Boring Post

Stuff to be done:

• Get delivery of mulch

• Finish side yard project (landscaping fabric, spread mulch)
• Get wallpaper hung
• Guest room duvet
• Frame for parrot
• Repaint campaign dresser
• Drapes, guest room?
• Cowhide for DR
• Get stair fixed
• Quote for entryway tiling?

It's not much, but a list helps me feel organized. I called wallpaper guy today; can't wait to get that scheduled -- it's going to be awesome!

Quick Beach Getaway

We had a great (and hot) getaway to Topsail Beach over the weekend. It was a delight to introduce Burt to the Atlantic Ocean. He had fun, though wasn't quite sure what to make of this jellyfish. At least he knew to keep his distance!

Reading...

Candyfreak, a witty take on the candies of today and yesteryear, the people that eat them and the folks that make them. Picked it up at a yardsale a couple of week ago. A fun, light read. I'm packin' it to Topsail Island this weekend.

On that note, have a great weekend!

The Parrots of CASA HV

Last week I talked about a great source for frameable prints - oversize calendars! The Taschen parrot 2010 is awesome and less than $6 on Amazon. Not kidding! It's printed on heavy, textured stock and is even perfed so you can tear off the calendar-y parts easily.

Here are my results:

The print's a bit of an awkward size - 13.5" x 16" so I went with a 16" x 20" floating frame from Target. No custom frame or mat required!

Hanging below is a framed piece of gift wrap (the flat sheets hanging on racks) from Paper Source. I've been hanging onto for years. It's a vintage map of Paris in an IKEA frame. I have another snippet of the same map hanging in the bedroom.


I'm 3 hours away from an IKEA, my usual source for affordable frames. But Target has some excellent options, too. Why pay more?

Work of Art

My DIY art is hung. Initially I wanted to place it in hallway, but I moved it into the guest room on a whim and I kinda like it here.

Lookit that sad lampshade! Wrong size, I know. I borrowed it from a living room lamp for this shoot to deflect the light from the lamp. Finding a good lampshade is hard--and pricey. How can a wire frame stretched with cotton or polyester be so expensive?

I also realized today that I have 4+ sets of lamps that are all green. What does that mean?

Rocked

This is what a little less than a ton of gravel looks like. Ain't much, huh? My trusty red wheelbarrow stands at the ready.

This is what the pathway on the side of the house looked like. It's a mini oak tree farm. Sounds charming but it's really not. More like a growing forest of horrors.

And here's the path with some gravel laid. I moved said ton of gravel myself! Never underestimate the power of a girl with a flat front shovel and a wheelbarrow.

Deal of the Century

If you like bird decor like me purchase this parrot calendar post haste. Excellent for slicing, dicing and framing! 12 gorgeous birds for less than $6.

Mine arrived today and I'll be on the hunt for frames this weekend.

Let's Hit the Campaign Trail

Ok, I know flash photos are a no-no but I had to show off my latest CL score! Here in NC, pickins can be slim when it comes to furniture that's not straight out of 1989. Or particleboard stuff from Walmart. Another hot design style is country clutter. So I was happy to have randomly clicked on a listing for a set of campaign-style dressers. I swear, when I have the patience to dig, CL almost always delivers!

There was a short dresser and a nightstand, too, but they were spoken for. So I settled for this tall chest. Getting it home in my compact sedan was a bit of an adventure but with the station wagon rolling out to KY this weekend to see The Dude, I had no choice.

Did you know that campaign furniture was always made in separate parts to make it more portable? Clever!

Back to my find - I may repaint but I'm going to live with it for a bit. it's in the guest BR, which is in cream, green and brown so it actually kinda coordinates as-it!

Birthday Shout Out

Happy 34th Birthday to Jake!
Look how happy he is to be on his hallowed ground, the Oakland Coliseum!

Winning Wallpaper

My wallpaper is here! Sorry for the cruddy iPhone image but I was excited to get it. It's going to take three rolls to do a small foyer - talk about pricey! And this print from Graham & Brown, isn't even close to the top-end of what some wallpaper can be. I mean, it can go for hundreds a roll, vs. the 48ish I paid for these.

Hoping to fit the hanging of this into the budget for next month - no way I am going to attempt to DIY this; I know my limits :)

In case you were wondering...

I want my next dog to be a Dandie Dinmont Terrier. That face is too cute. They are one Scottish export that won't clog your arteries or rot your teeth.

Petite Dresser Roundup

I'm in the market for a small dresser for the guest bedroom. I only need something about 30" wide, so my options are limited. Also, I am cheep! Walmart has some surprisingly great options (though I personally choose not to shop there).

I'll probably default to the IKEA option, unless something at the thrift or on CL comes into my life. I like the Overstock one, too, but it has questionable reviews online.

Here are a few great choices, all well under $400 (save for the z gallerie item).

west elm

z gallerie

west elm

ikea

walmart
walmart (not sure about the chunky feet on this one)
Overstock

Scenes from a Holiday Weekend

We bowled Friday night - I handily beat Jake in both games. Booyah.

I repainted the inside of my faux bamboo china cabinet. Color is Winter Flannel by Valspar from Lowes in satin. Definitely has a bluish/purplish tone to it. I had a sample can of it lying around and wanted to use it up.

Filled back up with our collection of 'nice' dinnerware and our owls.

There was also eating, hammocking, yard work, more painting, cleaning, bike riding, movie watching and the like. But no fireworks! We are bad Americans.

I Should Know Better Than Try to be an Artist

Taking a stab at painting my own art. With a giant canvas 50 percent off from Michael's and leftover paint samples from Lowes and Benjamin Moore, what can possibly go wrong?

I'm inspired by the work of Sally Benedict, her abstracts are great. And her studio's in Charleston, SC! Wish I knew when I was there a month ago.

I shall report back with the results, be it a disaster or divine.