Window Shopping: Pier One

I received a gift card from Pier One for my birthday last month.  It’s only taken me a month but I finally made it in the store to look around.  I was certain I’d find something that begged to come live in my house…..and I did…..lots of things!!  So I thought I’d share with a window shopping post.

With summer just beginning, I thought something for the deck would be a good place to start looking.  Among all the plates, cups and party ware I was drawn to these plant stands.  I’ve wanted the longer one for quite some time and had pretty much said sold at that point but I wanted to at least give the rest of the store a chance to beckon to me.

Also, in the outdoor area were several lanterns of various styles – some with more detail in the glass than others – and I was drawn to these.  I like the simplicity of the shape as well as the clear glass.  It also helped that they were 20% off.  Isn’t the red fun?  Not only could I use them on the deck but they’d make cute accessories in the house – gotta love a two-fer!

 

Although I wasn’t looking to purchase dishware I took a few moments to look around.  There was this sweet cloche that made me wonder if I could DIY something similar (colored stones, marbles, etc).  Near it was these cute peacock inspired plates, napkins, and platter.   They reminded me of the thrift store peacocks I repainted.

 

As I wandered toward the baskets I was pleasantly surprised to find these….

Although I can’t find a place for them right now I may go back and pick up a couple of the larger ones.  Can’t bet the price for some storage.

I always love looking through the art and metal works at Pier One because they always have some unique items.  And this time didn’t disappoint me.  This banana leaf wall panel was huge with lots of texture and just a bit of curve.   The rolled leaves created a great pattern and wonderful texture.  Again, perhaps something to DIY in the future?

Around the corner was this great mosaic piece.  The shine totally caught my eye and I had to go in for a closer look.  Again, if someone had the patience, this could be another DIY project.

 

Here I also found a “pallet” sign.  Everyone has been DIYing these but for those who want the look but not the work head to Pier One.  They even had these signs that were stickers for the wall!

 

The pillow section is always exploding at our Pier One store.  I try to avoid it because I have way too many pillows as it is but not today!  I loved these two bird pillows. 

 

And to keep on a bird theme -  what about these beauties?  I’m beginning to think I have a problem with birds.

 

So what did I get with my birthday gift?  Nothing.  Yep. Nada.  Not a stinking thing.  There were way too many great items that I would love to have so I’m sleeping on it right now….dreaming about birds.

Wreath Re-do

Remember this yarn wreath I decorated for Mother’s Day?  Well, since I’m still looking for letters that are the right size in order to finish it I thought I’d give it a little revamp for the upcoming Father’s Day weekend.   

When I saw this idea from Rhonda at Home Made I thought it was so stinking adorable!  And since I hadn’t completed my Mother’s Day wreath it was an easy excuse to revamp the form and try Rhonda's look.  Again, this is the same wreath form I wrapped with gray yarn for Mother’s Day with “dad” paraphernalia added.

Using a white button shirt that my son had outgrown I snipped out the front placket as well as the collar.  The bow tie is a ribbon doubled over itself with a smaller piece looped over the center.  Remember, I’m still looking for the right size letters so forgive the crude cut out ones here and that they're hanging a little crooked (apparently the straight pin holding them in wasn't much of a straight pin).  The black you see on the letters is some black paper letters used for poster decorating. I wanted to go with a darker color for dad since the white foam core was too stark with the white shirt.  

 

 

 

Rhonda added a cute boutonniere but a piece of material to create a handkerchief would be adorable too.  Or if Dad falls in more of the “geek” category wouldn’t it be cute to also cut out the shirt pocket and attach it filled with pens in a pocket protector!?!  Yep, I’d be the daughter that would totally do that!  Hope everyone has a great Father's Day weekend!

PSST -  I've got some big plans for this basic wreath form I'll post about once their complete!

Linking up at:  The Grant Life - Simply Designing - I Heart Naptime - Nifty Thrifty Things - Serendipity and Spice - You're Talking Too Much - I Should be Mopping the Floor -DIY Home Sweet Home - Get Out of my Head Please - I Gotta Try That -

Down the Aisle in Style

Have you ever worked somewhere for so long that your co-workers become family?  Where you're invested in their life events (babies, weddings, etc) as much as your own?  Yep, that's what it's like where I work.  And when one of those co-workers announced she was getting married I was truly excited for her!  

My friend, Stephanie, had decided on a beach wedding in May.  I saw pictures of her wedding dress as well as her bridesmaid's dress.  I knew the people doing her flowers and photos.  Even though I knew I wouldn't be able to attend the wedding, I still got to share in her joy of the details.  So when she mentioned about trying to find flip flops for her wedding dress online and not having any luck my brain started spinning.  Decorating wedding flip flops could be my gift to her.

And here they are!  

I decorated flip flops for both her and her bridesmaid.  Other than deciding on materials and layout, creating the embellishments wasn't difficult.  All the materials even came from Wal-Mart!  So how about some details?

I began with some Ocean Pacific flip flops.  These were chosen because Stephanie wanted a bit of a heel.  I also liked the wider band across the top of the foot but not its texture.  So the band was covered with white satin ribbon.  It was wrapped around the strap and stitched to hold it in place. The OP tag was also cut out before the ribbon was added.

Side note:  Let me be the first to say I am not a seamstress.  I have a difficult time sewing buttons on.  So for those who can sew I'm sure you have a much better way to attach the ribbon.  I was just happy it stayed.  

Once the ribbon was attached I added some ruffled trim.  I had considered hot gluing this ribbon on but I worried about the sand, heat and walking having some ill effect on it so I went with sewing it on.  This was the same process for both pairs of flip flops.

For the bride's, the silver stone trim was sewn over the top of the ruffled ribbon and small white flowers were clustered and hand stitched in the center.  

Bride's shoes

Detail of Bride's shoes

For the bridesmaid's I didn't want an exact replica of Stephanie's shoes but I wanted them to coordinate.  A small strip of the silver stone trim was stitched down the center and the same flowers were added along the sides.  As you can see in the photos, the stone trim stopped just above the toe area as not to rub the foot.  I also tacked the trim in only a few spots in order to give some play in it as the bridesmaid was walking.  

Bridesmaid's shoes

Detail of Bridesmaid's shoes

 And since we all love a cost breakdown, here it is:

**** All supplies from Wal-Mart ****

Shoes - $4.96 each

White satin ribbon - $1.00 (didn't even use half the roll)

Ruffled Ribbon - $2.97 (used about half)

Stone Ribbon - $4.97 

Flowers - $2.96 for set of 6 (used 3 sets)

Thread - on hand 

Band-aids - Priceless!

Total:  $27.74 for two pair

Although I only pricked my finger once to the point of bleeding I couldn't resist adding the band-aids to the list!  With my lack of sewing skills I figured I would be wearing one on every finger.  But if I had, it would have been worth it since Stephanie is such a good friend!  Congrats Steph!

Linking up at:  The Grant Life - Simply Designing - I Heart Naptime - Nifty Thrifty Things - Serendipity and Spice - You're Talking Too Much - I Should be Mopping the Floor -DIY Home Sweet Home - Get Out of my Head Please - 

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