The Beckoning of Lovely

Someone sent me this video, and I am sharing it here in the hopes that every person that reads this post watches this video. It's about 7 minutes long, and I know we're all busy people. So maybe instead of choosing to use that time to pay bills, talk on the phone, read your email or make your grocery list, why not utilize that time instead to sit down and watch this. You will be glad you did. You will be inspired by the difference one very brave and creative woman made in this world, in the midst of strangers, on a warm summer night.

Make the most of your time here.

oxox Jennifer

Website Maintenance

In case you visited my website recently and got the following message above, yep I'm currently down for site maintenance. In the three years of running and maintaining my website, this is the first time I've had to shut the doors temporarilly, and it's feeling a bit like someone is slowly siphoning the oxygen out of the room. I felt an immediate disconnect with the world, so I came to my blog for a little comfort and connection.

Before you start worrying, this is temporary and my website's not going anywhere {some concerned phone calls have been coming in since the temporary shut-down}. I am making some improvements to my website, particularly with the checkout experience, however many of the changes you may not even notice, as it's more behind the curtain technical changes.

While I'm making announcements, many of you have asked about Cottage8, and what a patient bunch you are. Just know we are bustin our hinney's trying to get this house ready to share with you all. We're just as excited as you are, if not more.

oxox
Jennifer

Editors Note: While my website may still be down, there is now a link on the bottom of that page so that you can still shop my website. Thanks for your patience. With everything.

Chelsea Williams

photo credit

Thanks everyone for asking about Adam. He's feeling a little better, day by day. To break away from what I would refer to as our currently "hermit crab lifestyle" this past week, we went to Universal CityWalk last night. Great food, fun stores to browse, and great local talent.

We were walking out of a candy store called It'Sugar, when I heard the most amazing voice, like that of a sweet angel. I stopped in my tracks and quickly turned around to find a pretty girl playing a guitar and singing. There was a crowd drawn around her. Modestly dressed, she wore a vintage coat, jeans with a hole in one knee and a pair of old cowboy boots. She was singing Hank Williams, and her voice was pitch-on.

We must have stood there through at least 10 songs, when Adam said to me "you'd better buy one of her cd's already". As I approached her, I noticed she had a sign "$5 a cd". It was no surprise she was selling them like hotcakes. And even after I bought a cd, I still wanted to stick around and listen some more. Adam didn't fight me one bit.

If you enjoy discovering new and fresh talent, please visit Chelsea Williams' website. And if you want to hear her play, you can listen here, here and here. Turns out, Chelsea currently makes her living by playing on the street for tips and selling her cd's. I'm a strong believer in supporting artists that put themselves out there, and I would drive out there again just to watch her perform. This girl has the talent and the charisma to do anything she sets her heart on, and that's just the inspiration this little hermit crab family needed.

oxox
Jennifer

In with the new

It was a thrilling New Years Eve at the Grey house last night. We were 30 seconds away from the stroke of midnight and the great big ball was about to drop, and my only thoughts were if Adam {my currently flu ridden husband} would make it through just long enough to celebrate it with me, or if I would be forced to dance around the bedroom with our two cats instead.

Adam's been sick for over week now with some kind of nasty flu that I am avoiding at all costs and so far I've not caught it yet. He's seen the doctor, he's taking meds, but this flu is some kind of serious force to be reckoned with.

And so this morning began with the usual routine...a cup of steeping hot tea with cream and cats puring against my legs, as I proceeded to read my email. That's when it got interesting. Apparently, January's Cottage of the Month is sparking some attention.

Some of you may remember when I posted about my desire to occasionally break away from the typical style homes I usually feature. Well, when my dear friend Becky introduced me to Waveney's home, I couldn't resist the opportunity. She lives in a gorgeous Tudor cottage, filled with Scottish antiques. And while it may not reflect my own personal decor, that doesn't mean I can't appreciate it and more importantly learn from it. An interior decorator for over 30 years, Waveney and her husband combined both their Scottish heritage and their love for dogs and have created a look in their home that is incredibly unique and different from anything I've seen before.

I'm not asking you to learn to play the bagpipes, adopt a scottie, or cover your white slipcovered sofas in plaid throws. Maybe just lend an open mind to things that may be different or unfamiliar than what you may be used to. You may be amazed at what you'll find!

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year,
Jennifer