"Pink Saturday & English Country Style"....

I have always been drawn to the "soft, lovely, cottage-y feel" of English Country style!...and no one does it better, than the English company "Cabbages & Roses"!....Home decor, clothing & fabric, "Cabbages & Roses" is the epitome of what I love when it comes to this simple, yet romantic style. Soft pinks & dusty roses,.... worn antique pieces & a charmingly disheveled feel is what I love the most!

So for this Pink Saturday I take my hat off to England,.... it's country homes.... & enchanting interiors!....ala "Cabbages & Roses"!......and thank you to Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound for encouraging us all to hunt for..... & post about.... the best in all that is "pink"!
Look around & search for the "pink" that inspires you!.....
Happy Hunting!.....
Heidi XO

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One of those days, when all my projects are calling,.... but all I really want to do is get a great magazine, my coffee & spend my morning on one of these lounges!... I hope you all feel like that sometimes too?....You do,...don't you?

It's not that today's "to-do's" are ones I'm dreading. In fact they are all things I like & have looked forward to doing.....sewing....making favors for a friend's party....& preparing for a bridal shower, I myself am giving this weekend..... All perfectly lovely activities!....but still those lounges are a calling!

So off I go to attend to my tasks,.... with a good attitude & a smile. But don't think for a minute, that sometime this afternoon, I'm not going to give in to those lounges!

Enjoy your busy Wednesday!

Love, Heidi XO

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Lots of Announcements!.....

Today I decided to post all "my announcements" all at once,....please forgive the "advertisement" atmosphere of my blog today,.... but this is all great information I am very excited about, & I hope you might be too!..... so here goes!.....
The first is about my monthly newsletter, "Living Little with Heidi". Obviously it is the middle of June & no newsletter has been sent yet?....I so apologize.....Our family ended up planning a little vacation, which set me back a bit & when we returned it has been busy, busy, busy!.....So I decided to combine the June & July issues, which I promise will be going out in the next couple days!....
I also wanted to say a very appreciative "Thank you" to all of you who have been requesting "Living Little"!....It has been overwhelming & humbling to have so many of you ladies asking to be on my mailing list!.....Thank you again!
( to receive my newsletter, e-mail me at heididevlin@gmail.com)

My next announcement is about my upcoming "Living Little" class on July 9th, here at my home in Poway, California!....I have just sent out the information sheet for the class, so if you are interested in receiving one, please e-mail me at heididevlin@gmail.com......It should be a wonderful evening of ideas, how-to's & delicious recipes!

And last but not least, I have to tell you about the incredible "giveaways" my daughter, Holly, has going on today over at her darling blog "mommyholly", to celebrate her 500th post!!.....You must go see for yourself & leave a comment to be eligible to win some of the most amazing items!....( I am giving away a pillow too!)

O.K. I'm all finished!....I love hearing about what others have going on, so I hope you do too!
Enjoy your Monday afternoon!....
Your friend, Heidi XO

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Weightloss Update......

Happy Sunday & Happy Father's Day!......In a few minutes, I am off to wrap my gifts & bake cakes to the two special "dads" in our family.....Our celebration will be this evening so I am not quite as behind as it seems! :)
***********************************
I also wanted to post about this last week,

"weight-loss wise".
Last week we went on a small family vacation to Palm Springs, CA....a couple hours away from where we live in San Diego....We stayed in a hotel that offered rooms that included kitchens, so we were able to make our own meals, which helped so much when trying to eat healthy!....

The resort also had the most glorious pool area!....Just gorgeous!....So yes, I was putting on a bathing suit....not really comfortable walking around in one, but this is my life & my vacation & as my daughter Holly always says, "this journey is a marathon, not a sprint!"...so I am going to enjoy myself with swimming & sunbathing!

I basically tried once again to focus on fruits & veggies & did quite well doing so!....Not lots of exercise this week, which I regret, since I did indeed let my "busy-ness with work" take over there....but overall feel I did quite well this week!

Yesterday when stepping on the scale at Weight Watchers, I had lost 1.2 lbs...which makes my weigh-loss total for the last two weeks.....3.6 lbs.!..
This week I plan to exercise more & have already scheduled in "walking" for many days this coming week!.....

Also need to find some great low-cal recipes!....So if you have any recipes you would like to share, please send them my way & I will post them next week!
Here's to another great week, taking care of myself first!...
Make it a fabulous week at your house too!.....

See you next Sunday!......Your friend, Heidi XO


This weeks weight: 269.0...loss of 1.2 lbs. this week 6/19/2010

Original weight: 272. 6/6/5/2010

Total weight loss: 3.6 lbs.

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Pink Saturday is Going Vintage!....

This week my Pink Saturday post is going "vintage"!......."Vintage hankies" that is! Are these not the sweetest, old-fashioned floral hankies you have ever seen!....
And this idea from "Country Living" is as charming as they come!....Just sew an assortment together for the loveliest table runner ever!
Maybe "antiquing" is how you're spending your Pink Saturday?...If so, keep your eye out for some beautiful old hankies!
Thank you Beverly at How Sweet The Sound for hostessing!

Enjoy this "pink" day in June!

Your friend, Heidi XO

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"A Summer Table for Friends"......

Last Thursday, I had my group of dearest friends over for one of our "get-together" evenings! .....We have been doing this for some time now, getting together each month for dinner, chatting & getting caught up with each of our busy lives!....
It works well, with everyone contributing to the meal & the hostess having the fun of setting a pretty table & creating a "warm & inviting atmosphere" for her guests!

Since I was hostessing this month, I decided to have us dine on my patio!.....So I began putting my table together.
It all started with these clamp-lid glass bottles from IKEA.....& 2 bunches of long stemmed "poppy-like" flowers from Trader Joe's ( they have a great selection of afforable blooms!)

I added a few stems in each bottle, each half-filled with water....
( looks much more interesting than entirely filled!).....
& placed them down the middle of the table, casually winding them around a pair of glass cylinder vases,...... where I had placed pure white pillar candles on top of a bed of pea gravel.
Also scattered a few more tiny votive candles throughout.....for a bit more sparkle!

Amazing what happens when you combine the following....
1- Walmart folding table (6 foot)
*
1- very gathered, home-made burlap tablecloth
*
9- everyday white diner plates
*
9- soft, checkered dishtowels for napkins ( these are just used as napkins for the time being!)
*
9- K-Mart Martha Stewart glass water goblets
*
"my collection" of mis-matched thrift store silverware

As the clouds rolled in.....We all enjoyed a dinner of grilled salmon, corn pudding, Greek salad, fresh berries & warm sourdough bread!....(Along with a delicious appetizer of hummus & pita bread & amazing cupcakes for dessert!)

Such evenings are what summer is all about!

"Good friends....Good food....Good conversation"
Make some summer memories of your own!

Love, Heidi XO

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A Simple Tutorial...."Creating an Area for Kitchen Basics"

In my kitchen, I use certain "basic ingredients", each & every day...You know,.... salt, pepper, olive oil, etc. .....In doing so, I have to have these ingredients out where they are accessible, not shut away behind cabinet doors.....
Over the years I have used all kinds of containers that house all my "culinary necessities"!....With my kitchen now though,.... which is quite small, I don't have room for anything large, but still want the convenience of having my things right out where I can reach them! ....I happened to come across this charming white tray at IKEA a few weeks ago, which is perfect for my new "next-to-the-stove" container!...I believe it was around $2-$3 is all & I just love it!

I took this lovely white tray, which measures approx. 6"x15" & placed it to the right of my stove.

Near the back, I added the tallest items I like to cook with,...my silver pepper grinder, and a bottle of olive oil fitted with a spout top.

I also added a couple old shaker jars that house my garlic powder & sea salt....I have had these bottles around for years, just because I love their graceful shapes....So pretty!

Then in front, a small ironstone dish always filled with kosher salt, which I love to pinch & quickly add to any recipe!
Together these few basic ingredients help me prepare & season our meals, as well as adding a bit of charm to my kitchen counter!
If you haven't yet created such an area, you might think about doing so!...As you can see, it couldn't be easier, plus it helps make you look like a wonderful cook!....

Happy Cooking!......

Your friend, Heidi XO

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"Weight Loss Update"....

Hello Friends, I hope you are enjoying your Saturday!...I wanted to check in with you all about this last week, & let you know my progress on the road to losing weight & getting healthier!...
Well, I am thrilled to report that I had a fabulous week!...I walked approx. 13 miles this week, I ate right, stuck to my point allowance & wrote everything down! ( which certainly does help!)
I still enjoyed frozen yogurt, grilled salmon ( many times) & lots of fresh fruit & veggies!...lots & lots of veggies!!! :)....I even entertained a group of dear friends for dinner, & ate everything they did...just planned for it!...& watched my proportions!

So off to Weight Watchers I went this morning & I had lost 2.4 lbs.!....I already feel thinner & have much more energy than a couple weeks ago!....
Now after my post last Saturday, I had many of you writing me the most supportive comments, with some of you deciding to join me in your own weight battles!.... which I find so incredibly nice!...So please write me & let me know how you too did this past week!...and if you too have any tips!......For me, it was eating "real" food, nothing processed!....I feel real food not only sticks with you longer, it also just makes you feel better all around!...and one other thing, I ate no red meat, chicken or pork...just fish!....It was a bit challenging, but something I have wanted to try for some time! Not yet declaring myself as a vegetarian, but headed in that direction! :)

So now we are off for a few days in Palm Springs!.....I am entering this second weight loss week with a renewed energy!...which comes from not only taking care of "me"...but having support & friends like all of you!.....
Have a wonderful week ahead!

Love, Heidi XO

(P.S. weight 270.2... loss of 2.4 lbs....(& still 5'8")

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"Pink Saturday"........A Question....

Happy Pink Saturday!......
Would doing your laundry be a bit more fun if all your clothes were pink?.....
......quite possibly.

Make this day a lovely shade of "pink"!....
Your friend, Heidi XO

P.S. Thank you to the creator of Pink Saturday & our darling hostess!...
Beverly at How Sweet The Sound.

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"A Little Hint"........Stay Tuned!

Happy Thursday morning to you all!......
As a hint of what's to come,..... I am posting photos of some very pretty items that are part of a new (on-line) shop, I have plans to open!......It will be "vintage-y"....It will be
"flea market-y".....It will be "farmhouse-y"!.....

Lots of "everyday items" that will be inexpensive & simple.... yet oozing lots & lots of charm!

This little venture is one that I am working on as we speak, and plan to make available in just a couple weeks!
Keep visiting for more details & giveaways too!!.....
Wishing you just the nicest Thursday!
Your Friend, Heidi XO

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My Weight Loss Commitment....

Good Morning Friends, I joined Weight Watchers 16 months ago, and within the first few months lost almost 50 lbs. Needless to say I felt great!....Then gradually, over the following months, I forgot that I still had a lot of weight to lose & became a bit too comfortable. I still attended meetings, sometimes loosing, sometimes gaining....overall staying the same. I wouldn't allow myself to stop going to meetings, since in my mind that would be giving up, which I certainly was not going to do.

At the beginning of 2010, I told myself I was going to commit once again! I would not just "show up" at my Saturday morning meetings, but would jump back on the bandwagon & get this weight off!.....Well, I'm sure you can tell where this is going....Instead of losing weight, I have continued in the same path of "half participating" in the Weight Watcher's plan....So this morning, after skipping the last two Saturdays, I stepped on the scale to realize that I have not just stayed the same weight, but have indeed gained!...The one or two lbs. each week has now added up to almost 20 lbs.... back on my already fat body! OMG! How could I once again let this happen?

So this morning, June 5th. 2010 I am making a new weight loss commitment & I am going to be a bit more public with my journey. This is very difficult for me, but in the tradition of the Biggest Loser, I am going to state my weight & my height. Each week after returning from my WW meeting, I will be posting Saturday afternoon about my progress. In my Saturday afternoon post , I will include my thoughts,.... along with healthy, low calorie recipes & any tips that have worked for me.

I am recommitting right here & now.
I need to lose weight.
I need to cook & eat healthy.
I need to exercise.

Here's too Saturday afternoons & getting healthy!

Love, Heidi XO

Weight: June 5th, 2010- 272.5 lbs.
Height: 5' 8"

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It 's June & PINK SATURDAY!!

"I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June."
- L. M. Montgomery

It is finally the lovely month of June & to make it even better it is PINK SATURDAY!.....can't get much better than that!....Enjoy this beautiful month & visit as many "pink ladies" as you can!.....Thank you Beverly at How Sweet The Sound!

Enjoy your day!
Heidi XO

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June's issue of "Living Little with Heidi" is almost finished!.....

Good Morning Friends,

Hope you are all doing well!....
Well, June has officially arrived, so that means another issue of
"Living Little with Heidi" is about to be e-mailed off to you as well!

I wanted to take a minute to thank the many, many friends who have been contacting me, asking to have "Living Little" sent to them!...I cannot tell you how that warms my heart!.....
And for those who are visiting for the first time, or have not heard about my newsletter, I must fill you in!

"Living Little with Heidi" is my monthly on-line newsletter......& it's FREE!! It is filled with ideas for decorating, entertaining, crafting, gardening, along with incredibly delicious recipes.... beautiful pictures & lovely seasonal quotes!

The message throughout this little publication is...."Creating a beautiful life, with little money, little time & in little space"!.....If you're like me, you too want to create a home that is a warm, cozy, inviting place that family & friends gravitate to....without spending every penny you make!.....We all want to do a little entertaining, especially in these glorious summer months, but again may feel we cannot spend untold amounts of money doing so!.....And like me, some of you may be finding yourselves living in smaller houses, condos or apartments with a less living space, but just as many people & things as before!


This is what "Living Little with Heidi" is all about!....Being able to do all the things we love, but doing it with less!....money time & space!

I am finishing up the last details of my June issue...which as I mentioned above, will be e-mailed out later this week! If you are interested in receiving "Living Little", please e-mail me at heididevlin@gmail .com. I will be "tickled pink" to send a copy off to you!

Have a delightful day!

Heidi XO

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Today....

Today is.......

* having little grandson snuggling in bed with husband & I very early in the morning....

* grandson realizing it was pajama/ movie day at school, & squealing with delight into both our ears....

Today is......

* Cheerios & blackberries for breakfast....coffee too.....

* & contemplating the idea of becoming a vegetarian?

Today is.....
* checking e-mail, Etsy shop & reading blogs.....
* laundry....& more laundry
* a long walk with both daughters.....
* lunch (vegetarian) with both daughters....

Today is.....
* tidying up the sewing area.....
* more laundry
* declaration of youngest daughter to make dinner ( vegetarian).....

Today is .....
* husband coming home.....
* grandson coming home with stories of pajama/movie day....
* delicious aromas of dinner being prepared.....

Today is.....
* happy sounds of a happy family in a happy home.....

Today is.....
* feeling very blessed.......

Hope your "today" is one to remember too!......

Your friend, Heidi XO

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