Pinterest

Hey everyone, I just wanted to stop in and let you know that I now have a Pinterest page!

Click the link above to go to the page!

Previously, I had always saved inspirational stuff from the web onto my favorites bar.

What a neat way to keep all my thoughts organized!

Follow my Pinterest page to see where I get all the inspiration on all the projects and remodels that I do to my own little corner of the world!

And a HUGE thanks to Jenn from Motocross Momma for cluing me into Pinterest!

On another note, I've done quite a few projects around the house lately, including converting a closet into an armoire by adding flipper hinges (Google it, you'll understand), and I'm currently remodeling the upstairs bathroom (to which Fedex just dropped off my faucet whilst writing this!).
I haven't written on the closet-turned-armoire yet because the doors need to be sanded and painted on the inside (and to tell you the truth...I got lazy doing because who really cares about the inside, right?)  I want to show you the finished product, not my lack of being able to finish projects, haha!

The bathroom will be done as soon as I can convince my step-dad to come over and re-route some electrical for me. He's going to be super-annoyed, but as my step-brother so kindly put it, "He loves being needed and he knows it." Haha, I love my family!

Kitchen Color

I think it's about time to take that kitchen color poll off of my header, hey?

The Winner:

Lemon Verbena

Though it will be a bit before I paint the kitchen, it's nice knowing that the color is already picked out!

Thank you so much for your help in picking out a color.

You're opinion is so important to me!

I have a different kitchen painting project that I need to finish. I started it a while back and never got around to finishing it...but I'm hosting a Partylite party at the end of February, so my  house needs to be somewhat finished!

I'll definitely let you know when I start/complete the kitchen painting!

Master Bedroom Plans

I feel like I'm just waking up after a long dream.

I haven't been around in a while, have I?

Yesterday was the last day of the semester for me, and this chick managed to pull off straight As! Studying for exams have taken up all my free time. That is the cause of my absence!

So now I have roughly 3 weeks of free time (except...you know...my job), and as per usual, I have a whole pile of stuff that I want to get done.

Main project: the upstairs flooring.

Each room has a different type of carpet. Most of you that have been with me for a long time know that I. hate. carpet (almost as much as I hate carpet glue! Haha!)

So most of my efforts will be installing seamless laminate dark "wood" floors.

Fun, hey?

But you know how I am. One project makes me take on another...and another....and.....well, you know.

So while dreaming of these new floors, I decided that the master bedroom needed a little refresher.

(This is where a picture of my bedroom would go if I had one. My room is a disaster, and I'm too lazy today to clean it.)

Actually, I still sort of like my bedroom.

However, it lacks my personality. Plus, I have fine-tuned my decorating skills since the last time I have remodeled.

We bought an iron headboard full-price for over $500 when we first bought our house.  I wanted a sleigh-style headboard...

But our bed is right under a window. Unfortunately, it is the only place we can put a bed.

We knew we needed an iron one so that we wouldn't block any light.

I hate it.

I loath it.

I (insert hateful word here) it.

And you know....my husband said that since it was so expensive (for our measly budget), we have to live with it for the next 20 years, at a minimum.

Pfffffttt......

That is.....until I saw this picture over at The Lettered Cottage:

Oh my gosh! Could you just die?

She solved my problem!

So I'm "knocking off" Layla's bedroom!

My plans:

-planked walls just like hers.

-laminate floors, but darker than hers.

-bamboo shades, but the darker version to match the floors.

-drop cloths curtains (like hers), and I already have the curtain rod in storage from a demo project!

-this bedding from West Elm (that I know I'm getting for Christmas)

\

...but in the natural color. I already have the comforter to stuff it with!

-these "nightstands" from Kmart.

Okay, so they are actually considered dressers, but they are pretty small. They have them on display at our local Kmart.

We really need the storage space with these nightstands. I'm going to love having more drawers!

-A small chandelier hanging above the bed. I'm thinking about doing some thrift shopping for this one. I love vintage!

This may take us a while to complete, but I'll keep you posted on the progress!

I still need to do a "wish list" post, don't I?
Hmmmm....that should be coming soon, I hope.

10-in-10 Day:2 ; Kiddy Fall Wreath

Sorry I didn't post last night.

I haven't had more than 5 hours of sleep a night for the past 2 weeks, and I'm really starting to feel it.

I did NOT get my day 2 goal done: winterize the inside.

I took out my window film, decided that I needed my hubby's help (but he get's home late from school), so I decided to wait.

While waiting, I decided to try out an adhesive remover (for the stairs) that my father-in-law brought home (from my sister-in-law's house).

This stuff instantly liquefied the glue. It's amazing. 10 times better than the adhesive remover I had bought.

The problem is that apparently my Menards doesn't carry it. Or at least I couldn't find it.

Anyways, after spending a few hours working on the stairs, by the time my hubby came home, my back was on fire.

There was no way I was going to put on window film.

Oh well....

BUT I do have another kiddy project to share with you!

Find a good maple/oak leaf and trace around it on construction paper for a template.

Make a bunch of yellow/orange/red leaves from construction paper with your template.

Cut the hole out of the middle of a paper plate.

Glue all the leaves on.

Punch out a small hole, attach some ribbon, and hang!



I have lots more projects to share, so keep coming back for tons of inspiration!

10-in-10 Day 1 & Kiddy Ghost Project

Here we are at the end of Day 1 on my 10 projects in 10 days challenge.

Day 1: Winterize the outside.

Mmmmmkay.

I brought some potted plants in.

I flipped the birdbath and planters.

I started taking the arm cushions off my wicker patio furniture.

This guy jumped out at me.

Done.

After making the hubby carefully check every single cushion for "friends," I now have a pile of cushions that need to be washed before stored.

Did I get all the winterizing done?

No.

But it's a good start.

Anyways, I have a cute Halloween project that you can do with your kiddos.

Paint the bottom of your kid's foot with white paint.

Press firmly onto black construction paper.

Add googly eyes and draw a ghoulish smile.

Hang and enjoy your ghost!

10 in 10

Jenn, over at MX Momma, is doing 10 projects in 10 days.

It's a great way to get the motivation to get stuff done in your house.

She has provided a link-up, so you can start your own 10 in 10 and share it with the world!

Here's my 10 day list:

1. Winterize the outside (covering patio furniture, turning pots and birdbaths upside down, etc.)

2. Winterize the indoors (plastic on the windows)

3. Finish my Christmas wish list.

4. Buy the kids' Halloween costumes.

5. Make a Halloween treat.

6. Clean both vehicles

7. Sign the kids up for swimming lessons.

8. Cut trim for insides of kitchen cabinets

9. Finish taking glue off basement stairs.

10. Book salon appointments for my mother and me. (Certificates for massages/pedicures to use).

I'm actually going to be working on #9 a little bit every day, because there is no way that I can get the glue off in one day.

I think the 10 in 10 starts tomorrow, so start cheering for me!

Are you inspired to start a list now?

June To-Do

I don't want to start June.

May flew by so fast, I'm scared that June will, too!

This month is going to be crazy. I just looked at my course syllabus for school, and I have stuff to do before I even see the classroom! Summer courses are accelerated.

Yuck.

I also have a big Fourth of July bash every year, so I will be preparing for that.

I want to keep my To-Do list for June relatively simple. I didn't get much done in May because of a huge remodel.

So for June:

1. Build my fence.
This is my only project.
I'm not going to kid myself, this is going to take me quite a while! I won't have any time for other projects. Maybe mini projects...
But I have a pretty large yard. I have to make/install an arbor gate. I want a smaller picket fence in the front. Yeah....this one will take all month...

2. Surprise my husband with an awesome Father's Day gift.
Father's Day is in June, right?! Haha, I think so.... but anyways, I'm not telling what it is.  I have family readers, and this one can't get leaked out!

Last year we went to a mine. My husband loves our state history, and he was as giddy as a 5 year old in a candy store!

That's it!

Just one huge project and one personal goal. Not overloading this month!

But who knows...I just may end up taking on another ridiculous remodel.

lol.

May Reflection

Wow, who could believe that May went by that fast?!
I had SO MUCH stuff planned for this month, but I've barely done any of it!


1. Fix up the playhouse.
I need to get it painted, install carpet, and add curtains this month!

The only thing I have done was buy the remaining trim.


2. Buy new outdoor lights.
I like these ones from Lowes, but I can't make up my mind on which ones would look best on the house!

Priced at $49.00

Priced at $49.98

Priced at $24.98

Priced at $19.98











Which one would you put on this house?
Please help me decide!

I was thinking maybe the $24.98 one. I like that it's a bit bigger. Since the light wires are on the tops of the doors, I think I need something to cast a downward light. And since I only can have one fixture per door, I think it should be the bigger one.
What do you think?

After enough reader responses, I decided to go with the $24.98 ones. I haven't even thought of purchasing them yet. But at least they are picked out, right?

3. Get A's in my two Psych classes.
I dipped down to a B in one of them, but I'm determined to get it up!
Score! I got this one done! Straight A's for this past semester! I'm overwhelmingly proud of myself.

4. Paint the entryway.
Here's what the green should have been will be!

This is what I got.

Wow! Seriously?! Quite the difference, right? That's okay, we'll just redo it. No problem!
Nope, didn't even buy the paint.


5. Install my new flooring!
My carpet gets shampood at least once a week, and it still looks like this.

I'm soooo sick of it! This carpet just attracts dirt, even if I scotch guard it after shampooing it. So it's getting the same laminate flooring that's in my kitchen. I was coveting the bamboo, but it's more than double the price, and I have a huge living room. That wasn't in my budget!
It's sitting in the back of my vehicle, just waiting to be put in!
Done, done, done! This is the main reason that I didn't get much else done this month. This project snowballed into something epic.
It started out by replacing the flooring.
But with new flooring, and everything out of the room, might as well paint the walls.
But with new wall paint, I might as well add the board and batten trim I've been dying for!
But since I was adding wall trim, I should do my built-ins right away.

It turned into a full-on remodel!
The bookcases will be done by tonight!

6. Begin erecting our fence!
I'm ridiculously excited about this one! We've been wanting to build a fence since we bought our house, and it's finally going to happen! I just sent in the money for a land survery, then I'm off to get my permit!
It's going to be 6' planks around the backyard, but the front yard is going to get a low picket fence with a gate. I can't wait to start the flower beds around my picket fence!
We at least got the survey done. It's been done for a while. I haven't had much time to get the permit though. I just hate going to City Hall....lol

7. Begin getting my craft room ready.
We are getting rid of all of our basement furniture during our city's spring cleanup!
I REALLY wanted to clean out my basement room, but it ended up being the temporary dump place while I get my built-in bookshelves done. So it can't be done until I get these shelves done.

8. Trim out the rest of the kitchen cabinets.
I have all the trim already, I just need to force myself to get it done!

Ugh, no! However, I did buy the trim for it. Now if I can just get them cut...

9. Transplant as many lilac bushes as possible!
My neighbor gave me free reign to split and take all of his overgrown lilac bushes! It's a big mass, but I know that once I split them, they will flourish! I'm literally going to have 20 lilac bushes in my yard...lol! It's my favorite flower! I couldn't be happier!
This is all overgrown lilacs:

Haha, nope. See what I was saying about barely getting anything done?
I'm hoping to get some planted soon, though. They are done flowering, so this is a great time to transplant.

10. Build my circle bench.
The lumber shouldn't cost me that much. I'll definately show you when it's done!

Shoot, I forgot this one was even on my list. And honestly, it would only take me 2-ish hours to build. No excuse...

11. Buy some supplies to get my island transformation done.
Lol, yeah...like this is acutally going to happen...It's just wishful thinking!

Nope, didn't even buy supplies. Okay, ya know what? This one probably won't be done this year. I'm trying to be honest with myself. The painting has to be done in the summer. I'm building a fence this summer. There's no way that I will have the time/funding to get this done.
But it's on my "eventually" list.
Come back tomorrow for my June To-Do!

Almost!

Okay, the floor is installed, the walls and windows are painted.

I started decorating.

I really REALLY want to show you the room, but I have a couple things left to do.

I want to buy natural shades like these:

at Lowes, but much bigger.

I also want different storage for my magazines. I'm bidding on an item on Ebay, but the auction doesn't close until later tonight.

I'm going to pay for faster shipping so that you don't have to wait another 2 weeks to see this room!

I want new furniture, because my maroon fancy-shmancy stuff doesn't quite vibe with the "breeziness" of the new room.

I've also been spotting a new area rug.

I'm obsessed with this one from Walmart:

But again, it wouldn't really go with the maroon furniture.

Maybe I should get new furniture, lol!

I'm also on the look-out for new lamps. I haven't found the perfect ones yet.

I have a couple projects that I need to get done for this room, so instead of showing you the room right now, I'll give you little mini-peeks with the projects.

Sound good?

May To-Do

Oh man, I'm a little worried about starting this month!
I have soooo many things that need to get done!
I'm determined to get everything done, though, so give me lots of support and encouragement to get me through this!

1. Fix up the playhouse.
I need to get it painted, install carpet, and add curtains this month!

2. Buy new outdoor lights.
I like these ones from Lowes, but I can't make up my mind on which ones would look best on the house!

Priced at $49.00

Priced at $49.98

Priced at $24.98

Priced at $19.98











Which one would you put on this house?
Please help me decide!

I was thinking maybe the $24.98 one. I like that it's a bit bigger. Since the light wires are on the tops of the doors, I think I need something to cast a downward light. And since I only can have one fixture per door, I think it should be the bigger one.
What do you think?

3. Get A's in my two Psych classes.
I dipped down to a B in one of them, but I'm determined to get it up!

4. Paint the entryway.
Here's what the green should have been will be!

This is what I got.

Wow! Seriously?! Quite the difference, right? That's okay, we'll just redo it. No problem!


5. Install my new flooring!
My carpet gets shampood at least once a week, and it still looks like this.

I'm soooo sick of it! This carpet just attracts dirt, even if I scotch guard it after shampooing it. So it's getting the same laminate flooring that's in my kitchen. I was coveting the bamboo, but it's more than double the price, and I have a huge living room. That wasn't in my budget!
It's sitting in the back of my vehicle, just waiting to be put in!

6. Begin erecting our fence!
I'm ridiculously excited about this one! We've been wanting to build a fence since we bought our house, and it's finally going to happen! I just sent in the money for a land survery, then I'm off to get my permit!
It's going to be 6' planks around the backyard, but the front yard is going to get a low picket fence with a gate. I can't wait to start the flower beds around my picket fence!

7. Begin getting my craft room ready.
We are getting rid of all of our basement furniture during our city's spring cleanup!

8. Trim out the rest of the kitchen cabinets.
I have all the trim already, I just need to force myself to get it done!

9. Transplant as many lilac bushes as possible!
My neighbor gave me free reign to split and take all of his overgrown lilac bushes! It's a big mass, but I know that once I split them, they will flourish! I'm literally going to have 20 lilac bushes in my yard...lol! It's my favorite flower! I couldn't be happier!
This is all overgrown lilacs:

10. Build my circle bench.
The lumber shouldn't cost me that much. I'll definately show you when it's done!

11. Buy some supplies to get my island transformation done.
Lol, yeah...like this is acutally going to happen...It's just wishful thinking!

Think I can make it??