Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Vintage Charm

Today, we're on the screened porch since my husband has decided to dig up the waterfall in the backyard to make it bigger!  I didn't want all his stuff in the background of my pictures.
The table is draped with a burlap colored tablecloth and layered with a vintage topper that my mom recently gave me.
The colors of the topper are muted but I decided to bump it up a little by incorporating a littler brighter dishware.  The bright yellow dinner plate ($ Tree) is topped with a cream salad plate (BHG). 
The silverplated utensil napkin rings (Pier One) are holding gray/white floral napkins (Target). The green bowls ($ Tree) bring out the color of the leaves. The acrylic flatware is a find from the Trash to Treasure Sale.
The vintage iced tea glasses are the candlewick pattern.  The wine glasses are Mikasa "The Ritz."
        Red roses as a centerpiece.
Thanks for stopping by!

Sharing with:
Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters
Lets Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen 
Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch  
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Home Sweet Home Friday @ The Charm of Home 
Inspiration Friday at the picket fence 
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground 

Monday, May 28, 2012

Summer Mantel with Coastal Charm


You know I couldn't leave it alone, right?  I mean, it just wasn't me!  Yeah, I'm talking about my summer mantel.  I didn't want fill it up too much but it was just too bare.


I didn't go too overboard, I only added 2 jars of some sand, shells, and sea glass.  I picked some up from Pottery Barn.  I just loved the pretty shades of blue.


The sand and blue glass picks up on the colors of the painting.


I am still so in love with this painting that I got from the auction.  It was well worth $32!


That bag of play sand I got from Home Depot has come in handy.


What do you think?  Maybe it needs a little more tweaking?

Sharing with:

Show Us Your Life  @ Kellys Korner
Summer Mantel Party @ The Lettered Cottage
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Cowgirl Up Party @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Wed Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here 
Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life   
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage 
Thursdays Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner  
Thrifty Things Thursday @ The Thrifty Grove    
Thrifty Thursday @ Tales From Bloggeritaville 
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch To Yours

Pottery Barn Knock Off

I have been waiting patiently for chairs in my breakfast area.  I need a pair that would not too bulky or too tall.  Last week, I stopped in at the Goodwill and there they were! 


I quickly went over and staked my claim while checking them out.  They were strong and sturdy.  Not too small, not too big.  Wasn't too crazy about the oak since I already have a lot of wood tones in my room anyway but that wasn't a deal breaker!  The seats were indented a little but that's easy to fix as well.  So, in the back of the truck they went.

Once I got them home, I was very happy with the size.  My little breakfast area isn't too big and to be honest it only seems to get used at holidays.  Everyone seemed to pile into that corner.  This past year we extended the banquet under the window so now this area seats quite a few people for the space!

Once my husband got home, he wasn't too enthused about them.  I started doubting myself but there was also this nagging thought in the back of my mind that I had seen a chair similar to this.  While thumbing though my Pottery Barn catalog for the 1000th time, this picture jumped out at me!  Except for the front legs, my chairs look almost just them!  My first thought was "why am I listening to my husband, men don't really know anything about decorating."  I mean, they're in the Pottery Barn catalog for goodness sake!  You can't go wrong with them!  The Pottery Barn chairs are $178, I paid $11.99 each!  I love a good deal!

Now, I needed to paint them!  I wasn't looking forward to sanding them and have seen a lot of great projects using chalk paint.  I read a few blogs, got a few ideas and decided to make my own.  I purchased my Plaster of Paris from Home Depot in the powder form.  I had heard that it will dry up on you and when I saw it in this powder form, I thought it would last longer.  I mixed one cup of blue paint, 2/3 cup Plaster of Paris, and 1/3 cup water.  I mixed it up really good and started painting.  Once the Plaster of Paris and water was mixed in, it seemed to change my blue more to a grayish blue.
.

This is a chair after I finished painting!


The chalk paint was really easy to work with.  I had read where others had to add more water to get the right consistency but mine seemed to be fine.  It wasn't too thick, it actually brushed on really well with hardly no dripping.


After the chairs dried, I let them set over night.  The next day I started waxing.  Oh, I didn't enjoy this part at all!  I don't know if it was the Minwax paste wax I used or what.  After they were waxed, I started buffing and buffing.  Thankfully, it's finished!  and I am very pleased with the outcome.


So, how did I do?  I started by wanting a little more blue color but the grayish blue works well in this area.  Oh, I also forgot to mention that I attempted to stain the bottoms but it didn't work!  I tested it on the bottom side but it was a no go!  My mom is going to make cushions for the benches so I'm wondering if I should put a cushion on each chair?

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Magazine Copy Cat Challenge @ Debbie Doo's Blogging & Blabbing
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Tuesdays Treasures @ Myuncommon Slice of Suburbia  
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe with an E 
Tuesday  Your Cozy Home Party @ Cozy Home Scenes       
Swing into Spring Party @ DIY by Design http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
White Wednesday @ Faded Charm Cottage 
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Home Sweet Home Friday @ The Charm of Home 
Inspiration Friday at the picket fence
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Feature Friday @ Redoux  
fridady Addicts (not so) Anonymous @ Addicted 2 Decorating
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors   

Sunday, May 27, 2012

My Thrifty Treasures

I wanted to share a few of my recent finds that I'm excited about.  No, it doesn't take a lot to excite me! LOL!  I picked up a complete set of Interpur flatware for $6!  Of course, at the time I didn't know what they were.  The modern style intrigued me.  After a little research, I found out they are from the 1960's in a danish modern style.  One site said they were had rosewood handles, another just said synthetic. Awhile back, Apartment Therapy found a set and I learned some information from them as well.
Here is a closer look at the handles. I think they were a steal for $6!
This past weekend my husband and I dropped in at the Goodwill.  They had eight iced tea glasses for $3 each.  I was telling my husband that for Goodwill that was a little high for me.  Yeah, I'm cheap!  I thought, BUT wasn't sure, they were Noritake Sweet Swirl.  A sales lady overheard me talking to my husband and told me to ask the store manager it they would take less.  I thanked her nicely and said I might do that.  Before I made it down the next aisle the nice saleslady had flagged down the manager and told her I wanted to talk to her!  She kind of put me on the spot because I didn't think Goodwill would haggle over the price.  Well, the manager so she would go down to $19 for all eight, I came back and said what about $16, she came back at $18 and I said "Oh, you're good!"  So out of deep respect for my bartering adversary, I purchased 8 iced tea glasses for $18! 

Once I got them home, I found one that had the Noritake sticker still on it!  Whoopee! I got a good deal!  Thank you Ms. Goodwill Store Manager!

Before my husband and I got married, I almost choose the clear Sweet Swirl glasses for my everyday glassware.  Since I choose, the Mikasa Ultrastone Blue for my everyday china, I just went with Mason jar glasses.  The ultrastone blue is like a speckled blue and white design so the mason jars looked good with it.  So, it seems that life has some full circle, at least as far as Sweet Swirl is concerned!

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Thrifty Treasures @ Southern Hospitality
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Newbie Party @ Debbie Doos

Patriotic Vintage Rides

Country Living
I didn't put up any decorations for Memorial Day.  My living room and office is a mess because I'm in the middle of trying to redo my office into more of a craft room so I can "try" to confine all my stuff in there.  In other words, I just haven't had time!  Now that Memorial Day is upon us, I have to get on the ball. Our big entertaining event for the summer is 4th of July.  We host an annual bbq with swimming and fireworks at dusk.  I've been cruising Pinterest for ideas and wanted to share a few that included vintage vehicles.  My family has always been into vintage cars.  My dad has been a lifelong mechanic and has restored quite a few himself.


This is his last project, a 1937 Pontiac.  I sold it for him last year via Craigslist.  It's new home is in Norway!


Hunter is also collector of vehicles.  Due to its unique paint job, I think that it is only fair that I share a pic of  "The Beast."  It would be perfect for a patriotic parade, wouldn't it?

Source
This picture is from Pinterest but was originally from This Old Farmhouse.   I'll think I will decorate Hunter's 1976 Ford truck like this even though his does not have quite as much vintage charm as this one.

Source
Here's another cool red, white, and blue collage of vintage vehicles I found via Pinterest.  I could not find the original source for this one.


Herbie sports those patriotic colors as well!  This was taken in one of our trips to Walt Disney World.


This vintage sign is also from Walt Disney World.  It brings back memories of when I was small.  My dad worked at a Chevrolet dealership and would let me go to work with him.  I would spend the day in the parts department setting up on of those tall stools (well they seemed tall to a little girl)  The owner would also give me some small replicates made by Chevrolet of the new cars.  I wonder if they still make those? Oh, the memories! 


I hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe Memorial Day!

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What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Display Case from Vintage Items

Check out this fabulous display/check out counter that my friend, and hairdresser, had made for her shop.  The shop is actually an old home that she purchased and made into a salon  So it was only fitting that she had the counter built out of vintage items.  A local company, Barndog Mill, built this piece for her and they did a super job!
The front display area features three vintage window sashes.  She uses this area to display her vintage pieces, mostly items related to hair styling or barber supplies. 
The back side has plenty of storage area for her business/office supplies.
Notice the detail on the end.
At the other end is this little cabinet that holds the cash register.
Isn't it great? I love how the old door was cut in half and the crystal knob was left on! The contrast of paint and wood tones just makes it even more interesting.

Thanks for stopping by!  I would love for you to follow me!  Leave me a comment and I'll follow you back.

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Thrifty Things Thursday @ The Thrifty Grove
Thrifty Thursday @ Tales From Bloggeritaville 
Home Sweet Home Friday @ The Charm of Home 
Inspiration Friday at the picket fence 
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground 
Feature Friday @ Redoux  
fridady Addicts (not so) Anonymous @ Addicted 2 Decorating
Sundays Best @ My 1929 Charmer 
Simply Klassic Sunday @ Simply Klassic Home
Pear Up @ I Heart Pears

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Hawaiian Dreamsicle Punch - For the Recipe Box

Hawaiian Dreamsicle....just a name I came up to describe this delicious punch.  Yes, it's actually a punch but I fixed some in these sundae glasses that I picked up at a yard sale.  My mom has made this for as long as I can remember then I started making it for my children's birthday parties.  Savannah's birthday was last weekend and since I had ice cream and Hawaiian Punch left, I decided to make some more.
Chill the Hawaiian Punch until it is slushy. Scoop ice cream into the punch bowl or, in this case, glasses.
Just using a regular size ice cream scoop will work.
Pour the icy Hawaiian Punch over the ice cream.  When using a punch bowl, it's best to stir it round good and let it set for a few minutes....giving time for the ice cream to melt a little.
Once your ice cream melts a little, it gives the punch a creamy "dreamsicle" taste!  Delicious!

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Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Show Your Stuff @ Just Winging It
Foody Friday @ Designs by Gollum
On the Menu Monday @ StoneGable
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Summer Inspiration Recipes @ Thistlewood Farms

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Seafood for Savannah

This past weekend we celebrated Savannah's birthday.  It's hard to believe she is 15.  Goodness, how time flies!  It seems like just yesterday she was a little girl toddling around!
I let Savannah chose the "theme" for this tablescape.  She decided on seafood!
Her favorite seafood is fried alligator.  No, I didn't cook any. Her dad picked some up from a local restaurant.  I've never tried to cook alligator!  We used this vintage Motorola radio that was in Hunter's collection as part of the centerpiece.
We pulled the colors from the embroidered crab napkins (ebay).
We started by draping the table with a white tablecloth and a fish net ($Tree) in the center.  The place mats were a great buy at the grand opening of the new Goodwill.  Red square plates (JCPenney) were topped with clear clam salad plates (Trash to Treasure).  The clear glass allows the crab napkin to show though nicely.  The plate handled flatware (TtoT) brings out the black outline of the crab.
 Wine glasses are Mikasa "The Ritz" and the other glass is a yard sale find. There are outlines of seafood around the bottom.
Some Tabasco salt and pepper shakers....
with a few shells scattered here and there.
Thank you so much for stopping by!  I would love for you to follow me.  If you leave me a comment, I'll follow you back.

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Sharing with:

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen
Wed Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Centerpiece Wednesdays @ The Style Sisters
Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage 
Thursdays Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Thrifty Things Thursday @ The Thrifty Grove
Thrifty Thursday @ Tales From Bloggeritaville 
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch To Yours
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper  
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tater Tots and Jello