Lamp Love

If there is one thing to know about me, it's this. I love pretty things, I could look at pretty pictures on Pinterest all day long. Another thing about me is that I don't pay (won't) pay a big prices for anything. I am a deal girl. Always on the lookout for something special for a great price. Sometimes I have to wait awhile for these special things that I need (mostly want) to show up. These lamps are my special find. I found one lamp a few years ago and wished that it had a partner but alas it did not:( so I waited and guess what!!! A few months ago while perusing through GW I found it's soul mate. Wow!  That is so amazing, I guess this is my reward for being patient. Always remember good things come to those who wait. About the lamps, these are Baluster lamps because they have the shape of a curvy Baluster like furniture, ie legs of tables and such. If I bought these lamps at Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware they would be very expensive. I also found the 2 matching lampshades at GW, so total price of these lamps is about $10 each, give or take. Paint is Annie Sloan Paris Grey, dark and clear wax finish = Happy Girl:) ...

My Porch

I love the Country life, sitting on the porch, watching the cows out in the pasture, bird watching, all the Country noises, from the distant dog barking,the beautiful sound of a Meadowlark to the occasional rooster or even a donkey. I love to see my husband coming down the road from the barn to come and eat breakfast with me on the porch. I've heard this called Gods country before and I believe it, I feel him here all the time. This porch has many treasures that have been mostly found from GW, such as the big blue vase filled with fake limes and orange branches, wicker chairs that are chipping and probably need to be spray painted again and old cushions that are in need of some TLC. The metal table was in the shed when we bought the house. I like the idea of keeping something that belonged to the people here before us. Plus it's really cool! The large silver tray is from a local Antique shop. It has been used for many different things and rooms. The weathered lantern was a recent buy from a favorite antique store of mine. I was thinking of trying to spruce it up a bit but since putting it on the porch, it seems just perfect the way it is. Old and worn have a place out here in the Country. I think I will sit a spell out here and drink some coffee. Feeling Blessed!

Thoughts of Spring & Martha Stewart..It's a Good Thing!

I am a huge fan of Martha Stewart! If I see anything with Martha on it, it instantly catches my attention and usually inspires me. One of her famous sayings is"It's a Good Thing".. I found this book at our church rummage sale recently and it is full of great ideas and good things. Neat, quick, simple & sensible are mostly her criteria for good things. I love this mentality! Spring is in the air, the birds are chirping, the flowers are starting to show new life after a long cold winter. There is something so refreshing to our spirits in the spring, I know it is Gods promise to us that he makes all things new. Maybe that is why Spring is my favorite season. Here are some random "Good Things" I am sharing with you, I hope it inspires you to find some really easy ways to decorate that cost almost nothing. Now that my friends is a Good Thing! Happy Spring:)

This is just a roll of twine, I stuffed some greenery in it. I was just playing around but decided it was pretty cute!

Here is a perfect example of form vs function. Yes, we need the thermostat, No we don't want to see it. Why because it's ugly..lol  see pic below

I added a hook, hung a basket with some pretty lavender and added a antique key at the top. The basket is a perfect cover for the not so pretty but very needed thermostat:) Now I don't hate my wall.

See, not pretty!

I added some dried lavender to this candle with some twine. Instant spring makeover!

I bought this garden tote to use for my garden tools, I kinda like it here on my counter with some Rosemary peeking out of it. This tote is made out of recycled tires and burlap. Now that's re-purposing!

This is a tray I got from Pottery Barn and I always keep it on my kitchen island. It is ever changing with the seasons and it so fun to decorate! Lemons, moss and artichokes. Fresh and simple decor for spring.

I love my flying pig! He's a cutie!

Have you ever heard of a Bakery called Nothing Bundt Cake? There cakes are absolutely delish but wayyyy to expensive! $39 for a large bundt cake is more than I am willing to spend. I made this copy cat cake for my sweet daughter in law for her Bday. She really thought it was from the bakery. I was kinda proud:) here is the recipe: enjoy!
http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2008/09/nothing-bundt-chocolate-cake.html

Found these pretty utensils at an antique store.

From Goodwill to Glamorous!

I bought this side chest at GW for $20 it was plain, brown & boring...As usual I got so excited to paint it that I forgot the before picture.lol I painted it Aubusson blue( Annie Sloan) then took a hammer to it and banged it up pretty good:) distressed with sand paper here and there. Used walnut stain to give it a beautiful finish. I used a dry brush technique to add touches of rich gold as an accent. On the top of the chest I used a stencil to give it more personality and sanded lightly and finished with the walnut stain. I have seen some really pretty furniture at Arhaus and I have to admit that I think this piece could easily be in that store and I would have to pay $$$ lots of dollors for it. I love it!

 

Thankful for Blessings

This post is a little late but as they say better late than never. Reflecting on all the good and beautiful things in my life. The love of family and friends, wonderful food, and this amazing Colorado country with such breathtaking mountain views all around. Life is not about all the big things but about all the million little happy moments that we collect on our journey. God is good. Happy Thanksgiving everyone:)

My French inspired Sitting room.

If you can believe it, I got this beautiful Wardrobe at GW for just $100!!! My husband and I like to go on 50% off Saturdays and this little beauty was just sitting there waiting for me to find it. It was marked at $200 but of course it was 50% off, so of course I had to take it home with me. I thought I might know where to put it in my home but this is a huge Armoire, inside it has 3 drawers and the doors have mirrors on them. It is super heavy!! In my bedroom is a sitting room that I have been waiting and wondering what to do to it. It fits perfectly on my back wall with a cute coffee table and a sofa bed facing it. Now my room is starting to come to life.  I have a lot of dark wood in  my bedroom and have been wanting to put a painted piece in the mix. It was scary but I bravely slapped on some chalk paint by Annie Sloan. The color is a beautiful shade of grey called Paris Grey. At first I wasn't sure because the paint kinda looked like primer..Yikes! Calm down, see my sign:) Keep calm and carry on. Ok, so I proceeded to sand and distress, more scary moments. I applied Annie Sloan clear wax followed it with dark wax and then again added clear wax on top. Wait until the wax dries, only about 5min or so. Buff with a clean lint free cloth and it looks... AMAZING!!! This looks so wonderful, I know the pictures can't do it justice but trust me it is really a beautiful finish. I am almost done but ran out of clear wax:

Here it is all done, oh except for the feet..lol almost forgot those!

I made this Keep Calm & Carry On sign from a canvas I bought @GW. I love the perfectness of it's inperfectness! Yep, these words are found in the Webster Dictionary")

Bar Cart Love

Have you noticed lately that Bar Carts are are all the rage right now? I think they are so pretty with all the beautiful bottles and glasses displayed. Seriously, I am not a big drinker but I really love this look! I also like putting a mirror on the wall behind Bar Cart especially if your mirror has something lovely to reflect. This whole display didn't cost me much to put together as I got the Bar Cart for free and most items on it are from GW, except for a few things like the Pelegrino and liquer of course:) The pretty glasses with the B on them are passed down from my husband's Grandparents and are very special to us. The green stemware are from GW and believe it or not they come from some Arbys promotion years ago and  I find them everywhere. I have a collection of 20 so I must stop buying these. lol Also the lovey decanters I found at GW too. I love that place:) Click here to see how I found my Bar Cart http://letsgo2thevintagecupboard.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=JULUrUABAAA.qYlyBoDB2EdW-2gXTIPR-A.Ovig-WWz0YVBCmbaMoWpUw&postId=828044427881022073&type=POST