Frugal Friday~

Welcome to this week's edition of Frugal Friday!

Before we get in to my Frugal Round-up for last week, you may have noticed that I added a little something new to last week's link-up.  Underneath each post, there was a like button.  I thought I'd test it out and see how it went last week, and it looks like some of you joined in on the fun.  The like buttons are just a way for you to vote for your favorite links.  They are not connected to Facebook...they are just for the link party.  I thought it would be a fun way to make things a little more interactive.  So starting next week, I'm going to post my own favorite links for my Round-up AND I'm going to post one link that was the "FAN FAVORITE" for that week.  All you have to vote for the FAN FAVORITE  is click the like button beneath your favorite posts.  You can even vote for more than one post!  And if I get my act together, I'll try and get a special button for both my Frugal Round-up posts and the Fan Favorite posts so that the winners can proudly display them on their own blogs!  So visit and vote!

Now on to my Frugal Round-up...

First, Welcome to  Heardmont shared her pretty stencilled closet.  I just love stencilled walls...and admire those patient enough to do them!

Next, Wildwood Creek shared her pretty storage dresser.  I have a similar dresser, and now I'm inspired to finish it!

Pear Tree Cottage shared her lovely fireplace redo.  I'm really lovin' the fresh, clean look!

Finally, The Painted Home shared her cozy guest room.  Makes me want to come visit!

Now it's your turn...

You know "da rules!"

1. Please link directly to your post and not just to your blog.
2. Please link back the Shabby Nest (you can use the pretty new button on my side bar to make it easy.)
3. Please visit other participants and leave them comments! Help them feel "the love!"  And don't forget to "like" your favorite posts so they can become the "FAN FAVORITE!"

Easy Up-do~

It's been hot here. I mean hot. So I've been trying to find fun new ways to get my hair off my neck.

Here's a super easy (and pretty) style that I found.

It's so easy to create.  Simply divide the hair into three sections at the nape of the neck, then twist each section until it wraps back on itself and pin in place leaving ends loose.

That's it!  If you've got long hair, this could just be your new go-to summer style...I know it's mine!

Frugal Friday goes live tomorrow at 8:00 pm MST as usual.  And we'll be moving this weekend...so look forward to many decorating posts to come!

xoxo
Wendy

Stuff (and the Pick Your Plum Winner)~

Happy Monday folks!

This is it...the week of the big move.  We move on Saturday and we're down to the last bit of packing.  I was a good girl all weekend and got the bulk of everything finished...although I still have some of the kitchen and the last minute stuff to do.  I don't know about you, but moving has to be one of my least favorite things on the planet.  Ah well, I keep reminding myself that a new place to live means new rooms to decorate (and new projects to blog!)

I may be a bit scarce this week as I try to get all the last minute stuff done (not to mention the fact that my sweet in-laws and dear sister are both coming in town this week as well).  But never fear!  Frugal Friday will be up this week as usual!

In the meantime, I have still been pondering the dilemma of three boys in one room...I have decided that we will definitely be using the bunkbed with a trundle.  And I think we've decided to go custom.  To either have it built or build it ourselves.  The hubby could totally tackle this project, but time constraints might lead us to having it done for us.  So I've been gathering more bunkbed inspiration...here's my latest favorite via Coastal Living.

I love the idea of a nautical feel without being in-your-face, and I think this room does a FABULOUS job of that.  Lovin' the houndstooth bedding as well.  That's a look I've been wanting in the boys' room for.ev.ah.  Also, I've really wanted to go with white beds, but I didn't want the room to feel "girly".  I think this room feels totally "boy" while still using white!  Love that!

Finally, the winner of the Pick Your Plum winner is Sandee Spencer!  Congrats Sandee...drop me an email and we'll get you set up with your prize!

Have a great day~

Frugal Friday~

Live from the Shabby Nest....It's Fruuuuuuuuuugal Friiiiiiiiiday! 

Welcome to this week's Frugal Friday!  Lot's of great stuff last week...but before I get into my Frugal  Round-up I wanted to thank all those who gave me your input on the white vs. gray sofa cover dilemma.  I'm in agreement with you all that gray seems to be the way to go...not that I don't love the white, I do, but I was leaning toward the gray, and it was nice to have my feelings validated!  Mwah!

Now for the Frugal Round-up...

First up, Homeroad shared her simple and wonderful driftwood towel rack.  This is frugal ingenuity at it's best!

Next, Loving Life shared her pretty Craigslist table and chairs revamp.  Love the fresh new look!

Addicted 2 Decorating shared her pretty, beachy gallery wall.  Lovin' those walls too!

Finally, Belle and Sparrow shared her gorgeous bath remodel.  You know I'm lovin' that gray!

Now it's your turn...

You know "da rules"...

1. Please link directly to your post and not just to your blog.
2. Please link back the Shabby Nest (you can use the pretty new button on my side bar to make it easy.)
3. Please visit other participants and leave them comments! Help them feel "the love!"

Dilemma~

The house we currently live in has a formal living room and a family room.   The TV, wii, and all other sorts of kid-entertainment are in the family room.  Since the kids spend most of their time in the family room, we've had a pretty white slipcover on the sofa in the formal living room. 

The house we owned in Massachusetts had one main living area where the kids spent most of their time.   I learned quickly that I didn't like having to launder white slipcovers constantly, so we used a tan slipcover in our Massachusetts house.    

The house we're moving into also has one main living area.  So it begs a question.  Do I stick with my pretty white slipcover and launder it constantly?  or do I use a slipcover with color?  I have been smitten with this gray velvet slipcover that Comfort Works created for an Ikea Ektorp Sofa like the one I have.  It's been making me think that I could totally go with grays in my living room. 

Pretty Petals via ComfortWorks website

Pretty, isn't it?  Ikea also makes a gray slipcover although it is more of a charcoal and is made of linen. 

So I ask your opinion, my dear readers...white or gray?  What do you think?

June Silhouette Promotion~

Happy Tuesday everybody. 

Today is the beginning of June's Silhouette Promotion!  And what is this month's promo, you ask?  This month's promo is pure fun and silliness...temporary tattoos!! 

My kids just love the fact that I can make temporary tattoos for them!  The first time I tried the temporary tattoo paper was for the Princess' spa birthday party back in February when I created these cute "spa girl" tattoos for all her guests.

When I received  my fresh batch of temporary tattoo paper for this promotion, I made some good old-fashioned skull and crossbones tattoos for the boys...they just love pirates!

The temporary tattoos are so easy to make, and put on!  The boys are begging for more!

Here's what Silhouette is offering for this month's promo...

1 Silhouette SD and
2 Packages Temporary Tattoo paper

for only $199 (That's $120 in savings!)

And if you already have a Silhouette machine, they are offering 25% off all other products in the Silhouette Shop (with the exception of gift cards and download codes.)

As always just use the code "SHABBY" at checkout to get your discount!

The promo runs from today through June 29!

Sponsor Giveaway: Pick Your Plum~

Happy Monday!  Today I have a fabulous giveaway from one of my sponsors...Pick Your Plum!  Have you heard of Pick Your Plum? 

They're a shopping site with a twist.  Pick Your Plum offers all kinds of great stuff including crafting and home decor supplies at amazing prizes.  But there's a catch...you have to get the deal before it's gone!

For example, check out these fabulous rings...$4.  No seriously.  As of this writing, there are only 302 remaining.  That's how it works.  It's fast, furious and fun!

 

Today Pick Your Plum has a great giveaway for you!  They are offering one reader of The Shabby Nest a $75 crafting supply kit!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post.

For additional entries, sign up to receive email notifications from Pick Your Plum (that's the best way to get in on all the great deals!)   or "Like" Pick Your Plum on Facebook.   Each entry must have its own comment to be valid.

Giveaway is open until Wednesday, June 22 at 11:59 MST.

Good luck!

Frugal Friday~

Welcome to this week's Frugal Friday!  First, I want to thank everyone for the birthday love this week!  You all made my birthday lovely! 

Next, I have to be a bit of a Debbie Downer...which I hate to do on the blog.  But, I have something that needs addressing about the Frugal Friday linky party. 

Most of you that link up are wonderful about sticking to "the rules".  But there are a few who aren't.  I've been pretty lenient about letting those posts remain up because there weren't very many, but I've noticed that there seem to be more and more of them.  Because I want Frugal Friday to be a place of  inspiration for my readers, I feel like I finally have to address the problem. 

First, if the post you want to link to the party is really nothing more than a glorified advertisement (for your shop,  your own link party, or just your blog), I will remove it.  Second, if your post has nothing to do with DIYs, decorating, entertaining, recipes, etc.  please refrain from posting it.  Frugal Friday posts should inspire my readers with things they can do themselves or give them ideas for projects.  This is not a forum to discuss your personal feelings about things.  Neither is it a place to link up your vacation pics etc.  Those things are great, but they aren't for this party. 

Please also use common courtesy and link back to The Shabby Nest.  I will not remove your post if it doesn't link back, but not linking back shows a lack of blog etiquette.  Okay, 'nuff said.  I really hate to be negative at all, but since Frugal Friday is such a fun place to visit, I want to keep it that way.  I know you all understand.

Soooo, now that I'm off my soap box, here are a few of my favorite posts from last week for this week's Frugal Round-up...

First up, I Design shared her FABULOUS stone wall.  I just love this!  Such great texture and movement. 

Next, My Hydrangea Home shared her pretty laundry room reno.  This room would almost make doing laundry enjoyable...almost. ;-)

Clean & Scentsible shared her cute and workable Kitchen Command Center.

Finally, Dwelling Room Interiors shared a great Aged Metal Letter tutorial.  Love these!!

Now it's your turn...

Your know "da rules"...

1. Please link directly to your post and not just to your blog.
2. Please link back the Shabby Nest (you can use the pretty new button on my side bar to make it easy.)
3. Please visit other participants and leave them comments!  Help them feel "the love!"

Book Review: Killer Stuff and Tons of Money~

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Trish at TLC Book Tours to see if I would be willing to review a new book by Maureen Stanton called Killer Stuff and Tons of Money: Seeking History and Hidden Gems in  Flea-Market America. 

(Pretty book jacket, huh?  But I digress.) 

I want to preface my review by telling you a little bit about my childhood.  I was raised in a home full to the brim with antiques.  My mother (and father, to a lesser extent) is a collector.  And she has an amazing eye and a brain like a steel trap full of all sorts of information about just about everything.  As I was growing, I took antiques for granted.  Never realizing the treasure trove that was my house.  Once I grew up, I started to realize that all of those carefully curated collections were actually worth something more than the love of the objects.  It fascinated me that my mother could find these treasures for next to nothing and actually have them be worth something.  Of course, my mother's interest in the antiques really wasn't their value.  Her interest was the history.  And I appreciated that.  But as an adult, walking the aisles of Brimfield (which is mentioned often in this book), I would make mental notes of the prices I saw on objects that I knew my mother had in her collection.  Then I'd call her and tell her what they were worth.  It was mildly interesting to her.  Fascinating to me.

I give you my own background only to help you understand my personal interest in this book which is billed as (and is in fact) non-fiction, but reads more like a novel.  It follows the story of an antiques dealer named Curt Avery.  Curt is bitten by the antiques bug as a boy.  He starts out digging up old bottles and soon learns that he can sell them for profit.  His interests then expand past bottles to all sorts of antiques and his life as an antiques dealer begins.

Maureen Stanton, the author of the book, has the unique opportunity of following Curt from auctions, to flea  markets to high-end antiques shows.  In her journeys with him, she learns the inside workings of the antiques sub-culture in America.  The good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly. 

The way Ms. Stanton interweaves historical information with her narrative of her experiences with Curt makes the book a page turner.  As I read, I became personally invested in Curt's battles to make a living selling objects that it takes a wealth of knowledge to discern as authentic.  And, as we learn in the book, sometimes even the experts can be fooled.  As I said, fascinating.

I thought of my mother often as I turned the pages, and read the insights into Curt Avery's vast knowledge of both history and the artifacts it has created.   I gained a great respect for the amount of study it takes to truly understand antiques. 

If you're interested in flea-markets, antiques, collectibles and the like  - which, most of us who are decorating-obsessed are - you'll enjoy this book as well.

And if you're interested in reading other reviews of Killer Stuff and Tons of Money, you can find a full list of the on-line book tour here.  Thank you Trish for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Have a great day~

Traditional Living Room Inspiration Board~

Today I thought I'd share an inspiration board I made recently for some clients of mine who just redid their kitchen and decided that their living room was now in need of an update as well.

The color scheme for this design is inspired by some new pale blue rugs they purchased for the space, as well as their current wall color.

Although they already have a soft gold color on their walls, I suggested that they bump it up a notch to an even warmer gold similar to that in the living room photo pictured.  In this case, I suggested Fresh Butter by Benjamin Moore.

That living room photo is there for another reason as well...my clients currently have a fireplace with a dark wood surround and painted brown brick.  I suggested they lighten it up to match their new white kitchen by painting the woodwork out in white, adding a lovely crown moulding similar to that pictured, and flanking it on either side with white built-in bookcases. (hence, the pictured bookcases.)

They currently have a set of matching loveseats in a rich floral.  I suggested that they slipcover them in a soft cream, and add two ottomans (similar to that pictured) in front of the fireplace for extra seating.

Blue curtains, pretty beach-inspired pillows, and round end tables covered in complimentary cloths (not the white one pictured) complete the coastal feel.

I hope to be able to share the befores and after with you soon!

Have a great day~

Why I Used to Think They Fly the Flag for Me~

Today is Flag Day.  A day where we, in the USA honor our flag.  Drive down any street in the country and you'll likely see a number of residents celebrating the flag today.  But when I was younger, I used to think that they were flying the flag for me.  Because Flag Day also happens to be my birthday.  Yep, today I celebrate another year under my belt.  Today I turn 39.  My last year as a 30-something.

I'd like to think that in those 39 years, I've gained a bit of wisdom here and there. 

So here are 39 bits of wisdom.  My gift to you on my 39th birthday...

1. Breathe.
2. Smile.
3. Believe that you have something great to offer.
4. Chase your dreams.
5. Tell your family you love them.
6. Treat your family like you love them.
7. Exercise makes you feel good.
8. Making your bed helps your whole house seem cleaner.
9. Don't dwell on the negative.
10. This too shall pass.
11. Be kind. 
12. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
13. Give compliments freely.
14. You only get to live each day once, do it right the first time.
15. Dressing up is good for you.
16. So is icecream.
17. Stop and smell the roses.
18. Listen to your children...even when you're busy.
19. Give credit where credit is due.
20. Stop at a lemonade stand.
21. Give anonymous service.
22. Always say thank you.
23. Work hard.
24. Play hard.
25. Dream big.
26. Never stifle a good instinct.
27. When you go out of the house without makeup, you will always run into someone.
28. Go barefoot whenever you can.
29. Hot baths are good for what ails you.
30. So is hot chocolate.
31. Dance to the music.
32. Sing.
33. Don't be afraid to try something new.
34. Failure often leads to later success.
35. You really are only as old as you feel.
36. You can do just about anything you set your mind to.
37. Be your best you, because someone is always looking to you as an example.
38. Nurture your creativity.
39. Celebrate the little things.

Thanks for visiting me here at The Shabby Nest!  You make my life a lot of fun!  Here's looking forward to another great year!

Frugal Friday~

Welcome to this week's edition of Frugal Friday!  Last week's party was so much fun!  Just full of inspiration!

Here are a few of  my favorites for this week's Frugal Round-up...

Make the Best of What's Around shared her darling Salt Dough Starfish.  So clever!

Finding Home shared her pretty summer mantel.  I love how she used the mason jar lids as part of the garland!

Crafty, Scrappy, Happy shared her beautiful upcylced farmhouse table.  LOOOOOVE IT!

Finally, Cottage Living - Beach to Burbs shared her beautiful beach kitchen.  I just love me a white kitchen!

Now it's your turn...

You know the rules.

1. Please link directly to your post and not just to your blog.
2. Please link back to the Shabby Nest. ( You can grab one of my shiny new buttons from my sidebar!!!)
3. Please leave comments for the authors of the posts you visit...help our participant "feel the love!"

I reserve the right to remove any post that is not in keeping with the spirit of Frugal Friday including, but not limited to, those posts that link to your link party, your shop or giveaway, and those posts not linking back to the Shabby Nest. Thanks for playing fair!!

Keeping Up With the In-Laws~

Thank you to Yahoo! Mail for sponsoring this post about staying connected. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

When the Hubby and I were first married, we moved across the country from Utah to Massachusetts so that he could attend college.  When we arrived, we moved in with his parents.  What was a supposed to be a temporary arrangement ending up lasting almost 2 years.  For some, I realize, an arrangement like this would be a nightmare.  But I consider it a fabulous blessing.  Because, you see, in that two years I  became closer to my in-laws than I ever would have dreamed possible.

Of course, it wasn't always a bed of roses, but for the most part, it was fabulous!  The Hubby's parents were our best friends.  We did everything together!  Went out to dinner, to movies, on trips to Cape Cod, Washington DC, Maine, New York, Newport, RI....the list could go on and on. 

I loved to learn things about cooking and housekeeping from my amazingly talented mother-in-law, and to debate with and learn about art from my professor father-in-law.  So despite the fact that I was wary of moving to Massachusetts in the first place, I was heartbroken to leave. 

We have lived in Massachusetts since then, but are now "permanently" back in my home state.  (Yeah, I used quotes because life has a way of making you eat your words.  But this move is supposed to be permanent.)  And I miss those two like crazy.

Email has been a great way for me to keep in contact with my father-in-law.  We've had many a lengthy debate via email.  And his patient responses to my sometimes-naive arguments have kept me typing and sending back and forth sometimes for days.  I love this form of communication because of the fact that I can think and edit before hitting send...and that with 4 kiddos running around, I can actually have a conversation without interruption.

But my mother-in-law doesn't email.  Or she didn't, until recently.  I was so excited the first day we received an email from my mother-in-law's newly set-up account!  Hurray!! Now we can swap recipes, and photos with the click of a button!!  It's like a whole new chapter in our relationship (hee hee!)

I can't tell you how important it is for me to keep in touch with these two wonderful people that I love beyond words!  Thanks heavens for technology!  Thanks heavens for email!

Thought I'd share this cute little video with you because it shows how email can keep a family close...

Color Inspiration~

It can be difficult to come up with a color palette.  There are a bunch of "designer tricks" to these things, but what it boils down to, in essence, is borrowing a palette from something else, such as fabric, a piece of art etc.

When I decided it was time to give the old blog a redesign I turned to Lara at Announced Greetings.  And I loved her approach to blog design because the very first thing we did was talk colors.  Once she knew the direction I was interested in going (neutrals, grays and blues), she sent me some color palette inspiration.  Even though I looooove neutrals, I am also very inspired by color, and I was mesmerized by the images she sent me.

They all came from a blog called Design Seeds.  I fell in LOOOOOOVE with the concept.  Jessica, the author of design seeds, pulls color palettes from photos.  And although the idea may not be entirely original, her interpretation of it IS.  Check these out...

Here's the photo that inspired my blog palette.  Can you see it?    I asked Lara if she could add in just a touch of the gold color in the gate, and that's where the little bird in my blog header came from.  Isn't that great?

So if you're in need of a little color inspiration, go explore the Design Seeds blog!  It's so much fun.  (And this is NOT a paid post, by the way...I just can't keep a great thing to myself.)

Have a lovely and colorful day!

Luau Inspiration~

I got an email from one of my readers the other day asking if I had any ideas for a Luau.  And the answer is "no, not really".  But wait!  Don't get me wrong, I love me a good luau.  But I haven't exactly thrown a luau-type party  myself.  Since I'm not one to miss out on a little good party inspiration, however, I did a little research, and I found some fun luau ideas.  So Kathy, this one's for you...

This is such a great idea for a simple and lovely centerpiece. And nothing says "Hawaii" like a pineapple!

 via pinterest

I thought these cookie palm trees were so clever!!

 via pinterest

This table setting is just lovely.  The color scheme is tropical without being tacky and the paper lanterns are a pretty touch.

 via pinterest

You'll sense a theme going in these photos...I really love the use of parasols for a luau...be they miniature, or full size like this pretty pink number.  (I'm also lovin' that ukulele.)

 via sara's party perfect

This wreath is so fun and whimsical, you can help but smile!

 via Sara's Party Perfect

Or add a pretty, pastel parasol to a cupcake.  Love.

via TomKat Studios 

This jellyfish is made from grocery bags (yes, really!)  I featured it one week for my Frugal Round-up because I thought it was simply adorable!  Don't you think it would be a fun addition to a luau?  Sure would keep the kids entertained anyway.

via Casa Haus 

Doesn't it make you wanna just go throw yourself a smashin' luau?!  I'll be anxiously waiting by the  mailbox for my invite. ;-)

Have a great day~



Girl's Bedroom Inspiration~

Whenever I have a new space to decorate, I obsess over it.  And when I say obsess, I reallllllly mean it.  So you can just imagine how my thoughts are spinning in circles at the prospect of decorating a new house.  It's exciting and anxiety inducing all at the same time.  My problem really lies in the fact that I like so many different styles of decor that narrowing my options down can be quite a challenge. 

Right now, I am thinking about my daughter's bedroom.  And my biggest challenge is the color scheme.  This is what her current bedroom looked like when I first decorated it. 

And then, because I'm an obsessive tweaker, this is what the bed looks like right now.  I like the addition of the brown because I think it keeps the color scheme grounded, and makes it a bit more sophisticated.

I do really like it. But you see, I had to work around the existing citrus green walls.  They aren't my favorite color.  And since we currently live in a rental house, I wasn't allowed to repaint them.  They gave me a starting point for a color scheme, however, and I'm happy with what I came up with.

But since we will be allowed to paint in our new rental home, my options are endless.  Too. Many. Choices.  Recently though, I have been drawn to these rooms by Restoration Hardware Baby & Child.  At the heart of it, I just really love neutrals..and these rooms do neutrals so beautifully (with just a hint of soft color) that I am absolute smitten.

What do you think?  Do you like lots of color for a child's room...or could you go with neutrals?  Oh, the possiblities!

EDITED TO ADD:  My dear readers, I think I gave the wrong impression with this post.  I realize that decorating my children's rooms is not about my favorite things.  That's why once my children are old enough to truly give me their input, I involve them wholeheartedly in the design process.   The princess and I have been having numerous discussions about her ideal room and her favorite colors, and ultimately, her choices will be my starting point.  But I do obsess over the rooms in my house, and the kids rooms are no exception.  That's why we work together.  It's more fun that way too!   THANKS!