August Head Over Heels Friday #3: "DIY-ikea Creations"

It's week 3 already for DIY-Ikea themed month! This creation is a real simple one that solved a problem I was having with my ever growing collection of necklaces. I had been keeping my necklaces in a jewelry box, on a pocket hanger/organizer thing, and over on my antique dress form. This caused a number of little annoying problems for me each morning including them getting tangled together, not knowing where to find a certain necklace, or even totally forgetting that I own some of those necklaces (out of sight out of mind).

I started to google search the best way to store my necklaces to solve these problems. It didn't take much searching to find TONs of DIY jewelry storage boards. All I needed were some frames and some cork to make the board out of, so simple! Thankfully, I knew I had some old "Funny Swedish Name" frames from Ikea laying around I the basement from my single days (you guessed it, pink & red).

Nyttja Frame: Ikea $3.99; Cork Contact Paper Roll: Home Depot $8.99

All I had to do was cut the cork contact paper to size for the frame and attach it to the frame back - cork side up. The cheap frames didn't even have real glass in them so I really didn't mind totally ditching the plastic stuff that would have covered a photo. Now all that was left for me to do was hang it up and add push pins to hang my necklaces from...

I might refine the look some more eventually, but this simple little board totally solved my messy necklace problem and took less than 5 minutes to create.  Boy do I love looking at this display to make my accessory decisions in the morning instead of digging through wadded up chains in a pocket or box!

Right now it is hanging in my Dressing Room, which I'm still working on. It has been totally ripped apart since the last time I talked about it here on the blog. The whole space is now the Carla Cave :) more to come on that eventually. My girls color scheme will make more sense then.

Hope you are Head Over Heels for this problem solving DIY-Ikea creation too!

I will be in NYC this weekend on some more work travels.  If we're lucky maybe we will hear from Mr. H&HH? He does have a busted elbow right now but, I know I am curious about what he'll be up to!



Click here to see Week #1's DIY-ikea Ladder Shelf Turned Bathroom Towel Rack and Storage

Click here to see Week #2's DIY-ikea Vertical Planter Wall Panel

The 'Old House Tale' & 'Skeleton Key Mystery' Continues...

Remember the "Estate Sale With An Old House Tale" or "An Intriguing Discovery From My Estate Sale Chair" posts from a couple months ago ?  I certainly hope you remember otherwise click those links above to get up to speed because I have some follow-ups to BOTH stories!!!  I kind of have the blog to thank for that too, don't you love the power of blogging?!?! 

After writing the first post, I got an email from someone that was in the process of purchasing the home the home.  This person was very passionate about the home and wanted to make sure it was properly restored to it's original historic glory. That email made me feel kind of relieved just knowing someone that felt the way I did about that house was actually putting on offer on it! I kept my fingers crossed that it would all work out.

 A few weeks later, I got another email sharing news that their offer was accepted!  Turns out, this person is a fellow Northside resident and award winning architect!  They had their eye on the home for a while, especially after the tornado last summer.  They knew after some TLC  would be a perfect fit for their family and a place they would take a lot of pride in. 

Another bonus in addition to the whole architect + family thing... They were interested in my Skeleton Key Mystery too!  Who wouldn't be curious to see if it fits somewhere in that big house?!?!

We're still trying to coordinate a time when I can stop over with the key, so that is where we are at for now.  As you can imagine, the new owners are pretty busy now!  They also shared with me that they have the original blue prints and specifications manual for the home.  Can you believe it?!?!  I will likely get a chance to see those too as well as a peak up those beautiful grand stairs....

 I will be sure to share what happens once I bring the skeleton key to their house.  I'm so excited to be getting new neighbors and being more involved with this House Tale & Key Mystery than I had even hoped for from the beginning! 

To Be Continued....

Our Own Little Outdoor Hangout

I got each and every little bit of my deck-decor put together... at last!  All together we spent about $65.00 on all the decor and flowers.  Thankfully we were able to keep our costs low by repainting our patio set, vertical planter panel, and small side table.  I also sewed four decorative outdoor pillows from an outdoor table cloth I found on clearance! 

Here's a look at how it all came together.  It's nothing fancy-pants or anything, but each little touch finally made this outdoor space feel like our own little hangout. 

 This is what it used to look like after Alex rebuilt the top level.  Again, not bad or anything but it just didn't feel comfortable or cozy.

 The white pillows below are the ones I made from the clearance outdoor table cloth, such a smart score!  I sewed a 1" flange around each side so they wouldn't look like a plain white pillow insert. 

You can see where we placed those Solar Deck Lights from Target in the photo above. I LOVE those lights!  They have a nice more natural lit color at night, not the blue looking LED kind.  I have to give my brother-in law some oh so magical Hammers and High Fives too, he found a couple sets for us!  I was so excited since I can't find them at any Target nearby.

 For the planters, I removed the spruce trees added two coleus plants.  I found them at the farmers market and thought they were different and pretty.  Alex told me "they looked like a swamp creature" but I still think they are a fun alternative to flowers... and more practical than blue spruce pine trees, LOL! Had to throw that zing in there :)

 Our patio table and chairs turned out so nice after giving them a fresh crisp coat of paint!  I wish I would have painted them a long time ago, they looked beat up for so long and this was such an easy little update.

 I also got over to Home Depot to grab a couple colorful little flower pots for $1.98 each to add to our DIY vertical planter panel.

We still need to stain the deck of course, but that's a wrap on the decor for now!

Once I finished up, I took a look back at what I planned for and I think I stayed pretty close to my original inspiration. Although I still really want those pillows from Target... 

 Maybe next summer I can add some floor cushions?  I think those would be nice to have near the sitting bench or for star gazing at night :)

 Lastly, I just had to show you what was going on behind the scenes as I took pictures of the deck....

Oh you betcha Rocco and Sadie wanted to be out in all the action :) Lots of pawing and whining. 

The look on Rocco's little face totally cracks me up, he looks so determined in that photo.  I imagine he was thinking something like "I must, I must push this door open with my face!"



So what do you think of the deck-orating?

Do you think the coleus looks like a "swamp thing"?
What color should we use to stain the deck? I'd love recommendations!

Do your pets do silly things behind the scenes when you work on something too?!?

August Head Over Heels Friday #2: "DIY-ikea" Creations

As mentioned in a delightful little post earlier this week, my "DIY-ikea" was totally unplanned as it resulted from my HORRIBLE Ikea experience last Saturday. Since I couldn't take the Applaro Wall Panel home, I'm happy I was able to whip up my own version that provided the same function...

I am just Head Over Heels with how simple it was to make and with this completed, I'm pretty much finished with the last of my deck decor!  Here's a look again at my vertical planter idea and Ikea's wall panel that planted the idea (ugh, love a good pun).

Applaro Wall Panel: Ikea $39.99; with shelves $59.99

When I started thinking about decor for our newly finished deck, I had a hard time coming up with a way to decorate the outside wall of the house.  It's not like you can hang a framed photo like on the inside... although that would be kind of funny.  Anyway, the vertical planter was the perfect way to add some decor and I loved how Ikea displayed their panel with hanging planter pots (shown that way in the catalog, not online).

My line of thinking when making our own was that it needed the ability to hang little planter pots.  I quickly thought of all the lattice laying around our garage.  There was tons of it and I could easily hang plants from it!  DING-DING!  I grabbed a section, cut it down to fit from the deck to the top wood trim, and then spray painted it.  This is where my hubby jumped in to help :)  He pointed out that it needed a frame around each side in order to support the weight of each planter pot.... and unknowingly, he signed himself up to work on this project too, hehe!  Alex cut a piece of wood for each side and attached it to the lattice (shown with red lines below).

After that, I added one more coat of paint.  I decided to paint the lattice to match the color of the patio furniture to create a cohesive look with the accessories.  The last step was attaching the lattice panel to the house.  Alex used a concrete drill bit and created pilot holes for the screws first, then used screws to secure the lattice panel in place.

Once he finished, I happily added my little potted plants and squealed with excitement! 

 I used thinner metal pots/vases that I had from Ikea (they are kind of old),  I figured the lighter weight the better since I had to add a plant and soil.  To secure to the lattice, I used metal clips from an office supply store that had a small hook attached to them.  Who knew I'd use them for something like this but it worked!

This is how it is looking today, but I'm feeling kind of eager to add a couple more plants or flowers... it needs some more right?!?!  Keep in mind I am no expert on plants or flowers, so if they grow all crazy and huge I will move or adjust as needed.  The fact that I have had them for a week now and they are still alive is an achievement for me :)

What do you think of this DIY-ikea creation?!?!  Are you Head Over Heels for this one too?

I'll take the rest of the Deck-orating afters tomorrow morning when I have some pretty sunshine to work with!  Can't wait to share, have a great weekend everybody!

Click here if you want to see Week #1's DIY-ikea creation: Ladder Shelf Turned Bathroom Towel and Storage Rack.

Is it Possible to Use Blogger on an IPad??? Help!

It's no secret.  I love blogging. 

If you stop by often you probably know that :)  Obviously, my hubby knows that fact all too well.  He often has to hear, "I'm writing a post, I should be done in a few minutes" .... and a few minutes usually turns into 20, 40, or 140.  But he knows how happy this little ol' blog makes me, so he always supports the extra time it takes for projects, photos, and the writing it takes to put it all together.  He even got me a very thoughtful birthday gift to support and (hopefully) simplify my blogging efforts.  As hinted in the title of the post, Alex got me an IPad!

Now I actually don't know a whole lot about IPads and I only use PC/ Microsoft devices other wise (laptop, cell phone).  I had mentioned the idea of an IPad a few times (I guess for almost a year now according to Alex). I thought it seemed like an easier way to blog. I also loved the idea of not lugging my laptop everywhere- which requires buff arms and a large handbag... yep that gets old pretty quick.

As you can imagine, I was ooo-ing and awww-ing at my cute little IPad on my birthday.  So many blogging possibilities ran through my head!  Oh, and apps, accessories, books, movies, games, etc.  It was a whole new world!  Then on Monday night as I began fiddling with Blogger on the IPad, my curiosity turned more into... well rage.  Visions of hugging PC guy and punching Justin Long in the face ran through my head.

This IPad made me feel completely STOOOPID when it came to Blogger.  Why was it so difficult?!?!   I started tapping the touchscreen repeatedly and grrrrr-ing.  It probably looked a lot like that scene from Zoolander where they bounce around like monkeys hitting an Apple computer (click here to see it if you don't know what I am talking about).  Alex looked at me fearfully as I approached full on meltdown mode but carefully and slowly pulled the IPad away from my hands. 

My Blogger difficulties left me feeling kind of bummed about my cool birthday present.  I've done a bit of research and found some help, but I'd love to just hear from someone that blogs on their IPad successfully without tons of complications.  I did download Blogger for IPhone which will work on the IPad but it is so small and dumpy.

If you have answers, help a girl out! 
Anyone out there that uses (or used) the Blogger platform on an IPad I need advice! 

Ugh, why can't Apple and PC just get a long for the good of mankind?!?!
 I'd love to have the option to blog on my fancy little IPad as well as my laptop :)  Please comment if you have tips or advice on my questions. 

Saturday's Epic Ikea Adventure

I spent this past weekend finishing up the deck decor according to my original plan.  I set up our deck lights, sewed a few outdoor pillows, and got some pretty plants for our planters! But even with all of that checked off, I was still stuck on the idea of having a vertical planter before I could call this deck-orating project done. 

Thankfully, the new Ikea catalog had just arrived at our house full of fresh fancy Swedish ideas!  I thumbed through and I found just what I needed to easily make my own version of a vertical garden!  So, I went there Saturday morning to purchase the actual Applaro Wall Panel for $39.99 thinking the price wasn't too bad at all... And yes, I ventured out knowing Saturday morning is the worst time to go but I was mentally prepared for the craziness.

Mission accepted, game face on Ikea.

Applaro Wall Panel: Ikea $39.99; with shelves $59.99

 Little did I realize, my quest for the Applaro Wall Panel would be more complicated than anticipated. It all went down kind of like this...  (read the rest with an old English/ Scottish type accent or whatever)

I began my journey through the maze-like showroom dodging flatbed carts, strollers, and the ever-so annoying casual unfocused wanderer. I stealthy swooped past Living Rooms, Shelving, Sinks, and Countertops. Alas I had spotted my mark in Dining then tucked and rolled under tables to get in position to write down my secret bin # code. Success! To the maze exit!!!  I glided through Bedrooms with ease sneaking closely along the wall of night tables. With the end in sight, I was met with the most worthy of adversaries as I reached Kid's Rooms.  Droves of small children and back to school shoppers headed toward me, moving against the natural flow of Ikea.  I trudged forward with all of my strength as though swimming against a strong current. At last!  With a deep sigh of relief, I headed down the staircase into the Marketplace to retrieve my prize.
With my code in hand, I followed the treasure warehouse map to find the location of my prize.  I smiled with delight as I laid my eyes upon the Applaro Wall Panel.  Using all my muscle and a nice manly grunt, I hoisted the flat-packed prize onto my cart. "At last, you are mine!"

I rounded the corner with my prize in hand, certain to find victory in a matter of moments. Unfortunately the beast that is Ikea had different plans, for there towering over me like a beast of mythical proportions were hoards of "patrons" numbering in the hundreds with only one clear intention - stopping me from victory.

Upon seeing this 'beast' standing in my way I willingly accepted defeat declaring, "@#$% THIS!!!"  I set my prize aside and retreated into the open air.  In the end I knew that although this journey was over, I would again someday find the prize I was looking for. 

***** The End *****

Okay, I know that was a bit much :)  I guess this is my way of making light of the whole trip and it not feeling like a complete waste of time, hopefully you found it somewhat entertaining?  I have never seen lines that long at Ikea, ever!  It was B-A-N-A-N-A-S. 


The bright side from not taking home the Applaro panel? Saving that $40.00 and coming up with our own DIY creation!  We've already got a good start...

 Hoping to wrap this up by the end of the week and show you how it turns out.  Stay tuned, errr, I mean...

Until next time (dun, dun, duuuuunnn)

August Head Over Heels Friday #1: "DIY-ikea" Creations

This month it's "DIY-ikea" Creations every Friday (oh yea, you know I love a clever title)!  

I'm pumped to kick off this month's Head Over Heels Friday theme because we've actually repurposed a lot of Ikea accent furniture & decor haven't shared these projects on our blog yet.  Most of these DIY projects are pretty simple and added more functionality to something we weren't even using before!  Gotta love putting something to work for you, right?!? 

Let's get to our first "DIY-ikea" Creation for Head Over Heels Friday Week #1: Ladder Shelf Turned Bathroom Towel & Storage Rack.

I forgot to take a 'before' picture of the Ikea Ladder Shelf but you can see what it looked like in this photo I took of the vegetable vestibule.

Since our largest bathroom is actually really little, I had been looking for some new storage ideas and came across all of these bathroom storage ladder shelves and towel racks...

Photos via Home Klondike, DecorPad, Bathroom Storage Ideas, About.com

It didn't take me long to look over at our little ladder shelf from Ikea and realize that I could easily turn that into a storage and towel ladder.  After all, it would be a lot more useful to provide some extra storage for us in our bathroom rather than sitting in the living room holding four picture frames.  So I got to work!

The first step was removing the top two shelves by taking out the screws holding them in.  Next, I took out the top two pieces of wood that leaned it against the wall (shown in the first two photos in this post).  Since the space in our bathroom was narrow between the wall and door, I needed to take this piece out so the door would close.  It also made it look more like a ladder anyway.  After that, I sanded the surface in order to paint it white to match our bathroom trim & decor.  That was it!

Once it was dry I added a little basket to hold extra TP (everyone could use extra TP storage right? LOL), a few rolled bath towels, and hung up our hand towels.

 Here's a look at what we had in it's place before.  Just a small stool that held a couple towels and the same basket with washcloths inside. 

Click here for a link to our whole bathroom redo post

It was nice enough, but I love the extra storage that our Ladder Storage & Towel Rack provides!

 It is doing more work for us now and it is an awesome way to add storage into a tight space!

Are you Head Over Heels for our "DIY-ikea" Creation too???

I hope you are excited about this month's theme!  You know there are five Fridays this month, so make sure you stop back to see the next four DIY-ikea Creations!  Let me know if you've made any lately too!  I'd love to see how other folks repurpose Ikea castoffs!