2011 Plan, Looking Back

It's getting close to that time of year again. The new year where everyone is talking about New Years Resolutions and making plans for them. This past year is the first year I've written things down, at least since I've been an adult. I had a pretty long list. See list here. 

For first time goals like this I want to think I didn't do too bad. But it also makes me have to realize me and discipline. We kinda suck.... I can't even tell you how many times I've started to eat healthier and lose weight and let me tell you I haven't stuck with it. But other things like decorating my room I've rocked the house on! (Hmm...what's that quote about seeing what's important to you?) 

I'm not going to go over all of the things on my list but I am going to list which ones will be on my list next year. Speaking of which....I have to think of new things! Yikes! 

Without further ado the things rolling onto the 2012 plan....

-Strive to worship God in more every day things

-Lose weight and Be healthy

-Read non fiction

-Save Money

Okay, so maybe I've accomplished more than I thought but I know I could do better. If you haven't already started thinking about New Years resolutions you better get thinking! Things get to busy to put it off! 

DIY Pallet Bed

Remember a few weeks ago where I said I wanted to make a pallet bed and showed you my inspiration? Well, if you don't remember check it out here. If you do remember keep reading because baby, it's finished, fabulous, and I'm so glad it's done! 

I don't know why I act like it took so long because honestly all together it didn't take up much time. It just made me busy every night, no one could park in the garage because of all my pallets, I sanded 5 pallets to find out I needed different ones, it took an hour to get paint at Walmart, and I bought the wrong clear coating so I only did one coat. But really it went great. :) 

Here are my original pallets. They had character and I was soo excited! And then my dad visited and wanted to help me do something and discovered that my pallets were different widths and couldn't be used together. After slight panic more pallets the size we wanted were found. The last day my dad was here he spent it cutting, drilling holes, nailing, and making a puzzle out of pallets for my pallet bed. 

That is what he came up with. There are some gaps, some pieces didn't completely touch but it is still awesome. The top layer you see in the pictures ended up being on the bottom since the bottom layer in the picture fit together a little better. Ya follow? No? It's okay I was really confused for awhile too. 

Then I sanded all the pallets. I had an electric sander which helped immensely and I did some hard to reach places by hand. 

Freshly sanded pallets, next to some pallet rejects. There were still some splintery areas but most of those are in the middle of the pallets and not anywhere my feet would be once in my room. I mainly focused on the edges being smooth. 

The bottom layer that ended up on top getting sanded. You can see that my pallets aren't perfect. If you end up doing this if you can be more patient than me and find some freakishly awesome pallets I highly  suggest waiting. But I don't like waiting and decided this MUST happen before winter so we found the next best thing and I still love it. 

The wood on the pallets was nice, fun, and different. BUT I have wood floors, tan walls, wood furniture, and therefore decided the plain wood wouldn't work for me. I decided to paint them black to have a neutral color against my marvelous duvet. I just used a flat black paint from Walmart and did 2-3 coats. I also only focused on the edges that I thought were going to show. I figure the only time all the pallets are going to show was when I moved the bed so it didn't matter. After the paint dried I put one coat of a clear coat cover to set it. Honestly, I don't know why I did the clear coat. I think my dad said to and was like ok, why not. It's recommended to do 2-3 coats but once again I was impatient so I did 1. If it bites me in the butt I'll let you know. 

 

I also bough some wood from Home Depot and had it cut to size to fit inside the openings of the pallets to make shelves. You can see that in the above picture along with my plain walls, black curtains, and horrid wax job on my wood floors.  

Here are the pallets set up waiting for my bed to get put on. Huge huge thank you to Anne and Colleen who came and helped me move around my room, listened to me talk about how I wanted it too look, and still helped even when I had totally thought things through. The original plan was to put the bed in the corner but it just did not work at all and they helped me find the perfect spot. You guys ROCK!

Here it is mostly put together! I painted the wrong sides so I have some unpainted spots showing. I might go and touch that up but it kinda adds a rustic look so maybe it will stay. I don't know for sure yet but I did know it wasn't happening that same night. I wanted my bed to be high so I still put my box spring on, I covered it with the gray fitted sheet to hide it's ugliness. 

All put together! I had the bright pillow from a different decorating plan so I threw it on just to add some color. I will be adding color to my bed soon! Promise! 

I added my books after everyone left. I love it! You can't add a ton but I think it's just so fun. 

 

Another view of the books. I only have 3 shelves in at the moment. I have extra wood, still in the trunk of my car actually, and will add more when I can get someone to help me cut them to the exact sizes needed. (Trust me, you don't want me using a saw alone.) 

And of course, no post will ever be completed without an Instagram photo. Don't you see the rusticness (I've decided this is a word)  of the unpainted parts? 

That, ladies and gentleman, is my pallet bed. I LOVE it. I'm so glad we my dad cut it do be the exact size. I love how unique it is and how it compliments my duvet. Now I just need to get my headboard started and made to have it totally finished. Too bad I changed my mind about the fabric I have! 

Linked up with I heart naptime, Finding Fabulous, Finger Prints on the Fridge, Remodelaholic.  

Desk Redo

In my room decorating plans, well I can't really say I have plans since it all changes so often, I decided I wanted a desk so I could have somewhere to do crafts at instead of pulling all the junk downstairs. I looked on craigs list but didn't find a lot of options for the price I wanted to pay. But then my fabulous neighbor had a fabulous relative that had a desk she didn't want anymore. It needed a lot of love but I was so excited! Here is what it looked like when I first brought it home. 

It was chipped, I hated the hardware, and definitely didn't want it to be white. 

I went to Home Depot and got a Behr paint and primer in one. Purple was the choice!  

Painting picture. 

I was going to change the knobs up and be all fun but then I was too impatient to re-drill holes and all that so I just spray painted the gold ones black. 

This is the nick I put in the paint because I was too impatient to wait to put the drawers in or go and get my camera to see how they were supposed to go and that is the results

And here it is in my room. I'm re-painting the nick and will be painting it with a clear coat as well so the paint doesn't get crazy scratched. But I love it. It's a beautiful pop of color in my room of neutrals as of yet. And I must say the handles look smashing! 

Paint Sample Wall Art

How cool does that sound?! I don't really know what inspired this project. It could be all the commercials for whichever paint store, that I'm blanking on the name. You know the one where everything is made out of their paint sample cards. Or it could be when my sister brought home a bunch of paint sample cards to get my opinion. Either of those. 

Here is what I started with. Paint sample cards from Glidden and Better Homes found at Walmart. They are free. Which is the best price! 

These are the colors I chose. I wanted something bright while adding in the gray to tie it in with my comforter.  Then I rearranged them on my canvas to find which way looked best. 

 These pictures were taken with my iphone and I'm apologizing now for the horrible horrible lighting in my room. 

I chose the second arrangement. The first one was just too busy. After making that decision, I got out my handy dandy spray adhesive (which I may have gotten all over my hands or one hand, maybe) and mod podge. Ok, I'll admit it was my first time using mod podge but I figured it out okay. I started spraying the backs of my cards and arranging them on my canvas. I used my previous picture to remember the placement and got them all glued on.

Then I wiped mod podge all over the cards.

Which looks white and scary but I had already read that on another blog so I wasn't scared. Much.... I let it dry overnight and then hung them up this evening. And you will only be getting a picture of one. They frame my window which is in sad lack of window treatments that I am ashamed to photograph for you. When it is all put together you will see a nice picture, taken during the day with hopefully some natural light.

The finished product!

Once again pretty bad lighting but overall I think it looks pretty neat! You can see the strokes from the mod podge being applied but that brings character!

Overall this project cost me $5 and I'm not even positive on that price!  I used some canvas art I had previously purchased for my bland brown room. I don't think I have a picture of them but trust me they were brown and tan, they NEEDED to be recovered! On another blog they painted their wood or canvas so you didn't see the other color. I just left it. It's only noticeable if you are right up on it.

And I might have forgotten...or been too impatient....but only maybe....


Linked up with....
http://www.beneathmyheart.net/2011/09/best-diy-projects-of-september-linky-party-2/

Color Scheme

I need to start adding some pops of color to room of gray and brown. (Gray comforters, brown furniture and floor) I know what colors I want but I'm not sure how easy they will be to find. I have specific shades in mind that need to be added on a budget. A very very very small budget. I found some paint samples on Benjamin Moore that matched what I envisioned in my mind. Without further ado, my color scheme dream. 

 I couldn't decide which bluish green I liked the most. I'm leaning towards option 1. 

Now the search for things with these shades begins. Oh, with adding the basic colors like black, dark gray, white, and brown. AND I just realized I didn't find a shade of pink!!! Hmmm, well I don't have that envisioned yet so that shall have to wait. 

Hmmm.....I need some art. 

I actually won something!!!

I don't know about you but I enter giveaways all the time. For tv shows, magazines, on blogs, and wherever else looks exciting! But I never ever win! I mean I can be consistent and I never win. Until last month! I entered a giveaway on a new blog I'm following called B.Cheniful and I won! You have NO idea how excited I was! I yelled and jumped up and down on my seat! (I'm crazy, I know)   Now for what I won! Check it out!

I'm rockin' her button headband and infinity scarf! Doesn't that button headband remind you of something? Maybe some button earrings??? Shown here. You should definitely check out B.Cheniful and her awesome creations!


Side note! Some progress has been made with my duvet cover!!! Isn't that exciting?! I wish I could take all the credit but my marvelous sister took time out of her busy day to try stuff, google things, and mess around with our high tech sewing machine (that we have no instruction manual for) to get things going! If we keep it up and set time aside for the next couple weeks maybe it will get finished!

Fingers Crossed!

2011 Plan Mid Year Update!

I have slacked with my updates, I know! But it's kinda the middle of the year! (Well it's after but we can ignore that) It's good to see what I've accomplished and how much more I have to do! With this update I want to focus on what has been accomplished more than what else I have to work on. So here it goes!

-I have been more positive! Yes, I have had my down days but overall I think my outlook is much more positive with most everything.
-I have expanded my cooking skills. I believe I have shown that in my many food posts here!
-I have made headway with decorating my room! It's the little things and I still want to do more but it's coming together.
-I took a mini road trip! It was very mini, like 2 hours away but I counted it since I went somewhere I have never been.
-I have been more crafty! Again with the little things but I have made stuff and really want to do more when I have money.
-I have worked on my relationship with God and I feel like I have more peace,
-I have been healthier. I cut out pop. I have it every now and then but not every morning like before.
-I have been losing weight. (I think) I have been counting calories and will be working out more since my room is no longer a sauna! I feel better but haven't seen huge results.

Well, that's all for now folks! I know I have more on my list and looking at it right now makes me a little worried if I'll get it all done....but I have still have a few months of 2011 left. Plus I'm a procrastinator I have work well on crunch time! Haha!

Money, Money, Money

This is how I feel about money at the moment. That I've had to break my piggy bank and must get five new ones! The reason behind all this, I got into a car accident that was my fault essentially. I think I can blame it on the other driver and some other things but we won't get into that. With that comes a deductible since my car cracked and their car had a scratch. (Really?! how does that happen?!) My piggy bank is sad, I am sad and now slightly worried about money. Truth time, I have never been that great at saving money. I can always find something I "should" buy. (don't we all) 

But this incident made me realize I need to do better. I need to have savings and watch how I am spending my money. I don't think I do horrible but I most definitely could do better. With that will come some sacrifices I have to make and some brain storming but it's necessary. I am trying to find more ways to save and I am open to any ideas! I have been thinking about a second job for a little while but I don't know what to do. I don't think I could do retail again. Too much drama and stress after my normal stress filled day time position. I would love to be able to babysit again and earn money that way but I don't have a good clientele here. I'm open to ideas here as well!! Help a girl out!

Hope everyone has a saving filled weekend!!

Complain, Whine, Complain

This is just for me today. I have been the biggest complainer, whiner, or whatever else you want to call it this week. Remember my whole "be positive" part of my 2011 plan, ya, don't know where that went! Now mind you I can give you some pretty darn good excuses and reasons why I'm complaining but in the end they are still just excuses. I haven't looked at any positives this week. I let circumstances and my emotions take me down and looking back it was basically pathetic.

Of course I didn't think it was pathetic until the end of the week, mainly last night after our ladies Bible study. My sister teaches it and we are going through the fruit of the spirit. Last night we went over Faith and surprisingly complaining came up. If you can imagine I felt a little ridiculous but realized it's true. Complaining, worrying, whining, it all says no faith. Not just faith in God, but in yourself, those around you, and what you believe. I tried being more positive today and not focusing and what was frustrating me, had faith that God would work it out and that I could handle what was given. Amazingly enough I had a much much better day. So, if everything is going wrong and you are having the most miserable day of your life have some faith, be positive, and see the difference.

Stop complaining! Have faith!

Day 4!

Day 4 of no pop in the morning for me! So far so good! The test will be tomorrow morning when I go to the store for my co-worker's and I Friday ritual, real pop or non diet. I will be purchasing a diet pop for her and Izze natural soda for me. Well that's the plan for now at least. No I will stick to it! I can't quit now! I've also gone walking twice this week before work and my legs are SORE! I have the Reebock EasyTones and I am feeling it! No pain, no gain though. I want to lose weight and be healthy. I want to sleep better and feel better overall. That is the plan and I am sticking to it! That's all I have for now, no other inspirations or exciting news. I might have an idea for a craft but we shall have to see about that later. All I have left is a picture of me, in a massive hat. This was taken on my birthday right before Easter when all the Easter "bonnets" were out. (If you haven't see Judy Garland in Easter Parade not sure if you will get that) It was a good day.