Estate Sale Pre-Shopping

I am on a distribution list for a company that manages estate sales for families in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area.

The company sends out an email of the address, date of sale and a link with photos of items for sale.

Dilemma: For some reason, I keep looking at this picture of this set of dishes, but can’t figure out why it appeals to me so?

Any ideas?

She's here!

My couch...is here. I was planning on using as every day couch, with swatches from this post.


It's smaller scale than my current couch so now I'm thinking of putting in my incomplete home office so it doubles as a reading room.

Annette is coming over tonight before we leave for a girl's night to help me. LOL

When I see something like this...and it turns my color world upside down.

From House of Turquoise

Maybe this will be my bedroom inspiration? Why can't I focus? LOL

Moral Dilemma - Long Post

Yesterday at church, I was sitting on the end of a row and the rows are staggered so you don't sit right behind anyone so I had full view of the man in front of me.


I want to run down my issues with the man, who I have decided to call "Creepy McNasty", explain how I struggled to focus on church. Then drop the bomb on you with the moral dilemma.

Here goes:


Issue #1:
I noticed that Creepy McNasty damn near fell out of his seat leaning over to watch ladies walk down the aisle.

At first I was like...did he just LEAN over? Then he did it again...and again. This is when the devil started working on me LMAO

I noticed his shoes -> Light grey - like Members Only jacket grey - penny loafers *blank stare*

Issue #2:
When the minister asked us say it's good to see you to the person next to you, Mr. McNasty leaned over his left shoulder and extended his RIGHT shoulder to me *this is an important fact*

I was like "Fool, he said NEXT to you, not behind you!" I said a prayer for spiritual focus and patience so I could continue worshipping. In spite of that, I started picturing Jerome on Martin.



Issue #3:
Throughout the service, McNasty was scanning the crowd. Looking around...leaning back...like he was looking for somebody. I think he was looking at women.

Out of the blue, he reached back to me AGAIN, saying "Hi, I'm Billy." with a dirty man's grin on his face. You KNOW I wanted to psshhhh him, don't you?!

The worst part is that I was in church so I felt guilty giving him my default name, Michelle (Annette you know that's my alter ego when we go out).

It is at this point that I started mean mugging and showing disgust on my face.


Issues #4,5, 6:
McNasty's phone starts ringing RIGHT in the middle of the call to prayer. He fumbled for a minute started pushing buttons that were audible tones, mind you, then finally put it back in his pocket.

Then imagine this happening two more times the EXACT same way. People were looking back, giving dirty looks, you name it.

I started arguing with myself to decide whether to smack him on the head or the arm. Just when I went to lift my hand to smack this clown on the left arm to tell him to turn his damn phone off...he gets up and walks out.

THE KICKER:
His left arm was bent with the fingers curled inwards AND on his right leg, he walked on his tip toe.

All I can say is I'm glad I didn't hit him or yell at him because I would have looked like the girl who mistreated the disabled guy.

I still don't think he gets a pass, do you?

Putting Myself on Blast

Now that I have officially taken ALL my Christmas decorations down, my house feels naked. It's like when I got a weave in college, then took it out. My house feels BALD! LOL

It has motivated me to get back to business. With that said, I am putting myself on blast and posting pics of my home office I started in October.

Since November I have kept the doors closed and tucked away supplies in the room and ignored it. No more.

Here's the current state:

Unfinished walls - Yes! Since October *sigh*

Orange silk tab top panels from Z Gallerie that will be used as a duvet and curtains. I changed my mind on the red and white. It was too cumbersome to decide on curtains and accesorries. I already had 4 panels of orange silk, inclucing some pillows. Price - FREE

Swatch of chocolate brown w/ turquoise and orange fabric. Will use this for a chair for desk and accent pillows.

Video of still unfinished desk - decided to leave dark so should be simple sand and stain. The lamp is a fab lamp from IBB that still has the tag on it for almost $200, but I bought at the Frisco resale for $24.99 *that stuff is under my desk because I was working on the floor - that's the best excuse i could think of :)

Stool from resale for $4.99. Will use as an ottoman/coffee table for daybed. Not sure if will cover completely or keep legs exposed. What do you think?

*the ladder is sideways on the floor because I was painting on my side on the floor- did it work this time? :)

Let's see how far I get on the office this weekend. Pray for me!

Question of the Day

Don't ask me what the craze is about these toys...

Zhu Zhu Pets

Personally, I think parents are more crazy about them than kids because they are just $9.99. Well, I, too, have been trying to find these and think ToysRUS has been teasing parents just to keep you coming back.

My childhood memory:

I remember my mother doing the same thing for Transformers for my brother when I was a kid. She slipped a guy $5 (which was worth more in the early 80s) and he gave her one he was hiding in the baby section.

What I did:

WELL, I follow Toys on facebook and saw this morning that they posted they will be having Zhu Zhus in-stock online off and on for the next two days. I checked out the site 10 minutes after the post and they were not there. Checked 5 min later and THEY WERE.

I got one of every color...the question is WHY? I guess I can bless someone else with the others

Question of the day?

Do we really get into the Christmas toy hunt for our kids or for the hunt itself?

What can I say...I am Type A.

Reality Has Set In...

Nothing like confirmation that family is coming over to shift you into over drive. Those unfinished, undecided, incomplete projects -- either get done, get a band-aid or get put in the garage.

My mama, daddy, favorite cousin and aunt are coming over Sunday for dinner for my parent's 49th anniversary. The day after Symone's 5th b-day. Can you say ooo-weee?!

Symone and I are home sick, but I went into overtime to get his house into shape!

Dining Room:

Before

In Between:

with crooked curtains

Now:

The curtains are 108" long and for a change are too long. I did this with some stretch stuff out a sewing supplies bag I got at a resale store and pinned to the wall with an upholstery tack. I've seen them do this at fabric stores. Not sure which I like yet.

The table was done based on inspiration from Centsational Girl's sidebar.

Nothing close...but inspired nonetheless. This table is one of my favorite pieces in my house. Loving the turquoise and gold.

Also, updated mantle, changed front door wreath (you see the original one is now in the diring room), changed entryway table and rearranged living room.

Tired - will post more tomorrow. As always, what do you think?

I Have A Vision -- not really

You know I struggle with decor vision. I rely on inspiration from others (like here or here or here). The source of my pain is I am trying new colors this year instead of my regular reds and golds - silver, turquoise and, now, gold.

Can you help a (blog) sister out (CLICK ON PICS to enlarge?

I am uploading a couple of pics of areas I'm struggling with. Let me know what you think. Suggestions are welcome (help, even more welcome).

Most of what I used was purchased at Hobby Lobby at 90% off last Jan. or at the Dollar Tree this year.

1. Entryway table- put ornaments on a 12 votive candle holder, surrounded by silver ivy garland and "gift boxes" Wreath - white birds from Dollar tree and silver poinsetta leaves and other pics from HL

Dilemma(s) - how do I hide the cord from the wreath? Think it needs some height? Thoughts?

2. Mantle - have Martha knock-off hung (which is fab in person), but since using gold and silver with turquoise, I'm struggling to balance the mantle.

Dilemma(s) - Still need to hang stockings, but don't have silver or gold...struggling with color. I'm too embarrased to show the sad, little fireplace.

I started to buy some wood today to do this -- penguins are definitely on the resale shopping list :)

3. Tree - no explanation necessary -- it looks like the Charlie Brown tree (w/ one little turquoise ornament LOL)

I saw an HGTV special last year where they flattened the branches into shelves, and sat ornaments in the middle to make it look full. Have Googled for that video or instructions, but to no avail. Working on it tomorrow based on what I remember *pray for me*

Seriously, I miss my red and gold, but proud to be testing new waters (is that the right saying?)...stay tuned to see how it unfolds and PLEASE share your thoughts and ideas (it's already December!).

Sharing at It's So Very Cheri to get even more feedback! Thanks.

They're Here!!!

My curtains from Horchow (in Antique Gold) came today!

Here they are with the fabric swatches on top...LOVES! So fab and luxurious...
BUT, Annette has me thinking about whether they are too formal for family room.



Where will they end up? Stay tuned...

Office Update - 2/3 complete

Since I'm still up at 1:15 a.m. I may as well come clean. You KNOW I haven't finished my office/guest room, right? You know this...mannnnn!



The least I can do is show you what I have done. You will see from pics what I haven't. LOL



Inspiration pics here. Notice I got the bedding, too. Yes, L. Duncan, you do spy fab accent pillows from Tar-zhey.



What's next?
Finish bottom of last wall and top of ALL walls (dreading it).

Decide on curtains and accessories (but having hard time finding curtains same color as wall for tone on tone effect). Any suggestions?

More to come, but can't say when.

Bare Limbs

Remember the Demon Tree from next door I pulled down?

I noticed some really nice looking limbs and saved some.

Check out some fruits of my labor.

Candle holder turned Nature holder (may spray paint limbs, too.)

Tall twisty limbs in glass candles holders on mantle. Still not sure about this mantle.

About the candle holder - I loved this little branch top, but wasn't sure what to do w/ since it's so short.

I broke off three more from the top of longer branches.

Then pulled some of the mossy stuff out of a ratty old ficus tree (yes, I did...I still have fake trees in my house) and put on top of this candle holders, which is left over from Annette's box of stuff that didn't sell in our yard sale.

Original candle holder...

Nature holder:

Tips For Selecting Limbs:

1. Look for similar shapes - straight, twisted, buddy, etc.
2. Don't limit yourself to long limbs...break away the pieces you like and find way to use smaller pieces.
3. Consider spray painting limbs for year round or seasonal use.
4. Steal shamelessly...pick up stuff off the ground (limbs, acorns, pine cones, etc. ) any where you go. *I pick up huge acorns from work every week!

Happy nature hunting!

Commitment - I, LaTasha, Take Thee...

...swatches (laid out neatly on Annette's desk at work - LOL), to makeover my family room (and dining). (click image to see tags)

Annette, tapping into her inner pychiatrist, has helped me realize that I have home improvement commitment issues.

The reason you don't see posts and completed projects is not because I'm not doing anything or don't have endless things I WANT to do...I just can't COMMIT.

As of tomorrow when I take the fabric to shop referred by GetItGirl to upholster the couch, I commit to the following for my family room.

Key Players -

The Couch:

The Window Treatments (from Horchow - discounted + add'n 25% off):

Pray for me...really trying to focus on this one. Looking forward to sharing outcome.

Let There Be Light

Remember this pic that used to be my banner (all 8 of you who follow me LOL)?

Well, that was September '08 when I moved in! Before today, the whole window was covered. Meaning, no light getting into dining room area.

Background:

That country mess of a plant/tree outside the window was growing OVER the fence from my neighbor's back yard. Neighbor is cool, but had the nerve to tell me it grew pretty flowers and there was a bird's nest on her side at top so be careful. *blank stare*

I was like, "Do you see this demon growing all in the gutter and into the siding of my house!"

Here's what I did:

1. Pulled it down (Her fence is the nice tall one, mine...the crummy little one)

2. Took my chain saw to whatever I could reach. (no pic)

3. Pulled away to alley.

I still couldn't pull the pieces out of the gutter and siding!

We have same yard guy...Wednesday, I'm telling Juan to keep that shyt trimmed on HER side...I'm getting a little indignant, if you can't tell.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Now...think I'll be more inclined to finish my dining table and chairs? Hmmph, read my sub-title again.

Oh, No She Di-int!

Since Annette called me out yesterday about always saying something needs to be distressing, but having never distressed ANYTHING...I have put on my game face.



My weekend To-Do List:

1. Paint and distress at least ONE dining room chairs
2. Finish rubbing on stick-on saying on foyer wall.
3. Finish painting home office and post pics.
4. Finish foyer and post pics.
5. Buy Halloween candy before it gets dark tomorrow LOL

Wish list:

1. Decide on how to finish latest unfinished project.
2. Go to fabric store and make final selections for couch.
3. Add fabric to curtains in Symone's play room.
4. Hit up resale stores for accessories.
5. Find curtains/fabric for office.
6. Find a blog background that really reflects my style (tongue in cheek).
7. Schedule blog post for any progress I make...I pray for progress!
8. CLEAN UP! (last on list, of course).

Will I deliver?