Repose

I've already had 3 job interviews this week, and I have 2 more today. I need a nap. Preferably in one of these lovely rooms...

{the cream and aqua combination is ever so dreamy}

{one of my favorite spaces by Candace Olsen}

{more cream and aqua deliciousness}

{this room is so light and airy}

Sadly, our bedroom does not look like any of those. Don't get me wrong; I love our bedroom. I just can't seem to keep it tidy. In fact, I haven't even made our bed yet today. To be honest, I don't usually make the bed until about 5 minutes before the husband arrives home from work. That is a secret, so zip it! But don't you think an unmade bed looks incredibly cozy and inviting? I sure do. Here is a picture of ours:

See what I mean? I can almost hear it calling out to me...

Ok, that's it. The second I get home from my interviews, I'm going to make myself a Vanilla Chai Latte, climb into that lovely bed, and read "Lord of the Rings" until I feel sufficiently rested.

You may have noticed that it looks like the covers only go partway across the bed. That is because I am a covers-stealer and by the end of the night, all of the covers end up on my side of the bed. hehe :)

So, how do you unwind after {or during} a busy week?

Mirror Re-vamp

I bought this mirror 2 years ago at Goodwill for $7.

I instantly fell in love with the little scrollies {sure, that's a word}, but the color was less than desirable. However, due to lack of time {and sheer laziness}, I left it alone.

{Here is is, reflecting our Christmas Tree in 2008}

When the husband and I relocated to West Chester this past December, I decided that I'd had enough with this mirror and its homage to the 70's. So, I grabbed some paint and went to work.

Two hours {painting all of those nooks and crannies took FOR-E-VER} and half a bottle of black craft paint later, I had a brand new mirror:

{Ta Da! Old mirror made new again with Black Paint}

{A close-up view of the details}

I am SO GLAD I finally painted it! This project has been hanging over my head for too long, and its culmination has actually motivated me to get to work on my other 135 projects {In case you haven't noticed, I tend to exaggerate}. But seriously, do you see my "To-Do/Buy" list in the right-hand column? It's not getting any shorter!

So, are there any projects you've been dreading? If so, get to work! I promise you'll be glad you did. :)

Color Quiz + Giveaway

I decided to take a "Color Quiz" the other day and here are my results:

Spontaneity is the key to your existence. Quick-witted with a flair for originality, you enjoy situations that allow you to explore your creativity. Comparatively conservative, you appreciate beautiful surroundings, especially if they’re found in nature. Your relaxed and self-assured personality allows you to work well with others. Surprisingly enough, your unique and unusual tastes don’t prevent you from being comfortable among your more conservative peers.

What?? Purple?? Gross! I despise the color purple. Sure, I don't mind the occasional lilac-colored throw pillow, and I do have ONE purple sweater {though it's technically more of an "eggplant"}. But I don't think that a color I hate could possibly be "my color". No offense to anyone who loves purple or who has decorated their home in various shades of purple. Purple fine for other people; I am just not a fan.

I suppose the description does apply to me ~ or at least, it describes what I think of myself. I'm definitely spontaneous, original, creative, and witty {well, I try to be those things}. The rest is all very true {I love nature, work well with others, feel comfortable with my conservative friends}. But, still...PURPLE?!?

Let me know if you take the quiz. I'd love to hear if your results {the color and/or the description} are accurate!

{In other news...}

One of my favorite bloggers, Kelly {of Fabulous K Creative}, is having a giveaway!

She's had so many requests that she actually had to CLOSE her waiting list. So, this fabulous giveaway for "a simple and modern makeover worth $55!" is an incredible offer!

Click here to enter :)

I've been longing for a new look, so I really hope I win!

Valentine's Day Freebies

Well, Valentine's Day is just a few days away...are you ready??

If not, I have corralled some links to free {or inexpensive} DIY cards, recipes, and much more. For many of them, all you have to do is just click the link, download the PDF file, print, and you're good to go!

Moulin Rouge Minis
http://www.ambrosiagirl.com/blog/?s=moulin+rouge

Owl Valentine

http://www.livinglocurto.com/2009/01/valentine-freebies/

Goodie Bags
http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2010/01/diy-valentine’s-day-goodie-bags/

"You are loved" postcard
http://ohhellofriend.blogspot.com/2010/02/resource.html

Round Gift Tags
http://loveobsessinspire.typepad.com/my-blog/2009/11/free-printable-goodies-carte-blanche-invitations.html

Smore's Valentine Brownie Recipe
http://100layercake.com/blog/archives/4691

Blank Birdie Cards/Gift Tags
http://junecrafts.blogspot.com/2010/02/youre-tweet.html

iPod Candy {SO creative!}
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts/rock-candy-675037/

Teabag Wrappers & Tea Tags
http://creaturecomforts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/01/free-printable-valentine-teabag-tags.html

Felt Fortune Cookies {very cute!}
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/2010/01/felt-fortune-cookies.html

Origami Valentines
http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/post.cfm/diy-origami-heart-love-note

Twilight cards
http://www.ambrosiagirl.com/blog/twilight-valentines-free/

"Sweetie Pie" Boxes {I'm making these for Ben ~ shh don't tell!}
http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2009/02/diy-sweetie-pie/

A simple "i love you"

http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/articles/download__love_note_designs

P.S. Did you notice my new Etsy button? I made it myself! I love the gray and white combination {of course} and the cute, doily-like pattern. Feel free to right-click the following image and use it on your blog as well...Consider it my early Valentine's Day gift to you :)

Post-Christmas Sales

One of my favorite things about Christmas is definitely the after-Christmas sales. I love going out and finding all of the items that I'd been wanting for months marked down to 75% or more off! And I don't mind that I won't be able to use them until next Christmas. Knowing that I'm getting them for such a steal makes them totally worth the wait!

In December, Katie, from AllBowerPower, shared her AMAZING Potter Barn knock-off Advent Calendar, and I am determined to recreate it next year. Since seeing that beauty of a DIY project, I have been on the hunt for unique ornaments. I knew that my best bet would be to wait until after Christmas to find the best deals {I'll also be scouring Yard Sales this summer for Christmas decor}.

Unfortunately, we moved from Virginia to Pennsylvania right after Christmas, so I didn't have the time {or the moula} to immediately snatch up the post-Christmas goodies. However, I did stop by Ikea around the second week in January. Their Christmas section was pretty much picked over, but I was able to snag these $5 adorable ornaments on sale for just $1:

I wasn't able to go post-Christmas shopping again until last week {I have to go without my husband, as he considers hours of sale shopping to be grounds for Divorce}. Since it was already February, I was doubtful that I'd find any Christmas items worth purchasing. My first stop: Target. I walked around the store for awhile {it was a Target I'd never been to, so I wanted to make sure I hadn't overlooked anything} and finally gave up and asked one of the workers if they had any Christmas items left. She literally laughed in my face. I guess I should have assumed they would no longer be selling them, since their shelves were already stocked with Easter decor {Seriously, what is that about? Easter is still 2 months away!}.

Moving right along, my next stop was Pier1. After perusing the store and scoffing at their idea of what the word "sale" means, I stumbled upon a tiny display in the very center of the store. It was amazing! They had ornaments, plates, and tons of these sturdy silver branches {which I REALLY wish I would have bought, dang it!}. Here's what I walked out with:

Candy Cane Plates: Originally $8 each, on sale for $.78 each

Sparkly Silver Faux Plant: Originally $6, on sale for $.58

Metallic Ornament: Originally $2.50, on sale for $.18

My Pier1 finds spurred me on, so I then ventured over to Walmart...jackpot! They still had 3 aisles in the back of the store brimming with Christmas items: stockings, bows, garland - everything you could ever want, and more. All I had to do was root around until I found just what I was looking for {Hey, that rhymes! "No more rhymes; I mean it!" "Anybody want a peanut?" hehe...Name that movie!}

Glittery Red "Noel" Sign: Originally $5, on sale for $1.25

Shiny Bows: Originally $5, on sale for $1.25

Grey Glass Ornaments: Originally $6, on sale for $1.50

Glittery Silver Sprig {to be used for Advent Calendar}: Originally $2, on sale for $.50

Silver and Gold ornament {Advent Calendar}: Originally $2, on sale for $.50

Bronze Ornament {Advent Calendar}: Originally $1, on sale for $.25

Snowflake Ornament {Advent Calendar}: Originally $2, on sale for $.50

White Stockings {will be embellished later}: Originally $5 each, on sale for $1.25 each

Grand Total Before Sales: $73.50

My Total: $14.07

Total Savings: $59.43

Wow!! Now that I know how much money I saved, I am even MORE excited about my post-Christmas purchases! I will definitely be hitting up the Christmas sales again next year!

Oh, and in case you were wondering why I purchased 5 stockings instead of 2: No, I am not pregnant with triplets {or any babies, for that matter}. I just like to think ahead! :)

So, did anyone else score some major deals after the Holidays?

Etsy Love + a Giveaway

Here are my favorite Valentine's Day themed Etsy finds:

{hooraydesignshop}

{diascographics}

{persnicketypelican}

{upup}

{jemellia}

{joshuabyoak}

{williamdohman}

...

In other news: Kelly {of Sweet and Simple} is giving away this adorable pale pink mum ring in gunmetal over at 6thstreetdesignschool:

I love the sweet color and elegant design. Be sure to enter the Giveaway by Sunday night!

Home Office

We're re-doing our office {just a few tweaks here and there} and I'm trying my best to put the finishing touches on it so I can share some pictures with all of you.

In the meantime, here are some of my favorite offices/office nooks from my inspiration files:

{NuestraVidaDolce}

{MakingitLovely}

My favorite characteristics of these offices are:

#1 ~ Use of interesting lamps and shades

#2 ~ Bold colors and patterns

#3 ~ DIY chairs and thrifted accessories

So, do you know of any other fabulous offices I should check out?

Garbage!

Rachael Ray charges $30 for this "Garbage Bowl"...

Do people actually buy these???

I can't decide which one I hate more! If you think this PLASTIC BOWL is worth $30, you are ridiculously gullible the ideal consumer.

Look:

I have a bowl that I use to hold discarded food...yet mine is from the Dollar Store! And guess what? My bowl does the exact same thing and I think it looks 10 times better than Rachael Ray's!

It just makes me sad that people are so easily deceived by commercials and gimmicks.

I'm sorry if I offended anyone who actually bought one of these garbage bowls. Please feel free to leave a comment, listing its redeeming qualities ~ if it has any ;)

Have you ever been suckered into buying a gizmo that you later realized you didn't even need?

Hilarious Blog + a Giveaway!

I stumbled upon this blog the other day and thought it was too funny not to share!

Maybe naming him Rimbaud wasn’t such a good idea.

haha, love it! Also, Dream in Domestic is having a Giveaway! Up for grabs is a $50 pillow from allmodern.com ~ swoon!

There are dozens of fabulous pillows to choose from, so hurry over and leave a comment on her blog...or don't...then I'll be more likely to win one! hehe ;)