Amara's Dresser!!!

I can 100% say that I am an instant gratification type of girl! Especially, when it comes to doing projects. I can also 100% say that I get that from my dad. We don't like to read instructions, or feel the need for a good challenge....we just like to "Get 'er done!" as he would say. 


 With that said, I bought this fabulous dresser that was inspired by one of my favorite blogs laybabylay.com. I posted this picture on my facebook page when I first found out I was pregnant, but didn't know what I was having. After seeing this nursery, I could only hope for a baby girl :) 

my craigslist find...

  The one thing I went "gaga" over was her dresser/changing table. I LOVE the color, the detail....everything. So, I found my own "little" version on Craigslist for 70 bucks and began working on  it!!

Ordered my knobs/ handles from Home Depot!

I used Martha Stewart's Bedford Gray paint, and I plan to use it on the crib, and in Amara's bathroom....the color is gorgeous!! I tried  to take the "miss perfect" route and sand the dresser, then prime, then paint blah blah blah, but since it IS laminate on the outside, I used Zinser primer since the dresser doesn't handle sanding. It was liquid sandpaper basically and it worked like a charm! Two coats of primer, two coats of paint and then a polyurethane spray ( it helped take the "sticky" feeling away) and we are done! 

Last, but not least...the drawers needed cute drawer liners of course. I picked up some good quality wrapping paper from Rock Paper Scissors ( amazing paper boutique in Downtown Franklin), and I came home and got busy!

Once I measured my drawers, I cut my pieces of wrapping paper to size planning to "glue" them in with Mod Podge, but I am not the best glue spreader and when I did my first drawer, The paper bubbled on me. Also, it is a VERY old dresser so all the measurements differ by teeny bits of an inch and the glue did not allow me to scoot my paper around once I got it in the drawer to make it fit perfectly. Honestly, the paper doesn't move around...I just wanted some extra durability. I get tired of things quickly though, so just laying the paper in the drawer allows me to change it out whenever I want!

I am so relieved to be done with this project. It is one of my most rewarding ones yet. After Gabe moved the dresser upstairs, and I was able to actually see Amara's first piece of furniture in her room....I felt so joyful! Here are pics of the drawers....changing station still in progress...more pics to come! :)

Thanks for reading.....

You're all....I need.....to get byyyyyy....

These are a few of my must-haves right now! It is hot, I am getting fat and I desire comfortability 24/7.

First and foremost.....my Sadie Marie Dog! She definitely made 10 days home alone go by quickly!!

Cannot live without this foot cream right now. It totally takes care of  my "Flinstone feet"

I already use this twice a day, but  I suffered a serious sunburn on my tummy this week, and it has been a LIFE SAVER!

The most comfortable shorts EVER! My mom treated me to a shopping trip this weekend, and these were worth every penny mom! I can literally wear them to bed, and then wear them out to lunch!

I am pretty much done with "cute shoes!" I just can't last very long without my feet hurting these days, so  my Havianas
are an everyday wear for me!

mmmmmm......I can eat an entire watermelon by myself in no time! Thank goodness my husband is not a fan.....one less thing to argue over :) It is my everyday craving right now.

Turquoise and Caicos....

My love for the shade of yellow is slowly dying. Turquoise is taking over! It is very unlike me to wear the same nail polish color multiple times in a row OR that I paint my toes and fingers the same color. I love change!!! However, Essie's Turquoise and Caicos has stolen my heart. I realize how much I am drawn to this color on a daily basis. It totally reminds me of the beach and it is one of those colors that just makes you happy! 

Chevron wall

I did it! Well....WE did it. My bestie, Lori, and I took on the largest wall in the nursery to do a Chevron pattern in a Strawberry pink. It only took us about ummm......12 hours. No, seriously.....12 hours!! The first 5 or so were us trying to figure out why our chevrons did not look like chevrons and why we couldn't remember our measurements from grade school :) I blame mine on pregnancy brain. Anyway, it is FINALLY done, and I couldn't be happier.

Gabe is in Europe right now for 10 days, and I know for a fact that he is happy about that. He totally got out of this project, therefore, he owes Lori and I BIG TIME!! I can't wait to tackle refinishing the dresser we bought for the room and start filling this space with all my favorite things for little Amara!

I heart you Chevron!

It is time to start making some moves with Amara's nursery. The more time I give myself to surf the web and look at the ideas, the less settled on ONE idea I get. The one design element that has had me from "hello" is the Chevron print. I want it on my pillows, walls, carpet and even furniture! Gabe really loves just having stripes in the room, but I think that is mainly because painting a Chevron pattern can be a lot of work! Where do I draw the line? How much is too much? It will be going SOMEWHERE in my house when it is all said and done! :)

   I am pretty determined to keep the color white in my house, despite the fact that we have a baby on the way. It is a great color all year round. Yes, it IS a color people! I went to pick out the upholstery for my glider today, and when I said I wanted white, the ladies laughed at me! In my dreamworld, my entire house is white, lots of windows and these pieces from Johnathan Adler! Btw, Gabe agrees with all of this! :)

Bar Cart

Giraffe Lamp

Picture frame (for Amara's first baby pic)

Stacking shelves

Goodbye Cabin Fever....Hello DIY Projects!

So, I have been unemployed for 3 weeks now. I have become BFF with my change sorting machine, coupons and most importantly.......craigslist. I am so inspired by people who can take something that was $5, and turn it into something I would LOVE to have. I admire the vision that they have to see the treasure in the trash.  Here is a mixture of inspirations/ projects on my "To Do" List!

Dresser/Changing table for Amara's Nursery

Before....

After! I have been asking for a hanging chandelier for our teeny tiny entryway....this is the PERFECT idea!

Handmade pom pom mobile possibly...

 

I could definitely fall asleep looking at these :)