First Time Ever Podcast Interview! ~ with Creative Japan

Emi of Emi & Ko Studio reached out to me a while ago to be a guest on her brand new podcast. To be honest, my initial thought was to decline, because I am usually terrified of public speaking and am insecure about speaking English as a second language. But, I thought to myself, "When am I going to have such an opportunity to try something like this?" It was a bit scary but exciting at the same time! Big thanks to Emi who made me feel very welcomed and I felt it was more like having a conversation rather than an interview. Surprised to say, I had a great time!

Please check out my episode. There are several places you can go to watch. Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Emi's blog

Guest Post ~ Arcadian Home Blog

As you may all know, my family and I are between homes while waiting for our house to be built. The progress is not fast enough for us, but, it is coming along. Our new house will have a front porch, and the space was one of the areas that I was thinking about how to decorate. All the pictures are so pretty, but I have to say my most favorite is the last one.:) Enjoy the post!

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Hello, all! I'm so excited to be here with you at Tea Rose Home today with a guest post from Arcadian Home blog. It's a fabulous place to find interior design inspiration including great decorating ideas for everything from beautiful buffet lamps to colorful accessories and rugs for the floor.

Nothing says summer in the South better than images of having iced tea on the quintessential southern porch, but today we're seeing lots of new homes from Maine to California that also have these wonderful outdoor spaces. Today, to fuel your daydreams of summer on the porch I've brought along photos of eight beautiful and inviting porches. Please enjoy!

~ Mari

Via Cushman Design on Design Shuffle

Though this wooden porch is definitely not in the South, it could rival any of those iconic wrap-around beauties with its simplicity and stunning view.

Via Decorating Den Interiors on Design Shuffle

Speaking of wrap-around beauties, this screened in space is porch perfection with black wicker furniture and lots of room for dining, relaxing and entertaining. It's at once very traditional yet updated with contemporary lamps and rugs.

Via Interiors Studio Martha Vineyard on Design Shuffle

Another screened in porch has also grabbed our attention. A stylish yet comfortable space, this outdoor room is a wonderful mix of blues and grays.

Via Interiors Studio Martha Vineyard on Design Shuffle

This rustic sun porch is a captivating combination of natural materials, soft textiles and contemporary outdoor lighting fixtures. Did you notice the ceiling fan with its sailcloth blades?

Via Details a Design Firm on Design Shuffle

This front porch with its updated look, contemporary rattan chairs and slate flooring, has a street view of one California's iconic beach towns.

Via Carson Poetz Inc. on Design Shuffle

Paradise in the desert. Paradise Valley, Arizona, is where you'll find this cool shaded retreat. What a wonderful place to spend summer on the porch.

Via John Loecke Inc. on Design Shuffle

A screened in porch goes whimsical with pink and orange cushions on bright yellow wrought iron furniture. My favorite element is the lime green floor lamp—just what every summery porch needs.

Via Blue Sky Building Company on Design Shuffle

We leave you here on this idyllic porch with a stunning coastal view and white rockers at the ready for those who will be spending their summer on the porch.

What do you think of these porch inspirations! Comment below and stop by our blog for more home accessories, lighting and interior inspirations!

I am off to...

Hi everyone! I am off to get another procedure today and I will be "forced" to slow down (well, by pain, not people). Meanwhile, I did a sweater refashion for Me Sew Crazy as a guest for her fun event, New Year's Re*sew*lution! This will post tomorrow, sorry for the confusion.

I had so much fun working on this project. :)



Here is the sweater I used to for the project, Oh! by the way, I found it at a thrift store for $3 bucks...I thought you wanted to know.


So, please go on, headover to Me Sew Crazy to see the results and of course the step by step tutorial!...and, I wouldn't hate some love notes. :)

Guest post / How To Decorate Your Front Porch This Winter

Hi there everyone! You must be wondering where I have been... well I am still here and alive! After the procedure on Thursday I am in so much pain and couldn't do anything. Today I finally feel better enough to hit the keyboard to say hi. :)

I have a special guest post today by Jessica, she is from Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Company. Did you know that their trees have been featured on the Today Show, by Rachel Ray, in Parents Magazine, Ladies' Home Journal and have received the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval? So exciting isn't it? Go on reading to get great decorating tips from a pro!

Winter can be an exciting season. We love the anticipation that swirls in the cool air, much like the snow that dances along sidewalks and streets. We want to make a good first impression every winter, and the front porch is the best place to make one! To help your home shout out "this is me!" the designers at Balsam Hill share their expertise to stir your creative juices and inspire you to create the fabulous front porch that is you this winter.

Character

Just like your wardrobe, home fashion reflects a part your personality. Look in your closet; is it full of heavy fabrics or light, airy dresses? Let this influence the way in which you design your front porch this winter. Your choice of the furnishings and accessories, along with your color scheme, is crucial to successfully showcasing your taste and style. Check out the porch characteristics below with some tips from our experts, and spot which might fit you.

The Safe

Displaying potted plants is always a safe choice for adding color and attention to a porch. Place some camellias in shades of brilliant red and whitish pink and you've got a creative display that beautifully embellishes your home's entry.



Camellias have cold weather varieties, which will withstand the cold weather.

To simplify the rule, design your front porch with any combination of the common essentials, such as a traditional front door evergreen wreath with faux snowflakes, pine cones, and assorted berries, planters, and floral decor. As long as they are not excessive you won't go wrong, because they are all nature-inspired and depict the season.

The Strong

You can go bold, but it ought to be confined to a certain section of the porch and balanced by elements from The Safe section. The season is characterized by the classic maroons and wine-reds, deep blue, chocolate browns, and elegant black. Take away the dullness of your undressed entrance door by painting it a strong contrasting color like blue or reddish-purple, or by simply adding an attractive front door wreath accented with a big red bow.

You might also add winter-colored pillows and quilts on your sofa to put warmth into the area.

The Sagacious

Get a professionally designed and updated look by using unusual or perhaps personalized accessories. Online stores offer exceptional wreaths in unique arrangements in interesting shapes, color combinations, and textures, which are sometimes adorned with a collection of winter accents, berries, and foliage.

You may also craft a stunning winter garland to decorate your porch. Start by twisting together several grapevines and lock the ends with wire. Affix the heads of small artificial camellias or pinecones, and foliage, and coil it around the railings of your space.

Otherwise, you can create an alluring touch with the right choice of amazing lighting options, such as rope lights installed around the borders of your porch. These eye-catching multicolored lights are of low wattage and enclosed in translucent vinyl for safety. They create an element of coziness while showcasing your beautiful displays for the neighborhood to see!

The Functional

How do you use your front porch? Those who use it every day for leisure should focus on the way they use the space, which will influence how they incorporate decor. For instance, if you entertain guests and enjoy a nightcap on the porch, reserve space for extra sitting room. Magazines, home make-over TV shows, home decor stores, and the web are ideal sources of inspiration.

The basic design rule is to provide breathing space on your front porch. This allows you to accentuate the beauty of your design, and to make your entire home more welcoming. If you have limited space, you may focus your design plans on the floor, doorway, corners, and walls. Good taste is timeless, and using just a few elements from this guide can help you to create a beautiful and welcoming front porch. Here's to good first impressions!

Jessica Phan is a designer for Balsamhill.com a purveyor of high-end artificial Christmas Trees. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area is perfect for her because she has a wide range of interests, including Art & Design, Fashion, Photography, Painting and Thrift Store Shopping.

Guest Post: My Insanity

Hi Tea Rose Home readers! My name is Kendra and I have a blog called My Insanity.









I'm known for getting a little crazy about holidays, parties, and projects for my home. Today I want to show you a glimpse of the craziness that goes on here around Christmas.









Each year we pull out this advent calendar. I love it because I made it and because I designed the inserts to help remind our family about the most important part of Christmas.









I'm also known for sending crazy, or I'd rather say, memorable Christmas Cards. You can see a whole parade of them here, but I thought I would share last year's design. Can you tell how I did it? Inspired by this card by Design Mom, I took advantage of the casting opportunity and dressed my children as the main characters in the the story of The Nativity. To make my (somewhat grumpy) angel fly and get this effect, I had the children laying down on a blanket. Yes, there was a little photoshopping involved since they weren't entirely the most cooperative subjects. I'm working on another crazy scheme for this years' photo. Wish me luck!









We're also crazy enough around here to sometimes paint our Christmas cookies. You really don't have to do them as crazy as I do mine. The kids LOVE the chance to paint on cookies--even if their angels are green and their Santas yellow.









Not all of the insanity is complicated. It was pretty simple to make these French Toast Christmas trees for our Christmas breakfast. We just made French Toast as usual, but cut the bread in half to form triangles. Stack them on top of each other to look like a tree. The star is cut from cheese, the stump from breakfast sausage. We topped it with syrup, berries, powdered sugar (snow) and some green sugar sprinkles for color.




I'm all about making each occasion memorable and infusing creativity into life whenever possible. Thanks Sachiko for having me at your place today! I hope you'll come and join the asylum over at My Insanity! And don't forget to check out the cute (and simple to make) Christmas projects Sachiko is sharing on my blog!

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Thank you Kendra for your fun ideas to make the Christmas season more fun and memorable! It was so fun to have you here today. :)

Dating Diva Guest Post

Tara from The Dating Divas will be sharing fun ideas you can do on a date with your hubby. This is such a fun post; enjoy!

I am SUPER excited to be doing a guest post for Sachiko on her creative "Tea Rose Home" blog! I think she just comes up with the most fun ideas! Her cardigan makeovers, bag embellishments, and overall creativity just STUNNED me!! :) When I first happened onto her blog by chance....I think my jaw dropped. I definitely do NOT have sewing skills....I am more of a drill, paint, cut, mod podge, & scrapbook kind-of-gal.....so I can learn a LOT from Sachiko!!

I am Tara, one of the *divas* blogging for the website, The Dating Divas.

I am married to my best friend, addicted to crafting & coming up with creative dates for my sweetie & me, AND I loooove blogging with some of my closest friends. Life is good! On The Dating Divas website, we are all about coming up with crafty ideas & creative dates that will help strengthen our relationships...and I have the PERFECT one to share with you. Sachiko thought this creative date to share with her readers....and as it was one of my FIRST to air on our website, I sure hope you are ready to gather a GROUP of friends & get CRAZY.....cuz this date is a lot of fun!!

Ah....I see that I caught your attention, huh!

The "Choose Your Own Adventure" Date

This date was inspired by the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books I used to read in Elementary School. I was a pretty outgoing kiddo….but I was also SUCH a bookworm! :) Seriously! Even now…when I pick up a book, the whole world disappears….and my husband has to say my name at least four times before he can get me to respond! :)

First the INVITE!! The wording was “fashioned” after the wording that is on the books….you can download the invite HERE or HERE. (The second one has “Love Your Amazing Woman” at the bottom.) You can insert it into a Word Document to make it any size you’d like. You can either insert the date info with text boxes OR handwrite it on after it’s printed. Just print it onto white cardstock…I mounted it on some colored paper as well….and taped it on our Master Bathroom mirror a few days prior to the date.

My husband, Jamie, LOVED it!

We invited four couples over to our house & once everyone was assembled - we {the wives} handed the guys FIVE envelopes. On the front of each envelope was a poem about a restaurant. The guys had to read the poems aloud and figure out WHICH restaurant the poem was about. They were then allowed to open the envelope of the place they all wanted to eat at…and that is where we headed.

Each girl made up a poem/riddle/clue (in advance) for a place they knew their husband would love to eat. The choices were: Cafe Rio, Fudruckers, Island’s Restaurant, Pei Wei, & Farmer Boys (…we were trying to keep it a “low-budget” night…).

After the guys figured out all of the clues…they couldn’t decide which place they wanted to go to – they liked them ALL! My husband finally put the top three choices on the ground and called our little Yorkie to come over. The envelope Jaxston (our dog) walked up to was Island’s Restaurant!

We then divided up into two groups….for the two cars that would take us there. And…of course….since this is an ADVENTUROUS date….we had to do something fun in the car on the way to our restaurant!! Each driver was handed an envelope full of “Car Tasks”. At each stoplight, we took turns pulling out a task to complete! It was HI-LA-RI-OUS!!!

I tried to take pictures of the others doing their tasks. In our car, we decided it would be more fun if we ALL did each task…here are some pictures of the differents ones we had to do (you may need to click on the pictures to make them bigger…):

We received a lot of fun AND funny reactions from people in other cars. Some people in one car even started dancing along with us!!

After our eventful car ride to the restaurant…we arrived, were seated, and we ordered our SUPER yummy food. I then introduced the “Restaurant Tasks” envelope. Each person had to choose at least one task out of the envelope and complete it sometime during our meal.

It was SUCH a hit that the group decided to try two tasks each. I didn’t get any of the pictures of the tasks because most of them were verbal….but I CAN say that we were laughing a ton! Here are a few of them:

• When the waitress comes to the table say, “This food is SCRUM-DIDDILY-UMPTIOUS!!!!!” (If there is no waitress – say it to anyone that walks by.)



• When the waitress asks “How is everything?” loudly proclaim, “I’m having the BEST night of my life!!!” (Try to say that phrase at least 2 more times before dinner ends.)



• Mention MC Hammer in three sentences throughout the dinner.



• Tell about your first date with your spouse.



• Make Star Trek door noises whenever someone passes the table. (Our friend, Nathan – did a GREAT job with this one!)

I have to tell you a little bit about ONE of my tasks! The task was:

Go over to another table, ask them how their food is and if they are enjoying their dinner. Perhaps you can offer to take their plates/trays if they are finished.

I chose a table consisting of two parents and a child. It looked like they were just finishing up….PERFECT! My group was all done, and I was hoping that I could quickly complete my task and then we could all walk…er… sneak out.

I walked up to their table and asked how their meal was. They looked at me, a little puzzled…(probably because I wasn’t wearing the standard uniform…)…and told me that they really enjoyed their meal. I then asked if they needed anything before they left. They replied that they were just fine, but thanks!

I turned around to see our group trying to stiffle laughter and we all quickly walked out. THEN – as we were standing in front of the restaurant, talking before heading to the two cars, that FAMILY walked out!! My husband spotted them and loudly proclaimed, “Hey! There’s the family whose table you went up to!!” Totally his personality to do something like that!

They came over and we chatted with them for a minute – I told them that they were part of a game we were playing and I thanked them for being such good sports. They thought it was pretty funny as well. They told me that they were a little confused because they hadn’t seen me all night! :) Overall, the ”Restaurant Tasks” were a blast and it kinda reminded me of the game, “Curses”. (If you have never played that game – I totally recommend it!)

Before leaving the restaurant – the guys were given FIVE more envelopes with clues/riddles on the outside pertaining to different activities we could do. Their choices were: Laser Tag, Miniature Golf, Rock Band, Game Night, or watching the dueling pianists at the Paris Casino down town. You can see which choice was the popular one….

We headed back to our place and had a blast playing Rock Band.

Right before the date ended, I was able to snap a photo of the guys with their “Choose Your Own Adventure” choices….

(Nathan, Dustin, Jamie, & Ezra)

You can download the ENTIRE “Choose Your Own Adventure” Date zipped file HERE! I included blank cards for you to write your own clues/riddles OR if you have the same restaurants and activities in your town, you can use the ones we made up.

So what is OUR website all about? I told you a little above....but in case you were curious....our website is what happens when a BUNCH of super crafty friends get together & come up with solutions for strengthening their marriages.

We blog about amazing & creative date ideas, fun gift ideas for our spouses, quick & easy romance ideas, CRAFTY tutorials, and MUCH, much more!! ANYTHING that would help enhance our already ROCKIN’ marriages!! We even decided to share tips on how to look good for our man AND ideas on how to keep things HOT in a certain room…..

…but you are gonna have to visit our blog for THAT!

Stop on by The Dating Divas to get more ROMANCE tips so you can keep dating that amazing spouse of yours! We love spreading the word about our blog….and we hope it will strengthen YOUR relationship as much as it has ours!!

Thanks again for letting me hang out with the "Funky Time" crew today!

Thank you so much Tara for the great idea! This sounds like something my husband and I would enjoy. It was such a pleasure to have you.

Link Party No. 71 / Guest Post: Arcadian Home Decor

Before we start the link party, allow me to introduce you to Jenn from Arcadian Home Decor. I think their style fits in well with my style. I love the beautiful pictures, especially the... Oh I couldn't decide, I love 'em all! Enjoy!

I write daily for an e-commerce website that specializes in top home decor ideas from around the world called Arcadian Home Decor. It allows me to flaunt my inner designer by writing about a myriad of home decor topics and I love being a part of their team. Every day I spend hours poring over great interior design sites, and one that has always stood out is Tea Rose Home, where Sachiko never ceases to amaze me with her beautiful posts. Thanks for letting me write here today Sachiko!

Sometimes a little pattern can go a long way, and such is the case with ruffles. Subtle and graceful, ruffled lights like lamps and hanging fixtures are refined choices of home accessories and are attractive in almost any room. These are eight beautiful ruffled lights we adore.

Polka-dot pretty

Madeleine LIFE + STYLE via

The colourful circles on this ceiling light created a delicate ruffled effect that breaks up the spaciousness of the high ceilings. The sweeping curtains are also very beautiful.

Natural tones

live a little wilder via

The beige ruffles of this table lamp match the wicker table decorations of this entryway, creating a distinctly Bohemian chic look.

Pitter-pat of ruffles

dear lillie via

Ruffles work perfectly in a nursery because of their soft texture - here, a ruffled lampshade is mimicked in framed baby clothing wall art, a unique way to showcase ruffles.

Old-fashioned elegance

Maison Decor via

The ruffled light fixture shown here looks antiqued when paired with a vintage end table and reupholstered wingback chairs.

A perfect pair

House Of Chic And Penoche via

Ruffles look pretty in a singular fashion but are even more striking in twos - here, ruffled lamps act as bookends to this bird-inspired bed, while the drape-like canopy matches the dainty material of the shades.

Grace from above

houzz via

A dressed up chandelier, with ruffled shades, flowers, and crystals, becomes the centrepiece of this colourful dining room.

Matchy-matchy

ArchiExpo via

The ruffled design on this lamp matches the detailing of the bedding in this baby blue and white tween room. The wall decorations are an especially lovely touch.

Classic country chic

The Exchange via

A ruffled lampshade with pattern gives this ordinary red piece of furniture a punch of personality - the motif matches the bedding and vintage plates hung like wall art.

Content provided by Arcadian Home Decor, a site that specializes in top quality home accessories at extremely affordable prices. If you like this post, be sure to stop by the Arcadian Home Decor blog and say hello!

Thank you Jenn! That was a great post!

OK, go ahead and link up, enjoy everyone’s creations. I will!

1. Please post something YOU made. It doesn't matter if it is crochet, quilt, clothing, anything would be fine. I want to see it! If you use someone's idea or patterns please give them the rightful credit.

2. Link to your specific post, that way it is easier for everybody to find and read it.

3. Please grab the "Tea Rose Home" grab button, and link back from your post. If you can mention the party in your post or place the button on your side bar, that would be great! I want more people to have a chance to come and show off their creation.


<center><a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com"><img border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462799092490427250" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 160px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtc9CFJR6Te5CpNgHYGsz2oQcSPEa7ev57prQmm-wO7bU5-IXOUTAJV08BvA-pbdpS2QCr864re5ljtzEGNU20emgmsiG0eSXBf9nArpxdnE1SRy7EGrrnSSMYTt3mS2C3S9d6A8bRk7E/s200/GrabButtonLinkParty.jpg" /></a></center>

Guest Post/ 4 Frugal Ways to Decorate Your Outdoor Space

It is nice to have a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy with our family and friends. I have a special guest post today from one of the writers from OutdoorLiving.com and she is going to share some helpful tips for decorating our outdoor space.

Enjoy! :)


When it comes to decorating your outdoor space, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with the cost of it all. The furniture, lights, plants, accessories – they can quickly add up to a lot more than you expected! But with a little creativity and some searching in the right places, you can bypass all that and still come out with a great looking outdoor living area. Here are 4 frugal ways to decorate your outdoor space.

Garage Sales / Thrift Stores

- Shopping at garage sales and thrift stores is a cheap and easy way to find all sorts of accessories, from chairs to planters to pictures, to put in your outdoor space. You truly never know what you’ll find here, as one person’s junk really is another’s treasure. Even if you don’t find the exact thing you’re looking for, you just might see something that sparks your creativity and gives you a great idea for your outdoor room.

Repaint/Refinish

- Repainting and refinishing is a quick option when you want to give something a different look without radically altering its shape. Whether it’s changing the colors to match the season or refinishing to keep a piece looking good all year, it doesn’t take much time and is totally worth it. It can also make a fun project for kids – think something like painting planters with their own creative design. Make sure to use paints and finishes meant to withstand regular outdoor exposure.

Change Accessories

- Just because you want to freshen up the outdoor space doesn’t mean you need to spend a ton on a new furniture set or a total remodel. By changing small things like the accessories in it, you can create a different look for much less cost and effort. Try changing the pillows on an outdoor couch to match the seasons, with warmer colors in the spring and cooler colors in the fall. Want to give the area a completely different feel? Rearrange the furniture and put a rug down in the center of the patio. It’s a small change, but it will make a big difference.

Repurpose Items

- Finally, put your thinking cap on and repurpose items. Think you have no use for something? Think again, because there’s probably a way you can make it work in your outdoor area. A shallow bowl can be converted into a birdbath, a few crates can make lovely ottomans with a fresh coat of paint, and old soda bottles can become hanging planters. This is an area where you’re only limited by your imagination, so do some thinking and you’ll surely come up with some great ideas that will be unique to your outdoor space.

Frugal decorating doesn’t have to mean a sparse outdoor living area. By following these 4 guidelines and letting your creative juices flow, you’ll be able to decorate yours with everything you want for a fraction of the cost!
About The Author – Marissa Alan is a writer with Outdoor Living. Her hobbies include cooking, herb gardening, and exterior decorating. For more on products like wind chimes, patio furniture, fire pits, and bird bath fountains, visit OutdoorLiving.com.

Guest Post at I am Momma Hear Me Roar!

Cheri over at I am Momma Hear Me Roar asked me to be her guest blogger for her Refashionista week a while ago. I am posting a fun refashion project, head over to check out her amazing blog!

A little sneak picture...


Tempted?

Link Party No.30 and a Guest Post

Before we start this weeks's link party, I have something to share with you all. I am guest posting today over at Sew Dang Cute. I would love it if you would go over there to say hi to Tam, and check out my tutorial!




Ok, let's start the party!

1. Please post something YOU made. It doesn't matter if it is crochet, quilt, clothing, anything would be fine. I want to see it! If you use someone's idea or patterns please give them the rightful credit.

2. Link to your specific post, that way it is easier for everybody to find and read it.

3. Please grab the "Tea Rose Home" grab button, and link back from your post. If you can mention the party in your post or place the button on your side bar, that would be great! I want more people to have a chance to come and show off their creation.


<br /><a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com"><img border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462799092490427250" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 160px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtc9CFJR6Te5CpNgHYGsz2oQcSPEa7ev57prQmm-wO7bU5-IXOUTAJV08BvA-pbdpS2QCr864re5ljtzEGNU20emgmsiG0eSXBf9nArpxdnE1SRy7EGrrnSSMYTt3mS2C3S9d6A8bRk7E/s200/GrabButtonLinkParty.jpg" /></a><br />