Makin My Apt a Home

Graduation party plans & prep inspiration

2013-06-19T17:23:00.000-04:00

It’s T minus 2 days and counting. Would you believe I’m still gathering inspiration? lol If your a blogger probably lol I think we never get enough. Pinterest oh how you grab me sooo lol

I put together the supplies I got list goings. Here I put it all on 1 sheet yeah I got allot to do I should really get off the computer, but here’s a little peek at what I’ve gathered so far what I’m planning and as for how I put it all together and get it done You will have to come back next week to see how it turned out...

Most of this is dollar store finds. Can you spot my thrifty find??

The WHITE MILK GLASS is ready!!

Inspiration Idea’s come see how I recreate these 3 pics…

Here’s a sneak peek at what I will use to create above...

ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects
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thrifty updates to my APT FIREPLACE

2013-06-18T09:39:00.000-04:00

I picked up some thrifty finds to update my Apt Fireplace (I’m a change-a-holic) I’ve shown you several different versions of my fireplace.

I dress it up for every holiday and change color of candles to match any decor I have up at the time. So I’m always on the lookout for some thrifty crystal finds to spruce it up. Here’s are a few of my finds over the last couple of months.

I’m always on the lookout for peg light holders they have the little notch on the bottom and fit into any candle holders. Aren’t theses two such beauties??

I change out the candle colors to spruce up & match the decor. Right now it’s all white...

Did you notice my ledges/frames aren’t they looking cute?? I told you all how I used gift wrap yes gift wrap for them lol

If you’d like to see a how I started my Apt Fireplace go here.

ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects

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On My Mind Monday OMMM…

2013-06-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

The start of a very special week this is. My baby will walk across a stage this week and be a high school graduate. Time really does fly. I am so looking forward to no more calls from principals and vice principals. Or the school nurse who believes J when she fake coughs and has me on speed dial.I have no idea what poor parent will replace me on the speed dial but I wish them luck. lol I am done (OK J is done lol).
as for the party we are going for my open house BBQ idea since I gave my honey & J the chance to plan the party nothing moved forward (shocker not really lol)I love love love to plan a party and 1 wk is not my usual time line but fingers crossed, it will get done. Of coarse it helps that I've been doing some, pre-party shopping for the last month definitely helps.

I’m hoping & praying mother nature is on my side on this one. Wish me luck.

over at Ashes Restored we've had a little set back and were unable to finish that dining room set so were still working on it and should deliver that this week. Weather permitting!! I never noticed how much it rained before and now that it shuts down our work, we are painfully aware of the weather. Forcast is a sunny week so here’s hoping to GETER DONE!!

Were also going to start working on this cute desk, cant wait to show you the after.

ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects Follow Me

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FURRY FRIENDS FRIDAY BLOG HOP #21

2013-06-15T10:39:00.001-04:00

Welcome back & link up buttercup...

Da Rules
(you gotta have Rules!)
Link up any post, project or DIY that relates to your furry friend/pet or includes him/her. Even if they just happen to walk by a project your working on...

Please link directly to a post & not blog homepage.
A Furry Friend is any pet you have (or managed to photograph) go on introduce us… Link it up
Please follow me via Google Friend Connect over to your right (and if you're feeling generous, joining all manner of social media is appreciated.)
All content must be family friendly.
Please visit other bloggers who link up. We all appreciate readers, comments and building community.
Not required, but it would be such a treat to add my party button (on my sidebar to your right) to your post or sidebar- please help spread the word about my hop. Simply copy the text in the box below and paste onto your blog (HTML screen.)

Follow Me

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gift wrap or decor??

2013-06-13T15:33:00.000-04:00

What do you do with your gift wrap?? wrap gifts?? that’s it?? isn't some paper just too pretty to throw away?? I like to think so

so i use it for decor

check out my ledges??

I love the pops of color. What do you think?? are you running to check out your gift wrap paper stock? lol

as you can see below I collect gift wrap, tissue paper & contact paper (just another one of my obsessions)

ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects

I'm CoHosting You can tooo

2013-06-11T11:46:00.001-04:00

I’m so excited about July’s Monthly Meet & Greet!

If you’re not sure what that is… It’s the monthly link up at Stringtown Home that encourages bloggers to make friends… and gain followers!

So, come join us in this great giveaway and link up!

We are seeking cohosts who will advertise the giveaway, and will announce the party as it approaches to ensure their followers join in.

Cohost spots cost $10.

That will buy you 4 links on the rafflecopter entry and the HTML for the party to copy & paste to your blog.

Interested in participating? Email Heather at stringtownhome@hotmail.com.

ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects

On My Mind Monday

2013-06-10T09:14:00.000-04:00

I dont want to get up!!! Is it Monday already? ughhhh

Why why why are the weekends so short??
what I’m working on is...

I’ve done a little thrifting & here’s what I found
I’m thinking this try will fit nicely in my bathroom once it gets a new look of coarse & the stand if for J’s room she has a pretty big collection of Dreamcicals some pieces will fit nicely in here and give her more counter room in her room. The mantel I showed you last week is should be ready this week.

Can you guess what color I painted it??

Over at Ashes Restored we unveiled a few pieces...
We revamped a couple of shelf's into Jewelry holders.

We should be delivering that dinning set I showed you last week cant wait to unveil that.
ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects

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FURRY FRIENDS FRIDAY BLOG HOP #20

2013-06-07T12:15:00.000-04:00

Please link directly to a post & not blog homepage.
A Furry Friend is any pet you have (or managed to photograph) go on introduce us… Link it up
Please follow me via Google Friend Connect over to your right (and if you're feeling generous, joining all manner of social media is appreciated.)
All content must be family friendly.
Please visit other bloggers who link up. We all appreciate readers, comments and building community.
Not required, but it would be such a treat to add my party button (on my sidebar to your right) to your post or sidebar- please help spread the word about my hop. Simply copy the text in the box below and paste onto your blog (HTML screen.)

Follow Me

Graduation party inspiration

2013-06-06T18:49:00.000-04:00

I’ve mentioned that my only baby is graduating HS. Where does the time go?? when I look at here even today I see this little girl

J circa 2000 Kindergarten graduation

but this is what she really looks like now lol Yes it say’s “Worst case of SENIORITIS” but she won so we were a very happy family (that’s us below) we were on our way to the Senior's Dinner go CLASS OF 2013anyway discussion on what kind of party to have are still under way...
I’ve dreamt about an outdoor party and tent’s & BBQ food. Lot’s of happy people sitting around enjoying a beautiful summer day. Even though not everyone enjoys summer as much as the next guy, I guess. Case in point both J & my honey prefer AC full blast at all times. Ughhhhhhhh where did that child come from??
back to the outdoor party idea shall we? this is what our yard looks like and my idea for setting it up for a party
Here are the two side yards on left & right of house..That's my CoCo down there always in the mix...
There is a great party rental supply co Hodge’s local to us that I have used before...
so this is how i was picturing the yard set up for party would look
the BBQ would go in passageway between the two side yards where the building is (sorry not pictured)

but both my honey & J are against an outdoor party and are looking into halls as they would much rather prefer an indoor party with air-conditioning and with temperatures now in the high 80 and were only in spring still I might have to agree with them {I said might don't hold me to it}.
But I also have these wonderful visions of decorating the tables with all my lovely white milk glass. which is why I have been collecting so fiercely. I have about 37 small vases right now and was thinking how pretty would they look as center pieces on the tables. A friend mentioned I might have to put signs up stating the center pieces are not to go lol and I just might...see some pinterst inspiration

So that’s the plan in my mind right now and time’s a ticking we have less than 3 wks for party. Come back end of June to see how it turned out...
ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects

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Thrift share Tuesday

2013-06-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

It’s my May thrifty report (yes I know its June) wait till you see it a truck load of white milk glass I’m in heaven and the collection has quite the boost
allot of these I found on the same day when your hot your hot

I totally forgot about a budget this day ;-( but oh the beauties I found...

this beauty really broke my thrift-ing rule of nothing over $5 but if you could see her in person she is huge and such a beauty now I’m off to wash all my wares

In total I spent just under $40 for theses 16 pieces, so really not bad for all I got. Right?
Tomorrow I will share my graduation party inspiration idea’s and how I plan to use all these vases.
ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects

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On My Mind Monday...OMMM!

2013-06-03T09:40:00.000-04:00

Memorial day,the unofficial start of summer in Jersey our shores are still being worked on but I have seen from a few friends on FB that it is coming back JERSEY SHORE IS JERSEY STRONG luckily I have already been to AC & now Myrtle Beach in the last month even before the un official start of summer which leads me to believe this is going to be an awesome summa...

Here’s a peek at our time in SC

I am a beach bum in every sense of the word. I totally love to sleep on it and hear the waves hit the shore as the sun burn at my skin. Oh and the food seafood eat food oh yeah!!

J’s graduations party, less than 3 weeks away and we cant even decide on a venue yet. Ugh, the politics of a family I have this vision in my mind of using all my white milk glass and putting together this amazing and appetizing display...

Like this blogger I follow check out her awesome graduation dinner party click on the picture above it will take you to her details. How pretty does everything look.

Over at Ashes Restored we are still working hard at finishing this dining room set it will be called “Frenchie” she is quite the stunner now if I do say so myself. Here’s the before sorry no in progress pic till we reveal to the client {and I’m not sure if she follows the blog}

oh and we also had a friend ask us to make her a jewelry shelf where her chains could hang off well hot diggity we totally did it and a couple extra...

the shelf shown above will hold 100 pieces pretty hot right?? {yes Ja this is for you but we have other options too hee hee}

oh and are you wondering what the is you see behind the shelf? its my new FANTEL {fake+mantle} here’s a peek at the before she is a beauty...

of coarse you know (if you follow me for a little while) light wood is not for me so it will definitely be a different color by the time it goes up on the wall.

Come back tomorrow when I will show you my May’s thrift report (yes I know its June I’m always late).

ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects

missing in action but I’m back…

2013-06-02T10:25:00.000-04:00

sorry folks to those of you who have stopped by and are wondering where your dose of apt inspiration, thrift-ing reports or just a look at my beautiful CoCo. I’m back now and wait till you see what’s coming up this week...

May’s thrift report (yes i know its June see my apology above)

the white milk glass collection has grown...

My baby is graduating HS this month, remember I shared her prom picture

party plans are in the works see my inspiration...

although I am still battling with my honey & j who don't want an outdoor party I might let them win this battle but right now nothing has yet been decided so I may still get my way.

FURRY FRIENDS FRIDAY BLOG HOP #19

2013-05-17T12:20:00.000-04:00

It’s Friday Friday Friday Yay!!

this week on our home front my CoCo got a bath...

Please link directly to a post & not blog homepage.
A Furry Friend is any pet you have (or managed to photograph) go on introduce us… Link it up
Please follow me via Google Friend Connect over to your right (and if you're feeling generous, joining all manner of social media is appreciated.)
All content must be family friendly.
Please visit other bloggers who link up. We all appreciate readers, comments and building community.
Not required, but it would be such a treat to add my party button (on my sidebar to your right) to your post or sidebar- please help spread the word about my hop. Simply copy the text in the box below and paste onto your blog (HTML screen.)

Technorati Tags: blog hop,linky,furry friends friday

Junk room becomes the paint room

2013-05-15T07:21:00.000-04:00

I’ve showed you a few updates on this room...

it started here

it was updated here

it went a little backwards here

and now here is where were at I moved some of the extra furniture that was in junk room over to the sun room and it will hopefully soon be transformed. Here let’s call this a before...I think the chairs & table could totally pass for a set that came together although they didn’t don’t you?? and once they are transformed I’m hopeful that everyone will think so.

the junk room now the paint room actually has a piece of furniture being transformed yes I’ve showed you this piece before its for one of my sista’s and yes she is anxiously awaiting it’s transformation but I saw it in grey and she wants it in black so here I go again...

I’m now thanking mother nature (AS WELL AS CURSING WE GOT WORK TO DO)for the crappy weather we’ve been having lately which has not allowed us to be painting outside over at Ashes Restored as slowly but surely this room is coming along I mean I can actually paint in here now so yay!! & the sunroom has been improved a little too double yay!!

ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects

electric tape makes a design

2013-05-14T09:49:00.000-04:00

have you noticed the doors that lead from my bedroom to the living room? If you didn't before you will notice them now!

From the outside there much more interesting, from the inside view they were really quite boring and something that has been on my to list of projects to do, I think from day 1 of moving into this place. I am only now on my 2nd yr & 8th month so I guess it was right about time I finally got to this fast quick & cheap transformation. I did it and the cost you just won’t believe... under $3

I picked up these supplies at my local 99 cent store which seems to sell everything for a 1.26 a little strange I know but it’s just a short stroll away so it’s very convenient

this project took my about an hour but it was really really easy & quick the tape was really easy to place and then replace if need be and i pretty much just eyeballed it on one side then measured to try and copy on the other side I just did all this last night so I’m not sure yet how it will hold up and will definitely be back to update as now after seeing it I kinda want to add more lol

What do you think not bad at all for $3 right??

ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects

On My Mind Monday...OMMM!

2013-05-13T15:10:00.000-04:00

Is it Monday already hot dam!! Where did the weekend go? It was a whirlwind my little girl went to PROM!! I was more excited then her right up until the day & then her teenage attitude threaten to ruin the day. Luckily cooler heads prevailed thank you Honey & Jax’s who both calmed me and J down enough to get her to the prom...

my baby where does the time go?

Thanks so much to JCosta Photography for these great pictures.

and here she is with her long time bestie Jax

on mother’s day I surprised my mom at her church & hung out there with her for a little while which I’m sure was her favorite part but I did also pick up this plant for her which we will be planting in my yard this week hopeing our combined green thumbs will keep it alive we both have lots of house plants but never really tried our hands at outdoor gardening...

I have gotten back to work on the junk room

& just today have made what I think to be a huge dent in it & my sun room where you will hopefully see some new projects coming together in this following week...take a peak at what the sun room looked like this morning
but by this afternoon things are in motion idea’s are brewing...

can you spot the upcoming projects??
0h and of coarse cant forget to update you of what's going on over at Ashes Restored we delivered that dining room set to our client take a look at the finished product

What do you think?? pretty awesome right??

were now working on this set...

Can’t wait to show you the after, be sure to come back soon for that.
ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects

FURRY FRIENDS FRIDAY BLOG HOP #18

2013-05-10T12:01:00.000-04:00

CoCo got a little spoiled this week as he slept with me on my bed he will not be happy next week when I fix the wheel on his bed and make him go back to it lolWhen I sent this picture to my honey he asked did reading the paper tire him out? lol

Please link directly to a post & not blog homepage.
A Furry Friend is any pet you have (or managed to photograph) go on introduce us… Link it up
Please follow me via Google Friend Connect over to your right (and if you're feeling generous, joining all manner of social media is appreciated.)
All content must be family friendly.
Please visit other bloggers who link up. We all appreciate readers, comments and building community.
Not required, but it would be such a treat to add my party button (on my sidebar to your right) to your post or sidebar- please help spread the word about my hop. Simply copy the text in the box below and paste onto your blog (HTML screen.)

Technorati Tags: blog hop,linky,furry friends friday

photo Friday & {this moment}

2013-05-10T08:30:00.001-04:00

It’s PROM night for my baby tonight her nails above are a preview to her dress come back tomorrow to see… Hopefully threw my tears I will still get good pictures

Inspired by SouleMama

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
**************************************************************************************************************
The guidelines are (please):

All photos are taken by you, the owner of your blog, unless otherwise clearly attributed.
We ask that you follow Ladies Holiday via Google Friend Connect over to your right (and if you're feeling generous all manner of social media is always kindly appreciated.)
All content must be family friendly. If we see a violation of this we will remove.
Please visit other bloggers who link up. We all appreciate readers, comments and building community.
Not required, but it would be such a treat to add our badge to your post or sidebar- please help spread the word about our hop. Simply copy the text in the box below and paste onto your blog (HTML screen.)

Come back later today & link up buttercup…

Furry Friend Friday blog hop

Mother’s day questionnaire

2013-05-09T08:12:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day Questionnaire:
1) What is your favorite "Mama Sayin'"? because I said so & do as I say not as I do
2) What is one thing that your family expects from you - they couldn't do without you? clean the house I swear they will live in pig pen If I wasn’t around
3) When do you have "me" time, and what do you do? now that she is a teenager I have plenty of me time when she is isn't punished for something or another and then I feel like grounding her is grounding me its not pretty lol
4) What piece of your wardrobe do you think screams, "I'm a mama!"?my sweatpants
5) Name one funny experience that you've had since you've been a mama. well of coarse there were many but the one that comes to mind is when at 8 yrs old I took j to Disney and tried to get her over her fear of rides by putting her on tower of terror (its really not as scary as it sounds I swear) and after waiting two hours on line the lady behind us has a melt down & which causes j to have a melt down and her husband and I go on to ride the ride and they wait for us at the bottom yes folks i left my kid with a stranger but i had her husband as fair trade lol
6) Do you have a weird habit that you've developed as a mama?I wake up about 3 am and check on her every night its strange but I just have too I go back to sleep much better once I see her sleeping soundly I know she will be leaving for college/life and I will no longer have the chance to watch her sleep so i am enjoying every last chance I get...
7) Have you had a moment when you wonder, "How did I get to become a mama?" (You know... like locking your child in the car with the keys inside?) What happened? I still wonder & more now where did the time go??? I told J on her 18th how I feel like I’ve been let go of my most amazing job and she responded that she will always need me which I know is true but I realize that right now I need to give her some space which to me feels like I’ve been laid off
8) What is your favorite thing about being a mom? watching her sleep hopefully soon I will approve of things she does while awake but when she’s asleep she is still my little girl (as she always will be)

May's Meet & Greet I'm Co-Hosting

2013-05-07T08:08:00.004-04:00

Sorry for the mix up yesterday still trying to make this link work...

Happy Tuesday!!

May’s Meet & Greet I’m co-hosting…

2013-05-05T23:05:00.000-04:00

So excited to be co-hosting!!

Remember - the whole point of the Meet & Greet is to make new friends! So.... make sure that you follow the host (Stringtown Home), and all of the monthly cohosts!

Then, make sure you link up all of the places that we can follow your blog! We wanna be your friend, and we wanna follow your blog!

Also, are you interested in being a cohost? If so, email stringtownhome@hotmail.com for more information!

Happy Linking, everyone!

FURRY FRIENDS FRIDAY BLOG HOP #17

2013-05-03T11:55:00.000-04:00

Don’t forget to enjoy Cinco de Mayo is Sunday {funday}

oh Monday is going to be a hard one lol

Please link directly to a post & not blog homepage.
A Furry Friend is any pet you have (or managed to photograph) go on introduce us… Link it up
Please follow me via Google Friend Connect over to your right (and if you're feeling generous, joining all manner of social media is appreciated.)
All content must be family friendly.
Please visit other bloggers who link up. We all appreciate readers, comments and building community.
Not required, but it would be such a treat to add my party button (on my sidebar to your right) to your post or sidebar- please help spread the word about my hop. Simply copy the text in the box below and paste onto your blog (HTML screen.)

On My Mind Monday...OMMM!

2013-04-29T22:13:00.000-04:00

Have I mentioned it’s crazy around here... yes probably allot and that’s because it is. Last week over at Ashes Restored we got to some serious customer work we have two clients with dining rooms to be transformed. This week we will do the delivery on the first, I cant wait to share some pics, but not until after our client see’s {and hopefully luff luff luff it}. I know that she will, but I wont lie I been biting my nails and just cant wait to see her reaction.

Here’s a little preview of the before. Hint it is will be in one of my all time favorite color!!

My partner and I were supposed to spend this weekend in Atlantic City with our friends to celebrate our besty friends birthday. And felt so bad for canceling last minute due to work that we worked extra long on Friday and got up to work really early on Sat so that we could run to AC and make it in time to have her birthday dinner with her and hit the club...

My business partner Rickey moved apartments the week before last so as soon as we are done with our client work we also have to get started making his place homey (cause it’s what I do!!}. He’s got some crazy awesome idea’s cant wait to show you how they come together.

Oh and we also met with a new client yesterday. I told you it was crazy around here. But its such a good kinda crazy getting our business going... Ashes Restored is off and running watch out...

Junk room to paint room pt 3

2013-04-25T09:55:00.000-04:00

The saga continues... I know sometimes things get worse before they get better but this room is totally going in the wrong direction lol
do you remember how it started??
Part I this how It started

Part II I had made some improvements I swear…

and now today Part III it’s going in the wrong direction :-( I don't know what happened or how it happened...

but I'm going back in folks
CoCo’s cage has found a new home & those are some Ashes Restored tables in the back to the left, I’m totally keeping the center round table that will be transformed hopefully soon.

So now here I go to start on this room again. Wish me luck folks. If you don't hear back from me soon call for help lol juss kidding sorta...

ps - see my Links party page for where I party & share my projects

Technorati Tags: junk,paint room,craft room

Happy Earth day

2013-04-22T07:58:00.001-04:00

Hope your taking some time today to smell the roses. Or heck plant a bush...