Crafty Giveaway!

Tatertots and Jello is having a giveaway for a free Silhouette Craft Cutter.

Go here to enter!

Guest Bedroom Reveal, Finally!

Well, I've been a terrible blogger. :o/ You would think in the ample amount of free time I have while I revel in unemployment that I would be blogging up a storm. Hmph.

I believe I left off by sharing my ideas for my guest bedroom with you, and today I can show you photos of my finished-ish product.

(FYI- For some reasons my photos seem grainy and blurred and there are quite a few orbs floating around. I'm wondering if my camera is sick...)

Here is the view of the bed upon entering the room. I made the headboard myself by stapling batting and a khaki sailcloth fabric (that I salvaged from some old curtains) over a piece of MDF. I planned on adding some nailhead trim to add some interest, but I'm saving it for later. I got the anchor wall hanging from Hobby Lobby (50% off!). It still looks to me like it could use a frame around it, but we'll see.


One of my favorite purchases were these two white pillows (clearance at Marshall's!) to add to the oblong pillow I already had (a Pier 1 thrift store find). I love that the khaki dots mimic sand while the ruffle pillow looks like rolls of waves. Coastal without being too literal.


Here is the gallery wall off to one side of the room. I printed a bunch of my photography (amateur, but I love it nonetheless) to frame and arrange. I put our engagement photo in the center and then focused on arranging the frames by size because my idea was at first to paint ALL the frames white. I thought that would make it harmonious and would lend the coastal feel I wanted.


I asked the hubby for his thoughts on the arrangement and he, in his decorating wisdom, pointed out how much he liked the eclectic colors. After waiting a day to let it grow on me, I'm glad I didn't paint them! All frames are from the Dollar Tree except the orange center one and blue one (75% off at Target), one found in the garage, and the large beautiful white one I painted that cost a quarter at a yard sale. The prints cost more than the frames!


For the other blank wall, I really wanted some shelving as we are lacking that in our home. I got these three book cases and Walmart for I think $20 each. They fit the wall perfectly, and for being so inexpensive, I think they look pretty nice. One day I would like to add some beadboard and trim to make it look more like a custom unit, but for now this is good.


I used some glass insulators I got dirt cheap at a thrift store, and all other things I didn't already own were purchased from Ross or Marshall's. There is still plenty of space for photos and decor available.


There is still one totally blank wall that I would love to have a desk or dresser for, but that's another "eventually" project. Oh, and nightstands, too! A girl's work is never done... I wish I had the "before" photos just to show how far it's come since its builder-beige prison days, but you'll just have to use your imagination. I challenged myself to keep the budget low, and I think including paint, shelving, art, bedding, and accessories, it came up to about $200 I actually spent. Pretty good, right?!

Linked up to Tatertots and Jello's Weekend Wrap Up Party

A Coastal Giveaway

If you are enjoying coastal decor as much as I am right now, go to Completely Coastal's blog to enter a giveaway for a $40 gift certificate from Beach Grass Cottage's Etsy shop.

I have my eye on this in particular...
Go HERE to see how to enter. Giveaway ends February 17th!

How Now Brown... Guest Room!

Ah, the painting is complete. I love it!

Chocolate Coco. Not a black-brown, not a red-brown. Juuuuuust right. At Home Depot, I became overwhelmed with the brown paint swatches. So I found a name I liked and went with it. It was a very scientific process, I tell you. It was difficult for me to get a picture of the shade accurately, but you get it. :o)

What's next? Filling the room with furniture. I originally wanted a dresser but thought, would that be a waste of furniture in here? Most people won't unpack their suitcases into it since they won't be staying TOO long. So would a desk and some bookshelves be a more appropriate use of the space? A reading chair? Josh and I both have rooms designated for our hobby-ness, but of course those rooms have no furniture in them either. Any ideas on what to fill the rest of the space with?

No matter what, there will definitely need to be a headboard. Right now I'm thinking nail head trimmed... with burlap fabric...


And I'll leave you with this: another coastal inspiration pic I came across at House of Turquoise yesterday. Look at that pretty blue glass...


Linked up to Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special and

Another Giveaway!

Over at Make It and Love It, there is a giveaway by Alicia Alee Designs where you can choose from a few selected hair bows for your little one, or a pretty watchband and face for yourself!





Go here to see the selection and find out how to enter to win!

A Decision Has Been Made

I finally picked a color for the guest room. Drum roll please...

Chocolate Coco by Behr!

I hope to start painting tomorrow!

"Just Another" Giveaway

Okay, the title of this post makes it seem like this giveaway isn't special, but it is-- promise!

Suzanne from Just Another Hang Up is giving away one of her Etsy creations, this cute purple wristlet. See, the title was a play on words, people. I'm clever that way!


I'm not personally much of a wristlet carrier, especially since I got a fancy-pants purse for Christmas (thanks Josh!) but I thought if I won, I could use it as a makeup bag, a pencil/pen case, or something. The possibilities are endless!

Find the simple instructions for entering here and visit her Etsy here.

P.S. Suzanne sent me a tutorial to create the cutesy flowers she put on her wristlets. Wasn't that sweet of her? I haven't tried it yet, but plan on it. Thanks, Suzanne!