Thriifty Decor Chick

Easy Recipes You HAVE to Try!

Hello everyone! As I wait for the paint to dry on a recent DIY, I've put together a list of the recipes that I've recently made, and loved! You have to make these ~ they're all fairly straightforward and delicious. Click the links to go to the original websites. <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/2013/06/creamy-potato-salad-recipe.html">Creamy Potato Salad with Bacon</a> Summer = Potato Salad. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PSJqScMyqOxjtf1gdvs6JoQgvoDiufSzqN18OcB7miSvHRJ21atVEbPDnpOFRHaNmCNkDOiE0wdt6SbFWmQ7THWUj5LkXoANYKn4W_Ig74WmZGYGXqQsGEl5-it5uP35e_MYyt1MOOs/s1600/creamy+potato+salad+with+bacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PSJqScMyqOxjtf1gdvs6JoQgvoDiufSzqN18OcB7miSvHRJ21atVEbPDnpOFRHaNmCNkDOiE0wdt6SbFWmQ7THWUj5LkXoANYKn4W_Ig74WmZGYGXqQsGEl5-it5uP35e_MYyt1MOOs/s1600/creamy+potato+salad+with+bacon.jpg" width="212" /></a></div> <a href="http://www.adventures-in-cooking.com/2013/09/quinoa-stuffed-eggplant-with-roasted.html?crlt.pid=camp.mcXjJGKNElOy">Roasted Garlic Raita</a> This Raita goes so well with anything grilled. I make this up and keep it in the fridge for BBQ's. <a href="http://www.adventures-in-cooking.com/2013/09/quinoa-stuffed-eggplant-with-roasted.html?crlt.pid=camp.mcXjJGKNElOy"><img alt="summer recipes, summer food, easy recipes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz4DHCI_Ii4i0LD4gdZwf7E86uYF6CQsENsvrGKNivo_vjaPFjMr1t8exgc8AYvnaE2n2o1Pv9318NejXkC8ArBz5tuk94dlEcc9kAaA-nNvLxUHSqbt9ki3oc-562NotR041rH70XiM/s1600/IMG_2540-0.jpg" title="" /></a> <a href="http://therecipecritic.com/2013/09/baked-honey-sesame-chicken/">Baked Honey Sesame Chicken </a> I have made this awesome recipe from The Recipe Critic countless times. It is delicious. Break out your skinny jeans, because this tastes better than take out, but isn't nearly as bad for you. <a href="http://therecipecritic.com/2013/09/baked-honey-sesame-chicken/"><img alt="summer recipes, summer food, easy recipes" src="http://therecipecritic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/bakedhoneysesamecenter.jpg" title="" /></a> <a href="http://www.jocooks.com/healthy-eating/baked-bang-bang-shrimp/">Baked Bang Bang Shrimp</a> If you like shrimp as much as we do, you will be so happy to have found this recipe! It's so good! <a href="http://www.jocooks.com/healthy-eating/baked-bang-bang-shrimp/"><img alt="bang-bang-shrimp-summer recipes, summer food, easy recipes" src="http://www.jocooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/bang-bang-shrimp-1-2.jpg" title="" /></a> <a href="http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com/2013/04/grilled-corn-with-chipotle-butter-and.html">Grilled Corn with Chipotle Butter</a> Steak and Potatoes Kind of Gurl shared this grilled corn and chipotle butter  recipe ~ and it it to die for! Will be making this all summer, including when we are out camping! <img alt="summer recipes, summer food, easy recipes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DAnMmuSg1CSZqMzZQSyMuMUFspJa4k_YfVnUBQ7EPidjCZfjFKgUGyUJlBShSOdKrIdT_4LaLFGFbvoAmCKZ1JpQg17Gh7qndQJa_E4Y9EbRxgFhYa4Z_d2Y8EqVay75tncshEAjmQo/s1600/Grilled+Corn+with+Chipotle+Butter+and+Lime+Salt+03.png" title="" /> <a href="http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/key-lime-tartlets/">Key Lime Tartlets</a> These are almost too pretty to eat. Thanks at Gimme Some Oven, they're super easy to make and perfect to bring to a summer party! <a href="http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/key-lime-tartlets/"><img alt="summer recipes, summer food, easy recipes" src="http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/key-lime-tartlets-12.jpg" title="" /></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter! (Above) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you would like to join in some fun link parties, head on over <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/p/link-parties_11.html">HERE</a></div>

Easy Recipes You HAVE to Try!

Hello everyone! As I wait for the paint to dry on a recent DIY, I've put together a list of the recipes that I've recently made, and...

7:44 AM

Easy art knock off

Hey hey! Happy Friday! I have a quick and easy knock off for you today! I’ve been thinking more about what I’ll be hanging on the walls in our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/master%20bedroom" target="_blank">master bedroom</a>…after I finish painting all of them. Who knows how long that will be. Could be years. But whatever. It’s the one room in our house with a TON of wall space – and it’s hard to figure out what to put everywhere. I struggle with making all the walls work together. Lately I’ve seen a lot of this art at HomeGoods and it always catches my eye: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XSrn5XvKZHWTkCKkxrOMzXYaT2nrRgTShJOSSzkCubbPw3veTclzQunX2uw_FQNwo3CkdzBZET-cHVN9UIxbPzG2EsZYB1JSxVp4Ww5FuvaWj7GD2JDW2V-O6A_jP4F-xz3WlR3usoA/s1600-h/unnamed%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="seashell shadow box" border="0" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFafYaowbcOr7tQvRs7aHx1G403WbWfkkBReOp9iSRIwsv1JEJiynaY7YhpnfTCvjnuCUmS3HLObJQ_bEzqnlHLJpUqbNjkveOZ99kJ4ehLPjDz4xwyGhbpLHBxheeOMVNGnZe0YWfqzE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="seashell shadow box" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bVOzBXMnIRm18fg4Z3bwpsNAOpopePvyFw70qscKcdATGmGt7VTvykds1PRUok7-WHNTqxtwx972i_sJSVGuFWW-8EYsF4a7YozlaTHww6rd_dvDtkN_8x6zvc3xuBRJU-GAw9gO2AY/s1600-h/unnamed2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="seashell art" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwa24l4BqRi6aUmqEKLl_QQ_PScYFEDjp0BepMdUdXOiKAOOq18CsF0ed2ZHMaa45mIuUtt9Duz_SvjmTXl_mkaIcCRYMmJ6z4UFk17OR0jSesXGkH8_teP6IY5gp-dDJxkyqGl-_Pb0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="seashell art" width="290" /></a> Over the past few months I’ve seen a bunch of these at two different locations and I love them. I picked up some coral art for the room at Target months back and these would look great with it. But I didn’t want to $40 on one, especially when I knew it would be so easy to recreate. :) So that I did! I picked up a square frame at HG for $8: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsG_vaEi-Lj6d5p_38fF6i4fFwYL7cnNKCM0iqr8zbJMeyM_868anXgRcAXxCeS1p6GT4CKK_GYAG8S6cKDp4sz8Jpx96RVmIwhCWQ8K7mz-kY8X8ytPEht98vwWkxsn8FGVo2SWsrv4/s1600-h/IMG_8932%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2GZ3eKIDurT8ECcYTtSh8QxwZ7znD8M7zDGINawLv1nT2BedVNyMbbwCMEWEMCWn2uOGkCRVPikWoW4JHLpYqO1ZgRlOGJ-4vFyd-EHggbYkKO9yK-clSEHTGJBNo8fGnwIbFWOOPno/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a> The look was exactly the same, it’s just about eight inches smaller on each side. I wanted to pull in some color so I cut navy blue scrapbook paper and taped it to the back of the mat: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpX4rCpAq_0EOHmqXp58ywyfe_cgPcMgkl5qNiXmC7N2Zd8vyHAvToH5ZSek2VPeBlHywRs4k0HDY13wNoKjv5K_pVWIqYVeesWqyHoFSvpT0H5d3YUnSdj_tAOWzobi-3CuR91EJEmQ/s1600-h/IMG_8933%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05nUCItKYEVRgPcSqL3NT53MSI-9qA-vRxnac9KG4hyGe1_c3ikKZd8iMbxRnGtirGkVQ3Z4e3mqR46-1lIc-XYYJDbsBPLwZ0P0UXnyf_txDK91hFMA8nN3ssSjfydTVU7UrsKxvPPU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a> I’ve had some shells for years that I knew would work in the middle. I tried out a few and liked both of these:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmTVIRgaCEqWliqXkIsjbsq-YTtQmCK1ujc5E3RZZLZefhwxJ1Fmj4AhNHmR36Kz7UoFewUpj9IVi4oL6Wg2Q9ab-VRa3tNCxdA78m_pG_5kMfrXoUOUBMZ1WAEhDFd9XEOUz5-Qp5yI/s1600-h/IMG_8935%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY beachy art" border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zwGrcc_zPAf6HN279udmELBkW1S2QHQtDLL9fNm6M7zYDe_3aNIhApj7gUDi2d-KdnpTa7GAeZoTezEE4RXxTdUX40CHs917EC5EaLZ11a3Xk5lgMwlatRsETP_aE2VYu9-56_lLIB0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DIY beachy art" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJF4KarvtjLMtMyTdvLeKuDW2w5Nd4WlNtm8tpuTSWfGz_imnsrH1Z_C1ZBPqeefeMfhOCw8PU0SblgrMv9du1TEop6rvPwkJtl-Lkmtt6alRSww4qctcAw0uYvm16LTIvJykpl7USkk/s1600-h/IMG_8936%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY shell art" border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1E8NiiVxpRwuiDWL02RrD6UiTRB_oZRA8aiu9HxP5GZvzeuetvQQv69ubvJTb-Q9g0OP_nisYqKc5Zdo5TYJvR5LCPeMyCw7BvC7PnzlTErMMpgvcSvZNeGy-6c3FCuvSc0qQsp3zzk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DIY shell art" width="290" /></a> But ended up with one a little simpler – a sweet little starfish. :) I ended up spray painting the frame white, but then changed direction and threw some more color on there with a navy blue again. (I blogged about my blue spray paint taste test <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/04/spray-paint-blues.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) It was quick and easy and cost me $8. Not too shabby!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmsTd8ZAFdjGlxXMVc-W0-GJ4RyT0MyNLwX7KDtarCa1kJzhIN1HbsVpbxxvdtxcQFR1ycgtBpnxH3HGiwrrsoPhyphenhyphenw01m5sIDEpNftieQaHfkA2UAY7U0znd_2SfATpeId3w959X9Mqo/s1600-h/IMG_9016%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY beachy art" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJOE1zq67ioU4MKTpbI-qhPuMvMernVvVrAs8ejqw6EO1K0XedW15fragAABRtGUmHgOZEYgFJLwlQDGSsSDqO3AnZ881d-vNJDFKtf9gfRZQ61KDxmdcSLB_H0CfAtnbepVpoRjIC1c/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY beachy art" width="550" /></a> Once I get the walls painted (a light gray) and get that small gallery wall going I think it will be a great little addition! My version doesn’t have the glass on top, but I have a plan in mind to make it look more like the inspiration art. (More of a shadow box look.) I’ll let you know if it works when the wall is put together! First up…painting the room! Good times. Have a great weekend my friends!

Easy art knock off

Hey hey! Happy Friday! I have a quick and easy knock off for you today! I’ve been thinking more about what I’ll be hanging on the walls in o...

9:27 AM

Looking back: A powder room redo

Hey there! Hope you are having a wonderful Thursday! It’s time to go back in time again and check out the progress of the smallest room in our house over the years. First of all – I think the amount of time and effort I’ve put into this bathroom is odd because I haven’t done much at all in bathrooms that would bring more value – like the master bath. But, we use the powder room ALL the time. And guests see it. So in the end, I guess it’s worth making it a priority. And secondly, I’ve painted this small room more times than I’ve painted most of the rooms in our house all together. I was talking with a friend a few months ago and she mentioned how much I paint in our house – I told her she’d be surprised that most of the rooms in our home have only been painted once. They’ve stayed that way for a long time too. The kitchen, family room, master bath, guest bath and master have been painted once in ten years. And the living room, staircase, loft and upstairs hall as well. BUT…when I paint one tiny room like 56 times, yeah, I could see how it seems like I’m always painting walls. ;) This was a room I was never quite happy with, until last year when I finally finished it up. I lived with each look for a couple years, but it never felt quite right. Shortly after we moved in I tried my hand at molding – and I used Liquid Nails to apply the molding. You know, just in case I NEVER EVER WANTED TO TAKE THEM OFF: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9dGFit7pfArchdVxLds2RtexWn8_hySvYqJvzWkBf9E2zPI7vfQz5A4kIQK6KquEV5F6wOoMIN77IB48wAgvGaZD1UMXwjwdTZXya2NBO2bW3zltv-XafrLdGs3JPE8FDGoZek6DmLQ/s1600-h/unnamed%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXxlGcSG7cgK52Z1ROPJWO5Zyaj7jJyn6dcgqgrWcFF-0HqzxgszisMpCiat20vEULsmgjHQT-1pfVZqnbutlFXu_SH0rWfjLmydhq7c1Ktg0JMzgqVPvperUPICPC2X_SNo4uMfcFK4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> Here’s the proof that we all start somewhere. I was using an electric handheld saw to cut that wood and didn’t begin to know how to cut at an angle – so I used some trim pieces in the corners. I think they’re supposed to be installed with baseboards. The quality was…interesting. :) So years later I made over the room again. This time with mitered corners (yeah!) and lots of brown (noooo): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9zHGhvY4PbrCePuqQXXHD7JxHAmbsE8dID77h3d1GOtbdI1ICKAFFpaefQhzh4XXU3tMl4hKAFkxLZam_3r7fOU4T8zZkdpdwUndPq0gua9lUW0W960ENeXiJbNUUKjhG4b67-PlWVs/s1600-h/DSC06182%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark brown bathroom" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFp8LTYlTwCQku1PHv4o-CKQUaavpIT0LwqBC5sHzwYY5s-W60f3yXj1KW7c-9eH8Wc4ZdJT35bPbkI2aPEnWjqB61v3eDZiHVDzZBgO5yJUrjhoGDGV-CQlfQz-Vn-5sFPdJEBlplAE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dark brown bathroom" width="500" /></a> I actually quite like this for a while. But after a while the chocolate brown got depressing and dark and…brown. I went all the way too: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEmmDkRqJYZA76J9DF5nXB6DehIj58SgyjH1fWqOJYxExHvC9gFmN0Mgb75h8qLTha8vkIo66gx_6EaUjTtzYnv5c3vMQndrfcm_HFxk7JIS-Io0Uy3BtQhT5tnwcklR-Q4y_NE15Ve8/s1600-h/DSC06197%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark brown ceilings " border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVx4ENQic_0MzQdnMrM4bbJCeBxKUHJwaVG3zLCKYYf8bx_rhF8KqorFXQSYNa4xMCoc4ooia8h7KbJZNALFlZlXbu5upvd3OYCAk3tgL7CjhkmzBv6IdpINENfpFvNt7QDAGr8asvzE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dark brown ceilings " width="500" /></a> But pretty soon I was craving a lighter look. I painted over the stencils, took the molding down, then started painting over the brown in a hurry before a party. It was months later before I finally finished it up:  <img alt="" border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YbIKfTqgyEAA9kVBcFhN7rotnhdt8AlfiUFUOhtFqlWk4TONI73XpgVcShxt5v4rpk_mLONQexJzfNvfq6-TZWEODljO9LVuRigDoT8cwmFseUrGVXSLwDkg7eaYBtN9JOIXIG2jl-Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="290" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCgBeq0J93dNN_FW4CSVM7duGwN31Juxrf9W7crnoB7D_HPmT-Q4Uybr0eV7r5PXtVV66sTbSyH898X9Xspa5sK0GVoYwVa3XUc7wtevgc6XzPZiSaPqznYpFbkzZjquvTc42pKVqx0s/s1600-h/IMG_1900_thumb2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4ag-HFw7mIgagyeuA3Kn3J9nznDKP4e4ug0JQhySl2yTCQ4SIcp40dFOmcl0cYpMLgwArNG87lbK2ve-nMfy9uib-P5SIVVX5Y9fnst55CjOF5mV27DOCFrBpWzfZd-2ilPA7mYU5sY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="286" /></a> At this point we’re a good two years into the redo here. I’ve mentioned a few times that when I stall on things it’s either because they’re incredibly hard or because I’m still not convinced on my direction. This one was the latter. :) But the plan finally came together in my head and I forged on! I started installing the wood planks: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5R6ahiW7Zb7dbedSCkd5X8zbaCEm5hUXonvq4r_bvvy5yjXkVYPQuwEtdIwbH7ioxhjvdwwCM1PQPQKD_mTO8RnagcXhRirR6eJ-huig7Fq3k4Stc2FokhuSvqnxWPs0qlbwYaBt1D-M/s1600-h/IMG_4366_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRmhnrOgemJRFmgTfzR3eA6ta0VTIuW0svJPWZIbdPruRUJNxQSGvPBGTrM_x8lz5DI78YvGr0nzArJPuEV8J3qYzswXX6htqVfCRYwTtrvVhjpaaNf0x78qPwbHsw_jA012vS_wN_NI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="350" /></a> And pooped out again. I knew it would look good eventually – I was just tired of the space and needed to focus elsewhere. A few months went by and I was ready again. (Told you – longest makeover EVER.) When I was ready again I spent a few days straight working like a beast. The planked walls came together:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiPZK1IEQguU5EGTHUvqj4ej4f6ISo335_nRHr0qGBM4RVP39tJ3E55JCkE9O0bfyhrVr1OORvrKUUd2_eYcAAqC_VXvgvTfQ5EDuWk67W5musmV35qS0jeusBe8ixyCHd9JHBaLRBmU/s1600-h/IMG_5122_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to install planked walls" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhULlvr-J-gsFTQLPb-SLkzPOeMpZOzms4iPO8bcx_YnczHTXBpF7AGF_FrVBt70XaGD5s6h7eO6RdCBqM0KFwLhQ-OrnzpAbh76rDgRXo4JH2bWJqV0XxV1hT-IuwJbRtlQSG_HBRGs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to install planked walls" width="450" /></a>You can see how I installed those <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/03/planking-wall-not-me.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The process is really easy, it just takes some time. And painting them in a pain in the butt, for real.  And then I tried my original plan on the walls – painting them red: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3b8Rv31nkjj1dkXE5pWwffvl11g_9Jzk-ZShRvNbBxnnRXttGd9JOzLs0ctAPSU7E7b9ewHFk3eN5ppaSxSXEZD95fO-3j_sBEGV66fMXMG7JNvfS07h9mNq_xcDQFLs0SP88-F0YAgs/s1600-h/IMG_5502%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY craftsman trim " border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6bJ6-Rmi9yf7x9dDJs0xKAkkdX46vaU1_oWxvxH57An9fLMapVJp_S2YlAAKjKJ0e4fac6uwAsOjsX3gUaarHduzlU1So4LZD5fKNdIsp2PlYvGOSlbf-LeyyKwZjItx9c2kJYyOMJQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY craftsman trim " width="500" /></a> If I was more of a red girl I would have gone for it – but I’m not. I loved the red against the white for sure, it just wasn’t the look I was going for. After two more attempts on the color I finally <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/05/powder-room-paint-with-ez-twist.html" target="_blank">got it right</a>. Accessible beige by Sherwin Williams: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBYM5FKlKLNxFRbx9rYgigVR-IlbI_6vUbeTSrTJE6i3361H3zpBzzK38qyQREoqD5opVmBHLtAOmnF6VZVWC9K30dkRsSbl0b207GHC35jad6WTSTlWGT2QY5w2Ps9dalUkhQrm4QVM/s1600-h/1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white planked walls" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjax8jrNKyCJzT58_79wL78jAPeh_4h2qqQIlOVdLpXX3J7IKxl7bzx8W0-2xdfVyisGg3FgwD-SKGPvXwNZ3tKNe8rLCFFA-yiQU9e5D_yIXDoVeXAuUEXqf7ZiftZE5tOKMyaMsnKzmU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="white planked walls" width="500" /></a> Let’s count the number of times I’ve painted this room now, shall we? I think I’m at seven. :) Seventh time is a charm I guess. The whole room was designed around my son’s artwork – it was when I saw it that I knew exactly what I wanted to do in the room: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoC_7sNs2O9mq1Rg46gTrK2i9_JIaUB5KZrImtV5uv54-Q78Tv-dA70ntS9yCNWG2SUeuBu_Yd_N8cHTcjeOUW2b0R4KdnTVqi0my0VOhrniUCIfUW9jFuchNJz6TIQNjBvOvTqyjboP8/s1600-h/IMG_5758%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="planked walls in bathroom" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuKUeTKpHl7-0wJtEKdNmEIZ9dzls0oNuPMrLN0Yfj3s5XUDpxv35YEyPH-ADW1RndkQOuQVUMaH-nhvEIlXClaDOWf3m4WxJXQfcB9bzD-JQQkmFg549073XOVAG2xdYvu3oVKoxxiM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="planked walls in bathroom" width="500" /></a> We obviously changed more than just the walls – the hardwoods are so lovely and the IKEA vanity offers a ton more storage. I truly, truly love this space now. It’s bright and happy and fun – and it reminds me of my boy. :) You can see the full reveal of the room <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/06/powder-room-redo-complete.html" target="_blank">here</a> and all the details of the space are <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/ikea-vanity-and-more-powder-room.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Even though it’s the smallest room in our house I think it’s one of the biggest transformations I’ve ever done. Maybe I need to take five years to redo all my spaces! Oh that’s right. I do. Thanks for looking back with me again! Before and afters are my favorite! :)

Looking back: A powder room redo

Hey there! Hope you are having a wonderful Thursday! It’s time to go back in time again and check out the progress of the smallest room in...

8:59 AM

Remove Labels From Glass Jars

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DPdxjjXofHZbzS6hO3DylIy33tg9RBCoxKxerOQjCO51SxxTzMvoRG1-cxUxfEd2QymVrkWd5Ky7O7fjrHjlI8IshYLSl2aKo1KUuA5abhUQD42hwTVXp2xkhaJvecthM0BMw0CJujc/s1600/painting+kitchen+table+and+cleaning+glasses+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="remove labels, clean glass jars, remove glue from glass, remove labels from glass jars" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DPdxjjXofHZbzS6hO3DylIy33tg9RBCoxKxerOQjCO51SxxTzMvoRG1-cxUxfEd2QymVrkWd5Ky7O7fjrHjlI8IshYLSl2aKo1KUuA5abhUQD42hwTVXp2xkhaJvecthM0BMw0CJujc/s1600/painting+kitchen+table+and+cleaning+glasses+035.JPG" title="" width="212" /></a></div> </div>As I sit down to write this, I am slightly out of breath. You may be asking yourself: <ul><li>Was she carrying lumber to make an outdoor bench?</li><li>Was she moving all of the furniture, including area rugs, in her living room to create the perfect grouping?</li><li>Was she spending three hours sanding a very old table down to the original wood?</li><li>Was she digging a flower bed, and weeding?</li></ul>Well, I have done all of those things this week... But none of them had me out of breath. Here's what did have me out of breath: As I waited for a newly painted table to dry, so that I could apply a second coat of paint, I decided to remove the labels from some old jars, so that I could make vases, or candle holders - I don't know - whatever. Just something to do. <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4PHfqWlTAYgGPmnPTj-3Nmdp46Xu6YHI31m4J4T-I8zpydNwFMwPwNACEq3Meev4MDntkbER8c71gKWkzR6gK_V8GFrS9YhV4GDKMae0bnhiyz4RlJtQJ2XdDCD0qYvxP5nw1eqqW6c/s1600/cleaning+glass+jars+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="remove labels from glass jars, clean glass jars, remove glue from glass" border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4PHfqWlTAYgGPmnPTj-3Nmdp46Xu6YHI31m4J4T-I8zpydNwFMwPwNACEq3Meev4MDntkbER8c71gKWkzR6gK_V8GFrS9YhV4GDKMae0bnhiyz4RlJtQJ2XdDCD0qYvxP5nw1eqqW6c/s1600/cleaning+glass+jars+1.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div> Let me tell you, removing labels from jars is one of life's little pleasures. The feeling of accomplishment when you have your crystal clear jar before you, ready for adornment, is simply second to none. <div style="text-align: center;">UNLESS YOU JUST SCRUBBED SO HARD</div><div style="text-align: center;">THE PIGMENT OF YOUR FINGERS CAME OFF </div><div style="text-align: center;">AND YOU CAN'T CATCH YOUR BREATH  </div><div style="text-align: center;">AND THE GLUE STILL WON'T BUDGE</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>I'm sorry, I was <strike>about ready to lose my ever lovin' mind </strike> a little irritated. This wasn't my first rodeo with labels. But I've caught my breath a little now, and am no longer traumatized. It started because I decided to find the best method for removing labels, because I DID NOT HAVE ANY GOO-GONE. There are so many cute glass jar shapes and sizes, but those darn labels. What do they use to adhere them? If we find out, we should let NASA know. That stuff is HARD CORE. Anyway I bravely marched on. <div style="text-align: center;">And here are my scientific label and glue removing findings: </div> First: I tried giving the glass jars a bubble bath, with super hot water and a little Dawn. I filled the jars and soaked them for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, some of the paper label came off, but none of the glue. I scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOK_P0d-G9eNcbrm77-WdZK6Wo4m8COCerXJr8Y09MXrY6Ndhq8n-0xTV7bU9vu-Xw5EK18x7dGeqdxZcU-KPa9Qa5oCENSOSJIDlCUgViVlMd8sL0GybFg6KCR_r4n_g7Wj7BCZGvb4/s1600/cleaning+glass+jars+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="remove labels from glass jars, clean glass jars, remove glue from glass" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOK_P0d-G9eNcbrm77-WdZK6Wo4m8COCerXJr8Y09MXrY6Ndhq8n-0xTV7bU9vu-Xw5EK18x7dGeqdxZcU-KPa9Qa5oCENSOSJIDlCUgViVlMd8sL0GybFg6KCR_r4n_g7Wj7BCZGvb4/s1600/cleaning+glass+jars+2.jpg" title="" width="213" /></a></div> Second: I dried the glass, and rubbed the remaining label/glue mess with nail polish remover with a paper towel. (I thought this was a genius move.) Uh, no. That simply didn't work. So I tried letting a paper towel soaked in nail polish remover sit on the glue for a minute, and scrubbed like my life depended on a crystal clear spaghetti sauce jar - no dice. Third: The clear winner, but not exactly "the miracle" I was looking for... rubbing alcohol. I poured a generous amount of the alcohol on a paper towel and most of the glue dissolved and came off. <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiB5WypLf1aKt2QNUVbE4XAWcaOsE781dTY0CJEZvoK9FDiCk3Qmn0BD4qphm1SEqQHLa0-7ESAgWqscDz3QhyphenhyphenEmADtK0_fKa82JAuJFxegvBT0V-RGij0X-pSWSd7tL3w80BeIxX2GgM/s1600/Cleaning+glass+jars+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="remove labels from glass jars, clean glass jars, remove glue from glass" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiB5WypLf1aKt2QNUVbE4XAWcaOsE781dTY0CJEZvoK9FDiCk3Qmn0BD4qphm1SEqQHLa0-7ESAgWqscDz3QhyphenhyphenEmADtK0_fKa82JAuJFxegvBT0V-RGij0X-pSWSd7tL3w80BeIxX2GgM/s1600/Cleaning+glass+jars+3.jpg" title="" width="213" /></a></div> Some stubborn parts required steel wool, and just about all of my elbow grease (read: sanding the table was easier), and eventually came off. (If you have a foolproof method for removing labels, do tell. I can take it if there's an easy way, and I've wasted hours of scrubbing my fingers to the bone. I promise not to run screaming into traffic.) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter! (Above) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you would like to join in some fun link parties, head on over <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/p/link-parties_11.html">HERE</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlgnvkoJQtkdgawcvNibGqz_ZLrW0mgCi56XWYIgmC-WNHOXuf8KGlxQW1nVA1tY3Y-gaTG0kcFkitR-iUinvu4QSokUkNhxGJ_C8pWtEXritSzzov3vBBvN0_UOhEIfzklNRYNdTOFw/s1600/cleaning+glass+jars+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="remove labels from glass jars, clean glass jars, remove glue from glass" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlgnvkoJQtkdgawcvNibGqz_ZLrW0mgCi56XWYIgmC-WNHOXuf8KGlxQW1nVA1tY3Y-gaTG0kcFkitR-iUinvu4QSokUkNhxGJ_C8pWtEXritSzzov3vBBvN0_UOhEIfzklNRYNdTOFw/s1600/cleaning+glass+jars+4.jpg" title="" width="213" /></a></div><div> </div>

Remove Labels From Glass Jars

As I sit down to write this, I am slightly out of breath. You may be asking yourself: Was she carrying lumber to make an outdoor bench? Was ...

4:27 AM

Our new front porch

Well…it finally happened. Spring (kinda) arrived. Seriously, this winter was so rough. I didn't even mind it too much until the warmer weather showed about a month late. It’s only about now that I’m so OVER the cold that I care barely stand it. :) We’ve had some beautiful days here and there but it’s only this week that will finally feel like spring to me – they say it will hit the 80’s, which I’m totally fine with right now. Bring it. Usually spring is one of my favorite times of the year, but it’s feeling a bit less exciting this time around. The poor plants are feeling it -- our azaleas aren’t even close to blooming yet. Most of the trees and bushes are greening up, but some are still half bare with buds barely starting. My favorite tree in the spring, our redbud, barely bloomed: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXu6EAOTtLbhSCXpAIgsX_sg0pttSsFO_cyX61-7aUCELw8lSKt6_CVMPjZcZZwmN6O19b7yIQIkV8N9noUMRMfolfjZFJdH9iABbsm6H6Zs05nzd7J_2gEnz0BksC3_HPie41uELpRk/s1600-h/IMG_8998%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqNZ3IKEG0UwIcTXhzsI60PhdhnAPBqSstPmLZAcKoZRVvAr1POZ9PDTBm2oSWe9bd6l0lmN5LLoRcnQKMMEpEi_1RlZi3CB4UTNIjolJ6vbWNNThY6hwfyyXb7yvNXu50oiEuL_4qpY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> And my viburnum bush that is usually GORGEOUS in the spring flowered about half way too. It’s all a bit of a bummer – I just hope everything fills out soon. I’ve noticed in just the past few days that things are starting to grow like crazy so that gives me hope! Anyway, the weather was great this weekend so I finally got out to start working in the beds. I still have a ton of work to do but the front is looking so much better. This time of year is always an expensive one for us – gardening stuff isn’t cheap! But I love it -- I really enjoy planting, pruning, tending to plants and figuring out what works where outside. I picked up some new planters for the front porch at Home Depot and $6 ferns: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiEoDcYF11kp1W9o74Ka7DrP2Hk6K8tCEiF9Al61YLK-mQJHcVrIDpeFpql0uMnDa9QPtAR5ogd0X5Eo5hAlvs9Jtt9UcsfKqM1Gxxlj49cvl6Qr2pv6Na1kjv1yNlQ3-Y3lpLyoIeKI/s1600-h/IMG_9008%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ferns on front porch" border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJH1qowi0CL-bIIor3-DVBSVpUUBIV2-VIfDhUpNFNeJjXQ4s7NiAgM4JdG3fQi-wmzS5YrzjZn7UbKXTnxBW5n43Jr-7aj0pkxjYPkJEj5PX24KGitTv-zc08l5b0Qvw7HwenlyYiHA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ferns on front porch" width="500" /></a> I have to fine just the right size for our porch since it’s so small. The <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-touch-of-fall.html" target="_blank">tall copper pots</a> I got at Target a couple years back were perfect, but they didn’t hold up well at all. I love the rattan look of these! And I didn’t even plant the ferns – I just dropped the ferns (in their pots) in the planters. I also swept the porch, cleaned out the flower beds and hung a new flag – I love having a flag flying out front. :) I also got a little project done that I’ve wanted to tackle for years. I’d love to have a big front porch on our house – it would be positively dreamy. But it’s not going to happen so I’ve had a plan in my head for years to create a porch without a porch.   What I really want to do on a porch is sit and watch the kids play, wave hello to the neighbors as they walk by and have an occasional glass of wine in the evenings. We have a gorgeous backyard that I love, but sometimes it’s nice to be out front where everyone is. My plan involved two adirondack chairs and goodness, did you know they are crazy expensive? Two years now I’ve tried to find them at a decent price. I put an alert on my craigslist app and the only ones that came up were handmade versions that were hundreds each. I finally found a couple unassembled two years ago on there and picked them up for $25 each – and then last year when I went to put them together realized all the parts weren’t in the boxes. Grrrr. So the plan was on hold again. Until last week when the kiddo and I walked through Menards and I saw some that weren’t crazy expensive and they were the perfect color. They were also faux wood which is a major bonus. We had a couple similar chairs in wood years and years ago (in the backyard) and they quite literally fell apart after being exposed to the elements for two years. Hopefully these hold up better. I pulled out the boxes this weekend and they were super easy to put together too. Now we have a new “front porch” – I can’t even tell you how much I love it: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2coNhxCqoYleRVDAEB42HuQjYr_673c830ETnxU8yxNQ5O15D5P15unMzHQhyphenhyphenZ6UhBjDPMkk69rXLe5-X15Hcv9NN9G4sX3ZluqY2QN3o44oEk8dV3l9LpKVn49B5NBstiVuJBM7lbRM/s1600-h/IMG_9006%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="faux wood adirondack chairs" border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHDMxcycvTS7dvdFoc8o0UWI3x4qnd8rqxk9HZJatCCPncb9pMkQYx7zsWCjLKgHmhu1lf12Ro0uoUDQN9_XfeNTyJ9__zaBFjKlxE9xhe-X4DAvf8Kmh-0JMPQ9XPPRr8ANhyphenhyphenYjpjy8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="faux wood adirondack chairs" width="550" /></a> Right now they sit on the grass but my plan has always been to extend the mulch and put them on there. That way we won’t have to move them around to mow. And I can see eventually planting some colorful flowers around them as well. For now I took some inspiration from an expensive planter I saw at Home Depot and recreated it – red geraniums with a purple grassy plant in the middle: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW5PuGIeBOh1szer2vpL16Ds-jVwSnz92bwt6-7CzS-m127AQygd_BcfaighrnPT0OYUskTLRfT1MM8V4v0lEBC8rjnJih1kdCLHZTfvbvw0BGWpbdbAl-ztgZ2LDA3HLMUQ6R8FZWX8/s1600-h/IMG_9015%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="red geraniums" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeW98sSRB_PJiIOZimsiY_g73ayBzQPQtnOtSJ-o6HCB0v4ipy2VqZMx-1FYh_SiMwAVBa95sIJ6tEH7nwg-9z5xNDO7umxoJZajxm0WB90RO7uvCp-2CiAQSyGtOdfObCRESJ7ARFvs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="red geraniums" width="500" /></a> I took these pics at different times, hence the cat in both windows. Many of you have noticed lately that he must be in every photo, one way or another. :) The chairs are the perfect size and incredibly comfy. I didn’t see the foot rest part at Menards, but I don’t think we’ll need them. I am a tuck my feet up kind of person anyway and there’s plenty of room for that. I love the way they look out front! Every time we drive up I tell my husband how adorable they are. He agrees: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2A84ndlbR6diWaRQudb5zRZcdwlwprmuALriE-kAgF8zjoBX0QU_C7IJLvIvvgX-LciIxjhjo-gWrvYLIqpco6v7FuFlKw6gPM50JBVwpJtTtvFfWB5sRoWiJXCVy2rBaMmljy9BQXg/s1600-h/IMG_8999%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="adirondack chairs in front yard" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWMcnMhLTXhGBANgu5OfZaS6kqmO6p5cKzO1qvpv6iRfyv3FHD6w4vyLq4WMh-IPkylu6rOUqiQhAdfWpLaUl3uxIZbXoMKyYSPen3hDVuqwWiO-SugazBJf6E3RMZIl18mQfnsD1qgY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="adirondack chairs in front yard" width="500" /></a> The brand is Backyard Creations from Menards but I can’t find them online. They were a splurge for two but the price was way better than anything else I’ve found for the size and the faux wood (that should hold up better). AND I waited patiently for two years. :) I pulled the pillows from the back patio – love them. I wanted to pull some red tones in to work with the front door. The chairs came in both gray and brown – they didn’t have brown in stock but the gray ended up working great with our shutters since they lean a bit that color: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14qOhaIWSSnaH1z8Ph1_dnF-2TMII8fT-RboZQ4MZIsnxdQi7ZHFzmMSzlLZdjuXhLQp6H3fG4bCCYNCoA1P5sgJrYsBqpWsk_1NAUwJ5YeutBUKmokbk5rct3UpLB5-AGDm-gh_32lw/s1600-h/IMG_9013%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="adirondack chairs in front of house" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSgnqSt64fhDaNbp_kweDFPfXy4LGiWKJlAWdWiCDcroN3f91TqF5rT_Vw9lBMl859QYw3NJlIX8XjjDSpQ-OAfL8anNNWYRlZIXQ7zmjllBuPFl1QP4jDe2gId9CSgba9KVX3j9bpoM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="adirondack chairs in front of house" width="500" /></a> I want to do a lot to that area still, so I’ll share updates as it comes together even more. But for now I just can’t wait to sit out there with a glass of wine. Tonight perhaps? :) Have you started working on any outdoor projects? I still have so much to do just to get the beds ready for new mulch. But I’m SO HAPPY to be working outside again. Gardening has become a passion of mine over the past few years and I get excited at the possibilities.

Our new front porch

Well…it finally happened. Spring (kinda) arrived. Seriously, this winter was so rough. I didn't even mind it too much until the warmer w...

9:07 AM

UPDATE: Mod Podge a Glass Table Top with Burlap

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcWXSWOpLhB6SOnBxq1cmnoAy9JpIyfYxU3szXru2VGR6u0vjuwmc50ObB3l8ydt8RkRxwiJOxP0QFyout8Vm5IdCu4dLhZ4qVMt1T0mHOxRcJ9o1c5YGhpH10bMiNpwVvAAf3kx_XFE/s1600/burlap+table+top+with+rope+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mod podge on glass, burlap mod podge, burlap projects, mod podge projects" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcWXSWOpLhB6SOnBxq1cmnoAy9JpIyfYxU3szXru2VGR6u0vjuwmc50ObB3l8ydt8RkRxwiJOxP0QFyout8Vm5IdCu4dLhZ4qVMt1T0mHOxRcJ9o1c5YGhpH10bMiNpwVvAAf3kx_XFE/s1600/burlap+table+top+with+rope+3.jpg" title="Mod Podge a Glass Table Top with Burlap" width="240" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm very proud of myself today! </div> I am a procrastinator. To add to the problem, I lack concentration. I'm too old to change, so I just embrace it. That's why I'm super happy that I finished my burlap table!  <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/2014/04/mod-podge-glass-table-top.html">HERE </a>is the original half of the project, where I used mod podge to cover a glass table top with burlap. <img alt="mod podge, burlap crafts, mod podge and burlap" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljdfABl-qM-6G9am1DM03lHFxmLIejiAnRyMo5PRVre8JlMiPYKUieOOL_nTz28CPqEflqEmmTQCoC8sTSP24X2mY6iTTSg9tOv5jXbi3rA_s8fzLlYLXr6KR4AdxmEWyOvURhlXiy94/s1600/mod+podge+table+top.jpg" title="" /> BUT, the edge of the table needed something, a thanks to you guys, I got some great ideas on how to finish that edge. One of the ideas was to use rope around the edge. So this morning, as I was shopping in my basement, I ran into some Manila Hemp Rope. "Hello there!" I thought. "What Can I Use You for?" . And so began my day... <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fATl_xqtqF9Er7EOMdB9syV2K-aykIGAumPJ8wR_fZQNoMvIc7SarDB33qMB9TPXQUHWQx_kNSB7TcGAvxVUEU5IUcfhY7ydpuTlsdHypYjG9iyrWr_oW6tLGKcdwkwUn7EPfHwPVa8/s1600/mod+podge+a+glass+table+top+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mod podge on glass, burlap mod podge, burlap projects, mod podge projects" border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fATl_xqtqF9Er7EOMdB9syV2K-aykIGAumPJ8wR_fZQNoMvIc7SarDB33qMB9TPXQUHWQx_kNSB7TcGAvxVUEU5IUcfhY7ydpuTlsdHypYjG9iyrWr_oW6tLGKcdwkwUn7EPfHwPVa8/s1600/mod+podge+a+glass+table+top+1.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div> It was the perfect rope to put around the edge of the burlap topped table. So, now it's done ~ and it's only been one month since I posted about the table in the first place! This is nothing short of a miracle for me. :) To illustrate how disorganized I am ~ here is a timeline of the first hour of my day  (and clear picture of my lack of concentration): <ul><li>Drink 1/2 cup coffee</li><li>Add blog links to several blog parties</li><li>Go upstairs and gather laundry from 13 year old son's bedroom</li><li>Re-heat coffee</li><li>Think about project to start today</li><li>Look in my closet and take out old hanging lamp</li><li>Look at the lamp for several minutes, lack any ideas</li><li>"Shop" in basement, and find rope</li><li>Have vague realization that I never finished <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/2014/04/mod-podge-glass-table-top.html">burlap mod podge table</a></li><li>Re-heat coffee, again</li><li>Check emails</li><li>Realize I forgot to turn laundry on</li><li>Turn laundry on</li><li>Feed dog, and wonder why she lies down and groans</li><li>Realize I already fed dog</li><li>Clean one sink in double basin bathroom (just one, not the other one)</li><li>Take out camera and charge battery</li><li>Realize the rope is exactly what I need to finish table</li><li>Eat handful of potato chips with cold coffee</li><li>Go back to basement and get the rope</li><li>Glue rope to coffee table</li></ul><div>Somehow things get done. Sometimes twice, and sometimes late, but they get done!</div><div>And the table is done. So I'm feeling pretty industrious!</div><div> </div><div>Now onto that lamp... and the rest of my disjointed, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants day. </div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_mcJkyzvTfETuJgqsRBb8jxz-JExGnqoVZ2LLjyL7aflz1dgYKgH1GBmKs-1vhn0Kg9MqXE7CCMtivYDjHgbLuH1HFQ6ebJrLeAZ_bZl4WMnUOMNYKhkM16XRuqDxA2UYKCnlLhONO0/s1600/burlap+table+top+with+rope+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mod podge on glass, burlap mod podge, burlap projects, mod podge projects" border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_mcJkyzvTfETuJgqsRBb8jxz-JExGnqoVZ2LLjyL7aflz1dgYKgH1GBmKs-1vhn0Kg9MqXE7CCMtivYDjHgbLuH1HFQ6ebJrLeAZ_bZl4WMnUOMNYKhkM16XRuqDxA2UYKCnlLhONO0/s1600/burlap+table+top+with+rope+2.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Please tell me I'm not the only one who lives like this?! Then I can prove to my husband that I'm perfectly normal! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter! (Above) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you would like to join in some fun link parties, head on over <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/p/link-parties_11.html">HERE</a></div></div><div> </div>

UPDATE: Mod Podge a Glass Table Top with Burlap

I'm very proud of myself today! I am a procrastinator. To add to the problem, I lack concentration. I'm too old to change, so I jus...

10:07 AM

I’ll scratch your back…

Hello all! How are you on this beautiful (chilly!) day? I’ve noticed our plants are taking FOREVER to bloom this year – have you? I’m not surprised but I didn’t realize how late until I looked back at an old post from a couple years back. One of my favorite flowering bushes was in full bloom at the end of March -- it’s just now starting up in late April/early May this year. It’s going to be a short season! Anyway, I’m on the look out for a couple things and I thought who better to ask for help than all of you? You guys are so helpful when I mention something that I’m looking for. But first I thought I would share some info on a couple things I get asked about a TON, a lot lately in particular. The first is our family room rug:  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ynmcZdrfvoA/U2JVX_wuWDI/AAAAAAAAnPU/6F3xoXLzRNY/s1600-h/IMG_7199%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="family room tan walls" border="0" height="366" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h1J0Dx1dlcw/U2JVY5H0KxI/AAAAAAAAnPc/rj-TDR4d9rk/IMG_7199_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="family room tan walls" width="550" /></a> I got it last year and still love it. It’s a 9 by 12 and I got it from HomeGoods. Many have asked for a brand name and when we laid it down I couldn’t find a tag on the back. But I’m a dummy. The brand name is stamped around the edge of the rug. So…the rug is a Broyhill rug, but I can’t find it anywhere online! I don’t have a specific name for the actual design. When I looked at Broyhill rugs online they didn’t have a lot of this more transitional/contemporary design – so I’m stumped. Because I couldn’t find it I did some online shopping for you and these are similar: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xbGVdQ4bdqY/U2JVZifDMMI/AAAAAAAAnPk/x5dKPp3A4P4/s1600-h/rug%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VEAGN2Douz0/U2JVaSdK13I/AAAAAAAAnPs/OHeZT5mxmRw/rug_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="269" /></a> <a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-trellis/slate/200ACR129A-4110711.html" title="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-trellis/slate/200ACR129A-4110711.html">(source)</a> I almost got that one for our master bedroom. It looks so plush in the close up photos. I’ve purchased a couple rugs from Rugs USA and been really happy with the quality. Very pleased really. They’re running a Mother’s Day sale right now, but they do a couple huge sales a year and I wait for those to buy. I liked the design on this one as well: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LKuwplYEKzI/U2JVazxkYbI/AAAAAAAAnP0/L-d5VDNnVz0/s1600-h/200HJHK65A%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-afhL8Z4B11E/U2JVbo2vVuI/AAAAAAAAnP8/lFbgdyPukt4/200HJHK65A_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="274" /></a> <a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-nelina-trellis/grey/200HJHK65A-508.html" title="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-nelina-trellis/grey/200HJHK65A-508.html">(source)</a> And this used to be in our family room – I still love it! It was just a bit too graphic and too small for the space: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HXou77swrpY/U2JVcbRy96I/AAAAAAAAnQE/j40nw3p96m8/s1600-h/200MTVS27E%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P4WOrCgri8M/U2JVc3jtSSI/AAAAAAAAnQM/SHYujExcVdo/200MTVS27E_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="273" /></a> <a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-moroccan-trellis/spa-blue/200MTVS27C-26010.html" title="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-moroccan-trellis/spa-blue/200MTVS27C-26010.html">(source)</a> Those are great options if you’re looking for a similar design. I saw a rug very similar to mine at HomeGoods a couple weeks ago, so there’s still a chance you may get one near you. Also, I get asked about my starburst mirror over the mantel all the time and I KNOW! I love it too: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mwVcg2oUrZg/U2JVdq_dDJI/AAAAAAAAnQU/37Sv8UoOJjM/s1600-h/IMG_7210%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="starburst mirror fireplace" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AF-rwU7aU1g/U2JVeYr68eI/AAAAAAAAnQc/Jyc3QMedqaA/IMG_7210_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="starburst mirror fireplace" width="500" /></a> That’s another HG find years back and I have looked for a name on it and there's nothing. Usually I’ll find the same design on subsequent trips in there but I’ve never seen this one again. I always have my eye out! I’ve even looked online for a similar look and can’t find one. I did love these though:   <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Kd9i6pwnFbg/U2JVfNWHBpI/AAAAAAAAnQk/1HVgrXuPBs0/s1600-h/2685486_1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pier 1 starburst mirror" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8xaJEY7oH1Q/U2JVgFL76lI/AAAAAAAAnQs/TG7Xs3Pd0yc/2685486_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pier 1 starburst mirror" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://www.pier1.com/Champagne-Burst-Mirror/2685486,default,pd.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&utm_campaign=google_pla&utm_content=2685486&s_cid=pla0000001&kpid=2685486" title="http://www.pier1.com/Champagne-Burst-Mirror/2685486,default,pd.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&utm_campaign=google_pla&utm_content=2685486&s_cid=pla0000001&kpid=2685486">(source)</a> That one is from Pier 1 and I really love it. This one is Wayfair and they have a darker version as well: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EbHv3WsjIvU/U2JVg_8YYII/AAAAAAAAnQ0/CHWBO1il350/s1600-h/Safavieh-32-H-x-32-W-Galaxy-Wall-Mirror%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Safavieh-32-H-x-32-W-Galaxy-Wall-Mirror" border="0" height="500" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WEBMHnW-3_8/U2JVhpZyaJI/AAAAAAAAnQ8/bs8Ra-4eB3c/Safavieh-32-H-x-32-W-Galaxy-Wall-Mirror_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Safavieh-32-H-x-32-W-Galaxy-Wall-Mirror" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://www.wayfair.com/Safavieh-32-H-x-32-W-Galaxy-Wall-Mirror-FV34084.html" title="http://www.wayfair.com/Safavieh-32-H-x-32-W-Galaxy-Wall-Mirror-FV34084.html">(source)</a> I love it in the gold finish though. OK, now I need your help! So a couple months back we had our first toilet issue in the powder room. Of course the first time in ten years happens after we put the hardwoods in, but I wouldn’t have put them in if I wasn’t sure they would hold up: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AVusO407Vo4/U2JViWOwSVI/AAAAAAAAnRE/vn7AjzPv5BM/s1600-h/1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white planked walls " border="0" height="750" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-440u3YwMNhc/U2JVjM_-zpI/AAAAAAAAnRM/yLLVUouUppA/1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="white planked walls " width="500" /></a> They did – it was quite impressive. But the rug that was in there wasn’t spared – I thought about dry cleaning it but does that disinfect it? I honestly don’t know. Because it was small I threw it in the washer on gentle, which wasn’t smart. The rug actually came out pretty decent but the backing was all jacked up. It was a MESS. So I had to throw it out and I’m so bummed. I got it at Target a few years back and from what I can tell they don’t carry it online anymore. If any of you see it or know of one will you let me know?: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hOH-PbQLKyI/U2JVke_3YDI/AAAAAAAAnRU/fOpR7UHsp9Y/s1600-h/IMG_5825%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="red blue target rug" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CqeMVYj4IRc/U2JVk4pu7iI/AAAAAAAAnRc/hiesmFsfCy8/IMG_5825_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="red blue target rug" width="500" /></a> The colors in it are PERFECT. Right now we’re just going without one and it’s fine, but I do love that rug and would love to replace it. Also, you got a peek of this chair earlier this week, but this was another HG find last year: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QjY7R8OBe2U/U2JVlidHCPI/AAAAAAAAnRk/kClWLEoFoKw/s1600-h/IMG_8983%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark blue chair with nail head" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EPuEJDolpkw/U2JVnM1-r6I/AAAAAAAAnRs/H3gTW9_yskk/IMG_8983_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dark blue chair with nail head" width="500" /></a> I may as well title this the HomeGoods post. Someone asked about the quality of HomeGoods furniture the other day and I’ve been pleased so far. All I have from there are a few chairs and smaller things like benches. Most of the items are brand names that don’t quite meet the inspection process, from what I can tell. Usually I can find something that is just slightly off with the items, sometimes nothing at all. Anyway, I’m hoping to find one more of this chair. I was considering it for the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/dining%20room" target="_blank">dining room/library</a> set up but I doubt three more of this exact chair will ever happen. So now I’m thinking I’d like to have two in our living room. It’s surprisingly comfortable and I love the low profile of it. And the nail head accents, of course. :) <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ft3W6PU7PSI/U2JVoLNsoBI/AAAAAAAAnR0/o1sdk2cnAvU/s1600-h/IMG_8985%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nail head accent on chair" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ff8N8jdgXrw/U2JVo_EfpVI/AAAAAAAAnR8/ediVXxEQzyw/IMG_8985_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="nail head accent on chair" width="500" /></a> The <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/02/threshold-in-foyer.html" target="_blank">placemat pillow</a> is my own. :) There’s no marking of any kind on this chair either, so if you’ve seen it I would love to know! I would love you forever! I’ll keep my eye out for my items and let you know if I see them too. If there are other items in our home you are curious about, let me know in the comments and I’ll give you resources or brand names.

I’ll scratch your back…

Hello all! How are you on this beautiful (chilly!) day? I’ve noticed our plants are taking FOREVER to bloom this year – have you? I’m not su...

7:09 AM