A Grand Enterance {Err, Exit?}

A quick post to show you how $19 curtains from IKEA can make a huge difference.

Here are some before pictures of my front door...

Last year:

A few months ago:

I really wanted to add trim - but that isn't going to happen at this point. So I did the next best thing... curtains.

Sorry about the clarity - I had to use my cell... Can't find my camera charger. Just in time for vacation... great.

Liquidation Chairs [and new fabric for our tooshies]

I mentioned in yesterday's post that we did not leave Desert Liquidators sans goodies. We actually found EIGHT goodies. All after I was upset about Lowes not having those Parsons chairs, I found cooler looking chairs that need a good cleaning and make-over.

Yes, they aren't fresh and new. But they have CHARACTER. Maybe they are not as tall as the current chairs, but who cares? They are rough and tough and will get us through the next several years with the kiddos.

My current chairs?! Less than 2 years old from Mor? Already broken.

The metal is a cobalt blue. Cool, but not what I was looking for. So they are going to be spray painted (by the patient husband) oil-rubbed bronze (to match the extras in our house/kitchen, including our new pendant lamp above the sink).  And then we are going to cover the wood with foam and fabric.

What kind of fabric you ask?!

Well, as I mentioned yesterday, we went to a fabric store in Tempe and looked through their yards and yards of stuff. Most of it was pretty old (as in fashioned). And not pretty. However, in the $5/yard bin I found 2.75 yards (crossing my fingers it's enough) of a cool fabric. Not too modern or too bold. But not boring and brown. I think it's going to look loverly in the space.

There are so many colors - and I can go so many ways. Cool green, calm blues, sweet burnt orange or butter yellow. I can't wait to try my hand at covering up the seats of these chairs.

But first things first... I must clean (SCOUR) them. I see myself knee deep in rubber gloves and suds this week!

We Ran Away, Shopped 'til we Dropped & Guest Bath Update

I don't even know where to begin. I was too tired to post this last night. Lots of pictures and updates below. This is your warning! =)

First of all, I think it's important to let you know where we stand in the guest bath makeover.

Reality is - we haven't done anything since our last post. I've been sick - with SOMETHING. All I know is that the very strong antibiotics and steroids have not worked, and it looks like I will be going in for follow-up care. Regardless, I knew we needed to get SOMETHING done yesterday. So we went with the lesser of two evils and went out and shopped.

I got up, showered, did the whole make-up thing (my make-up drawer was missing me, I think) and took a shot in my makeshift mirror (this is NOT the final mirror, but I needed something in there since we were so mirror-removal-happy).

I was ready to go. Of course, by go, I mean travel the 50 miles to Desert Industrial Business Asset Liquidation company we found online. (say that 20 times fast)

We are looking for a new sink. A Vessel one to be exact. But before we got even 20 miles, I stopped (and instragramed this photo)

A lovely, warm and delish bagel from Einstein Bros. bagels in Tempe. We don't have any out in Queen Creek, so anytime I venture into town, I have to stop. Mmmm.

Anyway, we continue into Phoenix, looking for our destination.  I had no idea what to expect. I think I don't get out enough. This place was COOL.  But smelled not so good. They literally buy all the stuff from stores, restaurants, etc, if they go out of business. I mean even the salt shakers had salt still in them. (Do I hear Buy 1 Get 1?!)

They had chairs, benches, sinks, utensils, tables, fridges, tile, cabinets, etc. etc. etc.

Marcos and I have a fun time peeking into every corner of this place. The prices were reasonable, and they were willing to make deals. Want to know how I know?! Because I walked away with 8 of something. Too much to add to this post today. but I will whip up a post about these 8 lovies tomorrow.

After we loaded up the van, we decided to hit a few more places. Hey, we were sans kids. It was like a date.  We went back into Tempe and hit up our favorite fabric store (which also smelled. pee-youuu) and grabbed a few things. And then decided to get some lunch near ASU. We had a front row seat to a busy street near the campus and we just gawked. Oh to be young again.

Lunch was fab. As always. Even got some free bumper stickers.

Have you ever had Jimmy John's? Sooo good. I just get the #1 Pepe.

After lunch, we headed out to the Home Depot. Again. BUT! We were able to get some stuff we needed. Like light bulbs. We really needed those.

We also purchased all the stuff for tiling job we hope to accomplish this year, in the guest bath. Since we are changing out the sink and adding shelves above the toilet, we only needed about 3 feet of tile.

I always had the Subway tile in my mind and I love the glass tile as an accent. We will not be creating the traditional Subway pattern here, though, folks. Crazy, huh?! Instead, we will lay the tiles side by side (see pic below). The tile will mimic the paneling we put in on the other wall.

For $25, we got all of the tile we needed for this small job. I think it's a great learning opportunity for us. Eventually we want to add tile to the kitchen back splash.

From start to finish, Marcos and I ran away for 7 hours. We ended the afternoon at the grocery store, grabbing what we needed for dinner (Taco Night, a day late) and went home and cooked, ate, and then fell into our bed. It was exhausting.

I'd like to thank Alex and Isa for holding down the fort and for not allowing anything to happen to/with/for/at Nic so that emergency peeps did not have to make a visit to the house while the ball to my chain and I were knee deep in sour smelling goodies. Love those kids.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see what I scored at Desert Liquidators.

A Let Down & an Up Date

I saw one of my favorite bloggers (5 Days Five Ways) post to Facebook last night that she scooped up some cool Parson chairs from Lowes for $49. They are indoor/outdoor. They were TWO TO A BOX, people. I was going to use them for my kitchen table. But they were out. Thus the let down part of this post.

But, they did have some other nice things on clearance.

Here is a picture I have of the front porch as it were 15 minutes ago:

I thought the little chairs were so plain and... little. I want my Adirondack chairs back, but unless I buy wood ones, that's not going to happen. So I met in the middle. A little. 

I love the high back and the way it tilts just a little. Very comfortable to sit in! And I love the detail!

Granted the color/pattern might sting a little come spring, but I will have to find a way to make it work. The chairs were originally $198 for two, but they are on clearance at Lowes for $49. A ton of their outdoor stuff is on sale.

Here's the box in case you want to check them out yourself. =) In the meantime, I am going to go sit on my porch and enjoy a late summer sprinkle. It's pretty outside. If you don't count the humidity.

Happy Friday, peeps!

A Little Shopping Spree for Me

I couldn't help myself. It had been so long since I've stepped into a Ross, Goodwill or Hobby Lobby [especially the latter]. But I am proud to say that I did limit myself to the extreme sale items.

Look at these "weights" I picked up. Added them to my kitchen, to go along with the numbers theme.

Found these cute things at Ross.

More Hobby Lobby...
And at these prices, I figured I could use the vase and the platter thingies for Halloween decorations. I even picked up two more smaller vases, all black, for $0.80 each. You can't buy real Halloween decorations for that cheap!

Swoon... Maybe I was a squirrel in a previous life?!

And look at these lovely "parchment" scrolls. I have some great ideas for these. They are the Gettysburg Address, the Constitution and the Presidents. Excited about this project, for sure.

I have a few more home accent items not shown, that I picked up for cheaply cheap. I love when I am able to do that.

However, I will admit that when I stepped into Hobby Lobby yesterday, what greeted me was a shock to my system. Fall AND Christmas. Full blown. In July. 

I don't remember Christmas being put out this early. Of course.. I stayed clear of all of that... none of it was on sale; I refuse to do that to my pocketbook!

I FOUND IT: The Kitchen of my Dreams.

via

I found this kitchen late last night. Just by Googling walnut cabinets. It seems everyone has white cabinets these days... I needed some inspiration since I will not be painting my cabinets white. Too.Much.Work.

This is the inspiration picture I have been waiting for. The "AH-HAAA!!" moment I needed. Slowly, I will start working on getting my kitchen to resemble this picture. I say resemble because I want it to have some of my own ideas/pieces of me in there. I am halfway there with the cabinets, the side-board I redid and my dark kitchen table.  So really... it's the little pieces of charm I need to start working on.

Is it possible to be in love with a kitchen, let alone a PICTURE of a kitchen?!
Swoon.

Project: Complete the Incomplete

Oh lordy, do I have a list a mile long of things I need to finish around here. And I also have a list of things five miles long that are eating up our paychecks.

The proverbial purse strings are being tightened, my friends. No more spending willy nilly, just because. At least for the next 90 days. Or so. At least.

And that's okay. Because I have a ton of unfinished projects, that have plenty of supplies attached to them.
Bottom line, I need to finish what I started. And in some areas, starting was just the point where I pulled out my debit card and said "Yes, please!"

These are my to-do items for June. I am sure I will have more items for July, but if I can just get through the list below, I will feel better.

Some of these items (like #10) have been unfinished for months (as in almost 20!!). Man, I am such a procrastinator.

Simple Alcove Design - Like, Really Simple

I am a simple gal. By that, I mean I always try to find the simplest way to do things.

I am DYING for Marcos and I to begin work on our family room. I can only change out the pillows so many times, you know.

Here's a look at how it pretty much looks today:

Pretty much.
I did mention a few days back that that I moved bookcases into the TV alcove.

It is not the end all solution, but hopefully it will get our butts in gear to get some real work done.
Since I am simple and all, I decided to revert back to my old friend POWER POINT.
Have you met him?!
Nice dude.

Anyway, I spent a few minutes last night searching Pinterest for EXACTLY what I wanted.
Lo and behold exactly what I wanted wasn't there. <<GASP!!>>

This was the closest I could find:

Minus the fireplace, of course.

So, I set out to use PPT (that's how close we are) to create a picture of what I was hoping to sell to the husband.

Some of you out there might be laughing at my lack of professional tools. But, hey, I am not a professional. And I have mad, mad, power point skills. Really. Truly.

The built-ins are going to be over 4 feet tall. I hope. I want a mantel, so that's the basis for this plan.
Don't you love my TV? And Cupcake Wars? (photo via). Love that show. What's better than built ins and banana cupcakes?! Really?

So, that's the plan. Now I need to start purchasing the supplies and creating a REAL plan with the husband to work with.

Likey?!

The Makeover of ALL Makeovers

Are you sitting down?!
I hope so! Because, have I got the makeover for YOU!

Let me step back a bit. I am getting a little TOO excited.

I was the kid... back in the day... that rearranged her room at least once a week.
I am the adult...present day...who has broken that cycle. I swear, I only move things once a MONTH now.

I don't know why I do it - I just do.

Bottom line is, I moved things around in the formal living and dining rooms again, and had to make room for my newly displaced books. Seeing as I moved the newly built bookcases into the family room.  Eventually, we will be building built-ins there and raising the TV, but for now, it is what it is.

And what it is - is something that needs more baskets. Working on that. Working on a lot of things, I guess you could say.

Anyway... we went to IKEA last weekend to pick up a new coffee table for the loft. And while I was there, I grabbed some more plant holder-thingies. I have a few lying around the house, doing what they do best. [holding plants?!] - and then I've used them for other things, at parties, etc. as holders.

I had a new space to fill, because I moved some magazines and books around... and the pots were the perfect size. So I set out to work. This was a CRAZY makeover, people.

Seriously... I spent a dollar on 2. And really, I had two laying around, so I didn't need to buy any, but I did. You can't leave IKEA with just one thing, can you?! No, I think not.

Are you blown away?!
Wait there's more!!

Don't they fit PERFECTLY there? The stuff on the top of the table? Eh, may not be there next time, but I do like the pop of green in the pots!

Speaking of pop of green. Do you remember THIS post?
Here's a hint:

I was in Ross the other day, and I found a beautiful painting... and I thought it would go nicely with the green lamps. So I bought it. I took down the bright floral prints, which I still LOVE, btw. I am not sure where I am going to put them next, but they are staying in this house - I know that for sure.

Anyway, here's what going on in that area now... and a tiny peak at some other work being done.

Are you exhausted yet?! I think I am. But that's all I have to share for today. =)

A Pair of Chairs [Another Goodwill Find]

It's been a while...for Goodwill and I. Me?
But, I had a few hours to kill last Sunday so I decided to check out my local Goodwill to see what was a happening. It was late afternoon, so I didn't expect much. I am not trying to find anything big, or small... maybe some fabrics that I can play with. But, I still always venture to the furniture section. Just in case.

Of course, I found these two chairs with BEAUTIFUL lines. But they had sold notices on them.

Boo hoo.

Wandering down aisle after aisle, feeling a bit defeated, I look up (WAY UP)... and I find TWO chairs. Now, they do not have the vintage feel nor the beautiful lines that the sold chairs had, but they were MATCHING. And sturdy. With a little TLC, I could make them functional in my house.

Just an FYI - they aren't stuck together, I just have them posed that way. ;)

I went to the brand new JoAnn's that was built down the way from us a few days ago to scope out some fabric. I was not impressed. The store, even having just opened, was a mess. It was SMALL. And it wasn't my cup of tea. I prefer the tastes of Hobby Lobby (even if it's 12 miles down the road).

I decided to browse some prints online... I really want some bold fabric for the chairs to replace the boring brown that they currently wear. They won't be a main source of seating, but would be great to have during family gatherings. So now I need to pick the RIGHT fabric and figure out how to remove the old.

I've been adding a little more yellow into my life. Alex actually took my living room lamp and spray painted it for me this past Sunday.

Since our walls are a dark beige and our sectional is brown leather, I have to lighten things up a little. And really, is there a better color than yellow? I think not.

Fab Five Pins of the Week [Dozens of Dinos]

As I've mentioned, my niece is moving back in with her dad and this means that Nico is getting his room back. He loved having Abby around, and I know he'd rather have Abby than his room. But, since it's vacant, we decided we better do something with it.

To be honest, Nico is BEGGING for a Bowser room. You know who I am talking about, right? From Super Mario Bros.?

He is enthralled with him. Tries to dress up as him. Shoots "fire" whenever he can (which really, he can't).
I am just not into him so much.  So we are going with Nic's second choice: Dinosaurs.

I spent some time on Pinterest last week, looking for anything dino-related and here's what I found:

1) We are SO putting this on his wall, in a frame, or something. We will change the font and colors to match the theme, of course -

2) Another CUTE sign... and possibly a new bedtime routine. =)

3) Who doesn't love garland?!?! Look at this fantastic element:

4) Another adorable sign... Couldn't pass this one up and it comes in quite a few colors on Prints So Charming's ETSY shop:

5) And finally, to really help shape the room, I found this:

This picture from baby&child Restoration Hardware is what really sold me.  Now, I know all of the prints above don't really go with this last picture, but that's where I will change up colors, fonts etc. I love the pre-historic look; brown, gray, and beige. Right now, the room is PURPLE - so, the kids and I will be working on spackling, painting and getting the room ready to dress. We cannot wait for Nic to have his own room, a place for him to keep his mess locked up in his closet. I think he will love having his own space.

To see the other things (including some bed options), check out my Pinterest Board made just for Nico.

If you have any ideas, or other links/pictures you've come across and want to share - or if you have done a dinosaur room yourself - leave me a link in the comments!! I've love some more inspiration!

P.S. If you click on any of the pictures above, you will be taken directly to the owner's site or to the Pinterest board they were found on. I take no credit for their awesomeness. =)