"Urine" For a Treat"

There is no etiquette, no protocol for asking one's husband, " Did you by chance take a whiz on the bathroom floor this morning?"  It's just awkward.  This seems an obvious "good manners" faux pas, but there are certain aiming mis-judgments that polite society will permit.  People have been known to miss the boat, miss the point, and one's heart might miss a beat, and we simply shake our heads, shrug our shoulders and move on.  I mean I don't claim to be Emily Post or anything and nobody's perfect, right?  All of us are only human after all.  But, stepping in the contents of someone's bladder first thing in the morning is outlandish - and just a little antagonistic - it is sufficient to say that no one is prepared for being questioned about such matters. It's a far cry from "Is that your wet towel on the floor?"  And besides all of that, who would own up to such a thing?

Luckily, before I could even put the question on the table I realized that it was not da Hubbs but our kitty, Eva June, who had sprung a leak.  And being the opportunistic creature that I am, I would like to take advantage of this good segue opportunity . . . . So, I have another little leak to share with you about some newly posted inventory on my Etsy and "urine" for a treat!  Ha!  I sleigh me.  Get it?  "Sleigh" instead of "slay" - just a little bathroom slash Kris Kringle humor to get your Thursday goin', don't cha know?!

To begin with, I would like to show you this prissy pink perch in the photo above.  How great would this reproduction Louis XVI style tufted chair look at a mirrored desk or parked in front of a glam-y French vanity. It has been re-upholstered in a marvelous pink linen with two inch diamond tufting and the wood work has been guilt with a gold paint finish.

Next on the list are these elegant reproduction French Louis XV carved side chairs have an arching crest above a cartouche-shaped upholstered back with a serpentine apron raised on graceful cabriole leg. The wood treatment is a satin white paint and has been newly upholstered in a silver grey damask blended fabric with a double welting that gives them an amazing tailored yet feminine feel. I can only image how marvelous this pair would look on either side of a sofa table in a dining room or as intimate seating at a romantic table built for two.

And last you could take this stunning set of (4) vintage Parson's chairs and have our studios reupholster it in a fabric of your choice. Because you know how I feel about customization in the home - I figure it's like couture in the closet.

I've been envisioning this set of vintage Parson's chairs around a Saarinen pedestal table or pulled up to a curvy French farm table. They each have a six button tufted back with a straight apron at the seat raised on sleek squared pillar legs. The present vinyl upholstery is stained and worn so, they will need to be reupholstered - each chair will need 2.5 yards of a  solid fabric and 3.5 yards of a fabric that is patterned.

Follow my blog with bloglovin

If Procrastination Were Dirt, I'd Be About an Acre

I have been trying for weeks to write about my plans for The Vintage Laundry, but it hasn't been easy, and for one simple reason:  Redesigning the website and implementing new services and aspects to the business has taken up so much of life lately that I have had no time to sit down in front of the computer to post blogs.

I hate that I procrastinate.  I absolutely hate this about me!  If procrastination were dirt, I'd be about an acre - or maybe 40.  If you're one of those people who is all together and perfectly prepared for all that life presents to you on a daily basis, don't even bother reading this because there will be nothing for you here.  This is for people who put things off claiming that if you can't do tasks perfectly, why do them at all, those who are bad at multi-tasking, and those who feel that their disorganized houses, and their hopeless and chronic inability to finish their "to-do-list," somehow makes them less than.

There was, however, for exactly 10 minutes in 1993 right after the birth of my first child that I, LeAnn Stephenson, was thought to be the most on-top-of-things woman on the planet.  It's true, just ask my breast pump.  In any case, I would like to NOT procrastinate.  I would!  But every time I try to get all organized, something goes wrong and makes it impossible.  I want to make sure I make this clear:  Every time I try to get all organized, something goes wrong.

I have observed people who are overwhelmed by their "to-do-lists" (and are often procrastinators) - and I've also witnessed the parallel universe of folks who are freakishly efficient (but are often overwhelmed, as well.)  I myself swing between the two universes, spending larger portions of time in the land of the overwhelmed slash procrastinating.  I have periods of time being wildly committed to finishing my "to-do-lists" and being on top of my schedule; then some little glitch or fire ignites needing my attention, and then I spend time solving the problem and putting out the fire.  Then I slowly make my way back to completing tasks in a timely manner,  then something new and urgent comes up.  So far, in the "urgent-must-put-this-fire-out" department, the past month and a half has managed the following:  I have broken four metatarsal bones in my right foot, one right after the other which leads to visits to multiple doctors to see why this is happening and an oh-so-stylish boot cast to hobble around in;  my internet provider has been malfunctioning making it usable only 2 out of every 7 days for quite some time now, making designing the website, emailing clients, posting blogs, and listing new merchandise a little tricky;  My children, Olivia and Noah, both had birthdays and celebrations that had to be planned, invites designed, and parties to be had;  extra pockets of time to be alloted for my daughter who is now driving here and there and everywhere to accumulate hours she needs to get her license;  problems with damage and shipping on some of my reworked furniture pieces, causing loss of profit and general disappointment in certain people; and now I'm entirely destroyed by the imminent arrival of Christmas and all that that implies, not to mention that I can't perform the simple act of a hair flip to remove my bangs from my eyes without becoming a candidate for traction.

So, here's what I know now that I didn't know then:

•  Take calcium EVERY DAY and make sure you have some Vitamin D with it so it will absorb properly.

•  There are no brakes on the passenger side floorboard of my car.

•  Stop doing what does not work - get rid of the things that work against you.

•  Take more pictures and spend more time with family.

•  It's okay to say, No.

•  Keep your bangs trimmed.

•  There are people will take advantage of me.

. . . and finally . . . .

•  The Earth will not stop spinning because I didn't finish my "to-do-list."

Photo courtesy Blogging Innovation

Follow my blog with bloglovin

The Laundry List

Image courtesy lifehack.org



Follow my blog with bloglovin

Simply Grove featured me!

I was so flattered to have Kirsten feature photos of my home and business on her blog, SimplyGrove. In addition to writing her design blog Kirsten, is the mother of two, and a wildly talented interior designer. Her home has been featured on Apartment Therapy among other design blogs and her interior design firm based in Boise, Idaho. Thanks so much Kirsten, you're the best-est!

Vintage Shower: Hanky Panky

So much can be done with vintage handkerchiefs. If your shower guests are particularly skilled with a needle and thread, or a member of your crafting group is getting hitched, the following shower idea might be for you. I read recently about how to keep guests entertained while the bride-to-be opens gifts at her bridal shower. The suggestion was to have guests bring an embroidered square, vintage handkerchiefs, or scraps of fabrics to the party and as they watch, the guests sew the squares together to make a quilt or pillow that the bride can keep for years to come.

I've just listed several beautiful, vintage handkerchiefs on my online store - there are many monograms and Valentine hankies.

Vintage Wedding: Karisa Winkel

"Vintage" has been enjoying a well earned popularity for several years now, whether it is accessories, clothing, or a piece of furniture for your home. Many brides are including vintage elements into their ceremonies, which spurred an idea I’ve had about posting a series of blogs on the topic. Lately, I have come across some really creative ideas. One such idea came from Karisa Winkel at Pretty Handsome Paper.

Karisa says she just finished a project that was a lot of fun. A bride wanted something with old New York style that was totally unique and meaningful. So, for her "Save the Date" cards, Karisa and the bride decided to use vintage handkerchiefs instead by silkscreening the message on center field of the hanky. To completely capture the recipients' attention they were sent out held in place with a vintage hat pin! She admits that although it wasn't easy finding 82 handkerchiefs they finally found them all and Karisa silkscreened them herself. She jokes that she came very close to robbing a Grandmother.

What guest would miss this ceremony? I’m completely charmed by the novelty of this idea.


After 3 years of being an Art Director in NYC, Karisa gathered the courage to pursue her lifelong dream of starting her own design boutique. Though she markets herself as a wedding stationery designer, she also does custom projects and loves taking on a challenge.

Karisa’s company, Pretty Handsome Paper, now offers custom designs for every occasion. Is your project unique? Do you have a clever concept? Do you want to do something original and creative? Go check things out and see if you can’t collaborate to make your wedding a ceremony that people will be talking about for years to come!