before and afters & design sponge

I am so inspired by before and after furniture projects.

I did one a year or so ago and I have to admit that it didn't turn out exactly how I wanted and I didn't really finish it completely, and I might end up re-doing it...

But currently I have a couple of pieces, a desk and a hexagon side table, that could be really beautiful if I re-did them. Both were found on the side of the road, so free, and with a some paint could be looking pretty hip!

I am a huge fan of Design Sponge and it is filled with inspiring before and afters.

The following images are ones that I might use as inspiration for my own re-dos.

The first one is a dresser, but I love the paint colors and way it is painted, and I think my little desk would be so cute like this!

Sooo cute, right?

I love this second before and after. When I got my hexagon side table (similar look to this one below), I thought "This would make the cutest cat house! I could totally pimp it out!". I ended up not doing that, and currently it houses my Wii accessories.

But then I saw this before and after and it sparked my desire to re-do it.

I wouldn't do it in this color scheme, but it is still a good jumping off point!

My cats would love a cat-cave like this!

A few more from Halloween...

Again, this party had a great theme, cool costumed people, fun dancing music, and was just a good time...

Here are more photos from the night...

Sweaty dance floor... Hard for a jar of peanut butter and a jelly fish to dance in!

What did I tell you?

These Stabbies go all out for their Halloween parties!!

Olive, pre-party...

She really wanted to dress up as a jelly fish...

And finally...

Our costumes.

I bring you *drumroll please*.....

Peanut Butter and Jelly (fish!)

Anyone who knows Adam knows he is pretty addicted to Peanut Butter...

Especially Adam's Peanut Butter...

I think he makes a pretty good (and adorable) peanut butter jar!

My costume was a jelly fish...

It was pretty cool... LED lights made my tentacles glow.

But carrying around the umbrella was not ideal for a party.

Now I know.

halloween 2010

I had another fun and costume filled Halloween this year by going to the Establishment's annual bash. These guys really go all out and this year was no exception with a Dr. Seuss theme.

From giant characters to oddly slanted floors in the bathroom, the theme set the scene for a great night.

And the costumes seen at the party were great... Some people really go all out with home made costumes. And sometimes the best costume is just a really cleverly achieved idea. Anyways, I love it all.

Here are just a few photos from the night...

Loved this owl!

Avatar!

lego Indiana Jones!

And my favorite costume (besides Adam's) of the night:
The kid from UP.

He was so nice and funny.

But a couple of his balloons got popped in a giant cactus!

I will post some photos of Adam and my costumes later this week!

Friday's *A week of Photos* from my walk to work

I missed *a week in photos* last week.

This week I am posting just one photo.
The photo quality is not the best, as I used my iPhone (as per usual)
and had to zoom in so that I didn't scare this guy away...

This guy was REALLY proud of the giant nut that he had found.
He stood on the fence with it in his mouth for a good while, taking side glances at me,
as I tried to get closer. Eventually he flew off, with the nut in his mouth.
I hope he shared it with his bird wife and children. :)

PS22 Chorus

The other day I stumbled on a link for a PS22 Chorus video.
And I found myself watching video after video of these AMAZING 5th Graders and their teacher, Mr. B, from Staten Island's Public School 22.

To say I am inspired by these kids and this teacher is an understatement.
I got tears in my eyes more than once while watching their videos.
What Mr. B does every year with the school's 5th graders is so spectacular and it really makes me want to make a difference in others' lives.

They sing popular songs from artists Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Owl City, Journey, Coldplay, Bjork, Jay-Z, Matisyahu, and so many more!

But enough from me.
Please check their videos out.
They have many videos on YouTube and they are always adding new ones.
Check out the videos I have posted and definitely go to their YouTube channel: agreggofsociety and see more!

Here is PS22 Chorus doing Bjork:



And PS22 Chorus doing MGMT:

glass bottles!

I wish this was my windowsill... (as seen on You Are My Fave)

I have a fun collection of glass pieces and could totally pull this off.
But Olive and Brooklyn would knock them down as fast as I put them up, I'm afraid!

I am pretty obsessed with glass containers... uniquely shaped or just cute.
And fortunately for me, my boyfriend was able to find a bunch of really neat old chemistry bottles and others (don't worry- they are washed) to add to my growing collection!

Simple and beautiful, from Design Sponge.

This was a simple way to use a couple of my own bottles for a

centerpiecefor my dear friend Jenny's going away dinner.

These, as seen on Little Bird Secrets is such a cute way of storing

glitter for the craftsters out there!

This was our display outside of my store a couple of months ago...

The bottles were from my collection, filled with rice and beans,

and then the paper flowers (from Mexico) stuck perfectly inside. I loved the result!

This is a little stark white for me, but I love the look of using all

different glass bottles as vases, from Design Sponge.

Even regular ol' brown beer bottles can be so cute! (Design Sponge)


This image just has all kinds of different glass pieces...beautiful!
It's not considered hoarding if it's beautiful, right?

And finally I present MY collection (or part of it, anyways!) :

It is high up on a shelf above a window that the cats can't get to.

Knock on wood that there isn't an earthquake to knock them all down!

reinventing school portraits

When I have kids, I sure hope that Stomping Grounds does their school portraits!
These are so fun and show a kid's personality so much better than the standard school portrait.