Contain the Anticipation

 

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an·tic·i·pa·tion

 

noun: anticipation; plural noun: anticipations

1.  

   the action of anticipating something; expectation or prediction.

   "her eyes sparkled with anticipation"

   synonyms:

   expectancy, expectation, excitement, suspense

Only a few more days until the One Room Challenge begins.

So excited!!!!

For those who don't know....Linda at Calling Home hosts a six week event on her blog. On Wednesdays 20 designers show off their rooms. They are just awesome.

And on Thursdays, I will be joining in as a Linking Participant. I had so much fun last fall redoing my laundry room and sharing my weekly progress. Plus it gave me the push to get it done. This Thursday I will talk about my plans for the room I will work on for this challenge. Wish me luck!

And if you still would like to participate, there is still time. Check out the info here to see how you can join in!

Fiqure Out How to Use Polyvore

Have you checked out Polyvore yet? It is a site where you can create rooms with out actually lifting any heavy furniture, put together an outfit without trying anything on, or try out the latest beauty must haves without using makeup remover between applications. It is pretty much mood board heaven. And then once you plan everything out, there is information about how much each item costs and where to purchase it. So the ideas can move from the computer screen to real things in your home.

I had so much fun trying it out last week for the first time!

Here is my fantasy Kate Spade Easter Outfit.

Link to Polyvore for Sources

There are also contests with great prizes for the winners. To enter simple create your set around the given theme. It definitely made me step out of my box and got my creativity flowing. And since it was so easy to do (see comment above about no heavy lifting) I could lean towards  being a bit more over-the-top when designing the room.

Here are two rooms I created for The Pink Pagoda's Art Filled and Feminine Contest.

Link to Polyvore for Source List


Link to Polyvore for Source List


 

So are you ready to create your own sets? Here is a quick tutorial just to get you started.

 

 

1. Go to Polyvore

 

2. Create an account.

 

3. At the top of the screen, click the word Create, and from the drop down menu select Set.

 

4. On the right side of the screen you can type in keywords to find the item you want to add.

 

5. Once you find what you are looking for, drag the item on to the Collage.

 

6. It you want to change the size, simply click on the edge of the image and move it to adjust.

 

7. Repeat steps 4-6 until the set looks just right.

 

8. Click Publish in the upper left hand corner. You are done!

 

Once you get the basics down you can move on to cloning, flipping and further adjusting the placement of the image. Also, you can remove the background or  custom crop it. There are templates and other effects that can be added.

 

There is  a tool called the Clipper which sounds great. Apparently, if you find a picture of an item elsewhere, you can use this tool to add it to your account to use in your sets. I just can't seem to get it to work for me so far. (I am sure it is error on my part!) Let me know if you have tried it out.

 

If you are a newbie like me and join Polyvore, or you are an old hat who has been creating sets for years, be sure to follow me  on Polyvore by clicking here. I will follow back. I can't wait to see what everyone puts together.

 

So what to do you think about Polyvore?

Linked up with Remodelholic, Serenity Now, Bowl Full of Lemons

 

 



 

Paint a Porch Ceiling Blue

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Many years ago my husband and I spent a vacation in the Florida Keys.  While walking around the town of Key West, I was enamored with the white front porches with ceilings painted pale blue.

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We asked one of the locals about the  trend, and were told it was to keep away haints (another term for restless ghosts.) Apparently, this color was suppose to protect the occupants of the house from evil sprits entering the home. We laughed thinking that this was a story made up to scare tourist. Later, we found out that this was a tradition through other parts of the south, and people even refer to this soft  blue green shade as Haint Blue.

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I did a little research  and discovered that there was also a practical side to this blue. Apparently, since it is almost the same shade as the sky, insects and spiders are fooled by it and do not build their nest or webs in the top of the porch. That would be one way to repel the bugs while sitting on the porch swing sipping your sweet tea on a hot summer day.

Would you like to paint your porch ceiling blue?

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Today I am participating in the Blue and White Bash hosted by The Pink Pagoda. Be sure to head on over there to see more color inspiration.

Pin Picks VIII

The weather here is still so cold, but recently there have been blue skies and sunshine. I am finally starting to feel like all this white stuff on the ground will finally melt away soon, and there will actually be spring. It's put me in a colorful mood today. Or it is more like I need to see color since it has been so long!

Here are a few pictures I found around Pinterest recently. All ways to bring a little bit of color inside your home where you can enjoy it, but still stay warm!

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And I had to include this picture. Just love this blue and white striped coat from Kate Spade paired with the yellow skirt. Perfect for the early spring time. 

 

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Now I just need this freezing weather to end...Are you as ready for spring time as I am?

 

 



One Room Challenge with Calling it Home: Now

So excited that Linda at Calling it Home decided to do an update to the One Room Challenge.

For those of you who are recent visitors to this blog, One Room Challenge involves putting together a room in 6 weeks. It was so much fun for me to participate in this back in the fall.

Week One was the before. This room so needed help.

 

 

I decided to put together a room inspired by the Greenbrier Resort. I always loved the interior design created by Dorothy Draper, and wanted to bring a little of that pink and green look into my house.

 



 The room re-do started with retiling the floors in Week Two.

For Week Three, I shared how I created my own fabric for the curtains.

The most commented on part of the laundry room was reveled in Week Four when I used green tape to create a wall treatment.

In Week Five I showed off all the items I was going to use to organize the space.

Week Six was the big reveal. I was so excited to be done!

 

 

 

 

 

Now for what the Laundry Room looks like as of yesterday....

Pin Picks VII

Sometimes you need new counter tops, but ripping everything out and replacing them with granite is just not going to happen anytime soon. A little refreshing might be all that is needed for now.

I had to share these recent pins I came across on Pinterest. All are different ways to DIY countertops on a budget. They would be a great improvement to any surface that needs a little pick-me-up.



If the counter tops aren't looking good anymore, just cover them up. Adding faux marble contact paper can make them look amazing.

 

Click Here for Tutorial

 

 

 

Or put on an over lay of concrete. After these are buffed, the countertops will shine.

 

 

Click Here for Tutorial 

 

 

 

Paint is always an option to fake the look of more expensive counters. You can either make up your own pattern or buy a kit specially designed for this project. It is super affordable and easy to do. It is amazing how much these look like granite.

 

 

Click Here for Tutorial

 

 

 

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Click Here for Tutorial

 

 

 

And it doesn't end with just a stone look. Using chalkboard paint opens up all kinds of possibilities.

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Of course there are always counter tops that just can't be saved. Replacing them with wood would lighten up a kitchen and give it great style.

 



 

Click Here for Tutorial

 

 

Were you inspired by these five ways to spruce up a counter top? Which would you like to try in your home?

 

 

For more inspiration be sure to check out my Pinterest boards. And be sure to follow all. I find so many other great boards to check out that way.

 

 



 

 

 
Linking up with Carolina Charm

 

Find an Idea for a Unique Kitchen Backsplash

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I loved the kitchen featured in the March edition of House Beautiful. Those shutters are such a great pop of blue, and the island works well for the small space. But what really caught my eye was the back splash behind the sink and cook top.

 

 

 

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At first I thought it was some kind of hand painted tile. But after I read the article, I realized it was fabric laminated between two piece of glass. Fabric as a backsplash! What a great way to incorporate more color and pattern into the space. This idea would be an improvement to any kitchen.  Imagine the possibilities!

 

 

So what do you all think? Would you try this in your house?