Christmas Decor 2014

It's interesting how every year around Thanksgiving, I think about all the time I have before Christmas. Then I take a nap after Thanksgiving dinner, and when I wake up, it's suddenly December 19th. I swear this happens to me every year. And I'm left scrambling for last-minute gifts, last-minute holiday party prep, and (hopefully) last-minute cookie baking. I need more time!

I'm a holiday addict though. So naturally, I'm making it impossible to not feel Christmas-y at every moment this month. The halls are decked, my house smells like a pine forest, and there's more Christmas music jamming in this place than a department store on Black Friday. We're hosting this year (my parents and grandparents are trekking down from Indiana next week), and this will be the first year for us to share our festiveness (is that a word?) with everyone on Christmas morning.

So for everyone not rolling into town next week, here's a look at our holiday-laden double shotgun. 'Tis the season for an obligatory Christmas home tour, after all. Hope you're gettin' your eggnog on (or milk punch) and enjoying the holidays as much as I am!

More Mid Century and a Cabinet Revamp

Waaaay back here I showed you a little piece I picked up on Craigslist. It was aching for some love. It was also not exactly what I was looking for at the time for that space. I liked the style though, and had other plans for it once I revamped it a bit.

Check out that yummy top. Ew.

It's clearly veneer, and not wood, so I didn't feel the least bit uneasy about slapping a couple coats of paint on it. I started by cleaning the thing (a lot). Then roughed it up a bit with sandpaper. 

I spent about $10 on supplies, including a sample of cream paint (not pictured) and navy paint from Lowe's, a set of little round sponges from Walmart, and a small tube of Martha Stewart metallic gold paint.

After a good cleaning and sanding, I brushed 3 coats of cream on the doors and interior, then 3 coats of navy on the outside. Once dry, I used a small watercolor brush for making the door stripes and dipped the round sponge in gold paint to randomly place polka-dots on the inside back. I also brushed some gold on the bottoms of the legs. 

I left the legs brown, but I'm considering painting them... maybe cream? What do you think?

This piece stands near the front door now (if you couldn't tell), with the main purpose of housing the pugs' harnesses, leashes, and poop bags. It's a dirty job, I tell ya.

Oh, and if you're wondering why I have 20-something wine glasses stored here, I'm in a Mardi Gras krewe this year (!!!) and am decorating these for throws. More to come on that later.

So what took this guy's place under the chalkboard in the dining room? I did a little shit-ton of Craigslist searching to find something of the perfect size and style. Finally, I came across this beauty for 50 buckaroos. You may recall my minor tantrum after "losing" the last mid century dresser I spotted. Let's pretend that didn't happen.

Unlike the cabinet, this dresser is solid wood. I'm not opposed to painting wood, by any means (see here, here, and here), but I really like a bare wood every now and then. 

I think I need to use a good furniture polish or something to get the sheen back in order. It's not so bad to need refinishing (thank all the furniture gods), but there are quite a few nicks and worn areas. If you have any ideas, let me know!

If you didn't notice, we've decked the halls for Christmas! I'll be back with more holiday festivities soon :)

Anba Dlo

The blog hasn't died, in case you were wondering. It's just been in hibernation. Like a big, boring bear. I've been much more focused on the doing, not the documenting, this past couple of months. Slowly, the blog is making its way back into civilization. And it's toting a new name! Did you notice?! This was in no way, shape, or form about "acrylics and icing" anymore, so we're going more practical. 

And what better way to welcome you to "Live from New Orleans" than to do a little parade watching? Celebrating with a drink and stuffed mirlitons at Elizabeth's might actually be more fun... but this is a bit more virtual-friendly. 

The parade I'm showing you is the Anba Dlo parade from a few weeks ago. The Skinz n Bonez krewe and Muffalottas came out, among others, in Bywater/Marigny to celebrate the kick-off of Halloween season in New Orleans. Yes, it's a season here. 

Enjoy the pictures, and please stay tuned (and bear with me) as things get rolling again here!

Thrifty Thursday & the one that got away

As any of you Craigslist-ers, yard sale-ers, and thrift-ers out there know, this hunt can be hit-or-miss.  I can search Craigslist for a month to no avail, then BAM!  This happens.

I had a "bam" moment recently that I feel inclined to tell you about.  I've been searching for a dresser for the dining room (you know, a buffet, or whatever), and suddenly one afternoon I came across this:

That's right.  This.  Magnificent Mid Century Modern beauty.  For 50 bucks.  The stars had aligned,   the clouds opened up and a beam of light shown down on me sitting in front of my computer screen.  And I'm pretty sure I heard angels singing, too.  I almost pulled a finger muscle hitting the "reply" button so fast.

Then I realized the beam of light had actually been shining on some other lucky a-hole.  Someone had beat me to it.  I wanted to cry.  Like a young, spoiled child.

But don't think I didn't get back up on that horse.  Like a gambling addiction at one of those quarter pusher machines, I became obsessed.  Furiously searching Craigslist, I decided this unfortunate situation would NOT happen again!  (stomping foot and shooting fist into the air).

On the bright side, I did manage to rake in a handful of other bargains that are attempting, unsuccessfully, to fill the void left by my dresser (yes, mine).

Exhibit A.  Hello, little cabinet.  I nabbed this guy for $40- probably more than I should have spent looking back, but I was rebounding, people.

He's a little worse for the wear, so a paint job is in order.

I plan to put him where the little grey cabinet is under the window in this picture.  Then the dresser will go under the chalkboard.

I also snagged this sweet quilt at a neighbor's moving sale.  I bought 6 dresses and 2 pairs of earrings from her for $8 (because when you're as freakishly small as I am and you find anything remotely cute at a good price that fits, you buy that ish).  She tossed in the quilt.  Fo' free.  Whoop whoop!

The last addition is this ginormous beast of a trunk.  It had seen better days when I bought it.  A couple of boards were loose, and the trim on the lid was coming off.  But as mentioned, it's gargantuan.  And only 20 bucks.

A little hole-drilling and nailing got this baby into workable shape.  I've been considering a paint job, but I'm kinda digging the beat up, rustic look.  At any rate, it holds a ton of blankets, which until now were kept in giant crates in the office.  Also, don't mind that crater coming from beneath the window.  The glories of old-home-ownership.

I did spot this great MCM sofa as well, not long after the dresser catastrophe.  A bargain at $90, and new upholstery would make it a beaut.  It didn't really "get away".  I actually emailed the person selling it, had plans to reupholster it myself (oh yea, and learn how to reupholster a couch, because that's also important), and was figuring out a way to haul the thing back to our house.  Then my brain came out of hibernation, smacked me in the face, and asked me why in the heck I would buy a couch.  I freaking love our fantastic Chesterfield.  And I no longer have an extra 3000 square feet of space to just... fill.  Poo.

So what about you?  Any celebration-worthy finds recently?