2 to College!

So DD is graduating this year and heading off to college.  She applied at five of the Cal State schools here in CA.  Here first choice sent her an acceptance email on Christmas Eve!  She was so excited.  DS is leaving too!  After 4 years at the JC, he finally decided what to major in and God willing he will pass all 6 of his classes this semester and he will be heading up north, to the furthest State campus!  Empty nesters and we didn't even plan it this way!

Well DD has been looking at bedding for her new adventure.  They have XL twins on college campuses and she is in a double bed now, she is not happy about that.  Being a bargain hunter like me she was starting to look now so we could start gathering up her supplies.  So off to Bed Bath and Beyond yesterday.  I really didn't think we would find anything, was I wrong.  Everything is on clearance!  Here is what we found! It included the comforter, sheet set, sham, throw, towels, a hamper and wall dots.  It was regularly $80 but we got it for $20!  Now we can start looking for accessories in these colors when they go on sale!  We also found a shower curtain for $5!  We figured if her roommate comes with one too, they can switch them out on occasion!  For $5...

DS has a Woolrich quilt I got him at Target last year.  He hasn't used it here but I am sure he will in the north country!

Anyone have any suggestions of things needed for college!  This isn't something I planned.  Kids born 4 years apart one is supposed to be done when the other one starts right?

Have a good day!

Laura

Love my Chickens!

Before Christmas I found this picture at HomeGoods.  Loved the silhouettes of the chickens but the frame not so much.  It was only $3.50 cause the thingys on the back to hold it in were missing.  Easy Fix.

So I remembered I had some of the beadboard like wallpaper I had gotten at Lowes when it went on clearance.

Perfect!  I cut the paper to fit and pasted it on, using tacky glue when needed!
Then I spray painted it red with paint I already had from another project!! It is a  little bright in this pic.

After a few coats and a good drying I wiped on some gel stain in walnut. Which I always have on hand! Lurve it!

Here it is hanging over my stove, there was nothing here before.  I used extra strength velcro to fasten it to the slate.  Worked great. 

Here is another pic.  The only cost was the cost of the picture, I already had the paper, paint and stain.

Oh and I just used the staple gun to shoot staples on the edge of the back to hold in the pic.

Easy Peasy!

Toodles,

Laura

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Finally got the mirror done!

Back in August I bought this mirror at a garage sale for $2!  Yes I said $2

I was going to give it to DD as she was redoing her room in a Parisian theme!  But she didn't want it!

I love how it was made in the USA!

That alone makes me think it is old.  What do you think?

Well finally in December, I got around to painting it!  I have a small collection of black mirrors in my small, very small entry, this was my new addition.
What do you think!  Hard to get a good pic, this room doesn't get much natural light this time of year.

Here is the rest of them.

Sorry it is a little wonky.

I will have to try and get a better pic, but I think you can get the jest of it.  That is my garland on the right, our stairs are open to the living room as they turn to go up.
Another view:

Hope you all enjoy!

Laura

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Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a great New Year's Day.  We spent time with DD going to the antique mall and driving by the beach.  It was a beautiful day in So Cal, you all probably saw that if you watched the Rose Parade!

Have any of you hit the after Christmas Sales?  I always try to hold out till 75% off.  Went to Target the other day and got some tissue paper and a few other trinkets.  Found these awesome velvet pillows!  They have a little satin trip around the edges.  Beautiful!

They aren't even marked!  They were in the home section on an end cap.  Marked $12.99.  They were 75% off!!!  So $3.24!  They have them in the great green, a beautiful red, and this soft gold.

Here is the gold as I am showing you the tag!  See nothing to indicate it was Christmas!  If you find them at your store, you may be able to hold out to 90% off which is coming soon I am reading.

May run by my stores today, to see what is left and if it is at 90% yet.

Report back if you find any deals, K

Here is another pic.

Toodles,

Laura

Inspiration

I always am so inspired by all the awesome ideas you all have!  I always love what Whitney and Sarah come up with at Shanty2chic!   I especially loved their cute photo display holders!  My mother in law is recuperating from a broken hip and I thought this would be a cute gift for her.

Here is their idea .  And here is mine.

Sorry for the fast pic, no in process ones,  I took this as we were on our way out the door on Christmas Day!

As you may have heard here in So Cal we had 5 days of rain and we got 12 inches here in South Orange County, so not condusive to spray painting!  Bummer :( 

I added a envelope to the back and printed off a few pictures so she can change them out as she wants.  I really loved how it turned out, now if we could get a few days of sunshine maybe I could make a few more!

Have a great week,

Toodles,

Laura

Christmas has arrived at my house!

Yes, finally I dug out the bins and began setting up my vignettes! 

Can you tell I like snowmen!  This is only half of the buffet!  Here is the other half.  I have always put my snowmen on the buffet, and when we had this awesome one built for us a year ago, I got more space!

 

Here is my mantle, my santa collection!  Again this is only half.  The bottom pic is the right side.

 

 Hard to get a good pic.  My husband is Norwegian so I have started a collection of rosemaling, still have a few to get.

How is your decorating coming?  We have the tree up but no decorations on that yet!

Have a great week!

Toodles,

Laura

Christmas Ready or Not!

I am trying, really trying.  When you have a child in Marching Band your year isn't yours until after Thanksgiving!  So.....  

I was inspired by Ali at Honey and Maple Syrup and these great ornaments!  Inspired by Ballard, and we know how awesome their stuff is. 

 We have a small gathering of friends and I was wanting something to make as a small gift.  So I took this idea and ran with it.  I bought the glass balls at Michaels and Joann's when they were Buy One Get One FREE, so $5 for 8 or .63, then I got the cream paint at Michaels for .39, since these are larger balls it lasted through about 3 or so.  Than I bought the stick on letters, all about being easy, right, these were $3.99, but have lots of letters!

 Spray painted the tops black and here is what I got!  I made one for each couple, using their last name initial.

I had these cute alphabet tiles I got last year and tied them on with twine.  Since I don't have a tree up yet, this is what you get.  Tree will probably go up this weekend.  I think I will get the little chinese food containers to package them in.  So one project down, a few more to go.  

Have a great day!

Laura