A mere two days ago, this is what our living room looked like:

And Now…

What do you think?  Any suggestions?   Happy Spring!!!

I know you’ve probably been wondering all day long what I did with that pile o’spring decor…BUT…you’ll just have to wait until tomorrow!  Because today is a TWENTY DOLLAR TUESDAY!

If you’re like me, you probably own a few pieces of furniture you LOVE, a lot of furniture you like, and a few pieces of furniture that aren’t your style at all but you inherited them from Great Aunt Betsy, and you can’t afford to replace them with something you DO like at this moment. My tip for you today–don’t live with furniture you don’t like!  Either get rid of it and figure out a creative way to buy a piece you like, utilize something else, OR make the piece work for you!

My hubby has two night stands which he inherited from his grandmother.  They are super traditional and ornate, and they just aren’t our style.  So…I found a cardboard box about the same size as the table top, stuck it on the nightstand and covered it with a $4 white tablecloth I found at Target and a cute little ornate napkin I found for a few bucks at a cute little store.  It’s now a table between the two reading chairs in our bedroom.

It’s by no means perfect, but it definitely works until find something better!  Happy Tuesday!

Although we’re less than a week away from Easter, I’m just now breaking out my Spring Decor!  I’ve been soooo busy the last few weeks! Here’s what I got out today…

Stay tuned to see what happens to it all!

Last night I attended my first Dining Out…a military tradition in which we get all dolled up and essentially mock military traditions.  It was a great time, but let’s just say I’ve needed almost the whole day to recover.  While recovering, I’ve done quite a bit of surfing, and I have a new obsession: Painted Pianos.

I first saw this before and after on Design*Sponge.

How cute is that piano?  I LOVE it.  I frequently see free pianos on craigslist, and this would be such a fun addition to a room!  I immediately googled “painted pianos”, and I found these:

From Design Mom (She also includes tips on how to paint a piano if you’re interested in tackling this project.):

From Don Kelly Antiques:

And last but not least, from DIY Wedding, a beautiful teal piano which was featured on a wedding Save the Date:

So go out there and try something bold!

This isn’t particularly witty or funny, but it made me smile.  So on this Saturday, I pass it on to you. Enjoy!

Are you in the market for a quick and easy dessert?  I’ve got one for you!  I found this on Bakerella’s website, but it’s actually a Betty Crocker original using two Betty Crocker mixes: Betty Crocker’s chocolate chip cookie mix and Betty Crocker’s Hershey Original Supreme Brownies.  You can find the recipe here.

First, you make the two mixes according to the boxes.

Pour the brownie mix into a pan and drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough mixture into the brownie batter.

Bake 35-40 minutes in a 350 degree oven. When they come out, they’ll look like this:

Next, whip up a little ganache (heat 6 Tbsps butter and 3/4 cup of heavy whipping creame in a bowl until just before boiling and pour over 12 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips.  Let it sit for 20 seconds and stir until smooth.) and pour over brownies.  Let them cook COMPLETELY before cutting.

YUMMMMM!

So I just have to share with you this news story that was shown on our local CBS affiliate that features my friend Kalee whose hubby just returned home from deployment!

If you’ve never experienced a homecoming before, well, they’re just about the best thing ever.  Being apart from loved ones is pretty freakin’ hard, but that moment when you see each other again–it’s the most fabulous feeling in the world. And it’s AMAZING to watch. You military peeps know what I’m talking about.

So without further ado, here’s the news story about the recent Homecoming here at Point Mugu:

Navy Squadron Members Meet Sons for the First Time

Congratulations to Kalee, her hubby, and her kiddos, and all the other families who are welcoming home family members today!

Well folks, I’ve done it…100 decorating tips in celebration of my first 100 blog posts!  Tomorrow, we’ll be back to your regularly scheduled blogging .

91. You can make curtains out of just about anything.  If you can’t find exactly the curtains you’re looking for in your favorite home store, try looking in the bedroom or kitchen section.  Flat sheets, table clothes, and even just look pieces of fabric all make great curtains. And with these little curtain clips, you don’t even need to sew!  If you have a piece of unfinished fabric you’d like to use and you don’t know how to use a sewing machine, try safety pins or hem tape!

92. Don’t be afraid of color.  I love this photo from The Little Things.  She has a pretty neutral kitchen, but really made a statement by adding this teal island.  Try something out of the box.  If you don’t like it, you can always change it.  Your room is NEVER permanent!

93. If you share your home with someone (husband, kids, roommates) remember that even if they aren’t super opinionated, they still appreciate being thought about when you decorate a room.  Your hubby may not care what sort of pictures you hang on your wall or couch you pick out (as long as it’s comfy), but he probably will appreciate it if you don’t paint the walls hot pink, or pick out that overly floral fabric for your curtains.  And your kids will probably appreciate it if there are areas of each room that are specially designed for them (places to put their toys, showcase their artwork, etc.).

94. When you are considering paint colors for you home, remember that people will see your house as a whole not as a group of individual rooms…so make sure paint colors flow from one room to the next.  They don’t need be the same color, but make sure the coordinate!

95. Do you have kids? Want a fun way to display books or pictures in your house?  Take a look at this.  You can learn how to make and install these yourself over at Frugal Home Designs!

96. Put things in unexpected places…we have a tree in our guest bathroom…seriously. It seemed so odd at first, but I really like it there now!  You never know where something will work, so play around!  Remember nothing is permanent!

97. In the same vain, try putting something unexpected on the wall.  Walls of picture frames can sometimes become boring, even if the frames and their contents are interesting.  So try something three dimensional:  a wall sculpture, a old tennis racquet of your mothers, an egg beater.  No joke.  I recently saw a home magazine with an old egg beater hanging on the wall, and it looked so neat! You never know what’s going to work for you.

98. Don’t ignore your laundry room!  Whether you have a whole room dedicated to your washer and dryer, or just a closet, don’t ignore this space!  I saw the CUTEST laundry room on HGTV the other day…the walls were a light blue and they had bead board cabinets. Which made me think, “How many of us are neglecting our laundry rooms?!?” Your laundry room doesn’t have to be quite this nice (picture courtesy of Lemon Annie), but don’t ignore it! At the very least, spice it up with a sassy paint color!

99. Invest in galvanized steel buckets.  Lots of them.  They can hold flowers, Coronas on ice, sand and candles, art supplies, or one of my favorite uses…toys in a playroom.  This photo is comes from Nesting Place:

100. Sometimes it’s easy to focus on all the things you want to “fix” in your house.  Right now, take a moment, a night, a weekend, heck even a month to appreciate all the things you LIKE about your house.  Focus on the positive!

Thanks for hanging with me through all 100 tips!  See you back here tomorrow for more This American Wife!

It’s 9:35pm and I am hitting the hay.  I’m so tired!  Apparently my relaxing weekend didn’t quite do it for me.  Hopefully, after a good night’s sleep, I’ll be nice and refreshed and ready to finish off my list of 100 Decorating tips tomorrow night!  But for now, here are 81-90…enjoy!

81. Play with lighting.  Lighting can sometimes make (or break) a room.  Make sure your room has ample light for the activities you do there, but don’t overdo it.  Do you have an amazing piece of art? Highlight it with track lighting.  Do you have a comfy chair that you never sit in?  Put a floor lamp next to it and see how it becomes a favorite reading spot!  Be sure not to forget about this important room element.

82. Try holding a decor swamp with friends or family!  One girls trash is another girls treasure!

83. If your couch/ easy chair/ dining room chairs have seen better days, try a slip cover. Many of the covers out there now aren’t your momma’s slipcovers.  They are extremely fitted without the big ties on the front that scream “SLIPCOVER!” and will sometimes help you fall in love with that old sofa all over again. Yes, this is a slipcover:

84. Create a decorating toolbox.  Things to include: a pencil, a hammer, hanging hardware, level, twist ties, painters tape, a book of ideas, paint chips, those Sharpie wood touch up markers I told you about the other day, furniture sliders, glue gun, GOOD scissors, a staple gun and staples, philips and flathead screwdrivers, and of course, a tape measure.

85. If you have a very large room, break it down into several smaller “areas” just by rearranging the furniture.

86. Don’t buy all your upholstered furniture in solid colors.  Buy something in a print to spice things up.

87. Invest in seasonal decor.  I’m not talking anything tacky OR expensive.  Have a few seashells, blue and white throw pillows, and a few american flags for summer; buy a few pumpkins and gourds, mums, and a bowl of acorns for fall; and a bowl of scented pinecones, a few fuzzy white throw pillows, and white candles everywhere for winter.  These little touches can cost as little as $20 per season (to start…of course there are ALWAYS more fun things to invest in), but can really help usher in the seasons.

88. Spring for a whole lotta inexpensive vases at the dollar store.  The collection each with one flower will make a statement…all for around $20!

89. Right now, while you’re thinking about it.  Measure your rooms, your windows, and major pieces of furniture.  Save these measurements in a notebook, your day planner, your iPhone or whatever you always carry with you.  That way, next time you’re out and about a see a piece you really like, you’ll know right then and there whether it will work in your house.

90. Incorporate antiques.  Even if you’re not into the whole vintage or shabby chic look…a few well -placed antiques can really make a room.  And of course garage sales are great places to score neat old pieces.  I have a friend who has an old typewriter in a little nook in her house…I can’t even begin to describe to you how incredible it looks surrounded by season decor! A cool old advertisement, a piece of metal work, or even old dishes are always neat finds to hang on your wall.  These items are often cheaper than what you’d pay for knock-offs at a home decor store and they have CHARACTER!

Wow…what a nice weekend!  I attended my first ever tennis match, ran in my first ever 5K with my friend Hallie (finished in 31 minutes…not bad for barely being able to run a mile three weeks ago!), watched Kansas lose to Northern Iowa (wow!), watched Wake Forest lose to Kentucky (sorry Deacs!), got a pedicure with my aunt before she headed back, spent tonight watching Public Enemies here at home with the hubby, and slept. A LOT.  I think I’ve finally recovered from my CRAZY week! So here are tips 71-80…only 20 to go:

71. Do you have hardwood floors?  Then an area rug is a must!  An area not only provides your footsies with a soft place to walk, but it will create visual interest and cohesion in your room.

72. Another way to create interest in a room? Create a stack! Use coffee table books, old suitcases, hatboxes, you name it!

73. When you see a small framed mirror, buy it.  Then paint all the frames a similar color (I love a classic black or a festive yellow) and hang them in one arrangment. Here’s an example from Martha:

74. Can’t find a bedskirt (or don’t want to pay $50 for one?  Use an extra flat sheet in a coordinating color!

75. Don’t want a bedskirt at all?  Don’t you dare leave that box spring bare!  Use a coordinating fitted or flat sheet to cover it (this is what we do in our master bedroom).

76.  Spruce up your kitchen window and save money at the grocery store.  Plant herbs in matching terra cotta pots for a Tuscan feel, or use old florists vases wrapped in heavy paper and tied with twine (courtesy of Real Simple):

77. Do you have a boring lamp?  Spice it up by painting the lampshade a bold color with acrylic paints.

78. If you have a room that is small or dark (or both) try positioning a mirror across the room from a window, this will bring more light into the room and make it feel larger.

79. Use multiple table runners across the table as placemats for two (thanks again Martha!):

80. Today’s living rooms are often centered toward the tv with all furniture facing our flatscreens.  While I understand that tv watching is a nightly activity for many families (including mine), try to make sure your furniture is also set up to facilitate other activities, like conversation, too!