...And We're Off!

We've had a wonderful time here in Texas - as we always do. Ben's 40th Birthday party was a big success, but as they say, "All good things must come to an end." So, while our day today is filled with a lot of this...
and this...

I'll leave you instead with a pictorial of Saturday's festivities

There were actually three Birthday honorees: My husband, Ben; his twin brother, Monroe (on the right), and their good friend, Jim (orange shirt) - here, being toasted by a party guest.

My Favorite 40 year-old!

The BEST iced sugar cookies in South Texas (IMO)

...Happily taste-tested by my precious, little pumpkin (gotta love the diva, party-girl dress!)

There's nothing better than great, live music to accompany a beautiful, South Texas Sunset!

Please keep us in your thoughts as we make the dreadful tiring flight back to Brazil. I'll be back in a couple of days with a recap of my excursion to the Warrenton Antiques Festival - goooood stuff!!!

Please Welcome...

I'm still taking a little breather, but please welcome Ada-Marie from Spark! She does a fantastic series titled "Buy This, Not That!" where she finds great alternatives to stylish, but pricey looks. I'm delighted she agreed to guest post here at MLHP, and will certainly have to consider her ideas for Avery's Big Girl room!

I feel so lucky to guest blog at My Little Happy Place – one of my very favorite blogs! While Alison is Stateside enjoying time with her family and friends, she probably has had little time to focus on Avery’s big girl room. She is thinking about a navy blue and hot pink color scheme (you can read about her ideas here, here and here).

Alison scored this perfect Pottery Barn Kids bedding on Ebay for Avery’s room:
And she is in the process of painting this great headboard a midnight blue (she is still on the hunt for the perfect paint):

One of the recurring features on spark! is the “Buy This, Not That” series. So, I thought I would do a “Buy This, Not That” featuring accessories that could round out Avery’s room and hopefully provide some inspiration for Alison and her readers! Enjoy!

I thought that the pillows on Avery’s bed or scattered around the room should pick up the blue in the headboard and also have a touch of pink….

LOVE THIS?
[Serena and Lily South Seas Navy Pillow, Layla Grace, $88]

BUY THIS!
[Twilight Safi Pillow, Bliss Living, $75]

I know that Alison loves monogrammed items and I think a monogrammed shade is so unique and feminine….

LOVE THIS?
[9" Square Lamp Shade with Pink Satin Trim, Layla Grace, $92]

BUY THIS!
[14" Monogrammed Lamp Shade, Shades of Light, $59]

*MLHP here saying this could also be an amazingly-simple DIY project - dontch'a think? ;)

Alison adores Jonathan Adler and the shape of these mirrors really complements the shape of the headboard….

LOVE THIS?
[Queen Anne Mirror, Jonathan Adler, $595]

BUY THIS!
[Elise Frameless Mirror, Pottery Barn, $189]

Because the bedding is colorful and busy, I thought a soft and neutral rug would look just right….

LOVE THIS?

[Damask Dhurrie Rug, Ballard Designs, $799 for 8x10]

BUY THIS!
[Trellis Rug, Pottery Barn Kids, $599 for 8x10]

Adler again! I love these clean-looking and whimsical lamps that do not scream “kids room”….

LOVE THIS?
[Horse Lamp, Jonathan Adler, $495]

BUY THIS!
[Ceramic Animal Lamp Bases, Pottery Barn Kids, $59]

Just like you all, I cannot wait to see Avery’s big girl room after Alison and her amazing eye has completed the job. Thanks again to Alison for asking me to host at her Little Happy Place!

xxooxxoo, Ada-Marie

Cindy Crawford - the next Martha, but with A Bod.

Have you seen Cindy Crawford's new furniture and housewares line for JC Penney? The collection is not vast, but there's a subtle glam vibe going on with it that could certainly work in the right setting.

This pair of nailhead trunks aren't terribly bad...

I can also see a similar (duo) arrangement using these faux bamboo footstools - easily recovered in a more substantial fabric.

I can think of any number of uses for an elegant etagère

Or a fluted demilune in a classic entryway setting.

...In non-design related CC news (here's where you can get your shallow-but-juicy tidbits) She's lookin' exceptionally great these days.

I don't know any woman who's breastfed two kiddos who has boobs that will (ahem, naturally) defy gravity when lying down...

Still, if I were considering augmentation, I'd certainly take her picture in as a great example of The Perfect Boob Job (they fall beautifully, don't you think?)

However, I DO know a few moms who can relate to this post-baby issue...

I'd love to know the name of her surgeon!

Just a subtle lift, Doctor.

OK, don't judge me for analyzing, I HAD to make this post more interesting than a scattering of footstools could provide! ;)

Thinking of You

I always feel a little guilty that my posts fall flat when we're in Texas - too many other goodie, good things going on, I suppose. But, just to let you know I don't forget about my blog peeps when I'm away, here's a little morsel for you...

I positively CANNOT wait!
*Thanks, Jenny, for the heads up.

Buggin' Out and Goin' Home

This week has really gotten away from me, I can't believe it's already Wednesday! I don't think I've mentioned, we are flying to The States tomorrow for a two week vacay that will include a 40th Birthday Party for my hubster, Ben!
We are really looking forward to the visit with family, friends, and of course, getting our fill of our favorite foods. There's a joke among those of us who live abroad about what foods we scramble to eat when we visit The States.
On that note, please forgive me for leaving you with the images that have been filling my brain on this eve of our trip Home...

There will be bucket-loads of Salsa devoured...

Hopefully, some Vietnamese...

...or Thai Tom Yum (preferably, both!)

What true South Texas girl can live without fresh, fried shrimp? Not this one!!

Aaahhh.... Michelada, come to meeeee!!!

And, Ben will certainly get his fill of BBQ (he's already talked about how many of "the best" BBQ joints he can hit over the course of two weeks)

I'm sure I'll return a nice, little butterball...but, I'll savor it now, and worry about that later! So tell me...What foods would be first on your list if you'd been away from Home for months?

P.S. - In the image search for this post, I found a new blog love - one near and dear to my heart. If you love the foods of Texas, check out Lisa at Homesick Texan.
**I otherwise don't know where I pulled these images, I was too busy salivating!**
See ya'll soon!!!

P.P.S. - I'm having computer issues in that I can't comment on other blogs today - arrgghhh!! Are ya'll stuck to your screens as much as I am today, waiting for news from UGI or Darby? Best Wishes and blessings to Erika and Chance!

Project Woe-way

I had high hopes that I'd be able to bring you some great project updates today... Instead, I'll tell you the story of Project Woe-way.

I was excited to receive the much-anticipated Preval Spray Gun on Friday, so I thought a painting session might be in order.

I promised an objective review once I had tested the sprayer, so here goes...

I wasn't too impressed with The Sprayer. We tested it on (the backside) of Avery's headboard. We thinned the paint as recommended, but the effect was still very stippled (i.e. "orange peel")

Perhaps, it would be better for a smaller project, or maybe even with a water-based paint, but in summary, I'm gonna have to give it a thumbs down if you're looking for an even somewhat professional finish. I'm still not pleased with the shade of blue, either...but that's not the sprayer's fault!

Moving on... Did I ever tell you I ordered a cute, vinyl wall decal from an Etsy seller? It too arrived, Friday, so we tried to put it up. The directions weren't too clear, but Ben is patient and perfectionist - still, this had him frustrated.

First, the decal didn't want to part from the backing paper, and it stretched and pulled in the areas around her name. We finally succeeded in removing the backing, carefully placing the decal on the wall while using a ruler to "iron" it out as we went. It was to no avail - it turned into a bubbled and wrinkled mess.

Too bad, too, because it would've been so cute! I've emailed the seller about the predicament - she's offered another decal for a discounted price, but I don't know....Your thoughts?

I feel like Spaulding in Caddyshack: "Double Turds!!!"

...And, last but not least, I'm still trying to find coordinating fabrics to use in Avery's room. I was happy to find a hot pink ikat pillow on Fabricadabra. My thought was to replace the (yes, hideous) pillow on the rocker. It would've been a vast improvement for the chair, but the color of the ikat doesn't work with her bedding - it's hard to tell in this pic, but the ikat has a hint more purple. And, anyway - silk in a toddler's room isn't very practical.

I'd love to use one of these Quadrille choices, but think they are cost-prohibitive...

So....I'm back at Square One on several projects, but I'm certain these twists in the design road will lead to ultimate décor bliss!!

Weekend Adventure

Saturday, we took Avery out to a nearby Jaguar Preserve with a group from the Embassy. We had heard wonderful things about the place, despite the somewhat treacherous drive required to get there. The Preserve prides itself on providing a natural place of respite for jaguars, pumas, ocelots and other animals rescued from poachers - who more often than not, mistreated the animals horribly.

This animal sanctuary was amazing - the beauty and magnificent strength of the cats enthralling! Here's the large, male onça-pintada, who was none too thrilled with his audience.

The pumas appeared more laid-back, but also seemed to take a keen interest in the small children...

After the first meet-n-greet with the animals, our guides took us on a small hike to a fantastic little waterfall, where the kiddos took a swim.

One of our guides got in on the cool, water action.

The natural flora of the preserve was also interesting. This is a jabuticaba (say, ja-Boo-tee-caba) fruit tree. Amazing in that the flower and fruit develop on the tree trunk and branches, rather than budding from the leaves. It's aroma - jasmine-like, was intoxicating!

I have a thing for parrots - and there were plenty to enjoy: blue and red macaws, green amazon parrots, and even a token (and adorable!) toucan!

I tried to make friends with the red macaw, but things went downhill when her "love nibbles" got a little too close to sensitive areas. Nice face, huh? ;)

Just when we thought the day was winding down....out comes the jaguars' dinner (the wheelbarrow, not the blond morsel!)

...And 'ol Mr. Big Cat got geared up for action

Just me and Pumpkin, enjoying some more parrot action

Overall, a great day for the Portu-Gieses!

Was there any wildlife on your agenda this weekend?