It's the little things.

My man has been gone since last week and he gets home late tonight.  Every time my man goes away on a business trip, I find a ton of little things to tweak around the house.  Mostly, it keeps me busy after the kiddos head to bed, but it's always good to do a little tweaking now and then. You don't have to spend gobs of money (I sure didn't) to do that either!  I am always amazed at how sometimes, it's the little things that can make the biggest difference.  Hmmm kinda like life.

  When we moved into this house ten years ago, it was a brand new spec. house.  Every thing was already done so I didn't choose anything... I certainly didn't chose the builder-grade brass fixtures, but I was so happy to have a three bedroom house that I didn't even care!  It actually took me years to change them, one by one.  The final brass fixture remaining, was in JJ's room.  I could never find a light that worked in there.  I wanted something boyish but also neutral.  I found an ugly, dirty old brass light but saw it's potential. (Don't ask me how I forgot the "before" photo.)  It was about $5.00 so I grabbed it.  His room is gray and green so I thought glossy gray with an Edison bulb would be perfect... We are so happy with it.  (When my man returns he gets to install it.) 

 

 And in between house tweaks, I worked.  I watched episodes of Foyle's War into the wee hours of the night while embroidering. (I've restocked my shop this morning, and there are still a few left... )

 I also added more oil cloth pennant flag banners to my shop, just in time for Valentine's Day!  (There are a few of these left too.) Remember how cute they looked hung from my ceiling? They really make me want to throw parties. 

I swapped out the big chalkboard that was above this cabinet and traded it for a framed place mat that had been hanging where the ladder now resides. (Which incidentally got painted rustically, with a creamy coat of white.  And when I say "rustically" what I'm really saying is "sloppily."  I painted a sloppy coat of white.  I adore this ladder.  I mean, I liked it before... but oh my word, now it's even better!! Just saying.)

 The matching cute canisters that said "flour" and "sugar" broke.  Well, one of them broke.  I was going to replace it... but I couldn't find it's twin anymore so I settled for these giant canning jars from TJ Maxx.  Sadly, my mismatched tea cups that I used as cup measures didn't fit inside.  Bummer.  Love those teacups. (I will find another place for them though... don't you worry.)

 This was a midnight whim.  See those antique-y crocks?  One holds my kitchen utensils and the other, a small collection of vintage rolling pins.  (LOVE.) I taped them off, primed and painted the bottoms cream, and now they look like they were dipped in paint.  I can't tell you how blissfully happy looking at these make me.  The problem with them before was "blah."  They were just a blah color.  I liked them... but they needed something.  So I "dipped" em.  I will add a glossy top coat at some point to seal them. But I was too busy doing other things, so for now they are fine.

 I added an old stand-by bucket of fake forsythia from my bedroom, to the table.  I really needed a pop of bright yellow and I don't even care if it's fake. 

 I found random places for my beloved antlers...

I covered this lampshade in Charlie Brown's shirt.  Ha!!  I'm still on the fence about it. 

I can't lie, it's beginning to grow on me. 

 I cleaned my tiny studio.  I know, it's hard to tell.  You should have seen the January crafting explosion that previously happened in here.  There were baskets and piles all over the place.  I thought my husband would appreciate not tripping over anything as he stumbles into bed tonight. 

 

 I organized my thread one night.  It's ombre now.  Kinda.

 I organized my small supply of shipping supplies.  I realize this probably isn't a huge deal to you, however I felt compelled to photograph and share.  I do that sometimes.

While I was at the Goodwill getting my son a Pottery Barn-ish light fixture, my heart fell in love with this small soft chair.  (My Ava has been begging me for a grown up girl room makeover in orange and hot pink.  I've been attacking it bit, by tiny bit, as payday's allow..  It wasn't exactly a "need."  Then again... big blue eyes and sweetness do funny things to a Mama's heart and I get super thrifty.) One thing Ava has been asking about for the past few years, is a reading chair in her room.  I spied this one at Goodwill for under $15 and though the front lower part has some dirt on it, (that I am currently scrubbing as you read this) it was in fantastic shape.  You should have seen her face when she saw it. 

 My final fun "project" was a little sick day package for my girl, Alli.  I spied this almost exact idea on Pinterest... and flat out copied it.  Honey bear, tea, lip balm, a sweet little meyer lemon, and some tissues.  Almost makes me want to get sick. 

I kid. 

I don't have time to get sick. 

 I am looking forward to doing nothing for the rest of the weekend with my man finally home again.  I might have worn myself out, but it was so worth it!! 

I love that feeling.