Tar Heel Basketball: "It's exhausting"

Just a little glimpse of this past Saturday morning during the Carolina - Clemson game.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Here is what the wall of our entry way looked like when we moved in.

I tried decorating it about fifty different ways but was never happy with the way it looked.  

I turned to the web for some inspiration.

The common elements between these entry ways that I liked were 

1. a mirror

2. a lamp

3. flowers

Off I went in search of a mirror.

After browsing the aisles of Target, Ross, TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning, Goodwill and a random Durham Antique shop I found... NOTHING.

My mom told me to be patient and assured me that I would find something that I liked.  Well, she was right.  I crossed the street and went to HomeGoods where I found... 

  

A simple but pretty mirror.

Next was hanging the mirror.

 I started out with the mirror a bit too high on the wall.  

A few little nail holes later and it was just about right.

I added flowers and lamps and... tah dah!

BEFORE

AFTER

The lighting is better during the day so I will shoot another picture and post it later. 

Going Green

I've been wanting to incorporate a little GREEN to our color scheme.  When I found these plates for $2.99 at Home Goods I went for it.

 I don't have anymore $0.10 plate holders, so for now I'm just leaning them. 

Eating Area

Inspiration for decorating ledges

Getting started

The Office Update

I'm done!

Not great but I'm over it!

 A few art books.

A touch of Eagle Lake.

The Office

As you may recall this is what the office started out looking like.

Then it went to theses...

 1

2

3

4

To be honest, I still don't really like it.  Especially since it doesn't even look like an office any more.  Ahhhh...I'm not sure what I'll end up doing. 

My First DIY Project

I was trying to keep myself busy and awake at 3 AM, so I decided to get started on my first DIY (Do It Yourself) project.  Adam and Carolyn are spending the night with us on Saturday evening and I needed to spruce up the guest bathroom a little. 

I have this old silver looking jewelry box that I've been wanting to use for guest soap, shampoo, etc.  

 The problem after seven years of use is that the top was broken apart and the inside was looking pretty rough. 

 Yuck!

Feeling inspired by all the DIY blogs that I have been reading, I decided that I could totally put the old jewelry box back into use with a little TLC.  

First, I cut a few pieces of cardboard 

and wrapped them with the only non-Christmas paper that I own. 

I tried gluing the paper to the cardboard but it started wrinkling.  So I stuck with wrapping.  

 Then I used my handy-dandy glue gun to secure the cardboard inside the box.

 Just to provide a little extra pressure while drying 

I put some dominoes in the box for a few minutes. 

 Next, I found two nails that fit inside the lid and using pliers I bent the edges down.  

Lastly, I removed the dominoes and filled the box with a few hotel toiletries for our guests. 

I didn't have anything to seal the inside paper with, but as long as it stays dry I think the jewelry box made into a toiletry kit should work just fine.