Labor Day = Post-Isaac Chore Day

Happy Labor Day!  Power's back on here (but still lots with out it -- see red).  

Time to clean up this....

(fence down and yard debris.  play structure still sound....great lookout tower to see rest of the 'hood.)

and clean out this....

(stinky from loss of power for FIVE days!)

So thankful to have been here during the whole Category 1/Tropical Strom shenanigan:

(Highlands, NC)

(you can't see his smile...but my dog was also in heaven here.)

Seven years to the day Katrina hit, Isaac struck.  My thoughts and prayers go to all those in Braithewaite, Plaquemines and other areas that  flooded, and have to deal with the real mess all over again.   

As far as our beloved NOLA, our new levee system held, but life got pretty miserable and sweaty for all those without power for days and days (some still).  It's hot here, people!

But this is the price we pay to live in this grand-ole wild party we call a city.  The reality is: as the wetlands go, we become more and more coastal, and more and more susceptible to these storms -- whether they're a Cat 1 or a Cat 5.

As DirtyCoast says:

XOXO to all.

Happy Labor Day/Post-Isaac-Mess-Dealin' Day!

Furniture Graveyard

Ever wonder where old hotel furniture goes to die?  If you have a taste for a bargain, and you can use your imagination, you have got to check out any Hotel/Furniture Liquidator -- every major city has one, or two or many.  

So it's not exactly high end shopping.  More like hold your nose, be prepared to sweat (this one has no AC), and try not to be too turned off by the dust and grime layering half the items. What you can expect are lots of $25 lamps, $50 chairs and sofas, $40 headboards, etc.  It is the Rodeo Drive of Cheap. (Again, only if you bring your imagination).

My eyes just light up at those price tags and all the nothings that I think I can turn into somethings. 

Here is a $40 chair from a Liquidator I reupholstered in Kelly Wearstler Sand Strie.  One of the most comfortable chairs I own.  

And bonus, when you buy something this cheap, you can afford to use expensive fabric.

$25 Artichoke lamps:
(I bought a pair now in my living room)

Thought about gold leafing them, but didn't need any more gold in the room, so I just gessoed, spray painted and added a new shade.

Excuse the mess on the couch. 

The moral of this story is some old furniture is like a cat -- 9 lives and all that.  Remember, it's not illegal to shop in this graveyard.*  Have fun!  *(I'm such a fool for a metaphor.)

Coffee/Cocktail Craze

Hollywood regency cocktail table via ebay.  Marbelized top and brass legs. 

While my love of coffee and cocktails is nothing new, I have a serious obsession with vintage coffee/cocktail tables lately (*see post below).  (What's the difference between coffee and cocktail table you ask?  Nothing, one just sounds fancier.) 

As always, thank you ebay for sustaining my habit, and for providing blog content.

More than anything, I just have an addiction to scouring ebay for great finds -- and lately its been tables for some reason (not that I need one).  So if you know of group therapy, or are looking to do an award winning Ph.D., just let me know. (I also have an oxymoronic, but slight infatuation with lamps-- just don't tell the doctors).

This is pretty glam/cool....(with glass top, oh la la):

Very cool cocktail table base for 245 that was on my ebay watch list, even though I didn't need it.   It's just so cool though.  If I had the space, I could be a hoarder of coffee/cocktail tables and lamps.
Cray, cray -- Kat?

Here's to a week of excellent coffee and cocktails (clink mugs and glasses)!
-me