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Search results for HAPPY

I love this! I do think that each day you can make the choice to be happy or not. It ain't always easy but you CAN make the choice. And on those especially hard days, try to think of some things that make you happy. Today I will be thinking of...

I cannot resist a Golden. I want one!

Interior Design

People that pay me to do interior design!

My favorite men.

The color blue.

The beach.

Listening to good music.

Being creatively stimulated.

Laughing out loud.

Retail Therapy.

An organized closet.

And here are a couple of things that have made me happy lately...

When my nephew Finn told me I should buy the house next door to my brother as we saw the current tenants moving out so that he could see me whenever he wanted. (Sweetheart) He also told me he thought it was "weird" that I wasn't married but I choose to ignore that comment.

When my nephews told me that I was their favorite aunt! (Nevermind the fact that I am their only aunt.)

When I found the perfect pair of knee-high grey suede boots, in my size AND on sale. (Score!)

Getting Mexican and margaritas with one of my best buds and seeing her face light up as she talked about her new man! (Yeah!!!)

Seeing my friends with their new babies...I had six friends have babies within about six weeks of each other. (Joy!)

What makes you happy???

Happy Friday Everyone...Choose Happiness today!

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Recently it was our third wedding anniversary which we celebrated with a short mid-week trip to Southwold, a beautiful little town on the Suffolk coast. It was so peaceful there. Our room was large but cosy with a small balcony over looking the market square, where early in the morning we woke to noisy market traders. They sold mainly plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables which provided a colourful backdrop as we sipped our morning coffee overlooking the square. The sunlight streamed through the old sash windows warming our skin and making us squint but still we looked on to enjoy all the early morning commerce. An extended but delicious breakfast meant we hurridly packed our things followed by a rather unenthusiastic check out of the hotel. We thanked the kind staff for making us feel so welcome and for catering for my somewhat inconvenient dietary requirements and packed up the car. Leaving the car parked we decided to walk to enjoy the last few hours of our break. Despite the sun the air was chilled, forcing us to wrap up warm and enjoy plenty of good food. Again. Our walk along the pier was brisk and misty but we discovered the amusements with some great neon signage which kept me happy and a Star Trek penny game, which kept him happy! I suppose we didn't really do much, which for us was perfect. We walked, ate, enjoyed eachother's company, wished the sea was warm enough for a swim & laughed. A lot. Happy three years, Bill!
PS more photos on my Flickr Page...

Added more stuff into my booth over at Southern Accents. Don't forget to stop by! If you walk in the door I'm along the right side, towards the back. Look for "eclectic" written on the chalkboard sign on top of the white bookcases.

Added the most killer lamps to a master bedroom. Sometimes the littlest things make the biggest difference!

Remember these guys? They tend to scatter when I pull up and take a photo so I have to be stealth. They make me so happy.

Remember these old corbels?

Well now they are part of a new console table! There still needs to be lots of "accessorizing" but I couldn't wait to show you...

Dropped some new pillows off at a clients. You really can't see them in this photo but the view is much more imporatant anyway...

Took on another bath reno project. This is the "before"...it won't look anything like this after.

Got sick. Of course, I just can't seem to catch a break or get ahead. So I convinced my doctor to call in a ZPak. Why can't they make those over the counter already?

Happy 8th birthday to this special little man! I am beyond bummed that I am not there to celebrate in person but I will make it up to you as soon as possible with an outting for just the two of us. I am so blessed to have such a sweet, caring and loving nephew like you in my life and I cannot wait to get one of your big hugs! I love you very much G! xoxo

Happy fall y'all!
Go Dawgs!

The story of Beebles has a happy ending. Two Saturdays ago, along with her one remaining friend, Beebles was borne in quiet and completely incognizant triumph to her new home in Maine.

We loaded the two bewildered turkeys into the back of the truck for the nearly hour-long drive. The journey meandered through rural and small-town Maine, finally ending at a farm set deep into splendid pinewoods and over a foot of sparkling snow from the recent storm. Upon stepping out of the truck, we were greeted by a contingent of very plump pygmy goats (all of them pregnant, we later learned, except the rather belligerent-looking and aloof ram). We were also greeted by the farm's owner, a man called Stanley.

Stanley can best be summed up by calling him a certifiable character. Some time ago he had an accident involving falling on ice while walking one of his draft horses, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to work or drive. However, he was still well-capable of looking after his Noah-like menagerie. Small and spry, with a wealth of tangly beard, a scratchy voice, dirty coveralls over a plaid workshirt and a thermal undershirt, and a fantastic orange knitted cap, Stanley chain-smoked while he chattered to us about his animals. Well, rather chattered to Julie, as I was busy exploring the wonderful photographic possibilities of the farm.

Besides afore-mentioned goats, the farm's denizens included multiple chickens; a solitary duck; two very enormous Belgian draft horses and one black draft of indeterminable breed; two donkeys (one of which, Stanley proudly informed us, was 32 years old and looked as if it might die on the spot); one black cat; several rabbits in cages; and one very large and complacent sheep. Upon seeing the sheep, Julie gasped in disapproval; it was actually her sheep which she'd brought some time ago when she couldn't care for it any longer. It had grown enormously fat and she talked about it indignantly for days afterward.

The rehoming of Beebles went smoothly. Apart from the fact that Beebles' companion decided to assert her independence by escaping as she was transferred from the truck to her new pen. With little chance of capturing her again, the best to hope for was that she would continue to wander about the grounds of the farm and be induced to stay by the availability of food. Sighted turkeys are swift and strong.

Before we left, I went to see dear little Beebles for perhaps the last time. The contrast between her and her female friend was dramatic. Beebles remained in the little pen in one of the sheds where they had put her. The shock and uncertainty of the move and her new surroundings had left her even more still and tentative than usual. She sat in the middle of her straw peering at me uncertainly. When I came into the pen, she pushed herself up against the wall, the one slightly-sighted eye facing out. I held and stroked her, and she hardly protested. I took last pictures of Beebles and left her, secure in the knowledge that Stanley, who quite apparently loved his animals very much and cared for them to the best of his ability, would keep her well.

So the story has a happy ending. And the bit of me that feels compelled to protect the weak and defenceless is satisfied at a small, but definite victory.

I love to think of little Beebles, tucked away in her farm in Maine, surrounded by a jovial and widely-assorted collection of animal friends, and cared for by a benevolent farmer. I hope she lives a long and happy life.

Here are some photos from the farm:

The goats were extremely friendly—I'm not sure how much of that was due to their hope that we might be carrying food

The obese sheep

A lovely bit of rusted machinery sitting on the farm—they can go such wonderful colours

Stanley, the farmer

Stanley with his beloved goats

The star of the show, Beebles.

Stanley saying his goodbyes: "You come back again, now, and bring that little girl with you" (me)

For background, see: Beebles, Part 1

Installed shades at Sea Palms...

And appliances...

And tile...

[This picture reminds me of the back of a Highlights Magazine...circle all the things that are missing from this image.]

This is it in case you can't see it very well...

It's SO gorgeous! Even the other subs on the job stopped to touch it.

Installed window treatments at I'On...

I'm thinking that I want to start naming my projects like Jeff Lewis does on Flipping Out.

I've been sick all week but powering through. I think my body hates me. I took one day off and sadly really enjoyed sitting still. [despite the hammering and sawing that was going on in my kitchen below...not so relaxing!]

Here are some more photos from the charity event I (and many others) put on a couple of weeks ago.

All photos by Mahmood Fazal

So you know how obsessed I am with Ryan Reynolds and how happy I was when these two split, right?

Not happy about this I might add...

Well Ryan and Scarlett's house is for sale for $3.65 million and I am happy to report that it is a glorious mid-century number. I'd like to think he picked it out.

On a related note, guess what I bought this week at an architectural salvage place?

Why? I'll show you...

Told you...lil' bit obsessed!

Am looking forward to a fun Superbowl party that my friends throw each year...I'll try to take pictures as my friend Lauren who is starting her own party planning/event rental business is helping with it this year and has LOTS of great details planned.

Have a great weekend!

I wanted to wish my nephew Garrett a happy birthday! The Big 6!

Garrett is a total sweetheart. He is always making sure everyone is happy and included in everything. If one of his brother's is upset or crying he will stop what he is doing until they are alright. When my parents took him to the store (by himself) to buy whatever he wanted for his birthday, he kept picking items that his brother's wanted and ultimately decided on something that they could all play with...I mean, how cute is that? But he is not just sweet, he is super athletic, very determined, incredibly passionate and as you can tell by this photo, ridiculously handsome! When he went on a dolphin cruise with my parents, a much older woman (11) immediately flocked to him and never left his side. He was completely unaware. I have a feeling there are going to be MANY ladies lined up for G!

Happy 4th!!!
Hope you are enjoying time with family, friends, fried chicken, sweet tea and cold beer.

This is him and his beautiful bride on their way to see The Letterman Show in NYC.

I wanted to give my handsome brother a little shout out today on the anniversary of his birth. Despite the fact that you use to put my Barbie dolls under the back tire of mom's car and despite the fact that you made me watch Poltergeist when I was 7 years old and despite the fact that you told all your fraternity brothers that they weren't allowed to talk to me when I went to college...I love you very much and couldn't imagine my life without you in it! (Although admittedly, I have tried-wink, wink).

Happy Birthday (to my much older) Brother!

P.S. I owe a huge apology to all you grammar experts out there! (that's you Katie!) I am a horrific speller and could never understand why "admitably" always came up as a misspell so I would just ignore spell check because I knew that it was a word. I now know that is "admittedly" and promise to use it correctly from here on out!

"For unto us a child is born,
for unto us a Son is given.
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name shall be called Wonderful,
Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6-7Heart felt wishes to all my blogging friends and family!
Please take a moment to enjoy this Ode To Joy!

"Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"
God of Glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before thee,
Op'ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heav'n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest,
vale and mountain.
Flow'ry meadow,
flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou are giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father,
Christ our Brother,
All who live in love
are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o'er us,
Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward
In the triumph song of life.
Henry J. Van Dyke 1907

Have a wonderful Christmas celebration!
Blessings,
Carolynn xoxo

In the coming week I will be linking with several of my favorite blogs.
Many of them host weekly parties. I'd love for you to stop by my sidebar to link up with them and say hi!

I've had lots of people ask me lately about my e-decorating services so I thought I would take a quick minute to remind y'all how it works. Basically, e-decorating is an abbreviated interior design service meaning it is not turn-key but I do provide clients with a Floorplan and/or Design Plan for a room or rooms in their homes that they can then implement themselves. It is a great way for me to work with clients from a distance and a great service for clients who are DIY'ers but need the vision of a designer to create a plan of action.

I charge by the room and price varies slightly by room based on the time involved for that particular room. You pay a deposit up front and then the balance is due at the completion of the project. I do my best to source products that you can get on your own via catalogs, the internet or local shops however sometimes I do recommend products that you can purchase directly through Eclectic. The idea is that you don't have to buy everything all at once or right away but you can use the Design Plan as a guide when putting your room together, no matter how long it takes for you to complete the project!

I have an email packet that I can send you which further explains all of this information including pricing, a questionnaire and a contract. If you have any additional questions, please let me know, I am happy to help!

Here are some examples of the e-decorating projects I have worked on...

"Living in a small, rural town made Eclectic's e-design service the perfect solution for me. Sidney's most effective tool, I feel, is her ability to listen to her clients. She took the time to fully understand my vision, wishes and needs. Her guidance and professional opinions were always thoughtfully presented in order to accomplish the job while being mindful of the primary use for my living room as well as my sense of style. I am extremely happy with her design and plan on using Eclectic again for my next project."

-S. Rice

"I was looking for a reasonable way to get some guidance on decorating and first used Sidneyto help with my family room. I loved how easy the process was to share my ideas and room measurements and get a new design - all via email. Also, getting the list of products/resources allowed me to buy items when it made sense for me to do so. When my dinning room needed an updated, I came back to Sidney and am so excited to work to put her design into place! I will definitely come back for more ideas in the future."

-L. Mallis

“It was such a great experience working with Sidney. She really listened to what I wanted and presented a design plan that I am thrilled about. Her e-design services were a perfect option for me and I couldn’t believe how easy the process was. I look forward to implementing my e-design plans and working with her in the future to make the rest of my house as beautiful as my master bedroom.”
-M. Corbin

No way my youngest nephew turns 8 today! I'm in denial. As much as I enjoy watching them grow and become my lil' buddies, I wish I could bottle them up at this age forever...

But I know he wants to be "older" and "big" like his brothers. (sad face)

So Tyler is kiiiiinda into Superheros...

And he doesn't mess around as you can see. He will put on his costume in the middle of a Sunday morning and get into full character. Seriously, he won't break character. If you call him Tyler he gets upset. It cracks me up! In fact, he is always cracking me up. He might be one of the funniest kids (or people) I know.

SC Aquarium visit. He cracked himself up here too!

Redneck Pool. (Note the t-shirt)

I love this kid so much! From his ridiculously cute freckles to his hilarious one-liners to his lil' smirk when he's trying to act upset at me but he's really not so he's trying not to laugh...I have enjoyed watching him grow up. But I am not gonna lie, I miss the days when he would wake me up by coming into my room (way earlier than I would have liked) and say "Snuggle?" with his blanket and stuffed animal. How on Earth could you say no to that face???

I love you Tyler! Happy Birthday big (little) man!

Welcome to My November Nest... I'm so thankful for my blogging friends...Each one of you!

Happy Harvest from my home to yours.
Isn't the sweet little wool felt quilt simply wonderful?
It arrived in the my mailbox from my darling adopted daughter, Paula,
"Victoria Rose Primitives ".
She lovingly designed and handstitched it for me.
Doesn't it look perfect with all the Autumn touches surrounding it?
Thank you, sweet Paula!

"These are a few of my favorite things..."

My dear Mother gave me this little dutch girl.
Mom turned 90 this year.
Her Father gave her this pretty porcelain
figurine when she was a young girl back in the 1930s.

When Summer ended I removed all my red accent pieces
and began adding orange touches for the Fall.
I love changing seasons with a new "Tweak " of color.
Easy Peasy!

My sister, Rebecca , gave me this tiny tureen several years ago.
She knows how much I love blueware .
Thank you, Becca!

A beribboned wreath rests on a drawer pull.
I like the bright orange splash of Fall color
and anything plaid!

In Finland bringing a neighbor salt and bread as a gift signifies ones offering of lasting friendship.

Thank you for your genuine offerings of friendship through your visits and encouraging words. Blessings,Carolynn xoxo

"The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:23-27 I was featured Rose Chintz Cottage www.sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com Thank you, Sandi! I was featured Rooted in Thyme www.rootedinthyme.blogspot.com Thank you, Jody! Linking ToVictoria Rose Primitiveswww.victoriaroseprimitives.blogspot.comBoogieboard Cottagewww.boogieboardcottage.blogspot.comMockingbird Hill Cottagewww.mockingbirdhillcottage.comSunny Simple Lifewww.sunnysimplelife.blogspot.comThe Dedicated Housewww.thededicatedhouse.blogspot.comThe Little Red Housewww.dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.comThe Shop Around the Cornerwww.alittleshoparoundthecorner.blogspot.comEtsy Cottage Stylewww.etsycottagestyle.blogspot.comKathe With An Ewww.kathewithane.comCozy Little Housewww.cozylittlehouse.comJust In The Knick of Timewww.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.comCoastal Charmwww.linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.comLavender Garden Cottagewww.lavendergardencottage.blogspot.comTime Washedwww.timewashed.comSue Loves Cherrieswww.suelovescherries.blogspot.comWelcome Home Wednesdaywww.vintageondime.blogspot.comA Delightsome Lifewww.blissfulrhythm.blogspot.comBrambleberry Cottagewww.brambleberrycottage.blogspot.comCommon Groundwww.commonground-do.comFrench Country Cottagewww.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.comRomantic Homewww.romantichome.blogspot.comDeborah Jeans Dandelion Cottagewww.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com

I can't believe that this cutie pie will be 8 this weekend! Where does the time go???

Happy Birthday Finn!!!

He was distraught when he found out that our cousin, JD, was getting married on his birthday (how dare him!) and said (rather forcefully) that he wasn't going. I wouldn't be surprised if he took it upon himself to plan his own party, excluding any family member that dare to choose the wedding over his celebration. The nerve. Of course knowing my sweet cousin, he will find a way to include Finn in his special day. [Pause while my heart melts.] Alright we are headed to bare witness to their blissful union...look out Statesboro, Georgia...here come the Wagners!

The happy couple

Another one of my nephews is growing up! The big 1-0! Lord help me. I came across these pics the other day from our cousin's wedding...

Before
I mean...cutest kid ever!

After
Just being a boy running laps on the golf course!

Garrett is the middle child, the sweetheart of the group always playing the mediator between his two brothers he very rarely gets upset or complains and he rarely even says anything when he gets hurt. He is a tough kid with a big heart. He cares about everyone's feelings and when he says he misses me I know he really means it. He is the first one to run up and hug me when I come to visit and the first one to ask how long I can stay. I love this kid more than words express!

He is growing into a smart and popular kid, a great athlete and I am terrified about all the girls that are going to be fighting over this one! They will have to go through Aunt Sidney first so look out ladies.

Happy Birthday G! Love you!

Eclectic is a Charleston, South Carolina based full-service boutique interior design firm in specializing in the design of residential projects including entire homes and the styling of individual rooms. We also offer virtual e-design services. Please email sidney@eclectic-idg.com for additional information.

Eclectic is a retail shop/design studio located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina (just over the bridge from downtown Charleston, South Carolina) selling an array of vintage mid-century pieces, repurposed items, new products and locally made art with a fresh Modern meets Coastal aesthetic.

Cannot tell you the utter joy in stumbling upon a new shipment of Carrara Marble! There were rows and rows of it. Makes my job easy when you need three matching slabs! Not so easy when you have to go to several distributors to find slabs that coordinate and they have nothing in stock. Fellow designers, I'm sure you can relate...its the little things. My client was happy, I'm happy.

Did you see this?

OMG. Jamar was so humbled and Jamie was so gracious, I was bawling my eyes out...I felt like such a fool.

Well, not that big of a fool.

Sometimes life scares me how fast it moves. I met with a former client this week whom I helped 10, yes 10 years ago! She was one of the first client's I helped as I started my own design business while working at a local retail shop. Her and her husband have inherited the husband's family home and they are renovating it and wanted some design input. 10 years! Oh my. I still knew all the colors we picked, by name, for her second home here. 10. Years. Ago.

Here is yet another example of how time flies...

This is my oldest nephew, Finn.

At least that is how I want to imagine him.

Here is what he really looks like...

When did this happen???

I brought new inventory to my booth over at Southern Accents yesterday...

And while I was there, I marked down almost everything in my booth! Go check it out...

More progress on this...will tell you more about it soon!

Eeeek!

Have a great weekend!

Eclectic has been nominated as Best Interior Design Blog by JDR Annual Blogger Industry Awards, please click on the link and take a second and vote for me! You don't have to register or anything...just check a box. Many thanks!!!

There are tacky Easter decorations and then there are these...

via the tea room

via finding design

via at home

Martha Stewart

via images.meredith.com

www.easter-decorations.com

Nicely done.

Happy Easter!!!

I had to do a second post today in honor of my youngest nephew, Tyler, who is turning 4 today! Tyler is such a character and perhaps one of the funniest people I know. He is always doing something to make people laugh whether it be making a funny face, talking in a silly voice or creating a made up word. My personal favorite is "patanto" which can be defined as: thing coming out of your head i.e. on Tom and Jerry when Tom gets hit in the head with a frying pan and grows a wound out of the top of his head, that is a "patanto." Since learning this, I have used "patanto" in a sentence three times. What can I say, there needed to be a word that for that!

Tyler is already the class clown, he missed school one day and the teacher told his parents that all the kids cried that day because of his absence. I am also pretty certain that he will be some sort of entertainer. For Halloween last year he went as Fred from ScoobyDoo and was "in character" the entire week prior. And during a trip to Disney World, he got his face painted like Darth Mol (from Star Wars) and did not "break character" all day, I hear he even scared a few other children with his "evilness." I feel so lucky to have this little wonder in my life to make me laugh...Happy Birthday Tyler!!!