On the V Side

A #Splash of Color for Spring from Crocs

2013-05-16T14:01:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Crocs. All opinions are 100% mine.

Soooo... up until literally a week ago, we've been covered in SNOW. Yep, SNOW! In May!

Gotta love the heartland. :)

Well all of a sudden this week... BOOM! Summer! 90 degrees! Just like that.

We're a little more settled into some nice weather right now, and I have been jonesing to infuse some color into my world after what feels like a lifetime of grey, blah winter.

Apparently the folks at Crocs feel the same way, too! :) They're encouraging us all to share a "splash of color" for spring to help shake off the winter blahs, AND they want to reward us for it! Woot!

They're hosting the Crocs Instagram Sweepstakes where you have the chance to win a super cool prize package and a shopping spree from Crocs! And, all you have to do is share some splashes of color that are popping up in your world.

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably noticed some pics over the past few days with the hashtag #splashofcolor - check 'em out:

Aw, there's my sunshine! :)

All you have to do is Instagram some colorful piccs via Instagram.... are your flowers blooming? Did you get a bold new manicure? Make the most massive and colorful birthday cake? SHARE IT!

Upload to Instagram using the hashtag #splashofcolor, then link up your Instagram to the Crocs Instagram Sweepstakes .

Done! :) You can check out what others are uploading, too.

You can enter up to 3 photos a day - what will yours be? Share in the comments if you're so inclined, what awesome colorful things you're peeping this spring.

You could win some sweet prizes, so get to snapping!

DIY Memo Board

2013-05-14T07:55:00.000-05:00

Hey there!

I know posting has been a little sporadic lately, but we have been busy busy busy!

We had birthday parties for my little ladies, Mr.V's side/summer business is taking off, an unexpected surgery for our furry friend, and there was a mother's day thrown in there, I think. It's been a blur. :)

But, I *have* been doing some projects here and there, just haven't had time to post!

This one was a quickie, though, and I love the end result.

I have had this small round corkboard (a DIY from yesteryear) hanging in the pantry for a while to help me corral grocery lists, notes about what's getting low, etc. Lately I've found that meal planning has become a necessity for us, and with that addition, well, as you can see shorty wasn't cutting it.

I finally had enough one afternoon and dug through my stash and found this lovely cheetah-print corkboard that I had picked up more than a year ago.

Normally this isn't something I would give a second look to, but it was a nice size, the frame was simple, and OH YEAH:

Mega-clearance! :)

I knew the cheetah had to go, so I grabbed a fun, printed napkin I had found (in a set) at Target. Napkins are really versatile, usually cheap and perfect for small projects like this one, or pillows, etc.
It was my lucky day and the size was perfect - I took the cork out of the frame and didn't even have to trim the fabric, just wrapped it around the board, secured it on the back and then shoved it back in the frame.

The frame itself got a coat of creamy ivory paint, and I scrounged through my odds and ends ribbon collection to find something to hang it with.
Much better. :)

One hour and zero dollars later, it's all good. :)

Cheers,

Simple Update [Nameplate Frames]

2013-05-08T07:55:00.000-05:00

I’ve had these frames up on the wall above the magnet board for about a year, and I use them to showcase the girls’ artwork.

I love having kid-created art all around, and putting it in a frame looks nice, and it also gives the kiddos a sense of pride at their art being “displayed” beyond just tacked to the fridge – The Redhead thinks this is hot stuff.

When I saw how happy she was to show off her grand masterpiece in the frame, I thought I’d kick it up a notch and give things an even more ‘professional’ (well, as professional as one can get in our house of crazy) feel.

I had these card holders in the drawer from forever ago… so long, in fact, that I can’t even remember the original project I bought them for. I do remember that they are meant for scrapbooking, and were pretty cheap for a pack of different sizes.

I didn’t want them to be permanently attached, in case I changed my mind down the road, so I just used glue dots to stick them to the glass, then added the girls’ names to their creations.

And… that’s it! About 2 minutes and less than $4 later: Welcome to our “Gallery.” : )

Cheers,

Move in With The Novogratz! [Novogratz's? Novogratzi?]

2013-05-01T23:02:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by CB2. All opinions are 100% mine.

Ever watch those fab designers on your favorite home design shows and wonder what they live like when the cameras aren’t rolling?

How they decorate their own homes?

Well my friends, you may get the chance to see first hand. This is one of the coolest giveaways I’ve ever been a part of!

Robert and Courtney Novogratz – As in the design couple from “Home by Novogratz” is teaming up with CB2 to debut a super cool and colorful collection for spring:

CB2 and Novogratz Collection

And they’re not only offering you sweet design pieces for your home, they’re inviting YOU to THEIRS! For serious, people! Let me explain:

The new collection was inspired by the Novogratz family vacation home in Brazil (Brazil!! Remember that. It will be important later). You can definitely see the influence in the collection, with hot pops of color and rich, warm woods. I love that there is a ton of diversity in the different items they are offering, and in true CB2 fashion, a range of price points, which is super awesome. They range from super-functional, like this Dupla Credenza

to whimsical and awesome, like the Luli table lamp.

The pieces are so original and they make a neutral-loving gal like me start itching to pop more color into my home. Check out this sectional – it is absolutely *dripping* in color! What a perfect outdoor space, featuring that fun showstopper sofa.

The collection debuts May 2^nd and to help get you excited about the release, they are offering you a hum-dinger of an opportunity:

You and 3 friends could win the trip of a lifetime!

Win a one week stay at the vacation Bob and Courtney Novogratz in beautiful TRANCOSO, BRAZIL!!! (SEE? I told you Brazil would be important here!!)

-10 other lucky winners will receive a CB2 giftcard worth $100 along with a personally signed copy of the book “Home by Novogratz”.

So how do you get in on this sweet opportunity?

Just Click here to enter:

CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes
The sweepstakes will run from May 2nd through June 3rd.

In the meantime, you can follow @CB2Tweets [on Twitter, natch] for more updates on the trip of a lifetime!

Good Luck!

(and happy shopping! :) )

These Eyes Have Seen A Miracle.. [Remove Water Rings & Restore Wood Finish]

2013-04-11T07:55:00.000-05:00

Hal.Le.Lu.Jah.

I have witnessed a miracle and I'm here to tell y'all about it.

I have this chest that we use as an end table.
I got it for a SONG years ago from Pier 1 - it was hugely marked down for what the clerk said was "water damage".

See those little dots across the top? That's what they called "damage".
I thought it looked weathered, so I didn't mind. But over time, we used and abused this piece, and a few misplaced glasses from parties here, a drippy sippy cup or two there, and all of a sudden, this cool piece had REAL water damage.

I have been DREADING having to sand down the top and restain it. So, when I saw this product hanging out on the shelf on a recent trip to Home Depot, I figured it was at least worth a shot if it would save me that pain in the patoot.

I just followed the directions on the back of the can. Seriously, Restor-a-finish couldn't be easier.
Are you ready for this?
Clean the surface. Wipe on. Wipe off the excess.
Let dry. DONE.

It sounded too good to be true, but check this out:

I KNOW, RIGHT???

Take a good look here:

[yikes!]

I used NO OTHER PRODUCT other than the Restor-a-Finish. I didn't sand, didn't condition, and didn't have to go through the lengthy staining process. I just cleaned the surface, used the product and called it a day. I was floored by the results!
It's a miracle. Of epic water ring proportions.

And just for the record, I was not asked to review this product, nor was I compensated in any way for this post. I found the product, tried it of my own volition, and will happily vouch for its success to anyone who will listen. :)

Cheers,

TDC

DIY Updated Hurricanes

2013-04-04T07:55:00.000-05:00

When I was putting together my recent post about updates in the basement, I came across this little project that I had totally forgotten about.

Back before we had even started finishing the basement, I had snagged these simple glass cylinders on mega-clearance at Pier 1, convinced that I would/could somehow use them once it was finished.

Fast forward to after the basement was finished…..and, nope.

Just wasn’t working for me.

[the picture’s kind of blurry but you get the idea]

Unadorned, the cylinders were reading just too contemporary for the casual, relaxed space.

I played with other things to fill them with, but nothing was working out.

Until I made a trip to Target and it hit me:

I was admiring these hurricanes from the Nate Berkus collection and thought “I could totally do this myself. I just need a plain glass hurric…wait a minute!!!!!”

Thanks Nate Berkus!

So once I got home, I snagged some jute rope that I knew I had buried somewhere in the basement, and got to wrappin’.

I added some candles that I already had, and 10 minutes later, I had a rustic, textured set of hurricanes that worked perfectly in the space!

Gotta love that.

Cheers,

TDC

Basement Decor Updates [Finally!]

2013-04-01T07:55:00.000-05:00

We had some family over recently to visit, and heading downstairs to check out the kids playing in the basement, our niece commented “Oh! You’ve done so much down here since I’ve seen it last!”

It wasn’t until then that I realized she was right – I shared this post when we first finished the space about two years ago.

Since then, I’ve been adding touches here and there, but as with most projects you don’t realize the difference so much when you’re making little tweaks along the way.

So here’s what the basement has been up to lately:

When you last saw it, we were so thrilled to have it COMPLETE that all we wanted to do was watch basketball and revel in the additional space.

I could have covered the entire space with pink, floofy girliness and Mr. V. wouldn’t have batted an eye, as long as the TVs were functional.

Once we settled into the new space, though, he gently asked if the space wasn’t a hair too… girly?

Remember, his idea of “perfection” was something that looked like a Sports Authority explosion.

I conceded he was probably right, and went about finding a middle ground that we could both enjoy.

The compromise: Vintage Sports.

I love sports, but I didn’t want the place covered in Hawkeye Gold from head to toe.

First step was this gallery wall above the sofa.

It’s devoted entirely to our favorite team and my alma mater: the University of Iowa.

The elements have all been collected over time – the postcard with the vintage Herky logo that I got in my campus orientation packet many many moons ago,

A vintage aerial photo of Kinnick Stadium Mr.V. had saved from childhood,

and some of our autographed memorabilia, including one we got as a wedding present

signed by my CoachCrush, Kirk Ferentz.

::sigh::

He’s dreamy. : )

On the wall kitty-corner to the gallery wall, I framed some newspaper covers and special editions I had saved over the years (even before I met Mr. V).

Having something professionally framed is awesome, but ungodly expensive.

Since these weren’t super sentimental to me, we did it quick and dirty (read: cheap).

Here’s the quick way to getting custom-looking art without the custom price tag:

I bought these frames (half-off, natch) from Hobby Lobby, removed the matte they came with. Then I took my newspaper pieces and my frames to Michael’s and had them cut custom mattes.

When I did the math the price of my frames + custom mattes ended up costing exactly 16% of what it would have cost to have them professionally done.

I’d say that’s a win.

On the small wall by the bar, I hung up these awesome vintage baseball bats, that were my Dad’s from when he was a kid.

I call this my “WonderBoy wall”

(anyone else love “The Natural” like I do? : ) )

The frame above it is a classic little league pic from Mr.V’s childhood.

That’s him in the middle… so sweet and nerdy, so serious about baseball.

I love it!

Elsewhere in the room I just added some vintage sports memorabilia here and there

I updated the slipcovers and swapped out the smaller ottoman for this larger, upholstered cocktail ottoman.

It fits the room and how we use it perfectly.

So that’s what’s been happenin’ in the basement lately.

Cheers,

TDC

DIY Family Art

2013-03-28T07:55:00.000-05:00

I finally finished painting the trim in the stairway to the basement (just 2 rooms in the house left to go! In 2025 when I finally finish that, we can *really* celebrate ;) ) so now of course I’m looking at the space with fresh eyes.

And I mean, it’s a stairway.

(And seriously? I snapped this shot eight different times, and the dog photobombed each. and. every. one. Such a diva. ;) So, we're going with this one. )

Nothing really to write home about, much less worry about decorating, right?

I won’t be putting anything on the walls going down the stairs because it’s a fairly narrow space and leaving it open gives it the illusion of being slightly larger.

But there isn’t a doorway going downstairs… this is an open stairway just off the entry to our home. And looking down, this blank wall was… kinda blah. And frankly, starting to bug me.

I’ve been wanting to do some sort of family-centric art for a while now, but hadn’t found the place to put it.

Since the basement is a spot where we spend a lot of time as a family—watching sports or movies, playing with the girls in the playroom, etc., it seemed like this might be a natural fit for it.

So, 10 minutes of staring at this space turned into one of the cheapest, easiest, and fastest pieces of decoration in my home. And because of the nature of it, it’s going to keep evolving on its own for years to come.

So simple. Ahem:

I started with a large wrapped canvas snagged from Hobby Lobby (like everything else in there, these go 50% off every few weeks. Just wait for it – it’s worth it). This big mamma jamma ended up being about $12.50.

Once I brought it home, I rummaged around my paint stash and came up with a few colors that complemented the space and each other.

Then we just painted everyone’s hands and slapped ‘em on the canvas.

Yep, that’s it!

The Redhead thought it was so crazy fun that Mom and Dad were painting their hands, too.

Not that I would forget whose handprint belonged to whom, but I took a fine sharpie and wrote our names and the year next to each one.

We purposely took only a corner of the canvas, so next year, we can do it again. I figure we have about 5 years of prints we can smoosh onto this one canvas, and it will be fun to see how the girls’ hands grow over time.

And for less than 15 bucks, that’s art that is definitely in my budget!

Cheers,

Thinking Warm Thoughts..

2013-03-25T07:55:00.000-05:00

So it's officially spring.

And... it's been snowing.
Again.

I hope things are much more "Spring-ish" where you live!

I know it will arrive here soon enough...

in the meantime, though, The Redhead and I took matters into our own hands:

A quick trip to Trader Joe's and we brought back $2 worth of sunshine. :)
If we can't have spring outside, then by golly we'll have it inside!

Cheers,

Spot-Free Kitchen Style

2013-03-22T16:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Moen, Incorporated. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have been loving our kitchen since I finally finished updating the cabinets and our kitchen island.

It's amazing (and probably a little bit sad) that I am spending more time in there now, simply because I'm enjoying the way it looks! (I'm also secretly hoping that spending more time physically in the kitchen will make me better at cooking, by osmosis. I'll let you know how that goes. ;) )

The downside to the updated cabinetry is that since I'm not blinded by hating my cabinets, I'm noticing other elements that I'm not 1000% loving.

One of those things is my kitchen faucet.

Don't get me wrong, I do love the overall shape of it, and the function is fine.

But there are days when I wish it was a little sleeker. And the arch was a wee bit higher to accommodate larger pots and taller vases and platters.

And the SPOTS. Oh, the spots.

I'm forever wiping the faucet down, getting rid of the splash spots and hard water deposits that I assumed were normal on any faucet, no matter what.

Well thanks to the folks at MOEN, I've learned it doesn't have to be that way.

This is the MOEN Kiran Spot Resist one-handle pulldown kitchen faucet:

(isn't she pretty? And yes, she's most definitely a "she")

The Kiran has a higher arch, relex system, and most importantly, is spot and fingerprint resistant!

Let me say that again: SPOT AND FINGERPRINT RESISTANT!

::sigh::

Over the past couple years I've really been discovering my own personal style, and I feel a lot more confident about being able to spot things that fit into that style, rather than buying something I *think* I like, only to ditch it no long after for something else.

In addition to it being so easy-care, I really like that the Kiran's simple, classic shape really blends well with just about any design sensibility. I classify my personal style as 4 C's: Classic and Casual, where Coastal meets Cottage. (and I really have a thing for alliteration. ;) ). This could easily fit in my kitchen, but I could just as easily see it working in a more modern or contemporary space. That's pretty cool.

Interested in seeing it for yourself?

You can find the Kiran faucet by Moen at your neighborhood Lowe's.

For more information, you can become a fan of Moen on Facebook or follow them on Twitter (@Moen).

How to Sew Paper Garland [Tutorial]

2013-03-22T07:55:00.000-05:00

So I promised you a project this week, and by golly I'm going to deliver! :)

I'm a fan of pennant bunting - I showed you how to sew it here, I've used it for a baby shower and in Miss CB's updated nursery.

It sure looks great when it's done, but it is a LOT of work!
And the garland is EVERYWHERE... just about any home magazine is going to throw up some pennants in some picture.
But sometimes there just isn't time to cut all those triangles from fabric.. painstakingly pin them together... get them sewn inside-out... then rightside out and ironed... and THEN sew everything onto your bias tape. OY.

So lately, I've been cranking out some easy, quick-production pennant bunting with just paper.
Toss it around a cake stand or across a picture frame, and you're good to go. Done in less than 30 minutes, easy.
Pay attention, because you might blink and miss it: ;)

Cut out triangles from cute scrapbook paper.

Line 'em up in whatever pattern you want, and placing them upside down (cute side of the paper facing down, that is), use painters tape to hold them end to end.

The tape will give you something to easily feed through your machine, so you don't have to feed triangle after triangle through your sewing machine.

Feed through your sewing machine as normal.

And then... you're done!
Admire your work. :)

Cheers,

Whew!

2013-03-17T19:17:00.002-05:00

Well THAT was an unexpected hiatus!

The past week+ around here have been inSANE!

It started with things ramping up at work... Then Miss CB had to get tubes put in her ears.
Then work got a little crazier... And THEN the flu hit our house.

It started Thursday overnight and the poor Redhead is still battling the bug. I didn't even have the heart to snap a picture of her in her misery because it's just heartbreaking. Pitiful, really. She missed a birthday party and everything, poor thing.
So, we've been laundering and sterilizing and trying to keep it from spreading to her sister (or to us).

There hasn't been much time for sleeping, let alone time for decorating or crafting.
BUT, I do have a little something I'll be back a little later this week to share, scouts honor :)

Thanks to everyone who entered the Uncommon Goods giveaway, and if you're new here, welcome!

Happy St Patty's Day, and I'll be back soon!

Cheers,

Chalkboard Wall - Right for You? [And Giveaway WINNER!]

2013-03-04T07:55:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday!

Thanks to everyone who entered into our Uncommon Goods giveaway!

The lucky winner is....

[Read More... you know you wanna] »

Uncommon... and Oh So Good [Review and a GIVEAWAY!]

2013-02-28T07:50:00.002-06:00

You know, I’m really grateful that you guys come back post after post, to see what’s happening here On the V Side. Your feedback and your encouragement have become a super awesome perk that I didn’t anticipate when I stumbled into this blogging gig.

So that’s why I’m REALLY excited to be able to offer you such a cool, cool giveaway opportunity today!

I try to be judicious when it comes to some of the offers that come through for product promotions, sponsored posts and giveaways. I try to always keep you in mind, and stick to the things I’ve always blogged about: Home Décor, DIY, and a little slice of life. A lot of times, that means saying no to certain opportunities (I won’t talk about the company that wanted me to review antifungal foot cream…ewwww).

So when the fine folks at Uncommon Goods approached me about reviewing some products and offering On the V Side readers some free swag, I jumped at the opportunity. Uncommon Goods focuses on offering unique gifts and creative design for every person, every occasion. You can spend hours surfing through cool stuff on their website.

Ask me how I know. ; )

The first item I received was the Repurposed Layered Frame.

I was not expecting it to be so substantial and just plain cool. The frame is made of legit 100% reclaimed wood, so every piece is unique and one-of-a-kind (which is kind of Uncommon Goods’ M.O.). The frame was well-crafted and I love love LOVED its perfectly chippy paint.

I found the perfect home for this guy sitting on top of Blue Betty in the guest room I added a picture of Mr. V. and The Redhead from a trip to visit friends at their lakehouse this summer, and I couldn’t be happier with how everything fits together.

The frame also comes with a gold-trim option (this one is the teal version), and I’m already brainstorming a place elsewhere in the house to incorporate its twin.

The other product that arrived was the Sandy Paws Print Kit.

It guides you through making a keepsake plaster cast of the pawprint of your canine pals.

I enlisted the help of my favorite furry friend to give it a shot. Newman was a little skeptical at first.

But, the process was easy. Make a pawprint in damp sand (you’ll have to provide your own sand)

Mix the plaster according to directions and pour in the mold

Let dry.

Mine obviously didn’t turn out as pristine as the pictures on the label – one broke, and the surviving print is a bit…. Lumpy.

BUT, Newman is an imperfect dog (however lovable, like his owner ; ) ) so some imperfections in his print are apropos.

This would make a fun gift for any pooch-loving friend. You can find even more affordable gift ideas HERE

SO. Cool company, cool products…..BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!!! :)

Uncommon Goods has generously offered my readers the opportunity to score their OWN ‘uncommon goods’ for free! One of you fine folks will get $50 to spend however you’d like at www.uncommongoods.com. Buy something fab for yourself, or maybe you’ll finally be able to find the perfect thing for that hard-to-buy-for someone special.

Here’s how you enter (it’s so simple):

Required:

- Become a public follower of On the V Side (using either google friend connect OR linky blogs) and leave a comment on this post letting me know you did so. If you’re already a follower, leave a comment telling me what you would pick out from Uncommon Goods with your loot! :)

For extra bonus entries to beef up your chances of winning:

- Like Uncommon Goods on Facebook (HERE)

- Sign up for the Uncommon Goods email list for cool promotions (link HERE)

- Become a Pinterest follower of On the V Side:

With each of the bonus entries, make sure you leave a comment to let me know you’ve done it.

I’ll announce the winner Monday, March 4^th so you’ve got plenty of time to get entered!

Cheers,

Scattershots...

2013-02-23T12:42:00.002-06:00

[The first round of] Nate Berkus is on sale at Target! I scooped up these baskets for a cool $4 each. I did notice that they are not on clearance online, just in the store. So I have no idea if the deals are varying from store to store. Regardless, I doubt things will last long, so check it out if there is something from the collection you’ve had your eye on!

I have a love affair/obsession with natural cleaning supplies, see HERE. I’m definitely a Shaklee devotee, but lately I’ve also been loving on family products from The Honest Company. Everything is natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly.
I have two little people with sensitive skin (eczema, diaper rash, you name it – we’re experts in it)

So, I initially gave Honest a try to see if their bath and baby products would work for Miss CB. I tried the lotion and the healing balm in the [free] sample trial and was sold. Now I’m already stocked with the those products, the bubble bath, shampoo/wash, and some of their cleaning products, as well. Everything is so gentle, and you should check out their website – on every product description there is a list of things that product DOESN’T have, that is typically in other mass-market products (SLS, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances & dyes, formaldehyde, petrochemicals & common allergens. To name a few ;) ) I’ve also tried some of their soaps and cleaners and have been pleased with the results. And I think at the end of the day the way to my heart is to deliver household products to my front door. :) (And no, I wasn’t compensated to say any of that. I just genuinely like the products)

And why am I smirking so?
OH, because that chunky beaded necklace? Is totally leftover wooden-beaded Christmas tree garland. Use what ya got, y’all… ;)

Have a great weekend!
Cheers,

Kitchen Cabinet Magnet Board [Tutorial]

2013-02-20T07:55:00.000-06:00

In most homes, kitchens end up being a hub of activity. In our house, it also tends to be ground zero for household communication and organization. We have activities organized on the calendar, but we need a go-to space for important phone numbers, doctors/dentists/etc, and how to get ahold of the important people like the handyman or the carpet cleaner or plumber who you don’t need often, but when you do you can never seem to find their info.

I’ve always kept corkboard on the inside of a kitchen cabinet door, because that’s what my mom always did. And it was useful. But as time went on, the cork had started to bubble up and needed to be re-adhered (is that even a word? Well today it is. :) ). And it was getting cluttered and I was feeling the need for something fresh and a little more streamlined. I was painting the kitchen cabinets, so I was going to have to take it off anyway. I figured this would be a good time to change things up.

I love corkboards, but my one beef is that if you have one with a small surface, it doesn’t take too long for the surface to be riddled with so many holes that eventually your tacks start to fall out in “high traffic” places. That doesn’t always happen, but when it does it really annoys me. I decided to make the shift to magnets because then that’s a moot issue.

via: Home Depot

During wandering trips to Home Depot and Lowe’s, I’ve often admired the different decorative radiator grates, and thought there were a lot of cool things you could do with them. I remembered Jen used one for a cool earring holder. And I know there are lots of other uses floating around blogland. I loved the look of the punched-metal design, but I didn’t love the $18-$35 per-sheet price tag. AND, they are aluminum, so they are not magnetic.

Here’s how I solved both problems:

1) I found that Hobby Lobby now sells these same sheets (still cute, still not magnetic ;) ) for a much better price – around $13 a sheet. Bring in your 40% off coupon and all of a sudden that’s a much better bargain for the same product.

2) I remembered from making The Redhead’s MagnetBoard that galvanized sheeting used for ductwork IS magnetic, and is also cheap. This I planned to layer *behind* the decorative piece, so the magnets would grab onto the magnetic sheet *through* the decorative one.

Both these sheets together cost me less than $15.

I used tin snips to trim the sheeting down to size. Wear gloves, people! The metal edge you cut will be SHARP and it’s super easy to slice your hands. You might be very skilled with tin snips, but I am not. Therefore, my edge was pretty ragged. No worries, though, that’s where the decorative edge steps in.

I painted the sheeting with a couple coats of Restoration Hardware’s Silver Sage (it's really more green-grey.. I have no idea why it kept photographing sky blue...) paint and let it dry overnight. Then, I fit it inside the cabinet door using Command Strips – they hold a ton, and this is a great option for renters who are worried about doing damage to cabinets. It can be as permanent or as temporary as you want it to be.

Once that was up, I knew I didn’t want ragged edges around my decorative piece. I knew I could always build or find a frame for it, but I didn’t have enough clearance on the inside of the cupboard. So, I simply used a dab of E6000 glue in each corner to keep it in place. This stuff will hold elephants over the Grand Canyon (okay not really, but it holds a ton!) but if you need to take things down, it’s sort of gelatinous like rubber cement, and will come off easily with the help of a straight edge.

And that's it!

I picked up some strong, Rare Earth magnets for cheap (I think $3 or $4 for a pack of 8) and just Modge Podge'd some cute scrapbook paper onto the fronts.

Overall I love the clean, streamlined look of things.

It helps keep us organized, and when I'm ready for a change, it will be an easy switcheroo! :)

Cheers,

Headboard Update

2013-02-07T07:55:00.000-06:00

When I was rolling around the idea of updating the Guest Room, I knew two things right off the bat that had to happen with the bed.

1) I definitely still wanted metal, but rather than the current contemporary lines, I was looking for something with a bit more rustic, vintage find.

2) I needed to get rid of the footboard.
We don't get overnight guests too terribly often, but the ones who do stay with some regularity, are all very TALL. And as much as *I* love a full bed with a footboard, I can't imagine our 6'7" nephew loves banging his feet or getting his ankles tangled in between the rungs of a metal footboard.
That doesn't exactly scream "hospitality". ;)
So, simple headboard it is.

I also didn't want to spend a whole lot (SHOCKER!) :)

After scouring vintage shops and keeping an exhaustive watch on Craigslist, I finally found the winner at Target, of all places.
The Dexter headboard looked like it had all the elements I was going for, and the price was right, too.

Dexter Headboard: via Target.com

The only catch was that it was online-only so I couldn't see it in person.
With free shipping and good reviews, I figured I would take the risk and gave it a shot.

When it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by the sturdiness and quality.
I loved the overall look and shape.
The finish was an antique bronze with a dimpled finish that I wasn't expecting.
I didn't dislike it, though.
But something was bugging me, and I couldn't figure out what it was.
I couldn't figure it out, that is, until we took The Redhead out to the neighborhood pizza place.
Once we got there, it hit me:
My new headboard looked like a chair from the Pizza Ranch.

Seriously, check it out..

My headboard:

Pizza Ranch chair:

SEE????

I wish the pic was better but I just used my phone.
In person, the resemblance was unreal.
Nothing against the Pizza Ranch, but it wasn't exactly the feel I was going for in my guest room. ;)

Now.
Do I REALLY think anyone would notice this but me?
No.
But even though only a few guests would ever use the room,
*I* live there and would see it every day.

So, I turned to Rust-Oleum to come to the rescue!

I chose a metallic paint in "Carbon Mist" - I hadn't seen this color before and it was PERFECT.

A coat of primer (even though it's paint and primer in one, I still used a primer for maximum durability in the long run) and two coats of Carbon Mist later, and I had the headboard I had envisioned from the get-go for this room.

Gotta love what a little paint will do!

Now that it's finished... I'm in the mood for some pizza. ;)

Cheers,

DIY Kitchen Island Update

2013-02-04T07:55:00.000-06:00

Check it off the to-do list for 2013!

A few weeks ago I showed you my painted kitchen cabinets - I am still so thrilled with how they turned out!

But there is still work to be done.

#1 on that list was the island. It's a great size, has ample storage and we use it a ton for entertaining, crafts and food prep. But it left a little to be desired in the "good looks" department.

Here's a before, pre-paint:

You can see, like a lot of standard kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, the face of all our cabinets is nice quality wood. The sides, however, are veneer engineered to *look* like the oak... a much cheaper product that is pretty common. I always hated the look of those sides, and that was one of the best things about painting the cabinets--covering that up!

Paint was definitely an improvement, however the veneer doesn't take paint as well as real wood does, even with a good primer.

On the ends of my base and upper cabinets, I added bead board wallpaper to hide the veneer and add a little texture (just like I did in this bathroom).

But in our house, the kitchen island is a hardworking fixture, and I knew that if I used the wallpaper, it wouldn't be long before it was scuffed or dented or torn. The island needed something a little more durable that could really take a beating but still maintain its integrity.

I loved the bead board look and wanted to continue that, so I went to Home Depot for the real-deal.
I had planned on purchasing pre-primed MDF bead board panels. However when I got to Home Depot, they had these real oak panels on sale for less than the MDF so I jumped on that! Normally these are about $14 a panel, and I got them for just under $9. Hooray!

To save time (and labor, ha!), I took my measurements with me and had my handy Home Depot associate cut my panels for me there in the store. Seriously, this is the greatest service and it's free!
I brought them home and we were ready to roll.

I also picked up two of these half-newel posts. Normally they are for detailing banisters on stairways.
Not today. :)

You'd find a full newel post at the end of your stair banister. These are cross cut so that one side is completely flat and can be put flush against a wall.

I started by adding the bead board panels to the sides and securing with liquid nails (use the version meant for indoor woodworking projects. It goes on like buttah and dries super quickly) while Mr. V. lent a hand and removed the quarter-round shoe trim from the backside of the island. One thing I liked about the island's original design is the quasi-board and batten look on this side of the island. I planned to keep that, but add bead board detail to the inside of the
'boxes'

I used liquid nails once again to secure the newel post flush against the edge of the island
(you'll note I trimmed down the posts to fit under my counter. I lopped off the ball on top and also trimmed from the bottom for a little more even look.

Let the panels dry before nailing in to secure.

For the trim, I wanted to continue the board and batten style that's on the back side of the island, so I used a piece of primed MDF as my baseboard. You can buy one long plank at HD for about $10. I trimmed what I needed, adhered it to the island, and then nailed it to secure.

Once everything was dry and secure, I filled my nail holes and spackled the joints to make them disappear. I really love the version from DAP that goes on purple, and then turns white when it's dry.
Once dry, I gave it a good sanding and the joints are just about invisible.

From there, everything got a couple coats of primer and paint, and the end result is a custom-finished look that I love!

After!:

I added bun feet to the drawer-side of the island to mimic the turned leg of the newel post, and then I also added them to the rest of my cabinets for an even more custom look.

It's just how I hoped it would turn out!

Next stop in the kitchen makeover saga... BACKSPLASH.
Oh yeah. :)

Cheers,

a2z
catch as catch can
nifty thrifty tuesday
hoh

Guest Room Redo - Before & After

2013-01-31T07:55:00.000-06:00

It's time! :)
It's been a long time coming--I am pretty sure I started this room when I was still pregnant--but the Guest Room is finally done!

Here's how it looked before:

No paint on the walls, another room that was kind of a hodge podge of items from Mr. V and my collective pasts. There was nothing offensively ugly or anything... just....blah. It needed some freshening up and some color.
After all, if we wanted people to actually stay there, it should be inviting, right? ;)

Here's the after:

Fun, right?
The color is Sherwin Williams Agreeable Grey. It's a light and airy grey with a bit more blue undertone than the Mindful Grey I used in the guest bathroom. I'm not really a huge fan of blue on walls in general and tend to steer away from blue-greys, but in this room this shade really works perfectly with Blue Betty up against the wall.
I have been in a yellow state of mind for the past 6 months and I think it's the perfect, cheery color for a guest room. Since I knew I was going grey on the walls, though, I was wary of doing yellow. The yellow/grey combo was so popular this past year, and I really was shooting for timeless, not trendy.

This bedding really spoke to me, and I deliberately chose the quilt and shams because the toile pattern gave it a very rustic feel - just the opposite of the modern design that has been trending.

To avoid the bed looking like a sea of yellow pattern, I broke up the color with a crisp white duvet and a simple white sham with yellow detail. I am still working on accent pillows for this bed - just haven't found the perfect combination of patterns just yet.

I swapped out the slightly contemporary headboard/footboard for this simple metal headboard with a vintage farmhouse feel.

Blue Betty is holding court against the wall and still needs some real accessorizing, but I have to think about that one for a bit.

I know I need to update that mirror, but it will probably have to go back on the wall... I think it's a little too big for a leaner on Betty.

In the opposite corner is one of my made-over dining chairs. This is where it lives when we don't have the leaves in the table downstairs. It's mate is chilling out in the basement.

I added the rug at the end of the bed for a little grounding with the black, but also to introduce a graphic contrast to the toile in the quilt. It helps keep the bedding from reading too feminine or "old."

I am still trying to figure out what to do with this blank wall opposite the bed.

Right now I'm in the "sit on the bed and stare at it" phase...we'll see if any inspiration whacks me upside the head.

Sources:
Walls: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Grey
Headboard: Target
Blue Dresser ("Betty" ;) ): Antique via craigslist
Lamp: Found in my basement, new shade from Target
Curtains: Pier 1
Bedside stool: Gordman's
Rug: Pottery Barn clearance
Bedding/Pillows: IKEA, Pottery Barn, Target, Etsy

Overall I am really happy with the room.
It's still a work in progress so I know there will be changes coming, but for now I think at least it is a marked improvement over the "before!"

Hopefully our guests agree! :)

Cheers,

Roasted Chickpeas (no, really!)

2013-01-28T07:55:00.000-06:00

I’m a total armchair cook.

I love Top Chef, but I’m nothing superior in the kitchen by a long shot.

It’s pretty rare that you’ll find recipes and such here On the V Side, so when you DO, you know they’re going to be SUPER SIMPLE – because hey man, if *I* can handle it? So can that monkey over there. ;)

For the past year or so Roasted Chickpeas have become my favorite go-to snack.

Weird? Perhaps.

Delicious? Healthy? Satisfying? YOU BET.

A 1/2 cup serving of chickpeas contains 130 calories, 6 g of fiber and 7 g of protein.

They are naturally fat-free, saturated fat-free, and sodium-free.

Here’s how to make ‘em:

I usually used canned chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) for the convenience. I’ll make two cans at once, then just store the extra in a Ziploc bag for easy snacking.

(Note: you can use dry chickpeas, too, but prior to the below steps you’ll need to soak them in water for 2-3 hours, then boil them for about an hour. Rinse, drain and pat dry)

Rinse and drain the beans, then lay them flat and pat dry.

Place in a pan/cookie sheet that has raised edges so they don’t roll all around.

Drizzle a *small* amount of extra virgin olive oil or canola oil over top – seriously, I only use about a tablespoon--two, MAX. I do the drizzling right in the pan, and then use a rubber spatula to make sure they’re pretty evenly coated.

There are a THOUSAND ways to season these, but I go simple. I just grind sea salt and fresh pepper overtop, and if I’m feeling a little crazy I’ll add some minced garlic, or a dash of garlic powder if I’m in a rush. Shake the pan a little to help get things coated.

Pop them in the over for 20 – 40 minutes at 400 degrees. I like the outsides crispy, so I cook them for 40 minutes. If you prefer them softer, cook for less time.

Cool…. And then eat!

That’s it!

The seasoning possibilities are endless – experiment until you find the right flavor profile for you!

Cheers,

On the V Side: Family Edition

2013-01-24T07:55:00.000-06:00

Since I last shared a totally copy-worthy project from my sister, I'm in a family braggin' kind of mood. ;)

Check out the awesome transformation from Megan, our nephew's girlfriend (she's practically family, man. It counts. ;) )
Megan snagged these Hemnes nightstands from IKEA and loved the glossy white finish.

Problem was, they didn't quite gel with the existing furniture that belonged to my nephew:

But the dresser had good bones, was in great shape, and had tons of storage. There was no real reason to give it up and buy something new, but it needed an update to coexist in the room.

Megan gave it new life with some glossy white paint, and went back to IKEA for the Hemnes hardware to give everything a cohesive look.
I think it totally looks like part of the same furniture group!

And then there's my sister-in-law Joyce, who was inspired to give her bathroom vanity an update.
She took her old oak vanity from mid-90s standard

To a fresh new grey for 2013!

Like so many of our vanities, the fronts are solid wood, but the builders build the sides out of plywood, then cover the exposed sides with veneer.
Joyce's veneer had see better days, and it was time for an update.

An easy - and beautiful - fix is giving it the beadboard wallpaper treatment. (it's the same stuff I used in this bathroom makeover - easy to use, and makes such a difference!) It adds texture and dimension while covering the veneer. I love it!

So that's just me, braggin' on my family.
What have YOU been up to? :)

Cheers,

DIY Photo Table Runner

2013-01-22T07:55:00.000-06:00

There are lots of benefits to having an older sister. When you’re younger, you have a role model, someone to hand you down cool clothes, the older kids say hello to you in the halls at school because they know your sister… and let’s face it – you have someone to copy.

Well when you get older, those perks still exist. Not only are sisters still cool, still role models… but when you have a sister with style and creativity, you still have someone to copy. : )

So today, I can’t take credit for this cool project, but instead will encourage the rest of you to copy my creative sister.

As hostess for our Christmas celebration, she was inspired to incorporate some more personal elements into the table décor. Cue sister creativity! Check it out:

What’s more personal than family photos? I LOVE this idea.

Now, what I would love even more would be if I hadn’t accidentally deleted the pictures of the runner from her beautiful table Christmas day. Grrrrr. I’m still so ticked that I did that.

So, my lame version will have to suffice, but hopefully it still showcases the product of her crafty awesomeness!

She pored through tons of pictures, and chose photos from Christmases past… some really old, some recent, all super. But this doesn’t have to be a Christmas-only project – this would be perfect for a birthday or anniversary party… for kiddos or grandparents or anyone in between.

She started by making copies of all the photos she chose (you don’t want to ruin your originals!) Black and White always looks so classic and cohesive, and of course it went best with the décor. Print them out on regular paper or a light card stock – printing on photo paper can throw a wrench into the finishing process.

She cut out the photos and mounted them all on cream-colored card stock. Then it’s just a matter of laying them out on your table and arranging everything together in a way that you like the look of. You can use a glue stick to keep them together, or double-sided tape. Once they are arranged, take your runner to Kinko’s and have it laminated. It will come back to you in one big sheet, where you can then trim the border.

The finished product is a totally personal, beautiful runner that you can reuse year after year, if you choose. And, because it’s laminated, you don’t have to worry about all your work going up in smoke the minute someone spills a glass of wine or drops mashed potatoes off the edge of their plate. ;)

So hey, even if you don’t have a big sister to copy, borrow mine and take this idea.

Big sisters are cool. : )

Cheers,

A2Z

Home Goals for 2013

2013-01-09T07:55:00.000-06:00

Well, it's a New Year. And while I don’t make “Resolutions” per se, I do find that having a list of goals to work from does make me a bit more productive.

To that end, let’s take a look at what I set out to do in 2012. I remember having very lofty goals…

..then THIS happened:

And, well… hmm.

“Lofty” goals, indeed.

First on the list is the downstairs bathroom.

I wanted to add hardware to the vanity, frame or replace the mirror, replace the countertop and faucet, replace the fixtures (towel ring, etc.), refinish the vanity, and paint the trim.

I… painted the trim.

And that’s it.

The countertop is going to be the largest expense, so this year I’m committing to doing what I can to set aside some extra funds here and there for it. I know what I want and I don’t want to settle, so instead of going cheaper for a lesser product, I’m just going to suck it up and save up, and try and be patient.

And that’s a long way of saying I really didn’t do squat in this room this year.

So, 0 for 1.

What a sweet way to kick off a blog post, Emily! ;)

Next up is the Kitchen.

I wanted to addhardware to the cabinets – Ha, Check!

And in my list I even said “daydream about refacing cabinets.” This one I’m really proud of, because I actually DID it!

3 years ago when I really started seriously thinking about lightening up the cabinetry in the kitchen, I don’t know that I would have had the confidence to try and tackle this on my own.

But I did, thanks to a lot of great encouragement from you, lovely readers (you know who you are :) ) and I’m so super grateful because I love how they turned out!

The Laundry Room also made the list.

While a true makeover would require knocking down walls and adding onto the house for a spacious mudroom, I am pleased with the ‘before and after’ in this room. And I’m happy to say that since this redo in February, we’ve been able to keep it clean and clutter-free for the most part.

Every now and then you’ll find a bulky drying rack set up with wet snowblowing clothes or kids’ snowpants, but that’s not everyday.

Generally, the organization setup really works for us and that makes me happy.

At the beginning of 2012 the Redhead’s bathroom

upstairs looked pretty much like this

And I made no secret of wanting to make it look as far from that ^^ as possible.

And really, when you’re 8+ months pregnant, what makes more sense than a bathroom makeover? ;)

I said I wanted to paint the walls, paint the vanity, add hardware, frame the mirror, paint the trim and update the faucet.

And I did.

This is probably my favorite part of that space.

Last on my list was updating the master closet.

It’s not worth even saying what I wanted to do to it because I’ll just let you know that it never even crossed my radar in 2012.

Maybe next year. ;)

All in all, I’m batting about .500 on the “Home Goals 2012” list, which isn’t bad.

Here’s a look at what I’m going to attempt to take on in 2013…

Kitchen Makeover Part Deaux:

- Add backsplash

- Update Island

Right now it’s painted but I’d like a little more architectural detail. You know, we gotta have a little flair. ;) Here’s my inspiration:

Downstairs Bathroom

- Do all the stuff I said I wanted to do last year. ;)

Master Closet

- Add storage

- Figure out some better [sustainable] organization

Basement Playroom

- For this year I’d settle for simply making a plan.

I’d like to organize the closet a little better, but other than that, just a plan will suffice.

And there you have it!

Let’s see if I can improve my batting average a little in 2013!

Cheers,

Kitchen Before & After [Painted Kitchen Cabinets]

2013-01-02T07:55:00.000-06:00

IT’S DONE IT’S DONE IT’S FINALLY [almost] DONE!!! : )

Remember when I said I was starting to paint my kitchen cabinets?

I took a Friday off of work and painted the Island in a weekend.

The rest would be a piece of cake, right?

WRONG.

It wasn’t *hard* work, per se, but it was PAINSTAKINGLY SLOW.

At least for me and my schedule, it was.

In an upcoming post, I’ll outline how I did it.

But for today, I’m just basking in the Before & After.

I am in LOVE.

Check it out:

Before

[Move-in day, 2007]

And today:

Cabinet view before:

After:

Last comparison, I promise:
Before

After

The crazy thing to me, is that it looks like a totally different kitchen. BUT, I really only changed 3 things! They were/could be considered biggies, but they really pack a lot of punch.

Here’s how I made over my kitchen with just 3 changes:

1) Hardware

2) Lighting

3) Paint

Seriously, that’s pretty much it!*

**we DID get new furniture, but that happened before the "makeover" ever began.

I think adding hardware made a big difference – even before painting. The knobs and pulls just added depth and a little texture to otherwise flat cabinets.

The second step was lighting.

This summer we added pendant lights over the kitchen sink and the island. In addition to the ambient lighting we added, we also gained some architectural interest in what had previously been just a big box room.

Once we added the pendants, I swapped out the wrought iron fixture for a large pendant with a natural burlap drum shade.

Here's my "interim" light fixture that we installed just to get rid of the dumb builder light.

See how it kind of fights with the pendants though?

The burlap provides a counterpart for the pendants in both texture (glass vs. natural fabric) and scale (larger, wider drum shade balances out the smaller pendants).

We installed the drum light ourselves, but chose to hire a professional for the pendant light install. Mr. V. did a great job with the electrical work when he finished the basement, but because we didn’t know what was in the ceiling prior to putting the lights in, we opted to go pro. We found a super handyman with a really reasonable rate and I’m so happy we hired that one out.

The final phase and arguably the most dramatic change, was paint.

Painting the cabinets was not a project for the faint of heart, but I’m so happy I stuck with it because I really think it transforms the space. I love how other colors pop in my kitchen now, and how it brings out the natural grey in our countertops.

With the wood tone cabinets we were drawn to all things brown, and now with the grey tones paired with the warm white, everything just feels lighter and brighter and I love it. :)

The “paint” phase also included painting the trim as well as adding the chalkboard wall in the hallway. Altogether, things come together just how I had hoped!

Painting the cabinets deserves a tutorial post all it’s own, so that’s coming soon.

For now, I’ll just bask in the “after” pictures and wait until my hand quits cramping up. :)

Cheers,

On the V Side

A #Splash of Color for Spring from Crocs

DIY Memo Board

Simple Update [Nameplate Frames]

Move in With The Novogratz! [Novogratz's? Novogratzi?]

These Eyes Have Seen A Miracle.. [Remove Water Rings & Restore Wood Finish]

DIY Updated Hurricanes

Basement Decor Updates [Finally!]

DIY Family Art

Thinking Warm Thoughts..

Spot-Free Kitchen Style

How to Sew Paper Garland [Tutorial]

Whew!

Chalkboard Wall - Right for You? [And Giveaway WINNER!]

Uncommon... and Oh So Good [Review and a GIVEAWAY!]

Scattershots...

Kitchen Cabinet Magnet Board [Tutorial]

Headboard Update

DIY Kitchen Island Update

Guest Room Redo - Before & After

Roasted Chickpeas (no, really!)

On the V Side: Family Edition

DIY Photo Table Runner

Home Goals for 2013

Kitchen Before & After [Painted Kitchen Cabinets]

Top Posts of 2012