DIY Drop Cloth Curtains

This weekend was busy, but I enjoyed every moment of it! I feel like I allow myself to be lazy during the week, arriving home from work after 7:00 pm doesn't leave much time to do anything. Sean and I usually watch our show and eat dinner, then it's off to bed to start all over. I have been planning on making curtains for the longest time, and finally set the plan to do them. They were so easy! I have a pair of curtains in the bedroom that look almost identical to our new curtains in the living room. I bought the curtain in the bedroom for $14 a piece, plus curtain rods. I went with drop cloth, and paid a whopping $16 for the cloth and drapery clips. I had a curtain rod laying around, which helped with price...but I was happy none-the-less.

Materials Needed

- (1) Drop Cloth
- (2 bags) Drapery Clips

- (1) Curtain Rod & Hardware
- Screwdriver

-Scissors

I bought my screwdriver at target, this one here. I bought the drop cloth and drapery clips from Wal-Mart.

I folded the drop cloth in half, and did my best to cut the cloth in half. The drop cloth is extremely long, so it bunches at the end. I love the length, but it's hidden by the loveseat...so it works. I had Sean put up the curtain rod. I'm extremely short, and can't work overhead very well. Sean and I clipped the curtain to the drapery clips and we were done. We both love how they turned out, and feel that the curtains really bring the apartment together.



I know the pictures are still off, and I apologize. I will receive my charger this week, and I'm so excited!

 

Hope you all have a great day!

 





 

Garage Sale Finds and Home Accents

Fall is in the air! I can't believe what a change we have received here in NC. I swear we were steadily hanging out in the 90's region, before nose diving in the 60's and 70's. Trust me, I'm not complaining...I just didn't see everything falling into place so perfectly.

Another quick week, which I'm loving, and payday is literally right around the corner! I plan on working on curtains for the living room, finishing up the gallery wall, working on some signs, and starting some projects in the bedroom. That's quite a list, and I'm sure some will extend through the week and into the following weekends. I wanted to share a few goodies I picked up garage sale-ing this past Saturday, and show off our bar wall. I have contemplated whether or not I want to pain our apartment...especially since we are on our second year of leasing and considering doing another year. I just can't come to terms with moving into another rental, when the location of our current rental is so wonderful.

 

Garage Sale Finds:

 I need to go to the dollar tree this weekend, and grab a large candle! Like I said before, Sean's mom and I found an entire yard full of pine cones! I love free!! I plan on sanding the tray down and either painting it or staining. I'm rather partial to staining wood however.

Home Accents:



I had shown a small peak of the wall a few days back when I posted a picture of the white pumpkins. A month ago, I decided to add a little something to our apartment, and let me tell you...it's made a HUGE difference. I bought this gray chevron pattern from Target for $30 - I should have just painted it...but I was being lazy. It was my first time putting up wallpaper and it was quite the task. I wasted an entire roll....what I learned...lay vertically. I don't know what I was thinking, but the roll didn't come with directions so I just went at it. Sean and I really like it, and it has calmed my itch to paint for now.

Hope you all have a great day!

Gallery Wall Part. 1

Happy Tuesday all! This past weekend Sean's mom and I went going garage sale hunting! She is quite the haggler, something I am not, so it's great taking pointers and seeing how low she can get a price. I was on the hunt for some decorative birdcages, cheap vases, items I can up-cycle, picture frames, and white cloth. I found A LOT of old school milk bottles, a basket, a tray, ribbon and a lantern. I'm hoping to run by Goodwill today, and the dollar tree for a large candle. I will be sure to put pictures up of the treasure I found. The first house we stopped at, the front yard was full of pine cones! They were perfect, as if they had just fallen. No one had stepped or driven over them yet, so they were in the best condition. [Is it illegal to steal pine cones from someone else lawn?]

As I stated last week, I started the gallery wall!! [Finally, right?] I was only able to put a few things, because I need to finish the scrabble letter project, and the wall will be complete. Let me know what you think! So far, Sean and I love the way it's turning out. I know it's not a lot, and like I said it's not finished but it's coming along!

I am getting a charger for my camera this weekend!! [Yay!!] So we will be saying goodbye to fuzzy, shadowy pictures, and hello to clear, beautiful pictures! So bear with me for now. The ampersand picture tutorial can be found, here, and I will post a link below for the site where I found the free printables! I found the picture frames at Goodwill, and cut the pictures down to size.

These two pieces I need to put up, but am unsure where I want to put the scrabble pieces, so I decided to wait. I also needed Sean around to tell me where they would look good, because it's hard to put them up alone. The free printables I found, here. I can't wait until everything is finished, and the gallery wall is complete. Fingers crossed I can tackle the scrabble project this weekend, and finish hanging everything!





Hope you all have a great day!

White Pumpkins and OOTD

This week is flying wouldn't you say? To follow my post from Monday, I wanted to show you all the white pumpkins from World Market, as well as the pants from American Eagle. What are you guys doing to decorate for fall? And where are you getting your decorations from? I plan on playing around with some DIY fall décor projects, let me know if there is anything in particular you are interested in. Of course pumpkins will be high on the list!

Aren't they adorable! I couldn't pass them up when I saw them listed online, and they were on sale!! Yes please! They fit perfectly on our bar, and really bring everything together.

These skinny jeans are so comfortable, and perfect for the cool change in weather we are getting. I know you can't see the pants very well in the side photo, but it was more-so for the shirt [lol] I bought this shirt in early spring from Francesca's. It's the first time I've had the chance to wear it since it's long sleeved. I'm sorry, but I'm loving the outfit.

I have a majority of the items needed for the gallery wall, and will be working on that this weekend! Finally, right? I have some big changes headed my way, and may possibly be changing the name of the blog. I will be sure to keep you updated as things find their place.

Hope you have a great day!

Weekend Buys

I love this time of year more than any other season. I feel happier, the weather is amazing [not too cold and not too hot], the clothes are fun, the colors are on point, and I get to wear my scarves! I received a coupon from Michael's and World Market this weekend....[broke as a joke.] I also stopped by Total Wine to grab a few bottles of my favorite wine, and American Eagle for a new pair of pants...or two.

World Market
Pumpkins//Apples//Tier Stand

I just saw that they have these pumpkins in white also....and I have another coupon! [Just Bought!]

 

Amazon

I bought the smaller cage from Michael's and couldn't find it online. I just bought mine, and they are 50% off!  I would definitely recommend running in and seeing if there are a few in the home décor section. There were a few large one's and one small one left!

 

Don't be fooled, the Nightfall Green is actually a navy blue color. I am in love with these pants. The Raisin Wine is the perfect burgundy and matches almost every single infinity scarf I own. I am in love!

Nightfall Green

Raisin Wine

 

 





I have some big things coming that I'm hoping to share soon. I want to get all my ducks in a row before doing so, but keep your fingers crossed, send your good vibes and pray that everything works out for me please!

Hope you all have a great night!

DIY Wall Art: Ampersand

Things are really coming together. I was able to relax most of the weekend, watching TV, and working on projects for the gallery wall. I attempted to re-arrange the furniture in the living room. I was not pleased with what I had pictured would work best for the set-up. Our blue loveseat works wonderfully anywhere that you put it, since it's the perfect size to fit against any wall. Our red couch, however, does not. I really wanted the couch against the window....it would fit if nothing else existed in the room. Oh well, not everything needs to be changed right? I have for you this week, an extremely cheap and easy project. I've shown this before, and you can find the original post, here.

 

What you will need:

-Canvas

-Thumbtacks

-Pencil

 

I bought the canvas from Goodwill for $1 and bought three packs of gold thumbtacks from Dollar Tree for $1 each. As you can see, my thumbtacks are not all the same gold color. It works though. I put wallpaper around the bar, I'll throw a picture of it up soon. I had left over scraps that weren't needed and wrapped the canvas with it.

Lovely isn't it?

Use your pencil to outline the ampersand. You may want to use
a stencil, I just looked at a picture and went from there

Add your thumbtacks

I outlined the ampersand before filling it in. I had Sean help me with the areas that had wood. They were really hard to get in, and my fingers were really starting to hurt [LOL]. When I asked Sean what he thought, he said that he loved my Viking ship.....what? I guess the way I was holding it was slightly slanted. I looked at him and then my art...turned the canvas a little, and there it was...the Viking ship. He could see the ampersand...after I pointed it out. Oh well, I love it none-the-less.

 

Hope you all have a great day!

 

 



How To: Hide the router and modem

What a weekend! I kept quite busy, and I have a lot to show you all. For starters, Sean and I went to the Studio Movie Grill for date night and saw Fantastic Four. It was actually really good, I would recommend seeing it, far better than the last Fantastic Four. But the Studio Movie Grill make the entire experience that much better. Nothing beats watching a movie while eating dinner, and drinking. Plus, the seats are really comfortable, compared to normal movie theater seating...but I digress. What I am going to show you today, is how I made "faux books" for our router and modem. I found the original source, here. This project was both difficult and easy, depending on the type of book you pick up. I went to our local Re-Store [or Habitat for Humanity, as some know it as]. They have a cart of books outside for 25 cents each. I can't bare to destroy the books I own and love. So I up-cycled a few that someone decided to throw out.

What you'll need:

6-8 Books

Adhesive Super Glue [Dollar Tree: Amazing!!!]

Storage Crate

Scissors

Cut at the corners where the inner cover connects to the binding.
This is the perfect example of a book that cuts easily...
I ran into a few that were glued and gave me a really hard time.



Easy version

 

Glued and difficult version

 

Cut the left cover off

On the right, fold the spine cover over to use a guide for where to cut.
I would use and exacto knife or box cutter here if you have one. I used
scissors, and it was really difficult. Glue the spine to the back piece. 



Choose two books for the ends, and leave the cover on.

Add glue and stick spines together.

 Again,  I did not take a picture, but first glue the spine with the front cover to the left or right of the storage crate. I was alone, and had to hold the cover in place on my storage crate, because my curves and I didn't take that into consideration. In the original tutorial posted above, she uses a wooden crate -- I'm beginning to think she was a genius. The gluing capability would be far easier, but I was cheap and bought a 50 cent storage crate from the Re-Store. Once the cover dries, glue the spines to the front. Once the spines dry, glue the remaining cover with the spine completing the front, and the cover covering the side.



This is what the area looked like before....yuck!

Not too difficult, unless you make it...like me. But I love the way it looks, and that  the router and modem aren't just hanging out for everyone to see. I used a poster our friend Alex made Sean for his 21st birthday. It was the perfect size to cover the wires until I can determine how to untangle them without having to shut everything down. Or maybe we will keep it there...we shall see.

My Top 5 DIY Blogs

I'm becoming obsessed with all things rustic. Before we know it, out little apartment is going to have quite the farmhouse feel to it. [Hope Sean is ok with that :)] I think it all started when I completed my first large project; our TV stand. (post here). I have a three day weekend and a paycheck headed my way, so it'll be project heaven this weekend. I will finally get to start [and hopefully finish] the gallery wall, rearrange the furniture, and complete another project I started but was unable to finish.

I've stumbled across a few blog sites that I have come to fall in love with, and would like to share with you.

 

1. LiveLoveDIY

 

Virginia and her husband moved into a home that they completely re-did. I love all the changes they've made, and the details they added. Virginia makes all the changes look so simple. I have found a lot of inspiration from her 50+ Decorating Tips on a Budget, found here. I am looking forward to putting my own spin on a few that I have picked. Virginia uses a lot spray paint for her projects, which I love, because it's not something I would ever think to use. The finish is much more neat than paint. Check out her site, and drool over all the amazing changes she has made.

Ampersand Art

 

2. Liz Marie Blog

Can I just say [AMAZING]! Everything about Liz's blog is to die for. Liz's husband is quite crafty, and I love the things he creates as well as she. Liz talks about a range of products, from re-purposing furniture, creating your own home décor for everyday or even holidays, to making your own cleaning supplies. I love Liz's style of writing. I love how she adores [as I do] everything she creates as well as her husband. Do you want to know the best part....she's live here in NC! Once you look through all the wonderful things she has to offer, check out her husbands blog also!

Ampersand Art

Deer Head



Antique Sign

Chalkboard Sign

 

3. Classy Clutter

These two...every time I have a project in mind, but I'm not sure how to start, I can go to their site and they've done it! I love how Mallory give's her take on how to use an item in one post, and Savannah will use do something completely different in another. Why are you two so amazing?! I'm itching to own a house, I love s'mores, and I cannot wait to make the outdoor serving station.  

Gallery Wall
My current project, and they are offering free printables!
I can't even right now!
 

Outdoor Serving Station

 4. Love Grows Wild

 

I really can't help but fall in love with all things rustic, and Liz brings so much to the table. I spend hours pouring through her site, pinning everything I want to try and re-create. Liz photographs her work beautifully. Everything about her blog is neat and elegant. Liz offers DIY home décor and recipes. Quite the homemaker this one.   

Framed Door Mirror

I bought a plain over the door full length mirror from Target, and am overly excited to use this tutorial and make it look like I actually spent $50. I have a stack of picture frames that I have bought from Goodwill and garage sales that I am wanting to get good use out of. I am finding far more ideas than I imagined possible.

Picture Frame Tray



 

5. Shanty 2 Chic

A DIY blog full of budget friendly ideas, you can't beat that. I'm all about making something wonderful for the least amount of money. Scrolling through their tutorials, I'm thinking...I love this! I can do this! Oh...so that's how you do that. They literally walk you through each step, making every project easy to follow and do-able. I know, you hear me say that a lot, but having something seem impossible, and realizing that it is DO-ABLE is something that can't be described. What's even more amazing, these two are coming out with their own show on HGTV! Stop it!

Wall Planter

I have two areas that I want to put a wall planter. I'm thinking succulents in one, and baby's breath in another. Oh my...I seriously wish there was more time in my days off to do more projects!

Blanket Ladder
For $10...Done!

 





There is far more available, and I could post so much more. But, I will leave it up to you to check them out, and find your own inspiration. They are all amazing, and the step-by-step tutorials they each provide makes DIY projects possible. So I encourage you to create something of your own this weekend!

 

Hope you all have a great day! 



 

Gallery Wall Ideas

As I've said in the past, I have numerous projects to work on. I've decided that since one project typically takes me an entire weekend, I am only going to work on one room at a time. I am itching to rearrange the living room to incorporate more space in our one bedroom apartment. The floor plan is very open, which I love, so it's time to play with that space and see what can be done. I am planning on creating a gallery wall behind the TV, incorporating Sean and I in who we are and our life together so far.

Just a few projects that I plan to work on:

 

I can not wait to get started! I love seeing projects and knowing that I can do them! I can't help but smile, in knowing how far I've come and what I am capable of. Let me know if you have any ideas for the gallery wall...I am on the hunt and could use an extra pair of eyes.

 

Hope you all have a great day!