i've been waiting for you all week

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TmqurF2hkk5p0OnrGzRR33lhisDCMAhyBr9FwXCAQO7bm3Ox0h4-_TodLHxR02GJSDrVsKzmXDzbORmTi348kREJ_WgDMforqDV4ps1IK0LX1PN-M6Ok7dedw7aYHvJBibt-kVVpDAxH/s1600/IMG_3201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TmqurF2hkk5p0OnrGzRR33lhisDCMAhyBr9FwXCAQO7bm3Ox0h4-_TodLHxR02GJSDrVsKzmXDzbORmTi348kREJ_WgDMforqDV4ps1IK0LX1PN-M6Ok7dedw7aYHvJBibt-kVVpDAxH/s1600/IMG_3201.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><br />Oh Friday. You have no idea how happy I am to see you!<br /><br />Y'all, this week was Brutal. Yes, with a capital B. Glass shattered, fabric was wrong, furniture broke and tantrums were thrown. But all of that will be washed away now that you have arrived Friday. #TG&TF (thanks <a href="http://chezviviv.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chez V</a> for coining such an awesome hashtag).<br /><br />This weekend I plan to do a little shopping, some sourcing and celebrate the hubs birthday. And then I'll be back on Tuesday where I will <i>FINALLY</i> be able to share my big news!!<br /><br />Happy TG&TF! See you on Tuesday!<br /><br />

i've been waiting for you all week

Oh Friday. You have no idea how happy I am to see you! Y'all, this week was Brutal. Yes, with a capital B. Glass shattered, fabric was w...

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20 facts

Well there seems to be an unintentional theme going this week at LBD. I was tagged on Instagram by my dear Shelley at <a href="http://westermanfam.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crazy Wonderful</a> to share 20 facts about myself. So in keeping with Monday's post, let's share some more today, shall we?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqYhJczjpze2d-zhnF4870a96-aqOe80B_C8yABjlBVj5DKv7tvTQE2PYeQjwa7pE6EvC3-73kTcm-oKJLVngUp6RgILd54TxbuqQNkTMNhYuBqPFGenI0a5cS-DynOJu531ZotOPSxq7/s1600/littleLittleBlackDoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqYhJczjpze2d-zhnF4870a96-aqOe80B_C8yABjlBVj5DKv7tvTQE2PYeQjwa7pE6EvC3-73kTcm-oKJLVngUp6RgILd54TxbuqQNkTMNhYuBqPFGenI0a5cS-DynOJu531ZotOPSxq7/s1600/littleLittleBlackDoor.jpg" width="343" /></a></div><br />1. I'm left-handed and therefore I am not too great at using scissors.<br /><br />2. I quote movies. Everyday all day long. The hubs and I talk in movie quotes and now even my girls have started quoting movies. It can't be explained. Most of the time people have no idea what I'm saying.<br /><br />3. I got a perm the summer before my freshman year of college and I realized it was a mistake the day after I got it. I spent the summer washing my hair and trying my best to brush that sucker into submission.<br /><br />4. I'm horrific at small talk. I don't like it and I don't do it well. So it worked out well to have married a man who is king of small talk. He can just do it for me.<br /><br />5. Music is very important to me and Pandora is on all day everyday.  We listen to a lot of different things but my girls' favorite station is The GoGo's. I had three older sisters who had vastly different tastes in music and because of this I have a wide range of likes when it comes to music and I want my daughter's to have the same. Nothing makes me prouder than my girls knowing Eleanor Rigby, The Gambler and a lot in between.<br /><br />6. I've been to each and every state in the lower 48. All by car. (a layover in an airport somewhere doesn't count). And of those states, I've been to 40 state capitals. We were a road trip family and my mom has a thing for state capitals.<br /><br />7. I only have one pair of jeans. I'd much rather be in a dress or skirt. Or PJ pants quite frankly.<br /><br />8. If I hear "I want a snack" one more time, I very well may loose my mind.<br /><br />9. Patience is not something I have a lot of. Kids have helped with that a little. A little.<br /><br />10. No one makes me laugh more than my husband.<br /><br />11. My freshman year of high school my civics class attended a local political debate. I stood up and asked the opponent a pointed question and he told me, with microphone in hand, that if I wasn't careful people would start calling me "the B word." My teacher told me that women will face that when challenging a man but to stay strong and speak my mind. That teacher was a 60 year old man and he gave me my best women's lib moment.<br /><br />12. I am a working mom, but I stay at home. And because of this, I don't feel like I fit well into either 'mom group'. This makes small talk at the playground difficult. Well, that and #4 above.<br /><br />13.  My girls are smarter, stronger and funnier than I had ever imagined and I feel like I can't take any credit for that. They came that way and I can't wait to see what they become.<br /><br />14. I was in a sorority in college and I loved every minute of it. Many of my dear friends are from that time in my life and the whole experience was positive from start to finish.<br /><br />15. After college I was going to move to Ireland and open a bar called the Lactose Intolerant Monkey.<br /><br />16. I met my husband in a bar in college. He was a bartender and I never paid for beer again.<br /><br />17. I did go to Ireland after college, but came back due to #16.<br /><br />18. I always imagined myself as a big city dweller, but I quickly realized that I am truly a small town girl. As long as I have a big city near by to visit once in a while, I'm happy with a quieter life.<br /><br />19. I don't think TV is evil. How can something that created The Golden Girls be evil?<br /><br />20. I like to prank call my husband during the day sometimes. Everyone needs a laughter break at work.<br /><br /><br />

20 facts

Well there seems to be an unintentional theme going this week at LBD. I was tagged on Instagram by my dear Shelley at Crazy Wonderful to sh...

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irons in the fire

Happy fall y'all! OK, so maybe fall hasn't officially started but my pool is officially closed and my swimming suit is put away so in my mind, fall has begun.<br /><br />Thanks to all who gave their two cents on a <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2014/08/i-want-to-hear-from-you.html" target="_blank">paint color for my little table</a>. You had so many great ideas I kinda wish I had about four more tables so I could try them all out. I did make a decision though and got the sucker painted before the rain set in.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgEY-m56Yc0uEPL7iMnuv0Azoo8nJ5oXFr05iTX4vjvtqseFGDdS3rTcN9bQH__wSEfMUgA_FiAls6GbjJcjxM4XbYg9xmFBKKAnJfA1r1jWMsvzqRuW5Z5FCV0nsgx-J0t_krQaKbKZy/s1600/IMG_3482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgEY-m56Yc0uEPL7iMnuv0Azoo8nJ5oXFr05iTX4vjvtqseFGDdS3rTcN9bQH__wSEfMUgA_FiAls6GbjJcjxM4XbYg9xmFBKKAnJfA1r1jWMsvzqRuW5Z5FCV0nsgx-J0t_krQaKbKZy/s1600/IMG_3482.JPG" width="640" /></a>I hope everyone had a fruitful Labor Day weekend (if in fact you celebrate said holiday). I got a ton of work done, both on my house and for others. Here is a sneak peek of some of my work in the office. She's so close to ready for her close up. Soon my friends.<br /><br />And I learned a valuable lesson - put something on Craigslist for free and suddenly you are more popular than Kim K. I had 43 text messages and 25 emails within the first hour. I felt like I was manning the phones at the Jerry Lewis telethon. And a tip for any of you looking to wheel and deal on CL - if the listing says TEXTS ONLY, NO phone calls, don't leave me several voicemails. They will be promptly deleted.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue3PG0-9OxuSHmIusfEbJ_QXd7m8ICfJgVX6ZwhBf1cRTsW6XvJHX0k-leaAVflhJZ5FCV3WGISuzjzc-yvwB2wLjlk13ZOvkTX0M__IDGKhXU-2c8MDa3bYymPXnVkWsIj16kupcsn3t/s1600/Eveis3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue3PG0-9OxuSHmIusfEbJ_QXd7m8ICfJgVX6ZwhBf1cRTsW6XvJHX0k-leaAVflhJZ5FCV3WGISuzjzc-yvwB2wLjlk13ZOvkTX0M__IDGKhXU-2c8MDa3bYymPXnVkWsIj16kupcsn3t/s1600/Eveis3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Today is a big day in the Little Black Door household as my baby starts pre-school today. So I'm off to take lots of pictures and then pretend to leave her confidently at school only to sneak behind a bush so I can peek at her thru the window.<br /><br />Why do they grow so fast?

irons in the fire

Happy fall y'all! OK, so maybe fall hasn't officially started but my pool is officially closed and my swimming suit is put away so i...

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happy new years eve

I know the calendar says otherwise, but the first day of school always feels like the start of the new year to me. A fresh start. It is always an exciting time of year. And since tomorrow Amelia starts 1st grade (which she told me meant she was no longer the baby of the school) that means today is New Years Eve!<br /><br />So we will celebrate.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4ELzkF_r9nBxbCo18QLUTGNPIRyefBhbC2HY-ZtZeJFu_-R0hyU8fDcrLBKo1iLdjDWzb6dv9zmpLWrgjny3ACYcmZ65nttPXAKFm_Efa6Uy8oEoPY0OuVQETlc9OSly842n8m7O11PV/s1600/IMG_1364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4ELzkF_r9nBxbCo18QLUTGNPIRyefBhbC2HY-ZtZeJFu_-R0hyU8fDcrLBKo1iLdjDWzb6dv9zmpLWrgjny3ACYcmZ65nttPXAKFm_Efa6Uy8oEoPY0OuVQETlc9OSly842n8m7O11PV/s1600/IMG_1364.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Get a few last hours of pool time in<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeFx4Lhm7PqwJFzBc622i-QJ8jN4hwtRBPeJvPMIR4zpMQM6l89T5U5hxcFXH2rbnlTnreMHkCBZZO1Ji7yuA0_TS5DEHDKsCvVGaXs8oRZ0EIJcJdnWAalenEDtCKiRtCywBACJfVVx8/s1600/IMG_1622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeFx4Lhm7PqwJFzBc622i-QJ8jN4hwtRBPeJvPMIR4zpMQM6l89T5U5hxcFXH2rbnlTnreMHkCBZZO1Ji7yuA0_TS5DEHDKsCvVGaXs8oRZ0EIJcJdnWAalenEDtCKiRtCywBACJfVVx8/s1600/IMG_1622.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />and soak up every last minute of this beautiful summer. It has been a great one and we are all sad for it to end.<br /><br />I also want to say that although this isn't a place where I usually discuss politics or social issues it is hard for me not to say something about what has been going on in this town that I love. It has been a hard week for everyone in St. Louis and if you pray, meditate or whatever has meaning to you, I ask that you send positive energy and reconciliation to my neck of the woods. This isn't a regional problem but a national issue and I'm hopeful that something positive will come from what seems so incomprehensible.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAVple_5nOi3YwZKIyJ6S76ipG1WEBIxWjVrpq41rWGetQKnbWlTRnyBzsbsOC_nKIDxfQ2RKaqrE1rKstnG_9gCqAAqmFmDllsbOErKG2Cyi7TgA1wZ8NVjLZikF3LvnNgR20wQyc0UY/s1600/IMG_2806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAVple_5nOi3YwZKIyJ6S76ipG1WEBIxWjVrpq41rWGetQKnbWlTRnyBzsbsOC_nKIDxfQ2RKaqrE1rKstnG_9gCqAAqmFmDllsbOErKG2Cyi7TgA1wZ8NVjLZikF3LvnNgR20wQyc0UY/s1600/IMG_2806.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />May the New Year bring new beginnings.<br /><br />

happy new years eve

I know the calendar says otherwise, but the first day of school always feels like the start of the new year to me. A fresh start. It is alwa...

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back to life

Back to reality. We are back from our wonderful annual trip to Florida and this year has been more of a challenge to get back into the swing of things than ever before. This year was our best year yet. Eve is old enough now that we don't have to break our day with an afternoon nap and the girls play so well together (most days) that they can entertain each other while I can occasionally sit still for a whole five minutes. Everyone is swimming like a fish and this year we got to celebrate my birthday, and America's, on the beach - where all birthdays should be celebrated.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRCEIpBWMJFretzJk-7NPfvnNoFHhM-lSvoElcOaB4at0DtiVFUz5jjJsmQ-a4oNjI2GbAvSZ1Pf-VD7TN_vJDUAbdBNn3qV23CfBkCnl0NJRkAAq8L-z4pFy18w7Hl_YWCK-YOqA3Ha2/s1600/IMG_2338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRCEIpBWMJFretzJk-7NPfvnNoFHhM-lSvoElcOaB4at0DtiVFUz5jjJsmQ-a4oNjI2GbAvSZ1Pf-VD7TN_vJDUAbdBNn3qV23CfBkCnl0NJRkAAq8L-z4pFy18w7Hl_YWCK-YOqA3Ha2/s1600/IMG_2338.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />But most importantly I unplugged and it was wonderful. Aside from the random <a href="http://instagram.com/littleblackdoor/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> here and there, I was offline. Blissfully offline. As much as I love this community I'm so lucky to be apart of and the work I get to do every day with my wonderful clients, it is important to let your mind breathe once in a while. I even passed up my yearly trip to Scott's this year on our way home as I was just too relaxed. Crazy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSVG60XM2b-oarJrmTqNnEoB485MpmcwrcWCHPQz5D1G-PHCA3-Y3X9qM80mUjuXlxMAyrMeYpowgWwjuk-x7uZSoEYJuScRRLR8Alsbocy-XNrcsw9fPEFxmnkrqjExLdMOSfDu6yS_0/s1600/IMG_2127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSVG60XM2b-oarJrmTqNnEoB485MpmcwrcWCHPQz5D1G-PHCA3-Y3X9qM80mUjuXlxMAyrMeYpowgWwjuk-x7uZSoEYJuScRRLR8Alsbocy-XNrcsw9fPEFxmnkrqjExLdMOSfDu6yS_0/s1600/IMG_2127.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />We did tons of diving and digging and our <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-souvenir-treatment.html" target="_blank">annual sea shell collection</a> will have lots of dollars in the pot.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE0RRxDi4c7-Qe9OSAmF9Dt0hqKaaoCcd2cRPuLQOTbUtheDCcnqp8nBou8gCZE0fkuQwWNBpRUcMi1VvERG2z1A61NEC72-BZzg9WRE-2zBqnM_jBVf-fgGALv2tCfT-qm0ff3FbBnOK/s1600/IMG_2741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE0RRxDi4c7-Qe9OSAmF9Dt0hqKaaoCcd2cRPuLQOTbUtheDCcnqp8nBou8gCZE0fkuQwWNBpRUcMi1VvERG2z1A61NEC72-BZzg9WRE-2zBqnM_jBVf-fgGALv2tCfT-qm0ff3FbBnOK/s1600/IMG_2741.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><br />Exploring is always on the schedule<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9ZoAS_diVVWWIgLKfQaDOhAnkRBBZwU3npZLjF0F3z9a7Iz99_kTXdv1cQYPwDkHDfXJjtf2xr6akHFwPzx2AKxobTeTZ0nSsp5TjLH3DC72T0z-WCSi-eHn38H3yf4pRBmtkDLEZ5ma/s1600/IMG_2448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9ZoAS_diVVWWIgLKfQaDOhAnkRBBZwU3npZLjF0F3z9a7Iz99_kTXdv1cQYPwDkHDfXJjtf2xr6akHFwPzx2AKxobTeTZ0nSsp5TjLH3DC72T0z-WCSi-eHn38H3yf4pRBmtkDLEZ5ma/s1600/IMG_2448.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />as well as several daily walks on the beach.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrLn5HtR4M3vy72H_NXNScwKOWWEDzH8gMEleCn-4hyWZ0QElQPNk5BMObl59C6M-pV-lxHnpaPUxhQkiKOEBqMrIFwlZiywkcjAUT_QNogTDMfgPMpLAmCZ8wpMdrfnzqeRmmAFQcNw_/s1600/IMG_2806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrLn5HtR4M3vy72H_NXNScwKOWWEDzH8gMEleCn-4hyWZ0QElQPNk5BMObl59C6M-pV-lxHnpaPUxhQkiKOEBqMrIFwlZiywkcjAUT_QNogTDMfgPMpLAmCZ8wpMdrfnzqeRmmAFQcNw_/s1600/IMG_2806.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Hmm. I can't imagine why I miss it already. So excuse the cobwebs while I try to get back on schedule. Luckily we have many birthday parties, reading projects and school shopping to snap us back to reality.<br /><br />How do you get back to normal after vacation?

back to life

Back to reality. We are back from our wonderful annual trip to Florida and this year has been more of a challenge to get back into the swing...

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rest and relaxation

It is that time of year my friends. My favorite time of year - vacation time! We are down in Florida enjoying some quality beach time, family time and most likely some thrifting time as well. Follow along on <a href="http://instagram.com/littleblackdoor/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> to get all the latest.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jucARt4og1qRQN7nQ1luSPeEWaVhxSWzjZ93ytH8uQPZfsnj0aamYiPHVcGm0p47ttQP6dcXwWChinM2RuLxG5Ay1iF-F1PGjAam2qbUgR6wJjWqmYaJlclUL8MrK_mhNHpOzGfbUvGD/s1600/b5c62f09edcf3c9255609898cd2c4c1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jucARt4og1qRQN7nQ1luSPeEWaVhxSWzjZ93ytH8uQPZfsnj0aamYiPHVcGm0p47ttQP6dcXwWChinM2RuLxG5Ay1iF-F1PGjAam2qbUgR6wJjWqmYaJlclUL8MrK_mhNHpOzGfbUvGD/s1600/b5c62f09edcf3c9255609898cd2c4c1a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/246923992043478114/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />See ya in two weeks!!<br /><br /><br />

rest and relaxation

It is that time of year my friends. My favorite time of year - vacation time! We are down in Florida enjoying some quality beach time, famil...

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why finish one project when you can start another

The week has begun and I'm sure I'm not the only one who could use another day. I think its time to start mandatory three day weekends in the summer. Who's with me?<br /><br />I hope all that celebrated had a wonderful Father's Day. We had a great afternoon with the hubs and my dad doing what they love - watching the US Open. And there was a Father's Day miracle when I was finally able to snag some peonies from Trader Joes. I had thought they were an urban myth but I ran in yesterday and there they were in all their white and pink glory. I'm sure everyone in the produce section thought I was crazy as I squealed when I saw them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxId4v1CLEwN6GpQOFF787fVBFyp9xFNcLuo_JHHMv43SzQ-Nk6lzu8eIyInXVA-sS1O2pXlebYUZ3GO4Ckc63rG660CtQ4UW0z4TCtML9wehaKYSoR7Nq3xvfjIaYd4VSHKQtIdXnX5J/s1600/IMG_1856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxId4v1CLEwN6GpQOFF787fVBFyp9xFNcLuo_JHHMv43SzQ-Nk6lzu8eIyInXVA-sS1O2pXlebYUZ3GO4Ckc63rG660CtQ4UW0z4TCtML9wehaKYSoR7Nq3xvfjIaYd4VSHKQtIdXnX5J/s1600/IMG_1856.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />Another miracle is that progress has been made on the office. I'll share more with you later this week, but needless to say when the pool is calling your name, it is hard to spend time in the basement.<br /><br />While I was hard at work, I ran to grab something from the hall closet. And I don't know if it's all the pool water in my ears or what but I could not take that black hole any longer. It is one of my <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2014/01/2014-goals.html" target="_blank">goals for the year</a> to get this closet in order so no better time to start than while you are in the middle of another project, right?!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwrOCOchbkWEn4LuaiJe1UlsohwGHS7xbBY5-q2XdjIjQT5g6KndUztw4QZBq3-uaIyHMxFRgUtisOCYvCJ_z-Q3W0ZKnrsRSVOvEapW1HGeS0EDgRremI44-bCv26uQmTzUKcoE6vTwZ/s1600/gliddenpaintchoices.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwrOCOchbkWEn4LuaiJe1UlsohwGHS7xbBY5-q2XdjIjQT5g6KndUztw4QZBq3-uaIyHMxFRgUtisOCYvCJ_z-Q3W0ZKnrsRSVOvEapW1HGeS0EDgRremI44-bCv26uQmTzUKcoE6vTwZ/s1600/gliddenpaintchoices.tiff" width="345" /></a></div><br />Luckily the paint was drying in the office so I had time to kill. Off to Home Depot for color ideas and I was off to the races. More to come once everything dries.<br /><br />So how was your weekend? Finish any projects? Start any new ones? Did you see Zach Johnson's hole in one?!<br /><br />

why finish one project when you can start another

The week has begun and I'm sure I'm not the only one who could use another day. I think its time to start mandatory three day weeken...

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calling a spade a spade

I finally admitted something to myself this weekend.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUP9ws88vO03nRTRP4LwJQm6zWvkqfO3ipD0vE0Db9D04R9g9MqydpwpeZ50XpFgMl-KTs82-tu5M5h6urLHGRmDzsH2yyBbSbzCr12cOxyPoJYIqwpPVnLipMfvSwuKpCEVtHTfSJqZ76/s1600/eff8339ac64c9861e09dc516db6410a7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUP9ws88vO03nRTRP4LwJQm6zWvkqfO3ipD0vE0Db9D04R9g9MqydpwpeZ50XpFgMl-KTs82-tu5M5h6urLHGRmDzsH2yyBbSbzCr12cOxyPoJYIqwpPVnLipMfvSwuKpCEVtHTfSJqZ76/s1600/eff8339ac64c9861e09dc516db6410a7.jpg" width="520" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gardendesign.com/ideas/2010-apld-landscape-design-awards?pnid=110008#gallery-content" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I had given myself a long list of yard work that needs to get done and I did exactly 20 minutes of it before deciding that the pool was a better idea.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasK8N1JKOSUIKTJvweRwJwc_NIp6qraCUWhzqQdf6yN7M99yiRzqHP1N8LouwvQVHw9BwRsQbctHWppkN3AlNVUthRfaQMHFXXUneo9tQTY2nl20_qOFhPj6mJTQ8XYs8rFG6F2vSP8fz/s1600/960298660bfc34ebfa32090fa4e0e1c6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasK8N1JKOSUIKTJvweRwJwc_NIp6qraCUWhzqQdf6yN7M99yiRzqHP1N8LouwvQVHw9BwRsQbctHWppkN3AlNVUthRfaQMHFXXUneo9tQTY2nl20_qOFhPj6mJTQ8XYs8rFG6F2vSP8fz/s1600/960298660bfc34ebfa32090fa4e0e1c6.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://heatherawilsonarchitect.com/royall-avenue-old-village/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>It was at that time that I finally admitted to myself that I hate yard work. Now I know you are thinking, "duh, big revelation. Everyone hates to weed and lay mulch and cut the grass." But I'm not talking about the basics. I have grown to hate planting things, even going to the nursery is no longer fun.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEGc8E1btcgI1vH0iVaculu2bdUIWafYAIWCMDvCDfkH1MbqZTD7nZu-3W5ir1zAL2muppHR89q45ZNdpevFDftIS7XWrJTbdBZ7m76mXG7Xkvg4PaTojGUh6SgxgcZVpfAVsoUCSkkFa/s1600/0f8533678fbc15bd73d01a109bb79641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEGc8E1btcgI1vH0iVaculu2bdUIWafYAIWCMDvCDfkH1MbqZTD7nZu-3W5ir1zAL2muppHR89q45ZNdpevFDftIS7XWrJTbdBZ7m76mXG7Xkvg4PaTojGUh6SgxgcZVpfAVsoUCSkkFa/s1600/0f8533678fbc15bd73d01a109bb79641.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pariscotejardin.fr/2012/04/le-jardin-de-lorangerie-du-parc-de-sceaux-hauts-de-seine/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The irony of all of this is that I swoon over beautiful landscaping. The smell of mulch puts me over the moon with excitement. I love taking drives in the summer to look at everyone's beautiful yards. And when I travel, the different plants and vegetation are things I comment on so much it starts to drive my family crazy.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnD5d-lKE55iIC7XpRZzgKZm9R4SSxkum9__0Glo1V6QHySs6MIP7iS2SRW0yKLCAGvrVr4QdOpctDztbM-_1jLEx9LCn0CBsVZupMym-S3eRcxX5Ul0uYgYOQvT8l1cayGpitF8tbJVB/s1600/32913e206fe217709f4583087b33fd38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnD5d-lKE55iIC7XpRZzgKZm9R4SSxkum9__0Glo1V6QHySs6MIP7iS2SRW0yKLCAGvrVr4QdOpctDztbM-_1jLEx9LCn0CBsVZupMym-S3eRcxX5Ul0uYgYOQvT8l1cayGpitF8tbJVB/s1600/32913e206fe217709f4583087b33fd38.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clausdalby.dk/2013/08/jeg-kan-ikke-lade-vre-med.html#.U5WrUJRdX-I" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I just don't want to do any of the work.<br /><br />When we first moved into our house, I loved working in the yard, then I tolerated it and now I avoid it at all costs. I want a beautiful yard, I really do. I just don't want any part in creating it. I'd rather be at the pool. So this is the summer I think I'll finally admit that I want no part in improving my yard. I will wait for the landscaping fairy to wave her magic wand on my yard and in the meantime, I will do my best to maintain what I've got.<br /><br />How about you? Do you love working in the yard? Have you ever had something that you loved to look at but dreaded to actually do once you realized what is involved? Any chance there really is a landscaping fairy?<br /><br /><br />

calling a spade a spade

I finally admitted something to myself this weekend. via I had given myself a long list of yard work that needs to get done and I did exactl...

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back in the swing of things

Happy Tuesday/Monday all. I hope all of those that had one were able to enjoy the long holiday weekend. Between vacation last week and then the holiday weekend this week I don't know what time OR day it is. I'm completely out of whack. Anybody else feel like this as well?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GP1v8oZ0nMnfHmyIzFnPwkuvLZ4XrZTiUuv6KDgF7rb1SfDjL5T2_lBUfXZyP-B9TwrmJ_7i7BpZ1QdGGcyUK88gND3miuTS_BFIXoQ9RsH-4cs7w-CmeYFffPuBq2i3G4y5XuXHZCLy/s1600/sedona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GP1v8oZ0nMnfHmyIzFnPwkuvLZ4XrZTiUuv6KDgF7rb1SfDjL5T2_lBUfXZyP-B9TwrmJ_7i7BpZ1QdGGcyUK88gND3miuTS_BFIXoQ9RsH-4cs7w-CmeYFffPuBq2i3G4y5XuXHZCLy/s1600/sedona.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Speaking of vacation, the hubs and I had a beyond wonderful time. We spent time in Sedona, AZ as well as a resort/spa in the desert south of Phoenix. It was spa, pool, hike, pool, explore, spa, pool, spa for five glorious days. I discovered the bliss of an amazing facial and we have made a pact to vacation without the girls at least once a year from now on. A damn good way to celebrate 14 years of marriage to this guy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoh8XBlM_gU3p_dlR8t8UXekMR5DUjOKNKaVYvfwpoYedhoLSk_RWbZImUX4os4RcBOZMsBA6pWjzzbDfjEprDbOMaPWqjILVpWrJB_i5H6b3dkGsigtQcc6i9ywddQyLcoshpnqWzhGPZ/s1600/honeymooninza.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoh8XBlM_gU3p_dlR8t8UXekMR5DUjOKNKaVYvfwpoYedhoLSk_RWbZImUX4os4RcBOZMsBA6pWjzzbDfjEprDbOMaPWqjILVpWrJB_i5H6b3dkGsigtQcc6i9ywddQyLcoshpnqWzhGPZ/s1600/honeymooninza.tiff" width="320" /></a></div><br />Now its back to the real world. Work, the last five days of school, and a mountain of laundry that I've been neglecting. Where <i>is</i> that maid I keep wishing for?! Be sure to check in tomorrow as I have a BIG announcement to share, aka exciting news.<br /><br />So spill it. How was your weekend? Spend anytime at the pool? Why have you never told me how wonderful facials are??!!<br /><br />

back in the swing of things

Happy Tuesday/Monday all. I hope all of those that had one were able to enjoy the long holiday weekend. Between vacation last week and then ...

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rest and relaxation

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Do I sound really far away? I feel really far away.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjNmJLvbS6JbiRfW36jTthn7OPDyvZX8tyQ4rT7dv6t6g57T1E7HMGYK3grqsVMbBaLdn0FF-NG4kAJZr3RBuBifq65gFu1nFGF17s_tL8gNNLa2aFjTutAKGUwQ5AjkOMvLiL9QOUIma/s1600/tumblr_liyip352K01qa5yk4o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjNmJLvbS6JbiRfW36jTthn7OPDyvZX8tyQ4rT7dv6t6g57T1E7HMGYK3grqsVMbBaLdn0FF-NG4kAJZr3RBuBifq65gFu1nFGF17s_tL8gNNLa2aFjTutAKGUwQ5AjkOMvLiL9QOUIma/s1600/tumblr_liyip352K01qa5yk4o1_1280.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trendytraveler.tumblr.com/post/5660066180" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>The hubs and I have escaped to the desert for some quality spa and pool time and anniversary fun. I'll be back on Thursday but in the meantime, see what I'm discovering about the desert by following me on <a href="http://instagram.com/littleblackdoor/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.<br /><br />Cheers!

rest and relaxation

Do I sound really far away? I feel really far away. via The hubs and I have escaped to the desert for some quality spa and pool time and ann...

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technology is laughing at me and a guest post

I need a drink people. A nice stiff G&T for breakfast sounds right. This week I've had to put my trusty laptop to rest. (hand over heart) She was a good little red laptop and I'll miss her. But luckily the smarty pants at the Apple store were able to save <i>most </i>of my data and I now have a new computer. Not really what I wanted to spend $$ on, but damn is she pretty. So while I figure out my new world of computing I'll be taking the day off from Fess Up Friday. And if I owe you an email. its coming, as soon as I figure out where my email is.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXne-XGyUpx6cfl_P0aoRxgKpW8q8MIVsHIelRlmr3NQh9Ro_nAa47SiMK9haC0xbo1jQkpklLhaylLMYVqdi0pNzdDiJ1wGk2wg1y5kiD-IkQtbEfhH8qif2BESXMJDyXSN8zBPr6gA75/s1600/pet-series4-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXne-XGyUpx6cfl_P0aoRxgKpW8q8MIVsHIelRlmr3NQh9Ro_nAa47SiMK9haC0xbo1jQkpklLhaylLMYVqdi0pNzdDiJ1wGk2wg1y5kiD-IkQtbEfhH8qif2BESXMJDyXSN8zBPr6gA75/s1600/pet-series4-small.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />But have no fear, I am not leaving you empty handed. Head over to my friend Julia's at <a href="http://cuckoo4design.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cuckoo 4 Design</a> where I<a href="http://cuckoo4design.blogspot.com/2014/04/living-pretty-with-your-pets-little.html" target="_blank"> am talking about my very sweet pup Zoey</a>. Enjoy the crazy amount of photos of puppies and babies and I'll be back next week!<br /><br />Happy Weekend!

technology is laughing at me and a guest post

I need a drink people. A nice stiff G&T for breakfast sounds right. This week I've had to put my trusty laptop to rest. (hand over h...

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i'm cheating on my house

Now that it is (finally) nice outside, I'm back to taking the long way...everywhere. There is not a road, avenue or lane that I have not explored in St. Louis and I will turn down any street in hopes of sneaking a peak at a good house. The terms "private street" or "residents only" mean nothing to me. If there is a residential street within 20 miles of here, I have been down it.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0CV1f7dfWOax1I3x0V2Eb4ZZd4_7zUjLGa0yRYGGDDHXs2o-HbYmPO6C5Zs9B9bFNAM7NOzb_2uEH1na8uStwabH3fjuY8dugsylAm2jc-pfmHxGOnr2XT_y9cG7S6B1EN9FzMRVf8-E/s1600/81dcb425bead3c801660e09020336b95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0CV1f7dfWOax1I3x0V2Eb4ZZd4_7zUjLGa0yRYGGDDHXs2o-HbYmPO6C5Zs9B9bFNAM7NOzb_2uEH1na8uStwabH3fjuY8dugsylAm2jc-pfmHxGOnr2XT_y9cG7S6B1EN9FzMRVf8-E/s1600/81dcb425bead3c801660e09020336b95.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/1167059/?crlt.pid=camp.lhtvKgQwHS29" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>The girls don't even ask "where are we going" anymore. They know their crazy mom is just taking another one of her rides and we'll eventually arrive...somewhere.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODckpRmhytpL6G6-5k7TvKfaF9hxOcmojDSuE8wbiKlBdveGObyJqZUuw8Jyc3PO310eVTh6SevpQW7ZMpCbxeCnYEGApWpZIxL-RL4Lls2fKMxFSyBqWZUIEoUiD705u7XpQ7D97BfK1/s1600/9852c0e85b55a9daa93bdb9d42446517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODckpRmhytpL6G6-5k7TvKfaF9hxOcmojDSuE8wbiKlBdveGObyJqZUuw8Jyc3PO310eVTh6SevpQW7ZMpCbxeCnYEGApWpZIxL-RL4Lls2fKMxFSyBqWZUIEoUiD705u7XpQ7D97BfK1/s1600/9852c0e85b55a9daa93bdb9d42446517.jpg" width="607" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/6896205653407785/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>But there are a small handful of houses that I drive by no matter the time of day or the weather. My bucket list houses. The houses that I would move heaven and earth to buy if they ever became for sale.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEd_i29Lbkrj7TBNIS1JWpR3I4iFDon8RGeammr-qbR1cRKdp6SHWnDq-MpwvQk_LeBuw5AVfGDPccbNzUsytClHYghso-OHhFxRM7f0Qx-GoAjA3rd81_NZFuXjIpHuhCAfyWcmX9syr/s1600/4fe9a24eca42e9f23b5352adbdddc928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEd_i29Lbkrj7TBNIS1JWpR3I4iFDon8RGeammr-qbR1cRKdp6SHWnDq-MpwvQk_LeBuw5AVfGDPccbNzUsytClHYghso-OHhFxRM7f0Qx-GoAjA3rd81_NZFuXjIpHuhCAfyWcmX9syr/s1600/4fe9a24eca42e9f23b5352adbdddc928.jpg" width="439" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://yourewelcomesavannah.com/homes-gardens-savannah/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>They are always old, usually run down and often appear to be 'virginal' (untouched and never rehabbed). All of them have great lots in wonderful (to me) locations. They are the houses that you drive by and never notice and I want them.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VjMskzPiNg0PqNGPpwf4R3GieaA9cc6OLU76XYkPhV7xpr7uH_HdQIl4PaSk91CEiuXFb0VB-mSRys49beG512THNCHO8jqtwRSl97UX_sX6gE5_hVzyWXkHg67FKsx_yBa95nEl2u6M/s1600/a66765dbfc44b846eb0c51db1cc18e3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VjMskzPiNg0PqNGPpwf4R3GieaA9cc6OLU76XYkPhV7xpr7uH_HdQIl4PaSk91CEiuXFb0VB-mSRys49beG512THNCHO8jqtwRSl97UX_sX6gE5_hVzyWXkHg67FKsx_yBa95nEl2u6M/s1600/a66765dbfc44b846eb0c51db1cc18e3c.jpg" width="471" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heatherhesterphotography.com/blog/page/2/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I really do love my house and can't think of leaving (anytime soon) but I do catch myself dreaming of living in those suckers. What I would do to them, how I would bring them back to life. It makes for a great Sunday drive.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69Ri4FygV0DD7obJq84ZB75jdyz2el3LONiLfAp7ixDcK-o_3m8sKF1-_NFVeicUk3WlGGwAVdlQICRsSQz3ecSyEkxC5JSDoSBGjBm9C26Evsd1Oqiq5K9ZhLdMbmeKQgjQ1uKDCtATI/s1600/6c9217589f695be916ef34a091bc3092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69Ri4FygV0DD7obJq84ZB75jdyz2el3LONiLfAp7ixDcK-o_3m8sKF1-_NFVeicUk3WlGGwAVdlQICRsSQz3ecSyEkxC5JSDoSBGjBm9C26Evsd1Oqiq5K9ZhLdMbmeKQgjQ1uKDCtATI/s1600/6c9217589f695be916ef34a091bc3092.jpg" width="435" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cheshireshea-braving-wanderlust.tumblr.com/post/13151456452/this-is-my-favorite-house-on-murray-blvd-my" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>What about you? Do you have any local houses that are on your bucket list? Ever drive a little out of your way to go thru a favorite neighborhood? Always wondered what was down that private street but have been afraid to turn? Stick with me, I'll show you around.<br /><br /><br />

i'm cheating on my house

Now that it is (finally) nice outside, I'm back to taking the long way...everywhere. There is not a road, avenue or lane that I have not...

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what do you want to be when you grow up

When I was little I wanted to be Walter Cronkite. And then Connie Chung. Then Blondie, Dorothy Hamill, John Hughes and Tootie (from Facts of Life). And with each new person/career I would imagine what my office would look like. My Walter Cronkite office had wall to wall bookshelves and a big mahogany desk. My Tootie office had awesome 80's blinds and a neon sign over my bean bag chair.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwxgF6Svnhilpvm83esfzkIFG_ZGhfOmOcnc2BN6mL-dMSg6na2XsMlEA1Z2qB0YIC5UaBc7no-ZaKwgYKKs8lQkbEvkIfD7jn-9GXttZgiCnTEWpfxf-Zrtf8Y7VkbEcq2Q_DPFDNk7t/s1600/LibraryAngusFergussonOct2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwxgF6Svnhilpvm83esfzkIFG_ZGhfOmOcnc2BN6mL-dMSg6na2XsMlEA1Z2qB0YIC5UaBc7no-ZaKwgYKKs8lQkbEvkIfD7jn-9GXttZgiCnTEWpfxf-Zrtf8Y7VkbEcq2Q_DPFDNk7t/s1600/LibraryAngusFergussonOct2013.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://houseandhome.com/design/photo-gallery-sarah-richardson-designs?page=13" target="_blank">Sarah Richardson</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />My choices might have been... unique, but I think I went about discovering those options the same way everyone does - you see people you like/admire doing things you think look interesting. (or in Tootie's case - people who's skates your admire). Seems like a very logical way to discover and develop your path.<br /><br />The bummer of all of this though is that when you are encouraged to pick your life's profession, you have yet to meet a quarter of the interesting or admirable people you will encounter in life. Eighteen years old is damn early to make such a decision. I liked to write, so Journalism school it was. I imagined a cluttered dorm full of old books and a bulletin board with all my articles and contacts. Very Woodward and Bernstein.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUWz46at5dgRrMaAtwFkDMOy3ZmF00yRddraRyv6CanPs1b416IXEuovJlmEaLHHVf0irpoSIIurgZ7sRwxB74AoGwFPrmprQXPmFm1D8J-JI8om2aepgZmhaPpz4NPhBPjGBBCRYU_5F/s1600/47c4d501162242746da96abb54faa09a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUWz46at5dgRrMaAtwFkDMOy3ZmF00yRddraRyv6CanPs1b416IXEuovJlmEaLHHVf0irpoSIIurgZ7sRwxB74AoGwFPrmprQXPmFm1D8J-JI8om2aepgZmhaPpz4NPhBPjGBBCRYU_5F/s1600/47c4d501162242746da96abb54faa09a.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://houseandhome.com/design/photo-gallery-sarah-richardson-designs?page=13" target="_blank">domino</a></td></tr></tbody></table>And while I certainly do love to write, media wasn't my passion. But I stuck with it. I'm stubborn and I had made up my mind - journalism damn it. That is a real job.<br /><br />I graduated and landed in the tech world just as it was bubbling. I was good at my job and got an apartment filled with the things I thought a young person on their own would have in their first place. Ala early Carrie Bradshaw. I wasn't particularly passionate about my work, but man did I love my apartment.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDRdomI2fdqvhb7Oyhz2Jk70PeQMu3jaMGVRqae9tZUB2rZEuxYRS5PqIj4LciKGYAvCyBy6S-hG1Co2AjfOSrXLY1yRIgmbhC5J_6Cp0EAYjHUhdIsJy1sCeShj4qAw7T2NT7WOMCGUs/s1600/carrie_bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDRdomI2fdqvhb7Oyhz2Jk70PeQMu3jaMGVRqae9tZUB2rZEuxYRS5PqIj4LciKGYAvCyBy6S-hG1Co2AjfOSrXLY1yRIgmbhC5J_6Cp0EAYjHUhdIsJy1sCeShj4qAw7T2NT7WOMCGUs/s1600/carrie_bedroom.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mirrormirrorblog.com/images/various/WindowsLiveWriter/carrie_bedroom.jpg" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>It wasn't until my girls came and I got an old stack of childhood books from my mom that I began to put it all together. All of my favorite books had a common thread. I couldn't have told you the plot in most of those stories, but I could describe to you how each room looked. I got the movies I loved to watch so I could share them with the girls and again, I realized that the movies I loved were not about the stories, but about the interiors. Pollyanna - kinda boring but damn I loved her Aunt's house. The walk in closet in E.T. was about the best thing I'd ever seen with that octagon window and the banquet in the kitchen with those awesome Levolors - loved it.<br /><br />And once it finally clicked, I couldn't be stopped. All the research and studying I'd done 'for fun' for decades was paying off.  I started to take clients here and there and developed enough of a base that when the opportunity arose, I took my leap. I was able to become what I had always wanted to be, if only I had listened to myself. Sometimes it takes a while for your head to catch up with your soul.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarDMZ_axEwNEZUsyszlP7Bxs-cxyre2vUKJl5BhkhEINTxF90uO8eIZIhM7PTf09bwWvfAq09e8dcAaT3ETtDUApgeX8PrjGTsRWSMqr4pufaGk72iBJb17EXsrdKb-RMcBFUX588QVOL/s1600/bd21831e42c16d5f87864919125c6097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarDMZ_axEwNEZUsyszlP7Bxs-cxyre2vUKJl5BhkhEINTxF90uO8eIZIhM7PTf09bwWvfAq09e8dcAaT3ETtDUApgeX8PrjGTsRWSMqr4pufaGk72iBJb17EXsrdKb-RMcBFUX588QVOL/s1600/bd21831e42c16d5f87864919125c6097.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Over the past few months I've experienced several growing pains in my little business which is, as my favorite boss would say, a good problem. But even with the stress and struggle, I really do FINALLY love what I do. I'll share more over the coming weeks about all the good things bubbling up, but for today, I just felt like sharing.<br /><br />So on St. Patrick's Day this Irish girl considers herself lucky to have finally found out what she wants to be when she grows up.<br /><br />What about you? Do you know what you want to be? Are you doing what you love?<br /><br />

what do you want to be when you grow up

When I was little I wanted to be Walter Cronkite. And then Connie Chung. Then Blondie, Dorothy Hamill, John Hughes and Tootie (from Facts of...

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stitches and satchels

Sorry for the radio silence everybody. Yesterday, as I tried to make a lovely snow day breakfast, I had a run in with a pesky knife and ended up with stitches in my hand.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfjKpM2NE4QzvIt6rANqG8S16lX0JLlGqoDDey2nO33j0qZ7G87B8Y5phrMBasvnLAg65pmFM7rNVdrmDBeEmejCDf0c2QMj34a6OWIi1jBy0Iuf-hxO3eeLs1QCv1caFtjlhg0oi6scg/s1600/stitches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfjKpM2NE4QzvIt6rANqG8S16lX0JLlGqoDDey2nO33j0qZ7G87B8Y5phrMBasvnLAg65pmFM7rNVdrmDBeEmejCDf0c2QMj34a6OWIi1jBy0Iuf-hxO3eeLs1QCv1caFtjlhg0oi6scg/s1600/stitches.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><br />The buggers are right where my thumb muscle moves to make my hand...useful. And let me tell you in case you have forgotten this from Jr. High science, our opposable thumbs are one of the greatest gifts evolution gave us. Life without it is slow and frustrating. So typing is not my friend these days. Bare with me and know I'll be back in fighting shape soon.<br /><br />But I can't drop a lame bomb like that and leave you empty handed (pun intended). So head over to <a href="http://resembl.com/article?_id=52deb3fc6b37305d2fc082f4" target="_blank">Resembl</a> where I'm sharing my favorite black and white handbags for the new year. Empty handed, hand bags, I just can't help myself.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqBr1k2nweR2qO0ZWSIhZJaj_iigPJm2ENetVaYt3XjCWGl2RRcp-aHNIVCFxGxZhJ5R8eLkbEu1y2MJuR-MT9K5wwjPlCIiuhVGEW-r2F-nbCeexSVt4EwVpK03PGtBBSo4EITWUXKXo/s1600/art12-home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqBr1k2nweR2qO0ZWSIhZJaj_iigPJm2ENetVaYt3XjCWGl2RRcp-aHNIVCFxGxZhJ5R8eLkbEu1y2MJuR-MT9K5wwjPlCIiuhVGEW-r2F-nbCeexSVt4EwVpK03PGtBBSo4EITWUXKXo/s1600/art12-home.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I really love a good handbag and I've got some great choices to drool over. Check it out<a href="http://resembl.com/article?_id=52deb3fc6b37305d2fc082f4" target="_blank"> here</a>.<br /><br />Do you have an obsession with bags like I do? Ever had stitches? Ever heard a doctor say "We've got a bleeder!"? Sadly, I have. (Extra points if you can name the movie that line is also from.)

stitches and satchels

Sorry for the radio silence everybody. Yesterday, as I tried to make a lovely snow day breakfast, I had a run in with a pesky knife and ende...

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2014: let's do this

Remember that first day back to school after Christmas break? When you would spend the day saying "how was your break?" over and over again? Good times. So...how was your break?<br /><br />I had an absolutely wonderful vacation. We ate, we wrapped, we partied, we unwrapped, we drank, we shoveled and we cuddled. General merriment all around. And best of all, I didn't open up my laptop once. Truth. Full disclosure, I did occasionally checked <a href="http://instagram.com/littleblackdoor" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, but I was 'off the clock'. And it felt great.<br /><br />Like any great love story, I think sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder and I missed you all and my little corner of the virtual world. So I'm excited to be back and in action. Can I get an amen?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprwwx-6H6wCGOzn7FKT7nwqQi6Hs6xIroHp-cwAo8MrnRGa7TgpFbUGiFc63E5GjUQKOwxxJdgbYiLJ0lppKYAhKIOnmeAenPdhzxU0HnUE4SxCSFPgNE62zTOCXOA9yrCUWmoeq4j0ej/s1600/00bdd9b52104e997dad9276147830eaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprwwx-6H6wCGOzn7FKT7nwqQi6Hs6xIroHp-cwAo8MrnRGa7TgpFbUGiFc63E5GjUQKOwxxJdgbYiLJ0lppKYAhKIOnmeAenPdhzxU0HnUE4SxCSFPgNE62zTOCXOA9yrCUWmoeq4j0ej/s1600/00bdd9b52104e997dad9276147830eaf.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174194371/2014-lets-do-this-85-x-11-art-print?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">CieraDesign</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span id="goog_578635096"></span><span id="goog_578635097"></span>And the good thing about a little time away, is that my brain has been going wild with ideas, projects and things to share. So let's hit the ground running my friends, we've got a new year in front of us!

2014: let's do this

Remember that first day back to school after Christmas break? When you would spend the day saying "how was your break?" over and o...

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repeat performance or keeping it fresh

I've been slowly working on getting my house Christmas ready and one of the things that keeps a pep in my step for this yearly ritual is the idea of mixing it up. What will I do with the mantel this year? What type of tree should we get? Lights outside or not?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdO7BoeDDmOpy97LGnlv5bJ6MtcZWBRgO-2BItYfb5EOHtsOzoMrz7i-KfDIe0BjyrhbDWz8hh1T75qmlfSwKVcypl6Gpjmcz3Iarq5NPtAZkiYwHxj_m3gHNKzLGGnKLx8MPBPGqq2Ro/s1600/littleblackdoorinstagramchristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdO7BoeDDmOpy97LGnlv5bJ6MtcZWBRgO-2BItYfb5EOHtsOzoMrz7i-KfDIe0BjyrhbDWz8hh1T75qmlfSwKVcypl6Gpjmcz3Iarq5NPtAZkiYwHxj_m3gHNKzLGGnKLx8MPBPGqq2Ro/s320/littleblackdoorinstagramchristmas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sneak peak of my mantel from I<a href="http://instagram.com/littleblackdoor/" target="_blank">nstagram</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I don't find it stressful, I find it comforting. It is almost as if I'm adding another layer of warmth just as it gets extra frigid outside. It gets me in the spirit and sparks special memories and traditions. (Cue the Hallmark movie cheese ball music)<br /><br />What about you? Do you put everything in the same place every year? Do you clear the decks and start fresh each year? Do you have any weird traditions or items that you must do/pull out before it feels like the holidays have started?<br /><br />And don't forget to catch today's feature on the 12 Days of Christmas Tour of Homes. I've listed the first three homes below.<br /><br />Day 1 - <a href="http://evolutionofstyleblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/day-1-12-days-of-christmas-holiday-tour.html" target="_blank">Evolution of Style</a><br />Day 2 - <a href="http://www.shineyourlightblog.com/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas-our-home.html" target="_blank">Shine Your Light</a><br />Day 3 - <a href="http://dixiedelights.blogspot.com/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas-tour-of-homes-day-3.html" target="_blank">Dixie Delights</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMn4tU4erraoXUau2b_HhsGN3TYkvWa14MMDB6fulrTVZg6gxgbwwHQtEAlDX4H5SGgZU2cqJbCyBUUjLku-m5TOXJ2AHkES2kd2ocDOJh1J2EGu55NyX0DyAL0QpZdHXcDZ75pH7Xurup/s1600/Blogger+Tour+Announcement+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMn4tU4erraoXUau2b_HhsGN3TYkvWa14MMDB6fulrTVZg6gxgbwwHQtEAlDX4H5SGgZU2cqJbCyBUUjLku-m5TOXJ2AHkES2kd2ocDOJh1J2EGu55NyX0DyAL0QpZdHXcDZ75pH7Xurup/s640/Blogger+Tour+Announcement+%25281%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />Happy Wednesday!

repeat performance or keeping it fresh

I've been slowly working on getting my house Christmas ready and one of the things that keeps a pep in my step for this yearly ritual is...

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holiday pushers

We are officially in the thick of it people. Thanksgiving is behind us (in the US), Chanukah is wrapping up and Christmas is coming. Cue the hysteria. I made an effort to not get online over the Thanksgiving holiday, not even my phone, and it was kind of like a digital master cleanse. It felt damn good I have to say and when we got home last night from a weekend of traveling and I was ready to gear up for Christmas. I didn't feel behind or stressed, I just felt...holiday-ish.<br /><br />Then I sat down to my laptop and the stress settled in. Holy crap. I've gotten a wicked number of emails and articles and announcements telling me I can get 15% off here, 50% off there, use these coupon codes on these days, and jump three times in place while drinking water and tapping your head. And that doesn't even crack the book on all of the gift guides. Oy! I am on overload already and it is only December 2nd.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8cTMKXjMn5N5z1hrEkQ6M8kLtqy5dIjj0SnIg8TOSFCdW6rY0ZJV3oaMTMhhMLBvgETP4thSxyvvr70Ym26-00qUljF_xRKGSOZ0VAy8NA2WzFJFayw49hsNyR8jf6r-cRU9sCsVKRkA/s1600/2d3b985ed16d8cf0cedb72768587d9e9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8cTMKXjMn5N5z1hrEkQ6M8kLtqy5dIjj0SnIg8TOSFCdW6rY0ZJV3oaMTMhhMLBvgETP4thSxyvvr70Ym26-00qUljF_xRKGSOZ0VAy8NA2WzFJFayw49hsNyR8jf6r-cRU9sCsVKRkA/s640/2d3b985ed16d8cf0cedb72768587d9e9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.janemeans.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jane Means</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />How do you manage all your holiday cheer? Do you keep up with all of the 'advice' or just go with what you know? What % lures you in to a sale? (I got an email for 7% off and let me tell you, that is NOT a sale. That's just foolish)

holiday pushers

We are officially in the thick of it people. Thanksgiving is behind us (in the US), Chanukah is wrapping up and Christmas is coming. Cue the...

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month of thankfulness at meet me in philadelphia

Today I'm over at my friend's 'house', <a href="http://meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-month-of-thankfulness-elizabeth-of.html" target="_blank">Meet Me in Philadelphia</a>, sharing what I am most thankful for this year. Go over and <a href="http://meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-month-of-thankfulness-elizabeth-of.html" target="_blank">check it out</a>!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lriAQlajniBS-zumMJbL1WS-6cKTpK_EME5HTxfmwJQ9-hKO8TfP_XtoIj2RTUvjuGA1gJ2wZ9UdZxFk9cpqDYqY_hXJGKDcOdqnhaVOwsjZrRZ00QiZJcc_6cIkjdxCP-vDoOPMWqn5/s1600/Meet+Me+in+Philadelphia+blog+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lriAQlajniBS-zumMJbL1WS-6cKTpK_EME5HTxfmwJQ9-hKO8TfP_XtoIj2RTUvjuGA1gJ2wZ9UdZxFk9cpqDYqY_hXJGKDcOdqnhaVOwsjZrRZ00QiZJcc_6cIkjdxCP-vDoOPMWqn5/s640/Meet+Me+in+Philadelphia+blog+header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />And <a href="http://meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ashley</a>, thank you for not only being a great friend, but also for teaching me how to spell Philadelphia. xo

month of thankfulness at meet me in philadelphia

Today I'm over at my friend's 'house', Meet Me in Philadelphia , sharing what I am most thankful for this year. Go over and ...

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where do you want to go

Good gracious y'all!! Thank you so much for your response to the <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/11/one-room-challenge-week-6-aka-reveal.html" target="_blank">One Room Challenge</a>. Not only am I grateful for all of you, but I had such a great time looking thru all of the fabulous rooms of the other ladies as well as all the amazing linking party participants.  There is some serious talent out there, and I was thrilled to be apart of it. I'll be back on Wednesday with details and sources on the room.<br /><br />And if you follow me on <a href="http://instagram.com/littleblackdoor/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> (which you totally should by the way) then you know on top of the ORC excitement, I had some other big stuff going on as well. More on that as soon as I can share.<br /><br />So all of this action has left me exhausted and hankering for a trip somewhere. I was raised a traveler. I've been to each of the lower 48, all by car thank you very much, so I've gotten to see so many great places. And maybe it is coming down from a stressful few weeks, or the fact that winter is approaching and I'm getting ready to hibernate, but I want to hit the road.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihEsa64Scu1ZBFC6WPL0QbOvGhxId7h4UiaGljYxLMdIwxIaxO3oYQWZRSJpIJmGkvassxILhX0oq2xQxA4zP0y05BoVLdU3nIIcPyMt0hLoCUMEMX4qnPPeHMpy7r_rTu24l8iwxHEfp/s1600/12d514d5f5a0b85769a290ae44b4fd39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihEsa64Scu1ZBFC6WPL0QbOvGhxId7h4UiaGljYxLMdIwxIaxO3oYQWZRSJpIJmGkvassxILhX0oq2xQxA4zP0y05BoVLdU3nIIcPyMt0hLoCUMEMX4qnPPeHMpy7r_rTu24l8iwxHEfp/s640/12d514d5f5a0b85769a290ae44b4fd39.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/474989091919570977/" target="_blank">Maine</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzaMJGLuR2qS1tq0YNKAfS_ZU08jJYV3G4bHvwSZY2gRAwd_KOwlIdyPs3JaQwJ9U9D4PDSoXPhygO-uvS4Z497Drkq3KpD9D4BbIwxcMc1EZBN168lED8DiTQVnXhF9CXTkqe1hs48lV/s1600/086d6fcae37c645661fa788373a34b4c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzaMJGLuR2qS1tq0YNKAfS_ZU08jJYV3G4bHvwSZY2gRAwd_KOwlIdyPs3JaQwJ9U9D4PDSoXPhygO-uvS4Z497Drkq3KpD9D4BbIwxcMc1EZBN168lED8DiTQVnXhF9CXTkqe1hs48lV/s640/086d6fcae37c645661fa788373a34b4c.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/192880796514143899/" target="_blank">Charleston, SC</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry_7S3ny8q18YuZ3mFd32tN2EDsCuJQxEFTbYKUz0YzovRgpQs0YrXvnLNmCA1IAmA3NoEtUpJVu7XkSq1FTAKtcbBbkxOVae2kp6HbSnVPC4B3ph-vJL7ic_h3qQdLH8IZ7GqNwRK0kC/s1600/a7209eca4f3509ccd47e8bcf26587639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry_7S3ny8q18YuZ3mFd32tN2EDsCuJQxEFTbYKUz0YzovRgpQs0YrXvnLNmCA1IAmA3NoEtUpJVu7XkSq1FTAKtcbBbkxOVae2kp6HbSnVPC4B3ph-vJL7ic_h3qQdLH8IZ7GqNwRK0kC/s640/a7209eca4f3509ccd47e8bcf26587639.jpg" width="522" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/86905467782321436/" target="_blank">California Redwoods</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcA0YYJwwVVRMEEASgyxqz6iBcYsN0N1uysCBxCc8KcuZn7oPuV5O4vQGkKjGmZj6DnsT2ZRpayKTcpCfmBexr_bqUGkKFWPhTFQ4mVeBfcNU4UsIGjUiXfvSRocixQpOQEeDmNlkI7gW/s1600/79e3aafb6a4439f6400b725053dcd68e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcA0YYJwwVVRMEEASgyxqz6iBcYsN0N1uysCBxCc8KcuZn7oPuV5O4vQGkKjGmZj6DnsT2ZRpayKTcpCfmBexr_bqUGkKFWPhTFQ4mVeBfcNU4UsIGjUiXfvSRocixQpOQEeDmNlkI7gW/s640/79e3aafb6a4439f6400b725053dcd68e.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/451626668853026496/" target="_blank">Breckenridge, CO</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQh9XgNH4p8dksU-3WUEgVI7ozSX7iPO_7azBgVc1rxJDAp_c0vTfHngRDd6CAWAHzPLecKfZF2cwTgGEW32W2-gxtMmHEbs4wYQBEkmr00hMkvoF6FOxJJk7BfIOcsX925lL_GB9HhZ9/s1600/girlsatthebeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQh9XgNH4p8dksU-3WUEgVI7ozSX7iPO_7azBgVc1rxJDAp_c0vTfHngRDd6CAWAHzPLecKfZF2cwTgGEW32W2-gxtMmHEbs4wYQBEkmr00hMkvoF6FOxJJk7BfIOcsX925lL_GB9HhZ9/s640/girlsatthebeach.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my girls on the beach in Sarasota</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Where do you want to go? Where is your favorite place to travel? Who wants to go on a road trip?<br /><br />

where do you want to go

Good gracious y'all!! Thank you so much for your response to the One Room Challenge . Not only am I grateful for all of you, but I had s...

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try not to labor too much

The only thing better than heading into a weekend is knowing it is a three-day weekend. Summer is slipping through our fingers so soak up every last minute of it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A8MrYuXqlr-SDUNSheumF9EsP4143YnwYgVCF9paFAAzhxqZhnJ5ASQOvrTE8BShNDVadS744BwLbN1qj-MbyT_QWy0pUXs9fFs8se1Qk50EAd4nbDajfc_IQfYjcTho4rbVHBbQ2aNI/s1600/AmeliaFloatsLaborDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A8MrYuXqlr-SDUNSheumF9EsP4143YnwYgVCF9paFAAzhxqZhnJ5ASQOvrTE8BShNDVadS744BwLbN1qj-MbyT_QWy0pUXs9fFs8se1Qk50EAd4nbDajfc_IQfYjcTho4rbVHBbQ2aNI/s640/AmeliaFloatsLaborDay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />For those in the US - happy labor day! And for all of my other friends, happy weekend!

try not to labor too much

The only thing better than heading into a weekend is knowing it is a three-day weekend. Summer is slipping through our fingers so soak up ev...

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