TODAY OUTSIDE THE CLOSET:

From Drab to Fab ~ back yard corner make over.

We decided to re purpose this L shaped corner in our yard. It use to have a table, chairs and umbrella until one day the overzealous gardener, AKA my husband with a machete, was removing an enormous Trumpet Vine, (that I loved, but was moving the roof tiles), and dropped the machete through the umbrella and the glass table. With the table and umbrella gone and the sad little sticky pock marks on the stucco to remind me where my beautiful Trumpet Vine once climbed, it was a very drab space. Unsuccessfully looking for a new table I realized that this corner was the most private in the yard. 

I started picturing an outdoor living room with an L shaped couch and what I wanted was very expensive. Then someone I know had bought a set just to stage their yard while they were selling their house and now moving into a condo had to get rid of it.  The price was an absolute steel, coffee table, cushions and all!  Talk about instant manifestation! 

The trellis on the left and the round iron drum, or what ever it is, were both found pieces that someone had discarded. (crazy)

A few pillows, candles and greenery and it's become a major hang out corner for us. 

I turned the round iron drum into a table with a piece of glass I had and it fit perfectly.

Picked up this ceramic table top fire bowl/fountain at Home Goods. It runs on a gel Sterno, prefect for a little marshmallow roasting.  I'm probably not done adding but I think it's reached it's fabulous point. And it's definitely my new happy place ~ from drablulous to fabulous!

TODAY IN THE CLOSET:

Fab Finds Friday ~ For me it's officially spring when I start re-arranging the back yard. New pillows, found treasures and cozy corners make this my very happy place.

Pillows are a great way to decorate and change a look from drabulous to fabulous on any budget. There's lots of places to pick up pillows and not break the bank. I found this the big blue and white one at Ross For Less for $14. TJMaxx, Marshalls and Home Goods are all great sources. I also like to splurge on the Sunbrella fabric pillows, they don't fade, a bit more expensive but last longer, like the smaller one that was $22 at Pier I. World Market also has a good selection of theses.

This gorgeous old french window was a dumpster dive find.  I love how it looks with the lavender and grape vine (still waiting for grapes.) It's my french corner. I always say 'one woman's trash is another womans's garden art'.

Love this Buddha, a bargain treasure found in my travels.

 

Can't leave out Daisy my lazy garden helper.

I just came across some gorgeous outdoor furniture that was used to stage a house, buying it for less that half price!  Can't wait to set it up. I'll take before and afters pictures. It looks similar to this.

If you haven't checked out the attached at the hip blog take a look, there's some great photos up!

For more outdoor inspiration check out my Pinterst Garden Board!

Happy Spring!

TODAY OUTSIDE THE CLOSET:

October, October! I love this month, it's busy, everyone has started decorating for Halloween and Thanksgiving and in most places the weather has turned crisp enough to break out some new fall clothes. Here in LA it finally turned into what we call fall, with mornings and evenings cooling off into the mid 60's. I love waking up with the curtains blowing in a cool breez. Unfortunately by mid-day it's back up into the 80's but does that stop a California girl with a love of fall fashion from wearing tights and boots!?!  NO! Well yeah if it's me, because I don't like to sweat when I go out to lunch, but for others, who I admire, I counted 5 women on Friday wearing tights a boots, 5!

To make up for being deprived of fall I visited Rolling Greens on Friday just to get a fix. Their displays are always so intoxicating whatever the season with nooks and crannies full of inspriational ideas.  The perfect artist date to kick off the weekend.