Look What I Found!

Ever since I read this post from Thirfty Decor Chick, I have become obsessed with our Habitat ReStore. Our local store is open Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to 2pm. Sarah posted about her local store on a Sunday, so Monday morning I ran to ours first thing...Closed. I thought the sign said Tu...so I went back the next day...Closed. It was then I realized what the hours were...so I waited. Ever since then I have been once a week. I LOVE to look, but I never purchased anything until last week when I saw this...

That's right...it's a painted, wooden bench custom made for a bay window.. Hmmmmmmm....I thought...will it work? Can I make it work? Should I try to make it work? That was over a week ago. I thought about it for a few days and decided to take Mr. T back to take a look. We talked and looked and looked and talked and decided that maybe...just maybe...it was worth a try. But, I told him, this is a project I want to tackle by myself! My goal is to take this...

and make it look like this...



Aubrey + Lindsay

A few months ago when we started this process, Mr. T thought this project was going to cost a million dollars...seriously...has he met me?!? The bench had a price tag of $125, but we were able to talk them down to $75 fairly quickly. Still, it wasn't good enough...so $25 later we were down to $50 and I was happy. I still couldn't pull the purchase trigger, so we went home and I decided that if it was still there the next day it was meant to be. Don't you love my logic?

Well...it was meant to be! I am now the proud owner of a dirty, needs work, custom bench with an unattached top and drawers that don't pull out, that doesn't fit in our 1950's kitchen! It's great, it didn't end up in a landfill, and I didn't have to buy anything new! I'm ready to get started to make this custom for us!

Rachel :)

Uncover that funiture!

Who knew that amongst the brick, wood, and paint at your local hardware store there is a great fabric choice that can be used in many more ways than just covering furniture?! That's right...painter drop cloths are awesome (and SO inexpensive) and are a great heavy duty canvas to work with. Sounds crazy?...Check these out...

Heather Bullard the blog

my personal favorite and the inspiration behind the next two pictures...
In the Tweeds

That's right...my bedroom. Complete with drop cloth panels!

And there's more!...

Ink Blots & Polka Dots

Restoration House

A Thoughtful Place

Shanty 2 Chic

House*Tweaking

What project will you tackle with a few drop cloths?

Rachel :)

Ummmm...nevermind...

Ever made a purchase or done something in your house, only to change your mind? It happens. I've created a few rules for myself that I do try to follow...solid, neutral, classic are a few terms I keep in mind when shopping. A few years months ago this is what I thought was the perfect bedroom...

I found fabric. Made the panels. Then I never found linens that I loved as much as the panels. So, my naked bedroom sat. For two years. Give or take a few months. I was cruising the internet a few weeks ago when I came across the blog a la' mode. And just like that, I fell in love with this bedroom...

a la' mode

Same blue. Just a little more modern. And a little lighter. My favorite thing are her window panels. Solid...check. Neutral...check. Classic...check. So...down with the old and up with the new. Add the new neutral panels with the linens I heart so much and I went from this...


to this...

Here's to discovering your style!

Rachel :)

Happy Birthday to Me...finally!

As previously discussed, I decided that I wanted jewelry for my birthday.  In the usual fashion, J gave me a budget and told me to get what I wanted (he's such a romantic).  I've decided that I'm too wishy-washy to commit to one really nice ring for my right hand.  I want to start a stack ring collection. This way, I can have ten (well maybe not that many) different rings that all look great together and I can choose what to wear based on my current whim.  I already have one set of tri-colored gold and diamond bands but they are really plain.  I wanted something unique but simple.  I found a ring that met those requirements at Elizabeth Showers. This is the ring:

18k yellow gold stack ring 

Because I am in the jewelry business and have 4 extremely talented artisans at my disposal, I just can't buy fine jewelry anywhere else.  I printed off a picture of this ring and gave it to Margie, who HAND CARVES our pieces.  For those of you who don't know, hand made jewelry starts out as wax, is then cast in metal and hand finished.  She is amazing!  Drumroll, please.....

 My diamonds are actually bigger because I wanted it to be harder to tell the balls apart from the diamonds. They did an amazing job copying the piece, no?! I love my job husband!  Now the hard part is deciding which design I want next...

Here is a very cool website that lets you play around and stack different rings together to see what you like. http://www.mygabrielny.com/stack/  You have to promise me that if you see something you want, you will call me and let me copy it, though!  

xoxo,

Marlene

When You Least Expect It

I went to TJ Maxx last week to grab a new set of sheets. Since I was already in the home section, I couldn't leave without doing a quick run through the isles. I was doing just that when this caught my eye...

If you read this post, then you already know I have been on the hunt for new bedding for me and Mr. T. Because there was only 1 left (that's a sign!) I grabbed it and went to walk away when I decided to cruise on by the clearance section. Wouldn't you know, that's when this caught my eye...



It really was to good to be true. Isn't that how it goes...you find what you are looking for when you least expect it. At this point, my arms were full and I was trying to convince everyone nearby that I really did need all of this. One lady told me it was my husband that needed convincing, not her! Another lady went and got a buggy for me...pathetic!

I brought everything home and looked at it for a few days. I L.O.V.E.D. it, but it didn't match the window panels. That I made. That I loved. I put it all on the floor of my closet and it sat. After getting a few other opinions I knew that I really wanted to keep the new linens. I wasn't quite sure what to do about my windows. My mom came to visit and I filled her in...guess what?...problem solved. She can use the panels. Great! Perfect! I hated the thought of taking them down and not using them.

So, this lead to another question...what to put on the windows? I had read about something, but was a little unsure about it. I had seen some pictures and sometimes it looked great. Sometimes not so great. What is it?...stayed tuned!

Rachel :)

Out of my element

One of the fun things about my job (there are really about a million fun things) is being surrounded by creative people.  My co-worker, Brittany, is a very talented jewelry maker.  Today she showed me something she and her son made for their garden.  They were too cute not to share with you!  I think they are the perfect garden accessory, which explains the title of this post.  I am well known for my black thumb!  Without further ado, I present Garden Pops by Brittany Odom!

Each one is sprayed with a waterproof sealant and can be customized with your choice of color and herb.  They are adorably wrapped in cellophane with a bow like a lollipop and sell one for $3.50 or two for $5.00.  Send me an email if you are interested in purchasing some!  I think they make fantastic housewarming, hostess, or teacher gifts.

xoxo,

Marlene

Still Pondering

As I sit and ponder my drastic new door color, I wanted to share these pictures.

Le Petit Chateau

Hooked On Houses

Haddon Musing



Live. Like. You.



Katy Elliot

Katy Elliot

Maybe I'm not crazy after all...

Rachel :)