Simple Mirror Transformation

I have a thing for old mirrors and bought this old one at a yard sale last weekend for 50 cents. It was filthy and made of plastic - not wood. But for that price, I had to have it!


I spray painted it white and used sandpaper to distress the edges, and in no time, it was ready to hang!

I'm Back!

Well, the Country Living Fair was every bit as glorious as I imagined! There were so many cool booths with fun decorations for sale - my mind could hardly take in all the new ideas that I got! Seriously!

Come with me for a little tour!

Pumpkins and fall decorations...love that chalkboard picture frame in the background!


Lots of antiques...


I will be making one of these wooden quote plaques soon...


I love me some colorful aprons! Oh, the ruffles...



Halloween...


These bottles put me in a tizzy! LOVE THEM! I will be making them soon too...





I also want to make these paper-wrapped tapers. So fun!


The weather was GLORIOUS! Makes me get in the mood for fall!


Can you believe that I did not buy ONE SINGLE THING?? But, we did make a trip to Hobby Lobby where I bought supplies to make some of the things I saw. I kept saying, "I could totally make that!".

What a refreshing weekend! My mind is spinning with tons of new ideas! :)

Heading to the fair!

The Country Living Fair, that is! My mom, sister-in-laws, and I are packing our bags and heading out to Columbus, Ohio for a fun, child-free weekend!

Oh, glory!!

Style Quiz

I took a style quiz at the HomeGoods website and here are the results:

Aimee, you are a BOHEMIAN CASUAL

You are interested in creating a place where people feel relaxed. You have a variety of interests and influences and so appreciate different styles, cultures, and objects. Your home is cozy, with comfy chairs, throw pillows and places to set a drink or a book. But it also feels creative and visually intriguing, because you have an artist's eye that allows you to find objects that appeal to you in a unique and personal way—whether from your travels or from a local shop. This gives your home a feeling of being laid-back, and maybe even a bit quirky with its mix of pieces—some of which are classic, some handmade, some ethnic, and some just rich in meaning to you. You value creativity. You are stylish and fun loving, and can be an inspiration to others. You have a natural sense of drama, and you know you have to be willing to take risks—whether with colors, finishes, furniture choices, or ideas—for your home to stand out. Your home can be happy and lively and the place all of your friends want to be.

Putting Your Style to Work! With your style and needs in mind, here are a few tips that will help you make your home a little happier.

1. Your Design Challenge: UNIFY The good news is, you probably have many things you love and have collected, and no one would ever say your home is boring! You've done the hard part; now you just need to pull it all together. If your furniture seems like a mish-mash, unify it through similar upholsters or slipcovers. When grouping objects, try to find something they have in common. If they share a shape, color or material, they will look like a collection. A tray is every decorator's secret weapon for making groups of small objects look purposeful and sculptural. If your accessories are all over the map, try subduing the upholstery or wall color, so your small items are the stars.

2. Your Happy Place Choose a color or two that harmonizes with the tableware you already own, and collect things like linens, glasses, dessert plates, or platters in those hues. This is a fantastic way to liven up a plain, white table setting. And if you can, set the table the night before a dinner party, so you can really take pleasure in tending to the details.

3. Be Party-Ready All the Time!

Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, keep some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.

Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.

Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!

Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.

Hmm, not real sure on this result. I never would have thought that I would be "bohemian", but who knows! It was fun anyway!

If you want to take the quiz too, click here.

The latest fun (cheap!) finds

This is the latest installment of "What you get when you dig through the bins at Goodwill". I know, some people probably think I'm pathetic, but to tell you the truth, I just don't care! Finding bargains is my idea of a good time!

Here we go!

Giant wall clock. I've since painted the frame black with a crackle finish, because gold just isn't my thing.



These striped chair cushions were exactly what I was looking for and they had 4 of them for $1 a piece!



Cute white tray with little adjustable legs for breakfast in bed.



Random little lantern I picked up. It's sitting on Goodwill plates. Canisters are GW too.



I found this wall shelf/book holder that I put next to my office door. I put the number 3 on it just because I love lettering.



Was so excited when I found these Pottery Barn Sausalito plates! They normally cost $48 for 4 and I got all 8 for $3.97! Score!!



Fun little blocks.



And I couldn't resist this pillow with the buttons.



No, I didn't pick him up at Goodwill, silly! I just included him because I love his smile and I think he's better than the best bargain in the world! :)

Inspired!

Inspiration: noun [in-spuh-rey-shuhn] an inspiring or animating action or influence, a result of inspired activity, a thing or person that inspires.

I found my "inspiration room" for the new nursery that hubs and I are working on, and I am excited!

Yes, I get excited over silly things like opening up a fresh new magazine, or finding the best deal on baby formula, or sleeping in freshly laundered sheets, or sipping on a thick, fattening chocolate milkshake. Among other things.

Anyway, I'm a frequent visitor to a blog you probably know about - The Lettered Cottage. And I am totally inspired by her sitting room. So cozy, so lovely, so chic, so comfy!


I want to try and use her room as an inspiration for the nursery. Can't wait to try those striped walls and I'm just dying over the fabrics! (I'm channeling my inner Rachel Zoe)

Ok, so here's the sad, so-depressing-it's-almost-funny part. Wanna see what our room looks like now?

Are you sure?

Are you really sure?

Ok, brace yourself.

She's a beauty, ain't she? Don't say I didn't warn you!

Beyond the bare studded walls and concrete floor, I do see potential, don't you? Maybe if you squint your eyes enough you'll see it too. At least we have new windows and the electrical part is pretty much done (I think-gotta check with the hubs on that).

I love, love, love to work on projects like this. It makes me get all jittery and excited and HAPPY!! It's been a slower process than I would have liked, but I'm trying to be patient and just be thankful that I have a super-talented husband who can do all the work himself!

Beach House

We had a nice, little mini-vacay at my parents' beach house this past weekend where we did some of THIS...

(my brother with Avery)

And saw a LOT of THIS...

(view from my parents' front porch)

And some of THIS...

(the moon over the bay - so beautiful!)

And didn't get MUCH of THIS...

(sleep, that is!)

We had such a fun time with my family as always (missed you Sara!), but it is good to be home, and it's awesome to put the kiddos in their own bedrooms so we can get a good night's sleep! :)

iNsPiRaTiOn Wall

This morning I worked on this inspiration wall in my office. I wanted to make it fun but not too messy and, in the end, this is what I came up with.

I hung some string and used clothes pins to attach my photos/magazine clippings, etc.



I spray painted an old Goodwill picture frame pink and painted the glass with chalkboard paint.



LOVE these quotes...


I also put some new fabric over this memo board that I made a while ago. It used to be a gold picture frame that I painted white, and the floral fabric is wrapped around corkboard.



It makes me so happy to work on these little projects! The background music I had on while working was Sweet Honey. Nice and relaxing!