$50 Kirkland's gift card giveaway!

Good morning!
~Happy Leap Day~

I hope you're ready for a fantastic giveaway!

I am so excited for this one- and I hope you will be too. 

Kirkland's has generously offered one of my readers a $50 gift card to be used in any one of their 292 nationwide stores or online!

They are really excited about the line of lamps they are offering and I was lucky enough to be able to try one out.

 The Seaside Lamp is gorgeous.  I was really impressed with the size and quality of this lamp when I unpacked it.
It looks so pretty in our living room.

 Loving the blue shade!

This is generously sized and offers a great accent to the side table.
It ties in really well with our colors and the look we have in here.  The crackled glass and silver accents are all very sophisticated and versatile.

 I could see this being used in several rooms in our home.

The packing job was excellent too - everything was well cushioned and secure.

So how about you?  Are you interested?

Here's how you enter:


Leave a separate comment for each entry!
(1 entry) Go to Kirkland's website and tell me which lamp from their line you like.

(2 entry) Post this giveaway on your blog, Facebook page, or Tweet it.

What you need to know:
The giveaway starts today and ends Sunday night, March 4, at 6 pm PST.
For a complete list of rules, you can click here to read the details.
Winner will be selected via Random.org, and will be announced on Monday March 5.

Please make sure you have an email available for contact either in your entry or through your blog. 
Kirkland's will be contacting you via email to send you the gift card.

Good luck!
I know you will have fun looking through their site!

**THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.**

romantic blue and white beachy bedroom- reveal!

My goodness- this has been one long, drawn out project!!

For some of you, it may seem like this just started, but it was actually one of my very first projects here on this lil 'ol blog.
Yep. 

I don't doubt that there will be additions and changes over time, but we are really (finally) enjoying this room.

Here's how it looked when we moved in, four years ago:

We've had varying shades of red since we were married, and we were ready to move on.
A few years ago, I saw a room Nate Berkus did on Oprah, and absolutely loved it.
As in, I saved it on the DVR forever so I could keep going back to look at it!

Here was the inspiration pic:

Nate Berkus via Oprah Winfrey Show

We started to make changes to the bedroom, and there were elements that were ok, but it really fell short of a more sophisticated look that I was going for.  It felt....juvenile. 

Not right. 

Kind of embarrassing, but also worthwhile to see how I'm growing in my photography skills, and decorating taste / style.

Phase 1 of the new, lighter look, August 2010:

September 2010

Eek.
I liked the color of the quilt, and the beachy feel it offered, but we missed the comfy squishiness of a down comforter.  We're just not quilt people.
I found an affordable alternative at Target so we could still have our comforter, without having to spend a lot more money on bedding. (oops)

Everything in this room was purchased at discount, handmade, or thrifted.

Here it is today:

I finally came up with a solution that I am loving for the fabric wall- a curvy cornice! I cut this out from a piece of pine, dry brushed it in white chalk paint and sanded off bits. I think it has the finished look I was missing.

The chippy windows.  Love the texture and vintage feel they bring to the room. The baskets are an inexpensive wall filler for now.  I'm hoping to add some canvas art from some family photos here in the future.

The large wall next to the doors of the bedroom now has a mix of vintage and new items for a beachy vignette.

We traded in a traditional dresser for this vintage cabinet that I painted in a soft white and distressed.
The large manzanita branch is something I looked for a long time.  I picked this up at a flea market during Christmas!
The map above the cabinet was a recent find on Etsy, from Bella Rose Signature.  It's a vintage Bahamas map.  I loved the ship on it and the idea of warm sunny beaches.

We got ride of the faux ficus (nothing screams 1990's like a faux ficus tree....)
and replaced it with a living palm.
Hopefully I can keep it alive! ;)

The bedding was all very affordable.  The sheets look very Pottery Barn, but they are from Target. We absolutely love them.  I got them for $30 (with a coupon) and they are so soft.  Normally, I think they are only $50? so not a bad price anyway!
The little accent pillow came with the duvet cover. I simply sewed some decorative buttons on it.
The duvet cover was also an amazing deal from Target. 

I just love how it finally came together.  The room feels closer to my inspiration pic.  I wasn't going for an exact copy of Nate's room, but more of the overall feel. Light and bright, beachy romantic touches, and some vintage furnishings thrown into the mix.

Here's some more info if you're interested in the details...

Sources for our room makeover:

Pine Shaker four poster bed: wedding gift from my parents, made by my dad

Duvet cover: Target HOME collection, $24.99 for duvet and 2 shams (one is the accent pillow)

Sheets: Target 

Linen Euro shams: made by me

Mirror over bed: gift from my parents- vintage

Fabric wall panel and wood cornice: made by me

Bedskirt: made by me

Vanity stool and cushion: vanity, vintage; cushion (made here)

Bedside lamps: Hancock Fabrics- repurposed from the original ones we were using (in gold) now painted blue

Shades were from Target

Blue dresser: Aunt Bee's House, vintage 

Shell trinket box: TJ Maxx

 wood bookshelf: World Market

Chippy windows: local salvage yard, $15 each

Round basket trays on wall: thrifted

Curtain panels: Lowe's, on clearance 2 years ago. $30 total

Bamboo Roman blinds: Lowe's

Vintage cabinet / dresser: thrifted

Vintage Bahamas map: Etsy, Bella Rose Signature

Vintage fan: flea market, Roost ReImagined

Manzanita branch: flea market

Sea float: Craft Warehouse

Stacked baskets: Ikea, and thrift shops

Shelf: Target

Wall art: shell art (made here) litho- vintage, shadow box (made here)

Large round glass vase: TJ Maxx

Sea grass: Target

Paint Colors:
Walls: Benjamin Moore's Indian White
Inset in ceiling: Valspar Jade Bath

If I missed something, or you have other questions, feel free to ask!
Thanks for letting me share this transformation with you!

Sharing with:
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fun finds, all for me!

...well, for us.  ;)  

Fun finds for us.

I'm working on a project for our master bedroom today in hopes that I truly can say, yes, the reveal is this week instead of hoping, sorta promising, teasing....

I'm kinda excited about what I'm working on and really hoping it works out the way I'm envisioning.

Anyway, on Friday I stopped in at the shop to drop off some items, and while I was there I wanted to do my own shopping.

For a couple months now, I've been admiring this cute little gray and aqua wicker table that a vendor had in the front room.  Well, it was in a different location, and marked down to $4.99!  

Who could resist that?!  I nabbed it!

And while I was there, I also nabbed the current issue of Flea Market Style magazine.  (I guess I should stop saying 'nabbed'- sounds like I'm shoplifting or something.  I really did pay for these!)

It is a great issue, and there are several fun projects I'd love to try soon.  Plus, the cover feature is an Oregon home!

Here's the table in it's new spot.  I was not loving the little side table in here.  I think it will get a makeover and possibly go into my space.

****

On Saturday, after furniture delivery and set up, I was headed home and had noticed a house near us that was selling lots of COOL stuff.  I've always admired this little house because they have a neat little pond next to their place, and the window that faces the street looks like somebody's creative haven.  They must have been collectors /sellers too, because there was some pretty fantastic stuff.

Case in point:

This cute little table chandy had a paper shade in it (? why?) that had a pretty nasty burn mark on it from the bulb.  I pulled that out and my hubby convinced me we needed to keep it.  

Yep, it's why I married him!  He's got good taste!

I had planned to sell it in my space, but this definitely needed to stay.

Price on it?

$5.

And now it looks like this:

Love. 

Shabby chic hutch and an antique dining set

Saturday morning I woke up around 7am to get ready to take in the hutch and dining set to Aunt Bee's. My alarm went off, I reached over to shut it off, and my arm nearly dropped off. 

Like a lead weight was around my wrist. 

All that painting and waxing over the week really took its toll!

The hutch took several hours to finish, but I think the transformation was worth it:

Here was the before when I got it in December at purchase:

I loved the lion head pulls, the scrolly details, dental moulding, and the wire glass fronts. It took up a ton of space in the garage, so we are all glad to have some space back in there!

This massive piece had so much potential. It wasn't until we got it home that I discovered that this was made by Thomasville. I had no idea what year this was, but it had a copyright date stamped on the back, 1969. The inside has glass shelves- each one has a groove for plate display.
 The interior also can be lit from inside.

The back of the hutch was a beige-y stripe, but I painted it in ASCP's Duck Egg Blue. 

The rest of the hutch was done in Annie Sloan Pure White, and distressed with dark wax and sanding.

Neither of these pieces would fit into my space at Aunt Bees, but I was lucky that these were able to go into a room that changes out periodically. 

I love the barn wood walls in here!

The antique dining set was a purchase from one of my neighbors. She posted an "anyone interested?" pic one night on Facebook, and I jumped at the chance! I really loved the shape and design. 

Here was the before:

I painted the base and chairs white, finished the top in dark walnut stain, and recovered the seats in black and white ticking.

I just loved the carved legs on the table! A classic look.

I started working on this post Sunday, and there's already an update.
The dining set has sold! One day! :)

Last week when my friend Jenny was here, we went shopping, and she found some vintage silverware
for me.  She really hit the jackpot- I never find that much in one trip on my own!!

 I also added a creamer, berry basket and wire tray.

The gorgeous baroque style mirror in the background with the chair pic is another vendor's.
I'd love that in my living room!!!

*sigh*

This week I hope to finally get the master bedroom completed. I found some other amazing stuff on Saturday, so I'll show you those soon too. :)

Enjoy your long weekend~

Thanks for letting me show you this transformation. I'm so glad it's done!

Sharing with:
Metamorphosis Monday
Tuesday's Treasures
Redoux
Piece of Work Wednesday
Feathered Nest Friday
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Primp Your Stuff 
Be Inspired Tuesday 
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Furniture sneak peek and pretty junk

Ahh. Friday.

Can I just tell you how much I am loving this new computer? Everything is so fast and clean!! What was taking seconds and minutes to surf around on the old one, is now instantaneous!

I've been working like mad to finish the giant hutch AND antique table and chairs for delivery to the shop tomorrow. It's good that I had a deadline- I got the hutch in mid December and I've been procrastinating a bit...

But today is "wax on, wax off"day.

Top section of hutch

{bottom section of hutch and detail}
Everything will be getting clear and dark wax and some light distressing.

I wanted to show you the preview because I don't know how great the after photos will be- the room that these pieces will be in has no natural light. I am so excited to have these in this space though. I fantasize about this room being "mine" someday.... 

Hey, don't judge. You have your fantasies, I have mine.

Besides delivering the furniture, I will be adding in some more small goodies. 

I took a few in on Thursday- here's what's in stock:

Glass Aqua candlesticks

A pair of French place mats and napkins- love these!

Gold damask vintage jewelry box

Shabby chic bookend

I had just re staged the corner hutch- the vintage Underwood typewriter sold, so I needed to fill in the spot. About an hour after I left the shop, I got a call that the hutch sold! 

Guess I'll be busy on another project next week! :)

New items coming soon: Madonnas and religious art, vintage silverware, hobnail glasses, silver bowls.... So much good stuff!

Have a great weekend!

Sharing with:
Feathered Nest Friday
Show and Tell Friday

25 Things

It's so crazy to me how there are still times that I can see a blogger's logo over and over again, and think "yeah, I've checked that one out / I'm a follower" and realize, that in fact I never have.  

How have I missed some of you after all this time??!

Case in point, Perfectly Imperfect.  I saw Layla's post for this lovely girl, and ended up loving this little slice of blogland, and am now jumping in to her linky party!

Random stuff.  So fun, so me.

Here goes:

1.  I hate the words loaf, moist and crisp.  *shudder* it gives me the willies just to even write them here.  Some Moist Meatloaf with a Crisp top.  That just about sent me over the edge in gag land.

2. Just got a new computer last night!!!! SO excited.  You don't even know.  Our current one was purchased in 2004.  Ancient.  Some days it takes 3 minutes just for the internet to finally pop up once I've hit the button. I am not exaggerating.  Once I get all the important data transferred over I will be in rip city! :D

3. Least favorite foods: mushrooms, beets, oysters.  But especially mushrooms. Growing up, I lived near a mushroom growing plant, and it stunk bad.  You do know how they grow those things, right?

4. Turning the big 4-0 this year.  

5. I am not freaked out about it.  Kinda enjoying where I'm at and what I've learned so far.

6. I love the ballet.

7. People always think by looking at me (?) that I must like country music (you know, in those guessing games scenarios) I in fact, loathe country music.

8. My car is always called a "toaster", but I got it because I thought it looked more like an old English cab.  I love it!! I can haul all kinds of good junk home in it!

9. Zumba is my favorite workout.

10.  I should be getting ready to go right now.

11.  I have a very cautious personality.  It makes it hard for me to really open up and be myself when I blog.  I'm never quite sure who is reading it.....

12. 20th anniversary this year.  Yep, you do the math- turning 40, married 20 years.....I was a young 'un and I wouldn't change a thing.

13.  There are a lot of groupings of 3's around our house.  Just a reminder of how happy I am with our little family.

14. I love foggy days.  Especially in December.  Makes me think of snow coming.  Even though it doesn't.

15. All of my best friends have sisters.  I was always fascinated by that dynamic growing up, since I had a brother. 

16. I am afraid to snorkel.  I don't like swimming in water with fish.

17. Someday I'd love to have a shop with all kinds of fun power tools.  A chop saw, band saw, spray booth....

18. A bible study at our church started two weeks ago.  I went to the first one, and looking at my calendar, I have no idea when I will be able to go back!  :(  *guilt*

19. Our pug, Bella, is very much my second baby.  I do get offended when people say pugs are so ugly they're cute.  Um, no, she's just cute.

20. When I was younger, I was self conscious about my laugh.  One day I just realized, who cares?  It's laughing.  I know it's probably loud and obnoxious at times, but way more fun just to let loose.

21. In middle school, I was bullied on a church ski retreat.  It bothered me for so many years.  Quite traumatic. Not fun to have an entire back half of a bus giving you the bird because some guy happened to sit next to you on the way home.  (who by the way never even talked or looked at me. I was clueless)

22. There are piles of items around my house that I have no clue what to do with.  But it's an organized pile.  That sounded a little hoarder-ish just now.

23. Funniest thing on TV last night: "New Girl"- with Schmidt saying "youthzzz" over and over. We kept hitting rewind.

24. I have had broken bathroom light fixtures in our master bath for over a year. It's driving me nuts.  

25. I can't text the little U R 2 L8 stuff.  I guess I'm showing my age by feeling the need to type it all out properly.  I do LOL though.  ;)  Hey, that kinda ties into #20.

Well, thanks for a little self indulgence today.  I didn't have a ton of time for much else with the double furniture project going on and desperately needing to get a workout in!!

Sharing with Shaunna's 25 things linky party!

Winter mantel

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Happy Valentine's Day! 

Scrolling through my dashboard of posts, I may be one of the few to not have a traditional Vday post here.

Oddball again, I guess.  ;)

Our mantel got a little sprucing / switcheroo for a post holiday winter look. 

Recently I found two Atlas mason jars at a thrift shop, and then a Ball mason was from Junk Salvation. We have a couple vases that I wrapped in burlap and then filled with white flowers from Trader Joes. 

I'd like to start adding in some candles as the flowers begin to fade.

Or maybe my hubby will have some new flowers for me to add in???? :)

On a personal note, we had such a wonderful visit over the weekend with my friend Jenny, her husband Andy, and their adorable little guy, Charlie. They were here for a gallery showing of Andy's art at the university we graduated from. He is very gifted- you can see his website by clicking here.

We miss them so much already!  

Jenny and I have known each other since we first met in kindergarten.  

She gave me the nickname of DD Dingaling in Jr. Hi.  Hers was JJ Jackson.

She has been a part of so many milestones in my life. 

Drama productions, youth group, birthdays, homecoming court, graduation.... 

...we were even married 20 years ago, one month apart!

  She has an amazing singing voice and I was fortunate to have her sing in our wedding. 

A great weekend of laughing, eating, and memories!

We don't get to see them as often as we'd like, but we sure have fun when we're together.  It's rare to find couples that both you and your spouse have such a great time together with.

Love you so much JJ!  Thanks for letting us host you!!