a decorating spoof

Just had to add this to my blog after one of my friends posted it on Facebook. Catalog Living is a funny spoof on the pages of well known catalogs.  Great reading for a little chuckle!

must have these floors

I can only laugh at myself for looking at a catalog and finding things I love that aren't for sale.  That's the fun of it, looking at websites and catalogs to get ideas and inspiration, not always just to drain your pocketbook. 

Pages 66-67 of the Crate and Barrel Spring 2011 catalog 

Pages 68-69 of the Crate and Barrel Spring 2011 catalog 

and oh yes, I would take these stools as well.....

craigslist freebies

I check the craigslist free section every day to see what goodies I can find.
Found this today, want it, but no where to put it.......it was in Stoneham, MA if you are interested, just don't tell me if you get it.......I might come by and steal it!

treasure hunting

Spent the weekend with my parents and husband and visited a few antique shops.  Walking through the cluttered rooms of the shops, I realized that I very rarely look at things for what they are but rather what they could be used for or how they could be improved upon.  I'm always keeping my eyes open for something with great lines and character that could use refinishing/repainting or just some sprucing up. My husband and I spotted a great retro couch set with awful upholstery, but great lines. We thought it would be a nice piece to strip of its dark stain (gasp!) and repaint white, re-upholster and set up in a screened screened in porch. (Sorry no photos.....camera phone was not working).

Also found a large hanging scale that we were contemplating purchasing and hanging on the brick in our newly redone office/guest room. We tried to negotiate the price a bit because we felt it was a little high, but walked out empty handed.  Maybe it will still be there next time we visit and the shop owners will reconsider our offer.

yard sale saturday

I've been waiting all week, but I've been so busy these things have not made it out of the trunk of my car until today!

I love the thrill of digging for treasures at a garage sale.  I started off last Saturday morning at a "Attic Treasures" sale to benefit a local museum.  It was packed!  I saw a few great chairs that I would have loved to have taken home and refinished and fixed up, but the whole condo living without a garage hindered that idea (again).

I ended up only spending five bucks for these 2 beautiful Milk of Magnesia medicine bottles from 1906.

Next stop, a moving sale.  I did a little wheeling and dealing to get a good price on these 2 items.  I love this little thing! I think I'll buy some flower seeds and turn the glasses into a planter.

These wood crates caught my eye.  I bought 4 to start off with.  They had 15 more in the basement that they were currently using for storage but were willing to get rid of them.  I'm waiting for them to call me back --- hope they haven't changed their mind! I'm going to use these as books shelves for a vacant corner in my office/guest room.  

do you dig it?

Thanks again Real Simple magazine for a great website - diggerslist.com! Looks like it might be a good idea to check back frequently to see what you can find.  It takes a little patience to look through everything they have....here are just a few things I found right off the bat.

Secretary Desk $275

Lamp Shade $20

Picnic Table $150

mason jars and more

Found these from Alyssa Ettinger in a Real Simple magazine I had lying around.....they are just too cute!!

easy to make reclaimed soda crate caddy

Reclaimed Soda Crate Caddy from Ana White

tile tattoos

Some interesting ideas to add a little pizazz to your tiles from 2jane

inspiration binder

I've been searching for my "idea" binder since I moved the contents of my office into my dining room in order to rip up the carpets and I finally found it!!!  Basically, it's a binder I keep with hand written notes and torn out magazine pages of websites I like, design ideas, etc.

Some websites from Real Simple magazine:

Areaware

Gretel

The Conran Shop

create a chalkboard calendar

Check out these creative ways to stay organized from ohdeedoh and Martha Stewart

attic renovation

I would buy a cape just so I could do this. Check out the details at This Old House

barn builders/rehabbers

Wow, these guys do some amazing work!  I would love to live in one of these creations from Colonial Barns