Before and After...Bathroom

For a while we've been enjoying our newly redone bathroom, but I've yet to show the before and after pics.   While relaxing down here at the beach, I was reading an article in one of my Real Simples that I hadn't had a chance to look at until being down here, and it was showing some beautiful shades of green.   It made me remember about my bathroom, and how calming it now is.   

Even though I love decorating, I'm not someone who knows from the start exactly what things are going to look like.   Usually, I decide as I'm in the process.    For my bathroom, I was almost sure that I was going to paint it a serene shade of blue.    I came home with a great shade of green instead.   My husband said, "I thought you were going with a blue of some sort."   I responded, "I did, too."    But, I love the shade I picked.   It's completely tranquil.     The name of it is "Pebble" from Valspar.

We knew we had to redo the bathroom - it wasn't really an option.   It's our only bathroom, and there just wasn't a lot of room.   The vanity took up most of the floor space, so we knew that a pedestal sink would be nice.    There was old linoleum, and we wanted tile.   But we also knew that we couldn't splurge and completely redo everything.    So, the things we chose were a new sink, beadboard to make it feel bigger and give it more character, new floor, and new light fixtures. 

this is my only before picture with the old sink/vanity still in.     River had "decorated" it for Christmas (thus the napkins everywhere and the original reason for the picture.)

sink out,  subfloor exposed

new fixture with same old mirror and medicine cabinet, but a frame made to fit around the mirror to give it a little more class.

i think this shot shows the truest representation of the color "pebble"

It's great.   Still simple, but also serene.    I love being in there now, verses how much I used to dread going in.   Much less...having to let guests use it!    To see more pics of the process, check out my hubby's handiwork here.   And if you ever think a redoing a small bathroom won't really make a difference, you better think again!

Sniffle...Sniffle...Cough

Well, it's officially here...the after Christmas cold.  Usually we have at least one round of a respiratory infection before Christmas and then one after Christmas.   If your family is anything like my family, we usually all pass it around, and it takes about a month for everyone to be ALL the way well.

So instead of today being a day where I got to go help a friend with decorating and seeing another friend that I haven't seen in years, today will be a sniffle...sniffle...cough day, full of tea drinking and couch lounging.    And saying, "let's watch another cartoon."

But, in case you're at home lounging and doing some online shopping, I have to let you know about this great offer from rekoncile design... (I know, shameless plug!)   But it's just such a great deal - I would hate me, if I knew about it and didn't tell you!    Each of these bags is at least 50% off (plus monogramming). 

  (bags from left to right)

Sail Bag (12" x 20")  Reg. $18...Closeout $9

Overnight Bag (20" x 7" x 13") Reg. $24, now $12

Backpack (9" x 5" x 12")  Reg. $16, now $7.50

Large Tote Bag (18" x 4" x 14")  Reg. $14, now $7

Enjoying Etsy

a snapshot of the show - these are a few of the goodies i've been spending my time on. take a look and see some of the rest...the pictures aren't as clear as i had hoped, but it's still fun to have the etsy shop up to date.

i love etsy. sometimes i get a little intimidated by all the "real" artists on there, but it's just so neat to see all the items handmade by different people. i'm glad that there are still places to be able to get things that aren't just mass made.

Congrats to...

I tell you what...you know how to make a girl feel good!   Thanks for all of your kind words and encouragement for the shop.    That was worth every penny of that $25 gift certificate!    ;)   But seriously, the insight into what people like the most is super helpful, so thank you so much for your time and thoughts put into it!

And the winner is.....

Chief at Homestic Affairs!

For any of you who participated in this survey, I would still  like to offer you a little something.   So, for anyone who does any Christmas shopping with me, I will take off 10% of your bill AND give you free gift wrapping.    Thanks again, and if you purchase anything, just remind me that you're one of the ones who participated in the giveaway.     Can't wait to help you!

I Need Your Help Giveaway!!

Ok, so here's the deal.    I'm having some shows this fall and going to be putting money down upfront rather than taking specific orders.   But because I'm ridiculous and am scared that I'll pick all the wrong things and then no one will buy any of them, I can't decide which things will be the most enticing.    I want people to be able to shop and get there, and get it all wrapped up, instead of having to place orders.   But here's my dilemma.    I want to make sure that what I get is going to be wanted.    I mean no one likes to sit around and not be chosen.

So, for your help, I'm going to do a drawing for a free $25 gift certificate to Rekoncile Design.   Here's how you enter.

Go to our store site.

Find your top 3 favorite things.

Comment here and tell me what they are, which will enter you in the contest.

Link back on your site, and get entered twice.

Sound like a good deal?    For about 5 min. of your time, I'd sure like to have $25 for Christmas shopping!   Hurry, because I only have a few days before I'm making my next order.   I'll choose the winner Monday, the 29th.   Godspeed!!