My Pears Part 2

Remember my pear prints and the story (Little Bit Of Heaven) that went with them? Well I just wanted to show you where they ended up. In my guest room above the daybed. This is my IKEA room because 80% of everything in it came from IKEA!

"Friend" of Vera Bradley

I was lucky enough to go to the Vera Bradley outlet sale in Ft. Wayne.

Wow what an experience!

Me & Kate

(Her awesome hubby scored us tix to the pre-pre-sale which I found out was the "Friends & Family" Sale. That's right I am a "friend" of Vera.)

Rows and rows / piles and piles of purses. Amazing! Then in the back of the room is the "sorting" area or the "I changed my mind" or the "over-the-budget-have-to-put-it-back" area. I learned to just grab everything you think you like because you can dump what you don't want later.

Then when you've finally made your decisions you head to the check out room.

Only took us 15 minutes to get through but I guess during the regular sale this can take a couple hours. Yikes!

Filled up my bag but I wish I had gotten more! I guess I stayed too long in the "sorting area" and now I'm regretting it. Oh well, there's always next year!!! Live and learn! 

"Margarita Influenced Wall Hanging"

No the heat has not gone to my head. I have not suddenly changed my decorating taste to "ethnic flair" or margarita influence.  This is the real reason for the new "wall decoration".

Yes that's right. The new wall decor is actually temporarily hiding an "oops". Hubby wasn't too careful taking down the Christmas decorations and accidentally ripped off the paint and drywall.  So as a quick fix (and probably under margarita influence) I decided to hang the sombrero and poncho on the wall. (Your probably wondering why I have a poncho and sombrero in the first place but I'll let your imagination take over for a little while longer!)

Since I had the floor redone I decided it was finally time to get rid of my
not-so-awesome wall decoration.

I found this great corner bookshelf at The Christmas Tree Shop (no, really its not Christmas stuff!) for only $60. I've been looking online for a while but didn't want to pay over $100.  Hubby tried to steal it for his pub but I won!  Had fun filling the shelves with items from IKEA, Christmas Tree Shop and Hobby Lobby!  And the best part is the picture on the wall is covering up the hole in the wall, but shhh, don't tell anyone!

Floor Makeovers

Foyer Before

    Foyer After

                                                                                                                            

Kitchen Before

Great Room Before

Kitchen After

Great Room After

    Back Door After

  

Everything went great with the Hardwood Floors. Jack Laurie Floors did a great job! They look awesome. We choose a handscraped look for the main areas and slate for the doorways. Feels good to get the nasty carpet out of here!  Even had company during the construction. Just need to get some rugs. Looks like another trip to IKEA (Although I do have my eye on this one from Ballard Designs).

Sorry, Sorry, Sorry!

OK so I told a little white lie. I said I'd tell you tomorrow where I stopped. Well the week got away from me and 1 day turned into 5. Sorry, sorry, sorry. Did you have a guess where I might have stopped? You know if there is an IKEA anywhere in a 100 mile radius I'm there!

So, hello Schaumberg, IL! Home of IKEA, Legoland, and Gino's East Pizza!

Spring Break 2010

Last week was spring break for us. Instead of heading south like everyone else, we thought we'd be different and head north. We headed to the Wisconsin Dells - Great Wolf Lodge. If you've never been to GWL you have to go. It's very fun! Even the big kids have great time (wink!) Lots of waterslides, arcades, dominoes and adult bevies! Here are some pics from the trip.

On the way home we made another stop. You'll have to come back tomorrow to see where....

Cute Little Birdies or Are They?

Yes they are cute little birdies but they are not what you think. They had a different purpose other then looking cute on my shelf. Do you have a guess? Well? Your wrong. They are actually salt and pepper shakers. I found them at Home Goods and thought they would be cute on my shelf. The trick is to have them high enough you don't see the holes on their backs.

So keep your eyes open when shopping and try thinking outside the box!