A Year in Review: 2010

As par for the course I thought a look back at 2010 would be appropriate on the last day of the year. Especially since I have several new followers and friends who haven't been here for all my ups and downs!

 

 In February, I had a booth selling vintage costume jewelry at the Dallas Burlesque Festival which I also performed in.

 

In March I finally found my dining table and started decorating our dining room.

Later that month I snagged some awesome furniture from my former boss and re-planted all our flower beds.

In May, I finalized plans for my sister in law's wedding dress and planned their wedding which was held in June at my parent's farm.

In June I painted our dining room purple.

In July I finally found the perfect fabric to go in our fabulous purple dining room.

In August I hung up my art wall, began demo on our master bath and started painting our dining chairs (still not finished with those grrr!)

During wedding week In September I finally got pictures from my own wedding to show off to you. Part 1, part 2.

Painted my living room the perfect shade of gray.

In October I finished my first painting and completed the shower in our master bath remodel.

Showed off my entry way and hallway makeover in November.

Pic from Bijou and Boheme

And lastly, hosted a handmade gift swap in December!

Wow! What a year! I have to admit I was being a little hard on myself for not finishing painting those chairs but when I see all this I don't feel so bad. Come to think about it, how did I get all this done?! 

Thanks for looking back on this year with me. And even more, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making my whole experience with this blogging thing so amazing. You have no idea how excited I am to log in everyday and read your comments, pour over your blogs, and get inspired by you! 

Here's to an even bigger and better 2011! Happy New Year's everyone!

Currently Obsessed With; Getting Organized!

First off, let me just welcome to all my new followers this week! If you have come to me vie Bijou and Boheme and would like more information on my painting, just click the picture in the side bar for a how to. If you'd rather skip the DIY and would like to order one just send me a note at myflightsofwhimsy(at)gmail(dot)com. I can make it in any size and color you would like!

Now onto the decor porn! If you're like me (and since you're reading this blog you probably are!) you are thinking about ways to streamline your life, de-clutter and get organized for 2011. For me this involves three main areas that always seem to suck the minutes out of my life; my closet, my workspace, and my bookshelf.

Does this ring true for you? How many of us spend precious minutes digging through our closets to find those ballet flats? Rifling through our bins looking for our whole puncher or those special scissors with the fine tip? Scanning rows of books looking for that one to loan to a friend? I know I do! Plus throwing out the old and organizing the rest makes me feel as though I've done the same to my mind. And that's always a good thing!

 

 

Two words. I. Die.

 

Are you doing anything to get organized for the new year? What's your plan?

Latest Vintage Treasures

Even though I was crazy running around this past month I still managed to pick up a few things for myself. Lucky me!

I picked out this micro fiber velvet to recover the sofa in. It's a gorgeous blue in a bit of a jewel tone.

I bought this little retro stool at Canton last month for only $10. MIL and I really want to learn how to upholster so this will be our guinea pig. I picked out this great lavender snakeskin vinyl to go on it. Hopefully the vinyl won't make it too difficult. There's a lot of tufts on the top of the stool and vinyl isn't too drapable. Of course I had to choose a difficult fabric!

I'm very excited about this painting I snagged for only $20! It's pretty big and the colors are so happy. It has a certification on the back that it came from France. Oui!

Great set of brass dice, $10

And I got to take all these photos with my new camera!

I was sooooo excited to get my handmade gift from Bri last week. Her talent continues to blow me away! Good thing she included these paper flowers otherwise I would have to venture out in the cold for some real ones STAT!

I love the subtle colors in this abstract piece she made.

And isn't this a fun pillow?

Did you have any great finds or gifts this past month? Share share!

Spending Time in the Kitchen: Oreo Truffles

Next up in the series of "ways to stuff your face"! These oreo truffles are another crowd pleaser. They are rich and delicious and no one will know how easy they actually are to make! Recipe at the bottom!

Oreo Truffle Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 package of Oreo Cookies
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 lb white chocolate
• 1/2 lb milk chocolate

Directions:

1. Using a food processor, grind cookies to a fine powder. Then blend cookie powder and cream cheese until thoroughly mixed (there should be no white traces of cream cheese).  
2. Roll into small balls and place on wax-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 45 minutes to an hour.
3. Line two cookie sheets with wax paper. Melt white chocolate. Dip balls and coat thoroughly. With slotted spoon, lift balls out of chocolate and let excess chocolate drip off. Place on wax-paper-lined cookie sheet.
4. Separately, melt milk chocolate. Drizzle milk chocolate over balls. Let cool.
5. Store in airtight container, in refrigerator. 

Here's a little pic of these scrumptious treats!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays every one!

Fabric Shopping: Sort of a Round Up

Most of the time I find fabric shopping thoroughly disappointing. But not this time! I had great luck yesterday gathering swatches with my mom. I came home with a giant stack of potentials. It was very exciting and I was full of glee!

First stop was Calico Corners. Iman (yes the super model) has a new line of fabrics there and I have to say they were pretty awesome.

I liked this gray bird print a lot. It would be so cute on a pillow and comes in several colors.

 

Here

Here

That's just to start, she has a a great deal in her line. The prices weren't too bad either, most were around $25/yard.

This picture makes this fabric look like crap but I fell in love with it! It's a white silk with velvet dots. Would look so freakin cute on a pillow. But at $70/yard, I don't think I'll be bringing any home with me, sads.

Then I wandered over to the Fabric Factory next door and found this...

You know when you see something and you just gotta have it. You have no idea what to do with it but you NEED it? I got that when I saw this fabric. Then I had another revelation, I can use this on a new upholstered headboard for our master. By George, I've got it!

I felt pretty inspired by this bedroom from Lonny. The color palette is so beautiful and serene. 

I picked up a few other fabrics for curtains and pillows and just like that I had mentally decorated our bedroom. It was awesome! Don't you just love moments of clarity when things just come together? Now all I have to do is actually put it together.We'll see how long that takes!

I think I will paint the walls a light gray with an undertone of purple. Perhaps like this;

Phlox, by Martha.

And this for above the bed. I picked this baby up out shopping with Sarah, it was a lovely time.

Does this remind you of anything?

Score!

How is your week going?