DIY Spray Painted Monogrammed Doormat & Wicker Balls

Yesterday I spruced up some home decor that I purchased so it could go better with our home.

I bought these balls and bowl set together for $4 at a thrift store. Normally the wicker balls (6 in a set) range from $7 - $13 and the bowl could cost anywhere from $8- $10.   I already had the spray paint on hand from a previous project.

I don't have a before picture (I forgot) but the wicker balls were 2 different shades of green.

The other project I did was spray paint a doormat I purchased for $4.99 to add more of a "home" touch rather than a plain doormat outside. It was really simple to do so I didn't take pictures step by step.

Decide what you would like on your doormat. Cut out stencils either by hand or if you have a cricut machine; which, is what I have and used, pick the image and size. I laid the stencil on the doormat and taped it down. I made sure to cover what was not being sprayed because I didn't want to overspray areas. Then let it dry!

I already had the spray paint at home so this project was $4.99

Check out the step by step for my DIY Fourth of July wreath

Thrift Store Find

When Matt was deployed last year on a MEU, he went to many countries. While he was in port at Singapore, he bought this gorgeous china set for me. It's been sitting in a box in the closet ever since. We had no place to display it, so it just sat. Until a couple weeks ago when I managed to come across this beautiful heavy china cabinet at a thrift store. I text a picture to Matt since he's in California right now to share my excitement, and he was all aboard about it too. So, I bought it for only $140! That's what I call a steal!!

Now, the china cabinet sits in our formal dining room with the china he purchased for me, woo hoo!!  (no table yet, but it may come in the future) 

We don't plan on changing anything about it, except maybe the handles. This china cabinet is in really good condition.

Ignore my half body reflection. There is another row of china above but it had too much of my own reflection again, but you get the idea of it.




Pictures were taken on my cell phone.

Looking For A Buyer

The first week of April I purchased a groupon for a Sunrise hot air balloon for TWO on a weekday thinking that we would have plenty of time to use it and be able to cross it off our bucket list as well as make my wishes come true (I've been dying to this!!)  Well, I was wrong.  I tried to book a reservation with this place 2 days ago and turns out, I probably should've done it 2 weeks ago or more. This place is booked until the 2nd week of June and this is just WEEKDAY reservations. The weekends are booked until August.  I never knew that riding in a hot air balloon would be as popular as it is. SO, now I am needing someone to purchase these tickets off of us since we are moving at the end of this month and won't be able to use them.  I'm really bummed about it, but hey -- who knows.. maybe one day I will be able to ride in a hot air balloon. It would be awesome to do it in California because of the scenery, but possibly anywhere will be just as good too.

If you are interested or know anyone who is interested in purchasing this groupon from me, feel free to contact me below with a comment.
This is a $438 value, but the cost paid is $198 - so I am asking what I paid for $198 OBO. This groupon does NOT EXPIRE, but the value of the groupon ($198) does expire on April 1, 2014. The place is located in Temecula, CA.

This would be so fun to enjoy it with your spouse or your close friend/relative. It would a good way to celebrate a birthday, or anniversary, or possibly an engagement!

Meet Yak

He is the newest member of our recreational sport equipment. Yak the kayak was purchased in August off of Craigslist for a good price that couldn't be turned away. Matt uses it every weekend with some friends so they can be out further in the ocean while spearfishing.

Single File!

Since Matt and I have been married, I have been telling him how I think we should get a filing cabinet and that it has become a necessity because of all the paperwork we have from our medical records, moving, military, my schooling, taxes, and all other sorts of stuff we have going on that it will be a lot more organized and simpler.  Well, I have looked online for a nice filing cabinet that is not too expensive and it turns out, filing cabinets are expensive. They run anywhere between $70-250.  I was not willing to pay that price so I've been hunting for a few months for used one in pretty good condition. 

Finally, I found this on craigslist! I took my friend Sarah with me (scary to go alone after watching 'The Craigslist Killer') It was $40. I tried to go lower but that lady didn't budge. Oh well, it's a pretty good price for a wood filing cabinet. So, I have great plans for a DIY project makeover. It can use some TLC.  So - stay tuned in ;)

 This is what our current filing cabinet looks like. Yep, that small plastic container with overflowing papers.

 Organizing, sorting, trashing.. 

3.5 hours later, and this is what it looks like. So much better.

Makeover Time

Remember a few one month ago in posts how I said I was going to start up a project and then I oh-so-kindly gave you a little sneak peek of what the project would be? Well in case you forgot, here is that post.
And here is the full item of which the project was about

So forward that to yesterday, I actually started and finished it.

First, tape around the edges of the mirror and shove them undeneath the crack that's between the frame iteself and the mirror. If unable to do so, then line it up on the side or take the mirror out. In my case, this mirror cannot be removed, so I taped as best as I could.

Next, place bags, paper bags, or cardboard over the mirror to protect it from spray paint. It looks like I went overboard, but to be honest - I had some spray paint on the mirror; which, then I had to scrape off with a knife. That was tedious just as much as placing the tape around the frame.

I put the mirror on top of a box and then added a painters rug on top of the box just for precautions. Just make sure you are in a well-ventilated area because they have not made a spray paint that is no-VOC yet.

psstt - Is it just me, or does anyone else think of a coffin when they see this picture?

Grey is my primer. Then, obviously the purple is my color.

Grey primer applied (this was my first coat. I did two coats)

First coat of the purple (I did three coats)

It was actually hard for me to stop spray painting. I felt like I would keep going out to check on it to see if I missed any spots or if I could spray paint anything else in our house. Is that strange that I really enjoy spray painting? Good thing Matt didn't come home to our kitchen table being purple. That would be something.

Here it is close-up. It's not the best lighting due to our house having crappy bulbs. I swear each room has a different bulb than the other. But hey! I can't complain too much, right? We don't pay an electric bill or for light bulbs due to living on base.

Another view of the entire thing when I brought it inside. It dried within 10 minutes since I had it sitting in the sun (which the can even says it will be dry in 10 minutes) But it did also mention it might be sticky or need to stay outside for a few hours or overnight. Well, I left it outside for almost 2 hours and then brought it inside for 1-2 hours before actually hanging it up. It didn't have a strong aroma and it wasn't really sticky, so that was my okay to move on with the process!

View of the mirror. I kind of think it's a little high, but if I had it lower it looked weird too. This way we lined it up with the blinds.

The view of our living room with the mirror at its new home.

Sorry the lighting isn't great.. It looks black in the pictures but it's really a purple and noticable too when you walk into the room!

Why did it take me so long to do a project that would require not that much time? Well.. the spray painting actually scared me. I never spray painted anything in my life, so this was the first. The fact that I actually really loved this mirror since I got it not only for a great price, but also because it was large and has great details, I was worried I would mess it up. What a disappointment that would be. But, as you can see that didn't happen and all is good.

Why purple? I was leaning on a light purple to begin with, but was unsure at times and kept thinking of other colors and where I would exactly put this mirror. Then I received a phone call telling me my aunt has passed away. It was a shock to everyone. Her favorite color was purple, so I said to myself, "self, Purple the mirror will be!" Not only was it the color I was leaning to, but it matches the pillows we have downstairs in our living room, and I will think of my Aunt.  As you can see... it's not light purple, but a darker shade and that's because the light purple looked more like a grey so I said forget it, let's go dark. I can always change it later if need be.

I think I got this mirror for such a deal! I was on the search for a large mirror, but they were $50+. So, thanks to a yard sale, I got this mirror for cheap.

Break-down of costs:
Mirror $10
Tape $0 (already had it on hand)
Nails $0 (already had it on hand)
Spray Paint $12
Total: $22

P.S. not only did the mirror get a makeover, but our blog did too! Did you notice?

Day 20 Military Challenge

30 Day Military Challenge - Day 20: Post a picture of you in something military (shirt, cammies, etc.)


Oh, I have quite a few pictures of me wearing something military.. here are a few of them:

This picture was taken the day of Matt leaving for his tour to Iraq in March 2009

This picture was taken the morning of him coming home from his tour in Iraq in October 2009. (Of course before I got ready)

This picture was taken the day of Matt leaving for his tour in Afghanistan 2010

I also have a picture of me in cammies that Matt bought for me for my 18th birthday. They have my maiden name on it. I cannot find that picture anywhere! I still have the cammies though.

I also caught a great deal online for movie tickets at livingsocial.com. The deal is TWO tickets for only $9. (but must be used at the same time) They can be used anytime between now (when you receive the e-mail) up to September 9, 2011. Very awesome! I had to purchase that because 1 movie ticket out here is $11.50

Check out the deal and maybe even make a purchase, but hurry! beacuse the deadline is coming up with only less than 1 day left.