my new favorite decorating book

Here is my new favorite book {decorating book, that is}, Love for Textiles by Ikea.

It has a great combination of vintage furniture, beautiful fabric, and tons of fun styling.

Lots of yummy fabrics made into pillows.

And just plain cool photos.

Love it!

Speaking of books, I just finished this one, and can't wait to get the sequel.  What are you reading?

keep primping,

cheese "cake" bars {a really easy and yummy recipe}

Really, really easy.

Upon looking for a cheese cake bar recipe I discovered this really quick and easy one made with a yellow cake mix (I love taking shortcuts in cooking).  This recipe is so yummy and uses only 5 ingredients!

Cheese "Cake" Bars

1 box yellow cake mix
1 stick melted butter
1 egg

1 (8 oz.) pkg. softened cream cheese
2 eggs
1 lb. box (2 cups)confectioners' sugar (save a little for the top)

Mix the cake mix, butter and 1 egg together and press into 9 x 13 inch pan. Combine the remaining ingredients. Pour on top of the cake. Bake approx. 35  minutes at 350 degrees. Cool completely and sprinkle with confectioners sugar before cutting into small squares.

keep primping, eat and enjoy,

a really cool sign

In my last post featuring our piano room, I showed a snippet of this really cool sign.   It's my new favorite sign and takes center stage atop the piano. Here is the whole thing:

 

I won this amazing sign from a giveaway hosted by

My Sweet Savannah.  It was designed and made by Tara at Between You & Me.  I just love it.  It is huge (about 2' x 4'), and totally customizable. Tara and her husband make these signs together and can personalize it to say anything you want. It's even more amazing in person. Thanks Melaine and Tara!

For now, I think it looks great sitting on top of the piano.  Hopefully, as my kids do their practicing, these words of wisdom will sink in!

keep primping,

Meet Maple & Magnolia

In the odd case you've never heard of Maple and Magnolia, you're in for a real treat.  I'm so lucky to have Susan of Maple and Magnolia as one of my sponsors.  I may be a bit biased, but I know you'll love her too!  Susan is a pro at all things DIY, furniture refinishing, and styling in general.

I am always so inspired by Susan's work, and also just a little bit jealous of all the amazing pieces she seems to find.  Here is just a glimpse of her work, and her home:

 

 

 

Those are just some of her amazing projects. Go here to check out her entire blog--you'll be glad you did.

keep primping,

a chair mini makeover, new camera, and a favorite find

Now that the craziness of Christmas is over and the kids are back in school, I was able to finish a little project--a chair mini makeover.

I say mini, because it didn't need much done.  Just a coat of white paint, and distressing ( I kept the existing seat cover).

Right now it's sitting in the corner of my dining nook, and paired with a faux grain sack pillow.

I got a new camera for Christmas, so hopefully after I learn to use it properly, my pictures will continue to improve.  Funny thing is, I just barely learned some cool tricks on my really old point and shoot camera.  Maybe I'll take a photography class so it doesn't take years to learn.

I also got these cute nesting doll measuring cups.  I originally saw them at Urban Outfitters, but finally snatched them up one day when i spied them at JC Penny's {coupon in hand}.

I'm off to move some furniture around, and pump myself up for some bigger paint jobs.

keep primping,

french inspired vintage and handmade goods by maisondemichele

I'd like to welcome my newest sponsor, maisondemichele, owned by Michele Cabot, who's shop is full of beautiful linens, grain sacks, bistro chairs and other french inspired wares that you will definitely love.
 

{maisondemichele}

 

Michele's home is also a treat for the eyes. 

More of those beautiful grainsacks,

 

whites, and simple styling.

 

 

 

I love her beautiful harvest table setting,

 

and simple holiday styling.

Check out her blog Summersoul for more of her space, and shop maisondemichele to get those special vintage and handmade items to primp your own home.

keep primping,

thankful for you {giveaway}

I love how this time of year forces us to count our
blessings. I am so thankful for so many things.  One
of them, being you!  You know how to make a girl feel good, I feel like I have the best
followers!  To show my gratitude, I'm giving one
lucky winner this beautiful necklace.

I loved this necklace so much I bought 2--one for

me, one for you!

I love the blue color and the size of the flower--a

definite standout!

I would love to give this to one of my lovely
followers--just leave one comment and I will choose
the winner Tuesday, November 29th, and announce it
that night at my linky party. 

Just think you and I could be twinners, or you
can re-gift it to some lucky girl for Christmas,
I won't tell!

I'm also thankful for my lovely sponsors, give them a visit!

 

I'm off to have a fun family-filled weekend.  The
next time we meet I'll be talking Christmas.

keep primping and Happy Thanksgiving!

coffee sack bag and last chance to win $50

Look what I won!

This really cool coffee sack tote by  Primitive-n-Proper {giveaway hosted by Larissa Hill Designs.}

Look at all the different styles she has--so fun!

Speaking of giveaways, there's just a few more hours to enter to win this cool giveaway here at Primp {a $50 credit toward the jewelry of your choice!}

 

Come back late tonight for the start of Primp Your Stuff Wednesday linky party where I will announce the lucky winner.

keep primping,

A lovely {ruffly} gift to myself

A while back Jeanne Oliver Designs was having a little sale on some items. 

This is what I bought:

{ruffled messenger bag--source: Jeanne Oliver}

It turns out, it's even cuter in person. The attention to detail is amazing, including the charming lining.

This is how the package came.  So beautiful, I almost didn't want to open it.

It was so cute I went back {to the website}.  I really shouldn't have. But I did.  Unfortunately for those interested, the ruffled messenger bag was sold out but she still had the Sadie.

And again, it's even cuter in person.  I love the vintage floral pattern and colors--kind of reminds me of vintage sheets, which I am currently loving and collecting--and the ruffly flower.

The package came just as beautiful--topped with old book pages and vintage looking tags--talk about primping a package!  This got me thinking, do people get as excited as I did when they get my packages?  I didn't really need to ask the question, I already know the answer.

This has inspired me to spend a little more time when packaging items from my etsy shop.   I think it makes a huge difference when something is wrapped so beautifully--somehow it makes the gift inside even better.  So I vow to do better. Although it won't look exactly like this,

it will be wrapped beautifully enough to give as a gift.

Also, I'm working on adding some new items to my etsy shop, along with some handmade items {remember my vintage sheet love?  that may or may not have something to do with it}.  I am really excited about them and hope they will turn out as great as I envision them.  I'm hoping to get my shop updated by the end of next week, I'll let you know when I do.

keep primping,