Stop....Fabric time

So here are my choices for our upholstery redo. After some careful consideration I've decided to go with fabric that closely resembles a set I saw at Rooms to Go. 

This particular set from RTG is called the Pemberton. It's $1355 (current sale price) for a 7 piece set. All we really needed was seating for the tables and lamps would go. We would just be charged more for the individual pieces. This set is also at Value City Furniture for $999. Still a little more than we have to spend. So in my ever so crafty DIY/Nesting ways I have decided to recreate my own version of this set. Just suited a little more to our taste

That's not illegal is it?

Chic Shelf Paper

Chic Shelf Paper is a pretty awesome company with one thing in mind--chic shelf paper. When looking for drawer liners for mini me and the boy's dresser's I wanted something totally different from the normal thing. Sure I could hit my local Hobby Lobby and get scrapbook paper to turn into shelf liners--but every once in a while a DIYer is allowed to splurge. So I splurged.

I fell in love with this particular print called Serendipity Serenade. It is absolutely gorgeous and will go perfect with mini's dressers. The best part about this company they offer 4 different styles of paper. You get Matte, Fine Weave, Laminated and Satin Canvas. I ordered free swatches Satin Canvas and Fine Weave in 4 different prints and once they arrive I intend to see how they work. If it turns out I don't like them, then hey there's always the scrapbook paper!!

The Skinny: Getting A High Gloss Finish

I get jealous pretty easily. Especially when it comes to awesome furniture makeovers. You know the ones where the furniture is all shiny and you can't see the slightest hint of imperfections? Where everyone is ooohing and ahhhing over how gorgeous it looks and secretly you wish you knew where these folks lived so you could steal all of their supplies (just kidding, but no seriously)?

Thanks to good old www I've been able to figure out their secrets. Although, it requires time, patience and more time. Whenever you take on painting furniture you have to make sure you do it right. That means no cutting corners. I've scoured dozens of blogs and each blogger seems to have their own method. I tried them all--and to be honest I wasn't too thrilled with the results. So I have decided to give it a go on my own and I loved the way it turned out.

Whenever you paint you need the essentials: paint, brush, sander, wood filler (if applicable). But what most people may not realize is that they need a finisher aka protective coat to give it that gloss. When I was shopping for paint, I picked up these items, but was told by the gentleman at Home Depot that I would not need them because the paint had a gloss in it already. I was even told my by dear sweet DH that I wouldn't need it either. Well, let's just say he doesn't question me anymore when it comes to these things.

My next challenge

So until we can find another dresser, I've been thinking of what I can do to bide my time. Well I told DH last night that this weekend we are going to attempt (key word-attempt) to reupholster his college days recliner. It's in great condition, structurally, but like all seating after several years it gets pretty worn and stained. So that's what I'm hoping to do.

I spend all Labor Day traveling to fabric stores to get an idea for fabric colors. And of course DH didn't care--just nothing girly or ugly. My guess when it's actually time to buy the fabric he will have more of an opinion.

The one thing I don't want to do, is match it to our current craigslist couches--because they are in fact an fugly green color that I would love to reupholster as well. I just don't know if that will be done before the end of the year. Somehow I highly doubt it.

Here are some close up pictures of the recliner below. You can see where it's ripped and stained--and I really don't want to rock another newborn in this chair. I need something different!

Hobby Lobby you are truly a crafters best fried!

I woke up Saturday morning with an urge to do something crafty. So what do I do? Tell the hubby to get dressed we're going to hobby lobby!!!

If you saw my  other post regarding hardware for the dresser makeover, you would know that I was looking for a particular style and that Anthropologie was the only place I knew that carried it. Well I was wrong. Enter the Lobby....

When we got there for whatever reason I immediately got side tracked and headed towards the Christmas ornaments (look for that post in the coming months)--but as I was reminded why I was there I immediately headed to the aisle with the hardware and much to my surprise they were have a 50% sale. So 50% off of $3.99 and $1.36 was music to my ears!!!!

I found some wonderful hardware pieces that will closely match my Alice in Wonderland theme. Why I couldn't  find the key--I was able to find several other knobs that will work perfectly!! I'm super excited I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.

So that's one dresser down--we still have another to go, but it may be a week or two before I can even get to it :( (sad face).

Why I love Craigslist

I honestly don't need to really even post anything. This pictures says it all to me. This is the latest and greatest discovery for mini-me's room. A craiglist find that IMHO I got for a steal!!!

I can't wait until this weekend when I can get my hands on this beauty and start painting.

It's like Christmas in August!!!

DIY Hair bow Holder

I have always admired the tutu hair bow holders. I think they are the cutest most precious thing a little girl could have in her room. I was actually quite jealous at the thought my mother never put one in my room. Maybe it was because I didn't have enough hair as baby.

Once I found out mini-me was in fact a mini-me, the first thing I looked at when I got home were tutu hair bow holders. There are so many to choose from--length, color, style, padded, non-padded and the list goes on. Out of all of the blogs, sites and etsy shops, I never found one that I just HAD TO HAVE.  {insert tear}.

I actually got pretty emotional at the thought that mini-me wasn't going to have one (hormones, I sure) because I really wanted to have one for her. I could just picture my sweet little angel with a tutu full of frilly girly bows!

So what does any DIYer do when they can't find something to fit their fancy? Easy they make their dh head to A.C. Moore at 8:00pm to get supplies, because the most awesome idea ever had just popped into their head (at least that's what I did--and no he didn't mind).

Why I love Thrift Store Shopping

Some people say Facebook is the devil. As for me I say it's a blessing. I can't always get out and drive around to go thrifting so I 'liked' a bunch of local thrift stores who just so happen to post pictures of their items on their facebook page. 


A local shop Marpie's Thrift and Antique Store has two very wonderful pieces that I have been looking for--one for the boy's room the other for mini me's room. I'm hoping I can convince DH to help me collect these this coming weekend so I can gets-ta-paintin'!

Now I just have to decide what colors I want. For the night stand--something bold (of course) and the desk since it will be in the boy's room something a little more subtle. Oh the possibilities!!!

Rant: My issue with baby stores

DH and I went to Buy Buy Baby about a week ago to seriously begin looking at cribs and furniture. We saw several things we like (but prices we did not). We found a chair/ottoman combo we liked and decided to ask how long it would take to come in (or see if they had it in stock).

Didn't I feel like boo boo the fool when the guy said 8-12 weeks depending on the color you choose. So naturally without thinking I say "why--do you have grow the tree to make the wood that frames the chair". (Rude, maybe; truthful, yes).

Now what exactly do they have to do that would take so long to get a chair back to a paying customer. It's not like it's a cheap chair either. It was pretty doggone expensive. I could stroll on over to Ikea and get one and take home that day and put it together myself. I understand that not everyone in the world is a procrastinator like myself or DH, but really 8-12 weeks for a chair. Hell, Rooms to Go can deliver a very comfortable chair and 1/2 to you within 2-3 days. Now, I'm sure they only have a certain number in stock and certain colors people rarely order, so it may take a little longer to get, because they do in fact have to make it.

But come on--what about the cribs. It takes 8-12 weeks for cribs to come in as well? People need a crib before they need a chair. I firmly believe those should always be made available to you if nothing else. But who am I? Just a consumer with money to spend on something I actually need--so I am at the mercy of Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby. And they know this, which is why it continues to happen.

But oh did the heavens shine down upon me (well us) and the clouds parted as the angels started to sing.....

Just as I was getting frustrated, irritated, perturbed and determine I was going to make a cradle out of a dresser drawer; sitting in the middle of the aisle were two (not 1 but 2) in stock clearance cribs. Marked down from $699/799 down to $199. And let the church say AMEN!!!!

I immediately told DH--I want that one!!And we got it. With an additional 20% off. Score one for Team C!

The crib was being discontinued and I swear it was God's way of telling me to stop stressing over the little stuff and worry about the bigger things.

So we have our bedding and we have our crib.

The End. I'm a semi-happy, feeling almost accomplished pregnant woman for right now.

Go Nicole, Go Nicole, Go Nicole, Go Nicole

Dresser Re-Vamp (Teaser)

I have been diligently working on this dresser for the last couple of days now. It was something I'd been planning to do all along, but never thought I'd actually do it (you know time and everything). Here is just a sneak peak of the drawers.

I'm trying to decide if I want to add white trim or if I should just leave it plain.What do you think? It's not the greatest picture---but then again you aren't supposed to see the whole thing anyway (sneak peak you know). So when I get this thing done and mini-me's room together I will be back to post the final product. BTW it looks haute in person.

Why dinosaurs make for interesting conversation.

I've been toying with several themed ideas for the boys room and it's between dinosaurs and pirates. He loves both--but I think he's starting to lean towards the dinosaurs a little more. I think I have the only 2 year old in the world who will correct you on the proper pronunciation of a dinosaurs name and let you know exactly what they eat and how they walk. I'm a proud proud mama.

Since I've been looking for paint colors to paint the furniture in his room--I'm leaning more towards the Benjamin Moore brand of paint. I've heard nothing but great things about this brand so I think this may be my next endeavor.

Hmmm...........

So for those who know me, know I change my mind pretty much every 5 seconds. Especially when it comes to mini-me's room. I went from a Breakfast at Tiffany's theme to Morrocan now to Alice in Wonderland. The only difference with the "Alice" theme is that I've finally started painting the furniture so it's no turning back now!!!

I am currently refinishing some amazing craigslist and thrift store finds (stay tuned for a post on those) and as I was looking for hardware, I came across (by accident) something that fit so well with a "Wonderland" theme that I just had to have them .

Nursery Bedding

I am proud to announce we finally picked out our nursery bedding. At first I was all gung ho about making it. Or having someone make it. But while we were at Babies R US one evening my DH picked out a lovely 6 piece bedding set that was on sale.

Turns out the set (albeit 4 piece) was at Buy Buy Baby two weeks prior for $399. And we got it at BRU for $175!!!! What a steal.

At first I wasn't sure it would match the already painted room in the house we are renting--but that it why DH's are so super freakin' awesome. He just so happened to pick out something that matched the wall color--almost perfectly.

Spotlight: The Painted Cottage Studio

The Painted Cottage Studio is a fabulous vintage thrift store with pieces to die for. I'm not sure how I happened on their site, but once I did, I immediately started swooning over pieces that I would love to have.

The vanity in the inset is something I've actually pictured in mini-me's room, but have been unable to find as of yet. If only this store were closer....

{insert tear}

Why refurbishing furniture is a great idea...

Ever had a picture in your mind of something you want, but can't find it anywhere? We'll I've been having those mental images for almost two months now of how I want to redecorate the boy's room and decorate mini-me's room. I've been searching high and low on every furniture website known to man, and as of yet, I have been unable to find something to fit my mental picture.

So as crazy as it sounds (and it is crazy), I will be refurbishing some old furniture to get what I want. I've been checking craigslist for weeks, and while I haven't found the pieces I'm looking for yet, I know they will show up soon. And when they do I will be there to pounce on them like a tiger eyeing it's prey!!

{Photo Source}

Nursery Bedding

I have been searching for the perfect bedding set for my little one. I've searched high and low, but cannot seem to find anything that I feel like I have to have. I think it's crazy that a lot of people charge $350 for 3-4 nursery bedding, especially since the designs IMHO aren't unique at all. Damask, Elephants, Airplanes and Peonies seem to dominate the baby bedding market.

I happened upon a Michael Miller fabrics (not sure how, just searching designer fabrics) and came across a collection that I just had to have.

Breakfast @ Tiffany's Nursery Theme

I'm sure many of you have seen this lamp and thought "oh how lovely", well at least I have. I've been looking for a great light to put in mini-me's room, and for the life of me, I can't find anything that I love.

As much as I love this lamp $99.00 for a lamp in nursery just ain't it. Plus, I fear I might get tired of looking at it before the baby even comes.

So I decided to recreate my own version. Something I knew I would like. And if the time came where mini-me didn't love it, I could just steal it and put it somewhere else. Or take off the shade and recover another one. The possibilities are truly endless!

DIY: Butterfly Monogram

So I have been racking my brain the last few weeks trying to figure out a theme for mini-me's room. While I despise the color pink--she will be princess (no point in denying it) so I want her to have the girliest room possible. Maybe I'm a hypocrite, but my inner diva wants my little girl to have it all.

I was watching HSN Thursday night-- (regular routine even though I never buy anything) and they had Martha Stewart Crafts as today's feature. She had the cutest Butterfly Punch Kit available that I just HAD to get. While I had no idea what I was going to do with, I knew I could always find something. This is me after all. Lefthanders are pretty creative when they have to be.

DIY Project: The Boy's Room

I love this Abascus from CB2. What I don't love is the price. $149 is a bit too pricey for my blood--so like any thrifty stay at home mom I have decided to create the ULTIMATE DO IT YOURSELF project.

This project is going to take some time to complete at I try and figure out where to get the materials from, but I think it would make a great little addition to the boy's room.

As soon as I get started I will keep you all update on my progress. I'm thinking I should be done by his birthday. Or at least before I'm due