Friday Faves: Ruth + Writing

This week I couldn’t be more excited to share some thoughts from  Ruth; aka my new best friend (whether she knows it or not!) Ruth and I were each other’s 45th followers on our blogs. I think it was fate. We have since become critique partners, and let me just tell you this girl has a voice! Not to mention she give excellent feedback! I’m so glad I met her!

Now you get to meet her too! Let’s get to it:

FAVORITE DESIGN STYLE:

I'm kind of a no fuss kind of gal so I love this room because it's calm and simple. I need calm and simple in my life. Keep in mind that this is in no way what my house looks like. Right now my style is Thrifty and Trashed. Someday. Some. Day.

FAVORITE BOOK OR AUTHOR:

This changes a lot. I love many, many books. The type of book I read also changes and I go through periods where I read a lot of one thing. Right now, that would be Contemporary YA. One of my recent favorites was The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han. Loved them!

FAVORITE GAME:

Now this took some thinking. I asked myself, "Do I even play games?" And I said, "Yes. Yes I do". When I have time or can get someone to play with me, I love me some Scrabble. Exciting, I know. I play with my sisters on Facebook and it gets competitive. Also, there was a period in my life when I was addicted to Bejeweled. In college, my roommates and I stayed up all night long playing a game called Scum. Crazy fun.

Thanks Kadie!

Okay I had many a night in college where we were up too late playing Scum. I LOVE that game! I forgot all about it! Now I need to go look up the rules. And I’ve never read that book, so it’s now on my list.

Thanks Ruth! I love learning more about my fellow bloggers.

Happy Friday everyone!

Want to tell everyone YOUR faves? I’d LOVE to have you! E-mail me at kadiekinney@gmail.com

Friday Faves: My Writing Bug

It’s that time again, fellow bloggers! It’s FRIDAY! And we have yet another peek into another blogger’s favorite things. This time I have the lovely Chantele Sedgwick with me from My Writing Bug. I stumbled across Chantele’s blog when I started mine and have been an avid follower ever since! I really respect her views and I love that every Thursday she interviews an aspiring author. Her questions are awesome!

Anyway, now on to Chantele!

FAVORITE DESIGN STYLE:

I like a lot of different styles, but I think I like warm contemporary the most. Just soft colors, not too fancy. Calm and inviting. My husband is actually way more into interior design stuff. He worked at a lighting store for a long time and saw so many different designs in houses. He's more of a decorator than I am. :)

FAVORITE BOOK / AUTHOR:

Crap. I always get stuck on this question. I have so many books and authors that I love. I don't think I could pick a favorite. But, since that's the question, I'll say the Harry Potter Series. They are probably the only books that I could read over and over again and still not get sick of them. J.K. Rowling wrote so many amazing characters and they just feel like a part of you when you put the books down. I'll always love them.

FAVORITE GAME:

My favorite computer game would be the Sims games. I'm sure people will be surprised to hear that! lol I don't play that often, since I'm taking care of kids all day and save my nights for writing, but they are fun to play when I have a little time to spare. I also love the game Scattergories. I love trying to think of words that start with the letters you roll. So fun! And Tripoly. My family is crazy when we play that! We are very competitive! lol Sorry, that wasn't just one... ;)

Thanks so much, Kadie!

A girl after my own heart. Seriously, these all could have been MY answers. That room is beautiful,  I LOVE Harry Potter, and I think it goes without saying what my opinion is on The Sims. I love finding fellow gamers where I least expect it!

Thanks so much for sharing Chantele! Don’t forget to check out her blog (linked above) and spread the love!

Happy Friday!

Want to tell us YOUR faves? I’d love to have you! E-mail me at kadiekinney@gmail.com

Friday Faves: The Innocent Flower

Today I have with me the wonderful Michelle Davidson Argyle. I met Michelle through the blogosphere and have been continuously inspired and educated by her amazing blog. It’s been so great getting to know her and I’m so excited to have her here!

So Michelle, what are your faves?

Favorite Design Style

I'd have to say my favorite design trend is the Tuscan look. Maybe this is because I'd really love to live in Italy.

Favorite Book

That's a tossup between The Awakening and The Great Gatsby, but I'd have to choose The Awakening by Kate Chopin if pressed. That book has probably been the number one influence in my writing. Her poetic style and ability to write against the social norms at the time is incredible! It's a novella and doesn't seem to be extremely popular, but it's one I'm always re-reading and studying.

Favorite Game

You know, I'm not a huge fan of games of any kind, but I'd have to say that I do enjoy writing games where you're timed to write specific things based on words or prompts or something. I find those a lot of fun! I infinitely prefer just chatting with people rather than focusing on a game.

(this is my interpretation of a writing game. I don’t know if Michelle really likes it, but it’s WAY fun and makes you use your brain while being timed.)

Thanks, Kadie!

 

Thank YOU Michelle! Everyone be sure to check out her blog (linked above) and keep an eye out for her book being released this September!

I can’t wait to get my copy!

That’s it for now! Now I’m going camping…with my family…overnight. This is a big deal for us. We’re not an outdoorsy family. We’ll see how this goes. Everyone have a great weekend and don’t forget to enter my Giveaway and to tell your friends about it! You have until Sunday night to enter!

Want to be a part of Friday Faves? I’d LOVE to have you! Email me at kadiekinney@gmail.com!

Friday Faves: Crazy Apple News

So I don’t know how many of you lovely people have read my pages up above, but in the gaming section I give credit to one “big brother” for introducing me to the world of computer gaming. I did not include that he has since introduced me to countless random board games, and even one (gasp) Role Playing Game that you play with real people in the room with you, instead of online.

I didn’t latch on to GURPS, sorry, Nate.

BUT I digress. The point is, that said brother, is here with us today!

Woot!

Nate is also an amazing writer who needs to get his stuff out there! Ahem.

Anyway, here’s his take on his favorite things:

So, I’m probably not who Kadie had in mind for this little column. But that’s what makes it so fun. I’m a programmer, and an Apple humor columnist…basically I’m a standard nerd. So, what does this standard nerd like? Will publishing this article make my sister go insane? Let’s see!

Favorite Design Trend: Art Deco

See, right off the bat I missed the boat and mixed some metaphors. This is clearly not a current design trend. But I can’t hide my true feelings any longer. I love Art Deco stuff. From the exceedingly simple:

To the large and ornate:

I’m in love with the strong, clean lines and eye for detail and motion:

And the sheer joy of clean, stylized typography:

gorgeous.

Anyway, Kadie can stop shuddering now, because I’m moving on to my

Favorite Author: Man, Who Knows?

If I had to pick one we’d be here all day, because I can’t. I love Douglas Adams, Leo Tolstoy, P.G. Wodehouse, Stephen Lawhead, Terry Pratchett…the list goes on and on. But for now and purely at random I’ll choose Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, because they worked together on a book called Good Omens, which you must read.

Good Omens is the story of an averted apocalypse, as seen by an angel and a devil that have both been on Earth for about 7000 years now, and are pretty good friends. Told with Pratchett’s good humor and Gaiman’s sense of story, it’s a fun and interesting read, regardless of your religious views. But moving on, if we were to talk about my favorite game, that honor would have to go to

Smallworld! Or Cosmic Encounter.

I’ve been playing Cosmic since forever (Shameless plug for an article I wrote on another blog) and the newest edition is the best. But Smallworld, from Days of Wonder games has threatened Cosmic’s throne in my heart on more than one occasion. Both games feature you, with special powers, trying to take over territory from other players, who also have special powers. Both games involve a lot of thinking and a fair number of variables that make each game fresh and unique. But the two games are very different, and both very fun. I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 games in my huge game closet, and these two still battle for the top spot.

Okay, that’s all from me. Join Kadie next week for a guest post from someone who knows what they’re talking about in terms of interior design, or feel free to join me on any of my blogs. Bye!

I wuv my big brudder. And PS, I would NEVER shudder from Art Deco. I love it! (As seen here (ha he’s not the only one who can shamelessly plug his own blogging!)) Also, Cosmic Encounters is one of the best games ever made. It takes awhile though, so be prepared to invest an afternoon if you decide to play.

And I’m slightly surprised he didn’t mention Monkey Island as his favorite game. Hmm, maybe he forgot.

Thanks Nate! And tune in next week for another edition of Friday Faves!

Want to be a part of my series? I’d LOVE to have you! Email me at kadiekinney@gmail.com

Friday Faves: Savvy Classic

This Friday I'm so thrilled to have Devanie here from Savvy Classic. I had a LOT of talented school mates, and she is another one of them, as well as one of my dearest friends. Devanie has a little bit of author in her too, among her many other talents, as you will be able to tell from her post. 

So without further ado, here is what she calls her "Devanie Style":

FAVORITE DESIGN STYLE: If I were to describe my style it would be whimsy-coastal-classic-weathered. I feel at home with aged natural finishes alongside breezy color palettes and delightful pops of color.  I love also love it when functional, easy-living furniture mingles with classical pieces. If my style was like a person, it would be like Marie Antoinette became a surfer ... make sense?

This room is great because I'm seeing classic pieces with naturally aged finishes paired with comfortable furniture and fun colors. I like how the room is wrapped in an earthy wood-planked surround, but when it's painted white it becomes cozy yet classy:

This child's room is fabulous because it's totally feminine but the color palette and finish selections makes it non-fussy and playful. I was totally the little girl who could play four hours alone in my bedroom with just my imagination for company. This room would have been my heaven on earth!

And instead of hosting a Ball in her Grand Hall, our "Beachy-Marie" would host a little dinner soiree in this fabulous dining room under a sky of reclaimed trestle wood (except we know she would choose a different color for her serviettes- probably a print with turquoise and coral):

 

FAVORITE BOOK: Ever since I graduated from college I haven't been able to get enough of good books! I've started taking interest in older gems- epic and adventurous stories that my mom or grandma may have read at my age- with strong, optimistic women as the main character. I recently read a book I will never forget: A Town Like Alice by Nevile Schute. As quoted in Goodreads: "A Town Like Alice tells of a young British woman who miraculously survived a Japanese prisoner of war march in World War II, and of an Australian soldier, also a prisoner of war, who offered to help her--even at the cost of his life..." It really is such an epic tale and you have to understand that it was written during a time when authors took extra care in developing their characters- you are rewarded by investing your time! I felt a deep connection with the characters because I slowly learned of their struggles and triumphs. And let's be honest people- I'm a sucker for a long drawn-out love story... just ask my husband (our story is quite drawn out too!). Here are some of the A Town Like Alice covers over the decades (don't judge a book by a corny 1960's cover):

FAVORITE GAME: And finally- I know you're all super excited to find out about my favorite game... BANG! Basically it's like that old sleepover game "Mafia" except it's a wild-west theme and you have cards to shoot, defend and cause all sorts of mayhem with. Like any wild-west town, you're either for the Sheriff or against him. And of course, sometimes you can't quite tell who's really on your side. My only advice is don't try and learn it on your own- have someone teach you because the instructions make it sound more complex than it really is. In fact, I made a little "new player" sheet for our friends, this will help tons when you're first learning! It is way fun to play! But make sure you pack this in your checked luggage and not your carry-on when traveling in the airport. Sam had it in his backpack when it went through the x-ray thingy and was stopped for "questioning". I told him it looked like a missile- but would he listen?!

Thank you SO much Devanie! 

I told you she was a writer; Surfer Marie-Antoinette? I love it. And if you haven't played BANG! find it, buy it, invite 6 or so friends over and play it. It's so incredibly fun. My brother (who you'll meet next week) introduced us all to this gem of a game and it's become a family staple. 

Thanks again, and I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Want to be a part of this series? I'd LOVE to have you! Email me at kadiekinney@gmail.com

Friday Faves: Modern Rust

Wow, I’ve been MIA this week. It’s been hectic. My husband’s grandmother died so we’ve been trying to make travel arrangements to get back to Kentucky for that. Work had a big deadline this week, and my little girl has decided to stay up until 9 every night now. Gotta love summertime!

But, I didn’t want to miss this post. This week I have another great designer friend from Modern Rust sharing her favorites with us. Brooke and I also went to design school together and basically fell in love over our Freshman Year design board assignment. And now, even though she’s in Canada, she’s one of my dearest friends (who’s also expecting TWINS! Yowza!)

Anyway, here’s what Brooke had to say about her favorites! Enjoy!

My favorite design trend right now would be mixing patterns.  From
pillows to wallpaper to window treatments I see fun patterns
everywhere and find the trend following fashion in seeing them mixed.
Chevron, stripes, florals, it all goes!

My favorite author. This one is hard. I will like a few books and then
hate others the same person has wrote.  Some favorites are Janet
Evanovich, John Grisham, and Jodi Picoult. Depending on the genre I
am in the mood for.

My favorite game of all time is Nertz. It's a fast paced card game and
I love love love it. All good memories involve playing this around my
aunts huge table with 10 or so cousins.

 

I’ve been to several of Brooke’s card parties, and let me tell you they’re intense. Nertz is so much fun. I included the diagram for anyone who doesn’t know how to play.

Thanks so much Brooke for being a part of my series! I love learning about my fellow bloggers!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Want to be a part of Friday Faves? I’d LOVE to have you! Email me at kadiekinney@gmail.com!

Friday Faves: Danielle Oakey Interiors

I'm so excited to kick off a new series I'm calling "Friday Faves." I've got several great designers and authors who will be stopping by to show off some different sides of their personality! First up I've got Danielle from Danielle Oakey Interiors. Danielle and I went to design school together and she's become my Fairy Blogmother, setting a stellar example of what to do in this blogging world, and showing off her impeccable style to boot (And did I mention our husbands are gaming buddies? It's true). I'm so excited to have her here today! 

Take it away Danielle:

Hi everyone, I am Danielle from Danielle Oakey Interiors.

I am thrilled to be here today.

 Kadie and I go way back.

We spent 4 long years enduring design school together, and somehow we both survived!

Kadie asked me to share my favorite design trend, book, and game.

So here we go...

My Favorite Design Trend:

Selecting my favorite was difficult for me but animal photography is a current love of mine.

I seem to be drawn to horses.

{image via here}

Especially when photographed in black & white.

{image via here}

I can't get enough.

{image via here}

 I wish I had one for my home.

Although, I did just purchase this amazing horse lamp from HomeGoods for $29.99.

 I guess that will fill my horse need :)

My Favorite Book:

Does Elle Decor count? Just kidding.

I don't get to read very often, but I did love 'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett.

I can't wait to see the movie.

{Image via here}

My Favorite Game:

{image via here}

I just happen to be a board game lover.

I could play Monopoly for hours.

I also might be a little competitive.

Let's just say, I play to win.

Thanks for having me Kadie!

xoxo

Danielle

I told you; incredibly style. I love that horse lamp! Thanks so much Danielle!

Come back every Friday to learn more about your fellow bloggers!

Want to be a part of my series? I'd LOVE to have you! Email me at kadiekinney@gmail.com!