Thrifted photo cloche

I found this new (read unattractive) floral frog at Jo-Ann. It cost me a dollar. It was marked defective or deformed or something because a few of the spikes were bent. How many pair of pliers do I own? This is not going to be a problem.

It took me less than a second to fix the spikes but I decided to go ahead and spray paint this thing as well since the green was hideous and I'm not actually going to be submerging it in water. I painted it with a couple coats of antique brass metallic.
When I was cleaning after being gone for what amounts to almost my entire summer, I found this salsa jar holding some odds and ends. So classy. Instead of throwing it away I decided to use it for this project by giving it a couple coats of black spray paint.

And it became the base for my photo cloche. The key to this was layers. I used a little doily which I'm not usually a fan of, but it helps the jar lid look like less of a jar lid with some paint on it. With the newly painted floral frog, a tattered photo of my mom (I'm guessing my dad carried this around for quite a while) and the ten cent glass top I found at a garage sale this summer, my little display will now keep this photo out for display and dust free.

Favorite Accessories inspiration

So here's pretty much what I'll be wearing all fall. Dark teal, purple, denim, black, gray. That purse is similar in color to my actual purse. I just picked this one because it also has my initials dangling off the handle. (Hee!) My actual purse was eight bucks from Goodwill. I love the purple. Here's my actual purse and it is one of my favorite accessories.

Here are a few of my others!

Come fall I get completely obsessed with grays and metallics.

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Vera Wang jeweled flats (I think these are lavender and not gray but it's the perfect shade.)

This scarf is lovely. And I can't read anything on her website but beauty transcends language!

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I can't deny the quality of OPI polish and this color - Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous is fantastic, I'm wearing it on my toes right now.

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At the risk of sounding like a total cheeseball these are some of my new favorite earrings. And I made them. Eep. Occasionally I make something I can't resist myself and I've been wearing them a ton. The combination of metal tones and the shine of the pyrite. Love.

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And also at the risk of sounding like a brown noser I am obsessed with this headband of Gussy's. I have it in strawberry dot and love that one too.

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Industrial gray, metallics, soft lace, and sparkles - these are my favorite accessories.

The last house of the year

I've spent this week at my last house-sitting appointment of 2011 (unless something comes up last minute - last year I did this until the day before Christmas). What I love about it is that most of the people's homes I'm caring for have nice yards with flowers I can enjoy...and you always get to see that. A day without photographing plants is...horrible.
This house has a really nice piece of property with a huge back deck and lots of leafy trees that are turning. And the sun even managed to come out and shine on me this week so I was able to go out and enjoy it.

I put a little soft focus on all the photos to give them an extra warm fall feeling.

 Not the back deck.

Strolling down the lane I noticed an orange speck at the base of this tree.

It was one of their kitties taking a nap. This cute little kitty napping in such a "woodland" setting totally tickled me.

They have several kitties and a dog...

Who more frequently was doing this.

 Pet meeeeeeeeee.

And these gals whom I called all either Henny Penny or Houdini depending on the situation.

And I've gathered plenty of these - about a dozen every day!

They've also got these fantastic ducks.

They are very shy and have a quiet, almost muted quack that I love.


It is just so very Autumn in an enjoyable sense.

And the light filters beautifully here.

And the leaves are putting on a show.

I had a little fun with this last one and added a "space texture" from picnik. Love them!

I've also been learning crochet thanks to Maybe Matilda and youtube. Now my brain is exploding with ideas for Christmas gifts and I'm not sure I can complete them all in time. Eep.

L&S Gardens

It's a bit late in the year to be talking about a plant nursery/garden but I will absolutely forget if I have to wait.

This August my mom told me about a place she had to take me - L&S Gardens located just outside the town of La Pine, Oregon. I'm so glad she did!

This garden experience is an expansion of a passion is what it looks like, considering it is on their home property where you can see their personal garden (more on that later).

Outbuildings like an old west ghost town are filled with antiques and things great for decorating if you're a fan of junque like I am.

 They have several greenhouses and each has a false front with a distinct personality.

And "the schoolhouse" complete with bell.

They even allow you to walk through the beautifully done landscaping around their home.

 If you happen to be in the area, this place was a wonderful treat to visit.

They even have a website.



Be sure to visit Little Red House to see all the beautiful mosaics!

 

Gifts from Susan

I received a giveaway prize package from Susan back in August and I've been gone so much ever since that I'm just now getting to show off how she was way too good to me.
Did she know I was a list maker? I don't know. I've already used the notepads a ton. Already put that tote bag to work and have a few pieces of jewelry in the works with the beautiful findings she sent.

Thank you so much Susan!