Oh my, so slacking on posts.

I have been so been so busy. Summer ended, school started for me and Chicken. I am so excited to announce my new venture, one project after another! Feather and Form is a collaborative event design firm. My cuz, Jus Cowland, and I decided to go out on a limb and work together planning events! We are so excited and ready to change the world, well Cocoa Village at least! We are looking for a really great website designer.... HELP!

Email me at Rachel@FeatherandForm.com.

Before and After

Finished Fireplace

Thank you Mr. Jim Lemon (www.jimlemon.com). Our fireplace is complete, now it is time to hang the mantel. Here are a few pics. Now I can complete the molding returns.

Hope you like.

RAE

The last month...

...was draining, however I am all moved in. We are unpacked, unorganized, and HAPPY about it. A few small projects still exist, and nag at me everyday! Knocking them out one day at a time. I do have new pictures, and I will post them soon. Busy, busy. My sister, Beka from Innove Events Styling, is visiting. We are having a great time pushing furniture around and laughing about the condition of my front porch... the Clampett's residence :-). Soon things will be in place and then, we start painting!!! Yep next on the agenda is exterior painting. Wish me luck!!! I will let you all know when the painting schedule is put together... and if you offered to help I will email you, anyone up for the midnight to a.m. shift?

Thanks for all your loving support!

Rae

Factory 20

Today I was looking around online for salvage plumbing pieces. More specifically, I am trying to find a few porcelain or steel brackets to make shelves in the bathroom. After an hour of looking without any success I came across the mother-load of vintage/salvage furniture, art and lighting. Factory 20 (www.factory20.com). If you have any interest in Mid-Century Modern furnishings, old industrial tables and stools or vintage mirrors and chalkboards.... go to the website and join me in a moment of silence!!! Did you hear the angels sing? It is unfortunate, if I happen to win the lottery tomorrow.... Factory 20 would bank!!!!!

Hope you are all having a great day!

Rae

P.s. I want to thank the Goolsby family for my flowers. Thank you for thinking of me, praying for my family and always working for Jesus! I know you touch many lives.

What a great idea!

Since I spend most of my days, these days, searching for free boxes behind Publix and Walmart this idea was special to me... HAHAHAHA. You know when you have grass delivered on those pesky pallets? The garbage man won't take them so they rot by the road until a glorious trash picker comes by so intrigued by the wooden mess he takes it away for you! Of course the grass you just purchased is now dead underneath... and the cycle begins again!!! Anyway. Whomever designed this adorable daybed and outdoor seating is genius! Now I will never place the pallets by the road.... instead spray paint them make a couch!

Piles of pallets live behind Publix and Walmart, however I think taking them is stealing! Throwing out my "disclaimer".

Rae

Projects

Straight from the back burner. So after days of sanding, priming, and sanding again... we are ALMOST done. My hands hate me, I owe them a manicure. The final touches are about to complete the job. But, while my sand paper is still out, and I finally know how to work a sander let me introduce you to some junk I found in the garbage, but have big plans for.

1. The 2 little tables, found on the side of the road, were yellow and had seen better days. After sanding and a new piece of glass, they will be new side tables.

2. That dresser, the one the pine mantel is sitting on, will be finished and painted white.

3. See the small brown circles on top of the pine? That is a stool with a wicker top.... Anthony sat on it yesterday and fell right through. Also a garbage find, gets a coat of paint and a new upholstered seat.

4. The sofa gets new fabric, a black and white strip, and should turn out real nice. I am not doing this, but found someone on Craig's List for a great price.

My work is never done....

Mantel Inspiration

This mantel just spoke to me.... said "your not to girlie, so why go with a girlie mantel". It makes me feel warm, vintage and modern all at the same time! I found the giant piece of pine at Florida Victorian (www.floridavictorian.com) in Deland, FL. Mark has such amazing things in his store. He invited us to rummage through his back room and my eyes nearly fell out of my face. Treasures around every corner, I was there for 3 hours and on a ladder most of the time. I found a great horse picture, drawn with chalk, lots of hardware, and plenty of other things I made up excuses to get. Check him out!!!!

More Rooms... Ahhhhh, the floors minus 20 years.

Living room, still working on the fireplace. However, I am getting close. I have a great inspiration photo, and a near perfect match mantel. I will post the mantel pics next!

New pics.. and a lot of them!

Enjoy.... Start with the kitchen!

Things I love...

Almost time to move in.... here some things I am drooling over. I need a third job to fulfill the wishes :-)

Check out this book...

I have been very emotionally lately, maybe it's stress, about all of the terrible news stories. Just recently in Florida some psycho-path broke into a home, while the family was sleeping, trying to molest a 4 year old. Last night I was watching the ever so sickening "To Catch a Predator", of course it's always filmed in Florida. In a discussion with a friend I was describing the fear parents must live in, how they must ask God questions about "how could things like this happen" and a book was brought to my attention. The Shack. I have not read this novel, however I plan to find it immediately! From what I have read about the book, it is about a family whose child is abducted while on a family vacation and how they cope with the pain. After years had gone by, a note written by God invites the father back to the Shack in which his daughter was murdered. In that place all of the fathers questions are answered, his heart is repaired and spirit renewed. Sounds scary and touching, leaving you feeling complete. I hope you all look into it, especially if you questions that start with "Why?".

www.theshackbook.com

...And the beat rolls on

Well looks like things are happening while I am gone. Here are the pictures I got today, the kitchen going in!!!! I am so excited, this means we are one step closer. I can't wait for countertops and accessories!!!!! The before and after pics will stun you. I picked a light, mossy green color called Willow. Kinda crossed my fingers when I made the purchase.... Hope you like.

Rae

Go'in on a trip, Go'in on a trip....

Heading out tomorrow for Philadelphia. My sister, Beka from Innove, lives there and her glorious husband has finally finished law school. Our whole family will be there to cheer him on! A lot of things are going on at the house during my absence, the kitchen cabinets will be delivered and installed, paint will go up and the floors will be sanded!!! Man, I am missing all the good stuff. Today we pick paint colors.... all calm, cool and inspiring. Here are a few things I loved.... The dark kitchen is my favorite, but I was out-voted!!! 1 to 1.

Fingers crossed all goes well,

Rae

Yes, Double fist pump, Yes!!!!

We passed our electrical and drywall inspection.... can you believe it took this long? The kitchen will be delivered next Thursday. I am so excited. I will get some new pics up soon. Painting party will start May 26th, call me if you wanna help. Drinks on me.

Thanks for all your love and support.... I finally see the finish line!

Rae

I need more Happy Accidents in my life....

My favorite, favorite, favorite.... Blossoming Trees. Oh how I wish Florida exposed the seasons as beautifully as northern states. These photos, taken by Kim at Happy Accidents, take my breath away. Can you hear them, the trees almost say, "Just exhale". Thank you so much Kim for making me feel healthy again. 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh,

Rae

Nuk and a Me

Check out www.nukame.blogspot.com. Fun stories about babies, toddlers, and kids. Share yours.

Rae

Good news from the "Home-front"

Permit, Granted!!!! So excited I was almost in tears. God is good. In the meantime we finished stripping the doors. One last sanding day and the trim should be ready for primer. The electrical can now be finished and inspected and then I can invite the dry-wallers back!!!!  Here we are sanding, hahaha.

Rae

Kitchen Tile, Check.

After much sanding and stripping of paint, there's more. Hopefully, this weekend I will finish all the leftovers. Last weekend the new kitchen tile went in, and it wasn't easy. I picked small white hexagon tiles, thought how easy just lay'em down and shove'em together, right? WRONG! More trouble than we thought, but finished. Next, raising a door and replacing exterior window sills. Hope you guys are having as much fun.

Take me here,

And drop me off..... Anyone else?

My friend at RUFF Hotels

If you are a savvy traveler who insists on taking your pet, first I think you are crazy, second if you have plans to visit Napa Valley with your little Pookie, Dusty Rhodes, or Bimini check out RUFF HOTEL (www.ruffhotels.com). It is an "upscale, trendy" doggie do hotel, perfect for the overzealous, funny loving, hard playing pup. My friends Shane and Theresa Holden is the owner, she attended Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC with my sister, Beka. They were roommates in the big city. I love that she got her Fashion Degree and opened an doggie hotel.

Oh, I didn't mean to leave out the cat!!! They have a great little room for cats.... the one with the curtains.

Here is a little more about RUFF, in their own words.... 

napa residents. family owned. devoted. playful. accommodating. dog lovers.

ruff. is a boutique hotel and daycare catered just for the most important thing in your life—your dog. 

inspired by our own beloved doggies, buff, bee gee, ella, ned, doobie and mani, ruff. bestows the best of the best of a socially entertaining, dependable, nurturing environment for your precious companion—just as we would want for our very own. 

sometimes things come up that just aren’t dog friendly. work, travel, errands. we know, because we had to deal with those very dilemmas ourselves. not all of us can bring along our furry companion to the office or leave him in our hotel room. ruff. makes your life easier, provides lovely professional doggie daycare, and lets us do what we enjoy most—playing with four-legged friends.   

ruff. brings together two of our greatest passions—dogs and family. we promise to take care of your dog like he was one of our own, giving him the same amount of unconditional love and companionship that he provides you with every day. 

No Yawning for Awnings!

I am looking for adorable awnings for over a few windows. I do believe I am going to black and white stripes.

Here are a few inspirations. 

Rae

Jus Cowland Photography..... Check her out!!!

"Jus" is my cousin and she is a great photographer. Hopefully, when the house is complete, she can take some pics to publish!!!! She is promoting a contest you may be interested in. 

Good luck.....

Jus Cowland Photography and a top professional photo lab, Miller’s Professional Imaging, are hosting the 2009 Baby & Child Portrait Contest. First, Second, and Third places, as well as two Honorable Mentions, will be announced for each category! Cash prizes for these winners include $2,000 for First, $1,000 for Second, $750 for Third, and $500 for each Honorable Mention. One portrait from the Final Round will also receive the highest of accolades — Grand Prize Winner. The cash prize will be $5,000 for this lucky winner! All cash prizes will be given to the families of the winning portraits. Categories for this year’s contest include Color, Black and White/Sepia, Special needs, and Humorous. Appointments will be available soon! If you are interested in entering your child in this amazing contest, please send an email to info@juscowlandphotography.com. Each participant will receive a $25 print credit toward any package purchase. Entry fee is $40 per child or $75 for two. Each additional child from the same immediate family will receive an additional $5 off entry fee. Session time lasts approximately 20 minutes and may be held on-location or in studio. Each child is allowed 1 outfit change. Miller’s Professional Imaging awards cash Prizes. Only children, infant to age 12, are eligible for this contest. Print purchase not required for entry. Model release must be signed prior to session to be eligible for contest. Prints may also be used for Jus Cowland's next photography book.

Easter, Happy Easter....

Besides the necessary coloring of eggs, hunting for eggs and gorging of chocolate, a few other things were accomplished. I wish I could say they were finished, but things are looking good. This past week, even throughout the weekend, was spent scrapping and sanding all the trim, doors and baseboards.... allow me to show you the fun!!!!! Layers and layers of gorgeous colors, mauve to yellow to blue to brown, or was it the other way around? How ever the colors revealed themselves, I showed them "No Mercy". After a few hours you would step back and realize you had only covered 3 square inches, but with a smile :-). Only about 5 more days of sanding, we are going to try a blow-torch next time around. Next, tearing down that unbelievable wall-paper!!! Can you guess what was underneath? Yep, mold.... feast your eyes on project number 124,673!!! 

I wanted to take an opportunity and say thanks to East Coast Christian Center for a great Easter. All three services were filled up with believers, goers and what some may call CEO's.... Easter and Christmas only-s. No matter what you "were", what you left with was a great message and even a second chance. If you didn't take time to thank Jesus for all He has done for you.... do it now. There is nothing more important. 

I believe this house is my second chance, and the scars of my life will help me navigate my way through. You can make mistakes, but not twice!!!!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life" John 3:16

(www.eccct.us)