Presenting my Present

I always like wrapping gifts in white paper.

Simply change the ribbon depending on the occasion.

It never fails to look simple yet eye-catching.

Yesterday, these gifts were supposed to come with me to a baby shower. But, my little Nugget had a fever, so I had to cancel.

Inside one of these boxes is my first attempt at decoupage work...

What do you think?

It was actually quite fun to make!

The distressed frame is from TJMaxx and all

the other materials are from Hobby Lobby.

I bought scrapbook paper, wooden letters, felt stickers

and sticky pearls-I had the doilies already and added them on

at the last minute-but I'm glad I did.

I think they add a little extra something.

This was my first experience using Mod Podge-messy!

But, after a while I got the hang of it.

I simply used an x-acto knife to outline each letter on different patterned paper leaving about an extra 1/2 inch all around the edges. Next, I quite sloppily brushed the front and back of the cut paper with the glue then brushed each piece onto a wooden letter. I was brushing continuously so the paper would adhere to the edges properly. Once the letters were drying, I lined the frame backing with paper and doilies and smeared the heck out of that with the glue. After it all dried and was into the frame, I lined it with the sticky pearls and glued the letters on. I added two tiny flower stickers in the corners and that's it. Done!

I hope she likes it!

Have a good day!

Vanessa

The Rescue and Some Weekend Reading

My favorite candelabra has been saved!

My husband spent a lot of time binding the pieces together. It proved to be a very stubborn break and he went through a few trials before it finally held. Let's just say he rigged it together with dental floss and a notebook while the glue was drying!

Whatever it takes, right?

At just 1.00 for 3 tubes, Super Glue works like a dream. Just make sure to have nail polish remover on hand since it's the only thing that can safely clean up any accidental splatters.

Well, now that my candelabra is in tact I can breathe easy again!

This weekend I plan on scouring some thrift shops with my sister and diving into some of these...

I constantly look at these books for inspiration and they never disappoint! Often, all I need is to take in a few pages of Rachel Ashwell or the Novogratzes and I'm ready to do some sprucing up of my own!

Notice the lucite table?

I absolutely love it and it was a 20.00 Craigslist score!!

With its curvy lines and multiple uses, it is definitely one of my greatest finds. I hope to show you a few more bargains after my Saturday thrifting. I have nothing specific in mind, but that's usually when we find just what we've been looking for, isn't it?

Have a relaxing weekend and enjoy all your favorite things!

Vanessa

Injured Candelabra!

A sad thing occurred in my dining room today...

I have often identified my aqua candelabra as my "favorite object" in the house. It has been part of the dining room since the day my sister gave it to me at my bridal shower six years ago and not a day has gone by that it hasn't caught my eye-even if only for a split second. I truly adore the color and style of this piece and never even consider moving it to another room or putting something in its place-which, for me, is rare because I rearrange almost daily! It must be love!

(I know if you're reading this you probably like to rearrange too!)

But for the THIRD time in its life, my beloved candelabra has come undone.

Yes, It has already been glued together at the base and on the arm. But today, I really did it in...

Not only did the entire arm break off, but it shattered into pieces! I have to admit-it was all my fault. While on the phone I noticed some dust on it and decided to mindlessly wipe it with a damp paper towel. Oh, how I would much rather my dusty four arms than this...

The super glue is currently setting. Keep your fingers crossed!

I'll let you know how it goes.

Vanessa

Frame Games

All this snow had me itching for a project today.

So I made a bulletin board...

It was quick and easy.

Best of all, it was inexpensive!

But still functional and pretty!

I started off with this gold frame I purchased over the summer from the Stormville Flea Market. Once I started priming I realized I forgot the "before" shot but you can still see the gold here.

This was the painting that came in the frame. Not really my style, but I knew the frame was just what I was looking for. I ended up paying 12.00 for the combo because the seller wouldn't let me purchase the frame alone. Understandable, and still a bargain. So, I just popped out the painting before I began spraying. What a difference a coat of paint makes!

The correct way to make a bulletin board is to use cork, but I had none here and my impatience led me to seek an alternative material. I remembered I had a few large pieces of white foam board from Hobby Lobby in the basement.

(FYI-I've also spied the same board at the Dollar Tree)

Perfect! I just measured it and cut it to fit the frame.

I used a piece of fabric I had in my stash from Etsy. The colors and print on this soft sheet like material are so beautiful and I was excited to finally have a place to use it! I simply cut it a bit larger than the foam board and stapled around the back edges. There's still some left over-Bonus!

But what could I use for thumb tacks?

Why not faux pearl earrings from Forever 21?! I paid just 3.80 for six pairs back in August but I never wore any of them. It was finally time to put them to good use.

I'll have to go through Noa's art work tomorrow to find some masterpieces to tack up!

Now I just need the perfect desk for underneath the new bulletin board.

I'm thinking the white West Elm Parsons table!

The earrings actually stick very tightly into the foam board but they are still easy enough to move around if I need to change them.

I am quite pleased with the results of my snow day DIY!

I hope you had a good day too!

Vanessa

Budget Snuggles and Candy Fun

This weekend was one of the more relaxing we've had in a while.

A lot of time was spent snuggling our little Nugget in here....

I've always had a thing for an all white bed. It just screams "Jump In"! Our bedroom was definitely put together on a dime. The bedding and curtains are Simply Shabby Chic from Target and the dressers and lamps are from Ikea. I'm still not sure about what to do with the drawer pulls. I had originally planned on clear glass knobs, but I kind of like how the black is a modern contrast to the fluffy white. What do you think?

I always love having candles around. I pick up plain white ones at TJ Maxx whenever they are on clearance. The silver tray was my Gram's-she was going to sell it a few months ago at her yard sale so I snatched it up!! The mirror was 10.00 at a local thrift store-I toned down the gold by rubbing it with some white paint. The bust of the young girl was 50 cents...for a pair! The male counterpart is on my husband's dresser-a perfect "his and hers" indicator!

Milk glass is another love of mine. I pick up pieces here and there when I see them for a bargain. This one was 3.00 and it's one of my favorites. I love the shape of it-I've used it to hold jewelry and flowers. Notice the gold piece in front-it's a vintage lipstick holder. Though I've never put actual lipstick in it, I just love the colors and details. My mom's mother in law had a very cute secondhand store for a short time so this was another steal...free!

This huge window was a Craigslist find. It was a super bargain at 5.00 and it was only ten minutes away! When I found it I fell in love but had no idea what I was going to do with it. I do like it in our room, but eventually I think I'll hang it up. It's scary heavy though so I've been avoiding it! I just de-framed a Homegoods print and leaned the cardboard picture behind it for now. Again, some black for contrast.

My sister surprised me with a little mercury glass Anthro treat this weekend!

I put it on the window sill above the bed. Thanks Steph!

Now this is the corner of the impractical, space eating, laundry consuming bench. Oh how I want a white arm chair here in its place. Preferably the Ektorp Jennylund from Ikea. I've yet to convince my husband that we absolutely need it and that once we have it he'll wonder how he ever lived without it, but I'm working on him!

The birdcage is the only thing I really like in this corner. It too was a Homegoods find and all black when I bought it. I rubbed it with white paint and lined the bottom with scrapbook paper for some color. It would be perfect on the floor next to that cozy white chair, right?!

Noa had a fun weekend too. Grammy came over to watch her so we could go out to dinner with my sister and her husband. She brought her a candy necklace among many other treats-which she LOVED!

She wouldn't stop licking it! After we got home from dinner Steph and my mom had fun playing with Noa...

They never cease to entertain...Don't ask!!! But it was really funny!

...It really is all about the simple things.

Have a great day!

Vanessa

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope your Valentine's weekend is full of love!

Just some pink to brighten up our porch...

...and here's Gram and Gramps! I love this picture of them-

A few pink pillows from around the house...

Have fun and get cozy with someone you love!

See you Monday!

With love,

Vanessa

Pink Green and Puffies

Since we're still in the getting to know you phase, I thought I'd tell you a little more about myself. I am the proud mother of Noa, our 2 year old little girl who loves to "decawate" hang "ownaments" and make "puffies" just as much as I do! Though it's sad to admit, she has just about outgrown her crib and a big girl room is right around the corner. But until the last possible second, I'm still enjoying her room as it is.

The special thing about Noa's room is that it is a culmination of gifts from friends and family that were given to us in anticipation of our little nugget's arrival.

The NOA letters were hand made by my friend Bonnie-she painted them without even knowing the colors of the room!

The green crib was a gift from my dad, the plush rocker was given to us by my mother in law, and the painting was done by my mom! It is of a little girl listening to a story her mother is reading. If you look closely, you can see the tail of our little black pug Norma sticking out from behind the mother-that's my favorite part!

The huge pink tree was painted free hand by my husband before Noa was born! When he posed the idea of doing a tree mural I almost had a heart attack because I had no idea how it would turn out since he had never painted/drawn anything-ever. But once it was done I loved it!

Such a sweet gift from her daddy!

Noa and I made the pom-poms/puffies together. Most are our own, some are Martha's. I don't think I'll ever tire of them. No matter how "everywhere" they are!

This table is another Grammy original. My mom made this, tutu chair and all, for Noa's 1st birthday. She loves sitting here to read.

The wardrobe was originally mine from my dad when I was in my wicker phase...

...and the switch plate is a contribution from my good friend anthropologie!

Thanks for stopping by. I must apologize for the quality of the photos. I am clearly not a photographer-but I should at least know not to take pictures in the dark-oops! Have a good one!

Vanessa