I have been trying more chalk art lately. It's the "scratching your fingernails on the chalkboard" thing for me though 😳

This chalkboard is something I made from a mirror I found at a thrift store. Painted the frame with white chalk paint and the mirror with black chalk paint. That simple, no magic about it.
Also on Instagram, I shared my simple tablescape decor for Valentine's day.

The candlesticks are made from a staircase spindle that's been painted white, chipped and cut in half. Tea lights rest on top. The vase is a small 1 gallon crock on top of a crock bowl turned upside down.  The farmhouse table is handmade and bought from a friend. Chairs are from Target. Wall art from Mexico, stained glass windows from an antique dealer.

Update on my Etsy shop, how I use florals and pillow shams

We made it to the weekend! 😳What a week!  I have been busy working on restock for my Etsy store.  Look me up (melissaoufan) is my shop name.  I need to try to figure out how to change it to Lambert Cottage like EVERYTHING else I have. 💁 *these emoji's crack me up*... squirrel!
Every Friday I have a restock in my Etsy shop at 12 noon CST.  Sometimes I sell out fast, sometimes not so fast.  So it's hit or miss along with everything else right?!

Another thing I have been working on is trying to make my mind up between minimalism and my usual fluff of decor.  I think minimalist because I have a grandson and another on the way and how easy it would be to keep my home cleaner and safer.  However, I see an empty space and I'm all over it.  I'll figure it out.  For now, here is my "minimal" decor in my dining room.

I love using these peonies to soften the look of a room.  https://www.amazon.com/Luyue-Vintage-Artificial-Flowers-Decoration/dp/B01CVM5YKU/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=peonies&qid=1579901676&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExWTZMN085NVU4TjJPJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTgxNDk5M01UVk9YSTZDM0oxMCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUExMDA3OTk4MUVITlpIT043RTk2RSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

These are the ones I have and they are pretty reasonable I think!  I have to sets displayed in this crock in the picture shown.  

I put them everywhere from room to room depending on my mood. 😀  Also, did you notice the pillows on my sofa?  Yep, those are regular pillows you would put on a bed.  I use them on my sofa because hubby loves his naps when he gets home.  My friend, @chardebs_designs on Instagram makes these amazing pillow slips.  The inserts are just plain cheap pillows from Walmart.  I have been known to use these pillow shams on my bed like a normal person too.  

The holidays were so fulfilling this year!  For the first time in a long time, all my kids were able to make it on Thanksgiving and on Christmas day!  Of course, I am thrilled with our newest member and grandblessing, Jack Hunter.  My daughter is also expecting so I can only imagine next year! 

Those big brown eyes melt me! 

The other thing I've been doing is making heart garlands as well as bunny garlands.  I decided to sell on social media in order to keep costs down.  So many of you who follow me on Instagram @lambertcottage  see me make things from time to time.  Usually I'm painting pictures and putting them on my Etsy but lately I have just been posting what I make on Instagram.  Here are a few things I make.  Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing from me.