can you help me???

i have been eyeing a rug from pottery barn for a while now.  it’s their flat-braided natural jute rug.

i need an 8’x10’ in my living area.  the problem is that i don’t want to spend $500 for it.  i love natural fiber rugs but some of them can be quite rough on the footsies.  this one is so unbelievably soft though.  it’s like you’re walking on a cloud.  i’ve seen them at the pottery barn outlet up in dawsonville, ga before but i haven’t had a chance to get back up there to see if they have one now.  the last few times i’ve made it up there they haven’t had an 8x10 in. 

i also like this one from ballard designs. i haven’t seen it in person but the description says it’s “surprisingly soft.”  it’s right at $300 after you add the $20 up charge for an 8’ x 10’. 

i’m going to throw this out to all my reader’s.  have any of you found a very soft, inexpensive jute rug?  if so, where?  i’m looking for something less than $250.  i’d be thrilled with one for around $150, but i think that might be pushing it to think that i could find one for less than $200.  hopefully one of you has an answer.  surely there has got to be one for less than $300 out there.

please help me if you have any insight on soft braided jute rugs. 

LiveJournal Tags: braided jute rugs,pottery barn,ballard designs

sneak peek

my weekend trip to murfreesboro for a dear friend’s baby shower was so much fun.  i got to see some of my best friends and it was so great to catch up with everyone.  i also loved seeing my friends’ little baby bumps.  they of course, think that their bumps are huge, but they honestly look amazing.  here’s a picture of us after the shower.  can you guess who’s pregnant?  you probably can’t because they look so amazing.  the two girls in the front (sitting down) are the pregnant one’s.  jenny (to the left) is due in april and shelly (to the right is due in june).  i’m one of the non-pregnant one’s standing up to the far right.

i have been working on harper’s nursery for a while now.  harper is jenny’s daughter-to-be.  i was sooo hoping that the bedding would be done in time for the shower so that i could finish the nursery completely and take pictures.  unfortunately it didn’t get completed so there i’m not going to do a big reveal yet.  i am going to give you a teaser though.  once i accessorized the nursery this weekend jenny and i didn’t want to leave that baby girl’s room.  i’m so happy with how it’s turning out and i can’t wait to be able to show you all everything.  here are a couple of teasers to tide you over.

try to picture full, flowy skirting made out of the plaid silk.  the bumper is going to be made out of the vintage circus fabric.  the details on the bumper are so precious.  you’ll have to wait for the bedding pictures to be able to see them though.

here’s a more close up picture of the crib and bedding.

i think my favorite detail so far is the antique changing table.  here’s a before picture. not too pretty.

here’s the after though.  absolutely adorable.

i can’t wait for this nursery to be complete!!  i want to see it for myself but i also want to be able to share it with you all.

LiveJournal Tags: harper's nursery,nursery

100 Followers - Time for a Giveaway!!

Wooohoooo!  I've finally reached 100 followers - I'm so excited!  I feel so special that people are actually interested in what I have to say!

I've had over 300 readers (including RSS subscribers) for a little while now, but I thought the three digit follower number was a good excuse for my first giveaway!  I am giving away one of my Lil Blue Boo challenge dresses.  There are three for you to choose from - one is 6-12 months, one is 18-24 (fits a smaller 2T) months, and the other is 3T.  So the winner will be able to pick one - which ever will fit the little lady in your life.

So here are pictures of the three dresses you can choose from:

Punky Posh - Size 18-24 Months

The Matilda Tutu Dress - Size 6-12 Months

with Ruffle Bloomers

Monster Rocker - Size 3T

So here's what you need to do to enter:

Leave me a comment and let me know what kind of blog posts you are most interested in reading about (i.e. sewing, cooking, crafting, family, kids, organization, ect.) AND let me know which dress you would like if you won.  Then you can be entered a second time if you become a follower.  Just leave me another comment and let me know you have become a follower (if you are already a follower, then just let me know and you will be entered twice as well).

The giveaway will be open until midnight Thursday evening and the winner will be chosen via random.org.  Thanks so much for reading!!! 

Cottage Mama's Note:  I am linking up with Make Your Monday, Made it Monday, Do It Yourself Day, & Whatever Goes Wednesday (Someday Crafts).

it’s the weekend

house & home

{i’ve inserted bright and happy images for your enjoyment due to the bright and happy weather that’s outside right now}

i’m heading up to murfreesboro, tennessee for a baby shower today.  i’m so excited to see all of my college friends.  it’s been since september since i’ve seen most of them so i’m really looking forward to some good girl time. 

house & home

i just got finished with a presentation for a client and i can’t wait to reveal the design boards to you.  i’ll probably put them up on the blog sometime next week, so be on the look out for them.  there were three spaces that she needed me to design…all of them kid’s rooms.  i had a blast putting the design concepts together and i can’t wait to get started on everything. 

house & home

i hope all of you have a fun weekend.  i can’t tell you how excited i am that i don’t have to wear my jacket outside today.  it’s definitely not bathing suit weather yet, but this warm blast is such a refreshing change from the arctic chill we’ve been under.  hopefully it’s warm wherever you are too. 

house & home

LiveJournal Tags: house & home

Lil Blue Boo Challenge Design Gallery

Ashley, from Lil Blue Boo, just posted an online gallery of all the entries from the "Challenge".  There are some amazing entries (151 in all!).  I thought I would share the gallery with you - you can get some wonderful inspiration just by seeing some of the other creations.  A majority of the dresses were created using the Sienna Dress Pattern - check out how many different ways you can use this pattern - it is awesome.  It simply amazes me how many incredibly talented people are in the world!

Here are some of the entries from the "Challenge":

Click here to go to the Photobucket Gallery Ashley set up to view ALL of the entries.


Cottage Mama's Note:  You can check out my 7 entries in the design gallery as well - woohoo!

new nesting newbies

last week i wrote about a new online magazine called nesting newbies.  there’s a new “nn” out online now, the winter issue.  when i posted that blog last week i didn’t realize that i was a few days early from the new issue being released.  i got a tweet from @NestingNewbies just after that post saying that the winter issue was out.  of course, i headed right over to check it out.  

the winter issue is once more filled with a mix of decorating tips diy projects and yummy recipes.  it’s also twice as long.  i’m glad too, because i found myself wanting more after the last issue.

here’s another sampling of the online mag.

read the full online version of the magazine here.  if you want to see some more info from the people at nesting newbies check out their regular website here.  enjoy!

LiveJournal Tags: online magazine,nesting newbies

Creamy Pesto Alfredo Pasta

I'm going to tell you a little secret.......well, I guess it's not a total secret........ I have a serious addiction to Fettuccine Alfredo.  I think it is one of the most delicious, indulgent things on earth!  Personally I would choose to eat this over a piece of chocolate cake any day! 

I know I have not been posting the most "figure flattering" recipes lately, but we had this for dinner last night and it was just so good that I had to share it with you!

Creamy Pesto Alfredo Pasta

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1lb. pasta shells (1 box)

2 cups heavy cream

1/3 cup pesto (store-bought or fresh)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic chopped (or 1 teaspoon jar garlic).

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (+ more for garnish)

1 teaspoon salt

Fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.  Add garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes (do not allow garlic to brown).  Add pesto and cook for 3 minutes.  I like to cook the store-bought pesto a little bit because I think it mellows out the flavor which can be VERY strong sometimes.  

Add heavy cream, salt, pepper and Parmesan and turn heat up to medium-high.  Once the cream sauce begins to bubble turn the heat down to medium low.  Allow sauce to thicken for about 10 minutes or until it reaches your desired consistency.  Taste your sauce and determine whether or not you would like to add a little more salt or pepper.  If it doesn't taste SUPER delicious to you, then chances are you need more salt.

Once cooked, drain pasta (reserving 1/3 cup pasta cooking liquid).  Add cooking liquid to sauce and stir to combine.  Then add drained pasta to the sauce in the saute pan.  Stir until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy pesto alfredo sauce.

Serve in pasta bowls and sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese before serving.  This dish is wonderful with garlic bread & Caesar salad!

Cottage Mama's Note:  During the winter months, I prefer to buy store-bought pesto just because I find fresh basil to be somewhat expensive in the store.  However, in the summer, when my herb garden is in full swing, fresh pesto is the best!!