1, 2, 3 {canister redo!}

Disclaimer: I am not crafty.

I am not even particularly thrifty.

I am a "see something cute and buy it" girl.

My story begins while perusing Target the other day, when I saw some kitchen canisters on display that made my heart skip. They were white ceramic, with white ceramic lids, and black numbers painted on the front: 1 2 3.

I thought they were really cute and simple and would look darling in my kitchen, and before I knew it I was plopping them into my red basket. Then my brain caught up with my impulse-shopping heart, and I saw the price tag. The three sizes ranged from $12-$20. I realized my cash-only budget would not allow this splurge.

{Darn you, Dave Ramsey! Just kidding. I love you.}

Then the wheels in my head really started turning (almost audibly: creak, creak, creak...) and I looked at the canister and thought: This can't be that hard to replicate. Even a DIY-dummy like me might be able to do it!

So off I ran to the thrift store and scanned the shelves in the kitchen items section for eligible candidates. After eliminating several hideous doozies , I found these:

No idea what year they are from, but I could see potential. Simple white ceramic, with metal lids and removable hardware. Oh, and how much did I pay?

79 cents each!!! I had died and gone to thrift store heaven. So to recreate my coveted Target canisters, here is what I did:

1. Removed the silly stickers from the fronts. Easy.

2. Unscrewed the hardware from the lids. Despite the rust: Easy!

3. Washed the canisters and lids to start off clean!

4. Painted the lids. I actually loved the copper color of the lids, but my kitchen has not one speck of copper in it, and they were uber-rusty, so I whipped out my magical can of black spray paint and sprayed them a lovely classic black, hiding any rust. Luuurve spray paint.

5. Added new silver knobs to the lids -- to go with my stainless-steel-clad kitchen. Used a Home Depot gift card I stole from my hubby, so they were sort-of free. :o)

6. Chose a font style on my computer {American Typewriter} and printed out the numbers. I actually printed them each on a separate sheet, but you get the idea.

7. Used a craft knife to {very carefully} cut out the numbers. As I said, I am neither patient or good with details, so this was the crappiest part of the process for me...

8. Placed the number stencil where I wanted it on the canister, then taped it in place.

9. Next I spray-painted the numbers outside in the grass with a drop cloth. When I removed the stencils I was a little concerned -- it looked a little scary!

So before I had a panic attack I touched up the white spots with a q-tip full of spray paint, and then used my fingernail wrapped in paper towel to meticulously touch-up the numbers and wipe away the excess paint.

This

was

agonizing....

I couldn't get them to be perfect, but I decided a little imperfection never hurt anything. I still think they are fabulous and worth the time, effort, warm-and-fuzzy sense of accomplishment. I spent about 1 1/2 hours working on these canisters. I spent less than $3. Cash {thank you Dave Ramsey.}

My thrift store canisters went from this:

To my black and white, modern version:

Now where shall I put them?

Decisions, decisions, {fun} decisions!

Wishing you thrift-store dreams, and a very lovely almost-Friday!

PS: I am linking this to another sweet blog called House of Thrifty Decor -- check out her "Show Off Sunday Party" for more lovely ideas!

finding center

"In Nature, nothing is perfect, and yet everything is perfect."

Alice Walker

Have I mentioned I love flowers? Okay, well, if not, I will tell you right now that yes, I do love them. Smelling them, planting them, receiving them, photographing them...it might be a little obsessive how much I love them.

So the setting for my friend Kristina's wedding ceremony this past weekend had my heart a-flutter: The Athens State Botanical Gardens. As I walked around before the ceremony I couldn't help being inspired by the peaceful vibe of the gardens. It helped calm my mind from the "oh crap I have to go back to work tomorrow" reality that was setting in. So, despite the fact that my hair was frizzing, and I was sweating profusely in the Georgia heat, I managed to snag a few photographs that will hopefully inspire you as well...

Green is probably my favorite color in wildflowers...it is unexpectedly vibrant, especially with this magenta heart.

This bright red array made me think of flames in a fire.

Enormous hot-pink blooms added some tropical flair.

I was alone on my stroll...except for the bees!

The meditation garden made me want to sit yoga-style and say om...but my dress and high heels wouldn't allow it.

After my walk through the gardens I felt, albeit sweaty, a lot more centered, and ready to head back to reality after a really fun wedding weekend. Back to working overnights for this girl!

Outrageous amounts of coffee, deathly pallid skin, strange "dinner breakfasts..."

Bring it on.

Ommmm.

:o)

the details : a georgia wedding

"Caress the detail, the divine detail."

~Vladimir Nabokov

As promised, some glimpses of my friend Kristina's gorgeous weekend wedding through this blogger's blue eyes:

Even though I would/should never be trusted to do anyone's hair, especially not for their wedding, I was allowed to hang out in the bridal suite with the ladies, sip delicious orange-mango mimosas, and watch the bride's hair get curled to perfection.

Weddings are all about the bride. And her shoes. My tall and stylish friend chose bride chose glittery ballet flats. Original and so much fun!

As I mentioned, I am a table decor nut all the way. This wedding had two of my favorite things adorning the 'tops during the luncheon: wildflowers and Mason jars. I was in some level of heaven when I sat down with my sweet tea and grits.

This next one made my husband weak: cupcakes! In not just one flavor, but three: carrot, red velvet, and chocolate!

For those that fall for the stationary/printing details, here is a glimpse of ceremony bulletin -- the invitations {and cupcakes} had the same modern, pale blue leaf design.

Okay, and we must part with a "train shot." I am horrible at taking pictures of actual living beings, and I regret that this does not have her veil in it...but it does the trick. Gorgeous!

So those were my favorite "little things" about the wedding. It was simple and classic, and I enjoyed every moment of our fun weekend down in the beautiful South! How I will miss those Georgia drawls... Hayuppy Muuuuuhndayyyy, ya'll!

{ahem...they made fun of my Minnesota accent too...ya so ya knooow I dohn't feel too bad.}

going to the chapel

{blackeiffel}

Weddings are the most beautiful days.

Friday my husband and I are driving down to Georgia for my friend's wedding, and I couldn't be more excited. She used to be my roommate, along with another dear friend, and once again we are all three reuniting -- the third and final wedding. Bliss!

A wedding is not only a holy event, but also, let's face it, an excuse to get all gussied up, and revel in the beautiful details of someone's special day. I love weddings even more when they are not my style -- but unique to that person. Your wedding is your most special day to choose things that mean something to you.

My wedding revolved around wine - the cake was adorned with red grapes, the colors were classic black with leaf green and burgundy accents, even the sermon was about "two juicy grapes" {ahem, me and my amazing man!}

Being married, I am even more enraptured at weddings, because it makes me remember my own, and just how amazing I felt that day.

So what do {YOU} love most about weddings?

Is it the adorable, craftsy favors?

{blackeiffel}

The beautiful stationary that makes up the invitation?

{marthastewartweddings}

Sitting down with friends old and new at the dinner/reception/amazing party?

{magentadesigns}

Or {like my husband} are you a sucker for the dessert?

{cutecupcakes}

To me, the table decor is something I remember...especially if a lot of thought was put into it. But there are so many little fabulous details about weddings that I can hardly choose just one.

I look forward to capturing some beautiful details and memories this weekend -- will share Monday! 'Til then, talk to me about your favorite wedding details, ladies!

wine wednesday: creme de la crema

I don't usually rave about white wine.

I am a juicy, room temp, stain your teeth, red wine girl all the way.

Then I tried La Crema 2007 Chardonnay, and I realized that whites aren't all boring.

This bottle had been sitting on my shelf for a while, given to us by my generous in-laws. Hubby's dad had specifically said it was "very good," but in all the commotion I forgot to open it. Then I kept saving it for the right occasion. {Note: Sometimes the "right occasion" ends up being random Monday nights while cooking dinner.} :D So in honor of a manic Monday, I uncorked my bottle of La Crema and was pleasantly surprised.

The flavor of this white is amazing. If you like light (but not carbonated) crisp, refreshing, and not at all watered-down, then you will love this wine.

Plus, if you are a Pottery Barn catalog junkie like me, you will notice a lot of La Crema bottles in their ads.

PB would only choose good wine, right? They are classy.

I may not be able to afford much of anything in their catalog, including this gorgeous rustic wine trough {drool below}, but I can afford the wine inside at $20 a bottle!

Drink after a hard day of work, eating some simply grilled salmon and green salad, while reading {yes,reading} your Pottery Barn catalog.

{potterybarn}

unexpected harvest

Any of us that have a lawn, garden or any type of outdoor space have to deal with weeds. Sometimes they even grow through concrete! Resilient little suckers.

So my husband and I go out our back gate to cross the alley to attend our neighbor's annual bratfest, and what do we see growing on the other side of our privacy fence?

A five foot high corn stalk.

With 3 ears of corn on it!

I did not plant this, and it seemed really random. But here we are: urban farmers, with corn to prove it.

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

back to school

Had the pleasure of visiting my friend M's classroom today. M is a first year high school English teacher. We met in grad school because I was also supposed to be a high school English teacher. Which I was, for about four months.

{Then I realized I prefer to admire high school students from afar.}

What I do miss about teaching is having my own classroom! M's is beautiful and clean and organized. Here are some things I loved about her room:

Thought this was so cute! Who doesn't want a BIG eraser...for those mistakes we wish could wipe out? :o)

The reading corner. No bean bag chairs...but these letter signs she painted are fantastic!

Hand-carved pencils and many personal touches gave her desk area a homey feel.

Cute, colorful wooden letters on her lectern. They will never forget her name. (Not that they would.)

Inspirational signs -- LURVE! They were everywhere...and yes, I felt inspired.

Hanging out with M in her bright, shiny, new English classroom, more than making me miss teaching, made me miss being in class. Oh, Master of Arts in English degree...you will be mine someday! Until then, I will hang out with my amazing teacher friends, admire their classrooms and listen to their fascinating tales of high school students, both savants and ne'er-do-wells.

I appreciate teachers a million times more now that I have been one and realize how hard they work. These are amazing people with an enormous amount of patience that I personally do not possess. God love teachers for all they do!