How to Revamp a Lamp

I love taking something ugly and turning it into something useful and beautiful. :)

Take this cheap goodwill lamp for instance:

The brass was looking a little tired

and the beige center of the lamp...blah.

But the curves? Ooh la la!! I loved

it's trophy shape look. :)

And here's the ugly shade I bought with it. It was

actually painted maroon and baby blue with

craft paint right on top of the fabric shade.

U-G-L-Y. I paid $10 for the pair

because I could see potential in them.

And here's the after!

After a little oil-rubbed-bronze spray paint

(which I already had), this lamp went

from drab to fab in less than an hour!

All I did was remove all the fabric and glue

from the shade, tape any lamp parts I didn't

want to get spray painted on the lamp base,

and then sprayed 2 coats of the ORB spray paint...

and voila! I realize these photos don't do this

little lady justice, but she seriously looks

like something I bought from Pottery

Barn or Restoration Hardware!

I may end up buying a shade for her in the future, but for now, I'm really loving the exposed lines of the shade. Very chic, don't ya think?

Have a Happy (& Crafty!) Thursday,

Gail

Cole Eating Rice Cereal

We've been hearing for months not to expect much out of the first "real" feeding experience, cause most babies don't take to it that well and will only eat a tablespoon or so. Sooo....we were happily surprised that he not only took to it right away, but that he was coming back for more! He ate the entire bowl and was as happy as a clam! ;)

If this video doesn't show that we are new and adoring parents, I don't know what will....

He looks so small and cute in his feeding chair. ;)

Messy face!

More more!

Not too happy...

A few tears, but he's alright. :)

Happy Weekend!!!

Gail

Hydrangeas

The hydrangeas on my patio are in full bloom! I love their pom-pom blooms and light fragrance. To me, they're especially beautiful right after a light rain or sprinkling of the hose when their mop heads are slightly damp.

Each one of my hydrangeas are special to me because they mark a special time in my life. This one (above) was given to me by my Mother when I got engaged. Blue hydrangeas are my favorite flower and I used a lot of them in our wedding, so it was special to receive this from her. It makes me happy that it's lasted this long too! I hope to keep it alive for many years to come. ;)

Did you know that blue hydrangeas can range from light purple to dark blue depending on the acidity of the soil? The more acid {lower pH), the darker the color. Last year I would dump old coffee grounds on them and they were much darker and bluer. I'm enjoying the purple this year though!

This hydrangeas is also from my Mother and was given to me at Easter when we lived in our first apartment. I still have the dried blossoms that it produced that first year. {Thank you, Mom!}

This pretty pink variety was given to me by Matthew right before we moved from our 1st apartment. Moving is always a hard transition, but this little lady helped to soften the change.

Someday I'd love to have an entire hedge of pure hydrangeas in all varieties, but for now, I'm perfectly content with these beauties. ;) They bring gladness to my heart and remind me of The Gardener who does a much better job of taking care of them than I ever will.

Happy gardening to YOU!

Gail

Garage Sale-ing

On Mother's Day Eve I snagged the opportunity to do some much desired garage sale-ing....all to myself. I'm not sure if I enjoyed the hunt or the time alone the most! It was a perfect day for it, and as fate would have it, I did not come home empty handed. ;)

Here's are few goodies I was able to snatch up:

Cute little wooden stool

I already had the white vases, but

I thought using them would take prettier pictures ;)

$3!

Faux, but surprising real-looking,

Pottery Barn birch bark candles.

Can you believe these were once priced

at $30, $20, and $15? = $65!

I bought all 3 for just $5!

{they look like they've only been used once too!)

Ratan wicker basket organizer- $1

Vintage jewelry tray with ornate detailing

$1!

2 wood frames with glass fronts- $1.50

And last but not least.....

This old symphony book with

awesome wear and tear...

I just love the texture of the worn pages

50 cents!

Total investment: $12.00! I was happy with what I came away with and am looking forward to how I'm going to now USE them! I believe in using everything you own. Of course I have some things just for decorating purposes alone, but to me, that's where they find their use. However, if something is meant to be handled and used and it's just sitting in a closet or on a shelf and is never taken out and used....then you might as well replace it with something you actually use!!

How I'm going to use these items:

Stool- plant stand

Birch candles- coffee table centerpiece

Ratan organizer- in kitchen to hold incoming/outgoing mail, etc.

Jewelry tray- on vanity in Master Bedroom

Frames- will repaint the gold one black and use them on my "studio picture wall" that I'm creating

Symphony book- for decoration

Well, that's all for now folks! If you've been garage sale-ing recently and found some great deals, leave me a comment and tell me about it! ;)

Have a beautiful Thursday!!!

Gail

A Happy Mother's Day & Our {Almost} 6 Month Old

I hope every mother out there had a most blessed Mother's Day this past weekend. I know I did! :) And while I'll always consider last year to be my first Mother's Day, it sure was special this year getting to spend it with our sweet son, Cole.

Here are some photos of our weekend:

Matthew surprised me on Saturday with pedi's and

shopping with girlfriends while he cared for Cole.

So fun! When I got home I was surprised again

with a lovely dinner he had prepared. :)

He set the table with 4 place settings, each one

honoring each member of our family. He even set

one for "June", our Angel Baby. Oh my...did

the tears flow! I have the best husband. ;)

{Sorry for the dark picture}

Dinner was scrumptious: pan-seared fillet mignon,

wilted savory spinach, seasoned roasted potatoes,

shrimp kabobs wrapped in bacon & cheese...

and the best part----this creme brulee he made

himself! I was absolutely blown away. I'm married

to a chef...I had no idea! Now that the secret's out

I'll have to enlist him to cook more often! Ha!

~Mother's Day~

We spent Mother's Day at the beautiful

Dallas Arboretum gardens. A picnic

and a tour of the gardens made this momma

very happy! Here's my little guy sporting

the gift "he" made for me. :)

Delicious personal cherry & peach pies

made by yours truly. ;)

Me, Cole, and my wonderful Momma.

I love you, Mom!!! Soooo much!!!

4 Generations.

My beastly hubby, Cole, and my sweet

Mother-in-law, Ruthanne. ;)

Sisters & Mom in front of one of the

"flower houses". So pretty!

And now for some baby pics....

Happy Tuesday to all!!

Gail

A Birth Story

I was being sentimental today, so I made a little video of Cole's birth that I thought I would share with you. Each stage that brought him closer to us is precious to me; memories that will be forever etched into my mind. I think as a new mother the story, our story, of how our Cole was born is so intensely personal, yet at the same time too beautiful and natural not to share. I hope you enjoy this video.

Love & life to you,

Gail

Our 5-Month Old

Cole reached 5 months old on Saturday. My, how time flies!!! He's changed so much. It seems like just yesterday he and I were taking naps on the couch together, a sweet little bundle of a baby tucked under my arm. Now he's all squirmy, rolls over constantly, laughs and giggles and makes the most adorable baby noises (some pretty loud too...you'd think a bobcat was outside the window!)

Here are Cole's stats to date:

Weighs over 15 lbs. (50%)

Measured 26 1/2 inches long at 4 mo. (95%)

Rolls over (both ways--tummy to back/back to tummy)

Grabs at toys/puts in mouth

Coos/laughs/giggles/smiles

Starting to sit up better (not quite there)

Hold head up and can raise up on arms when on tummy

Looks up when Mommy or Daddy enter room and smiles

"swims" when on tummy

Stands upright (when supported)

ETC!

Here's a little photo shoot I did with him last week:

He's always looking outside

Drooly little smile :)

"Please, Mom. Not a diaper change now!"

I love this sweet face!

Grins and giggles

You talkin' to me?!?

"Hmm....I wonder what's outside.."

How YOU doin'?

You caught me!

Sittin' tall

I've got a secret!

My Sweet Son!

Have a Happy Monday!

*Gail*