20 Bathroom Makeovers On A Budget | Hometalk

I'm curating a board on 20 Beautiful Bathroom Makeovers On A Budget over at Hometalk today! There is a bit of advice and inspiration for knock-off style, as well as some incredible blogger powered bathroom makeovers! Click here to see more over at Hometalk. 

I have completed 2 out of 3 bathroom makeovers in my own home on a slim budget, and let me tell you...it is possible! With a little inspiration, a little creativity, and a lot of elbow grease you can have the bathroom of your dreams. 

See the budget breakdown of my Jack & Jill Bathroom Makeover ($83) here
and my Two-Day Powder Room Makeover ($36) here. 

Etsy Love - Christine Marie B

I love shops that appeal to my whimsey...that unexpectedly delightful item you can picture in your own home. It's what I love in this darling shop I follow on Etsy; Christine Marie B Custom Designed + Handmade shop. I have a little crush on Christine's beautiful custom stamps, although I'm awful at keeping in touch! Any chance owning stamps will make me want to write? *chuckle* 

 I'm thrilled to have Christine here on the blog today sharing her passion, be sure to give her some love on Etsy! Oh, and you have to scroll down to see what she's giving away in our Etsy Love giveaway in a few weeks, some lucky winner is going to be over-the-moon!

Meet Christine | Owner, Designer

I'm a graphic designer and ferocious DIYer, happily working from a little office in my home in Florida. Formerly an art director in an advertising agency, I left the cubicle to follow my military husband wherever the Air Force takes us. 

I've always wanted to open an Etsy shop, to have a place to share and sell my designed and DIYed creations. It started with a case I made for my iPhone that got the attention of my friends. They asked where they could get one like it and so my shop began. It's now expanded to include iPad & iPad Mini cases, address stamps, invitations, cards, stationary, and calendars.

I love to create custom, unique and one-of-a-kind things to add a little spice to ordinary things in life. The items offered in my shop will keep evolving and changing, so visit often to see what's new!

~Christine

One lucky winner in the Etsy Love giveaway at the end of the series will gain a custom stamp from Christine's shop! *drool* Your choice, of return address, wedding, or save the date!

Click here to visit Christine's shop on Etsy, and be sure to favorite her shop to see her latest and greatest! She also makes jewelry & scarves with her friend, a fellow military wife, at a shop called Niloulu. Thanks for stopping by Christine!

YMCA Dream House 2014 Tour

Like most of you, I’m a sucker for an inspirational home tour. While we love to virtually browse through images of gorgeous homes and imagine ourselves enjoying these spaces, nothing is quite like being in the space itself. Experiencing firsthand the flow and beauty of the space, and learning what functions work best for how we live.
Recently I did just that, experiencing firsthand the beautiful Lake County YMCA Dream House located in the quaint town of Willoughby, Ohio. For my local readers, this is a great opportunity to enjoy a home tour in person, plus your ticket entitles you to enter to win the Dream House!! Tours are running until August 10^th, so visit while you still can. For tickets or more information click here.

For my other readers, I’m afraid you’ll just have to enjoy it vicariously through my “sneak peek” on the blog today. 

 I love this first look right after you enter the space from the hall. Right at the outset you know you want to take a seat, get comfortable, and drink in the beauty. 

The designers were not afraid to bring in these attractive hues of mauve which I found I really loved! Great inspiration for my daughters room..she has been begging for a purple bedroom since she was 3. Of course the idea of purple initially struck terror in my heart, *grin* now I’m seeing all the possibilities in the lovely mauve and violet throughout this house!

I love the touches of glam without feeling like you are in a feminine space. From the wall décor to the accessories, all have a bit of a metallic qualtiy that reflects off each other and brings some sparkle into the space.

I don’t want to give away too much so that you have something to look forward to on your tour, but I’m in love with the open concept of the 2^nd floor living area. You can see straight through from the kitchen and dining, to the living room, to the great room. 

Aahhh, and what a great room it is! The art gallery immediately drew me in…the photographs were taken right there in downtown Willoughby!

 This kitchen has something I’ve always wanted in my home: charcoal colored cabinets! I’m not sure I could get the husband on board, but maybe this stunning kitchen will convince him to take a chance. 

The kitchen also boasts another dream of mine…a fully outfitted pantry space! When I opened those pantry doors I think I let out a little sigh of jealousy. The pantry is in the ideal location, right next to the refrigerator and prep space…wouldn't it be lovely? 

The beautiful thing about a custom space is the continuity of design. When you purchase pre-fab furnishings and window coverings, you often have to be content to mix and match. Not so with the custom touches in this home! From the dining chairs and window coverings, to the kitchen valance, the fabric and design choices were pulled into the adjoining spaces for a cohesive feel.

Perhaps it is because all the light fixtures in my home that need to be updated, but I’ve certainly got lighting on the brain. I really love this clear glass fixture above the kitchen sink, and the old fashioned bulb that it highlights.

Perhaps the kitchen is the heart of the home, and living spaces the soul… but in my opinion the bedroom is equally heart. It is the private areas in our home where perhaps only our family members may venture, but where our real life begins. I think of it as a space that needs to be restful, happy, and above all else become an escape at the end of a long day. 

 This bedroom has some awesome industrial features. When you visit this home, take a look at the creativity that went into building the bed! (Yes, that was a bit of a teaser…for those able to go on a visit!) 

All I could think seeing this industrial desk lamp was hmmm how can I DIY this awesome lamp?

Finally I enjoyed the mirrored furniture in the master bedroom. Even with the blinds closed and the lights dimmed it created a very glamorous effect.

Whoever wins this YMCA Dream House will be located in a lovely town, within walking distance of all its amenities. I am well acquainted with Willoughby since I drive through downtown on my way to church every week. It seems there is always some exciting event happening in Willoughby! 

Each week I find myself exclaiming over a banner announcing the latest festivity, or peering into some lovely little shop, or watching the artisans set up for farmers market. I love this little town, so conveniently located to everything one could wish, yet having that quaint small town feel all at once!

I think the designers and builders did a fantastic job on this year’s Dream House…I know I was inspired! The YMCA tour volunteers were also so sweet I just had to give them a special shoutout! They were very helpful as I took pictures and excited to show me all the amazing features of the Dream House.

There were a lot of spaces in the YMCA Dream House I did not share here on the blog, but I hope you enjoyed this sneak peak!

Etsy Love - Honeycomb Studio

This Etsy shop makes my heart go pitter patter. Nothing is quite like a beautiful ceramic, and all the gold designs especially have me head-over-heels! Honeycomb Studio produces a lovely variety of my favorite color combinations and designs.

Meet Courtney | Owner, Creative Director
Courtney Hamill discovered ceramics later than most. Attending a small school with a limited arts budget, Courtney headed off to college thinking that if you couldn't paint a still-life scene with oils, you weren't an artist. 

Pursuing a Political Science degree with single-minded determination (she was watching a lot of West Wing at the time), she found herself with nothing but electives to take during the last two years of her college career. She signed up for a fateful Intro to Ceramics on the Wheel class. Oh how she hated it! In the studio until 2am on weeknights trying to throw a 6 inch cylinder! Somehow, over the course of the semester, the hate and frustration melted away and were replaced by a life-long addiction to clay.

After graduation, the city girl moved to a farmhouse in the mountains of Virginia to apprentice with ceramicists Donna Polseno and Rick Hensley, before joining the life of the 9-5ers. 

In 2012, Courtney walked away from a successful career in non-profit fundraising to start Honeycomb Studio. She personally renovated the 200 sq ft detached garage in her backyard (who told this girl she knew anything about electrical wiring?!) and turned it into her dream pottery studio. She has never looked back.

During the Etsy Love big giveaway at the end of the series, one extremely lucky reader will win this stunning white and copper minimalist vase...you lucky. lucky. person.  You definitely want to follow the series each Thursday to see all the amazing items you can win, and keep an eye open for the giveaway in August! 

I'm trying really hard not to swoon here, but I'm honestly smitten. *chuckle* Aw you know me, I'm a real sucker for gold, copper, and ceramics!
Follow along with Honeycomb studios and keep up with all its beautiful creations here:
Etsy Shop | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Front Door Paint Giveaway!

Last week I shared my font door paint-over, and this week I'm excited to announce that one of you lucky readers will win your very own quart of Front Door Paint by Modern Masters!
Take a look at all these amazing paint choices...so many stunning colors to choose from! Which is your favorite? Go ahead, try on your favorite paint color using the Front Door Paint App for iPhone and Android to see which will compliment your house best. You'll need to know for when you win. *wink* 
Oh hey, and share your favorite color choices with me, I'd love to see it! 

I'm digging the "Peaceful" blue hue I chose. Speaking of which, did you see the before? Well you have to see the scary before of the inside and out of this door...then you'll really understand how amazing it is now! *wry grin*

Ok, let me stop admiring my new door... ON TO THE GIVEAWAY! I've put together a variety of super easy options for you to choose for your entries. Good luck, and happy painting!
A big thank you to Modern Masters for powering this giveaway! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chip Wade...Oh, and I'm a Haven Maven!

Who is the most innovative team in the country? Uh, this guy and his team on HGTV's Elbow Room! Why yes, yes that is me with Chip Wade and Cristi Holcombe! Well, what do you think, wouldn't I make the perfect addition to the team? *heh heh* Oh come on, I'm creative...

So if you were wondering where I disappeared to this past weekend, now you know, it was clearly to stalk Chip Wade and some awesome bloggers at a fantastic blog conference called Haven! Just kidding, I'd probably make the worst stalker ever since I couldn't find half my bloggy friends in the Haven masses. Hey, you know what is really awkward? Not being able to recognize anyone from their thumbnail (or being unrecognizable from mine!)...*chortle* well confession is good for the soul.

{Awesome bloggy friend Rachel @ Maison De Pax, and her sweet beautiful kissable baby! }

{Julia @ Cuckoo 4 Design, one of my 3 car-mates. Eeep, I rented a car and drove us! And yes we made a couple U-turns...woops, such forgiving car mates! lol!}

{ My other two forgiving (and fun!) car mates: Ashley @ Domestic Imperfection, & Lauren @ Mom Home Guide }

I did meet and greet with quite a few bloggers I did not know before, and attended a bunch of great classes to help me bring my blog best for you, my fantastic readers!
Side note for my blogging readers, Dan R. Morris... yes... just do it. Look at the link. Can you say val.u.able? 

{ My totally rock'in roomates: Katie @ Addicted 2 DIY, & Melissa @ A Prudent Life }

Well, I won't bore you with all the details. It was a crazy busy weekend for me, but I'm baaaaack!
Oh, I almost forgot that I promised you more than a sneak peak at the business cards I designed to hand out at the conference...so here they are:

Well? What do you think? Are you looking at this thinking "THAT is a business card? What's happening right now." *wink & a chuckle*

Let me explain, being newer I wanted to make a splash right at the outset. It was important to leave bloggers and brands enough information to pique their interest right from the moment they received my card. I dreamt up this combination business card & portfolio (media kit) in one. It is a small accordion foldout with the business card tucked in the front. In the picture above you see it folded up, then what it looks like unfolded on the inside and the outside.

This is great for any business not just the business of blogging, so next week I'll be sharing all the details on how to create these little gold mines, and all the important elements to make it effective! (plus a few nuggets I learned at Haven to make it even better!) 

Ciao my lovelies!

Etsy Love - Rosyeco

I joke that I was Eco friendly well before it was popular, and I've been a long time fan of pure chemical free materials. Sufficed to say, I was pretty excited to run across this shop that used natural hemp cloth, then add some of my favorite mod designs, and I am sold! I'm glad to have Amanda from Rosyeco take a moment out of her busy day (as business owner and brand new mom!) to share on the blog today. Don't forget to take a peek below to see what lovely item you can win from Rosyeco during the Etsy Love big giveaway at the end of the series!

Meet Amanda | Owner I design, hand print (sometimes) and sew all products. I learned to sew at age 9 when I was sent to sewing camp for a week. The rest I’ve learned from YouTube, some helpful sewing blogs and books. I’ve recently fallen in love with designing prints and hand printing. I love both the outcome and the process itself. I’ve found joy and passion in designing and making handmade items. I’ve tested them at home first, sharpened up my rusty sewing skills, and opened up my Etsy shop in December 2013.This shop is my spare time fun/work/hobby.

I am also a registered nurse, new mom, wife and some would say a bit of an over-achiever. I am passionate about the environment and run my shop from an earth friendly perspective. I strive to be as chemical free and waste free as possible. I am always trying to reduce, reuse and recycle. I think of it as trying to achieve a modern balance. I want to help make less of an impact on our earth, but still surround myself with l beautiful things to enjoy life with. I am using hemp and organic cotton fabrics. I know that using earth friendly fabrics is my small contribution to our fight for our health and that of our planet. I’d like to spread the notion of this; Hemp is such a wonderful fabric. It can be grown organically in poor soil almost anywhere and is naturally pest, drought, and mildew resistant! It wears hard like linen, but the organic cotton blend gives it a softness. The fabric also gets softer with use.

Currently, I feel I am just beginning my journey with this handmade shop, finding my balance creatively, professionally and in home family life. My goal is simply to design and make: handmade, finely crafted, earth friendly soft goods for daily use and admiration.

~Amanda

Check out this lovely tea towel. Amanda graciously gifted me one, and I absolutely adore it! How would you like to be the owner of one as well? At the end of this Etsy Love Series I will be hosting one large giveaway, and you could be the owner of this gorgeous tea towel! Follow along every Thursday to see what beautiful products you can win come August.

Thanks so much for sharing with us today Amanda!
I love knowing the creative force behind the goods in my home, somehow it makes it just that much more incredible. Plus you know you're supporting a person brave and passionate enough to follow their dreams and make a difference.
Be sure to follow Rosyeco on Etsy and also via Facebook to see all the lovely creations as they come!