Confessions of a Cheap and Lazy Decorator

It's been HOT here in good ol' Redding, California (for those who aren't familiar with California-Redding is about 3 hours north of Sacramento).

So it was Mr. Smith's birthday yesterday (the love of his life's birthday-ME-is tomorrow).

We had a lazy day and I made a lazy cake.

Box funfetti cake, white frosting and lots of sprinkles!

One candle too!  We are in harsh economic times at TheSmithHotel right now so we are cutting back! 

Plus another 40 candles in this heat-you are just asking for a FIRE!

Oh yeah.....Here is my ode to 4th of July decorating......

Just changed out the pillow covers......

Dug them out from the linen closet and Bam!  Happy 4th of July!

Nope I didn't even iron them either!  

So that's how I decorate while being cheap and lazy-Just too dang hot here!

Oh but you got a pool.....you should be in the water.....

Well just a little problem with that...

I got a tattoo!

It's soo real that if I get it covered in sunscreen lotion it will rub off!  It was my present to myself!  LOL

I got it last Thursday and by golly I wanted it to last until my birthday!

Joining Linda over at Coastal Charm!

No Sew Super Cheap Valance

It started very innocently....I took down the toile curtains in the bathroom to wash...

When they were down I thought it would be nice to lighten up the look for summer...thought about it for 2 weeks.......Then inspiration hit.....

Used the same rod...

I am forever picking up white material.....curtains, shower curtains, bed sheets to use for table coverings, covering up my rocker glider etc....

I bought this white flat sheet at a thrift store for $2 the other day.  I bleached it and folded it up to use when inspiration hit.

BAM!

I have a secret....I don't like to iron......so I just threw it up without ironing it!  I folded it in half and safety pinned it (didn't feel like getting out the sewing machine and plus I could always reuse the sheet later for something else).

Took some burlap ribbon that I had on hand and made a valance.  Super Easy and Super Cheap! 

I took the candle holders down and put some fun dry cleaning hangers up instead.

Of course I couldn't stop there....

I redid my kitchen (that is in the bathroom) cabinet too.

From this to this...

Just lightening up everything in my bathroom.

Since my bathroom facelift is Thrifty....

I am joining Linda

 http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2010/06/nifty-thrifty-no17-and-coastal-giveaway.html

Plus Kathleen at Faded Charm
http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2010/06/white-wednesday-53.html

Summertime @ TheSmithHotel's Oregon St. Antique Mall Booth

Took a couple of quick pictures when I stopped by Oregon St. Antique Mall with my kids and mom today.

Here's what the dyed pom poms look like.

The red turned out more like hot pink.  Live and learn...

But the good news is that the color is off of my hands!  LOL

The kids helped decorate the booth on Thursday (with the bribe of ice cream as the reward).  We had to make about 4 trips up and down the stairs to carry all the new goodies and decorations we used.

As always thanks for stopping by!  Always enjoy hearing what you think!

Giveaway!

Huge news for The Smith Hotel....

Taylor at The Undomestic Momma

is doing a giveaway from my Esty store!

$25 towards anything in my shop

plus free shipping!

Stop by her blog and enter the giveaway!

It's Friday Night and I'm Painting the Town Red....Blue....

What happens on a Friday night here at TheSmithHotel?????

I break out my Wilton food coloring and try to dye coffee filters.....

Oh wait it gets even more exciting....

Loads of my girlfriends are coloring their hair fun colors but they didn't think of this....

I am starting a new trend here......coloring your skin....

That's right ~ it's going to be the new rage and you saw it here first!

Notice the subtle colorations under the finger nails?    Takes years of practice to get it just right......

Ok ~ you caught me!

I was bored (don't let my kids hear me say that-I am charging them $1 anytime I hear it from them this summer).

I thought I could color some coffee filters and make pom poms for my booth...

I need to turn a "mistake" (opps should have worn gloves) into a trend.....

Work with me People!

Hey at least I now know how to dye my skin in case I ever want to be a Zombie!

Wonder how long this will last?????

Lewistons Peddlers' Faire

Took a couple of quick shots while we were setting up.....it was raining in the morning.

Had a good time....lots of visitors and interest in TheSmithHotel. 

Glad I got new business cards printed! 

Still recovering but plan on going back next year!

It's A Mess!

Usually I try to clean up the space that I am taking a picture of-not today!

My living room had been taken over with all my products that I am getting ready to sell at the Lewistons Peddlers' Faire this Saturday.

Oh yeah-I had a party last night......a pool party for junior highers.....did I mention that it was raining?  They swam anyways but I still felt like I needed to clean up the living room so they could make it to the backyard without tripping.  

What's a girl to do?

I shoved it all into my husband's office!

He was out of town anyways....oh wait he came back just before the pool party!

Warning: Neat freaks please stop reading......if you continue it's at your own risk.....

I warned you.....

I was able to get the door closed for the party!

I am loading up all this stuff tomorrow so Mr. Smith can actually use his desk again.....

I'll try to remember to take pictures of my booth once I get it set up on Saturday.

Oh and I got a new banner and business cards for Saturday as well!

It sure gives me a new appreciation for venders!  It is a ton of work getting ready!

Oh, what's in the garage?

More items for sell of course! 

 I thought I would stop the torture with just the pictures of the office!