Library Tour and Project

Good afternoon my dears.

Welcome to our library. Its one of my favorite places to curl up with a cup of Earl Grey tea, a magazine, a book, or a family photo album. Its also one of the first two rooms you see when you come in the entryway, so its also a great place to chat with neighbors and visitors who stop by unannounced. Please have a seat, I'll go put the kettle on, what kind of tea would you like?

Our library is where I keep all my magazine subscriptions, and as you can see I have many issues. I stopped subscribing a few years ago, in favor of browsing with my chai tea latte in Barnes & Noble, but I couldn't part with these. I rotate them seasonally, so that all the current seasons issues are on display and ready for me to page through. My favorites being Victoria, Southern Lady, Romantic Homes, and Tea Time (not pictured). I also have a few vintage Christmas magazines that were my Granny Veronika's that always remind me of her. Do you have magazine subscriptions? If so, how do you organize your collection?

On the bookshelf, is this souvenir my Nana Mabel gave to me. She retired from Rolls-Royce at University of Warwick in 1999. My Mum attended her retirement party where they gifted her a flight experience at a local air field. My Nana always had wings, she always traveled, and one of her favorite travels was to China. She walked the Great Wall of China at nearly 70. On that journey she bought souvenirs for all of us. This was mine, a hand painted from the inside globe which came with a wooden stand and this darling fabric covered box. It sits in our library, and whenever I open it up I'm reminded to step outside the box and spread my wings.

Now I'd like to share a recent project we recently finished, the painting of our mantel.

- Before -

- During -
We used a drop cloth, 2 sponge brushes, and some color matched, semi gloss paint.

- After- 

- Video -

Here's a tour of our library, including a peek at our built in bookshelves, books, mementos, and project.

Have you done any home improvement projects recently?

-Kiki Nakita-

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Hobbies

 

Have you got a hobby?

 

This year we have travelled so much that I've had a lot of time to reflect on my hobbies. It all started when I read The Happiness Project, and although I'm not as extreme as Gretchen as to discovering 'me', I sat down and wrote a list titled 'who is Kiki?'

 

Ha ha

 

I like who I am as a person; my childhood, my values, choices, morals and I strive to do my best at all times.

 

Nobodies perfect though, and one of my biggest flaws is being a people pleaser.

 

My biggest talents are homemaking related activities, decorating, cooking, cleaning, gardening, looking after children, teaching, spending time with family and pets, entertaining etc...

 

But I also enjoy learning more about our world, our differences {religion, politics}, travel and reading other blogs to get inspiration and a different view of our world.

 

***

 

As I grow each and every year, I discover hobbies that I want to pursue, one of which is potting.

 

I'd like to start small and grow a container garden of fresh vegetables.  

 

via

 

With health being a concern, and so much up in the air about our food these days, I'd like to grow my own.

 

via

 

We mostly eat:

-spinach

-red onions

-peppers

-carrots for juicing

-celery for juicing

-tomatoes for sauces

 

via

 

The whole homesteading, grow your own phase is really appealing to me.

 

Which brings me to another topic. Recycling.

 

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I lived in West Linn, a suburb of Portland Oregon for over three years and by golly, they are the most 'green friendly' attitudes I have personally experienced.

 

I'd love a neat place in my garage to recycle more, and possibly a compost heap, to downsize the amount of trash we throw out.

 

Any tips?

 

I've also always enjoyed up-cycling. Finding unloved furniture and re-furbishing it. I have done it mostly as a hobby, but because I can't keep every piece I paint, I have sold pieces here and there.

 

via

 

Another new hobby is going to the beach. Having lived in the Pacific Northwest I went to the beach every now and then, but it was usually windy, chilly and you'd keep your socks on. But since we are in Florida for the summer this year, I've embraced weekly trips to sit on the beach, play in the sea, have a picnic, relax and catch up.

 

Life's a beach.

 

Ha ha

 

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So, I'll put on my sunscreen, and summer dresses and frolic around trying to pursue my hobbies.

 

Would love to hear yours. What hobbies do you have that develop your sense of self?

 

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Royal Blue Sofa Console Table

 

One of my hobbies is finding furniture that has seen better days. Every once in awhile I'll go scouting at Goodwill, or a local thrift shop in there furniture section.

 

I picked up this dilapidated, and abandoned gem at Goodwill for a measly $27.06 {inc. tax}

 

 

My choice of space to paint? The laundry room...home to our black cat Buster. He wasn't sure at first, but once on board as my apprentice, he sat by my side and watched every single brush stroke.

 

Sophie also came to inspect.

 

 

Firstly, I looked through my stash of paints, and I have quite a selection. Home Depot and Lowe's have an unwanted paints section, usually right where they mix...and oftentimes I find something I like for a $1 or $2.

 

My brushes are the leftover ones in a pack from our household painting projects, so I have a stash of those too.

 

One day, I might try spraying...but for now I enjoy the therapy of painting by brush...I always sand lightly first and dust the crevices.

 

It took me two days to finish this console. On the day I bought it, I gave it a coat, then the following day I turned it upside down and gave it a coat...and then in the evening flipped it back around and did touch ups.

 

Here it is...

 

 

...and a close up. The basket is perfect for storing extra cushions.

 

 

Perfect in our parlor, where we like to sit and read.  

 

 

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