Moving!

Hi, I've moved! Please visit me at Maeve James Blog.

Lila's room dresser

So one day about a month ago, this is one of my deep flaws, I just wasn't 'feeling' the furniture in Lila's room.  It seemed to be a hodge podge of different furniture and furniture eras, which could work, but this just didn't, or at least wasn't for me.  And all of a sudden I seemed to be over the really shabby chic thing, I wanted something more casual beach modern vintage chic, if there is such a thing?! 

This is her bed, just the bed, not the bedding, etc (our one splurge for her room) from Land of Nod:

This was her dresser (one of my Craigslist makeovers):

This was her mirror

And this is her bedside table (my very first Craigslist makeover):

I think you'd all agree with me that her dresser and mirror just weren't the same modern cottage feel as the bed, so I'm sure you all understand my decision to make the room over.  5 minutes later, the dresser and mirror were on Craigslist and the next day they were both gone.  So there I was, left with a very bare room. 

I immediately started scouring Craigslist.  I knew I wanted some type of a tallboy dresser and I knew if I got really lucky I'd find an art deco waterfall dresser...nothing...week after week passed and little Lila continued to live the minimalist life, until one very early Saturday morning I found it...there it was staring at me.  I picked it up later that evening, a gorgeous, but very beat up, 5 drawer waterfall dresser.  Every night I'd open the door leading to the garage to look at her...to see if she would tell me what to do with her....

This was what it looked like when I picked it up (and trust me this pic made it look good, it was in rough shape). 

First she was painted yellow, unfortunately yellow wasn't her color.  So after a couple more weeks she turned into a beautiful sweet gem of a dresser.  She is almost done and I promise to show you some pics in the next few days!!!! 

Now, for the rest of the room.  I feel so much better about this dresser that my head is already spinning with ideas.  So hopefully soon I can show you some pics of the finished room as well. 

On another note, I am 99% sure I have a new blog address!  Updates to follow. 

Peace,
Jill

Hello again...

It's been way too long... I guess I've been busy finding my way in this beautiful, confusing and very crazy life.  Since I last posted we were blessed with our 2nd baby girl, Evy Jo (EJ), and our lives are again altered with an amazing gift.  We all just love her and big sister, Lila, just can't get enough.  She is an amazing big sister (most of the time! :-) 

Even with all the new changes, I'm constantly being inspired.  Lately it's been with numerous furniture makeovers and home projects.  This got me thinking how much I missed blogging. I decided it was time to start writing again. I will be transitioning to a new blog very soon, but until then, I will be here!

I can't believe it but I've been making over furniture for almost 3 years now, I'm continuously learning, stumbling, and moving on.  It's funny how attached I become to each piece.  My latest makeover just left me to live with 'Joan.'  I hope she is enjoying many cups of coffee on her.  :-)

Here is the antique drop leaf table when I got her. 

And here she is today...oh how I miss this cute thing.  

Glad to be back. 

Jill
 

Cynthia Vincent coming to TARGET!!!

Mark your calendars!  In case you didn’t hear, Cynthia Vincent for Target is debuting on April 18th!  All I’ve seen so far are some amazing wedge heels, but I’m sure the entire collection will be amazing!

Sweet Innocence at Easter

Oh how sweet it is to watch a child sweetly searching for hidden treasures left by the Easter Bunny on Easter morning!  Easter was so special this year with Lila.  After she discovered and collected all of her eggs, had her first taste of chocolate and ran around the yard, she ended the day cozying up to her new friend, Mou Mou Bunny.       

          

Love, Jill xoxoxo

Guest Room Heaven

I just love LOVE LOVE Summer home decor.  It’s always so fresh and clean.  I like rooms that pull in unique treasures giving it character with a story to tell. 

When I started flipping through the Pottery Barn catalog that came in the mail yesterday, I stumbled upon this AMAZING bedroom!  It’s everything and more I’ve been dreaming up for a guest bedroom.  Of course I’d have to put my own budget twist on it but it’s definitely my inspiration.  I wish I could jump in!  I’m sure if I spent a weekend here, my energy and creative juices would be pumping!! 

I love the odd placement of the vintage beach/boat art and the other misplaced accessories on the wall (you can see it better in the catalog).  It’s clean and modern with a hint of shabby chic/bed and breakfast.  The view isn’t too shabby either!!  :))   I wonder if my husband would notice a large charge on the credit card from Pottery Barn??

 

Jill xoxoxo

Green Diapering

Yesterday morning on Good Morning America there was a small segment about the latest biodegradable and reusable diapers, gDiapers.  Many times it has crossed my mind, but then it just seems like an overwhelming task.  But each time I throw diaper after diaper away into the ‘Genie’ I feel a little more queasy, a little more guilty…  So maybe it’s time to, at a very minimum, give these diapers a try.   And if nothing else the diaper covers are adorable ! 

This is the cute diaper cover that I’m going to order.  Then you can either button in biodegradable/flushable or washable inserts. I’ll let you know how it goes!

 

Happy Saturday!

Jill xoxoxo

Let’s Sail Away

I’ve been on a major bargain hunt the last few months for sailboat wall art for our sitting room, with not a ton of luck so far at Ebay or Goodwill but I’m keeping the faith.  In the meantime, I’ve fallen more in love with these beautiful boats…if boats were dancers, they would definitely be the ballerinas of the sea! 

Here is my one lonely sailboat…  I eventually want to fill this wall up with multiple sailboat paintings.

  

Here are just a few of the beauties I’ve seen on Ebay recently, but are either too expensive or just not the right size.

 

Jill xoxoxo

Display Frames for Jewelry

I recently fell in love with these adorable display frames from Pottery Barn, which gave me an excellent idea for the millions of frames sitting in our bedroom!  They are cute but definitely not worth the money when they are so EASY to make. 

Here are the display frames from Pottery Barn:

And here is the first one I finished using an old frame that I wasn’t using.  I first painted the entire frame a robin’s egg blue, then I used a flat white spray paint.  Once dried I distressed the heck out of it.

   

If you don’t have any frames that work, Michaels has a great selection that go on sale all the time.  I got the hooks and some wire (for my next one) at Target.

Toodles!

Jill xoxoxo

Fashion for Haiti tee

Fashion for Haiti tee  - JCrew.com

If you want to help but just haven’t been sure how, 100% of the profits of this cute tee will be donated to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. $25.00 item 30123

A little tee with a big conscience: 100 percent of the profits from the sale of this limited-edition T-shirt will be donated by the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, which is raising funds for immediate, high-impact relief and long-term recovery efforts to help those in Haiti who are most in need of assistance. For more information, visit cfda.com.

Jill xoxoxo

A day at the Park….

You just can’t beat CA winters!

          

Have a fabulous week!
Jill

Busy Times

It doesn’t seem there is ever a second these days just to sit down and take in all the wonders of this world…  If we’re not racing to work, we’re racing to get home to dinner, get the kids to school, feed the dog, go through the mail, pay the bills, make a call to an old friend…to a new friend, pluck your eyebrows  :)), make lunches for the next day.  And if you do get that second to stop, your heart drops because for that mere instant you realize that amidst all the racing, you’ve missed out on hours, days, even years of your life… 

One of my seconds this week happened after I opened this adorable card from a dear friend.  Seems like such a small thing but it was so much more, I stopped, sat down and smiled, no wait, laughed.  Thanks Ang!  This made my week!  Miss you!!!