Living a beautiful life

Have you read any of Alexandra Stoddards books? She has many, but my favorite one is in "Living a Beautiful Life". She points out that every day is special and we should celebrate and pamper ourselves in little ways, like using our fine crystal to sip water from at lunch, not just saving it for only for the Thanksgiving dinner table, and lighting candles to add romance to a room, even when we are home all alone.
I decided that when I moved to my new-to-me-place I was going to treat myself to some absolutely FABULOUS bedding..on sale or not. I deserve it. I am going to live a beautiful life. It would be my housewarming gift to myself.
I told myself that when, and IF I ever found what I considered perfect-for-me, I would buy it - without looking at the price tag.  I am quite sure I've shared this before, but I am thrifty. Just my nature. I like to find things on sale, uncover a bargain, shop the clearance tables.
Well, I did discover some pretty, perfect bedding. Loved the colors, Loved the print. Looooooved the feel of the fabrics (I am a very textural person by nature…it has to feel good) so, I bought it. Ralf Lauren. Fabulous. Really fabulous. On sale, but just barely. I had to not look at the total when I signed the debit card slip. I winced, but reminded myself that darn it,  I am worth it. (You know, one of those moments like the character, Jack Handey, who used to do "Deep Thoughts"on Saturday Night Live)
I take my big bags of bedding home, determined that the entire room will  have the “perfect-for-me” look. The look that says “This is my sanctuary. I am soooo comfortable here that I never want to leave”. This means I need the perfect wall color, and the perfect ceiling color. Sound easy? Not so much.
I decide I simply must have the enchanting muddy robins egg blue-green for the walls. I take a pillow sham to Home Depot for the computer in the paint department to match up.  The guy at the Depot says no problem and mixes me up a gallon. I scurry home and slap some on the wall. Wow, muddy camouflage gray green. Sad. Depressing actually. No, no. This will not do. Back to the Depot. Re-mix. Back home. More murky green with a touch less gray. Blech!…I decide to mix it on my own. I can do this, I know I can.  I mix in some blue I have for my vintage furniture and a bit of white…a bit more of the white…Voila! I have had a moment of excellence right here in my bedroom! I am thrilled beyond words.
If I didn’t have to get up so early for my grown up girl job this morning I would have painted the entire room last night while watching the Golden Globe Awards. Alas today is only Tuesday and I do have to go to my grown up girl job, so all I have painted is a nice sized splotch behind the headboard.
I love it, I love it, I love it! (Like that girl on Saturday Night Live does…hmmm, maybe I am watching too much late night TV on the weekends.) It is perfect. Really. Perfect. I think I am in love with Ralph (as in Lauren...) My photo does not do it justice.
Oh yes, I am going to be positively blissfully happy and content in this room for years and years to come.