Gender Neutral Nursery

When we found out we were expecting a little girl everyone jumped on the pink bandwagon, everyone except Jerrod and I! I had so many people give their opinions that the room should be pink, all the clothes should be pink, everything pink and it began to drive me nuts! So that being said, I went on the hunt for some nursery inspiration.

These photos of general neutral nurseries are amazing and for me was a refreshing reminder that the color wheel for babies is much larger than blue and pink! When Rosalie’s nursery was finally complete it turned out to be pretty neutral, but the curtains added the perfect amount of girly (hoping to have the nursery pics up this week) what is your opinion on nursery decor? Do you prefer classic pink or blue or love the neutral options that can be used for more than one child?

All images were sourced via my Pinterest

Happy Tuesday!

-Allison

Small projects that can make a big impact

If you have been here for a while you know I love DIY and it never stops amazing me what a coat of spray paint can do for some things! Recently I spray painted our floor and wall vents a deep espresso brown and I am obsessed.

This was the situation before hand – awful, I know!

This small update cost me a total of 6 bucks for the spray paint and made our home look so much more updated. (It was built in 2003 and the previous owners did not upgrade anything during building or during the time they lived in the home) see below for a before and after of a wall vent, such a improvement!

What are some budget friendly things you have done to your home to update it?

-Allison

DIY projects on my to do list

I am a lover of most do-it-yourself projects, but there is something about summer that gets me extra pumped! I truly feel fulfilled when I am able to create things on my own. Below are my top 7 projects I am hoping to complete in the next several months. You can find them all here on my “Fake it ’til you make it” Pinterest board. Happy DIY-ing!

This dress made out of slips is not so much a DIY but a major source of inspiration when I am out thrifting. This is so gorgeous and all it took was a little imagination 🙃

This cute llama rock / paper weight / whatever you want to use it for. It puts a smile on my face and what other reason do you need!

unique and super cute garden signs. Sometimes I need all the help I can get! 😉

a pom pom basket – what else needs to be said? This thing is amazing

Wood and leather mason jar vases. These would be so awesome outside!

fruit slice umbrellas – would be so cute for Rosalie’s first birthday

and finally Aspen candle holders; simple and chic for the patio or can be used around the holidays as well.

Do you have any DIYs you are excited to complete this summer?

-Allison

DIY Diaper box update

If you are like me you hate to recycle a good box, especially diaper boxes! The are a great size and they usually have pre-cut handles (depending on the brand) Today’s DIY is super simple and will help you upgrade those boxes to functional storage. 🙂

what do you think? Super simple right!? I would love to see any of your recreations 🙂

Happy Wednesday!

-Allison

DIY Wall Art

I was inspired to do my own version of this project by the queen of DIY herself, Mr.Kate. She did a more simplified version of this on her YouTube channel (if you are not already subscribed you should be! She is so awesome!) I could not stop thinking about it so I originally made one as a gift for a friends birthday, but I liked it so much I created my own. (pictured above)

First off you will need quite a few supplies and a few power tools

-24 x 24 piece of wood

-paint (I did white and tan mixed for the background, then golds, purples and grey for the circle but as with all DIY’s choose whatever fits you and your space best) 

-lights (found mine at target – they looked like mini Christmas lights)

-hot glue gun and lots of glue sticks

-drill 

-saw (if wood has not already been cut to size) 

-sand paper

-pencil

I started out with my plain pieces of wood cut to the dimensions I wanted

Next I painted each square white (i also added some tan so it would not be flat white) and let that dry.

Once dry I used a string and pen / pencil to make my rough circle shape (You can also trace something or free hand it)

Going off my sketch I did a quick outline of gold paint, marked my constellations and drilled my holes.

Once this step is complete I would advise taking pictures to remember your constellations. Then you can paint the circle whatever color you like and let thoroughly dry.

This step optional if you don’t like the look of the lines, but if you want to include them you will then connect your constellations with a paint pen (again, any color you like) let his dry until your a confident it will not smudge.

Finally you can turn that bad boy over and start gluing in your lights. (Not pictured, but I also did a inch frame around the back of the piece to contain the lights and so it would rest flat on the wall once hung. This also hides the cords when looking at it from the side but you are welcome to skip this step if you like)

Install a wire on the back to hang it and viola! what do you think? If you are inspired to make your own please tag me so I can see 🙂 @babyfacebetty on Instagram

-Allison

DIY Dino Planters

Dinosaurs and metallics = best project ever! These guys are so easy to make and such a statement piece. I can’t wait to put these on my desk to keep me company during the work day. Follow the photos below for a quick tutorial to make some of your own 🙂

I started with these 3 guys purchased from the Dollar Tree. They are the harder plaster kind as you do what them to be somewhat sturdy since you will drill / cut into them.

Next I did a rough outline of where I wanted the hole to be, then drilled holes around it for easier cutting. You can use wire cutters or a blade to completely cut out the hole (I found a blade easier to work with) then sand the edges and seams before painting.

I chose to do metallics (silver, gold and rose gold – the brands are listed above) Metallics will accentuate any flaws so make sure to take your time sanding / prepping.

Finally you will just want to fill you dinosaurs with moss and succulents. I got all my supplies from the dollar store and used faux plants for convince reasons, but real plants would be amazing if you life in a more forgiving climate.

What do you think?!

Hope your day is great 😉

-Allison

Decorating with Plants

The older I get the more I understand the saying “less is more” especially when it comes to home decor. I have found it to be more and more of a joy to get rid of things and that is something I though I would never say!

I love having plants around the house and try to have at least one in every room. As cheesy as it sounds they bring me joy, and I believe they give our home a great energy. My favorites right now are Fickly Fig, succulents and cacti. Above are some rooms I am drooling over that I found when scrolling Pinterest. They are so gorgeous! What are some of your favorite indoor plants?

-Allison

DIY BOHO basket with tassels

I am totally in a basket phase right now where I just can’t get enough! I am always looking for ways to store things especially now that Ro is getting older and there are lots of toys! This basket DIY is super simple and gives a old basket new life (with only spending a few bucks!)

For this DIY you will need

-basket

-rope

-twine

-spray paint (I used a dark metallic brown)

-hot glue gun

– scissors

This is my basket after a few coats of spray paint. I actually got this from my mom and one of the handles was broken and it was originally a light brown. Not a bad basket to begin with but a bit dated.

I first started with wrapping the handles then began to go around the rim. This can be tricky because the weaving is different heights so take your time and use your hot glue gun to hold everything in place.

Next I just continued around the edge until I had an even wrap job. I decided to also add a small amount of white rope an inch or so below and also down at the bottom. Then I liked the look of adding twine for more texture. I also wanted to add some tassels because why not! I have included photo instructions at the very end of this post on how to easily create you own.

Above is the finished project – pretty awesome right! Currently it houses all of Ro’s toys in our living room, but I am sure it will make rounds. See below for how to make a simple tassel.

Voila! So simple – what are some other DIY’s you guys want to see? Hope you are having a great day wherever you are

-Allison

DIY Banister Update – Part 2

Welcome back! If you are reading this than that means you are interested in seeing (and hearing) about this hellacious DIY project. (Please note that all the photos in this post are the finished project, sadly my camera deleted the “in progress” photos)

We left off in part one with prepping the banister, and the next thing I did was use Kilz as a primer (this is what was suggested during my research and at Home Depot) I have personally never worked with this product before and it was odd to say the least. It is more of a thin consistency than paint, has major fumes, is oil based (so it will be on you and your clothes for-ev-er) and the kicker is after a certain point it is literally like painting with honey.

-I’m sure you are now starting to understand why I ended up hating this project so much-

So after a good solid coat of that I took a break to let it fully dry then started with my semi gloss Behr paint. I just chose bright white – the standard color and I do love it. I figured two to three coats would do the trick… more like 4 coats and the sealer! At one point I did take apart the banister in sections (like I mentioned in part one) and did each piece individually, and although this was so much more labor intensive I regret not doing this from the beginning because it would look so much better.

After the paint was dry I when over most everything with a polyurethane top coat. The first few days it looked great, but after 4 or 5 it started to yellow!

-As you can imaging I was ready to take a sledge hammer to this thing! –

So I lightly sanded it and put a very thin layer of paint over certain areas. It definitely turned out more rustic than I wanted and I am still nowhere near happy with it, but it is a major improvement from the cat scratched beat up oak.

Make sure to stop by on Sunday when I will have my final post in this series about what to do different, what I learned and all the products I used.

Hope you are having a great day!

-Allison

Home Decor : Macrame Everything!

Being a kid I often heard about my mom and dad’s projects creating macrame in the 60’s and 70’s and how awesome some of them turned out – sadly before I was born they were donated (I am crying softly as I write this) but the love of Macrame was definitely passed down to my sister and I and my mom still has her 1970’s Macrame instruction book so I guess that is the silver lining? Fingers crossed I will get around to making one of my own someday! 😉

As I am sure you have noticed Macrame is all over the entire internet and has definitely made it’s comeback. You do always have the option to create your own or buy new, but I personally love looking at the thrift store as you can find some really intricate patterns for dollars!

As you can tell I am totally in love with Macrame, in trend or not, I dig it! It truly gives such texture and interest to a space. What are your thoughts, love it or leave it?

Hope you are having a great day wherever you are 🙂

All images via Pinterest

-Allison