Project Weekend Re-cap

Hey Y'all! 
I hope the weekend was kind to you! We had a really busy weekend around here ... complete with my sweet cousin / "older sister" & her baby boy in town to visit, surprise early birthday gift for Momma, antiquing & decor shopping with Momma & the sister, as well as lots of painting and DIY'ing on my 2 current projects.
Man - I'm tired just thinking about it all!

Vintage Staple Gun, circa 1970s

I wanted to share with you my "Chair Redo" ... as I mentioned a few posts back, this little chair came from a thrift store over near Clearwater - snagged her for $15 & knew she had potential. In the past few years she had been recovered in whatever my living room decor was at the time, and most recently, she needed to become neutral to go with a new color palette. After much deliberation over paint colors, I went with Sleighbells by Benjamin Moore. You can't tell much in the photos but it is a very very light grey. Painstakingly I hand painted her, as spray paint would have just beaded up / run down the sides. Then it was to the details with a tiny artists brush. On the rest, I used a 1& 1/2 inch brush of nicer quality {to avoid streak marks}. 

Painters Drop Cloth

The seat was recovered in a $5.99 painters drop  cloth from a home improvement store. You can do so much with these drop cloths, this was just my first experiment with them! 

The hardest part of this whole project, was knowing that I needed to find the right tangerine/orange colored fabric for the pillow, which will be the "pop" of color in my living room {when I move in to my new place in a couple of weeks}. Thanks to Hobby Lobby, this fabric works!! I didn't make the pillow yet, I just sort of draped the fabric over another pillow to give you the illusion of it all together :) 

Chair Re-Do

Well, as I mentioned, we did a lot this weekend... Momma is re-doing her breakfast nook / piano student "waiting area" & now that the walls are primed, we scored big at Homegoods and a few antique stores with the Sister on Friday. Here's a sneak peek at some of the decorations. The door is from an old governor's vacation house, and the sign, which I found - is a perfect addition for the room which we eat in and serves as a waiting area for her piano students. I'll be sure to post photos when it's all put together! 

Preview, Antique Door & Sign

 The dresser-turned-entertainment center is well on its way to becoming what I envisioned. Last night I began to sweep out the ... vermin droppings ... {aka - roach poopie} when all of a sudden, I see little brown antennae in the back of the dresser. I dropped the shopvac and screamed, which is when Step-dad jumped in with the can of Raid and out fell 4 roaches. UGH! I was sooo glad I didn't take this piece inside the house to work on, I'd have had a coniption fit~ once they died, we puttied up one corner of the dresser and bunjee corded it to stay til it dried. Momma helped me to get 1 coat on the dresser in Sleighbells, and we are painfully painting the insides of the drawer slots, since I *Finally* found baskets large enough {but yet, smaller than 6" tall} to fit where we've removed the drawers. I'll be sure to add photos of our progress later. 

Baskets From Old Time Pottery

Well it's time for me to be off ~ tomorrow I'll be able to share some of the dresser, a preview of Momma's early birthday surprise, and a few other goodies. Enjoy the day! 

xo 
B

Spill the Beans

Pssst ....
 

Well, I think I have kept a secret long enough - the formal offer was on the table - and yours truly just accepted a job at an amazing national non-profit organization, back in my Big City!!!!
It's amazing to me, how I have figured out what I want to do, by some crazy process of "spider webbing" {okay, I went to college, and I cannot think of whatever type of diagramming this is, so run with me} my interests, hobbies and such ...

I'm Crazy. I know.

So, from all of this, I gathered what I figured I had already known - I love creating and designing, helping others, I like having visible results, and creating something that is pleasing to the senses! So, I should probably have known this to be true ...

Source: google.com via Brittany on Pinterest

Now, I don't have a start date yet, and I'm working on lining up a place to call home - but I'm super excited to be the newest Development Specialist in charge of special events, social media and donor relations! Wahoo!! God answers prayers and He always provides. I'm living proof!

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend! Go + create something lovely!

xo
b

Slight Textile Obsession

For Real Y'all 

I know what you're thinking - how much fabric can this girl come up with for her new-to-be home ????

Guilty.

I absolutely cannot pass up a trip to 

Calico Corners, 

Boca Bargoons, 

Hobby Lobby 

or 

JoAnns. 

I just have zero willpower when it comes to upholstery. 

Custom upholstery.

Custom pillows.

Custom drapery.

And offer to monogram all my bedding, table linens and bath towels? 

I might just sell my soul!! 

Now granted, I cannot have my dream house of custom upholstered pieces right this minute {okay, or in the next few years} but in my defense, I do sew, I try not to purchase fabric without a coupon, and I keep the color scheme for about a year or more.

And I have finally figured out what colors speak to me at this point in my life.

....

I can't promise I'll forever be faithful to them though ~ 

that would possibly interfere with the entire creative process!

So, here it is. The 3 fabrics were "found" in town & still waiting to order the 4th one. 

For the Living room ... please consult my dreamboard here .These fabrics don't look as wonderful as the first round of fabric combo's I picked {online} but I saw these in person & definitely love them together!!!

Created by Me at B H L D N

Okay, time to get back to work on some of those bigger furniture pieces!!

xo

b

Local Lovelies

Hey Y'all! 

Do you ever find yourself on vacation or living in a spot where the streets are filled with fabulous little "ohmygosh shops"?? I just have to share my love for finding those "just right" little stores. That sounds cheesy. 

But really, while living & frequently visiting the following cities - I have grown a nice collection of business cards and a list of stores and businesses that I frequent and would recommend to anyone going there and must go to when I'm back for a visit.

So here we go - favorite secret shops that I just can't keep a secret {because we really should all be supporting locally owned} 

Tampa, Fl. {& Surrounding Areas}

• Estella's "A Truly Unique Boutique" 
• Wisteria "Antiques, Home Accents & Unique Gifts"
• The Red Herring, Ltd. "Curious Goods For Your Home"
• Birdie's Coastal Cottage "Vintage furniture & decor" - Dunedin
• The Blue Moon Trading Company 
• The Cupcake Spot - Tampa & St.Petersburg
• Patti & Friends Antiques - St. Petersburg
•  The Hooker Tea Company 

 Georgia {Atlanta+Savannah}

• Kitchens On The Square - Savannah
• Dabberdoo - Atlanta
• The Flying Biscuit - Atlanta + various other cities
• Bella Cucina 
• Ooh La La - Virginia Highlands / Atlanta
• Cami Cakes 
• The Country Living Fair - Expo in October
• Scott's Antique Market - Atlanta Expo Center / monthly

A Few Of My Favorite Things

North Carolina {Tri-City Area+Sand Hills Area}

• Cathy Bason Art&Antiques - Pinehurst
• Cameron & Co. "Fine Gifts & Accessories" - Village of Pinehurst
• Pastimes "A Little of This & That" - West End 
• Antiques Emporium - Raleigh / Cameron Village
•  at Home & Southern Pines Paper Co. - Southern Pines
•  The Magnolia Inn - Village of Pinehurst *best Key Lime Pie*

New Orleans, Louisiana

• Miss Smarty Pants "Gifts & Accessories" - Magazine St. /Garden District
• Juliette Hare O'Connor "Mixed Media Artist"
• Fab'rik - Rue Royale / French Quarter
• Goodies Restaurant {breakfast on the cheap} - Magazine St.
• Belladonna Spa & Salon - great gifts & trinkets - Magazine St. 
• Mignon Faget - the New Orleans jeweler - Magazine St.
• M.S. Rau Antiques - fine art & jewelry - Rue Royale / French Quarter
• Dante's Kitchen {best.new-flavor brunch.ever.} -Dante St.

Okay, well it's all out there now. So get out & explore! Let me know of any of your favorite local spots in the South!


xo 
b

Painting Day 2

Hey Y'all!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I spent the evening {once the sun went down + it was no longer 107 with the heat index} painting the entertainment center / dresser.

Now since the white latex paint it was previously done with is peeling off in chunks, this hasn't exactly made my job easier. After going at the top with the mouse sander, and the drawers {the 2 that will stay} with a block sander by hand, I realized it was going to require some Kilz primer to cover up whatever wretchedness had happened to the top of this dresser. We're talking, orange paint, globs of paint running down the edges, puddles of glue stuck to it - so with sanding tools, hammer and screw driver, Momma showed me how to gently "knock off" the globs of randomness stuck to this piece. Last night I took the tack cloth to it and began to prime the top, and painted 1 coat of Benjamin Moore "Horizon' on to the drawers. It's a beautiful clean finish paint, but it's a bit too close to white for what my minds-eye had in mind. So, off I go to the paint store today to get it darkened up a bit.

Figured I would share with you a fun little craft that Momma and I also did on Friday - the $4 pillow.
Get ready - it's as cute as a West Elm or PotteryBarn one!

1. Buy or round up some mis-matched buttons
2. Use a pillow you have {we found ours for $1.50 @ a thrift store & since no one will be laying their head on it, we figured it would work!} 
3. Satin ribbon, approximately 12'' {left over from a headband I made}
4. Scrap of fabric that coordinates, approx. 12" {we used linen scrap}
5. Needle & thread

• Line up all your buttons on the ribbon ... we like the randomized look best

• Attach each button to the ribbon first, then sew the ribbon to the fabric scrap in 3 places, to keep it secure 

• Once finished, put in your favorite chair or bench. Ours is going in the old church pew that mom has out in the breakfast nook. By the way, we lint-rolled and Febreezed this pillow, and it's solely for decoration. :) 

Happy Monday! 

xo

B

Career Chic Wardrobe

Career Chic by SouthernBean featuring rose gold jewelry

Mulberry cut out top
$620 - mulberry.com

Pink top
$350 - stylebop.com

Dolce Gabbana scalloped skirt
£835 - net-a-porter.com

Stella McCartney mid rise pants
$545 - net-a-porter.com

Valentino glamorous shoes
£505 - harrods.com

Chanel white leather heels
$245 - fashionphile.com

Emilio Pucci shoulder hand bag
€1.250 - luisaviaroma.com

Modalu ruffle handbag
€105 - pret-a-beaute.com

Irene Neuwirth rose gold jewelry
$7,920 - ylang23.com

Mulberry peace bracelet
$300 - mulberry.com

Isabel Marant bracelet
$240 - net-a-porter.com

Betsey johnson jewelry
$25 - zappos.com





Happy Sunday Evening Y'all ! Just wanted to share a fun board from Polyvore that I created for a "Career Chic" work wardrobe. Obviously, feminine, ruffles, bows, and some curve-hugging pencil skirt - bedecked with amazing heels {Chanel + Valentino} & fabulous gems. Now, any takers on who would like to let me borrow their AmEx Black to create this chic wardrobe? 

Have a lovely week~

xo
b

Creative Friday

Hey Y'all!

Thank Goodness It's Friday - right?? I mean, I'm not currently working so I didn't have to "earn" my weekend, but you don't need a reason to enjoy a Friday!

The day started off in creative mode - dropped my little car "Audrey" off to get her air conditioning fixed and then Momma & I ran off to JoAnn's to browse. I found 3 out of the 4 fabrics I had been looking for to go in the new living room {soon to come!!!} and now I'm only missing the "pop" fabric, which needs to be a tangerine / orange color. I ran in to my aunt and one of my cousins there also, always a fun surprise since I'm not used to living here and having that opportunity! My little cousin was taking a summer Wilton Cake Decorating class and using fondant! Guess I'd better get on the ball to sign up for my class soon or she will be opening up a sweet shoppe before me :)
So, then the day took us around town to a few random thrift stores and Momma found a cute little tan and cream checkered pillow {$1.50} for her breakfast nook room {which now has no wallpaper and all new orange peel / drywall...primer and paint coming soon!!} Last night she ordered the PBarn curtains & rug so we knew what color scheme we wanted to work with - neutrals!!
Once home, we got to crafting ~ the drywall guys were working hard and so were we. First up, wrapping some bottles in random neutral fabrics and trims ... these will replace the {dead} herb plants in Momma's garden window. The curtains will be the statement so we decided whatever went in the window, would need to be very minimalistic.

• Here is the process 
• Tacky glue
• Foam craft brush
• Various trims from craft store
• Various neutral and textured fabrics

Step 1 - brush on tacky glue in a very thick layer

Step 2 - we wrapped this Ball jar in a scrap of fabric purchased for $1, it has a cream knit pattern in it, and wrapped the top cuff in trim as well as the bottom layer.

This little jug came from G'ma W's house in Ohio. It's old and really cute, so instead of covering everything, we just added some braided trim in tan and cream to the neck.

Now, this trim, ohmygoodness !!! Definitely glad we had a 40% off coupon so we could get several yards, but up close it's tiny rosettes made from the softest cream fabric, all stitched onto the simple trim. It's sooo girly and kind of really fabulous!The bottle is nothing fancy, just a Nantucket Nectar juice bottle!

Finished product, 3 adorable jars with maybe some more to come as we find jars and bottles that have a good shape. There's plenty of trim left over and the window could probably hold 5 bottles without looking overwhelmed!



Well, the weekend doesn't hold too many things for me ~ mostly going to start tackling my entertainment center-to-be, and then next week, Momma and I will be taking on the hoosier cabinet. Our goal is to get the biggest pieces of furniture done before I move back to my Big City!

Hope y'all have a wonderful and fun weekend!
                   Be with the ones you love!!
                                       
                                      xo
                                                                                                       B

I'm Possible !

Hey Y'all !
I just wanted to post a shortie of some of fabulous little bits I have encountered lately {thank you, Pinterest}
Today is my interview, or rather, second interview with a wonderful non-profit organization in my BigCity. I secured the first phone interview on Tuesday and am more than happy and excited to be given the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the executive director & development director. Nervous? Yes. Prayed? Absolutely!!
I'm learning to be in control of my nervousness and thankfully the past few interviews have been great practice!

I felt that while I'll be out and about today ~ I shall leave you with some beautiful words I've come across lately...

Be Inspired! 

xo

B

Let The Countdown Begin

44 

Days

Football In The South:

It's A Way of Life

I am a Seminole.

Since birth, there was no other choice in my family but to be a Nole.

And after 4 and a 1/2 glorious years in Tallahassee, 

I have never been more proud to be a Seminole of Florida State! 

With all the pride humbleness that I can muster - every year, just about this time, 

I get that longing for something that only college football can cure...

For tailgates across from Doak Campbell,

For the family atmosphere you get from your fellow Seminoles,

Chanting "F-L-O-R-I-D-A - S-T-A-T-E" with 84,000 others,

Walking to the stadium, proudly past our Sod Cemetery of previous conquered teams,

Cheering Chief Osceola & Renegade to the 50-yard line to plant the Spear,

Nothing to your right or left but the famous Tomahawk Chop,

The ominous sound of the War Drum prior to Our Boys taking the field,

Marching Chiefs intro to the 4th quarter, playing "The Good, Bad & Ugly" for our Defense,

And those are just some of the moments that every Seminole loves.

And then there are our boys. 

And our coaches.

 Jimbo did amazing things last year, and I cannot wait to be present to see his talents in coaching on display again this year.

Some of my favorite boys to watch this fall will be Greg Reid, Brandon Jenkins, 

Nigel Bradham & of course, Mr. EJ Manuel.

Photo Courtesy of Warchant.com

So, with 44 days left, I begin the official countdown to College Football season!!

Who's your alma mater? Your team? What's your favorite tradition?

Garnet & Gold Love Forever

 

B

 

When In Doubt ...

Hey Y'all! 
Happy Wednesday to you :)

This has been quite a busy week so far, I've been to&fro to my "big city" once already for a job interview, and now I get the pleasure of taking the trip, yet again today. I cannot complain though, because hopefully before too long my prayers will be answered and God will provide, as he always does.

I have a new love, and it's Pinterest!!! Have y'all discovered Pinterest?? If not, then you need to pop on over there & get yourself an account! It's slightly addicting, a way to build up all sorts of ideas and Do-It-Yourself projects, and all kinds of goodies!! I had to share this poster {across} because I feel like it's "me".

 If I have a bad day, a rough time, or just get stressed out, just let me alone in the kitchen with my cute Cath Kidston aprons and my KitchenAid mixer to do my thang!
The next chance I get to bake, I'll surely be teaching myself some new recipes ... currently I'm obsessing over these "cupcake jars" 
                     

Source: thekitchn.com via Laura on Pinterest

 
I mean really, forget neat & tidy icing presentations, cut the babycake in halfsies - bottom, frosting, top, frosting, sprinkles & put a lid on it! And the more colorful and messy they are, the more I love them!!
Also, should probably try to expand my horizons on quick breads and sweet loafs ... love the idea of a lemon loaf / sweet bread ... of course, wrapped in some Bakers Twine from The Twinery

Source: glorioustreats.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

And, one dessert I've been meaning to make {figure out, fail 3 or 4 times, and finally succeed} is a Tiramisu. Afterall, it's Handsome Man's favorite dessert {okay, he has about 20 "favorite desserts" but this one has been mentioned slightly more than the chocolate ganache torte at Whole Foods, so it must top his list} I wonder if my Tiramisu could be so pretty ...

Source: call-me-cupcake.blogspot.com via Carmen @ SillyLab on Pinterest

Surely, with practice {& lots of practice eating} I could weigh 500lbs master the skill??
I'll need to find the appropriate recipes first - always a trial+error process. If ya'll have a great recipe, pass it along!
I'm off for now ~ sweet dreams of confectionery treats!!

xo
 b

Furniture Updates

Hey Y'all! 

Sunday is here & I finally got started on some of my furniture projects! There was a really nice breeze out {impending clouds with rain} and I grabbed the chair & sanding block and got to it! An hour later, the varnish was off & her edges were smoothed over.



Here are the plans for the soon-to-be entertainment center ... going to require some power tool usage - thankfully I have my step-dad around to help with instructing me! I really can't wait to pick out hardware for her - I'll have to wait til she's all done to see what "goes" with it! The two drawers on the top {either side} will hold board games, Yahtzee, Farkle {have you discovered this game??? Holy Moly Fun!}, Wii remotes, etc.
I know the baskets will just hit me when I see them - but we're going to need 8 of them, so unfortunately I think the PBarn baskets I love, are outta the question!! These can hold magazines, books, remotes, etc.

 Now here is the inside of the cabinet in the center, she holds 3 drawers, 1 of which we're taking out & adding a flat shelf for the DVD player and cable box. Then we're going to have to drill a hole for wires in the back ... to keep it from overheating!
The drawers have some hideous paper lining in them which I want to remove and maybe replace with a Mod Podge covered fabric {something fun & funky!} or maybe some old book pages covered over with Mod Podge.

Going to be saving for a medium {girl-sized} flat screen TV to be on top here, with some accessories / vases / photo frames on either side of it to personalize it! And we're going grey with her! I have a coupon to any Benjamin Moore retailer for 2 free pint size jars of any paint ~ so might be able to score some of {or all} the paint for free! whoo-hoo!





And last but not least, I had to show y'all this little plastic {yes, great faux look} frame, she was an ugly gold color and I took at her with Krylon Heirloom White. Not sure what I'll do with it, but one day I'll figure it out!

xo

B