A first birthday party in pictures, plus a favor.

I am still amazed. We had THE MOST PERFECT WEATHER for Delaney's first birthday party yesterday. It's been freezing here all spring. We've even had a little snow. Yesterday? Oh, yesterday is was 80º F. 80º!!!! It was beautiful.

And so is Delaney. Here are some pictures from her special day yesterday.

Those flower banners are from Dollar Tree. How cute are they?

For the first time ever in my mom's family, four generations of women. So cool!

And now a favor. Have you heard of the the fun craft blog Fireflies and Jellybeans?

They have a fun craft contest called "The Iron Crafter". I think it is hysterical! As you might have guessed, it's patterned after The Iron Chef. They even pick a secret ingredient! Then bloggers from all over make crafts with the secret ingredient to compete for title of Iron Crafter. It's a hoot!

Well the peeps over at Fireflies and Jellybeans had a logo/button contest for the next Iron Crafter contest. And guess who landed in Top 3?

Yep, yours truly.

I'd love it if you went on over and voted for my button. Just for fun. Thanks a bunch!

Unbelievably Fantabulous Extraordinary Kitchen

It's not mine! Waaaaah...

I'm talking about Flea Market Trixie. Have you seen her kitchen!?! I am DYING over every detail. I just know you will too.

I'll show you one before and after just to make sure you go over there. Because once you see it, you will be so glad you did. Or maybe you'll be like me and feel sad that you have the ugliest kitchen ever. (I bet mine's uglier)

OK, ok, ok. One more.

Holy crapsticks.

I have no idea what that means. It just came out.

Now please, do go over to Trixie's and give her some bloggy love on a project incredibly well done.

The kitchen reveal is here.

The cabinets were unfinished oak. Trixie painted them herself (6 coats!).

Here's how she made the table in the breakfast nook.

They built their own range hood!?

I think the floor is so adorable. It's painted wood!

PS. Trixie has no idea who I am, and we have never met. I am just a random kitchen-luster.

Now go make something!

Nightstand Kitchens

Did you know there is a phenomenon going around blogland? NIGHSTAND KITCHENS!

People take old nightstands (or sewing tables, or tv stands, or small entertainment centers) and turn them into kiddy kitchens. And they are so cute I can't stand it! Makes me want to try my own. The possibilities are endless. And of course each one ends up unique... it makes want to try to do a bunch and try to sell them.

Then I remember I have 3 children under 5 years old and a house in shambles and I think "WHEN am I going to do this exactly?"

We'll see. In case I can eek out some time this summer, I'll keep these gorgeous specimens in my idea box.

This one from My Little Gems.

Another one from Domestic Simplicity. Pretty!

Girly meets modern at Dwellings by Devore.

Vintage Songbird. Fresh!

Bright red by Little Miss MK.

This little beauty, made from a sewing table, is freaking me out a little bit. Look anything like the beadboard in our Toy Room? Eeeeerie! From Lipstick and Laundry.

The details on this one are killing me! The black windows on the appliances, the highlight and numbers on the microwave? Sooo cute. Martha Writes.

And all kinds of kitchen-y goodness over at Out Of The Crayon Box.

Have you made one of these? Please, please share! I'm begging!

Builder's Itch

Hey, if tennis player's can have tennis elbows, how about a builder's itch?

I have an urge to BUILD. Something. Lots of things. I don't think I've built one stinking thing before, but that dang Ana White sure makes me wanna try.

I know I've helped build lots of things. I've torn apart plenty of things. I've painted, revamped, destroyed and put together a lot of things. But BUILD something? Something from SCRATCH?Idonthinkso.

There's one little itty bitty problem--besides complete lack of experience. I'm afraid of saws.

I keep thinking I'm going to cut a finger off.

A little story that I just thought of. My friend used to go to this church. The minister was missing part of his index finger and part of his ring finger. First of all, how in the heck does that happen? If you're in some sort of finger accident, how do you miss the middle finger? Secondly, as the minister was gesturing he looked like he was giving everyone the bird. No really. Swear.

I don't want to look like I'm flicking anyone off! Argh. But I'd sure like to make some of Ana's plans.

In an old house, storage is often, well, lacking. I'd love to make this entry bench system.

Picture from Ana's site.

Learn how to make the bench here.

Or how about some floating shelves? Yes, please!

Photo from Ana's site.

Learn how to make the shelves here.

She makes it look easy.

So easy in fact, I have a growing wild fantasy of adding a custom built-in cabinet to a little used nook upstairs.

It'd be great!

If I knew what the heck I was doing.

I'll let you know if I'm ready to risk life and, er, finger.

Do you read too many design blogs?

Send Help... And Chocolate... And a Maid

We had a busy, busy weekend. We dropped the boys off to their grandparents while Mr. RBR and I fled the state whooping for joy. No, no just kidding. There was no whooping. A little fist pump maybe. I kid! I kid!

First we drove to my college friend's house and hung out there for the night, then we went to my cousin's wedding. We had a nice time, blah, blah, blah. But now I'm paying the price. My house is a wreck! And even that's not so bad except we're expecting company this weekend. My in-laws.

Don't you sort of always want to impress your in-laws no matter how nice they are (mine are very nice by the way)? Or is that just my neurosis.

Just me? Yeah, thought so.

I have a busy house with two busy preschoolers--I should really just let it go. You wanna know what my house looks like at the end of every day?

I must really like you to show you that. You know that don't you?

If I just had to clean the house this week, that would be one thing. BUT part of the reason the house is a wreck is because I'm redoing the baby's room (more on the baby another day) and all the stuff is out of her room and sitting in the hallway. PLUS we have to clear the family room--it's getting the new roof and ceiling (it's an addition and doesn't share a roof with the main part of the house). PLUS we are renting a dumpster and we are hoping to take advantage of it by clearing out some old junk out of the basement and attic. PHEW!

And have I told you what happens if I don't watch my boys every minute?

Oh man. I am so screwed!

Plan of attack.

1. Tie boys to a chair for five days. No? Ok, I guess not.

New plan of attack.

1. Get baby's room painted.

2. Put baby's stuff away.

3. Clear family room.

4. Chase my tail as I try to clean what messes the boys make.

5. Sort out stuff to throw away in the attic and basement.

In five days.

I'm tired already.

PS, stay tuned. I'm planning a Monster Truck Mural Tutorial.

90%

Do you have this problem too? I start all gung ho on a new project. I am inspired by how different everything looks and I zoom through the project. Until... it's about 90% finished. But the finishing touches, well, sometimes they get a little boring. I don't see those big changes anymore, like I did with the first swipe of a paintbrush in a new color. I just see the tedious loose ends. So inevitably just before it's finished I get so sick of it--and I just quit.

NO MORE!

I will finish all current projects and I have you to keep me accountable. Are you up for the task?

Some things I have on my 90% done list.

Living room. Just need one more set of drapes.

Boys' bedroom. Just need to finish and hang artwork.

Dining room. Redo the dining chairs.

I have some handmade Christmas ornaments that are *this close* to being done.

Remember that show?

I remember when my parents finally got cable. My mom and I have always loved decorating and would watch HGTV all the time (still do!) Although it was quirky, we loved that show Room by Room.

Do you remember the hosts Matt and Shari? Come on, I know you do! And I know you thought they were dorks, but you secretly loved them just like me. Because I'm a mindreader. It's one of my secret abilities. Makes my kids crazy.

Not really but I had you going there, didn't I.

No? Ok, then. Moving on.

We have a house. It could use some updates. It could use some storage. We have a budget. It's $0. My husband made me say that. No it's not zero, but it's close. That's ok, I like a challenge. Follow me as I change this house--you guessed it!--ROOM BY ROOM.