A Bit East-coast

merry & bright.

[the story]

The Saturday after Black Friday LaVaughn and I went tree shopping-there is nothing like a real tree! We have grown tired of the fake tree we have had for the past 4 years, and it was time to go back to buying real trees for Christmas. The smell is amazing-and they just look better. Yeah, I hate the mess and trying to keep them watered-argh(LaVaughn really keeps it watered)! Lulu keeps hitting the tree with her tail when she is looking out the window, and needles are constantly falling from that...and a few ornaments.

[around the house]

I can't stop adding to the decorations! I had to get this pine cone wreath and a few more vintage ornaments-which I love dripping from the mirror. I have been a bit obsessed with taking photos of everything over the past few days. It's a great way for me to polish up on my photography-I have been learning some new tips from some great photography pins. I struggle with sharpness & noise-but when I find a spot with perfect light I am truly excited. It has been driving me batty not being able to get a clear, sharp, and bright photo of the vase with the branches & hanging pine cones/icicles-I have taken HUNDREDS of photos of just that...and from every angle. I just don't get why I am not getting the results I want, lol!!

 

[lulu]

No, Lulu. You didn't hear Santa coming...yet!

[can you see us]

I was all in Lulus' bed to get this photo!




[Q & A]

 

Caligirlfrtx said:

Hey Keisha, I was just up in NOVA on Sun. at Tysons, I didnt know there was a RH outlet! Where did you get the vases, I havent seen them at my Target, is that where theyre from? Love your decor!

Reply | Edit | View | Nov 28, 2012 on deals or steals.

Hello Caligirl...I love and hate Tyson's area...love the shopping, hate the traffic/construction!!! I was there 3x's last week doing some Christmas shopping. All that stuff was from Target! I was so shocked to see that there was still a few items left-they had marked it down a couple weeks before. I think what I found was probably backstock that was missed-lucky for me! Because it wasn't there a couple days before that-trust me...I am there way too often hoping for a deal!!

 

 

Ngj9600 said:

Kiesha, your home is so gorgeous! I just love it- should totally be on HGTV! And it makes me even more giddy to know that you are a bargain shopper, too! Love awesome clearance sales and sweet deals!!! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful home and great finds with us! --Nitasha

Reply | Edit | View | Nov 29, 2012 on deals or steals.

 

Nitasha...thank you so much!! I am a total bargin shopper-if it is not on sale I won't buy it(period). I love to clip coupons and keep a stash of them in my purse at all times. I have even created a monster-my husband...LaVaughn is always asking me if there is a coupon or code or sale. And he gets a bit put-off if I don't have any extra discounts, lol. I used to love the outlets-but now they have turned into cheap quality product made for outlet stores-so I don't buy the stuff that they have TONS of in stock. I believe the more I save the more I can buy;-)

 

 

Holly Sloat said:

Love the ornament but I'm not going to lie...that hand in kinda freakin' me out!

Reply | Edit | View | 2 days ago on an ornament.

 

LOL, Holly...you are not alone! My friend says the same thing-I think it's kinda of artsy!!

Related articles

vintage ornaments, love.

o f f i c e

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Last Wednesday afternoon in the office...

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I want to paint the office, so I tried my sample out. This color is really for the family room, I am sick of the blue in there. I am thinking of painting the family room & the office the same color...they are both the brightest rooms in the house and can take this deeper grey...

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ginny said:

Keisha, these are beautiful! Do you mind if your layouts are pinned to Pinterest? I get so much inspiration from your layouts, but I do want to be respectful. Love the shipping tag flag! I think you are probably responsible for everyone buying tags today!

Reply | Edit | View | 9 hours ago on new teresa collins …

Hi Ginny...umm...I. Always. Love that!! LOL, thanks for asking. I love the pinners, thank you to all who have been pinning.

 

 

Holly S said:

LOVE!!! That colored metal rimmed tag...did you color it and if so what did you use? Love that soft yellow.

Reply | Edit | View | 7 hours ago on new teresa collins …

Hey Holly...that metal rimmed tag is from the Martha Stewart line at Staples!!!

 

 

h a n d m a d e

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I spent this weekend making a few scarves! Kiela and I spent the whole weekend on the sofa making scarves. I took a break Saturday evening for a movie & dinner double date night; we went to see The Vow-during the movie LaVaughn got the alert that Whitney Houston died. I was not a big fan, but loved her first album. It was so sad to hear that she had died.

I am trying to get back in my scraproom, right now I just want to sit on the couch crocheting. I have new yarn & needles-all my yarn is different shades of grey!

 

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i h e a r t

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Today I did a little tag mini using lots of the new BG Kissing Booth line.

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Q & A

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Bernice J said:

Keisha, do you have an etsy shop? I love your creations and am wondering what you do with them all.

Reply | Edit | View | 3 days ago on m e t a l l i c t 

Deb said:

Love these tags. I'd like to know if you have an Etsy shop too.

Reply | Edit | View | 2 days ago on m e t a l l i c t …

Hey Deb & Bernice...no, I just don't think that people would pay for my stuff. It does make me smile that you two asked!!!

Dori & Stef said:

I love it. Your style is divine! and where did you get that fabulous chandelier?

Reply | Edit | View | 2 days ago on s t u d i o

Dori & Stef...it was a surprise gift from my husband. 2 days after we moved into our home he had to go to Prague for two weeks, and this was something he thought to get for me. He actually brought it for my closet-it was just too pretty to be in there...where no one would see it!!

Stephanie said:

I love your room! Where did you get your desk? I really like the storage on the sides!

Reply | Edit | View | 2 days ago on s t u d i o

Stephanie...my desk is a knock-off of the Pottery Barn project table. We had it made in China.

 

 

p l a y i n g t a g

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playing 

 present participle of play (Verb)

Verb:

Engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose. Engage in (a game or activity) for enjoyment.

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I am still playing with my tags & embossing. Trying to keep the posts coming & blogging something!! We had a great Christmas & New Year-now it's time to pack-up the decorations,sigh. The house looks so bare when it all comes down. Now I am off to doing some cleaning, later!

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q and a

Abbreviation:

A question and answer period or exchange.

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Lori in AZ said:

Merry Christmas, Keisha! I have been a follower of your blog ever since China. Your style is great! I have a few slice questions: what cartridges do you have in your collection? Which one(s)you use a lot? What's your favorite and why? I love your slice die cuts but don't know which you use when you post your work. Please tell which with a layout/card/craft. Thank you so much!

Reply | Edit | View | Dec 25, 2011 on o r i g i n a l

Hey Lori...Yikes, let's see I have 22 cards...I have all the Christmas cards & Halloween cards; I love the cards with words & expressions. And if it has cool butterflies, I HAVE to have it-Paper Reverie, Vintage Findings, Jungle, Just Chillin-all have the best butterflies and are my top favorites. Paper Reverie also has leaves that I LOVE. Paper Reverie & Vintage Findings have a great BEE shape that I love to use. Noteworthy & Wedding I use most for flowers-Wedding has great letters & words too. Fall Back To School is a top card-great letter/number fonts and shapes. Mix & Mingle has lots of letter/number fonts. 

I use Paper Reverie, Vintage Findings, and Just Chillin most of all-and if you see a butterfly, bee, bird, leaves or words on one of my pages-it was done with one of those cards.

PatienceFaithandHope said:

Original is definitely what your work is! I love it, I will admit I do stalk your blog but it's mainly to see your beautiful home decor. It is the complete opposite of mine Merry Christmas and thank you for sharing your talent with all of us. You inspire me!

Reply | Edit | View | Dec 25, 2011 on o r i g i n a l

Patience, I love it when people stalk my blog! I just have a stalker that is literally a stalker-not in a good or funny way...but creepy. Thanks for being one of the fun stalkers, lol!!!

Heaven said:

Love Love LOVE these! So pretty. Keisha your art is always amazing. How are you making those faboo boxes and where did you ever find all that glittery ribbon?? Love it all! :)

Reply | Edit | View | Dec 23, 2011 on o r i g i n a l

Heaven, I was all over Michael's holiday ribbons!! I can't wait until next year so I can add more to my stash!!

 

fran heupel said:

where is your scrapbook table from? love it and love your style.

Reply | Edit | View | 5 days ago on s t u d i o

Hi Fran...my large craft table with the shelves was made when we lived in China-a Pottery Barn knockoff.

 

 

janice said:

Keisha, I simply love everything you create. Your style is so pretty. If I may ask, can you please show us some of your storage ideas on things like how you store unmounted rubber stamps?? That would be so cool. Also, how do you store your bulky scrap layouts? Love your blog, def one of my top favs.

Reply | Edit | View | 3 days ago on e m b o s s i n g

Hello Janice...I keep my clear/unmounted in a canvas storage basket. And I plan to keep my bulky/odd sized pages in a linen storage box from Restoration Hardware. Right now I put them in clear plastic bins.

I'll try to post a photo of the stamp storage later this week, thanks!!!!!

 

 

 

sarah said:

I miss your pages, but your tags are just as fab!! Happy new year to you & your family x x

Reply | Edit | View | Yesterday on o n m y d e s k

Sarah LOL, good to hear that the pages are missed! I just need to take some time to recharge and work with where my inspiration is, kwim??!!

 

 

:photo happy:

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photobomb
	December 5, 2009 Urban Word of the Day (verb)- to drop in a photo unexpectedly...to hop in a picture right before it is taken.

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Please, excuse the crazy one in the photo. He was supposed to be watching football-looks like he's not getting enough attention. Enjoy the rest of the photos...

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glit·ter/ˈglitər/

Verb:	Shine with a bright, shimmering, reflected light.
Noun:	Bright, shimmering, reflected light.
Synonyms:	verb.  sparkle - glisten - twinkle - gleam - scintillate - glint noun.  sparkle - lustre - luster - glint - brilliance - sheen

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My latest addiction-glitter ribbons spools!! LOVE love LOVE. I made all those necklaces on the dress form(lots of Making Memories pieces), they've been there for months-so pretty all together. I forget to wear them & that scarve.

I spent yesterday taking some new studio photos-while the sun was around. I just need to finish editing them...

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*Q and A* 

 _{adjective [before noun]}

 Definition mainly US abbreviation for question and answer

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Comment by:
Kathy Chen

4 days ago

Love your home decor - it's so elegant and warm! Where did you get the peppermint hanging on your mantel?

On the post: :fa la la: Blog: A Bit East-coast

Hi Kathy-Thanks! That I snagged up at Hobby Lobby last month,I wish now I got a few more!!

Comment by:
Heaven

6 days ago

Love the red butterflies.. Did you make the pom poms? Awesome!

On the post: :fa la la: Blog: A Bit East-coast

No, Heaven...well, not really! Store bought-I had to puff them!!

lucky layout & kiela photos...

Today I pulled this lo together using lots of the new JBS Be Our Guest line and some misting!

products: Jenni Bowlin-diecut pp, numbered pp, journaling cards, needle pp(on heart), chipboard heart, lucky bingo card.

 

 

I had my camera ready for Miss Kiela when she came home from school on Monday-she was very happy. But she played along beautifully!!

new JBS & kitchen progress...

 

 Today I wanted to work with some of the new Jenni Bowlin line Be Our Guest-I had to use the silhouette journaling card since silhouettes are so popular these days!

In a couple of days Mira will be turning 14-I love how the old vintage pp has her bday written on it. I need to order up a strawberry cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory and she'll probably want Pei Wei for dinner. Then a few days after that Kiela will be turning 8yrs old, one after another!!
 

 The kitchen-has most of the new backsplash up. LaVaughn worked on that all weekend and it looks so much better-we love it. His new Rockwell is busted after doing only a few tiles-we now have learned it's not such a great tool, lol. We ordered new lighting for over the island and a pot-filler...
 
 
 

 

Vanessa said:

A beautiful page..I love the metallic dots as well! What shade of mist did you use here? And what size heart punch? TFS!!! Vanessa www.grooveygrover.blogspot.com

Reply | Edit | View | 2 days ago on something pretty...

Hello Vanessa...I think it was Glimmer Mist in Cherry and I didn't use a heart punch-they are die-cut shapes from MM!

Jayne said:

beautiful, awesome and stunning. all perfect choice words to describe your layouts. questions: what size pictures do you print out for your projects? They always seem smaller than the standard 4X6. What printing software do you use? What kind of printer do you have? and where do you by that neat mist you use? sorry to be so nosey but inquiring minds have to know hehe

Reply | Edit | View | Yesterday on something pretty...

Jayne!! LOL, love the questions...now let me see if I can answer them...my printer in an Epson R1800 we bought a few years ago. The mist is either Glimmer Mist or Maya Mists I buy from my local lss-you can get them online too! I also use JBS re-inkers in a misting bottle.

When I want to print smaller pictures I open up my OLD old old Microsoft Picture It 7 program...and I am able to drag photos onto one 8x11.5 page and resize them to whatever size I may need. There really is no certain size I use, just whatever I think I may need for a layout. I often print out a sample to see if it is just the right size for the layout on plain paper.

 

so many photos to edit...

 Not only do I need to get ready for Santa, I have tons of photos to edit. I have New York photos still waiting on me-some of which are lost since LaVaughn didn't listen to me, argh. Thanksgiving photos & DC photos-my mom, lil sister (auntie Hilary) and her boyfriend Chris came for a visit. I need to take Christmas photos. Plus, edit Caitlyne's wedding photos. Oh-and I still have Halloween...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 
 
 

Home Goods home updates...

 

This week I did a quick update to Kiela's room. Her old lamp was literally on its last leg! So I had to make a Home Goods stop for a new lamp....and see if they still had this mirror I saw a month ago! They had ONE mirror left I had seen a while back when we bought some new things for our bedroom & powder room. Thank goodness it was still there after so long and it just makes her room sweeter!! I wasn't thrilled with the lamp choices they had and grab the best I could find. Once I set everything up in her room it was perfect. I grabbed her the jewelry holder & ceramic rose candle holder from Marshall's on my way home-love them to death. When Kiela came home she was thrilled & couldn't stop looking at it all. I got a million 'thank you mama' from her. And she said it was 'so pretty'.

 

I also have been spray painting old things in her room to make them less baby looking and more grown up...the duck was sprayed gold and her shell was sprayed silver

I often take Kiela to 5 Below to spend her allowance, she had to have the pink disco ball. I strung it up with pretty purple ribbon.

I just had to have this mirror from Home Goods, now I just need an orchid or paper whites here.

We also found this velvet bench at Home Goods.

We finally painted the main floor powder room a sweet shade of gray & added this cool new mirror I found at Home Goods-I love it. I thought that the print would be nice, but I hate it-lol! I really want some framed butterflies & moths I've seen on Etsy instead. Although, it does look way better...I feel it still needs something.

My first paper whites are growing! It has been about 3 weeks since I planted them. I can't wait for the flowers to bloom.

 

I am so GRAY and black! I just seem to always buy these colors. Even down to my nails...love love love this color by Sally Hanson gray by gray. Usually I wear a nude shade but for our trip to NYC I want more dramatic!

I still need to download the photos from our camera...so here are a few of my fave camera phone photos taken in Central Park...