Merry Christmas... we're on Hawaiian Time... plus my gift to you -- 20% off on Etsy!

Merry Christmas from Ivy & Co!

I know Christmas was 2 days ago, but I'm on Hawaiian time. 

Yes, this is where we spent Christmas Day. Launiupoko Beach Park. That's my husband standing up with the paddle, my little cousin on the board with him, and my other cousin on the board ahead of him. Catching the last wave in. 

Here's Ivy and her adorable little friend post-Christmas service and play. They're huggers. 

Opening presents...

Hanging out at the beach...

My cute cousins Haweo and Arianna (who's rocking an Ivy & Co head band!).

All the cousins hanging out...

Here's our biscuits & gravy Christmas breakfast, which we made on the evening of the 26th, haha. Hawaiian Time, I tell you.

Hope your holiday was just as joyous! And for my gift to you: 20% off everything in my Etsy shop (which includes both of the Before & After chairs! as well as bunting, boho head wraps and more!) now through Dec. 31. Enter the code: Holiday20 at checkout.

Aloha, Rebecca

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Instagram Friday 4

When I scroll IG and see these names, I get a little giddy!

@wowwowlemonade - This is the best lemonade on Maui. And they sell to-go Mason Jars.

@gaolibc - I'm a new follower to Gaoli Beach Couture, and they do not disappoint. Adorable beach clothes, based in Rio de Janeiro

@wingshawaii - I've been following Wings for a while on IG, but even longer in real life. It's always a treat to go to their shop in Paia, where you can find jewelry, bikinis, and anything else you would need for true island living. It's also one of the few places on island that you can get @machinemachine apparel (if you remember them from Friday 4 2 weeks ago)

@crukauai - Cru specializes in children's books, gifts and paper products. They've also been known for a good succulent or two...This is my sis-in-law's company (shameless plug) and it started with her vision for a children's library, which I know will come to fruition in no time!

Check 'em out! Enjoy the eye candy. And remember to follow me, @ivyandcompany, to catch the Friday 4 every week. 

Aloha, Rebecca

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Before and After - 2 chair makeovers

I love painting chairs. I think everyone should have a unique little accent chair in their home. I've come across a few "gems" and have had fun working on them over the weekend. There's 2 in this blog post, so make sure you scroll all the way down!

This first chair was tall and skinny and had this design on the seat:

I'm sure the artwork was beloved back in 1990.

BTW- that white thing below the trees was a drop of surf wax that found it's way to my chair.

Apparently this chair was from West Coast Chair Co. out of Tacoma, WA. 

I first sprayed the chair with Kilz, then a coat of a dark teal satin, then a coat of Shiloh in satin.

I sanded it with a 220 grit sand paper so the teal would come through.

I finished with Miss Mustard Seed's Antiquing Wax, and her Furniture Wax, which gives it such a smooth finish. 

The cushion is just a little extra flavah. Not all people would say it's their style, but I just love 1970s retro floral prints. The XL rik-rak ties are so fun. 

The second chair was a little more of an investment (financially and labor intensive), and truly an antique. The lady who sold it to me said it was a child's sewing rocking chair. 

Here's what it looked like before. Ivy loves putting things in its hidden compartment. The poor little decal was flaking off. 

At first I gave it a couple coats of "piglet" pink, then distressed it.

I was going to move straight on to antiquing wax which would accentuate it's crevices, but I felt like it needed more. I started to use Luckett's Green Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint, (frankly, because that's the only color of Milk Paint I have), and it got pretty crazy from that point on.

The green went on super thick, so I just started wiping it off with cheesecloth. Ivy came out part-way through and exclaimed, "Mom! Why did you paint my chair pink?!" (She thinks all my projects are for her). 

It still was way too green, so I got a bucket of water and a rag, and just started wiping it off. That's the fun thing about Milk Paint. It's really forgiving. I did a lot of distressing with 220 grit sand paper, down to the wood.

I love the hidden drawer. It's lined with a green and yellow tweed cotton blend, shellac'd in there. 

This chair is for sale on craigslist and Etsy for $65.
Click here for the link to Etsy.

This one's for sale on craigslist for $65.
Click here for the link to Etsy.

I've got a few more poor little chairs who need some love. So stay tuned for more!

Aloha, Rebecca

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Statements - Whimsical Gifts & Decor - Arkansas

On my trip to Arkansas earlier this month, I stumbled into this spunky shop called Statements.

After perusing every square inch of the shop for a good 15 minutes, I finally pulled my eyes away from all the eye-candy, and introduced myself to Allison, the woman behind Statements. She is just a doll. I could have talked to her for hours. She's lived in Conway for 13 years and before owning her own shop she was a buyer. She has a clear vision for Statements service of home decor products, and I think it can be summed up in the following quote from her:

"A lot of people are scared of color and I think when you come in here, you'll see that really all colors go together just fine. There's nothing to be afraid of. What could you possibly do to mess it up?"

This was the first product to catch my eye when I walked in. Paper place mats! Gorgeous patterns to choose from. 

Kit and I both had clock envy for all of these.

The industrial baskets on the left are totally what I'm into right now. 

And I couldn't NOT get a photo of this scalloped lamp shade.

This cart is something I would want in my house, ASAP. I'd be pushing that cart to and from the washer and dryer like it was nobody's business. What's better than silver and orange? Industrial perfection, is what I call it.

The ornaments and pom pom garland are so colorful and whimsical.

Allison is constantly on the lookout for new trends. 

In our conversation about Christmas Tree decor, she said, 

"I broke up with 'deco-mesh' about 4 years ago. I wanted to come up with something different and attainable." 

And take a look at what she found: Deco Flex Tubing. I've never seen anything like it! The neon colors are so fun, and look down below how she uses it on neon trees! Much brighter and cheerier than deco mesh.

In the words of Allison, "It's always fun to have a yellow tree."

 Clearly she has such a great eye for color. There's literally something for everyone in this shop.

I absolutely love the way she displays her products. That bed is just too fun.

Of course Allison addressed the issue that all DIY-ers and home decor guru's face:
"There's a few people who would say, 'Oh, I could make that.' 
I always say to them, 'Giddy-up, send me a picture when you do.'"

I think that's the best use of "giddy-up" I've ever heard.
Thank you, Allison for sharing your shop with us.
If any of you are in Conway, Arkansas, check her out!

Statements

923 Front St.

Conway, Arkansas 72032

(501) 205-1880

Mon - Thu: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Fri - Sat: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

www.facebook.com/statementsconway
allison@stmnts.com

And how cute is Conway?

Aloha, Rebecca

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