Playing with Chalk Paint....

Okay - so I've been home all week and vowed to get caught up on all the little projects around the house that I've been planning on doing for a really long time.  I first learned about this amazing chalk paint from Kim of Southern Savvy Style when she painted her cabinet a fabulous French blue.  You have to check out this post - the piece is that wonderful and you can read about some of her fabulous furniture makeovers here.   She is incredibly talented, has a beautiful home and I'm sure you will be as inspired as I was to tackle a few makeovers.  

Once I saw how beautiful her pieces came out - I ordered several different colors and decided to give it a try.  I decided to start off small...so first up on the list came this interesting bowl/tray that I bought...I think from ZGallerie that I ended up turning into a wall ornament instead of a bowl.  I think it looks similar to a coral design so I thought I would paint it red. Here is how it looks on the wall in its natural color....

So first I pick my location and set up operations.  Not a very practical place to paint and craft, especially since I have a craft room/office - but I always end up on my kitchen counter.  We basically live in or around this spot in the kitchen.  

So I start painting with a color called Emperors Silk.  I don't have any darker colors to mix into it so I sure hope I like this shade of red.  

At first, I was not that crazy about the color and how it was coming out.  But I stayed with it (obviously, I had not choice)....and by the time I put on a second coat and let it dry...I really liked how it came out.  This piece was harder to paint than I thought...because of all the angles and overlaps.  It took longer than I thought it would.  Once I put it on the wall...I noticed I missed a few spots so I have to just touch it up a little.  And I'm thinking about adding some glaze to darken it up a bit.   

I'm pretty happy with it...now I'm off to paint my family room end table duck egg blue.  Let's see how that comes out.  Hope your having a wonderful weekend.

Loving Beautiful Details by the Seashore

The last few months, I've taken a bit of a break from Etsy.  Not because I was tired of all of its amazing shops and offerings...but because quite frankly, I bought a little too much and was running out of room.  

My decoration style definitely leans to the less is more look...so I found I was buying things on Etsy that I liked...but just keeping them in a cabinet and rotating them in and out.  So I recently gave away many of my treasures that I don't have room for - so that I can spread the Etsy love to friends and family.  So with that - I've started to spend a little more time - browsing around,  getting ready for holiday shopping that's hard to believe - is right around the corner. 

So with that - I wanted to feature one of my very favorite Etsy Shops...Beautiful Details by the Seashore.  Carol and her husband Andrew are an amazing husband and wife team (she's the Mermaid...he's the Surfer) that share a passion for all things about the ocean.

Here are some of my favorite things that are currently listed in Carol's shop.  

  

I've purchased several of Carol's bottles for my home...which I absolutely treasure...and one of her painted whelks with an air plant.  The attention to detail and care she puts into each of her creations makes them so special.  

I hope you enjoy viewing my selections.  It's hard for me to pick my favorite...I think I like the weathered sign that says "On this site in 1897, nothing happened".  That's pretty cute.  

Which piece is your favorite?

The Cloister Chapel....

We'll I'm back from a fabulous vacation last week...and the best part is - I have another week off.  I was thinking about making a quick trip down to The Keys - but now I have to watch what that pesty Irene has in mind for South Florida.

In the meantime...I wanted to share some photographs from my stay at The Cloister on Sea Island.  I have to say - that is one of the most fabulous places I've ever visited and that's saying alot because being in the hotel business has allowed me to stay in some of the finest hotels in the world.  This one is at the top of the list.  The accommodations, the service, the food...amazing.  I could go on and on - but instead I will show you some photos of one of my favorite places at the resort.   

I'll post the rest of my photos tomorrow.  Now I'm off to catch up on my emails...and favorite blogs.  I look forward to seeing what you all have been up to.  Have a great Monday!

An amazing Blue Whelk....

Hello Everyone from beautiful Sea Island, GA.  Today was a great day....and I just had to share this treasure I found.  Most of you know how much I love all kinds of shells....especially the old, weathered shells that no one else wants.  I see perfection in the imperfections.  I often wonder how many thousands of miles and years these old shells have traveled through the ocean.
  
And today - I found one of the most beautiful shells that I've ever collected....right here on the beach at The Cloister.  

I was walking along the shoreline and spied it just lying all dried up on the beach...and I just had to have it.  The colors are amazing....and it truly is a treasure.  

Have you ever found a blue seashell before?

This is a first for me. 

I just love this little beauty.