I just realized I will be flying home from Washington D.C. on election day, so I’m going to be an absentee voter this year. I’m kind of sad because I love getting those "I Voted" stickers. They make me feel like I have done my duty as a citizen of this country. Ok, really it makes me feel cooler/smarter/more informed that all the people who don’t have one. I didn’t realize this until I read Freakonomics . One of the authors’ studies says that the main reason people vote (especially in small towns) is because they want people to see that they are voting (or see that they are not not voting), not because they think their vote will actually change anything. And that is why I think the person who thought up the "I Voted" stickers is a genius. The poll workers see that you vote AND your coworkers see that you vote. Brilliant.

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On HGTV.com there are a few good ideas for decorating your table on the cheap. Exactly what we all need right now. I love that the main things in this picture are the apples, leaves, and candles. I just happen to have a few candles hanging around, beautiful red and gold leaves are in abundance, and apples will look pretty and then taste great once I’m done using them for decoration. Great ideas HGTV!

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I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond yesterday and found a really long table cloth that will fit my table when I have both leaves in (for $5) and some nice dinner napkins ($6 for 8). I’m trying to make my table look like it is ready for fall. I have a pretty good start, but I need some more ideas. I’m thinking about getting some beautiful glasses that would look good in my cabinets with the glass doors, but I need to find some cheap/free ideas. I’ll let you know if I come up with anything.

(The table runner is from KOHL’s and the pumpkin is from Tai Pan.)

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I’ve been moved into my kitchen for a few weeks now. It is lovely. I still have some things on my to do list, but it is functional! Wahoo!

Eventually we are going to put lights in the cupboards with the glass doors. And yes, Seth is wearing a scout shirt, and, yes, we are eating Mac’n'Cheese for dinner. It just happens sometimes.

A view of our pantry. I am very fond of it.

The chairs in the background are from my grandmother. Aren’t they gorgeous?

And here are a few of my favorite details:

Our bitter-sweet faucet. Sweet because we like it so much. Bitter because of what it took to get it and make it work.

Our spice rack and cookie sheet cupboard. I’ll let them speak for themselves.

Two lazy susans! (Sorry the picture is crooked.)

Maybe I should have a kitchen warming party so everyone who wants to see it can come over. I’ll let you know if I so decide.

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I love free stuff. That is why I love the blog Free Design Goodies . The blog author Summer Allen-Gibson scours the internet for items designers have on their site for free. Here are a few of my favorites.

A "Contains Valuable Document" envelope from 16 Sparrows .

These very cute dishtowel paterns from Posie Gets Cozy .

I’m not sure who came up with Readymechs , but I think they are just great. And just in time for Halloween. I want to build everyone I know a little paper monster.

Tags: Things I Like, Very Interesting // 1 Comment »

I realize it has been well over two weeks since I last posted…but there are no apologies here! I’ve been having a blast on vacation and then been gettin’ back into the groove of things. Here are a few pictures (and captions) from my trip.

Me, Seth, Kristen and Rob (great friends and good travel buddies) in front of the gorgeous Spanish fort El Morro in San Juan.

Rob, Kristen, Me and Seth looking down on Puerto Rico’s East side from El Yunque, Puerto Rico’s rain forest.

Me and Seth in front of one of El Yunque’s gorgeous waterfalls.

Seth basking in the healing waters of El Yunque (which happens to be the only rain forest in the US National Parks System).

View from the condo we rented.

We went scuba diving on Culebra Island, which is about an hour and a half ferry ride from Puerto Rico. I was sprawled out across four chairs in the middle of the boat and woke up to Seth sitting like this.

The boys got along so well that they went home wearing matching dive shirts. So funny!

I’m sad my break is over, but am excited to be back! When I left it still felt like summer, but I definitely came home to fall. I’m going to break out the few fall decorations I have. I love the warm autumn colors. They make my house feel so cozy.

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Sorry for the lack of posts. I’ve been busy learning how to scuba dive. Why? Because I’m going to Puerto Rico next week. I’m excited for some relaxin’! But until then I’m going to be busy getting ready for the trip. I’ll try to post as much as I can…but there are no guarantees.

I do want to let you know about the Utah Valley Home and Remodeling Expo coming up this Friday and Saturday. It is the best place to comparison shop for things you may need to do to your house. For example, Seth and I went to an expo right when we were looking for some hardwood floors for our entryway and kitchen. We didn’t want to spend all the time (and stinkin’ gas money) on going to a bunch of different places. We found a couple different places at the expo that had great deals on floors, got samples, took them home and stewed over them, made a decision and called the store to buy our floors. It was great.

These home expos are also great places to get new ideas or to get coupons to places you may need to go to anyway. (Last time we got 20% off at Diamond Rental…not bad!)

You can get free tickets in the latest Utah Valley Magazine and I think they may be giving them out at a few other places too, but I’m not sure where…if you know please let me know. I think I’m going to go on Friday, so I’ll see you there!

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I just went in to Roberts today to buy something I saw advertised in their mailer. (An embossing envelope for my Cuttlebug , if you must know.) I was excited because they were 30% off and they always have the 40% off one item coupons hanging around the store. I never hold on to the coupons I get in the mail because I always know I can get them in the store, too. Well, they have just changed their policy! You need to bring your coupon in to the store now. They were nice to me and still gave me 40% off, but said they are going to be sticking to their policy from now on. Just wanted to pass on the info so you can make sure to take your coupons in to the store. I know I would be mad if I didn’t get as fabulous a deal as I was expecting.

Maybe I’ll show you the cricut cards I plan on making with my new scrapbooking tool.

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Sorry about the lack of posts so far this week. I just went on a last minute trip to a conference about festivals and events. It was the perfect thing for me to get excited about Lavender Days for next year. Over the next little while we are going to step back and look at the event to make sure it is the best festival we can possibly put on…and that doesn’t mean the most jam packed crazy festival out there. We need to be good at what is most important to us. Isn’t it nice to step back every now and then and take a look at something from a different perspective? It is so refreshing and it makes me excited and happy.

Sometimes I feel like I need to attend a conference like this just for regular life. Don’t you?

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I just heard of a great little fabric shop in Lehi. It’s been around for 126 years…I almost feel ashamed I haven’t heard of it before. I was planning on visiting this coming week, so I was super excited to get a $5 coupon in the mail today. Wahoo! Look in your Home Town Values magazine and you might have one, too. I’ll let you know what I think of the store.

A cute little blogger and jewlery designer named Caroline Armelle wrote about the store last year. Click here to read her review.

Broadbent: 128 N. 100 E., Lehi Utah; open from 9-5

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