Window Shopping

I had high hopes of a productive weekend. It’s now Monday afternoon and the to-do list is no shorter than it was on Friday. Oh well, every once and awhile we all need a lazy weekend…there will always be time for projects.

During my unproductive weekend, I did some major “window” shopping on my local Craigslist. I have openly admitted my addiction to c-list, (first step in recovery is admitting you have a problem, right?) but honestly how can you not with such amazing deals. I found some of my most prized possessions on Craigslist…

my beloved dining room chairs

my big boy, Brutis

baby girl, Brindi

I am on a strict budget these days, so browsing is all I can do, but I wanted to share with you some of the great things available in the Pittsburgh area right now. If you’re local, maybe you can steal an item or two (and let me come visit) and if you’re not local, I hope it encourages you to take a peek at your own cities Craigslist. 

On to the goods:

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($10) I envision this brass chandy painted glossy navy blue or bright white, maybe even jute wrapped, but what sold me on this item are the great lines and globe light bulbs. I might actually have to break the budget on this one. 

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($495) Way out of my price range, but this dresser is really beautiful. I love the Paris grey (aspc?) color and I am a sucker for drawers behind a door! 

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($45) I know there are some die hard fans of old rulers and especially the folding versions. Here are a great set of 5, all different sizes, for $45 dollars. Bonus: there are some pretty snazzy projects out in blog land with old rulers, like this side table or this amazing mirror. 

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($70) With a little sanding and a nice new stain finish, these two wooden filing cabinets could be a great addition to an office. The great thing about having two is that you can use them as a base for a custom desk top made from old pallets or salvaged wood, and at 35 bucks a piece, you can’t go wrong! 

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($85) I love this chest of drawers from 1840, it is in great shape and I don’t think it needs anything but a great tablescape. I see this in an entry way with a large mirror, a great lamp and fresh flowers. 

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($80) Craigslist is a great place for funky pieces and this is a great example. I usually don’t like papasan chairs, but I think this would be a great chair for a boys bedroom or kids playroom. The shape and canvas seat are very kid-friendly, but the leather accents makes the chair something you can be proud to show off. 

Did anyone actually have a productive weekend that I can live vicariously through? How about a great Craigslist purchase?

Treasure Hunter

Is it normal for it to take two weeks after a vacation to get back into the swing of things? 

No? I didn’t think so…but atlas it did and that is my only excuse for my blog neglect lately. That and the fact that all of my free time lately has been spent wandering antique stores, searching craigslist (My name is J and I am addicted to craigslist) for furniture, antiques, and other pretty items, and starting-but not yet finishing- a handful of projects. Although the aforementioned things have kept me from getting more posts up on the blog, I assure you they were well worth it, because now I get to share with you my distractions in all their glory! 

The items were accumulated over the course of August and were found in Georgetown and Rehoboth, DE and in Pittsburgh at various antique malls and shops, a local goodwill and even a yard sale hosted by former Ebay/Etsy seller looking to get rid of her inventory. I love the hunt of a great piece and although I am usually extremely impatient, antiquing is the one thing I will give necessary time and love to. In addition to the beauts below, I also have a large beveled mirror, two shutters, and a 6 drawer French style dresser all in the shop –AKA my garage- getting some facelifts! I will show you them all on another day. 

Ready to see the goods? Ok, here we go…

Univ. of Delaware vanity suitcase, 2 fishing floats with netting, & set of 6 vintage linen napkins

Liberty Bell Brandy bottle, Vermouth Bottle, Etched Decanter

 While in DE we stopped at a shop where there were so many beautiful things that unfortunately had price tags so large they could make your heart stop. (There should be a warning on antique stores like this. Warning: J- this store is full of things you’ll want but can never afford!) Jokes on them! I picked up that Lejon Vermouth Bottle for $1.

Two octagon shaped mirrors (I plan on giving the gold one a face lift.)

Antique Czech Blue Glass Seltzer bottle...Hello Lover!

Set of 3 wicker baskets with handles

1935 Homestead Brewery Beer wooden crate

I love incorporating items of hometown significance like this box and the liberty bell bottle, it brings a bit home wherever you go! 

Four milk glass vases in different sizes and shapes

Set of 12 drawer pulls (screaming for some spray paint...any ideas for colors?)

And lastly, a little something that helps put me in the mood for cooler weather! A Ralph Lauren cropped wool blazer.

I definitely had the antique gods in my corner this month and have so many ideas and makeovers in the works for these items. EEEEK, I am so giddy of my recent purchases and the fact that my house is starting to reflect my taste more and more each week. Now that I shared, maybe I can stop gawking over these and finish my projects! 

Anyone have an experience of the all mighty antique gods shining down? 

Funkytown

I am in a total funk this week and I can’t quite figure out why. Maybe its post-vacation blues or the overwhelming amount of work that piled up while I was gone, or maybe that my sun kissed skin is already fading back to a boring shade of ecru. Whatever it is, I am in need of a major pick me up tonight.

Insert a glass-OK, two glasses- of Riesling (Bogle Vineyards…love in an $8 bottle,) a piece of left over boardwalk fudge (yum!) and the World Wide Web. I’m not going to lie, I was tempted to just watch the baby panda sneezing video on repeat, but I practiced self control and instead went on a hunt for things that are currently making my heart go “pitter-patter.”

Enough talk; let’s get to the good stuff!

My recent manicure combination

Jade & Scented: Zesty Citrus both from Forever 21

The Company of Thieves station on Pandora

Do yourself a favor and check them out. You won't regret it!

Vintage wooden and feather darts on Etsy

 We played our fair share of darts this vacay and I love subtle things that remind you of family! via

The Restoration Hardware Spring 2011 Source Book

If I had to pick one store that captures everything I love about design and lust over having in my home, RH would be it, hands down! I am already giddy with anticipation for the Fall Source Book that should be coming any day (Birdcage chandeliers? I die.)

1588 World Map



Pharmacy Cabinet Series

French Academie Iron Bed Frame

 

Salvaged Wood & Steel Shelves



Cast Iron Dumbbells

Cast Irom Barn Door Pulley Pendant

Our updated office/guest room set-up.

Sneak Peak: more coming soon!

The fact that my very favorite colors: grays, whites, & black seem to be all over Fall 2011 trends!

H&M Fall Line (via) & Balmain Fall 2011 Runway (via)

ZGallerie Fall Preview (via)

And I can’t forget the crisp, cool nights that are starting to roll in, in anticipation for my most favorite season of all, fall. I sure hope it lasts as long as possible! I am starting to feel better all ready and the fact that it is almost Thursday; one day closer to the weekend, seems much more tolerable as well.

What gets you of your funky moods?

Check back soon for the unveiling of the updated office/guest room and to see the things I picked up at some antique stores on a rainy vacation day!

 

A Girl and A Key: The Beginings

my cousin and I (right) at the top of Croagh Patrick in Ireland

A mixture between homebody and adventure seeker, this girl is looking for the answer to age old question, "what do I want to be when I grow up?" Quickly approaching 25, newly married and a business women by trade, maybe I should already know but this is where my journey begins...

I could rattle off twenty career choices that I have thought of in the last two years, but nothing appeals to me longer than a few days. This question doesn't apply simply to the money-making career choices, but also to who I want to be and the legacy I want to leave behind. All this leaves a lot of ambiguity (trust me, you should see the mess of questions inside my brain) but there are some constants in my life, things I love, things that create light when everything else is a dark shade of gray: my two pit bull pups, art, home design, antiques and vintage items, DIY projects, and of course my family and friends.

So here it goes, this is my journal- my coming of age story so to speak- of following my passions and finding my way. As I unlock the doors and find inspirations along the way, I will share with you and hope that you share with me, too. Thanks for joining me on the adventure, sit back, hold on, and let's get going!