My battle with breast cancer started at 38

Breast Cancer Awareness Acorns

At age 38, two weeks after my first mammogram, I found a lump under my arm in the shower.  I wasn't concerned, the mammogram report was all thumbs up.  But I sailed into my doctor's office 5 days later expecting an antibiotic... or something... and could you hurry?  I've got a few errands to do.  Next thing I knew, he was writing a prescription for a sedative and saying I shouldn't be alone.  I looked at him like he was nuts.  But I was shaking.

Many days, tests and doctors later confirmed it... Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 2B.  It had gone to my lymph nodes and I faced a very long stretch of chemo, radiation and surgery (7 to date, but who's counting?).  To make it more complicated, I had a less common type of cancer - triple negative.  I went through every bit of treatment including extra chemo to participate in a drug trial.  But just 7 months after I was done and my hair was coming back, the cancer came back.  I'm a single mom and telling my three children was one of the most difficult moments in my life.

As I write, I can tell you I don't think about the odds they gave me.  I guess because I just don't believe them.  But I wanted to do something to push the research along because, even though we hear they've made great strides in the battle against breast cancer - there's still a long way to go.  So I started creating my acorns in pink - with pink ribbon - and I'm donating a 10% of the sales to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  I'm 2 years into the countdown of 5 years hoping to remain cancer free.  And I'm holding my breath.

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My shopping trip to the Arhaus store

Arhaus opened a store near me about 2 years ago.  It's filled with great furniture, lighting and accessories - with a pretty broad range of prices.  I've purchased a few decorative items but not any furniture pieces.  I was in there the other day and snapped a few not so great photos with my iPhone.  I thought you'd want to catch a glimpse.  They do a magnificent job styling the space so it's always fun just to walk through since it changes up quite often!!!

Adding the ribbon acorns to the shop

Brown paper packages tied up with string.... or ribbons adorned with acorns... It's clever and seasonal and easy to make.... The wool is needle felted and shaped, attached to a real acorn cap with a drilled hole for the ribbon.  Easy peasy!  Or, you can just buy them because your to-do list is longer than your arm.  Embellish a package, decorate your feather tree or use as a napkin ring, there's no end to what you can do with the acorns on ribbons.  Ornaments and adornments!   Available in my shop at shop.theWoolAcorn.com

Shop.theWoolAcorn.com

Look what I bought this weekend!

I know, it's from IKEA and I'm a grown-up (mostly) but I really loved it.  And I think it's going to be grand in the dining room!  We don't use our dining room very often, but this is going to add a real element of surprise to Christmas Eve, don't you think?  It's enormous at 32 inches in diameter.   I've heard it might be difficult to keep clean so I'll keep you posted.  Now... what to do with the old chandelier????   hmmmmm....

Ikea PS Collection Maskros Pendant

Yes, little one, you can use those markers on the wall

Dying to write on the walls?  Idea Paint is your solution.  It turns any surface into a dry erase surface.  You know... those white boards that you can color on with special markers and it just wipes right off?  Think of blackboard paint... but it's white and there's no chalk.  Available online at IdeaPaint.com and at some Lowe's stores.

Rue Magazine just went live!

Rue is the newest online magazine for all the home inspiration you've been looking for since, well.... a long time.  Here's the cover, but follow the link to see the entire first issue!  RueMag.com

Lighting in the Anthropologie store in Burlington, Massachusetts

I took some {bad} pictures with my cell phone of these captivating light fixtures in the Anthropologie store in Burlington, MA.  They are made out of sheets of paper that hang from an old bicycle wheel.  I asked questions, I snapped pictures, and then I had to leave because I was making a bit too much of a fuss.  They don't sell them, they're just a prop, man.  {Hint:  Anthro, if you sell them, people will buy them}

Whipped up some acorns in new colors

I whipped up some new colors in the acorns!!!  And I've been working on my photography - took some new pictures yesterday.  These are the needle felted acorns that are for sale on my website and the pinecone trees I made for Christmas (you can find them on the cover of Holiday Crafts magazine).  I don't think I'll be making the trees this year... just putting together DIY kits that you can purchase on my website.

TheWoolAcorn.com


And finding some new blogger friends in the process here: 

A giveaway at The House of Turquoise

Have you seen this blog?  Erin manages to find the most extraordinary photos... all in shades of turquoise!  And now she's having a giveaway with lots of fun things (everything is turquoise, of course) to celebrate her 30th birthday.  Click here...

Great dining tables

Each is unique, all are great.

From Fresh Home and Pale and Interesting

Update your chandelier with new bulbs

It's a small detail, but look at these light bulbs!!!  They add just a little bit of funky to a chandlier.  Of course, this chandelier is fantastic as is.  But look at these light bulbs!  From Jayson Home and Garden.

The chandelier chandelier

Functional, clever, with just a hint of drama.  It's not really a "chandelier".  But it looks like one.  Sort of.  From Lekker Home at just $395.

Anchors in a hurricane

Hurricane Earl is on the way today.   These anchor andirons could almost be justified as a necessity.

Creative ways to hang wallpaper

Looking for a different way to use your wallpaper?  Check these out.  All papers are from Walnut Wallpaper.

Frankly my dear...

You could have a frankly my dear moment on any of these staircases, right?