Let there be Light!

Happy Tuesday!  May I just say that we had temps in the low 60's and sunSHINE this weekend!  Yay!  Spring just might be right around the corner!

I've been playing around in the dining room ... recently added two lamps (that used to be in the great room) to my *new* buffet to give the room a bit more ambience.  I wanted something tall to balance out with the ginormous mirror and shelves (feel free to click on pics to enlarge): 

I like how the crisp white shades tie in with the shelves, as well.  What do you think?

Love the glass bases which offers a bit of an antique flair:

I cleaned up the once tarnished tea service (that I bought from a local antique store last Fall) with good ol' *stinky* Tarn-X!  My gosh, WHAT a ha-uge difference!

Back over to the table, I kept the burlap runner on there and added two silver candleholders that I also poured Tarn-X over.  Look how they shine, next to the pretty fleur-de-lis vase from Willow House (filled with simple greenery and white long-stemmed Spring flowers):

While I envision a gorgeous chandie, dripping with sparkling crystals that would  blind you, it will have to wait!  Soooo, in the meantime, to give the chandie a *vintage-y* feel, I kept the clear beaded garland and dripping Christmas ornaments on there.  (A simple, inexpensive and fun way to dress up your chandie without breaking the bank):

Over on one of the shelves, I placed a few simple pears on a stand I found at Home Goods.  It's always fun to add a pop of color against a light colored background:



And, to the chairs flanking the sideboard, I added new cream fabric to the cushions (which used to be sage green) and also added zebra pillows for a bit of whimsy.  I found them at good ol' Wally-World.  Adding animal print ANYthing is such a great way to add the unexpected to any decor style! 

Speaking of pillows, I added two cream, satin ones as a backdrop for my grain sack pillow that I placed on the bench by the window.  And, while I LOVE my grain sack pillow, does anyone else find that they have somewhat of an *odd* smell to them?  lol.

And, to *think* that this room once used to look like this:

Quite a change to this, isn't it?

Before I go, I have to give a loving shout out to my super talented and beautiful sister, Liz, who created my new blog header.  She's an amazing freelance graphic designer who's got serious *skeelz*!  Thanks, LizzieBoo!

And, thanks to you, friends, for stopping by. 

I'm off to blog hop at the linky parties going on at these wonderful blogs ... come on over and play:

Southern Savvy Style/B2B

Thrifty Decor Chick/Before and After Party

Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday

Becca

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This Little Gem Can Be Yours ...

As I'm sitting here, with the dismal views of rain, I find myself looking at pics of my parent's second home here in North Myrtle Beach.  It "takes me to a better place" as it reminds me of warmer temps and sunny days.  Seeing as most of you guys are dealing with the same kind of icky weather, I thought I'd share their humble abode with you, too!  The even better news is that this home is FOR SALE!  That's right folks ... if you, or anyone you know, has an extra $1,290,000 lying around, and would love a home at the beach, please let me know!

We all affectionately call this home "the creek house."  It sits on a deep water canal with spectacular views and some of the most beautiful sunsets you've ever seen!  You can't really see it in this picture, but it has a gorgeous green, tin roof, which helps to put you to sleep on a rainy day when the rains hits the roof (feel free to click on pics to enlarge):

Mom chose to decorate this house in pretty corals, various shades of green and touches of yellows, pinks and whites.  This is the great room on the second floor, which is the main living level of their home.  The most amazing views are right through those sliding glass doors:

One of the master bedrooms is in the background: 

We used to love to enjoy coffee in the morning and cocktails in the afternoon sitting right out here, while enjoying this view.  Close your eyes and listen closely, you can almost hear and feel the breeze blowing through your hair and ripping through the pages of your Star, People or Traditional Home magazine, can't you?  Careful, don't spill your Bahama Mama!

Here is one of two master bedrooms that is on the main level.

The kitchen has beautiful hardwoods and marble countertops.  The cabinets are a beautiful soft, glazed yellow. 

On the third floor is another great room where the kids usually hang out.  There is another balcony through the sliding doors ... I wish I had more pictures of the view to share.  On each side of the great room are bedrooms, each with a private bath.  Also, not pictured, is a large bonus room that could also be used as another bedroom:

One of the 3rd floor bedrooms:

Right down the street is a private wildlife reserve which serves for wonderful evening strolls:

Did I mention that their home is being sold furnished and has an elevator to conveniently bring in all of your flea market, Home Goods and Hobby Lobby purchases?  There is also a floating dock for your convenience AND they are including a boat, too, which currently sits parked in the *ginormous* garage!  All you need to bring is your bathing suit, sunscreen, toothbrush (and checkbook)!

Thanks for letting me share my parents' second home with you today.  As the temps get warmer, I'll take you over to their gorgeous home on the beach where they live full-time. 

For a few moments there, I almost forgot it's cold and raining outside!  Hope you felt a burst of sun and warmer temps, too!

Have a great day,

Becca

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My Happy Place!

Welcome to little man's play room a/k/a my "happy place!"  At any time when Jax isn't at pre-school, you can find him in here creating, playing games, watching Nick, Jr., singing karaoke, jamming on his light up drums, *reading* books and knocking out puzzle after puzzle. 

And, while I LURVE this room ... I want to update it just a bit as my kiddo is turning 5 next month! ((*Heavy sigh*)) It doesn't really have a theme in here ... sports mixed in with beachy scenes ... mixed in with superheroes, etc. SOOO, I'm going to be making a few simple changes in here ... make it a bit more big boy-ish?? But, before I do, I thought I'd show you around a bit (click on pics to enlarge):

Above the sofa is a red bookshelf and honey stained shelf (both from PB Kids) and my most FAVORITE piece of art *ever* is sandwiched in between. I created and ordered Jax's "Warhol-like" print from allpopart.com a few years ago. He was about 1 1/2 when this picture was taken.  I'm going to be very sad when it comes time to *retire* it from this spot ... however, I'll find another place for it.

Like in our great room, I recently added a shag rug in here, too!  It's so soft on little piggies (and, not to mention ... hides all kinds of crumbled up cheez-its, goldfish, play-doh, etc., quite well)!  lol.

His bookcases are from Land of Nod.  They've taken a lot of wear and tear over the past few years, but have held up wonderfully.  I'd really like to wall mount a larger TV in here for him.  We'll see.

Spiderman got his backpack on and is trying to escape, leaving all of the other superheros behind in their designated blue bin:

Behind every sports lamp is the green Hulk, don'tcha know?:

Scribbled on part of the molding around the closet is a chart of Jax's growth ... he sure did "sprout" from October to January, wow!  I'm almost 5'3", and he comes up to my chest already.  Yikes ... he's going to be taller than me before he's 7:

A leggo creation:

Oversized wall pencil from PB Kids: 

And, while the changes I plan on making are quite minimal, there is one thing that not be removed as it will apply to him for years to come.  LOL:

Before you go, it's only fair that I share a funny picture of Jax ... he found the wig from my husband's Halloween costume ("The Situation" from Jersey Shore) and loved dancing around in it!  LOL.  

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm off to mingle.  Come on over to these talented and fabulous blogs!

Elements Interiors/Whassup Wednesday

Southern in my Heart/Inspiration Friday

Becca

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A Shopping We Will Go ...

(*Yawn*) ... if it rains or continues to be cold and gloomy much longer, I am going to turn into a bear and hybernate for the remainder of winter!  Please wake me up when Spring arrives!

During this stretch of icky weather we've had lately, I've been shopping!  However, admittedly, my favorite stops have been a bit disappointing as they're all doing inventory and s-l-o-w-l-y restocking with Spring goodies. 

Here are snippets of a few fun things I've found:

A collection of natural decorative balls ... the textures are fabulous:

A beautiful cream/glazed rooster:

A fun, french clock that I splashed with green, metallic paint:

Spring daisies promising me that warmer temps are around the corner:

Vinyl labels that I embellished with my chalkboard paint:

A beautiful wood and wrought iron piece:

Potpourri that has sea shells mixed in with beautiful reds, golds and creams pieces!

And, lastly, a beautiful brown and gold container:

I'm off to "tweak" so that I may share where I placed my fun, new finds!  And, while I'm playing, I'll join my fun and super talented friend, Kara, for Whassup Wednesday.

Have a great day and stay warm,

Becca

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Ladle love...

I have immense love for traditional kitchenware and utensils. The collection of ladles seems to be growing:-)

My grandmother's antique brass ladles...

Wooden ladles...

Regular stainless steel ladles, there are so many shapes and sizes for various uses...

Small wooden spoons...

What kitchen thing do you love collecting?

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Mantle Tweaking

Okay, when I posted my great room yesterday, I was not "feeling" the mantle.  I attempted to tweak it a bit, but would love to layer it more.  Here's the start (feel free to enlarge by clicking on pic):

I love how Liz over at Savvy Seasons by Liz added a few birds to her mantle.  That inspired me to bring a few of my birds out, too!  Thanks, Liz! 

This cute birdhouse sat on my buffet during the Fall ... I thought I might bring it back for now:

I snatched these birds up from Michael's last Fall when they were on clearance.

Over on the right, I brought back my winter bird plate (from Home Goods):

The florals are made up of berries, greenery and feathers:

Love the battery operated candles that I forgot to turn on:

And, of course, this silly little nut is my BEST accessory ever.  We had fun today since his school was closed.

I'm joining Beth's winter mantle party at her blog, Stories of A to Z.  Come on over and join the fun.

Enjoy your day,

Becca

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