GIVING BACK: Thrift Studio

It's that time again...

To get FABULOUS deals...

and to give back while doing it!

Hit this amazing Preview Party for first dibs on amazing finds, pieces, furniture and original artwork... all the proceeds go directly to a magnificent organization called Dwell with Dignity!

And you will even find this original artwork by JoJo there for sale:

Acrylic on 36" x 48" Canvas - The Tide is High - Donated to Dwell with Dignity

I mentioned Dwell with Dignity in this post from last August when I announced my first piece of artwork I donated to them for their Fall Thrift Studio.

Since then, I had two pieces of work in their 2013 Fall Thrift Studio Vignettes.
The below diptych was commissioned by Leslie Pritchard of Again and Again to utilize in her vignette. She did such an AMAZING jobs... those chairs.... those lamp shades!

This was a VERY fun piece to work on and I am honored to have been a part of her vignette!

Designed by Leslie Pritchard of Again and Again

Acrylic Diptych on 36" x 48" - Again and Again 

Designed by Katie Reynolds of Lilli Design

Acrylic on 48" x 48" Canvas - Raspberry Beret

"The Tide is High" will be available for purchase at Dwell with Dignity's 2014 Spring Thrift Studio.

If you haven't already heard of Dwell with Dignity.... let me share with you:

Dwell with Dignity is a non-profit group of Interior Designers and volunteers dedicated to creating soothing, inspiring homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty. They provide and install home interiors for families that include furnishings, art, bedding, kitchen supplies and food in the pantry.

Beginning April 10th, Dwell with Dignity will host their SPRING Thrift Studio.

What's a Thrift Studio you ask?

It is a a bi-annual 30 day pop-up shop created to provide financial viability and fundraising for Dwell with Dignity through selling the overstock of donated, gently used furniture, housewares, accessories and high end designer finds to the public. All proceeds benefit the future work, growth, organization and structure of Dwell with Dignity!

Each Thrift Studio has a cast of fabulous designers that design and install vignettes using items from Dwell with Dignity's warehouse as well as items they have donated from their own inventory.  All the items are for sale to help Dwell with Dignity support families escape poverty and homelessness.

The Spring Thrift Studio will be kicked off with a Preview Party on April 10th. 

With their list of designers for this season's vignettes... it's sure to be AMAZING!

Jan Showers

Julio Quinoes + Culp Associations

Mecox

Sarah Pickard and Robert Allen Design

SWOON, the studio

Tompkins Lloyd Interiors and David Sutherland Showroom

Hope to see you there!

Artwork and Sale

Now that we are well into spring, I have been busy creating some new artwork!

Acrylic on 36" x 36" Canvas | I Want Candy | Available at Lost Antiques

This piece is now available at Lost... antiques in the Dallas Design District on the corner of Riverfront and Howell. Plus, several other pieces are available in my space at Lost... antiques.

Come and visit this weekend [Friday - Sunday] for SALES throughout Lost... antiques!
Plus, all my artwork will be 25% off... and some 40% off!

Hope to see y'all there!

WORDS: Creativity

Happy Hump Day, my friends!

Now... GO and be CREATIVE!

Cole and Son Woods Wallpaper

We are thinking about updating kiddo's room.... yet again!

This room has been a thorn in my side.

Every time we decide on a change, the motivation is always because the room is just too dark.

It is an interior room and the only light source he gets is through frosted glass on one wall and very week canister lighting on the other side of the room. 

I have been pleading with the kiddo to repaint his room a lighter color, but he would not have ANYTHING to do with that.... until....

I introduced him to Cole and Son Woods Wallpaper!

Cole and Son

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He liked how interesting this print is....

I like how classic it is.

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 Plus with all the white, it will really lighten up his room!

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We are still going to keep the red, green and teal accents, but this will also enable us to eliminate some unnecessary items on the wall. 

Kiddo is still having a very large input to this redesign, it's the way it has to be!

Added bonus, because it's a wonderful thing to work together with him.

We will also be doing some furniture changes in his space. I'm a little nervous about that, but I think it will all turn out fine. We will be taking our time with this redesign, but I think it will turn out even MORE fantastic!

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The above photo is somewhat of an inspiration photo of how the color scheme will work in the room.

Hopefully this change will put an end to this thorn in my side... whew!

DIY: Peep Sunburst Mirror

Sunburst --- Starburst ---What ever you call them...
I thought I would share with you a Throwback Thursday post from my old blog on this first day of SPRING!

This one is DIFFERENT.

This one has PEEPS!

That's right!

Here is how I went about creating this little mirror:

SUPPLIES
2 boxes of Yellow Peeps {1 box extra for grazing while crafting}
6" Circle Mirror
9" Styrofoam Circle
Plate Hanger
Chrome Spray Paint
Black Sharpie
Hot Glue Sticks
Hot Glue Gun
2 Different Bags of sizes/styles of Wood Sticks

1. Section your Styrofoam Circle into 1/8 sections with a sharpie.

2. Place your longest sticks at each of the markings along the outer edge of the circle.
"Stuff" the stick into the middle of the foam edge.
If needed/desired, put a small dab of hot glue where the wood and foam meet.

3. Place your plate hanger on the back of your foam circle.
Hot glue the ends to secure it.

This step is a little tricky... but, it sure makes for hanging A LOT more simple... and I had one on hand. Just first stretch the plate hanger close to the desired size, otherwise the end caps will dig in through the styrofoam and keep on going. Make sure to hot glue! This will stop that process from happening.

4. Add your other length wooden sticks next to the ones you place at the 1/8 marks.
Work your way around the circle.

5. Add more and more wooden sticks according to your desired design.
I went with "spoon" sticks. They added a fun change in shape and length.

6. Spray paint the ENTIRE piece.
I used Chrome Spray Paint.

The effect the spray paint had on the styrofoam was neat... so I went with it.

7. Hot glue the mirror to the styrofoam circle.

8. Hot glue the peeps around the mirror.

NOTE: Be VERY careful with the hot glue and the marshmallow peeps.... one wrong move and your finger could turn into a Smores Dessert {Yes. Totally speaking from experience!}

9. {optional} Add additional wooden sticks around the circle.
I felt like the piece still needed something.... one more layer of depth. So, I added additional wooden sticks, varying the length around the circle right behind the original layer. Same process, I just "stuffed" them into the side of the styrofoam circle. I decided to keep them the natural wood color. I think it's a great contrast.

10. Enjoy!

This is really such a FUN piece.

So.... joyful!

I love how it coordinates with the sunflower painting my mother-in-law painted in 1964!

HAPPY SPRING!

WORDS: Joy

I was combing through Pinterest and one of my IRL friends had pinned this:

From Julia Kostreva

I love... LOVE... L-O-V-E it!

And then, I hopped on over to the source and I really like what graphic designer Julia Kostreva does! Such fun. Thanks to my friend, I have a new place to stop by and get inspired and I just might have to get one of her iPhone Cases.... so cute!

COLOR: Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I love the color green.

Especially, just a little pop of green in a light and bright setting... this is almost perfection:

I had to dig through my closet to find some green to wear today.

Kiddo has green jeans --- fun!

Hubby has on a green tie and cuff links.... oh, and socks. Fun!

I made green scrambled eggs for breakfast with a 4 leaf clover display composed from green apples... FUN!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

WORDS: The Little Things

I've been out of pocket a little.

I've been traveling and spending time with family.

It's the little things in life...

It's the closeness of family...

It's the love and sweetness of a hug...

I will be doing more of that this week, as well.

So, posts will be few.

But, I'll get back to it soon.

I promise.

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Until then... enjoy the little things!

COLOR: Nairobi Blue

Lupita Nyong'o in a vision of blue.... Nairobi Blue.

Source - Photo by Rex

There is so much to be inspired about with this woman.

But, let's just stick with the color she brought into the spotlight.

A soft pastel blue she refers to as Nairobi Blue.

Lovin' it!

Check out this wallpaper from Thibaut! 

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Simply GORGEOUS!

There are other color choices as well... but, 

the print... the boldness... the color!

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What's not to like about this color?

It is so soothing.... in interiors and fashion!

How about this necklace for a Nairobi Blue statement?!

Ten Thousand Villages Statement Necklace

When I look down 

at this golden statue, 

may it remind me and every little child

that no matter where you're from

your dreams are valid.

- Lupita Nyong'o -