My family isn’t one for passing down treasured belongings from generation to generation. Not that there’s anything wrong with that sense of tradition, but it just isn’t us. Yet there are certain things camped out in the homes of my predecessors (cough, cough—Navajo rug in my dad’s guest bedroom—cough, cough) that I’ve always hoped to one day call my own.
This antique wrought iron bed belonged to my parents when they first got married (how my mother slept in a full size bed with my 6’4” snoring-prone dad is still a mystery to me), and despite my pop’s encouragement to have it sandblasted and repainted, I chose to maintain the character of its shabby chic aesthetic by leaving the paint chipped and simply killing the rust with some navel jelly. B and I wiped it down with this pink gooey stuff, sprayed it off with a hose, and in less than 20 minutes—voila! We had a perfectly restored, antiqued to perfection wrought iron bed. An heirloom to be sure (even if it wasn’t intended as such), and one I’m hoping will remain in the family for generations to come.
//betsy
Posted on May 2, 2012 —
For my initial foray into the fine art of DIY blogging, I chose something simple yet impactful. I spotted these gemstone magnets on Leifshop last year, and haven’t been able to get them out of my head since. Being unable to justify spending $36 on what amounts to a handful of rocks, I decided to try my hand at crafting some. I’ll be honest, the hardest part of this project is sourcing the stones. In my case, I got lucky and found some this past Sunday at the Burlington Antique show (I got the whole lot for a couple bucks), so I’m not entirely sure where to tell you to look for agate, geode and pyrite beyond flea markets or peddler’s malls.
The only other supplies you’ll need are strong magnets (I got a few packs of these badboys for three bucks a pop at Michaels) and an equally robust adhesive (around $4, also at Michaels). Prior to gluing, examine each rock to see which aspect you want to display, and make sure the opposite side contains a flat surface. Use a small dollop of glue and space the rocks a few inches apart (these magnets are STRONG and I had to reglue a few times because they kept latching onto each other) to allow them to dry for about 20 minutes (I let mine dry overnight before putting them on the fridge). Easy as pie, and a great way to add a touch of style to your kitchen.
Posted on April 18, 2012 —
Not-so-corporate workwear: Dress: eci via Nordstrom Rack. Trench: Cynthia Rowley via Marshall’s. Shoes: Ivanka Trump via Zappos Outlet. Bracelet: Madewell. Watch: Michael Kors. Ring: antique. Belt: Deena & Ozzy via Urban Outfitters.
I recently alluded to my current shopping fast, a practice that’s been great for my wallet and not-so-much for my style inspiration. There’s something about getting a new dress or blouse that just seems to motivate you to dress better. However, I’d forgotten about this little number I purchased on sale last fall—its pleated skirt, billowy sleeves and bright, jubilant print were just the pick-me-up my wardrobe needed.
//betsy
Is anyone else laughing at my wannabe model pose?
Tortoise shell belt buckle x tortoise shell watch = just sayin’.
Posted on April 17, 2012 —
I’ve been on a semi-spending freeze as of late, but I found a few good bargains over the weekend: some pretty, patterned candles on clearance at Target (for when food calls for candlelight but not additional scent), gold mirrored browline sunnies (also from Tarjay), a donkey shot glass made of pewter and antique alabaster bookends (both sourced from Scout), perfect in all their geometric wonderfulness. But, as usual, the best things in life are free—like the periwinkle blue of Kentucky skies at dusk and sharing special days with special people.
//betsy
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Posted on April 10, 2012 —
