Archives for February 2012

St. Patty's Day Links

Happy Leap Day! Hope you are enjoying this extra day added onto the calendar! As you probably know, if you've blogged for any period of time, seasonal projects tend to get buried rather quickly. The internet has an exceedingly short memory, much like myself, imagine how happy I was when I ran across my garland today. I had forgotten all about it! I clipped my clover to my wreath on the back door, I still think that is a great project. So since even I forgot these projects, I thought you might have as well....so I thought I would share some St. Patty's day links with you from yore. :) I have recently learned how to make images clickable, so just click the photos that interest you below and you will be taken directly to that post, fun right? If you have visted my tutorial page recently, you probably have noticed I'm converting all my tutes to clickable images. It has become a tedious task, so it's taking me forever, so bare with me.

I have an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow morning, I hope I like this new guy....I'm just glad I don't have to drive across the state or fly across the country for an appointment!

Anyway, enjoy the links and have a great day!

February Room Evolution Party!

Happy Leap Day!

So, are you ready to share your rooms for today's party? I'm really excited to see them! To get this party started, I will share a true "Before and After" shot of my Jack & Jill bathroom reveal, since I inadvertently left it out! I'll have to go back and fix it, or else it's just going to bug me and give me blog nightmares. (Yes, I have indeed had dreams about blogging - truly a sad state of affairs, yes?)

Ok, I feel a little bit better now.

If you missed last month's party - take a gander at the talent that abounds! Andrea's amazing master bath transformation from Oak Ridge Revival. You won't believe the humble beginnings of this luxurious master bathroom.So, let's get to it! First, here are the rules (I know, rules schmules).

Or Kim's adorably charming powder room at Savvy Southern Style.

Grab a button off my sidebar or link back so that others can join the fun.
Two links per person (because I don't want you to run out of rooms to share!)
By entering your link, you are giving me permission to use any part of your post, including pictures to feature you and your awesomeness (with credit given to you and linking back to your blog)
Please post the permalink (the link to your post), not the general link to your blog.
The link party will be open until March 7th, 2012.

Thanks for linking up!

Jack & Jill Reveal

Ok friends, it's finally time for the Jack & Jill bathroom reveal. My artwork/brainstorm is in progress, so that portion will have to wait, but I'm not going to delay any further!

For a project that I thought I would be able to knock out rather quickly, this one ended up taking a lot longer than I expected. But, I guess I should just expect that by now, right?

I started out painting the walls in Sea Salt (Sherwin Williams), and then added beadboard wallpaper and hooks to the mix, in the hopes of my children actually hanging up their towels. The key to bringing this room full circle though, was the rug. I found it at TJ Maxx, and I just love the colors. A great way to tie things together.

See, I even gave my kids a head start, by hanging up their towels and showing them how it's done.

Then there is the chandy ~~from hell~~. I won't dwell on it, because it's pretty chandy candy now. As for that big, bear space above my towels, pretend you see some cute artwork hanging up there.

Let me tell you, I think it is nearly impossible for me to photograph this room and include all of the elements I've added.

Here's a fun trick, again, using a Target tablecloth, like I did when I made my no-sew roman shades. Better yet, this tablecloth was on clearance, for just over $12. Yes, please. (And yes, those are Santa Clause sheets in the picture below in case you're wondering).

Turns out, a Target tablecloth works as a shower curtain when you can't find an extra long one that you 1) like and 2) doesn't cost a small fortune. Add some curtain ring clips, and you're good to go! (Ooops, pay no mind to the Frog Tape that I neglected to remove from the shower head!) But I think it works. What do you think? Is there nothing a Target tablecloth can't do?!?

And a final Before and After -

So, there you have it! Imaginary artwork aside, I'm pretty happy with the outcome. :-)

Looking forward to seeing what YOU have been up to my friends! I know yesterday I said that the link party would be live today, but I had my dates mixed up and realized that the original date I planned was February 29th - Leap Day. So, the party will be open tomorrow. My bad. Please forgive me and link up anyway. :-)

UPDATE: Link up to the party here!

Linking up to:

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia - Tuesday Treasures
Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays

Perking Up the Living Room

So I've been living in Missouri for several years now and have really gotten accustomed to the rough winters....but this winter has been so mild I keep looking around, scratching my head, wondering when winter is going to happen. I mean the little groundhog did see his shadow right? ;) At any rate, we enjoyed the mild temps this weekend...and by enjoying I mean the guys were all outside and I got to take waaay too many photos around the living room.

I've been staring at the Home Goods Urns up on the mantle for weeks now and finally got them placed and accessorized the mantle. I moved the white dresser back in too, that had to move out to accommodate the Christmas Tree. The great thing about it, after shifting everything for the tree....I ended up liking the furniture spaced out. So the sofa stayed put, and the dresser got a little more breathing room.

I look at this photo below, and realize nearly everything is vintage...The mirror was my Mother's, the bamboo art; vintage. The lamp is very vintage, I've had it for many years and remember the funky second hand store I found it in....needless to say, it didn't look like that when I found it and did a lot of cleaning to make it look good (you'll see it better down below). The woven boxes, little brown vase and porcelain antler were all bought new, but I seriously love the mix.
I love a good off set photo don't you? :)

I still love the World Market curtain panels, they add a little global flair.

I am happy with how the mantle turned out, in all it's asymmetrical goodness. I love the color of the urns, so happy and bright. I also used candle holders via Big Lots, boxes that I spray painted orange and a piece of coral that I bought in Key West 20 years ago. Boy, do I hold on to things or what?

For the mantle I typically like doing asymmetrical. The mantle/fireplace + windows are so symmetrical, it wouldn't be as interesting if the accessories were perfect too. Plus, I like a little challenge anyway, asymmetry is not always easy.

In the smaller urn, I took off the lid and did a combination of curly willow, bean sprouts, and silk hydrangeas. I sprinkled some hydrangea blooms on the mantle too. Along with the blooms the lid becomes an intentional detail.

My husband knows the way to my heart is through decorative pillows, meet my newest one...best Valentine's Day gift ever, thanks honey.

I still have a little tweaking to do. I want to add on to the wall collage above the sofa, and I'm playing around with some chair arrangements too.

I'm off to work at the booth today, Mondays are perfect for straightening up after the weekend and delivering a few goodies.

I have a doctor's appointment this week with an oncologist here in Joplin, so I will know exactly when I start the chemotherapy treatments. I'm feeling pretty solemn about it compared to how I was feeling the last couple of weeks. I'm just going to stay busy as usual and keep my head up. I am still getting comments and emails with prayers and encouragement. Thank you for that.

Jack and Jill Bath Chandy

Hello!

I'm sorry I've been on the quiet side - that definitely has not been the case here in my home! In fact, I've been the opposite of quiet in putting up this bathroom chandy ~~from hell~~. Suffice to say, I have met my quota for swear words in getting this blasted thing installed.

I think my husband and I were seduced into thinking it would be easy with a name like "conversion kit". Those words make you think it's a simple process, right? After all, something that comes in a "kit" shouldn't be something that's difficult. It would have been more aptly named the "Canned Light Electricity Experiment - Not for the Patience Impaired".

But, name aside, it's UP. And it's pretty!

I'm "this close" to showing you the completed room, but had a brainstorm idea at the end of the day that I'm working on now (and I'm hoping it's not an epic fail). So, I'll share the big reveal tomorrow - just in time for this month's "Room Evolution" party!

In the meantime, here are some other, more beautiful, bathrooms featuring chandys of their own. Who can resist a chandy in the bathroom?