What's your excuse? ;)

This was hilarious. And very true. I've both heard these things and said these things. My bad.

Office Makeover

BEFORE

The way the people had it before us.

Bright, glossy red.

AFTER

Some several days of wallpapering and waaaay cuter furniture

And the low-down: Wallpaper 101

I had never wallpapered before.

I knew I was being ambitious trying to tackle an entire room myself.

My husband is particular and likes things to be done RIGHT.

And of all the rooms, I decide to wallpaper his office. While he was gone.

But there are lessons learned! It did turn out very nice (just don't look too close). 

#1 Get the right paste!!! I tried 3 different ones. The first was a generic adhesive- the only wallpaper adhesive to be found at Home Depot. I bought it because well, I had no other choice, there at least.

By the way, I used non-pre-pasted vinyl faux grasscloth wallpaper, so it's heavier and needs a legit adhesive, thus my struggles. 

The crap paste did not stick AT ALL. At the time, I didn't realize the problem was paste. I was putting wallpaper over a glossy red paint, which poses a problem, but I had sanded it down by hand.

I read several tutorials on wallpapering and thought I was doing everything right.

I was this close to busting out the electric sander to go over the whole room, which would have taken hours, plus would have left red dust all over the place.

Instead, I decided to go to Lowe's and get some advice.

They suggested a wallpaper primer, which you paint on, it dries clear, and lets the paste adhere better.

So I tried it.

No success.

The paste was the problem. It was a watery mess, I don't even know how they sell that crap.

I did more research online, and ended up at Sherwin-Williams, where they supposedly carried heavy duty adhesive.

BINGO.

This is a new product, and they just had a gallon sample that they gave me to try out for free! It was ah-mazing. 

But then I ran out.

The awesome guy at Sherwin tried to locate another sample for me and couldn't, so he recommended a different brand- Roman.

Decent, but still not as good as this Gardner-Gibson Dynamite.

And I even ran out of Roman- after it left lots of bubbles in my wallpaper =(

SO he finally called in another gallon of this Dynamite, which finished the job, and it clearly is the WINNER!

#2 Wallpaper is not cheap. I ended up having to order more than I thought because I was initially being kind of stingy. It was probably $350 for wallpaper alone, and that was an inexpensive wallpaper! 

Plus you need supplies:

the paste: $40-50

paint rollers or a stiff brush

a level edge to smooth it out

wallpaper seam roller

an exacto knife to trim top and bottom edges- and extra blades!!! They get dull way fast

sponge to wipe up paste 

drop cloth

#3 It takes time

Never mind that I did this myself, while trying to still be Mom to 2 little kids. But I averaged 40 minutes per panel. Brushing on the adhesive, letting it sit for a bit, then placing it on the wall, smoothing it, and trimming edges, then wiping down. It's a process.

IF I ever attempt this again (okay I totally will), I'm more inclined to just do a single accent wall, even though I do love the look of an overall room wallpapered.

#4 With my wallpaper that had a stripey effect, it's hard to get the panels perfectly straight, and once they go slightly crooked, you've got problems. 

Wallpaper edges are supposed to butt up against each other, but on a few I had to overlap, just to straighten it out again. You can tell, and it bugs me, but maybe ordinary people won't notice. Whatever.

Glad it's done, and that it looks 100 times better- or at least, more my style ;)

bAd MoM

Ironic post, since it's almost Mother's Day... sigh...

I'm getting personal because I want to remember this, and I'm sure others can relate. If not, then learn from my mistakes. My bad mom mistakes.

We'll call this the Story of the Pirate Ship =)

About a week ago, I decided to do a prize box for Carter. I bought a bunch of fun, little constructive toys that he could earn if he did his chores and was obedient. It seemed to be working really well.

One of the toys was a pirate ship that needs to be assembled, and then painted. He chose this ship last night, but it was bedtime, I was tired, and I promised him we could put it together the next day. Carter wasn't happy about this, but finally gave up and went to bed. I figured he'd bring the ship down this morning so we could do it.
Today I forgot about the ship, and he never said anything either. Until we were getting him ready for bed again tonight. He really wanted to put the ship together right then.
Now, let me say that being temporary single mom for now has exhausted me. By the time bedtime rolls around, I just need a break. My patience has run thin, and the longer my kids are up, the more messes they are making. And I turn into Mean Mom.
I wasn't about to let Carter stay up another 30 minutes or whatever to assemble this pirate ship, so I told him again that we'd do it tomorrow. He was mad, because he said this was his prize, and I told him we could paint it and we never did.

Enter Bad Mom...
I didn't let him do it. He pitched a fit, I got frustrated and told him to get into bed himself because I was too tired to deal with him. (Real nice huh?) And I went back downstairs to take care of crying baby Mason. And I just wanted to veg on the couch and watch American Idol while painting my nails, and so that's what I did. I left Carter to just get himself to bed, hoping he'd forget about the dang ship.

I came back up to check on Carter as I always do at night, and my first reaction was anger because right there in his room, he had opened up his ship, made a mess and got glue on the carpet.

And then it hit me like a truck. I was mad about this?? Carter had earned his ship and wanted to put it together like I promised he could. And so he attempted himself. The poor little boy had managed to get the glue open, and tried to glue the pieces together, and must have given up, and was asleep in his bed -without me having tucked him in.
I kinda lost it. I've never felt so bad in my life! It's a stupid wooden ship but it meant something to him and I failed him.

So instead of putting away my loads of laundry that have been sitting on my counter the past week, and making protein bars that I wanted to, and finishing my dishes and kitchen mess from dinner, and taking a bath that I really wanted since I haven't even showered yet today!...I got that pirate ship kit, took 5 minutes to glue it together, and wrote this post so I can remember that there are little things that matter to kids- and being a mom that keeps her promises is what matters to me.

We'll be finishing this bad boy first thing in the morning.

And this is why I love my kids:

This cute boy started itty bitty t-ball this week and it's the funnest thing to watch. I had planned on doing my cardio while at the rec center, where his practice is, but I felt like he liked me watching him, so I've stayed. And I do like watching him! He's a stud. Cardio can wait.

Me and Aaron were cracking up over this picture. He's got his sucker, he's got his headphones. And he's kind of a big deal ;)

 The other night, Carter had fallen asleep with his blanket, on the vent. It's funny that he's discovered the vent. I remember doing that when I was a kid. Maybe he wouldn't be so cold if he'd actually put on pants once in a while!

Speaking of no pants, here's Captain Carter, checking himself out in the mirror with his new cape =)

This was a prize from his prize box I DID deliver on!

This picture sums up the reason I have a love/hate relationship with bedtime. Mason wanted to be held, but I only have 2 hands, and have to help Carter brush his teeth. Enter the bjorn. Ugggh bedtime is such a process...

Once things are under control again, the 3 of us can make it through maybe a book or two and then either Mason or I are just done. 

Speaking of Mason....

He's pretty dang cute with his big bright eyes and his crazy dark hair that everyone always comments on.

 His smiles are precious, and so is his chubbiness!

 He's begun to roll over and it's so funny to see him pull that big chubby body over. How did I learn he could roll over? Well, I left him on the couch, and he rolled off! Another wonderful mom moment...

Side note: I've been getting way weird dizziness that I had a few years ago and I just realized that it must be related to post-pregnancy hormones or something. Lack of sleep could very well be the culprit. I don't like being in a weird spinning haze, and I don't remember how long it lasted with Carter or how it actually stopped. =( I blame my Mean Mom syndrome on this!!! Just kidding.. mostly...

On the bright side, my kids are amazing and cute and we are all alive and still having fun =)
Aaron's doing great in Texas, and will be home for my birthday at the end of the month. We can make it!

projects and parties

First things first. 

THANK YOU everyone for your awesome comments and suggestions about my training/fitness plan! I'm feeling good about it and excited that I have supportive friends and family behind me =)

and... Projects:

I bought a lamp for Carter's room. He didn't need another lamp but I just thought it was cool.

$40 TJ Maxx

(Carter's room is finally finished! I am getting pics taken soon so I can post it!)

$168 anthropologie.

 Moral of the story: 

anthropologie= ripoff

TJ Maxx= bomb

 The next batch of projects:

gold spray paint

I've gone on a painting rampage lately, scouring for my house for something ugly that I can spray gold. Turns out I've pretty much gotten rid of most of my ugly stuff.

But I did have some cheap frames from Tj maxx (duh) that I sprayed gold and added wrapping paper from Tj maxx (duh) that I used for the art!

 I'm a fan. It cost me nothing.

(Our home office is also done! I will post that too)

 Filing cabinet. Ugly cheap gray knobs that just blended with the cabinets. Yep- they got sprayed too. Crazy how that made a difference! PS note my awesome grasscloth wallpaper. You will see it soon in its full glory.

Oh, I did  manage to find an ugly boring clock. Yep, he's now gold too.

Target, my other obsession, has plastic dinosaurs in the dollar bin section.

Now they're gold. I know, quite glamorous and chic for a boys room, whatever.

 On to parties.......

Aaron came home for a few days! (He's in Texas selling for the summer). Chubby little Mason was excited to see him.

Family fun. I definitely miss having Aaron around.

My awesome sister and her husband watched Mason overnight while we celebrated our anniversary.

Apparently Mason just loved Taylor.. he loves attention, and anyone that will hold him, and smile at him =)

 So bugged that this is the best picture we got...blurry because you don't ask an 80-year old man to take a picture for you with your phone. Toooo shaaaaaaky.
We went to the Roof for dinner, saw an awesome movie and then stayed at the Little America.

The Roof dessert.... sooo good.

 Walked around Temple Square. I don't recall ever having been in the spring. The flowers are SO pretty. Everywhere I go, I want to steal tulips and Aaron makes fun of me.

Meanwhile, our awesome friends Alicia & Paul watched Carter overnight. Carter had his first (and last!) slumber party with a girl... his BFF Capri =)

 It was Aaron's birthday yesterday (he's 32!) and we just laid low, went to church, and the boys flew kites out front.

 We had a surprise party for him with a few friends which was fun, and then he headed back to Texas early early this morning.

Sad ending to a fun weekend. We are planning on joining him in June, but May is going to be a long, hard month. So you'll probably find me at the gym. Or decorating. Of course.

FIT POST!

Let's talk some fitness..

Still working hard at the gym, not seeing the baby weight melt off, and again, I know better. I'm telling myself it's OKAY. But about a month ago, I had my body fat tested at the gym- by the electronic handheld ones, which are not super accurate. But whatever.
I tested it again last week, and I'm down 3%! Within a month, that's pretty good. I'm proving my own point I always tell people- if you're working out hard and eating pretty healthy, the scale might not move, but you are getting leaner and more fit.
And there we go. Progress.

Which brings me to my next quandry, which I need some major input on.

So please comment!

I want to use my degree (BS in exercise science & fitness) and renew my personal training certification!
My national cert just came out with a new program specializing in weight loss, which intrigues me, because I feel like it's pretty simple. But obviously there must be a lot more to learn about the science of weight loss if there's a whole program for it. And let's be honest, most of my clientele in the past have the same goal- losing weight and getting toned.
I actually really want to create a business helping women lose the baby weight because I feel like that's where a lot of people get hung up. And since I've been there (I'm still there!), I can certainly empathize.

So here's my plan- We have an unfinished basement. With plans to finish it probably by the end of this year. I want to section off part for a home gym where I can train clients. And charge less than going to a trainer at a gym.

Does that appeal to women? Would you feel limited (or jipped!) with the equipment that a smaller space would have?
I feel like it'd be less intimidating, because you don't have gym-goers watching you work out.
And since I have kids, and most people I'd train would have kids, scheduling could be a little more flexible, and they could bring them over if they needed to.

Anyway, I'm interested in feedback, ideas, or questions- I want to start setting up a business plan and invest in good equipment but I want to know my potential clientele and their expectations- even if you don't live by me, I'd love to hear your input- basically if you would hire me and what would make it worth it for you!

Obviously fitness is a passion of mine and I've found a lot of satisfaction and pride in helping people meet their goals.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to get back to this kind of shape...

Who's with me?? ;)

Miss those abs. They will reappear one day!

Onto the next project.. Operation Office

For some time now, I've been intrigued by grasscloth wallpaper. It's a natural texture that adds a lot to a room.

 This turquoise is amazing. The seams kinda bug me, and I thought- why wouldn't they line those up right?? But every strip is different, so it's near impossible.

So I decided I still appreciate the look =)

 LOVE the gray. I love that the texture can make it elegant but still masculine.

 Insert our home office- the way the people before us had it.

BRIGHT GLOSSY RED

I don't hate red.

But I'm not a fan of such a dark red (which screams 2002 to me) right when you walk into the front door. 

i

So I've taken it upon myself to makeover this office, using faux grasscloth wallpaper. I know, it doesn't look that exciting, but it's 80% done and it is amazing. It's subtle but so pretty. 

I did my research and decided on faux, 1- because it's cheaper. By a lot.

2- It's much easier to put on. Real grasscloth is just that- natural, real fibers, that if you get glue on the front side, you're kind of screwed. It does not come off easily, and let's be honest. I am not that tidy when it comes to my projects ;)

3- Real grasscloth absorbs smells. Luckily we are not smokers or pet owners, and I'd like to think my house smells pretty normal and good. But it also holds onto stains were one of my children to spill on the wall ( that would NEVER happen right?!)

So anyway, I will post the "after" pictures asap!

Easiest DIY project of my life

So, I see all sorts of projects on pinterest where I think, yeah I could do that! But the reality is- I kinda suck and my projects never turn out. I don't have that much patience, plus I'm really not that artsy.
But I saw this tutorial for a pelmet box and it seemed so easy, I had to at least attempt it.

By the way:

pelmet [ˈpɛlmɪt]

n

an ornamental drapery or board fixed above a window to conceal the curtain rail

Also known as a cornice.

I have all plantation shutters in my house.. so there's no need for curtains really. BUT my family room and kitchen window do not have shutters so that's where I wanted to have some fun as far as window treatments go.

My kitchen window is cute, overlooking our backyard with a view of the mountain. I love it, but I wanted some kind of pattern & interest in my kitchen, and that window was the answer. I didn't care for privacy, so this is strictly decorative. 

I love how it turned out! A project that was actually successful!

Follow the link to Jenny's blog for the tutorial. She's seriously a genius when it comes to DIY projects and decorating. Awesome style.

For information's sake though, this cost less than $20 to make, and took a few hours, only because I was juggling two kids at the same time. It's actually really fast and not hard.

You need:

foam core board- Yeah it's not even made of wood! Foam board costs like $2 at Hobby Lobby

batting

fabric

It's cut with an xacto knife and assembled with duct tape! So ghetto right?!

Then I just used used my handy staple gun to "upholster" the cornice. 

Jenny actually hung hers with nails, but mine was in that little space, so I actually used those velcro wall hanger things.. (gosh what are those called?)

Awesomely easy and no one needs to know it's so cheap.. except now you all know ;)

 This was Jenny's for her girls' room.. Super cute and I love the shape & trim... But since I used a striped fabric, I wanted a simpler shape. Too busy = no bueno.

Here's some fun ideas (via pinterest) for shapes if you are good with an xacto knife or just feel crafty ;)