Some Valentine's Inspiration

I have more Valentine's related ideas saved on my computer than Christmas ones. {And sadly no sources-sorry!}I will be sharing my love day mantle later today or tomorrow, but for now here are some ideas from around the web that have inspired me.

And for those of you who are not down with the "Hallmark holiday", this one's for you. 

Dear boyfriend,

This vintage milk glass platter would be a darn good
Valentine's Day present.

I would always keep it piled with home baked goodies.
Just sayin'.

Some weekend snaps (+ a new diy!)

Spending too much time at the Old Navy photobooth.

Trying on bridesmaids dresses. (We all loved the petals one!)

I finally managed to put the finishing touches on my side table. {Before.}

{After.} Pete even likes it! I didn't know if the kelly green was a good choice at first spray, but I am totally digging it now that it is the family room. And of course, you remember the lamp project from last week?

And lastly, I worked on some Valentine's projects. Started my Valentine cards and made some rosettes to later adorn the mantle.

Nothing to blog about (you know how it goes)

Sorry it has been pretty silent around here lately. I had a ton of projects I was working on, but they involve me spray painting and working outdoors. If you haven't heard, California has been pounded with h20 (that we need!) for the past week. Lately I have been brainstorming how I want to decorate my mantle for Valentine's Day. I have won some auctions on ebay to help in that department and I need a couple more trips to the craft store to make it just right. I also have been stalking The Martha Stewart Show Tickets website in hopes to get my butt in her audience during my March trip to NYC. What else? Just getting ready for the weekend including a birthday celebration in SF tonight, hair appointment and bridesmaid dress shopping tomorrow with my besties and hopefully enjoying a break in this dreary weather.

(How amazing are these images btw? One of the coolest wedding parties I've ever seen)

Hope for Haiti

$25. 100% of proceeds goes directly to Real Hope For Haiti, the Livesay family and Heartline Ministries.

Help NOW. (And read more about the organizations)

Weekend Activities ( diy + food)

Not too long ago I bought these two goldy brassy guys with huge potential. Will you look at that lamp? Gah, the shape is perfect!! I probably need to hold off on the ornate mirrors after this, because I think we already have 5-6. Anyway, I shined 'em up this weekend. Lamps have to be the easiest DIYs for the record.

 Even though the lamp looks matte, I used Rub On Poly so its pretty glossy. And on the mirror I distressed it a little bit so the gold peeks through in a few spots--a first for me!


I hung up two new Etsy prints.

And today Jon and I were absolutely stuffed after our raw foods lunch at Cafe Gratitude, but managed to share a Cupkates cupcake afterwards!

And right now we are watching the Golden Globes (Yay Dexter's MCH and John Lithgow!) and have a quiche in the oven.

Red & Pink

Having a hard time gearing up for Valentine's Day?

This kit might do the trick!

And if that doesn't help, I strongly encourage you to get your

 paws on the February issue of Martha Stewart Living.

It does not dissapoint!

Life with Pete

Life with a kitten. Oooh boy. 

I was hoping to share two new projects tonight (a busted lamp and an ornate mirror both from Goodwill) but apparently spray painting in very cold weather creates a crackling affect that doesn't look as cool as it sounds! For now, just a couple crazed kitty pictures.

Red Velvet-Oh my!

I made my first batch of Red Velvet cupcakes this weekend. I am pretty pleased with how they turned out especially since the recipes online vary so much. For the record, I didn't use anything with sour cream or oil. I was so taken aback at how very red they are, not surprising with how much food coloring actually goes in. I will make these again near February 14th.

Beatlesmania 1960's/Happy Birthday Nicole

Hello! What a weekend. On Saturday night we went to my friend Nicole's place to celebrate her 27th- 1960's style. She had the place decked out a la "Beatlesmania!". I had no problem digging through my closet and piling on my vintage goodies.

Home is where the heart is

I can easily say this doormat sums up my feelings about my home.

Rounding the corner, pulling into the driveway...ahhhh.

$24, here.

Casa/Chapel/Castle de Clee

Here is the epic cat house I spoke of in my last post.

From it's humble beginnings. Jon worked off a 3rd-grade-like sketch I gave him of what I envisioned.

With some vintage house numbers* my mom had given me awhile back (favorite band being 311...), baseboard sample from kitchen remodel, leftover white paint and a $1 quart of pink paint from the "Oops" section at Home Depot the look was complete!

And now it was time to introduce Cleo to her new abode.

What? I don't notice anything different. 

Oh wow, treats on the porch of this stylish and teeny house.  

Is this what I think it is?

No neighbors to my right...

and no neighbors to my left! Sa-weet!

 Purrrr. I'm home!

*House numbers are obviously so the mail man knows where to deliver Cleo's parcels.

Up and running

Hello. Have I got your attention? I hope with that title "Up and running" you weren't thinking I was back to my blog with wonderful content. I was referring to the new season of The Bachelor! Now as cheesy as I think Jake is....wait, what was I saying? Anyway, I hope I'm not the only person watching this trashy and oh-so-tempting show.

In other news the latest home project is actually a cat house for Cleo! Since she doesn't love the new kitten, she is going to be spending lots of time outdoors and one must have a proper house, no? Jon built it in a weekend and now I am painting it and decorating it. So far it reminds me of a little chapel. Can't wait to show you all!

Goings On

What's new in the Holly and Jon household?
Lately I have been spending lots of time in the kitchen...

making rosemary almonds and peanut butter balls.

 

...getting ready for a New Years Eve party. 

...been taking lots of cat naps.

....organizing and putting things away.

...and trying to make the place clean and fresh.

Happy New Years to all of my lovely readers, it means so much to me that you stop by from time to time. Although 2009 has been quite wonderful for Jon and I, I know it hasn't been the best year for friends and family. Here's hoping 2010 blows it outta the water.