Weekend Wanderers

 

This weekend, the weather in Minnesota was absolutely perfect. We had lots of time to explore around the city, so that's exactly what we did! On Saturday, we drove to St. Paul to a gorgeous lookout spot that Josh found. The colors were so magnificent, my cell phone photo definitely doesn't do it justice.  

We also finally got a chance to visit a coffeeshop I have wanted to go to for a while! Spyhouse Coffee, in Uptown. I got a vanilla latte that was so delicious, I wanted to order 3 more! Josh got plain coffee, which is just too bad because his was nowhere near as purdy as mine.  

I even managed to sip so carefully that the design stayed put the whole time! Talk about talent, right? 

Our final "adventure" (yes, our adventures usually include food...) was visiting a new French Bakery in our town. This place has authentic French pastries! I couldn't believe my taste buds when I bit into my Pain au Chocolat, it was like being in Paris again! I think I might be going back there on a regular basis...

Josh also had the day off work yesterday, so we got to spend even more time together. Oh, and just in case this post makes it look like our weekend was perfect... haha, it wasn't. I had a MAJOR badittude pretty much all weekend. I don't know why, but my sweet husband was an angel and was super patient with me. It was definitely one of those times where I had to apologize (on numerous occasions) to my husband and to God, and just pray that even though I didn't feel great I would have the strength to be positive and not be a brat to everyone around me. Ever have one of those days? Or weekends? 

Well, today I am definitely grateful for a God who not only forgives, but who helps us to become more like Him on a daily basis. So even though I may have failed at being gracious this weekend, I know that today is a new day, thanks to the Grace of my Savior.

Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Mirror Gallery Wall

After months of having a barren wall above our sofa, we finally have a mirror gallery wall to fill the space and brighten up the room! I originally wanted a mirror for over our couch, but had a completely different look in mind. Here's the post where I share my Pinterest "inspiration" photos.  However, after finding a beautiful focal mirror at a vintage sale, I decided to go a different route.

The bonus of choosing to do this instead of one of the ideas from my Pinterest catalog was that it used mainly things I already had on hand. The only thing I had to purchase was the center mirror (at $14, it was a steal!).

I had 2 other vintage style mirrors around the house. So I gathered those along with 2 gold-toned frames (with backing and glass removed) and created this grouping. I really love the way the mirrors bounce light around, and the structured (yet not too formal) arrangement. 

In case you're wondering how to create a gallery grouping of mirrors, frames, or other objects, here's what I've found works well.

1. First, lay all of the object on the floor to decide on what arrangement you like best. It's easier to move things around and play with the arrangement when they are at ground level.

2. Lay newspaper under each frame and trace around it with a pen or highlighter (highlighters work especially well with newspaper!). Then cut out each shape and use masking tape or painter's tape to tape the newspaper shape onto the wall. (Oops, forgot to photograph that step!) 

3. Next, if any of the frames do not have a hanging device, you can easily make one by hot-gluing a paper clip to the back. SO easy. Just be careful not to do this with heavy frames, it probably won't support too much weight. Both frames I used this for were really light.

 4. Finally, mark the spot on each hanging shape where the nail should go. I just used a pencil to make a mark.

Once you have the nails in place, you can tear off the paper and tape, and hang your frame! Another little trick I learned is to use poster putty to center each frame, instead of a leveler. I'm too lazy to use a leveler, and I like it when frame galleries have a slightly off-kilter look. So, I just put a little dot of poster putty on the bottom two corners and adjust the frame by sight. Easy-as-pie!

I love how this gallery wall worked out. I think I will probably continue to add a few more mirrors/frames here and there as I find them, to beef it up a bit. But in the meantime, it's the perfect solution!

So in Love...

No, this post is not about my husband, even though I am in love (a different and MUCH greater love) with him. No, this is about love of the inanimate object kind.

 Every once in a while (maybe once a year?) I stumble across something that grabs my attention and captures me so much that I just fall in love. Inanimate object love. 

I found this mirror at a vintage sale this past weekend, and was immediately smitten. I love the shape, the weathered look, the details. 

Oh, the details! 

So, for a heftier-than-usual price of $14, it came home with me. My return home with yet another mirror elicited a humorous eye-roll from my Hubs. I tend to amass mirrors like Snow White's stepmother. (Except I don't stare into them and demand confirmation of my beauty....) 

I thought about where I wanted to put the mirror, but I just couldn't decide. Finally, I realized that I liked it so much it needed to be somewhere where I could see it a lot! So I focused on the blank wall in the living room, which has been needing something for a while.

I knew it needed something more to beef it up, since the mirror is smallish. I scrounged around and found a couple of other vintage mirrors that I had on hand, and started playing with some arrangement ideas. 

I know I want the new mirror to be a "focal" point, and I don't want it to get too cluttery. What do you think? Do you like the idea of a mirror gallery-wall?

Ch-ch-changes

The leaves are starting to change color here in MN. We're not quite into the "peak" season of fall colors quite yet, but there are definitely some vibrant colors making their debut. This past weekend, Josh and I went to Hudson, WI, to walk around a bit and enjoy the outdoors, as well as do some antique shopping. On a side note, I love antique shopping, but I rarely ever buy anything at antique stores. I just feel like most things are outrageously priced, especially when I can usually find similar items at thrift stores... Anyone else feel that way? 

Along with Fall comes the worst season of my allergies- I'm talking 1/2 box of kleenex per day. That is, until I discovered the wonders of Zyrtec. I was considering getting allergy shots (it has to be really bad for me to consider getting a shot), but then Zyrtec came along and saved the day. I can now breathe again! Praise the Lord! And no, the makers of said product did not pay me to advertise. I just love it that much. 

So to recap, Fall in Minnesota is beautiful, and I can breathe again. 

Since we ran across this painting of Calvin and Hobbes on the sidewalk in Hudson, I think it's only fitting to end with a quote. So, in the words of the indomitable Calvin, "[I pray for] The strength to change what I can, the inability to accept what I can't, and the incapacity to tell the difference."

Barn Sale Find

Last week, my little sister Morna and I went to a "barn sale" in nearby Stillwater. I was seriously kicking myself for not bringing a camera, because the whole barn was decked out with beautiful handmade, vintage, and antique items for the home. I wanted to just move in (but it was a little drafty, you know, being a barn). So instead, we just wandered around and gazed at all the lovely items. I did find one thing to take home with me, a pretty amber colored candle holder. At first glance, I thought it was a lamp, but it just has a holder for a candle. 

I like the ambiance that the candlelight brings more than I would like a lamp there, anyway. I think it adds the perfect touch to the rest of our fall-ish decorations.

Speaking of Fall, it's really here! Unlike Summer and Spring, it seems like Fall and Winter really get down to business. When they arrive, you know it. Colors are bursting out on the trees, cool breezes make us grab for sweaters, and, perhaps most noticeably, it gets dark a whole lot faster in the evenings.

I love Fall. I can't wait to get to our local Apple Orchard, to buy pumpkins for carving, and fit in as many bonfires at my parent's house as possible! How about you- what's your favorite way to celebrate the season?

Feeling Pinspired

As you know from my post on Monday, the wall above our living room couch is now barren because the shelf that was there started "leaning," and was threatening to topple over at any minute on top of some unsuspecting house guest.

I've been living with the wall like this for a couple of weeks, just to get a feel for what I might like to put up there instead. Just for fun, I thought I would pull some of my Pinterest "inspiration" photos and show you what I'm thinking of (click on each photo for credit). 

First, a collection of prints. I love the botanical prints that are everywhere these days. Yes, they are a little overdone, but they are so classic and lovely that I would be so tempted to jump on the bandwagon!

I also found this photo, and promptly fell in love. 

But what has really been sticking in my brain as of late, is something like this:

I really love the look of mirrors in larger spaces, how they fill up a large wall yet still bounce light around. Here's a couple more that caught my eye: 

I especially love the silvery frame above. It adds just the right touch of elegance and sophistication. 

Gilded/antiqued mirrors are also really in style lately, and I've been thinking about the possibility of DIY-ing one.

So, that's what I'm feeling inspired by. Now, I just have to decide on an idea, scrounge up the money, and make it happen! Any votes on your favorite?

Wee Tidbits

Life has been pretty wonderful lately. Every time Fall comes around, I just get giddy with excitement because Fall is my fav. And also, Christmas is right after Fall. Win-win. Best time of the year! 

In addition to the cooler weather, here's a few things that are making me smile:

Aggie. Seriously, she is simultaneously the most obnoxious and cutest furry creature ever. My parents, family, and friends all hate her because she is so unfriendly to them. However, she loves Josh and I. She's a 2-person cat I guess. Lately she's taken to napping in the strangest places (laundry hamper, sink, bathtub), and in the strangest positions. Josh snapped this picture below when she fell asleep in my lap like this. Crazy, huh? Note- I told Josh to crop my head out of the picture because I looked horrific, and he did. Isn't he sweet?

Books. I am all about reading, but for some reason, my appetite for reading dwindles during the Summer months. Once Fall hits though, I love to run to the library, grab a bunch of great books, and sit and read on the couch for hours on end. With a cup of tea. It is absolute perfection. I stumbled upon this book at the library and I am totally in love. It combines some of my favorite topics: mystery, house restoration, and murder. Seriously, can it get better than that? I think not. You should check it out if you are in the market for a good read.

Finally, I "splurged" at Pier One the other day and bought this fantastic cocktail ring. I have been wanting one for a while, but just waiting to find the perfect one. This is it! I love the sparkly center and the yellow leaves, and it makes me happy every time I glance at it on my hand. Even when it snags on my hair and clothing. 

 

So those are a few things that are making me smile this week. How about you? Are you a Fall-lover too? What are some things that are making you smile lately?

P.S. Sorry about the strange spacing, I have no idea what blogger is up to, but it keeps messing up the spacing I put between paragraphs. So annoying!