Country Chic

I've been in the country mood lately getting ready for the concert on Friday and I've been seeing so many beautiful spaces done in a rustic country style. I've always been a fan of wood in it's most pure natural state, unstained and left untouched. I even like to see nips and scratches because it adds a child-like character to the piece. Natural floors, kitchen islands, and even pallet coffee tables are a must have in my future home. I've put together some great reasons why everyone loves the rustication of natural wood.

Green, please! A green product is something that betters the environment and doesn't harm it in the making of the product. Natural wood comes straight from the tree to your table. This means there's no off-gasing from staining the wood. That's always nice.

It's something that will always look good in whatever space you put it in. Natural wood is something that will always goes with whatever decorating style you're into at the time. If you're like me, I love to change up my room every so often. So having large pieces, "fixed furniture," in your home that are easy to decorate around is a plus. Leave your personal "style" to the accents like pillows, artwork, and flower arrangements. Take this breakfast table for example, no matter what chairs you put around this table, it will always food fabulous. And if you're a family person, this table is great for family activities and homework time. The shutters in the first photo are stunning. The rocker in the second photo may not serve as actual seating but looks great in the seating arrangement. The coffee table and linen cabinet in the second photo look like two pieces granny passed down. Great for any room of the house and can serve as mulitple uses. It's a great mix of old and new. Using old barnwood is both green and a great source for natural wood. This kitchen island is great. If you have a grandpa, like me, who has an old barn wait for that sucker to fall down and go grab all that wood and save it! Do not use it for camp fires.

It brings the outside in. Studies have proven that everyone like to be outside. Nature brings out the best in people; their psychological and behavioral moods are more healthy and reserve when spending time outdoors. Who doesn't need a little extra Vitamin D? That patio in the first photo is stunning. I'd love to wake up and drink my coffee out there every morning. The log furniture is both masculine and cute. If you have a brick wall like in the second photo, don't you dare touch it! It adds so much character in the space. And in the last photo, those natural hardwood floors.... There's just something about their untouched beauty that makes me fall in love with them every time.

I hope next time you see an awesome piece at the thrift store you won't automatically think "Let's paint that turquiose!" But instead you'll think about stripping it down and leaving it to look country chic.

Thanks for reading!

Tip Money Paid Off

I recently purchased my first pair of cowgirl boots, and cried a little because they were expensive. I wanted them for the Rascal Flatts concert that is next weekend (YAY!). It was one of those purchases I dreaded but when I got them in the mail, I was like a kid on Christmas morning. I went crazy opening up the box and after I put them on and walked around a bit, I fell in love. I made my mother take a few pictures of me wearing them. Here's a few.

And to all the people who came into Dreamland and gave me their money, thank you. Without you, I wouldn't have these boots!! You are appreciated and loved! :)

 

More Candy Hearts!

I bought these sqaure vases at Hobby Lobby when they were 50% off. So basically $6 bucks for the set. I got a smaller one and a larger one.  Make sure the smaller one fits inside the larger one.

Here we go!

Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I bought a bag of conversational hearts for $1 at the dollar store. I think they taste horribly so it wont matter to bag them up and use them again next year. Put the smaller vase inside the larger one and, using your hand, put some hearts inside the larger one. Throw a votive in the middle and there you go! It's that simple and it's a cute added touch that can be used again and again. Wait for St. Patrick's Day! I already have an idea. ;)

Total cost of the project was $8.00!

 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

I've been away for a little bit, but that doesn't mean I haven't been up to making fun stuff! A new trend for childrens' birthday parties is The Very Hungry Caterpillar. You remember the book by Eric Carle? I always loved it as a child so I'm very excited it has quite became another ancient children story.

You can purchase this book here.

At my new-found favorite scrapbook/stamp shop, Sir Stamps A Lot, I was browsing through the fantastic designer card stock they had. I found this:

And what does it remind you of? That's right! The Very Hungry Caterpillar! So I got to thinking about what I could do with this. I ran to Michael's and picked up a few coordinating color card stocks and some fruit puffies (which are adorable!!!). I found a fun matching card game that was also TVHC. I started right when I got home and it turned out pretty cute!

How cute! The inside is stamped with "Happy Birthday" in brown ink. The back of the card has a black and white cut out of the caterpillar himself with a green apple crayon for your child to color. What a great way to help make this birthday one to remember!

After I made the card, I decided to make a small little birthday collection that all matched. The party hat I made has a cute little "1" on it - it could have whatever your child's age was. The trim is done in white pom-pom balls with a large cotton ball on top. There are two red strings attached underneath to tie around your child's head.

I went back to the little shop to get more paper to start the birthday banner and the lady said that the designer discontinued that print. I was so upset! So I'm thinking since I have one sheet left, I'll make a few cupcake picks or goody bags and then release the collection on my shop. It isn't on there just yet but will be by the end of the week. I can't wait to get started on my next party collection!

Have a great week!

Cuptakes - Cases for Girly Girls

YOU HAVE TO CHECK THIS PLACE OUT!!!!

This website has the most amazing cases for iPhones. They are so stinking cute and each one looks like a custom designer print that I can promise you nobody else will have. I can't decide just which one I want to get just yet. They are all so fabulous!

These are my favs:

Get to shopping!

Sir Stamps A Lot

I have recently found a scrapbooking/stamping store and I have got to tell you about it! They have great prices and brand names such as Hero Arts, Jim Holtz, and Stampabilities. If you live in Bham, it's right off of Oxmoor Road. The lady has had the store for quite some time but I never knew about it. There aren't very many scrapbooking shops open anymore these days so I was thrilled when I found this place. Her mission is to not have anything Hobby Lobby or Michael's has so that means brand new stuff I've never seen before! There's paper, a billion stamps, ink pads, card kits, and so much more. If you're in town and you love to scrap, stop by Sir Stamps A Lot.

Right now, ALL of their Christmas, Halloween, & Thanksgiving is 50% off!! I bought $80 worth of stamps and paper for $30.

Shop local. Shop small.

Visit their webpage.

Craigslist Queen

Craigslist is great website for stuff you have no room for or that you just do not want anymore. There is no need for a registration and it is very secure. You sell to people in your city and surrounding cities. After a posting has interested someone, you meet up with them (I advise at a local place with lots of people) and you sell your item. It works the same way if you want to purchase something. No need for PayPal or waiting for money in the mail. You get it right there! I like to take someone with me, like my dad or my boyfriend, because, well, you just never know. This is a great way to clean out your closet and make room for more!

Ever since I sold my two Cricut cartridges on Craigslist within TWO days of posting it (WOW!), it has inspired me to put more things on there! I have a lot of shoes, purses, jeans, and random decor that I no longer use so this is a great way to make some extra cash instead of giving it away to Goodwill. So, my next posting is for a lot of high heel shoes. I am a huge shoe person but I have such a hard time finding comfortable shoes that support my feet. One foot has an arch and one doesn't so comfy heels are a must! I am normally a size 6 in tennis shoes or other shoes like such but in heels, I like to wear a 5 1/2. I can't handle wobbly shoes. The heels that I am selling are great, but are too big for me! You can see the posting here if you are interested. They are all size 6 and are in pretty good condition. I am selling them for $100 for the whole lot or individually for $15. Contact me if you or someone you know whats them!! They'll be gone in less than a week so get them before they are gone!

Happy Shopping!