mini transformation

Ahhh, looks better doesn't it.  I think some of you saw my previous post and thought I painted this little sucker green and liked it(reading the text of a blog is important, although I know looking at the pictures is more fun...mom) I'll tell you what, if I was deserted on a dessert island to decorate  and could only take on thing with me, it would definitely be white paint.  Just saying.

 

Once I get to the guest room to paint the walls, I do believe this dresser will look adorable.

Enjoy your day!

Don't tell my husband I'm in love with Brandon

{Pottery Barn}

We are in desperate need of a family room rug.  I must admit that I am just not that into wood floors right now.  I'm not crazy for carpet, but wood is being high maintenance.  The room needs some coziness and I need a dirt and dog hair catcher.  These samples are from Pottery Barn.  You can "check out" samples for 30 days, for 25$ each, refundable upon return.  I really appreciate the option because rugs are hard! Like super hard, and super expensive(although I think PB has some really reasonable prices), and who wants to cart a 9x12 rug home only to hate and cart it back to the store. 

So, I'm in love with the "Brandon" rug(the dark brown on the left).  Todd has the hots for "Hayden"(to the right), I think he's just being safe.  Brandon has more color, but seems more neutral to me at the same time.  I think it will ground the living area and cover up all the spills, barf and pee stains-there I said it and you KNOW it will happen.  Yuck-a-doodlebug, but it's the truth.

funny side note.  I was in love with a Brandon once a million years ago(or 12).  He was my room mate in Seattle-I know kind of a  predicament-I love drama!  He was a lawyer and just not that into me, I don't think I had the brain power to impress him.  Not sure what that says about Todd ;) Love you Toddy.  Brandon was like more boring than that rug- I promise.

distracted, busy, just plain crazy...

Excuse me while I blog and watch Dancing With The Stars.  Forgive me for not being around last week. 

Check out what I've finished. 

The basement is coming together.  Laundry is a bit more fun behind my pretty drapes. I'll give a playroom grand tour next week. *note* this hem is driving my mom crazy-she's fixing it when she comes

a great product

The hem. Not too shabby for "no sew".  Let me just say how much I admire you if you have a sewing machine and use it.

Tonight while watching "Dancing" I'm working on this little nugget.  A chest of drawers I snagged out of my in-law's basement.  I'm painting it white, maybe a little antique-ing, no doubt no matter what I do it will look better when I'm done. Love you people!  I promise to be back blogging more than last week.

(mis)treatments

We had recessed lighting put in the basement(we are totally on a kick) and now I have painted the walls.  If you ever saw our house in Johnston you will recognize the color scheme.  the boys bedroom was green and blue.  We had purchased a blue couch while in that house to match.  When you buy a blue couch you commit, like there is no turning back, so now the basement is reminding use of our old house. 

My laundry hole, I mean, room is down there and I want it pretty.  the actual space isn't on our list to update anytime soon, but I found fabric to cover the doorway.The problem is I don't sew.

Enter  The Nester.  She has been made famous in blog land for her no sew window treatments.  If she can do it, I can do it. So, with my mother's over the phone instructions I am determined to get two panels made. 

No need to make a pocket for a rod, I'm using clips.  Iron on stitch witchery and I think I'm good to go.  I'll post pictures later this week.  I feel like I'm going on a major adventure.  Hopefully one that didn't just cost me 80$ for nothing. 

 before...

If you like needed a reason or something...

How much do you love TJ Maxx?  I know, me too! Head on over there to round out(or if your me, re-invent) your fall wardrobe.  Happy hunting!

My most recent TJs purchase, since I don't have to buy snow boots this year :)

Etsy love

I'm not sure which one I love more, Etsy or Craig's List.  While they are very different shopping, both give me joy beyond the mall ever could.  I have been stalking these pillow covers for a while, I have a mild obsession with pillows for sure. I usually find fabric and have my mom's "pillow lady" make covers, but I don't have access to these lovely prints.

Better than Pottery Barn any day. Visit Elegantouch on Etsy. 

This is my brain on clutter

My friend and fellow blogger Jenny had a post last week about her messy desk and trying to organize the ridiculous amount of papers kids bring home from school.  I decided to take the challenge and photograph my space from table level to see what the madness really looks like too.  Yep, pretty bad. 

Papers sometimes don't bother me although if I don't keep sifting through them all week it can get insane by Friday.  What drives me really wacky is the hodge podge of toys, broken parts and trinkets that end up here and homeless.

I have used these to organize myself for a couple of years.  Just 2 inch binders. One for the kids stuff and one for bills.  I actually have several more for decorating ideas, insurance papers, financial reports and recipes.

I love these pocket binder thingys.  In the kids binder every child has their own pocket folder for important school reminders and announcements.  I also have pockets for copies if their health forms, craft ideas, community and sports events and classes...

In my bills binder I keep important contact info.  I have pockets for stamps and return address labels, bills, receipts and passwords...This is how I try to stay sane, I would love to see the method to your sanity.

One pretty little organizer I saw in BH&G and then in real life at Target was this. You know pretty just makes organizing that much better. I'm not a big fan of spending money to stash things away in a drawer, but these were really lovely and there was a butterfly print that I think I might have to as well. Just a thought :)

I'm leaving you with pictures from our trip to the zoo.  We go to the zoo often, but this time Todd was with us(as he usually lucks out by being at work), so it was special.   The boys had a great time showing him all their favorite animals, and we saw some new things too. Happy Monday!