I Need A...

Bench. Not just any bench. It needs to be a little rustic.

It doesn't have to be fancy. In fact an old picnic table bench would work fine.

I have been looking for ages. Garage sales, Craigslist, trash piles.

You wouldn't think it would be that hard.

Of course I am willing to pay practically nothing for it. Come on, an old tired bench that you have left out in the yard for years...you should pay me to take it away! Help me, help you. Got a bench you want to get rid of? Holler!

pictures from: A Roaring Home, Design Manifest, DecorPad, Southern Living

A Little Drama, A Lot Happy

Does this make you really, really happy? Or it just me?

And panning out..yep, I'm still happy.
You?

pictures from: Kat Liebschwager

No Reading Required

I read The Wall Street Journal, do you? O.K. I really read only one section - Off Duty - and by "read" I mean I look at the pictures.

Front page of the Off Duty section yesterday. You can learn a lot from pictures...

I was reminded that Christiane Lemieux of DwellStudio has a new book out.

It looks good. I may have to head over to Amazon and get me a copy...

SoHaute has a great interview with Christiane and pics from the book.
Anyone out there seen it yet? Anyone going to get it?
Anybody else just look at the pictures?

Happy Friday

A big thank you to Jessica at Lavender and Lilies for The Stylish Blogger Award.

Now I have to tell you seven things about myself...are you tired of hearing about me? Hang in there, this won't take long..

1. I spent my junior year of college in England. (Have I told you that before? I can't remember and I think it makes me sound more interesting than I am)

2. I love boiled peanuts (classy, I know).

3. I used to get homesick as a kid. Truthfully, I still do. On my last trip to Atlanta I tried to convince my husband to come get me. He wouldn't.

4. I don't like crowds.

5. I don't like fancy restaurants.

6. And I especially don't like poetry. (So if you want to torture me, take me to a fancy, crowded restaurant and read me a poem. Hell in a nutshell.)

7. But I do like to take naps. Sure it's hard to sleep with a 3 year old poking you in the eye every five minutes, but I do what I can.


Enough about me. What about you? Any plans for the weekend? If you're not busy Friday night stop by The Eclectic. As part of Fourth Friday, Randy will be serving wine and cheese from 6-9.
Info here.

pic from:Eddie Ross, Elle Decor

Origami Ball

Did you see this origami ball in Lonny?
I did and loved it!! And I wanted one. What about you?

Well, you're in luck!

New to the booth this week...

Or as soon as I can get them down there...

Origami balls for everyone!!

You like?

Room Two Ways

Today I am over at Amber's participating in her series One Room, Two Ways...
She has an amazing blog, Amber Interiors, that you have got to check out. It will bring you joy!

It all started with her own room, 3 ways.
Head over to Amber's blog to see my "One Room 2 Looks", here.

Just one thing..

Today I am participating in a Bloggers Day of silence for Japan.

Click to enlarge

I know I am supposed to be silent today but....my Uncle Shun is from a small town in Japan, Onagawa, that was almost totally destroyed by the Tsunami. You can read about it here. I can't imagine what this small town and the rest of the country is going through. Please keep the Japanese people in your prayers.
Thanks!
Sissy

Thank You and Help

A big thank you to Hayley at H. Baum blog for identifying my bust. It is Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I was totally off base. Be sure to check out Hayley's blog here.

Now I need some more help. While at Scott's I saw a giant, and I mean giant, silver cuff. I thought I could live without it but I was wrong.

It looked similar to this, but without the stones. Plus it is way better looking. It perfectly fit my scrawny chicken wrists and I should have gone back for it. If you are a seller (or know a seller) and were at Scott's this past weekend and have my bracelet, please e-mail me (siskotte@ec.rr.com). I would like to be reunited. You were outside by the North building and I bought a paisley stool from you. I promise to take good care of the cuff and give it a happy home. Thank you! Sissy

We're Open...

Remember when I said I was busy working on something? I blogged about it here. Did you guess? Betsy Parker and I have opened a booth at The Eclectic on Castle Street in Wilmington. We have lots of fun home furnishings and accessories for sale.

See the handsome man in jewels? He was one of my finds at Scott's. Actually Kathy spotted him. He was a little rough looking, so I spruced him up with some white paint.

I think he looks pretty good.
Whoever he is. Does anyone recognize him?

And there's more...several oil paintings...

Turtle mom and baby. Don't you love their little brass heads and feet?

Paisley stool and Mid Century sculpture from Scott's.

Furniture, lamps, mirrors...

Mod trays...

And another Atlanta find. Loving this vintage wool blanket. Wouldn't it be perfect at the foot of a bed?

Next time you are out stop by our booth at The Eclectic. Right down the street from Jester's Cafe. Make sure to say "hey" to Randy and tell him Sissy sent you!!

The Eclectic
617 Castle Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-399-4551

I'm Back....

My trip to Atlanta was a big success!!
And Scotts was fantastic! Last time I went I left empty handed. This time I ran out of room in my car and had to leave some good stuff behind. Next time, if there is a next time (because I am exhausted) I am getting a trailer.

I'll post a few of my finds tomorrow but I had to show you my favorites...

Four of these!!!
Did you ever think spun fiberglass could look so good? Looks a lot like these on 1st Dibs. I am a happy girl.

And the best part of the trip? All the bloggers I got to finally meet in person!!

Kathy from My Interior Life, Jenny from My Favorite and My Best and me.
I need to get Jenny to teach me how to pose.

I also ran into Eddie and Jaithan and Emily, who could not have been nicer, but I didn't get a picture, so you will just have to take my word.

Friday night we meet for dinner and were joined by Angela from The Painted House, Sherry from Design Indulgence (Sherry has been a successful decorator for years and was full of great ideas and advice), me, Becky (Kathy's cute friend) and Kathy. We had such a good time and I can't tell you how nice everyone was. I was especially thrilled to finally meet Kathy since we have been e-mail/ blog buddies for over a year now. It was just like shopping with an old friend. Loved it!!
Thanks everyone for a great weekend!! xo Sissy

Atlanta, Here I Come...

I'm driving to Atlanta today and will meet up with some other bloggers at Scotts on Friday. I am most excited. It is going to be a quick trip, just 2 nights. My husband doesn't understand why I need 5 pairs of shoes when I am only going to be gone 2 days. He also doesn't understand my new shoes...this is how I explained them to him...

What do you get when a good old boy marries...

A trophy wife...
Give up?

My new shoes!
Do you love them? I know! Me too.
Will I wear them in Atlanta? Probably not since it is getting cold again but it makes me happy just knowing they are in my bag.
Have a great weekend and I hope to have lots of pics on Monday!! Sissy

Books of Happiness

This makes me happy for a lot of reasons, but mainly because...

I love books.

I especially love stacks of books.

I have stacks all over my house.

And right now I think I need to add to my happiness.

In the running: 1. The Sartorialist


And 2. The Selby Is In Your Place

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Pictures from: Elle Decor, Lonny, Female Network

Paper Flower DIY

Remember these? I use paper flowers on everything. And every time I post pictures readers ask for directions. I have been promising for 2 years to show some DIY instructions. Thanks to one of my readers, Fran, I have been motivated to come up with these....

Supplies: Tissue paper, scissors, pipe cleaners

Pick 3 colors. You will need 5 sheets. Here I did 2 blue, 2 green and 1 white.
I also cut the tissue paper into approximately 8" x 5" rectangles. There is a lot of wiggle room. The paper can be about any size. I usually just fold the sheet and cut it into fourths.

Next stack the colors and accordion fold. The folds should be about an inch.

Once folded tightly wrap a pipe cleaner around the center. If I don't have a pipe cleaner I use string or yarn. I don't let a lack of correct supplies keep me from crafting. I believe in make-do DIY.

This is the most important step. Cut the edge (the whole stack) of the tissue paper in curves or points. This is what makes it look like a real flower. I know it looks a little rough right now but it will all work out, I promise.

Fan out the accordion pleats.

Carefully separate the layers, gently pulling towards the center.

And you're done!

Easy wasn't it?

The more sheets of tissue paper you add, the fuller your flower will be. You can go crazy with colors and size. It is a very forgiving craft. Good luck! Let me know if you make any!!

P.S. I get the short, fat mason jars at Wal-Mart and hot glue the flowers on top after cutting the pipe cleaner as short as possible!!