{Before & After: Console Table}

Over the weekend I had a lot of fun putting together my console table area simply by pulling things I had from around the house. After listening to your comments {THANK YOU!!!!}, I tried to implement just about all of them into my space. So without further ado - here is my Before & After...

Jackson Console Table - Crate & Barrel

Glass Ball Lamp - Z Gallerie

White Ceramic Owl - Z Gallerie

Round Glass Paperweight - Crate & Barrel

"I Will Not Ride In Cars With Boys" painting - DIY {see below}

Greenery - Smith & Hawken

Sailor's Knot - DIY {see below}

Gold Pig - DIY {see below}

Feel free to contact me about any of the pictures - I can tell you where I got each. I'm proud to say for this project I only spent $30.00 {$20 for the owl & $10 for the rope} everything else I already had.

Check out some of the DIY projects below:

I saw this sailor's knot on Design Sponge last week and knew that I wanted to add it to my console table. And in Design Sponge fashion, she provided step-by-step instructions {and video} for how to make it. That evening I went to Home Depot to purchase my rope and after several attempts - it's not perfect, but it works. What do you think? {Click here for instructions}

At the Raleigh Flea Market there is this man that has a truckload of metal and rusty findings. Every time I go I go search through the piles of "junk" and usually I find something that comes home with me. I found this little pig and decided to add it to my table for a little whimsy {you know me} - oh and I spray painted it metallic gold for that touch of glam.

I loved the painting that was in my Nate Berkus post and I decided to create one to add a little touch of humor to my space. This canvas was in my closet and I simply painted in black, let it dry, and with a white paint marker {and a steady hand} decided to go with "I Will Not Ride In Cars With Boys". Ha - I love it now, but not so much when my parents used to say this to me.... many many years ago. {lol!}

So overall ~ what do you think?

Wondering where the Blog of the Week went? Well... I've decided to put it on hold for a little while in an effort to have an opportunity to post more lovely finds, DIY, Before & Afters, and personal stories. Have no fear, I'll still showcase all the fab blogs that I come across - it will just be in a different format, so stay tuned. For all of the blogs that I've gushed about over the last several months, and many many more to come, they have been added and will continually be updated on my blog roll! Any objections?

{I love a project}

{Real Talk for a sec, if you don't want to hear me vent - skip to the next paragraph...}. Yesterday I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and honestly I was pretty unpleasant to be around. I didn't have a specific reason why,  I wasn't upset with anyone or anything - I just didn't feel like being "on" and unfortunately I wasn't able to hide it. Though it may seem on my blog that I’m all rainbows and unicorns - the truth is, I have moments when I want to scream, throw stuff, crawl back in the bed, and be alone - that's just real talk. So thanks to my lovely friends at work {you know who you are, thank you for putting up with me}, the short break from the office, and an oreo frosty from Wendy's, I became less of a crab and put my serious case of poor me aside. I promise, today I've got a new attitude and ready to get back on my unicorn and jump over a few lovely, genius, and sh-mazing rainbows...LOL! Speaking of which...

If you know me even a little bit you know I love a project {and any reason to shop and decorate...especially if you're crabby, lol} and as you can see below I need some major help with styling my console table and the wall space above it. This little area is definitely a space that I walk past constantly every day and...ignore it. So this week I plan to use pieces I have around the house {and maybe a piece or two that I find at one of my fave stores - Anthropologie, Z Gallerie, Home Goods, and Crate & Barrel - I know , I know, I'm on a shopping freeze saving for Italy, but one or two things won't hurt....right? } and style this area up.

I've done a little research and below are some pics that truly inspire me. BUT - I would also love to hear from you on any ideas you may have for my lonely space. What are my must haves? What elements should I not {or should} go without?

{Love the wall full of framed art...}

{Love the leaning art, the greenery, and that wonderful wooden "bowl" to hold all my fave magazines...}

{Love the hammered silver bowl, and the wired vase, and the styling of books here...}

{Love the simplicity here - the gold mirror and matching lamp look...}

So many ideas - how do I decide? I'm sending out an S.O.S!!! Comment below with your suggestions and be sure to come back next week {Tuesday} to see the results.