Anniversary Ikea Road Trip

Today is our seventh wedding anniversary.

Before I talk about how this relates to decorating, let me just mention to everyone on the internet that I feel so fortunate to get to spend my life with this guy:

He is as close to perfect as I can imagine.

And seriously, he knows me so well.

It was during lunch on a Friday that he called me and asked me if I wanted to make the seven-hour drive to Dallas to shop at Ikea. That's the closest Ikea to where we live, and while this may sound dumb to anyone who lives close to an Ikea, for Missouri people like me, the drive was worth it. It's like going to Six Flags. One hour of driving for every year we've been married. How romantic!

After school I rushed home to pack (although we didn't manage to get packed and out the door until the next morning). Rand drove the whole way there and back, and he wandered through Ikea with me without complaining or telling me I was spending too much money. It was an awesome anniversary gift for a wife obsessed with home decorating.

After seven hours of driving, it was so exciting to see the Frisco, TX Ikea over the horizon! Rand was fascinated by these electric vehicle charging stations in the parking lot. We're such tourists.

We searched around for sofas, since we've agreed that we'll be ready to buy a new sofa next summer. We both loved the leather Karlstad sofa with the chaise lounge...

 ...but I'm voting for white leather.

I was in wicker chair heaven, by the way. You just can't get this stuff back home.

Side note: It was a little comforting to see that maybe my old sofa isn't completely out of style, according to Ikea. I guess someone out there still wants that puffy, off white look in their living room.  I still want to replace mine, though.

After hours and hours of shopping, we walked away with two rugs, a bedding set, a shower curtain, three light fixtures, and a few little things. I'll share more about those items when they are all settled into their new places in my house.

It was an exhausting trip to make in between two full work weeks, but it was a blast.  Nothing beats an adventure with Rand.

Are you lucky enough to live close to an Ikea? Do you take it for granted? Am I a crazy Missouri tourist for driving that far?

Thanks, Mom + How to Restore Rattan Furniture

Oh. My. Y'all. 

Remember this post? Remember how excited I was at the possibility of finding a hanging vintage egg chair in my own parents' barn? Remember??!!

Well, feast your eyes on this:

I am freaking out right now.

Yep, this baby came home with me about two weeks ago. It came to the states from the Philippines about 45 years ago when my dad, who was serving in the Vietnam War, bought it and shipped it home. It is in incredible condition, and it lives with me now. 

It was a little dirty, so I started by hosing it off and letting it dry in the sun. 

Then I hammered the loose nails back into place.

However, it was still looking a little dry and gray, so I decided it needed an oil rubdown.

After doing a little internet research, I decided my best option was boiled linseed oil. This was what several sites recommended for rattan, and rather than being a stain, it was just an oil, so it soaked in pretty evenly and I didn't get any weird lines.

Here's a close-up to show you what I started with:

Here's a blurry progress shot to show you what an amazing difference the oil made:

The directions said to wipe on the oil (I used a toothbrush) wait a few minutes, then wipe off the excess. When I went to wipe it off, there was no excess oil. This thirsty chair had soaked it all in.

The only downside to the linseed oil was that the chair was stinky afterwards and it needed to air out on the back porch for a couple days. But still. Look at the difference! 

I'll be back soon with an after picture of the chair and (hopefully) a picture of this thing hanging in my living room! 

My Talented Sister + A New Portrait

I love this girl:

I also love this girl:

Not just because she gave me one of her own original drawings as a gift, and also got it framed. But that was really nice of her! I am so amazed at how talented my little sis is. And crazy generous.

I originally thought my little girl would join Kirsten Stewart and the gang on the portrait gallery wall, but she was just too amazing to not have a wall all to herself, so she's hanging out in the kitchen. She really makes the room!

I think my sis should open an Etsy shop or something. Or Society6? How does that all work? Anyway, I think she's great.