Dining in Style

I have no words for the simple, natural beauty of this dining room…  As I grabbed this Restoration Hardware catalog from the mailbox today I instantly got that warm feeling of family and friends all home for the holiday’s, eating the most delicious meals, drinking wine and catching up.  Oh how it makes me smile and miss home too…. 

After this vision of loveliness passed, I wished I was rich so I could buy everything in the picture!!  I guess like the area rug, I will patiently wait… 

The Cutest Little Gift Idea

As the holiday season quickly approaches, I keep my eyes wide open for unique and fun gifts for friends and family since usually within the blink of an eye, it’s mid December and I still have no clue what to get anyone.  I’m sure this year will be no exception but one can try, right?  About a week ago I did a Google search for Robin’s egg decor for this shadowbox craft idea I’ve been dreaming up in my head (I’ll tell you about that one later).  Anyhow, I came across the cutest robin’s egg soaps in an apothecary jar at Uncommon Goods.   Isn’t this too cute for words?!?!  And what a cute little gift for a special friend! 

Happy (almost) Friday!

Jill XXXOOO

The Endless Area Rug Search

I think I’ve been searching for the perfect area rug for a bazillion years now….  The colors are never quite right, or the price is too steep, my taste changes by the time it goes on sale, or it just feels like too big of a commitment.  I still keep searching on with the hopes that one day all the stars in the sky will be aligned just right…

I haven’t really seen much that I’ve liked in a long time until today when I discovered these gorgeous rugs by Amy Butler at Layla Grayce!  Now how can I smuggle one of these beauties into the house without my husband noticing??!    Maybe someday….  Until then, one can dream, can’t they?

Wouldn’t these look divine with a beautiful white slipcovered sofa?!?!  Hmm…oh which one do I love the most?!?!        

The Little Coffee Table that Could – Part II

I spent most of the weekend in my fabulous backyard studio working on some various furniture pieces.

Remember the Coffee Table from earlier in the month, The Little Coffee Table that Could... ? Well she was the first one I finished and she is so excited to make her debut!

I used a creamy white paint over the beautiful wood, and then distressed the corners, legs and top to allow the beautiful wood grain to peek through just a little, and finally, added some new hardware.

Well Ramona…. what do you think?

I couldn’t be happier with the result. More to follow later in the week….

Jill XXXOOO

Fun Stationery

As I was rifling through the stack of catalog mailers this morning(typically they go right to the recycle bin!), one caught my eye.  It was for seasonal stationery supplies, labels, stamps, etc.  I was drawn to it because they had such cute designs so immediately got online to check it out at www.expressionery.com.  I have a laundry list of favorites but ordered the bee motif address labels for starters.  Once I confirm the quality, I am definitely headed back!  I will let you know what I think when I get the labels but here is a sampling of my personal favorites. 

Enjoy your Saturday! 

Jill

      

 

And this is Lila’s favorite!!!

Holiday Dreaming in October

I know I know, it’s a little early to think about Holiday decor but I already can’t wait to hang the mistletoe and drink eggnog. On top of all that it’s going to be Lila’s first Christmas this year so it will be even more special. I’m sure she will be more interested in the colorful wrapping paper and bows than the actual gifts but it will still be priceless to see her little face on Christmas morning.

So Lila and I were having a girls afternoon on Sunday and we stumbled upon this new store downtown, Canfield’s Home & Holiday, http://www.christmasatcanfields.com/. It’s a Christmas / Holiday store that is open year round. There was so much stuff everywhere that both Lila and I were over stimulated with excitement. I knew I couldn’t leave without getting at least one thing to kick off the season…. and there she was the perfect decor for a CA Christmas, S N O W! I can’t wait to find a shabby little nook to put her in…

Another lucky glass

I don’t intend this blog to be about delicious wines, however, we ran across another really great (and reasonable) wine this week so I felt I needed to pass on the find.  Typically I’m not a white wine fan, however, this one gets five stars from me.  It’s another CA wine, a Pinot Gris by Firefly Ridge and if you’re quick you might be able to find it on sale this week at Von’s!  :) 

Mad for Plaid

I'm just loving the new plaid in the stores this Fall/Winter! It's a really great spin on an all time classic favorite. I'm not sure what it is since I'm far from preppy, maybe it's the memory of cooking bacon on Saturday mornings with my Dad in our plaid flannel button ups (Happy Birthday Dad!!), or maybe it's the memory of cozying up to a bonfire on a cool Michigan night. Whatever it is I'm loving the new modern twist with plaid!

http://www.anthropologie.com/

http://www.nordstroms.com/ 

 

http://www.gap.com

http://www.target.com  (Just got this for Lila over the weekend!!!)

Never judge...

With diapers cutting into our grocery budget, I've been in the endless search for good wines that don't break the bank. It's been an interesting and fun tour of the good, the bad and the ugly... Sometimes I strike out, but most of the time the wines are mediocre to decent. Last week, however, I took a real risk with a bottle that was $2 (Quail Oak CA Cab)! As I was opening it, I was kind of chuckling, thinking to myself how bad this was probably going to be. As I took my first sip I couldn't believe it. So I took another just to be sure, and another, and another... I finally found a GREAT wine for a very budget friendly price.

Salud!

Jill XXXOOO

Oh Lovely Tea Cart

I spent a lot of time yesterday sanding and prepping some really great furniture finds so I can paint this weekend. I have to do the final coat on the adorable coffee table from below. It is already sooo cute and I can’t wait to share it. The second is this amazing antique tea cart that I picked up yesterday morning – another lucky Craig’s list find. It is made out of Cherry wood and is in really great shape still. The top of it opens up so you have twice as much space for a buffet. And the best part, yes, it has wheels. You don’t see wheels on furniture much anymore. I don’t know if I’ll keep the wheels but I do really love them for some reason.

Have a great week!

XXXOOO Jill

New Mommy

As you all have probably guessed I’m a new mommy to little baby Lila, or as we love to call her little Bean. Poor thing…she really does probably think her name is Bean. There are a lot of things you buy in preparation for baby. Many things you may never use but you learn as you go.
One thing I was determined to do was make all of Lila’s food, not sure how I’d have the time to do it but I really wanted to try. Then one day I brought home this little cooker from Baeba from Williams Sonoma (I had a gift card that was 2 years old and thought I better use it up!) http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/beaba-babycook/?bnrid=3200801&cm_ven=NBSearch&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Top50BeabaBabycook&cm_ite=babycook&OVMTC=Phrase&site=&creative=3245363035&OVKEY=babycook I had no idea how fun and easy it was going to be now to make her food. It really is sooo easy to use and so easy to clean. This compact cooker multitasks as a steamer, blender, warmer and defroster. I literally cut up raw veggies, fruit, meat and fish, then just toss it in. It steams it and then purees it in minutes! Today’s menu: Blueberries and Pears with cereal for breakfast and Chicken, Eggplant and Potato for dinner.

Stress Relief

Not that I have time for them but I’m LOVING some of the new fall shows this season! If you haven’t checked these out in particular, make sure you do as they are jam packed with a ton of stress relief after a long day…enjoy!
1. Modern Family Wed.
2. Cougar Town Wed.
3. FlashForward Thurs.
And returning shows that are still great in my book:
1. Grey’s Anatomy Thurs.
2. Private Practice Thurs.
3. The Mentalist Thurs.
4. Castle Mon.
5. Brothers & Sisters Sun.

The Little Coffee Table that Could...

First off, I want to give a huge thanks out to a new blogger friend who inspired me beyond words. Thank you Holly! I’m not sure this blog would exist if I wasn’t inspired by your renovations, reinventions and style. Check out her awesome blog 'Life in the Fun Lane' at http://www.inthefunlane.com/!

And that leads me to Mr. Magnum's first real job and my latest passion. I picked this adorable little coffee table up a couple weeks ago from the sweetest little lady named Ramona. I think she was a little sad to hear that I would be refinishing it, but I promise you Ramona, I will take good care of him. I can't wait to show the finished product in a few days!

Where have you been?

Ebay has been very generous to me lately, and thanks to the buyers of all my old shoes, I was able to purchase this amazing Magnum paint gun. Goodbye Mr. Brush and Mr. Roller! Due to some early first try mishaps, Matt is in the backyard right now helping me set up my very first ghetto fabulous paint studio. Stay tuned for some fun reinventions.

Act 1: Flea Markets

I went to my first flea market last Sunday in Ventura. Considering how much I love to score with unique and inexpensive finds, I can’t believe I’ve never done this before. Lila, Matt and I scoured the endless rows of trash, trinkets and treasures. With my budget happy husband in tow, I escaped without emptying my wallet. Maybe next time I should leave him at home. :-)

Happily I did bring home this absolutely adorable ‘Paris Flea Market’ cork board made out of an old window pane. It will always remind me of my very first flea market adventure. You should all visit the artist's shop and blog, 'The Old Painted Cottage.' Amazing house, decor and gifts!!! http://www.theoldpaintedcottage.blogspot.com/ Now I’m hooked and can’t wait to go to ‘The Little French Flea Market’ in West Hills on Oct. 17…..