My mom’s birthday is fast approaching, and with it arrives the end of my first 101 in 1001 list! I am working on a new list that will start on March 21st (her birthday), and have included some of the items that didn’t get crossed off the first time as well as new items. It’s been a fun experiment, and I have certainly learned that while 1001 days sounds like a long time, it’s really not. It goes quickly!
A confession; I love making lists. Making this new 101 has been a bit harder than the first one though. I don’t have many items yet (under 50). The items I do have are things I am excited about, but I need more and am running out of time. So just for fun I thought I would employ your help! I have a copy of the book Listography Journal: Your Life in Lists
to give away to one lucky reader! All you have to do is help me with my list.

If you would like a chance to win this fun book, simply suggest an item for my 101 in 1001 list! It’s that easy. You can comment with as many ideas as you want until midnight on March 20th. Just be sure to use a separate comment for each idea. I will choose a comment at random, and may include some of your suggestions in my new 101 list! The giveaway is open to all countries. Be sure your email is correct in the comment form so I can contact you if you are the winner!
Sound like fun? Ready, set, comment!
*this giveaway is now closed. Congrats to #3, Juliette. I loved all your comments a bunch by the way!*

Trading Spaces on TLC
I first really started to get excited about home design when my mom and I discovered a great little show called Trading Spaces. This was back in the year 2000, when Alex McLeod was the hostess, Ty Pennington was just the hunky carpenter I had a huge crush on, and the idea of swapping houses with your neighbors sounded like a lot of fun.
Of course at the time I didn’t have my own place. I had always liked design, and though I had done a makeover to my little bedroom a few years earlier and somehow ended up decorating the apartment I shared with 3 other girls, it’s not the same as having your own house to play with. When we first started watching the show, I was living at home, saving up my money, and filing away all the fun ideas for my future house. It made me house hungry!
Not long after the show started, I got hitched, but still didn’t have my own home. There’s only so much you can do in a space that you don’t own, can’t paint, and have to share with a husband. My husband, unlike other husbands I hear about, actually likes design and has opinions about what the house should look like! Imagine my surprise when that was revealed! And here I thought I would have free reign.
I had always dreamed that when I did get my own house, some of my favorite Trading Spaces designers would come decorate for me (yes, I have large dreams). I wanted the garden room with twinkle lights and moss that Genevieve designed, the living room with the brilliant blue butterfly artwork that Vern created, and that controversial fireplace that Doug built. And obviously, I wanted to have some furniture that Ty made.
What about you? When did you first get the design bug?
Uncategorized
It is super cold today, with a wind that makes it hard to breath. Despite that though, there are signs of spring all around.

Our crocus are out in full force, and they make me so happy. There are tons of yellow and white, and a few special purple flowers mixed in as well. The tulips and hyacinth are starting to come up, as are the iris. Yes, signs of spring everywhere. It’s even staying lighter longer at night, and getting lighter earlier in the morning. I can’t wait.
I first learned of The Sweet Tooth Fairy through reading Stephanie’s blog (NieNie). She had mentioned that there was a local cupcake shop that had named a cupcake in her honor. Well, being a complete and utter vanilla lover, I had been thinking of the vaNIElla Squared cupcakes ever since.
I finally had a little free time to make the trek down to The Sweet Tooth Fairy shop (it’s not that far away, but it does take time to get there). I bought two cupcakes and put them in the fridge until my hubby came home. Once dinner was over, the special treat came out and I wasn’t even able to snap a photo. My hubby and I were both too ready to bite into them. They did not disappoint! Here is what they look like:

There is a very yummy coconut flavor in with the vanilla. The frosting is super rich, and the cake very moist. A yummy cupcake indeed. I can see why they are a favorite of Miss Stephanie. There were a lot of other tasty looking treats in the shop too. It’s certainly an indulgence though, as they are a bit expensive, but as a special treat it is worth the price.
On a side note, I saw Stephanie at Target around Christmas time. We were both in the Christmas decoration section, and it was super busy in the store. She had the most adorable coat on, and she is also very pretty. I didn’t talk to her of course (after all, I don’t actually know her) but in a way it felt like a “celebrity spotting” moment.