quick modern fix

January 13, 2016January 11, 2016Leave a comment

I’m always looking for ways to change up decorations in our home without making new purchases on our 1 income while we’re both in graduate school. This past Spring, I decided I wanted to start transitioning all our brown/tan decor into silver/black for a more modern twist.

I LOVE to spray paint metal to make it “new” to me! In the picture to the right, I spray painted the metal ball and switched out the fleur-de-lis with a metal one I painted silver. I then removed the picture frame and hat box and added an antique leather hat box I had sitting in our garage collecting dust. Sometimes if I look hard enough, my home and garage can turn into a FREE HomeGoods shopping spree!

thumb_DSC00276_1024 What is your next project? Do you have anything lying around you can paint to make new or move into another room to make your decorating more affordable? Grab a cup of coffee and take a walk around your house as if your in HomeGoods…I bet you’ll find some hidden treasures lying around. It can also be helpful to scroll through Pinterest for inspiration. It never fails that after an hour on Pinterest, I’m roaming the house looking for my next diy or decorating switch up.

Where do you draw decorating inspiration from? Do you have hidden treasures in your house?

running shoes

January 11, 2016January 11, 2016Leave a comment

thumb_DSC00264_1024 My husband and I became “runners” a couple of years ago. It has been quite the journey, but has brought us closer and helped us to become more fit and healthier than ever before. During this new journey, I found another thing to collect in my closet…running/workout shoes! If I would have known running involved new shoes on a pretty regular basis, I would have taken this up years ago! ANY excuse to buy more shoes! 🙂

The most important thing we have leaned about running shoes, are there are specific shoes for every type of runner. Just picking up a pair of tennis shoes at your local sports/department store and thinking they are the right fit and make of shoe for your gait can cause issues rather quickly. After taking a Learn to Run class at our local running store, we learned that running shoes come in 3 different levels of support: neutral, guidance and stability.

We also learned that a runner’s gait can change as they become stronger, meaning they may require a different shoe. Our local running store offers a gait analysis where they put you on a treadmill and record you running, playing it back in slow-motion to get an accurate read of the true running gait. This informs the foot specialists as to what level of support the runner requires. Each brand of shoe makes all 3 stabilities, often times numerous options in each category.

I can honestly say that having the correct shoes and different pairs to swap between is what I believe has made this running journey and experience successful. I have tried many times in the past to take up running but quite a few days or weeks in, due to pain in my feet or legs. To anyone interested in learning about running, or having issues with their feet or legs, I highly recommend visiting your local running store and visiting with the foot specialists shoes, specifically what level of support you require. The research, time and investment is well worth it!

Happy Trails!

diy dining chair seat

January 8, 2016January 2, 2016Leave a comment

We were blessed to be given a nice dining table and 4 chairs from my Aunt as payment for caring for her home one summer. Although the seat covers were outdated, we happily accepted the kind gesture of payment as were in our first home and did not have the financial means for the nice set she gave us. This past Fall, my sister and I FINALLY got around to reupholstery the seat covers. I knew the it was going to be an easy process, but the shopping for fabric was what held me back for so long…years to be honest.

Once I finally detached one of the seats to figure out how much fabric I would need, I decided it would be just as easy to bring the actual seat with to the fabric store. I am not a fabric guru and figured having it with me would hopefully eliminate the possibility for error. I decided to go with a black faux embossed leather. We do not have children yet and know the years of spills and crumbs are around the corner. This fabric allows for easy clean up and will not absorb liquids or show stains.

thumb_DSC00241_1024 I ended up borrowing a stable gun from my mom, purchasing fabric for $36 and the entire reupholstery process took 30 minutes. Why did I procrastinate this easy peasy project for so long?! The best part is, the black leather bench we have in our living room now matches the chairs when we have guests over and need additional seating at the table! It’s a win all around!

canine friends

January 6, 2016December 31, 2015Leave a comment

They say they’re “man’s best friend.” However, since I am a lady, I must say they are “human’s best friend.”

The guy above has been in my life for 11 years and what a treasure all the years have been! The bond one shares with their canine companion is comparable to none. Always there to greet you excitedly at the door, brightening up a long, stressful day at work. Willing to protect you with a bark (or many) and a rush to the door when the doorbell sounds. Soon to realize it is not an intruder but rather a familiar face with some love to share! Continue reading →

decoration inspiration

January 4, 2016January 2, 2016Leave a comment

Do you ever find a dream piece of decoration inspiration? I found one in Restoration Hardware the other day that just won’t leave my mind! The chandelier below is something I would love to have in our future forever home.

My husband often gives me a hard time for dreaming big, but my feelings are, if you don’t have dreams, then you don’t have goals you’re working towards. It has always been a dream of mine to have a home entrance where I could hang a chandelier. Now, I know I may never have the beauty to the right, but I am determined to have something sparkly, dainty and eye catching, greeting my guests!

I enjoy following interior design IG accounts for ongoing inspiration, as I am one to rearrange and revamp my home on a continuous basis. For me, it keeps things fresh, homey and makes me proud of my home and domestic skills (or lack of). I was raised in a home where my mom decorated for every season and holiday which is probably why I am who I am today. I believe in repainting old things to make them new and moving items into different rooms (because then they are still “new”) to keep things affordable and my hubby happy.

HomeGoods, TJMaxx, Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack and Hobby Lobby are my go to places for affordable home decor.

Elephant Aura Life

blogging a little about a lot

Month: January 2016