inspiration...pass it on

I'm sharing few of my favorite diy projects I noticed this week, when I popped over

to check them out I found a load of inspiration on these talented girls' blogs!

Brooke @ Inside-Out Design here

I'm smitten with her dining room, how beautiful is this new table they made?!!

And, while you're visiting don't miss:

Her awesome tufting talents ~ Tufted Ottoman, Tufted Sofa Cushions 

Tracy @ Right Up My Alley here

DIY Chalkboard with Rustic Frame

At Christmas she cleverly placed it on her mantle ~ horizontally!

I didn't know Home Depot sells pre-cut chalkboards?

And, while you're visiting don't miss:

Her fabulous library reveal, oh my goodness ~ gorgeous!! Here 

Kim @ Tidbits & Twine here

Serious gallery wall love ~ definitely one of my favorites for incorporating 

meaningful items and disguising the TV! 

And, while you're visiting don't miss:

Her Popular Posts on the Sidebar with thousands and thousands of Pinterst pins!

Happy Weekend, everyone!!

fashion...target and old navy steals

Yesterday I was on a quick mission to check out the new Nate Berkus line at Target,

 several items had already sold out, : (   but a 70% off clearance sign I passed in the women's 

department cheered me right up! I found a couple cute items at crazy prices and my luck

continued when I stopped by Old Navy. I put together a few casual outfits with my finds,

and paired them with distressed jeans. 

Black and white striped sweater - Old Navy $15

Black and white plaid shirt - Old Navy $24 (bought a few months ago)

Black Patent Flats - TJ Maxx and BCBG Pumps - DSW

 

Aqua Cardigan with Bling - Target $7.50

Super soft floral scarf - Target $4.50

Blue and White Stripe Chiffon Blouse - Old Navy $8

Flats - TJ Maxx

The scarf and striped blouse would be cute without the cardigan, too.

BasicWhite Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Old Navy $7

Plaid Scarft - Old Navy $15 

(bought earlier in the year, but they still had them in the store)

Leopard Belt - old

Fur Vest - old  

Animal print crew neck sweater - Old Navy $7

(great weight and fit - great reviews 4.5 stars)

Faux Fur Scarf - Restoration Hardware

Calvin Klein Belt - old

Long Sleeve Striped T-shirt - Old Navy $7 my favorite for layering,

stripes and florals are an easy combination to mix.

I had this vest, but they had several quilted vests. 

Green skinnies - old

Good luck if you decide to cruise through the clearance racks!

If you'd like more fashion inspiration check out my  

Pinterest Boards 

Fashion Spring/Summer here

Fashion Fall/Winter here

fresh kitchen styling...

I'm always on the lookout for fresh ideas for styling my kitchen counters or

 shelf (I have one lone shelf, I may need to remedy that) especially when

 it takes my everyday utensils up a notch from functional to stylish!

I loved the inspiration in these kitchens...try using crocks, baskets, trays, boards,

 pitchers, jars...all items you probably have, in a new way to display your kitchen essentials.

hallingstad.blogspot.com

3bp.blogspot.com

loftandcottage.blogspot.com

poshhome.org

zr84.blogspot.com

decor8blog.com

the kitchn.com

serendipitousromance.tumblr.com

The simplest little change can make me a happy girl! :)

You too? 

our home...reality vs blog photos

I thought I'd share this funny incident that took place in our home yesterday morning.

In case you didn't realize the reality of life with a diy blogger isn't always as polished as it

 appears in the pretty blog pictures!

Mr. Simple was sitting at the computer quickly scrolling through reading my blog

 post with the pictures of the fresh, current radiant orchid look, remember?

I hear him say, "That's our living room?"

This was the scene pre-blog photo, I had taken everything out of the coat closet for

 painting and piled it in the living room. While Mr. Simple was engrossed in the football

game a few feet away I moved it all out of the way and staged the pretty photo for my

 blog post AND moved it all back! 

Look close, you'll notice the similarities? :)

When he turned around to check out our stylish, clean living room he was met

 with the more recognizable mountain of clutter!

Good motivation for finishing the closet, wouldn't you say?  

i jumped on the radiant orchid trend...

Hey everyone, hope you had a wonderful weekend. It was a great one for all of us
Denver Bronco fans. : ) I made progress on adding some pizazz to my closet and finally
 decided on stripes which means I'm crazy, it's a coat closet it's a tad more time consuming.
So I changed gears and thought I'd share how I've embraced the radiant orchid trend by
incorporating a beautiful unexpected find at Home Depot, a diy, and my favorite black and
 white Ikea pillows in our living room.

This ikat fabric has been one of my favorites forever, I'd ordered a sample from
Calico several months ago and was hoping it would work with my bedroom makeover,
 but no luck. After seeing a pillow made up with pom-pom trim I knew
I could create one using my sample as the front and a different fabric on the reverse
side, I used burlap. The sample was $8 and trim $4 at Joanns. Although it isn't quite
orchid, it worked well with my other two that are. They were from World Market, I added
 the Greek Key trim and had used them in the One Room Challenge Bedroom Reveal,
  a lucky coincidence they're orchid!

I lined my acrylic tray with a magetic anomoly map that I had used for wrapping paper.

The other day I was walking through Home Depot and noticed these gorgeous plants
displayed in a center aisle and ON SALE for $10!! A lot of bang for the buck, it is over
30" tall, and can be grown indoors or out. A happy surprise and perfect compliment to
the orchid.

Hawaiian Ti Maria care instructions here. 

I wasn't sure if I was a fan of Pantone's new color of the year, Raidant Orchid,

but I'm loving the fresh, current look in these small doses and the great Home Depot

 find that helped pull it together.

Are you on board or on the fence?    

Stop by Sarah's Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Check out the inspiration with Mandi at Rock What Ya Got! 

Joining the Special Mega Inspiration Party here

Cassie and her friends are hosting the Be Bold Challenge