Bittersweet Flower Friday

Sorry for the spacing, I'm having technical difficulties.


Today, my flower goes to Shauna Niequest,   the author of the book, Bittersweet,  in honor of my winning her new book in the giveaway by Abby and Her Boys.  Notice the photo effects? Courtesy of picnik, and the tutorial posted by Andrea at Faded Plains.

These flowers are fitting, because they are bittersweet.  They are from my mother's garden, which still blooms from spring to fall despite my infrequent and inexperienced attention.  They are another reminder of one of life's greatest lessons, which I learned in the garden, from my mom - you can't have the sweet without the bitter.  We all love her sweet, sweet flowers that still bloom three years later, and we've earned them.

I can't wait to read the book.  Thank you so much Abby and Shauna!  And thanks to Laura for hosting Flower Fridays!

Have a great weekend everyone! Enjoy it, and all of the wonderful women in your life.

Happy Friday!

This flower goes out to Abby and Her Boys, my new favorite blog, where she shares her home projects, design inspirations, favorite blog posts and a ups and downs of family life.  Head on over, and check out the link for "New Readers" and you will love her as much as I do.

From the hanging basket in front of my house, earlier in the year.

This post is participation in Flower Fridays at A Place for Tea. 
If you have a blogger you would like to appreciate today, head on over, and share a flower.

Dresser Distress

Hello ladies! I need help!  Our bought-out-of-college dressers are falling apart after ten years and we need a new one.

What I really want to buy is this beautiful handcrafted St. James 11 drawer dresser from Restoration Hardware.

But, since I'm having trouble committing to a house style right now, I am not ready to commit to an expensive dresser.  So off to Craig's list I go.  I have been searching for several weeks now, and yesterday, I came across this solid wood, well-constructed dresser (for $80!):

I think it has big potential, but I've never done a furniture renovation before.  Luckily, my sister has all of the equipment I might need, like a sander.  I am open to any kind of style really, as this will have many possible locations in the new house - kid's room, guest room, living room... Do you think I can pull off getting that natural look of the RH dresser above? or should I go with a bold color? or a neutral so it can be more versatile? Can you help a sister out with some ideas and tips?

P.S.  By the way, I think I just realized my inspiration for this is Blueprint Bliss's new project.  She just bought this great campaign dresser, and I can't wait to see what she does with it!

Even if she goes neutral, I love how BOLD this green inspiration picture of hers is.  She got it from Little Green Notebook via Lonny:

P.S.S.  I also just realized that the only reason I am crazy enough to believe I transform something like this into something beautiful is because of Fresh Paint Fridays at Life in the Fun Lane. 

I will either thank you or blame you later!