bedroom re-do: reveal! :)

Whew.
Except for hemming the drapes, it's done!
I am so happy with how this room turned out. :)
Remember the before?
Here's the after...
{plus tidbits on where I got the goods!}

Here are some of my favorite points in the room! I bought the navy and white striped fabric from Ikea and sewed the drapes up myself. The rod is from Walmart. Other than hemming them, I think they turned out so gorgeous!! {I mean, cool. What little boy wants a gorgeous room???! hehe! ;) } The silver lamps with the white shades are from Target.

The nightstand I bought is actually a TV dinner tray from Walmart. So cheap, so perfect. I needed something super small to put the lamp on next to his bed and this fit the bill! Sometimes you've got to be creative with little spaces and little money! :)

This wall somehow became the "learning wall." It was the most vague spot in the room for me when I got started. I knew I wanted to keep the bulletin boards up and create something interactive for Andrew to use, and I love the way it turned out. The metal hanging wire is from Ikea, and so is the wooden stool. Flashcards are from Walmart and Target. :) We are now using this as our daily learning area where Andrew can pin up key words he is learning, addition and subtraction facts, and even photos of insects, animals, and the US presidents!


Andrew didn't have a headboard to his bed, so I made something that gave his bed area height. Wall decals were bought here and here. I put the logo up first and then scattered the polka dots wherever I thought looked right. Totally random, and I adore it. :) The nine-cubby shelf unit is from Walmart or Target- both stores carry a selection of this furniture. The bins are amazing for storage. All of Andrew's toys and paraphernalia are stored away neatly in a bin. So beautifully organized! And the {hardly seen} red drawer unit on the far side of the bed is this from Ikea. I love that it is called the "Andy" drawer. Fitting, right? :) I've got paper and workbooks in it for him to use when he needs them. Plus it is a cute place for his vintage globe to sit, right? The red sheets and the blue striped duvet cover and pillowcase are all from Ikea. {Although I still need to finish sewing the covers to the white pillows on his bed! Ooops. I'm only one woman!}


Red shelves and brackets, white picture frames {which do need pictures in them still haha!}, and small white boxes are all from Ikea. The larger white box is from Walmart. And of course, the Bionicle guys now have a home. :) I love that they are out and are part of the room!


White desk, tins, red lamp, and poster - all Ikea! I loveeee the poster. Love it. Andrew loves it, too. I think it ties in the colors of the room and lends a modern twist to the room. :)


He loves it. He keeps forgetting about it, and when he walks back upstairs, he says... "Ooooh, I forgot about my cool new room!" :)


This makes me smile.
Andrew reading a new book in his new room. :)
Pure happiness!

PS.
Did I forget anything? Ask me about anything in the room and I'll give you the low-down on where to get it. :) This was way too much fun. What room is next?!
xo!

yummy new goodies.

Let me just say...
the room turned out incredible.
Like, crazy cute & perfectly suited for my child. :)
Andrew was thrilled!!
I am sooo happy that I did his room re-do and he was seriously shocked to see his room transformed into something that was so much more "him!" :) Photos to follow tomorrow morning- I promise! I was so tired after working all weekend on the room that I just didn't have the energy to get the blog posted for today.

But in the meantime,
here are some new yummy paper goodies from my shop that I want to share with you!

{darling vintage atlas & map page bird cutouts}


{Stock up on Halloween paper goods now so you can be planning your costumes later! :) }

Happy beginning of the week to you all!
And pop by tomorrow to see the room in all of its cute glory. :)
xo!

getting to know you.

I'm taking a break from the room.
I've been sewing curtains and pillows all morning and I've stabbed my finger with pins one too many times.
Diet Coke & blogging break, people. :)
And this is the perfect reason to take a break!
1. If you accidently knick a car in a parking lot..Do you leave a note or do you get the heck out of there?
Just a knick? I'm so outta there. If it was serious damage, I would definitely leave a note.

2. Love your body or plastic surgery?
I'm okay with the bod. There's always certain things I'd like to change, but nothing that requires going under the knife for, eek! {That is, unless my eyelids droop rapidly and I need them lifted up so I could see. Then I'd consider it! haha!}

3. What about your favorite blog(s) continues to drive you back?
Craftiness, creativity, beautiful photos, personal stories... so many things!

4. What percent of your blog is BS just to make your life seem more interesting than it really is?
No BS here. Although I typically try to concentrate on the happiness and the fun things in my life here. My negative days are rarely documented.

5. If you had to give up one type of meat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Hellooooo! I'm meat-free already! Vegetarian in the house! :)

6. How often to you eat out?
At least a couple times a week. Lunch is more fun when you get to eat out. :)

7. Skinny jeans or boot cut jeans?
Skinny! Skinny! Skinny! Love them! :)

8. If you caught your spouse cheating would you forgive, divorce, or plan your kill?
Madness. Divorce. Revenge. :)

Happy "Getting to Know You Day"!
Go play along.
And tell me if you do so I can visit you as well!
This is totally fun!
xo!

And PS.
Who is watching
Secrets from a Stylist on HGTV tonite?!
Design Star winner Emily has here premiere show tonite, woot woot!
She is super darling, and she blogs over here.
yay!
OK, enough stalling.
Back to work.

bedroom re-do, part two: day two update!

The bedroom is coming
along swimmingly!
Seriously, it is so cute that I could barely sleep this morning in anticipation of finishing up today! Wait until you see photos. I'll see if I can snap a photo of Andrew's reaction, too {which would be priceless!!! I can't wait!}

Here are a few things I learned yesterday:
1. I should not be trusted with a power drill. Trying to put the curtain rod up was an interesting thing, let me tell you. I broke off part of the drill bit {is that what it's called?! I sound so HGTV!} in the wall and had to improvise. Let's just say that the rod is up. You might not want to look closely at what is going on with the screws, though. It's not pretty. :)
2. Do not, under any circumstances, stick bandaids on the walls. Especially Barbie bandaids. I found a few that Andrew stuck up there {I have no idea why, but he is six. Bandaids end up on the wall sometimes. :) } It took the better part of an hour to pick and scrape and goop them off. Gross.
3. Do not buy a $4 frame from Ikea, no matter how extremely tempting that idea may be. Penny-pincher-Holly decided that I could deal with it {it looks ok in the store} but somehow in the transit home and en route into Andrew's room, it got slightly bent and is now refusing to stay flat. Not cool. So now I must head out sometime today to get another frame. Oh well! :)


The crummy $4 frame is for this adorable poster from Ikea as well, which is seriously the cutest thing. It ties in all the colors in the room perfectly! It even makes the yellow chair seem like it fits, yay!

OK, off to have lots of coffee and white powdered donuts {I deserve them!} and then I am headed for re-do day number two. :)
Wish me luck!
xo!

bedroom re-do, part two: before pictures!

Tomorrow is the big day!!
Andrew's room re-do
will begin in the morning!!!
{Can you tell I'm flippin' excited?!!}

As promised, here are the {sorta sad} before photos...

Andrew makes his bed. Can you tell? :)


Very sweet little room, but also sorta "toddler-ish" at the moment.


This piece is being used again in the new re-done room because I adore it. I am also re-using the globe and of course, my sister's amazing painting of Andrew. How much do you love that?! She is so super talented. :)


And last but not least, the desk area. The bookcase will remain similar, I just have to de-clutter it. The desk is crap, and will be departing from my home. {Yay!} Stay tuned for more photos- I will be very busy this weekend, trying to get it all done for when Andrew comes home on Sunday evening. He is not going to believe this.
{How did I even keep this a secret????!!!!}

And PS.
Since those pictures are less than super cute,
here's some pretty for you. :)

Brand new "happy paper flowers" in the moraccan color mix!
Love, love, love!

And because I love you all,
free shipping all weekend in the shop!
Just let me know in the message to seller area that you are a blog reader!
{Pay like usual and I'll refund you via paypal.}
Happy weekend, friends!
xo!

shop love no.14

Little art prints are the perfect thing to tuck in on any wall. In the kitchen, next to the phone, in the bathroom, hung next to the front door... a sweet little printed illustration or sentiment can always find room in your home. That is why LuckyBluebirdArt is one of my favorite Etsy stores. Full of adorable and unique items, you are sure to find the perfect piece of art for your house! :)

{A modern twist on bird prints, this one tops my list of favorites!}


{The perfect print to hang in the bathroom to remind the little ones to wash up!}


1. This toaster & birdie print would look amazing hung in a kitchen!
2. Would this look adorable in a kids' playroom? Remind them to treat each other nicely. :)
3. And another perfect kitchen or dining room print. :)
4. Add a little whimsy to the walls with this gray and white print!

What are your favorite shops or items right now?
Happy Thursday!
xo!

PS.
TWO DAYS until the re-do day, eeek!!! I have sewn the curtains and gotten everything ready. Can't wait to share the pictures with you. :)

summer is not over.

Wednesdays have been dubbed
"beach day"
around here. :)
Andrew gets out of school at noon every Wednesday
and since it has been around 100 degrees here {yuck!}
we decided the beach was the perfect place to cool off. :)

Even though school is back in and homework is piling higher each day,
summer is so not over. Not by a long shot.
Happy beach day!
xo!

mark your calendars.

Have I shared with you that I'll be a vendor again in the next
Queen Bee Market?!
Words cannot describe how excited I am. I am already planning my booth design and couldn't be more pumped! Last May, the first Queen Bee Market was held here in Southern California and was a fantastic success!! If you live anywhere near San Diego, mark your calendars because this show is going to be a fabulous & amazing event, I am sure of it!! :) With a much larger space and a wider array of vendors, it is sure to be the perfect place to do some shopping. And right before the holidays?? I am stocking up on Christmas gifts, let me tell you!
Will you be at the market?
I sure hope so!! :)

Now it's off to mail some recent Etsy orders and do a little shopping for new papers for the shop! Exciting stuff! :)
xo!

bedroom re-do, part one: prep!

The countdown has begun:
5 days until I begin!
Andrew will be spending this upcoming weekend with his dad, so Saturday morning begins the crazy HGTV-style redesign! Part one has been deciding what exactly is on my to-do list. Errands, paint, wall decals... I need to compile all of my items before Saturday so I am one hundred percent ready to go.

Ideas have been swirling in my head and I have gathered lots of inspirational photos for this project!
Here are my main goals:
1. Organization: like the photos above, I need everything to have a place. So key in any child's room, especially my cluttered pack-rat six-year old. :) Furniture needs to have a purpose and function, along with being attractive.
2. A Fantastic Desk Area: Andrew is a crafty kid. He likes to draw, create, and have a space to spread his things out. And with being in first grade now, having more and more homework to work on, his desk area needs to be wonderfully functional and it needs to be a focal point in the room.
3. Modern, Boyish, Yet Whimsical Decor Theme: Andrew is not a toddler anymore, so some things have to go. He needs a room that transitions into a "kid's space" but also including some whimsical childhood details.
4. Streamlined Color Scheme: Navy and Red. That's it. Right now it is a mish-mash of colors and it's driving me crazy. :)


Ikea has been a lifesaver. I love how modern and cute everything is, and for so cheap. I bought Andrew sheets for $5!! Ikea rocks.

A girl on a budget + Ikea = serious love. :)

Above are some of the pieces I have picked out so far for the room. Just quick sneak peak, but don't fret- I'll have everything completely itemized after it's done. Links, where to get what, etc. Total organization- I've turned over a new leaf, people! :)

I am fairly sure I've got most of what I need, but here are a few dilemmas you might be able to help me with:

1. He's got a bright yellow plastic Ikea desk chair that is driving me crazy. Has anyone used that plastic spray paint?? I am hesitant to try it out, but I might need to do something. Paint it white? Paint it red? Help, please. :) It was cheap, but I hate to spend any more money than I have to, so I am trying to repurpose what I can.
2. A dust ruffle is needed. I can't find one at Ikea {bummer!} and I can't find one at Walmart that I like. I am looking for an inexpensive, regular ruffled dust ruffle like this one that I can embellish with some navy trim. I found one online that is a wrap-around style, but am nervous to order it. Any ideas??

Now it's off to sew some simple curtains for the room {fabric from Ikea!- woo!} and organize a few more things. I am so excited. Check back in for more room updates!
And PS.
I am so surprised I've kept this whole deal a secret as well.
He is going to flip when he sees this room. :)
Happy Monday, friends!
xo!

getting to know you.

I am busily working on some orders from my shop this afternoon after a quick trip to {the new and huge and amazing!!!} Forever 21 this morning with my sister. A lunch and blogging break is in order, however, to post a few fun "getting to know you" questions & answers. Play along here! :)
1. If you could host a Reality TV show, which one would it be?
Because I fell in love with it this season, So You Think You Can Dance! They seem like they are having such fun on that show. Plus, maybe I could get a date with that hottie, Twitch??!! ;) I'm fairly sure I've watched the Twitch/Alex dance and the Twitch/Lauren dance about a thousand times each. Hotness! Can't get enough.


2. Do you put your seatbelt on before or after you start the car?
Before. :) Or else my car starts beeping at me, ugh.


3. Shave or hair removal cream?
Shave. Old fashioned.


4. What's your favorite feature in a house?
Window seats, if I've got one. So cozy. :)


5. What is your favorite "Fall" scent?
Pumpkin pie! I actually just bought a few new ones at Michael's! They are delish. :)


6. What tv show are you looking forward to seeing the most this Fall??
Grey's Anatomy! No wait, Private Practice!! Or Vampire Diaries!!!! {Can you tell I'm a TV-a-holic?!}


7. Personal Shopper or Personal Chef?
Um, chef! I'm fairly sure I could handle the shopping myself. :)


8. What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of "Fall"?
Pencils. :)


Happy weekend, friends!
Stay tuned tomorrow for a sneak peek at Andrew's room re-do!!! Eeek!
xo!

hot summer days.

Summer weather has finally arrived in San Diego.
We have had the mildest of summers, with most days never reaching more than 80 degrees. Heaven, I tell you. Especially for someone who has no air conditioning. But I knew that sort of good luck couldn't last forever. This week was hot. Uncomfortably hot. My fans are getting a workout, let me tell you. Andrew and I had to make a mid-week beach trip to cool off in the ocean. So... I am off to enjoy a relaxing day with lots of ice cream, popsicles, and ice water. And maybe a trip to an air-conditioned location is in order.
{Movies? Mall? Target? Driving around in a nice, cool car?}
The possibilities are exciting. :)
Happy Sunday!
xo!

dreamy.

{via}

“I do not know how anyone can live

without some small place of enchantment to turn to.”

Happy Wednesday, xo!

shop love no. 13

I love wallpaper.

Yes, I am one of those people who think wallpaper is unusally charming and busy. However, it is a pain to pick out, decide on, put upon the walls, take down from the walls, yada yada yada.

Enter in wall decals in the form of a wallpaper! Yahoo! No more do we need to slave away on real wallpaper when we can create our own! Way cheaper, way more creative, and you can rip it down easily it you get bored. This shop caught my eye in the past few days because of the clever designs and uses for these vinyl decals. I'm totally in love!

And PS. I'll let you all in on a little secret, but don't tell Andrew. :) I'm pulling a complete surprise-bedroom-re-do-makeover on him in a couple weeks. I am transforming his bedroom from toddler-cute-four-year-old room to cool-snazzy-organized-first-grader-room. Sssshhhhh. He has no idea. I'm so excited. So I got the idea to do a vinyl decal headboard in his room and these totally caught my eye. In the end, these decals were a little too girly to pull off in a six-year old boy's room, but wait until you see what I did find. I'm up to some fun things, let me tell you. Wait and see, friends... wait and see.

In the meatime, go buy some cute stickers and goop up your walls. :) xo!

7 things.

The lovely Megan from A Ruffle in Time passed on these fantastic blog awards to me. I'm so very flattered, yay! Pop over to visit Megan- she has an unbelievably cute blog. I love meeting new blog friends. :)

Sooo.... Here are seven interesting {or semi-dull, who knows!} things about moi!

1. I think kittens are about the cutest thing in the world. I would keep adopting cat after cat if I could. :)

2. Water scares me. I do not like swimming in the ocean or a lake when I know other things are swimming underneath me. I like pools where I can actually see to the bottom.

3. I bleach my own hair. My naturally-super-dark-brown hair is lightened every 6 weeks by a six-dollar box of highlighting dye from WalMart. I love that I don't have to rely on a salon anymore. And it always turns out just how I want it. :)

4. I have a hard time buying anything for full price unless I can't live without it... or unless it is from Etsy. :) I have become such a bargain shopper these past few years and I love it. I love finding spectacular deals!

5. I love love love Round Table cheese pizza. Like, I could eat it for every meal, every day. Too bad it's not very calorie-friendly. :)

6. Kayaking in San Diego + me = love. {Despite the water fear.}

7. I have an obsession with watching trauma-room-ER-type shows on television. It makes me want to be a nurse even more. :) {Andrew's gotten addicted to them, too haha!}

Now to pass the love along to some other of my favorite bloggers:

It's A Good Day

The Little Red House

Erica's Bloggity Blog

Blessed Little Nest

Three Men and a Lady

MannLand5

Happy Monday, xo! :)

start 'em young.

Andrew, my own personal coupon clipper. :)
He even organizes them in my coupon book!
He's a keeper. :)
Happy Wednesday, xo!

thank you, wellie-boots.

These fab little wellie boots made it onto one of my favorite blogs last week!! This blog is always such a source of inspiration for me, and I adore poking around sfgirlbybay as much as possible.
I am proud.
Proud of those snazzy little boots. :)


And in other shop-related news,
I am excited to share a whole new batch of
vintage dictionary cutouts!
1. fleur-de-lis
2. teeny flowers
3. daisy flowers
4. teeny snowflakes

AND my shop made it to 700 sales last night.
Yipee!!!
You have no idea how happy that makes me.
How happy I am that I have built up this little paper goods business
into a thriving shop & income source while I am waiting on nursing school.
Thankful does not begin to express how I feel.
Thankful that I can be home with Andrew,
pick him up from school each day,
spend my weekends with him,
create while he sits next to me...
without having to go to a "job"-job.
I adore my shop.
And I adore each and every customer.
Thank you, friends! :)
xo!

a new obsession.

My child has a new obsession.

{And let me preface this by saying that Andrew has never been one to play with toys. He gets toys, he likes toys, but he doesn't sit himself down to play with them. Countless Christmas and birthday presents have been tossed out to the goodwill pile because he would rather be in crafting and creating with me than building legos.}
Back to the subject at hand... :)

Andrew is now in love with Bionicles.

I mean, getting a bionicle at the store,
coming directly home,
opening it and putting it together
all.by.him.self.

This is an unprecedented occurrence at our house.
He needs me to play with him all the time,
{which I so do not mind!}
but this breath of fresh air is amazing to me.

Happiness = building his "guys".
I adore this.
And I am so freaking proud of him. :)
{Now let's just hope this obsession continues until Christmas time so I actually know what Santa can bring him!}
xo!

shop love no. 12

This week I was inspired by the color violet.

It is a bit pink, a bit red, a bit blue, and a lot whimsical. :)

Here are some of my current faves...

Top Row:

1. braiden maiden headband

2. merci greeting cards

3. felt flower brooch

4. handspun & hand-dyed cotton yarn

Bottom Row:

5. vintage violet stamps

6. golden bubbles chandelier earrings

7. gorgeous baby tutu

8. amsterdam bike with flowers print

If you'd like to see my "violet whimsy" treasury on Etsy, you can find it here.

What shops are you loving lately?

xo!

sweet deals.

The clearance section of my shop
is packed full of yummy greeting cards!
I am trying to make way for new items
to pop up in the shop next week...
so buy away!
My handmade greeting cards are excellent quality and are so unique! It is always good to have a few extra cards tucked away for a rainy day. :)

And speaking of rain...
today in San Diego, it is cloudy and cool.
What is up with this summer?!
{Not that I'm complaining- we have no air conditioning, so a cool summer is perfection in my world!}

And another quick update...
I stalked Andrew's principal yesterday morning and he said we will be getting a permanent teacher on Monday! Yahoo!!!! This week has been very stressful to say the least!
We will be enjoying a very relaxing weekend, I can assure you. :)

PS.
I'm so close to 700 sales on Etsy!
The 700th sale will be receiving extra surprise goodies in the mail as well.
Will it be you??! :)
xo!

first grade. :)

Andrew is officially in first grade!!

We were super excited to take him to the first day of school,

and Andrew was ready to be in a new classroom!

Andrew and his best friend Owen were ready to be big first graders!

I cannot believe I have a first grader.

How does time fly like this?!

BUT...

our first week of school has been extra stressful.

Because California is broke and our schools have no money,

just about all the kindergarten and first graders are in combo classes.

We were very happy that Andrew was placed in the first-second grade combo class, however the budget crisis has left the school with not enough teachers. Which means that Andrew's class has a substitute until they can find a permanent replacement!! NO TEACHER! Am I wrong to be pissed about this? For small children who crave routine and stability, I think it is terribly irresponsible for the school to leave this classroom to a substitute for who knows how long. We were mad. The principal was avoiding the parents and we still haven't got a lot of answers as to what's going on. All I know is that I am crossing my fingers and hoping for a great teacher as soon as humanly possible. The classroom is bare, nothing on the walls, and my child came out of his first day of school telling me that he hated the class and the teacher. Not what any parent wants to hear. :( Cross your fingers for me, too. Budget or no budget, they should have a teacher in there on the first day of school. Ugh! Frustration.

Here's to hoping each day gets a little better.

Enjoy your day, xo! :)