May I Exchange?

Thanks to Pinterest, I went to my first Accessories Exchange last week. Lord knows that I love a good accessory! We had a great time and I even scored a new (to me) chunky pearl necklace, but it did put me in the shopping mood.

As much as I would love to have one singular go-to piece, I like to rotate. So with that in mind, I've come up with my top 10 accessories for fall! Enjoy... and feel free to buy me any of them.

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Cheers,
Jessie

Buff It Out

One of these things is not like the other... 

Any guesses?!?

That's right... I got a hankering for the ole Rub-n-Buff! (Can anyone tell that Hootie has been out of town a few days? That's generally when I sneak things in that he may or may not approve of.)

Anywho, I've had these two small paintings for years now.  They aren't masterpieces by any stretch, but I think they are sweet and they remind me of my first time to Paris AND my first haggling experience. Both of which were awesome!

However, the frames have been wearing on me for a while and they get a little lost in the built-ins. Since I'm not super invested in the pieces, I didn't want to bother with reframing... hence, the Rub-n-Buff was brought out once again.  

I actually think this was my best work yet. I slowed down. Did more, but thinner coats and lightly sanded in-between. Obviously, that is what the instructions recommend, but I'm more of a slap it on and go kind of a gal.

So for $0, I have a new look for an old friend... look at me becoming thrifty in my old age.

Cheers,

Jessie

Put A Ring On It

What do this... 

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And this... 

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Have in common? They're my new decor!

I've been wanting a mannequin hand for a while and randomly came across one at Michael's this week. Surely, that's a sign from God that it was meant to be. 

Obviously, it's no drastic change, but this little guy makes me happy (and yes, I can't wait to see what kind of inappropriate gestures Hootie makes it into).

Cheers,

Jessie

Splurge Or Steal?!?

Don't worry, I'm not going to go off on which one I think is a better idea... I'm honestly debating the whole question myself SO I thought I would take it to the group.

Here's the lowdown - the monster's big boy bed is coming (and soon)! I've been figuring out bedding with a little success and have landed on this preppy palette.

I know what you're thinking... What about the striped wall? Well, I'm basically ignoring that. They are neutral colors so I'm considering them the equivalent of a pinstripe which should always be considered a neutral in my book. Now, on to the more pressing issue. 

My first splurge versus steal started with the quilt....

Pottery Barn version with sweet green pick stitch as the trim?

Or Serena & Lily version which looks minimally different, but has that extra layer of detail (that I'm always a sucker for).

Decision: PB version. While my heart is still undecided, my pocketbook is not. The Serena & Lily version is almost 3 times the price of the Pottery Barn one and unless you just love a white pick stitch (like I do) than most people would never know the difference.  Isn't it funny how I would tell any one of my friends to go with the less expensive option, but when it comes to your decision the wavering begins!

Here's where the debate continues - splurge versus steal... accent pillow!  

Obsessed with this Jonathan Adler monogrammed pillow.

A) I heart a monogram.

B) I think it could transition to different bedding throughout the years.

C) It totally goes with the preppy, East Coast boarding school feel.

While it is clearly not the same, here is the Pottery Barn Teen version.

A) It is smaller and doesn't make quite as big an impact.

B) It is a 1/5 of the price... I could basically spell out the monster's whole name with these pillows for the price of one of the others.

C) No harm, no foul if it meets an untimely end during childhood.

So what do you all have to say? Spend? Save? Hootie - stay out of this. :)

Cheers,

Jessie

New Year... New Problems

I know, I know... where the heck have I been? I have one little birthday and I go missing for a couple of weeks. I'd love to say something, but honestly I don't even have an excuse.

With the start of the new school year, I like to think of this time of year as a new beginning. The monster is back in school. Amen to that help! And I'm working on several new project. I've been very blessed as of recent to receive several new clients...

• A full kitchen renovation

• A living room makeover

• A dining room update

WOW! So here comes the dilemma, what is my full time job? My first priority is to the monster. But I've spent a long time talking with various people about boundaries over the last few weeks. How much is too much? When to say no? When to push ahead?

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the opportunities just trying to figure out what the balance is for my life. I realize I'm not the first to have this issue and definitely won't be the last. So for any of you supermoms (or dads) out there, I would love your advice. 

In the meantime, I'll be praying that the monster stays asleep just a little longer so I can get a few more things done.  

Cheers,

Jessie