Top Ten Tuesday. Budget Decor.

Top Ten Tuesday. Budget Decor.

Decorating on a budget? I have never had the luxury of shopping without having a maximum spending amount in mind. That being said, I haven't always respected budgeting either. When decorating, you must find the stores that best suit your style and price point. After years of decorating and redecorating I now know which stores and websites to go to when I need something new. Still, my favorite way to shop for home decor is in small boutiques in random towns, it's always an adventure… but usually not in the budget. 

My top 10 Stores and Sites

10. wayfair.com- a site dedicated to home decor with price points for all budgets.

9. Cost Plus World Market- affordable goods from around the World. Rugs to wine, I can never get out of the store empty handed.

8. Pier 1- Lovely pillows and textiles, my go to store for pops of color and accents. 

7. Craigslist.com- I always say, one man's trash is another man's treasure. I have gotten countless items from Craigslist. I feel as though it is a giant online thrift shop. Great deals at every price point and bargaining is an option.

6. Hobby Lobby- I am pretty crafty so I can make decor for the home. I love something that is homemade, it's usually one of a kind too. Hobby Lobby has many great decor items and every craft you can think of, all under one roof!

5. Target- Target has great deals and great pieces. For the classic pieces that don't need to be unique, Target is a great place to shop. 

4. Home Depot- plants, furniture, lumber. When your Husband is as handy as mine, he can make what you have envisioned. We have spent several dates cruising up and down the aisles of Home Depot. 

3. Bed, Bath and Beyond- Great for household items. Some of the price points do not fit the products but you can find some great deals as well. The framed pictures and artwork are very affordable. 

2. HomeGoods- I love love love Home Goods. I could spend days in Home Goods admiring all of their inventory. Home Goods is great for all styles and budgets. Who doesn't like a great deal?

1. amazon.com- You can find anything and everything on Amazon. I always check Amazon first. Often times they have the best deals and a great variety too. I order at least two items a month from Amazon. Amazon Prime is a must for loyal customers like myself! 

Modify Monday. DIY Headboard.

If you are a Pinterest addict like myself that you may have seen some of the amazing DIY home projects my fellow crafters have posted. Many of the DIY projects that I have seen look very difficult and intimidating and others are easy enough for even the non crafty's out there. I have attempted and completed several home decorations that I have found on Pinterest, it is a hobby of mine.

Not long ago I was looking for a DIY headboard idea. I felt that my bedroom really needed the added character and our bed frame did not come with a headboard. I searched online for quite some time and found several different ideas that were possible for me to complete on my own. I compared all of the options and settled on the headboard that was going to fit our bedroom style perfectly.

This project is so simple. Anybody and everybody that is in need of a headboard could and should give it a try. I am so happy with the way it turned out. Our bedroom is complete.

1. Go to a lumber supply store with your measurements.
-Planks should be even with or a bit longer than the width of your bed. We have a queen bed so I needed a plank that was cut 62 inches long. I decided to go with five 4 inch planks. The staff at the lumber store will cut your planks to the length that you desire, if needed.

2. Pick out your stain or paint color.
-The finish that you go with can make a dramatic difference. We have a beach styled home so I decided to go with white paint. I always have white paint on hand, so I used what I had.

3. Paint or stain your wood immediately.
-If you decided to paint or stain your wood it needs to be done immediately. If your wood is kept outside without getting painted it will begin to warp. If you can't paint your wood immediately you should keep it covered or inside. I wanted a bit of a warped look because of our beach theme, so I kept our wood outside on our porch for two days. (My Husband did not understand why I would do such a thing)

4. Hang.
-Once your wood is dry and looking good, it is time to hang. Make sure that you have a level on hand so that your wood is placed straight across. I started right below the top of my mattress so that there was not a visible gap. There are several different ways to hang the planks, go with whatever you think is going to fit your style best. You can nail the wood into the wall, use picture hangers or drill it in.

Flea Market Friday. Oceanside. Never. Again.

Last Saturday I made plans for my family to shop the Oceanside Flea Market. We weren't really sure what to expect because neither my husband or I had ever been. It is in a giant lot that used to be occupied by a drive in theater. The large movie screens are still in place, which makes it look a little creepy but as we all know, we should never judge a book by it's cover. When we arrived to the market mid morning we were surprised by the lack of vehicles we were seeing in the parking lot. Usually flea markets stay pretty busy, especially on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
We paid the $1 entry fee and immediately started checking out the booths. What we found was a surprise to both my husband and myself. There were very few vendors. Many of the booths were vacant and for some odd reason vendors were setting there booths up every 20-30 feet, which made it look even more empty. The lot looked like it was ready to house hundreds of vendors and maybe in the past it had, but it was completely lacking vendors and business last Saturday.
As we walked the grounds, from booth to booth we noticed that the quality of the items being sold was very poor. The vendors didn't seem as if they were there to sell, they never greeted us or acknowledged that we were interested in their items. When we stopped at a fruit stand, we gathered several different items while the vendor continued to have a conversation with a family member, not acknowledging us until we asked where we could pay. The entire experience was very odd.
We did find a few items: fruit, veggies and a house plant. They had great deals on plants and the man that was selling them was very friendly and informative. I am very happy that we weren't entirely skunked but I guarantee we will not return to that flea market.
I took a few pictures of our experience.

A few lessons that I learned last Saturday. 

1. Always look up reviews on the flea market that you are interested in visiting. 

2. It's worth a longer drive to get to a better flea market.

3. I can find something to buy anywhere items are for sale. 

Modify Monday. Fab File Cabinets.

O is for organize. Being organized is not just a luxury in my life, it is a necessity. I organize, reorganize and organize some more until I find the best method for organizing whatever it is I am trying to organize. You see? 

My Sister recently gave me a file cabinet that she was no longer using. (She's always sending me home with treasure) I happened to stumble upon some really cute file cabinets on Pinterest that had been redecorated. I love the idea so I've decided that I need to have a redecorated file cabinet of my own. So, that's what I am going to do. Modify my file cabinet into a beautiful new organizer. 

I already bought all of the hanging files and manila folders and started to organize every loose paper, picture and piece of fabric in our home. It is going to take the rest of this week to complete this project. By next Monday I will post the completed file cabinet, maybe a couple of updates between now and then too. 

There is no shortage of inspiration for this project on interest. Of course mine will have to be different and better. ; )

What is my modified file cabinet going to look like? You'll have to wait and see. 

Sunday Celebration. Phase 1. Party Planning.

I am planning a baby shower for my Husband's cousin, who is also a dear friend of mine. My Sister in law is hosting the party but I volunteered to do the decorating and help with the planning. I am a sucker for parties and decorating, so it's a perfect match. Baby shower planning has become one of my specialties.
Today we met up to discuss the details of what we are doing. It is critical to have a game plan when planning something as important as a Woman's baby shower, what a special day. The Mom to be has thirty people on her guest list, totally doable.

Plan of Attack

1. Budget. It is extremely important to know what you're working with in order to plan the event. 
2. Theme. Our budget is not a very significant amount, so we need to work with items that we already have. We have decided to do a feminine, rustic, vintage, country inspired theme. 
3. Time. The time of the party determines what kind of food needs to be served. If it is during the hours of a meal, you will need to provide that. If you're looking to do appetizers or dessert, you should throw the party between meals. 
4. Food and Beverages. We are throwing the shower from 2-4 pm, between meals. We will be serving appetizers and dessert. No alcohol needed since it is early in the afternoon. 
5. Invitations. Invitations should be sent out in advance and should reflect the theme that you've chosen. Depending on what the occasion is, you should give people 4-8 weeks. For this occasion 4 weeks will suffice. The invitation we chose can be seen by clicking link below. 

http://www.costcophotocenter.com/greetings/product/G/G0000230/FLT57V/2?category=BabyShowerGirl

1. Decor. After coming up with a rough estimate for food, beverages, venue (if not at home) and invitations, you should know what is left for decorations and miscellaneous items. Come up with a list of decorations that will make a big impact and list in order of importance. The top of the list should be the first items budgeted for. 

Items I have: tables, chairs, linens, mason jars, chalkboards, wood rounds, center piece vases, burlap, glass drink dispensers and galvanized buckets.

Items we will need to purchase: paper straws, paper flowers, fabric garland, fresh flowers, paper garland and balloons.

Any ideas that you think would go well? What do you think of the planning so far? What was the theme of your baby shower? 

Saturday Style Spotlight. Choosing a style.

There are several different options when it comes to decorating your home. Hundreds of different styles and thousands of ways to make the style unique.

I can imagine myself with a country home in a small town, a chicken coop out back, a giant garden, several acres, an old white barn with chipped paint, three gorgeous horses, vaulted ceilings, thick wood plank floors, antlers on the wall, blush pink, grey, white and natural hues, and a wrap around deck lined with upholstered swings and sturdy chairs.

I can imagine myself with a penthouse downtown in a big city, three levels, large windows with a grand view of the city's skyline, several balconies adorned with the few plants that the small space will allow, large furnishings, open floor plan, oversized bedrooms, clean lines and metallic accents.

I can imagine myself in a shingled cottage near the shore, a small grass lawn in the front, an outdoor shower for rinsing after a swim in the Pacific, coral, white and turquoise, large rustic beams, shells, grass rugs, bamboo, a patio table, fire pit and outdoor bar.

It is difficult to pick a style and stick with it, especially if your attention span is as short as mine. I could constantly be redecorating. In my opinion the style has to be fitting to where you are located. The house decor should enhance the natural beauty of it's surroundings. When choosing a style for your home decor you should take several things into consideration, here are a few.

1. Location, location, location. The location of your home needs to be considered. Your home decor should reflect your location. i.e. coastal decor when you live by the beach. 

2. The structure. Whether you live in a condo building, stucco home or stained redwood house, your decor needs to harmonize well with the architecture of the building. Nobody wants a modern design with rustic interior.

3.Your lifestyle. It is important for the homes furnishings to be practical and fitting to your lifestyle. A home should bring you peace and be fit to your personality. Decorate with items that you like, things that make you happy and furniture that you are comfortable in. 

4. Stick to a color palette. You should choose a color palette and stick with it. Homes look better when there is a common theme. When you choose a palette of a few colors that compliment each other the house will have a great flow and navigating through your home will be easy on the eyes. 

5. Budget. You don't want to have caviar taste on a tuna fish budget. Your home will never be completed if you can't afford any of the items that you like. Set a realistic budget and seek out stores that are fitting for you. The internet makes it so easy, you can find everything you need online on any budget. 

6. Theme. Finally you need to pick a common theme for the house. Country, Bohemian, Shabby Chic, Rustic, Modern, Coastal, Eclectic, etc. The home will come together completely if you stick to a common theme throughout. Study the theme you chose, get inspired and start shopping. 

Modify Monday. Trash into Treasure.

My Sister has been cleaning house for several months, redecorating rooms, organizing closets and donating several items. Lucky for me, I have scored some great pieces.
Today it was time to put some of my sanding and painting skills to work, to see what I could make of a little old brown table that my Sister had given me. I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. 

Of course with a 4 month old, my schedule is based on my Baby's needs and desires, so when starting a project I always wonder just how long it is going to take to complete. Lucky for me, today Parker was as happy as a clam and turned out to be the perfect company while I redecorated this little table. 

By the time I remembered to take a before picture I had already gotten the hardware off and begun sanding… whoops. 

I invested in a sander a couple of years ago when I was tackling my first refurbish. This specific piece of furniture was so ready for a new life, the paint and stain was peeling off very easily. All it took was a light sanding over the entire table and inside the shelves. 

When the details are too small to be worked over with the sander I rub a piece of sand paper over it by hand or use a primer before painting. This table did not need the primer because it was responding so well to the light sanding. 

It is important to brush all of the loose saw dust, stain and dirt off of the table before painting. I sweep a broom over it lightly and wipe the wood down with a damp cloth. Once the sanding is complete it is time to start painting. I always keep a can of white paint. Since I live on the coast white is almost always perfect for the 'beachy' look that I am going for. Of course with white you have to do several coats, three on this specific table. Always let it dry completely before painting your second and third coats.

The drawer handle was very outdated and needed to be replaced. While the paint dried, my son and I went for a little shop at the Home Depot to buy the drawer some new hardware. Decisions, decisions…

There are SO many options and each option will give the piece of furniture a very different look. Currently I am liking the glass pulls, so that's what I went with. They are very inexpensive at $4.oo each.

Once the paint is dry and the table is put back together, it's time to find the piece of furniture a new home. 

I haven't found the table a permanent home quite yet. I thought that I wanted it below this picture, but it is too small for that space. I will update when I find the perfect spot for it. 

OCD Lady...

Hi. I'd like to take a minute to introduce myself and let you know the motivation behind this blog I'm starting… OCD Lady.  My name is Lindsay Shannon Holcroft. I am a 28 year old woman who resides in beautiful, sunny southern California: Oceanside to be precise. I am married to my best friend and the man of my dreams and together we have a 4 month old baby. I am a creative person. I am a dreamer.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved to organize, create and decorate. When I was a child and shared a bedroom with my younger sister, it would drive me absolutely mad that she could not keep everything in it's place. I wanted our room to look perfect all of the time. When I became old enough to stay home alone, my parents would return to a redecorated house. I would rearrange the furniture, reorder the pictures and reorganize the cupboards. I can remember my Mother asking me at a very young age where the toaster had gone. I let her know that it was in the cupboard where it should be kept because it didn't look good out on the counter… duh! Maybe that's why when I told my parents that I was going to start a decorating business and blog, it came as no surprise to them.

I did not always know that I wanted to be a decorator. I first studied fashion at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Consequently, this is not my first rodeo or blog. As a fashion major, I created and authored a blog dedicated to fashion shoots that I had styled. I am thankful that I have it to look back on and smile and laugh at. www.flirtyfearlessfashion.blogspot.com

When I realized I wanted to invest in a career in decorating and organizing, I wondered why I hadn't gone in that direction in the first place. As children, you are always told to pick a career that you are passionate about, something that comes naturally to you and that is enjoyable for you: for me, this is it. I've created this blog to keep a library of all of the projects that I am constantly working on. As a stay at home Mom, I need something to keep my creative brain running properly and as a budding business owner I need a creative way to display my experience. My posts will consist of organizing, creating and decorating… I'm the O.C.D. Lady.

So, here goes nothing or everything?!