The wallpaper look without the hassle!

I saw an article on Rollerwall - The Unwallpaper Company and thought BRILLIANT!

Many times I have thought of papering one wall, stair risers, etc. but haven't wanted to deal with the hassle.  Rollerwall looks like wallpaper, but is actually a painting technique that is dummy proof!  And, when you're tired of the look, just paint over it!  No peeling paper, steaming, concocting crazy solutions of hot water and fabric softner to get off glue.  Easy, easy! 

I'm actually loving the grazing deer motif!  Nice!!

My inspiration for "Dinners in the Drive" at LaNa!

The Tasty Life 008 - Outstanding In The Field from Stephanie Izard on Vimeo.

My FAVE place in A2!

My Business: Treasure Mart

Fun Craigslist find in A2 area!

This art deco Glass Door Hutch is beautiful!  And, a fab price of $80!  Reminds me of the one I bought and LOVE!!

love the drawer!

ahhh...summer!

This summer is moving so quickly!  I've been busy planning the wedding and with work and need to just step back and enjoy what summer is left.  Deep breath...relax...enjoy!

Photo taken with Hipstamatic for iPhone

Summer Fun!

Remember the...

bushes that my Dad and I cut away exposing only the stumps?  I just checked the blog to see when that project took place and it was almost 2 years ago!!!!  Yikes! 

I say this because today the stumps are finally being removed - FINALLY!  It took me a while to get this project 100% completed, but we're almost there!

A little dirt to cover up the large holes and we're ready for some landscaping!!

Photos to come...

All about Gwenyth!

Lately, I can't get enough of GOOP - Gwenyth Paltrow's Web site.

Today I stumbled upon a video recipe with her making Bibimbop which is one of my FAVES!!!  Enjoy!

Cookin' with Gwenyth!

So, Gwenyth Paltrow is in the kitchen cooking and posting her videos on YouTube. I stumbled upon the video below on Cut out + Keep and thought it was too yummy and easy not to share! Mexican for dinner tonight?! Yummy!

Jefferson Market & Cakery!

One of my faves!  I grew up going to this when it was called "Johnny's Market."  I think their candy selection contributed to all the fillings in my mouth!!!

Mary at Jefferson Market & Cakery is awesome to work with...food is yummy...and, for you locals, they're open on Sunday's for brunch now!!

#51 is now #52 and doing well!

You may remember the baby blue jay that Lo and I rescued a couple weeks ago...

I was feeling a little blue myself today and thought "I've got to check on #51!" 

After we dropped #51 off, they realized they had two birds that were tagged with that number, so "our" bird is now fondly referred to as #52. 

Turns out he is doing well and the incredible volunteers at the Bird Center of Washtenaw County were kind enough to put him on the phone to chirp!! 

He is doing well, getting strong, and doing things that would have been taught by his parents in nature all on his own.  Seems blue jay's are known for being able to adapt well in captivity. 

Will, volunteer extrordinnaire, was excited to share that another baby blue jay was being treated and after a week of meds will be placed with #52 so that they don't have to grow up alone!!  How sweet!!!

I will be going one day next week to visit and will definitely report back again...

Cheers to #52 whose report of good health and well being has made my day!

My May...

..took Gibson on his first boat ride (photo below)...he was a champ and resisted the urge to jump into the lake!

...attended my niece's graduation from pre-k...I'm so proud!

...started a new home improvement project on front porch and shutters...more to come...

...honored our Veterans by attending a local Memorial Day parade

...went into overdrive for plans for Art for the Cure of Cystic Fibrosis - June 19 in Ann Arbor!!

...went for drinks to see Sex in the City with girlfriends.  Drinks were good, company was excellent, movie was just so so. ;-)

SFGirlByBay - love her style!

I've been following Victoria's blog - SFGirlByBay for some time.  Here is a tour of her place in San Francisco (where I loved living for 8 years!)...enjoy!

They make it look so easy!

Channeling Martha

I saw this tip posted on Martha Stewart's Web site and thought it was pretty clever! 

I'm always trying to figure a way to keep labels fresh and dry in the garden...mainly because I can never remember what plant is what!

I did a lot of planting at LaNa this past weekend of vegetables and flowers and am hoping I kept my seed packets to try this at home tonight!

Baby Blue Jay #51

Bird Center of Washtenaw County

logo from BCWC

On Saturday, Lola and I rescued a baby blue jay that had fallen out of one of the pine trees at LaNa.  The parents weren't far away and were, obviously, very upset.  The bird was still a nestling and in order to survive needed to be with its parents OR a rescue center. 

Baby birds need to eat every 30 minutes, and while the parents seemed to be feeding it on the ground, it was in danger of coming into contact with a dog, cat, raccoon, etc.  We needed to get it off the ground and with the help of a bird volunteer in our area, we created a nest out of a hanging pot and leaves that the bird happily snuggled into.  Unfortunately, the mother was also tending to other birds in the nest and we feared our little one wouldn't make it through the night because of the falling temperatures and that hadn't yet developed feathers. 

We called the Bird Center of Washtenaw County and were thrilled that they could take "him" in.  This center is incredible and the volunteers went out of their way to show us their setup and share information with Lola.  Our bird was tagged #51 and put in a "nest" of his own where he will be rehabilitated.  The baby birds were all on one table in individual nests where they are fed every 30 minutes from dusk until dawn by volunteers.  Whew - who knew?!?! 

The setup also included tables with birds that were learning to fly and take care of themselves for the "real" world. 

Just incredible!  THANK YOU to the Bird Center of Washtenaw County for helping our little guy and all the others that are injured, orphaned, needing some extra assistance, or have survived a HIGH fall from a pine tree like #51. 

The best is that we are welcome to check-in on his well being and to also visit.  Yeah!

#51

spring cleaning of lana...

spring cleaning in both the house and on the blog!  i've updated the site to make it a little "cleaner" looking.  hope you like! 

TGIF!  enjoy your weekend!!  xo

my april...

...celebrated my niece's 5th birthday!

...booked a caterer and photographer for the BIG day!

...went to visit my brother-in-law in DC for Easter!

...finished basement sitting area...photos to come!

...attended a kindergarten open house and potluck dinner for my niece at my old gradeschool! 

...enjoyed a wonderful spring evening for drinks and snacks at Arbor Brewing!

photo credit: LaNa

kitchen update!

the cupboard doors are off...the cupboard contents are out (and all over our living room!!!)...a new light fixture is in...and painting will begin tonight!  i am hoping to have some during and after shots for you this weekend!!

until then, enjoy this spring picture taken on the Mall in DC...

Photo credit: LaNa

t.g.i.f.

Photo credit: LaNa