Happy Monday all, hope you had a fantastic weekend !  Last week, you saw the upgrades in the dining room, and one of those changes included this trestle bench that I found on Craigslist a few weeks ago. 

The bench was the perfect size to add seating to our dining space and very sturdy too since it is solid wood.  However, I wasn’t using any maple tones in the room, so I decided to give it a new look.  The bench received a two phase transformation to arrive at two different looks.

Here’s a reminder of the bench ‘Before’:

Here’s the first new look I gave this bench:  

And another different style achieved by adding a washable cotton slipcover:

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Greetings friends, another fantastic giveaway for you brought to you by my sponsor Emma from Scentsy !  Scentsy is a company that is all about decorative aromatic warmers designed to fill your home with long lasting incredible fragrances. 

Some of my best memories are triggered by a fleeting fragrance.  Isn’t it true that the greatest scents can transport you to a different place and time ?   I think a welcoming home should include those pleasant scents that always bring that sense of comfort. 

The fragrant wax from the Scentsy bars melts by the heat of a light bulb so there is never any concern about an open flame !  Check out my white warmer melting up a new favorite fragrance – perfectly pomegranate. 

In truth, I’m just so darn forgetful and constantly distracted, so the ability to leave this wickless and flameless wax on for hours completely appeals to me.  

These can sit for hours and hours, filling your home with delicious smell !  I now carry mine back and forth from my office to my bedroom, I like it that much.  No wicks or flames !

Emma Rae is my rep (and yours too) for making your purchase of any of these Scentsy Warmers.  There are dozens and dozens of styles and scents to choose from!

Here’s a few examples of my other favorites in the full size:  the Riviera, the Classic in cream, and the Torino.

They even have an entire set of DIY theme packs like these black flourish rub on transfers for you to create your own design. 

Did you know Scentsy even has a man collection?   Why yes, it’s true.  Perhaps ‘Rustic Lodge’ or ‘Hemingway’ may appeal to your guy. 

This giveaway includes winners’ choice of one of these mid size warmers plus three bars in your choice of scents.  Yum.  Double Yum.  Triple Yum !

Eligibility to Win One of Two Scentsy Mid-Size Warmers

1)  Visit Scentsy and tell us in a comment which one of these scents you’d choose if you won !  Is it Sunkissed Citrus ?  Sugar Cookie ?  Mediterranean Spa ?   Which scents appeal to you ? 

2)  For a second chance to win, post this giveaway on your Facebook profile, then come back and leave the link in a comment on this site.

3) For a third chance to win, tweet this giveaway on Twitter, and come back and leave your Twitter profile and “I tweeted” in a comment on this site. 

That’s all folks !  Giveaway ends Tuesday March 23rd at 8 p.m. PST.  Two winners will be chosen by Random.org. 

Good luck ! 

****************  THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED  ********************

Every now and then I get misty.  Misty for the Aloha state.  Actually, it’s every time I pass the mai tai mix at the supermarket. 

Years ago when I was A) collecting a real paycheck and B) had no infant car seats and C) hub’s real estate practice was totally booming, we would vacation in Hawaii once a year.  There are Ten Big Reasons Why I Miss Hawaii and am secretly plotting to use my miles to somehow return very soon.

#10  You can wear really loud bright colored shirts and no one, and I mean no one, will dare say ‘Boo’ to you.  In fact, loud floral themed aloha wear is encouraged.  No, let me rephrase.  It’s required. 

#9 The flora is breathtaking.  And smelly – in a good way.  Have you ever known the heavenly scent of a plumeria lei ?   

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My dining space has always been tricky to decorate because it stands in the middle of a major freeway between the garage, family room, and kitchen.  We don’t have a formal dining room – there is simply no need for our laid back family of five to have anything other than a casual dining space for evening meals.  We nibble in the kitchen most of the time, don’t you?

However, I do like the idea of our dining space being dolled up for holidays or special guests.  After all, it has a beautiful set of French doors and a view that leads to the rear yard.  So a few weeks ago I decided to upgrade by adding some new window panels and a bench for additional seating.  I’m returning to the peaceful calm of white because I find it so fresh and uplifting.  Also, cream and white are such a nice contrast to rich dark wood, so I kept a purposeful neutral palette in our dining space.  I added some taller silk curtains and a transformed Craigslist bench. 

To some it’s plain, to me it’s perfect.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone !  In honor, I’ve rounded up a huge collection of my favorite images, and also some fun accessories, all in shades of the color green . . . . .  just because collages and inspiration boards are so much fun !

As you can see, I love all hues of this verdant color.  It represents growth, nature, spring, pistachios, mint, margaritas and guacamole.  You know, the good stuff in life. 

Enjoy !

image; candleholders; lamp; vase; sandals; image: via this is glamorous

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