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Obsessions

April 26, 2010 By

I have a new obsession.  Well two new obsessions.  Obsession number 1.  These boots:

I’m not quite sure why I have a sudden obsession with cowboy boots.  But one minute I was casually looking for a cheapo pair of cowboy boots to wear to a Western bar (long story), and the next thing I knew, I was utterly smitten with these puppies.  Problem is…they’re $260, which is way more than I usually spend on shoes.  I’m typically a Target/ Payless kind of shoe purchaser, so $260 is a bit out of my typical shoe purchasing comfort zone…plus there is the fact that I’m not really a cowboy boot wearing person.  Either way, I’m smitten.  I need someone to convince me that these are not a good investment. Because right now, all I can think about are these boots.  Well, these boots AND

This stuff–Obsession number 2:

“That’s beadboard!” you say.  And I say back to you “Ha ha!”  Because you would be wrong! It’s beadboard wallpaper, available for a fraction of the cost of beadboard.  It’s embossed, so you still get the texture of beadboard, but it’s much cheaper!  Neato, eh? Here’s another pic:

Pretty awesome, eh?  You can order it yourself here. Now think about how cool I would be if I wore those boots IN a newly beadboarded room…

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Post 100!

March 13, 2010 By

Well folks, believe it or not, this is my 100th post.  I really can’t believe it!  And in honor of my 100th post I’m kicking of a week in which I’ll post 100, yes 100 decorating ideas!  Here’s ten to get us started!

1. Check your local craft store before you drop money at a home store like Pier One, Pottery Barn, or Restoration Hardware.  I have found items that are EXACTLY the same for about 20% less.  I’m not even talking about things I make instead of buy, I mean items that are EXACTLY the same (Example: Apothecary Jars).

2. Use hooks or pegs instead of towel bars in your bathrooms. See below:

3. Upgrade your boring white light switch and electric plates with something fancier like this:

4. Take the toilet seat cover off your toilet.  That shag rug thing that’s on your toilet seat…Take it off.  There is nothing modern or traditional or French countryside or whatever your style is about a toilet seat cover.

5. While you’re at it, that rug that wraps around your toilet seat base…Get rid of that, too.  Think of the nicest hotel you ever stayed at…got it? Did they have a rug that wrapped around the toilet base?  I didn’t think so.  If you really need something to keep your feetsies warm, just buy a plain ol’ rectangular rug.  It will work just fine!

6. Clean out the linen closet in the bathroom your guests use when they come to town.  Okay, I know this isn’t exactly out in the open decorating, but your guests will open that closet.  Make it look nice.  Get rid of random mis-matched towels, old bottles of sunscreen, whatever it is you store in there.  Fold the towels nicely.  Make sure bottles are nicely organized, and leave some toiletries out for your guests to use.

7. Paint a piece of furniture.  Whether it’s something you already own or something you buy at a thrift store, paint that sucker a crazy color.  Well at least something crazy for you. If you’re normally a beige person (like my mom) paint it eggplant or sage.  If you’re normally a red person (like me) paint it all white or all black.  Make a statement! I love this piece that Living with Lindsay blogged about this week:

8. Replace the curtains in your living room.  Chances are they could use replacing.  If they don’t change them out to better coordinate with the time of year (linen for summer, heavy cotton for winter) and then change them back in six months!

9. Since you’re already taking down the curtains, why not change out the curtain rod, too?

10. Lastly for tonight, Take all the throw pillows off your couch, bed, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I love throw pillows…but if you’re looking to give your room of a different vibe for a bit try living without those pillows.  The look is much more modern!

And with that, I’m off to an 80s party.  Pics to come.  I’ll see you back here tomorrow for more of my 100 decorating ideas!

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Icky Icky

February 24, 2010 By

Well folks, it’s happened again.  My hubby leaves for one day and all hell breaks loose here at home.  Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but it really is kind of ridiculous how many crazy things happen when he’s gone!  You see, a few days ago the hubby noticed that we were having some kitchen sink issues.  He was doing the dishes and put some things in the garbage disposal, and then they backed up into the other sink.  Gross, right?  We bought some liquid plumber, and used a little of that, and it seemed to do the trick…or so we thought.  Last night, per my hubby away M.O. I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning cleaning and organizing.  At midnight-ish, I decided to do my last chore before going to bed–the dishes. This turned out to be a horrible idea. As I was putting the last of some week-old beef stew down the garbage disposal, I saw that the sink was once again backing up!  Drat!

I determined that there was probably a clog in a pipe, and that I felt confident enough to tackle taking apart a bit of pipe to check for clogs.  I got a pan to put under the sink to catch the water that would drain out of the pipes and started taking apart the pipes.  While I was prepared for a bit of water, I was NOT prepared for the fountain spray of week-old, beefy, stewy water that sprayed EVERYWHERE.  It went all over the place underneath the sink, ran out onto the floor, and soaked me.  Yes.  I was covered in old, beefy, stewy water. Ick. Paul the Dog on the other hand, seemed to love it!  The worst part about it all?  There was no clog in the pipes!  I have since determined that there is some sort of jam/ leak in the actual garbage disposal…but that seems too advanced for me, so I’m waiting for the hubby to come home tomorrow to address that!  For now, the sink is at least usable again…not sure what I did, but it’s flushed out enough to be able to wash hands and such.  However, the garbage disposal is leaking so I’ve kept a pan underneath the sink.

I did manage to take a picture of the beefy, stewy aftermath.  It kind of looks like someone barfed underneath my sink.  Icky!

P.S. Dear Hubby, if you’re reading this, I hope you’re planning on reading up on garbage disposal repair on your way home tomorrow :) .

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DIY Coasters

February 18, 2010 By

I saw these over at design*sponge and immediately put them on my list of projects to do! They’re just so cute!  I’ve been on a great coaster hunt more than once.  You see, I’m extremely picky about my coasters, but I love the modern yet traditional look of these.  You can learn how to make them over at design*sponge.  Happy Thursday!

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