.
A desk calendar and a selection of cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and other happy occasions in the new year.
What to do: The best way to show your appreciation for being invited is to get into the spirit of the party. If it's a masquerade, wear a mask. If the host wants everyone to wear sparkly party hats and boas, swallow your pride.
How to dress: In cold, dry winter weather, elegant fabrics such as silk are prone to static cling. To maintain a flowing look, run a wire hanger over your clothes to remove the electric charge.
Coming and going: Above all, avoid arriving early. For a cocktail party, your host probably expects you no later than an hour after the start time. If you're not sure when to leave, look for these signs: music turned down or up (to make talking more difficult); lights turned up; bar closed; food no longer being replenished; the host with her shoes off, rubbing her feet.
How to follow up: Send a thank-you note. If you took digital photos, e-mail a few, but send a handwritten note, too.
And for Heaven's sake- WRITE THANK YOU NOTES FOR EVERYTHING. No matter how small or insignificant you think it may be, writing a handwritten thank you note is more gratifying than any cheap bottle of wine you bring to the party.
Mind your manners, friends.
Nay
Oh sweet Jesus.
For a lot of us, the holidays are our time to shine. It's the time of year that we deck our halls, bring out the fancy dishes, and make sure we're dressed to the nines. What a glorious time of year! It's also the time of year that families do the most fighting, the most despicable things, and forget their manners. Which is exactly what this post is all about. Manners.
Manners are a forgotten art in today's society. While most people believe in manners, they don't necessarily practice what they preach. This is understandable because many of our new creature comforts (email, Facebook, etc) have blurred the communication lines, and have created their own etiquette or made previous mores obsolete. It's time to brush up on our manners, people!
And what better time of year than at the holidays when our calendars dictate our lives, and thus, our social graces.
Brush up on your manners at:
A Holiday Open House or House Party
What to give:
Not flowers. They may not go with the look of the party, but the host would feel obligated to put them out. Instead, try a low-maintenance potted plant, which will last beyond the holiday season. A pail full of shiny red apples or a box of small, sweet clementines would be just divine!
RSVP, for God's sake. Even for a casual event, the host needs to plan how much food and drink to get.
Make an effort to mingle, so the host doesn't feel she has to entertain you. Don't take the term "open house" literally. Keep to the areas clearly decorated for the party.
How to dress: A crowded party can get hot. To stay comfortable, make sure the layer closest to your skin is something lightweight. A colorful shawl adds festive flair and is easier than a sweater to put on and take off as necessary.
Coming and going: Showing up anytime from five minutes after the designated start time to 30 minutes before the stated finish is OK.
How to follow up: Send a thank-you note, and if you have talked to the host about something in particular―a DVD she might like, for instance―send that along, too.
The Office Holiday Party
What to give:
Remember the classroom rule: If you don't have gifts for everyone, don't hand them out in front of everyone. If you're giving presents to only some of your coworkers, do so at another time.
What to do:
Introduce yourself to the company bigwigs. If they seem busy, just add that you enjoy working there, and move on. Listen more than you speak. Avoid conversations about politics or religion with coworkers you don't know well. Consider sticking to club soda. Nobody's the talk of the office for eating too many cheese puffs, but anyone who gets looped is discussed forever.
How to dress: Upgrade your normal office look. Accessorize a suit with an evening handbag and pumps. If you normally wear pants, a black skirt and a twinset should do the trick.
Coming and going: Don't be fashionably late; arrive no more than 10 minutes after the start time. Leave when you're ready- no one is watching the door and you don't have to clock out.
How to follow up: If someone took trouble to plan the party, a thank-you note would be thoughtful.
New Years Eve Bash
What to give:
A morning-after basket of teas and coffee, muffins or scones, and some aspirin.
A desk calendar and a selection of cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and other happy occasions in the new year.
What to do: The best way to show your appreciation for being invited is to get into the spirit of the party. If it's a masquerade, wear a mask. If the host wants everyone to wear sparkly party hats and boas, swallow your pride.How to dress: In cold, dry winter weather, elegant fabrics such as silk are prone to static cling. To maintain a flowing look, run a wire hanger over your clothes to remove the electric charge.
Coming and going: Above all, avoid arriving early. For a cocktail party, your host probably expects you no later than an hour after the start time. If you're not sure when to leave, look for these signs: music turned down or up (to make talking more difficult); lights turned up; bar closed; food no longer being replenished; the host with her shoes off, rubbing her feet.
How to follow up: Send a thank-you note. If you took digital photos, e-mail a few, but send a handwritten note, too.
And for Heaven's sake- WRITE THANK YOU NOTES FOR EVERYTHING. No matter how small or insignificant you think it may be, writing a handwritten thank you note is more gratifying than any cheap bottle of wine you bring to the party.
Mind your manners, friends.
Nay
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Adventures in Furniture Refinishing
In these shaky economic times, no one (or no one I know) can afford to buy new furniture. Most of us can barely make rent. Fortunately, most furniture is really easy to refinish, and doesn't cost a lot of cash or time.
I've had this old entertainment center for years. When my parents bought it, it was pretty with its caramel colored wood, and it went well with our furniture. But it's been sitting in the storage shed for awhile, and it needed some love. I've always loved black furniture, so I decided to paint it. I bought black high gloss and some primer at Home Depot, and roughed up the surface with sandpaper so the primer would stick. After the primer dried, I rolled the black paint onto the large surfaces, and trimmed with a smaller brush. It only took an afternoon, and I'm really pleased with the results. I also bought some new cabinet knobs to dress the cabinet doors up a bit, but I have not put them on yet- still waiting for the paint to dry. Here are some pictures.
Again, this was super easy, and didn't take much time at all- just an afternoon. Time well spent if you ask me; my entertainment center looks brand new and a lot more stylish.
Let me know what you think.
Nay
I've had this old entertainment center for years. When my parents bought it, it was pretty with its caramel colored wood, and it went well with our furniture. But it's been sitting in the storage shed for awhile, and it needed some love. I've always loved black furniture, so I decided to paint it. I bought black high gloss and some primer at Home Depot, and roughed up the surface with sandpaper so the primer would stick. After the primer dried, I rolled the black paint onto the large surfaces, and trimmed with a smaller brush. It only took an afternoon, and I'm really pleased with the results. I also bought some new cabinet knobs to dress the cabinet doors up a bit, but I have not put them on yet- still waiting for the paint to dry. Here are some pictures.
Again, this was super easy, and didn't take much time at all- just an afternoon. Time well spent if you ask me; my entertainment center looks brand new and a lot more stylish.
Let me know what you think.
Nay
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
It's The Great Pumpkin (puree)!!!
The "Pumpkin Holidays" are coming :) I call them the "Pumpkin Holidays" because everyone is either decorating with or eating pumpkins. This is the time of year when we stock our pantries with pumpkin pie filling, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spices, etc.
Aside from pumpkin pie, pumpkin puree is next to impossible to use. Or so I thought. Then I saw these recipes from, you guessed it, Real Simple.
Pumpkin Pancakes
Serves 4
Prepare 1 cup dry pancake mix according to the package directions.
Whisk in 1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree.
You know the rest :)
Pumpkin Milk Shake
Makes 1 milk shake
Blend until smooth 1 cup vanilla ice cream, 1/4 cup milk, 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg.
Pumpkin Whipped Cream
Makes 2 cups
Beat together 1 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, and 1 tablespoon canned pumpkin puree until soft peaks form.
Happy Pumpkin Holidays!
Nay
Aside from pumpkin pie, pumpkin puree is next to impossible to use. Or so I thought. Then I saw these recipes from, you guessed it, Real Simple.
Pumpkin Pancakes
Serves 4
Prepare 1 cup dry pancake mix according to the package directions.
Whisk in 1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree.
You know the rest :)
Pumpkin Milk Shake
Makes 1 milk shake
Blend until smooth 1 cup vanilla ice cream, 1/4 cup milk, 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg.
Pumpkin Whipped Cream
Makes 2 cups
Beat together 1 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, and 1 tablespoon canned pumpkin puree until soft peaks form.
Happy Pumpkin Holidays!
Nay
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Just a suggestion....
Christmas is coming!! In preparation, I've already started compiling my Christmas list. However, feel free to get whatever you want for me ;)
Festively yours,
Nay
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| All Clad stainless steel, copper bottom cookware. |
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| Augustine duvet cover, Crate and Barrel |
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| Clockwork earrings, I've found ones similar to these at an antique shop here in Richmond |
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| Cobalt blue Artisan stand mixer, Kitchen Aid |
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| Emily pillow, Pottery Barn |
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| Wall art, Keys, Crate and Barrell |
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| Lucky Brand scarf |
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| The Tudors: Final Season- serious guilty pleasure. |
Nay
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