Townes' Nursery

I posted a couple sneak peeks of our little guy's nursery a few times in the past 6 months here and here. 

I had decided on a rug that I loved but then in the 11th hour something wasn't jiving and I made a switch to this rug from World Market that was on super sale. In my opinion you can't go wrong with black and white stripes ever! I like it so much I also have it in the living room, although that one was from IKEA long before World Market started carrying their version. I guess you can't have too much of a good thing. 

I took some pictures last week while waiting for this babe to make his arrival and I'm mostly pleased with how they turned out. I ultimately wish I would've painted the room a cooler shade of white when we first moved in but oh well! The fan light puts off a yellow tone but then when you open the blinds it's too blown out. If I were a better photographer I'm sure neither of these issues would be a problem but, alas, I am not. 

I still am very smitten with the geometric wall we DIYed [completely stolen from here] and the way we reused almost everything from Theron's nursery. 

So without further ado, here's where our littlest bundle will hopefully play and sleep! 

I wanted to add a large "T" over the crib but struggled to fine one in a font I like. I think I am going to ask my father in law to build an oversized shadowbox "T" like one I saw at HomeGoods awhile back! 

The silver letters were from Michael's this summer, the large tapestry was from Society 6, the ferris wheel is an old CB2 find, and the campaign dresser was a Salvation Army thrift store score!

The "Be You" print is actually a washcloth from H&M and the iPod dock I scored at a garage sale!

I love all things hearts and even though I have boys I think hearts can be used for them too! The blanket is from this Etsy seller [and is so affordable compared to others selling the same thing!] and the pillow is from Land of Nod.  

The arrow string art was a random find at Target just last week and the lamp was from CB2 that used to be teal before I made it gold!

I've also been working on hanging a collection of frames in the hallway and I love this little view you see while sitting in the glider!

There you have it, guys! Thanks for stopping by!

xo

Master Bedroom - New Seating

One of my last blog posts was about how I wanted a swinging rattan chair in our master bedroom. My father-in-law said it was most likely possible to hang it [even though the window area where it would be has a soffit] but I kept shying away from the price tag. With a new baby on the way and my best friend's destination wedding in just under two weeks away, I know my money is best spent elsewhere. 

Then one night I was randomly perusing our town's facebook garage sale site and came across this little beauty. 

For $20 I couldn't pass it up! It's small but has the perfect vibe that I wanted! I may come back to the swinging chair later but for now this works wonderfully!

Do any of you sell/shop your facebook sites? This chair was the first thing I purchased but I sell stuff frequently. I've had a few flakes but most transactions have been seamless! 

xo

More Master Bedroom

The back wall is finished and the floors are installed! Yippee! We also bought a new rug to ground the space. I went with an 8x10 jute rug from Overstock. I also sprung for a better rug pad than I normally buy from a local furniture store. I was worried the jute would be too scratchy but it's been just fine. 

I'm not sure how the room will evolve but I'm thrilled with where it's at right now. I really want a hanging chair in the bay window but I'm not sure I have enough room or support since the ceiling drops down in that location. It's been on my mind lots lately so I'm hoping we can make something work. 

Something like this:

source

They have some reasonably priced ones at Pier One and I'm trying not to bite the bullet before I know it's possible! 

I'll be sure to keep you updated!

xo

Hello and Welcome [Sign]!

I've been on a very mini roll as of late in decorating and doing stuff to our house. I feel like everything I really want to do costs so much money that these little spurts of energy are making a little bit of happy difference in my world.  

Last week I showed you our Day of the Dead decorations and now this week I'm back with a very small project that made for a big impact! 

I bought this 'Hello' sign off of Groopdealz and had it lying around the house for awhile. I wasn't certain how I wanted to gussy it up until I saw my best bud, Freckles Chick, use some faux flowers for a little project for her daughter. 

It probably comes as no surprise that I sprayed it gold and then made a little trip to Michael's to grab some flowers. I wanted something pretty and neutral so I grabbed what you see in the pic below. 

I used a simple glue gun to adhere the pieces on the wreath and then hung it up on a wreath hanger on our front door. I really love how the wreath stands out against the charcoal door and it's just what it needed!

And, for any of you that may be wondering, the Instagram heart wall has stayed up since day one with plain painter's tape. I was skeptical too, but it's worked like a charm!

Thanks for checking in! 

xo

DIY Dining Table [Round 2]

When we sold our house last summer the buyers negotiated to keep a lot of our furniture. I didn't even know that was a "thing" but they did it! It's a sore spot for David and me, but we're getting over it--if slowly. They wanted nearly every single piece of furniture we had in our home-it was so odd.  We negotiated back and forth, and I put my foot down to keep our sofa [that we had just purchased!], our arc lamp, and Theron's dresser.  They had the nerve to ask for Theron's dresser.  I mean, really? It was in my son's room holding my son's personal items. Low, I tell you.  

But I digress, I'm getting over it, remember? Haha! In the end, they got to keep a lot, including our dining room table that my sweet father-in-law custom built for us. I was rather emotional about the whole thing but he reassured us that he would build us a better table anyway! If the buyers wanted the table--let them have the table.  "Less to move" he said. He was right. 

For the last 9 or so months we lived with a $100 table and chairs set that I found off of craigslist.  

I liked them well enough but when Theron's birthday came rolling around Dan hopped to building us a new and improved table. I've shared many a time that he can build anything. It's unbelievable. He measured the space, asked me what I wanted, and about two weeks later I had a table to stain.  

With our first table I stained it a dark deep walnut color, almost the color of our floors. But more recently I have been drawn to a more gray washed & lighter/imperfect stain shades.  

I ending up searching awhile on Pinterest after a trip to Lowe's for stain turned out to be unsuccessful.  I came across this post about a custom stain made from two ready-made minwax colors [special walnut & weathered oak] and I was sold.  

There are so many tutorials on staining furniture and I basically followed them all. My father-in-law sanded the table perfectly so all I had to do was apply a pre-stain wood conditioner and then followed that with the special walnut stain.  Then I applied, I think, 4 coats of the weathered oak stain over a handful of days.  I finished it off with the water-based polycrylic top coat and brought it in for T's party. 

I think this pic was after the first two coats of walnut and weathered oak. 

Another up close shot somewhere in the process. [I think my DIY blogger card is being revoked as I type-whoops!]

The table takes up a much more substantial space in our dining room and of course has special meaning to us since it was custom built by our family for our little family. 

I think I could've gone even lighter with the stain but I love it even so!

I kept the chairs from the craigslist table and like them so much that I'm in no hurry to replace them.  I have plans to add upholstered captain's chairs on either end but I'm in no hurry to do that as well.

Those flowers were originally purchased for outside but they look pretty happy on our table indoors. 

So that's how our new and improved table is hanging. We love it and hope you guys do, too!

xoxo

Light It Up [times three!]

We've lived for quite some time--nearly 9 months--with builder grade brass lighting that wasn't even properly hanging anymore in the dining room area and no lighting in the kitchen! As you can see, they had track lighting in the kitchen and we took that down immediately.  When they had a peninsula the track lighting was centered in the middle of the open space, but now since we took the peninsula out, the location of the lighting box doesn't make sense.

Once we tore down the wall [that you see below] in the eat-in kitchen the lighting position was no longer over an eating area. I knew I wanted to have an electrician come out and give us a bid on moving the locations of the boxes but I have been slow to contact one. Even when we finally did contact one he never called us back.  

I finally decided to just get the World Market lantern lights and call it a day.  For less than $300 for all three, I thought it was a pretty good deal to have functioning and easy on the eyes lighting once and for all.  It's funny because I just saw Young House Love sprung for the same pendants in their hallway, too!

I think because the lights are all the same it helps to give some purpose to their current location. My father-in-law did point out that all three are centered over the windows so that made me feel better, too.  Silly, I know.  And, like I said before, new upper cabinets are high on the priority list and now I'm thinking of moving the microwave to the pantry and getting a hood.  We shall see!

Of course there's still a chance that we'll get an electrician out here to give us a bid to move the kitchen/dining room lights, but I'd like him to first quote us a bid about putting a ceiling light in Theron's room, the same in the guest room, and two lights in the master bath.  Those are more of a priority in my book.

All in due time I suppose. It's hard when you have a wish list a mile long and a bank account that doesn't quite match. Haha!

Slowly but surely we're making some good progress! Next on our agenda is staining the table my father-in-law made for us! The buyers of our first home negotiated that the first table stay with the house, so my FIL made a bigger and better one for this space. He's pretty amazing, guys.  

Hope you guys have a happy hump day!

xoxo
Joi

Master Bedroom Changes

::Still hitting home runs with my blog post titles. Haha.:: 

In our first home our bedroom went through so many changes--I say that like the rest of the house was decorated once and done.  Cue the laughter; that's funny, right?!? A decor obsessed gal's home is never finished!

When we moved in to this home I really had no plans for our bedroom. It's so much bigger than any other bedroom I've ever had so that's a new challenge for me. We placed all of our old bedroom furniture in here plus Theron's glider and it stayed like that for months.

And while I really like that vibe and look you see in the picture, I was just kinda over it. I wanted to feel refreshed and inspired and it just wasn't evoking those emotions. Maybe I overanalyze how I should feel about my bedroom. You guys do it, too, right? Or am I totally alone?

I shared with you guys that I recently scored some sweet new floral pillows, and they totally changed the game.

They are not as calming as the last color palette but that's ok. They're so "me" and well David, he could sleep in a polka dot and striped neon room. The guy couldn't care less as long as there's a bed - I sure got lucky! ;-)

So here's our very in-progress shot as it looks today:

I got rid of the Ikat throw at the end of the bed but had to have a similar replacement for it.  I love that a quilt stays cool to the touch so that was a non-issue for me. I picked up a mustard yellow one at Target and I have plans to tone it down with this throw. It's kinda pricey for a blanket so I haven't bit the bullet yet.

I also added the circle mirrors that were in the hallway of our last home onto our nightstands. I'm not convinced I love them there but it's ok for now. I also need some new lamps because I moved the original lamps into the living room.

I want to move the pin tuck duvet into the guest bedroom and get this one from West Elm as seen in Orlando Soria's bedroom via Emily Henderson's blog. 

The striped rug is from Theron's old playroom and I really just moved it in there to see how I felt layering a rug on carpet.

Just out of view, to the left of the bed, is now a desk area and I'm on the lookout for a new [to me] chair and I'll have to snap some pics so you can see how that area's shaping up, too.  And, while a fan is a must have in our bedroom, I'm really jonesing for a pretty chandelier.  Do those vintage looking fans put off a nice amount of air? Anyone have one?

So basically, anything is fair game in this room and like always, you guys are along for the ride.

Happy St. Patty's day, too!

xoxo

This and That

I will forever struggle at making blog titles. When it's just a simple post [which all of mine have been of late--real life] I get stumped. How many times can I say "House Update!"? Haha!

Anyhoo, this is just a small house update--of course--and I can really say I'm starting to love how it's coming along. The house is getting in its groove. Cheesy but true.

The entryway is coming along and I am totally digging it! The bench we got the other day really sealed the deal. I added some pillows I got from Ikea and H&M and it's even better!  I'm a fan of layering in home decor and it's looking good to my eye finally. The only thing I need to do is paint that doorbell box. I always say I'll do it and then I get distracted. I feel like I'm super scattered because I gotta make the most out of nap time. Ya dig, mommas?

We also added a little greenery [which I'll no doubt kill] and it instantly perks things up as well! 

And on a side note, randomly, on Sunday,  I was bad-mouthing the midwest and their lack of fiddle leaf figs for YEARS to the workers at Home Depot.  The nursery employees didn't even know what they were -- decor bloggers they were not. Haha!! So, same old story, I came home with two random house plants like always.  Later that night I was at Walmart and saw a whole slew of fiddle leaf figs just hanging out on the shelf.  Never in my many years of looking for them had I ever found them.  But here they were taunting me, in my own city.  Those clever little stinkers! I, of course, bought one and am headed back for another asap.  I'm sure their fate is not the best with me.  Whoops. Sorry in advance, little buddy.

I placed it in the living room for now but I really need to read up on their care and take serious steps to get this baby to grow.

And, while we're at it, I also added this H&M pillow to the green chair.  If you haven't checked out the H&M line you really should. It's good stuff!

That's it for now. Happy Tuesday! We're celebrating here with close to 80 degree temps! Peace out, polar vortex.

xoxo

Entryway Update

For some reason, the past couple months I have taken a break from craigslist. Who knows why?? Maybe I was actually productive in my spare time rather than dreaming of all the furniture I don't have a place for--haha! But very recently, I wanted a bench to go in our entryway and I found one for under $100 via craigslist at a new-to-me consignment store. Wins all the way around.

The top isn't in the greatest condition but it really doesn't bother me at all. Theron's favorite new trick is to climb on top and look at all of his pictures. He can identify everyone and everything and it's just about the cutest. I think I'll keep him.

On another note, we added a new World Market light to the dining room area and I have to remember to snap some pics for you later.

I have a couple more of the same light coming via raincheck and I think they will be nice placeholders until I can get the electric moved and centered.  If you remember, we tore down a wall, so the original lighting location doesn't really make sense with the new layout all that much.  These lights were $100 a pop and they could stay for the long haul even so.  Since July we've been living with shiny builder grade brass lighting and a lack of lighting completely in the kitchen.   I guess it's pretty obvious that we're not awesome chefs.

So, as soon as those updates happen, you'll be in the know.  Any fun updates happening in your neck of the woods? I'm yearning for some inspiration!

Have a happy hump day, friends.

xoxo
Joi

Floral Tea Towel "Art"

Hi, guys. I totally didn't plan to be away for a whole month, but by now, you know how that goes. We've been mostly trying to stay warm and sneak playtime outside if the temps creep above freezing! 

Theron Drake is mildly obsessed with anything to do with outside so this spring and summer should be interesting.  Let's just say he's not the biggest fan of having to come inside on our terms.  I foresee a lot of tears in our future, that--and sunscreen.  

Things on the home front are pretty much the same.  We recently got a new bed! How exciting, right? It sure is for this 31 year old! Of course, I'm constantly changing things so our master bedroom is undergoing a gradual makeover.  I posted this picture to Instagram the other day showcasing our brigade of pillows.   Dave just loves all those pillows.  Can you sense my sorry attempt at sarcasm? 

The blue ones in back were from Kmart, the striped ones came from Target, the scalloped Euro shams are from PB Teen, and the floral ones are from Plum Pretty Sugar. 

I don't have big or detailed plans for the room, but I'll be sure to share some progress pics as it evolves. 

In the dining room we added a large piece of "art" that I copied from my best friend, Cori.  [Who, by the way, has recently co-pioneered a great new blogging adventure called The Secret Sister Project]. She texted me a pic of a gorgeous floral tea towel calendar framed and I knew I HAD to have it. Problem was she got it from a local shop awhile back, and she lives nearly 4 hours away.  Bummer. 

But, thanks to Google, and the super obvious "floral tea towel calendar" keywords, I was able to find it quick and easy on this website.  It was only $8 or so and I used a 40% off coupon to snag a frame for about $20 at Michael's!

The only pics I have are from my iPhone, lazy I know.  But that's how things are done around here nowadays.  Haha!

I did iron the towel, but I think my iron is on the fritz.  I need to reposition it, but for now, the wrinkles will remain.  I'm not sure it will stay on that dresser, I actually think it would look really great on our striped laundry room walls.  

I'm thinking some of you need this towel in your lives, too! Am I right? 

Have a happy week.  

xoxo

Joi

Hodge Podge of Updates

In my blogging heyday [I use that term lightly!] I used to always wait until I had a pretty "after" shot or well-documented photos of the "process" before I dare shared any updates. But in the beginning, before Pinterest [gasp!], my pictures were crazy bad. I mean, I don't know what I'm doing now, but take a look at my archives and you'll be lol-ing for awhile. I promise.  

I had no idea when I first started this blog years ago that my DIY tutorials would be pinned thousands of times with my crappy pictures! But you know what? So what! It's silly for me to worry about that.  My day job, that helps to put food on our table and keep our little household running, is teaching.  

I blog for fun. I had to laugh the other day when a student asked me, "What's a blog and why would anyone have one?" Haha.  

Yes, I've had so many fun things happen because of this blog that I would have never anticipated, but in no way shape or form, have I "made it".  

And, I'm glad I haven't.  The pressure seems insane and cut-throat.  And there seems to be too many dang rules to follow.  For example...

Your pictures have to always be magazine worthy and you can only have two fonts on their descriptions. You must post at least 5 times a week. If you Instagram make sure to only Instagram sparingly. And don't be a nuisance. If you do a giveaway only do them once a month. Don't get too personal, but yet don't be too vague.  Blah-blah-blah-blah... 

Oh, and let's not forget the sneaky posts with affiliate links littered throughout...THOSE are the worst. You are no better than a celebrity endorsing makeup or haircare who you know never uses that stuff. It's dishonest AND misleading.  

Ugh.  It's all super annoying.

I miss bloggers who blogged because they wanted to keep a journal for themselves and their families and genuinely share their DIY successes and failures with us, enlighten us with their experiences, and brag on their fun times.  My favorite product of blogging has been getting to be real life friends with some of my favorite bloggers who are still like this -> true to themselves, funny, witty, honest, chill, all of whom break those stupid "rules" I mentioned above. 

But, if I'm being honest, I can't stand the bloggers who are trying so dang hard to be famous. To be the next Youngsters. To be the next whomever. Their "trying too hard" gives me second hand embarrassment.  You know, when you're watching a show on TV or at a talent show and someone is singing because they think they are awesome when in reality it's just all too much.  That's what I'm talking about.  

Wow, I didn't mean for this to turn into a rant--haha! It's just that after reading this blog post from my soulmate momma-friend, Janice, and this post from my sassy friend, Terri, it all just hit home.  

So here we are, nowhere near finished with our spaces and places in this home, but I'm going to share what we have going on now anyway. For me. For my memories years down the road. And for my real-life friends & blog friends who take an interest in my little life.  

Phew.  That feels good. 

Let's do it, shall we? 

Recently we added some new stuff to our entryway! My awesome father-in-law rewired this light from Urban Outfitters to be hard wired and then hung it for me as well. I love it's shape and it's so much better than the light that was there before. 

I'm not convinced I love the styling of my entryway table but it's ok for now.  

I really did just take some random stuff out of some boxes and place it there after we moved. I should probably just start fresh but like I said, it works for now!

We also printed off some IG pics at Walgreens via their app [so easy!] and placed them in a heart shape on the wall with some painter's tape. 

It's been up for a couple weeks now and nothing has budged. It was a cheap and easy way to bring in some personal photos! I really want a long bench to go on this wall but haven't found anything in my price range that I love. I think it's going to be a DIY for my father-in-law if I can twist his arm.

Then, finally, I scooped up this little cookie jar at World Market the other day for $6. She is so cute on our countertop.

Our stove recently went kaput so now we're on the hunt for a newer one. And of course, we want all new matching appliance to go with it.  When can I win the lottery?! Ha!

So that's it for now. But I'll be sharing more soon. We're doing a staircase remodel and when I take some pics, I"ll let you in on all the deets!

Have a happy Friday and sweet weekend, guys!

xoxo

Joi

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