Updating the look of the Kitchen

You know when something just isn't quite right? That is how I have felt about our kitchen for months!The kitchen is our biggest renovation project to date and feeling like something was off had me questioning the whole project.I  began looking through the pictures I originally picked out for the kitchen to try to identify where I drifted from those ideas. Turns out, the base for the kitchen: White Cabinets and Dark Flooring was all in line with the "feel" I wanted to achieve. 

Inspiration for the Kitchen:

When I layered an albeit pretty but red rug on the charcoal floors, the "feel" I was going for vanished. So I began the hunt for a rug that was a little more natural and neutral. What I love so much about decorating is that  little changes have big impact!

 I stumbled upon this rug at TJMaxx and knew it was the one. 

The black and natural fiber rug brings together the colors in the granite, cabinets and flooring while blending well with the look of our kitchen island. We are loving the new look of our kitchen. 

Small change = Big Impact!

Have you guys made any small changes that have had a big impact on your home?! 

<<<PS __ Ty and I celebrate 2 years married today! >>>>

Master Bedroom Source List

A few weeks ago I gave you guys peak at our Master Bedroom. This week I am going to reveal where it all came from. As most of you already know, my favorite places to shop for accessories are West Elm, Target, & TJMaxx. You will see that I did not stray from my loves this go around either. I love how easy it is to mix all of the accessories from each place, the price point, and the quality. With that said, here is the source list for our master bedroom.

Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Paint in Benjamin Moore's Stratton Blue/

Leaf Pillow: Target / Bedding: Restoration Hardware Belgian Linen Collection in Ivory

96" Ivory & Gold Curtains: TJMaxx

Gold Sea Urchin: Target / Gold Frames with Linen Mattes: Target (no longer available)

Pottery & Gold Sphere: West Elm / Cherry Blossoms: TJMaxx

 Gold Beaded Pillow: West Elm

Three Wall Mirrors: Target (I also liked these and these)

Some of the items I didn't name: 

 White lamp: Local Nashville Boutique / Round side table: handmade for us by a friend (he's awesome - read about his photography here) / Rectangular bedside table and crystal lamp: once belonged to my grandmother & mother / Upholstered Headboard & Large Dresser: Sprintz Furniture (gifted to us by my parents)

We still have those four frames to fill in. Any ideas on what we should put there? I love the minted for West Elm collection, and I hear there are similar art options on Etsy. I also like the idea of doing something a bit more personal since it is our bedroom, like black and whites from our first date or Nashville places we love. Another idea is to go with some Rifle Paper co prints like these. Sigh... 

5 Easy Ways to Cut Expenses

quote from Cashcowcouple.com

If you didn't get a chance to read last week's post, check it out here. 
This week we show you that it really is possible to cut expenses without cutting out the fun.
Here are 5 easy ways to cut expenses. 

1. Pack a Lunch

According to and after much research, thesimpledollar blog says the "average cost of brown bagging it (eating lunch without going out) was $2.45...the average cost of eating out was $8.80." Multiply each by 5 days a week, subtract one from the other & that's $31.75 saved per week OR $127 per month OR $1555 per year (49 wks). Now that's a chunk of change! 

2. Clip Coupons & Shop Double Days

Okay, so now that you are sold on brown bagging it, let me sell you on couponing. The most common complaint: I don't have time. But check out these recent statistics (and my own personal testimony to this fact): According to the Promotion Marketing Association's Coupon Council, the average family can save up to $1,000 per year. To get those savings, most families need only spend 20 minutes finding and clipping their coupons, making coupon clipping a worthwhile measure - especially when the cost of groceries is rising. 20 minutes is all it takes to save up to $1000 per year. Another simple trick: shop on double and triple coupon days. For my grocery store, its Wednesday and they double coupons up to $1 and sometimes $2. For more tips and tricks check out my favorite coupon site: Southern Savers

3. Make your own Coffee

This one speaks for itself: A 6-ounce cup of coffee made at home, at about 17 cents a cup per day, adds up to $1.19 a week and $62.05 a year. A 16-ounce grande coffee from Starbucks, at $2.29 per day, adds up to $16.03 per week, and a hefty $835.85 per year -- the price of a mini vacation. (from daily finance)

4. Say goodbye to cable TV

But I can't live without college football? Yes you can. Here are some other options: go to a friends house, watch the game at a bar/restaurant for $5 - the cost of a beer, OR watch it at home (yes, some games are on basic cable for only the cost of an antenna, around $35) . As far as "shows," Hulu, Netflix, and Chromecast have you covered for a nominal fee of around $8 per month or a one time fee of $35 for Chromecast. Apple TV is another popular option for around $100. You CAN live without cable TV. And now, the savings part: The average pay TV bill (excluding internet and phone service) was $86 in 2011 and is expected to reach $123 by 2015, based on estimates by the NPD Group. Cut cable TV & save $86/month or $1032/year.

5. Drink Tap Water.

Its healthier, its green, its cheaper. How much cheaper? According to a recent poll, it is 300 times cheaper to drink tap water than bottled water. Although 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated (no thanks to diet soda), if we did get our recommended  8- 8oz glasses per day we would be spending $0.002 cents on Tap Water VS. $0.61 cents per day on Bottled Water. Think that doesn't add up? It does. That is $222.65 per year on bottled water per year VERSUS a whopping $0.73 cents per year on tap water. One of the easiest ways Ty and I have found to be the bottled-water blues: invest in a nice large water bottle and take it everywhere you go. Not only will you not have to pay for bottled water, you will stay hydrated. 

Choose one, choose them all, either way you are taking a step toward financial independence.

Oh, and for you math gurus out there, that's $4644.77* you could save per year.  

*based on numbers and statistics provided. 

Adding A Bar to the Living Room

We have made lots of little additions to the living room in the past few months (mantle decor, glass lamps, and the wing chair). This past week I shuffled our tray table into the living room to make better use of an empty corner.

Not only is it decorative, it has been great for hosting! We keep our bar stocked with the essential items for serving our guests delicious drinks. We use smaller sized bottles to fit proportionally on the tray table.

Here is how we stock our bar:

Pelligrino Sparkling Water (love the green glass!)

Belle Meade Whiskey (a Nashville original)

Absolute Vodka

Seagram's Gin (love the color the blue glass bottle adds)

Triple Sec & Bitters for our 2 favorite drinks: Lemon Drop Martinis & Manhattans

and of course the tools...

A Shaker & Measure

This Wine Decanter from West Elm

Cocktail Napkins

What are your favorite items to stock the bar?

Moonlight Ferns in the Dining Room

Our dining room (featured here and here) has also been work in progress. You may have noticed the sneak peak I gave you guys last week in my post about adding a bar to the living room. With the addition of artwork and curtains, the dining room is rounding the bend to complete (although the longer we live here, the less 'complete' I find things, and the more ideas I have!). 

This artwork was featured a few weeks back in my Mid Week Must Haves series. When I discovered I could get these six identically framed prints for a steal, I jumped at the opportunity. These prints are made by Uttermost and can be found here and here.

We are loving these 6 new additions to our space!

Have you added anything special to your space lately?

Our Journey to Financial Freedom

This week I read a really inspiring blog about debt-free living by an equally inspiring couple. Ty and I find that they mirror a lot of the same ideas we have about financial freedom and wanted to share it with you! We especially love this excerpt from a recent blog entry...

The most sure path to financial freedom involves cutting expenses, not increasing income. In fact, it’s the only path. Income really doesn’t matter when you consistently blow it all like the average American consumer. When you are saving more than 50% of your income, as we do, you start to realize how quickly you can exit the rat race, or find a new career that you enjoy. - See more at: http://cashcowcouple.com/cash-cow-guides/financial-freedom/#sthash.8EuuvNC7.dpuf

Although Ty does work a 9 to 5 job and we don't save 50% of our income, our method to attaining financial freedom is the same: managing our expenses. During engagement, Ty and I really evaluated our finances by asking "what is enough?" The truth is we already have more than we need, and if we already have all that we need there is no higher income, no bigger house, or nicer car to aspire to. So we did a life analysis and started asking questions like: Do we really need an German sports car, or can we get by with an older car? We chose the older car. Do we really need to go out to dinner more than once a week? Probably not. Do we need a maid, cable, or brand new furniture? We opted for doing the cleaning ourselves, Netflix, and shopping on craigslist. Although these come at somewhat of a sacrifice, I don't get to drive my chic Audi anymore and Ty misses some of his beloved Alabama football games, they also come with great reward. By keeping our expenses low, we are able to give freely, eat healthy, maintain physically healthy bodies, and spend time ENJOYING what we have rather than chasing after what we don't. Hate to break it to the Joneses, but we've found a better way!

Tips for Organizing the Play Area

This past week I had the pleasure of organizing a play area for two little girls. Their space is proof that you don't have to have a designated "playroom" to have a great play space.These are my best tips and tricks for giving kids a place to play and a space you will LOVE too!

BEFORE

I will help you rearrange your furniture to MAKE THE MOST of your space. You don't have to a huge space to have a great space. By creating a place for all of the toys, the kids now have a place to play.

AFTER

1. Use Bins & Label Everything. If kids are old enough to read, label bins with words. If they are younger, it may be helpful to use pictures to assist them in finding and putting away their toys.

2. Open Up and Brighten Up the Space by Designating a Place for Everything. Before, there was limited floor space. By rearranging some of the furniture and investing in a table to house the computer supplies and printer, I increased the floor space and play area...as well as spruced up the desk! I also added a larger lamp for the desk to brighten up this dark corner.

BEFORE

AFTER

3. Make the most of Nooks & Corner Spaces. Although this window nook had some available storage, it didn't utilize the area to its full potential. By creating a window seat using storage ottomans, I created a seating area and added additional storage in this adorable nook!

BEFORE

AFTER

4. Purchase Appropriately-sized Baskets. Finding the appropriate sized bins for your space can be difficult. Pick baskets that fit your space (like here, where they fit snugly under the console...measure before you go!)

Starting an organization project can be daunting, and that's where I come in! I will assess your needs, create a plan for the space, determine the items needed for a successful organization, and organize it all. 

Contact me at organizingnashville@gmail.com if you are interested in my organizing services. 

Best & Worst Moments of Year One

We have learned a lot in one year. Home ownership is fun, but not without its highs and lows. For example, the time we tried to  paint our entire brick exterior in one weekend with a paint brush. Or the time we decided it would be a good idea to purchase furniture online. Or the time we only had two days to tile and grout our entire kitchen. Its been the best of times, and the worst of times, and we want to share it all with you! We hope you will enjoy our BEST & WORST list of Year One in our Home by the Creek. 

WORST Moment in the Kitchen Remodel: Too funny not to share: An emotional breakdown while painting the Kitchen Ceiling. This moment is tied with our 3am realization that we were shy just TWO tiles and would not be able finishing tiling whole kitchen after a marathon battle.

BEST Moment in the Kitchen Remodel: After three straight days of tiling, grouting, and hardi-backering, Ty came home after 12 hours at work and saw that the kitchen cabinets were installed. It was a euphoric and victorious moment that could only be expressed by doing snow angels on the kitchen floor.

BEST Indoor Project: Patching the Light Holes was one of our first projects in our new home. It was a huge instant grat, big bang for your buck type of project. We were able to patch over a total of 9 old radiator plugs and our home looked instantly updated.

WORST Indoor Project: If you haven't heard our complaints about Tiling the Kitchen Floor, you can read about them here: 1,2,3. Would we do the project again? Yes. In fact, we are going to tile both our bathrooms at some point. If we did this project again, we would leave more time and choose days when both of us were not working for 12 hours (duh!)

BEST Outdoor Project: Planting the Trees was Ty's favorite project. We are really looking forward to having some privacy from our neighbors and the road. This was also our first big step in committing to stay in this home for the next few years. We are excited to watch these puppies (er, trees) grow and to keep y'all updated on their progress. 

WORST Outdoor Project: As previously mentioned, we tried Painting the Brick Exterior over one weekend with just a paint brush. After that attempt failed, we brought Ty's parents into the mix only to be unsuccessful yet again. Lesson Learned: It is money well spent to pay someone to paint the exterior of your home. At a minimum if you are die-hard DIYer, rent a paint sprayer and save yourself some angst. 

BEST New Appliance: We love our GE Double Oven. What we like about it: The top oven is smaller, so naturally it cooks quicker and heats up faster. We have the added benefit of two ovens without the downsize of loosing valuable cabinet space.

WORST New Appliance: The microwave beeps at least 4 times to let you know when something is done and if you don't retrieve it quickly, it repeats the beeping. Not to mention, we thought we got a "deal" on this appliance by purchasing it on craigslist but it didn't come with the glass tray.  By the time we purchased a new tray, we could have just bought a new microwave off the shelf.

BEST Tool: I do not know what we would do without our Cordless Drill. Ours is made by Makita and we love it. Whatever brand you choose, we highly recommend investing in a cordless drill. With the variety of attachments, it is our go-to tool for most projects. We have used it for everything from mixing mortar to sharpening lawnmower blades.  

WORST Tool: Ryobi Jigsaw. We purchased this as part of the tools we needed for our kitchen remodel. It broke the first time we used it and was promptly returned to the store. Turns out, we did just fine without it. Our favorite saw is our miter saw...seen just last week making Lifesize Jenga.

BEST Thrifty Find: The Craigslist Sofa we purchased for our Living Room was custom made for the original owners. It ended up being too big in their space, but just right for ours! We love its down seating and durable scotch-guarded fabric. Its super comfy for movie night but still looks high end.

WORST Thrifty Find: I purchased a Faux Leather Chair for the Office. It was advertised on craigslist as a "real leather" chair. I just took their word for it. When I got it home, Ty mentioned it was faux....much to my dismay! We re-listed and sold it on craigslist promptly. (Nothing against faux leather/pleather, but cats just eat this stuff up with their sharp nails)

BEST $$$$$ Spent: Although attempting to paint the exterior of the house ourselves was one of the worst decisions we have made this year, paying painters to Paint the Exterior was not. It took two professional painters with a sprayer two 8-hour days to paint our house. (not to mention, it was February and freezing!) Some things are just worth paying for. This was the case for the Install of Insulation in the crawlspace and attic as well. Lesson learned.

WORST $$$$$ Spent: This will probably be my first and last adventure ordering furniture online. I was desperate to find two chairs to fit in our living room (read more about the Great Chair Debacle of 2014 here). I found these chairs on Wayfair and of course, thought they were THE ONES! When we got them they looked nice enough, but were not as comfortable as I'd hoped. My main reason for not ordering online: quality. They were not worth the price I paid, and when I went to sell them on Clist I took a big hit. 

We are excited to share YEAR TWO with y'all! 

Thank you for following us along our first journey in home renovation.
If you haven't had a chance to watch our home video tour of the house, check it out here.