Good evening!  What a great conversation going on with yesterday’s article, asking how you all feel about open shelving in kitchens.  I’ve read every comment, a few of them funny, many of them informative, and so many opinions on both sides, thanks so much for sharing and keep ‘em coming!  With such great feedback, I’ll be sure to write up another ‘Timeless or Trendy’ spotlight next week so we can all debate another topic some more.

I want to take a moment to introduce you to a few of my new sponsors.  Please welcome The Inglenook Decor, a source for unique and stylish home décor.  They have so many fantastic items for sale, from rugs to lighting to furniture to home accessories.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Bridgitte table; crown cake stand; burlap bucket lantern; Trina Turk zig zag rug; feed sack ottoman; Degas artist table. 

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Greetings all, happy long weekend to those of us in the States!  I love the Fourth of July, and I can’t wait to start up the BBQ and watch the local fireworks on Monday!  I’ve welcomed a new sponsor, Boutique Me, an online shop that specializes in monogrammed gifts, and they’re the ones sponsoring this weekend’s giveaway. 

I love monogrammed gifts, they add that extra personal touch that shows you really thought about the recipient! 

Boutique Me offers many monogrammed goods, from elegant soaps, aprons, and market totes, to umbrellas, clipboards, luggage tags, kids clothing, stationery and stamps, the list goes on and on and on. 

Visit their store to see what I mean, you’re sure to find a gift for everyone!  Personally, I have my eye on those soaps and market totes for the perfect holiday gifts.

They even offer custom embroidery as a bonus service for things you already own, whether it’s pillow shams, clothing whatever! 

Boutique Me is offering three winners a $50 gift card to shop at the online store, free shipping too! 

Eligibility to win one of three $50 gift cards to Boutique Me:

1) Visit Boutique Me and pick your favorite product!  Come back and name it in a comment.

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

Be sure to “Like” Boutique Me on Facebook too, and if you want to start shopping early, use the code CENTFREE to get free shipping through August on any purchase!

Giveaway ends Monday July 4th at 10 p.m PST.  Three winners chosen at random.

Good luck !

Another round of BOTB coming at ya later this weekend, meanwhile enjoy!

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It’s not Thanksgiving, it’s Cinco de Mayo, but today I am thankful for a few things, and I thought you should know.   

I am thankful for my five year old boy, because only he can explain to me the significance of the pink ninja hostage situation happening atop this Jenga skyscraper.

I am thankful for oranges because they look pretty on trees, and they are a key ingredient in one of my favorite cakes. You can find my recipe for orange cake in The Lettered Cottage E-zine, including the easy trick for making those fancy shmancy curls with orange peels.  

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With all of the craziness of the last two months, it goes without saying things are completely wacky around here!  We’re lost in transition somewhere between the start of spring and the chore of cleaning up Christmas. 

I solicited the little ones to help me over the weekend.  Their idea of cleaning up is helping open the “presents”.  I tried to warn them, truly I did. 

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