Perfect Porch Perch

I've been searching for something to add to our front porch.  I was 90% sure I wanted it to be a seat of some sort. 5% of me wanted a plant stand of some kind, the other 5% wanted something welcoming and ironic like a sculpture or some other sort of decorative element.

I am pretty sure a seat is winning out.  Partially cause I appreciate the coziness and practicality of it.  Also because I can turn a chair into a plant stand if I wish, and I can perch a vintage Welcome sign on it, or place a brass rooster next to it if I wish.... either way, it's a win!

Of the 90% of me that wanted a seat, 97% was sure it needed to be wicker or bamboo or something else "natural".  3% hoped for something wrought iron looking.

I've been browsing for a while now both vintage and new stores.  Yeah, yeah, I know that most places are just starting to get their seasonal stuff out, so I'm holding out.  Especially since HomeSense can have some pretty gorgeous, one-off things that I am sure I will love...

Anyhow, for the time being, these options are keeping me interested:

OR

OR

 

As of right now, I am leaning towards the wicker.  Because of scale, I am thinking the chair is the best option....

Thoughts?

Dental Woes.. an update

My root canal was scheduled for tomorrow at 9am.  Today, I had to leave work in so much pain that I called the dentist and told them that they needed to get me in right away or I would have to check myself into the hospital just to get some drugs!!!

Needless to say, 10 minutes later, I was there, and they decided to start part 1 (the opening up of the tooth) to relieve some pressure and of course the pain!  I came home and slept from 2 to 7pm, which was amazing!! 

I've got the rest of my root canal tomorrow morning, so wish me well.  If things go as planned, I'll even be able to sneak in a Spring mantel update, and some work on the ottoman re-cover!

Dining Room Delight!

Two years ago, when we first moved into the townhouse, I had a strange idea to add some artwork in our dining room.  I knew someone out there needed to carry what I was looking for, but I had yet to see it, and figured that if anyone did, it would be absurdly expensive.  I eventually found a cute, small version that was less than $20.

About a month ago, I heard from my boss' wife that she had found them a while back, but she mentioned they were HUGE in scale and insanely expensive, so I kinda forgot about it.... her decorating budget for the several million dollar home they just built, far exceeded mine...

Anyhow, a little browsing this week, brought up this:

OH MY GOD!!  I AM SOOOOO EXCITED!!!

These large fork and spoon pieces are exactly what I wanted!  (except hung right side up...)

How perfect that they are ON SALE! 

Even better that I decided last week that I hate the artwork currently hanging in the dining room.

I will be popping in this weekend when I check for ottoman cushions to see if they live up to my expectations!

Pier 1 , I LOVE YOU!!

Painterly Progress... an update on the Bamboo Ottomans

Who knew it would take so many cans of primer to get a nice, even coverage on my ottomans?

I have to go and buy a third can this weekend, so I can actually finish them this weekend!

In between intense tooth pain, migraines, working, some crazy family stuff and heading off to the cabin last weekend, I've been working on the ottomans.  The first one got it's 2nd coat of glossy white paint tonight.  I will have to check it in natural light tomorrow evening to see how it's turning out.

**No sneak peeks, as I don't want to ruin the big reveal**

The 2nd ottoman, had a small repair on the cane and a broken bamboo rung on the seat.  They were both easily fixed courtesy of my glue gun.  The 2nd coat of primer went on tonight, but unfortunately the cold weather returned today, so I want to make sure it's drying completely.

I've started browsing for some cushions online, but I haven't yet found any winners.  I like the shape of these ones from Pier 1 but I am not loving any of the colors or patterns I've seen yet.

I am thinking I want to keep them in the blue shades that we have everywhere else in the house.  They have plenty of blue fabric selections, like these, but I will certainly have to run down there and take a peek:

(This one's a bit too eclectic for me)

(This reversible option, might be too traditional)

If anyone sees something a little more contemporary, but the right shape, let me know!

Anticipating Alfresco Dining

I don't know about you, but we've been having some great weather lately (with the exception of today, and the random snow...).  I can't wait for sunny evenings, so that we can have dinner out on the deck.

One of the only things we bought for the new house last year was a patio set, but if we hadn't purchased one, I'd seriously consider snagging this picnic table from Coscto:

Cory pointed this beauty out when we strolled past the meat aisle.

(excuse the stuff piled on top and around it... it was the end of the night and the aisle were a mess)

Incidently enough, last week my boss asked me to source out some picnic tables for our new office's rooftop "green" roof.  I think 4 of these out there, would be perfect for lunch or even occassional happy hour.  I immediately grabbed my cell and snagged a picture for him. 

At less than $400 each, they're the perfect fit to our contremporary building, and will be great to lounge on for lunchtime barbecues and Friday happy hours!

Painkillers and a word of advice!

I took a little break and headed to a friend's cabin for the weekend.  All was well and good until this morning when my tooth pain came back and I was all but in tears on the drive back home.  Promptly after getting back into town, I got my butt to the closest dentist and had myself checked out.

Unfortunately, after putting off a crown on my cracked tooth for so long, the hole in my tooth has become a huge cavity that ow extends all the way down to the root!  So, despite my best efforts, I now need a root canal... sigh.  It's scheduled for the 23rd.  Until then, I am on antibiotics and painkillers.

The only problem, the painkillers give me about 1 hour of relief before I want to rip the darn thing out again.  Sigh!

Word of Advice:  DO NOT DELAY ON DENTAL WORK.  YES, IT'S EXPENSIVE, YES IT'S A BURDEN.  BUT WHEN THE PAIN AND THE EXTRA DENTAL WORK DOWN THE LINE, IS NOT WORTH IT!!!!

I doubt I will get much done around here for the next little while, but I just wanted to let you know I will be back as soon as I can to finish up a bunch of projects I have on the go, and share the reveals!

Hope your March is as lovely as ours!

Tulips & Bird's Nests... oh my!

This gorgeous flower arrangement nearly knocked me on my ass when I saw it!!!  HELLO GORGEOUS!!

It's no secret I love tulips, or bird-related items for that matter....

As soon as we get the landscaping done this year, I am making sure to load the flower beds up with tulips, so that I can source out a ginormous nest like this for next year.

For now, I will just sit here and swoon!

Thank you people over at Martha Stewart Living for making me so happy!