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Pier 1 Outdoor Makeover

This post is sponsored by Pier 1.

Spring has officially sprung, and I couldn’t be happier. Porch sittin’ is one of my favorite pastimes, and having an outdoor entertaining area was on the very top of the list of must-haves when we were looking to purchase a home. I was blessed to get a front porch, a deck and a large screened-in porch.

All three of these outdoor spaces need some love, but the one that was high on my priority list was the screened-in area because enjoying the breeze of a warm night shielded from bugs is always a good thing.
We started with this.

Pier 1 Outdoor Furniture

The carpet was disgusting and there were webs and bugs everywhere. We hadn’t really used the space since we moved in nearly 2.5 years ago.
To start the transformation, we (and by “we,” I mean “he”) took up the carpet, pressure-washed the area and removed the plywood to reveal the wood underneath that we will eventually stain.

Pier 1 Outdoor Furniture`

Pier 1 Outdoor Furniture

With a blank slate, I was able to venture out to Pier 1 for some outdoor furnishings and accessories to start decorating the space.  First things first: Seating was at the top of my priority list. If you’ve come across my porch cocktails Pinterest board, then you totally get it!

Pier 1 Outdoor Furniture

This space will continue to be a revolving work in progress as I play with colors and additional Pier 1 accessories. Here is the current state of the outdoor space. I have been out there every night since the temps have been warm. I can hardly believe this transformation.

I’ve incorporated a few of my mother’s items, as I always do in our spaces. A great way to remember her.

Pier 1 Outdoor Furniture

Pier 1 Outdoor Furniture

 

Pier 1 Outdoor Furniture

This is certainly not the wicker of old. With the look of wicker, the quality on these chairs will make them indestructible. They are easily sprayed down. I just loved the coiling detail on the arms and the updated feel to the wicker design.

I am in love with the color and the softness of the seat cushions that I purchased for the love seat and chair. I wanted something that was a bit of a colorful neutral where I could change out the throw pillows from time to time. These work perfectly and I have managed to curl into a ball comfortably on the loveseat, and I am waiting for a rainy day to lay on it and read a magazine.

The throw pillows bring in the color of Summer, I’ve eyed some other options at Pier1 so don’t be surprised to see the throw pillows changed out as I make the space an extension of the living room with complimentary colors.

I went with this neutral rug to keep my options open for bringing in color with my throw pillows.

This outdoor rug was perfect for the look I was going for. I love the size and the quality, and I had quite a dilemma in the store between going for color or sticking with the neutral color and the neutral won out. It’s classic design and color work for defining the seating area.

Pier 1 Outdoor Furniture

Pier 1 Outdoor Furniture

Pier 1 Outdoor Furniture

In a few weeks, I’ll be throwing a fun party to show off my new outdoor space, and will be adding additional Pier 1 accessories to include lighting and dinnerware!  Can’t wait to share with you.

It’s time to get those outdoor spaces together.  Whether your space is big or small, Pier 1 has what you need! With hundreds of exciting new decorating options, Pier 1 will help you create an awesome outdoor space that you’ll never want to leave. Explore their new 2016 collections here, and remember to share photos of your Pier 1 décor on Instagram with #Pier1Love.

 

Pier1_Imports_RGB-2

 

Living Vlog

weekend vlog

I managed to fit our whole weekend into S I X minutes. Take a look to see where I was locked in a room, why I was serenaded by a 5 year old and why my son  has just a few more infractions before all of his privileges are taken away.

I do these vlogs to show the real side of my life, the camera rolls whether I look a mess or not. I am not interested in anyone thinking my life looks like these well angled and edited photos that I share here! While it does at times, most often it does not and I think it is okay to share that side of my life. Thank you to those who watch. I hope you see that my life is just as normal as everyone else or NOT?!

Be sure to subscribe to my channel!

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Ace Hardware 31 Days of Color | Living Room Makeover

This post is sponsored by Ace Hardware. All thoughts and opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of Ace Hardware.

One of the first things I said when our real estate agent swung open the door to our now home was,  “This wall color will have to be the first thing to go.” Well, if anyone is counting, it’s been nearly 2.5 years and, thanks to Ace Hardware, the living room wall color is finally gone.

Working with Ace Hardware on this project helped me out of my comfort zone with an unlikely color that I wouldn’t have picked on my own and we are so extremely happy with the outcome.

Ace 31 Days of Color

To give you the kick you need to brighten and freshen up your living spaces for Spring, Ace Hardware is hosting a 31 Days of Color Sweepstakes. You can enter to win a $10,000 paint makeover and daily gift cards at thepaintstudio.com. While you are on the site, you can also get some color inspiration for a space.

Here are a few before pictures of the previous wall color.

Good. Bye.

Ace 31 Days of Color

Ace 31 Days of Color

I even got in on the fun.

Ace 31 Days of Color

Ace 31 Days of Color

aaaaaand after!! The wall color is Valspar Silver Eucalyptus.

Ace 31 Days of Color

Ace Hardware 31 Days of Color

Ace 31 Days of Color

We also took the ceiling to white except for the very top of the trey ceiling because I was afraid the color would be too dark but it is just amazing. New couch pillows, curtains and a rug are on the way. I’m also so excited to start hanging photos on the wall.

Ace 31 Days of Color

With the open concept of the house, we now have to paint the foyer, hallway, dining room and kitchen sooner than later. We will follow the Silver Eucalyptus color card palette. To tie in all of the spaces the foyer, the hallway and the fireplace will be the same color, this is why the fireplace hasn’t been painted yet. Look for those changes in the next month or so.

Ace 31 Days of Color

The paint was very affordable and covered so well considering what was underneath. This entire space only took 3 gallons. Much better, don’t you agree?

No purchase or payment necessary to enter or win.  Open to legal US residents residing in the contiguous United States and the District of Columbia who are at least twenty-one (21) years of age and who are homeowners.  Sweepstakes will run from 3/1/16-3/31/16.  Full rules located here: http://www.thepaintstudio.com/31daysofcolor/pdf/2016AceHardware31DaysofColorSweepstakesRules.pdf

Another day, another color to inspire your home projects. Everyday in March, Ace is unveiling a featured color and giving you a chance to win a $10,000 room makeover! To learn more visit thepaintstudio.com.

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Living

how I regroup when life gets off track

I’ve been sick. These three words might give you a clue that I am currently in a state of frenzy trying to catch up on everything to include my house, business and kids.

Women have a super power of being able to juggle a million things at once. My husband did the best he could to work and keep up with things while I was sick  but with a bathroom renovation in progress,  no closet and clothes stuffed in boxes during a season change, two trips in the span of one week coming up,  children needing new clothes, 5 invoices pending, executive board duties for my sorority,  and the simple task of getting back on track with cleaning and laundry  I am feeling a bit overwhelmed at where to start when it comes to getting my house, business and children back on schedule.

Today I sat down and worked through my obligations and emails to start the process and thought I would share how I calm my crazy when life gets hectic.

Breathe

Yes, it can all become too much making it hard to focus on a starting point, but breathe. No matter how hard you try to keep things in order, due to circumstances seen and unforeseen life will spiral out of control at a moments notice. Gather yourself and get a clear head before tackling the steps needed to regain control.

Create a Master List

Write it all down from the simplest of tasks to the most difficult.  Get everything out of your head and onto paper. Grocery shopping, inputting information into a spreadsheet, to cleaning the bathroom, if you need to get it done, get it down on paper. This takes the pressure off of you to remember everything. Something about seeing everything on paper doesn’t make the tasks seem so daunting. I promise.

Prioritize

Looking at that master list, it’s time to prioritize. That may mean breaking larger tasks into smaller pieces to get done over a few days instead of just one. Really take account of what can wait, and place items that will restore visual order higher on the list if possible. Less clutter in my visual calms me down tremendously, that means folding clothes and getting the house clean makes me more productive in attacking other areas that need attention.

Delegate

Type A? This might be hard for you but the quicker you restore order, the quicker you can effectively control everything again. For instance, when I get overwhelmed my communication with my husband breaks down. Before I get calm enough to know I need a process to regain order everything is scribble scrabble in my head.  I literally give him the business in bits and incoherent pieces because I haven’t taken the time to decipher what I need and my communication becomes ineffective. I recently called in our counselor to help, I needed that ant hill to stay small and insignificant. With her help we were able to effectively communicate what we needed from each other. Whatever someone else can help you with, let them until you are back on top.

Stick to the Plan

Once you have the plan and have delegated tasks, STICK. TO. THE. SCRIPT. If you’ve involved other people you need to be mindful of their time and unless a change is absolutely needed, work the plan. Scratch off your accomplishments as you go and make adjustments as needed. Before you know it things will be back in order and your sanity restored.

For the first time in days I feel ready to get back in the game. How do you regroup when your life decides to get off track?