It's the simple things...

See ya jewelry box!

A while back I decided something had to be done with the chaos that was happening in my jewelry box. Necklaces had formed one large knot of chains, all my earrings were missing there mate; it was a mess! Plus on top of it being cluttered -I couldn't see anything I actually had. I came up with a simple solution: A PEG BOARD.

$15 dollars later and a trip the The Home Depot I came up with this:

I think I need to add some more hooks...and get some new jewelry :)

Now most of my jewelry and accessories including: belts, headbands and bags have a home. So far this system is working wanders. So well in fact, that I recommended it to my friend Kim. She to was dealing with the same predicament and was going to go the cork board route. I told her about my project and not only did she create one in her closet too...hers is prettier and cooler :( oh well... Good job Kim you win :)

She painted her board to match the wall color and added a bow...what an overachiever :)

this.is.so.cool.

Forget the charms...give your wine glasses a little dip in some chalkboard paint... that way you can personalize your glasses over and over again.

directions

Wrap it up!

I think I will still be decorating for Christmas right on up to the 24th. This weekend I continued on my with my quest to make my home holiday ready. Check out this SUPER EASY project. Anyone can do this and make a big impact. I like it so much I am thinking of doing it all year long.

BEFORE: Regular old books from the shelf.

AFTER: Glorious Golden Holiday Hardbacks!

I used craft/wrapping paper. I had silver, gold, and a red/gold print.

I left some books as they were. Especially if they were gold or red.

A far cry from the days when I had to cover my algebra book in the 9th grade. And to think I thought I would never use any of that information in the real world...  :)

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 :)

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!

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 :))