Sea Shells at Summers End

Reaching the end of Summer is not welcomed….

Although Florida has warm weather year-round it still saddens me when Summer ends because our “weekly” beach excursions becomes “maybe monthly”  until next Summer.

Via

Via

I always manage to bring home beautiful sea shells each time we go to add to our collection.

 

But when your shell collection results in too many for one container to hold, then it’s time to divide and conquer with creative ways to use your shells in home decorating.

Here are a few simple ideas I’ve done that were inspired by the many shell lovers I follow and admire.

Apothecary Jar and candle ring:

Clam Shell filled with white sea shells:  Clam Shell purchased from AtHome Superstore

Add Starfish which are actually Christmas Tree ornaments from AtHome Superstore. 

Create a Shell Tray:

I strongly recommend using GE II Silicone Sealant that is clear and water proof instead of hot glue.  For the base I stacked shells and used a large Bay Scallop Shell turned upside down for the tray top.  Then painted the inside with a little sparkle.

To create an Orb:

Start with a Styrofoam or rubber ball.  Add shells until you like what you see. Super simple DIY

A Sea Shell Tassel.

Drill small holes at the tips of Alphabet Cone Shells and use monofilament wire to tie together.  The same way I drilled in making the wind chime shown here.   Drill a hole at the top and bottom of a large Knobbed Whelk shell.  Tie the tassel to the bottom hole and create a wire hook to insert in the top hole.

  

Why not replace the clapper and center string of an old wind chime with your new sea shell tassel

Plant accents:

One I really like is a simple placement of a few on the side of your house plants.

Lantern fillers:

Fill a floor lantern with larger shells, center a large flameless candle and use tiny stones instead of sand.

    

Table lantern vignette:

This lantern was a steal from Goodwill for $3.99 the bottom sticker was still on from Ross at $17.99.

After cleaning I painted the top and hardware silver metallic but left the white distressed. I was tickled how it came out.

I will be putting this lantern to good use.  The flameless candle and small shells turn out cute

but I’m thinking of using a film on the glass in a tropical scene and use this lantern it to hide the back yard bug spray. 🙂 I really, really dislike seeing bug spray sitting out. I’m always putting it under tables and chairs. Now I can give it a place where it’s quick and easy to find. 🙂 It would be similar to this:

Now that the sea shell DIYs are finished…it’s time to relax and enjoy a dream view.    Bye-Bye Sea Shore Until next Summer….

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy the rest of your Summer.

Hand Lotion Buffet

 

Creating a soft touch….for your hands.

  What takes the moisture out of your hands leaving them rough and dry?  My hands are always in water and forever handling fabric which saps the moisture out  leaving them dry, rough and hang nails are horrible.  Needless to say I hoard hand creams and lotions.  Bottles and brands of different sizes are all over the house misplaced,  half full some dried out and empty.  It’s really ridiculous.   Soooo its high time for me to step up my game and get this lotion organized.

First the clean up:  I combined half bottles of the same lotion and discarded old and empty bottles.

Second: I decided a mirrored tray table would be perfect to display them.

To create the tray table I wanted to used a mirrored tray I already had.  It’s featured in Giving Thanks. (The art used in the tray is now properly framed) The tray was the perfect size but I needed a stand.   AtHome Store had the perfect side table and a smaller mirrored tray to create the table. Painted the table silver to coordinate with the bathroom fixtures. 

Then secured the large mirror tray onto the metal frame of the table.  

Lotion dispensers:   Lowest cost. Light weight. Small 10 oz. size or less.  The Dollar Tree Store had the perfect ceramic dispensers. Small apothecary jars, glass candy jars and candles.  For a $1.00 each I could not go wrong.  I was pleasantly surprised they carried all the items I needed.  

And here she is:  The Hand Lotion Buffet. Properly named because it smells sweetly delicious.   The question: How many lotions does a gal need.  Some women like lipstick…I like lotions, what can I say.

The small mirror tray from AtHome I hung on the wall only to give the tray more dept.

The dispensers hold hand lotions. The glass jars holds shea butter and creams.  The back top shelf holds hand scrubs. 

Think out the box for containers.  A Pilsner glass with a candle topper for the lid was the perfect size for the hand scrub and using a bling spoon makes it easy to scoop out. A small decanter to hold almond oil used to mix with lotions. In case I forget the ingredients or brands I tape labels to the bottom of each. For the softer moisturizer creams I used oil bottles purchased from Goodwill for .69 cents.  Then made dipping wands out of clear plastic paint brush handles attached to champagne cork stoppers.  Dip the wand then wipe and spread the moisture cream. You don’t need much so the wand pulls out just what you need. 

The candles have a nice scent.  Also from the Dollar Tree Store.  I think what I liked most was the diamond cute glass container. Perfect small size for the tray. Another product I recently discovered is NeWOC Bath and Spa Essentials. Organic handmade soaps and spa essentials.  The Orange/Lemon/Grapefruit collection is Delicious!  The sugar scrub left my hands so soft I didn’t want to touch anything for the rest of the day. (contact information: NewocBathandSpa@gmail.com) 

Scrubs containing organic oils and natural ingredients are the best for removing dead skin and rejuvenating softer smoother skin.  If you want to create your own it’s as simple as pouring cream in your coffee. Most ingredients are right in your pantry.  Here is my recipe for a simple and effective scrub:

• 1/2 cup of White Sugar
• 1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Tablespoon of Lemon

You may adjust the consistency and add oils, sea salts, honey…The recipes are simple and many are available by searching Hand Scrub Recipes on Google.

Another recipe by Jamala of VivaLaVintage for your home is the Gardenia-Lime Sugar Scrub.     

Her recipe is great and the Gardenia aroma is divine. Click on the picture for the full post and recipe.

After your hand scrub remember to follow-up with a good cream or lotion while your hands are still damp to lock in moisture.

That’s it y’all… A Hand Lotion, Cream, Sugar Scrub Buffet…  🙂

Simple and easy.  No more searching to find my lotions. A designated place keeps my mind clear.  🙂  Plus, guest are able to enjoy a nice hand spa if they desire.

Thanks for stopping by the buffet.  Walking into bath room smells simply delicious and my hands could not be happier.

See ya soon.  Thanks for stopping by

 

 

 

Hubby’s Bathroom Countertop

Hi there!  Thanks for stopping by:  Amazing August is Here!!  Time is flying by.

This month I made plans to add a little masculine-glam to my husbands bathroom countertop.  Not really sure if you call it masculine-glam, but compared to mine it needed a little touch of glam to coordinate both vanities.   Anywho..  I asked him to pick out what he would like only to make sure it includes silver/chrome.

Well Lordy, Lordy… here is what he picked out: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labrazel Parsons Nickel Bathroom Accessories sold by Frontgate. com

This is fine handcrafted white Italian Alabaster with Nickel bases.  No two pieces are alike….Price range starts at $459 up to $799.00  Yes you read right.  $$$  Boy oh boy did we have a laugh….NOT in this lifetime unless we become surprise millionaires. And even then I would have high doubts.

So the hunt was on the find something as similar as possible.  I asked that he come along in case I did not find anything similar, then he could pick something else out to his liking….. Off we go…

Home Goods had exactly what satisfied the decision:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This set is by DeVi Designs. Genuine Handcrafted Marble.  Heavy as a cow and incased in stainless steel trim with ball feet on each piece.  They only had these three pieces.  However customer service advised me to check back because new shipments of merchandise arrive every Thursday.  Could not believe the prices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my haste I did not take a before picture. But his countertop was pretty bland.

Now it’s dressed with a little Masculine-Glam.  “HE LIKES IT”  Yay..  oops the tags and labels will be removed .  Still to come mouthwash caddy.  The tray is perfect for his everyday grooming needs.  Although the vanity cabinet and drawers can hold all of his grooming items it’s nice that things can be organized on the counter top within hands reach.  And I don’t ask why he needs two countertop mirrors. 🙂   Adding a surprise naughty photo of me-wifey give his vanity a little sweet interest too 🙂

I was hesitant to put both candlesticks on each side. But it frames the counter and mirror nicely.  These candlesticks had a previous life as lamps.  Adding the hurricane vase gives height and a little drama. The stone of the candlesticks coordinates nicely with the marble. 

He likes the little changes and that’s all that matters.  🙂I’m loving Home Goods, they  have awesome bargains. I’ll visit them again very soon.

Thanks for stopping by.

Enjoy your week-end

Fly….out of here!

Hey there!  How’s the Summer treating you?? Sharing a little DIY that is so useful but the materials I used are so … “you got to be kidding me  silly”.  But I needed a quick and temporary fix because I was fit to be tied!

A little back ground: For those who know me, know that I spend a great deal of time outdoors.  “It’s my happy place”.  So having ice water, punch, lemonade and yes, cocktails are essential in keeping myself hydrated in this summer heat.   With that being said…..

Sooo like hum… I’m relaxing at the pool with my most favorite summer punch cocktail ….just chatting with friends:

I turned to take a sip of my refreshing cocktail and …..

Not only did I scream but dropped my precious secret ingredient punch all over me!!!  Darn that oh nasty horse-fly-bug thing!!I was fit to be tied.

I know we have all experienced a nasty fly invading our space no matter how much we take preventive measures.

  Oh and by the way…all dolled up by the pool with a bathing suit that does not touch water… a dreadful fly swatter will never be apart of our accessories. Right Ladies??    Yuck!! Tired of placing a napkin over my drink, which sinks in and gets wet and soggy… It was time to get serious and protect my precious outdoor Summer punch cocktails!!   I went online and found these wine glass covers:

2 for $21.95..Really???    Made of high-quality, polished stainless steel rim and mesh.

 

Great looking but, here is the kicker, the diameter is too small to fit my outdoor acrylic wine glasses and cups

 NEXT:

4 for $24.95.   4″ wide Gently grips rim and allows wine to breathe through its stainless steel mesh center

 

Love these. IDK… really don’t care for the colors.  The search is still on.

Until I find the perfect ones…I needed a quick solution.  I decided on a DIY using these items:

CD’s, bling magnets purchased from my grandchildren’s favorite store, 5Below and plastic coins.

 

Ok here’s the part that takes less than 2 minutes, glue the magnet onto the center of the CD to cover hole…turn over…glue the coin in the center to cover the back of the magnet.  Dress it up to coordinate with your outdoor décor.  I crack myself up…   

 

Also, another quick and crazy idea:   I purchased a sink mat for $2.99 and cut circles the size of the CD to make sure it would fit over the outdoor drinkware.  Since this is rubber, no slips and slides. can also use as coasters.

 

The small drainage holes in the sink mat are the perfect size for straws… Who knew!

 

OK,  both of these ideas are just for outdoor “informal occasions”  Not for swanky alfresco dinner parties!!!!

The next time a fly tries to makes his crash party…Be ready………

“OK Sweetie, I changed, drink refreshed and covered…Now where were we….What did I miss….”

 

 

A temporary fix until I find the right “glam-o-chic” outdoor cocktail covers.  Thanks for stopping by

 

Enjoy your Outdoor Summer Punch Cocktails…..without the flies… 🙂

All pics Google clip art

Braemore Jamil Leopard Print…..Ohhh La La

Friday’s Fabulous Fabrics !!

   This post I’m sharing the beautiful fabric I have been dreaming of.

 

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I read a post on a living room project by one of my favorite Interior Designers, Veronica of Casa Vilora Interiors .  Since, I could not stop thinking about the leopard pillows that were featured.  I love the entire room and the leopard pillows looked so dreamy they were calling my name.  Check out the beautiful textiles, the mix of colors and prints.  It’s just Divine.  I had to have those leopard pillows!  Click picture or here for her blog post.

Beautiful

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Off to shopping I go to find this scrumptious leopard fabric.

Pillows and florals are the easiest way for me to refresh a space without breaking the bank. (To see an easy DIY flower arrangement click here).  However I did not know the proper fabric brand name or designer name to order the fabric.  Since time was on my side, literally for months I left it alone in my dreams and went on to other projects……

Until….one day …. I heard the angels singing…(I won’t bore you with details)

“Braemore Jamil Natural Velvet Leopard”  la la la

 Finally…I was so excited I did the happy dance.

 With all that excitement I only purchased 1 yard  😦  😦

 A little pricey.  Ranging from $29.00 to $35.00 a yard.   Sold online at FabricMill.com, BarrasFabrics.com, DecorativeFabricsDirect.com, and eBay.com.   It’s 100% soft velvet cotton. Dry clean only. The pile is short with a soft smooth hand and the color/print is “Vibrant” to say the least.  I think it is well worth the price. Definitely pennies will be saved to buy more.  Great for upholstered chairs, ottomans, pillows, cushions, headboards.  One yard was ordered but I actually received 44.5″.  So glad for the extra because I was able to use every inch making 21″ pillows instead of 18″.

A super simple DIY pillow fabrication which makes super gorgeous pillows…It’s all about the fabric.

1. I cut four 22″ squares of face fabric. For both sides front and back.
2. For the lining I used white Premium Muslin
3. Inserted an invisible zipper. If you don’t have an invisible zipper foot one can be purchased at most fabric shops for less than $5.
4. After sewing the top and sides of the lining, I attached the lining to the pillow cover using the drop-in method. (much like lining a hand bag) Where the wrong sides of each fabric are together and the open end of the lining is sewn to the seam allowance of the zipper.   This makes a nice clean finish perfect for pillows with an invisible zipper.

• $29.00 fabric
• $5 for 2 invisible zippers (using coupon)
• $5.99 for 1 yard of 90″premium white muslin for the lining (coupon used. Regular price is $9.99 a yard)
• Total $39.99
• Down pillow inserts I already had

Online 1 – 20″ pillow cover for $40.00…VS … 2 – 21″ pillow covers for $39.99.    

Time for another happy dance:   I was quite pleased.

I’m considering these pillows as an investment because they coordinate with any color or print year round.  I can literally use them in any room whenever I need a quick décor refresh.

Oh you bet I’ll team these babies up with bright floral prints, stripes and solids. 

I see an upholstered stool coming soon.  Here are a few pictures that definitely gives inspiration for upcoming Fall projects….What I love most about leopard prints, especially high-end fabric as this one, is the versatility.  It’s timeless but you either love it or not so much.

Check out my Pinterest Board here to see other leopard and animal print décor items for your home.

Now for those coordinating prints, off to shopping I go….see ya soon with more floral prints

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a Fun and Safe Happy 4th!!

Sew, Create and Enjoy loving your home

 

Give up Silk Flowers?…NEVER! A Tropical Trio

Happy Mid-June…Can you believe Summer is here!

Time for a quick and easy DIY  Tropical Summer Floral Arrangement.

Silk flowers are never “Faux Pas” to me.  For natural realistic looking silks my best advice is to buy as an investment.   Spending a few dollars more on quality silk stems is well worth the extra cost.

My DIY inspiration for a small tropical arrangement came from Petals.com    

Protea & Torch Ginger Accent
Artificial Flower Arrangement

Price: $79.00  This small tropical arrangement is perfect for my small sofa back table.

I gathered the tropical stems I already had: Most stems I purchase from Petals.com, Hobby Lobby,  Michaels and JoAnn’s.

To keep them looking new when not in use I wrap them in cotton pillow cases then store them in plastic to keep out moisture and dust.  Once in an arrangement I dust them weekly with a feather duster.  Wipe, if needed with baby wipes. 🙂  Silk floral spray cleaner is also good to use for a quick fresh clean.

I had to improvise with what I had:

To mimic the black river rocks in the inspiration arrangement I used a small blue glass jar (once a candle) to sit inside a larger glass bowl. 🙂

I wrapped a foam cube with tropical leaves (I did not want any white foam showing).   Then with a drop of hot glue on the bottom of the jar I inserted the wrapped foam into the blue glass jar.

I inserted each stem into the foam with hot glue.  Finished it with a little moss between the stems.  Then placed the arrangement in the glass bowl.  A super fast and simple DIY.   

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A Tropical Trio  

 $79.00 vs. $0.00

Minor change: I switched sides of the Red Ginger and Heliconia (aka: Lobster claw).  I also did not want to cut the stem of the Red Ginger any shorter. (ya never know, I may need to use it again for another seasonal refresh) Who would guess these flowers are more than 10 years old.  In my opinion, silk florals are not faux pas, they are forever lasting beauty.

Great things I love about quality silk florals:

• Silk flowers actually have a polyester blend which helps keep their shape and helps them from fraying
• Real touch silks are made of a liquid polymer soft coating. The look and feel is 100% realistic, high quality and more expensive
• Fill a floral tube with your favorite fragrance and insert it among the leaves
• Mix them with natural/real flowers for an added boost
• They won’t wilt when used for hot weather outdoor events
• No worry for allergies
• Reusable
• No matter what season, they are always in bloom

My other arrangements are still a delight from last year. (for the full post click on the title or picture)

Tropical Leaves and Flowers and A Beautiful Orchid

  

Create a beautiful arrangement for your home that will last all Summer long.

Thanks for stopping by    Enjoy your Summer

Create, and enjoy loving your home

Decorating with mirror panels – Simple changes

Hope all had a wonderful week.

Recently I created a style/board for a dream cocktail parlor shown here  that featured a beautiful large wall mirror. This caused me to re-visit other décor possibilities for the wall of our cocktail parlor.   Although I love large wall mirrors I could not use one because we have a bar cabinet centered on that wall.  The wall décor was a dilemma from the start of the re-do in November until now.  And moving the furniture layout, painting and wall paper was out of the question.  Finally I downloaded the room image onto Houzz.com under their “design dilemma Q and A” board and asked other decorators as well.  I received great suggestions.  But only one suggestion really made sense…

“Since your wall art seems to be unbalanced,  why not use one mirror for each side of the cabinet”

Eureka! Never even considered it!

I went with two mirror wall panels. Placing one on each side of the bar cabinet.   So many pretty ones to choose from and their prices range very high to reasonable, from elaborate designs to basic….  I really could not make up my mind so Ms. Pocket Purse decided for me.    🙂

The winner:  AtHome.com the home décor superstore:   AtHome Barnwood Panel for $79.99  

The design was not too busy and the brown wood inlay coordinated with my furnishings.  The perfect size, nice weight and thickness, made well with sturdy wall hooks. And the right price.

To prepare the room the changes were made:  Replacing, moving, decluttering.  Really simple changes with a big impact.

 AFTER: 

Although the mirror panels has a black frame, the texture has brown accents that pick up the wood tones. 

I did not want a lot of mirror bling, just the right amount to reflect the mood lighting in the evening. 

Up lights on timers creates a nice ambiance.  

I may have sconces installed on this wall, still debating.

 Never considered mirror wall panels before but so glad it came to be.

My decision for mirror panels did not come from Houzz.com but they have great resources.  If you ever have a decorating design dilemma check out Houzz.com .  They have interior designers and decorators (some not) who take the time to help with valid suggestions.  Go to Houzz.com  click Stories and Advice then scroll to Design Dilemma .

Cheers to mirror reflections.

Enjoy the rest of your week-end and have a wonderful week

Thanks for stopping by.