Snowing in October... Trick or Treat?

It's a snow day in Philadelphia and along the rest of the East Coast. 

Photo:  Debbie Czarnecki-Lapinksy via Action News

Therefore, my butt was inside!  Snow!!  Already!? Noooooo!!!  Being stuck indoors on a Saturday is not my ideal weekend.  I was bored to say the least.  So bored that I decided to set the table just for fun. 
Sorry in advanced for the low quality pictures... it was a dark day.

The hubs got confused with all the "missing" silverware.  It's rare the table is preset.

I even lit the candles.

I'm not sure how I feel about my creme and mocha plates with white chairs and accessories.  Maybe I should just change out the center pieces and runner.  Hmmm?  The plates are by Casa Fina, and they are 100% awesome!!

Working at golf courses while in college proved to serve a purpose.  Everything may not match, but at least I know how to set a table!  And if you want to get really fancy check out this diagram. 

Photo: One Hungry Mama

Apparently my water glass and wine glass should be switched.  

Shh.... don't tell.

Above are my freshly painted curbside chairs.  What do you think?  The seats still need to be recovered, but I"m happy with the high gloss finish.  Ideally I would have faux bamboo chairs, but those suckers are not cheap!!  The zebra rug will be moving to my office soon, and the pictures/art will be taken down eventually and replaced with a plate wall (or so I say.... it's always changing around here).

Source: ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The more I think about the color scheme, the more I'm convinced that I need a set of white plates.  What do you think?  I love all the white with the farmhouse look.

My Pseudo Farmhouse

It's a beautiful day in Philadelphia!  A nice 68 degrees, with only a slight autumn breeze, enough to make you want to crawl up on your roof top!  

So that's exactly what we did!!

A quite unique perspective, and it gives you an idea of just how close we are to our neighbors.

(Please excuse the lack of make-up... it's Sunday, peeps!)

A little rooftop therapy, if you will.

 Farmhouse Table Update:

Today is only two degrees shy of perfect spray paint weather.  I think I am safe to give it a go!  Besides, there are very few days ahead that will offer this type of weather perfection.

Backstory:

 I found four of these matching vintage chairs on, you guessed it, none other than the curb!!

The chairs are covered in dated upholstery and what I'm guessing to be cat scratches.  Overall they're in pretty good shape.  Sturdy, just the way I like them!

Besides, it's nothing a few cans of spray paint can't handle. 

I simply lightly sanded the chairs, wiped them clean, and Kilzed away the ugliness.

I'm not sure if you can tell, but the chair on the left is slightly darker than the chair on the right.  I was going for antique white, but it turned out to be more of a buttercream... no thank you.  So, I will be spray painting all four today in Krylon's High Gloss White. 

Here's a reminder of the Restoration Hardware-like table I found at Impact for a steal at $35!!

 And the Restoration Hardware table currently on sale for $2295!!

Courtesy: Restoration Hardware

Just for fun, here's a farmhouse table in a chic city apartment.  Farmhouse chic is not just for the country!

Be on the watch for my reveal!

Fake it Till You Make It!

Last night Jason and I attended the annual Studio Incamminati gala, an art benefit held at the Union League in Philadelphia.  This year's theme:  An Evening's Adventure in China.  Too bad I forgot my kimono!  That's me on the left sporting the bangs and my husband/artist Jason with the goofy smirk.

Rubbing elbows with the rich and famous, politicians and starving artists is becoming one of our favorite past times is not as easy as it looks!!  Let me tell you, it's enough to make you crash with no assistance of alcohol.  Talking about your very own artwork can be a little awkward.  Boasting about yourself can be awkward.  Smiling all night telling people they look lovely (and they do) is enough to make your cheeks fall asleep.  Imagine yourself at a job interview and responding to the following statement, "So, tell me about yourself?" times one hundred.  Not only that, some people try to make some profound meaning out of every piece of artwork they lay eyes on.  When in actuality, it's a painting of a nude figure.  It means nothing more nor nothing less than that.  It is beautiful for what it is.  

Dione, Artist: Jason Espey, All Rights Reserved

I imagine it to be comparable to one trying to find hidden meaning in the gospels.  The gospels are great for what they are and become less when meaning is added or taken away from it's original intent.  I probably have no business speaking of this matter since I myself am not an artist, nor am I rich and famous, and I do not plan on running for office any time in the future.  Not this year anyway.  ;)

I do not mean to come across as cynical or ungrateful.  The truth is, I am very grateful.  I guess the point I am trying to convey is that the artists who attend these benefits work their rears off throughout the year and rarely reap any monetary benefits.  They are GREAT at putting on a show!

  

Artists: Stephen Early, Natalie Italiano, Alisyn Kuntz

The Union League of Philadelphia

Artist: Stephen Early

Thankfully, Jason sold his painting below, Missed Opportunity?  But at the end of the day, we are all still starving artist.  If you would like to support the students of Studio Incamminati, please visit here to make a donation.  If you would like to see some more of Jason Espey's artwork, check out his facebook page here and his ebay store here.  

Support a Starving Artist!

Hairstyles with Bangs

I have a hair appointment next week...

Source: blog.troygrover.com via Laura on Pinterest

and my hair is in desperate need of resurrection. 

Source: weheartit.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I tend to overextend the time line of what's considered an appropriate time to get a hair appointment, and instead play the "messy hair" card a little too often.  Just ask my all too hip cousin.

Source: veronicalovesarchie.com via Jessica on Pinterest

So the question is bangs or no bangs?

Source: fashion-as.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I'm 99.9% sure that I am going to go for it, but there is still that .1% chance that I will chicken out!

Source: fashion-as.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

So what do you SAY?  

Yay!!!!!
OR
Nay!!

Recap: Vintage Now

Why hello, lovely people!  I hope you have enjoyed your weekend and are ready for a kick butt Monday!  This is for all you homebodies who did not venture out Friday night to partake in Vintage Now's Open House.  Yes, I know it was in Norristown, and yes, I know it was raining.  However, you must check out the scene!!  

Trust meeee... you're missing out if you don't! 

It really felt like an "underground" party with only the people "in the know" attending.  Honestly, I felt a little out of place rubbing elbows with what I imagine to be established designers.  

Thankfully I had this gal by my side.  My artsy friend, Robin Frey.  Check out her eBay site... she's got mad talent!  And she has a love for vintage items... How awesome is this bird cage!?

My favorite vignettes: 

I loooove this settee and the gold chest.

And isn't this quilted table cloth amazing!?

This is definitely my go to design choice at the moment.  I don't really know why, but I love it!  It makes me happy!!

If I could get past the door with know one noticing, this rug would be mine!! 

Of course they had the latest of the greatest design books.

They were even sure to add a festive touch.

And look, Mom!  I hope you still have these lamps!

So what do you think?  Buying out of big box stores is so easy, but I feel that it lacks character.  Could you make vintage look good?  Or is your heart still set on Ikea?