Sunday, February 7, 2010

Beauty Tips

I was going through piles of saved papers today, and came across this gem.  Authored by Sam Levenson, quoted often by Audrey Hepburn.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
 
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
 
For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.
 
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived,  reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.
 
Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
 
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the  figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
 
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

    Sunday, January 24, 2010

    Scarves, Scarves, and More Scarves

    Here is another fun tutorial over at Vermillion Rules


    A cutie from Sew Much Ado

    And, the ultimate collection posted by Grosgrain Fabulous

     Want more? Click here



    Tuesday, January 19, 2010

    More Girl's Room Inspiration

    My 4 year old has an eye for design.  She is constantly rearranging my decor and adding to it in her own special way.  Thus, my plans for her room are ever changing, I am trying to fulfill her desires and keep it looking nice to boot. ( If she had her way it would all be hot pink. From carpet to ceiling paint.)

    I am thinking antique, pink, ivory, feminine. A princess room that a princess would have slept in, not a room with princess stickers all over the place. Here are some photos that remind me of elements I love.Enjoy

    No, I am not putting a wine bar in the girls' room. But I love the look of antiqued furniture with ornate details. I imagine the bunk bed and vanity in something like this:

    Here is a room with the softness and the basic color scheme we are going for, plus, who could resist a window seat.

    My daughter gasped in awe when she saw this. She loves all things fancy and lovely.

    Here is another.

    and the bed that she loved 



    Keep checking back for more, for I intend to add to this collection as I come across new inspiration.


    Tuesday, January 12, 2010

    More Class Valentines

    Today I made my first visit to the Bunny Cakes blog.  It will not be my last!  She has some serious design skills, paired with kind generosity= free downloads!


    Click here to download the heart cards

    And visit her blog for other adorable downloads

    Friday, January 8, 2010

    Nightstand Before & After


    So I have refinished some furniture before, and I am starting to play around with different paints, priming methods, and antiquing techniques.  I bought a set of 2 of these nightstands of the local online classifieds for $15 each.   Time to get started.

     We went the spray paint route. Spray primer and spray paint.  We used around 4 cans of primer and 4 cans of paint. Part of that was used painting the insides as well. I wanted to seal over the other people's business and feel like these were fresh and new for me.

    After we got them a good coat of paint we proceeded to antique.  We went with the glaze method, and deal of all deals, we found a can of mistint glaze on clearance at the home store for $2.50, instead of the list price of $18. It was like a peachy pastel color, so  I asked the guy at the paint counter if he could darken it up.

    Following other people's tutorials, we spread the glaze over the entire thing, working with one side at a time.  Then we used a barely damp rag to wipe the glaze off, leaving it in the nooks and crannies. Easy as that. We let it dry and re-assembled the whole thing. 

    What do you think?

    Before
     After

    *for a details on the furniture painting process, check out this post at All Things Thrifty and this one at Blue Cricket Design.  The both include great details, tips, and tricks.

    And for glaze specific tutorials, check out All Things Thrifty again, and  Karla's Cottage.

    Valentines for Classmates 2010

    These sound fun:

    (Or try Martha's Felt Version)


    Remember Hershey Kiss Roses?

    I think we will make these for valentines day this year.

    Lots of tutorials, including the Hershey's website, use glue and stab the kisses with wire, rendering them inedible. That defeats the point, if you ask me, so I love this tutorial from BridalBuds.com