Two Thousand Thirteen – A Time for New Beginnings

Having been sick most of the Christmas and New Year holidays, I was finding it hard to muster up the enthusiasm for New Year resolutions or promises. However, now that the sinus fog has lifted, I’d like to share a couple of things I’m looking forward to in 2013.

New Life. It seems like everyone I know is expecting a baby this year. My best friend from childhood, my best friend from college, two co-workers, and my sister-in-law who is expecting TWINS! (Fun fact – ALL but one of these expecting Momma’s will be having boys. Baby Boy Boom, anyone?!) This seems to be the year for new life, and I feel lucky that I will get to witness such a happy time in these families lives. Let the baby shower’s begin!

New Challenge. It’s been nine, yes, NINE full years since I've played an official game of basketball. Writing that still doesn't seem right, but I guess it really has been that long since I graduated from high school…Anyway, I’m so happy and proud to be part of a newly founded Women’s Basketball League in St. Mary’s County. Though we technically began our season at the end of 2012, the majority of the games are going to be played over the next two and a half months. I can’t think of a better way to journey into 2013 than by rediscovering my love for the game and hopefully getting back into shape along the way!

New Faith. Ok, technically it’s not a new faith for me, but I am excited and somewhat nervous to be restoring my Catholic Faith. Growing up I was immersed in the Catholic faith while attending a Catholic School from Pre-K to 8^th Grade, but once I left for high school and college, I found myself slipping away from the Church and losing my faith. Over the years I would attend mass sporadically and found myself praying only in my times of extreme need. Now how selfish is that? I expect God to be there for me when I’m desperate and then forget about him when everything is sailing smoothly? No, it shouldn't be like that. This is why I have started a new journey this year, by restoring my faith in the Catholic religion.

New Work. Finally, I am certain that 2013 is going to bring a surge of new creativity and work. Point Breeze Cottage was started as a way to sell our teams unique finds and re-fabulous furniture and home décor pieces, and we are hoping to refine our skills and increase the number of large ticket items that we sell. This unusually warm winter weather has sparked our “picking spirits” recently, leaving us yearning for yard and estate sales. We are all looking forward to getting back into our picking swing and to tapping into our creative sides this year.

Cuteness x2!

I recently found out that my sister-in-law will be making me an aunt again in the next couple of months. But this time, it's a LITTLE bit different. This time, I'll be an aunt times two, she's having TWINS!!!

Already a mother to two adorable blond babies, she's given our family two times as much joy this holiday season. I haven't been able to help myself from browsing Pinterest and Etsy daily for any and everything twin related.

Here is a little sample of the cuteness I found:

By klzart - Twinzees

By shopantsypants - for two little studs!

By myplaceintheworld - Lovely Wall Art

By Creative Cupcakes and More - Two Peas in a Pod Cupcakes

By Katiedidesigns - Baby Shower for Twins Invitation

Adorable newborn photo shoot ideas - found on Pinterest

Great idea for a Twin Baby Shower - Noah's Ark, Two by Two!

Squeaky Clean in Pale Pink

Sold! Today’s featured product has actually been purchased over the weekend. But it was such a unique and fun find that we just had to share it with you anyway.

Say hello to our adorable, vintage, pink wash tub. Oh, and our special little model, Hillee.

Donna found this unusual tub several weeks ago and instantly envisioned the type of buyer for a piece like this. Right away she was picturing a photographer using the tub to photograph baby girls in. (Or puppies in our case) It would even work as décor in a vintage inspired laundry or bathroom. It is most certainly from the 1930s or 40s as it’s made of a very heavy and solid metal with a smooth coat of pale pink paint. 

Just lovely!

Refinished French Provincial

Monday's Featured Product

Seaside Cottage chest of drawers

The girls and I were heading out to yard sales a couple of months ago, "keep your eyes open for any French provincial furniture" I reminded them. We had received lots of positive feedback on the French provincial chest of drawers  that we painted in true PBC style and named the Seaside Cottage chest of drawers. (See photo at right)

Before we started PBC it seems French Provincial furniture was plentiful at yard sales, estate sales, and thrift shops. This year we hadn't found any except the one chest of drawers. Weeks went by and we were not finding any good pieces. Then one Saturday afternoon as Marci was taking a walk around her neighborhood she came across a yard sale we hadn't even known about. The family was beginning to pack it up as Marci's eyes skimmed the few remaining items strewn about the driveway. And there it was, one lonely little French provincial night stand / end table, and since the man was ready to call it a day he made Marci an offer she couldn't refuse. It was sturdy and well built but drab and boring with worn faded yellowy cream paint and Marci knew what potential it had.

So, with some ASCP in Graphite, some of our own mix of chalk paint in pink, and a little AS Clear Wax to top it off, we gave an old drab nightstand some punch and pizazz. This color scheme would be great in a little girls room, a pre-teens room, or even a young lady heading off to college would enjoy the updated look as well. The ample storage for personal items and books and the spacious surface for a lamp, alarm clock, and cell phone charger make this a great piece for the dorm as well.

We really hope you like the gray and pink, slightly distressed look as much as we do, it's a fun, versatile piece!

Friday Inspiration

This morning I want to share a special piece that I did serveral months ago as our Friday Inspiration. The inspiration for this adorable chest of drawers was my dear friend Kara, who was expecting her first child. Once Kara found out she was having a sweet baby girl, she asked me if I'd be able to redo an old chest of drawers, that was her moms and then hers, for the fast approaching baby girl.

Of course I said yes, I'd love to! I had to start by stripping the paint off of the old chest, which was probably the hardest part of the entire project. You see, having belonged not not only Kara, but her mom too, this piece had been painted over several times with several different colors. After 3 or 4 episodes with the Citristrip, the chest was finally ready for it's ReFabulous makeover!

By this time, Kara had picked out a beautiful name (Savannah) and a precious color scheme for her room (lavender and green). Originally, she wanted to stain the wood on the chest to match the crib she had purchased for Savannah, but once we got down past all of the layers of paint, I realized that it wasn't going to be possible. Too many years of paint had soaked into the wood, making it impossible to get a good, clean stain. So I purchased a can of Valspar Buckeye Brown paint, which was pretty close to the stain color she wanted, and got to work.

To finish off the chest, and give it a special, customized look just for Savannah, I decided to decoupage the inside of the drawers with a lavender and green flower print and a purple on the base of the drawers. And we also purchased faux crystal knobs in lavender for the drawers. It turned out so precious! Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!