Newbie, learning quickly

Okay, so I am new at this whole blog thing still but I am finding some extremely valuable resources here! My new favorite blog is Young House Love (www.younghouselove.com). Beyond the instant gratification with DIY tips and projects, they have the best taste (in my opinion!) Now the negative, I am dying to transform my home using the new found treasure as inspiration.

My plan of attack is to start with our guest room. It's basically neutral on steroids:

So, white walls, white sheer curtains, and limited wall decor. The bed right below this window currently has a yellow quilt on it (the only substantial color in the whole room.)

These sheers are a new addition too, they were an "oops" from my mother, so they ended up at my house because I desperately needed something on the windows so my guests could have some privacy when they spent the night.

Next comes the opposite side of the room... which isn't much better! I assure you the wall are still white, trying to capture the awfulness with a phone camera isn't the best method.

Now this dresser has been sanded and painted white. It's actually really a nice addition to the room. I just need to pull more color, possibly from the picture - some earthy blues and some bright copper accents.

So, for the next few weeks (coinciding with Christmas = chaos) this will be my job to update and transform. Keeping my imagination open, and my influences and inspiration close, next post will be progress and completion pictures! Wish me luck.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

The Christmas tree has arrived! And boy, is it massive.

Sunday was the day, we bundled up (for 55 degree weather mind you, overkill for sure) to trek through the farm and find our "perfect tree." Unfortunately, this idea of going off on  your own to find a tree was not as easy as it sounds. We walked for what seemed like hours through too small, too large, too wide, too skinny, too bare, too bushy trees. Finally we found what we thought was "perfect." Were we wrong! Our ceiling height is a normal 9 feet, our new tree was over 13 feet! So caught up in the beauty, we brought it home unwise to what was to come.

After trimming the top off, and some of the bottom, it fit in the house. Then it was time to trim the sides so it didn't seem so daunting in our tiny home. Below is the results:

With only weeks to go, I've put it into full gear when it comes to presents. Still completely unsure of some, I think the people I have done will be pretty pleased. For my brother and sister-in-law who live in Tennessee I put together a really cute "baking bowl." Started out with a big mixing bowl, in holiday decor of course:

Then I found some really cute oven mitts, complete with cookie mix inside. With two of those, a new spatula, some cookie cutters, measuring spoons, hot chocolate mix (in holiday gear as well, of course), and some Keurig coffee pods - this makes a very nice family-friendly gift to ship! I may throw in a few homemade cookies as well, if I ever get started:

Now on to my brother in Florida, (keep in mind I am stock piling any boxes that come in at work so I can send all of these things to various states) I was considering baking and sending him a care package of goodies he can enjoy before and after the holiday. He'll be here for Christmas, but it's always easier to send before the holiday and let him enjoy his gifts in his own home. That will be my next project... is it bad when Christmas presents become projects?