Grand Heron Style

Hello to all, I am posting some photos of last years open house prior to opening the doors for our grand holiday weekend. We close for about 10 days prior to this event, which will be held this Saturday November 3rd and Sun the 4th. We send out about 1500 invitations to customers, clients, friends and lovers (oh, just kidding- sounded good though) It is a catered affair with hordeurves and mimosas- a real occasion, in more ways than one.

So, I just wanted to show you what I have been up to this week. Although these photos are not this years look, or what I have been putting together for this season, you can get the idea. I will post a few photos of what I have done this year. I took the camera to work yesterday, but didnt have the chance to get it out, as I was on a ladder all day, designing an awesome coastal-ish, wall to go along with a new Lee Industries white canvas slip covered sectional sofa we just received. It is really turning out nicely.



I really think that photos of the shop dont do it justice. We have 18 foot cielings and the flash just dosent get far enough into the photos to see all the loveliness that surrounds us every day. But, you get the idea. I am off to make scrambled eggs and toast for the school boys and then my daughter and I are off to work. If your in the area, stop by this weekend. Id be happy to meet you and serve you a little drinky while you peruse my little corner of the world, who knows you might even find a treasure or two. Talk to you soon....Lisa, coastal nest

I ADORE.......

Style editor for Cottage Living magazine, Heather Chadduck has got it nailed down! This girl really knows how to renovate, remodel and rescue anything she comes in contact with. I adore all that she touches. There is a certain style, I would call it traditional relaxed, with a twist of lemon. I could only dream of being this kind of decorator.

One would have to only visit cottage living online or go buy one of the magazines to be in love with this girls style. Last winter when I received the magazine that had her home published (that these photos are from ) I began my crush on her style. This fireplace that she transformed with oyster shells just sent me over the top. I realized that I had to find an outlet for my desire to create this type of look. Hence, we now have the beach house renovation going on. (thanks, Heather) I will be starting my kitchen backsplash off in this same type of look. Hopefully, as you can imagine, It will come out as fabulous as hers did. It is a very small kitchen wish me luck. I will be sure to blog the photos.



Iadore the simple elegant traditional relaxed way she goes about the details. If you google her, you can find some fabulous rooms, from her house, to friends homes to clients. I simply cannot wait for my cottage living magazine to come each month. It is by far and away the best resource out there for my style, and I think the style of alot of us cottage gals, by the way. Not over the top expensive, but things that you might run into every day on those treasure hunts on ebay or even the salvage or junk yard. She has great panache.
It just goes to show you, how the look you want to acheive is easy to find, if you have it in your mind what you are searching for, be patient. It will find you. After all, the reward is in the hunt.

Victoria Bliss!!!!

When I came home from work on Friday, after unloading countless boxes of Roasting Chestnut candles, Chocolate body butter lotion, The best Barefoot Contessa quick mixes, and gorgeous red Amaryllis pots-I was only hoping for one thing. 15 minutes to myself!

I have exactly 20 minutes, more or less, after work- between the time I take off the"worker bee, box unpack-er, interior decorator, retail gal, friend to all, hat," and put on the "fun mommy, attentive wife, household keeper together-er, and general cleaner upper, hat." I CHERISH a rest, I am not complaining, I love my terrific job. Its a blast but mommy needed to sit down for heavens sakes!!

You could have knocked me over with a feather when I opened my mail closet to find a good friend lying at my feet among the bills and the junk mail, it was VICTORIA! I knew that she was in the works, I got a pre subscribtion solitation in the mail a few months prior, but today she caught me totally off guard and boy, was she a refresher. Still taking fantastic photographs and wearing the most beautiful stylish clothes (my friend cottagenest jenn will love) I was so happy to see her, guess what, I didnt even sit down for my break, I whisked myself to the kitchen, poured myself a wonderful glass of merlot and stood at the counter and savored a few moments of my precious moments with a long lost good friend, its like she hasnt left!

Do youself a favor, if you havent already, go and have a visit with a long lost friend. Shes back and better than ever and waiting at your favorite news stand for you to come and pick her up! You'll be glad you did. Have a great day, girlfriends!

xoxo

Lisa

Northwest in October

I love this time of year. The crisp air in the morning, its a great time to shoot some great color shots with your camera. We went out to the pumpkin patch this weekend and had a great time with the kids. These are a few of the pretty pictures I took along the way.
In the valley where the pumpkin farm is, this is heaven (to my husband) a little too rural for me. Too much lawn to mow:)
In the barn at the pumpkin patch, lots of work goes on at this farm! It is very VERY organized and runs smoothly-looks like.
The last of her flowers for the year. Pumpkin patch photos coming soon. Have a great evening everyone!

Beach cottage progress

Hi all, hope you had productive, relaxing, happy weekends. We were very busy around here, havent been out to the beach much, but thought id update all of you on the "progress" if you want to call it that. I think it finally looks like its starting to go together now, instead of being neverending-ly torn apart.

The photos are of the new peaked living,dining and kitchen. Also The peaked bedrooms. The windows should be here this week, along with doors and plumbing. Its hard to visualize from these photos, and much harder to explain, especially by me!

Let me know what you think! if you go back in my posts you can see some familiar windows that could show you just where we have gotten.

Have a great day and Ill post other weekend photos, tonight- if time permits.
Bye Y'all!!
Lisa

My new tray

Well, I have to admit, I know I have a problem. Is there a group for overbuyers anonamous? I cannot STAND it. Everyday, I go to work (my mom owns an interiors store) unload tons of boxes with the best stuff for a gals house you have ever seen. It makes me crazy. I could open my OWN store with all the stuff I have. Here is the latest thing. I lost my breath when I opened this. I remember it at market, BUT - I dont remember it like this! Lucky for you, I bought two, if you want one let me know. Ill send it out.
I adore buttons, shells, old crackly paint and wood just to name a few elements. This is exactly me. All of my loves combined.It really REALLY looks like an old piece to me. The scalloped edges, right amount of wood showing through and a great crackle. Sometimes they dont get the crackle right. (I am a crackle snob, scary)

Okay, am I obsessing on this thing? My mom threw it in the Birthday pile of presents because she knew I couldnt afford to buy another thing right now,with the cottage renovation gobbling up the money like crazy. She spoils her girl so much. Love ya mom!!

The photos dont do it justice. The shells have some great blue green, brown and cream going on. What do you think? Anyone think its something to obsess on?

Have a great day. Im going to work, I promise I am not going to bring home a thing tonight. i hope..:)

THANK YOU JENN!!!

Hello everyone, I just wanted to show you what my new friend over Jenn over at cottage nest gifted to me, How sweet!

The necklace is a real vintage-y looking piece with great pink bobble factor! I love all the stationary and stickers, too.

If you havent been to cottage nest lately, which undoubtedly, is how you found me- you should go and check out her blog. Quite the gal.

Shes the one that got me onto my new obsession, the blog. I can blame her for the dirty dishes in the sink and the unmade beds upstairs!! (justkiddinjen) I want to thank her for opening up my eyes to a whole new world of friends, you all are such fun girls! Too bad we dont live closer. Instead of inspiriation Friday, we could have Margarita Friday!

I do have a question for anyone who would care to help me. I cannot for the life of me, figure out how to get my blog to link up with all my favorite blogs,I know, its probably that nearly mid 40s that are catching up to me. Since my birthday, somehow I feel like I need to have some cheater glasses, too!!! scary!!! Any help for the old gal will be appreciated!

Have a great day girlfriends, Jenn thanks again you sweetie pie!
x0x0
Lisa

Miss October 5th!

Happy Birthday to MEE!!! Today I am celebrating my 42nd (lordy) birthday.

Wow, I can remember waaaaay back in 1985,- with my hair as big and tall as I could get it(Duran Duran style) when I was 20, thinking how old I will be @40!! Never imaging that I would ever have found a husband and 3 kids--let alone have a 2 year old!

How time changes everything...YAY for me, I feel great! My life is just so awesome, 3 beautiful kids, wonderful parents and a really really SUPER hubby, okay- I am gushing. Ill quit before I start to cry..

This Miss October 5th was given to me by awesome mother, Originally Miss October 31st, the ever crafty and thoughtful mom of mine worked some of her magic and...voila, a perfect gift for her oldest girl.

I also wanted to show you the newest addition to the Halloweeen goodies. I love the huge cat the "frightened vegetables" are on. Bethany Lowe is sure quite talented. I have a few of her pieces, as you can see.

I hope everyone has a beautiful October 5th. I will be celebrating this evening with an intimate candlelit dinner for 2 with my best friend and Hubby extrordinaire, Mr Mac. I love you - I love you- I love you! You rock my world and have given me the best life I could ever ask for! Thank you...xoxoxo Lisa