Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger

Susan from Must Love Junk, and myself wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Susan's and my blog. 

August 1st

Julie from Love My Simple Home

Happy Saturday.  I am going to introduce you to a really sweet blogger Julie from Love My Simple Home.  Enjoy getting to know Julie and please make a trip over to visit her really cute blog you will love her Simple Pretty Living posts.  

Hi my name is Julie and I blog at Love My Simple Home. I was surprised & happy when I received an e-mail from Kris asking if I would like to be in her Saturday Spotlight feature. I am happy to embrace this opportunity to speak about my personal side on her lovely blog.

Well here goes...I am a wife, mother and daughter.

I live on Eastern Long Island with my husband, daughter & two of the most sweetest fur babies.

About two years ago I was laid off from a full time job as a secretary.  It was a difficult time for us to adjust to one income. Eventually I landed a part time job as a secretary in the same school district where my daughter attends and my husband works.  Looking back now it was a blessing. Since then I started my blog, met the most nicest blog friends and  have more time to spend with my family.  I am learning how to cut back on expenses and live a simple life.  I like to share simple projects on my blog. For our home I shop at thrift stores, yard sales or the side of the road.  I am always amazed to see what people throw away.

Our beautiful daughter

I had my daughter late in life at age 40.  I am now 55 and she is 15.  I am the happiest I've ever been.  Staying fit and healthy is very important to me.  I walk everyday and I always make sure we eat healthy meals.  I rather cook our meals at home then go out to eat.  Summer is my favorite season.  I love driving to the farm stands to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables to make our meals. Eastern Long Island is surrounded by beautiful beaches.  In the summer that's were I like to relax.  We have a boat and like to camp on the beach whenever we can.

I am fortunate to have both my parents with me.  My dad had a stroke 6 years ago, it left him partially paralyzed and in a wheel chair.  They are both 81 years old and my mom looks amazing. Growing up we were a family of five.  I have an older sister and a younger brother.  I am the middle child.  When I was a child I took dance lessons and in college it was my major.  I enjoy the ARTS.  I also enjoy being outside on our boat or swimming in the ocean.

Here we are in 1968.  My mom, dad, big sis and that's me next to my little brother.

Here is a recent picture of my mom, sister and myself having fun in the Hamptons.

Our fur family

I took this picture when we were camping on the beach.  

That's my husband fishing near the Moriches Bay Inlet facing the Atlantic ocean.

We saw some amazing sunsets

Thank you Kris for giving me this opportunity to share my personal side.

Now that you have gotten to know Julie and her sweet  family please go over and visit Susan's blog and meet another wonderful blogger with the same first name Julie from Julie's Lifestyle.  Have a great rest of the week end.  Thank you for your visits and reading spotlight to meet and get to know wonderful bloggers.

Kris

:)

Re Love Of Old Armoire Doors

Hope your week is starting out to be a good one.

You know me and doors I have never been able to pass by one that had history and character to it.

Well I guess the same goes for not being able to get rid of a door or two either.

Remember these doors on the Armoire:

After remaking this armoire into a smaller one.  I had these two doors left.  I cannot let go of doors so I thought hmmmm how can I re love these into something new.

Ok and remember this old door hanging over my guest room bed.  Hmmmmm......

This was the headboard Terry made for our master bedroom awhile back out of three old doors we had.  I loved this one so much that I thought the guest room needed a unique headboard too.

Well Terry worked his magic and married the two armoire doors with this smaller chippy door to make a new headboard for the guest room.

The doors fit perfectly together to make a great new headboard.

Yep! Three doors re loved into a new guest room headboard.

This guest room cottage sign is getting a new spot and I am working on some other changes to the guest room and hope to show you those soon.

Have a wonderful start to the new week.
I always appreciate your visits.
Kris
:)

Parties:
Inspire Me Tuesday
Show and Share
Wow Us Wednesday
What's It Wednesday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Centerpiece Wednesday
Before and After Wednesday
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Thrifty Life Thursday
Twirl and Take a Bow Party
Shabbilicious Friday Party
Feathered Nest Friday

Give Away Winner (s)

Happy Sunday.  I put all the names in a bowl and had Mr. JCC pick out the names.  Old fashion I know but it works.

The editor of Somerset told me he could only send me one extra copy for the giveaway and then the lovely Sara and Abby from Sweet Magnolias Farm  said they had received an extra copy that they would be  happy to send to a winner.  They are just the sweetest.

Then I started to think that since there are so many of us in this issues together I needed to sweeten the pot.  So I ordered a couple extra copies.

So all in all I could give away 4 copies of this great magazine.

So here are the 4 winners.  Please email me your full names and address's and as soon as I get the copies I will send them out.  I will have Sara and Abbey send the copy they have to one of you too.

Thank you for all the followers and all of you who entered.  I wish I had a copy for each of you.

The Winners:

Tina from What We Keep

Kelly Essence of Home

Susie She Junks

Kathy Creative Home Expressions

Congrats!

I appreciate you following my blog and your visits and sweet comments always.

********************

In the next few days and I will have a post on what happened to these doors from the old armoire.

Yep! These doors have been Re Loved into something new at Junk Chic Cottage.
I cannot wait to show you.

Have a wonderful start to the new week.
Kris
:)

Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger

Susan from Must Love Junk, and myself wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Susan's and my blog. 

July 26

Alessandra

From My Romantic Creations

I am so excited to introduce you to this next blogger in the Spotlight.  We are traveling across the sea to Italy.  Milan Italy.  Please sit back and get to know this international blogger Alessandra from My Romantic Creations.  Alessandra is my bff from Italy. I have loved getting to know her over the past year and we have become blogging friends.  Wait until you see the beautiful surroundings in which she lives.  Heaven! Enjoy getting to know this special blogger.

Wow…I was so excited when Kris asked me whether i’ d like to be a guest here… thank you very much, Kris!!!

Hello! I’m Alessandra. I blog over at MY ROMANTIC CREATIONS. I’ m 42 years old. My husband and i have been married for 10 years and we a such beautiful son. He’ s 7 years old and he is my joy of life and my most precious treasure. I’ m italian ad I was born in Milan, in the north of Italy. Let’ s have a tour in my city, now...

The Duomo and its square

   

The Villa Reale

   

The Sforzesco Castle

 

   

Arch of peace

Navigli

I hope you enjoyed my tour in Milan. I love walking along the streets of my city, looking at the ancient buildings and churches. I think they are so fascinating, aren’ t they? They show all the power of art, of the great ability of creative minds and artists.

I’ ll tell you a secret... I am a window peeker!

That’ s why i adore walking along the streets too.

But now, follow me in one of my favorite shops... Camomilla. Here you can buy many romantic items to decor the home or you can find many romantic acessories such as hats, bags, purses and so on.

I live in the house which was built by my grandfahter’s dad. For this reason my home is rich of important memories of my family and of my childhood. My home is what I am: a romantic dreamer.

I really adore to decor my home for Xmas...

Another my passion are the tablescapes.

I like very much to display my creations on the table and I like to create romantic atmosphere for me and for my guests.

I am passionate about everything is romantic and pink! Pink is my favorite color and it’ s my philosophy of life. It gives me relax, soothing atmosphere and it makes me happy. The same thing for all the romantic items: laces, ribbons, sweet fabrics, peonies, shabby chic style, tea and coffee cup, english cottages, sentimental movies...oh...I like too much things!!!

I was featured in the italian magazine “ CASA ROMANTICA “ two years ago... I was very honored to be featured in my favorite magazine!

I’ve got a romantic soul which helps me to look for beauty and perfection. For this reason, over years, my home has under gone many transformations. I’ d like to transform it in a shabby chic home... little by little!  American houses are fantastic and the american shabby style inspire me a lot. It is really awesome to see American houses ... just gorgeous! I love creating and decorating. Almost of my creations are in altered art. I adore to transform normal things into something full of romance. For me, the re- use is the “ second chance” , “ the second life” for everything inspire me.

Here few examples of my creations... trash into treasure! I love showing projects that began with treasures ( after) and finished with trash ( before).

Before...

I use many technics for my job: altered art, scrap art, decoupage, restyling shabby, sewing... but the most important things to craft are fantasy and passion.  Nothing can be made without them.

Before...

Another “ before”...

And “ after”...

My others loves include blogging, of course! I’ve been blogging for 2 years and I have made a lot of special friends. I've never thought I would have met so many real, unique, kind and sweet souls. Blog land is full of some the most special and wonderful people. If you want to relax, to listen to sentimental music, to have a cup italian coffee...visit me!

It’ s always a great pleasure to meet new blogging friends!

Wow…I was so excited when Kris asked me whether I’ d like to be a guest here… thank you very much, Kris!!!

Thank you so much Alessandra for doing Spotlight.  Oh....... to walk those beautiful streets of Milan.  Gorgeous.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story with all of us.  Love that you live in the home your grandfather built.  Your decor is truly a "Romantic Dream".

Now that you have gotten to know Alessandra please hop over to Susan's blog and meet another wonderful blogger Tania from Little Vintage Cottage.

Have a wonderful week end.  Thank you for your visits to Spotlight.
Kris
:)