DIY Mirror

When I remodeled last year I wanted a large mirror in the living room - but I wanted one with character - one of those times where I had Champagne taste on a beer budget - after spending thousands on a nearly total renovation, I couldn't stand the thought of spending hundreds on a mirror ~ not only that, I just couldn't find what my mind saw.  After a conversation with my friend Lorrie, we decided to go for it!!  I absolutely LOVE this mirror - it is full of color and whimsy and it fits my home's character and personalilty perfectly!

 I looked for a large mirror - this one is 4 1/2' x 3 1/2 ' - what I really wanted was a WIDE, somewhat flat frame that I could decoupage on ~ I found this one at our local Garden Ridge for $89! It was a steal to me, and had the exact frame that I needed. It was a copperish gold color - which is perfect with my copper accents throughout my home.

Next I looked around for the paper that I wanted to use to decoupage ~ I found copper color and leopard print at Hobby Lobby, and a really cute vintage French print at Aaron Brothers.

We began tearing pieces of each paper, wadded up the pieces, unwadded them and literally stuck them all over the frame with Modge Podge - I cannot tell you how easy this was to do!  When we were done, and the paper had dried, I put a coat of thinned antiquing over it just to brown it up a bit and darken the white of the papers.  I absolutely LOVE my mirror!

What I learned was that if you can't find what you're looking for, don't give up ~ make it yourself! 

I wish that I had taken some pictures along the way, but trust me ~ you can do this!!!  Use ANY tissue paper or artists paper that you love, a bottle of Modge Podge, and BE BRAVE - if you hate it, it's only paper and glue - take it off!!  But if you go with the things that you love ~ you will love it and have a one-of-a-kind unique accent for your home!  ENJOY!

I SPY ~ NOLA Style

I love to walk around the Big Easy and just take in the sights ~ It always amazes me how unique South Louisiana is, and how much I love it more each time that I am fortunate enough to visit.  My dream ~ to own a simple townhouse there so that I can go as often as I like, stay as long as I would like, people watch til my heart's content, eat all of the yumminess of NOLA, and most importantly listen ~ to the sounds, the music, the language - it all makes my heart go pitter patter. 

While there over New Years, I spied:

The River Bank while enjoying my 50th Birthday Celebration on a Dinner Jazz Cruise with my Honey Husband and my sister and Hubby!

Crawfish Boulettes - for breakfast, of course!

Beautifully hand woven rugs

Beads and a garter belt - overlooked, I'm sure, since last years' Mardi Gras

A protege perhaps?

The symbol of the city that I love

A BUMPER crop of satsumas this year - NOPE they are not kumquats although they look like it!

Beads, of course!

Fried green tomatoes - again, yes, for breakfast if you please!

The beautiful Cajun French language

A bit of VooDoo

Plenty of Mirlitons at the Farmers Market

And of course an alligator eating a burrito!!