Chairs . . .

For the past 4 years {literally,} I’ve had this problem of not enough kitchen chairs around my table. You see, at our old house, we had space for a table that seated 4 – the biggest reason we had to sell and move. The twins were getting big enough to sit at the table and I was pregnant with Emme. That is six people. So, unless we were going to eat in shifts, it wasn’t going to work!

at our old home

{I swear that is a money tree on the table. IF you have no idea what I’m talking about, then please, ignore these two sentences because you might be good people and it might only look like a potted plant !}

Any hoodle, once we moved to our new home, I got a new table. Because obviously, this table only seated 4 – unless I put the leaf in it. Then it would seat a couple more, but the round ends still gave little space.

I painted it black because I didn’t know what I was going to do with the chairs. And, as usual, distressed it a little.

Errr, actually alot. It was new – then I beat it, poked it and removed chunks from it! That is nothing but some distressin’ lovin’!!!

And basically, that is where I’m at today. For the past 4 years, I’ve lived with the 4 chairs around this table! One of the main reason’s we moved was so that we all could sit around the table! I will tell you that I’ve had a few temporary stand-ins. We do have a couple of bar stools. And recently, I bought 6 chairs from a friend. I had every intentions of painting them black and maybe give them a lot little worn look. But the chairs didn’t fit right. They were just so tall! And heavy! And just not right. Don’t get me wrong – they are awesome, solid chairs {anyone in the market for 6 chairs?} but they didn’t work for the space. And frankly, I love my old ones!

I know you are wondering why I don’t go get 2 to match the 4 I already have! Here is the thing. They came from Pottery Barn years ago!!! I looked in the magazine at those chairs for years! Every single time I would go into the store, I would search those puppies OUT! I don’t think Lonnie and I were married yet, but he finally convinced me to go get the dang chairs! For $180 a piece, I bought 4 of them. I had a cousin that worked at the store and he informed me that it was a good thing I was getting them – they were retiring that design. I remember thinking “good thing is right!” I would have died if I finally decided to get those and they were gone! If I ever thought I would have needed more, I would have gotten them at that time. Who knew that I would pop out kids like I was getting paid!?

The chairs have been fantastic! Definitely one of the best pieces of furniture I’ve ever bought from Pottery Barn – and I’ve bought a lot! They have held up great and only for 1 seat {that Lawson picked at continuously,} even the rush seating is in great shape! I have finally decided to keep them and find 2 coordinating chairs for each end of the table. I thought I found a style.

Love it.

Love it so much, I could marry it.

I want it.

Drooling.

Even the stain is the exact color as the stain on the original 4 chairs.

Of course that is the great part of finding them in Pottery Barn! But then there is a kicker.

They are $499 each! I have no lies to tell, if I find something I really like, love, want to share the rest of my life with it, I will normally pay the price – no matter how steep. But 4 kids later . . . . I no longer have “stuff” that is “nice” anymore in my house. There is no way in HELL I’ll pay $499 for a chair! Especially because I need 2 – and $998 just sounds like groceries, utility bill, water bill, cell bill and some of my mortgage!

Dear Pottery Barn,

I love your stuff. I have so much of it that it is ridiculous. But come on – $499 for a dining chair? Really? That hurts me in so many ways. Unfortunately, my kids could break down your $499 chair probably quicker than they can take out $499 in groceries. So, for this time, . . . I’m going to have to pass. I’m sad. My heart is broken. Hopefully, you will forgive me this time for my straying ways, but I just can’t convince myself that this is a smart purchase. Not at this point in my life. Or my kids’ lives. Unless you can come up with 2 chairs that match my current ones, I have no other choice but to move on {this one time.}

With all my love, Kim Tate Wheeler

What a dilema. But fortunately, I had a friend that mentioned the Home Decorator’s Collection. Guess what I found?!?!

Yes, the legs are a bit different but I still love them. Even the idea of black is better for me  - to match my table! AND the price – I know you are wanting to know – What’s up $135!?

The one thing I’m not a fan of – the fabric. Just a little too neutral for me. I don’t know if you know this about me, but I like color! I found this kitchen on Pinterest and fell in love with all the fabrics! My favorite is the dot on the back of the chairs – anyone know where I can find any of this fabric?!? I don’t know if I would really use it, but I want a swatch to see if I would {on the back of the chair!}

I’ve not ordered the chairs yet – only because I’m holding out I might find 2 more of my original chairs on Craigs List. {yeah right.} But if I do order the ones above {the $135 ones,} I think I might {maybe} paint the other 4 black {because 10 years is a long time and a miracle to not get at least 1 coat of paint in this house} and upholster the rush seating since 1 is in really bad shape {thanks Laws.} I’ll keep you all in the loop on what I decide.

A Few of my Fav-O-Rite Things . . .

The other day I was thinking about some of my favorite things. In my mind, these things started out as gifts that I had received or given during Christmas. But then I started thinking of random stuff that I would classify as a favorite. And then it hit me – I need to blog about my favorite things!! Maybe you will agree or . . ., maybe you won’t. You might see something you might possibly think I’m crazy for “favoriting” such stuff! {Is ‘favoriting’ a word?? I don’t think so. New word alert!!!} But whatever you decide about my favorites, you will definitely get to know me better!

So here goes – in no particular order!

1.} Mustaches . . .

{Check out this etsy site for some “MAC-stache” love!}

Don’t judge. I love these things! And yes, this is on my MAC! The kids love it and think they are awesome, too! I’m hoping to show you more stache love in another post. I’m confident they will be heavy in the upcoming wedding I’m a bridesmaid in. Every time I see a mustache, I’m emailing the bride! At first, I thought it was overly cheezy in a cutesy way. And some how, some way, I crossed over and started to love them! Weird, I know. But I just learned to go with these feelings sometimes. {hehe!}

2.} Victoria Secret’s Bombshell . . .

Let’s just face it, this is the closest to bombshell I’ll ever be! This is definitely my favorite scent for the moment! There is another one I really like to, but I’ll save it for another time! This was one that I received as a gift – from me – in my stocking. I have to say, I give some really good gifts! This is actually a huge bottle and not as expensive as what I was expecting.

3.} Fat and Chunky Frames . . .

This is the newest frame on my wall. It does aggravate me when the trim doesn’t line up perfectly, but I know that it is almost impossible especially when you have a custom piece that needs to be framed. I learned a long time ago, that a fat/chunky frame can really make or break art. You have to find the right frame that compliments. You want attention to what you are framing, but you don’t want a cheapo, blend into the wall frame either. My favorites are normally the ones that have a little distressing {I’m sure you are not surprised} and that are in the browns. bronze or black tones.

4.} Oil Paintings . . .


There is no secret, I love art. And oils are my favorite. I thought at one time I would love to try oils, but after really thinking about it – no, I don’t. I have no urge to attempt them. I’ll stick with children’s acrylic art. Just more my speed – if that makes sense?! I’ve actually had this one for a long time, but just decided to stretch and frame it recently! It compliments another one I have.

Funny, because they both now hang in my bathroom!!!

5.} Scentsy Scents – Silver bells, Honey Pear Cider and Perfectly Pomegranate . . .

I’ve really become a huge fan of Scentsy. Mainly because I have always had a bad habit of leaving a candle burning. And I don’t want to go through a house fire again. I don’t turn my Scentsy warmer off and every other day, I just dump out the scent and add 2 more squares. I have 2 warmers – 1 downstairs and 1 upstairs. And the 2 smell up my whole house. I have 3 favorite scents right now!

I know these sound seasonal, but I promise they smell perfectly for the cold weather. Silver Bells really doesn’t smell ‘Christmassy’ but minty vanilla. Honey Pear Cider – really there is no words. I just love this smell. Heavenly. Perfectly Pomegranate is a great fruity smell for this time of year. Most fruit scents are very summery to me, but this one has something else in it that makes it perfect for cold weather months! If you have never tried Scentsy, you are missing out!!!! The packs {in the picture above} are only $5 AND you get more scented hours out of that pack than a large {known brand} jar candle that costs $20+. The links above will take you directly to each of the 3 scents. If your order is less than $50, it only costs $5 to ship directly to you!!!! Anything over $50, it cost 10% of your purchase for shipping. Seriously, you guys need to check this stuff out!

6.} Gray Shirts . . .

The only color of clothes I got this year – GRAY. Lonnie asked me if I was depressed! Uhmm, no – gray looks good with my eyes! hahah!!! These were from laundry day, so this doesn’t include any of my ARMY clothes. Because we all know they are gray. Nor the few yoga pants I also received.

But did you notice the flower pin?? That goes into my next fav-O-rite thing!

7.} Shabby Shea’s Flower Pins . . .

Not only did I buy the one attached to my gray sweater, but I bought the one pictured above! Don’t you love it!?!?!?!?!? I about died when I saw the one above! I love anything with beads – has something to do with when I was a little girl and beads always have reminded me of treasure.

So the above one is mine – I own it and you can’t have it. But I’m sure Micah would make you one – you just have to ask! And she is precious – you will love her.

8.} My View in the Morning . . .

This is what I wake up to, if I wake up after the sun rises {which was all last week!} Something about my side of the bed, I love! I recently placed some chotskies on my Craigslist dresser {actually my whole bedroom suite was a Craigslist find – thank you Jamie!} Is it just me, or does this dresser not remind you of the wardrobe on Beauty and the Beast?? I’m just glad that movie came out on DVD so I could show my husband. Because since he brought it home, I have said that atleast 2 times a day! He agreed when he saw her in the movie. As long as she doesn’t start talking!!! Hopefully after Monday, that chandelier will be changed to something else. That was the 1 light fixture I never was in love with when we picked out fixtures for our home. I thought I could add some stuff to her and love her. But that didn’t work. A new one is on the way! Anyone in the market for a simple chandelier???

9.} Twilight Turtle {and Ladybug} . . .

And last, but certainly NOT least – the turtle! If you have kids, you need this! We have had one for the past couple of years and I don’t think we could live without it now. My kids have never had a night light and this certainly is like one. BUT really, it doesn’t project a ton of light. It really is just the stars on the ceiling! The boys have this one pictured above and Emme has the ladybug. It is fantastic! Remember, the boys room is what’s suppose to be the bonus room. The turtle shines on the entire ceiling! I think the room is 20×20 if I remember correctly{?} Maybe?? It lasts long enough for them to go to sleep and then turns off! The ladybug is just as perfect! The stars are stamped out in the exact same pattern as the turtle. They both have 3 colors – turtle has blue, green & amber and the ladybug has red, blue & green. The blue is beautiful and the color we use every night in both rooms. A very inexpensive purchase that would make a great gift!

Okay, I think I hit all my fav-O-rites for the moment!! I could probably do this each month. And I think I might try to!

And I still need to work on my inbox! Please forgive me if you are waiting on me!

If only . . .

I had bet money!!!! There were several of you that could at least get in the position easily. AND many who knew of someone! haha!! Thank you so much for responding!!

And no, I’ll not post pictures of my feet behind my head – for the few that asked. It’s not pretty.

On another note – I have to tell you all what I did. Several months ago, I bought some Scentsy ’stuff’ for a fund raiser. And how I loved it!! Loved it, I tell ya’. But my favorite part is the fact that one bar cost $5! And you get more hours out of it than an expensive jar candle – the kind that I’m not going to name names but it starts with a “Y” and ends in “ankee.” Not that I don’t love those too – but $5!! That speaks my language!

But my problem was/is I’ve never smelled all the scents. And it has killed me – 100 times over!

So, . . . . I convinced a friend of mine to sell it because I knew no one locally that did. Isn’t that awful?! I know it is, but I’m okay with it. And so is my friend, Jamie! haha!

Now, I owe her big!! And I’ll probably be placing a $5000 monthly order {Jamie, please don’t hold me to that!!!} BUT to start making it up to her, I’m hosting her first party this Saturday!!

I’m positive I’m not opening the door to any kind of freaks – BECAUSE freaks don’t read my blog – only my closest friends – but if you would like to join us on Saturday morning, please email me for directions! I would love to meet those who are local. Or those who are not so local if you want to come this way! I promise good food!

OR

If you would like to make a purchase, please feel free to browse the catalog and find you something you love and order – a couple or ten. haha!! Just kidding. No, I’m really not. tee hee!

Fyi – ’skinny dippin’ is my favorite scent so far. But again, I’ve not smelled them all!

Seriously – I hope I see some of you! Don’t be shy, email me!!!

And because I don’t believe in blogging without pictures . . .

Hudson’s first birthday!