Landscaping ideas

For whatever reason I've been in a decorating/home renovation mood lately. I saw this house for sale in Memphis a while back (still for sale) and I fell in love with the landscaping and the outside of the house. I'd love to have my home this exact color and have landscaping just like this. Without giving away the exact address, it's on Philwood in the High Point area. My little house is very similar to this in structure, so I honestly think I could make mine looks eerily similar if I tried. Just need the $$$ !

Gigantic artwork

I've been on the hunt for big artwork. And by big, I mean giant canvases that sit on the floor and prop up on the wall. While I like abstract art and used to paint random stuff myself, I think for a giant piece like this I would prefer something like the photo below - an actual photograph or some words.

My next dining room

My current dining room is a bright red color, which I do like. However, it's hard to match ANYTHING to red. Green around the holidays looks good, but outside of December I don't want my dining room looking like a Christmas tree.

I saw photos of this room in the latest publication of House Beautiful magazine and I really love it. (The photo in the magazine is actually a lot prettier and shows of the room better, but I can't find it online.) My dining room looks very similar; same style of old chandelier, same type of curtains already up, I have a wood table with wood chairs, and I have a darker brown rug on the floor with hardwood flooring. The only thing lacking is the bright white/ivory paint on the walls. I think my room will look a zillion times brighter and cheerier with ivory walls instead of the harsh red.

So by the time spring is here, and after I purchase a whole lot of good primer - I hope my dining room will resemble this one below!

Stolen Italy photos

So I know I shouldn't steal other people's photos and not give credit, but I also don't want to give out people's identities without permission. So, moving on - here are a couple photos I saw on a friend's facebook page, from her trip to Italy. I absolutely love these photos!! Not only do they look professional, but how gorgeous is this place?! It's amazing how people in other countries live. I had to save these pics and share.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines, IA

Recently I had the chance to visit a new outdoor sculpture park in Des Moines, Iowa. I really enjoy places like this, after having visited the massive outdoor Laumeier Sculpture Park in St Louis, Missouri.

The one in DSM isn't nearly as big - not even close - but still worth a visit if you are in the area. It was funded by the Pappajohn family (no, not the pizza people); John Pappajohn was a businessman in Iowa who has donated millions of dollars to things all over the state, including this sculpture park, as well as tons of money to the U of Iowa.

The downtown DSM area has gone through a large renovation over the past decade or so. Once only used for businesses and corporations, it now is full of condos, a large arts area, and tons of green space. The riverfront has walking paths and lots of festivals and concerts are now held in the area. Too bad it's freezing cold 9 months out of the year there! ;)

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Learn to decorate and party at Pottery Barn

Have you ever wanted to take a class to learn how to decorate and entertain for the holidays?

Yeah, me neither.

But now that I think of it, it would be sort of fun. Pottery Barn is sponsoring in-store classes on Nov 29 and Dec 6 to teach people how to decorate for the holidays and how to throw a good holiday party. Call your local Pottery Barn store to sign up. You will also get 10% off all merchandise featured in the class (let's hope it's something good!).

Here's the address and phone # for the local Memphis 'Barn:

WE'RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:2760 N Germantown Parkway, Memphis, TN 38133 Phone: 901-937-1787

Anthropologie coming to Memphis

I have heard this before, but saw from a few different other people online - Anthropologie is coming to Memphis! Well, Germantown - into the Saddle Creek shopping center. I've become a big fan recently, so this is cool.

Probably without the palm tree, however :)

Etsy find - gorgeous clutches

I found this Etsy store and absolutely love their clutches. Perfect for weddings, nights out, any event where you need a cute clutch. Check them out - Davie and Chiyo's Etsy store.

Lovely holiday clutch

Got my new Anthro catalog today.... love this clutch! Perfect for the holidays.

Anthropologie
Iced Rosettes Clutch
$298

Alaskan king crab at The Blue Fish

Check out this dining review for the seasonal Alaskan king crab meal at The Blue Fish in Memphis (Cooper Young area). More specifically - check out these photos! Article and pictures via the Commercial Appeal.

I'm not a big seafood person (too messy) but I think it would be awesome to get this once. It's $240, but feeds 4 to 6 people. Comes with salad and sides as well. So, if it's split 5 ways, it would be around $50 a person with tax - which isn't bad at all for some really good food. They don't sell this stuff at Kroger :)