Few subtle changes to bathroom

So this post, like mainly lately is delayed in timing.. A couple weeks ago I did a few minor touches and tweaks to the bathroom.

I added much needed shelving above the toilet.. These shelves were originally in the kitchen with wooden brackets that screamed COUNTRY Living. So they were taken down and re-purposed for in here.

 The other thing that got an "update" was the window. Prior to this there was a piece of brown contractor paper taped up with blue painters tape.. My never ending to do list/ I'll  get to it one day-- including putting up some curtains. So I finally DID. One thing scratched off the list.

So there you have it. a few subtle changes that took an hour or so to do that I've procrastinated 11 months on doing. Complete, done, faaaaaahhh-neee-toe! La Fin!

What project have you overly procrastinated on? What do you have planned for the upcoming weekend?

Steal of a deal!

Welp, I've done it.

Yes it!
(No, not that kind of it, get your head out of a gutter)
The "IT" I'm referring to is the fact I've order the Craft Room/Office/Studio space light fixture.
For a steal of a deal! 

I'm a fan and subscriber to a few "member" only decor websites. (Free to join! You think I'd pay? haha!)

Anyways my inbox today included an email from a company called Joss & Main. 

 Fabulous decor items for a fraction of the cost. Similar to The Foundary. So I scrolled through the email and saw fabulous items and one caught my eye. Varaluz..

Now if you don't know anything about Varaluz, let me tell you.... Their stuff is amazing!

"Energy efficiency certainly has an important place, but a larger impact can come from designing with responsible materials and designing out waste in the manufacturing and distribution process.

At Varaluz, we believe that lighting should not only be interesting, but sustainable. Most of our fixtures use steel that has 70% or greater recycled content and glass that is 100% recycled. We use many sustainable and reclaimed materials in our glass or shades. Whenever you see the "eco-luz" designation on our products, you can be confident that the item is made with recycled or reclaimed materials – and that we're committed to preserving the earth."

So I've had my eye on a piece from way back in the day when I used to work for a lighting store. (Okay, maybe not that far "back in the day"---like 2 years ago) Anyways, I AH'ed and OOH'ed over it.. Shopped around online and found best pricing through Amazon.com... Or so I thought. 

Today my email changed that! 

Amazon had it listed  for $570.16! "You Save" of 24% or $176.84.

Pricey? Sure, depends on who you ask.. But unless you want run of the mill light fixtures from big box stores or home improvement centers, be prepared to pay. My time being a lighting sales rep I saw people drop far more on lighting than this.Okay, back to my story....

So I added the fixture to my wish list and there it sat for months and months waiting for the price to go down. Instead, the price went up! Bummer man!  

But behold! There the same fixture was, listed on Joss & Main, for far less the price!

SCHWEET!!!! 

 Even sweeter is the price! Same fixture, same size as intended but $250.21 less! 

Of course I jumped on it, seeing as these deals normally have a deadline of 24hours or so that the deal is "on" Again, just like The Foundary, Woot.com, Groupon etc.. 

The kicker came down to shipping and handling. Via Amazon, I could've gotten free shipping and handling.. Due to the nature of the item and the fragility I paid about $130 for shipping, handling and I can only assume some tax was added in. STILL, I saved $110 on the purchase. I'll soon have a gorgeous light fixture to complete the room, and the best part, I don't feel remotely guilty in the purchase seeing as I received my tax refund today!

Thanks to everyone who initially cast votes via the blog and Facebook back in June regarding lighting for the craft room.  

These were my choices that were narrowed down: 

Other than another dozen or so odds and ends, the room is coming together handsomely beautifully! 

Hopefully this weekend I can finish tackling  the desk.. It should've been done over a week ago, but alas I've been sick with a double ear infection and a throat infection and not my 100% usual self. 

On the mend now thanks to antibiotics, tons of juice and loving friends that make sure I eat, drink tea and more importantly REST! 

So there's an update for you . Enjoy! 

Walls of craft room...dun dun dun...

Besides working on the Christmas decorations etc., my primary focus has been cleaning/organizing house so that there's some order and I can continue on with projects.
The last two nights I've been working on the craft room. It's hard to believe it started like this back in May:

Now it's like this... well with some furniture hodgepodged in it.. and clutter.. and unfinished projects...

Regardless, now I'm having issues coming up with how the flow/layout of the room will suit it best. I have these two blank walls that are in desperate need of vertical storage, shelves, drawers/cabinets and an additional work station...

 This is looking at the south wall... No idea what to do with it! Thoughts????

This is looking at the east wall. For the east wall I'm thinking of doing slat wall storage like this: 

I already have a piece from the Habitat ReStore that's 36"x46", but again no idea how to treat the space below. I really don't want a bunch of those cheap plastic drawer bins... Hmmm

Ideas welcomed! I'm at a loss.

2 Wreaths down....

...and it's beginning to look like Christmas!

I was so giddy with excitement as I made my Christmas wreaths last night!
I came home from work and stopped by a neighbors yard that was loaded with pine cones. I picked up a few... Surely they wouldn't mind.

Then I thought, "Gee what else can I find for the wreath?"

I had some eucalyptus from a few weeks ago from the Farmers Market, it's since dried out, but perfectly good for wreath making. Then I searched the backyard. Granted it was after 7pm and dark.. so around I went looking at my bushes. I took a few snips from some waxy leaf bush, some red berries off another shrub... Then searched the front yard.. I found some spiky balls, that I think are from a sugar gum tree? I thought they'd be pretty perfect to use.. Then I had a fan like palm sprouting out near the curb... So I sniped that too...A handful of spanish moss and I was good to go!

My supplies looked like this:

So then I went to town... The first thing I did was create a spray paint area and coated the spikey balls in a copper color. I though it'd be a nice contrast and tie in with the birds on the mantel. 

They dried quickly and I rotated them a few time to make sure they were covered.

Hangers became my missing supply. 

Bent like this and attached to the back of the wreath, it became the wreath hanger.

 My evergreens were leftover from the garland used on the mantel. It quickly made the wreath shape and I secured the bunch with green gardening twine I had laying around. 

 I did a test run of the wreath once the hanger was attached to see how the size worked.

So pretty already!! I love the rustic old window up there too. (Frankly I liked playing with my camera settings too)

After it was complete, it looked like this... Oh so gorgeous!!

Here is a close up of the details of the foliage. Then it was time to hang it in position.

 Isn't it stunning?!? Can I let you in on a secret?!.......It was 98% FREE to make. =)

(I hear bells ringing, and angels getting their wings)
*It's a Wonderful Life reference in case you missed that*

I also hung a wreath on the "new" front door... In case you missed it... before it had peeling paint and was just blah. Then life intercepted and I took some time away from any housey projects... 

Well finally the door is complete. Here's a picture to refresh your memory on how the door used to look:

From drab to fab!

The front door got a beautiful wreath too. Not as detailed as the mantel one, but beautiful nonetheless!

 This weekend I am going to chop down the tree(s) and will spend the weekend decorating them as well. Only 23 days to go!!

Ho ho ho!