A Pedicure And A Pit Stop At The Thrift Shop

I have a pedicure every 3 weeks and it is one of those things I do for myself that pampers not only my footsies but refreshes my soul (sole). After I finished today, I popped into the Salvation Army for a quick stroll through the cast-offs. Look what I found.....

This cute little silver tray was in the display case with a $5.00 price tag on it and since the guy behind the counter could not tell me if it was real silver or not (I knew it was), I asked him if he could reduce the price and I got it for $2.50.

Now see it all cleaned up.....

I didn't know you could negotiate with the Salvation Army....but now I do!

This cute little cherub lamp is just screamin for some white spray paint and I think I might try the rub n buff technique that Cindy from My Romantic Home spoke of on her blog. Total cost $1.50.

Two new treasures for me for under $5.00. So glad I stopped to shop!

More projects to add to my never-ending list of "things I like to do".

Blessings to you,

Debbie

An Award For Me and Passing on the Love.....

Arte Y Pico AwardThe very sweet and amazingly talented Celestina Marie of La Rea Rose bestowed this very lovely award on me this past week. I am so honored and grateful to her for thinking of me and complimenting me with the sweet things she said about me on her blog. Thank you Celestina, I am honored. I would like to pass this award onto the following creative ladies:

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Cindy from My Romantic Home. This lovely lady has the most amazing blog (I have to admit, it is my favorite) and she shares so many ideas and techniques from painting furniture to growing roses. She has a keen eye for re-purposing items found at yard sales and thrift stores. Her home is filled with items she has found on Craigslist and even (admittedly) on the side of the road (see her post on the dining room chairs she found for free). Cindy is a daily inspiration to me to stay motivated to finish all my projects big and small alike.

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Manuela from The Feathered Nest is a breath of fresh air everyday. She is an amazing lady who shares so many great ideas on her blog. She is probably one of the most organized and resourceful ladies in blog land. Her home is an ever-changing palette of warmth and ideas not to mention her green thumb in the yard. Take a look at what she did in her backyard with china plates and an old headboard.

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Joy from The Vintage Rabbit is an amazing talent who incorporates a multitude of definition in her style. Her outgoing personality shines through in her ability to mix shabby chic, beachie cottage and vintage into a refreshing display, enticing to the eye. I had the pleasure of meeting her this month at La Maison Rustique in Temecula. She is a genuine lady, full of enthusiasm and spunk. Visit her blog for a smile everytime.

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Denise from Hope Tree Studio is a pint sized gal with a (million) gallon sized talent. Her blog is refreshing and soothing, inspiring and sweet. She is an artistic talent who shares her testimony through her work. The beautiful bracelets, necklaces and charms she lovingly creates share her love of Christ and the blessed Hope only He can give us. Thank you Denise for being an inspiration in my life and a witness of God's work in a hopeless world.

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Sherry from Prairie Home is a beautiful lady whom I had the honor of meeting at "The Barn" in Temecula. She has a flair for all things vintage and gently worn. I love what this lady can do with jewelry. She affectionately refers to them as Junque Jewels, but I assure you there is no junk involved in her masterpieces. And if the jewelry isn't enough, she sells amazing t-shirts that sum up her personality to a tee (pardon the pun). With her jewels around your neck and a Vintage Chick t-shirt on, you are sporting the epitome of the vintage ideal. Thank you Sherry for making us look so Chic!

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Here are the rules for this award:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for creativity, design, materials used, and their contribution to the community no matter what the language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his/her blog to be visited.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and the name and link to the blog that awarded it.

4.The award winner and the one who has given the award have to show the link to "Arte Y Pico"

5. Show these rules.

I am happy to award the lovely ladies I have mentioned and again, I thank you Celestina Marie. You are a beautiful lady inside and out.

The Crowning Touch.....

Well, I finally picked up my new (old) mantle and my husband lovingly hung it for me Friday night. I was up late arranging and re-arranging and playing with different vignettes. I am so happy with the way it turned out. My husband was not quite sure if he liked the color but I think the green really makes it pop. See if you agree.....

The lady at the antique store said "there must have been 50 patrons who were interested in purchasing that mantle". I sure am glad I found it first.....

Debbie Kay

I saw the light.....

Remember the lamps my friend Tina gave me? Well, I love their shape and I love their size, I just didn't love their dark color, so with spray paint can in hand, I gave them new life in my shabby chic world......

How do you like them now? I changed out the shades (found at Ross, such a bargain) and added some accents.....

I think they are much happier now. I know I am !! P.S. The skeleton keys are on Lori's website at http://katiesrosecottage.blogspot.com/ she has a sweet blog and an awesome website packed with neat vintage items, jewelry, wall art, you get the idea. Go and check her out!

Debbie

So much fun with the " Babes at the Barn"

Thought you might enjoy some more pictures from the awesome La Maison Rustique. My new friends are from left to right sweet as a doll Denise, my jewel of a friend Joy, so totally creative Sherry, curly haired me and the hostess with the mostest, la maison rustique diva herself, Linda. I refer to my new blog friends as "the babes at the barn"..... you go girls!

When I finished my shopping at "the barn" I ventured into "old town" to see whatever I could see and of course I popped into Serendipidy where Denise has a booth. So many lovely things to see. Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

While shopping, I met a sweet blogger from Oregon named Lisa. Talk about 6 degrees of separation, we had visited each others blog numerous times in the past and just by chance we were in the same town at the same time shopping for one of our favorite things...ANTIQUES! Check out her beautiful blog at A Thing For Roses.

Stop by and check it out, you won't be disappointed. Seredipity Antiques 41950 Main Street in Old Temecula. I will share what I scored in there in my next post.

Til next time,

Debbie

It was a Solo Flight to "The Barn"

My good friend Tina was selected for jury duty at the 11th hour on Thursday so I ventured out to Temecula on my own Friday morning. It was a nice drive, very beautiful weather and so nice to be greeted by the sweet and lovely Joy. She is a beautiful lady and very creative! I teased her about being accessorized from head-to-toe, even her rings matched her outfit...I was thrilled to meet Denise and Sherry, and Linda very special ladies who made me feel right at home in the blog world. You would not believe the beautiful things that are packed to the brim in the barn, take a look.....

Have you seen enough to convince you that you must take a drive to wine country Temecula? Well, I must say it was TOTALLY WORTH IT for me because not only did I find some amazing things, I met some beautiful ladies, so sweet and sincere, on the inside and out!!! Wanna see just a few of the treasures I brought home?

Sweet Miss Sherry seemed to be the vendor du jour for me this trip. She had so many lovelies in her booth. I love these glass items I purchased. I put them in my bathroom like this....

This sweet little "shabby chic" tin will hold a little plant beautifully.

Thank you to my new blog friends for a great day at La Maison Rustique! More to share on the next post!

Debbie Kay

Such thoughtful friends.....

My new friend that works at the antique store that I peruse during my lunch hour showered me with a beautiful gift today. She remembered my birthday with the most adorable shabby chic stand. Take a look......
I am sure to find a million and one different uses for it.

Speaking of gifts, my dear co-workers remebered me with some very special gifts as well. Don't you just love getting presents? I do....

The footed dish is filled with lovely scented lotion, scrub, shampoo and cleanser from Bath & Body works, and the bling will look awesome with my denim skirt and black top....Gosh I love birthdays....

Debbie Kay

Now I think I like it.....

Yesterday I posted about an organizational project that my husband helped me with (on my birthday). Well after we finished, I thought, sure it looks more organized but there is something missing. I still don't LOVE the way it turned out, but after adding these words above it, I think I like it.....bear in mind, I am not a French Major (or Minor for that matter)

Wanna see the cute little push pins I bought from Ballard Design?

I will live with it like this for now but I see some tweaking in its future.

I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to "Boards". I have a separate bulletin board for my calendar, business cards, certain miscellaneous items that I need indefinitely and of course paint chips to remind me that I have a ton of projects to work on....

What's on your bulletin board???

Debbie Kay

Great Thrift Shop Finds and A Lovely Birthday

I had an absolutely wonderful birthday today. I spent the entire day with my sweetheart and my children. My daughter spoiled me and my little guy cuddled me all day.

My sweetheart told me we can do "anything I want to do today" and so I asked him to help me with a bulletin board project. You see our back door is where all of the paperwork and notices and real important information is kept as that is the first place we see when walking out the door. Well, I just could not keep it looking tidy and organized so I bought an inexpensive bulletin board, spray painted it white and hung it on the door. Now everything is tacked to it nice and neat and it looks so much more attractive. See if you agree.... here is the before....YIKES!

Now it looks like this and I expect it to stay that way! (that is what I told my family)

I will unveil my fireplace/mantle makeover in the next week or so. I painted the fireplace today in preparation for the mantle which I will pick up next week. I couldn't sit still even on my birthday. My family took me out for a wonderful steak dinner and then we relaxed the rest of the evening. It was a beautiful (and a bit hot) day here in Southern California, I couldn't have asked for more....

Found a little place "off the beaten path" near where I work on Friday and popped in there on my lunch hour. Took these treasures home for $5.00 (TOTAL). Wow, I felt like I was stealing them, but that's what the lady was askin......these will look sweet in my living room....

Til next time.....

Debbie Kay

50% off is my friend......

Michael's is having a 50% off sale (some items are 60% off) and I popped in there after work today....See the beautiful (and useful) white shabby chic hooks I got for $2.00 a piece, the adorable little tray (with glass insert) and sweet little votives....

A selection of floral items are on sale too. I am going to use these cottage roses in a very tall Apothecary jar I display on my living room coffee table...that will be another post....

I like cherubs (imagine that, I like shabby chic and cherubs hmmm) and they had this sweet little angel that I couldn't pass up. When I paint my lowboy (what else but) white, he will set right at home there.....Boy do I have a lot of projects to (start) finish.....plan on buying the paint for my fireplace makeover this weekend. I am so much more motivated to work on my projects when I have everything I need from start to finish. My friend Tina has been a great inspiration to me in that department...she is amazing!

Anyway, I hope you all have a lovely weekend. It is my birthday on Sunday so I will be spending the day with my sweetheart and my wonderful children. I am looking forward to being spoiled and pampered. Gee, I hope they know that!

Debbie Kay