Fashion Bashing

I just received my new Kohl's circular. Now you all know I love me some Kohl's. But, please, somebody up there at HQ needs to have a little talk with Ms. Wang...umm, Vera, can you please design something us Kohl's-shoppin' gals would actually wear without looking like a crazy bag lady? Seriously......

Here's what I found today:

I mean, like I said, some pieces individually are ok. But the pants are those "jeggings" first of all, and then to add insult to injury, they're patched in pleather and spandex....omg...  ewwwwww! The last time, and the only time, I wore "patched" was in 5th grade when I wore these: ONCE. ONCE because the seaming on the inside was making my legs itchy all day..hahaha!!

Sorry, Vera, I'm just not "feelin' it".

That being said, I do like Vera Wang's wedding gowns most of the time. And I have a Vera Wang shirt and wallet that I like just fine, purchased at Kohl's last year.

Does it seem like she got the Kohl's contract, and now is just handing a piece of paper to her 3 year old and telling her to draw a funny dress for mommy?... and then she turns it into her assistant to make it "real".

(Here's what my kids came up with....)

Here's what some kooky designers passed off a "fashion" recently:

Make it a Great Day!
Ann

White Christmas Trees

Last year, at Kohl's 90% off Christmas Clearance time, I bought a WHITE ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE.

Partly because I always wanted one, partly because it was an outrageous deal (I think it was 23.00 for this 6.5 foot tree), and partly 'cause I'm nuts.

I bought this damask ribbon at Costco...and I am envisioning a black and white Christmas tree all aglow in my living room. I hope it won't be tacky, and I know I have to be careful here, because "glam" can quickly turn a corner into "ghetto". I am thinking: Chandelier cristals, white lights, silver balls, that ribbon, silver star up top.

I will have to get a real tree to calm down hubs...who I am sure will have a mini-cow when he finds out about this....The "real" tree will go all traditional, in the den.

Here are some images I have been collecting for ideas...

OOO, the turquoise is so pretty here...

I love how this one is traditional, yet white...all aglow.....I love that word

This one looks flocked...isn't it shabby-chic perfection?

Look how FUN this is! I LOVE the theme of the entire room... the pillows!

Another tree AGLOW..... ooo I love this one too.... (this one and one above courtesy of nattymichelle)

This one is so sleek and modern. Love this look, wish I were that disciplined, then I get my Ballard's Catalog and its over for me...

The ONE I found and love the most is ... Kasey'sKorner tree : she takes gorgeous pics and this her December 2009 tree.. check it out. (Kasey, I tried to find a way to contact you to ask if I can use this...but no email on your blog? Hope this credit and link is OK)

Make it a Great Day!

Ann

Makeovers! Befores and Afters Madness!

 LOve painting things BLACK.

Here a a few new BLACK makeovers I did. You KNOW I LOVE painting furniture BLACK (see here and here) Its a quick and easy update and goes with almost ANY decor. Plus it moderns up even the most homely piece. Grandma-ish instantly becomes tres chic! 

I always use Rustoleum Satin Black spray paint...if I can find it the 2x cover. Otherwise, the normal is fine. It totally beats any other brand, IMHO. (Thats, In My Honest Opinion...y'know how long I went not knowing what the hark that meant? You're welcome... ;) )


These guys were for a friend... ugly outdated orange oak before:

and ta-daaaa!

I even modge-podged printed-out antique maps in the inner cubby(which was really sticky and gross before...quick fix!)

Next up, I found this poor thing at S.A. (That's Salvation Army...don't you love knowledge?) It was 50% off and marked $14.00, somehow I got caught it the Sale frenzy and thought $7.00 was a good price. I later found I probably wouldn't have paid over a dollar or 2 for it at a garage sale...Only after I got it home I realized it was missing a part! One of the front decorative do-dads that hold in the magazines was missing. Great. But crafty-me just cut a dowel to size and Liquid-Nailed it up...

(sorry I can't find my "before" photo...does anyone have tips on haw to organize photos? Man, I'm always losing them!)

I used my trusty Rustoleum Satin Black, added some strategically placed distressing, and finished with a light coat of Wipe-On Poly.  Here she is, ready for her close-up!

 

Now, for the Grandma table. No, really, Great Grandma gave it to us. I asked if it was OK to paint it, and until now, was not sure what color. Of course, it HAD to be black... I LOVE it now-- its sooo Ballards, don't you think? Gawd, its soo much better! (Sorry Grandma)

Before:

After:

OK, now one last one... a very GREEN mirror:

Becomes sooooo Paris-cafe when dressed in black, no?

Make it a Great Day!

Ann
Linking to: Its So Very Cheri  and Paint Party at Primitive&Proper! c u there!

Two Afters and a Before....

Remember THESE Chairs?

Here is the Before:

Here is the 1st After:

Nice? Yeah, except I just wasn't feelin' it....

 I have this problem: I keep trying to get Blue in my life (it IS my fave color) but somehow it never works out for me! I fall in love with a black and white fabric, for example, these:  

 and then a green, This:

and then wam-o blue is out of the picture.

Now here is the 2nd After:

Here's a DURING in case your interested. Just for the record: I am buying my chairs BRAND NEW from now on. Whew what a process...

Here they are, side by side, premakeover and post:

another view---they are sooo pretty:

Much better in my black, white and green-accented living room. Until I change my mind again, which I just might. I figure if I keep the large furnishings and walls neutral, then I can add any accent color and fabrics I want later to change it up.

Here's to remind me, my inspiration room, which mixes it all up fabulously...black, white, brown, etc. I love it so much.

I like this one, too...with a much lighter palette and white walls...closer to my exisiting room layout too...not crazy 'bout the rug--I'd do an updated persian in warm muted tones...

Make it a Great Day!

Ann
Hooking  up to: Metamorphasis Monday...DIY Showoff c u there!

Never, Ever Forget

9/11/01

Thrift Store Finds

No, I wasn't gonna do it-- having just assessed my cluttered garage and wanting to edit my living room--again-- BUT....

 

I have these botanical prints that my husband and his father made for a client way back when. (They owned a printing company)I have had them, rolled up, in my garage for years. I saw an Aaron Bros coupon recently and thought: I really should find out how much it would be to finally get them framed...they would look really nice in my B & W living room....

 

But, went to A.B. and to get even ONE framed it would be about $100.00. Nope. So, of course I headed on over to the S.A. It was a long shot, because I wanted a set of 2 matching frames... viola! Look what I found, for $7.00 each.....perfect condition.

 

Actually, I found TWO sets-- the smaller set I am thinking of framing one of Graphics Fairy's FREE graphics--check her out here. I downloaded these lovely FERN prints:

 

My Inspiration?
Here's one from Pottery Barn:

 

And one in Black n White courtesy of Ballard Designs:

 

Plan is: spray paint the frames, order new mats cut to size, and bask in the savings!!!!
When I am DONE, you KNOW it'll be a post!

UPDATE: OK, Here's what I have done so far....

1. Had to go back to Aaron Bros--and buy 2 mats, because of course, the mat in the painting I bought at S.A. was too short!
2. Spray painted the frame pewtery-silvery
3. Covered the old poster that was in the frame in burlap using spray glue
4. Spray painted the existing mat in the old painting black
5. Put the new mat around the print in a "dry fit"... here's how it looks as a preview:

I like how the burlap just "peeks through"...also solves my problem of the "too small mats"...I had to buy a 16 x 20 ready-made mat--to get a custom cut mat to the size I needed wiuld have been $26.00 EACH--nope. Well, keep posted as I finish up this project....

Make it a GRRRRReat Day!
Ann