DIY: Freebie Nightstand Refreshers

These are two nightstand refreshers that Dave and I completed. Both were freebies, proving yet again that one man's trash is another man's treasure.

I’m kicking myself for not taking a before photo of this project, but I spotted this table at a neighbor’s yard sale. I liked the circular shape. When I initially saw it, I envisioned it in a deep purple color at the end of a hallway with a vase of bright yellow flowers sitting on top. But, we were broke, and I needed to stick with supplies I had on hand. Dave suggested a more neutral paint color. While I tend to prefer bolder looks for smaller pieces, he was right on. In order to get the metal feet back to their original look, we took the advice of my cousin Tom and used vinegar. Dave had a spare brass knob that we also wiped down with vinegar. The brass really popped against the neutral greige color of the table.

The best thing about this project was how easy and inexpensive it was. Because we got the table for free and used only materials we had on hand, we were able to get a pretty sweet nightstand for free. And, the labor wasn’t bad. We sanded the piece and leveled it out (it was a little wobbly), painted it, and changed the knob. All in all, it was a major win.

My husband Dave found this table on the side of the road. He wasn’t sure we could do anything with it, but it was in decent condition, and he didn’t want to see it go to waste. The ornate metal legs immediately made me think girly. I could not think of a place for it in our house, but I remembered my sister in law talking about rearranging and redecorating her girls’ room to fit with their new home. Since the youngest, Alaina, who just happens to be Dave’s goddaughter, had a birthday coming up, we decided to scrape it down, paint it, and gift it to her.

First, we used spray cleaner and a scraper to remove the collage of pictures that were glued to the top. We also scraped off the adhesive felt pads on the bottom of the table’s feet because they were no longer level. We took off the knob and the metal legs. Dave spray painted the legs a bright pink color that I had leftover from a folding chair refresh. The original knob was really dated, but Dave had a simple, round, wooden knob that we also painted pink to match the legs. We sanded the table top and drawer and painted them white, which contrasted nicely with the bright pink. Overall, it was a thoughtful, homemade gift, and the best part is that it literally cost us nothing.

Bookworm: My take on the "27 Most Exciting Books of 2015"

Who doesn’t love a good list? As I mentioned in a previous post, my Nook library no longer contains any unread titles. One of my grad school professors and mentors shared this list via Facebook, and, since I’m looking for book suggestions, I felt compelled to check out the “27 Most Exciting New Books of 2015.”

The 27 Most Exciting New Books of 2015

There were so many titles on the list that caught my eye. Every single one sounded interesting. Despite my honest effort to make a mental note of the ones I wanted to download, I can’t remember one damn book. Solution? Write a post listing the ones I want to check out. Here they are, along with their publication dates:

Delicious Foods by James Hannaham (3/17) A woman imprisoned on a remote farm desperate to reunite with her son. I’m intrigued.

Find Me by Laura Van Den Berg (2/17) An Alzheimer’s like pandemic takes over. A young woman struggles to find the mother who abandoned her… Typically I’m not into the science fiction genre, but I have been pleasantly surprised before, and this sounds promising.

God Help the Child by Toni Morrison (4/21) A mother-daughter story by Toni Morrison. That was enough to sell me.

The Infernal by Mark Doten (2/17) The idea of a boy being interrogated and tortured really freaks me out, but I also think it’s important to read novels that explore post 9/11 society. That’s why I’m adding this one to my list.

A Reunion of Ghosts by Judith Claire Mitchell (3/24) A novel about the collaborative memoir of three middle-aged sisters that also serves as their joint suicide note... the confusing nature of that statement alone is pulling me in.

The Harder They Come by TC Boyle (3/31) An aging veteran, his unstable son, his son’s much older lover… While I love a good family drama, they can sometimes get caught in the shuffle. The fact that this one is narrated by the increasingly mentally ill son makes it unique.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (3/10) This book tells the story of four classmates who move to New York after college. After spending my college years in New York, I am curious to read this take on finding yourself in the big city.

Almost Famous Women by Megan Mayhew Bergman (1/6 ) This is a book I want to read and then share excerpts with my students. Chronicling noteworthy women in history who only received a small amount of fame, I’m sure there’s bound to be a motivational story, or two, or ten in the mix.

The Folded Clock by Heidi Julavits (4/7) A diary of a forty-something woman is probably not something that would interest all audiences. But, as a lover of diaries and a girl who has always liked to know what to expect, I’m curious.

Binary Star by Sarah Gerard (1/13) A love story about an anorexic woman and her alcoholic boyfriend definitely sounds like it has enough drama for me. What makes this novel stand out is that it also serves as a “commentary on modern culture and our society’s fixation with ‘quick-fix solutions’ and pills for all our problems.”

After Birth by Elisa Albert (2/17) As a relatively new mom-- I’ve got a three year old and an almost one year old-- the fact that this book is described as a “fierce, provocative” view of childbirth and new motherhood makes it sound super interesting to me.

I can’t promise I will read every single one, but I will be sure to post updates and reviews as I check some off my list. Which ones look the best to you?

Party: Chace's Third Birthday Hoedown 2/21/15

Posing for his wanted poster pic.

We celebrated Chace’s third birthday on his actual birthdate, February 21st. This year was extra exciting because it was the first year that he really got that his birthday was coming. Chace chose his own party theme, and his request was a hoedown. Yes, he used that exact terminology.

For the party, I used my typical strategy of mixing store bought and homemade decorations. I purchased some western themed paper lanterns to hang in the playroom at Party City. To get all of the kids (and some of the adults) into the festivities, I also picked up some cowboy hats and bandanas.

Chace choosing a cowboy hat.

Can you even spot the kids amongst all the toys?

The homemade touches to Chace’s party were pretty awesome. Dave used some leftover plywood and dowels to create a cactus ring toss. He also used twine, rubber gloves, and glue to create tumbleweeds. The rubber gloves were an accident since we were out of balloons, but they worked really well because they provided a grip that was not covered in glue. In order to keep the twine soaked in the glue/water mixture without tangling, we used old toilet paper and paper towel rolls.

I enlisted the help of Marissa to create some pretty awesome invitations and some other western-themed signage. As another game for the kids, we played pin the moustache on the bandit. Marissa created a wanted sign with Chace’s face on it, and I cut moustaches from black construction paper. The kids had a blast sticking them all over. I used painter’s tape instead of pins or scotch tape, so I wouldn’t have to worry about the paint peeling off my walls if a kid missed the poster.

The favors were probably my favorite touch since I did them all by myself, and I’m still a novice crafter. They were nothing special, just cones created with bandana print scrapbook paper and filled with popcorn and candy, but I thought the clip on sheriff badges and the awesome holder Dave made me (literally, in like twenty minutes) really created a nice looking favor that the kids loved digging into.

One thing I will never forget about this party is the fact that I had an awful case of the stomach bug the week prior. I was totally stressing about how I was going to manage to get my house clean and ready, shop for food, and set everything up. It shouldn’t have come as any form of surprise, but our family and friends really stepped up in helping me make this party a success. My best friend Katie bought an awesome western themed cake, and she also helped calm my “night-before meltdown” by offering to go to the grocery store for me. What a saint! Additionally, my aunt, cousins, mom, and family friends helped me out with the stick-to-your-ribs themed menu of pulled pork, meatballs, mac and cheese, cheesy potatoes, salad, and a ton of yummy snacks. It really did show me how lucky I am, and how lucky my kids are, to have so many people who love us.

Delicious cake courtesy of Katie. We had a guessing contest with candy hearts so the adults could get in on the games, too. 

A chalkboard grub list to let everyone know what was on the menu. 

All in all, the day turned out wonderful. My concerns about lack of space indoors (winter parties can be especially tough to host at home) were acquiesced by an awesome outdoor fire that attracted some of the adults and the foosball table in the basement that entertained the older kids. Chace must have thanked me ten times for his birthday party, the only affirmation I needed to prove that it was all worth it. Thanks to all who came and shared the day with us. xoxo

Bookworm: I Just Finished… My Seven Most Recent Reads (March 2015)

At the moment, the amount of unread books on my Nook is down to zero, so it’s time to start downloading some new reads. Before hitting bn.com to check out what’s new, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect briefly on my seven most recent reads. These are not full blown reviews, but my general impressions.

And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

Several years ago, we’re probably talking six or seven, one of my students came in with a book from his mother. She was an avid book club member and would send me in her club’s picks. One of the books was The Kite Runner. I was reluctant to read it because, quite frankly, I wasn’t sure I would be able to relate enough to the setting of Kabul, Afghanistan to get into it. I was so wrong. The Kite Runner was amazing, and And The Mountains Echoed certainly didn’t disappoint. Packing an emotional punch in the gut right from the beginning, Hosseini’s ability to make middle eastern culture accessible to Americans is amazing. I did feel as though the beginning of the novel packed more of a punch than the ending. Still, it was a nicely woven touching story that I would totally recommend.

As an aside, I have also read Hosseini’s novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, and that was also totally worth reading. At this point, I would read anything he writes.

The Fault in Our Stars By John Green

All I can say is, “Wow!” When I started reading this book, I knew a story based on two terminally-ill teenagers falling in love was bound to end in a truly depressing fashion. I was blindsided. This book had me from beginning to end. It’s smart, honest, and offers all sorts of perspectives on mortality, illness, and love. I laughed at moments, ached at moments, and of course I cried my eyes out at moments, but it was so worth it. This is classified as young adult literature, but the themes and characters are so universal and lovable that every girl I know--from my eighth grade students to my mother--can’t stop talking about The Fault in Our Stars.

One and Only by Emily Giffin

Emily Giffin is another author whose books I devour. I’ve read them all. Giffin has never shied away from a scandalous love interest. I mean, her first book, Something Borrowed, is about a girl falling in love with her best friend’s fiance, but this book took forbidden love to another level. Its central character falls in love with, not her girlfriend’s husband, but her father. I would be lying if I said that there weren’t moments when this felt a little awkward, but Giffin handled the relationship really well.  Like her others, there were moments in this book where all I wanted to do was keep reading. It wasn’t my favorite Giffin novel, but I enjoyed it.

All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner

To date, I’ve also read all of Jennifer Weiner’s novels. I started with Good in Bed and Little Earthquakes--both amazing--and most recently finished All Fall Down. In this book, Weiner tackles the tough, but totally relevant topic of drug addiction; more specifically, how a mother can transform from popping a xanax or a pain pill once in a while to help curb stress into an unrecognizable, dishonest, emotionally absent human being. There were moments when the book felt super depressing, but I could not put it down. A really timely, emotionally engaging read.

What Remains by Carole Radziwell

Carole is currently my favorite real housewife of New York. Part of this is because she’s quirky and open-minded, but its mostly because I admire her career in journalism. What Remains is a memoir that chronicles Carole’s husband’s battle with cancer. Her depiction of his and her struggle was so honest and beautifully written that it would have been enough on its own to hold my attention. But, there are two more losses that Carole experiences and documents. The loss of her husband’s cousin, John F. Kennedy Junior, and his wife/her best friend, Carolyn Bessette. Within a matter of months, they were all gone, and she was left to deal with what remains. Carole is a cool woman with a perspective that’s unique, yet relatable, even if her circumstances aren’t.

The Widow’s Guide to Sex and Dating by Carole Radziwell

A totally different genre and vibe from her debut memoir, The Widow’s Guide to Sex and Dating is a novel that follows a young New Yorker as she copes with the death of her husband, a sexologist who was killed by a falling statue while heading home from an out of wedlock tryst. I preferred the emotional, steady tone of What Remains, but I also enjoyed the quirky, comical vibe of this book as well. Even though it was not my favorite, I would recommend this book to other women who are looking for a laugh that’s not just a cheap laugh. Radziwell is really wonderful at being hilariously cynical and heartfelt at the same time.

Paper Towns by John Green

This is the third book I’ve read by John Green, and I’m definitely starting to sense a basic formula. Otherwise dorky boy falls in love with wild child female and tragedy ensues. Except, in Paper Towns, it wasn’t all tragedy. The book follows Q as he searches for his free-spirited, troubled neighbor, Margot, who has disappeared and seemingly left clues for him to find her. This element of mystery in this novel was really enjoyable. Plus, John Green has a knack for capturing teen angst and keeping it from feeling melodramatic. I’d recommend this as well as Green’s similarly themed novel Looking for Alaska.

As I mentioned before, these are not full-length books reviews, but I love talking books and would be happy to chat about any of the above in more detail. I’m also looking for titles for my next batch of downloads. My students tell me I must read If I Stay, but other than that, I’ve got nothing. To all my fellow bookworms out there, please send me your suggestions…

Office/Guestroom Makeover- Stage 1

In the year we have lived in our new home, the office/guest room has undergone quite a bit of change. It started out housing our futon and lots of empty (and to-be-emptied) boxes and ended up becoming my favorite room in the house.

I say stage 1 because I still need to add curtains, streamline decor, etc.

A good room is never done. 

The office/guest room is located on the first floor of our home. It is considered the home’s fourth bedroom. I We knew right away that this room would be an office, and,eventually, as we expanded our family, a guest bedroom. Since I will now share the house with my husband, two sons, and dog (also male), I took it upon myself to declare the guest room/office, “my room.” I will now refer to the room in this manner…

I wanted my room to have a light, breezy feel that was feminine, but not over the top. I’ve always been drawn to the beachy, cottage style mixed with clean lines and girly details. In a sense, I felt the room should mimic the name of its paint color--serene breeze. It was also important that the room be functional and serve several purposes.

Wants (a totally random list of my desires)…

- desk and computer

- space for filing cabinet, office supplies, wrapping paper, scrapbooking materials, and other crafty items

- bed or pull out for guests

- space to spread out when working on projects

- storage for photos, yearbooks, and other mementos

- a creative space that doesn’t look cluttered

- room for two people to work, have a blog meeting, share ideas comfortably

- pretty, meaningful decorations that reflect my personal style, but retain a touch of masculinity. I like girly things, but don’t need a room of pink and white and kittens.

- a space that is personal, but also appealing to others

- an office that doesn’t feel like an office

Of course this list is completely scattered and goes from a brief, itemized list into slightly whimsy musings. Still, it gave me a place to start. I am not a professional decorator by any stretch of the imagination, but I do think I have good taste and I trust my instincts when it comes to design. I had a pretty much non-existent budget for this room as far as decor went since the funds spent in this room were almost exclusively spent on a new computer and printer/scanner/copier. The macbook I had for years was damaged, and at seven years old, it made more sense to buy a new computer rather than try to restore one that was almost obsolete. So, Dave and I made the choice to purchase a new computer and be as frugal as possible when it came to decorating the room.

One area of the room where I was able to save major money was furniture. I relied on cheap Walmart basics, pieces we already had, and free hand-me-downs. I knew that was going to require me to mix some styles, finishes, and colors, but I figured if I kept the room balanced and simple enough, the clashing might seem more like a tasteful mix and match. I used two black Walmart bookshelves and a vintage style shelf we already had to house my book collection. I went with a black finish for the bookshelves because the black matched the desk. Even though the shelves chip easily, black chips are super easy to cover up with a black sharpie. Plus, this room is not a high traffic area, so wear and tear is minimal. I used a piano bench we had in storage as an under window table. The bed and boxspring were a free hand-me-down from an awesome co-worker, and we had a spare bed frame to rest them on. The printer cabinet was a TV stand we snagged for free from another friend of a friend. The desk was a Walmart purchase. Not initially what I had planned on-- I was thinking wood or white-- the desk had the perfect dimensions for the space, and I couldn’t resist.

I view the room in four sections: reading, sleeping/relaxing, storage, and working. Each of these areas functions well for its purpose and is visually appealing to me (and hopefully others as well).

I didn’t want the black bookshelves to seem too overwhelming, so I used some leftover wall paint (Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore) and rolled the cardboard backings of the shelves. This created a better background for some books and accessories without being stark white. For fun, I organized the books by binding color. Black and white on the vintage style shelf, and color on the basic style. None of the books or accessories were store bought. The Longaberger baskets are a hand-me-down from my mom. The christening cup and flower girl basket are family heirlooms, and the picture frames were gifts. Dave’s guitar and case looked sort of cool resting in the middle, and it also helped to break up the dark furniture pattern. His flag box as a background for the American dolls tossed a little splash of Americana into the room as well as a splash of red-- a color that generally doesn’t mix well with my typical palette, but shows up in a few places within the room. On the vintage shelf, the sign and the galvanized pail that holds my coupons were items we already had. We also had the picture of the boat on the Andaman Sea, which I think it super pretty. “Let it Be” was a Hobby Lobby purchase that I was unsure about, but absolutely love. It’s young, and I tend to shy away from too much text in my decorating, but I’ve gotten lots of compliments on it as it’s the first thing a person sees when she walks in the door.

The sleep area consists of the bonsai, under window shelf, and the bed. The bonsai tree was a gift from one of Dave’s coworkers, and we actually loved how it looked in this room. Placing it in front of the window is crucial for sunlight, so I think its perfect on the piano bench. The map of Mount Desert Island is a souvenir from our honeymoon in Bar Harbor and the bedding was from my bedroom before I moved in with Dave.The afghans were handmade by my grandmother. Simply rearranging the pillows allows the bed to also be used as work space or a place to collaborate. I did have a large glass table in the room at one time that was a better surface for crafting/working, but once the bed took the place of the futon, it was just too crowded, I need to figure out something to anchor that dead space. I saw a really cute rug the other day that I might buy, proving no room is ever totally complete.

This bed is super comfy. 

While there are storage spaces throughout the room, the primary storage is in the closet and TV stand. The TV stand houses my printer, which by the grace of God fit inside. It also holds bath towels for guests, take-out menus, spare printer paper and spare paper towel rolls. We knew this closet would not be a clothes closet from the beginning, so we use it to house our filing cabinet, office/wrapping/scrapbooking supplies, photo albums and scrapbooks, and wall hangings/picture frames that still haven’t found their spot. The red gumball machine was a yard sale find that adds a bit of punch to the space. A painting of my wedding flower (blue hydrangeas), a gift from my friend Cathy, pretties it up.

The most used area of my room is the area that actually takes up the least amount of space-- the work space/computer station. My computer desk and computer both have a modern look to them, so I tried to add some more earthy, fun touches to the space. The distressed gray shelf was a Hobby Lobby purchase that I just loved. The accessories were all previously owned items or gifts. The cork board is functional, and the color of the frame plays well off of the framed hand-stitched peace lily that was a gift from my friend Cathy’s mother. The glass whale is a cute candy dish and was a gift from Marissa. I picked the chevron light cover because I just like chevron and thought it was cute. I got it at Hobby Lobby. One of mom’s hand-me-down Longabergers and a decorative gift box hold bills and spare cords.

A pic of my workstation in its early, early stages. 

I absolutely love my room. And what I love even more is that it is a reflection of my personal style that functions well for my life and repurposes tons of items that mean a lot to me. Sure, there are things I’m still trying to work out. A table top would be awesome, and I need some sort of a rug and the bookshelves could probably be staged a little bit better, but no room is ever fully complete, and this room is no exception. Still, I look back at my initial wish list and find myself able to cross out every item. Not too shabby.