Move Over Missoni

A couple of weeks ago the Missoni release at Target was the talk around town.  Okay, maybe around the world.  Can you believe it made NATIONAL news?!  That was pretty exciting, but you know what is even more exciting...a French Country line at Target.  Okay, now that is newsworthy stuff!  


Remember my little faux grain sack tea towel from a few weeks ago?  I squealed in delight (Really! Rustic stuff makes me go a little cuckoo) when I saw it hanging there with all that beautiful cream and cranberry colored stoneware.

Well,  the rustic farmhouse/French country style must be a hit, because I was in Target today and noticed the collection has been extended.  Check out what I found throughout the home section... 


An adorable footstool covered in grain sack fabric! Double squeal! I want that little stool so bad, but I slowly walked away today...one day I'll come back for you....sniff, sniff. 

Chicken wire baskets with a linen fabric lining.  These would be perfect for organizing a pantry or closet.    Hmmm....maybe a future project.

And, French script lampshades.  How fun to replace an existing shade with one of these for the fall.  Quick and easy update.  

  Move over, Missoni, there is a new designer in town Target! 

Two Tassels and One Long Overdue Project

Well, I finally got around to a simple, yet long overdue project in MW's nursery.  Remember when I got a bee in my bonnet to hang panels on the the dormer window (thank you Dear Lilly for that inspiration)?

The panels were SCREAMING for two tie-backs to hold back the fabric.  I found a perfect set at a little consignment shop right around the corner called Urban Castaways...hmmm, castaways...yes, please!  I was in the shop weeks ago and found a perfect set of cream colored tie-backs for $12! I like these because they aren't too dressy.  It's hard to find simple tie-backs.  Usually they are beaded, shiny, and a touch too formal for me.  

So, I decided how far up I wanted the tassels to hang (just eye-balled it), then made a little mark with a highlighter.  Why a highlighter?  Because it is the only writing utensil I could find in the entire house! Anyway, I marked identical heights on both sides.

I then used a hammer and nail to make a little hole and screwed in both hooks.  

Ten minutes later, a finished project.  

This was so quick and easy, what took me so long to get this done?! Oh, yeah, my little monkey!   Check out how she entertained herself while I was busy at work.

A Few Great Finds

I actually had an entire morning to myself last week.  My mom took the baby for a few hours and I did what any girl would do with free time...went shopping!! I hit up a couple of my favorite shops in the area:  TJs (TJ Maxx that is) Rooms, Blooms, and More and A.Dodson's.  Check out a few of my budget finds...


TJ Maxx:
I have a thing for pastoral art.. a fancy word for farm animals/scenes. I like cows, chickens, sheep, horses...I must be channeling my inner cowgirl.  Something about grazing livestock is just peaceful to me.  With that being said, you can just imagine my excitement when I found this little treasure hidden beneath a pile of frames at TJs.  I would have LOVED to find a few more, but this was it.  The frame is a distressed blue/green color, my favorite decorating color.  The price...$7.99.  Score!

Rooms, Bloom, and More:
I immediately spotted this little needlepoint pillow.  You know I couldn't  resist a baby and a bunny.  Does it get any cuter?

And also this adorable picture frame.  I love the dull gold finish and the big bow at the bottom.  I added it to my little collection of gold frames I found a few months back for a buck! 

A. Dodsons:
For becoming a Facebook friend and AVID follower (okay...stalker) I had a 25% coupon at A.Dodsons, so I redeemed it on this adorable little lamp.  I have a lamp fetish.  I can't stop myself.  If I see a cute one, it just jumps right into my shopping cart.  This one was less than $20 with the discount.  Holla! I think I am going to put it the upstairs bathroom that is in much need of accessorizing right now (more on that later).  And, btw, the store is completely decorated for Halloween and looks SPOOK-tactlar! 

Bathroom Revamp - Part 3

Well, friends, this little project is really coming along! I was able to cross #2 off this list today.  

1. Remove the old shower curtain rod and hang much higher.  This will give the illusion of higher ceilings. Also, replace the standard size shower curtain with an extra-long, 96" white one. 

2.  Add a window treatment to the empty window. 

3.  Remove the unframed mirror above the sink and replace with a framed mirror, then hang the mirror higher.  Replace molding strip where the mirror used to "sit".

4.  I love the wainscoting and the glass knobs (instant cottage character), but I need to add a new rug and accessories to make the space look finished. 

5.  Organize the drawers and cabinets so that I can easily access toiletries, make-up, medicines, etc.

I found this really great fabric 4o% off $25 a yard at Joanne's Fabric.  I love the oatmeal brown color and all the texture!  It is similar to the burlap I love so much, but I am beating that dead horse to death, so I thought I would slightly switch it up.   I only needed a couple of yards for a simple London shade. So I spent $30 on fabric and the trim was on sale for $3.50 a yard.  

I then dropped my materials off at my favorite seamstress and she worked up a little London shade for me.  This project, all in, cost a little less than $150.  Not bad, but a gentle reminder that I need to learn how to sew! 

Okay, just so you know, here is a little Shade 101 in case you need to brush up on your know...

London Shade  

Balloon Shade

Roman Shade

Fold or Pleated Shade



I measured the spot on the shade where I wanted to drill and marked it with a black dot.  I also measured the same amount on the window sill (these shades are an inside mount), and drilled through both.  

I then screwed the shade into the sill.  It took me about 10 minutes.  I'm getting pretty handy with that drill! 

And here is the finished product. I love how much charm this little shade adds to this bathroom!

Bathroom Revamp - Part 2

Okay, I'm clearly on a mission! For those of you just tuning in, I am working on a budget friendly spruce to my upstairs bathroom.  Here is my 'To Do' list:

1. Remove the old shower curtain rod and hang much higher.  This will give the illusion of higher ceilings. Also, replace the standard size shower curtain with an extra-long, 96" white one. 
2.  Add a window treatment to the empty window. 
3.  Remove the unframed mirror above the sink and replace with a framed mirror, then hang the mirror higher.  Replace molding strip where the mirror used to "sit".
4.  I love the wainscoting and the glass knobs (instant cottage character), but I need to add a new rug and accessories to make the space look finished. 
5.  Organize the drawers and cabinets so that I can easily access toiletries, make-up, medicines, etc.


I crossed #1 off my "primp plan" list! Done!
  
Remember it before...

Shower - BEFORE

I found shower curtain rings with glass knobs to coordinate with the glass knobs on the drawer pulls.  I got these from Tarjay (i.e. Target)...love the Simply Shabby Chic line they have (MW likes it too)! Thank you Rachel Ashwell! 

The extra-long (96") shower curtain and liner I purchased from Amazon.  Although I am not in love with the quality (a little thin for my taste), it was really inexpensive and shipped for free.  I believe it was around $35 for both pieces.  I'm just going to have to settle for good enough.  I did take the time to iron the curtain.  DO IT, PEOPLE! hahaha! I know it is a pain, but a nice, crisp piece of fabric vs. a wrinkled mess makes a BIG difference. 

I hung the tension rod as high as I could go, then added the curtain, liner, and pretty new rings! 

Shower - AFTER

I know, it is still one plain bathroom, but I still have four more projects to go. Be patient with me! :)  

Bathroom Revamp - Part 1

Our upstairs bathroom is long overdue for a little sprucing.  We pondered an entire renovation, but the estimate was a weeeee bit more than we wanted to put into the space, so I decided that a few inexpensive tweaks could add impact without breaking the bank.    


Here are a few of my inspirational photos...

 

 

 

Okay, enough drooling, back to my budget bathroom!  I am going to list the five areas that need some attention then over the next week or two show you the revamp process.  Okay...here we go.  I'm warning you...it's pretty BLAH right now!


The Primp Plan:


1. Remove the old shower curtain rod and hang much higher.  This will give the illusion of higher ceilings. Also, replace the standard size shower curtain with an extra-long, 96" white one. 

2.  Add a window treatment to the empty window.  

3.  Remove the unframed mirror above the sink and replace with a framed mirror, then hang the mirror higher.  Replace molding strip where the mirror used to "sit".

4.  I love the wainscoting and the glass knobs (instant cottage character), but I need to add a new rug and accessories to make the space look finished. 

5.  Organize the drawers and cabinets so that I can easily access toiletries, make-up, medicines, etc.


I know, I know...I have my work cut out! However, I have a plan.  Stay tuned to watch my little bathroom transform!