DIY:More Curtains for Super Cheap

I posted back in March about the tie-ups I made for the dining room windows out of LENDA drapes from Ikea. I also mentioned that I bought a butt-load of LENDA's thinking I would coordinate everything. We have high ceilings, it has been difficult to find curtains long enough to work, and I may have mentioned once or twice that I am out of cash. So in the interest of working with what I've got:

Master Bedroom Drapes Before

Master Bedroom Drapes After

And once again, I apologize for my horrific photography skills.

I got the idea to add ric-rac trim from this pic:

Suburban Spunk via Better After

I still need to add a layer of stiff fabric at the top to keep it from folding over, but I think it looks better than the plain curtains.

It was super simple too. The rolls of ric-rac from Hobby Lobby just happen to be 3 yards each which is perfect for my 100 inch curtains! I used 8 rolls of trim. I waited for it to go on sale, so each roll rang in between $1.50 and $2.00. Not too shabby.

I decided how far from the edge I wanted it, pinned it in place, then sewed over it all. Easy peasy.

It was fairly labor intensive, but super simple. If I was a "finish-a-project-when-you-start-it" kind of girl, I bet it wouldn't take more than four hours, max. Apparently Suzanne (at Suburban Spunk) used no-sew hem tape to keep hers on, so if you don't have a sewing machine, no problem!

I'm linking up to The CSI Project's Fabric & Sewing Challenge and Thrifty Chick Decor's Before & After Party. Join me or just come check out all the superfantastic projects!

Monkey Love

My Precious

I think Gidget is going to be June Cleaver for Halloween. Now I just have to figure out how to get her to keep a wig on her head and whether or not the beast will wear a sweater.

Doggy Goodies: The Martha Edition

I was reading Jeannine's blog Small and Chic in Cville and she mentioned that Martha Stewart has a line of pet merchandise available at PetSmart. I haven't seen the merchandise in person yet, but there are some really cute options on the website! I especially love the food scoopers, as I've using the 1 cup measuring cup from my OXO set for the last year, since we got a second dog and Gidget can't free-feed anymore. In my opinion, the prices are really reasonable, too!

Martha Stewart Biscuit-Shaped Wall Hook

Adorable for leashes, coats, towels, etc. 

Martha Stewart Bone-Handle Treat Jar

The blue is fab! And it seals, so no stale cookies.

Martha Stewart Feeding Mat

Dozer drools all over the floor, so a food/water mat is not an optional item. This aqua would look prettier than the mossy green mat they currently have. Unfortunately, I doubt they have one big enough for three bowls. (*cough* make one *cough* I'd buy it *cough*)

Martha Stewart Food Scoops

Love these!

Martha Stewart Grooming Tote

Very cute way to keep grooming supplies organized. 

Martha Stewart Sequin Skeleton Sleeveless Tee

Potential Halloween costume for Dozer? Maybe? Wish it came in black, though, he's a filthy beast. 

Martha Stewart Skull Plush Chew Toy

Pure awesomeness. One of the reviewers commented that Martha must have lost her marbles to have designed a skull chew toy, but I think it's hilarious! Apparently it giggles like an insane person, but I'm pretty sure they will destroy the noisemaker in about 10 minutes. 

Martha Stewart Toy Storage Bin

I love how this has a cutout spot for pooch heads. I attempted to use a black mesh metal bin for their dog toys, but dumbass kept bashing his chin on the edge and spraying blood everywhere. Plus, Gidget the midget couldn't reach all the toys. Thirdly, it was on casters so every time Dozer got overexcited and grabbed a toy without pulling his head completely out of the bin it ended up across the room.

What do you think? Genius? Insanity? Would you buy Martha items for your furbabies? Do tell.

One down... A zillion to go

Waaayyyyy back in... OMG was it really April? So back in April I mentioned I was working on a corner cabinet for the dining room. The cabinet used to live in my mothers kitchen, but she tore a wall out during their recent remodel and it no longer fit so I brought it home. I finally finished it! Praise the gods! Something is done, at long last!

BEFORE

It had drawers, but apparently I forgot to take a real Before shot. 

AFTER

Yay! It's still missing the right top knob because I bought it and then promptly lost it. I am sure the house will vomit it up at some point in the future, so I refuse to buy a replacement.

It is currently housing my paternal grandmothers china. 

I just love the little detail on the lid.

The colors are perfect for our space! 

The top shelf holds some of my etsy finds:

Asirons

Trixie Delicious

I love unexpected pieces. I also love how you don't notice the "twisted" detail until you take a closer look.

The serving dish on the far right belongs to my maternal grandmothers china set, which I also have. The small cordial glasses have etched detail and came as freebies in the Vanilla Royale gift sets around Christmas. It's Misters favorite winter time drink, so my dad kept buying the sets...

I'm linking up to CSI's Roadkill Rescue and Thrifty Chick Decor's Before & After Party.  For other fantastic transformations, be sure to click on the buttons!

Quick Fix: The Clear Choice

Sorry I've been M.I.A. for the past 10 days. Hopefully with no big family events in sight, I'll be able to keep up with the rest of my life.

When my mom and I were in Kentucky for my cousin's grad party we managed to make a slight detour to the IKEA in West Chester, Ohio. Yay! I have been drooling over the Stockholm Rand rug for well over a year now and everytime we were in Chicago both area stores were sold out of the larger size! We initially decided to detour on the way to Kentucky to maximize family time once we got there, but alas, they were out of the f*@&ing rug! The superduperrockin'awesome pixie girl that told us that was all "I've got great news! We are expecting the shipment of the rugs in 2 to 6 days"! She was so excited to tell us I almost felt bad telling her we didn't live in town. *sniffle* We decided to stop on our way out of town on Sunday, just in case. Well low and behold, they had the rug! Hallelujah! Stayed tuned to see where I decide to put it.

While we were there we couldn't help but pick up a few more odds and ends. One of the things I bought was the IKEA 365+ 3-tiered serving platter.

And let me just say, every kitchen needs one of these bad boys. Check out the difference it made in my countertop fruit and vegetable storage.

The bowl on the shelf held apples and everything else got piled into the bowl on the counter. Obviously not a brilliant solution, but I couldn't find an alternate option I liked that I was willing to spend money on. Ironically, these bowls are also from IKEA. Here's what our produce looks like in it's new home.

Doesn't it all look happier now? It only cost $14.99 and I think the glass and stainless complements the kitchen well. Plus, it actually has smaller footprint than the bowl so it takes up less counter space in my minuscule kitchen since I only have about five feet of counter space, total.
It's difficult to tell from the photo, but that apple on the shelf is ceramic. It has a lime green twin and a bronze pear brother. I purchased them at an art fair a few years back.

What do you think? I just love it when a simple, quick solution presents itself, don't you?

Menu for the Week of July 18th - 24th

Making a menu for the week really seemed to help me not buy too many perishables at the grocery store. I have been throwing away a lot less and, in turn, saving money. Always a plus, right? More money to spend on all the crap I want for the house! AND thanks to Jordan's comment about keeping the bread in the fridge, I haven't had to throw away any bread either! Awesome. 

Sunday

The Pioneer Woman's Pot Roast w/baked potatoes
(This pot roast has become a weekly recipe. Mister LOVES it!)

Monday
Parmesan breaded Chicken breast w/ cauliflower and macaroni & cheese
(I buy the Kraft Whole Wheat macaroni and cheese and I think it's even better than the original.)

Tuesday
Leftover pot roast with rotini noodles

Wednesday 
Bucatini with Shrimp

Thursday

Maple-Soy Glazed Salmon w/ asparagas and roasted red potatoes

Friday 
My little cousin graduated from college and we are headed to Kentucky for the weekend to celebrate!

Quick Change Operation

Way back in March, I spray painted the handles on our media cabinet silver. I wasn't super-happy with it and Sara admitted she didn't like the look either (I love an honest opinion).

Original

After

After After

Sorry the last detail pic is so fuzzy. I didn't want to use the flash and I apparently cannot hold still long enough for the camera to shoot without it. Meh. And they actually still look silvertoned in the close-up photo, but they're not. I sprayed them with everybody's favorite metal tone fix-all: Oil-Rubbed Bronze. I wasn't crazy about the spray paint itself and the way it sprayed, but the finish is nice and the tone is much more complementary to the wood finish. I had planned on painting this piece, but at the rate I work I don't expect to get to it until next year sometime. LOL

So what do we think? An improvement?