tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66785399117150136022024-02-06T19:39:32.539-08:00The Canny CoutureKyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-47147291952154727032012-02-22T09:53:00.001-08:002012-02-22T09:53:55.728-08:00Let There Be Light!<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When we moved into our house, one of the first things we did was add/update light fixtures and in some cases we needed additional lighting where there was none. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of the places where we added a light, was in the far corner of our kitchen over the table. Just a simple pendant light we picked up at Home Depot, nothing fancy. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After three years, the pendant light has served us well, but when the home improvement itch struck last month, that light became the focus of almost every conversation. It didn't help matters that you can see it from the family room, so we stared at it...all the time.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zSY77TWZaXz5FjWRjtc4aCh1ASdtb3ZhYHymdVMkHt-34nohJmdwhrO-Bhw6o5-oa4MoCzfKTSw7zCh2QO54tWFeDwNxUFSjVfPPMbH0-guo3VnA3XVB-INPyGUdOb-V6-4zxMd2ebg/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+2.31.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zSY77TWZaXz5FjWRjtc4aCh1ASdtb3ZhYHymdVMkHt-34nohJmdwhrO-Bhw6o5-oa4MoCzfKTSw7zCh2QO54tWFeDwNxUFSjVfPPMbH0-guo3VnA3XVB-INPyGUdOb-V6-4zxMd2ebg/s320/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+2.31.47+PM.png" width="253" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kyle had a vision of a rustic light fixture - sort of like the picture to the left - with a cage or Edison style light bulb. When coupled with the right decor items, it would seem relaxed and elegant...or maybe that was my interpretation of his vision? Either way, we both had an idea of what we wanted and started the search with enthusiasm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enthusiasm gave way to disappointment as we scoured <a href="http://www.schoolhouseelectric.com/" target="_blank">School House Electric</a>, <a href="http://www.barnlightelectric.com/" target="_blank">Barn Light Electric</a> and other home decors sites - realizing that our vision <strike>taste is expensive</strike> was going to cost an arm and a leg to bring to life ($150.00- $250.00). Yes, we are still only talking about a light fixture. Stick with me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enter one of my favorite places, Anthropologie! Keeping with my usual routine of heading straight for the sale section, I was astonished to find a collection of fabulously rustic pendant lights for 40% off. So, instead of paying $150.00 for a light fixture, we only spent $70.00! And to top it off, they also carry Edison bulbs! YAY for us!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKw8jysdr16Kc2Ezmb59GTSIGkzR2lCeeitBFaPCVrt4OkgsCL3hfgPpohoOr_ThAca2YMVvwJu7kD3m4E4WuIvwdljw8eUUTnYQD_ijEyEWYB7ypiZRlMyuKBpHzO68J_yg1OTufk_6Q/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+2.53.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKw8jysdr16Kc2Ezmb59GTSIGkzR2lCeeitBFaPCVrt4OkgsCL3hfgPpohoOr_ThAca2YMVvwJu7kD3m4E4WuIvwdljw8eUUTnYQD_ijEyEWYB7ypiZRlMyuKBpHzO68J_yg1OTufk_6Q/s320/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+2.53.49+PM.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD32-DsODJ0PYvaI7cDzb3IxASoPCsfmldMxLdNQGY_c9Hnw-_NZaJOWWLWJkKTiKffu8eEEofDm-43DyA_nRlH72Rpum92EOLieh3SXkiu-gM6HKphvZdRfefyU9k0Gc5T_fY3qQ0iw/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+2.53.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD32-DsODJ0PYvaI7cDzb3IxASoPCsfmldMxLdNQGY_c9Hnw-_NZaJOWWLWJkKTiKffu8eEEofDm-43DyA_nRlH72Rpum92EOLieh3SXkiu-gM6HKphvZdRfefyU9k0Gc5T_fY3qQ0iw/s320/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+2.53.37+PM.png" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here is the finished product...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-zrkp02yG2-JpefY0jBsCqFBWJWouPDUebNDOCa3STyFyRuaWpTE6JScrtXrvQMGV0Y69i5q6wQH57JrbLf2cFVx9M9sA9JrYBTCEpcEb-YqSB-tdpxV_RceC2UufVtZb9aA8SzWfNo/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+3.00.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii89s_wwHSizF1YLwVlayjkwvatUpVFY5gSh3LpEJ9w51cPTKUz0lhq026PHZt4aykyhsQzv2iPtJ07vEdwSUrsw0ilQPNY3ts-gmNed-b390ZWUO_BR_qgESbEkiDaeuW5q8mZjdIWXk/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+3.00.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii89s_wwHSizF1YLwVlayjkwvatUpVFY5gSh3LpEJ9w51cPTKUz0lhq026PHZt4aykyhsQzv2iPtJ07vEdwSUrsw0ilQPNY3ts-gmNed-b390ZWUO_BR_qgESbEkiDaeuW5q8mZjdIWXk/s320/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+3.00.58+PM.png" width="256" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-zrkp02yG2-JpefY0jBsCqFBWJWouPDUebNDOCa3STyFyRuaWpTE6JScrtXrvQMGV0Y69i5q6wQH57JrbLf2cFVx9M9sA9JrYBTCEpcEb-YqSB-tdpxV_RceC2UufVtZb9aA8SzWfNo/s320/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+3.00.48+PM.png" width="253" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love it! Now, I find that staring into the kitchen brings a smile to my face.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>I wonder what we should do next?</b></i></span></div>
</div>Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-45183381583282581862012-02-21T08:28:00.000-08:002012-02-21T08:28:19.323-08:00Mirror, mirror on the wall...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2ueA93gbrsuoT1cIqEWax4o6mj8cHX7bf54wVEeflgupN-Yk5tBH56XTd9j4YJu1cyyiq7YaNj-srSosWJ4xAa-LDPGYGHTrDjiTMe1hjic7fOfUEgCNRa-qPh5orhol4_yIVEQHFpI/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+11.12.50+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2ueA93gbrsuoT1cIqEWax4o6mj8cHX7bf54wVEeflgupN-Yk5tBH56XTd9j4YJu1cyyiq7YaNj-srSosWJ4xAa-LDPGYGHTrDjiTMe1hjic7fOfUEgCNRa-qPh5orhol4_yIVEQHFpI/s200/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+11.12.50+AM.png" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am convinced that one can never have too many mirrors. They are the ultimate in multipurpose decor items! Not only do they make small spaces seem larger, but they are pretty to look at and you can check your makeup on the way out the door.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyfxEKTryxI_jTMRkeSeGttnBe2aZv1k60tAyb72bZ7bU_SeKG9H8kVYfiTP1Wwxh1pJGqwHx9v7D2TXYThddcXB0rSS8Z7hf1INaT67YsqwYjXxyIA046G7lGMAMUOwJZDXK1h0Lmr4/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+11.12.27+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyfxEKTryxI_jTMRkeSeGttnBe2aZv1k60tAyb72bZ7bU_SeKG9H8kVYfiTP1Wwxh1pJGqwHx9v7D2TXYThddcXB0rSS8Z7hf1INaT67YsqwYjXxyIA046G7lGMAMUOwJZDXK1h0Lmr4/s200/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+11.12.27+AM.png" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This colorful selection is brought to you by the lovely folks over at <a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/" target="_blank">One Kings Lane</a> and while I adore their taste, sometime their prices make me light headed. Believe it or not, these mirrors range in price from $400.00 to $1500.00! No, that is not a typo. Decimal points have</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">been correctly placed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLTU7eIAHi48mBvZim9qjdbpll9NqMmu6SYw01m6-rHNboMDm0tqyZISzST7Ud9esXYMYthwdlnbdGBqAscgNnza1XbjB1fNS7OLhDlXbNxCQN77lHRC-lYGE9cRr9rClxqVYPcWO5T4/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+11.12.38+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLTU7eIAHi48mBvZim9qjdbpll9NqMmu6SYw01m6-rHNboMDm0tqyZISzST7Ud9esXYMYthwdlnbdGBqAscgNnza1XbjB1fNS7OLhDlXbNxCQN77lHRC-lYGE9cRr9rClxqVYPcWO5T4/s200/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+11.12.38+AM.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Never fear fair readers! This blog is all about creative solutions. So what is the lesson here? Well the next time you're wandering your neighborhood antique or second hand store and you spot an old brass mirror that has seen better days, give it a chance (and a coat of spray paint)...you won't be disappointed!</span><br />
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<br />Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-21098582508471359922012-02-07T07:52:00.000-08:002012-02-07T07:52:57.968-08:00A New, Old Chair<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love antique and retro style furniture. It almost always has a story and I firmly believe that when designers look forward, they have to look back, so styles we think are dated almost always come back around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Such is the case with a chair we recently acquired. It originally belonged to my husbands grandparents and while the cushion leaves something to be desired, it has great bones!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuv-sGOF2RV5d50TsaRvrk83UfJWXYo2SB_8KmteAxvuhzJX9zsHXXudxhdRz_jADcGiyBwHfIlzw9LAV8lJBFy4sHI-8Btn4y7sfBsRx1wBO_tC2v0glMIQIXx5ytJViNmwqK3-NAi0/s1600/chair1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuv-sGOF2RV5d50TsaRvrk83UfJWXYo2SB_8KmteAxvuhzJX9zsHXXudxhdRz_jADcGiyBwHfIlzw9LAV8lJBFy4sHI-8Btn4y7sfBsRx1wBO_tC2v0glMIQIXx5ytJViNmwqK3-NAi0/s320/chair1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What I wish I had captured, was the V shape construction on the side of the chair. It is very 60s retro and incredibly comfortable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Regardless of comfort level, the blue stripes needed to go! So last weekend, I ran to Joann Fabrics with the fabulously talented Karen (<a href="http://thecannycouture.blogspot.com/2011/11/oh-buffethow-i-love-thee.html" target="_blank">of buffet fame</a>) to pick out something exciting and new.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7AQw_JYtKcvcRPDiu4tjP001SB5jvIHewUbUyN9YHOdsRx4g13fAQTClaqb4rd5-eZPeqfOMzper9WLSEQoeowJy19T1jGs_cXKtpxRZLOjzdafCoqbbK7S1S5VE7ZFY5PU7otIBb5Q/s1600/fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7AQw_JYtKcvcRPDiu4tjP001SB5jvIHewUbUyN9YHOdsRx4g13fAQTClaqb4rd5-eZPeqfOMzper9WLSEQoeowJy19T1jGs_cXKtpxRZLOjzdafCoqbbK7S1S5VE7ZFY5PU7otIBb5Q/s320/fabric.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here is what we decided on. It is a great taupe-gray color and lucky for us, it is double sided - the color pallet is reversed out on the other side. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don't worry, I didn't overlook the fabric just above it. I actually went back the next day to take a second look and bought a yard to make accent pillows, which is the project for this weekend.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzolzWmW-7oYGu2F4EYPOsIloMuYPObrhASVIKT6JxgmD2g7aqaw6chfEN63UB95yW_mdED3onZS5Wjq9kIECFE39sRiCxU01kfpj24hV8VcbNIest2VSuGqqLZM-UVl276OLUtcc5UZk/s1600/Chair2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzolzWmW-7oYGu2F4EYPOsIloMuYPObrhASVIKT6JxgmD2g7aqaw6chfEN63UB95yW_mdED3onZS5Wjq9kIECFE39sRiCxU01kfpj24hV8VcbNIest2VSuGqqLZM-UVl276OLUtcc5UZk/s320/Chair2.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here is the finished product! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I really liked the way it turned out. It is a fun pattern and if at any time I decide that I want to change it, I just unbutton the cover and buy new fabric! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh, did I mention the cost of the fabric? $40! I think that is pretty good for a "new" piece of furniture.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Check back for the unveiling of the accent pillows!</i></b></span></div>Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-37780207608419694732011-12-27T09:56:00.000-08:002011-12-27T10:13:17.307-08:00Letting Go of Christmas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The day after Christmas is bitter sweet. The glow of this special holiday remains, but you know that the day will come when your home will have to return to normal. The festive lights and ornaments will be carefully stored for next year. The smell of fresh pine will begin to fade, but the memories of another wonderful holiday with family and friends linger on.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By nature, I am a person who cannot live in a state of limbo. This makes the time between Christmas and New Year hard for me as I know that pieces of our home decor are no longer relevant and I am frantic to change that. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">New Year, by definition, is still a Winter holiday and a festive one at that. So, how do you decide what decorations are New Years-ish? Or do you just leave it all? Armed with my cup of coffee, I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> start the "Day After Christmas Review." </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Review has one goal: to complete an inventory of all things holiday related and determine what will stay, what will be packed and what can be moved to other parts of the house. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In an effort to maintain order, ground rules must be established and I quickly decide that everything Santa-related must go. Items</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> like a sign we have that says "WANTED, Jolly Men Bearing Gifts" or our "Believe" Christmas blocks. A stuffed Santa that sits on our end table and little Santa figurines, all are packed away. Why? Because after Christmas, Santa must go back to the North Pole and prepare for next year! At least that is what I will tell our future children. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Holiday decor like our porcelain deers, scented candles and pinecone garland I've decided can stay. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think these things are festive enough to keep us in the holiday spirit while effectively transitioning us through to the new year. Oh, and the Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> tree!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I can almost always defend the tree staying up until after January 1st. Mostly because it takes so much work to put up, that the day it will take us to disassemble it is something I am willing to delay as long as possible. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, putting away our decorations bit by bit is a good use of time. It spreads out the amount of work that comes with the post holiday overhaul, which is only a week away and usually takes an entire weekend. But if I am really honest with myself, I am weaning us off our holiday high because I am unable to let go all at once. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Saying goodbye to Christmas is always hard, but with it's exit comes the promise of a brand new year. One that I am looking forward to sharing it with all of you!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>HAPPY HOLIDAYS!</i></b></span></div>
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<br />Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-14776589226856572552011-12-12T10:07:00.000-08:002011-12-13T09:48:24.249-08:00Remember Canny Crafting?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sooo...yeah...about that Canny Crafting schedule. I have no excuses. Honestly, life just got ridiculously busy and before I knew it, Christmas was next weekend. I'm having an anxiety attack just thinking about it. Now I know why my mother-in-law starts her shopping in October! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, while I was having a breakdown this weekend - dog in hospital, house completely unorganized, laundry piling up and a guest room that needed some love - I decided to do something crafty to lift my spirits.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Remember I mentioned wanting to give my grandmother's old brass lamp a face lift?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGB-iUBCEeJuXC3e9EXXUQKFtOe2L6_vSulC5DuRCSDA_g3D34krYijOa1oFAFeyGzpzn4xI8UoYj8Ki4vHgvy5ltPPxNakKQQTxQ9peKV37T4d3XWPTewAKGu0Sv08uhgEmFI10HMH8/s1600/oldlamp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGB-iUBCEeJuXC3e9EXXUQKFtOe2L6_vSulC5DuRCSDA_g3D34krYijOa1oFAFeyGzpzn4xI8UoYj8Ki4vHgvy5ltPPxNakKQQTxQ9peKV37T4d3XWPTewAKGu0Sv08uhgEmFI10HMH8/s320/oldlamp2.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDOJYooSY8JDct5Uw8Sjx-bNo1XBx4uGbFeiy8S5N850yncTA4bxoTnsExENKcEwRwmQY4tUYHUBC9rXNwp4MeKAV9LlRI6Jrv9wwiGdsFqlooTrGM-3voIfJbFdrVJHFG_UI0_aZW88/s1600/oldlamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDOJYooSY8JDct5Uw8Sjx-bNo1XBx4uGbFeiy8S5N850yncTA4bxoTnsExENKcEwRwmQY4tUYHUBC9rXNwp4MeKAV9LlRI6Jrv9wwiGdsFqlooTrGM-3voIfJbFdrVJHFG_UI0_aZW88/s320/oldlamp.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As you can see, the brass is a bit outdated and it has started to rust on the base. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since I am convinced that spray paint is the answer to any and every decor problem, I armed myself with <a href="http://www.krylon.com/products/premium_metallic" target="_blank">Krylon Metallic Paint in Chrome</a>, and got to work. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am not exaggerating when I say that this took less than 5 minutes - including the additional effort of laying down a tarp and applying painters tape to the cord and light bulb holder. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am really happy with the final product.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfA1KRv4BIuW5MJ0EKCuBJjINX2KEhSXNVoRVf-mPFSYnfCkt-PQa2FX7Ud4KIyjpKSvVAIe8xQ95x0wnoLCoE9nji5eGeAn1IP3N5mWRA4kkI_cqVHYILRPcL1ESVsktxp7DvuJWqJ8/s1600/newlamp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfA1KRv4BIuW5MJ0EKCuBJjINX2KEhSXNVoRVf-mPFSYnfCkt-PQa2FX7Ud4KIyjpKSvVAIe8xQ95x0wnoLCoE9nji5eGeAn1IP3N5mWRA4kkI_cqVHYILRPcL1ESVsktxp7DvuJWqJ8/s320/newlamp2.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UchzJzFvB8krd0d3fOuZkg4gLzZOaPiTLfi_3V7VEyzOQi2b7FPTyfHq4Fxl9yI5di4W-w6ffPnL74XdaykLFuX2_TfuHbC5iMBArPlsuuVAdpNBivN-jnQdzHwQ32Eav3XqZMSliyc/s1600/newlamp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UchzJzFvB8krd0d3fOuZkg4gLzZOaPiTLfi_3V7VEyzOQi2b7FPTyfHq4Fxl9yI5di4W-w6ffPnL74XdaykLFuX2_TfuHbC5iMBArPlsuuVAdpNBivN-jnQdzHwQ32Eav3XqZMSliyc/s320/newlamp1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here is the lamp in the guest room on top of the completed buffet :) It's coming along.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>What should I do next?</b></i></span></div>
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<br />Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-53686999571467058312011-12-09T10:34:00.001-08:002011-12-09T12:26:12.170-08:00Favorite Things...Under $15<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am hosting a Favorite Things party this year. The party was actually </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.thenester.com/2011/11/favorite-thiiiiiinnnnnnngs-and-a-linky.html" target="_blank">Nester's idea</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and I loved it so much (and also wanted an excuse to get the girls together for a holiday fiesta) so I decided to have one as well. Thanks, Nester!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you have been to a White Elephant gathering, the rules for Favorite Things are generally the same. Each guest is asked to bring their favorite item under $15 for a Secret Santa type exchange. The result is fun for everyone, sans a ten year old fruit cake.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Interestingly enough, finding substantial gifts under $15 was more difficult than I thought it would be! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">More often than not, I came across something I really liked only to find that it was $18 or $20. While this isn't completely out of the realm of possibility, even $1 over budget seems like cheating and I have to stay within the confines of aforementioned party rules!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, I did a quick online check at my three go-to gift sites: Target, Anthropologie and uncommongoods.com to come up a list of crowd pleasers...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDiKm6Uc08Gifeo8xO-zjNFjQ-uSOnWkMTjBwbrHuzRW9J-kFJQrDTz55haHcdvyKc4gBkdhvYIohDubCzHDIS97n4HYrSSmsyQoVh4l537og_RHAwFBchH17mQPpQe81xZxoi1Jc8vU/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-09+at+1.52.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDiKm6Uc08Gifeo8xO-zjNFjQ-uSOnWkMTjBwbrHuzRW9J-kFJQrDTz55haHcdvyKc4gBkdhvYIohDubCzHDIS97n4HYrSSmsyQoVh4l537og_RHAwFBchH17mQPpQe81xZxoi1Jc8vU/s200/Screen+shot+2011-12-09+at+1.52.14+PM.png" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.target.com/p/Burt-s-Bees-Target-Exclusive-Manicure-Set/-/A-13716951" target="_blank">Burt's Bees Target Exclusive Manicure Kit</a> - $14.99 at Target</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know I'm not the only one who loves these products. Their cuticle cream is one of my favorite items, as it is the only thing that keeps my nails looking half-way decent between manicures.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.target.com/p/The-Black-Book-of-Hollywood-Beauty-Secrets-Paperback/-/A-11822194" target="_blank">The Black Book of Hollywood Beauty Secrets</a> - $12.75 at Target</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks to image consultant Kym Douglas, now we can all have the inside track on how Hollywood A-Listers lose 5 pounds in a week, reduce puffiness and add shine to hair without breaking the bank. This book may completely change my beauty regimen!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAVSWxsY42UVfyXJzKrRDJGRFshAK-apUjmqLNSOaP_d4ThTLnxWYCQgZsIVodTrCYcbgAdtEOADn8nrWszO6JyUOWyR54to3WE4i4WNGnaETG9Q-hblQ1jWg-W8uJZnrDbL_j1dx0-c/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-09+at+2.05.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAVSWxsY42UVfyXJzKrRDJGRFshAK-apUjmqLNSOaP_d4ThTLnxWYCQgZsIVodTrCYcbgAdtEOADn8nrWszO6JyUOWyR54to3WE4i4WNGnaETG9Q-hblQ1jWg-W8uJZnrDbL_j1dx0-c/s200/Screen+shot+2011-12-09+at+2.05.20+PM.png" width="140" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?navAction=jump&id=21235684&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS&color=095" target="_blank">Centerpiece Holders</a> - $12.00 at Anthropologie</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Third degree burns? I think not! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whether you spend a great deal of time cooking or simply want to appear that you do, these holders are a fun and fashionable kitchen accessory.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?navAction=jump&id=073025&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS&color=020" target="_blank">Seed Bombs</a> - $6.00 at Anthropologie</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Drop one of these gumball-size seed and soil pods in your garden and in no time you will have a butterfly, bee or bird-friendly wildflower mixture specific to your U.S. region of choice. Bombs come in Herbs, Dog & Cat Friendly, West Coast, Mid West and East Coast combos. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Best part, at $6 each you can get two OR find a creative way to package them...ceramic planter anyone?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/bread-warmer" target="_blank">Bread Warmer</a> - $15.00 at uncommongoods.com</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Say goodbye to the days of warming bread in the microwave. Simply heat this terra cotta plate in the oven and set it in the bottom of your bread basket for rolls that will stay toasty-warm throughout your meal.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBAYzpvFLBMcSdv_2JB927R7Rxr8BSeZ1c_faiHDxANigG6oTNATYPitOWkwDSoqLmr-ewNopcBZLaLRAQelqrpCfXoH_LjBVnJVw6S6j5gf-cQsChO0o200lmo15i_JIEQmwh5MRJSw/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-09+at+2.47.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBAYzpvFLBMcSdv_2JB927R7Rxr8BSeZ1c_faiHDxANigG6oTNATYPitOWkwDSoqLmr-ewNopcBZLaLRAQelqrpCfXoH_LjBVnJVw6S6j5gf-cQsChO0o200lmo15i_JIEQmwh5MRJSw/s200/Screen+shot+2011-12-09+at+2.47.18+PM.png" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/cheese-keeper" target="_blank">Cheese Keeper</a> - $15.00 at Uncommongoods.com</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Umm...where have you been all my life? This food-safe clay helps to regulate the moisture levels of hard and soft cheeses. Toss it in with your favorite fromage to keep it drying out or getting mushy :(</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>What is your go-to gift during the holidays?</b></i></span></div>
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</div>Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-18955044017651533752011-12-01T05:11:00.001-08:002011-12-01T08:37:19.069-08:00Faux Fur For Me!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's December 1st! Welcome Winter! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This season always makes me want to throw on fuzzy socks and snuggle up by a crackling fire...but we don't have a fireplace...<i>sigh</i>...well, maybe in our next house. Back to the snuggly feeling...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In an effort to create a comfy and cozy ambiance, sans fireplace, I've decided that we need a faux fur throw for our living room couch. They are the ultimate in warmth and they look great too! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are two problems with this:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1) My dog could mistake the throw for another animal and, sensing a threat in the force, tear it to smithereens. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2) Finding the right faux fur is hard. The super cheap stuff looks like plastic, and feels worse. While the higher end options come at a crazy price!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Couple the points above, with the fact that I have a hard time spending more than $50 on anything anymore, and the search for the perfect throw becomes challenging. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here is what I've found so far...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTVep38KiQaYHjJRwnSo2dAn8rZJGeSx_ZSO1lh9bOzjRrjtxG2CDBBLXQ8wUpV4G77iUL1VyG4ia3UX3oI_R_AuOsIbClYhPXSh3nJG6DsLSgmI-rBU3cYl0tWsi-z2Q_XXUb2tb0VM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-01+at+8.27.38+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTVep38KiQaYHjJRwnSo2dAn8rZJGeSx_ZSO1lh9bOzjRrjtxG2CDBBLXQ8wUpV4G77iUL1VyG4ia3UX3oI_R_AuOsIbClYhPXSh3nJG6DsLSgmI-rBU3cYl0tWsi-z2Q_XXUb2tb0VM/s200/Screen+shot+2011-12-01+at+8.27.38+AM.png" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://Overstock.com/">Overstock.com</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doesn't this look soft! The best part is that it is only $39.99!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Drawback? I am not sure how long the cute pom poms will last in "Ranger's domain." He will probably think that we bought him a new toy and goodbye pom poms!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdETh4ETDTywWusHoCkwXPPUAy0u10STgiBsXmf29qILZvK4GYyn58khVoLUQMzuA9hNcppV8ZfdtsnaHcSdO2_oNPXapVh_BppV3xABejyJnxlm23xwtOBxwgKaQjYThQ8Xxvm7edr0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-01+at+10.25.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdETh4ETDTywWusHoCkwXPPUAy0u10STgiBsXmf29qILZvK4GYyn58khVoLUQMzuA9hNcppV8ZfdtsnaHcSdO2_oNPXapVh_BppV3xABejyJnxlm23xwtOBxwgKaQjYThQ8Xxvm7edr0/s200/Screen+shot+2011-12-01+at+10.25.06+AM.png" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://shop.thefoundary.com/" target="_blank">The Foundary</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This glorious throw is courtesy of a Mongolian Lamb...or so says the retailer details. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At $125.00 (the discounted price) it is way too expensive, but I had to include it because of the unique look of the fur. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I didn't realize that Mongolian Lambs were so cuddly. Did you?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2CzAo5I4-_B1NA9v6iOR7HnzVMaSTOOBOYQwxZNYMXb28QJ1Th7B8zJipTdmFL7RVUjvt9z_Rj4Oi3Rfxorubq8KGgDd2CjNbtW3E5lxwTYeUxfbd5S4Dm7OshTEcxpRzxjdY4LhWCw/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-01+at+10.32.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2CzAo5I4-_B1NA9v6iOR7HnzVMaSTOOBOYQwxZNYMXb28QJ1Th7B8zJipTdmFL7RVUjvt9z_Rj4Oi3Rfxorubq8KGgDd2CjNbtW3E5lxwTYeUxfbd5S4Dm7OshTEcxpRzxjdY4LhWCw/s200/Screen+shot+2011-12-01+at+10.32.08+AM.png" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/" target="_blank">One Kings Lane</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Zebra anyone? It's hard to tell from the picture, but this is a cream zebra-patterned throw from Tourance and it's scrumptious!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">OKL is selling it for $69.00, which is a very reasonable price when they typically retail for $150.00. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of all three choices, I am leaning towards the Tourance Cream Zebra. It has a high end feel, without being ridiculously priced and adds a bit of sass!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now...how do I justify going over my $50.00 limit, without suffering from buyers remorse?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Would anyone like to help me rationalize this purchase?</b></i></span></div>
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<br />Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-64012301349909316792011-11-29T10:25:00.000-08:002011-11-29T11:29:45.787-08:00The Hmm Factor<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We tackled most of the Christmas decorating last night. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is always fun unpacking and unwrapping all of the decorations you lovingly stored away the year before. There is a comfort that comes with putting out your old favorites and adding new ones you've picked up along the way.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWzTqqD5K-atVUXZLpQMyiX6YEmMpUIquhmGKZFdQf_jIj2DgSzBsxi0fEO2ShegEUgIbuojp2cFwf_3GgseEpYPg43h0pNAg6o4D3AmdJQkvXoQF8o7dgW3hKTaV0RHijSWkPxod1NQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-29+at+1.19.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWzTqqD5K-atVUXZLpQMyiX6YEmMpUIquhmGKZFdQf_jIj2DgSzBsxi0fEO2ShegEUgIbuojp2cFwf_3GgseEpYPg43h0pNAg6o4D3AmdJQkvXoQF8o7dgW3hKTaV0RHijSWkPxod1NQ/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-29+at+1.19.52+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is also another part to decorating, one that is rarely talked about for fear of ruining the budding holiday cheer. I call it <i>The</i> <i>Hmm Factor</i>. "Hmm" being the sound you make as you stare at your decorating space, stumped, paralyzed, unable to move forward. Simply explained, it is the moment when you hit a decorating wall. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is a wall that threatens carefully crafted moments of jubilee. Moments where you take the time to enjoy the fact that Christmas is here once again and you are beautifying your home at a leisurely pace. Bing Crosby is crooning White Christmas in the background and your <a href="http://www.thymes.com/Collection.aspx?nodeid=2037" target="_blank">Frasier Fur</a> candles are lit, wafting the scent of fresh pine around the house. You've arranged, rearranged, moved furniture, added a Santa here, a snowman there and yet...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I encounter this every year. No matter how often I mentally decorate in advance, <i>The Hmm Factor</i> eventually comes ... cue entrance of husband ... take in wife's puzzled expression ... husband asks "what's wrong?"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kyle has a very good eye, on top of that, he is a very smart man. He will <strike>stay out of my way</strike> let me do my thing until the "hmm-ing" starts and then, only then, see if he can lend a hand. After a few moments of talking through my original vision, he has moved one or two things and voila! It is nice to have a partner in crime who also happens to have a knack for decorating.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I woke to a festive holiday home this morning. I am not sure about you, but it takes me a while to get used to a newly decorated house - especially if I'm not fully caffeinated. So when I wandered downstairs with Ranger at 7:00am, our collective efforts brought a smile to my face. Christmas is here! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now we just need the tree.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>What is your holiday decorating quandary?</i></b></span></div>
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<br />Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-43273003998047671212011-11-28T06:50:00.001-08:002011-11-28T09:23:19.606-08:00Walking in a Celadon Wonderland<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We just got back from our first holiday road trip. I don't mind road trips. In fact, I really like them. They offer freedom and flexibility that you don't have with planes, plus we can take the dog.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGdhhNYZ-uQg4TzdjpxjVRQQIakN8-ZwMGXUixmditHyagiSWI15nqBcey1n9cQ4BAMoRADaZX9DF7nst426_4IMbhBhh9qmJJkgSS3nZMFAZTl1xu5PVTFmx0MiBYfTzn0qTo2YB1jc/s1600/Ranger-car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGdhhNYZ-uQg4TzdjpxjVRQQIakN8-ZwMGXUixmditHyagiSWI15nqBcey1n9cQ4BAMoRADaZX9DF7nst426_4IMbhBhh9qmJJkgSS3nZMFAZTl1xu5PVTFmx0MiBYfTzn0qTo2YB1jc/s320/Ranger-car.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">This is Ranger. He is the best pup in the world. I am positive that he posed for this.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This Thanksgiving, we decided to pack up the car and head to Florida to visit with my in-laws.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On the way we stopped in Charleston to visit with friends and during our stay we wandered into a wonderful store called <a href="http://celadonathome.com/" target="_blank">Celadon</a>. If you live in the Charleston area, then this place is probably old news to you. I imagine that if <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/category.jsp?pageName=House+%26+Home&navAction=jump&id=HOME" target="_blank">Anthropologie</a> and <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/" target="_blank">Pottery Barn</a> had a baby, Celadon would be their glorious offspring.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_958598193"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lucky for us, they had already completed their holiday transformation and it was positively drool worthy...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8t_i1BxPQv7fdoBhRwlndKL0lvXUYL4lEJTOMUOz__YzsMbn5b2xqQhnQ6qQbv5lJp6K7n7nfNgFsKAvApRH6fHfaNDOxmxiI0XJTKt0RYLb_Y-TpjHF2a9PNOftN-j7O_JRVTrQNzk/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-28+at+10.45.37+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_5O69do1AqFCZPIozua99Q9CE0rWvNopxrblIL3aLDec_YNbOwAYUe8iIbpanRJpxxM24j-4DeokCk3wnDSNfi4ItAEtnYXZOevf1q2G1aNi97L_j6aZGvaqNgNRPKZWwcwn3yCMMsg/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-28+at+10.45.45+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_5O69do1AqFCZPIozua99Q9CE0rWvNopxrblIL3aLDec_YNbOwAYUe8iIbpanRJpxxM24j-4DeokCk3wnDSNfi4ItAEtnYXZOevf1q2G1aNi97L_j6aZGvaqNgNRPKZWwcwn3yCMMsg/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-28+at+10.45.45+AM.png" width="237" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While wandering through the loveliness, I noticed some amazing driftwood Christmas trees. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a picture, but I found some online that were similar....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKYUayipLbdjJ3iypQk623tYk2G7ffmsMr4hBWPEw5KhdeXdV1szE4uqvP7iem8HJOSftqiLCJD0lfSvIaob7E8BYJg2XhRDSJHuuCG5jQFSwSUhyphenhyphenHyKDMIr0vGMzbmOVyXQ5bJBbJk0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-28+at+9.59.48+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKYUayipLbdjJ3iypQk623tYk2G7ffmsMr4hBWPEw5KhdeXdV1szE4uqvP7iem8HJOSftqiLCJD0lfSvIaob7E8BYJg2XhRDSJHuuCG5jQFSwSUhyphenhyphenHyKDMIr0vGMzbmOVyXQ5bJBbJk0/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-28+at+9.59.48+AM.png" width="254" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love the look of these, but Celadon was selling theirs for $100 - $200 each, which was a bit steep for me. They were beautiful and sturdy, but I knew that giving into my urge to buy them would only lead to buyers remorse. If anyone has any ideas about how to recreate one, let me know.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While I didn't buy any home furnishings or decor, the store displayed things in ways that gave me some great ideas for new projects. Some were new and some that just validated my current project list - sunburst mirror anyone? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Even though I couldn't buy everything I was lusting after, I did leave with one little thing...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4dBB9H3a6DbsiBj06COcumgcKeLzXsZKuhKSz-WY8kDrNdOHdIn_C16rzlhwFvcU6AmHwPvgfjfXPJ9xJVmdU2rFstLl0RmvbzQeDHweqhQZCiCL0ZGxDU-UR_3vWqzt8gu7wkTG3A8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-28+at+10.46.28+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4dBB9H3a6DbsiBj06COcumgcKeLzXsZKuhKSz-WY8kDrNdOHdIn_C16rzlhwFvcU6AmHwPvgfjfXPJ9xJVmdU2rFstLl0RmvbzQeDHweqhQZCiCL0ZGxDU-UR_3vWqzt8gu7wkTG3A8/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-28+at+10.46.28+AM.png" width="291" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.thymes.com/Collection.aspx?nodeid=2037" target="_blank">Thymes Frasier Fir</a> candle is quite possibly the best smelling Christmas candle EVER! I will be lighting it this evening to kick off the holiday decorating.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Check in tomorrow when I reveal the buffet progress!</b></i></span></div>
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<br />Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-4711620826757573682011-11-17T19:11:00.001-08:002011-11-29T07:41:34.358-08:00Oh, Buffet...How I Love Thee!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am happy to report that the buffet is 95% finished! I was going to wait until we reached the 100% mark, but I was so tickled with the results that I had to share. Before the big reveal, let's do a quick recap:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you remember, when I found the buffet it looked like this...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYDlAGtwNDiS7mHwgJz0BhxpYCpLbn9VRmca8VzDhqbyw3l7JjyfXOUZqsWM3Kdf018FKHg-XqjjcqVGGANbFBTf8tcrzWUuhIaTxR0IkWkz-vwW2FiLfWQTRQVqnc2QfbE7vzHoNZ0o/s1600/Buffet-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYDlAGtwNDiS7mHwgJz0BhxpYCpLbn9VRmca8VzDhqbyw3l7JjyfXOUZqsWM3Kdf018FKHg-XqjjcqVGGANbFBTf8tcrzWUuhIaTxR0IkWkz-vwW2FiLfWQTRQVqnc2QfbE7vzHoNZ0o/s320/Buffet-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But, knowing that beauty lies within, one must look past the exterior (which at the time I found it on the street corner, was covered in puke green paint) and see the potential of something.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So with the help of my friends and family...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOEZE72p0bmf_vLwwOVeXzgMDzCJk9MfVTT_ceGgGJtjsN5ci3Ja2v2ok1r6gj0nTsiQTbhaGWzxqE3H14V_MN3PAMI1iaDB0YNQ0rvLhTPkDib1xlJpInDo5zIVBc7fCker7HwO0JmQ/s1600/Kyle-buffet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOEZE72p0bmf_vLwwOVeXzgMDzCJk9MfVTT_ceGgGJtjsN5ci3Ja2v2ok1r6gj0nTsiQTbhaGWzxqE3H14V_MN3PAMI1iaDB0YNQ0rvLhTPkDib1xlJpInDo5zIVBc7fCker7HwO0JmQ/s320/Kyle-buffet.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and a pup who insists on being present for all major projects...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1muUeBstxX31A87xKcM8swdkuj1WF3rJIFZLFNkJ5tZwsb-fsYb5P9Dirh-k6b9qxprCTelep6tZbXoO5LFPKk0n3wK5L8xeSSIirB6yRkgTDcSZRf5WEcfM0XQZZz8MoaFaobRsCsIA/s1600/Ranger-buffet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1muUeBstxX31A87xKcM8swdkuj1WF3rJIFZLFNkJ5tZwsb-fsYb5P9Dirh-k6b9qxprCTelep6tZbXoO5LFPKk0n3wK5L8xeSSIirB6yRkgTDcSZRf5WEcfM0XQZZz8MoaFaobRsCsIA/s320/Ranger-buffet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you can transform something rather hideous into this...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVLbBiofC9p1t1YaraOhWzCGdiuMy7shFcRPd-yS874ZrdrnODoKG7JHtiFWlOZzfF3BnCBk8vVkZrANZO052LrslPE7INS89mbI02GIwMVW0jTZJwkqBGEzPhFWwI4yPl2ye7cbUsbU/s1600/buffet-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVLbBiofC9p1t1YaraOhWzCGdiuMy7shFcRPd-yS874ZrdrnODoKG7JHtiFWlOZzfF3BnCBk8vVkZrANZO052LrslPE7INS89mbI02GIwMVW0jTZJwkqBGEzPhFWwI4yPl2ye7cbUsbU/s320/buffet-front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Buffet? Is that you? Well don't you look fabulous!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let's break down this furniture transformation: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- We stripped off about three layers of paint, circa 1970, sanded and buffed the exterior.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- The buffet originally came with spaces for two small side drawers - one of which was missing when I rescued it - and two cabinet doors. Since it would look weird with a missing drawer, we removed the cabinet hinges and sawed off the frames for the top two drawers to open it up as display space for vases, coffee table books, etc.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- We primed and painted, using Sherwin Williams <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/ideas/color/SW7069_iron_ore/" target="_blank">Iron Ore</a> for the exposed interior space and Sherwin Williams <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/ideas/color/SW6205/" target="_blank">Comfort Gray</a> for the exterior.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you recall, I had originally intended to use Milk Paint, but when I priced it out, it was far to expensive and I couldn't justify the cost for this piece. So I decided to use paint that we had on hand after tackling a kitchen makeover a few months ago. Trust me when I say that there was no shortage of options in our basement. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When we started the kitchen project we weren't sure what color to use and ended up with no less than 12 paint swatches on our wall - it was literally ceiling to floor. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To help us sort through our swatch dilemma, I jumped onto Nesters blog to use <a href="http://www.thenester.com/2011/01/nesting-place-paint-colors-a-linky-for-your-paint-colors.html" target="_blank">her color palette</a> as guidance and fell in love with Comfort Gray. Unfortunately for our kitchen, it didn't work, but as the base color for this piece, it looks pretty awesome! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Obviously we are missing knobs and before it's all said and done, I'll probably apply an antiquing glaze and a coat or two of poly to protect the top. These final details need to happen in the next two weeks as we will be hosting family for the holidays and this piece is currently living in our guest room, so no pressure.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><b><i>What do you guys think?</i></b></span> </span></div>
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<br />Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-54137832191382575412011-11-16T12:47:00.001-08:002011-11-17T06:08:18.189-08:00The Forgotten Room<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our guest room is nice enough. We obviously don't spend a lot of time in there since the room is for...well...guests. So, short of making sure that the sheets are springtime fresh, we just check in every now and again to confirm everything is tidy and that the dog hasn't jumped all over the bed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The other day my husband suggested that since we are moving things around in our house, we should redecorate that room as well. Getting the green light to start a new project is like getting an early Christmas present and I am thrilled with the idea of changing things up a bit.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now that the buffet is so close to being done (we decided on a shade of light gray for the exterior), we can start to look at potential color schemes for that room overall. Right now, I like these....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNP00KmLPJ7LTpbDBKxn8DKCb3Jc-h7Cp843sLiToTVcWTgucmc1O9BxcCHJxDDSHOLsVTTI1ahRb3wec3qUVhaVvvWzj37Rx6syjjX1oHUzgg1FwmMSQO-xP3Ly1Q5KOc_VyOGHNN7I/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-17+at+8.59.29+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNP00KmLPJ7LTpbDBKxn8DKCb3Jc-h7Cp843sLiToTVcWTgucmc1O9BxcCHJxDDSHOLsVTTI1ahRb3wec3qUVhaVvvWzj37Rx6syjjX1oHUzgg1FwmMSQO-xP3Ly1Q5KOc_VyOGHNN7I/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-17+at+8.59.29+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do you guys think that the yellow/gray combo is over done? Any other suggestions?</span></i></b></div>Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-67543164336082097702011-11-16T06:27:00.001-08:002011-11-16T06:55:59.580-08:00Gray...What?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had hoped to post pictures of a near-complete buffet today, but sadly, we've run into a bit of a snag on the paint front. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When we stripped the paint off the buffet, the wood wasn't really in great shape. I didn't realize it at the time, but it was very dry and at this stage it is making painting near impossible. The poor thing is so parched that it has been soaking up white paint like it's going out of style and since the original wood is cherry, the whole piece has taken on a pink tint. Those who know me, know my love/hate battle with all things pink, but that is another post.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, now we have been tasked with selecting a color that can cover the piece well, even it were to soak in more than we would like. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enter, my brilliant husband with solution to aforementioned problem!....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The open shelf spaces have been painted a charcoal gray and look amazing. So, Kyle suggested that we paint the outside a lighter gray to compliment them. I have to say that I was not instantly enthused by the idea, but after tooling around online for gray pieces of furniture and living spaces with that motif, I think I have a new obsession with gray decor.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5hLNpxFHEeEV0OHGZd_7uoJtdz9i0nri7IJMBeRYnrPZDf5ZfgeouQpR0O3xCLuwuirfOtbwYAzxrm4NgtpUtMRg6k_JgYvcpGzy6EMqULOdXpQk7WOArgdXPcZZ7_hVRrzSJ9UpyR8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-16+at+9.26.22+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5hLNpxFHEeEV0OHGZd_7uoJtdz9i0nri7IJMBeRYnrPZDf5ZfgeouQpR0O3xCLuwuirfOtbwYAzxrm4NgtpUtMRg6k_JgYvcpGzy6EMqULOdXpQk7WOArgdXPcZZ7_hVRrzSJ9UpyR8/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-16+at+9.26.22+AM.png" style="cursor: move;" width="348" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love how it can be quietly elegant and then completely transform with pops of color! </span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Do you guys have any suggestions for hardware choices? Should we stick to metal or do colored enamel?</b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-28432797906916850322011-11-14T08:27:00.001-08:002011-11-15T06:12:03.040-08:00The "To Do" List<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last week, I mentioned that at any one time, I have (on my person) a list of projects or crafting ideas. Even as I walk around my house, mentally moving things, I have my phone with me and I'm taking notes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My husband, Kyle - on more than one occasion - has found me staring at walls or rooms in our house and when he asks me what I'm doing, I happily reply that "I'm mentally decorating." This answer is usually followed by his swift retreat in the opposite direction and some mumbling of "heaven help us." Regardless, he is always the first person to lend a hand or ask me how a project is coming along. I'm a lucky lady.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gYoM7NO0leabrGl45RbxsFcwTkJfElYiclH-hyY5tGf6Rb_Yma8CSImUfmS7W4CF8C6hz9yyVbR7Et3EEtpdFsOXs1lxSub0uL0oz3AEN9CEjTW8IBb6RbwSm3NilXvvM0mQAzJEnDo/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-15+at+8.48.10+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gYoM7NO0leabrGl45RbxsFcwTkJfElYiclH-hyY5tGf6Rb_Yma8CSImUfmS7W4CF8C6hz9yyVbR7Et3EEtpdFsOXs1lxSub0uL0oz3AEN9CEjTW8IBb6RbwSm3NilXvvM0mQAzJEnDo/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-15+at+8.48.10+AM.png" width="272" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here is my current To Do list:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1) Finish the buffet!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2) Paint the guest room and change up motif, using things we already own.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3) Make no-sew drapes for the living room and kitchen.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4) Frame <a href="http://www.etsy.com/?ref=so_home" target="_blank">Etsy</a> prints from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/strawberryluna" target="_blank">StrawberryLuna</a> and hang them in the stairwell leading to our second floor. I would love to find thrifted frames in unique styles and paint them all white!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5) Hang old china plates and silver servers in the kitchen above the cabinets.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6) Find a cheap, natural fiber rug for the living room and move the living room rug into Kyle's office.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh yeah, before I forget...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7) Touch-up paint from the kitchen and master bath transformation (<i>Honey, I swear this will get done!</i>)</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What is on your To Do List?</b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-70744783698624301762011-11-11T08:07:00.001-08:002011-11-14T07:52:48.227-08:00The Search Is Over!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last Christmas my mother-in-law, Sherri, was given an amazing brown suede, asymmetrical jacket with a super soft, faux fur lining. This awesomeness was only topped by the fact that the jacket was purchased at <a href="http://www.steinmart.com/" target="_blank">Stein Mart</a> at a great price! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's one of those Christmas moments, and let's be honest and admit that we have them, where someone gets something that you never knew you wanted and immediately wished you had. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Plotting to steal it didn't happen right away. The thought only crossed my mind after asking to try it on, which I knew was a mistake, but I did it anyway. It was like wrapping myself in a warm, super chic blanket. A blanket that would look awesome with skinny jeans and boots and chunky jewelry....<i>sigh</i>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Suffice it to say, I've been looking for it's equal ever since. Making up all kinds of reasons I didn't need or want one, mostly because similar styles I've seen cost upwards of $250! Yeah, that's not gonna happen. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enter solution to problem, <a href="http://HauteLook.com/">HauteLook</a>. HauteLook, like <a href="https://www.ruelala.com/registration?referrerId=MTc4ODI5Nw==&eKey=b3BlbnJlZ0BydWVsYWxhLmNvbQ==&aid=1320" target="_blank">RueLaLa</a> and <a href="http://www.ideeli.com/welcome" target="_blank">Ideeli</a>, gives it's members access to designer products for a fraction of the average retail cost. Inventory is limited, and because of that, these sites attach a time limit to how long you can keep items in your cart without purchasing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A site structure like this makes <a href="http://thecannycouture.blogspot.com/2011/11/confessions-of-fake-shopper.html" target="_blank">fake shopping</a> extremely difficult. Since that is generally the only way I know how to shop these days, I have never actually purchased from these sites...until last week...when I found this...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpikFicizjq_Gy5ooVND1VBRxm4XkTvHE5wIVR84sBbUFlIfu-ov_KJWW5GkXr8EwICdyGRiDu3tYA_qL8h95lklhM1jdMiC3kAUSWgMjk5SxPoG2J9xOwdS_oV6L9p_-ePs8re1MTcI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+11.29.15+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpikFicizjq_Gy5ooVND1VBRxm4XkTvHE5wIVR84sBbUFlIfu-ov_KJWW5GkXr8EwICdyGRiDu3tYA_qL8h95lklhM1jdMiC3kAUSWgMjk5SxPoG2J9xOwdS_oV6L9p_-ePs8re1MTcI/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+11.29.15+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do you love it? Because I love it. It is by Romeo & Juliet Couture and when I spotted it, I immediately started drooling on my keyboard. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ok, so it's not exactly the same as the "Sherri" jacket. For starters, it's black, not brown. The lining is shearling, not fur...but I don't care. It was the overall shape of the original jacket I loved and I think that this version is more "me." </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Best of all, this jacket retails for $195.00 and on HauteLook it was $59! That's right kids, 70% off. Crazy!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My husband and I try not to buy things for ourselves close to Christmas. Our families would prefer that we just add them to our wish lists, but I'll admit that limited inventory and a shopping cart countdown got to me a bit. Plus there honestly aren't too many things that I obsess about for a year or more, so it was time to nip this in the bud.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another kicker about this purchase is that yours truly was tooling around on <a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/winter-style/" target="_blank">Shine's Winter Style Guide</a> the other day and found this listed among their top picks:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3-pqPCAJyQ5OdBWvWZCIvONRm3Y0iADL5SXROhGX-GAUgpna7-pld7p71RdT7TcxE5sURCIlKe0qSKnrds-7I0QrHZyci-RrcvQjyHoswCUX1CYvrhZVGsCB7AdSoAdrWl7bY1i_KQM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+12.22.53+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3-pqPCAJyQ5OdBWvWZCIvONRm3Y0iADL5SXROhGX-GAUgpna7-pld7p71RdT7TcxE5sURCIlKe0qSKnrds-7I0QrHZyci-RrcvQjyHoswCUX1CYvrhZVGsCB7AdSoAdrWl7bY1i_KQM/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+12.22.53+PM.png" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you Shine for validating my purchase.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">What fashion or home decor items have you been searching for/lusting after?</b></i></span><br />
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<br />Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-53745784345359478382011-11-10T12:51:00.001-08:002011-11-12T11:02:57.461-08:00Canny Crafting<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I may be biting off more than I can chew, but starting next week I am going to line up a weekly craft project for a series of posts, aptly titled <i>Canny Crafting</i>. I know, very original. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ideally, projects will be introduced on Friday and pictures of the finished product and How To's, posted on Monday. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Again, from a timing perspective, this could be an awesome thing to attempt, or I could fail miserably. But I figure that I am adding an extra layer of accountability since other people would be reading this...right?</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since my husband reads this from time to time, I will add this disclaimer: <i>Honey, I promise to fix the paint in the bathroom AND kitchen (remnants of two impromptu room makeovers) before passing GO and before collecting $200. Then, and only then, will I move on to aforementioned crafting. Love you!</i></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Like a good DIYer, I have lists of projects somewhere on me at all times. Whether it is a post-it in my car, or notes on my phone, I am always thinking of things I would love to create or replicate. I have had a "hot list" for a while, but when I found the buffet, they were all promptly put on the back burner. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, here are the three projects that were next on my to do list:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9HFnfk9zUgHHCk-gWZrTosnKMV1TpQuG2HXdtEAPnjuPyUK43RbupGa0gLv0010SP0QT6Ry-l9kMY2f3Vo91kPQ27jM_N2nQJB90VMolghwgQzyZ6mX_eWgTLqf-z8kPAhnoXKVUT5Y/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-10+at+4.29.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9HFnfk9zUgHHCk-gWZrTosnKMV1TpQuG2HXdtEAPnjuPyUK43RbupGa0gLv0010SP0QT6Ry-l9kMY2f3Vo91kPQ27jM_N2nQJB90VMolghwgQzyZ6mX_eWgTLqf-z8kPAhnoXKVUT5Y/s200/Screen+shot+2011-11-10+at+4.29.02+PM.png" width="163" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1) <b>Sunburst mirror </b>- Sunburst mirrors are everywhere and getting them on sale is impossible. Furthermore, the "sale" price still ends up being $60-$80 and that doesn't quite do it for me. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am still not sure what the materials will be just yet, but there are quite a few twigs in our backyard so I may just recycle those. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI81YPfbQAlz-S56tJ5ZxmO_lC3SNL00P7cdulXD9f52wMlMT6m7kb2lMmBqN0jQz5k5j-oWxo59kxCr_kRb0co5-yS0WyBwBophT9KDUYrNPzafnRRPRkK-X5NLrsdR3ly4YjUs5hwE/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-10+at+4.27.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI81YPfbQAlz-S56tJ5ZxmO_lC3SNL00P7cdulXD9f52wMlMT6m7kb2lMmBqN0jQz5k5j-oWxo59kxCr_kRb0co5-yS0WyBwBophT9KDUYrNPzafnRRPRkK-X5NLrsdR3ly4YjUs5hwE/s200/Screen+shot+2011-11-10+at+4.27.13+PM.png" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2)<b> Faux mercury glass lamp</b> - My grandmother's old lamp has been sitting in my basement collecting dust and could serve as a great test run. I will be using <a href="http://www.krylon.com/products/looking_glass_mirror_like_paint" target="_blank">Krylon Looking Glass</a> spray paint to give it the mercury treatment. I bought the last can of it at my local Hobby Lobby and while I haven't used it yet, I'm actually going to go back and buy a few more cans to prepare for the this project and others to use throughout the holiday season.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL7G3c9psEe_fHJQxEP653xO8s0j3deMF9NiyRdZ4HEJEj6ucjTwPe6sTFgknbz4KGrpjf4TUa2tlgSA-O-gnIAMsONcAyA2lFB_9RboA1Rm_mjhIdGu4ehoE2W9AAEo9WzvI1fDJIvQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-10+at+4.30.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL7G3c9psEe_fHJQxEP653xO8s0j3deMF9NiyRdZ4HEJEj6ucjTwPe6sTFgknbz4KGrpjf4TUa2tlgSA-O-gnIAMsONcAyA2lFB_9RboA1Rm_mjhIdGu4ehoE2W9AAEo9WzvI1fDJIvQ/s200/Screen+shot+2011-11-10+at+4.30.39+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3) <b>Hot Chocolate jars </b>- A great Christmas gift I have been seeing on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest </a>and on fellow bloggers sites. Coco powder, brown sugar and chocolate chip goodness beautifully layered in jars, slap on a ribbon and dainty holiday tag and voila! The nice part is that with a few additional ingredients, you can make Peppermint and Mexican hot chocolate jars as well. Something for everyone!</span></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Let me know which of these you would like to see me take a stab at first OR feel free to suggest a project that's been on your mind and I will add that to the line up!</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Happy Crafting!</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-29440367635442994562011-11-10T09:15:00.000-08:002011-11-10T09:15:39.911-08:00Meet My Arch Nemesis<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This wall is the bane of my existence. I am not exaggerating. I stare at it constantly. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't fear blank space, but there is something unbalanced about it that makes me want to tear my hair out.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the last three years, I've hated this wall and the space around it and been paralyzed. I have no idea what to do here!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Adding insult to injury is the fact that t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">his wall is in MY room and has MY television on it!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is with all of the "me, my, mine?" The television on that wall is the girl TV. The only one in the house that is allowed to house all of my girl shows on its DVR. The shows that my husband watches with me (when I beg him to) and complains that my taste in quality programming is debatable. I'll save that for another post. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Nester posted her <a href="http://www.thenester.com/2011/11/from-hate-to-love.html" target="_blank">wall drama</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a few days ago. It was comforting to read that my obsession with a wall is not limited to, well...me. Nester is in a healthier place though, having moved from a place of hate to one where she loves her entertainment wall!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The way I see it, I have three choices:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1) <b>Watch my girl shows in my husband's man room - </b>which is a strange sentence to read, let alone make a reality - in an effort to avoid the frustration that comes with watching TV in our living room. </span></div>
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Let's be honest, I doubt he'll want to scroll through recordings of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Revenge, The Vampire Diaries, Say Yes To The Dress</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, etc. saved on his man TV, in front of his friends. So this is probably not going to fly.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2) <b>Deal with it</b>. Find a way to live in harmony with this wall as is and drop my oars. I don't think this will ever happen.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3) <b>Find a creative solution</b> that will solve my problem and lead to a happy living room experience and comfy place for girly TV time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I like Option 3.</span></div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Anyone care to weigh in on how to change this wall? Any and all creative solutions welcome!</span></b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span>Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-26839326748774581592011-11-09T08:25:00.000-08:002011-11-09T10:07:01.151-08:00Lessons in DIY<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On the road to becoming an expert on all things related to furniture restoration, there is many a lesson to be learned. Here is what I have found so far...</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lesson #1: Know what you don't know...and then ask! </span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know that there is a lot I don't know. Lucky for me, I have a great group of friends with varied interests, who are willing to teach.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nothing is more true in the case of this buffet. Without my friend Karen suggesting it, I never would have thought to strip the paint first. Inevitably, I would have just power sanded the heck out of it and who knows how it would have turned out.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Lesson #2: Being crafty is one thing, handling power tools is another.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Upon further inspection of the piece, I decided that it would look ten times better if we just got rid of the side drawers and by extension, the frames they sit on. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxIYgXtoSYrpLPCZSfDQbSZlHK_HfXk125eEHncNfNFwhjNTl4UWPAAzu36pUvfdZpDeBY8XZdEgAHZbPvyCoM8S6TvL5hR40dCIaYCGBTf1wDygwX7m5MRDunLf9Ajbi6Ho1vELqPCw/s1600/Buffet-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxIYgXtoSYrpLPCZSfDQbSZlHK_HfXk125eEHncNfNFwhjNTl4UWPAAzu36pUvfdZpDeBY8XZdEgAHZbPvyCoM8S6TvL5hR40dCIaYCGBTf1wDygwX7m5MRDunLf9Ajbi6Ho1vELqPCw/s320/Buffet-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, there was no way that those frames were going to come out without serious power tools. Items that my husband and I do not own, mostly because we have never needed to. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, when you encounter a project that requires more heavy lifting than you have experience with, turn to your friends, family or fellow bloggers for help. Trying to accomplish this on my own would have been a big no, no and in the end could have cost additional time, money or worse an appendage. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In this case, our good friend Chad is a seasoned home improvement guru who kindly offered his expertise and his circular saw. By "offered" I mean that I begged and he agreed. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31iu0YKG39qIXIYkgTnIoPJ4w_U2JHpZ3kEiJceKd0aw0vPwpt0ffWEsnF5SxXU9we3-1j40K5nC-ZLVkZiHAkHts_Ik10W_xDJ9k7M_vKnkH2LEYkcIu1Nlkm8Jo1OnhqlHDr2VH5tA/s1600/photo-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31iu0YKG39qIXIYkgTnIoPJ4w_U2JHpZ3kEiJceKd0aw0vPwpt0ffWEsnF5SxXU9we3-1j40K5nC-ZLVkZiHAkHts_Ik10W_xDJ9k7M_vKnkH2LEYkcIu1Nlkm8Jo1OnhqlHDr2VH5tA/s320/photo-8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lesson #3: Accidents happen and it's not the end of the world. </span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't know too many DIYers that don't make mistakes every now and again. In the case of the buffet, we ran into a minor snag - because of the angle of the drawer frame the circular saw cut into the top of the buffet, but only slightly. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GGpOCBPp03Djat4CdRHYHgidAwBWskRMEpFuDzD7tHN9KiEB4BTea-agnAabkrepkivo1xeeBvw_5Fnn7YjyYTHTGudz8zsWiFQi-2zzCejWdNtmXoQ4A3y6cxFm809qGJCZu9MwRig/s1600/photo-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GGpOCBPp03Djat4CdRHYHgidAwBWskRMEpFuDzD7tHN9KiEB4BTea-agnAabkrepkivo1xeeBvw_5Fnn7YjyYTHTGudz8zsWiFQi-2zzCejWdNtmXoQ4A3y6cxFm809qGJCZu9MwRig/s320/photo-7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;">Chad felt pretty bad about this. Keeping things in perspective, this project is about fun and creative solutions, so no time was spent crying over spilled milk. </span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;">We quickly decided that with a little wood putty and paint, you would never know this was even there. Unless someone decided to document it on a blog...which lives on the Internet...for everyone to see. Oh well, you know what it would be like.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lesson #4: Follow your instincts!</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had a few moments of self doubt watching Chad take out the drawer frames. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After all, I was modifying the look and feel of something that was never intended to be open at all! It had side cabinets and drawers and I didn't build the thing so how could I know what it would look like? Who do I think I am anyway?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well after my minor panic attack, some sanding and some wood putty. I stood back and looked at what had been accomplished...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KdyxFR3IwHjXiMk1oYJ4v0toVkx5q6a2Qz4NaZVKtRFUEx_LwvISbX2uXq0pVhGlgFZAq34PQm0m5UBda8S5taorZyBwBPGwGahrHlrcfmSjPz6EfvTHrT0lm3CYpS96TwK19Jg4h1I/s1600/Buffet-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KdyxFR3IwHjXiMk1oYJ4v0toVkx5q6a2Qz4NaZVKtRFUEx_LwvISbX2uXq0pVhGlgFZAq34PQm0m5UBda8S5taorZyBwBPGwGahrHlrcfmSjPz6EfvTHrT0lm3CYpS96TwK19Jg4h1I/s320/Buffet-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now I know it doesn't look like a lot right now, but it made me smile. With some fresh paint and knobs, this is going to be stellar. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't know where or how this lived in it's first home, but I truly feel like it is going to be a piece of furniture our family has for a long time to come. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's not just a face lift, it's a complete makeover and I cannot wait to share the results with you!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>If my followers have any other cardinal rules of DIY to share, please post! I, like this buffet, am a work in progress and welcome any helpful tid bits for future endeavors.</i></span>Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-24474914260650538392011-11-08T06:57:00.000-08:002011-11-08T07:27:55.933-08:00Confessions of a Fake Shopper<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I fake shop. I'm not proud of it, but what is a girl to do? Living on a budget with high end taste is hard. I'm not hurting anyone and it scratches an itch, sort of.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymodoIjfENHLviz1YRYJZb32XIPwa9x-A32epVC7wTSWixmTJM3Ip6RaOG_0qVpKM7OGHjeWr3WF3P-pML-CC1o9xyBXNTakvPNhcKcGfXZI6IAbeQPckIupRGKgGzlsP6L6XaxjZ9UA/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-08+at+9.41.53+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymodoIjfENHLviz1YRYJZb32XIPwa9x-A32epVC7wTSWixmTJM3Ip6RaOG_0qVpKM7OGHjeWr3WF3P-pML-CC1o9xyBXNTakvPNhcKcGfXZI6IAbeQPckIupRGKgGzlsP6L6XaxjZ9UA/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-08+at+9.41.53+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is fake shopping? By definition, it is the practice of searching your favorite online retailers, filling up your virtual shopping cart with goodies and then...sadly...abandoning it to avoid buying. How bad is my habit? Well, when I fake clothes shop, I actually take the time to fill in my size! Pathetic, I know.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a rule, fake shopping should be limited to online only. If you tried to do this in person, I imagine one of two things would occur: 1) You would fail miserably and purchase something (which if you haven't yet figured out, is not the goal) OR 2) Efforts to physically abandon your cart would peg you as that crazy woman who ran out of a store leaving a basket full of merchandise in her wake. Suffice it to say, the online world decreases the chances of those things happening.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I actually take great comfort in knowing that I am not alone. Like many women, I confessed this little tidbit of information to my stylist/therapist, who gasped and told me that she did the same thing. It was a bonding moment for us. Now we start most of our conversations with "so when I was fake shopping the other day..."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am not saying that I don't buy things anymore. I do and I try to limit it to something that we absolutely need, or have convinced myself we need. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In all seriousness, what fake shopping has given me, besides a false sense of satisfaction, is a slew of ideas! I think about how to change an old cardigan with new buttons or what a forgotten mirror would look like painted red.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, if you are like me, full of ideas and low on funds, fake shopping just might be the best-bad habit to have.</span><br />
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<br />Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-3989413619817262502011-11-07T06:36:00.000-08:002011-11-07T13:05:34.713-08:00Milk in paint? Who knew?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My husband and I are still working on figuring out our design style - contemporary, country, vintage, classic? As we settle into our first home...in our third year...we are letting it evolve with our changing tastes. Currently, I feel like we are leaning more towards what one might call "rustic chic." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, as I consider a finish for the buffet, I am taking into account what our tastes are now and how we can create something that will transition well into the future.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When we first mentioned this to our friend Karen (the one who I still owe big time for helping me strip off the ugly army green paint), she said that we should consider using <a href="http://www.milkpaint.com/index.html" target="_blank">Milk Paint</a> to finish the buffet. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After a bit of research I am super excited to play with the stuff. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Apparently, it is an old school formulation used to achieve a distressed look. While we have never really gravitated toward a shabby chic style, I love the look of distressed furniture. Done well, it can have a lived in quality that is still very high end.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have been researching the <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2010/08/before-and-after-basics-aging-furniture-using-milk-paints.html" target="_blank">basics </a>of the application on one of my favorite sites, <i><a href="http://www.designsponge.com/" target="_blank">Design Sponge</a></i>, and while it is going to be a bit more labor intensive, I think that we will be thrilled with the results.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bonus detail: milk paint is all natural, free of harmful chemicals and noxious odors! </span></div>
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<br />Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-7635332713099006272011-11-04T07:00:00.000-07:002011-11-04T07:11:21.058-07:00Color Me Happy<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I first picked up the buffet, I thought to myself "you are destined to be painted a clean and bright shade of white." However, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">after pouring over the pages of Pinterest, I'm not so sure that white is the best choice. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The buffets and sideboards below are in awesome shades of yellow, blue and a fabulous orangey-red. I threw in examples of ivory and white as comparisons, but I am very conflicted.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, while I can't say for sure what the final color will be, I know that it will never again be army green!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What do you guys think?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOryKHnrT383jDr_c6BnsA9BVtDtO6E0eQ_POKCtVGAJN9FZZhzvOnzLe-vUX-gzPa5vn0meCGCb8Sksz7pHkU4Z3b1jSRI4UYM2-q1HpnEScI6oaFdYBY2j6eTXcW_hAMP16_lUM5Pyw/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-04+at+10.03.31+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOryKHnrT383jDr_c6BnsA9BVtDtO6E0eQ_POKCtVGAJN9FZZhzvOnzLe-vUX-gzPa5vn0meCGCb8Sksz7pHkU4Z3b1jSRI4UYM2-q1HpnEScI6oaFdYBY2j6eTXcW_hAMP16_lUM5Pyw/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-04+at+10.03.31+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678539911715013602.post-5977933297111839282011-11-03T09:35:00.000-07:002011-11-03T11:18:58.163-07:00Preserve or Perish?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have only recently been compelled to treasure hunt among the little collections of furniture that occasionally occupy our neighborhood street corners, waiting for trash pick up. In times past I would think about driving back to look, but mostly ignore them. Instead, I would head for home, hoping that someone would see the potential in these "throw-aways" and treat them well.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So this past weekend when my husband found me rolling a sad looking buffet up our driveway - while happily chit-chatting with a neighbor who offered to help me retrieve it - he was shocked, to say the least. He accidentally alerted me to the buffet's existence, when
he told me to run down and look at a side table in amongst a collection of throw-aways down our street. Unfortunately, the
side table was beyond help.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But this...THIS is a dream!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS4ftLUKR2ZwKYQ5hUJOzpxdHi7HsTU_-ByiOMQgsoOM0TS6ixbZ92-Je1vVd9PaPZRMvc8o1v9ajqzRIXwYd4uhKieP0Ia52WyG_ItpZju3yo89DNYrccPW5wNjL8FYtz7LYJnnalFA/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-01+at+3.31.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS4ftLUKR2ZwKYQ5hUJOzpxdHi7HsTU_-ByiOMQgsoOM0TS6ixbZ92-Je1vVd9PaPZRMvc8o1v9ajqzRIXwYd4uhKieP0Ia52WyG_ItpZju3yo89DNYrccPW5wNjL8FYtz7LYJnnalFA/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-01+at+3.31.34+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I decided to adopt it, I wasn't giddy with the feeling that I got something for free. Frankly, I felt more like I was rescuing a dog from the humane society. It always makes me sad to see something so mistreated - in this case covered in a thick layer of army green paint - and then tossed aside without a second thought to restoration. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I wish I had thought to take a picture before we removed the three middle drawers (it's missing the top two side drawers) and started stripping off the paint. Believe it or not underneath is cherry wood. At one point, it was probably in beautiful shape and I wish I could just re-stain it, but the wood is too far gone in some spots.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So far, it has turned into quite the project. We don't have a garage, so I am forced to work on this when the weather permits and we still have daylight. Plus it is getting cold out! Each dry evening we have, my husband or friend Karen (pictured here) help to I roll it out of the shed - we sand and scrape off the old to prepare for the new, tuck it back in and say goodnight. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am scouring Pinterest right now for final finish ideas and I'll post some photos soon to get your feedback on how to rework this baby!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Kyle & Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09345165984509863973noreply@blogger.com1