Today's Princess Party explanation...the tissue paper pom poms.

...but first I have to answer a question about yesterday's post about the length of my banner.  I just used the length of the roll of ric rac (it was about 6.5 feet...I think) and it was PERFECT.  It really depends on the area you are going to put the banner.  Mine was going over a wide entrance to the dining room and fit perfectly.  I would measure the area you are going to put it and then decide based on that.

NOW!  On to pom poms!

I've made these before and I absolutely love them.  I think they just add so much to a previously empty space.  In our case, there was a banister separating the family room from the dining room.  It just looked empty and PERFECT for our pom poms.

I honestly didn't take any pictures during the process of making them so I'm really going to refer you to Martha Stewart's website where she gives a very detailed tutorial complete with pictures.  You can click HERE to see it.

I will tell you...working with wire can be kinda dangerous.  The first time I made them I poked myself and bled all over my white pom pom.  My sister-in-law did the same but she managed to contain her blood and saved her pom pom.  Poor girl.  I recommend a wire that has some sort of plastic around it instead of just a thin wire.  Just me. 

Also...I used rafia to hang them.  I love rafia and it's cheap.  I've also used just regular ribbon and the ribbon you wrap presents with.  Doesn't really matter...just whatever you think is pretty.

PS...hope you still think these are pretty after viewing Martha's.  Ah Martha...  She makes my party planning and crafting SO much easier. 

They do mention that you can buy a kit to make these...I looked everywhere and couldn't find them.  If you can...please send me a link.  I'd GREATLY appreciate it.  :)

Oh the home office.  Being in a basement...it has small windows.  Being in the corner of the house...it has 2 cinderblock walls.  It's also very small (which we don't mind) and has pipes on the ceiling that were painted to match the ceiling.  It needs a remodel.  Bad.  I've decided to start with paint.  We've decided that we both love orange.  But orange in and of itself is rather...um, bright?  I also think too much orange can be rather obnoxious.  So.  We have decided to pair that with blue.  Love the two of those together.  Here are some fun pics to show you what we're thinking...

#1...

Picture found here 

However, in our office, all the boxes, chinese laterns, etc would be in orange as a contrasting color. 

#2...

Picture found HERE

The blue in this picture looks more gray to me but it gives you a good idea of mixing the 2 colors.  Love the dimension that the staggering bookcases bring into the room...

#3...

Picture found HERE 

Love how creative this person was with squeezing in a home office into an alcove in their kitchen.  So bright and cheery and love how it all works together...

So.  We're not sure exactly what we'll be doing...I'll be putting together a idea board next week...but it's a start!

The Hubby has decided he likes yellow for a wall color.  And something I've learned is that when the Hubby actually expresses an opinion...jump at it!  He so rarely ever does that I'm always willing to try something that he suggests.  

So yellow.  Never thought of yellow in my house.  Had it in my room as a teenager but never after that.  

I decided to see if I can find some nifty yellow rooms and my goodness...I was surprised.  I now love it!  Amazing what yellow can do to a space.  Here are some examples.  

Picture from THIS blog - LOVE the floors and the bookcase. 

Picture from THIS blog - LOVE the couch in this one...and the framed wallpaper...BRILLIANT!

Picture from THIS website - zebra and yellow?  Yes please.

Picture from THIS blog - Oooooooooooooooooo is all I can say.  :)

Now I do realize that some of these are VERY bright...I think ours will be more muted but I love the different color combos.  Turquoise and yellow?  Who would have thought?

I've been asked about how I did the Princess' party so I decided to break it all down nice and easy.  

#1.  The fabric banner.  All I did was go to Hobby Lobby (any fabric store will do.  I like Hobby Lobby b/c it seems like their material is always on sale and they have cute prints) and picked out 4 prints that I liked.  

I bought a 1/2 a yard of each but that's b/c I'm going to be using this fabric in the Princess' room.  You would probably only need a 1/4 of a yard of each.  I have a lot left over which I'll be using for matching projects.  All in all...the fabric cost me $10.00.  

You'll also need 1 roll of coordinating ric rac.  As you can tell from this photo...I used brown.   

I went home, ate dinner (it's always important to sew on a full stomach...just a tip from me:)  

I then drew a triangle on a piece of cardstock and used it as a guide to cut the pieces.  After I had 4 of each print...I pulled out the sewing machine.

I spaced mine about an inch apart.  I've seen them done right next to each other and I've seen them done about 2 inches apart.  Doesn't really matter...whatever looks good to you.  


I fought with my sewing machine...seriously.  I think it's starting to quit.  It's an entry level sewing machine and I think I'm starting to move beyond it and it's getting offended.  I don't know.  But after the bobbin FINALLY started working, I finished the banner in about 15 to 20 minutes of sewing.  


Now keep in mind...my banner is very basic.  I didn't care about hemming it or double siding the triangles.  If you're going to do that...you'll need double the fabric and patience and yeah...I'm not that motivated.  I like things short and sweet.  :)  


If you have any questions...leave a comment.  I'll answer them tomorrow. 

This is my kitchen.  Pardon my crooked sink...I'm not that great with paint.  :)  As you can tell...my kitchen is pretty small and the space wasn't planned out very well.  I don't have the exact measurements but these dimensions are pretty true to life.  


















SO!  Here's my question.  How would YOU change this layout?  You don't have to draw it out...just leave a comment.  Later this week I'll make a new picture using the ideas and post it.  
 
I've decided to come up with drawings because my husband is a very visual person.  When I describe something...it just doesn't make sense to him.  He has to see it.  So maybe with my ideas and your ideas...I can come up with something that will make sense to him.  

PS...I'm not adverse to tearing into sheetrock.  :) 

Here are some pictures of some pretty yet small kitchens...

 

Picture from THIS blog



LOVE this one...from the tiled backsplash to the gorgeous wood planked floor...Love...

Picture from THIS website 

And I'm pretty sure I LOVE this under the cabinet shelf.  

 

It frees up your counterspace but still allows for things like containers and such.  LOVE this...  Click HERE to see this entire kitchen remodel.  So pretty. 

So this year's big project is the whole house adding more storage to our bedroom.  We're going to be doing that by adding built-in's like this picture from the blog Young House Love.

Hidden behind those curtains on the wall are wardrobes that provide additional clothing storage.  I also love the idea of lamps on the wall...we might put our own spin on that, we'll see. 

Our first step is going to be tearing out the carpet.  I'm shooting a wedding this weekend and The Hubby doesn't want to do that without me... he believes if he has rip something out, I should be there to provide the feedback.  Haha!  So we're going to be doing that the week after next.  It's good though...it provides us plenty of time to work through our plans. 



Which also include one of these.

A captains bed.  LOVE the concept.  There is sooooooo much space under the bed that is just wasted!

This particular picture is the Stratton Bed at Pottery Barn.  It costs $999.00 to buy.  BUT!  I found a fantastic blog that gives an incredibly detailed plan on how to build one.  Doesn't seem too hard.  Between the 2 of us...Hubby and I should be able to pull it off and that way we'll be able to get rid of a dressor!  Yay!


We're also mulling over the concept of horizontal stripes in our bedroom.  This is another picture from Young House Love of their powder room. 

It's because of this picture we fell in love with horizontal stripes in the first place.  We love them.  But we don't want them in every room.  I think we have to decide which room to put them in...bathroom, living room, or bedroom because if they're in every room...yeah, over done.  

What do you think?  Which room would the wide horizontal stripes look the best in?  

Some of the Princess' party pics!

Those ham sliders were yummy! Everyone loved them.

Latest item on my wishlist...THIS Ikea mirror.
























I LOVE floor mirrors that you just lean against the wall and I LOVE this frame. I would paint it white and then distress it. And at $99.99...it's the perfect price. Maybe for the next holiday where presents are required...

The party was beautiful. My baby is 1. I don't know how I feel about that. I'll post pictures later.

Tomorrow is the big party! AH! CRAZY! I'm so not ready! I'm going to be driving around like a mad woman trying to get everything ready. Here's a hint of some of the things we're going to be doing... in lots of different colors. Not just the ones shown. :) It'll all match...I promise.

Um....my bathroom has this exact floor plan.






















But does my bathroom have this look???

Heavens no!

Oh the ideas!!!

LOVE the mirror.

I love it's antique look.

It speaks.

It tells me that it has a history.

I love the weathered look of the frame.

I love the room reflecting in the glass.

I love the cotton blossoms in front.

I love the white bookshelf.

(Photo from This Blog)

I love the cozy look of the slipcovered sofa.

I love the worn coffee table.

The look of this room makes me want to curl up on the sofa with a book and a glass of milk.

I love LOVE this room!



























(Photo from This Blog)

I love the combination of white, taupe, and blue/turquoise.

I have REALLY been debating painting my rooms white but my husband is very anti-white walls. I think this is the PERFECT solution!

This color is so subtle and really allows you to put in whatever color you want in the room.

And I love the one wallpapered wall. Such a beautiful texture and what a lovely pattern!

And the white border along the top...Stunning really.

I love...absolutely LOVE...the walls and ceilings in this room. I also love how bright and airy it is. So pretty...




















(Photo from This Blog)

I had never thought about beadboard ceilings until Holly from In The Fun Lane (a MUST read blog BTW) did a post about them.

Now...totally hooked on it and am planning on doing that in my home.

Such a cheap and easy update...and it really makes such a HUGE difference!

Check out the post she did on it...it has some beautiful pictures as examples. I don't have a direct link to it but you won't regret having to scroll through till you find it...her blog is lovely.

I've decided to make these for the Princess' birthday.

Originally I wasn't planning on making anything...

...then I saw these.

And the recipe is so easy.

I just can't help myself anymore.

Recipe can be found here.

I've discovered a love for ruffles lately that I didn't know I had.

I love them!

Like this tablecloth. LOVE.






















(Photo courtesy of ChicHomeBlog)


Or these shower curtains...









































all from Anthropologie...probably one of my favorite stores ever...

I love this idea for the Princess' party. Mason jars. Beautiful!

The Princess' party is on Saturday.
She's only turning 1 so it's going to just be family...maybe just a couple of friends.

I decided to go with a vintage Alice in Wonderland theme. I designed the invitation using some original Alice in Wonderland art from the book. I love the way it turned out. If I had my regular computer back...I'd show you.


As for the cake...this is the inspiration.


















I don't know who the designer of this adorable cake is...but I love it.

It's going to be smaller...not large at all.

We're going to do marble cake and then attach the fondant using raspberry jam.

We're making the flowers out of gumpaste because evidently the flowers work better that way. I've worked with fondant a few times so I think it's going to be fun.

We're baking the cake on Friday and then freezing it so that we have more of a firm surface area to work with when applying the fondant. I've never done that before but I heard it was a good idea. Good thing she's only 1 so that it really doesn't matter if it doesn't turn out.

I love having a child. I love having a reason to set up for a party. So much fun. I don't do large parties for small children but I that doesn't mean I can't make it pretty!

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Our Sunday's are so jam-packed with church, church meetings, and family dinner that we decided to pretend like today is Valentine's Day.

The Hubby is in the kitchen making Brunch. He makes an amazing cinnamon and orange french toast.

The Princess is in her crib...just put her down for her nap.

We're all still in our pajamas.

I love days like this...

I have a Princess. She is turning 1 this month. Honestly...where did the time go? It feels like it was just yesterday that she was born and now she's 1.

There are so many things I love about this age...and so many things that I miss.

#1...I miss the cuddles. The Princess was never a cuddler. She stopped cuddling at 5 weeks old because she realized there were just too many things to see in the world.

#2...I miss sleeping with her cuddled up next to me. When she was first born...she couldn't sleep with out me. She would cry when I put her down. I'm a firm believer that you can't spoil a newborn so I enjoyed it as long as I could. I'm also a firm believer having them sleep in their own bed when they're older so I knew it couldn't last. Now...she can't sleep anywhere BUT her crib. :)

#3...I miss the newborn wrinkles. I love the look of newborns. There's something so innocent and angelic about them. They're so so sweet and precious. Just a gift from Heaven to make my life just that much sweeter.

Oh dear...I can tell I'm starting to want another one. Just thinking about babies is making me baby hungry.

Anywhoo! Moving on...for the Princess' birthday I want to re-do her room. This is going to be a S-L-O-W process because by re-do...I mean RE-DO!

We have to steal her closet for the bathroom so we're going to be adding built-in's.

I hate the carpet in the house. Seriously...we have 4 different carpets in our upstairs. Gross. And we just discovered wood floor underneath. So hopefully it's in refinish-able condition, because I'm planning on just that.

We have to put more insulation in the walls. Evidently in the 1940's insulation wasn't a big deal! Boy did our utility bills sky-rocket when winter hit...

There might be a possibility of replacing all 4 wall's Sheetrock. The Hubby is REALLY dragging his feet there. He has no desire to rip down the walls. But there's a very good possibility this is going to happen...because my gut tells me that we might not have Sheetrock at all...it's probably chicken wire and plaster. Ew.

And then there's painting.

And replacing the molding.

So her birthday project is most def NOT going to be done by next week. It'll be a bit late. Good thing she's young and won't remember. Ha!

So the inspiration for her room came from this quilt from Pottery Barn Kids.


















(Photo from Pottery Barn)

I love it. Really...everything about it. I love the trees. I love the stuffed owls. I love the colors.

When I saw it...the wheels in my head just started turning and they haven't stopped since.

Luckily for me...I have an amazing client turned friend who is an incredible quilter. We took a look see at this quilt and we're totally going to re-make it because as much as I love Pottery Barn...their prices are a bit out of my price-range.

I'm going to put together a mood board for your viewing pleasure and also because I'm very much a visual person and I need one. :) I'll post it as soon as my computer guy is done fixing my computer. That story...is a whole different post. :)

I had to share this...



Um...I think this dining room is beautiful.

I love all the detail. From the distressed table to the lovely chandelier. I love the white distressed furniture and the beautiful built-in. Ahhhhhhh...... I could totally see myself enjoying the morning newspaper while sipping orange juice. Love.




(photo from Coastal Living)

About Me...

Well...here I am.

I started a blog.

I have others...but this one is allllllllllll me. 100% me.

This is about discovering my style.

That might sound kinda strange to some people...usually they grow up with a style all their own. They don't have to "discover" it. I grew up in an interesting environment and never got a chance to cultivate my "style". I just knew that I didn't like what I was seeing.

Well...now I own my own home. It's strange looking at a living room and knowing I can do whatever I want with it. The only problem...the Hubby hates projects. As in despises them. And he also hates when I start something because then he feels obligated to help finish it. And trust me...in my home there are a lot of projects. Oh Hubby...I'm sorry. :)

We live in a 1940's brick bungalow that has never been updated. Or...if someone tried, they had no IDEA what they were doing. For example, in my basement family room...the ceiling is 6 feet tall. Instead of going around the heating ducts...they just made it flat. It's a good thing we're not really tall people. We're not going to be here for much longer...probably just a couple more years...but I want to get it to where I walk in and feel happy. Right now...I walk in and feel claustrophobic.


So here I am. Discovering what makes me happy. Figuring out what I love. What design style I have. And renovating a home. Room by room. And on a shoestring budget. This might just end up becoming a plethora of pictures I feel are beautiful. We'll just have to see!