Spray Paint Magic

I was able to transform this horrible looking sewing table.


Into an upstairs worthy piece (verse the basement where it used to reside) with just a bit of elbow grease and spray paint.

(this photo made me realize I need to repaint the mop board now that the shag carpet is gone….)

Unfortunately it was a windy day out and I could’t get the spray paint perfect so I did brush on one coat of black paint. I think I need Poly to finish. I also need one of these magic tools for my next project.

Can’t believe I didn’t know there was such a tool earlier. Live and learn. Now I can put my home economics skillz to work. Believe it or not I took several sewing classes in high school and even made a prom dress! It was a paint filled weekend. I will do a full reveal soon but here is a sneak peak of another project.

Crazy color but figure why go with basic black when it is a sun porch/office. I was also inspired by the bold colors other bloggers have chosen lately. Love it or hate it?

Weekend Plans

I wish! Really they involve turning this messy and crazy space into a dressing room (it was once my kitchen as my house used to be an apartment for my grandparents and an apartment for me) on a budget. Yes I am responsible for the crazy color combination. I loved yellow for a bit…


Painting this cabinet black and coming up with an organization plan for Aeisha’s goodies and random office supplies.

Getting rid of all the yellow in the sun room (regardless of my love of yellow this was never my idea. I hired a painter for the outside and he finished this room. Not sure why he didnt paint the trim white).

And a few other small but necessary home projects. The home was neglected for many months and the holidays are quickly approaching. I am hoping for weather warm enough to open the windows without a $1,000+ heat bill…

Heart Failure

Ok maybe I am being slightly dramatic but this site had me in a bit of a panic.

I look out the window of my sunroom to see my precious Aeisha on the ROOF of the neighbors house! No clue how she got down in one piece but luckily she did. For a moment I thought I was going to have to call the fire department....

Decking the Halls

Because I am crazy, or a glutton for punishment, I volunteered to participate in not one but two holiday home tours. Therefore I must decorate for Christmas, and ensure it is done over the top (without being tacky) enough to be worthy of the admission fee people pay. Granted all proceeds go to charity but still don’t want to have disappointed viewers. I have been browsing magazines like mad to decide on an overall “theme” for lack of a better word. I have decided to go with glamour and glitz and use silver, gold, white, ivory, and ice blue throughout the home for a uniform look.

Yesterday my mom, Kelly (Riverside Grille owner - also on the holiday tour), Nancy (Olive Branch owner), and I traveled to Atchison, Kansas. Home of Nell Hill's and a few other neat shops.




Isn’t the town lovely. It amazes me how a few shops in this small town have become a must visit for all in the Midwest. I was told over 90% of the business for the shops come from at least 100 miles away. Amazing. The owner, Mary Carol Garrity, was present when we shopped. She was very nice and even offered to help me decorate if I brought in room photos after I commented about being overwhelmed. I left with all kinds of loot.

And more importantly a lot of inspiration. Using my color scheme and my own personal variations I would like to recreate this mantle for downstairs dinning room.

This display for the doorway (that has a sliding pocket door) between my dinning and living room.

This cool idea for the upstairs hallway over the door leading into my bedroom.


Something along these lines in my bedroom.


I didn’t get the crown as have a ceiling fan (ugly I know but so much better for summer slumber). Really want the crown though!! The following arrangements for my porch and outdoor planters.



And these name card holders to grace my Christmas dinning table.

A very inspiring store with goodies galore. A few other cute stores in the area as well. One even had clothes, jewelry, and other fun accessories. A fun but tiring day. Need a few more shopping trips then its time to get to work! Some on the tour already have their homes decorated and ready....

Veterans Day

" A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good."

President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day – which later became Veteran’s Day - he said, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

The Soldiers Cross In the Army and other branches of the U.S. military, most units prepare a visible reminder of the deceased soldier with a display of a pair of combat boots and an inverted rifle with the soldier’s helmet and dog tags hanging on it. Army lore indicates the helmet and identification tags signify the fallen soldier. The inverted rifle with bayonet signals a time for prayer and a break in the action to pay tribute to the dead. The combat boots represent the final march of the last battle.

I hope everyone takes time today to honor and pray for our veterans, soldiers, sailers, airmen, marines, DOD civilians, and their families who make unthinkable sacrifices for our freedom.

Las Vegas Recap

Vegas was a very quick but fun getaway. A much needed chance to unwind after the stress of the election. A few things I learned:
1. Don’t go to Vegas this late in the year; it isn’t warm enough for the pool.
2. Leaving Friday afternoon and returning Sunday afternoon makes for one very short trip. If it requires a flight best to leave early Friday.
3. Group trips are a blast but also a lot of work.
4. Don’t leave shopping until the last minute. I really wanted a black/white photo. Due to time constraints figured airport shop would have – no such luck.
5. Always err on the side of taking too many photos. (I need to learn how to use Apple version of photoshop)

We stayed at Caesar’s. Pools were partially closed due to weather and only one day was nice enough to sunbathe. Bummer.

Friday night we all took a limo to Hard Rock and ate at Nobu (or Pink Taco for the non sushi fans).


Nobu was yummy but Blue in Omaha is better. Next we hit PURE and PCD as we had free VIP admission.



A bit disappointed we never made it on the rooftop patio (it was roped off?) so just your typical nightclub.Probably better at the Seahorse where we started the night.


Saturday I managed a bit of pool time


Then our group had an early dinner at Prime (Bellagio).



Awesome food, awesome views, first class service. And a little gambling.



Cole and I also made it to Jubilee at Bally’s. Amazing show with top notch performers and sets. Very glad we went. Sunday was low key. Too cold for the pool. Did squeeze in a bit of Tiffany shopping (always dangerous). Overall a great trip with friends and family. Now time to plan the big Birthday Trip!

Homemade Winter Goodies

I keep sending my mom knitting projects. She started off with baby blankets but with no babies on the horizon I have been able to reap the rewards of her homemade goodness. Today I found these lovelies:

(via Coco + Kelly)
Right now we are having great weather but I know a brutal winter is upon us. Makes me want to stock up on sweater dresses, fun tights, Uggs, and lots of cute and cozy hats, mittens, and scarves!! Here were a few other ideas I hinted at wanting:


(all via Etsy)
I am so lucky to have a crafty and talented Mom!

My Birthday Month

Yes I said birthday month. I like to celebrate my birthday all month long. I am spoiled like that – or just strange. Last year I lived here and turned 30.

So the celebration options were very limited in country but the travel options were exotic, fun, and exciting. Since it was a big milestone birthday I felt pressure to celebrate it properly. First I went here:


For a fun filled long weekend. There may have been a $125+ per person champagne brunch in the mix among other opulent adventures. I also interviewed for my current job while there so it must have been a lucky place. Next I went here:



For an even longer holiday to celebrate Thanksgiving and my actual Birthday. It was sooo much fun. Great group of friends, lots and lots of shopping, sights that were amazing, and a bit of Raki was consumed. (Sorry the photos aren’t that hot my camera was stolen so was using a back up cheapo). This year isn’t a milestone birthday but still feel the need for travel and birthday celebrations. I am kicking it off with a trip here this weekend:

A great group of my friends and family going so I know it will be a blast. Now I have to decide where to go for my actual birthday. I originally tried to pacify myself with a small trip here:

But just wasn’t feeling exotic or exciting enough. So now thinking here:

Or here:

If the choice is Canada does anyone have recommendations? Toronto, Montreal, Ontario, Vancouver BC?? I want relaxing, gorgeous scenery, quaint shops and cafes. Please help with pointers or recommendations. Or should I go with Chicago?