The littlest spools...

I had these wooden spools just hanging around in my house. I think I got them at an antique store and figured I could do something cute with them. Well, it happened. 

I made little animals and shapes out of air dry clay. It was pretty easy to use. Once they were dry (mine sat here for over a month- whoops), you can paint them with acrylic paint.

I made this one look kinda like our little yellow house and our little pup. 

The rest were random.

Once the paint is dry, hot glue them on top of your spools. and wrap the spools with twine, string, or yarn to make them look complete. 

I feel like these would be cute to make for the holidays... Valentines Day, Easter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid...anything with a symbol that you could make out of clay. 

-Nicola & the little pup

Time for some holiday flair up in here...

Happy Holidays!

This year, we will be going to California for the holidays, so the decorations in our house were cut to a minimum. Just enough for it to feel like Christmas...

- Nicola & the little pup

I'm a slacker...

I apologize for going missing for a few weeks.  Although I really have nothing to do over here in Raleigh (well aside for organize this house and figure out how to get places without my GPS), I have been busy. I have been exploring. It's been fun.

A recent walk around town led me to a cute neighborhood named "Historic Oakwood."  I have driven through many times, but this time Andrew's Aunt and I decided to take the dogs for a walk there. She's lucky that I didn't just break in to a home and re-locate my life that day. The homes were built around 1901... some even earlier. And many of them took YEARS to build. That seems crazy considering that these days you can get a house up in months. I love the area because it has beautiful, established gardens, charming details, and decorated porches. Is it too soon to sell my house and move? ; )

Don't mind the pictures... I only had my phone handy... next time, I'll bring a camera for some good shots.

Not sure I would choose pink and purple, but the neighborhood sure is fun to look at. 

There is a cute Inn located in the heart of the neighborhood. We went to check it out. Molly (the golden retriever) felt right at home. There are also a few cute restaurants and shops down there.

Oakwood Inn

My favorite part of the homes is the front porch! I love the different doors, address numbers, and details. I'm going to have to step up my game...

The best part was that we were able to go inside of a home that was being renovated. During our walk, we started chatting with a friendly man who was in charge of the construction going on in an adorable 1901 home. He let us in, told us about the homes down there, explained the historic home rules, and told us to come back to see it finished! Well, I don't mind if I do! :)

Every room had a fireplace. Old pine floors lined the house. Layers of vintage wallpaper were being stripped. The home was being updated and modernized, which was sad and exciting all at once. The new design would have a more open floor plan, but with original mantels, trimmings, and floors. 

Even the storm door is cute. 

I wish I had taken more pictures of the little gem. 

Ok, so the best part is that 14 of the homes have a Christmas open house... where you can walk through and check out the home and their holiday decor! Sign me up!

Anyone want to come with me ? :)

- Nicola & the Little Pup

I found a new house.

So today I got lost. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone because Raleigh and I just don't see eye to eye. It's all tree filled and green here and I can hardly see the driveways until I am just about past them. 

Anyway, I was trying to get to a park (without using my GPS) and I stumbled across this charming little place. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I decided that the GPS and I needed a little bit of a break, but it was my best decision ever. 

Let me introduce you to VINTAGE VILLAGE. The name alone sucked me in... but the tractor and pumpkins helped. I forgot to get a picture of the while street set up. Typical. 

VINTAGE VILLAGE

Here she is... you wouldn't think it was such a find. 

The pumpkins were awesome and the place was owned by an older man named Sam. We're friends now. He's the best. 

Just look at all these little places... full of things to reuse. 

 This is where I want to just move right in... 

The outside. Has a nice county porch for the hubby and I. And a good look out for the pup.

Look at those walls. You would never need art. And you can't see the curtains, but they match perfectly. 

 And everything else was amazing too. 

Lessons of the day:

1) GPS ruins adventures.

2) Get more pumpkins from small businesses (you meet nice people that way).

-Nicola & the Little Pup

Up & at 'em

RISE & SHINE

{at the crack of dawn}

Yesterday was the annual Balboa Island garage sale day. It’s a day that is filled with all kinds of treasure, chaos, and early risers. 

I was looking forward to it for 2 reasons (definitely NOT the early rising part):

1) Good finds for good prices.

2) It’s like a flea market. There are 50 homes selling things in one place.

Here are a few of my finds:

Ship Decanter ($5) & 2 glasses ($1 each)

A new bathroom set ($30) 

Mini Picture Frame ($1) and a German Wooden Seal ($2)  

Cute printed books ($1 each)

Containers ($10 for both) 

Cute Sheets! ($5) 

I would say…

I nailed it.

-nicola & the little pup