Research always leads me to some interesting finds.

My mother resides in Florida. Land of palm trees, blue waters, resorts, and the pink flamingo yard art. So while researching some new ideas for Halloween this year, I stumbled across these hilariously cool Halloween flamingos that I am more then tempted to purchase for my mother. Not only because they make me smile but they are completely affordable at $15.95 for 2 on Amazon.

Skeleton Flamingo

Bella Ray Beck turns one on Bubba’s Hammiversary!

Our little Jelly Belly turns one today. It’s hard to believe that this large beautiful dog was once the straggly 6 lb baby we found in a parking lot last year. She has grown up to be a wonderful dog, sweet companion, and loving playmate to our other 5 pups. Happy Birthday Bella!

Bella Ray Beck

As for Hammy…today marks 9 years ago that my ex gave him to me for a Valentine’s Day present. I couldn’t imagine a single day without him and his unconditional love! Happy Hammiversary Bubba!

Big Pawed Spike

Flashback to Childhood

I’ve always written in my bio that Malibu Barbie was my first client with her three story penthouse and fashionable accessories. So, out of curiosity, I did a google search to find pics of my beloved Barbie memories and voila! I found them.

1974 barbie dream home

1974 Barbie Dream Home

70’s Barbie Corvette

Sleek Corvette

1970s Barbie Above Ground Pool

Pool: Complete with 70s shower curtain & slide!

The Barbie Camper

And who can forget the wonderful travel camper….

On the great search for the perfect bar stools…

We’ve been renovating the house we live in, not because we wanted to but because we have to. The home is over 40 years old and was abandoned for 2 years before we moved in so it need tons of TLC. After removing a wall between what was originally the formal dining and family room, we installed a bar area for people to socialize in the now billiard room. The problem I’m having is finding the right countertop and the perfect bar stools for the space. So far I have stumbled across these awesome cap top stools which are unfortunately only available commercially. Even with my credentials to purchase them, I could never meet the minimum order of 750 stools. DAMN! It would be cool to pick our favorite drinks and turn them into mismatched stools. Perhaps I’ll have to dig around on some DIY pages and see if anyone has ever attempted to make them.

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Latest obsession with footwear…

I discovered Irregular Shoes this week and have fallen madly in love with these two pairs of shoes. Christmas has passed and Valentines is still 6 weeks away so I’m not sure how to convince hubby to purchase them for me… Must think of something???

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Love of Rain Boots

I’m the type of person that prefers to stay home, cuddled under a warm blanket, with a cup of coffee, and good book on a rainy day. However, IF I have to go outside, I’d love to own a fashionable pair of rain boots to wear around town. Here are a few of my favorite finds:

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Chooka Rain Boots

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Cool Tattoed Boots at Jamras.com

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RainBootsWomen.com

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Giesswein Zwaring boot looks preppy, bohemian, and sleek all in one. I think I’ve decided which one should come home with me.

Twisted Circus 2009

Well, it has come and gone yet again… our annual Halloween party was a blast! Here are some of the details to this year’s party:

 

Invitation was drawn by a local Savannah artist known as Grimcinder on Deviant Art:

 

Twisted Circus Invitation

 

Beer & Wine Labels were designed by Florida artist, Mike Maihack with Cowshell Graphics. He did an awesome job of incorporating the circus theme with a retro appeal that I was looking for:

 

Acrobat Ale    Bearded Lady Lager    Ringmaster Merlot    Sideshow Shiraz

 

Guests were greeted at the front door by old school circus music, a rat eating a clown nose, and a ‘You Must Be This Tall To Enter’ sign:

 

Circus themed front door

 

Once inside, the kitchen was converted into a Concession stand with the use of basic white sheets:

 

Concession Stand

 

 All the curtains andpillows in the house were changed out to circus themed stripes, clowns, stars, et cetera.

 

Once guests ventured outside, they were greeted with a directional sign instructing them of events:

 

Directional Sign

 

Unfortunately the weather was a bit chilly for our fortune teller and very few fortunes were told, however the tent served as a warm place to hang out nonetheless:

 

Fortune Teller Tent

 

Every year we show movies based on the theme in a makeshift outdoor theater. This year the theater was a striped big top tent showing Stephen King’s IT and a sad, old movie entitled ‘Dead Clowns’:

 

Big Top Theatre

 

As always, throw blankets are supplied for warmth late at night.

 

Next step, the gypsy camp by the fire pit. We set up 5 tents complete with airbeds, bedding, pillows, lanterns, and more. Outside, there were laundry lines of circus attire, old chairs, musical instruments, and lights. This was by far my favorite place to hang out all night:

 

Clown chair   Gypsy Clothesline

 

Juggling Pin chair

 

Sink Clothesline

 

Pillow Chair

 

Gypsy Suitcase

 

Finally, on the way out the door, guests were welcome to grab a bottle of wine  to remember the event:

 

Wine Bench

 

Oh, and I almost forgot. Here’s a pic of me and my husband dressed as a bloody marionette and evil ringmaster:

 

Sparker

 

And now it is over, the house is back to normal, and here’s looking forward to next year’s Pirate conversion!

Dog Lover Here

As most of you know by now, I am an avid dog lover. All strays that enter my domain get tons of love and care as well as a new home with either myself or a close friend. With that said, I am always on the lookout for new cool gadgety dog STUFF. Things my husband says that we clearly don’t need even though I usually Want, Want, Want….

 

Intuition Dog Leash

The Intuition Dog Leash is a ten foot retractable leash that has a flashlight built into the handle for nightly walks. The eyes and dimples are just for the adorable kick! Since our 6 dogs have over an acre of fenced yard, we rarely take them on walks anymore which makes my argument for buying this gadget completely mute.

 

eiCrate

This eiCrate was designed by Peter Pracilio and is way too expensive for my taste. After all, who needs a limited edition dog crate? I will, however, give it an A for adapting the typical rectangle crate into a stylish puppy dome!

Curiousity killed the Cat

If only my Halloween party this year was your typical scary theme… I would have to purchase these awesome bottles of cola. They would tie in perfectly with a spooky theme for a party beverage with personality!

Curiousity Cola

 

 

Amazing Decorating Options

There are so many innovative companies out there that now offer the general public access to cool products…

Pixelblocks.com allows you to build an image pixel by pixel onto translucent blocks that interlock. Imagine a 3D stained window with your own image overlaid.  It’s a new form of puzzle, a centerpiece of art, and abit of your imagination for around $150!

Pixelblocks

PhotoWow.com turns your photos into trendy designs on canvas. Everything from Warhol inspired blocks to retro comics to scrapbooking canvasas are available.

Photo Wow

WonderfulGraffiti .com is my number one source of decorating. With options ranging from quotes to canvas to 3D designs, WG allows you to showcase any style imaginable.  They also allow you as much or as little control as you want.

 Wonderful Graffiti