A Little Artwork For My Bare Bare Walls

So admittedly I have spent a lot of time painting my walls and picking out furniture, but I have spent absolutely no time actually hanging artwork on my walls.  So this weekend I though I would get around to actually finishing a project, and I simply added some cute Snow & Graham paper that I got from Paper-Source awhile back into a few frames I had lying around.  Here is the poor wall before the addition of the artwork:

I started by pulling out three frames of similar size and color (I say color because I didn't want to have to do any painting...like I said earlier...I wanted this to be a quick project that I WOULD FINISH this weekend).  I still had these three frames left over from the $25.00 craigslist grab-bag of frames that I purchased.

These were all 4x6 frames and they were all of similar frame shape & size.  I also liked that they were all wood and a nice dark color, as I was going to hang them on a dark chocolate brown wall.

So I cut out the shapes I needed for framing from the paper,

And I added it to the frames...

Super simple, inexpensive, and most importantly (for this project) FAST!!!

 Doesn't it look great!  A nice desperately needed pop of color!

It was very nice to go from this...to this!!!

And the total cost was less than $5.00...for the paper and the frames!

Mirror Mirror Now Hung On My Wall!

As featured on:

So I have had an entry way that has been screaming for a mirror for some time now. I didn’t mind spending the money to buy something nice..but I just never could find the right mirror for the space. I have a half moon console table, so something square or rectangular just really seemed like it would be off. I thought an oval or circle mirror would be perfect, but I just haven’t been able to find one that I really liked…or at least liked enough to stomach the price tag. Here is what my entry was wall looked like before:

Really dull right? And definitely in need of something. So I have been searching craigslist online for a mirror when I came across this little gem! (and I forgot to take a “before” picture before I started taping…but you can get the general idea.

It was more than I wanted to spend (it was listed for $49), but when I got to see it up close, I quickly realized that it is actually carved wood with appliques! It isn’t that cheapo molding that you usually find on these classically ornate gold frames…so I thought it was definitely worth the price tag!

So I put 2 coats of Kilz stain & odor blocker primer on it...

and then added 4-5 coats (one whole can) of Krylon hi-gloss white spray paint, and finished up with 3 coats of gloss Verathane brand polyurethane (also in the spray can form). I am so happy with the way it came out!

I was a little worried at first, seeing that when I took the paper off the front I realized that some of the spray paint had seeped through and made its way onto the mirror’s surface. I quickly got out the Windex and that solved the problem (whew!).

I have had it finished for some time now, but never was able to hang it up (keep in mind that it is wood and so it is heavy!), but last night my Man Friend helped me hang it…ok, he hung it all himself…and the picky lady that I am made him do it 3 times so the spacing on it was perfect!

It is really nice to see the first-wall-you-see-when-you-walk-in go from this...to this!

Linking to these parties:
http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/07/its-finally-finished.html
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://www.inthefunlane.com/
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/
http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/
http://www.firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/
http://itsablogparty.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2010/07/show-and-tell-with-modern-bird-studios.html
http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/
http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/
http://lifeaslori.blogspot.com/
http://www.creationsbykara.com/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/2010/07/craft-o-maniac-monday-is-here-my-first.html

Milk Glass Herb Planters

So I was inspired by Miss Holly to plant some herbs in the milk glass compotes that I have been picking up.  I saw this picture on her blog and I knew that I had to plant herbs in my compotes!

I planted some herbs in my smaller compotes (English Thyme & Oregano) and a houseplant in one of the larger compotes.  I simply used some of the Miracle Gro potting soil I had in the backyard...

added some Miracle Gro Houseplant Food where appropriate...

and I ended up with a cute little potted plant!

my cats already seem to be enjoying it...

so up on the mantle it goes!

And with herbs planted in the smaller compotes...

I know have a nice little fresh herb garden going in my kitchen!  The larger plant is basil, and the herb in the biohazard container is garlic chives.

My kitchen now has a little herb pizazz!

My New Shower Curtain

So I have the world's smallest bathroom.  And as such, I wanted to make sure I had a shower curtain that was fun and added some drama to my space.  Well, I think I have accomplished that!

 I am still in the process of painting the walls yellow (to match the gray and yellow tile that engulfs my bathroom), but the shower curtain really adds that POP of color I was looking for!  I got the shower curtain at Anthropologie of course, but it was definitely worth the $50 price tag concerning the impact it has on my small space.

And I also got the bird hand towel from Anthropologie which was totally a splurge considering the $28.00 price tag for the small towel, but I think it goes great with the curtain, and it allows me to now bring pink accents into the bathroom...so definitely a plus in my book!

Thrift Store Finds

As I mentioned in my previous posts, I went to the two local goodwill stores in my area (both of the Concord locations) on Saturday afternoon. And while I didn’t find a super large frame like I wanted, to create a customized bulletin board for my boss’s office, I did find some REALLY great stuff!

Like these two milk glass compotes, which I used to plant herbs in...

And I picked up three of these 8x10 frames for just $3.99 a piece!  I have already spray painted one pink to hang some artwork in my kitchen.

And all of these milk glass bud vases which I instantly filled with yellow roses from my rose bushes out front.  I think I spent a total of $10.00 for 6 vases!!!

Linking with:

http://apronthriftgirl.typepad.com/apron_thrift_girl/2010/07/thrift-share-monday-july-19.html

http://southernhospitalityblog.com/

A Chic Parisian Bun!

I wanted to share this AMAZING Parisian bun I saw here.

So on Saturday when I didn’t really feel like watching my hair and getting ready for a day where I was just going to be goodwill hoping, I thought I would try this look out. I actually love the way it ended up looking!

It was really hard to actually get a good shot of the back of my head using my iPhone…so sorry about the crazy shots. I have actually worn this look several times now, including this very instant while I am typing out this post! It is the easiest (and quickest!) way to do my hair in the morning!