The Swanky Patio

How to build a flagstone patio.... by Sgt.

Step One: Survey the land with a trusted friend.

Step Two: Come up with a reliable game plan by mapping out your idea with wooden porch rails that your trusted friend gladly took apart for you!

Step Three: Remove sod and start digging.

Step Four: Purchase garden items such as plants and weed preventing fabric. Go to a local quarry and get some stones...don't forget to drive slowly while at the quarry...Unload your truck with a shovel...repeat this process..a lot of times!

Step Five: Start finding big stones around your property to build the retaining wall. Find and recycle flagstones from a local abandoned property, that you found while hiking....make 10 trips to move flagstones!

Step Six: Apply your gals vintage lawn furniture, sit back, enjoy, and impress your future wife!


Now that's how ya build a flagstone patio the Sgt way!

*Now you know why I'm keeping him!

Pirates!!! Aarrrgggghhh

I made everyone pirate hats to wear as we passed out candy on the front porch for Halloween! Argh! Me the Sgt and our crew of scurvy dogs!

Someone was being anti social and decided not to wear their hat! Boo!

But Bear was a real trooper...Bbbaaarrrrggghhh!

Happy DeluxeVille Halloween!!!

Feel My Pain

Look what I missed out on at my favorite Junk Auction last night. *smacks head on desk*
My favorite Hey-Wake dogbone bed frame. Those damn things are hard to find! Forgot to check the auction site...oh well I'm sure I couldn't have afforded it anyway....someday!

Random MaryDeluxe Thoughts.....

• I know it's been awhile since I've written something worthy of reading on this here blog. I have to say that this lack of creative thinking and writing is mostly due to my inability to put any sort of coherent thoughts together past 3 pm. Yes, my damn job is sucking the life outta me. Any body else have one of those soul sucking jobs out there too? My teaching schedule is packed full and I really have no time to breath, pee, think, or sit down in my day. 7 1/2 more months till the end of May then I'm done (who knows what the heck I'll do next but I'll be done where I'm at)...I just keep telling myself that and it helps me keep going.


• I've been thinking a lot lately about just when to put my house up for sale? In my perfect plan, I would love to be completely moved out and living with the Sgt by May 31 st. But that leaves me guessing with today's real estate market, just when to put my house up for sale to make that happen. If I sell it to soon, where will I live till school is out the end of May? If I sell it after May, I'm paying a mortgage on a house I'm not living in any longer and I would hate to waste my money like that. I guess it's better to sell early then late...I can always live in a van down by the river!! As far as the wedding date goes, we're not sure yet, but we do know there's not going to be a wedding. We plan on a random act of spontaneity! Who needs the stress of planning a wedding?? I don't! Plus, I've never been the kind of gal who has ever dreamed about one or wanted one....blah not my thing. I'd rather put the money into renovating the kitchen...a better return on your investment if you ask me! :)
  

The Sgt hearts MaryDeluxe

• When I think about how much my single life will be changing (selling my house, moving away from my family, starting a new job), I feel a little sad and also scared.... but at the same time, excited to start a new adventure in my life with the Sgt. I get a lot of overwhelming thoughts running through my brain from time to time....but not one doubt about what we're doing. Which I think is really amazing! I spent 6 years in a relationship and had constant doubts about the guy I was with...which is why I finally ended it 3 years ago. My thoughts were...I'd rather be alone and happy living my life the way I wanted to instead of being with someone who wasn't right for me. One of the best decisions I've ever made for myself. Somebody told me once a long time ago, when you meet the right person, you'll just know.. there won't be doubts. I laughed at that statement, but they were right. I'm glad that I took my time to find the right bus and never settled for the wrong one or tried to make the wrong bus the right one for me. I think too many people make those mistakes and do that in life. There's a lot to be said for being single, living a happy life, and keeping the faith that by being true to who you are, you'll attract the right person. So, keep the faith bus stop goddesses and don't dwell on what you think you might be missing in your life but instead appreciate the awesomeness of what you currently have! Life is always changing and you just never know what might happen.
  

• This awesome 1950's sofa set is coming up for sale at auction! I know rockin right! Looks a little rough but nothing a throw pillow can't cover up...tehe!
  

DeluxeVille Loves Dori

October is breast cancer awareness month so I would like to take a moment and send my DeluxeVille Readers over to Dori's blog, I Am Not My Breast Cancer. Please send her some love and read her incredible blog about her recent diagnoses of breast cancer in June, her double mastectomy in July, and the journey that she is currently taking to kick breast cancer's ass! And to put it in even better perspective for you, Dori is only 27. So, breast cancer can happen at any age, it isn't picky. Also, if you feel so inclined, take a moment to make a donation to her breast cancer fund. I just did!! All donations are going directly to help her in her fight!

Go Dori, kick cancer's ass girl!

Think of Dori's journey the next time you feel to tired to move or something feels to hard to do...then get off your ass and do it!

Fun Giveaway

Tart Deco over at Vintage Glamour & Retro Style is having a really cute Vintage Closet and Boudoir giveaway! You all know how much I adore my closet! In fact, I'm going to miss it so much when I get married and move to Sgt's place that I'm asking him to build me a nice walk in closet for my wedding present! So, let me just say, if you enjoyed seeing all my fun little DIY house projects on my blog, just stick around because I've got "big" plans for Sgt's little old house and you're all invited to come along for the ride! Poor Sgt will be one tired handy man.

The DeluxeVille Closet

Vintage Kitchen Ideas

More vintage kitchen ideas!

Kitchen Resources:
Kitchen Backsplashes
Good Home Construction (pictures above)

Lamps & Lawn Chairs.... Oh My!

My newest auction scores! I think I just needed an auction fix, a little me time, and a new hair color...


A Continental Art Co. Lamp



2 more J.R. Bunting metal lawn chairs....that sorta match the metal glider and rocker over at BachelorVille... I love J.R. Bunting lawn furniture. Oh and a Mexican blanket.




A pair of ceramic bedside lamps...that I think go really well with my other lamp.

I haven't been going to the amount of auctions I could be going to because I've been really trying to simplify things around DeluxeVille. Plus, woowza auctions aren't so cheap to go to anymore! I really should start collecting other things besides mid-century because as soon as the auctioneer throws out the words... "retro", "50's", or "50's style" bidding goes nuts! Gone are the days when nobody wanted kitschy lamps...well except for me anyway! Plus, lamps like these are getting harder and harder to find....I usually only run across lamps like this once or twice a year.

Thank You Readers!

For all the well wishes on the Sgt and my engagement!
You guys rock!
Something else that rocks....
My new hair color!

What the crap MaryDeluxe...is that your natural hair color??
Why yes, yes it is!
MaryDeluxe is down with the brown!

Off to auction to try to win some new lamp children!