a tisket..a tasket...wish you had a basket??

I know I do...Actually, three of them please. I came across this delightful picture of Haskell Harris's kitchen ((former Special Projects Editor and Assitant Homes Editor at Cottage Living magazine and now covering style for Garden and Gun)) and as I was taking in the fresh, cool palette; the farmhouse apron sink; the open-ness with large windows and countertop to ceiling backsplash as opposed to cabinets....I stopped on the adorable wire baskets hung above each other on the beadboarded wall. I am not sure what it is...the fact that there are three hung above each other (most accessories look fabulous when grouped in numbers), the wire element perfectly complimenting the 'country' kitchen, or the fact that they are functional for all kinds of kitchen storage, but I just love this look. Lucky for me (and you!) we have a few of these baskets left at The Black Goose Design. I know what is going on my want list :).
View the pic LARGER here.
::photos via Urban Grace Interiors & Garden and Gun::

Dear Spring, Won't You Stay Forever?

I LOVE Spring colors and...(naturally)..deCoRaTiNg with Spring Accessories. They are so light and refreshing! it doesn't matter if it is Fall or Christmas...these are the colors that I am drawn to. My personal favorites are vintage inspired florals and the color teal. I rearranged a bunch of my accessories the other day and here is what I came up with. Happy Spring!I don't really have a large space for an 'entry' and certainly not enough space (depth) for an entry chest, but I wanted to create an area that I could use as display and another opportunity for a lamp (you can never have enough accent lighting!) I moved this accent table and chair over as a quick solution. I just need to find something now for under the 'Welcome' sign. That empty spot needs a little something!I need to fill my glass jars!

I bought this Chalkboard (it is an old cabinet door painted with chalkboard paint) at the Downtown Farmers' Market last summer. I didn't have a kitchen valance and I loved the contrast between my wood cabinets and the white and black so it was a perfect fit! I haven't done it yet, but I am going to change 'Kitchen' to my Grandma's famous oatmeal cookie recipe.

Happy Birthday...Times Two!

This past Friday was a birthday celebration for my cute, cute Dad and his new project Village Coin Laundry. He has been working so hard to get it open in time and Friday was the big day! My mom and I went out to visit him to wish him a happy birthday and to see his new store. It looked great! He always works so hard and I am sure it feels good to be done. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!! Love you.

Country Home...No Longer

Bad news today...Country Home is joining Cottage Living in heaven. Yes, it is true. Country Home is no longer. Lack of ad buys and decreasing circulation led to the magazine's demise. According to The New York Times, in 2008 Country Home had 25 percent fewer ad pages than in 2007. The March issue will be its last.

I just don't know what I am going to do. I have to admit, I bought the February issue of Country Home a couple weeks ago and as I was skimming through it, I thought...I miss Cottage Living deeply...ha..but I suppose this can be my new favorite. There were a lot of cute spreads and (now ironically) it had more content and less ads than Country Living...Better for us readers I guess, but not so great for business.

The February issue had a darling spread on cute and functional organization ideas...perfect in time to fulfill those New Year's resolutions!

Girls' Night!

Danielle, Taisja, Me, Beth, Hailey, Anj, Heath and Holly

(Hailey-I stole this pic from you because I didn't have my camera...so thanks girl!)
The other night a bunch of my high school friends got together for a much needed Girls' Dinner at Paradise Bakery. It was so much fun to see everyone and catch up! Thanks for the fun night (and thank you Dan for planning it!). See you next month!

Breakfast with the B.G. Girls at Brooke's

Monday morning meetings get a little cozier! This past week we got to have our weekly Monday morning meeting at Brooke's house. She made the yummiest 'Egg Nog Cinnamon Bread Pudding'. If you would like the recipe, she posted it on her blog. What a treat! Thanks again Brooke!

Dear Cottage Living...Tell Me It Isn't So

One of my favorite blogs to read is that of talented Interior Designer Erika (not sure her last name) whose darling blog you can find here. She also happens to be close friends with Anne Turner Carroll who is the Assistant Decorating Editor at Cottage Living (or should I say was....lucky for her she is incredibly talented and I am sure will find another amazing job)....Anywho, if you haven't picked up the November/December issue of CL, you best be heading to the bookstore for two reasons... First and foremost: Cottage Living is no more... I know, I know... it is just about the worse news in magazine-land. The Birmingham News reported that Time Inc. is "killing Cottage Living magazine." Must they use the word "kill"?? I think I might shed a tear... And for the other reason why you need this issue: There is a spread on Anne Turner Carroll herself, or rather her home; a delightful kitchen remodel and a little peek at her "Vintage Casual Christmas."

I absolutely love her Glass Paned French Doors that separate her laundry closet from her kitchen. I have been wanting to replace my pantry door with a similar look for a couple of months now and have been to George's (a.k.a. old door heaven) to look, but I haven't settled in on exactly what I want. Perhaps I will visit George again this Saturday...

Also, notice her adorable chairs in her family room. I would be willing to bet they are the LEE 3905-41 in Hunt Club Stone. Love this look too?? Come in to The Black Goose Design and purchase them for your home! Lucky for you, our Friends and Family sale is coming up Tuesday and Wednesday and custom upholstery is on SALE!

In case you are just silly and don't buy your own issue, I will scan and post the pictures from mine soon...

Here are the pics!