Things I am loving Thursdays and house updates!!

Whoa.......what a crazy 24 hours its been with Blogger!! I was getting a little nervous that they might be having a bigger problem than what they originally were thinking.... I will admit! In light of the "chaos" my Thurs. post will continue to run today, as it looks as though my post from yesterday was totally deleted! I am SO SORRY as many of you commented wanting to be part of the bench giveaway. So to be fair I am continuing this contest today and tomorrow and will announce the winner bright and early Sunday morning. I feel this is only fair. I feel badly but believe me it was totally out of my control!!!!!! I have no way of retrieving the comments from yesterday and I am sincerely sorry for Bloggers glitch! Onto some good things..... First the wonderful bench giveaway! (IF by some miracle my post magically reappears within a short while and anything is possible with the way blogger is going bonkers today, I will have the contest tomorrow and announce the winner tomorrow otherwise Sunday)

Safavieh has generously donated this fabulous looking bench that not only is beautiful but also doubles as great storage! How good looking is this? Some lucky winner will win this great looking bench.....that can be used virtually anywhere!! Made of a cream linen material...it is neutral and has such an elegant streamlined shape. It measures 19H X 15WX 45D. (Retails for approx. $450.00)

Its easy to win, you have to do TWO things....1. Comment on this post and leave an email address if I am unable to contact you via your blogger name 2.Visit Safavieh at www.safaviehhome.com and then visit them at their facebook page by clicking here and tell them your favorite item...that's it!!  I will announce the winner of the bench on my Friday post! Good luck!! 

HOUSE UPDATES. Yes things are moving along swiftly now. I still complain but believe me, I am thrilled to see how progress is finally being made. Bathrooms are nearly done except powder rooms. Bathtubs and toilets are in warehouse but htose noramlyl don't get put in until last minute as are plumbing fixtures. Powder rooms are only rooms left to tile. (still deciding) Wood floors done upstairs. Doors being installed as we speak. Ditto crown moldings. Finally kitchen finishes were decided, being done and should be completed within 3 weeks max. Aiming for end of May installation, "aiming" is operative word here! Stone for foyer and downstairs hallways starts installation next week. Stairways are done! Exterior limestone will be completed by first week of June. So, lots of things happening and over the next month major progress will be had. Of course a lot will still be going on over several months. Lots of woodworking, and this takes A VERY long time...its a painfully slow process but should not hinder a move. Will it mean having lots of people milling about once we move? Yes, it will....but a small price to pay to be able to finally say "I am home, at last"!!!!!!!

Yippee, our doors arrived! Here is the very first one that got installed!!

Love the 3 panel..so French!

Sons finished shower wall

Love that little window

Husbands shower in progress

Calacutta gold is beautiful

Close up of materials being used in hubbies bath

My bathroom in process....

My bathroom windows....

Guest room bath, its Thassos (pure white and Ming green)

Close up

Timbers duing the 'antiquing process"

Stairs just about done!

Crown in hallways just about completed

Tower entry which will eventually be done in stone cladding

Looking front front door as you look back into back door

Crown modling

Next round of beams getting worked on

Family room aka the "workshop"

Breakfast room getting wood paneling....about half way done

Casing is just about done around the windows

They are making progress!

Tree removal!

Favorite tree coming into full bloom!

Everything is starting to look so green.....

Yes, none other than the little fellow who created such havoc on Sunday!!

I will redo this beautiful pond one day but keep the setting natural as it is now.....

love

The powder room next to the laudry room, this is the one that gets the pale yellow, white and pale gray toile wallpaper..think it will look really pretty and old fashioned

FUN SUMMER JEWELRY. For the summer more than any other season I love buying some fun colorful pieces to wear with casual bright colors of clothing or crisp white. I am a particular fan of white and with a tan...you can't do much better. I found some really great pieces that with just a simple earring, a small clutch, and a chic summer outfit...you are good to go! In my next life, I may be a summer jewely buyer, lol..does such a career exist? That would be so much fun....I love buying fun little pieces and adding them to simple crisp summer outfits! Here they are.....

Great turquoise cuff

Love these turquoise earrings from Kenneth Jay Lane

"Cara" stretch glass green bracelet cuff, from Nordstrom (can you believe only $49)

Fun enameled bracelets by Trina Turk

Gorgeous Ben-Amun turquoise and blue enameled cuff....stunning for a special occasion!

Kendra Scott yellow chalcedony earrings and check them out in orange!

Sequin brights enameled bracelets...how great are the colors? Love!

Jordann monogrammed turquoise necklace, from Max and Chloe..cute!

Loved these too! By Cara at Nordstrom...bought them in all three colors! So reasonable!

PERSONALIZED STAMPS AND ADDRESS LABELS. I bought one of these for myself and recently ordered two as gifts. They make great gifts, are reasonable and are ALWAYS a huge hit! They have a huge assortment of styles and fun little icons to choose form so you can make them highly personal too! They make embossers, self inking stamps and self inking stamps with icons. They also offer colored inks. They are from Three Designing Women...here is a sample of what they do, click here to see more or order.

BAMBOO ANYTHING. I love bamboo, well anything. I loooove bamboo bracelets, bamboo inspired tabletop, love bamboo fabrics, flatware, you name it! I find the look so classic and timeless and it works well with other classic patterns. I never tire of it, and as an example I have had a gold bamboo bracelet for around 15 years and still love it. Ditto for a bamboo print stretch silk top I had had for years, its still gorgeous! And don't get me started on my bamboo handbag! So here are some great looking bamboo inspired beauties!

Kenneth Jay Lane strikes again with this great looking bamboo cuff!

Tiffany and Co. Bamboo sterling flatware, such a classic!

Mariposa pewter napkin box with turtle weight..how cute!

Caspari bamboo playing cards and personalzied napkins

Just love love love the Charlotte Moss pattern "Nancy"....so great looking!

How about a pretty bamboo printed fine linen tablecloth? From Pioneer linens.

Fresh looking "bamboo" bedding from Williams Sanoma

Of course the ever so popular white bamboo chairs!! Decorpad

We cannot underestimate the power of the bamboo over the iconic bamboo handbag either!

MY LATEST WALLPAPER CRUSH. Yes, I know you probably think I am just a wee bit obsessed. Maybe I am. The good news is I have been able to make some decision on wallpaper. Not sure if I am going to use it for the boys bedrooms yet or not and if I do will go with simple masculine, papers. I as of now, am using them in some of the bathrooms and plan to use a chinoiserie in the dining room. That much I am sure. I had seen this in passing and knew I loved it but upon closer inspection know we are destined to unite...so meet my latest wallpaper crush that I WILL use somewhere! Figuring it out as we speak, I am in love!

In love with this paper from Zoffany, the colors, the pattern, everything about it!

A DUDE RANCH VACATION! A few of our friends  and us have been toying wtih the idea of going on a luxury dude ranch vacation for a while now as a group of four families. We are totally serious in that we think it would and could be the trip of a lifetime. After some weeding out of some "hard core" dude ranches that I think would make mincemeat of us, we have decided that when and if the time comes (which I am hopeful it will) it is just challenging trying to juggle and coordinate approx. 16 peoples schedules to all work together, we will go to the famous "Ranch at Rock Creek" in the fabulous state of Montana. The pictures speak for themselves, and it is a working dude ranch with full participation from its guests, but there is also a spa, gourmet food, and plenty of wonderful activities. Sounds like an incredible trip for the whole family!

Here are some highlights.......Click here to learn more about this fabulous getaway

FINE SOAPS. You also by now know my fetish for wonderful luxurious bath products. I love both for myself and gift giving the line of Giana Rose atelier. She makes the most wonderful line of luxurious bath soaps that are as whimsical and beautiful as they are delicious and long lasting. Just check out how beautiful they are! Almost too cute to use...almost! The animal soaps are a particular fave of mine...and I have bought repeatedly the dog and monkey soaps, how cute are they? They are packaged really nicely so they make wonderful gifts. Click here to visit the site.

Well there you have it..my house updates and some fun things I am loving this Thursday! Anything appeal to you? Is there anything that you are loving that you want to share? Please tell! Hope you have a wonderful day!