Friday Find: Silhouette Pillows by Aunt Bucky

Many of you know, I love designing nursery and children's rooms, so I swooned when I saw these colorful, modern shadow pillows by Aunt Bucky. Thank you to Project Nursery for introducing me to this line.

Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

And don't forget to enter to win a $50 gift certificate from sticviews here- custom stickers in time for the holidays!

Charming Stone Cottage in Lake Tahoe

High in the Sierra Mountain range sits breathtaking Lake Tahoe. Known for its clear, fresh water and beauty, this area attracts tourists all year around. Even though I don't live there today, for me Tahoe is home - it's where I grew up.

So, I am thrilled to share with you a lovely Lake Tahoe stone cottage that was recently renovated by Elise Fett & Associates Architecture and Engineering of Incline Village, Nevada.

The home, which was built in 1927, is made of beautiful gray and silver granite mined from the Cave Rock tunnel which sits on the East shore of the lake. Like many empty-nesters today, the new homeowners downsized when they purchased the charming 1,200 square foot stone cottage. They choose to expand slightly by adding 550 square feet - a bathroom, laundry room and master suite upstairs. The home's integrity however stayed the same. In fact, the original single-paned metal windows were kept despite the freezing winter temperatures. The homeowners instead selected insulated Roman shades to keep in the heat from escaping.

The "L" shaped main living space features the beautifully remodeled open kitchen, living room and dining room. The small, yet gourmet kitchen features a center island in pine and topped with butcher block. It offers seating for guests, storage and of course, a food prep area. To the left of the island sits a simple, yet elegant custom china cabinet and refrigerator covered in red antiqued wooden paneling - both coordinate with the cabinets. In this image, the back double-dutch door is open to the backyard.

The red stove by Heartland is darling! It includes an exhaust system and therefore frees up space above the range for additional storage.

The perimeter countertops are slabs of Carrara marble with a crescent edge detail. It is a nice contrast to the red antiqued cabinets.

The hammered copper farmhouse sink by Counter Culture in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico is stunning and my favorite element in the kitchen.The faucet is Bridge by Cucina. Best yet, the kitchen window has incredible views of the lake below.

The stunning granite fireplace is original and is the focal point in the cozy living room. The natural sunlit room is open to the balcony upstairs and showcases gorgeous pine beams.

The quaint dining room sits off the the living room.

A soft leather armchair with nailhead trim sits in front of the living room's fireplace. Above hangs a fun vintage Lake Tahoe poster.

Makes me want to pack up the family and head to Tahoe!

*images from Simplified Bee

Thanksgiving Table Setting and Decorating Ideas

Giving thanks. Thanksgiving is a wonderful American holiday, one that I look forward to every year. Because I'm not much of a chef, setting and decorating the family table is typically the task delegated to me. Here are some festive table setting and decorating ideas for your turkey day table.

First, knowing how to set the table is essential. Here is a helpful diagram to follow and links to wonderful articles on setting the table at Laura Casey Interiors and Martha Stewart.

In my home like many others, there are dishes reserved for special occasions and Thanksgiving is one of those occasions. You are off to a good start by simply setting the table with fine dinnerware. Be sure to polish the silver and here's a non-toxic DIY way to clean silver.

Selecting table linens is an important step in decorating your Thanksgiving table and a great way to introduce autumn colors. Bold reds and vivid oranges with a mix of neutral browns and creams can create a dramatic holiday table. For your table you may wish to cover with a tablecloth, runner or keep it bare. If you decide to have a tablecloth or runner, there are plenty of beautiful fall and holiday patterns available. Keeping it simple and versatile, like this two-toned Russian made Cornucopia Jacquard Tablecloth is best if you intend to decorate the rest of the table with lots of smaller items and want to use it through Christmas.

Table runners are also a great look. They give the table some festive color and at the same time show off it's beautiful wood grain or shine. If you are the do-it-your type, check out this post by The Stories A to Z on how to make your own table runner. And remember to always coordinate the colors of your tablecloth to that of your placemats and napkins.

Thanksgiving table centerpieces can be as simple or complex as you'd like. Candles, floral arrangements, leaves, cornucopias, pumpkins, gourds and other seasonal fruit are all good options when it comes to creating a holiday centerpiece.

Filling vases with decorative autumn leaves, acorns or berries and a pillar candle in coordinating colors is a fast and easy way to warm up your table. For visual interest, place three vases in a row down a long table and small pumpkins in between.

These handcrafted grass and wood chip turkeys available at Williams Sonoma would be perfect additions to your Thanksgiving decorations and table setting. The smaller version - sold in pairs - can be used to hold place cards or menus on the holiday table. Regardless of setting - formal or informal - adding menus and place cards is always an elegant touch.

The adorable pinecone turkey place card or menu companion by Martha Stewart is a simple DIY project - here's the how-to. They would make great hostess gifts too!

Naturally elegant. Place cards can be as simple as an autumn pear with guests' names pinned on.

Creating your own place cards or menus with a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner motif is a breeze with this punch by Martha Stewart.

Create a custom napkin holder and place card by stamping a festive design and handwritten message on cardstock. Then punch holes on either side and thread with a decorative ribbon that coordinates with your table's color scheme.

Here is an adorable turkey stamp from Paper Source that would be perfect for the DIY napkin holders above.

Running short on time? These ready-made sweet pilgrim turkey place cards only need you to add your guests' names. Their rope legs are the best!

How will you decorate your Thanksgiving table this year?

*images from Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Paper Source, Martha Stewart, Gumps, Simon Says Stamp!, Country Living, Hungry Monster.com, Better Homes and Gardens

Custom Reusable Stickers - $50 Sticviews GIVEAWAY

Believe it or not, the wrought iron in the dining room windows above are actually reusable stickers from sticviews.

Sticveiws are personalized prints that go anywhere and come off clean. The best part is each sticview is completely unique to your size, shape and image. All sticview prints are easy to self install and remove - they don't leave any residue behind. They're reusable and great if you want a mess-free project.

You can make iPhone stickers, promote your business, create holiday decorations or jazz up bathroom or kitchen tiles. Get creative! Here are some ideas:

I am always a fan of reusable decals for a children's room. Here sticviews are placed on the wall to create a colorful, modern dorm room. This is one college student that will be getting her cleaning deposit back - unlike me who chose to paint!

Here sticviews are placed above a fireplace to create a focal point. Clever!

Sticviews on tiles are also a fun, inexpensive way to update your kitchen or bath's look.

The holidays will be here before we know it. How about using mini sticviews to personalize Christmas gifts, ornaments or holiday items? I think decorating a holiday dinner table with glass votive candle holders wrapped in the snowflake print would be fun! Adding an intitial for each guest would turn them into great hostess gifts and are perfect instead of traditional place cards.

Are you tempted to try sticviews out? One lucky Simplified Bee reader will receive a $50 gift certificate from sticviews. Here's how to enter:

• Visit sticviews, come up with an idea of how you would use sticviews and leave a comment here (include email if you are not a blogger).

• Extra Entry - sign-up for sticviews newsletter and receive $25 off your next order (either on Facebook or sticviews blog).

• Extra Entry - become a sticviews Facebook fan or a Simplified Bee Follower and leave a comment letting me know you've done so.

• Please post a separate comment for each extra entry.

• Entry period closes at midnight PST, Sunday, November 8, 2009 and the winner will be announced Monday, November 9, 2009.

**Note: The winner will be drawn randomly using Random.org, notified directly via email and listed back at this post using first name only.

Can't wait to find out your ideas and good luck!!!

Up for some DIY projects? Just visit A Soft Place to Land.

Happy Halloween and Cute Collection of Jack-O-Lanterns

Isn't this collection of jack-o-lanterns adorable? I am loving the pirate with the parrot and eye patch.

Still need Halloween decorating ideas? Visit, Fun Halloween Decoration Ideas for Your Home - Inside and Out.

Wishing you a happy, safe Halloween!

* image from Good Housekeeping

Friday Find: 3-Drawer Side Table from Bungalow 5

It's fabulous! The Jacqui 3-Drawer Side Table by Bungalow 5 delivers high style and function. It's perfect to place next to your bed to hold lamps, books and bedside accessories.

Use in your entry or foyer to store mail, keys and hats & mittens.

Or place a pair in your living room on either end of a sofa to create a symmetrical look.

The smooth lacquer finish gives a modern touch and because it comes in various colors, you're sure to find one that fits your home's decor. This highly versatile storage piece can be found at online home stores such as Clayton Gray Home, eboniste and Tonic Home. Happy Friday!

Sleek, Simple and Modern White Kitchen

Contemporary white units by UK's Funktional Kitchens and stark marble countertops create a bright and airy feel in this modern kitchen. The French doors and sky lights bring loads of natural light into the space keeping energy costs low. The retro diner barstool is a perfect addition to the kitchen island.

A sleek ice-blue glass splashback and stainless steel appliances add to the crisp modern look. The open glass shelves are a brilliant contrast to the solid glossy cabinets. The sink however, is not in the best position - I would move it to the kitchen island. Would you change anything?

*images from Ideal Home