Feeling the LOVE

I don’t do a ton of Decorating for Valentine’s Day, but I do like to give it some recognition.  January is always kind of blah and it feels good come February to enjoy another Holiday and brighten up my home with maybe some hope for Spring to arrive soon!  I know there are cynics out there who are not fans of this holiday, but I have many fond memories of it.   Why not have another reason to celebrate and spread love, right?  Plus our wedding anniversary is the 16th so it makes it even that much more special in our home. :)

 Here is a simple display that I quickly put together.  I kept a few pieces from my Santa vignette and added to them.  I ‘loved’ up a twig wreath to hang above the cabinet and added a rose picture I had in my stash.  {watch for the super easy tutorial!}

I also changed out the shade of my lamp with a $2 thrift store shade to which added the beautiful ribbon my aunt gave me.  Do you remember the ribbon from my July 4th decor?  I love it!  & added in with all this, it screams Valentine’s Day.

A few love birds on my vintage scale and some more green to encourage the Spring feeling.  I shaped my little berry wreath into a heart as well.  I also kept my thrift store candle stick trio from before…think romantic candlelight….minus the candlelight…but it implies an idea, right? lol ;)

By simply combining your everyday decor of “Valentine” colors or theme, you can create a subtle touch of the LOVE  it your home.  Don’t be afraid to move things around in your home and use them in a different way. 

**For some tips on creating a balanced display, go check out my Spring Vignette from last year.**

Joining in the fun…

The Day to Day

I am so empowered by the many braves souls who have linked up to The Decor Chick’s Party that I decided to bite the bullet and join in.  So many times I get overwhelmed with my own life and wonder why I can’t do it all like ‘so & so’.  In blogland and magazines everybody’s lives look clean and organized and PERFECT!  I am sure in some cases this is true, but I am pretty sure in most cases we are all just humans trying to do our best and enjoy life along the way.

Without further ado…

   

The Kitchen. 

Now I am going to be honest with you.  The day I took these pictures was a mild kitchen mess day.  Not sure why it looked somewhat decent, but the mornings it looks like this are ‘good’ days. ;)

 

The Family Room.

This is pretty typical of our family room on a day to day basis.  It seems as though no matter what I do ‘stuff’ just appears.  And MAGICALLY reappears. 

On this given day we have quite an array of items…laundry, cinnamon bears, puppy pee pee cleaner, jelly toast and because a nice Christmas story is always a great read mid January…a basket of Christmas books!

I must say I do love the vignette on the side table.  Starbursts,  a pillow and strategically placed crooked lamp shade. ;)  Have a seat on the bench, lean back and relax… on the garland!  Haha, I love how things end up in odd places.

   

The Garage Entry and Dreaded Laundry Room.

I like to make it as hard as possible to get inside these doors, you know, to deter intruders. My laundry room is not spacious and I know you have heard be whine about it and my lack of mudroom before, but you can see the usual outcome of the situation.  Don’t you think the new puppy crate fits perfectly in the area?

Whoa, I need to go clean something now…feeling overwhelmed;)  Good thing we aren’t alone, right?  I could have shared LOTS of unfinished projects, and even more unorganized rooms, but I didn’t want you to stop reading my blog all together or call TLC & put me on Hoarders! lol:) 

That is the beauty of a new day…to learn and grow and try to be your best self and do better.  Let’s not be too hard on ourselves.  Try to to take it all in stride, don’t sweat the small stuff, and remember what is most important in your life.

Scottish Terrier Print {Idea from Ballard}

When I saw this print in the Ballard catalog I LOVED it immediately knew I wanted it for my Mom’s Christmas gift.  She has 3 Scottish Terriers {which are her babies} and this vintage print catches the “scottie” perfectly.  I love to give a personal Christmas gift with a lot of thought, especially to my wonderful Mom.

I did not however love the $169.oo price tag. ;)

 

So as I read about the print I found that it was a copy of an illustration in a children's book from the 1930’s by an artist named  Diana Thorne. 

Which made it even more perfect because my mom loves Scottie’s, antiques and she is a talented artist…score!:)

I  checked on Ebay and found a page out of this book with the illustration for $14.99.  It was  an 8x10 nicely matted in an acid free 11 x 14 mat. (The seller was great by the way!)  I bought a frame from Joanns at 60% off and put in the sweet little book page.  Mind you the Ballard on is bigger at 27 x 27, but I achieved the overall look for a fraction of the price!

  

 I bought a smaller coordinating one as well.

I love them and my Mom was really excited and touched:) 

Sorry the pictures aren’t great, it was sort of an afterthought to share this with you.  But seriously look how easy inexpensive it can be to duplicate something that may be out of your budget…. 

AND doing it yourself is definitely more rewarding!

Thanks again Ballard Designs…XOXO!

Linking…

Happy New Year!

So if there was an Amazing Slacker Blogger award going around I am sure I would have been awarded a few!  I have done a big fat nothin’ when it comes to fun new projects or decorating.  I think I was completely physically and emotionally exhausted so honestly this little hiatus has felt nice.  I wish I was Super Woman, but unfortunately I am far from! ;)

We did have a wonderful Christmas here! I hope you all enjoyed the Holidays and I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year!

    

Oh, I did miraculously manage to get all my Christmas down {before February} and put some Dollar store snowflakes on my mantel for a wintery vibe. 

Don’t act like you’re not impressed. ;)

Thanks for being patient with me and sticking around!! More to come! :)