Around the House

I've done a few things around the house lately, so I thought I'd share my progress.

First, I jumped on the terrarium band wagon. I like that they are low maintenance and they make use of my overly large collection of glass jars. 

Two are succulents but the other is a hardy, low maintenance plant that I think is so pretty. I have two other plants like it in pink in other rooms, but I couldn't leave this one behind when I saw the $3 clearance sticker on it at Lowes. Plus it is "poypal," Liv's favorite color.

Here the terrariums are on the dining room table. I got this table, bench, and new chairs over the course of the last 6 months or so. I spot what I want and put it on my Pinterest boards, and then I watch for a good sale, save up coupons/gift cards, etc. And then scoop it up when I can get a good deal. I also like getting things at different times and from different places so that everything doesn't look too matchy-matchy.

I got the chairs first on a super deal at Target. That was months ago. The table I'd been eyeing at World Market was out of stock forever, online and in store. Finally, it came back in stock, so I grabbed it. I had a great coupon, so it was a good deal. This table is super sturdy and heavy and seems very high quality for the price. I highly recommend it. Once I got the table, I new I needed a bench to go with it. A bench looks cute but also offers room for at least 3 kids (with a towel on it of course--I am not letting my kids on this thing with food!) I scoured the web and finally found this lovely bench. Again, I waited for that sale.

So now my dining room is *almost* complete.  I'd like to get a narrow buffet or console and do a large framed chalkboard above it. I also think some board and batten under the chair rail would look great...

I also want a new chandelier. Our current one is fine. Nothing awful, but nothing special either.

I have my eye on this one from Pottery Barn, and I almost bought it when it was on sale the other day. But Mom convinced me to try taking the white covers off and use some large Edison-style bulbs. We are going to paint it black to look like the $400 light I covet from PB. If I hate it, it's not like I'm out anything since I was going to replace it anyway. But if I love it, I (and Mom) saved myself a lot of money.

I picked up one of the light bulbs to see if I liked them--and I do. But they are $9/piece and I need 9 total...so that adds up.

In the family room, I've been wanting lamps for the end tables and cute chairs to flank the fireplace for.ever. A month or two back I got an amazing deal on these chairs, made even better when they sent me the wrong chairs and then offered me 20% off of my order if I didn't cancel after the debacle. Um, yes please! :-)

The lamps I found recently at Lowe's. I've been looking off and on for large, white, gourd-shaped lamps that aren't ridiculously expensive. I was so excited when I saw these. I already had the lamp shades, and I used a gift card for the lamps, so it was basically free to me!

Other than that, I haven't made a whole lot of progress. I did get some cute new pillow cases for our bedroom and new sheets (gray dot pattern) because we were down to one set after Dee ripped a hole in our spare set.

Slow and steady wins the race. One day this house will be just how I like it, and then I'll change my mind. :-) Mike so enjoys my decorating and projects.