Someone Needs a Pedi!

This pretty little girl needs a pedicure. She was my $3 yard sailing find and, although I think she is gorgeous, she needs some serious grooming. So in addition to hunting for a bar stool to go with my new desk, I have some sanding and painting work to do today. Have a good Saturday everyone!

"New" Old Desk

One of my projects on the truck from last week's yard sale take was this butcher block table I found for $10. I have been looking for a computer desk and this was narrow enough to go in the master bedroom but needed the Lori touch:

So I got to sanding, painting, and polying;

Excuse the mess people but this is my workroom, otherwise known as the spare bedroom with no bed! Any hoo, here she is completed.  I have to find a chair YESTERDAY. Because of its height, I can't sit at the computer and type until I find a tall chair or bar stool. Ahem, any of you Rock Thrillians who have a spare, call me!

 

Nice, huh? Just hate all the wires dangling! This is actually a very large wall, and I have my eye on a painting and a print, I just have not been able to pry the money out of my wallet yet, so for now, no gorgeous staging! I'm happy though, for $10 and some paint, it's a steal! Next project is repainting the base of the gorgeous ginger lamp I picked up for $3.

Yeah, You Turned My Head

Takes a lot to make me turn my tired head. And it's not that I'm jaded, just particular, really! I usually never mix business and pleasure but sometimes a lady can get carried away. I found myself really wanting this bag and I figured, heck, it's cheaper than buying a diet coke! So for $1, I bought some momentary happiness on Saturday along with a truckload of new projects. It takes sooo little to make me happy!

Same for these red petunias!  Jeez, Louise, they weren't making these pretty little things years ago. I don't like science messing with my food or my flowers, but DANG they are pretty:

By the Sweat of My Brow!

What a great Saturday! Hope you are all enjoying this hot, sweaty, I mean sunny, weather. And sweat, I did! I started yard sailing in the early morning hours, cut the grass, cleaned down the siding on the back of my house, ran to the grocery store and home depot, then went to my son's apartment (with toolbox) to help him hang some curtains, washed clothes, cut the grass, and moved furniture like a fool. Why all this craziness you ask? Cuz I had to do my chores plus go treasure hunting. I don't call myself a girl with a penchant for yard sales for nothing. And I certainly found some sweet deals:

I really couldn't believe that I found this chair for $5 and the ceramic jar lamp for $3. I surprised myself by buying the tall lamps with brass, but if you have followed me at all, you know I want to redo that table in my dining room turquoise.  I never liked the graphic lamp shades I picked up for my bedroom, so I am thinking I may cover them in a great turquoise fabric and use on these tall lamps. As for the chair, after pictures pleazzze! Here is the after pictures of my bird cage and bird house, though he does sorta blend into the woods:

 

So now I have a pair of bird cages and it feels pri-t-y good! I just removed the fake vines and put in a real plant. I did save the fake bird though to put in my bird house. Isn't this cute?

While shopping for bargains, I met a a wonderful lady who has her own booth at the Sleepy Poet in Charlotte. We exchanged cards and talked shop. Dana promised me a trip, but now I have to go and snap some pictures.  It was nice meeting you today Laura Mallard! And Ms. Mallard had some great stuff at her yard sale:

She let me "steal" this rug from her for just $10. Whadda ya think? I know, pretty lady here is distracting you, but come back! Look how good her rug looks on my floor:

Nice for 10 smack-a-roos, huh? One thing about yard sailing is that you don't always find exactly what you need or want but you edit later.  I needed another table in my small hall because what I had was too wide. This isn't really my style, but for $5 it fits the space better and I can resell it later.

And finally, my pretty painted lady. All of the rest of the stuff in the truck are projects.

I think that is enough for one day. Whew, I am one tired lady! My best friend's son is graduating high school tomorrow (go Jordan!) and I promised to help her get the party on. We will be decorating and then hosting for a whole lotta high school boys and their families tomorrow. And I think I am tired now?

Yard Sailing

Getting ready to hit a few yard sales this morning before doing the Saturday morning chores. I have such a list: desk for computer, chairs for dining set makeover, light fixtures, and much more. Going to pick up some turquoise paint today and also make myself sand the walls in the spare bedroom. Still in love with turquoise.

Beautimous!

What's Not to Like?

Since I can't get into any new projects for at least two weeks, I get to bug my niece by sending her gorgeous rooms featuring green, which is a color she is kind-of considering for her new townhouse.  She has this beautiful front window area just big enough for two chairs.  Check out these chairs and the other rooms featured in Traditional Home

 

That's the thing about a wing back, they always look right-now and fit into traditional and contemporary style if you pick a great fabric like this! 

I really like the idea of wallpaper for a stairwell, especially one that is cramped or you can't do much with because of its height or other constraints. However, I would pick a much more fabulous wallpaper than this one. It would absolutely need to be something you can live with for a while. And the chandelier in this photo, sorry but, "heck no!" Doesn't look by the railing that it is in an ultra modern home so it just doesn't go.

Still the wallpaper is a great idea. I would add some roman shades that complement the wallpaper and cozy up the space even more. Or maybe some frosted graphic birds. A great wallpaper with some painted stairs are even better. I really like this "new" trend as it is a great way to personalize the builder-box house. I grew up in a home that had painted red steps leading to the top floor. Don't know what that was all about, but what's old is new:

The Bees Knees!

So sorry I haven't posted any new material lately. Since returning from Virginia, I am working very hard behind the scenes on another project near and dear to my heart, the launch of my new Christian magazine Royal Diadem. I am trying to get permissions wrapped up before the final launch and I am still tweaking layout issues and doing last minute editing. I have also been trying to catch up on household maintenance.  My lawn mower pooped out on me and every weekend has been so full that the house has gotten, well, dirty!  I did finally catch up on the mowing, planted some zebra grass against my new fence, and hung some new flower baskets as well as planted just a small vegetable garden. Dang, I haven't even had time to salivate over other people's designs.  I have this little gem stored on my hard drive to share with you though.  As my daughter says, isn't she the bees knees? Just saying!

This photo is from an older Florida Design magazine spread.  I have always loved the look and feel of this room. I take it out occasionally so we can visit and chat.  She speaks to me, "Don't you love my cool blues?" "And oh yeah, Lori, you know you love oversized art." In this case, the art not only makes the room by lending it that extra something-something with its juicy pop of color, but this little beauty ties it all together and says, "That's right! I'm not just beautiful, I'm sexy!" It really does turn traditional on its head.  And what's not to love about the pale blue linen-like fabric on the chairs?  I like the contrast with the dark wood legs. That's right, she's got nice legs! Here's the link to see all of their delicious issues: Florida Design.