Why, Hello There

Hello, my long lost friends!!  It feels so very, very strange to be back here posting again after being so out of touch from the Blog World for so long. 

I hope you'll forgive us though, after I show you what I've been up to the last few months....

We're due in September and couldnt be happier!!  And now that Im not spending 90% of my life horribly ill, I hope to hop back on here and share some of our other DIY progress updates more frequently. 

Cuz we miss you all something fierce.

Money Talks {Things That Work For Us}

As most of you know, Justin and his brother started a heavy truck parts and chrome accessory business some 6 years ago, or so.  From that moment forward, we've been under constant fire; receiving criticism from "well meaning" friends and family on everything from how to better manage our money to why we should have closed up shop loooooong ago.  Most know that we live paycheck-to-paycheck and cannot seem to wrap their brains around the idea of "strapping ourselves" (in their words) each month.  And while it is indeed true that Justin and I bring home, collectively, far less than most couples our age, we've chosen to live a full, complete, and happy life in spite of it. 

You see, we have a philosophy...one that will not allow us to say NO to things that will ultimately bring us joy.  If the recent events in this country and worldwide shed any light on the matter, we know that tomorrow is never guaranteed. 

So how do we do it?  Vacations, home remodeling, bills.  Let's talk about what works for us...


Divide Your Money
This is a relatively new money savings philosophy for us, but one that has Changed.Our.Lives.

Between Justin and I, we have 7 different accounts.
1- Joint Checking (Bills get paid out of this.  Groceries, gas, etc)
2- House Emergency Savings (to pay for bills in the event of job loss)
3- House Project Savings (paint, furniture, sheets, towels, trim, lighting etc)
4- Vacation Savings
5- Medical Savings (we're looking to start a family soon, and co-pays get expensive)
6- Wife Checking (Fun money for whims, gifts, and necessities like clothes, underwear etc)
7- Husband Checking

Each Friday our paychecks are deposited into the joint checking account and all bills coming out of that check are paid.  We choose to pay double the minimum payment on our credit cards as well, in an effort to pay down some of the debt accumulated during the particularly rough years at the shop.  And from the wedding.

Next, we determine the amount of "buffer money" to leave in our checking account for gas and groceries (we'll say $250 for the purposes of math).  Anything over $250 will be divided between the other various accounts as you see fit.

Most weeks, we're left with $100 or less to divide up.  But EVERY little bit counts.  This is how we choose to divide ours:
House emergency- 20%
House project- 10%
Vacation- 10%
Medical- 20%
Wife- 20%
Husband- 20%

Then, whatever is left in the joint account on Friday, before paychecks, goes through the equation to be divided as well.

This way, we can easily see what funds are available for a trip away, to paint the dining room, or buy a new outfit.  No more guilt.  No more overspending. 

Shop Smart-
1)Impulse buying was nearly the death of us after purchasing our new home back in 2010.  Justin and I quickly became trapped in the "we NEED this for our home" cycle and spent a small fortune on....well, I honestly have no idea.  But things add up quickly, and before long full blown panic had set in.  Things had to change and we began hitting up our local Goodwills and Thrift stores.  FACT #1- 90% of the decor items in our home were purchased from Goodwill.  FACT #2- Most people have NO IDEA when walking into our home that this is the case.

Patience is indeed a virtue when shopping in this manner, however.  It's taken 2.5 years for us to get our house to the point it's at now.  And trust me, she's far from complete.  That's not to say we dont splurge on big ticket items we fall in love with.  Just save, save, save, and always pay with cash.

2) Another area of we like to save money on is at the grocery store.  It is no small secret that I despise couponing.  It just doesnt work for me.  In fact, Ive found that we spend LESS by shopping for sales than saving that $1 on an item I wouldnt have normally purchased anyway.  And lets be real for a sec, homey aint extreme couponing.

What we do instead, is shop the weekly grocery sales.  Rarely will I place a food item in my cart that is not marked down.  Meat, veggies, can goods....you name it.  And when I see a crazy good deal on meat, I'll snatch it up and pop it in the freezer.  We've saved hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

Save For the Future
I cannot stress enough, that no matter how young you are, you NEED to start saving for your future.  I set up my 401k at the age of 19 and had a measly 1% deducted from my paychecks each week.  At the age of 28, Ive only worked up to a 5% deduction.  But it's something.  Remember, something is better than nothing. 

If 401k's arent your style though, there are plenty of other options out there.  But as nervous as I was/still am over setting one up, they are our preferred savings method.  Tons of companies will match your employee contributions, and you cant turn down free money.  And while Im not here to advocate debt, most 401k loan interest rates are FAR lower than your credit cards currently are.  And you're paying your self back.  Just a thought.

Blog News

Good morning, my lovelies!  Here today with a bit of blog news......  Like many families in today's economy, Justin and I are constantly evaluating our budget and making shifts where we see fit to better suit our financial needs.  With that said, we have made the decision to no longer pay for our custom domain name (www.dreamhomediy.com).  You can still find us blogging away right here, only you'll have to search for our blogspot URL (http://dreamhomediy.blogspot.com/)  Be sure to update all your subscriptions :)

Crochet Gift Basket

In passing last month, my mother mentioned wanting to learn the art of crocheting.  The idea of creating baby blankets for her growing bunch of grandbabies was something that made her quite happy.  Mentally, I filled her statement away in the "potential Christmas present" drawer of my brain, and carried about with our lunch outing.  As Christmas drew closer though,  Justin and I knew that a crochet essentials gift basket would be a wonderful way to jump start her new hobby.

I stumbled across this hinged basket on one of my holiday shopping adventures and it proved to be a perfect size for the yarn and crochet hook set we'd already purchased.  Plus, it can be used to discreetly hide away her "in-progress projects" when company visits.

Im putting in my scarf order now....

Jack and Coke Gift Basket

A few select times a year, our local ABC store stocks gift box sets of their most popular alcoholic beverages (Jack Daniels, Crown Royal etc.) and we like to snatch them up when they go on sale.  Each gift box normally includes a bottle of liquor and a pair of corresponding highball glasses for around $25.  As is, they are the perfect present for those hard to buy for types, but we really love to amp up the "oooh and ahhh" value a bit before handing them out.  In this case, a Jack and Coke gift basket. 

Break open the set and arrange the liquor bottle and glasses in a nice basket (we find that Goodwill is the perfect place to score baskets for $1 or less).  A few glass bottles of Coke, some shortbread cookies, truffles, and Jack Daniels praline pecans round out the gift.  Pop on a tag, and you're ready to roll.

If you're lucky, you may be invited in for a drink....

"Some Like it Hot" Gift Basket

Confession: Justin and I are absolutely obsessed with gift baskets.  We love getting them.  We love gifting them.  Our family and friends love receiving them.  Quite frankly, they make us all pretty darn happy.  And around the holidays, we're always trying to come up with fun, new, and unique basket ideas.

This year, for my tongue scorching, food loving daddy-o, we whipped up a "Some Like it Hot" basket to include: Habanero BBQ peanuts, a few different flavors of spicy beef jerky, hot pepper jelly, a gift pack of hot sauce, hot pork rinds, and flaming hot Cheetos.  But the great thing about a gift basket is they are 100% customizable.  So be sure to throw in some of your receivers favorites!

And maybe a bottle of Tums....

49. Watch a Meteor Shower

Oh why, HELLO Infinity List.  How we've missed you so....

If you have no clue what we're talking about, click here

Last week, around 10:00pm, Justin and I piled into a car full of fuzzy blankets, loaded down with mason jars of hot chocolate, drove up to the Church, and camped out under the stars to partake in the Geminids Meteor shower.  It was a magical night out together.  The parking lot was virtually empty, as to be expected, with nothing but endless shadowy cornfields and wide open sky to take in. 

Having never seen a shooting star before, to say I was a little excited would be an understatement.  And lucky for us, this particular meteor shower was absolutely breathtaking; "dropping stars" at the perfect rate.

Of course, like all good things, our night eventually drew to a close and we packed up for home. 

The encroaching sound of coyote howls might have had a bit to do with that hasty decision to leave....

Decisions, Decisions

Some people find this a wee bit odd, but a stroll through our home will result in an approximate count of zero personal photos on display.  Truth be told, I dont like them. 

It's something Im working on.

So after the wedding, once we received our photographs, Justin and I decided to frame a set and place above the television in our living room.  Nothing like diving in head first, right? 

But here's the problem.... I cant decide which to choose.  I'd like to keep the two "end cap" photographs the same as they are two of my very favorite from the day.  But the darned middle photo is giving me all kinds of grief.  Being the indecisive one in this marriage isn't helping my case any.

And that's where you come in my friends.  Id really appreciate your help, feedback, thoughts....Which do you prefer?

OPTION 1 "The Classic":

Honestly, this is the trio most people have been drawn to.  There's something special in Justin's gaze that just jumps out and grabs people.

OPTION 2 "My Favorite": 

Funny enough, my personal favorite it the least liked by most others (although in all fairness, Justin doesn't really like ANY of them....making this post potentially moot).  It's semi-candid.  It's honest.  It's just US.

OPTION 3 "The Great Divide":

The reasons I like this particular trio are the exact reasons that I dislike it as well.  I kinda dig the fact that the center picture is visually smaller than the other two.  Then again, I sorta hate that idea too.

Eeeekk!  What would Blogland do?

Our Life According to Instagram

Paint swatches, hot tea dates with girlfriends, chilly morning kitty snuggles, and finding the perfect Christmas tree. 

Tis the season for fun and frivolity, which is a mantra we are embracing to the fullest.  But it wouldn't really feel quite right if a few homey project weren't sprinkled in there as well.  We DID make a promise to our house, after all.

You can follow out adventures on Instgram here if you don't have the phone app

Or @Dream_Home_DIY if you do.

The 12 Dates Of Christmas {Year 2}

Wanna hear something kinda-crazy-kinda-cool?  Last year's 12 Dates of Christmas post is our blogs most viewed entry EVER, garnering about 150,000 page views to date.  Awesome, yes?  We hope that means 150k people have a very romantic holiday season planned this year. 

Which, of course,  brings me to this year's 12 Dates of Christmas list {because we had a blast this year and decided to carry on the tradition}....

Last year's date ideas can be found here

Now go our and do something special with your sweetie!

That's a Christmas order.

Um....What Happened Here?

You know that moment right before you start a new house project?  Where your insides are filled with glee and sparkly butterflies of anticipation?  You've thought through every possible and potential issue or concern.  You've bought the right tools for the job.  You've got your shiznit together, all decked out in the finest scrungies your closet can afford, and you're officially ready to ROLL.


Samples are tested.  You fall in love. 

Paint is purchased.  You dance a smug little jig.

Priming begins.  Your glee can hardly be contained.

Um.....what happened here?  Im sorry, does this look like a pretty plumy pink to you?  Me either.  Cranberry sauce, yes.  Salmon, maybe.  Fuchsia, not on your life.

Most certainly not amused.

More Goodwill Scores

For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated with the high seas.  And thus, with all things ocean related.  Not the typical cottage, beach themed items one might initially think of {blech} but anything classically nautical steals my heart.  Ironically, Im deathly afraid of fish and cannot stand the taste or smell of seafood. 

So when I unearthed this oil painting from the depths of a Goodwill bin,  I was beyond excited.  It's painted directly onto black velvet and sported a $9.99 price tag.  Of course I brought it home. 

My initial reaction was, "Paint the frame.  It NEEDS to be cream."  But a part of me sorta loves the natural wood tones too.  Maybe I'll hit it with some mineral oil and really make 'er shine.

Admittedly, this next item is a bit strange.  But we like strange, so at least it'll fit into our home quite nicely.  Plus, my mother hates it, so there's that.  Kidding, mom.  Not about her hating it; she really does. 

Yes, that's a $5.99 wooden statue of a bull.  And I desperately wish I could tell you the real reason I bought him.  Alas, this is a PG-13 blog so stories of my father-in-law's nicknames would not be entirely appropriate.  I'll leave you with this though....I turned the bull over (because one simply MUST when faced with burning questions) and he is most certainly anatomically correct.

And on a signifgantly less fun, but far more pratical note, I finally found a dog treat canister that didn't cost us $25.  ($4.99 for inquiring minds)

Movin' On Out

This single, grainy, cell phone picture is cause for much excitement around the Dream Home as of late.  You see, it is a symbol of all that it good and holy....and actual photographic proof that we're slowy but surely making progress on emptying out the disaster zone of a second guest room/office/future kiddo room (dont get any crazy ideas though.  Thinkin' loooooong term over here.)

 

As Justin and I have struggled to "find ourselves" while settling on a decor direction for our little home, this unused space became the junk catchall.  Junk moved with us from the rental.  Junk collected for rooms that never came to fruition.  Just junk.  And I've made it my personal mission to get the crap cleaned out for good.  That invloves about a million trips to Goodwill, whole house purging in an effort to find homes for stashing the junk we're actually attempting to keep, and the removal of two huge pieces of furniture.....a computer desk and curio cabinet.  God, it's no wonder we couldnt walk in there.

First out of the room, thanks to my hunky hubby and an ambushed friend, would be the curio cabinet full of Disney snowglobes and Michelle & Justin memorabilia.  Final resting place?  The living room.  Sure it doesnt really "go" with anything.  But we big puffy heart it, so there ya go.

Dressing the Living Room

Say hello to my little friend,

Last Friday my brother, sister-in-law, and darling nephew were in from Minnesota visiting for a long weekend.  Being that we rarely see each other, what with the multi-state expanse between us and all, I opted to take the entire day off from work, run some normal weekend errands on Friday and devote the rest of the weekend to gobbling up my nephew.  Besides, any excuse for a three day weekend is fine by me.  First stop, Goodwill.  And as luck would have it, I'd be there when they opened their doors.

Have you ever been to Goodwill, on a Friday morning, during the holidays?  It's like Black Friday.  Mini-vans begin pouring into the parking lot about 20 minutes prior to doors open...circling the front of the building like piranhas on the hunt.  It was during one of my own passes that I spotted the end table above.  Those handles!  Those scrolls!!

"It must be mine", I mentally chanted.  "It WILL be mine"

About 10 minutes out, I began to notice women covertly sliding out from their cars, loitering around pieces of furniture I can only imagine they were physically laying claim to.  Not one to be intimidated easily, I flew up like someone possessed and plopped my bootie atop that little dresser, much to the chagrin of a rather grumpy soccer mom.

VICOTORY!  There's not much I wouldn't do for a $6.99 wood end table.  Just sayin'.

Now for a bit of warm weather so I can paint it....

 

Pier 1, Meet Goodwill

What do you get when you cross the ever fabulous Pier 1 Imports, a housewife on an apparent cleaning spree, and your local, fabulously remodeled Goodwill? 

5 Navy blue and white beauties.....  There's 5, I swear.

I have been lusting after these babies for years and years.  But on a good day, if you happen to catch a sale, you may score one of their decorative spheres for around $5-$7.  Needless to say, we parted ways more than once without them hitching a ride home in my basket.

So there I was, minding my own business, happily strolling through the aisles at Goodwill (a favorite pass time of mine) when a beacon of light shone down from above onto a cruddy old bowl full of the very spheres Id been pining for.  I swear, it's true.  Now, are you ready for the best part of all?  They were 99 cents apiece. 

Yep.  99 cents.

Into my cart they flew, right next to a $1.99 wooden tray I happened upon that very same day and home I went.  After a quick coat or two of Krylon Navy for the tray (because spray paint makes everything better), and a wee bit of super glue to lock the spheres in place...

...They were ready to rumble atop our media console.  Not too shabby for a $7 project 'eh?

Guess What We're Doing...Again?

Because guessing games are oh-so-much fun (despite my utter lack of gaming abilities), I'll give you guys a clue or two.  You know, instead of just blurting out the crazy news.

Out of the gate, clue number one:   

{Source}

And some multiple choice answers for good measure:

a.) They loved it so much the first time around, they're getting married again

b)  They're decided to give up their current occupations and take up dress and shoe design

c)  Seriously, I need another clue folks

Clue numero two:

{Source}

Multiple choice answers

a.) They've taken up a new, zen lifestyle

b)  Really guys, these clues couldn't get any worse.

SIDE NOTE - I have an overwhelming desire to work the phrase "Colonial Mustard in the Library with a Candle stick" into this Clue post somewhere.  Apparently, that place is here.

Now for a little back story/stalling.  For those old timers that have been around for the long haul, you'll remember the 12 different paint colors our poor living room cycled thrrough before we eventually fell in love with the Navy blue dream it's currently rockin.  Here's the catch though.  We (which most certainly always means "I" in this household) kinda sorta hate it with the current dining room color/stencil. 

Oh you see it now, dont you?  The answer is right there in front of you, huh?

That's where clue number one comes into the picture.  Miraculously, I managed to convince Justin that painting our dining room/kitchen a pretty fuchsia would totally rock the socks off our Navy blue walls.

Enter clue number 2.  We'll be redoing the entire thing in a rad new stencil pattern.

Probably sometime after the buzz of the holidays is behind us.  And maybe, just maybe, we'll have finally settled on the PERFECT house colors.

Hootie's Got Some Hair

You'll need feathers for this quick little "craft", and lots of them.  Big, puffy, white feather balls from Michaels in our particular case. Because feathers are fun, after all...and we had loads of them leftover from my wedding bouquet.  Besides, anytime we have a chance to recycle/re purpose something my heart dances a merry, frugal jig.  Not to mention, incorporating wedding day items throughout the house is a constant reminder that I'm now officially a Mrs.  Which pretty much rocks my socks on a daily basis....

While strolling through the clearance end caps at Target a few weeks back, Justin and I stumbled across a grumpy ol' ceramic owl planter.  "Why so sad Mr. Owl?  Oh, I know just what you need....A home, of course.  With a new perch in our living room!  And some hair, for sure!!"

Badda Bing, Badda Boom....Hootie's got some hair.

A Letter To Our Home

Dearest Dream Home,

This letter is to inform you of our sincerest apologies for gross neglect over the past 365 days (give or take).  Due to extenuating circumstances (ie Our glorious nuptials) you have been left alone, unattended, uncared for, and unfinished; a grievous error we are slowly attempting to rectify. 

It is our deepest hope that you will learn, over time, to forgive us.  As a peace offering of sorts, we are gifting you with completed projects.  For too long you have sat patiently in silence......ashamed, exposed and half complete.

As a show of good faith, the living room's cornice boxes have been hung and primed.  We know how you long to see a fresh coat of paint on them now; to call them complete  We ask that you understand our delay though.  It's a process you see...panel the ceiling first.  Install crown moulding.  Tape off the intended cornice box paint design.  Paint.

We promise to finish painting the Navy blue trunk as well.  And recover the pink wing back chairs.  And install pretty new blinds. 

This renovation has only just begun....

Engagement Pictures: Apple Orchard Love

On October 13, 2012 I married my soul mate in front of 100 of our dearest friends and relatives.  It was, to this point, the happiest day of my entire life... filled with smiles, tears, and so much emotion.

But two short weeks before that, Justin and I drove up through the scenic Virginia mountain scape on a Graves Mountain adventure to have our engagement pictures taken.  As most of you probably know by now, Grave's holds a very special place in the hearts of both Justin and I.  Each Fall we venture to the apple orchards on the hunt for perfect apple butter ingredients.  It was the first place Justin took me camping and would become a long standing tradition for the two of us.  So it seemed only fitting that these mountains be the backdrop for our engagements photos....

Photo Credits: Sheaulee Ng Photography

Halloween Project Roundup

Can I get an "Amen, Hallelujah it's finally socially acceptable to bust out the Halloween decor".  Anyone?

Truth be told, Im not sure there will be much in the way of Halloween crafting this year.  Our goal is to knock out a least one new decor item (and I've got just the project in mind)....but with two solid weeks of prep time eaten away by all that goes into planning this crazy wedding, Im not so sure that will come to fruition.  And against my better judgement (as well as some intense pleading from the mister) you better believe I'll be hoisting myself into that hot, steamy attic just as soon as I officially clock out, on a hunt for the buried boxes of Halloween crap.  It IS the most wonderful time of the year after all, and the house should reflect that, right?  Right.

So for now, how about a project round up from our last two Halloweens in Casa de Dream Home?

How To Make a Life Sized Mummy

Spooky Mummy Wreath

Skull Candelabra

Spider Sack How-To

Spooky Halloween Ornament Bulbs

Spray Painted Dollar Store Busts

Happy Haunting, Everyone!