SNS #41 brings you ~ mantels

 

~ Happy summer! ~

For this SNS event, this mom and son team have some weekend summertime plans and computer time will be minimum. However, I'm still happy to host and will peek in when I can. Enjoy the party!

Intro

Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #41!

If you're new here, join in! There are three categories to link to. Home Decor as well as Crafts, Sewing, Recipes, plus the themed link! Check below for this weekend's theme.

Party starts Fri night and ends Sunday 11pm pacific, so you have all weekend to join!

I LOVE to highlight inspiring posts during the event on the sidebar, so make sure you check in several times over the weekend. You may be next. :)

~ This weekend's themed link ~

mantels

A fireplace is generally a major focal point to a room. So when a substantial mantel is staring back at you, it's fun to come up with different looks!

I have a couple of mantel tricks to share that seem to work with my beefy darker variety.

1. Let scale guide you.

My mantel is very beefy, so it requires some serious accessory weight to it.

But nearly all fireplaces need some visual height interest, so play around with mirrors, windows, shutters, pictures, etc. Bring in that one major impact first, then work around it.

2. Dark fireplace? Lighten it up with a mirror.

One trick I like to use with my particular mantel is the mirror. I've tried over and over to change it and put something else in it's place, but I keep finding the mirror really helps to illuminate an otherwise dark area. This old dresser mirror always promptly goes back up. :)

3. Add some safe illumination for a fun twist.

I've used mini lights year round to fireplace vignettes over time. You could say it's a safe version of candlelight and casts the coolest look in the evenings.

Don't be afraid to change out and try new things on your mantel. Customize it with the things you yourself love that work with your surroundings, stagger the height in your objects so you don't end up with just a parade of items, and enjoy!

What's your favorite thing to plunk on your own mantel? Feel free to link yours up in the 3rd themed linkup below!

~ Upcoming themed linkups ~

kitchen islands

old chairs

your fav project

front doors

There! Now you can plan some projects so you can join in easier! I'll post them in the order you see here.

What other themes would you like to see on SNS? Let me know in comments! 

And let's not forget, next week is...

 

on Wed Aug 4th! Are you ready?!?

 ~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

1. Please link up your intended post, NOT your blog homepage url. (post, then click the title of your post, cut and paste that url)

2. Please put a link in your post that leads back to the party so others can see what's up! (scroll button on sidebar if you wish)

 3. This party is geared for DIY type projects we can all attempt to make ourselves. Items for sale may be linked up IF your entry is posted on your blog and in tutorial style (unless making the item is self explanatory).

5. For Home Decor and Crafts, Sewing, Cooking, please link projects up that are new to SNS and within 1 month old. The 3rd weekly themed link may have older posts and not brand new to SNS.

If you can't decide which category to enter yours in, please just pick ONE and go with it. It's all good!

I am BACK! Nearly. :)

I have a little secret to share with you.

We just got home from CAMPING!!

Right after my son came home from camp, we head out to a campsite for 5 nights,  to Hope, BC, Canada. And as you can imagine, I have some fun stories and spectacular photos to share with you!

However, as it's a long weekend here, we're going to continue the sun and fun good times for a few days longer. So although I'm back, I'm not fully connecting to the computer as yet.

BUT ... a post wouldn't really be a post without a LITTLE story, correct? See that wonderful cup of coffee above?

I love my coffee. And my son knows it. So he surprised me in pouring me a cup. Awwww...

But, the grin never left his face. So I knew something was up.

Only moments ago, my cup was adorned with these camping creatures... hmmm... let's add things up here...

Yup. Curiousity confirmed. My coffee had become a swampy lagoon for one of these creatures. Ah well. A mom can dream she was being serviced in the grandest of style for JUST a moment, yes?

And then more play-hem followed.

And so did the stories after this. After all, camping is known for fun and games for a good reason. :)

SNS is still scheduled to fly tonite. See you then for... mantel madness!

Is a decorator's house EVER done?

I remember THIS day.

 Me - "Wow, I love this! This is great!!"

Voice a day later - "Huh..."

Me - "What.."

Voice - "Well, THAT."

Me - "I just finished it. It's fine. Just FINE. I love it. I'm moving on. NEXT. Ya know?"

Voice - "Ok, well, whatever."

Me - "what. NOW?!?"

Voice - "I'm bored with it already. It's... eh."

This is where I groan, smack myself in the head, and glare at the clock, full knowing we're now ordering out to eat, NOT buying badly needed groceries and I'm getting to bed VERY late... and I pull it all apart. And tinker. Again.

Perhaps it's just the iffy decor projects that I know deep down inside I don't adore that I rehash this way. But I admit, some of the things I've really fallen in love with I've changed.

For example... I really loved THIS. The clouds parted and the angels sang when I came up with it. Eclectic chair mayhem. Metal clad siding in the back of the armoire even! And it even had curtain type girly touches this time. I thought I nailed it.

And then my favorite chair broke, which in turn broke the spell.

So then I had to mess with it. I wanted a bigger table. Ok, duly noted. My needs changed. I needed space for two computers and we were squished with the round table. And I admit, white this new way was productive, new other things bothered me about it. So, more change. And on it goes.

I'd kind of like to be done with the house at some point. Or at least, some projects, so I can finish others. But it feels as if I keep redoing the rooms I live in all the time because I quite simply see them the most.

But I will admit, the more I create, the more things I learn. So perhaps this is my own personal drawing board for where I currently am in life. I'm still experimenting and figuring out stuff so I learn what does work vs. what doesn't.

 And why does it matter again? I can't even answer that! I just know, there's something there I can't walk away from. I have to get it, feel it, and love it, and know without a doubt, it's there to stay because it's JUST. RIGHT.

I envy those that can walk away from a room as is. I've seen it with my own eyes. After they clean, they physically walk out of the house and do yard work or go shopping or (gasp) spend pure quality time with their family. They don't fuss and move and tinker and have the need to (double gasp) do a photo shoot and blog about it. :)

I am one of those that always has a project on the go. At any given moment, if someone walks through my door, some area is always in chaos. You get one corner looking great but then I've torn another one apart and get interrupted and it has to sit. My neighbor recently said with a knowing smile, "It's so NOT unusual to see a palette laying on your sofa." And she is dead right. :)

 And I never fret about it until someone DOES walk in my door. Only then do I see the pattern of destruction I've left in my quake. But when in the middle of my revamping, I only have one goal. The end result. And never see what I've done outside the box until THAT THING is done.

Don't you find it kind of humorous that in order to make one corner of your room sing, you have to destroy the entire rest of the house in order to get there?!? Well, I do anyway.

But there's just something special about loving your surroundings and filling it with your own creativity. It's a passion that is hard to explain. We just do it because it fills us with our love for all things... what? What is it? Who are we and what has someone done with our free time?!?

Oh. Another thing. I can think a room is complete, but if I find that 'new thing', it can wreak absolute havoc. I'll redo an entire room because of one inspiring object. Luckily, I'm content with just moving stuff around rather than ripping down walls, eh? :)

So... is the above done? Today I think yes. Tomorrow, I have NO idea. :P

I miss camping. That was one thing that took me away from it all. I may have to reconsider going after all even for a short burst. But then... I'd just decorate my campsite anyway.

So... what's your take on all this? Are you a re-doer or can you let sleeping dogs lie and (triple gasp!) just walk away from the re tinkering?

SNS #40 brings you - curb appeal

 

~ Happy summer! ~

For this and the next SNS event, this mom and son team have some weekend summertime plans and computer time will be minimum. However, I'm still happy to host and will peek in when I can. Enjoy the party!

Intro

Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #40!

If you're new here, join in! There are three categories to link to. Home Decor as well as Crafts, Sewing, Recipes, plus the themed link! Check below for this weekend's theme.

Party starts Fri night and ends Sunday 11pm pacific, so you have all weekend to join!

I LOVE to highlight inspiring posts during the event on the sidebar, so make sure you check in several times over the weekend. You may be next. :)

~ This weekend's themed link ~

curb appeal

What do you see when you drive up to your own home?

I think the front of a house says alot about us. This spotless symmetrical  wonder tells me this homeowner has impeccable taste and everything is most likely just so inside. Oh. And take off your shoes. Definitely take OFF those shoes!

I personally gravitate towards front porches. Doesn't this one beckon you to kick off your shoes and come on in? Barefoot. Notice the gardening isn't fussy, but more so natural. This place tells me these homeowners are relaxed and casual, and are most likely social. Sitting on a front porch invites roadside conversation. I could move right in!

(images are from Google)

Hmmm... this person wishes she HAD a porch but was innovative enough to sort of create one out of a simple roof overhang, likes junk and is internet savvy with that Espresso grain sack pillow goin' on. :)

I mean, it sure beats this!! Ok.. just for fun, this person:

1. is a collector of junk. They have a garage that's already full of like minded objects of desire. Before moving in beside them, observe how long stuff like this stays out. If gone within 2 months, they're just busy but they DO acknowledge it looks terrible. If still there for 2 years, RUN.

(update: the junk is gone. I fall within the 2 month category... whew!)

2. is innovative... pretending to leave the garbage cans out? Not likely. This makes it much easier to unload the vehicle after a road trip AND cart it on out to the driveway on garbage day. Good thinkin!

3. is DIY blog savvy... check out that headboard that's waiting for hooks. Yup. She's on the net for sure.

4. is a pro stager... this is all about camouflaging parts of the exterior of this home that aren't loved. Look at the junk instead of the dated brick posts. Brilliant!

5. is an outdoor/nature lover. Check out that old 200 lb bike. That's the one she uses every day. You can tell because it's got a rat trap and plastic fenders added on. If this were a garden decoration, it would be rusty white with a lovely front basket with cascading flowers. Bet she bikes within town at a snail's pace to simply pick up a vanilla coffee on occasion or to check out the wildflowers on the dike. No speed demon here!

~ ~ ~ ~

I have to tell you something. Only when I walk across the road and visit a neighbour do I truly see what they HAVE to look at. It's generally enough to freak me out into prompt action! Try it!

So tell me, does your own curb appeal reflect who you really are? What are some changes you desire to make? 

~ Upcoming themed linkups ~

mantels

kitchen islands

old chairs

your fav project

There! Now you can plan some projects so you can join in easier! I'll post them in the order you see here.

What other themes would you like to see on SNS? Let me know in comments! 

And don't miss out on this chance for $100 smackaroonies! 

Click on the button to get there.

 ~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

1. Please link up your intended post, NOT your blog homepage url. (post, then click the title of your post, cut and paste that url)

2. Please put a link in your post that leads back to the party so others can see what's up! (scroll button on sidebar if you wish)

 3. This party is geared for DIY type projects we can all attempt to make ourselves. Items for sale may be linked up IF your entry is posted on your blog and in tutorial style (unless making the item is self explanatory).

5. For Home Decor and Crafts, Sewing, Cooking, please link projects up that are new to SNS and within 1 month old. The 3rd weekly themed link may have older posts and not brand new to SNS.

If you can't decide which category to enter yours in, please just pick ONE and go with it. It's all good!

This week - Kidless Vacation. Next week? Kid Vacation! (plus video)

Wow. It's over. On Friday, it's over.

The 10 day Kidless Vacation proved to be an amazing time to simply unwind and appreciate.

I did NOTHING in the DIY realm. Nothing. Honestly, I took every morning to sleep in, and let the wind direct me on where to take the rest of the day. If I didn't wanna do something, I just didn't. And if I did, I did.

So what did this gal do all alone for 10 days?

 Remember 'the list?'

rent girlie movies - yes, 5 for 5 days for $5. FUN! I watched one a night.

go for my morning dike walks with my dog and just listen to the gravel crunching - yes, in the leisure sense.

go beachin' - yup!

 go junkin' - one stop. And picked me up one fine purse too!
decorate and build a little - nope, not even close. blogged instead. :)
work for a living - NO!
make a delicious stir fry - surely you jest!! hotdogs and salad, baby!
pray - oh yes.
sing and dance alongside blaring music - sang

pack the travel trailer in case we scurry off for a weekend when kidlet gets back - maybe. :)

snooze on a floaty lounger in my backyard pool - big time yes!

take in live music at a local beach with an iced coffee in hand - was there.. missed the band. :P

read - no, I thought instead
get some cookies (with icing!) to eat while lounging in the sunshine - yes! lemon. :) and cupcakes too!
light up the propane fire pit in the evenings and close my eyes and just rest in the quiet - nah. Waiting for my son with this one.
sleep in - daily!
get up early and get to bed late to make a special day super duper LONG - one day before 9. :)
take naps - yep!

get my hair done-yes yes sassy yes!

get my first pedicure maybe? - eh... forgot. Who can see toes buried in sand anyway?
take deep bubble baths - ohhhh right. I forgot.

miss and reflect - lots.

go to my fav log cabin pub (I said the P word!!) at a resort for a big fat burger and fries and THIS time own my table, not letting any guy chatters scare me away.  :) - take out. :)

stay in pj's all day while in my creative mode - till 1pm some days.
write deep - only the quiet post
browse retail stores and scoff, "I can make that for FREE!"- only retail I saw was the lounger store. Can't make that. :)

While it was an amazing week, I knew what I was preparing for. I wanted the house and my mind in order for the return of my son whom I missed very much. I just didn't allow myself to go there too often. What would be the point?

 I'm not sure if I've ever shared this, however my alltime favorite destination to take off to is Hawaii. I've been there 5x and would go 5x more in a heartbeat.

Now, let's combine my restful downtime, missing my son, pining for Hawaii and a whole buncha leisure type photos. What would you get?

A new slideshow to the tune of  Ku'uLei, Ku'u ipo by Hapa of course. :) I have no idea what it means, but I think it's about missing a Hawaiian girl. Let's just substitute the girl for my boy and... here you go.

My Kidless Vacation, modern Hawaiian style. :)

Did you notice the end message? My son and I are downplaying our computer time starting Friday, after I pick him up, for about a week. I'll pop in from time to time, however it will be very sporadic. So I hope you'll understand my short absence away for the next little bit, while we prance around doing things we just love to do together. I'll tell you all about it when we tune back in on a more regular basis. :)

SNS is still scheduled for Friday, 7pm pacific. Theme is curb appeal, so bring along all your pretty curb shots!

We're off to make some new memories! Happy summer my friends! We'll be back at'ter before you know it. :)

Wanna chance to win $100 bucks?

    Do I want my trusty followers a chance to win $100?
    You bet your greenbacks I do! So here's what you do:
   
    1. Travel on over to BlogHer.
    2. Check out my question.
    3. Answer it in BlogHer's comments.

 That's it!

If you don't already have a BlogHer ID, you'll need to sign up to play. But no biggie... it's free!

And, you can keep playing the BlogHer $100 Question. There's more questions to answer for more chances too. Plus, you can answer as many times as you desire on one question! My question will guide you through all the options.

Offer good for U.S. and Canadian citizens.
Good luck!

Click HERE to get there.  Now, go win!

I can't wait to read your answers. It's a decor related one of course. :)

What does your 'quiet' say to you?

 How many of us take the time to sit in the quiet?

I recently did just that on Friday. I packed up my tote and head to a local beach resort all by my lonesome. My intent was to get a feel for the local campsites and to see if it 'felt' right. And as much as I enjoyed connecting with old friends and touring around, when I was done with the search, I couldn't wait to reach the beach.

I grabbed one of BC's finest homemade burgers (oh gosh.. it was just the best!)  from the log cabin pub, and head towards my final destination.

There's something magical about sitting in front of water. The warm breezy space felt like a familiar hug wrapping around me.  I've really missed it. The experience was like visiting an old friend again, the kind that you may not see everyday, but the attachment always remains.

For awhile, I gravitated closer to where my truck was parked, which was a more populated area. I enjoyed the sit, watching others do their thing while I secretly enjoyed no one knowing me nor wishing to break into conversation. I simply became a watcher and listener and in my mind, I was invisible to all else. Perfect.

But I knew where I really wanted to head after my burger feast. I picked up just my camera, some loose change, and head to the local beach coffee house. My favorite mocha, topped with whipping cream and drizzled in chocolate was part of this next adventure.

'Quiet Solitude' below won a grand prize package in the Harrision Hot Springs summer photo contest, 2010.

So I head down towards the end of the lake to the boat launch section. Only once I reached the far end where it was quiet and peopleless, did I find the perfect spot to sit. And ponder. I was ready to sit in 'the quiet.'

How to sit in the quiet

1. Find a secluded spot.

For this one, absolutely no distractions is key.  You want a spot that inspires you to feel comfort. For me, it's in front of nature and/or water. And, alone. I also find off my own property best so your mind doesn't wander to all the undone work you're sitting in front of. :)

2. Tune in to nature first.

Now turn off the thoughts and voices, and listen to nature. It's the best soundtrack available. For free. Some call this meditation, however I just call it listening to what God created.

3. Start tuning in to ONE thought.

A little too quiet? That means you're ready. Slowly up the volume and allow a thought to enter. But be prepared for what you may hear. I wasn't. And it made me cry.

Be careful here. You're thoughts will all come dashing in all at once like a crowded party room. Hold that stuff back for now. Just work on one thought so you aren't overwhelmed.

4. Stay put until you work it out.

It's like having a mind conversation of your own. I indeed address what's going on and even ask and answer my own questions. And I'll talk to myself out loud too. That's why I like to be alone when I do this. :) Verbally saying it makes it more... real. Like it's no longer a mere thought.

If you shove this thought to the side because it was too difficult, you aren't ready to leave. Stay put until it's aaallllll worked out. You'll be thankful later. And if you're the spiritual type, this is the perfect time to have that overdue conversation with God. Ask for strength and help to guide you on where you need to go with all this.

(all photos taken in Harrison Hot Springs, BC Canada)

When you've reached the final conclusion, you will know when it's ready to leave or allow another thought in. Your call on what you can handle. For me, one was enough! :) I refocused on nature, did this photo shoot (just wait until I get a REAL camera) and then head for the truck, content that I had worked at least one thing out. And enjoyed every dang moment of it in these beautiful surroundings.

~ ~ ~ ~

Sometimes one is too busy to listen outside of the jack in the box noise, in order to pay attention to what's more important.

Sitting in the quiet offers you a chance to regroup and tweak parts of our life that aren't working. And being that no one's life is perfect, it's my opinion that everyone needs abit of time to sit in their own quiet to see what comes your way.

Try it! All you need is abit of quiet and solitude. And in no time, you'll be having an internal conversation that will no doubt help guide you where you need to go.

~ ~ ~ ~

Do you ever sit in the quiet? What does your quiet say to you?