It's my day

Today marks the 8th anniversary of my 21st birthday :) Usually I am not the biggest fan of my bday. I am not sure why - I think it has something to do with years of disappointment when I didn't get a pony or JTT didn't call me on my big day... ;)

But no more! Who needs a pony when you have this guy?

And Hello?!? I have something waaaay better than JTT...

So here is to making this the best year (aka last) of my twenties! Happy birthday to Me!

Good ol' Lucketts...

Have you ever been to The Old Lucketts Store? No? Go NOW! *

* Unless you are my hubs...in that case you aren't forced to go anymore. I know this just isn't your thing and you slow me down anyway :)

This place is so cool. Whether it's antique, vintage, trendy, new, homemade, or just plain old/left out in the rain/came from a barn/weathered....they have got it!

The Old Lucketts Store is appropriately located in Lucketts, VA. It's a small little town right outside of Leesburg and VERY close to multiple vineyards....just so you know ;)

I visited recently and here are some of the things I came across:

Welcome! C'mon in!

Let's take a look around outside first. Is that a bathtub?

All these tables looked like they came out of a school, maybe from a science class. I think they could make a cool bar.

Fun chandelier. Definitely needs one of those Edison bulbs.

Old gate I think. Would be cute as a headboard or just wall decor.

This blue color is great.

Old sleighs, perfect for holiday decorating.

I thought this square coffee table would be great in a family room.

Vintage mirror.

Fun holiday pillow... or for anytime of the year. Stop looking at me swan dear.

This dog reminded me of Buster, my dog. Plus I am pretty sure I had the same haircut as that girl when I was 4 :)

Awesome chair!

Lots of old chests. Great for coffee tables or to put at the end of a bed.

There were 2 of these leather contemporary chairs. I swear I saw them on "Guiliana & Bill"...yes, I watch that show :)

If you are looking for stained glass...they have tons!

How cool is that mirrored door in the corner?

Another fun chandelier.

I LOVE this table. I can just picture it in a old farmhouse style kitchen in place of an island.

Great idea for an old dresser redo...

HUGE wall clock.

ahhhhh....I am moving in here.

more pretty things

even more pretty things.

The end :)...

I can make that!

Time to deck the halls, decorate the tree and hang the stockings with care...and if I can...save a buck or two.

Every shop, grocery store, gas station and mall is stocked with Christmas decorations right now, and over this past Thanksgiving weekend  I saw a million different options. One trend that I continued to see while I was out and about -  were graphic holiday signs like this one:

They are fun,  modern and totally perfect for my next DIY project!

First I tried to mimic the design I had seen using Photoshop (this was the most tedious part for sure). Since I didn't have anything stronger than computer paper at the time, I just glued each version onto a folder using spray glue.

Next I painted on 3 coats of white glue mixed with brown acrylic paint with a foam brush. When they were dry, I sprayed them with a light coat of gold glitter spray paint. Once all dry, I cut them out and popped them into a frame. TA-DA!

The green one didn't make the cut. But the red version looks great in this matted frame. This project was really easy and the supplies needed were simple.

TOTAL COST = $0!!!

I already had: paper, glue, glitter spray, paint, and a frame....easy peasy! If anyone wants to try and make this too, just leave me a comment below and I will send you the design file or the PDF of this image :)

Happy Thanksgiving

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Don't forget your scarf!!

Don't forget your Scarf! by haweske featuring extra long scarves

Not sure how to style your scarf this season? Check out this cheat sheet via YouTube...25 ways! Who knew?

Red Light Special

Anybody remember TLC's "Red Light Special"? That was my jam in middle school. It might have been one of my first CDs. I think I knew every word...although I had NO idea what they were singing about. Looking back now, WHOA that was an inappropriate song for a 12-year old... I was probably just like these adorable little girls singing "Super Bass"...

OK back to the light!

About a week ago I picked up this 'vintage' double headed lamp from a antique mall for $14. After some cleaning and painting this weekend I am in love with it and think it looks fabulous in my guest bedroom.

I decided to give the shades a makeover as well. They both got wiped down with a vinegar and water mix. Then I put painter's tape around them for a striped design.

The shades got sprayed with Rustoleum's "Heirloom White".

The base was sprayed in Rustoleum's "Colonial Red'.

Voila! This lamp turned out great. So much personality and unlike anything I have ever seen off the shelves. The red really pops and I love the way the shades turned out!

Last call for Pumpkin!

Thanksgiving will be here in 3 days!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  This year my family and I will be heading down to Staunton, Virginia to my uncle's cabin, where I will be celebrating with over 25 of my family members. We will eat, play games, watch football, and drink. (You can't hang out with 25 family members and not drink a little :))

This year I am bringing several dishes down to the farm, but the one that I am most excited about sharing is Pumpkin Pie Dip. I recently had this dip at a Virginia Tech football tailgate, and I am hooked. It is easy, delicious, and the bomb! Every scoop tastes like your own personal pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin Pie Dip

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened (light and fat-free work just as well)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup sour cream (you can use light)
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• splash of OJ (more or less based on the desired thickness)
• 1 teaspoon of maple syrup.
• Gingersnap cookies, apples, or cinnamon graham cracker sticks (I picked up some Scooby Doo graham sticks for the kids) 

First, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Then add in the pumpkin, sour cream,  pumpkin pie spice, syrup and OJ. Mix well. An immersion blender is great for this dip. Serve with green apples, graham cracker sticks, or gingersnaps. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve. For a festive touch, serve inside a real pumpkin!

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Ain't it the truth...

These napkins from HomeGoods know what's up :)

Did someone say HOLIDAY PARTY!?!

It's almost that time of year again where the spiked eggnog starts flowing and the holiday parties are among us. Not sure that I will be attending a party as fancy as this outfit...but if anyone is having one, feel free to invite me. Oh and while you are at it...could you also pick up the tab on those Jimmy Choo shoes? Thatta be greaaaat, Thanks!

Festive Sparkles by haweske featuring bangles jewelry

BOGO!

Today through Sunday from 2 pm -5 pm, Starbucks is offering a Buy One Get One deal on the following scrumptious drinks:

• Peppermint Mocha
• Skinny Peppermint Mocha
• Caramel Brulée Latte
• Gingerbread Latte
• Eggnog Latte

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Consider me caffeinated this weekend!

P.S. Does anyone else hate when something is advertised as BOGO but it's actually buy one get one half off?....just sayin' ;)

Junk?!? How dare you..

I recently went back to my hometown of Winchester, Virginia to hang with my Mom for the day. I can say with confidence -  I get all my creativity from her. She is an actual artist and one of the best home decorators I know.

We talk on a daily basis, and our conversations usually consists of the newest edition of Traditional Home or the sweetest deal we got at TJ Maxx or our latest project at home.

Needless to say, when I visit her our day is going to consist of shopping for our houses. One of our favorite things to do is go "hunting" in antique stores and flea markets!

I know this isn't for everyone. The smell alone in some of these places is enough to have you running for the door. But if you can solider through it and get ready to look at all this "junk" with creative possibilities...you can find awesome treasures.

A couple things to remember when at an antique mall or flea market:

1. All prices are negotiable.
2. Ignore color - you can paint pretty much ANYTHING.
3. Paying in cash can be a negotiating tool.
4. Bring a big enough car to haul things home.
5. Scan your home decor magazines and catalogs before you go, heck bring them with you. You would be shocked at how many Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware-esque things you will find for cheap!
6. Don't get discouraged. Just because you didn't find what you were looking for today doesn't mean it won't be there tomorrow. These places get new stuff in all the time.

My most recent shopping adventure with Mom took place at a local indoor antique mall called 'Past and Present'. It's a huge warehouse-like building that consists of hundreds of 'booths'. People rent a 10'x10' space and sell their things. Some of it is old, some of it is new, and some of it is very strange...

Here are some of the things we found this past visit:

Wouldn't this make the cutest headboard for a kid's bedroom? The colors were so vibrant.

This old scale was only like 15 bucks. It would be a perfect accessory in someone's kitchen. See what other people are doing with old scales here.

Queen-sized head and foot board for only $100...not bad. This could also easily be painted any color in the rainbow. I kinda like it as is.

I would have loved to buy this old copper bin. It would have look fabulous next to my fireplace with logs in it or even as storage for rolled up blankets. However because it was copper, it was over $300 (teddy bear inside not included). I couldn't swing that price tag. (My Mom and I get kinda proud of ourselves though when we are able to pick out the most expensive things in these places.)

This old pink chenille bedspread was fun. It reminded me of an episode of Sarah's House, where she turned something similar into pillows for a little girl's room. Two euro shams out of this would look so cool in a girl's room or any room for that matter. It adds color, a vintage touch, and texture. Only $40!

I picked up this little baby for $14. I immediately pictured it painted some bright color and sitting on my desk at home. Not sure yet what the final look will be but I will post the progess soon! (p.s. it works!)

I know, I know...it's an ugly grey headboard. BUT it's an upholstered headboard for $29! All you have to do is make a simple slipcover for it or reupholster and voila! I have made several headboards and although inexpensive in comparison to buying new...you still have to get the wood, the batting, the foam... let alone go through the steps of constructing it. If I was in need of a queen headboard, I would have snatched this up!

Seriously almost bought this accent table with a marble top . It was $199 and great just the way it was. It would look perfect in an entryway. Unfortunately the size didn't work for my house. :(

This table is hard to see but it was really cool and large. Perfect for a family room and someone looking for that aged look. Only $129...try finding that at Pottery Barn.

OK here is where it gets SCARY!

Ugliest lamp on earth award...is that fringe?

I actually thought about getting this to put next to my bed..."oh hello Mr. intruder"

HOLY HOG!!! (this thing is was a beast :))