If you have been wondering why it has been a little quiet around the blog lately, I have had a head cold that turned into a sinus infection that has been making me dizzy and my head pound for the past week. It has drained my energy, but I am finally feeling better. While I was feeling awful, I tried to think on the bright side… at least I didn’t have the flu. :-)
While I was staying snuggled and warm with tissues and hot tea by my side I did go online to try to keep up on answering reader questions and emails. I also came upon a few interesting articles online that I found inspiring, clever, delish and one eye-opening that I think you will, too.
If you have been decorating your home for many years you may enjoy this…“Old Fashioned” Decor Ideas That Are Actually Super Chic
Dislike having to wait for your car windshield to defrost before being able to drive in the winter? This easy windshield defrosting hack will have you driving off in no time.
This looks like a fun and creative way to spend an afternoon with your girlfriends onValentine’s Day… or anytime of the year.
I want to make this healthy dessert.
More reasons to eat your greens.
If you use Google and Facebook, this NYTIMES article about big tech companies is eye opening.
My must have beauty item. It makes my skin look its best, especially when I spray it on after applying my makeup.
Did you know Amazon sells pretty furniture, decor and… well, just about everything? I like this headboard ($126.00) and have been thinking about buying it since it would be cheaper to buy it then to DIY it. I now have an Amazon Shop. I will add to it on an ongoing basis with all the great deals I find along with items I own and use myself.
And lastly…
I want to make these Candy Place Cards for Valentine’s Day. I clipped this photo from an issue of Martha Stewart Magazine many years ago. I think it is time I make them, even if it is just Ed and myself around the table on Valentine’s Day. I love the mix of the colors and the striped ribbon.
They are really simple to make: Cut out three-inch ovals from colorful card stock. Using a hole punch, make a hole at each end, and then neatly write your guests’ names on the ovals with black ink. Thread ribbon scraps, each about six inches long and one and one-half inches wide, through the backs of the place cards. Notch the ribbon ends, and set a card at each place setting. SWEET!
The weekend is almost here…
Happy to hear you are feeling better now1 I wanted to drop a quick comment to let you know how much I really enjoyed all your little snippets of interesting things! It was sort of a “buffet” of odds and ends and since I like your style and sensibilities so much I was quite interested in seeing what excites you. I have been folowing you long enough to know that you don’t just follow along with every “flash in the pan” and are quite select in what you bring into your home and your life in general. At 62 I feel the same way- – I’ve “been there/done that” and now I am discerning with what gets my attention. Truly, youth IS wasted on the young! I just ordered the rose water on your recommendation, because at 62 we need all the help we can get, right?
Hi Joanne – I am trying to mix it up on my blog a little since there are literally thousands of DIY and Decor blogs all doing the same thing, I wanted to start creating more personal posts that will share a wide range of my life. I love love love the Rosewater and I have found out, only The Heritage Store brand. I recently bought another brand thinking all Rosewater facial sprays were the same, they are not. The new brand left a shiny sticky residue on my face. I threw it out and ordered the one I have always used by The Heritage Store. It leaves no residue. I spray it on after applying my makeup, it gives my skin a nice finish and makes it look better….plus it smells wonderful. In the summer, I keep a bottle in my fridge and spray my face and neck when I am hot. A nice simple treat on a hot day. :-) I think you will love it. I have used it for over 10 years.
Hi Dear Diane! I haven’t written you since last Fall! Forgive me, I never miss a post. Lots of stuff going on. I’m so sorry you’ve been ill, please take excellent care of yourself! I’m excited to hear about your Amazon shop, hurray! I’ll never have to wonder about the quality of any item I find there, thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed the “Old Fashioned” Decorating Ideas… I read through it many times.. I’m having our daughter, son-in-law and 3 grandsons over Wednesday evening for a fun Valentine’s Day supper, your cute Candy Place cards will be the perfect touch!
Feel better, take it slow, keep drinking lots of fluids and pamper yourself to the ultimate.
My best, Judy
Hi Judy –
So nice to hear from you. I took it easy over the weekend and am feeling back to normal. I am even going to to my Zumba class tonight so I know I am feeling better. :-) Enjoy your family on Valentine’s Day. It sounds like you are going to have a sweet time. XO
Thank you for the Amazon shop–I can trust you to find good quality items for good prices, and save me from the hunt (the headboard!). Just an FYI- I rarely go to a “furniture store”, but stopped in at Macy’s today because we are looking to replace worn dining room chairs and they had some terrific rugs for unbelievable prices. Will you be showing us anything from any other sources?
Hi Teri – I will continue to share items from everywhere. The Amazon Shop concept for bloggers is new and I just wanted to put it out there. They don’t have everything. I am looking for a rug for my bedroom. I will have to check Macy’s. Thanks for telling me. I love stumbling on beautiful items at unbelievable prices, too. :-)
Sorry to hear you’ve been sick. I’m recovering from the flu so I “feel your pain” so to speak. I agree with Roxanne above that said you should decorate with what speaks to your heart. We are getting ready to remodel a very old house to be our final home and I struggle with how I want it to look and wonder how people seem to be able to “re-decorate” every 3 or 4 years when curtains and pillows alone will start to run into the 4 figures!! Not to mention new furniture etc. One of the reasons I love your blog Diane, you help us stay current without breaking the bank all the time and encourage us with DIY’s. Thanks, and hope you’re all better soon!!
Hi Mary – Thanks for the get-well wishes. I am feeling much better today…back to normal. Now I have lots of catch-up do to. Exciting that you are planning how to remodel that old house. My advice on how to remodel… Since it is going to be your final house, don’t rush it and try to only put things in it that you love and will make you and your family comfortable.
So glad you’re feeling better. I was sick between Thanksgiving and Christmas for 2 weeks. Not the flu, thank goodness, but bronchitis and a sinus infection. Knocked me right out. It took me quite a while to bounce back because as my mother used to tell me, “You’re not 25 anymore.” (I’m currently 75 and she admonished me in this way from my 40s on.) Lol
Last month I tried the water/rubbing alcohol trick and found that while it will dissipate frost and snow, it didn’t do anything for the freezing rain that turns to solid ice on my windshield. Maybe it will work on icy frost like in the photo, but not on Indiana freezing rain that then gets hit with single digit temps. It’s worth giving it a try, depending on what type of “ice” you have in your area.
Glad you didn’t have the flu! So far my husband and I have avoided it. Richland county here in Columbia has been hit hard. Hope you are feeling better. That jar of hot buttered rum sounds good, especially on a cold night! It probably helps you feel better too! :)
So sorry you have been sick. This flu outbreak is especially scary this year. I loved the article on old fashion decor that is chic…especially since I collect blue and white and love ornate gold mirrors! It’s a perfect example of why we should decorate with what speaks to our own heart instead of feeling miserable when we can’t/don’t follow every trend. Hope you will rapidly be on the mend.
Well I had the flu and it was awful. I am still fatigued. I enjoy your blogs. I think I will make the oval candy with stripe ribbon. But I will make into a little Valentines card for hubby. He loves truffles so your idea would fit right in.
Diane! Those sinus infections are the worst!!!! Happy you are feeling better!!
Thanks for all of these great ideas!
I am going to make the Chia desert too!
Happy Friday!
Diane, I really love these “miscellaneous” posts with the random ideas! So nice to be made aware of good finds that I otherwise would not discover. Thank you!!