Category Archives: etc.

Oh Joy for Nod

April 3, 2014

You know I’m fan of all things Land of Nod, but I’m extra excited for their new Oh Joy line. One of my favorite bloggers paired up with one of my all time favorite companies – it’s a match made it heaven. I played around with some of the new products to make a little imaginary reading space for myself. It’s one of the best things about Nod, it’s not just for kids, it translates so well into grown up spaces as well.

1. Bowtie Print

2. Car Love

3. Pattern Party Throw Pillow

4. La Pina

5. Jenny Lind Chair

6. Dotted Glow Lampshade

7. Half Karat Base

8. Streamline Metal Nightstand

9. Pinwheel Rug

Aren’t you in love with all these gorgeous pastels now that Spring is here? The colors in the Bowtie print are amazing and can you imagine a happier rug the this fun Pinwheel rug?

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Gold Leather Sisters Banner

April 2, 2014

I can’t wait to share the girl’s whole room with you, but until then, here’s a few of the details I made for the space. The room is very soft with lots of pink, grey and gold, so I wanted to add a little splashes of black to add contrast. When everything is all pale and muted, I kind of feel like the space looks flat. Black definitely makes a statement and gives your eye a place to land.

I used my amazing Cricut Explore to cut gold leather letters for this little banner. With this new machine, you can upload your own images and designs to be cut. I love blackout lettering, so a created this SISTERS in illustrator by blocking out the center of the R. The machine is like magic. It cut through the leather beautifully.

Once I had my letters cut out. I cut out a simple banner shape in black felt and stitched a sleeve at the top to fit a dowel through. Then using hot glue, I attached all the letters and the little heart. It looks pretty great with the girl’s Dala horses and a picture of the two of them. I have 3 brothers, which I love, but I don’t think it’s the same as having a sisters. I hope these two always stay close and connected. I think having a sister is a very special thing.

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Grow Nursery in Cambria, CA

April 1, 2014

I really do love where I live. California has so much to offer. I really think I should be sharing more of my California with you. We do get out quite a bit and see our state, and if you follow me on Instagram you probably know that. So, I’m going to make more of an effort to share some of my must-see parts of Cali.

Last weekend, while Lon’s parents were here, we headed to the coast for the day. We love Cambria. It’s a quaint little beach town. If you are familiar with California’s central coast, you probably know Pismo and Morro Bay. These are fun spots, but Cambria has a lot more class (less tacky, cheesy shops and the beaches aren’t crowded). The shops are cute, the restaurants are great, and the scenery never disappoints.

This last time I came across a new favorite shop, Grow. Oh my, I could spend hours there. I bought gorgeous succulents for my bunny planters and my mother in law bought me an amazing chunk of green recycled glass. I’m still kicking myself that I didn’t by a baby head wall planter. I know they are kind of creepy, but pretty fun at the same time.

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Golden Straw Bunting

March 29, 2014

Buntings aren’t dead yet. But, I’m trying something a little less country, shabby chic-ish, with this gold straw bunting. It’s light and airy and almost feels like a piece of jewelry for your home. This Christmas, when we were in Boise, ID, the Anthropology store had a fabulous display made with straws painted gold. I’ve been wanting to make a scaled down version for my mantel ever since.

This simple bunting is season-less and can coordinate with any home decor or party theme.

1. You’ll need lots of paper straws. For each triangle you’ll need to full length straws and one half length. You’ll also need some heavy thread or twine and a large needle.

2. Start by threading the needle and thread through the small straw.

3. Pull a long length of the thread through the straw.

4. Put the thread the one of the full length straws.

5. Thread the needle and thread through the second full length straw.

6. Now thread the needle back through the short straw. Pull tight so that the straws are tight against each other at the points.

7. Start again, threading on the short straw and continue with steps 2-6.

8. Using gold spray paint, paint the bunting in a well ventilated area. You will need to turn the bunting over and rotate the straws a couple times to cover all sides of the straws.

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Thrifting Thursday – Midcentury Credenza and Side Table

March 28, 2014

You guys I’m on a thrifting roll lately. This week I had a doctors appointment and since I got out of the office in no time at all and I was kid free, I decided to run into Goodwill and check out the bunny situation and I hit the jack pot. I always walk by the furniture and this time I found a gem. This gorgeous solid walnut credenza in mint condition jumped right out at me. And there was a matching side table as well. I was nervous when anyone walked by and glanced at it. I made sure to tell everyone that I was buying it. Without even thinking a second about it, I paid for it and loaded into my truck. On the way home I called my husband to explain. I had no idea where it was going to go, but I HAD to have this, it was too gorgeous. The store clerk said it had been on the floor less then 30 mins.

Ok, are you ready for the best part? I paid $69.99 for the 9 drawer credenza and $13.99 for the side table. AMAZING, right? I still can’t believe it.

On the way home I decided I’d put it in the living room and move the current piece to my bedroom. I’ve been wanting more storage in our bedroom and this is a lot bigger piece then the tiny dresser that was in there.

P.S. I’m so frustrated with my photography lately. My camera is super old (7 years old) and I obviously lack skills to take shots of rooms. The white balance is off and they are grainy and just yucky. Please bare with me, my blog is a work in progress.

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DIY Marbled Easter Eggs

March 26, 2014

I’m loving marbled everything lately. I few weeks ago I shared a little marbled round up and a cake I made. Well, I’ve taken the marble theme and decorated my Easter eggs the same.

The full tutorial is over on Minted‘s blog Julep today. Be sure to check it out.

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Bunny Succulent Planters

March 25, 2014

It’s Spring! I’m ready to put out all my bunnies (remember my all white ones from last year?). Last week, when I hit a couple thrift stores, I came across these bunny planters. I knew I needed these is my life. And at just $2 a piece, how could I say no?

At first I thought I’d paint them white to go with my other bunnies. Then after looking through my spray paint supply, I realized I was all out of white. I’m so glad I was, because I LOVE these gold and grey bunnies together.

And to keep these vintage bunnies modern and current, I filled them with gorgeous succulents from Grow in Cambria, CA. Succulents like good drainage and since these little planters don’t have any holes, I made sure to fill them with a good cactus soil mix. I’m hoping that if I don’t over water them, they’re been fine.

I gave one to my mother in law and sister in law for Easter. Now I’m got to hit the thrift stores again and find some more for my collection and to give as gifts.

These would be really cute painted pastel colors as well. I love a good thrift store find, it feels good to reuse something that could possibly end up in a landfill. And it’s fun to just re-imagine an object. Have you given any thrift store finds a facelift lately? I’d love to hear about your projects.

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Thrifting Thursday – Paint By Number

March 20, 2014

Yesterday was one of those days. If you are a stay at home mom, I’m sure you understand. But, as soon as my husband walked in the door, I was walking out. I needed 1 hour to myself. I got in the car, not know where I was headed, but I of course ended up at a thrift store (or 2). I found a few fun things, but my favorite find of the day was this paint by number that I scored for $2.84.

I’ve had a thing for paint by numbers for a while. Remember the awesome set four seasons set my sister in law got at the Rose Bowl? They are definitely making a come back. Their simple outdoor scenes and handmade nature appeal to me. This little painting was even signed and dated on the back, 1961.

I’ve also had this amazing paint by number fabric for almost a year now and I still haven’t made anything with it. Any ideas of what I should use it for? I could be boring and make a pillow with it, or maybe it would be fun to make a little summer dress for Olivia with it.

Here’s some of my favorite paint by number projects that I’ve come across.

Paint By Number Mural

Katie’s Pencil Box is one of my favorite blogs. If you need a good dose of gorgeous images, you’ll need to hit her blog every week.

Side Table // Collage

I love both of these ideas. The table is a great way to use a painting in an unexpected way. And don’t be surprised if I start a collection of paint by numbers so I can make a huge collage on a wall like this one.

Nursery Mural

Address Label Printables

I also came across this fun time lapse of a mural being painted. Are you feeling the paint by number revival? Wouldn’t you agree that there really is something so sweet and nostalgic about them.

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Master Bedroom Art Wall

March 19, 2014

Uneven Ground // Map of Papua New Guinea // April Showers

Silver Jambya from Yemen // Feathered Arrows // Framed Bug from PNG // Abstract Triangles

I ordered some art prints for Minted and I LOVE them in my bedroom. A couple weeks ago I shared how I wanted to add a spruce up our bedroom a bit with some new art prints mixed in with some of our old stuff. Well, they’re up and I love this wall. The inspiration board tool really helped take the guess work out of grouping these pieces together.

I threw some green pillows and the LOVE pillow I made on the bed as well, to play with the green in one of the prints and just to add a little color to this very blah color palette. What do you think? Are they the wrong green? Does the splash of color help? Is there another color that would be better? So many questions.

They are hung kind of high on the wall, so that I could fit them in over the head board, but I really like how this looks. It draws your eye up. I played around with the arrangement for quite awhile, but ended up liking the breathing room between some of these pieces. By lining up the top row all on the same plain, it made this grouping feel like one complete unit. What do you think? Are you ok with my gaps and holes?

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A Unique Light Fixture

March 18, 2014

Last week I shared an awesome source for colored light cord sets and accessories, Color Cord Company. I finally ready to share my new, unique light fixture. Because we have an old house, outlets and lighting are limited. I’ve wanted some sort of wall mounted light over our couch in the living room for a while now. We’ve tried floor lamps, but then the couch has to sit out even further from the wall, in an already tight space. I love the idea of everything up off the floor for a cleaner, simpler look and feel.

I asked my youngest brother, Joash, to come up with something for my space. I told him that I wanted a simple bracket of some sort to hang a light cord from. He is very creative and industrious, so I knew I could trust him to come up with something one of a kind and unique. He is building a lot of furniture right now that he makes from mostly found objects and materials. I love this form of recycling. You need to check out his brand new site, Coffee and Cigarettes. He has amazing pieces of furniture and awesome photography as well (be sure to check out the Three Chair). Our light fixture is made of some old copper pipe (which I’m loving copper accents), wood dowelling and some redwood pieces. The really cool thing about Joash’s work is that he doesn’t use screws or nails, it’s all put together with wood dowel plugs.

I love how the copper and mint colors play so nicely together. The new light fixture gives our space a fun, youthful feel. I don’t want a stuffy, old lady home. There something really fun about mixing classic pieces, like my new coffee table, with one of a kind quirky objects, like this light. I like to think that it keeps my home design fresh and unexpected.

So, what do you think? I love this light, it’s really such a cool piece.