A Coastal Giveaway

If you are enjoying coastal decor as much as I am right now, go to Completely Coastal's blog to enter a giveaway for a $40 gift certificate from Beach Grass Cottage's Etsy shop.

I have my eye on this in particular...
Go HERE to see how to enter. Giveaway ends February 17th!

How Now Brown... Guest Room!

Ah, the painting is complete. I love it!

Chocolate Coco. Not a black-brown, not a red-brown. Juuuuuust right. At Home Depot, I became overwhelmed with the brown paint swatches. So I found a name I liked and went with it. It was a very scientific process, I tell you. It was difficult for me to get a picture of the shade accurately, but you get it. :o)

What's next? Filling the room with furniture. I originally wanted a dresser but thought, would that be a waste of furniture in here? Most people won't unpack their suitcases into it since they won't be staying TOO long. So would a desk and some bookshelves be a more appropriate use of the space? A reading chair? Josh and I both have rooms designated for our hobby-ness, but of course those rooms have no furniture in them either. Any ideas on what to fill the rest of the space with?

No matter what, there will definitely need to be a headboard. Right now I'm thinking nail head trimmed... with burlap fabric...


And I'll leave you with this: another coastal inspiration pic I came across at House of Turquoise yesterday. Look at that pretty blue glass...


Linked up to Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special and

Another Giveaway!

Over at Make It and Love It, there is a giveaway by Alicia Alee Designs where you can choose from a few selected hair bows for your little one, or a pretty watchband and face for yourself!





Go here to see the selection and find out how to enter to win!

A Decision Has Been Made

I finally picked a color for the guest room. Drum roll please...

Chocolate Coco by Behr!

I hope to start painting tomorrow!

"Just Another" Giveaway

Okay, the title of this post makes it seem like this giveaway isn't special, but it is-- promise!

Suzanne from Just Another Hang Up is giving away one of her Etsy creations, this cute purple wristlet. See, the title was a play on words, people. I'm clever that way!


I'm not personally much of a wristlet carrier, especially since I got a fancy-pants purse for Christmas (thanks Josh!) but I thought if I won, I could use it as a makeup bag, a pencil/pen case, or something. The possibilities are endless!

Find the simple instructions for entering here and visit her Etsy here.

P.S. Suzanne sent me a tutorial to create the cutesy flowers she put on her wristlets. Wasn't that sweet of her? I haven't tried it yet, but plan on it. Thanks, Suzanne!

Some Guest Room Ponderings...

I posted a while ago about our guest bath and the ideas I have been tossing around. You know, somewhat coastal but not over the top. All in all, it is a fairly good looking room and has the things it needs: towels, hardware, soap dispenser, etc. Our guest bedroom on the other hand is... **crickets chirping**

I won't even show you the guest room right now. The bed has junk all over it, there are comic book boxes all over and a hodge podge of furniture. All the sudden a fire has been lit under my tail because I found out Josh's brother and his wife (the lovely Lauren) are coming to visit us so the boys can watch March Madness together. I have to do something to get this room into shape!
I have this Pier 1 bedding from when I lived in my apartment that I still love and it fits the bed in the room, so I want to use that as a starting point. I think I will take the semi-coastal vibe from the bathroom and lead it into this room as well.

I have to do this on the CHEAP though. I still have not found a job after graduation and I don't want to make Josh foot the bill. The little list-maker in me is going to work. Things I need before our guests arrive:

• Headboard
• Nightstands
• Lamps
• Dresser
• Wall paint
• Curtains
• Accessories

I'm not looking to complete the room. I just would like it to be at least functional and comfortable at this point. So far, I like this for inspiration:

It has an overall coastal vibe, but still has funky touches like an unexpected color choice, a floral pillow, and animal print throw.

If anyone has extremely thrifty ideas on how to quickly transform a room, I'm listening!

P.S. With that bedding I showed above, what paint color would you choose? I don't want it to be too matchy, and this striping (at least as a focal point for one wall) is what I am thinking so far.

The Lettered Cottage

* Edit (1/28/10)- Never mind on the stripes. They are beautiful but I remember that I'm not a big fan of pastels. I change my mind every five seconds anyway. :o)

House or Home?

I read Centsational Girl's blog everyday, and today was one of my favorite posts of hers yet. (Check it out here.)

Ideal Home

She talks about how we all drool over designer rooms in home decor magazines and yearn for that perfection but perfection and the concept of home doesn't really match up.

Home is where you put on your PJs even though it is only 6:00. Home is where your dog's stuffed animals are ripped limb from limb and their stuffing litters the carpet. Home is where there is always a dish in the sink and a Sonic cup on the bar. Not quite the pristine, sparkling scene that ends up in magazines. But it is home. Warm and cozy. And an ENDLESS MESS. :o) Are there any kindred perfectionist spirits out there who have as hard a time as I sometimes do accepting that?

Home is for moments like this:

And this:

Moments that fancy decor and spotlessness just can't make.