Adding Character to your home {Furniture in the bathroom}

Oh I have missed writing on this little ole blog! I guess August is just the month for crazy life. I am hoping that September will give me a little more time for projects and writing. I am excited for fall to come...time to slow down a bit!

A couple of weeks ago I found this inspirational picture on the web:

 source

It really got me thinking about how an unique piece of furniture can really add some major character and style to a bathroom. We are so use to seeing regular vanities, stand up showers and garden tubs that really don't add much character at all. I really love the idea of taking either a vintage or industrial piece and adding it to the bathroom, whether for storage purposes or in place of a regular vanity.

Take a look at some others I found:

source

Atlanta Homes Mag

source

source

source

What do you all think? Do you have room in your bathroom for an unique piece? Could you swap out your existing vanity for something that adds a bit more character?

Tuesday Treats #21 {Inspiration from around the web}

Well it is back in the 90's here in NC this week. Our beautiful weather has now turned into hot hot summer. I wish I could send some of this weather to some of you. I know that my family that lives in NY really didn't get much of a summer. I am ready for fall...boots, light sweaters, windows open, etc. Until then I will stalk my friends that have pools.

I am back with another round up of links and inspiration from around the web. If you want to follow my weekly picks on Pinterest you can click HERE.


#1 Fall Shoes: 
Since I am getting ready for fall I am thinking a pair of slingbacks is a must. I love both of these looks for sure! Now the decision ...open toe or closed? What do you think?

photo one/photo two unknown

#2: Summer's 10 Best Grill Recipes:
I found this receipe on pinterest this past week and since it is peach season, you better believe I am going to make this grilled peach and portobello sandwich. Yum! For All 10 Recipe's click HERE

source

#3 Kid's Milestone Picture:

I absolutely love the idea of taking one picture each year of your child and typing his/her likes and what they enjoy doing. It would be so amazing to look back at these photos and remember those times. I'm storing this away for the future for sure!

source uknown

#4 Fabulous Breakfast Nook:
How amazing is this light and bright breakfast nook. I am obsessed with the textures and neutral colors. It is such an inviting spot to sip some coffee, host a brunch or get some work done. Maybe my next house will have a nook. One can wish!

source

#5 Be Yourself:

In a world full of social media, pinterest, hollywood...it is so easy to get wrapped up in trying to be someone else. The world would be a boring place if we were all the same. God gave each one of us different talents, figures, budgets, families and it is time to start being ourselves and enjoying the beauty that comes from it.

source

I hope you all are having a wonderful week! Sorry posting has been on the light side lately. Trying to finish up some projects and deal with life. Sometimes you just need to step away in order to regain focus and motivation!

Outdoor Dinner for Two (+ A Giveaway)

We have had some unbelievable weather here in NC over the past week. The humidity has been minimal and the bugs have seemed to disappear. So I decided that it was time to move our dinners back out on the patio. And because today is International Can-It-Forward Day, I used some of the limited addition ball jars last evening to help me create a romantic yet relaxed dinner for two.

If you love canning, mason jar crafts, gifts or decorating with these beauties you can follow Ball  for giveaways and LIVE demonstrations going on throughout the day. You can see that all happening HERE starting at 10:00am EST.

• Schedule of events:
• 10:00am - Pepper Jelly demonstration by Chef Sara featuring the FreshTECH Automatic Jam & Jelly Maker
• 10:45am - Tips on urban gardening & herb preservation
• 11:00am - Peach Siracha Jam demonstration by Marisa McClellan of Food in Jars
• 11:30am - Crafting in Ball jars with staff from Martha Stewart Living
• 11:45am - Hugh Acheson Preserving and Mixology demonstrations
• 1:15pm - Special Mixology demonstration with local mixologists
• 1:30pm - Salsa Verde demonstration by Chef Sarah featuring the FreshTECH Automatic Home Canning System

That's Not All my friends! Ball is also giving ONE of my lucky readers all the goodies you see below! I am so in love with my green ball jars and can't wait to start using them more around the house. I also can't wait to try out their new herb products like the Fresh Herb Keeper and Herb Scissors. Who knew they created more than just jars!?

What you will win:

1. 1 case (6) of Quart Sized Vintage Style Spring Green Ball Jars

2. 1 case (6) of Pint Sized Vintage Style Spring Green Ball Jars

3. 1- Five Blade Herb Scissors

4. 1 box (4) Dry Herb Jars with Lids

5. 1 Fresh Herb Keeper

6. 1 box (2) Frozen Herb Starters

Follow the Rafflecopter below to enter! (U.S. Residents Only Please) Good Luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway



**A HUGE Thank you to Ball Jars for sending the above products for review and giveaway. As always all of the opinions are mine and only mine. **

Master Closet Organization {Before & After}

When we moved into our home a few years ago I fell in love with the open floor plan, the four spacious bedrooms and the high ceilings. The one thing I was not too happy about was having to downsize our master closet. To some of you, you might think it is a great walk-in closet! To others you will see what I mean by a small closet. It is all about perspective...isn't it?

Well after five years I finally feel like we have used the space in this closet wisely. We went vertical with the storage which has given us ample space for our clothes. We still don't have a place for our dresses and suits, so they stay put in the guest closet. I figured since we don't wear those items all that much, is was okay they weren't joining the rest of our clothes. We both have dressers as well for our T-shirts, shorts, workout clothes and PJs.

I would have loved to get a whole closet makeover with EasyClosets or the Elfa Closet solutions at The Container Store, but it wasn't in our budget. So instead I am going to share with you how I created an organized closet using a few easy solutions and products.

First I can't share my solutions without showing you where we were a few short months ago.

(Yes, I am hanging my head in shame at the moment) We would literally just throw our clothes on top of the shelves and run! I hated this closet and I am sure my husband was sick of me saying so. 

And now the pretty picture.....

This is a "walk-in" closet, but on the left side of the closet is a full window. This leaves two very small walls for clothes. And if you remember there was a little nook to the right where we added some vertical shelves for my shoes. Definitely one of my favorite things about this closet now!

The other major solution for this closet were the cube shelves. We really needed something to organize all of our sweaters, jeans, etc. I found these shelves at Target and they fit perfectly with even a little space on top for hats and purses. 

You can see I even added a little gold touch mimicking a campaign style with washi tape. I just had to make it a bit more exciting!

The hanging rod below my clothes was another necessity when it came to our dress pant situation. I found this closet rod at The Container Store. It is adjustable and fits perfectly in the lower corner of the closet. It really expanded our hanging space without having to add a permanent lower rod. 

See Two-Toned Ikea Dresser Hack HERE

We also made use of the space behind the door by adding some hooks for hanging my bags and an outfit inspiration board. I also added some 3M hooks on the back of the door for the Hubs baseball caps. 

I am also in love with my new wooden hangers! I found a box of 24 for $12.99 at target! They add a bit of texture to the space and bring that cohesive feel to the closet. I also used them in my coat closet makeover. Can't say enough amazing things about them. Gone are the days of plastic hangers for me!

I am so very happy with how it turned out. It might not be the biggest closet, but it now has big function! I am not scared to walk in my closet anymore!

How about you? What have you been organizing on a budget lately?

Related Projects:
DIY Home Depot Shoe Shelves
DIY Tufted Striped Ottoman
Outfit Pinspiration Board
Two-toned Ikea Hack Dresser

The Day I went to {Scott's Aniques} Atlanta, GA

Hi All! Be prepared for photo overload today! A few weeks ago when I attended the Haven Conference, I also was able to spend a couple of days with my Aunt and Uncle who live near Atlanta. I was pretty pumped when my aunt asked if I wanted to go to Scott's Anique Market. Scott's only takes place the second weekend of each month. I was lucky that it fell on the weekend I was there!

If you aren't familiar with Scott's Antique Market, you will be after this post! You will want to make a separate trip to Atlanta just to experience "America's Favorite Treasure Hunt." And that is exactly what it is...a treasure hunt. If you are looking for something for your home or a piece to inspire a DIY, this is the place to go! The market is spread between three buildings as well as a huge outdoor space where vendors are set up as well. Below are just a "few" pictures to get you excited to go on your own treasure hunt!

The first vendor that I really enjoyed made these unique tables out of reclaimed fencing, wood, boat chains & more. So unique!

There were also vendors selling amazing oriental and dhurrie rugs. So many gorgeous colors to choose from.

Lighting at every turn!

I especially loved this lamp below. It was sold before I could get a picture with the lampshade on. It was made from an old metal railing picket from a historic home in Charleston, SC. It was really a large unique beauty!

Some other great industrial furniture made from local artists. I love the large table with the swinging bar stools that fold under the table as well as that round unique coffee table. If only I had a place for it!

Cloche's all shape and sizes.....

There was some really neat nautical decor. How fab are these lights and buoys?

And...for you party people, there was a HUGE disco ball only $2,000! Come on...you know you love it!

You know the pillow hoarder in me wanted to grab a few of these beauties...

And I couldn't get over the lines on this wingback chair. Such a fun modern take on a classic wingback. All it needed was a bit more stuffing on the seat!

I was also inspired by these little side tables made from a vintage basket and large clay pot. How easy would it be to have a piece of glass cut for the top of a clay pot, wire basket, round wood stump...etc.? These would be great pieces to add to a patio or porch.

The outside area of Scott's had so many neat reclaimed pieces that would be perfect for adding a little vintage in your home. I fell in love with these colorful letters and numbers as well as the corbels. I just wish I had an upcoming client project to use them on!

This is seriously just a smidgen of what I saw at Scott's. I didn't even get pictures of the antique clocks, cameras, dolls, artwork, etc. You need at least a full day if not two to really take in the whole place. And then another day to put your feet up and rest. Lots of walking...but so worth it!

You betcha I'll be going back hopefully sooner than later. Oh...and I bought three vintage letters that I'll be showing you very soon as well as three large white tailed deer antlers. Yes I'm crazy...yes I'll show you soon!

Hope you are having a great day!