Table Makeovers

I painted furniture for family over the years and thought of starting a business last year.

I honestly do not have enough assistance, resources, or time for that just yet.  So, I decided to first start with small pieces to finish by hand for fun!

This was my first table makeover that I donated last year.

 

It went from yukky brown to shabby chic lavender.

These two tables screamed for help.  They looked horrendous.

After some major sanding, primer, and paint, they both look like new.

Double ooh la la!  They look like pretty French end tables.  I will be loading them in my car today to donate to my local Habitat for Humanity.  I hope they find a good home.  :)

Four Oh Birthday Weekend

I celebrated my birthday at home this past weekend with my family.  It was heart warming to receive a gift from my 5 year old.  She picked these dainty flowers from our yard and wrapped them scotch tape.  They just make my heart giggle every time I look at them!  What is the fascination with roll after roll of this flat, translucent, sticky, paper-like ribbon that adheres to just about everything?

I love it!

We had a family brunch of my favorite artery clogging breakfast foods:  eggs, bacon, hash brown potatoes, and coffee.  I drank my gluten-free greens to cancel them out.  Later that evening, Grammy and Grampy babysat while my hubbie took me out to my favorite restaurant, "The Prickly Pear", which serves modern Mexican cuisine.  We started out with fresh guacamole, which was made at our table, served with fresh multi-colored corn chips.  It is my favorite!  I would have had it as my main meal, if it wasn't for the grilled salmon quesadilla that was topped with cilantro pesto.  Everything on the menu is fantastic.  I highly suggest a visit here if one ever visits Mooresville, NC. 

We celebrated with dessert at home with a decadent, chocolate, triple layer birthday cake from La Patisserie.

We had to share it with the entire family.   

I promise to run another 5K this month to wipe out that cake!

A few days ago, I finished reading my daughter her first chapter book.

It is my favorite book.  I still own my copy from childhood.  It has been 60 years since Elwyn Brooks White wrote this wonderful story.  I was so excited to read it to my little girl, and the fact that she liked made me shed a tear.  For the finale of my big day, we all watched the newer movie together.  It is not exactly like the classic movie I remember, but still it is a very beautiful story.  It gives me a new fondness for spiders.  

I had a blessed 40th birthday.

Cocoa Powder Room

We have our house up for sale and I figured perhaps that "TinkerBell Green" is not a safe color for a downstairs powder room.  This picture makes it look like a nice, soft and soothing green.

Do not be fooled by such trick lighting, as it really looks bright green.  It is almost flourescent and quite alarming when one's eyes get a glance at it while passing by the lu.
I figured neutral color would be safer.  So, it is now a softer shade of cocoa.  It seems rather pleasing to the eye now.

My daughter calls it, "boring brown".  The actual name is "Aviary Nest", from the Earth Collection by Freshairechoice paint that I am in love with since it has no VOCs.  I think a nice basket to house rolls of tissue add a nice touch.  Would a little round nest with some aqua, egg-shaped soaps be too much?

A Tie Dyed Easter!

We have been very busy spring cleaning for showings and I am sorry that I have neglected my blog.  We had a bit of fun on Easter Sunday.  We colored our eggs to look tie dyed!

It was very easy and quick!  The idea is from Family Fun magazine, refreshed by Pink and Green Mama.
Why not color eggs for any occasion?  How about a spring brunch?  The colors just pop so nicely on a white plate.  How about a milk glass cake plate?  I am very excited and hope to win one this week that I am bidding on ebay.  It's not just for for cakes.  I am thinking it will cradle gorgeous, colorful fruit to sketch and then house cupcakes for a day.  Who doesn't love an adorably decorated cupcake, or muffins and scones?  Oh goodness.  I am getting the munchies for breakfast goodies and a steaming cup of coffee to accompany a plate of freshly baked pastries.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Easter.
Happy Spring!

Top 'O The Morning To Ya!

I surprised my little one with a ST. Patrick's Day/Fairy Garden themed sensory box.  This cute idea comes from the lovely "Pink and Green Mama" that is just bursting with colorful ideas!  As a homeschool teacher, I simply love her blog. 

I raided my pantry for the lentils and beans.  The mardi gras coins are from a dollar store.  The colorful gems and polished stones are for fish aquariums that I found at somethingmart.

I just love the little roaming gnome and toadstool which are from the lawn and garden department of  somethingmart.  I can hardly wait to recycle these bits for the real fairy garden that we will make outside soon. 

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
 

Rice Fun Sensory Box

We recently had indoor fun making some new projects with rice.  Sensory boxes!

This is our "Under the Sea" box.  White rice was turned aqua blue for some indoor agua fun!

For accessories, I simply added whatever I could find around the house:  tiny mermaid toys, pretty glass stones, shells, and a fake aquarium plant.

This Valentine box has some cute dollar Valentine items and some red gadgets from around the house:  measuring cups, mini Barbie puppies, and dollhouse chairs.

She said, "what a bunch of lovely things to play with!"

She gave me all her love in the mailbox most of the afternoon.   ;)

These wonderful ideas come from my new favorite blog that I am following, Pink and Green Mama.

I adore her and all the amazing ideas she has to share. 

(click here for the directions for the sensory box)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
SHARE THE LOVE! 
XOXO

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

It's a beautiful day!  Another amazingly perfect day to spend outside swinging on a hammock and listening to sweet tunes played on the harmonica by my sweet love.  She's pretty good! 

It was just breezy enough for her to fly a kite.