Barnyard Bash!

M turned 2 this week and while party planning I decided not to go totally crazy like I did last year.  You can read about her strawberry themed first birthday here!  Like her mama M loves all animals and lately was particularly drawn to her farm so I decided a farm theme would be perfect (and fairly easy to pull off).  Gingham and mason jars were my main plan and only purchasing a yard of fabric and some ribbon I think I pulled it off without spending much money!

I decorated my late grandma's buffet with farm animals and daisies.  What you can't see are the favors....a farm book for the babies and a felt farm board for the bigger kids.

I picked daisies in the field behind our house and hit up the farmers market for the rest of the wildflowers.  I used my late grandma's tablecloth to complete the country look....meaningful and free!

Like last year I made the pennants easily with a yard of fabric, hot glue, and red ribbon.  I had 5 around the house, which was the perfect amount.

I layered another of my grandma's tablecloths over a checkered one in the breakfast nook.

I debated on having cookies or cupcakes made but I hate spending money on something I can do.  While they aren't glamorous cupcakes, I felt better about them by adding a cute topper I bought online and printed out.

I realize the foil is still on the blackberry pie (I was rushing to take pics before people arrived).  The dessert bar included apple and blackberry pie with ice cream and a lot of vanilla cupcakes!

I wanted food I could make ahead of time or pull together easily once people arrived.  Our menu included pulled pork sandwiches, pasta salad I made the day before, baked beans, macaroni, a veggie tray, pretzels and pickle dip, and watermelon.  It was easy and delicious!

Again striving for simplicity we did water, unsweetened tea, wine and beer

I couldn't resist this adorable gingham dress for M!  

It was a great party!

Play House Makeover

This winter I came across a Little Tikes play house for $30 on Craigslist and I snatched it up!  I was inspired by the makeovers of different play houses on Pinterest and was excited to try one myself!  

The house was faded and missing a shutter in the back so a makeover was in order.  M instantly loved it and it was great having outside for her to play with!

I was a bad blogger and didn't take pictures of the painting process but I can tell you that it was relatively easy but that I used a lot more spray paint than I originally thought.  I used spray paint specific to plastic and outdoors, which is key.  I tried and tried to get the shutters and door off but couldn't.  I started by spraying the shutters and door with several coats (3-4) and then letting it dry overnight.

The next day I used wrapping paper and painters tape to cover the shutters and the door.  The roof comes off so that was easy to do.  Once the everything was covered I sprayed the body of the house, which took several coats to cover the over spray from the black and red.

Even though I spent close to $60 in spray paint I would definitely do it again.  I love that it blends into the yard better and looks so much better than the faded house it started out as.  

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Curtain Decisions

Hello!

I'm finally getting some time to blog on this rainy Wednesday morning.  For those of you unfamiliar we have lived in our house for a bit over 2 years and for the most part it is finished.  Something that I am slowly accomplishing is curtains for each room.  I have been on the hunt for curtains for our formal living and dining room (I will do the same in both rooms as they are side by side and open to each other).  

I ran across these Threshold panels at Target last week and for the first time actually liked what I saw for these rooms!  I would need to order online because I need 95" but I decided to bring the 84" home to see what they looked like in person.  I tacked up the gray and cream because I feel like either could work.  Keep in mind it is very dark outside as it's pouring rain.

Thoughts?  I would hang them a bit higher than pictured and they would reach the floor.  I got reports that people thought they were too busy to go with the rug.

Here are a few pics of the room on a sunshiney day

Too busy?  Keep looking?  I will reserve my thoughts until I hopefully hear from you! ;)

Thanks!!

Instagram Update

Hello!

Spring has finally sprung so I have a multitude of projects underway.  I can't wait for our deck to be finished so I can show you before and after pictures.  With all the trips to the park, a vacation to South Florida, and overseeing the deck project we have been busy.

Here is a glimpse into our lives the last few months via Instagram:

1. Easter Sunday it was warm enough to lay in the hammock for a bit.  It was so peaceful!  2. I loved dying Easter eggs with my girl this year and can't wait until next year when she is really old enough to enjoy it  3. An IG update to our deck progress  4. I have been living in my new Sperry's and I LOVE them  5.  Granny sent M a stuffed chicken and he is adorable!  6. Loving the sunshine through the dining room windows one morning  7. Life is good....a frozen margarita on while feeling the sea breeze through my hair  8. M loves coloring "collie?  collie?" these days  9. Our Oliver...a 5 year old Papillon  10.  A cappuccino after a night away with Jacob in February  11. Rocking Essie's Devil's Advocate a few last times in Feb and March before I pull out the pinks for spring

Follow me on IG: emilyanninteriors

Have a great day!!

Deck Makeover

Hello!

Is it spring in your neck of the woods yet?  You see here in Kentucky it is spring one day and then winter the next.  Luckily today will be springy (!!) with snow expected tomorrow.  I know you are over it too!  

You see it needs to warm up soon so we can get outside and enjoy our soon to be completed deck!  For the last week a crew has been tearing up and replacing our deck.  The existing structure was only 7 years old but it was creaky, stained poorly, with boards popping everywhere.  Not only are we getting a new deck with a gate for M but we are making over under the deck so we will have a shady space to hang out this summer.

This was taken a week ago:

I'll be back with more pictures as we near completion!

Follow me on Instagram at:  emilyanninteriors

Easy Chandelier Update

Hello!

The sickness bomb went off in our house towards the end of January and it was nearly a month before we were on the mend.  Ugh.  I'm happy to say we are healthy and I'm praying spring is right around the corner because it certainly seems like it.  If it would quit snowing once a week after a 60 degree day I would be happy. ;)  

In an effort to complete an easy project and get some quick satisfaction I decided to tackle our brass chandelier.  When we moved in our home there were a lot of upgrades, which we LOVE.  However, there were a lot of things the previous owners went builder basic on and fixtures was one of them.  Throughout the house we have cheap brass fixtures and door handles mixed with cheap silver faucets.  Awesomeness.  And because there is ALWAYS something more important it will be a long time before these things get changed out.

Here is the lovely traditional (can I say 80's?) chandelier in our formal dining room.  Want to see the evolution of this room click here:

Armed with some Rub n Buff and my step ladder I went to work.  It took 2 coats and 2 days, which I didn't love as I was hoping for a quick project but all in all it was worth it.

Here is the after, which cost around $12 and was fairly easy to create:

Here a side by side Before and After:

I have to say that this wasn't the smartest project to learn about Rub n Buff on.  I really want to love it but it wasn't easy to work with like everyone says....I am ok with the chandelier and it is a whole lot better but it I don't think I will be doing any other light fixtures like I thought I might.

Am I the only one that doesn't love Rub n Buff or am I the only blogger alone in this thought?

Have a great weekend!

Valentine's Mantel

Hello!

I finally have something to post about so I'm back.  We have been battling the flu here first M and then Jacob.  Ugh, I'm sure hoping that I don't get it!  I got cabin fever this weekend and decided to redo the mantel.  I did something after Christmas and I never really loved it.  I haven't decorated for Valentine's Day since I was in elementary school but I thought it would be fun and bonus....I didn't spend a dime.  See, that craft closet does pay off! ;)

I made the burlap bunting and tissue paper tassels, the baby food jar candles were leftovers from M's first birthday, the Love print I won from a blog giveaway and never found a place for, the birdie I had and the large frame I bought for $6 at a thrift store a few weeks ago and the intended project fell through.

The bunting is just burlap with tissue paper hearts modge-podged on.  I made the tassels following these instructions and both only took around 30 minutes.

The heart chain is a pinterest find, which is so basic it's silly.  So there you have it!  My free festive Valentine's Day mantel.

Do you decorate for small holidays?