Southern Style Home Placemats

Truth be told, I don’t gussy up my table for meals. Unless you count using something other than paper plates for lunch. Then I would consider it gussied. However, I recently received a set of quilted placemats and napkins from Judy, and I was compelled to take it up a notch.

Judy’s shop offers a number of items for your home, and as I’ve said before—when I find something/someplace I like, I want to share it with you! She was so patient with me (and my indecisiveness), yet she was quick and professional (note: no indecisiveness) when I finally figured out the direction I was going.

I couldn’t help but do a little photo shoot of them. Of course, the neighbor’s 10-foot lilac bush was screaming for a little photo action, too.

It’s at moments like these that I wonder if I’m the only one who sets oddly insignificant goals for themselves. Since I don’t really fancy the table up too much, it’s not like I had a storage room full of accessories. My goal? Don’t buy anything for it. Uhhhh ok.

I almost succeeded. Wanna know how? The tablecloth is a sheet I had upstairs. The centerpiece—a.k.a. la-la-lovely lilacs—free from neighbor. The dishes? Dollar Store—4 plates, $4.00. Everything else I had on hand.

I’m so angry at myself for not showing the reverse side of the placemats and napkins! Hello…it was the whole reason I chose them in the first place! The picture below will take you right to the ones I have.

I’m over-the-moon happy with them, and I can’t help but recognize it if I feel I receive good service. If you’re on the lookout for table dressings or home decor in general (and I know you are!), head on over to Southern Style Home Decor.

Lightscoop: My New Favorite!

Before I say anything else, you need to know that I received no compensation for this post. I’m simply madly in love with this new gadget, and you MUST know about it!

The other day I was stalking perusing Tatertots and Jello, and Jen mentioned this product. It’s called Lightscoop, and it changes the way you’ll take pictures with a flash for-eh-vah.

                              

Truth be told, I shoot everything in manual mode. My friend has the same camera as me, and she shoots entirely in automatic. What a shame, right? But I get it. Some people are just overwhelmed by it all, so they stick with what’s easy. Because there are some situations where you might need a flash, this is just the gadget for you.

All of my “before” shots are first. They are all shot in automatic mode, and each one of them called for a flash to be used—even though they were all shot during the day.

 

Notice how the befores don’t give off the right coloring, and they’re bouncing light all over the place? Eww.

Here’s my bed-headed little one on the computer. I peruse Tatertots and Jello. She peruses new American Girl dolls. Notice the washed out couch? The over-reflected hair? Check out the after!

I still can’t get over the next one. Shot during the day (around 12:30?). I think I pushed the flash up on this one, so I don’t know that automatic would have called for it. However, look what the Lightscoop did just 7.3 seconds later. Incredible.

 

And finally, my needs-a-haircut son. He doesn’t peruse. Not when he’s watching Star Wars. He also doesn’t wear a shirt. Like ever. As he puts it, “I need my muscles to breath.” Here’s the before…

And here’s the after. Looks like they were shot at entirely different times, right? The coloring is SO much better.

I’m not a super impulsive buyer (my indecisiveness is a curse, I tell ya!), but as soon as I saw that this bad boy was only $30, I scooped one right up. (Pun intended.)

             

Easy to install, inexpensive, and spectacular results! Can’t beat that! I put a link to their site on the logo.  Let me know if you take the plunge! I’m anxious to hear if you love it too!

Pottery Barn Outlet=BFF

Well, I don’t have a PB outlet (nor do I have a HomeGoods, but I won’t talk about that right now. Sensitive subject), but my Mom does! Guess who went back home for Easter and totally scored? Me. I did.

My intention was to find a rug. You know, thee rug. No such luck. My mom, however, bought my daughter this duffle bag for Easter. The website is selling it for $70. The outlet is selling it for $30. Say wha?

And now for the best part. I’ve been looking for a counter-height craft desk for months now. No exaggeration. I finally conceded that I would just have to make one myself. While I was not happy about that idea, I figured it was my only option. Plus, I knew it would probably cost me more than I wanted to spend.

Until….PB stepped it up. This is currently on sale for $450. Take a moment to soak that in. With tax and shipping, we’re talking about a small desk for over $500. Huh?

So this is actually the one I found. I don’t want a dark desk, but as I examined it a little more closely, I realized that we just might be a perfect match. You wanna know the price, don’t you?

Here’s how the markdowns went on the tag…

$499

$299

$199

$150

$99 (another 10% off)

$89 OUT. THE. DOOR

While it doesn’t come without its hiccups, I’m willing to invest a little work into it. Other than the scratches on top, it’s in perfect condition. Well, it will be when I finish it up.

Of course, it’ll have to wait its turn. I am FINALLY done with the pain in my butt cabinet, and now I’m just letting it dry another night before I put it back together. Soooo close.

I’ve gotta dress her up a bit, and I’ll be back. Until then, a word of advice for you—when in doubt about ordering something from Pottery Barn, try their outlets first!

Tile Tile Bo Bile

Well, it’s time. We’ve been in this house 7 years, and for some reason I’ve always found another project to come before having a backsplash in the kitchen. I regret it, really. I think a backsplash can make a world of difference for a room.

However, it can also make a major dent in your pocket book. I’ve been shopping (and shopping!) for tiles I like that I can actually afford. Wanna see my top three? You can click on the pictures for the links.

I really like this one, but I think it’s too dark. Too blendy. Too rocky.This one would probably be my #1 because it has the most glass in it. Love that. However, it’s almost impossible to find. It’s also the most expensive of the tiles in my price range. Of course it is.

My final pick? I think? This one. It has the mix of textures I want, and it combines all the colors in the kitchen. My #1 curse is my indecisiveness. I’ll ponder on this one day and night for weeks until I’ll probably decide to get something entirely different. Let’s hope not. Not one to be outdone by myself, I plan on turning my laundry room into this.

Think colors and tile—not shower and tub. I don’t need much tile in that room, so I’m thinking I can spend a little more on it. Carrara marble is at the top of the list, but I want it to have a beige-y swirl in it.

My question for you…do you have some recommendations for tile shops? Most of what I’ve found is on Overstock (I heart you, O). Believe me when I say I’ve been all over, but I’m sure there’s a rock I’ve left unturned. Got any suggestions?

Rugs: They Ain’t Cheap!

Well, in true JaG form, I’m itchin’ to do something to my daughter’s room. While it’s generally piled with clothes and Barbie dolls, I just feel like it’s a little “flat” when it’s actually clean. I’m SO close to having this cabinet done for her room, but Michigan weather just doesn’t allow it.

I figured the easy fix would be to get a rug in her room. You know, warm it up a bit, right? Break up the monotony of the floor. Easy peasy! Yeah, right. Let me show you the contenders after researching 1,745 sites for one.

#1. LOVE it. What’s wrong? It’s on Ebay. And that’s not even an actual picture of the rug! How in the world am I going to order a drawing of a rug. Verdict is still out on it as I wait for an actual picture from the seller—possibly.

#2. Again, with the LOVE. What’s wrong? It’s too dark. And it’s $239. ‘Nuff said.

And here’s where Pottery Barn comes in. It HAD to be Pottery Barn.

#3. I love the pattern in it. What’s wrong? The pink seems a little purply to me, and I wouldn’t mind a mix of green in there somewhere. I’m nervous about too much pink. Price? $299. For a rug. In a kid’s room.

#4. Oh wait. Here’s something a little cheaper. And it has the pink and green in it. Nevermind. It looks like a beach towel. Price? $169. We’re getting there, people!

And finally? #5. My love. My passion. My desire. Price? $299. Come ON! Can’t I catch a break here?

I turned to Ebay and found it for $239. Hmmm…it’s not quite as obnoxious, but really?

So that’s where I am. Stuck searching for a rug that might not exist. I’m pretty madly in love with it, and I know what that means. It just might have to be mine. I’m frugal. I save. I DIY, darn it! Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and pay the money.

At least that’s what I’m telling myself right now. Why can’t Pottery Barn offer 40% off coupons every Sunday like my other favorite stores?

A Sewing chair and SAS Day

As I said earlier, my shopping goal for Ikea included items for my craft room. Something I knew I wanted? A new sewing chair. A sewing chair that isn’t meant for sewing. It’s just a chair. That I’ll sew in. While Ikea had the chair I wanted, they didn’t offer the slipcover that I was looking for.

Our last stop of the day was to Marshall’s, and it wasn’t even on our shopping radar. The chair had alluded me at Ikea, Pier 1, and HomeGoods, so my hopes were low. And then…she appeared.

The clean lines were there, and the colors were spot on. Then the “worry words” as I call them started in. Would it be too busy? Is it truly what I was looking for? Blah, blah, blah…it’s a curse, really.

I decided that I would let the price tag decide for me. I thought I’d spend around $100, and if it was much more than that, I’d just pass it up. Then, I saw this.

$59.00??? SOLD.  The only thing standing in it’s way now were the legs.  I told BFF that I’d just paint them, and her response was, “Of course you will.”

It fits perfectly at the sewing table, and the fabric is exactly what I was looking for. Worry words, be gone!

There’s a little sneak peek of the new dresser in there, but I’m waiting for a little somethin’ somethin’ to arrive that will jazz her up a little bit. The reveal will just have to wait.

My week has involved some major shopping, sleeping in, and putting things together with only picture directions. Now it’s up to you to show us what you’ve been doing. Link up!