February 21, 2014

Blog to watch in 2014: Center City Team

Just wanted to pop in on this rainy day to share just a little fun news…

I received an email a few weeks by from CenterCity Team, which is basically a group of highly admired real estate agents and brokers serving the Philadelphia area. They were searching for great DIY blogs to be selected as the "Best DIY/Home Improvement Blogs to watch in 2014!" I got the news a few days ago that my blog was amongst the winners! Pretty neat!

My blog stood out amongst stiff competition and is now featured on their site as a recommended entrepreneurial resource for our readers along side many other amazing blogs. If you wanna check out the list, you can do so by clicking here.


In other exciting news, I have been slammed working on the new shop along side my favorite girls. Husband is leaving soon… although I won't be posting dates, times or locations or really anything about it for that matter… my parents are coming to town next month sometime… and I've got a few projects that need to be completed around the house to say the least! Along with my long list of furniture to paint! Should be an interesting next few weeks. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with the dining room reveal if it is sunny and pretty so I can capture some pretty photos.

February 11, 2014

New headboard in the master bedroom & a surprise annoucement

I feel like I've been leaving everyone hanging and I'm sorry about that. I have a very bad, really annoying habit of getting caught up in the daily stresses and going 150mph at all times…that I forget to breathe and just enjoy now. I hope to get better about that in 2014. 

For now,  I wanted to share with you a peek at our new headboard. As many of you know, at one time for our guest bedroom, I made a DIY nailhead trim Pottery Barn inspired headboard for our old guest bedroom. You can find out how I did that by clicking here. In our new home, very soon after we purchased it, we opted to purchase a temperpedic mattress set in king size. We used to have a queen and I will never go back! So long story short, we sold our old bedroom set and I've been slowly putting together on a budget our new bedroom including finding a new headboard vs. making one.

After doing the math for supplies, labor & materials, it came out cheaper and easier to just purchase this headboard from Kirklands that you can find here. It has nailhead trim on the sides and top which I feel doesn't take away from the tufting that I wanted as well. The material is a nice, neutral linen colored twill. I waited until Kirklands had a decent sale and matched that with free shipping to our local store which equalled out to me saving about $100. Perfect!


In case you were wondering, I started painting our bedroom and there's the sneak peek of the color near the window & lamp. I'm in love with that color so much and can't wait to share the full room reveal. I also plan to get new lamps and hopefully these will work in our guest bedroom or else they will go in the shop. I have two sets of this lamps and they are the perfect combination of rustic meets weathered wood… I just can't get enough. You may have noticed the end tables as well...


Here's abetter shot. We have two matching side tables, one on each side of the bed for the husband and I. I found them at a garage sale and I practically stole them. I even got money off the price because I was from North Carolina and the guy loved my accent. Uh huh ;-) I love the shape, the price was more than right and they have the potential to be painted although I'm not sure if I will yet.


More shots of the headboard. I have a few options from previous purchases for above the headboard. Pretty sure we will be doing a mirror but can't make any promises.


I love the subtle beauty of this headboard. With classic lines, tufted headboard and finished off with nailhead trim…and I forgot to take photos of the cute feet that it comes with. 


Here are a few more detailed shots of the sides, nailhead trim and fabric. I am in love! If you love it too… go tell Kirklands that Home by Ally sent you on their Facebook page by clicking here. This is not a sponsored post, I just love my headboard. :))



I bought this bowl? at the antique mall awhile ago from a vendors booth that I frequent. It's perfect for one of my boxwood balls! And I also have books on my end table… lots of books. I did take the Hunger Games books out of the picture because I didn't want to be a dork! But at least I told you anyways! ;-) Hehe! The book I have below was a wonderful gift, a book of quotes.


And from the same vendor are these vintage pillow cases. They are so delicate and pretty.


Now that inspiration has really struck, I have started to browse for a new light fixture, a nice comforter or quilt and some accessories. I also picked up a large and long french provincial style dresser that mimics the lines of our side tables. I paid $100 for it but sold a few things to make it FREE. Let me know what y'all think of the new headboard and if you love it. If you don't…well… don't tell me.

Oh! And before I forget! Exciting news so I'll get right to it! Sadly, Dawn and I are both leaving Wildwood Antique Mall for a new adventure with our friend Heather, from Pinneapple Avenue! Heather is opening her own shop called "Rehab- Vintage Market & Unique Home Decor" and we will be located in her shop beginning next month! Here's a peek at her new logo that I had the privilege of making! I can't wait to show y'all progress of our space and hopefully you can come visit too!


Linking up to:








February 4, 2014

$1.00 Yardsale frames update

First off, let me start by saying I really suck. I get really excited for projects and immediately start on them without taking a before picture. Please tell me I'm not the only one. These frames were no exception. I got them at a yard sale for $1.00 for both and thought they were the sweetest little things I ever did see! I could see them in a nursery in the future but for now, I'd give them a facelift for our home. Have you updated an old frame lately? All you need is some fresh paint, paint brushes & a little creativity! All I used for this project was a sample of paint from Lowes I got in the clearance section, a paint brush, primer (optional) and a printer with printer paper. (I used card stock).

Currently, they are hanging in the kitchen but they won't be staying there. So, let me give you a quick run through of this cheap, easy and fast DIY. All I did was give each frame a light sanding to better assist the better in adhering. I put on one coat on primer and then two coats of regular Valspar paint. The mats came with the frame so all I needed were new pictures for it. I debated putting old post cards or vintage photographs in these but for now, the quotes will do. I simply found a quote that I loved, in this case, this bible verse. I picked out a font that I had in photoshop and simply aligned it to fit in the frame. I then printed out the bible verse, cut the paper (I used card stock but that's optional to you!) to fit the frame and complete! The frames have a sorta pinkish-cream look to them which I'm not really digging but I'm sure I can find new ones for fairly cheap if I do decide to change them.




They hang from small black rope that I might change to satin black ribbon for more of an impact. But I love how sweet and adorable these look together and I am totally happy with my $1.00 frames. Sometimes the cheapest things are the best things...


Super simple DIY that I thought I would show y'all today. I'm working on other projects around the house so I hope to have them up here in the next few days. I can't wait to show y'all all the new furniture I've been getting and the *new* to me… furniture that is going in our home! Anyways, stay tuned. If you have done a project like this, show me on Facebook by clicking here!



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