Anthropologie for less...well, sort of

So, one of my favorite stores is Anthropologie.  Usually it's just for inspiration though. Another favorite is Forever 21.  Both fun and trendy, but at two completely different price points.  I thought I'd show y'all today that you can find your favorite Anthro styles for just a fraction of the price.  Here is just a sampling of what I mean...

Rainbow Boa scarf, $138

Vibrant Ikat scarf, $8.80

Seafoam Double Strand, $398

Three layered necklace with beads, $6.80

Shapeshifter Maxi, $158

Joni Maxi shift dress, $24.80

Mompos Dress, $228

Geo Strapless Dress, $22.80

Mountainscape Tee, $98

Rachel Knit Top, $15.80

Hopefully, this encourages you that you can find something you love...no matter what your budget is!

Office sneak peek & bulletin board tutorial

 I mentioned awhile back { I think it may have even been on a "what not to do" post} that one of my next projects was to redo our office.  When we first moved in, I was dead set on doing this room in what I like to call "Texas red".  It seems like everybody in Texas has an office or dining room this color, and I was on my way to being a good Texan.  : )  While I still like this color, I now know that this decision helped contribute to the dungeon feel of the house.  Here is what I'm talking about....

A couple of weeks ago I finally got around to painting it, and although I'm not ready to reveal the whole room yet, it is definitely a far cry better than the dark red.  The pool table has also been permanently moved to not only free up space, but to keep this room for it's original purpose. 

For above my desk, I wanted a bulletin board....not sure where I came up with this idea, but I love how it turned out.  I started with a $3 Goodwill Bulletin Board...it didn't have to be in perfect condition because I knew it was getting covered. 

I picked up a linen looking fabric in the remnant bin at Hobby Lobby for $3 and I used my staple gun to cover it.

Then, I picked up some gold thumb tacks at the Dollar store...I actually looked a couple of other places and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for so I was thrilled to find them for $1!  I used the very exact method of a thumb's length all the way around the edges. : )

An iron helped me get out the little wrinkles you see.  I just ironed the fabric right on the board.

I love the end result...only about $7 spent and it is polished and practical for my office!  Check it out....

I'm thinking a little something like this from z. gallerie right above it would be just the look I'm wanting...maybe just a little smaller scale though.

So, what do you think of the new space...definitely not the dungeon it was, right?! ; )

Pinterest weirdness....

I have already shown you a few of the things I've found on Pinterest that I adore...now for the things, that I'm not quite sure needed noted.....

maybe you have to be a cat lover to understand "cat ninjas"

leg hair

really? my question is...how did they get such a pretty model for this??

does this mean you have to collect bird necklaces?

owl and deer...forever? really?

no i don't want my house to look like a club, thanks.

skinny leopard jeans. perfect way to unflatter any body type.

wow.

There's much more over at Pinterest that will make you say "wow".   I still love it...design inspiration, cooking ideas...I love it!  You can check out my boards....and I'd love to follow yours too! ; ) 

Sunday

Joshua 24:15

"If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you'd rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship God."

So thankful to be able to worship with my family on this Sunday...and the every other day of the week.

Happy Sunday!

FOR SALE

From time to time, I thought I'd feature on here some pieces that are ready for a new home....either ready to be customized for you or already fixed up and ready to go.  I know most of you are not in the DFW area {so you'll just have to make a trip to come visit me!}, but for those of you who are, we can arrange to meet for you to pick your item up!

First up....shabby chic bench  {$65 customized with any paint color}

This bench was probably my first piece to ever redo.  It is currently distressed white {which I can repaint....it just needs a nice new coat}.  I would recommend staying in the "shabby chic" family because of the lines of it, but we can work anything out.  This would be perfect for a little girls room {like in a pink or blue} to store princess dresses or even for any entryway for shoes or bags {like in a black or white...or turquoise  : ) }.

Just email me if you are interested! { 23designco@gmail.com}

Tip Tuesday

Here's a money saving tip I found awhile back.  This is for those of you who use dryer sheets...I switch back and forth between liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets {I have no idea the reasoning}.

TIP : Cut your dryer sheets in half...you won't even notice the difference and it'll cost you half as much! : )

There's also a ton of other uses for these little babies...
~ use as to pick up/repel dust on electronics
~ throw one in your pocket to help repel  mosquitoes and bees
~ freshen up the smell wastebaskets, closets, shoes, drawer, or your car {stick one under the seat}
~ throw one in a pan with baked on food  and let it sit in the water overnight
~ in your vaccum cleaner bag

Hope y'all have a fantastic Tuesday!

Serve it up in style

I love these....

Apothecary dispenser...love this shape {zgallerie}

This is so pretty & practical...for a small get together {z gallerie}

Mason jar dispenser....Pottery Barn has it all right with this one

I like how these could go casual or go with a more formal theme {Pottery Barn}

All-American BBQ or what?! {Uncommon Goods}

Wedding perfect {Velocity}

How cute would a group of these be in some summer colors {Shop Style}

How fun is this idea from Food Network...why do I have a feeling mine would leak??

Or you could just go with the indestructible ; )

I picked up a simple glass drink dispenser brand new from Goodwill last fall and I have used it for birthday parties and showers I've hosted throughout the year...I think it can make even water taste better coming out of a pretty little spout. : )

What's your fave?  Are you brave enough to put a tap in your next watermelon? : )

TOP 5 : : design websites

I realize there are a gazillion design websites out there.  Trust me, I've spent hours getting lost in them {and enjoying every minute of it!}.  I thought I'd let you in on some of my faves...some of them may be familiar because I've referenced them before.  Hopefully, next time you are in need of a little inspiration, this list might help get you where you need to go just a bit quicker. ; )

1.  The Nesting Place.  The Nester {she chooses to go by this name to add a little security to her family life} was probably the first design blog I ever read.  She's a mom to 3 boys and you will fall in love with her ideas, her transparency, and her fun style.  She's the originator of the window "mistreatment" and the idea that it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.  Her family has gone from owning a beautiful home to becoming renters and she chronicles all about it here.

2.  Caitlin Wilson Design: Style Files.  This is the total opposite end of the spectrum.  This is a website I love to come for pure inspiration.  Caitlin is a high end designer [featured in many magazines} whose budgets are far beyond mine, but she has a great style and I love what she puts together.  Her husband's job has moved them oversees {from Dubai to China and they are on their way back to the US} so seeing what different parts of the world do to her style is interesting.  She also is working on her own line of pillows and possibly other textiles.

3.  Young House Love.  This site chronicles a fun, young couple {and their new baby girl} as they fix up an older home.  I love their tutorials and willingness to try something new and think outside the box.  They've done an amazing job with their place and I kinda think they may have missed their calling to be interior designers. : )

4. Decorpad.  Lots and lots and lots of pictures.  You can name a color or a room and there will be pages of pictures that people have submitted from the extravagant to the do-able.  This is a great place to start to help narrow down what you direction to go.

5. Emily A. Clark.  This is yet another mom-turned-interior designer, but I think she has a very achievable but polished style.  She'll take an ugly Craig's List find, add a little paint and transform it into the centerpiece of a room.  She also writes an occasional column for her local Goodwill blog with some great ideas as well.

This is definitely not a comprehensive list, but I would have to say that these are the 5 I hit the most when I need some ideas.  What are yours??  I'm always looking for new places to find some great inspiration and I'd love to hear what sites you can't get enough of!

**Don't forget to become a follower over here at my new site! : )