IKEA Love

When I was in Dallas a couple of months ago I, of course, had to run into Ikea for a few items. Kid in a candy store....

Here's my cable line in the hallway to display the girls artwork. Our fridge was getting cluttered to say the least with bringing artwork home twice a week, so I thought this was a much more organized and chic way to display their masterpieces.

I love it so much!

I just loved these fun wavy sticks. I had no idea where I was going to put them, but I knew I would find a place.

They remind me of birch wood, which I adore.

I heard OKC is getting an IKEA. Has anyone else heard this?

I would be one happy girl if that's the case. :)))

Fall Loot

It's so nice to have an excited helper when I drag out all the Holiday decor. She kept saying, "ohhhh, ahhhh, preeettty mommy"...

Holiday gel stickers for the front window have become tradition the last year.

front porch lanterns

Spooky Mantle~ I haven't bought anything new this year, just made a few items. And there is no rhyme or reason to my mantle decorating madness. I basically just stuffed our ledge full of everything that could fit. It looks kind of messy and sppooky...i like it. :) I did purchase purple Halloween lights to add some sparkle. The candy corns I made this week at our Pin Party (more on that later). I also moved my Mossy Pumpkin wreath inside and hung it on the back door to make room for my new Halloween wreath for the front door.Halloween Wreath
Really stoked about my $8 garage sale swap find (from my friend Courtney) iron flower pot!! It's the perfect pumpkin holder!

Annnd, I lost my helper.
Audrey got preoccupied and started playing in the dirt. ;)

Happy Halloween!

Mantle Painting

I've had a blank canvas perched on the mantle for a few months up until a couple of Fridays ago when I finally got the inspiration, courage and time to devote to it.

I put the girls to bed, poured me a Skinnygirl Margarita, turned on It's Complicated on the dvr, and went to town on that blank canvas.

I'm so proud of the outcome and I'm loving the colors that it adds to the space.

P.S.~I found a new hobby!! :)))

A Few Changes

I realize I've been neglecting my blog for a while now. Things have been super busy around here. Between summer activities, the girls, summer travels and design projects, my head is spinning. I thought I would show you what projects I've been working on lately around the house.

A few months ago I painted a white wash on our red brick fireplace. We don't have great lighting in our home and our wood work is dark, so I was really wanting to lighten up the space.

white wash~ i mixed half water and half chalk paint to create the mixture.

A few months later I decided to paint the entire fireplace with Behr Graceful Gray. I love how it turned out. I'm gathering inspiration and the courage to create a painting for the mantle, hence the blank canvas.

I would love to try and recreate this painting that hangs on the wall of my favorite restaurant, Bellinis.

This is our living room (Easter) before I painted the walls.

It was a dark beige that my mother referred to as 'baby poop'. HAD to go!

Here it is after with one coat of Behr Fashion Gray! Love it!!

My new Mary McDonald design coffee table book from my friend Callie. We both sent each other one and I adore it!!! MM is oh so talented and definitely a fave of mine on Million $$ Decorators!

Pottery Barn pillow that I bought to tie the rust colored couch in with the gray walls

On our trip to Dallas I got this tray at Z Gallerie that sits on our entry console and is filled with shells from our Florida trip this year, my Jonathan Adler vase and book I bought on a shopping trip in Atlanta, and family photos.

Before my bed side table was a dark wood. I lightened up the dark corner with Old White chalk paint. Much better.

I love the knob

A painting that was sent to us from a very talented artist in California, Dorothy Vogel. It's G Doc taking a picture of Audrey. Our first piece from her and definitely not our last!!

I've been wanting to get back into painting for quite a while now. While the girls were napping last Sunday I pulled out my paints and brushes and decided to whip something up. This is hanging in our dining room and I think it turned out great. Not too shabby for not painting in years!

Here's the second one I painted that is now in our entry.

This was a hand me down from my mom that I've had for years. Never been a hunter green fan and I'm not sure why I didn't paint it sooner.

After~ I spray painted it with metallic gold spray paint and it's now in our dining room and holds some bar accessories.

I found this great lucite candle stick lamp at Marshalls and absolutely adore it.

The mirror in our dining was silver and it's now Old White.

I now have my crystal collection as the centerpiece on the dining table.

I'm loving trays lately. This red tray I purchased at Hobby Lobby @ 50% off and it holds all my bathroom accessories. Love a bargain!

It's been fun sprucing up the place!!

Chandeliers

I've been browsing for chandeliers online and in stores for almost a year now. Of course, everything I love is waayy out of my price range.

I found these beautiful chandys on Overstock.com and I couldn't believe the price! All are priced for under $200!!!

The only lighting in our dining room is 4 can lights on dimmers. I never like the light on full blast because it gets so hot (especially while entertaining) and the lighting tends to be a little too harsh. I'm a fan of soft lighting. But, when I turn down the lights a tad, there is this awful buzzing sound. It drives me crazy. Anyway, I'm wanting a glamourous chandelier to provide the lighting I'm craving without the buzz sound and hefty pricetag. I think I may be in luck. Love it when that happens.

This one is my fav, I think. Very elegant and glam!

Also available in white

I love this one because it's so unique and bold!

Simple and elegant

Sparkley shades! This would be so pretty with the light reflecting off the shades.

Any favorites that caught your eye??

A Few Additions

It has arrived!!!

Lookie what I got in the mail this week!!

I always wonder if I will experience buyer's regret after purchasing an item online, but not this time. I couldn't love it more! :)

Our display of shelves that keep our 'untouchables' unbreakable from curious little hands!

A crystal candlestick I snagged at the antique market while shopping for a bed.

They're always a classic.

My new lamp that I'm absolutely in love with! The shape of the base is what drew me in. It just needed a little pop of color to really shine.

After~It always blows my mind what a can of spray paint will do. Love it!

We picked this up while we were on vacation in Savannah last summer. It got broken in the process of shipping, so I finally got around to repairing it a few weeks ago. Nothing a little heavy duty liquid cement can't fix! I've missed it and I'm happy I get to finally admire it!

I don't know if you know this or not, but I suffer from 'PSAD' {Picture Selection Anxiety Disorder}.

It's a very serious thing and I'm trying to change it. ha! Finally getting around to selecting my favorite wedding shots for framers.

Let's take another peek at my pillow. Yup~still love it!

I can not wait to see the walls gray!!!!!!

Quince shrub branches make a lovely spring display!

Ava striking a pose!

If you haven't noticed, my babies love to be naked. :)

I have spin in the morning & get to paint, eat sushi & sip on wine tomorrow with my mom & sis!

I've been looking forward to that all week!!!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!