Personalizing furniture with custom knobs

I have an old maple desk that I got from my grandparents when they went to a nursing home, and I've been toying with the thought of refinishing it. I'm not sure if I want to paint it though, because it's a beautiful wood and I'd hate to "trend" it up, only to have it fall out of style a few years down the road.

But one way I've customized it in the past is to use place mats or table runners on the top for a little instant decoration (I've done the same thing with my laptop desk in the living room). Another thought is to change out all the plain knobs for pretty and unique ones from places like Anthropologie. I have seven of the bird knobs (top image, below), which I received as part of a wedding gift—the eighth bird's tail broke :(














I saw some very nice ones when I was there on Friday, and I thought of all the things I could personalize without a lot of labor, and without much permanence (I'd save the desk's knobs, just in case). They have a cool "Hardware Store" section where you can try out different knobs and pulls on some sample furniture and move 'em around as you like.



Now I just gotta decide if I want to mix and match, follow a certain color palette, or just make them all the same. Hmmm....

Family business

There was a death in the family yesterday, so I haven't been able to blog as planned.

In the meantime, enjoy the pre-made posts written last week that'll appear for the next few days.

Fresh Sugar Lemon Eau de Parfum

I tried some of this Fresh Sugar Lemon at Sephora while I was at Oakbrook on Friday. I'm so in love. It smells like sugary lemonade on my skin, a perfect warm-weather perfume. I didn't cough up any money for it yet, but the seed has been planted.

I hear Sugar Blossom is even better, although they don't have a small size like they do for Sugar Lemon. Anyone try it?

Here comes the sun

I gave in. Funny thing is, I had a previous item in my Target online shopping cart from eons ago, so when I went to add the mirror, I had to delete that item (it was laundry-related stuff). When I checked out, I got a $5 discount that had been applied to that old shopping cart. I don't remember what the discount was for, but I think it's so cool that it was still valid after being in my shopping cart for 8+ months. All the more reason that getting the mirror was meant to be.

Thanks, Target.

Out in the yard

Sorry for the lack of cruising other blogs during the last few days. I've been working up a sweat in the yard, raking and sweeping and tidying things up. I wrote several posts ahead of time, which is why they're so nicely appearing every day for your reading pleasure.

It's supposed to rain all day today, so I might be forced indoors to clean, decorate, and blog. How horrible! :)

Pretty pillow alert!

If you're addicted to buying pretty pillows (like me), don't read this.



I was reading the archives of one of my most favorite blogs, Oh Happy Day, and saw a post about these fabulous pillows from Joom. I am so hooked. I want one so badly it hurts. And if I were a normal person, I'd justify buying a pillow and call it a day. Oh, but I'm not. I have a pillow addiction, and one—or twenty one—is never enough for me. So I must really sit back and decide if I really want one (duh!) and which ONE I want (not which five). And then of course, where to put it.



Decisions, decisions.

Working at Anthropologie

After heading home from Sam's yesterday, I happened to stop off at Anthropologie for a few odds and ends. My bird sugar bowl and butter dish are much beloved by me, and I have a sneaking feeling that they'll break someday and I won't have a backup. Plus, I wanted to see what was on sale and whether they had any cute creamers to go with my sugar bowl.


{My bird sugar bowl}

Of course, I was like a kid in a candy store. My mouth hung open as I looked around at all the pretty, colorful, and interesting things. I smelled all the lovely perfumes, touched all the beautiful linens, and drooled over the awesome clothes. A super nice saleslady noticed my bag had huge holes in it and that my little butter dish was about to go tumbling out. She rushed over with a new bag and helped me transfer my stuff, which was sweet, and well timed, because I was oblivious to what was about to happen. Everyone else working there was so nice and friendly but laid back, and not obnoxious like salespeople tend to be.


{My butter dish}

Anyhow, I noticed they were hiring part time workers, so I asked for an application. I figured it couldn't hurt. I want to grow my freelance business, and I'm not having any luck with finding a full-time job. My plan is to work a part-time job or two and get the freelance work crankin', and transition into the freelance work full time, once it gets going. Until then, I might as well work somewhere that makes me happy, right? And what better place than Anthropologie. Plus, it's at Oakbrook, which is a lovely mall and not too far from where I live.


{My mouse doorstop, which seems to have mysteriously disappeared in our house}

I'm thinking of filling the application out and turning it in this weekend. I just need to talk to Pete about it, and he's hanging with his buddies right now, so that'll have to wait til morning.

Cool finds at the antique mall

Sam and I had a great time at the antique mall yesterday. We had lunch at the Corner Bakery, then went to the mall where I found lots of neat things. Then we stopped over at Trader Joe's where I bought some gorgeous peach blossoms (only $7.99!). And we topped it all off with some coffee at Caribou Coffee.

Okay, so this is what I got:

I scored these red wooden folding chairs, which are perfect for extra seating in a pinch, and which Max seems to like. (The chairs are next to my daybed, for which I'm FINALLY getting a mattress tomorrow when Matt comes over.)



I also found these pretty (and inexpensive) vintage tea cups to add to my growing collection.



This old Kenmore fan/heater still works, and looks really cool too.



Finally, I found this awesome telephone table and chair. The chair is attached to the table, and swings out for a handy little seat if you want to have a long conversation. When folded up, it makes a nice little side table.



Now I just gotta get a cool telephone to go on the table. Or in it—there's a neat little storage area that's revealed when the chair is swung away from the table. Love it!



And displayed on my table are those dainty peach blossoms, which I arranged in the gorgeous vase given to us for our bridal shower. I will absolutely be going back to TJ's for more blossoms, once these die out. They are so pretty!



I'm so pleased with my finds, and Pete isn't grumpy about me buying lots of crap to fill the house. And the prices were wonderful. There's a sidewalk sale on Saturday, June 6th, which I most certainly will be attending.

Like crack for my OCD

I stumbled upon Organize.com while cleaning out the fridge. I want to store all the eggs we have (from the store and from Pete's mom and friend) in something besides the flimsy plastic containers eggs come in. Anyhow, I was looking online for storage stuff and found Organize.com's website. I almost started shaking in my seat. I know if I start browsing now that I'll never get around to cleaning the fridge out, which is what I'm supposed to be doing at the moment. But I'll just say that if you have fantasies about perfectly organized and compartmentalized living spaces like I do, you might want to check it out.

Cake molds as decoration

I have a bunch of beautiful decorative cake molds I've been collecting over the years, and I'd love to do something like this in my kitchen (as soon as we're ready to decorate in there). Pete loves the idea and has some methods planned for hanging the molds on the wall (not all of them have holes in the center).



I love this look, except mine would be in a line around the upper areas of my kitchen walls, above cabinets and such. And mine are all pretty silvery-pewter colors, although I think I may have a red mold or two.



Very hip yet cottage-y looking, I think. And our kitchen will look extra cool with our Magic Chef 1000 stove, Milicent, faithfully baking away in the corner.



Ah, if we could only be done with renovations, so that I can decorate to my heart's content.

Euro Lap Desk

I love this little wooden Euro Lap Desk I recently got from Borders. I tend to drag my MacBook Pro all over the house with me, especially when I get in a creative "zone" and want to keep working but not hunker at my desk all day. That's when this portable desk comes in handy. It's lightweight and comfy, and helps reduce the baking of my thigh flesh as my laptop battery hums away.

Kate Spade china

I love this china from Kate Spade called "Gardner Street Green." I'm almost tempted to buy some sets and mix and match it with my current china, "Simply Chirp" from Lenox. I'm not sure that they really go together all that well, but that's never stopped me before.



Is it tacky to mix and match china? Does it matter?

Add a little sparkle—or a lot

A little as in this Galaxy Wall Mirror from Target. I am in love with this thing and I always stop by to lovingly caress and admire it when I'm in the store, like I was today. The price is reasonable and it's soooo cool. I should just get it over with and buy it. I know I'll cherish it because I still adore the sunburst-like convex mirror I bought from Target a few years ago. (Izzy took this self portrait of herself in it with my iPhone.)



But then I see this online:

And I'm torn as to whether I should buy the petite model or go all out for the huge one. I can just imagine the big one in the spare room, right over the daybed, reflecting all the glorious sunset hues in the afternoon. It would be stunning and so lovely. And there's free shipping available.

I think I've already answered my question.

Trapped in the spare room

Certain cats like to frolic inside/underneath the dining room floor when Pete is working on it and has his back turned, so these particular cats had to be properly contained. You'd think they were being sent to prison or something, the way they were looking so confused and hurt.

Sorry about the icky windows, I'm in the middle of renovations and cleaning and job hunting, and I have yet to shine them.

On the lookout for a leather chair

I'm in decorating mode at the ol' homestead, and I need to find a few items so that I'm somewhat satisfied with things. One of those items is a chair for Pete's "music room," or our spare bedroom/office/library. I need to find something manly for him, yet something that can be used elsewhere if/when we move from this house. And I'm rather fond of leather chairs, especially in lovely espresso and chocolate leather. I can't seem to decide what style I like, whether more elaborate or streamlined. I like both styles, which I think is an apparent pattern in my home decor.



I'll probably end up getting something totally different, but this is what I have in mind right now. Sam and I are going to an antique mall in LaGrange on Friday, so I'm hoping to score some good deals. I'm also on the lookout for a small secretary and a small table/computer desk for Pete.



And yeah, I'm hoping to catch up reading all my favorite blogs during the next few days. I missed you all—thanks for the warm wishes!

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Cleaning Products

What is it about things smelling so good that put me in an aromatic heaven? Things like Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Cleaning Products. I happened to pick up a bottle of the Lemon Verbena Countertop Spray at Target last week, and I'm hooked. I admit I also ordered some more products that aren't carried at Target, like the Geranium and Baby Blossom scents.

I love love love walking into my house and smelling freshness, not funk. Who wouldn't?

Hunter Red Rain Boots

I admit I'm drooling over these rain boots by Hunter, especially on a rainy day like today. Yes, they're pricey, but they're oh-so-cool and colorful and happy looking. If I could find them cheap, I'd snatch them up in a heartbeat.



And if I pair my boots with the cute umbrellas I recently bought from Target, I can splash in the puddles without worry.

Now I just need a cute raincoat. Hmmm....

Happy Easter

I'm going to start blogging again. Yes, I know I've said this before, but my life was quite chaotic and I was a bit adrift. Not that I'm not now, but I feel ready to blog again. I miss it :)

Meanwhile, have a great Easter!

(Image from shoptoit.com.)

Adora—future model?

I'm reminded of the painting "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" for some reason...

A bit of glamour for $5.74 (plus tax)

From Target...can you believe it? (Please excuse my hideous fading pedicure.)

Welcome, Mr. T!

Izzy and I cleaned out the fish tank yesterday, and let me tell you, it sorely needed it! And when we were done, we introduced Kayo to Mr. T, my new fish. Izzy named him Mr. T, which is short for Mr. Tangerine (we're assuming he's a he). The name comes from the weird orange markings on him, something I've never seen on a Black Moor before (he has orange around his eyes, tail, and belly).

So far Kayo seems to like Mr. T, and Mr. T seems very enthusiastic and happy to be in a gigantic tank with lots of food. I'm hoping he can reach the same size as Scrappy did, and be just as happy too.

Pretty shoes!

God help me, I couldn't resist. I know, I know, totally impractical, and really only wearable with a fabulous dress to some fancy to-do, right? But they have given me the biggest and most long-lasting smile I've had in a long time, which is saying a lot right now. I adore them, but it'll be agony waiting to wear them til nicer weather comes along!

BTW, now that I'm officially home for the entire month of March, I'll be back to blogging again. I've let it slide a bit with all the drama and stress at work, but I should have a little free time between job searching stints on my hands to post some stuff here and there. So I'm sending a sincere thanks to all my readers for sticking with me, and just being there during this tough time. Thanks.