Sister, Can You Spare A Dime?

 

 

Woodbourne:  Donated in 1926, the main building was once the summer home of philanthropist Enoch Pratt.

 

Maybe it’s the weather – we had to turn our air conditioner back on this week.  Or, it could be the landscaping – my yard is ablaze with pink roses that just bloomed.   Or it could be that in the past two days, the leaves on the trees have finally begun to fall.   Whichever it is – I got a shock when I tried to make an appointment for hair coloring for the following Saturday.  “Sorry, we’ll be closed”  - Closed?  But why?  “It’s Christmas Eve.”

I almost fainted.  Surely, Christmas wasn’t next week?   I don’t know how it crept up on me, but it did.   Next week?   Hopefully, you are better prepared than I am for this holiday season.    One other missing clue that Christmas was just around the corner was I hadn’t heard from Meg of Pigtown Design who works at Woodbourne.   For the past two years we have written a story about donations for Woodbourne, but it wasn’t until yesterday that Meg finally contacted me to say that the video had gone live.

 

 

Woodbourne located in Baltimore, was founded in 1798 to assist children who had suffered in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War.  Today, Woodbourne is a refuge for children and teenagers who need either guidance or a home.   Those referred to Woodbourne by city and state agencies have nowhere left to go for help.  These extreme cases are amongst the most difficult to treat.  They might have severe mental health issues, they might be traumatized by physical or mental abuse, or they might be suffering from drug addiction or they might come from homes where drug abuse is rampant.  Some youths seeking treatment at Woodbourne actually live there, hoping to reclaim their lives through the excellent treatment and education programs Woodbourne offers.

 

 

Each Christmas, these youth are videotaped by a professional – telling what they wish for Christmas.  Their wishes are a combination of their hopes and dreams for the season, along with a plea for a particular gift.  Meg, along with others who work at Woodbourne, take these donations and go shopping – hoping to fulfill their wish. 

This year, the children produced the video themselves – which was the cause for the delay.   I realize that everyone is busy and rushing around, but I ask that you please take the time to watch this short video and if you desire to make a donation to Woodbourne.  Each and every penny raised by this video goes directly towards purchasing a gift for these young people who will not otherwise receive a gift.

Their requests are simple, most ask for what our own children have and take for granted.  One child asks for a remote control helicopter, another wants a cell phone, one asks for a few CDs, while one teen wants a video game.   One teenaged girl asks for a cell phone…and her family.  Hopefully Woodbourne will receive enough funds to grant each child one wish. 

There are more requests not shown on the video:   one of the children asks for shoe-strings – not regular shoe strings, but the fat, colorful kind that teenagers put in their sneakers.   Many asked for batteries so they can play their hand-held games.   And as it is each year, a popular request is colored pens and pencils and sketch pads.

This is the third year I have shown the Woodbourne video, and I realize that times are hard right now with our bad economy.  Asking for a donation probably isn’t a very popular thing to do. But, if you are able to “spare a dime” – I know these young people will truly appreciate your generosity and caring spirit. You are their only chance at having just a small glimpse of the Christmas that we all share with our families.

 

To watch the video – just double click on the arrow below.  To donate, please follow this link HERE.  To donate actual items, look at the wish list HERE.

 

 

 

Thank you so very much for considering making a donation.

A NEW GIVEAWAY–JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!

 

Since I decided to take on sponsorships – which is a nicer way of saying advertisers – I’ve been surprised at the response!   Many vendors tell me that you readers frequently visit their web sites  and for that I am so very grateful.   For the first three years of writing this blog, I resisted taking on advertisers for different reasons.  Mostly, I didn’t want the blog to look like a big ad.   But last year I decided it was time to step up after realizing that most blogs do have sponsors and they look just fine.  Also, I found that I love going to my favorite blogs and clicking on their ads.  But then, I do love online shopping.  

On my own blog, I think that by keeping the ads just on the left sidebar, they don’t detract, but actually – are a positive addition for those who do like to shop online.  I have tried to have only those advertisers whose product is in keeping with the look and style of Cote de Texas.   Lastly, for the past 4 1/2 years of writing Cote de Texas, I find that I spend a majority of my time here, as opposed to doing interior design work, and it helps to make up that lost revenue with the ads.  

One unexpected benefit from taking advertisers is that they have been so generous with their giveaways.    I already have a few giveaways planned for the new year, and I anticipate even more throughout 2012.   Be sure to enter these contests – the odds are in your favor to eventually win something!    The giveaways are just a way of saying thank you for reading the blog and introducing you to all the sponsors.

 

 

Lewis and Sheron fabrics used in the above photograph.

 

Today’s giveaway is from a new vendor, Lewis and Sheron Textiles – a fabric and furniture shop in Atlanta that has a very large and quite popular online store.  Many of you are familiar with Lewis and Sheron, and probably have even bought fabric from them before.    Their fabrics are discounted and it’s especially wise to check out their stock particularly when you have a large curtain or sofa fabric order before ordering from somewhere else.  The savings can be phenomenal.   

I thought I would show you a few of my favorite fabrics that Lewis and  Sheron carry -

 

I’m crazy about this gray ikat and think it would make great curtains when designing with all white slipcovers.

 

For some fabrics, Lewis and Sheron recommends coordinating fabrics, which is a real plus when you aren’t using a designer.  This fabric would make great pillows and is a real trend item.

 

This fabric comes in several colors – I think it would be great on wing chairs or dining room chairs.

 

 

A classic ikat in blue and white – I love the recommended coordinates too.

 

Last year I wrote a blog story on saving money while buying fabrics.  Several of the fabrics were from Lewis and Sheron!  For instance:

 

This Carlton V fabric is so beautiful in blue and white.  Sara Gilbane.

 

This fabric from Lewis and Sheron is a great version of the Carlton V fabric – at a discounted price.

 

This Brunschwig and Fils suzani, Dzhambul, is very popular, as seen on these armchairs in Lonny.

 

And here, the same fabric used on shades.

 

Lewis and Sheron’s version is a really close match, as seen below: 

 

Jenny from Little Green Notebook, make her ottoman using the Lewis and Sheron suzani!  It looks amazingly the same as the original.  I can’t see any difference in the fabrics – except in the price!

 

Sally Wheat’s living room (before she redid it – it looks nothing like this now!) had two KWID trellis covered vintage chairs.    This trellis is one of the most popular fabrics out there.

 

Lewis and Sheron’s trellis is a close second.  They have several trellis patterns – you can pick which one you think is the best version of Wearstler’s fabric.

 

I used this brown and cream damask earlier this year in this living room.  The fabric came from the Houston Decorative Center.

 

I think this is the same exact fabric from Lewis and Sheron – at such a discounted price!

 

I used this fabric for a client earlier this year – which also came from the Houston Decorative Center.

 

And at Lewis and Sheron – this is a good match, for quite a discount.

So, you can see it is really beneficial to shop the Lewis and Sheron website when looking for fabrics!!

 

AND, NOW…..

 

THE GIVEAWAY:

In celebration of their becoming a sponsor on Cote de Texas – Lewis and Sheron is offering a $100 Gift Certificate to the lucky winner.

In order to participate, you must first go to the Lewis and Sheron web site HERE and pick out the fabric you like best.

Then, come back here to the blog and leave your fabric choice in a comment.  Be sure your email address is included!

The winner will be chosen this Saturday at 11:59 pm, when the contest closes.

A huge thank you to Lewis and Sheron for the giveaway.