Birthday surprise and other birthday goodies

This morning when I came stumbling in the kitchen trying to wake up I saw this on the table. A card from hubby and what was unmistakeably a jewelry box! Boy howdee, I couldn't wait to open it up...

Whoopee!

Can't show you my fingernails cause I need a manicure

Thanks sweetie.....you did good!!!!

Yesterday the coil in our air conditioner went out! Now for those of you not familiar with the humidity in the deep south, let's just say it's like sitting in a tin box left outside in 100+ degree weather.....I stood it as long as I could and decided a little outing to someplace air conditioned would be a good thing. Hubby said to stay gone until the AC man got it fixed s-o-o-o-o.....I dropped by Lowes "just browsing" when I spotted this seagrass rug. It was only $49.99 for

a 5 x 7 and I thought it would look great under my table in the kitchen. I brought it home to see how I liked it. Hubby says he likes it (sometimes I think he just says he does so I will stop bringing stuff home which might cost more $$)....I've put the rug and table on an angle in the kitchen.....think I'm gonna keep it.

(Gotta iron those slipcovers!)

Picked up this pretty iron candlestick recently. I wanted to add some height and drama to the tablescape....I love it's lines and color

I haven't put the TV back on the 3 corner cabinet yet and was just playing around with my shells. These will be so pretty next spring but I will be putting them up soon in favor of my fall decorations

MORE RUGS!

Also spotted this 8 x 10 jute rug in Lowes. It has a black border and is very much like the rug we custom ordered for the dining room. (Go here to read about that).

Again hubby says he likes it but I'm thinking it is too light. It does brighten things up and the darn dog hair won't show as bad. Haven't decided on keeping this one or not.....

Here's my fireplace and mantle (or mantel?). I want to paint the brick and possibly the little mantle shelf. Has anyone painted brick and if so, did you have good results? Did the paint adhere after using the fireplace? Please help me decide on a paint color for the brick and mantle!!!

PAINT SAMPLE

Now ya'll know no post is complete without me showing you another paint sample for another project! Sometime back we converted the grandkids baby bed into a day bed and I painted it a real pretty green. It was hard work but I finally got it done (read about that here). The room just isn't working for me. My desk is painted black and distressed, the walls are a chocolate brown, and I'm using black and creme toile on the day bed. Not a pretty sight plus it's dark in there at night. I've decided to paint the bed black and lighten up the walls. So many of you are using the pretty blues and aqua tones and those colors look pretty with black. So here is a sample of what I've found that I like....

It's called "Greek Sea" and it's a Valspar paint at Lowe's. Alright, now I need some feedback from all you talented ladies out there......is it too bright?

I want to thank everyone who has left me birthday wishes. How exciting to get all this birthday love! I also got a phone call this morning from a friend that I used to work with . I had no idea she even remembered today was my birthday! We worked together at the same law firm for about 14 years.....we went through many highs and lows together.....the death of her first husband a week after he turned 30.....my divorce upteen years ago, her children growing up, my children growing up......what a surprise and joy to hear from her! BAH, I love you!