Thursday, June 30, 2011

[so cheap, so easy]: Monogrammed Message Board

This is a super easy project. It's a monogrammed dry-erase message board. (It takes longer to type the description than to make it!) I made this for my mom when I was in Utah. Since I've decorated about every room in her house, I decided to tackle her classroom! She had all of her students sign the message board...just one thing that makes her the coolest teacher WITH the coolest classroom!

All you need is a poster frame (this one was half off at Hobby Lobby), a thin, light weight letter (also from Hobby Lobby), scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, and tape or glue.
(Trace your paper using your monogram, then cut out and attach.)

First, Mod Podge your your monogram in paper or fabric. Take the back off of the poster frame, turn the display paper around so that just the white shows, tape or glue your monogram, and put your frame back together. Use dry-erase or overhead projector markers on the surface to write messages. Told ya. Easy peasy.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

[color kreyv]: Pink & Gray

You guessed it...another trip down memory lane. Sorry. I can't help it. Pink and gray reminds me of my sister's room growing up. At one point in time, she had pink carpet. It went really well with the Strawberry Shortcake comforter and theme. Her room was then remodeled. The pink carpet was replaced with gray. The walls were painted a pale pink, then accented with a wallpaper border around the center of the wall (wallpaper borders were so cool in the 80's). The very best part of her room was on the back of her door. You see, we weren't allowed to put thumbtacks in our walls, so posters could only go on our doors. Her poster of choice? Kirk Cameron. That's right, ladies--Mike Seaver himself. It's no wonder she liked to have her door shut. Can't say I could blame her.
image from Made by Girl

image from Luxury Furniture Design

image from Flickr.com

image from Decor Pad

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Count Your Many Blessings

I came across this post today on the eighteen25 blog. My heart is heavy with sadness for this family. I don't know them at all, but I do know that they desperately need our help. Unfortunately, because of the rarity of Rob's cancer, the family's insurance company considers the treatment experimental and will not cover the cost. I cannot imagine dealing with this disease as well as the enormous financial burden.

I believe it to be morally wrong that an insurance company deems cancer treatments (that board-certified physicians approve of) experimental when they continually pay for care of people who knowingly don't take care of their bodies. It doesn't seem fair. Right or wrong, it is what it is. I know that cancer treatment is extremely expensive. I was so fortunate to have my insurance company cover most of my treatments, but there are many who are not so fortunate and end up in financial devastation. If you are at all able, please donate to this family and spread the word about Rob's story.

Tonight, I will hug my family a little bit tighter, stay down on my knees in prayer a little longer, and thank my Heavenly Father for all He has and continues to bless me with.

The Settee. J'aime.

Do you know what a settee is? If you do, I'm going to tell you anyway! A settee is a small sofa that can accommodate two people, not to be confused with a love seat. Two totally different things. Don't you feel smart now--and kind of fancy? Me, too! In fact, I think I want a settee. I need somewhere to sit while I sip my Crystal Light and read my poetry. Check out these beauts.

And, speaking of love, I am extra loving my big sister, Brittni who is celebrating her birthday. Happy Birthday, Sis! Love you!
image from West Elm

image from Cozamia

image from Sarah Richardson

Monday, June 27, 2011

Bugaboo Prints Giveaway Winner

The Bugaboo Prints winner is number 19 (number generated from random.org). Jill, you're the winner of your very own Bugaboo Print!
Jill said...

I'm a follower!
jntarleton@hotmail.com

Thanks for all of your entries. Don't forget, Bugaboo Prints is offering all [kreyv] readers a 10% discount through the end of June (just enter the code KREYV when checking out).

Million Dollar Decorators


image via Bravo


So let's talk about Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators. Who's watching? I'm addicted. Darn you, Bravo, for making me add yet another program to my DVR! Although a lot of the designs are a little over the top for me, I still love seeing the way these designers work. And, I actually think they are all pretty funny. Here's my review:

Martyn Lawrence Bullard: When I saw him decorate Sharon Osbourne's home with a $30,000 rug, I thought he was way over the top. I mean, even if you could afford it...$30k for a rug? Come on! It really wasn't even that awesome. The next week, he met with a hypnotist about a chocolate addiction after he ate an entire box in one sitting. Now, I'm totally on board! I can relate to this guy!

Mary McDonald: I think she's beautiful, witty, and sassy. I like this girl! From what I've seen, I really like her design esthetic.

Kathryn Ireland: She seems like she's all over the place--a little quirky, but I like her. I'm not sure about her style, yet. I haven't seen enough.

Jeffrey Alan Marks: JAM and his partner Ross get the job done! Ross keeps JAM on task while they their two assistants (Dimetra 1 and Dimetra 2) work on different projects.

Nathan Turner: I haven't gotten a good sense of Nathan Turner, yet, but from what I've seen I'd say he'd make a great shopping partner! The dynamic between him and Mary McDonald crack me up. Kind of reminds me of Karen and Jack on Will and Grace. (The character Karen is supposedly loosely based on Mary McDonald.)

Who's your fave?

image from Mary McDonald via Bravo

image from Kathryn Ireland via Bravo

image from Jeffrey Allen Marks via Bravo

Thursday, June 23, 2011

[so cheap, so easy]: Activity Wall

We're loving this, right? I don't know about your kids, but Stella loves playing with magnets, and quite frankly, I would love to have them off of my fridge and dishwasher! (More accurately, I would love to have them out from under my fridge and dishwasher where she likes to hide them.)
image from Girl in Air

I looked into the price of this, and you can get an 8'x3' sheet for under $18 at any home improvement store. It is called galvanized steel ribbed roof panel and can just be screwed into drywall. I've also done similar projects with sheets of sheet metal. I love the cool, industrial look of this, not to mention the "cheap and easy" of it all!

If you haven't already, check out and enter the Bugaboo Prints Giveaway...only a few more days to enter!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Seeing Double

First things first, don't forget to check out AND enter the Bugaboo Prints Giveaway! Now, on with our regularly scheduled program...

These are three of my very favorite shared kids' rooms. I love the Elle Decor beds (and that adorable rocking sheep). I love the map wallpaper and crispness of the Pottery Barn room. And, I love the ridiculously adorable tufted headboards paired with the polka dots in the Amanda Nisbet picture. To. Die. For.

I love the look of two beds in one room. I'm pretty much convinced that at least one of my kids will have to have two beds in his/her bedroom, even if he/she doesn't share the room. I would prefer to have the exact ones from the Elle Decor picture. I'm sure they are easy to find and are very cheap(wink, wink).
image from Elle Decor

image from Pottery Barn

image from Amanda Nisbet

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

I'm Bunkin' at Your Joint

Ok, really. How awesome are these bunks? So awesome, that's what they are. Practical? Mmmmm, that might be a different story. I'll be honest, I'm not letting my kids sleep on the top bunks that are suspended by rope with no protection from the ground below. But if your kids want to come sleep over, we'll have a spare bed!

The good news is that you probably wouldn't feel claustrophobic in these bunks. The bad news is, you would just fear for your life if you rolled over one too many times! I speak the bottom, and good luck getting to the top bunks in the Pottery Barn picture. I don't design 'em, people, I just admire them!

Don't forget to enter the Bugaboo Prints giveaway!

image from Pottery Barn Kids

image from F Yeah Bedrooms

image from Ohdeedoh

Monday, June 20, 2011

Kids' Week + a Giveaway!

image from Ron Marvin via Lonny Mag

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I've decided to feature an entire week's worth of kids' rooms, and to kick it off, let's have a giveaway from Bugaboo Prints. Bugaboo Prints designs original artwork for babies, toddlers, and children. Custom orders are welcome, and you can make any change you want to any print. I ordered the striped bird print for Stella, and I love it! Here are some of my other faves:



Bugaboo Prints is offering one lucky reader a free print of choice and is also offering a 10% discount to [kreyv] readers through the end of June (just enter the code KREYV when checking out).

Here's how to enter (up to three entries):

1. Become a follower of [kreyv]*.
2. "Like" [kreyv] on Facebook*.
3. Blog or Facebook about this giveaway.

*If you already follow and/or like [kreyv], just leave a comment letting me know!

Good luck! Contest will end Saturday, June 25 at 10:00 p.m. CST. Winner will be announced on Monday, June 27th.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

[so cheap, so easy]: Spoon Mirror

image from Country Living

What's that you say? A mirror made from spoons? No. The mirror is a mirror, sillies, but the frame is made from spoons. Genius, right? That's what I'm thinking. Now, I haven't made this myself, yet, but I have made a mirror similar to this using sticks.

You'll need a 12" floral craft ring (like the one pictured below), a 12" mirror, hot glue, liquid nails, and of course, spoons and spray paint. The ring and mirror can be found at any craft store. I found mine at Michael's. Now, if I were making this, I would buy my spoons at a party supply store, so that I wouldn't have to spray paint them. I'll be honest, I don't have enough patience to spray paint plastic spoons! You will want to buy spray paint to match your spoons for the craft rings, though.

Spray paint your ring to match your spoons. Next, you can just hot glue spoons all the way around the hoop. Notice they are glued in alternating heights. Finally, secure your mirror to the back of your hoop using liquid nails. Done and done. Love it! (This would also make an uber cute wreath using the same instructions minus the mirror and one ring.)
image from Be Home Made

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

[color kreyv]: Emerald Green

Emerald green totally reminds me of The Wizard of Oz. You know, the Emerald City...where the Wizard of Oz lives? I don't know why, I mean, the Emerald City itself is only in a tiny portion of the movie. Regardless, that's what it reminds me of. I liked The Wizard of Oz as a child. It didn't freak me out like it did some kids. I guess I'm not phased by flying monkeys. You know what movie freaked me out, though? The Watchers in the Woods. I don't even remember what that movie is about, but it scared me. The Watchers in the Woods, The Lady in White, and The Changeling=scary stuff. At least that's what I thought back in 1992. What movie scared you as a child?
image from Designers Block
image from Laura Britt Design
image from The Lennoxx

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Opposites Attract

Before I even start this post, I can't even wait to tell you: I'M BEING FEATURED ON UCREATE TODAY!! (That was me shouting, not in an angry way, in a very excited way!) Go check it out to see my newest creation!

Okay, onward...remember learning about the color wheel in elementary school? You've got your primary colors, secondary colors, tertiary colors, and your complementary colors. Complementary colors are the colors opposite each other on the color wheel, and quite frankly, they look fantastic together! As Paula Abdul once said, "Opposites attract." (Okay, I promise I will never quote Paula Abdul again. It was a weak moment.)

I wouldn't say the hubs and I are complete opposites, but let's just say we are "complementary".

He's laid back. I'm uptight not so laid back. He's a science nerd. I'm a little more artsy. He loves the outdoors. I like the 72 degree controlled climate of a mall. He would wear flip flops every day of his life if he could. I wear stilettos almost every day. He gets cabin fever. I'm a home-body. He's not so tidy. I'm a clean freak. He says extra cheese. I say no cheese. We have a lot of differences, but, quite frankly, we're fabulous together!

image by Betsy Burnham


image by Jane Coslick


source unknown

Monday, June 13, 2011

Going Bold with Color

Are you a bold person? Some of you are probably very bold, always saying exactly what you are thinking; daring to wear whatever, whenever. You are adventurous and fearless, and you don't hesitate to break the rules. I think I can be bold, but I wouldn't say I'm generally a bold person.

Once I was very bold. I told a group of smokers who were blocking an entrance exactly how rude they were being by forcing people to walk through their smoke. I may or may not have said a few other choice words. (This was after I politely asked them to move, and they made some rude remarks to me.) Either way, it was a bold move. Immediately after, I got in the car and cried at what I had said. Maybe I'm not bold. I mean, really, if I'm going to be bold, I can't cry about it afterwards.

Nate's Tips for Going Bold with Color
(1) Take a risk and go for it
(2) Start with a small space (powder room or foyer)
(3) Anchor bold colors with white
image from Chicago Home & Garden
image from Bohemia
image from Ideal Home

Thursday, June 9, 2011

[so cheap, so easy]: Adding Nailhead Trim

I'm just going to put this out there, right off the bat: please squint when you look at these pictures. I can neither draw a straight line, cut in a straight line, nor trim with nailhead in a straight line. In my defense, Stella was rushing me. I really didn't want her help, but she kept insisting. I say, good enough for who it's for, right?

I wanted to add a little somethin' somethin' to these chairs. A box of 25 furniture nails will run you a whopping $1.25. I used about three boxes of the smooth nickel finish on two chairs. They are a little tricky, because they are so short, but they are easy to move around once you get them in the furniture. If you wanted to be really accurate, you could measure and plot dots with a Sharpie to place the nails. I'm not accurate, and who knows...I might some day decide to remove the trim.

Besides a fingernail or two, I really had nothing to lose! (I actually finished the project, with no injuries, in less than an hour. Plus, there were no small children harmed. That's always a bonus.)
the before:
the after:

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

[color kreyv]: Periwinkle

It's funny how naive I was before having a child, and I'm sure I'm probably still very naive (only having one, mild-mannered toddler). I laugh at some of my preconceived notions regarding raising children.

The first night home from the hospital, we set an alarm clock, so we could wake up to feed the baby. Of course, we didn't need it. We haven't used an alarm clark in 18 1/2 months (the exact age of Stella).

We said we would never let our kids eat in the car. I'd be mortified if anyone saw what lies beneath that car seat. There are a lot of crumbs under there, and we have a really clean car...except for that one spot. Worth it.

We thought our lives would not revolve around Stella's sleep schedule. False, but that's okay. Everyone's happier when we are all well-rested!

I (and probably everyone who knows me) thought I would be a germ-a-phobe. Surprisingly, I'm not (except for when it comes to shopping carts).

I said I would never take Stella out in public unless she was clean with her hair done. Okay, I stuck by that one. My hair doesn't always get done, but Stella's does!

I'm sure there are more, and I'm sure my list will continue to grow! What preconceived notions of yours were squashed?

image from Elle Decor

image from Exotic Interiors

image from Better Homes & Gardens

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Rooms for Watching TV

I like television. I'll admit it. When Stella goes down for a nap, I turn on the tv. The house is clean, the Bean's asleep, I am vegging. Sometimes, I'm on the computer at the same time, but most times, it's just pure vegging out. Know what else? I thoroughly enjoy it. What is your favorite show? Here's my list of faves:

What Not to Wear + The Nate Show + The Office + Modern Family + The Celebrity Apprentice + The Real Housewives of Orange County + Tori & Dean: sTORIbook Weddings + Million Dollar Listing + The Rachel Zoe Project + Project Runway
image from Nesting Newbies

image from Marie Burgos Design

image from Decor Pad

image from Decor Pad