Skirted Tables

What's your take on skirted tables? Are they your style?

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I actually once thought they were stuffy and too formal for my taste. With the right fabric though, the tailored look has for sure grown on me. After seeing a slew of tables done right, I got the itch to add one to my living room. Then, I remembered my parents had one in their garage from when they moved. I dug it out, and found new fabric to my liking. Now, I'm just waiting for my seamstress to make the skirt because this girl doesn't sew. So excited to see the final product and of course I wanted it yesterday!

Luck of the Irish

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Happy St.Patrick's Day!

Make sure you wear some green today!

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Oh Lonny

Excitement doesn't even describe how I felt when viewing the newest issue of Lonny. The anticipation of unknown inspiration was killing me. Once I browsed through the issue, I was in awe and struck by what I was seeing. Here's some of the spaces that caught my eye and have me giddy. 

Amanda Nisbet knows how to create elegant and warm spaces as seen in her Upper East side office. The colors and patterns in this space are bright and happy which make me want to overhaul my work space! I mean, I'm pretty much drooling over the white lacquer Jonathan Adler screen and her array of organized publications. The lucite desks and Louis XVI chairs upholstered in Peridot fabric are insanely fabulous as well!

This Cape cod style Malibu cottage is home to famed designer Tobi Tobin. The home is serene and airy and boasts ocean views from every room. I'd say this home is pretty dreamy! 

Anna Burke's West Village apartment has a sophisticated and Bohemian vibe. She shows how a balance of high and low-end finds can work. She has a great point when she says, "It can't all be DIY and it can't all be new." I couldn't agree with her more. 

Did you peruse this issue of Lonny? If so, what caught your eye?

*All images via Lonny Mag

Lamp Transformed

For some time I've felt the need for a brass floor lamp in the living room. I even saw an elegant and gorgeous one at TJ Maxx, but didn't want to fork over $90 for it. While surfing IKEA's site it dawned on me to take matters into my own hands and create my own version of a brass lamp. Here lies the $9.99 Hemma lamp base that was screaming for some spray paint. 

  

I primed the base first, then coated it several times with my go to gold paint. 10 minutes later I had a shiny, transformed lamp base. 

The shade is also an IKEA affordable find at only $20. That makes the total cost of this floor lamp $30 plus a tad bit of elbow grease. I'd say that's one heck of a good deal. Plus, this lamp looks much more fitting in this space than the brown beast that was previously there. 

Now, I had really great intentions on making my lamp shade fabulous yesterday, but honestly it just didn't happen. It was one of those days. I wasn't feeling motivated or crafty. The only thing I did well was catch up on Housewives and Nate. For now, I'm even enjoying the simple, sophisticated look of the lamp. The grosgrain ribbon I purchased might just sit in the cabinet until the new rug arrives and I decide if I want to add the detail. Time will tell. 

*Linked up here: Delightful Home, Mopping the Floor, Under the Moon, Home Sweet Home, The Gunny Sack, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Craft O Maniac, Embellishing Life, CRAFT, Skip to My Lou, Between Naps on the Porch, The Girl Creative, Mushki Loves, Sugar Bee Crafts, Uncommon, My Uncommon Slice, Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Project Queen, Boerman Ramblings, Someday Crafts, Savvy Southern Style, The Sasse Life, Clean and Scentsible, Ginger Snap Crafts, Somewhat Simple, Between You and Me, Fireflies, Ibratina, Saved by Suzy, House of Hepworths, Shabby Chic Cottage, KatiesNesting, The Shabby Nest, Beyond the Picket Fence, French Country Cottage, Passionately Perfect, Creation Corner, Momnivore, Simply Sweet, Sassy Sites, Chocolate, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Delicate, Karisma,  Finding Fabulous, Five Days Five Ways, Remodelholic, A Blondes DIY, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Mom 4 Real, Fun to Craft, Tatertots and Jello, Gingerbread, Family Ever After, Serenity Now, A Vision to Remember, Funky Junk Interiors,  I Heart Naptime, Nifty Thrifty Things, The DIY Showoff, Homemaker on a Dime, It's Overflowing

My New Rug

Remember I blogged about purchasing a chevron rug for 50% 0ff? Well, it came rather quickly, but I've been dragging my butt on posting pics of it. Originally it was for the game room, but I decided to try it out in the living room because the current rug looks like a bunch of muddy feet stomped on it. Well, it just wasn't jiving with me or the hubs, so I stuck to the original plan. Upstairs it went! The quality isn't the best out there, but it serves the purpose and is exactly what the room needed. Here it is:

The room is still a work in progress and I'm not ready to show it off yet, so here's a sneak peek. 

Since this rug didn't work out in the living room, I've got my eye on a different one. I'm working up a plan to show you soon. And tomorrow I'll show you my IKEA lamp transformation thats going in there too. The shade I had that was just so perfect didn't fit. Bummer. I have an idea though. Come back tomorrow and see. 

Shower Food

Yesterday you saw pics of the shower I cohosted over the weekend, but I wanted to focus on the food from the event today and share the recipes with you. All of the items we made took less than 30 minutes and would be great for company, a birthday party, baby shower, or a side dish at a weekend cook out. 

Avocado Chicken Salad 

via Becoming Betty

Black Bean and Corn Dip

This is my own recipe. Combine 1 can of drained corn, black beans, and Rotel in a bowl. Add 1 chopped avocado, and a handful of fresh cilantro. Combine in 2 Tb. of lime juice, and add cumin, garlic salt, and pepper to taste. Mix together and chill. 

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries 

via The Sweets Life 

Fruit Salad

We combined fresh strawberries, grapes, and cantaloupes, then drenched them in fresh whipped cream.

Pink Lemonade Punch

(My Own Recipe)

Combine 1 Liter Gingerale, 1 can Frozen Pink Lemonade, 1 can of Pineapple Juice, frozen raspberries

Mix well and serve chilled. This stuff is so addicting and delicious! 

Hopefully one of these recipes will find it's way into your kitchen! I already made the chicken salad again, but for lunch this time with Triscuits. My husband even ate it and thought it was really tasty. You can't beat that it's healthy too.

Shower Details

On Friday I told you that my mom and I were hosting a wedding shower for a dear friend of ours. She is one of the most precious people I know and is going to be a stunning bride! The weather might have been crummy on Saturday, but that didn't stop us from having a wonderful time! See for yourself the fun that was had! Oh, and there are a ton of pics! Just warning you! :)

*Linked up here: Delightful Home, Mopping the Floor, Under the Moon, Home Sweet Home, The Gunny Sack, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Craft O Maniac, Embellishing Life, CRAFT, Skip to My Lou, Between Naps on the Porch, The Girl Creative, Mushki Loves, Sugar Bee Crafts, Uncommon, My Uncommon Slice, Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Project Queen, Boerman Ramblings, Someday Crafts, Savvy Southern Style, The Sasse Life, Clean and Scentsible, Ginger Snap Crafts, Somewhat Simple, Between You and Me, Fireflies, Ibratina, Saved by Suzy, House of Hepworths, Shabby Chic Cottage, KatiesNesting, The Shabby Nest, Beyond the Picket Fence, French Country Cottage, Passionately Perfect, Creation Corner, Momnivore, Simply Sweet, Sassy Sites, Chocolate, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Delicate, Karisma,  Finding Fabulous, Five Days Five Ways, Remodelholic, A Blondes DIY, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Mom 4 Real, Fun to Craft, Tatertots and Jello, Gingerbread, Family Ever After, Serenity Now, A Vision to Remember, Funky Junk Interiors,  I Heart Naptime, Nifty Thrifty Things, The DIY Showoff, Homemaker on a Dime, It's Overflowing