succulents; so hawt right now!

For all of you avid readers (?), this post may come with a bit of deja vu...think driftwood and flowers.

So, as an individual with a blog (there's something I don't like about calling myself as "a blogger"), I'd say one of the biggest compliments you can receive is hearing something like "not only do I love that, but I want one for myself!" Don't you agree that it doesn't get more genuine than outright emulation? Well I sure think so which is why I was so complimented when my dear friend Natasa asked me to make her some variation of the driftwood piece I did a while ago to hang in her own home. And what better occasion to give it than as her bridal shower gift! So that's what I did.

You sure see succulents all over the place these days. Don't worry though, Tash, you definitely set the trend ;)

Given her wedding floral theme centers around succulents, I decided to incorporate them instead of the flowers I used in the last driftwood piece. The tricky thing about this though was that succulents are unique in that they thrive without much water. As such, when you water them say weekly, you need to also allow for the water to drain. So while I initially planned on using mason jars, I had to instead use these tiny little pots with drainage holes in the bottom. I actually think the color of the pots compliment the color of the succulents and driftwood very well.

The metal circular things are the same things I used in the Mother's Day gift I posted about back in May. To replicate this look, drill a hole through the back and adhere it to any drillable surface with a screw. From there place the pot inside and tighten. When it's time for watering, simply unscrew to loosen and remove- very easy!

So darling, right?

Simple hanging material you can find at any hardware store.

Looks like she liked it, right?? And below is the piece hanging above her bed (photo taken with an iPhone, blah).

I actually made two of these because I couldn't decide which she would like better. After giving her the one that I loved most, I gave her the option of doing a trade out. Turns out we have the same taste...I guess great friends tend to!

Anybody want this one?



rags to ritches: Alameda is on the map!

Last week I posted about my delightful experience at the Alameda Flea Market. Of all the items I walked by that morning, the below is what I left with: chicken coop nesting floor (or so I was told), light blue aged frame, rusty metal heart and throwback watering can.

 

Quite the misfit group of things but I had a vision...

...An unconventional vanity table + inspiration board (gotta keep it versatile).

The frame alone cost $10 and I got the mirror cut and installed for an additional $18. Theisen Glass gets the job done!

Every time my mom comes to visit, she leaves a note on some mirror in my house. She left this one (above) yesterday. Love you too, Mom.

 

I used two S-hooks to hang both ends of the mirror (below).

I don't know the technical name for them is so I'm just going to say "hook screw", which I screwed into both ends of the back of the mirror in order to establish something for the S-hook to hang from.

I spotted this rusty, old heart upon leaving and let me tell you, it was love at first sight (pun intended). I think I paid $7 for it?

I spray painted the originally gold S-hook with paint I had leftover from a project I did for Mother's Day...decent camouflage?

And as for the watering can...

The lavender wasn't actually tall enough for the height of the watering can so I filled the bottom of the can with loosely crumpled pieces of newspaper. Who reads the Marina Times anyway?

 

The other bouquet is the one that was carried down the isle by the beautifu Mrs. Van Treese. I'm really glad I remembered to dry it...

And to bring it full circle, thanks for being so good to me, Alameda!