TGIF and a phone dump!!!!  thanksgiving ended up being at my house this year and it was the best time ever....and it gave me an excuse to make the craft paper runners!!  everyone chipped in and painted...so fun and sooo easy.

after thanksgiving me and the fam, heading to charleston for a night of fun and to check on the progress of the new construction i'm working on....

 hey dad :)

nothing beats c'town shopping....these had me drooling....i would have loved to have come home w/ the ram head coffee table but she was out of my budget :(

 sunday, tay and i had a mother/ daughter outing and we went looking for what she wanted santa to bring her....she took pictures of all the items (an easy bake oven is her #1).

 this is my breakfast date every AM.....he melts my heart.

this armoire has been staring me down....i love her.  the yellow doesn't work in my house (kelly green or turquoise would though)....i keep trying to make an excuse of why i need her.

after yesterday's post, i'm determined to find my inner fun again :)  it includes lots of laughing and gangham style dance parties.....

hope y'all have a fabulous weekend!!!!  i've got a date w/ 2 girlfriends to see this.....and don't think for a second i'm not super excited!!!

My Living Room is on the Freaing COVER and #projectdining

I was minding my own business on Twitter yesterday when my friend Vanessa up and posted a sneak peek of the January issue of Style at Home...and then I proceeded to drop dead...

I mean I seriously almost had a heart attack.

That's my living room on the cover!!!!!

Holy shit.

I knew something was going to be on the there but for some reason, I just assumed it would be the kitchen.

To think that something I designed completely on my own was cover worthy...well, it just all makes me so incredibly grateful/humbled/ecstatic....so so honoured and amazingly happy.

A HUGE thank you to the amazing team at Style at Home who put my feature together...truly, this all means the world to me.

The issue is due to hit shelves on the 10th of December and comes complete with a pretty generous spread of my living room, foyer and yes...#pkg...there's also a little DIY feature on my poodle chairs and a hardware story of some kind.

So...if you are in the US and want to see it, click here to subscribe- I think it's about 25 bones for the year and definitely so so worth it...the magazine is absolutely my favourite shelter mag...not that I'm biased or anything;)

In other news...

Work continues on #projectdining.

I sent off the first official design board to my client yesterday...

...which included a modern/clean sort of look in shades of grey, white and black...with a little lilac thrown if as an accent.

Take note of the grey and brass chair on the top left...we scored a set of 4 of them on Etsy...

...for an incredible price...je suis in love.

Along with the chairs, we're thinking of a settee, modern lighting combo of some sort and I reeeeallly want the corner of the space to house that amazing Oly Studio bust, which is PS available for purchase over at Shop 219 and is PSS, at the VERY top of my Christmas 2012 with list...I mean I need that sucker in my house... bad.

I'd also love to see all three window walls completely covered in sheers...and a bar cart of course...every space needs one of those.

After sending the board off and apres a few email exchanges, we sorted out that the space wasn't big enough for an oval table, even though it was our first choice so instead, we're considering re-finishing an antique one my client already owns...I'm envisioning a raw wood finish like the one in the board below...we're also considering some other lighting plans...I'd love an antique chandy over the table and modern pendants in the kitchen.

Something like this...

...or this...

We shall see.

After putting this one together, I sort of want it all for myself.

For all you seasoned designer peeps, does that always happen?

Is being jealous of other people's plans a constant job hazard?

Hum...

Thinking this gig could be dangerous for my pocket book;)

And with that, I'll say ta for now.

Don't forget to enter my Charles Emerson giveaway if you haven't already...I know you want in on some of this action...

Draw happens tomorrow.

xo

Gatecrash UltraPro LineUp

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

We know we already fed you a post earlier today (MTG Realm Tumblr Thursday), but we did not want to wait until tomorrow to share this particular Magic: the Gathering news with you - another Gatecrash spoiler.  This time, the Ultra•Pro product lineup to contain and protect your new Gatecrash cards due out in February, 2013.

Thanks to a toy distributor in Australia who may have jumped the gun just a titch early, we have images of all of the ULTRA PRO - Magic: The Gathering Gatecrash products.  No surprises really.  As we expected, the art featured will correspond similarly to what was chosen for Return to Ravnica.  We have the dual land arts featured on the Play mats for the remaining five guilds (Orzhov, Dimir, Gruul, Boros, and Simic) along with the respective Guild Mages featured on the deck boxes and sleeves.  The binder appears to feature Gideon & Aurelia.  If you want to check out larger arts here, look to our previous posts 'Ravnica Art Fight' or 'Ravnica Art Dump'.  Anywhoos - Let's have a looky-loo . . .

Sleeve Protectors - one for each GTC Guild : 80 ct 

Side Load Deck Box - one for each GTC Guild : holds 80 sleeved cards

Gatecrash Play Mats - one for each GTC Guild

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**warning** this is a mom post:
i just sat down with my cold coffee (i've reheated it several times already this AM) to take a minute and peek at pinterest...it's my guilty pleasure.  once the hustle and bustle of the AM routine is done and everyone is out the door, i like to take 20 minutes and cruise pinterest w/ my coffee cup in hand.  i didn't get far this morning.  i saw one pic, that wasn't a beautifully styled LR, DR, or kitchen, it just said "how to be a fun mom" and i clicked.  literally, my eyes started tearing up after reading the first two sentences...it felt like it was coming straight from my household.  the article is about letting your guard down and taking time to be a "fun" parent.  my husband is 150% the fun parent. it's no secret in this household.  when he comes home from work, he immediately runs and starts chasing the kids around the room (last night they all had neckties around their head b/c they were playing ninjia or something like that...i was in the kitchen cooking).  i wish i was a fun parent.  i'm by no means trying to whine, but it's hard when you are a mother that works from home...i feel like i am running a race the second my alarm clock goes off....it's all about "getting it done".  i really struggle w/ separating roles...i juggle work and emails in the spare moments of my day between dropping kids off, cleaning the house, laundry, going to the grocery store, nap time, car pool lines, dance, art, etc.  at times, i have found myself jealous that warren gets to be "fun," which is silly of me b/c i could easily do it....reading this post made me aware that it's ok to be silly, to let your guard down, and to take time to make yourself "fun" again.  i needed to read this this AM, it's nice to know that other moms out there struggle in the same ways.  thanks for pinning it dawn :)  xo- Shannon

*images from northern lights, the glow

Tumblr Thursday

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

Tonight being Thursday, our local gaming store (OMG! Games), here in Barrie, Ontario is running their regular EDH / commander evening.  We might actually have a slim chance to get out, but only if all the stars align and we get some unfinished work done.  Today over on the mothersite, there was some very decent articles.  Mike Flores addresses some of the top builds in today's Standard constructed while Jacob Van Lumen covered off some of the more prominent decks for Modern format.  If you have some lists you are still working on and need to get a few outstanding card, drop by and see our friends at CCG House who are running some decent Holiday specials. 

Anywhoos, onto today's MTG Realm post - it's Tumblr Time!  This is where we pull our posts from our sister site, MTG Realm on Tumblr and give you a fast forward to some the select content we've posted there for the last week.  Let's go . . .
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Photo

November 28, 2012

64 notes

curiosityoverapathy:

My cat Ernie, whose favorite game is Fetch the Magic card.
He likes them more than fetching catnip mice, and I don’t know how to feel about that.

> This is awesome.  There is a witty line to be had here like ‘Cat Fetch-land’ or something but unfortunately, I am desperately un-caffeinated at the moment.

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Photo

November 28, 2012

169 notes

This is made me LOL most heartedly.
(Source: mtgworld)

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Photoset

November 28, 2012

91 notes

 

Magic: the Gathering
Break ‘n’ Enter & Theft at the Crazy Squirrel Game Store in Fresno, CA.  Windows smashed on Monday (26th) and MTG cards stolen.  Windows smashed AGAIN last night (Wednesday 28th) but the thieves were scarred off by the alarm.  If you know these arse-clowns may be, contact Jennifer at the store.
I’ll post any updates to the story on my website or here on Tumblr.
:(

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Photoset

November 28, 2012

10 notes 

Magic: the Gathering

We’re looking to build our very first Modern format 60-card pile.  One of the least expensive decks we’ve looked at is Modern Soul Sisters which provides quite a few things we like - white weenies, life gain, and a can of whoopass.  Here’s the deck list we are beginning with.

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Photo

November 27, 2012

16 notes

Magic: the Gathering Art
Ermahgerd !! - John Avon Art !

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Photo

November 27, 2012

25 notes

Magic: the Gathering CosPlay
Ima gonna need new specs cuz I’m seeing double.
Great Liliana costume !

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Photoset

November 26, 2012

34 notes

 

Magic: the Gathering
We are expecting Merfolk in the next set, Gatecrash, like the Simic Guild Master ‘Prime Speaker Zegana’.  Perhaps I won’t trade away M13’s Merfolk Lord, Master of Pearl Trident just yet.

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Photo

November 24, 2012

53 notes

Magic: the Gathering arts
Beautiful work by jiekai who made an Origami five intersecting tetrahedra.
sooo $lick !

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Photo

November 24, 2012

91 notes

ladyatavan:

Vending machine with dark explorers packs at Bell Book and Comic in Dayton, OH

Very cool - I know MTG packs have been in vending machines in Europe for a while, just glad to start seeing them now in the Colonies.  If this were in my place of work, I would be (A) Broke, and (B) get no work done.

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Baby, Baby, Baby Nursery - Alex of Things that Sparkle

It's Thursday, which means...

...time.

Today, I'm so so happy to present the amazing work of my dear dear friend
  Alex of...

Now I know you are all very familiar with this lady's incredible style...her design genius constantly inspires me and well, I feel very lucky to count her as a friend.

And as you'll soon see, the little nursery abode she put together is total baby bliss...

.......

I am so excited to be here today to share my ideas for little baby Bijou's nursery.

 We all know how much Christine loves animal in her interiors, so I took inspiration from that and used this beautiful Mulberry Flying Ducks wallpaper as my starting point.

Sort of "hunter chic" right?

Crib

Fly Ducks wallpaper by Mulberry (email me if you're interested in purchasing)

Rug

Owl Print

Rocking Chair

Chandelier

Standing Lamp

Bedding

.......

I told you.

My jaw dropped when I first laid eyes on that flying birds wallpaper...total perfection.

And how much do I love the idea of 'hunter chic'?

Soooooo good.

I'm starting to wonder how I'm ever going to narrow all of this nursery pretty down and actually decide on a direction for #projectbaby...ack...you all are just giving me WAY too much goodness to think about!

PS, I LOVE you for it:)

PSS, if any of you have missed the magic baby boards that have been completed so far, click that little button on my right sideboard to view them all...I felt badly last week that Aubrey's nursery loveliness was posted on Thanksgiving...pretty sure many of you missed that one so do have a peek.

And a final PSSS...my Charles Emerson Design jewelry giveaway is still up and running so if you haven't entered to win a stunning necklace/earring combo, clickski HERE...I'll be drawing for the lucky winner on Saturday.

xo

Reporting on the Brass Faucet

So far, my only complaint about the Kingston Brass faucet I bought (and talked about here, though I ended up getting this one actually) is that it took a while to get here. Like, maybe two whole months?

When it did finally arrive though (I guess it was temporarily back-ordered), I was happily surprised with how heavy the thing was! And the polished brass was not so 'bad 80s brass' as I thought it might be. I was wondering if I would need to strip the lacquer off or sort of buff off some of the shine, but I think it looks pretty good as is. And I actually like it with my boring stainless steel sink. The mix of metals there sort of mimics the mix on the range.

As far as functionality goes, it ran a little slow for about a week after we installed it. The pressure was weak and it drove me completely nuts. I was worried the low pressure was because of the high bridge. But it ended up being a mistake on my part (I put the filter in the wrong way) and now that it's fixed, this faucet easily has more water pressure than the shower in our last apartment! I could probably put out a fire in our backyard with the sprayer. :)

So, I'm curious. Since this redo was done on the cheap, I've been sort of dreaming of what I would have done if we owned the house and budget was no issue (the answer begins with reconfiguring the whole lay out of the parlor floor...). If you've redone your kitchen, where did you splurge and where did you save? What kitchen element is most important to you? Appliances? Countertops? Cabinets?

Modern Soul Sisters

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

There are a lot of formats to our fav game Magic: the Gathering and were are certainly excited to have heard that Modern would be a sanctioned format for Friday Night Magic come January.  Modern has a very deep card pool and this game is certainly not stale with only a few prominent decks claiming top finishes.  We here at MTG Realm want to jump into this format but almost overwhelmed at all the choices to be had.  As a result RetroTech went with an Elf-ball (she loves her Elves) build and yours truly CopySix decided on a Soul Sisters build as we had most of the cards already.  Our latest order arrived fast from MTG Mint Card and we put our strategies to some real game playing tests.

We are still working on a final list for the Modern Soul Sisters but here is where we stand at the moment . . .
20 Plains (boring)
4x Soul Warden
4x Soul's Attendant
3x Serra Ascendant
3x Martyr of Sands
2x Path to Exile
4x Brave the Elements
3x Honor of the Pure
4x Squadron Hawk
4x Ajani's Pridemate
4x Spectral Procession
3x Ranger of Eos
2x Felidar Sovereign

The sideboard (a starting point):
2x Rhox Faithmender
2x Ajani Goldmane
1x Ghostly Prison
2x Mirran Crusader
1x Serra Ascendant
1x Ranger of Eos
2x Grand Abolisher
2x Stony Silence
2x Mark of Asylum
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Some cards we are still considering for inclusion to mainboard or sideboard -

Suture Priest
Aven Mindcensor
Proclamation of Rebirth
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant
Chalice of Life / Death
Elixir of Immortality
Figure of Destiny
Journey to Nowhere
Leyline of Sanctity
Rhox Faithmender
Student of Warfare
Emeria, the Sky Ruin
Mistveil Plains
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Some initial playtest results -
This build delivers huge fun and was very competitive against the Elf build. In each game, Serra Ascendant typically got that upgrade and Ajani's Pridemate was a monster.  Brave the Elements helped win games or save creatures from spot removal and we were very pleased with the performance of Felidar Sovereign as it delivered the alternate win conidtion on more than one occassion.

We want to know - Are you playing Modern and what is your build or strategy ?  Drop us a line in the comment thingy below.
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