Love {Recycled} Glass

It's my new things.  I have to restrain myself from putting it everywhere in my house! Recycled glass.  I love the green tint and the vintage/modern combination it creates. I snagged a couple of pieces yesterday while out shopping.

Glass Carafe from Pier 1

This is similar to the vase I bought at Hobby Lobby.  I couldn't find a picture online of the one I have.  I guess I could post one that I took myself...too lazy!

Luster Glass Spheres

These aren't recycled glass, but I bought the green sphere for my front room.

Glass Canisters from Pier 1

I didn't buy these yesterday, but they are on my shopping list for the future.

Ideas for My Guest Bedroom: Help from {West Elm}

Our guest bedroom has been on the back burner for quite awhile now.  We love our Nautica bedding set and the idea of a relaxing coastal feel within the space.  It's not a very large room so creating an open feel will be the trick.  I found some wonderful inspiration pieces at West Elm.  Very organic, very serene, very fun!

Stray Dog Sea Life Plaques

Convex Mirrors

Pillows

Teak Wood

Woven Abaca Pendant

Jute Chenille Herringbone Rug

The Shadow of the {Almighty}

I can't count the number of times these verses have been a great comfort.  What a wonderful place to be...under the shadow of the Almighty. But there's a stipulation...to dwell in the secret place of the most High.  Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you!!


Psalm 91:1-16
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.


2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 


3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 


4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 


5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;


6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.


7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.


8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 


9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 


10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 


11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 


12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 


13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet . 


14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high , because he hath known my name. 


15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 


16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

In the World of: The King and I

Brilliant colors, unforgettable characters, enchanting music, and incredible costumes - all a part of what makes The King and I one of my favorite films. When I watch this movie, I'm enamored by the absolutely gorgeous fabrics, architecture, and decor involved.  Design from the west and from the orient mix to make a beautiful backdrop for this story of how a man and a woman's lives change when two worlds collide.

The King and I in the 21st century

Fabulous dresses by Tibi

1. Gilded Emerald Dress by ModCloth 2. Necklace by ModCloth 3. Bangle  4. Earrings by Eziba 5.Garden Stool 6. Cranes 7. Bon Zai Tree 8. Strappy Sandals

Nordstrom

    Lace Wrap

Lace Parasole

Steamer Trunk by Restoration Hardware

And this post just wouldn't be complete without a few clips from the film:

This tugs at my teacher heart

Magpie {oh so} Lovely

Do you love as much as I do? Magpie Lovely has me hooked!

Cummerbund Skirt

Classic Clutch

Shoulder Warmer

Rosette Trim Headband

Simplicity Life Tote

Missing in Action

Well, I'm missing because of action....lots and lots of action.  This week has been our church's missions conference.  I'm still trying to get a good schedule down for my new puppy. This week is preparations for next week's piano recitals, and today and tomorrow is the Liberty's Ladies Conference!!  I literally have had no time to sit down and blog.  

After this week, things should calm down.  I'm sorry that you are visiting and finding nothing new.  I promise that I will be on schedule again soon.  Thanks for being patient!!

Jane

The Secret of the Three Baskets

Baskets by Ziggi Ziggi

It's the age-old question: Should a laundry room be downstairs or upstairs? Well, maybe not an age-old old question, but didn't you think of it when you were looking for a home?  We sure did.  If it's upstairs, you take the risk of the washer leaking and soaking through your ceiling.  If it's downstairs, it's probably a long walk from the bedroom.  

When we built our home, my husband probably thought more about the hundreds of dollars it would cost us to fix our ceiling than the hundreds of trips I'd make up and down the stairs.  Totally fine, I need the exercise. So our laundry room is downstairs.  That means lugging laundry down and up the stairs is a several times a week routine.  

I had to figure out some kind of system so make this easier.  I'm constantly trying to figure out how to do the tasks around the house more efficiently. This is what I came up with:

We have three laundry baskets (not including our lights/darks hamper in the laundry room.  One basket stays in our master bedroom, one stays on top of the washer, and one "floats."  The bedroom basket is where we toss our clothes.  The washing machine basket houses clean clothes, and the floater basket carries clothes up and down (and any other items around the house that need transportation).

And here's the process: When the floater basket happens to be upstairs, any dirty clothes from the bedroom basket (whether it's full or not) goes into the floater.  When we are ready to go downstairs (no extra special trips allowed), the dirty clothes are emptied into the laundry room hamper.  When clothes are clean they are emptied into the washing machine basket, folded, and loaded into the floater.  Then, when we are ready to go upstairs (no special trips allowed), the clean clothes are put away.  Then the floater is already upstairs readily waiting for its next refill. 

We also use the floater for any items that need to go downstairs or upstairs.  We use the same process.  It helps me stay on top of things a little at a time.  This way, I'm not hauling loads worth of clothes up and down the stairs.  It works for me!

Here are some snazzy baskets I found online, just for your entertainment:

Apartment Therapy

Crate and Barrel

Anthropologie

Meet Henry...the Reason for my Missing Posts

As  you know, because of my schedule I usually post on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and sometimes Saturdays.  Those are the days when I'm not busy from morning to night! Days that I can actually sit down relax and blog.  Well, our family has welcomed a new member this week.  Meet Henry!

I brought him home on Tuesday and have definitely had my hands full ever since.  Henry is a Yorkie and Yorkies are very inquisitive and need a lot of attention. He is starting to get a feel for what's expected of him around the house.  We still have a lot of work to do, but he is a good doggie.  So incredibly cute that I just want to play with him all day (which is what has happened and the end result is getting nothing done that NEEDS to be done).  The picture above/left was taken while we were eating dinner Tuesday night.  He just curled up and took a nap : )  I was afraid he wouldn't like my husband, but it's quite the opposite.  He adores him.  

So if I'm missing in action in the next few weeks, you'll know it's probably because I'm taking care of our little son.  

Happy Thursday!!

From Simply Orange to Simply Functional

A few weeks ago, I started paying attention to empty containers that I usually wouldn't think twice about throwing away.  That's when I noticed these Simply Orange (and Lemonade) containers.  I thought they were lovely.  So I began with this....

and ended up with this...

functional and adorable book ends.

I first took off the labels with the help of Goo Gone.  Next, I literally sawed off the part that you screw the lid onto.  THAT was fun! If you try this, please be careful. 

My next step was spray painting them.  I used flat white spray paint.  You'll need several coats because the light just keeps shining through them if it's not on thick enough. 

Then I printed off my letters onto card stock using American Typewriter font.  I cut the letters out and Mod Podged them on.

They were still too light to use as book ends, so I filled them with stones.  Total cost: $3.78 for the spray paint. I love repurposing and have found myself keeping everything!! I'm so thankful my husband is understanding.  Thanks, Babe!!

Linking to these awesome blogs:

Embellishing Life

Craft-o-Maniac

Polka Dots on Parade

The Shabby Nest

Coastal Charm

Not Just a House Wife

In the Kitchen: Granola

I wanted to share this granola recipe with you.  Fresh, healthy, and easy to make.  We made this recipe in one of my cooking classes in college.  Yum!

Picture from Southern Living

• 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1 cup wheat germ
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup coconut
• 1 cup nuts (walnut, pecans, almonds)
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds (optional)
• 1 cup cooking oil
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla

Combine oatmeal, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, coconut, sesame seeds, and nuts.  Combine and boil the cooking oil, brown sugar, water, and vanilla. Pour liquid mixture over dry ingredients and mix.  Bake at 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes on baking sheet.  Stir two or three times to keep from burning.  

Recipe by Frieda Cowling