Pesky Gnomes

I understand that there is a new European pest invading American gardens that, until now, had no native predators. Garden Gnomes first popped up in city gardens. As I understand it, they were first seen in small plots near churches, where they were first introduced by unsuspecting gardeners, perhaps to ward off the gargoyles. They have established their own town and are spreading, like cudzu, to the 'burbs. We must stop this onslaught now! Using these gnome-bearers they can be carried off in an aggressive fashion, the only effective solution for permanent removal! If your garden gnome situation is not yet large enough to warrant the large garden gnome-bearers, mini-gnome-bearers may also be employed. If you have no sitings, yet, of these pests, a single scary gnome-be-gone should do the trick.

And, for those of you experiencing the explosion of flamingos migrating out of Florida, finding a home in your yard, there is the flamingo-be-gone.

Happy Gardening!

Bunny Bixler

Seeing this, I couldn't help but think of my favourite quote by "little Glori" in Auntie Mame. I just love books, they're so decorative. Save the ping pong ball!

Faux Toile - NYT

I am a BIG fan of toile. So I was curious to know how the faux toile, mentioned in this article in the NY Times, As Housing Slows, What of Décor-Speak? was created. Since most faux is done by hand with paint or other medium, then how does one execute a faux toile? With a sharpie? That would take mad skills.

Question is, would it look like this?

Or is this more what you had in mind?

Little Black Dress

This little stunner is by Martin Grant. And I'd wear this with it.

Washington Design Center Idea House

The Fall 2008 Washington Idea House has been open for two weeks now. Alas, a crazily delayed metro ride left us but one minute to snap, gasp! Therefore, I have to apologize for the quality of the photo of this picture, not nearly up to the standards of the picture I snapped yesterday of the gerbera daisies. Tilt your head a little and let's discuss the bedroom by Michelle Miller of Jenkins Baer Associates. I adore the sense of calm, though I am not a strictly neutrals person, being from the land of a thousand Algerian Red Dining Rooms. But, I'm just going to flat out say it, I like the mirrors and the bedside tables the best. I completed something like this when I redid my own Master Bedroom a couple of years ago. The mirror was an inexpensive door mirror, not the really cheesy thin framed ones, but ones with an nice frame, to simulate windows. When we eked into our Builder Basic house ten years ago, we couldn't afford the extra windows for this wall, turns out that was a good thing as windows would have impeded the closet redesign and expansion. The mirrors do open up the space and are a great, frankly better, stand-in for windows. What do you think? Do you have an unconventional place for a mirror?

Gerbera Juleps

Mint Julep cups are so versatile. They breathe fresh air into spring, they sparkle at Christmas, not even fall escapes their charms. Halloween and Thanksgiving alike benefit from their beauty. This simple arrangement of Gerbera Daisies and Candy Corn is simple and festive.

Fall

We awoke to a crisp-apple fall day with the temperatures in the 40's. It's a perfect day to stay in bed snuggled under the fluffiest eider-down comforter. Then rise later to flaky-hot apple pastries and rich Sumatran coffee sipped by the crackle of an outdoor fire.
This moment was brought to you by an Elizabeth Lane wanna-be. Ahh, Christmas in Connecticut, what a wonderful slow-down truly feel-good movie!

Think Pink!

Mrs. Blandings has issued a call to "Post Pink" today. Gladly, for my friends who have faced down this disease, I am posting pink. Maison 21's posting, directed me to Target where I searched for "Breast Cancer Awareness" and found many things. As I am a Crafter, I specifically like this tote bag . Stone Creek donates two dollars of the purchase price to "Breast Cancer Awareness".

To donate more and spend less money, you may buy the "Breast Cancer Awareness Semi-Postal". This is a first class stamp which costs fifty-five cents, thirteen cents more than the current first class postage rate. That thirteen cents is donated to breast cancer research. For a sheet of twenty, you pay $11 dollars and you donate, let me do the math,... $2.60 cents. Even better!