When I was buying my upholstery tacks for my BIG bultin board at MacFab the other week, I noticed that they have a wall of the most amazing, amazing buttons.  I went back the other week and picked up the prettiest buttons I have ever seen and turned them into fancy push pins for my new bulletin board...

Although they technically can work as push pins they are they aren't as easy to pull in and out as a regular tack. So I'm using them more as decoration. However --- because they are so big and - they can actually hold heavy items like keys or necklackes. (So good idea for  a dressing room!)

Some Tips:

1. The bigger the button, the better.
2. Different Tack. The upholstery tack I used to go around the buttin board as decorative detail had rounded edges. Those won't work well for this, because of the rounded head. For this project, although technically still upholstery tacks - they have a FLAT head, making it easier to appy to the button.
3. Take a look at the back of the button. Some buttons have little nubs at the back, which makes it hard to glue things onto it. It's not impossible to use, just a little trickier.
4. Use Gorilla Glue  - it is THE best glue for this project. I tried a glue gun and although it works for a wee bit, it comes apart when you actually use the push pins.

I am now offically obsessed with buttons.


All Supplies from MacFab in Toronto

I hope eveyone had a great weekend, whether it was a long one or not. Adam and I got back from our mini-honeymoon in Iceland last night, and I'm already missing the friendly people, breathtaking scenery and amazing food. The prices, not so much. We didn't do a lot of shopping on account of the jaw-dropping prices, but we did discover this awesome eclectic antique shop in downtown Reykjavik.

Since I couldn't squeeze a new dining set on the plane home, I had to restrict myself to a few small items - like these vintage blue and white linen napkins (the price is in Icelandic Krona):

This glass horse and cart (don't try to understand it, I just love this little guy):

And, finally, this embroidered teapot, sugar and creamer set - I'm planning to frame it to create some unique wall art:

During our trip, we also bought a really beautiful map of Iceland that I'm planning to have plaque mounted and this funny little elf for our growing collection of Christmas tree ornaments:



And since my mom was nice enough to house- and pet-sit for us while we were away, we bought her this candle as a thank-you gift - it's made to look like one of Iceland's famous wool sweaters:

 

So that's my shopping round-up. Now to get back to sanding the walls in our master bedroom...

We have the luxury of being able to sometimes leave the city at a moments notice and take some time away. That's what we did this past week, we headed up to the family cottage a bit early.

Aubrey, Oscar and I stumbled upon Brooks Farms on the way to the cottage, which was great fun - we did some apple picking and had our run of the whole place (We were the only ones there - I guess mid week, at 4pm not many people are out doing apple picking. ;)  We continued on to the cottage where we proceeded to have roaring fires, go for "toodles" (our lingo for a boat rides) make smores, do photography, and have fun with the entire family.

So, that's where I was...a mini, somewhat impromptu vacation in the Canadian wilderness :) Oh - and Ps., I know some bloggers get "guest bloggers" to fill a space while they are gone, but honestly, I'm not really all that concerned if there is silence - so I hope you don't either. I blog because I like to write, not because I feel like I have to. Hope you don't mind. :)  xo - Linds

Three photos, Oscar at Brooks Farms, Our Lake, My brother boating behind us and us taking photos of him from our boat.

When Becky from Houzz.com contacted me and asked me if she could do a Houzz Tour of our humble home, I was speechless.

Well not really speechless, but in my mind I was speechless.

My mouth didn't get the message though.

To be honest, our home is very normal, very average, very run-of-the-mill...

But, I love our home.

For real though, weeds grow in the cracks in our driveway (I try to pull them up when I get a minute...). A scrap pile of wood sits in our backyard, (I did try to straighten it up though...) and so on.

My house is never as clean as you see it these photos except for, well in these photos and when we have company.

We LIVE in our house if ya know what I mean!

Houzz Tour: Making 'Normal' Beautiful for Less

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More»

Browse Storage And Organization on Houzz- For Example:

Baskets · Closet Organizers · Clothes Racks · Coat Stands And Umbrella Stands · Hooks And Hangers · Media Storage · Shoeracks · Storage Boxes ·

So anyway...

Thank you Becky for writing this wonderful article and making me feel ever so witty and smart:-)

Not quite sure how she pulled that off.

I am grateful to her for getting my "motto of house decorating", if I may, across so wonderfully.

Thank you.

I say again, thank you.

We've had a very busy week around here. Of course, part of that busy-ness (Is that a word?) was the refinishing of a few furniture pieces and a few CL pick ups here and there. I'll be sharing more about some lovely finds later on in the week.

Go back with me, if you will, to this. You remember her, don't you?

Well, she's been through a bit of a transformation and finally found a new home. 

Finished with ASCP in Cream and sealed with AS Clear Wax

Isn't she lovely? What do you think of the transformation?

Having a party with...