I'm a candle

In the Christmas clearance shop-a-thon, I picked up this little candle from HomeGoods.

It was just a couple of dollars and smells amazing.  The only thing was the ugly festive pine cone pic on the front.  Luckily it was just a sticker that I could peel off easily (easier than the price ticket was to peel off - thanks HomeGoods, a little less sticky goop next time please!).

But when the sticker was gone the candle was very plane and in desperate need of something to jazz it up a bit.

I looked around Michaels for some sort of decal.  I thought about a simple monogram or maybe a boarder around the top and bottom, but settled on some basic alphabet stickers.  I wasn't sure what I was going to spell out but really liked the font:

Now for what to put on the candle.  Hmmm, I got nothing!  Seriously, for about an hour the best we could come up with was "I'm a candle", but then the puns slowly started coming, and we couldn't stop.  Light my fire, get fired up, light up, fire starter, see the light, lights out, great balls of fire.  Ok, so we drew the line at great balls of fire, and opted for "Got a Light?" 

 

We have a lot of storms and power cuts in the south, so this will definitely come in handy.

 

Kate

xxx

 

See other Crafty projects HERE

 

Stag don't

Christmas sales in the UK are huge.  Most of them kick off on boxing day (the day after Christmas - also a national holiday.  Take note America - would it hurt to give us 2 days off for Christmas!).

It's like the UK equivalent of Black Friday.  So after Christmas I was prepped and ready to head out and grab the post Christmas bargains.  It's in my genes!

First stop was Target and their huge sale where I went straight to the home section and picked up a pillow, napkins, bowl, coasters and stag candle holder.  I always avoid the gift wrap and bags - there was a tonne left so I'm sure they will still be around when Target goes to 90% off.

Next up was Michaels where I scored some icicle house lights.  Everywhere else had just blue left, so I was pleased to find the white after rummaging through an entire shelf.  Plus a couple of boxes of glass baubles for next years tree.

I picked up the pink mercury glass pendents (in the pic above) from Walmart.  I'm thinking of turning them into this:

Pinterest.com

I got home and began to lay out all my bargains.  I still couldn't believe the stag from Target was still there.  And it had all it's antlers intact.  But it does look a little bit weird, I thought.  Oh wait, it's because it's missing an ear!

In my hurry to inspect the antlers I completely overlooked the fact that it is missing an ear.  An EAR people!!  What an idiot!


So now I'm left with 4 choices:

1 - leave it as it is.  It's unique and artistic, the Van Gogh of stags (plus, if I leave it at an angle you won't notice).
2 - snap it's other ear off - ouch!
3 - try and fashion an ear out of something (never going to happen).
4 - return it

Oh, the perils of clearance shopping!

 

Kate

xxx

 

DIY Desk

I've been on the hunt for a sturdy desk since we moved into our house.  Target has some great deals on their ladder desks, but they have no storage - something we're in desperate need of.  Craigslist has an endless supply, but most are either too big or would need refinishing.  And I really don't need another furniture project in the garage gathering dust!

Luckily, I spotted Michaels semi-annual storage sale in their weekly add.  There were no prices listed, so I thought I'd pop in to see what the options/costs would be (as if I ever need an excuse to visit Michaels!).

They had an amazing selection of stackable storage.  Basically a square pod with all number of storage options; some with shelves, or drawers, or containers.  I calculated that by stacking 2 together (they come with special plugs especially for stacking) I would have a counter top height of 29" - the perfect height for a desk.  One style was on clearance for $15 so I bought three of those, and one that was originally $35, but $17.50 with my 50% coupon.  All in all it cost $62 for the base.

 

They were super easy to put together (if I can do it, anyone can!).  The three holes are actually a file folder, and the drawer with the long opening is for ribbon, but will be perfect for posting letters in.  I have it all planned out.  Organisation here we come!!

 

 

My next stop will be Home Depot for some wood I can stain and run across the top.

Kate

xxx

 

Origami - am I late to the party again?

I feel like I might be a bit late in jumping on the origami band wagon, but I'm on it now and I'm driving that sucker!!

This trio of amazingness is currently winging it's way to me (hopefully - USPS?):

 

For less than $3 each and free shipping, you can't beat www.cb2.com

 

CB2 also have these 2 scowling owls:

 

 

www.cb2.com

 

Target, not to be outdone in the origami stakes, have this sweet little fox

 

 

www.target.com

 

And this trio of birds is from Amazon:

 

Amazon.com

 

 

Kate

xxx

Christmas mantle, O Christmas mantle! (it sounded good in my head!)

Moving from a small apartment, we don't have too many Christmas decorations (yet - watch out Target sale, I'm coming for you!).  For the mantle I tried to use some of the items we already had around the house or that I could buy relatively cheaply.

 

The owl we relocated from another shelf, the MERRY was $1 from Michaels, the red flowers were two $1 bunches also from Michaels, the upside down square vase we already had tucked away, and the little red bird was from our trip home.

 

On the other side of the mantle:

 

 

The little red boot and Noel we already had.  I'm always on the lookout for Christmas ornaments that will also look good off the tree and if you're lucky year round (we have 4 little glass pears in our dining room that were Target Christmas ornaments).  The reindeer was a whopping $4 from Michaels (originally $10 marked at half price, and then I had a 20% off coupon), and the round vase was left over from one of the table decorations I made for our work Christmas party (more on that in a later post).

 

It fits perfectly with our red/white/silver/green theme we have going on in the living room.  Cheap, cheerful and festive.  Perfect!

 

Kate

xxx

 

Soapy

I don't think I've ever been this excited about soap!

But I managed to pick up these limited edition Method Soaps at Target.  Adding a little Orla Kiely style to our sink.  Love it!

 

Kate

xxx

Master coming together

I couldn't resist a close up look at my favourite new dresser.

 

 

 With my favourite little yellow lamp, favourite knitted pouf, and favourite fuzzy felt containers.

 

 

These fuzzy little felt treats were from the dollar section in Target.

 

 

And this small ombre bowl was (surprise surprise) a thrift store find. 

 

 

One more time for those at the back.

 

 

Kate

xxx

Orla, is that you?

My slight obsession with Orla Kiely continues.  We managed to squeeze in a visit to the London flagship store a couple of weeks ago.  It looked fantastic on the inside.  I would have taken some pics, but the snooty man shadowing my every move put me off!

Anywho, on a recent trip to Kirklands I spied this hidden gem.

Orla Kiely for $20 (actually $15 with an in-store special), don't mind if I do.  It really is all in the styling - I can't see Orla going for a plastic plant and crap props for her packaging!  Maybe she forgot to copyright her pattern, or maybe Kirklands are holding Orla hostage and forcing her to make cheap lampshades?  What I do know is that I scored a complete bargain.

And here is the real deal, taken at the Orla Kiely flagship store in London (by someone braver than me!).  I'm pretty sure they were kicked out shortly after taking this.

Headboard Heaven

And we have a headboard!  I literally dragged this baby the length of Target as soon as I saw it (I had only popped in for some throat medicine!). As always, I made a beeline for the clearance corner at the back of the shop, after a quick stop at the dollar isle.

I'd seen this headboard in the clearance section a couple of weeks ago, but it was over $200.  Still a good price, but way over our budget.  I was sure some lucky person would snap it up.

Today, I saw it was still on the shelf, but this time it was marked down to an unbelievable $77!!!  $77 - I couldn't make a headboard for that!  And lets be honest, if I could I'm sure it wouldn't look half as good.

I was keeping my fingers, arms, legs and toes crossed that it was the correct price.  Even the lady in front of me in the queue couldn't quite believe the price.  But sure enough, $77.

Bargain on the week!!