A FUN TRIP AND A BOTANICAL THEME

I am so excited to say that my birthday trip to New Orleans is booked and we leave in two weeks. My birthday was in February but I wanted to go when the weather was warmer here and we could hop right in to summer. Sounds strange, I know. We are staying at an inn called HH Whitney House. Above and below are pictures from the website. If anyone has stayed there, give me your feedback. It really sounds like a nice place with 5 rooms and a courtyard with a pool. That sounds private and I like it. I also prefer B & B's over hotels, we always meet the nicest people.
Part of our trip involves renting a car and driving to Natchez, Mississippi to visit Christine from Christine's Home And Travel Adventures. It has been a year since we met Christine and her husband John here in Chicago and I can't wait to see her again! I will take a lot of pictures!
I apologize that these pictures are in black and white. I didn't mean for them to be. Somehow, that is the setting on my camera and I don't know how to change it. This is a picture of a plate I won in a giveaway from Mary at Little Red House. I have it on the glass table in my family room which we are in the middle of redecorating. I had been debating what sort of way I wanted the room to go, the kind of artwork I wanted, and when I put the plate in there, it hit me. I am going to go with a botanical theme. More plants and some botanical prints on the walls. I have heard of people designing rooms around one item or piece or color, but that has never happened to me. So thank you, Mary, for sending this beautiful piece of inspiration.
I also won this little dish or trinket that I am using in my newly painted bath to hold Q~tips. It is white and gold and the perfect size.
This is a closer view. Thanks again, Mary. The soap dish, dispenser and cotton ball container are from the Pottery Barn clearance page online. I am so hooked on clearance prices at these shops, I am starting to feel like an old pro. I finally found a Goodwill store near me, I shouldn't say found...I can't locate it even on the Mapquest!! It is really difficult in the city to find things because if you go too slow, you make other drivers angry and if you drive too fast, you may miss the place!! So I have tried twice and can't find it so I am going to call. I HAVE to see this place!!


That's all I have today. The Husband and I are off to La Fiesta for Mexican Food. Happy Cinco de Mayo!