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Favorite Things

a slice of life

Neat Steam Cleaner Review

When I shared about the progress in the ensuite bathroom a couple of weeks ago, the thing I was asked about most was the steam cleaner I bought to keep the tile, grout, and glass clean!  So, in this post, I’m sharing the brand of steam cleaner I bought and offering a review for those who are interested in purchasing a steam cleaner. First of all, I have used a steam mop to clean my hard floors for years.  I love my steam mop so much that I’ve given them as gifts.  It is definitely my favorite way to clean tile, sealed wood, and even my painted studio floors.  It gets the floors squeaky clean and sanitized and doesn’t require any cleaners or chemicals.  My steam mop (I currently have the older version of THIS ONE) does come with some attachments, but it really is best to use on the

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a slice of life

September’s Books of the Week

Can you believe we’re already well into October?  This year seems so long yet so short.  I must say that I have really enjoyed sharing the books of the week on Instagram and here on the blog.  I love pouring over resource books and I have loved sharing some of my new and old favorites with you.  I still have so many more books left to share and I know there will always be new ones, so I’m starting to consider if I’ll keep sharing the books of the week feature into 2021.  Let me know if you enjoy them and want to read more reviews. For now, here are my books of the week for September 2020… If you are into portraits, drawing, or John Singer Sargent, this book is a must!  It is absolutely gorgeous and one of my favorite JSS books ever.  I have several of them,

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a slice of life

August’s Books of the Week

Just so I’m not sharing my August Books of the Week in October or November, I’m getting back on schedule and sharing them in mid-September!  It’s just been a busy season of life and I know many of you are experiencing the same thing.  It’s been so much better for me now that all of the big projects (and the upheaval that comes with them) are winding down, the boys are back at school, and Jeff is back at work.  We’re all settling back into a routine. I have been able to visit Barnes & Nobel in person, which I have absolutely loved!  I almost always walk out with something (well, I pay for it first), even if it’s just a magazine.  When we went last week, I thought that I wouldn’t find much since I was just there a couple of weeks prior, but I still found several books

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a slice of life

July 2020 Favorite Books of the Week

Well, here we are in September talking about my favorite books in July!  Well, that’s just how it goes sometimes.  I’ve been running a little behind lately on things that can be delayed, so I can focus on things that are more pressing or important.  August was busy with projects, my parents visiting, and getting the boys ready to go back to school.  I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed the rhythm and structure (and quiet focused time) that comes with them being in school.  It’s been such a gift, but I know that it’s precarious and uncertain and I just need to take whatever each new day brings. The September air is getting crisp and the leaves are already starting to turn and I’m ready for it. Anyway, before we move into more fall-related things, here are my books of the weeks featured in July… I think I love

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a slice of life

June’s Books of the Week

It’s hard to believe we’re over halfway through the year!  Time flies when you’re stuck at home doing projects!  I have really missed my regular outings to Barnes & Noble, but I have been ordering newly released and used books online and have pulled out some of my favorite books to share from my stash.  So here are my picks for June’s Books of the Week… I bought this book shortly after it came out, in one of my last in-person trips to B&N this year.  It is such a sweet, encouraging, and inspiring book of poetry.  Her words and writing style resonated with me and it seemed fitting to select it as my pick on this particular week.   This poem is one of my favorites… If you don’t follow Morgan on Instagram, I would highly suggest it.  She shares her poetry and art there as well. Barb Blair

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a slice of life

June’s Books of the Week

It’s hard to believe we’re over halfway through the year!  Time flies when you’re stuck at home doing projects!  I have really missed my regular outings to Barnes & Noble, but I have been ordering newly released and used books online and have pulled out some of my favorite books to share from my stash.  So here are my picks for June’s Books of the Week… I bought this book shortly after it came out, in one of my last in-person trips to B&N this year.  It is such a sweet, encouraging, and inspiring book of poetry.  Her words and writing style resonated with me and it seemed fitting to select it as my pick on this particular week.   This poem is one of my favorites… If you don’t follow Morgan on Instagram, I would highly suggest it.  She shares her poetry and art there as well. Barb Blair

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a slice of life

favorite recent online garden purchases (and savings)

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by Wikibuy.  All opinions expressed in this post are honest and my own. I shared about Wikibuy a few weeks ago and have continued to use it while shopping online (which I’m doing a lot more these days!)  I say “use it”, but I really don’t have to do anything.  I simply shop and, when I’m checking out, the friendly Wikibuy box will pop into the top right corner automatically and let me know if there are coupon codes to try or if Wikibuy Credits are available with the purchase.   I am generally an online shopper, anyway.  It was a habit that was started when we moved to a two-stoplight town in PA that was 30-40 minutes from most stores.  But I’ve learned that it’s a quicker way to find exactly when I’m looking for.   And these days, we’re ordering almost everything online, even

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a slice of life

the handmade needlebook

Well, I spent the morning writing and then planning and making some purchases for upcoming projects.  I am excited to get a few rooms that are underway finished (like the master bedroom and sewing room) and I’ll be starting some new projects that have been on my list for a while.  This is how it seems to go for me.  For a few months, I’ll work on small, quieter projects like painting and tweaking, making slipcovers, etc…stuff I can do myself that is relatively inexpensive.  And then, all at the same time, I’ll start some larger projects that we’ve been planning and budgeting for.  It’s exciting and nerve-wracking simultaneously! Of course, I’ll be sharing more along the way… But, today, I’m sharing about a lovely gift I received from a woman who has become a dear friend to me – Mary of Trout Lily Hill.  She is one of the sweetest

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I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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