A Smorgasbord

Two Posts in One Day: Lucky you!

CHEAP DIM (did it myself) ART:

I got the spray paint out for this one...

I bought cheap picture frames from IKEA a while ago.

In colors like black & red.

So not my colors.

I found some pictures I liked, printed them out on plain paper.

Maybe someday I will update to photos... I have the jpeg's saved.

I saw this cute saying somewhere on the net - and loved it.

So I thought I'd make my own - using the colors in my kitchen.

I put it in my newly painted (albeit, not perfect) frame.

I ♥ it.

KITCHEN STUFF:

We did quite a bit in the kitchen this weekend.

THE VALANCES ARE HUNG!

Proof. Right there. And there. And there.

Love them!

And I just got done hanging my new "art."

Like I said, I printed the pics I wanted on regular paper. Nothing to it.

I had four of the black and red frames - I painted them cream and yellow/gold-ish.

I alternated them. Cream, Gold, Cream, Gold.

And I hung them with push-pins (the frames are super light) - that way,

I can change it easily enough if I feel the need later on!

RADIO CABINET #2:

We finally pulled the new radio cabinet out of the garage and got to work on it.

Yesterday.

Isn't she a beaut?!?

We actually removed the picture wall that I worked sooo hard on...

because the black/dark brown frames just didn't go.

So, I've relocated those pics throughout the house.

I moved my Goodwill find gold mirror in the picture wall's place.

I know there's a whole lot more to do there (for starters, I'd love a lamp!)

but at least we've got the ball rolling.

We were going to paint the new "buffet" cream... but it's in SUCH good shape,

we opted to leave it alone (for now).

Marcos took out all of the speaker stuff and insulation.

I polished her right up.

Ta-Da!!

We have plans to replace the old gold speaker material with a fabric -

something that compliments our dining room drapes. But that may be a while.

A FRONTAL VIEW:

And finally... for your viewing pleasure... an updated look at the front of mi casa.

What I haven't mentioned in a long while is that the whole front yard (pavers and sod) has been replaced; twice.

Hmph.

The grass is FINALLY growing back and looking halfway normal.

But that's not the real reason for the pic.

Look at my new wrought iron "shutters" on the front window.

I love them!

A lot.

I felt that window was just too plain before.

I think it looks nice now (despite the fact that everything needs to be wiped down and swept on the front porch. sorry about that!)

Something else new: In front of my columns, we replaced the dead/zombie/not really there hibiscus bushes and replaced them with little palms.

Love them, too!

That, my friends, is my weekend update. Off to do Sunday night things so that I can be ready for tomorrow morning to do Monday morning things (i.e. work). Boo.

Later alligator.

Horseplay

I am inspired by many people. I love to read blogs and see what's going on in other people's brains (and homes).

When Sherry from YoungHouseLove.com posted this post about ponies - I was in love.

I don't mean to be a biter - but when someone shares something so fantastic - I listen (AND LOVE).

The artwork is exactly what I was looking for to put in my family room.

A few months ago I found this artwork for the space:

The colors are nice - but the scale is way off.

I knew that from the moment we hung them up.

And then YHL does a post on pretty ponies.

And I ordered me some pretty cool artwork from Art.com.

Below, to show you what they might look like in the space, I took a before picture.

Do you see Nic's head?

And the cup of milk that ISN'T supposed to be in the living room?!

It was only when I started editing these pictures did I realize it was there - and I yelled out to Nic

to get it back in the kitchen! lol...

You will notice the gold valance is not up yet...

Soon.

Anyway - here's what it might look like with the pictures...

(nothing fancy - no photoshop today)

The pictures are 40x30 - and are perfect in color. I think IRL they are supposed to be a bit softer.

Excited for that. 

I think the room was looking a little too brown. I think the valance and the new artwork will help.

I am also on the lookout for some new over sized pillows in a variety of prints and colors. To bring in more creams, rusts, and aloe/mint/teals.

For now, I am just happy with my (err, Sherry's) latest find!  The artwork is coming from San Fran... I cannot wait until it arrives!

How's it hanging?!

It's supposed to be a beautiful 103 today... and I am INSIDE doing INSIDE things.

Truth be told, Isabel isn't feeling well, so that's really what's keeping us locked up in this dungeon beautiful and cool house. 

Since the husband won't help me hang some stuff, I took it upon myself to yell and order my kids around to get these things marked off my To-Do list.

I'm not kidding. I think they are mad at me. [In all fairness, I wouldn't have yelled if I wasn't given wimpy screws to do the job. Not that that's my kids' fault. They didn't manufacturer the product. Oh, I'll give them each a cupcake later and maybe let them play the Wii. Maybe. Just keeping it real.]

I have a lot of HANGING things on my list... I've had the curtain rods for the kitchen and family room since we MOVED IN. And we've just been shuffling them around every so often to move out clutter. 

I bought the valances a few months back during a trip to Lowes.

It's about time we actually allowed to the two to meet.

They are pretty much gold. I had bigger dreams - of browns and greens (ok, not really green, green - but that aloe/mint color - but greens rhymed with dreams).

I was afraid that the brown would be just toooo dark. So I settled on the gold for now - to get something (anything!) up there.

I found my original vision of the kitchen has been changed slightly. I am not only a traditional girl. I also like ranch, country farm, Spanish, etc.

I am afraid I've gone and mixed it all up. I figured as long as I am staying in a color scheme (right now it's brown, cream, rust, aloe/mint) then I will be alright. 

Without further adu adoo ado procrastination on my part, 1 of 4 valances in gold. 

I think they work for now. It's gonna be tricky doing the other three windows... I have to ensure the curtain rods are straight all the way across - throughout the two rooms. One inch off and the world will know. And my mom will NOT be happy.

So... it's still coming right along.

P.S. Let me know if you see a cheap large-ish rooster lying around anywhere (ceramic, please - not a live one). I want to spray paint it cream and put it on top of my cabinets.

What is with me and ___________?

As promised... a blog post about me scoring... at Goodwill, of course!

We woke up BRIGHT & EARLY on Saturday morning (aka 50% off at Goodwill day).

We decided a breakfast of champions was in order... Cracker Barrel would do just fine,

And I, of course, needed some Sweet Tea to get my energy up!

Love me some sweet tea!!

Below are some of our Goodwill finds...

I see a lot of refinishing in our future!!

A table/sewing machine thingy. The sewing machine is from Sears and it STILL works!

Look at the peddle thingy!

I have NO idea where this is going to go. We may refinish it and then sell it.

We will see!

A not so old, but definitely functional side table.

We are using it in the main living room for now.

I think it will get refinished a darker brown, chocolate really.

And then kept where it currently resides.

I think.

A cool mirror.

[look at my boys trying to get in the pic. i warned them i was taking it!]

And finally... I love this next thing.

It's huge - so I haven't had a chance to get a really good pic of it.

It's a 6ft long RADIO CABINET!

She's a BEAUTY!

The speakers are still in it - but that's about it.

We have plans to refinish it - using a much darker stain.

And using a darker mesh-stuff (to cover the speakers).

What we haven't decided on is where it will rest it's sweet head.

Either the entry way...

or in my bedroom.

How exciting.... a mystery!

Seriously though...

What is with me and radio cabinets?!?!?

RANDOM | MODNAR

Remember this mirror?
It was supposed to go in my bedroom. I hauled it up there. Left it up there. Wasn't feeling it.
So, Alex, my boy-wonder who is home sick today, got to haul it back downstairs for me.

[Admit it, a random post about mirrors... Clever title, huh?!]

I like it in my entryway mucho better.

Here is the view, when you walk in the front door, to the right:

And to the left:

It's not perfect... in fact, it's not even permanent. I want a black bench to go there - I am on the lookout for one. It's kinda crazy that I saw the EXACT bench I want at my Aunt Anita's house. They made it out of a full size head and foot board. From scratch. I asked for it. But I left without it. Meanies.

 Did I ever show you a pic of the formal living room with the new IKEA mirror? [another random mirror pic. weird]  Excuse the lighting - I cannot, for the life of me, get it right. But the room is coming along.

Here is my striped hallway - leading to the pantry and the garage. It got a make-over. Instead of painting over the stripes, I changed the decor. I love this soooo much better!

Close-up:

Not a close-up:



I've shown you this spot before... but not since I repainted the little table and added a few more photos. I love hanging photos!!

And finally... one more final random picture.

Rut Roh. We are getting neighbors! All the way from Michigan.
I adore people of all ages.

But why do we have so many older couples living so close to the park and pool?

I don't want them getting upset about the noise that kids make - but I can already see hints of it happening with several peeps down the street.
Oh well.

C'est la vie.

I Spy

As I was chatting with my mom last night [hi, mom!] I realized I never shared a pic of my citrus trees. Shame on me. Here they be:

I guess they look more like twigs, eh? But... look at this picture below.

I cannot believe it. When I was out watering and digging and scaping the land yesterday, I didn't even see these little buggers. It wasn't until one of my son's friends came over and I was showing off the greenery that he pointed them out. [I think he was secretly hoping I'd offer to make him a mini-margarita. I don't sever alcohol to 15 year olds, good sir. You have to be at least 16 and a half. I kid, I kid.]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So... I've been working a little bit on this room... Don't judge my metal diamond placements. Eventually there will be a very large mirror back there. And eventually I may realize the diamonds just don't work - and will have to move them. But for now - they show effort. And progress. And that makes me happy. I love them because they are supposed to be square - but I made an executive decision to make them diamonds. Because of the diamond shapes in my chairs. [deja vu - but at least I got a better picture this time!]

Goodwill shopping a few weeks back allowed me to score something pretty COOL!

It is, I believe, an old radio cabinet. I think. That's what I am calling it.

It's a lighter color than my table & chairs. But when I really look at the two, side by side, they do share some of the same tone. I just wasn't going for an all dark, all wood room. Remember, the other half of this room is the formal living room. Which we hope to make-over into a little library. And totally copy her design, here.

I plan on take some dark wood tones into the "library" in picture frames and books. And then I need to somehow bring some light, cream colors into the dining room to try and make this all work.

The cabinet does need some help. The insides were torn out and it has no back. Mr. is going to help me fix those problem areas and then we have to decide on if we are going to leave it alone, or paint it or stain it.

I originally thought I could paint it the color green that is in the curtains. I saw a REALLY cool example that I loved. And now I can't find it on the net, anywhere. Then I wondered if I should play with the indent, and paint that cream - and the rest green?!

Then I wondered if I should sand and stain the top, the beveled part of the doors and the bottom trim piece a nice mix of ebony and dark walnut.

Now I am wondering if I am out of my ever loving mind.

Do YOU have any thoughts on the subject?! [on the cabinet, not about me being out of my mind.]

I have plans to put a large framed picture above the cabinet... and maybe add a lamp... Give it a bit of height. The room will also, eventually be getting crown molding. So, weigh in. Let me know your ideas [so I can steal them, too].

Alex and Isa both had a friend spend the night - so I am off to get breakfast started. The line at Dunkin Donuts is sometimes long - need to get there early. =)

Have a fab Sunday, people!

P.S. WAIT - don't leave. I just thought of something. Do you think I should bring that light fixture [above the dining room table] down a bit? Is it too high?! Thanks! ;) I owe you one! Anytime you want some design advice... Well. Nevermind.

House full of stuff...

It's been a great weekend so far.  I had Marcos' side of the family over for a fiesta. Complete with homemade Carne Asada, rice & beans. And Mariachi music. Nothing out of the ordinary at our house, really.

After we stuffed ourselves like a pinata - we went outside to enjoy the WONDERFUL [don't be jealous] weather.  Took some pics of the kids. Well, some of the kids. Others [the teenagers] wouldn't fall for my bribes. Damn them.

Meet Elias. And just so you know - and as he tells me - it's not EE-LIE-US. It's EL-EE-US. And there's his older brother, Ethan (pronounced as it's written) above him on the slide.

This is their younger brother, Lucas. Or Luca as we call him.

He thinks he's a pirate. Or something.

Every time I pointed the camera in his direction, Mr. Ham made a face.

These are Elias' shoes. LOVE THEM! Ethan has a pair, too!

This is Nicolas. Or Nico. Or Nic. Or Nickelbutt. Or Nick, Jr.

But wait.

You already know him.

Mr. Pirate aka Mr. Ham aka Luca.

Nic. But an upside down version.

Which turned out way better than the pineapple-upside-down cake I made.

Can you say smoke-filled kitchen.

Grrr.

Cute Nic.

Handsome Elias.

Darn. I just said EE-LIE-US.

Sorry dude, it's habit.

We wanted to name Nic Elijah (and call him Eli).

But Elias was born first... and we thought that it would be weird to have two cousins with

such similar names.

Elias and Elijah.

So she [SIL] chose EL-EE-US.

We chose NIC-OL-US

My Sister-in-Law, Cristina. The mom of Ethan, Elias, and Lucas.

After they left, we had seven kids remaining. My four other nephews and my niece.

16,15,10,8

and then my three.

They had a great time, me thinks!

I made them pancakes for breakfast and then sent them off to the pool.

And that's where they are now.

Before the family showed up yesterday, we got our Saturday chores done.

One of them was grocery shopping.

I decided to pick up some fresh flowers.

I LOVE YELLOW ROSES!

Marcos is the one who told me to get them... so I did!

And then I found these purple flowers!!

Take a gander, if you will at the shelf (Goodwill find) and the small table thing (Goodwill find).

I am not sure if it's in its permanent spot, but I like having the table there.

I am going to go to Lowes tonight to find some cool knobs and maybe some gel-stain to age it a bit.

I love having STUFF in the house. The hallway doesn't seem so empty now.

I had this plant there originally... but moved it to under the utensils.

Everything seems so small in the pictures...

I promise it looks normal size IRL.

Marcos hung up my framed art.

Not MINE. But you know what I mean.

Ross - $16 each.

Sorry for the Orange Crush photo - but this is what the hallway looks like now, when you walk in. There is still a lot of hallway behind me, that you can see in this photo.

And the girl. To the left.

That's Amber. My niece.

And finally... I found these oil-rubbed bronze tin/metal/stuff things... [see #2 on this post]

And fell in love with them.

Today - I need to get another house plant (hooked on house plants!), we are going to get some blinds for the kids' rooms (finally), and some screws and anchors so I hang up my new stuff in the pantry hall.

I took down all of that colorful plastic stuff (not sure I ever shared a pic)... and am replacing it with classic stuff. I even changed up the clock.

I decided to keep the stripes... but just go for a more traditional look.

Lots to do... but first, I need to drag those kids outta the pool and get them on their way! Marcos is taking Alex to the movies. Isa and I and Nic are hanging out here - getting stuff done. I am trying to design the backyard because the Lemon and Lime trees MUST go IN this week. Now that the dog run is up, no more excuses!!

Hope you are having a WONDERFUL Sunday! It's the start of Spring Break for the kids and VACATION for Marcos and I.

P.S. Sorry for the quality of some of the pics. I am taking my camera back to Best Buy this week to try and see if I can get it replaced (there is a scratch on the lens - makes little ghosts, energies, or just dust particles - which then makes me have to change things to B&W and Sepia).  I vote for a bigger and better camera. Maybe if I get the job just posted for. Maybe.

Can't seem to make up my mind.

Remember this post?

I think I am over them.
That was quick, huh?

I think the new look of the nook is going to involve a bit of the following:

(via)

That'll do - just enough to tide you over.

I decided what I had up just didn't match the rest of the downstairs of the house. If I am going to get cute and playful - it might as well be upstairs in the loft and in the kids' rooms.

So, as soon as I feel 100% again, I will get to work on the nook re-do.

I was able to get out and about this afternoon (it's hurts more to sit, then to walk around) - and wouldn't you know, the first place I hit was the Hobster.
And then Ross.

Look at what I scored:

#1 - Ross - Shelf - $9.99 - Not sure what I am going to do with it yet.

#2 - Hobby Lobby - $7.99 (was 50% off) - Got two of them (slightly different style). Not sure where they are going yet.

#3 and #4 - Ross - $5.99 (bought 4 total, two of each design). They are GOLD and kinda ugly. But I bought some oiled rubbed bronze spray paint at Home Depot - so I have plans! - They are going in my downstairs guest bath.

#5 - Hobby Lobby - $12.99 (was $24.99 - got it for 50% off). It's going above my window treatments on my slider. You will be able to see it when you walk into the house.

#6 - Ross - $16.99 - Going in the downstairs guest bath. Love it.

And below, I got two of them, slightly different - but they are going in my living room. Both $16.99 at Ross.

/sigh. I live retail therapy. I love places like Ross and Hobby Lobby that totally leave some extra cash in my pocket. One of the items I scored had a few issues with it, and I asked the HL manager to mark it down another 10%, so I got it for 60% off. I love it when that happens.

Can't wait to take some after pictures... Just as soon as my numero uno stud muffin gets around to hanging stuff for me.

I wouldn't want to over-do it, would I? =)

Drapes Update

My formal dining room has a table and chairs in it.
And now some drapes.

My formal living room has a sofa sleeper [in a lovely southwestern motif that I cannot wait to slipcover] and a dog crate.
And now some drapes.

And that's about it.

Oh how I love these drapes. You may remember that they started out as clearanced tablecloths from Target.  Now they have a home on my windows, not on my table.

Before I start posting pictures, PLEASE remember that I am a LONG WAY from done. But I wanted to get them up so that I will be motivated to keep working on the space.

Front living room window.

Dining Room

I cannot decide if I am going to add a trim piece to the top or the bottom of the drapes, or if I am going to just lower the rod. We plan on putting in crown molding and definitely some built in book cases [on the living room side of the room].  Heck, we have a whole lotta plans for the space..



Maybe by the time the room is finished, I will have learned to take better in-door pictures.

Let us hope.