This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Dining Room Decision...Help!

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Dining Room Decision...Help!

Happy Leap Day!! Isn't this just the coolest little extra day?  My favorite memory of Leap Day is from when I was little, too young to be in school.  Our next door neighbors were like our grandparents, and Mr. McClain took my sister and me in his old black pickup truck to McDonald's for $0.29 french fries that day.  Isn't it funny the things that stick in your mind? And, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my friend and college roomie Julie today!  She's 10!!! (really 40!!)  She's the only leap day baby I know, and we always got a kick  out of her birthday in school.  Happy Birthday Jules! I wanted to do a fun Leap Day design related post today, but came up with nothing.   So, I have a dilemma for you to weigh in on instead. My dining room re-do hangs in the back of my mind every day...it's slowly coming along.  I've been searching for a new china cabinet to go on the one wall in that room .  I love a classic style-to be painted most likely-to mix ...
Tuesday, February 28, 2012

How to Add a Little Bit of Cute to Your Kitchen

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

How to Add a Little Bit of Cute to Your Kitchen

Actually, this project is so simple it doesn't need a "how-to". But, here's what I did: 1.  Find some cute towels on clearance at Target. 2.  Add a monogram.  Find a friend with a fancy sewing machine  who will work for Sonic drinks. {Thanks Pam! :) } 3.  Add some ribbon and trim. 4.  Display in your kitchen!   I've never really kept towels hanging on the dishwasher and oven handles before, but since adding the stainless appliances I think it will be helpful in keeping those smudges at bay. An easy project if you have 10 minutes to spare-it may not have even taken that long! ...
Monday, February 27, 2012

My House Smells Really Good!

Monday, February 27, 2012

My House Smells Really Good!

Do you buy grocery store flowers? One of our local stores had a floral coupon I couldn't resist last week.  And, even though it took 3 different stores to find one with a decent fresh selection,  I came out with an armload.   Ray is even convinced that he knows just which grocery store has the best flowers and the best selection.  That's just fine with me...more bang for your buck and I'd rather stick them in a vase myself, anyway. I love stargazer lilies.  Just about the time one dies off, another is ready to burst open and show off it's brilliant colors.   I've enjoyed these as a reminder that Spring is just around the corner! P.S.-  I dropped my camera-on the brick kitchen floor!-right in the middle of taking these pics.  I didn't take my friend Sumer's advice to USE THE NECK STRAP every time you pick up your camera!  As far as I can tell we just lost the LCD screen, which we have already replaced once before so it shou...
Friday, February 24, 2012

Our Kitchen {The Details}

Friday, February 24, 2012

Our Kitchen {The Details}

Let's start at the very beginning...a very good place to start... Photo via MLS listing About 2 months after moving in, I stripped all of the wallpaper.   (Tip-warm water in a spray bottle with a few drops of Dawn original dish soap is the best I've found to remove wallpaper.  Spray thoroughly, wait about 20 minutes, and start peeling.  If your paper doesn't come off easily or completely, respray and wait a little longer.  Usually if I had a problem I either didn't get it wet enough or didn't wait long enough.  Still, stripping wallpaper is the worst job ever! )  I textured and painted the walls.  We also changed out the sink faucet around that time and switched out hardware, but no other major changes until about 3 years later. Sometimes you just have to live in a space for a while and figure out what works and what doesn't.  I loved the island in the kitchen, and because of the layout, I did 95% of my work there.  On about 24"...
Thursday, February 23, 2012

Sidetracked

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Sidetracked

Hey!  I haven't finished the kitchen details post yet, it's going to be a long one but I'm still working on it.  I got distracted by my favorite sale of the year at Dillards- 75% off plus another 40% off! I was on the fence about these, but seriously?   I could not walk away and leave them there.   I'm going to need a pedicure. I think I can wear these with the cuff in or out: A little bling: And a new purse for spring: It looks red in the photo but is really a shrimpy-coral color.   This is one of my favorite moderately priced brands-Big Buddha. Back to work- I WILL show you the rest of the kitchen next!...
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Our Kitchen

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Our Kitchen

I'm working to add more to the "Our Home" tab on my home page, and today I wanted to share our kitchen with you.  I'm not going to say much, just show pictures.  In another post I'll tell you about the changes we made and give you all of the details.   Alright...get your scrolling finger ready...  And, here's a few before and afters taken from similar angles.  The before photos were from the MLS when the house was listed and show the previous owner's items. Ahhh, the power of paint (and granite, and new appliances ;-). Go here  to see the remodel pictures and read about the changes we made. Linking up with  Crafty Texas Girls, ...
Monday, February 20, 2012

Tag...I'm It!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Tag...I'm It!

OK, I was tagged by Lisa at Shine Your Light  in a little Q&A going around.  I've enjoyed reading this post on other's blogs and getting to know them a little better,  so I figured I'd join in the fun! 1.  What's your favorite place in the United States? My family has been visiting the mountains in New Mexico since I was 12 years old.   From the first sighting of a far off mountain peak, I know it is time to relax and enjoy God's beautiful creation. 2.  Where would you love to visit that you've never been before? So many places!  Canada, Hawaii, Europe, a tropical island...I'm not very well-traveled so there are a ton of options! 3.  Favorite song you're loving right now? "Everything" by Michael Buble, "Hold Me" by Jamie Grace & tobyMac, "Knee Deep" by Zac Brown Band, "Toothbrush" by Brad Paisley-love the lyrics. 4.  Good book recommendation? There are so many I love, but I&#...
Friday, February 17, 2012

Botanical Gallery Wall

Friday, February 17, 2012

Botanical Gallery Wall

Several of you guessed my latest project correctly!   I used my new botanical book   for a fabulous gallery wall in the kitchen.   The pages are just about 9x11" and sweet  Emily Clark  tipped me off to some great budget-friendly frames at Michael's.  They are 11x14" and come in a 2-pack for $7.99.  I used a coupon and ended up getting each frame for about $3. Even though they are plastic frames, I think they look relatively high end, and the backs were super quick and easy to remove and put back together. To remove the pages cleanly from the book, I used an X-Acto knife to cut the page while holding the spine open as far as possible.  Once the page was out I used my scrapbooking paper trimmer to clean up the cut edge a bit.   Before framing the prints I spread them all out on the floor and worked with them until I found an arrangement that I liked.  Then, I took pictures so I would remember the order to put them in when ready to hang them on...