Drooling

Since I have been under the weather for the last 2 1/2 days, I have spent a lot of time just relaxing and taking it easy (you know having your head and body ache just really does not give you the get-up-and-go type feeling!) I have been loving the DIY projects, and have loved finding some super cute blogs. The authors of these blogs are so talented, and so very inspiring (I am hoping by tomorrow to be feeling good enough to start another project! ) But anyways, a lot of these super-talented women do not have a ton of money to buy new furniture or lighting, so they use what they have, give it some good ol' TLC and it gives it a fresh new look!!! So, since we are trying to be good and save to buy a home this year, I have tried to simply change things up with a little paint and new hardware as needed. A lot of cute ideas that you see out there are usually pretty easy to shop around and find cheaper elsewhere. For example: I love this chandelier from Home Depot, and would love it in a bedroom/kitchen when we own our own home.

But the price in not amazing, where you will be paying close to 100 buck-a-roos. So I actually found one that could almost pass as a twin for this one, for less than half the price. I would have to so a little spray painting if I wanted the white color, but it looks cute in the silver finish too. It is from Ikea for 39 little dollars.

I am fortunate to live near an Ikea. Now Ikea and I have a love/hate relationship. I feel like when I go there, that I am there for days (not really days, but it seriously is not an in-and -out kind of store!) So if I do not have all day to shop, I head straight for their marketplace. They have fabrics of all sorts (I love canvas for pillows and refinishing seats since it is heavy duty and gives it more of a life.) Another store I love is Anthropologie. Now I also love Anthro, but hate their high prices. So to get more of their look for less-of-a-price, I simply window-shop and see what I can find comparatively out there with either a look-a-like or from E-Bay. I would splurge on some of their hardware though, because a lot of knobs are about the same there and at home depot.I personally would like a couple of these knobs for some future projects!




Sorry for all the pictures of the knobs, but I just simple love personality of them all. Another store (don't worry, I do not have any pictures!) that can give you the look for less is a little store called Tai Pan Trading, which we are fortunate enough to be close. They have great ideas at a lot cheaper of prices than a lot of stores will charge you.
I also love Pottery Barn. I wish I could afford their prices.



I especially love the look of this smocked curtain. But one panel will run you at the very least, 50 dollars!!!! So fortunately, I was taught to sow. So I will buy material for the curtains, and do the smocking myself. I will spend $3.50 versus the $50 to get the look. It will take more time, but it will be worth it in the end. So if you have some time, and want to get inspired for your own home, than visit the design blogs that I am going to link on the side of my page. No matter what your style (mine happens to be a blend of beachy-chic-vintage-light country-look) you will find some inspiring projects to get your home to what you want it to be!!!! And since we are on a budget, I will just keep-on refinishing projects and drool over my little wish lists!!! (Here's a few more from Anthro that I am looking for cheaper or maybe even to make myself!)

Could you just imagine going to your kitchen to make something yummy in the super cute apron, while getting eggs out of this holder, or maybe even enjoying a delicious cup of hot chocolate on a cold day???