Happy Halloween!

I boo'd my neighbor today!  It was my first boo ever, I had never heard of boo'ing until I began blogging this year!  What fun.  The problem is I do not think she is home!  Oh, well, she'll see her boo tonight!

This morning I received my Sugar Swap Pairing gift from Seersucker Scrapper.  It was a huge box, so I was really excited to open it.  I was not disappointed!  Inside were fabulous Halloween treats, a purple pumpkin, and a DVD! The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (we will watch that tonight as we give candy to the trick-or-treaters!).  The best part is that she had everything tied with the cutest little ribbons and cut-outs...she is obviously a great scrapper!  If you haven't seen her blog, stop by and say hello!

Now then, I have to make a confession that I have not been a very good partner to her.  I had accepted an offer to mail her package only to find out that it was still with that person a week later...well obviously I should have checked to make sure it went out...so I'm terribly embarrassed.  If you are ever paired with me, I have learned my lesson, I will mail my own packages!  (I mean really, the postal annex is just accoss the parking lot of my office...)

Hope everyone has a very Happy Halloween!

New Feature for Fridays!

I love to read blogs, both home care/decoration and fashion. When I'm reading through my favorites I often see a link to a blog that looks interesting. I'll click on it and leave a comment; most often I'll become a follower so I can visit again.


I think a fun feature would be to have a weekly write up of a great blog that I've visited and share a bit of what impressed me. Not only will it help me to make a mental note of the blog so that I can revisit, but also share with my now-numerous lovely readers, something that they might enjoy as well.

So, Fridays will be "Blog Friends Friday" where a new (or possibly old) blog friend(s) are 'introduced' to you. This will be a blog that made a particular impression on me during this past week. The hard part is going to be to narrow it down to just one, but for the sake of time I'll keep it at one: one fashion and one home, on each of my blogs. I hope you look forward to reading about others in our blogging community!

I would just like to thank everyone who is entering the contest! If you have an email address linked to your response, I will email you to personally welcome you. I had gotten to know my previous followers very well in cases, and hope to continue with this. I think that if someone takes the time to follow, it is important to establish a relationship with her. Isn’t that the whole purpose of blogging? ;-)
 I've said so many times, I just adore the friendship and support that the blogging community provides. Ladies who blog are so special. My only regret is that I had not discovered blogging years ago!

If I haven't emailed you, please be patient, I'm not overlooking you; I'm just looking for time!

Happy Halloween to everyone!

Photo Organization

One purpose of creating a home blog was to become better organized.  I will be able to document my projects via the blog and hopefully have a more organized home and therefore, life!

I store my photos on the computer; however, what I had not done was back up the computer. After their look of horror dissipated, it was recommended by the guys at Best Buy that I do this monthly. Another item to calendar, but obviously very well worth it.

A few months ago, I spent a Saturday afternoon organizing my folders. Also, I keep an Inventory folder for the home inventory which my insurance company requires. You may want to check with your company because if you are claiming higher than average coverage, proof is required. When I was on mandatory fire evacuation (that still haunts me) 3-years ago, I promised myself I would document each and every item in my home. So, photo organization provides a three-fold benefit. Not only are my photos organized and I can enjoy them for years to come, but many of my blogging photos of my home and fashion can also be used as ‘evidence’ and they end up in my Home Inventory file (benefit: organization, sharing/blog, inventory).

Weekly or monthly, I download my camera onto the computer and organize the pictures into download folder. Then I organize them into the appropriate folder.

In my pictures folder, I have a folder labeled “Folders”. In this file I have several sub folders. For trips, I have named the trip and the year (CT 2006, NYC 2006); I have a folder for Ed’s son, a folder for Ed, a folder for bunnies, a folder for holidays. Within each folder, I have sub-folders for events that I want to separate from the general pictures for that year. (Bunnies/Wooley/12th b-day) or (Drew/2009/12th b-day) {yes, both Edgar’s son and Wooley rabbit had their 12th b-days 2 month’s apart!}. At the end of each year, I move this entire folder into a New Folder labeled (ie:) 2006. I’ll then create another set for the following year.

So, When I click on 2006, for example, I will see all of the folders I had created for that year: CT 2006, Children 2006, Bunnies 2006. The sub folders will still be under the main folder.

I’ve found this to be quick and efficient and I can find what I need. The Inventory folder is the only one not divided by years, I just keep adding to it, or deleting if I get rid of something (like the old washer/dryer and replaced it with the LGs). This folder has subfolders divided by Clothing, furniture, then by room. I just update the folder each week/month as I take pictures to keep it current.

Totes by Coco

I ordered the cutest tote bag from Chantal at her Cocorosa blog. 

Aren't they cute?  Well, I only ordered ONE bag actually, but Chantal was visiting Europe during that time period and she thought that the delivery took too long. S0, what a surprise I had when I opened the bag:  a sweet note from Chantal AND a second bag for free!  What a doll! 

I've been taking my lunch to work in them and they are just adorable.  These are the two that I have, and she has other designs as well.

Lyonns and Tigers and Ocelots!

No, I don't have a new angora (darn), but I'll soon have an Ocelot cardi!  A big thanks to Ms. A Bigger Closet's post, by which she convinced me to click over to Forever 21 and purchase the Ocelot sweater (I think Forever calls it Leopard, it looks more ocelot?! to me!)

  I've never owned an animal print, but this print is so cute and I've seen it on several blogs.  I've planned to try something this season.

Photo from A Bigger Closet,

 I plan to wear it with a cute black jacket that I found at Nordstrom, very similar to this one; Just enough print, still office appropriate.  Can't wait for it to arrive!

Giveaway

Wow, I didn't realize almost a week has gone by, I've been so buzy, taking a little time for recovery from the last two weeks.  I never realized how shocking it would be to pick up my little one's ashes; I think I actually caught a cold because of it! Strange how our bodies work like that! 

Well, I intend to go back to work tomorrow and back to reality; I'm feeling better and my cold is clearing up.  I've been using my time at home to finish little projects and I've taken some pictures to share.  Nothing is as easy at seems, right?!  Always some underlying task to get a project completed. 

There is a great giveaway, a blog remake, at the Design Girl.  Check it out, I know that my blog could stand to be better organized.

Aside from that, she is adorable and her blog has all sorts of tips.  She also has a scrapbooking blog, which I'm excited about. 

Suiting

Meetings, meetings, meetings and there is nothing like a good suit for looking pulled together.  This one is from Bebe (I know, surprised me too!), last year, although I've seen similar at J Crew and Ann Taylor this year.  The grey shade is just so completentary to so many skintones.  The skirt is the perfect length, just 1 1/2 - 2 inches above the knee so it is stylish, but completely office appropriate.  I have an orange scarft to wear later; and the grey and orange just scream FALL!  I can't seem to get away from the pearls this season; I missed them so much after only wearing them occationally this past summer. 

Speaking of fall, isn't this the best pumpkin coat ever? 

Ellen Tracy Convertible Collar Coat

I Heart My Followers...

And now I have 20!!!  You are all fabulous and I appreciate each one of you.

TIME FOR A GIVEAWAY!

I'm so honored that you want to read about my musings, ideas, ramblings, etc. 

Well The LYONN says:  Let's have  our first GIVEAWAY, show them how much we appreciate them.  Who would I be to argue with the Lyonn??  Nobody, that's who! 

I was reading Ms. Chloe's Blog, The Chloe Conspiracy and had a great idea for a giveaway.  The Sephora Glitz and Glam Shimmer kit. 

So, since this is our first giveaway, and  I'm just finishing my mourning period, lets keep the rules simple:

1. Be a follower of Red Lipstick Style

2. Make a comment to this post stating that you are a follower by November 2.

3. If you link this contest back to your blog, you will get a 2nd entry.  Leave a comment saying that you did so.

4.  I will announce the winner on Wednesday of next week.

Linked to: http://www.freegrechen.com/

That's it!

Good luck to everyone! and happy Monday.

Halloween Favor Bag

I thought that this was just the cutest thing ever, so I wanted to share. 

Follow the link to Dabney Lee's Blog and download the template for this sweet little bag (sorry for the small images).

I Heart Esty...

I've recently purchased some adorable things for the home from ETSY ***sigh*** I love Etsy.  And I always feel like I am really helping the small business community when I purchase from them, which is GREAT! 

I look forward to my own Etsy store.  I have two antique pictures to add to my offerings, right now I'm just in the collecting process.  And I'm trying to decide on a name, because you know how the IRS is, and it will be a sub of my little business venture, Skintini LLC. 

Ideas:
Lavendar Cupcake
Lavendar Rabbit (obvious reasons)
Chateau Vera Cruz
Lavendar Cupcake Home

Ideas?  Completely different direction?  Your advice is more than welcomed!

From Ms. Leigh Viner at jkldesign.blogspot.com.  She thought the order took too long (it didn't!  I received it within about 8-10 days!), However, she is sending me another print that I picked out for FREE!!  What a sweetheart!  Visit Leigh and see if her beautiful drawings might enhance your home or office. 

This adorable bulliten board is in my kitchen to keep all those lists of projects that I write for myself in line.  It is from Ms. Uncorked at Etsy.  It came with an adorable ittle glass beaker to hold the push pins and of course, I dropped it.  Well, I mentioned my clutziness in the EXCELLENT review that I gave her, and she is sending me another one, for FREE!!! I feel bad for even mentioning it, I think I said something like " I loved the litte beaker, which I broke..."....What a doll!

Do you love Etsy?  What are some of your favorite shops?

Are You Getting an H1N1 Vaccine?

...Once the H1N1 vaccine becomes available, we will provide information on availability and schedules. ...

My company offers them, so I'm trying to decide. I probably will, I tend to get get bronchitis every year and last year I had pneumonia as well. NOT having a replay of that this year!!! Maybe because I run at night?

What does everyone else think about it? Are you going to get one?

So in a effort to keep warm, this is my Anthro wish.  LOVE this scarf and gloves, and sweater too of course.

DKNY Trench

After all my complaining about the 90 degree weather, we have had rain for the past 2-days! I would have loved to stay home and work on home projects.

I finally was able to wear my DKNY black trench coat that I got at a complete steal during a pre-fall sale. Seriously a steal! It was $40.00, regularly $180.00 with all the discounts being offered.

Well, I know now why it was on sale, as cute as it is, it is a spring trench, because it is NOT warm at all!!! I ventured out of the office for my lunch time walk to Starbucks and was cold, not freezing, but cold. Leaving the office at 6:00 made the final determination: this is a spring trench and I am going to buy the LINED J Crew Lady Day Coat when they go on sale. Yes, I have several other coats, but none of them warm enough. I'm also looking at OSLO Jacket, which I saw on another blog, and of course the name has completely slipped my mind.  I need to start writing things down!

These pictures are sad, I need to break down and buy a tri-pod at Target and use the larger 'adult' camera instead my little, easy to hold, Cannon.

I'm not sure why my skin is appearing so shiny, must be happiness about the rain?! 

Bloomies Beauty Offers

Have to share the Bloomies Beauty Benefits information.  So much free stuff opportunities.  I'm excited about the SKII offier, I've been wanting to try this line.

Master Bath Sneak Peek!

The master bath is soooo close to being finished, well, except for the granite, but that's not until next year ***sigh***.  {oh, if  I could turn back time, I would have had granite installed in the master when I bought the house.  Not a day goes by...lesson learned: NEXT home!!}

On Monday I ordered the light fixures from Overstock.com.  They had to go with the chandelier that we brought up from the dining room.  The lighting is bad, it is white, not yellow!

Ahem... you can see the builder's light fixture that the new fixtures will replace.  I've complained about these crazy 'movie' lights for years, just seems that there was always another project to do...

What do you think of the wall color?!

The toillette has its own little room, painted red:

These adorable little antique french paintings were found for a steal at a local antique store a few years ago.  The red makes them pop.

More photos to follow once the lighting is installed...

Where it all Began!

On Saturday morning I decided what I needed to do was to visit the shop where I rescued Wooley at about 2 or 3 months old. Yes, a SHOP {I know} HOWEVER he had been abandoned there, and was even being segregated (poor thing) from the shop bunnies because the owner told me that they didn't know if he was healthy due to him being abandoned at the front door.   (far reaching?!)  I had been in the pet store to purchase food for my other bunny, which I only had for a month at that time. There he was, the future Tealle Wooley, sitting in an open 'tank' alone and frightened; And who puts an angora in shavings?! So naturally his beautiful wool was a mess. Those big blue eyes won my heart and 2-weeks later, I was back to pick him up!

So, my entire little family and I took a trip to Wooley's "birthplace" in Newport Beach, at the Fashion Island Shoping Center.  Of course, the pet store was completely re-done and under new ownership.  But its amazing how cathartic it was to visit anyway. 

We had a great lunch at Canaletto Italian Restaurant, with Lyonn and Madelaine sitting discretely in their Sherpa carrier (until the waitress asked what I had, and was promptly enamoured with them!)

beet salad yum                                                                                                          Ed's eggplant pasta

Fashion Island is my absolute favorite place to shop locally.  8-years ago I had a townhome in the area so that was my weekly shopping trip.  I remember what fun it was going to the Bloomies grand opening! They also have the best Christmas tree lighting event, with a huge tree flown in from Seattle (not too environmentally correct I know!) Now, and even though its still only a 15 minute drive from my office on the "toll road", I only have the time to visit about once every six months or so.

This is the outfit I tried to duplicate today: I wore a Theroy sweater, Classiques (Nordstom) shrunken Jacket and Court Jeans.

This is an outdoor shopping center and the weather was lovely for walking around. I had to stop in Anthropologie. The assistant manager gave an invitation to the bunnies that they could visit anytime !  So many cute fall items. I am in love with this cape:  (XS is already sold out).

 

This jacket:

This dress:

And of course there adorable coffee table books, sweaters, hats....my wishlist is quite long!

The plan was see Coco Before Chanel, but the theater was further north than we had thought, so we missed the movie.  Instead we went to Britta's Cafe in Irvine for a delicous dinner.  Their food is delicious and when Edgar worked in the area also, we would often have dinner there.  Now it is quite far for him to drive for dinner so it was really a treat to go there.

We were the only people dining on the patio since it was so early, Edgar couldn't help but take the bunnies out of their carrier!

Ed scolding Madelaine for eating all of the lettuce she was supposed to share with Lyonn

hhhmmmm, what shall we have?

Giveaway!

Visit CentsationalGirl.com blog and check out her fabulous giveaway for cabinetknobs.com.  Great ideas for home improvement and a fun contest!


Happy Saturday.

Black, White and Lavendar Tribute!

Last night while looking through my emails and catching up, I saw this picture:

J.Crew

The colors, grey , white, touch of black, with lavendar undertones just said "Wooley" to me. A lavendar bunny?  He had big blue eyes and very Nordic skin coloring, so that's where the lavendar comes in.

Believe me, I was in no mood for shopping, but when I saw these colors, I knew I had to have it as a tribute to him and a 'feel good happy' gift to me.  As strange as it sounds, it just made me smile! If there were two things Wooley liked to do in his prime years, it was shop and dine out.  Whenever I took him to Nordstrom if meeting a friend there for lunch, or just picking up a little something, sales ladies would come over from other departments to coo over him.  And he loved every moment of it! 

The dining thing is a whole other post, but lets just say that he has dined in some of the best restaurants AND has been served (carrots, assorted veggies) WITHOUT my having to ask (I always tried to be discrete that he was even there!).

I had to visit Target at lunch time today to look for a cord to connect my laptop to my little HP photo printer.  Couldn't help but notice the adorable hats and gloves! And an adorable piece of fabric!

$71dollars later I was finished!  What?!  $20 phone cord, $20 fabric (a curtain actually), gorilla glue (projects!), curtain hanger thingys, $16 for a topper for my downstairs bathroom that I believe will match the fabric I bought in Los Angeles a couple of months ago, AND it has adorable dangly fringe.  Pictures if it does! Whew!  Under $100!  not bad for Target, right?!

Day Bed Dreams

I want to do this to the day bed in my home office/bunnie's room:

Cannot recall where this photo came from, but I do want to give credit, so if you know, please let me know!

Looks easy enough!  I was in Target today buying a computer cord to print pictures of my Angel for the scrapbook I'll be making this weekend, and I saw this fabric:

Its hard to see in this picture, but it is a cute black chandelier design.  Lavendar walls, with black and white accessories is the theme, sooooo...I bought a panel to see how it will look....  I'm hoping to finish this room soon so that I can post pictures.

Garden Fence

The long anticipated (last spring...) garden fence is finally going up in my backyard.  My landscapers have been sooo buzy that this was the first chance they had.  The soil has a slate stone, along with 'monsterous rocks", so the contractors left their jack-hammer for Edgar to try to remove some of the larger rocks {which is a huge money-saver because they could have spent 2-days just drilling these rocks}. 

This is one of monsterous rocks.  They are all going to be apart of our new rock garden.  Yes, I have been working on my garden for 7-years!  The redwood thing to the left is the side of my raised Veggie Garden.  It produced lovely summer squash and the squirrels ate everything else.

Strangely enough, Edgar was able to free his calendar for the better part of two days and play with the jack-hammer.  He looks hot and tired but I really think that he loved his project! 

Yes, I did try out the jack-hammer for about a 1/2 hour and removed some rocks of my own; I feel so empowered and accomplished!

The almost 20 foot trench had to be about 5 feet deep...

This is my waterfall, drained for cleaning because of all the drilling dust.  Nothing to do with the project, I just think its sweet.

Farewell My Angel...

...Until we are together again...

My beloved angel, Tealle Wooley, has come to his last battle.  He suffered a stroke last night, and I am so thankful to have been with him.  Although weak, he was very much at peace and after speaking to my caring, sweet veterinarian at 10:00pm, we agreed he would stay with me until morning.  He even wanted a few favorite foods throughout the night: raspberries, oatmeal and soymilk! 

This morning, as we drove the few blocks to the vet's office, he went into a trance-like state; to me that indicated that he was ready to go.

... He closed his eyes for a moment, opened them, and he was in heaven...

Wooley with his cherub statue (the cherub is holding a little bunny)

In one of the stars, I shall be living.

In one of them, I shall be laughing.

And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the sky at night.

~ The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

A favorite picture, in happier times

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

then you must do what must be done

For this, the last battle, can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand,

Don't let the grief then stay your hand,

For this day more than all the rest

Your love and friendship stand the test.

We've had so many happy years,

What is to come can hold no fears.

You'd not want me to suffer so;

When the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend

And stay with me to the end.

Hold me firm and speak to me

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time, you will see,

It is a kindness you do for me.

Although my {nose twitched its last},

From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Don't grieve that it should be you,

Who must decide this thing to do,

We've been so close, we two, these years;

Don't let your heart hold any tears.

- Author Unknown

A Thanksgiving Giveaway!

Fabulous giveaway at Ms. Suburban Princess' blog, just for Thanksgiving.  Take a look at all of her cute little decor items.  Adorable!

Sweater Dress

I have wanted a sweater dress this season after seeing an adorable one in Lucky magazine.  I've never been one for a sweater dress, but after falling in love with the very expensive dress in the magazine, I've wanted to recreate it.

My trip to Marshall's Designer Sale over the weekend proved to be very productive because I found one and about 20 other things! This black sweater dress is an XS, but is not at all tight or clingy.  In fact, its a bit big, which makes me wonder if that's why this line was at Marshall's??

The little Ralph Lauren vest/wrap/sleeveless cape (what is it?!) is an adorable find.  And sooo soft (cashmere and rabbit hair; I HOPE this item was produced with kindness...).  They seem made for each other...

I'm trying to show off the dress, but I look as if I want to fly...

Target braclets tied togother with ribbon that has been waiting to be used for years.

Cute shoes from Preview by Nordstrom; they deserve their own picture!  They were the only shoes I was able to buy at the Pre-Fall Half Yearly Sale in July before I fractured my toe **sigh**.