Our Life Lately

I feel like I have been seriously slacking when it comes to blogging. Actually, I feel like I've been slacking in most things in my life. I'm still on the long road to recovery, one that has more ups and downs than I would have ever imagined. It feels like it was just Christmas, and now Easter is in two days. I'm not gonna lie, I still have a box of Christmas stuff out and not a single thing purchased for Easter (good thing Jordan works at Target) There are a few things going on, house wise. I just can't seem to clean up, and keep it up, long enough to snap some pictures. Instagram is going to have to cover it.

We've had a new dining room table, since the end of January. It was in pristine condition until the stupid cat knocked over 3 vases filled with flowers from Valentine's day. 

 

We painted a wall in the master bedroom. This was just the first coat. It actually looks amazing. I can't wait to work on the headboard.

Story got her ears pierced. She cried. When the lady handed her a mirror and asked her if she liked them, Story replied, "It hurts really bad, but they look beautiful."

A bit of nightstand styling. 

 

And the latest half way finished project. It will spell out "hello".

Navy Nightstand

This was an unexpected project. I had on my list of things for the library nook, a new end table. I've been looking around for a while but was having no luck. While I was moving things around in the master bedroom I remembered that I had an old night stand, kind of in the way now, that I wasn't using since we had replaced them with the Rast dressers. It looked like it could be the perfect size, and I didn't really want to get rid of it.

This is the best before picture I have. I really need to get in the habit of taking before pictures. Like I said this was a nightstand that I've had fore years. It's been painted about 5 different times now.

 

baby Story in 2009 :)

Anyway, I decided to put it in the library nook. I painted it the same color as the accent wall in the master bedroom. It helped pull in the navy. 

The color is Brigade and I got it at Lowes. The coverage was pretty nice. Only took two coats. I didn't bother with priming. I also switched out the knobs. They are the same ones that are on the dresser next to the top picture.

I also wanted to incorporate more gold in to the space. Right now it's feeling a little bit too beige for my taste. The carpet, chair, and curtains are a bit much for me right now. I have a feeling it will all come together when I find the curtains for the window.

So I decided to paint the insides of the drawers gold. I used Valspar Metallic. The color isn't that vibrant, and kind of just looks like honey colored wood. (I know it's not, so I guess that's all that matters)

There is nothing in the drawers right now. Not sure what I'm going to fill it with, but it's nice to have the extra storage. It's a step in the right direction to finishing this space. Now I need to find those curtains! Any suggestions on where to find affordable curtains? So far I've only really looked at Target, haha.

Build last bookcase

Hang small curtain rod for window

Pick out panel for window (possibly Navy/Gold)

Hang DIY painting (more on that later)

Add shelves (not using)

Find books to fill bookcases - A LOT-

Rug for space
new end table
art for above cases
new lamp

Linked ::

Home Coming
Thrifty Decor Chick
Suburbs Mama

View Along The Way

If I Ever Won The Lottery...

... or came into a huge sum of money.

I was thinking about this today as I was cleaning out a paint tray. I'm not sure what caused the memory but I was thinking about when Story was little and we went to Sears to get her three month portraits taken (super classy I know. but they would send me coupons. I was broke) My good friend Emily worked there. I then got to thinking about hopes and dreams. How much we have all grown up, and given up for our children. Emily wanted to a a photographer. For as long as I can remember, that's what she wanted to do (I think she also wanted to join the military at some point too) But photography was something she was really passionate about. We're not as close as we have been so I don't know if this is completely accurate, but it seems like she's gotten away from her passion. You know how it is. Throw in a few kids, husband, house, and school. There's no time for anything else. While thinking all of this I had the huge desire to buy Emily a really nice, professional camera. I wanted her to be able to capture all of the great moments in her life. I then quickly came back to earth and remembered : We are broke. :) It did get me to thinking more about what I would do if we had money. I mean, like winning a huge lottery (after taxes) money. 

The in-laws would get a Mini Countryman 

 

 Dad would get a Motorcycle

Diana would get an art studio

 via 

Emily would get that camera :)

 

via  I don't know much about cameras so I just picked one that looked cool. Don't judge.

Jordan will become a Rock Star

Story will have a full ride to college

Our debt will be paid off

I will get a house

 

Wow, it was a lot of fun putting together this list :) Maybe one day we can make a few of these things a reality. Hopefully without winning the lottery. Cause all of this hard work and sacrifice is bound to pay off, eventually. 

What would you do if you won the lottery? Would you apply it to better things? 

Let me know in the comments! :)

That One Week I Wore The Same Outfit Everyday

Actually, it's more like "That Ten Day Stretch Where I Wore The Same Outfit". But who's counting.... Oh "And Got A Haircut". This is real life. A least it's a decent looking outfit.

What started the whole thing was an outfit I wore several days ago now,

WIW

I loved the simplicity of it, the ease at which all the pieces came together. All but that hair, I needed a new cut. 

A few days after this photo I went to my local Plato's Closet to sell a tub full of wonderful clothes. (have you ever sold there? Did they take more than 5 items? I swear everytime I go they never take much.) Though I didn't sell a whole lot I did walk away with a fur lined vest from The Gap. Though mine is not as wonderful, or perfectly fitted as Sydney's, I'm still really happy I found it.

Like I said, I finally got a haircut.

I love it. It's wonderful and amazing. You can't tell very well from this photo, or any of the other ones actually, but it's layered. And obviously, bangs. This was such a busy day, I didn't get an outfit post. But I have on the same sweater and jacket, I just added the vest. The combo changed my life.

gifted hat. Meijer cardi. thrifted maxi, jacket, vest.

Target boots.

I liked how it was looking. But then there was an unfortunate applesauce incident that put the skirt in the dirty clothes hamper. I also got tired of the hat. And then it snowed.

H&M pants. f21 polka dot tee. Target striped tank.

Target infinity scarf. Husband tee

 

And like a typical Indiana winter. The snow instantly melted and the sun came out.

Then it got warm enough to ditch the jacket and boots completely.

gifted tee. Old Navy jeans. Target leopard flats.

So that's my long week of wearing the same thing every day. I have since retired almost all of the pieces. Mostly because it's just too warm :) Indiana weather is the weirdest thing ever.

Linked ::

My Greatest Hits
Rae Gun Ramblings
My Girlish Whims

Project Nook {Part 2}

This post is a long time coming. I've actually had the room (in this finished state) for about two weeks now. Of course by now it's covered in cat hair and I'm kicking the cat out every five minutes or so.

The nook is not finished, but all of the big pieces are in place. There are a handful of other small projects I need to complete. I'll have a full to-do list at the end of the post. So, without further adieu, here is the Library Nook in the Master Bedroom.

The bookcases line the only long wall. They are from Target. I originally bought two because I was unsure how it would look. Those two happened to be on sale for $25. When I went back for the third I had to pay full price at $32. I'm glad I waited because they are bigger that I thought. I don't know why but I assumed they would be the same size as the bookcases we have in the living room. I know they are practically empty right now. I'm working on it! I don't just want to fill it with filler books. I'm buying ones that I actually want to read or display.

 

The curtains are from Ikea and are Vivan in beige.  I wanted something simple that would look good from both sides of the room. The master bedroom part is colored slightly different. So for they are working out perfectly.

I parted the curtains from the master bedroom side here. The nook is about 4x6. I had an extremely hard time with the angles. 

The print is a new Goodwill find. Pretty sure it was $4.99. If you look carefully you can see the curve and shade of our Regolit floor lamp. I had originally wanted this lamp the first time we went to Ikea with my Mother in Law. I didn't get it then because I didn't know where I would put it. When we went back the second time I had a plan. Of course that plan went away. I'm glad the lamp worked out either way.

There is one actual opening. Right now the curtains are just pulled apart. As you can tell it's between the door to the hall and the half bath.

 

If you look closely towards the left you can make out the closet doors and the dresser in the master bedroom. I like that the curtains are light enough you can see through without being sheer.

This nook also has my second attempt at an abstract painting.

Like I mentioned earlier, all of the big pieces are in place. I just need to do the pretty, filler stuff.

Build last bookcase

Hang small curtain rod for window

Pick out panel for window (possibly Navy/Gold)

Hang DIY painting (more on that later)

Add shelves (not using)

Find books to fill bookcases - A LOT-

Rug for space
new end table
art for above cases
new lamp

So, really not a whole lot more over here. I need to bring in more navy, but I think the curtains will help a lot with that. I had a set in mind that I thought I had seen at Target. When I went back to get them they weren't there. Not that they were on sale and gone, or that they were just sold out. I mean, there wasn't even a spot for them. Maybe I dreamt them or something. But I have a curtain in mind, if I can find it. Next up is hanging the curtain rod. Shouldn't be a big deal right? :)



Linked ::
Home Coming
Rae Gun Ramblings
Clean and Scentsible
My Girlish Whims
Sew Much Ado
The Trendy Treehouse
Ginger Snap Crafts
The Shady Porch
Elizabeth & Co.
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
A Bowl Full Of Lemons
Home Stories A to Z
Thrifty Decor Chick