Amazing Bargains on Modern Furniture-Nuevo Living

We are on a bargain hunting mode lately. Who isn't with this economy!

So we've been browsing through all the manufacturers bargains that have been sent our way. You see, manufacturers need to make room for new inventory, new styles, whatever, then they send us the lists of items that have been marked down like crazy.

Here are some bargains for the day from Nuevo, which specializes in modern furniture. We like the quality of their furniture quite a bit. We use their barstools for restaurant projects and they hold up really well.

We've listed the prices here but keep in mind that they do not include shipping cost.

This cool -looking chair is only $210.

This one is shown in black but the only color available is brown. The leather is top grain Italian leather. It is $210.
This floor lamp is $150 .
This sofa is $950. It is also available in a loveseat ($700).
This sectional is $1700!

If you are interested in any of these items, drop us a line. Again, these prices exclude shipping cost, which vary depending on the qty and the location of where you live. Also, stock is limited.

Featured Inspiration: Laryssa Herbert

As I said yesterday, I want to occasionally feature people on my blog who have discovered their passion. My hope is that it might inspire us all to cultivate and develop our own talents, creativity, and passions and gain the confidence to follow our dreams.

I am so pleased that Laryssa Herbert agreed to be the first in this series of featured inspiration. Laryssa is a fabulous artist. You may have seen her work on other blogs or at her Etsy shop.

I hope you enjoy my interview with her.

*Laryssa would you tell us a little about yourself and your art.

I'm a Christian, stay at home mom. I've been married for 11 years to the sweetest man on earth and we have two beautiful children that I homeschool.

*How and when did you discover that art was your passion?

I have enjoyed art all my life, even as a child I loved to draw and paint. I took some art classes while I was in school. (I was homeschooled from third grade through high school.) I have continued painting throughout my adult life, but just for myself or for gifts. I always wanted to have my own business, but didn't know where to start.

*What gave you the confidence to sell your work and start your own business?

I opened an Etsy shop last fall to see how my artwork would sell. It did okay. This was before we bought the special equipment to produce our own prints, so I was painting every one by hand. It was a lot of hard work and I couldn't price them high enough to make much profit.

Last November I emailed Nester from Nesting Place and I ended up being one of her ad partners. When we introduced the first special edition egg and feather prints, all fifty sets sold out in 24 hours!

My husband and other family members have always encouraged me in my art business. My husband also helps me with the technical side of getting the prints to market.

*What would be your suggestions to someone who is thinking of starting their own business?

If you have something you are passionate about, then I believe you can make money doing it. Start small and don't give up. I've been trying to have my own art business for almost 10 years! I feel like I'm just now getting where I've always wanted to be, business wise.

When you think of some ideas for your own business, try a few of them out and see which one works the best. I had tried to sell paintings in local shops and it was never profitable, but selling paintings online is working.

Make every effort to keep your business debt free. We had to use some of our personal money to get the business off the ground, but now it's running with it's own funds and I've reimbursed our family account.

*How do you find balance in you life?

How do I find balance? Wow, what a question. To be honest, sometimes I don't. I have a lot going on, so I paint while my kids are with me and they are watching a quality video. I also work while my youngest is napping or at night after they are in bed.

My first passion is taking good care of my family, so my business sometimes has to wait.

*What are some important lessons you've learned and what advice would you give others?

I guess the most important advice I'd like to give, is to not be afraid. Just start, if it doesn't work at first, just keep trying! If you are doing something you are passionate about, something you enjoy, then it's okay if things take a while...because, you are having fun!

Thank you Laryssa for giving such a great interview!

To see more of Laryssa's art just click on the L. Herbert ad button at the top of this interview

HGTV Dream House Details

Dream House Details

The exterior front of HGTV dream house is a perfect mix of architectural excellence and beautiful plantings. The formal front entrance of this dream home is beautified with shining walnut doors and grand mahogany doors. The foyer is an open and airy area which provides a warm welcome to the guests walking through this area.

Hgtv Dream House: Living Room

The living room of HGTV dream house is made amazingly spectacular and attractive with the chic furnishings and blue color palette. The living room includes fanciful accessories and amazingly lustrous artwork that can make the guests feel like being in a palace.

Hgtv Dream House: Your Dream Garden

The dining room of HGTV dream house is made equally beautiful with the bold wall color paint, traditional as well as European style furnishings, abstract art and rustic accessories.

Hgtv Dream House: Dream House

The family room of HGTV dream house is a live example of modern art. The fireplace included in this room adds a feel of warmth into the room. The decoration of this room is also of contemporary styles and the guests can feel like being in heaven while inside this home.

Hgtv Dream House: Dream Badroom

Kitchen is the most important part of any home and that is why the makers of HGTV dream house have made special efforts for beautifying the kitchen. With inclusions such as two quartz-topped islands and Victorian-style cabinetry, the kitchen of HGTV dream house makes a dream come true for hostess.

Hgtv Dream House: House & Money

This kitchen includes extensive storage space, state of the art kitchen appliances and built-in wine cabinets that can be easily cleaned. The guest bathroom is another attraction of this home. The bathroom is modified with botanical prints, dark wood furnishings, guest bathroom, massage spray showers and sparkling accessories.

Bottled Memories

After more than a year of writing posts, I find my blog evolving. No, it's not because I have run out of projects. I doubt that will ever happen. It's because of your comments and emails (Thank you so much!). I've decided that I want my blog to be a place where you come to get inspiration not just for your home, but also for your life. I'm excited to announce that I will be including two more labels to my posts. Tomorrow's label will be "Featured Inspiration." I've asked an artist to tell us a bit about herself. I'm hoping that these occasional features will help inspire you and give you courage to follow your dreams and passions.
Today's label is "Embracing a Lifestyle." These posts will include those little things in life that we need to take time to stop and appreciate. I find myself some days spending a lot of energy wanting the magazine cover home and lifestyle. But when I stop to think about my life, it's really the messy, noisy, simple, far-from-magazine-cover things that are the most meaningful. Here's a wonderful example:I have this little bottle tucked away in a drawer in my bathroom. Every time I open the drawer and see it there, it warms my heart and makes me smile. I know it may not look like much to you, just a dollar store bottle containing some faded, folded construction paper pieces. But to me this little bottle is a cherished possession. Years ago my only daughter organized her three oldest brothers, and each of them wrote me a little note. They folded those love notes, stuffed them into this bottle and presented it to me. It's one of the sweetest gifts I've ever been given. Each time I see it I think of my beautiful children and of how time has passed so swiftly. I wish I knew then how quickly the years would fly. I think I would have treasured the days and the moments with my children a little more. I am thrilled that I have this bottle of memories.
Isn't is wonderful how something so inexpensive can be so priceless. I think that it's a good reminder that the best gifts really can come in small packages. Maybe one of the blessings of living in a time when we're all needing to watch our finances carefully, is that we can get back to giving simple gifts that are heartfelt and meaningful.
Have you given or received a gift that cost little but meant a lot?

A Quick Makeover

It's been a while since I posted a
black spray paint makeover.
So here's a little BEFORE

(A thrift store find.)

and AFTER

(A perfect fit for my cloche.)
A whole new look,
thanks to black satin spray paint
and some Christmas garland.

Stealing Green

While out on a walk yesterday I noticed a pile of freshly cut boxwood branches lying in the street waiting for the trash. I've always admired

beautiful boxwood wreaths

so naturally I saw that pile of trash as a treasure-in-waiting. The problem was, I don't know the people who live in the house with the freshly trimmed boxwoods. What was I supposed to do? Knock on their door and introduce myself and then ask if I could have their garbage. They would probably have the police on the phone within seconds, telling them that their was a crazy lady on their porch.
So I did the only thing I could think of. I waited until it got dark and then I walked slyly up to their trash pile and began loading it into a plastic bag. Am I the only person who thinks that there is something a little exciting about taking another person's trash under the guise of darkness?

Maybe I really am a crazy lady.

I asked my hubby to build me a square form out of scrap lumber and then I began to layer the boxwood branches on, securing them with florist wire.

I think it turned out beautiful!One man's trash
really can be
a crazy lady's treasure.

Z Gallerie Filed Chapter 11

Z Gallerie filed chapter 11 today, citing difficult economic environment.

More information can be found here:

Z Gallerie News

Finding Treasures

Saturday was such a crazy busy day! We spent the morning helping with a neighborhood clean-up. Then I had groceries to buy and last minute Easter goodies to purchase. It seems that this year every store sold out plastic eggs, which meant, because I am a procrastinator, I had to go to more stores than I had planned. I prepared items to bring to a big family dinner that evening. Once we returned, there was house cleaning and more holiday and dinner preparations for Sunday. It was a very busy day! But would you believe that I actually found some time to stop in the thrift store? Yes, I did.
I have these wonderful treasures to prove it.There is another treasure I found at the thrift store, but I can't show you. It isn't something I purchased. Saturday I found myself getting grumpy. You know how it is when you feel like you have to do it all and be it all, and with a holiday it seems those feelings are multiplied. Well, I decided that I wanted to break

the grumpy mom cycle.

I knew that the reason I had the uglies was because "the well" was getting dry. By that I mean, I was so busy doing for others that there was little left for me. So I took a few minutes to
"fill the well."

Do you do that?

Do you take time to give to yourself so that you have more to give to others. It's taken me YEARS to learn---aahhh, I'm still trying to learn that when I take the time to

do something special

that makes me feel good, it's much easier for me to do things for others to make them feel good. It doesn't have to involve spending money. It can be as simple as closing the bedroom (or bathroom) door for a few minutes of quiet time alone, going for a walk, or sitting on the lawn reading a favorite magazine.
We all know what makes us feel better, those treasures that refresh our souls.

I hope you take some treasured time today,
and everyday,
to fill your well.