Milk Paint

I woke up early this morning, had Pumpkin Spice creamer with my coffee (Happy Halloween!), and watched a few tutorials from Miss Mustard Seed who was introduced to me by Haven.

I've been reading about Annie Sloan chalk paint and Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint for the past few months. I also considered making my own. Last week, I decided to buy the milk paint-- it's been on the market for two months or less. It's more affordable than chalk paint which I still plan to try someday (I'm curious about it, and everyone loves it!).

So, after watching the tutorials, I ignored the massive pile of laundry and mixed up some paint. The milk paint comes in powder form and you just mix with warm water. I put two tablespoons in a plastic cup and mixed with water. Next, I just started painting it on this piece of furniture that I found in my mother-in-law's storage shed a few weeks ago. I didn't even know she had it, and I love it. I just did one coat today; Miss Mustard Seed recommends two coats. That'll be it for my painting today-- now back to housecleaning, teaching, & prepping for tonight's Trunk or Treat!

 

Love the shape of this and the added storage to our house!

 

I chose the Linen color and also added wax and hemp oil to my shipment.

Coat #1: It was watery like the tutorial said and very easy to apply. I didn't paint the top...considering just sanding it and restaining it.

 

 

Fireplace Makeover with Fall Decor

When we moved in, one of the big things that bugged me in the living room was the fireplace. Three weeks after moving in, I broke out the paintbrushes and got busy-- some of this was done at 2 am. I get in 'mode' plus Ava's birthday party was that week, so I was highly motivated. Ha! I should host something here every week (poor Ron).


BEFORE: We knew we weren't going to use the cut out for the tv, so it was filled in. It wasn't that I didn't like the wood, it just didn't look great with my stuff. And I really disliked the hunter green marbled tile!



AFTER: Using leftover paint from another project and my bedroom paint, I painted the tile black (it took about 3 coats) and the mantle, Rainwashed. The new wall color is SW Accessible Beige (I was nervous about picking out this color, but I really like it- it has a slight gray undertone) , about two shades lighter than what was originally in here.

lantern, Gordman's; candlestick; gift; moss ball, Gordman's; mirror, Target; sugar mold, thrift store; white pumpkins, farmers' market; burlap banner, homemade; vase, GP, wedding gift; sticks, Hobby Lobby; antique drawing of church, yard sale

I'm happy with how it turned out, and Ron's happy that I didn't spend any money on it;)

 

 

 

 

 

  

Fall Saturday Fun

After traveling last weekend to Missouri to take care of my mother-in-law's house, it was so nice to be home this Saturday. The girls and I started the day out in the living room- I has some more essays to grade & Ava wanted to color and watch her Barbie movie one more time before it got returned. I had a cup of coffee with pumpkin spice creamer and read some blogs too:)

Then we went upstairs to clean up a bit. My parents called and said they were going to stop by for a visit, so I baked a cake for a little treat. It was good to see them and hear about their house building adventures.

Then we got dressed to meet Britt's family to go to my aunt's church for a fall festival. It was fun!

Bre came to watch Ava for a few hours while Ron & I went to a surprise birthday party for our friend Angie. It was a relaxing evening out at a really good new pizza place close to our house. When we got home, Ron was itching to watch the Alabama v MS state game.

Thankful for this beautiful fall day to enjoy with my family and friends!

Master Bedroom: Before & After

We are enjoying our new house so much! The bedroom needed a fresh coat of paint (and yes, I used SW Rainwashed for the third time in a row:) and new carpet (it still needs an updated fan, but I haven't gotten to that yet). Since I used just about everything from our apartment master bedroom, it looks really similar. I love being in this room. I try to always make our bed in the mornings because it makes the house seem so much neater- and it only takes a few minutes!



BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

 

My collection of yard sale & Goodwill finds & one little splurge from a weekend in Hot Springs.

 

curtains, Pottery Barn via eBay; bedding, Target & TJ Max; iron piece, Hobby Lobby

 

 

 

Lamp, Marshalls; coral, yard sale; frame & candle, gifts

 

 

 

table, my grandmother's; frame, Hobby Lobby; milk glass, yard sale

 

lamp, wedding gift; shade, Walmart; birdcage, thrift store; greenery, Target; mirror, $5 yard sale find

 

 

We lost the screws to our other crib during the moves. My friend's mom was selling her grandchildren's crib & bedding for a great deal. We bought it for Addison until she moves upstairs with big sister.

 

my mom, sister, & me

  

 

favorite GW find to date! $25

 

Ava starts kindergarten

Our Ava began kindergarten last month! We are using Sonlight curriculum and Distar reading this year. When I went to a huge homeschool convention in the spring, I really liked their products & plans. We are also in a life group for homeschoolers-- we have once/month activities (the past few months: pool party, picnic in the park, homeless shelter, and fire station field trip).
Our usual place to have school is at our kitchen table; however, we've also learned in an ICU waiting room, in the car on a road trip, on the patio, and on the couch. I love the flexibility. I feel very blessed to be her teacher, and I love seeing those 'light bulb' moments. She's doing well with reading and enjoys it. She also lives for craft time; I wonder who she got that from? :) Thankfully, Ava is an eager learner, and she keeps me accountable!
And to keep it real: It's hard somedays! Getting into the routine, ignoring housework that never ends, being overwhelmed by all the things that we could be doing with school, and feeling behind on things are battles that I'm having to work through. I am responsible for her learning. I can see now that setting boundaries for our school time will be a must. And taking it one day at a time is the key!

Addison: Three, Four, & Five Months

Sweet Addison,

I've gotten behind on these! You have been the happiest, sweetest baby. You are so smiley and have started laughing at us, especially Daddy, when we act silly.  Right now, you are sitting in your nap nanny trying to take your socks off, a new trick you've mastered, so that you can put your foot in your mouth- ha! You're a laid back, easy going sweetheart. Yesterday, we drove home from Missouri, and you didn't make one peep for six hours!  You love to snuggle with me; you've been a mommy's girl:) Ava entertains you with her "puppet shows" and practicing her new reading skills on you.

You started rolling over around four months. At your four-month check up, you were almost 13 lbs. You nurse every 3-4 hours during the day and either sleep through the night or nurse once and go right back to sleep!

We all love you more than words can express. I'm thankful every moment for you, a most precious gift from God.

 

serious, sleepy face

 

always playing with her feet

 

Addison's usual happy smile!

Entryway: Before & After

When I first saw this house, I was really excited to see that it had an entry way. My previous two houses did not. It was painted a neutral tan, but the entire house was getting a fresh coat of paint. I chose to go lighter with Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige. It has a slight gray undertone.
I already had the World Market table that we bought years ago. I added a lamp (shade, Target) and big basket I found at Goodwill, some pottery, my fun owl from Marshall's, and some family pics. I knew I wanted a rug too. That was harder than I thought. After bringing home two rugs and returning them, looking at five or more stores, and online, I found this one at HomeGoods with my birthday gift card! To me, it's perfect. I love the pattern, size, and color! Plus, the $24.99 couldn't be beat. Yay!
I looked at lights on Craigslist, Overstock.com, Lowes... Then I found this one that is very close to what I had in my head for $5. Our friend came by last week and installed it.
 Future plans for this area are to make the wall opposite from the table a family and close friends photo wall along with some chunky hooks for coats and bags...no room in my house is ever really done;).

BEFORE: It needed a fresh coat of paint, and I wanted to replace the light fixture.

AFTER: New paint & lighting

BEFORE: light fixture that came with the house



 AFTER: new lighting:)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I painted the door with some leftover black paint we had. I wish I had a before pic of it-- a blah brown door. The black helped a lot!

 

I love little touches like mailbox bows. Makes it feel homey to me:)