A LITTLE OF THIS & THAT




    Little galvanized buckets
    with darling little tags

    I love galvanized anything as accents
    especially when it has that lovely muted chalky finish
    that comes with weather or age
    These were recent Home Goods finds for $2.99.
    I was originally thinking of them in the bathroom
    in the French armoire to hold toothbrushes, hair stuff, etc.

    They came with darling little metal butterfly tags
    but I had a different idea for them that involved a little chalkboard paint
    So I flipped them over and used Duck Egg blue chalk paint
    for a little change from the usual black

    I love how they came out.
    The blue is soft & works perfectly with the silver.
    Wrap a little twine around them to finish them.
    I love them together~
    perfect for a little 'This and That'

    or maybe an 'Etc'


    or
    a Merry Christmas wish with a little bottlebrush tree.

    This is a super quick & easy project
    that would be perfect for gift giving this Season.
    Fill one with cookie makings, teacher supplies,
    sachets or even some flower bulbs or a favorite bloom

    Loving it.


    sharing at

What happens in Vegas...


    You know the saying...
    What happens in Vegas... stays in Vegas...

    Well...
    call me a bit of a rebel
    but I'm going to share just what happened in Vegas
    and it's nothing like you are thinking I'm sure ;)

    (view from my (amazing) room)
    (Indoor mall- wow!)

    Remember the Kmart Outdoor Living Makeover I did back in the Spring?
    (For those of you who are new to my blog,
    I was 1 of 5 bloggers who participated in an Outdoor living makeover with Kmart-
    Just click on the photos below to see the posts)


    Well, it turns out that the campaign was a big success
    for Kmart and the social media company I work with and they were nominated
    for an award for the best campaign of the year.
    :D
    I know~
    WOW!!


    So Kmart & Collective Bias were going to be speaking
    about brand turnaround at a marketing conference
    and asked if I could come and speak with them at the
    WOMMA Summit in Las Vegas
    about my role as a blogger in the campaign.

    Whoa...
    I type, I decorate,
    paint furniture and move things around
    A LOT...
    but Speaking?
    In front of A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE?
    Uhhm...

    But...
    I have been working on pushing myself to get out of
    my comfort zone and try new things recently...
    Do you know 'Bob' in the movie 'What About Bob' ?
    (Seriously one of my all time favorite movies!!)
    I can relate to Bob.
    I am a baby stepper for sure and I have been working on growing
    and taking bigger steps.

    I have never spoken in public-ever
    - let alone at a conference ...

    But after a pep talk
    Promises of Dramamine
    &
    knowing that they would pick me up off the floor should I faint...
    (Yes, CollectiveBias is the best!)
    I said yes and I was SUPER EXCITED!

    As part of the presentation
    we were going to set up some examples of patio furniture from Kmart
    We were thinking there would be a few boxes maybe..
    a couple big ones- a couple little ones...

    Turns out- there were 2 pallets
    and some of the pieces
    (a beautiful travertine table top)
    were enclosed in wooden crates

    Oh my.
    As well, the fork lift must have punctured the box and broke
    the packaging with the screws in it...
    they were all over.
    With no power tools or tools of any kind, just 2 of us working
    it was a little crazy but lots of fun

    It took several hours but we conquered the furniture
    and the finished pieces were beautiful.
    They got lots of attention
    and were being used by Summit goers' right away.

    At the Kmart Presentation- just listening to Brent and Jennifer talk about
    thoughts, ideas, brainstorms of marketing campaigns and
    the behind the scenes of how
    Kmart Outdoor Living campaign came together was amazing.
    I was a very small part of the presentation and
    hugely grateful for the opportunity
    I said a little bit about being a blogger who participated...
    and the presentation went great!
    and
    I didn't need any dramamine
    AND
    I didn't faint!
    (Haha! PHEW!!)

    As well, Kmart graciously donated ALL of the brand new patio furniture
    to Habitat for Humanity after the conference was done.

    I came home exhilarated,
    SO thankful for the opportunity to sail ;)
    and am hugely grateful for the opportunity~
    it was just amazing!
    Thank you Brent & Jennifer!!

    The very next weekend~
    A couple friends and I had a girls trip planned to a cabin in Tahoe...
    But after it snowed early
    we switched to heading to Santa Cruz for a bit of antiquing fun.
    I went with two great girls and antiques dealers
    Sandy and Michelle
    We junked, laughed lots and lots
    and enjoyed gathering inspiration at
    some wonderful shops.
    (Sorry for the iphone pics- that's all I had on this trip)

    We even were able to meet up with the Trinidad, Martin and Martin's brother
    I have known the Atelier guys for awhile through blogging and FB
    but was excited to finally meet them in person!
    They are so sweet and absolute fun
    & they have THE most amaaaazing antiques from Europe!!
    Oh. My.
    We bought just a couple treasures on our trip-
    but the real treasures are the moments, memories and fun we had together.
    Love you girls!!
    Can't wait for the next trip! :)











CHRISTMAS BEDROOM MANTEL 2010 & Winners!

    While decking the halls and trimming the trees this weekend
    I thought I would share my Christmas bedroom mantel from last year
    again before revealing this years look.
    (Apologies for the dark iphone photos from last year :-/ )


    A mix of old and new...
    shiny and chippy.


    A favorite shabby crusty antique mirror that I found
    in the basement of an abandoned antique store...
    I wasn't sure the condition really, the lighting was bad
    and it was covered in years of dirt and dust.
    But underneath that crust,
    I found an absolutely delightful forgotten antique piece.
    Gorgeous chunky frame,
    old original shabby peely paint and an absolutely wonderful
    old mirror showing it's age and character.
    I loved it immediately.
    I dragged it upstairs (literally!) to the guy holding the sale and bought it.
    I think I paid $3.00 for it.
    For it's Holiday look
    I draped it in fresh cut cedar branches and a white berry vines across the top,
    a thrift store find leafy wreath
    and laid more cedar branches & a bit of bling at the bottom *wink*


    This is a tall mirror- probably near 5 feet tall-
    it fits perfectly above the fireplace.


    The antique candelabra's I found at a flea market flank the sides


    and they are so charming draped in cedar branches and red frosted berries.


    A Home Goods find Santos doll graces the center of the mantel.
    Perfect for the holidays ~ Santos dolls are quite meaningful.
    I love their soulful expressions and their simple beauty.


    She wears her metal angel wings and holds
    a bronze glass ball and glittered star.



    Working on the bedroom mantel this weekend and sharing it's new look soon!

    WE HAVE WINNERS IN the GALLERY DIRECT giveaway!!
    Sherry No Minimalist Here
    Dee Gee RN
    Fabbys Living
    Congratulations!!!

    Please send me your contact info ladies ASAP


FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY~ THANKFUL

    It's Thanksgiving ~ a time to reflect
    and to be Thankful & grateful
    and to count your Blessings.

    While we celebrate Thanksgiving
    I am so very Thankful
    for the many incredible blessings and people
    I am so fortunate to have in my life

    and am Thankful for all the wonderful friendships
    that I have formed and people I have met through blogging this year as well!!
    Hugs & love and Thanksgiving Blessings to you!

    :)

    The party is up EARLY this week to allow for some extra time to link up
    but it will stay open until Sunday evening as usual!!

    Okay... I have to apologize for last weeks party.
    I was traveling and I didn't get all my party post
    all finished and in order ahead of time.
    No worries~ I thought- I would finish the post on the plane...
    unfortunately the flight home did not have wi-fi available.
    A blogger without wi-fi= NOT GOOD.

    So I sat in the airport and scrambled to get the post done while waiting
    for my bag to arrive at baggage claim and
    in all that craziness,
    I forgot to adjust the date/time for the end of the party.
    The party ended early ( I think on Saturday sometime) instead of it's usual Sunday evening.
    :-/
    My Apologies.
    Well, this week everything is fixed and it's all good!



    I know that many of you will be otherwise occupied for this weeks party
    with
    Thanksgiving Festivities and Celebrations.
    So the party is up and running for anyone looking for some inspiration
    and browsing time over the weekend
    and I will be sharing some exciting new projects
    and things coming your way shortly!

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    Onto last weeks review!
    Atelier Be shared these lovely louis chairs

    Sweetwater baby designs shared this darling wreath

    Vignette Design shared her gorgeous bathroom remodel

    The Wicker House shared her Thanksgiving table

    No Minimalist Here shared several Holiday table inspirations

    Welcome to new partygoers and welcome back and
    and thank you to all my party animal friends
    for taking the time to come over and share your wonderful
    links each week!
    :)

    PLEASE SHARE
    decorating, flea finds, designs, transformations
    crafts, table settings, etc.
    ANYTHING related to feathering your nest!

    **PLEASE BE A GRACIOUS FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY GUEST**
    Make sure you post a button or a link back to the party on your post.

    I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO BECOME A FRIEND/FOLLOWER
    if you aren't already.
    The Follow button is on my sidebar at the top

    THANKS SO MUCH!
    Block party coming your way!!
    Get your posts ready!
    Sharing with these lovely girls

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