Finding your Authentic Decorating Self

This is a post about a mirror redo, but it's also about finding your "Authentic Decorating Self".   There are so many beautiful blogs out in blogland with wonderful sweeping romantic images that you could just get lost in.  

That's what happened to me. 

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How could you NOT get caught up in these photos? 

 They evoke a time and a place that seems unhurried and tranquil.  A place where you might want to spend some time pondering the meaning of life.  OK, well maybe not that deep of a place but you get the idea?

Here is my mirror story if you are still with me!  I was looking for victims subjects on which to practice my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint experiments.  Hello Mr. Mirror that has been in every corner of every house for the past 15 years.  

Mr. Mirror was purchased at a consignment shop in California while we were living there about 15 years ago.  It's hard to see, but there is a crack in the wood on the bottom left hand side.  Before I painted it I filled it with wood putty.

I've always loved the ornate crown and scrolls on this mirror.  I broke out the Paris Gray ASCP.  

I love Paris! 

 I painted, I waxed, I distressed, I highlighted! (Sounds like a day at the Salon for me). I thought I loved it... 

Hey, I impressed myself with my limited talents!  

I did everything right.  The problems came when I tried to find a new home for it in my house!  It didn't GO anywhere.  I tried the Bedroom, the Hallway, The Living Room...  And then it suddenly Struck me!  This Paris Gray isn't ME at all.  These are not the colors in my home.  I love warm neutral colors.  What was I thinking?  I was angry and mad at myself for a little while.  I'm supposed to "know better".  I'm supposed to "plan" better than this.  

Sigh, back to the drawing board.

Hello Lover!  

Much better.  I repainted with ASCP Old White mixed with a small amount of the wall color Benjamin Moore Monroe Bisque.  I waxed with Clear wax and then a bit of Dark wax and then Clear wax again.  You can see some of the Paris Gray showing through in the places where I distressed it.  That's to remind me every time I walk by to be true to my "Authentic Decorating Self".

Beaux R'eves!

XO Cindy

Sharing at:

Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Newbie Party at Debbie Doo’s Blogging & Blabbing
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday

Keeping it Simple 

Roeshel  at DIY Showoff

Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Faded Charm for White Wednesday 
 Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wednesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Judy at DIY by Design for the Winter Blues Party

The Brambleberry Cottage

Finding Fabulous
Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Honey at 2805 for Potpourri Friday
Heather and Vanessa at At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Diann at The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Jen at Tatertots and Jello for the Weekend Wrap-up Party
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Furniture Feature Friday

Fabulous Friday Finds

What a Fantastic week!  Back to school, moving out, reorganizing and getting back to routines.  This post is about my Fabulous Finds this week.  About a week ago on my normal rounds to Tuesday Morning, Steinmart, Marshalls etc.... I spotted a beautiful Mirror at Tuesday Morning.  I looked it over, checked the price, drooled on it a little but alas, I passed it by.  It has haunted me ever since.  I swear I dreamt about it a few nights in a row!  So, today on my way out shopping with my son for New Apartment items we stopped in on the "chance" that it might still be there.  Well, it WAS! And here it IS!

 Isn't She Lovely?

Here is more of the Detail.

I think that it needs some more "Aging" as I feel it looks somewhat Flat and kind of "Manufactured" , but, that is not what I see when I look at the overall "bones" of the piece.  I'm not sure where it will end up but I am thinking in the Master Bedroom.

 The UPS man drove into our Cul-D-Sac this evening and I won't tell you how my dog Summer chased him across the street.  Ooooops I guess I just did.  Not sure what is with her right now, I'm guessing she is extra protective because of the new puppy.  I happened to be outside taking down the Lanterns and Wreaths.  It was such nice weather that I thought I had better get on it now before it gets frosty.  Anyway said UPS man delivered this suitcase sent by my MIL to Miss Beaux.  She spied it in her garage while we were in Florida and sweet talked her into giving it to her.  Miss Beaux loves all things Vintage.  Take a look inside...

 It's from the 50's!  Isn't it just the sweetest!  And I love the color.  Who knows what she will do with it but she promised she wouldn't paint it, sticker it or otherwise alter it.

 While on a jaunt to the Mission Roads Antique Mall in my area Miss Beaux and I stumbled upon this adorable Marriage License.  How Romantic is this?  I'm not sure what I am going to do with it but for $2.00 I can figure something out.  Any suggestions?  Of course Miss Beaux had to have a vintage ring that was $3.00.  I only had $5.00 on me but everything was 20% off so I got away cheap! (The trip to Starbucks beforehand was MORE expensive, but the time spent with Miss Beaux is Priceless!)

Those are my Fabulous  Friday Finds!

Happy Friday!

Beaux R'eves!

Cindy

Sharing at:

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottagefor Feathered Nest Friday
Honey at 2805 for Potpourri Friday
Heather and Vanessa at At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Diann at The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Rachelle at Fingerprints on the Fridge for Feature Yourself Friday
Jen at Tatertots and Jello for the Weekend Wrap-up Party
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special