CONGRATS...

The winner of the blog giveaway was Lauri from Putting My Two Cents in. She was chosen randomly through Randomizer.org but the absolute crazy thing is that we live just ONE MILE from each other! JOYS OF HOME is a blog located back East (at least I think so). What a huge coincidence that the winner is practically my neighbor.

Joy announced the winner Friday morning and within 2 hours Lauri had contacted me with what items she wanted to claim as her prize and I was at her front door step. It was so fun to make a new bloggy friend. She chose two Christmas stockings that are going to look STUNNING in her home - they are the perfect colors to compliment her style and color scheme. It's like they were custom made just for her!

Congrats to you Lauri! Can't wait to see your Christmas pictures adorned with those stockings!

It's GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself! My heart is racing with anticipation as to how the next few days will unfold...

To see for yourself go check out Joys of Home. Enter for your chance to win... and spread the word to earn more entries :)

Have a HAPPY DAY!

Save the Date...

For 6 years I hung a very businesslike (and oh so boring) calendar prominently on my kitchen wall (for the world to see) - I mean, to keep our family up to date. My Dad recently started building shelves and frames with tin and created this darling tin for me. It's even magnetic.

It sat leaning against my wall for probably 2 months before it finally hit me - or rather inspired me with a functional and asthetically pleasing use. Now I print my own calendars and it suits us perfectly!

Sometimes I'm just partial to BLACK

It's true that sometimes I'm just partial to black and can't hardly resist the urge to break out that can of spray paint. A while back I posted about a hutch makeoever I had finished. Slowly it is getting accessorized (somehow it gets cluttered much more quickly). In the process of refinishing it we accidentally shattered the glass shelf that goes in the top cupboards and we have yet to replace it. But when I do, I'll be looking for a few more things with accents of red.

Another reminder of the cute but not so fabulous "Before"


The stunningly gorgeous "Now"

Coffee Table Reveal...

I love it when you find just what you're looking for at just the right price. I have been perusing craigslist for a coffee table for probably 6 months and sometimes people want just a little much for their possessions. I saw some U.G.L.Y coffee tables that were listed for $200+. Crazy, I tell you!

I stopped at Goodwill one Saturday morning. It wasn't just any Saturday morning. It was 50% Off Day! I spotted this coffee table under some end tables that had just been claimed by another customer. After she hauled out her goods I staked out my grounds and waited ever so patiently for a worker to come close enough. It hadn't been marked with a price so she called over the furniture guy and he shrugged his shoulders and said $17.99? Sold! My precious coffee table only cost $8.98.



With a little sanding, some Heirloom White spray paint, some Dark Walnut stain, and Wipe-On Poly she's looking like a million bucks - or at least $50. I think I'll keep an eye out for a dark bronze drawer pull to replace the wooden knob. Anyway, here is her grand reveal.

Thanks to inspiration from
Lettered Cottage
320 Sycamore
Thrifty Decor Chick

ANNOUNCING...

Announcing the opening of my very own Etsy store. At StylishStockings you will find just that - Christmas stockings that will add style, beauty, and function for years to come. These are all handmade by yours truly. These stockings are completely unique - no two are alike although stockings within collection coordinate perfectly!

Check out the selection and pick out your favorites because they are bound to go quickly - especially as the season approaches quickly (or at least I'm hoping :)

A huge thank you to Holly Brimhall Photography for her amazing skills in capturing these Christmas Stockings - don't I have the most amazing sister in the world?

Thrifting Treasures...

So, it's true that I've neglected this blog for a while - perhaps it is because of the sweltering summer temperatures averaging 110 degrees. Not a good time for painting outdoors. Let's just say I'm really looking forward to some cooler temperatures. In the meantime I've enjoyed finding a few treasures and braving the heat occasionally.



Rocking Chair $10


Coffee Table $9


You'll have to wait for the "big reveal" of the finished products. Hopefully it doesn't take me 4 months to get to it :)