Dollhouse “Princess” Girl’s Room Reveal

Today is the final installment of Dollhouse Therapy! I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in this miniatures challenge with my co-hosts Cassie, Emy and Anu for the past few months and hope you have too! Today, I am sharing all of the extravagant details of our "princess" themed girl's room, done to my soon-to-be-five-year-old Hazel's specificiations. Her birthday is on Thursday, so I thought this was the perfect week to get this room finished for my own little princess.

Also today, Miniatures.com is sponsoring a giveaway for one lucky reader! You can enter on any of the co-hosts blogs for a chance to win $100 to Miniatures.com!

Dollhouse Living Room Reveal

It's another reveal day of #DollhouseTherapy! This awesome dollhouse renovation challenge was started a few months ago by my friend Cassie of Primitive and Proper. She, the other co-hosts (Emyand Anu) and myself are revealing our chosen rooms with you today and invite you to share your own mini reno projects with our link party at the end of this post!

So here we go…let the miniature fun begin!

I finally…finally...got the dollhouse living room done. If you have been following my progress with this fixer upper, you might know that I intended to finish this room first way back in March, but it didn't happen. I am pretty much over the moon happy with how it came out, though, so I think it's all good that it took me a little bit longer. I love it so much I wish I could shrink myself down and move right it! Let's pretend that's what we are doing right now.

Find yourself a little bottle that says "DRINK ME" and we will head on in…

Dollhouse Kitchen Reveal

I have partnered with Miniatures.com for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% my own. This post also contains some affiliate links. Full disclosure.

I'm so excited to share our dollhouse kitchen reveal today! It's the first fully finished room in the house and both the kids and I love it. I hope you enjoy the "tour" today and if you are participating along with us for Dollhouse Therapy, be sure to link up your own posts with our link party below. I can't wait to see everyone else's miniature transformations!

Be sure to visit my co-hosts as well to see all of their room reveals today. Check them out at Primitive & Proper, Nalle's House and Semigloss Design. Now on to the kitchen reveal!

Dollhouse Therapy Challenge: Kitchen Plans

I have partnered with Miniatures.com for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% my own. Full disclosure.

Dollhouse Therapy officially kicks off today! I am so excited for this challenge and all of the people who have already jumped on board to join Primitive & Proper, Nalle's House, Semigloss Design and myself. The four of us are sharing our first room plans today and will be revealing the afters the last Tuesday of April. Today, I am showing you the room I plan on working on: the kitchen!

Last month, I tried to get a jump start and get the living room done, and while I did make a lot of progress, I am sad to admit the room is still not finished. Thus no room reveal as I had hoped in March. Soon though, I promise.

Even though that room isn't done, I am eager to work on the kitchen and have some fun plans for it along with some new additions via Miniatures.com.

Eclectic Bohemian Bedroom Reveal

I have partnered with Raymour & Flanigan for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% my own. Full disclosure.

My bedroom makeover is finally complete! I am excited to share a lot of photos and details about our space with you today and hope you enjoy the tour. It is on the small side since we switched from the master, but I am really happy with how it came out. It truly is like a dream waking up every day in this "new to us" room.

Last month, I talked about making the switch from the master to the smaller room so that Hazel and Owen could have a larger space. They have been sharing this small room since Owen was about a year old. It was getting really cramped with cribs, a dresser, stuffed animals, toys, etc. I had been wanting to switch our rooms for a long time, but it took awhile to get ourselves motivated to do it since a lot of decluttering had to happen first to make the transition easier.

Dollhouse Therapy: A Mini Renovation Challenge!

Remember a couple of weeks ago I shared the "before" post for our fixer upper dollhouse? Today, I am excited to tell you about a challenge started by one of my blogging friends, Cassie of Primitive and Proper. She invited me and two other bloggers to share our dollhouse renovations together over the course of the next few months. We are calling it…."Dollhouse Therapy"…how great is that? Working on this little house literally is therapy for me.

I am so excited to be teaming up with these girls for this challenge because I know it is exactly the motivation I need to follow through with this makeover. (I am the queen of getting something started and leaving it for the next shiny, new project enticing me.) This challenge is basically holding me accountable so my children know their mom can get stuff done…

Organizing Winter Gear without a Closet or Mudroom

Even though this winter has been a mild one for us, there have still been plenty of cold days requiring getting all bundled up before heading out. Unfortunately, without having a coat closet on the first floor, we are limited for storage of all of our gear. Today, I am sharing some solutions that have worked to help keep it all organized.

Our home, thankfully, has decent sized closets upstairs, but not even one downstairs! We do have a small "mudroom", that leads to the basement, off the back of the house, but we never use that entrance. The space is in pretty rough shape and it's very tight, so it's not practical for our daily use.

Miniature Fixer Upper {a dollhouse makeover ‘before’}

We are used to having a fixer upper to work on ever since buying our first home back in 2010, but when my husband brought home a handmade dollhouse that he found at a yard sale a couple of years ago, I was instantly smitten and knew we needed to show this home as much love as we have our own. Today, I am showing you the "before" pics and sharing the progress we have made thus far on our "other fixer upper."

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been enamored with dollhouses and miniatures. I would literally save up my money to go to a craft store called "Pleasures & Pastimes" that had a large aisle for dollhouse aficionados. The store eventually closed, but my love affair with dollhouses and their accessories never has.

Swap It Like It’s Hot #4 {easy thrift store upcycles}

Do you ever feel like creativity is seriously lacking in your brain? Mine has been dormant for like…awhile. Not sure what happened these past few months. The role of mom is turning it into Swiss cheese or something. But when Charlotte of Ciburbanity invited me to join in for #SwapItLikeItsHot round four I said yes anyway! I love these challenges where bloggers send each other inexpensive thrift store finds to get made over.

Unfortunately, even getting some awesome thrifted goods from Bee of Windgate Lane did not kick my brain into gear. I have mulled over it ever since the items arrives, wondering what to do with the cool finds sent to me and the only thing I REALLY wanted to do with them, was leave them as is. But I know…I know…that would not make for good thrift store upcycling inspiration would it?

Vintage Bohemian Wall Hanging

What happens when you take a thrift store doily, hang it from a branch, and add some feathers? You get a vintage inspired wall hanging with bohemian style! I've had this crocheted doily hanging in my upstairs gallery wall for several months but decided to give it a little tweak. It already had some boho flare with the fringe at the bottom, but I wanted to enhance it even more and finally did…

This was nothing too fancy, mind you, and 99% of the work was already done for me, which made putting it together super easy. I am always amazed by the skill and talent of people who can crochet like this. Such tiny, intricate detailing! Definitely not in my skill set. But embellishing? Now, that I can do.

Inspire Me DIY Instagram Challenge {and a stairway wall update}

Today, I am participating in an Instagram challenge, hosted by Kennesha of Restoration House Interiors, called Inspire Me DIY. The point being to choose a project that has long been on our list of "to dos" or "to trys" and get it done, while inspiring others to do the same. We shared our 'befores' and progress photos throughout the week on Instagram and are sharing our 'after' reveals today!

I know I could have chosen one of the more fun things on my list of to dos, like a cool DIY craft, but I decided to do something (or at least begin to finish something) that I have been putting off for awhile. A home improvement project.

Boho Chic Thrift Store Placemat Throw Pillow

Last February, I had the privilege of guest posting for me sweet friend Amy of Delineate Your Dwelling. I shared a simple DIY tutorial on how I turned some dated, thrift store placemats into a cute, boho style throw pillow. Since, I am still just getting back into the swing of things since the death of my grandfather, I am resharing this post with you today. I hope to have some new posts for you next week!

Here is the original post:

Thrift Store Swap Makeover – #SwapItLikeItsHot 3

When I was invited to another round of Ciburbanity's #SWAPITLIKEITSHOT blog hop, I jumped at the chance. If there is one thing I love, it is the challenge of making over other people's unwanted stuff ;). Thirty-three bloggers went out and purchased items at thrift stores, flea markets, etc. for under $15 and sent them to another who then had the chance to give the item(s) a makeover or decorate with in some way. This round was especially fun, because I received my items from my friend Jennifer of Town and Country Living. I couldn't wait to see what she was going to send me!

If you are visiting from Jennifer's blog, welcome! Be sure to head back and visit her if you haven't! Today, is day four, so if you have missed any of the other bloggers' posts, you will find their links at the end. Loads of makeover goodness awaits you!

Thrift Store Etc. Sign Makeover

Last year, I shared a quirky sign during my fall living room tour that I had picked up from a thrift store and made over. I wanted to get this before and after post up much sooner, but you know how it goes. This transformation was so easy and was the first time that I used black spray paint for a decor piece. And I love it! It was the perfect choice. I have really grown to love adding black accent pieces throughout my home.

Five to ten years ago, I would not have considered painting this sign anything other than white (or maybe pink when I went through that phase for a couple of years). But now, I am always considering the piece itself and what it speaks to me.

Home Improvements Made Easy {with Build.com}

I received product from Build.com in exchange for this review. All expressed opinions are 100% my own. Full Disclosure Policy.

If you are a long time follower of mine, you probably know that my husband and I are renovating our 1930's home that we bought back in 2010. If you are new here, you can read more about that on my home tour page. One of the rooms in our home, that needs the most upgrading is our kitchen. We have been pretty slow at getting things remodeled to our personal style, but recently I discovered Build.com which has helped us along in the process! I shared a sneak peek of our latest addition in my Holiday Home Tour last week.

When I went the site for the first time, I couldn't believe the wide array of products that they offer. No matter your style or what you are looking for to remodel your home, it is more than likely they will have it.

Boho Chic Jewelry Trays from Thrift Store Finds

Way back in August, I shared a fun tutorial on Jennifer Rizzo's blog on how to transform otherwise overlooked thrift store trays into chic jewelry storage solutions. I love finding inexpensive and creative ways to get things organized in our home. These trays were perfect for my go-to pieces of jewelry that I had strewn about on my dresser. They would also make cute gifts this time of year for anyone who loves jewelry or bohemian style. You could also attach hooks on the back to hang them on the wall as unique works of art. I hope you enjoy the original post:

Creating your own chic jewelry storage can be easy by upcycling some inexpensive thrift store finds.  I have a fun tutorial for you today on how to make these bohemian style trays!

Have you ever run across these wooden leaves and bowls at garage sales or thrift shops?

Glam Christmas Throw Pillows {Holiday Thrift Store Challenge}

A few weeks ago, I invited several of my blogging friends to participate with me in a challenge: spend under $25 at a thrift store to create unique Christmas decor, either by giving the items purchased a makeover or including them in a creative vignette. I was thrilled when 29 lovely bloggers got on board with me and am so excited for the inspiration we have to share today! You will find all of their projects listed at the end of this post and are going to love the creative ideas these ladies came up with!

I came up with this challenge after a trip to the Salvation Army, when I found two gaudy, black Christmas sweaters. Even though I wouldn't wear them as is, I was drawn to their glitz and glam, which is when I decided they would make the perfect throw pillows for my holiday decor this season. 

 I am going for a sort of "eclectic boho glam cabin" look this year <—-if that could even be considered a style? Well anyhoo…

DIY Sweater Pouf Ottoman

When I shared my fall home tour earlier this month, I revealed one of my latest diy projects for our home: a pouf ottoman that I created from a thrift store sweater. As promised, here is the tutorial for how I made it. This post is a bit premature, since I haven't quite "finished" it yet, but maybe you will be able to figure out the best way and then help me! And I didn't want to make you guys wait any longer for it, since who knows when I will ever really finish it.

To begin this tutorial we have to go all the way back to last spring, when I was shopping at the Salvation Army, and found this mustard yellow sweater.

Herringbone Arrow Mini Wall Shelf {Thrift Store Makeover #SwapItLikeItsHot}

Recently, I was invited to participate in the second round of Ciburbanity's #SwapItLikeItsHot. A little blogging swap, where each blogger sent flea market and thrift store finds, under $15, to another participant to work her magic on.

Vintage Eclectic Fall Dining Room Reveal {and some “real life” thrown in}

Today, I am sharing my dining room reveal with hints of early fall decor. I have never shared this room fully before, even though I have shared my mantel often. There are many reasons for this, but basically it's because it is a work in progress and not yet where I want it to be. Not even close.

It is a little preemptive to call this a "reveal" post, since there is still so much work to do, but I decided to take my own tagline "advice"and find beauty in the imperfections of it. I am sharing some of those imperfections throughout this post, so you can get a glimpse of real life around here.

Sometimes, I know it can feel like bloggers always have everything so "nice and neat and finished." I want to assure you…it is not the case around here. We are always a work in progress, no matter how pretty the pictures.