Shattered Dreams

Ok, that title is a little dramatic, ok, really dramatic. You may remember I wanted to make a chalkboard out of this mirror.

But, it was sitting up against a wall by the slider in our home and I shut the door too hard and it toppled over shattering into a million pieces. Hence, the title. It was a big bummer moment for sure, but now it means I have one less thing on my giant to-do list. Except, for the fact that I know have a giant pretty wooden frame with nothing in it. Hmmm. Maybe I will figure out something to do with it, ohh there goes that list not getting shorter again.

my house has a case of the mondays

Do you ever look at something and finally it's like the blinders are off? Fresh eyes I think they call it. Well that happened to me the other day while looking around my house. EVERYTHING is BEIGE! Ok, not everything but too much stuff is all in the same color family. The walls are beige, the rug is beige, the lamp shades are beige, the curtains are beige, the chair is beige...etc, etc. You get the point. It's time for a change. I live in Oregon more specifically the pacific northwest. It rains or  is cloudy easily nine months out of the year. While outside might be cold and dreary, my house I feel, needs to be happy and colorful. The beige will be sloooowly filtering out and being replaced with more bright and white and colors. I will be sure to show you the eventual changes down the road, of course.

See what I mine?!? The beige has got to go.

The little tale of the polka dot vase

This little polka dot vase has a story, sometimes things or decor in your home do and sometimes they don't; this one does. We and when I say "we" I mean Bryan and I have had this little vase since we were probably seniors in high school ala 2003 or 2004ish. It was the very first thing we bought together as a couple. A pretty BOLD step for a couple of seventeen year olds, especially since we had no idea where life would take us after high school, but something deep down told us that where ever it took us it would be together. We would take turns keeping it in our rooms over the years, it was our love fern, apparently. Until finally we got married and made a home of our own, it doesn't have a lot of monetary value but it sure does have a WHOLE lot of sentimental value. When I look at it, it reminds me that I let my guard down and wore my heart on my sleeve just once and let love creep in and I'm SO SO happy I did!

Do you have any items in your home that have a story?

I love the 60's

Apparently I have a hidden love affair with 1960's architecture. I don't know what it is about them. Some people are drawn to cute cottage houses:

 

via

or quaint craftsman style homes: 

via

Don't get me wrong craftsman's still get my blood pumping. But give me a mid-century ranch and I will be wiping drool off the floor. 

via

Helllllooooooo, lover! 

Who knew I was a sucker for these 'modern' relics? 

You'd think I would have realized it by now since our current home is in fact a 1960's ranch. Duh. 

 I was dream building the other day on Windermere properties.com and two houses jumped out at me from all the rest. Both, you guessed it. Mid-century modern ranchers. 

Here is my top choice with all the bells and whistles our family is looking for:  

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4 bed 2 bath

0.39 acre lot

2170 sqft.

vaulted ceilings

hardwood floors

new carpet

updated kitchen and baths

backs to private farm land so it won't be built up around it. 

Seriously who wants to buy it for us? 

Oh Ballard, how I love/hate/love/hate, you. Let me count the ways.

Ballard Designs

I have a love/hate relationship with Ballard Designs. I love almost everything in their stinking magazine! I hate that everything costs an arm and a leg! I find myself more often then not swooning over the gorgeous room displays, page after page after page. And just when I think I'VE GOT TO HAVE THAT!!!! I look for the price and my jaw hits the floor. I mean, I get that it is considered a higher end home decor catalog like Pottery Barn, or Crate and Barrel. But come on, help a sista out! $900 for an accent chair, or $300 for a decorative mirror? I don't think so. 


   Dear Ballard, you've left me no choice. I will find great steals deals at second hand and clearance stores, and recreate the looks I love from your catalog for pennies on the dollar. You know what they say, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and this is no exception. I love/ hate you and your furniture. 
Sincerely, Little Miss Vintage.




Here are a few pictures of my upcoming projects I hope to knock off from Ballard Designs. I'll be sure to keep you updated on the progress!

the wreath, not the candlesticks.

Sunday Stroll

My weekly finds of wonderful decorating inspirations and ideas. Enjoy!


This Week: recycled materials

Going GREEN is really 'in' right now, but don't think you have to sacrifice style and taste to be kind to the environment. Here are just a few examples of how to bring chic, stylish, and earth-friendly design into your home.

*All images are obtained from Etsy or Viva Terra.

 

 

Sunday Stroll { a day late and a dollar short}

My weekly finds of wonderful decorating inspirations and ideas. Enjoy!

 This week:
Bee's Please!

trendir.com

mattersofstyleblog.com

craftomaniac.blogspot.com

thisnext.com

etsy.com

afrenchaddiction.com

etsy.com

etsy.com

etsy.com

Fall Mantel/Fireplace Hearth

Here is the extent of my fall decor around the house. For some reason I thought I always had a ton of stuff tucked away in storage. But as it turns out, I really don't. Hmmm, guess that means I need to go on a little shopping trip. ;) especially now that one of my favorite stores Craft Warehouse's fall/Halloween decorations are 70% off!