Super Cute Ideas - For a Functional Locker! Back To School

Boy, has "Back to School" changed. My locker was so boring! To decorate, we just put up a Shaun Cassidy pic torn from a Teen Beat magazine. If we were lucky, we might have a pic of our boyfriend. More likely, it was a shot of our BFF girlfriends. *Shout out to Jill, Sue, Suzanne, and Jo.*

All that has changed. I mean, isn't that vanity mirror adorable?

There's even self-adhesive (and removable) wallpaper!

I'm seriously thinking about getting this organizer for myself! Steel file cabinets will never LOOK SO GOOD!

Maybe I'll get the pencil cup, too.
(Wait, this is supposed to be for teens.
Aw, watevr! I'm so getting it.)

Okay, this would be so handy...and adorable.
I used a small flowery makeup bag in college as a purse - big enough to hold my ID, driver's license, what few dollars I might have had that week - and the all important lipstick. Who am I kidding...it was strawberry Lip Smackers!

Oh, I almost forgot, all of these are new from Slice available exclusively at the Container Store. (And, no, this is not a paid endorsement - I just love The Container Store, is all.)

If you were in school, what would you locker look like?

What DID your locker look like?

Tell us in the comments below!

Springtime! Bringing the Outdoors - In!

This post brought to you by Pier 1. All opinions are 100% mine.



Are you excited about Spring?  I am!
I've been paging through the latest Pier 1 catalog - and dreaming. 

You see that settee above?
Well, I can see that in my back yard.  Lemonade on the table.  Maybe some snacks.

Honestly, I like that settee enough to have it in my living room.  Seriously.  Before I was married my living room was decorated in the English Cottage style.  Potted plants, flowered china - and that settee would have been perfect!



Everything old is new again!
I guess it's true - because my mom had one of those "Swingasan chairs" in her living room!
No kidding!  She would sit in it - looking out the window - and write poetry.
So, no matter what the Chicago weather had in store that day, she could feel like a kid in her own swing.

  
 
Mom had that papasan char, too, of course.  But, hers wasn't that cool rainbow color.  I remember how fun it was to crawl up in the papasan chair.
It was filled with pillows and so easy to just snuggle up and fall asleep.  That's a pretty fun memory :)
Now, I really like these lanterns!

  

Oh, my! Those would look perfect sitting on our porch. 
Or, next to our bench out front.  Wow!  The coolest thing?  While we could use these for our Spring and Summer time parties, they would be PERFECT in the Fall and Winter times, INDOORS!  We have have a rustic decor thing going on and I think these would fit great!

Okay, enough about me! What about you? 
Dream a little dream with me...
What do you see at Pier 1 that would fit your outdoor living OR INDOOR!
What would your dream backyard look like?  (Or, is it your front yard, side yard?)  Tell us!

And, don't miss the Pier 1 Tweetups coming soon!
Atlanta: April 5th
NYC: April 20th
Head's Up!Our contest ends tonight!

Featured Artist Friday: BOGO Sale and Giveaway - From Mistflower Photo!

Welcome to anther wonderful week of Featured Artist Friday!
Today our artist is, Valerie Fuqua of Mistflower Photo!
We have a BOGO - Buy one/Get one Deal - exclusively for our readers!
Plus, a GIVEAWAY!

Some choices are easy to make.
If my family asks me to pick a restaurant for my birthday - easy.
Greek Islands.

But, then ask me what I'd like to order...and I stare at the menu.
I can't choose.
Each dish is different - and each...is my favorite!

THAT'S my dilemma in selecting photographs to show you from a shop I love - Mistflower Photo!

We met this artist previously back when we interviewed her a few years ago.
I've grown to love her work even more.

Isn't that gorgeous? I'm so ready for Spring!

Seems like only last week there was snow on the ground.
Wait - there was!

She has an artist's eye seeing beauty in so many things.

I love carnivals, how 'bout you?

It makes my want to lay down on a bench and look up at the sky.

So much texture. Such a keen eye.

Talk about a sense of humor!

Now, these last few have special meaning for me...
Last fall, I was married in a state park under a canopy of golden trees.

And, my wedding bouquet was blue hydrangeas.
(This isn't my bouquet, though.)

My house is filled with purchases from Valerie's store and I treasure each one. Yet, Valerie is even more beautiful than her art. She's passionate about helping the homeless - both 2 legged and 4 legged. And, she's an inspiration to those who know her.

WIN YOUR CHOICE of one 8x10 or one 8x8.

To Enter:
Simply leave us a comment below telling us which is your favorite photo.
I've given you just a glimpse...
but you'll want to see all that's available in her full store.
*********

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Contest runs through Friday, March 25th,2011 at 8 p.m. (Central)
We'll have a new giveaway NEXT Friday!

For up to 5 additional entries:

1. Twitter "BOGO fine art photography sale! http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/03/featured-artist-friday-bogo-sale-and.html
2. Twitter "Fine Art Photography Giveaway!" http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/03/featured-artist-friday-bogo-sale-and.html
3. "Like" our Cooking At CafeD Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooking-at-Caf%C3%A9-D/313769131121
4. Facebook post "BOGO fine art photography sale! http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/03/featured-artist-friday-bogo-sale-and.html
5. Facebook post "Fine Art Photography Giveaway!" http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/03/featured-artist-friday-bogo-sale-and.html

Leave a separate comment for each entry. Please be sure to either leave your e-mail address or be sure your e-mail is easily found if I click on your comment.

We're all winners! Yep, Valerie is offering a BOGO Sale right now - exclusively for our readers.

Here's how to take advantage of this special offer.
Head to Mistflower Photo and purchase your first photo. Then in the "Notes to Seller" section, tell Valerie your choice for a free photo of equal or lesser size.

Want to win our giveaway? So, what's your favorite?
Tell us below.
And, you could win your choice!

Chia Granny and Take a Spring Fling!

First, if you missed Darcy's story in Featured Artist Friday,
go ahead and take a look.
With an interview and a 40% off coupon code - it's worth checking out.
******************************************

Are you getting in the mood for a Spring Fling?
Getting antsy to spend some time outdoors?
I know I am - but it's still 32 in Chicagoland. Brr!

Since a girl can dream, I'd be sitting in these chairs - rocking chairs! They would be great to relax in and sit great for putting around a table for outdoor dining. Speaking of dining...

I really like these sunflower plates.
Lots of color! They make me smile. Or, how about these?

These watermelon plates actually have a sister big bowl. I can imagine fruit salad in it - but a cold pasta salad as well. I'm such a rule breaker! Now for a little pretty...

Nope, that won't work. I think the idea is for the plants to look like a fabulous Easter bonnet.
Mine would make her look like Chia Granny!Continuing the search...

Ah, much better.
This terra cotta bunny planter can be go next to the rocking chairs or function as a centerpiece - score!
Now for some romance...

Perfect. Can't beat candlelight for romance.
A set of magnolia tea light holders from my pal Rita Squier's shop.

Well, I think my daydreaming is over for now.
I hear it's supposed to be 60 degrees in a few days.
Oh, how I'm looking forward to that!

Do you have a beautiful outdoor space? Tell us!

If not, daydream a little and comment below.

What would your space look like, feel like?

What does the food taste like?

Does Yours Look like Mine?

Ah, springtime!
I really can't wait for you.
And, I love this office organizing system from Container Store. It's called Blossom Stockholm.  Cute, huh?

Now, honestly, if my desk looked as organized as this gals - I would LOVE it! (Mine doesn't.  There are papers, ink cartridges, cables and cords all over the place.)  But, apparently she would like a little more color and organization in her life.

Ooh, I like it.  A sweet tan linen look to this one.

And, my fav Blossom Stockholm on a larger (gorgeous) scale!

Geometric, anyone?  Funky and cool. That's what this gal likes.

So, I guess that's her choice. She seems pretty content :)

I think I need to get to work on my own space!

So, how's your office doing?
What does your DREAM office look like?
How does it feel? Is storage easy? Filing a snap?
What can you do now to move you one step closer?
Tell us in comments below!

Heartfelt - 16 Lovely Ideas for Valentine's Day

I really needed this today. A friend posted this lovely assortment of 16 hand-picked lovelies - and she included my newly listed Rose Jardin plates. (I'm under the weather. This made me smile.)

Thank you to Valerie over at mistflowerphoto (who is apparently offering a BOGO sale of her gorgeous photography).

Click on any of the pictures below if you see a gift waiting to be loved by you.

What is the prettiest pink / rose/ coral (you get the idea...) you've ever seen?

Tell us below.

Another Etsy Score! - "New" Vintage Glasses!

Lookie what I found on Etsy.com?   Glasses that match our Christmas plates!
(Actually they are our "winter plates.")

Nice, huh? I scored these beauties from Mary Beth Hale's Store which was a bit of a miracle. You see, I've been checking out this pattern for over a year on Ebay. Sure, there are lots of plates. But, I've only seen ONE set of these drinking glasses. There just aren't a lot of them out there. They are over 50 years old - so most of them have been broken, chipped, or the gold overlay has been scrubbed off. (These are definitely "hand washables.")

Is there something you've been seeking to complete a set? If you can't find the item, or more accurately, if you can't find the right price for the item you seek, try Etsy. You don't have to bother with the bidding process - and most of the sellers are FABULOUS! I give 2 Thumbs up for Mary Beth Hale's shop!

What are you looking for?

What did you find after a long search - and where did you find it?

Linking up to: