Christmas 2012..

Just a few photos from Christmas that I haven't had time to post. We had a wonderful Christmas with our family and friends. My favorite decoration for this year was my wreaths I hung in 2 windows in family room and 2 more that I hung in dining room with burlap ribbon. Also the pretty snowflakes in my family room windows( that I haven't taken down yet.lol) and this old wooden bowl filled with bright red and silver ball ornaments..So pretty! Crazy that Easter is just around the corner. Time please slow down!!!

I Love Chalkboards!

I really do love them, it is so much fun to write menu's and special messages on. They are ever changing with what is going on in our lives. Here I put a fancy Italian meal on it, including the appetizer, main course and of course a decadent desert:) Truth is I didn't make any of them but I might one day. Really!

My French inspired messageboard.

When we bought our home 2 yrs ago I found this message board in my closet. It was really good quality and the frame was really nice. I wanted to do something to make it more creative but was so afraid to mess it up. Finally I just did what I wanted and I  really Love it! I painted the top portion in chalk board paint and then did a strip of color and a french stencil. Added the french market banner that I made from twine and stenciled letters on burlap.I can wipe off the writing on the chalk paint with a damp cloth. I wish I would have done this sooner rather than being afraid I would ruin it. I love these boards for putting up special cards, pictures, recipes, really anything that is fun to look at. Just look at those cute boys on top:) There mine!

Restoration Hardware velvet curtains...FOR FREE!

If your noticing a theme here your right. I like to get pretty things free or at the very least I like to get a really good deal. My neighbor was getting new curtains and she was getting rid of her old ones. She was about to donate them when I took a really good look at them and noticed that they were beautiful velvet curtains from Restoration Hardware in a gorgeous camel color. I know these curtains are around $150 a panel, she had ten of them. Are you kidding! Yes, I will take them off your hands. haha..I will use six of them and figure out what to do with the rest. I did have to get them dry cleaned and bought curtain rods and finials.These are not great pictures and don't do them justice but trust me there are really pretty! Thanks Christy!!!

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My Thanksgiving Table and other pretty things.

Didn't have much time to decorate the table for Thanksgiving so I just kept it simple.I went with a white, silver and crystal theme. Used clementines as a shot of color in a rustic wood bowl for the centerpiece and a touch of color. I would love to do a really beautiful centerpiece with lots of candles, flowers and pumpkins but struggle with the practicality of "where to put actual food"? In this case function beats form.lol

I made chalkboard from a frame I bought at a local antique store. Painted and distressed it, then put a chalkboard in it. Fun to put menu on...

I bought this wood bowl at, yes..Goodwill lol. I spray painted it and then sprayed water on it. This gives it a stone finish. One of my favorite projects. 

Fleur De Li lamps from Goodwill...seriously!

As you can see, I love a good find and these two lamps I found at GW are just that. It is unusual to find two of something so I was pretty excited to find these lamps. I wish I had a before pic because they were yellow and needed some TLC...Some Annie Sloan paint in Duck Egg with dark wax and they are beautiful. Oh, forgot to mention that they were only $8 each and I already had the lamp shades.  I am addicted to great deals!

Cheese dish turned into Cloche

I bought this cheese dish from the Salvation Army. You can find these at most thrift shops. Make sure it is a glass lid and not plastic. I just painted the bottom wood round and glued it to a silver candle pedestal. Put something pretty in it and you've taken the cheese dish to a whole new level of  prettiness!