Hello, Friend. Today Annie, Cindy, and I have our Five Faves. I am styling a traditional china hutch to make it less “grandma-looking” (no offense to you grandmas as I wish I was one). I also have a comfortable Spring outfit and a beauty secret (don’t tell anyone).
Styling A Traditional China Hutch, Beauty Secret, and More
But first, an update. I am in San Diego as my mom’s funeral was yesterday. The guests were spread out and I was glad we could still honor her during this time of the virus. It was a beautiful service, full of optimism. We know our mother didn’t want us to be sad and wailing. I think it was a good send-off,
Anyway, I’ve had one vaccine and it is a relief for me since I’ve been flying back and forth to San Diego. Some people are against them. Don’t judge me and I won’t judge you!
1. Styling A Traditional China Hutch
My client, Chris wanted some help in different areas of her home (her guest bath is here) as the dining room. We have ordered a new dining table (the old one was rickety and too wide). I thought we could keep her China hutch but with a few tweaks to make it less formal for the way we live. The wedding china still has to go somewhere!
Here it is BEFORE. You are not alone if yours looks like this. A bit crammed and formal.
Paint the Back and Add Baskets For Height
Chris was ok with painting the back as I recommended and used a combo of Annie Sloan Paris Grey and Old White. I asked her to keep everything on the table until I returned. I suggested baskets on top to bring your eye up.
Add Books, Greenery, Stack Plates
We used everything she already had but kept some breathing room. Her crystal glasses are going to be in her new beverage area.
2. Comfortable Spring Outfit
When our grown son, Tommy was here I asked him if I could treat him to a Mani/Pedi. He’s a sort of macho guy and had never had one before. Well, he loved it. (What’s not to love?) He took this photo of me walking to the manicure salon.
Sandals • Safari jacket from the Banana Republic last year (similar and similar) • Crossbody purse 50% off • Black leggings (looser fit with zippers at the ankles, so nice for pulling up for a pedicure) • Sunglasses
There are some affiliate links at no additional charge to you.
3. Easy One Pan Chicken Dinner
I’ve been making this dish again lately when short on time, especially on weeknights.
4. Vogue’s Guide for Jeans For Women
I could use a new pair of white jeans. According to Vogue’s Guide for Jeans, the High-Rise Straight Jeans may be the ticket.
“Simple and just a little vintage-inspired, these classic straight-leg jeans can be worn with everything from a blazer and heels to a T-shirt.” Possibly these (a bit pricey but I’m only buying one pair this year) or these with the discount code.
5. Eyelash Extensions
Here’s our little secret. I saw eyelash extensions on my friends and thought they looked great, so I treated myself. I got the least amount for a natural look. If I had a special occasion, I think I would go for a thicker set (I’ll show you that when I spring for it). These are the silk lashes, which they say are better. No more mascara smudges!
This Thursday, we have a Spring Fashion Show with some of my favorite style bloggers. You HAVE to come!
Let’s head on over to see what Annie and Cindy have for us today…always fun!
home before dark says
The hutch is fabulous. Love the baskets. It’s probably just me and my current black obsession, but my fingers are itching to stain or paint that puppy black!!! As an old classmate recently remarked, “You always were a dramatic little thing!” Guilty as charged. So glad you had a lovely, joyful way to say farewell to your home. I still chuckle about the plaid party you and sibs threw for her. I assume this party had the same clever, creative, beautiful, meaningful and just plain fun touches. She taught all of you to live life well.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much. It was all outdoors and spread out with individually wrapped sandwiches, chips and cake. And such a gorgeous day.
Annie Diamond says
Mary Ann! You look beautiful!! And I think this might be my favorite before and after EVER! I love the style of the hutch and by painting the back and switching out the items inside for a more modern look, it even shows it off more! You have such a talented eye!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Annie. I hope to show it again with the new dining table. I love doing this Fives with you and Cindy.
cindy says
What a fabulous job on that china cupboard. I love your outfit! I am so long waisted those utility jackets never hit me right. I need a tall and then the arms are too long. It looks fabulous on you though!!
Mary Ann Pickett says
I am long-waisted too…so I just roll up the arms.
Elizabeth@pinconesandacorns says
Mary Ann, I have been thinking of you, I am happy that you were able to honor your mom and her life.
This hutch is fabulous, it is instantly updated with the paint, and the new arrangement.
As for the white jeans, I like crop jeans, actually I like crop anything, I think they suit my figure when I wear pants. White jeans are classic!
Your eyelashes look fabulous!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much, Elizabeth. I think I want the jeans to be a bit cropped too…seems like these are.
Juliet says
MA – you’re a styling wizard! I’m a fan of grandma (ahem … grandmillennial) style and adore a china cupboard. Your fresh take on styling makes me love it all the more. Painting the back wall is a great idea and I love your use of books, etc. and stacked china. Gorgeous. I’m so glad you and your family were able to celebrate your mom’s life properly. And, that you had your first vaccine. I had my first today too. Love your safari jacket … and entire ensemble. Fun to have a new mani/pedi partner. xo
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much, Juliet! Let’s have lunch when we are fully vaccinated!
Alexis says
Such great ideas in the china cabinet face lift , I have a glass curio cabinet that I keep
Crystal and silver pieces in ( I thought clear stuff would make it look less cluttered) not so !
Can’t wait to try some of your tricks .
Thank you for getting the vaccine I’m a nurse and I lost count of how many people I’ve jabbed in
the past two months but each one makes it safer for all of us.
When I got my second vaccine I sang the hallelujah choirs !
Planning to take my son for a manie/ pedi followed by a martini , picture John Wayne getting
a pedicure hysterical…..
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Alexis. You have a lucky son!!
LA CONTESSA says
I AM GETTING MY VACCINE SATURDAY!
I AM SO EXCITED!
SO BY May Day I WILL BE READY TO PARTY!!!
I made THE ITALIAN have a pedicure years ago……..as I had a lady who came to the HOUSE for $20.00!!I had just had a baby and it was such a treat!I giggled the whole time his feet were soaking………BUT WHAT’s NOT TO LOVE ABOUT A FOOT SOAK AND MASSAGE!
HOW WONDERFUL YOU HAD A FUNERAL……………..and could see all your siblings.
Mary Ann Pickett says
It was nice to see everyone…with masks, etc. A first outing in months for everyone. Most people were vaccinated or had had Covid recently and recovered. Still a bit scary though.
Sheila in SF says
Boy does my china cabinet need an edit. Thanks for the suggestion to do the same. Sorry about your mother’s passing. . Sounds like it was a memorable gathering in her honor.
Mary Ann Pickett says
It was the first time any of us had been in a larger gathering (most people either had the vaccine or Covid recently and were over it). Mom would have loved the party.
Suzy Doherty says
Dear Mary Ann,
I just love your posts! We met very briefly in a virtual meeting a few months ago. Time has passed and I know you’ve gone through one of life’s saddest moments in losing your mother. Your post about her captured such a beautiful lady and family.
When you’re back and your schedule opens up please let me know a time you might be coming to the East Bay near Lafayette. It would be fun to have you work some of your magic in my home.
Take care.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Sure, Suzy. I’d love to come to visit.
LA CONTESSA says
THEN YOU HAVE TO VISIT ME TOO!
B c minnich says
Hi Marty Ann. So glad you opted to get vaccinated. I’ve had my two doses and feel so much better having done it. Cannot believe all the negativity. My belated condolences to you and all your family.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much for your comment.
kristen says
Thanks for the tip on the white jeans! Also, I love your mani pedi outfit too 🙂
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Kristen.
Heidi says
Hi Mary Ann,
I’m glad you were able to honor your mother with a funeral and hope you were surrounded with love on that day.
One of the first tasks I completed during lockdown was redoing the interior of my hutch. It was a mess! It’s better now, but still could use some help I’m afraid! This big house doesn’t have as much storage as I could use, unfortunately!
I have a friend who went for the eyelashes extensions when they first came out. She had such long lashes they really looked ridiculous. On you they are great! I’ve never been tempted because of the cost,
I have 5 pairs of white jeans, all styles. I rarely wear them around the house because they get dirty so quickly. Looking forward to getting out and about more and wearing them more often!
Glad you had your first vaccine. I’m on the next list and who knows how long it will take to get an appointment, but I’ll do it as soon as I can!
XO Heidi
Mary Ann Pickett says
I know the lashes are sort of an extravagance, Heidi. Not sure how long I will keep them up! I wear white jeans a lot when I am in SoCal.
Gabrielle says
Dear Mary Ann,
So glad to hear the funeral was such a celebration.
Thank you for having the first vaccination. I am a nurse, and doing so means the likelihood of catching covid and passing it onto my loved ones diminishes with each and every jab. Having it not only protects you, but also your family and friends.
I forgot to tell you in your last post that my mother carried gardenias in her wedding bouquet!
Take care, Gabrielle
Mary Ann Pickett says
It was a celebration, Gabrielle. We all leave today. We are coming back for the burial…they couldn’t do it right away due to Covid.
Diana Bier says
So sorry on the loss of your beloved Mother. It’s heartbreaking to lose a parent.
I absolutely love what you did with the china cabinet! Painting the inside and adding baskets really tones down the formality. Just a question on the greenery–it is real or faux?
Mary Ann Pickett says
Yes, the greener is faux, Diana. Thanks for commenting.
Patty Andrews says
The china cabinet looks wonderful.. It still has wonderful memories inside, but it looks so fresh and new.
Patty
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Patty.
Karen says
Beautiful hutch, Mary Ann! I changed my hutch up many years ago, but I couldn’t commit to painting the back. So I bought a few sheets of heavy construction paper from the dollar store, cut it to size and stuck it to the back of the hutch with double sided tape. It was really supposed to be temporary so I could decide if I wanted to paint it, but it’s been up ever since and I love it!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Such a good idea, Karen.
Cynthia Blaylock says
Mary Ann, Your WW diet must be going well – you look positively skinny (in a god way) in that mani/pedi photo! Congratulations!
Mary Ann Pickett says
I think it is definitely the angle that Tommy took the photo, Cynthia…but thanks!
Linda Miller says
I was so inspired by this post. I’m planning to transform my “grandma China cabinet” next week. I do not intend to paint the back but I plan to make it less cluttered with China and crystal and accessorize with greenery and books. Thank you for the inspiration.
Allison says
Hi Mary Ann,
Glad you got to honour your Mom<3 and that you have your first jab. Are there you really people who won’t take it?
FYI the link to the black leggings seems to not to be working.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks for letting me know about the black leggings link…it works for me? They are from Banana Republic. I like them so much I have two pairs.
Sarah says
Thanks for a great blog post today! I have a similar china hutch and I painted the back (which was mirrored) several years ago. I’m going to update it with your suggestions. But where do you put all the wine glasses? We have so many and I’m not sure we have a place for them. Any suggestions for where to put wine glasses? Maybe that’s a future blog post! Thank you again!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Well, that’s a tough one. In my own home I have them in other cabinets.
Anne says
The china cabinet is fantastic!! I thought there is no way Mary Ann can make this look more modern and you did!!! LOVE it!! So fresh. So talented Mary Ann. Great job.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much, Anne. I think there are lots of people with this problem as you can just keep cramming things into them for storage…but they should look nice too.
Gail says
Hi Mary Ann, so happy you were able to honor your mom in a special way during these times. I know several people who couldn’t have anything except immediate family.
The “grandma” hutch you restyled is fantastic. You are a wizard with accessorizing, and for that matter, everything else too!
I make a chicken dish that’s very similar and it is so good.
Eyelash extensions are such a cool thing. I have several friends who have them and started like you did, very natural but each time they went, their lashes got a bit longer and fuller. However I have seen some that are so long and thick you wonder how they can lift their eyelids!
Have a beautiful Sunday.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Yes, Gail, I know what you mean about ladies looking like they have butterflies on their lids.
Patricia says
I absolutely love the china cabinet update. I have a small cherry cabinet from Pennsylvania House that I love and I only put Blue and White
china pieces in there. Most are Delft from trips abroad, It is not packed with glass and china like most cabinets are in my friend”s houses. But, when the interior light is not on, it looks dark. I am going to try your suggestion and paint the rear wall. What a great idea! Thank you for sharing this decorating tip.
Mary Ann, I hope you are having precious time with your family remembering your dear Mother.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Send me a before and after photo, Patricia!!!