Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Creating a child friendly environment in an adult space
Last week my child bestowed a 2.5 hr nap upon me. I got lots of blog surfing done in that time!
Time well spent? Absolutely!
I am ECE trained, and have every intention of running my own home based daycare centre in the future. The problem I have right now is that I do not want to spend all day every day in our dark basement with the kids. So that means we will spend a lot of our indoor time upstairs in the main living areas. The problem with that is we don't have a ton of space, and I don't want my house to look like it was vomited on by a Toys R Us.
Diane, at In My Own Style, has created a wonderful storage solution, which I think if executed just right will solve my toy storage problem:
Photo courtesy of In My Own Style.
See her tutorial HERE.
My other dilema was book storage. I am a huge advocate of reading (really, who isn't?!) and I wanted our books to be accessible, but also organized and uncluttered. And since I don't want a huge bookcase taking up living space, I love love LOVE these book display shelves:
Photo courtesy of Frugal Home Designs.
I have seen these done on many blogs, in many different ways but Fawn at Frugal Home Designs has a great tutorial, which makes it all look so simple.
Some of you ladies are so crafty, I am just in awe of your talents!
Time well spent? Absolutely!
I am ECE trained, and have every intention of running my own home based daycare centre in the future. The problem I have right now is that I do not want to spend all day every day in our dark basement with the kids. So that means we will spend a lot of our indoor time upstairs in the main living areas. The problem with that is we don't have a ton of space, and I don't want my house to look like it was vomited on by a Toys R Us.
Diane, at In My Own Style, has created a wonderful storage solution, which I think if executed just right will solve my toy storage problem:
Photo courtesy of In My Own Style.
See her tutorial HERE.
My other dilema was book storage. I am a huge advocate of reading (really, who isn't?!) and I wanted our books to be accessible, but also organized and uncluttered. And since I don't want a huge bookcase taking up living space, I love love LOVE these book display shelves:
Photo courtesy of Frugal Home Designs.
I have seen these done on many blogs, in many different ways but Fawn at Frugal Home Designs has a great tutorial, which makes it all look so simple.
Some of you ladies are so crafty, I am just in awe of your talents!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Browsing kijiji
It's a rainy day here today, so no yard saling occurred for this lady.
Instead I stayed in my pajamas with my baby. While he napped, I did a few things around the house and browsed Kijiji. To my delight, I found a few really terrific deals that I am currently waiting to hear back about!
I have been looking for a chair for the spare bedroom. If it is still available, I just may have one for $10! What a steal. If I get it, I will have to repaint and reupholster:
And I really, really hope to hear back from this seller! I have a bedside table already that matches the one here exactly. And the shelf is coordinating. I would love to have this for our master bedroom. I like the look of symmetry:
I keep checking my e-mail. No word yet. But FX!
Instead I stayed in my pajamas with my baby. While he napped, I did a few things around the house and browsed Kijiji. To my delight, I found a few really terrific deals that I am currently waiting to hear back about!
I have been looking for a chair for the spare bedroom. If it is still available, I just may have one for $10! What a steal. If I get it, I will have to repaint and reupholster:
And I really, really hope to hear back from this seller! I have a bedside table already that matches the one here exactly. And the shelf is coordinating. I would love to have this for our master bedroom. I like the look of symmetry:
I keep checking my e-mail. No word yet. But FX!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thrift store finds
I went to an antique store this morning. I had such a burst of creative inspiration about five days ago and rushed to the store to see if they had what I wanted, but it has been closed for five days! I was so disappointed... but I was very happy to see that it was finally opened again today.
There were lots of great things. But nothing for me. They did have what I wanted, but it was too large. I looked at their antique chairs and they all seemed nice, but out of my price range. Who knows, maybe the prices were just right and I am too cheap?
So, feeling discouraged I went to a small thrift store. It is run by volunteers and all proceeds go to the local library. They sell mainly clothes, books, and some household items. Things are priced very, very reasonably. I find that some of the more mainsteam second hand stores have prices that rival retail at times. I was excited to find that children's books were $0.25 each at this place!
Here are my finds:
I got these clothes for the boy. They are some of my favourite brands (Joe Fresh, Pekkle, Gap Kids) and I got all four for $4.
I picked through the books carefully. I got two old, worn copies of classic novels. I have some plans for these. And I found a cute book for my son. $ 0.75 for all three.
My favourite find was this clutch for $0.50. I know nothing about purses, and there are no tags, but it looks vintage to me. I think it is really pretty.
Grand total = $5.25
I have lots of baby clothes I am going to donate back to the store. It's for a good cause :)
Today I am linking to:
And ... Frugalicious Friday
And ... Thrift Treasures Party
There were lots of great things. But nothing for me. They did have what I wanted, but it was too large. I looked at their antique chairs and they all seemed nice, but out of my price range. Who knows, maybe the prices were just right and I am too cheap?
So, feeling discouraged I went to a small thrift store. It is run by volunteers and all proceeds go to the local library. They sell mainly clothes, books, and some household items. Things are priced very, very reasonably. I find that some of the more mainsteam second hand stores have prices that rival retail at times. I was excited to find that children's books were $0.25 each at this place!
Here are my finds:
I got these clothes for the boy. They are some of my favourite brands (Joe Fresh, Pekkle, Gap Kids) and I got all four for $4.
I picked through the books carefully. I got two old, worn copies of classic novels. I have some plans for these. And I found a cute book for my son. $ 0.75 for all three.
My favourite find was this clutch for $0.50. I know nothing about purses, and there are no tags, but it looks vintage to me. I think it is really pretty.
Grand total = $5.25
I have lots of baby clothes I am going to donate back to the store. It's for a good cause :)
Today I am linking to:
And ... Frugalicious Friday
And ... Thrift Treasures Party
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Transformation Thursday
Yesterday my DH, son and I went to a junk sale. It is held all summer long next to the highway. I've never stopped before. There was a lot of junk, and lots of damaged goods because it is all left out in the rain. But really, the prices can't be beat.
I picked up this frame for only $1:
A lick of spray paint turned it into this:
It is part of my spare bedroom redo. I'll post more when I am completely finished!
I want to head back to that junk sale soon. They had some old wooden kitchen chairs that I think would look great in our house!
I am linking to ... The Shabby Chic Cottage
AND
I picked up this frame for only $1:
A lick of spray paint turned it into this:
It is part of my spare bedroom redo. I'll post more when I am completely finished!
I want to head back to that junk sale soon. They had some old wooden kitchen chairs that I think would look great in our house!
I am linking to ... The Shabby Chic Cottage
AND
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
My special boy
My big little man is 4 months old today. He is such a special person in my life. I love this kid so much!
He is growing and learning so much. He is about 18 lbs now, wearing 6-9 month clothes for length. He is rolling nonstop and is pulling/pushing his way across the living room floor as I type this. His favourite hobby is to stand on our laps. He has lots of tooth buds popping through - we're just waiting for those dang teeth!
Life moves fast, but I am loving every minute of it.
He is growing and learning so much. He is about 18 lbs now, wearing 6-9 month clothes for length. He is rolling nonstop and is pulling/pushing his way across the living room floor as I type this. His favourite hobby is to stand on our laps. He has lots of tooth buds popping through - we're just waiting for those dang teeth!
Life moves fast, but I am loving every minute of it.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Spare bedroom
We love our little home. It really is the perfect size for the three of us. It has a cute little kitchen, 1.5 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, a finished basement, and beautiful hardwood floors. Unfortunately, it needs some major updating!
When we bought the house, we were not yet pregnant. We had lots of grand plans -- and then we got the BFP! We were happy, of course, but it also meant that our big reno plans had to be put on hold.
I've lived for nearly a year in this house without really making my mark. I've resisted the dated panelling in the basement, and fought the burnt orange carpet in the bedrooms. But I am tired of doing that. It may be a while before we replace all the carpets, so I've decided to start decorating anyway.
I am going to start with the spare bedroom. Right now, it is sort of a catch all of different things. I can't believe I am actually going to post pictures of it... it really is a disaster area! Normally it is not quite this bad, but we were organizing for a yard sale (which was canceled) and everything we collected from the house landed in here. Hopefully this will make for a great Before and After!
Several things: 1) Yes, that is a cradle my son no longer sleeps in. 2) And yes, there is a laundry basket filled with towels and dish cloths sitting in it waiting to go in the washing machine 3) and needless to say, those curtains came with the house.
I really, REALLY can't wait to redo this room. Hopefully this week while we have some extra hands around to help with the baby!
When we bought the house, we were not yet pregnant. We had lots of grand plans -- and then we got the BFP! We were happy, of course, but it also meant that our big reno plans had to be put on hold.
I've lived for nearly a year in this house without really making my mark. I've resisted the dated panelling in the basement, and fought the burnt orange carpet in the bedrooms. But I am tired of doing that. It may be a while before we replace all the carpets, so I've decided to start decorating anyway.
I am going to start with the spare bedroom. Right now, it is sort of a catch all of different things. I can't believe I am actually going to post pictures of it... it really is a disaster area! Normally it is not quite this bad, but we were organizing for a yard sale (which was canceled) and everything we collected from the house landed in here. Hopefully this will make for a great Before and After!
Several things: 1) Yes, that is a cradle my son no longer sleeps in. 2) And yes, there is a laundry basket filled with towels and dish cloths sitting in it waiting to go in the washing machine 3) and needless to say, those curtains came with the house.
I really, REALLY can't wait to redo this room. Hopefully this week while we have some extra hands around to help with the baby!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
I went yard saling!
"MULTI FAMILY YARD SALE" the ad on kijiji read. Multi Family Yard Sale? It was calling to me!
The address was a ways away. I live in a small town in Ontario, and there are lots of rural communities nearby. I didn't anticipate how far away I would have to drive.
I got into my blue elantra, minus one husband and one baby, and headed out at 7:30. I drove, and I drove, and I drove some more. I nearly turned around at one point, but decided to go just a bit further. I am glad I did!
I rounded a corner and saw all the cars lined on the side of the highway. Sign number 1 that this was going to be a good one. Then I noticed the tables and tables of stuff all set up in somebody's massive front yard. I was excited!
I found this lamp at the yard sale:
It was only $5 and I think it will go great in the spare bedroom.
I also picked up this gem:
It is in need of lots of TLC but I think a bit of paint will spruce it right up. It was only $3.
I love the detail on the bottom:
I think it will find a new purpose as a bedside table in our bedroom.
And my favourite find of the day was this beauty:
I think I am IN LOVE with it. And can you believe it was only $3?! I do like the blue colour it is now, but it needs a bit of help still. Not sure what I am going to do with it yet. Maybe it will act as a side table in the spare bedroom? Stay tuned to find out!
It is in fantastic shape. I still can't believe it was only $3.
Yay for yard sales!
The address was a ways away. I live in a small town in Ontario, and there are lots of rural communities nearby. I didn't anticipate how far away I would have to drive.
I got into my blue elantra, minus one husband and one baby, and headed out at 7:30. I drove, and I drove, and I drove some more. I nearly turned around at one point, but decided to go just a bit further. I am glad I did!
I rounded a corner and saw all the cars lined on the side of the highway. Sign number 1 that this was going to be a good one. Then I noticed the tables and tables of stuff all set up in somebody's massive front yard. I was excited!
I found this lamp at the yard sale:
It was only $5 and I think it will go great in the spare bedroom.
I also picked up this gem:
It is in need of lots of TLC but I think a bit of paint will spruce it right up. It was only $3.
I love the detail on the bottom:
I think it will find a new purpose as a bedside table in our bedroom.
And my favourite find of the day was this beauty:
I think I am IN LOVE with it. And can you believe it was only $3?! I do like the blue colour it is now, but it needs a bit of help still. Not sure what I am going to do with it yet. Maybe it will act as a side table in the spare bedroom? Stay tuned to find out!
It is in fantastic shape. I still can't believe it was only $3.
Yay for yard sales!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Welcome me to the blogging world...
Ten things about me:
1. I am a wife, mother, daughter, friend.
2. My son will be four months old in three days.
3. Sleep is the ultimate goal in this house.
4. I enjoy creating things!
5. I LOVE a great deal!
6. I live for garage sales and second hand stores.
7. I aim to have a child friendly house.
8. I love to bake, but hate to clean.
9. I am a history buff; particularly family history.
10. I am quite indecisive.
My husband and I have been married for over a year. We have a beautiful infant son together. We own our little home, in our small town. We have been homeowners for nearly a year now, and are loving (almost) every minute of it!
So bear with me as I navigate through the blogging world.
1. I am a wife, mother, daughter, friend.
2. My son will be four months old in three days.
3. Sleep is the ultimate goal in this house.
4. I enjoy creating things!
5. I LOVE a great deal!
6. I live for garage sales and second hand stores.
7. I aim to have a child friendly house.
8. I love to bake, but hate to clean.
9. I am a history buff; particularly family history.
10. I am quite indecisive.
My husband and I have been married for over a year. We have a beautiful infant son together. We own our little home, in our small town. We have been homeowners for nearly a year now, and are loving (almost) every minute of it!
So bear with me as I navigate through the blogging world.
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