family room re-do: floating shelves are up!

A few months ago we finally got started on a family room re-do by removing part of some built ins and adding a layer of paint. After, we also painted all the trim white to compliment the rest of the house's trim. And then, we finally checked step four off the list - hanging the new shelves! 

We were on the search for white floating shelves because we liked the idea of a clean line and no brackets showing. The width of the cabinets is 39 inches, which proved to be difficult to find. So instead we found 36-inch shelves we could center on the wall - White Big Board Shelves from The Container Store. They are made with MDF and wood veneer and all hardware was included, so we were set. 

I used the painter's tape trick to precisely mark where the holds need to go and it worked out perfectly. Definitely will be my go-to method when I want to hang things up! Once that was ready, Sam go going with the drill. 

Voila! They were up, and they were looking mighty fine. Here's a full view:

We've come a LONG way, haven't we?

Next on the list: styling them. I'm way too excited to get started! More to come.

diy: file cabinet re-do

You know those things you grab because you'll totally use it one day. Well, I totally did that with this filing cabinet, and let's just say, it's been sitting waiting for me for eight months. Lonely in the corner. 

I found this gem in my grandma's basement. Every time we head over there, she has us look through the basement. It's nearly empty these days, but we found some fun things that we could use at home (more on that later, probably). This file cabinet had some scuffs and was a bland tan color, so to give it new life I grabbed some spray paint. Purple spray paint. HOLLER!

I cleaned it and sanded it to prep it for the first coat. It only took one can of spray paint to get full coverage all the way around. Once it was totally dry, I put a few coats of polyurethane on it to help avoid chipping and give it a somewhat glossy finish.

Sadly, I didn't put enough tape around the drawers, so I pretty much just gave up on keeping the inside the tan color. It's all uneven in there, but hey, it's the inside!

Next up, organizing all our files in it. I know that sounds lame, but I'm totally up for it. 

giddy up!

Several years ago I read that using horse shampoo and conditioner products could help your hair grow. At the time, I was desperate for my locks to add some length, so I went for it and purchased two extremely large bottles of Mane 'n Tail at the local tractor supply store. 

via Google Images

It had been a few years since I had last used the products, but when I came across it again at Walgreens, I went for it... again. After only a few weeks, I can't really remember why I stopped using it. While, I'm unsure how much it's grown since I started it back up, I certainly have noticed my hair's softness after I shower. It's especially helpful since the majority of my showers are at the gym with their hard water.

All I'm saying is that shampoo and conditioner originally made for horses is totally necessary for humans. 

sucker for sales

I'm a sucker for sales, especially those at entail fancy things I can't purchase otherwise. Thanks to a few promotions, these few things (along with other un-pictured items) have made their way into my ever-evolving wardrobe. Aren't they beautiful?

J. Crew Factory

J. Crew Factory

Kate Spade New York

sunshine in the kitchen

Our old brown rug piece just wasn't doing the tile justice in the kitchen. While I was perusing Bed, Bath & Beyond today for some wedding gifts, some items for our home made their way into my cart. Oops! (But, I had coupons!)

This rug was the perfect replacement to brighten up the otherwise neutral kitchen colors. Yellow = happiness, right?

junk fo' days

Somehow, someway we've accumulated so much junk around our house it's actually driving me crazy. The weird thing is that most of it wasn't actually ours - as in, former owners leftovers, hand-me-downs we never needed and so on - with the exception of the empty boxes. 

Since trash pick up is quite picky and limited, we found an alternative solution: the Bagster at Lowe's. 

You pick one up at Lowe's (near the lumber section), set it out in the driveway and fill 'er right up! We originally needed one to get rid of some branches, leaves and debris from a yard clean up.  However, the pick-up fee is one flat rate, so we took advantage of this opportunity. Seize the day, folks!

After loading a ton of debris, we went to work elsewhere. The former owners left a few trash cans behind that weren't useful to us, and they were full of stuff (sticks, trash, etc.). Those were the first to join the debris. 

The basement came next - bye, bye boxes and junk. From empty boxes to broken blinds and furniture, we filled 'er up. All the way up. (See above.)

I must say, it felt really good. I get a lot of satisfaction from decluttering and organizing. Hence Sam's response to my purging being, "That's ALL you got?!" Yes, Sam. Yes, it is... for now.