I love how the footstool turned out. In the spirit of the reuse and upcycle craft fair them, I used a flannel shirt to cover it and make the pillow.

I have a thing for flannel shirts. It’s one of my favorite things to wear during the winter. I got these from the thrift store and pleased with the results.

That’s all I have for now. I sure hope I get a chance to take pics of the rest. For now, it’s back to work for me. I will be sure and let you know how it went. In the meantime, if you have any tips for me, please let me know because I am in over my head!

I’m sharing this post with:

Miss Mustard Seed: Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Night Special

The flight was long and we finally got to our hotel around midnight. We decided to turn in and get a good head start in the morning. Although most people do the beach thing while here, we have little interest. I’m sure that will seem a little strange to most but that’s just who we are. However, we did drive out to the beach yesterday evening and walked along the boardwalk for a bit.

We love to experience the culture of any place we visit by driving, walking and exploring the nuances of different neighborhoods. We look at homes with such enthusiasm, recognizing the similarities and dissimilarities. For instance in Miami, masonry homes with tile roofs and gaited front yards prevail.

We’re staying in Coconut Grove which is very nice. Thursday, we strolled through the Lincoln Mall, bustling with foot traffic and a mix of store fronts and restaurants with alfresco dining.

Then right in the middle of the mall sits Miami Beach Community Church. Surprised by its presence, I was taken back by the architecture as well.

Today, we drove through Little Havana and Little Haiti en route to Las Tias, a vintage home store I found online.

After browsing the store, I had the opportunity to talk with the owner, Esther, who was happy to give me a brief history of the store which is packed with an eclectic mix of 40’s, 50’s and Mid Century Modern home furnishings. Turns out this unique store with “upscale resale” lettered on it’s facade was an unexpected surprise in the making. Esther, a real estate professional, was unable to rent the building. She began using the place as storage for finds she acquired during her real estate dealings. Fast forward 3+ years later, she and her partners have created a store full of vignettes jam packed with consignment furniture and accessories worthy of careful examination. Have a look for yourself.

Isn’t this chair fun offering a little of the unexpected with the shaggy fur on the back?

Love this lamp!

And these night stands are adorable.

If you’re ever in Miami, Las Tias is worth a visit. There is definitely enough eye candy to tempt the appetite of any design enthusiast.

But they are rather cute and I can’t wait to get at them. My brain is already doing double duty trying to decide if I should just repaint them white or do something fun and paint each one a different color. While I am pondering what to do, I decided to use them with my old table until I get lucky and score a “new” old table as well. I don’t know what type of table I am looking for but as long as they will compliment these chairs, I’m open.

As for now, my current table is green plastic with a glass insert. I bought it when we first moved into our house 10 years ago with the intent on replacing it very soon. Never happened. Although it is plastic, I have to say it came from an upscale store and is pretty substantial, a far cry from the typical, inexpensive plastic tables. Here it is in all it’s green un-lovliness.

I used Fusion spray paint for plastic. And here it is after 3 cans later. I was deliberating between a hammer metal silver or gloss white. I decided the gloss white would look better in contrast to the grey patio pavers.

Mind you, I have a lot of touching up to do. I need one more can to finish the job. Perhaps, I should have primed it first. Covering up the dark green took so many coats. My other problem is trying to get to the sections underneath the glass since it’s not removable. I tried to angle the can different ways and could not get in that tight space. I might have to use a brush on paint for those under-sections.

Anyway I think it will work with the chairs once I give them a makeover.

Update: I did my touch ups and now contemplating frosting the glass; but I am not too sure the frosted finish will hold up under the elements. I just want to disguise the not so great paint job underneath. As I mentioned before, it was just too tight of an area. Honestly, I wasted too much time and paint for such a temporary stand in. My time would have been better spent working on the chairs. Live and learn. I guess DIY hind sight is 20/20 too:)

What do you think? Should paint the chairs white or each a different color?

I am sharing this post with:

The DIY Showoff:The DIY Project Parade

Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday

Coastal Charm:Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Charm Bracelet Diva:Club GW

Domestically Speaking:The Power of Paint Party

Miss Mustard Seed:Furniture Feature Friday

Prior to the game starting, I waived to Jared from afar, hoping to say hello afterward. It was a close game right down to the end and Kentucky only won by 2 points, scored in the very last seconds of the game. I know very little nothing about basketball but this past year it has been a real treat to tune into ESPN or CBS and watch him excel at what he loves. We would watch each game with such joy and excitement. Thank goodness for HD flat screens because it makes you feel like you’re actually there. Initially, I wasn’t crazy about these visual space hogs since they dominate whatever room they reside in; however, I now see why the male population loves them so. Sounds a little sexist, I know.

Jared scored 22 points and made 10 rebounds. Impressive! Final score 62, 60. You could see and feel their devastation. I was sitting with other familiy members of the players; we were all stunned. I could only see the side of Jared’s face as the team made their exit. He looked bewildered and in disbelief. But Jared continued to walk with his head held high as he and his teammates walked off the court. I felt so bad for them but, I remain in awe of what the Ohio Buckeyes have accomplished this season.

I was hoping to say hello, give him a hug and some cookies I had baked especially for him. But no such luck. Stadium personnel cleared the stands immediately at the end of the game. However, milk and cookies wasn’t going to ease the sting of this loss one bit.

Maybe at this age.

But certainly not now.

Despite this upset, it has been a blast watching Jared perform on the court, listening to the commentators speak about him with reverence, and reading about him in too many newspapers and magazines to mention. Every game is evidence of his dedication and passion for his first love, basketball. So, win or lose, I will always be proud!

Go Buckeyes!

Today is the start of a great weekend for me. First, I have the honor of guest blogging over at House of Hepworths. I had contacted Allison for some blog advice and not only did she graciously take the time to answer my questions, she asked me if I would be interested in doing a guest post. Let’s just say, I squealed screamed with delight when I got that email. Then my excitement quickly turned to paralysis. It’s one thing to write for yourself and it’s another to write for someone else. The expectations I place on myself are that much higher and every word, every sentence gets scrutinized to the nth degree. But I just started typing and everything began to flow. Please hop over to House of Hepworths and have a read for yourself. And while you’re there, poke around a bit. Allison’s offers a comedic side to her creative pursuits that is so fun and entertaining. Thanks Allison!

Second, Ohio State vs. Kentucky is tonight. My nephew, Jared Sullinger (if you follow college ball, you know who he is), is playing in the NCAA March Madness games. I can’t wait!

Here’s a picture just in case you don’t. Isn’t he handsome? Yes, I’m a proud Auntie!

I have only seen him play on television, never in person so this will be a real treat. His oldest brother, James, also played for Ohio State and was instrumental in getting the coach, Thad Matta, to recruit Jared while his second oldest brother, Julian played for Kent State. His Dad, aka Satch Sullinger, coached him at Northland High School and they won the State Championship in his senior year. Basketball has always been in the forefront of my sister’s family and this has been a family affair in the making. We’re all so proud of Jared’s success thus far!

Great start to a beautiful weekend! I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well. Enjoy!

Then I took a two hour power nap to refuel and get ready for the evening festivities. Trouble is, I didn’t turn off the ringer on the phone. The robo-election calling was ridiculous. Just as I had drifted off to sleep, the phone rang again and again. Don’t get me wrong, I take voting very seriously but when your answering machine has more candidate messages then friends and family, I find it invasive. Shouldn’t you be able to sit down to family dinner without the sound of the phone ringing repeatedly? Thank goodness for caller ID because these last few weeks would have been unbearable.

Since today is Election Day , the electioneering has come to an end and things are much more quieter at DIY Central! Yeah!!! Spoke too soon. Would you believe I just got another call and seconds later a a text “Remember to Vote”? Ughhhh! I feel like responding “been there, done that” but you know the saying, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”. I live by those words and repeat them in my head as I hold my toungue many a time. It helps me live a drama-free life. I won’t respond. Delete is a much better option.

Happy Election Day Night!

Had a great time today particiapting in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Queens. My friend, Andrea, who sadly lost her sister Marcia this year, invited me to join her team and I graciously accepted. You can read more about it here. It was a huge turnout and a beautiful “feel good” day and it was nice to share the memory of her sister with her and her family and contribute toward “making strides toward a world with more birthdays”.

And lest importantly, but deeply gratifying, I finally got a chance to embellish my striped wall. It took awhile, but I amassed a collection of oval frames from various thrift stores; they are so much harder to find then their rectangular counterparts. At first, I was going to do all oval frames but later decided to mix them up. This is how they looked before.

After spray painting them glossy white, I first layed them on the floor along with my upcycled mirror and tested it out with a paper arrangement before hanging them on the wall.

I used Command Picture Frame Strips to hang them instead of using nails; that way I can change the design and not have to worry about repairing any holes. It’s a velcro adhesive mix that works fabulously. Love them! And here is how it turned out.

Here are some closeups.

Each frame is uniquely it’s own with plain, flat, rounded and detailed surfaces are now married by color. I especially love this one, although small it has a mighty presence.

And the little detials on this one demand a little more attention.

I am quite satisfied, but knowing me, I might will most likely change or rearrange them whenever I get in one of those redesign moods.
What do you think?

I am going to hop over to a few DIY parties mentioned below. Care to join me?

First stop is Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Night Special. I am really late for this one, but there is a special section devoted to frames (be sure and dance your way all the way to the bottom). Then it’s off to Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday, Domestically Speaking: The Power of Paint and Mustard Seed Creations:Furniture Feature Friday.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Portobello Road Market, I visited Chloe Alberry, a must visit if you’re ever in London.

Happily surprised, when given permission by the shopkeeper to take pictures, I wanted to devote an entire post to some of the eye candy hardware you will find there.

Normally, I would apologize for all those reflections, but I think it’s a rather interesting photo in a strange sort of way.

Chloe Alberry has a huge assortment of…

stunning stone and gorgeous glass,

pretty porcelain,

charming ceramic,

shiny silver,

brillant brass,

beautiful black,

knobs, pulls, hooks, brackets….

tantalizing tins and so much more!

I was drawn to the ceramic knobs so I purchased a couple of them. No project in mind, just because. Because what? Because they were pretty. You just can’t walk out empty handed. Everything is just too irresistable. Chloe Alberry is a gem of a store that will have you saying out loud in that high squeaky voice, “oh, how preeeeetty,……. oh, how cuuute”, you know, like when you’re talking to a baby. Quickly looking around to see if anyone heard you thinking out loud, you will soon realize, everyone else is doing the exact same thing.

Have a “must visit” store you would like to share?

I am sharing this post with:

Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday

A Soft Place to Land: DIY Day

Shabby Chic Cottage: Transformation Thursday

Mustard Seed Creations: Furniture Feature Friday

It’s a another dreary day. When will this rain ever end? After dropping off No. 2 Son, I decided to head over to my favorite bakery, Buttercooky, to treat myself to a coffee latte and a brioche. As I was waiting for my order, I heard someone say “Joselyn”. My neck whipped around so fast I almost caused myself whiplash. I thought it was someone I knew. Turns out, one of their employees shares my name.

Of course, I just had to verify it for myself. I approached the counter and asked “is your name Joselyn?” “Yes” she replied. “With an “s” or a “c”", I immediately responded. “An “s”", she said. Simultaneously, we gasped, our eyes lit up and very excitedly and in unison, we said “I never met anyone with “s” before and started laughing. It was a special moment.

You have to understand, after a lifetime of people butchering my name especially in school, both teachers and students alike, this was a big deal. When I was in elementary school, Alice, Sharon, Lisa and Renay were the norm. I would shudder every time attendance was called for the first time, wondering how it was going to be pronounced. Slowly sliding down in my seat, I would hear things like “Johnston, Jaclyn, Jackson” while thinking to myself, how can they get that pronounciation from “Joselyn” as the other children snickered at my unusual name.

As I got older, I heard of people with my name, but never actually met anyone until recent years. Not too long ago, I was taking a class and the teacher said “Joselyn” and myself and another person responded together and we looked at each other with great surprise and smiled. She spelled it with a “c” though. And no matter how many times I spell my name or say Joselyn with an “s”, people will still spell it with a “c”. So encountering anyone who shares my name spelled with an “s” is a major deal.

As I was leaving the store, I waived as we made eye contact, both of us grinning from ear to ear. It’s those little things that can brighten up even the dreariest of days. Life is so full of wonderful little surprises that just make you smile.

Has your name ever caused you angst? Have any wonderful little surprises to share?

Have a wonderful weekend!

On the weekend, the shops are over shadowed by the vendors and the street is so packed with people you can barely walk.

I don’t know what it is about London businesses – shops and street vendors alike – picture taking is a major “No No”.

This is one of two vendors (the other was at the Convent Gardens market) that gave me the okay to take pictures.

Don’t you just love the vintage buttons? I thought I was going to make my way back to buy some but by the time we got to the other end of the road, my guys and I were tuckered out.

Wow!! What a difference a day makes.

On weekdays, you can see all the great stores on Portobello Road.

Honey Jam is just the cutest toy store with “back in the day” toys, you know, the kind that don’t require batteries.

Everybody stops in their tracks for this one, not just sewers. All those vintage sewing machines and it’s a clothing store!

And even more inside!

Toward the end of this very long road, I found Chloe Alberry.

When I got a glimpse of their tables Between Naps on the Porch:out front, I was in awe of all the eye candy. Doesn’t this look inviting?

At this point, my guys and I had had enough of the crowds so I promised myself I would have to come back. But you have to come back too, so I can share with you some of the beautiful hardware this unique store has to offer.

I am sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday.