Simply Lovely Ideas

Candles, Packages and Spicey Vodka Sauce

2009-05-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

I love this bathroom from Elle Decor. It's so pretty and girly... square sinks, gorgeous chandeliers, white white white, and those pink flowers. So pretty.

My ottoman from Costco finally came in the other day. It's wrapped up so nicely in a GIGANTIC box so I'm trying to avoid ripping it open like a kid on Christmas and wait til we get to the new house to bust it out. That box calls to me every time I look at it, but for the sanity of our move anything packed well (that is, not packed by me) should be left alone.

P.S. Went to my local Big Lots the other day and once I got over the smell of sad unwanted furniture I found the cutest capiz candle holders for $1.50! I also picked up a jar of spicey vodka sauce but that's been consumed for dinner. Yumm.

Operation white out...complete

2009-05-23T18:09:00.001-07:00

Just to refresh your memory, here's what I had to work with at the beginning of operation white out...

I know..sad...but here she is after her makeover

I haven't seen a makeover this good since Cher helped Tai in Clueless. Ok, so it's not perfect, but so much better. A fresh coat of spray paint primer, some Sherwin Williams Greek Villa white and snazzy new knobs and it's totally useable. I'm pretty happy with myself. I even popped a little lavender in the drawers for a fun girly touch.

Now on to the desk, not as exciting, just a fresh coat of white paint on a black desk base seriously lightened it up a notch. Here it is out on the porch drying while I worked on the end table. I'll take a nice picture of it in action tomorrow all dolled up with it's glass top.

And of course, what's a project without my helpers. Here they are being lazy on the couch refusing to come outside because god forbid my spoiled ladies break a sweat on the hot day.

Total white out

2009-05-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

I decided to take the day off from work today (please don't judge...I have 3 weeks left and every day is longer than the next, I have a serious case of move-itis) and do a little relaxing, packing and house work. Well it just so happened that today is the most gorgeous day yet so outside I went to do a little painting. We have set of 3 glass top desks with black bottoms that I have been dying to paint white....

...and the other day in a moment of DIY inspiration (or insanity, I don't see the difference) I stopped on the side of the road to pick up this free, poor, sad, ugly looking nightstand and I was determined to fix it up and give it a loving home.

So armed with Gorilla Glue (that bottom drawer really isn't going to work in 3 pieces), spray paint, and some Greek Villa Sherwin Williams paint I venture outside in the heat to let my inner DIYer shine through and maybe get some heat stroke in the process. Seriously, a little upset stomach, headache and fatigue would do me good. I ate a burger and small fry (ok I'm lying it was a LARGE!) for lunch and finished it all off with some ice cream (a creemee, their practically fat free). Stay tuned for the makeover...the furniture, not me, I'm not going to show you all my expanding waste line, that's just weird and uncomfortable.

Someone needs to do this...

2009-05-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

Even though I could never decorate my house in this romantic girly style (my boyfriend is a big manly man and would look just a wee bit akward wrapped in pink polka dot frilly sheets) I just adore it. It's so cozy. It makes me think of breakfast in bed and sleeping in late on Sundays.

On a side note, I finally got my Target upholstered chair I've been waiting for forever, and I absolutely HATE it. Maybe I'm color blind (I know for sure I didn't read the description well enough) but I thought the flowers were going to be a pale blue. They are instead grey, with dark grey depressing flowers all on a tan backdrop that looks like it's been dragged across the gravel. Sorry if you own this chair and love it...for you kids it's opposite day...but for me it's a disaster! To punish it, I've left it stuck suffocating inside it's box and will be returning it the first chance I get. I may even go so far as to take a sick day (I only have about a million built up which I am going to lose in a few weeks when we move) to drive the hour and ferry ride to Plattsburgh to return it. I don't want to sit and see if it's comfy, I don't want to make it work in another room, I don't want to keep it and allow it to mock me every day.

Has anyone else ordered something online that looked so cute but was miserable in person? Please...I can't be the only one.

Ooooh floor pillows

2009-05-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

I really love those brown floor pillows in this photo. With two dogs, it's nice to sometimes just sprawl on the floor with them while watching t.v. rather than squeezing us all on the couch (my boyfriend totally gets all up in our couch space). I'm now on the lookout for some in a similar size and color (they def go with my theme)...gosh I love a mission!

The search is up

2009-05-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Dayton Tray Top Brown Leather Ottoman......

After weeks of searching I've finally found the exact ottoman I've been looking for and at a price that can't be beat. Costco has this bad boy on sale for $299.99 (it's originally $449.99) so I couldn't pass it up. I think it's going to be absolutely perfect and well worth the wait.

West Elm is having a mirror sale (15% off all of them) so I picked up this gorgeous mirror that I think I have the perfect space for in my hallway. It's a little more than I wanted to spend on a mirror, but you can't stop true love.

Hello my name is "Bad Blogger"

2009-05-10T16:17:00.001-07:00

Sorry guys, bronchitis and a flooded basement has kept me super busy lately, and blogging has been on the back burner. I will be posting again soon as lots has happened! I oficially picked my paint colors, bought a great new mirror and found the perfect ottoman. I can't wait to share.

Ooooh sweet comfort

2009-04-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a break from the living room until I can find the perfect couch which I've been obsessing about all week. Ikea has a great one that I want, but after reading some reviews of their furniture I'm a little nervous about its durability. Any one have any good or bad experiences with Ikea furniture? I'd love some feedback on them.

I'm on a little pillow kick tonight, and have spent the majority of the evening trying to decide what type of pillows I want on my patio. I could really go two ways....neutral and calming or bright and fun. Ooooh life's tough decisions. Whatever I choose needs to fit in with my World Market Star Twinkle Lights.

Just some options I've been playing with.

I am happy to help

2009-04-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

As requested by Miss Jill, I am happy to post where I got all of the fun goodies for my inspiration board. Sorry they aren't numbered on the photo...should be pretty easy to matchy match the item with the pic.

1) Montego Bay 2 Shelf Book Case in Espresso
$169.00 plus $10.00 freight charge
www.homedecorators.com
2) Casual Home Linen Window Panel in Natural
$24.99
www.target.com
3) Mission Side Table
$129.99
www.target.com
4) Bloom Floral Upholstered Chair-Mirage Gray
$299.99
www.target.com
5) Ikea Tullsta Chair in Natural
$99.00
www.ikea.com
6) Ikea Ektorp Couch in Beige
$499.00
www.ikea.com
7) Ikea Felicia Throw in Light Brown
$9.99
www.ikea.com
8) Organic Cotton Knit Pillow
$43.00
www.westelm.com
9) Set of 3 Willow Branch Stems
$11.99
www.target.com
10) Ceramic Vase White/Lava
$49.99
www.target.com
11) Roulette Clock 23"
$229.00
www.ballarddesign.com
12) Prestige Storage Ottoman - Dark Chocolate
$509.99
www.target.com
13) Tin Frames from Etsy seller Recycled Relics
$27.00 each
www.etsy.com

May(ish,almost,kinda,sorta) Flowers

2009-04-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

Yes I know it's April....barely!

Before packing them up I wanted to make sure I liked my new fun flora from Michael's. I like the hydrangeas but I'm not sure I love them in that little round vase. I already cut them though, whoooopsies, so I hope they grow on me. Get it! Grow! Flowers! Ok their plastic but whatever.

I love the blue vase I found at Homegoods today ($12.99, sweeeeeet) and I'm pretty happy with the coin disk branches. I think they'll totally fit in with my new living room and look much better against a tan wall.

Little digression now...how amazing is that art/photo wall up the stairs in this pic....

A tisket a tasket..

2009-04-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

I adore baskets! Today I ventured out in the rain to Home Goods and found these great baskets for my freshly painted white bookshelf. I picked up three: two biggers ones with lining and a small one. After playing around with them a bit I can't decide if I want to keep them all or not. Here's some options

I think I'm leaning towards the last one. I still wants to be able to put my massive amounts of books somewhere and the other options just might take up too much room.

On a side note, I found a basket super similar to the ridiculously expensive Wisteria one that I thought was cute for a fraction of the price....$20.99! They even had it in white which I might even like more. I'm sure it's not as heavy and sturdy as the Wisteria one but sometimes you gotta make sacrifices to save some cash....especially on what's really just a piece of decoration! Anyway, I didn't get it cause let's be honest, I don't have a fireplace and so there's really no reason to have it. If anyone does though (ahem Sissy) you should get to Home Goods because these buckets for wood are just sitting there looking gorgeous with no one to fill them. They also had some great fireplace screens.

I got 3 out of my 4 Target pillows in and I love them even more in person. Especially the two rectangular ones. They aren't nearly as metallic and shiny in person and that makes them even more delightful. As soon as the last one arrives (come on UPS) I'll take a pic of them beautifully displayed on the couch we currently own...no promises my dogs won't try to sneak in the photo, they can be such camera sluts.

Lastly, I went to Michael's today (I know! I'm a busy girl right!) and picked up some silk hydrangeas for the kitchen table and what look like big branches with round white disky shells hanging off. I'm sure they have a formal name but I don't care, I love them either way. Just don't know what I'm going to do with them yet.

Tadaaaaaa

2009-04-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

The finished product.......

It's not totally perfect, there's a few drips here and there and a spot where it's not totally covered, but overall I'm pretty psyched about it. It's good enough for me to try again with the nightstand. Can't wait for the next nice day to do it.

I want to get some of these Crate and Barrel Sedona Baskets for the bottom shelf to hold tarts and other goodies.

Today's project

2009-04-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

It's absolutely gorgeous out so I decided to tackle painting my bookcase. I've never painted furniture before but I heard it was easy so I thought I'd give it a try. It's going from a very boring wood color to a nice white by Sherwin Williams called Greek Villa. Cross your fingers for me. If it comes out nice my end table (same wood) is next. Mwah ha ha.

Having too much fun

2009-04-17T17:03:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with playing look for less. There are two mirrors that I've been loving. One is a black chunky one from West Elm, and the other is a Ballard Design Capriz mirror. Target had total look alikes for both of these styles.

I still like the West Elm mirror better, but I don't think I can justify spending almost $400 on a mirror. I think I actually like the Capiz Target mirror more than the Ballard Design one. They were out of stock so the price wasn't available so I'm going to keep checking on it. I can't imagine it's anywhere close to the Ballard Design price.

On a super fun note...I got my first set of new house item packages. It was my World Market stuff and I have to say it was all just as beautiful in person. I love the star patio lights even more than when I bought them. There's nothing that can make your day like a package on your door step.

To funk or not to funk

2009-04-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

All about the lampshade now...it's an obsession. I find myself checking out lamp shades wherever I go. Here's the big question. Go with traditional white like the West Elm one I wanted....ooooor get a little crazy with something like these

Some of you may be laughing at the idea that these tan, barely interesting lamp shades are crazy, but I'm telling you, the very thought that I may buy a zebra print inspired lamp shade makes me feel naughty.

Applause please

2009-04-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of myself. I'm usually an impulse shopper and buy what I want, when I want it...rarely do I look for similar stuff at cheaper prices. However, I was inspired by decor pad's look for less section and I went on the hunt for a cheaper lamp than the West Elm one that I want. I present to you...my look for less lamp....

Not a perfect match by far but with a new lampshade it just might work. If not there's always returns.

Here I go again...

2009-04-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

How absolutely gorgeous is this. I love every detail right down to the little birds scattered throughout. Here I go again with the fireplace stuff! I can put my bucket of wood right next to this....

Where, where, where

2009-04-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

I love those gigantic flowery twigs. I am definitely in the market for some to put in my great new World Market vase. Where can I find some just like that?? I'm on a mission, help if you can.

Perfection

2009-04-15T15:54:00.000-07:00

Can I have a bucket of firewood in my living room even if I don't have a fire place?? This wood bucket is so sweet and cabin like I want it...fireplace or not.

This table from W isteria is gorgeous. I love the color and the distressed look of it. It would be a great simple desk for the office. Sooo outta my price range right now but a girl can dream.

Great new finds

2009-04-15T11:27:00.001-07:00

I love my sister for reminding me about Pier 1. This branch light is wonderful and I love the mosaic mirror...not sure for which room yet....Might be a little much for the living room.

Thanks to Kaitlin for helping me with my commenting problem

Gotta love a sale

2009-04-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

My sister told me about this great sale World Market is having. 25% off with the code FFAPRIL09. What a deal. I got the Capiz light I've been eyeing on This Young House's blog for a while plus an adorable vase and these great lights to go around the porch. I hope I got enough to go around the whole thing.

Today's purchases

2009-04-14T15:35:00.001-07:00

Purchases for the day...shower curtains and rings. Very exciting I know. Plus 3 great white matted frames to hold the monogrammed letters I got from This Young House's shop. Can't wait to get those in.

These are the pillows that made the cut. Fingers crossed they are all going to work together.

How many pillows can one girl have...

2009-04-14T07:44:00.000-07:00

Having trouble deciding what pillows to get for my soon to be new furniture. I need some for the couch, chair and the patterned chair (the matchy matchy bolster will not be staying on it).

Inspiration

2009-04-14T07:14:00.000-07:00

I am digressing from my living room redo because I love this night table in the photo from My Notting Hill's wonderful blog. Not to mention the headboard is gorgeous.

Pottery Barn had some tables just like that a while back. Time to check the outlet....if I only I had one near me.....

Great Vase Debate

2009-04-14T07:08:00.000-07:00

I want to have a vase in the living room that's filled with fake decorative "flowers" I use flowers in quotation marks because I would actually prefer decorative twigs such as pussy willow or flowering branches of some sort. Target has some great ones super cheap that I'm eyeing. I'm looking at a few different options for vases to house these. My goal is to have them on a book shelf or table of some sort, not on the floor. I originally had the second one all picked out but now the West Elm honeycomb cylinder one has grabbed my attention.

Oh the horror!!

2009-04-13T17:58:00.001-07:00

B E F O R E

This is the first room that I've decided to tackle.

What comes first...the clock or the frame?

2009-04-13T17:52:00.001-07:00

Too many choices! The first one from Ballard is the original clock that I wanted. I really can't find anything close to that clock so I started going in a different direction. Now I'm trying to decide whether to go with an "antiquey" feel for a clock or a clean, crisp white clock. I don't really like the white Target wall clock but it has a similar feel for the direction that I am headed. Tough call...and this is just a clock! Perhaps once I decide what I'm going to do for frames the clock will fall into place.

Tin/Antiquey Frames = Antiquey Clock

Clean White Frames = Clean White Clock

Did they ever decide whether the chicken or the egg came first?

Time to Get Real

2009-04-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

Here is my way too pricey living room. After adding up my total (over 2K) it's time to get real and start budgeting better. I need to pick what I can't live without and what I can find cheaper other places. I love the Ballard Design clock but at $229 I'm such I can find something equally cute with a less shocking price tag. The patterned chair from Target is one of my favorite pieces and even though it's about $300 I love the pattern and I'm gonna chalk it up as a keeper. The Ikea chair is a total steal at $99 and the couch for under $500 isn't too bad either. The pillows are organic cotton and at almost $40 per pillow let's be real, so not necessary. The ottoman has been the bane of my existence for the last day. The amount of time I've spent on that today could have been invested somewhere else. After scouring the internet for one that's both affordable and doesn't have an outrageous shipping charge I've given up and am going to look at my local Home Goods, Marshalls and T J Maxx this weekend.

Ottomans Galore

2009-04-13T15:40:00.001-07:00

This Nancy By-Cast Leather Brown Cocktail Ottoman at Overstock is great but a little out of my price range at this point at 359.99. I found some cute fabric ones, but I really want this adorable fabric chair from Target and I think with my beige couch and chair brown leather is the way to go.