Its not even Halloween yet....

and I am already thinking about Christmas decorating. Since I have changed up my living room colors-I am having to now change my Christmas colors. For the past few years its been lots of golds and warms reds. This year Im thinking more neutral, lots of greenery (faux of course-b/c hello, we live in Texas) Here are some pictures that have inspired me:



Image: Pottery Barn


Image: Nell Hill


Image: Ballard Design


Image: Country Living


Image: Southern Accents


Image: Pottery Barn

And I just bought the newest Nell Hill's Christmas Book "O Christmas Tree". WOW!! is all I can say. Check it out on Amazon-its a must see.

OOOOO! and did you know that Nester is having a Holiday Open House in Dec. cant wait!!!

DIY Ballard Design art

Love, love, love this art piece from Ballard Designs- and they love it too, because they want $289 for it.




So you know me- "I can make that" attitude. I bought a vinyl Chandelier from Marshall's, got me a 36 X 40 canvas from Michaels (used my 40% coupon) grabbed my paint box and brushes and went to work. I am NO artist people- but how hard can a few splashes and brush strokes be? Well I fretted and fussed over EVERY stroke, but I decided that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And I am LOVING my beauty!! I really wish my camera would take better pictures (or is it operator error?!?!) I looks much more exquisite in person.







Head on over to A Soft Place to Land for more DIY projects.

Ottoman makeover

A few weeks back a found this HUGE round ottoman at a yard sale for $10. I hesitated buying it because I was afraid the big "R" word- Reupholster. Now, I've done little chair seats and I've re-covered pillows, but a full on reupholster...it just gives me the hives. But I did it. I first tried ripping it apart to get a pattern- well this thing is made soooo well there is no taking it apart. Fine I said I'll just reupholster right on top of ya! take that!. It took about 3 yards of fabric, 3 yards of trim, 2 packets of upholstery tacks and a handy dandy electric staple gun.

Before:




After:










Head on over to Kimba's for some more DIY inspiration. and she's having a giveaway ya'll!

$800 rug for faa-reeee

Yep I got an $800 8 X 11 area rug-freeeeeeeeeeeeee. well, I did have to sell my old rug- but it was an even wash. So this is how the story unfolds...... I had this very Traditional/Oriental rug that did not match my current decor. I listed it on our local Classifieds. I then found the perfect rug on this very same website -listed for $180. It sells for over $800 at Home Decorators Collection- here is the picture. I was quite excited to find how much it cost originally, then I quickly realized why is was only $180. There is a nice large PINK stain on it. As I sat there and looked at this "perfect for my room" rug-I thought to myself "I can get this out" and if I cant- well, I'll just put a piece of furniture over it! So I asked the lady if she would take $100 for it and she said "yes" !!! woo-hoo!! I practically ran to my car with that baby. Then that very afternoon a gentleman came by and purchased my old rug for exactly $100!! so I basically did a rug swap! I have not been able to get the stain out as of yet. She said it was candy that the kids left. If you have any great stain busting tips please share. I have tried OxyClean, Wool Light pet stain, and Bissel Stain remover-all to no avail. So the coffee table currently sorta covers it up, kinda. But hey for faaa-reee I am not going to complain! Here is a picture and that cute little round table you see there- $10 baby!!! its in need of some TLC but I LOVE LOVE the lines and the top has this great leather inset.



So the moral of this story- dont be afraid to ask for a lower price! they just might say "yes"!

Urn makeover

I have been wanting one of those huge iron or stone urns for my front yard. But the prices were WAY outta my pocketbook range- some were over $200!! So did I let that stop me- heck-no tech-no! I found these orange (I call them orange-they are suppose to look like clay) plastic urns at Garden Ridge- they were still a little steep for me $60. So I waited-and waited, well guess what?, they went on clearance and I got them for $14. I bought two and headed home to gather my spray paint. Cuz what else are you gonna do with orangey-fake-plastic urns? I loved the lines and the raised motif on these. The black spray paint really make them pop- at a distance they almost look like those old iron pots you see the Charleston area. Tip:fill the bottom of your large pots with foam peanuts-it will make the pot easy to move AND you use less dirt.

I then filled them with mums for the fall and will change them out for Christmas. I also plan on planting white tulips in them for the spring.