Our very own federal eagle mirror (...Presidential, no less)

I've always wanted an antique regency federal eagle mirror (you know, THAT one that you always see in the ol' civil war movies, like in Lincoln's study or General Grant's office, or something.  Take a drool here at the real deal:)
http://www.theoldcinema.co.uk/Regency-Convex-Mirror-in-Circular-Gilded-Frame-with-Eagle-Crest-c-1_18_33-p-1671
and
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Federal-Mahogany-and-Gilt-Oval-Mirror-Carved-Eagle-Finial-c-1800s-/360492645971
and you know, sometimes it pays not to have the pay to shell out for the real thing, because sometimes, a DIY comes smack dab your way to make a fake-o and it's just as cool as the real deal (...well, who am I kidding, but hey it's a lot more fun, and there is absolutely no buyer's remorse... especially when it's FREE!
:-D

So yes, I had the fortune of accidentally coming across this beauty in the TRASH:

and as luck would have it, it actually even once belonged to a President.  Well, ok, it was on our University President's flag.  Well, on one of the flag's from his office.  Used by his office.  Ok... from a flag that is used in his presence, which got damaged and was properly disposed of (am I the only one who finds irony in the fact that to properly dispose of a national flag, one should send it off to be properly burned?  hmmm...) and so this little guy ended up floundering away in a trash can.  Apparently, there is no proper disposal for flag eagles.  (Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that Benjamin Franklin never got his way with making the turkey our national bird?  Hmmm.  Anywho...)

I thought a few seconds before snagging it for myself and proceeded to daydream about - oh, yes! - now (and how?) to finally MAKE my own federal eagle mirror.  I thought maybe I'd spray it with my favorite ORB oil rubbed bronze spray and look for the perfect gilded mirror to add it to... or perhaps go with a matted silver.  But then the answer was right under my nose (or hallway, anyway) - the lovely old Pottery Barn mirror that I splurged on so long ago and couldn't find the pluck to spruce up any fancier than those designer folks had originally made it so.  And so... I placed a little nail in the back, slid the little bird right on top (that crack came in handy!) left it in its au natural shiny brass state, and voila - my mirror was, and is, now complete.  At least for now.  Until I think of something more Federal-esque to do to honor this old war hero.  But for now, I am thrilled with my rescue and reinvention.  A President's eagle mirror.  For real.  

(is it just me, or does it look like she's standing a little prouder... wings more at the ready?  :)

  

So "Pinteresting"

I have a new obsession. And her name is Pinterest. Anyone? Yeah, I thought so (whew, I'm not alone ;) But, truly - she is a really, really neat tool - and I've been using her for some really fantastic organizing! (Ok, enough with the personification...) IT is not only fun, but really a great time saver (yeah, I know... but just wait for it...) because, despite its potential to suck you in for (oh, let's just say it...HOURS) -this is a beautiful tool which allows you to post-pin your favorite finds into nice little categories, and each post is designated with a pretty little photo to showcase it. Don and I have been using it to store our favorite new recipe finds, and now we even have an App to bring them up in the kitchen. I know, how fancy from someone who barely understands how to use her new iPhone... (I can't believe I just said app. What a geek.)

Well, ya gotta check it out (and please let me know that I'm not the only one who wastes hours of deep nights values Pinterest as a cool tool for organization and inspiration.

Do you "pin?" :)

Exploring "Happiness"

The last few months have been really rough, but I continue to find healing and inspiration when keeping my eyes and ears and heart open. Recently, I ran across this great book and it has been a really wonderful find for my life. It came at a time when I really needed a little kick in the pat-toot to get my stuff together, and I am thankful to have read it. Rubin takes a lighthearted yet extremely thoughtful and incredibly well-researched approach toward the idea of happiness in life and exploring its value towards self-actualization. I enjoyed her humor and discipline with this project, and was encouraged to start my own exploration. Please check out her site when you have a sec: http://happiness-project.com/

Coincidentally, Brad Pitt just recently said that he believes happiness is overrated and that his goals are more toward being "satisfied...at peace." I like it.

How do you rate happiness in life?

I write this on the day of my parents' anniversary, my Father-in-law's birthday, and his new granddaughter's (our niece's) birth. Much happiness today, indeed :)

let's begin with... fun kid's stuff :)

...and with a re-deco'd/recycled kitchen, thank you very much ;) I had been looking for a play kitchen for my son for quite some time and knew exactly what I wanted. Wooden. Cute. Newish. Already put together. And Girly. Yep. I wanted a project to convert from pinky girly girl to fun-for-all. To Craiglist, I went - and I scored with this cutie from just a few blocks away from us. Funny how that happens.

With a little elbow grease...and a little sneaking around in the garage and in the yard... I went from this to this:



At first I planned to replace all the hardware, but the sizing of it all was not standard, so I ended up keeping the original and spray painting the pieces (except for the heart knobs... those so had to go, and I spent just $2 on little wooden replacements.) I knew I wanted the colors to be mainly green (did I mention that's my favorite color? I am sure you will be hearing this a few more times... ;) and found the perfect green, indeed, with this: RustOleum Satin Eden.

I finished with a top coat of spray Varathane Satin Spray, which is pretty wonderful stuff, and it has not chipped yet.

I found the cute toaster at one of our favorite second hand kids' stores, and sprayed that puppy as well.



At first, I didn't like the idea of adding spray toxins to my little one's new kitchen, but I did some research, and the harm is really in the spraying. Once it's dry, it's pretty dormant. Supposedly. Also, I figured he'd be less likely to chew on anything that was considered hardware.

I finished with a little personalization of foam pieces (I just could not think of how to cover those heart holes in wood without some fancy jigsaw work) and just stuck those on. I only had to buy one sheet of thin, sticky red foam, and then sprayed the stars and letters. I added sticky hang-up hooks from the dollar store, and little Wilton heart cookie cutters for extra fun to play with. I found the awesome mini speckled cast-iron pan and tiny stainless steel pitcher from one of my favorite thrift shops, and found some new measuring cups and spoons and hand towel in the perfect colors from K-Mart. My co-worker gifted me some play food, and I added on to the collection with Melissa and Doug wooden food ("food groups," scored at nearly half price when Borders was going outta biz!)



Overall, I was very pleased how this turned out - only a couple of things "new" needed adding... other than that, I'd consider this pretty well re-deco'd/"recycled"!



Our little guy absolutely LOVES it - as does his "twin" cousin (born on the same day! :) Yep.

It Starts!

Wow, it's January and I've finally gotten this baby up and rolling (...nothing like a good bout of bronchitis to force you on your seat long enough to do something creative.) I look forward to sharing my various projects with you all. Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers :)

~H