Thursday, April 26, 2012

Going Organic with Whitney Farms!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Whitney Farms for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's springtime in Texas, and around these parts that means it's time for planting!  The alfalfa and corn fields are sprouting all around our community, and I'm happy to say that my potted crops are having a nice start as well...



With the media hype surrounding the pesticides and fertilizers being used on the food we eat everyday, I am all the more encouraged to garden organically and grow the best for my family.

Hop over here for the full review and get a great coupon!!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Vintage Vanity and Dresser Transformation

When Mr. home.made. found this vanity set on Craigslist, I was quite excited.  When he called to tell me someone else was looking at it first, I was panicked.  When he called back to say the other person changed his mind, I drove as fast as I could to pick it up!!

I mean, really?  How could you pass these up?!

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The extra surprise when I got there was the mirror that came with the vanity – it’s amazing and really gives the piece a very special touch.  So, you wanna see them now?!





I love them… so much so, in fact, that I decided to keep these for my daughter’s room rather than sell them, which had been my original intent.

Now, let’s talk details, shall we?

Some of the drawer glides were in need of repair, so we took care of those and I vacuumed up A LOT of cobwebs and cat hair before getting to the fun stuff.  Blech!

I knew there was wood hiding under all of that white paint so the first thing I did was strip the old paint from the tops of both pieces.  This was not an easy process, as lurking beneath the white was a layer of lime green paint that adhered like super glue!  It took multiple applications of Citrasolve, some sanding and my loving husband to get through all of the paint layers to the wood surface. 

Real men refinish furniture, yo.

But I digress.

The tops were then refinished with a walnut stain (after a healthy bath in wood conditioner) and polyurethane.  The sheen of the wood is beautiful.



With all of the grooved details I figured it’d be next to impossible to remove all of that paint, so out came my trusty Annie Sloan chalk paint, this time in Duck Egg Blue (which may just be my new favorite color).  There is a local shop that just became an Annie Sloan stockist, so I’m quite excited about being able to make a five minute trip to pick up some paint!



I originally painted the drawers to match, but then decided to change them to Old White to provide a nice contrast between the dark top and the blue-green color of the desk.  I’m very happy I made that little change, as I think it completely changed the look of these pieces.



This was my first experience using the AS dark wax for antiquing rather than a glaze.  It was definitely a learning process, but I’m happy with the end result.  The thing I had to keep reminding myself was that if all else fails, just repaint with chalk paint!  (Thankfully it didn’t come to that…)



I kept the original hardware – just cleaned them up a bit.  I like that they don’t match exactly, so it’s a set, but each piece could stand on its own without a problem.



Another detail I love is the arched detail at the bottom of both pieces.  They just don’t make ‘em like this anymore.  *sigh*

And let’s not forget about that mirror, right?



I was all loaded up and about to leave when the seller said, “Oh wait!  There’s a mirror too!”
A beautiful round mirror that nestles into a lovely, scalloped cradle.  Heaven.

Can you blame me for keeping them?


Linking Up Here:

Monday, April 23, 2012

And then she was five.

My baby girl turns five today.


Can it really be?  Oh, how I remember the day this precious girl came into our lives.


Since day one, she's been quite the handful, in so many wonderful ways.


And even though I've been there for every moment, it's still so hard to believe that my baby is growing up.


It's such an awesome gift, this whole parenting thing.  Being able to love, nurture, and raise your own little people is such a responsibility, but also such a joy.


Raising them well so one day they can leave the nest, ready to fly on their own, is my hope and my fear all rolled into one.


But I am ever so grateful that I get the chance to be this chick's mama.

Happy Birthday, GG.

Love you to the moon and back,

Mama.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

{Saturday Spotlight} Little Girl’s Room at Crazy Wonderful

Happy Saturday!  Are you guys ready for some more little girl room inspiration?  I am so excited to feature this amazing makeover from:

Crazy Wonderful

Shelley was ready to give her daughter a big girl room, and the result is breathtaking!

That white tufted headboard against the soft gray wall and those pops of color = gorgeous!  And even better?  She MADE the headboard and offers a tutorial on her blog!

I am totally jealous, aren’t you?

She made great use of items passed down in her family and added a lot of special DIY touches as well.

Look at that reading nook!  She slipcovered the chair herself, made the pillow and sock monkey, AND she made those great book ledges.  WOW.

What a labor of love, all for only $350!

To say the room is amazing is an understatement.  I wish it were my big girl room!  To see more of Shelley’s DIY and tutorials, head on over to Crazy Wonderful today!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

{Friday Faves} – Gallery Walls

Ever since repainting the hallway, I’ve dreamt of having a multi-functional gallery wall there.  The location is perfect since it’s an area we walk past frequently and there’s a perfect view of the wall from our kitchen.  I’m slowly piecing items together and was ready to get started today but my Pottery Barn daily system wall calendar arrived with a cracked frame, darnit.  Luckily, a new one’s already on the way (and I see now that they’re full price again so I’m glad it got it on sale!); so while my gallery wall plans are on a temporary hold, here are some great ideas from Pinterest to get your decorative juices flowing…


I love how the frames cover the entire wall, not just the top portion.


I'm planning on incorporating frames to display my girls' masterpieces, similar to these.


I have a crush on all things chalkboard.  I've already turned an old magnetic board into a chalkboard, but I like the chalkboard wall.  Hmmmm.

Source: asoftplace.net via Deb on Pinterest

Again with the chalkboard.  Hmmm.

Hope to bring my dream to fruition soon!
What are your thoughts on gallery walls?


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Hey, What’s Goin’ On?

I find myself humming a little Marvin Gaye this morning as I write this post… but I wanted to fill you in on what’s going on around these parts as of late.

I’m working on an antique vanity and tall dresser set, and it’s taking me a lot longer than I had anticipated.  Trying to do two pieces and make sure they match is new for me!  Here’s a sneak peek, though, just for you, via Instagram…

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I am sooooo close to finishing these pieces and can’t wait to show them to you!  Funny thing is, I originally started these with the intent to resale, but I’m changing my mind as I get closer to the final product.  I’m thinking this would be such a sweet set for a certain little girl who’s about to turn the big 5!

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*sob*

Yes, my  baby girl’s growing up – we just registered her for kindergarten last week.

*sniffle*

So that’s the skinny around here… what’s going on with you?

Saturday, April 14, 2012

{Saturday Spotlight} Dear Lillie’s Master Bedroom

Welcome friends to another edition of Saturday Spotlight!!  Today’s feature is a gorgeous master bedroom from Jennifer Holmes of Dear Lillie blog and shop.  While I could feature every inch of her home, I chose her Master Bedroom because it’s beautiful and unexpected.  Enjoy!

Jennifer did not shy away from using a bold wall color, and the result is an elegant backdrop for those crisp white linens.

She also adds dramatic color by accenting with black accessories: pillows, wall art, lampshades.

I’m also quite enamored with her mirrored nightstands, which add a perfect balance between light and dark.

Her latest décor addition were some painted striped curtains – click over for her tutorial.

It’s amazing, right?!  Such an inspiring space, especially as I contemplate the changes I want to make in our master bedroom.

If you’d like to see more of Jennifer’s beautiful home, go visit her at Dear Lillie.  You won’t be disappointed!

***  All photos courtesy of Jennifer Holmes ***

***PINNERS: Please use proper pinning etiquette and click over to pin directly from Dear Lillie***

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Spring Fever

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
~Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"

I love springtime, when Mother Nature provides such a bountiful reminder of new life sprung from the barren earth of winter.  With our warm temperatures, we’ve gotten a good head start…

A hybrid tea rose I found at Home Depot – the first of many rose bushes to come…

The hibiscus that survived last year’s drought…

Our bottle brush plant – I love how the red florets magically appear, like fireworks!

My new rosemary plant that I hope to season many meals with in the future…

Tell me, how does your garden grow?

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

{What’s Cookin’ Wednesday} Oven Fried Chicken

After my husband and I were married, I bought myself a Betty Crocker cookbook.  Nearly ten years later, I still have the cookbook (and the hubby *squee!*) and have quite a few dog-eared pages marking my favorite recipes.  This one is a recipe I turn to frequently because of its simplicity in prep and cooking and because it’s just good eats, ya’ll.  Enjoy!

Oven-Fried Chicken

Oven Fried Chicken

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3- to 3 1/2-lb cut-up whole chicken  (I sometimes use all drumsticks, cause my kids love ‘em!)

Instructions:

  • Heat oven to 425°F. Melt butter in 13x9-inch pan in oven.
  • In shallow dish, mix flour, paprika, salt and pepper. Coat chicken with flour mixture. Place chicken, skin sides down, in pan.
  • Bake uncovered 30 minutes. Turn chicken; bake about 30 minutes longer or until juice is clear when thickest part is cut to bone (170°F for breasts; 180°F for thighs and legs).

*** image and recipe courtesy of Betty Crocker

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Alive

I am extremely blessed to get to sing the story of the resurrection this Easter weekend.  Wishing you a glorious Easter as we celebrate the risen Savior!

Look what mercy's overcome.  Death has lost... and Love has won!!!


Friday, April 6, 2012

Last-Minute Easter Ideas!

I can’t believe that it’s already Easter, can you?!

We’re having our family Easter dinner tonight because my husband works this weekend (boo!), and my girls are spending the weekend with their awesome auntie since this mama will be singing at FIVE –easter services!  Yeah.  It will be a little non-traditional around here, but you get used to that when you work in healthcare and have to work holidays.

Nevertheless… it’s almost EASTER!

And just in case your plate has been a little full lately and you’re not quite ready, here are some last-minute ideas to get your Easter on…

Egg Creatures from the fabulous Martha Stewart

Caramel Bird’s Nest Cupcakes from hotpolkadot

DIY Tutorial: Easter Silhouette Plates & Bowls

Easter Silhouettes from Hostess with the Mostess

DIY easter basket

Grocery bag Easter basket from elinee

Chalkboard Easter eggs from Dear Lillie

Are your Easter creative juices flowing yet?!

Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Monday, April 2, 2012

No Rest for the Weary

If it seems like progress around here has been a little slow lately, well, it has.

I had done a fair job of running myself into the ground by burning the candle at both ends for a few too many days and it caught up with me.  (It also didn’t help that the pollen counts were VERY HIGH for more days than I could count and my head was pounding furiously in response.  Attention oak pollen – you may now leave the premises.)  To say I was exhausted was an understatement.

You know how it goes though:

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I’ll second that, sister.

Many days, my to-do list is sadly neglected, because by the end of all this:

Get up, get ready for work, get the kids up, breakfast, pack bags and lunches for school, sign paperwork, pay bills, drop the girls off at school, commute to work, put in an eight+ hour day, commute back home, pick up the girls, dinner, gymnastics, church, homework, laundry, housework, bath time, story time, bedtime…

I’m pooped.

And sometimes those to-dos need to be separated into have to-dos and want to-dos… lately, the latter have not seen a lot of action other than moving down the list. 

And that’s okay.  Cause my have to-dos also include:

loving, snuggling, smooches, hugs, giggles, growing, smiling, tickling, making memories.

And that’s awesome.

But now that I’ve recovered somewhat from the allergy attack from hell and the bit of a funk I fell into:

Print_rosie2

source

It’s time to get back to business… cause those want to-dos?  They refresh and re-energize me in a way that’s quite the opposite of rest.  As difficult as that is to explain, I’m sure you other creative folks know what I’m talking about.  There’s just something so stimulating about seeing a creative vision come to fruition, as if it were an extension of your very being.

There’ll be no resting on our laurels here…