Nothing like a little {decorating} disappointment!

Last week (or was it two weeks ago?), I did a post about wanting to change around my Master Bedroom for the warmer months.  I found this comforter set at TJ Maxx that was a beautiful shade of sky blue:

They only had a queen size and I needed a king, so I started looking for it online.  After a few weeks of searching, I found the exact set, except a king, on Ebay.  It cost a little more than the one at TJ Maxx, but it was a larger size.  I ordered it and couldn't wait for it to come in!

Well, it came the Friday of my Scott Antique Market weekend, so I really didn't have a chance to do anything but open it up and grab a pillow sham to take with me for matching purposes.  I have been super-busy this week, so I wasn't able to get everything out until yesterday.

When I pulled the comforter out of the bag, I immediately noticed something was wrong...

It had already been washed!

There were wrinkles ALL OVER IT, and lumps where the inside stuffing had been moved around.  I also realized the quality wasn't what I expected.  Instead of a "designer comforter", it looked more like an inexpensive duvet cover.  Of course, the Ebay listing has the dreaded "All Sales Final" on it, and it would cost about half-as-much as it cost to send it back.

I was SO UPSET!

So, I decided to go ahead and wash it again (who knows what kind of cooties were on that thing) and make up the bed with it, just to see how it would look.

You should have seen me and Jameson trying to move that king-sized mattress by ourselves....video gold, I'm telling ya!

After messing with everything all day long, here is what I ended up with...

 

You see ALL those wrinkles?

And, if the comforter situation wasn't bad enough, the curtains that I found that I was so SO excited about....

 Are WAAAAAY too short!  Not only are they short, they are thin and translucent....blocking ZERO sunlight coming through the door.

However, there is ONE good thing about the comforter,

It is soft...really, really soft.  So soft, as a matter of fact, it reminds me of my old, faithful comforter that has been confined inside a duvet cover to keep it from falling apart.

So, last night, hubby and I decided to try it out....

We both slept like babies.

**sigh**

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Tomorrow is {un}officially National Take A Risk Day over at the Nesting Place and I thought I would share this unsuccessful risk I decided to take!  A lot of the time, risks work out, but unfortunately, it didn't for us this time.  But it doesn't deter me from trying again!

Scott Market finds!

Here is part THREE of my adventures at the Scott Antique Market with my friend, Tracie.  If you missed the first two parts, here they are:

Part ONE

Part TWO

As much as I wanted a few things I found....

Size limitations and/or wallet limitations dictated what I was actually able to buy.

A few things did manage to come home with me though...

This adorable little cast iron bunny was the very first thing that caught my eye.  Is he antique?  No.  Is he a rare, priceless treasure?  No.  But he was precious and immediately reminded me of my buddy, LouCinda at Tattered Hydrangeas.  I bought him to go in my mail sorter that's hanging on my living room wall, but he was just a little too big.  For now, he's proudly sitting on my mantle.

These probably fall under the "What the Heck!" category.  These are little bundles of wool, formed to make sheep.  The people I bought these from actually raise the sheep and use the wool from them.  They had a whole basket of them and two were just begging to go home with me.

I found the bottom fabric in a HUGE pile of remnants.  I was so excited because it actually matched my new Master Bedroom bedding (top fabric) that came in the mail right before I left on my adventure!  I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with it, but I'm sure I can figure out something!

This is the silverware I got from the "zorter" I talked about yesterday.  I got all these pieces for $5.00!

I plan on using the above silverware to make something like this for my dining room or kitchen.  Made by LouCinda from Tattered Hydrageas last year.  I've been drooling over these ever since!

And finally, I got these cheap set of cast iron keys from the same place I got the bunny.  No, it's not vintage or antique, but I'm sure I can find something creative to do with them!

(BTW, isn't that fabric beautiful?  I can't wait to get it on my bed to see how it looks!)

So, all my finds just go to show that even if you have a very tiny budget, you can still find some cute things at Scott's!

Scott Antique Market, Part 2

Sorry for the little delay with my Best Weekend Ever follow-up posts, but I am just trying to recover from a couple of horrific work days.  Who knew that working in a doctor's office could be so stressful?

Anyway, on to part TWO of my trip to Scott Antique Market with my friend, Tracie!

(To read Part ONE, go HERE!)

Tracie did her post yesterday, and I must say, it is fabulous!  So, I definitely recommend you visiting her blog, Tale of Many Cities, and see all of her wonderful photos!  I had my big, heavy camera, so it ended up staying hooked on my bag most of the day, so I didn't get many pictures.  Tracie was nice enough to let me share some of hers....they are marked with her watermark.

Thank you Tracie!

Tracie picked me up at my hotel around 7:45 (AM!) and we headed out to find breakfast.  We first found the venue and then headed out looking for somewhere good to eat.  After driving through some less-than-desirable locations, we finally found a Dwarf House/Chick-fil-A.  And you KNOW how much I love me some Chick-fil-A!  Since it was a Dwarf House restaurant, they had a buffet, complete with waffles and chicken!  YUMMY!  Once we stuffed our faces, we headed out to our destination.

Now be prepared for TONS of photos of some amazing things!

Since we were this side of the Interstate, we decided to visit the "South" location, first.  This is just a teeny-tiny section of the building....it was HUGE!  Like the size of a football stadium HUGE!

Here we are....two gals ready to start the day!

(The picture I took showed one of Tracie's eyeballs, and my nose hairs....so I used her's instead...haha)

This is the very first thing we saw....before we even started!  So cute!

One of Tracie's friends told her to start with the outdoor vendors first...we did and we are so glad we did!  The people we met outside were AMAZING!  Next time, we will probably spend the majority of our time here!

Billy Jack and Jeff Clayton had this tent full of a lot of cast iron trinkets, and handmade benches...

The bench on the bottom went home with Tracie!

This is Mark.  His tent was right next to Billy Jack and Jeff's.  He was so hysterically funny (as was Billy Jack).  We started with them, and came back to them when we were done for the day.

I loved these antique dolls.  My mother was a doll collector (until they were all lost in a fire) and I just know she would love all of these!

Tracie bought these precious plates from Mark.

Check out these unusual ? hardware storage bins:

Aren't these triangular drawers so interesting?

Doors anyone?

Metalwork for days....

Tracie and I both loved this piece!  Such fantastic storage possibilities!

LOOK!  It's my ugly chair's kin-folk!  

At least I know what the back cushion is supposed to look like now!

This is one of the two things I really, really wanted.  It would be perfect for my dining room and the price was phenomenal!  BUT, I had no clue how I would have been able to get it back to Alabama.

Look at the detail!  Looking at these pictures makes me want it all over again!

The owner of this booth, Laura Murphy, was so interesting.  She is a self-proclaimed "zorter".  Her and her daughter help hoarders clean out their spaces.....just like the show.  However, Laura has been doing this for decades!  TLC....you need to look this woman up!

I did manage to buy something at this booth, however.  She had amazing prices on old silverware.  I sense a dining room project coming soon!

This made me laugh hysterically!  This is an antique delivery chair.  What made it so funny is I am an OB/GYN nurse....there is NO WAY I can imagine today's women delivering while sitting on one of these things.  My co-workers got a huge kick out of this!

After TWO HOURS, we finally made it inside of the FIRST building.  I seriously fell in love with this hot air balloon art.  It matched PERFECTLY with my new master bedroom bedding (which came in Friday...YAYYYY).

This is the second thing that I really, really wanted.  If it had been just a little less expensive, I would have totally bought this.  I just couldn't justify spending that much money on something that was so small. 

Yes, these are crock pots....so incredible!

One of the main themes seemed to be burlap/linen covered EVERTHING.

Peter was one of the most interesting people we met inside.  His work, made of reclaimed barnwood was gorgeous.  Just look at this stand!

Loving this embossed, metal-covered table and bench.

WOW!

Those legs in the mirror are hysterical!

I LOVED every single thing in this booth!

I am so going to make some of these silver trays!

This drum shade was HUGE!

This chest was painted/distressed beautifully.  I love the style of this, even though the gray wouldn't match anything in my house.

I loved this intact mail sorter/window.  I also took this picture for my mom to see.  I'm sure it would bring back memories for her!  (She worked in the post office for 30+ years)

Tracie fell in LOVE with this cabinet!  We are looking for ways to recreate this same look.

I loved this shade!

I totally want this pillow...but for $180....it's a little too rich for my blood!

We spent the majority of the day outside and inside of the "South" building.  We drove over to the "North" building after lunch, but the prices were SO outrageous, we didn't stay there very long.  We both agreed that we would focus on the "South" side next time.

We had such a fantastic time!  I can't wait to do it again!

In my next post, I will show you the few little things I did buy!

Best.Weekend.Ever.

WOW!  What a weekend!  After months of freezing cold, three snow "events" and a week filled with heavy rains and flooding, this weekend proved to me that Spring is definitely right around the corner!  Blue skies, warmer temps, slight breezes....PERFECT weather for a spur-of-the-moment adventure.

I guess not all of the weekend was spur-of-the-moment.  You see, me and one of my longest blogger buddies ever, Tracie from A Tale of Many Cities,

 
have been planning on getting together ever since she moved to Atlanta 8 months ago.  For any of you who have been reading my blog for a while, Tracie is the fantastically talented lady who made the incredible custom necklace for Chelsea's 17th birthday.  Well, you know how life, and kids, and finances, and health tend to get in the way, and we just weren't able to get our ducks in a row and make it happen.  So, in January, we made a pact to get together in 2011!  

After coordinating our schedules, we decided early March would be the perfect time to make it happen.  It just so happened that Scott Antique Markets was having a show the second weekend in March....PERFECT!  The closer the trip got, the more excited I became.

BUT, you know me, the closer the trip got, the more nervous I got, too.  I mean, I was just plain giddy getting to finally meet Tracie in person, but all of the other stuff that goes along with it....driving in a big city, not knowing anybody, how stinking early I would have to get up to make it to Atlanta (which is in a DIFFERENT time zone) in time to eat breakfast and make it there early...all of the other junk that runs through my head when I venture out into the unknown:

Examples:

My trip into Atlanta to Pioneer Woman's cookbook signing.

My Alabama Blogger's meet-up with Lisa Leonard

I don't know WHY I get so worked up about it....I mean, I ALWAYS have the time of my life when I do step out of my comfort zone.  Maybe one day I will be able to get my stress level under control. HAHA!

So on Thursday, when Marty and I were driving home from Birmingham (I will blog about that little trip later), I just casually mentioned how I wish everybody could come with me to Atlanta.  Well, a conversation ensued and by the the end of the evening, we had a new plan, a hotel room booked, and dinner plans with Tracie and her husband for Friday night!

As soon as Marty got off work Friday night, we were on our way!  After getting delayed in Atlanta traffic, we finally made our way to the restaurant.

Oh.My.Goodness.  We had the absolute BEST time with Tracie and Kevin!  We talked, and talked, and laughed, and talked some more.  Oh, and I guess we did manage to eat some too!  (Well, I didn't get to eat that much...Jameson and I shared a plate because we were warned the portions were HUGE, and that little booger ate 3/4ths of it!)  It was like we had known each other forever!  Tracie also surprised me with this incredibly beautiful necklace that she made:

Look at how cute her packaging is!

The above photo is from Tracie.....since my horrible photography skills just can't do this gorgeous necklace justice!  I have DROOLED over this necklace ever since I first saw it.  I was in total shock when she gave it to me!

We were literally the last people in the restaurant, so when they kicked us out we left there and went to McDonald's for coffee, sweets, and more conversation.

By the end of the evening, our sides were hurting from laughing, and our faces had permanent smiles.  We had a GREAT time!

Tracie and her husband, Kevin

Tracie, Me, and my chins (and look! Gas is $3.59/gallon!)

And Tracie even managed to grab a squeeze from Jameson!

(Chelsea doesn't do too well with "spur-of-the-moment", and decided she would have a much better time staying with her Nana)

Friday night was just the beginning...stay tuned for part two our adventures!

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Many thoughts and prayers out to everyone who have been touched by the horrible earthquakes and tsunamis over the past few days.  It's bad enough to have the earthquakes, but then further devastation from the tsunamis and now a possible radiation threat....please God be with these people!  We have family that were in Hawaii during the tsunamis, and thank goodness they are safe.