Guest Blogging at Cottage and Vine

 Today, I'm guest posting on Rene's always-inspiring blog, Cottage and Vine and I'll be sharing my recent West Elm table DIY. 

In case you haven't gotten enough of this project, be sure to check my guest post!

Auction Finds

Before spending Sunday snapping beautiful spring photos of my neighborhood (if you didn't see them, check out yesterday's post), Adam and I woke up bright and early and headed to an auction held in nearby New Jersey. 

It began promptly at 8:30AM, and I insisted that we arrive by 8AM to peruse the soon-to-be-sold merchandise. Nearly all in attendance were men...how strange. I'd only ever been to auctions surrounded by lots of women in my family (mother, grandmother, aunt), all of whom are auction experts!

So, now for the interesting part--what I walked away with. You may be disappointed that we didn't fill our little sedan to the brim with cheap and weird findings, but I did score a nice $2 pagoda-shaped wicker end table/magazine rack. 

Let me tell you right now, I spotted this piece as soon as we walked in. I was smitten. Totally, insanely in love.

I know what you're thinking, "Ashley, this is heinous!"

To that I say, "Bite your tongue. My little pagoda table just needs some love and some Montana Gold spraypaint." FYI: I'm using the MG paint in "Petrol".

My new little table isn't the only piece I purchased this weekend, though it is the only item I won at the auction. On Saturday, we stopped by the Habitat for Humanity Restore in Pennsauken, NJ.

Ever the planner, I found this chinoiserie twin-sized headboard "for the future". "For the future" is the phrase I use to convince Adam that I need to buy something for our future family.
9 times out of 10 it usually works, too. 

How much? $12. My "future" daughter is going to love this!

Lots and lots of goodies were had this weekend for mere pennies. 

I've definitely been bitten by the auction bug and am excited to go again.

For you auction experts out there, what are some of your favorite auction finds?

Weekend Tour of My Neighborhood

On Sunday, after our early-morning auction visit (more about that tomorrow), Adam and I took a stroll around our lovely Philly neighborhood. 

Something about the abundant sunshine and blooming flowers inspired me to snap some photos for those of you who have never visited this historic city. 

 This corner requires friendly neighbors:

 I met a friend who insisted he be included in this photo montage:

 Is this Philadelphia or some European city?

 Lush and colorful tulips, oh my!

 Some beautiful details in fencing, windows, and doors:

Walks, like the one Adam and I took on Sunday, remind me why I love this little corner of the City of Brotherly Love. 

Ain't Philly great?

TGIF, 4/15/11 Edition

(illustration by Laura Stoddart)

Friday is here once more and I'm thrilled because it's the first weekend in a long time with no wedding-related activities. I shouldn't say this, but I'm looking forward to stepping away from the nuptial prep.

Instead of focusing on our May wedding, Adam and I are going to an auction on Sunday morning. I can't wait to see Adam almost win some atrocious and expensive thing because he doesn't know the proper auction etiquette (I'm mean, I know!).

Any auction tips you want to pass along?
What are you all up to?

Happy weekend, everyone!

P.S. Thanks so much to Noelle of Gray Paint Decor and Nichole of Parlour for the mention this week!

Jute-tiful!

(pay no attention to the ugly ottoman or baby blue chair)

I finally got around to snapping a few (albeit dark and grainy) photos of my living room now that I've laid down my new 8' x 10' jute rug. If you're new here or haven't been keeping up, I've been hunting rugs like crazy lately (I purchased 4 in a single month).

This jute rug was purchased from The Company Store, which came highly recommended from other bloggers and savvy interior designers, and did not disappoint me at all. 

Very soft, the color is fantastic, and the price was right.

I know what you're thinking: "The Company Store, really?" 

Trust me on this. It's awesome.

What can I say, I think it's simply jute-tiful.*

* Sorry, I couldn't help myself!

How Do You Know if You're Ready for a Fixer-Upper?

Calling all homeowners/experienced renovators!

Today, I'd like to borrow from the wealth of readers' collective knowledge and ask some questions of the homeowners out there.

If you don't know, Adam and I rent our charming little 2-bedroom apartment here in Philadelphia. We are getting married in about a month and, as is the case with any lifelong commitment, we're contemplating maybe buying a house in the next year or two. Apparently, big life changes come in pairs.

We're really keen on the idea of buying an older home that 'needs work,' but of course that phrase can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. There seems to be a significant range of houses currently on the market that are labeled "fixer-uppers".

Take a look:

(images from a variety of homes currently available via Trulia)

I mean, are we up to the challenge of a home that "needs work"? 

Do I have the patience to handle a full-scale reno?

So, now I'd like to ask the audience:

• Were you willing to buy a "fixer-upper"? How did you know it (fixer-upper vs. brand-spankin' new)  was right for you?
• How do you determine your total project budget?
• When is it a good idea to involve an architect?
• How do you determine the order of projects you tackle?
• When should you bring in professional help?
• How do you keep the peace in a household that looks like a warzone?

Your guidance, warnings, advice, blessings, horror stories, etc. are all welcome and greatly appreciated!

Wedding Shower #3: So Very Blessed!

As promised yesterday, I'm sharing some (only some...there were a lot!) of the wonderful presents I received at the bridal shower Adam's mom and sisters hosted for me on Sunday afternoon.

Here's just a sampling of the thoughtful gifts we were given:

Coffee maker? Check!

Boos maple cutting board? Check!

Sapphire blue Staub braiser? Check!

Roasting pan? Check!

Mortar and pestle? Check!
More wine glasses? Check!
Awesome whale-shaped bottle opener? Check!

Crock pot? Check!

More Heath ceramics? Check!

Cordless iron? Check! (I'm irrationally excited about this gift...)

And I was very blessed to receive...A SEWING MACHINE! 

Now I can finally begin tackling one of my New Year's resolutions!

And, finally, my mom outdid herself yet again with one of her presents (you may remember the pillowcases she embroidered as part of my previous bridal shower gift). Mom knit a very adorable monogrammed pillow for our bedroom.

And, no, it's not 'A HA!'. These are "our" initials. What a lovely sentiment to wake up to every morning.

I feel so blessed not just with the thoughtful presents we were given, but for the love and support Adam and I have from our family and friends.