LOOKS LIKE THE REAL THING, BUT IS IT?

I have had affections for all things Ballard Designs for years, but my wallet does not fit my appetite. Fortunately, their catalog is a great place for inspiration...Exihibit A

Ballard Designs Chaumont Console originally $999 on sale for $899


My "faux" Chaumont Console(becuase knock off is too strong a word) $115. The cabinet was $60 at a garage sale and I paid $55 to have it picked up, painted and delivered. It houses our 55 gallon fishless fishtank.

Stay tuned for Exhibit B Louis XVI Sideboard ...

THIS IS GONNA BE BEAUTIFUL

We are finally getting around to decorating "our room". It is becoming more and more important for us to have our "space". Here are some of the treasures we have found. Only little snippets till the big reveal when it's close to done...don't know when that will be.

Do you like my (new) hat? I found this lamp, or this lamp found me at a local antique store. I saw him and was intrigued and then I couldn't stop looking at him. I walked around the store several times before returning to his booth and snatching him up. He came with the first shade and it just wasn't him, so I replaced his hat with the second...much better! He is now "basket boy" in our house and I love him. The lamp cost either $22 or $28, I can't remember, but is any price too great a price for la piece de resistance? Unequivocally, NO!

Found this chair and a half at the same store with basket boy. I have been looking for a chair like this for a LONG time and the price was right $89 and $29 for the ottoman. The tray was $10.80 at One of a Kind, the store where I have my booth. Trouble with being somewhere with so many beautiful things, a lot of beautiful things come home with me.
These beauties were also found at One of a Kind, the first week I had my booth. I can't reveal the price because it was a generous good deal from another dealer. I loved these doves the most until I met basket boy, oh, emotions so futile! I will be looking at small quilts today in another dealer's booth perfect for in between the ottoman and the tray. Of course I have ideas for the tray, but you will just have to wait and see. The hint of color on the wall will be our new bedroom color - someday.
A friend sent us money for Christmas as she usually does, but this year we used it on ourselves. We bought the hat for basket boy, a bedskirt (that needs wrinkle releaser, since I don't iron) and three pillow shams. It looks beautiful! The bedspread was aquired years ago at Marshalls for about $50 and it was blue, but I got bleach on it, so I bleached the whole thing. I love the way it turned out, now it is an off-white, but the threading is still blue.

BIG PLANS

Today I went to Goodwill, two of them to be exact. These are my finds! I spent $54.52 for everything pictured here and I have big plans for these (soon to be) treasures. Stay tuned...

GOD'S LOVE

Have you ever bought something for someone because the Lord prompted you to do so? You didn’t know why they would need that mug, plaque, book, etc., but He did. Have you ever been overwhelmed by His love for someone when giving them something that you knew He wanted you to give them? It’s amazing isn’t it?

Have you prayed that prayer, the one that goes something like, “Lord give me your heart for others, let me see them like you see them.” He has answered me time and time again, supernaturally enabling me to share His love with someone else. I think I missed it a lot of the time not realizing He was answering in a particular way and I guess I assume all of sudden I will feel like He feels and see what He sees, but I don’t. Usually I will be burdened with His great love for someone else and in those moments, it never dawned on me that this is His expression of love for this person and He feels the same way about me. Pretty amazing!

You know the flowers your friend brings to your house, the card with just the right scripture in it or the hot chocolate left on your doorstep on a cold, winter’s day by a friend who knew you had none. That is how He loves us - through one another. If we are not expressing His love to others, to the world, who is?

HEARTS AT HOME

Everyone loves a good sale, Right? We'll let me tell you about a great one:

It’s a Hearts at Home
Black Friday after Black Friday Sale Dec. 7-11

Did you sleep in on Black Friday? Did you drag yourself out of bed, but still miss out on some awesome deals because you were standing in line too long at one store? Do you still have shopping to do, but dread the crowds, traffic, and cost? Let Hearts at Home help!

Their Black Friday sale has been extended to the week of December 7-11. Shop in the convenience of your own home and receive an unprecedented 25% off all of Hearts books and merchandise. They have great gifts for everyone in your family.

Find gifts for friends, teachers, bible study leaders, bus drivers, and everyone else on your list. You may even find something for yourself. This is a great time to stock up on all those Hearts at Home books you’ve been wanting to read.

Let your family know how much you would love a Hearts at Home gift certificate so you can use it for your Hearts at Home conference registration and/or Mom’s Night Out tickets.

Go to Heartshoppe.com, choose your gifts, and enter code “HEARTGIFT” upon checkout. You will receive 25% off your total purchase (before tax and shipping).

I also want to fill you in on a couple of other great opportunities!

Be sure to check out Jill Savage's blog this month (she is the founder and CEO of Hearts at Home). She is doing one giveaway A DAY through Christmas.

And, if you stop by the Hearts at Home blog December 8 - 11, you will have an opportunity to win a Heart's at Home prayer journal. The prayer journal is a brand new resource from Hearts at Home.

Merry Christmas from Hearts at Home!