September 28, 2012

the souvenir treatment

As you might have guessed, I like to do a little bit of shopping on vacation. (last vacation related post, promise) But I never really gravitate toward souvenir type things. We've already got enough crap at home, we don't need any additional t-shirts or koozie holders.

But there is one exception. Sea shells. For some weird reason I'm wicked psycho about seashells. It is physically not possible for me to walk down the beach without bending over every two steps to pick up a shell. It's great cardio. I even have a type of shell that I look for each year - this year was sand dollars. (told you - psycho much?!)

This means however that each year, at the end of our annual beach trip, I have a huge basket of seashells that I can't bring myself to leave behind. So I also pick up these old glass canisters from the local architectural salvage thinking I'll store all my shells like some awesome organized person.

And each year they sit in the garage of some awesome unorganized person.

So this year, damn it, I was going to get these things cleaned and put in their place.

First things first, I followed these steps to clean the shells. I had to do them in batches and they took forever to dry, but otherwise not hard at all.

I wanted to add a label to mark each year but I didn't want to stick or spray anything on the canisters. So I went to Michael's and picked up some labels Martha made some for me, and grabbed the twine from the garage. (which ironically was right next the the shells on the shelf)

I didn't want anything to precious or perfect but rather relaxed and easy - just like vacation. So I just wrote the year on each label and tied them around the top of the jar with the twine.

Voila.

Each year lined up and ready to go.

For now they are living on the bookshelves in the family room so I can look at them while I watch TV and remember good times. (the trips, not the tv show) Dynomite!
btw - I HATE taking pictures in the basement. Crap lighting.

What do you bring back from vacation? Does it end up in the closet? Have you found a special place for it?

September 27, 2012

paint a rug party - week 2

I should be giving an update on my progress (click here if you missed last week). But really I'm going to use each and every one of you for your brilliant and creative minds to help me make a decision.

I can't decide on a color combo. Am I going:

1.Navy/White




2. Raspberry/White
Or, wait for it 

3. Navy/Raspberry


Again, here is the pattern.



This is a small rug, that will be used in the foyer or possibly the kitchen. And it is by no means precious or expensive, so I figure why not have fun with it. What's the worst that could happen...right?

So cast your vote - 1, 2 or 3?

And be sure to check in with all the other lovelies who I'm sure are farther ahead on their rugs than I am.



September 26, 2012

thrifting thru the south

Looking thru someone's vacation pics can be a bit of a bore, but I promise you will like these.  We've done this drive a dozen times, so this year we decided to take our time getting down to FLA and take 'back roads', stopping in towns and shops along the way. (Do I have a great hubs or what?!)

I won't attempt to even remember where each of these things were, just know that next year I think I'll drive a U-Haul down.

Enough gibber gabber.



There were 8 of these chairs (2 arm and 6 regular). AND extra fabric and they were a steal. I don't want to talk about it.

 More Foo



 Love the white chandy.


Great vintage chandy for a little girls room.

And on the way home, we went to Heaven aka Scott Antique Market. I am FOR SURE going back for more of this. It was eye candy overload, so I didn't take too many pics, but here are some of the best.








Memories.

Some of these things I might have taken home with me (but not as many as I wanted to). Stay tuned...

September 25, 2012

humpty dumpty - piano styling

Sometimes a change of scenery can do wonders for your imagination. That, and a friend with great ideas.

Before my vacation, I mentioned my problems figuring out how to get this little honey to play well with others in my living room.
I loved all of your ideas and comments, as I always do, but Meg's suggestion really made me think. (thanks Meg!!)

That piano is sure purdy, and I love the story that goes along with it. I really like the first photo, with the whimsical, quirky accessories. Maybe an interesting sign, or word over the piano - or a gallery wall. You should definitely find some accessory that has to do with eggs, I think. A nest? A chicken crate shelf?

To be honest, the first image was my favorite as well. I was drawn to the 'tension' (to use a Million Dollar Decorators term) it created. A very old and classic piano paired with a mod piece of art that wasn't even ment to go inside a home, let alone above a piano. I'm all for going the 'not supposed to' route. And I thought it was a great way to honor my grandma and her hard work but also make it my own.

But I was having trouble figuring out what exactly that 'my own' thing would be. I scoured Etsy for something fun/funny that had to do with chickens, eggs etc. But everything was either too country or just didn't speak to me.

Fast forward to the beach. That sea air does wonders for my psyche. We did lots of great shopping and exploring (more on that later) and made our annual trip to my favorite architectural salvage place where I found two pieces I thought would work.

Work great actually, I was getting excited. But two wasn't going to be enough, and that is all they had. I bought them anyway and hoped I'd find the rest somewhere between Florida and Missouri. That place turned out to be Atlanta. (more on that later too)

Now I'm happy to report my piano is no longer lonely.

This hanging process was not without some minor drama though. My first thought was to use 3M strips to not create any holes in my newly patched, sanded and painted walls. We stuck them everywhere, hung them up and admired modern sticking technology.

But note to self - don't stick breakable things up on the wall, and then leave the house for at least 12 hours. Because when we got back from dinner, I found this on the floor.

Damn.

Two days of super gluing section by section and waiting for them to dry and she was good as vintage. You can still see a bit of the big crack, but that's character. At least that's what I'm telling anyone who asks.

I reverted back to my good ol' template method and made three small holes into my wall.

Now those babies are up for good and I'm happy.

I love that it means something to me. And for those that don't know the story, they can just think I'm a lobbyist for the egg board. It also adds great depth (literally) to an otherwise flat wall (OK, all walls are flat, but you know what I mean). And an unintended perk is the word works perfectly with the rule of threes. I'd thought about adding an S, but I'm thinking 3 letters look better than 4.


And a shout out to June for saving her pennys and selling eggs, rather than salmon or chicken livers or something that would be gross spelled out on my wall. June, you foresee-er you!

I love it when a head scratcher is solved in a way you never though of. That's just good fun people.

So another item is crossed off the living room to-do list. (minor victory) And this also kicks off vacation week. I'm going to share my finds and eye candy galore. You'll love it and I will cry as I'll wish I was still on vacation.

Have you tried anything lately that is out of your box? Broken anything? Had anyone throw up directly on your face? Just me? Having kids is so glamourous.

September 20, 2012

paint a rug party - week 1

Be honest. Painting a rug sounds like a good time, right? You know it does!

That's why when my friend Linda at My Crafty Home Life suggested a rug painting party I said, "your rug or mine". I never turn down a good party. (My, how the definition of 'party' has changed over the years.)

Actually this is the kick in the pants I've needed to take care of some naked floors around the house.  The hallway, kitchen and foyer are all in need of some coverage but I've never found anything I liked that was at the right price. We'll see how this rug turns out to see which lucky location gets to wear it.

Here is my subject.

And here is my inspiration.
via Pinterest
I'm going Chippendale.

I had wanted to do this pattern on our railings when we redid the deck, but a small deck spruce turned into a bigger project and well, you know how that goes. So this is my way of getting the look without pulling out the miter saw.

The only remaining decision is color(s) and that is still TBD.

I'm not usually one for logistics when it comes to this stuff but I did do a bit of research and found two great tutorials, here and here, that I think will help with the details. 

So with that, let the games begin.

Oh, and it should be noted - I have 1. never painted a rug 2. a very infantile brain that cannot think in negative space 3. very limited patience for any type of exact measurements and 4. a great ability to laugh at myself when this all goes haywire.

And be sure to check in on each of the other lovelies who are partying with me. We'll be reporting on our progress each Thursday for the next three weeks.

Simple Details

Now let's pop the cork and get started!

September 19, 2012

kids always keep it real

While on vacation, I was on The Mustard Ceiling talking about how I turned this


into this. (You can read more about the transformation here)


Everything nicely organized. A spot for everything.

Silly mommy.

The girls made some alterations.

Barbies, books and who knows what else.

Kids or not, please tell me you have a room or spot in your house that looks like this?

September 17, 2012

monday distractions

I don't know about you, but I'm having a bit of trouble getting in gear today. So, I thought I would do what any responsible person would do in this situation - encourage others to procrastinate with me.

If you have some spare time today, or have a long list of things you don't want to tackle, here are three good reads. And really, reading is exercise for your brain and exercise is very important to your health. So this is actually rather important for you in order to lead a long and healthy life.

First up, the new (hand over your heart) domino. Have you read it yet?


My old friend Domino and I met for a date on the porch this weekend and we had a grand time. I love the Style Council layout, which gave a completely fresh view to photos we've all seen before. It goes without saying but I'll type it anyway, how I wish this was still a monthly publication!!

Then we've got the new issue of Ivy and Piper. Always a good read full of delicious pictures.
This amazing house tour is right up my color obsessed alley.

Lady Chatterley's Affair hour tour - Ivy and Piper
Lady Chatterley's Affair hour tour - Ivy and Piper
Lady Chatterley's Affair hour tour - Ivy and Piper
And don't forget House of Fifty. Several great articles, a feature on local (to me) genius Amie Corley and jewelry I am putting on my Christmas list.
House of Fifty
Exercise regime for today complete. You're welcome.

How do you get thru a particularly slow Monday? Any other good magazines this month I shouldn't miss? Does anyone else get a contact high from Brasso?

September 12, 2012

it's not the beach but it is home

I missed you!

To be totally honest, I think I miss the beach a bit more, but it is good to be home. We don't believe in easing back into things though as we got home and immediately are in to doc appointments, client meetings and of course, back to school. Pre-K is "super cool", in case you hadn't heard. (I feel the same way about Mother's Day Out)


Once I sift thru all the photos and goodies we brought back, I'll be sure to share. Two quick things learned on our trip though: #1- If I even win the lottery, I'm going to travel the country and go from flea market to flea market and #2 - The hubs has an untapped gift for making sand animals. Who knew? I'll save that last story for cocktail hour.

Back to my mountain of laundry, but I will leave you with this.


The living room fabric story has been decided and we are going for COLOR.

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