Our Gallery Wall

Everyone is doing it....

Here is my take on 

"Our Wall" 

Because of my OCD, it wasnt as fun planning the layout as I thought it would be....

#1 - I do not have a stairway wall like I used to

{insert bummer voice here...wa wa waaaa} 

#2 - I still do not have all of our "possessions" unpacked

(meaning alot of our framed photos)

#3 - I am NEVER happy with anything when it comes to decorating

(why do you think Martha Stewart keeps buying and decorating new houses?!) 

See my layout on our living room floor?

( FYI - I really heart our Pottery Barn area rug that I bought for $100 back in the day...) 

That was the final, happy result that I came to.

Or so I thought. 

The Stig... 

(you can see his foot to the right of the photo) 

sat in his chair

for about 1.5 hrs watching me on the floor 

arranging.......

  rearranging...

sighing.

grunting. 

I think he gave me 1 or 2 sideways glances.

You know those glances....

The ones that tell me without speaking 

that I look like I am a crazy person. 

 I took a picture of the final layout

so that I could use it as a reference to start hammering 

100 holes into our newly built/drywalled/textured/painted walls. 

Oh yeah - this chick thought ahead!

"Uhhh....who suddenly put a thermostat on the wall???!!!"

"What do you mean it has been there this WHOLE time?"

 " (#^*%^GRE*^%#$! "

{insert LOTS of sailor words here}

And so the whole process started again! 

I used thumbtacks and tape instead of nails - just in case.

just in case the Stig decided to nail 100 holes in me like I did to the wall

 As you can see, I have yet to put our own personal photos in.

(Yeah - I wish I had sticks for legs!!) 

One day.

One day....so that when strangers come into our house, they will know what the

people that live there look like. 

:)

But I am really sorta totally diggin "our wall".

And if you can't see what the vintage word cards say,

they spell out:

"Look"

"at"

"the"

"story"

"of"

"us" 

 Pretty dang coolio if I do say so myself.

Which, 

by the way, 

I do.

:) 

XOX,

 

** ps - letter "S" and the custom ribbon badge

(which says "Stig Lo")

made by the amazing Jeanne !!

Come Sail Away

via 

Have you been feelin' the love affair lately?

Im talking stripes....nautical

We goin coastal people!

rope 

Americana 

boats

anchors

beachy 

nautical

red white and blue

Cape Cod 

coral 

I have been feelin' the new fad.

I likey.

"Come Sail Away

Come Sail Away

Come Sail Away with me.... "

(you can thank Styxx for this song that is gonna be stuck in your head for 4 hrs) 

 

Dont Rock the Boat - Gravy Boats

set of 2 - $39

Seriously how cute are these gravy boats?!

I am not too sure that gravy is fitting for summer -

but how about...

fruit syrup?

hot fudge?

creamer? 

Goldie and Stripes Reversible Bag
$ 110.00

Is there anything that is not adorable from Emerson Made?

Seriously.

Barn Light Radial Wave Sconce 

 $184

I cant tell you how much I love this fixture.

I will tell you that I have his white sister from another mister in my hall bath.

Yeah. 

LOVE. 

Croffix Sailing Belt 

$88 

Leather. Braided nautical cord.

So cute!

They have a bracelet too.

Super. Cute.

Polka Dot Tankini

$19.50 

 $17.50

Ok, this bathing suit is too stinkin fun.

And its for us Moms!!

Thank you Old Navy :)

Ceramic Stripe Drink Dispenser

$129

$103 

Is it just me or does PB have the market on what is hot??

This price is actually not that bad...

(cant say that about 90% of their other items) 

These are pretty reasonable, and quite charming:

 Printed Striped Bar Towel (set 2)

$19

free shipping 

Giant Glass Marbles

$6.50-$16.50 

Are you thinkin' what Im thinkin'? 

(that could be scary if it happens too often. Im jus sayin...) 

Little mini-me fishing glass floats! 

Charcoal Grey Adirondack Chair

$79.99 

 on sale!

Cost Plus has been on a ridiculous roll...

you MUST get in there to check out all their new stuff

(this is what I keep repeating to myself)

Honestly,
 tell me that you dont covet thy neighbor's Paige's things? 

*sigh*     

Crochet Cross Front Wedges

$32.94 

Old Navy strikes again! 

Wood Ship's Steering Wheel

$23 

 Ok...I am letting the cat our of the bag about one of my favorite

craft/decor websites.

Sav-On Crafts.com 

 Glass Floats 6" Fishing Floats with Hemp Rope 

Set of 3 for $24

Um.... hello McFly!!! 

 Its pretty much awesomeness.

Check it out.

Lemme know watch think.

 Compass Gift Tags
$6 set of 6
 (from my pal Clare!)

I had to get some Etsy love in there.

How cute would these tags be on a vintage wire basket
or how about using them as placecards
for your beach themed table setting??

Relaxed Stripes Top

$10.80

Ten dollars and eighty cents?

Are you kidding me!?! 

 I need some red flats to go with this outfit....

B.R.B.

Oh great.

Now I cant decide.

Bows.

Ruffles.

Boots.

oh my. 

See what you did to me?

I typed in red flats and now I want all three!!! 

Stupid Tarjay.

I honestly cant think of one time that I have walked in there

and walked out with NOTHING.

NEVER.

  E.V.E.R. 

 See ya later allygators....

I just spotted these:

I have an appointment with Target.com.

:)

XOX, 

10 reasons why I love Wisteria

Oh Wisteria, 

how do I love thee?

Let me count the ways....

#1

 Eye candy for my bottom

Louis XV Three-Seater Sofa W5386

Louis' legs and back are to die for, no?? 

Too bad I'm a chest and arm kinda gal...

(the Stig has got both those departments covered!) 

:) 

#2

For the love of burlap, people!

Sturdy Iron Lined Basket - SmallW4587
(btw - stop telling me they are out of stock!) 

 

 #3 

my weird new obsession for all things "wirey" 

Metal Basket Wall ShelfW5177
 

#4 

for your stinkin cool lighting

(at an affordable cost!)

 See The Light Lantern W5475

I swear I am going to find a wall (or build one have Stig build one!) to 

put this lantern on....I swear.

*note to self*  

stop swearing

#5 

Industrial. Love. 

Period.

Industrial Steel ChairW5179

 

 And this moment I would like to thank God 

for blessing me with two children - 

A boy AND a girl.

I have been able to satisfy my decorating needs

of masculine and feminine.....

How else could I get away with manly steel and dainty ruffles in my household?! 

:)

#6 

Speaking of ruffles.....

Natural Linen Hand TowelsW5239
 

You really need to see a doctor if you do not like ruffles.

There is something seriously wrong with you.

Im just sayin.....

#7 

Mushrooms. 

Yum.

Cement Garden Mushrooms W5499
 

Mushrooms....you either love em, or hate them.

We are a 'shroom luvin' home. 

#8

For satisfying my love of vintage

and re-purposing: 

Iron Wine Bottle HolderW4112

I use mine for my dainty tea cups.
 

(check out my friend Marcy's re-do of this wine bottle holder's BIG brother!!) 

#9

Reclaimed wood....

*sigh*

 Distressed European Wall ClockW4182

#10

Your Amazing Sales

You have the BEST stuff that you put on clearance!

for example:

my wine bottle crates that I got on sale for $23.10 each

(see them on the bottom shelf on the left?!) 

They hold 12 bottles each....I own 3 of them 

the BIG bottle holder like Marcy's, that I got for a whopping $37.10 

my embroidered linen cocktail napkins that I only paid $7.70 for the set 

for throwing in gorgeous plates with orders....for free!

(this has happened to me twice) 

Right now:

 Angel Wing MugsW2811

 Item Price: $29.00
Sale Price: $8.70 - Save 70%! 

This is for a set of 4 mugs people!

4!!

So just a heads up....

 if you happen to see something go on sale, SNATCH IT UP!

Thanks for hanging in there with me.

I thought of Wisteria today when I packed up my chalkboard 

that I got from them last year...

(on sale of course!) 

...and started thinking of where I could put it in the new house.

YAY! 

We are officially beginning the BIG MOVE!

 XOX,

  

 

*ps - please keep the courageous Japan in our constant thoughts and prayers....

The devastation and loss.....I cannot even imagine. 

XOXO 

L.O.V.E. Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is what I am loving on today.....

"The Stig"

(aka my husband)

L.O.V.E. 

He had my favorite roses delivered to me this morning...

I dont like red roses. 

I l.o.v.e the fact that he found my favies!

We celebrated our V-Day yesterday with a trip down south

to the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day

( I came home with a bit of a sunburn ...... in February!) 

This is what I scored:

Antique Zinc Trough

$40

The vendor told me they were used in Belgium as sinks....

I don't care what the heck they were used for.

It's cool.

Oh, and our "friend" Pottery Barn sells them for $200!

I also scored 4 grain sacks from the same vendor for $25 each.

L.O.V.E. 

They had a huge massive table FULL of them.

I wanted them all.

But I was a good girl.

I only picked out 4.

A pink striped one, a teal striped one, one with blue stripes and one black.

I have one heartache though....

I almost came home with an antique carriage seat.

It was the neatest thing.

I wanted to convert it into a swing....

The Stig said he could do it, but it would be sketchy,

considering its age and condition.

I debated....and pondered.....and fretted over my decision.

But in the end, I couldn't add another project to the Stig's

looong list right now.

*SIGH*

 the one that got away....

*tear* 

oh well....

I recovered from my loss and  got a lavender sachet 

from Dani @ Euro-Linens

for $5.

L.O.V.E

It smelled divine in my purse all day :) 

They have amazing french linens and grain sacks. 

The Stig found some treasures too.

he is pretty dang good :) 

a french bottle crate.

complete with the bottle and the cork still attached. 

$45

Example: 

( this one is not ours...its on Etsy)

 some old tools/hardware

(he always gets at least one old tool on our excursions!)

Oh...

I almost forgot!

I am this year's winner :)

I won the contest that the Stig and I have every year we go 

to the Rose Bowl for his birthday.

We decide on a random item or thing that one of us

has to find first and purchase in order to win the battle. 

Last year I lost to a cowbell.

This year I won by finding our address #'s at the market.

The rules:

Had to find it at the Flea Market. 

It had to be vintage. 

Could not be made on the premises.

Had to be purchased.

Long story short....

I found 2 vintage railroad nails that equaled our address number.

 Pretty clever, eh?!

I went thru countless license plates, 

vintage postcards,

random signs,

odds and ends

before I found these nails. 

We are either going to put them on our patio cover 

that we will be making with old beams,

or

add them to a possible reclaimed beam that 

we might use as a mantel for our fireplace.

L.O.V.E. !!

So, I am officially the Winner of a chicken dinner.

(paid for by the loser of course!) 

Dinner date TBD at a later date..... 

 After our morning at the Rose Bowl,

we stopped by our favorite Italian Deli/Market in Arcadia, Claro's. 

(i miss this place sooo bad!) 

Stocked up on all of our Italian foodies

and had a picnic lunch in the parking lot

(they have the best deli sandwiches!) 

Topped it off with a super yummy Napolean pastry.

No diet when you go to that Deli! 

Then we hit up Ikea.

The massive Blue/Yellow mecca.... 

Long day.

"Love"ly Day :) 

Hope you all had/have a wonderful Valentines Day today!!!

XOX 

*ps - 

I most definitely have to give a "l.o.v.e" shout out to my gal-pal Jen....

she surprised me with one of her ruffled burlap pillows over the weekend!

Seriously, how amazing is she?! 

LOVE you chickee!!

I have been coveting these pillows for some time now.....

Please stop by her online store and check out her drop-dead gorgeous

children's clothing line...

 She also has vintage flea finds and handmade items,

like the burlap pillow and the Evangeline valance.....

  

(so sweet! I have 2 of these beauties!!) 

Get your love buns over to her shoppe! 

Free shipping on orders over $200 with code: VALENTINE

Save $30 on Jolise Pants and Gossamer Tie Dress

SHOP ONLINE

Offer expires February 16, 2011

You are an Obsession. You're my Obsession.....

Remember that 80's song?!

Hahaha....

I was a total 80's girl.

Side pony tail

double slouched socks

(different colors of course!)

bright hideous neon shirts

leggings with lace on them

(i guess these are back in now?!)

and my beat-up converse

What a sight, huh?!

That stinkin' song is stuck in my head now.

Probably in yours too.....

{Neener neener neener!!!}

OBSESSION

n. Compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea

or an unwanted feeling or emotion,

often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.

I get obsessed with things.....

It started a few years back when I found

Ebay

How awesome and amazing my friend Mr. Ebay used to be.

I used to find all sorts of killer stuff on him.

clothes

furniture

shoes 

toys my kids lost and I could never ever find again

(thank you Mr Ebay!)

When the Stigman and I moved in together

(he had only previously lived with his parents-growing up and then with his brother for 13 years!)

we went on an Ebay shopping spree

to furnish our new big house

We borrowed a friends big delivery truck

set out early on a Saturday morning

and headed down to LA to pick up all of our random purchases.

(I had already purchased a rustic farmhouse table set ($250)

and down filled sectional ($500) off of Ebay!)

We stopped at about 7 different places and picked up:

an old trunk $20

an off white leather chair-$50?

a pottery barn area rug 8x10-$100

(brand spankin new and still in the wrapper!)

a leather weaved rocking chair-$80

Ethan Allen pie hutch-$60

Big Screen Sony TV-$500

(wonder whose purchase this was?!)

Ikea kitchen island-$80

Ethan Allen hutch-$70

Restoration Hardware table-$50

"free"! white distressed apothecary chest

Restoration Hardware mission style lounge chairs - $50 for both

All in one trip!

It was THE best

(and l o n g e s t)

day ever.....

Our friends and family couldnt believe

that we pretty much furnished our big ol' house

off of Mr. Ebay!

Oh how I loved

my boyfriend Mr. Ebay.

then came along my new lover.....

the handsome and studly

Mr. Craigslist

I wooed and stalked

Mr Craig .....

and added to my collection of cool finds:

picket fence headboard -$15

rustic wood sidetable - $25

(handmade in Panama!)

vintage red cast-iron christmas tree stand - $10

pottery barn coffee table - $25

vintage mahogany dresser - $70

solid rustic pine desk-$60

salt water fish tank - $$$

(the Stig and I drove all the way to Sacramento on my birthday to pick it up!)

I still heart my lover Mr Craig.

But a new lil lady has gotten my obsession this last year.

Miss Etsy

Oh how I adore her!

She is so cool and crafty

and a killer vintage chic!

Her and I are BFF's

(ssshhh...dont tell Mr Craig - 3 is a crowd!)

I have found the best things on her...

Met the most amazing peeps.....

And have re-ignited my creative and craftiness side!

Some of my favorite purchases (and people!):

Ruffled Chair Covers

{they adorn the head chairs on my farmhouse table}

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaulaAndErika

Burlap Runner with Ruffles

One of my favies ! !

You will just love Tara

{It hangs lovingly on my farmhouse table for those special days}

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TarasVintageKitchen

Cabbage Rose Pillow

{Go and say "hi" to Clare - she is such an amazing gal!!}

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Therobinandsparrow

Farmhouse Side Tables

{My rockin' pal Courtney and her hubs made these!}

http://www.etsy.com/shop/timelessNchic

Vintage White Wash Sign

Oh my dear girl Susie....so amazing!

{can you think of any other cute reminder to scrub up?!}

http://www.etsy.com/shop/susieharris

Any Letter (mine is an "S")

Go check out Jeanne-she is so talented!

{this beaut hangs on my wall with its other friends the letter "S"'s}

http://www.etsy.com/shop/abushelandapeck

Mini Burlap Bag

another one of my favies....Michelle

{I have 3 of these with different sayings and have used them NUMEROUS times}

http://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageJunkyStyle

Burlap Flowers

{i wrapped them around french zinc pots(thank you Tracey @ French Larkspur!) and

 put my vintage silverware in them}

http://www.etsy.com/shop/31vintageroad

Vintage Door Knobs

{for my collection! I love chippy and rusty!}

http://www.etsy.com/shop/hopeandjoyhome

Christmas Chalkcloth Stockings

{I used these as place setting favors for my Christmas party}

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthHouseBoutique

Sigh......

I have a feeling that my dear friendship with Miss Etsy

is gonna be around for quite awhile.

My only regret is that I did not meet her sooner.

I shed soft silent tears

for all of the

crafty things

and

ideas

that I missed out on

for my DIY wedding

that I did

almost 3 years ago.....

Maybe I can convince the Stigman to renew

our vows ?!

I have another dream wedding

that has been going on in

my empty fuzzy crowded head....

Im thinking maybe 2012

Are you busy?

I will add you to the guest list.....

My secret plan is to have a wedding

every 5 years

(ssshhh dont let the Stig know - I barely got him there the 1st time!)

I will still marry the same amazing man.....

he can wear the same suit

(hehee)

I might have to send out a few more invites....

(Mr Ebay will not be on the guest list Im afraid)

and I know just the girl that can help me out!

Please go see her.

And tell her I said

"howdy" !

Oh, and let her know that I will be

 visiting her again.....

very soon!

Have a very lovie

Monday

my meemies!

(thats what I call my kitties!)