Mandy's World of Unique & Wonderful

Terrazo style Concrete Countertop Kitchen Makeover

2014-04-27T21:41:00.001-07:00

Well after painting my 1980s worn out brown cabinets, the tired bright blue Formica is on its way down the road. We made the desk top first wanting to get a feel for the materials we are using. This is the resulting look we got...

Now on to the window sill, We have very odd windows in this kitchen, it give a lot of light but what a pain in the design. Here is some shots of the sill and the molds for them. Stay tuned as we make this a million dollar kitchen for less than 1 grand.

Ok we have finished the sills and installed the suckers!

Here is some shots of the pieces before waxing. We are using food safe wax made from bee's wax. I can send a link if anyone wants to know where to get it.

And a quick look back at the mold with a coral fossil. The polished coral looks like this...

Here is a shot of the back splash tile I have chosen.

Vietri Art Pottery

2014-04-24T12:27:00.001-07:00

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=291130691620

Spring 2014 FASHION TRENDS

2014-04-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

Spring 2014 Fashion Trends

Well it seems ORANGE is Springs 2014 color of the season. Its everywhere. And I am on my way out the door to get a great orange dress! Please enjoy the fashion trend pics below quench your pallet as to this Spring/Summer biggest TRENDS!

Pastels in all colors!

Chunky gold

Black mixed with pastels

Denim, Denim, Denim!

Bold chunky and quilted white!

Grey white hair and still into the statement necklaces this season!

Orange, everywhere! I love it

fun almost 90s pastel and fashion

rings on all sorts of points of the fingers, really stack them on everywhere!

I am seeing hint of black used in accents, here its with hot orange.

antique or 70s looking bags. This one I love and think its timeless!

grey highlights, flowers or ornaments of old! A very ethic and boho feel to the hair this in 2014 spring time trends

more great bags to be had!

where the right kind of denium shorts, this is the popular cut this spring 2014

orange and now that gambling is becoming a source of income for so many I guess this poker hat is great!

braids! you will be seeing more of this this spring!

tough girl in white and black. think power player when shopping for suits. Command attention at the beach!

I love beaded flowers and these are great spring time gifts!

neutral colors to wash down some of the punch load stuff is always in fashion.

Yes openwork is in style with shoes this spring 2014.

black again, here with white

game of thorns is rubbing off on the designs this 2014

color is what its about.

tribal prints in neon colors

monarch butterfly nails in pink.

white grey hair in a simple bun is perfect this spring 2014

tans and open work

still chilly enough for leggings and these are great

pastels in an assortment.

simple cat eyes with some sparkle and pale lips, very plain face,

orange and black !

seeing lots of snake skin

Hope you enjoyed!

Visual tour of Spring Fashion Trends 2014

Made in the USA Modern Cedar Sauna Bench

2014-04-22T12:12:00.001-07:00

Modern Cedar Sauna Bench

This is just a peak at a new design Joe & I came up with. We wanted a bench to go with our Marble Sauna/Wet-room makeover. So Cedar seemed they way to go and I love the way it smells!

We make them by hand and they are very popular. Hard to keep one on hand and I also had to give my personal one up!

Made out of solid cedar and in any size you may need!

They are made in America and built to last.

Contact Joe or I if you have any questions. Also I can give plans to anyone who want to try to build themselves. You will need very particular tools to do so but I would not mind sharing!

Here is some more pics!

Building and protecting we use natural products so no harm to humans or creatures.

We hand pick our wood for color and style.

They will last forever out side!

Beautiful smell, and just look at the color!

You can also use them in a sauna, gym or wet-room!

This is where I put mine!
I love it!
If you are interested here is a link for purchasing. Just message me for plans if you want those also!
Here is more info about ordering!

Stunning White Marble Bathroom Wet Room Sauna Make-Over

2014-03-28T11:44:00.001-07:00

Modern White Marble Bathroom Wet room

So we had this hideous bathroom on the ground floor of our home. The bath was installed long before we bought. It was leaking in the shower floor and smelled like poo! Every time you would shower the water would end up all over the floor outside. I had enough and started my journey on pinterest! I love that site for all my inspirations... The link to the board I used for pinning the fixtures and other assortments is posted below so if your shopping and you likey!

Here are some simple shots, its not quite done so you will see some work left here and there. I guess the biggest challenge with a bathroom or kitchen remodel is the cost. Everything that has too do with a bath is freaking expensive. So we fought back by purchasing only on clearance, only with cash ( this takes much longer), shopped international/internet, used concrete to make a custom marble lookalike sink, DIY as much of the install as DIY possible! Rescued as much of the old bathroom as possible...

We are now putting the finishing touches on her, we are saving now for a sauna heater, hence the wood bench! I have the idea/plans on my pinterest for that as well. I looked into just buying a cedar sauna bench, but there again when you say the word sauna in front of bench it automatically cost more to produce and therefor they must charge you a fee of your 1st born plus 299.00 and 99.00 shipping just for one that was OK looking. I declined and hunted down some plans, $42.00 and a few cedar 2X4s later we where sitting pretty! Oh and my 1st born is very glad we just got the plans anyway!

so here are some views! If you have any questions feel free to ask! The links to my pinterest are at the bottom on this page! I love comments so do not be shy!

http://www.pinterest.com/antique4unique/wet-room-bathroom-idea/

Vintage White Antique Cabinet Makeover

2014-01-31T18:09:00.000-08:00

Vintage Cabinet Makeover

Reusing my old cabinets was a must with my kitchen makeover. First of all who the hell has 15k for "new particle board" crap cabinets. I live in Florida , ok... moisture and particle board do not tolerate each other and well they turn back to sawdust quickly. Well then I could always spend 25k and get real wood cabinets to replace the current. But why I pondered? These cabinets where made in the 1980s. Much higher end than I could afford today! Country style for sure with dark brown and lots of twang! Then again I was dying to see the router edges and details come alive with some patina and paint. I wanted to keep an update and I have a link to the page explaining how I got this look. Its fool prof cleaning and forgiving in high traffic areas. I just think patina glaze was made just for me!
I am just posting this as a follow up! I will be working on a concrete counter-top with broken mirror for the kitchen. Check in I will keep pictures coming so add me to your favorites and see how it comes out! I would love to hear your comments or questions!

Link for the directional

http://goo.gl/uRp7pi

And the product!

Here you can see a plate rack addition made from dowels. Very simple to construct, pain in my rear to paint! We also are making a wine?/mug glass holder under the right hand cabinet.

Here is a shot without it, we also are going to add crown to the top! They are real wood and worth it!

Priced out replacement of this quality (they are solid brass )... they wanted 21. a piece! I was born at night... but not last night. Grab the steel wool honey mommies going in!

There will also be a lovely sea-foam green subway tile back splash coming soon! Ha! Did you notice the missing microwave handle! That is the mother of all plastic handle technology & genius quality right there I tell ya! Sure charge over 800 bucks and give it a hollow plastic handle! Way to get to the customers heart! I am getting new ones as soon as I win the lottery.

No more country chic dark brown! Very happy with the result!

I encourage you to do this your self!

Save billions!

Being Laid off is not so bad!

2013-08-14T07:24:00.002-07:00

So here I am, feeling bummed out and discarded like a piece of trash. Things running through my head and not knowing where to start next. This very feeling I know a lot of Americans have had to deal with for the past 5 years or so. There is still a lot of terminations and businesses boarding up around the country. Seems unlikely the people in control of the policy, government/business leaders even seem to care. More or less business as usual and this debt/print money/have taxpayers bail out uber banks acting like criminals thing really works well.

I am sorry to be the barrier of bad news but it seems like its making small business and consumers very uneasy. This of course leads to lack of spending "keeping in mind that retail spending is the foundation of the US economy" In turn business and markets respond to the threat by letting people go.

I mean take my story for example, My job I held for 2 years, I was averaging my boss 10k every 60 days, some times more! So what happen? Well that may be a part of the bigger issue of the economy in general. Lets start with the R word... REGULATION. This one word I think makes business owners quiver every moment its uttered. Typically we only think states and local governments are the ones imposing things that could hold back business to the point of lay off... Regulation is of course a tool to monopolize. Read some history folks and see how it applies to what I am telling you. But what about the new found venues maturing on the internet? We should look at e-bay for example. This was my works choice for turning and burning. Last week after getting back from a much needed vacation, I stroll in too find "poof" you are no longer needed. Wow, I never would have guessed what my manager said next... Ebay put limits on our account. I know what your thinking! Just limits right, whats the big deal? Well its more complex you see as it sinks down into a business owners head that now not only does he have to abide by state and local government regulation, but a pay per use venue that is charging him out the ass over 2000$ a week to sell is now in the business of regulation. Could someone please tell me what the definition of free markets might be. I am thinking this definition has been altered by someone recently. My bosses position is that if there is no room for me to grow, we are limited in expansion. He will be policed at every turn or punished via restriction if he does not abide. "he by the way has to do things his way" its impossible for him live with these harsh facts being a patriotic statesmen that he is. He now is cutting cost and laying off. Kill two birds with one stone. Muti task and answer the messages and ship some things out once and a while. Consolation will help for a while. But as the store fronts are no longer needed. As all of Americas middle and spending class is squeezed with inflation and economic uncertainty. He will then really have to consolidate.

Now I am not much of a complainer so I will not dissect this to the point of bitching... but the bottom line is that markets are moving, we are becoming mobile and shopping on our devices. There is a lot of money spent by " BIG CORPORATE BUSINESS" on realestate, ads, workers, best store fronts. The compation has gotten so fierce we see Walgreens across the street from CVS. You see what I mean! Now the repositioning starts to occur. Everyone in a mad dash to take there business to the internet. While trying to stay above all other competitors. The need for massive expensive store fronts is diminishing. Its going the way of the dinosaur. Name brands are taking a huge hit. Now instead of driving in your gas guzzler to the Coach store and paying full retail... well you can go online and buy that 900$ bag from a college grad for 230$! Wow recycling and getting a deal! Coach and huge mega brands I believe understand this. I now have the notion that they will succeed in trying to stunt the growth of this type transaction. How? Well you make friends, and have a lot of leverage you can achieve those goals. You have heard of the lawsuits toward counterfeit and copy-write popping up as of late... ebay and other sites are dragged into each suit. That spells trouble for them & I seem to think that they are realizing getting cozy with each other will keep the pigs at bay and they can control the markets anyway. I think there is a whole new push to regulate the peer-to-peer sales in a big way. Take a look at the internet tax. As a smaller seller on ebay can you even think the notion of collecting tax in over 9600 jurisdictions?
See ya later small internet business... just like my old job! Its a shame as it did not even start to gain momentum yet. But I guess just like you can keep printing money and everything is going to be alright, you can keep suppressing any kind of real economic recovery or transition to take place on the local and smaller levels. The plan I think we are not a part of.

I would love to hear your comments of the subject! Please leave them for me below. Esp if you have experience with ebay and there new found weapon DSR ratings and the limitations they induce.

So why would I have a heading clamming this lay off is not so bad?
Well its making me be more patriotic for one thing. I think many of us got so intertwined into keeping up with what large companies latest and greatest, The endless hours of commercials piped into our homes influencing every decision we make. More times than not our financial decisions are in jeopardy each time we tune in. Its become a cycle of consumption. When you are laid off or let go, you are strangely all of a sudden taken out of the tornado that our economy has become. Most of the time this is because you now are flat broke! You awaking to the notion that..."why am I going into debt, paying top dollar, buying cheap mass produced China goods and wears! Just because they have an American brand name?" Well they are not helping our America folks. Its hurting the environment and our economy. That is not sound planing for future generations. Now are you going to look for work and jumping back on the runaway train...or you are hearing the call of Americans before you. What might they be saying? Carve out your own path, Bring American manufacture back to the homeland maybe in your own garage, self sustain and self employ, stay out of debt and defend the constitution as it was written by these amazing people. I feel proud to be an American now more than any! So its not soooo bad!

Please follow me! And if not.. that's ok too. It does not hurt to ask and you could just leave me a delicious comment about any of my posts!

Some Views Of My Garden in Florida

2013-07-26T19:15:00.001-07:00

Hope you like the visual tour of my favorite plants I grow in my Florida garden!

Dragon Fruit

AKA Queen of the Night

A salvaged Cactus comes to life

Green Bell Peppers

Beef Stake Tomatoes

Red Desert Rose

Salvaged Succulents

Chives in bloom

Orchid

My mosquito control for rain barrels!

Young Purple Bougainvillea

Old Tangerine Tree

Florida Wildflowers

Yellow Stripe Bamboo

Pencil Cactus

Veggy & Herb Garden

I have 5 more to build to sustain a family of four

I use recycled cinderblock to make a wall and to hold posts, fill the holes for the herbs and flowers to attract bees! Perfect

Onion flower, I will harvest the seeds!

Golden Pothos in my sauna

DIY bench! We can also make them for people if you would like one

Made of red cedar and preserved using 14th century tried and trusted method's!

This is now in my wet room!

A common visitor

Spanish pine

Beauty Berry

Cabbage Palm

Victorian Summer 2013

2013-05-17T18:04:00.000-07:00

A fresh, pure & romantic summer is what I am dreaming.. with a twist of sex appeal this look can be modern and eclectic. Not so stuffy when paired with chiffon summer dresses and black thigh highs! Stuffy and stiff is what you would normally associate with Victorian dress. With accessory you can still keep the detailed feminine quality. Even add a retro Cuban Havanna hat with a black ribbon for a little more attitude and to tie in the black thigh high tights! I just love the authentic Victorian pocket watch of 18k solid gold so your wealth and time is never far behind! What a beautiful timeless luxury!

These finds are all wearable and useable with the textiles and fashions of Summer 2013. All of those cute pastel colors you have seen on the runways! Some of these examples are for sale still and I took the liberty of posting the links I could find below! ok... I know what your thinking, you really do not need a stylist (you are already way too sexy for your shirt) I know but... wait do not forget I am free! & I would be floored if any of you have the ability to show me your pics of your perfect Summer 2013 fashion photos~ I will include you in one of my blog entries! You will be the star!

Bye till next time!

Victorian Enamel 18k Yellow Gold Bautte Pocket Watch...

Vintage Tudor by Rolex

2013-04-02T18:37:00.001-07:00

Vintage Tudor by Rolex

The history and collectability

Rolex SA and its subsidiary Montres Tudor SA design, manufacture, distribute and service high-quality wristwatches sold under the Rolex and Tudor brands. Founded by Hans Wildorf and Alfred Davis in London, England in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis, Rolex moved its base of operations to Geneva, Switzerland in 1919.

These watches where even back then to be the finest of timepieces. Today, Rolex watches are popularly considered status symbols.

Its also amazing to think that the Tudor Oyster Prince was worn & included in the gear of the 1952 scientific research to Greenland conducted by the British Navy. I wonder what they could have been researching? This is a picture of that particular watch I found on ebay so you can see how practical and modern these watches where. Lovely and elegant really! They where marketed to a more modest and humble customer! Something Wildorf had a bit of intuition about. Depicting the watches being worn in very stressful environments such as mines and other blue color jobs. The hardworking men of the era that demanded the reliably & accuracy that only a company like Rolex at the time could provide! This is what convinced people in my option of the quality they could expect from this watch!

What a status symbol walking into the mine with this watch!

Make the boys at work jealous!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Tudor-by-Rolex-Prince-Oysterdate-Mens-Wristwatch-Stainless-Leather-/290891264681?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item43ba7872a9

On march 6th 1946 Tudor what company was born! "For some years now I have been considering the idea of making a watch our agents could sell at a more modest price than our Rolex watches, and yet one that will attain the standards of dependability that Rolex is famous. I have decided to form a separate company with the intention to make and market this new watch. Its called the Tudor Watch Company!"

Through 1947-1953 Tudor devoted its self to this line and the watches that came are still very sought after and valuable today!

A little known piece of Rolex History. You can find a great selection of these examples on several auction sites!

Rose Gold & Mint Spring 2013 Trends I love!

2013-03-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

Rose Gold

&

Turquoise Mint!

I can not get enough I tell you!

Spring time fashion for 2013 could turn out to be the finest since 1981!

Take a look at the styles filling your favorite stores... I see a LOT OF MINT! Turquoises everywhere and the most spectacular and rarest color of all in gold.... drum roll please........ Rose gold! Now take a look at these to colors in action... Sorry blogger seems to have a limited amount of colors for my heading... sigh...

Keep these two colors in mind this spring with make-up, clothes, weddings and home décor!

Words of Wisdom when investing in physical metals

2013-03-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

Fake Silver & Gold bullion, a caution and a story for wisdom...

I came across an interesting and scary truth while poking around on the net yesterday... This my friends I must ask you to pass along. If I may help one person by this... I have done my part. I take no credit for this link and only wish to pass the bloggers story along so others may be aware of the surroundings and environment we share at current. KNOWLAGE is power and I have always felt that tangible personal property is a path to economic freedom. A break away from the slave like shackles of debt. Its a great hedge in times of worry and unstable Governments. So to those of you that "stack" you may want to check out what happen to this fellow. You may learn something and may think of this gentlemen's story the next time you take someone's word for something. Investing in gold & silver makes sense. Please believe me I still think "stacking" is 100% safer than paper! Except when you have to go to the little boys room! Read this and pass it along.

http://xxjobiiixx.blogspot.com/2013/02/oh-no-ive-just-been-scammed-into-buying.html

Show some love and comment on this or his page to thank him for the tale! Its amazing to me! A Lawyer! OMG!!!

Here is a video to help you test your silver bars... Thank you to AboutAg for posting this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgSXg-WOEVY

Keep stacking and be informed!

I take no credit for the links in this page. All content is here for sharing and caring!

Thanks!

Fall 2012 Fashion Trends | Rosy in The Fall

2012-10-27T20:10:00.001-07:00

2012 Fall Fashion Trends

Dark Navy Skinny Jeans

Lots of hues of golds and rust

No fuss over-sized 1980 sweaters

Here is just a little inspiration as we get back into fall fashion. These outfits are hassle free and ultra comfy! No dangerous in then out the next day trends. Timeless and classy decade after decade! Egg nog any one?

http://fashionistatrends.com/fall-2012-fashion-trends-rosy-in-the-fall/

I just love the over sized shirts! So late eighties... Pairing this with accessories like the rose gold watch with the reddish boots! This is key to pulling it all together. A completed look!

Fall 2012 Fashion Trends! Green Flower Scarf

This is a very inexpensive outfit by the way! A white tee, some jeans you could more than likely find in your closet! And this chic green and coral rose scarf! The jacket is to die for and the accessories can be tailored to your taste! I would have ditched the wedges that I would think in fall would make my feet cold and wore instead deck shoes or these!


http://www.themoccasinshop.com

these are just so beautiful for trampling in the leafs!

http://www.themoccasinshop.com

http://fashionistatrends.com/fall-fashion-trends-comfy-casual/

Ok I just has to throw a strip in there somewhere! And this button down old man style sweater makes me want to snuggle! The bracelet with its wannabe strips works well with the equine ready English riding boots!

Check out the links provided for more info! Happy Fall you guys!

Send me comments or a favorite fall 2012 trend! I would love to hear!

The Most Important Presidental Debate of 2012 Obama & Romney do not want you to see!

2012-10-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

If you love the United States of America you need to watch this, esp if you are voting this scary year of 2012. So many issues, economic, health, climate, war, pollution, fraud, drug wars, BIG companies buying political advantages, poverty, housing crisis, debt,dollar failing, civil liberty's taken away... This is the MOST important election year to date!

But how could the country that pro ports the most democracy in the world be the most corrupt? Well a good place to start would be how we elect our president. It seems that the two largest parties in our fine country just so happen to be the richest and most powerful, and would you dare to believe that they directly suppress the Presidential Election process. I will leave my opinion to that and let you take your own views and options. But please remember that a decision as important as our Commander and Chief requires that we have all cards on the table. Not just those of a rich bought and payed for select 2. There will be many names on the Ballet in a few weeks. Not just Obama and Romney, Do you know what each has to offer? Are you educated to your choices? You would not buy a computer without doing your homework. Why would you elect a president without knowing your choices? Why would you just vote to pick a winner, not vote for who may benefit the views important to you and your family? For the future of your own home and country? America WAKE UP!

Moderated by the king of media, Larry King! Please leave you comments below!

Mandys Homestyle Pot Roast Recipe

2012-10-09T20:17:00.001-07:00

Mandy's EASY Home style Slow Cooker Pot Roast Recipe

Ingredients:

Your choice meat, I use about 1.5lbs beef and I just make sure it has a lot of marbling.

1 Large onion, yellow or white will do

1 whole stock of celery, make sure it has the whole plant with leafs also

2 bag organic carrots

3 bay leafs

Sea salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste

3-4 potatoes your choice, I leave on skin... that is where all the minerals and vitamins are.

1 package white mushrooms, sliced or whole they are amazing with beef

2 packages of beef broth/stock

1/2 clove of garlic, sliced minced or whole

Worcester sauce just a couple big shakes will do

Ok now you are ready, I place the meat in 1st I do not brown however you can brown just slightly if you wish in a fry pan dusted with flour, So add that & beef stock along with your chopped up celery, onion, garlic,potatoes and carrots. Throw in your sea salt,pepper,bay and Worcester Sauce. Cook on low for 6 hours or so. You can add your mushrooms in about 5 hours into it or earlier if you do not mind them soft. I like them both ways. I like to put this dish on around 10:00pm and when I wake in the morning its all done and ready to be packed for lunches or waiting for me in the fridge when I arrive home at night. This dish is the perfect meal for Fall all the way into winter. Its chalk full of protein and vitamins from the veggies. The garlic & onion helps to wards of a lot illness during the cold winter months. Its like medicine that really does taste good! Just look at that cooking! yum! Its costs about 19.00 or so for all the ingredients! You will eat on this all week with 2 people. We end up having extra! Its so good! Leave comments about your version or helpful tips I may have overlooked!

DIY OOAK Chalkboard Ideas for Kitchen & Home Decorating

2012-10-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Chalk Board Ideas for Kitchen & Beyond...

This is the one that I am going for... I like the frame and think I can make it match my cabinets for a custom look... The whole project is going to cost me under $25.00 everything I picked it all up at my friendly home depot store!

I encourage everyone to try this in there home. The kids love it and it may help you be better organized! That is a plus for us moms! Here are some other ideas I find fascinating...

To make this project easier I found at my local home dept thin sheets of chalk board & white . You do not even have to paint if making a smaller project. Just cut frame and glue or hang a ribbon would soften the look!

Do not write off the paint just yet... For under 30.00 you can paint just about anything you might want to write on...

This very simple Do it yourself project ideas are sure to customize your space and spice up your creativeness... I will post pictures of my finished project once complete. Stay tuned for how my project came out and leave your comments for more ideas and tips for the readers!

The Price of Gold

2012-10-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

GOLD & YOU!

Look how far back mans love of gold & riches spawns... As far back as 3100 B.C., we have evidence of a gold/silver value ratio in the code of Menes, the founder of the first Egyptian dynasty. In this code it is stated that "one part of gold is equal to two and one half parts of silver in value." This is our earliest of a value relationship between gold and silver.

Statute of King Menes

He also unified upper and lower Egypt creating the 1st dynasty while he was not playing with his gold & silver!

Coins struck under Menes

So in another post I hit on the point of an Ancient Sumerian queen and her obvious worship of jewelry particularly gold jewelry. This time I wanted to look at it in a monetary sense. The trade-able value of it. And how historically its INFLATION PROF as you are going to get.

When I say historically I mean +5000 years of history!

So if we learn anything from this its pretty clear what we should do! And listen to this historical wisdom... Maybe we should stop obsessing about the paper money and just look at it as a tool to collect the VALUABLE stuff!

I my self had a very hard time saving. Truth is... its really too easy to spend paper money! Gold and silver on the other hand has to be traded or cashed out. A little harder to do. So why bother just keep collecting it until you are ready to go through the inconvenience of liquidating it.

Thus you will be better able to put a larger amount of WEALTH away quicker! Well now we are talking!

COLLECT THIS STUFF! gold, silver and metals of all sorts!

Use the paper money to move around the wealth! You will see how quickly it will accumulate! Never think of paper money as the goal at the end... Just the tool to get you a lot of it!

Brilliant!

Some places to visit on your quest for collecting gold & METALS!

A Great Store to Buy Metals! This is where I buy!

A great place to get values and see how much your investments have gone up!

BE FRIENDS WITH A BULLION DEALER!

Passion for Gold & Vintage Estate Jewelry

2012-10-06T11:32:00.001-07:00

Why is it that humans have such a love affair with jewelry? 5000 years worth of forgotten civilizations speaks that perhaps we where "created to mine for gold" These visitors where said to be needing the material for there own planet. Seems like something I have heard before happen in our lifetime! So OK I know I sound like I have my own YouTube channel titled {nibiru2012wearegoingtodieorsomethingpreparenow}

But could we have been taught our love affair with gold and jewelry? Not just came up with the notion on our own... Could have there been an influence?

The Sumerians are one of those forgotten. The most amazing & oldest civilizations that recorded there history! Not to mention they sure knew a thing or two about gold! These people are mentioned in the Bible the stories are fascinating and you can see how through the history tails have been passed much like the game you play with a large group of friends as you whisper a phrase to see how it sounds once it gets to the last kid.

Much about our history is forgotten and twisted. I am amazed to see and read about people this long ago!
Jewelry & Gold is the connection!

The US government even finds this ancient city important... This is 2003 -04 during the invasion of Iraq
There is a video about there mission at the bottom.

She may have looked like this!

OOAK Halloween Costume idea!

Circa 2500 BCE! These people knew GOLD!

Queen Puabi as found in her tomb in the ruins of Ur. What is now Iraq.

The study of the past sheds a lot on our current society. How we collect and value jewelry and gold. How people have lost there lives seeking its ownership. History is our future it seems. Regardless if Aliens taught us to worship gold or its humans doing we will always place a very high value on it for the rest of history... Here are some of the links I found to get you started if you would like to find our more! There is even a link in relation to buzz about possible testing the Queen for Alien DNA traces! This stuff is too good to be made up! Way better than regular TV! I promise!

LINKS....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZngHY1nriA Video of the reconstruction of the Queens Headdress

http://whalesinspace.com/2010/06/22/sitchin-wants-queen-puabi-tested-for-alien-dna/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg2VYX2AWac&feature=related

Some examples of the Jewelry I have had the pleasure to sell and photograph for my work at St. Lucie Jewelry & Coins...

Antique 18k Yellow Gold & Cobalt Enamel & Natural Ruby Bracelet

Beautiful Vintage Sterling Silver Taxco Mexico Handmade Bracelet

Very Old Antique Princess Ring Diamonds & Colorful Gemstones

Victorian Revival 14k Gold & Alexandrite Panel Bracelet HEAVY!

Art Deco Sterling Vermeil Deep Russian Amethyst Ring

If you want to see more of St Lucie Jewelry's items follow these links to the various e-stores they sell there goods! This is a wholesale store and everything is very affordable and especially unique and amazing!

Ebay store

Etsy Store

Website & Bullion

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What would they tell us?

Buy more gold!

Antique Desk DIY Antiquing Glaze

2012-03-24T13:31:00.001-07:00

Antique Desk DIY Antiquing Glaze

In my last post I was chatting away about the dreams for my "new to me kitchen". This lead me into the theory that I want to save my old sad looking 1980s real wood cabinets. My solution as I explained is a Antiquing glaze look. Rather than try to perfect the finish on the important cabinets, I came up with the idea why not try it on an old forgotten antique desk first! It will also tie nicely into the living room after the cabinets are done!

This is some of the lovely detail & color of the old Antique striped oak desk. Yes I know the wood is beautiful!

The materials I have chosen are...

Behr Ultra in " Antique White" Semi-gloss

Martha Stewart Living Metallic glaze in Mercury & Muscovado

Valspar Faux Collection Antiquing Glaze in Asphaltum

I will also need a scuff pad, "I like the foam one that is contoured for nooks & crannies", thinner, lots of dust cloths or old rags, paint brush, paint pan and small foam roller.

Very simple...

Tools of the trade

Now off to paint the antique white base color... I chose a semi-gloss to give it a newer more shiny finish. This is good for the glaze to wipe off easier and also for cleaning after the fact....


All most there.... After the base color which I think two coats are very important here, I simply opened the glaze jars and went to town rubbing on and wiping off. You just go for it until you have the look you are going for. I only used one go round of the two dark colors, then I went over it with the mercury color for a luster looking glow. I really like the way it turned out and hope you try it for your self! Now keep in mind you can use ANY base color for this. Yeah can you imagine a beautiful grey base color on this with the antique glaze against a yellow wall? Or what ever! You can also use your furniture as your accent colors rather than painting a whole wall for the same purpose. So grab your old tired furniture and recycle them into statement pieces! Let me know what you think!

Now the fun part, time to let it all dry...

AND the final product!

Chic!

I went for a light patina glaze effect

Just enough...

I could have went over a second or third time and the effect would have been darker.

The old hardware went back as is and it works well I think!

Now if the rest of the house where this easy.

Painting Cabinets Antiquing & Glazing for Afforable Kitchen Decorating EASY DIY CRAFT

2012-03-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

Kitchen Remodel On a Small Budget

Wow it seems the work is never done, just when I though it was time to grab some sweet tea and prop up my feet... I gaze upon my poor, poor 1980s kitchen.

Sorry for the mess, I was not expecting company!

Groovy! I can think back when I was a kid and had the notion blue Formica counter tops where the sheeeet! Yeah, not so much anymore...

Now take notice of all those little nooks and crannies, they are very important to my whole design idea. The best part about remolding a 1980s kitchen? REAL WOOD cabinets! They rarely skimped on materials then so now in this lifetime we can enjoy them still! They just need a little make-up!

So.... The plan!

I am on a budget, I do not want to spend my hard earned money on new cabinets. I already have real wood cabinets that work well with the kitchen layout. If I was to replace these now I would be paying top dollar for cheaper cabinets... No way!

This is the look I am after... Can you believe I can do this my self with paint and glaze! I will show you how in later posts. For now just the ideas!

This one is my fav, not too much distress but just enough!

BUT.......

This one is a little more rustic but I like the forgiving nature of the finish here. Remember DIY projects can turn out unexpected. So with this finish I am afforded more flexibility. Also its great for young family's or family's with dirty fingers and hands like mine!

So now you know what the cabinets will look like, what about the sink and counter?

Oh yeah!

So beautiful! Look how they painted the cabinets grey along with the trim! Its just stunning!

Now I know what your thinking... I could have sworn she said small budget! I know! I know! But hey if I save thousands on new cabinets by painting them... Then I shall be able to afford to splurge on the counters. And the country sink is a FOR SURE!

Ok now the fun stuff,

<=====Back splash Tile, recycled glass of course in a sea foam green!

......Just some more choices for glass tile!

This is the one I picked up at Home Depot...

The darkest grey is Home Depots Behr Premium paint in Dolphin Fin. I think that will go nicely with the antique cabinets and the marble counter top. The little bird is one of the neat treasures I hope to fill my shelf's with. for a punch of color!


I love the subtle hints of green with the grey! This kitchen is such inspiration!

Oh I almost forgot knob ideas...

This one is country yet still a little modern. I like it!

Send me any ideas and information and as I dive into this project stay tuned for complete walk through on all ideas seen on my blog!

UPDATE!!!!!!

Lets get started with supplies! I got all my supplies at Home Depot one shot!

Material List

Semi Glass Base color of choice: mine is Behr Ultra in " Antique White" Semi-gloss

Antique Glazing Color of your choice: for my look I am applying a few to build up the different tones. You can use on or experiment like I did with a few! The ones I used are Martha Stewart Living Metallic glaze in Mercury & Muscovado Valspar Faux Collection Antiquing Glaze in Asphaltum

Smooth Foam rollers like the ones for trim.

Sandpaper & or palm sander

Mineral Spirits & Lots of Paper towels and tack cloths

A high quality brush for the nooks and crannies.

Nails or punches for distressing the wood

Hammer & screw driver

Work space to paint doors of cabinets

LOTS OF PATIENCE~

Ok now you have materials so lets get started...

1. take all doors off the cabinets, go ahead and take all hardware like knobs, pulls and handles off the doors. I keep a couple handy dishes around to sort the screws and such so I am not missing parts later!

2. Now the hard part, you have to get the surface well cleaned and scuffed. This will help your job last as the paint does not like to stick to grime, greese and high gloss surfaces. So what I like to use is ammonia or better yet vinegar and a rough trashy rag! Clean the cabinets with some real pressure, all the cracks and crevices...front back sides anywhere you want paint to stick!

3. This is the least favorite, with your scuff pad or fine grit sand paper, rub all the areas being painted. Try to be as even as possible and do not miss any spots if you can help it. If you are redoing real wood may I suggest going with the grain so you do not mar up your cabinets! A palm sander works well too and Dewalt happens to the choice product around my house! Hey make sure you use a mask, some older paint and I am sure some newer also is toxic to breath. The dust is not something you want to ingest. Safety 1st!

4. Now take a tack cloth or mineral spirits and get all the dust off! I like to cheat and use my husbands compressor with a air blower and blow all the saw dust off! I also at this time hit the piece with some sharp fine point screw drivers or punches. This is to add a tad more age. You can make worm holes and dents to catch the glaze in strategic places!

5. Now you are going to want to set your self up a great place to work. It needs to be an area with very little chance of sand,dirt blowing on your work. Also an isolated spot where people will not trip on all your cabinet doors. I like to use saw horses.

6. I use paint and primer in one to save a step. I used

BEHR Premium Plus Ultra 8 oz. #1823 Antique White Interior/Exterior Paint Satin for a little shine! Bought from Home Depot.

You chose your own base color, this can be any you like! These are kitchen cabinets so be creative! I like the satin for cabinets! Easy to wipe, easy to clean and the glaze is easily worked on this smoother surface that chalky flat or eggshell. I would think semi is the way to go! Roll this on with a smooth foam roller. Make it even and take a brush around to get into corners and cracks, its also useful for runs and drips which you are going to want to go around every time before you load your roller and smooth out. This will keep the project professional looking! Once the drips dry you will have to sand all over again. The glaze will make the stand out so try to prevent this from happening!

7. Another coat! Yup do it again front back, sides all around until you are happy with coverage! This could be 3 coats if you are going from dark to light like I am! Let dry for a few days. You can repeat this to the cabinets on the wall also if you do not want to drag this out. I am a dragger! One part at a time for me!

TIP: A great way to age your cabinets up a little is to pound with a hammer some fine point tools imperfections such as worm holes, dings and dents. This picks up the glaze and make the wood look authentic and aged. Use your creativity these are a few I like!

8.Ok the fun part! The glazing! I used Martha Stewart's line. I do not care she went to prison! She knows her crafts! Guess what! I use 3! Yes I like to mix things up and make them complex! Its just me.. No really I needed the dark but saw the metallic and was like ahhhhHH! I need shiny! I have the taste of a fish! So these are what I used..

Martha Stewart Living 10 oz. Muscavado Satin Metallic Glaze

Model # 259290

Store SKU # 358483

Martha Stewart Living 10 oz. Metallic Glaze Mercury Satin Specialty Finish

Model # 259288

Store SKU # 353461

I also used a product by Valspar Antiquing glaze from Lowes, I wanted to make sure I got the aging and timely nature you would expect from antique cabinets. This product is a darker color so it give it nice looking age! Once you have picked out the glaze you want to complement your color gather paper towels or a slop rag, 3 ideally one for applying, one for wiping on & one for a dry rub off. Dip in one color at a time and work in a 10-12 inch square rubbing in all around. Get the corners, sides, cracks etc... Do not freak if this looks way dark! Its ok its supposed to! You can wipe off with your dry and wet clothes. The dry for a slight wipe and the damp for heavy clean up. I used both in tandem as needed until the desired effect is achieved! Do this to all your pieces and let dry for a few days!

9. Now that your cabinets are done, You can spray with a clear satin sealer. Let that dry a half of a day to a day...I just did the fronts on this one. They take the most beating so I found that sufficient. You are now ready to take all hardware and place back on. Or you can change it! Spice it up with a whimsy theme to match the new look of your cabinets. My hardware is from 1987 and its solid brass! Very expensive to replace this quality now in 2012 so I used steel wool and scrubbed them to a nice polish. All the high areas where hit and the rest left at patina! Chic! Your doors are then hung and knobs & pulls placed back on!

10. Take a step back and pat your self! You pick the place LOL without being naughty! You deserve a financial & economic medal. For you now have a new kitchen! And you likely saved your self close to 10k! You got all this for under 400.00! I know some kitchens are so large and have so many cabinets like mine this is truth! Now I can spend the money I saved on a brand new counter!

My finished product!

Send pictures of your DIY Antiquing projects! I will post them right here for others to see! you can send them too mullenmandyann@aol.com ! Or post them to my facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/mandy.osipchuk

Twitter works also... Follow @ANTIQUE4UNIQUE

Light Contempory Airy Living Room Ideas

2012-03-10T13:48:00.002-08:00

My living room makeover

THE BEGINNING

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.
Dale Carnegie

I just love that quote! I felt it necessary to speak these words when tackling home design ideas. Decorating a home is intimidating to say the least. We all to often say... I cant, I don't have time, I don't have the money right now and all the other excuses you can muster.

When it comes to picking items to decorate my home space I scour the internet for ideas. The simplest way to do this is Google a search term such as... "tree branch curtains" and select the images link to the right. This is the fun part, search with your eyes through all the images that are until you come to one that is appealing. This part of the Google experience I find innovative & extremely helpful. Why? you ask, well we are searching with our eyes, we are seeing colors, textures, shapes and so forth. They are all lined up right next to one another. And as instinct kicks in we are left with only the ones that call to us!

This is a powerful tool!

Once I see something I like I save the image to my desk top. A simple right click on the mouse, save image as... you get the idea! Now the idea is ready for thinking over.

These are some things I found for my living room inspiration...

I found this idea and like the fact its a DIY or do it your self! Oh yeah! Custom for way below the price of mass produced!

I just love the natural feel, maybe with these curtains...

If I use the branch in my window treatment, I must use a curtain the has tie top tabs, so that I can adjust the tabs to make the curtains hang straight at the bottom...

My window looks a lot like this one above... It does not go all the way to the floor and is narrow like the above window. By using curtains that go all the to the floor, I will increase the look of the window itself! I will post a picture of my living room, its dark right now in there and I want you to see why I am going for light & airy!

I have high ceilings and a fire place is tucked over to the right, also you can see my stairs poking into the picture on the left. Hate the floor but love the big windows!

As for the paint on the walls, I have leaned toward a grey. I love the way it looks with white furniture. Its like a soothing storm. I am a bit afraid of the white furniture I will be honest but I am confident with the right fabric choices we can handle it! This is an example of the color and what it would look like with white pieces in the room.

More ideas to come and if you think of it leave me some suggestions and comments about your ideas or projects! I would love to hear about all of them!

LOVE Mandy!

Making money with your head or your hands?

2012-03-08T18:21:00.000-08:00

Making money is something we all must do, unless of course we are born into money or win the lotto. Since we have a better chance of getting struck by lighting while having dinner with Elvis, we must work. Work as defined by the dictionary; Work: Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.

This sounds just like the thing I hate but I am forced to do every day. Now you must understand, I am not lazy by any means. I love the end result of working and how it gives me a sense of accomplishment. I have a knack for turning things over and selling them again! Its a gift straight from God himself! I am proud to have such a talent and it surprisingly pulls the best side of me right out in the open... MY PERSONALITY! So OK, I still have not got to the good part... Why I dread it and have to have a "bitch fit session" with my friend Kim each morning before I punch the clock! If I happen to miss this extremely important release of energy & weight, and all this stress is not released and lifted off my shoulders, the day is just not right. Our slogan is this.... "Long drawn out whiny voice coming from an old lady probably by the name of Erma or Gladis" I DONT WANNNA GO TA WORRKK! Its a brand I think.

I am sure a lot of other humans can relate... at times I am blown away by the thought of just how many? A true tally I believe would be off the scales. But why? Maybe it has something to do with the last part of the definition. Achive a purpose or result...Hmm... Ok, Ok I know what your thinking...I just said I like that part, but let me explain, What happens if the purpose or result is the same each time and benefited you minimally or in some cases not at all? Well now I think we are on to something. A skilled professional once told me, the act of doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result or improvement in this case is the absolute tell tale sign of insanity. WOW!!! I knew I was insane for going to work each day! I was not lying to my self after all! HURRAY! So we work our hands to the bone and waste the best years of our lives helping another person or company achieve what we so desire and deserve.

Where did we go wrong and what can we do about it?

That I am happy to report is a much easier question to answer! Thanks due in part to the internet and computers coming into the affordable range for more people. I know your asking your self's how can I do that? What would it cost to start out? I could never afford to start up a business! That is crazy talk! You could not be more wrong. You can start a business on the internet for free if you really took the time to look into your options and do a little googleing. Its a pursuit of passion keep in mind, that way you have a better chance of success and your not stuck doing something you hate. If you do not sit and take time to think to your self what do I love to do? Well that step is key to your happiness and the overall success of your enterprise!

I am going to quit my job tomorrow and get started!

Hold the brakes! Rome was not built in a day, or even a year!

I know now you are thinking yikes this is going to be a hard and long road! As it should. That is the inevitable truth in turning an idea into a reality. And we have to go into it knowing that very fact. Its a journey and maybe the best practice to owning success and wealth. These moments you want to throw in the towel and give up is the humbling fact that you are now a slave to your self and your own future. A slave no more to others. Please remind your self this is an ok normal feeling for all of us! Now as we make our transition we still need the stability of a steady pay. If we all keep our 40 hr a week jobs that is possible. Oh man! Now I am working 60 hrs a week? Yup, that's the truth.

We are entering into the abyss of zombie land.

Once you have a plan of when & how much time you will put into the new venture you will be well on your way to getting some important matters taken care of. May it be a weekend day, night, after work for a few hours a night or day depending... The point is take baby steps at first. You do not want to burn your self out completely and just know that the success of your venture is completely in your hands and you have full control. You will soon find it will take on a life of its own. You will want to work on it, you will find that the more you do the larger it grows. And with so many things out there that people need, the talents of the people of the world are just waiting to be consumed by others! Why hoard yours, or use it to someone else benefit? Insanity I tell you! I am proud to be a zombie!

Here is a look at my little venture... Its not much, it helps with gas and fun money... But its mine and I run the show. If I decided to put more time and effort into it I bet I would not need my part time job at all!

ANTIQUE4UNIQUE Vintage 1950s Necklace

ANTIQUE4UNIQUE 1960s Green Viking Glass Fruit Bowl

ANTIQUE4UNIQUE Florida photography Blue Springs State Park

Some products to get you started! Love the one about Steve Jobs! What an incredible man!

Photography... How we share our world & some tips on its meaning in our lives...

2012-03-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

“The more I see, the less I know for sure.”
― John Lennon

When I think about or hear the word photography, a sense of passion is felt. This is due in part to my upbringing and profession. I am a product photographer for a jewelry store and e-sales rep as a current profession. It pays the bills, but deep down inside I am a fresh off the runway fashion photographin freak! Yup I am sure that is not a word. But I have been on the other side of the camera also in my successful but short lived career as a glamor model. The carrier would have been longer & was taking off , but a freak car accident ended the fun and ability. The job was tough enough without the red light runner helping matters. To be a decently paid model, you secretly must break through a wall of constant advances, creeps that tell you they know it all, and everyone they have worked with is famous now. Well just when you thought it was safe... substandard photographers that are expensive or horny seem your only destiny. But if you can drag yourself through that and still put on smile... You will get large jobs as I was lucky enough too. On the other hand I have heard on several occasions, from other models... well lets just say its a mans world for sure. I was lucky enough to work with a large magazine and did not have such burdens. The only way to see a clear picture is on the inside and some light of wisdom leading your perception. I felt it necessary to explain myself so other young models are aware. Aspiring models should always keep this with them.

This was itchy!

"Your only as good

as your worst photo"

I love this for its truth in several meanings. The lesson we can learn about this is multifaceted. On one hand we have a need to project an image and in that image we have a meaning. The photographers job it seems is to make a beautiful picture from everyday objects and humans. If you have a bad image... that is what you will be remembered by! The same can be applied in life and in the images of people and objects we see on a daily.

Our children are also subject to this reality. Just look at the mags and marketing shoved into those sponge like minds.

We must always keep this to draw from. Every situation we see today from politics, to news stations, top stories, big business, advertising, marketing, our facebook, proposed laws and social pages... Everyone is trying to portray an idea a special interest. They can be catchy and sometimes dangerous to us and others. If you can train yourself to stop for one minute and think is this for the greater good of me and my fellow earth dwellers? Who benefits from this idea? Would they lie to me to separate me from my rational realm of thinking or acting? If everyone asked these questions before swallowing the information hook line and sinker... we would be a better off world. A little research please everyone!

Everyone else does it so why not me? Yep that's right I am not the 1st to discover this veil that was thrown over my eyes at birth. There are many. And more of a surprise? The vast majority that have discovered this, have in fact played the illusion for gain card. And that's OK I guess... Or is it? That would depend on who you are, what side of the fence you come from. If your the consumer that is blinded by all the hype, then maybe you should stop to think. Questions like... Who made this, why? Where all the people that took part in its fabrication treated like a human? Payed fairly, treated kindly?. Is this idea or product good for me and every living thing. Does it support my local environment and its people. Could I use another less harmful approach or alternative that would be a better choice? These applications can be used in every situation that comes forth in your life.

To prove my point I would like to share a link from a really useful website... www.Socialnomics.net

This link has 13 Marketing Translations Gone Wrong! They are killer!

http://www.socialnomics.net/2011/03/29/13-marketing-translations-gone-wrong/

Credits to & story By Erik Qualman | March 29, 2011

Most important of this portrayed propaganda would be the ill effects on children, health, environment & our own general well being. We should try each day try to recognize just one falsehood we perhaps could live without. I am sure you will find many as I do each passing day. Maybe... tie a ribbon to your rear view mirror as a reminder to keep your mind open as it works in conjunction with your eyes & ears in this self serving world.

I would like to hear what you have to say!

Maybe what you are thinking of or need to get off your shoulders, connecting is what the world wide web is all about... Right?

Does my face look airbrushed? Cause it is...

Mandy Ann

The world is a small place

2012-03-01T14:45:00.003-08:00


Photography taken by yours truly!

This is my 1st blog ever! I hope to master it and do many more in due time, but for now I am a spring chicken to blogging. I have to say that the world is smaller than we think. I believe that its the connections that are vast and seem elusive. I hope to be a small part of that change. I have started my blog to share with all of you, bits and pieces of the world as I find unique and wonderful information to share. In the process I hope to make new connections, friends and grow my extended family! In this blog you will find projects, news, rants and ravs... But rest assured you will find unique and helpful information. Please comment, and post at will. Together we will make the world a smaller place!