Home Sweet Gnome

Gnome on the range.  Gnome is where the heart is.  Gnome Improvement.  Gnome de plume.  Grand Slam Gnome Run.  Hmmm....

I love me some gnomes.  Not, like, the hideous ones, but the super cute kind.  I am not ashamed to say i have a plethora of garden gnomes, and they are super talented.   They do more than just garden or sit on a rock.  These guys play the guitar, and the horn, and they are well traveled.

And thanks to a sweet surprise from the boyfriend, now we can rock a house flag declaring our gnome love.

Cute right?  This got me looking for other ways to declare my interest in these little wee men.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Rose on Pinterest

Ca-ute.

Source: society6.com via Allie on Pinterest

Reason number 267 for getting an iphone...

Source: imadeyouabeard.com via Allison on Pinterest

Wordplay!  Loves it!

Source: kikareichert.com.br via Sandra on Pinterest

Whimsy!

Source: etsy.com via thecapeonthecorner on Pinterest

etsy seller BirchangelPinatas
Gnome pinata! 


etsy seller AllthatisCounted


etsy seller LALAdexPRESS

Gnome needlepoint, and card, which i would totally frame.

wayfair

I have a special place in my heart for the Roaming Gnome, particularly because of the role he plays on The Amazing Race.  And because he's British.  Shouldn't all gnomes have an English accent? 

In compiling this list, it appears that some gnomes are creepy and downright scary.  Zombie gnomes!  Gnomes feasting on flamingos!  Why, why??!!  Just be glad you didn't have to see those.

Come on, hit me with your best gnome/home phrase!

debbie doos, make it pretty, Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple,   sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, 52 mantels, tidy mom, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, free for all @ 5days5ways, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, potpourri @ 2805, free for all, decor to adore, refresh your nest @ making lemonade,   overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing ,

I rubbed, and i buffed, and i blew the house down.

Not really.  But "i rubbed and i buffed and i have a shiny new mirror" seemed too vague for anyone to know where the reference came from...but, well, i rubbed and i buffed and i have a shiny new mirror!

I have seriously been jonesing to use rub n buff somewhere, and while i have my "big idea," i'm too chicken to actually take that step on a key piece of furniture.  Mind you, "big idea" is still super small.  You're talking to the girl who thought spray painting wooden frames black was a huge feat, and who only got the nerve to spray said frames after reading countless blogs and success stories.  I'm a baby steps sort of person.

So, what can i use this little tube of silver goodness on as sort of a practice, to perfect my rub n buff skills?  This mirror that we no longer used seemed the perfect candidate.  She started off a brassy gold, which is the in thing now, but just won't jive in the living room where i plan to place her.  One day.  Baby steps.

No, no, that's not dust or dirt.  It's just the way the mirror is. Sort of like there's silver peeking through the gold, and i want to do the reverse.

Success!  Silvery with gold peeking through. 

The eagle eyes could spot that this is 20 inches, so a nice size for part of a gallery wall. 

All it took was the teensiest bit of paint, and my fingers.  I could have used a brush, but this mirror had swirls and nooks i knew i could get my fingers into.  Plus, it adds to the simplicity of it all.  No brushes to clean.

Then i got a little too rub n buff happy.  Tried to use it on a shiny wood frame (FAIL!) and tried to use it on dollar store cardboardish frame (FAIL).  All i can say is, thank goodness i didn't try this first, because there would have been no way i would have attempted that mirror after these results! 

Moral of the story-you might not want to use this on everything in your line of vision, but what does  work, works very well. Wondering why didn't i just spray paint the mirror?  Answer-i just wanted to try this stuff and the result is instant gratification.  Instant gratification in air conditioning.  Big draw. 

Have you ever used this paint? Any tips and tricks? 

 RnB (we're cool like that) does not know who i am, does not know i used it for the very first time, and does not know of my future baby steps plans with it.  My fails probably had more to do with me not knowing what one should actually use this on than any implication about RnB.  Also, why is "teensiest" flagged by spellcheck, but it recommends "weensiest."  Why is that any more ok of a word? 

 before and after party, thrifty treasures @ southern hospitality, mod mix monday, Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter, DIY Showoff, Met Monday, Anything Goes, home stories a-z, Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, tabletop tues, lil luna, sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, wow us weds @ savvy southern style, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, vintage thingy thurs @ the colorado lady, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed life, free for all @ 5days5ways, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, Addicts Anonymous @ A2D, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, potpourri @ 2805, thrifty things fri @ the thrifty groove, refresh your nest @ making lemonade, show and tell fri @ my romantic home, furniture fri @ miss mustard seed, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, powere of paint.

What do Ikea and milkglass have in common?

They're both lightening up my kitchen!

Huzzah! I'm so glad this came out as well as it did in my head (b/c you know sometimes that just does not happen!)  Happily, this had already been my plan before the May issue of Country Living came out, this just solidified that it was a wise decision.

Initially i had thought this would be more storage than display (attempting to free up some cabinet space here) but the boyfriend said he didn't trust the heavy bowls and other items i was planning on putting there. 

So instead i took all my whites from my dining room closet, made more room in there, and lightened and brightened all up in here.   It's the perfect modern yet classic improvement.

Yep, there's a lot of tweaking and adding to this display.  I just can't stop buying more whites!  If we de-soffit, i want to add some up above the cabinets, so you see, it's very necessary and completely justified that i continue down this path.  (Hope S is buying this...)

The order of the day was de-theme, de-coffee, but not rid completely.

Don't you just love all the ridgey, bumpy, hobnaily goodness??

This au-natural shot is for perspective.  I sit on the right hand side there, and being 5'3 means nothing hits me in the head.  The boyfriend, at 6'3, would probably be a little less comfortable there. 

In addition to the theme of de-theme, the mission was also to sleekify. 

Sleekify one.

Sleekify two. 

Can you believe for four years, all that was on this wall was that coffee poster?  Talk about wasted space!

Yowza.

Themey ruffley before.  Yes, those are coffee mugs in greens.  In my defense (because i feel one is necessary) there weren't many light colored curtain options and this is one hella dark space. 

Prettiness.  Brightness.  Sleekness. 

And also, sneakiness.  Cats on tables.  Not allowed.

The less dreamy side of things. 

Materials:

2 Enje roller blinds in white

4 Ekby Mossby (7.5 as opposed to 11 deep) shelves and 2 bjarnum connecting brackets-this was better on the budget and was more customizable for the room. 

2 sets of bjarnum end brackets found in clearance section, which inspired the whole project.

Operation make-do until realistic dream kitchen?  Success!  I really think it's the littlest project with the biggest outcome we've done in quite a while.  Whadya think?

Find me here: copycat party @ debbie doos, before and after party, thrifty treasures @ southern hospitality, mod mix monday,  Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter,  DIY Showoff, Met Monday, Anything Goes, home stories a-z,  Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, tabletop tues, lil luna, sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, wow us weds @ savvy southern style,  wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, vintage thingy thurs @ the colorado lady, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed life, free for all @ 5days5ways, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, Addicts Anonymous @ A2D, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, potpourri @ 2805, thrifty things fri @ the thrifty groove, refresh your nest @ making lemonade, show and tell fri @ my romantic home, furniture fri @ miss mustard seed, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing

AstroBrights, Alright?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Astrobrights Papers by Neenah Paper for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

You know how in my profile it says i do outreach and education for a women's empowerment agency?  Most of the time that means doing actual education, like with a powerpoint slide show.  i'm all businessy and official like that.  But the other main aspect of my job is to attend health fairs and community events, to really break the silence and embarrassment that surrounds this topic, and also to promote awareness of the agency.  I can not tell you how many times random people come up to my table and say "I wish i knew about you guys 20 years ago" or "You guys have really helped me, and now i'm going to take materials to talk to my teenager."  It's super important to me that people know who and where we are in case they need our services or know someone who does.

When i get my materials ready for an event, i know i need to draw people over to my table in some way.  Now that my office has finally bought me an official fancypants cloth tablecloth, i need to make sure the handouts are just as attention getting.  This is why i jumped at the chance to talk about AstroBrights papers.

Astrobrights paper come in 23 bright colors, which would surely draw the eye and stand out from the crowd.  No muted pastels here.  Of course there are many ways someone would be able to use this paper, whether it's for work, (like me) a craft project, (bunting anyone?) an announcement, (yard sale this way!) a school project, etc.

There's a sweepstakes going on where your local elementary school could win a $30,000 cash prize and school supplies, called Give a Brighter Year.  To enter, visit AstroBrights papers and you'll see the tab at the top.

If crafting is more your gig, enter the "Make Something AstroBright" contest.  Take a picture of your project or craft using these bold papers, submit it on the AstroBrights papers facebook page, and be entered to win all sorts of prizes.  You can also enter via pinterest or twitter, just be sure to use #goastrobrights.  Hmm, i wonder if my health fair tables would count as a project!

A tisket, a tasket, i bought baskets

Which is odd, because i'm not normally a basket person.  Could be argued a basket case, but basket collector, no.

Not normally a basket displayer, either, but that thing looks decorative with the alternating colors and large scale. Could be great as part of a gallery wall or something. 

Loved the interesting shape to this white vase. Though clearly not milkglass, i thought it could still go with that obsession collection.  Does not appear to be of any value, but i quite like it.  Little retro, little ga-roovy.

Another nice sized basket, this one used for corralling my smaller purses and clutches.  Better than just shoved in a closet, they will now be shoved in a basket...shoved in a closet. 

Yay for organizing.  It's the small things, people.

Find me here: thrifty treasures @ southern hospitality, Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, It's So Very Cheri, Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter, DIY Project Parade @ DIY Showoff, Met Monday, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty tuesdays @ coastal charm Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, home stories a-z, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, lil luna, organizing party @ organize your stuff now, sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, wow us weds @ savvy southern style, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, diy by design, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, 100 and Under @ Beyond the Picket Fence, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, vintage thingy thurs @ the colorado lady,  open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed Life, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, Addicts Anonymous @ A2D, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, refresh your nest @ making lemonade, show and tell fri @ my romantic home, free for all @ 5days5ways, home sweet home @ charm of home, thrifty things fri @ the thrifty groove.

The score, Spring style

Oh, yes, right-i forgot that my entire living room is littered with cat toys of all sorts.

I should have realized that on top of all that, she would see my spring decor as hers as well.

Oh well.

Guess it's time to face the fact that summer's here (as evidenced by the disgustingly humid Florida like weather we seem to be having since June).

Apparently Sunday's ready.

The tally?

Decor 0, Sunday 2.

Aruba dooba doo

Duuudes!  I'm totally in slacker mode, on the blog and at work.  I can't get motivated, so here's more pictures from our trip to Aruba back in April.  It seems so long ago already!

California Lighthouse, as seen from beach.

Charlie's Bar in San Nicolas

Sooo many things to look at!

It was like this in the restrooms, too.  Just in case you wanted to know.  I did.

Home made Pastechi, chicken or cheese filled pastry.

Bon Bini Festival in Oranjestad on Tuesday nights.  Best 5 bucks spent on trip to learn the history of the island through dance and stories in Old Fort Zuman.

Dutch ribbon dance, since they are a dutch country.  There are lots of Dutch people who live there, and many restaurants serve Dutch food. 
I just need to say Dutch one more time.  Dutch Dutch Dutch.

On a totally different front, my not motivatedness has resulted in some pretty good reading and movie watching!  If you are looking for recommendations (since I always am) The Age of Miracles by Karen Walker Thompson and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern were fabulous, suspend belief, sort of whimsy reads!






 and Albert Nobbs is a great movie, even though seeing Glenn Close like that weirds me out a little.  It's not the drag part...i think it's that nose...or her look of constant astonishment...or something.

Anybody read/seen these?  What did you think? 

Find me here Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple,  Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter,overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, Anything Goes, Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, lil luna,  sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733,  wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage,, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloogy Reading @ Serenity now, Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed life, free for all @ 5days5ways, Weekend Bloogy Reading @ Serenity now, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, potpourri @ 2805
Also, I'm now an Amazon affiliate which means if you buy or d/l those kick ass books, i get like 2 pennies or something, i don't really know.  But i know those were worth talking about.