Chalkboard picture frames: DIY!

Today I'm going to show you how to make your own chalkboard frame! These have been all over pinterest lately, and for good reason! You can use them in the kitchen for grocery lists, menu planners, or in an office, for "To Do" lists, or just to write cute notes to your spouse on!

So to start I took the glass out on the frames, so I wouldn't need to tape it off for painting.

Ikea Rast Nightstand Hack!

Has anyone seen IkeaHackers.net? This website shows how you can take some basic furniture pieces from Ikea, and turns them into amazing, unique decor for your home! I had been searching for a long time for two matching night stands for my bedroom. I had originally planned on finding two second hand tables to paint white, but everything was either too ugly, too much money, or there was only one. Then I saw this post over at 4Men 1Lady:

Basically my dream bedroom!

I can do this...

And then, I saw these beauties for $34.99 each at Ikea:


Ikea Rast 3 Drawer Chest

And I decided to DIY my own Ikea hack!(Ok, so I really only painted them, but that still counts as a hack, right?)

Starting My Gallery Wall: Inspiration

I have been seeing gallery walls all over pinterest lately!

Like this one:

This one:

And this one, which just might be my favorite:

So I have been collecting interesting frames from thrift stores to make my own! This weekend, after setting up my new entry table, the wall above it was looking pretty bare. So I decided to go ahead and get started! 

I was a bad blogger

Thrifty Fashion!

I buy a lot of my clothes and accessories from thrift stores, and I always receive compliments, and then amazed looks when I tell them where I got it. There are treasures out there for the taking, people! I never pay full price for anything. You can find gently used(sometimes brand new!) designer and quality clothing and accessories at thrift stores! Even those on a limited budget can still enjoy shopping and looking their best, and for me, I just revel in the fact that I am paying MUCH less than what the item originally sold for. Take a look at today's find from Goodwill, this awesome "croc" Jessica Simpson brand purse.

Look at that adorable ruffling!

I know Jessica Simpson's line isn't designer per say, but I do know that her purses range from $100-$200, at least the ones I have seen. I paid $6. Six dollars!!!! This purse is practically brand new. There isn't a single speck or crumb inside or out. I love finding great deal! What have you found lately?

Chalkboard Table Makeover!

This weekend I finally tackled my entry table. This was a desk that my mom had, and it hung around her house for a while, and then she gave it to me, and it hung around my house for a while! A couple of weeks ago I decided to start sanding it down. My original plan was to stain the top and paint the bottom, but lo and behold, as I started sanding I realized the top of the table was not real hardwood, and probably would not stain well. At that point, the table sat very forlornly by my front door, patiently waiting for it's transformation. Here's the pitiful before picture:

Spray painted animals: An Obsession

If you've seen my first post, you may already know that I have a weird attraction to ceramic animals. They call to me. And when I saw this post over at Young House Love, I saw so much potential. So here is yet another ugly thrift store redo. You'll have to forgive my "before" shot, it's a bit dark, but it's the only one I have. I was anxious to transform them!

Before: Ugly, dirty, dingy brass partridges:

I went to thrift shops before Macklemore made it cool....

'cause I'm cheap, yo! Happy Friday! I hit up a couple thrift stores after work today, and thought I'd share what I found! If you haven't been thrifting before, what are you waiting for? There are treasures out there waiting to be discovered!

I want to share something with you. I have a problem. I obsessively hoard milk glass/white ceramics. I don't know exactly what about them I love, they just speak to me. One day I'll post my entire collection, but here is what I found today:

These awesome pieces:

The tall vase is now one of my largest pieces! I also really love the simplicity of the small tea cup.

How to clean microfiber furniture

Can I just say how much I *love* DIY cleaners? Not only are they cheaper than store cleaners, they usually have less chemicals! I have been researching for some time on the best way to clean microfiber furniture. It's a bit tricky because you can't use normal fabric cleaners on that type of cloth. After seeing something on Pinterest(I can't find the original pin...sorry!) I decided to give rubbing alcohol a try! Yep, that's right, just plain ol' rubbing alcohol.

The ReFashionista!

Happy Monday! Have you guys seen The ReFashionista's blog? I have spent a TON of time looking through all of her refashions! She is crazy talented. I am particularly inspired by this one:

Unzipped Top

How awesome is that?! I wish I had her vision, but I think I am totally going to borrow this idea...I especially love the visible zipper in the back, maybe I could find a bright contrasting color? Next time I hit up the thrift store I will be looking out for silk nighties!

Cream Side Table Part 2: How to cover furniture with fabric

Psst.... Here is part 1 if  you missed it!


I am SO excited to share this with you guys! I absolutely LOVE how this table turned out! It definitely took a big chunk of time but was totally worth it. So, after painting my table and letting it dry for 2 days, I began to get my fabric ready to cover the leather panel on the top.

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