Did Your Bird Die?

Some people just don't get it! It seems that if you try to step out of the "norm" there will ALWAYS be someone to question why. My advice? Never let other peoples comments detract you from making your house unique to you! After all that's what makes your house your home. If something makes your heart sing, go with it!

I saw this huge bird cage at my favorite thrift store. After a few weeks they finally marked the price down to what I thought was reasonable. So I snatched it up and brought it home. You can imagine the looks I got from my family---my husband just shook his head, and my boys asked if we were going to get a new pet or if they could cage the cat. I think when they saw the gleam in my eye they knew the answer. No, the cage would be used for something other than it's original purpose. I cleaned out the birdy doo-doo, painted it and distressed it and then placed it on my front porch. In the fall it holds pumpkins. Other times of the year it contains flowers to match the season. And it has housed a bird or two (always fake of course), like at Halloween when there was a crow inside. It brings a smile to my face every time I walk by. Why? Because it is unique to my house. It sets my home apart from everyone else's on the block. Of course, I still get the occasional comment like, "Did your bird die?" But that doesn't stop me from enjoying my cage.

I've decided that having confidence in your choices, with ANYTHING in life, is what will set you apart from the crowd. I learned that from my daughter. In high school she enjoyed dressing in her own unique style, and people were naturally attracted to her. Why? Part of it was because she dared to break the mold, but mostly it was because she had confidence in herself and her decisions. There will always be someone out there to criticize your choices, but that shouldn't stop you from discovering what makes you unique! Everyone has their own tastes and talents.
Don't be afraid to express yours!

HAPPY EASTER

When my children were younger I decorated almost every nook and cranny of my home with small holiday decorations, the kind that you buy at the dollar and discount stores. Now, I enjoy shopping at those same stores---I mean who doesn't like to save money right? But, I learned a trick or two from great designers. The trick is to mix the inexpensive decorations with a really nice upscale piece. I use this trick all through my home, not just for holiday decorations but in all my interior design. If you take one nice piece and throw in a few well chosen thrift finds or discount store items it packs more of a punch, so to speak, than a lot of little things.

I bought this hurricane glass at Target a few years ago. It was hard for me to justify the cost at the time. Let's face it, any decoration over $10 that can be easily broken by boys (I have four of them) is usually something I really have to think about before purchasing. But this purchase has been worth it. I change it out seasonally and it always has a prominent place in my living room. For this holiday I filled it with plastic eggs from the dollar store, that originally had skewers stuck in each, and with pussy willow branches (real and fake). And of course, I hung glass eggs to make it an Easter tree. A little tip: Place the branches in a smaller vase inside the larger one, that way the branches stand up tall and they visually fill the vase.


It's nice to know that even our cat approves of my holiday decorations. That's her LICKING the bow. I guess that means my decor is pet friendly!

Wishing all my family and friends a wonderful Easter!