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guest post - lemondrop dreams

Hey my friends! I hope you all are enjoying my vacation as much as I am. :) Before I get to my dear friend Colleen, I wanted to let you know I'm also revealing a makeover today at The Mustard Ceiling on an old piece of (literal) trash. Check it out...after you read Colleen!


Hello all you lovely Little Black Door readers!  I’m Colleen from lemonDrop dreams…I was just giddy when Elizabeth asked me to guest post on her blog…I stumbled across Elizabeth’s blog via another blog a while back and have been an addict ever since!
Today I’m going to share with you my fancy new custom made slipcovers
I went from this…
008
007
To this…
008
006

Quite a punch in the face, no??  Since the base of the room  is now done it’s time to do some zhushing…rug, art and my personal favorite, PILLOWS!!
Here are some options I’m considering…
for the green couch, because really, what’s better than green and leopard??
Leopard Print Linen Blend 17" Pillow Cover
Leopard Print Cotton Velvet 17" Pillow Cover
And since I love to add a little bit of quirk around my house these would be good with the polka dots…
Hug Needlepoint Kit - small
If only this were true…
I wonder if I can DIY this…
So there you have it ladies (& gents)…Hope you enjoyed my humble abode!!
Thanks again Elizabeth for inviting me over for a little show & tell!!

The Difference Between rEbublicns and dEmocrats? Nothing Really...

The Difference Between rEbublicns and dEmocrats? Nothing Really...
by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty
-vs- Tyranny


One thing about the democrats; aka progressives is they sure love to call everyone a liar. Everyone that isn't in lockstep agreement with their failed policies. Funny thing is the same can be said of them. Perhaps even to a greater extent.

You be the judge...



Charlotte – Greetings from the California delegation breakfast at the DNC where before he had a cup of coffee Democratic Party Chair John Burton – much like his ol’ palGuv Jerry Brown once did – just compared the Republicans to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels, for “telling the big lie,” a reference to several falsehoods GOP VP nominee Paul Ryan recently told.

“They lie and they don’t care if people think they lie… Joseph Goebbels – it’s the big lie, you keep repeating it,” Burton said Monday before the Blake Hotel breakfast. He said Ryan told “a bold-faced lie and he doesn’t care that it was a lie. That was Goebbels, the big lie.”

Reminded that Brown drew heat for comparing the messaging of Meg Whitman’s 2010 GOP gubernatorial campaign to Goebbels, he said sarcastically, “(Bleep) that’s right, she won the election!

Burton shrugged at Brown getting in trouble. “He won it big. Goddam he was in trouble.”

Burton is incensed by the distortions uttered by Ryan, who he referred to as a “horse’s ass.” (Although, as you’ll see in the below video, the Chairman is a bit off on his facts, too. Then-Sen. Obama was a candidate when he made comments about a GM plant.)

There’s a difference between lying and embellishing, Burton said. “Everybody who has run for office has embellished – except for me of course,” said the longtime politician. But if you can’t trust someone on the basic facts, he said, how can you trust them to tell you the truth on Medicare?

Of course the disingenuous Burton was forced into making the following retraction.

UPDATE: In response to the uproar over his (below) comments Monday, California Democratic Party Chair John Burton issued this statement: “To correct press reports of my recent comments about Republican lies, I did not call Republicans Nazis nor would I ever. In fact, I didn’t even use the word. “If Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, or the Republicans are insulted by my describing their campaign tactic as the big lie – I most humbly apologize to them or anyone who might have been offended by that comment.”

So, which is the truth? You be the judge.

While considering the question at hand also consider the record and the platform of Libertarian Candidate Gary Johnson. A man of integrity, decency, experience, intelligence, and COMMON SENSE solutions.

Via: Memeorandum

Why Gary Johnson Should be on the Presidential Debate Stage...

Why Gary Johnson Should be on the Presidential Debate Stage...
by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty -vs- Tyranny


Five Reasons why Gary Johnson, Libertarian candidate for President should be included in all Presidential debates. Article by Nick Sloan of THE KANSAS CITY KANSAN

1. Johnson has a proven political career. Johnson was twice elected as Governor of New Mexico, meaning he's won more gubernatorial elections than Romney has and the same amount of general elections as Obama. This is not an Al Sharpton or Ralph Nader type candidate who hasn't won a thing. Johnson was the sitting governor of a state and there are only 50 individuals who can say that right now. While I understand the idea of a polling requirement to qualify for the debate, Johnson deserves an exemption here. He has the political background to receive some debate time.

2. After the countless political ads and conventions, can we really say we don't know Romney or Obama? Presidential debates are built up as the time when America is introduced to the candidates, but America has already been introduced to these individuals. Outside of the speeches by Chris Christie, Clint Eastwood and Rand Paul, I did not watch a second of the Republican National Convention. Outside of maybe Bill Clinton's speech, I probably won't be watching the Democratic National Convention. I already know who Romney and Obama are.

Meanwhile, America doesn't know who Johnson is - and that's not necessarily his fault. It's tough for a third-party candidate to compete against countless airtime for the Democratic and Republican conventions. It's also tough when you have three cable news networks uttering the words "Obama and Romney" 24 hours, 7 days a week. If the media covered Johnson more, I imagine his polling would reflect it. He's a long-shot candidate not because of his political career or stance on the issues. He's a long shot because of the two-party system and the media.

3. Johnson could make the other two candidates better. A great thing about a presidential primary is the fact the candidates normally feed off of each other because of the competition. For example, I thought Obama became a great candidate because of the lengthy battle he had with Hillary Clinton in 2008. I also thought Romney shined after Newt Gingrich destroyed him in the 2012 South Carolina primary election. Having Johnson on stage could sharpen the debate - and quite frankly, we need better debates in this nation.

4. According to one Website, Johnson would be a strong candidate if people voted on how they actually really felt about the issues. The Website ISideWith.com is a political survey site where readers can fill out a survey and find their ideal candidate. In many states, Johnson is competitive based on the amount of surveys filled out. He currently leads in the states of Texas, Arizona and Georgia - three good states to win on election night. He's also within one or two percentage points in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania - three more really nice delegate states. If Johnson was given more media time and allowed in the debates, the 2012 election would be a legitimate three-way race.

5. If you measure up all three candidates in terms of the most important issue in this campaign, Johnson wins hands down. The most important issue is jobs. The American economy is still struggling and unemployment is still above 8 percent in America, with the underemployment rates much higher. As Governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003, the amount of job growth during Johnson's two terms was 11.6 percent. During Romney's time as Governor of Massachusetts, job growth in the state ranked 47th out of 50th. It may be unfair to give all the credit or criticism to politicians when it comes to job growth. However, those are the numbers. Johnson's numbers are the best if you look at side to side. Why doesn't he get to debate?

Read more here.

Celebrating Labor Day and National Empty Chair Day...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty -vs- Tyranny


As the nation celebrates Labor Day...


... isn't about time we fill the empty chair with something other than air?

Find some great commentary and links over at Legal Insurrection.

Via: Memeorandum

Dinner at Soho House New York : the outfit




 As I told you a few days ago, I was invited to a dinner party at the Soho House New York, organized by Bib & Tuck Forward Fashion Project. It was my first invitation that I could attend since I had my blog, and it was a wonderful night! I had the pleasure to see and meet bloggers as Alicia Lund from Cheetah is the new black and Christine from My style pill and also stand at the table with Danielle Snyder, Co -founder, Dannijo, Liz Doupnik ,Fashion Editor StyleCaster, Jordan Potter, Public Relations Yigal Azrouel , Farryn Weiner , Director of Social Media Michael Kors and many more... Unfortunately I could't take any photos because of the low light, but I have a promise from a lovely photographer that I will receive some photos from the event and I will make a post with it .
That night , I was wearing a baby blue vintage dress and my favorite animal print pumps. It was a simple look with a mix of Bittersweet Colours. These photos were taken right before the Dinner on the Hight Line By Bogdan :)
It was a great, great experience and I want to thank Sari Bibliowicz for everything !



                                                                          Dress: vintage
                                                                          Shoes: Daniblack / similar Here
                                                                          Bag: Innue/ another great design Here
                                                                          Ring : from my friend Tarhuna Bijoux Here
                                                                          Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren





guest post - my crafty home life

Hello Little Black Door Readers! I'm Linda, from the blog My Crafty Home Life.  Elizabeth is at the beach, as you all may know...so she asked me to help fill the blank pages while she is gone. Yes, I know, I call that RPP (Rich People Problems). 

Nevertheless, I'm always game to play on someone else's blog. Recently I did a gallery wall with my collection of Chinoiserie Paint-By-Numbers.




As loyal readers of LBD, I know you are familiar with the fact that Elizabeth knows how to rock a gallery wall.




In fact, when I was working on mine I emailed her for help. Hours went by, then...finally, she emailed me back saying she was sorry....she was at the pool...YUP RPP!

I'm over it...I did it without her. Today, I would like to give you some tips for buying Paint-By-Number prints...and a perdition on an upcoming trend. Let's start with the trend


Apartment Therapy


Eric Roth Photography via Canadian House & Home


See it? No, I am not suggesting that the Equestrian Chic trend is a prediction. It has already made the rounds on many blogs. Here is my prediction







When you put Equestrian Chic together with Paint-By-Numbers...what do you get?



Country Living


Yes! That is my prediction...OK, Country Living may have caught on a tad bit before me...but they didn't do a galley wall with horses.

Now that we know what we are hunting for, here are my tips....

Shopping for Paint-By-Number horse prints on EBAY

1. Know how to word search. Remember we want prints already painted.

A quick search under "used paint by number horse" brought up a total of (23) prints. Here is a sample of the search.


Sold here
$7.99 + Free Shipping!



This Pair
Sold Here
$29.99 + Free Shipping



This Pair

Sold Here
$45.95 + $15.95 Shipping

Which brings me to tip number 2

2. Set a price limit...and stick to it!!

Let's face it, the third option from above is way out of line. I would suspect that after horse prints become hot, that seller would stand a better chance. Remember, it never feels good to pay too much for anything.

A word search under "vintage horse paint by number" resulted in (36) prints.

One of the auctions that did not show up with the first search is this one



Sold Here
$9.99 + $5.35 Shipping

To me, this is by far the best deal and choice so far. Three paintings that are all vintage and in original black frames.

My final tip
3. Be patient and check back. A collection takes time. Trust me, whatever you see....it will come again if you miss it this time. Sometimes, the next option is better than the one that got away.

Now just for fun, I thought I would show you this one


Sold Here
The price? Are you sitting down? $99.99 + $18.15 for Shipping

As Elizabeth would say, "Does that include the crack you are smoking, or is that separate?" 

Those are my secrets for collecting Paint-By-Number prints. If you are currently collecting horse prints...sorry! This probably gave you a bit of competition. 

Thanks for having me, Elizabeth. I hope you come back with a few new cocktail recipes.

muslim imam arrested...desecrating Quran

muslim imam arrested...desecrating Quran

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A Muslim cleric is accused of stashing pages of a Quran in a Christian girl's bag to make it seem like she burned the Islamic holy book, a surprising twist in a case that caused an international outcry over the country's strict blasphemy laws. Pakistani police arrested Khalid Chishti late Saturday after a member of the cleric's mosque accused the imam of planting evidence as a way to push the Christians out of the neighborhood. Chishti denied the charges Sunday while being led to court in shackles, wearing a white blindfold. "I have not done anything wrong.

 This is all fabrication," he defiantly told reporters. The imam's arrest could release the girl, who supporters say is mentally handicapped, out of prison, where she faces a life sentence if convicted of charges she desecrated the Quran. A bail hearing is scheduled for Monday. But Christians who fled the neighborhood when the girl was arrested worry about the use of laws that critics say are often abused to settle scores or target minorities. "We all are suffering," said Somera Ashraf, a Christian woman from the girl's neighborhood. Ashraf and her family fled the neighborhood with many other Christians when the blasphemy allegations came to light, fearing retribution. She only recently returned but still doesn't feel safe.

 Police said Chishti planted pages of a Quran in a shopping bag containing burned papers and ash that had been carried by the Christian girl. The bag was then submitted as evidence to the police. A member of his mosque came forward Saturday — more than two weeks after the girl's arrest — and accused the imam of planting the evidence, said the investigating officer, Munir Jaffery. The case has shone an uncomfortable spotlight on the punishments for violating Pakistan's blasphemy laws and caused an uproar in the country, largely because of the girl's age and questions about her mental capacity.

 The girl's supporters say she is 11 years old and has Down syndrome; a medical board said she was about 14 and that her mental age didn't match her physical age. The Associated Press does not generally identify juveniles under 18 who are accused of crimes and is withholding her name. The girl's lawyer, Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, said the imam's arrest proves his client is innocent and said he will likely move to throw the case out on Monday. Rarely if ever are people who bring blasphemy charges investigated or arrested for misuse of the law.

 Ali Dayan Hasan, head of Human Rights Watch in Pakistan, said the decision to act against the cleric was "unprecedented." "What it indicates is a genuine attempt at investigation rather than blaming the victim, which is what normally happens in blasphemy cases," said Hasan. "They are actually taking a look at incitement to violence and false allegations. It is a welcome and positive development." Few leaders have been willing to tackle the contentious issue after two prominent politicians who criticized the law were murdered last year. One was shot by his own bodyguard, who then attracted adoring crowds. Outside the Islamabad mosque where the imam worked, local Muslim residents said the charges against their religious leader were trumped up by a fellow mosque member who had caused problems in the past. If anything, they said there hasn't been enough punishment of people accused of blasphemy, residents said.

 "There is no problem in the blasphemy laws and its procedures," said Malik Qadir. "Whenever there is a blasphemy case in Pakistan, we never see any punishment. This is just a wrong policy of the government," said Hafiz Tariq Mahmood. Even the girl's lawyer, Chaudhry, said he believed in the law and only wanted to make sure it wasn't misused. Many local residents said they still believed the girl to be guilty, and maintained that she was old enough to be responsible for her alleged crimes. A court hearing is scheduled Monday to decide whether to grant the girl bail, a decision that's already been delayed twice. A lawyer for the man who brought the complaint against the girl, Rao Abdur Raheem, claimed police were under pressure from higher-ups to soften the case.

 "This deliberate twist in the case is aimed at discouraging complaints under the blasphemy law," he said in court Sunday. Most of the Christian families fled the Islamabad neighborhood where the incident happened, fearing retribution after the arrest. Ashraf said she is still so worried for her children's safety that she won't let them go to school or even the nearby market. She said she returned because she had few options. "Wherever we went people were gathering and saying, "No Christians can live here,'" she said. __ Associated Press writers Sebastian Abbot and Zarar Khan contributed to this report. __ Rebecca Santana can be reached at http://twitter.com/@ruskygal Tweet Facebook LinkedIn Google Plus Print LikeNo Post as … Red Green 24 minutes ago Poor girl. I feel sorry for her. She did nothing wrong reply Charles Bryan Baron 28 minutes ago What do you expect from a society that values fatwas above freedom. This Taliban totalitarianism needs to stop and Pakistan needs to be dragged into the 21st century.

 It is high time that the barbarian mores of executing people for "blasphemy" need to be abolished. There is absolutely no reason to kill or even arrest a person for ripping up a religious book. reply davidgoldmandg Today 06:20 AM One word - Pukistan reply antiincumbent Today 08:26 AM Nutty society. reply David Chura 1 minute ago How can anyone trust this religion when  A Muslim cleric is accused of stashing pages of a Quran in this girls belongings. They are supposed to practice what they preach.

We wonder if this cleric will get the death penalty? They should practice what they preach! reply David Chura 5 minutes ago If  A Muslim cleric is accused of stashing pages of a Quran How can anyone trust these people (period!) Especially if he has done it, Then not anyone of this religious group can be trusted! They are supposed to practice what they teach. LIARS all of them! reply Charles Bryan Baron 24 minutes ago Where is the United States Secretary of State when this outrage happens in pakistan? CONDEMN IT SECRETARY CLINTON! This girls screams in jail cry out to you and all freedom loving people. reply Charles Bryan Baron 26 minutes ago and now all the wonderful talibans of the world will now issue a fatwa against me.

 Well, you have already cursed me because I have a Jew a YAHUD! reply terrykd Today 08:53 AM All I can think of is that poor poor girl. I just can't imagine. I want to cry for her. reply

Obama Basically Bombs with the Troops...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty  -vs- Tyranny


Obama Fort Bliss: US President Barack Obama addresses troops inside the 1st Aviation Support Battalion Hangar August 31, 2012 at Fort Bliss, Texas. (Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Judging from the response President Obama received from the Troops on August 31st it looks like the Commander in Chief certainly hasn't impressed them. Imagine that.

THE DAILY CALLER - President Barack Obama was greeted with fleeting applause and extended periods of silence as he offered profuse praise to soldiers and their families during an Aug. 31 speech in Fort Bliss, Texas.

His praise for the soldiers — and for his own national-security policies — won cheers from only a small proportion of the soldiers and families in the cavernous aircraft-hangar.

The audience remains quiet even when the commander-in-chief thanked the soldiers’ families, and cited the 198 deaths of their comrades in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The audience’s reaction was so flat that the president tried twice to elicit a reaction from the crowd.

“Hey, I hear you,” he said amid silence.

The selected soldiers who were arrayed behind the president sat quietly throughout the speech.

CNN and MSNBC ended their coverage of the speech before it was half-over.

The president’s speech to the soldiers is part of his constitutional duties as commander-in-chief.

But Obama and his wife are also trying to reach out to military families in several critical swing-states, including Virginia and Florida

That outreach, however, has been damaged by repeated flubs from the White House, including its public emphasis on soldiers’ wounds rather than on their accomplishments, and Obama’s effort to distance himself from the anti-jihad campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For example, Obama gave Vice President Joe Biden the task of developing a post-war agreement with Iraq’s government in 2009. The effort failed, reducing U.S. gains from the campaign that killed almost 4,500 troops, and as well as thousands of jihadis and Sunni insurgents seeking to regain power. The subsequent withdrawal of nearly all U..S. troops has allowed Iran to increase its influence in Iraq. In turn, that influence helps it support Syria’s dictatorship against Sunni insurgents.

White House officials are trying to avoid additional flubs. On Friday, for example, White House officials rushed to debunk a report that the president had used an autopen to sign condolence letters to soldiers’ families.

Throughout Friday’s speech, the loudest reactions came when the president name-checked the nicknames of the soldiers’ brigades. Major military units have their own rival cheers, and those could be heard from portions of the audience when he referred to individual units.

The troops’ silence continued through several obvious applause-lines. {Read More}

Via: Memeorandum

From New York with l o v e ...




More snaps from New York ! A hot day but I chose to wear comfortable jeans and this silk printed shirt  along with my new burgundy bag! we were all day walking in the city, admiring original window displays of the big designer names, shopping( which we always do when we visit N.Y:) and taking lots of photos. Already missing N.Y. and N.Y.F.W is almost here..hmm...



                                                                         Shirt: Jones New York / similar 
                                                                         Jeans: Hurley/ similar Here
                                                                         Sandals: Michael Kors/ similar Here
                                                                         Bag: Innue' /different color Here
                                                                         Sunglasses: Foster Grant/ another great pair Here 





                               



Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson Will be Included in Presidental Polling...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty - vs- Tyranny


Good news indeed! Gary Johnson will be included in presidential polling. This, combined with efforts by dedicated Libertarians, independents, disillusioned republicans and democrats advocating for Gary Johnson and his message of fiscal responsibility and liberty could very well result in Gary getting a place at the debate table with Tweedledee and Tweedledum. That Would Be a Very Good Thing!



KOB Eyewitness News 4 - At last Gary Johnson is included in presidential polling.

It's a major win for the Libertarian candidate who served two terms as Governor of New Mexico.

A Rasmussen poll reports of 1,000 likely American voters finds 16 percent have a favorable opinion of Johnson, while 20 percent view him unfavorably.

His biggest problem? 63 percent don't know enough about him to have an opinion.

In a horse race the poll shows President Barack Obama and GOP contender Mitt Romney neck and neck with 48 percent apiece, with Johnson far behind with 1 percent and 3 percent undecided.

Johnson has been in Tampa, Fla. finding plenty of people to talk to, even though he's not welcome at the Republican National Convention.

Johnson dropped out of the party to run for the Libertarian nomination.

"I'm gonna be the only candidate who does not want to bomb Iran," Johnson told a cheering crowd of Libertarians at an event honoring Ron Paul, the lion of Libertarian politics. "I'm gonna be the only candidate who wants to get out of Afghanistan - bring the troops home."

Johnson is likely to be on the ballot in all 50 states, but third party candidates have not managed to win much in recent elections.

There was Ross Perot 20 years ago, winning 19 percent of the vote away from Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush.

In 1980 John Anderson won 6.6 percent in a race that also featured Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter.

In 1968, George Wallace got about 9 percent, running against Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey.

A century ago former President Teddy Roosevelt swung 27 percent of the vote, finishing second to Woodrow Wilson, with Republican William Howard Taft in third place.