Christmas Loot

I had a wonderful Christmas in Oklahoma with my family and friends and am now back in Kansas City trying to get back into the swing of things and unpack all of my loot, which includes...

a cute little piggy to hold my change {OK... it is really my husband's, but I like to think its mine!}


a beautiful planner to keep me organized in 2011



this rockin' tray from Furbish to display my knick knacks on



and probably what everyone else had on their list.... an iPad!



What did you get?

SLR Advice

I am about to purchase an SLR camera for my Christmas present and need advice. I have looked at the Nikon D 90 and a couple of Canons but have no idea which to buy? Help...

Also, a very merry Christmas to all of you! See you in a few days!

New Rugs

I came across these Ballard rugs and fell in love! I ordered a 2' x 3' for the kitchen and a 3' x 5' for my office {which is still in the planning stages}.



The best part is that they are outdoor rugs, which will be perfect for the kitchen!

Craigslist Find

**Update: I went and looked at the chairs and they are too short! Thank goodness the hubs was there to make me measure. The search continues...

Just came across these and sent over an e-mail to see if they are still available. Two are without cushions but for $100, I can have some made! These would be so fantastic in my breakfast nook!!



Fingers crossed!

DIY Wreath

I made this yarn wreath from a tutorial I found here. It was so easy to make. All you need is a wreath form, yarn and felt! Now I just need to decide where to hang it...

Popcorn is ruining my life...

Today I am doing this...



And my kitchen looks like this...



It's awful.

Lowes Last Minute Gift-A-Thon

I ran across this promotion that Lowes is doing this weekend. From Friday, December 17 to December 19 at 11:00 pm, Lowes wil be posting 90% off values on their Facebook wall. I think the first 20-40 to enter their e-mail address will get the coupon e-mailed to them. Word on the street is that last year they offered a Dyson, water heater and Keurig to name a few! I have already assigned Hubby to be on the lookout Friday while I am at work... I bet he is thrilled :)

Kitchen Design Board

I have finally come up with a plan for the kitchen! A couple of things are underway and I can't wait to share. But for now, I will leave you with this:

Animal Print

I am almost finished repainting my hallway and need to start gathering art for a gallery wall. I came across this lab print on Etsy and it looks so much like Sassy that I must get it!



See the resemblance?



Yeah, she is pretty cute... now I just need to find one for Ellie girl.

DIY Sunburst Mirror

Check out the sunburst mirror I made using the tutorial from Isabella and Max Rooms... it turned out wonderfully! It is hanging over the "buffet" in the dining room. I am currently looking for a campaign dresser to replace the table that is sitting there now. Still have a LONG way to go but wanted to share the mirror :)



The mirror is from BBB and the bamboo sticks are from Micheal's.

Excuse the bad lighting/picture. I never seem to be home when it is light outside...

Chairs Before and After

Before:


After:


I had originally planned on painting them {there are two by the way}, but I think I like them just the way they are!

In other news, I thought I would share a picture of me and my friend "Stripper Steve" from the OSU tailgate this past weekend. We go way back...

Inexpensive Warehouse Light

While at Home Depot the other day, I came across this warehouse style ceiling light for $30. I racked my brain quickly to figure out where I could use it and came up short. Hopefully one of you will be able to find a place for it!



I also came across these pendant lights while looking for the warehouse light. I have not one spot for a pendant light in my house... I probably should make one.

Brushed Nickel Pendant: $42



Nautical Pendant: $39

*all images via homedepot.com

Savers Finds

I found a couple of goodies at Savers yesterday and I thought I would share.

$2.99 lamp. I think I will...



Now I just need a white lampshade and that deal will be done.

I also found these vintage game bird cocktail glasses for $4. I thought they were special because my husband loves to hunt pheasant and they will look pretty when I get a bar going one of these days!

DIY: Striped Entry

I finally tackled painting the entry this weekend and decided to go with stripes. Here is the before:



I first painted the walls a creamy white. {Aren't my girls cute??}



Then, I taped using the delicate surface painter's tape {since I had just painted the walls 48 hours prior}.



After this, I just painted in the stripes with the same color that is in my living room, let dry for about 30 minutes and then peeled off the tape. I did not have ONE bleed through spot. I was so impressed with the tape! It came out perfect!



I am pretty obsessed and even the hubs approves! Now to get a new light, and entry table and accessories...

Shutters

We have had the most embarrassing homemade shutters on our house for the past year and a a half. Yes, we have trouble getting things done around here. We have since had one too many comments from our neighbors about them so we finally decided to run to Home Depot and pick up some that were in stock.

Here is the before:
{I am not really sure why I took a picture of the side of the house??}



Yup... it's pretty bad. No wonder we were getting complaints!

And here is the after!



Not too shabby for 30 minutes of work.

Home Goods Find

Found two perfect buckets for the bottom of my book shelf. White and faux croc. Need I say more?





The bookcase is coming together slowly but surely. Right now it is just sort of collecting things. I still need to style it.

I have a finished project to show you and finishing up another this weekend so stay tuned!

Arts and Crafts Style

While searching through home plans {no, we aren't building a house}, I came across this beauty. I loved the home's exterior and then was surprised to find that a stylish family must live inside!



























**all images via architecturalhouseplans.com

Fabric is here...

...and this is what it looks like! I got it here on sale for $7.60/yard.



It will be going on two chairs for the living room. I have showed them in the past but won't show them again to try to build up the anticipation :) If you really want to know, I am sure you could travel back a few months and find them {I know I procrastinate}.

Anyway, they are getting dropped off with the upholsterer tonight! Won't it look so good with the chiang mai? Can't wait to show you when they are done!

Best. Shoe. Ever.

This might be the best looking shoe I have ever seen. I must have them.



Just thought I would share :)

Coat Trees

While browsing through the new Country Living magazine, I came across these cute coat racks inspired by nature and I love them!

My personal favorite: Knobby by Nature



Reclaimed Root:



Twig Rack:



Wouldn't one of these looking stunning in an entry?

New Inspiration

Happy Wednesday! These are some of the new images saved in my inspiration folder. I didn't save any of the sources, sorry! I really have to get better about that.











I ordered fabric today... can't wait to show you what it's for!