A' La Mode Maven

Today, I am lucky enough to be participating in Shelli's Tuesday Turndown over at A' La Mode Maven.

If you haven't checked out Shelli's blog or her house, you NEED to. It is A-Maze-ING!

On an unrelated note, I hope to start/finish putting up our kitchen cabinet hardware today:)

Pics to come.

Thanks again Shelli!!!!!

Kitchen Update

I've been busy!

Here is what our messy kitchen looks like now...

I have finished this part, but have yet to touch the cabinet doors, which will be the longest part. I also went ahead and painted the little bit of wall above the cabinets the same color and plan to add some crown moulding to give it some depth. I was a little worried at first, as the paint looked a little green, but it has dried now and is a very true gray, no green at all! 

How to: Hospital Survival Kit for Expecting Parents:)

I wanted to share with you a little project I have been working on for my friends who are expecting their first daughter ANY day now:)

I put together some goody bags to take to the hospital for them. I used Word to create some cute labels and attached them to colorful bags and added some ribbon...

I also created a coupon book for each parent...

For the Mom I created coupons for:

One Diaper Change

(but we both know there will be  A LOT more than one!)

One Strawberry Cream Slush

(her favorite treat:)

One Hour of Silence

(while I keep Harper occupied)

A Date Night with your Husband

A Girls Day Out

For the Dad:

I should add that the coupon book for Jamie, the Dad, is actually going to be from my husband, Josh. So some of these coupons will be pretty darn funny.

One Diaper Change

(yes, this one will be hilarious)

A Very Manly Day

(football, beer & girls, but without the girls)

A Date Night with your Wife

One Hour of Silence

(this one will be funny, too!)

A Home Cooked Meal

(which will probably turn in to take out, ha!)

As far as filling up the bags, here are some things you might want to include:

For Mom:

- Brush

- Mirror

- Hair ties

- Headband

- Mouth wash

- Nail clippers & file

- Healthy snacks

- Not so healthy snacks

For Dad:

- Magazine

- Mouth wash

- Chap stick

- Healthy snacks

- Not so healthy snacks

This was a fun, easy project that the new parents are sure to enjoy:)

We are praying for a safe and healthy Baby Harper to arrive very soon!

I bit the bullet!

Today has been rather productive as far as the kitchen update is concerned. I have yet to actually lift a finger, but we're making progress. Okay, I guess I lied because I did have to make a few clicks to order our hardware and I did go pick up the paint. Here is what we have so far...

8 satin nickel cup pulls for the drawer fronts

19 satin nickel knobs for the cabinets

And Medium Gray paint (Ace Paints color matched to Behr Semi-Gloss)

Zinsser's oil based primer

I have a couple of projects for clients that I am finishing up, but I hope to start taking the cabinets down and giving them a good sand by this weekend!

I am very excited:)

A Funny Story About My Hair

Don't get me wrong, it is very nice having short hair in the 100 degree heat we are in, but every time I run my fingers through my hair, a tear rolls down my face.

Okay, okay, I am just being dramatic. But I went through with the whole, chopping off my hair thing and I kind of regret it. However, it is very nice knowing that this hair is going to a good cause...

Can you believe it? 11 inches of my hair is GONE!

Because we all like a good before and after..

Before:

After:

Let me give you a little background on why I officially decided to make this change. Last weekend, my husband and I were out and about, stopped in at Bass Pro Shop so he could get is fly fishing rod for his trip to Montana in August. We get what we need and head to the checkout line. I am standing there getting out my credit card to pay, and the lady at the counter asks...

"Is that a wedding ring?!?!"

I replied, "Yes, yes it is"

She asks again, "You're married?!?!"

I looked to Josh and said "Yes, we are married"

She says, "How old are you?"

And before I could answer, Josh asks her, "How old do you think she is?"

Guess what she says...

17!!!!

She thought I was 17 years old. This doesn't surprise me though, because I get carded when I buy spray paint at Wal Mart. You have to be 18...

Anyway, I thought it was time for a new do that would hopefully make me look a little older. I will be 24 on Sunday after all. The disappointing part is, I think my hair cut makes me look EVEN younger...darn!

Oh well, hair grows:)

Moodboard Monday

Today, I wanted to share with you a bathroom moodboard I recently put together for an e-design client. She has a very small bathroom, wanted a nautical feeling space (not themey), a navy blue paint color, and an overall stylish space. She assured me that they were DIYers which was great, especially for their small budget. 

You might recognize some of the pieces from west elm and some of the other images are floating around Pinterest. The key to putting together this space was making sure she had enough storage and I think converting an old dresser to a vanity is a perfect solution. One of the biggest changes will hopefully come when she adds bead board to the bathroom. I think the navy paint above the crisp white bead board will be the perfect balance. I'll be sure to keep you updated on the progress!

Change Is Gonna Come!

That's right, change is gonna come. And it isn't going to be in the layout of the blog, or even the content of this blog, it is not going to be a new bedspread or drapery fabric, but in fact it is going to be a hair cut. Yep. I have officially (and I do mean officially) decided to cut my hair... off. 

This has been a long time coming. I cut my hair off about 4 years ago after having really long hair for most of my life and I regretted it, so I have let it grow for the last 4 years with minimal, very minimal cuts. I wanted it to grow so badly. I think I have found the right style which will not only make me look a little older (than my last chop off, I looked like I was 12), but also make my day to day life easier. So, without further ado, meet Ms. Sandra Bullock!!!

I actually really like the color of her hair in this pic, too. However, my hair dresser and I have perfected my highlight color and I am terrified to veer away from it in any way. 

My color will most likely look more like this...

This picture was taken at my bachelorette party last May. As in 2010. And was the last time I got my hair done. 

I cannot wait to call in at 8 am tomorrow to make my appointment:)

Hope you all have had a great weekend!

My Style

I have recently been diagnosed with decorating indecisiveness and I think I have finally uncovered the reason for my sickness. It is because my style is all over the place! I like traditional architecture, modern furniture, and funky accessories. You may call this look eclectic, but I call it spastic and hard to cure. I have recently fallen in love with some images on Pinterest, some which have been added to my Dream Home board. After looking at these you might start to understand my diagnosis. 

I love the traditional white cabinetry, the vintage but modern wallpaper, and funky pops of pink! 

The old world feel of the wall treatment and exposed ceiling really make the crystal chandelier pop. I love the rustic table with modern, metal chairs. And the yellow flowers melt my heart:)

The zebra rug, acrylic table and high contrasting colors are what modernize this space. The furniture.  cabinetry & moldings bring in the traditional aspects that make this space work!

I am dying over this image. That chandelier is freaking fantastic. I would probably opt to use a a darker wood table, but definitely keep the rustic feeling.

I can't get enough ghost chairs...

I'm really likin' the pink these days! Too bad I am married to a very manly man...he can't so no to pink flowers though:)

What is your style? If you are like me, how do you merge your styles? I need some help!

Dresser Reveal

Good morning!

I picked up this piece from Goodwill. It had great bones, but needed some love and I knew a crisp white would really modernize it. I know most people would go for the antiquing look on a piece like this, but it just really isn't my style and I wanted to give it a modern update. I opted not to rough up the edges or add glaze. Instead, I finally got familiar with my sprayer and sprayed it with an ultra white paint and poly top coat. I think it would be great as a TV stand, but haven't convinced my husband of that one yet:(

I left the original hardware, but am now thinking that some crystal knobs would look fab! 

In case you missed the before...

Tuesday's Tour

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! We had fun and spent time with friends, family, and lots of bbq:) 

Today's version of Tuesday's Tour is a little more practical than last. Listed for $294, 950 in Fairway, Kansas, a 3 bedroom 2 bath house...

Long galley kitchen. I really like the mix of white cabinets, the soft blue wall color, black granite, and original hardwoods. 

I, but more importantly, Josh, cannot wait until we have a fireplace in our home. It is a must for our next place:)

I love the clean, vintage feel to this bathroom. 

The windows are fabulous in this house!

I think I need a screened in porch. This one is lovely!

And that is what $295,000 will get ya in Fairway, Kansas. The neighborhoods in this part of town are great. Lots of big trees, great community, and even greater schools. 

I am going to get back to work on a couple furniture refinishing projects. I should have one to show you this afternoon:)