A LITTLE FLUFFING IN THE BEDROOM

You may remember that a few months ago I started a major redo on my master bedroom...as I said, all the pink, flowers and vintage linens were all wrong for me...so I started my redo by painting and adding a little animal print to the mix...you can read all about that HERE and HERE...I still have plenty left to do before a final reveal but I have been doing a little fluffing that I wanted to show you...

A dresser vignette...

I was glad the pink was gone, but I still wanted somewhat of a feminine feel here...I used this black & white photo of my children because it just worked well with the mood and color scheme of the room...then I was on the hunt for something to go along with it...something feminine...I found the leopard print hat at a thrift store and knew it would be just perfect...it ties in with the leopard print sheets and draperies, but there was still something missing...you know, I always use the "odd numbers" rule in my decorating...and this vignette still needed one more thing...BUT WHAT?

I thought, and I thought, and I thought some more and then....BAM....I was sitting at work one day and a light bulb came on in my head...a BRIGHT light bulb....I said (to myself of course), how about a HUGE bottle of perfume...Yes, that would be PERFECT....nothing says feminine and romantic more than perfume...but my NEXT questions was...where do I FIND this huge bottle of perfume?...

I remembered as a teenager strolling through Famous Barr (now Macy's) at the mall and how I loved those huge bottles of perfume on display at their cosmetic counter...so I went online to see what I could find...HURRAY, I found some...they are called "FACTICES"  meaning faux...but they are VERY pricey (hundreds to thousands of dollars each)...who would've thought...just for a big bottle with colored water and a perfume label...you are KIDDING me, right!!!...

Well, never mind them...I am RESOURCEFUL...so, I made my own...

I found the large bottle at a thrift store for a few dollars...I filled it with colored water and added my own computer generated Chanel No.5 label...Ha, I LOVE it...

I made a black label and a white label...Chanel is usually white...I kind of like the black here but I will probably be changing it out for the white one...you know so it looks more like the real thing...for now, I am loving my new vignette...I think it's just the right amount of feminine...not too froo froo...'cause my husband has to sleep in this room too, ya know...

So tell me, what do you think about my little vignette and my homemade "factice".  Do you like it?

I am sharing this at some fabulous parties...stop by for a look at what everyone has been up to...

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here
Rock N Share @ A Shady Porch
Primp your Stuff Wednesday @ Primp
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove
Show Your Creations @ Kristen's Creations

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY!!

DINNER IN THE LIBRARY?

Huh?...We don't have a library...

Ever since I can remember my husband and I have dreamed of a home with a real "LIBRARY".  We have had homes with rooms that could have served as a library but opted to use those rooms as either guest bedrooms or computer/craft rooms...You know sometimes FUNCTION comes before wishes...however, one of the things we fell in love with in this little old house we bought last year was the BUILT IN bookshelves off one end of the living room, and so we now have the "library" we have always wanted...well, sort of...

To celebrate, I have set a table for two in the "library"...won't you join me...

Nothing says library better than dark woods, rich fabrics and; of course, books...I found this beautiful antique drum table last fall at a local antique shop for just $50.00...it is beautifully detailed with real brass feet and hardware (not shown)...I topped this beautiful table with a leopard print scarf, a few books, lamp and clock...I think this makes the perfect library setting...don't you?

I have used vintage frosted stemware and vintage cream and gold dinner and dessert plates at each place...These plates boast golden snowflakes (or at least what I believe to be snowflakes)...and are from the 1950's...

...very RETRO yet sophistocated in my opinion...

A vintage silver fork was tucked gently into a crisp white battenburg lace napkin, tied with gold ribbon and simply placed on top of the dinnerware...not necessarily a formal setting, but very elegant...

No table is complete without a little candlelight...

I saved one picture for last...actually I wasn't going to include this picture because it looks kind of CREEPY instead of romantic...but what the hey...CLUE was one of my favorite board games growing up so I just had to share it...as this picture says....Muhahaha...Colonel Muster did it in the "LIBRARY"

Well, thanks for joining me for DINNER IN THE LIBRARY...

I am joining some fabulous parties again this week...stop on by for a look, leave lots of comments, make friends and become a follower...

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Tablescape Thursday @ BNOTP
Rock N Share @ The Shady Porch
Primp your Stuff Wednesday @ Primp
Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here

CIAO AND HAVE A FABULOUS WEEK!!!

AUTUMN SPLENDOR TABLESCAPE...

AUTUMN SPLENDOR

by:  Lynne Adams

Autumn Leaves

Bright and vibrant

Warm sun and bright blue sky

Chilly Breezes blow

Golden Leaves from Heaven fall

to ride the wind and swirl around

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green and Brown

Colors of Beauty slowly come down

A symphony of Autumns Gifts sing

From God with Love to You and Me

Hi everyone,  I have missed you all so very much.  It's been a little while since I have had a chance to do any posting here at Beyond the Portico, but I haven't forgotten about you all...while I've been busy planning my little ones birthday party, attending a ladies retreat and seminar in Branson, Missouri and enjoying festivities at my church's annual fall festival...I did manage to put together a little tablescape for your enjoyment. 

I found these beautiful dinner and salad plates a few months back at GW for $5.00...I absolutely love them and I just knew they would work perfectly for this AUTUMN SPLENDOR table...

Don't you just love the colors and design...

...for the centerpiece I used a large basket of faux fall leaves and a few mini pumpkins, flanked by red and orange mosiac candle sticks....

...to carry the leaf theme throughout the table, I topped each plate with a hand inscribed paper leaf doily place card...

I also used a paper leaf doily as a coaster under each "leafy" goblet...these doilies were very inexpensive and I think give the table a finished look.  I took a ton of pictures so I will stop talking and let you enjoy.

I am really loving how this table turned out...how about you?...

and now a little golden glow...

AUTUMN SPLENDOR

I'm joining some fabulous parties this week...stop by and have a look, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here

Tablescape Thursday @ BNOTP

Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove