"Hunting" In Boston...have to buy something from here

My "hunting" trip lead me here...Hudson in Boston.  FANtastic store.  I have never been to this location.  I have shopped at the Hudson in Wellesley in the past.  I am desperate to buy something from here.  I am actually pretty crazed that I can't seem to find something.  I think I am trying to hard!  It is like writers block I guess...I have "decorating my home" block!!!!!

You have to look at all of these photo's (for those of you who can't make it to Boston!).  Amazing!

These are just the cutest pillows.  Again, if I had a "summer home" / if- when- HOW?  I would grab one of these for sure.  Wouldn't you?  

Would be cute in a youngster's room too or a family room for that matter!

The one thing that I absolutely love about this shop is how they mix and match styles, finishes, and periods.  I am actually going "cookoo" trying to figure out how to do it.  I am so in-love with this kind of decorating.  It obviously really takes talent and an eye for what works.  For me, it is hard work, not so easy.  Maybe, it is that I just don't trust what I like.  My husband always says, just buy what you like and you will always be happy when you see it at home.  Not so easy for me though.  Another realization I have come to learn about myself is that I LIKE too many things!  I really think I could go so many different ways when It comes to decorating.  I see one image in a magazine and I am like "wow", I am going to do exactly that.  Then I look through another magazine and see something totally different that catches my eye.  Also, all these fabulous blogs are not helping my cause either!  Believe me, I love all of them and the images that they present are amazing!  There is so much inspiration and talent out there but it can be overwhelming trying to sort it all out.  I seriously am thinking of studying design so I can just be comfortable decorating my home.  Maybe I am too afraid of costly mistakes.  I also think that I could easily change my mind in a few years and be ready to move on to something else.  I guess that is what most people love to do anyway.  Right?  A home should never truly be DONE.  Too boring!!!!!!

This arrangement caught my eye.  See how it is all mixed up but  put together at the same time!  

Stunning furniture.

These side tables are so great!

Wish I had a spot for this chandelier.  Or the guts to even hang it in my home!  

Tufted cuteness.

Coffee table attraction!

Getting worked up looking at these photo's again!  This chair below is so pretty.  Trying to think where I could put it.  Bedroom maybe?

So, enjoyed shopping here.  

A bit frustrated seeing all this great stuff and not being able to take it all home!

Have a great day!

xoxojamilyn

*Images property of Living It At Home*

Saw This Little Ottoman

And brought it home to try it out in front of the fireplace.  I liked the size and details...

After placing it there, not so crazy about it.  So, brought it back to Hudson.

Still on the look out for something to put in front of my fireplace.  I am just not lovin' anything!  The two chairs you see aren't really supposed to be where they are.  Either is my gorgeous round tufted ottoman.  Just there to fill space for now.  Doesn't look that bad. 

As I "hunt" around, I will post what I come across.  I was out all day today!  Ugh!

xoxojamilyn

*images from Living It At Home"

Bursting Out

Are we actually thawing out?  It is going to be in the 50's this weekend here in MA!  Sun is so bright and I can hear all the beautiful song birds outside.  I am so excited for Spring!  After a long winter {probably not over for us New Englander's} I can't contain myself...I want to burst outside and do something.  Plant, clean up my yard (downed branches everywhere).  I just want to be outside.  I think my dog will get a nice long walk today!  

I cannot wait for flowers!  All of these photo's were taken by my daughter...she is a budding photographer!  We were on Martha's Vineyard when she spotted this pretty rose.  

The flower up top was taken in Maine.

I never thought these dandelion "wishes" could look so pretty in a photo.  Gotta run...I have to get outside and get some Vitamin D from that gorgeous warm sunshine!

Have a wonderful "sunny" weekend!

xoxojamilyn

*photo's taken by Olivia and property of Living It At Home*

When You Can't Find Furniture...

...go shopping for yourself!  Here is my loot from my "mini" shopping spree.  Great stuff, huh?  I am much better at buying things like this than LARGE pieces for my home.  I have been out "hunting" for my home and decided to take a break. *Click on photo's to see larger details*

Had some Nordstrom dollars (from points) to use up and I have to say did pretty well.  Like?

~Love~

I found this Botkier bag half off at Nordstroms!   They usually have a table or two filled with discounted bags.  The saleswoman said that they usually don't carry this designer, but someone had just returned it (special order or something).  Lucky me!  I love big slouchy, soft leather (designer) bags!  Yeah for me!

I needed a wallet desperately and these ADORABLE patent leather Tori Burch wallets just came in.  This is apparently the new color for spring.  I just liked that it was cute, bright and I could find it at the bottom of my bag.

The other great thing about this wallet is that it zips all the way around to keep your belongings safe and secure.  Also, if your phone is skinny enough {mine is for now} you can slip it inside...zip it up and your are good to go with a cute summery clutch.  I should be a saleswoman...are you sold yet?

Here I am lounging on my fairly new couch {feet on the couch/oh no!}  These cute brown Tori Burch shoes (very comfy) I actually found in this adorable shop in Concord, MA called Viola (excuse my ugly jeans).  She is having a sale up to 75% off designer shoes, bags, ect...  I scored these and love them.  Last year I bought a Gryson bag for 75% off and use it all the time.

Lastly, this gorgeous feather light (really thin) cashmere scarf I picked up at Nordstroms also.  Great colors for spring and they are color blocked.  Really cute.

Hope you enjoyed my shopping spree.  Now onto the big things...chairs, rugs, lamps...eek! 

 I think I really need help.  My creative side has left the building!

xoxojamilyn

*photo's property of Living It At Home*

Weekend Look-Nesting On Main

Our weekend trip to a delightful antique store, Nesting On Maine, in Concord, MA.  On the "hunt" again for my home.  This shop is one of my most absolute fav's to visit!  My daughter tagged along reluctantly and fell in love.  We had a nice little chat with the store owner about her upcoming trip to France for a buying spree for her store.  Is she living the "dream" or what?  I asked her if she thought she was, and she replied "yes". 

 I would love to do what she does...travel, have a cute little shop in a historic town.  One day...

I snapped a bunch of pictures, worth scrolling through~ for all you scanners out there~ I know you don't have the time...very busy.  Just take a look, and if you live in MA, it is worth a visit!

Firstly~ Her store sign is adorable!

Nesting On Maine is chuck full of the most wonderful treasures.  It takes awhile to truly see everything.

I am crazy over mushrooms.  I really have to resist every time I go in here.  

She always has cute ones for sale!

I fell in love with this bird fountain {is that the name for it? Suddenly can't remember}

There are many vignettes that are done so beautifully.  She is so talented in how she arranges everything.

I love the owl painting.  

Can you believe this place?  So much fun!

Adorable gifts scattered here and there...

Tags for a present...

Love this twig table, but worry about how would you dust all those branches?

This map of Paris was tempting me.  Can't justify buying it because I have never been there.  I do have my eye on the little hotel silver sugar bowl (on dresser/didn't get a close up).  

I feel a collection coming on!

So cute! BYE!

P.S.  I now have a crazed antiquing/daughter on my hands!  She purchased some vintage quill pens and the shop owner graciously gave her a "gift".  It was an antique slide that she had fallen in love with.  How nice!  She is smitten now~

xoxojamilyn

Get Cozy-kitty style

Stay warm - wrap yourself up - get cozy!

Rain

Snow

Hail

Ugh!

~Have a nice weekend~

Jamilyn

{image via Flicker}

Blog Favorite...Book Jacket

Book Jacket

  Teen Book Reviews And More

*Warning!  Proud Mom Bragging Alert*

Here are some examples of the delightful reads and reviews to be had at Book Jacket.  I highly recommend following the progress of this up and coming new teen (pre-teen) book review blog.  This young lady {oh, so talented daughter} has a passion for reading and writing and it reflects in her weekly posts.  If you are looking for a great book recommendation for your {tween/teen} child or just want to read a personal review on some interesting books, then visit Book Jacket.          

I actually have my eye on "Home To The Sea" by Chester Aaron (above).  Here is a sample of the review that Olive {aka-Olivia} posts on this book:   "I loved this book! I have read it so many times. Chester Aaron took a story that has been stuck in the Fantasy section since its creation, and transformed it into a story that seems like something real! This book is a scientific version of The Little Mermaid in reverse, and better! (The teen version) This is a very deep book, and full of emotion."

Another review:

"Witch and Wizard was amazing, James Patterson really worked his tail of on this book(there is going to be a sequel). He put lots of dialogue in this story that made me laugh out loud, which I don't usually tend to do when I am reading a book. He left no confusions, and nothing that didn't add up, everything fit precisely. His characters were portrayed beautifully. One of the things that impressed me the most was timing, he would hit you with an event that you never saw coming, and in some way, he would manage to slip in the scene at exactly the right time, so that it would leave you shocked."

Make sure to check out her review on another James Patterson book/series, 

MAXIMUM RIDE.  

Read a review and pick up a book!

~It is fun~

Thanks~

Jamilyn

{images and reviews from my daughter's blog olivebookjacket.blogspot.com}

Look Like A Mermaid

I remember doing this to my hair when I was a tween, oh-so-long-ago...  Well, it seems that sleeping with braids is back!  If you wait long enough, everything comes back.  Does that mean we should hold on to our wardrobe for some future use?  I actually saved some of my "unique trendy" clothing and shoes for my daughter when she is old enough to wear them.  Hopefully the timing will be right and they will be in style for her.  Do you remember Justin cowboy boots {popular in the 90's}?  I put those away for her.  Silly, huh?  Or, she can just stare at them and ponder how I could have worn that stuff!  Anyway, to get this look, which was used for Diane Von Furstenburg's Spring 2010 show, sleep on damp braids overnight.  For the runway, they used cornrows and for timing purposes, used a flatiron to press and set the plaits (not exactly sure what that means).  No product was used in her hair.  Very pretty!

~jamilyn

{image via elle.com}

Bermuda Trip ReCap

Swimming with the dolphin's actually happened!  Trip was a success after all.  Bermuda was beautiful.  I love visiting places that are right out of a postcard or magazine.  This was one of those vacations.  This is now one of my favorite places to get away too.  The flight was under 2 hours from Boston.  How can you go wrong!  Just hop on the plane and there you are...paradise.  I mean, look at the color of that water!  The sand is actually pink-ish...and felt like baby powder to walk on.

The weather was a bit on the chilly side.  Realistically for us, 65 degrees is better than 20 degrees.  They said that it is unusual for this time of year, usually warmer.  It is their off season right now, so not many tourists.  Not having the crowds was nice.  We had the Island to ourselves.

I am just going to give a quick run down of our trip...just in case you haven't been to Bermuda before {our first time}.  This info might be helpful if you ever plan to go.

*Flight to Bermuda from Boston is under 2 hours and from the East Coast mostly.  

We went for four nights, so do-able.

*We stayed at the Fairmont Southhampton/ a large hotel with golfing, spa/gym, pools, many restaurants on the premises, and private beach.  They also have complimentary ferry to Hamilton, for shopping and dinning.  It is also next to Horseshoe Beach which is famous for its beauty.

*Visited Crystal Caves, which is a must.  It is over 1 million years old.  Tour was great.

*Opted to take public transportation via local buses, which I recommend due to the fact that you cannot rent cars on this small island.  You are either going to pay for the expense of taxi's -which is pricey-or rent a scooter-which could be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing!  Bought a 3 day pass for the 3 of us.  Worked out great hanging out with the locals, everyone greets you in a friendly manner and everyone seems to know each other.  My daughter loved the "thrilling" bus rides.

*Visited St. George's, a historic town with cobblestone streets and an interesting old "unfinished church" 

*And of course we did the "Ultimate Dolphin Encounter" at Dolphin Quest in Dockyard.  

Highly recommend.

*Hung out at Horseshoe Beach and mostly ate and relaxed...the thing to do apparently!

Both sad and happy to be home...back to freezing!

xoxo jamilyn

*All images property of Living It At Home*

Sun Here I Come!

and we are off to bermuda....i will bring back some sunshine for you!  see you on monday {that is if i can tear myself away from this beach}

ta-ta for now!

~jamilyn