Every girl needs a vanity, Right?

 

 

Lately I've been really getting into make up a lot more...since having Mason I haven't felt as pretty and I've kind of let myself go when it comes to getting dressed up. So I started watching tons of YouTube videos and started trying out a lot of brands. Don't get me wrong, I've always enjoyed wearing make up but I used to always wear very little. Now, I like to wear a lot more and really like how it makes me look (p.s I enjoy looking like a women and not a teenager).

 

So now that a have a ton more makeup... why wouldn't I want a vanity (a girls dream)?

As always I get myself going and start searching google for the nicest vanity or vanity of my dreams to soon realize there's no way in hell I could afford the one I want right now lol. So, inevitably I start searching for DIY or Cheaper ones.

 

During my search I found myself going back to one of my favorite places to shop for things for my house, Ikea. I love Ikea and most of the things in my house are from ikea ( as well as the mental list of things that I still have to purchase)... I joke that it looks like an Ikea show room.

 

So anyways, it seems like a lot of people use this Malm Dressing table (retails for $149), which also means it's right in my budget (well my imaginary budget).
This dressing table also has a pull out drawer which would make for great storage...



Here is what I would like to get as my vanity. I holding off on purchasing it because first of all I would like to first finish  my living room/dining room and secondly, I still haven't decided the exact color scheme for the master bedroom.

 

Do you have a vanity ???

Any tips on what to purchase??

I also posted two different seat option because can slide the bench all the way under taking up less space but this is also a more expensive option.

 

 



 

Forever 21
forever21.com

Umbra
containerstore.com

Black and White Owl Lamp
target.com

Tubo Countertop Organizer by Umbra®
containerstore.com

KidsLine Kids Line Espresso Wooden Letter
amazon.com

The Container Store > Acrylic Cosmetic Tray
containerstore.com

The Container Store > 6-Drawer Premium Acrylic Chest
containerstore.com

Wall Stencil

So the same weekend that I decided to take on my dresser project I got my wall stencil in the mail.
I was excited to tackle this project asap, so the hubs and I went to our local Lowe's and picked out paint and supplies for our hallway.


I ordered my wall stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils, I choose to go with the stencil called Zamira.
For this project we needed two different color paints, one for the wall and one for the actual stencil. You will also need a foam roller, tape or adhesive glue, a partner or two, painters tape to tape off any edges, napkins or cloth, foam plate, and paint trays.


First order of business was to paint our cream neutral color wall, we choose a Grey color ( I'll get the name later) we also picked a high gloss color for the wall color  and a flat color for the stencil so that it would be more noticeable.


After we let the main wall color dry we found the center of the wall as directed by the 1 million videos I watched before I started.

Because we choose high gloss paint, our tape would not stick to the wall to hold the stencil up in place ( BIG FAT FAIL). So for the first stencil that went down, I held the stencil and hubs went over it with foam roller (ANOTHER BIG FAT FAIL). As soon as we pulled away the stencil from the wall the hubs dropped the roller and walked off the project yelling FUCK THIS!!!  I was so pissed that he would give up after just the first try.

A couple of minutes later I was able to convince the hubs to come back and help me, this time he held the stencil up and I started to roll it, after  a couple of tries they got a little better. Let's just say the only time the hubs said anything to was when he was telling me to stop going over the same spot over again. He hated every hour that we spent on that wall, about 3 hours.

I do like the way it looks from a far and we still have to touch up a lot of it... but we had to put that aside for the meantime because I'm pretty sure the hubs would divorce me. LOL

If are thinking about doing something like this and have any questions let me know...

Here are some pics...

How to paint an older dresser!!

I had an area between two windows were I knew I wanted a server/buffet, I searched high and low for one that was reasonably priced but had no luck!!

 Here are two of my favorites but I just wasn't happy with the price tag.

Reflections Collection from Homedecorators.com $599

Ikea Liatorp Sideboard $350





So I did a lot of searching for a cheaper alternative and stumbled upon this pin
 (and many others) of brightly painted furniture.
I thought bet I'll give it a try.

HOW TO PAINT A DRESSER

What you'll need
 Old dresser or piece of furniture
ZipLock Bag
Powered hand sander
Sand paper
Tack cloth or old towel
Primer
Paint
Foam Roller
Paint Brush
Spray Paint (for hardware)

Step 1

Find an old dresser
We scored with this dresser!
 I search on craigslist for a couple of days with no luck
until I took a friends advice and searched first thing in the morning.
Can you believe I only paid $20 for this!!! (huge grin)

Step 2

Remove all hardware and put everything into a zip lock baggy.
Remove doors and drawers

Step 3
Sand. Sand. Sand.
Thankfully, I have an awesome hubby who was all for this project and did all the sanding.
(if you want to skip this step you can always use a paint primer that doesn't require sanding
- but I've never had any luck with them so i wouldn't suggest it)

Step 4
Make sure to wipe off all the dust with a tack cloth or towel to prep for painting.

Step 5
PRIME
We purchased a Quart of Primer
Depending on the color you choose you might have to use a tinted primer.
You can ask your local paint guy when purchasing the paint
We originally chose a bright blue color called song bird from Behr (I think)

which required a tinted primer

After about three coats and a light sanding after each coat it was ready for paint!!

USE A FOAM ROLLER FOR GREAT EVEN COVERAGE!!

Step 6
Paint.
We purchased Quart of this blue
We probably did another 2-3 coats of the paint color
 just to make sure that it was completely covered.
ONCE AGAIN USING ANOTHER FOAM ROLLER FOR SMOOTH COVERAGE
(and a good paint brush for the doors and small details that the roller can't get)

At this point you should be done and ready to put on the hardware!!


After a night of thinking about it i decided the bright just wasn't going to work for me.
I should have went with my gut!! UGH this always happens!!

Take Two

I went back to the original color I liked
Peru by Behr Paint

Spray Painted Hardware
I decided to keep the original hardware, but I knew I wanted to change the color.
I used warm water a brush and dawn dish soap to clean them up before painting.
I purchased a can of rust-oleum metallic pearl white spray paint
They turned out to be more silver then I wanted it to be
 I think that's because the hardware was such dark bronze.

All and all I love it!!!
Now it's time to decorate.

 

I'm Back!! Forreal this time.

I've gone back and forth in my head about whether or not I wanted to continue blogging. I find it really hard to find time to sit down and post, the days when I used to chill on my couch and blog are long GONE!!!

I've come to realize that I really miss blogging, I miss not having a place to write, I miss recording my life and all the things I enjoy.

I read blogs almost everyday and I love to see what people are up too, I love to read about all the good finds and products, and recently I've really been into DIY and home improvements (thanks to pinterest).

So the directions of my blog here on out might be something different and some what all over the place (since that's really what my life has been like these last 8-9 months, all over the place).

But now that my life seems like it's settling down and my days feel a bit more normal and relaxed I am dedicating myself to some blogging.

I am not going to go back and time and try to remember all that has happened since i've left the blogging world but I will give everyone a little update.


Since the last time I blogged:

The hubs and I bought our first house three months ago.. ( I'll share more pic of the inside later)

My baby boy Mason has grown up so fast and he's already ONE!

He had a Mustache Party

I'll leave you with that for now!!!

I hope you stay tuned!

It's Been A Very Long Time

  I can't even believe the last time I posted it was October and now we are days away from closing out the year! :( This year has brought me the most amazing gift my little man, my son, my Masey, the love of my life :)

So I just want to give you a fast recap of my life and what's been happening....

well of course the main reason for my not posting is because I went back to work and with a new baby it's almost impossible to get free time to post. (right now the hubby and I are on vacation, so he is watching him while I quickly write this)



Let me rewind to October

Watch the Thrown concert (yes we were that close)

Thanksgiving

Masons First Christmas tree

Christmas Pictures

NYC with friends

X-mas Eve

Christmas Morning

All About Mason: Currently 16 lbs /26inches

He still doesn't sleep through the night

He is now on Alimentum do to an a milk allergy

He wears 6 months clothes

He has started Cereal and tried Carrots and Peas

He holds his own bottle most of the time

He laughs (screams), baby talk, makes bubbles

Can grab anything in front of him

Can sit up pretty good, if he is on an angle he can sit himself up

Loves to stand up on your lap

He hates getting dress, prefers to be naked

He was able to tear open his christmas presents and eat the paper

Wears  a size two diaper

Starting to recognize his name

Only smiles if he knows you, other wise he makes a face like who the "F" are you

Very serious with others

Loves anything that lights up and makes noise (phone,tv, swing)

Loves to put his feet in his mouth

Sorry about the fast update but got to run!!!!!

2 months old

My new born bundle is already a 2 month baby, I miss holding him with out him wiggling around, I miss his sweet new born cries, I miss putting him in his tiny little clothes and swading him like a burrito.... But I love seeing him grow and expolore everything so I'm cherishing ever minute that I am with him, he is my everything!!

About Mason at 2 months

Stats: 12 lbs 24 inches wearing 0-3 some 3-6

You drink anywhere from 3-5 oz mostly 3 oz Ever 2 hours during the day longer periods at night

You are back on similac regular because you are constipated, doc has instructed us to give you suppository if you don't poop and give you one teaspoonon karo syrup with two oz of water 3 times a day

You are in size one diapers

You found your hand and now you are constantly sucking on both of them

When it's time for sleep you still sleep on your stomach and toss your head back and fourth for about 10 mins until you finally get comfortable

You are now socially smiling and love when me and grandma makes crazy baby noises. You have the cutest smile that warms my heart ...you slightly wrinkle your noise, smile, stick your tongue out and wave your arms and legs in excitement.

You still have the cutest cry I've ever heard

We tried your bumbo and at first you smiled but then realized you hated it

You still love bath time and hate getting out

You cry to be picked up

You loved to held and rocked to sleep

You still get the hiccups during diaper changes

We love to dress you in your jeans, sweaters and shoes

You were baptized on September 18th 2011, it was a beautiful ceremony and all of your family witnessed this beatiful day

You are getting better and better at night

My 12 week maternity leave is quickly coming to a close and I can't even imagine what it's going to feel like going back to work and leaving you all day :(

Daddy still has a hard time leaving you to go to work and he when he gets home he quickly grabs you, hugs you and kisses you all over

You love to look into the light and watch tv

You still like your swing

Flying Poop

I knew as soon as this happened that I had to blog about it because I could not stop laughing lol so here goes. ( hopefully this story makes some kind of sense and I'm sure there are going to be thousansd of grammatical errors due to lack of sleep so just ignore them and read the story haha lol)

Well let me start off by saying that Mason's poop is hard like pebbles because he has been constipated.

The other night Mason wakes up crying for food so I grab him out of his pack and play and put him In my Arms and feed him, he finishes his bottle and then I change his diaper quickly and cautiously so I don't get peed on, but this night was different lol. As I'm changing his diaper (practically the dark with the exception of the light shining from the monitor) I open his diaper and check for poop, nothing ( as I expected since he has been constipated), I pull his diaper from underneath him (little did I know a turd flew into my shirt lmfao)wipe him up and place a clean diaper on him, I button up his pajamas pick him back up and rock him to sleep ( again as any normal night). After about 10-15 mins he is finally asleep and I put him back in his pack and play... After placing him down I start settling back to sleep, as soon as I put my head down on my pillow and turn on my side I feel something wet and cold in my shirt against my boobies lol ... With caution I put my hand down my shirt and feel something funny so I freak out as if there was a bug in my shirt and I flung whatever it was out ... Ewe finally it was out but at that very moment I realized I didn't know where the hell it went, so I quickly grabbed my phone turned it on and began waving it like a flash light in front of me looking for whatever it was ... Finally I wave my phone in front of the hubs face and there it was a small turd that landed so perfectly on the top of his forehead with out waking him up lmao no I am not kidding hahaha at that very moment I slowly removed it from his forehead trying hard not to wake him, once I successfully removed it from his forehead all I could do was laugh and replay it over and over again. I also started rehearsing it in my head so I could tell him the funniest way possible lol oh how I couldn't wait to tell him the story when he woke up!!!

A couple of hours later he wakes up for work (I barely slept thinking about how he would react) , I let him get into the shower and when he came back into the room I begin to tell him how poop flew into my shirt and I got scared and flung it out... lol then he starts laughing at me and says are you serious that's disgusting as if that was the funniest part of the story, so I quickly interrupt him and say but wait that wasn't even the best part and then he responds why what happen? lol I answered we'll after I flung it out of my shirt I started looking for it with my phone and I found it sitting on top of your forehead !!!! He looked at me in shock and at that moment it didn't seem so funny after all, haha jokes on you. I couldnt help but laugh out loud because it played out so perfectly as I had reheasred it in my head all night lol... Insert evil laugh!!