Rantings of a Creole Princess

Color Scheme

What color is the room you're sitting in right now?  

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM)

What do yall think about this?  Just use painter's tape and paint to paint a harlequin mat in front of your door directly on the concrete?

Comforter or Duvet Cover?

Do you have a comforter or a duvet cover set on your bed?

What's the pattern?  Floral?  Geometric?  Scroll?  Plaid?  Stripe? Solid?

Do I Have To?????

I put that bow and swag up for Christmas.

I haven't taken it down because I really, really like it!

Do I have to take it down?  

Burlap, Berries, Magnolias and Poinsettias!

I'm in the process of decorating for Christmas on a perfectly snowy day!  Instead of Christmas tunes in the background, however...I have a yelling husband and a Ravens' football game to listen to.  LOL!

My inspiration for the topper came from a floral arrangement I saw at Michael's in Asheville, NC.  

I knew a smaller version of that could be crafted for a topper so I did it.  I think it looks kinda neat.  I didn't want to add too much because I didn't want it to overpower the tree.  

I couldn't find a burlap tree skirt that I liked so my mommy-in-law made me the perfect one because she's so awesome and rocks so solidly!  LOL!

I dressed the mirror up by adding a berry spray and a double swag ribbon made out of red wired burlap ribbon.

I found these ornaments years ago for $1 each at the Dollar store.  I tied some fishing twine to them and used Command hooks to hang them.  That's an old spruce garland with ribbon woven through it.  Easy and cheap.

That's Day 1 of decorating so far.  I'm still working on the tablescape for the coffee table in that room.  I think with so much color throughout, I need to use white only to kinda ground it.  I don't want it to be too "busy."

After that...I'll do the family room.  

I LURVE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!  

What colors are YOU using this year?  Are you finished decorating yet?

 

I LOVE Alstroemeria!

I bought a bunch of Alstroemeria Sunday before last to put in a vase.  I didn't want to spend a lot on flowers because I knew we'd be leaving even though I wanted flowers that day.  I paid $3.99 for a bunch at Trader Joe's.

When we got home last night I was blown away at how they'd opened up and how such a cheapo pack of flowers looked so beautiful.

I changed the water today and here is how they look tonight...8 days later:

How is that even possible?  I think this is going to be a standing flower for our home.  Cheap, lovely and super long lasting.  GO ALSTOEMERIA!   

Easy and Cheap Fabric Tablecloth!

I couldn't find the thing I needed to pull my tablescape together.  It just seemed to be a bit "blah."  I kept searching high and low but nothing.

Zip.

Zilch.

The tablecloth section everywhere was ugh.

So I went to J-Ann's fabric store today with the table measurements and found something that would bring color to the table.  Then...I called Erica B. to find out what kind of edge binding stuff to use on the edges to make it nice and straight.  When I got home, I pulled out the ironing board, my ruler and iron and ironed down the edges.

First I made the straight line using the iron and then I put the tape in the fold and followed the instructions to bind it all together. Basically you just hold the iron down for a count of ten all along the edge and then turn it over and do the same.

It was sooooooo easy!

That binding stuff is here:  5/8-Inch by 20-Yard Stitch Witchery

The fabric was $3.98 per yard.  Erica B. made me download the Jo-Ann app so I could get a coupon and my purchase was only about $10.  GO.ME!

The only thing I know about the fabric is that it's cotton and I liked the color and pattern.  LOL!

So I'm finally ready!  Here are the linen elements of my tablescape for Thanksgiving 2013!

What colors are you using this year?  I totally think I'm going to make my tablecloths/toppers all the time now.  It was super easy and I had lots of options to choose from by way of fabric.  

Who painted the art in Olivia Pope's office?

The artist is Randy Hibberd. You can find the print here:  Beauty In Blue II by Randy Hibberd

Outdoor Christmas Decorating Challenge

This is my challenge for outdoor Christmas decorating this year.  I want to do this type of filler inside of my urns.  I do NOT want to pay $179 each for it.  I imagine the people who came up with that price are still giggling at how funny they are because seriously...THEY FUNNY.  

Battery-operated Holly and Berry Christmas Urn Filler

I tried these lights last year and they were okay.  I think if I used more than one string per urn I'll get the look I'm shooting for.  White 30 LED String Lights Battery Operated

These plus the burlap Christmas wreath should make the front pop quite nicely.  What say you?  Do you have planters out front?  What do you do with them for Christmas?

How to make a burlap wreath!

My mother-in-law and I are going to make Christmas wreaths while we're at the cabin for Thanksgiving.  I wanted to test one out so I can make sure I had all of the supplies we'd need for the ones we want to make. I think the test one came came out pretty nice if I do say so myself.  I'm probably going to add some stuff to it before Christmas like some type of green sugared fruit and I think I'm going to pull the tails closer together.  Making the bow was cool in that I used two different types of ribbon, one behind the other and made a basic bow with 5 loops on each side.  Then...I pulled out both pieces of ribbon to arrange once I'd put the floral wire on the ribbon properly.

Michael's has all sorts of awesomeness you can decorate your wreath with.  I wired all of the decorations on the burlap wreath form because I want to change it up whenever I want to so I didn't use my trusty glue gun.

GO ME!

To make one you'll need:

2 rolls of Burlap Garland, 5 Inches by 10 Yards

Wire Wreath Frame 10"

Ribbon

Decorations

Floral Wire

If you get your supplies from Michael's do NOT forget to use your phone to pull up their website to get the coupon of the week.  You'll kick yourself if you don't.  The wire form is about $4, the burlap is about $5 per roll.  Your ribbons and whatnot is on you.  LOL!  This wreath cost me about $20 to make as I already had floral wire and whatnot.  The initial 'M' was only like $1.19 and I had a coupon for 25% off my full purchase.  GO ME AGAIN!

Once you finish putting the burlap on the wire frame, it should look like this:

See!  It kinda looks nice like that by itself!  Using this you can put whatever you want on it and make it as simple or as extravagant as you want to!  It's completely up to you!

COTTON CANDY GOOD AS GOLD LET ME SEE YOU TOOTSIE ROLL!  LOL!

Video here:

What are you going to put on your door for Christmas?  Do you make it or buy it? 

 

 

 

Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets

I was vacuuming the tops of the kitchen cabinets when I realized that I think it looks all nekkid up there.  I stepped back and really looked at it and decided I should put some stuff there.

But what?

I started pulling stuff out of the basement storage that just sits around waiting on me to use when I'm in the mood to use it and started layering those things up top there.

And I kept going...

...until I'd run out of space.

And now I'm all like...hmmmm...why didn't I do that long ago?

It's not finished as I needed to see what I liked and didn't like and now I know.  I'll remove some things today and space it out some more.  I think I want more bold colors up there only.

If you have space on top of your kitchen cabinets...what do you keep up there?

Fall Outdoor Decor Time!

I saw this on Pinterest and I wanted it:

I have two wreaths for fall and one of them was kinda similar.  Larger berries.  I didn't have brown ribbon nor a random 'M' hanging around so I had to roll out to Michael's and make that happen.  Not before going to their website and sending a 40% off coupon via text to my phone though.  GO ME!

The 'M' was $2.99.  The roll of ribbon was $8 something.  I got 40% off the ribbon, came home, and got out my crafty box:

Now...yall don't know this about me...but ya girl is a sharp shooter when it comes to wielding a glue gun.  YEAH I SAID IT!  POP, POP!  

So I tied some stuff and glued some stuff and twisted some stuff and yup...jazzed my old wreath up something ferocious for around $5 if you factor in how much ribbon I actually used.

I'm pretty pleased with it.  Sure...I could have purchased another wreath EXACTLY like the one pictured but honestly...I was pretty proud of myself that I didn't and simply used what I already had.  Check me out saving and ish.  LOL!  

Me makey wreath.  Your turn!  What kind of wreath do you have on YOUR front door?  Have you changed it for the season yet?  Do you?  Where did you get it?  Did you make it?  Did you ENHANCE it?  

Kitchen Cabinets

What color are YOUR kitchen cabinets?  What color do you want your NEXT set of cabinets to be?

Mingo 44 Field Day! Free Printables!

So...my birthday party this year was an old school Field Day like when you were in elementary or middle school.  I reserved a park for the whopping permit fee of $20, bought some balls and whatnot, served hotdogs and grilled veggies with cupcakes, sunchips, etc. and GOT.IT.IN!

It was truly a blast.  Cheapest party I've ever thrown.  EVER!

I made the banner with cut out paper using this awesome blog post:   Free Printable – WHOLE Alphabet Banner!!  I used clothes pins ($1) from the dollar store to put them on the Jute Twine.

Since we were outside playing I wanted to make sure I had lots of water and I did some personalized water bottle labels using the same paper and my printer at home.  I bought the water at the dollar store (6 for $1), removed the labels and glued on my labels.  I tried finding a free label template online but folks were all about making money off it so yeah...I simply measured the circumference of the bottle and found I'd need an 8.5 inch long by 1.75 inch tall piece of paper per bottle.  Um...a regular sheet of paper is 8.5 inches long so yeah...EASY!!!!!!!!!!!  I centered 5 "logos" (made them in word) per page using 3 cell chart, blanking out the lines around all the cells except the center one and then made those lines thicker.  Personally...I think they look elegant.  GO ME!  You can download it here FOR FREE if you'd like to personalize it for your own something or the other.  Download Mingo44 WATER

Next up was something to decorate the gluten-free cupcakes I made.  Let's talk about the cupcakes first.

Cupcakes all over the world ain't cheap these days.  Ask for gluten-free and hell...you walking out of there with a box of cupcakes hitting you up for car insurance payment kinda cash.  Last weekend I made a friend a cake using this: King Arthur Flour Chocolate Cake Mix, Gluten Free (Pack of 3) and this:  Pamela's Products Dark Chocolate Frosting Mix, (Pack of 6).  

It was delicious.  

Seriously.  So yeah...I made cupcakes out of it and yeah...they were delicious too.  GO ME!  I put them on my AWESOME cupcake holder (I've since forgotten where I bought it but did so because when I saw it I was totally thinking it wasn't an icky cheesy looking one like I always see) and then...made paper lollipops using Word shapes (circle) and different fill colors and patterns.  I hot glued them to these (I found mine on clearance at Michael's for .99 cent a pack both circles and flowers): Little Yellow Bicycle - Naturals Collection - Burlap Shapes - Flowers  and then hot glued popsicle sticks on the back.  

Here is my template for the paper lollipops and you can personalize it your way for your use:   Download MINGO FLAGS

Cute huh?

The rest of the stuff I used was stuff I already had down in the basement.  I've collected some nice things over the years by simply keeping an eye out for things.  The best time to get good deals on stuff is when you don't need it.  LOL!  So yeah...I see something nice on a random Tuesday in March and buy it and store it down in the basement until I'm ready to use it.  GO ME!  

The best thing I've ever purchased has got to be the 54 x 108-Inch White Tablecloth $3.50 each.  I use them so much and, at only $3.50...you don't worry if something is spilled on them like red wine.  Oh...and my silverware I bought in bulk, Stainless Dinner Fork - 24 / BX - $4.68.  I started out with about 48 each of them at those prices and bought forks, spoons and knives.  You're totally not mad if someone accidentally tosses one in the trash at those prices.  I keep them in ziploc bags between parties and put them in a buffet silverware caddy for parties.  I've had it forever and forgot where I found it.  Works perfectly.

Since we were at a park...I used paper plates because paper plates are for parks and barbecues.  And that's all Imma say about that. Humph.  LOL!  Bought the paper plates at the dollar store too.

I did buy dodge balls and a flag football set but I can use them again.  If you're in the area and want to throw a field day party...you're welcome to borrow them because they will simply be in the ball bag in the basement.  LOL!

For the three legged races I used an old sheet cut up in strips.  Worked perfectly and completely throw-way-able.

Food was easy.  Gluten-free all beef hotdogs, grilled veggies and corn on the cob.  I put the corn on wooden skewers so folks didn't have to use their hands while outside.  I had a gallon of hand sanitizer on hand to disinfect before eating.  LOL!

Water and gatorade were the drink choices (G-Baby brought some drink packs for the kiddies) as we couldn't bring alcohol to the park.  I was going to make some awesome adult beverages to put into these Ball Jar Heritage Collection Pint Jars with Lids and Bands, Set of 6 :

Yall know I'm anti-drinking-out-of-mason-jars because I always dribble on myself so I drilled a hole in the top of the lid and then put Nickel-Plated Brass Eyelets - 3/8" - 8 Ct. in the hole.  I didn't put the back of the eyelet on because I did the hole exact and it was a really nice and snug fit.  Then...a straw just pops in nicely!  WHEEEEEEEEEEE!  Well...I'd already made 6 when I found out I couldn't bring alcohol so I didn't make anymore.  LOL!

We had fun.  It's always cool to do something completely different and well...we get together all the time for drinks and or drinks and dinner so it's fun to switch it up to something we never get to do.  

Before we left the park yesterday someone asked what we're doing next year.  

SIP: *HARD.STARE*

LOL!

Coffee Table Tablescapes

I'm tired of the stuff on top of the coffee tables at our house currently and am looking for ways to jazz them up.

Here is what we have now:

1.  Living Room - I just did that flower arrangement on Friday so it will be gone by Thursday probably.  I'm keeping the two white pieces because I think the entire room needs a bunch of white stuff around it and I've been looking out for nice white pieces.  The bowl in the middle with the balls are just so ordinary and typical that I want to make them go away.  I love that candle holder but I'm thinking about moving it.  I just want something more hmmmmm...INTERESTING. 

2.  Family Room - There is not much space on this thing to do much.  Same thing with the flower arrangement.  That will be gone by mid-week.  I'm not getting rid of my rock.  There is a story behind it.  LOL!  I want this to be nice looking but I also want enough room for a wine glass or mug of tea.  

3.  Basement - This is the biggest challenge because E spends the most time down there with his friends.  They play video games and what the heck ever and I really only put stuff on it to get them to stop forgetting that a coffee table IS NOT TO SIT YOUR AZZ ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I'd like to keep this as "clean" as possible.  I'm about to paint down so yeah...I want a clean, fresh twist to it.

Ideas:

I kinda like the idea of small plants on a tray or something like this.  Kinda wondering about a terrarium kinda thing though.  I would think that a plant in a cloche like this would have constant moisture and start looking weird.

This would actually be easy for me to do in the basement and I think putting a large, wide, short basket under the coffee table would be interesting to add blankets.  Hmmmmmmm...I think I might try this one today.  The basket I currently have is a light color though so I'd have to spray paint it.  But still totally doable.

Honestly...I've never thought about putting candlesticks in a cylinder vase before.  I think I like this.  

I already have a couple of really cool looking lanterns.  If I find an interesting enough pot for the fern I just picked up...I could do this in the basement.  Instead of putting it in the middle...I'd put it more to one side though.  That way, the kid will still have space for whatever it is he needs space for when he's down there.

As you can see...this is going to be an interesting project because I'm going to start with using things I already have in the house to switch up things a bit.  I'll do end tables and chest tops too.  I want to do interesting things, as I stated above...and I want it to be a fresh take on it for me.  

Thoughts?

What's on YOUR favorite coffee table tablescape?

 

Houseplants for Good Air Quality

I bought a new plant.  A HUGE one.

I like the way it looks.

I remove it from the planter once a week and take it outside and put it on a stand.  Then I water it until the water starts coming out of the bottom of it.  After that...I allow it to stay out there until it stops dripping and put him back inside.

Then...I bought another new plant.  A baby one.  The lady where I bought it said a fern would work really well in my bathroom because I don't have any windows in there.  She also told me to take it outside and let it get some sun.

I read an article recently about improving the air quality in your home and how plants are VERY good at doing this for you.  Turns out you need a plant ever 100 square feet of your home in order to do it to the standards of a NASA study on houseplants and air quality.  

Um...

I don't know exactly how big our house is but I think it's somewhere in the 2,500 square feet range give or take.  That would mean I would need 25 plants up in here for optimal use.  Um...

I think I'm finally mature enough to care for plants the way they need to be taken care of but 25 of them is just crazy talk.  LOL!

But...I'm going to buy more, of course, because now that I understand more about them...I want them in every room.  I realize that I really like the way they look and I have a really good eye for choosing decorative planters for them which accentuate the decor I have going on up in here.  I'm looking for something for our bedroom now.  I want a big something and two little somethings.  Maybe two big somethings.  Wish me luck...I'm going out today to find some.

Here's the article I'm using as a guideline on what types of plants to buy:  Best air-filtering houseplants, according to NASA

How old is the oldest plant in your home?  Would you consider buying new plants for your home?

Woman Cave

If I had a woman cave, I'd want a beauty shop dryer chair tucked in a corner somewhere that was also a massage pedicure station with a flat surface I could flip up to do my nails on.

I'd also want an awesome movie viewing section and a super comfy reading corner filled with light.

And a state of the art music system.

And lots of book shelves.

And a writing desk facing a window with an Eames desk chair.

And a fireplace.

And a bathroom nearby.

And space enough for Pilates without having to move anything.

And room for all my nail polish on display.

And a Monnie-snack drawer.

And a heavy duty crafting table.  

And a sofa for my friends who come over.

And wine/wine glass storage.  

NO MAN/DOG FARTING ZONE!

What would YOU add or remove?

Project Management

What projects do you have planned for your home that you haven't gotten around to yet?  How long has it been?

Peel-and-stick tiles under sinks!

OH YEAH!  DOING THIS UBER SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like these:

Smart Tiles 10 in. x 10 in. Brownie Mosaic Tile Decorative Wall Tile

THANKS MARGARITE!!!!!  YOU ROCK!

New Home, New Furniture!

When you moved into your first new home...what was the first furniture you purchased?  Do you still have it?

Outdoor Chair Cushions

I need to buy new ones.  Have YOU ever replaced your cushions?  Where did you find the perfect ones?  Was it difficult to find cushions for YOUR chairs?  Do your chairs use seat cushions only or seat AND back cushions? 

 

Getting Ready to Spruce up for SPRING!

A delivery man accidentally knocked over the Fleur de Lis at our front door and it broke.  A girlfriend knew I'd been shopping around for another one, saw this one and bought it for me.

ME LUBBY ME FRAMILY!

I decided to paint it and started doing that this weekend.  This was after one coat.  I added a second coat amd am going to put to it out front when I finish sprucing up the front.  I think I want new planters. Something modern looking instead of traditional.  

Like this:  

I also want to change the outdoor lantern from the builder grade one to something snazzy.  

Like this:  

What's on your spruce up for spring list?  Did you get started yet?

What do y'all think of these?

~ MMingo

Refinishing a Leather Sofa

A few months ago Jaru started this weird scratching crap.  Like...he would start and couldn't stop.  No matter where he was or what he was doing.

Even if he was sleeping.

On the leather sofa.

One morning we came down and noticed the first hole in the damn sofa seat cushion.  Soon there were three holes and then...as many as five on two cushions.

Damn sofa looked like it was on a rickety porch down in Memphis somewhere hustling and flowing.

No biggie since I've been SLOWLY looking for a new one right?

WRONG.

Damn dog hasn't stopped scratching so I spend a crap load of money on a NEW Thomasville reclining leather sofa and let him scratch that one up too?

Um...yeah...no.

So what to do?

I scoured the internet for solutions and seriously...nothing seemed like it was going to be a good enough solution so I went to ABBA Upholstery in Gaithersburg.  They sold me a leather hide as close to the color of the leather on the sofa as possible seeing as though it's a 10-year old sofa.  Then they took my old cushion covers and remade the covers down to the velcro on the back of them.  SO.AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

Initially they said it would take 2 weeks but 2 weeks was Friday and I didn't get them until today.  We've been living on the sofa using a blanket for all this time and BAAAAAAAABY!  We were soooooooooooo happy today when we put them on!  GO.US!

So yeah...moral of the story is...there probably isn't a refinishing product that you'll like either if you're anything like me.  The new cushion covers ended up costing us $425 but that's way cheaper than how much it would cost to replace the entire damn sofa running the risk of the damn dog scratching another hole in a BRAND.NEW.SOFA.  

I'm good with the slight discoloration until his azz stops scratching or until we just wear out the new pebbled cushions and make it all smooth and worn.  LOL!  $425 WELL spent in my opinion!  GO ME!  GO US!  13700 ROCKS!

What would YOU have done? 

Christmas Decor 2012 at 13700!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at 13700!  I like to put a bit of Christmas in every room so I'm working my way from the bottom up.  LOL!  

The mancave looks like Christmas spit up in there.  ROFL!  Someone grumbled about Santa staring at him while he was watching a game.  I have a feeling I'm going to go down there one day and Santa will be turned to the wall.

I'm still working on the mantle but it's getting there.  I'm going to use the peppermint ribbon on a small sugared fruit wreath to put on the mirror.  That mirror came from upstairs where it was replaced with the new mirror.  GO ME!  RE-PURPOSING ISH!

The tree is "light" this year.  I was about to start putting bulbs all over it but then The Robinator said he liked it like this so I stopped.  LOL!  Seemed only fitting to use Magnolias again this year.  :)

I like how it doesn't look all matchy matchy.  Makes me smile.

That's just a garland with a piece of ribbon woven through it.  I might attach some snowflake glitter ornaments to fish string and attach with white thumbtacks to give the allusion of them floating up there.  Let me tell yall how dusty it was on that ledge above the door.  I was shame.

Seriously...SHAME!

Poinsettia stems in a gladiola vase along with a cinnamon broom that I bought at Trader Joe's for $3.99.  They smell soooooooooooooooooooooooooo good!  GO ME!  

This lil guy brings me joy.  He's chilling in the powder room.  LOL!  I love his smile!  He's a tea light holder and he's holding a puppy.  LOL!  Makes me smile.

I hope to be finished this weekend.  I have a few more fun things to do that will include glitter, glitter, lots 'o glitter and I want The Robinator to do a few things outside.  He quickly veto'd putting lights on the holly tree for me.  Something about being pricked to death, scratched up like crazy or whatnot trying to put lights on a 10 foot holly tree.  Ninny.  LOL!

Have you put up your tree yet?  Are you in the Christmas spirit yet?????

 

Question: Do you know how to make a Christmas or regular bow?

 

I wanted to put peppermint striped bows on these two mini topiaries and couldn't find any already made.  I didn't want to have to buy a complete spool of ribbon to make two little bows...but I ended up having to anyway.

I was only doing simple bows.  Two loops...two tails.  Easy breezy.

I wanted to share with you guys a little tip I use to make bows for pretty much anything.  I always use Christmas ornament hooks to twist around the middle.  LOL!  I always find them on sale after Christmas for like ten cents for a pack of a hundred or so and I buy them and put them into my craft basket to use for bows.  LOL!  WAY cheaper than floral wire and they are usually the perfect size.  AND...I use the other end to hook it to whatever I'm attaching it to if need be.

GO ME!

Do YOU know how to make bows?  Do you use wired ribbon?  I do because it's sooooooooo much easier to shape it properly.  

What's the last thing you made bows for?

Mirror, mirror...on our walls...

I found a new mirror I liked last night.  This was would have been the third one I purchased in as many weeks.  The other two had to go back because they didn't work for me even though they had the shape I was looking for.  Well...one actually made it back to the store...the other one is sitting at the front door ready to be RETURNED to the store.  LOL!

What do you think of this one?  I was looking for round or oval with a substantial frame.  After trying out lighter colors, I felt the darker color would ground that big azz yellow wall MUCH better.

The room is shaping up.  I found a pillow I like better than the ones I've been using.  Yes...you read right.  I found ONE pillow.  I've located another one online so I'll purchase that one by the time the holidays are gone.  

I changed the lampshade on that lamp to the left and added two new lamps on the painted buffet/chest. (I guess I should remove the furniture movers from under the legs since I'm obviously going to keep it there huh?  ROFL!)  I have several options in mind for new ceiling lighting because that current contraption has been killing me softly for YEARS!

Still looking for the perfect chairs mind you...but I wouldn't have space for them now anyway with the tree so I'm going to just keep looking.

I can't believe I'm only just NOW focusing on finishing this room but it's the perfect testament to taking your time and doing it right TO ME.

SIP:  I like how you spun the LAZY truth of it all.  LOL!

What say you?  Mirror good? What do you think of my pace?  LOL!  We've been in this house for 8 years and this year is the first I've actually tried to focus on this room.  Trifling huh?  Go 'head...tell me the truth.  I can handle it.  LOL!

 

eDecorate Me!

Orange accents are proving to be difficult to decorate with for Christmas. Any ideas? ~ MMingo

Another Shelf Paper Use!

 

I have this spa tower in my bathroom for some of the stuff I use daily:

Taymor Chrome Four Tier Spa Tower with Square Baskets

It's perfect because it's right up against my tub but so annoying because of the wire shelves. The bane of my existence has been trying to put something back on it without it falling over.  IRKED.ME.SILLY!  To the point where I've been thinking about replacing it.

So I have a lot of shelf paper left over.  Hmmmmmm...what do to what to do?

I got out some card stock, measured and cut it to fit in the shelf basket and then covered it with the shelf paper to make a bottom.  GO ME!

NO MORE FALLSIES OVERS!

Shelf Paper Use!

I was in line at TJMaxx the other day and saw that shelf paper.  There were two rolls in the package for $5.99.  

I removed the shelves and lined the back of the medicine cabinet with the shelf paper.  Now...whenever I open it (twice a day) it makes me smile!  GO ME!

Something I want to do!

I've always wanted to buy a piece of furniture from a yard sale and completely redo it.  A chest of drawers I think.  I'd love to put a tall one on our bedroom closet and then build a jewelry keeper thingy on the top.

Is that weird that it's a goal?  LOL!

Prolly so!

Have YOU ever refinished a piece of furniture?  I tried reupholstering a sofa once and didn't finish it completely.  Like...I did all the hard stuff, and then got bored.  WHO DOES THAT???????

Organizing 13700! Slowly but surely!

I got the organizing bug from looking at all of the organizing options on Pinterest  I even started a board about it with some of the cooler things I ran across.  Organize It ALL!

We had a basement storage area from hell.  Like...we'd talked about installing shelves forever and life just got in the way and we never got around to doing it.  See...Robby and I are pretty lazy at home.  I think it's because we're the type of people who go all out when we're at work.  Like...we WORK so when we get home...we CHILL.

Hard.  

SIP:  Lazy azzes.

So yeah...I just went ahead and ordered the dang shelves and it forced us to make a move and we got to getting.  Basement Storage Clutter Solution!

Slowly but surely we've been de-cluttering our home.  Getting rid of things we never use for whatever reason and organizing what's left.  

I'm currently doing our bedroom, bathroom and bedroom closet (which houses our everyday clothes and shoes).  I purged first and then made an assessment of what is left over and now I'm trying to figure out the best way to store everything leftover.

Like...everyday shoes:

REPOST WITH A NEW QUESTION! Lazy Lucy Lima Bean!

What do you guys think of my doing the whole room in stripes? Would that be too much?

 

I bought some new pillows today to play around with.  I was messing with the ISO on my camera and Jaru came to check out what I was doing. 

Lucy?

She was sooooooooooooo not interested.

Imma get me a new dog.

So whatchall think?  Don't look at the rug cuz that's gonna be outta here as soon as I find the solid light colored shag rug I'm looking for.  Robby says I can't get a new sofa cuz this one has only had a butt on it 8 times in 7 years so I'm stuck with it for now. 

*sigh*

N E WAY...

Work with me...yall like either of these pillows?  The solid or the print?

Or...do I need to keep looking cuz neither are hitting on ish?

 

Staining Oak Cabinets Espresso

I want to do this YESTERDAY!!!!!!  Staining Oak Cabinets Espresso

Black Art in America!

THIS IS SO HOT!!!!!  Black Art in America

I'm drawn to scrolly things.  LOL!  How many throw pillows do you have on YOUR bed?  What about on your guest bed?  

scrolly pillows

Either / Or? - Curtains

WITH tiebacks?

OR

WITHOUT?

Easter 2012!

I love mother-daughter pictures.  Especially when they are color coordinated!

This is my dear, dear, friend.  She's been through so much recently and this profile shows her strength.  Seriously.  

Jaru is surveying the Easter egg decorating center.

The very thought of an Easter BASKET when you're 13 made E shudder so he got an Easter JAR.  LOLOLOLOL!

A 13700 Easter basket!

Play clothes!  LOL!  #OldSkoolMama

Of course he wouldn't let me take a REAL pic of him.

My Bella.  Isn't she perfect?

Another of my "Huxtable family" friends.  LOL!  SO PERFECT!

Don't be fooled.  She has no use for flowers.  LOL!

Looking like her daddy with hair.  LOL!

I love her.

He loves her too.

My Becca brought me a Georgetown Cupcake.  Red Velvet!  Okay...so she brought enough for all.  I just wanted to be special!

A tabletop terrarium!  This is lavender!

Sage!  I searched high and low for small pots and couldn't find any.  These are sugar containers I found for $2.99 at HomeGoods.  I removed the lids and VOILA!  A small pot!

Speckled eggs!

I only got to take pics of those who arrived super early and I'm soooooooo sorry.  Everyone looked stunning in their Easter finery and I really wish you guys could see it.  I didn't post mine cuz seriously...I'll be wearing it again soon.  ROFL!  

The food was delicious and we had a REALLY good time hanging and laughing.  Truly hope you guys had the same!

HAPPY EASTER FROM 13700!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Faux Plants

Do you have any faux plants in your home?  

How do you care for them?

Do they get crazy dusty?

What would YOU do with this piece?

I ran into this piece and it wouldn't let me leave it behind.

Now...I don't know what to do with it.

What would YOU do with it?

SIP:  Lucy is wondering too.

Houzz

I hate my friends for introducing me to this site.

Seriously.

HATE.THEM.

You will too.

www.Houzz.com

Wall Stripe Painting Project COMPLETE!

Okay seriously...that Frog Tape stuff is the BIZ.NESS!

There was no seeping whatsoever! I just have some touch ups to do on the absolute edges cuz I didn't press it all the way down and it seeped through.

I can't BELIEVE how well it all worked out! It only took me about 3 hours from start to finish. This was an AWESOME project!

I can't wait to finish this room now!

How to Paint Wall Stripes

Step 1:  Pick a Pandora station on your internet television.

Step 2:  Take your measurements and get out your supplies (level, pencils).

 

 

Step 3:  Get out your good Frog tape.

Step 4:  Draw level lines and tape them off.

Step 5:  Paint the stripes you want to paint using the primer + paint stuff for good coverage.

Step 6:  Get harryazzed by your Godson who thinks white stripes are fruitless and they should have been orange instead.  *sigh*

Now...we sit and wait for the first coat to dry and do a second coat.

I'll remove the tape tomorrow.  **UPDATE**  I read the instructions on the website and it states to remove the paint immediately after painting.

GO ME!

Have you ever done paint stripes?  Have you ever wanted to?  If you wanted to but haven't...why not?

 

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM): Black Cabinets

Would YOU date him?

5'8"

A little extra around the middle.

Never married.

No children.

Gainfully employed.

Is really involved in church and active within several ministries.

Rents an apartment in a not-so-safe neighborhood so he can save money to buy a house.

Passenger side door doesn't open on his car so you'd have to slide in and out of it from his side.

 

Question...

What colors are your bedroom wall colors?  What colors did you accent it with?

Touch-Up Painting, etc...

I started doing touch-up painting at 13700 yesterday.  See...I thought I wanted a new color so I've been waiting on some inspiration but yeah...I like the yellow on the main level so I'm keeping it.  I finished all but the foyer area and I was planning on doing that sometime today.

Or not.

Did yall know they make spackling now which comes out the tub pink and once it's dry enough for sanding it turns white?  I.LOVE.THAT!  Whoever did that deserves some kinda really huge award.  That is simply soooooooooooooooooo awesome to me!

I do want to do some wall stripes in the front living room.  (Calling that room a formal living room just sounds weird to me cuz we are nothing next to near formal.  LOL!)  Imma do the wall that you see when you first walk in the the house.  I've been wanting to do it for a while so I went ahead and purchased what I'd need to do it properly (that paint plus primer stuff and some frog tape) so I can have it at the ready whenever the inspiration hits me.  I think I finally know what I want to do to that room to make it something we'd actually use.  See...when people come to 13700, they immediately roll back to the family room.  That's always been the way it is.

So...I wanna make it bright and fun.  Something that will make folks want to stop and enjoy instead of rolling straight to the back.  I might even hide a small television in there.  I see cream, amber and bronze/brown accents in there with some lime-ish green thrown in for a fun pop.  I need art, chairs, an ottoman, maybe a bench, and I might change out the tables which are currently in there to something more square in shape.

HOWEVER...just cuz I finally see it means nothing.  LOL!  It will take me forever just to find the chairs I want probably.  *sigh*

BUT I GOT A PLAN!!

Anybody working on any home improvement things?  Any home improvement goals?

 

Yall proud of me?

We help you keep up with Hollywood gossip.

In theory...

...this was a good idea.

In practice...I'm returning this console. It doesn't work with how we watch television.

*sigh*

Back to the drawing board.

Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless

HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you help me find this sofa sectional for less than $6,897? 

Thank you in advance. 

Oh...and when I say less...I'm talking chop that sucker in half and STILL have a coupon less.  :)