Lost and Found

Yesterday I was walking the puppy at a large athletic site.  While I was there, my cell phone fell out of my pocket and I did not realize it was missing until I arrive home.

I went back to the field twice, using another phone to call my cell phone but to no avail. 

Then I remembered that I had Mobile Me.  I googled, mobile me find my iphone and got the Mobile Me website.  All I had to do was enter my id and password and the gps in the phone was identified and displayed on a map.  I went to a different view and saw it lying in the grass on the soccer field.  Hubby retrieved the phone while I made dinner and we are living happily ever after.

This is not an advertisement for Mobile Me but maybe it will help you find a lost phone some day.  

AND I am not putting my phone in my pocket again, I'll carry my big old purse with a cell phone pocket inside. 

Something Scary

Eleanor Roosevelt said "Do one thing every day that scares you."

Source: flickr.com via Deborah on Pinterest

This would take care of me for about a week.  Yikes!  Have a great day, nothing too scary.

Decorating "Secrets"

Housebeautiful.com features a slideshow entitled, 20 Decorating Secrets.  Here are a few "secrets".  

One pair of pillows on a sofa looks skimpy.  Use two pairs of contrasting color, pattern, texture.

The most versatile coffee table you'll ever own is an ottoman topped with a tray.

Nothing softens a lonely corner in a big room like a potted tree.

An open armoire is more interesting than a closed one. Let people into your secret world.

Use a real rug in the bathroom.  It can easily withstand more wear than the occasional wet foot.

Do you already incorporate these ideas in your home?  Personally, I love having a real rug in my bathroom and I find filling a corner with a large plant is an inexpensive way to take up space and make the room feel softer and alive.  

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE 

Target's Newest Collaborator

Michelle Obama's inaugural ball gown designer, Jason Wu will be the next designer to collaborate with Target.  

Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Jason Wu and Michelle Obama

The collection of women's wear and accessories is projected to be in Target stores in February.  Knowing how popular the Missoni line was for Target, it may be necessary to camp out the night before to be sure to score some Wu designs.

Original Art: Miniatures

Would you like to own a piece of original art?  Think you can't afford it?  Think miniatures.

Original Encaustic Oil "Across the Field" $25 KLynnArt

I'm captivated by the art miniatures on Etsy.  This piece is 3X3 and comes with its own easel.  

This 3X3 abstract is painted in acrylics.  $25 BrookeHowie

3X2 Acrylic on canvas Koi - Carp $25 rainbeauxart

This would look great on a bookshelf or perched on a side table.

This 4X5 oil on canvas was inspired by a piece of classical music. $46 abstractedcolours

I would never get tired of looking at these gorgeous colors.

This "Miniature Christmas Tree Farm" painting comes complete with a gorgeous frame for $25. BrookeHowie

This would make a sweet Christmas gift.

Kitchen Tour

Last week I posted a photo that gave a glimpse of my kitchen.  One reader asked for a kitchen tour so here goes.  Welcome to my kitchen.

The kitchen is in the center of the condo, flanked by dining room and living room.  Hubby likes to sit at the bar and have a beer and while I make dinner.  We chat about our day and munch on popcorn.  I love that time of the day.  

I really enjoy the glass cabinet doors so I can display ice buckets, pitchers, platters and other items to add color to the kitchen.  The puck lights help illuminate the kitchen too.  As you may know, orange is one of my favorite colors and I find it very warm for a kitchen.

Directly above the kitchen is the loft.  We love the cable railing which gives a real open, spacious feeling to the condo. 

 Just past the kitchen is the butler's pantry which serves as a passage to the dining room.    There is a bar sink in the pantry and we find this little room to be very helpful for the flow when we have parties and it is a convenient place to set up the bar.  More glass front cabinets in the pantry display china, crystal and silver.

This small alcove in the hallway across from the kitchen was the perfect spot for a cabinet and shelf to hold cookbooks and baking equipment.  Note the color change.  My favorite color is blue and that is the color of the hallway leading to the front door.  

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed your visit!

October Already!

Happy Monday, dear Spiral Style readers.

I hope you had a lovely weekend.  Can you believe it is October already?  This weekend felt like autumn with vivid blue skies and a crisp, chill in the air.  Some of the leaves are beginning to change color.  I made a collection while walking the puppy in a county park.  

Autumn collection

Hubby and I took advantage of Detroit restaurant week and tried a new restaurant with friends.    I took this photo of my short ribs with my iphone.  Not a great photo but the food was good at Atlas Global Bistro.  It was the first time I ate pork belly.  Yum! 

Sunday evening was spent at the home of dear friends.  So I had a little break from cooking except for homemade applesauce from Farmers Market apples.  I did find the need to bake so I tried the Walnut Apricot Harvest Loaf from Sweet Paul, the online magazine.   

This loaf is hearty with whole wheat goodness, sweet with dried apricots and studded with chopped walnuts.  Great for lunch boxes and coffee breaks.  

Have a wonderful start to your week.