One More Contest

A week ago, Gretchen Rubin's new book Happier at Home was released. It felt like forever, but I finally bought it on Friday and have been thoroughly enjoying it. This book is a second happiness project, in which Rubin resolves to find more happiness at home over the course of a school year (September through May). 

The bluebird is a symbol of happiness that Rubin uses in her books. This little nightlight is for sale at October Moon, a charming boutique in Lansing's Old Town neighborhood. 

You can enter to win a copy of Rubin's new book here. She is giving away one copy daily for the month of September.

Contests

There are a few fun little contests going on right now.

Serena and Lily are giving away a $5,000 shopping spree for joining their mailing list. I received my catalog in the mail yesterday and was floored by the gorgeous photos. I especially loved the sofa in this picture. Pretty sure that white will never fly in my house, though, unless maybe, just possibly, it is a very durable slipcover.

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The second contest is from Benjamin Moore to win a personal color consultation with Candice Olson, plus $5,000 and more great prizes. You have to enter through Facebook and once you do you'll receive a link for a $5 Benjamin Moore coupon. Perfect for a little fall spruce up! They are also promoting their chalkboard paints right now, which come in any color.

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And real people do win contests on the inter-web! Remember the morning makeover contest I mentioned last week? I won!!! I am getting a morning makeover by Laura Vanderkam, author of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, among other titles (she's been on my list to read for awhile...). Bonus: the Happiest Mom very graciously said she would provide a link to Cosy Carolina.  :)

So good luck! And let me know in the comments what you think of the new "wallpaper" on the blog. It's loud, but I like it.

31 Days to Lovely Little Spaces

Besides having a passion for organizing and interior design, the purpose of starting a blog was to learn something new. 

The writing flows easily enough, which is a good indication to me that I have picked the right topic. But there's a lot of technical stuff I am learning how to do. For one thing, you can't very well have a blog about design without making it look nice. And without readers there's very little point to sharing what I know here.

So I am learning how to make graphics and trying to increase traffic to the site by connecting with other bloggers. 

Enter "31 Days to Lovely Little Spaces". It's my take on this year's challenge from The Nesting Place to write about one topic daily for the entire month of October.

My project "31 Days to Lovely Little Spaces" was inspired by this photo from the reader space on IHeart Organizing. Isn't it just lovely?!? Definitely check out the post to see the before photo and all of the detail shots.

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Luckily for me (eyeroll), I have LOTS of cabinets, closets, and drawers that need a makeover. Some things need just a little tweak to get them right and others (like my linen closet) could use a major overhaul. In "31 Days to Lovely Little Spaces" I will tackle all these nagging tasks and share my progress with you.

 

But how??? How in the world am I going to get all these projects done (31 of them, remember?), write a post daily, and live the full and busy life I already have? The answer, as always, is in a book. ;)

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I have been wanting to read the ebook What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: A Short Guide to Making Over Your Mornings--And Your Life for a few months. And since school started this week, I have been thinking more than ever about how to  effectively use the early morning hours. But it wasn't until I read the Happiest Mom's interview with Laura Vanderkam this week that it all clicked. 

 

The Happiest Mom and Laura Vanderkam had teamed up for a giveaway of the ebook and a personal consultation to transform a reader's morning. All you had to do was answer the question "What would your perfect morning look like?" 

 

But I really had no clue. Without a purpose for getting up early, I'm going to stay in my cozy bed next to my big lovey for as long as possible. But while on vacation last week, I had popped out of bed one morning. A nonprofit group had asked me to write an article about organizing. Having to get the article done on a deadline--and not wanting to lose any sightseeing time with big lovey--was all the motivation I needed to get up early and get it done.

So perhaps "31 Days to Lovely Little Spaces" is possible! Stay tuned...

 

 

 

 

Customized Furniture

One of my favorite things to do before bedtime is to scroll through the furniture listings on Craig's List. While there are plenty of pieces that are in "like new" condition, there are also some pieces that could be great with just a little TLC.

Becky Roberts, an East Lansing interior designer and mom from my kids' school, did just that last month, creating this lovely & updated chair.

Rebecca Roberts Design

She writes, "The wingback chair was given to me from a friend. It was her mom’s, presumably from the late 80’s or early 90’s. I liked the shape, so I decided to try my first slipcover. It took me about 3-4 hours to complete it, and I used just under 5 yards of fabric. The cushion has a zipper, and the whole cover for the chair body comes off for laundering. I am happy with the results! I am planning on making a little bolster pillow in the same fabric as the cording."

I absolutely love the fabric that Becky chose! I also love that she made a slipcover, rather than re-upholstering the chair. A slipcover makes it easy to keep the chair clean (important with kids in the house!) and can even be changed out in the future or for a different look seasonally.

Rebecca Roberts Design

Becky can be hired for sewing and interior design jobs. Check her out at https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRobertsDesign.
 

I frequently see listings for wingback chairs on Craig's List. A classic style, the Craig's List wingback chairs can be purchased inexpensively simply because the upholstery is usually dated.
 

The pink fabric on this recent listing is probably from the 1980s, but the "bones" of the piece are still good. The legs, wings, and arms are whole and the seat is not saggy. And as a bonus the seller offered to throw in the matching pink lamp. Using paint to transform pieces is a post for another day, though...

The new book Good Bones, Great Pieces: The Seven Essential Pieces That Will Carry You Through a Lifetime, has some great tips for classic pieces to look for. Helping you to furnish--and customize--your home on a budget!