Happy Halloween!

image via Country Living

Have a safe and happy Halloween!
xoxo

{Flashback} Flamingo

Progress is still monumentally slow. Minor painting here and there, but nothing really worth mentioning. We did purchase a lot of supplies a few weekends ago, so hopefully we'll get our mojo back after Halloween!

In the meantime, I have decided to document some of the fun things I've scored out and about, starting with this guy:

LOVE this. Found him at HomeGoods back in June 2009, not really that exciting, but he makes me happy. Reminds me of a similar one I saw at the HGTV Green Home 2009 tour:

Lounge in the HGTV Green Home 2009, Port St. Lucie, FL

In our old condo, the canvas was hung in our entry - the canvas is large (at least 2'x3'), so it made a statement when you walked in the door! When we moved, I hung him in the hallway - the door to the hall is directly in front of you when you walk in the front door, so he's still front and center!

Have a great week!
xoxo

Spooky Halloween

After starting the Halloween decorations on the fireplace mantel, I realized there was too much white. White brick, white built-ins, white mantel ... too much. So I decided to "wallpaper" the back of the built-ins with something appropriately spooky. Off to Target, found some spiderweb-printed tissue paper, and 30 minutes later, done!

Sooo much better. Especially with all the silver mixed in {I left it tarnished to add extra spooky appeal. It'll get polished in time for Thanksgiving!}

Happy Halloween! Now on to the outdoor decorations ...
xoxo

Slow Going

nothing to report. I'm sad and frustrated at the slow progress we're making. I'm going to blame the weather.

Here's hoping we can get back on track this weekend. Halloween decorations need to go up outside, but it's been raining for days ...

xoxo

Friday Finds

Slim pickin's this week ... guess people are distracted by all the football!

Here's what I found:

Writing desk and swivel chair - $400

Perfect for a small space - even a spare corner in a bedroom. Would look great with an art collage over the desk, or one statement piece. And even with the top folded up, there's still a little ledge along the back, a great spot for a cool lamp.

Dresser, desk with 4 drawers,and bookcase with multiple shelves. $65

Oh, look ... I found more faux bamboo. It's a sickness. Love the hardware. I think they need some fun colors ... kelly green on the desk and lemon yellow on the dresser?

Eames replica rocker - $30

A classic. Great price. 'Nuff said.

High-end dining room furniture

This is gorgeous. I am in love.

Have a great weekend!
xoxo

Week(end) Recap

Tuesday ... TECO guys came by and trenched for the new natural gas lines to the cottage. Which means they shot the pipes underground with this giant machine ... no actual "trench-digging". Pretty neat stuff.

Side note ... slightly freaking out ... we signed up with TECO for gas service on 9/15. Supposed to take 8-12 weeks for installation. Cue to today (not even 3 weeks later) and the guys show up to trench the lines. Minor panic attack ... luckily I was home when the men came to put in the pipes. So now I need to order the water heater and start demolition of the hall closet so we're ready for the new plumbing in time.

Also ... ordered new natural gas outdoor tankless water heater for cottage to replace existing (20-year-old) one.

Wednesday ... recovering from Tuesday's panic attack and getting organized to move budget/scheduling around to accommodate being 7 weeks ahead of schedule.

Thursday ... Water heater sitting on front steps when I get home from work. Holy crap, that was fast.

Saturday/Sunday ... continue painting cottage kitchen. REALLY trying to get this project off the books. Got the rest of the doors primed on all sides and painted on at least one side; also got a second coat of tan on the base cabinets and white gloss on the uppers. Demo'd the shelving in the cabana bath. Next up ... taking out the drywall on the two interior walls so we can assess the plumbing situation.

Also ... picked up some clearance goodies from the 'rents - new bedding and dishes for the cottage. Also found some fabric on super markdown clearance at JoAnn ($3/yard!) - which solidifies the color palette for the cottage:

love this ... and so excited about how it coordinates with the new bedding:

Now I'm off to see what beautiful countertops I want can afford... wish me luck!
xoxo

Friday Finds

Happy October! A new month, can you believe it? Sometimes it seems to go by so fast.

Here's this week's Craigslist finds:

Thomasville wood coffee table with brass accents -- $45

It's been stripped, so it needs to be painted, but how fabulous! I love the detail on the brass accents. I'm thinking a little brass polish and some high-gloss black on the wood ...

Micro-fiber suede Ethan Allen sofa -- $500

... add this gorgeous sofa ...

Ethan Allen Hyde Sofa

... or this one (love the nailhead detail) ...

White leather wingback chair -- $350

And to cap off this glamorous living room that seems to be today's theme, here's a beautiful crystal chandelier:

5-tier crystal chandelier -- $200

Happy weekend, y'all!
xoxo