Peace. Love. Joy.

Great Escape

I'm planning on spending some time this week:
1- catching up on my favorite blogs
2- reading my stack of magazines
3- cleaning my house

Last night- I picked up the latest issue of Garden and Gun and loved seeing Suzanne Kasler's family room.

It's a room like this reminds me of how much I do love light, neutral colors.
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But then image below is a reminder that I'm really liking a pop of charcoal/black these days. I love the light walls with the contrasting dark gray bookshelves. I still haven't decided about my front door but I do appreciate each of your ideas/comments!

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*from Haven and Home via SouthernLiving.com

Black on the Back?

After seeing this post... it started the whole cycle of wanting to do something new to my house. I haven't had a project in awhile- so I'm thinking of tackling this one. Here is the front door belonging to Jenny's Mom.

Before:

and After:

While my entry is very simple and plain--- I'm contemplating painting the interior side of my door black (the exterior side is black). But now that I look at it--- I just don't know. It may be too much of a contrast in that area. What do you think?
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You can see the rest of this part of my house on a tour here (if that helps you with knowing if the black will work or not).

So very thoughtful...

Another busy day with no time to post.

But I was just blessed with a surprise that I want you to see. Go check out Jennifer's blog, The Newlywed Diaries, and see the sweet nursery post she did for me.

Jennifer- you made my day. Thank you so, so much.

xx- Brooke

Gift Guide (So.Chic Guest Post)

Since today is a busy day--- I thought I would post my guest post from yesterday. My friend Sidney was so sweet to ask me to be a guest on her blog and share some of my gift ideas for this Christmas season. I hope you were able to check it out... but if you didn't- here is my list.

For the little one:

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How about a cute appliqued t-shirt from Alphabet Designs? If you supply your item (t-shirt, burp cloth, etc)- Carrie only charges $9 per applique design.

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For Him: .
A favorite of my husband's- luggage by Filson. It's a bit of splurge but worth the money. Here is their travel kit that is $82.50.

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How about a pair of Mountain Khakis? Another one of my husband's favorites.
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For her:
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Possibly a notebook or planner by Sarah Pinto? I saw these recently on Deliciously Organized and just love them. The notebook is only $12 and the planner is $25. Or you can order both for just $30!
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For the book lover... a classic or two with covers designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith. You can now order these from Amazon for less than $14 a piece.
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For your neighbor or teacher or that other hard to find gift:

Who doesn't love fresh fruit? Order a quarter bushel of grapefruits or oranges for just $19.80. Pittman & Davis also provides free shipping.
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Or perhaps a cookbook? Try the new cookbook put out by Hot and Hot Fish Club of Birmingham..

I hope this list helps at least one of you find that perfect gift for someone on your Christmas list.

Guest Blogging & Pencils of Promise

Today you can find me guest blogging over at my friend, Sidney's blog: So-Chic. I hope you'll head over to say hello and to check out my list of gifts that I suggested for this Christmas season.

Changing gears: Several bloggers are coming together today in a collaborative effort spearheaded by Paloma Contreras of La Dolce Vita, in order to make a difference for a very deserving charity. Pencils of Promise is a wonderful 501(c)(3) organization based in New York, that partners with local communities and organizations to build schools of early-stage education in developing nations for some of the world’s most impoverished and undereducated children. Sadly, there are more than 75 million children in this terrible situation worldwide.

Last December, the Pencils of Promise team visited a small village in Laos and by July 2009, they had built a new school for the village children who started attending classes on September 1^st. This month, Pencils of Promise will be opening their third school and they hope to open the doors to education for more children in 2010.

In the spirit of the Christmas season, we are asking for your help today on behalf of these children.Just think of the enormous impact we could have if each person who reads this post donates just $1.00. If you are willing and able to give more (35.00 buys shelves for a classroom, $50 provides pencils for one year, $100 provides a teacher’s salary for three months and so on), it would be greatly appreciated. We are in the midst of the giving season and hope that you will find it in your heart to make a donation to this worthy cause today. Every little bit helps and together, we can make a difference!

If you would like to stay informed about the difference Pencils of Promise is making, be sure to become a fan on their Facebook page.

Our goal for Blog Day: Build safe, legitimate housing for the female children to have access to further their education. Currently, some parents are unwilling to send their kids to school because of the danger of these huts that you will see others living in. This dormitory size will fit about 200 young Laotian girls.

DONATE HERE!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and to learn more about Pencils of Promise.

You are my sunshine...

I recently saw a sign just like this at Three Sheets in Homewood. I just adore it. I think that I may like to have one for Baby C's nursery.
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While searching online- I found it on Etsy. And for a third of the price. Isn't Etsy great?! These signs are custom made so I am sure they can say just about anything.....
. Source: Holly and Ivy Designs on Etsy.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Hot and Hot

Hot and Hot Fish Club is one of my favorite restaurants here in Birmingham. I would highly recommend going if you live anywhere nearby.


Their tomato salad in the summertime is one of the best.things.ever. I mean it. It's worth driving all the way to Birmingham for. You can go here to see the recipe, although it's pretty in depth. I love to cook but this is one thing I would prefer that someone else make for me.


They recently released a cookbook that my husband gave me a copy of last week for my birthday. It's so, so great. It not only looks great on my coffee table, but it's also a great read. The recipes sound divine- but I've also loved reading the stories. Chris and Idie Hastings tell their story of what brought them to where they are today, details about the restaurant, information about the local farmers they use, and much much more. It's a great book/cookbook to have. I highly recommend it.

They also have an online store. I'm interested in purchasing some of their items such as the herb salt below.

Speaking of birthday gifts... One of my dearest friends gave me two of these.

I was so very excited when I opened them. Not only do I love to read- but I love a pretty book! I am now the proud owner of Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre.

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These book covers are designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith. You can go here to read an interview with the designer. And you can go here to order them. PS- Santa... that link is for you.

Simply Adorned

So many wonderful rooms adorned with Christmas decorations. They are all so simple, yet perfectly done. Here are a few of my favorites. I will note- I love this first room minus the red. I don't do red.
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*via House and Home

a cold, a giveaway, and a recipe...

I woke up yesterday with a cold and I'm still not feeling very well. So the creative juices just aren't flowing.

In the meantime- I thought I would let you know about a little giveaway that sweet Camilla is hosting. She's doing two weeks of giveaways with some of her favorite things and she was so thoughtful to include some items from my Etsy shop.

The giveaway includes a Christmas card design. It's digital so you pick the design, send me your info, and print them wherever you would like.

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And another item up for grabs- is a set of two Christmas dish towels. Just a little something festive to have in your kitchen this time of the year.

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So if you didn't win the Christmas card design in my giveaway last week--- head on over to Camila's and put your name in for her drawing. You can enter through Friday, the 11th at midnight. Thanks for your support!

Oh, and something that made me forget about this cold for a few minutes--- I made this yesterday. It's Cinnamon Honey Butter from Darby's blog. Oh my goodness. At first I spread a little bit on my bagel... and then I just started spreading it on every bite.

*photo via Fly Through Our Window

Gift Guide: Garnet Hill

Last night I spent some time looking through my most recent Garnet Hill catalog and there were so many things that I loved. Here are just a few that would make perfect gifts this Christmas.

Normandy Stockings

$38

Collapsible Basket and Cover

$40 for basket plus $11 for cover

Letterpress Wall Calendar

$49

Simon Pearce Franconia Bowl

$120

Frye Tall Stud-Detail Boot

$398

Gratitude Journal

$15

Hanky Panky Lace Thong

$18

*if you don't own a pair- you should! they will change your life.

Patagonia Retro-X Jacket

$195

Cashmere Ruffle Wrap

$288

Simple Boiled Wool Button Slippers

Unfortunately no longer available (was planning to add these to my wish list!)

French Sole Ballet Flats

$98

Oversized Boyfriend's Watch

$70