Design Star on HGTV ~ Do you watch?

Decorating / Television

HGTV Design Star

The first episode of Design Star on HGTV, aired last Monday night, and I can tell you I am already a huge fan of this season!  I am loving the fact Tanika Ray is the host, and she did a FAB job last week. The three judges, Vern Yip, Genevieve Gorder and Candice Olsen were much more supportive and encouraging this year!  I love it!

The first episode started off with a huge challenge this year!  The designers were paired up and, each team was responsible for decorating a room in an empty three-story New York penthouse.   My favorite room of the night was the great room, decorated by Leslie Ezell and Cathy Hobbs:

My favorite part of the room was the tire tread coffee table, which Leslie picked out!  Check it out:

The winner of the challege was Karl Sponholtz, who created an awesome bonus room with Kellie Clements

It really was a great room!  The loser of the challenge and the first designer to leave the show was Blanche Garcia, who designed a bedroom with Mark Diaz.  Her random "doily"votive holders on the wall, and botched wallpaper frames, contributed to her demise.

I really think this season started off with a bang and a HUGE challenge!  I can't wait to see what is next!

Design Star episode 2 airs tonight at 9pm/8c on HGTV

Disclosure: This post is part of a sponsored campaign by Crafterminds and HGTV Design Star. My opinions are my own.

Ali

Party Time!

Crafts / Decorating / Parties

Well, technically the party was almost 2 months ago, which was about the last time I posted.  What is up with that?  I think with all the excitement and festivities during the month of May, I needed some time to decompress.  Yeah, that's it.  We'll go with that!  So to play a little catch up, I need to post about Madison's Graduation Party!

Graduation Party 
We held the party in the backyard of my brother's gorgeous house, the Friday night before her Sunday graduation, and it worked out perfect.  We did have a few rain sprinkles, but for the most part the weather held.

Decorations 
First up, the decorations.  Madi's favorite color is purple, so I knew that would have to be on of the colors in the color scheme.  Since yellow seems to be "in" right now, I thought that make a nice choice to add to the purple.  I made the usual tissue paper flowers that you see all over blog land, and added some paper lanterns

We strung some white Christmas lights from the fireplace to the trees, over the stone patio.

I made a purple and yellow bunting banner from scrapbook paper to drape from the covered patio

I also used my trusty Silhouette to cut out some vinyl in a celebratory message for the wall of the garage, under the enclosed patio.  I surrounded the message with a bunch of pictures of Madi throughout the years

I also strung picutres of Madi witht he friends from the last 4 years of high school  Lot's of dance pictures, cheerleading photos, etc. It's hard to tell, but they are hung from ribbon with tiny clothes pins.

I bought two large bouquets of flowers from Costco that morning, and split them up in to several different vases.  One on the food table, the stone fireplace, the wine table, and the entry table.  They were gorgeous yellow and purple flowers with some white daisies too!

I also had a small entry table as guest arrived in the back yard.  It had Madi's yearbook, for friends that hadn't signed it yet, as well as advice/memory cards for friends and family to fill out for Madi.  Giving her advice for the years to come, or a favorite memory.

Food 
The menu was pretty simple and easy, which worked out great.  We had pulled pork and roast turkey from Sugarhouse BBQ Company which was delish!  Along with rolls, a yummy pasta salad, fresh fruit, chips and salsa, shrimp, and cupcakes for dessert. 

The cupcake toppers were made from scrapbook paper, my giant scallop punch, and were glued to toothpicks.  Super easy!

We also rented a cotton candy machine (Madi loves cotton candy), that was a HUGE hit with the kids AND parents!

At about the time the party actually started, I put my camera down and never picked it up again!  What was I thinking?  Too busy hostessing and visiting, I guess.  Thankfully Madi took a few photos!

Let the fun begin 

It was a super fun night, and we all had a great time!  We had the fireplace going, another firepit lit, and dancing in the garage!  Just wish I would have taken more photos!

Thanks for hanging in there through all the photos!  And for being patient with my blog-vacation!  Guess, what?  It's friday!  TGIF!  Hope you have a great weekend!

Ali

Five Fabulous Bloggers!

Crafts / Decorating / Weblogs

Thanks to Trop50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 Fabulous Wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous!

Five Today, I want to tell you about 5 FABULOUS blogs that I visit every single day!  I visit all of them for a variety of different reasons and inspiration.  Check them out!

Nie Nie Dialogues

Nie Nie is EXTREMELY inspirational!  She and her hubby (Mr. Nielsen) are recovering from a horrific airplane crash.  Her story and her will to live is just plain fabulous!  Her blog is also full of lots and lots of eye candy!  Lots of fun colors and style!

Under the Sycamore

Talk about MORE eye candy!  Ashley's blog is full of inspiration in her photos and decorating!  Check out her fabulous bedroom and chicken wire wall HERE.  Awesome! Also, her darling little Firecracker is recovering from a broken leg as well, and it has been inspiring to read how Ashley spent so much time in the hospital with her, yet continued to inspire all of her blog readers!

House of Smiths

Another fabulous blogger!  Shelley is HILARIOUS!  I love her posts about her adorable "chicks", and I love her style!  She has done some serious decorating!  Check out this FABULOUS photo gallery wall HERE.  I LOVE IT!

Young House Love

I absolutely love what these DIY'ers do!  They recently purchase a "new" to them home and are slowing but surely redoing it!  Check out their new patio HERE, which they finished just in time for their little bean's (Clara) FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY.  These two even DIY'd their WEDDING!  Check it out!

Tatertots and Jello

Jen @ Tatertots and Jello ALWAYS has the best ideas!  Whether it's CRAFTING, or DECORATING or RECIPES, Jen has got it covered!  Her blog is a daily does of creativity!  You MUST check her out!

Heart blog 

What do you guys think?  Do you read the blogs above?  What blogs are your must read blogs? I would love to hear!

Also, if you aren't already a follower of my blog, I would love you to be!  😉 Don't forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous. I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.

 

Ali

Easter Vinyl

Crafts / Decorating / Holidays

So, I broke out the Silhouette tonight an printed out some vinyl for Easter!

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Just a simple pink bunny and "Happy Easter" on a white plate!  Simple, but cute!

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And the second, a little more Religious! 

Quick and Easy Easter Decorations!  Just the way I like them!

Happy Friday!

Thanks for stopping by!

Don't forget to enter my FABULOUS GIVEAWAY!  Enter HERE!!!

Linking up with:

Just a Girl!

 

/Photobucket

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing

DebbieDoos Newbie Party

Ali

PB Knock Off Book Ends

Crafts / Decorating

It was a fabulous mail day yesterday!  I got my Pottery Barn catalog, Pottery Barn Kids catalog, and Crate & Barrel catalog!!   Love!  Love!  Love!  So many fabulous ideas!

I was at the Dollar Store on Saturday, and happened to pick up some random bird figurines, with the thought of painting them white.  BUT, after seeing these in the PB Kids catalog:

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I thought….hmmm……let's give them a little coat of silver!  Yes?  I thought so too!

So they went from this:

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to this:

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to this:

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 What do you think?  Me likey!

PB cost:  $29 for two

My cost:  $2 for two! 

I already had the spray paint!  Just paid a buck each for the birds!

Once again….easy peasy!

Thanks for stopping by!

🙂

Linking to:

This Blessed Nest

Creations by Kara

Blue Cricket Design

Seven Thirty Three

Lil Luna

Just a Girl

HookingupwithHoH

House of Hepworths

http://733blog.blogspot.com/

Ali

Curtains it is!

Decorating / Our House

Thanks you everyone, who chimed in via this blog post and facebook, regarding my curtains dilemma!  The verdict is in, and most everyone thinks the curtains should stay.  I totally agree!  I'm loving my master bath again! 

I also want to thank Allison at House of Hepworths who featured my bath remodel HERE

IhookedupwithHoHlamespice

and another big thanks to Emily at Decorchick! , who also featured my bath remodel HERE.  PLEASE stop on these two blogs and show them some love!  They are both very, very talented gals!  🙂

Decorkchick!

In other news……IT'S BACK!!!!!  THE PLEURISY!  Seriously, what?  Why?  Can I not ever get over this crap?!?!?!? 

Thanks for all the well wishes and love!  Y'all are the best!

The best news of the day?  It's Friday!  Woot Woot!  Enjoy your day and I hope you all have a FABULOUS weekend!

 

Ali

Curtains…..yes or no?

Decorating / Our House

Some help, please!

If you help me, I promise you won't have to suffer through anymore master bath photos! 

Curtains, yes or no? 

What do you think?

I can't decide!

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I think the curtains are growing on me, but I'm just not sure!  I'd love to hear what you think!

And just for good measure……a few more photos of the bathroom, I'm in love with!   🙂

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She's come a long way, baby!

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I'd love to hear your thoughts on the curtains!  Pretty please?

Also, if you aren't already a follower of my blog, I'd love you to become one! :)

Linking up to:

The CSI Project
Visit thecsiproject.com

Debbie Doos Newbie Party

http://poppiesatplay.blogspot.com/

Ali

Master Bathroom Reveal! *FINALLY!*

Decorating

Finally!

The Master Bathroom Reveal!

Are you ready!

Here she is!

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Let's remember what she looked like BEFORE:
 
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Soooo much better, huh? 

Here are some more photos!  Before, During and After!

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I'm noticing that my camera lens is pretty dirty!  Excuse the spots!  Yikes!

I'd love to hear what you think!  I have some curtains to hang, but I am still a bit undecided on them.  The paint color is Sherwin Williams Sea Salt.  I'm in love! 

My original inspiration for the makeover came from Kate @ Centsational Girl!  Thanks so much Kate for the inspiration.  I even got into a mini argument with the gal at the Lowes paint counter.  She told me I didn't need tinted primer for the vanity.  I told her that ""Kate @ Centsational Girl used tinted primer and I'm following her instructions EXACTLY!"

We also used the board and batten tutorial I found HERE at Beneath My Heart ~ Thanks Traci!

So happy to have this mini remodel mostly done!  Thanks for humoring me along the way!

If you are new to my blog, I would love for you to "follow me"  :)  Thanks so much!

Linking up to:

Met Monday 
Between Naps on the Porch

A Design Story

Tuesdays Treasures 
http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Show and tell Green

Blue Cricket Design

HookingupwithHoH

House of Hepworths

http://tidymom.net/

A Bowl Full of Lemons

http://theinspiredroom.net/

Ali

Master Bath Sneak Peek #3 (or is it #4?)

Decorating / Our House

So…here we go again.  Another master bath sneak peek. I know, I know….you are wondering when (if?) we are going to finish the master bath.  I  mean this was just a mini-remodel, right?  Well progress has been made, slowly but surely!  Don't believe me?  Let's refresh your memory, shall we?  Here is the BEFORE

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Purdy, isn't she?  😉

You can see our updated vanity and mirror here our new tile here and our new faucet here…all that leads me to this:

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 We installed board and batten last weekend and got the tile grouted! 

Can I get a Woot Woot?

What is the plan for this weekend, you ask?  Okay, I know you didn't ask, but humor me, mkay!

 

Picnick 
 Not too bad!  Should be able to get that done this weekend, right?  Maybe? 🙂

Then I get to hang curtains and decorate! 

Oh, and move the toilet out of the bathtub (what, you don't have a toilet in your bathtub?)

Whatevs.

And one more thing…..guess what?  It is FRIDAY!  Finally! 

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

Thanks for visiting!


Ali

Fabulous Friday Finds!

Crafts / Decorating

Lot's of great stuff out in blog land this week!  Check it out!

Vday Pillows 
Jen @ Tatertots and Jello made these Valentines Day pillows!  Super cute!  Her blog is one of my most favorites!  She always has the cutest ideas!

Check out this cute wreath, chalkboard and chandy necklace @ Madigan Made

Madigan 

I love that she changes out the decor around the chalkboard, and the quote on the chalkboard for every holiday/month!  Very creative!

I love this idea!  Valentine Frames from the girls @ Eighteen25.  When you drop by their website, prepare to spend some time there!  Lots of GREAT craft ideas! 

I heart U 

My kids are too old to do valentines for their friends and teachers anymore, but how cute are these?  I've got to figure out a way to make these for SOMEONE! :)  Ashley Ann @ Under the Sycamore made these CRUSH Valentines!  So creative!

Under the Sycamore 

And finally, Christina @ Creations by Christina  made this CUTE felt wreath

Christina 
She also has some AWESOME recipes on her blog check 'em out!  She is always making, baking or cooking something!

And two Etsy shops I want to tell you about.  My super, fabulously talented cousin and her daughter make these adorable headbands

Maisey 
How freakin' cute are they?  She sells all sorts of these darling things!  You can find her etsy shop here: Maisey's Daiseys.  Please go show her some LOVE!

And my sweet, crafty friend Laura has these darling necklaces!

Be Mine 
I bought one from her HERE and it is even more darling in person!  I love it!  Please take a moment to see how cute these necklaces are!

So many cute, crafty things out there in blog land this week!  If you click on any of the links listed above, please feel free to share some lovely comments with them!  They are some of the most talented women out there!

Oh, and one more thing……T.G.I.F!  Holla!

Linking up to Debbiedoos Newbie Party!

Ali