Out current DIY project

This summer we are really concentrating on our outdoor projects. Currently, it's our backyard landscaping.

When we purchased our home in December of 2009 the backyard was a fenced in open area, which is great, but it needed, something. So this summer we decided to add a couple of trees and some landscaping areas, if you will to the backyard. We live in a newer development so we have literally no mature trees. We purchased two six foot trees, one a Linden and one a Maple. We then used the dirt from a very large hole we've been digging for an egress window in the basement to fill the areas and planted a bush and a few small pieces of landscaping grass. One area is done and now we are just waiting on the second delivery of mulch to complete the second one.

The unfinished one:

We edged each of the areas with block. I use "we" lightly as I've been saying yay or nay to the look of things and Brendan the handy man has been doing the actual landscaping. Although I have hauled dirt and helped dig the large hole. Brendan's done a great job in my opinion, I love that he can envision these types of things, I have no talent for this type of thing!

The finished area:

I'm very happy with how this one has turned out, we still need to do a couple of touch ups but its 99.8% dine. With these two trees and landscaped areas in our backyard it seems to give it more texture. You know me, always trying to relate it to fashion some how...texture! We still have an abundance of green space for a play area and someday a swingset.

Our next projects are; cut in the egress window in the basement, extend the deck 24 inches and lay a stone patio. Man that looks like a lot but we hope to accomplish all this before September. I have my fingers crossed!

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My pillow purchases

Thank you to all my readers for your comments I ordered 3 pillows off Etsy, two for our bedroom and one for our living room. First, the green damask pillows are actually pillow covers and they will go nicely with our new bedding. Then I had an AH HA moment when the green pillow I purchased at Khol's was just sitting there looking very sad and I thought this would look PERFECT on our bed with the two new pillows I just snagged! So it's changed it's home from the living room to the bedroom with the Paris pillow taking it's place. I wanted our living room to be brighter so I am swapping out some reds to whites and hopefully that will do the trick! Below are the pillows that I am the proud new owner of. Check out the links below, the sellers of these beauties make some amazing pieces!

Link to damask pillows here

Link to Paris pillow here

On the soccer front my team is now 4-0 with a tight win last night. They scored in the last 2 minutes of the game to secure their flawless record! I told them, I don't want to have a heart attack at 26, so please score earlier, thank you very much!!!

My DIY project....

B and I have a great set of bedroom furniture that we will be painting or staining someday. The furniture was given to us by my parents and it's very sturdy wood. The only downfall the headboard is a double and we have a king size bed. So I have decided to make an upholstered headboard to go in our master bedroom when we move. I am planning on constucting this ad boy with my mother-in-law the week after we move. I have collected some pictures and need some opinions on what you think would look the best! So here is our bedding for now....I think we migh need a nice khaki and brown colored bedding in the very NEAR future...

For those of you who don't know, B and I are moving in 3 weeks to a new townhome in Iowa. So it's bye bye teeny tiny apartment! Hello townhome!!
HHere is our bedroom furniture. It's not a very nice color, but it works for now.. I think we would like to stain or paint it a dark brown.

Now here the options I have for the headboard...Let me know what you think...I am planning on covering the headboard with a neautral ivory, khaki or something in that family of colors.

Lastly, we are having our guest bedroom furniture refinished in and antiqued white. This is the long dresser but there is also two nightstands, a tall dresser and headboard.

It will be paired with this bedding....

Tell me what you think...Have a great weekend!!

Rooms I love.....

Lately I have been addicted to look at rooms to get a feel of what my decorating style is and what I want for our future hypothetical home. I am not into all white/light homes, too bland for me! I need some texture and color in my home! I have no problem having a white wall, but then I NEED colored furniture, something that says someone actually lives here!
Here are some amazing rooms I have found!

I love this space! I love the storage in the desk and I already have a ladder shelf!

This is guest bedroom/office retreat and I love the color scheme!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this for a guest bedroom!

Master bedroom serene retreat! love the gray

The lights are to die for! Not to mention the dark table with dark wood=perfection!

I could curl up with Ruby and watch a movie!

We all know how much I love me some green!

A girls dream come true in an office....I thee wed planning here I come!

I am after this color! Oh and B needs to build me this vanity! Did I mention that B used to build custom vanities! Yes I am a lucky gal!

B and I discussed it last night and my first project when we move is an upholstered headboard!

Love the contrast of dark and light!

Who wouldn't want to sleep here?

Reminds me of a B&B

Once again, TO.DIE.FOR!!!!

Have a great day! Cheers, Abby

Living Rooms I Love!!

Even though B & I are stuck in a teeny tiny apartment for a few more months I can always dream! I found these amazing living rooms throughout my boring day today! I love the color palettes they used. All of them seem like I could curl up on the couch and take a nap...which I really need right now!