Pottery Barn

Oh, how I LOVE POTTERY BARN!!!

The only problem is that Tommy loves Pottery Barn, Speed Racer and Ballerina love Pottery Barn too.

It's the highlight of our day when the Pottery Barn catalog comes in the mail.

When I see the Pottery Barn Kids catalog, I know that I am in trouble. It means that I have to listen to a certain little girl say I like that and I want that!!!

Some of their items are easy to make or find at a much cheaper price.

Last week Pottery Barn Kids came in the mail. There are soooo many things to admire in that catalog.

Ballerina pulled up her stool and started looking through the catalog. I kind of held my breath.

All of a sudden I hear "Ohhhh, Mommy I love that princess bed."

What 5 year old wouldn't love this room/bed. What she was talking about was the pink flower canopy.

I know that when I was a little girl I wanted a canopy bed, ok, I'm not going to lie...I still want a canopy bed. However, my sleeping buddy does not want a canopy bed!!! Boo for boys!! LOL

So, her re-action to that canopy bed got me!! I know how I wanted/want a canopy bed.

Price tag for the canopy bed $139. Gulp!!!!!!

I almost choked!!

My head started turning, I could try to make that out of tulle and a hula hoop. Hmmm

 All of a sudden an alarm went off in my head.

I remembered I just saw a pink canopy with beading at an antique store for like $18.00.

So, after I dropped the kids off at school, I headed 1/4 of a mile to my favorite antique place.

I headed to the booth, praying that the pink canopy was still hanging from the ceiling.

There it was hanging from the ceiling. I didn't want to seem too eager. I didn't want someone else to see that I wanted the canopy and reach up and grab it. I tried getting it down myself, but I needed to grow another three inches in order to get it off the hook. I suddenly noticed a mom and her eight year old daughter circling the area. I thought quick and grabbed the tallest person I could find.

The 80 year old lady was so happy to help me!!! I told her it must be nice to be tall and she laughed down at me!!

I had the canopy in my hand. I quickly ran to the register before someone saw the same Pottery Barn catalog I just saw and decided to add another $50 to the price tag. I must have looked like a football player heading to the end zone. LOL!!!

As, I was making my way to the register another vendor approached me saying she had a canopy too. She thought about bringing it in to sell, but she thought no one would buy it.

I told her how Pottery Barn is selling them for $139. She looked at me with price tags in her eyes.

She said "I'll be bringing my canopy in tomorrow." I think I want to go back and see how much she is selling it for.

I ended up getting this canopy for $17.00 because it was 10% off!!

On Saturday morning, when the kids were occupied Tommy went up to Ballerina's room to hang up the pink canopy. It was a surprise for her.

I know it doesn't have the pink flowers and ruffles that the one from Pottery Barn has, but Ballerina is soooo happy with her princess bed. She tells me all the time how much she loves it and thanks me!!

I can always add the pink flowers and ruffles if she starts comparing the two!!

 Mommy is so jealous!!!

At least one of us got her princess bed!! LOL!!

Now, if I can just get a certain coffee table out of my head from Pottery Barn or find it for $20.00.

Re-Arranging

You know my saying

"When the cat is away the mice will play."

Tommy was in Atlanta this week for a meeting.

My parent's came up to keep us company and help me with the kids.

On, Tuesday night I told them I was thinking about making a big change in the family room. I have been thinking about doing this for some time, but I wasn't too sure. My parent's listened to my idea and encouraged to make the change. That's what parents are for right? To encourage their children!!

Anyway, we sat around Wednesday discussing it some more because it would take a bit of work.

I figured I would sleep on it and decide in the morning. I thought about it and decided to go ahead and re-arrange a few things.

Here is my Dad (playing Vannah White). Since, buying this TV a few years ago for Christmas we never had a entertainment center for the TV. I was bothered by that and the fact that you can see ALL the wires. Wires for the TV, computer, Wii, DVD player, DVR, and the computer router. Too many wires.

I had a simple solution without spending any money!!!

I bought down the fireplace from room and placed it here!!!

What do you think?

I really like the change.

The fireplace was slighty covering my heater vent in my room making my room very cold.

So, by moving the fireplace downstairs I resolved two problems.

The fireplace also has some logs that needs a new light. I also need to get some black felt to cover the wires in the back. I can't stand seeing wires!!

My Dad built a little shelf inside the fireplace for all the cable and computer boxes. We also hung the TV on the wall which is something Tommy has wanted to do.

I  just got this new chair!! Nana gave it to me. It was suppose to be my chair over 12 years ago but she really wanted it so I let her have it! LOL!!! Nana got a new reclining chair that helps her get out of her chair.

The more I look at the new arrangement the more I am happy with my decision.

I just need to get new tiles for around the fireplace. The kids also think that Hanukkah Harry has a new way of coming into our house.

I can't wait to hear what the Cat will say!! TEEHEEE

I am linking up with My Romantic Home.

Stools

Last Monday I had a few minutes till I could get the kids from school, so I decided to stop at the Salvation Army. I saw these stool there and left without buying them. I thought about them for two days and decided that if they were still there on Wednesday I would buy them.

I walked into the Salvation Army and there they were waiting for me. Good thing. I might have been disappointed.

So here are the stools. I was not really loving the color. I decided to give them a little COLOR!!!!

I sprayed painted them a nice Cherry Red. I know I will love the color for the holidays and through Valentine's Day. Good thing I can just spray paint them again!!

Bedroom Reveal

As promised I am back to share Speed Racer's new room.

Two weeks ago he told Tommy and I what he wanted for his room. Tommy and I looked at each other and said, "ok".

I painted the walls grey. I really like the color. I couldn't decide between a beige or grey.

There use to be a big shelf and bigger TV but I changed everything and made it smaller.

Have you guessed the theme yet?

It's Rock N Roll Baby!!!!

I know skeletons. He is fascinated with them. Like the cashier said to me the other day "maybe he will be a Doctor." I said to her "that would make this Jewish mother sooooo happy." She just laughed at me!!

The other day I ran into TJ Max (yes I really did just run in and out, I can do that.) to look for sheets for his bed and came across this guitar blanket. Score!!!

I was so excited!! The blue puppy is Nicely. She's a girl!! Speed Racer LOVES her!!!!

I found this pillow case at all places Wal-Mart.

His bed for now. I am still debating with myself if we should give in and get him a bunk bed. I hate the thought of having to make the top bed. I also want to get him a down comforter. It's a must in the Poconos for those frigid nights.

Tommy will be doing another mural on the wall as per Speed Racer's request. Guitars!!!!

I have found some other things for his room that he will be getting for his birthday and holiday gifts.

I just love that the kids can tell me exactly what they want.

Ballerina is now requesting that her room be re-painted. I told her maybe in the Spring. I mean I just re-painted her room almost two years ago.

Hope you have a great day!!!

Good Bye

Several months ago when Speed Racer moved into his own room, I promised him I would paint his room in the fall.

I kind of forgot and he has been talking about a different kind of room. So this week I worked on his room and one of the things I had to do was....

 paint over Tommy's mural. I hated to do it but I needed to make the little guy happy. I guess he is growing up.

I remember Tommy painting this wall. I sat there watching him and directing him. It was a big deal for me going to AC Moore to pick out the paint for the wall. It was my big day out while I was on bed rest.

This was my favorite part of the mural!! I requested the scarecrow surrounded by sunflowers!!

I can't believe how big the twins are getting. Speed Racer told us exactly what he wants done to his new room.

Stop back tomorrow to see what the I did to his room!!!

A Treat, A Lamp Story, and Some Art Work

One of the kid's favorite television shows has a song that they sing. It goes a little something like this....

"I don't like candy corn

No, I don't like candy corn

I love lots of other things but I don't like candy corn."-It goes on and on but I love this song because I don't like candy corn unless...

It's mixed with peanuts. I saw this someplace about a month ago and I tried some at the Halloween Party at the campground. I decided to make us some for snack today. I don't usually let the kids have candy for snack but I thought I would give them a treat.

It tastes like a Pay Day candy bar. Yummy!!!

Several weeks ago, Speed Racer broke Ballerina's lamp.

She needed a new lamp and I looked around for one for several weeks.

Last week I was down in my basement and found this lamp.

I kind of like it, but it's wouldn't go in Ballerina's room.

So I decided to try and make something to fit in her room. I spent $3.00 to fix it up.

I spray painted the base white and bought two yard of pink tulle. I also added one of Ballerina's old tutus underneath.

She loves it!!! I only spent $3.00 and I got one more thing out of my basement.

Ballerina also got a little art work hung up in her room the other day.

There it is over her bed. Tommy drew this picture from a picture I took of Ballerina when she was three months old. It was taken while we were at the outlets on President's Day. Tommy drew the picture several years ago, but I recently framed it for Tommy and Ballerina.

I remember this day like it was yesterday!! How the time has gone by soooo fast!!!

I love when Tommy does art work. I can see it brings him happiness and peacefulness. That makes me happy.

 He recently started and finished this picture in a matter of a month or so. He finished this piece on Saturday and I immediately went to the store and bought a frame and hung it up!!

Sorry about the glare!! It's a picture of Maine.

When I look at this picture it makes me feel so relaxed, almost like I do when I'm in Maine.

Thanks for Stopping By.

Mantlescape

I looked at our fireplace mantle and realized I still had my patriotic decorations up.

I decided that I needed to change it up a little bit. I thought it would be fun to decorate the mantle for our upcoming vacation.

Tommy painted this picture several years ago. I took this picture of him when we were in Maine at Stonewall Kitchen.

Took this lamp from the kid's old room. I added some sand and shells into a bowl.

I love these!!

I thought it would be a little fun to add some of the kid's old clothes.

There you have our vacation mantle.

I'm starting to plan the September mantle.

Red, White, and Blue

Nothing screams summer to me more then Red, White, and Blue.

Memorial Day kicks off summer for us, then we have Flag Day, and every one's favorite Fourth of July.

I looked around our house the other day and realized I needed to add some red, white, and blue.

I decided to do a Patriotic Mantel scape.

It needs something a little higher on each side of the star. I will know the perfect item when I see it!!

After I finished my decorating I noticed a little something in my coffee.

Do you see the shining heart? I think someone was sending me some love!!!!

Today, I am waiting for a big delivery!! I can't wait to show you and tell you what I am doing!!

Hope you have a wonderful day!!



Bench

I was looking at wall by my stairs, thinking it could use a bench. Then I started thinking about not spending any money. So I started looking around the house and this is what I came up with...

I decided to use my peach baskets and a piece of scrap wood.

I like it for now. I need to add some decorations.

I love shopping around the house for free things. I am starting to add summer touches around the house!!

Come back later in the week to see what I've done!!

Master Bedroom

Remember a few weeks ago, I told you that decorating with prom gowns and other gowns are all the rave. Well I went straight down to my basement and dug up some of my old gowns.

I thought I would show you how I used them as decorations and give you a little tour of our bedroom.



Here is our bed. I have been asked not to have flower bedspreads. I try to honor that request. I try to stick to solid bedspreads. However, for Spring I decided on a ruffle bedspread.

At the foot of our bed is our ottoman from downstairs. It doesn't match our new sofa so I had Tommy move it upstairs for me. It gives us extra storage and a place to display our down comforter. This time of year can be cold one night and hot the other night.

I love pillows. I actually sleep with three pillows. I have a pillow that I've had since I was a  kid. I know gross, but I clean it and let it sit in the sun. I can't sleep without!!! I've tried!!!!

Where I store my pearls. Why should I put them away. They're too pretty to hide.

I just love the pearls in my turquoise pot. (Still obsessed with the color turquoise)

I like to have lavender next to me in bed just in case I have a hard time sleeping. I pick a sprig and rub it and then the lavender smell fills the air!!

See the turquoise is popping up everywhere in my house. I am even wearing it almost everyday too!!

Tommy's desk chair is now a storage place for our white linens. I haven't been able to wear those boots since before kids. I can't get rid of them so I use them as decorations!!!

Our fireplace. No it's not real!!! Our wing back chair is decorated with one of my prom dresses. I wore this my sophomore and senior year. Ballerina has already decided she will wear this gown to her prom. I am going to remind her that!!! LOL!!! I loved this dress.

Fireplace mantel. Ten years ago I decided I was going to collect vintage hats. I think I have four or five. This is one of my favorite hats. Perhaps, because it has some hydrangeas on the hat.

Another shot of my peach gown. I think I have always loved lace!!!

Our Spring/Summer curtains. I like light and sheer curtains. I don't like sleeping the day away in the warmer months. I am up at daybreak.

Tommy's desk. It's a secretary that we inherited along with most of all of our furniture. This gown I wore to my 8th grade dinner dance. I would actually wear this now if it fit. If I could sew I would make this two pieces and wear the top as a blouse and the bottom as a skirt!!

Also in this picture is a picture of me and my brothers. To the left of that picture is a picture of my Maternal Grandmother-Bubbie.

I used this old gate to display and store my necklaces. I love to accessorize!!!

Our french settee. We inherited this from Nana's sister in law (along with all the other furniture in our room and house). I really like the chair. For many years I couldn't stand the color and material. But now I am obsessed with the color I want to move this piece downstairs. For now it holders my pearls.

Here is another gown. I wore this to my prom senior year. For some reason I wanted a cream color dress.

Tommy seems to be ok with all the dresses on display. He was a little skeptical at first thinking we would wake up in the middle of the night thinking someone was there. But I displayed them in a way that it wouldn't look like a person.

This is a mirror that Tommy gave me as my wedding present. As if marrying him wasn't enough of a gift for me. When Tommy and I first met as friends he broke my hand held peach mirror. I was so afraid that I would have 7 years of bad luck. Guess what I didn't!! I had seven years of pure bliss with Tommy. On our wedding day he had someone give me this and a little note that said "I promised you I would replace that mirror that I broke seven years ago."He's such a romantic guy!!!

I can't wait to give him a big smooch tonight when he gets home.

Here is a picture of our armoir. It stores all of our toiletries and some of my many accessories.

On top I threw Ballerina's dance recital tutu from last year.

I know you are wondering where is Tommy's stuff ... well this isn't his blog. LOL!!!!!!

Hope you enjoyed a little tour of our room!!!

Love,

Janine