Where's Summer...and a Give-Away...!!!

We are on week three of nearly unrelenting, rainy weather. It is fair to say I have summer doldrums, and everything feels damp, dismal, and the walls of my home seem to be closing in on me. Summer projects are at a virtual standstill, and although there are inside jobs awaiting, I can't seem to inspire myself to do them. The temperatures are even quite cool, and combined with the damp, I am seriously considering roasting up a big turkey dinner to warm me up from the inside out!!

In defiance of the rain, I am posting some pink photos to lift my spirits and remind me that it is, indeed, summer! While I impatiently sit inside and brood, staring at my pool, and watching my grass get ridiculously long, I figure it is also the perfect time for a long over-due give-away at my blog! I have missed all the milestone reasons for one (first year blog-iversary, 200th post, 300th post, etc.), so I figure it is high time to give something away just to thank everyone for visiting, leaving such kind comments, linking to me, and for giving me awards/tags that I am, shamefully, too lazy to do, or too forgetful to find again and post about. I suppose, I am one of those "bad bloggers" who don't always play by the rules, but please know I appreciate each and every sentiment and thought sent my way. More than you know...

First up, is a photo of my daughter (hugging her cousin) at least two years ago at her other cousin's birthday. It always makes me sad to see how quickly she has grown, and I realize time is flying and I have no control over it...
Next, are some grass skirts and beach towels hanging poolside during Sophie's pool party, last year. This reminds me that the sun is out there somewhere...!!!Below is a photo of my dining chairs dressed up with one of my favourite vintage aprons from my collection.

Next up is a pink and white striped camper I spotted at the campground last weekend. They obviously don't realize what a gem they have...the sagging curtains look like nobody cares...

Finally, I arrived home the other day to find Sophie having an impromptu "sweet shop" sale. I find it so sweet when she does things like this. She is a real salesperson: when I tried to pay her with imaginary money (after all, the food isn't real!), she would have nothing to do with it!

I made the muffin tin with the "ice cream" in it, and the gumball machine (coloured pom poms), and the menu (below). Note the card saying "Treats a Dollar"... the little imp!! She ended up with nickels only!She has gotten a lot of play value from it all... and I had a lot of fun making and collecting all the "sweets"!! I made this "cookie art" to go in her room, and here is another picture of all of her treats:

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Now, on to the give-away!! Do you remember last week's post about Matthew Mead's new website? Well, he has a "secret club" (that you must purchase a subscription for) where you can access his new downloads, decorating/collecting/entertaining tips, and more! Soooo, to redeem myself, I am giving away a free 6-month membership to the Matthew Mead Style website. You, too, can have a "backstage pass" to all of the incredible design inspiration lurking there!

To be a part of the draw, simply leave me a comment by end of day Saturday, and I may draw your name as the lucky winner!!

A Kitchen Revisited...

I know many of you have seen my kitchen before. However, I am participating in Julia's (of the fabulous blog, Hooked on Houses) house tour (make sure you head on over there...after leaving me a comment, of course), and I thought I'd give her readers a quick look around my favourite room in our house. I also figured, you don't see a kitchen with blue cabinets that often, so here it is:
My husband built the cabinets himself, although we purchased the doors from a cabinet maker, and the kitchen island was my 10th anniversary gift from my husband, which he made to my specifications. The colour on the kitchen cabinets is Summer Shower, from Benjamin Moore. We settled for laminate counter tops disguising themselves as a marble look-a-like. They don't pull it off, of course, but they fit the budget and are easy to clean. I applaud those who invest in the real thing, but I am not yet into higher maintenance surfaces, and certainly not into trading my children's college fund for high-end counter tops. Maybe someday...

I love my schoolhouse lights, and they were bought at a great price from local building supply stores. The light over my dining table is from Homesense, and was a steal at $130. I love great lighting, and I believe every kitchen should have lighting that draws the eye up.

Most of the accessories in my kitchen are from yard sales, flea markets, or Homesense. I like the less is more approach to dressing your counter tops, although it is an ongoing battle to beat the clutter bugs living with me. For some reason, pockets tend to get emptied onto my island, and I often find Barbie shoes, "special" rocks and seashells, and gum wrappers that simply don't make it to the waste bin.

Our flooring is hardwood - I prefer wood to tile, as I am very clumsy, and would otherwise have to replace my dishes more often than is reasonable if I had tile underfoot. I also love the warmth of wood, and find it lends a more cozy feel to an otherwise cool palette.

My back splash is miniature subway tile with a line of glass mosaic tiles thrown into the mix.

One thing I would never change about my kitchen is my open shelving. They offer such easy access to everyday dishware, and provide great display space for my favourite treasures. I know some feel dust is an issue with open shelves, but our dishes are used and washed on such a frequent basis, that I give it nary a thought. I love the look of an unfitted kitchen, and while my kitchen has more of a traditional design, the open shelving is my nod to old-fashioned kitchens.

My kitchen isn't perfect - it isn't large, and it isn't filled with high-end appliances or finishes...but, it is bright, welcoming, and fills our needs. I have attempted to create a space that has vintage style paired with modern conveniences. It is, to me, a pretty kitchen, and I am happy it is the heart of our home...

With a rebel yell...

Well, we're back...early...and a little bit soggy. A "half-glass full" attitude was definitely needed to smile through an entirely rainy, inaugural camping trip! Luckily, I love it that much! Camping, that is...

Luckily, we had great company- my brother and his family - and we all get along famously! So, after settling in and gobbling down a quick, but tasty (pre-planned) supper of pork chops, salad, and curried noodles, I headed over to see my sister-in-law's own "camper makeover".

Now, if I was a good blogger, I would have remembered to take a few photos of the slip covers she stitched up herself. Because I was too excited, and travel weary, I did not. Nevertheless, she did a wonderful job and I will show you them someday...when I actually remember to snap a few photos!

Instead, I will offer up my own new slipcovers, made by my talented and kind friend, Tabitha Coleman. Tabitha is an incredibly gifted seamstress, and her attention to detail and meticulous nature always adds up to high quality creations, and I just happen to be a lucky recipient. Not only did she make slipcovers that are easy to get on and off (using velcro), she gave me covers that have borders in a different, fun fabric.

But wait!! Do you remember the hideous before fabric??

Tssk, tssk...

Now the new slipcovers:

Can you also see the cute "tin" panel that I covered my camper fridge with? It's in the background...

Sooo much better, no? I selected a Sunbrella fabric (striped) for the facings (source: Atlantic Fabrics (local) - $6.99/metre), and a cute gingham fabric with little frogs adorning it for the edges (source: Walmart -$5.99/metre).

Tabitha also made me reversible tiebacks using the two fabrics! Brilliant!!

Although I would have loved to do a kitschy floral fabric with a retro feel, I did take into consideration that I have a whole lot of testosterone raging through my family unit, and I couldn't find anything pretty enough locally (and I really wanted to keep costs down). Either way, I am delighted with the makeover that the new slipcovers have provided my little camper; and it is a brighter, more modern, and inviting place to spend two days wishing for sunshine!!

We always eat well: here is the fixings for some chicken and veggie skewers, which we paired with french bread and yellow beans...oh, and some wine for me!! Just to keep the dreary rain from getting to me!!

A few polka dots and cherries can brighten up any decor!!

Don't you love the buttery yellow enamelware??

Tabitha even made Sophie and me a purse each (above), out of the froggy fabric!!

Despite the rain, everyone was actually in quite good spirits, though not quite as content as me. I grew up NEVER taking a family trip, nor even doing any real day trips, so camping is bliss to me. I figure I will make my memories now, and I drink up the corny traditions that go along with camping: dirty feet, campfires, brushing your teeth in the open air, s'mores, and basically looking like a grubbier version of myself, but happy all the same. No sir, the rain can't keep me down - it could always be worse -we could be in a tent!!!!!