Before And After Fall Wreath

So last year I made some fall wreaths to go on my front doors. I thought they looked really good. Lets just say I came back from the floral show and as I walked up to my front doors I thought to myself, I have got to fix those wreaths now. They looked really puny and unfinished. I learned about movement and texture and decided to put it into practice.

Upon first glance it looks pretty good. Here's the before shot on an interior door.

Here's what they look like after some TLC. I broke out my new glue pot and started dipping and sticking. I think they look so much better.

I am linking to DIY day at A Soft Place to Land

Flower Show

Well it seems like I can't get the hang of working at preschool and blogging. I've had sick kids for about a week now and am starting to have a little time. Hopefully I'll be back to work tomorrow, because no work means no pay. In the meantime here's a little eye candy. Oh I know it's a little early for Christmas decorating. I went to a Floral show last weekend. It was put on by a wholesaler that I use. I mostly use them for for their great ribbon, but they've got great Christmas ornaments and decor. They brought in 2 floral designers from out of state that gave us lots of tricks of the trade and it was day of epiphanies for me. I think the best one was when he just dipped the ornaments in the glue pot and stuck them to the wreath or swag or table arrangement he was doing. For years I have been wiring things on and it took forever. I bought a glue pot that day and can't wait to try it. But I have a huge window treatment installation this weekend and have to get that done first. Here are some pics from my day. I hope you get inspired.This birdhouse wreath was my favorite. I didn't think I was going to like it at all when he started it. Now I see all kinds of possibilities for this wreath for spring.

This is a wreath stand extended with a garland twisted around it. They then added the magic with decorations. I think there is even a reindeer stuck in there.I thought he was finished with this one when I took this pic. Turns out he had much more to add, just look at the following pic.

Wallpaper Debocle

I have wallpapered many times in the past. Did a cute froggy bathroom in my old house. Put up several borders back in the 90's. Most recently I put grasscloth in behind bookcases in my family room. I really didn't have any intention of papering anything else. One of the fabric stores that I frequent has an attached wallpaper store. They have some cute little birds in there. Of course I had the 3 munchkins in tow so I told them if they were good we'd go see the birds. I walked in there and my eyes were instantly drawn to this paper. I thought it would look gorgeous in a tray ceiling. Oh wait! I have a tray in my dining room. Sold. I bought 2 double rolls and off I went. How hard could it be? Little did I know. It is definitely a two person job. People if you want your marriage to survive, do not do this with your spouse!!!

I cut and prepped the first 9 foot piece. Tried to put it up. It wasn't sticking, it kept falling on my head, GRAVITY IS NOT YOUR FRIEND! I finally got it to stick. Then I couldn't get the wrinkles out. Well I took the first piece down and then spent the next hour and a half scrubbing the ceiling to get the adhesive off. I was so sore. That is the end of the story . I decided to call in the pros. I have never felt better about writing the check. They were worth every penny. It looks gorgeous!Before

After-I love how the light reflects off the paper.

I still need to move the table back into the room.

The only other thing to do in my didning room is to add a skirted buffet, similar to this under the mirror.

Photo from Little Green Notebook

Design Style

Have you taken a quiz to discover your design style?

I Have discovered that I am 38% Classic
38% Nantucket - I do love the beach, I grew up my whole life with a water view. Now I am landlocked in the Atlanta suburbs. Hopefully someday I will have property on the water or maybe just a pool in the backyard:)
And 24% French Ecclectic


Take your own quiz here. All images taken from Sproost.

Back to the Living and a Great Giveaway

Can I just say how much I despise summer colds!! Why are they so much worse than winter colds. I can't believe my last two weeks of summer vacation I felt so bad. Oh well, I still have 3 days left and I am going to make the most of them. I'll update you as the days go by.


Stop by Hostess with the Mostess to win a $50 gift certificate to Lisa Leonard Designs. She makes gorgeous jewelry. Just look at some of my favorites.

Not feeling well.

I'm a little under the weather today! Hopefully I'll be back to blogging soon.

The First Day of School

Well, today was the first day of school for this year. There were alot of first too:

• First day in a new school for everyone.
• First time riding the bus
• First day of Kindergarten for my youngest
• First day of Private school for my oldest
• First time mom has all kids in school
• First time I sat in the parking lot at school and cried.

Can't wait to hear all of the stories when they come home from school.