This is not the best photo but I really wanted to share. My mom and I had Chinese the last time I saw her and this was my fortune. "Redecorating will be in your plans." Hilarious and so true. Always in my plans, always in my mind, always in my dreams. Sometimes just moving something the slightest bit can change the feel of your room for the better (and truthfully, sometimes not!).
While my boys were at Camp Runamok, I had several projects going on. This dresser mirror was my grandmother's and is held together, I believe, by a prayer so hanging it has never been an option. It was in our bathroom for a few years and when I was doing a little work in there, I brought it out and placed it on the mantle for safekeeping. Once it was up there, I really thought it looked cute. What could make it cuter? Well, maybe chalkboard paint (although it needs a touch up), which would allow me to write this quote, as I can't justify purchasing what I really want. There used to be a map over my mantle, which I moved to my dining area. Inspired by a blogger we all know and love. I'm sure you're all quite familiar with Jerusalem and her lovely home and life - her mantle displays delight me to no end.
A little aside - have I ever told you that our mantle was a housewarming gift from my daddy? He and my grandfather came down not long after we moved in and visited as my daddy built the mantle. It was a beautiful oak and it was I think disappointing to my daddy when I painted it. He is of the wood grain people and I am of the painted wood people!
I really love the idea of my mantle but it needs something. Although I drool over the gorgeous cream and black decorating I see it feels wrong for me. I have thought about sconces on either side with some sweet Ana candles but that is a sort of last resort. I know the right answer is out there and I just haven't found it yet. We're leaving for a family reunion on Saturday and the boys and I are staying at my mom's for a week so I'm hoping to do some shopping while we're there. The mantle is in the dining/sitting area of our little cottage. Which is a really silly little cottage with only one room with four walls and one door. Every other room has several doors and usually more windows. Three quarter walls and openings into other rooms. Tall ceilings. What I wouldn't give for actual rooms - 4 walls, regular ceilings. Sheesh. It makes decorating quite a challenge. Most of us having decorating challenges in our homes-when we're lucky we learn to live with them and make the best of them. No sense crying over three quarter walls, right? But this mantle is giving me such a hard time. Does anyone have any ideas? What is your biggest decorating challenge and how have you solved it? xo-Melfie
from Samantha Miranda
My pal, Heather, knows how to throw a swap! Always the best swap ideas, always the best swappers! Since I've started growing my hair longer again, I L*O*V*E having sweet little bobs to use. Heather hosted a Summer Hair Accessory swap and would you take a little gander at the booty? Every single piece is absolutely gorgeous - and packaged in such loverly ways that I almost hated opening them! ALMOST! I'm glad I alleviated that pressure with my pieces-I (hanging my head in shame) did not put them into sweet little cello bags. NOPE! What was I thinking? Thanks, Heather, for being the swapping hostess with the mostest and thanks to everyone who I received such fantabulous hair bobs from! xo-Melfie
