Blog Meltdown!

I've had a blog meltdown this morning. When changing my background, I lost all my sidebar badges and blinkies!!! It's my own fault...I didn't backup my page before making the change. To make matters worse, I can't access the edit page where you can add widgets, etc. This is not the time of year to be messing with blog issues. All my posts are there, and I'm thankful for that!!!! I'll correct the problems as I have the time....grandkids arrive today and "Black Friday" is staring me in the face...in other words, my jewelry department is not quite ready...managers are nervous...I'm nervous...it creates stress. I know, I'm rambling...I do that when I'm stressed...Family first, work second, blog stuff third...that's how it will have to be for now.

Stay Tuned...

Pottery Barn Mantel

My inspiration photo of a Pottery Barn Mantel.

Cost of stocking hangers and stockings= $120.00

This is my take on it. My total cost (after discount at Kohl's)= $33.00.

Pottery Barn Inspiration

Pottery Barn

$29.99 for the small lantern

My version of the Pottery Barn lanterns

I purchased these lanterns years ago at Big Lots. They were tucked away in my basement along with the ivy. The basket was purchased at Kohl's last summer and the tray was a wedding gift. I've been married 31 years. I purchased the berries. Total cost for this project...$1.50.

Christmas Decorations

I'm trying to do my holiday decorating before Thanksgiving. It's the only way... if I'm going to enjoy the holiday season. When decorating this year, I'm altering things I already have to create decorations. The ornaments on the plates were on last year's tree. The vase has been around for years.

It's not really a good idea to take pictures at 6:00 a.m. The light is just not around.

I've been using the Christmas Pottery Barn catalog for holiday inspiration. Each page is loaded with eye candy! 

The crystal glasses were vases used at my daughter's weddding reception from several years ago. I inserted glass votive candle holders inside each one so they wouldn't be ruined by candle wax. The pearls and tray were cheap finds at Michael's.

We Have Color!

(Double click to get a larger view)

Barry painted the kitchen walls yesterday! It's amazing the difference it makes to the room's appearance. We're one step closer to finishing this project.

Makeover Progress

Once again, I could not justify taking money from the makeover budget to buy a Pottery Barn table and chairs. I settled for a "look alike" Pottery Barn table and chairs at a fraction of the cost of  PB.

Pottery Barn

I thought that would get your attention...

Kitchen Makeover Update

I needed a sideboard for our kitchen T.V. I LOVE POTTERY BARN and this was my first choice; however, it was too big for the wall and not within my budget for the makeover. I decided to search the Internet for something similar. I came across this country sideboard. Barry is reluctantly spending the day working on the walls for this project. It's the first day of deer hunting season...need I say more...

Kitchen Makeover- Electrical Work Completed

After

Before

I watch a lot of HGTV...Candice Olson is my favorite designer. She makes it look so simple! When she tells Chico, her electrician, what to do... it gets done. It doesn't matter how challenging, he manages to conquer all obstacles. Yesterday, I had a wonderful electrician come and do some work on my makeover. He was a good listener and was up for the challenge. Unlike Candice and her crew, I have a very tight budget and can not take down the ceiling and walls to rewire the kitchen to complete my project of adding 8 recessed lights and three pendants. I settled for three recessed lights and three pendants. Did I mention that my electrician was cuter than Chico? I'm very pleased with the result. The cute guy in the picture is Barry, my husband. He's patching the holes left behind by the electrician. New cooktop stove to be delivered today...

Kitchen Makeover

I always forget to take before pictures when starting a project. This is a picture of my kitchen taken a couple of years ago. Take note of the wallpaper and border. It's been on my walls since 1996. I think I'm due for a change. The track lighting above the island has provided light since the house was built in 1986.

Phase One

Wallpaper Removed