A Good Home Must Be Made, Not Bought September 20, 2010

In less than a week we close on our home and will no longer live in the first house that Pook and I ever bought together. To me it’s more than our first home. It was our first big purchase soon after we wed. It’s the home where we partied in with friends’ pre-kids. It’s the home where Pook and I had numerous pointless arguments. It’s the home where Pook and I learned how to love one another unconditionally. It’s the home where we decided that we wanted to expand our family. It’s the home I used to come home to each day after work and tell Pook how much I would love to be a stay at home Mom. It’s the home where we brought our son to for the first time. It’s the home where I spent each day once I did become a stay at home Mom. It’s the home that we brought our daughter to after her birth. It’s the home where we didn’t have a backyard so our dog had to shit on rock. It’s the home where I learned to cook. It’s the home where I burnt and screwed up tons of meals. It’s the home that I cried in because I knew I sucked at cooking. It’s the home where I accepted the fact that it’s hard for me to provide gourmet meals for my family each night. It’s the home where we had frozen fish sticks for dinner because I couldn’t even cook them like the freaking box said. It’s the home where I constantly worried if my kids were going to fall down the stairs. It’s the home where I fell in love with my children, where they learned to crawl, walk, run, smile and laugh. Most importantly our home was where we all learned how to love.

I just realized that I cried my eyes out the entire time I wrote the paragraph above. Emotional much? I think so! I know I bitched non-stop about living in a three story home, but really though it was manageable and fun with one baby. Once Lucy Rose came along it was just too hard having Cole on the 1st floor with all of us on the 3rd floor. Nonetheless, I am going to miss this house like crazy. I might even miss the annoying bikers that I almost hit each day (there’s a bike shop across the street). Even though I’m sad, I’m also thrilled and can’t wait for the new chapter in our lives and I look forward to making the new house our home. During this last week I’m trying to get as many pictures as possible of the kids in our home … because dude, it’s their first home … and I want them to know what it was like. As you can tell I’m a bit sentimental when it comes to this place. We’ll miss you Blossom Street, please be good to the new owners!

p.s. I’ve always been kind of weird about posting pictures of my house on this blog of mine, because I feel like there is a sense of privacy that I owe to myself and to my family. Hell, now that we’re leaving anyone care to see our crib? Probably not, but I’ll just go ahead and post these pictures anyways so one day I can look back and be all … “Awwwww our first home!”

 

Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to.
~John Ed Pearce

 

Courtyard

 

Walking in from the front door … See, Cole’s room?

 

 View from Cole’s room

 

Cole’s room

 

 

Living Room

 

Dining Room

 

Kitchen

 

Lucy Rose’s Room

 

Master

 

Another view of master … I’m really going to miss having his and her closets.

 

My home away from home, the bathtub. If I could I’d take a bath over a shower any day. I will definitly miss having a tub in the master bath.

 

Master bath again.

 

Well guys. that’s it. My home in a nut shell. Better get my butt back to packing while the babies are napping. Anyone that wants to come help pack/move feel free to volunteer. I’ll provide food and booze the whole time you’re here! You know you wanna!!

Sad July 27, 2010

Here is What I’ve Been Up To As Of Late … July 13, 2010

… fixing shit, ghetto rigging shit and working like little elves.

 I  love you Pook, you’re doing a great job!

Lucy Rose Graduates From Her Bassinet July 9, 2010

I’ll miss you my bassinet friend. You have been there for me from day one. Weep, weep!

xoxo, Lucy Rose

Birtha’s Nursery Makeover December 28, 2009

Before pictures: Cole’s old nursery

 

 

Sniff, sniff. It totally breaks my heart that I had to throw away all my hard work that I did on his nursery less than a year and a half ago, but it’s what needed to be done. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just pretend like the pink’s not there. I forgot to take pictures before I started getting to work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before: Bathroom and Belly. I should have taken a better picture of the bathroom, but this is all I have for now. Well, actually I’m lying, I have pictures of it upstairs on my hard drive but I’m too much of a lazy ass to go and get it. But you guys remember what it looked like, right?

 

 

 

Let the renovations begin.

 

 

Started by trying to decide which color to paint the room.  I ended up going with the bottom color. I searched and searched hoping that some nice person out there on the internet already matched the Serena & Lily, Lucy Collection bedding , but no such luck. I could have purchased the paint from Serena & Lily, but being that it was way over priced, I just couldn’t justify. I bought a total of four samples from Sherwin Williams and ended up going with “Coming Up Roses”. You’re welcome random person who is doing the same thing that I did googling our bedding and paint matches, I layed it out there,  just for you!

 

 

 

This particular paint color needed a base paint. So here is the base paint sloppily pained on the walls. 

 

 

Just because 

 

 

Did you know that I love nothing more than a painted closet? Well I do! At this point I kept asking myself if I lost my mind, but I kept on a paintin’ anyways!

 

 

Ta-Da. Totally worth the extra work. Ohhh you know what? Now that I look at this picture I see that those rods would look damn cute painted white … someone please … help me, help my crazy, pregnant and hormonal self!

 

 

My original plan was to simply repaint over the blue diamonds with the new pinky/rosy color and leave the remaining diamonds their original color. 

 

 

After I got done, I realized that I really didn’t want to bring yellow into the room, and that the yellow diamonds really bothered me. I went back and repainted the yellow diamonds white. Which I like a lot better now.

 

 

De-yellowizing the room, once and for all!

 

 

Now, it’s time to pick out fabric for the wing back chair and ottoman that I recovered 

 

 

As you can see, I had a bunch of samples up for the running 

 

 

Here was the ugly Goodwill lamp that I was telling you about. You’ll see the finished product later in the finished product pictures, hold your horses!

 

 

This is a magazine rack I got to store her books. I spray painted it white. Again, finished product to come.

 

 

 

Ghetto ledges that I got at Goodwill. They were already white, but I spray painted them anyways. I feel like the new paint helps remove the nastiness from the previous owners. Issues, yes, I know!

 

 

These are the original drapes and valance that I was going to purchase from Restoration Hardware Baby & Child. I got the color samples in the mail and everything matched perfectly. Unfortunately,  just as I was getting ready to press the “purchase” button on the website, Pook walked in and sat next to me and looked at the computer to see what I was doing. He looked at the price, and his response was … “What do you think we are, rich?” No. The answer is no, and the thing is, they didn’t even fit the window anyways, and I was going to have to get them tailored, which was going to be a bitch and even more expensive … SO …

 

 

I decided to be a pleasant and understanding wife and take his comment to heart. After searching high and low, I settled on these. You can’t really tell by the picture, but they are fabulously shabby and chic. I love the ruffle and dot detail. I was totally bummed because I was really looking forward to putting a valance in her room. That’s where Mama Joycie came to the rescue! I bought three panels and we turned one of them into the valance.  Just a little nip, tuck, pin and sew and ta-da, a valance was born. Thanks Mom! Oh yeah, also, the only white curtain rod that I could find that I really liked was at Restoration Hardware Baby & Child, but once again it was way over priced (surprise!). I decided to buy a silver rod instead and had Dad paint it white for me. It worked out great.

 

 

Thanks Dad and Pook for the help.

 

 

Everyone that showed up for Workday Wednesday! Not everyone actually worked, but we sure enjoyed everyones company.

 

 

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After Pictures : And now, introducing Miss Birtha’s nursery. I love it, do you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fabric up close … pink and green dots

 

 

 

 

Kept the same pictures that I had in Cole’s room. In case you forgot, the pictures and of our immediate family members before the age of one. For some reason when I was pregnant with Cole, this idea popped into my bloated brain, and I still really do love it.

 

 

 

 

Bedding

 

 

Finished closet, which is currently a home for my non-maternity pants.

 

 

I stole the flower arrangement idea from Ashley and her sister (thanks guys). Those are pearls in the vase, cute huh?

 

The no longer ghetto Goodwill lamp. Down below is a cute sock monkey that’s wearing a tu-tu and bow (thanks Aunt Susan!)

 

 

And here are a few pics of her new bathroom. Yup, I painted those stripes all by my lonesome as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wheeeewww! That was a shit load of pictures huh? Sorry for the overload people, but now you get the whole nursery experience. Yes, I’m a dork, I know. A special thanks to all those that helped me out, (DAD!). This could not have been possible without you. Now the only thing that is missing is Birtha.

 

p.s. In case you missed the post that I did on the details of the nursery, then you can find it here.

The Details Are What Matter December 15, 2009

There are a few things that need I need to finish before I’ll post pictures of Birtha’s nursery, but I thought I would post a few of my favorite details in the mean time. The room looks much darker in the pictures for some reason. I think it’s because I took the pictures at night and the yellowish tone coming off from the lamps is screwing with the real color. Anywho … here are some of my favorite things about the room. Makes you kind of pumped to see the completed project huh?

I found this at Mega Marshall’s. It was just plain and boring when I bought it and I spruced it up with the pearls and lace. Again, the walls are not near as red looking … think rosey, melony.

 

 

This was my dress when I was a little girl. It’s hanging above the changing table.

 

 

This was an ugly gold “H” from Hobby Lobby. I bought scrapbook paper and ribbon and went to town.

 

 

 

LOVE these knobs. I bought four different sets and finally settled on these. Before they were just plain white knobs on the changing table and bedside table deal. It amazes my how much small things like stupid knobs can make such a huge difference.

 

 

Got the lamp shade at Goodwill for next to nothing, then added the fringe myself.

 

 

Old Pottery Barn night-light that we had in Cole’s old nursery. I added a little ruffle and ta-da! Yes, I’m ruffle crazy, I know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got her bumper monogrammed. It’s kind of big. but I still like. I photoshopped this picture so you guys can see the true color. See how much pinky looking the real life color is?

 

 

The tie backs match perfectly.

 

 

My diamond wall. So proud.

 

 

The base of this lamp was from Goodwill for like $15. It was originally black and UGLY! I painted the base the same as the wall color. I then went to Target and scooped up a plain white lamp shade. I was not planning on going nuts with the shade, but I felt like something was missing. I decided to buy about 14 dozen white silk roses, pulled them off the stem and hot glued them on to the shade. Warning! If you decide to do the same, make sure you know that this is not a cheap project. Be smart (unlike I was) and try to buy the flowers when they are on sale. I was not expecting it to cost as much as it did, but I think it ended up looking fab. And I can justify and say that the money I saved on the base, I spent on the shade, right?

 

Flower power up close.

 

More pictures of Birtha’s complete nursery coming soon.

Random Photo Wednesday : Us Edition December 2, 2009

I’ve slacked on the blog front these past few days. Been busy getting Birtha’s nursery together, decorating for Christmas, painting Birtha’s bathroom and taking pictures … as well as struggling with these damn headaches. I’ll come around sooner than later. In the mean time, I’ll leave you all with a picture of us at the zoo from last weekend. Whooptiee dooooo!

Cole’s New Nursery Makeover November 20, 2009

First the room started off being the guest room/my excercise room. Not so cute, I know, but it did it’s job. The picture below is the view from the double doors entering the room. Notice how we could only open one of the doors because the treadmill was in the way of the other. CLASSY, I tell ya!

 

 

We went back and forth on if we should give away the furniture, or hold on to it. I am the furthest thing one could be from a pack rat, but for some reason something kept telling me to hold on to these pieces. The sleigh bed, bed side table and dresser were one of Jonathan’s first big purchases out of college. We also had this furniture in our master bedroom until we moved into our current house. To make it even more difficult to get rid of, I remembered that it was our first furniture set that we used when we lived together for the first time in Tulsa. Nope, not me, I’m not sentimental or anything! Anyways, my fabulous parents agreed to store everything above their garage. Thanks Mom and Dad! And I figure that when we move (in less that a year! yikes!) we can use this furniture in a guest bedroom.

 

 

We were also so close to giving the treadmill away, but I’m so glad that we decided to keep it. If you’re reading this Pampi … I’m sorry! I promise it was all yours until I got all indecisive on you. Anyways, I got to thinking that there is no way in hell I’m going to make it to the gym with a toddler and newborn the first couple of months of baby girls life, so I thought by keeping the treadmill I’m doing myself a future favor. We moved the damn thing up THREE flights of stairs and now it’s in our master bedroom, which is fine because that room is ridiculously large to begin with.

 

 

Let the studio renovations begin! And a bitch of a project it was! At the time while I was doing it all by myself I really wish I had hired someone, but now looking back I’m so glad we didn’t waste the money since it was only a studio for less than a month. The pictures below is the view from the double doors once again. I know I’ve already shown some of these pictures in previous posts, but I thought I would show once again just so you all can get the full effect!

 

 

I’m sure I already told you guys, but I’ll tell you again. The biggest pain in the ass project you could ever bring upon yourself is ripping up carpet and painting concrete. OHHHMMMYYYGOOOOOOOOOOODNESSGRAAACIOUS! Biggest pain that has ever been in my ass is an understatement!

 

 

 

 

 

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Now! Finally introducing the last and final transformation that will ever happen to this room … Cole’s new nursery. Not to brag or anything, ok yeah so I lie … I’m totally bragging on this post, but I worked my ass off on this room and I’m proud of my hard work. Anyways, so here I go.  I LOVE IT! Well, I love almost everything about it. I’ll point out the one tiny flaw that is bothering me and see if you guys can give some advice. Really though, I love to decorate, but I really really love to decorate nurseries. I feel like his new room has a more big boy feel to it as opposed to his old nursery, which is now baby girls new room.

 

 

Double door entrance. Notice that we can now open both doors. Also notice that of course the nappy carpet is gone and the khaki painted concrete is gone as well. Thanks to my main man Marvin for installing the hardwoods for us. He didn’t speak much English, but he sure was a hard worker. Also, the drapes, glider and rug are all from Cole’s old nursery.

 

 

You see the brick design on the back  nursery wall? Yup, that was all me too. I feel like I’m bitching a buttload already, but really though that project was a pain in the ass too. Before you think about starting a project like this, please come and ask me, because I have some serious tips for you. Ok I lied, two things bother me in the room. One being the fan. I know now one would ever notice it, but it bugs me! I really miss having his chandelier in the room, but I thought we would leave it in Birtha’s room as it is kind of girly. I thought about getting new light covers to see if that helps, because I really dont feel up to going out and getting a whole new fan, you know? Yup, that’s me … the penny pincher!

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, this is the dresser/changing table view. This is where I need your help … Notice the “Cole” I painted above the dresser? I mean I like it but I dont LOVE it. I feel like it needs some ummph! Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I put yellow and green polka dots on the letters? Please help me out here people.

 

 

And finally, here is the hallway in his room that leads to his closet and bathroom. Once I get the bathroom done, I’ll post a few pictures. We (well Melvin) painted it the same color green that is in the brick wall. Pretty damn cute. And that my friends is what a buttload of work and a transformation of one room, 3X, in less than 6 months looks like!

Random Photo Wednesday : Sneak Peak Of Birtha’s Nursery Makeover Edition November 4, 2009

Damn Gina! October 26, 2009

Man, you guys really surprised me with the results from my last post. Part of me wonders if you all guessed the last bedding set just because it looks more like a homemade picture and part of me wonders if y’all picked this set because it’s the best of the best. Then the part of me that is normal, and sane, and not freaking out over a stupid room reminds myself that who the hell cares! And then the Lane that is not normal, and not sane and very hormonal thinks to herself … oh shit, 4 wrong votes … this has to be a sign, is it too late to cancel my order?  Let’s all take a second and remember that this is not the normal and sane Lane thinking. Anyways, wow I just went off on nothing now didn’t I? What I was meaning to say was that every single one of you were wrong. I ended up choosing the Serena & Lily, Lucy bedding set (picture #3). Remember when I posted my dream bedding a while back? Well this is it. This goes to show that when in doubt, go with your gut. If I would have gone with my first instinct a while back I could have saved a hell of a lot of wasted time. But I do admit, I did have some fun shopping around. Oh yeah, and now I remember why I didn’t go with my gut at first…because the bedding was outrageously priced and I couldn’t afford it! I searched high and low and was able to swing a few deals. Found the crib skirt on eBay. This piece was used, but that is fine by me. No baby ever touches their ass, hair or grubby fingers to a crib skirt anyways. I was also able to get the fitted sheet and diaper changing cover on eBay as well (both new). Basically the only items that I am paying regular price for are the bumper and the crib blanket. Boooyyaah, yes I am so very prod of my bargaining skills!  This goes to show you if there is a will, there’s a way.

 

Now onto the nursery chair. The chair. Oh dear lord, the chair! Who would have ever guessed that picking out fabric could so difficult? Those of you that picked the last bedding set, you were not totally off. I decided to recover an old wing back chair that my parents had in that same polka dot material pictured in the last bedding set. Ok, enough with the explaining already. How about I just let the pictures do the talking for a better mental picture?

 

 

 The Lucy bedding swatch. Looks yellow in the picture, but it’s really a light green. 

 

This is the bedding. It’s hard to tell, but the fabric on top of the bumper is white with watermelon polka dots. I love the extra personalized touch, by adding the monogram to the bumper. I plan to do the same type of monogram as shown in the picture, that’s if we decide on a name already! Does anyone know of a monogram place that does letters as well as artsy looking embellishments like the one shown below? If so, hook a homegirl up with the name of the shop.

 

 

 The bedding,once again. Love the chandelier. Has anyone ran into something like this lately? I dont have the slighted clue as to where I would even start to look for something like this.

 

 

Changing pad

I forgot to take a picture of the wing back chair before I sent it to the reupholstery place, but here is a picture that I found off the internet. The only difference is that ours was pink.

 

 This is the fabric I’m using to recover the chair. We are also painting the brown legs white.

 

 

 

I found an ottoman for $15 at Goodwill and I’m still trying to decide if I should get it recovered in the same fabric. I mean, who really uses an ottoman anyways? I rarely used the one in Cole’s nursery, but I feel like it adds to the look of the room.

 

I’m currently working on ghetto rigging two lamps that I also bought at Goodwill. That leaves me with the curtains and the rug to figure out next. Any suggestions?

 

I just realized that this post makes me look like I need to get a life and chill out with the whole decorating ideas already. I know, I know but it’s just so much fun for me! Plus I have been looking forward to decorating a little girls room for ages now. That’s not to say that I have always been looking forward to having a little girl, but we will not get into that tonight. You know what else I just realized? I’m up past 11:00pm for the second night in a row! What has gotten into me these days? I’m beat … off to bed, night.