house warming party!

I've decided that it's time to have a house warming party. I opted to invite co-workers to check out my new pad [after all, they've been there throughout the whole journey and the day in and day out stories...]. Stay tuned for photos!

what to do in prep

fix details on sofa that i've been putting off forever
paint garage slider white
paint porches black
groceries
fix the matte on the landing that warped in the heat
fix storm windows- caulk and repaint
paint side door to garage white
hang italy print on landing
put rolls of fabric in attic [for now]
bag yard waste
make at home windex - way cheaper!! http://fakeitfrugal.blogspot.com/2011/08/fake-windex.html
clean windows
make peanut butter chocolate fudge
make peanut butter balls
make cheesecake bites - i did, but it was by memory... i have to re-make
make cheesecake caramel dip for apples
tuna salad for red cabbage cups
bella bath
vacuum


 

kalamazoo nature center

It was the perfect fall weekend to be outside!

before + after

A few before and afters of some recent projects!!

wall mounted mailbox

front porch light fixture

off and on

dining light

 wainscoting in kitchen - windows have yet to be opened, so therefore have yet to be painted 

and a simple little side project - $2 garage sale plant stand and $6 can of black spray paint

xoxo

a

house painting!

As you've probably noticed, I've been at a bit of a stand still with the blog updates... With the nice weather, plenty of projects, and summer activities, blogging has been put on the back burner. I thought I would update you on the latest and then fill you in on what I've been working on here and there as time allows [sadly, the days are getting shorter and colder- I'm not ready for winter].

I decided before I even closed on my new [old] home that I wanted to paint it grey. Here's an image that I photoshopped of a vision I had at the time. 

 

After picking up endless swatches of grey samples from the store and purchasing seven different ones to actually paint on the house to get a better idea of what it might look like on a larger scale, I finally made up my mind [with a few opinions of friends]. I splurged and got the best of the best paint- no regrets there! I ended up with a cooler grey and slightly lighter than what I had photoshopped, as I wanted to keep in mind future buyers [the intention is to eventually sell this home and I don't really want to repaint...].

i'm waiting on a lift... really tall ladders are scary

 

 I still have some work to do, but she's getting there! 

xoxo

a

crittergram

Lately, I'm obsessed with Instagram- an awesome app for the iPhone that gives new life to images. It's quite simple- take a photo with your phone or save a photo from an e-mail or text, open the app, load the image, apply a predetermined filter and voila!

Here are some images of some very cute and furry friends that help make this world a happier place!

one of my favorite things

I know this video has been out for some time now, but for me, it will never get old. I love and adore the way it makes me feel like a little kid. Enjoy :)

http://youtu.be/O8ROuv3SOnU

bathroom makeover!

I think it's about time I update you all on a little project I've been working on!! Do you remember those little glimpses of my teal bathroom you've seen in shots of my kitchen projects? Well, I thought that would be a pretty simple, inexpensive project to tackle, so I did!! 

If you don't remember, here's a little reminder... This is an image from before I gained possession of the home.

And here are some pictures before I got busy with a paint brush...

bad "frosted glass" job that i did awhile back... i removed it with a razor blade and you will see in a later image that i replaced it with an adhesive textile- a nice way to provide privacy

no toilet paper holder

I started with painting the trim white- same as the kitchen

i even had a friend to help me! thanks jenna!!!!

granted the window isn't in, but hello neighbors!!

And then onto the color! I opted for Valspar's "Lyndhurst Timber." I think I prefer something consumable like

| java | mocha | hot chocolate | coffee |

So... my camera did a lousy job with capturing the true color, but you get the idea.

bella likes it! i already had the bath mat - $15 from tj maxx. towel hook- $10 from lowes. black table- $2 from a garage sale that i spray painted black. wire basket that i've had forever- i'm considering that free. toilet paper- functional accessory... i obviously paid for that, but lets call that free too :). bella- can't put a price on her.

ideally, i would like to find a feminine scalloped beveled mirror, but for now, i removed the frame that the previous owners had the mirror in so, mirror- free. window privacy- scrap material from work- free. shower curtain- already had- free.

i have a toilet paper holder!!!! so exciting!!!!! i am eventually (hopefully) going to cut new cabinet doors to coordinate with the doors that i will eventually put in the kitchen.

closeup!

And here's the Kohler sink and toilet I would ideally like to have in the space

All in all, this project cost me less than $100!! And such a transformation!

xoxo 

a

queen of half way

I'm quickly realizing the importance of completing a project before moving on to another [I'm never going to get anything done!]. Everything around the house has been at a bit of a standstill lately, but I hope to get back to work soon! I have plenty to finish before I move onto larger projects!

It all started when the left cabinet wouldn't latch correctly. I tried repositioning the hinges... When that didn't work, I took the latches off, sanded the layers of paint surrounding the latches, patched holes and then finally repositioned the latches. Another issue was that the bottom right side of the left door was catching on the metal edging. I ended up taking the edging off, thinking that I would prime the existing material and paint it. Well... that didn't happen... I figured I could make it look better than that- I just haven't figured out what to do with it yet. I'm open to suggestions!

before

current

I don't really have a good excuse for this one [the wainscoting] other than I don't have a vehicle to haul material and I haven't decided how I want to detail it. I've become more and more indecisive... I don't like doing things twice... I fear that I'll do it and not like it and not be completely satisfied until I redo it.

And while we're in the kitchen- I really don't like the green! I love green, don't get me wrong, but when I changed the light bulbs from incandescent to CFL's, the color completely changed. Thankfully it didn't take me long to do or much money. I'm thinking this will be a good rainy day/too hot to go outside project.

It's hard to tell in this image, but I think I'm going to go with the bottom shade of green- it's more earthy. I've had such a time with choosing paint color!! You would think that someone that works with color for a living would be better with this, but nope! Not me!!

The spare bedroom is getting there... I finally got the photo I took in Leadville, CO printed. It's actually a collaboration piece between my dad and me. I love it! It has the feel and tone of many of Andrew Wyeth's paintings, one of my dad's most admired artists and one that I enjoy as well. 

See the down comforter sitting on the bed? Well, I have been meaning to make a duvet cover for it for oh, probably a month or two now...

I even have it pinned together! It's just a matter of borrowing a friend's sewing machine and running a few straight lines!

I still need to finish painting the ceiling in the spare bedroom too. I don't like painting ceilings... but then again, I don't know who does. 

I've started exploring paint colors for the bathroom too! Originally, I wanted it to be all white- trim and everything, but now I think I want a little color it there.

I'm thinking more of a warm grey [I'm obsessed with everything grey] to pull out some of the lighter warm tones of the tile. Once again, the color isn't quite  accurate, but as of tonight, I'm going to go with the second one down with white trim. Typically, I would never paint wood, however, the bathroom was redone more recently and the wood doesn't match the original, so it's going white.

Moving outside! I want it all done at once! This bed is a work in progress consisting primarily of transplants.

The front bed is getting there [with a shaved Bella!]! Until you walk around the side of the house. I remedied it this evening though- edging, weeding,  and mulching! Next, I want to till up the south side of the house [which doesn't have any sort of landscaping/flowers right now] and transplant day lilies that are taking over the back yard.

I have several other projects on the list, but I'm thinking it would be good to finish what I've started!

xoxo

a

happy father's day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there, especially to my dad! Hope all of you have a wonderful day!

And, Dad, Happy Father's Day from your grandpups :)

xoxo

a