MIRROR MIRROR ON THE ...........

I've been very busy decorating for Christmas in my home and also preparing for my Holiday Boutique in 2 weeks.    I worked on this little project this weekend because it will be part of my holiday decor in the living room.  

This mirror was originally part of a vanity...it is very heavy.  I purchased it from a man on Craigslist for $10 with the intention of painting it and using it somewhere.   This weekend I finally figured out what color and where it is going.

I did a test patch on the bottom right

Here is what I used to paint the mirror....yes Im even a bargain shopper when it comes to paint too. Ooops paint from Home Depot.

Here is the finished mirror in copper w/ gold glaze finish

This is where it hangs in the living room 

Can't reveal anymore because it will give away the whole Christmas decor tour

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

-MJ

SAND FROM THE HOMELAND

Okay so Im confessing on another obsession/collection that I have.....there are many some more important than others. lol  

SAND...yep the soft squishy hot stuff you find on a beach.   Ive been collecting it since my 1st trip to Italy when I was 16.  I have sand from Sicily, Puerto Rico, Georgia, Myrtle Beach SC, Ocean City Maryland, Mexico, Aruba and a few others I can't remember of the top of my head.  My plan is to bottle them and hang pretty tags on them in a pretty coastal sun room in my dream house.

My favorite sand that I have is the most original and meaningful to me because it's from my husband's homeland.  My husband was born in the Commonwealth of Dominica, for those of you who aren't familiar it's where the last Pirates of the Caribbean film was shot.   A beautiful island located in Caribbean Sea, the population is estimated at a little over 72,000.

The sand there is BLACK, yes deep dark black sand with gold colored specks.  I was amazed when my mother-in-law sent some to me.  I have been waiting to put it in a bottle but since the dining room makeover and the new Black/Creme color scheme I decided to do a little project and highlight this beautiful sand and bring some of my husband culture into our decor.   Lord knows he doesn't get too much say in the decor normally because he knows it changes daily. lol

Hope you enjoy this simple and easy project that COST ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

Glass jar

Bag of sand from Dominica

Look at how beautiful

My tupperware funnel

I used 2 jars so it filled the bases

I inserted a creme colored taper candle

These cute little glass jars flank the large gold mirror on top of the altar table in the dining room.

-MJ

CLOCHE ENVY!

Okay so Im guessing I am the only one who doesnt have a cloche in their home. lol      I always see them in all of your posts, and frankly im a little jealous.   Sooooooo in getting ready for Marty's Cloche Party....Ive decided to make my own from stuff in the house. (here we go).

1 saucer

1 handfull of moss

1 votive candle

2 fall leaves

1 glass container

1 pumpkin salt shaker

Saucer

Add a little bit of moss in center

Place votive nesting inside

Add 2 little leaves as accent

Place glass over and add your accent top

I think it came out pretty cute!   Its at home in the kitchen hutch with the rest of the fall farmhouse gang.


Of course Im linking this up to some of my favorite parties:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/09/welcome-to-87th-metamorphosis-monday.html

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

http://www.debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/

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MONDAY....MONDAY....LA LA LA

Okay so yesterday I decided to go junking in my own garage.  As most of you know Im renting a home right now since moving from my home last Thanksgiving.   So I went looking into the rafters of the garage and here is what I found.

Who knew I would get so lucky.  I know some of you are thinking, ummmmmm really?  Why is she getting so excited about a piece of wood.   This isnt just any piece of wood, its a 1 X 9 x 70 board that will be stained and become the main ingredient to a focal point in my dining room.

OKAY......SO HERE IT IS!

If you're a regular visitor then you've seen the pediments before.  Ive been waiting to find a board to put on top of them and create this.  Who knew it was in the garage the whole time.!

I have to fix this little vignette up still but its a  picture of the Madonna and baby Jesus and St. John as a toddler. The crow is the beginning of the Fall/Halloween decor for dining room.

I love the imperfections and knots in the wood.   Gives it that rustic look like you would see in an Italian or Spanish farmhouse.

Another little vignette on the left side....purple glass from Pier 1 is being used as a votive holder.  My daughters friend send me this post card from Puerto Rico.  And again another crow.

Here is a look from the living room into the dining room.   The roman urn underneath was a gift from my husband.  He got it from an estate and knew that I would love it.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

I would like to that my wonderful husband for hanging the pediments for me.  The only work I did was shop the garage, sand and stain.   Those pediments and the wood are very heavy so I let Big Daddy J handle the labor on this one!   xoxoxo


UPDATES:   


I told you all that Im the type of person who changes things around ridiculously until I think its right. So here's what it looks like today (the day after) lol 

THE HUTCH....PART 2

Well, the hutch is now complete!   I finally finished the top part and theyre back together again. lol  It took alot longer than I expected but things have been busy around here.

This is what it started out looking like, Craigslist find for $25.00

This is what my rustic treasure looks like now (excuse the blurry photo..I was using my daughter's iphone because my camera broke while on vacation.

My roosters are happy they've all found their way back to the kitchen. 

The middle shelf will be my seasonal display area.  I kept it simple because it's already jam packed with my goodies.  The 3 compartments are supposed to have drawers but I decided to use it as open shelving for cook books and tapas plates.

Another little seasonal area, except the rooster will always stay.  I will just add to it depending on the season.

Im linking up to my favorite following parties:

Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life

Debbie @ Debbiedoos

Stephanie Lynn @ Under the Table Dreaming

                                                     http://niagaranovice.blogspot.com/
                                                     Artie @ Color Outside the Lines