Midnight Madness - THIS FRIDAY!

Yay, it's that time of year again!! Midnight Madness is this Friday at my Ikea store (check your local Ikea for dates and times).

Every now and then you can get KILLER deals on so many items, like the $270 sofa slip cover I bought for... *drum roll please*... $1 a couple years back!

I hope the shelves I want for Rosie's room are one sale, oohh and those awesome shoe storage cabinets.

Let me know if you score anything this Friday :)



Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

Announcement!!

Hi everyone!

It's been a while since I've posted and I have a good excuse, I SWEAR!

I've been pretty sick that last few months because....

I'M PREGNANT!!!

Baby #3 is on it's way, due this June!

As life gets more and more hectic, I'll won't be posting as often as I'd like, but I promise to pop on here now and again to give you more great ideas for your home.

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

Do YOU Hate Wall Paper?

When we moved into this house, the previous owners had (ugly) wall paper boarder in FOUR of the rooms - both bathrooms, the kitchen, and the front living room! Obviously we took it off and what a pain in the butt it was. I've heard so many horror stories about removing wall paper, which makes me never want to use it EXCEPT.....

Martha Stewart is just fabulous when it comes to home decor. I love so many things she does and I was so excited to see her line of products at Home Depot. In the Home Depot's Fall Dream Book 2010 (full of amazing ideas!) they showed some wall paper by Martha Stewart that I would actually put in my house. If you turn to page 46 and 47 you'll see a beautiful bathroom with stunning wainscoting, a look I absolutely love. The thing is, wainscoting is pretty expensive and a lot of work to install. Well, not any more! Martha Stewart has a new product that mimics the look of wainscoting, but it's a fraction of the cost and way easier to install. It's paintable wall paper that looks just like real beadboard. It's just $24.99 for a double roll and you don't need any power tools!

Now I wish I had a free weekend so I could put this wall paper somewhere in my house, maybe in my bedroom :)

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

Celebrating 4 Wonderful Years!!

It was on this day, back in 2006 that I married my wonderful husband Dave. It's been a great 4 years that's for sure. We had 2 beautiful children, bought 2 cars, bought a house, Dave graduated, we moved to a new city, went to Hawaii, started 2 businesses and more and more. I'm so grateful to be married to the greatest person I know. I love you Dave!! xoxox

Cool Kids Bedrooms

Looking for a stylish way to decorate your child's bedroom that isn't too kiddish? Let's face it, trains and princesses might look cute when they're 3 years old, but kids grow up. When you're a kid having a "cool" room is a MUST! Think about all the play dates and sleepovers they'll be having. Kids love having a room they can be proud of, and a room that they won't grow out of in a couple years. Plus, I love kids rooms that are fun, yet don't scream juvenile. Imagine if your mother-in-law was staying for a week and the only room she could stay in was your child's. You would want it to feel relaxed and sophisticated. Or what if you decide to sell you home. Would you want buyers to walk into the room and automatically think "this house is too kiddish for us".

Bouclair must have been reading my mind! In October they are launching a new line of children's products that meet my requirements for a great kids room! Some of the accessories are so fabulous, you might want them for yourself. For a sneak peak, check out http://www.bouclair.ca/kids/

Let me know what you love!

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

Where's Mine?

On Monday Ikea announced on their website that the 2011 catalog is now available. Wow! How exciting! Not everything Ikea is my taste, but it's still an obsession of mine to read, and re-read every single page of the Ikea catalog. So my problem is... I don't have a copy yet! Is my paper boy on vacation? Do I need to pick one up at my nearest Ikea? Luckily, while I patiently await my copy in the mail, I can browse the catalog online. Thank you internet! Here's what I love...
IKEA Catalogue 2011
Page 8-9 What a beautiful airy kitchen!
Page 12-13 How cozy is this?!
Page 26-27 I love that rattan chair and the low huge coffee table
Page 36-37 This looks romantic
Page 87 I love how the chairs at the head of the table are different
Page 88-89 That blackboard paint is on my to do list
Page 91 Again, I love the rattan chairs
Page 127 I'll take any of these please
Page 133 Don't you just want to jump into this bed?
Page 139 Underbed storage is a MUST
Page 144-145 Pretty nice for under $650
Page 172-173 I wish my closet looked like this
Page 185 I love the double sink and bench
Page 244-245 I want this as my hallway so bad! That shoe storage is awesome.
Page 281 I love those blue bowls
Page 308-309 You'll never find curtains at such a great price anywhere else
Page 332-333 How cool is that huge white light?

Check your mail box now! Maybe you'll be lucky enough to get your today!

Be Brave, Not Beige

The design trend these days is all about beige, and frankly, I hate it. It seams like everything has to be the same old neutral-neutral and it just looks boring. I've noticed that everyone has the same micro fiber, cafe-au-lait colored sofa (and I bet they bought it at the Brick or Leons) with chocolate brown painted walls, and a faux leather ottoman/coffee table. I think we all need some inspiration fast because in 10 years that look is going to be SO OUT DATED! Believe it or not, it is possible to use color and still have a calm and neutral-ish looking home.
Design Inc

HGTV.ca Coastal Living

All You

Just a Touch of Love

I love houses that have a personal touch, instead of the "I just bought the living room display" look. A house should say "look who I am" NOT "look what I have." One of my hobbies is quilting. I know it sounds old fashioned especially coming from a 26 year old, but it's addictive and I love the look of quilts. I was pretty intimidated at first, but then I discovered something amazing. The fabric companies are coming out with something called pre-cuts and it's exactly what it sounds like. You can buy an entire collection of coordinating fabrics that have been pre-cut into squares, strips, or triangles of various sizes. It makes putting together a quilt way faster and easier. Visit http://missouriquiltco.com to see some great fabric. I also found some great tutorials on YouTube tha taught me everything I needed to know.

Here's a few pictures of my quilts. I think they add so much warmth, texture, and color to my home!

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

Save Money Painting

The second I walked through my new house I knew painting was a MUST! I wasn't a fan of the muddy brown walls in the living room, the golden color in the kitchen, or the sponge painted gold-green-red in the bathroom (gasp!). I facebooked my friend Jason, who's a professional painter to ask his advice. He said that Benjamin Moore paint is the only stuff he'll use. He said that the cheaper stuff is absolute crapola. He said that the cheaper stuff is harder to work with and you'll end up needing more coats and therefore buy more gallons and spend more time. Plus, it isn't durable at all and if you wipe it down, there's a good chance you'll also be wiping off the paint. I know this to be true because the previous owners used cheap paint. I was cleaning the wall and a bunch of paint came off on my cloth and now my wall looks like crap.

Now here's the dilemma. Benjamin Moore paint (and other high end stuff) is really expensive. It can be around $50-$75 a gallon. So what can you do? The answer is NOT buying cheaper stuff.

Here's a few tricks to getting your paint for less.
1. Do you know a painter? Ask them if they get a discount anywhere and if you can take advantage of it. That's what we did when bought the paint for the living room.
2. Visit the dump! Yes you heard me correctly! In the spring time, the hazardous waste section of the dump has gallons and gallons of unused paint. My Mom painted our entire house with free paint from the dump. I'm totally serious! She got designer paint for free and in really nice colors too!
3. Check out the mis-tints at the paint shop. Benjamin Moore has a big section at less than half price. You might not always find the color you want right away, but keep on checking. You'll probably find something sooner than later, and they can always add a shot of more color if it's not quite what you wanted.

We're going to the paint shop soon to get something for my daughter's room. I'm thinking a light purple, but a sophisticated shade, not a lucky charm marshmallow shade. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll have some in the mis-tint section.

Happy Painting!

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

How CUTE is This?!

As mentioned before, I LOVE Sarah Richardson from HGTV Design Inc, Sarah's House, and Sarah's Cottage. Well, a few years ago she decorated a nursery for triplets and it was so freakin adorable! My favorite thing in the room was a DIY mini wall mural. She ordered the alphabet in vinyl wall stickers (custom orders available through etsy.com) and used them to make a tree. She then bought sample pots of paint - which by the way is a GREAT idea if you're planning on doing some decorative painting - and painted cute leaves. My description isn't very good - just check out the picture! I seriously love it!If I have another baby, I'm going to make something like this for the nursery. I love how she coordinated it with the other colors in the room. I think I might have a girl crush on Sarah haa haa.

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

Guess What's Happening This Friday?!

I'm so excited to let you all know about Ikea's Midnight Madness this Friday! It starts at 6 pm and goes until, midnight (obviously). All summer furniture and accessories are half price!!! I think I'm going pick up a cute outdoor bench and some chairs, and the cushions to match.

Last time I went to Midnight Madness it really was MADNESS!! They were slashing prices all night. I remember walking past an oven and it was on sale for 50% off. 10 minutes later I walked by and it was 70% off!! I also got a slipcover for my Ektorp sofa and it was the best deal of the century, haa haa it was amazing! They normally sell the slipcover for $230 and I got it for..... drum roll please...... $1!!! Yes that's right $1.00! How amazing is that?!

I'm hoping that this time around I see more and more amazing deals because who doesn't love an amazing deal?

Here's a picture of my sofa slipcover (and my baby bunny)

Let me know if you go and what you picked up!

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

What's that SMELL?

Whenever I walk into someone's house, the first thing I notice, before the wall paper, before the hardwood floors, before the antique dinning set, is the smell of the home. It can either be "ahhh, what's that lovely smell" or (holding my breath and trying not to gag) "oh, do you have a dog?" Remember my post a few months back about keeping your house clean? Remember when I said that even if you have the most expensive furniture it won't matter if there's crap lying around all over the place? Well the same thing goes with odor in the home. You can have a picture perfect home, but if it smells like a barn, nobody will want to hang around, AND they'll think your home is dirty, because really, what is that smell?!

The Solution?
No, it's NOT air fresheners. Air fresheners, might smell good, but they are full of toxic chemicals that you absolutely DO NOT want in your home. Besides, they're just going to mask the odor temporarily any how.

1. The BEST way possible to purify the air in your home is by ozone treatments. When oxygen is charged with electricity it becomes O₃. This elemental form of oxygen is called ozone. In nature, ozone is created by either the sun's ultra-violet rays or by the electrical charge resulting from lightning. The fresh clean smell in the air after a thunder storm is the effect of ozone cleaning the surrounding atmosphere. The advanced Ozone generating equipment mimics this natural process, converting ordinary air into Ozone (O₃). The electrified oxygen treatment will eradicate smoke, pet, strong cooking and other unwanted odors. In addition, the treatment will kill mold, mildew, and the bacteria that make your family sick. Best thing is that ozone won't harm you, or the environment! Trust me, this works 100%! We had our car treated after our daughter threw up and the smell was gone after just 25 minutes. For more information click here.

2. You can also open up your windows on a daily basis to air our any smells lurking in your home.

3. Also, use a beeswax candle (beeswax will burn clean) add a couple drops of pure essential oil to the melted wax and you'll have a pleasant scent to in home.

4. A bouquet of fresh flowers will not only make a room smell lovely, but it also adds a welcoming, pretty touch to any room.

You don't want people judging your house because of a strong odor, the second they walk through the door. A beautiful house, smells beautiful.

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

If THIS Doesn't Inspire You, Nothing Will!

I can't believe I haven't mentioned this before today. Like this has been an obsession of mine for the last 4 years at least. There's a designer out there that I absolutely LOVE and would hire in an instant if I could afford her. I just spent the last two days watching her online videos on HGTV.ca and I am totally, TOTALLY inspired. I have to say that lately I've been loving her work even more because her last two projects were an AMAZING cottage, and a BEAUTIFUL farm house. I seriously love antiques and country looking designs, so her newest projects make me want to run out to an antique market and buy cute, unique, and rustic pieces for my entire house. She also uses color, patterns, and fabrics in the smartest ways possible. I mean, really, everything she does makes me say "wow!" Alright, so I could go on and on (really, just ask my husband) but instead, I'll just give you the link to her videos. Although her budget for decorating rooms is WAY higher than I could ever afford, there is always something that can be learned from all her projects. So, set aside some quiet time and prepare yourself for the ultimate in home decorating!

Meet Sarah Richardson! www.HGTV.ca/video/ and click on Sarah Richardson!

Let me know what you think!

- Elisabeth

Beautiful House Drive By

The other day, my husband and were driving around a wealthy neighborhood, and checking out all the nice houses just for fun. We do that every now and then, especially those gorgeous houses/mansions near the lake that cost around $800 000 - $1 000 000 or more! It's fun to dream right? I also like looking around in these neighborhoods for inspiration, you know, paint colors, landscaping, etc. Here's a house that really stood out to my hubby and I. We love the green paint and the red door. (Is it creepy that I took pictures of stranger's houses?) Check it out!Here's another "dream" house. Really, I just love the wrap around porch. Maybe one day, I'll live in something like this, but until then, I have to make my current home as beautiful as can be.
Me Ka Aloha!- Elisabeth

Welcome Spring!

We've been having fabulous weather lately, totally warmer than usual, but I'm not complaining! The beautiful warm weather brought me a wonderful surprise in my garden! The little bulbs I planted last fall are finally in bloom!

The garden is the very first impression a person will have of my house, so it's important for me to have pretty blooms to greet all our visitors. I'm looking forward to more flowers this spring and summer! Let the gardening begin!!

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

For tips and advice check out Canadian Gardening

Happy Easter!!!

Easter decorations at our house...HAPPY EASTER!

Resources
Vase - Homesense
Branches - found them on the beach
Eggs and butterflies - Dollarama

Centerpiece - hand made by my cousin, Emily of EmilyLimFineArt.com
Candles - Homesense
River Rocks - found them on the beach
Flowers - Fortinos
Plates - Discontinued, from The Bay $0.99 each
Napkin Rings - Debbie Travis - Canadian Tire. Bought on sale for $0.10 each
Cloth Napkins - Ikea $3.99 for 4

Cake Stands - President's Choice
Egg Cups - bought at a second hand shop for $0.99
Bowls and vase - stuff I had laying around the house
Flowers and Candy - Fortinos

Cute Kids - Sent from Heaven. Priceless!

Easter Egg Tutorial

I'm not a huge fan of ripping off ideas from other people's blogs, but this past week has been CRAZY busy, and besides, this idea is too darn cute to not share :) I LOVE this fabric and I'm actually ordering some today from www.quiltersdailydeal.com. If you haven't been on Missouri Star Quilt Company's website, and seen their daily deals and youtube tutorials, you are missing out indeed! More about Missouri Star Quilt Company later.

Any way, here's an adorable Easter idea by the fabulous Angela Yosten! If you go on her blog you'll find a whole bunch of amazing craft and sewing projects that will inspire you to fire up your sewing machine. Why not make some bunny eggs and display them as a center piece for this year's Easter feast?

For complete directions for this craft click here!

Happy Easter Everyone!
- Elisabeth

Happy Saint Paddy's Day!!!

In honor of Saint Patrick's Day (did you know that I'm 1/4 Irish?) I'm showing you some of the most BEAUTIFUL green rooms... unfortunately not my green rooms, maybe someday. I'm actually planning on painting my kitchen Cooking Apple Green by Farrow and Ball this summer because I think it's the PERFECT green. Any way, enjoy these pictures and hopefully it'll inspire you to be brave, not beige :)

DYI - Organize your Front Hall Closet

Like I've said before, a clean and organized house is a nice house. Our house doesn't exactly have a front hall. You basically walk straight into our front room, so you can see how important it is to keep it clutter free. Our front closet was looking pretty messy. We had winter hats, scarves, bike helmets, tennis balls, you name it, and all that stuff was piled on shelves. At least they were on shelves and not all over the floor, but I knew it could be better organized. I bought some white bins for $3.50 each and labeled them with wooden letters from the dollar store (although looking at the picture now, I noticed that the letters aren't perfectly straight. Oh well that's what happenes when you do crafts at 1:00 am). I think it's rather cute (and inexpensive).
BEFORE AFTER

Bathroom Makeover

BEFORE
When we first looked at this house, the downstairs powder room was... well... hideous! They sponge painted the walls red, green, and gold and hung golf themed wall paper boarder. They used a golf club as a towel rack and had golf trophies and pictures on the wall, but that wasn't the worst part. They had green CARPET on the floor *gasp*! Who puts carpet in a bathroom? How unsanitary!!! What if someone has bad aim (and I know it's bound to happen)? There were other ugly features, the vanity, lights, mirror, wooden toilet seat... it was all ugly. We knew that if we bought this house, a bathroom reno was in store.
So first things first! Dave and I ripped out that carpet and replaced it with tile. After we decided on the tile it was time to pick out paint.

Next we were off to Home Depot to pick out a new toilet, light fixture, towel rack, and toilet paper holder.
Later, we went to Ikea to choose the sink, vanity, and mirror.

With the help of my father-in-law, and Dave's painter friend Jason, we were able to turn this bathroom into something great. For the final touches, I bought some accessories, towels, soap, pictures, and really brought some personality into the space. Finally the bathroom went from "ugly golf" to "clean and inviting".

AFTER
Resources
paint - CIL Church Street
tile - Giant Carpet
vanity - Ikea
sink - Ikea
mirror - Ikea
toilet - The Home Depot
towel and toilet roll holder - The Home Depot
decorative mirrors - Ikea
pictures and frames - Ikea
towels - Zellers
soap - Bath and Body Works
candles - Ikea

Must See Website - Ikea Hacker

I came across this website a while back when I was considering dying the fabric on an Ikea chair. They change common Ikea products into something new and pretty. This website is so much fun and I can't wait to try some of the ideas. Here's some of my favorites...

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2009/01/happy-new-year-and-how-to-sleep-on.html
http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2009/06/cosy-nook-for-bed.html

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2009/09/and-baby-makes-three.html

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2009/09/fairy-tale-play-kitchen.html

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2009/03/billy-finds-new-purpose-as-pantry.html
http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2008/07/mandal-headboard-as-wall-decor.html

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2007/11/neat-and-slim-laundry-hamper.html

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2009/06/bekvam-and-molger-bathroom-remodel.html

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2010/02/cherry-blossom-lantern.html

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2008/07/from-pillowcases-to-placemats.html

Cool eh?

Me Ka Aloha
-Elisabeth