DTA Celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee~ Where To Watch in the USA

In January of 2011 I began a weekly feature entitled “Royal Wedding Wednesdays”. As I hit the “send” button on that first post I wondered if it would be met with crickets chirping. On the contrary, and much to my delight, it turned out that there were many of you who shared my enthusiasm for all things royal.

The winning emblem design following a national competition for children aged between 6 and 14 was created by 10-year-old Katherine Dewar, from Chester.

Indeed over the four year history of this blog several of those posts rank in the top ten for viewing and continue to be read and receive comments on a daily basis.

So, yes, it goes without saying that Décor To Adore will be honoring and celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth through Wednesday, June 6th. Want to join in on the fun?

All Diamond Jubilee events can be found on the official website.

Television Viewing Opportunities In America

For those of you who missed “The Jubilee Queen with Katie Couric” which aired on ABC Tuesday, May 29, the two hour special has been uploaded to ABC.com.

BBC America will be covering all the festivities. Check your cable listings.

CNN will report on Sunday June 3 at 10:30 am ET, Monday June 4, 5:30 pm ET, and Tuesday June 5, at 9:00 am ET

“CBS This Morning” will report live from London Friday, June 1 through Tuesday June 5 from 7~9 am

“CBS This Morning” which also airs on Sundays will also offer coverage~ check local listings for times.

NBC's “Today Show” will broadcast live on Friday, June 1 and NBC's “Weekend Today” will report live Saturday and Sunday.

ABC’s “World News With Diane Sawyer” and “Nightline” will cover excerpts in the evenings. Check local listings.

ABC’s “Good Morning America” will report live from London on Monday, June 4 and Tuesday, June 5

ABC hosts “Concert for The Queen: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration with Katie Couric” and will air Tuesday, June 5, 9~11 pm ET

Come back tomorrow for a grand kickoff fit for a…Queen!

The Duchess of Decor

Toweling Off

The Fashionista and I have had a major crush on the Anthropologie Perpetual Blooms towels for over a year.

She likes the gold.

While I dream about the turquoise.

Every time I am in that blasted store I go over and cop a feel of their soft luxuriousness. But the bath towel alone is $36. For ONE towel. Even with my discount I refuse to pay $75 for a set of towels.

When someone shows a pretty bathroom makeover I can spot that towel a mile away.

They will not be going on sale any time soon. Anthro keeps restocking and selling out.

So I set out to find a knock off. I checked the usual suspects Pottery Barn, West Elm, Home Goods, JCP and then I was in Target.

I bring you the Target Home Floral Towel. It comes in yellow and aqua. It’s also on sale this week for 20% off.

While the towels are not quite as luxurious or thick, they are affordable. Since the Fashionista’s roommate recently moved out and took her shower curtain with her, we picked up the Target Home Floral Sketch curtain. (Also on sale.) The gray pulls in the gray from her bedroom and works nicely together.

Don’t even get me started on the bath mats.

Now, as soon as I actually find a home the aqua gems are mine, all mine!

Laura

Leaving A Stone ~ Part II

We are a military family. To us Memorial Day has never been just a day off to picnic. It is a day to reflect and to remember. Many have wondered if the sacrifices made in the name of freedom by those often referred to as “the greatest generation” will soon be forgotten by this next generation.

Korean War Memorial, stainless steel statues ~ Frank Gaylord

As parents we feel it is our privileged duty to instill in our two children the knowledge that freedom is not free.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial, bronze figurative sculpture~ Frederick Hart

Far too many have paid the ultimate price so that we can continue to walk in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

^{World War II Memorial ~ Friedrich St.Florian}

So we take small hands into our own and guide them to names they know.

 

When the list grows to long and too tall and exceeds even our reach we still strive to plant a seed of thankfulness.

 

We pause while gazing in awe and yes, reflect on those who died leaving a legacy that lives on.

Have you ever stopped to consider what you reflect?

 

To the many men and women who have lost their lives in the name of freedom we offer our deepest gratitude.

We will not forget.

The Gunn’s

Comments are turned off in observance of their ultimate sacrifice.

 

You can read Leaving A Stone Part 1 HERE.

Leaving A Stone ~ Part I

Back in November Mr. Décor, Sweet Boy and I traveled to Washington D.C. to visit my dear cousin L and her wonderful family. While making our “must see” list there was one place on the top of Mr. Décor’s list~ Arlington National Cemetery.

We of course went to see the tomb of the unknown soldier.

 

It was an honor to view the solemn ceremony of the changing of the guard.

Respect was paid to the Kennedy Family.

As well as many other famous heroes who have given their service to our beloved country.

 

The day was crisp, clear and beautiful. The scenic views of D.C. from the rolling hills were amazing.

 

Onward we walked through this beautiful garden of stones.

 

But for all those in this famous cemetery who are visited by the multitudes every single day there are thousands more known only to a few. To this one we paid our respects on bended knee.

In the Jewish religion there is a tradition of leaving a pebble or stone on top of a tombstone to signify that someone has honored the deceased person’s memory with a visit to the grave. I have always loved this gesture even more so than flowers.

So we left our stone with our left hand on the left side of the tombstone. We paid our respects to a man who was far too young, a father of three and Mr. Décor’s good friend.

Flowers fade and even stones eventually crumble, but praise be to God we may have life everlasting.

Laura

Jesus said to her, “ I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” ~ John 11:25 ~ 26

Comments are turned off in observance of the Sabbath. If you have a prayer request please contact me HERE. 

When Dinner Gets Interesting

Last week I announced to Mr. Décor that I didn’t plan on moving the contents of our panty or the back up pantry. (Our back up panty is a small cupboard devoted to canned goods and staples.)

Canned goods weigh A LOT!  So nope, I’m not gonna move them. 

I continued on with the conversation.

Me: “So, that means that dinner around here is about to get interesting.”

At that moment I saw a twinkle in Mr. Décor’s eye. I could tell that it was on the tip of his tongue to say “How is that different from any other night?”

But Mr. Décor is a smart man who knows that I know where he sleeps. He also knows where he doesn’t want to sleep.

So he instead said, “Ok, sounds good.”

Now, someone tell me what to do with all these beans.

Laura

The Good Samaritan

A quick recap of our housing situation is this:

Homes in Phoenix, AZ are on the market for mere hours unless there is something really, really wrong with it. We are not opposed to working hard on a fixer upper in a good neighborhood. It does not have to be a castle.

The prices are so good that the investors have returned with a vengeance.

We were hopeful on one house but lost out.

There are currently 8 houses in our MRLS portal. We have seen them all.

Insert Panic Here.

I am a type A personality. (Big shocking reveal I know!)  I like to plan and have my ducks in a row. On Tuesday I had a flat out panic attack. Sweaty, heart beating out of my chest, etc. I was thinking about being homeless and that this is the last week of school for Sweet Boy and the Fashionista leaves in 3 weeks for her summer internship at a fashion house in California and she needs a car and did I mention in a few weeks I will be homeless?

Bring on the hyperventilating.

Generally I punch out the panic with prayer. My go to books are Proverbs and the Psalms. They are filled with promises of protection and provision.

So, yesterday my neighbor shows up with a beautiful boy on my doorstep. She had rescued him from a sad situation and thought “I know who will take him.”

Now, don’t look into his eyes….

Oh, it’s too late you already did, didn’t you?

So I sent Mr. Décor his picture and said “This dog is homeless and yes, I know that technically in about 30 days we will be too. We both know that God has a sense of humor and His own sense of timing. But what if this is sort of like Jesus dressed in a dog suit asking to trust in Him that He will provide?”

Mr. Décor is fair and pragmatic. Even when his wife is clearly off her rocker

 

He said, “I will see you tonight and meet the dog then.”

By now two children had gotten wind of the situation and were giving me “the look”. You know the one:

So it played out like this:

Mr. Décor came home. New guy barked once and immediately sat when Mr. D said “Sit.”

Mr. D. sat down and the new guy laid next to him. After a minute or so he laid his paw on Mr. D’s arm tentatively asking “Father may I?” The new guy gingerly climb onto Mr. D’s lap. One minute more and a kiss was bestowed.

I had fed and loved the little charlatan all afternoon and had not received such adoration. It was clear he knew where his bread was buttered.

Mr. Décor had to leave for cub scouts and said he would “Think about it.”

Later that night I came upon him looking at the internet. “Did I ever show you the guy that our Rudi is named for?” He asked.

Rudolf  “Rudi”  Völler, a fabulous German soccer player.

Now you must remember two things.

Mr. Décor was born and raised in Panama and loves soccer.

We lived in Germany and dachshunds were originally bred in Germany.

So then Mr. Décor shows me another soccer player that he likes.

Franz Beckenbauer, another fabulous German soccer player.

I’m thinking “Wait, what? Dog names. NO! You’re the pragmatic one. Tell me we cannot keep this dog.”

DTA readers I would like to introduce to you

Franz Gunn

 

He is a beautiful standard black and tan dachshund. He is so long that Sweet Boy says he is a stretch limo.

He is polite and well mannered unlike a miniature red shorthair we all know and love.

How did this happen? Please, someone, anyone give me one good reason….oh wait I already had one.

Laura

Red Hot~ Wearing and Decorating With…

I love red. I mean LOVE. Fire engine, cherry, primary red. My first kitchen was red. There are no photos so here’s a few images that I adore.

This pantry door still make my red heart beat faster several years later.

Love the red floor, the lamps and fantastic plate racks across the windows.

Something about this image makes me say “Yes.”

Although it also kind of reminds me of Marty singing “Da-da-dadada-da-da-circus, da-da-dadada-da-da-afro-circus, afro-circus, afro, polka dot, polka dot, polka dot afro!

I wouldn’t mind doing laundry here.

I think the secret to using red in a bathroom is to have just a punch of color.

Or pair it with a cool and tranquil color like turquoise.

The same holds true in a red bedroom if you want to create a relaxing room.  

Using white liberally can also calm the space.

In my own home I have several pieces of red transferware dishes found at the flea market while I lived in Germany.

My collecting efforts have also brought forth a few red vintage aprons and antique French linens featuring red embroidery.

While I wish I could wear more red blouses and sweaters I can’t unless I want people to continually ask “Are you feeling ok?”

I inherited my father’s freckled red headed complexion so I look best in corals and deep plums. But the color limitation doesn’t stop me from having red shoes, a red purse and to currently search for a red pencil skirt.

J. Crew is totally torturing me with a $98 pencil skirt in poppy.

 

Nordstrom has a red lava number for $59.00

I wonder if Victoria’s Secret would also send the spanx that I would need to make this scarlet number work.

But I really only wanted to spend $20. J C Penney’s came the closest at $22. Does anyone else love their new ad campaign?

What shade of red do you love?

Laura