pillows and pillow covers

I've been going through catalogs, online websites and magazines trying to figure out what type of pillow covers I would like for my livingroom.  I decorate very eclectic... why? because nothing I have comes from the same place.  Most items come from garage sales, thrift and antique stores or discount stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls.  I love florals in velvets, brocades and linens but lately I have seen more bright colors and ruffles in stores lately. 

 These yellow wool jacquard pillow covers are from Pottery Barn, they're stunning, out of my pocket book range but I know I can buy fabric close to this and make my own.

Toilles and subtle colors like the wine sack cloth above and the pillows below have a lovely vintage look.  This style is very popular today.

 These ruffled ones are gorgeous and have such a romantic touch.

These bright pillow covers are designed by one of my favorite clothing designers Trina Turk (Block Pillow) and the embroidered linen's in blues and greens below.

Marie Antoinette... "let them eat cake!"

Have you ever pretended to be a queen for a day.  No modern minimalism but extravagence, glitter, sparkle and indulgence!  Certainly something Marie Antoinette was very well known for.

Last Saturday my friend Cheryl hosted a"Marie Antoinette" themed birthday party.  She is one of the most gifted people I know who can entertain "Royally" on a "Commoner's" budget!

Her home was decorated with pinks, white, baby blues, soft yellows and light greens.  I loved the Eiffel tower on the cake table which was made out of cardboard and mog podged with old music sheets to give it a vintage look.  The ruffled table cloth was a gorgeous bed skirt from a local thrift store, and the tables were embellished with rose petals, ribbons and birds.

There were scrumptious cupcakes, coconut macaroons, fluffy and colorful marshmallow candies, chocolate dipped strawberries, cream puffs, lollipops and so much more.... and that's just the dessert table!

 She tried to keep close to the Sophia Coppola Marie Antoinette movie serving chicken cordon bleu, a strawberry jello mold, croissants, asparagus, quiche lorraine, French cheeses and  French Champagne.

All of the decorations were collected over time from thrift stores, borrowed from friends, the dollar store, yards sales and ordered online, like the fans that were placed on each table setting for the guests.  Cheryl also found these beautiful French milled soaps at Marshalls for a steal.

Tea was served in grandma's vintage china and it was a perfect way to end an excellent evening!

easter projects with the kids

As I was contemplating what kind of easter project I could do this Wednesay with my children I found an article in this months Country Living magazine.  The paper mache birds nests look much easier to make and less time consuming (time is such an issue with me - it happens to go along with being patient too I guess) but the natural dyed eggs look stunning!

paper mache birds nest

natural dyed eggs

bigsislilsis.com created these beauties in her own kitchen, sent them to Country Living magazine and they featured them on the front cover.  She used cabbage, onions, coffee, other natural ingredients and foliage to achieve this look. Pressed the foliage to the egg, wrapped them tightly in hosiery, then dip them into the dyes.  I think they are stunning.

hot cross buns

In New Zealand we often went to the bakery to get our favorite Easter treat... hot cross buns!  They are an English tradition and one that I enjoyed very much as a child!  We even sung this ditty as we were eating them... 

Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns
One a penny
Two a penny
Hot Cross Buns

here's a link to the recipe I love to use http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/hot-cross-buns-i/Detail.aspx



Making an Ugly Headboard a Bench

I found this old ugly kingsized headboard at Pawprints... (our local thrift store that benefits the humane society) for a whopping $10 and new I could make a bench out of this. We live in the southwest so it had the perfect style for our outdoor decor.

I spent $25-30 on lumber and hardware so I could add the seat and reinforce the frame. the best tutorial for making a headboard bench can be found on this amazing blog "my repourposed life" http://myrepurposedlife.blogspot.com/2009/09/headboard-bench-tutorial.html

The tutorial shows you step by step how to frame it, use "L" brackets for extra support and where to put what!  She also has so many different examples of headboard benches you might see a one you already have!   This project took me one full day from start to finish.  The only help I needed was to get those final screws in. This bench doesn't rock, its sturdy and I love it.  I do think i'm gonna keep this one.

see the front railing and the center finial

the finished headboard bench!

our new front entrance~