Stair Makeover

After seeing Southern Hospitality's stair makeover here and Centsational Girls re-do here. I wanted to tackle mine. I was a little chicken at first and tried it out on my fireplace mantle here- after chanting to myself "I can do it", "I can do it", I attacked the stairs. Oh my-lanta! what a chore-all those little spindles, sanding, taping, and re-taping (dont ask). But I am proud to say it is done and I love it!





It is amazing how the white wood now pops against the espresso. And the two things I could not have done this project without is: 1: Gel Stain!! once you've tried the Gel you will NEVER want to use that runny, drippy regular stain again. This stuff is like pudding! and spreads like butter! 2: The Octo-Sander (be still my heart)

this baby gets in all those little cracks, angles and crevices. It cut my sanding time in half and saved on achy arms.



Here are some befores and afters:

Garage Sale score!!

I hit another amazing Community garage sale this weekend. Scored on this huge black and tan indoor/outdoor rug that I currently put in my dining room. $15 dollars



This little table is getting a re-do (oh Spray paint, where are you?) $4


An 8 piece place setting in creamy white $5


and this!! oh my people- I am soooo excited about this! I have NEVER done a complete reupholster so Im quite scared, if you have any tips, please, please do share.








This round ottoman was, wait for it..................................................... $10

Painting the Pumpkins White

*THIS IS A REPOST FROM LAST YEAR*
I only wish I already had my fall decor out!! But I am working on it. This is just for some fall inspiration! Im linking up with Thrifty Decor Chic for some more fall-fallie-ness.

You know the song in Alice in Wonderland- Painting the Roses Red? Well if Alice can paint the roses red- I can paint the pumpkins white. Dont get me wrong- I still adore the warm yummy oranges and russet colored pumpkins-but there is something about the creamy vanilla white that just makes me happy AND it goes with any decor. So with a little Primer


and a can of that oh so wonderful Heirloom White that EVERYONE is talking about in blog-land (if you dont have a can-run-dont walk and get you one).


In my excitement I forgot to take the before pictures but you get the idea.













So now instead of buying the "white" funkin-faux pumpkins- I think Im just going to spray paint my old orange ones instead- they have faded since being out in the sun anyway.

Faux Vintage Grain Sack Pillows

I have seen these amazing grain sack pillows in snazy boutiques and loved them. Of course they come with a hefty price tag-and you know me-hefty price tags send me to thinking how I can DIY-it. I used this awesome nubby-texture-ish (yes that is a word) fabric that I got at a garage sale for $1, and I also had some muslin-like fabric from Hobby Lobby.

Throw in some fun stencils, black paint, hot glue gun and you get this..... faux French, Oui? (and if you look closely I smeared some black on one of them-oh well, the mishaps of DIY)


and while I had my glue gun out- I whipped up this magnetic picture frame-thingy for my fridge-

(of which I totally copied from a dear friend) for complete instructions you will have to visit her here.

Before & Afters

and Its So Very Cheri


TDC is hosting a before & after party. I have sooo many B&A's that I could do pages of post but like they say: A picture if worth a thousand words-Im just going to post some B&A pics without all the boring blah, blah, blah of what I did & why I did or how I did.
Kitchen:




Living room













Fireplace Mantle





Dining Room table





Dining Room





Laundry Room

Happy Birthday!!!

Today we celebrate my little boy's 1 year Birthday. Like my other 2 children-this year has flown by. I am excited to watch this little boy grow every day into the toddler, boy, teenager (yikes) and man God wants Him to be. Happy Birthday Greyson!!