A Happy Life

Lately I have been thinking a lot about happiness. And contentment. And how both of those things are intrinsically linked. Someone was asking me the other day about my job, and if there are any elements of it that I just really hate. I sat there for a few minutes thinking about it, and wondering at the fact that there literally isn't anything in my life right now that I hate. Part of that is that fact that I am incredibly blessed  - all my needs are provided for, I don't have to work a "normal" job, I have a husband who loves me, more family and friends than I can barely handle, and a "job" that feels like playing every day.

The other part though, is that I am learning to be content. Are there things about my life that I would like to be different? Sure. I'd love for Wendhurst Castle to be completely renovated. I'd LOVE it if Lover didn't have to travel so much. I'd love it if my family, and my adorable nephews, lived closer.  But, I am not going to dwell on these things. I am learning to simply accept the different things in my life as pieces of a puzzle that all add up to create the wonderful life that I enjoy.

We've spent nearly four out of the last ten months away from home, and that was really hard. At the same time, it was really easy. I'm learning that even though my preference may be for one thing, it does not have to have any bearing on my mood, attitude towards others, or my enjoyment of each day.

When I spent a month in California in August, it was really hard to be away from Lover. It was frustrating to lose time to work on the house, to see friends, to enjoy "my life." But, I got to spend gobs of time with my little one year old nephew who I love to death, get to know my brother-in-law a lot more, and be a blessing to them at a time when they were really in a difficult place. And I honestly loved doing it.

I guess you could say that I am learning to roll with the punches. :-) Paul said, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Lately, this verse has made me chuckle, because I have taken it literally to heart: New York, California, Pennsylvania, or even Canada or Spain. But the message there is so much more than just superficial. It means, in a nutshell; "no matter what is going on, I will choose to be satisfied with the life that has been given me."

And that, my friends, is what it is all about. Learning to accept the life God has given you, and being truly grateful for it. Lover said recently, in a conversation about trials and blessings, that some people have trouble seeing the blessings when they are in the midst of  a trial. But, when our perspective is on the blessings that surround us, all of the sudden it is hard to see the trial in the midst of the blessings. I couldn't agree more.

Pottery Barn DIY

There is no question that Pottery Barn has some beautiful stuff. The vast majority of it is priced higher than I would ever want to pay for something, but I can see how, if you had money to burn, you would choose to spend it there. But there are some things my friends, that are so ridiculously cheap to DIY, that you simply mustn't spend the moolah that Pottery Barn asks for. Such as;



Oversized Pinecone $10.00

$10.00!!!! Friends, step outside your door, or go to your nearest park, and do a little scavenging for your very own (free!) cones. They may not be a foot long, but my goodness, they'll be free!



Found Cameras $149.00

Hit up your local Craigslist, or thrift stores, yard sales or even antique stores in your area. Little old 35mm cameras abound, as people are trying to unload some of their outdated technology. Bonus, yours will actually BE vintage!



Eclectic Glass Bottles, Set of 2 sale price $36.99

I don't think I need to explain this one. Buy some bottles of whatever you like at the grocery store, and pour the contents down the drain if you'd like. Soak the bottle in soapy water, and the labels will come right off. Voila - eclectic glass bottle collection.



Chalkboard Rock Vase Filler  $16.00

A can of chalkboard paint will run you about $9 at Walmart. With that can, and the great outdoors, you can make thousands of these rocks, making each cost about a penny, instead of $4.00 each.



Hanging Mason Jar $7.50

Again, collect up some glass jars (even Mason if you would like!) and twist some wire around them to make hangers. Stick a votive inside and you are ready to go.

So there you go, five easy DIY ideas that you can replicate from Pottery Barn, while still holding on to that wad of cash in your pocket.

Pier 1 Dining Accessories

I find that Pier 1 is a hit or miss store. I actually registered there for my wedding, and still have a set of nesting bowls that I use every day from there. But sometimes their new collections just do not work for me. This fall's dining accessories, however, are wonderful. There are tons of cute little items that would make great hostess gifts, or inexpensive Christmas gifts. So I thought I'd share. Click on each picture for the link to the item.

This first item is totally cute, and also a total DIY project. Go to Goodwill, pick up a collection of drink glasses, then paint a not-too-perfect chalkboard label on the front. If you're not the DIY type, these glasses are only $3 each.

These little mugs are adorable, and because I am a sucker for little spoons, I think they are just the bee's knees. :-) Pair this with a bag of gourmet coffee or some chocolate covered espresso beans, and you have the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your circle. And at $5 they won't break the bank either.

I love white dishes. I love shaped dishes and I love flowers. Are you surprised that I love these little dishes? I see them holding delectable treats on the coffee table, paper clips in the office, and cotton balls in the bathroom. Perfection. $2 and $5.

I cannot tell you how much I like this tray. Again, you could DIY, starting with a square tray of any color, and a vinyl decal, or paint, if you are descended from Michaelangelo. This tray is simple, chic, and relatively inexpensive - it will only set you back $30.

It is entirely possible that I love turquoise even more than white dishes. It's a close race, friends. This would look stunning as the centerpiece of a fabulous dining room table, or, if you are very brave, on your coffee table. $40.

Pier 1's collection of teapots right now is awesome. I thought this one was super fun, and the variety of colored polka dots means that you could easily put together a mismatched set of fun cups and saucers for an impromptu tea party. Again, pair this with some delectable loose leaf tea, and you have a perfect little gift. $18.

How cute are these little measuring cups? These would be so adorable hanging out on your counter, when you're not getting your bake on. :-) Again, dishes, flowers. You understand. :-) $15.

Dare I say it? I do. :-) These little spoons are as cute as a bug. Possibly cuter. :-) How much more fun would Sunday morning pancakes be when you are measuring out the baking powder with these? $13

I'm loving these ceramic jars. They remind me of the painted pottery in Spain, and I think it would be so fun to scoop my cereal out of one of these every morning. They would also make great cookie jars. Again, fill one up, and you are set for Christmas. $10-$20

Someday, I WILL get around to making an apron. Until then though, I think I need to add this flirty little apron to my wardrobe. Weekday dinner prep is suddenly something I would look forward to. Although, that might not be such a good idea, because knowing me, I would get caught up twirling to make the ruffles flutter, and burn dinner. $15

This is a great update of the mug tree. Cute colors, large mugs to consume copious amounts of caffeine, and fun little handles. Not to sound like a broken record, but again, great Christmas gift. :-) $19

So that's my little round up of Christmas shopping inspiration at the Pier 1 store. And while I would really love to say that I have all of these items in my home now, as a courtesy from the store for reviewing them, sadly, that is not the case. Hey, I can dream, can't I?

Happy for the Chilean Miners

I had an entirely different post prepared for today, but I'm bumping it to say that I am so happy for the 33 miners who are all finally about to be reunited with their families. If you would like to watch live feed of the rescue operation, you can go here

Live Feed

So happy for the miners and their families!

onlykent.com

Making a Mirror My Own

I suffer from a not so rare disease called "make-it-my-own-itis." No matter what it is, a piece of furniture, a picture frame, or in this case, a mirror, I have to leave my own stamp of approval on it. In this case, I found a cute little plaque at Hobby Lobby, that was clearanced down to a ridiculous amount- I think it was $0.70 when I bought it, but originally was $19.99. Seventy cents is more my type of price tag. :-)



The little saying in the middle of the plaque was cute, but, again, I wanted to change it up a little. So off I went to the craft store to find a 6 inch mirror to cover the saying and convert this plaque into a sunburst mirror. Upon arriving at the store, I discovered that a five inch mirror was $0.97, and a six inch mirror (which was the diameter I needed) was $3.97. Now, although I am perfectly capable of dropping a wad of cash on a splurge now and then, today was not one of those days. I snatched up the 5 inch mirror thinking - how hard can it be to incorporate this into my idea? Hehe.

So, when I finally found a quiet moment, free of demolition and paint fumes, I set to work making this converted mirror my own. I started by painting the actual plaque with bronze metallic paint, like I used for my living room lamps, and then painted black craft paint over the little details. Using a paper towel, I rubbed off the excess, leaving little bits of black deposited in the crevices, highlighting the detail of this piece. It worked perfectly, and I was very happy with the look. Then I took a light metallic paint and painted very small amounts onto the tips of the details to give it highlights. :-) It looked great.

Then I pulled out my mirror. Ha! It was way too small. It was so small that some of the lettering stuck out beyond the mirror. So much for my frugality! But I was determined not to spend more than $2.00 on this revamp, so I rooted around in my creative stash and found these wooden beads that used to dress up our roman shades eons ago.



I had the perfect amount to make a little border around the mirror, filling in the gap between mirror and plaque.



A little hot glue and paint later, and they looked very much like an intentional part of the design. :-)



After giving it all ample time to dry out, I hung it up in the living room. You may have noticed that I have showcased many items in this little corner of the living room, that is because I have yet to find the perfect item that really works in this corner. This mirror is the closest find so far, so for now it is a keeper. It adds a little presence and pizazz to this corner, even if it is hung too high to be functional. :-)



So there you go. For two dollars I made my own sunburst mirror, and it is perfectly unique. :-) Just my kind of style.

Friday Fav: Sunshine

Ironically, an old Friday Fav post sported the same title, but a different subject. Maybe it's prophetic. :-) Steve Azar's new song Sunshine has me captivated.  This song is my latest obsession, the music positively transports me to a place that is beautiful and romantic and heartfelt. The first time I heard it I literally had tears pouring down my face as I drove home.  The line that talks about feeling beautiful and vulnerable... and filled with sunshine. Absolutely beautiful imagery in this song. What song won't get out of your head?

Your dark hair draped across my pillow
Says I finally got it right
And as I watch you dreaming, twisted in the sheets
I can't stop thinking about last night

Well I've waited so long, so long, so long
For someone like you
And as this morning breaks through the window pane
It reveals the truth

Baby, you're my sunshine, first light
Find your way to places that only know lies
Failed tries and bruised skies
With hardly time to hold on or be strong, now I'm strong
'Cuz like the dawn you push it all away

I tell you, you're my sunshine
Everybody needs a little sunshine

Your fingertips, a kiss to this tired face
It's like I'm young again
Well I feel beautiful
But most of all vulnerable since you broke in

Baby, you're my sunshine, first light
Find your way to places that only know lies
Failed tries and bruised skies
With hardly time to hold on or be strong. now I'm strong
'Cus like the dawn you push it all away

I tell you, you're my sunshine
Everybody needs a little sunshine

So won't you take me, take me, take me
Anywhere and everywhere you go
All the warmth you bring to this cold heart
With the slightest touch is enough to know

Baby, you're my sunshine
Everybody needs a little sunshine
Yeah, you're my sunshine
Cuz like the dawn you push it all away