do you know Victoria....

 I'm hooked!

My sweet friend Cindy emailed me a couple nights ago: 

"She is so funny, laugh out loud funny and I immediately thought of you and your successes

 on Craigslist. When you have a minute, thought you might enjoy."

These posts are hilarious:

Proving for all time, that you NEVER KNOW what is on the other end of a Craigslist ad.

My paramour. My inamorata. My one true love: Craigslist.

 I was scammed on Craigslist.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *  *   *   *   *  *

This awesome directory TheThriftShopper.com allows you to put in your zip code

and it brings up all the thrift stores in your area, along with ratings!

 *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *  *   *   *   *  *

After I saw this cute blogger's post and dressing room photo, I bought this top ~ on sale!

(I'm hoping it makes me look just like her when I wear it!)

simply seleta

Enjoy the three day weekend soaking up the last bit of summer!

  See you on Tuesday! 

lamps plus holiday challenge...clear fillable lamp

I know you think I've lost it, but I vow to be organized and on top of things for the
 holidays this year, so I'm getting my sparkle on a tad early!

hahahaha! :)
Actually, I'm so excited to be part of the Lamps Plus and Hometalk Holiday Challenge,
several bloggers were given a Fillable Clear Glass Ovo Lamp and challenged to decorate
 it for the holidays. I started out with elaborate plans to make my lamp shine and sparkle,

but came to my senses and thought like a frenzied, busy person decorating in December
 and knew you'd probably appreciate an idea for 'quick and simple sparkle' instead!

 

Did you figure out my simple secret filler?

Lamps Plus Fillable Clear Glass Ovo Lamp 

Supplies:

1 - 6' Sequined Garland

Sequins in assorted sizes and colors, white thread, needle, glue gun 

Remove bottom plate, insert garland, replace plate!

Time elapsed - 5 minutes! :) 

Using the needle and white thread, string any pattern and length of sequins, adhere to

top edge of shade toward the inside with a small dot of hot glue.

 If you glue a few strings together at the same time it goes quickly.

I LOVE this versatile lamp, it's the equivalent of a neutral sofa, you can easily change up

your look with a few tweaks! A huge thank you to Lamps Plus and Hometalk for the
beautiful lamp and opportunity to participate.
Three lucky challenge winners will receive $500 to spend at Lamps Plus!

Check out the amazing ideas these bloggers came up with:

Amy @ The Blissful Bee  - Casual Coastal Christmas
Tammy @ Deja Vue Designs - Woodland Christmas
Melissa @ Daisy Mae Belle - Snowman Lamp
Vanessa @ At the Picket Fence - Etched Glass Snowflake Lamp
Barb @ The Everyday Home - There's SNOW Place Like Home
Jessica @ Stay at Home-ista - Hannukah
Roeshel @ DIY Showoff - I Spy a Winter Wonderland
Claire @ Rustic Pig Designs - Visions of Suglarplums
Kristin @ Bliss at Home - Happy New Year
Sonya @ At Home with the Barkers - Guide My Sleigh Tonight
Paula @ Sweet Pea - A Touch of Vintage
Cristina @ Remodelando la Casa - Poinsettia Arrangement
Decorating Ideas Made Easy - Snow Village

Janel @ Nellie Bellie - New Year's Eve

Danielle @ Storypiece - Winter Wonderland

Katie @ Decorate my Life -Sleigh Bells Ring

Megan @ Balancing Home - Silver and Gold

Kathryn @ The Dedicated House - Wintry Woods

Tanya @ Twelve-O-Eight -Countrified Holiday

Jessica @ Mom 4 Real - Holiday Lamp
Christina @ Homemade Ocean - Merry and Bright
Yvonne @ Stone Gable - Poinsettias in the Snow
Laura @ Finding Home -Reindeer Lamp

Laurel @ A Bubbly Life - Gold and Glitter

Good luck everyone!

   

deal alert...striped tray

Thank you all SO much for your sweet comments about the kitchen, my client
 and I were emailing each other yesterday, giddy about her pretty kitchen and all of
 your comments! It makes it all the sweeter having all of you share in our excitement!  
I'll post the tutorials for the botanicals and countertops next week.

Yesterday I was at Michael's picking up some supplies for a project I'm working on. :)
I ran across these cute black and white pieces ~ just marked down 80%!
They're plastic, but look great, and the tray is an awesome size!

Black and White Tray  14" x 19"  $3.59

Black and White Print Serving Set  $1.79

They'd make a cute hostess gift, fun serving pieces for Halloween,
a stylish way to corral kitchen essentials on the counter,
you could even use it as a serving tray! :)

Hurry, before they're gone!

80's tract home kitchen makeover...

I've been so excited to share this makeover with you for a couple reasons:

First, to show you how you can take an 80's tract home with a small kitchen and

give it a timeless look with personality.

 Second, to show you it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, my client didn't replace any
 appliances, as hard as she wished one of them would break and it would be the perfect
 excuse to upgrade, it didn't happen. 

Let's get to it:

BEFORE

We couldn't find a photo of  Before the Before, but she called it her drive-thru window, imagine
upper cabinets leaving a small opening (window) above the sink looking into the family room.
 We (really she) removed them, creating a better sight line and bringing light into the kitchen.
 Painting the cabinets white was the background for the timeless look we were going for.

That light area on the wall was a door to the potty! Brilliant idea, Mr. Builder!
We couldn't close it off quick enough, you can access it through the bedroom on the other side.

We added two glass front cabinets for interest and nickel hardware to all the doors and
drawers.

BEFORE

Her table was great quality, just not a great color, we refinished it with a darker stain
to give it a warm, rustic look.

 She found the gorgeous side chairs in a neighbor's trash, we painted them white and
 had them reupholstered in houndstooth, and paired them with Ikea Henriksdal slip covered
 chairs. Her simple iron chandelier was a Craigslist find, we added a few crystals for bling.

We wanted a light colored rug against her darker wood floors and table,
a kid friendly indoor/outdoor from Albert & Dash is pretty and easy to clean.

We (really we!) used Rustoleum's Countertop Transformation Kit to update the faux

butcher block counters, (tutorial in the works). We love the new look, the price and

you can finish it in a weekend!

There's a close-up for you.

The sink area overlooking the family room, which is still in progress. :)

The beautiful hardwood floors, were installed throughout the first floor.

One last shot of the black botanicals - our favorite statement in the room!
They deserve a post of their own, I'll share our tips on how we created them.

It's been such a fun project helping you transform your 80's kitchen Lori,
thank you so much for allowing me to share it with everyone!

Stop by to see the inspiration:
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style - WOW Us Wednesdays 

spinach and berries salad with dill...

Happy Monday morning! Is it just me or is anyone else already anxious for the upcoming
three day weekend? We had a great one, the highlights were a soccer tournament

 on Saturday and a family BBQ at my parents' home on Sunday. The lows - I missed out on
 the Craigslist headboard I mentioned, I reeeeealy wanted it and even emailed and offered
more than asking price...no reply. :(
Another highlight, I took photos of my client's kitchen, which was going to be today's post,
but after looking at them tonight the perfectionist in me decided the lighting would be better
at a different time of day, and we're going to try again tomorrow.
Since I'm feeling guilty the reveal has been dragging out here's a sneak peek for you.
Remember we resurfaced her counters using the Rustoleum Countertop Kit, we love them!

So...I decided to share the salad I took to our BBQ, it's one of our favorites for summer,
it would be perfect if you're planning on a Labor Day get-together.
It's so healthy, chock full of  super foods ~ spinach, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries,
and almonds with a tangy vinaigrette, but sweet enough that even those picky eaters that
protest veggies like it!
I tweak it a bit and serve with crunchy sugared almonds instead of toasted almonds.
 It's from one of the Junior League of Denver cookbooks, Colorado Colore.

Spinach and Berries Salad with Dill

Recipe here

Enjoy, and stop by tomorrow for the kitchen reveal (pinky swear)!

fingers crossed...

I have my fingers crossed that this find will be mine! :)

I don't know if you remember but in my 2013 to do list I had a bedroom redo in the plans.

 I'm still vacillating between a dozen of my favorite styles and color combinations,

 so it may be awhile, but I'm hoping my karma is back (I lost it if you missed that post here) 

and this upholstered headboard will be the ticket to some decisions! 

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

A huge thank you to Dabney over at Apartment Therapy for featuring

this simple little diy yesterday! Not sure how it got in the mix with the most incredible

door makeover I've seen, just crazy creative, you should check it out here!

Happy weekend, friends ~ go be kind and generous!  

re-purpose urban outfitters shower curtain...

The first thing I thought of when I saw this shower curtain from Urban Outfitters

 was what an easy diy it would be to create an over sized piece of artwork.

 I can picture the happy, playful vibe in so many settings, the perfect

 whimsical touch. A wood frame would be simple to construct, grab your staple

 gun and you're on your way.   

RococcoLA Happy Elephant  -  $54

The colors are more vibrant on their website.

See Urban Outfitters collection of shower curtains here.

diy upholstered x bench...

Have I ever mentioned my love for helping people pull together all the elements

of creating a beautiful home ? Or my love for gold accents or leopard prints? :)

  I'm truly grateful for this little blog and all of the people I've come in contact with because

 of it, yesterday we put a few finishing touches on my client's home. They're ready for a fun

 weekend, packed with out-of-town family coming in to celebrate their sweet little one's first

 birthday. I haven't taken the final pictures yet, but it's bold and colorful and has me

 re-thinking my neutral ways. Here's another sneak peek.

Mr. Client helped out with another diy last week, he spruced up a pair of x-benches that I

 reupholstered with a coat of gold paint.

Before taking this photo I asked Mrs. Client if she had anything I could use for styling, a bag

 or shoes? She brings me designer shoes that are so cute no one is going to look at the bench!

BEFORE

We started with two of these X Benches and used 1/2 yard of fabric.

 It was a quick update, the leather seat easily unscrews from the base. 

If you can wrap a present you can do it! But here's how I get professional looking corners: 

After I've secured the fabric I cut out a small square to lessen the bulkiness at the corner,

then continue wrapping as you would a present and stapling at each step.

    

Ta Da!

Sorry, if you're reading this from an email it messes with my photo alignment

for some reason, you can always click on Simple Details in the title for a better view. 

         

There you go, a simple diy for the day!  

dog days of summer...inspired decor

the dog days...

toysplash.com

dwellerswithoutdecorators.blogspot.com

lam.yuku.com

livebreathedecor.com

icecreamconnections.com

Tewes Design - Seattle

dogster.com

houzz.com

dog-obedience-training-review.com

denoxa.com

tripadvisor.com

greigedesign.blogspot.com


Hope you're enjoying them, too!