~ Give - Away ~

(Just a little update ( 6/4/09 ) You have until 3pm eastern time on June 5th to enter )
Happy One year anniversary of Blogging to me :) ...I can't believe it's been one year since I found this wonderful world of blogging! What better way to celebrate it , than with all of you incredible bloggers who stop by for visits and offer your friendship and inspiration to me on a weekly basis! I feel so blessed to have found this unique venture into a place that gives me such an outlet for creativity , and to be able to share journeys with all of you too! So ...I'm hosting a give away to show my appreciation and gratitude! Thank you sooooo much , to all of you! I wish I could pop a gift into every one's mail box at once , because each and every person I've met , has somehow touched me in one way or another...

The Give Away consists of: A beautiful basket with an image of art work by Diane Knotts. A pink toile china plate ( yes, lol, I bought two of these knowing I'd be having a give away and kept one for myself ) a Cynthia's Cottage handmade Country Living image sign, Blue and white smaller china plate with red gingham bow for hanging, a sweet Vintage Apron from the 50's, and a handmade table cloth made of linen ( or table scarf ) embroidered in a fabulous red with a hint of black. Size: 33" x 33"....perfectly Vintage too :) All ready to get packaged up and delivered to the lucky winners doorstep!

The only rules for the Give -away are... that you leave a comment and tell me your favorite part about blogging. If you mention the give-away on your blog I'll enter you 2 x. If you do a post on it with a picture from this post, I'll enter you 3 x. Anyone can enter and have a chance to win all the goodies... If you don't have a blog, just be sure to leave your email address in the comment so I can contact you if you win! I'll be drawing the names from the random generator on June 5th! Good luck to everyone!

~ You can click on any picture to get an up close view of each item ~

I hope you all are having a wonderful week! and thanks again for all your sweet comments on my previous post! I am so blessed to be connected to such wonderful woman and such creativity! I've had a busy few weeks, ( computer crashes, work, family , and getting ready for my middle Son's graduation ) but I look so forward to stopping by your blogs and catching up!

Thank you so much for helping to make this first year one fabulously fun , creative and inspirational journey !!

Wishing you luck , and many blessings!

Much Love,

~ Cynthia ~

Office Chairs | Chairs

We showcase the largest collection of office chairs in Singapore.

Please view http://www.chairs.com.sg/

Mesh Chair

Directors . leather

Synchromatic

General Office Chairs

Visitors . Training

Settee . Sofa

Coffee Tables

Sustainable/Green Interior Design

Here is a sneak peak of the interior of the "Watercress Project" that my wife Christy designed with the homeowners. Following the LEED for Homes guidelines she can help save you and your builder time and money by helping you with your Sustainable /Green Interior Design selections. She has experience in the following areas.

• LEED for Homes
• Flooring (FSC, Recycled & Reclaimed)
• Lighting (Energy Star, CFLs & LED)
• Windows & Window Treatments (Energy Star)
• Paints & Interior Finishes (Low & No-Voc)
• Furniture & Furnishings Appliances (Energy Star)
• Children's Spaces & Baby Nurseries
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Water efficient fixtures
• Lifetime Design

Christy is incredibly down to earth and easy to work with, people love working with her. By continuously staying up to date on new materials and innovative techniques, Christy is considered a green product expert. With her knowledge and enthusiasm, she continues to inspire our clients to mix these Green Design ideals into their projects.

The Watercess Project is now complete

Team Hybrid has completed another one. The "Watercress" Project in Pentwater Michigan is now complete except for the final LEED for Homes certification which is projected to be "Platinum". This is the ultimate in Up North vacation homes; the home shell is constructed from ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) & SIP (Structural Insulated Panels) panels and North White Cedar Log siding with a Energy Star Metal Roof. Almost all of the tree's that had to be removed for this cottage were use in the construction or furniture for this home. The interior of this home is unique and one of a kind it was designed by Christy Hughes (My wife) along with the homeowners and is something you really should see.

If you are interested in seeing how the homeowners followed the 3 R's (Reduce, Recycle and Reuse) along with all the other sustainable green feature inside and outside of this home we will be having an open house in the next few weeks, please let us know if you would like to see this home!

We want to thank the member of Team Hybrid for another project well done. Thanks goes out to Andersen Window Corporation, Hybrid Homes LLC, Homestead Timbers, Image Design LLC, Porter Sips and R-Value Concrete Structures LLC for another awesome job! We would also like to thank the Homeowner for allowing us all to be apart of the special project!

Jew Town, Cochin.

Jew Town in Cochin has a lovely old world charm, brightly painted walls with interesting Hebrew inscriptions, narrow lanes leading to one of the oldest Synagogues and streets dotted with spice and antique shops.
It is one of the oldest Jewish settlements in the world dating back to 700 B.C. when Jewish traders came to the shores of Cochin seeking spices. Now only a handful Jews remain. You can read more about their history here.
Intricately carved spice boxes over-flowing with aromatic spices displayed on the streets.
The antique shops got us excited, but we were also a bit wary considering it is one of the prime tourist spots.
It was wonderful walking and exploring the lanes of Jew Town. An old shop selling hand embroidery and textiles.Some of the pieces we picked up from Jew Town, Wooden Padukas ( slippers)Seasoned wooden kitchen utensil.

Useful tip: Look around many shops and bargain hard;-)

~ This and That ~

A Little bit of this and a little bit of that... A trip to Home Goods did me well, come to think of it , I never walk out empty handed. Not once. The pink ceramic bowl jumped out at me, lol, so of course I knew it was meant to be :) and such a cutie for $3.99. For that price, I couldn't say No. After all, that's the price of a fancy coffee and it would be all gone now. But this little bowl will be with me for every girls night, every Al fresco dinner party, and anything else I conjure up. And I won't limit it to Olives either, maybe some honey pretzels, some dip, anything ! The table underneath it was $8.99, another little wow that made it home too , and now it lives on my deck :)

Just as I love going to Home Goods, I also love when my Mom sends me up a Goody Box ( as I call them ) from Ga. She always had such special things and now that they've scaled down somewhat I get the hand- me- downs. I love each and every thing she sends, she just knows me that way :) Most things she sends I can remember seeing as a child or remember each party or occasion when she'd use them, but these linens below were a nice surprise! I hadn't remembered these and when she said my Grandmother made them, I was extra happy. I wish I could embroider, but it's not a talent of mine :) It takes too long and I'm an instant gratification girl :) But thankfully, now I can appreciate her talents and love them just the same! They match my decor and I just love the colors, a pop of Red is always something that does my decor good :)

She also sent the blue and white table skirt ( below ) which was custom made about 30 years ago for a guest room and seeing it at home here now , I think it was meant to be as I had been looking to cover the table with a blue and white fabric, so it was perfect timing! Thanks Mom!

~ they are very happy here ~

~ Another bit of this and that ~ A $2.99 plate from Home Goods, I fell in love with the soft pink toile!

Opps, lol, looks like I misplaced a picture, her Goody Box also included these matching napkins!

~ More this and that ~ Home Goods dish towel... If it has a Cherry, It's coming home with me :)

~ I adore the rick- rack too! ~

A visit to my friend Amy's house led me to this chicken butter dish (below) from Italy, I just loved it so much I had to take a picture of it. I told her if it's missing one day, It was me :) If anyone ever sees one like this , I'll send you a bonus surprise as a finders fee ! :) I just LOVE it ! And btw, Amy , if you're reading this, you better put it away when I come over, you just never know what I'll take home with me, I carry a big purse :) lol

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful week ahead! Thank you so much for all your comments on my Suburban Cottage, you are so sweet and I read each and every comment and think you are all the best!!

Now that I finished those window boxes, it's back to the deck and patio for some finishing touches for the warm season ahead! The Country Living photo below has me inspired!

~ Have a Beautiful week ahead Ladies!! ~

Love and appreciation!

~ Cynthia ~

Chikuno Cube Bamboo Air Freshener

Chikuno Cube is an air freshener made from ultra fine powder of bamboo charcoal and clay minerals. They can be used for one year making them a great affordable find.

Church of the Holy Spirt Addition Breaks Ground

This past Sunday was the ground breaking of the Church of the Holy Spirit Addition that Image Design, LLC designed. A main part of the addition will be used as a food pantry to help local area families. The food pantry at Holy Spirit is an Emergency Pantry for Northern Kent county through the North Kent Service Center. The Pantry is a cooperative effort with Church of the Holy Spirit and Assumption Catholic Church in Belmont. This construction will bring the Pantry up to ground level, currently the pantry is in the basement. This modification will make our pantry handicap accessible and provide for additional storage space for food stuffs. In addition, this modification to the church will provide additional meeting room for the pantry and community programming.

If you would like to help food and cash donations can be made to either church. The hours of the pantry are 6:00- 7:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Modern Backyard Birds

Eva Solo has a sleek and interestingly designed group of items for your backyard to attract birds. Don't settle for the norm when it comes to birdbaths, birdhouses and feeders when these modern designs are available.

Modern Pet Accessories

Bobby Berk Home offers a nice collection of pet accessories for the modern dog or cat. Here are just a few including a pet stroller, bed and pet bowl. See their web site for more.

Dyning Outdoor Bench

The Dyning Outdoor Bench brings natural wood elements to a modern sculptural level. The fluid curves remind one of the flow of water creating a simple yet elegant form for outdoor seating.

Land Ho! By Nola

Inside or outside, the Land Ho planter bench is a great edition to any space. This modern design is sleek and bright and provides not only seating space but space to grow anything you want, flowers, a tree or vegetables. Very cool.

Mid-Century Modern By Florence Knoll

Florence Knoll was an American architect and furniture designer who studied under the likes of Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen. In 1943 she joined with her husband Hans Knoll in redirecting Hans's furniture company more toward a modernist, Scandinavian style. Her American interpretation of minimalist, rationalist design theories is clearly evident in Knoll's storage pieces. She mixed woods and metals to great effect and added laminates as they became popular. In the 1950's Florence Knoll's work was often displayed at the Museum of Modern Art's "Good Design" exhibits. Although Knoll did a great deal of residential work, the International Style she worked in was specially in successful corporate offices. Knoll's vision for the new office was clean and uncluttered, and the corporate boom of the 1960's provided the perfect opportunity for her to change the way people looked at work in their offices. Florence Knoll was in charge of Knoll International, a leading American furniture design company, from 1953 to 1965.

Medallion Skirt

I don't do a lot of fashion posts on Design Mind, but I had to share this with you. I saw this skirt in Target and fell in love with it. When I got home I tried it on and it look spectacular. I wore it to a party last night and got more compliments than I have in years. For $25 this modern design is an amazing find.