Mirror Mirror....

I love cooking and baking. It gives me so much joy. It is relaxing when I am in the zone of whipping up a new recipe or a well-loved favorite. As many of you know I went to Culinary School. I am by no means a "pro" but it is a passion of mine. Lately, it has been a bit overshadowed by my other passion of Interior Design. I could seriously live on The Cooking Channel, Food Network and HGTV alone! I don't watch cooking shows as often though because they make me sooooo hungry. Although, design shows aren't too nice for my wallet!

Anyways, I also follow a ton of design blogs. I love all the pretties! My mom loves design as well and passed that down to me. Our house was always very well designed. I would often come home with the furniture all rearranged...this happened a few times a year:). I have to say this happens quite often in my home too.  Design changes every year and it can be overwhelming. I can't keep up with the changes every year...but I do try to bring in a few elements...like pillows or a new art piece. Thankfully the world wide web is full of great inexpensive options(many times DIY) for the ever changing styles. 

My style is evolving. I use to be what I call "Modern Coastal" but that was a bit too cluttered for me and a little too themey. I don't like themes in homes.Let me show you an example:

This would be "themey". Way too much going on here. 

This...however...is just the right amount of nautical goodness:).

I also realized all the rooms in my house are all different styles. I have a nautical scheme in my family room...coastal in the bathroom(both rooms are guilty of being "themey"...Mod Glam in my bedroom and a little world traveler in the other rooms. Oh, and I can't forget a little Superhero going on in Shane's room:). Honestly, I would love to get rid of almost everything and start over!!!! (If we get our new house I just might get to do that:)).

So, what is MY style??? I have to also consider my husband's taste. I mean I should right??? He lives here too...but quite frankly I have taken over and I don't think he really likes any part of our home...sorry babe! I really like the classics...but with a modern flair. I don't like a lot of "stuff" but I do not like sleek and modern...or a bunch of hard lines. I am pretty traditional. I love old pieces that are made to look new. Our new home that we may be getting is Mid-Century. Noooooow...I have to say I appreciate a certain type of Mid-Century. Definitely I lean more towards the Modern side of it. There are some 60's and 70's influences that I can do without. My favorite thing is that it is considered vintage and to design a Mid-Century Modern home you have to go thrifting!!!!! 

Mid-Century is very natural. Uses a lot of earth tones.

How I wished we still lived! Men in suits and women in dresses...YES!

What I do not like about Mid-Century...except I want that cat! The furniture isn't too bad...but all that crazy art is no bueno for me.

With all that said, for now, my style is, Traditional...with a splash of Modern(if that makes any sense)..mix in some coastal elements and a sprinkle of GLAM! That sounds awful now that I think of it and a bit like I have design ADD. The truth is I just love all design. Whether it is Mid-Century or Country I can appreciate it all...except Victorian....just NO!

Any who...the whole point of this post was to show you my latest FB Group find!!!! I got a little distracted along the way but here it is: 

Ok...so this is what I bought for 20.00 from a girl on the FB group I am apart of that sell things...like a virtual yard sale!

 

It ended up on my mantel for now. It is very simple and modern. This is the style I am trying to lean towards so hoping it will look great in whatever house we end up in. Nothing fancy:).

 

Annnnnndddd this was my inspiration. I just happen to be drooling over this design by Emily Henderson(one of my top five fav designers). I loved this mirror. My mirror is stainless steel and I really like it but.... can always add a little gold rub and buff. We shall see. Something are better left alone in their original state(like many Hollywood faces).

So, there it is. I should have offered a lower amount. I did not realize it sold for 34.99 new at IKEA..but 20.00 is still better than 34.99. The best part of the whole thing....The Hubs likes it and HE suggested we go to IKEA this weekend!!!! Those are the best words he has ever uttered through his lovely lips!!!! I knew I loved this guy!!!

So, I have to know what is your style????? Country, Modern, Mid-Century, Traditional, Transitional....etc.....

Happy 4th Bday!!!

Dear Bubba,
I can't believe you are four today! I have a feeling I will still be saying that even when you are 30...40 and so on. Each year you bring daddy and I so much joy. We get such a kick out of seeing the world through your eyes. The love you have for others is such a sweet blessing. I want to be more like you in that way and am glad you are enjoying each and everyday.

I love that you ask what each day will entail. You are a little man on the move...always wanting to be doing something and being with others (daddy's mini me for sure).

Thank you for being our helper. You have such a servants heart. Thank you for bringing your plate to the kitchen when you are done and always rinsing your toothbrush off. Those little things add up to a lot for mama! :)

I have to say we are the luckiest parents in the world. You are such a good boy...who follows the rules...makes us laugh...and always wants to please us. You are a true SWEETHEART. Can't wait to see how much you grow this next year..although don't grow too much...you are almost too heavy to carry!!! Love you Bubba!!!!

Mama

Girl Talk- New Favs

Hello there girls! I have been under the weather for the past few weeks. I have managed to make it out in the world a few times...but for the most part I have been staying inside. Yesterday as I was brushing my teeth, I looked in the mirror and saw something sooo horrific...my face. Bwaahhaaa...but seriously, my skin was pale and my dark circles...ooooh child......let's just say I would fit right in with a pack of raccoons. If raccoons come in packs??? I actually took a snap shot yesterday: 

It is also that time of the month so that is the reason for the fangs and excess facial hair!

If I am ever feeling pale...bloated...or just blah...I always paint my face and some how I feel much better. I LOVE makeup! Can I get an AMEN? So, that is what I did yesterday and today. I put on a bunch of makeup and felt 100 times better! I do this often when I am in need of a little pick me up. I will go on You Tube and watch some tutorials on makeup and try out some new techniques. A lot of times I look even more like a raccoon than when I started but it is fun! 

I wanted to share some new finds that I tried and loved. The first I mentioned in a previous Girl Time post. It was the Beauty Blender. 

These are by Bundle Monster and are 10.99 for 4 on Amazon

  I went with a different brand...just because I didn't want to spend 20.00 for 2. This brand that I bought come in a 4 pack in the colors shown. The directions recommend that you wet the sponge first and then wring out the excess water. By adding the water to the sponge it allows you to get a real light layer of foundation on your face. This will be great for months when it starts to get hotter and you don't want a thick layer of foundation on. I generally like a light layer of foundation on...but if you can't get away with that this blender might not work as well for you. Or you might want to try not adding water. I also really like the pointed edge as it gets in the corners of you eyes and is great for concealer. Overall, I really like this product, but I still prefer my Sigma F80 brush I mentioned before for applying my foundation:). 

The second product I recently purchased was this highlighter by MAC:

It is called Mineralized Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle. It is described as a Gilded Peach Bronze. Isn't that just delightful. Anyone else get all giddy with makeup colors and descriptions??  No...just me...ok:). It is meant to be use on your checks. I started at the area next to the outside of my eyebrows(temple??) and make a "C" towards my checks. It does make my pores on my cheeks stand out a bit so I don't carry it too far onto my cheek area. I also swipe some down my nose and on my "cupid's bow" area on my lips(pointy upper part on lip). It is especially pretty if you have a tan. I only know because I have seen it on others. I myself never have a tan but it looks good on pasty too! Oh...by the way this was 30.00 so that is why I am only featuring two products as that is a lot for me to spend on a makeup product, but I am not a clothes person or mani/pedi person and so this is my girlie treat:). 

Have you picked up any new products you loved or did not love that you want to share??? Love new ideas!!!!! Try a new look this weekend...just have fun with it! Remember you can always wash it off:).

Asian (Garden Stool) Persuasion

Remember when I told you about those groups on facebook that sell stuff? They are pretty much like Craigslist only better!!!! Well I was just minding my business, scrolling through all the bikes, vases and clothing for sale when this beauty caught my eye!

The lady selling these actually referred to these as pots. I have never seen them used as pots..but either way...I wanted them!

I thought....could that be one of these????

Retails on Amazon for....$277.00!!!!

A lady was selling SIX of them for 10.00 each or if you bought all six she would give you a deal. I proceeded to ask the dimensions and she told me. Another person commented that he would take all six. Being the nice person I was I said he could have them since I only wanted two. WHYYYYYY??? I want them all. What are you doing Summer Ashley?! These sell for over 100.00 at some places. This guy must know of their potential. I wonder what color he is going to paint them? I wonder how lovely they are going to look on his patio, or in his bathroom or nestled up to his couch? I really blew it. Oh well, maybe he won't pick them up.

Now let us move onto the following day when this man(what does a man know about Asian Garden Stools anyways???) was suppose to pick up the beauties. I see a notification on my phone. Could it be??? Did Mr. Stool Stealer pass on MY beloved stools? Why yes, yes he did. Oh HAPPY DAY!!! I have to say I kinda knew this was going to happen because Jesus loves me:). Mr. Stool Stealer was unable to pick them up and in his defense he did not steal them. I graciously gave them all to him out of the goodness of my heart and he jumped on the opportunity and crushed my dreams of future spray painting sessions  these stools and I would have.

Anyways, where was I. Oh yes...Mr. Awesome...previously known as..Mr. Stool Stealer passed and Mrs. Awesome Seller Lady(no relation to Mr. Awesome)  asked if I was still interested. The reason she asked this is because after I passed them off to Mr. Awesome I immediately felt regret and sadness and I may have made a comment that sounded a bit pitiful. I mentioned if HE did not want them to let me know and I may consider them again. I really wanted to tell her that I made a HUGE mistake and please forgive me for not jumping on the opportunity to buy ALL six of these gorgeous stools and that I would give them a beautiful home. But I refrained.

So, she said they were all mine and all six for only........wait for it.......50.00!!!! That is a little over 8.00 for each of them. If you have not seen these stools before you are probably thinking I am a little crazy(or a lot) for getting all excited for this find. If you have seen these stools then hopefully I don't seem as crazy and you are with me on how great of a deal this is. I picked them up from the lady the next morning on my way to my mom's. I had to store them at her house as I was driving us for a fun day of shopping with her and my sis, but they understood, because they too love a good deal:).

This was definitely another great chance to bust out my beloved spray paint. I went to Lowes to get some more primer and to get a clear protectant for the stools and other items I have redone. I was also going to pick up a glossy white as that is what I wanted to paint my first stool but then I realized that it wouldn't go well in my bathroom which is where I wanted to put one. My bathroom is mainly white and it needed some color. My walls are a blueish green and although I wanted to go with something really fun...I stuck with my safe gray. I had two bottles on hand and so I thought I would give it a try. It ended up being the best fit for my bathroom.

BEFORE

Primed

AFTER:)

 Most of the stools were a light color with some tropical looking flowers...but there was one black sheep. Literally it was black with tropical flowers on it. I definitely was glad I primered it. My gray paint was not as glossy and I would have liked, so I bought that gloss clear protectant, but it was not that great. It was a Valspar spray and I have never used this brand. It definitely added a layer of protectant, but made it a bit gritty and not as glossy as I had hoped:(. Oh well..it still looks purdy. My original plan was to use all of these outside..but I really needed one in our Guest bath. I think I may add one in our Master bath as well. Here are a few examples of these pricey stools(which I should have referred to them as Asian Garden Seats... as Asian Stools sounds horrible):

Lovely in Pink

Celadon LOVE

Glossy White 109.99

Glossy Black $148.00!!!

GIRL TALK-Thin is not in

Thin is not in...thick is what it is all about! Unfortunately, I am talking about eyebrows and not our waistlines. And even more unfortunate that is the one place I am thin on my body. I can't win.

I am a little obsessed with eyebrows. If you are ever talking and you see that I am not giving you good eye contact but am instead looking at your eyebrows...well sorry. I love eyebrows. Thick and well manicured. Thin is not in girls!!! Did you know that if the outer 1/4 of your eyebrows are thin and you can never grow them there...you may have a thyroid problem? You're welcome! Now that I have ruined a few peoples' day let me get back to the topic at hand. Thick eyebrows. Now, I am not talking like really thick and bushy like some of these super models have...no bueno. Let me show you a few people with A+ eyebrows:

 

So...what do you think? Do you like thin or thick? Do you fill in your eyebrows? Do you have tricks to trimming them? Do you tweeze, wax, shave or thread? I am currently working on getting my brows thicker...they seriously grow every where I do not want them to. Here is a link to filling in your brows in case you need help:). Just trying to do my part in making eyebrows every where look their best! Hope you enjoyed the second installment of Girl Talk:). Again I am not an expert...just a girl who like girlie stuff:). Let me know if there is anything else you want to talk about. And in case you need to know what your eyebrows should NOT look like...here you go:

I heart spray paint

I think I love spray paint so much because I need results quick! I love paint in general. It can transform a room into something spectacular (or if the wrong color..something not so great). Spray paint though is my best friend when it comes to painting wood. I have used spray paint on quite a few of my furniture pieces in my home.

A few weeks back The Hubs and I went to Sur la table. If you do not know about this place and love to cook or bake...you have to go!!!! I had a gift card that I still had not used so I was dying to go. So, anyways...this has nothing to do with Sur la table...but actually Z Gallerie! Which is an amazing contemporary furniture and decor store, that happened to be across the street. Again, if you have not been...drop everything and go NOW! We were in the market for a new couch and The Hubs actually wanted to go in..so I jumped on the chance. While we were there I spotted this fancy schmancy tic tac toe set.

 It was fabulous! It was also 39.95, which isn't bad...but I really didn't need it...no matter how much my little shopping devil tried to convince me I did. So I left without it...but still kept thinking about it from time to time. I thought of its beautifully lacquered self...all white and glossy. Its modern take on a classic childhood game. Now fast forward to yesterday...which I guess you would have to fast forward and then go back a bit since it is today...sorry...I over think things sometimes. Anyways, I spotted this little guy on a group I am apart of on Facebook, that sells items...kind of like a virtual garage sale!

I was super excited...because what are the chances that I could find something so random as a wooden tic tac toe set in the group??? There was one person ahead of me and she passed...so I swooped it up and arranged for a pickup. Oh and I forgot it was only 5 smackaroos!!!! The one I have is a little smaller and the top you see actually slides off of a box and the x's and o's can be stored in it. I could have left it alone as it was in good shape...but I had the need...the need to spray paint:). I just happened to have some glossy white and gray. so I went with it. And here he is......

 I have to say...it really did not need to be spray painted:( I think I may have been so obsessed with spray painting that I didn't even stop to think...hey this looks good as is. Or maybe I should have just painted the x's and o's???? Or maybe once I get a coat of Poly on it I will change my mind or I might paint the o's darker or scrap the gray and go for gold????? I do love it(lies) ...but I am having spray painters remorse. What have I done????!!!!!!

Growing Pains

I remember my brother getting horrible growing pains in his legs when he was younger. He was such a tall kid. Shane is his little mini me. Shane has always been in the upper percentile for his height. So...it did not surprise me that for about a month straight he complained about the back of his knees hurting and then all of the sudden his pants no longer fit him. Poor kid...I told him he was growing and he was super stoked about that. But this is not about his growing pains this is about my growing pains. Just keepin' it real here. After I told Shane he was growing...he said to me "Mama you and Daddy don't want me to get bigger, huh?" That is right Bubba...Just Stay Little. 

I have a little frame that has that saying "Just stay little" in his room. Well, I guess I should say I had that little frame in his room until today. For today, Shane got his "big boy room". It was hard when I moved him into his big boy bed awhile back but I still kept a lot of the Cowboy decor. I just added in a few things from Toy Story, since that was his favorite movie at the time. Woody is a cowboy so I could deal with that. I am not into kid rooms being plastered with a certain character...but I want Shane to love his room...so he did have a Toy Story comforter even though Mama thought it totally messed up the Vintage Cowboy vibe I was going for. 

 I normally am ecstatic to redecorate any room...but this room...not so much. I knew that it meant I would have to pack up his horses, his hand prints and foot prints and anything that had to do with being a Lil' Buckaroo. I would then have to put up the Superhero decor. (That is what we settled on. I am going more for an industrial/city look...but there are a few appearances of Iron Man and Captain America). MAN...was this tough. Growing pains for sure...for Mama. Shane will be four in just 7 weeks:(. He is still little but not little little. He can do so much for himself and doesn't need my help. Most days I am super grateful for that..but other days it is sad. I am excited to see him grow and learn. I have loved every stage of his life and it just keeps getting better. So, just in case you have not yet made that switch from baby to big boy or girl room...be forewarned it is rough. I was super cheesy and did a "client" reveal with Shane like you see on HGTV. I shut the door and told him when it was ready. He ran in and said "this is awesome!!!!" If he hated it I was ready to put everything back up...no problem:). It is not anywhere near done...but I had a few things that I had been collecting over the past year and decided to hang all of his art. We are hoping to move soon..so until we have a place I don't want to buy any furniture until I know the space he will have. 

So glad he thought his room was "awesome". I caught him pretending to be a Superhero tonight...jumping on his bed.... in his cape....saving the world!

This I got for free! I also already had a poster frame hanging around so it was completely free! It was Shane's favorite!

I bought an old comic book awhile back at a thrift shop and tore out some pages (Shane was mortified)...hey it was all in the name of design! I used some leftover fabric to cover up a memo board I wasn't using and used push pins to pin the pages up and voila! ART:)

So...my sister in law bought Shane these coloring pages and I instantly thought that is going on Shane's wall! I did go out and buy Shane another one because that would be kind of cruel to take away his gift and say he couldn't color it. Although I could do it in the name of design again...but that would have been pushing it:) Oh and I had the frame already that fit it perfect..which is crazy because it was an odd size. I say God was rewarding me for not purchasing anything yet until I absolutely have to. I think all three of these piece cost like 2.00!!!

 

Ok now to leave you with the saddest picture ever taken! We were visiting with Scott's Aunt tonight, as she is going to be heading home tomorrow morning. She got all the Grand-kids presents. Shane got Superhero jammies...which of course he LOVED! When I got home I realized his jammie drawer was packed to the brim. I needed to take out a pair...then....there they were...his Woody jammies. Seriously!!! Those are the only pair in there that are way too short and I was holding onto because they are just so darn cute. But, it was time. I pulled them out and Shane was like..."what are you doing?". I told him I had to make room and these do not fit you any more. He then proceeded to grab them and do this: 

Not making this up folks. It was super sweet though. Almost like he was telling me it was ok...he is still little and will always be my Lil' Buckaroo!