-Snapshot Of The Week-

“Somewhere around the fifth or seventh grade I figured out that I could ingratiate myself to people by making them laugh. Essentially, I was just trying to make them like me. But after a while it became part of my identity.”

-Ms Tina Fey

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things *Part III*

Time for a Fall instalment of “my favorite things” here at RB. It’s my favorite season so it’s tough to narrow down my typical top 12 but here it goes:
 

1.) “Fun Size” (aka less guilt….even after 6 or 7) sized chocolate bars at Halloween
 

2.) Finally getting to bust out your cute scarves, coats and boots again.
 

3.) The crunch under your feet of burnt orange, squash yellow and cranberry red falling leaves
 

4.) The day after Halloween when all the candy goes on huge discount. I’d be a fool NOT to buy a wheel barrow’s worth right?
 

5.) STARBUCKS PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES AND FRAPPES! (I think I’m probably up to 50 lattes since this year’s premiere on August 31st, don’t make me do the math on what I’ve spent!)
 

6.) Hallmark coming out with this years newest ornaments. (Already bought two)
 

7.) Hearty Fall stews with crusty bread and a big ole glass of wine.
 

8.) Watching Halloween specials like “The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror” every year since I was a kiddie and “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!”
 

9.) Thanksgiving and everything it encompasses. The smells, the sounds, the tastes. It’s bliss!
 

10.) Young girls having to wear more clothes than the bare minimum because of the weather. What’s with girls these days anyways? I wouldn’t wear some of the stuff they walk down the street in even in the shower!
 

11.) Youngsters in adorable Halloween costumes
 

12.) Pumpkins, soft throws and warm desserts after a long hot summer.
 

What are your favorite things this time of year? Share!
 

Giveaway Winner!

Today is the big day where we find out who won these stunning handmade earrings from the great Etsy store Beaded Embellishments. This giveaway was a lot of fun and I got a ton of entries (so many of you took advantage of those bonus entries which I love!) Today’s lucky winner of these beauties is:

Jesselyn (Salleefur) Anderson!

Who said:

“I’ve added MANY of Denise's designs/creations to my Etsy Favorite Items list - my most favorite FAVORITE right now is the "Purple Jasper Amethyst Howlite Jade Beaded Silver Necklace AND the matching earrings "Purple Jade and Howlite Silver Swirl Drop Earrings" Aside: the "Pink & Gold Crystal Necklace & Earring Set is Exquisite!”

Sounds like quite a fan so a big congrats on your win and thanks so much to everyone who entered! Please don’t go far because I have MANY more awesome giveaways already lined up and waiting to come home to live with you!

Stay Tuned!

-Snapshot Of The Week-

“Hitchhiking seems romantic, but it's too dangerous. And all those stories on Unsolved Mysteries have made people paranoid.”

-Ms January Jones

More "Modern Family" House Decor

 Please Click This Link For A Compilation Of Up To Date Modern Family Decor Information: http://recklessbliss.blogspot.com/p/modern-family-homes.html
 
Let me just preface this exciting new post by saying Richard Berg is a visionary. Berg is the production designer on several shows including the much loved Modern Family and after researching his work I have found him to be absolutely amazing. The fabulous Modern Family sets are the tip of the iceberg when looking at this man’s portfolio. He has worked on music videos including No Doubt, Mariah Carey and Jewel as well as movies like The Cleaner and countless commercials that are just stunning. You can tell Berg loves his job and eats, breathes and sleeps design. I highly recommend checking his work out for yourselves by visiting his website. There you will find an array of drool worthy photos like the following shots from the Modern Family set:
 

Jay and Gloria’s Foyer. The striped rug picks up every color used in this home. It’s just flawless work made to look easy.
 

Jay and Gloria’s Kitchen. I loved that Berg mingled the two incredibly different styles of Jay and Gloria so well. Jay is a traditional kind of man and works as an architect in the show whereas Gloria is a fiery Latino with a big personality. The merging of these differences comes together beautifully in this vibrant kitchen. It’s mostly eclectic with a few shots of contemporary elegance that we see in pieces like the light fixtures and table and chairs.
 

Jay and Gloria’s Kitchen. This shot allows us a better look into the dining room from the kitchen. Again we are seeing the two different styles working as one in pieces like the zebra print bar stools versus the sleek dining room set.
 

Jay and Gloria’s Dining Room. This is clearly geared more to Jay’s tastes but in subtle ways we see touches of Gloria. For example, the vivacious painting on the otherwise muted brown walls.
 

Phil and Claire’s Living Room. I get 99% of my questions on this blog about this well loved room. To me this room is a perfect representation of the typical family room. Cozy and warm yet still exudes a level of beauty and style. All the patterns and plush furniture used here make the room feel cheery and welcoming whilst, the fireplace mantle and built-ins uphold a quality of elegance.
 

Phil and Claire’s Kitchen. You people are totally gaga over those painted cabinets. Not that I blame you because they really make the room look complete. We can see that the same rug in the first picture of Jay and Gloria’s home has been used here as well under the dining set. The colors work here as well by tying together the window treatments and cabinet color. The casual wall hangings and distressed table are key features in what makes this room feel like a well used average family kitchen.
 

Cam and Mitchell’s Dining Room. I have a really hard time picking my favorite of the three homes but I have to say I think Cam and Mitchell’s would be it. Every time I come back to talk about it I am most enthralled with this contemporary style. It’s the perfect level of chic without verging on fussy so you still get to come home to a intimate and pleasant home. I can totally picture laughing and drinking wine with friends at that table. In case anyone missed my other Modern Family posts, the grey-green color used for this set is Benjamin Moore’s Louisberg Green.
 

Cam and Mitchell’s nursery. This pretty in pink room was debuted in the pilot episode of the show when Cam and Mitchell brought home their adopted daughter Lily. Cam surprised Mitchell with the mural on the wall so they could always “watch over Lily.” Other than the oddity of the mural I would say any little girl would be overjoyed to get such a sweet looking room. My favorite part is the look the green chair in the corner which is perfectly in line with the smart style of Cam and Mitchell.
 

Once again, the brilliant designer behind this set design and so many others is Richard Berg. Please check him out and indulge yourself by ogling some of his work. You will not be disappointed!
 
  Please Click This Link For A Compilation Of Up To Date Modern Family Decor Information: http://recklessbliss.blogspot.com/p/modern-family-homes.html 

It’s Giveaway Day!

It’s giveaway time again here at Reckless Bliss. Today I’ve got quite a sparkly treat for you all to get a shot at knabbing. Denise from the lovely Etsy store Beaded Embellishments has kindly offered up one of her fabulous pieces of jewelery to award to one lucky person. First we need to take a look at just what makes this jewelery so darn nice.

Beaded Embellishments specializes in handcrafting unique pieces of beaded jewerly using high quality materials.

Along with gemstones and pearls, Denise uses 925 Sterling Silver in her designs as opposed to silver plated or base metals which do not hold up well over time. Also used is Swarovski Crystals as opposed to Czech glass beads because of their outstanding quality, brilliance and reputation, so you know you are getting a fine piece of jewlery to proudly display.

As Denise says, “A jewelry purchase is an investment in ones self and ones appearance and because of that I prefer to use quality materials and timeless designs so that you may enjoy your purchases for years to come,” and I couldn’t agree more!

And because Beaded Embellishments wants to make sure that everyone can afford a beautiful creation from the store Denise is generously offering a discount of 10% on any pair of earrings in the Etsy shop for the duration of this giveaway (One Week). You can use the Code: “Olivia” in the message to seller or send a direct message when you purchase your item to receive a refund of the 10% via paypal. And speaking of earrings, here’s the fabulous giveaway item featured today!:

You have a chance at winning this pair of stunning Olivine and Fire Opal swirl earrings made from Swarovski crystal and sterling silver. These beauties are valued at $22 and are the absolute perfect addition to the season. There’s tons of entry possibilities so find out how to enter here:

SORRY CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!

-Snapshot Of The Week-

“I believe in imagination. I did Kramer vs. Kramer before I had children. But the mother I would be was already inside me.”

-Ms Meryl Streep

Humble Chateau For The Most Basic Needs…

OR NOT! I stumbled across this Quebec monster of a real estate listing today while doing my routine “dream of homes I’ll never have” hunt and wanted to share it with all you pretty little readers of mine. Usually homes of this size just have my attention because of the exterior architecture since the interiors are typically a little to la-di-da for my somewhat modest (and cheapskate) tastes but this had me impressed from beginning to end. It felt a lot more homey than the average gold trimmed highfalutin’ decor I’m use to seeing in these types of abodes. It’s still a touch on the extravagant side but it’s easy to see how it could be made into a warm cozy place to come home to. Try to guess-timate the listing price while you peruse the pictures and read what this French puppy is sporting under the hood. I’ll tell you the actual price at the end but first we’ll have some fun racking it up. 

First we’ll start with a tour of the exterior. This French Canadian home is a behemoth standing at 41,684 square feet. Built in 2004, it has 9 bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms. Add at least another million to whatever number you had in your head for all that excess space and because it’s French and let’s face it, they’re fancy, non? And let’s keep going.

With Halloween approaching I can’t help but wonder, how do rich kids go trick or treating with all those gates and insanely long drive ways? Or is it too beneath them to take part in? If it feels like a triathlon to go trick or treating then you should add another million to your guess.

Add this to your price consideration too: buying this house gets you mountain and water views, electronic gated entry, automatic sprinklers, landscaped gardens, a swimming pool and hot tub, a guest house, a workshop, 3-car garage and underground parking. Yes, I said underground parking. And that’s just the exterior features! Throw a couple more million on that fire would ya?

 

Looks more like an eight car garage to me. I wonder which one takes you underground. I’d feel like Batman living in this house. I just need to hire my Alfred or at least someone open to the idea of me calling them Alfred. Anything that leaves you feeling like Batman deserves another million tacked on.

All I want to do when I see this staircase is race my friends down the stairs by sliding in sleeping bags and winter sleds. Home Alone anyone? Just another example of how I am more white trash then high class and should never live in this home. Add another million…

The listing tells us “the building consists of a main body and two wings. The main body features an elevator, a vast den facing the lake and the monumental staircase leading to the first floor. On the ground floor, the Western wing accommodates the immense dining room, the den, the kitchen & the dinette, and a large pool and spa with sliding doors opening onto the terraces and the lake. The Eastern wing houses an exceptional reception room with a separate entrance, a professional kitchen, a vast terrace, a garage, library, office, billiard room and the maid’s rooms. Immense tiered terraces go all the way down to the shore. Multiple terraces create a very elegant belvedere on the lake.”

The closest I’ll ever come to an elevator in my house is one of those chairs that takes you up and down the stairs when you get old. Any home that can say they have “wings” and not be talking about their pet parakeet deserves a few more million. Not to mention using the word belvedere. Sacrebleu! What are we at now? $9 million? $10? Let’s keep going.

Baguette et fromage anyone? Now that is what I call a light fixture. I hear another million calling in the distance...

The reading I could get done in a stunner like this I tell you! Libraries with ladders and spiral stairs=more $$$

Two way fish tanks are so neat. My rather pudgey cat would spend the better portion of her day brewing schemes as to how to get to these slippery suckers for lunch.

Where we at now? $17 mil? $18 mil? Don’t get too comfortable.

You can also expect to see a golf room, an exercise room, painting room (whatever that means!), a massage room, a nanny suite, a dressing room and a laundry room with 3 washers, 2 dryers and a chute. Did I mention this house comes fully furnished? Cha-ching $$$

Here’s a peak at the gourmet eat-in kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances.

The games room complete with gas fireplace and swanky wood accents. The ceiling looks like le chocolat! $20….$25mil?

Of course there’s a wine cellar in a French home. Can you pass the cabernet sauvignon si vous plait? When will these random French words stop spewing from my mouth?

Nowhere in the listing did I read the words “ballroom” but I’m assuming that’s what this is. Or at least some form of party room. I guess you have carte blanche on this room. (Ok I admit I just wanted to work in one more French reference) May as well stick a few more million on that price tag.

So you think you got anywhere close to what this beast is gonna cost ya? I was actually surprised after reading all the crazy features that this house was only listed at $27 million dollars. It certainly isn’t pocket change but it still seemed reasonable considering. What do you think of this home? Share your likes, dislikes and general opinions, I love hearing them. If you would like to see more of this listing you can check it out on the Canadian MLS website. Au revoir! (last one, I promise!)