Do You Suffer from DJS ...

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">otherwise known as "Decorating Justification Sydrome" ??  Well, I do (another self-prescribed condition).  Symptoms include: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">diverting from your list as you venture into noted <span style="color: red;">danger zones</span> such as HomeGoods, Pottery Barn, Hobby Lobby, Kirkland's, etc.; often using shameful mental tactics (<em>e.g</em>., saying, "it's the only one left" ... "it was meant to be" ... "you'll be so mad with yourself if you don't get it now" ...); and, developing a glazed over stare in the middle of the aisle as you picture how said unexpected items would look in your space.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Case in point ... on a recent trip to HomeGoods, to purchase a simple item on my list, which was ONE $3.99 white plate (to replace one I broke), I spotted a beautiful $13.99 coral throw.  And, that's when the voice of DJS kicked in ... telling myself that since I added coral to the neighboring dining room, I really NEED to add coral to the sitting room for balance ... that if I don't, I'd really regret it ... it was the ONLY one left ... that's it's such a great price ... and, bad things will happen if I don't get it!  That's when my now-clammy hands quickly placed it in my squeaky-wheeled cart.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAGKo_gu4eJCM_rbOu-B6PhZ0rsEYad_cojdcOmVyXOnwSFKUupj33RGsCsRULDOLlXkCMTjyZj-I-uw8esAVe_nvj0W03vzQvhI9IS3W6PbaI2rZswTEC-p8oKfnW6RrzsrhKvxffIA/s1600/sittingcoral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Of course, then, I had to find a couple more coral items to add to the sitting room to add balance in there, right?  DJS forced my hand to purchase this lil' cutie ($4.99):</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx16LpaG41gyDWb5CtBonKQlwx9cRv7-v28ZTKUspSNbouQwPjiYLUlYV-UzBEAHb0QJFDMZVFxJC5AXyPl93p-RSJ0HoXx7Qz33xdRhCKMbwsecHaqgiTlGOMHd6l-QO62GwJD_aLQaM/s1600/coraljar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, this lush lovely ($14.99):</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHP3YOxm3UaaQ45j8u296VawMKV88d5EEpeqj10JW4VBxLDckcCkTDPOyNpq10I6tg3emv-wvPfW1nHtJZkVoo0Lzk6loXWgdTCkquNzYwvjg4qh5-fp8KAJBgUaaRQdO5yKHVqnxN6Q/s1600/coralpillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The drive home after a DJS attack can be mixed with feelings of jubulation, as well as guilt because you caved.  However, when you get your new UNexpected and UNnecessary "pretties" home, your DJS reassures you how lovely it all looks ... and that the rapid heart rate, self-argument and moment of weakness was all worth it!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ0t39uSW63_ZNNWVFWC2Cfukw11FcmRMdNWHzc3Icz-qgGO-kyUY5bv4QuD0BIrEydVDjsnn1FiDY00upKMfeF2OK2UPOdx0ZRP-a4dDRKAwKzRP2I4KRu8ok311QWdtnobbT6S76cQ/s1600/coraloverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, okay, while we're in here, I might as well share two more recent DJS purchases.  This lovely wooden bowl from Target (purchased because the sky was blue that day):</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfZE-t0ZMsj5pv8JIPnX1d6tB0DmYVtf4Eo1R2vsFj5e29RVtNFqGMMqjUY2zFRdNG-ovxb2B80UZtF2-0W0wqlqTC6jyG6C9Fw2JYKy1NqeccdFAqY6gxZkt1t8vCBalYUb0ZqMdPUw/s1600/woodbowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, this beautiful blinged up tray (purchased because I reminded myself of the ancient <strong>non-existent</strong> DJS Chinese proverb, which says, "she who buy white bling bling tray and place on ottoman in sitting room have years of good luck!"):</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyt1TXlGNjIuCIRsNZPC6TDtfk3EBV_l2Q62d2QY9jbrI5cY7ecWhMxTOONAmp5s35T5lEs7sOE-6mAJCQ7qjrdTD0BmCsIrWs2uyHYSrBNiY8VAVEe4O9RnUVHHM9juco217JRM1nks/s1600/blingtray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Just please don't ask to see the white plate ... the ONLY item on my list because, well, I forgot to buy it (yet aNOTHER symptom of DJS).  Gee, I guess this means that I'll have go back (insert *sheepishly wicked grin*).  Better yet ... I think I'll just stay away for awhile and enjoy my new DJS purchases!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOIEzENC9jPp1PkYuX9pvtPFe7k1FFKsNcLszI7-jPUSJzedFOiX1PPN-o-4cg9TJJZQ6ni-G9n41HODeajqnm-Dhc0rzS5QsRMyyIip2yDveeVhXPydJ0k44X6CYAtqYsJpUJ0vTdYU/s1600/coraloverall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thanks for stopping by ... and, if you want to go ahead and confess that you also suffer from DJS, you'll feel a lot better ... that, and you'll make ME feel a lot better, knowing that I'm not alone!  LOL</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Linking up to these fun par-tays:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">BNOTP/<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/06/historic-tyson-stedham-restoration-part.html">Metamorphosis Monday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Dittle Dattle/<a href="http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2011/06/amaze-me-monday-30.html">Amaze Me Monday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/<a href="http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/2011/06/tuesdays-treasures_28.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MyUncommonSliceOfSuburbia+%28My+Uncommon+Slice+of+Suburbia%29">Tuesday's Treasures</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Southern Savvy Style/<a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2011/06/wow-us-wednesdays-20.html">WUW</a></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Becca</strong></em></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>

Do You Suffer from DJS ...

otherwise known as "Decorating Justification Sydrome" ??  Well, I do (another self-prescribed condition).  Symptoms include: diverting from your list as you venture into noted danger zones such as HomeGoods, Pottery Barn, Hobby Lobby, Kirkland's, etc.; often using shameful mental tactics (e.g., sayi…

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Party on The Patio!

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for letting me share our <a href="http://adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com/2011/06/come-sit-spell.html">screened in porch</a> for Kim's deck party at <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-decks-and-porches-party-time.html">Savvy Southern Style</a>!  Now, it's time to head over to Sherry's summer entertaining party at <a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-entertaining-blog-party.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NoMinimalistHere+%28No+Minimalist+Here%29">No Minimalist Here</a>, so let's venture on out to our patio!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPUBug0qvmFu1zewCTdubKb953F79mXz2-f6eNcdcHpqORxyAzbKTYdzXhd5vgt0Itn15SQU2fCQSR6SJ9mhcQvo8aPUeFfk3UDO-4EnUPWP-7SSuvXZeNGDRJv0QudaLJTH81kWsl60/s1600/patiowelcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we first moved here, our back patio consisted of one slab of concrete and a little pergola above (unfortunately, I don't have a picture). Two years ago, we expanded the patio to cover almost the entire back of the house ... had the concrete stained and "etched" and also expanded the entire pergola.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNGPUNX3V532nhE3SEjQ0c50kEEOwF7ghROOHY2KZiEieep_ZWhhOqSlhfand1rOEJF5z2ok3LvIhsn6yznwvI8IcNAW0lVawssf5bqGtOsz0i5fnthVCXRIu0-vE-jVUpZBP3x1i2IY/s1600/patiooverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please step on up to the BBQ island (which I had fun designing with a local business):</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49mm7OsJ77fYOq7_qKEeFo_zTICcIOVRJ_ulFZDY9Yp5-mYwB45PIoriHy9ANXPs2L9I_OANL2zL8OIV-Ul8r399KZ2zvA_vCUMc2RW-UHYo-R1uWmSs0Zmel2HrfwuymIi9lQ1bdIDY/s1600/patiobbq1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May I offer you a water, tea or *spirit,* which we are keeping nice and cold in the mini-fridge?</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDlG4fxjBb8IJcHT_dpfaQtz-f4AzrhQJUvJYjj0mWz2sGJ124OvPLyLR2mMnZ0wcb9itO1drWtbW384iOynYgLHnaWEfZTLb9mEWS3BY89NRenqH_AqEk5wfDUUp9ozq7RHUBgNxb_M/s1600/patiobbq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How about a piece of yummy fake bread?  Hmmmmmm!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcZlnMj4pxjoKowg5-IKjAuQ9B7D0UUOD1CGcrZM8Y0miqXaMxpeQVRC2pv3aG85NuNMqE9pVtoMhS_cbKPv8a3cWjzRxCqK6C5LAmjfgNsbvbdhfZ20KDPFpCAHToE4OvXRQMepyJXs/s1600/patiobread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or, would you prefer a glass of wine, along with a fake breadstick, grapes and cheese?</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKPq7y_29EJgUEnFjoraQxVN7JVvOQMpcw-lc0BLYT5vOw_QAt86SSK2GDMgYiwPU2fnUL7rsymjC-lR8LaxfS8uObb7jxDPv9vpTmqKCWNFR3j5Lch2OLE9BbmprSY1BbHERP-X9cHU/s1600/patiograpes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're ready to eat, let's move on over to the table, which I've given a patriotic theme: </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAF3wRIEW1RPm_n75mznAxGEy7Etmhw8DD_839-_LeGhzIKrRyeb676omqdBNe20H4buqL3UtbxxmlUc5JRpRQwyh241KnAGHcWGHkaec8qjng78zlkTLBpag6UreU3ZX0vZNeJQXQzg/s1600/patiotable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had the tray, greenery, chargers, plates and napkins on hand:</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVZjUFxx8ljBjK9pTiCsvZIhtXwvO-rf7s6ja32P-KYGh8vgVD8dFOQbXn0dc2Jzx7cmes-ELEirPfaSsivn7ABwdyeMYID8RjcwEfxnDU_uUi2ElqZyeuX_L23fFz_h6dAA-HffOUmU/s1600/patiotableclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why not place boxes of sparklers in your centerpiece for added fun (and just pray that the heat doesn't ignite them!!)</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYHykaWO9nxONqkYUI1tX7S3VcRfPscxBdycM0q4mEbePKwi0aHCqrcOU-omDm_NTGB1f09Q8VFSeDiIkGMWJnPXLJ6HwZftWv716kpffz8SWOmJckQyUNoDo3J0OuFuzKpOgkiqVipM/s1600/patiocenterpiece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How cute are these patriotic salt/pepper shakers and peppermint melts?  Can you say Dollar Tree and Dollar General?!  </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9YKfUkIXJTd4dqCAyAnHJWn6lDXEshTIedmTxyvK27N7bUGYdg1lQq69nNsBsMC2cwy_2yRs2BAzAJSwA1wSaQpCJgT28kVC83FiZiWqMK-9SlenIFIEAXsrtWLJH49E8LbumhlOp5A/s1600/patiosalt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found these whimsical napkin rings at Pier One (on sale) and the cute plastic cups in the background are from Dollar General, as well!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9H72GXmTIDUhKLPYbvPxWcdA1p0aVu88wCpAnpIQMU-EPJTYHyijKZp_OPnhEaHVoKW5zWExAwtFupXZLUeQyDjr8Kkty4AHckV8V2QaYNRVovfEDPnM0C549juz2FaSolN84RbatJo/s1600/pationapkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're full or don't have an appetite, we can move on over to our</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"sit in one of the freshly spray painted red rockers and watch the fire or the drought ridden marsh" area.  I recently scored this fireplace from Lowes, which I'd been watching ... and watching ... and watching until it *finally* went on sale !!  Let's get the s'mores ready!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii16IJoWidBLD_arT_aG7BMavkXV2X6vbbIK_Tl8ZhrNFvHhoiYmSGzCYJVck2sP3OMP8TPCE3pSR9Y3AZXPvtzJKbJmmjCX2O8CnVAIBbX0946HVG4DhOXEbwZ5scChN50XkzkQiWZrY/s1600/patiorockers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__EI_QTsZ1C7lIRz3wZmcKbMzXDRHWkK43EVxCc3ohTk_PnwZpSy-bIQrPsdTyd8yixSdfzLXDgeD_GUH6doqqObuGHQuRW54S-RfU7V2R1m3sOoRl0jaMA7a80dO_UDVnCk7CbSLiao/s1600/patioaccent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or, if you don't feel like relaxing, how about stepping on over to da hot tub!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLVwiCIfEUKfOwGbtBTc4tNykYRRx2nFbKMUODTspuzQE5qUFeDzKvoIpTcyWO78DIGOI2emwv9ttJuzd9PUpZ-cOZ02SxLu6iz0IuTpQmgoEr3WvSmtUSzG0MwgcKkXyftKozqdJ3-Y/s1600/patiohottub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While getting a good soak, you can look up at the fun chandie I found at World Market.  It almost reminds me of floating bubbles (I know, I know ... have another cocktail Miss Hostess ... lol):</span></div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNNEtoIaOFn3uK1fkfPTFMsU6fJkfjQaG1H2aSJCn64xH1mH8FOb75A7Sn1OV1ApZOM9kewXyWdoJWlq2UxY7kk2NlW0P0jFWoZ5KrrO7cev5PKA6UjCmQhhxJtfz_hY05HUhb0DkJos/s1600/patiochandie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The jets are on ... the built-in party lights are going ... and Jimmy Buffet is blasting from its speakers.  I've even got a clean towel and cold beverage waiting for you.  Now, hurry up and save duckie, who appears to have tipped over ... oh no:</span></div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtQsLANetFULGCXxLwrlBmJYSkVQK2JJkGDVz-oks0PtZreHU2SJEaP1dS4RiMoHXHwnX765nUSY9groi8JbuqRNLT-321KO8frhunkqnp3DSIPOudEnJ9IkEaPjLd18b2LFkHF3C92c/s1600/patiohottub1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks so much for stopping by ... you know I appreciate your visit(!), and now I'm off to be inspired by everyone else's summer gatherings.  Be sure and join me for the fun!  Cheers!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9HLuyMavGnGnhXGn2ucQ-O2oqOfcy8eGWustoxxG0DhHheK9S_UTOtbwar0_ErPrtSC9DOhpLo3xpbSj9uh2hsFwaXQRnA5v5OKWIWtw-FVhNYeJ2vyOeMkUNy5IjkAjGopfmeyxPvs/s1600/patiome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>Becca</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm also linking up with with this fun party:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Funky Junk Interiors/<a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/07/sat-nite-special-88-bringing-indoors.html">Saturday Nite Special</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttPJ48ErNEqrMmUwLi6byTuBtbt0eNUDreBI8qt8AoGP8FaD-oTv95W4WlPu83sAQiLuexly5lnLC4Clkpoz-Vxy_BDJBHuyMgBmYv12vhon8eruxIQ3-JjBlmR7gIo7RhMNwR6iBZw/" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>

Party on The Patio!

Thanks for letting me share our screened in porch for Kim's deck party at Savvy Southern Style!  Now, it's time to head over to Sherry's summer entertaining party at No Minimalist Here, so let's venture on out to our patio!When we first moved here, our back patio consisted of one slab of concrete an…

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Come Sit a Spell ...

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What fun(!) ... blogland is rockin' and rollin' this week with the <a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2011/06/getting-ready-for-blogger-block-party.html">Blogger Block Party</a>!  I'm looking forward to being inspired by everyone's projects, recipes and fun party ideas!  I'm joining Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for her <a href="http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/2011/06/drop-cloth-link-party.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MyUncommonSliceOfSuburbia+%28My+Uncommon+Slice+of+Suburbia%29">Drop Cloth Party</a>, along with Kim at Savvy Southern Style for her <a href="http://adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com/2011/06/come-sit-spell.html">Porch Party</a>.  Welcome to our porch ...</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQf1p_nP2wRPy-3YJ5wzTYCRzfViUl6QCecX5yKamJHP8mOhhsfZw3rNXv-leZHFXl1_UazGON3GQBomwTOX2NNH1Ge1AXrHsbTpHPANd26NJjm5BJ8VqqLmMLv66xhz2Xxsj4PpMJjM/s1600/porchdoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's not a very large space, but we enjoy it (admittedly, not as much as we should)!   The loveseat, rockers and coffee table were a gift from my sweet parents:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRku97srW0VHHue1hPWPyLSFK6aLgbhzlYksR0FBj9TNLCXeUe1TK2T4-y5EcJqrZXzNSvuhL283Gjux8-fn4VYRUDNLmAer9YehJNmgSz53XTSxORB55NL7BngqTqqyqn7pA-CPxl3I/s1600/porchoverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love barn stars and thought a large one would be perfect above the fireplace (which I recently painted Old White (chalk paint), followed by a bit of distressing and clear wax).  I also enjoy mixing all types of elements together:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGKFBwO9N2qeSzJcNXSjMfayJPvLAkjPCqEv2xGycnyIMD9b_9NPhNDeGXC6Bt-JFSSAEuBG_zsi7lbpu1w8Aapov5jTVYLQp24Ufs12CLWB708vPXDlGCXK1WzMfR7mg2Vb3vxt5-zo/s1600/porchfireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, okay, the secret is out ... I can't take full credit for my painting transformations!  I have a 5 year old painting partner who likes to wear Spiderman pjs:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLYr0LM9JpQu7rPUY8NNE0rhMVj0Mtgr0vbUSCPT-nkYwhUrD4S8UCsDpkazVUSUTqQNwIcjmiNHyMPVtViKAK7vtTrirIwFYWq5WtsIgwjvozVYmckN4WMm3omQzggbM3Q-oeGBtpe8/s1600/porchjax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did a reverse "relax" stencil on the fireplace ... choosing red to tie in with the cushions:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld93QwwYcHC07xjXluyxNH3L44ewdbSmYo8PUWic7mtqAIrhsBeiOWpd72U93iOyT91fZlmK3IXmnjZ1ylRAgFvgl9kWiL8fjSgjFVF2ZA1qRfAxW9hVzKpGeu2VG-9gkJngWZCxN6Qk/s1600/porchrelax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHurUVt1UnQC1NqE8R3-oedDqM7F2RoP7f0JvacdUT1MeWgcVLn5PC7qSYIQsKKJzzL-0-FJC40a-IOEloezXa93KdsRZGGETo9msoBHqpI8IsVIVv4kK0_d75PKwHQOkLM-3KTIeoBVQ/s1600/porchrooster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzII5pwr6FKFA2V-Di7qu7JNS2owK5h0wOZSrMi9RjwrNzLxD95ddb6k27QbIFO3Q3VE75CDIAnF15o4Co-5k9sIJjrLxbu2mG91f2Lxzdmiq52ikmS0hb_Si10lM2JQ-XbUV1Jw127Y/s1600/porchvotive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pretty cream and apple green pillows are from Wal-Mart:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6f0IQRS_SVKr-UoqwvWb0zedhP36bZevjaD7Trw3N9aMM86sFHXHQgEAx2PsDnwEU6-cSs1SGyiiPPys2UvxUhRheOle5A81FaJl-i_3QOyUOtHh_jp23aD2Y8d77wAlloelt3TMOuYM/s1600/porchchair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFJQ4MNy9vLNd7nCtERwJzDBtcmrSkerirgMGwOxEqdWwwHneyC9E43sKQWAlFDIBZ3pKqNURT88VtQqBcIgYpE-Tx8HhWLmrcFqBJgOQs2KVyRXw8Am8-9EYK_sWaM5A7w7JT7etSAY/s1600/porchapples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spray painted the coffee table Rustoleum Biscuit to tie in with the fireplace:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafBCd92Ju8JAxHv88Yw1_TpOCSTpjM3DpoxbePY3P48ByOf9oQSGJcJL9II1VF8exOJIvybPCAX3yk2I1_-GqosHRtYpOSKXaezKzstc_eDQMqZ-dxThqyf1Pf2a7dDkUc3SZ6nBRLLU/s1600/porchoverallback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I scored the oversized striped lumbar pillow from PB last Fall for only $14 (normally $34)!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QCG7JV5DHaNumLjax47TAIMx8sAS32XsiNHCq5yR5Ssy7v6-SC5oRbqD6YC9rAl2FNt1ytPjp_LUO85QKKrtw7GxwP1wEhiuPH5oqWhrJAVZNnPKYo8UFWxFgKwUPWatT_r4Q851_DA/s1600/porchpillows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The wire bird cage (turned candle/seashell holder) is from HomeGoods:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvoCD2W5ucvz6X4FQeyU3Dka7cASWGRV_LaDd61OMMAsPK-_ZhbI2cf67EhxJKNHWINnqapeEPMy1CdIgXcK3DBul3entb13MY6PHBjcbr8t_V7LjIbAWPR384drXNwtgKXBfOSt9MMw/s1600/porchtable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0GojOaUlgmOZT0576eJgWGYNCaRBCK-ba6CVyI4CVHgG2nIGBYeuQAegxE0OVhyzmE27Qro92zd7_bjMMWAeYXQ9AfaMDNE0Cxppz0t3xNWQWvUd8JpmY48zncfnR8JIEOQC5bCbbh0/s1600/porchflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILCc79jsEJboDU_Ap1NB30kmV-Qa7_MJaDZWhXPIkLVbpi6e4IXwayHJg83BWogy7xv3aQEom0aIgJJUZQzNRgg2y0VpVuMHc2loaxrFyE9TcldkBz9CfMRXvt5XkRB1J2BnJxiRnU80/s1600/porchfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's another little sitting area, which sits outside of our kitchen:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0CiSDFNjQPVUBJbu6BcFcF7F3rvuw-U-dlVfCHVdadGJvKbAVde9a7KbGbRk25uZlGtloNauLgfh47lysZaYQuRwGTkTrNvASYpoeHgsj5FWqaFrd7CXQh8QHvaeg1cl_WNzLAb-dbU/s1600/porchsitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also painted the accent table Old White (chalk paint):</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9VkKe2aP7H7ehvzF1SiUv0yN4V7sypo0tRtmfq6_gsZY8COO9LfCg0S08nYnuz-WvpU2GIpvmMVQhAw2mhpS-jy3rvW5LU5GkSxdhlUJhsc4h1YFlI3rqKmoO6_FoDmYFloo-PV-TdQ/s1600/porchaccent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Annnnd, I made the curtains by purchasing one 9 x 12 canvas drop cloth and cutting three 30 x 106 length panels.  My sweet friend is going to sew the "rough" sides up for me.  I love how they make the porch feel more like a *room*:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifz1lF4GbMxCNzNeLJz6cLVvQW-7Q_31JpxEDmmHbard7vCywyW8kZ9iyZStvmoOLN4rpyxtH2K32VIPbvmeLSRcJDCeoR4TN0iaRwGpmgW0Q_YbiTFHYVaICFEy6cPZHMyRcZ43iLgGw/s1600/porchcurtains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, friends, that's it ...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CLy23_SThrmgtR3s2pVWC7ZM7YUCQpC_TWPzHdltRmp5c8RLusnxaCc75TfWsIbKovTxeCgHq5JoYo-g0LYHk8yclBziA7hZy9BLTGRgsPDFvwKrtxlKtXGUIyHU6VoA4DJqEyyPF7g/s1600/porchlast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">... thanks SO much for stopping by!  I'm also joining these fun gatherings, too:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fingerprints on the Fridge/<a href="http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/2011/06/feature-yourself-friday_23.html">Feature Yourself Friday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Miss Mustard Seed/<a href="http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/2011/06/furniture-feature-friday-favoritse-link.html">Furniture Feature Friday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Funky Junk Interiors/<a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/07/sat-nite-special-88-bringing-indoors.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FKCcu+%28Funky+Junk+Interiors%29">Saturday Nite Special</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Shades of Amber/<a href="http://shadesofamberinc.blogspot.com/2011/07/annie-sloan-chalk-paint-linky-party.html">AS Chalk Paint Party</a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong><em>Becca</em></strong></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihyphenhyphenA1Tm6CofxefqrZhQ77Vo-gHFZrU2dCGC9RGs1PADKRaTK_cUFVuRM8GuMo_txduia7SOZX6kSrckY8SQire1d6KX52CNRKfJimgtNlx65_lRV9hiXntWO8nqOXfVcA48axqW31cg/" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>

Come Sit a Spell ...

What fun(!) ... blogland is rockin' and rollin' this week with the Blogger Block Party!  I'm looking forward to being inspired by everyone's projects, recipes and fun party ideas!  I'm joining Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for her Drop Cloth Party, along with Kim at Savvy Southern Style f…

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Please Make Room on the Bandwagon ...

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">because my large tuckus and I are climbing on!  (lol)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yup, I *finally* painted my first piece using Annie Sloan's chalk paint!  </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIM5eKmGr6-rIbjd3zBGOxjWZOMMBPVGZ8HfbTD61pvr39VcSGzXuHmP36YA291aLGVOq2Xh8rcbo6wd3cvy8EnzGqYVSlva8EQv5UcFbFZ4vIaozgXajy9C7d0KVlAy-Gww_7YLqmQ/s1600/greatpaint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIM5eKmGr6-rIbjd3zBGOxjWZOMMBPVGZ8HfbTD61pvr39VcSGzXuHmP36YA291aLGVOq2Xh8rcbo6wd3cvy8EnzGqYVSlva8EQv5UcFbFZ4vIaozgXajy9C7d0KVlAy-Gww_7YLqmQ/s400/greatpaint.jpg" t8="true" width="225" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>BEFORE</strong> (last Fall):</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJwzAak6ej4t012TuwKw-RLuRi1lowJeSGpQG9LROk7EG0t2bI0asb-NTPi9okElAGwo-Q2UC75R5krtozjikAhey3CTQGTnhu3YIA7WA2U2XnOEGHdTKYPTOo1mbx_d2FIBC5FdUyA/s1600/greatbuffetb4side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJwzAak6ej4t012TuwKw-RLuRi1lowJeSGpQG9LROk7EG0t2bI0asb-NTPi9okElAGwo-Q2UC75R5krtozjikAhey3CTQGTnhu3YIA7WA2U2XnOEGHdTKYPTOo1mbx_d2FIBC5FdUyA/s400/greatbuffetb4side.jpg" t8="true" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>AFTER:</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs_Wy8oeeWpBPAkxbSBOgBk8gzDN0TSAbEoYT6p-La3tLX_F7SfxuI4ay8qClUHxZdB9p0PkrbeIJqSaPDei-gNBTTMnkHG0CjFQoNbjgsDF8NV6yiG8QS-LkEiaeIqzCcrHVdDd3-A/s1600/greatbuffetside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs_Wy8oeeWpBPAkxbSBOgBk8gzDN0TSAbEoYT6p-La3tLX_F7SfxuI4ay8qClUHxZdB9p0PkrbeIJqSaPDei-gNBTTMnkHG0CjFQoNbjgsDF8NV6yiG8QS-LkEiaeIqzCcrHVdDd3-A/s640/greatbuffetside.jpg" t8="true" width="360" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Admittedly, I decided to play it safe my first go round with this paint and chose Old White, followed by a bit of distressing and clear wax.  I love the bit of sheen the wax gives you after buffing:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSTzA65V0EL4NOWThqzA2120CNPb4ounj0hQ4fi4fbF49vufyCUeqcNmcel-7x8NjQ-MvoT5WDvvmH-iQ3BxISO0XDb4oUqWnSyKZZsDcQIkMF3UHb7XYJX_C-G0atjQ3NN3t80o4yg/s1600/greatbuffetleg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSTzA65V0EL4NOWThqzA2120CNPb4ounj0hQ4fi4fbF49vufyCUeqcNmcel-7x8NjQ-MvoT5WDvvmH-iQ3BxISO0XDb4oUqWnSyKZZsDcQIkMF3UHb7XYJX_C-G0atjQ3NN3t80o4yg/s400/greatbuffetleg.jpg" t8="true" width="225" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>BEFORE:</strong></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HQcU-58OoErDJYg7HsC8V50A4gm2cUrqD9dBfqItpEWCDSKWBgfl-2QjnhQ96eF8UThuGbWIgN1HE1lqiuy8Oi5dfzHkuhn4XOh7wXm_mUlHkc8DX2eNOKrBcFiQYBP0ZjokFz8Vyg/s1600/greatbuffetb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HQcU-58OoErDJYg7HsC8V50A4gm2cUrqD9dBfqItpEWCDSKWBgfl-2QjnhQ96eF8UThuGbWIgN1HE1lqiuy8Oi5dfzHkuhn4XOh7wXm_mUlHkc8DX2eNOKrBcFiQYBP0ZjokFz8Vyg/s400/greatbuffetb4.jpg" t8="true" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>AFTER:</strong>  Once again, I decided to keep the top in its original dark-stained state. I also painted the mirror white earlier this Spring; however, I did dry brush a bit of Old White on it to tie it in better with the buffet.  Alas, I already have changes for this wall ... can you say gallery?!  The wheels are a' spinnin'!</span> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZliaaby0RWJOpIWYOqfMbcrxSMm6O08kdv3VtGzfa4daYxCbUjMfN0iwW3gbSoqCAFnGptytC4Pms1Ho3TDl9r6hMM7LRuMqzgFF1bmNwQc68Cg_IoiF79mUNKQlUBeh8JMmAj4FBw/s1600/greatbuffetfront1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZliaaby0RWJOpIWYOqfMbcrxSMm6O08kdv3VtGzfa4daYxCbUjMfN0iwW3gbSoqCAFnGptytC4Pms1Ho3TDl9r6hMM7LRuMqzgFF1bmNwQc68Cg_IoiF79mUNKQlUBeh8JMmAj4FBw/s640/greatbuffetfront1.jpg" t8="true" width="360" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are a few pics of the tabletop as it appears today:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaADSAcdP6AWVmeiBxwymTgzh2cm4_i-s2ZDV3z_S0UH-zr9dgUeU8YvXtc0RmJRtN0RFNT3q2MR7LhtYiHNrDOCg_LbZVbo4n7gV-5Rg-5KmHwDk44Z2XsLFVWFb82cG1DBlEb1kmvw/s1600/greatbuffettop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaADSAcdP6AWVmeiBxwymTgzh2cm4_i-s2ZDV3z_S0UH-zr9dgUeU8YvXtc0RmJRtN0RFNT3q2MR7LhtYiHNrDOCg_LbZVbo4n7gV-5Rg-5KmHwDk44Z2XsLFVWFb82cG1DBlEb1kmvw/s640/greatbuffettop.jpg" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsWKUNIPoWtxh_oB62JykxthuL3vnbVv2wl0F9nx4x6OYknyaDIqUbfl23jzVdcuOJkP4Ewvfk4V6S20FdcpAUErT_-FKRESDVtOaeyZfreJmW2v8B0yEKdnRUD_aRwqNzLb82QtUag/s1600/greatbuffetcoral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsWKUNIPoWtxh_oB62JykxthuL3vnbVv2wl0F9nx4x6OYknyaDIqUbfl23jzVdcuOJkP4Ewvfk4V6S20FdcpAUErT_-FKRESDVtOaeyZfreJmW2v8B0yEKdnRUD_aRwqNzLb82QtUag/s400/greatbuffetcoral.jpg" t8="true" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFgjqMpWwa_6js8ZluZugKn9xjFB1cB-FBILxllBvhZJZ9iu7nQSvvgg5cY1Jd76uT9BLhzNrhp1ZAO4rW7iuymSm8GGmDVkOo7slZy-yrH35PKvRFdka4xCQZ4Zka1BLllc2s6hWTw/s1600/greatbuffetbowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFgjqMpWwa_6js8ZluZugKn9xjFB1cB-FBILxllBvhZJZ9iu7nQSvvgg5cY1Jd76uT9BLhzNrhp1ZAO4rW7iuymSm8GGmDVkOo7slZy-yrH35PKvRFdka4xCQZ4Zka1BLllc2s6hWTw/s400/greatbuffetbowl.jpg" t8="true" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggT93N1UPx_665k9yQaY4y4Qwa2rp3876y80EHvxtCyp4xMZRmIgw3j0TJNNbr42Uqehpx3ez0hsyI-dv6EzwwfQ8zHMSjd8YiriyGTmLCzYB7Oq_NdwM0Qhof-Kft5i-HxhhZxvQw2w/s1600/greatbuffetpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggT93N1UPx_665k9yQaY4y4Qwa2rp3876y80EHvxtCyp4xMZRmIgw3j0TJNNbr42Uqehpx3ez0hsyI-dv6EzwwfQ8zHMSjd8YiriyGTmLCzYB7Oq_NdwM0Qhof-Kft5i-HxhhZxvQw2w/s400/greatbuffetpic.jpg" t8="true" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A refreshing change, for sure ...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXV_KDXMyVNCQM0hsFPzMpnSShx1bTAA6pr1ciOM4qyEd7VN9wmQkunZzJfS-rKlZAGaT5Yc5gEwI2V_rdo6hIs85gk_kGruBk2rMQQ8SbHuXKIymZFEz1c4RVys0wbyhSvlL78Nf-iw/s1600/greatbuffetfront2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXV_KDXMyVNCQM0hsFPzMpnSShx1bTAA6pr1ciOM4qyEd7VN9wmQkunZzJfS-rKlZAGaT5Yc5gEwI2V_rdo6hIs85gk_kGruBk2rMQQ8SbHuXKIymZFEz1c4RVys0wbyhSvlL78Nf-iw/s640/greatbuffetfront2.jpg" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">... although, I need to start delving into other colors!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, would you just look at my poor, pitiful *frozen* kitty, who has clearly passed out from all of the paint fumes that have been invading our home lately! (lol)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfdP4rSgzA5BS7vN8mzrNCAfkx818dtYX1ToTEbih-IaKlt6lLI05SyscKoH27fgiPQKB8QiYBP-vqOOyxgvbJh1udBbnU3TYtCqwMz3DZHNcZs9KwuR7fARwsfi4zhk-u-UuHkpDig/s1600/greateden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfdP4rSgzA5BS7vN8mzrNCAfkx818dtYX1ToTEbih-IaKlt6lLI05SyscKoH27fgiPQKB8QiYBP-vqOOyxgvbJh1udBbnU3TYtCqwMz3DZHNcZs9KwuR7fARwsfi4zhk-u-UuHkpDig/s400/greateden.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What oh what to paint next ?!  Hmmm ..... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, I just have to mention that I'm super excited because, not too long ago, I told a friend of mine (who owns a wonderful local consignment shop) about chalk paint.  Well, lo and behold if she didn't then go and out and decide to become a stockist ... yippee!  She just got her first inventory of paint, which I got to see up close and personal the other day ... can't wait to explore more!  Once she gets her online system up and running, I'll be sure and pass along her information!  All of you living in South Carolina and/or neighboring states will now have a closer place to purchase chalk paint!  </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm off to finish getting my porch and patio ready for the super fun <a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2011/06/getting-ready-for-blogger-block-party.html">blogger block party</a>!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thanks for stopping by!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Linking up with my creative buddies:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">At the Picket Fence/<a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2011/06/inspiration-friday-no-20.html">Inspiration Friday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">French Country Cottage/<a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/feathered-nest-friday.html">Feathered Nest Friday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Miss Mustard Seed/<a href="http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/2011/06/tonight-instead-of-picking-favorites.html">Furniture Feature Friday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fingerprints on the Fridge/<a href="http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/2011/06/feature-yourself-friday_16.html">Feature Yourself Friday</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DebbieDoos/<a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-love-had-me-blast-partay-is-on.html">Summer Paint Party</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thrifty Decor Chick/<a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/before-and-after-goodwill-table.html">Before and After Party</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Shades of Amber/<a href="http://shadesofamberinc.blogspot.com/2011/07/annie-sloan-chalk-paint-linky-party.html">AS Chalk Paint Party</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Perfectly Imperfect/<a href="http://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2011/07/all-things-furniture-features-and-link-party-4.html">All Things Furniture</a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong><em>Becca</em></strong></span></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

Please Make Room on the Bandwagon ...

because my large tuckus and I are climbing on!  (lol)Yup, I *finally* painted my first piece using Annie Sloan's chalk paint!  BEFORE (last Fall):AFTER:Admittedly, I decided to play it safe my first go round with this paint and chose Old White, followed by a bit of distressing and clear wax.  I love…

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