New Years Sparkle

Something about New Years Eve is so magical.  Every year it makes me want to get all dressed up to celebrate the blessings of the year past and the promises of hope, joy and fortune to come in the New Year...in something sparkly of course.

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Here's to adding more sparkle in 2012!  Happy New Year!

 

XOXO,

Oh, How Pinteresting! {12/30/11}

Look what I pinned this week...

 

 

 

 

All photos courtesy of my Pinterest page.

Did you have a pinteresting week?

 

XOXO,

The 2011 Year in Review

What an amazing year this has been!  This is my first year blogging (or half year for that matter) and I have gotten so much accomplished and met so many amazingly talented people!  I'm loving every minute of it!

I thought it would be fun to review some of my favorite projects of the year.  I took on projects big and small in 2011!  The larger renovation projects are still in progress, but is a DIYers home ever complete for that matter?  :)

The first big project was the dining room update which included new wall and wainscoating paint.  You can see the original posts here and here.

I also began a remodel of the living room.  Check those out here and here.  The living room remodel included entryway updates like painting the front door and a travertine and mahogany floor installation.  And not to forget lots of bargain home decor shopping. Like my favorite faux bamboo console table, mercury glass candlesticks and table lamps.

To solve a major storage dilemma I designed a custom built-in closet for coats and painted a wall mural.

And finally the kitchen update began here and here.

On a smaller scale some of my favorite projects of 2011 included...

The Carrara Marble Table that I created from a yard sale find.

Fall Monogram Wreath

Sunburst Ornament

Paper Purse Giftcard/Money Holder

Looking back I'm thrilled by how much I accomplished in 2011 and I can't wait for all of the projects in store for 2012!  I have so many more DIY plans!  Consider becoming a follower and joining in on the fun new projects of the next year!

Ange at The Blooming Hydrangea is hosting a 2011 Year in Review link party and Rhoda at Southern Hospitality is hosting the Top Projects of 2011.  Head on over and link up or just take a peek at some of the inspiring 2011 projects you may have missed!

XOXO,

Linking to...

The Blooming Hydrangea
Southern Hospitality

Toy Organization

I promised to show you the embarrassing before photos of the day after Christmas toy situation.  Please keep in mind when viewing these photos that I have one child...not six...ONE.

With that in mind here it goes.  Welcome to my after Christmas playroom.  I mean, how embarrassing is this?  If you're reminded of an episode of Hoarders, you're not alone.

Fine motor skill development? Gross motor skill development? Cognitive development? Certainly not here.

I spy Patrick Star.  Can anyone else find him?  Poor guy.

O.K. you can now officially feel better about your home and toy organization.  Luckily my obsessive need to have things organized took over and I could not leave things this way for one more moment. 



So, here I present the AFTER.....

First I created seperate categories for donate, keep, and toss.  I had saved several cardboard shipping boxes from online purchases and used those. The toss toys went immediately into a large garbage bag.

Now that all was sorted I could create a system to organize based on my needs.  Fabric storage boxes that I had purchased (see those here) worked great in the media unit for toys that are played with daily.

Some metal buckets purchased at TJ Maxx on clearance hold television and gaming remotes.

The toy closet was reserved mostly for board games and less frequently used toys.  The shelving in the toy closet is a unit purchased at Home Depot.  It works well to store board games and small toys in plastic bins.

And here one more time is the BEFORE...

and the AFTER...

XOXO, 

Linking to...
Serenity Now
A Bowl Full of Lemons

Merry Day After Christmas

I hope that you all enjoyed your holiday!

Our family had a wonderful holiday.  All of our family, both immediate and extended, had the opportunity to be together which is the best part of the holidays for me.  My son is at the perfect age to understand the traditions of Christmas.  He was especially excited this year for Santa's arrival making all of the pre-holiday preparation and craziness worthwhile.  And Santa was very good to all of us.

Finally, with all of the holiday celebrations calming down I've had the chance to take a good look around...

My home has been totally and completely overun by new toys.  This year somehow it has gotten particularly out of control.


So, I quickly ordered some of these...








In the hope of a playroom that is organized like this...





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I am sure that a playroom reorganization will be on the agenda over the next couple of days.

I'll be posting the embarrassing before and after photos.  :)



XOXO,

Merry Christmas



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Peace, love and happiness this holiday season!

 

XOXO,

Oh, How Pinteresting! {12/23/11]

Look what I pinned this week...

 

 

 

 

All photos courtesy of my Pinterest page.

Did you have a pinteresting week?

XOXO,

{Deals and Steals} Modern Gate Area Rug

Dwellstudio Gate Ash/Cream rug.

5 x 8 size $450.00

Jonathan Adler Happy Chic 5 x 8 area rug.

5 x 8 size $179.95!

XOXO,

Celerie Kemble Designed Manhattan Home Tour

Ever find photos of an interior and become totally mesmerized?  Well, this Manhattan home designed by Celerie Kemble had me at hello.  Originally featured in Lonny magazine I now have these photos in my dream home file.

XOXO,