Hanner Studios Deal of the Day!! {50% off}

One of my lovely and talented friends has been creating art and photography pieces for years. She is truly amazing and every piece or photograph is unique and different. You may remember one artwork piece she painted for our Master Bedroom above the bed.

She created Hanner Studios where she can live out her creativity through art, photography and even painting classes.

All this to say that she has an amazing deal going on right now at Twongo. If you aren't sure what Twongo is, it is like Groupon or Living Social. Hanner Studios has 50% off ALL Photography Sessions. {Wedding, Newborn, Family, Real Estate, Engagement, etc} It is a fabulous deal!!

Hanner Studios has even been known to help us out with Real Estate Photography of our flip/Investment Homes.

The Twongo Deal runs through tomorrow night 1/13/13!! If you live in the Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas....make sure you check out this amazing deal!

Click HERE to view the terms and conditions.


Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend!( NCState just beat DUKE...so my weekend is complete!)

Investment Home {Paint & Granite} Updates

A couple of weeks ago I introduced you to our new Flip/Investment Home. If you missed some of the before pictures you can go here.

We have been making some great progress and will hopefully be done with this little place sometime next week. If you remember our other investment property took us 6 months to finish!! This one has only taken us just about a month. It really needed just some good lovin.


Here is a little update with the new exterior paint colors:

I love how the new colors bring a little more richness to the place. We have also added new railings as the other ones were falling off of the front porch. We are hoping to get these painted next week.

The Exterior paint colors that were used:
Siding Color: Sandy Hook- Benjamin Moore
Shutters and side door Color: Kendall Charcoal-Benjamin Moore
Front Door Color: Real Red-Sherwin Williams

The back deck has been totally redone. There weren't any stairs coming off of the back deck, so you could only access the deck from the living room. Weird huh? Now the new owners can get to their back yard without having to walk around the side of the house.



Remember what the fireplace looked like before?

Well it is getting a little face lift right now....

I got the inspiration from this photo:

source unknown

I love the clean lines that it brings into the room as well as that craftsman style feel. We won't be taking the molding all the way to the ceiling, but isn't it divine!?

Oh and wait....you can't forget about the awesome kitchen:

It is getting a beauty makeover as well!

The granite is called: Giallo Ornamental

It really looks nice against the all white cabinets. We are going to be adding black appliances to this home to keep some of the costs down, but they are really nice and will look fantastic with this new counter top!

So what do you all think of the updates so far? We are very happy with how it is turning out. I should have some after pictures up hopefully next week, if all goes as planned (which never happens in this business)!

Ciao...for now!

There's A Deal Going on....

Do you remember the Stowe Street Giveaway at the beginning of December?

Well for a limited time, ALL Bangles and Cuffs are 20% off!! Yahoo! So quickly stop on over and order your favorite. Stowe Street


I am thinking I am going to order:

Sara Solid Hinged Cuff in Tangerine/Gold

June Solid Bangle in Cream/Gold

Callie Striped Bangle in Ultramarine/Lime/Gold

I would seriously like to buy all of them, but I might be thrown out of my house if I did! I know that Jessica at Stowe Street said she would be coming out with some fabulous Spring colors in about a month! I can't wait to see what colors and designs they decide on. 

Sorry this wasn't a "Decorating" post, but I wanted to make sure you all knew about this great deal! I will be back a little later with some updates on our newest Flip Home.

Happy Thursday All!

Reader's Question: Toy Organization in a small space

Last week I was reading through my facebook page and came across a reader who asked this question:
"I need organizing tips. While renovating and being pregnant we have no space to make playroom for the boss man. Any suggestions for keeping his toys organized in my living room?"


She also sent me a picture of the toy area in her living space:

Sorry not a great pic from her phone.

Normally I tell everyone to go with Ikea's Expedit shelves like these. 

They are great to organize everything! I have one in our closet at home and also a very large 5x5 cubby in our home office. BUT...she doesn't have that much space in that corner. 

So here are some better options that she could get at her local stores.

1. Home Depot Storage Bench: Would be helpful if you need some extra seating as well. There are small little shelves directly underneath the seat for books and then you could store away some toys in canvas bins below.  http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Organization-Closet-Storage-Cube-Storage/h_d1/N-5yc1vZc1wy/R-202040744/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.UOsTvm872Ag

2. Home Depot Cube Storage: This one is similar to the ikea storage except it is a little smaller and might fit her corner space better. They have a six or nine cube shelf unit. These can be mounted vertically or horizontal depending on the space needed.  http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Organization-Closet-Storage-Cube-Storage/h_d1/N-5yc1vZc1wy/R-202040803/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051&superSkuId=202858034#.UOsT2W872Ag

3. Home Depot Fabric Cube Drawers: Here is an example of what the storage drawers look like. They come in a range of colors to coordinate with your living area. http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Organization-Closet-Storage-Cube-Storage/h_d1/N-5yc1vZc1wy/R-203616074/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.UOsUEm872Ag

4. Target Cube Storage: Target also has similar products with kid friendly colors. However, this one is only an online product, they don't have them in store. http://www.target.com/p/riverridge-kids-6-bins-storage-unit-espresso/-/A-11300498#prodSlot=large_8_25

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5. Spice Rack book shelves: I know this is a little odd, but if you go and find some wooden spice racks and spray paint them a color, you could use them to store some books.  You can also get these at ikea for only $3.99. Aren't they adorable? http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40070185/

6. Target Pocket file for books: This might also be a cheap option to store some books against a wall at a child's reach. http://www.target.com/p/real-simple-pocket-file-and-organizer-8-5x11/-/A-13533166#prodSlot=medium_1_14&term=file

7. Martha Stewart Stack boxes: The coffee table in the before picture was debatable she said. If she were to keep it there she could always use some organization for paper & crayons and create a craft nook. I know that Martha Stewart has some great little drawer and file organizers that she could put on top to store art products and they come in a few colors. http://www.staples.com/Martha-Stewart-Home-Office-with-Avery-StackFit-Shagreen-Inboxes/product_SS1063534

The picture below gives my reader an idea on how she could label the bins and baskets in order to keep the toys organized in that small corner. You can use clip art from your own computer and paste it on some card stock.  I am also thinking that if she decides to keep the coffee table in that corner for the time being, that two large baskets with labels would be another fantastic place for more toys! They would be tucked away neatly below the craft area. 

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These are just a few basic products I recommended that would hide some of her son's toys, but also keep them accessible and help momma from going insane! 

For those of you with kiddos...how do you organize all of their toys yet keep a neatly decorated home?

{HGTV} Dream Home 2013

On New Years Day I was so excited to find that HGTV was going to be showing the new Dream Home that  night!! I really use to be quite obsessed with HGTV, now I think Pinterest has taken over! :)

Anyway, I called up my mom and told her she MUST watch it and that she MUST be entering every day till February 14th!

This years Dream Home is located on Kiawah Island, SC. If you have never been there before, you must put it on your list! It is very beautiful. The Island itself doesn't have much on it except beautiful homes, miles and miles of bike trails and a few golf courses. But that is the beauty of the island. They have really tried hard to preserve the nature that surrounds Kiawah.

All of the furniture inside the home was purchased from Ethan Allen. So right there you know the home is going to be quite gorgeous! Let's take a little tour....shall we......

Beautiful entrance way with built in bench. This bench would even be cozy to take a nap on!

Gorgeous great room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the marsh. I am totally in love with the iron gate over the fireplace. You might find it a bit odd, but it really resembles the features of Charleston Homes. Charleston, SC is just minutes away!

The neutral palette with pops of green to bring the outdoors in is just beautiful! Check out how they used two coffee tables to create one large one.

Again...a soft neutral color scheme with subtle pops of blue are so soothing. French doors out onto the deck would be perfect for a morning coffee! Let's check out what is out on the deck shall we.....

Ummm...Hello! This amazing view and...

A Lap pool! Sweet! So private with all of the greenery that surrounds this home.

One thing that didn't really impress me was the kitchen. I understand why they wanted it to be sleek and plain, but I feel as though there is something missing. Do you agree or do you totally love this look?

However, I was not disappointed in the pantry! It is so chic and feels like a classy office!

Now the dining room left me speechless and that is hard to do people! It has its own prep area with the grey cabinets as well as those fabulous double chandeliers! Sophisticated, but not too over the top.

How about this adorable powder room that also brings that chartreuse green to life!



Now to the upstairs.... Nope we aren't done!!

Soothing blue and whites....fabulous four poster bed with a twist!

Guest bathroom number 1. White with a pop of black. So clean and classy.

Bright and cheery twin room. The bright blues are brought down a notch with the subtle stripes on the walls.

Bright guest bathroom to go with the bright twin room. You can never go wrong with a seamless shower and carrara marble floors! 

One of my favorite rooms, but I don't know how you really can choose. This loft is just magnificent with the view of the architectural beams in the ceiling. You also have an amazing view of the outside through the floor to ceiling windows in the great room. 

Last but certainly not least....this "playroom" which is next to the garage. You can take a nap, watch TV and pay ping pong all at the same time, while looking out at the beautiful marsh. WOW!

And....all of this can be YOURS if you enter the HGTV giveaway here. But just so you know...it is probably a waste of time to apply each day because...I am going to win! :)



What do you think of this fabulous home? What rooms were your favorite and which ones would you change?


P.S. I was not paid by HGTV to write this post. (I only wish) I am just slightly obsessed with beautiful homes and who can pass up talking about a giveaway rated at $2,000,000!!

P.P.S. All of the pictures were taken from the HGTV website. If you would like to see even more features go here.

2013 House Goals

It is that time where many make their New Years resolutions to be healthy and fit...am I right? Last year my resolution was to get ORGANIZED! I seemed to do pretty well with the organization of my Laundry Room, Linen Closet, Pantry, DVDs, Entryway & Under the Kitchen Sink. I still have a ways to go with the master closet & garage, but don't worry there is always this year!!


Along with keeping up with organization around the house (which is always a constant battle), I have put together some of my own House Goals for 2013 to keep things freshly decorated around this place.

#1: Updating the Hubs Home office......

Those of you who have been to my home recently have seen a few updates since this picture. I am planning on taking over this dungeon and making it a fun yet masculine place for him to work.




#2: Building Shelves above the passageway from the family room to the dining room

via BHG

I love the look of these built-ins. Not only do the look aesthetically pleasing, but they are very helpful in organizing books, toys and knick knacks. I am hoping my brother will help me build these this year! 

#3: Gotta do something about this BLAH.... Bathroom!

This is my master bathroom. I have probably never showed it to you before and there is a reason. It is BORING! Nothing is happening in here. I know what some of you are thinking..... you have a great size bathroom with 2 vanities, a soaking tub and a stand up shower (you can kind of see the shower in the mirror). It is a good size bathroom and it fills our needs, but it really just needs a little sumthin sumthin. 

I am thinking a good coat of paint, maybe some wainscoting and we definitely need to frame the mirror!

#4: DIY Twin Headboards for our guest room

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I have been wanting to try my hand at DIYing headboards and 2013 is the year I will try. I never said I would succeed, but I will TRY! 

#5: Tackle the Master Closet...YIKES!

Yes it is a bit scary at the moment. And....this is pretty organized for us. For a "newer" built home this master closet is actually quite small. I have to put all of my dresses and suits in the guest closet and John has to put all of his suits and sweaters in one of the other rooms. It is just crazy! What are we going to do when the kiddos come....hmmm.

I do swoon and even cry over California Closets, but they are just not in the budget this year. I am going to try and lift the shelves that are already in there a little higher and then have my brother help me build a bottom bar for our skirts and pants. I am still trying to figure out what to do with my ridiculous small shoe collection! 

#6: Last but NOT Least.....the Garage!

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Oh my...to have a garage so clean and organized. I am not sure what I would do with myself...I might even sleep in there!

We have moved offices 3 times within a year and a half,  I resigned from teaching full time two years ago and my parents moved down to NC this past summer and gave me all of my barbie and doll stuff! All of that happened within 2 years and we haven't made the time to go out there and actually go through my teaching stuff, barbies and office files. Once I would get ahead, something else would get dumped into the garage.

So... I need YOUR help to keep me accountable for going through everything in my garage! I will spare you a picture for today, but don't you worry because I will be back very soon with some "before" pics of the garage. I will conquer the garage if it is the last thing I do in 2013!

Well those are the larger house goals for 2013! I am sure I will have many little DIYs around the home that will help inspire you or make you cringe...one or the other. 

Have you made some resolutions or goals for 2013? Do tell!

Tomorrow is Friday...yep!

Happy New Year!!

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