making lemonade: using what you've got

I happen to love decorating with lemons (inspiration taken from here)


But let's get real, there is not an open ended budget for things like re-decorating the rooms in our homes each time we have the whim to. So I have started to use what I have (when life hands you decor- get crafty!) and have over time really enjoyed seeing the different things I use re-appear in new ways. Here are some of the latest combinations around my house:

the shutter in action. After all my debating, I decided simple was best for now.

an updated window frame with some updates added by painting an old wood frame white & gluing it onto the window for more dimension:

a combination of some old punch glasses from a set my Grandma gave me, some candles from the dollar store & a candle stand that I got from the local mission thrift store about two years ago.

I also love the idea of using old things to create something new and am so happy to share the final product of the shutter headboard that Michelle and I created. Remember when we purchased these goods back in February:

We started with the shutter which was already a bit shabby due to the fact that we found it at an antique store. Michelle then painted a piece of barn wood that I had left over from some earlier projects with paint that she already had, the tan color from their living room in fact. We designed our own flair with the dream & little fancy parenthesis using my Uppercase Living DIY tool and voila!



So when you feel the urge to redecorate coming out, before you drive yourself to Hobby Lobby, check your kitchen, your husband's workshop and your current set up for inspiration. You might just surprise yourself!

I've been a bad blogger

Can't believe it has been over a week and a half since I last blogged. It's kind of like any other habit, that once you get out of it, the easier it is to stop for a bit. So for the sake of time and interest, here is a little catch up on the past 10 days...

Part of my hiatus may have been due to the fact that this came:

Those who know me know I can't say enough about Shauna's ability to put life to words in her writing. So there I sat, on a quiet little park bench in Zeeland reading away with the bubbling of the fountain as my soundtrack. My own little piece of heaven as I underlined and starred pages, filling the margins with my own pieces of bittersweet reflections. I will save my favorite reflections for a future post (or two), especially in anticipation of Shauna coming to share this fall with Grand Valley's Campus Ministries and all of the girls Stacie & I love there. It's going to be a beautiful evening, I can feel it already.

On the topic of writing, I have been doing a bit more of it, which is partly why my blogging is slacking. I have for awhile been wanting to put my heart to paper, to reflect on the past few years at a deep level and really get some of my journey written down. I have failed miserably at journaling during this time so I'm kickin it Doogie Howser style and typing away. I hope to someday share some of those reflections but for now, they are between me and google docs.

As far as life outside of words goes, Emily & Dennis came this past weekend, a wonderfully refreshing time full of lots of coffee on the couch and my favorite part of the weekend perhaps--antiquing. Emily requested that we hit up a few local spots looking for unique pieces to accent their new home which I know she will write about here....(hint hint)...

We had some great finds-- mainly right here in Zeeland at the new Not so Shabby downtown and Second Chance Designn in Holland. Emily also brought me the best kind of present, something I have been wanting to buy myself. Coasters from our creative friend Mandii @ Blue Eyed Pearl (also found here). She created a mix and match set for me and each of them are so beautiful and unique. I haven't taken a picture of them yet but here is one of another set from her etsy store. Go check them out- you will love them too!


And now here we are, on the front end of another gorgeous Michigan weekend and I am in my bathing suit as I write this, having spent a warm sunny day at the beach. It's about time for my bi-weekly Aldi run- oh yeah! Hope you are enjoying summer days as well.