Guest Bedroom Re-do

The guest bedroom is almost done!  Just a little accessorizing left to do and it will be a beauty.  Suffice it to say that the former owners of our home had different decor taste than we do.  While the sponge painting and border in the guest bedroom were well done, it just didn't work for us.  It's been slow going, but I have sanded off the sponge paint checkerboard and painted the walls.  My husband painted the ceiling.  I found a great dresser (great buy at Home Goods); and new bedding (thank you Target for Home Garden Party Chrysanthemum Quilt in purple) and redid the lamp.  I was able to use artwork I already had.  If you have a piece you love, plan a bedroom re-do around it to save money!

The lamp is my prize in the room.  I got this floor lamp for free (hand-me-down from my mom) and spray painted the base.  I bought a new shade at Joann Etc. for $14.99 and fabric at 50% off and made a custom shade to tie the wall and bedding colors together.

BEFORE:

AFTER:



If a bedroom re-do is on your project list, get to planning.  What are you waiting for?  If not now...when? 

Don't do what I did in my old townhouse.  Don't wait until you are moving to update your spaces.  You'll wish you had done it sooner and enjoyed the fruits of your labor! 

Share your re-do stories with me!

Until next time...
Missy

Use What You Already Have

This seems to be a purging time of year.  People make their resolutions to live with less; live a more simple life; clear out the clutter, etc. etc. etc.  Sound familiar?

While I whole-heartedly believe in purging and living with less, while you're at it, think about making better use of what you already have too.  The closet is a great place to start!  Here' a suggestion: Hang all your hangers the same way.  Each time you wear an item and hang it back up, face the hanger in the opposite direction.  At the end of the season, it will be clear what you wear and what you don't, and make your purging decisions very clear!

Think about a room or a part of your life that makes you think, "I just have TOO MUCH STUFF!".  I love to make cards, and have amassed a huge amount of stamps, papers, inks, tools, etc.  One of my (cool) tools is a Cricut machine.  I must admit, it doesn't get a ton of use.  But this year, I started thinking about additional ways I can make use of what I already have.  Enter the Cricut and Christmas presents, and nifty gadget that makes paper cut-outs into stickers, and Voila, my holiday gifts had beautiful labels.  Now I don't feel so bad about the cost of the Cricut and the space it takes to store it. 

Tell me what you're making better use of, or creative ways to use what you already have!

Until next time...

Missy

Commitment Statement

It's that time of year again...you know...ring in the new year and make a resolution.  Out with the old, in with the new.  Lose weight, eat healthier, etc. etc. etc.  This year I'm going to reframe the conept of resolutions, and instead, make commitments. 

My first commitment is to my teeth.  My dentist father will be proud of this one!!  I am commiting to flossing at least 3 times per week.  I'm terrible at doing this, but know it's good for me. My inspiration?  A new co-worker who told me that in 2004 she made a resolution to floss everyday and since then has truly flossed every day.   

My second commitment is to clean the house more often.  I'm not going to say how often...because then you'd know how often I DON'T do this. 

My third commitment in 2011 is to break even on my new business venture.  This will be more challenging that I had originally hoped, because at the beginning of December I returned to full-time work, and thus, have less time to spend on Render Lifestyle Management.

Now, rather than getting long winded, I'd rather start a conversation on this topic.  So, the question is...what will YOU commit to this year to make yourself, or your life, or somebody else's life, better?

Until next time...
Missy