What She Made: DIY Magnet Chalkboard

      Chalkboard paint is pretty easy to come by. It's in every craft and home improvement store around. However, it is a little expensive. My solution to everything that's expensive; just make it! I wanted a chalkboard for my art/craft studio, but I also wanted it to be magnetized so I could stick memos and notes up.

When I found a piece of thick sheet metal in our garage, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it.

I like making my own because you can make any color you like! 

     What you need is paint of any type and color (I just used craft paint) and un-sanded tile grout. Yup, that's it! Next, I mixed about a cup of paint with two tablespoons of the grout. Mix well! It will still be a little gritty but you can get rid of that later.

     If you are one of those patient people that don't mind waiting then you can prime your piece. Me? I'm not one of those patient people so I bypassed the priming stage (Also, I didn't have any on hand and didn't want to go to the store). I painted one coat with a regular bristle brush and let it dry. After covering the whole piece, I then took a foam roller and gave it another good coat. 

It only needed two coats but as I was rolling I kept scratching the surface; so I  went ahead and gave it one last coat. It's optional though. 

     After you let it completely dry, Take a very fine-grit piece of sandpaper and lightly sand the entire board. 

After sanding.

Next, I took a piece of chalk and used the side to "condition" the board.

Just use the side; if you use the point it will take forever!

     Once you are done "conditioning" the board, get a damp paper towel and wipe down the entire board. This helps remove excess pigments left by the paint.

And voila`! 

Learn more about Small Change here!

You know have your very own, custom made, magnet chalkboard! 

I'm not an expert; I just do this for a living.

-- Amanda

Decorating Tips and Tricks: "Formal Sitting Room/Entry Way"

     Not so long ago, people had designated rooms in their houses for certain things. Now, don't get me wrong, some people still do, but I like to be a little more creative with my spaces.

This is right as you walk through the front door. I love cozy corners. 

     When my husband and I first bought our house, the rooms were named, like usual, the "Formal Living Room", the "Formal Dining Room", etc. I know sometimes when you see these labels it's hard to invision anything else there. For me, I have close my eyes and remove all the labels from the rooms and think of what I would put there.

Thomas and I are a musical family. This bench easily holds all his drum hardware. 

     When you first walk into our house, all you really see is a big space. Now, the labels called it a "Formal Living Room" but I didn't really want the "Formal Living Room" to be right when you enter. I really wanted to break up the space. So what I did was make an entry way/sitting space where the "formal living room" was suppose to be and make the "formal dining room" the living room. I know some people still like to have that formal dining space for special occasions, but my house is a little smaller so I didn't feel like I needed it.

Get creative! I turned this ammo crate into shelving. 

I'll post more pics later. I've been doing some rearranging because we are going to get a piano soon. So i've been racking my brain figuring out where to put it!

I'm not a professional; I just do this for a living.

-- Amanda 

What She's Been Doing: Theatre!

I've been neglecting this lately because i've been soooo busy! But I think my life is about to slow down and i'll get back to fashion and home decor.

I've been doing The Follies! If you click there it will tell you all about it. It has been an exciting experience and I cannot wait to do it again!

I've made a ton of new friends and some forever memories.

Working on the Finale

'Bout to do some Disco Dancing! 

Fly Like an Eagle

Opening Number!

Definitely one of my favorites! 

Professional photos by: Kim Cartier

What She Wore: Arcade Date Night

As the weather warms up it's fun to show off some of your new summer wardrobe. However, the nights might have a different story planned. It's easy enough, these days, to pair your summer fashion with stockings or tights! There that was easy wasn't it!

Boots: Forever 21
Stockings: Target
Sweater: 21
Headband: Handmade
Ring: Pretty and Cute (Free Gift)

And yes I wore this about a month ago to friends birthday party at an arcade! (And the Heels) (Also, sorry for the late post). I love fashion more than anything (well almost anything) and I am always trying out new looks. It's fun, I get to play dress up, I love it!

I'm not a expert; I just do this for a living.

-- Amanda

Decorating Tips and Tricks - Fireplace Mantel

Fireplace mantels are often a focal point in your home, whether operating or not. (Unfortunately, mine is non-functioning.) However, the functionality of your fireplace has nothing to do with how great it looks! 

In Texas you really don't get much use out of it, but sometimes it's just nice to have a fire in the wintertime (Yes, it does get cold here in the winter. Just not for very long.) 

I like to mix patterns and shapes to give it an interesting look

Some people think less is more. Some people think more is well, more. I think: Whatever you like is how you should do it. Not everyone will like your style but if you enjoy it then go for it. After all, aren't you the one that is going to look at it day after day? That's what I thought. 

So, here a few tips and tricks for decorating your mantel:

* It doesn't matter your style - more or less - levels are the most important!

* Be eclectic - your mantel should represent you

* Show off some of your own work - everyone has a little artist in them

* Mirrors - mirrors are a great way to add character as well as opening up a room

* Work with it - If you don't like it start over 

(I worked with mine for days, changing my mind and moving things around)

Note some family pieces and original artwork

Owls!

* Statement pieces - you really want something to draw the observers eye 

* Texture - you don't want it all to have the same surface, BORING! 

*Pattern - mix it up! Give your eyes a ride; it's much more fun!

Also some things to consider are your colors. You don't have to necessarily match them, but more importantly, coordinate them.

Well, there you have it! I hope this helps you out; so go and re-do your mantel. I know you want too. 

P.S. Not an expert, I just do this for a living. 

--Amanda

Spring is Among Us

As spring and summer are fast approaching us, the only thing on my mind is ... HOT. And in every sense of the word. In Texas is starts to warm up pretty quick and I can't stand it. There, I said it. I can't stand the summer and I equally despise the heat. I wish it could be fall time all year, but alas, it cannot.

One thing about summer is that I never feel "pretty". I guess that's the simplest way to put it. When I walk outside sweat is instantly drawn to the surface to smudge any makeup and frizz any efforts to smooth my hair. Then I just feel gross the rest of the day.

However, even if my attempts are futile, I still manage to put forth some effort to look decent in the hot months of Texas.

Tank: H&M
Shorts: Forever 21

Sometimes I feel as if I am in mourning during the summer. Hahaha.

Boots: Thrifted 

Cropped Tank: Forever 21
Shorts: Forever21
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Forever21

I guess the best I can do with my hair is to let it be more natural in the summer. It's naturally frizzy so I try my harest to make it look decent, but sweat as a hair product is not usually my ideal technique for manageable hair.

But, I guess a girls got to do what a girls got to do. 

Boots and Rilakkuma

Have you ever put an outfit together just for your shoes? Ya, I knew it. I have several pairs of shoes that I often build an outfit around. I decided to utilize my stirrup leggings that I got at a thrift store. I think that last time I wore stirrup leggings was when I was eight in the 90's. So, I decided to bust them out again.

End result: 

Oversized Long Sleeve Shirt : Forever 21
Long Camisole: H&M
Black Stirrups: Thrifted
Grey Ankle Heeled Booties: Forever 21

I also adore my Rilakkuma Phone case! It's actually really comfy in my hand and not too bulky. 

I swear one of these days I'll get a decent camera so you can see better what i'm wearing.