Guest Posting at Primitive and Proper Today and My First Attempt at a Mood Board

Hello my dears, how are you?

Did you catch that lost hour of sleep? It is so wonderful to be lighter later again.

This weekend I un-hung, sanded, painted and re-hung some doors. I really like how they turned out even though 3 out of the seven don't close properly...ooops! :)

Today I will be at Primitive and Proper talking about one of my favorite things: Chocolate!!!

Please come join us and see this wonderful color series that Cassie has graciously asked me to participate in. There are lots of inspirations from some wonderful and talented guests.

Also I have been playing around with mood boards this weekend in an attempt to join Anne at Bird/Like for her bird inspired design board linky party.

Here is the in the inspirational bird from her website,

and here is my mood board inspired by the colors of the Satin Bowerbird.

I was aiming at an eclectic and comfortable bedroom, not sure I achieved that, but it was very fun trying my hand at this! I pulled the greens, blues and yellows from the inspiration bird while using a neutral background.

If you have never done a mood board and do not have the photo editing software, Olioboard was very easy to use and they have LOTS of fun things to use.

Thank you Anne for sharing this with me and thanks for hosting the party!

With all that went on this weekend, my heart just ached for those experiencing all the devastation in Japan. I watched in horror as homes, towns, and lives were just washed away. My thoughts and prayers are with those that are affected by this and I hope that loved ones are rescued and pray that, in time, lives can be mended back together again.

You can find more info here at the American Red Cross.

Inspiration Journey Linky Party

Did I ever tell you how much I appreciate you wonderful gals?

If I didn't I am telling you now!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Thank you so much for all your kind words of friendship, support and encouragement from my last post. It is so nice to know that I have hands to hold on to and he

arts to confide in. You bless me in so many ways!

I hope you know that you can hold my hand and heart anytime that you need.

My door and heart are always open to you.

I am feeling better today and each day is a new chance.

Today I will be joining the wonderful Sarah at Modern Country Style at her fabulous Inspiration Journey Linky Party!!

As you know my inspirations come mainly from the sea.

I love being surrounded by things that remind me of lazy days on the beach, on the boat or just sitting on the dock.

For the party I will share with you some of my favorite inspirations for my journey to make my home my cottage away from the sea.

Natural elements

via hooked on houses

Simple designs

(The view doesn't hurt either)

Driftwood! Lots of Driftwood!!!

Weathered beauty

Colors of the sea that are serene and soothing to me

Oars, I love oars!!!

These are all the wonderful goodness, along with treasures of my own, that I try to incorporate in my "Coastal Cottage". Hopefully one day I will be able to incorporate the view as well!

Hopefully! :)

** All images, unless stated, are Coastal Living

So come on over and show us what inspires you!

Have a great weekend!

Need Your Advice Again Please.

Hello my friends! I hope you are all doing well.

This week has been a bit of challenge for me in more ways than one.

First it is the painting, which I am over halfway done and it will get done so that isn't too much of an issue. The second one is however. I told you a while back that my daughter has some sleeping issues but never really went into detail about it. She has been diagnosed with severe separation anxiety that presents itself mainly at night. This has been going on for over 5 years now and I am pretty certain it stemmed from my heart attacks and surgery. It is emotionally and physically draining at times. I know we all have our struggles but I feel like I can share this with you and you will understand.

Anyway, we have been doing everything that we can think of for the last five years and this week has just been bad for us. I know that some of you know about this and I thank you so much for your help and support (Mother Warrior).

Why am I telling you this?

I am telling you this because I have been a bit scattered brained and absent and not able to do what I love to do, which is visit you. So if I am here and there that is why. I know that we will get through this but there are just some weeks that are better than others and this is a bad one. Honestly I think that I paint and re-re-do just to get my mind off of things and I seriously think I have creative ADHD and can't sit still. :)

I didn't tell you this for any pity or anything like that, I just wanted to let my friends know where I am coming from. I know that you all know that there is a life behind our blogs and we live and deal with everyday things whether good or bad.

Thank you for letting me get that off my chest, I truly love you all!

Now, why do I need your help?

This is why...

When I finish painting we are putting in a new floor and here are some samples that I picked up.

I tried to get them in the light and the above picture is pretty close to what they actually look like.

I really like the darker one, not only for the color but I love the grain and rustic appeal it has to it.

However, this is what they look like up against the floor that is in our kitchen.

My question to you is do you think that I need to match the floor in the kitchen (they don't make what we have anymore) or do you think that a bit of a difference is ok?

The rooms flow into each other but they are definitely separated by a wall, I don't have an open concept home.

Anyway, thoughts, concerns, questions about having different colored flooring throughout the house would be wonderful!

Thank you again for everything!

On a side note I want to thank my friend Marie from Sally Lee by the Sea for featuring my beach bedroom on Monday. Her and her family share so many wonderful beach, ocean, and coastal inspirations and will take you on a vacation without having to go anywhere! If you have not met them, please do! :)

Also, my friend Anne from Bird/Like is have a mood board party Monday. Click here for the details as well as a wonderful website that you can make your own mood boards! I checked it out for a minute last night and I can see that this is going to be fun to play around with!!

AND, you won't want to miss Sarah at Modern Country Styles Inspiration Journey party this Friday! Click here for those details!

Thank you again for sticking around listening to me and for all your wonderful advice and friendship!

I will leave you with an image of my little Baja, she looks like I feel this week! :)

Finally got all the paint out of her too!! :)

Hugs!