Best Birchbox yet!

I am thrilled with the contents of this month's Birchbox. Happy Valentine's Day to me!

1st up: The beautyblender! This product is in every beauty blog, magazine, and article I read. I have really wanted to get one, but I was having a hard time parting with $25, with what appeared to be 2 sponges. However, I tested this baby out today and it really does an nice job with evenly applying foundation. Love it!

Next: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. I have heard of this brand but never tried anything by them. This is actually a powder that you mix with a bit of water to form a paste. It smells great and left my skin felling awesome.

Ok this next item is something I didn't even know existed, but really cool. Eye Rock Designer Liner. It's basically press-on eyeliner...but exotic eyeliner...if you are looking for a crazy cat eyes this is your answer. Didn't try this yet - waiting for a special occasion :)

Other goodies in my box this month included: Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint, a heart shaped nail file, and some free music downloads.



Well done Birchbox! See ya in March!

elfster = no brainer

Just like many of my friends, I have gotten to an age where through marriage and babies our extended families continue to get bigger and bigger every year. This makes Christmas shopping for everyone, quite the challenge.

So as a solution we do the ol' draw a name out of a hat and buy one gift for one person with a set price limit. It kinda takes the fun out of things, but definitely makes life a little bit easier. However, what usually ends up happening, is that I draw the name of someone that I am not that close to. How do I know what they would like or need? And even worse ( I know this is bad to even say)... someone who doesn't know me all that well ...then gifts me with something that I could do without (I know I am an ungrateful brat).

But no longer! There is a solution and his name is ELFSTER! I came across elfster.com one day, and as soon as I started to look into it I thought, why didn't I think of that?

via

Elfster organizes and manages any "Secret Santa" circle you might have in your life. It will email those included and let them know who they are responsible to gift this year,  as well as allows you to create wish lists for yourself...so if someone gets your name they also get a list of things you would like this year.  Brilliant!

Check out this video for more details:

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 :)...

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

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 :))