New Year, New You

 

I've always been a big believer that new year resolutions are for those with no will power and lots of excuses.  If there is a change you'd like to make in yourself then you should start now, not January 1.  But as I've gotten older I tend to look back on my life in blocks of time.  Evaluating where I've been and who I've become on an annual basis.  With that said, I'd like to be sitting here a year from now when it's almost January 1, 2012 with the following goals accomplished (or at least improved upon):

1 - Continue to work on my upholstery projects and perhaps find some new jobs that might put a little extra $ in my pocket.

2 - Remember that life is short and what you do for others will be returned ten-fold.  Not that I seek for anything in return, but just knowing I've helped someone better their quality of life is enough for me.

3 - Call me a tree-hugger if you will, but only because I believe that God intended for us to take care of the home He created for us.  I will continue to recycle and lower my carbon footprint, while encouraging others to do the same.

This guy is my hero... ha!

4 - Continue to count my blessings.  We always tend to want more than what we have but I really could not ask for a more loving family, amazing friends and a job that helps put food in my mouth and a roof above my head.  Really being positive and appreciative of what you have can provide an outlook on life that you never dreamed of.  I have a homemade book of quotes that I read whenever I need a reminder that rain clouds aren't all bad.  They quench the thirst of flora and fauna, so that strength is procured.

5 - Last, not least, but certainly the most personal... I'm hoping for a very When Harry Met Sally moment with someone soon.  And that's all to be said about that.

A very happy 2011 to you and yours!

Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch of their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."
- Luke 2:8-11

Last minute holiday sales

If you're like me, you wait until the very LAST minute to purchase holiday gifts.  Such a procrastinator I am.  While scouring some web sites for ideas, I came accross these discounts:

American Stationary Company - 80422 for free shipping on all orders through December 31

Horchow - WELCOME for 10% off your online order

Jayson Home and Garden - HOLIDAY for free shipping on order over $75 through December 19

Pier 1 Imports - print this coupon for $10 off a $50 purchase through December 24

Urban Outfitters - GIFTED for 10% off your order through December 23

Pretty bedroom

This bedroom is just my style... (*swoon*).  Pretty, girlie, calming colors and just the right touch of new and old .

 

Reminds me of the color scheme from this Angie Hranowsky living room.

Add a little history to your home

Ideas and tips via Lonny

Table settings

Staying on a seasonal theme here, I found another fun vignette in Lonny.  Tips on how to make your table setting pop!

Bergdorf window displays

Visiting NYC last December we took in lots of holiday sights but one of my favorites was purusing the extravagant store front windows at Bergdorf Goodman's.  A Christmas present for the eyes ;)  Lonny mag takes a closer look at this tradition...

 

XOXO: Nate Berkus

Anyone who loves home decor has to love Nate Berkus.  I'm crazy about some of Nate's pieces that he's created for HSN.  Check out my favs...

Porcelain ikat bowl

Navy herringbone throw

Orbit table lamp

Studio sofa

Glass-top bamboo table

Dhurrie rug

Eco-efficient

So I am unbashfully a recycle-aholic.  Truly.  I'm a nut about reduce, reuse and recycle.  I even cringe when I see glass or aluminum beverage containers in the trash instead of a recyle bin (see, I'm serious!).  So I love the challenge of figuring out how to reuse things while becoming more eco-efficient (I'm coining this phrase btw.. ha).  That sounds like a big set-up for what really is a simple post.  But being more resourceful not only helps the environment, but your wallet as well.

So I picked up this cute little soap dispenser from Target the other day.  I love the green/blue glass and the fact that I don't have to keep purchasing disposable pumps.  This way you just buy a huge bottle of the refillable soap and then toss the container in the recycle bin when it's empty.

I also posted here about how to reuse candle jars.  I just love having my makeup brushes and mascara within reach instead of digging through a cosmetic bag.

Then when it comes to furniture, the options really are endless.  I think antiques are great, even when mixed with more modern pieces.  And saving old chairs or plates from a junk yard makes me feel good too.  You can really find some great stuff on Cragslist, at your local thrift store or estate sale, Goodwill or one of Habitat for Humanity's ReStores.  I'd have to say some of my favorite pieces are second-hand.  Just like this antique gold mirror purchased at an estate sale.  We placed this above the fireplace with two zebra striped stools over the hearth.

Random post, but what the hey :)  After a balls to the wall work trip, these are my mentally disjointed thoughts of the evening.

Holiday arrangements

Nate Berkus welcomed floral designer, Eric Buterbaugh, to his show today.  And I have to say that I love, love, love the entry way arrangement Eric displayed.  I mean this piece makes a statement and those evergreen branches are so inexpensive and easy to find.  Not to mention the woody, festive smell this greenery will emit would be sooooo nice.  I'm definitely going to steal this idea :)

If you want to check out the whole segment to see other floral ideas check out this video.

I will NOT be venturing out for any Black Friday deals, but good luck to those that are!

Anthro finds

So I really haven't bought any home stuff lately.  Come to think of it, I haven't really bought a whole lot of anything.  With my busy schedule it has been hard to stop by the mall, so instead I've been Internet "browsing."  I'm off work this week so after my morning run at the gym today, I thought I'd hop over to Anthropologie to see what was on sale.  And this is what I brought home...

A floral table cloth that was originally $98 and I got it for $29.  This will be super cute for a girly dinner party.

And this little ring holder was so unique and pretty I had to snatch it.  It's actually an upside-down mushroom.

Dark walls

The end of Daylight Savings Time has officially given me the pre-winter blues.  And this crazy Tennessee weather messing with my sinus' doesn't help either!  Even though I will not embrace this transitional weather season, I will embrace another sort of darkness that might be casting a spell on your interior walls.  I've always had a thing for charcoal gray, but even midnight blue and lacquered blacks can be charming if done right.  In order for any deep saturated color to look right, you must always pair it with something light and airy to keep the balance.  Some rooms I'm loving include...

via Lonny

via Elle Decor

via Domino

via Domino

via Laura Casey Interiors

New use for used candle jars

I love candles!  And my top favorite of all time (which I always have one or two on hand), is Henri Bendel's FIG.  It fills up a room with the best aroma.

After the wick has burned down and the flame has gone out, there is no reason to toss that glass jar away.  If you dig out the wax (put in freezer overnight and the next morning the wax should pop off) and wash the jar, you can re-purpose it for so many different things.  I love putting my makeup brushes and lipsticks in them.  There really is no end to their usage.

My Henri Bendel FIG jar is perfect for holding make-up items.  This one sits on my bathroom counter.

This Royal Apothetic jar was used for holding soap in the downstairs bathroom.  Now it holds lipsticks on my vanity.

I've yet to burn through this candle from Target, but with it's cute gold leaf details, it will later find a happy home for another use.

Upholstering slacker... that's me

Okay, so I'm a huge slacker.  Not only have I not re-caned or re-upholstered this chair yet, but I have recently acquired something else to add to my list of furniture hoarding.  Something else that I need to get upholstered.  Something else that I have no room for.  Why is this such an ordeal for me?  Okay, so I purchased this loveseat/settee from Craigslist.  It was cheap people so my eyes were wide open and I gave in.

Settee via Craigslist

I gave in to my imagination and the notion that I actually had a perfect spot for this.  Well I don't really have a spot per say, but I do know that I'm getting that seat cushion and those pillows re-upholstered (no seriously, I am this time) in a classic blue ticking stripe.

Navy vs. blue I haven't decided yet.  But the ticking stripe is a classic, well-rounded choice, that will look good in most any setting.  My grandmother had hand-me-down homemade feather pillows for my brother and I as a child and this is the fabric that they were made from.  A durable fabric with a touch of sentimental value.

Daily Sales

If you haven't already signed up to receive flash sale emails from One Kings Lane, then you are missing out!  New sales are posted daily for all sorts of stuff like bedding, rugs, kitchen appliances, wall art, soaps, candles and more.  If you know me by now you know I love vintage maps :)  Here are some posted for today's sale.

Cityscape of Memphis

Hand-colored view of New York City

Tennessee - home sweet home to me :)

A few other hot sales today include Archepelago candles,

Tom Dolby & Drew Frist vintage finds,

Cotton Club crate

Brass dolphin candlesticks

Bronze Poseidon door knocker

Also loving these Trip Haenisch pieces,

Overstuffed striped chair

Silver and brass side table

Sign up now to receive these exclusive discounted offers.  They go quickly... a la flash sale!