Summer Jewelry Love

Mr. T is over taking suggestions from my BFF when it comes to gifts...for Mother's Day I secretly wanted this...

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but instead, I received this...

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...and to be honest, while I didn't exactly want a clamp set for Mother's Day...I could use one and will probably be thankful for them soon. Not to mention the price difference between the two...

But back to the subject...recently I've noticed a ton of really great bracelets on Etsy. They are all so cute, it proves you don't have to spend a lot of money on jewelry. Here are a few of my favorites:

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Some of these would be easy to DIY, others...not so much. I am trying to get Marlene to open an Etsy store, but the conversation went like this:

I really didn't get very far convincing her of a store before she had moved on to diamonds...her specialty. I'm batting zero these days when it comes to the art of persuasion. Maybe I need to sharpen my skills...

Rachel :)

A Boys Room...Moving Up In the World

My little man isn't exactly little any more. He's growing up...way too fast for me, but it's still happening. He was 6 years old and had just finished kindergarten when we moved into our old house. Flash forward a few years and he is now 10 and well into his 4th grade year.

He has changed and it was time for his room to reflect that...here is what it looked like before...

And here are the after pictures...



The beds went from single to bunked. A new area rug and window panels were added as well as sconces for both bunks. The antique corner desk (Pennsylvania House...and yes, I got it from the side of the road) was paired with a hand-me-down chair that I painted black. I was able to get some old wood (for free) from the local wrecking yard that I cut into two shelves and mounted with metal brackets from Home Depot. After a quick trip to my favorite thrift store, I left with an old stop sign, a vintage architecture light, the "lucky" mason jar, an antique table fan, and a curio shelf that was hung and turned into storage for his Lego men. Paper storage was hung on the wall beside the desk for those afternoons when he has "SO" much homework. The closet door is a fun little place for chalkboard drawings, and he still has the perfect spot for his backpack. Mr. T moved the $1 book shelves from the other side of the room and I hung part of his pennant collection from the different cities we have traveled to. The bedding is the same...I just perked it up with a bottle of Rit Dye in Denim.

What's better than a fresh, new, organized space? Spending some great quality time with my little man!!!

Rachel :)

Every Southern Woman Needs Something Monogrammed...

A few months ago I introduced you to my friend Shannon...you know, the one who loves anything monogrammed...and whose living room still isn't finished. Next week people...next week... Anyway, I'm pretty sure she really loves what's going on in there because every time I turn around she's giving me little gifts...or maybe she's just buttering me up for her next project. Whatever! She's pretty awesome in the gift department! So...for Christmas, she gave me my very own wooden monogram. It's slate blue with a cute brown bow on top. I tied it on the fresh wreath I have on the back door. Next time I have you over for afternoon tea, you won't miss it when you walk in...

Like I said...every southern woman needs something monogrammed!

Rachel :)

For more on the door color, click here...

And for more on the numbers, click here...

To order your own wooden monogram, click here...

Industrial Shelving

It's a random blog post after being away for two weeks...but it gives a little glimpse into one of the projects I've been working on for an unnamed Brainy Smurf. I've fallen head over heals for industrial shelving. And it seems to be everywhere like...



Etsy



Restoration Hardware



Ballard Designs



Etsy

 There's nothing like a great paring of metal and some reclaimed wood (yes...another hint...)

Rachel :)

DIY Monogrammed Coasters

In my quest to make holiday gifts this year, I came across this idea from The Domestic Notebook. Since it is a few years old, and she doesn't blog anymore, I figured I'd share it with you from here...because its fabulous...and cheap...and easy...Perfect!

You will need:

travertine or other natural stone 4x4 tiles

a large stamp

small letter stamps

permanent stamp ink

felt pads

Before I started stamping the tiles, I wiped them off with a damp rag and let them dry. This gets any dust off :) ...

Step 1:

using double stick tape, cover a part of the tile to put an initial

Step 2:

Ink the large stamp and apply to tile

Step 3:

Remove paper square

Step 4:

Apply initial stamp

Step 5:

Let dry

Step 6:

Wrap :)

These are wonderful! Because I used a permanent ink, there is no need to apply any protective coat. And the natural stone absorbs the "sweat" from the glasses. I added felt pads under all 4 corners to protect any surfaces from getting scratched.

I think these will be great with my Homemade Vanilla...Happy stamping and coaster making!!!

Rachel :)

 

DIY Wooden Picture

As soon as I saw this video, I wanted to share it with the world! Best idea ever! And cutest video ever...enjoy!!!

Let me know if you do this and how it turns out!

Rachel :)

Thinking About Nudity...

You read that right...I'm thinking about nudes. As in the kind you hang on your walls. You know...the kind that show a little...ummmmmmm...something...

For the record, I heart them.  Seriously. When done well, I think they can be beautiful, capturing the essence of the human soul. My medium of choice is charcoal, although I like oil and acrylics as well. Last week I was in an antique store that sells on consignment. I found a charcoal of a nude woman that I loooooooooved. Really, really loved...

me, "Would you ever let me hang a picture of a nude woman on the wall?..."

Mr. T., "NO." "Absolutely not." " Double hockey sticks no."

It was basically a conversation as simple as that. Oh yes, we have very different ideas when it comes to art. Extremely different. While I'm not big on prints, for years I wanted this:

Gustav Klimt

Anything by Klimt makes my heart beat a little bit faster. I love his work and I think this is beautiful, loving and warm...Mr. T thinks I'm odd. Recently I've seen several original works on etsy that are just as wonderful...

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I would love one or any of these...have I completely offended you? What's the general take on nudes...?

Rachel :)

25 Ways to Wear a Scarf

I know...I'm the last person you should take fashion advice from. I wear jeans and Converse...everyday. And if you are lucky enough to catch me in something other than sneakers, watch out...they might be slippers...whoops! But I love a good scarf and had to pass this video on...

Rachel :)

DIY Moss Wreath

Yes...I know...yet another Pinterest inspiration picture...someone please tell me why I didn't come up with the whole Pinterest thing...anyway...

You already know the story. Girl sees a picture on Pinterest. Girl loves picture. Girl attempts to create picture on a super small budget. The End.

Inspiration...

source

You can buy one of these beautiful wreaths on Etsy for about $$$. Or you could make your own. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy it though...I'm just sayin'...you know...yo...

I started with an 18 inch grapevine wreath from Michaels. I like the Michaels grapevine a lot better than the ones from Hobby Lobby. I think they are thicker and rounder. Or maybe just less picked over. Or maybe I got lucky and was there on a good day...

Add a BIG bag of spanish moss...

and some awesome hot glue...

With a half a yard or so of burlap you can make a jam up bow...

And 3 little white pumpkins complete the look...

The finished product...

I love how the twigs of the grapevine peak through the moss...

Here's the breakdown of the cost...

Grapevine Wreath $4.99 with 50% off coupon...$2.49

1/2 Yard Burlap at $3.99 with 40% off coupon... $1.20

Big Bag of Moss at $5.99 with 40% off coupon...$3.60

3 white pumpkins at $1 each...$3

Total Cost... $10.29 plus tax, tag, and title

Now you know you don't have to take out a second mortgage to have a pretty front door!

Rachel :)

seriously though...Hancocks, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Joannes accept competitor coupons. You can't use your phone (yes, I've tried)...you have to go old school and print out the coupon on actual paper so they can mail it to their corporate office or something like that. I try to plan ahead and buy what I need on weeks that I can find 50% and 40% off one item...good luck!