With a forecast like that...

Can I briefly share AGAIN why we got hardwood floors and Stainmaster carpet?

Take a look at this:

 And these guys:

And this (nope still haven't redone the backyard)

All of that adds up to THIS, constantly: MUDDY PAW PRINTS.

The black dog comes barreling around corners, and gets her muddy feet up on the baseboards, and the walls!  How the hell?

...I'm constantly sweeping.  However, there's some satisfaction knowing that it's not going into carpet and hiding.  At least it's easy to clean off!

So, of course, I'm in love with my Shark Steam Mop (that I got on clearance at Target!  Woop!)

All of this, to make it a better place for him:

 

So yes, I love the Rain, and therefore I love my hardwood floors.  The end.

Update to the no cost makeover

Wow, nearly 2.5 months since my last post.  That's a record.  I miss you all!

I did end up doing my little "no cost" make-over, but it was slightly modified in terms of the "no cost" part.

In order to get the blue, tan, white & black color scheme I talked about in my post, I ended up buying some fabrics to make the toss pillows that pulled the design together.  So, I'll count that cost.  The rest, I just moved the furniture around like I figured I would, but still haven't bitten the bullet and painted that ladder shelf. (Going from white to black, to really pull the theme together.)

So, the fabrics I purchased were super inexpensive- one was $5.99/yd, the other two were 2.99/yd.  I purchased 1.5 yards of the black and white damask, and 1 yard each of the trellis and circle damask.  Also, I had found a white fabric shower curtain on clearance for $2.50 at Target, so I used that also to make two solid white pillows.  I still have enough of the trellis fabric to make another pillow, so even though the fabric total was around $16, I didn't use it all!

Also, the mirror above the fireplace was purchased in 2010 (Just before Christmas) so it doesn't count in my 2011 project cost tally (but for score keeping purposes, it's a huge round, chunky mirror, exactly like I wanted, and it was $45.)

So, I moved the couches, moved the ladder shelf, put in another table and my Louis XVI chair, moved the sofa table, and added in a small cabinet (yet to be painted) with a lamp.  We got a new TV stand (also in 2010), and have the glider from 2010.  (Love the glider, but it's hard to decorate around!)

Stay Tuned!  I've got a lot of posts coming up soon- even though I haven't been posting much, I've been taking photos of everything I'm doing.  It's been a busy place around here, and is just about to get busier!

PS: Baby C is growing like a weed!  Here's a sneak peak at his weekly pictures.  YES!  I'm still taking a new photo EACH week!

Week 1:

Week 10:

Week 20:

A little no-cost makeover

Anyone else out there relieved to pack away the holidays?  The house always looks so large once the tree is down, and the holiday decor is safely packed away and out of sight for another year.  However, the large space always leaves me feeling the urge for a change, and a fresh room.  It'd be easy, given all the money in the world, to plan out a fresh new space.  The trick though is to try a no cost makeover.

Our room has pretty good bones.  The couches are neutral, there's a brick fireplace, white slatted blinds, hardwood floors, etc.  I couldn't picture the room pulled together though (for our no-cost makeover) until the other day that I sat on the opposite couch in the room and it came to me.

Our makeover will be based on this color scheme:

 

So, the execution plan will consist of the following:

Paint ladder shelf black (I showed you this shelf before here)

Recover couch throw pillows in white fabric (I've done that once before, here)

Add series of four Black and White NY City prints to the room (from the office, that's not being used)

Reorganize picture frame ledges (see them before, here)

Add white cylinder lamp shade to current lamp, plus add another lamp (this room is dark at night!)

Re-arrange furniture

Here's the room now (right after Christmas decor was removed).  

NOTE: This is not for the faint of heart... I'm not proud, and I wouldn't consider this room pulled or put together in any way... ok, disclaimer over, now you can see the photos.  :)

How on earth do you decorate/stage a fireplace like this?!

The tree (9ft this year!) was in that back corner

Anywho, I hope to work on this room this weekend.  Our adorable baby boy though is so cute, that I just love hanging with him, so I'm not sure how much I'll get done!

Just thought I'd share.  Now, to get this done, and be excited over our room again!

Repotting Succulents

So I've got this really sad plant in the kitchen.  It's actually the second plant that's been in the pot, but it's just as sad as the first.  I can't seem to keep plants alive.  Except the neglected succulents, ironically, that I haven't touched in months:

And my sad indoor plant:

Please ignore the dirty stove.  I'm a new mom.

Remember when I posted a while back about my love for the colors and fullness of succulents?  Since that post, the aqua container I planted them in has been outside- it was fine during the summer, and now after the rains of the winter have passed, they were getting soggy.  Succulents don't need that much water, and prefer the soil to dry out.

Enter the light bulb!  I could take the sorry looking plant in my current pot, and replace with my beautiful succulents that have multiplied!  Yes!

Here they are outside being re-potted.  I snapped the succulents off the long stems near the flowery ends, and replanted them into my red pot for in the house.  I buried a few of the leaves, as I read online this was how you re-pot them.

 Now, they're inside, and making me so happy!  Just look at those colors and textures.  I sure hope the transplant worked.

I just love the colors, and the small water droplets from the water down are pretty too.

Have you ever re-potted anything successfully?  What about unsuccessfully?!  Any tips to share?

Happy-First-Monday-of-the-new-year!

Oh, and the cost, to add to my new "Decor Cost: 2011" tally?  A big fat $0!  I had the red planter pot, dirt, and the succulents already!  It was all about moving stuff around this time.  Gotta love $0!  :)

Project Tally Cost: 2011

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am hoping to be more fiscally responsible this year since our expenses are growing with a little one.

One thing I've missed out on through 2010 was decorating, because there was just no time.  I want to revamp our home again in 2011, and I thought a neat project would be to tally the amount spent in 2011 on my projects & decor for the house.

So, on the sidebar now, there will be a Decor Cost: 2011 tally section.  (see it over there, on the right side bar?)  I'll update that after my projects or revamps and purchases for the house are made.  I hope to do a lot with a little... what a game to play!

How do you keep tabs (or not!) on your budgets for decorating and making your house a home?  Do you set goals to spend, or do you put money aside?  Let me know your way of keeping your home fresh, but while being fiscally responsible.

New Beginnings, 2011

2010 was a busy year for us.  No, really.  From basically day one, we were going places, planning events, renovating the house, or dealing with our biggest accomplishment- our little boy.

As 2011 begins, I'm pausing and making sure that I focus on the important things in my life while having some fun, and being responsible fiscally as well.  Those are big goals to have but I'm sure it's possible.

Every day I want to tell those I love just how much I do.  I want to hug and kiss my son, husband, and even the dogs!  I want to keep a clean house, but also keep my sanity.  I will continue to take so many pictures that it makes everyone crazy, and I'll also do my best to be social.

And, on top of this, I'd really like to start blogging again.  Posts will probably be short and sweet again for a while, and maybe only here and there during the time that I start again, but I miss it.  It's an outlet for creativity that I need- Not only posting, but taking some time to view all the great things everyone else completes.

So here's to 2011- new beginnings, and changes abound, and I hope each of you are blessed with a peaceful year. 

Take care,

PS: The winner of the gift tags giveaway from the post back on December 8th was Katie!  There were 3 eligible entries, and Katie won!  Random.org was used to pick the winner.  Enjoy your Cardstore.com items!  Let us know what you picked out!

Ho-Ho-Holiday Cards: Giveaway!

Happy Holidays!

If you can believe it, little man is sleeping (thank you swing!) and I got a moment to pull my computer out and even do some shopping...

At the holiday time every year, I always need the following:

-Holiday Cards
-Gift Ideas for EVERYONE
-Martinelli's sparkling cider.

At least for the first one, my Holiday Cards, I can take care of that easily at Cardstore.com with their hundreds of Holiday Cards. 

If you've been following my blog at all (thanks, by the way!) you'll know already that I love this site to easily order personalized Photo Cards & other paper goods, like stationary, invitations, and announcements.  I have ordered cards in the past to showcase my photography, numerous stationary cards, and even my Wedding Invitations and Birth Announcements just a month ago for little man.

I will be ordering these "Red Scroll Border" photo cards today and get them in the mail:

Isn't my little man the cutest?  He had a blast with Santa :)

The hardest part?  There are so many great patterns to choose from- like over 350+ just in the holiday photo card section!  Bold red is my favorite, so I love the clean lines on this card.  Also, I chose to personalize the back as well.  :)  I chose to personalize Photo Cards at Cardstore.com this year, and it was fun to browse my photos of little man to find the best ones for the cards.

It's so easy- I really reccomend trying it out this year if you haven't ordered your Holiday Cards yet- they're even going to offer a giveaway for my blog readers!  Just leave a comment about your favorite part of the cardstore.com website and I'll enter you into the drawing- You'll get to pick- either a set of photo gift tags (another new item offered this year! see the selection here) or a personalized photo notebook (another newer item that you can check out here).   Entry eligibility closes Sunday (12/12/10) 11:59pm PST

***

DISCOUNT FOR EVERYONE!

For the rest of you, you get a discount on any order right now too, just for being a Design-Aholic reader:  enter code CSHOLIDAY20 for 20% off you entire first Cardstore.com order!  Get those holiday cards NOW!

***

Anyway, I really wanted to share with you quickly.  Go, check out the cardstore.com site, leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for the photo gift tags or notebook, and have a happy holiday!


Take care, and keep up those awesome Holiday Crafts... I hope to join in with a few this weekend :)