Bye Bye Bye!

Nothing made me happier this week than to see these green walls be painted over. This is the cringe worthy "before" picture of my living room. I know, its awful! Besides the paint, its a hodge podge of pieces from my old house - some that just dont work! I have selected all the new fabrics and have been playing "dress up" with them draping them over existing pieces to get an idea for how it will look and carrying my poster board with the paint sample for the full effect! You may recall that the rug is new and the inspiration for the room. I will show you next week how it looks painted (wow what a difference it makes to have a pleasant color next to the wood) and the fabric choices.

I do love this antique table.

I actually love that chair in the far corner - it is so comfortable and has a beautiful line to it. I have loved the fabric for so long but its time for a change!

This cabinet looks so rich when not nex to the green apple paint. I choose a beautiful Scalamandre silk strip fabric for this chair.

Hampton Paper February Giveaway: Busy Week Calendar

Hampton Paper's February Giveaway is one of our Personalized Busy Week Calendars. Choose either the Family, Boy or Girl, option. We introduced the family calendar about a year ago and they were so popular we added the boy and girl options. The family calendar is perfect to help everyone in your family keep track of the busy week! The children's version are great for kids ages 5-12 and helps them stay organized! See below on how to participate.

Family Calendar

Busy Week for Boys

Busy Week for Girls

To enter, you must leave a comment on the blog or our Facebook page telling us which calendar you would choose and why between today, Monday, Feb 27, 2012 and Wednesday February 29, 2012. A winner will be selected at random and announced on Monday, March 5, 2012.

For additional Entries - Read on!

• Share a link of this post on your blog. Leave an additional comment on our blog or Facebook page letting us know that you have done so. (include the link)
• Share this link on Facebook for an additional entry. Leave an additional comment letting us know you have done so. (include the link)
• If you arent already a fan on Facebook "like" our Hampton Paper Designs site. Leave an additional comment letting us know that you have done so.
• Tweet about this giveaway. Leave additional comment letting me know you have done so. (include the link)

The calendars are a $30.00 value. They can be found on our web site here http://www.hamptonpaperdesigns.com/pls/htmldb/f?p=194:8:1013193059835699::::P0_PROD,P0_SAMPLE:561,401

or Etsy here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HamptonPaperDesigns?section_id=10105921

Let's Get This Project Started!

After literally months of planning I am finally getting this project started! I ran into a good friend yesterday and told her I was running to check on the status of the project and my elaborate plans. Her response was sheer laughter and commented I need a girl! Since that is not going to happen, I am so grateful that Thomas has an appreciation for nice things.

I snapped this photo so quickly just yesterday morning right before Aldo arrived to start the transformation!

Here's Thomas bathroom - the Ralph Lauren Nautical wallpaper (Rowthorne Crest Admiral)is going up March 5th and the Ralph Lauren Orange and White stripe(Stand Stripe Tiger Lily) shower curtain is being custom made.

This is yesterday afternoon. Aldo and I looking at where to place the chair rail (36 inches in standard - who knew). My assist Jackson is distracted by the Giraffe and has his hockey stick in hand as he is nagging me to come play the 2nd period in our game.

This is taken today around 4:30. Crown molding and chair rail installed and Aldo stared working on painting below the chair rail white. Its hard to see the transformation in the photos but wow, its amazing what a little wood work can do! It gives the entire room a polished feeling. Can't wait for tomorrow!

Just ordered the striped paper (Ralph Lauren Gable Stripe - French Blue) for the closet.... I know.... I have to stop.

Turning a House into a Home: "Custom"

Well as much as I dislike the word "discontinued" I love, love, love the word "custom". The definition in the dictionary should be "something that is fabulous"!! Last year at the DC Design Center, I fell in love with this beautiful sofa for my living room by Duralee. I love everything about it but mostly the front waterfall effect and the buttons. Its perfect! Only problem...they cant make it the size I need. So, Kathi Haley from KSH Interiors was able to find someone to custom make it in the right dimensions! Yipee.

Tuscany sofa plus this Pistachio fabric = fabulous!This is Duralee Pistachio (pattern 32032, color 399) and its so perfect with my carpet. This sample doesn't due the color justice! Will post before photos soon!

Duralee Fabric: http://www.duralee.com/fabrics/product.php?pattern_id=20537

Duralee Sofa: http://www.duralee.com/furniture/product_detail.php?cid=1&pid=357

Fairy Tale Interrupted

Rosemarie Terenzio starts her new book Fairy Tale Interrupted by saying "Two types of people exist in the world: those who are obsessed with the Kennedys and those who aren't" Clearly I fit in the first camp. I am obsessed with all things Jackie and Kennedy which is why I had to buy this book. I read it cover to cover and really enjoyed it. Rose Marie shares her experiences working with John and her relationship and unparalleled loyalty to JFK Jr. She shares some fun stories and great lessons. Its evident she held him in high regard and like many was in awe at times of his elegance, class and grace.

So, now I move on to Once Upon a Secret by Mimi Alford. I am intrigued by life in the 60s. Wishing I had gone to Miss Porter's School in CT too!

Since I am engrossed in all things Kennedy at the moment, I pulled out these CDs I received as a gift at Christmas to listen to in my car. The recordings with Jackie were made only 4 months after JFK's assination. I am sure they will be interesting. 20-30 min in and I am only on the introduction!

Turning a House into a Home: Discontinued......

Discontinued... is there a more awful word in the English language? Doesn't it make you think of your favorite lipstick or nail polish color that they no longer make? (for me, Desert Rose nail polish by Chanel, the perfect pink) Perhaps a favorite china pattern or Sterling Silver pattern (Hamilton at Tiffany) You can see this word has impacted me deeply over the years! I was disheartened to hear that the beautiful china cabinet I coveted for months but didn't have funding for was discontinued. Really? How awful! I try to find things I like, wait till I have money to purchase and then proceed. I missed out on that one.

This week I was finally financially ready to move forward with purchasing the fabric and wallpaper for Thomas room (after months of searching) (see blog here) I found out BOTH were discontinued. UGGHHH! Luckily, in the stripe fabric they had 5 more yards - exactly what I needed for the shower curtain is available. Only problem is the price per yard was a tiny bit expensive......Needless to say, it will be the most expensive shower curtain in an 8 year old's bathroom, east of the Mississippi. But....its so perfect! Stay tuned for pics - before, during and after.

I LOVE this cabinet - esp the way the majority of it is open and glass so that many beautiful pieces can be displayed.

Loved this fabric - Ralph Lauren Tanger Gingham Orange fabric - the orange I wanted at a reasonable price.

Ralph Lauren Strand Stripe Tiger Lily Ohh loved this option too but it was so expensive per yard and yesterday I found out it was my only option. I explained the situation to my son Thomas and asked what I should do. He replied "Buy it!" Well, I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!!!

A Room Full of Hearts

I woke to a roomful of hearts this morning...decorating compliments of two young boys. No wonder they couldn't sleep last night...they were so excited to hang up the paper hearts they made. Happy Valentine's Day!

Jackson's Super Hero Party Revealed

Jackson's 5th birthday celebration isn't one we will soon forget. While the 45 min before the party we were right out of a reality show trying to set up - 101 things that could go wrong pretty much did (lollipops were standing up straight, people kept moving my bag with my supplies of tape etc, the table was curved and created a terrible wrinkle in the front etc etc) The two things that were most important did go right - everyone showed up and the kids had an amazing time!!! (And if there was one more thing I am sure no one noticed what I would have done differently!)

This was a last minute idea. The party was on the 2nd floor so we created this sign. I always want to greet the kids right away so they know they are in store for a great time!

I used the Hampton Paper tall correspondence cards for the invitations. Loved the POW, ZAP, WHAM at the top!

The sweets table!

Close Up (uggg the wrinkled table cloth!)

Captain Jackson on the framed print. I should have written "Captain" near the kids names on the goody bags. Next time!

I freaked when I received these cupcake toppers from Sweet and Edible. I contacted the owner to see if she could create toppers to match the HPD images. Ta Da! They were adorable.

My reluctant model for this cupcake photo. "Take the photo...my friends are here and I want to go play"

We used place cards for the sweets table.

Hershey Kisses are always a big hit.

I had these lollipop covers custom made by Simple Tastes. I am obsessed with them. They are so darling and they have so many fun options.

I am going to need these for all my parties moving forward.

A sweet table isn't complete without Hershey Bars. Kids really love that they are full size and so indulgent. We used the ZAP, POW, WHAM theme from the invitation and used both images.

You know these cookies are my favorite. They are soooo delicious and I always love the way the images turn our on them. Bright and Crisp.

I also freaked when these necklaces arrived in the mail from PPParty Favors. Also custom made they turned out adorable and the kids loved them! At the end of the party Chariots of Fire was played and we handed out the necklaces and goody bags.

Goody bags with the large stickers.

Personalized capes were made by Sew Plain Jane.

Pink for girls.

So happy James from James Woo Photography captured this shot. Priceless.

Just loved these capes. I heard the kids wore them all day long.

Me and my boys... getting so big so fast.

Wow. Must have been some wish. Knowing Jackson its probably to hurry up and turn 6 so he can have his sports party!

Well, it was like Christmas all over will all the gifts Jackson received. We are mailing our thank you notes tomorrow. Jackson did such a good job writing these.... So proud of my baby who is 5.

Thanks to all of the following for not only the amazing products and services but...for being such a pleasure to work with. Many thanks!

Photography: James Woo Photography www.jameswoophotography.com

Capes: Sew Plain Jane www.sewplainjane.com

Cupcake Toppers: Sweet and Edible on Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/SWEETandEDIBLE

Necklaces: PPPartyFavors on Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/PPPartyFavors

Lollipops: Simple Tastes on Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/SimpleTastes

Stationery and Stickers by Hampton Paper Designs www.hamptonpaperdesigns.com

Invitations: 24 for $72

Large Square Stickers:18 for $18.00

Place Cards: 12 for $12.00

Hershey Bars: 25 for $75.00

Cookies: 24 for $96.00

Kiss Stickers 108 for $12.00

Framed Print: $75.00

Thank You Notes: 8 for $12.00

And last but not least, thanks to my husband who packed and brought the cooler. And did many other things behind the scenes to make the party a success.

Through The Eyes of a Child

It's amazing what you can see when you look through the eyes of a child. It hadn't occurred to me that someone would check more than one box on the "Valentine, You Are" cards we introduced this year. When I asked Thomas about checking all three he replied "I did that on all of them, because my friends are funny, nice and cool". Note to self, I need to add "All of the Above" to the list next year. Have a great Valentine's Day!