I suppose the perfect way to describe this latest staycation would be "cocooning." Ann Kelly, in the midst of a kitchen renovation thanks to Floor and Decor,  just enjoying life around the house and in my favorite shops looking for new treasures to spice things up around here! I need to stay out of Homegoods. It’s counter installation day with Paul and Henry from Samec Tile and Marble Inc, and I'm also heading back over to Floor and Decor in Clearwater to make a change in our backsplash plans. My installers from Ceramic Creations did notice something with the glass tile we were planning to use as an accent. Next to the beveled tile, it looks great. But. The thickness is just a little too under to work perfectly and we don't want to see that raw edge of the other tile. Not a problem with the great selection they have on site at Floor and Decor; I went to the Clearwater store and Patty, their in store decorator, came up with a stunning alternative. We're going with a Desert Durango Travertine Tile with a bevelded edge, and we'll also use a Metallic Bronze Deco Medallion for an accent. Take a look and tell me what you think. I love it!

    While I was up early and waiting for the guys to arrive and enjoying one of my homemade protein shakes, I was surfing the net a bit and found an interesting article on Fox on ready to go breakfast drinks. Since my own kitchen is not exactly ready to go, I might check into these. Always love an alternative to protein bars. I’ve also managed to come up with a few new little projects to keep me out of the installers way (of course I offered to help!) and to make better use of the space I do have. The spices need to come out of the pantry and closer to the cooking area, and a really nice shelf I found in a vintage shop is going to work nicely. A vintage look with a tile mosaic on the shelves is just one special touch for Kelly’s Kitchen. That, and taking inventory of all the plates, glasses and other party supplies that just haven’t been used enough lately. We’ll change that with a house "re-warming" party soon. It’s been pointed out to me more than once that the dessert room I’ve always featured at past parties needs to be resurrected...now!

   One more way to stay out of the way...clean out that closet and let’s make better use of the space. Which I have, and someone please tell me why I need that many t-shirts?! Since entertaining is a big part of Kelly’s Kitchen, I needed some cool way to keep my bigger necklaces nick free. Hello cigar boxes neatly stashed away for this! Time to drag out the remnants, batting, glue gun and whatever else I can come up with to make them special. Could be something neat for the kitchen as well. I’d be embarrassed to tell you how may of those little spreader knives I have, but I think condensing them and keep them handy will only enable the party animal in me more! Check out a few more suggestions here. Life in the Cigar City of Tampa just got more interesting.

   So here’s the latest look at what’s going on in Kelly’s Kitchen, and what the pros at Floor and Decor could be doing for you. If you’re not the world’s greatest do-it-yourselfer, but just fall in love with so much in their huge inventory, you can do what I’ve done and let their professional decorator give you advice, and their pros step in to make your dreams come true, like they are in Kelly’s Kitchen.

It’s all good.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others - Mahatma Gandhi

*Ann Kelly is a paid endorser for Floor and Decor