Becolorful

Motivated Monday July 29th

 

Most of you that are followers of BeColorful know that I frequently work to upstlyle or repurpose weary, worn, or less than lovely pieces of furniture and home accessories.

I have studied Pinterest, and followed blogs of other artists that also like to create similar projects for several years now. This artist came onto my radar within the last twelve months and when she submitted this video to the Motivated Monday event here at BeColorful I was once more totally amazed by her design skills.

 

Please visit Rebecca at Second Chance Designs

circles of light-video from Rebecca Waring-Crane on Vimeo.

 

 I love, love WANT, that table.

Thanks so much for linking it up Rebecca. Your work is so impressive.

 

Another terrific painted furniture project but in a totally different type of style was this Union Jack table.

I've been mesmerized by all of the "Union Jack" projects I have seen out here in Blogland and on Pinterest so when 

The Colorful Bee

 

linked up her table, the history behind this design and a great tutorial, I knew I wanted to showcase it for you too.

 

 

Yes, I love featuring painted furniture and decorating projects more than anything but there is always such a variety of links here on Motivated Monday and I am never lacking for uniquely worthy posts to share with you. This week there were recipes, outdoor projects, and paper ornaments.

 

Summer and pasta salad just go together. That's why I wanted to be sure and bring this light summery recipe to your attention

via

Meine Kochlust

 

 

I've never heard of pickled tomatoes but I love anything pickled so I'm all in on this one. You'll have to hit the translate button on this one. Isn't amazing how blogging makes the world so much smaller?

 

The image of these framed flowers from

The Thrifty Rebel

had me ooohing and aweing out loud.

 

We have too much construction going on around our home this year but next spring I have a plan and a fence that are calling out for this fun project.

Don't you just love that yellow?

 

Paper Seedlings

shared this paper ornament project. Designed as a Christmas ornament it would be gorge on a tree but it could be pretty hanging from a lamp stem or window any time of year.

 

 

 

Dramatically Round Mirror

Earlier this summer I finally took the plunge and painted our red dining room black.

It was a bold move but once I saw the dramatic and sophisticated feeling that it gave this space I knew I had made the right choice.

The only thing that  bothered me was the mirror. It was over-sized and elaborately gilded. I wanted something a bit simpler and I really felt that a round mirror would bring some relief from all the rectangular shapes and straight hard edges.

I had been admiring a mirror at Phelan's, a local family owned furniture store, for months and a couple of weeks ago I decided it needed to come home with me.

 

So glad I did.

xoxo,

p

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Motivated Monday July 22nd

No.

It can't be Sunday already.

Let me begin by apologizing for not having time to comment on each of your posts.

They were all amazing and I did visit each one but commenting takes more time than I sometimes am able to allow. This was one of those weeks.

I hope you will have a chance, if you haven't already done so, to visit some of the links from last week. There were some terrific recipes, crafts for kids, party ideas, card creations, jewelry posts and decor ideas. Truly, there was something for every body. Very impressive everyone.

:D

It was difficult to narrow it down to a few highlights but since that is what we do here I finally settled on a few posts to showcase.

 

For starters, I wanted to share this fun side table makeover

from

Bilijana Shabby

She took this ubiquitous early American style piece from ordinary

to visionary.

 

Nicely done Biljana.

 

Pink Recipe Box

shared a post you will NOT WANT TO MISS.

Who wouldn't want to read about her

Top Ten Healthy Baking Substitutions?

Did you know you can change out vanilla for sugar?

Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla for every cup of sugar you omit.

I had no idea!

There are nine more substitutions you won't want to miss so be sure and pay her a visit this week.

 

I also loved this DIY Monogrammed Kitchen Towel

via

Madtown Macs

Inspired by West Elm,

she came up with her own version and gives us the 411 on how to create one for ourselves.

 

Thanks Charisa

 

This easy to create and easy to eat party snack from

A Little Nosh

will have you wanting to host a party.

 

This all in one veggie and dip idea is easy for your guests and reduces the risk of drips and spills.

 

 

 

Like A Saturday

linked up a post about her $32.00 curtains that appeals to the bargain babe in all of us.

It is definitely worth reading how she created her frugal look but more than anything, I really wanted to showcase her pretty bedroom.

:D

Perfection! The window treatments just completed the look.

 

 

 

 

A Sassy Style Update For A Rescued Jewelry Box

A friend of mine from high school recently asked me to create an animal print dressed jewelry box as a gift for one of her friends. Thank you Lisa for thinking of me.

I found this neglected relic at a local G.W.

 

 

 

It had good bones but needed a bit of TLC.

I thought the cane doors were unnecessary and gave this piece a bit of an 80's vibe that didn't need to be revisited so I removed them.

I painted the entire piece black and then went to town with the requested animal print theme. 

 

 

Lisa asked if I could also bring some dashes of red into the design so I added a bit of a deeper red to the top drawer and a red and copper treatment to the ends.

The insides of the drawers to this piece were an 80's country blue. It wasn't working with my design. When I have done smaller pieces like this I have replaced the lining with new felt but this jewelry box had nine drawers and that seemed a bit daunting.

I figured I had nothing to lose so I tried spray painting the interiors of the drawers. I have to say the result was amazing. It looks better than if I had tried to recover them.

 

I will definitely be using that technique again in the future. Adding felt to just the bottom of each drawer is easy to do but wouldn't be necessary.That said, I did do this treatment to just the top drawer for a bit of stepped up style.

 

Lisa, happy birthday to your friend.

I hope she likes it.

Thanks again,

p

Linking up my post here:

 

High Waisted Jeans, Yes They Are Cool Again

 

 

I read this article yesterday from Lucky Magazine. I don't remember subscribing to their magazine but I'm so glad I did because they are always sending the best fashion tips and tidbits.

True confession time. I have always had a secret love affair with high waisted jeans. I have an older pair that I have kept hidden under long tops.

 I've been wearing the lower rise style for a long time now too but for years I've been praying that a high waisted option would become acceptable again. I'm not talking "Mom Jeans" here but after three babies and a 50 something body, I know what works best for me.

 

 

I like a low rise like these with a shirt tucked in and a  belt and I like them better after I lost my extra weight but really, they aren't for every body. Yes, lower waist pants DO have their up sides.  Let's face it - a low rise pant makes our bum look shorter and smaller to anyone walking behind us, but I've seen too many thongs and bulging muffins to think these hip hugging styles work for everyone.

 

 

On the other hand, a higher waisted jean

1.  elongates the leg. 

2.  eliminates that whole muffin top issue. 

3.  is great for disguising a bit of a pooch. 

 

Add a heel and you seriously look like you lost ten pounds.

That higher cut fabric holds things in instead of pushing them up over the top and that zipper in the front kind of sucks things in and can work like a pair of Spanx. :D

If you read the Lucky article you will see that they say the same thing. These higher waisted sisters CAN be much more flattering than you think.

 

It was a great little post and it had me curious so I started perusing the internet to see what was out there and these are a few of the finds that appealed to me.

 

 

Rag and Bone

 

 

American Eagle

 

Urban Outfitters

 

Not a fan of the skinny jean?

It works so well in a boot cut or flare too.

 

J Brand

 

 

Urban Outfitters

 

 

 

I have to do a bit of financial recovering after my NYC shopping trip. You know, let my charge card cool down, but I'm thinking a pair of these are in my future. How about you? Are you all in?

xoxo,

p

Motivated Monday July 15th

 

 

Well, I am back from NYC a little poorer but with some fun new acquisitions added into my closet. I totally fell for these retro J Brand Jeans.

 

 

It's like channeling my inner Rachel Zoe.

They so take me back. I heard Cher's Tramps and Thieves in my head when I tried them on.

:D

I also scored some great sale shoes,

 

 

 

and  then a dream shoe too.

 

As I told a friend, "Hey, I'm old enough now. It's my time"

:D

 

I discovered things I never knew existed and now I seem to think I need. I cross off one item from my coveting list and add three more.

I'm hopeless.

 

 

 

 

We saw a play, visited Soho, and ate some amazing meals.

I loved it all but it was also great to come home.

 

 

Meanwhile, while I was shopping, you were busy creating and motivating.

 

Did everyone see these adorable shopping bags designed and shared by

 

Tarnished Silver ?

 

I especially like the Piggy went to market bag.

:D

 

 

Moms and Munchkins

 

shared some great change ups for the proverbial hot-dog.

I'm especially intrigued by the Greek version.

 

 

Then

Madtown Macs

inspired us all with this fun idea and tutorial for some summer door candy.

 

So original.

Crazy Funny Priceless

 

When my daughter was about ten she, my mom and I had our picture taken together. 

We did this three generation thing again almost ten years later and yet again just this past month.

Elizabeth, my daughter, has a wonderful friend who is also a professional photographer.  Well, this friend has made a life decision that is going to take her out of the Des Moines area for a few years. Even though it hasn't been ten years yet we all agreed that we wanted Megan to do these for us this time around. 

I know that years from now we will laugh at our hair or shoes but we will be so glad we took the time to create these memories.

Even looking at these pictures today I realize how these two women, they light up my world.

They are crazy...

 

funny,

 

 

Or should I say uninhibited?

 

 

They are priceless to me.

 

They are stylish,

 

smart, and unbelievably fun.

Thank you Megan Clausen Photography for a laugh filled afternoon and some priceless memories

and thank you to the best daughter 

and mom

 

 

 

a woman could ever hope to have.

Love you both beyond words.

xoxo,

p

 

 

Motivated Monday July 8th

 

 

Welcome to Motivated Monday here at BeColorful.

 

This will be a busy week for me. I am heading to NYC with a friend for a few days of shopping and theatre. Girlfriends and shopping, one of my favorite combos.

:D

 

When I get back I am anxious to show you some of the updates we have been making here at home.

 

In the meantime, let me imotivate you with some of the awe inspiring projects shared by you, my dear readers.

First up, be sure and stop by

 

DIY Kinda Girl

 

and see all of her pinterest worthy images and projects from a backyard wedding open house. For starters, how about this cool chevron wrapped votive. This week is the overview but you will want to stop back and see her posts as she takes you through each project.

 

 

Next up was this cheerful and sassy tote

via

Happy In Red

 

She has shared a number of these totes with us but I loved the fabric and how she styled the top of the bag to work so well with the lines of the print. Gorgeous greens too.

 

 

 

True confessions. I got a C in sewing class when I was in middle school. So these step by step tutorials for very very very simple sewing projects that are part of a series from 

 

Joy's Jots and Shots

 

are totally what I need. 

Just look at this image. A perfect example of how she makes each step so clear and concise without making the non sewer, in this case me, feel inept.

 

 

Finally there was this fun post shared by

Tarnished Silver

 

She loads us up with some inspiring ideas of what can be created with paint chips. Some are images she has collected from across the internet but then shares her own project.

 

 

So fun.

 

 

What to Pack When Shopping NYC

What to Wear Shopping NYC Summer - Blue and White by pambecolorful

 

 

Last year I went shopping in NYC with a friend. It was so much fun we are going back for more. We like to call it the NYC Reunion Tour.

:D

 

This is one of those things that I never seemed able to squeeze in when I was younger so I am making up for lost time now. Time with a bestie and shopping. Does it get any better? I am so looking forward to going but really, half the fun is getting ready for the trip.

I start planning what I will take about a week ahead of time. I pull things I am thinking about wearing and hang them at one end of the closet. A few days later I edit those down to a few favorites that will pack well, don't weigh down my suitcase, and will still look good even with a flat walking shoe because Lord knows when it comes to NYC and  shopping we will be doing a LOT of walking.

After I have narrowed down my major pieces I add in the jewelry, shoes, and a handbag for each look. Hopefully there will be a lot of overlapping of accessories.

Today, I got on the computer and then looked up some of my options online and added them to my Polyvore account. It is like playing paper dolls without the mess. Too much fun and time I definitely did not have but I did it any way. I'm bad like that. 

:D

 

The upside is that I can tell when something just isn't right. It needs a boost of color, or a longer or shorter top - that sort of thing. It's a bit like taking pictures of things in my home and when I see them on the computer I am able to see things through the camera's eye that weren't so obvious to me before.

So here is are my planning and playing results...

 

A short denim skirt and a tank top. Easy peasy.

What to Wear Summer Shopping NYC - Bling and Bright by pambecolorful featuring tory burch

 

 

 

Maybe it's just me and a bit old school but I like to step it up a bit when I am shopping in the city, especially when we are cruising around some of the nicer stores there. I leave my yoga pants and flip flops behind and opt for a bit more polish.

Along with comfortable shoes I like to wear things that are easy off and on in the fitting room and are cool enough for the July heat.

What to Wear Shopping NYC Gold and Magenta by pambecolorful featuring kate spade belt

What To Wear Shopping NYC In The Summer - Black and White by pambecolorful featuring a zip tote

When I am packing I try and work things into my wardrobe more than once. I wear the same shoes with two different outfits or mix and match tops and skirts to create different looks. Not only does it make for less unpacking when I get home, but you never know, even though I "charge ship" almost everything I buy, I still want a bit of room in my suitcase for those "have to have them now" things I inevitably buy.

So, look out NYC here I come!

xoxo,

p