Friday Favorites + Sneak Peek Makeover + Gram
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It’s been a pretty crazy week here. I just got back earlier today from a few days in New York City attending the Better Homes and Gardens yearly Style Makeover Event and I am always so honored to be invited. There were about 70 bloggers from varying niches and each year I get the opportunity to go back, I am so appreciative. Today is a mixed bag of topics starting with my Friday favorites from the week, a sneak peek at my stepdaughter’s living room and lastly, but most importantly, my gram.
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Sometimes during the week I come across some amazing deals while hunting down home decor bargains for our own home and a few local design clients I am working with. I am not sure how I ended up helping a few local people with makeovers but it’s fun, I make a little extra cash and it’s nice to do stuff outside of my own house. -ha.
This sisal rug is still on sale (I mentioned it last week) and it’s amazing. A 6×9 rug is only $170.00 and that’s a great deal for a large neutral rug. 
Image via Wayfair
My stepdaughter’s mom ordered this rug above for their dining room that we are also making over and I think it’s going to look great. Did you see the living makeover we are doing in their living room? Here is a sneak peek of the after and this amazing chair from HomeGoods. This room changed dramatically from the before (check out the before room here) and I will be sharing the full reveal on Sunday. So check back first thing Sunday am. UPDATE: Full Makeover Here
The pillow and throw are also from HomeGoods. We decided on a steal gray and yellow color scheme with pops of color through decorative accents. The gorgeous complimentary rug is from Annie Selke and is by Dash and Albert. More on the entire room Sunday!
If any of you are interested in a fabulous cocktail dress for the upcoming holidays, my dress is marked down under $100 from Saks and it’s so comfortable. I would never spend full retail on this dress but under $100 is do-able and perfect for the holidays.
Marchesa Rose – Marchesa Rose Ruffled Shift Dress
I wore this to the cocktail party last night in NYC and the dress is true to size, I am wearing an XS (I am 5’3 and 123 lbs) and the material is gorgeous. The ruffled open shoulder sleeves have a pretty flow to them and are light weight. If you follow us on instagram, you may have seen a few of the stories I posted of the event and this outfit.
My gram is kind of status quo but they are concerned with the amount of fluid she is retaining. She is now taking water pills which basically make her pee 24/7 to help keep the fluid down. They are worried about her lungs filling with fluid which will cause her more pain and more trouble breathing. It seems that her illness/disease is getting worse. It’s no way to live, the way she is currently and I feel so bad for her. She doesn’t even like watching her soap opera’s anymore. They put her on an antidepressant to hopefully help but I am not sure it will. We are looking into ways to get her home for visits via a wheel chair van. She is determined to try and get into the car but she barely could walk 2 steps today without gasping for air so I am not sure the car thing is going to work out. I hate that she is suffering and I wish there was something we could do for her. More to follow soon.
Meet Jessica
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
This reveal looks as if it is going to be a great one! I am looking forward to it, thanks for the fun. Your dress is fabulous and you really give it a lot of class. I am so sorry to hear that your gram is not feeling well I will be praying for all. TFS
How fun to go to a Better Homes and Garden event with other bloggers! Your dress is very pretty and I like the color. I’m sorry your grandma isn’t feeling well. I hope those pills help, but I’m sure it’s not fun for her having to go to the bathroom so often.
I’m sad for your Gram. I’m glad she has you and I’m keeping you all in my prayers!
Good Morning. Why would you call her your step daughter and not your daughter. When you married her father she became your daughter, your child. One family and not a separation. We do not step over people, we love people unconditionally. Please learn and call her your daughter and not daughter through marriage. She is a beautiful young lady.
I agree the word step is not a great term, I have never liked it but they are not my daughters (in that sense) and personally, I don’t think you are taking into consideration their mom and her feelings (or any mom in a blended family situation). I know their mom well and know that she wouldn’t appreciate me referring to the girls as my daughter’s. BUT yes, the word STEP is not my favorite. Are you a mom in a blended family situation?
Jessica,
You are so right. I come from a blended family and my dad was my dad, my stepfather was just that, my stepfather. My biological brothers are my brothers, my step siblings are that.
I mean no offense to anyone, but this is how I feel. My dad passed away at a very young age, I myself was 9 at the time, I knew my dad, I remember my dad and in my case no one would ever be another father to me. jmho
In my husbands case his parents divorced and his mom remarried, my husband referred to her 2nd husband as his mothers husband, not his stepdad. So to each there own.
Jessica,
You are so right. I come from a blended family and my dad was my dad, my stepfather was just that, my stepfather. My biological brothers are my brothers, my step siblings are that.
I mean no offense to anyone, but this is how I feel. My dad passed away at a very young age, I myself was 9 at the time, I knew my dad, I remember my dad and in my case no one would ever be another father to me. jmho
In my husbands case his parents divorced and his mom remarried, my husband referred to her 2nd husband as his mothers husband, not his stepdad. So to each there own.
A friend of mine is in a blended family situation and calls them her bonus daughters 🙂
Just a quick comment on the word “step”. My momma died very suddenly when I was 15. I never grew up with a father as my biological father decided it was better to leave and marry someone else you had her own children. Back to the word “step” I met my step mother shortly after my father she is NOT my momma. Never has been never will be. She is my stepmother when I refer to her to others, Barbara when we are together. Just as your daughter is your step daughter. Barbara has her own children who call her momma as she belongs to them. She is my confident, friend and at 81 yrs old I actually quite like her but she is not my momma. I feel it’s very personal choice if you use the word “step” in your family. No disrespect seen here just ????!
My daughter entered into a relationship with a man who had a two year old. When they married a year later and had a child of their own, the oldest had some issues with what to call her. After trying a few different things ( including Stepmother, which definitely was not going to fly (birth mother encouraged that one anon other not-so-nice things and finally came to terms with the marriage ( she was never married to the father) ), it became an issue because youngest was learning language. So they let the child decide because my daughter didn’t want the youngest calling her by her given name either, and it confused the youngest child as well. Finally, after some feelings were dealt with that had been pushed on her by her birth mom, she decided Mommy was what she wanted to call her.
So–while everyone finally matured, and function better for the most part, and though she knows my daughter is not her biological mom, she refers to her as her mom, too — and birth mother has come to terms with it just being a title and not a slam against her. It’s been five years since the hateful Stepmother issues.
Definitely can be tricky to deal with, no doubt.
I love that yellow chair! What style would you call it? I’m trying to segway into something less traditional and that would work!
I would say it’s a transitional chair (it has midcentury styled legs though). If you search transitional furniture , you will have a bunch of furniture come up. Transitional just means the style is a cross between (modern/traditional/midcentury ect)
Ugh…just caught up on your blog. Not sure why the emails I got letting me know when you post stopped. As for the “step” scolding you received, I am with you ALL the way. Why pretend you are the parent when you are not? I love that you stated using the word step as a respect for their mother. Marrying someone doesn’t automatically make you anyone’s mother or sister or brother! Long live the term Step mother. Too bad the Cinderella movies had to demonize the word. Also, my condolences on the passing of your beloved Grandma. Wishing you a happy move and a Happy New Year!
ha thanks Kathy! So good to hear from you and thank you 🙂