Dearest Outlet Find Chairs,

I know it’s Valentine’s Day and all and I’m supposed to buy you tacky flowers, burn your favorite meal, shave my legs and wear matching bra +panties BUT…

I don’t know how to tell you this so…I’ll just tell you. There’s someone else.

I’m sorry. You’ve changed.

Ever since you started dropping upholstery staples a few months ago for Mabrey to pick up and stick in her mouth, we’ve drifted apart. You’ve become a liability. I can’t have someone like that in my life – or at least in my living room – right now. I have my children to think about. I need someone more dependable, more responsible, less likely to puncture my baby’s intestines.

I wasn’t looking for someone else. I promise. It just happened. What’s that you say? What’s he got that you haven’t?

Well, he sort of reminds me of a modernized, new-and-improved you.

For one, he keeps his staples to himself. He’s in good shape and takes care of himself.

His tufting is more subtle.

His legs are way sexy.

He’s a family man. He hugs me and my kids all at once. Something you never did.

He firmly supports me. He just gets me. When I’m with him, it’s like I’m wearing my favorite heathered tee.

He and I are good together.

Can we still be friends? Maybe you could live in my bedroom. Or would that be weird? Too awkward?

Sincerely yours,

Dana

P.S. – If you decide to go, I completely understand. Just please give me back the SD memory card that I lost somewhere within your frame months ago. I know you have it. I can hear it tumbling around when I shake you.

FYI –  I was the winner of a $1,000 gift card to Thrive Furnishings in Apartment Therapy’s Room for Color 2012 contest. I used the money to purchase the Taylor chair in expectation grey. So, clearly, this guy is as much yours as he is mine. All of a sudden polygamy doesn’t sound so bad, does it?

My contributions to the Hey Girl meme…

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

Remember the photo shoot? Well, today I finally get to share the fruits of our labor with you.

HH and I partnered with The Tile Shop over a year and a half ago during the renovation of our Underdog. After many, many, MANY months of hard work {and very little sleep}, we are so excited to be a part of The Tile Shop’s blogger spotlight and ad campaign. As of today, you can read about the details of our tiling adventures over on The Tile Shop’s site here. The online spotlight includes many never-seen-before photos of our kitchen, mudroom/laundry nook/dining room and bathroom as well as commentary and DIY tips contributed by moi.

If you happen to live in one of The Tile Shop’s major markets you may just find full page ads featuring our house popping up in your local glossies. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek! As far as I know, the ads should run in the following prints over the next few months: Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, Chicago Magazine & Chicago Home and Garden, Kansas City Home and Gardens, Charlotte Home & Garden, Cincinnati Magazine, Indianapolis Monthly, Madison Magazine, Milwaukee Magazine, Nashville Lifestyles, Philadelphia Magazine, Pittsburgh Magazine, Long Island Pulse, St. Louis Magazine, Buffalo Magazine, Washingtonian Magazine and Atlanta Magazine.

Fun fact: The Tile Shop will be featuring several other bloggers via their blogger spotlight and ad campaign so keep your eyes peeled. I am the guinea pig!

Can we talk for a brief minute about companies recognizing the voice and importance of bloggers? And I’m not talking about my voice. So many wonderful, deserving bloggers out there are collaborating with amazing companies and brands in  win-win partnerships. A few of my favorites: Holly Becker of decor8 + West Elm. Trina McNeilly of Lalalovely + Land of Nod. John & Sherry Petersik of Young House Love + Shades of Light. And don’t even get me started on the things that Joss & Main and One Kings Lane are doing. Fabulousness all over the internet. Fabulous. Ness. It’s a very exciting time to be a blogger.

From a consumer standpoint, I find these partnerships inspiring as well. I prefer seeing real homes – as opposed to lifeless sets or over-the-top mansions – in advertisements and catalogs. I think it shows how brands and products can be implemented realistically and effectively. More companies should take notice of this latest trend in marketing!

And just so you know, it wasn’t easy capturing a decent shot of my family in our kitchen. I find it mind-boggling that we got one pic in which everyone is looking at the camera with their eyes open, hands down and tongues in their mouths.

Um, Everett can be a bit of a ham in front of the camera.

images: Megan Hoy for The Tile Shop