Here’s a fun little project!  I picked this coffee table from a local thrift store for $15.  I just loved the shape of the top of the table, and I knew I could make it into something with a little more personality.  It has been an unfinished project for months, so I am glad that it is finally complete!

Here is the before on the table:

Below, I painted the base and outer frame with white Annie Sloan Chalk paint.  Annie Sloan chalk paint requires no prep work, and it leaves the furniture with an antique, matte finish I just love!

I cut vintage and vintage reproduction maps which I decoupaged onto the tabletop.  I put a few extra coats to give it a final finish.

 It is the perfect addition to my little living room, and I just love the maps!

I am a little obsessed with these vintage figurine busts I recently found.  They are adorable… maybe a little creepy to some, but I am so in love with them at the moment.  I think I should name them?  What do you think?  I picked these up in a second-hand store, and someone had painted them gold… part of me wonders what’s underneath that metallic paint, but I am just smitten with them at the moment that I don’t  think I’ll touch them quite yet.

Any name suggestions?  The one on the left is a girl, and the one on the right, I believe is a boy.

This past weekend, I was able to go out and do one of my favorite things… treasure hunt at the Antique Faire.  If you haven’t been to the Sacramento Antique Faire, it is a really fun experience to go do on a Sunday.  The die-hards get there early in the morning with their flashlights and coats, all bundled up in the Wintertime.  I didn’t get there that early, but I had a great time looking around, and there were plenty of vendors open this month!

People push around their carts, bargain for deals and enjoy over all of the fun finds!

I thought these were kind of fun!

In need of some silver?  These are all really fun, I love the teapots!

And, here are just a few little trinkets I picked up…

Vintage deer locket.  I love deer, and this was a really cool watch (that doesn’t work), but will make for a cool necklace.

I scored this jar full of keys for a great deal!

Here were some of my favorites from the jar.  I’ll have a few projects ahead with these!

A pairing of vintage emerald earrings.  These will be perfect for the holidays!

This Royall Lyme bottle caught my eye, I love the color, and the detailed stopper with a crown on it.  I believe it is a men’s cologne bottle from what I can find on the internet.

The Sacramento Antique Faire is held the second Sunday of every month, you can view more details on their website:

http://www.sacantiquefaire.com/

Happy Hunting!

Ok. Long time, no post!  Tell me about it!  Things have been crazy with wedding season ending with my floral business, Botanica Floral Designs, and now will be office season and booking events for this next year!  Anyways, long story short, is that I am going to have more posts up here on the blog!  Yay!

I thought since we’re in the holiday spirit, I’d share this fun recipe you can try out!  My friends just started a monthly themed cook-off where we all get together and create a dish for each of us to sample, judge, and choose a winning dish of the evening.  This month’s theme was Christmas, so I decided to go with a peppermint themed dessert…. a Peppermint Ice Cream Sandwich!  Try it out, and let me know what you think!  I didn’t take photos along the way, but here’s the skinny on what you’ll need:

1 Package of Oreo cookies

1/3 cup butter

1 Gallon of Peppermint Ice Cream

1 Tub of Cool Whip

4 Candy Canes

A cupcake pan and tin cupcake liners

So, here’s how you can create these treats:

Grind up the oreo cookies in your food processor until they are fine enough to make a crust.  Melt and mix in your butter so that you can get a consistent texture of this mixture to create a crust.

I used tin cupcake liners in a cupcake pan so that each of the guests had their own dessert, but you could use an entire pie pan and make a large pie with this same recipe.  Compress the oreo crumbs to the bottom of the cupcake liner, then take your peppermint ice cream (which you should leave out to soften… this will make this process easier!).  Apply a layer of Peppermint ice cream, and then follow up with another layer of the oreo mix.  Chill in your freezer until hardened.  You can then remove the pies from the pan and remove the wrapper, as the layers will have frozen together.

Place the cool whip in a cake decorating bag and apply a layer atop of the pies.  You can then finish off the tops with some additional oreos and crunched peppermint sticks to add to the decor.  Place back into the freezer and chill until ready to serve!

These are super fun, but could be created for any time of the year by switching out different types of ice cream, candy toppings and a graham cracker crust!

Happy Holidays, hope you enjoy this one!

Here’s a little craft project I was working on a few weeks ago.  It was my sister’s birthday, and since I couldn’t be there with her, I sent her this little package in the mail.  Love you Vivi!

This paper mache cupcake was decoupaged and finished off with glitter polka dots and a cute little topper with a velvet bow.

A special little birthday card I made with some scrap booking paper and stamps…

Inside, I wrapped up a necklace I made for her with a V monogram for Vivian.

Simple and sweet.  Happy Birthday little sis!

I happened upon this posting on Pinterest, and I have to say, I love quotes, inspiring thoughts and positive thinking.  I think it is so easy to get wrapped up into negative thinking, and this adorable poster reminds us that we should be grateful for all we have.  Check out Kind Over Matter on Facebook and her blog where you can download freebie printables and more!  Hope you are making it a great day!

Who doesn’t love to be organized?  I know I do!  Here’s a simple, affordable, and stylish way to store bathroom toiletries, crafts, desk supplies, you name it!

First, you’ll want to start saving those condiment jars!  I like to collect various sizes and styles especially if they are all grouped together.

Chose your favorite patterned fabric from the local craft store.  A thicker fabric is suggested as you most likely will be handling these containers quite a bit.  Something that ties in with your home or office decor can bring a fun touch to your space.

Trace around each of the container lids with a pencil.

Cut around the tracing enough to wrap around the edges of the container.

Hot glue down each of the sides of the fabric to the metal lid, then glue a ribbon finish around the outside.

I love how these turned out!  I use them to store office supplies on my desk.

Or crafting supplies…

And, a baking dish can keep all your beads easily organized!

Hope you enjoyed this quick & easy idea to keep your things organized!

With dessert bars all the rage these days for weddings, bridal showers, baby showers and parties in general, here’s a little real wedding inspiration that you will just love!  From Festive Designs out of San Luis Obispo, California, I think these floral additions, wooden stump elevations and sweet little signs make this cupcake dessert bar super cute!  Beautiful images captured by Ken Kienow Photography.

The addition of flowers to these additional tables for your reception make such a great impact in carrying out your overall theme and decor into each aspect.  I love the wooden stumps used for different elevations on this table.  Creating different heights is essential when putting together a display such as this.

How adorable is this over-sized cupcake?  The fresh lavender accents add a cute touch.

Hope you enjoy a “sweet” weekend!

Back for another Wardrobe Wednesday!  If you love the Summer heat, but want to stay looking stylish and cool in it, you will love this Wardrobe Wednesday feature! This flirty red Summer dress paired with leather and gold accents is the perfect combo for lunch with the girls!