Plain to Pretty : Ikea Billy Bookend Makeover

A few weeks ago I had my Ikea Initiation and I am working on my "want" list for the next time we go. :) One of the things I picked up was a Billy "B" Bookend. The one I got was a cream color and I am just a fan of cream as it simply does not work in our home so  I made a few changes.

Billy Bookend Makeover Tutorial

Supplies:

1 - Ikea Billy Bookend

Spray Paint

Rub-ons 

Popsicle Stick

Paint letter in your color choice.

 Pick out Rub-ons to apply

Apply rub-ons in a scattered design

 Finished Product: Patterned and Pretty!

Do you shop at Ikea? What is your favorite purchase??

I am sharing this Makeover at the following Linky Parties

-be sure to go check out all the fabulous talent!

Found Schmound

Is it just me or do you get irritated when you see a major catalog that claims to have "found" items for sale?
I am sorry if I am alone in this but when searching for true "found" objects it is hard to believe that one can find enough of said object that they can offer them in a catalog that is sent out to millions homes and into billions of online accounts each month. To me "Found" objects tend to be very rare and unique, not some mass-produced knock-off(not to be confused with the knock-offs we attempt to do - ours are awesome:)

Take Pottery Barn for instance. They have recently been offering "found" items in their catalogs/online.
Does it seem like that whenever items are 'In" and "hot" that the PB Team miraculously "finds" all the exact same goodies??

First Up -- Found Pharmacy Bottles

PB Price: $69.00 – $149.00 WHATTT??

Similar bottles can be purchased at various stores for much less and the labels look like they are from the fab site of  The Graphics Fairy.  Also if you do want REAL AUTHENTIC bottles you can find those at much better prices at flea markets and thrift stores.

Next: "Vintage" Grain Sack Table Runner

PB Price: $79.00 :/

Ikea has some similar that they do not pass off as "found" for $5.99

You can also find real ones generally around $10-$20  if you look for them -- plus they will be unique not all the same.

Next: Wood Dough Bowls

PB Price: $199.00 – $249.00 *seriously*?

I know these are a super hot commodity these days but  I have seen these real beauties in various places for between $30 - $75(depending on locality) 

Last One: "Antique" Pickling Jar

PB Price: $139.00 – $179.00*speechless*

They must have found the mother-lode of all pickling places to be able to offer these babies.

I was at Wal-mart today and noticed they have a new collection of awesome jars and such. All sizes and shapes. Priced anywhere from $10.00 - $25.00 Grab you one of those and Google "How to make glass look old" and you can DIY at a fraction of the cost!! 

I know there are some people out there without the time or willpower to look for the Real Found Objects so they simply plop down the credit card and get the fakes from PB or similar places. I feel sad for these type of people because they do not get to experience the thrill of the chase, the treasure hunting, the Thriftiquing, or the camaraderie that goes along with the search for that One piece(or two) that you can't live without.

Thankfully I am lucky enough to live near someone who likes the search as much as I do. If you recall Heather from {twenty}something introduced me to Ikea for the first time this past Sunday. Welllll-- tomorrow afternoon I am introducing her to The Scott Antique Market. Tomorrow will be see real "FOUND" objects- no worries I will have my camera to document the finds. I may be loaded up on cough medicine but I am deteremined to go -- plus we are swinging by Ikea again so that is an extra plus! 

What is one of your pet peeves? Also what are your fabulous weekend plans??

Ikea Initiation

What do you do when your best pal calls you up and says "Hey girl, Since we are headed to Atlanta anyway - do you want to go by Ikea before we head to the museum*?"
Well if you are me you can't say "Yes, Yes, Yes." and "What time do we leave?" fast enough. You see until yesterday I was an I.V = Ikea Virgin!!. *hangs head* Yes I am 37 years old and I have never been to Ikea before -- sad isn't it. It actually always made me laugh when I told people that because I do like to shop so it was a shock that I had never experienced the fabulousness of Ikea before now.

I simply can not Thank my pal Heather from TwentySomething enough for introducing me to my new favorite place. YOU ROCK H!!! I tend not to say this around TheHandyman because he will think it is due to the furniture(he is a furniture builder after all so it is a little sacrilegious to purchase that elsewhere) but in reality it is due to all the wonderful accessories. If you have not been then you totally need to go and quick. They have the coolest items there.

Below are some of my favorites of the day.

 

1. Letter Bookends -- just happened to be displaying the best one -- B

2. Wavy Light Shade - so pretty.

3. Fabulous wall of photos. Even though white is not my color I could so see this in Black!

4. Baskets GALORE -- I was in heaven!

1. This light consisted of wires(sparkler size), Paper flowers, and buttons -- crazy!!

2. Pillow of the Day -- loving the colors and it had Birds on it which is always an extra plus :)

3. Dresser and Nightstand - these beauties were an lovely gray color with the cutest teardrop pulls <3

4. I am totally coveting this sink. The shape is so different and unique it was hard for me to resist haha

LOVE the colors!

This lamp was simply stunning..thin wood strips - loved it!
Above photo linked to Sweet Shot Tuesdays because I LOVE it!
 

Heather with her $19.99 find.

I know she will talk herself into it so we will get to go back soon and pick this baby up!

Emma was our photographer for part of the day and had to get the requisite self-portrait - love this girl!

 Our lunches for the day :)

Needless to say it was an awesome trip and I can not wait to go back. 

When all was said and done my total purchases equaled $3.60 -- see proof positive that I have awesome restraint!!

*Sidenote: If you are in the Atlanta area you should check out the Breman Holocaust Museum. After the Ikea visit we went and heard a Survivor speak then toured the museum. Very moving!

Do you have one of those friends who introduces you to new and fabulous places? If so - what was your favorite?