november book giveaway!

October 30, 2015

Yes, I have given away an adult coloring book in a previous giveaway. But, I can’t resist giving away Johanna Basford’s newest title, Lost Ocean for this month’s giveaway!

An ocean theme? Come on! I needed this to be the November giveaway selection! The Lost Ocean is sure to help ease some stress, as well as put a smile on your face, by providing some ocean themed coloring pages.

And, for this November giveaway, I am throwing in some colored pencils as well! Just leave a comment for a chance to win! Happy coloring! :)

Samantha is the winner of the September giveaway selection and winner of the book Desserts 4 Today by Abigail Johnson Dodge. Enjoy Samantha!

In this month leading up to Thanksgiving, the dessert focus is always on the pies. I’m not the biggest pie fan. So, for this month’s Instagram challenge, I say – let’s highlight desserts and show all the great alternatives to traditional pie! Use hashtag #pleasuregram for this month’s Instagram challenge to share photos of favorite desserts. Instayum!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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before & after with napoleonic blue

October 27, 2015

You know I love my neutrals! So you will understand why my last furniture redo took me out of my comfort zone. I painted it in Annie Sloan Napoleonic Blue! Yes, a deep blue! Why? When I saw the piece, I just thought it needed blue!

I didn’t leave it straight blue though. I added a wash to tone it down a bit and add some texture.

I thought it was a lovely piece. I did some minor repairs to it and cleaned it up a bit. Then, I started by painting it in two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Napoleonic Blue.

My next step was to add a wash of Country Grey. I chose Country Grey because I wanted a vintage look and I thought a white or beige would be too bright to give the look I was trying to achieve. I mixed water with the Country Grey in a disposable pan – probably a 60/40 mix; using 60% water. I brushed on the wash and quickly wiped it off with a piece of cheesecloth to get my desired texture.

After letting it sit a couple days, I added a coat of Annie Sloan clear wax. I let it cure for a few days and then did some light distressing before adding a second coat of clear wax.

I found some great knobs in Home Goods that coordinate perfectly with the piece and look the same as the knobs in a pricier store!

I think it is a wonderful transformation and a great result for my first time blue project!

Now I need to get rid of a couple pieces to make space for some new projects! I am excited to start my next project – a family heirloom for a friend that will serve as a lasting reminder of a special family member…can’t wait to start it!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S. If you would like to see instructions on how to make my velvet pumpkins like the ones pictured, click here for a tutorial!

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showhouse on the green

October 23, 2015

A show house is a super way to spark creative spirit. So today, for Friday field trip, I am sharing some of my favorite ‘sparks’ from the Designer Showhouse on the Green in Fairfield, Connecticut. Presented by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church as a benefit for Operation Hope, the show house includes 18 different spaces transformed by designers and decorative artists.

The great thing about this event is that every guest has a different take away – making it a wonderfully unique experience for each and every attendee.

My favorite space in the show house was the laundry room! I just loved every detail, including the light fixture…

The sink’s tile backsplash…

Right down to the towel choice…

And, themed art work on the wall…

I saw plenty of inspirational window coverings. This airy covering was really unique…

And the color, clean lines, and classic design of this covering especially appealed to me…

With breast cancer awareness month on my mind, I couldn’t help but notice this little vignette using the signature color…

I would love to curl up with a book in this corner space!

There were interesting tabletops to admire…

And, plenty of beautiful art work for sale. I love the use of light in this piece…

And, the playfulness in this piece offered for sale in the boutique pop-up designed by No. 299 of Fairfield.

The pop-up offered plenty of giftware for sale…a nice addition to the show house and a great way to get a jump on holiday shopping!

I hope (pun intended) you enjoyed a little glimpse of the show house. If you live in NY or CT, please consider attending this event to benefit Operation Hope because there is so much more to see! It continues through this weekend (October 25th). Check the website, by clicking here, for more information.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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take a breath

October 20, 2015

I recently joined some friends for some afternoon tea. Friends I don’t see often enough. As busy as I was, I stopped for a short while to take a breather. A change of scenery…a change in conversation…a change in perspective. How refreshing!

So, I guess today’s post is just a reminder to take a break once in a while. Have dinner with a couple special friends, spend time with your mom and her friends, or steal a little time to have afternoon tea.

Even if it is only an hour or two, and even if it means staying up till 2 am to make up for it! Because maybe when life is the busiest is the time to take a breath. Because, in the words of a very wise man (aka Ferris Bueller), “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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in the pink

October 16, 2015

For Friday field trip today, I am sharing a sweet little pink pumpkin arrangement. You know I love putting flowers or plants in pumpkins! Aren’t these cute for each place setting at a breast cancer charity event?

I used little baby boo pumpkins – you know, the little white ones? I started by painting each pink. I just used regular flat, latex house paint. After they were dry, I cut the tops off and cleaned the inside. I used a little soaked floral foam inside each pumpkin and stuck my pink zinnas in it.

Simple and adorable!

Try other colors based on the theme of your event or the decor in your home. Or, maybe make some in fall colors for your Thanksgiving table!

I hope I have inspired you to create a little pumpkin arrangement of your own!

Have a wonderful weekend! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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cake name bunting & candy corn bar

October 13, 2015

These days, writing a name in icing on the top of a birthday cake just seems so old fashioned! I don’t see many cakes with names piped on the top with icing these days. So, when I set out to make a birthday cake for some co-workers, I decided to make some buntings for the top and thought I would share the quick, easy way I did so.

My supplies were old book pages, alphabet rubber stamps, bakery twine, and some skewers.

I started out by folding some of the book pages. Then, I stamped each letter of the names I was creating onto the page, keeping the top of the letter close to the fold. I cut triangle shapes around each letter, keeping the fold intact. I arranged each triangle shape onto a piece of bakery twine and used a bead of glue to hold each one in place.

The final step was to tie each end of the twine to a skewer adding a dot of glue to secure in place. Lastly, I will add each of the skewers to the cake!

Wouldn’t the cake have looked so dated with the names piped on top compared to a cute name bunting?

Hope I inspired you to create a simple name bunting next time you bake a birthday cake! Play around with some materials and colors based on the tastes of your recipient. (My recipients were book lovers!) Or, you may want to add a little glitter for some sparkle! Have fun with it!

Where is the cake? Actually, still in the oven! And, why the candy corn bar? Well, can you really have a birthday celebration without candy?! ;)

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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pink for breast cancer awareness

October 9, 2015

A quick post for Friday field trip today…I have been busy painting and I thought you might like to see what 50 pink pumpkins look like!

Remember October is breast cancer awareness month! Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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50 shades of pink pumpkins

October 6, 2015

Usually, at this time of year, I am creating some pumpkins. It may be pumpkins made of velvet. It may be real pumpkins carved with sea-themed designs. Or, it may be my favorite white pumpkins enhanced with paint or decoupage.

Usually, though, at this time of year; I have given in to the idea of fall and have started creating some fun pumpkin crafts. This year, my time is particularly limited. Working three jobs and seven days a week leaves me little free time for fun projects.

So, in the interest of using my time effectively, I decided to use my pumpkin creativeness in a way that will serve as more than just fall décor. I am using my limited free time to paint pumpkins pink as a way to celebrate breast cancer awareness month. My goal is to paint 50 pumpkins in different shades of pink!

Armed with Antoinette, Old White, and Primer Red Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and some large drop cloths, I started my project – now just 6 pumpkins in! In this way, 50 homes will display a pumpkin that celebrates more than a decorative item. It serves as a way to remind our neighbors to practice good breast health. If one person sees a pink pumpkin and takes a moment to consider what it means, I think the painting was well worth my time!

So, instead of decorating pumpkins for fall décor this year, I am painting them to decorate a celebration of good breast health! Please consider displaying a pink pumpkin in front of your home this year to show that pumpkins can remind us of more than just Halloween!

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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gluten & dairy free pumpkin dessert

October 2, 2015

It is important to have a recipe or two in the repertoire that can accommodate dietary restrictions. Having a couple of recipes for gluten-free desserts that taste good is important to me. I came across a recipe over Labor Day weekend, while flipping through some magazines, that used bananas as a base for a frozen pumpkin dessert. I was intrigued. My favorite gluten-free dessert thus far is an amazing chocolate pudding made from an avocado base. (If you want to look back on it, click here.)

Having a frozen selection – particularly a seasonal one – seemed ideal! So, I gave it a try. I was not disappointed. I just wish I could remember from which magazine I discovered it! Part of the attraction was the few simple ingredients and easy instructions.

So, for today’s Friday field trip; a quick and easy gluten-free pumpkin ice cream recipe.

I made it a couple of times. The first time I mixed all the ingredients together, froze them, and then thawed the mixture slightly and whipped in the blender when ready to serve. The second time, I added all the ingredients to the blender, expect the bananas, and then tossed in some frozen bananas I had in the freezer. This worked also – although I think the ingredients mixed more thoroughly using the first method.

A nice surprise dessert for those who can’t have gluten or dairy…and, a healthy dessert for anyone!

Thanks for visiting! Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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pleasure in simple things

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november book giveaway!

before & after with napoleonic blue

showhouse on the green

take a breath

in the pink

cake name bunting & candy corn bar

pink for breast cancer awareness

50 shades of pink pumpkins

gluten & dairy free pumpkin dessert