Summer Scouting

I haven't switched out my winter clothes with summer yet, but I really need to before I start buying anything new.  I have clothing amnesia from year to year and undoubtedly will bring home new things that are very similar to what I already have - "oh, I forgot about those white jeans I got last August at 75% off - they look very similar to the ones I just ordered" - whoops!  So I'm just scouting things out until I can get to it...promise.  Here are just a few things on my list - 

I love this oxford dress from L.L. Bean's new Signature line.  Shirtdresses are so versatile - they look effortless yet polished.  Sometimes I have a problem finding them long enough though but this one looks like it hits at the perfect right above the knee spot. 

I'd pair it with this belt to add some interest

and these wedges for some color and fun.

Come On Craig!

I have been stalking Craigslist in search of a dresser for the bedroom.  I want it to be long and low, with good lines and some interesting details.  I will probably paint and replace the hardware, so I don't feel like I am being too choosy.  Craig has been seriously disappointing me though, instead of finding this, which is PERFECT

via cococozy

All I find is variations on this

Come on CL, send me something good!

I'm Down with Down

Aren't these pillow adorable?  No, you say?!

While these might not be the cutest pillows, it's what's on the inside that counts (true for people as well as pillows).  What's on the inside in this case is down.  Down pillows make such a huge difference in the way pillows look and feel.  Down is comfortable and "fluffs" beautifully.  The extra cost of down over poly fill is worth it - promise.  

If you are looking for inexpensive down pillow inserts, TJ Maxx and HomeGoods is a great resource. Sometimes you can even find them on clearance.  These were $12.99 each for the 20 x 20" insert and $16.99 for the 15 x 25" insert, so about $43 total for quality down pillows.  And I actually kept the pink covers - I might use the fabric for something (Hello Hoarders, my name is Megan).  

 Crate & Barrel also has a good, inexpensive selection, but if you don't live near one (like me) and are impatient (like me), TJ is a great alternative.

If you're wondering, all the pillows are for my master bedroom update.  It's going to be slow going because the budget flow is more of a trickle, but finishing this pillow has made me so excited!  I love the yellow - stay tuned for the process - 

Have a lovely weekend!

It's such a beautiful day here!  After two weeks of snow and then rain, it is so good to see spring again.

image: domino via taylor sterling via This is Glamorous

The weather has inspired me and I'm working on a million and one projects today.  I am typing with paint spattered hands (should have picked up the mineral spirits before I started painting, I just thought maybe nail polish remover would take it off - it doesn't if you're wondering) and looking forward to getting to a few more, a walk with the doggie outside and settling in for a new What Not to Wear.  The man on My Lovely Lane always looks forward to Friday nights because of our What Not to Wear ritual - haha - but when Stacy came to speak at his work, look at what he got me!  He's the best.

Have a great weekend - Megan

Can you spray paint a garden stool?

I know some are over the garden stools, but I was willing to jump on the trend bandwagon and give it a try when they were $19.99 at Big Lots this Christmas.  Well, it turns out I am in LOVE and I wish I would've bought a couple more.  I mean $19.99!  However, the long ride home in the back did not do my poor little table any favors and this is what it has looked like ever since

I didn't want to re-glaze a $19.99 stool or anything, so I though I would try to spray paint it.  What's the worst that can happen?  I used white lacquer spray paint and with a couple of coats, it looked like this

Yeah!  Word of warning though - even though I used lacquer spray paint, it doesn't have that shiny, glazey finish anymore.  I even had a clear gloss spray paint that I tried over it, but the finish is still fairly flat.  I just painted it where the scratched were so overall it still looks like a glazed piece of ceramic and I am very happy I tried it.  Now I really wish I had bought more, so I could have try painting them some fun colors!

It's a Turquoise Kind of Year

As I'm sure you know, turquoise is Pantone's 2010 color of the year.

and I just noticed this - 

Look at me, getting it exactly right this year!

South Carolina Eclectic

Better Homes and Gardens isn't a magazine I subscribe to, but the cover caught my eye in the checkout line, with this pretty coral and turquoise office.  

PS - a scanner is on my wishlist, sorry for the pictures!  

It's the office of Jenny Keenan, an interior designer in South Carolina, and the rest of her home is really beautiful as well.  It has an eclectic mix and fun touches, but the overall feeling is peaceful and effortless. 

 

I love the coffee table - the credit list it as Anthropologie, but it also reminds me of this one I just blogged about.

All images Better Homes and Garden, April 2010; photos by Kip Dawkins