This is what I'm up against...

My new family room built-in's arrived last night for their 'first fitting'!  I'm super excited.  They look great, and are totally going to revolutionize the family room storage situation.

So, while I was absorbed in watching Jeff and my Dad carefully set the cabinets into place, THIS was going on behind my back...

Yep... Beckett drew all over the inside shelves of one of the cabinets with a black crayon.  He didn't stop there.  He also drew a big mural on the hardwood floor.  ***Insert frustrated sigh here*** 

At least the cabinet was only primed and not painted.  But seriously... how many times am I going to have to repeat that "WE ONLY DRAW ON PAPER" before my boys are grown up???

Joann{I'd Rather Be Shopping} Saves the Day!

OK... we all know that I'm a little obsessed with the '60's fashion on Mad Men.  I really wish I could dress like Joan.  Except I can't because I have the opposite of an hour-glass figure.

I think I was having a bit of a 'wish I was Joan' moment when I bought a sexy black pencil skirt to wear to an event on Friday (tomorrow).  I should have thought twice when the girls in the boutique could not find a top that looked right with it.  I quite possibly have the only body type that does not look good in a pencil skirt.  BUT ANYWAYS... I had to have it.  So I bought it.  Without anything to wear it with.

So as I was touring through the blogs on Monday, I impulsively emailed Joann... her blog I'd Rather Be Shopping is a mandatory read.  She knows her fashion, and she's fun!  I knew that Joann did reader requests, but I had NO IDEA how awesome she would be about this!  (She was even sweet about the crazy pics I sent to her of myself in the skirt... she complimented my legs and said nothing about my lack of a waistline!!!)  Yes... I'm a challenge.

Joann totally went above and beyond!  She pulled together not only one, but THREE fabulous looks for me!  Accessories included!  Go see them... she posted them today on I'd Rather Be Shopping!

THANK YOU JOANN!!!

Another One for the Inspiration File

For starters... I just found another new online magazine called Dabble.  It's Canadian (yay!)... edited by Kimberly Seldon.  It has equally great features on decor, travel, and food.  (There was an amazing section devoted to coffee.)

My favorite part was the feature on the amazing home of Culley Ingram in Nashville.  This is a family home that manages to looks comfortable and fabulous at the same time.  Lots of white, a little bit of black, some fabulous light fixtures, and some touches of gold.  Pretty close to perfection!

I'm DYING over the dining area pendant!!! 

Go see more in Dabble magazine!

New at Casa Carissa

I was super thrilled on Friday, when this package arrived in my mailbox...
Even the envelope is pretty...

It's the Eva Juliet print that I won over at Modern Jane!

I haven't planned the perfect permanent spot for it, but right now it's highlighted in my library shelves.

I've always loved butterflies, and I love the message (I ordered the print in French because it seemed more sophisticated!)  It translates to:
"It's never too late to be what you want to be."
"There is no time limit.  Start whenever you want."
Pretty fabulous, right?

You can visit the Eva Juliet Etsy Store here to see more gorgeous pieces.

So thank-you Jane!  You totally made my day!

If you don't read Modern Jane already, you must!  It's on my daily tour.  Jane is a fellow Canadian blogger with tons of style.  Here are some shots of Jane's home:

100 Things: Part Five

This is a list of 100 Things that make me happy... more details here.

21.  Mascara

via

22.  Red Wine

via

23.  Sunshine

24.  Fresh Sheets

via

25.  Babies

Fabulousness

Cynthia just dropped off this gigantic photo of my two boys!  It's about 5' x 3', and it's so awesome I can hardly stand it!!!  It's going in the family room once the reno work is complete!  Can't wait.

Can't Stop Staring At...

This amazing dining room:

via MFAMB

The table.
The chairs.
The amazing chandelier.
The colorful vases.