Party on The Patio!

Thanks for letting me share our screened in porch for Kim's deck party at Savvy Southern Style!  Now, it's time to head over to Sherry's summer entertaining party at No Minimalist Here, so let's venture on out to our patio!

When we first moved here, our back patio consisted of one slab of concrete and a little pergola above (unfortunately, I don't have a picture). Two years ago, we expanded the patio to cover almost the entire back of the house ... had the concrete stained and "etched" and also expanded the entire pergola.

Please step on up to the BBQ island (which I had fun designing with a local business):

May I offer you a water, tea or *spirit,* which we are keeping nice and cold in the mini-fridge?

How about a piece of yummy fake bread?  Hmmmmmm!

Or, would you prefer a glass of wine, along with a fake breadstick, grapes and cheese?

If you're ready to eat, let's move on over to the table, which I've given a patriotic theme:

I had the tray, greenery, chargers, plates and napkins on hand:

Why not place boxes of sparklers in your centerpiece for added fun (and just pray that the heat doesn't ignite them!!)

How cute are these patriotic salt/pepper shakers and peppermint melts?  Can you say Dollar Tree and Dollar General?! 

I found these whimsical napkin rings at Pier One (on sale) and the cute plastic cups in the background are from Dollar General, as well!

If you're full or don't have an appetite, we can move on over to our "sit in one of the freshly spray painted red rockers and watch the fire or the drought ridden marsh" area.  I recently scored this fireplace from Lowes, which I'd been watching ... and watching ... and watching until it *finally* went on sale !!  Let's get the s'mores ready!

Or, if you don't feel like relaxing, how about stepping on over to da hot tub!

While getting a good soak, you can look up at the fun chandie I found at World Market.  It almost reminds me of floating bubbles (I know, I know ... have another cocktail Miss Hostess ... lol):



The jets are on ... the built-in party lights are going ... and Jimmy Buffet is blasting from its speakers.  I've even got a clean towel and cold beverage waiting for you.  Now, hurry up and save duckie, who appears to have tipped over ... oh no:

Thanks so much for stopping by ... you know I appreciate your visit(!), and now I'm off to be inspired by everyone else's summer gatherings.  Be sure and join me for the fun!  Cheers!

Becca

I'm also linking up with with this fun party:

Funky Junk Interiors/Saturday Nite Special

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Come Sit a Spell ...

What fun(!) ... blogland is rockin' and rollin' this week with the Blogger Block Party!  I'm looking forward to being inspired by everyone's projects, recipes and fun party ideas!  I'm joining Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for her Drop Cloth Party, along with Kim at Savvy Southern Style for her Porch Party.  Welcome to our porch ...

It's not a very large space, but we enjoy it (admittedly, not as much as we should)!   The loveseat, rockers and coffee table were a gift from my sweet parents:

I love barn stars and thought a large one would be perfect above the fireplace (which I recently painted Old White (chalk paint), followed by a bit of distressing and clear wax).  I also enjoy mixing all types of elements together:

And, okay, the secret is out ... I can't take full credit for my painting transformations!  I have a 5 year old painting partner who likes to wear Spiderman pjs:

I did a reverse "relax" stencil on the fireplace ... choosing red to tie in with the cushions:

Pretty cream and apple green pillows are from Wal-Mart:

I spray painted the coffee table Rustoleum Biscuit to tie in with the fireplace:

I scored the oversized striped lumbar pillow from PB last Fall for only $14 (normally $34)!

The wire bird cage (turned candle/seashell holder) is from HomeGoods:

Here's another little sitting area, which sits outside of our kitchen:

I also painted the accent table Old White (chalk paint):

Annnnd, I made the curtains by purchasing one 9 x 12 canvas drop cloth and cutting three 30 x 106 length panels.  My sweet friend is going to sew the "rough" sides up for me.  I love how they make the porch feel more like a *room*:

Well, friends, that's it ...

... thanks SO much for stopping by!  I'm also joining these fun gatherings, too:

Fingerprints on the Fridge/Feature Yourself Friday
Miss Mustard Seed/Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk Interiors/Saturday Nite Special
Shades of Amber/AS Chalk Paint Party

Becca

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Baby Proof Decor

This weekend I'm having guests over and I wanted to display few things from my collection but my baby didn't allow me to do so. My decor remains only for few mins and after that I find things lying here and there. All my centerpieces and knick knacks are still packed and lying in a cartoon :-( . I'm dying to see them and to take them out of that box.
But me being me I can't see my home in such a dull mood .....so I decided to go baby proof decor :-))
Have a look......



Center table without any centerpiece or vase :-(

How empty my center table is looking..........to get a better overall look I kept a picture, a fish clock and  vase made out of ordinary glass bottle (filled blue color in it) with gerbera in it on side table. This is how its looking...and I'm bit satisfied.
 



Kept in corner so that lil' one can't reach there

My decor is always incomplete without Ganesha so here he is....




Sitting silently under the Croton

Not able to figure out where exactly he is...... have a closer look...

If you have some more nice and beautiful ideas for baby proof decor then please share with me...... all ideas are welcome.
Enjoy your weekend freinds and stay creative!!!

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Please Make Room on the Bandwagon ...

because my large tuckus and I are climbing on!  (lol)

Yup, I *finally* painted my first piece using Annie Sloan's chalk paint! 

BEFORE (last Fall):

AFTER:

Admittedly, I decided to play it safe my first go round with this paint and chose Old White, followed by a bit of distressing and clear wax.  I love the bit of sheen the wax gives you after buffing:

BEFORE:

AFTER:  Once again, I decided to keep the top in its original dark-stained state. I also painted the mirror white earlier this Spring; however, I did dry brush a bit of Old White on it to tie it in better with the buffet.  Alas, I already have changes for this wall ... can you say gallery?!  The wheels are a' spinnin'! 

Here are a few pics of the tabletop as it appears today:

A refreshing change, for sure ...

... although, I need to start delving into other colors!

And, would you just look at my poor, pitiful *frozen* kitty, who has clearly passed out from all of the paint fumes that have been invading our home lately! (lol)

What oh what to paint next ?!  Hmmm .....

And, I just have to mention that I'm super excited because, not too long ago, I told a friend of mine (who owns a wonderful local consignment shop) about chalk paint.  Well, lo and behold if she didn't then go and out and decide to become a stockist ... yippee!  She just got her first inventory of paint, which I got to see up close and personal the other day ... can't wait to explore more!  Once she gets her online system up and running, I'll be sure and pass along her information!  All of you living in South Carolina and/or neighboring states will now have a closer place to purchase chalk paint! 

I'm off to finish getting my porch and patio ready for the super fun blogger block party!

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up with my creative buddies:

At the Picket Fence/Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday
Miss Mustard Seed/Furniture Feature Friday
Fingerprints on the Fridge/Feature Yourself Friday

DebbieDoos/Summer Paint Party
Thrifty Decor Chick/Before and After Party
Shades of Amber/AS Chalk Paint Party
Perfectly Imperfect/All Things Furniture

Becca

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