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Tag: home

  • Furniture Make-Overs

    Furniture Make-Overs

    I’ve decided this will be known as the Year of Furniture Make Overs. With the aid of pinterest and of course a new house to decorate, I’ve started seeing ideas for furniture make-overs all over the place. 

    The first one being our Entertainment Center. We got this from friends before they moved to Alaska last year. When we bought a flat screen for Christmas, we no longer had use of this.  I had ideas though. I’ve finally decided on turning it into a Dress-Up Closet for the kids. It will stay so much more organized than the box they are currently in.

     This is my entertainment center
    below is my inspiration
     

    My next project will be an outdoor bench we have. We redid it a few years ago, but it has since warped again. I’d like to remake it this time into an inside bench. Instead of a lift top, I want to remove the front and add baskets.  Something like this –

    And lastly, for now, is a dresser make-over.  I’ve been itching to do this for a few months now to Prince L’s dresser. Only problem was he didn’t have a dresser. Until now that is. Isn’t it beautiful?

    Source: flor.com via Adelina on Pinterest

    Now I just need to get warmer weather so I can start these projects.

  • Dressing up a 70’s Home – Japanese Style

    Dressing up a 70’s Home – Japanese Style

    Our home was built in the mid-late 70’s. Besides the outside structure, many of the inside features were still a throwback to the 70’s. One specifically I hope you can all imagine, is the shag carpet on the WALLS of our basement stairwell. Though they may have had the right idea – talk about sound control.  Many of the prominent walls are also covered in wall paper (as well as the inside of every cupboard, and random patches in the bathroom….).

    My favorite feature though, is the glass mirrored wall in our family room.

    The picture doesn’t quite do it justice. It is actually a black mirror with tan veins running through it. When we first moved in, I wanted this wall to go. It has since grown on me as Mark and I have debated what we could do with it.

    Mark’s parents have been living in Japan for the past 5 years. We were lucky enough to visit them one year for Christmas. Since then, Mark and I have looked for ways to incorporate some Japanese style into our home. This wall gave us the inspiration. We’ll start with a simple buffet table in the center.
    Finn Sideboard

    Something like this from One King’s Lane Day of Furniture Sale (70% off Home Furnishings now until Thursday 1/31). 
     
    A table like this would be the perfect centerpiece for displaying our Japanese Dolls I picked up at the outdoor Mall in Sasebo. We could then store all the china we also purchased inside the cupboard – and let me tell you, we purchased china! From little sake cups to rice bowls. Sadly we’ve never had a good place to keep them.
     
     
     
     
     
    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Hanging behind the buffet table I would mount my silk Kimono – a must I insisted on purchasing. Really, who goes to Japan and doesn’t come home with a Kimono? They were hard to find though in a price range I could afford. Thankfully there were plenty of consignment stores to browse around.
     
    Framing the Kimono would be our Japanese scrolls that Grandma P sent the kids for Christmas. 
    
    
     
    Can you picture it?  Let’s go back to our Black Wall – now add the table, dolls, kimono and scrolls. Picture it on a white wall – now go back to the black wall. What a difference right? I can’t wait to get started putting it all together. I just have to decide which table I want now…
     
     
    
     
    *This is a sponsored post for One Kings Lane. All opinions are my own. One Kings Lane is having a special Furniture Day Sale from 1/29-1/31. Up to 70% off some amazing home decor items from your living room to your patio. 
  • Till Death Do We Part? {Think About It}

    Till Death Do We Part? {Think About It}

    It’s a phrase we’ve all heard.

    Till Death Do We Part

    The question I pose today, though, is how often do we truly commit to that promise? In these days, how many couples stay married until death parts them?  
    It seems to me, that more and more, the words should be rephrased “Till I’m sick of picking up your socks” or “Till I’m bored, and want a change of life.”
    Think about it.
    How many people do you know have been through a divorce, have divorced parents, perhaps you’re divorce yourself?

    When the Exception becomes the Norm

    “Mawage. Mawage is what bwings us togeffer today” ~Princess Bride
    I’m sure you’ve all seen it, but let me recap. Buttercup has been forced to marry the Prince. She doesn’t love him though, she loves Wesley, but believes he is dead.  After the ceremony, Buttercup is alone in her chamber and begins to take a knife to her chest. It is better she be dead than married. When suddenly there is Wesley. Buttercup than suffers a conflict – she’s married, but her love is actually alive. She could just run off with Wesley, but she doesn’t. That is until Wesley shows her she isn’t married, because she never said “I Do”.
    Alright, this might be a confusing, and complicated example, bare with me here. 
    Marriage and the act of marrying someone meant a commitment. At least until death. Now I’m not saying opt for suicide over divorce, please don’t read into it that much! What I’m saying is Buttercup was married, and she knew the commitment that she made (but didn’t really). 
    I ask, when did the exceptions for divorce – unfaithfulness, abuse – turn into a normal occurrence? We divorce because “we fell out of love” or “she/he isn’t the same person”. When did marriage become easy? 
    Think about it!

    For Time and All Eternity 

    In the LDS faith, in our temples, we don’t marry until death. Instead the words “For time and all eternity” are used. We truly believe that we will be married beyond death. Connecting our families past, present and future generations. 

    Does that mean it’s easy? No! I want to be very honest with you here. Mark and I have had our share of struggles. A few years ago, the word Divorce came up. I think the mere mention of that word sent Mark and I into a little shock. It’s something neither of us had ever considered, so having it crop up so easily in a time of marital strife, was a shocker. 
    We chose to change. He had things to work on, and so did I.  I couldn’t hold a grudge and analyze his every action waiting for him to mess up. I had to trust that he would change, and work on my own problems, and hope that he trusted me enough to change as well. 
    We love each other, and we love our kids. We weren’t going to take our promise to love each other for eternity lightly. We wanted to make our marriage work. For each other, and for our kids. 
    Think about it.

    How does Marriage effect Home life?

    It does, doesn’t it? Otherwise, why do we bother with marriage? Why do same sex couples push so hard to have legal marriages? 
    There must be something we find important in a legal and binding marriage.  Otherwise, wouldn’t we all just live with whoever, whenever, having babies as they come?
    Here are my thoughts. Of course, they are faith based as well. I believe marriage is something ordained of God. I believe the family is central to our eternal lives. What is life without love? What would an eternity without our loved ones be like?  

    My top priority is to raise my kids in a loving home. If I wasn’t married I feel an important aspect of love would be missing for my kids. As we sacrifice for our spouses, our kids see that. They may not understand it as an act of love in their young ages, but one day they will. Did you see how we just bought a dog? I am really not a dog person, or any animal for that matter (though chickens I think would be fun…). I often found many excuses for us to not buy a dog. I always justified them with “one day. I promise”. Well that day came. I had to let go of my own reservation and feelings, because deep down, I knew it would make Mark happy (the kids too). And you know what, I wanted Mark to be happy. Turns out we got a pretty good dog, I’m in love with him already.
    What does divorce teach our kids? 
    What does marriage teach them?
    Think about it!
    (Feel free to grab this printable! Right click and save)


    I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s have an open discussion below. 
    Note: I am not suggesting suicide in place of divorce. I am not suggesting you stay in an abusive marriage. If you are being abused, I urge you to seek help. A marriage takes work from both parties, and there truly is only so much one person can give.


  • A Look at our Kitchen

    A Look at our Kitchen

    Isn’t it pretty?  I cleaned it especially for you guys today. Yes we bought another house wish a hallway kitchen.  It does have more room and potential than our last kitchen though, and infinitely more counter space than our rental.

    This year we plan on remodeling the bathrooms, but I believe the Kitchen is on our to do for next year. In the meantime I may do a little touching up here and there. I love the pull down shade in the window, but it’s pretty dirty. I’m hoping my sewing skills are up to the task of redoing it with some fun fabric. Although I’m more worried about my mechanical skills to make sure it still works once I’m done. Of course the wallpaper also has to go, and a back splash behind the oven is needed.

    I obviously need more chalkboard stickers on my canisters as well. I usually have to open 2 or more to find what I’m looking for. Of course there’s my stack of cooking magazines as well. Always handy for quick menu planning.

    Eventually it will all come together.

    I’m linking up this week with Mama Kat’s Writing Prompts

    Mama’s Losin’ It

  • A new Addition to our Home: Tank the Pug

    A new Addition to our Home: Tank the Pug

    Well, we did something I always said we would do, but continually pushed to the side. We bought a dog.  Mark is a dog lover – always has been. I’m more of a dog – there, me – here, kind of person. Much like any fear, everytime I gave myself moments to think about bringing a dog into our home, I came up with a list of cons much greater than the pros. And the more I looked at it, the more anxiety I felt.
    Of course I felt guilt too, always telling Mark “not this year” “let’s wait” “I’ll think about it”. But for once, my anxiety fully outweighed any guilt I could feel.

    Until Saturday that is. We had a very productive morning cleaning, and doing chores. The one day I insist everyone pitch in with the bigger cleaning.

    OK admittedly the before picture wasn’t that bad Saturday. That was taken when we first moved in. But this room was our unpacking zone, so it was still quite cluttered. Doesn’t it look so much better?

    I digress. We have promised the kids that if they do well on their Saturday chores, then we can have an adventure in the afternoon. We started this two weeks ago, and had great success. That week, our adventure was to McDonald’s PlayLand – so fun!

    Last Saturday, our adventure was supposed to be an afternoon of sledding. That quickly changed. While waiting for Prince L to wake from his nap, Mark was browsing Pugs for sale. He just loved Pugs, and showing them to me with his own puppy dog face. This time, the pug wasn’t too far away, and the owners were willing to meet us halfway (near my parents). So our afternoon of sledding turned into an afternoon in the car to potentially check out a dog – although in my mind we were just going to visit my parents. It helped keep the anxiety at bay.

    Of course once we saw Tank, the girls fell in love, Mark was in love, and I was outnumbered 5 to 1. Nope not even Prince L was on my side. We loaded Tank into our mini-van and headed to PetSmart to purchase the neccesary dog items – Food, bed, harness, kennel, and of course a dog tag with his name and our address.

    Top of my list was the Kennel.  I don’t feel comfortable having a dog running about our house when we’re not home, or in the middle of the night. So far, he’s not a fan of the kennel. It may be too small – so we’re looking into a bigger one, or finding some other way to keep him contained but with more room to move about.

    Today happens to be the first day I’ve had Tank alone. Mark is back at work after our 3 day weekend. I was nervous to tell you the truth, but so far so good. He’s been a good dog, and most of my anxiety has gone away. He did get pretty rambunctious at one point, and showed his teeth while making some awful noises, that he followed up with whining. I remedied it by taking him out back, and just walking around with him. Seems like he just wanted a little company while he explored the backyard further.

    There was also the incident of running off down the road, just as we needed to be loading the car for Kindergarten drop off. Once I got the kids to stop chasing him however, he came bounding back. A biscuit for listening, and into the kennel he went until we came back home.

    How do you feel about pets? 
  • Social Impact on the Home {Think About It}

    Social Impact on the Home {Think About It}

    It’s a new year, and I’m switching things up with this weekly meme. When we began Think About It Thursday, I had some amazing co hosts, and we had a link party going on. It never really took off though. We were all getting burned out, and weren’t sure how to make it better. So we took some time off around the holidays.

    This week I’ve been thinking about it again, and decided I would bring back Think About It Thursday, but as a sole blogger. No link party. Just a weekly meme for me to talk about some deeper topics. I found in my Top 10 posts from 2012, that the majority of you visited when I got a little deeper. So my hope is this brings you back each week to have an open discussion on different topics.

    You may be wondering “but Adelina, how does that relate to the home?”  Well, let me sum it up for you with my new title –

    Think About It Thursday

    Social Impact on the Home

    I’ll discuss different topics as they impact home life. How as a stay at home mom, the larger social issues still effect me.  I want to help change the stereotype that as a stay at home mom I don’t have an opinion, that I’m somehow less than my husband, or that outside of my little family nothing else matters. It does. The world around me matters greatly, because it is a world my kids will face as they go to school, make friends of different faiths and races, and enter the workforce.
    I personally believe we should all take an active role in our communities, on a level that fits us. For some that means heading up the PTA, and planning events. For others it might just be silent support through voting on issues, and attending community events.
    Some issues we discuss may be political in nature, others religious. Sometimes I might tell you about local events, or national events and how you can get involved. I may discuss different charities I support, and some I don’t.
    Most of all, I want an open discussion with you my readers. I want to hear your thoughts and opinions. I want to know what’s important to you, and why you feel passionately about  it.

    Tell me, what topics would you like to see on Thursdays?

    What social impact do you feel in your home?

    *I’m excited to be kicking off our new Think About It Thursday: Social Impact on the Home with Blogelina’s 20 Comments event. Welcome new readers – feel free to browse around, and let me know what you think!
  • 4 Things to do Before Bringing Home Baby {Guest Post}

    4 Things to do Before Bringing Home Baby {Guest Post}

    4 Things to do Before Bringing Home Baby
     

    Pregnancy is an exciting time, but there are several tasks to take care of before bringing your little bundle of joy home. So here are some of the most important things you will want to handle ahead of time. When you are ready before the birth of your child, you will enjoy the final weeks of pregnancy more and be more relaxes when it’s time to deliver your sweet baby.

    Baby Clothes and Bedding

    You know how important it is to have the crib and changing table for your baby, but you also need a collection of clothing and bedding. Multiple sets of sheets and changing pad covers should be on hand because they will be changed often, and so take the time and wash all bedding and clothing in a safe, gentle detergent like Dreft to protect your baby’s skin.

    Hygiene and Diapers

    Babies go through an incredible amount of diapers, so if you are going to use disposable diapers, you can start stocking up on a range of sizes before the baby arrives, but if you choose cloth diapers, you can make arrangements with the cleaning agency before the big day. Other items you should have on hand include tear-free shampoo, body soap, the baby bathtub, hairbrush, baby nail clippers and some soothing baby body lotion with lavender to help fussy babies relax.

    The Full Nursery

    You want your little one to have a beautiful, welcoming nursery, and that includes having the nursery painted, but paint fumes can be harmful to your little one, so the room should be painted a few weeks ahead of time. The fumes can also be harmful to pregnant women, you should also avoid the fumes (and stress) by hiring a professional, like a Boulder painting contractor, to paint the nursery.

    Set up the Kitchen

    With the nursery painted and decorated, clothing in the dressers and hygiene supplies in the bathroom, it’s time to turn your thoughts to the kitchen. Even if you are breastfeeding your child, you may still require special equipment for pumping and storing the milk, but if you are not breastfeeding, you will have bottles to sterilize, as well as liners and nipples. Organize the baby feeding supplies in your kitchen by finding space in the cabinets and setting out any special washing or drying racks.
    Once the baby is born, you won’t have much extra time for setting up the nursery, washing all the clothes and finding space for bottles in the kitchen, so take care of these chores now to ensure that your baby’s room is ready for your little arrival. You will be able to relax during the final days of your pregnancy and the first few days that you are home with your baby.

    Author Bio
    Melisa Cammack is the mother of three, soon to be four, is an interior design enthusiast, and hopes to soon be a published book author.

  • The Best of 2012

    Yesterday I shared with you a review of our life in 2012. Today I’d like to share some of the favorite blog posts. I’ll start with the reader favorites. These are the posts that were visited most frequently in 2012 (minus any giveaway posts).

    1. After (sort of) Kitchen We started our year with a kitchen remodel. 257 of you came by to check out the almost finished result.
    2. Should Kids Share a Room? In a new meme we started this year, Think About It Thursday, I told 151 readers my thoughts on whether kids should share a room.
    3. Why I Wear A Dress to Church  This has been my personal favorite post all year.  In an attempt to share some deep personal feelings on my religion, and a stand against a movement that I disagree with. 151 readers stopped by to hear my thoughts. 
    4. Halloween Costumes  In October 148 readers came by to read my ramblings on Halloween Costumes. 
    5. Upcycled Receiving Blankets  In one of my few and far between sewing tutorials, I shared how I turned our old receiving blankets into a quilt.  142 readers have read, and hopefully found inspiration for making their own quilt.
    6. Cleaning Microfiber Couches  Periodically I’ll throw out some tips on Tuesdays. I pulled 136 of you in to learn how I clean my microfiber couch.
    7. You Never Lose Review  135 people were interested in my review of the new auction site You Never Lose, where you truly can never lose.
    8. DIY Drum Light  As part of our Kitchen/Dining Remodel, I made our own Drum Light. 114 readers came to see how I made it.
    9. Making a House a Home: All About the Attitude  In March 90 of you came by and read my epiphany over something my then 5 year old said.  
    10. Over the Sink Light  Finally 81 readers stopped by to see the light we added above our sink during the kitchen remodel.

    Number 3 and 9 on this list were my absolute favorite posts to write this last year. I felt strongly about them both, and really let my feelings show.

    There were a few other memorable moments this past year.

    We enjoyed a new Link Party co-hosted with Diane from Simple Living and Eating – Foodie Friday! We plan on continuing this party through 2013 as we share more recipes, and enjoy all the food you’ve shared with us.
    I attempted another party – Think About It Thursday – that didn’t really take off. For now, we’re going to put this one on hold.
    Finally, my most memorable moment of 2012, was purchasing my own domain. Mark surprised me on Black Friday with www.homemaidsimple.com  Our new online home.  Within the coming weeks, we’ll be switching out of blogger and finding a new server and blog platform.

    Happy New Year
    Thank you all for making 2012 a great year! 

  • Choosing the Right Lighting

    Choosing the Right Lighting

    The end is near!  We finally closed on our house just before Christmas. It has made moving a bit of a nightmare, but the house is ours, and it is time to turn it into a home.

    Today I want to talk a little about lighting. Finding the right lights, creating the right mood with lights, and not over lighting or under lighting any area of your home. See I have a problem. Our new Front Room is very much under lighted. I’ve been browsing some of the Kartell lighting over at LBC Modern.

    Under Lighting

    Here is a snapshot of our front room (ignore Christmas…)

    It’s a fairly small room, and the only lighting is that old antique light hanging from the corner – which by the way, doesn’t work. So now our only light in this room is the big picture window facing north. I mention that because the north side of the home gets the cold, and not as much sun. Leaving our lighting pretty dim here.
    I want this room to be welcoming, which means it needs the right lights.  I’m thinking a bourgie table lamp next to a small couch would look pretty nice.

    Kartell "Bourgie" Table Lamp
     
    Above the shelf I would like to add some recessed can lighting as well, to spotlight any decorating I do or pictures we may hang there.
    These small lighting additions would bring this room up to the perfect lighting atmosphere to be welcoming, but not overly lit or gaudy.

    Over Lighting

    Our new kitchen has had the opposite effect with over lighting. The kitchen is a small little space in this home (yes another remodel is on the horizon!). My current issue, however, is the overabundance of lights, and the separate switch for each one. I think I counted 3 or 4 different switches in the kitchen, and each one only turned on one single light. It’s enough to spin me in circles trying to get the right light on. There is a dining area light, an above the sink light, and a laundry light. With the way it is set up right now, the laundry light is needed. It could easily be changed, though, to have one longer light in the kitchen that would give light into the laundry side of the room and extend to the dining area. This would especially work as the dining side could use the light from the south facing window it sits next to. Again, south side of the house, you’ll be getting more sun, and therefore, don’t need as much lighting.
     

    Use Lights to Set the Mood

    Lighting truly affects our moods. The more light, especially natural light from the sun, the happier we are. I strive for joy and happiness in our home, something I think we all probably do. So I love tossing open the curtains and blinds and letting in the sun. There are some areas of a home though, that don’t get the natural lighting. Areas such as a basement. They tend to be dark. By finding the right lights, you can create a joyful area in the basement, despite its lack of sun. I would go with bright lights and soft shades for a table lamp. If the ceilings are tall enough in your basement, hanging overhead lights can give off more light than those closer to the ceiling.
     
    If you’re creating a space for kids, though, you may want to try different colored lights. They can spark creativity and a joyful mood for your children. I personally love these Pablo Tube Lights I found. Not only would my kids love the colors, but they are also dimmable lights, so I can adjust them to just the right amount of light we need.
    Pablo Designs Tube Top 14
     
    Well, I’m off to pack some more boxes, and daydream of the future remodels in our new home. I can’t wait to show you pictures of what we do!
     
     
    *This sponsored post was made possible by SheHeard. I have been compensated for my time and work on this campaign, however, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
     
  • The Living Room by Bill Rolfe {Book Review}

    The Living Room by Bill Rolfe {Book Review}

    The Living Room

    The Living Room

    by Bill Rolfe
     
    About the Book:  Daniel Clay has good looks, money, and a rising career as a New York investment advisor. Meanwhile, his personal life is barren of love and family. But when a distant relative dies and leaves him a house in England, Daniel embarks on a life-changing journey—toward love and his soul’s awakening.

    He meets and falls in love with Claire, a children’s palliative care nurse. With her help, he opens his home and heart to comfort young patients in their final days. As Claire tends to the children in a beautiful glassed-in room overlooking the sea, Daniel prays for miracles. Just when his prayers are answered, a mysterious illness strikes him down and relentlessly drains away his life. With no hope for a cure, Daniel holds fast to a deep secret that he can never reveal. And now, he needs a miracle of his own.

     
     
    About the Author: 

    Late on night back in July 2002, I fell asleep and had a dream. It was unlike
    any dream I had before or since. It was like watching an extended movie, and it
    ended with instructions for me in the rolling credits. I awoke in shock and
    glanced at the clock next to my bed, only to discover what seemed like hours of
    sleep had only been a few minutes. I got up, sat at my desk, and spent the rest
    of the night writing everything down. Never having written anything before, I
    took the next few weeks to follow the instructions from the dream – share the
    story in a novel. After a few months of being inspired by the story, but at the
    same time feeling overwhelmed with the project, I put it away. However, I
    couldn’t forget it. Now, after more than nine years of struggling with the
    process and battling against my own self-doubt, I’m ready to share the story.
    “The Living Room” was my dream. Bill Rolfe

     
    My Thoughts:  I cried. What a touching book. I was not prepared for The Living Room and the emotions it would stir up. Bill Rolfe has taken a dream he had, and turned it into an emotional story of faith, love and the importance of family first that will touch every heart, and perhaps remind this busy world what truly matters. 
     
    To be honest thinking of this book today, after so many children were thoughtlessly killed over the weekend, I can’t help but feel it’s message is even more important. Hold to your families. Let their love hold you up and carry you through. Working parents, hold your children a little tighter. You never know when something could pull them from you. Don’t get so caught up in the work life that you don’t have time for home life. When you make home life a priority, the rest will work itself out.
     
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