Has it really been a month since my last post? Where does the time go???
Here is our dining room when we moved in almost two years ago and this is the light fixture we inherited. I have been waiting to buy a new one and living with the brass one all this time. I hated it! The budget didn't allow for a new one, so I decided to makeover this one.
Here is the new chandy after one can of Krylon Ivory spray paint (Wal-Mart $2.50), and a few sheets of scrapbook paper (Hobby Lobby $1.50) and some Mod Podge. I love it! In case you haven't noticed, I just love lighting and what it does for the feel of a home. I did take the fixture down before painting it, or should I say my hubby took it down and hung it back up for me. Thanks Honey!
I love how it changes the feel of my dining room. And yes, that is a paint test under the chair rail. I thought about painting the bottom a greyish blue, but changed my mind. I would really like to do some board and batten under there. Just need to paint back over that and haven't done it yet.
Here is a close up of the paper I used. It's subtle, but gives it a little character. I distressed it some too, but it is hard to tell...
I was inspired by all things Coastal after our family beach vacation this summer. I used some starfish I bought there and some garage sale plates (brown and white) that I finally found recently, and some blue glass jars to create a centerpiece.
I will be posting some pictures from our trip very soon!
We enjoyed a week at the beach last month to getaway from the "everyday life". It always does wonders for my soul. 
Bryce and his dad did some fishing off the pier. They caught some and threw them back. They enjoyed it, but it sounds pretty cruel to me. I guess it is a guy thang...
I love to get pictures on the beach just before sunset. I think this is my favorite time of day there.
With the help of our friends and their kids, my kids helped to create this life size sand octupus. They were pretty proud of it. It took a lot of time and a few do overs but they kept building. 
It was so good just to get to hang out with my peeps without all the distractions of home and regular life. I can't wait to go back! The sand and surf is calling my name already...
I wanted to share a few finds from this summer too. I found this canvas subway style sign at T.J. Max and I just love this saying.
It is hanging in my foyer right when you come in the front door. I still haven't changed that wall color though. I'll get to that eventually...
I found this old fan on the way back from the beach. I love the patina and color. It is just perfect in my sunroom. It doesn't work, but hubby said the cord just needed to be changed because it has a cut in it. Hopefully that will work, but it still is pretty anyway.
I also found this Pepsi crate for a bargain. I love the color on this one too!
I spray painted this old step ladder a color called "Bright Idea" and it is so much more fun now than it was white. I also painted and distressed that shutter behind it. My sunroom seems to be taking a blue and yellow turn and I am loving it. This is the last day of summer for us, so we are headed to the pool for one last day of fun in the sun! 
We found lots of shells, but what do you do with them all when you get home? Here is what we came up with. My hubby even found a few pieces of driftwood for me and I added them to the hurricane. I grouped it with a picture (an older one), a shabby candlestick and a lantern.
These pics are from a store we went to called Avenue E. It was so cool...lots of eye candy. I thought I would share with you.
