It's a Small World...

...is for sure one of my favorite rides at Disneyland.  It just brings me back to when I was six years old with two huge front teeth and a terrible hair style.  But none the less, those words, "It's a small world" make me smile.

We went to Joann's today to pick up some glue dots for a craft project and were standing in the check out line when my oldest spotted a small calendar.  She picked it up and started flipping through it when I immediately confiscated it from her to get a closer look.  It was decided right then and there that I would be purchasing this $7 calendar with my 60% off coupon just so I could cut the darn thing up to make some artwork for my baby's room.  Best kind of art - calendar art.

The calendar was actually a Disney calendar based on "It's a small world" and perfectly fit the style of Keira's room.  When we got home I cut apart the calendar and picked out three pictures that would fit in some Ikea frames I already had.

The best part...about a year ago I was shopping in the kids section at Nordstrom when they were giving away free art prints.  And yes, you guessed it, they were also a Disney print for "It's a small world."

Here are some of the images from the calendar.

Here are the ones I put in my frames.

And here they are on the wall.  The other one is actually on the shelf just to the left.

 Here's the print from Nordstrom.

Aren't they cute?  I dig 'em.

Sew Mama Sew: Refashioning Pants

So I broke out the sewing machine last night!  It is so amazing to finally have a space to sew, and not have to sit in a closet in my kids room in the dark and try to make something while they are sleeping.  Because let's face it.  We all know that doesn't work.

I was cleaning out my closet the other night and found a pair of pants my mom had given me.  They are a really nice ponte knit stretchy pant, however they had a pretty wide leg.  I've had the pants in my closet for over a year and haven't even worn them!  I knew they would make a nice pair of leggings, but could I do it?  Could I alter my pants?!

Here they are before.  Oh, and can I mention that I had my husband take my picture for this, and it was kind of weird.  I don't normally stand in front of a door and ask my man to take a picture of my legs.

I did some searching online and found a number of tutorials.  It really is pretty easy, especially when working with a very forgiving fabric like a ponte knit.  Basically, I put my pants on inside out and pinned the inside leg at the top where I wanted it to start tapering in.  Then pinned at the bottom where I wanted it to be snug around my ankle.  I then carefully took off the pants, paying special attention to not stick myself with the needles.  Then I laid the pants flat on the floor and made sure they were super flat so as to not have any weird bumps, then pinned along my invisible line, below.

Next, whip out the sewing machine and do a straight stitch from the inner thigh all the way down to the ankle.  After I did one leg I tried the pants back on to make sure I liked how they fit.  I was pleased, so then I cut off the excess fabric and then did a zig zag stitch down the seam for extra hold and to make sure it doesn't fray too much.  Not sure if it was absolutely necessary, but it was nice getting the extra practice.  Then I folded the pants in half and pinned on the opposite leg, using the finished leg as a template.  Tried the pants on again, was happy one more time, then finished the other leg with a zig zag stitch.

What can I say....Booya people!  So. Much. Better.  I can actually wear them now without feeling like I am wearing some kind of fancy sweat pants that don't really fit right and look like I should be wearing heels with them when really I feel like I should be wearing tennis shoes?  Does that make sense?  Anyway, they totally work now with my boots and I will be wearing them all fall/winter long, since they are nice and thick.  Because that is one thing I hate, thin leggings.  I really want to tell the ladies out there when their black leggings are getting too thin because you can actually see their leg skin through the material.  I just don't think it's a good look ladies.  Anyway, here they are all tucked into my fave boots (Frye's Melissa boot).

P.S. I made the scarf I am wearing in this photo last year.  I'll put up a super basic tutorial soon.

And another mood board

I must be in the mood board making mood right now.  Two mood boards in two days?  Yeah, I'm procrastinating on other "actual" work that needs to get done around the house.

This little mood board is for my little peanut's room.  I went with a traditional looking crib since that is what we already have (in white as well).  We alternate her sheets between plain pink and the zinnia print crib sheet from DwellStudio.  Oh and isn't the Eames inspired rocker amazing?  I've been dying to find one at a thrift store, but no such luck.  I've been drooling over DwellStudio beautiful Zinnia rug for the last two years, but can't justify spending over $500 on a rug for a child.  So.....even though it is on my mood board I know I won't be buying that exact rug.   Pottery Barn Kids has a similar one for much less, but not quite as cute.  I also have some gift cards to PBKids, so I'm thinking of purchasing this twig canopy to put in the corner with a fun pouf.  I will see if I can DIY something maybe?  It is also time for me to get back on the quilting.  It took me nearly two years to finish my first quilt, but hey, I did it!  So, at this rate Keira will have one by the time she is 4.  I think I will do it in pink and white, but I have found a cute herringbone pattern, kind of like the chevron but even better!  I'd also love to pick up some of this cute water color art work from Land of Nod for her room.  Ooooh, and the dresser from DwellStudio....soooo drool worthy.  It totally goes with our little mid-century home.

We'll see what we find:)

Links: 1. Crib, 2. Rocker, 3. Quilt, 4.  Canopy, 5.  Rug, 6.  Dresser, 7.  Pouf, 8.  Artwork

Feeling Moody

So I was looking online last night and decided that I definitely want a tufted headboard for our master bedroom.  They're timeless, go with everything and make me want to curl up under the covers and read a good book.  (Like I ever have the time though....)

I did some virtual shopping since buying one of these right now isn't in the cards.

Of course they all come in a variety of colors, fabrics, etc.  However, I kind of want to go plain jane and just stick with a textured neutral if I do end up buying one down the road.  If I decide to DIY one that is MUCH MUCH cheaper, I may have to talk the hubby into letting me get crazy with some amazing fabric that I have had my eyes on for a while.  We'll see.  Out of all of these, I think the West Elm one is my favorite.  It also has a better price tag than options 3, 4 & 5.  But I still can't do it.  I've been scoring things for free from family members and finding free stuff on the side of the road - more on that later, yes I have resorted to scavenging.  But for now I'll just stick with online shopping.  (And keep adding things to my cart and then removing them.)

Here are the links: West Elm, Ballard Designs, Dwell Studio, Room & Board, and Pottery Barn 

Va-Va-Vanity

Look at this little beauty that I came across.  (When I say look, I mean scroll down and look, ha.)  Well, if we're being honest, more like I talked my mother-in-law into giving it to me.  Not that it took much convincing, but still.  I will take the "V" for victory and a Girl Scout badge for awesome negotiation skills (does that exist?).

About a week ago I decided that this little corner of our bedroom needed a desk or a vanity of some kind to house my jewelry and other small belongings that don't go in my dresser or closet.  I had decided on a desk from IKEA but deep down knew I wanted something much older that had tons of character.  Kudos for knowing myself so well.  Bravo, Melissa.  Bravo.

Anyway, fast forward a week later and I find myself with an antique desk in my garage.  I took some wood polish and wood oil to it and voila!  A lovely desk is born.  Throw on some jewelry and a ceramic elephant that really belongs to my daughter and I'm calling it good for now.

Here's the side of my bed before the vanity/desk.  Bad I tell you.  Just bad.

And then, here she is!

I like to hang some of my jewelry in shadow boxes for display.  I can't wait to get some really pretty fabric and line the backs of these.

 There are definitely some blemishes, but I think that makes this piece special.

Now I am off to find the perfect chair.  We'll see what kind of free deal I can score this time.

Hey there!  Just starting off this little blog to chronicle all the fun things we are doing to our new home.  This is our very first house, so we are lacking lots of furniture and organization since we just moved in.  Of course I was lame and didn't take pics right when we moved in and the whole house was empty.  Maybe that's because we literally starting painting at midnight of the day we took possession.  What can I say, I was excited!  And I actually do enjoy painting walls.  Nothing like instant gratification:)

I do have some photos of the house when it was occupied by previous owners, so I'll be sure to add a few of those as well.

Anyway, here are the pictures of our house, minus the basement.

Here's our master bedroom.  When we moved in this room was a buttery yellow.  It wasn't a bad color, but I knew I wanted something a little more serene for our master bedroom.  As you can see, we haven't fully unpacked yet.  We need so much furniture, including night stands, maybe a bigger dresser too?

Here is the closet for the master bedroom.  My stuff is on the left, his stuff is on the right.  It's probably the only place in the whole house that is organized.

And yes!  We finally have a master bathroom that we can fit in at the same time!  We each have a sink, and the bathtub is our "indoor swimming pool," according to the kiddos.

 Here is Aila's room.  It's not extremely messy, but we do have a lot of organizing to do still.  And a lot of decorating.

I made this quilt at the bottom of her bed.  First one I ever made.

Here is Keira's room.  LOTS to do in here as well.  Like painting the dresser....

Slipcovering the chair as well as painting it....

Adding some flowy curtains.  Like I said, lots.

The main bathroom.  This was an incredibly bright blue when we moved in.  Add some nice subtle green paint and gray and white striped shower curtain and we are good to go for now.  Still needs some artwork, maybe some shelves, new fixtures, you get the idea.

 The living room is a big space.  As you can see we have NO furniture for this room.

Another view.

AAAAnnnd the kitchen.  Definitely need to paint those cabinets.  We intend on tearing out the wall between the living room and the kitchen to make it one big great room.  Maybe next year?

Another view.

The dining nook.

 Here is the dining room.  Again, a giant mess.  That table, chairs, sideboard and leather chair in the living room were all craigslist finds for under $800!  Straight from the 50's baby.

Here's our laundry room.  New washer and dryer just installed!

Another view.  We also put down this beautiful tile flooring when we moved in.  Looks like wood up close, it's great.  We also did the radiant heat flooring underneath, but it's not hooked up all the way yet.

 Hallway

 Front Door

 There's still an entire basement I have yet to photograph.  Will post soon!