{home} a couple of finds

While I'm busy wrapping up some design projects...

Now is the time to share with you some images of OTHER projects...

things I've recently picked up for the house.

First up...

this perfectly weathered shutter

I picked this up during my trip to Renninger's the other weekend & I'm using it in my office.

My plan is to create individual laminated index cards to stick in the slats to help keep track of orders...

...write on, wipe off & reuse as the orders are finished.

(the mirror to the left is what I've been using for orders).

The reflection of the gold paint in the mirror & the paint swatches on the wall

are tattle-taling on me. I'm STILL painting. *wink*

Speaking of paint swatches...

here's one of the other things I picked up at Renninger's.

(the paint swatches did NOT come with the original purchase - keep reading).

I was looking for something for the foyer entrance and thought this would be perfect.

I fell in love with the hooks and the little box on the front that opens for keys, etc.

Guests can slide their shoes underneath when they stop by for a visit.

After getting it home, it was MUCH more "yellow" than it looked in the shoppe.

(and I'm not talking about a sweet butter yellow either - Nor is it a "creamy white" like the picture would have you believe).

SO...it's GOT to be painted.

I immediately thought of the two colors mentioned recently on The Lettered Cottage:

• Blue Hubbard a retired color from the Martha Stewart collection at Sherwin Williams

AND

• Sea Salt by Sherwin-Williams.

I even considered painting it black.

After trying out all three of those, I decided on using Aqua Smoke 470E-3 by Behr.

Can you guess which one it is?

(it's a softer blue than what the photo would lead you to believe)

Sanding, painting and sealing are in my very near future!!

And then there's the TOP SECRET project...

(of course there are no pictures for this one). *wink*

Just know that I've got the cutest idea ever for a party product that I think...

and HOPE...everyone will eat up!!

It's cute enough for a patent.

Seriously, it's THAT cute!!

And I know NOTHING about obtaining a patent people.

But trust me, I've been learning A LOT over the past few weeks.

I've even got a prototype ready!!

So how about you?

What have you got going on in your corner of the world?

I'll be doing a photo shoot today to launch my new Halloween Collection.

The ideas are SO cute it's a little "spooky"...*wink*

KEEPING IT REAL

Here's the reason behind the creation of the "Keeping It Real" I include at the end of most of my posts:

Sometimes when I read back over my posts,

I'm left with a sense that my life couldn't be more perfect.

...working on patents

...home decor projects

...photo shoots

...design, etc.

Although those things are true...

my life is far from perfect.

Trust me...

there are days when:

• I want to pull my hair out...

• I'm in tears...

• I'm completely exhausted...

• I feel overwhelmed...

• I'm guilt-ridden, feeling i don't spend enough quality time with my kids.

We ALL have days like that.

That's when it's time for a little R&R and R...and R:

• regroup

• reflect

• rethink

• refocus.

I'm just a girl trying to find the perfect balance - just like the rest of us!

It's important to me for you to always remember that!! *wink*