Sexy Toys - Clue #2

First - is it weird that I think a staple gun & paint sprayer are hot?

Cause they are. Hot like the Mel Gibsons of the power tool world. And when I say hot like Gibson, I mean, Mad Max Mel not the current Mel who probably has some Jews tied up in his basement. Bless his little heart.

Second - the number two clue for my upcoming grand reveal is that I use one of these sexy beasts for my project.


And just for fun - here is a photo of my nephew kicking a bush. Why? Because he can. Yea, he's practically a ninja.

I mean, look at this face?!? He could murder a Jonas Brother and nobody could hold it against him. Heck. I think some folks might thank him.

What do you do?

What do you do if someone dies and leaves no will?


We have a bit of a situation. Let's explain. Grandma went to be with Jesus last Friday. She left a will when it came to money. But she left a WHOLE HOUSE of stuff. Tons of clothing, three floors of furniture, and millions (no joke - millions) of chotchkies. It will take weeks and weeks to sort through everything.


My dad is one of four brothers (my uncles are VERY well off and their families have asked for basically nothing in the house). So it kinda falls on my immediate family. My older brother asked for a doll (my grandma handpainted their tiny faces) for my neice Clara. My younger brother didn't ask for anything but we found some old coins we thought he would like to add to his collection. My sister has no space and asked for a few scarfs and a bit of her costume jewelry. And then there is me. I have a certain emotional attachment to almost everything. I would keep an unhealthy amount of items. So what do you do?


We have all asked for little things of sentimental value...I asked for the pighead. But then there is the stuff that has REAL value...like furniture. In actuality, my parents and I are the only ones with room for anything...and when I say my parents and I, I mean my mom will stuff other things in a closet to make room. Also, it seems wrong to ask for anything of any intrinsic value because we don't NEED it. But it seems more wrong to not ask for her things because of the emotional value. Even if an item is worth a lot doesn't mean that is the reason you keep it, right? So what do you do?


For instance, Jeremy and I have space for a bedroom suite. I would prefer her bedroom suite...because it was hers. Her hands touched those dressers everyday. Her smell is still in the drawers. Her most personal items were in that room. But it is probably the nicest of all the bedroom furniture. And besides the dining room set, it has the most value. So I felt really strange asking for it. But I didn't want to NOT ask for it and it be donated to someone who never knew how special it was to touch her things.

Have you ever dealt with a situation like this? What do you do? Do you only choose the items of sentimental value or do you ask for items that are worth cash? We don't want to sell anything but if we donate the items, the thought of her stuff being picked over by complete strangers is really painful. We realize that it is better if we give the items away for others who need them. But it is really hard to know whether it is better to choose all sentimental items or mix it up with some items of value too. Just another reason why death sucks.

Right now I am on the way home. Yup. God bless technology. Gotta love wireless internet. My boyfriend is driving down Interstate 85 and I am speed typing (get it? hee hee) Ya'll keep truckin!

Pretty Paper

Dudes & Dudettes, you peeps are the bomb-diggity. Seriously. If you dig a saliva dripping cheek, I would be wet-smooching each and every one of you in thanks for your spirit-lifting encouragement. Your sweetness oozed all over Bower Power.

Currently, I am in Steeler Nation - yup, Pittsburgh - here to celebrate grandma's homecoming. And having a grand time reminiscing about her fabulousness. And I wanted to share a bit of her glamour goodness with all of you in the area of home decor - specifically wallpaper. She had her halls covered with ornate paper with flocked details. It felt like crushed velvet. And it begged children to touch it more than the youngest member of the Jackson Five. My grubby little hands could never resist.

This post is inspired by grandma - who is probably teaching Jesus how to bust a move as we speak.

First - get some wallpaper inspiration here:



Sure, wallpaper has a worse reputation than the IRS when it comes to sticking it to ya but these days the work will be well worth it. The new styles and lovely patterns can turn so-so into la-la! Take for instance this Ballard Designs room with the contrasting black and white. It grounds the room for a classic and bold feel and makes the white shower curtain really pop. And the country patterned Southern Living laundry room could bring that sweet farm air into the most lofty New York apartment.




I love how the stripes in this indulgent children's room make the ceiling seem five miles high and takes the attention away from the whimsical pattern on the walls. The paper is barely noticable due to the monochromatic color scheme! And just throw me in with grandma because the textural West Elm room is stopping my heart. Just beautiful.

Second - check out some of the wallpapers that are just like grandma's new home...get it?...heavenly, duh...




Modern Grasscloth
Faux Trees




Ballard Designs Trellis
Topkapi in Powder Blue



Neutral Stripe
Colorful Floral Pattern

And C - get hands on with this interactive wallpaper tool over at Home Depot. It is addictive - not as much as grandma's nut roll - but I would definitely say it comes in at a close second. Plus it doesn't entail a twenty pound weight gain and setting up camp on a certain flushable fixture.

And Number Five, for a ultra useful wallpaper calculator - check it out here.


So what's it gonna be folks? Willing to take the plunge and do an accent wall in paper? How bout some fancy new shelf liners or papering the back of a cabinet or built-ins? Or do you have the guts to go all the way with an entire papered room? Be bold my friends. Not all paper has a cutesy flowered border or makes you gag like the thought of reused catheters.

Grandma

Gosh this is hard.

This morning hurt. Like go-chop-off-my-finger-hurt.

Jeremy woke me up by rubbing my back - he never does that. I turned to look at him. "Katie - your dad called". He didn't have to say anything more.

The question is - Why do I spontaneously combust with tears? Why today? Why is this so dang hard?! And it is...this is way harder than I thought it would be. I knew it would happen one day....I just didn't want it to be today. or tomorrow. or the next day. I didn't want it to ever happen.

Let me tell you about her...




Grandma loved to laugh. Every joke was giggled at...even if it wasn't funny. It meant she loved you.

Once we went to a church dinner together. She leaned over and whispered "These old people are so funny - Do they not like flavor on their food?" She was the oldest one there. Then she giggled as she reached for the salt and pepper.



One time I kicked her when I had chicken pox. I was 7. It wasn't an accident. But she simply said - "it's okay honey, I shouldn't have gotten in the way of you scratching". That is just how she was...she saw the good in you even when there wasn't any.

She would make the yummiest nut roll. Every time we arrived for a visit there was at least three full rolls for us to devour. Our other Mummum heard how we liked it and tried to make some for us but it wasn't the same. I believe the secret ingredient was grandma.



Grandma was married in a navy blue suit. It had white piping and white buttons. She saved all her gowns from her go-out-dancing days. My sister and I dressed up in them one time. Grandma laughed and clapped and told us how to dance.

I like to think Grandma was a young woman trapped in a 91 year old body. I would tell her that she should grab her bikini cause we were going to the beach. She would say "are we going to pick up some fellas first?". I think she was partially serious.



She had four boys. So obviously, it was a miracle that she never got mad at them. My dad said that if any of them acted out, she would deck em. Which is funny because she is the size of a 8 year old.

She also had a weiner dog at one point named George. Years later she would talk about George like he was another son. I think that she loved animals so much because she grew up on a farm.



Grandma was one of fourteen children. She would sit and tell us stories about playing in the fields and running to her papa when he came in to eat. She loved her family very much.

She had a pig head on her kitchen wall. It held the dishtowels. She would say to rub the nose for luck. I would rub and rub hoping that "luck" meant candy. It usually did. She always would chuckle at the fact that I saved some candy for my own daddy.


I can't possibly share everything about this amazing woman. It would take days. All I need you to know is that time is whizzing by...so hug your family a little longer. On days like this when your heart is breaking, you will wish that you never let go.

I love you Grandma and I will miss you terribly.

So 28 isn't so bad...

Since you guys couldn't come to my birthday celebration...I thought I would recap on all the amazing goodies that the birthday fairy brought me. For those of you who don't know...my birthday was last Thursday...and I have been the world's biggest blog slacker....so that is why you haven't heard how great it was.

I had some reservations about turning the ripe old age of 28 but fortunately there was no surprises on the morning of the 5th. No increases in weight or lack of teeth. But as you can see, my kin did look a little bit different at my family party.



My dad looks a little more bald. Besides that...we look pretty normal. for us anyway.




You all voted on a coat and Jeremy listened. Thanks baby! The swing style is just perfect for when a little Bower Power bambino comes. Yes - I had to test it. And the red "Audrey Hepburn" style coat (every other color was gone!) is just perfect for a Valentine's Day date! Give me a high ten on great outerwear!!! YAY! then give me a G! give me a R! give me an 8! What's that spell!?! Crazy cheerleading face!!!



My mom bought me some new music books - yes, I started back at piano. I took a 19 year hiatus from the instrument but thought since I will soon have such bad arthritis, I should start now. Jeremy gets to listen to me practice. Let's just say he would rather listen to Heidi Montag sing "Higher" over and over. Yeah...it's really that bad.




Jeremy's dad and stepmom, Vicki bought me this wishlist item. And I must say that I have big plans for this little woven beauty. It is so textural and fun - and being that it was a complete surprise made it even better. Thanks you guys!

My last apparel item was handpicked by my boyfriend. A sweet little sleep shirt a la Victoria's Secret. It could be because he was sick of my ratty t-shirt/cheer shorts combo that usually subs in as pajamas. Is he trying to say that I am too old to wear shorts with words on the bum? I sure hope not :)



I found these great Martha Stewart nesting bowls at my local Old Time Pottery. The next chance I got, I dragged Jeremy in to buy me the set of three -all for under $8! Pretty good considering one large mixing bowl goes for $36 at Macy's! The wait just about killed me because I swore I would "open" them on my birthday. Aren't they just the loveliest shade of blue?



The following night we had a really small get together. I really didn't want a party to celebrate my entrance into upper-twenties. I just wanted our normal get-together-on-a-friday-night-crowd to come over for burgers. I got exactly what I wanted (minus a few friendly faces due to the flu).



And the best gift was from a far away land. Jen from A Thousand Words sent me a really great birthday package all the way from England. It was so thoughtful of her! I spent a few hours poring over the UK magazines (do you think I could get a subscription, please?!?) and sipping on the South African tea...it was heavenly! And not only did she include a bunch of goodies for me to enjoy on my big day - she also thought of my lovely boyfriend! Believe me Jen, this bar of manly goodness is a sure-fire way to my guy's heart! Thank you a million times over.



And a big fat birthday smooch goes out to all you wonderful blooogers who wished me a very happy 28th. Your virtual friendship and internet well-wishes really made my day. You da bomb diggity! And maybe one day we can all celebrate together - like a giant combined birthday party...with Dippin' Dots and balloons and clowns and a pony. The only question is - Who gets the birthday spankings? And who dishes them out? (ooohhhh pick me!!! pick me!!)

I am a spoiled brat

This Christmas was unreal. You guys know how much I like presents. Pretty wrappings topped with a sparkly bow. A gift bag stuffed to the gills with white tissue paper. A brown paper package tied up with string (anyone wanna break into song at a sleepover?!)

The point as I have said so many times before is this: I feel so loved when I get a gift. This holiday I felt the love. I felt mucho love. like love that Bono feels. he gets screaming fans, I got tons of kick-A gifts. It was as close as I have ever gotten to adoration. I felt like a spoiled rotton princess. I almost felt bratty just being on the receiving end...but then I remembered how fabulous all my gifts were and I got over it :) In fact...let's just be honest...I loved every gosh darn second and I love reminscing here about my drool-worthy worldly goods.

This may sound cruel, seeing how we are in a recession and all...and believe me, I am not trying to rub anything in anyone's face. So, here is the disclaimer...I know you will hate me after you read this post - so turn away. Close this post. If you continue - you will have feelings of disappointment toward your loved ones. Santa will be the arch nemesis for years to come. And unfortunately, Bower Power will be host to your ridiculously spoiled blog frenemy...whom you are insanely jealous of. It is a burden I must carry :)

***WARNING: KATIE's CHRISTMAS GIFTS CAN INDUCE LABOR PREMATURELY***

My Grandparents and parents gave us moolah...lots of moolah. I spent every last penny. I have a job so that I can save money...Christmas is so we can help spur the economy. That is the real reason for the season, right? Just kiddin...love you Jesus!

Anyhoo, went to Pottery Barn/WS home outlet, Goodwill, and TJMaxx (how's that for a combo!) and got some fantastic new stuff for the house.

I guess my grandparents technically bought me this set of 6 squiggly glass cups. Jeremy breaks glasses like Jews at weddings. It's routine for me to get new ones. Aren't they fab? And my favorite part is that when you put drinks in them, the liquids look colder cause of the squigglies. Dontcha think?

4 graphic & green salad plates and a wooden soy candle...both PB. Bragging: plates cost less than $2 a piece :) Thanks Mummum & Pappap!

Mercury glass votives in silver & green, snowflake placecard holders - 75% off at PB. Tiny ornament placecard holders - 50% off at Hobby Lobby. Gray glass trees - 90% off original price at TJ to the Maxx. Now I am ready for next year...almost.
I also scored this expensive looking down-filled brown & white lumbar pillow at the Maxx for full price. Go ahead and gasp. I know. I don't usually do that. But seeing as how full price was only $14.99 - I thought it would be alright. Please forgive me.

The white PB soup tureen was only $20. And my dear mummy dearest bought Jeremy and I those lovely white-handled Cutco knives. I am a little bit scared of them seeing how I manage to cut myself on our current set of dull-as-a-plastic-spoon knives. They could definitely hinder my blogging speed. And I got the plate stand at Goodwill. It was only $4. I think I might spraypaint the sucker either silver or dark bronze...whatta ya think?

The 6 yellow placemats ($1.24 each) and the giant round vase ($12) are PB - Thanks be to the Grandparents! and the little bud vases and the artichokes are from Pier 1 - curtesy of the my in-laws very generous gift card :) The square vase was Goodwill - so mom you get a point for this one.

Pier 1 also had these cute little shell style ramikins and sauce dishes. And boy do they look saucy stacked on one another in a setting - I may have to host a sushi night so that I can put them in action. And that little white bud vase ($1) was too cute to not put in my cart. Thanks again Dad & Vicki....you have great taste!

Four red salad plates, two diffusers, and some woven accent balls complete my gift card action. The white bowl is huge and will be perfect for a tossed caesar salad. It was only $10 at PB.

My generous hubby got me the Victoria Secret sampler - and I am amped about trying out all the different scents...although not all at the same time...that would be about as sexy as a skunk. The underarmour headbands and chapsticks are stocking stuffers from my in-laws (I haven't had a stocking in a while and digging out the goodies was extra fun this year). My brother in law got me the mint chocolate chip bath smell-goods...the back of the bottle read: smells good enough to eat. please don't.

He also got me this silverplated tray from Ikea and matching coasters. I can't wait to serve glasses of bubbly on it or stack bowls and fruit on it with a pitcher of OJ for a super-casual breakfast.

Jeremy also bought me a little something to keep me sexy on the inside :) I asked for a white one with my name (and I prefer New King James Version) so I think he is going to keep this one as a good alternative to his big fattie bible. I really like the size and the extra reference material in the back...so it isn't that far off. Our friends own a Christian bookstore so now that my boyfriend knows the parameters of what I hope to be my forever-bible (the one I will live by and get buried with) hopefully it will be here by my birthday. Until then my coverless good book will have to keep me going :)

And no Christmas is complete without gadgets. My dad got me the 500GB external hard drive...yeah I didn't know that they made things that huge. That's what she said. And my brother & sister in law got me a remote control for my camera (it's awesome!). My sister totally scored with getting me and my man the first three seasons of The Office...and yes, it came with the stipulation that we must let her borrow it without hesitation.

Jeremy got me the Jack Johnson CD that I wanted...you go baby. And he got me a blue-ray movie and a lens cleaning kit and a lens filter. He definitely hit a high note by snagging Photoshop 7 and wrapping that sucka up for me. It will probably be a while till anyone sees it in action...but let me tell ya, I am pumped!

And lastly he got me a navigational system. It isn't the most unusual thing for me to call him to see if he could mapquest a way out of the ghetto. And tricky tricky got outta bed on Black Friday (unbeknownst to moi) to score the life-saver at a great price. He spoils me.

And Christmas wouldn't be christmas without some apparel. I got some uber-comfy socks from my in-laws...boy do my feet love them. And I got some sweet exercise gear - all due to my parents generousity. Hopefully - in the next few months I can say that my mom & dad got me a littler bootie for the holidays. hopefully.

So there you have it. My blissfully satisfied self - all because of my loving family and their thick wallets. All I can say is that I am undeservedly spoiled rotten. and to whom much is given, much is expected. That's how it goes, right? I guess I better get crackin on that :)

And because I am nosy and would love to know what you got, I shared the scoop on my spoils first. But now you have to promise me to tell me what you got and what your most favoritey present was this year. Heck, my birthday is coming up & a girl has got to plan ahead :)

Word to your Motha...

...and to mine :)

When I heard that my mom had decorated her house, I was amped about sharing her mad skills in Christmas decorating. Armed with my SLR and my old house key, I busted a move open the front door and started clicking away. And boy, I was not disappointed. Her traditional style with a theme-y foundation has some infusions of modern elements, cheap decor ideas, and of course, classic yule-tide inspiration.

Nativity scene takes centerstage in the great room. The wee baby Jesus' manger gets an upgrade with some holly and berries to add a little more color to the overall brown-ness. And a bigger-than-the-barn angel joins the oohing & aahhing crew (if I were God, I would get the little tike a body guard too...come on, anyone heard of Herod the baby-killer?!?) as well as a couple flanking urns.

Also in the great room is the main event - the Christmas tree. This year's theme was "Woodland Birds" and she scored enough feathered friends to complete the tree and have some to spare.

Upon closer inspection, you can see the tree also has some ornaments curtesy of the backyard. Branches were free from some 'local' bushes as well as the berries and some vacated birds nests.

Tying in the mini-valances with her color scheme, the tree boasts gold, red and a touch of sparkle. Yes, sparkle is technically a color.

Some of her ornaments were antiques....like this glass one with the handpainted wings and the super sleek tail feathers.

And some were newer additions. I liked this silver and white one that boasted the real white feather plume.

Mom's dining room was oozing with the silver and white decor. The mercury glass tree, the tall beaded cone-tree, and the random ornaments were my favorite.

Also - I just adore the whole throw-a-bunch-of-ornaments-in-a-vase-and-call-it-a-day idea. Her buffet is ready for any event as she has her punch bowl, stacked glass plates, and serving dishes already out.

Mom goes modern in the kitchen with cone shaped trees of various heights adorning the island. I especially like that she chose an area that had great overhead lighting to make this festive display. The lighting effects make the trees sparkle even in a dark room and immediately make me believe that all trees look like this in the North Pole.

Above the television is another wintery display that goes along with the Woodland birds theme. The biggest abandoned nest make a nice home for ornamental gold eggs...Laid by the Christmas bird. Some small pine cones got a quick dusting of gold spray paint to tie in nicely with the color scheme.

A Christmas fireplace without stockings?! That's right people...my mother is just as nuts as me...and her fixation is not animals with clothing...it's stockings on the mantle. Put them ANYWHERE but the mantle. and no - it's not because she thinks it is a fire hazard...been there, asked that.

Her swirly fireplace screen protects innocent fingers from glowing balls of fire and the poinsettias add some softening up of all that brick.

Even her stocking-less mantle got into the swing of things, with some pheasants, berries (cause that is what birds eat) and some fruit-filled and ribbon garland.

And lastly, the foyer table top display. Two mini trees got a winter-wonderland version of the woodland birds theme with white toille, white ornaments, white nests, and some albino birds...also known as doves :)

So that's the end of mom's tour-de-house...I know it is a very traditional approach to decor but different folks, different strokes, right?! And if it IS up your alley...err...neck of the woods, then great! I know my mom would love knowing that she is an inspiration...and you are mom...to me :)

And the next time you guys see a bird (or a tree for that matter), wouldja mind throwin a prayer around for mi madre? She had ACL surgery on her knee this past week so she is now a crippled gimp. How did she get all mangled? Oh, she was jumpin on the trampoline trying to grab a tree branch. I don't know many grandma's who do that either. Oh & quick question - Mom - is that how you got the branches for the Christmas tree!?!