Filling a First Apartment with Love and Style!

I've been spending a lot of time helping my daughter furnish her first apartment. She has her own ideas and tastes, not necessarily what I would choose, but some of her style is growing on me. We have been really doing some bargain-hunting to make her place look great on a college student's budget!

We've made great discoveries in some of the local re-sale shops, like these candlesticks. Very ornate and they are in like-new condition!

These mirrors are the perfect size to hang together on one wall in the bedroom. They are from a re-sale shop too! The mirror came off one of them, but she was able to glue it back on.

This gorgeous lamp was on sale at Hancock's! I think we paid about $35 for it.

And finally from another re-sale shop, these cool wall plaques with a beautiful aged relief pattern and fleur de lis!

All told, I was out less than $70 that day for these finds and I think they will make a great statement of her style. Now, if I can get finished with the throw pillows, pillow shams and curtains she has requested, she will be all set! I'll post photos of the finished room soon.

Stay tuned.

Centerpiece Ideas for a DIY Wedding!

There seem to be so many weddings taking place around me this season! In looking around for some inexpensive alternatives for table centerpieces for the reception venues, I have seen some really lovely and simple displays that could be DIY projects.




This is so cute for a beach themed wedding! I think I would go for a larger fishbowl for greater effect, but the idea is a good one!








Floating candles among rose petals makes an easy but pretty, glowing centerpiece!









While I'm not usually a fan of submerging flowers and calling it a day, these blooms are so vibrant and colorful in this vase! I could see these at a morning or afternoon reception.








There's not much that's prettier than fully bloomed roses. These are cut short and placed in water with clear glass pebbles. Surrounded by the square votives, they make a dramatic focal point!