Getting ready for Florida!

I've been so busy lately, that I haven't had much time to sit down and write. Just spent a nice Thanksgiving dinner today with my family, as we'll be spending the actual holiday in Florida with my husband Brian's family. Since I'm still coming down from that yummy, but rather filling meal, I've decided to sit and relax with my blog for a while. I had been checking out my etsy shop, and looking through my "favorites". Thought it would be fun to share some that are very beachy to get ready for my little get away!

This Big White Weathered Wood Whale is from Castawayshall. Awesome shop!

Barn Owl Primitives has the BEST signs. I really want one. Actually, one of my choices from the Cottage Coastal Store giveaway is also featured on her shop.

Loving this souvenir from 3 Florida Girls

We usually go to Busch Gardens when we visit Florida, and one of the highlights of that trip for me are the pink flamingos. Aren't there some amazing creatures in this world?! This great folk art piece from Cart Before the Horse had me tickled pink. :)

Pop open your favorite beverage with this cute little crab bottle opener, courtesy of riri creations.

Flash Forward really captures a morning on a Florida beach!

Door stop from Next Door to Heaven. Fun way to prop your door open and let in those salty air breezes.

I don't normally carry a flask, but if I did, I would want this one from Liquid Courage.

We're camping at Ft. De Soto park for a few days. This camper sign from Slippin Southern just seems very fitting.

Mae Chevrette has some wonderful prints to choose from. I've often thought about buying them for my children's bedrooms.

Circle Creek Home has these adorable little footstools. The colors are very beachy to me!

Who doesn't love sippin' a cold drink through a pretty straw?! Check them out at Hey Yo Yo!

These napkins from Madderroot, remind me of the tasty seafood shacks we hit while we're in Florida. There's nothing like fresh seafood!

Oooh! I could really use this luggage tag from Reiter8.

From Modern Folk Shop. Too Cute!

Chicklet 500 chalkboard. I'm sure I'll eat a couple grouper sammies!

I love browsing through my favorite etsy shops, but I'm winding down now, so I think it's time for me to turn in.

One more note.........I STILL haven't decided what I'm going to get from Cottage Coastal Store. It's such a tough decision, and I think I need to wait until I get back from my vacation so it doesn't arrive while I'm gone. Right now it's between the wooden whale cut out, and the metal blue crab wall art.

Have a great week!

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

Before I went to bed last night, I checked emails, and had one from Kim at Cottage Coastal Store, regarding the giveaway I won. Did I mention, I'm SUPER excited!!! Yes, I think I did many times. She said I should be receiving my certificate today. ( :)!!) I'm having a very hard time deciding what I want. I think I have it narrowed down to several choices.........

I've wanted a set of these frames for quite a while to hang in my hallway. If I choose them, I'll pay extra to have three of them. The round white one is my favorite.

I'm really into whale motifs. (Reminds me of the New England states, which I hope to visit someday soon!) If you've seen my etsy shop, my logo is a whale, designed by a great graphic designer, Mike Powers(My brother :)). (Check out his fun clip art at PowerChild Creative. Plug, Plug! :) ) If I choose this, I want the white one. It would be awesome hanging on my screened porch, where I could see if from my living room!

I'm a huge fan of driftwood accessories. I like decorating with natural, timeless elements. Of course I would order the letter 'M' for my last name.

I think these blocks are fun. It's neat that you can create several different sayings. I could see this propped on my fireplace mantle. I wonder if the blocks would stay in place if it's standing up?.?

This sign is the best. And very fitting for my household, as my three kids are learning to become 'Kids of Character' in school. Last week's focus was on responsibility. I love the color, and think it would also look amazing on my fireplace mantle!

Besides whale motifs, I'm also very fond of seafood signs, including those with lobster and blue crab. This blue crab caught my eye a while ago. It would look awesome hanging above my kitchen cabinets.

Cute signs. If I don't choose these now, I'm keeping them in mind for my summer decor.

These divers are so colorful and nostalgic. I could actually picture these in my master bathroom.

As I've said before, I really enjoy the location of our home, but I'm so drawn to coastal and lakeside decor. I love a life full of whimsy and fun, and think that's what this style does for me. Now to make the decision........This could take a day or two.....or three! :)

Cold therapy (a.k.a.......Hot cup of coffee, warm sweatshirt, and blogging)

I've decided one of the biggest downfalls of being a teacher's associate, especially working in kindergarten, is germs! I've been stricken. My first cold of the year, and I'm not particularly enjoying it. In fact, I'm missing out on a UNI football game with my family tonight because of it. To take my mind off that yucky scratchy throat, I've decided to grab a nice hot cup of coffee with some pumpkin spice creamer, and browse some of my favorite design sites. If you're taking the time to stop by, you may want to grab your own cup of coffee. This could take a while! I started with HGTV, and saw a caption showing past Dream Homes. This brought back fun memories of our time, 7 years ago, when we were in the process of building our home. I sure would like to go back and tell myself all the things I wish I would have put into this home! At the time, I had great fun studying the 2004 dream home. All of my wall colors were the same Sherwin Williams colors they used. I think that was also the first time I saw a giant barn star, and HAD to have one! I was so excited when I found one in a gift shop in Prairie Du Chien, WI, called the Cannery. Now those things are everywhere. Anyway........ I thought it would be fun to feature some of my favorite pics from past dream homes, starting with my original inspiration.

I loved this entryway in the 2004 dream home. I have a great fascination with old homes, and drool over architectural pieces like they've used!

2004 HGTV dream home great room. I was hoping they'd have a shot from the loft featuring that barn star. I think I have a picture of it somewhere. I remember loving the fireplace mantle and it's decor.

2004 HGTV dream home kitchen. Pretty & classic.

I remember thinking this bedroom, and adjoining master bath were so heavenly. I still do!

On to some other dream homes.........

This bathroom was from the 2003 dream home. If I ever build a house again, I want this tub in my master bathroom!

Bunkhouse in the 2005 dream home

Could see my boys here.

Soft and pretty family room in the 2006 dream home.

I would love this breezeway, and the views, from the 2006 dream home.

My husband and I were SURE that we were going to win this 2007 Colorado dream home! I'm really torn on the style of home I would build, if I were to do it again. I love this strong, rustic, charm, but I'm also drawn to classic and coastal styles. I'm sure I'll have years to think about it.

On a cold, wintery day, this room just appears so cozy.

One of my favorite dining rooms....

If I had a two story home, with awesome views, this landing would be a must!

We have a similar wall in our lower level. Idea came from this room!

Another fun bunkroom....

Okay......I'm back to the 2004 dream home for a sec.....Just found that barn star I was talking about!

Yep.....I still like the mantle decor!

HGTV dream home yummy master bedroom!

Margaritas anyone?!

This 2009 HGTV dream home is a great example of the classic, traditional home style that I think about when building.

I really like the chair and the red buffalo checked rug in the 2009 guest bedroom.

I didn't really pick out any pics from the 2010. It was beautiful, but the contemporary Southwest look just isn't my taste.

And while I'm here, I want to show some of my favorite HGTV Green Home pics.

2008 was a super fave!

Love the lighting, love the walls, love the views!

The plant stand column and the lamp! Love! (I seem to say love a lot. I need a new word!)

Pretty and fresh kitchen!

"green" tablescape!

I REALLY wanted to recreate this buffet.

This kitchen from the 2010 HGTV Green Home is adorable.

I don't know if I could do the red island top, or the busy back splash, but I really like the bead board details.

A great farmhouse table with white wicker chairs!! Love!

Check out the basket chandelier, and the artwork on the wall. Just plain fun!

Okay. Time to quit, I just about lost everything before I published it! My computer is acting up on me. Besides that, my 6 year old, Abry, stayed home from the game with me, and would like some mommy time. Have a good one, and use that hand sanitizer to keep the yucky germs away!

I won!! I won!!!

I'm SO excited tonight! I found out today that I won a $100 gift certificate to Cottage Coastal Store, via The House of Turquoise blog!

(Seahorse plaques from the Cottage Coastal Store)

(Featured room on House of Turquoise. Check it out! It's a beauty!)

I love that store, and I love Erin's blog. Obviously, you can tell by the photos I collect, that I'm a fellow lover of the color turquoise. It's just so pretty and peaceful. When I first moved into my home, I had painted one of my bathrooms, a pretty shade of turquoise, but since I live on a wooded lot, I decided it didn't really "go" with the rest of my decor, and repainted it. At the time, I had more greens and reds. The past few years, I've decided to get back to my love of sea glass colors and coastal decor, so have been slowly but surely incorporating it back in. I think it's because I know someday, I will have a home or cabin on the water! (Dreeeeeam, Dream, Dream, Dream!) How lucky I am then, to have won this great giveaway! Hope you find a fun surprise in your near future!