Cozy Study Area

As previously promised, here is my daughter's cozy study area. I created this space for her because her room was too distracting for her. Too often did I walk in on her only to find her playing with her barbies, little pets, or game boy instead of doing her homework. I moved her to the dinning room hoping it would work out better, but I was wrong.

So I found her a little nook in the living room that was empty and began making it her special study area. She loved it the minute she saw it! I have noticed how much she enjoys doing her homework now, and how clean and organized she keeps her desk.
The mini eiffel tower is actually a gift from Paris, she loves Paris, just like mom. You what she told me the other day while shopping at Target? Her: "Mommy, you know what? I am so into you!". Me: "What? What do you mean?" Her:, "I just love your style of decorating! I love how you make everything so cozy and yummy and cottagy(?) and parisy(?)." Yes, yummy is a word we use to describe anything and everything. She also said she wants me to decorate her house when she buys one. She made me so happy, and like my bff says, she gave me warm fuzzies. I'm glad to know my daughter appreciates the fact that I am working hard to make our home our cozy and yummy.(?don't know if these are actual words, but that is what she said)

My 2 year old son on the other hand can careless, his only care in the world right now are cookies, cars, and making the biggest mess possible in one day! He's another story.

OK, now for the details on the study, almost everything on the desk is from GW or garage sale with the exception of the mini trash can(Target dollar section, $2.50) and the wooden doll(Ikea $6 I think). I made the doll a female by adding a flower on her head and a tutu made of toilet paper. The trash can also got a little touch of toile ribbon and a label holder.

The fun & cute file folder is from Wal-Mart. I am using this one for all her papers that need my signature.

This was an ugly frame, that I forgot to take a before picture of it, purchased at GW. I left the frame alone and just spayed chalkboard paint on it. The banner is just scrap paper and ribbon, easy peasy!

The lamp was also a GW find, I sprayed it with metallic silver to cover the ugly brass. I am working on a cute, girly tassel to hang on it.

The black ottoman stores our throws and the toile box is storage for what ever needs to be hidden I mean stored.

And there you have it, the only area in the living room that is complete.

Thanks a million for your time and kind comments. I am linking up to:

XOXO

P.S. Come back on Monday for my hallway reveal. Here's a little hint, what do you do with all the millions of wallet size school pictures you have been accumulating from your family's kids all these years?? When I say school pictures, it includes the football picture, the cheerleading, the graduation, the flag team, the prom, you know the pictures you only get the wallet size version of because apparently you are not worthy of the 8x10? Yeah, those kinds. So come back and don't miss out.

Kitchen Inspiration

How many of us already have a million projects to do/finish?? (both of my hands are up) So why do we keep adding to our endless list of projects?? Do we have the need to feel like Super Woman, we can do it all, the more the better type of attitude?? I guess so. I am juggling my daughter's room (still), hallway(almost done), her study nook(few touches needed), and the kitchen(almost there)! So I did what I love to do the most, and that is to search for inspiration for my kitchen. Why not? It's not my priority right now, but I can start right?? Well, I hope you get more done than what I have been able to do. Did I mention I am having a garage sale this weekend? Yup, another thing added to the list. Oh well, enjoy these lovely kitchens.

The Old Painted Cottage

This is a must see blog if you haven't already, Jennifer is sooo talented. Love this kitchen!

This is gorgeous! ( picture, unknown?)

stickclosethome

If i only had the guts to paint my cabinets this blue color, sigh.
Country Living

Love it, just love it!
Country Living

Beautiful.

The chairs are my favorite!!

Country Living

Do you see the #2? Love it and this kitchen too. I want to add burlap to mine, maybe to the windows, hmmm.

Oh yeah, this one is gorgeous.

Love the coziness of the teal color.

Hope you enjoy browsing through these kitchen pictures, I know you may have already seen some or all of them, but a second helping never hurt anyone, right??

Thank You for stopping bye beautiful!

XOXO

Sometimes it's ok to judge...

...a book by it's cover. We all have some books we use and love, but sometimes they just aren't pretty to look at. So I began searching for ideas to cover 2 huge dictionaries that will be on my daughter's new study nook(pictures will soon be posted). I came across these wonderful pictures of books that were full of inspiration. I like these books, the colors go very well together. Too bad that is not my color scheme., cute shoes though.

photo from Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage

Oh yes, the very creative, hands on kind of girl, Gina. Now this is more me, love the white and soft teal book combo.

photo from HGTV

I love this picture!! From the cute robin eggs, to the chippy cream bird, and of course the books. You rock Rachel Ashwell!

photo from The Enchanted Cottage
This looks so cozy. I would probably give the little birdie a spray paint make over though. The books are so vintage looking, love the colors on the covers.

photo by Dan Meyers
What a great idea! I will definitely try this idea out in the near future, but for now let me show you what I did. This is the before picture of the books.


And this is the after picture of the first look.
I used brown paper from a roll I bought for my son at Home Depot, and added jute webbing(thank you EAB Desings for the inspiration). I liked it, but realized it was not girly enough for my daughter's desk, it was more me than her.
So then I tried this idea next.
This worked out so much better. I used fresh flowers, and ribbon to match her pink, teal, and black theme. The ribbon also ties well with the banner I made her, oh you haven't seen her banner yet, have you? You will soon, pinky promise.(moms with daughters, you know how serious a pinky promise is right?)


I will be posting my book cover idea at:

Thank you as always for taking the time to stop by and visit. (wink)
XOXO

I WON!!

Miss Mustard Seed @ The Mustard Seed Creations has just e-mailed me to let me know I have won her 100 followers giveaway!! Do you know what it is?? A custom painted bread box inspired by me! Yes, I have the privilege to give her my vision and she will create a one of a kind treasure(my inspiration + her talent, passion, & creativity = a Masterpiece)!! I have never owned anything that was custom made for me(except my 2 children), but you know what I mean. This is such an honor to have been picked from so many entries from women who also had a wonderful vision.

Thank you Miss Mustard Seed for this beautiful treasure you are going to be creating for me. As I mentioned to you, it will become an heirloom piece that will be passed down to my daughter and she too will do the same. For now, I get to enjoy it. So I am off to collect inspiration for you and to gather my dear possessions for their new home! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

XOXO

P.S. If you haven't seen her talent yet, now is the time to do so. So drop by, leave a comment, and since you're already there might as well become a follower!

Look what's new!

Do you like my new look?? I hope so, I decided it was time for a new "fall" look for my blog. I know, there's no autumn related pictures on it, but it's now all about pictures. Colors too can set the mood, and for me rich brown with a touch of heavenly teal says fall to me.

So let me know what you think, drop a line or 2.

XOXO

P.S. I got my new look from here

Sunday's Bible Text

God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name

_Heb. 6:10

May you all have a wonderful Sunday with your loved ones.

XOXO

apples anyone??

It's officially Fall and while everyone is showing off their great fall decoration ideas, I though I would post something different that is still so Fall....Carmel Apples! With so many delicious ways to dress up an apple now a days, how can you eat just one? They are such a delish treat and a must make dessert for my family. I will be planning our carmel apple making day pretty soon with my daughter, she is very excited about this. She gets even more excited when she gets to give them as gifts to our friends and family. Do you enjoy making these treats?? Please, do share your ideas!

popcornopolis

Carmel is still my favorite kind, I like sweet and simple.

Happy Friday and have a Wonderful weekend!

Thank you for stopping by, you are so appreciated.

XOXO

My very own Honest Crap Award!!

Miss Mustard Seed at Mustard Seed Creations has awarded me the Honest Scrap Award! I am delighted to say that his is my 2nd award(2 is my fav number!)! I am very thankful and appreciate this award, thank you Miss Mustard Seed!

Here are the rules that must be followed upon receiving this award:
1) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award.
2) Share "10 Honest Things" about myself.
3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.
4) Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving.

Here are 10 things about me....
1) I am a certified Make-up Artist, an aspiring photographer, and an interior decorator at heart.
2) I am a mother of beautiful, manipulative, drama queen, 11 year old daughter with an excellent sense of humor I might add, and of a 2 year old well mannered, kind hearted, adventurous, sweet boy(of course this doesn't apply when he is throwing his tantrums).

3) I love, love, love guitar music! I actually own a beautiful guitar ,and I'm hoping my son will learn to play it in the future.
4) I am the oldest of 4, my little sis is 18, and the other 2 boys are 21, and 29.

5) I have a fear of the ocean, but love the beach. (I blame Poseidon, and Titanic for this)
6) My favorite colors are purple, red and fuchsia. Isn't fuchsia a combination of red and purple?
7) I was a cheerleader, volleyball and basketball player, member of the FHA(Future Home makers of America), played the clarinet, and was a member of student council back in High School.
8) My dream vacation is to visit Italy.
9) I am a country girl at heart, but you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at me.
10) I like to see people fall, I think it's the most hilarious thing ever. Of course it's not funny when they are bleeding or seriously hurt, I do have self control for those unfortunate cases.

And now, I'll pass this Honest Scrap Award onto the following blogs, which are beautiful and have inspired me(they are in no particular order):

1.The Shabby Chic Cottage

2.Six in One hand

3. My Repurposed Life

4. Just a Girl

5.Vintage Chic Home

6. Reinvented

7. It's So Very Cheri

XOXO

*Mini B4s & Afters

*I say mini because it is just a single thing that is being transformed as opposed to a room, wall, nook, ect.

So this is what kept me from blogging a few days ago(and housework). Can you believe I'm still scrapping off paint from my nails?! First, let me start by apologizing in advance for the poor quality of some of the pictures, my camera was having it's moments. :) Okay then, shall we begin??

simple boring frame

now it's a pretty mini portable chalkboard

This wire basket was bronze before I painted it white and

added a little bit of ribbon and scrap paper.

Remember these, they were my GW finds, not so pretty.

Now, very pretty and cute.

Another GW buy.....

and after a spray of black. Doesn't it look classy now?


Very pretty 2 tier bronze basket, but not my style (anymore).

Ahhh....much better, after it was introduced to Heirloom White.

From cock-a-doodle- NO!

To cock-a-doodle-YES!!

And finally, this was a garage sale find for $2 a few months ago.

After white and chalkboard paint, and little bit of scrap paper, this is what it looks like now. I am planning to do some lettering like the original had, but I'm not sure what to put yet.

So, what do ya'll think!!
I am linking up to:
and

If you haven't already, go check it out! You will love Kimm's blog, she's amazing!

XOXO