SMORES POPS: an easy bake sale idea!

Here's a quick and easy bake sale idea...SMORES POPS...

And there you go...it's that easy...YUM!

Old nursery dresser made over for a Grad School apartment!

Our oldest is finishing up her masters year and is moving into an off campus apartment.  Hence she needed some furnishings.  Below is a super quick transformation of the dresser that went with the crib we used for all 3 girls.  

It's been in my basement storing 

odds and ends for years now. 

 Take a peek...

It's also the first time I've used Lowes chalk paint...

I was VERY happy with the results.

BEFORE & AFTER

This was the old maple dresser we purchased
over 22 years ago to go in the nursery...

Emptied and removed the drawers and got started
using Valspar Chalk paint available at Lowes.

Good coverage after 2 coats...

Finished off with a glaze I made using
a dark Greige paint color and clear glaze...
it adds texture to a pure white piece,
giving it an aged, beachy appearance!

Since it was a quick fix,
I decided to paint the knobs instead of replacing them...

I was very happy with the results of the Valspar Chalk Paint...
I always use the Minwax  paste wax on top of my painted projects.

I always seem to go back to this mixture for glazing white pieces...
a little goes a very long way!

Not bad for a quick fix...
and so the little nursery lives on in a Grad school apartment...:)

xo, Mariaelena

CORNICES FOR CHRISTMAS!!

I've had these window cornices pictured in our living room for years...

The  problem was that picture was in my head...

Well, last month I drew out my plan for my husband and he made these gorgeous cornices for me!...

I couldn't love the way they turned out any more.

Take a peek and see if you agree...

I found these great semi sheer embroidered panels in TJ Maxx...

the before...

The process...
He already had them cut them and started hanging while I was at a swim meet with our daughter...

Here's the big box he made before adding the trim...

Putting the room back together...

Moulding makes ALL the difference!
xo, Mariaelena

FRESH GREENS PUT TO GOOD USE!!

Last week I posted my annual clipping of the greens...

Well here are the different ways I used them and the pinecones I've collected in our home...

I just love these mini pinecones...

Our mantle is very long...so this is part of it...

Happy decorating...

xo, Mariaelena 

CLIPPING THE GREENS: 2015

As decorators we know there's nothing better than bringing the outside in to use in your holiday decor...

What better way to do that than to go outside and get clipping!!

Sometimes all you need is a good pair of SNIPS!!!

Come back soon to see how I use these fresh greens in our home this season...

Happy decorating!!

xo, Mariaelena