New plan for the Guest Bedroom

In this post I mentioned that I'm so over my current guest bedroom decor. I've listed the bed linens, mirror, and rug for sale on the base yardsale website and have already had a couple of people show interest in at least looking at the items! Hopefully I can move those items out this week so I can redecorate this weekend!

I really don't want to repaint in there, so I took Rachel's advice and just googled "orange wall color" and found a few rooms with orange paint that will fit with the country feel I'm going for.

So, these were my 3 favorites, and the obvious similarity is white. Luckily, I already have a nice white cotton duvet cover that will fit my queen duvet. I went to Ross last week and bought a set of white 300 thread count sheets for under $12 and a nice brown plush blanket to throw at the foot of the bed for $8. I LOVE Ross for great deals on bed linens! (Jake found a super plump Calvin Klein pillow for $8!)  Now I just need a couple of throw pillows and wall decor. I have an idea using a vinyl decal on an old window that I'd like to try as a headboard. Look for that post soon!

Nosy Dog

Diesel is a nosy dog. I likes to stand on the back of the love seat and watch the neighborhood through the window. This morning, the windows are all fogged up, so he licked a section clear. He then watched a few cars go by, decided the neighborhood is pretty safe at this time of day, and went back to bed.

I like his ingenuity!

Jake and I are heading to Missoula tonight. It's a last minute trip, so I'm not sure yet what kinds of fun things we will do. Probably a little hiking or fishing, but I'm hoping maybe a little shopping also!

Scrapbook Frame Dry Erase Boards

I chose the colors for my craft room from a collection of Stampin' Up scrapbook paper called Spice Cake.

 I wanted to feature the paper in some way with decor, so made whiteboards out of plain white frames.

Just cut the scrapbook paper to the size of the frame and put it in just as you would a photo. I added some ribbon and little signs to jazz it up a little bit.

Now, I can use a dry erase marker to write directly on the glass front, and it will wipe off clean.



Keyboard Magnet Letters

I recently pinned this photo on pinterest. The caption simply says "keyboard magnets. rip keys off old keyboards, hot glue magnets on the back" I thought it looked cute and cheap, so I tried it myself! Here's how I did it:

Supplies: an old keyboard, hot glue gun, circle magnets

Jake had an old keyboard that he hasn't used in years, so he told me I could tear it up, but I have seen used keyboards at the Salvation Army Thrift Shop for $2 each.

Instructions: flip over the keyboard and take out all the screws

If you've ever wondered, here is what the inside of a keyboard looks like. Hmmm...I wonder what I could make out of that cool clear rubbery stuff...

Looking at the back of the top piece, start popping the keys out.

Put a large bead of hot glue on a circle magnet.

Immediately press a key into the glue.

It's really that easy!

The only part of my fridge that is magnetic is the side, and the side is black, so the keys won't show up well. Instead of displaying them on my fridge, I put them on an old screen door that I haven't found a purpose for yet. To hold them up, I put another magnet behind the screen.

Here you can see the magnet "sandwich" with the screen. Now I have a purpose for that screen window, so I think I'll repaint it cream and hang it in my craft room.

My favorite Apps

Jake and I were eligible for phone upgrades in December, so I took the plunge and got a smartphone. I really didn't think I needed a smartphone, and I honestly probably don't, but I am enjoying some of the apps.

Here are my favorite downloaded apps:

1. Pudding Camera (free version) - this app is a little better than the camera app that comes on the phone. You can change "lenses" to fun ones like fisheye, panorama, and motion (which makes 4 photos in one.) You can also change the colors to vintage, black & white, and vivid, as well as others. It's pretty fun!

2. Fuel Log (free version) - this app brings out the responsible adult in me. Each time I fill up the gas tank, I open the app and enter the milage on my car, amount of fuel, and cost of fuel. This app then tracks my mpg and what I have spent on gas, as well as how many days and miles have gone by since my last fill up. Pretty handy!

3. Open Sudoku (free) - Love this app! I'll admit, I have become addicted to Sudoku! There are three difficultly levels, so I can pick "easy" if I only have a few minutes to play, and "hard" if I want a long challenge.

4. Woman Log (free version) - this one is just for the ladies! This app will track your menstrual cycle if you set your start date and stop date and after a couple months of tracking, it predicts your next cycle as well as ovulation and fertile days. This is handy if you are trying to conceive or trying to avoid it :)

I also use a few of the apps that were already on the phone when I got it. These are my most used apps:

1. Calendar - I don't even carry around a planner anymore. As soon as I get an invite to an event, or set an appointment, I open my calendar on my phone and add it. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I always have my phone with me, so when my friends want to plan something, I can whip out my phone and check my calendar. No more lugging around a giant planner in my purse!

2. Memo - I also used to carry around a notebook in my purse. I have a horrible memory and have learned to make lists and notes to myself, so now I can just open the memo app and type my notes. Such a simple app, but so handy and it gets used multiple times a day!

So, what are some of your favorite apps?

Advice needed for the Guest Bedroom

This was the before of the guest bedroom (almost forgot the take the picture before painting!) It was plain white with the original hardwood floors.

I took a chance and went with orange paint...I really like it! But...come to find out...orange is hard to decorate around.

Here is the current decor. I love the mirror that I found at Pier 1, and I have my antique library table and trunk which add character, but I don't love the feel of the room. Obviously, I need something on the walls. What can I do to pull this all together, or do you think I should start from scratch? Any advice is appreciated!

Living Room Redo

This is what the living room looked like when we moved in. Tan carpet, white walls, and hideous vertical blinds...blah...I don't like blinds! I did love the fan though!

 Here is what the living room currently looks like. I did double layer curtains. I've bought all of my curtains from Walmart and am very impressed by the quality for the cost!

I went with an americana theme with a country decor feel. We have a store in Great Falls called Real Deals and it has lots of cute "country" type decor for great prices. You have to go at least once a month though because they restock often.

 My mom made this beautiful quilt!

I still love the americana theme, but I want the living room to be more neutral for when we put the house on the market, so I plan to move all of the wall decor to the master bedroom. Then I will paint the walls a soft neutral tan color and add thicker trim in white.

I really like the wall color in this photo from one of my favorite blogs, Clarendon Lane. It's Barley by Eddie Bauer for Valspar. I also like the decor, I like to call it Modern Country Cottage.

I am very inspired by this photo also from Clarendon Lane.

I love the window, shutters, and wreath and have already rounded up an old window and shutters that need to be refinished. How cute would that look behind the sofa? I have grand plans in my head...we'll just see when I get the time to put it all together!