Go fish...

I was strolling through Hobby Lobby the other day, when I came across this:

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why yes, that is a fish platter...

And yes, it is hideous...and yes I was so embarrassed at the checkout to be buying it, that I considered describing my plan to the cashier...

Let me explain. Awhile back I was shopping at Anthropologie, the store I hate to love...because I love the stuff in it but hate the prices...Anyways I saw this:

Loved it, but it was something like $68.00.

See, where I'm going?

I sprayed it (gold instead of white)...surprised?...and now I have this:

His name is Merle...and no, I don't know why...I also don't know why I have such a passion for naming random things around our home...but I do.

I think he is one of my favorite, random animals that I've sprayed around my home. 

(Like here, here, and here).

He has a great sheen, and reminds me of something I would find at Zgallerie.

He is perfect as a catchall for random things around the family room, such as nail clippers, extra remotes, etc...which I've taken out for the pictures..you are welcome...

Now I just have to print this picture out and take it back to the cashier at Hobby Lobby, to show her my taste is not THAT bad...just kidding...sort of..

Anyways, how about you? Anyone else find the need for a fish dish in your home?

 Haha...fish dish...

Get me a beret...

Let me start by saying, I am no artist....

In fact, I have no art skills at all...

However, I've always loved to paint. I think it's the freedom to just do whatever I want, it's relaxing. In fact over the last year, I've spent many Saturday nights just messing around with acrylic paints on the same canvas over and over again, while drinking loads of wine of course. As an early Christmas gift, the hubby bought me some new supplies, so last weekend I decided to have some fun and paint something I could actually hang around our house. So with an odd corner of my living room in mind, I whipped up some DIY art. 

I apologize for the phone pic....it was late..

I definitely went the safe route on this one, with simple overlapping, but completely erratic stripes, but I had a lot of fun mixing the colors to create a color story that could fit in our home. The final product:

 And, no the chair and table do not permanently sit here, but their usual spot is currently being occupied by the Christmas tree.
And because I love me some ombre, I also whipped up this little beauty for my office:

This one is my favorite...Basically, just started with a deep olive green, and just kept adding a little white as I went to get the lighter tints.

Definitely, not the most exciting art, wont be in any gallery anytime soon, but I love the colors and it's mine. And I am excited to get a little more ballsy (yes, I said ballsy on the internet) next time and make some more personalized art for our home soon.

How about you guys? Any other wanna be artists out there? Any tips for an art challenged gal like me?

Linking up...

and House of Hepworths!

For the people Santa forgot...

We all have those people on the bottom of our Christmas list. The ones you of course love but don't know if you are close enough to, to be exchanging gifts. These are the same ones that you have no idea what to gift them. I've created a little list here for you guys (you are welcome) of easy do-it-yourself ideas for gifts for those bottom of the list people...And you better hope they don't read this blog, or they will now know they are on the bottom of your Christmas list...again, you are welcome.
 So scroll through, and for directions/more info just click on the link. Anyways, here we go:

Test tube spice racks...you heard that right:

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I loooovee this idea. You could really get crazy with this too. If the person is not a chef but a crafter, you could do this with glitter/confettis too. 

Chalkboard mugs...I'll take two please.

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These are so fun and I love them. Imagine it with some homemade hot cocoa mix inside (maybe inside of a pretty cellophane bag with marshmallows on top) and wrapped with ribbon...too cute.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

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I love this idea...not only are they cute and literally anyone would love it, but they can be made in advance. Make a few and keep them hidden, just in case you forget someone...Don't lie, we've all been there.

Homemade Lavender Bath Salts...

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I love this idea, and while the tag (which I also love) plays more into a baby shower/mother's day theme, you could make it work for any celebration...(Because the holidays are stressful...Because even Santa needs to relax).

 Cookie Dough...because everyone loves it..

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Love this idea! "Print your favorite cookie recipe and baking instructions on white paper or vellum. Tie it around a frozen log of dough wrapped in parchment for an easy Christmas gift"

Single Serve Pie in a Jar...ummm yum...

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Who wouldn't love their own personal pie in a jar, to be taken out of the freezer whenever the craving strikes...
Oh and on a different, but not completely unrelated note, I made these two nights ago:

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Two words...Ahh...mazing...So when you realize you forgot me on that list, you can simply send me a plate of these..and I'll be your new best friend...
Welp, that's all I got for ya folks today, because we just purchased Dark Knight Rises, and this lady needs her batman fix...so long suckers...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I've always loved The Nutcracker....to me it just means Christmas is near. I would love to use the traditional wooden nutcracker in my home to decorate for Christmas. The problem is I like my Christmas decorations to match the rest of the house. I'm just never going to be one of those people that can put a giant red Santa and brightly colored ornaments everywhere. So when I saw this:

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on one of my favorite blogs 4 Men 1 Lady, I knew I had to make my own. I put this photo in the back of my mind, and kind of forgot about it (I know #winning) until I came across these in Dollar Tree:

ya know, the store where everything is $1...meaning this project cost me $2.....yea...

I did a little hair removal and sprayed them gold (surprise, surprise)..

and now I'm in love:

bad phone pic warning...

Yes, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around these parts:

 Now, let's hear from you? Are you a red and green only Christmas decorator? Are you like me and make your decorations match the rest of your home? Any totally crazy schemes out there? I want to know!
I've linked this project up at:
The Country Chic Cottage
Trendy Treehouse Create and Share Wednesdays
Red Head can Decorate Christmas Link Party
Hookin' up with House of Hepworths

So check 'em out...

My Favorite Home Blogs

I love blogs, have for years...especially home design blogs...Here are a few of my favorites for your reading pleasure...

Young House Love...you can barely discuss home decor blogs without discussing Young House Love..They are like the Oprah of design blogs...Great DIY instructions and they know how to work a budget...

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Bower Power Blog...Katie's sense of humor make everyday home tasks way more fun..she has great taste, and once again can work a budget.

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Style By Emily Henderson...Design star winner, Emily Henderson (host of Secrets from a Stylist) has great style, and uses vintage almost all the time...Her blog is fun and an easy read..I really think we would be best friends in real life...

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6th Street Design School...Kirsten is a Utah based designer and probably has the closest to my style in home design. She mixes fabrics and colors flawlessly, which is the type of designer I aspire to be...

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4 Men 1 Lady... Love following her newest renovation. She has great simple and modern style..

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The House of Smiths...The Smith family seems to have a very positive attitude towards renovation and home projects, which is always a breath of fresh air.

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Teal and Lime...These are my favorite colors in a space too, so of course I clicked immediately with this blog. Great and fun style.

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Freckles Chic...She has a really fun take on renovation, a great sense of humor, and an adorable family to boot.

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And no, none of these bloggers have any idea who I am, but I feel like we're old friends and I love them nonetheless #onlyslightlycreepy.
How about you? Any favorite home blogs, I missed?
I love discovering new ones, so if you're a home design blogger, leave a comment below, so we can help all of my readers discover their new favorites too!