We’re having a big ol’ yard sale (Seattle locals – come by on Saturday the 30th!) but I thought I’d post a few smaller items here just in case anyone from a distance wants them. Especially for those of you who don’t have an Ikea handy, you may like these curtains. Prices include shipping (sorry, only within US unless you want to pay extra shipping). Email me to purchase via paypal! maggie AT maggieroseonline.com

Curtains (Ikea) two panels, fully lined (length= 90 inches) $40 SOLD!

Curtains (Ikea) two panels (length = about 94 inches) $30

Ikat pillow $13

Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style, $17 (my name is on the inside, and the jacket on the front is a little trench)

Three packs of unopened napkins, $12

Will update when items have sold!

As I was driving today from my home in Washington, DC, to my fiance’s home in Charleston, SC, I was thinking to myself: it’s the first day of summer. What should I make? More importantly, what recipe can I share on Maggie’s blog that other people will want to make? So there’s a question for you all, what kind of recipes would you like? Vegetarian? Seasonal? Light? Quick and easy? Fancy schmooze and impress your friends? Feedback welcome!

Just a little announcement that I’ve started as the new Dream Reporter over at Jess Constable’s blog, Makeunder My Life, a blog about living with intention. For anyone who is interested in the business-side of my new venture, I’ll be sharing my ups and downs and projects over there each Friday. If you’re hoping to also start a business or are a fellow new-entrepreneur, I’m hoping that some of the lessons I learn will be of some use to you!

Check out Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3!

P.S. We’re wrapping up some of the final touches on the new site design. I’d hoped to have it up yesterday, but another week will ensure that everything is running smoothly! The site will be down next weekend.

Overcast skies certainly put a damper on summertime fun. A little imagination helps. Ah, yes- my hair is soaked because I just got caught in a torrential downpour stepped out of the pool! I’m going to need an umbrella in this drink!

Dreadful weather might keep you inside (or in galoshes), but it needn’t get you down. Why not host an escape?

Combining sleek dishes and reflective surfaces with textural shells and tropical pattern creates a tablescape reminiscent of a coastal resort. Soothing, luxurious, and miles away from the everyday.

Sand-colored linen napkins, beachy souvenirs, and miniature message-in-a-bottle place settings suggest an island in the sun. A runner featuring a screen printed kelp graphic keeps the table modern and casual.

Mirrored finishes are not just glamorous, they maximize light (especially important in a dark dining room or when skies are gray). Topped with flickering candles, simple circular mirrors (available at most craft stores) add sparkle to your table while protecting it from drips and spills.

Order some exotic take-out, turn up the thermostat, and pretend you’re on vacation…

As part of our site redesign, I’m making some changes to the virtual services we offer. In case you’ve been waiting to sign on for your room design, I wanted to give everyone a head’s up.

After Friday, June 17th, I will no longer be offering the Trimmings package or Express Decorating.

These two packages have been the least popular. However, I will be adding the option to book my design services hourly, even for virtual, long-distance clients. So if you don’t need a whole room overhaul but just need an item or two sourced, we’ll be able to do that on an hourly basis.

If you’re interested in a Trimmings or Express Decorating package, you have until Friday night to purchase!

A statement lamp can be a great way to add personality to your home. Beyond mere function, they can add color, texture, or interest to a room on a sofa table, console, desk, or end table. While I love to use bargain lighting with great style, sometimes a real statement piece, like a great dress or necklace, is worth spending a little more on. Here are some I’m loving right now:

1. High Street Market

2. West Elm

3. (Shameless plug) Maggie Rose For the Home

4. Fabulous Mess

5. Circa Lighting

6. Lamps Plus

Speaking of Ryan, here we are LAST weekend. We snuck away with some friends for a camping trip and a jaunt up Mt. Rainier (driving jaunt, no hiking).

That was after two nights of camping, mind you. We’re not looking our glamourous selves

This weekend we’re staying closer to home but lots of stuff coming up:

1. Tonight is all about party prep and baking but hopefully squeezing in an episode of The X Files (we’re on season 2, yay netflix!)

2. Saturday is the memorial for a dear family friend, but I have a feeling it will be a true celebration of her life.

3. We then RUSH home to finish setting up for my End-Of-Job party that’ll kick off in the evening. Some fabulous ladies are coming and I can’t wait to see everyone gussied up!

4. Sunday I’m going to try to sleep in a little, but then we’re meeting up with my blog buddy Jill who is visiting Seattle this weekend!

5. We might try to get some gardening in on Sunday but I’m kind of hoping for a lazy evening.

Any fun plans this weekend? It’s looking kind of dreary here in Seattle, but I know it’s boiling hot everywhere else! Popsicles, anyone?

The obvious options are reupholstery (which can be cost-prohibitive but a complete transformation) and painting – which can take case goods (shelving, armoires, cabinets) from plain to posh. But there are other options.

Above is a cute little desk from World Market, which runs $145. It would be adorable painted a bright color, or even left white but with the knob swapped out for something fun. But for a more elegant look, I’d use grasscloth wallpaper to cover the inset side panels and drawer front. You’d only need scrap pieces to do it. Change out the knob for a pretty glass one, and you’d have a totally unique look.

So my suggestion for the day is to think one step beyond the basic paint or reupholstery. What would add a little extra to your diy? You could end up with a completely custom piece at a retail price.

Today is Day 1 of leaving the comfort zone. I turned in my key card yesterday, and popped a cork on the champagne when I got home.

Faced with a big empty schedule today (but not an empty to-do list!) I am definitely beyond that “comfort zone”… you know, where you wake up, go to your job, sit at a desk, collect a paycheck, go home, eat, sleep, repeat. That was safe. Today, well I’m not so safe.

But I’m living.

This year we chose a few starts at the store – garlic and onions, which you would do from bulbs in the fall… we had actually considered moving over the winter so we didn’t plant in the fall when we should have.  But for lettuce, radishes, carrots, and green beans, we decided to try planting from seed. In the bed with onions, garlic, and our lavender from last year we planted radishes and carrots. In the other bed we’ve planted beans and lettuce, and left some space to stagger our plantings throughout the summer. Yes, everything needs thinning.