I went to TJ Maxx today, with 3 kids in tow, and while I imagined running, screaming and crying from the store with 3 screaming kids at my heels, the shopping trip went better than I expected.

I shall showcase some of my finds and you can tell me what you think, mmm-kay? :) :) :)

I got sone mauve and cream garland for my mantle and this tall shore bird which I thought would look really nice and help draw the eye up a bit on my mantle. The garland just looks pretty. It doesn't have a real job.
My mantle before had just a picture from our wedding, a mirror and then my preserved bouquet. I added the garland along the bottom, stuck the shore bird up there and added some cracked glass votives with long stems to balance it out.

I also got some throw pillows there from the clearance isle. So, I suppose I won't be sewing any giant pillows for the couch, if anything I'll get some fabric to make some solid accent pillows. These are a really pretty cottage looking set of pillows...or at least that's what I think of when I see them. I kind of like their cottage chic look. ;)

The pillows are down-filled and they feel so decadent to lay on. They are so soft, comfortable, and really inviting at the end of the day! Soft cushy places to rest make me happy.

The colors are light and I like the way it brightens the look of the furniture. Our old brown pillows just made it look darker and with our dark wall color, it just wasn't what I had in mind when I invisioned the space. I need some sort of throw or something for the back of the couch because that's the main hang-out for the cats and the tops of the pillows get all dirty and furry. Perhaps I'll keep my eye open for a light green/aqua throw for back there. Right now, I have a pink baby blanket back there that my daughter was dragging around the house!

I was able to find some pads for the rocking chair. In my head, I wanted a really pretty crimson seat for the chair but as I was looking and found some turquoise and brown pads that went really well, I picked those up too. They're a suede-like material and they make the rocker a heck of a lot more comfortable. I'm not sold on how they look though. It feels like it still needs something more. Maybe a pillow? Or a throw over the arm of the chair?

Also, I found a really awesome plate that I loved. It is black and white and I imagined it really lightening up my book shelf. I have such small things there, I wanted to get some things that were different sizes and since I'm so eclectic, nothing really goes anyway, so I got this plate and had a stand for it. I need to find a way for the plate to sit more upright. I'm not really digging how far it reclines into the stand.


And I also got a pretty table runner for my kitchen table. It sort of goes with the aqua in the living room and since my kitchen is so open to the living room, I thought it would be great. I've been looking for a way to dress up my table and since it is so used, all day, I needed something washable, durable and non-breakable! I think this table runner is also cottage chic. :)

OH! And I also found another piece for my inspiration room! I posted before about the elements of Susan's porch at Between Naps on the Porch that I really loved. Several of the accessories on her porch make me drool, but today I found a really nice tealight holding wrought-iron wall decoration to go out on my patio. So slowly, things are starting to come together for that space. Did I mention that I found a really pretty hanging basket for my door? All that's missing are some daisies in it and a sunflower or two and I plan on hanging that on my back door.
Pictures will come when the space is a bit closer to completion! We still need to put up our pergola!

I like having an inspiration space to keep in mind while I'm shopping. It gives me a goal in mind when I'm out and about so I don't go all willy-nilly shopping and buying lots of crap I don't need, won't use and don't go!
I had a totally different room in mind when I went out today for some accessory shopping, but I really love what I did find and even though it wasn't the colors I had in mind, I think these work better. I like the lighter colors, they bring a little sunshine and happiness into the space.

What do you think? Success today or no? I'm not really a 'natural' decorator so I feel like I bumble around not really able to stick all my ideas together. I have a site I have been drooling on today and I'll share!

Loving.Living.Small. I really like their ideas for small spaces and these solutions for form and function. :)