another use for boots

Okay, so what do you do when you buy the cutest boots in the spring for your daughter to wear in the fall and when you pull them out you realize they are both the right foot and you cannot return or exchange them?  Well, you make them into a planter of course!

True story.  These were too cute to toss so I decided to punch some holes in the bottom and turn them into a home for pretty flowers.  Just add dirt, flowers and water often. 

Now, I get to look at them daily on my

newly {primp}ed porch. 

{primp}ing a porch

I've been busy primping my back porch.

Now that it is summer, we've been spending a lot of time here, talking, reading, and barbecuing, and I wanted to primp it up a bit to make it more comfy and inviting.

I've had the main pieces of furniture for years, but just recently added the brown wicker chair, which was thrifted--along with this pretty pillow, it's made out of burlap that's been embroidered on, and kind of reminds me of something you'd find in anthropologie.

I didn't know what I would do with this cool wood bucket with it's wire accent, but I'm glad I didn't pass it up at the thrift store.  It now houses some pretty purple flowers.

The blue bird  and yellow rosette pillows are from Target, and the blue striped table cloth is from a really cute consignment store in St. George, UT, called Urban Renewal.  But I've recently seen it here and here.

My sister-in-law found this very distressed and chippy cart on wheels--I have no idea what it was used for but she thought it looked like my style.

I'll share more about these boots in my next post, and how they came to be a planter.

It's cozy and comfy here now, with little pops of color, and there is plenty of seating for everyone--if you need me, you can find me here for about the next 2 months.

Now go forth and primp!

Don't forget about my first ever linky party! If you have something to share, that you have primped, please go here!

{Primp} your stuff Wednesday first ever linky party!

Welcome to my first ever linky party. I'm excited to see what you have primped. Link up anything related to dressing up your space.

Did you meet Anne, with an "e"?

She is my latest transformation.  Go here to see the full post.

Grab my button and spread the word about my new linky party.


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new {Primp} your stuff Wednesday linky party

Get your posts ready for the first ever {Primp}your stuff Wednesday linky party starting this Wednesday.  I love linky parties and decided to get in on the action.  Starting in two days, you can link up any post showing how you've primped something in your space.  This linky will be open for 1 week(from Tuesday evening until the next Tuesday evening) so you'll have plenty of time to get your projects and post ready.  Each Wednesday I'll feature my favorites.  So get your posts ready for ...

  

 I hope to see you there!

Farmchic buffet

Here is the newest addition to the family, I'll call her Anne, with an "e".

She's a mix of farmhouse rusticity and shabby chic goodness.

I roughed her up quite a bit, which gives her tons of character, and we all know Anne, with an "e" has a load of character.

I just have to show a before picture, it helps to appreciate the awesome transformation, from ugly duckling ...

to pure farmhouse beauty.

I got a great deal on her, I think because she originally had glass panels in the doors and on the sides, that must have been broken out.  I was so excited she didn't because at first glance I knew those gaping holes would be perfect for some chicken coop wire.

I'll be adding some simple shelving and accessories to the side cabinets soon, and will update you on Anne's everchanging look.

P.S. Jane, with an "e" from Blondie's journals--you won my giveaway! Email your address to maraven@sfcn.org so you can receive your package.

a fun birthday party

So I told you about this little birthday party I threw last week for my daughter who turned 9.  It had a "sweet" theme where the girls all got aprons, did some cake decorating on dollar store cake plates, and loaded up at the candy 'bar'.
I made a cake bunting out of fabric scraps and good old shishkabob sticks to top the layered cake.

Here is the candy 'bar' where the kids could load up a bag for their party favor before they left.

I made a 'sweets' banner out of an old plastic tablecloth, some chalkboard paint, and some ribbon that I hung in front of the candy bar.

We also set up a mini photo booth in front of a yellow polka-dotted sheet found at the thrift store.  The girls wore their upcycled aprons I made for them out of old skirts, and some goofy mouth suckers.

I was surprised how much they loved taking pictures here, and kept posing,

and posing,

and posing.

Here are the $2 cake plates made out of 2 pieces from the dollar store. They decorated mini cakes that fit right on top.  The cakes were a total mess to frost, but the kids had fun with the icing and sprinkles.

I made all the aprons out of old skirts I thrifted, and just added some contrasting fun material for the ties and pockets.

Here she is, the birthday girl, the goofy blonde in the middle. I can't believe she's 9!

coastal chic chair

Instead of doing the usual white to this thrifted cutie, I decided to add a few beachy blue stripes.

After painting the base white, I mixed some leftover gray & turquoise paint from previous projects to get the perfect blue/gray color.  I simply taped off large stripes, painted, then sanded when dry. 

It looks kind of summery, which is good because it is finally starting to feel like summer around here, and I like it.

a busy start to summer

Wow, it's been a busy 1 1/2 weeks of summer.  We've had two weekend trips away, lots of baseball games, swimming, and getting ready for this special party.

I'll post more on this fun party soon.

 Also, go here to enter Maria at Dreamy White's fabulous giveaway!

I've got  my latest project to show you--it's white, with a touch of coastal chic.  Come back tomorrow for the reveal.