A not-so-green thumb, and other random things

Hey everyone! I swear I'm still here. I've just been thoroughly distracted from crafty things lately. I hope to have some things to share with you really soon.

In the meantime, I thought I'd keep it real and confess that I'm not great at keeping plants alive, indoor plants more than outdoor plants. I always forget to water them, then I feel bad and overcompensate with too much water, and then they die. I just can't seem to learn.

For instance, I noticed my jade and succulent plants seemed to be suffering from too-much-water syndrome, so I decided to put them outside in the sun yesterday in a desperate attempt to dry them out and save them. I also pulled a couple of the jade leaves off and put them in water to try and root them.

My previously adorable succulent

Except I forgot they were out there, and we got crazy downpours yesterday. Which means I came home to this sad sight:

Yikes!

Oh boy...

It's safe to say these plants are toast, don't you think? Fingers crossed my attempt at rooting my jade cuttings works!

But how cute is that bird pot from Lowe's?? I simply adore it. I spotted it in the store one day this spring, but didn't buy it. Then it was out of stock for a couple weeks and I practically stalked their website to see when it would be back in stock, and I ran out and bought it right away. (And yes, that's a salad plate underneath it. My secret for adorable pots I find that have no saucer thing for drainage is that I shop the "as is" section of Bed Bath and Beyond. The one in my town always has random plates for sale for really cheap -- this one was only 48 cents!)

This plant my mom bought us as a housewarming present always looks like this. I have no idea what it wants -- more water? less water? more sun? a little song? It's still alive, but I'm constantly sweeping up leaves. Anyone know what it is and how to take care of it?

The only plant that is looking good is this little guy that hangs out in our bedroom. The tag at Home Depot just called it "houseplant," so I have no idea what it is, but I need a few more, apparently, since it's the only thing I can keep alive!

Here's where it started -- not bad, huh!

In other news, I thought I'd let you in on what's been taking up more of my time lately. I've started doing Jillian Michaels' Ripped in 30 DVD in an effort to get more in shape. I'm about half-way through, and it's tough! But I'm really liking it. It can be hard sometimes to fit working out into your daily routine, and I have to admit falling off the wagon lately. But the hubs and I are both making it a priority, and let me tell you, I definitely feel happier when I'm working out (okay, not WHILE I'm doing it, but afterward ;) ). It's great for mental and physical health, and I have more energy and sleep better when I'm doing something active on a regular basis. And it's probably just in my imagination at this point, but I think I'm looking a little more toned. But of course working out more means less time on crafts and blogging. So I hope you forgive me, but I've gotta make taking care of myself a priority.

I also find it really funny how much Jillian Michaels has changed her image in the past three years (in an effort to brand herself or boost her influence, maybe?). Here's the cover of one of her first DVDs, the 30 Day Shred (which is also a great workout).

Source

And here's the cover of Ripped in 30, released this year. Holy glamour! I like how she's gotten tanner, her hair's gotten fuller and her sports bra has gotten more revealing... :) But I forgive her because she kicks my booty. The design has also gotten more intense...the happy, teal-and-orange color combo is replaced by scary black and yellow, and the fonts went from fun and light (there's even a little shimmer to the J!) to chunky and serious. Jillian means business, people!

Source

And last in my list of totally random things: Christina's Adventures featured my DIY key art! She is just the sweetest. Thanks so much, Christina!

I hope to be back later this week with something more interesting to show you than my sad plants... :)

New convex mirror {thrifty find}

Hey, all, happy Friday! I cannot wait for the weekend. We're in the middle of a bona fide heat wave here in Maine...it's supposed to get up to 100 degrees in Maine's largest city, which it hasn't done in over 30 years! If only I could spend all day at the beach...

Just a little post to share my latest thrift store purchase. I’ve driven by this little thift/flea market place a zillion times but always had somewhere to be, or groceries in the car, or the hubs with me (he is not a thrifter!), so I’ve never stopped. But I had a lazy Saturday morning to myself last weekend, so I made it a point to stop in and see what was there.

It had lots of your general flea market finds -- vintage glassware, collectibles, old furniture, etc. -- and even a few random things (who really buys 30-year-old VHS tapes anymore??). I had lots of fun looking through it all, but since I didn’t really need any of it, I came home with just a little glass bottle, for a grand total of $3.15.

But something else caught my eye: a convex mirror. I pondered over it, but ultimately went home without it. But I kept thinking about it, and then, while watching an episode of True Blood, I spotted the same style of mirror in a shot of Bill Compton's house (I tried to find a screen shot of it but couldn't, but for any True Blood fans, it hangs on the wall next to the front door, I think on the left). I took it as a sign that the universe wanted me to buy it, so I showed the hubs a picture. He said “pretty cool,” which I took to mean, “Yes, please buy it, I can’t live without it!” (Okay, that was really just how I felt about it....).

So, a couple days later (with groceries in the car, I might add), I made another stop. This time I knew I’d be fast, since I had a purpose, a mission, an objective. I must have this mirror!

Please ignore the weeds...it's far too hot to do yard work

I first saw this kind of mirror when Lauren wrote about them in Pure Style Home. They’re a Federal-style convex mirror made in the 18th century and widely reproduced in the 1940s and 50s by a Syracuse company called Syroco. The Syroco reproductions are made of a kind of wood-flour material molded and made to look gold. Many have 13 balls or stars around the mirror to represent the 13 original American colonies. Though modeled after a European style, they became symbols of American independence.

From the George Washington Collection of Mirrors by the Friedman Brothers, a reproduction for sale at Mount Vernon for $3,200.

The originals and even the higher-end reproductions go for thousands of dollars, but I bought mine for a cool $18. I thought that was a pretty good deal, since I’ve seen other Syroco pieces like that selling for $50 or more online. Yippee!

It’s totally out of my usual style, but something about it really draws me. Maybe it’s the crazy convex mirror that looks like a porthole (I do like nautical things). Maybe it’s that the eagle reminds me of the eagle my parents hung on our house when I was kid (it now hangs on the shed). Maybe I’m just really feeling patriotic and the eagle reinforces my American pride. Who knows! But I’m very happy to have it.

Proud to be an American...!

The hubs’ response? “It looks more gold than the picture you showed me.” No worries. I have plans to paint it. Although I hesitate to paint it, the gold color is starting to tarnish and I don’t think gold is my thing -- doesn’t really fit with our house. I’m thinking about painting it a fresh, modern white, like these:

Via Matters of Style

Eddie Ross in Lonny, also via Matters of Style

Suburban Matron painted hers white too

But a fun, bright color really makes it pop:

From etsy seller shabbyvintagemom

 Matters of Style painted hers too

Of course, in the right room, it looks great gold too, adding a little glam:

Elle Decor, via Matters of Style

I thought it could go in our office when we get around to working on it, since it kind of has a nautical feel, I think, and might go well with my code-flag prints. But maybe I’ll change my mind. I kind of want to put it over my bed, so that eagle can watch over us. I guess I’m creepy like that...

Always feel like...somebody's watchin' me!

But seriously, what do you think? Paint the frame a bright, shiny white, accompanied by the code flag prints, also in their own white frames? Or paint the mirror turquoise or coral or another fun color? I’d love to hear your suggestions on what to do with this mirror! Here's one of two code flag prints I have that I'm planning to hang in the office.

And just so you can see what my new thrifty find looks like on the wall, I hung it up quickly in the kitchen.

I couldn't get that darn price sticker off and I was too impatient to take photos

In other news, my birch arbor and mason jar lanterns were featured again, this time by Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming! Thank you so much, Stephanie Lynn!

Linking my thrifty find up at Finding Fabulous' Frugalicious Friday, so stop by and check it out!

Feelin' the love

Just a little note to let you know that the wonderful Christina at Christina's Adventures has included little ol' me in a list of her favorite blogger friends! It was a total surprise -- I was just in my Google Reader, reading the bazillion posts I have to go through (like 600+, I'm serious!), and I got to Christina's post and was thinking, "Gosh, how nice of her to give some shoutouts to other bloggers!"...then BAM! It was my face :)

(That's my entryway mini makeover on the left, and my book page wreath)

A shoutout like this means so much to someone like me just starting out, figuring out how all this blogging stuff works, wondering if anyone is reading, if all the hard work is worth it. Being included among these other great blogs (most of which have a few hundred followers, compared to my 21!) is really flattering. I'm very touched that she would take time out of her unpacking (she just moved!) to call attention to my little blog, and amazed at how nice everyone is in this blogging world and how willing everyone is to share in each other's successes and excitements. Thank you, Christina! I hope to have hundreds of followers like you someday! Maybe this is the beginning...

And do stop by Christina's blog and follow her (and wish her well on her new place!) And don't forget to visit the other fabulous blogs she listed. I'm a follower of all of them now, and I hope you will be too! 

And to my new readers visiting from Christina's Adventures, a big THANK YOU! for stopping by. I hope you'll stick around. :)

HMH has been featured!

Wow! The lovely sisters of At the Picket Fence have featured Heart Maine Home and my DIY paint swatch art! 

 

Thanks, Vanessa and Heather! As a new blogger, it's a great thrill to be featured on another blog and to meet two ladies who are so sweet and encouraging to a newbie like me. Stop by their Inspiration Friday party today and see all the amazing stuff everyone is sharing -- you will definitely be inspired.

And now, since it's the Friday before a three-day weekend for me (does anyone else have President's Day off?), I'm going to share a few things around the blogosphere that caught my eye this week and may inspire me to tackle some projects over the long weekend. In no particular order:

Shannon at Hase Haus's DIY checkered bedskirt. Lovely!

This adorable boot tray from Maillardville Manor (via Apartment Therapy). I'm trying this one...

This file cabinet transformation that took it from ho-hum to super fun. I have a file cabinet that could use a similar treatment. Via Apartment Therapy.

And...Edy's Girl Scout Samoas Cookie ice cream. I love when Girl Scout cookie season comes around. :)

Enjoy your weekend, all! Here's a hint at what I know I'll be working on...

My Home Ideas