A new place to lay my head

For a very long time, I have been wanting a pretty, velvet headboard for my bedroom. I looked all over the place online, and even checked out the Ballard Backroom, Home Goods and Marshall's, but just couldn't find anything in the next-to-nothing budget I had set. So, what's a girl to do? 

Well, I immediately went to the blogosphere, and found a handful of DIY instructions on making your own. I figured for around $50 and some time, I could have pretty close to what I wanted. So, the Mr. and I made a trip to Home Depot one Saturday morning, and had a piece of Plywood cut to the size I wanted. 

I had read on numerous blogs in addition to the plywood I would need foam, batting and fabric. Well, did you know foam is really pretty expensive for a girl on a cheap DIY budget? I opted to buy the batting, and picked out a pretty grey velvet, and a package of nailhead trim.

On my way home, I was trying to think of a way to make the headboard a little more plush, when I remembered an old feather bed in the top of my linen closet. At the beginning and end of this project, the feather bed was an excellent idea, but can I just tell you, my living room looked like a feather factory. I am talking feathers everywhere. I am STILL sweeping them up. Since the feather bed was larger than the headboard size (and too thick to just staple back) I had to cut off the extra, i.e. make a gigantic mess. 

After I secured the feather bed, I took an old sheet and stapled it around to keep any stray feathers from escaping. Then I stapled my fabric around that. The nailhead trim was by far the hardest part, and the part that most made me want to give up. I really wanted extra detail, but those things are just really difficult to nail into the wood, especially with a mound of feathers and fabric in the way. I finally opted to use silver nails instead of the nailhead fills, and unless you get up really close, you can't even tell!

So, after a few hours of work, and a lot of sweeping, I had a new headboard. I have to say, I'm pretty happy with the end result!

xoxo!

By Brit with No lovely notes

What if?

Photo found here

What if you spent an entire day doing exactly what you wanted?

What if you...

• Quit your job, and finally went after your dream career.
• Ate that piece of chocolate.
• Went for a hike in the middle of the day.
• Made time to call your best friend.
• Painted your nails.
• Read the book that's been on your list for over a year.
• Sang at the top of your lungs while driving down your favorite street.
• Finally balanced your budget.
• Fixed your hair...or for once, didn't.
• Said no to that event you don't want to go to.
• Watched your favorite movie.
• Cuddled with your honey.

Doesn't that sound refreshing? Sound free?

So, what's stopping you? And for that matter, what's stopping me?


xoxo.

By Brit with No lovely notes

sofa lovin'

I desperately want a new sofa. I've wanted a new one...oh probably since the day we got sweet little Nellie and she shed on it. I mean, sure, the vacuum cleans it up just fine, but our couch has definitely been used, and it's just time for an upgrade.

Of course, I don't want to buy anything new until we get to Atlanta, but I've been browsing, and here are my fave's (as a sidenote...I'd kind of planned to get my new couch from customsofadesign.com, but whadda ya know...it looks like they may have closed up shop. sad day.)

$1,099 from Z Gallerie

I really like the color, and think it would be gorgeous with white armchairs, a sleek glass sofa table and soft gray walls.

$799.00-$1,407.00 (depending on fabric) from Ballard Designs

Mostly I just love the wheels on this one :)

$1,049.00 - $1,543 from Ballard Designs

This tufting is beautiful, but it doesn't look all that comfortable

$1,399.00 - $2,273.00 from Ballard Designs

It looks comfy, and I like the sleek lines.

$999.00 from Home Decorators Collection

This one is actually one of my favorites. I love the blue/grey linen fabric and the price tag is one of the best I've found online.

$1,299 from Home Decorators Collection

I mean...this is gorgeous.

$1,299.00 from Z Gallerie

I really love the look of this one, I just don't love the color...at least not for my living room.

$1,399.00 from Z Gallerie

Gorgeous. I really love this one. Just wish the price tag were slightly less.

Which one is your favorite? And if you have any other sources for great sofas for even better prices (other than Ikea...they just don't have any sofas I love), please do share! 

By Brit with 3 lovely notes

cha cha cha changes...

Big changes are on the horizon for Mr. H and I. I'll spare the exhaustive details, but basically he's getting to switch over to flying a bigger plane, which means a new base, so...we are moving to Atlanta!

It's definitely a little bittersweet, but I'm ready. Last spring we spent a week in Atlanta visiting Kyle's brother and his wife, and I absolutely fell in love with the city. There is so much to do there. So many delicious places to eat. Just a little of everything! And being able to spend more time with them will be a blast!

Our plan is to make the move after my little sister's wedding on June 5. So, in the matter of a month, we have to pack, find a place to live and move our life halfway across the country. It's a big task! But I'm ready. 

Of course, leaving family and friends and a job I love behind is very bitter, but it's going to be a super fun adventure for us. The whole summer will just seem like a big long vacation with so many new things to do! And having Ikea so close?! Love that idea. 

As much as I love the little bungalow we call home, I'm also looking forward to having a new blank slate to decorate. 

So, stay tuned for pictures. I better start charging my camera for the months to come!

xoxo!

Here are a few pics from our trip to Atlanta last year!

Polished-the cutest nail salon

Easter morning

$1 taco night!

Hiking

Pizza at Antico. The best I've ever had!

Art show

Braves game (Kyle is definitely excited about all the pro sports)

By Brit with 1 lovely note

Lovely Little Updates

Happy Spring! I have made a little bit of progress over at my little house! 

1. I rearranged the furniture. I like it so so so much better. Please ignore the patches on the wall, and the lack of wall art. I'm in the process of finding paint to match what's already there, and the big wall on the right is where the stripes and photos collage are going. Can't wait for it to be done!

2. I hung curtains! It's amazing how much of a difference it makes! I wasn't planning on shears at all, but I love how airy they keep everything, and let the sun shine in. Plus, did you know how inexpensive those puppies are?! I have to admit, the price won me over, but I love them!

3. I have been wanting a garden stool since I first laid eyes on one. A couple weekends ago, my mom and I were wandering the aisles of Ross, and there it was! A pretty white one for....drum roll please... $29.99! Wow! I had to have it.

4. I got a patio set! Finally! There are several things the Mr. and I really want to make our little house more of a home. Aside from rugs and a few other touches, outdoor furniture was really high on the list. We have been talking about it since last June, but just hadn't found anything for a good price we liked. Well, today I was spending part of my day off at Marshall's (I love their home stuff) and they had a pretty set for only $139! It was perfect. 

Mr. H comes home tonight from a trip, and I can't wait to show him this little surprise. I even have these cooling to enjoy on the patio...it's a gorgeous night!

Hope spring is treating you wonderfully. I am sorta in love with this time of year.

xoxo!

By Brit with No lovely notes

decorating

I love to decorate. I know I've said it once, twice, 578,893,798 times. But I do. It's my hobby. My passion (beyond my marriage, my family and my cocker spaniel.) I am constantly thinking of new decor ideas, saving inspiration photos and dreaming of what i will do...some day.

See, we rent. This cute little house we live in is not really ours and since I know it's not forever, I am constantly preventing myself from really doing what I want. (Even though I know we will be here a couple more years.)

But it has occurred to me...why exactly am I constantly dreaming and never doing? Our house is just a house until I make it a home. The time has come. I'm tired of wishing. It's time to do.

I have been trying to pinpoint my decor style. What is it that I love?

Well, I bought an e-book written by Layla over at The Lettered Cottage, and it has really helped me hone in on my decor style. She has you make a list of things you love whether it's pizza and movies or green grass and sunshine, and then shows you how you can pull that into your home. 

Between my list and going through my decor inspiration, I've decided my style is beachy cottage. White. Blue. Bright. Clean. Which, oddly, isn't much of anything I currently have going on...but that makes it a little more fun, right? Fun slash more expensive. Ha!

So, I have given myself three "to do's" to get this show on the road.

1. Move my entry console table to a big blank wall in my living room and surround it with a photo collage, like the one John and Sherry at Young House Love posted earlier this week. I love pictures, so what a perfect way to bring more in! Oh, and I'd love to paint stripes on that wall, like these over at The Lettered Cottage.

2. With the entry table gone, I need a new entry way! I just love the look of this! And it's not only cute, but functional!

3. Rearrange my living room furniture, and move the TV to a table on a different wall. Mr. H. - if you are reading this...I'm gonna need your help with the whole moving the TV thing :)

And as a bonus # 4...I need window treatments. We've lived here almost a year, and the windows are still bare! I want something with shades and some flowing white curtains.

Not sure how long these things will take me, but I'm up for the challenge (and searching for the patience.) I've already talked my man into taking me to the flea market soon. Isn't he the best?

xoxo!

By Brit with 1 lovely note

I'm baaaack

Wow, did I drop off the face of the blogging planet, or what?

Here's what I've bee up to:

1. In an effort to fill my free time (not that I have tons of it anymore) I have been spending 40 minutes a day with Shaun T. No, he's not my neighbor or friend or therapist...he's the inventor of a seriously tormenting workout program. See...

I can testify that Insanity lives up to the name. And despite the fact I can't see huge changes yet, Mr. H seems to think he does, so that's good enough for me!

2. My sisters, mom and I had a fun "at home" spa night last night. My mom did facials, Katie massages, Liz painted nails and I did pedicures, complete with the foot bath we got as a wedding gift! It was really fun to spend time with the girls. I would post a picture, but they are all a little silly/embarrassing. Lolz.

3. I've been working. A lot. And I l.o.v.e. it. I couldn't imagine a more perfect job for me. Plus it helps the days just fly by while Mr. H is flying around the U.S.

4. I turn the big two-five in about a week and a half. Eek! How did I get here? I'm excited for 25...I think it's going to be a great year. My Mr. is planning some sort of birthday dinner. I don't know what he has up his sleeve, but I must say I'm pretty excited! I love love love fun dinners with him. I'm just praying for sunshine and weather in the 80's for my day :)

xoxo.

By Brit with 1 lovely note