Living Room Redo

It's been a long time waiting but I finally rearranged the living room.  If you remember from one of my very first posts, Living Room Tour, we had an extremely large, ginormous 10 ft long couch (that may be a slight exaggeration, but not by much).  We got really lucky to find a very comfy, over stuffed love seat online for $50.  With the purchase of a super cheap slip cover we were able to make it a little more fun.

I guess those weren't the best of pictures and probably makes it look more chaotic than it actually is, but I love it!!!  There is a semi-library, office area, and social area.  I'm still working on the curtains and other decor pieces but I find this to much of an improvement.

I adore white couches but with two extremely messy children, that's just not ever happening.  Maybe in 18 years I can have my dream of the all white living room....

DREAM OF MINE

Solid Curtains

So now I have a big dilemma....What kind of curtains do I get with such a busy, over-populated room???  I have a couple ideas that I have in mind but I'm not sure if either one of them will work in our room.

Ruffled Curtains

Striped

I'm really leaning towards the stripes.  What do you think would be a good fit in our very active, busy, and bright living room??

Remembering of 9/11

Today, Jacob and I, have started a tradition that we plan to take part in every year on september 11. We are going to send a special thanks to our american heros and many others in our community.  Our hope is that no one will forget. Instead of focusing on the hate that brought on those events, we will remember how our nation came together and stood tall as a very strong entity.

This year we chose to send thanks to our local fire department. I really got lucky to have Daves family donate merchandise from their paving business In Line Paving. Not bad right??

I'm really hoping this act of kindness will be a tradition my kids will pass along to their children.

Did anyone else do anything for 9/11?? I'd love to hear.  Jacob is already taking notes for next year.

*Jennifer*

Just a quick thanks....

I want to send a big thank you to all my new followers!!! I've had alot of traffic to my blog since my recent link ups. I thank you sooooooo much!!!! I feel extremely encouraged by all my readers and fellow bloggers.

I would like to apologize for my improper post; if you're like me,i only like posts with pictures. We're currently rearranging the living room and we need to reroute wiring for the satellite and internet. I'm really loving our new furniture layout and I can't wait to share my first craigs list purchase; but until I can get the man to complete all the dirty work (I'm just kidding,i just need him to tell me what to do) our computer is going to be out of commission.

I have lots of projects in the work; living room layout, painted kids room, and my next decluttering project.  Hopefully, by next week everything will be complete and I can share our progress.

But until then thank you all so very very much!!

«jennifer»

August Trend of the Month + DIY Statement Necklace

I'm sure you know by now that I'm a DIY kinda gal.  Anything I could do myself for home improvements, fashion, decor, and anything else - you can always count me in.  I feel so fulfilled when I can bring something old and worn out back to life.  Why not right?!?  At least in my heart I know I'm saving something from going to the landfill.  This week I took my DIY passion out on my favorite old ratty scarf.

 

 

I was dreading getting rid of it, but I knew it needed intensive surgery because of the multiple tears it had.  I came across I Heart Jenny's Art: White Jersey Necklace on Pinterest  that helped inspire me to bring life back to my tattered 'ole scarf.

So I began cutting....I used two strips that I cut and twisted them together.  Then I stitched the two ends so the twist wouldn't unravel and after that I stitched the 2 twisted ends together.  Making the little flower was a bit hard (by no means am I a professional seamstress), but I did my best by rolling it up and hand stitching it to the twisted fabric.  And viola.....

 

can you guess what the trend of the month is @ Marionberry Style's Trend of the Month is??  You guessed it, Statement Necklaces.  I mixed my bright yellow DIY scarf remake with all black.  Look'n pretty classy - if I do say so myself.

 

I couldn't resist the urge to wear boots.  Oh how I dream of fall - all the sweaters, boots, and scarves.  I can't say that the weather in South Carolina changes much, but the fashion does.

 

Linked to:

 

Marionberry Style 

 

 

 

 

Clutter Challenge #2 - Entryway

This was a simple project I took on many many weeks ago and I'm really proud to say that it's finally done.  Our entry way - well, how would I describe it? - ummmm....it's just a freak'n door that opens up into our very boxy living room.  I really want a mudroom, but if you can't build it might as well improvise.  I was on the hunt for an inexpensive bench that had storage below for shoes, I didn't have any luck.....until I came across this $7 beauty at our local Goodwill.

 

With a little can of exterior white paint, plus a custom piece of wood to add support to the top, we made our own bench with shoe storage. 

 

 

I also got lucky by finding an very cool outdoor bench cushion at Walmart for $13 on clearance.  I had to alter it a bit but I really think it makes the bench very classy.

 

I couldn't be happier that our little house is on it's way to being organized. 

 

 

Linked to:

DIY Show Off - Blog

 

 

Remodelaholic

August Birchbox Picks

I can't tell you how excited I get in the middle of each month when I receive my monthly Birchbox.  This month's box was a back to school theme - "Beauty School".  Even though I don't attend any classes, my kids do and a little pampering for momma never seems to hurt this gal.  Plus 15% of the proceeds from sales in the Birchbox Shop will go to Pencils of Promise,  a non-profit that build schools in South America and Asia.


I got 2 faves this month.  My first pick is Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur.  Yum yum, delicious;  I've always been a fan of Juicy Couture!!   I was so happy to find this little gift in my box!

Birchbox - $70

 

 

 

My second pick is Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss.  This lip gloss is so wonderful!!  It glides on so smooth without being sticky and the color is so beautiful!! 

 



Birchbox - $20

 

 

 

 

Well, those are just my thoughts.  If you've received a Birchbox this month I would love to hear about the products that you loved the most.

 

 



Kitchen + Quick Chair Makeover

I hope everyone is planning for a great weekend!  I realized in the midst of my shoe bench project I never showed off our kitchen makeover. The kitchen was the our first big project and it was a struggle.  It was the gloomiest room I've ever seen, I swear the first couple of months that we lived here I refused to cook because the wood walls, brown cabinets and the puke green sink made me so depressed.

 

After a ton of arguments and Dave's elbow grease we have our very cute and modern kitchen.  Our makeover included tons of paint, new hardware, new counter top, glass tile backsplash, a beautiful sink and my favorite, the faucet. 

 

Gosh, I thought that was stressful, but I couldn't be any happier.  I can't even imagine a full home renovation.  I also did a quick fix for the boring kitchen chairs that we have with a can of spray paint and chevron fabric.

 



 I'm getting really close to revealing our entry space bench.  With each coat of paint I can see my vision coming to life.  Well, until next time I hope everyone has a wonderful stress free weekend - and believe me I'm counting on one of those!