December's End

Sorry for my laziness!  I have not had any time for fun projects or posts, with winter break for Tristan and working  I have been very busy with a lot of boring stuff.  We had a little bout of illness for Levi , *note to all* that stomach junk going around is wicked stuff.  I have a lot of ideas rolling around in my brain but not many projects in the works at the moment.  November-January is such a slow and lazy time for me....no gardens to plan or plant, too cold for painting projects to be done outside, it's dark and all I want to do is snuggle under a blanket and drink coffee and watch movies.  We have been having a great time with our Wii - Tristan is an addict for sure.  I have been desperately searching for a full time job that pays decent- ha! me and the rest of the world right?  Just a suggestion for those new moms out there that want to be a full time homemaker:  think long and hard about how long you want to be out of the work force because the longer you are out the harder it is to get back in.  Hope you are having a great winter season and I'll see you on the flip side.  Happy Blogging!

I am so happy and comfy today because I just got my new Bear Paw slippers delivered today!  I was so excited to get a great deal on them via HauteLook (http://www.hautelook.com/short/1FV0p) for $25!  I know I should have posted this deal sooner.  I love getting good deals on great products!  I also love finding awesome new sites to shop on!  I would say this is a win win situation!  Wahoo!!!  Hope you are having a wonderful winter!  Chao!

http://shop.bearpawshoes.com/women/slipper/moc-ii.html

Family Gaming

So, I have been wanting to get the family a Wii pretty much since they came out but just didn't really want to spend the $$ on one.  But after playing on friend's and family's, Tristan had really wanted one.  And well, I really wanted one so last week I bit the bullet and went for it.  So excited they have a black console now because it just matches better than the white and all of you who know me, that is essential.  And after finding out you can download past Nintendo system games, well, I was over the moon.  Classic Mario Bros.?  Yes, please.  Bubble Bobble?  Oh, yeah!  Zelda (the original)?  Are you kidding?!  YES!!!  And of course the Wii Mario Kart for the boys.  They were very surprised and very excited.  Levi of course is a bit young for most of the games but he loves watching Tristan play the Toy Story 3 game like it's a movie.  I can't wait to get Wii Sports and maybe a fitness games for the extra pounds I've added.  And also Netflix streaming.  And they got their gift just in time for the weekend of sickness we had (ICK!)  All in all it's a great buy and although I shuddered a bit at the cost it was well worth it.  Now onto saving for that hot tub I've been wanting.

Cool kitchen light!

So I was extremely excited when I saw that they have a can light conversion kit available because a while back I had wanted to put a pendant light above my kitchen sink where there was a recessed light.  I got the eye roll and was told it would be too much work to take that light out and replace it with a pendant.  Well, being obsessed with DIY/decorating blogs I found that it could be done without hassle all I needed was to buy this kit, which of course I found at my local Menards (I'm a regular), found a glass shade I liked, well Tristan actually picked it out and voila!  I have my pendant for around $35.  No mess, no complaints!  Love it!  What do you think?

Kitchen Updates

Home Depot

       Sorry it's been so long since I've posted but this girl had been crazy busy in thought.  Last night I just hung up some new wall accessories in my kitchen and once again it got the ole cogs turning.  We've been wanting to do a tile back splash in my kitchen for years now and while browsing threw one of my many decorating magazines I came across a kitchen with such a beautiful tile.  I knew as soon as I laid eyes on it it had to be mine and so today I went surfing to locate my tile.  And I have been desperately wanting to paint my cabinets white.  I got the stainless steel sink a couple years ago that I had been begging for.  And I also got a great idea from one of my favorite blogs - did you know you could buy a can light converter kit?!  I had wanted to put a pendant over my sink but was informed that taking the can light out was way too difficult and I could do it but now I may have a shot, yay!  And I will probably do a color update on the walls not sure what I would do yet because I also want to repaint my living/dining and I have an open floor plan so the colors would have to be cohesive.

http://www.vintagerevivals.blogspot.com/

On A Mission

Repainted-but not sure what color?

So, I decided today that my next search/project will be a desk for Tristan, my five year old.  He started Kindergarten this year and this was new to me but they get homework (who knew).  I never remember getting homework when I was in Kindergarten but I guess times have changed; he's already learning to read!  So I'm thinking, why not a desk in place of the train table we made for him and the boys rarely use it.  One perk of a desk he can do his homework there and store all the thousands (not exaggerating) of projects and papers he brings home and just has to keep.  The C.L. search is one and I'm really excited....

Maybe this type of drawer pull?

http://meandjilly.blogspot.com/

Some little additions

So, the garage is coming along. I was so excited to get the magnetic dart board I ordered for Tristan and Levi and my door knocker which was more for looks less for function considering its on the inside door but it's oh so cute!  Still waiting for my contractor a.k.a. Hubby to get me some trim but all in all we have a fun space to play darts...nice spot for coats/boots and are ready for the snow.  Now what shall be my next project?

http://www.amazon.com/Marky-Sparky-90008-Doinkit-Darts/dp/B000BXKN30/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321284919&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Esschert-Design-USA-BR15-Silhouette/dp/B003TEG76A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321285092&sr=8-1

Wall-spiration

Just look at this amazing wall!  I want to cork my wall too!  Oh, man, Nate is gonna hate me.  I am so excited to incorporate this into something, I don't know what yet, well that's a lie I know where but it will be revealed soon.  I had this idea before seeing this but now I am convinced it would be awesome thank you design sponge for giving me wonderfully beautiful ideas.
http://www.designsponge.com/

Chalkboard Paint is AWESOME!

So I've done jars and nesting dolls but never before a wall and let me tell you between the Frog tape and the chalkboard paint I have had the most fun doing this project today.  I can't wait to try it out but alas I must wait the three days.    If you haven't yet used chalkboard paint don't wait try it on something because it's so fun!  It's so so so AWESOME!!!!  Have a wonderfully, chalky day ;)

Garage Entry Organization Project: Paint, paint and more paint!

So, I finally got some paint on the walls and it's starting to look more homey.  The lockers and benches are in place, I got a long runner rug for the entry and am working on the finishing touches, accessories and whatnot.  Got my doors painted, not sure if I should have gone with a lighter turquoise?  I enlisted some help on the long striped wall....Tristan was so excited to help paint.  I started on my chalkboard today and am pretty stoked to see how everything will look when it's done.  Not sure what kind of trim I want for the base and door but it will probably be white?  And I'm uber excited to get the door knocker I ordered via Amazon.  All in all this project is getting done and that makes me happy although the floor epoxy will have to wait until spring.  And the lights might get a makeover as well, I'm just not sure what to do yet.  

And the stripe is done!
The inspiration was a Swiss Army Blanket

A Door Stop....How cool is that?!

Garage Entry Organization Project: The Benches

So while out with some friends we happened upon a garage sale and came across some pretty interesting things one of which were these two old ammo crates that I just couldn't pass up although I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them yet.  I had originally wanted to use them as cabinets, where?, I wasn't sure so as I was working on my garage project not sure if I was going to use a bench or chair for putting on shoes, etc. decided to try these bad boys out as benches.  While on one of my many trips to Menards (yes, I am a Menards junkie) found a suitable leg and brought four home try them out.  Thought to myself these might work, now how to get the same old rustic patina as the boxes, hmm?  I grabbed out some old stain we had from our bathroom cabinet redo- first I tried the tintable, water-based stain in gray and didn't quite like it so on another I used Minwax in Ebony and Eureka! it was an almost perfect match, I just added a bit of the gray water-based stuff on top to add a bit of gray not too much and I don't know if anyone could tell these weren't made for each other. Success!  I love them, they work so far and I can't wait to finish this whole project and share it with all of my amazing readers! Bottom line: I bought the crates for $5 a piece, the legs for around $2 a piece and the stain I had, so I spend about $26 total for two very different and unique benches.  I'd say that is money well spent.  I love it when projects work.

Start with an old ammo crate

Buy spindles at a home improvement store

stain to match

Compare

Add stool/table floor protectors

And admire your handy work

Voila!  Rustic Benches

Levi James

 I can't believe it's been three years since this little one entered our world!  I love you, Levi!!!