Saturday, January 14, 2012
Babycakes <3
For those of you who know me, know how obsessed I am with my little dog -Baby. I probably take more pictures of her than most people do of their kids. It's amazing how much joy one little dog can bring but believe me she makes me very happy, even on the bluest of days. Baby was a gift from Z, and he often tells me that she is my dog- just as dramatic, demanding and neurotic. You are probably all wondering why I am babbling on about my dog- well you see today is her birthday :) she is 4! Happy Birthday to my little dog! <3
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Project Runway All Stars
Okay so my first semester in college I took the basic fashion class they had to offer [obviously it stuck], and my love for fashion only grew from that point on. During those first few semesters my teacher at the time became obsessed with a new show and it became a weekly discussion in class - that show was Project runway. I have been a faithful project runway watcher - following it season to season and never missing an episode! I always look forward to the new season of fresh designers, Michael Kors' critiques and Tim Gun's "make it work", and you cannot imagine how excited I was when they launched the new season of Project Runway All Stars - especially because Mondo is a designer they brought back!
However, I was thoroughly disappointed when I sat down to watch only to find that there was no Tim, no Heidi, and completely new judges. AND to top it off Mondo didn't even win the first episode. He is really the only one I am rooting for on here, and if he loses again [when he totally should have already won two seasons ago] I might just start to lose faith in Project Runway. I mean he made a dress out of garbage bags, electrical tape, and cowboy hats ALL from the dollar store! I <3 him.
Do YOU watch project runway?
<3
However, I was thoroughly disappointed when I sat down to watch only to find that there was no Tim, no Heidi, and completely new judges. AND to top it off Mondo didn't even win the first episode. He is really the only one I am rooting for on here, and if he loses again [when he totally should have already won two seasons ago] I might just start to lose faith in Project Runway. I mean he made a dress out of garbage bags, electrical tape, and cowboy hats ALL from the dollar store! I <3 him.
Do YOU watch project runway?
<3
Monday, January 9, 2012
Doilies?! Oh yeah!
Of the many, many, many things that I love, one of them is taking something old and fitting it into our modern life. Today this particular item is what you ask? Well doilies of course, hence our week end adventures to thrift stores! I remember when I was little having to always remove the doilies off of dresser tops and end tables to shake out when I dusted, and believe me - I hated them! Then as time when on and my mom modernized the house the doilies seemed to disappear and I really hadn't thought about them much until I saw this post:
http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2009/12/16/diy-doily-table-runner/
[you will have to copy and paste the link - I still cant figure out how to make it clickable]
AND I totally and completely fell in LOVE!!!
Annnnd since I have a newly refinished table that I wrote about a few weeks back I figured it was time to but out the doilies. I only found one that my grandmother made [and will try to find more from her next time I visit my parents house], and the rest I found that the local antique store. :)
After I brought all of my doilies home, I hand washed them with a little detergent and luke warm water and dried them on low. Once they were totally dry I ironed and starched them.
Then laid them out on the table to help find a lay out I liked! It took rearranging a few times to get them to lay how I wanted, then I hand stitched them together in all of the points where they overlapped. I made small stitches so that they aren't visible from the top of the runner and TA DA!
I have a few more that I am working on and will be posting on Etsy soon! <3
http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2009/12/16/diy-doily-table-runner/
[you will have to copy and paste the link - I still cant figure out how to make it clickable]
AND I totally and completely fell in LOVE!!!
Annnnd since I have a newly refinished table that I wrote about a few weeks back I figured it was time to but out the doilies. I only found one that my grandmother made [and will try to find more from her next time I visit my parents house], and the rest I found that the local antique store. :)
After I brought all of my doilies home, I hand washed them with a little detergent and luke warm water and dried them on low. Once they were totally dry I ironed and starched them.
Then laid them out on the table to help find a lay out I liked! It took rearranging a few times to get them to lay how I wanted, then I hand stitched them together in all of the points where they overlapped. I made small stitches so that they aren't visible from the top of the runner and TA DA!
I have a few more that I am working on and will be posting on Etsy soon! <3
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Estate Sales, Thrift Stores, and Antiques!
Yesterday, and Saturdays in general, was my day off with Z! I started my day with a little cleaning up and then off to target for one of my many weekly trips [i <3 target]. On my way to target I saw a sign for an estate sale just off the freeway and while I was waiting at the light I did a bit of quick investigating on line and discovered it was the estate of a musician! Score!
Z being a musician and all I am always on the lookout for good deals! While I only found a few things for the studio it put me in the mood to go hunt for treasures :)
I woke Z up when I got home and it was off we went! I have a huge love for estate sales, thrift stores, and antique stores. There is something about the possibility of finding something that you just cannot live with out that is completely unique and meant something to some one else at one point. Don't get me wrong I don't just buy anything, I am usually on a hunt for something and this was one of the first times that I have brought my other half along - and boy was he amazed at what you can find :)
At our first store, after finding a projector screen, he proclaimed "Wow! That is such a good deal! I have no use for it but feel like I should buy it just because its such a good deal!!" I giggled and told him that is how people end up on hoarders. We soon moved on, two thrift stores and an antique store later our trip was complete. We walked away with an old Singer sewing machine, dog stairs for the little dogs [which I heavily sanitized/bleached], and doilies [which is actually why the hunt began in the first place].
I find that I usually have to be on a mission when I head out on these adventures, otherwise my bag lady tendencies could easily lead me to hoarderville. Things that I am ALWAYS looking for:
1. Old band T-Shirts [specifically Simon Says, Far, & Deftones - they all have significance to Z]
2. Fine China of Japan in Suzanne [I have full service for 12 - which is an estate sale find- but am always on the look out for random pieces]
3. Vintage Jewelry & Vintage Handbags.
4. OLD solid wood chests [I have a serious obsession with trunks, once again channeling the bag lady in me]
5. Samsonite Train Cases [I have more than enough, but its fun to look]
I am in the middle of my doily project and will post soon!
<3
At our first store, after finding a projector screen, he proclaimed "Wow! That is such a good deal! I have no use for it but feel like I should buy it just because its such a good deal!!" I giggled and told him that is how people end up on hoarders. We soon moved on, two thrift stores and an antique store later our trip was complete. We walked away with an old Singer sewing machine, dog stairs for the little dogs [which I heavily sanitized/bleached], and doilies [which is actually why the hunt began in the first place].
I find that I usually have to be on a mission when I head out on these adventures, otherwise my bag lady tendencies could easily lead me to hoarderville. Things that I am ALWAYS looking for:
1. Old band T-Shirts [specifically Simon Says, Far, & Deftones - they all have significance to Z]
2. Fine China of Japan in Suzanne [I have full service for 12 - which is an estate sale find- but am always on the look out for random pieces]
3. Vintage Jewelry & Vintage Handbags.
4. OLD solid wood chests [I have a serious obsession with trunks, once again channeling the bag lady in me]
5. Samsonite Train Cases [I have more than enough, but its fun to look]
I am in the middle of my doily project and will post soon!
<3
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Table and Chairs! Oh my!
Happy Tuesday! I have been forever working on refinishing a dining table and six chairs and have finally started to see progress which i cannot wait to show you!
But first let me fill you in on this wonderful table... Last January a lady that I work with was moving and no longer needed such a large dining table, one conversation led to another and she told me that i could have it free of charge - all i had to do was come pick it up! This is a solid oak table that is nearing 25 years old, it has two leafs, six chairs, and what i thought was white washed blonde oak.
So with the help of my dad we loaded the table and all of it's components in to the truck and brought them home! I was very excited about the project and began to strip it right away. I found that the wood was painted a tan color then white washed and finally sealed, but it was nothing a little Jasco couldn't get through. This set has lots of detail and groves that were time consuming to strip, and after two chair my motivation began to dwindle. Now there was a huge dining set occupying our garage [for months and months] and my sweet husband at one point even offered to purchase me any tools I may need to help complete the project.
As the spring months transitioned into summer and then into fall I realized I needed to start making progress by my December Deadline [so that we could hold Christmas at our house]. Burnt out on the chairs I started again but this time on the table. I striped, sanded, sanded some more, and tried out three different stains to find the right one.. but TA DA! I completed the table just in time! And I found a fabulous fabric to reupholster the chairs!
Now I'm not 100% complete as i still have four more chairs to strip and stain, and put my final coat of polyurethane on the table top - but i am getting there!
<3
But first let me fill you in on this wonderful table... Last January a lady that I work with was moving and no longer needed such a large dining table, one conversation led to another and she told me that i could have it free of charge - all i had to do was come pick it up! This is a solid oak table that is nearing 25 years old, it has two leafs, six chairs, and what i thought was white washed blonde oak.
So with the help of my dad we loaded the table and all of it's components in to the truck and brought them home! I was very excited about the project and began to strip it right away. I found that the wood was painted a tan color then white washed and finally sealed, but it was nothing a little Jasco couldn't get through. This set has lots of detail and groves that were time consuming to strip, and after two chair my motivation began to dwindle. Now there was a huge dining set occupying our garage [for months and months] and my sweet husband at one point even offered to purchase me any tools I may need to help complete the project.
As the spring months transitioned into summer and then into fall I realized I needed to start making progress by my December Deadline [so that we could hold Christmas at our house]. Burnt out on the chairs I started again but this time on the table. I striped, sanded, sanded some more, and tried out three different stains to find the right one.. but TA DA! I completed the table just in time! And I found a fabulous fabric to reupholster the chairs!
Now I'm not 100% complete as i still have four more chairs to strip and stain, and put my final coat of polyurethane on the table top - but i am getting there!
<3
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year everyone! I have really failed on the whole blogging about my adventures recently but that is all about to change! To start the new year off right I have made two new years resolutions!
1. Stop eating so much sugar. Now I am not going to completely cut out sugar because that is just not even attainable for me, but I'm simply going to practice the whole "in moderation" idea. I am hoping to win the never ending battle of jeans that are just a bit too tight.
2. Blog more! Not only have I had many new ventures and tried new beauty products lately, I have also worked very hard on my ongoing projects!
Wishing every one the very best in this new year and you will definitely hear from me soon! <3
1. Stop eating so much sugar. Now I am not going to completely cut out sugar because that is just not even attainable for me, but I'm simply going to practice the whole "in moderation" idea. I am hoping to win the never ending battle of jeans that are just a bit too tight.
2. Blog more! Not only have I had many new ventures and tried new beauty products lately, I have also worked very hard on my ongoing projects!
Wishing every one the very best in this new year and you will definitely hear from me soon! <3
Sunday, November 20, 2011
November 2011
When I was younger I loved the summer months, I simply loved everything about them. I couldn’t wait for the longer days, the sun tan, and the heat! There was something to be said for having summers off and being able to do whatever I wanted whether it was watching old tv shows or going to the lake with friends. But now as I get older (yikes) I find myself wanting more and more of the fall-like weather.
I don’t know what it is about the cold brisk nights, short days, and dreary weather. There is now there is something to be said for the feelings that fall and winter bring. I realized today how much I love the smell of leaves now that they are falling off their branches and settling onto the damp ground and fireplaces nearby bring thoughts of warmth and good books and staying inside all day. The air seems to change the moods of everything around, as if it almost simplifies things. There is no need to go out, no need to run errands, no need to stay busy. I think my favorite thing though, about this cold weather, is the feeling of wanting to be close to someone, for their warmth and security. <3
I don’t know what it is about the cold brisk nights, short days, and dreary weather. There is now there is something to be said for the feelings that fall and winter bring. I realized today how much I love the smell of leaves now that they are falling off their branches and settling onto the damp ground and fireplaces nearby bring thoughts of warmth and good books and staying inside all day. The air seems to change the moods of everything around, as if it almost simplifies things. There is no need to go out, no need to run errands, no need to stay busy. I think my favorite thing though, about this cold weather, is the feeling of wanting to be close to someone, for their warmth and security. <3
