Feeling Grown Up

 

Nothing makes you feel more like a grown up than refinancing your house. Although I guess at 28, married and with a kid, I should feel like a grown up already, right? It feels good to have this done and will ultimately be very beneficial to us financially. We don't have plans to move in the next few years so a refinance saves us a good chunk of change.

 

The above picture is the attorney's office where we settled this morning. I loved it immediately, especially the gorgeous front doors. I wish I had taken a picture of the floor, too. Unfortunately some of the best houses in the city have been converted into business offices. Boo!

 

 

Don't forget about the Shabby Apple $50 giveaway going on now through Friday.

See details here.

As an added bonus, Shabby Apple is offering my readers 10% off any order for the next month when they use the code 'simplekindoflife10off'. It just keeps getting better, right?

More Framed Napkin Fun

Remember last week when I shared my thrift adventures with you, including how I scored these two frames? You might also remember this project where I took napkins I had found in the Anthropologie clearance room and tossed them in some Ikea frames to hang above our couch. 

Recently I decided to repeat that project, except using different colored napkins and thrifted frames instead of pricier Ikea ones. I saw these pink, orange and yellow napkins also in the Anthro clearance room - pretty much identical to the other ones, but with a different set of colors. I resisted buying them a few times, but eventually allowed myself to get them after I decided they would be a great addition to Lucy's room.

I sort of blindly chose the frames at the thrift store and held my breath when I brought them home put the napkins against them and they fit almost exactly the width of the glass. Whew! I don't know how well Goodeal does returns, so I'm glad I didn't need to try.

Obviously the frames needed an upgrade before putting the napkins in them, so I got to work. I'll admit I was a little nervous as to what I would find when I peeled off the paper on the back of the frames. I've never tried to use frames that have been professionally assembled and was worried that I wouldn't be able to put it back together again. 

I was relieved when I saw it was simple staples that I knew how to handle. 

For those of you who may not know (but I'm sure you all do), a simple flat head screwdriver is the best way to lift up these staples so you can remove your print and matt. Plus, it saves your manicure from trying to lift push them all back by hand. Verrrry important.

Luckily the finish of the frames was rough enough that I could skip sanding and get right to spray painting. Two coats of primer and two coats of semi-glossy white paint later, the frames were good as new and ready for some pretty fabric to fill them.

One dried, I stuck the napkins inside and hung them up on the striped wall in Lucy's room. 

I was careful to measure the wall and position the frames just right so that they lined up equally against the stripes on the walls. It would drive me nuts if there wasn't equal parts of the white stripes showing on the top and bottom of the frame. I know, I'm crazy like that.

They look pretty nice with the fabric pom poms above the chair, don't you think?

I have a few more touches to add to Lucy's room before I share with you all how I've updated her space to be a little more toddler-friendly. Until then, enjoy these pretty framed napkins to hold you over.

Don't forget about the Shabby Apple $50 giveaway going on now through Friday.

See details here.

As an added bonus, Shabby Apple is offering my readers 10% off any order for the next month when they use the code 'simplekindoflife10off'. It just keeps getting better, right?

Guest Bathroom Redo

I mentioned to you before when I posted about my navy and white mini obsession that I was ready to upgrade our guest bathroom a bit. I wasn't quite planning to do it so soon, but before I knew it I had a can of paint and was slapping some color on the walls this past weekend. It started with wanting to swap out the textiles for a little navy and white and it quickly evolved into a full-on planned out bathrom re-do. Here is a shot showing the bathroom how it has looked for the past year or so and how it looks today after repainting the ceiling white and the walls a 'Silver Sateen' from Behr.

This is what I have planned for the space. Funny enough I was trying to stray away from the navy and white being too 'nautical' and now I have old oars, an octopus hook and a porthole ready to mount on the wall. I'm going back and forth with the idea of repainting the countertops. The ugly cream countertop with the faux brown marble look is just not quite what I have in mind for a fresh bathroom. I've been searching online for ideas to paint a countertop. It seems possible, but I haven't quite decided if I have the guts to do it. Worst case scenario, Jordan and I plan to upgrade both the guest and master bathrooms and if this doesn't work we just might be doing it sooner than we thought. The mirror will remain as I love the wall to wall look and honestly think if I downsized to a smaller mirror, the bathroom would look smaller, too. The light fixture is fine, but I'm not against swapping it out if something catches my eye. 

As you can see, I've already purchased a number of things. From West Elm, a shower curtain, hand towel, bath mat, and some ceramic trays (all three of these pictured on my navy + white post). I also found a few sea sponges and handmade soaps from Amazon. If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that Jordan surprised me with the octopus hook I wantd from Anthropologie. I've also been stocking up on a variety of metal and wood finished frames and accent pieces (Homegoods, Pottery Barn, Urban Outfitters, etc) to create a gallery wall on the space above the toilet. The white towels, metal basket and glass jars are Homegoods finds. Not pictured, but I have two large wooden oars I bought from TJ Maxx years ago with no plan, but I figured I'd find a way to use them some day. Now I'm so glad I did. With a little sanding and some TLC, they will be a great addition to the gallery wall.

I'm waiting for my shower curtain to arrive before I start mapping out the gallery wall, but I'm pretty impressed with how quickly I have been whipping this room into shape. I anticipate hanging the frames this weekend and having updated pictures to you as early as next week. We may be having a guest or two in October so if that isn't motivation enough, I don't know what is.

 

Don't forget about the Shabby Apple $50 giveaway going on now through Friday.

See details here.

Spearmint Baby Photo Feature

Check out our photo feature over at Spearmint Baby!!

 

Don't forget about the Shabby Apple $50 giveaway going on now through Friday.

See details here.

A Simple Kind of Giveaway: SHABBY APPLE

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Thanks for participating!!!

I am so excited to announce my very first giveaway here at A Simple Kind of Life! 

Shabby Apple is an online boutique that sells some of the most beautiful classic and vintage inspired clothing. They're partnered up with A Simple Kind of Life to offer one lucky reader a $50.00 gift card to purchase anything from Shabby Apple. Who isn't itching to buy some new pieces for fall? And it's so easy to enter.

To be eligible to win:

1. All you need to do is check out some Dresses from Shabby Apple and leave a comment on this post telling me what you'd buy if you won the gift card. I've shared a few of my favorite pieces throughout this post. 

2. Also, if you 'like' Shabby Apple on Facebook and let me know in an additional comment below, you increase your chances of winning!  

3. Want a third chance to win? Tweet a link to this giveaway and leave another comment with a link to your tweet. Three chances to enter this contest!

Please note this giveaway is for those with a US shipping address only. 

Good Luck!! This contest ends Friday, September 21st at 8pm. I will announce the winner Monday morning. 

As an added bonus, Shabby Apple is offering my readers 10% off any order for the next month when they use the code 'simplekindoflife10off'. It just keeps getting better, right?