New Little Project
I love finding odds and ends to fix up, remodel, or work on that I can then add to our home. These little projetcs are fun for me and keep me busy. This new task is a stool from my grandmother. Its not new, not antique, not anything special really. I almost truned it down. But, she said that it opened up. That caught my interest. Then, she suggested that maybe I could keep some interesting photos in it. BINGO! I snatched it up in a hurry. I love a bit of unexpected, and her idea of putting snapshots in the stool was perfect. I plan to recover the top with some funky material. I’m not sure if I will paint it yet. Then I will add some old, random photos to the inside for company to explore. Cute! Any suggestions on print or paint? Let me know what you think!
So much potential...
Vintage photos tucked away in here would be perfect!
New Year’s Resolution
Its that time of the year again. Just like everyone else I start thinking of those new year’s resolutions. Yes, this is the year, I am going to keep them! 🙂 Here is my list:
1. Get back to running every morning before work.
The Running Free by Ll'sWorld (Flickr)
2. Finish the desk we started months ago.
My first camera by Sir Cam (Flickr)
3. Be more positive.
Focus on the bright spot, and your whole world will light up! by Sicilian Italiano (Flickr)
4. Save more money, be more thrifty.
Money Saving Tips by Mint Software (Flckr)
5. Keep a more creative eye out for the unexpected inspiration.
How to recycle jeans & Save money by gogreen.savegreen
6. Say I love you more.
"I love you" by g-mikee (Flickr)
7. Learn to cook.
Three girls learn cooking by ~~*♥♥♥Michelle♥♥♥*~~~ (Flickr)
8. Remember to take more before pictures of my projects.
I'll be a Legend after cleaning this mess by naddl79 (Flickr)
9. Just like a little kid with a diary, try to post on my new blog every day! 🙂
my 2007 diary by akaitori (Flickr)
There you have it. There’s my list. They are pretty simple and hopefully that makes them easier to keep! (And cute, fun pictures, too!)
What are your new year’s resolutions??
My Favorite Place In The World
Nope, not Hawaii. That ranks very high on my list, but not my top. My favorite place in the world is my grandparents’ house. That’s it. Simple. Ever since I was little they have had the coziest house (even after moving). Not only are they interesting people and amazing story tellers, but they have such a great home that brings back memories of staying there as a kid. They have always been antique collectors, and this is probably why I have an antique obsession. Their basement is packed with antiques, and trinkets, odds and ends, and so many goodies to look at. Now that I am older and have a house of my own, they have been slowly passing along some of my favorite gems to me. We went to their house for Christmas this year, and I ended up coming home with a truck load of goodies. I hope to someday inherit some more of their great furniture, but I also love the littles they send home with me. Here are a few of my favorite finds from my recent trip to my favorite place in the world:
A close up of the doors and some things stashed inside already.
This is an old pin cushion made from a hoof that we used to play with as kids. I know, kinda creepy, but I think it is totally cool!
This is an old lamp that needs some cleaning. It hangs from the ceiling and you put oil in it. The oil drips down the clear threads that run from the top to the bottom. The oil then glows colors when the light bulb is on. I think it looks kind of like early fiber optics. Its very neat, but has been stored and needs TLC. A project! YAY!
This is a Christmas tree made out of my grandma's antique jewelry. What a cool idea! It is framed in a very old frame and there are Christmas lights behind the black velvet. It is really so cute that I might have to leave it our all year!
One Beautiful Gift
There were so many great gifts this Christmas, both given and recieved. But, there is one gift that I just had to share with all of you! I have posted before about my brother’s art, and here is one more addition to that. I open my gift from my brother, and pulled out an old record album. It wasn’t a name that I recognized, so I was confused, but curious. There was a post-it note on the cover of the album that said, “Look inside.” I pulled out the record to see this beautifully painted vinyl. Amazing! He is so creative and so talented! I just can’t describe it any better than that! So, take a look here:
And, if you like what you see, check out more of his up and coming art at his website: http://rfosterdesign.com/home.html
The record is sitting in front of it's cover, as well as other records, just for reference. Isn't that gorgeous!?
Little Bit Of Christmas
Hi there, I hope you all had a great Christmas and enjoyed some time off. We sure did here. It was a rush from place to place, but we enjoyed every minute of it (and every bite of food). I just had to share with you a picture of my mom’s Christmas decor. She hung three little framed letters to spell “JOY”. Nicely done mom! Enjoy this last bit of Christmas spirit as we all get back into the work week!
And, just for fun, here's one of Tony and I and our tree.
A Touch Of Color
There doesn’t seem to be much color around here lately. The skies are dreary and snow is blowing accross the roads. Again. Ugh. But, amongst the dullness of these winter days, I have some very pretty flowers to share. A client came into my office today and to thank me for the Christmas gifts our company had for his children, he had brought be a small bouqet of gorgeous flowers. Hope these cheer your day as much as they did mine!
I took them home and added them to a vintage wine bottle. It was all we had that was skinny enough, but I ended up loving it!
Trends? Psh.
It is the end of the year and every one starts rounding up the “best ofs” lists. I have been seeing a lot of lists of trend that people would either like to see more of or never see again. The lists made me ponder. I came to the conclusion that I do not care what is considered “trendy” or “in style”. I like what I like and could care less what others think. Actually, I think that I prefer things that were never in style (both clothing and home decor), because then it can never be considered out of style. Also, if I like something, it is because it speaks to me. It shouldn’t matter what list it is on. I change my mind all the time, but not based upon what other people believe is “cool”. I, personally, never fit into one category anyways, because I mix pieces from all different styles. There should be no rules when it comes to your own tastes and your own home. If you truly love it, go for it.
Whew. With that said, I will step off of my soap box and show you all a visual list of the things that I have loved this year. Not because they are trends or not, but because that was what was speaking to me this year. I hope some one can find this inspirational, but in no way am I saying go out there and copy every picture. (Would that make it a “trend”?) Here goes:
1. The first thing that I have loved this year is collections. They can be utilitarian or completely useless. To me, collections can be like art. Some people think that if objects don’t function, they just sit there taking up space, but I think they can be beautiful. Here is a group of cameras and a small group of stereos.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-framed-vintage-camera-collection-on-the-cheap-072111
Angela and Adam's Mood Change. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/fall-colors-2008-midwest/midwest-25-angela-and-adams-mood-change-066295
Graham and David's Modern Escape. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/2008-fall-colors-southwest/southwest-26-graham-davids-modern-escape-066631
3. This is a little strange for me, but this year I have love all clear, or acrylic, furniture. There are so many great pictures, but here is a gllimpse of one that I am wanting:
This one even contrasts well with the cabin decor. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-modern-cabin-071787
4. No matter what anyone says, I love love love both empty frames and leaning frames. I lean frames as opposed to hanging them all the time. Against a wall, on a desk, on the floor… Just a couple examples:
Damien and Rachel's Chromatic Casa. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/fall-colors-2008-east/east-56-damien-rachels-chromatic-casa-066516?image_id=28726
6. I am loving repurposed decor and furniture. I have always been a fan of old, vintage, or antique items, but it more recently has occured to me how great it can be to repurpose some items into new things in the home. Some of my favrite ideas below:
Mail box used for laundry. Patrick's World of Wonder. http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/121808patrick/001h
This is a vintage sign remade into a sliding door. I'm sorry, but I do not find where the image came from!
7. I am also a fan of decorating in black and white. Don’t get me wrong, I love punches of color, but black and white can make a huge statment and go with so many additional colors. Some great black and white pictures:
I'm not sure where this picture came from, but it is gorgeous!
Quick Trip To The Antique Store
Last night before the ice storm, we took a quick drive to the antique store the next town over. I love this store. All antique stores are fun, but this place is so big that you always see something new. I did find these two little gems:
A coke box with the cubbies still in. I have been wanting to hang one of these up for a trinket shelf.
This is a very old cigar box. I though this would be beautiful to hold little odds and ends.
The cigar box in the TV cubbie.
This was the spot we chose for the coke box. Don't mind those awful curtains! 🙂
The back of the box has a bit of a wierd shape, but this is a close up of the little candies if you can make them out.
Winter Wonderland
Today is another snowy day here in Illinois. Thick sheets of ice have kept me at home again today. The house is cozy and warm, watching Christmas movies, but outside snow continues to fall. The dog and I went out to play in the snow for a bit, before getting back to some work. Here are some quick pictures of our snowy day. For those of you in warm areas, enjoy only having to look at these pictures!
Our snowy back yard.
You can see the snow still falling down.
Homemade Doggie Treats
Romeo. He might look big, but he's only a year old!
I know this isn’t exactly decor related, but it is home related. We have been shopping for some Christmas gifts for our puppy, Romeo. We have gotten a few treats and bones, and a new sheepskin bed. But, dog toys and goodies are EXPENSIVE! The other day I came accross a psot on Apartment Therapy for a bunch of homemade dog treats that are owner tested and approved. Not only do the posters say that the treats are less expensive, but also that their pets love them. I think I’m going to give it a try, and if Romeo approves, I may even give some out for Christmas gifts to other pet owners on my list. This is the recipe that I am going to start with:
Peanut Butter Doggie Bones
Ingredients:
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup low-fat milk
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk. Add wet mixture to dry, and mix well.
Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out shapes. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool on a rack and store in an airtight container.
For the other recipes and tips, here is the full link:
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/good-questions/good-question-looking-for-pet-treat-recipes-071098
Make Mine Eclectic 