Monday, March 31, 2014

Glamorous on a Budget

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Do ya'll remember about a month ago, I shared my master bedroom and the game plan with you all. I know I initially told ya'll I wanted to find a new home for our current bed set first but we decided to move something up on the list.

We installed the chandelier!!!

EHHHH!!! (That is my happy squeal)

Let's rewind a bit. When we bought our house a year and a half ago, the bedroom looked like this:

Notice the light fixture.

I was determined to turn our bedroom into a romantic getaway so we painted the walls Red Delicious by Glidden but color matched it to the brand America's Finest.

I am not sure what feel the room was giving off but it wasn't really romantic therefore I came up with a game plan to create a rustic glam style with romantic thrown in. The first thing I found for my newly inspired plan was the chandelier. It was listed on Craigslist for twenty dollars so I had to snag it up. The poor thing has been sitting in our garage for months now so we decided to finally install it. At least, my husband and father-in-law installed it while I admired it's beauty.

This simple fixture update has transformed my room and I am in love. It feels so glamorous.

G-L-A-M-O-R-OUS (anybody else remember that song?)

Seriously, the room feels so elegant and I think the room is finally heading in the direction I want it to go. Lets get one more look of the before and after.

Do you have the notorious "boob" light in your bedroom? Would you put a chandelier in your master bedroom or do you prefer chandeliers in the dining area?

I am sharing this post at Remodelaholic.

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stormieariel

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Spiritual Growth

Sovereign Over All

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I was going through my coat closet stuff a few days ago since we are in the process of renovating it (blog post to follow once completed) and I found my outfit I wore to my mommy's funeral.

It reminded me of the day Michelle, my cousin, told me my mommy died after picking me up from Babcia's house. It got me thinking how hard it must have been for her to tell me that I lost another parent (I lost my father five years earlier when I was 3 turning 4) and I think of the kids I work with who are 4 and 5.

If I were to tell them their dad died than 5 years later their mom died, I would think they are in for a rough life with rebellion and most likely depression. Who wouldn't think that after what a child went through with experiencing death so young? But I didn't have to go through that thanks to God and His grace. He made my aunt brave enough to endure raising a potential problem child. I have so many values that she instilled in me. If it wasn't for God putting it in her heart to raise me, I can only imagine how much of a mess I would be in right now.

God has a perfect plan and is sovereign overall. Do I wish I had my parents raising me? Of course! Who wouldn't however I now understand The Lord knew what he was doing. I may not have a complete understanding but I know going through that has helped shape me into the woman I am. It is helping shape me to be the mother I will one day be, God-willing.

I can joyfully give God all the glory for me not being bitter and depressed. It is because of Him that I have joy and I want to extend that grace to others for His glory.

Can you look back on a dark time in your life and now see God's hand in it all? Doesn't it give you great comfort that he is in control and we are not?

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Thursday, March 20, 2014

DIY Spring

DIY Spring Wreath

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Do you ever find yourself dreaming about the perfect spring wreath but you either can't find it or it's out of your budget? Yeah, me too!! So I decided to take things into my own hands and create the perfect budget friendly spring wreath.

I have been admiring Spring wreaths since summer and couldn't wait to get my hands on one. The wreath I have been gawking over is one I saw on Instagram.

Isn't it beautiful!! I mean who wouldn't admire it!

I bought my supplies from Hobby Lobby.

Hydrangea Stems (two white, one purple; I couldn't find the ones I used so the link is one similar to it)

Wreath

Wooden letter

Paint

The other supplies I already had on hand.

Hot Glue Gun with Glue Sticks

Small Paint Brush

I gathered my supplies together.

I painted the letter two weeks ago when I first bought my supplies. It just took me until yesterday to finally sit down and complete it.

Before beginning the second time around, I cut the hydrangea stems into smaller bunches using pliers.

Originally, I hot glued the letter before the small bunches but decided to take it off and put it on last about half way through. I also hot glued the flowers two different ways. I started off putting the hot glue on the bunches than attaching to the wreath.

About half way through, I realized that was kinda tricky to quickly put it where I wanted it without the glue drying first. So, I did the last half by placing the flowers where I wanted them first than applying the hot glue. The second way was much easier and helped me decide for sure if I liked the arrangment. Once, I was done I decided where I wanted the letter to be and applied hot glue where needed.

In total, this project took me less than an hour to complete and I am so in love with my spring wreath!!

Price Break Down:

Hydrangea Stems - on sale for $5.99 x 3

Wreath - $2.99

Wooden Letter - $2.49

Paint - $0.77

Total - about $26

I saw one similar to mine on Etsy for $50 so I am completely satisfied that I was able to spend half the price.

Would you spend the $50 or try to DIY? What are you dreaming for this Spring season?

I am sharing this post with Raising Mighty Arrows.

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Saturday, March 15, 2014

Home

Fresh & Clean

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During a trip to the grocery store, I knew I had to stop by the flower department. The flowers I bought 3 weeks ago...

Yes, 3 WEEKS.

...those flowers were finally on their last end so I was in desperate need of fresh flowers to make my house feel fresh and clean.

And yes, flowers do that. If you don't understand why, that's okay. My husband doesn't either but it does.

Anywho, as I was searching for the next bunch that would fill my house for the next few weeks (hopefully), I saw them.

Tulips.

I'm more of a rose, hydrangea or lily type of gal but I've been straying. I have seen pictures of tulips in other people's houses and they look gorgeous. I thought I would give it a try.

It looked nice buuutt I wasn't in love with it. However, I left it like that for two days in hope it would grow on me.

It didn't.

The tulips got all droopy and I don't know what that's about because I wasn't digging it.

So, I took the leaves off and trimmed them shorter. I thought a mason jar works with everything.

It didn't.

Maybe, a vase with a thinner neck so they don't droop.

Btw, my house looks clean in this angle but if I'm honest, this is what the other side looks like

Yeeeaaah, a tornado of a coat closet renovation that went wrong is in our midst. Just keeping it real.

Back to the thin neck vase, I still wasn't filling it.

As I was looking around my house at all the vases I had on hand, I saw her. The crystal vase my grandmother gave me. I would simply place the thin neck vase inside of the crystal vase and see what happens.

It was like magic.

Love.

I thought I would have to give up on the tulips all together but now I know.

Also, I am finally completely in love with my entry way vignette.

Do you use fresh flowers in your home? Do you have flower arrangement problems like me when trying to place them somewhere?

I'm sharing this post with Remodelacholic.

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stormieariel

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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Home

Inspiration Space: Lack Thereof

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A lot of home bloggers have a designated area for all things crafty.

Some have offices. Some have nooks.

And others (like me)...

Have this

This isn't even all of it, I have plenty more in the garage in a desk drawer from my old office. I know, it's not ideal but it's what I have.

Our second bedroom once served as an office with the crafty stuff thrown in a corner in there plus the desk. Now the second bedroom is being used by my sister and her two daughters for a few months. I plan to eventually turn the second bedroom into a guest bedroom with a craft nook.

As for now, my craft supplies will stay in this corner in our dining room.

What does your craft space look like? What would you do with this limited space? Do you have to have an organized area to inspire you or can you get inspired anywhere, like me?

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stormieariel

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Monday, March 10, 2014

DIY Home

DIY Bath Wall Tile

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When we first bought our house, I knew immediately I wanted to change out the tile in the restroom. However, we were planning to hold it off for as long as possible since it wasn't a necessity. Shortly, after moving in we noticed a certain spot on the carpet in our bedroom would get wet after the shower was used.

We initially thought there was something wrong with the plumbing but that wasn't the problem. The grout was so worn out from the bath wall tile that the water was leaking through the wall into our bedroom. Therefore, we needed to replace the wall tile.

We started off with this as a recap.

My brother-in-law and husband replaced the drywall with backer board and also added insulation on the window wall. They than both started adding the new tile which I am very pleased with. However, we never got finished with it and sadly it has been sitting that way for over a year. We did apply clear caulking which I think was a mistake and never touched up the paint.

Sorry about the quality and darkness of these pictures.

There are two tiles that I do want to replace on the shower wall whenever we get around to matching the floor tile. One sticks out and the other wasn't cut properly for the facet to fit on the correct way.

After replacing the floor tile, I would like to

Add white wainscoting half way up the wall
Replace baseboards
Paint the upper half a light blue color
Replace the current mirror with a larger one
Spray paint the light fixture
Replace faucet fixtures
Remove popcorn ceiling
Remove cabinet above the toilet and use for our laundry nook
Install floating shelves above the toilet
Paint the cabinet with another white color and add hardware
Replace both doors

I am hoping to have the restroom completed before the end of the year. All the projects will be DIY except replacing the floor tile and baseboards. Once that is complete, I know everything else will be complete quickly.

How long have you left a DIY project unfinished? Do you plan on remodeling your restroom?

I am sharing this post with Remodelacholic.

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Thursday, March 6, 2014

DIY

DIY Jute Wrapped Vase

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I am sharing this post with Remodelacholic
I made a trip to my local Goodwill earlier this week (it's becoming a weekly affair), in search of a lamp that I still haven't found. However, I did find this little blue guy for like 69 cents I think.

When I originally saw him I thought he would fit perfectly in the restroom somehow since blue is in the color palette. Once I got home, I decided to try him in the entry way; the color palette is gray and yellow.

Although, there isn't much yellow represented yet. I'm kind of at a lost of where to begin with this small area.

I normally stick with the matchy matchy but I have been wanting to break out my comfort zone and add random pops of color so this little guy was the perfect subtle pop. I just felt like I wanted to dress him up a bit.

I have noticed a lot of glass figurines have twine wrapped around the neck of the vases. So, I decided to try it with him.

I got little blue ready with some extra twine I had laying around.

I began wrapping first to decide whether I would love it or hate it. If I loved it, I was gonna hot glue the twine to blue.

I tied the twine in the back and decided I didn't even have to hot glue it. I am free to remove it whenever I want but as for now I will keep the twine wrapped around little blue's neck.

I think I still need some more rearranging here to create a layout I like. I finally like the layering on the left but feel the right side needs more TLC. Maybe I will add some books (which is another idea I have played around with on my end table).

How would you decorate this space? Are you a matchy matchy or mix & match type of gal? Are you digging the twine neck on vases?

I am sharing this post at Raising Mighty Arrows.

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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Fashion Spring

Spring is in the Air

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I think I may have an obsession.

A shoe obsession.

I have to have some sort of shoe that goes with each and every outfit. Whether it's flats, sandals, heels & wedges (not so much), or tennis shoes.

However, I know spring may be around the corner when stores start displaying new sandals. I, of course, had to pick up two pairs of new sandals to add to my collection for this coming Spring.

The two at the top, Maui Thong Sandals and Bogata Sandals, are the new ones I picked up from Academy.

Even after the freeze we had yesterday in the Houston area, I have hope for Spring.

What have you added to your Spring wardrobe this season? Are you most excited for Spring or Summer?

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stormieariel

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Monday, March 3, 2014

DIY

Project Update: Reclaimed Wood Sign

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Remember that sneak peek I gave y'all in this post?

Well the project didn't turn out too good. I already messed up the wood board once and was on my way to remaking it when I gave the sneak peek.

I was painting layers upon layers of primer to cover up the old writing from my first attempt. I was so impatient with the drying process that I thought I had a fantastic idea.

I would blow dry the wood in between coats so I can complete the project sooner.

Well..

That didn't turn out too well, the paint felt too thick from the numerous coats of paint and was sticky. When it came time for me to write on the board it was impossible. Somehow the marker became dry because of the sticky paint job. So I messed the board up for the second time (notice where the l and w connect).

I had other ideas of how to fix it for a third time, I thought of using the back side and started off with this:

It looks decent however you can still see the first attempt of my writing through the coats of paint. Than I thought about stripping the board but decided I would just dump the board and start fresh with another piece of scrap wood from our old fence.

Hopefully, I will have patience this time around and I can finally have this project completed. I am aiming for something similar to this:


Source?

Eventually, I want to hang it over our bed with a picture from our wedding with our first kiss. I received my inspiration from Jefferson and Alyssa Bethke's bedroom.

Jefferson built that headboard himself!

How do you handle messing up a DIY project? Do you completely give up or try again? Would you try to salvage this piece of wood?

I am sharing this post with A Wise Woman Builds Her Home.

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stormieariel

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