Artreka Artwork & a GIVEAWAY!!

Posted in Giveaway, Interior Design, Shopping, Uncategorized
Tagged Abstract art, art, art giveaway, art on canvas, art online, Artreka, Artreka art giveaway, artwork, giveaway, modern art, original canvas art, original paintings, paintings, style
6 Comments

May 24, 2013

I’m Back Baby!

I took a little break to recharge my batteries. I need to do that every once in a while to keep perspective. I stepped away from all social media for two days. I really like simple and quiet deep down. It was soooo peaceful! I read a lot of books with the kids, started my own summer reading list, played on the floor a lot with my youngest, and enjoyed the grocery store. I spent time outdoors, had a wonderful date night with Dave, and went to the gym consistently! I wasn’t rushed– I was relaxed, and I think my body needed that. My oldest only has one week of school left and then we will be in the summer routine, or lack of a strict one, which we are all looking forward to a lot!

I think it took me two full days to get caught up on emails, facebook, twitter, blog comments, and instagram. So, the time off was nice, but I think it created more to do when I got back, isn’t that always the case?

Follow on Instagram #rockthishouse

I’ve been playing around with styling the bookcases for the Let’s Rock This House! series. Seeing what I need to get to fill open space. You always think you have a lot of books until you try to fill a wall of bookcases! I laugh at myself for thinking we’d have enough books! What I love is that we will collect them over time and it will really reflect our family. I guess I could just go out and buy a bunch of used books to have the appearance of a full library, but that’s not my style. I only want books we will read, have read and love, or that support our interests.

Dave and I have been P-I-M-P-ing out the shelving unit. Adding a sound system with built-in speakers, lighting, and adding architectural details. Soon, I will be styling, my favorite part, of course. I’ve been sourcing some items to add in with the books.

Over my little break, I checked out the local thrift scene one day to see if I could find anything for the library wall. Of course, I did! Never fails…so here’s another This is Why I Thrift.

One of my favorite finds for the library so far are these carved Trojan horse book ends I scored for $8 for the pair at a flea market.

This little chevron votive holder had the right colors and was 88 cents at Goodwill.

I’ve been trying to find a magnifying glass for our coffee table and this was perfect. Only $5 at TJ Maxx. I really like the curved handle.

Is this not the chicest trivet you’ve ever seen?? This was at Goodwill for 88 cents and just needs a polish. I’m not even sure if it’s a trivet, but I could see this framed as artwork.

This was totally not what I was shopping for, but I had to take it home. Like I need yet another lamp, but I’ve been on this polished brass kick lately and it is perfect for our entryway. I’ve seen this lamp online for big bucks and this was only $9.38 at Goodwill.

So, there’s a little peek at the bookcases but the big reveal will be Monday. Monday, if the lights I ordered come in on time. They are scheduled to, so I hope I get to show you how all our P-I-M-Ping has paid off!

Also, check back tomorrow morning to enter a fantastic giveaway to win an original abstract painting!! You won’t want to miss that!!

Happy Friday!!

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Posted in DIY projects, Giveaway, Happenings, Interior Design, Shopping, Thrifting, Uncategorized, Vintage
Tagged bookcase styling, bookcases, design, DIY, DIY projects, DIY/Desgin, Home, home and garden, home decor, home improvement, interior design, interiors, library wall, style, styling shelves
19 Comments

May 16, 2013

This is Why I Thrift #3

I had to run to the Habitat for Humanity Restore in search of some matching hardwoods for our kitchen and wood for a project I’m working on. It turned into an afternoon of thrifting. You gotta love that!

I stumbled upon some things I can use for our Let’s Rock This House! series. I also found a swing arm wall lamp for super cheap. $2 cheap, so I got it to use in my reading corner. This is such a problem corner for lighting at night, but I love to read here. So, soon it will be a problem no longer. Phew! I’m putting out fires everywhere today!!

I also picked up some more white serveware. This was a great find at Goodwill.

Books, books, books. Any interesting hardbacks I can find I’m getting for the library wall. I can’t wait to have my own personal library to shop for my next read.

The Pimp My Library Wall project is coming along! I am already loving it and it’s not even finished yet! The boys are so excited to have our very own library too. Bryce wants to pick out more books and Sam keeps telling us how beautiful it is. Funny thing for a little 4 year old to say. He told me yesterday he loves it when me and Daddy make the house beautiful! Good to know we have a 4-year-old’s approval!

Happy Thursday!!

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On Instagram you can get a behind the scenes peek into the Let’s Rock This House! series.

Look for hashtag:

#rockthishouse

Posted in DIY projects, Interior Design, Thrifting, Uncategorized, Vintage
Tagged decor, decorating, design, DIY, DIY library wall, DIY projects, DIY/Design, flea market finds, Home, home and garden, home decor, home improvement, home project, interior design, interiors, Let's Rock This House, library wall, Pimp My Library Wall, style, thrift, thrifting, used books, vintage
14 Comments

May 15, 2013

Agates and Geodes

ag·ate

/ˈagit/

Noun

An ornamental stone consisting of a hard variety of chalcedony, typically banded in appearance.
A colored toy marble resembling a banded gemstone.

ge·ode

/ˈjēōd/

Noun

A small cavity in rock lined with crystals or other mineral matter.
A rock containing such a cavity.

Growing up, I remember going to my grandparents’ house and playing in their spare room upstairs. They had a bookcase and sitting on it in front of the books were agates and geodes which I called cool rocks. I was fascinated by them. The crystal formations pitted in the rock and the smooth and intricate designs and colors were amazing. My grandfather had spent a little time in his college days studying geology, so I am guessing he was just as captivated by them.

So, naturally, I took to rock collecting as a child. All children do this right? Right?? Amongst other normal kid things to collect (French stamps, totally normal), my rock collection was one of my favorites and to this day I have no idea what happened to it!

It’s funny the things we take with us into our adulthood.

I hadn’t thought on that collection or my grandfather’s cool rocks for years until I stumbled across a rock shop on one of our trips out-of-town together. Then, working on our Let’s Rock This House! series, I have been thinking about bookcases a lot. Which triggered that memory and now the collector wants to start collecting again. Is it no coincidence that the word rock just happens to be in the title of this series? I think not.

So, by chance I found this agate and it wandered home with me for the pimp my library wall project, naturally, as all agates do. It’s not gracing my bookcases just yet (only because we are in the install process) but it is sitting happily on my coffee table and when I look at it I can’t help but think of my Grandpa and my 5-year-old self playing in that room. Happy thoughts are the best exercises our mind can do.

The collector is going to start collecting again…I am keeping my eyes open for some more cool rocks for my collection and library install.

I guess in some small way, this is a tribute to my Grandpa who is no longer with us. I love how an object can transport us to a different time and place in our history. It’s just a rock, but when I see it, I see my Grandpa’s face, I feel like that little girl again. I smell the room (everything at my grandparents’ house always had a just cleaned smell), I remember rifling through all the books on the shelf. History books, LIFE series books, and encyclopedias. I see myself staring in amazement at those cool rocks, studying them with the wonder of a child.

So, there’s a little trip down memory lane.

Until the library wall reveal, I thought we could all drool over some pretty images. I love bringing natural elements into a design. I also love how nature can inspire some really bold design choices.

Here’s what I’m talking about:

My 5-year-old self is really excited to add some more cool rocks to the collection.

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On Instagram you can get a behind the scenes peek into the Let’s Rock This House! series.

Look for hashtag:

#rockthishouse

Posted in DIY projects, Home, Interior Design, Uncategorized
Tagged agate inspired rooms, agate slices, agates, coffee table styling, crystals, decor, decorating, design, geodes, geology, glam, glam modern, Home, home and garden, interior design, interiors, living room, nature, nature in design, rocks, style, styling, trending in decor
24 Comments

May 14, 2013

Great Reads// The Chronicles of Home

Today I am featuring another great DIY/Design blogger Jennifer and her blog The Chronicles of Home. I am always amazed by bloggers who have only been blogging for a year or under and look like pros. Jennifer has some really great DIY’s, furniture tutorials, and ideas. She also shares some TO DIE FOR recipes. I always feel like I’ve gained ten pounds just by looking at her mouth-watering photos of her creations. She is one sweetheart too, and I always enjoy her posts.

Good looking family, huh? Aren’t her girls adorable!?!

Jennifer has been so kind to share her favorite project with us. Her rustic X-base console table is beautiful. She is one handy chic! To see her tutorial check out her DIY Rustic X-base Console Table post.

My favorite pick from her projects is hands down her X-bench. I love X-benches in a seating area and they are great for spaces where you have multiple conversation areas.

I may have to try my hand at this one of these days. To see the full tutorial check out the DIY X-leg Upholstered Bench here.

I send a big thank you to Jennifer for being a part of Great Reads and continually inspiring all of us DIY’ers out there! You can follow Jennifer at www.thechroniclesof home.com

Need more inspiration? Check out one of our furniture tutorials along with other great ways to make over wooden furniture in an article at: Earthlink 911

Happy Reading!!

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Posted in DIY projects, Great Reads, Interior Design, Uncategorized
Tagged build your own furniture, decorating, design, DIY, DIY projects, DIY/Design, furniture building, furniture plans, great DIY blogs for 2013, Great Reads, Home, home and garden, home decor, interior design, interiors, style, X-bench, x-leg bench, X-table
15 Comments

May 13, 2013

Glam Up Your Home with JESSEd & a Gift for You!

Today I am reviewing another glam offering from JESSEd home: the JESSEd Serving Tray.

Featured today is the Jade Ostrich Serving Tray. This is so well made! It is also the perfect size to fit on a bar cart. It is really easy to carry too. I can’t wait to entertain with this. It will be great for carrying drinks outside to the patio. It measures 3″ deep so it is the perfect companion for serving drinks to your guests.

Just like the White Ostrich Cocktail tray, this serving tray has the same gorgeous stud detailing. It is also made with entertaining in mind. Let’s face it, spills happen. To clean this tray all you need to do is wipe it with a damp cloth. Easy!

Right now this tray is corralling all my barware. I always think things you need out always look better on a tray. This will definitely be my go-to tray for outdoor entertaining on the patio this summer too. I can’t wait to have our first summer get together and use it!! This makes such a great home accent. You could use it on a coffee table, bookcase, ottoman, dining table, or on a bar cart like I have here.

JESSEd home serving trays come in an array of colors and options. You can find the right size and style that is right for you.

That’s not all!! I did mention a gift for you too:

JESSEd home is offering a discount for Bliss at Home readers. They have kindly offered 20% off your entire order on anything from their gorgeous collection.

Just enter this code at checkout:

BAH20

*offer good until 5/17

Check out and shop their entire collection of exotic skin trays, placemats, and tablecloths by going to www.jessedhome.com.

You can also follow JESSEd home on:

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

This is a product review for JESSEd home. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Posted in Happenings, Home, Interior Design, Shopping, Uncategorized
Tagged bar cart, bar tray, decor, decorating, easy to clean tableware, entertaining, exotic animal skins, glam, glam style, glamorous homes, glamorous interiors, home accents, home decor, interior design, interiors, JESSEd, JESSEd discount code, jessed home, modern glam, Modern Glamour Home, modern home, party planning, serving tray, style, tableware
18 Comments

May 13, 2013

A Few Updates & Duluth Giveaway Winner Announced!!

Just a couple quick announcements this morning and I’ll be back later today with another fab JESSEd home review and a gift for you!

Thanks to everyone who entered the Duluth Trading Co. Giveaway! The winner of the $50 Duluth Trading Co. gift card is….drumroll please…
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats Kim!! I will be contacting you via email so I can get your prize off to you and you can get your shop on!

I hope you all had a fab weekend. I was spoiled beyond belief even with a sick kiddo to take care of in the mix. Here’s a peak at the major Mother’s Day spoiling via Instagram…

Also, over the weekend we announced a new 3 part series we are starting. I am super-duper excited about this one!

You can get all the details on the new Let’s Rock This House! series here.

So, that’s it. I feel like I should have hit a few notes on the xylophone all school announcement style before I started that! I’ll back in a few with a new post and a great gift for you!!

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Posted in DIY projects, Giveaway, Happenings, Home, Interior Design, Shopping, Uncategorized
Tagged blog giveaway, crafts, design, DIY, DIY projects, DIY/Design, Duluth Trading Co, Duluth Trading Co Summer Solved, giveaway, giveaway winner, Home, home and garden, home decor, home improvement, interior design, interiors, style
6 Comments

May 11, 2013

Let’s Rock This House!

New Series!! New Series!! New Series Alert!!!

I thought if I started this post out yelling and using lots of exclamation marks or excited points–as my youngest calls them– it would make this seem really exciting. Did I succeed? Are you excited??

Well, worth a shot…

We are starting a new 3 part series called Let’s Rock This House!

Dave and I have really been enjoying creating a home here in our little 1950′s rancher. This series is going to break down the process of 3 DIY projects and give full instructions on how you can achieve the same look. This 3 part series will also show how minor tweaks can make regular DIY projects become majorly AWESOME!! Guys, don’t feel left out, there’s dude stuff going on too! Our first project involved a run to Best Buy if that tells you anything. This is also budget-friendly DIY. No breaking the bank, no crazy expensive items.

It breaks down like this:

Part 1: Pimp My Library Wall

Part 2: Pimp My Patio

Part 3: Pimp My Fireplace

I realize that’s a lot of P-I-M-Ping going on, so what are we waiting for let’s see what we’re talking about.

Why ‘Let’s Rock This House!‘?? It’s kind of our motto. We say it when we start a project. Heck! We say it when we think of a project!

…And it’s a cheesy phrase. If you haven’t caught on yet, I like my cheesy phrases!

You want to know how to rock your house? Have a really cool library wall. I can’t wait to share the goods!

Until then, you can follow the process on Instagram for Let’s Rock This House! updates. Just look for the hashtag: #rockthishouse

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Posted in DIY projects, Happenings, Interior Design, Uncategorized
Tagged #rockthishouse, BILLY bookcase, DIY, DIY projects, Home, home design, home iimprovement, home projects, home renovation, ikea hack, interior design, interiors, Let's Rock This House, library wall, lifestyle, Pimp My Library Wall, remodeling, style
13 Comments

May 11, 2013

Week in Review

Here’s our little weekly recap, just incase you missed something or want to revisit something again. We are mixing it up and I am ranking them from the most popular post of the week:

The Great Ikea Heist of 2013

You guys dug our silliness and I totally love that! So, if you missed it we shared our latest Ikea finds Mission Impossible style.

#2

Duluth Trading Co. & a GIVEAWAY!!!

Again, this post possessed a little silliness and a fantastic giveaway! I reviewed some Duluth Trading Co. products and planted our herb garden–gnome and all. You still have time to enter the giveaway for a $50 Duluth Trading Co. Gift Card. A winner will be selected Monday, May 13th. So click on that bad boy above and enter to win!

#3

Great Reads// Primitive & Proper

I am so happy to see that Great Reads is something everyone is enjoying. This week we featured Cassie and her blog Primitive & Proper. Check it out!

#4

Creating Your Dream Kitchen with Electrolux Suite Designs

It was fun to share more kitchen plans with you guys. I have been pouring over so many dreamy kitchen images since we began our kitchen remodel. Just to think that new appliances are a couple of months away is so exciting! Check out the Suite Design approach.

#5

This is Why I Thrift #2

I chronicled one of my latest thrifty adventures with one of my best friends. Thrifting is such a part of designing for me and I love to share the inspiration and savings with you guys.

I wish you all a fantastic weekend! Happy Mother’s Day to all you mommas out there! I’m hoping to spend my weekend working on projects and eating something yummy and drinking something yummy!

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