Tuft and Needle Review

I'm slowly but surely becoming more adult-ish (with the exception of the above photo). When you find yourself looking for a new mattress, you know you've entered adulthood. As someone who can only function after a good night's sleep, I knew I needed a quality mattress! I had no idea how expensive they are though, not to mention how bulky and inconvenient most are. Enter: Tuft and Needle. A twenty-something girl's mattress dream come true! 

A Peek Into Our Living Room + Gallery Wall

One of my favorite things to do in my free time (what is that?) is decorate my apartment. As much as I love going out to eat, seeing friends, and going to events around town, I will never get tired of a relaxing night at home and a home cooked meal followed by a movie with TJ and Colbie. I've wanted to completely redecorate our living room for quite some time since it never really had a solid theme or color scheme going on. As you look through these photos, you'll see a new gallery wall I created with Minted framed art, a whole lot of white and grey, with a bunch of pops of blue. 

How To Style Your TV Stand or Console Table

A few months ago, I finally found a TV stand that had all of the requirements I had been looking for for years!  Of course, Homegoods was where I found it.  That place never lets me down.  I was looking for a tv stand that would have shelving I could decorate rather than cabinets that close, a grey wood finish and rustic look, and a large enough size that would allow me to make it my own!  After barely fitting into TJ's suv, we got home and it sat in our living room for weeks before deciding what I wanted to put on the shelves.  

At Home Holiday Headquarters

This time of year is the best!  Everybody is getting into the holiday spirit, decorating their homes, spending time with friends and family, giving gifts to loved ones... what could be better?

One of my personal favorite activities this time of year is decorating my home the weekend after Thanksgiving.  There is just something so exciting about the start of the season.  It's really the little things like burning the first Christmas tree candle of the year or hanging up stockings (including my dog's) that really get me all warm and fuzzy feeling inside.

Home Decor Under $250

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Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day Heart Banner (second option) | Cupcake Glass Jar | Black Picture Frames (similar) | Gold Sunburst Wall Mirror (similar) | Floral Balls (love these)

Happy Valentine's Day! Over the years, I have grown to like Valentine's Day more each year.  I think it is what you make it.  If you want to think of it as a materialistic, "Hallmark" created holiday, that's fine.  I like to look at it as a time where you can have a whole day to spend time with just you and your significant other, with no distractions of other people.  Although there are several times to do this throughout the year, I especially look forward to Valentine's Day.  Everyone's lives get really busy and it is nice to have a special day to be alone.  Tonight, TJ and I are planning on staying home and cooking steak, roasted potatoes, and asparagus while watching some of our favorite tv shows on hulu.  If you're a single lady (or not), then Valentine's day can still be really fun!  Throw a 'Gal'entine's Day party and invite some girlfriends over for wine.  This past Monday, I had some friends over for the best 'Gal'entines celebration.  I filled the bar-cart drink dispenser with pink lemonade, served wine and other sweet treats, and decorated the apartment with some really cute decorations.  Everyone brought their own dish and it was wonderful.  I even sprinkled pink rose petals on my doormat as a festive welcome.  It was a great time with great gal pals.  

Oh, and today is my parent's 30th anniversary! How happy. I love them.  

Hope you all enjoy the weekend.


XOX,
Shelby

The Most Efficient Way to Update Furniture

I know Annie Sloan Chalk Paint has been around for years but somehow I just recently discovered this crafty treasure.  I like to get stuff done as efficiently as possible, and with no sanding or priming required, this is my kind of paint.  I decided to try it out on a shelf I keep in my bathroom.  I was going for a color that would brighten up the room and make it more clean looking, fresh feeling, and happy.  I decided to go with "Paris Grey", a light grey neutral shade that seems to also be one of the more popular Annie Sloan paint colors after perusing through pinterest.  (Funny story: My older sister who lives in Richmond texted me a picture that night of her husband drinking a blue moon and painting with Paris Grey chalk paint... meanwhile, my boyfriend was drinking a blue moon and painting with Paris Grey chalk paint.  How strange.

FYI- *This brand of paint can only be found at independent small retailers so check their website for your closest location.  I frolicked down the paint aisle at Lowe's to end up disappointed when I found out they didn't carry it.  So, off I went to a tiny little antique shop in downtown Apex, NC.  I picked up my paint from Two Old Birds which ended up having the nicest woman ever working there!  They also offer workshops to teach you skills and secrets to the paint, like layering different colors and distressing.  

Here are the steps I took:

1. Wipe down your piece of furniture with a wet rag to remove all of the dust/etc. 

2. Get to painting! Yeah, that is right.  You can go ahead and start painting... No priming, sanding, anything.

Here is a "before" photo or should I say a "when I remembered to take a before" photo.

Oh yeah, I also decided to paint my nightstands because it was just so fun.

3.  Let paint dry and then apply the Soft Clear Wax.  The paint dries within 30 minutes.  I would also suggest applying two coats of paint before using the wax.  I just used an old t-shirt and cut it into small pieces.  Be sure to wipe in a circular motion and then quickly wax off.  Just use a different t-shirt rag to wax off.  Waxing on/Waxing off should happen within 5 minutes of eachother.

4.  Optional- This is the part where you can "distress" your furniture if you want to.  I chose to just distress it a little bit by using sand paper on the edges and a couple areas on the top and sides.  

And there you have it, the most efficient way to give your furniture an upgrade.

Let me know if you have any questions or if you have used Annie Sloan paint yourself!

Shelby

  

Holiday Gift Guide for the Hostess

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DIY Corkboard

I've been thinking about a way I could make my desk space a little more unique and classic without adding too much... Well, I thought of something! Have you ever realized how dull a regular bulletin board looks?  I don't know why there aren't cuter ones sold in stores but not to fear... gold spray paint saves the day again! I decided to go with simple thick gold stripes and added a little motivational word down at the bottom. I already had some gold spray paint, as well as white paint from a painting my nightstands recently, so this saved a lot of money.  

Gifts for Moms

Today is my favorite woman's birthday so I thought I'd do a post about gift ideas for your mom, grandma, bff, etc.  I love treating my mom to a great gift because there is no other person who has done SO much for me.  If anyone deserves a special day, it's moms and dads. I like to give a really thoughtful gift, something I know she would love but maybe wouldn't ever find herself.  Personally, my mom loves cooking, wine, turquoise, running, and working in the yard.  One of my favorite gift ideas lately is this state cutting board from A Heirloom where you can find ANY state shape.  These would be a great wedding gift too! Shop the links below if you're on the look out for a gift idea.

Oh! Today I am also taking over the instagram account, @TheBlogBaton! This is an account where a different blogger holds the "baton" each day so you can get to know a little bit more about them.  The girl who started it, Mason, from the blog Mason...Like The Jar has one of the cutest blogs I've ever read and is from Raleigh, NC! Anyways, follow along today @TheBlogBaton! 

SHOP:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! I love you! Thanks for being the best friend and mom a girl could ask for!

XO,

Shelby