Vintage writing desk

Happy Monday everyone!

Today, Ryan had off so I decided to take a random day off with him so we could get some things done around the house...to help work towardss our move! We got our TMO (Traffic Management Office) scheduled...and can I say that I am am worry wart and am already worrying about it! I don't think I'll ever stop worrying... this is our 4th move in 5 years... thank you Uncle Sam. And no, I'm not being sarcastic :) It has been fun seeing Europe and moving from place to place but we are both ready to settle for a few years. We are guaranteed to stay at Patrick AFB in Florida for at least 24 months. Have I mentioned how much I cannot wait to move there and start fresh? Now, to just find a job to support this furntiure habit ;)

Ok! So... I scored this vintage desk off our base yardsale...but let me tell you, she needed work. One of the side panels was practically coming off! One of the drawers would not close right and the front  was coming off of it as well. And on top of those few things...she was not in the best shape surface wise. So, she got sanded, primed and re-newed. And here she is... in her best dress ;)

Here's a before shot. I wish I would have taken an up close and personal one...the top especially was in rough shape. Lots of nicks and scratches but nothing that my handy dandy sander won't fix. And some elbow grease and the gun show.

Here's the after. AHHH...doesn't that just make you wanna take a sigh of relief?

I love the contrast of the deep walnut stain on top. And of course, distressing makes me swoon over any piece of furniture ;) Swoooonn = drooling uncontrollably ;)

Here's a peek in the top drawer. I was going to get new knobs but I actually like the contrast between the faded white and the wooden knobs. I think it keeps it's character this way.

What do y'all think of her? I think she is just beautiful and she is now available in my shop on Facebook here. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for new furntiure coming into the shop! I do have a few pieces left that I will be posting before we leave!

Be sure to tell your friends about "Home by Ally." I certainly do appreciate all the support.

XOXO,

Ally



Hardly perfection

My house is beautiful. Let's start with the kitchen. Bright white cabinets with oil bronzed harware. Glass doors on the top cabinets and farmhouse legs on the bottoms. A deep, rustic farmhouse sink and all those stupid counter appliances hidden. Beachy bar chairs sit at a huge island with a built in range and gorgeous hood that goes up the cathedral ceilings...which are supported by beautiful white washed wooden beams. Sounds like a beautiful beachy-country cottage, right? Yes, I just described some of my DREAM home. Key word there is DREAM home.

You see, if someone claims that their home is perfect, lord help them. Because they are lying. There is always something you want done or something different. Our house for example is not my favorite. But  it's a housus and it's roof over our head. So, my point tonight is... be happy with NOT being perfect. There, I said it. I DARE YOU. I have pink countertops in my kitchen and a floor that is supposed to be white but instead... looks spotted cream. Who does a white floor anyways and pink countertops? My cabinets are super high gloss while my old hardwoods creak, are coming apart and don't even have a seal on them. We have cabinets break off their hinges about once a month and our sink leaked all over the kitchen just last week. I do laundry in a spooky basement and our heat went out the same day the sink decided to flood. I can't fit a QUEEN bedroom set in our master, it's alittle small. And yes, the pink countertops are carried throughout.

But the point is... I HAD to make the best with what I had because there are people out there who would KILL for this house. They would just kill to HAVE a home. So I ask you all tonight to just be thankful and enjoy  life. You see, I am the QUEEN of stressing. I would stress about unbuttered bread and toilet paper running out. I feel so stressed about moving to a new military base, a new town with new people... which means quitting a job I love, saying goodbye to people I have come to love and actually being sad to say goodbye to Minot. Just not to Ryan's job here ;) Breathe easy tonight...

 "Don't worry about all the craziness.

Life would be boring without it."

You see, I've learned that you shouldn't stress about... what you don't have. Appreciate what you do have. Don't stress about the future, it's not even here yet. Appreciate NOW. Don't worry about things that may never happen because that's just it...they may never happen!

Here's my NOT so perfect home at the moment... I thought I would share...

I would never pick out these curtains. They are pretty, shabby chic looking but pink is not for me... at least not in a kitchen. But in this house, they are my favorite part of the kitchen because they are so soft and feminine. They will be for sale when we leave Minot.

Here's a larger view of the kitchen from the casual bar and dining area. It's simple...and I tried to work with what I had. What do you think? I bought the curtains at Walmart awhille back, I think they were $10.00 each. The sign above the sink is from Ross for $7.99. Plates & little birdy I got from TjMaxx as well, both for under $10.00

I'm a picture fanatic and I desperately need more if only Ryan liked to take pictures ;) But I don't believe in just having appliances in your kitchen. Photos & personal touches are what make it feel like HOME. Try it and let me know how it goes! The picture frame is from TJMaxx for $9.99.

I am almost positive I have the largest canisters in the world but I adore them! They are from good ole' Walmart for a mere $10 a piece. The picture frame is from TJMaxx for $7.99.

And the same goes for this corner. The KitchenAid mixer was a wedding pressent, the rest is from my dearest of  friends, TJMaxx. You can NEVER go wrong at TJMaxx. Well, almost never.

I just got this island table from a friend. The blue is SUPER cute and I love how it has aged...but you know, I love WHITE...so I plan to do a white wash over the blue...to make it a bit more subtle. Like my vintage PEPSI crate? And my blue masons? LURVE.

 Today...I am thankful for my furbabies who love us unconditional, no matter what mood. And I love my husband for his constant support and for being the most caring and geniune person I know. I am so thankful for a family that constantly reminds me how much I am loved and missed...and friends who remind me...of why it's worth it to let people in.

I read this note every morning before I go to work. Ryan left it for me the day after we recieved orders to Florida. We have had lots of bumps in the road in our time here at Minot AFB and we both just felt a weight lifted once we recieved notice we were moving.

"Ally, keep smiling bia...time to work on our tans! Love you!"

That man... never gives up on me... so I can never give up on him. Or us. Or our house or my family or pets... LIFE is worth living and enjoying! So do just that and stop worrying about who has what...or what you need to do today or tomorrow... just enjoy life...Drink it straight, no chaser.

XOXO,

Ally

Flea Market Weekend

Hello Dolls :)

Ryan and I finally had a day off together (first time in almost 2 weeks)! We decided to hit up the local flea market and go to a few antique/thrift stores...We found a few awesome pieces which I will share with you! But I'm almost "forbidden" ;) to buy anything since we are moving! I've been eyeing this beauty for awhile and finally mustered the courage to buy her this weekend ;)

She is going to look so good in our new house! For now, I just threw some things on her and called it a day...but I LOVE LOVE LOVE her bones...gosh I can't wait to get the new house!

I put the roses I got Saturday in a simple, antique blue mason and put it on top. LOVE the blue masons! Do you have any? I usually find all of mine at thrift stores and flea markets.

 I found the picture frame at good ole' Hobby Lobby...LOVE. I think it was less than $10, I'll take it.

And the lantern is from TJ Maxx for a mere $14.99. Score. Holler. YAY.

The "WELCOME" sign was hand painted with stencils by an elderly woman at the craft show. I stayed and chatted with her for aleast 20 minutes...and she was just talking about her and her husband's adventures. I love people like that. And she was so proud of this sign so I bought it. It is cute but would be SO EASY to make yourself! Maybe a DIY post on this as well? It would cost I'd say under $20.00 for sure! SWEET. And you could put anything you wanted on it!

The candle holders are from Target for abou $5.99 each although I haven't seen them there in awhile! The crate I got at the last Flea Market for only $10.00! It says Minot, ND on the side which I like so we can always remember where we got it ;)

I also moved around our farmhouse table tonight... I'm getting alittle bit stir crazy because my house would look COMLETELY different in my head than here... We are lucky to have our house but it would most definitely not be my first choice.

Here's a few shots I took a few minutes ago. It's dark, sorry :P I have so much already packed and feel like this room is so bare...especially the walls. Hints, why I am so excited to get a new house!!! Have I mentioned how excited I am, just wondering? Be sure to let me know what y'all think! Love hearing from y'all! PS, 73 days until we leave North Dakota! WOOP WOOP!

And here's the new table we have. I sold my white one at my Repurpose sale for this beauty. She will be matching the farmhouse table... (I think). Stay tuned for that post as well! It has very good bones and I will be posting more about it later. I am wrapping up other projects BESIDES my own..to finish before we leave. We have a mere 73 days left! I have 59 days left at my job and that's including weekends! YIKES. I have so so so much to do and so little time! Isn't it amazing how fast time does go by? It's very bittersweet...

That's all for now folks! Toodles!

XOXO,

Mrs. Schmidheiser