Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Home Goods

My mom and I went to Home Goods to return a rug, and boy did we have fun
browsing around! If you've never been to Home Goods before, it's affiliated with
Marshall's and TJ Maxx, and has AWESOME decor for AWESOME prices!
 
I couldn't help but take a few pics of some of the fun things. . .
 

Urg! I'm kicking myself for not grabbing some of those wire baskets!!
 

 
 
 

 
Fun stuff, right??
 
I even came home with a few goodies; these DARLING yellow linen pillows. . .
 


 
And this antique-ish wire fruit basket.
 

 
It doesn't take much to make me a happy gal ;)
 
 


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

sweet & simple inspirations

Once in a while I come across something that speaks to me
in a quiet, simple sort of way. . .this was one of those times.


We spent the weekend down south in beautiful Hurricane, Utah. . .
a quaint little town nestled in the the red rock hills.
 

 
Whenever we travel with our son's baseball team, I'm always on the lookout
for historic sites, flea markets, and antique shops to fill my inspiration board. . .
and this charming little town did NOT disappoint :)
 
Once upon a time, this was the Bradshaw Hotel, and has since been turned
into a museum. . .shall we take a tour?
 





 
 This desk above is one that I am coveting. . .
Oh how I would love this piece in my office space!
 



 
 Love, love, LOVE this old stove!
 
 
. . .and the beautiful patina silverware!
 


 




 
 
Sigh. . .
 
 
Something about the idea of a simpler time and life brings me a sense of comfort,
and makes me want to bring that into my own home. . .I guess it's a way of connecting with
those in the past. Even though I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate modern conveniences, the
practicality and charm of hand stitched quilts, bottled peaches lining the shelves, and laundry
hanging on the clothes line make me think of a family well connected through
hard work and time spent together. I think that's why places like this appeal to my
senses and leave me longing for more. . .something that our generation is missing out on.
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 There's a lot to be learned from the past, and I can't help but think that by stripping
away some of the fast-paced distractions in our lives, maybe our days can be a little brighter,
our minds a little clearer, and our loads a little lighter.
 
 
. . .that's what I think anyways ;)
 
"Lost time is never found again."
                      
 -Benjamin Franklin



Wednesday, February 13, 2013

light switch re-paint

 
With all the remodeling that's going on around here, I'm looking around at
all my light switches and plugs that are in their original 1970's cream version. 
 
Option one: Hire an electrician to switch them all out for white ones.
 
Option two: I can buy all new switch plates, but the actual switches will
still be cream. . .hmmm, not really wanting a two-tone light switch either.
 
What to do, what to do. . .
 

Then I remembered that the Painter's Touch brand claims to
bond to plastic. . .perfect! Let's give it a go!
 

 
After opening a few windows for ventilation, I masked off the area
surrounding the light switch. For the first coat, I made sure all the light
switches were up, and then for the second coat, I put the switches down.
 
Also, make sure to shake the can really well and then spray a few
tester shots on some old paper before starting...sometimes the beginning
spits out a chalky residue.
 

And here it is after. . .it doesn't look perfect, but it's a lot better!!
AND it only cost me $3 to do all my switches, plugs, and heater vents!
 

 
The same process was done with the plugs. . .I just had to be careful to do
several light coats so that the paint wouldn't drip and run into the holes!

Here it is before and after.
 


And another before and after. . .those are my darling kids, btw :)
 

 
 
This is a cold air return that was scratched, and had old paint on it. . .lovely.
But guess what? The paint also works GREAT on metal!
 

This one I pulled off and brought out into the spray room. . .
 

 
Ahhhh . . .
I love things that looks nice and fresh and clean!
 

 
 
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