[so cheap, so easy]: License Plate Art

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite DIYs. I've revamped it from its original form when it was covered in fabric instead of painted. This piece definitely gets a lot of attention--everything from, "I really love that," to "Why did you do that to your license plates?" (The latter is always from men, so those comments don't count!) This project is super easy AND super cheap. All you need is particle board (I had mine cut to 24x32); license plates, of course; furniture nails; spray paint; and paint for the particle board (I used urbane bronze by Sherwin Williams).  Simply spray paint your license plates, paint your particle board (or cover in fabric), and attach the license plates using furniture nails. That's it, you're done! 

So, We Bought Some Dirt...

This poor lil blog of mine sure has been neglected. BUUUT, better the blog than my children, right?! You see, we've been rather busy. Hubs and I like to tackle at least three life-changing events at once. It's how we roll. So, what have we been up to? Well, besides welcoming little Miss Salem into our home, we started a new job (technically Jeremy, but I pretty much take credit and join in on all of his accomplishments), AND, we bought a lot. Of dirt. That will someday host a house. Yup, we're building a home. For the last few months, we (and by we, I pretty much mean me pretending to get Jeremy's opinion when I already had my mind made up) have been making decisions on flooring and countertops--oh, how the countertops caused me some stress, exterior stone and electrical outlets and garage doors and lighting and everything else. Our final meeting was last Friday, and that means that if I change my mind anymore, we have to start paying for my indecisiveness. Good thing I'm cheap.  That should keep me from changing my mind. We probably won't be moving in until next summer, but we are so super excited! We have been married for 13 1/2 years and have lived in seven different homes. It will be nice to stay put…and in our very own home!

print from Spell and Tell via Etsy

[so cheap, so easy]: Oversized Magnet Board

I've had a couple of requests for the deets on my magnet board, so...a year later, here they are. I bought sheet metal measuring 5 feet by 4 feet from a heating and air-conditioning shop. It was right around $40. We (that usually means Jeremy hung it up, and I watched) used 18 screws and 18 washers to attach the metal to the wall. We used so many fasteners just to keep the sheet metal as flat as possible.  Stella is pretty much the boss of this board, and I love that it's a place where we can display all of her works of art. 

Curtain Placement 101

First of all, I just have to say how proud I am of myself today. I got both of the girls ready, AND myself (including make-up and a hair wash--big accomplishment right there even without a newborn), went to story time, the bank, the grocery store, AND...wait for it...I made dinner (again, big accomplishment even without a newborn). This is kind of a big deal for me, because having a newborn again is rocking my world. This momma needs her sleep. I'll be honest, this probably won't happen again any time soon, but, for today, I'm feeling pretty awesome.

But, enough about me.  Let's talk about my curtains instead. My number one, most important design tip is hanging window treatments appropriately. First of all, they need to be long enough. Unfortunately, most big box retailers sell 84" curtains. Eighty-four inches is not long enough. You most likely need at least 96" or 108". Try to hang your curtains as high as you can and as wide as you can. It makes your window look way bigger, makes the room look bigger, and also lets in more light, which is always a bonus. Check out my bedroom with and without curtains. See? Curtain placement makes a huge difference!

Our Home | Stella's Room

This is Stella's room. Since I changed her room shortly before we moved from St. Louis, I didn't change much when we got to Utah. (Click here to see her St. Louis room.) Her room is pretty long, which leaves a good amount of space in front of the teepee for playing. I didn't hang much in her room, because by the time I decided what I might want, it was almost time to move again! Plus, I've already designed her a new room (in my dreams)!

Our Home | Living & Dining Room

Today, I'm showing you my living and dining room (which is all just one room that includes the kitchen as well). When we moved to Utah, it was the first time we saw our home in person. After driving 25 hours across the country then unpacking the moving truck (I probably mostly watched, but it looked exhausting.), I started arranging furniture. And it didn't fit. I moved the furniture around and around for a long time, and this is the (only) arrangement that worked. There were some tears, but luckily, our couch fits into the space it's in, or there would have been a major meltdown. I like the furniture arrangement, but it is tighter than I would have liked between the wall of Stella and the second armchair. The fireplace and I have a love/hate relationship. I love it, but in a house this small, it takes up WAY too much room. The bay window is great, but it is too small and too shallow to accommodate any furniture. Anyway, it works, and I really do love this home.  We've lived in eight houses in twelve and a half years, and I may or may not be getting pickier every time we move. The more houses we live in, the more I learn what I don't want in our next house!

Our Home | Master Bedroom

We've been in our home for about seven months, so I thought it was probably time to post some of those pictures I spoke of a good six months ago. In my defense, it takes at LEAST that long for me to feel settled and to start to feel like our home looks "right". It also takes me at least that long to get around to taking pictures…and if we're being honest, here…which we are, it takes me that long to hang something up, decide I don't like it, spackle the walls, and then hang up something new.  Anyway, here is the room in its current state.  Enjoy!

[so cheap, so easy]: Fur Stool

I decided that my little wooden stool need a little ummph, so I added some fur. I wasn't able to find faux fur that was as long as the faux sheepskin from Ikea, so I just used one of those. Now, if I were a professional and well-equipped instead of someone who just wants to get things done as soon as possible, I would have probably used a staple gun. Yeah, I don't have a staple gun, so I just cut the fur to size and hot glued the thing. It has actually held up just fine, but let's just say this is a more of a do as I say not as I do kind of post, mmmkay?!

Christmas at My House

What. A. Weekend! Mr. Hubs had not one, but TWO work parties. I'll have to say that they were both rather enjoyable, but I like to go to bed early, so I'm still tired! Yes, staying up until 11 is late in my book, and yes, it takes me days to recover. I'm a party animal, that's for sure.

I FINALLY have some pictures of Christmas decor to post, but, of course I'm not done. With nine days until Christmas, though (can you even believe that?), this might be as good as it gets.  I mean, it only took me until December 16 to post these, so, let's see, at that rate, I'll finally finish decorating by January 1. Like I said, this may be as good as it gets!