{ chair change - ups }

I know I've professed my insane obsession for chairs in the past. Well, the love affair continues, my friends. Lately, I've been head over heels for all the amazing thrifted chair makeovers I've been spying.

I mean, just look at these fantasticly modern "afters". 

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This one is my all time fave.

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      I've been scouring Craigslist for a couple of wingbacks in need of some LOVE. Wish me luck in my hunt ;)

{ i spy a diy - sweater sleeve trees (& pillows too!) }

I just love a cute, inexpensive Christmas decor idea, and this one is a snap to make.

All you need is some unwanted or thrift store sweaters with some interesting texture, cardstock (or foam cones), scissors, and hot glue. I scored these three sweaters for 99 cents each!

To make these:

1) Form a cone out of cardstock and glue seam securely.
2) Cut off a sleeve of the sweater and pull it over cardstock cone.
3) Cut away the excess fabric and glue into place.
 Ta-da!  These look really great on a mantle.

Then use what's leftover of the sweater to make some darling, festive pillows!

Have you started decking the halls with any crafty goodness?

H A P P Y     M O N D A Y !

{ i spy a diy - jewel jar cardigan }

Do you collect bits and bobs of sewing or crafty supplies?  I definitely do.  I have oodles and oodles of ribbons, laces, trims, fabric scraps, and about a bazillion buttons .  Buttons are, by far, my favorite goodies to collect.  I'm especially partial to the yummy, sparkly, vintage-y
variety of crystal buttons. I just love the way these beautiful buttons can be used in endless ways to add interesting details to so many things.  I've been known to snatch up an otherwise ugly thrift store sweater for the sole purpose of salvaging its lovely buttons.  I added a handful of colorful crystal buttons in different shapes and sizes to a plain, ol' black cardi, and I really like the fancified version.

Do you have a fascination/obsession/hoarding issue with buttons too? ;)

{ chalkboard door }

I finally got around to painting my interior garage door with chalkboard paint.  This icky door was in need of a lot of love.

Yikes. 

But, now it's the perfect spot for:

visitors to show off their artistic abilities... 

showing off to your little bro that

you can write your name...

and every day ordinary kitchen business...

I even finally typed up my own grocery list template.  I've been wanting to do that for like, I don't know... FOREVER. 

 It sure does make life easier!

I got the idea for this here originally.   I tweaked it to fit my own shopping needs.  If you're interested, you could download mine *here, and make changes as necessary.  Easy peasy.

I also hung up these fun wire letters that I picked up from Urban Outfitters on clearance. 

They were $3 each! Score.

Now I love seeing this view as I zip out

the door for the day's activities.

* Google docs doesn't have any cool fonts, and they removed my formatted check boxes, so if you'd like my exact grocery list (editable), leave me a comment with your email, and I'll happily send it to you :)

**Update: I uploaded a PDF of my list too :)

{ purging progess! }

I started my 40 bags, 40 days challenge one week ago today, and I am in disbelief about how much junk I've already discovered in my home in that time. Yesterday I tackled my medicine cabinet. In true forgetful Rachel fashion, I didn't remember to snap a "before" photo. But, in all honesty, the "before" was so hideously awful that I'm not sure I would have shown anyone had I not forgotten :P Anyway, it's much improved...I added some funky scrapbook paper (that I covered in clear Contact paper-for water resistance) to the back and bottom of the cabinet. I then added back in only the things that we use on a fairly regular basis. Because we have two curious little munchkins at our house, we keep all medicines locked away in a high cabinet in the kitchen. I tried to arrange the cabinet so that things were both accessible and eye-pleasing. I'm sure it will stay this way for a whole six minutes! ;) How about you? If you're participating in the challenge, are you making any headway getting rid of unwanted stuff and reorganizing things?

{ kiss me kate }

Kate Spade, oh how I love thee.
Your pieces are modern yet classic, with a playful touch of whimsy.
Your expert use of happy color combos makes me swoon.
The way you accesorize and style your ensembles is flawless .

And then there's your shoes!

They
are

all

GLORIOUS.

I'm particularly fond of these ribbon embellished, pink and orange T-strap sandals below. I thought I'd try my hand at creating a DIY version of these $200(!) beauties.

I started with this $9 pair from Bakers.

But they're already embellished, right? Yes, but they look cheap and ugly, and just altogether ick (in my opinion). I took off the gaudy rhinetones, gathered up some pretty spools of ribbon, put the munchkins down for a nap, and went to work. Boy, all that meticulous ribbon tying and snipping takes a while! My wonderful husband kept the little men entertained when it was time to break out the glue gun. Hot glue is not your toddler's friend, people. I stitched the ribbon ties into place for added security, and now my cheapo sandals look like this.

Not bad for eleven bucks total, eh? Hope you have a great week!

*images via Kate Spade

{ boring bookshelf no more }

We bought a terribly boring, cheap laminate bookshelf for Happy Jack's room that used to look a lot like this:

My handy hubby brushed on a couple coats of inky, blue paint. Then I added a cool, graphic print fabric to the back. I'm so pleased that it now looks like this: