Meet Kasey

The newest addition to our home has four legs and it isn't a dining room table... it's the sweetest little black lab puppy you've ever seen. Her name is Kasey:

We have been trying to adopt a puppy for a few weeks now through a rescue foundation in our area. A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation (AFH) is a non-profit dedicated to finding loving homes for otherwise homeless dogs and cats. Basically when shelters receive abandoned animals they contact foundations like AFH and ask them to pick up the pets. AFH then finds foster parents to care for the dogs and cats until someone adopts them. We had to go through an application process that included a home inspection and interviews. Luckily we passed both!

Kasey and her brother were living with a foster family nearby and they invited us over to meet everyone. The puppies were abandoned in West Virginia this December and rescued from the bitter cold. Out of the entire litter (not sure how many) only these two survived. AFH nick-named them "Teeny" and "Tiny" because they were so small. Kasey was about half as big as her brother when we met her and even though she's grown in a week... she is still pretty small for her age. She is a lab mix, but our guess is as good as any on what the mix includes. We've been told that since some people in West Virginia breed hounds for hunting, there is a good chance she has some hound in her but we can't be sure.

I love the white spots on her paws and chin, and the white "T" on her chest. I joked with Jared that she matches our house and my love for all things black & white! At some point before she was rescued her tail was injured and left her with a knubby-hook (so cute). Like all big purchases, she requires a slew of accessories. These white ceramic bowls were a match made in dog heaven. (Matching some of my kitchen accessories from Williams-Sonoma):

Kasey is a curious little lady and is making herself at home. She seems to enjoy watching TV, chew toys, and loves to cuddle any chance she gets. Jared and I are already head over heels for this little ball of fur!

Shh..."Secret" Sale...

Any J. Crew fans out there? I just received an e-mail from my favorite [clothing] retailer about a "private" sale now through Friday.

To get 20% off your order of $175 or more, enter the code "SECRET" at checkout.

Now if I were to participate in this sale, this is what I would want to bring home:

Posie Patent Peep Toe:


Carmen Satin Peep Toe:


Cotton Sateen Gateau Skirt:


Cotton Cashmere Ruffle Cardigan:


Stone Bead Ribbon Necklace:


What would you pick? Do tell!

ISO: Upholstered platform bed

(Sigh), I found the perfect bed for my "boudoir" makeover last weekend:

Thomas Pheasant Collection Paris Bed at Baker

Tufted headboard? Check
Upholstered platform? Check
Nailhead trim? Check!

The only problem is this bed is way above my price range (when I say "way," I mean about 5x more than I can spend).

When I checked in with a sales associate at Baker he was quick to mention that this bed has generated a lot of press and positive feedback since it debuted at High Point last year. And we all know what happens when something new gets so much praise...a less expensive lookalike is likely on the way. Until that point, my current bed will have to do.

Of course, if anyone sees an upholstered platform bed, with a tufted headboard and nailhead trim, please send a link my way! I implore you! :-)

Artichoke Talk, continued...

Artichokes seem to be one of our favorite topics of conversation, lately! After Erica found her little guy for the amazing under $30 price tag, I decided to do a quick Google search to see what else is out there.

Here are a few of my finds. While two of them are over my artichoke budget, I'll be sure to keep an eye out for a sale price (or better sale price) soon.

From Bellacor, La Vie en Blanc Set of Two (on pedestals!):


From Bassett Furniture, another set of two on pedestals:Finally, from Fur Tub, a home decor boutique in Towson, Md., a short porcelain artichoke sculpture:


Has anyone else spotted an artichoke accent they'd like to share?

P.S. Erica, I think a trip to Fur Tub is in order this spring...

Welcome TYH readers!

Thanks for clicking over to girl meets home from one of our favorite blogs -- This Young House -- to check out Erica's fabulous Medicine Cabinet Makeover!

She's also posted a step-by-step guide, in case you'd like to make over your medicine cabinet, as well.

Enjoy your stay and we hope you visit again soon!

This Just In...Ballard Designs

At long last I found a Spring 2009 Ballard Designs catalog in my mailbox last weekend and immediately browsed through to check out the new offerings. Ballard hit it out of the park this time; I found several things that I'd like to bring home.



Queen Bee pillow: What else is there to say? It's just a great little accent pillow.



Hampton Braided Jute Rug: I've been waiting for Ballard to come out with a natural jute braided rug. Natural fiber rugs are a favorite in our homes because they are inexpensive and so versatile. (check out some new additions to our dining spaces)


Celia Outdoor Rug: Absolutely love it in Black or Natural.


Dog Bed Cover with Insert: I like it in Sand, and especially like that the cover is machine washable -- a must for any dog owner.


Capiz Mirror: Check out the measurements -- it's 36" x 42"! What a great size.


Elise Linen Panel: Could be to die for in Ebony. I would use smaller scale hardware than shown here, and let the contrast of the panel shine through.

Set of four Channel Stitched Placemats: Cream's my favorite, can be used in most color schemes.

These were my top picks -- did anything else jump out at you guys?

Before & After: Bathroom Improvements

In case you haven't noticed, we've been spending a ton of time in the bathroom recently. (Don't we all?) Jared and I have wanted to replace the hideous lights and mirrors in our master bathroom since before we bought our house... and we finally took the time to make it happen.

Here's our before:
Note the poodle lights that make you feel less like a movie star and more like you're in a sauna with the amount of heat they produce.
Here it is from another angle... just as unattractive if you ask me.

And now for the after:
We purchased two $35 mirrors from Home Goods and two double sconce vanity lights from Restoration Hardware (on sale for $60 each). We also spruced up the medicine cabinet a few weeks ago by framing in the existing space and installing recycled shelves.
I asked Jared if he could install new lights when I found these on sale and he said he could figure it out. In the back of my mind I thought we'd have to hire an electrician but my handy man husband did figure it out and the light switch actually turns on both lights. (I was amazing and way impressed with his newly found electrical skills!)
I love how the separate mirrors and lights define the "his and hers" space in our bathroom. And getting ready under these cool lights is literally no sweat since we ditched the poodle lights! What's next???