Shed Building Plans

I shopped MARLEY LILLY Here Is My Review!

I dont shop online very often.  Firstly, I dont like to pay for shipping... ever.  LOL  Secondly, I just dont like the risk.  What if the item isnt what I hope it to be?  What if it doesnt fit?  What if the color is different in person than what was on the website?  What if the fabric isnt nice?  What if, what if, what if.

Enter MARLEY LILLY.  I first became aware of Marley Lilly when it appeared on Instagram feeds of friends of friends of friends, etc.  I admit it, I could not resist the adorable pictures of pretty items in bright colors monogrammed in even brighter colors.  So I clicked!  I followed!   In reality, I was well aware that I didnt have $50 to spend on a whale koozie with my initials on it.  But as I perused their site, so many of their items were lovely and dare I say it, sort of, kind of, almost reasonable!  And the selection from clothing to jewelry to footwear to housewares was impressive!


AMUSING DISCLAIMER:  I am not under the age of 22 and I am not in a sorority!  I am not a Southern belle, and I dont have monogrammed car mats.  (YET)  I live in Chicago and have always been a lover of all things preppy!  In fact,  I was the first LILLY LOVER crowned by the Lilly Pulitzer clothing line back in 2006!  I won a trip to the company headquarters in Pennsylvania and received a one of a kind couture dress designed and made just for me!  I KNOW, right?  Alas, that is a story for another day!  Back to Marley Lilly...






So in August, I saw an instagram post that Marley Lilly puffy vests were on sale for only $29.99!  WHAT?   I always wanted a monogrammed vest - you know to wear over fair isle sweaters and Bean boots to wear apple picking, to the pumpkin patch or just holiday shopping.  So I picked out a color, a font and thread color and put it in my cart.  And it just sat there.  A few days went by and as much as I wanted to actually order it, I didnt.

I mean I am not 22.  I am a little bit, well a LOTTA bit older.  Haha!  I hate to admit but I am quite   picky and have high expectations on most things.   Then I was thinking that I needed something for my niece for Christmas!  If I ordered TWO, shipping would be free AND I would get a free pair of earrings!  LOL - now it sounds way too good to be true.  But something came over me and I threw caution to the wind and actually placed the order!  I got to the LAST step in the ordering process I and guess what?  I clicked SEND!  I did it!

Now it just became a waiting game.  I had a bit of regret the next day - buyers remorse - cognitive dissonance.  We have all been there - The questions entered into my head... What if it is an ugly blue?  What if I dont like the font?  What if the embroidery isnt the nice heavy stuff that I am imagining it to be?  What if this?  What if that?   Im on a pretty strict budget so I was really worried that I wasted the better part of $60.

Several days later, I arrived home and there was a package on my porch.  Sure enough, it was my order from Marley Lilly!  I was excited and nervous at the same time!  I went inside and opened the box.  I ordered a navy blue vest monogrammed in pink and a brown best stitched in ivory.  They were both neatly folded and individually packaged in signature Marley Lilly plastic bags



So as I opened the bag and removed the vest, the moment of truth had arrived!  All I can say was WOW!  I mean WOW!  I opened mine first, the navy with the pink!  It was PERFECT!  I loved the quality of the vest!  It is a very nice and it fit perfectly!  And the monogram - a big cup of GORGEOUSNESS!  It was so pretty and the stitching was heavy and the color quite wonderful.



I ordered the vest in a medium and it fit perfectly.  I am a pretty standard medium, size 8-10, and this fit pretty true to size.  It also has enough give for a heavy sweater underneath.



So overall, I would give my experience of ordering from Marley Lilly a 10/10!  And trust me, I am a very tough grader normally.  From the ordering experience to the quality of items received, I did not have one issue, not one thing that could have been improved upon.

If you have ever considered ordering from Marley Lilly or are looking for unique items for gifts or for yourself, do not hesitate ordering from this company.  Obviously, I only have this one experience, but it came off without a hitch and I would not think twice about ordering again.

So why did I write this review?  Why did I feel the need to post this?  Well, since so many things go awry in everyday situations, it always amazes me when things turn out well.  Like really fantabulously well.  So I simply wanted to put it out there.  To shout it from the rooftops that there is a company that does it right and does it well!  I am NOT sponsored by Marley Lilly.  Seriously, they dont even know I exist or that I even wrote this!    Its just when I get THAT excited about something, I feel the need to tell as many people as I can.  Thank you Marley Lilly for being a company that delivers on quality and reliability!  I cannot wait to order from you again!  And I absolutely cannot wait to wear my vest.  Even though Im old and from the Midwest!  ;-)  Happy Autumn!



I shopped MARLEY LILLY Here Is My Review!

Life Isnt Happening To You Life Is Responding To You!

Life Isnt Happening To You Life Is Responding To You!

A New Recumbent Rider Is Born

A New Recumbent Rider Is Born

Why Eating Organic Foods Is Good

Organic refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. The goal in organic farming is to maintain and replenish the soil fertility without using toxic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. "Certified Organic" means the item has been grown in accordance with strict uniform standards that are verified by an independent state or private organization.

Dr. Alan Greene of Stanfords Childrens Hospital neatly summarizes the argument for organics: "Eat organic produce. Your immune system wont waste energy trying to fight off the toxins that are sprayed on conventional fruits and vegetables." Eating organics frees up your immune system and antioxidants to do their evolutionarily evolved job, which is to fight off pathogens, cancer, and other diseases originating from natural environmental sources. Your bodys natural defense mechanisms are incredible strong, but like anything else, they can only handle so much attack. To keep your defensive line from being spread too thin, you should therefore limit exposure to toxins (and stress) as much as possible. Its important to realize that consuming pesticides and herbicides — even if they have not been found to be directly cardinogenic — can, in effect, lead to cancer if they use up your supply of antioxidants, which would otherwise have prevented cancer that was generated from another source.

Its true that organic foods typically cost more than conventional, but this may be true only in the short-term. After you adopt a healthier lifestyle with healthier food choices, including organics, you may find yourself frequenting the doctors office much less and spending less on medications — over the counter and prescriptions — and not to mention a lower chance of being prematurely dead. Its important to know that organically produced foods have to meet rigorous governing regulations in all aspects of production. Its labor and management-intensive, usually produced on smaller farms, which dont benefit from economies of scale. These factors combine, causing the cost to be higher. But as the saying goes, "you get what you pay for."

Organics typically cost about twice as much as conventionally produced food. To put things in perspective, consider bottled water. I know many people who would just about die of thirst before drinking tap water; for them, its bottled or nothing. But when you do the math, bottled water is about 300-600 times more expensive than tap water, and for good reason. But, depending on which municipality you live in, your tap water might actually be safer and healthier than eating conventionally produced foods. It really doesnt make sense to spend money on bottled water and then eat foods that are not grown organically.

Some of the many benefits of eating organic foods are:

Superior nutrition: Organics have up to 300% more vitamins and minerals than conventionally grown foods.
They have greater flavor. Many top chefs use only organic foods.
Reduced intake of chemicals and heavy metals.
Decreased exposure to carcinogens.
Better working conditions for farmers and workers.
No genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Much better for the environment.
For more information on organics, visit www.ota.org

I only buy organic. The most disappointing thing to me is that most restaurants dont use organic food, due to the higher cost. However, if customers demanded organic, more producers would produce it, and prices would come down. So, start voting with your dollar. When you go to a restaurant and youre paying the bill, take a moment to fill out the comment card, or write directly on to the receipt, that you would eat there more often if they offered some organic foods. This is how we begin to make a difference.

If you need some recipes books on how to make raw organic foods recipes or how to add raw food recipes to your diet or menu, this would be the best place to begin.




Photo attribution Martin Cathrae


Why Eating Organic Foods Is Good

Carpet is Gone! Time To Paint Some Faux Hardwood Floors!

The holidays are coming.  Slowly, but surely, the holidays are basically upon us.  And so is the nagging little head that says hey!  We need new drapes, new carpet, new sofas, etc.  So I decided to tear up the carpeting.

Ok - carpet is gone.  NOW WHAT?  I want hardwood floors but I really cannot afford them.  I want those awesome, distressed hardwood floors that have been around for a hundred years!  Like the ones Paul Revere walked upon or were once in a local pub in Ireland.

Alas, my budget cannot afford any of the above so I decided to PAINT my version of these floors.  And I must admit, they didnt turn out too badly.

I swept the dust and dirt away, removed all staples and tack boards and wiped the underlayment wood down with a very damp cloth.  I used a scraper to remove any globs of paint or glue.  Then, I used a basic brown porch floor paint and rolled it on.  Then, I took a 6" wide piece of wood and used a thick black magic marker and drew lines to simulate planks.


Then, I took a small bowl and added basic black paint and added some water and a darker grey paint.  I swirled it all together - I didnt mix it together - I wanted the colors to stay separated.  Then I used a sponge craft brush and painted the paint onto the floor, let it dry for about 30 seconds.  Then I used a damp rag and gently wiped the floor to create the desired effect.  I left some darker patches and some lighter areas to create the worn, vintage tavern floors I so desired.



Once that dried, I added a coat of polyurethane gloss to make them shiny and complete!  I love the look and the price even more!  They make the room turn out exactly as I had hoped.



I shared this with...







Carpet is Gone! Time To Paint Some Faux Hardwood Floors!

A New Year Is On The Way

A New Year Is On The Way

Time is running out to save Hackneys Grade II Listed Haggerston Baths for public benefit

Hackney has invited developers and others to lodge, by 19th June, "expressions of interest" in its Grade II listed Haggerston Baths. Included is the former 100 by 30 public swimming pool which controversially closed 15 years ago. Hackneys agents BNP Parisbas has described the offer of a 250 year lease as an "outstanding opportunity" in an increasingly desirable location.


The Wren Revival style building was designed by Alfred Cross and built for Shoreditch Borough Council in 1904 at a cost of £60,000.


Internal modernisations were carried out in 1960 and it was Grade II Listed by English Heritage in 1988.

The Haggerston Baths were planned at a time of cholera and smallpox outbreaks locally when three families would share one house and "scarcely one" house had its own bath, It was hoped at the time that promoting cleanliness would also "raise the moral tone" of the working classes. The building had 1st and 2nd Class Slipper Baths, as well as a public laundry ,where the local residents could wash their clothes as well as themselves.

The pool hall, with its magnificent roof, was built both for swimming and as a public hall. Boxing matches, dances and other events were held there.


Internally, there are three original 28 Lancashire boilers in the basement but, following the 1960s modernisations, only the 2nd Class Womens slipper baths now remain ( Bring your own soap -Ed.).

The Save Haggerston Pool Campaign reported that as recently as May 2014 Hackneys Mayor Pipe stated "The problem with Haggerston Pool is not that it is about to be put up for sale, which it is not, rather that any owner is faced with finding in excess of £25million to invest in refurbishment, redevelopment of the west wing, and restoration of the pool and hall". Following the recent advertisement the Mayor stated "unfortunately, with ever- shrinking resources, we simply cannot prioritise this project. We will only consider working with an appropriate partner, such as someone who is prepared to use the building for the benefit of the community or to revitalise the local area".

Sadly. since the building was closed 15 years ago, it has suffered ongoing damage and vandalism. The Victorian Society has expressed concern that, unless investment is urgently made, the building could be lost for public use if not entirely. 


The Save Haggerston Pool Campaign have called for a public meeting, to discuss the bids which Hackney have received and to consider whether adequate community benefit would be achieved by the redevelopment proposals.







Time is running out to save Hackneys Grade II Listed Haggerston Baths for public benefit

Creativity Is Contagious Pass It On

Creativity Is Contagious Pass It On

Its Here Downton Day is finally here! Happy viewing

Finally!  I have bided my time waiting for Season 3 of Masterpiece Classics Downton Abbey watching the Notre Dame football team go 12-0 and become number one in the country, Memorial Day, Wimbledon, Labor Day, the US Open, Halloween, Christmas and New Years, etc.


But, alas, the time has finally come.  It is so funny how people are making such a big deal about this but if you dont get, you obviously arent watching.  I cannot wait for those first few beats of that invigorating music, the ringing of the bells on the servant wall, etc.  I cannot wait.  I hope you are excited too and I simply wanted to wish you all Happy Viewing.












I have not cheated and read the spoilers so I really only have a few inklings of what is in store for the Crawleys.  Are you going to watch?  There is so much going on with the NFL playoffs and Once Upon A Time coming back on but Downton will reign supreme tonight for me!  Enjoy!


Its Here Downton Day is finally here! Happy viewing