Bedroom Update - Brown + Black = LOVE

I did a little more painting this weekend.

I know, I just cannot get enough. I've been meaning to paint the bed since Ryan built it last August. This is it below, after Ryan built it. It is SOLID, which means, it ain't going NOWHERE. Ever. If we sell this house, in like fifty years, it will be sold with the house.

In case you are wondering why we Ryan decided to build the frame for the bed instead of purchasing a frame, there are actually two reasons:

1. Ryan refused to buy the frame or a new bed.

2. Ryan was certain he could avoid paying for a box spring.

So, he did a little Internet research (is there any other kind?) and came across this little diddy. It actually ended up working quite perfectly, because the ceiling is relatively low upstairs, so it makes the ceiling look taller. Plus, it's a really solid surface, and gives the mattress more support.

So - while I knew I would eventually paint it, the thought of moving everything out of the room and getting a drop cloth to go UNDER the 6,000 pound bed (I may exaggerate a little) kept me away from the task.

This was what I did instead - I put a ill-fitting bed skirt over it.

But, on Saturday morning, I was lying in bed, and I thought, "ENOUGH!"

So, I begged asked Ryan to help me pick up the bed to get a drop cloth under it. We took apart the bed and took the headboard off the wall....

And, here's what we had 24 hours later:
I may get lamps. But, I kinda like the idea of end tables with almost nothing on them. I don't know why. And, I'm definitely changing the items above the bed, based on your feedback a while back. I just haven't done it yet.

(Sigh) I love it. I'm sorry if you have a problem with brown and black together. For some reason, I have an undying affection for the combination. I don't think the photo does it justice - the black looks so sleek. I love the quilt tucked in. I just adore it. 

It's also, hands-down, the most masculine room in the house. If you don't count the garage. Which I don't because it's not in the house.

What do you think? Am I crazy to combine brown and black???

Not that I will change it if you think I'm nuts, it would just be nice to have a little confirmation that I'm a loon.

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Container-worthy

Another really great class this weekend about gardening - this time it was about making killer containers. Same location as last week. There were tons of folks there... I guess I'm not the only person gearing up for warmer weather.

I'm so thankful that there are so many local classes for beginner gardeners. There is so much to learn.

Did you know?

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day

Partial sun/dappled shade - 3 to 5 hours of sun per day

Shade - Less than 2 hours of light per day

And, if you are getting afternoon sun, this would be considered a sunny location. I always thought that it would be considered partial sun. 

Here are some of the containers that were used in the demonstration. If you are interested in the types of plants, I can tell you because the lovely ladies gave us notes (SCORE!).

This was one of my favorites - succulents in tea pots and cups. These containers are made to be planters, but how fun would it be to find some older teacups and tea pots to make into your own vintage containers.

Here are a few others that had lots of visual appeal. They instructed us to use a thriller, a filler and a spiller in containers with more than one plant. A thriller is the centerpiece and one with lots of visual appeal. A filler fills out the pot to make it look complete. A spiller spills over the edge to give more interest.

And, how fun to use funky planters - like a bike.

And, these cobalt blue planters about gave me a heart attack. I just love that color.

And, that plant in the back - it's a Cordyline 'Red Sensation' and it's divine. I'm definitely getting one of those puppies this year. It was love at first sight. And, the lovely lady sitting next to me told me I could overwinter it in the house. I can just see it in my dining room.

And, in the spirit of container gardening - here are some of the lovely multicolored pots I was swooning over.

And, how much do you love this display? I just think it's totally fabulous. 

That's all there is to it.

And, after all that sunshine and springtime, I was ready to get going.

There was only one problem... the weather.

 (Our house when I got home.)

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Adjusted - but still living large

I did a little bit of a switcharoo in the living room and it's really growing on me.

After moving the entertainment center to the other side of the room (suggested by my aunt), I had tons of space. I tried a few different configurations, but I think we have a winner now.

By adding the shelf on the left, I was able to make it look a little more symmetrical. I have issues with asymmetrical rooms. They seem out of whack. (P.S. Both of the shelves were handmade for us as wedding gifts from a family friend. Aren't they awesome?)

Having the reading chair under the window avoids it feeling like it's floating in the middle of nowhere.

By scooching the bench under the window, it's out of the way so the room looks bigger and the dogs can sit up on it and look out the window. But, it's still in easy reach to prop up our feet.

The room feels much more spacious than it did upon move-in. (You can see the old layout here and here.)

What do you think?

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Frugal & Fabulous: Checking ads

Are you ready for the latest installment of frugal and fabulous?I'm sure I'm not the only one who likes to look at Sunday ads in the paper. It's a fun Sunday ritual for me to check them out. 

We have found a way to save a little extra dough. Check out those ads for items you have ALREADY BOUGHT. 

For example, in the Menards ad last Sunday (which I was perusing in the car on they way home from lunch), I noticed that gutters were on sale for $4.99. Unfortunately for us, Ryan just bought the same gutters yesterday for $8.99. That's $24.00 that we could have saved. Luckily for us, we know the policies at Menards allow us a little wiggle room. 

So, we zipped there after lunch. We didn't even have the receipt with us, but we can look it up at the kiosk (Thank you, Menards!). The customer service staff is fabulous there and quickly got us a store credit for $24.00. We needed a few things, so the difference paid for our purchase. Total savings: $24.00. Completely worth the time and effort!

Note: I do this often (probably once a month or more). It does not bother me in the slightest. One thing I have learned is to be really nice. This is the FABULOUS part of being Frugal & Fabulous. You could be short with the folks if they give you a hassle, but that wouldn't be fabulous, would it?

The truth is - They can turn you down. But, most likely, if you approach them with a smile and explain the situation, they will return the difference if the purchase has been within two weeks. This is ideal, because most likely, you have already used the item (or put the gutters up) and cannot feasibly bring them in. 

However, if they are being adamant, ask them (nicely) if you can bring the items in to return them and then re-purchase them at the sale price. In my experience, this gives them the idea that I mean business. And, it usually gives them the extra push to return the difference. Why bother with me again if they can take care of it now?

Note #2: This also implies that you save most of your receipts, which I think you should do. It will behoove you. I promise. I bought an envelope-sized expanding file that that I keep in my car.  All receipts go in there, organized by month. You will be SO HAPPY that you keep those receipts, I promise.

I have done this on a multitude of items - from Thinsulate gloves, to building materials (ALL.THE.TIME) to clothing that goes 25% off at Target. Moral: It doesn't hurt to ask.

What do you think? Is it worth your time? Have you ever done this before?

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The Smile File

This is a new segment I like to call:

The premise is this - there are many things in my life that make me inadvertently smile - you know, things that make the corners of my mouth creep up without warning. This is a place to capture those moments, so when I'm feeling down (you know those days), I can remember all of the things to be thankful for. 

Smiles:

• Edward and Bella. I'm not even embarrassed that I ran out to buy this movie when it came out last weekend - it was totally worth it.

• 
  
• Little Caesar's Hot-N-Ready Pizza (at only $5)

• When Ry asks me daily where something is and then finds it before I can even consider the question.

• Clear countertops.
  

• Zach Brown Band - "Whatever it is"
  

What's making you smile?

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Outdoor living

Ryan and I spend a lot of time outside in the spring and summer. We love to grill and eat outside on the deck. Plus, with all the gardening planning I'd like to think we are going to do, outdoor time will SKYROCKET.

And, darn that Ballard Designs. Their outdoor catalog just gives me all kinds of "ideas." Ryan's not a huge fan of my "ideas." They usually take time and money - both of which are hot commodities at our household.

So, here's my latest - I really wanna spruce up the deck more. Make it look like an extension of our home. (I'd like to think this means cute, comfortable and a wee-bit stylish.)

Our deck looks kinda like this now:

Cute, I think. I'd like to think it's better than it looked when we moved in:

(Note: I throw in old photos more for me than you. It helps me feel a lot better - and spend a lot less money - by realizing how far we've come. It helps me be thankful for all we have.)

And, here's our "new" patio set. I love it with all that I have in me. The chairs were from Ryan's parents and my grandpa. The umbrella was a gift from my aunt. The table was a clearance item at Lowes. They are like little orp

hans that found their home. And, a home sweet home it is.

How fab would it look to spruce it up a little. Maybe with a few of these outdoor accessories in complementary colors to our red, sage and green look we've got going?

Like this fabric, my newest love - Tuscan Stripe. It is SO our home. Isn't it?

So, I'm thinking about saving my allowance for a few pillows ...

And a large sisal-looking outdoor rug...

What do you think? Are outdoor fabrics just crazy or would I be simply crazy not to snatch up my perfectly-matched-to-our-house-colors rug and pillows?

Sound off!

(And, while you are at it - how are we going to convince Ryan that this just may be a necessity? I throw around the word "necessity" too much.. it's lost its power.)

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Ole!

On Saturday, we had a stay-at-home date night with cilantro-lime steak, homemade guacamole and fresh salsa. Oh my yum. If you haven't made homemade guacamole or salsa, you will never go back. I promise. If you have, you know how amazingly simple, inexpensive and delicious it is.

Ryan's Tex-Mex cilantro-lime steakapalooza

(I'm sure Ryan's not the only one who's made this, but he makes it the best in my book. So, I gave it a fancy name.)

One large flatiron steak (or another steak to your liking), sliced into strips (like fajita strips)

Juice of one lime

Bunch of cilantro (to taste - we use a lot because we LURVE cilantro)

In a dish with sides (or the container the steak comes in), cover the steak in the juice of the lime. Add cilantro and rub the herb into the steak. Let soak for at least 24 hours.

Grill, eat, and die of happiness.

Fresh guacamole

2 avocados, peeled and cored

1 roma tomato, chopped

1-2 tbsp lemon or lime juice (or more to taste)

Salt and seasoning salt, to taste

Use a fork to soften avocado to "mush." Add chopped tomato, lime/lemon juice and seasoning. Mix thoroughly.

Fresh salsa (Pico de Gallo)
1 lime
½ onion chopped
Fresh cilantro chopped (to your taste- I like a nice bunch- about ½ cup snipped or chopped0
3-4 tomatoes chopped
2 jalapeños chopped (if you like mild remove both seeds and membrane)
Pinch of salt

Chop onion, tomatoes, jalapeños (leave in seeds for extra spiciness). Add lime and salt and combine in a large bowl.

Ole!

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Veggie Gardening 101

A locally-owned nursery in my area has gardening classes on Saturday and I attended two. The best part - they were free. That, and they had popcorn.

Side note: (Cue the angels singing) Isn't this garden center fabulous? I was in my height of glory, perusing the plants and colorful pots between classes. It made me yearn for spring.

I wanted to take home all of these colorful plant stands and hooks. They are adorable. (I may or may not be recreating this look - on my budget. Stay tuned.) And of course I loved all the pots. I could have brought home a Prius-load.

And, did I mention that there were succulents? I had to drag myself away from the one on the left. Isn't it interesting?

Anyhoo - one of the classes was about Veggie Gardening, which we are really getting going on at the NewlyWoodwards' this year. I took a lot of interesting tid-bits away from the class. So I wanted to share the highlights with you, in case, like me, you are also beginning a foray with gardening in 2009. Trust me, we aren't the only ones. In addition to the Obama's gardening at the White House, it is estimated that edible gardening will be up 19% in 2009. Plus, having it written down is a good practice for me, so I don't forget what I learned. (Note: I'm no expert, this is just from my notes. Please correct errors if you notice them.)

Top take-home resources: Check out Burpee's new gardening site (burpeehomegardens.com) for lots of interesting tips about gardening, including a vast array of FAQs. This is, by far, one of the best gardening site that I have found in my research, particularly if you are a beginner. However, it seems to focus on the main vegetables and herbs, so you may not find the unique varieties here. My favorite part is the area discussing companion plants, which will tell you what plants to plant together.

Top factoid: Did you know that green peppers will turn red and then yellow over time? They are the same plant - red and yellow are just harvested later, and thus sweeter.

The Four P's:

(Here are some highlights of the presentation - by no means comprehensive.)

1. Planning your garden.

• First-time gardeners should stick to gardens no larger than 25 x 25. (Can you imagine going any larger?) Write it down!
• Your garden should be near the house (if possible), in full-sun (at least 6 hours) and on a level site. (Note: Salad greens, broccoli, chard and cabbage will only tolerate 4-6 hours of sun.)

2. Preparing your soil.

• Soil is uber-important! The best time to work the soil is in the fall. But, if you didn't, it's not too late!
• Wait to work the soil until near the frost-free date (late April/early May here). Before tilling, add 3-4 inches of organic matter (compost). Once spread, use a garden tiller to turn soil until it's completely mixed in.
• Do not use top soil - it does not add any nutrients to your soil! Use garden soil, cow manure, cotton bur or mushroom compost (or a combination).
• For container gardeners, consider self-watering containers and use fresh, potting soil. Remember that potting soil cannot be re-used year after year.
• Product recommendation (which Ryan also endorses): Use Preen Vegetable Garden Organic Weed Preventer for your garden and even your lawn (make sure you see the purple organic label). It's made of 100% corn gluten, and was developed by folks at Iowa State University (WOOT WOOT!). Avoid those harsh chemicals.

(Don't use this is you are direct-sowing. It won't allow seed germination.)

3. Planting your garden.

• Starting seeds indoors is a little less expensive than buying transplants from a greenhouse.
• You should be starting your seeds now (if you are in the upper mid-west).
• Water or mist with room temp water in a slow stream. Remember that these are babies. You wouldn't throw your newborn baby in a hot shower. Don't do it to your little seedlings.
• Fertilize every 7-10 days after first true leaves have formed (1/2 strength with water-soluble fertilizer).
• Thin out seedlings when plants are 1 inch tall and after first true leaves develop. leave the strongest looking plants in each pod.
• Harden up your seedlings (or seedlings you purchase at the garden center) by bringing them outside for 10-14 days before planting them outside.
• Plant tomatoes and broccoli deeper for stability and support.
• Water plants immediately after transplanting.
• How to know if it's time to water? Soil feels cool and damp but doesn't wet finger.
• Container vegetables need to be fertilized and watered more than in-ground.

4. Picking your vegetables.

• Harvest beans, corn and peas as soon as they ripen.
• Harvest broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, radish, squash, tomato and zucchini a few days after ripening.
• Leave beets, carrots, kale, leeks, pumpkins and winter squash for a few weeks.

The class really helped me solidify the basics that I had read online and in books. In the next weeks, I will share our garden action plan for 2009, which includes planting some veggies, lots of herbs, and annuals and perennials - some in the ground, some in pots and some in window boxes. I cannot wait!

So, anything you want to share that's really important for me to know as I'm getting started? 

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The china cabinet update

Well, it's time to show you our latest project - the china cabinet.

I painted and Ryan attached the hardware that needed re-fit.
Here's a little closer view of the hardware (and a showcase of my photography skills).

To remind you, it looked like this before.

So, I like it a lot more. Although, I'm completely at a loss of what to fill it with. I have these pretty white serving pieces, but it looks really sparse.

Do you think Eddie Ross would be willing to fly to western Illinois to help me out?

No? That was what I thought.

Any ideas?

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A few pretties

A few pretties that make me smile. I hope you have a lovely, smiley Thursday!

Love the blue on the walls, the pillows, and of course, the wainscoting. (Sigh)

(Just Beachy)

Loving that garden stool and the tailored look of the bedding. Oh, and I think I need to pick up a cable knit pillow.

Poppytalk

Love the painted floors. Oh, how I'd love a lovely little sunroom.

(House Beautiful)

This makes me consider chair pads. They are adorable. Lovin' the mix of white and black. 

Definitely urging me to paint our corner hutch white.

Totally crushing on this white secretary. 

Lovin' this red quilt, very similar to our guest bedroom bedding.

How do people make bookshelf decor look so understated and yet, so awesome?

I adore the bookcase. Can we just transplant this room into our living room? Okay, thanks.

(Inspiration for Decoration)

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Work wear

Some of my favorite blogs show off what the authors wear. Without fail, they look stylish, put together and classy. Since you have all been begging me to show you what I wear on a daily basis, I thought I'd finally cave and show you. (Note: No one has actually asked this.) I mean, I'm totally oozing style out my ears. (Note: HA!)

Actually, I just thought it would be humorous (to me) to show you what I wear when I have to work outside. This photo was taken during my photo shoot while I was raking leaves and doing some basic yard work last weekend.

Don't I look like a bad mama-jama? (Full disclaimer: The wood pile is just for effect. Know that I had no part in creating that wood pile.)

Let me break down this look for you, in case you would like to re-create it at home:

- Gloves are a necessity because I hate getting dirt on my hands and especially under my fingernails. I have something against getting my hands dirty. This is much of the reason that I don't like to camp (that, and sleeping on the floor, in a tent, without a shower or running water).

- Boots are important for two reasons. 1. They look pretty dang cool. 2. They keep the bottoms of my jeans from getting dirty. In a similar way to fingernails, dirty jean bottoms make me crazy (OCD much?) The boots take care of this.

- Sunglasses. I don't work if I have sun in my eyes.

- The ponytail makes me look like I mean business.

- This sweatshirt is my bona fide "work shirt" and favorite all-around sweatshirt. If it's dirty, I either wear it dirty or don't work. When people see me, they ask, "Where is Woodward University?" And, I say, "It's my last name, fools."

So, there you go folks. Don't go rushing out all at once to re-create this look. It may just been one of a kind. Kinda like me. (Thank goodness.)

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Happy St. Pat's!

Happy day to you all!

We celebrated the day of the green on Saturday with about a million of our closest friends (but only two that we actually knew). In honor of the holiday, I wore red.

Clearly.

While Ryan has been milking his fingers for all they are worth, he had no trouble handling the green beer.

Strange.

Hope you all have a lucky day and find your gold at the end of the rainbow. (That happens on St. Patrick's Day, right?)

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Tabletoppin'

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. Ours was great, but just flew on past us. Thankfully, Mother Nature has finally listened to my requests and given us good weather. Halle-flippin-lujah.

Anyhow - I'm pretty excited about our hutch. It looks really nice and was not nearly the pain the rear that the table and chairs were. I got it all pretty much taken care of on Friday night.

Unfortunately (for you), you don't get to see it yet. I missed a few spots that I have to touch up And it was just too darn nice to stay cooped up to finish it. Plus, I still need to fill it and make it look (vaguely) presentable for you. We'll see if I can make that happen by the end of 2009. (Just kidding, hopefully by the end of the week.)

But, I will show you the tabletop that I put together this weekend cause it makes me feel springy... and just genuinely happy.

I'm nothing if not a complete copycat. With the visions of succulents in my head, I set off to Lowes to blatantly copy the arrangements I fell in love with.

I couldn't decide on the plants that I wanted. They were all adorable. But, at only $2.99 a pop, I just bought all five that I liked. I figured if I kill one (or four) off, I'll still have something left. They are all a little different.

Then, I set off to find white pieces to put them in. Salvation Army and Goodwill turned up nothing, but I scored at Marshalls and Hobby Lobby.

While I did purchase the white ceramic-ware, I really love the items and I spent less than $30 for all of them together. I think they will also look lovely in our black hutch too, so I think the prices were worth it. I also did pick up the spanish moss... again, I just figured I couldn't fail if I covered all the bases.

This is really one of the first times that I've tried anything other than a single centerpiece on the table. While I'm no designer, I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. Thanks toNesting Place for the inspiration.

(And how much do you LOVE the table runner? I adore it an insane amount. I bought it in like 4 different colors when they were clearanced out at Target. This the springy-ist of the runners I have.)

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