Dress This Mess > Barn Chic

The other day, one of my favorite gal pals happened to mention that she had been wanting to redecorate her living room. *Ping* My interior decorator spidey sense started to tingle!

I then began slyly (Not really. It was more like, "TELL ME MORE!") asking her what she was thinking about doing - all the while taking furious mental notes. She showed me this pin from everyone's favorite obsession; Pinterest:

http://ahappyhabitat.blogspot.com/2011/09/were-you-born-in-barn.html

She also showed me this lampshade from my favorite obsession; Target:

Flocked Lamp Shade Yellow (Large)

And that was it, I was inspired and her redecorating fever had spread. (Which is waaaaay better than catching all the other stuff that's been floating around lately...)

I started laying awake at night, thinking about her great, light filled living room. During the day I would daydream decorate her room with fabulous accessories and furniture. Words like barn chic, and contemporary rustic, ran around in my head. I dug around her Pinterest boards like a stalker and spied on all her favorite pins and decor ideas, where I discovered her love of yellow and gray, horses, and country with a splash of contemporary living.

And then I took my intel and made a design board. It's an illness, I tell ya!

barn chic2 by glossyflossy on polyvore.com

And then I made another one:

barn chic3 by glossyflossy on polyvore.com

And another one:

barn chic by glossyflossy on polyvore.com

And then I took a nap and made an appointment with my therapist.

Thanks to my insanity, my friend asked me to help her out, which is way better than asking me to stay a stalker's minimum of 50 ft away. Yay! I'll keep you posted!

~Angela

Manic Monday > I Need Some Pinterest Endorphins

Have your Pinterest endorphins kicked in for today?  Some people need coffee on Monday, I need Pinterest.  I like to get a big dose of Pinterest to make me feel good.  It's shopping on steroids without the credit card statement on steroids - guilt free shopping.

I can have a Pinterest house, wardrobe, dream vacation, vacation home, and eat Pinterest meals all without leaving my home (or my bed, if I choose) and without the gigantic debt that I would incur if I bought all this stuff or the divorce I would be getting if I bought it all.  


Did you know that we have two Boards.  We have the Glossy Flossy Board and I have a Laurie Glossy Board because sometimes I like to pin something that might not be rated PG on my Makes Me Laugh Board, or something pink, blue, or purple.  Those aren't my favorite colors but I do think they're feel good colors.  


Check out some recent pins to our boards:


Wall art that anyone can do - even me!

Simple DIY Home Decor:

Source: youngwifey.wordpress.com via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest

Simple project ~ print out image, tape to inside of shade, turn on light, and trace with a Sharpie (regular and fine-point used)

Recycle wood pallets into theater type lounging:

Source: treehugger.com via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest

Beautiful Home Ideas:

Source: kikis-list.blogspot.com via Laurie on Pinterest

Source: home-styling.blogspot.com via Laurie on Pinterest

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Laurie on Pinterest

Spring Ideas:

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Laurie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Laurie on Pinterest

Need a good laugh check out my Makes Me Laugh Board:

Source: i.imgur.com via Laurie on Pinterest

Source: 26.media.tumblr.com via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest



Last but not least some fashion therapy:

Source: polyvore.com via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest

Need a mega dose of Pinterest? Check out our Pinterest Boards for more - and I do mean more. We have almost 2000 pins!

• Glossy Flossy Studios Pinterest Board 
• Laurie Glossy Pinterest Board

~Laurie

Frock Me Friday > Walk Like An Egyptian

Okay not really. But sing "Walk like an Egyptian" like a member of the 90's super group the Bangles, because it's a bangled filled Frock Me Friday!!

I know that Winter is still hanging around like a bad used car salesman, (Seriously, Winter it's time to go!) but I am counting the seconds until Spring hits and I can wear these babies:

They are from Asos and are only $17.01, and you know how I love me some chevron!

Bright and bold bangles and cuffs are everywhere this season; and I don't know much about enamel except that it protects your pearly whites (thank you Crest commercials) and it makes jewelery look fabulous! Check out some more great and affordable finds:

These are from ShopSuey and are all under $25:

Target - all under $17:

Target has some more gorgeous enameled cuffs that I saw in the store the other day (which was the initial inspiration for this post), but when I went online to grab the pics, they were not on their site yet (grrr...). Next time I make my daily trek to my local Target I'll post you guys a little update pic.

Nordstom:

Happy Friday!

~Angela

Feast Your Eyes > Lighten Up!

I've been noticing that Pinterest has been overloaded lately with a flood of dieting and exercise tips, and low cal recipes. This has made me feel A) Inspired to get on a treadmill and B) Like I want to stick my head in the oven to block out all this annoying dieting talk... When I do get into these random health kicks, my brain gets all gun ho and Billy Blanks bootcampish but then my mouth wimps out like a traitor, and eats the leftover Valentine's day candy in the back of the pantry.

My only saving grace is that I make dinner for my family almost every day of the week and we eat fairly healthy and always homemade. We just had the best baked salmon with a yummy coleslaw side which everyone had seconds (and some thirds) of:

 Doesn't it look good?


This is a great low cal side dish is one of my smeazy (smart, easy, lazy) recipe standbys, that you can make under 6 minutes.

Jazzed Up Slaw

• 1 bag of coleslaw cabbage mix with carrots, or one head of green and red cabbage, shredded plus 1 1/2 C. matchstick carrots. 
• 1/2 C.- sliced almonds, toasted.
• 1/2 C. - Dried cranberries or raisins
• 4 - green onions with stalks, chopped
• 1/4 C. - chopped parsley
• Coleslaw dressing, Asian vinaigrette, or honey Dijon dressing.

Sometimes coleslaw dressings can have alot of sugar in them, and not be very low cal friendly, so check out different vinaigrettes or make your own, if that's an issue.

It's ridiculously good.

Seriously.

~Angela

Manic Monday

Things have been crazy around here lately. Thankfully not the bad kind of crazy that involves mug shots, medical attention, vet bills, or threats of, "We will never mention this again...", but the good kind of crazy where you realize that your life is just truckin' along and your whole family is in the warp speed carpool lane, with you. It seems like now my weekends fly by and then I spend all Monday still trying to process all the things I did with my family. Kinda like a busy life hangover!

But do I ever have the cure for those shell shocked brains! Check out some cool sites and goodies to revive you from that weekend jet lag.

1. First up is a great site that some of you savvy stylista's already know about: Design Seeds

This site by blogger, Jessica Colaluca, posts gorgeous color schemes from selected photos, to "plant" seeds of inspiration for the rest of us schmo's. Genius! This site is great for finding inspiration for anything color related like wall colors, decorating, planning a party or wedding, even fashion. You can also select a specific color that you are wanting a color scheme for and Design Seeds with show you all the palettes that will work with it.


2. My friend recently got an adorable mother's necklace that I've been envying, so I've been scouring the web for the perfect one for me when I found this:  

 I have a couple of wonderful friends that have adopted amazing children and this would be such a great gift for anyone of them. It reads, "Chosen. To Belong. To Be Loved." Isn't that what everyone wants? Check out Lisa Leonard's Shop to see all of her great jewelry pieces.

3. I've found true love! In a mascara that is. I have long lashes to start with but they were looking a little ragged of late, probably after years of abuse by eye lash curler and harsh mascara. I've spent a whole lot of money (more than I like to think about) on expensive mascaras. Usually they get the job done, but not a whole lot of bang for my buck, if you know what I mean. That was until I tried Almay's, One Coat Triple Effect Mascara: 



 It lengthens, thickens, and nourishes your lashes with aloe and B vitamins. On my lashes it was conditioning and clump free; giving me great length without looking like Tammy Faye. It's basically a little TLC for your lashes! **Disclaimer: I was not paid to say nice things about mascara. It's just my personal opinion, although I wouldn't mind getting paid for my opinion...

4. I'm also loving this St. Patrick's Day lucky clover wreath, made from boxwood clippings and some wire from the crafty, Blue Leaf Confections. She gives a great DIY on how she did this:

Well I'm off to start my crazy week. Happy Monday!

~Angela

Frock Me Friday > Leaving On A Jet Plane...

 I've got a bad case of the winter blahs. It's not that I can't stand the winter weather, it's just that I can't stand the winter weather here. So I'm outta here.

Yep, me and my fantasy wardrobe are blowing out of this frozen popsicle stand and are going away to a fantasy, weekend getaway.  I'm thinking of a great couple of days in Seattle or Portland. Wanna come?

Great! Since we are doing a little fantasy traveling, we need to start packing our fantasy wardrobe. Remember these great wardrobe pieces? These are all stylish pieces from my Polyvore boards:

Travel Pieces by laurieglossyflossy featuring leather jackets
 Outfits from pieces

I chose only nine pieces because: A. They are fabulous! B. They will all fit into one, under 50 lbs, suitcase. We don't want those annoying extra bag airline fees, taking away from our weekend fun money, do we? We also need some room in that suitcase in order to cure our winter blues with some retail therapy.

To get the most out of my travel wardrobe, I chose pieces that I could mix and match with each other; while still traveling light, but not giving up great style. And yes, I did pack four pairs of shoes. I just couldn't give any of them up! I balanced it out though by only taking one bag. It's called sacrificing for fashion ladies!

Note that I also packed lots of layering options for this weird Winter/not- quite -Spring weather we're having.

Check out all our lovely options:
 

Travel outfits from 9 pieces by laurieglossyflossy featuring leather jackets


Won't we look great? I can't wait to leave!!

~Laurie

Dress This Mess > 2 Minute / $4 upgrade

We all have them: dollar store vases. 

You probably started off with one or two but then they had somehow multiplied like spring bunnies into 5 or more in your cupboard. (how DOES that happen?!) But before you send them out for adoption at your local goodwill, take a look at my cheap and glam upgrade!

I grabbed two different height candle pedestals  from my local Walmart for only a total of $5, and one candle holder from my dusty garage. Then I borrowed a tube of silicone adhesive from the Hubby. You could also use any kind of strong, water proof, adhesive.

Next, place one dollar store vase on top of one of the pedestals. You will want to try and find the most level position before applying the glue, which may require lots of turning and standing back to see which is the most level position. (Note: they won't be perfectly level but find a happy imperfect medium-just like in life, right?!) Once you’ve found the sweet spot, make a mark on the pedestal and bottom of vase so that you can line it up when its time to glue.

Wipe the bottom of the vase and the pedestal free from dust and grime and try not to judge yourself over the amount of dust that has accumulated....hey- living fabulously doesn’t leave a lot of time for dusting!

Then take your silicone adhesive and spread a thick bead of glue all around the lip of the pedestal. Line up your marks on your vase and pedestal and place together. Apply some pressure for a couple of minutes and then let it sit for a couple of hours.

Next you are ready to accessorize your vase! Add some small river rock and a herb plant for a fragrant window sill bouquet. Or add the plant that your sweet husband bought you for Valentine's Day. (But for the love of decorating, don't leave the tacky plastic pot on it like I did!)

Or add some fruit, real - or not. These could be great for entertaining too!

How about some great Spring decor?

Now give yourself a hug for being so crafty chic for so cheap!

p.s. Check out this similar high priced version from every one's favorite, Pottery Barn (or as my son reads it, giggling: potty barn):

Recycled Glass Footed Vase - $59.00

Feeling preeeettty proud of yourself right now aren’t you?! You're Welcome.

~Angela

Dear Me > Most Important Accomplishments. My Three Kids.

Did anyone miss us?  Usually we post on Monday and here it is Wednesday and we're just getting to it!  February is a busy month as all of Miss Angela Glossy Flossy's boy's birthdays are in seven days.


You might not know this but her husband received the best birthday gift ever seven years ago - twin boys. Yup, that's right twins were born on their dad's birthday. 

(Sorry about the terrible pic - this was before we got our digital picture groove on!)



Anyway we've been a little busy around here with all that celebrating, which in a round-about way brings me to my post.  I've been reading the February O Magazine.  There is a article in there called "You In Six Words."  In part it says, "Sure, your life story could fill a thousand pages - but sometimes a few words are all you need."


It's a fun read and a fun thing to do.  Here are some of my faves from the magazine:

• Still fit into high school earrings.  Kimberly Kilroy - okay that might be my favorite cause it's too funny!
• Carjacked in the Tunnel of Love. - Cheryl Diane Kidder - perfect for a February issue.
• Recipe for failure. Changed my ingredients. - Antonee Boykin
• Survived the divorce.  Learned to Live. - Laurel Hadley
• I've made all the best mistakes. - Jessica McKeen-Grabell
• I never say just six words. - Hayley Smith
• Attitude adjustment courtesy of Sara Lee. -Kathleen Olson
• Count my joys, not my woes. - Debra Smith
• Just ate lunch. What's for dinner? - Lynn Andriani (I think that describes my grandsons!)
• Life is short, buy the shoes. - Sara Nelson (Amen, Sister.)
• Aging sucks.  Bangs better than Botox - Clarissa Cruz.
• You have always had the power. - Glinda the Good Witch (Wizard of Oz)

This got me started thinking about my six words.  While working out I came up with this one:

• Love.  Hate.  Love.  Hate.  My elliptical.
• Looking for something. Found something else.
• My heart is pumping for love.

The last two were from some songs I was listening to while exercising.


My ultimate six words are : 


Most important accomplishments.  My Three Kids.  


I have a rich and rewarding life from my three children.  I have their spouses and one soon to be spouse who I love to hang out with.  I have three beautiful grandchildren and more to come, I hope!  And I have grandpets to feed my pet love, without having any myself.  I am a lucky, lucky girl.  


Try out six words for yourself.  It's fun and something of a soul searching activity to do.  


-Laurie

Frock Me Friday > Messy Purse, Messy Life

I know that this is Frock Me Friday, but I'm in need of a confession.

Here it goes,*gulp* :

 I have a messy purse of EPIC proportions.

I get annoyed stares from cashiers who watch as I rifle through 500 receipts for 5 minutes, trying to find my debit card. There have been times that I've pulled my cell phone out of my purse to answer a call, only to realize that there is a wrapped piece of gum, that has now accessorized itself to the back of my phone. Sorta like an IPhone gum barnacle...I've went days thinking that I've misplaced my keys only to realize that they are wedged in the tiniest pocket of my huge purse, wrapped in a tangle of silly bandz, hidden by a layer of hotwheels cars (My purse also doubles as a time out/holding pen for all items banned from school or that are currently annoying me or others).

My purse is a tragic mix of crumpled paper and pointless items. Ask me if I can shine a laser light pen to flash an SOS signal. I got you covered. Need a shark tooth necklace to accessorize your outfit? I got it. Ask me If I have $2....um....Give me 5 minutes to scrounge around the dark pit of my purse and I'll get back to you on that.

Well yesterday, I hit my rock bottom. I was at the store and doing my usual debit card search party, when a waterfall of crumpled receipts fell out onto the check stand and onto the cashier. She, with noted disdain and using two fingers, picked up my mangled receipts like they were snotty used Kleenexes, and then handed them back to a mortified, me. I gave her an embarrassed laugh and ran out of there like I had left a kid in the car.

Well today is the day my messy purse shame comes to an end!
Here are some accessories that will whip any down-and-out purse, into shape. It's a Frock Me Friday for your purse!

First up is this great purse organizer insert from etsy seller Divide and Conquer

Hah! Divide and conquer?! Just what my purse needs! Here's one that I love in a Burberry print, from O Buy Me:

 Or how about one in a hot pattern trend. I do love me some yellow and black. This one is from Etsy seller, Purse to Go:


What about those naughty, out of control, receipts? I'd love to corral them in this lovely holder from Emms Pocket Shop:

 

Kate Spade envelopes:

Pocketed organizer from Barnes and Nobles:




Here's a DIY idea from IHeart Organizing:


Now for the keys:


ATFrey


Etsy


Peng Studios

Or how about this adorable personalized one? There's even a DIY tutorial!






And of course I couldn't end a Frock Me Friday post about purses without...purses!

Clutches at ModCloth
Satchels by Rebecca Minkoff


Remember to look for purses that have lots of pockets to stash lots of contraband, and a shoulder strap to leave your kid wrangling hands free...

Have a great Weekend!


~Angela