Oh the Vanity

As of this month, we've officially owned our home for two years!! 28 more years of our mortgage!?

We've been hosting lots and lots of folks, and last Sunday was the first time in almost 4 weeks that we had a family day to relax.  The Mister and I were talking about how the longer we settle in, the longer we want to stay. My parents still live in the home that I was brought home from the hospital, while J's parents moved around a lot more. Most notably, when he was 10. Unless we relocate out of wine country, I just don't see us moving for another 7-8 years, and even then, we are getting really attached to our little neighborhood (and pool).

So all that to say, we have super long term plans to gut, remodel, upgrade- the whole sha-bang. But until then, we are doing a lot of in-progress/make it work/do with whatya got stuff.

While I am not really blogging these days, I do love the idea of an annual house tour to show you all my little projects from the year. Please note- a few are DIY fails, so don't look too close at anything.  Here's my latest and greatest- upgrading the bathrooms by painting the vanities. The last time I showed the bathrooms was back in August 2012!

Let's start with the before pictures. Kid/ Guest bath:

This tan/yellow was on every wall in the house and the linoleum was yellowing where the glue was:

 Sliding glass doors are a Mother's worst enemy- bath time was painful:

More blah:

 

The master, same blah. But this time with a mullet. Carpet in the front, linoleum in the back. PARTY!

 

If you remember when we moved in, we immediately redid the floors, which was the perfect decision. Everything else was usable, but the floors felt like a gym locker room- I DID not want to have to wear shower shoes to feel comfortable in my own house. We choose hex while glossy tiles form the tiles shop for both bathrooms- bought during a Memorial Day sale. I debated doing marble in the master, but alas, this thing called a budget got in the way. We had them professionally done for just over $1,000 for both.

Would I change my decision? No. Maybe I would have done matte instead of gloss or larger 2-inch hexs, but overall, I love looking at my tile with gray grout every day!!


Ok, so on to the afters- or upgrades.

Progress 2012:

Wall colors: Vanity area: Silent Spring Behr, Shower area: River Rock Behr.

Inspiration for the Guest/Kid bathroom:

I was advised by some great ladies to skip the green. So I created a pinterest board. I wish this picture was less yellow, but here's what I ended up with: 

 Not quite done. I'd like to add pulls- like THIS picture.

 Master Pre-paint Vanity:

2014 After: 

The paint still needs some touch up, but over all I am soo in love with the color that I used it in both bathrooms. It's Dunn Edwards, Jeff Lewis Atlantic. It's gorgeous.

I'd say bother are a pretty great upgrade, no? The only real money we put into the bathrooms have been: the floors, the master vanity knobs, the hooks, paint and new shower heads. So much better, but still a work in progress!!

Oh, and please don't forget:

Ikeahack Learning Tower Fail to Win(ish) for a Beginner

Hi Lovelies, for my favorite Mama's I am writing a review of the Ikeahack Learning Tower!!

As you all know, I have champagne tastes (hence why I married a wine guy), BUT on a bud light budget. So I am was all over the Ikeahack learning tower!!

Here's the one I used!!

Totally adorable, no?? 

I must preface this post- I HAVE NEVER BUILT ANYTHING IN MY LIFE. I can paint a room, hang some pictures, use a staple gun, even kinda use a drill, and am GREAT at 'building' ikea stuff, but that's about it. Aka, I am 100% a beginner. 

After an awesome trip to Ikea with a 2 year old. No really, it was awesome- we pretty much let her run and jump on anything that couldn't kill her and had a great lunch and ice cream cone:

On President's day, I dutifully wrote down all the dimensions that I needed and took them to Home Depot to get it cut. In black are the instructions straight from the Ikeahack blog. In RED are my beginner comments/issues.

 The four posts are 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 17″ (cut four) – *** but I suggest that you place the stool by your counter to make sure that the height of the tower will not exceed the height of the counter if you use our measurements. Therefore adjust the height of these posts according to your counter height.

So, 17" high was perfect for our counters. But I couldn't find any 1.5" x 1.5" so I bought 1.75" x 1.75" thinking it would still work great!! 

- We used the same 1.5″ x 1.5″ wood for the sides as rails in the centre of the tower – 7″ long (cut two)
- The other rails are all 3/4″ x 3.5″ wood. The side rails on the top measure 9 7/8″ (cut two). The back rails measure 15″ (cut two).
- Our dowel (5/8″ diameter) on the front measures 16 3/8″ and goes through all the layers of wood on the ends – *** but I suggest that you only drill holes in the posts (1.5″ x 1.5″ x 17″), then thread the dowel through to both ends and then attach the side rails which will cover the holes – in this case, your dowel should be 14 7/8″ long (cut one)
My husband used a combination of 1 1/2 wood screws and 2 1/2 wood screws…
Begin by drilling holes (5/8″) through two of the posts, 1 1/2″ down from the top of the posts.

Read more at http://www.ikeahackers.net/2013/03/lucys-learning-tower.html#jelVrymicFOvwJX2.99

The four posts are 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 17″ (cut four) – *** but I suggest that you place the stool by your counter to make sure that the height of the tower will not exceed the height of the counter if you use our measurements. Therefore adjust the height of these posts according to your counter height.
- We used the same 1.5″ x 1.5″ wood for the sides as rails in the centre of the tower – 7″ long (cut two)
- The other rails are all 3/4″ x 3.5″ wood. The side rails on the top measure 9 7/8″ (cut two). The back rails measure 15″ (cut two).
- Our dowel (5/8″ diameter) on the front measures 16 3/8″ and goes through all the layers of wood on the ends – *** but I suggest that you only drill holes in the posts (1.5″ x 1.5″ x 17″), then thread the dowel through to both ends and then attach the side rails which will cover the holes – in this case, your dowel should be 14 7/8″ long (cut one)
My husband used a combination of 1 1/2 wood screws and 2 1/2 wood screws…
Begin by drilling holes (5/8″) through two of the posts, 1 1/2″ down from the top of the posts.

Read more at http://www.ikeahackers.net/2013/03/lucys-learning-tower.html#jelVrymicFOvwJX2.99

- We used the same 1.5″ x 1.5″ wood for the sides as rails in the centre of the tower – 7″ long (cut two) 

Fail #1: Because my wood was 1.75 NOT 1.5- I should have adjusted the length of the center wood. This forced me to use a hand saw (again I am a beginner with no fancy wood cutting equiptment). This part sucked- and caused these pieces to be rough/totally cockeyed.

 

- The other rails are all 3/4″ x 3.5″ wood. The side rails on the top measure 9 7/8″ (cut two). The back rails measure 15″ (cut two). 

In my opinion, 3.5-inches is pretty wide. Therefore, I bought 2.5" wide and it seems just fine!!

Fail #2: The Home Depot guy didn't cut the top side rails at 9 7/8" more like 8 7/8"- I guess I should have measured them before I bought them!!

Fail #3: Another Beginner Confession: At my Home Depot, the wood I bought was priced PER linear food- not priced per piece. While still only $2ish a foot- I thought I was getting the whole 8-foot long piece for $2ish. So that signficiantly upped the price. If I had know this, I would have bought the cheaper wood. I ended up with birch which was the middle of the road pricewise. (PS the 1.75" x 1.75" wood was priced per 8-foot long piece NOT per foot- so not sure what causes the difference. Next time, I'll look closer to the pricing labels.)

Fail #4: DO NOT buy two back rails measuring 15" wide. As you can see in the pic below from Ikeahacker, the top back rail (with the blue arrow) also goes across the top side rail. Therefore, the top back rail needs to be 15-inches wide, while the bottom back rail needs to be less. I don't know what this width is- I realized that mine was too wide, so I decided to just skip the need for the back bottom rail. I think this works for me because I have a 2 year old kid- who is pretty self aware- you may want this rail for a younger kiddo.

 - Our dowel (5/8″ diameter) on the front measures 16 3/8″ and goes through all the layers of wood on the ends – *** but I suggest that you only drill holes in the posts (1.5″ x 1.5″ x 17″), then thread the dowel through to both ends and then attach the side rails which will cover the holes – in this case, your dowel should be 14 7/8″ long (cut one) 

Fail #5: As a newbie, the only drill bits that I have came in a handy yellow set (see pic below). Thus, I do not own a 5/8" diameter drill bit. While I bought  the 14 7/8" long, 5/8 round dowel, I could only make a 3/8 inch whole. Thus, a big fail. I could have gone a bought the right drill bit, but realized that again with an older kid, I didn't need the back dowel piece. As you can see in the pic below, I did attempt to make a 5/8" whole with my 3/8" drill bid- so yes, I have a big empty whole in one piece of wood. Another reason no one should look closely at my finished tower.

And since I am sharing Fail #6: Being a newbie driller- I successfully stripped two screws in the process and that SUCKED. Big time.  See the stripped screw below. This forced me to abandon the project for a week, feel really bad about myself, and have a couple cocktails to console myself! 

So those are my fails and what I'd do next time.  I've yet to actually finish this project- I still need to prime and paint. Still trying to decide on a color- suggestions??

Here's my win-ish tower in use for the first time yesterday while making popcorn with Dad!!

 

Please note: Fail #1.5: See Hubby's knee area- the rail is not all the way on the edge of the step due to Fail #1. C'est la vie.

And if you want to follow me in 'real time' here's yesterday's instagram post: Ikeahack by Mom, popcorn by Dad, and selfie with scabbed up nose by Sugar Bear (and tired puppy for good measure). Follow me @sugarspicelivin

PS no kid was harmed in the making of this tower and no counters were cleaned to make this blog presentable.

PPS I only shed a drop or two of blood in the making of this tower!! Seriously, I did slice my right middle finger and currently have a bandaid on it- apropos no?

- The four posts are 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 17″ (cut four) – *** but I suggest that you place the stool by your counter to make sure that the height of the tower will not exceed the height of the counter if you use our measurements. Therefore adjust the height of these posts according to your counter height.
- We used the same 1.5″ x 1.5″ wood for the sides as rails in the centre of the tower – 7″ long (cut two)
- The other rails are all 3/4″ x 3.5″ wood. The side rails on the top measure 9 7/8″ (cut two). The back rails measure 15″ (cut two).
- Our dowel (5/8″ diameter) on the front measures 16 3/8″ and goes through all the layers of wood on the ends – *** but I suggest that you only drill holes in the posts (1.5″ x 1.5″ x 17″), then thread the dowel through to both ends and then attach the side rails which will cover the holes – in this case, your dowel should be 14 7/8″ long (cut one)
My husband used a combination of 1 1/2 wood screws and 2 1/2 wood screws…
Begin by drilling holes (5/8″) through two of the posts, 1 1/2″ down from the top of the posts.

Read more at http://www.ikeahackers.net/2013/03/lucys-learning-tower.html#jelVrymicFOvwJX2.99

The four posts are 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 17″ (cut four) – *** but I suggest that you place the stool by your counter to make sure that the height of the tower will not exceed the height of the counter if you use our measurements. Therefore adjust the height of these posts according to your counter height.
- We used the same 1.5″ x 1.5″ wood for the sides as rails in the centre of the tower – 7″ long (cut two)
- The other rails are all 3/4″ x 3.5″ wood. The side rails on the top measure 9 7/8″ (cut two). The back rails measure 15″ (cut two).
- Our dowel (5/8″ diameter) on the front measures 16 3/8″ and goes through all the layers of wood on the ends – *** but I suggest that you only drill holes in the posts (1.5″ x 1.5″ x 17″), then thread the dowel through to both ends and then attach the side rails which will cover the holes – in this case, your dowel should be 14 7/8″ long (cut one)
My husband used a combination of 1 1/2 wood screws and 2 1/2 wood screws…
Begin by drilling holes (5/8″) through two of the posts, 1 1/2″ down from the top of the posts.

Read more at http://www.ikeahackers.net/2013/03/lucys-learning-tower.html#jelVrymicFOvwJX2.99

The four posts are 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 17″ (cut four) – *** but I suggest that you place the stool by your counter to make sure that the height of the tower will not exceed the height of the counter if you use our measurements. Therefore adjust the height of these posts according to your counter height.
- We used the same 1.5″ x 1.5″ wood for the sides as rails in the centre of the tower – 7″ long (cut two)
- The other rails are all 3/4″ x 3.5″ wood. The side rails on the top measure 9 7/8″ (cut two). The back rails measure 15″ (cut two).
- Our dowel (5/8″ diameter) on the front measures 16 3/8″ and goes through all the layers of wood on the ends – *** but I suggest that you only drill holes in the posts (1.5″ x 1.5″ x 17″), then thread the dowel through to both ends and then attach the side rails which will cover the holes – in this case, your dowel should be 14 7/8″ long (cut one)
My husband used a combination of 1 1/2 wood screws and 2 1/2 wood screws…
Begin by drilling holes (5/8″) through two of the posts, 1 1/2″ down from the top of the posts.

Read more at http://www.ikeahackers.net/2013/03/lucys-learning-tower.html#jelVrymicFOvwJX2.99

#weverb14: Day 10 through 16

So behind, but determined to make it through this weVERB14

Day 10: Support, how did you volunteer this year? What will you do in 2014?

Well, shucks. I don't volunteer. I did a few things with Sugar Bear's daycare, but sigh, those were just small little things.

I wish I could say that I am determined to volunteer more, but really, that would be a lie. Not sure how to do this one with a straight face.

Perhaps the only way to get through this one is to focus on the word itself. SUPPORT. I pledge to support my family in 2014. I have already been supporting the Hubby both physically and mentally to get a new job this year. And of course, I do my best as a Mom to support Sugar Bear as she grows and changes. I hear- I do it Mama!!! All the time!! I really want to let her explore and discover to her hearts content- even if that means climbing trees and skinning knees!

Day 11: Fortify, What personal strengths will you use this year that you developed in 2013?

Again, being a Mom of a strong willed toddler, I started to dive into the different parenting techniques to help guide us both through the Tremendous Twos!  I can't wait to get my hands on this book. I know there are no perfect parenting techniques, but I hope to fortify my parenting skills as my baby turns into a little girl!!

Day 12: Savor, What was your favorite food item/ingredient in 2013? What do you want to eat more and less of in 2014?

My favorite meal of 2013 was sushi at Morimoto Napa- including seeing Morimoto!! Gah. So freaking good. That said, when I don't have a 2 year old sitting on my lap or pulling on me for attention, I find that I savor those meals both before and after they happen.  Before because I have to plan to have a babysitter and I am able to cherish the idea of a meal to relax and enjoy myself. After because I love thinking about my life outside of being a mom and being my OWN person- even if it is only for one meal at a time!!

And so I don't come off as completely selfish, I really savor EVERY meal my husband makes- which is at least 70% of all the cooking done in our house. I savor not having to cook, I savor eating a meal at our dining table as a family, and I savor having an AMAZING husband that cooks AMAZING meals!!

Day 13: Cultivate, What creativity or talent did you cultivate in 2013? What do you want to enhance this year?

I spent a lot of time this year doing projects around our house to 'spruce it up' with little or no cost. As of today, I have a plan to spend a month or two on various thing around our house to continue to spruce things up. Most of my projects require a bit of paint and elbow grease. Some require real planning and research. I am already excited to dive into these projects. Again, this goes back to my 2013 year of putting down roots and making our house a home!

Most exciting- thinking about surprising Sugar Bear with a big girl room at the end of the year!!! Ekkk. I'll have a big girl!! I am already savoring the joy!!

Day 14: Share, You’ve been asked to give a 2-minute presentation on “my biggest lesson of 2013″ to a group of friends/colleges/family members/etc. Use any medium you’d like to share.

As I've said, 2013 was about growing roots for me. About enjoying the things around me. The spaces and the people. When going through my instagram account I realize it is just that- the spaces I inhabit and my family!! Perfect medium to share how I grew my roots!!

Day 15: Emulate, Is there someone you want to emulate in 2014? Why and how?

I feel like this should be someone large- like Nelson Mandela or the spectacular First Lady. But I am currently knee deep in a book I thought I would hate- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.

This year started out lame with my Husband's identity being stolen. We are STILL dealing with this DAILY! It's been an huge issue.  I didn't want to dwell on all the sucky, so I reached out to find something - anything really that would allow me to focus on the happy. So far #weverb14, The Happiness Project, and Happify have really helped me feel inherently happier.

So while I am not sure I will do a FULL Happiness Project, I am going to take some of Gretchen Rubin's projects!! I truly thought I wouldn't relate to an upper Westside Mom, but the reality is- the book and her projects have NOTHING to do with money. I am lucky enough to say that I can relate to and implement so many of her small changes.

Day 16: Watch, What movie(s) did you see in 2013 that you would recommend to a friend to watch?

The Way Way Back. I loved (and hated) all the characters. I almost found myself yelling at the screen!! Plus, their is heart and I am pretty sure I cried.

#weVERB14: Capture

Last year I captured a thousand moments, and the good news I was able to capture some amazing moments:

Hugs:

The Ocean:

Vacationing with friends and babies:

Running:

Hiding:

Exploring:

Trouble-making:

 Growing:

Climbing:

Wondering:

Gah. I hope to capture amazing moments like these and a million more this year. BUT I also want to work on living on the moment, so perhaps not always having my phone on hand to get that PERFECT picture, but rather live in the moment.

Day 7-9: WeVERB14

If you missed the first post, I am doing #weVERB14 this year. Loving it so far. I am skipping #6 for now, so here's week 2.... And I apologize, I feel like this is turning into (or always has been) an internal dialog to celebrate the last year and feel grateful for the new year!?

Day 7: Send, what is the best thing you sent in 2013? What will you send in 2014?

It's funny, this prompt seems so boastful and selfish. It feels like a self proclamation- I am such a super friend that I gave great things?? But at the same time, it's reminding me that I really do get joy out of sending gifts to folks!! Thus, adding that to my 2014 list- send gifts/cards/thank yous/notes of love, etc.

I really do love sending packages- I may bitch and moan about postage, but I get super gleeful (is that a word??) at myself when I think about the person opening the package at the other end!

My favorite package that I sent was a belated wedding present! I got to welcome a friend back to the West Coast by sending her and her new hubby wine and wine glasses to celebrate their return!!

And in 2014- I am over the moon excited to send them a baby present!! I want to send her a package of all of my favorite baby things that I never knew about. I have a running list in my head!! Another note to self- don't forget to send said baby package!

I also love sending Thank You notes- I don't do it often enough and I really need to stop thinking of it as a chore!

I also 'sent' our entire family down to LA for the week after xmas. I could tell it meant a lot to my Mom- she did so much for us in November!! And the week was beyond fantastic. It was also great to see that the Thank You note that we sent was on her wall of cards!!!

Day 8: Accept, what imperfections have you learned to accept?

Again, another tough one for me. I have totally accepted that life is more chaotic with a little one; our house will always be messier and I will almost NEVER feel on top of everything that is happening around me.

That said, in the last couple weeks, I've realized that I really don't like living in chaos. My heads been spinning with thoughts on declutter our life and 'living with intent' ever since 2014 hit.

So, I accept that my home and life won't ever be free of chaos, but I am really doing my best to eliminate it in the first place.  Does that count as acceptance??

Day 9: Laugh, biggest belly laughs of 2013!!

Having a kid is full of extremes and one of the extremes is how FREAKING funny they can be without ever realizing it. For instance, blaming Mommy's fart on Daddy, which was pretty awesome (yes, I am a 12 year old boy).  Or parroting back anything we say- the good, the bad, and the ugly; espeically the ugly- hearing an 18 month year old say ass hole is both hilarious and terrifying.

Or when talking to my 9 year old neice about my awesome alma mater- University of Washington. I said, 'Don't you want to go to school where your favorite Aunt went?' Without skipping a beat- "Yes, where did Aunt Jen (my sister) go!??" Zing.

But really, those moments are fletting and hard to capture- expecially the extremes of being surrounded by much poop that you just have to laugh at yourself.

I think the real belly aching has come from amazing dinners with close friends at our house and hanging out with my brother and sister in law over NYE. Laughing, drinking and eating so much over stuff that I can't remember. And constantly laughing at the little silly stuff that happen every day with a 2 year old.

Those are the memories, I can't put into words, but really make my heart happy!!

#weVERB2014

I've always wanted to participate in #weverb, but I never had the time in December. This year weVERB is in January, so I am going to try my best to participate.  2013 was a really good year. A great year really- nothing O.M.G. exciting, but overall pretty dang great.

So far 2014 has been a bit bumpy, but I really hope that 2014 is even better. But I think this year I am going to need to live with more intent to make it even better!! And it will become clear very quickly what I am envisioning for 2014/early 2015....

Here's to the past and the future...


Day 1: Compose, a haiku:

2013
Baby to toddler.
Worked on growing our roots.
Stagnent yet moving.

2014
Happiness surrounds us.
Perhaps we'll grow by one more?
Looking for changes...

Day 2: Remember, what memory will I remember forever on 2013??

One word- swimming. From the first moment we stepped into the pool for Sugar Bear's first swim lesson- she was in heaven. After two months of indoor swim lessons, we ventured outside for a summer season of pool time. Almost every Friday night we took dinner to the pool and she shined. I can feel the warmth on our skin, the smile on her face, the sun giving her freckles, and the love and joy that we shared every moment making memories and friends. The added bonus was pool time in December with her in my parent's pool and hot tub- where I learned to swim- with cousins and grandparents. She truly is my water baby.


Day 3: Hasten, what shortcut did I learn in 2013? What do I want to speed up in 2014?

Well, perhaps I learned that their is no short cut. Time passes if I like it or not, which led me to finally jump off the excercise cliff. I've lost 10 lbs and ran 13 miles yesterday!!! I swear I will get to my dating weight in early 2014!!!

As for speeding things up, well I want to hasten our ability to both financially and physically complete our family.  I am ready to be our family of four, and we'll get there, but most likely we'll reach this goal in 2015.

Day 4: Rebuild,what do you plan to pick up or rebuild this year?

Does simplifying count as rebuilding?? Sugar Bear is really into saying- "I NEED IT." I'd like to stop saying those things, and rebuild a simpler life.

Day 5: Sing, Song or lyric tied to 2013??

Well don't hate, but Blurred Lines. Take away the message, and I loved that song. Baby Bear always asked for the 'Good Girl' song and it's such a fun song to dance to.

The song that I really want to take into 2014- Well, the little lady has grown quite attached to the Muppets, her favorite- 'Life's a Happy Song.' Truly, a song with an AMAZING message. And every time I hear it, and see her little face light up and sing along- Life is TRULY a happy song with my family beside me to sing along!! I hope she always loves that song and the muppets!!

Life's a Happy Song on Disney Video

More to come. I have so much to share for Day 6!!

The Writting on the Walls...

Hi Lovelies, I hope you enjoy my little pinterest wins that I have been working on for the last year and a half.

This next one, as soon as I saw this inspiration from Vintage Revivals, I knew I HAD to do it. This project is GENIUS! VR is a freaking rock star! And I can't believe more folks haven't copied this:

Here's the before with the sad sad sad white walls:

And here's our master bedroom:

Gah. I love it.

Although it is funny when folks ask how I did that to the wall and I respond- sharpie. It really was a girls dream come true; I felt like my Dad was going to walk into the room and start yelling at me for drawing on the walls!!

Slight changes since you saw it last- new duvet from Garnet Hill (fantastic quality for the price) and two clearance pink lamp shades from Ikea (slight fail as they cast a pink 'i am a five year old girl' type shadow over the entire room when turned on- but no one needs to know that during the day!)

The next bedroom project- de-beige the room: so a bright headboard!! Kinda like what I did for my niece. I am loving this fabric, and here's my inspiration:

And I am obsessed with Emily Henderson's recent version- LOVE:

PS No dogs were hurt during the taking of this photo- but one dog was VERY upset that his nap was interrupted!