Chandy Candy

Yes, this is the dreadful fixture that we’ve ignored for 7 years.

Notice the dust.

Can you say “Unloved”?

After being inspired by several bloggers this past winter, I found out that you can practically spray paint ANYTHING!

I even learned how to spray paint plates here. So why not spray paint a chandelier? Right?

So I did just that!  We’re not talking rocket science.  Why can’t I think of these things on my own?  Oh well, live and learn.

So let me introduce you to my new love…

Hey Baby!

Here is the step by step process to give your

dying Chandelier new life:

1.} Get some good black spray paint.

Then spray till ya can’t spray no mo’!

I actually painted mine from a hook in the garage.

{Thanks to my smart Hubby’s advice}

2.} Replace those terrible shades!  NOW!

I covered mine with a remnant of fabric that I found at JoAnn’s.

I just brushed a little watered down craft glue on the shade and then attached the fabric.

I traced the shade to make the pattern.  Simple.  Simple.

3.} Spray paint the plastic thing-a-ma-bobs

under the bulb. {pardon a moi, candle sleeve}

4.} Finish her off with hot glue and pretty trimmings.

And there you have it!

I used to hate it and now I LOVE it!

Reduce. Reuse. Re-STYLE Baby!

Join the Nester Lampapalooza Party Too!

Two Wheelin’

Look who took off her training wheels this week!

She goes so fast that we can’t keep up with her!

And then look who took her training wheels off about five minutes later.  Honestly I was kinda scared that she would completely wipe out and hit the neighbors car or something.  Well she didn’t wipe out but our neighbors now have a small chunk of paint missing from their bumper!!  I tried to catch her!

Ups and Downs

A special thank you to our friends

who recently gave us a wooden swing set!

We were able to break the set up into 2 different sets.  This one is the swing set and the other piece will be a “fort”.  There will be lots of great memories on this beast!

Dunk the Vote

A few weeks ago our school district sponsored an event called Dunk the Vote.

It was meant to help everyone get geared up for the next weeks school levy.

There were all kinds of things to do…

Face painting

Pictures with the Eagle

East vs. West Basketball Game

The kids cheered for their school.  Each school had a few teachers playing on their team.

Last year we won!  Go West Side!

But the coolest part was that Kosta Koufos {the guy who is 2 feet taller than anyone else on the court} was back in town to support the district.  Carter was in HEAVEN!

Good news, the levy finally passed after 11 years of trying!

Akron Aeros Game

Last Friday was Family Night with our church at the Akron Aeros game.

The weather was perfect and the kids had a blast!

We went a little early and had dinner at the park with the Richards.

When we got there, we found out that it was a double header.

Casey and Carter had so much fun that they didn’t want to leave.

Carter even got some stuff signed.

Here are two of my favorite pictures of the night:

Brave Lauren took all 4 of her kids and a friend to the game and she was still smiling at the end.  You’re awesome girl!

And we can’t go to Akron without stopping at Krispy Kreme.  So raced through downtown Akron with two other families only to find out that they were closing in 5 minutes.  Plus, they were only serving glazed donuts in the drive through.  Didn’t stop us!  We all ordered our glazed and meet in the parking lot to stuff em’ down.  I tried to get a few pics but I was laughing so hard that they didn’t turn out too well but you get the idea!  Fun Memories!

Riley Turns 6

We have a tradition of waking up the birthday kids with singing and a donut.

Poor Riley waited for about 15 minutes {awake}

in her bed while we were getting everything ready!

Next it was downstairs for breakfast and PRESENTS!

I love the look on her face when she opened this Barbie head thing-a-ma-jig!

Love those eyes!

And she can’t resist a great pair of gaudy pick clip on earrings!

She even took these to school to show her teacher.

Wander what the teacher thought about that?

She was even greeted by the Scary Hooded Monster!

Later Ally and I had lunch with Riley at school.

I’m pretty sure her favorite part of the day was the Birthday Ribbon they gave her at school.

What a Cutie!

Birthday Date

Brad and Casey have a tradition of taking pictures in a photo booth when they go on a Birthday date. Here are this years pics.

Taste Test {Our Favorite Game}

My kids love the taste testing game!

Here is what you need:

1.  Bite-sized food

2.  Blindfold/winter scarf

3.  Crazy kids

Riley wasn’t too fond of the blindfold so she just closed her eyes

Gross, she wasn’t too fond of the nuts either!

Fun Stuff and so easy!

Lunch with Taylor

This was a few weeks ago when we were in Cynthiana over spring break. These two are so cute together! I love Granny in the background too!!

Family Room Makeover

The school bus yellow color was getting old.

We’ve practically worn sunglasses in this room for the last 2 years!  I picked out the color. Yes, I take the credit for this terrible decorating mistake.  I picked out the color and then left the hubster home for the weekend to paint it for me.

If I had been around, I would have known after the first roller of paint went up, that this was NOT the color I was looking for.  But being the amazing husband that he is, he just threw his shades on and kept painting.  I must have picked it out on a dreary winter day. It’s really the only explanation.

Fast forward to now, just coming out of another dreary season, and you’ll find me ready to redo every room in our house.

This winter, came across so many decorating blogs that have inspired me! Here are a few of my favorites:

Nesting Place

The Lettered Cottage

The Inspired Room

Thrifty Decor Chick

A Soft Place to Land

I painted the family room Svelte Sage, by Sherwin Williams. I took the color to Wal-Mart and had them mix it for me. I don’t love this color like I hoped I would.  I’m wondering if the cheap Wal-Mart paint can really compare to Sherwin Williams. For now, it’s close enough.

No staging has taken place for this photo!  The cabinets on either side of the TV will eventually house movies and kids game stations.

I haven’t made any real changes with furniture yet, but I just wanted to show you the difference in the wall color. Pretty amazing, I think.

And so calming! We need a little calm in this family

The star is my FAVORITE part. If you remember, my friend, Amber and I covered barn stars a few months ago. Her’s turned out really great. She worst part is that she recently moved to sunny Florida, but she did leave me with the beautiful star! Thanks Amber!!

{On a side note they are selling their house in Canton, so if you need a home or know someone who does, go here.}

I hope to show more pictures as the room progresses.