Sewing Patterns Blog Tour ~ Shannon from Luvinthemommyhood

Today's stop on the tour is one that is very special to me.  I credit Shannon from Luvinthemommyhood for putting The Cottage Home on the map in the blogging world.  Shannon featured me on her blog in the very beginning of this journey and I will never forget what she has done for me.  And what's even better is that she has truly become a friend.  Though she lives in Canada and I live in Chicago, we actually have phone chats and its such a blessing have someone who can totally relate to my world to talk, email and support each other through this time in our lives.

Ok, enough of the sappy stuff.  Shannon selected the Ruby Ruffle Dress pattern to sew for her darling little lady.  Here is what Shannon created........

Head over to Luvinthemommyhood to check out more pictures of Shannon's creation and enter to win your very own copy of of this pattern.

Click HERE to enter to win!

shopping therapy at homesense

Last night when Aubrey came to help with bath & bedtime with Oscar - I made a dash for the car and decided to go for a much needed retail therapy trip. The joy of wandering HomeSense slowly without a screaming, wiggling child is heaven. I picked up a few things for the kitchen but I'm reluctant to buy much until things can have a permanent home. Here are some shots from last night that you may have seen me tweeting. [Top Left] That ottoman was $69 and if Oscar had a pink bedroom you'd better believe that I would have picked that up. [Top Right] That little whale pitcher was very Jonathan Adler and was $16 and he made his way all the way to the checkout with me, until I decided to leave him at the store. I'm trying to be mindful of bringing in less random "stuff" that wont have an purpose all the time into our home. [Bottom Left] HomeSense has a collection of very organic wooden bowls that are absolutely gorgeous. [Bottom Right] And HomeSense is my go to spot for baskets. I never, ever buy baskets elsewhere. Just some shots from last night from the needed "Time Out" for Mommy. ;) xo Linds

Back From Boston

 Today it is back to work after vacation...boo.  Patrick and I went to Boston with one of my best college girlfriends and her husband and we had a great time.  Boston is such a pretty city, I felt like I was on a movie set the entire time.  We packed a lot into three days...

Oh yes, you are seeing correctly, that is a poncho I am sporting.  I would have paid double the asking price of that glorified trash bag it came in so handy, how did I not pack a rain jacket?  

I had to include this picture because behind us is the balcony where the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time.  That gives me chills.  Anyone who loves history must have Boston on their "to see" list.  So much packed into such a small area, it is hard to wrap your head around it.

When I go on vacation I am completely okay with playing the part of target tourist- map in hand/camera hanging around my neck.  I am thankful I married someone who doesn't mind being dragged into some cheesy pictures.  (Off the subject...how big was the crush I had on Woody back in day?)

I know you don't come to H&H to see blown up pictures of the Cheers cast.  Unfortunately, I don't have the pictures most readers would prefer to see- the shops of Newbury Street, the Brownstones, the quaint restaurants.  We saw all of that, I just wasn't snapping away at the moment.  But I do have one picture that might interest you.  I did find a little time in the midst of all the touring and eating to meet up with two of my favorite bloggers, Stephanie for SabbeSpot and Lindsay of EverythingLEB.  The last time I got to see these ladies was in NYC so we had lots to catch up on.  It was nice.  So nice.  And I got to meet Remi, can you spot him?

Even though Boston was truely amazing and I would 100% recommend a visit to anyone, it was the first time we had left Henry and we thought about him the entire time.  I knew when I saw this little patriot hat it was something my little man would need for future days.  You are going to have to take my word it looks cute on because getting him to sit still long enough to capture on film proved to be fruitless.  Here is the best I could do, half way off...

I can't wait to go back with him on day.

Weekend Fun

If you are looking for some weekend fun and some weekend eye candy, then you should definitely check out the Bosch Net Zero home at Serenbe.  It is open through July and features some stunning interiors furnished by Ballard Designs.  The Bosch Net Zero home really shows that living sustainably can be stylish as well.

Stylist Jill Sharp Brinson infused this home with rustic elements and warm and cozy style to create a comfortable home. She even used a few items that were found in the woods around Serenbe.

The bedroom below is one of my favorite rooms in the home. I love the fabric hanging behind the headboard. Note to self: Must use this in a client’s design soon. Any takers?

Wood stacked to the top of the fire place.  LOVE!  Not very practical but it looks so pretty for pictures. 

[Photo Credits – Ballard Designs]

There is a lot more to see so check it out if you get a chance.

**The 1,650 square foot home features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths and will be open for complimentary tours Fridays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The home is located at 10660 Serenbe Lane in Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268.

LiveJournal Tags: Bosch Net Zero,Serenbe,Ballard Designs,Jill Brinson Sharp

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a busy week ahead and a book review

Yeah I know, I could probably put up that same post title each Monday, but this week there is a special tingle in the air.

In amongst the excitement and bustle of the start to school holidays here, I hope this week to meet the team from Atelier de Campagne!   Trinidad, and Johan (hereafter known as 'the boys' ).  They are in  France on a mega summer buying tour, and it seems that their path will bring them close enough to stop off for a meal with us.

I am so looking forward to meeting the boys, and hearing more about their work and lifestyle.  I'm dying to know what amazing treasures they have found so far, and which I guess will be shipped back to California later in the summer or early fall. 

They are very excited at the moment to be named as the US distributor to a beautiful new book, available since April this year.  Vintage by Nina is written by Nina Hartmann, the well known Swedish interior stylist.

I am definitely after a copy, it looks quite wonderful, with beautiful styling and great ideas.  Knowing how to 'stage' a home and make it look this stunning and this comfortable is a true gift.

 If you would like a copy of the book, just drop the boys at Atelier de Campagne a mail, and they shall wave a magic wand!

 Nina Hartmann, the only person I know with more white tureens than me!!

On another note, thank you to everyone who has been asking for news of our horse Quick.   He is doing well in his stable, quite calm and well behaved and of course incredibly happy to see us when we stop by.  There will be follow-up x-rays in 10 days time, so we hope that the bone is mending well.

Sewing Patterns Blog Tour ~ Amy {and Mama Reita} from Positively Splendid

It's the final week of the Sewing Patterns Blog Tour and we've got three more guests to round out the tour.  Today's guest is someone very special........it's actually a blogger's mama! Amy (from Positively Splendid) and I started blogging around the same time and have become blogging buddies through our emails. I absolutely adore her blog, crafts, DIY home decor and writing style.  But I equally adore Amy's mom, Mama Reita's, sewing style.

Mama Reita follows The Cottage Home blog and she purchased one of my first sewing patterns (thanks Mama Reita!). I had seen several of her amazing creations over on Amy's blog and was blown away by her talent and attention to detail.  So I decided to invite Mama Reita to share her version of the Charlotte Apron Dress with you all today.

Here is what Mama Reita created for her beautiful granddaughter.........

Thank you so much for joining the tour, Mama Reita, your work is total perfection!  I feel like you and Amy have a very similar relationship to the one I have with my mom.  And let me tell you, I certainly wouldn't be where I am today without everything I've learned from my amazing mama (aka Grandma Jane) and I bet Amy feels the same way about you.  Yay for amazing, creative, supportive and inspiring moms!

To view more pictures of Mama Reita's creation and to enter to win your very own copy of this pattern, please visit Positively Splendid.

Click HERE to enter to win!