tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102783431864414612024-03-13T20:18:50.873-04:00House of BrockmanA house is not a home until there is a story.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-66464810700079351812013-07-24T22:20:00.001-04:002013-07-24T22:20:31.428-04:00Battle of the Sexes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jqhC25x-ajcWaEg_O0iyaADqjP5POjzlE_gpAznnV67naAjEEwi_SVlL09J7aqCXP9wjYttB7teV5Q9noeSVIxtTiVs0tzMTf0-2d22SRb8OEPkSoo4Ym3NJhN-dV9wo8ccceSdGOJ4/s1600/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jqhC25x-ajcWaEg_O0iyaADqjP5POjzlE_gpAznnV67naAjEEwi_SVlL09J7aqCXP9wjYttB7teV5Q9noeSVIxtTiVs0tzMTf0-2d22SRb8OEPkSoo4Ym3NJhN-dV9wo8ccceSdGOJ4/s1600/unnamed.png" height="320" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ever since we were children there's been a fascination with segregating girls
against boys. Boys were gross, and girls had cooties - whatever those were. Each
side was willing to rumble, showing off who truly was the </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">best. We were even taught silly rhymes to make sure we drove our points home. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Girls take a shower to get more power; boys take a bath to get more math!"</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">"B</span></b></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">oys go to Mars to get more candy bars; girls go to Jupiter to get more stupider!"</span></b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN">"Girls rule and boys drool!"</span></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">These rhymes were supposedly strong enough evidence to prove our case
that one gender was more superior than the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even as the years pass, we seem to still have the same issues. Maybe it was just ingrained in our heads so much when we were little we can't get over it. We still have to same issue, but things have changed a little. Girls,
of course, have dropped their cooties, g</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">ames like "Battle of the Sexes" have been created,</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> and, well let's face it, boys are still gross, but we've gotten over it. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Now, any devoted reader of House of Brockman knows that I will be able to tie this into something having to do with furniture. So, I now
declare - we shall have "Battle of the Sexes"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when it comes to furniture!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometime within everyone's life, we have
found ourselves in a house, apartment, or at least a childhood bedroom belonging to someone of the opposite sex. Besides the
obvious color selection of a room, there are certain pieces of furniture that can make a
room feel more masculine or feminine. Here are a few rooms and peices you try to decide what feel more masculine or feminine:</span><br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-11342152241273961692013-06-15T14:13:00.000-04:002013-06-15T14:13:22.114-04:00The Wanding Eye<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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It hit me – Oh crap! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have a wandering eye! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t dare tell
Emily, but I think she has started to catch on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could never tell any of my close friends for
the fear of judgment on their part. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here
I am, stuck with my new found relationship. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, Christopher Brockman, tend to let my eyes
rest in places that are not mine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find
myself imagining to myself how things could be. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m beginning to see a change in some of my relationships
with other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as go into a friend’s
home, I’m met with a “Hello,” and awkward looks to make sure my eyes start to
wander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Is it all that bad? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
soon as I enter a room my eyes start to wander, seeing a whole new room and how
it could be. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a simple glance I see
the room filled with multiple options for paint, rugs, lighting, chairs, tables,
and pillows. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t believe there’s a
commandment saying, “Thou shalt not decorate thy neighbor’s house.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, there’s nothing that would suggest I
would break my vow of style. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m grateful
I’m not the only one who has a bit of a wandering eye.</div>
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Since we have now been open for a month in Cary Town, we
will be offering a free design consultation, exclusively to the readers of
House of Brockman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Email
houseofbrockman@gmail.com <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to set up an
appointment, and be sure to mention this blog post! We will discuss developing
your style along with options for your space. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-75189898617640251802013-06-10T12:47:00.001-04:002013-06-10T12:47:59.756-04:00Dreams are Not-so Black and White<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I have come to find that a good night's sleep has a direct correlation to
the birth of some of my more creative ideas. Within a level of unconsciousness,
I drift into dreams - some inspire, and some don’t. Bless Emily for enduring
the wild nights of my sleep cycles. I've been greeted many a mornings, not with a, "Good morning," but, "Do you know what you did last
night?" This is the most recent account:<br />
<br />
About 3:00am, Emily woke up to me tapping her on the shoulder. Frantic
and worried something had happened to Elle, she looks over at me. With
her blurry vision, she was met with a very serious face, and with my finger
pointed right at her, I said, “Remember, only you can prevent forest fires.”
I then gave her the cheesiest grin I could muster while still sleeping at three
o’clock in the morning, rolled over, and continued to sleep. Emily, angry
and not impressed with my Smoky the Bear impersonation, she vowed to recount
the tale to me the next morning. <br />
<br />
Even though I didn’t remember anything about Smoky the Bear of forest fires,
as much I wish I had, I awoke with the idea of a collection of black and white
photography. I have been a bit of a photographer, dabbling in it here and
there, taking a class when time permitted. As a teenager, my sister and her
friend would occasionally ask me to take pictures of them. I don’t know about
you, but there is nothing more fun than staging an impromptu photo-shoot.<br />
<br />
I have always had a deep love for black and white photography.
Most of the art I have collected has been an assortment of different
photographers' black and white photos. The inspired thought that arose
with me that morning was the idea of a photography collection capturing the
shadows of Richmond; playing with the light, with the city skyline, and the
back alleys. Here are a few from the collection so far:<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-25283448010131205402013-06-07T16:29:00.000-04:002013-06-07T16:29:02.612-04:00Glamorous<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Old Hollywood, Celebrities, the Upper East Side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all seem to have something that ties
them together. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any guesses? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, it’s not because of the high population of
Jews. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the glamour! I have some
clients ask me about how to incorporate glamour in to their homes without making
it look as trashy as the cast from “Real House Wives of New Jersey.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few of my Easy Glam Tips you can
add into your home that will give it a bit of tasteful glamour:<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Silver</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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It’s such a great color that gives a bit of a polished feel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silver accessories will do just the trick. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t have a whole lot of extra cash to
throw around, a good coat of Valspar Silver Metallic Spray Paint will give a
great makeover to just about anything. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try spray painting the inside of a glass vase for
a clean glossy look.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mirrors</b> </div>
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Lots and lots of mirrors! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check
out our post <a href="http://houseofbrockman.blogspot.com/2012/11/mirror-mirror.html" target="_blank">Mirror, Mirror</a> for more details.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drama Colors</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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You can add a lot of glamour by just the color you choose to put in
your room. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>High contrast such as black
and white will always bring some drama. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you’re up for being adventurous, try adding deep blues, purples and reds into
your accents. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Crystal</b> </div>
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Is there anything more glamorous than a crystal chandelier? My go-to stop is <a href="http://greatchandeliers.com/" target="_blank">greatchandeliers.com</a> You can
pick up a crystal chandelier for less than $100!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-58027528029112531122013-05-23T20:52:00.000-04:002013-05-23T20:52:56.138-04:00 The Office <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">After:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7</b></span> Months</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">212</span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Days</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">5088</span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Hours</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>305280</b><span style="font-size: small;"> Minutes</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>18316800</b><span style="font-size: small;"> Seconds</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>74</b><span style="font-size: small;"> Blog Posts</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2.5</b><span style="font-size: small;"> Liters of Tears</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">AND</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1</b> <span style="font-size: small;">Baby</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> </span></span> </span></span> </span></span> </span></span> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxGtd6QkAUlwNH4x0xMIfGWGInsWTj7EMr62Q5GJSvVluYQw0cSNAdvO7OpHKMxdmRCrDsiCPefFnpbHyFNAw7yfijSqcg7gDZtI0ZThWVkKK4AwxRxl1Gkls-tHIkIm2D9PTPPPRy3w/s1600/office+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxGtd6QkAUlwNH4x0xMIfGWGInsWTj7EMr62Q5GJSvVluYQw0cSNAdvO7OpHKMxdmRCrDsiCPefFnpbHyFNAw7yfijSqcg7gDZtI0ZThWVkKK4AwxRxl1Gkls-tHIkIm2D9PTPPPRy3w/s1600/office+2.png" height="400" width="305" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2s_cMnxIfPwTTHM3vJeJWw4wULJqyTQKaD1dSnmDR5rDKBQ8F7GffELk732XH_s7V9TOiPVaBQDkWrUivPNBYEvFrhoXIF6Erchwfx5FOG3-wotmGK6t37zg36x6hZrQD0HkGNgI6U9E/s1600/office+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2s_cMnxIfPwTTHM3vJeJWw4wULJqyTQKaD1dSnmDR5rDKBQ8F7GffELk732XH_s7V9TOiPVaBQDkWrUivPNBYEvFrhoXIF6Erchwfx5FOG3-wotmGK6t37zg36x6hZrQD0HkGNgI6U9E/s1600/office+1.png" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">House of Brockman officially opened it's office in Cary Town! We are
located on the second floor of Urban Interiors. By appointment
only.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Email us at: <span style="font-size: large;">houseofbrockman@gmail.com</span> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">3422 W Cary St.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Richmond, VA 23221</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpctAqHXryb2SXbVy92Vwr3PEZcN4LhuF6nJTJoFbMbqPCfKmI9d2kyD4pwv4BAzawVcDb_tUpPEoKzrzQfkk2Qm_hdq8_M6vUp6fdQMffu4axTYn-afc5Wt7BSK36a0CDx2grXWfiHR4/s1600/front_Urban_Interiors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpctAqHXryb2SXbVy92Vwr3PEZcN4LhuF6nJTJoFbMbqPCfKmI9d2kyD4pwv4BAzawVcDb_tUpPEoKzrzQfkk2Qm_hdq8_M6vUp6fdQMffu4axTYn-afc5Wt7BSK36a0CDx2grXWfiHR4/s1600/front_Urban_Interiors.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-80265155095560785562013-05-01T14:04:00.000-04:002013-05-01T14:04:04.385-04:00Shut the Front Door!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvlwHqkYwjl1vdRFTAB3kHHK9D0MJqEDjaFtfKXpRN_UVdFbuyRVFHAzjMgu1_71V2UdgxHnsnOaN8FCqgdipuvqdT443SUlKpRB8oxOGHvhotHcJVUXTURChvpB3vSWLqPAQebv7dZw/s1600/68e89166267ab892eadd0a07317ae0fb%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvlwHqkYwjl1vdRFTAB3kHHK9D0MJqEDjaFtfKXpRN_UVdFbuyRVFHAzjMgu1_71V2UdgxHnsnOaN8FCqgdipuvqdT443SUlKpRB8oxOGHvhotHcJVUXTURChvpB3vSWLqPAQebv7dZw/s200/68e89166267ab892eadd0a07317ae0fb%5B1%5D.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a> "Shut up!"<br />
"What did you say to me?"<br />
"Shut the front door!"<br />
Do you remember this poor substitution for a curse word? As children on the playground in California, we would all take turns trying to sneak in a counterfeit bad word. Of course, we never had the courage to ever utter the profane smut of a <i>real</i> bad word for the fear of a teacher's lurking ear near by. We all knew that a call to the office and a few hours of detention would await us with the simple slip of a ucky syllable. So, we would try and say words such as, "son of a bodybuilder!", "mother chucker!", and "shut the front door!" <br />
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While out and about today, I was driving in a lovely neighborhood 20 minutes north of Richmond, in Ashland, Virginia, I admired some pretty flashy front doors. Here are a few of the beauties that made me say, "Shut the front door! Those are some of the prettiest shiznits I've ever seen! I would be one happy mother chucker to live there!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym9SnkJ_t2RW2ATYPOf4FF3VEpFcwL4oLVfgZjp86zgeJV2DADGb9Vr42QrRNviQ5rr7ULazfb0fyaFt00eFrhph84fKm5ZZ3Ca8WyvUJCW4qJjkHiqcNkGjzjrnKWhnShO5be0h_6Zc/s1600/40c23894323965f16c8ecb6abab5bcc4%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym9SnkJ_t2RW2ATYPOf4FF3VEpFcwL4oLVfgZjp86zgeJV2DADGb9Vr42QrRNviQ5rr7ULazfb0fyaFt00eFrhph84fKm5ZZ3Ca8WyvUJCW4qJjkHiqcNkGjzjrnKWhnShO5be0h_6Zc/s400/40c23894323965f16c8ecb6abab5bcc4%255B1%255D.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyxrQTy9nSAJAumhr82Z8b0NMLU86g9oPjmM1yOv1BKffQ5IWuUQV4PSZrYJk0fYoSdY9AhERVkj8dajmXK4N5WvM-WcsG-VQh_W0B5mP8adIRVU7AXSrMrDo7DYi9NXXXKeDQ-91r7k/s1600/c94356b186a5fd66e38d2c298cee8fa0%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyxrQTy9nSAJAumhr82Z8b0NMLU86g9oPjmM1yOv1BKffQ5IWuUQV4PSZrYJk0fYoSdY9AhERVkj8dajmXK4N5WvM-WcsG-VQh_W0B5mP8adIRVU7AXSrMrDo7DYi9NXXXKeDQ-91r7k/s400/c94356b186a5fd66e38d2c298cee8fa0%5B1%5D.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-73888494204251939272013-04-10T17:00:00.000-04:002013-04-10T21:36:43.200-04:00Pray<span lang="">There are many things you can find yourself praying for. Some pray to finally win the Mega Million and pull off the most epic way of quitting their jobs. Some just might be praying to make it through the family holiday meal without a fight. Sometimes you pray to get home safely. I found myself in the middle of our Eat, Pray, Love California trip with my loved ones around me for prayer to be a bit necessary. During the Easter Season, Emily, Elle, and I were all in line with plenty of our family's Easter Traditions. First comes love, then comes fighting, then comes talking behind your family's back. I'm sure that many are accustomed to this family tradition. This year, I found my small family in a civil war, with casualties on both sides and plenty of friendly fire. The bonus for me this year were the chocolate eggs. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jM7r6zTs_HlDSgdXOmdDjGmW8bq8iajagXD4ybtKQF-gCiozDZCcsTkm4TiAEOdpPqNrlfInhl4V9_tcrBalGC3tlix3HeGq4gK5RVN3JYilPJCwv43eBEkPnjwnIEZRLSRNVqckqv0/s1600/DSCN0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jM7r6zTs_HlDSgdXOmdDjGmW8bq8iajagXD4ybtKQF-gCiozDZCcsTkm4TiAEOdpPqNrlfInhl4V9_tcrBalGC3tlix3HeGq4gK5RVN3JYilPJCwv43eBEkPnjwnIEZRLSRNVqckqv0/s1600/DSCN0947.JPG" height="312" width="400" /></a><span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang="">Most traditional Family Holidays start with a prayer, and this Easter is was said by my 88 year old grandfather. Now this is a wise man who speaks four languages, and was a High School Latin teacher for 38 years. He had plenty of time to perfect the language of prayer. Over the years his prayers have started to sound a bit like the daily meetings you can spectate at your local McDonald's between the hours of 6:00am and 10:30am. This is where every old person, male or female, within a 2 mile radius over the age of 70 take part in their hour long discussions with conversations that drive around in circles. Before we ate our Easter Feast, my whole family and myself were taken hostage by my wonderful grandfather, for perhaps, his longest prayer to date. With his faith and concentration, he continued on praying through two crying babies, my mother's coughing attack, and my sister's and my snickering. The minutes on the clock continued in long and devoted prayer with no end in sight. Is it wrong to pray for a prayer to end? I'm sure I was tempted. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-39731384145595003872013-04-09T21:29:00.000-04:002013-04-09T21:29:27.735-04:00Eat <span lang="">California can be a bit of a touchie subject for me, with some less-than-enjoyable memories of a frail past. A new found life in the VA has led me to the decision to let go of the hurt, and now I have the opportunity for new discovery. This is the equation: <strong>EAT, </strong>next - <strong>PRAY,</strong> then - <strong>LOVE</strong>. First up - <strong>EAT. </strong></span><br />
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<span lang="">In California, there's nothing more appetizing than a short Mexican man handing you a perfect hand crafted burrito, filled with the best mystery meat in town. As we both speak the language of food, there is no need for English. Just say, "Uno carne asada burrito senior. Gracias!" Don't mind the fact I'm eating from a truck that looks like it even a blind health regulator would fail it for uncleanliness. The exterior of the truck is slapped together with the ever so handy duct tape, because I'm sure it's seen it's fair share of the Mexican border, and true, half the the cats in the neighborhood have disappeared, but when you take the first bite, a passionate love affair comes alive with the flavors of California spilling into ever corner of your mouth. Now I know what Julia Roberts in the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" meant while she was in a restaurant in Naples declaring to her friend, "I'm having a relationship with my pizza."</span><br />
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Now, I'm sure it is a bit comical to anyone who isn't a natural born Californian, but as soon as we find ourselves in the mother land, there is a mad dash to the nearest In-N-Out with the enthusiasm that with one bite it will indeed cure any sickness. You have Cancer? Try a Double Double. Californians have know the cure for the common cold for years! It lies in the delicious burgers found at In-N-Out. With enthusiasm like this, you would think we could bring ourselves out of the recession, but perhaps we just don't have our priorities in order. At least we eat well! Sorry to the unfortunate souls who are not blessed with the gift of Taco Truck and In-N-Out. Pray you may become more fortunate to travel and find these Food Meccas. California doesn't get a lot right when it comes to the world of the Kardashians, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the alarming rate of plastic-looking women in Hollywood, but we sure know how to eat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagTFU7T_C-IaztV_iMN2LVvE7cZwen2-EDg8gQVuiMoBlxIOdMO7UQ77Tfwi2wKqW3VJFfr-WDucoNysQlpyvsx5VO-OQrUSZbB-7x0acADoEp3H1ABrrI3lBy5ScDUYhd9atzS4REWo/s1600/20130327_122853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagTFU7T_C-IaztV_iMN2LVvE7cZwen2-EDg8gQVuiMoBlxIOdMO7UQ77Tfwi2wKqW3VJFfr-WDucoNysQlpyvsx5VO-OQrUSZbB-7x0acADoEp3H1ABrrI3lBy5ScDUYhd9atzS4REWo/s320/20130327_122853.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang=""><br />
Does it make me bad if I possibly became more excited to eat in California than to see my family? As I have traveled back to California in the past, I found myself becoming angry, and I had no choice but to self-medicate with the alluring flavors of California to keep me happy and content - that is until i got hungry again. Then, that haze of the anger came upon me, and I would have to repeat the process. This time was different. I went in with the hopes of a better relationship between me and my home, and came out not-so-angry, with a very full and satisfied belly. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-79372678706441497122013-03-20T17:12:00.000-04:002013-03-20T17:13:14.725-04:00I Left my Heart in San Fransisco<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJDlVIQ30cZdbkXpuUoU0EjdAVQfTsYR1K3TmLHTXaZ4obnVWXTvozXomlu2jtSDx8aa6yDv8P_e9zWdTzncXf2vGjH9NjsZCyHhzGjEkXuV3ecHKri56ggM9DmvYveWXWOSGCym-rY4/s1600/San_Francisco_Cable_Car_on_Pine_Street%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJDlVIQ30cZdbkXpuUoU0EjdAVQfTsYR1K3TmLHTXaZ4obnVWXTvozXomlu2jtSDx8aa6yDv8P_e9zWdTzncXf2vGjH9NjsZCyHhzGjEkXuV3ecHKri56ggM9DmvYveWXWOSGCym-rY4/s400/San_Francisco_Cable_Car_on_Pine_Street%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a>"I'm going to squish you like bug!" Not the most warmest of welcomes I've received in my life. But what was I expecting from a homeless lady with a twitch in her eye? Well, what can you do? I believe when you're in love you take the good with the bad, because no relationship is perfect. I remember when I first fell in love with the City by the Bay. I was about seven years old when my family was in the city for a conference. I remember staring up at the tops of buildings in awe, looking into store windows, completely unaware of the homeless people who seemed to to reaching for me, my mother frantically swatting them away like flies, and piercing into their strung-out souls with a look of death. The moment I knew I wanted to live in the city was when we walked in Nordstrom in San Fransisco. With it's four-story gold circular staircases, I watched the way people walked, and how they lived made we want to be apart of their world. As I got older, the love for the city was changed into a more mature understanding, and a slight humorous appreciation for the locals. <br />
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While I was giving a guided tour to a few of my suburban friends, with a pep in my step, I saw a haggard, old homeless woman walking toward my group of friends. Telling them to look down, she continued to walk faster toward us. With a quick slip of her dirty flip-flop, and a smack to my face, "I'm going to squish you like a bug!" she said. The residue from her flip-flop left a large dirt print, and a look of shame on my face. I was completely unaware as to why my city and I had had our first fight. I was quick to forgive this time, but now more aware than ever the shifty turn a city has to offer. After a period of time you can become desensitized to these freak acts of aggression.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFB286OGtj8za-8UrrAWSGd_QBxe942RlfBw_xghjrh1-bpDkflwQ1mgPZGVwv25ORSy7yundNf42tiiTzQukZWVDQM2rd_-APbSan6eEwAFdeTQJ8lkq_VSjdC3-G48YspycCevfjbj4/s1600/old_lady%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFB286OGtj8za-8UrrAWSGd_QBxe942RlfBw_xghjrh1-bpDkflwQ1mgPZGVwv25ORSy7yundNf42tiiTzQukZWVDQM2rd_-APbSan6eEwAFdeTQJ8lkq_VSjdC3-G48YspycCevfjbj4/s400/old_lady%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a> After a long day of shopping with my sister in the blistering summer heat of San Fransisco (a high of 65 degrees), the only thing that could possibly make the day more perfect was a Passion Tea Lemonade from Starbucks, and of course, a show. This was a true test of the city life. As we were sipping our Venti drinks, a skinny, pale man started to walk around in circles. Strange, but not completely abnormal. He continued on until apparently got too hot. So he took off his shirt, then his shoes, socks, pants, you get the idea. We decided either he was high, or was listing to the song "I'm Too Sexy for my Shirt" and took it to heart. Either way, we just sat there until our drinks were gone, and so were his clothes. Unphased by what happened, we were just ready for more shopping. <br />
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Oh San Fransisco, how I miss you. But we will meet again soon, in a week's time. That's right. The House of Brockman is jet setting to the sunny state of California, where dreams do come true; well at least before the recession in 2006. We will only have $20.00 in our pockets, but getting ready to pop some tags in the city. Can't wait.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-73113859981540652062013-03-19T18:46:00.000-04:002013-03-19T18:49:16.754-04:00House of Brockman the Soap Opera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa3q2xFyln1EIdDSeMFnuFH0O7-XAkWMQVExAoks4ZyUSd0tYI5J9V39afgpADSHbZ_Nk4OBJAVq-ZVNqgFK1s47evm19bvWV1XxGlYCQzA-McphqxJzLykrPFmPBsbYKFzkXyOeyuW8/s1600/melodrama%5B1%5D.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa3q2xFyln1EIdDSeMFnuFH0O7-XAkWMQVExAoks4ZyUSd0tYI5J9V39afgpADSHbZ_Nk4OBJAVq-ZVNqgFK1s47evm19bvWV1XxGlYCQzA-McphqxJzLykrPFmPBsbYKFzkXyOeyuW8/s1600/melodrama%5B1%5D.gif" width="400" /></a>We all know good new spreds quickly, but what travels even faster, is gossip. There is nothing better, and more enjoyable than a scandle shared between friends, or enemies. Believe me, I have plenty of dirt. From unfaithful husbands, to daughters who just can't say no, to mothers with drinking problems. All I can say is these are the "Days of Our Lives." Wouldn't life be more exciting if it were more like a soap oprea? The opportunity for endless drama and being blindly unaware we are the causes for our own unfortunate issues. Even better, what if your life were like a <em>spanish</em> soap opera filled with passion, and pinatas?! As the music soars, we are caught in a passionate moment that ends just as quickly with the discovery that our enemy has just come back from the dead for a third time. What would "The House of Brockman, The Soap Opera" be like?</div>
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<strong>This week on House of Brockman:</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBwH9UjdYIMtWeNb5ry88Xd2Vo4zYQettFc4iNl-hwgq6df-NeoDRrCWEyXIiC4Zmjt73I6XtfDTBNPaz-CkFUVHSQQNek5KPB7iPVR1pBfr7VvkNYn-XTT8y9SHBf-4cgXbUmstauNU/s1600/favre-phone%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBwH9UjdYIMtWeNb5ry88Xd2Vo4zYQettFc4iNl-hwgq6df-NeoDRrCWEyXIiC4Zmjt73I6XtfDTBNPaz-CkFUVHSQQNek5KPB7iPVR1pBfr7VvkNYn-XTT8y9SHBf-4cgXbUmstauNU/s320/favre-phone%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a><em>Phone rings.</em>Emily: Hello? Hello? Is any one there?<br />
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<em>Emily hangs up the phone; </em><em>phone rings agian.</em></div>
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Emily: Hello? Who is this? Is any one there?</div>
<em>Hangs up the phone. A loud knock sounds at the door, and a baby starts to cry.</em> <em>Emily, starteled walks to the door. </em><br />
Emily: Who is it?<br />
Chris: Babe, let me in. I left my key!<br />
Emily : You scared me!<br />
Chris: Sorry.<br />
<em>Chris gives Emily a quick kiss.</em><br />
Emily: Did you just call here? Because some one called twice a few minets ago, but no one said anything.<br />
Chris: No, I was on my way home.<br />
<em>Phone rings agian.</em><br />
Emily: You answer it.<br />
Chris: Hello?<br />
<em>White noise. </em><br />
Chris: Who is this? Hello? Stop calling here! Leave my family alone!<br />
<em>Chris hangs up the phone. P</em><em>hone rings agian.</em><br />
Chris: [<em>yelling into the phone</em>]<em> S</em>top calling us!<br />
Voice on the phone: I'm coming for her..<br />
<em>Phone hangs up. </em><em>Ominous music soars. </em><em>Chris and Emily look at the baby.</em><br />
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To be continued....</div>
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Ok, so maybe that's a little more dramatic than what our life is really like, but what are soap operas for anyway? They're for a good piece of drama and gossip. But in our real lives the word on the street, particularly Cary Street, is that House of Brockman will offically have an office to continue in building the House of Brockman name. Our first Interior Design office! We are going to be located inside Urban Interiors at 3422 W Cary St. Richmond, VA. We will be providing our clients with an array of design services for any budget. We will be working by appointment only. We are very excited to continue to expand the House of Brockman.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-41035784964401231472013-03-06T11:02:00.000-05:002013-03-06T11:04:21.554-05:00Kelly Green and Tan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IF4hgQMw3pHo0faERZCYM9Ba3siHodYmBYdoFGOuDbXbCY9qA0g1FcxBn4BXZ1BBuAL_gwLyC0YvnyWotwy23oZLfVRU4_2czQxuVZY7oGHWpxTV7xNg54FbVkWNjdNMaGMCnvtwkHQ/s1600/sam-i-am2%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IF4hgQMw3pHo0faERZCYM9Ba3siHodYmBYdoFGOuDbXbCY9qA0g1FcxBn4BXZ1BBuAL_gwLyC0YvnyWotwy23oZLfVRU4_2czQxuVZY7oGHWpxTV7xNg54FbVkWNjdNMaGMCnvtwkHQ/s320/sam-i-am2%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a>March 2nd is a very important day! It is my birthday as well as Dr. Seuss'. In the spirit of Dr. Seuss, I was reminded of a few of my favorite books, "Oh the Thinks You Can Think," "There's a Wocket in My Pocket," and of course, "Green Eggs and Ham." "Green Eggs and Ham" is a book about possibly one of the most annoying sales persons ever written, Sam I am. He gives every option and idea possible, with disregards to any health code regulations, as he harasses his victim into eating his potentially moldy eggs and ham. The lessons learned? Maybe our mothers were right to never talk to strangers; Nancy Regan's campaign "Just say NO!' may not always be affective; and keep an open mind and you may be surprised! </div>
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Sam I am is at it again! Who knew he was an interior designer as well as a culinary genius?! He is trying to convince his friend about the color combination kelly green and tan. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2UuxUey2j-x6Mp0zhKF01kggNH8nX7YIp_8Dbt3JlSuylZ8GbxXJAWveO_gr0rEv7IYqYG61daEENtQBkvtcxo6MPUlEdRNfxfyughtnatS7TX-a3V7lvBNJs3bJ4jTm3B2_DiH8fQk/s1600/HAMGUY%5B1%5D.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2UuxUey2j-x6Mp0zhKF01kggNH8nX7YIp_8Dbt3JlSuylZ8GbxXJAWveO_gr0rEv7IYqYG61daEENtQBkvtcxo6MPUlEdRNfxfyughtnatS7TX-a3V7lvBNJs3bJ4jTm3B2_DiH8fQk/s1600/HAMGUY%5B1%5D.gif" /></a> </div>
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I do not like kelly green and tan,</div>
<div align="center">
I do not like it Sam I am.<br />
</div>
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Would you like it here or there? </div>
<div align="center">
I would not like it here or there;<br />
I would not like it anywhere.<br />
I do not like kelly green and tan,<br />
I do not like it Sam I am.<br />
</div>
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How about on a chair?</div>
<div align="center">
There's no way you can compare.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-O-uiTNDy1_U8hiPRkun9OgmtiOy0X1SMP3yIiZhy37QvntP-QfCJQPiP2FyjwJt91En4386H3KqbLI_rocqH3zpD-wOCuwBCTcSjItmcNpbipncaPRwFLnYj-NOgi5SfzNCRs1QKJ0/s1600/Product_SSL11074_Image_1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-O-uiTNDy1_U8hiPRkun9OgmtiOy0X1SMP3yIiZhy37QvntP-QfCJQPiP2FyjwJt91En4386H3KqbLI_rocqH3zpD-wOCuwBCTcSjItmcNpbipncaPRwFLnYj-NOgi5SfzNCRs1QKJ0/s400/Product_SSL11074_Image_1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I do not like it on a chair,<br />
I do not like it here or there, </div>
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I do not like it anywhere!<br />
I do not like kelly green and tan, <br />
I do not like it Sam I am.<br />
</div>
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What about on the drapes?</div>
<div align="center">
I would rather eat rotten grapes!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VW4P0EQTAngAysO4EPcw-9auyoQhOmjby9Cst2SMas7KekTE3ocufJUdmFh4hqBgBlZCp3jrUPubcKP8t4NJrl0MtOjiWIPwo1FAvFFhCk_JsKcpL6O_F4StsQLui22LfDaGO3oDSjo/s1600/thumbnail%5B1%5D.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VW4P0EQTAngAysO4EPcw-9auyoQhOmjby9Cst2SMas7KekTE3ocufJUdmFh4hqBgBlZCp3jrUPubcKP8t4NJrl0MtOjiWIPwo1FAvFFhCk_JsKcpL6O_F4StsQLui22LfDaGO3oDSjo/s320/thumbnail%5B1%5D.gif" width="273" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
I do not like it on the drapes,<br />
I do not like it on a chair,<br />
I do not like it here or there,<br />
I do not like it anywhere! <br />
I do not like kelly green and tan, <br />
I do not like it Sam I am.<br />
</div>
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A throw! A throw!<br />
There's no way you could say no!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbeO-hVPcD_dsEbDPq5JjU5FtpML8p59Bvlv-ae28OS8yTYuEMmNfEUm2fY-YHozQGz-zyMjMdCmGKn7n9LEviStIeVzoksfWisnziCn5uxJzG5Stqf6_cy2F7CdRCuYXlZxNv0FhDvs/s1600/il_fullxfull.403680260_sqyv%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbeO-hVPcD_dsEbDPq5JjU5FtpML8p59Bvlv-ae28OS8yTYuEMmNfEUm2fY-YHozQGz-zyMjMdCmGKn7n9LEviStIeVzoksfWisnziCn5uxJzG5Stqf6_cy2F7CdRCuYXlZxNv0FhDvs/s320/il_fullxfull.403680260_sqyv%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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NO! NO! NO! <br />
I do not like it in a throw,<br />
I do not like it on the drapes, <br />
I do not like it on a chair, <br />
I do not like it here or there, <br />
I do not like it anywhere! <br />
I do not like kelly green and tan,<br />
I do not like it Sam I am!<br />
</div>
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I know!<br />
How about with the lamps?</div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76iceH5ysEeUUM1PqmsDaL_nHChILHmiFpbTFDHOwjA6wJ1qZ1ehzjwvlvG4WuI-NWTOzWdSO2_ac2cHksUysAIVGXCmfp70wZEGKonXMwSWWZZ5zfDj1JK6eij1pf7-vuM1RGQ5vfrM/s1600/Tall-Murano-Glass-Lamps-by-Seguso-c-1960s-Swank-Lighting-Blog%255B1%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76iceH5ysEeUUM1PqmsDaL_nHChILHmiFpbTFDHOwjA6wJ1qZ1ehzjwvlvG4WuI-NWTOzWdSO2_ac2cHksUysAIVGXCmfp70wZEGKonXMwSWWZZ5zfDj1JK6eij1pf7-vuM1RGQ5vfrM/s320/Tall-Murano-Glass-Lamps-by-Seguso-c-1960s-Swank-Lighting-Blog%255B1%255D.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
I would rather deal with cramps,<br />
than ever look at those ugly lamps! <br />
I do not like it with the lamps,<br />
I do not like it in a throw,<br />
I do not like it on the drapes,<br />
I do not like it on a chair,<br />
I do not like it here or there, <br />
I do not like it anywhere! <br />
I do not like kelly green and tan, <br />
I do not like it Sam I am.<br />
</div>
<div align="center">
You do not like it, so you say.<br />
Try it! Try it, and you may.<br />
</div>
<div align="center">
Sam, if you will let me be, <br />
I will try it, you will see. </div>
<div align="center">
I do not like kelly green and tan,<br />
I do not like it Sam I am.<br />
</div>
<div align="center">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBl_QAZ4O2YU8VjbShSp6MejyEO7CSkQ4rUuFlQjTixNMnCU2Wx_QogicbMcIbgdMbOcmJHW_RF9MbXKQ9mkjIozd_CIO9HCZFJgihKJtVhm-h8n954rvvIjbsB_CBoaIEEQvPUv3E6Mk/s1600/kelly-green-living-room-chairs.png1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBl_QAZ4O2YU8VjbShSp6MejyEO7CSkQ4rUuFlQjTixNMnCU2Wx_QogicbMcIbgdMbOcmJHW_RF9MbXKQ9mkjIozd_CIO9HCZFJgihKJtVhm-h8n954rvvIjbsB_CBoaIEEQvPUv3E6Mk/s640/kelly-green-living-room-chairs.png1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
Say! I do like kelly green and tan! <br />
I do like it Sam I am!</div>
<div align="center">
I do like it with the lamps,<br />
I do like it on a throw,<br />
I do like it on the drapes,<br />
I do like it on a chair,<br />
I do like it here and there,<br />
I do like it anywhere!<br />
</div>
<div align="center">
I do so like kelly green and tan.</div>
<div align="center">
Thank you! Thank you, Sam I am.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXBX0pkt3TD6UDBtWBuWu8qepaBTBpzKksOt9p8R1btF5ixqzZaupjvIKyUr7JXw-M9N-DcaNHYQsdRQY5GehXIsTH0ahsN69A0tmUO36yfuk9bQqtp-CZre4aqqAbddtWN0QSd15g1w/s1600/green_eggs_ham_house%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXBX0pkt3TD6UDBtWBuWu8qepaBTBpzKksOt9p8R1btF5ixqzZaupjvIKyUr7JXw-M9N-DcaNHYQsdRQY5GehXIsTH0ahsN69A0tmUO36yfuk9bQqtp-CZre4aqqAbddtWN0QSd15g1w/s640/green_eggs_ham_house%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-31273856181725136392013-03-05T10:06:00.000-05:002013-03-05T10:06:44.223-05:00And the Winner Is...Thank you to everyone who participated in our Free Give-Away! Congratulations to Chantal who was the ONLY person to guess all five questions correctly! Here were the correct answers:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx_bsaxu8kcEnQd9QStjfIhKs3pKuQShqdbC-yWV1K7Lwbfqr0zRnTXQeYdlQonYpKus1N1z3xJKQlP8fy4LRqf2e0k-uhRSbsmvDYNXX4Z6hhebeRSPflJMrHIdyPm5a9b72EU932ts/s1600/Donnybrook1%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx_bsaxu8kcEnQd9QStjfIhKs3pKuQShqdbC-yWV1K7Lwbfqr0zRnTXQeYdlQonYpKus1N1z3xJKQlP8fy4LRqf2e0k-uhRSbsmvDYNXX4Z6hhebeRSPflJMrHIdyPm5a9b72EU932ts/s320/Donnybrook1%5B1%5D.jpg" width="213" /></a>1. While on a trip to New York City, Chris sung a duet with a top Broadway
performer.<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">True!</span></strong><br />
When Chris was in high school he was in a super awesome choir that was invited to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. While they were there Chris sang a duet with Jenny Powers who played Meg in "Little Women" on Broadway.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34ziUcUic3Gb0FGw1vxodsSI1tTuKfZlfYAQ5BTtJHNk4DBKusASO6FZ6uzYBzDFSfnTSnSUQtVGqt6ZO05Apc0gHPu7AAJSn1khvkeIxDeMtMv-8gaKcgrsr3-26rf3jbH_otctw7eg/s1600/ducks+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEiTa8faa0m6Yp4jHyHwIr8ROvSWbuMHvxNc3A4ZoVqh72toOW7_ujUSRUkbCj8eobvx91jnNpxbGBvjTCjyDxwdpPLVavdhs9U-MAa-A-XDqFKf3ODN_36JvNet7FwP2AnHlMFwnsZ4/s1600/ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEiTa8faa0m6Yp4jHyHwIr8ROvSWbuMHvxNc3A4ZoVqh72toOW7_ujUSRUkbCj8eobvx91jnNpxbGBvjTCjyDxwdpPLVavdhs9U-MAa-A-XDqFKf3ODN_36JvNet7FwP2AnHlMFwnsZ4/s400/ducks.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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2. Emily was once attacked by 50 ducks who were after her loaf of bread.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEiTa8faa0m6Yp4jHyHwIr8ROvSWbuMHvxNc3A4ZoVqh72toOW7_ujUSRUkbCj8eobvx91jnNpxbGBvjTCjyDxwdpPLVavdhs9U-MAa-A-XDqFKf3ODN_36JvNet7FwP2AnHlMFwnsZ4/s1600/ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">True!</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">When I was in college I went on a date with a guy in my group of friends. After stopping by the grocery store for a cheap loaf of Wonder Bread, we walked to what was known as the duck pond. Many people went there to feed the ducks, but I had never been there before. We got there and decided to sit on the ground and throw bread to the ducks in the water. Bad idea. The ducks swarmed us and it was insane chaos! There were ducks on my lap, poking me in the back, pecking at my jeans, and taking whole pieces of bread from my hands. There had to be at least 50 ducks! Sorry about the poor quality of the picture, it was taken on a very old flip phone when camera phones were super cool to have.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCBQeNNq9BX2zF6CDrEtAdlupg3oeTKr0rMLLksp1gDHzZXeLTVNS3yQCyEhJ4UdbeRdoPSfNGzlG_EA1MVL2CtATmkyuBmjAmwlILQR4M-VAui8VTk_mcm3Ns6cbawlJYG7zGDPvx2Q/s1600/sushi.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCBQeNNq9BX2zF6CDrEtAdlupg3oeTKr0rMLLksp1gDHzZXeLTVNS3yQCyEhJ4UdbeRdoPSfNGzlG_EA1MVL2CtATmkyuBmjAmwlILQR4M-VAui8VTk_mcm3Ns6cbawlJYG7zGDPvx2Q/s320/sushi.png" width="320" /></a>3. Emily and Chris took a sushi making class together and now hate sushi.<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">False!</span></strong><br />
Chris and I never took a sushi making class together. Chris loves sushi and I hate it. I hate fish and any other kind of seafood. It just grosses me out and the smell of stinky fish sickens me. But Chris, being from California, loves him some sushi!<br />
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4. Chris once had a telephone pole fall on his head, and it gave him temporary
tunnel vision.<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">True!</span></strong><br />
Chris and a group of friends were volunteering at an animal shelter where they were doing some yard work. A telephone pole had fallen down, so like any group of teenage boys, they decided to move it. To get it out of the way they had to lift it up and over a rather large obstacle. They all lifted it up, but as it was going over, it slipped and fell right on top of Chris' head. Like we said, he had tunnel vision, but he also got a concussion, and slight memory loss for a little while. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVGQIxheimJWW_0GK6qA4bfnVLDY_oaCjpo7Ns3B-uB7VtaMJnAppaYChocvyWMer6z5BCn_uLMWxQ9oyMy7_S8GXdns9rs7UxGk3SRcavGUasenotQRrnb5548qKm0tsw2iF3j2nmP4/s1600/Britneyspears-oopsididitagainalbum%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVGQIxheimJWW_0GK6qA4bfnVLDY_oaCjpo7Ns3B-uB7VtaMJnAppaYChocvyWMer6z5BCn_uLMWxQ9oyMy7_S8GXdns9rs7UxGk3SRcavGUasenotQRrnb5548qKm0tsw2iF3j2nmP4/s1600/Britneyspears-oopsididitagainalbum%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a>5. Emily had the pleasure of meeting Britney Spears (pre-crazy Britney) backstage
at a concert.<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">False!</span></strong><br />
The truth is, I hate Britney Spears and I always have. At my 12th birthday party one of my friends got me the "Oops I Did it Again" album. I listened to it when my friends would come over, or I would take it to my friend's houses to listen to. I wanted them to think I was cool because I had a Britney CD. But truth be told, I've never liked her voice and she's always annoyed me. So, sorry all my friends from back in Elementary School and Middle School. I lied. I've never liked Britney Spears.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-61810349281021976102013-02-24T15:33:00.003-05:002013-02-24T15:33:46.648-05:00It's Free? Really?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsYGcpa9ZjMFCfg4OroeeUP5nxJGwJlBqoBiPyVcF8q3suUHpi-UkuIZnPVHyRJ_jUmRdg_AZkQlEDDeTqYGFIxnyKmTbc7BiCjL12mY3TLrkkEpmhS-kADC0Kku7bXB8glE0IavvjPA/s1600/298289_144234519003048_302724_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsYGcpa9ZjMFCfg4OroeeUP5nxJGwJlBqoBiPyVcF8q3suUHpi-UkuIZnPVHyRJ_jUmRdg_AZkQlEDDeTqYGFIxnyKmTbc7BiCjL12mY3TLrkkEpmhS-kADC0Kku7bXB8glE0IavvjPA/s640/298289_144234519003048_302724_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If the the best things in life are free why have I spent so much money? Our house wasn't free, our wedding wasn't free, and believe me, having our daughter was nowhere near the amount of $0.00! The saying should go, "The best things in life aren't free, so there are mortgages and debt for me." <br />
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Enough of the unglamorous part of life. The House of Brockman is doing it's very first free give away! Let's see what the prizes are (where is Bob Barker when you need him?):<br />
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To the lucky first place winner, you will receive a custom design board and layout for a room of your choice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdpVTDBuPm78TTub0eZTidC2hHja2wd5vJ8uWAmBD0DLMeGn-kYR5KMN_BFicXFD-VPZpTo8vPUQNp6skkH3MSi-_m2fno08nHhSnX0wZIayHSuAEwyfhVeCy5wJ4U7HTdnPDqeksz2I/s1600/hob+office.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdpVTDBuPm78TTub0eZTidC2hHja2wd5vJ8uWAmBD0DLMeGn-kYR5KMN_BFicXFD-VPZpTo8vPUQNp6skkH3MSi-_m2fno08nHhSnX0wZIayHSuAEwyfhVeCy5wJ4U7HTdnPDqeksz2I/s640/hob+office.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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To the second place winner, you will receive a custom black and white framed cameo silhouette<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDLJwItAu0h2dGOr_uvyrOQ_6cQzFDWWkZJLce0biL7hwkQcTacgHVQVWsCbkslwsdrCffHDnolhPeDP-vuklqwKNgj6WRwCPF2ZZPgGRvK0Ge_1BS-qXpLpaj_7vDHAbk6HoSVn7xv4/s1600/Barbie+Decal+Colored%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDLJwItAu0h2dGOr_uvyrOQ_6cQzFDWWkZJLce0biL7hwkQcTacgHVQVWsCbkslwsdrCffHDnolhPeDP-vuklqwKNgj6WRwCPF2ZZPgGRvK0Ge_1BS-qXpLpaj_7vDHAbk6HoSVn7xv4/s320/Barbie+Decal+Colored%255B1%255D.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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Last but not least, winner number three will receive a new mirror!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfsz6OQiil-xRoWfDSkph4X8-wgXoRrZZ9sBjtiO0tzl2zocCO8CHjP_WKmFBh7uownMoj-suwOrKLcvwsvNsql0K-vDpXUPuKYCR-gRYSMwWwltzkFRAdljrAAvnu_jNCxT2LtO_5n8/s1600/DSCN0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfsz6OQiil-xRoWfDSkph4X8-wgXoRrZZ9sBjtiO0tzl2zocCO8CHjP_WKmFBh7uownMoj-suwOrKLcvwsvNsql0K-vDpXUPuKYCR-gRYSMwWwltzkFRAdljrAAvnu_jNCxT2LtO_5n8/s320/DSCN0274.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
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You don't think you get all this for free now? All those who answer the five True or False questions about Emily and I correctly will be put into a raffle. The first name we pick is first prize winner, and so forth. We will be contacting you to see what your glamorous prize is. Good Luck!</div>
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1. While on a trip to New York City, Chris sung a duet with a top Broadway performer.<br />
True or False? <br />
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2. Emily was once attacked by 50 ducks who were after her loaf of bread.<br />
True or False?<br />
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3. Emily and Chris took a sushi making class together and now hate sushi.<br />
True of False<br />
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4. Chris once had a telephone pole fall on his head, and it gave him temporary tunnel vision.<br />
True of False?<br />
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5. Emily had the pleasure of meeting Brittney Spears (pre-crazy Brittney) backstage at a concert. True or False?<br />
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Your answers must be submitted by Tuesday Feb. 26, by 12:00 midnight, either by email or as a comment in order to qualify for the prizes!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-91329061896961143342013-02-19T19:41:00.000-05:002013-02-19T20:29:03.916-05:00Pop goes the Colors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love Nursery Rhymes. Who doesn't love the life lessons we learned from them? We learned a shoe is not a suitable place for a home, especially if you have tons of kids. Jack taught us he apparently had nothing else better to do than jump over a candle all day, or he was just a master procrastinator. And everyone knows Little Miss Muffet needed therapy to deal with her arachnophobia. Because to the new project we 're doing at the House of Brockman, I felt inspired to write the first House of Brockman Nursery Rhyme which goes to the tune of "Pop! Goes the <span style="background-color: white;">Weasle</span>." </div>
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All around the row house, </div>
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The mother chased the children.</div>
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The children stopped to look around,</div>
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Pop! Goes the colors!</div>
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This Nursery Rhyme was inspired by a family living in an old 1900's row house. In the youthful home, they wanted to have pops of color - and pops is what we will give them! As you can see from the design board, we are using pops of canary yellow, as well as neutral gray and white. We mixed styles to give it a youthful feel in this fun home. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jdsv58sGn8AlOvFzXadjn7zEo4LAbHpucqMxcLFCSwEVg-01D3Hohn15OqXECDvjtPiVRT0hh1X0EPV2fR_wWHS5Vg9zuBOvQ_8SyfJmj6BRE6ejYixyIUHhjYtIsUNqX8skUyENKeI/s1600/dinning+room.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jdsv58sGn8AlOvFzXadjn7zEo4LAbHpucqMxcLFCSwEVg-01D3Hohn15OqXECDvjtPiVRT0hh1X0EPV2fR_wWHS5Vg9zuBOvQ_8SyfJmj6BRE6ejYixyIUHhjYtIsUNqX8skUyENKeI/s640/dinning+room.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1xu7bwjdrIS5BtPBxMjqUw0A9438gwF46SfGa1QfIn-dUeOiI0hkDGqzdR_Bp7Z-y9unWqy5UuSQG_LK7ylWCO43AsulHENxI5E94kTVzpQ4-Zi8-1_ec9OaDXfZTIQTDRCg7z5LLP8/s1600/dinning+room+layout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1xu7bwjdrIS5BtPBxMjqUw0A9438gwF46SfGa1QfIn-dUeOiI0hkDGqzdR_Bp7Z-y9unWqy5UuSQG_LK7ylWCO43AsulHENxI5E94kTVzpQ4-Zi8-1_ec9OaDXfZTIQTDRCg7z5LLP8/s400/dinning+room+layout.png" width="295" /></a></div>
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<strong>Feel free to email if you are in need of design help: </strong><a href="mailto:houseofbrockman@gmail.com"><strong>houseofbrockman@gmail.com</strong></a> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-29027498975995221212013-02-15T12:33:00.000-05:002013-02-15T12:33:01.576-05:00Thou Shalt Not CovetNew baby, new business, new reasons to be tired. Somewhere in the Bible it says, "Thou shalt not covet." For some reason, coveting is all I have been doing lately. Coveting the days when things were easier. I can't help but think how great it would be to be like Inspector Gadget. That way, when Emily is screaming, "Where's the Binky?!" all I would have to do is chant the magic words, "Go, go gadget Binky!" and bam! I would save the day. Plus, I could continue on doing what I was doing without interruption. Another thing Emily and I have been coveting is sleep. Whoever invented sleep was a geneous. We have been longing for the days where we could sleep just as long as we wanted. Since we are sleep deprived, I find myself speaking in a form of english, mixed with the slurs of a drunk. I'm tempted to place a sign on my chest that reads the following:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKbuTHzbwJFHo_lAGtlZ08gLu1iW4N8tEPjjvZAvOF_pRGkHRQa742ho04tMSEf3_G8AEo52WM6CbAorItc2KYB7SyqC_f15_iG7vcsaCrUTPgWGja8WF14AUa-qhDU6cVmWXJ08wH7o/s1600/SIGN.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKbuTHzbwJFHo_lAGtlZ08gLu1iW4N8tEPjjvZAvOF_pRGkHRQa742ho04tMSEf3_G8AEo52WM6CbAorItc2KYB7SyqC_f15_iG7vcsaCrUTPgWGja8WF14AUa-qhDU6cVmWXJ08wH7o/s1600/SIGN.png" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lately, I have also found myself coveting the days when I had money. It's funny to me that babies are free to make, but so darn expence to keep! They should tell you that in the fine print:<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Babies' common side effects are: drousiness, difficulty sleeping, body aches, headache, irritibility, mood swings, slurred speach, memory loss, loss of focus, and loss of motivation. Some have reported depression, or thoughts of suiside. And in extreme cases, side effects include: zombie-like simptoms, or mental instability. If you plan on having a baby or becoming pregnant, talk to a local parent first.</span> <br />
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As I have shared my woes with others, the same message has been shared, "It gets better, and you will forget how bad it was in the beginning." Which makes sence since we are in a infinite daze of joy from being new parents.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6UdHwpIHwQL7ZJ88TybXsLsMQcpfz_Ul0jux9k1u_m-Mm8K5hjXNVGrB3LX04aPFcdLSnEuB-MoDO0uNycWxweLLv3k1orfZy-j7ekDwGUEz_BflGIRZv65F_8oQCwOjsvpa-Tz3R_A/s1600/DSCN0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6UdHwpIHwQL7ZJ88TybXsLsMQcpfz_Ul0jux9k1u_m-Mm8K5hjXNVGrB3LX04aPFcdLSnEuB-MoDO0uNycWxweLLv3k1orfZy-j7ekDwGUEz_BflGIRZv65F_8oQCwOjsvpa-Tz3R_A/s1600/DSCN0734.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-73172043505907057462013-02-05T17:46:00.002-05:002013-02-05T17:57:33.171-05:00 Design GPSI don't know what it is about men, but for some reason we are all built with the mind set that we always know where we are going - even if we really don't. We try to reassure the others in the car and telling them blatant lies like, "Of course I know where I'm going," and, "No. I didn't just pass that sign for the fourth time!" Of course, no self respecting man would dare ask for directions, and secretly we're too proud to even look at a GPS. <br />
I like to think of myself as a GPS, meaning a <strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">G</span></strong>ifted <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>P</strong></span>erson with <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>S</strong></span>tyle. As a proper GPS, I guide my friends turn by turn, navigating them to their new and improved room. A few weeks ago, we recieved the "<a href="http://houseofbrockman.blogspot.com/2013/01/decorating-911.html" target="_blank">Decorating 911</a>" email from a young lady whose apartment needed to feel more like a home, and not like solitary confinement. She wished to make her apartment feel more grown up and relaxing. Since the email, I have been able to see her apartment and have heard her plea. Welcome to her new apartment:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgP-uWuneK25mcoZdysPAosc7hWW9OEUAaDbqGGH_AVYLJn0pE6wkn9nzfyolh_4n9_cW7PvCYngVcIlt-lczY6FpEdF1WWMt5TV8CdM29-mBIKnx1xb2SJFAqoMgkHMtSH9HclSZLtY/s1600/apartment.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgP-uWuneK25mcoZdysPAosc7hWW9OEUAaDbqGGH_AVYLJn0pE6wkn9nzfyolh_4n9_cW7PvCYngVcIlt-lczY6FpEdF1WWMt5TV8CdM29-mBIKnx1xb2SJFAqoMgkHMtSH9HclSZLtY/s640/apartment.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a general idea board to get the feel of the room, and the planned layout. She has a budget of around $1,200, which might seem like a big chunk of change, but since all we has to start with is a TV and a dinning room table, everything else for the room is needed. She explained to me she wanted a coffee shop-like vibe, with pops of color. The room itself is not very big at all, measuring to about 300 sq ft. She needs this space to have multiple functions, such as dining, reading nook, and extra sleeping arrangements if need be, in the living room. I decided to divide the room into defined spaces, as you can see from the layout. The ottomans work over time as extra seating, storage, and extra dining room chairs. When she has guests stay over night, all she needs to do is move the ottomans and bring in a blow up mattress. The reading nook is my favorite, with comfortable chairs and an over sized light fixture hanging over to create an intimate place to read, and the area is defined by the light fixture. She has an awesome reclaimed wood table with matching benches, which we tucked away in the corner. The table's leg were painted a Robin's egg blue, which helped in the color scheme. The color scheme we decided on is soft gray, robin's egg blue, and a pea green which was inspired by a throw blanket I found. This layout and idea board gives her the relaxing, young coffee shop feel she wanted.<br />
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If anyone needs a little guidance, and feels lost, I can be a GPS for you. email us at <a href="mailto:houseofbrockman@gmail.com">houseofbrockman@gmail.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-36178674529360369912013-01-31T22:56:00.002-05:002013-01-31T22:56:37.510-05:00 Furniture Idol<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdQPECJBSySnRloBDX5VB0NvcJkyBnG-AqBdnzgYrRNV-dnpmwreeJOM2n65t3xZWJ4uSuV_XqVhnj1ehEMErSpttg1puPay3Dm_I3-aetOaxYTgmneJOy1pJj2CsmsL8ZcglKKeSWJg/s1600/winner%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdQPECJBSySnRloBDX5VB0NvcJkyBnG-AqBdnzgYrRNV-dnpmwreeJOM2n65t3xZWJ4uSuV_XqVhnj1ehEMErSpttg1puPay3Dm_I3-aetOaxYTgmneJOy1pJj2CsmsL8ZcglKKeSWJg/s400/winner%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">So, let's see what the judges think:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Times New Roman;">"(<span style="color: red;">British Accent) This is the worst couch I have ever seen! What were you thinking?"</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">"Yo dog, the colors are a little dingy, but it's iight." </span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times New Roman;">"I just don't get it. Is it vintage?"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Wouldn't it be fun if there were judges following us around to help us decide how to fill our rooms? We have all walked through the doors stunned as we look over a building filled to the brim with couches, chairs, lamps, beds, dressers, rugs, art, flooring samples, etc. In a hushed, scared whisper we say, "How am I ever going to choose?" To make matters worse, each couch or chair has even more fabric options to choose from, causing more frustration. Since we started the blog, we've had more readers coming to us for help and sharing with us their dreams of making their homes a star! I have a way I'm able to narrow down the competition. Pretend you are your own "Furniture Idol" judge. Ask your self a few questions as you're looking at your next furniture purchase. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;">1. Where is it going?</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Figure out where you're going to be putting the furniture. Measure it out before hand, and start looking for something that will fit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;">2. What's the function?</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For example, if you're buying a couch, think about how many people you need it to seat. Do you need it to turn into a place for sleeping? Will you use it a lot or only occasionally? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;">3. What's the Style?</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">What style is going to fit in your home? Once you figure that out, look only for pieces that fit that style.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;">4. What Color?</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Figure out the color scheme for your room and find pieces in those colors or in similar shades. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;">5. How much?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">How much can you spend? You don't want to blow all your money on one purchase.. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Asking yourself these five question can help you figure out what the right choice will be to win a place in your home, and win the title of being the next "Furniture Idol!"</span></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-49059280264641532052013-01-30T20:30:00.000-05:002013-01-30T20:30:54.924-05:00Black to the Future<span style="color: black;">Welcome to 2013! Even though we have been here for a month now, it's always a good time to see what's trending with the world. Apparently, the other Kardashian (Khloe) is pregnant, and why did Selena Gomez break up with the Beibster? We, on the other hand, have been more interested in what's trending in my favorite thing - home design! </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;">Black is Back</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">If you ask, me black had never left. For 2013 it's all about the color black. There's something that makes black a classic, yet feel so fresh. Here are some of the House of Brockman top picks to add black into your home.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;">1. Black Crystal Chandelier</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Looks like a classic, but when the crystal's color changes to black, it makes a head turner! Double take anyone?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0l_GKwCecbg2zUBdvoeVY0_8uJzaUjT3UagJ2foWmTXO04wEvgpmXtV1nRbzQR7KFf4-Zu0iiIScQ4z1VUmiCHmjib9DpwvDEMP61yEWoZkH5yl_dcSBeTZpe2YEEP9bD9VGRfkOdR4/s1600/A46-490%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0l_GKwCecbg2zUBdvoeVY0_8uJzaUjT3UagJ2foWmTXO04wEvgpmXtV1nRbzQR7KFf4-Zu0iiIScQ4z1VUmiCHmjib9DpwvDEMP61yEWoZkH5yl_dcSBeTZpe2YEEP9bD9VGRfkOdR4/s400/A46-490%5B1%5D.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;">2. Paint a Wall Black</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">We are in love with black walls. I have to admit, you have to be a bit brave to do this. In our home, Little Pea Cottage, the whole back wall from our kitchen to the laundry room is all painted black. Think of it like a diamond placed in front of a black back drop makes it look even more brilliant.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAj9ygs6mDy5ok7SvQalxcwvrC6IH1I9QFFMwAU9KdVWWJn2KormTsFkDqoMCyRr55HjycR7LHl5unIfjmSBMlnWc5Nf9SaypsicyV1gvJSSf_0OpB85jYiX0bQ68G3oBm9uyq7afsPY/s1600/livingroom1_600%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAj9ygs6mDy5ok7SvQalxcwvrC6IH1I9QFFMwAU9KdVWWJn2KormTsFkDqoMCyRr55HjycR7LHl5unIfjmSBMlnWc5Nf9SaypsicyV1gvJSSf_0OpB85jYiX0bQ68G3oBm9uyq7afsPY/s400/livingroom1_600%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;">3. Black Accent Chairs</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Love, love, love! An easy way to bring the color black into your room without making a huge change. Plus, you can easily move it when your done with it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;">4. Black and White Family Pictures</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Easiest way to add some black, and let's face it, everyone looks better in black and white.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-72149380304656727022013-01-29T15:08:00.000-05:002013-01-29T15:08:01.828-05:00Color Blind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's not always as interesting as a bowl full of Skittles, or in our case, a crystal candy dish full of Skittles. Mmm...all those <span style="color: red;"><strong>colors</strong></span><span style="color: black;">! </span><span style="color: #666666;">What I'm really talking about is</span> the dreaded, and sometimes painful experience of choosing paint <span style="color: orange;"><strong>colors</strong></span>. Standing in front of the paint<strong> <span style="color: #38761d;">color</span></strong> swatch wall, scared, feeling more alone than ever. How is anyone ever supposed to choose just one <span style="color: blue;"><strong>color</strong></span> in a sea of <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">color </span></strong>and funny names? You see<strong> <span style="color: #cc0000;">colors</span></strong> like "<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><strong>Dusty Lane</strong></span>" or "<span style="color: lime;"><strong>Sassy Green</strong></span>." Personally, I would love to have the job of naming paint <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>colors.</strong></span> I would name them <strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">colors</span></strong> like, "<span style="color: yellow;"><strong>Ride my Bus Yellow</strong></span><span style="color: #666666;">,"</span> or "<span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Too Much to Drink Brown</strong></span>." For the past few weeks I have been helping a friend who is renovating his 1950's ranch. I've been counseling him on layouts, cabinets, tiles, and of course paint <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">color</span></strong>. I have a few rules when it comes to picking the right paint for any room, to insure you don't end up with a <strong><span style="color: #93c47d;">color</span> </strong>that looks like "<span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Too Much to Drink Brown</strong></span>."<br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">1. How do You Want the Room to Feel?</span><br />
Do you want dramatic, light and airy, fun and bright, cool and calm? Figure out what you want. This is the first clue that can narrow the choices down. Here are the definitions of these phrases just in case you don't speak HGTV:<br />
Dramatic - deep, rich <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">colors</span></strong> like purples, navy blues, or deep reds<br />
Light and airy - whites, or light shades of any <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">color</span></strong><br />
Fun and bright - bold <strong><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">colors</span></strong> like oranges, yellows, reds, etc<br />
Cool and calm - grays, greens, spa-like <strong><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">colors</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: x-large;">2. What's in the Room?</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NtIdJTrjP8X5YZVqMiANpJYPk6fh8C1qnYBzbB3RhsGTYgqZvEFnO5XAu6Z0N0E2FIW1RTyPkn8VXjR3JH8EVERfxdDNi-ZNRJLX7mUUGZ_ZdDpRFwcV9bnjBOR9465-kEMcjeXsjw8/s1600/1paint1%25281%2529%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NtIdJTrjP8X5YZVqMiANpJYPk6fh8C1qnYBzbB3RhsGTYgqZvEFnO5XAu6Z0N0E2FIW1RTyPkn8VXjR3JH8EVERfxdDNi-ZNRJLX7mUUGZ_ZdDpRFwcV9bnjBOR9465-kEMcjeXsjw8/s1600/1paint1%25281%2529%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a>This can be a game changer. For example, one of the homes I grew up in had the worst<strong> <span style="color: #38761d;">Fo</span><span style="color: #38761d;">otball Field Green</span></strong> carpet. We hated it, but with limited money and bills to be payed, the carpet had to stay. We had to choose our paint <strong><span style="color: cyan;">color</span></strong> carefully so as not to make matters worst. I looked and looked for a <strong><span style="color: #c27ba0;">color</span></strong> that would compliment that terrible <strong><span style="color: purple;">colored</span></strong> carpet, until I found a golden yellowish brown, named "<strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">Soft Pebble</span></strong>." By the way, I've memorized every paint <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">color</span></strong> my family and I have used since I has seven. What can I say? I'm good with paint names. When we were done painting, it was as much success as the winning touch-down at the Homecoming game. Other items in the room to consider: the furniture, art, drapes, etc.<br />
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: x-large;">3. Whats the Finish?</span><br />
There are a few different types of paint: Flat, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-gloss, and High-gloss. Why so many finishes you ask? Well, it depends on where your putting it of course, and if you have kids. Flat paint equals no shine and no kids. If you try to clean a wall with flat paint, both the dirty finger prints, and the paint are coming off. Eggshell is a little better, but not much. Satin is what I use most of the time. It's a durable paint which you can clean if needs be. With a medium shine level, it can catch the light ever so slightly, but doesn't look like a reflection. Semi-gloss is great for bathrooms and kitchens. It cleans like a breeze, and look Mom! No paint is gone! High-gloss is awesome, and another one of my favorites. I used high-gloss paint when painting my furniture. It leaves an almost refection-like shine. We also used this in our entryway of out house, Little Pea Cottage. The entry was a little dark, but we wanted a dramatic, glamorous <span style="color: red;"><strong>color</strong></span> for the entry, which is also our gallery. We painted it a high-gloss dark gray, and with the little light from the overhead window, and the lights from the chandeliers, you can see light reflecting off the walls, making it feel dramatic and glamorous.<br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-large;">4. That's Not my Color!</span><br />
Beware of falling in love with the paint on the paint swatch. Here's a little secret: the paint dries two shades darker than what's on the swatch. The <strong><span style="color: #e06666;">color</span> </strong>can also look different in your house than it does at the store. So, make sure before you buy your paint, check to see how it looks in your room. Believe me, it's worth it. Thank goodness paint swatches are free!<br />
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: x-large;">5. Paint a Little, Pick a Little</span><br />
Last of all, stop before you spend all that money buying all those gallons of paint. If you only buy a pint size, you can paint a little of your top contenders. Live with them for a while see which one is the best for you and for your room. This will makes things easier when it comes to only having to pick a few<strong> </strong><span style="color: orange;"><strong>colors</strong></span><span style="color: #666666;">,<strong> </strong>when faced with</span> the sea of <span style="color: lime;"><strong>color.</strong></span><br />
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Here's hoping you don't go<strong> <span style="color: #76a5af;">color</span></strong> blind with all the choices of paint, and if worst comes to worst, it's only paint! You can always paint again!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-73200126977115367162013-01-22T18:56:00.000-05:002013-01-22T18:56:21.125-05:00Swap That!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A question for the masses: Would you like to decorate a room for free? I figured that would peek your intrest. Here is my second question: Who likes to party? I hope you said yes to both because I have a genious way of how you can have the best of both worlds! Most of the ladies reading I'm sure have heard of a clothes swapping party. Friends come together and bring lightly worn threads that they just don't want any more. The tricky part is making sure you don't bring one of your friend's sweaters you forgot to return back. Much like the clothes, I had the idea of doing this same thing, but with furniture instead. <br />
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Potential Problem Averted<br />
As a host of this furniture swapping party, you don't want a room full of furniture stacked to the ceiling, projecting the new style of a horder. The guests problem would be actually bringing the furniture. I can see all the guests dressed in there party best, pulling up in U-hauls, or even better, valeting their U-haul trucks. Neighbors would be hearing the sounds of beeping from the backing trucks all night, and as much fun as that would be to experience... This can be all avoided with a simple picture. You can either have your guests bring a picture of the furniture they are tired of and want to get rid of, or have them email you a picture so you can have them all ready to view in time for the party. I would first set up a few ground rules to insure people aren't tyring to give away furnitrure that's broken, badly scratched up, or missing parts without leting other guests know. You could write what kind of condition the piece is in on the back of each picture. Most of all, have fun. As you know, one man's trash is another man's treasure.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-9188923607020971952013-01-20T09:14:00.000-05:002013-01-20T09:14:20.393-05:00House of Brockman's 10 Design Rules<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Extra! Extra! Read all about it! As the House of Brockman continues to grow, we wanted to take the opportunity out of your busy day to share another list. I believe everyone has a list inside of them. Your very own 10 design rules. These rules help govern our choices about what we like, why we like them, and how we want to live. So here at the House of Brockman, we wrote out our design rules to share with you. Please feel free to share some of yours.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">1. Be True to You</span><br />
I think this is so important when it comes to design. Your home is an extension of who you are. An outward expression of your likes and dislikes. I hate it when you visit a home, and it feels like the home and the owner have split personalities. Decorate for you and not for what others may like.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">2. Make Your Room Fit</span><br />
Have you ever been in a home that feels like a Crayola Crayon Box? The kitchen is red, the living room is blue, the bathroom is yellow, and master bedroom is purple. My only hope for the people living in the Crayon Box is that they are color blind; unaware of the color abuse smacking them in the face. I believe that your home should feel as one. No, that doesn't mean you have to paint every room the same color. Work with similar shades and styles of furniture so each room flows into one another.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">3. Mix and Match</span><br />
I love design. Now-a-days it's just so personal. It's not all about living with one style anymore. You no longer are forced to live in a period style. Just because you live in a Victorian home doesn't mean your have to sport interiors like "Downton Abby." It's OK to have a french antique table, with an abstract modern painting hanging on the wall, with a crystal chandelier, all in a modern concrete and glass home. You can make it your own by mixing and matching different styles.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">4. Keep it Young</span><br />
My personal style is Young Traditional. I'm not a fan of homes feeling old and dingy, or like a museum where your guests feel like they have to be cautious of where to sit, making sure they stay behind the velvet rope keeping them away from the exhibit. You can still use Grandma's furniture, but there are clues that dates it like a re-run of "Leave it to Beaver." These clues can be the fabric choices, color combinations, light fixtures, or art choices. If you freshen those up, Grandma's furniture will start to feel young again.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">5. Don't Over Think It</span><br />
I believe your home should speak for itself. I never want people to come into our home and say, "I just don't get it." I never want to have to explain why I decorated a certain way, or tell them why it looks awesome, hopelessly trying to convince them that it really is stylish. Don't over think it! Creativity is great, but when you're about to hang a chair upside down from the ceiling because you think it's a good idea, please - for all our sakes - put the chair down and step away!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">6. Use it</span><br />
Use or loose it. It's important to use your home and everything in it. I've heard stories of mothers who have "special rooms" which are off limits to all. The strict mom gives heated threats, where if she sees any evidence that anyone has been in the room, the FBI will be called to track down the criminal. With no remorse, the accused will be shipped off to a correctional facility to correct their terrible behavior. If you don't use it, or plan to use it, just get rid of it! There is no reason to waste space or to harass your family.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">7. Invest in your Bedroom</span><br />
I love all rooms, but there is nothing like a great bedroom. Your bedroom is where the magic should happen. Your oasis should be comfortable, stylish, and personal. A place you never want to leave. My personal must haves in our bedroom are: all white bedding, sconces for reading in bed, an amazing mattress - what better to sleep on my dear - and, lastly, I've always have a four poster bed since I was 12. Your bedroom is the most important place to invest for you.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">8. Look for the Surprise!</span><br />
Maybe it's just me, but I try to never take my interiors too seriously. I love to find quirky fun things for our home. I love to have surprises for me and my guests! I received a small statue from a friend while she was in Chile. Since the day I received it, I placed it on my coffee table. As many guests do when they are sitting on your couch, they start to lurk about. I always knew when a guest had picked up the statue because I would hear an, "Oh my!" and it would be quickly put back down. To my guests surprise, when you picked up this statue something poked out at them, and it was a bit of a shock. Wink, wink.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">9. Let There be Light</span><br />
Just like an outfit without shoes would look ridiculous, a well put together room without the right lighting fixtures could look just the same. Inside our home, Little Pea Cottage, you will find every room to have a chandelier. Yes, including the bathrooms. Great lighting fixtures are so important, they are a must have for you to take your room to the next level. You don't need to be like us, having only chandeliers, but everyone should budget out good over head lighting. Lighting fixtures are the "Wow" factor in any room. Light makes your room feel alive and lived it. <br />
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As Emily and I looked for our first house, one of our must-haves was a place for our dining room table. Most 20-something-year-olds don't normally care much about a dinning room, let alone a dinning room table. For us, it's all about dinning. I have to admit, we don't always eat dinner with linens and china, but we do most of the time. I love a quote from Carson the Butler on "Downton Abby" where he said, "If your ever tired of style, your only tired with life." Dinning rooms are another important place to invest because nothing brings people together more than the magical experiences which happen around a dinning room table.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-84669130998578321052013-01-19T17:14:00.002-05:002013-01-21T12:42:48.622-05:00Decorating 911<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We received an email the other day from a reader who felt she had problems when it came to decorating her first apartment. Even those who have been home owners for years have these similar problems. With her consent, we want to share her email with our other readers. In our next few posts, we'll be tackling the problems she faces with her apartment. Please feel free to write in your own decorating problems.</div>
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"I am a 29 year old single woman who has finally gotten fed up with looking at the plain, artless walls in her first-ever apartment. I signed the lease for my one-bedroom, 650-square foot apartment back in April 2011. When I moved in, the only piece of furniture I brought with me were my bed and a few lawn chairs that I acquired from a dusty corner of my parents' garage. I ordered a pizza and bought myself a bottle of wine, which I enjoyed one plastic Dixie cup at a time.</div>
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It went all downhill from there...</div>
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You always assume that once you've acquired a place of your own, you'll become a more responsible, level-headed adult overnight. Not so. I quickly discovered that I had no idea how to live on my own. The first few months, I lived off of sandwiches, frozen foods, and pre-packaged meals. I spent most of my time in my room, watching DVDs, over and over again because I didn't know what else to do, and the front room was so open and spacious that the thought of having to fill it with furniture filled me with so much dread that I wondered if it wouldn't be easier to just move back home. I tried Craig's List first. I responded to a few of the posts - the ones that included pictures of the furniture they were selling, of course - but they never went anywhere. I tried a few second-hand stores, and was so dismayed by the condition of the couches that I never wanted to go back. It was then that I realized that magical gnomes weren't going to come up from underground and furnish my apartment for me, and that I was never going to be satisfied with anything that I saw because I was just too darn freaked out about the possibility of making a mistake. I have to get this right the first time! I can't waste money on an item that I do not love! </div>
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I did eventually come across one piece of furniture that I loved: a beautiful wooden table with sturdy teal-colored legs, handcrafted by a local carpenter. With it, came two benches, identical in style. I love this table. This table opened up the door of possibility. It was this single purchase that finally got me out of my bedroom, and into the living room. </div>
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My family - bless them - encouraged me to purchase a couch. Any couch. One that they could sit on instead of those hard, not-at-all supportive lawn chairs. So I went shopping. I bought a couch from Goodwill for the low, low price of $54. It's not a beautiful couch, mind you. It's got wear and tears, and it doesn't have that fluffy quality that I like (you know, a couch that is so comfortable and supportive that you find yourself falling asleep against it), but its something. It's a forest green color, with a gold trim, and it sits low on the ground. </div>
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Right now, I just want an apartment that I can be proud of. A place that I can come home to at the end of a long, hard day of work and say, "Yeah, everything is going to be okay now." Some place calming. A place to escape the outside world. I enjoy reading, and my personality has been described as very quiet and reserved. My ideal place to be to relax is a coffee shop. There's not much that I do in my spare time other than visit with my family. I work constantly, so its important to me to have a place where I can de-stress and chill. So, my issue is, I do not know how to create that space, and was hoping that you might be able to help me. Thanks for any advice you have to offer, and I look forward to hearing from you." </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-12163017695959781562013-01-19T11:22:00.000-05:002013-01-21T13:10:01.504-05:00One Night Stands<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One morning, I awoke to the sounds of a whimper and the constant jumping of our toy poodle, Bexley, against our bed. I grudgingly opened my eyes, and the first thing that I saw was my night stand. Hmmm, I started to think... No, it wasn't how I was going to shut up the dog, but what was interesting to me was what I had on my nightstand. The truth about me lied only a foot away. It made sense that if I'm going to spend 1/3 of my life in bed, that the items right next to it must be important. How is it that we seem to overlook this piece of furniture and its importance? Here is my question for you: What is on your night stand? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is what's on mine:</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydDUPJnpyxw/UPrFnttxZ2I/AAAAAAAAA64/GyoE5oWOak0/s1600/DSCN0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydDUPJnpyxw/UPrFnttxZ2I/AAAAAAAAA64/GyoE5oWOak0/s640/DSCN0607.JPG" width="480" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"> •Our favorite wedding picture in a mirrored frame</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">•My wallet and cell phone</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">•Blue Willow tea cup </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">•My favorite magazines</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">•Two leather bound reproduction scriptures circa 1830's </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">•Vase of mossy rocks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">•Three and a half foot candle stick</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">As</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"> was talking to other friends about what was on their night stands, most of them were shocked by how</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"> many items they had on their nightstands. I think it tells a little story about who we are. What does my night stand say about me? <strong>The night stand</strong> itself is a french design; two tiered, with a marble top. Truth be told, Emily and I found it by the dumpster at our old loft, and saw it was much too nice to be thrown away. The night stand we chose says, I'm traditional in style and I have classic design. <strong>The wedding picture</strong> says I'm sentimental and family focused, and <strong>the mirrored frame</strong> shows that I like a little glamour. <strong>My wallet</strong> <strong>and cell phone</strong> means the things I use the most are never out of my sight, and that everything has its place. I usually like to drink a cup of red reuabus or mint tea out of my <strong>blue willow tea cup</strong> every night while I read my <strong>favorite magazines</strong>. <strong>The leather reproduction scriptures</strong> show I'm religious and love old things. I have an obsession for <strong>mossy rocks</strong>. You can find them at most design stores for a few dollars a piece. Mine, on the other hand, were bought at the Dollar Tree: 5 rocks for $1. Not too bad! It shows that I'm always looking for a bargain. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last but not least is <strong>the over large</strong> <strong>candle stick</strong>, which means that bigger is better. I love oversized accessories. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now let’s see what truths lie only a foot away from your bed.</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-77837034176609792422013-01-17T13:51:00.000-05:002013-01-21T13:15:14.055-05:00The 20 Dollar Fix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What's in a list? For a list called by any other name, shall they not be as helpful? Let's list up your life, shall we? Since we have started our blog, I have found myself constantly looking for inspiration. I've started noticing things I didn't notice before, and frankly, didn't seem to care much about. I have been forced to take a quest into myself to try and explain my design secerts. So, as I walked into the house today, after a very long and wet day at work, I was struck with a wave of inspiration. A LIST!<br />
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<strong>6 Ways to Instantly Spruce up a Room with less than $20</strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">1. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Throw Pillows:</strong> So easy! My favorite places to find pillows seem to be Ross and Target. But there is nothing like a custom made down pillow you make yourself. Use this small pillow to make an old couch less tired or to finish a freshly made bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">2. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Sented Candles: </strong>J</span>ust because your room looks like crap doesn't mean it has to smell like crap too. So, light up and scare away the funk!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">3. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Fresh Flowers: </strong></span>Is it sad that I think I love fresh flowers more that Emily loves fresh flowers? My personal favorites are white roses, hydrangeas, and peonies. Unfortunately, Emily can see right through my smoke sceen. I can never come home with flowers in hand and claim they are for her because she know the truth.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">4. <span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Art: </strong>L</span></span>ook through those old family pictures, select a few to blow up to 8x10, find a frame with a mat, and BAM! Art!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">5. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Paint Something: </strong>You can find most paint for</span> under $20. Paint that old coffee table, or even your walls which your darling children decided to decorate for you with makers. Paint is the one of the easiest ways to breath new life into any room. Chech out <a href="http://houseofbrockman.blogspot.com/2012/11/50-shades-of-lamp.html" target="_blank">50 Shades of Lamp</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">6.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong> Decluter: </strong></span> Bills that are stacked on your desk, to many nick-nacks, and magazines that have been on your coffee table for years all need to go, or at least put up. Look at it this way, your room will look better, and you're not burning any money - just carbs!<br />
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Is there anything better than a good list? Please share with us some of your design finds under $20!! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910278343186441461.post-84903976304056040162013-01-06T19:12:00.000-05:002013-01-21T13:25:46.791-05:00Bonjour Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After 39 weeks, three days, one eviction notice, and a dash of Pitocin, we have our daughter, Little B. Those who know us personally know we have been thinking about two different names. The only problem was we had to to see what color her hair would be. I know this may sound a little ridiculous. We just hoped there wouldn't be the potential problem where she came out as bald as Emily's dad. Thank goodness, due to lots of prayer and plenty of heartburn she was born with a full head of dark brown hair. We are both grateful that we were able to come up with names that both of us were happy to yell out when our daughter is grounded or to say when we tell her how much we love her. We have many friends that have under gone "The Battle of the Names" game. These are the name we decided on:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uY0wiwSzuUE/UOh4CzKIvmE/AAAAAAAAA0Y/psdUIjK4R-M/s1600/1513" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uY0wiwSzuUE/UOh4CzKIvmE/AAAAAAAAA0Y/psdUIjK4R-M/s400/1513" width="300" /></a><strong>Paisley Roux Brockman</strong><br />
What a better first name than one of our favorite patterns? Roux translates from french into Red Hair, which is why we had to wait until we saw if she had red hair. I have to admit, her name sounds like a paint color. "I just painted my dinning room in Paisley Roux!" That's right Benjamin Moore, eat your heart out!<br />
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<strong>Elle Clairette Brockman</strong><br />
People have asked us why we wanted to name her Elle. Our answer? "Because Vogue would be a stupid name for a child, of course!" Clairette means bright, famous, and rare. Our little girl would definitely fit that description. It proved to be very difficult finding a middle name for Elle because every one we tried seemed to sound Spanish. Elle Rose, Elle Sienna. I have eaten at both of those Mexican restaurants in California.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySD8yACYJVs/UOh5VuIhE4I/AAAAAAAAA0w/arUuRjXTleQ/s1600/13+-+5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySD8yACYJVs/UOh5VuIhE4I/AAAAAAAAA0w/arUuRjXTleQ/s400/13+-+5" width="400" /></a>Both Emily are I are so blessed to have little Elle in our lives, even though we didn't get the tax breaks for 2012. I'm so grateful to have finally have our daughter. True to form of what we thought, Elle was a little difficult. After about two weeks of failed attempts to induce the baby on our own, she just wasn't coming. We spent hour after hour in the hospital with very little progress. Our baby never dropped low enough and Emily had to under go a C-section. As I looked around the OR, feeling like I was on the set of Grey's Anatomy, waiting to hear her cry for the first time, I looked over at Emily and whispered, "Thank you. Are you ready?" With a loud cry from our little girl signaling her first breath, both Emily and I shed a tear. As the nurses were cleaning her up, I could see her brown hair and I heard the nurse say, "she weighs 6lbs. 13oz." What!? The doctor we saw just two days prior said she was almost 8lbs, and that was a big reason as to why she wasn't dropping. Then, realizing who's daughter she was, we figured she didn't want to squish up her pretty face for the pictures. There was no way she was going to squeeze her head through that little hole. There was no problem for her mother to sacrifice just little for Elle to have a good glamour shot. We are excited to she what this little girl has in store for us. I was thinking how amazing it was, what taking a chance and following my heart has brought me in just three and a half years<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681258364567057697noreply@blogger.com4