New Year tradition

Can you believe 2012 is only DAYS away from coming to an end?!  

It's baffling to me how fast time can go by.  We get in the mind set of "hurry up, already" and then before we know it.. POOF.. those days are long gone and a mere memory.

Anyway,  that has nothing to do with my post, so I'll move on..

I am starting a new-to-me New Year tradition this year.  

My sweet friend, Terri, from Crafty Workin Mommy told me about this little trick of purging your closet.

Take all the clothes in your closet and flip the hangers backwards.

As you wear the clothes, turn the hanger the right way.  

Every 3-6 months (I live in Tx so the weather is either hot, kinda hot, or a little cool)
 purge what you're not wearing.
~ I think she may have suggested to purge at the end of the year, but I figure, if I've not worn it in 6 months... chance are, I'm not wearing it. ~

So instead of looking at your clothes like this....

You'll be more like this....

Source: thegoodsdesign.blogspot.com via Rhiannon on Pinterest

I'm thinking I'm going to find out real quick just how little of my clothes I actually wear. 

What comes next?

Well, I can either purge and replace 

(I am a woman after all... it's what we do)

Or

I can purge and be satisfied with what I've got left.

(Nahhhhhh..... shopping sounds sooo much more fun!!)  ;)

SO

Will you join me in this fun little experiment?  Will you have all the members in your house do it too??

hugs,

k. 

Shining a light on Rub 'n Buff

As you know, we are moving.... which for me, means BLANK SLATE!  My, oh my...  To say I am excited about decorating our new digs is quite the understatement!  New walls to adorn, new colors to try... a whole new look for our new life, in a new city, in a new house! {{AHHH}}  

Momma is HAPPY!

It's also quite the undertaking and can get costly, which will make daddy UNhappy...

 so I am re-vamping as many things that we currently have to keep the budget to a minimum.  

In doing so, I'm trying things I've never done.  

Like using Rub n' Buff.  

I've seen several things on Pinterest where it's been used and I love the transformation, so I thought "eh..why not". 

My color palate is quite eclectic and I'm using lots of gold accents so I thought I'd try Rub n Buff's Gold leaf on my lamps.

I'm sure you're thinking I'm crazy.  These lamps are gorgeous the way they are.

I love these lamps.  I love the wood... I love the shape... I love everything about them...

But 

They need to work in my new space, so... I had to change em up a little.

 Let's get started.

 This is the BEST tool you can use for this product!

YOUR FINGER!

My first attempt was somewhat of a flop. I didn't know how to really use the product

... so it was clumpy. 

And let me tell ya.... a little goes a looooong way.

I was afraid of rubbing it off, so I didn't rub it enough. 

Ugh.  

I began rubbing it a little harder to see if I could rub the clumps off.  

And those areas did this...  

Which really looks pretty cool.  Happy accident for a new look..

 but it's distressed, and that's the opposite of what I'm going for. 

SO... What now??  What's a girl to do? 

SAND IT!  

Yup.  

I used 320 grit paper and voila!  

Smooth as a baby's butt and ready for a fresh coat of the Rub n Buff.

{Still... if you like distressed... this looks WAAY cool!}

I added a new coat and guess what?

It's smooth! 

I used a q-tip to get in the crevices.

This is only the first coat.  I will need two.  

You need to wait hourrsssss before you add another coat (another lesson learned).

Patience is golden.  (ba dom domp... pshhh)

Whatcha think?!  Once I get new shades (either black or emerald green), I think they'll be stunning!

  

But you'll have to wait until we're in the new house for that reveal  ;)

So go out and try something new! 

hugs,

k.

Spreadin the love:

seven-alive

Happy hour projects 

The new me... well, sort of.

Today....  

I got a haircut.

As in C.H.O.P.P.E.D!

And guess what?!

I LOVE. L♥VE. LOVE. IT!

And I'm wondering why I waited so long to do it!?!?

BEFORE:

and no, you may not judge my tacky gray roots.. it's simply not allowed  ;)

AFTER

there's tons of texture that the camera (it's from my phone... sorry for the quality) just couldn't pick up

And what's better?? 

The hubs LOVES it too!!

If you've been considering doing something drastic with your hair, what's stopping you?! 

I say.. 

GO FOR IT!

hugs,

k.  

11 Magnolia Lane and a give away!

If you've not yet "found" the blog eleven Magnolia Lane... you really should follow the link below and head over!   It's a fanTAStic blog and has just been recognized by Cottages and Bungalows ~ Jan 2013 issue!  Plus, they're giving away a $50 gift card to Homegoods/TJMaxx!  And who wouldn't want THAT?!  {btw, if you don't want it.. enter any way and I'll happily take it}

Here's a little sneak peek of the article :)

Just click this link... and enjoy!!   11 Magnolia Lane  <<-------  click here ----

hugs,

k.