Painted Coffee Table

Last week, Shelly, John and I went to the DAV Thrift Shop and looked for a desk for Shelly. Unfortunately, we were unable to find her a desk, but I did come across this coffee table that needed a little love. It was only $29 and I thought I could give her a coat of paint (or two) and renew her look. 

Original look of table (iphone photo)

We weren't sure about a coffee table in our den, but I thought it would be nice for the other couch area to have a little something there. So, for $29 and about $10 worth of paint, I thought I'd give it a go. 



I am really happy with the way the table turned out and I was very impressed with the chalkboard paint I used. It's Dixie Belle paints in Sea Glass and Drop Cloth. 

I also added a tray from TJ Maxx ($16.99) with some books, a candle from TJ Maxx (actually got 2 for $6.99), a faux succulent plant ($7.50) from Michael's, and the little sailboat (can't remember the price) is from a local beachy shop called Tin Soldiers Forgotten Treasures.

Overall, I'm happy with the low cost option for a coffee table and I'm enjoying the look.

House Faves/Random

I was in the kitchen the other day and as I unloaded the dishwasher I thought about how much I love my cabinets with the plates, bowls, and wine glasses. It just always makes me smile. 


One of my all time best deals ever are my white Oneida plates. I love this set. It's simple, white, and has a slight little dot around the edge. I purchased a 42 piece set at Kohl's (several years ago) for a grand total of $30!!!! Love these.




Here's a labelled version of the cabinet. Oh, and I do not like cold, hard butter. So, I kept ours in the cabinet to stay warm and soft. If this offends you, I am so sorry.


I also discovered how nicely the plates from Target match the Anthro bowls I enjoy collecting. My plan with the Target plates was just to use them in the summer, but they are so nice and big and hold plenty. So, I keep them in the cabinet with the other plates and use them most often.










I enjoy the cabinet with the glasses in it, as well. And, I obviously have a thing for Tervis tumblers. The shelf with the Tervis cups is about three deep. So, there are roughly 25 cups on that shelf. We like Tervis tumblers. And, the glasses on the top shelf are from Crate and Barrel about 15 years ago. The mugs on the middle shelf make me smile...some of our favorites.






At the Ugh-Mart (Walmart) the other day I found some tarts by Better Homes and Gardens. They come in a little square six pack for $2.00. These smell terrific and I put in 2 squares at a time. So it works out to be a great deal.

Refrigerator

Out with the old and in with the new!!!! Yippy. Our old refrigerator pooped out on us about a week ago. The repairman said it would cost $968 to repair it! Ha Ha!!! Seriously? So, that meant we needed to select a new refrigerator.





The big old white box had a fun little dent in the middle of the front door. It happened when the door fell on John's red toolbox when we were moving out of our old house and into this house. I kept it covered with a photo so no one would know.



The new sparkly box is so happy and bright.



We are excited to have a water and ice maker on the front and PLENTY of room on the inside. I think I may need to go grocery shopping and fill up this baby!

EAT

This is the view I have out the back window. That blue color is the pool water and I love being able to do dishes and see the water at the same time. 


I got the letters from Pottery Barn a month ago. I had been admiring these for awhile and then they went on sale and I bought them. I really had plans to put them on a wall in my kitchen but they were too big (I was bummed when I realized this...the catalogs dimensions and the actual size of the letters are different). I decided to give them a try in the window and I really like the way it turned out.

This is the image I see of them on the other wall. I loved this and decided that all things happen for a reason. 

Spruced Up

I decided that the guest bedroom needed a fresh new look. I have been searching and searching for a comforter set that combined the lighter colors with a shabby chic look. And then I found it. I was at Target and was ready to plunk down the cash for a lime greenish colored one I had seen there before. As I scanned the aisles I turned the cart into the kids' area (not the themed kids' stuff). And on the shelf I found the perfect set from the Shabby Chic (perfect) line. It came with the comforter, bedskirt, pillowcases, sheets, and shams. And all for $76...not bad. 

Then I hit TJ Maxx for some decorative throw pillows for the bed and lightweight white curtains. I came home and washed up the set and immediately set up the room. These pictures show varying hues for the color of the comforter. It was hard to capture the actual color with the camera. I just love the ruffle detail down the side. Now, my guests can snuggle up in this inviting cozy bed.

Coming "Home"

These were some of the sights I saw on Tuesday and Wednesday as we made the drive to Virginia. I snapped a photo of myself passing the time on the journey. Thank goodness for the iPhone and its many wonderful features. It provided me with hours of fun. I used that beloved phone to catch pictures of the following pictures.There is nothing I enjoy more than catching a glance at the bay or the ocean when I am driving around my hometown. And, a snapshot of my high school that is scheduled to be torn down in a few months. Just needed to be sure I caught a photo of it before that happens. I soooooo enjoy the scenery when I'm here.

Home & a Laundry Tip

We made it back to NC by 4:00 p.m. We finished unpacking the car, putting away gifts and luggage, and started a load of laundry by 5:00. One of my best travel tips is this...take along a trash bag for all of your dirty clothes while away. Once home, drop that bag right by the laundry room and put in the first load of laundry while you start unpacking. Oh, and begin unpacking right away. Even the girls know this is how we do it and they had all of their things out of the suitcases and organized within 20 minutes of being home. The nice thing about the "dirty laundry trash bag" is that everything that is still in the suitcases is clean and can be put away. No need to sort the dirty clothes and then have to take them back downstairs to the laundry room. You'd be amazed at how much time is saved when doing this simple technique. All of those dirty clothes are now clean, folded, and ready to be put away and we've been home for about six hours.

I've started the dedecorating process already. I stage all of the items downstairs on my dining room table. It makes it easy to find everything and have a place for it. Then I gather it all and head off to the attic and store it away for the next eleven months. This year I plan to get rid of some things and donate them to Goodwill before anything goes back into the attic.

Really looking forward to the week off of school!!! Yippy. We have three movies lined up to see this week. Should be fun.

Well, I am eager to rest in my bed and sleep in past 6:25 tomorrow morning. Good night.