Something to Give

Last Saturday, Rachel gave away something she had and had planned to giveaway for a long time...


Her hair...

Have you heard about an organization called Locks of Love?

I told her about them, and what they will use the hair for, several months ago. Ever since then, she has been excited about the idea of giving away her hair.

We found a participating hair salon (and when you donate the hair, the haircut is free!) and went there in the morning. I wasn't sure if she would really go through with this, but she did.


She was very excited.


She looks so cute with her new hair style, but at the same time she looks so much older looking, a small part of me felt a little sad...

She is a very special little girl. Very funny, smart, loving and beautiful. It is my hope that she will keep growing the same way she has been so far, and be a beautiful person inside and out.



Just like she is to me now.

Living With What You Love

The talented photographer, designer and author Monica Rich Kosann recently shared her newly published book with me. As with any house design book, I was ever so delighted to sit down for a thorough read.

Living With What You Love is beautiful and completely captures all that make a house a home. Whether it is a special collection of seashells, fine art or a menagerie of family photos, Monica expresses how these endearing items offer our homes warmth, character and most of all, soul.

The book's celebration of photographs especially inspired me. I was moved to dust off those antique photo frames I've been collecting through the years, and finally fill them with the people and family I love.

I needed a large space so I decided to display them on our bedroom dresser. Joan of Arc is surrounded by the generations of family that have known her (my Great Great Grandmother originally purchased her).

Older generations are mixed in with the new. Pictures of Hubby, as both a little boy and a man, stand next to a picture of my Grandmother on the patio of her California hills home.

The photographs span four generations...my brother and I, my parents, my Grandmother and Great Grandmother.

I've picked up these frames as bargains over the past several years, ranging from $5 to $40. The sweet old pearl frame is one I came across for $5.

This is one of my favorite photos of my mom holding me as a baby.

I love this sweet little miniature Rococo frame holding a picture of my Grandmother as a child.

Here are my brother and I as children in Sequoia National Park, California.

In order to fit the photographs in non-standard size frames, I scanned them onto my computer and then re-sized them to fit each frame.

I want to thank Monica for sharing her beautiful book with me. My framing project would not have come about if it weren't for the inspiration I found through her examples that celebrate those items which lend soul to home...in collections, in heirlooms, and in photographs. It's truly nurturing to see the faces of my life, past and present, standing close to each other in heart and home.

Go here to read Acanthus and Acorn's review. Also, visit Monica's website to learn more about her, her passionate work and her new book, Living With What You Love.

Taking the Painting Plunge Again!

About a year and a half ago I purchased this dining room set from Craig’s List.

It is made by Henredon and included the table, four chairs, two leaves and custom made table pads. We had no dining room furniture (or any other furniture in this room) and considering the quality of the pieces, for $400 I think I found a pretty good deal.

My husband and I instantly agreed the striped velvet fabric (which I think was the original fabric) had to go. I choose pretty fabric from Calico Corners, used the old fabric as a pattern and even reused the original cording - a simple reupholstering project, which immediately updated the look of the chairs.

It was at this point, the agreeing stopped. I wanted to paint the chairs and Mr. RDH wanted me to leave them as is. So for 18 months I held off painting, thinking I might change my mind. I kept seeing pretty pictures, however, on some of my favorite blogs like the ones below.

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image via Cote De Texas

I have always loved a mix of finishes and now was even more convinced I needed to paint! So last week - unbeknownst to Mr. RDH - I took the plunge and once again I am so glad I did! (you may remember I had a similar dilemma with a clock.)

Chair before:

Chair lightly sanded:

Chair painted with my favorite paint – Valspar satin in Porcelain:

Chair glazed:

My dining room with newly painted chairs:

A big improvement! I love how the painted chairs make the space brighter and the table and chairs less “matchy-matchy.”

For a centerpiece I used an architectural element filled with sticks, along with several different style candlesticks and a linen table runner I made (for directions click HERE). Since this is one of the first rooms you see when walking through the front door, all of these elements provide the perfect transition into the rest of the house.

So what does Mr. RDH think? I am happy to report he likes the chairs better now that they are painted. Turns out he was never really crazy about the chairs to begin with – he liked the table. Harmony found!

Linking up to some of my favorite parties HERE