Wednesday Five - 20

After taking a break for a couple weeks to fill you in on our 2 Days 200 Dollars Challenge participation, we are back to sharing our potpourri of weekly happenings.

1. After sharing my odd interest in weighted blankets, I came across an article on Hunker.com about all different “types of blankets”. For example, the infinity blanket which “increases blood flow”…hmmm…and the footed blanket (think mermaid blanket for adults) and the ever popular wearable poncho blanket, to name a few. If you need a new blanket, before you hit up HomeGoods for your regular old knit throw, you may want to consider one of these guys.

2. Our 2018 Holiday Gift Guides are in the works, but in the meantime I have to share this sweet find from Etsy. It’s a serving dish, which everyone needs more of because they’re constantly being broken by small children and left at neighbors’ houses. Your favorite, sentimental recipe is printed onto the plate, making it not only a serving dish but also great for hanging on the wall in your kitchen.

3. Do you know what a Putz House is? Well, you probably do but you’ve never heard it referred to as a Putz House. They’re the little glimmery, shimmery, intricate Christmas houses or villages that people (maybe your grandma) uses as a holiday decoration. The white ceramic houses you see at Target (and everywhere) are a modern take on a Putz House. But, trend alert, the originals are coming back. Everyone from Neiman Marcus to Pier 1 has them in stock for you. So, get glam with your mini house this season.

from top left, counterclockwise - 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

4. The confluence of two of my favorite things happened this past week. Dax Shepard interviewed Jerry Buting on his podcast (Armchair Expert). You already know I love Armchair Expert from a previous Wednesday Five. Well, I’m also a Making a Murderer addict. I’m currently binging Season 2. Jerry Buting was one of the defense lawyers in Season 1. If you’re into crime dramas…like me…this is a fascinating interview.

5. Moving on to Sonia’s obsessions. So, she has a slightly unhealthy love for all things Hamilton. You know Hamilton - the amazing Broadway production that catapulted Lin-Manuel Miranda into mega stardom. You may have caught Sonia’s incredible behind the scenes tour of the NYC stage on our Instagram stories last weekend. Well, for Sonia and her fellow Hamilton groupies out there, Leslie Odom Jr. (who was in the original Hamilton cast as Aaron Burr) has a new Christmas CD. Stocking stuffer anyone?

Have a great rest of your week! It’s almost Turkey Day!

- Leah

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2 Days 200 Dollars Challenge - Reveal

First we made a plan. Then we got down to it. Today, we’re showing you the finished transformation from our 2 Days 200 Dollar Challenge.

Did you just freak out a little? I freak out every time I look at this picture. Then I peak into my “new” bathroom, maybe even walk in and gently open a drawer in my blue vanity, and freak out a lot more.

Let’s review how it all happened. After Day 1 of the 2 day challenge, nearly all the heavy lifting had been done - I updated the vertical blinds with a woven shade, primed and painted the vanity, and my husband installed a new vanity light. Day 2 was delayed by a few days while I waited for the vanity hardware to arrive, which was good because it gave the paint time to cure. Finally the pulls arrived…with the wrong screw size. They were too short, which is pretty common and easily remedied. So, I measured twice and then brought them with me to Lowes to buy longer screws.

With my new screws ready to go, I drilled a second hole in the cabinet because there was only one hole from the prior knob. Then a few minutes later all seven pulls were installed. Love them. And the price point is fantastic (I have a cost breakdown below).

Then came the finishing touches. But before I get into those details, we need a side-by-side to remember what this looked like before we got started.

Isn’t it just awesome?

Okay, the decor details. I spent my whole budget (and a bit extra…more on that later) on the woven shade and new vanity light. Our plan was to focus on updating the window treatment and the vanity light because those were the elements of the room that made it feel especially outdated…and yucky. As we discussed in our post on the plan for this transformation, window treatments, light fixtures and rugs are truly the makers and breakers of any room.

Speaking of room maker, quick pause for a close up of the vanity light.

So, I had less than zero for my decor budget. The good news is that bathrooms don’t need much decor.

The most glaring issue I needed to address was the art above the toilet. It was way too high because a second frame under it had broken a while back and I never replaced it. First, I found a frame - I have a huge stockpile (doesn’t everyone???). Then it was a matter of finding the right art. I went to my tried and true place for free, awesome art - Pinterest. A quick search resulted in a set of two beautiful watercolors of succulents (here is the source).

Here’s a closeup of the blue. It’s simple and beautiful.

Below is another side-by-side before and after to see just how important it was to add another piece of art in that awkward space. I often put smaller frames above larger frames when I’m hanging a set, but the reverse is totally fine too. In this case, no need to hammer extra holes in the wall by moving things around. So the big guy went on the bottom.

The other decor came from shopping my house. A plant in a white pot is ideal decor for any room in any house. I have them all over. This guy just got relocated. My favorite acrylic tissue box got nabbed from my kids’ bathroom. The existing tray became the resting station for hand soap and a candle. And a big, white rug from my linen closet keeps it light and clean and, most importantly, covers that ugly floor tile!

And, there you have it. Here is the cost breakdown. And, yes, I’m a rule bender.

Total Spent on the Project - $243

Woven Shade - $87

Vanity Light - $138

Vanity Hardware - $18

Vanity Paint - Mysterious by Benjamin Moore

Wall Color Paint - Silver Cloud by Benjamin Moore

Mirror - from IKEA, no longer available

Tissue Box Holder

Next week, we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled program with a Wednesday Five.

- Leah

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2 Days 200 Dollars Challenge - Day 1

Day 1 of the 2 Days 200 Dollars Challenge was broken into 2 days - 1 hour of prep time on a Friday night and a few hours of getting it done on a Saturday. We did a quick check with the judge to make sure we weren’t breaking any rules with our Friday night prep (technically, I don’t think there’s judging in this challenge, just everyone winning with the beautiful spaces they transform). Miss Harper, herself, confirmed that the hour of prep did not count against us. Phew! Check out our Instagram highlights to read the fun exchange.

Okay. So what exactly was prep on Friday night? Getting the vanity ready to paint.

First, I took off all the hardware.

Second, I cleaned all surfaces. I use a vinegar/water mix as my everyday cleaner (2 parts water, 1 part white vinegar).

Third, I primed the whole thing. I like using foam paint brushes on furniture that has lots of insets and curves. They get in the creases more easily.

And that was my wild and crazy Friday night. Well, one hour of my wild and crazy Friday night.

On Saturday, I started the day with a coat of paint on the vanity (Mysterious by Benjamin Moore).

Then shopping. I headed out to Lowes for a woven bamboo shade. I knew what I wanted - a cordless, bamboo shade in medium brown. But then I got to the store and for half a second I reconsidered the color. A lighter, blondish shade caught my eye.

The top shade is what I initially wanted, the bottom shade made me double think my choice.

But then I turned the boxes over…

And nope, I did not like the lighter shade. The contrast of the dark speckles felt too harsh. Not what we wanted. Out of curiosity I polled our Instagram followers to see what they thought. It was fun to see the results a day later - we’re all on the same page. Love it.

Back at home, it was time for those gross, old, vertical blinds to go. I’m proud to say that I installed the bamboo shade myself (it was super easy, I’m not that handy). And the change was instant and dramatic.

Next up, I put a second coat of paint on the vanity.

Then, my husband (who is that handy) changed the light fixture. Electrical work is officially beyond my pay grade, although I’m told (repeatedly) that changing a light fixture is really straight forward.

I screwed in my favorite vintage LED bulbs (these guys) and Day 1 was complete. From start to finish, I put in about 4.5 hours of work (including the shopping!).

Here’s a sneak peak.

With all the major work done, Day 2 will be adding the new vanity hardware and shopping my house for frames, art and decor.

Stay Tuned!

- Leah

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