Things I Want: 2011

While cleaning out/reviewing my "Things I Want" folder on my desktop tonight, I came across these gorgeous shoes that I saved a while back:

These gorgeous black pumps are actually quite simple but those bows are just PERFECT!!  They look like these vintage afterthoughts some eccentric chick threw on as she flew out the door.  LOVE!!
Come to think of it, I am actually due for some new pumps for work anyhow, as I will be retiring 3 pairs this month!

I've never actually shopped at H&M and I am not sure why....

We leave for our trip in less than a month and I will definitely be stopping in to try and snag some pieces for our vacation!

Trash to Treasure : Christmas Addition

When I first started turning trash secondhand finds into treasures, I'm sure Cory was a little skeptical.  But after seeing some of the cute stuff I have scored and transformed, I guess he's become a convert:

Back at the beginning of December, he took the dog for an evening walk and came back with a surprise.  Apparently our neighbours had gotten married the weekend prior and weren't all that enthused with all of their wedding gifts!! 

Luckily for us, his inquisitive nature prompted him to open a python box and find some cute little Christmasy hand towels inside:

Two of these little robin applique hand towels were inside!  I think they are the perfect little addition the the new towel holder in our powder room.

In regards to the box, while the python top is kinda cool, the orangey pleather fabric on the bottom of the box isn't really my thing, so I will be searching for something different and will share it when I am finished.

What's the latest second hand score you've snagged?

Refreshed and Renewed...

Well, as I anticipated, the Christmas blues have subsided and I am eager to get back to blogging and working on projects for the home.  I've been making important decisions and getting this in order and I am starting to feel like my old self again.

First off, I never got to sharing any of my Christmas decor photos.  Admittedly, I didn't even intentionally take any....  In all honesty, I didn't really do anything different than last year, so I ddin't even think of it, until everything had been dismanteled and returned to the boxes in the garage.... whoops.  Oh well, I kinda lost steam with it all this year anyhow, so it wasn't much to begin with. 

But in regards to Christmas gifts, my big gift this year was something home-related! Plus, I have a few other home-related projects in the works for once.

Here's a quick peek at a few of the items I have in-store for 2011!!

1.  I snagged a new dining room light fixture that I CAN NOT WAIT to have installed!! 

 I have been eyeing up and talking about this baby for quite some time now.  I'm not actually sure if it will actually look like I've been envisioning but I am keeping my fingers crossed and Cory said he'd attempt to hang it next weekend, provided he is not working.

2. If I can swing it, I will be tracking down all new furniture for the main floor.  Definitely new dining chairs, possibly a new table (or a re-finish to our current one).  New sofa and loveseat (or chairs), possibly some new tables(?) and new accessories (most likely just lamps).

3. I'm going to be tracking down the 2 remaining matching wood blinds for our bedoom and some sort of window dressing for our basement garden doors.  I'll also be adding some color, pattern and texture to most of the rooms in the house by adding some drapes to most, if not all, the rooms.

4. New bedding for our master bedroom!! 

5. An update to the guest bedroom including refinishing the furniture, new bedding and accessories.

6. A re-configuration and completely redo of our office.  We no longer have a desktop computer and are still debating whether or not we really need a full office set up.

7. We are PURGING big-time.  After helping to set up a brand-new showhome this week, and helping our friends move the other day, I have a new found craving for living with less!!  De-cluttering and selling, donating and chucking out stuff we don't need/use/fit, etc. will be super cathartic.... I hope!

8.  I have been told to get moving on finally finishing our upholstered headboard, so once I decide on perfect linens,  I will make a decision on fabric and get to work!

9. We are going to break our fear and just go ahead and finish wallpapering the powder room.

10.  Landscaping will commence in our backyard this year AND we will improve on the work that was started last year....

I am excited to get going on all these new projects and TONS MORE, so hopefully you will join me on this hourney!! 

A prosperous and exicitng 2011 to you all!!

In a rut

Wow! It's been a while, I know. Several times a week I would log on and start writing a post or downloading photos, only to get interrupted by life and I had grandoise plans of sharnever finish what I'd started.

Admittedly, there was/is little happening in the way of additions and improvements in our space due to both lack of time and funding, that I guess I just didn't have much to share...nor did I even feel up to posting for whatever reason.

Maybe I have the December blues? Between the cold, the ridiculous amounts of snow, the early days, working 1 and a half jobs, taking care of everyone while Cory works 14 plus hour days, and just general life crap, I've had no desire to do ANYTHING!

I am hoping that come January, I will be revived and renewed, and everything willl just fall back into place. I am craving creativity and crafty-ness again so I will need to start a project soon but nothing Christmasy was speaking to me this year.

I hope to get my act back together in the next week or so, to share some of our Christmas decor and the like, but in the event I don't, I just wanted to throw my well-wishes out there to each and every one of you who stop by. Even though I am not posting, I am occassionally stopping by and catching up on my favorite blogs! I'm so inspired by so many of you!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Cindy
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Oopsie times two

So, did you know that the "surface hot" light on your stove has nothing to do with the oven?

Oh and that metal spatulas on a hot ceramic cook top will pretty much act like branding iron if you touch them...?

I do now! Yes, both hands got burnt. I bawled for about 4 hours and didn't sleep well. Thankfully, they seem to be healing well and I don't think I will have scars.

That's what I get for cleaning and then saving the dog from putting the smokin hot spatula I dropped, in her mouth!

Good thing: I just so happen to have tomorrow and Monday off from work so at least these babies can heal!
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Apologies

I don't know why my phone photos are showing up sideways... I rotated them..

Sorry!
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Fairyland Christmas

I can't believe it is Thursday already! This week just got away from me.

I had a big day yesterday. I did 2 trees and out mantel! But since there was an incident involving my head and a shelf that resulted in a broken plant and water and electronics... I am waiting to see if I fried my router at home! I will get pics up as soon as I can.

In the meantime, I thought I would share with you a photo of the tree I "fixed" yesterday at work. This was a festival of trees purchase a few years back that was looking a little "tired". Plus, it wasn't my style at all so I decided to take it to bare bones and start from scratch.

It's not a typical Christmas tree and actually looks a little more like something in an enchanted forest. There are pinky gold pointsettia branches, metallic mesh leaves, crystal maple leaves, green beaded icicles, green glitter feathers and various baubles in golds and different greens. In my re-do, I eliminated some cheap green plastic ribbon garland and weird, gold vine thingies that someone said looked like mr. Noodles!

Apparently, everyone says it's a big improvement, so I am pleased with my hardwork!
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