puzzle me this

Puzzle lights.

I'm sure you've seen them. I have always loved the look of these and they seem to be popping up everywhere.

This one is now in my living room. The size (XL) is great and the lights it casts is beautiful, soft and warm. I put a low wattage bulb in it because that's the kind of light I was looking for but if you need brighter, it's easy to swap out the bulb without sacrificing on the overall look and feel.

You can also choose between a mat or a gloss finish. Mine is mat...in my opinion, it looks way less "plastic-y" and much more like frosted glass. In fact, I bet you wouldn't know the difference in less you touched it.

Here's the best part. I bought it locally for $19.99. Yup. That's 20 bucks.

And, I'm going to share the secret...you can get these in pretty much any shape, color, size, and design at the Mesh Barn.

Where on earth is the Mesh Barn, you may ask?

Well...it's a little shop that's hidden away in the Bedford Place Mall. Located right next to the old Zellers, I think it won't be a secret for much longer...as soon as Target opens in that location, people are going to eventually notice it.

It sells pretty much what you would expect...fabric mesh (think weddings, parties, dance costumes...etc).

What you don't expect is the giant selection of puzzle lights. The window display will draw you in. The bright bold colors will assault your senses (in a good way), and watching the owner put these puzzle lights together at the little workshop desk in the center of the store will amaze you. I think she's put together more than a few since they started stocking them...!

Don't hesitate. Buy one. Or two. Three bunched together would be awesome. Sophisticated and chic or colorful and playful...you decide.

I'm thinking one XXL would be the perfect size for the light in the stairwell...one would also look fantastic sitting on the floor of the living room with an uplight in it...ooooh...maybe one as a centre piece in the middle of my large old dining room table, with the cord hidden....

Check 'em out and scoop 'em up. You'll love them!

an egg-cellent vintage hunt

Took a nice little drive today...down St. Margaret's Bay Road, along the Lighthouse Route. 

The destination?

Some vintage shopping on a perfectly rainy day, of course!

We hit two great spots: Rural Roots and Country and Mother Hubbard's Cupboard.

If you are a Kijij addict, like me, you'll see lots of great listings from Rural Roots and Country shop. They have just started their spring hours and are open on 

Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 - 5 pm & Sundays from 1 - 5 pm.

They are a cash only shop, and not anywhere close to a bank machine, so if you think you may buy something, come prepared!

I spotted some really great finds...the vintage director's chair priced at $22, the 1950's style solid oak bar cart, the hardwood egg cups for $1 each, and the iron owl coasters (also only $1 each) were by far the hardest to pass up! The reality is, I'll probably go back...

Check out the pics below for a little look...

A little further along the route is Mother Hubbard's Cupboard. Also some great finds there too...lots of lovely and eclectic things to look at in here. Spend some time and really look around.

Everything from beautiful teak pieces originally from the long-gone Danish House Furniture that was located at the Head of St. Margaret's Bay, to "collectible" Dolly Parton plates. This shop is sure to delight you!

We finished our day with a lovely picnic at the Blandford Provincial Park and Beach...eating in the back of the hatchback to stay out of the rain! It was perfect!

As we headed back to Halifax, I enjoyed the view along the drive home and thought about what I should have bought.

Ah well...window shopping is hard. Maybe next time.