The Ups and Downs of Blogging

Image from Olancho Bound Gringa

About a year and a half ago I discovered my first decorating blog. To be honest, I don't even remember which one, but that blog lead to the discovery of another and another and another. I was hooked. For over a year I read all about other people's ideas and their preferences in design. One day last summer it occurred to me that it might be fun to start a blog of my own. I thought about it for weeks. Would anyone really care what I had to say about decorating? I am, after all, not a professional designer.

Finally, I decided to take the plunge. What did I have to lose? (Maybe my ego if no one read!) It took days to come up with a Blog title. Believe me, Strictly Simple Style was not my first choice. It wasn't even my fifth or sixth choice. It just happened to be available when I typed it into Blogger. It took me days to write my first post. If it didn't set the tone for what would follow, no one would ever read it, I thought. Well, no one did read it. (Unless you count my daughter, Molly, who took pity on me and even tried to boost my spirit by commenting, " wow! i love your taste! it's chic and sophistacated." (Yes, I even included her misspelled word!)

I published that first post on August 9. A few days later I woke up to find that I had my first Follower! I was pretty excited. The next morning, the Follower had "de-followed". It was a little crush to the old ego, let me tell you. (I've had a few others jump ship since then.) A few days in I finally got my first "real" comment from Christine from Design Esquire. What a nice surprise since her blog was one of my regular reads during my pre-blogging days. Thanks Christine for the self-esteem boast!

Over the next few weeks, I picked up a few new Followers here and there. It was always flattering when someone whose blog I admired would become a Follower or leave a nice comment. I had a major blog moment when Eddie Ross left me a comment on this post, that I wrote about my love of all things Eddie. What a sweetheart!

I had been blogging for about six weeks when Kate from Centsational Girl did a post announcing her excitement over having 1,000 Followers. I left a comment congratulating her and telling her that I couldn't imagine having that many people following, I think I only had about 8 Followers at that point. She sent me a reply telling me that she only had about 10 Followers for the first two months that she was blogging. Hard to believe since her blog has really taken off.

When I started the blog, I decided that I would give it one year. If I didn't have 100 Followers after a year of blogging, I would move on and take up a new hobby. I am pleased to announce that as of Saturday, I now have 100 Followers. I am humbled. I'd like to thank Kristin from Sweetheart Moments for becoming my 100th Follower!

A huge thank you to all of you who Follow and leave comments on my posts. It's always nice to get feedback from other people. I have had such a great time in the past 3 1/2 months writing about my love of decorating and sharing the ideas that I've tried in my home. I look forward to writing more, sharing more and, hopefully, picking up a few new Followers.

Deckin' the Halls

Image from Modern Home Interior Decoration Ideas

While many people like to hit the malls for Black Friday, you won't find me in that crowd. My annual day-after-Thanksgiving tradition is to put up my tree and deck the halls at the old Strictly Simple Style abode. There may be bargains to be had at retailers across the city, but I'd rather be blasting the holiday music and getting my house all swanked up for the season. While I'm at it, I will be sure to catch the special holiday episodes that will be playing on HGTV. From 9:30 am.-3:00 p.m, HGTV will be playing a variety of Christmas themed episodes. At 8:00 p.m., "Family, Food and Holiday Fun" will be running. This episode features everyone's favorite, Candace Olsen. At 8:30, David Bromstadt will be redecorating a family's living room and getting it ready for the holidays on "A Colorful Holiday". I know what I'll be doing Friday night!

How about you, are you addicted to the Christmas specials on HGTV?

I will be taking the rest of the week off to spend with family and friends and of course, to decorate for the holidays! I will be back Monday, hopefully with a post about my holiday decor. I hope that you all have a very happy Thanksgiving.

That's a Wrap

Lately I've been loving the look of bookshelves and cabinets lined with wallpaper. I don't currently own any bookshelves, but I do have a glass front cabinet in my kitchen that I thought could benefit from this treatment. While I was looking for dining room wallpaper, I kept my eyes wide open in hopes of finding something that would work in my kitchen. No luck.

Well remember the scene from "The Grinch Whole Stole Christmas" where the Grinch doesn't have a Santy-Claus hat or a coat? What did he do? He looked around the house to find something he could use to make one instead, right?


I took a cue from the old Grinch and looked around my house for something I could use to line the cabinet until I could find an alternative. I took a look through my fabric scraps but came up short. Then I thought about gift wrap. I did a have brand new roll of wrap that I bought at Target for just $3. It's was not the colorful look I would ultimately like, but it would do in the interim. Here is a close-up of the paper. (It reads black and white, but the background is actually cream.)


After a few quick measurements, I adhered the paper to the back of the cabinet using double-sided tape. For the shelves, I simply wrapped them like a present.



The cabinet started out looking like this:





This is now it looks now:



For a $3 roll of gift wrap, I no longer have to look at the inside of the cabinet. When I find some paper I like, I'll replace it. Since it is so inexpensive, I could even replace it with a pretty holiday gift wrap. I like to display my Christmas china in this cabinet and that would make a nice back drop.

There are so many beautiful gift wraps on the market right now that this is a good solution for those who don't have the funds to update a glass front cabinet or bookshelf, but would like to line the back. Hallmark even carries adhesive backed papers which would make this project even easier.

A quick Google check of modern gift wrap helped me find these great papers. I love this one from Shopheidi.com:



If you are a huge fan of gift wrap, you'll want to check out the selection at Papercrave.com. I could picture many of these papers in different rooms of a home.



Take a look at a few of the adhesive backed patterns currently available at Hallmark stores:







Even high-end gift wrap is usually under $10/roll. A far cry from the cost of wall coverings. If you are like me and want a quick fix or update for a shelf or cabinet, keep your eyes peeled for gift wrap while you do your holiday shopping.

Rate My Space

I used to be a big HGTV.com "Rate My Space" junkie. I loved looking at the rooms. If I didn't like a space, I did what our moms taught us, I didn't say anything if I didn't have something nice to say. In the past few months, I've posted a couple of spaces on RMS, mainly to see if I could get some ideas from readers. There are a lot of talented and creative people out there.

When I posted my nailhead pumpkins a couple of months ago, my rating was 4.1. (Ratings are 1-5 stars.) People left very nice comments about this post.



When I posted my kitchen dining area, I asked for suggestions for warming it up a little. Many readers suggested adding a round area rug. I really liked that advice and did end up ordering a new rug for that area. I received a rating of 3.6 for the space as it was. Not too bad considering I was asking for advice on how to improve the area.




Last week I posted my dining room makeover and asked for suggestions for adding accessories. I find choosing accessories the most difficult part. Let me preface things by saying that I really like the choices that I made for this room and put a lot of thought into it. Yes, I was trying not to spend a lot of money, but I was happy with how the room was shaping up. Apparently, I am in the minority as far as RMS readers are concerned. I received a rating of 2.3 stars out of 5. Ouch!



Granted, the quality of the picture isn't good and because of the small size of the space, it's difficult to get a good shot of the room. Also, in this photograph, it appears that the table is sitting closer to the far wall than it really is, that's just an optical illusion. There really isn't a lot of space on either side of the table. However, my self-esteem got a mild kick in the butt by comments like this:

"I am not a fan of the wallpaper you used..."

"I'm not sure about the graphic stripes on the seat cushions..."

"The wallpaper panels cry for a contrast..."

"I would have gone vertically [with the stripes], because you now limit yourself with artwork that won't clash."


Should I be questioning my choices? What's done is done, I'm not recovering my chairs or ripping out my new wallpaper because of someone's comments on RMS, but it does make me wonder if I could have done better. While I really enjoy visiting RMS and seeing what others have accomplished in their homes, I'm not so sure that everyone who visits has the same motives.

Have you ever posted on RMS? Were you offended by any comments? Did you use any of the advice?

Warning, catty comments ahead: The woman who made the crack about not being a fan of my wallpaper posted a couple of her rooms. Of course my curiosity got the best of me. I took a peak. Her highest rating was a 2.5. There were bad faux finishes on the walls, dated vertical blinds on a sliding glass door and fake ivy in every nook and cranny. Maybe I should take the comments with a box of salt.

Vote for Roeshel!

My lovely friend, Roeshel, of the DIY Show Off is entered in the DIY Drama Contest at True Value. Would you please help her win a bathroom makeover? Go here to see Roeshel's video and vote. You can vote once a day until 12/4.

Simple Centerpiece

During the holidays I like to pull out all the tricks with my decorating, but for the rest of the year, I prefer a more streamlined look. You won't find my house cluttered with knick-knacks. I don't want to dust anymore than I have to! When it comes to a centerpiece, I also like a simple approach.

When I saw these mercury glass pots at Pottery Barn, I was convinced that I could come up with a simple centerpiece for my dining room table. I snatched up three and headed home to come up with a plan.

Mercury Glass Pot from Pottery Barn. $16 each

With the holidays upon us, my plan was to create a centerpiece that I could use now and then swank up a bit for the holidays with some of the Christmas decorations I already own.

While I was at Pottery Barn the day I bought the mercury glass pots, I noticed these moss covered trees. These would be the perfect way to fill the pots, but at $49 each, that was more than I wanted to spend for a centerpiece. I would have to come up with a lower cost alternative.





A quick trip to Hobby Lobby was all it took to come up with a plan. My first instinct was to try creating the look of the moss tree, that wouldn't be difficult. Ultimately, I decided that the trees might look to "Christmas-y" to display after the holidays. Here is what I came up with instead:



These were so easy and so inexpensive. The only items needed were 3 six-inch Styrofoam balls (about $4) and a couple of bags of reindeer moss ($4.99/bag.)


An employee at Hobby Lobby suggested that I use low temperature glue sticks and a glue gun to apply the moss rather than using floral picks. I found it best to work in small areas, applying hot glue then pressing the moss in place.



I am still waiting for my new table runner to arrive from Horchow, but for now, this is the way the centerpiece is shaping up. I like the simplicity of it.


I added some mercury glass votive holders from Target (.99 each.) For the holidays, I'll add my table runner and maybe replace the candles with a single red bloom in each of the votives. I could also add pine cones, glass candle sticks ornaments... I will play around with it and see what looks best.

What will be in the center of your table this holiday season?

It's Finally Done!

Well, not the whole room, but the wallpapering is complete. Just in time for Thanksgiving too! Here is a reminder of what the room looked like before I painted the stripes and added the curtain panels and wallpaper.

And now the after!



A close-up of the paper.

I started papering at about 11:30 am. and finished around 2:30 p.m. I did take a few short breaks, but it was slow going. I took wallpapering classes through a continuing education program at a local university many years ago but, I forgot most of what I had learned!

There was one little problem though. I did not have enough wallpaper left to cover the outlets or one of the panels that is hidden behind the buffet. The woman at Sherwin-Williams assured me that I would have plenty of paper if I ordered just one double roll. I'm not sure if it is worth the extra money to order another double roll for this. I'll have to give it some thought.

I'm thrilled to have this project complete a whole week before Thanksgiving. I'm sure if the paper had arrived any later I wouldn't have wanted to tackle it before the holidays.

How about you, do you have a project you are planning on squeezing in before the holidays?

Dining Room Update: Inexpensive Wall Art

With Thanksgiving coming next week, I really wanted to have my dining room completely finished, but that may not happen. The wallpaper that I ordered just arrived and I haven't had time to hang it. I don't have a thing on the walls. Let's not even discuss accessories. I made an executive decision and chose to hang four identically framed images above my (hideously outdated) buffet. The only problem-I didn't own four identical frames. But thanks to my BFF, Michael's, and their weekly sales and coupons, I was able to score 4, count them, 4 frames with double mats for just $45.




The frames, originally $24.99 each, were on sale for 40% off. On top of that, there was a coupon in Sunday's paper for an additional 25% off all wall frames. Got to love a bargain like that!

Next, I needed something to put in the frames. A quick visit to Vintage Printable and I was on my way.


I plan to switch out the images when I find something I like better, but for now, they will work. I also pulled a couple of lamps from my bedroom to see if I liked the idea of using a lamp on either side of the framed pictures. I love these lamps, but not in this space. I think some colorful lamp bases are in my future. I'd like to thank pk from Room Remix for helping me with some suggestions for this space. If you haven't read this post that pk wrote about accessorizing your walls, be sure to take a look.



What I'm looking for is some brighter art to fill the frames. I'd love to incorporate some more red into the space. If anyone has suggestions to offer, I'm open to your ideas.

If all goes well, my next post will include pictures of my newly wallpapered dining room.

Dining Room Update: Wallpaper

I've been scouring the web and searching high and low for the perfect wallpaper to use in my dining room and I I've finally found it!




When I found this paper on the Sherwin-Williams website it was love at first sight. I made a beeline to the nearest Sherwin-Williams store to check out the book just to be sure. I'm not covering the entire wall, just the insets below the chair rail. If you look past the chair, you can get a little peek at the area I'm talking about. You can also see how well the paper coordinates with the ribbon embellished curtain panels and striped walls. I really like the black and ivory striped fabric with the paper too.

I ordered the paper and can't wait for it to arrive. The best part-I only needed one double roll! Once that is done, I can start on the fun part-accessorizing! I've already made my first purchase in the way of accessories, a monogrammed table runner form Horchow. I went with the cinnabar color. I thought it would be perfect during the holiday season and throughout the winter months.




Finding what I want to finish this room has been a challenge, but I'm looking forward to the finished product. Maybe I'll even be motivated to serve a few meals in this room!

Outside the Box Holiday Decorating

This is not what I had in mind when I said "think outside the box!" If you must, find it here.

I know we haven't had Thanksgiving yet, but I'm already beginning to think about Christmas and how I'll decorate this year. Each year I like to change things a little. We've all seen the typical red and green color palettes, pine draped mantels and Christmas villages. I have been looking for ideas that are a twist on traditional holiday decorating. Mainly, I've been trying to find new ways to display things that I already own. I really don't want to spend a lot on new things that I'll only have out for a few weeks each year. If you want to switch things up a bit, take a look at these ideas.

In need of a holiday centerpiece but don't have a lot of time or cash? I was completely smitten when I found this simple glam centerpiece from Make-It-Yourself Creations. Now why didn't I think of this idea? Find all the details here.


Glass plates, glasses and a champagne glass are the base of this arrangement. You could virtually add anything you had handy. Fruit, ornaments, ribbon, dried items from your yard, pine cones or small toys would all work. Go here for more quick centerpiece ideas.


Do you remember this image from the cover of House Beautiful's December 2008 issue? Look how great inexpensive bells look when grouped en masse on the staircase.



Do you have a collection of teapots or serving pieces? I love these silver teapots filled with poppies.

I don't own a dress form, but if I did, you can be sure this is how it would look every December. The ornaments used as buttons are my favorite part.


Who says that stockings are the only things that can hang from the chimney with care? These upside down Santa caps are an original take on an old classic.


Dress up a mantle with a tropical plant instead of pine boughs. Tuck in red roses or carnations if you want to keep with the traditional red and green Christmas theme.



Display holiday dishes or special china in an unexpected way, on the mantle among the greenery.



Don't have holiday dishes, how about a collection of all white pieces filled with pine.



How do you plan to decorate for the holidays?

*Unless otherwise noted, images from myhomeideas.com, Country Living

The Announcement

Yesterday I teased you a little bit my telling you I had an announcement to make. I dropped a few hints too. Namely, that I might be a little busier than usual in the near future and also that my body may go through some changes. Of course many of you thought the obvious, that it was a new baby. Someone (you know who you are!) guessed that I was getting breast implants!

Sorry, no baby or boobs in my future! I won't be getting a belly. Hopefully, it will be just the opposite! I've started a new blog called "Fitness, A Journey Not a Destination".

While I've always been a fairly healthy eater and regular exerciser, I wasn't seeing the results I wanted. I found a personal trainer and, with his help, I plan to make a lot of healthy lifestyle changes. I wanted to share my experiences with all of you and maybe inspire some of you to do the same. My trainer, Gregg, from American Mobile Fitness has agreed to help me with the blog too. If someone leaves a question in the comment section, he will provide them with an answer. There is so much misinformation out there, this should be a nice feature for readers.

I hope you will all take time to stop by the new blog and meet my new "baby"!

Pier I?

Once a week I have one-hour to kill while my daughter is at her music lessons. I generally use this time to run to Target or some other quick errands before I have to pick her up. This week I decided to stop into Pier I. I have to be honest here, Pier I has never been a favorite of mine. This may come as a surprise to regular readers who know that I am constantly looking for a bargain. My problem with Pier I is not their prices, but the quality of the merchandise. However, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the things I saw on this trip.



The Peacock Tufted Dining Chair made me do a double take. I loved the use of a contrasting fabric on the back of the chair and the large nailhead trim has to be seen to be appreciated. Best of all, the chairs are under $200 each, $189.95 to be exact. Wouldn't they look fantastic around a dining room table? If I were going to purchase these, I would hold out for a sale. Pier I has furniture sales on a fairly regular basis.

Here are a few other items I spied that made me think I might have to frequent Pier I a little more often:

I love plate collections. This series of hand-painted plates looks like they were hung separately, but in reality, they are secured to a frame and could be hung in minutes. According to an employee, they have been selling like hotcakes. This item is currently on sale for $49.99. They also sell a country-style version with rooster plates. The saleswoman and I agreed, we just weren't feeling the roosters.


Since we are on the topic of hanging groups of plates, how about this little bird plate for just $5? It is also is available in red. Wouldn't a few of these look cute combined with a variety of solid color plates.




This lamp was no steal at $125, but it was well made and very attractive.



A quick check of the Pier I website found me smitten with their selection of rugs:

The small round rugs are each less than $40 and have an Anthropologie feel to them.

If you haven't visited Pier I in a while, think about giving them a second chance. You may be as pleasantly surprised as I was.