Sunday, May 27, 2012

{fashion statements for Memorial Day}

What will YOU be wearing this Memorial Day?
Here are 8 fashion statements to inspire your look.
Choose the style that you like best... or would wear IF you could!

CHOICE 1
Yes, IF I had these legs, but I don't, so I'll just rock the bangles
Memorial Day chic!
source: spunkandclass.com

CHOICE 2 Classic
Memorial Day Fashion
source: theberry.com

CHOICE 3 Pricey but so fun!
memorial day outfit!
source: a-ladys-findings.tumblr.com

CHOICE 4 The Royal look...not me but I could def see some of you in this...
navy blue and white #katemiddleton
source: pinterest.com

CHOICE 5
Yes, please
tan clutch and navy & white stripe
source: allthingsstylish.tumblr.com

CHOICE 6
...or this clutch...
My handmade foldover clutch with navy blue and white zigzags. $90 #chevron #handmade #clutch #foldover #etsy #zigzags #zigzags #white #navyblue #blue


CHOICE 7 says comfort all the way...


Navy and white with gold accents #style #fashion
source: polyvore.com

CHOICE 8 casual, cool
Espadrilles in navy and white
source: pinterest.com/pin

Bonus pics for those with little girls...
Olabelhe Miranda's Dress in Navy & white linen
source: olabelhe.blogspot.com


source: positivelysplendid.com


Which style is mostly you?

Thursday, May 24, 2012

{red, white, and blue}

A kind, elderly gentleman knocked on my door the other day. He wanted to thank me for flying the American flag. He said he noticed it flew all the time and he appreciated that. I smiled and explained that, yes, the flagpole was erected several years ago and has been flying 24/7 since then.

We’ve always been a patriotic family, appropriately displaying the flag on holidays, but January 23, 2005, shifted things. You see, Chris left for Iraq on January 23, and for me that flag had to go up on January 24. Had to! This time flying the flag was different. This time it was symbolic of great personal sacrifice, pride, and the anticipation of my husband returning from war. Chris returned eleven months later on December 10, 2005, and the flag remains. It flies in memory and honor of much and many.  Memorial Day and every day.

YES, the flag is definitely my favorite thing in my front yard. {favorite thing #4}

{the red, white, and blue collection}
24 favorite ideas for those special Red, White, and Blue occasions
proper credit given if known

{yummy for my tummy}

Pinned Image

Berry-Topped White Balsamic Custard Tart
source7andbaking.com

sweet tooth

Memorial Day pretzels! memorial-day
source: pinterest.com


{please come in}



July 4 wreaths

{wear it}


windy eh?

white, blue and red!
source: shopstyle.com

Pinned Image
source: pinterest.com

{display it}

Plant-Echinacea, Tomato Soup

Memorial Day 2011 015

I Pledge Allegiance Colonial Primitive Sign American Flag

Cute idea...


$Alt


Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!

Unsure of proper flag etiquette? click here to learn more

{bringing sunshine}
-Lori

Monday, May 21, 2012

{the black tufted chair}


Favorite thing #3

This black tufted leather chair…about 45 years old...sits in my living room/library. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore: small but heavy, solid quality. But that’s not why it’s my favorite thing. Like I said most favorite things come with a story or memory. Here’s this one:

My dad passed away when I was eleven years old. When I close my eyes to think of my dad, the vision of him sitting in this black leather chair instantly surfaces. He’s relaxed, happy and he’s got his little girl (me) sitting in his lap. Also in  his lap you will find his boxed radio blaring the Cleveland Indians baseball game. The phone rests next to his side waiting for a buddy to call on the play by play. I can smell the leather and hear and feel his laughter (he laughed loud… I think I get my laugh from my dad). My dad’s lap was a safe, happy place to be me and there was always room and time on his lap. In unison ALL of my heart and senses are engaged in that memory alone. That's why it is one of my favorite things!


A few years ago my mom knew this chair was special to me so she gave it to me for my home. She also found a picture of me sitting in my dad’s lap in that chair (with that radio)! So now the framed picture sits in my dad’s black leather chair in my library of memories. And it makes me smile.

Do you have a favorite thing in your living room? Please share.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

{good, better, best}

I woke up Saturday morning with a bug. The bug to paint something! (I got the paint gene honestly from my mom: she loves to paint and I can remember coming home from school often to a new colored something!) Anyways, armed with a can of oil rubbed bronze spray paint, off I went.

First in order: I tackled my brass door knobs I've been wanting to do!

Here's the original door {good}

Here's the painted the door giving it some added character {better}

And NOW we've eliminated the shiny brass knob {best}

Wow! At this point I am quickly becoming addicted to oil rubbed bronze spray paint.
Spontaneity continues... I painted my floor vents... they were truly sad looking...

Before...
After...

I painted 7 floor vents and 2 sets of knobs so far from one can and it's not empty yet! I stepped into my powder room and  decided to spray paint the mirror, hey why not? Hello, domino effect. THAT turned into a painting frenzy… but THAT's another blog!

I still have a few more door knobs to go, all in a day's thrill of spontaneity!  

Helpful Hint: I used Dixie cups to mount the door knobs for easy spraying.


Here's a picture of my new love...this relationship is going places!

Like anything you see? Asking where can I find?
Rust-oleum Spray Paint at Lowe's. $8/can (and it's still not empty!)


Saturday, May 19, 2012

{cowboy up}


My Favorite Thing #2

Celebrating one week with my new cowboy boots! What a great mother’s day gift I received!!! Thank you, family! So these are currently my favorite thing in my closet... I’ve worn them three times already.
Comfy. Stylish. So fun.


Like what you see? Asking where can I find?

Cowboy Boots from Bootjack. Find one near you!


Friday, May 18, 2012

{bruschetta pizza}

Straying away from the home décor topic tonite because this newly created recipe is too good not to share! I love to cook and often I simply wing dishes with a little bit of this and a little bit of that. This is one of those times. I’ll call it Bruschetta Pizza. I made it tonite (actually 3x in the last 2 weeks). So good! Here it is:


Ingredients:
Pizza crust (brand: Boboli)
Bruschetta (brand: Artisan Fresh)
Fresh mozzarella (brand: Bel Gioioso)
Fresh chopped basil (optional: I made one with and one without, both good)

1.       Rub a little bit of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on your brown stone or pizza pan
2.       Place Boboli regular pizza crust on the pan
3.       Spoon on the bruschetta (not too much juice)
4.       Sprinkle on fresh chopped basil
5.       Cover with sliced fresh mozarella
6.       Bake 425 for 20 min

It’ll change your life. Try it soon! I can’t tell you measurements, just use your judgment…you can’t go wrong! But you absolutely must use the right bruschetta. Trust me, this brand is delish (I usually make my own…not anymore).

Asking where can I find?
Boboli Pizza Crust: Walmart
Artisan Fresh Bruschetta: Sam's
Bel Gioioso Fresh Mozarella: Sam's
Fresh Basil: from my garden!

Enjoy... remember to tell me if you try it!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

{a priceless tea set}

Houses become homes when they are filled with family, love...AND a few "favorite things." Perhaps your favorites are special keepsakes, unique purchases, gifts from loved ones, or generational treasures. Most probably have a story and fond memory attached. I like to hear those stories. And I thought it would be fun to shout out a few of mine. So here's the beginning of a short fun blog series on a few of my favorite things within my home.

We’ll begin in the dining room. This one is easy. My favorite thing in my dining room is this brass, silver and gold tea set.


Here’s why: My husband has served 23 years in the military, including one year in Baghdad (Jan-Dec 2005) and he brought me home this tea serving set from Baghdad. I know I know who would’ve thought he’d bring me home anything but himself, but he did. And obviously his coming home was gift enough!!!  

{side note: that year was pretty rough: tough on the home front and rough on the frontlines there. But that’s another story and just a little nudge to all of us to continually thank our beloved military}

As I was saying…one of my favorite things is this tea set…because every time I look at it or clean it, I remember. I remember very clearly. I remember 2005 filled with its heartaches and struggles, but above all that, I am reminded of this simple heartwarming truth:  My husband is a hero.

This tea set (and my husband) bring sunshine to my every day. My heart swells with pride, joy, and gratefulness for a heroic, brave man that loves his country, family, and fellow man.

Yep, this tea set is definitely a favorite thing!

Do you have a story to share or favorite thing in your dining room? I'd love to hear.
-Lori
{sunshine on cloudy days}

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

{DIY: chair recovery}

I purchased this ugly yellow chair from Habitat for Humanity ReStore for $10. What a great place... what a great find (with a little imagination)! The mustard color with distressed marks matched perfect for the desk in my daughter’s room so I grabbed it with the plan to recover the seat. I then found this black & white fabric on clearance at Walmart for $3.

Before...

After...

I didn’t even watch a tutorial for this project! Just unscrewed the seat, “gift wrapped” and stapled the new fabric right on top of the old. My first "reupholstery" job!

Repurpose. Reuse. And I've got another repurposed chair coming soon.

This DIY project from start to finish: 10 minutes
Total cost $13

Here's a complete listing of the Habitat for Humanity ReStores in South Carolina.


Sunday, May 13, 2012

{sunshine}



I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day
When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May
I guess you’d say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin’ ‘bout my girl
My girl

It happens to be a cloudy, rainy day but my heart is full & happy!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY BLESSINGS TO ALL!



Artist: The Temptations Lyrics 

Thursday, May 10, 2012

{DIY: distressing furniture}

This was my bedroom set when I was a little girl!!! Excellently crafted with kind of a speckled egg finish. After storing it in the attic for 25 years, it was needing some TLC. It’s amazing what a little paint and an electric sander can do. There are plenty of online tutorials on how to paint and distress furniture so check those out before you start your own DIY project.

Before...


After...
40 years later, my childhood bedroom set now sits in my daughter's/guest room.


                .



Like anything you see? Asking where can I find?

Comforter & Bed Skirt:  Bed Bath Beyond
Window Treatments: Target
End Table: HomeGoods
Lamp: HomeGoods
Peacock Wreath: Kirklands
Window Frame: Habitat for Humanity Restore ($5 deal)! See Habitat link below.
Wall Frames: Misc ones around the house and a couple at the Habitat Restore.
Large Bell Jar filled with Silk Hydrangeas: Michaels
“S” Monogram: I can make one for you, too! Email sunshineoncloudydays@gmail.com for a customized quote or visit my store at Etsy/SunshineOnCloudyDays
Scrabble Tiles: Etsy/SunshineOnCloudyDays

Here’s a complete listing of the Habitat for Humanity Restores in South Carolina: http://www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore_detail.aspx?place=81