Coastal Bathroom Remodel

If you've been following the 60's bathroom renovation in our home over the last few years, I am pleased to say I am COMPLETELY DONE!!

One thing I have been working on is "framing" our built in cabinet. I stalked the internet for days to find a thick molding  idea that worked for us. Ultimately to cut cost, I went with MDF boards and crown moulding.

(See links above to see transformation on the framing it in).

But first, I'd like to share the completed project!

(Below: All framed in and pretty!! Coastal accents bought on a budget in various places)

(Below: Still need to touch up paint in some areas)

(Below: Built in is framed and pretty - decorated with Coastal accents from all over)

(Below: Coral bought at The Green Turtle in Siesta Key, FL (while on vacation last week) for $5.99 - Sea Glass also purcahsed from The Green Turtle for 59 cent each)

(Below: Loved my metal basket SO MUCH, when I first laid eyes on it, knew it would be perfect!)

(Below: Just another view, with flash on)

(Below: Another Coral ($5.99) & Giant Starfish ($4.99) I purchased in Siesta Key, Florida while on vacation this past weekend)

(Below: Probably one of my FAVORITE pieces for the coastal bathroom remodel - An old candle my daughter decorated with sea shells she and Ethan collected off the beautiful white sands of Siesta Key, FL).

(Below: Hot glue and collected sea shells, handmade with LOVE from my daughter, MiMi)

(Below: My baby girl after she made me the seashell candle - A great way to preserve vacation memories!! - I should probably double check my spelling on things, I left off the "ed" in "collected" ;))

(Below: My daughter and her brother collecting the seashells in Siesta Key, Florida last week)

That's it for now, I'll post more vacation photos and portraits I did of family while there on my next blog (hopefully). :))

$202 worth of Gymboree for $58!

Gymbucks redemption period is this week, and for the first time EVER Gymboree is allowing it's customer's to use Gymbucks at ALL outlet stores! - So if you love last season's hard to find lines, you can score EXTRA savings by visiting your local Gymboree outlet and redeeming there.

I visited the Carolina Outlet's and ended up getting $202 (retail value) for $58 after Gymbucks & store sales.

A lot of the boy's t shirts were on sale for $2-3, the shorts for $6, etc. I also scored MiMi some Panda Academy dresses and a top. (Her boots and plaid jacket from that line still fit, so I wanted to get them).

Here's a little of what I got for a whole lot of cheap (can't get this quality OR price this cheap at Target or Wal Mart).  Gymboree may sound expensive, but if you work it the right way you can do well on sales!

I still have $25 in Gymbucks, but not really sure what I want to buy online with it, my kids have clothes for days, maybe just some odds and ends for MiMi's back to school? Sounds like a plan!

Update: Found what to spend the last $25 in gymbucks on:

Love Bird Tank Top:

$18.99

On Sale for $8.99

Gem Bauble Bracelet 

$9.00

On Sale for $2.99

Equestrian Club - Gem Bow Argyle Sweater Dress

$44.95

(no sale, I just liked it and with the $25 off thought it'd be worth it before it gets sold out)

Pre Sales Totals: $72.95

After Sale Totals: $56.93

-$25 in Gymbucks = $31.93 + $5 s&h = $36.93

So, in short, I got everything pictured on this blog post for right under $100. That's back to school savings I can live with :))

$4 Stone Bird Book Ends

I recently ventured the local outlet stores to find these stone love bird candle holder's for only $2 a piece.

When I saw them, I immediately knew what I wanted to do with them. I used my trusty Krylon (in ballet slipper pink - as seen on other projects on my page). And lightly sprayed one coat on:

Makes for adorable BUDGET FRIENDLY, little girls book ends:

Pottery Barn has similar book ends that are silver for $30 a set, but I happen to like these more, as they are heavy, and more detailed. Besides, you really can't beat $4 and some left over spray paint! :))

Dressing up an ugly slab door - Chalkboard Paint Tutorial

If you've been following my blog for a while, or just happen to check in here & there, then you know I am all about making the old new on budget. While I have slowly started to switch out the old 60's wood slab doors for the paneled versions, I decided on something different for the children's rooms.  What child wouldn't LOVE a huge chalkboard in their bedroom??  Why pay $$$ excessive money $$$ for a chalkboard that may take up space and bulk, when you can make one by up-cycling your old closet door?

SUPPLY LIST:

        * Cleaner  (you should have this at home, I used Pine-Sol).

        * 1 - 2 Large Paint Brushes (1 is fine, but I didn't want to wait to clean and cry before coats)

        * White Primer (PRIMER, not white paint) ;)) (I had some on hand already)

        * Valspar Black Chalkboard Paint (or equivalent) 1qt. can will be plenty. $20 or less

       

 * Chalk (Dollar Tree AND Wal mart both have big packs for a buck).

How To:

1.) Fill a small bucket with warm water and add 2 caps of Pine Sol; with an old dish rag scrub down the door (or surface) really well.  

2.)  Let the door air dry COMPLETELY (I waited an hour because the humidity here has been horrid).

3.) Open your Primer, stir & apply about 2-3 coats to front (and back if you want double painted doors), or until ALL of the door is evenly covered (you can use a roller brush, BUT it tends to leave texture, and won't make your chalkboard surface smooth).

4.) Wait a day or two for paint to cure & apply 2-3 coats of chalkboard paint. WAIT at least an hour before applications. THREE codes is highly recommended for FULL coverage and durability.

5.)  Let dry for 48-72 hours to fully cure ANNNNND.

                                   S U R P R I S E  the little ones with CHALK !! ;))

This also makes a budget Christmas or Birthday gift. I wouldn't worry too much on resale on your home because of the door; not only does it serve as a great activity to keep the little one's interested, it can also serve in a home office. E N J O Y  : D

                                                                       //Jen  :))

A budget bathroom upgrade (framing the built ins)

So, I have these built in shelves in my bathroom. Sadly, I do not have a before photo - but if you can, try and imagine these bad boys as being chipped golden oak, that matched all the other 60's dated oak accessories, in a very outdated bathroom. Mmm-hmm - was truly that bad :) To see some before images of the bathroom, feel free to click one of the labels below. Anyway, so after the tile was put up I felt, geez, I love these built ins, but they need some flair! And so I had this idea, to use thick MDF boards and 

paint it white and box it in (farm house style).  I also had to patch up the old drywall. Total cost $30. It's not fully complete, but I wanted to post a sneak peak anyway.

 So here we go..BEFORE: 

My Vision:

After being painted in semi gloss - BRIGHT WHITE :))

The crown moulding I will eventually add to the top to give it a nicer trim (saw this idea on pinterest)

So far:

I had to do a mirror shot, because the toilet was in the way of getting a 

decent shot (they are bigger, the angle makes them appear narrow).

Looks loads better already! I will be sure to post an update when I add the crown moulding and put my items back in the shelves. A cheap upgrade does a world of wonders :))

I saved $141.62 at Gymboree!

I had been eyeing the fact that Gymboree had a mega sale on their website for weeks.

Of course, due to the fact I waited, a lot of what I wanted had been cleared out, but I browsed anyway. It's nearly 4 am here (yes, I have the worst insomnia ever, I may as well just stay up all night since my kids get up in 3 hours anyway) ;) haha, that's another topic, for another blog.

Anyway I picked up these for the kids (part back to school, and part needs for Ethan):



I think Gymboree should photograph more models wearing their clothing, had I seen this outfit solo, I would have never purchased it, but I saw this little one with tan skin and blond hair similar to my own daughter's and she sold the outfit to me, because I was able to see my daughter in it better! MORE MODELING GYMBOREE - It sells your items better :))
  
I will admit, I have a thing for Octupuss'(pi)?? I did NOT like the shorts Gymbo paired with this top, but I liked the top so much I bought it anyway. As per Ethan? Well, his PJ's are getting small and pilling bad, and for PJ's that normally cost $32 bucks, on sale for about $14? Well, that's a deal anywhere, so I snagged them.



PRICE BREAK DOWN:

• Hula Hut Tank Top - $18.95 on sale for $13.99

• Stripe Skort - $22.95 on sale for $13.99

• Tropical Bead Necklace - $10.95 on sale for $6.49

• Ice Cream Sweetie Stripe Skort -$26.95 on sale for $13.99

• Ice Cream Cone Tank Top- $18.95 on sale for $13.99

• Gem Flower Octopus Tee - $26.95 on sale for $13.99

• Octopus Shortie 2 piece Pajama Set - $32.95 on sale for $13.99

• Boys Carpenter Jeans - $32.95 on sale for $13.99

Totals Before Sales: $191.60

Price I paid for everything: $104.42

I saved $87.18 on sales prices alone (this makes me happy)!!

BUT, wait..it gets better, I also earned $50 in gymbucks towards my next purchase; essentially making ALL of this $54.42 or a grand total savings of $141.60.

Love when Gymboree has sales while earning gymbucks at the same time! J

DIY: Window Planters as Hanging Toy Storage

My sister found this idea online, and I liked her idea so much I had to copy it :)

WHAT YOU NEED:

* 2 iron window planter boxes (found mine at Big Lots for $10 each)

* 1 Can of Ballet Slipper Pink Krylon Spray Paint

Remove Coconut Liners, and Apply Spray Paint to the Planter Boxes.

( I know I have spray painted all over my carpet, but I am remodeling this room, and ripping it up in a matter of weeks).

Let it Dry & Hang it up - Adding Stuffed Animals or Books! :)

CUTE, CUTE , CUTE!!