Beach House Birthday

 

It’s already been a month since Sydney’s birthday, and I still can’t believe she’s four years old. My oh my, where does the time go?

Beach House Birthday :: www.thegoldjellybean.com

Being busy back at work, I wasn’t able to be as hands on and crafty as I would have liked, but nonetheless, it was a fantastic party! And, the fact that we threw it at a super adorable beach house set the tone for a great afternoon. Here are a few pics to give you a feel of how adorable it was, including a super cute bathroom that I just can’t get enough of:

Beach House Birthday :: www.thegoldjellybean.com

love, love this artwork idea:

Beach House Birthday :: www.thegoldjellybean.com

… and these concrete succulent planters are adorable!

Beach House Birthday :: www.thegoldjellybean.com

I was most worried about keeping the kiddies occupied, so we set up a pool, had a piñata, opted for a cupcake decorating session vs a traditional cake, filled beach pails with goodies, and finished off the evening with some crab hunting!

Beach House Birthday :: www.thegoldjellybean.com

We were so thankful to have such great family and friends to help us celebrate!

Beach House Birthday :: www.thegoldjellybean.com Beach House Birthday :: www.thegoldjellybean.com

p.s. no crabs were harmed, we set them free the very next morning…

Beach House Birthday :: www.thegoldjellybean.com

White Crush

 

We’ve been hard at work getting the house in order, and it’s really starting to feel like home. It’s been a slow start, but we’ve managed to get some major cleaning and painting done thus far. I know I’ve said it before, but man it’s amazing what a coat of paint can do!

When it came time to select paint colors, it was a battle of the sexes. I have been on this huge white kick lately, the hubby wanted shades of gray, and Sydney of course rallied for orange. Well I mostly won, with a compromise, and we settled on all white walls and gray in the bedroom. These few images below helped me with my win. I’m quite happy.

white1

I don’t know what it is about white that has tickled my fancy lately. I suppose it’s the crispness the color offers to a room, combined with the opportunity to bring in a wide range of fun colors through furniture and accessories.

white2

My husbands biggest qualm was that the house was already white, and it wouldn’t be a big enough change. But there are endless shades of white, and picking the right one can be just as tricky as finding the right shade of gray. After looking at and taping up what felt like hundreds of white paint swatches, we finally agreed on my first choice. Farrow and Ball’s All White. You pretty much can’t go wrong with their colors!

paint colors

 

Here are a couple progress photos….

white3

Finished photos coming soon!

LINKS in this post:
http://thedesignfiles.net/2013/05/melbourne-home-anna-charlesworth-peter-stephens-and-family/
http://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/bris-house-makeover/

Springy Spring Spring : Yarn Wrapped Candles

Yarn Wrapped Candles for Spring, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

These yarn wrapped candles are the perfect way to add a bright & cheery touch of spring to your table!

And they couldn’t be any easier to make. You just need candles (I picked up mine at Target for under two bucks a piece), colorful yarn, and some glue.

Yarn Wrapped Candles for Spring, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Start by glueing one end of your yarn to the candle, then get to wrapping. Make sure you wrap tightly, and add a dot of glue every so often. If you’re using hot glue like I did, be sure  to just use a little dot. If the glue builds up it creates bumps under your yarn.

Yarn Wrapped Candles3

Switch up the colors to make different designs.

Yarn Wrapped Candles for Spring, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Then they’re ready to display! As always use caution when working with hot glue, and make sure you keep the yarn far enough away from the tops of your candles!

Yarn Wrapped Candles for Spring, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Under-the-Bed Storage Drawers

Using Old Drawers For Storage, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

I posted awhile back that we finally got around to taking down the crib in Sydney’s room. Well, we salvaged as many pieces as possible, and that included the drawers. With just a few bucks, and five min, I adapted those drawers to store toys under Syd’s big girl bed!

Using Old Drawers For Storage, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

All I needed was a hammer, and 8 furniture glides (found at the hardware store). You can also use casters, but her bed was too low for those.

Using Old Drawers For Storage, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Turn the drawers over, and hammer a glide into each corner. Flip over, and…..

Using Old Drawers For Storage_0003_storage

…that’s it! You can do this with almost any drawers. I’m thinking of using some cool vintage ones on casters under our bed!

DIY Driftwood Candle Holders

DIY Driftwood Votive Candle Holders, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

I finally got around to using the great pieces of driftwood we collected during our little Kauai getaway. I made candle holders!

DIY Driftwood Votive Candle Holders, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

If you already have a drill, then these are super easy to make. You just need your driftwood, and a drill bit that can make 1 1/2″ holes. I picked one up for about $8.

DIY Driftwood Votive Candle Holders, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

First, I used my tea candles to  figure out exactly where I wanted them to sit on the driftwood. Then I drilled away. Make sure to used extreme caution when handling a drill, work on a safe surface, and wear protective eyewear. I also recommend holding your wood in place with some sort of clamp.

DIY Driftwood Votive Candle Holders, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Now clean them up with a vacuum, drop in your candles, and…

DIY Driftwood Votive Candle Holders, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

… light!

DIY Driftwood Votive Candle Holders, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Not only do my driftwood candle holders make the perfect addition to our coastal navy bedroom, they’re also a great keepsake from our trip!

DIY Driftwood Votive Candle Holders, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Things I Loved This Week : Spring Florals For The House

 

Happy Friday! I have Spring on the brain, and so I can’t get images of pretty florals out of my head. Spring florals were hot on the runway, and now they’re hot for the home as well. Check out some of the new spring home decor I’m loving this week:

Spring Florals for the Home, The Gold Jellybean

1.OBSESSED with this beautiful floral rug from Anthropologie! Must have.
2. Featured in Pier1’s spring sneak peek, this adorable hanging chair. Love. Love. Love.
3. Romantic Floral Scarf Duvet from Urban Outfitters.
4. Imm Living Adorable Shed Hunting Deer Wall Hook from Pure Home.
5. Anthropologie has lots of bright floral pillows to liven up your sofa.
6. Even more from my fav store, I must add some pretty flower plates to my china cabinet!

Updated Mantel… Errrr…. Buffet

Updated Mantel, Buffet, via The Gold Jellybean

 

Even though it still feels like winter outside, it doesn’t mean it has to feel like it inside! My mantel, or buffet rather, has been feeling lonely ever since taking down our Christmas decor. With a few new elements, some knickknacks from around the house, and a springy decorative oregano plant, the buffet has a new life!

Updated Mantel, Buffet, via The Gold Jellybean

 

I quickly updated my snowy scene apothecary jars with stacks of polaroid photos. Simple and free transformation. You can use old photographs, or really any collection of items. Matchbooks, shells, vintage toys, etc.

Updated Mantel, Buffet, via The Gold Jellybean

Here’s a closer look at two new pieces I absolutely adore. I love a little quirkiness, and these photographs add just that.

Updated Mantel, Buffet, via The Gold Jellybean

I also added a couple succulents, my animal photo holders, and gold striped candles.

Updated Mantel, Buffet, via The Gold Jellybean

 

DIY Neon Animal Mobile

 

Last week I made a fun mobile to add to Sydney’s new reading corner!

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

I’m so excited to share it with you. It’s a very easy and inexpensive DIY. The first thing I did was pick up some toy animals at the dollar store.

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

I drilled a small hole in each animal, all the way through, (closer to the head to help balance out weight).

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.com
Then I painted them different neon colors. I used acrylic paints, spray paint, and nail polish.

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.com
I then added a glossy clear coat for extra protection.

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Next, using a needle and thread, I strung each animal onto a string, and secured them tightly with hot glue.

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.comI created the base of the mobile by simply using two wooden dowels, glue, and lots of string. Then I tied all of my threaded animals onto the mobile.

DIY Neon Animal Mobile, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

And that’s it! Sydney loves the fun, bright colors. The mobile is the perfect addition to her brand new reading nook!

DIY Frames

DIY Art Frames For Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

 

We finally trust that Sydney won’t use her paints, crayons, and markers to decorate the walls, floors, or furniture. So, we moved her workstation into her bedroom. In doing so, it was totally necessary to hang some masterpieces on her wall. I made a few quick frames using cardboard, markers, and twine. It’s super easy. Check it out!

DIY Art Frames For Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Cut a frame shape out of cardboard.

DIY Art Frames For Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Decorate it with markers.

DIY Art Frames For Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

Attach some twine to the back.

DIY Art Frames For Kids, via www.thegoldjellybean.com

And hang!

Throwback Thursday : Dinosaur & Animal Photo Holders

 

Today I’m bringing back an old post from last spring. I originally posted this project on my old site Sunbutter & Jelly, and I wanted to get it back up on my blog to share with you! This is a super easy dollar store DIY. Using some spray paint and an x-acto, I turned these little plastic figures into photo / place card holders. I love the finished product, they add playfulness and humor to our decor!

Pick out the plastic animals of your choice.

Use an utility knife or x-acto to cut a slit in the top of the animal.

Be sure to cut deep enough to hold a card or pic, but don’t cut all the way through.

In a well ventilated and protected area, spray color of your choice.

Let dry, and then they’re ready to use!

You can even use them for place card holders. How cute would these be for a kids birthday party!?

Dinosaur Card Holder, via www.thegoldjellybean.com


And don’t forget to stop by and vote for me COM Top 25 Creative Moms of 2013!

DIY Bowtie Pasta Garland

 

I am in full force holiday decorating mode over here, and I’m excited to finally put up some garland I made awhile back when Syd and I were working on bowtie pasta hair bows, artwork, and father’s day cards. It’s a super easy project, and even fun for the kids!

You need bowtie pasta, white glue, paint brush, string, and glitter.

First, brush the pasta with glue, giving it a nice thick coat.

Cover the pasta with glitter. Allow to dry, and repeat on the backside.

After your glittered bows have dried completely, simply tie them onto string or yarn.

Repeat with as many bows as you’d like, making sure to secure each one with a double knot.

We also made a red version. These were done the same way, with just one added step. We first dyed the bows red using food coloring and rubbing alcohol. You can find the tutorial for coloring pasta here.

Have fun and get creative with your colors and string. We enjoyed using a red and white striped string, and even mixed the solid red and red glittered bows.

Holiday Doily Garland

 

I originally made this garland last season, but I like it so much I’m making it again this year!  So I thought I would share it with all of you. I found packages of white, silver, and gold doilies at a thrift shop for a dollar. You can also find them at your local craft store. Just thread the doilies onto some string or twine, and hang! Easy as pie. One little tip to threading the doilies: wrap the end of yarn/string with tape. Now you have a rigid end to weave through the small holes in the paper doilies. This is a versatile garland that can go up now, and stay up ’til Easter!

How to Store & Display Finger Puppets

 

Sydney loves finger puppets. We started collecting them for her when she was born, and over the last few years her collection has grown quite large. She has all different kinds of animals in beautiful, bright colors. They’re so pretty, it would be a shame to store them away in a box somewhere! So we found a great way to store and display them on shelves in her room. We ordered a set of kid sized mannequin hands online. What better than fingers to store finger puppets!? Continue reading

Planting Succulents

 

Our house needed some greenery, so yesterday Sydney and I spent the afternoon planting. Syd loves flowers and gardens, but unfortunately all we can fit on our balcony is a small herb garden in a flower box. So she was so excited when I broke out the dirt and an assortment of containers from our china cabinet! Planting indoors is still lots of fun, actually more fun than outdoors when temps are inching close to 100! I also took her to the store and let her pick out the plants. Of course she was immediately drawn to all the cute little succulents!

I think she liked planting in the tea cup the best, especially since she decided her favorite plant would go in there.

The succulents in assorted containers are perfect grouped together as a centerpiece on a table….

Or separated and placed in different rooms around the house. And the best part is, they are easy to keep alive!

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Design Trends : Seeing Blue

 

There’s no doubt that when it comes to recent design trends, blue is in. I first fell in love with the color and brought it home when we moved to our current apartment last spring. We coated our 12 foot bedroom walls in the perfect shade of navy blue. The color has actually become one of my all time favorite paint colors, and I can’t wait to use it in another room!

The blue hue is the perfect color scheme if you’re looking to achieve a unique and globally inspired design. Earlier this summer Ikea launched their limited edition True Blue Collection. It’s an Indian-inspired collection, and, in my opinion, it’s to die for. I want to own it all, and have been eagerly awaiting a release of the collection in our local stores. Sadly, I have finally come to the realization that it probably won’t happen. Sigh.

Continue reading

DIY Anthropologie Inspired Floral Lamp Shade

 

Good afternoon! I am a little late posting today because I was having so much fun making this lamp shade for Sydney’s room. When we moved, some of our shades were damaged, and I have been meaning to revamp and fix them for the past year. Well, when I saw this adorable lampshade from Anthropologie, I was immediately inspired to create a similar look and finally fix one of the shades!  The flowers perfectly covered up cracks in the shade, and now it looks as good as new. Continue reading

A Quick Bedroom Makeover On A Budget

 

After two full days of painting, rearranging, and accessorizing, the bedroom is done! The new paint color really transformed the room, making it feel fresh and bright. I also shifted the bed over, and moved the existing chest from the foot of the bed to the side. Now it has dual purpose as both storage and a night table. This also cleared up floor space at the foot of the bed. Then, I moved the large floor mirror to the other side of the room to help define a dressing area near the closet and bombay dresser. With this layout, the room is more spacious and inviting.

In order to marry the old and the new, I mixed in vintage items with beach accents, like this antique bowl filled with shells and starfish. The white ceramic bird adds a touch of whimsy.

Along with a few other accents, the yellow throw pillow brings a cheery feel to the room.

I couldn’t pass up this rope ball door stop. So cute!

In the end this diy room renovation took two days and just $300. As you can see, you don’t have to break the bank to update your bedroom!

Here is the Before & After:

Tuesday Tips : Living Room Makeover On a Budget

 

It’s been a rough morning over here, we woke up and headed straight to the vet for our poor little Cola. Sydney is really sad her best friend isn’t feeling well, so we stocked up on some craft supplies and will be spending our afternoon at her art desk to keep her mind off things. While we do that I wanted to share with you the living room makeover I did at my mom’s house. I went to visit for a week, and couldn’t resist doing a little renovation project. For just about $900, she has a brand new room! Continue reading

DIY Felt Accent Pillows

 

If you remember last week’s Favorite Things Post, I shared some great Moroccan style accent pillows from ABC Home. I loved them, and wanted to try my own version using felt. Sydney’s room can’t have enough color, so I made this bright pink, yellow, and cyan version for her sofa. It works perfectly in her room! I chose to use a sewing machine, but a no sew version could be done using fabric glue to carefully adhere the felt cutouts to basic throw pillows. Here is how I made it: Continue reading

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