The mister and I sat down to look at the fall schedule and with all the soccer games, entertaining, and holiday related events filling up our days, we concluded there are not many weekends available for any more big home improvement projects.   In January, I wrote about all of the home goals we had for our casa.  Today seemed a great day to take inventory on how I did and I’m proud to say I finished a lot of them.  Some will just have to wait until next year, but here’s a quick recap. 

Goal #1 – Replace the kitchen backsplash.  Done!  I was sooooo happy to swap out the yellow fruit plate last winter for a cleaner updated look.  Back in February I removed the old decorative tile and installed plain white tile in its place tile for a more cohesive feel. 

Goal #2: Create a homework and art center for the kiddos.  Yep, finished!  The blank wall in the kid’s play space got an upgrade with the addition of a homework and art station, including a desk, floating shelves, and frames for their artwork.

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A few weeks ago, my friend Janell sent me a set of five colorful pashmina wraps as a thank you for writing an article for her recent House of Fifty magazine.  I love the silky feeling of them and have several already in my closet in similar colors.  I thought I’d turn a few into a striped throw blanket to toss over a chair or over my lap when I catch up on my reading. 

With three pashmina scarves and some batting, I stitched up a simple sew striped throw blanket to add a pop of color to my home.  We’re still having warm days, but the nights are cooler, so I reinvented the pashmina scarves into a transitional throw blanket.  

It took just a few hours to stitch it together, here’s my step by step!

What you’ll need: 3-4 pashmina scarves/wraps; twin sized quilt batting, sewing machine and thread.

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Good morning all, I couldn’t let the weekend go by without a quick round of BOTB.  It felt wrong to post it yesterday, so Abi and I bring you our favorite links we found in this latest roundup, enjoy.

Demonstrating the transformative power of spray paint, Alice at Farewell Office proves you can even use it on your shoes.  She painted her old pair of pumps and look at them now!

This industrial workbench look so great indoors, bravo Jilly & Mia!

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My parents generation will never forget where they were the moment they heard that JFK was shot. This generation will never forget where we were on September 11, 2001. 

On September 9, 2001, we boarded a plane bound for Puerto Rico.  We originally had plans to spend September in New York City but switched our plans earlier that month and decided to visit New York City later in the fall instead. 

I distinctly remember going through security at the San Francisco International Airport and both of us noticed and commented that the security agents weren’t paying attention to the items under surveillance, they were more interested in their own conversation.  It was disturbing, but all we could do was shrug our shoulders and continue on our vacation.

Then came September 11th, 2001.

We’re west coasters, but that morning we were on east coast time having arrived in Puerto Rico two days before.  That morning, I went to the hotel’s workout facility, placed my headphones on my ears, and started my run on the treadmill.  I looked up to see the television in the corner of the room and saw what looked like an airplane that had hit a tall skyscraper.  I thought to myself Hollywood was trying to market another blockbuster movie with an airplane that hit a building and it was some sort of evil character involved.  I kept running on the treadmill.  It never crossed my mind that it could possibly be real. 

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Hello friends, I’m so looking forward to the weekend!  One of my best friends from college is finally coming to visit, we’ll be laughing it up tomorrow, can’t wait.  Did you catch my interview over at Amanda’s earlier this week?  Stop by to check it out and say hello.

This weekend’s giveaway is brought to you by another favorite blogger and long time sponsor, Jennifer of Style Your Life.  Jennifer is a stylist and personal shopper helping clients create new outfits and wardrobes through her business and blog. 

I love getting her daily posts, Jennifer always puts together the most stylish outfits and offers all sorts of options for mixing the pieces. She can pull together any outfit to suit your style, from dressy to casual, and always within your budget!

Every season, Jennifer writes a “Look Book” which is such a steal at $5 dollars, you can purchase it over at her blog.

This weekend Jennifer is offering one of you this lovely Style Package:

1.  One hour personal stylist consultation ($50 value)

2.  Virtual wardrobe with five outfits ($50 value)

3.  Fall Look Book

4.  $50 Gift Card to Stella & Dot

Of course, you know about Stella & Dot!  Only one of my favorite sources of jewelry, ever.  That gold link bracelet is screaming my name, it’s definitely on my birthday list!

Eligibility to win the Style Package:

1. Leave a comment telling the one thing you need in your wardrobe.

2. For a second chance to win, hop on over to Stella & Dot and pick a favorite piece, then name it in a comment. 

3.  For a third chance to win, either link to this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter, then leave a comment telling where you linked (FB or Twitter.)

One winner only, giveaway ends Monday September 12th at 8 p.m. PST. 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

WINNER: #605 Jaclyn, winner notified by email.

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