Laundry Room Projects/Process

Redoing sister's laundry room is 85% finished. I headed over there Thursday night after 12 hours of class and went straight into painting her walls. I wanted the walls to be dry by Friday, my day off, so I could get to work! Well, Friday I half baby-sat/half redecorated and couldn't get too far without her hubby home to hang some shelves for me... Then, I got sick all weekend and never completely finished. This is one exception to my "fast" makeover process! I promise though, I did A LOT in a LITTLE amount of time! 

Here are some things I added to "spruce" up the room a bit...

This cute wheat grass looking thing was $1.50 at GW, add a random silver vase holder and a swatch of burlap and you get:

She previously had these 8.5x10 printer paper labeling her piles of "dark" and "light" laundry, remember? I took dollar store frames, scrapbook paper, and foam stickers from hobby lobby to create these cute new labels to hang on the wall above the hampers.

I love this idea. I got the glass cork jar from GW for $1, sticker tattoos from a random scrapbook wedding package from Tuesday Morning, and added some fabric softener to complete this look!

This long vase came from Burlington (trust me, that place WILL surprise you!!! I have found amazing RANDOM stuff from there!) for $4... and all the pink/green fake flowers 50% off from Hobby Lobby.

This is probably my favorite project. I got this ceramic vase thing from GW for $3 and wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it. I randomly decided to grab a styrofoam ball from Hobby Lobby and glue moss on it to create my own topiary look. I love it.

This is just a cute candle I got for $1 and added my own stickers on to say, "light my fire"...

My cute little projects for that night! There are more, but after I got sick, i quit taking pictures. I'll keep you posted on the "AFTER" pics!

Creepy Sisters

This past weekend at Lake Shankie's, I walked passed my sister's laundry room and had to do a double take... it was that bad ... Don't believe me? Here, I'll prove it- (Sher, don't murder me...)

Told you so... it's bad. 

But...that just makes the challenge more fun for me. I can't wait to get in there and redo it! It's weird. I have been thinking about it for a while now... BUT, back to the story....

Sunday night, I asked her husband to take her out one day for at least 4-6 hours (so I could sneak in there and surprise her by doing it)... we agreed to have her out Friday afternoon to redo her hair. He agreed to babysit and keep her away... Well...

Monday afternoon- I got a text from Sher that said, "I'm so overwhelmed with my laundry room. It needs to be redone SO bad. It's a mess and I hate going in there, i think it needs a makeover. will you help me?"

............................... I. Was. Livid. I promptly texted Frankie accusing him of blabbing to her and ruining the surprise. Honestly, call me stupid- but I started crying! I hated that the surprise was robbed of me! I already had an SUV full of stuff for the redo- and every bone in my body wanted to return every little thing. I was so upset. Something I wanted to do out of the 'kindness of my heart' seemed forced now. I was soooo upset and overreacted. My response to her text: "yeah. you should."

yeah, yeah, yeah, i get it. i'm a brat. but still. it reminded me of being a kid and wanting to surprise my mom and do the dishes and on my way to the kitchen my step-dad would ask me to... I'd be sooo mad and snap, "I WAS GOING TO DO IT ANYWAY!!" (i'm shuddering at how big of a brat i am...) I'd do it with the worst attitude and so forced it's a wonder how the dishes didn't break...

**Side note: Frankie didn't tell Sher, in fact- he completely forgot about it... So... this is why i say, "creepy sisters"...

All our lives we'd either "jinx" each other (say something at the same time), or I'd pick up the phone to text her something that she was JUST about to text me... i mean, just the weirdest most random 'sister vibes'. This event definitely tops the list because she's never mentioned the laundry room or wanting to redo it, it was just something i picked up on while being there...and then to want to surprise her- and her text me the next day- creepy. 

Moving on...

Wednesday I spent the entire day off running around town picking up things that would go in her "new" laundry room. I can't go into much detail since I know she reads the blog, but I will say, I got 80% of the stuff yesterday and couldn't be happier!

This particular project sparked from a website that talked about making your own cake stands. In all honesty, you know if i saw/remembered the link i would credit them, so if you know what it is please let me know so i can give that person credit where credit is deserved!!!! That being said... here's what I did:

I bought these glass vases and fishbowl from Goodwill...as well as 4 crystal candlesticks (.77-1.99 each)

I took some glass glue ($3 Home Depot)

...And attached the candlestick to the glass piece

and held on for 45 seconds-1 minute. I didn't really trust the glue so I kinda just held as long as I felt a little comfortable with letting go...

That's it! You're done... a fancy 'thing'. i guess it's a version of an apothecary jar minus the lid. How cute would a bunch of these on a table with candy be? At a birthday or shower? So cute. 




more pics...

Please excuse me... I like being comfy while crafting... no organized craft room here :(

I did 3 last night. I would have done more but I wanted to save my last matching base (candlestick) on a tall vase i saw at the dollar store (and should have gotten) and regret not buying it... in my defense tho, I knew my car was full of tons of glass items and didn't think i'd need it... guess i was wrong!


That's that. It was a fun, easy craft- and i love the end results! let me know if you try it! 
--check back this weekend to see the "After" for Sher's laundry room... I'd tell you the theme but Sher reads and i don't feel like hearing her input if it's not what she has in mind! she's such a difficult "client"... hah

GNI {Project 1: Ribbon Wreath}

Tuesday night we had our 2nd GNI with "Ribbon Wreaths" on the agenda! We got the idea from The Long Thread blog- she had a "Halloween" wreath made from black thread. We ordered our ribbon 2 weeks ago and when I received the box i was giddy! I couldn't wait to start! If you couldn't make it to GNI, i encourage you guys to try it!!! I wanna see pics! You can do so many different colors and truly make it your own...

this picture just makes me happy

another one...

Funniest Kayden face- starting GNI young!

Some of the craftiness documented...

India's Taupe Wreath

Manal's Pumpkin + Nu Rust and Tanneka's Taupe + Brown

busy bee's

Emily's 5 color ($50) wreath... kidding

Leslie's Pumpkin + Brown

dun-dun-dun- my Taupe Wreath!

close up

I was supposed to cut the frays and burn the edges, but I'm lazy liking the easy going look. I like it for now, maybe later i'll clean it up :)


I love the way it looks- and once the girls send me pictures of their wreaths on their door- i'll upload them!!! and if YOU try it, please send me a picture!!!!

Updated Pics for CB

Here are some pics I promised here. I took these this weekend of the 2 Great Dane sized beds we made! One is a little bit fancier than the other with the sides and stuff, but the other is just as cute!!! We're still making more and different sizes, so i'll keep updating when they're done!

XL beds

The Grand Reveal!!

I don't even know where to start with this post of "before and afters" but I will start by addressing the check points I mainly wanted to address after my "uncozy crisis"

List of things I got done this weekend (aka: in 18 hours)

1. Painted my dining room walls (I went with Grey and LOVE it!) Thursday night after 12 hours of class, determined to have it dry by Friday!
2. I picked up some small "details" to sprinkle in around the place from yard sales and such and think they're GREAT touches. I dunno, you tell me!
3. Redid the outdoor area a little (added an adorable plant- mums, took off the old wreath-- about to put the NEW one up after GNI!!! and swapped out the lights)
4. Swapped my couches. I read in the recent H&G magazine how unpractical love seats are... no one wants to share an intimate couch with someone they hardly know, and no one ever sits on it... you can't have anyone crash on the couch (unless, they're under 4 feet)... and I also just didn't like how "blah" they were... the beige on the white tile- ehhh not so much..
5. I put in the new tables from  the Scott's Antique trip and love them! Just breathes a breath of fresh air to the living room. I'm so glad the modern coffee table is gone!
6. Added a side area in my dining room (i thought it would cramp the area, but with the mirror it actually makes it look bigger)
7. Added stuff to my dining room walls. DON'T JUDGE ME! I couldn't get a hold of the other letters to complete the look- so when you look at the pictures, yes, i understand you're perplexed about the random "T" floating around on a shelf...
8. FINALLY bought a Bigger TV and mounted it above the mantle! It looks so good! Like a real living room, as opposed to the "fake one" i had hahaha. it was just so awkward on the wall before in the right corner of the room taking up so much space and not in a comfortable viewing area. 

Please note: for TRUE before and afters, refer to the previous blog post where I took pictures of the living room area. These are kind of "during" and "after".

And Now For Pictures!!!

Outdoor Lamp Makeover

Yes, I believe my light was from the 1960's when the building was originally built. I also know for a fact that it is yellow from dead moths, not age. Yuck.
The "new" light is actually one I picked up from a yard sale this weekend for a whopping $1.50! It was one of those things that was never on my "list of things to buy", but when I saw it, I knew I had to have it....

proof that it was only 1.50!

It was hard to not be overwhelmed at this point... I had stuff everywhere and couldn't think of anything other than "HOARDER!" and also wish I could just wiggle my nose like sam from bewitched and have everything just fall in its place... or just like Matilda :)

look at this mess!

I think the brown leather couches just make the living room walls pop! And the rug! everything just stands out. I love how big the couches look and almost define my walls. It made me realize how big my living room is, and it's practical space! (obviously, these pictures are with the new coffee tables in both, but i had that glass modern one)

-- those gorgeous roses were my Wed flowers this week :) love the color...

Looking on Craigslist and estate sales/yard sales for "the perfect" shabby chic chandelier. Going to look at one in Dallas, GA tomorrow to replace. Please imagine that I have the letters "E" and "A"!!! JOANN is killin' me! and there isn't one near me... So, I have to just post pictures and hope you understand :)

OK, this makes me the MOST excited! I grabbed the table that WAS in the living room and put it in the hallway of the dining room. I think it was a GREAT idea. there was nothing but a small mirror there earlier. I moved the table, and then finally the mirror.

This is the $8.98 mirror I got. After $10 I made it look amazing! (in my opinion).... (I used gift wrapping paper to cover the mirror so i didn't get overspray all over it...)

I had two random picture frames I had (they were an AWFUL gold color- soooo Jersey) and wanted to paint them high gloss white (like everything else- i'm so boring!) but after i primed it- i fell in love with the matte grey look!!!! I really didn't have an empty space to frame a pic of me, bandit, or ordy- so I turned them into "book ends". I cut out some scrapbook paper with an exacto knife and just stuck them in there and put one on both ends. I know it's not "practical" but it sure is cute!

I got the huge white shelf from a thrift store- it was $20, but it was a certain color sticker so when i checked out it came up to $10!! SCORE! It's so awesome. I ran to hobby lobby and got 3 "crystal" looking knobs for $4 each- only when I went to check out- 50% off! So i got all 3 for $6... I'm a happy camper. I picked up a yard of burlap and THAT was also 50% off... so for $1 I added burlap detail to my little green pieces sprinkled around the house...

The tiles on the left of the tv used to be white and hanging in place of the tv... and Ordy got them for my 23rd birthday (yes, i am that cheesy- i ask for home decorating items for my bday!) and we decided they'd blend in on the white/beige walls... so he had the idea to paint them with the leftover paint from the blue wall behind the couch and create that color on the opposite wall. I'm all about symmetry and thought i'd go nuts with only 4 on one side, but he had a point, soon I'll be adding a shelf for my dvd player on the right. So it'll balance out somehow...

We were going to "antique" them, by sanding them down, only we got parts of the tin shining through and it made it look black and dirty... so we kept them just blue.

After tonight, the door will have a new wreath!

Thanks for coming! I will upload more pictures once I do more to the place! I had to just finish it up before the girls came over tonight- and I'm so pleased!!

It's SO cozy!

Blogs I'm Obsessed With

I think I need to relax on the blog envy... I'm obsessed with these 2 blogs lately. But the thing is- one blog leads to another, then another... it's like they're all connected somehow... Which I'm thankful for! And, I guess I understand why people "advertise"... I am NOT A FAN of blogs that do TOO MANY giveaways and review stuff, but for some reason, the two i'm into aren't overwhelming with that kind of stuff. And, they balance it off with great tutorials. I feel like it's fair for them to run those giveaways to pay for stuff since they're sharing their knowledge at no cost to me!

Blog #1 : Obsessed is an understatement. I spend 85% of my time on this blog. and that's not a joke. I love everything she does. I think she's so stinking cute. I'm ordering some vinyl from her shop and CANNOT wait to get it!!! She's so sweet e-mailing me back and forth- is it weird I feel a little "star struck" that i'm actually emailing her. Like, THE Mrs. Smith??? The woman who inspires me to do something to every inch of my house (and everyone else's house!) haha. Ok, before I creep anyone out...

Blog #2 : Such an adorable website. I love the ideas on this site as well. I am loving their current giveaway, which caused me to stumble upon this blog. 

It's too much! Too much cuteness out there! I love all the tutorials!

This Weekend... (Both of the Boys in My Life Were Sent to the ER....)

Weekend Part One

I spent the entire weekend (Friday afternoon - Sunday night) at my sisters house. I love hanging out at "Lake Frankie's Shankie's". We are always grilling out, hanging out, fishing, crafting, etc. My favorite part? The kids. I love hanging out with them- they're the cutest!!

Friday, I spent all morning "thrifting". I went out and about to find things I could breathe a second breath of life into. I'm pretty disappointed in most of the thrift stores I hit up- SO overpriced. I can't believe they charge so much for USED items. I can find better, brand new stuff at Homegoods or Ross for WAY cheaper!!! I was looking at $45 mirrors and up. Coffee tables for around $75 and up. I just wish there was a hole-in-the-wall thrift store around me that doesn't sell crap (or for so much!) I want to educate some people that are shopping there that they can get BRAND NEW stuff (even clothes) for way cheaper. I mean a nasty old tshirt was $6 and I just got 3 shirts from Old Navy for $6! Nuts. They need to reevaluate themselves. haha.

I found this, and YES, I KNOW-i already bought a coffee table last weekend- but i could NOT turn away from this coffee table!!!! It was so me. the geometric shapes and stuff. something about it was even so "tory burch" about it- obviously not in my house, but my FUTURE bigger house (???) haha, I would paint it a HIGH GLOSS Lacquer finish in WHITE.... It has true potential... trust me. 

What would i do without Heff??? 

I LOVE my mirror. I saw it from SO FAR away, and practically ran to it- I guess I was threatened by the man walking to the bathroom near it? You'll see, it may look nasty now, with it's K-Swiss stickers... but YOU'LL SEE!!!!

Saturday, we spent all morning at Estate Sales and yard sales. I scored a real Louis Vuitton speedy for $10 $8. Pretty pumped about cleaning it up and putting a new zipper in there! (For the 14th time- since everyone asks how i knew it was real- i was carrying my speedy and compared it... so it was pretty obvious, other than the $8 one being REALLY "vintage" aka old...)

$8...seriously?

How cute is this kid?

so excited to ride with Ordy Boy

Weekend Part Two

Saturday night, we were all doing our normal weekend evening: the boys were manning the grill while the girls did something "artsy fartsy" and all of a sudden we hear Bandit shrieking like his tail was caught in the door or something... Sher and I looked at each other but figured that's all it was- then we heard Ordy Boy scream (not like a girly scream, but a manly, "UGH!" more than a dainty, "Ah!"  (just to make sure you guys knew I wasn't dating a softie...haha)

Well- my little brother brought out the pole to go fishing when Bandit didn't even give him a chance to do anything- and BIT the line/hook. It wasn't anyone's fault... My brother didn't know Bandit had the propensity to chase after the hook like a fish- and Bandit... well, he's just an idiot sometimes. He got the hook good and stuck on his lip/gum and when Ordy Boy went to help him- he shook his head getting the OTHER hook in Ordy's hand! (imagine his index and thumb joined by the hook...)

It was a mess. a catastrophe of sorts. We were all running around like chickens with our heads cut off panicking about what to do. I'm an awful girlfriend. I was all over Bandit- whimpering when he'd whimper and want to throw up for him just looking at his new lip ring. Poor Ordy definitely had it bad, but I guess his "tough man" attitude of just sitting around directing me to get the hook out of bandit's lip made me look over his hand/pain/dilemma...

I will add pics of the ordeal at the end of the post, in case you have a weak stomach- stop reading. don't look at them!

After an hour of trying to get the hook out of both of the boys, we gave up. Ordy Boy went to the Emergency Room and had his finger numbed to get the hook out and Sunday afternoon Bandit went to Emergency Animal Care to get sedated to get his hook out. Such an ordeal!

When we got bandit back Sunday afternoon- he was pathetic. Running into walls, drooling uncontrollably, and had the worst depth perception. He kept plopping down and it sounded like 10 books hitting the floor since he's so heavy. (BTW, the vet put down his actual weight on the charts: 87.3 lbs... my baby isn't a baby anymore...)

poor wittle guy

close up of the damage

so. gross. (if ordy's mom is reading this- he's OK!! and was smiling the whole time. typical.)

being a manly man and yanking it out himself.

He didn't yank the other one out because if he pulled it through, the hook would've gotten stuck since it was so short and had a long ways to go through his finger. (in case you were wondering)...

ookkk, now that everyone's stomach is tight and queasy- I am off to bed! 

Random Thoughts...

I'm so so thankful for Ordy. I worked him to death this weekend. Bring this couch here. Take that couch there. Hang this. Take it down. Hang it back. Spray paint this. Screw in this. Nail that... you get the point. I was coming up with all these design ideas, and he was the one that had to execute them. **NOT FAIR**. I wish I could do half the things he can do- but realistically, I know it would take me a LOT longer and I would risk doing it wrong. So, it's easier just to make ask him. The poor guy had the longest work day Friday, and I called him on his lunch break to tell him my weekend plans (after he texted me that morning all he wants to do is "relax and enjoy a quiet friday evening together") whoops. there goes that idea... I begged, and pleaded, for him to help me out before Tuesday (girl's night) and begged some more. He didn't disappoint. He left work, went home in friday traffic, grabbed his trailer and headed over to haul some furniture. He's the best. I'm the worst. I appreciate him so much. I robbed him of another Friday evening, but I tried justifying it saying I only do it twice a year... but to him, I'm always redecorating... ahhh. if it's not one room, it's another I guess! 

out with the old... (if anyone wants these i'm selling them-let me know, great condition)

My little helper

the new additions to the crazy madness i call home

i. love. ordy boy.