Our new (dream) home
Hello all! A very belated happy New Year. I’ve had quite the kick-off to 2014, moving into a new home (our first non-condo!) and passing the Series 6 – a majorly tough FINRA exam covering pretty much every topic I deftly avoided in college. Passing was a prerequisite for keeping my new financial marketing gig, so, yeah, I’m relieved – both to no longer have to hit the books after working all day and to still be gainfully employed.
Now that that nightmare very important exam is over, I’ve been able to focus on unpacking and settling into our new home. And rediscovering my love for DIY. Disclaimer: I like the quick and easy projects; I sadly have no patience for long, involved ones, though admire the heck out of true, crafty DIYers.
Here are a few I plan to try soon:
Photo: Tatertots and Jello
White and Gold Herringbone Pots
Krista from The Happy Housie introduced these pretty little pots on Tatertots and Jello last week. I love the color, herringbone pattern and, above all, the idea of being able to display spring blooms after a loooong, cold winter.
I’m going to create pots of all different sizes and scatter them throughout our screened-in room, yard and house.
Photo: Refinery 29
Polka Dot Jewelry Dish
I’m a big fan of pretty little boxes, trays, dishes, bowls… you name it. So when I saw the photo to the right, combined with the headline, “DIY Illiterate? This One’s For You,” I knew I’d love this project. Jeanne Chan, curator of ShopSweetThings, created these eye-catching jewelry dishes/trays in minutes, using just a ruler and stickers.
I’m going to make a nightstand catch-all tray with gold polka dots for my bedroom and a larger one with gray polka dots for toothpaste, soap, etc. in our main guest bathroom.
Photo: DIY on the Cheap
Dresser Refinish
The previous owners of our home left a beautiful antique desk for us. But the wood is worn and light, which doesn’t fit with our décor. So I’m going to put on a brave face and attempt to sand, paint and seal until it’s a bright, modern white.
I typically wouldn’t entertain doing this, except I found this great step-by-step tutorial on DIY on the Cheap that made me think, “I can TOTALLY do this.” As soon as it warms up a bit more and the weather steadies (i.e. doesn’t rain every other day), I’ll be giving this a try in my backyard (to avoid home damage from inevitable paint mishaps). Stay tuned for before and after photos.
In the meantime, share your favorite DIY projects. I’m always looking for inspiration!
Baking in High Heels 