A wonderful sunday shopping trip

One of my favorite things to do on a lazy sunday is to take a long stroll through Austin and explore all the shops and food trucks. As always when I am perusing these quaint shops Patricia Marie's tips echo in my mind. Here are three finds from today that she definitely influenced:

1) She always used to say that the rubber band I wore around my wrist to tie up my hair was ugly, often suggesting that I put it in a pocket or purse instead. So when I say these adorable hair ties, I just had to have them. Not only are they great for pulling back hair after a long day, they are an adorable accessary as well.

2) One of the first things Patricia Marie taught me about entertaining was that "The packaging has to go". There was nothing more tacky in her eyes then serving chips out of the bag or dig out of a plastic container. When I was in Anthropologie this morning I saw the most adorable butter dish and matching fruit basket. It was like they were calling me to lose the unsightly containers from my fridge! To make it even better they were on sale for 50% off.

 3) Finally while perusing a thrift store downtown I came upon an adorable silver teapot. As I mentioned in earlier posts PM was a big fan of using accents in ways other then their primary purpose. I brought the pot home and it is currently making the perfect vase for my fall flowers.

Creating a Wood Wall

Aunt Pat always taught me that it is possible to create Do it Yourself projects on a budget. I had been coveting the wood walls that have been appearing all over Pinterest and lifestyle blogs. Since we finally have our own house I have been slightly obsessed with modifying our home. At first I was unsure about where I wanted to have the wall in the house, maybe in the library? Or in the Kitchen? I finally settled on the bedroom because it would serve a dual purpose. My husband I really tall (6'5) so tall in fact that we cannot have a foot board. I Had been struggling with finding a headboard I liked without a foot board. So not only would this be the wood wall that I wanted but it would be a headboard of sorts. After reading four or five tutorials online, I decided that a wood wall was something I could do and I really hoped that it would warm up our bedroom. I headed to home depot with a general plan, but not a solid set idea.

1) I collected the supplies I needed:

•  EverTrue 8ft-Stain Grade Tongue and Groove wooden pieces (They come in packs of 6 and I bought 5 for our 8 foot wall). I bought the economy kind and there were a couple that weren't up to my standards, however 5 packs gave me the option to pick and choose.

• Cabot Autumn Glow Wood Stain - I am the type of person that asks a few million questions of all the workers at Home Depot. The nice man in the paint department told me that one can would work for my project and he was right! He steered me towards this product because it stains and seals in one step.

• A Two Inch Synthetic Paintbrush
• A Drop Cloth
• 2 Bottles of Liquid Nails
• A caulk gun (to dispense the liquid nails)

2) When I came home I took down all the art off my wall and put the drop cloth down on the floor.

3) Then I unwrapped all the wood and decided which pieces I wanted to use (The box said that I should have the wood rest in the room it was to be used in for 48 hours. This probably would have been a good idea, but I was impatient and it turned out ok anyway)

4) I put the liquid nails in the caulk gun, and spread the liquid nails across the back of the first wood panel in a zig-zag pattern.

5) Starting at the ceiling I put the first plan up with the groove side up against where the wall met the ceiling and the tongue side facing down. I ensured that the panel was strait buy using a level.

6) While the wood would have stayed up with just the liquid nails, I liked the rustic look of having a few nails in the boards. To create the "thrown together" look I hammered three nails at unmeasured intervals throughout each board.

7) I continued down the wall inserting the tongue into the groove and making sure that the edges were lined up. Once I got to the bottom, there was about a one inch space between the wood and the floor paneling. Since the wood wall was to go behind my bed I wasn't worried about the space, however I could have cut the last panel to fit.

8) I let the liquid nails dry for a few hours

9) I then taped off the wood wall so that I wouldn't get stain on the regular walls, ceiling or floor. I could have stained the wood before I put it up, however I was determined to make this a one day project.

10) Starting at the top, I spread the stain in smooth strokes all the way across the board. I had to work quickly to avoid drip lines. If you choose to stain on the wall like I did make sure you are motivated before you start and that you have all the items you need within arms reach. You have to work quickly to avoid visible brush strokes and drip lines. I particularly like the way staining the nails made the wall look a little more rustic.

11) Once the first coat had dried (about an hour) I followed up with a second coat)

12) I was very very happy with the result! I feel like it changed the room so much and was only about $50!

Do you have a wood wall projects? I would love to hear about them!

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Friday Fixations I

I often find myself in love with new products, brands, blogs and accessories. Fridays seemed like a good time to share my newfound loves, so I am creating Fixation Fridays to share the fixations of the week.

This week I am obsessed with:

1) Color Riche Balm by L'Oreal Paris: I love chapstick and put it on constantly. This is like a grown up version, not only does it make your lips feel hydrated and soft but it adds a pop of long lasting color. My favorite shade at the moment is Plush Plum, it highlights the natural color of my lips and lasts a long time.



2) Life Out of the Box   : An organization founded by one of my schoolmates with a great product and wonderful message. Life out of the box supports education in undeserved countries by using proceeds to gift children will school supplies. Not only that but they have adorable bracelets and headbands that fit every style. (http://lifeoutofthebox.com/)

5 Tips for Merchandising your home

Merchandising your home, sounds like you are putting it on display, however that is what she called it. Pat was a buyer for Goldman Sachs and later in life a manager for Calico Corners and interior design firm. She always had input and tips on how to make your home more wonderful. A few of her favorites:

1) Monochromatic is Magic, just make sure you mix the hues and textures to create an interesting look. For example if you love the warmth of Cream, take different shades of burlap pillows, a fluffy throw, textured curtains and a solid blanket to pull the look together.

2) Things don't have to be used the way they are branded. Ill never forget the day Patricia Marie took bath mats that were "the perfect shape" and hung them on my walls as art.

3) Fresh Cut flowers liven up any room, especially when they are kept in interesting vases. Found an old silver teapot at the vintage store? The tarnished metal makes a great pallet for any flowers. (side note: if you have allergies silk flowers can make lovely arrangements as well)

4) Storage Doesn't have to be hidden or ugly! Have pretty hat box, display it on a shelf to hold trinkets. Vintage Suitcases and be used as shelves. "Clutter" can be used as decoration, set up a cute frame to display your jewelry, arrange cooking utensils in a interesting bouquet.

5) Accents and pops of color can change a whole room. We would all love to redecorate every season, but who has the time or the money? Switching up pillows and throw textures can drastically alter the look of your living room. A lite summer blanket to the bed in a lively color ushers in warmer weather. Changing prominently placed accents can change the whole feel of the house

Bonus: Scents! The most effective thing you can do to turn your house into a home is to make it smell inviting. Scent is the sense most tied to memories. Wax Warmers come in all sorts of designs to be used as accent pieces throughout the house. Candles can make beautiful arrangements on an empty shelf, end table or even hung in mason jars.

Welcome

The idea to create a lifestyle blog had been sitting in the back of my mind for awhile. I love creating things for the house, accessorizing, and cooking and I think it would be wonderful to share my adventures with the world. When I began to think about how to start my blog and what it should include the Woman who first taught me how to create a display in the house, entertain with class and mix a great drink came to mind. Patricia Marie, the blogs namesake, was my Aunt. She was a vivacious outspoken woman with a love of the Chesapeake, flowers and classic styles. I spent many days at her house in Wye Heights leaning such things and her voice often pops into my head when I am starting a new project.  This one is for you Aunt Pat...