a can of paint, a few changes....

I am linking up with Cindy's Romantic Home Show and tell Friday . Now that I look at the pictures , it looks so plain. It seems like a bigger change in person. And, of course, I forgot to take "before" pictures. This is a bedroom belonging to one of my daughters away at college. It was deep turquoise and white . I researched and found that people were happy with the paint "Mindful Gray" by Sherwin Williams so that is what I used. She already had this pretty light fixture in there that she bought on ebay when she was about 13-yrs-old. We still love it and it's white!

I already had the white sheets, curtains, bedskirt and lamp. So I bought a new quilt at Homegoods and a few pillows and this is what I have now. Very plain I know, but I am still trying to think of an idea for a headboard.
She already had these white shelves and shells up too.

A pillow from Pier 1 and a few from etsy. And an ikea chair that I dragged in from another room.

This is the most precious item in the room to me. A huge map of New York City that my daughter made on the computer years before she ever got to move there. And yes, I did ask her before I made any changes and she said to "go for it"!

Playing with chocolate

Valentines' Day is only a week away so I thought I would try making chocolates with molds. It's an easy afternoon with almost instant gratification. My favorite kind of craft! I used Merckens chocolate discs. I bought them locally but I think Micheal's and JoAnn's carries them too.

I used a simple double boiler....a bowl over a pot of simmering water....to melt the chocolate.

I tinted 1/2 lb. of white chocolate with a drop of red food coloring to get the palest of pale pink. If I was doing it again, I think I'd add another drop or two.
I bought my cameo mold locally but you can order them online. Even Amazon has them for sale. The next part takes a little practice but if I can do it so can you. Drizzle a small amount of the white chocolate into the cameo recess and spread it around with a toothpick. Then set these aside to cool while you melt down the dark or milk chocolate.
After the white chocolate is hardened, fill the rest of the mold with milk or dark chocolate and tap lightly on the counter to release any air bubbles

Place the molds in the refrigerator till they harden (or the back porch will do if you live in the snow like me!) and then easily pop them out of the mold. It was so much fun I had to stop myself from making too many. What are you making for Valentine's Day?

Inspiration

I think it takes me longer to recover from the Christmas season than most people. I rather like that there are quiet , snowy  days in January to nest. I have several rooms in my house that I want to paint and spruce up. But I can't concentrate on one at a time. So many paint chips circling in my mind. So I have been picking up items for all the rooms as I see them and I love a sale. I hardly ever pay full price for anything. Even if I love it. It WILL go on sale sooner or later or it wasn't meant to be mine. 

I picked up an eggplant colored, satin, ruffled  pillow at Pier1. I am experimenting with this color. Not one I normally chose but I noticed it creeping into my wardrobe and I'm liking it. I think I'll pair it with gray and silver. That's where the silver cup comes in. I bought several. They are toothbrush holders from Bed Bath And Beyond but I think they look like mint julep cups. They may hold flowers or they may stand alone. I'm not sure. 

For my growing collection of apothocary jars, I bought white ceramic balls with the letters that correspond to the first letters of my family members names. That is for another room. The salewoman at Pier1 was very gracious and sat on the floor with me while I dug through the two large bowls of balls. I thought we were having fun but maybe, now that I think of it,  she was afraid I would slip a few into my pocket!

The last sale item I snatched was a linen shower curtain. It has kissing pleats with shell buttons at the top. Of course that is for another room , a bath , that I have been working on for two years now, gathering bargains as I see them. Well, I see alot of paint in my future ( I got that on sale too at a Sear's store that was going out of business). I hope for you a project, big or small, to keep you busy this winter too.

Tree Festival

I want to show you some pretties from our local charity Christmas Tree Festival. My favorite is the wreath on the pink door. It had me with just the pink door!  I hope this is a bit of inspiration for you as you start your Christmas decorating.

Thanksgiving decor

When it comes to fall decor, I don't really do anything for Halloween. My fall decorating is more for Thanksgiving.  And that's ok because I usually don't get around to decorating till Halloween anyway.  It takes me that long to realize the inevitable....that winter and snow really are on their way and there isn't anything I can do about it short of moving from Ohio. So , I have given in, the time is changing and so is the decor. This is a wreath on our front door. I bought it several years ago with a coupon at JoAnn Fabrics. I know, I could have made it, but I had a coupon! It wasn't my favorite when I bought it but now I really like it. 

My sister-in-law, who happens to like fall, drags me kicking and screaming into the season each year usually with a piece of decor for my birthday. This year she gifted me with this gorgeous candle. She simply wrapped garland around it and it has a wonderful glow. 

This last piece is a more subtle nod to Thanksgiving....my Thank You plate by John Derian. I bought it at his store in New York City the last time we were there. This was the largest piece I could afford ! He is now doing a line for Target. Thank Goodness! 
So this is the part where I tell you to count your blessings. And I really do mean it. It makes it easier to get up in the morning when you have given thanks first. Happy Thanksgiving!

Auction love

Once in awhile it happens. An auction that seemed to be tailored just for me. I brought home a box of beautiful antique French and German bisque doll heads of all sizes. Most are in good condition, some however need some love. 

I also brought home boxes and boxes of vintage millinery in every color imaginable. I will be offering these in my etsy shop in groupings of assorted colors at a really great price. Let me know if you are interested in groupings of only a color or two.  See you at the auction!

Early Christmas shopping

I started my Christmas shopping early when I heard about the beautiful soaps Dalene hand makes. She has so many stunning designs, it is hard to not choose them all. They come in blue, pink, yellow , green , and even some orange for fall designs. She is welcoming new orders at her email address daleneruhe@hotmail.com.

So if you are on my "Santa list" you may just get one from me.