Seasonal Purchase Disorder

O.K. so I don't know if this is a real condition but I swear I have it.  Every year as the seasons change and items such as, clothes, accessories, home decor, tabletop decor, etc are marketed, I go nuts. It can be as simple as Spring/Summer inspired magnets (you know because you can never have too many magnets).

There are all kinds of "must-haves" for the season.  Here is just a sampling of what caught my eye for summer....

Lovely items from Cost Plus.
 

Decorative bird cage from Crate and Barrel - the thing is, I already have a similar one that I have had for several years only I don't know what to do with it. How exactly do you decorate with a bird cage?

And outdoor chess set from Cost Plus... I have a perfectly good chess set collecting dust, why can't I take that one outside and let it collect dust out there?

Love these pillows from Pottery Barn...but honestly, how many pillows can one person have? Do people have closets where they stash all of their seasonal pillows....hmm I think I might be on to something there!



And finally, more lanterns....at last count I think I have 11 or 12 lanterns, and I am not even using most of them...I really do love these ones from Zgallerie and you may remember I made some that were inspiried by these (posted here)



Let me know if you have ever heard of this condition and if there is a cure.  Fall is right around the corner and all the new items will be out before we know it....stay tuned for Fall Seasonal Purchase Disorder confession.

End of Year Teacher Gifts

It's that time of year...you know where you are scambling to come up with an idea for a gift for the teacher. One that is thoughtful and will say thank you for all that you have done for my child and basically teaching the kiddos everyday without running screaming from the classroom.  Shout out Mrs. W!

My friend came up with a similiar idea for her son's class.  I was inspired (basically I took the idea). My daughter wanted to make something and this seemed like a breeze.

I am not a scrapper but for some reason I'm a sucker for deals on scrapbook supplies - I have loads of paper, and I mean loads!  I have every intention of making my daughter a baby book (before she is 10) and I do use it for picture mats and cards. But seriously I think I could open my own store.  I was more than happy to be able to use it for this project.

You can see that it's a little off kilter, I wanted to fix it but my daughter made me promise that she could make it all on her own...times 3! She made one for the class helper and the computer teacher.

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Hey Boo Boo...Look at that Picnic Basket

One of my favorite things about summer is picnics - by the river, at the lake, at the beach, at the park, in the backyard...I'm not picky about where, but I am picky about what. For me the best picnics are those with the proper accouterments...my daughter Savannah has become quite the expert in the last 7 years.

I am addicted to containers and well with picnics, you get to use lots of containers! I keep a basket stocked with the basic supplies and always have a cute blanket on hand. I have a couple of baskets, but this is my favorite because it holds alot and I always bring the hamper/cooler.

Dont's forget the libations...

This summer we are planning a few special picnics. Our town shows movies in the park so we will picnic at a few of those and we will be picnicing in the great outdoors on our upcoming roadtip in July. In addition we will throw in the backyard, park and beach along the way.

It'a always fun to have an impromptu picnic along the way!

Do you have a favorite spot to picnic?

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Backyard Vignette

In between the bouts of rotten weather I have been trying to spruce up the backyard. The more I do, the more I find that still needs to be done! Our yard is small so I've tried to creates niches to use every ounce of space.  We entertain often so I want kids and grownups alike to relax and enjoy. I've been painting like crazy to add that pop of color and refresh the old.....

Here is a before of our seating spot by the firepit....pretty bland and boring

and the after so far...

the picture is terrible because I forgot to take it this morning and ran out in the worst light possible. The art on the wall I posted about here.

Do you recognize the fern pillows??? They are from here and the green ones in the back are placemats too! I swear I truly never will look at placemats the same way ever again!!!!

And the pots and plant stands I've had forever - I think I got them from a garage sale or thirift store. They looked terrible...oh and avert your eyes from the deck in need of staining and the ugly paint on the railing (like I said lots to do!)

this one is actually meant to hold a feed bag for a horse - I've always liked it as a plant stand. you can see it to the right of the after picture.

A few cans of my favorite Rust-oleum in aqua and keylime and black satin and ta-da color!

Look how big the puppy is getting and he appreicates the new motif - see how relaxed he is!



Here is the before and after again

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From Fifties to Fabulous

Ahhh the weekend and for me that means spending time with family in Santa Barbara.  I love it here and it's especially nice to be away from the dreary weather of NorCal...hello it's June why is it still raining????

The last time I was here I bought this lovely cabinet for $60 at a thrift store.  It reminded me so much of one that I've had my eye on in the Ballard Designs Catalog.  We were in need of a cabinet to hold the t.v. components and I knew this would be perfect!

I think this would also make a cute bar.

Just look at the detail.....love, love, love
When I showed my husband, he said "Call June Cleaver and tell her to take her cabinet back"....

I really like the diamond grate and as much as I hate taking the time to prep I knew there was no other way.

I've refinished all kinds of furniture, but this is the first time this has ever happened to me...eeeew cracks and bubbles. I sanded and primed and sanded and primed...I lost count of how many times.  And it was only in a few places.

I decided to wallpaper the back for that little something extra. I knew most people would never see it but I would know.  Kinda like wearing really pretty lingerie....

I fell in love with this Allen + Roth wallpaper from Lowe's. More of this wallpaper to come later...like I said I love it!

Measure twice...cut once

Don't you think it gives it that little something???

Away with the unbelievable mess of cords

Ta-Da!

I didn't notice the lid wasn't on the basket until just now and of course I can't fix it....my little OCD self with have to live with the not picture-perfect picture

From fifties to fabulous!

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Garden Art

Our neighborhood has the garages in the back of the houses - which is great for curb appeal, but can be a little challenging for the backyard view.  When we walk out onto our deck we see the back of the garage. I've been trying for years to soften the wall and I think I've finally found a simple way to add some pizazz.

Here is one side... please ignore the deck in need of staining - I'm hoping to put in flagstone this summer!

I primed and painted a 24 x 36 piece of MDF.

And my daughter and I stuck these beauts on..

Viola!  (because this will be outside I sealed with a matte non-yellowing sealer.)

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Placemat Palooza!

Well I've found yet another couple of uses for placemats other than dining.  I was shopping at HomeGoods last week and came across these vinyl placemats.  I thought they were adorable and reminded me of the Moroccan  lanterns and vases that I see everywhere these days.

By the time I drove home, I knew exactly what to do with them.  I had 3 glass cylinder vases and thought by adding the placemats I would get the look for less.

I simply cut the placemats to fit and hot glued at the seem. I might use the strips that are left over to cover votives.

This is a daily double....I've had this tray table for years! I got it at a garage sale and thought it was so cute, but just needed a little love.  This was saved during the last lose it or use it party.

I painted it and lined the tray with the last placemat.  I keep this tucked behind the chair and pull it out for company. It gives them a great place to set a drink and some munchies without having to lean forward to reach the ottoman.

Giving myself a use it or lose it date seems to be lighting a fire under my butt!

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