Glidden Paint Review: A Success
I was approached recently to do a paint review for Glidden. I do a lot of painting and have used several brands, but this was my first attempt at using Glidden paint: it passed the test.
It was a good excuse for a much needed project. After hanging my T-shirt art, it became ever apparent that the my stark white master bathroom needed to be painted. I used Glidden’s interior satin in Haystack and it was a painter’s dream: I only needed ONE COAT! Since we are the first owners of the condo we live in, all of the walls hadn’t been painted, and I found out the hard way, that most of the walls hadn’t even been primed. I learned this after 3 coats of paint on our ceilings in the great room and kitchen. What. A. Project.
I’m happy to report, however, that the Glidden paint covered the semi-gloss starkness with ease, and was really great to work with. I didn’t use tape for this project, but I’m certain when pulling tape that the paint will stay put.
I also used the Glidden paint to do the stencil work in my nursery. This was another example of great paint coverage and finish.
I have one more project I want to attack with this Glidden paint, but my mind is already made up: it compares equally with Behr, my favorite paint to date. They have the same price tag, the same great coverage, and both nearly measure up to the higher end Benjamin Moore. I will DEFINITELY choose Glidden for future projects!
Here is my sad bathroom when we first bought our condo.
And here’s what the bathroom looks like now, {with Glidden’s ‘Haystack’ interior satin paint}
It’s still a little sparse, but it’s a step closer. And do I hate the lights in this bathroom? Yes, but nothing will ever be perfect.
PillowsByMom Faire
A success at a mini holiay boutique a couple weeks back! We had a fun time, and my mom sold quite a few pillows! {The pillows that are still left in her shop are at pillowsbymom.com}
My mom and I {yes, I’m aware I’m looking a little *r o u n d* in this picture}
My sister
And the schwag…
HOUZZ.com Blog Updates
I receive the weekly emails from houzz.com… I think you might like it.
A couple articles I liked from last week include:
2. How to Avoid Using Pink in a Girl’s room
I feel like there are several blogs out there that just repost pictures on the web, but this blog gives great design advice along with the pretty pictures.
Blog Redesign Project: Penelope Loves Lists
Here she is, my latest blog redesign project: Penelope Loves Lists.
Meredith, who describes herself as “unapologetically organized” writes about all things organizational: work, home, kids and life. This was a fun project to work on and was my first time working on the Thesis Theme. Geek Alert: While this theme boasts its ease of use, it was like learning a new language. And with that, a new skill under my belt, a challenging project, and a pretty blog.
Fun New Blog to Watch
I have been busy busy trying to wrap up the year in so many ways. My hubby and I are taking time off for the holidays and that means EVERYTHING.
My freelance client projects are wrapping up and coming to a close for 2 weeks, I’ve got invitations headed in the mail for an upcoming baby shower {I had to tell the girls I’m throwing the shower with that I can be a little “intense” in the details… please let me know if I’ve understated this}, bills are paid, house is clean, I’m ready for a B R E A K.
I am loading a few posts to publish in the next two weeks: some web tips, some good reads, and some ramblings.
I couldn’t help but post a fun new blog I subscribed to {thanks to Whatsoever Things Are Beautiful}.
blah to TADA… she is queen of recycling free things and making them into even cooler free things, like so:
‘Nother Surprise Package
Thank you SUSAN! I love that you took the time to match the nursery… these look ADORABLE. {more pics to come}.
For those of you who don’t know Susan, lemme tell you a little bit about her:
- She leaves the sweetest comments on my blog, always a joy to read
- Look at this gift – even though we’ve never met, she’s captured my style perfectly.
- She is genuine and supportive. She supports handmade, and if I ran a marathon, I’d bring her along to keep me going.
- Check out her blog, Whatsoever Things are Beautiful to learn more about the beautiful Susan!
{fabric boxes from Nestings}
Scrap Fabric Basket Liners
We got some new sheets {Yay!} and I always have to cut and sew the enormous king size pillowcases to make them standard size. This leaves you with two pieces of fabric this size:
I used one to make a little basket liner for the nursery, with non-matching ribbon scraps to tie it on. In a perfect world I wanted to make little white terrycloth liners, but when free fabric and ribbon is just sitting around, I’d rather use it. {You can get crazy holding on to scraps of fabric. I usually try to think of a use for the fabric before keeping it, or holding on to it for a month or two so I don’t become a clutterbug. – my husband is going to laugh at that comment}
24 Weeks: What I Know Now
- I have had great support from you and I appreciate it. I know everybody has different experiences, but it helps me to know what worked and what didn’t for YOU.
- When asked how I’m doing, I’ll say “I feel great. Every now and again I get uncomfortable.” People invariably reply with, “Just wait.” …meanies.
- I don’t know why new moms get anxiety about going into labor. The baby is just going to come out of a door in my stomach, right mom?
- Baby stuff doesn’t go on sale. For Black Friday, BabysRUs had a giant box of wipes for $5. That was their doorbuster.
- I’m doing yoga several times a week. It helps me take a break during the evening, and gets me more acquainted with this belly that I swear is growing by the second.
- My skin feels like Joan Rivers after a facelift. It canNOT possibly stretch any farther.
- I’m becoming more aware of how important it is to do kaegals. Each sneeze is scary. {TMI?}
- I’m having to sit farther and farther away from my keyboard.
- I don’t mind it when people touch my belly. People seem to hate that.
- Charlie horses! While shopping I got them in my toes in both feet at the same time.
- When the baby kicks, it feels like there’s a kitten in my stomach. That “kitten” jumps around 10-15 times a day: while I’m eating, or when there are loud noises. Two nights ago I woke up at 3am and had a hard time going to sleep because of the circus in my stomach. Then at work the next day, that little wiggle worm just wouldn’t stop. It’s like me and this dude spend all day together already. “Shh… mommy’s working…”
- My husband loves my belly getting bigger. That makes me feel good because sometimes it’s hard to imagine getting any bigger than I am now. {I know… “just wait”}
- My belly has been useful for so many things; a plate shelf while eating on the couch, a spacebar warmer, a bosom shim…
- I gained 7 lbs. last month. That would have normally sent me running for the Haagen-Dazs {oh, the irony}, but I’ve laughed it off and moved on. What can you do?
- My “Mom Purse” has naturally evolved. I always have Tylenol, Tums, and hand sanitizer on-hand. In my first trimester I even had a plastic trash bag {just in case!}. Let’s hope “Mom Jeans” aren’t next.
{You can see my previous kvetchings, er, updates below}
Sweater Reincarnate
This is a cute sweater that I received a few years ago. They style is a little short now, but I still think it’s adorable. I decided to take the trim off this sweater and put it on an $8 Old Navy shirt {a size larger than I normally wear so I can wear it as a maternity shirt, and with a belt when I’m back to my svelte self.
Just hand-stitched while watching a few episodes of Melrose Place. This is my attempt at taking a picture of myself to show you. {sigh} You get the idea…
Baby Room Posters – FREEBIE!
Inspired by some vintage school posters at the flea market, I made these posters for our nursery.
{download this 11″x14″ poster PDF here}
Easy & Cheap Gift Wrapping {FREEBIE}
I made some labels that you can put on any bag you have, or you can grab these cute kraft paper bags using your Michael’s coupon {Makes them about twenty-five cents each}. Grab this PDF, print them out on label paper, or print and glue them to the bags. Use scrap ribbon or any scrap fabric you have {ALWAYS wanted a use for those!} for personal and cheap gift wrapping. {I think you could also cut up Christmas cards and use them as a tag or label instead of throwing them in the trash.}
Dizzy
I don’t often get sick, but I do get a case of the dizzies every couple of weeks. On Saturday, I was dizzy all day. It occurs to me that on such days I should stay away from people and sharp objects, and probably just stay home {same goes for an emotional day}. Not 5 minutes after leaving the house, did this happen…
Blurg.
The Great Give
Lindsey at A GreatFull Day sponsored “The Great Give”, a way to get us out there helping each other.
I got to break in my new cookie sheets to make cookies for my neighbors, some I knew, and some I needed to introduce myself. It was a great opportunity, and a great reminder from Lindsey to go out of our way to help people this Christmas! Not huge, I know, but my neighbors got them STRAIGHT OUT OF THE OVEN… so they got to have the yummy smell without the mess in the kitchen.
I don’t know why I don’t do it naturally, but I don’t make it a habit to get to know my neighbors… but I’m turning a new leaf. Living in a condominium, I have no shortage of neighbors and one by one, I’m learning more about them. I’ve met another web designer and another who works where my mom works. It has been fun to get to know new people!
How I Handle All My Crazy
It’s no secret that I have many irons in the fire. It’s a temperature I’ve become accustomed to, and I like it.
In fact, I’m not sure what to do when I’m not working on multiple projects. But to juggle all of these projects, I have to adhere to some rules.
- Never ignore my husband to work on projects. Family will always be my priority, and if I have to neglect my husband to finish up projects, then it’s just not worth it. If he happens to be watching the Sharks game, however, it’s better for both of us that I use that as an opportunity to gets things done.
- Don’t take on TOO many things. I love doing showers and parties, but if they become overwhelming, I call in reinforcements. Makes it that much more fun.
- Do something for myself. Even if I have a pile of things I need to do for clients, I can always take a break and do some sewing I’ve been wanting to do, or write a blog post or two.
- Vocalize when enough is enough. Only I know when I’m being spread too thin. It’s my job to vocalize it if people can help me, or to take a day off and head to the movies so that I’ll be refreshed the next day.
- Use tools that help me. 3 cheers for google! Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Analytics, and Google Notebook keep me in line. I need all my lists and projects to be digital so I can get to them from one of the many computers I use.
- Don’t rush a job, just to get it off the list, enjoy the process. ‘Nuff said.
- Getting tips from others to ever improve my flow of work. Natalie Jost just posted a great way to use Gmail that I have tested this week and love. Always share your tips!
Immortalized T-Shirt
I cut up my t-shirt and framed it.
It was a cozy t-shirt and I loved the print, but was a tad short {and more like a straight jacket now that I’m “with child”}.
Now I can see it everyday instead of hiding it in a closet. Oh, and hey, freed up another hanger for a new shirt. Win – win.
{It has become BLARINGLY apparent that I need to paint my master bathroom now that this white art is hanging.}
I have also immortalized t-shirts in the past… from little league to college volleyball – all the t-shirts I couldn’t part with have become the most COMFY cozy quilt.
