New Rug

My blog friend Kara from A Little Bit of Lovely recently posted about some great rug deals that she found at Lowe's. Yes, that Lowe's, the hardware store. Look what she found:

I love the zebra pattern and have a zebra throw rug in my front entry way.

Even better, this rug was marked down to $17 from $68:

She posted this awesome deal about a week ago, while I was still on vacation. I agonized over missing out on my Lowe's clearance rug throughout the remainder of my vacation. As soon as I got home, I couldn't wait to run to my local Lowe's to see if they had any of the rugs left. After an extremely hot early morning run, I got to Lowe's at 7:00 AM! Lucky me, there was one last clearance rug waiting for me. Here it is:

While it's not the zebra I was hoping for, it's still pretty good for $17, don't you think??

And yes, I know that I have the world's ugliest couch. But, I love the fact that I don't have to worry about the kids or dogs ruining it. I usually just try to cover up its ugliness with lots of cute throw pillows. More often than not, however, the pillows all end up in a mess on the floor and a big ol' dog ends up snoozing on the sofa. C'est la vie!

What's in My Suitcase

Hooray, we made it home! The first flight was great. I had a feeling the second flight would not be so great when I saw that we would be flying in a prop plane. You know you live in a tiny town when the only way to get there is by propeller airplane. In case you haven't experienced the joys of prop flight, not only is the plane much louder and slower than a jet, but you get to feel each and every tiny bit of turbulence. Kind of like riding on a roller coaster. Generally, you can expect a wild ride, but I knew we were in for something extra-special as we sat in the waiting area next to the pilot and crew and I heard the pilot remark that this plane was "the worst" (exact words!).

Source: flickr.com via Terry on Pinterest

We get on the plane in Phoenix, where it was 110 degrees, only to find out the air conditioning was not working. After about 15 minutes in the air, the pilot comes on and says they are about to try something unusual to cool the plane down - opening up a door (WHAT!) in the back of the plane to let the sweltering air out and cool air in. This meant the plane would lose air pressure and our ears could hurt for several minutes. YIKES!! Want to know the best part? It didn't even work AND K was left in excruciating ear pain that made her cry for the remainder of the flight. Around the same time, C got a weird look on her face and then promptly threw up. Poor thing was drenched in sweat and pale as a ghost. Finally, we arrived and stepped off the plane into 100 degree weather. Funny how 100 degrees felt nice and cool after the oven we had been cooking in for the previous two hours! SO GOOD TO BE HOME!

Anyways, one of the reasons I love reading blogs and watching some reality TV is that I'm kind of nosy, a peeping Tom, curious about how other people live. So, I thought some of you might have a creepy healthy amount of curiousity about others and might be a teensy, tiny bit interested in what was in my suitcase. Remember, I was gone for over two weeks.

Here's the bag I took:

Pretty normal, right? So, what's inside...lots of cute outfits and shoes? NOPE - just a giant-sized pillow from HomeGoods. I have take advantage of shopping when I get to the big city!

Oh, and look, here's some batting I had to get at Joanne's. My mom had a coupon that I couldn't let go to waste:

I couldn't be without my trusty old computer, along with some kid's goggles, a sweet note for daddy and a hand-beaded creation:

Doesn't everyone have one of these in their suitcase?

Yes, that is a toilet brush. C loves to help clean the bathrooms and asked me to buy this for her at IKEA. As long as she cleans the toilets, I'll buy her just about anything!

I used to be kind of a compulsive runner, so I don't go anywhere without my running shoes. I only used them a couple of times on this trip. Oops! Oh, and some handy-dandy magnets the kids made with Grandma:

Painted birdhouses. More craftiness with Grandma:

Can't leave without the IKEA dishtowels:

Here's what was in the carry-on bag. IKEA Ribba frames, fabric, and pompoms:

And, yes, there really was two-weeks of clothes shoved in there amongst all of that other stuff.

This is what we came home to:

This sweet guy and a real East Coast lobster/clam bake. YUM!

Featured

Just wanted to let you know that C's new desk chair was featured on



If you are not familiar with the blog DIY by Design, you should check it out.

Vacation!

I'm so sad that it's our last day of vacation.  The girls and I have been having so much fun at Grandma and PopPop's house in Minnesota.  I wish that we lived closer to my family, but I'm glad that we have several opportunities throughout the year to get together.

Here are some hightlights:

Peddle-boating on Father's Day




Bouncy-castle in Grandma and PopPop's yard

 

Catching fish

At the zoo

Climbing

Some of my favorite people



Loving the rides at Mall of America



My 91-year old Grandma




Now, I have two flights with three vacation-weary children to tackle. I apologize in advance to all those seated on the plane near us!

Blog posts might be a bit sparse the next few days as I try to assimilate back into the real world.

Feature Friday #3

The chevron trend has been around for a while now, but I still love it. My chevron chairs are one of my most favorite saves ever.

There are so many fun things going on in Blogland featuring the chevron pattern, everything from painted rugs to painted walls. I thought I'd share one of my favorite uses of the good ol' zigzag pattern (that's what we called it, before we knew the fancy name "chevron"): painted dressers.

Source: primitiveandproper.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

I love the yellow knobs on this one. Check out the link to find a very helpful tutorial too.

Source: mysimplehomelife.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Again, the gray and white looks great.

Source: vivafullhouse.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

This Ikea hack features a more subtle, but no less beautiful, pattern.

Source: designspongeonline.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Source: tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

I like the contrast between the stained top and the painted body of this one.

Here is a totally new take on the dresser that is absolutely stunning:

Source: designsponge.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

And one last pic. This time the chevrons were flipped on their side and painted in a bold color:

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

What do you think? Do you like chevron painted furniture? Is this trend done? Has it been overdone?

Gorgeous Shiny Things Feature

I am being featured today on one of my favorite blogs: Gorgeous Shiny Things. Stop by and visit and be sure to check out Danika's blog.

She has some great posts and is also a super-talented interior designer. Check out this pretty bedroom she did:

Thanks for having me Danika!

Rocking Chair

Until recently, I've never loved garage sales.  I always thought they were just other people's junk.  I felt kind of uncomfortable and wierd sifting through someone else's stuff while they watched me.  This all changed when I discovered how fun it is to refinish furniture.  Now, I am obsessed with garage sales.  I am always on the hunt for a great find, for something that can be saved.  I still hate to bargain on price.

Big K on the other hand has always loved garage sales.  He is somewhat of a packrat, while I'm more of a minimalist, so garage sales are right up his alley.  Ha Ha!  As I've said before, he is amazing at bargaining on price too.  He hit up a neighbor's sale the other day and came home with this chair:

The neighbor said it was over 100 years old. I kind of doubt that! She also wanted $50 for it. Big K got it for $20.

Is this a good deal? Would you have bought it? What color should I paint it?

I'm linking this to a fun party called, Would you buy it Wednesdays? Where people weigh in on other's finds. Go check it out!

IKEA

We are some of the unfortunate people who live where there is no Ikea.  So, what do we do when we come to Minnesota?  Why, visit Ikea of course!!  Two trips in two days, not bad!

Unfortunately, we can't fit a loft bed or comfy new chair in our suitcase for the plane ride home.  Luckily, a new Ikea is opening in Denver, about 4 hours from where we live, at the end of July.  Big K wants me to go down and camp out to snag the grand opening bargains and deals.  We shall see.  Kids want to know if we can build a campfire in the parking lot?

To Paint or Not to Paint (a Piano)?!?!?

I have been contemplating painting my piano for a while now.  I'm just too scared that I will ruin the piano and that it may end up looking like this:

Source: thegirlwhokeepsdreaming.tumblr.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

I'm in Minnesota visiting my family and they currently have a program called  "Pianos on Parade" going on.  Local artists have painted 20 pianos and placed them around town in public places for people to go up to and play whenever they want.  Kind of a cool idea!  It has also brought the idea of painting my piano to the forefront of my mind again.

Here are a few of my favorites of the pianos on parade:

Source: pianosonparade.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Source: pianosonparade.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Source: pianosonparade.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Source: pianosonparade.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Sorry I don't know how to resize the pics to make them larger.

While these pianos are pretty, I'm thinking more of a solid color for my home.  Here are some pictures for inspiration:

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

This turquoise is so pretty and I love the plates displayed above it.

Source: designmom.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

This one is done in chalkboard paint:

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

This blue is so pretty:

Source: amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Modern monochromatic:

Source: aprilandmaystudio.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Since I'm a little nervous about this project and not ready to commit to a really bold color, this is probably what I'm going for...a white or ivory color. 

Source: allthingsthrifty.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

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I've already painted and reupholstered the bench.  Is the piano next?

Would you paint your piano? If so, do you have any tips or tricks to share?

Floors Before and After

While I have been enjoying myself at my parent's house, my house has been getting a little makeover.  I haven't even seen it yet, but sweet Big K has sent some pictures for me to share with you.  When I left last week, the floors looked like this:

The flooring guys were just ripping up my nasty old carpet as I was leaving for the airport.  By the end of that day, the floors looked like this:

I love it!  Please excuse Mr. T posing in all of the pictures.  The big goofball is so in love with my husband that he can't stand to be out of his line of sight at anytime.  He is also trying to look so handsome that he will get a treat.  I think he deserves one, don't you? 

I can't wait to get home, see my doggies, buy a new rug, and arrange all of my furniture on that CLEAN floor.  Speaking of clean, I am thinking about buying a steam mop for all of the wood and tile floors I now have. 

Do you have a steam mop?  Would you recommend a certain brand?