DIY Decoupage Bookcase

Aside from painting the nursery, my big DIY project was to do something with this bookcase. My in-laws gave it to us and I thought it was the perfect size for a children's room. Since it was a completely blank canvas, the possibilities were endless.

 

I wanted to something more than just paint it a solid color, so when my friend reminded me of a vintage Lilly Pulitzer print that  consisted of my two favorite things: Lilly and Disney, I knew exactly what I needed to do.

What you'll need:

Paint (any color you want)

Paint roller for easy application

Mod Podge (an 8oz bottle will be plenty for this size bookcase)

Foam paint brushes

Paper of your choice (I just printed my Disney Lilly print on computer paper and then bought coordinating paper from Michael's)

Obviously the first step is to paint your bookcase. I chose not to prime my bookcase since my paint had primer already mixed in it, however this made me need to do a few coats. I let it dry over night before the next phase of the project.

 

 

Now that I have a freshly painted bookcase, I need to pick out the scrapbooking paper that coordinated with my inspiration print.

For the next step, the key is to keep things random. Cut scraps of paper (doesn't even need to be cut straight) and begin placing them where you want them on the bookcase.

Here comes the most time consuming part: Mod Podging every piece in place. I got super caught up in trying to keep it exactly how I had it laid out, and then I realized it was ok to keep everything random and to deviate from the pattern a bit. You really can't mess this up. Just add the Mod Podge to the back of the paper using a foam brush and place on the bookcase keeping it smooth and eliminating any wrinkles. Once all the paper is down, coat the entire surface with a layer of Mod Podge. This will give it a seal.

 

Now all you need to do is repeat on all the sides and you have transformed a plain bookcase into something special and unique! I am so happy with how this turned out and I can't wait to decoupage other pieces in the future!

Week 23 Update

23 weeks down, only 17 to go! I can't believe I've started my 24th week. Reality is really starting to kick in. All I can think about are registries, baby showers and the nursery. I'm finally at the fun part of planning for our little girl. During the first 20 weeks, everything is still so new and you feel like you have all the time in the world, but once you hit that halfway point, a small panic takes over and you realize it's time to get your butt in gear! I'm in full prep mode now.I wouldn't call it nesting necessarily because I'm just doing random little projects. In fact, I wish I were nesting so I could focus on the important things like cleaning out closets and organizing instead of creating new projects for myself!

How far along?: 23 weeks, 2 days
Baby is the size of a: Grapefruit
Total weight gain/loss: 20lbs
The Bump: Growing more and more everyday
Symptoms: I think I experienced Braxton Hicks contractions for the first time this week. Definitely a weird and uncomfortable feeling, but nothing painful.
Food Cravings: Once I finished the Oreos from last week, I'm trying to eat more like a normal person. Not really craving anything specific.
Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Nope!
Sleep: I'm definitely sleeping, just not restful. I find myself waking up a lot when changing positions. Not to mention, I'm waking up earlier on the weekends. No more sleeping in for me.
What I miss: I actually missed running this week. My friends are training for a half marathon next month and hearing about their runs makes me a bit jealous. I never thought I would actually miss running.
Weddings Rings On or Off: On
Any Names Picked Out Yet: Charlotte Noel
Gender Prediction: Still a girl!
Movement: Stronger this week! I felt her kicking from the outside multiple times this week. My husband has yet to feel it, by the time he puts his hand on my stomach, she stops.
Maternity Clothes: Always on the hunt for good clothes. Still rotating the few things I have. I heard Asos is a good place to look.
Labor Signs: None.
Best Moment of the Week: This is baby related, but I had a really good week with getting projects done and things accomplished.
What I’m excited about/looking forward to: For my husband to definitively feel her kick!

High Five for Friday!

Whew! What a week it has been! I have no idea how it's already Friday. Gotta love those short work weeks. To say I was busy this week would be an understatement. I did so much I couldn't narrow it to just five things. So here are my highlights from the week....there's nine of them!

1. I painted the nursery this week! It used to be a stale powder blue. Now it's a fresh light green!
2. I found a rug I LOVE, only problem is I think I need the next size up.  I think this is really going to bring the room together
3. This is my latest project for the nursery. I am redoing the bookcase that is in the corner in the first picture. Here is a sneak peek!
4. My husband and I went to the outlets on Saturday and I of course couldn't resist these precious littles! The entire Carter's store was 50% off so it was totally justified.
5. I revamped my Etsy shop and already have had some orders! I've enjoyed fulfilling these orders in the evenings.
6. While I was on our deck painting, I turned around to see this creeper spying on me. I found this absolutely hilarious. He stayed like this, watching me for at least 15 minutes.
7. Deco mesh wreaths are fun to make and my friend wanted one done for Halloween. I was pretty excited with how it turned out. I just might have to make one for myself!
8. I found Redskins ribbon this week and couldn't resist making some bows to gear up for the official start to football!
9. And finally, I couldn't resist making these super sweet monthiversary onsies for our future little.

Linking up with Lauren Elizabeth for H54F!

Monthiversary Onsies

It seems like everyone these days takes monthly pictures of their baby wearing some sort of onsie with their monthiversary on it . I'm not going to lie, I'm all over this trend. In fact, I love giving these as a gift! There are so many different products out there, so it's entirely up to your own personal preference or skill level as some require more craftiness then others.

For example, for those of you who aren't as crafty or know you won't have the time with a new little one around, you can get the stickers that you just slap on whatever they are wearing that day and snap a pic. Super easy! Now just upload it to an album and you are done!

 My friend's baby at 3 months. Isn't this a great picture?!

A more crafty approach would be to buy the iron-ons. These are nice because they are usually cheaper and are an instant download that you can print right at home on transfer paper. However, I quickly learned that these are harder than they look (maybe I'm just not skilled with iron-on paper). My biggest issue was getting the entire pattern to transfer smoothly. I would end up with half of it bright and smooth like it's supposed to look and the other half rough and dull. Too complicated and inconsistent for me.

My nephew, Jacob. It's hard to tell in this picture, but you can see a little discoloration from the transfer in the upper corners.



Now that I'm having a baby, this was my chance to get the monthiversary just right. So when I came across these adorable Minnie Mouse numbers, I just KNEW what I would do! All I needed was to buy and download the Disney font so I could add the word "months" under each number. So for about $7 I had all the embroidery patterns I needed to applique onsies for the whole year. I can even reuse the numbers for her actual birthdays! I love when a plan comes together!

The only trick with doing these, is guessing how big your baby is going to be. I found some long sleeve onsies at Carter's for 50% off and bought a pack of 3 month ones. I figured these would work for months 1-3. After that, I think I'm going to have to wait until she gets closer to 4 months before I can do the others. I had so much fun figuring out the fabrics to do for each one. I think I'm going to try and coordinate with the season. Here is what I have so far:

I'm pretty happy with how these turned out and I can't wait to do the rest! What do you think? Would you do the monthiversary onsies? If so, which ones do you like the best?

For those of you that just want a final product with no hassle, you can buy these from my Etsy Shop! Be sure to check it out. I will be happy to make them with any theme in mind (doesn't have to be Disney).

Little Black Dress - WIWW

If you know me at all, you know black is definitely not my color. I was always told that with my skin tone I should wear browns and warmer colors, but every girl has to have a little black dress right?

I found this dress online at Target for less than $20 so I had to snatch it up. I bought it in  a size bigger than what I normally wear so it would be a good third trimester dress. However, I decided to wear it today and was happy to see that I still had plenty of room.

Regardless, styling a simple black dress is not my forte. I'm used to bright colors and bold prints, but it was time to put my big girl panties on and give this a whirl.

Dress//Target (similar)

Scarf//Lilly Pulitzer

Necklace//Caroline G.

 



Which way do you think works best? Scarf or necklace? I think if I had some fun colored heels that would have helped spice it up too! How do you wear your little black dress?

Linking up with Lindsey @ The Pleated Poppy for WIWW!

Week 22 Update

What a great weekend. Even though I didn't clean as much as I normally do, I still was productive. The big project from the weekend was painting the nursery! I love how it turned out! (Although I feel like my shirt now blends in with the wall....oh well!) Having it all painted is really helping me envision everything else. I feel like things are going to start to come together pretty quickly now.

How far along?: 22 weeks, 3 days
Baby is the size of a: Papaya
Total weight gain/loss: 19lbs
The Bump: It's pretty obvious now, no matter what I wear, that I'm pregnant. Finally!
Symptoms: I'm noticing that I get tired much quicker from things that used to not make me tired. Kinda frustrating.
Food Cravings: Baked goods. Things like cookies and oreos. So bad, I know....
Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Nope!
Sleep: Sleeping pretty good still!
What I miss: My old body. I'm so excited to have finally gotten to the point of really being pregnant, but I really miss having no physical limitations. I'm tired of not being able to fend for myself.
Weddings Rings On or Off: On
Any Names Picked Out Yet: Charlotte Noel
Gender Prediction: Still a girl!
Movement: I definitely feel her multiple times a day. If I'm laying down I can actually feel her from the outside!
Maternity Clothes: Still looking for good deals on maternity clothes. Went to buy some at the outlets over the weekend, and nothing struck me. Guess I'll keep rotating my five outfits.
Labor Signs: None.
Best Moment of the Week: Feeling her kick from the outside. My husband hasn't felt it yet, because it's so hit or miss. Not to mention, it's easy for me to feel it, because I'm feeling it from the inside.
What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Finishing the nursery! I have three projects lined up! I can't wait to see the final product.

Labor Day

No pregnancy update today, but I promise I will have it up for tomorrow. I was too busy painting that I never did my chalkboard! As for today, I'm enjoying my holiday with no concrete plans and it feels great! Maybe I'll catch up on some crafts.....

I think in honor of Labor Day, I will "labor" away on some more stuff for my Etsy shop. So feel free to stop by!

What would you like to see in my shop that isn't already there? Let me know, and maybe I'll make it my next project! Enjoy the holiday!