Going A Little Coastal

New Mirror and FOLK photos

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:47:00 +0000

Just a quick post today. I’m in another huge rush to get things done before trips I have to take and company arriving.

I quickly took these photos with my phone so they’re not great.

Just wanted to show you the big mirror on top of the mantel. What do you think.

I’m still sure of the addition of the smaller mirror. The proportions seem odd.

Yes, I killed two of the little ferns in that wire basket!

Also, I keep forgetting to show you my photos that FOLK used in their recent issue!

It was pretty darn exciting to see my photos in a magazine!

They actually used 3 of them :)

You may be able to find this issue at a Barnes and Noble near you.

I think you’ll love it!

What do you think of the mirror on the mantel? Too big? Too crowded?

Let me know.

My Latest Finds

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:53:00 +0000

I’ve picked up a few new things for my etsy shop. Some white ironstone pieces.

I just need to get them photographed and then I will list them.

But yesterday I didn’t find much on my thrift store hunt. But then as I was about to leave I spied a mirror stashed behind some old lawn furniture. And well, it just had to come home with me. I got a military discount so it was an extra good deal.

It’s heavy as all get out. It’s an old dresser mirror.

It has some lovely carved details and a gorgeous shape.

The mirror is beveled with some etching along the top.

There is some aging a bit along the edge but the center is pretty clear.

I don’t know what I’ll do with it. Keep it or sell it. Paint it or leave it as it. The wood is in great shape.

I might take the wood braces off the back and stick it on the mantel. But is it too big?

It’s a lot bigger then the ones up there now. I should have measured and marked the wall so you could see just how big it really is. I guess the only way to see is to try it. But I will need help getting it up there!

I wish they had the dresser that went with it.

Oh and while I’m in the family room, let me show you my new sea grass rug!

It’s a big change for me from my last rug.

(he looks annoyed with me)

I did love this rug. It was fun with the big floral print and the colors were great. I was just ready for a change. I love the way the sea grass just calmed the room. I got it from Overstock. They ship really fast and they occasionally have their rugs on sale. It is a big 9x12 so I waited for the sale. I really love the herringbone pattern.

We are searching for a new chair to replace that old slip covered one that I didn’t even bother fluffing up before taking these shots. Nor did I pick up all the dog toys or papers lying around.

So sorry.

And why yes, those are my kitchen cabinet doors on my dining room table. They are starting to go back on with new hinges and knobs. Do you think it’s easier to drill the holes for the new knobs after I rehang them?

Hey, Remember Me?

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:41:00 +0000

I have not fallen off the face of the earth!

It’s just been crazy busy around here. I’ve had interruptions in the kitchen painting so I feel bad that it is not done yet to show off. But soon! I do see the end, it is near.

There is still a lot of this around the house.

Cabinets and drawer fronts cover all the tables and are across boards between the chairs. We eat our dinner either on the couch or out on the patio. I’m actually liking eating outside! But I feel the frustration of some family members. Okay, maybe all the family members.

I’m also battling the evils in my garden.

Oh, it looks good from a distance. But I have powdery mildew on my squash leaves which is now spreading to my cucumbers. I’m trying not to use chemicals so I’m using diluted milk to battle it.

I am losing said battle.

Also battling this little guy. They are cute but they are the devil. They have munched their way through my tomato leaves and are now working on my cucumber leaves. They are fast and furious.

You can see my nice romaine lettuce in the background here. The romaine is finished already.

I will replant more lettuce in the fall.

We also made the trip to Atlanta and proudly watched as #2 son graduated from GA Tech.

I love this shot with all the kids on their cell phones trying to find their moms and dads!

Yes my son, my newly graduated engineer, wore flip flops to his graduation. I guess he could have been that other kid with the black shoes and white shorty socks!

We had lunch at a fabulous restaurant downtown called Baraonda. You must go if you’re in the area. They use really fresh ingredients.

One more graduation to go. #3 son graduates at the end of the month. Pray for good weather because his will be outside!

Don’t give up on me! I hope to get back to a normal schedule soon.

Hope all of you wonderful moms had a great Mothers Day!

Color Swatch App

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:39:00 +0000

I came across this app the other day and thought I would share.

It can really be helpful if you are trying to find colors to use in a room.

It's a Sherwin Williams app called Color Snap.

It works on my iPad and iPhone but I think it will work with any smart phone.

You can take a picture using the app or you can use a photo you already have.

Then you hold your finger over an area to find a color.

And keep adding colors that you want to include in your palette.

When you save them it comes up with paint samples.

These are the 3 colors I picked. But Im not liking the last one too well.

No problem, I can adjust any of the colors by lightness, hue or saturation!

You can scroll left of right for more colors.

There, a little less peachy!

Isn't that cool?

I'm still fiddling with it but I think I can be really usefull.

Let me now if you try it out.

Oh, and it's free!

Now to get on track with that kitchen!

FOLK Giveaway Winner

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:15:00 +0000

Sorry for the wait! I did not forget about the FOLK magazine subscription giveaway.

I’ve just been up to my ears in white paint this weekend and have had no time.

The kitchen is coming along nicely. I’ll be glad when it is finished!

Here’s a peak. Just the primer.

It’s already looking lighter in there though. And as you can see, the toe kick went white.

Thank you to all who took the time to enter. I had asked you guys to let me know some simple ideas that you do around your home. Here a few ideas that were mentioned.

Bringing the outdoors in with branches, flowers and bits of nature. That’s a no cost winner.

Cooking extra to have items ready for quick meals. Especially great in the summer.

Lots of you love adding flowers to mason jars and spreading them around the house. One of my favs. Keeping things simple and uncluttered. Something I’m always trying to achieve.

So many great ideas!

Okay, now for the winner.

Linda @ Coastal Charm!

she said: Simple ideas at my home are...working in the yard as a family and decorating our home with thrifty items. Thanks for the giveaway...sounds like a wonderful magazine.

and it is!

Congrats Linda!

Back to painting. :)

I still need to pick a wall color.

Giveaway Reminder and Toe Kick Advice

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:29:00 +0000

Don’t forget about the FOLK magazine giveaway I have going on.

You have until Friday night to enter!

LOOK!

I went outside this morning to check on my garden and was surprised to see these little guys.

My first sugar peas!

and this…

Zucchini blossoms!

The garden is coming along nicely. I'm really looking forward to the green beans and tomatoes.

My carrot seeds even seem to be coming up. I'll be shocked if I get actual carrots!

The rest of the day was not so much fun.

I’ve scrubbing down cabinets and taking off hardware. So my kitchen looks like this now.

(Whoa, that is a little blurry! These were all taken with my iphone.

I think I was just too tired to hold it still for that last shot!)

It was disgusting just how dirty they were. I know some people don’t like white cabinets because they will show the dirt more. Well, I think I’d rather see the dirt right away so I can wipe it down then for it to hide and build up like it did.

ICK!

Both pairs of my rubber gloves were ripped so I spent all day with may hands in bucket after bucket of water. They now feel like paper.

I am off to fill some holes so I can add new hardware later.

Hope to start the priming tomorrow.

Oh hey, see that toe kick down there below the cabinets? I'm thinking they should be white too.

What say you? There is something in a vinyl I could put down there. Anyone have that?

Okay, everyone go look at their toe kicks and get back to me.

I'll be waiting.

FOLK magazine: a Review and a Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:49:00 +0000

I have mentioned FOLK magazine before.

It’s a wonderful, relatively new magazine that is focused on living a simple life.

Folk has really taken off and it is now going national this May.

They are about to release issue V and I had the opportunity to review it!

Yes, I got to flip through all of the gorgeous pages a little early.
You too can see a little preview yourself. Just go HERE.

Here is a little description from the folks at FOLK themselves:

FOLK MAGAZINE IS....

Devoted to presenting a fresh and youthful interpretation of simple country lifestyles. We focus on the stories that make America our collective home sweet home. FOLK reaches across the many representations of American Country style to celebrate personal expression in our homes, businesses, and lives.

Folk has some contributors that you might recognize.

Donna, Michael and soon to be, Anne.

FOLK brings me back in time a bit.
Reminds me to enjoy the simple things and not to sweat the small stuff.
Life is too short. Enjoy it now!

Some of the simple things that I love:
jars with fresh flowers, swinging on the hammock, key lime pie, working in my garden,
walks along the beach, time spent with family

And the best part is, FOLK would like to give away a subscription!

But of course if you can’t wait you can go HERE to buy a subscription or a single issue for yourself.
Also, Issue V will be on news stands in the middle of May.

If you would like to enter to win a subscription to FOLK here's what I’d like you to do.

1. Leave me a comment and tell me what simple ideas you love around your home.

for a second try,

2. Like FOLK on facebook and tell them Hi for me. Then let me know that you did.

Feel free to spread the word!

We'll wrap it up at the end of the week. I'll randomly pick a winner late Friday night.

I think you will love the magazine as much as I do.

ps. Some of you just might recognize a few photos in Issue V.
I am soooo excited!
:)

GOOD LUCK!!

Spring Mantel

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 23:06:00 +0000

I’m working on prepping the kitchen today. Such a tedious job.

Taking downing and cleaning all the cabinets. I just have to have the vision of a brighter kitchen in my mind to get through all the boring prep stuff.

But I did take a few minutes to change up the mantel in the living room

And I do mean just a few minutes.

The mirrors were there already.

A friend of mine works at Tuesday Morning and she picked up this wire pot holder.

Isn’t it cute? I know there are not any fleurs in them but I like the green for spring.

I cut a couple of branches from the philodendron that is out by the pool give it some height.

I filled the vase with some shells to hold them in place.

And that is about it.

Spring has sprung on my mantel.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

linking up with:

Funky Junk Interiors SNS #127

Oh, still planning a giveaway.

Figured I'd wait until next week since everyone is busy with the holiday weekend.

Happy Easter!

I’m Dreaming of a White….

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 02:30:00 +0000

no, not Christmas.

Kitchen!

Maybe something like this….

source

Love the blue island. I don’t have an island but if I did, I’d want it to be a color.

source

I love how neutral it all is except for the pop of orange. Oh and those pendants!

source

Blue bead board ceiling! Genius. I could paint my ceiling.

Since it’s one of the few that don’t have popcorn in this house.

I don’t have the original source for this one. But I love the blue backs to the cabinets.

That, I will be doing.

source

And glass cabinets. I need to put in some glass panels on a few doors to open up the space.

I know I have mentioned painting my kitchen before. They have been bugging me since the day we moved in almost 3 years ago. They are dark and they suck the light out of a room that already doesn’t get a lot of natural light. So they must go.

I even bought a paint sprayer.

I just need to figure out how to use it. But it seems pretty easy.

I’m going to work on priming the bases. It’s been raining so no spraying right now.

Which is why I don’t have the before shots yet either.

I keep forgetting to take them when the sun pops out. But I will.

And one more thing....

How about a GIVEAWAY?

All of you magazine obsessed people will love this one!

(I know there are a lot of you)

So be sure to check back and see what I have for you.

See you soon!

Cucumber Trellis

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 17:38:00 +0000

Finally got around to making a trellis for the cucumbers.

I wanted something bigger then last year but I didn’t want to spend a lot.

I had the chicken wire, which I found for .99 at Goodwill last year. Then I when I was at Lowes getting the 4x4 for the mailbox I picked up these 1x2’s. They were only a dollar each for 8’.

Not bad at all.

We (okay, he) just made a simple frame and screwed them together.

Then we (I did help with this) stapled on the wire. The wire was only 2’ wide and we made the frame about 5 tall. So we ran two strips of chicken wire across the frame and then wired the two panels of chicken wire together. Like a whip stitch with wire. The bottom 1 foot is open. I can run a string across if I have to but I think the cucumbers will be a foot tall before they start to grab on anyway. It’s hard to see but the chicken wire does hang down below the bottom bar.

These guys were watching us just outside the garage. It was raining on and off all day.

We just leaned them together and tied the tops with more wire.

The legs are resting up against the garden box.

Nothing fancy but it’s pretty sturdy and should hold the cucumbers well.

It will also provide shade for the lettuce that is underneath it.

I guess I can take that back hoop off now.

My plan is to cover the whole thing with mesh if I see any critters munching away.

But so far so good.

And why do all the oak trees have to shed now? What a mess they make.

I have my first pepper!

Have you started gardening yet?

One of Those Days

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:20:00 +0000

Well, my day started out pretty good. I sold something over at Skyland Drive and I was getting it in the mail. I went to put it in the mailbox and I noticed it was leaning. Then when I looked out the window I saw this.

Yeah. It just fell over. I’m guessing someone hit it. #3 son said it wasn’t him.

So, I did a little digging to see if I could get the rest of the post out.

Because as usual, my husband is out of town. It never fails. I’d say he’s gone about 90% of the time when something breaks. The dryer, the car battery, the computer, the gigantic roach. Okay, the roach wasn’t exactly broken but I HAD TO KILL IT!

So anyway, I was hitting all sorts of rocks. Big rocks. I don’t know how it was even put there in the first place. I was fearing that there was cement.

So, I waited until the boy got home from school and I let him do some digging. He got down further but wasn’t feeling the bottom. Then we found this.

I think it was the post from the original metal box. Who knows.

I looked up the installation for this mailbox and it said to use a 48 inch 4x4 and 40 inches was what broke off. So I didn’t think it could be that far down.

But boy was I wrong.

The boy ended up taking an ax to the stump to try to break it up.

He loosened it up enough and was able to pull it up out of the hole.

And pull some more.

All 40 some odd inches of it! They had buried it almost 4’ deep!

So, off to Home Depot I went for a new 4x4. I had them cut it to 7’ so we could just slide it back into the original hole. It seems a little higher now. Oh well, it’s in now.

I forgot to take an after picture but you know, it’s just a mailbox.

It was 7pm by the time I got back from HD and the boy was hungry.

Hey, I had to look at plants and stuff.

I hope nothing else breaks before hubby gets home.

Outside Gardening and Good News

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 04:13:00 +0000

Oh my, time is flying by! Son #2 was home on spring break last week. It coincided with son #3 so it worked out well and they got to hang out together.

Also too, I had some free labor. Well, not free. He has been going to college for the past 5 years.

Graduation is coming up, yippee!

But as one finishes up college, one is getting ready to start.

We started this last year but only got a little bit done. This time we got the whole back area cleared out. It was just a mess back there. I have visions of layers of plants back there. So, while both boys were home we spread out all the mulch. Four truck loads full! Now I have a lot of space to add some new bushes and flowers. I can plant a little at a time now which is great.

Some more oak leaf hydrangeas are on my list to get along with another butterfly bush.

I know it looks a little empty now but once I get things planted I’m sure it will fill out nicely.

I am still moving things around. Transplanting a few things too.

I got my vegetables planted in my new raised beds. They are small now but it won’t be long until they take off. I have tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini, squash, eggplant, strawberries and some lettuce. I hope it’s not too late for the lettuce. Oh, and I have carrot seeds to plant.

The sweet peas are already grabbing hold.

We moved the blueberry bushes last year so this is the first year we actually have berries!

I’m so glad we didn’t kill them.

The almost engineer made me a teepee with some bamboo I had laying around.

I planted my green beans around it today. I’ll show you again once they start to cover it.

I also want to thank you for all the good wishes for son #3 and his college interview.

It worked! He got accepted to Florida State and even more exciting….

he got accepted into the Film School! Did I mention that part? That was what the interview was for. They only accept a small amount of freshman. He’s thrilled! He will go to FSU in Tallahassee his first year but then he goes to West Palm Beach to study animation and digital arts. So, that means he won’t be close to home.

I’m trying not to think about that part.

Hope you all have a great week!

Indoor Gardening

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 16:02:00 +0000

I’ve had this shallow dish for awhile now. Wasn’t sure what to do with it. I bought it an estate sale because it had a frog in it, a floral frog, not a ribbit frog. I just wanted the frog, but for a dollar I got both.

I’ve never grown succulents before but I thought I’d give it a try.

I started with these little guys that I found at Lowes. I bought some special soil for cactus and succulents and some small white rocks. I always plant in pots with drainage holes. It is the smart way to do it. This dish had no holes. I know I could have drilled some but I thought I’d try some rocks on the bottom and just be real careful with watering. Fingers crossed I don’t kill them!

I used the rocks as a cover too and then added some shells and a tiny piece of driftwood.

Have you grown succulents inside before?

Let me know if you have any tips.

I broke off some of that little one up front. Can you just plant those leaves?

I’m also getting busy on my outdoor gardening.

We brought home a truckload of soil to fill my raised beds.

Hubby built me another bed so we needed a lot.

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend!

Spring Cleaning

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:35:00 +0000

I have a little problem. I have a magazine obsession.

So, I picked up these cute magazine boxes at Target in the dollar spot.

I knew the time had come.

It was getting way out of hand and taking over the ~~bathroom~~ library.

Remember this recessed magazine rack that we built because of that um….hole in the wall?

If you are new, you might want to go have a peak at that little mess I caused.

Well let’s just say that it was overflowing just a wee bit.

It was time to get rid of some.

So I took a deep breath and started sorting.

I had over two years of Better Homes and Garden.

I would of had more but I already did this when we moved from GA to FL.

There was even a Windows and Walls from 2004. It was out of control.

Yes, I hang on to them way too long.

So all of those on my bed went to the recycle bin.

The truck came today.There is no turning back.

I just kept a few of the special issues and the more recent issues of my subscriptions.

Okay, I still have all of 2011 of BH&G. I still like to go back to them for ideas.

But now I can store them nicely in my closet.

And the basket isn’t overflowing anymore.

In fact, I have room for some new ones!

Next, I’m going through my bathroom drawers and dumping all of the old makeup, lotions and potions. I've just been dumping stuff in there and it's a mess.

Why do I hang onto this stuff?

Do you?

Please tell me I’m not alone.

Spring is on the way!

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 05:59:00 +0000

The weather has still been rather dreary around here.

The sun will peek out every now and then. But as quickly as it came out, it’s gone yet again.

I spotted a few trees starting to bloom. That’s a good sign, right?

It’s a busy week around here. We made a quick trip to Tallahassee. #3 son had a college interview at FSU. He felt good about how it all went. He was pretty nervous and we were as well! Fingers crossed everyone!

It’s a pretty campus and it was full of kids walking everywhere.

One thing that surprised me was this….

That my friends, is a circus tent!

They have a circus college there. I had no idea.

I have more traveling to do this weekend.

Maybe I’ll find the sun!

iPad Cover

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:38:00 +0000

Remember all the sweaters I showed you? I know, a bit obsessive.

But I finally got something up on my etsy shop that I made with one of them.

I made a cozy little iPad cover. I think it came out pretty darn cute!

The lining was made using a men’s dress shirt. The stripes give a bit of a nautical touch.

So I repeated a few of them on the front. They were needle felted with wool roving.

photo: the rainbow room

Have you tried working with wool roving?

You can also form it into shapes. Wet felting is something I have not tried yet.

And remember, Skyland Drive is on Facebook.

I’d love for you to stop by and say hi.

Let me know what you think of the new iPad cover.

A Fish Fight

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:28:00 +0000

We finally have sun today! It’s so nice to see blue skies again.

But it did get chilly again too. I don’t mind as long as there is sun.

It was cloudy the day when I went to the dock with my husband. He did a little fishing and I brought my camera. I was hoping to get some shots of the osprey that hang out down there. I had actually forgotten about these pictures until I saw this shot of an eagle on Michelle’s blog.

photo from Emerald Cove

Isn’t that a great shot? She has a whole lot more photos of these magnificent creatures. Michelle took these shots at Lake Michigan. It looks like a gorgeous area.

After looking at her wonderful shots, I remembered about the day we went to the dock.

I had to wait a bit but then I saw this.

I had just put on my new lens and I was fumbling trying to get this shot!

I was so excited to get it and then I realized that the osprey had company.

Someone wanted that fish!

It was amazing to watch.

We had heard there were eagle nests nearby but we had not seen any in awhile.

There was the one we saw last year in the neighbors yard eating something.

That was freaky because he swooped by so close to us!

The osprey drops the fish but I don’t know if the eagle got it!

I just kept snapping away hoping I captured something.

I’m glad he found this fishing spot. I’ll be back for more pictures on a warmer and sunnier day.

The sun did start to come out just before we left.

The osprey was off to find some more supper.

Hope you stop by Emerald Cove and see her great shots too.

Have a great week.

Mushroom Risotto

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Okay, this is a first for me. I am blogging from my iPad using the blogsy app.

So we shall see how it goes.

It's only taken me 3 hours to figure it out. Okay, maybe 2. Also, I used my new phone to take the pictures. I wanted to see how it did. Plus, I was too lazy to go upstairs for my camera.

I decided to make some risotto for my two guys for a Valentine treat.

And I thought I'd show you how easy it is to make.

#3 son has a cold and it's a real comfort food.

No one makes it as good as my mom but I try to get close. The thing is, my mom does not have recipes. She sort of throws stuff together like a magician. I started with a recipe from the food network and tweaked it a bit. It calls for dried proccini mushrooms and my mom uses them as well. I just always seem to forget them.

Here is what I usually use.

1 onion

2 or 3 cloves of garlic

2T of fresh thyme

2T fresh parsley (I had to use dried today)

2T butter

2 packs of mushrooms (I used a mix)

2 cups of arborio rice

White wine

Olive oil, salt and pepper

Parmesan cheese

8 cups chicken broth, low sodium

I simmer the broth on the back burner while I sauté half of the chopped onion and garlic in a tablespoon of olive oil until translucent. Then I add the mushrooms, herbs and butter until browned. Salt and pepper to taste. Then I remove the mushroom mixture.

In the same pot I added two more tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the rest of the onions and garlic. Add the rice and stir quickly to break down the starch. Only for a minute or so. Then add about a half a cup of wine. Make sure you have some to sip as well because you'll be standing and stirring for a while.

Stir until the wine is absorbed. Then add one ladle of broth at a time, letting each one absorb before adding another. Keep the heat about medium so that it doesn't evaporate too quickly.

It will get thicker and creamier. You don't want it mushy, it should be a bit firm and very creamy.

Then add the mushroom mix back in. I leave out all the mushroom liquid because it muddies it.

Add about half a cup of freshly grated cheese, stir til melted and you are done!

Garnish with more cheese of course.

I've also used Romano pecorino. Which is why I like to use low sodium broth. Some cheeses are more salty. I do like to use fresh cheese and fresh herbs when I can.

It is so good!

Shrinking Sweaters Is Not Always Bad

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:09:00 +0000

I have a new obsession.

It might seem a little odd since I live in Florida.

But I can’t help myself.

It’s wool sweaters!

I am addicted to felting the wool. Have you heard of felting?

Just think of that nice cashmere sweater that your husband threw in the wash.
And it came out looking like something that would fit a toddler.

He felted it for you!

These are all nicely felted and ready to be made into something else.

The great thing is, you can cut them up and they don’t unravel.

Sometimes they need to be washed more then once.

Hot wash, cold rinse. I throw in an old towel to help with agitation.

before felting

I keep searching for different colors and patterns.

I even found a hounds tooth wool skirt in some great earthy shades.

I’m loving the orange in this sweater.

Here it is after I washed it. Fuzzy softness.

Some I will put aside for projects next fall.

Hey,I’m stocking up.

This one had these amazing pearl beads sewn onto the front.

I removed them before washing so it would shrink evenly.

instagram shot

Now I am searching for some bright and fun colors for spring and summer.

I found just a few at Goodwill yesterday.

Half off day!

I wish you could feel the softness. :)

Guesting at Primitive and Proper Today!

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:27:00 +0000

I am visiting Cassie at Primitive and Proper today.

Come by and see me!

Also, I added some handmade items over at Skyland Drive.
Some sweet smelling lavender sachets.

Swing by and get a better look.

Can't believe it's the weekend already. Not that I'm complaining.

Hope you have a fun one!

Pendant Lights

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:19:00 +0000

We had a nice dinner. Roast beef, mashed potatoes, it was pretty good.

Son #3 put the dishes in the dishwasher while I washed out a pot.

Then this happened.

I think it was the potato peels. What good is a disposal if there are more things that you can’t put in it then what you can? Potato peels seemed like a pretty easy thing to chop up.

So anyway, while I was being the flashlight holder I thought I would take a really crappy shot of my new lights. We put them in awhile ago but I sort of forgot about them.
Well, I didn't forget. I was not wanting to show you my kitchen.

Why yes, those are paint chips still adorning my unpainted cabinets. I got completely off track in this room. I still haven’t painted the walls either and those darn dreary cabinets keep screaming at me….

WILL YOU PAINT ME ALREADY!

Back to the lights. They are these easy to install pendants from Lowes.

They just screw into the light socket wherever you have a recessed light.

You can find them without shades as well but these accept a higher watt bulb. I can always change out the shades down the road. I like the brush nickel finish and the white shade give a nice clean look. They give me more direct light and it’s such an easy solution if you are in the mood for a quick change.

I guess I will do a little online browsing for some new cabinet hardware.
Maybe that will give me the kick in the pants I need to get moving.

Do you have any projects that are staring you in the face?

Wish you had a magic wand to wave too?

Facebook, Etsy and Blogs, oh my!

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

You know you are behind in blog posts when your husband ask when you will post again.

So, while I chat with you all I thought I’d show you some shots I took when we went walking with some friends at Blackwater Creek State Park.

I have been busy trying to get my etsy shop set up and a facebook page for Skyland Drive.

I have the facebook page set up so now I just need to be active on it. I have to get on there and do some liking. Also, I should do some moving around. Those of you who have FB pages for your blogs which I am following, are done so under my personal profile. So, what I may do is like you all again under my FB Skyland Drive page.

Does that make sense? Because I see no other way of doing this. After I go through all of that I will just hide you under my personal profile so your blog updates don’t show up twice in my feed.

Or will I have to delete you? That sounds so harsh.

And I keep forgetting to link up my items to facebook when I list a new item on etsy. Even though it asks me after I publish it! I see no way of doing it at any other time.

I am learning as I go here. Bear with me.

I kept trying to share some of my etsy items already published and it will not let me!

I had to color my hair yesterday because I gained a bazillion more gray hairs from all of this.

Tomorrow it’s getting cut.

I hope you will stop by and see me on facebook. You can find me here.

Some friendly faces would be great.

There isn’t a lot on there right now but it will get better!

Oh and one more of this little guy. It was the cutest mushroom I ever saw.

I guess it’s really a toadstool.

I may lose internet for a bit. We are canceling Cox TV so we have to get our own modem for the internet.

And because nothing is easy around here I'm suspecting there will be problems.

Have a great weekend.

A Mom Has Rights

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:23:00 +0000

Time for a little bragging.

I can do that.

I’m a mom.

It’s in the rulebook.

I think I mentioned that my oldest son got engaged. Well, they were both interviewed by a friend for the Marietta Daily Journal Online. It’s a very cute article about the two of them both being photographers and how they make it all work. I’m so proud of them both. They work so hard and they are so very talented. I know their time will come when they will be famous. The little Tom Sawyer in the slide show is Rickelle’s son. He’s a cutie, and loves to model for them.

Okay, well maybe not love, but he is a trooper!

I also want to thank Cassie from Primitive and Proper.

She was my very first customer at my Esty shop, Skyland Drive!

Cassie bought my rice grain sacks which she plans on making into some pillows. I can’t wait to see them. They recently bought a new house and she is redoing it to fit their style. If you haven’t seen her amazing furniture transformations you need to stop by and and take a peak.

Oh and I even made one more sale since then. So, yay me!

I know it will take awhile to get going. I will keep plugging along and adding things. I hope the sun will be out tomorrow so I can take some photos.

I snapped this the other day. I wanted to try out my new lens on some birds.

But it was so windy they were all hiding.

And thanks for all your input on my new/old birdcage. I think I will be leaving it as is.

I fear you all would come after me with pitchforks if I didn’t! ;)

Rusty Old Birdcage

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:55:00 +0000

How is your weekend going? It’s still chilly here but the sun is out and the sky is blue.

Can’t ask for much more then that.

I got a lot of great gifts for Christmas and my birthday but I thought I’d show you something a friend of mine found at a yard sale for me.

She saw it and thought it was something I’d like to redo.

But the thing is, I don’t want to redo it. I like it the way it is.

Is that crazy?

She sounded a little disappointed when I said I loved it like this.

It has weathered wood trim and scrolly accents on the bars and door.

The roof is metal and sort of a blue green color.

It has bits of rust here and there but still a lot of the great blue green color that I love.

I’m not sure what I’ll put in it. If anything. The door doesn’t open very wide.

So what do you think?

Would you leave it or paint it?

Why I Love Target

noreply@blogger.com (Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:02:00 +0000

I do, I love Target. I wish it was closer. Living in this tiny town I admit that sometimes I have to run into that blue store when I don’t have time to drive the 20 or so minutes across the bridge to my beloved Target. The blue store in my town is new and small so it’s not horrid as some of the other blue ones are. Yes, some are horrid.

What is it that draws me to Target instead of the other place you ask?

(I’ll tell you anyway)

Exhibit A:

Pajama People

via

I have never seen pajama people at Target. I’m sure there must be some. But lucky for me I have not seen them. Don’t get me wrong. I love, LOVE my pj’s. I have been known to lay around all day in my pajamas. I have lots of them. I may even admit to driving my kids to school in pajamas. With my cup of coffee and my huge sunglasses, praying the whole time that I do not get pulled over or that someone doesn’t rear end me. It's a risky game I played but as my kids could tell you, and I'm sure they'd love to, I was always running late.

However, I would never go into a store in my pj’s.

NEVAH!

And if you are someone who shops in your pj’s, I’m sorry.

But stop it.

Exhibit B:

The Noise Leval

via

Target is not loud and obnoxious. It’s calm and soothing. Like a spa, without a massage.

They should look into that.

via

I can easily wile away a good couple of hours in Target. Checking the clearance racks, seeing what’s new. Grabbing a Starbucks and sipping as I shop. Not at that other place. Everyone seems so frantic. As soon as I walk in my heart starts racing, I get this twitch in my left eye and I just want out. Maybe it’s so frantic because everyone else wants out too.

By the way, I can so relate to how she feels. My hair looks like that every morning.

One more reason.

Exhibit C:

C for Clearance!

Those little red clearance stickers still make me giddy.

I found the photo above at this blog called Thrifty and Thriving and she has this page which is all about shopping in Target. Maybe you’ve been there but I thought I’d share in case you haven’t. Not that you need a manual or anything. Click below to read about how Target does their markdowns.

Target has not compensated me in any way to write this.

Although, they can contact me anytime if feel the need to do so.

Have a great weekend!