Momma Needs a Minute

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Bootleg on a Budget Presents: Bath Improvement

Ok, so maybe I have been watching a little too much HGTV but, I've gotten some great ideas from watching show after show, especially "Designed to Sell" and "ColorSplash" check it out....

BOOTLEG DESIGN ON A BUDGET by Me

Dilemma #1: Dark, dank blue bathroom decor. Oh sure the sun, moon and star thing was all the rage...three years ago. I also had a bit of a clutter problem too.

Dilemma #2: My Mom bought me the cutest little bathroom decorations and I decided to build my bathroom theme around them. Aren't they just darling? She gave these to me over a year ago and as you can see from the mauve-ish color and black polka-dots, this is not an easy scheme to pull together.

During my prolong stay in my home town, I finally found by pure accident a set of rugs that would compliment my little pinkish potty and crew so my loving step-mother purchased them for me.

Finally, back in town, while looking for a pair of shoes for my college bound nephew in Target, I decided to try my luck at finding the right color shower curtain for my bathroom make over. To my dismay, most of the curtains held not even a stitch of the color I was looking for or they were outrageously expensive (I am a CHEAP SKATE-I admit it). Anyway, coming out of the shower curtain aisle I looked down and there it was..my shower curtain hidden among the place mats.

Ok lemme explain: I found the cutest polka dot plastic place mats and suddenly the light bulb popped on and started to singe my dreads. My nephew thought I had lost my mind, especially when I went back to the show curtain aisle and picked up a white shower curtain liner. (design similar but not exact)

Back at home, armed with a hot glue gun and lots of patience, I begin cutting the place mats into long strips. After that task I start hot gluing them in random formation on the white shower liner. To make it "pop" I outlined the pieces with black fabric paint. I had a few glitches along the way, like the cat and the three year old adding their own artistic touches but I still think it turned out pretty cool.

My final touch on my bathroom was to add the cute little pieces which I did by mounting a simple black cube I got from Target (12.99) on the wall and placing the pieces on top and inside. I secured the pieces with gum putty to make sure they don't some how fall off and smash to pieces.

Opposite of the black cube is a left over box which held 'thank you" cards. Because the design on the box is three dimensional and the colors totally matched my new bath, I mounted it as well.

I also purchases a plastic container to place all of my beauty aid stuff like lotion and hair care products under the sink and I utilized the little drawers on either side of my vanity to clear the clutter from my sink.

That was awful! Now its clutter free!

Join me next time when we make over my little monster's mess (of a room)!!!!!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Is my Grandmother Shabby Chic?

Web definitions for Shabby Chic

Feminine design style inspired by thrift store and antique finds, usually themed in light neutral colors. www.furniture.ru/en/terms/s.php

Hmmm...her home is feminine and full of antiques and she has a wonderful eye for putting unique and unusual colors together.

I had an opportunity to go back and spend almost the entire summer in the house that I grew up in.

The bedroom that I slept in was once the bedroom of

my great grandmother and we still call it: "Big Momma's Room".

Never once did I notice the personal touches that my grandmother blessed her house with. I guess because I was too busy being a teenager and trying to stay out of the house more than staying in it.

Twenty years later, I look around at the black and white photos of family members; some gone on "to glory" other's still hanging in there and I truly appreciate where I grew up. The old bedspreads, quilts and antique tables are truly amazing. Heavy, handmade and full of simple subtle colors. How could I have missed all of it in all of those years.

I love this area in my grandmother's bedroom, full of trinkets from my grandfather and sweet smelling memories.

This little area is in my now deceased Uncle's room which back in the day was actually my teenage years room. The gold mirror and bouquet is a perfect little accent to the minimally furnished room.

As I snapped the pictures the day before I left, I cried, I smiled and I thanked God for allowing me to grow up in such a beautiful and loving home, courtesy of my Grandmother.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Momma's Home Improvement

Although I forgot to snap before and after pictures, I am quite proud of my do-it-yourself Memorial Day Weekend.

First I found a cute little TV armoire at Sanchez Flea Market of I-35 South in Oak Cliff. I paid a wopping $10 bucks for it and got my Un-husband* to haul it back to my house for free.

Next I went to Home Depot and spent $25 on spray primer and three cans of "Oregano" Painters Touch Spray Paint, safety mask, masking tape or and a wire brush (tell you about that in a minute).

The armoire came with cute little glass paned doors so I took them off first and covered the glass and primered and then painted them.

Finally, I got to the big guy. It took the whole can of primer and finally I started coating it with the "Oregano" spray paint. I chose that color because my couch is a deep sage and my chair is sage and maroonish plaid.
One of the front slats was loose on the armoire so after it was completely dry, I lugged it back into my living room and glued the slat back on, fixed the little doors on perfectly and set up my TV and movies inside of my made over armoire and it looks perfect! See pictures below!

* Un-husband - a male friend who acts as a father figure to your child, does chores and runs errands just like a husband would.

LATER THAT DAY...

I finally finished my lawn chairs...their totally old school, metal and will burn your buns in the summer time. They were passed on from my step-Mom to me. She received them in 1988 from her Uncle Finn (and they were old then!)

Of course I didn't get before pictures of the chairs either, but I have after. I used Rusto-something from Home Depot and sprayed them a deep green. I also, repainted the top of a little table I got from Wal-mart a couple of years ago.

To cushion the seat I grabbed a pair of paisley chair pads out of the garden center at Wally World along with a medium sized clay pot to finally deposited my 'tangerine' seed that I've been growing in a zip lock bag for a month or so.

The cherry on top is the brand new patio cover my step mom was obsessing over in church and finally went and bought from Linen and Things (who is going out of business!!)!! HAHA! it all looks great! Blessings!

What a great kid!!

Hey Moms,

I was watching the TODAY show and they highlighted a young African-American teenager who has created a million dollar business! Check out this snippet from her website - http://www.edenbodyworks.com/

Jasmine Lawrence "Young and Doing It "Teen EntrepreneurWhile the average teenager is earning money babysitting, this young CEO is establishing distribution channels and negotiating prices with suppliers. Starting at only 13 years of age, Jasmine Lawrence, President and CEO of EDEN BodyWorks is on the road to success. With the drive and determination of a seasoned CEO she is strategically making her mark. EDEN BodyWorks was driven from Jasmine�s own need for a natural hair care solution. Devastated by the harsh chemical products, Jasmine sought to develop unique products that were all natural and really worked. Unlike most products that are cosmetic in nature, her mission was to develop hair care products that actually deliver their promises.

She been featured on Oprah, Montel and ABC's Nightline as well. What a force she is! I am always on the lookout for new and natural solutions for my dreads so I am definitely supporting this young lady.

Applause, applause, applause!