Whilst Shopping, the images...

Whoever invented the camera phone should be given a pat on the back.  I had a "totally business" Blackberry (with NO camera) for 2 LOOOONG years, and when we got iPhones this past November finally, I've enjoyed having a camera again!

Because you can be inspired anywhere, I snap pictures constantly.  As I was walking at Target today, I realized I have nearly 150 photos on my little iPhone.

Here are some of the photos I've gathered Whilst Shopping (hence the title!) and I hope that some of these inspire some of you as well.  Enjoy!

TARGET FINDS:

Ok, I want this storage cube as a side table, asap.  It appears to be really solidly made, but is still $99.99.  I found it online at Target HERE for you.  :)  I'm going to watch for this one to go on sale, I like it that much.

 

This pillow is white, but the lighting in Tar-jay doesn't condone fantastic iPhone shots.  I love the strips that mimic ruffles, and because I'm dangerous with a sewing machine now, I totally thought I could make this!

And doesn't this little stool remind you of something?!  Yes!  I'm not crazy to have a zebra ottoman!  This little stool was $49.99, not bad, but my $15 table, and $6 yard of fabric will be cheaper.  :)  You can find it online HERE.

 

This looks simple enough to make.  A thin square pillow, with a black button through it, and a black ribbon ruffle border?  Yep.  For $24.99 though?  Probably cheaper to make it!

Thanks Target!

HOMEGOODS FINDS:

 

I love this fretwork mirror.  The silver/champagne color, and the detail.  I think this one was $39 or $49.  Ultimately, it really inspired my painting I created in black and white.

This is a kids size Louis XVI chair for $39.  White?  Yes!  Pink Pleather?  Yes!  How stylish for a little coutour girl.  Makes me want to change up my Louis XVI chair!

 

This canister was nearly 18" tall, and I loved the color, but didn't have a place for it.  It was on clearance though, my favorite spot in the store!  :)

The green metalic glass, and oil rubbed bronze coloring on this peice caught my eye and made me walk back and take a photo.  I think it was $16.99 but I'll wait for it to go on clearance in the hopes I can find a spot for it by then.

 

Remember my love of the fleur de lis lately?  Like in this small stencil project?  Isn't this table neat?  I've been seeing stenciled tables online lately, which I'm sure could be made to mimic this photo, for less that $79.99.

How fun are these chests!  They had yellow, blue, and green stripe versions.  I'm totally on the lookout for some pieces to do this treatment to now.  I think these were $129.99 each.  

 

And onto a few Easter decor items.  I loved this egg tree, that sort of mimics a topiary.  The colors are so country, but I love the softness of them.  The eggs are speckled, so find a tutorial out there in blogland (there are plenty!) and make this tree (then make sure you share it with me!).  The $19.99 price was actually pretty good for this one I think.

Then there was this cool egg, that's a takeoff on the technique I used for this wreath.  The paper is stiff, and the "petals" are attached in big sections, like the size of a wooden pencil eraser.  I liked the idea of the craft, and just need to put it to use at some point.

So I love this color so much, I'm considering it for the master bedroom!  This plate set was everything I love: Fleur de lis (notice a pattern here?!), scalloped edges, dot detailing.  Can I just have these to hang on the wall somewhere?!  Not bad at $3.99 each.

How fun is this lamp from the children's section?!  They also had a pink and white version.  A glass lamp base with pom poms in it?  Too cute!  And, totally a DIY project :)

 

I really liked the crisp black and white on this bucket, and it made me wonder if I should add the wreath detail around my bulletin board bee.  What do you think?

Thanks HomeGoods!

 

Anyway, I hope you had fun shopping with me.  I'm super bummed I didn't take a photo of the antique buffet I was eyeing at the Salvation army yesterday.  It was in awesome condition, with original beautiful hardware.  The catch?  Even when this store is extremely well priced normally, this piece was $399!  Even on a 50% off day, that's still $200.  I may see if they've marked it down by next weekend, if it's still there.  I could totally see someone snatching it up, even at $200, or $399!  (Just not me... my buffet cost me $20!)

Hope you all are having (or had!) a great weekend!  I'm finally mostly better (except my remaining pesky cough!) so it's back to the grind for me.

Take care, and stay dry/warm/[cool?] depending on where you are in the world!

VOTW #8 Smooth Sailing...

Welcome back, everyone!  It's that time again for VOTW: Victory of the Week!  (Grab a button below, or the code on the right frame.)

Because I've had some time off earlier in the week, I've been blog surfing and I know there's awesome stuff goin on out there!  So, each and every one of your should have something to post this week.  Can you believe that I'll have 3 weeks to recap?  You all amazed me last week with the links you posted, and the number!

So, as I mentioned last week, we had the ceilings scraped of all their popcorn nastiness.  Here's some photos as you requested to show the progress.  We've yet to prime or paint, but I already love it 1,000 times more.  :)

 

Here's a closeup of the new knock down texture...

 

In some areas, you can see the tape lines from the drywall

 In our bedroom, we had to take the blades off the fan, which is actually in the center of the room, but the photo angle is off :)

 

In the office.  Guess we'll have to do some touch-up painting on the walls too.  They were nice enough to repair though

 another closeup.   Ahh, so much more relaxing than the popcorn!

Anyway, yes, this is still our VICTORY of the week! 

And, another thing I'm super proud of?  The coding, and blog changes I've made recently, most notably, the small party buttons on the right frame, and small blog buttons on the left that show the sites I've been featured on.  (if you want to do this too, you can read the post HERE where I spill the beans on how to do this after some coaching from Kim @ Cheap Chic Home)  I can't believe some of my projects have been featured on such prestigious sites!

So, now, don't be shy, link up YOUR victory of this week, last week, last year or whenever.  What are you proud of?!

And, yes, I promise that the 200th follower giveaway post will be up in a day or two!  You guys shock and amaze me- now we're nearly at 250 followers, 25% more than the number to reach the giveaway in the first place!  Wowsers!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Black and White All Over

Just call me Picasso.  yea!  I painted! 

As I alluded to a few weeks back during my office post, I joined a friend, and painted one Sunday morning in my pjs!

This canvas is gallery style wrapped, and purchased at Michael's with a coupon of course.  :)  I chose a black and white pattern option, similar to a fretwork pattern since the opposite room will have a zebra ottoman one of these days.

I wanted a border on the edge of the canvas so just eyeballed it and added some strips of painters tape. 

 

Then, I actually made two templates, and traced both- one for the outside line of the black spots, and one for the inner. 

 

  

  

(can you see the pencil lines?  It's really faint...)

Next, I just took some time and painted two coats of black acrylic paint in a sort of coloring book style!  Yea, it took a few hours, but painting with friends is super duper fun!

 

  

 

A few days later, I pulled the tape off, and reapplied further in the center so I would then be able to paint my entire black border.

For now, it's hanging horizontally, but if we get an entryway table, the option to turn it vertically is there.  :)

There's that bench again.  And yes, I did decide to paint it black, I just haven't done that yet.  Soon I hope.  So, for now I'm enjoying the graphic print, especially since the wall is sort of an extension off the room I'm considering to be my more modern taste, with the orange curtains and all.  :)

So, what do ya think?  It's pretty contrasty, no?  And, doesn't the painting just solidify the fact that the bench needs.to.be.black?!  I think, yes.  :)

Easter Egg Tree

To add to my collection of growing spring decor, I wanted an Easter touch for the dining room table:

A few months ago (6 to be exact?) I picked up some thin branches and twigs to use in an arrangement, but never got around to it.  With Easter coming up, I wanted an Easter Egg tree, and the best way I could think to pull it off was to use the twigs I already had.  (I mean, after all I had handpicked each one of them, and gotten odd stares from people at the dog park.  Yes, I picked them up at the dog park, and yes, the dogs sniff them uncontrollably when they're are at their level.  :)  )

Anyway, back to the project.  I purchased these small packs of eggs at the dollar store- just what I needed:  they were already great colors, and the styrofoam was smooth.

I had seen this great idea of covering them with seed beads online somewhere (can't remember where right now) so I had been striving to replicate that.

I thought I would purchase matching colored beads, but remembered that back in the day, I used to bead all.the.time and had buckets (litteraly) of beads to draw off of.  So I got the colors together, mixed up a "plate" for each color then just used some white glue and a paint brush.  Rolling the eggs didn't quite work, so I just grabbed pinches of the mixture then sprinkled over the eggs.

 

  

  

  

They dried overnight, and I added them to the carefully placed twig arrangements.  Oh, and I added some of my moss "rocks" to the vase for some dimension.  And, I placed the bunny on the table next to the eggs.  Yay for Spring, and Yay for Easter!  I just love these colors, so cheery, happy, and fresh.

 

  

  

  

 

So, have you decorated with sticks, twigs, or branches?  I love bringing the outside in.  How do you arrange your earthy touches?

Tell me!  Oh, and that 200th follower giveaway is coming soon... just need a few more days!