The Navy Blue Tufted Headboard that changed MY LIFE

You ever say you're going to do something for years and years but never do?

I LOVE tufted headboards.  I think they are elegant and sophisticated, and after doing some research EXPENSIVE.  Every picture of a bed or bedroom that I have collected since high school has been of some sort of tufted headboard.  Tall, curvy, long, velvet, you name it.  Like these....

And one more...

Now tell me those are not to diiieeeee for. 


So when I decided to start doing the things I've said I've always wanted to do, AND finish them, I knew that making my very own tufted headboard was going to be at the top of the list.  


I started with looking for a tutorial and read a few that intimidated me and made me feel as if it was too difficult to accomplish.  But then I ran across a fabulous blog called addicted2decorating.com where Kristi was so kind as to create a step by step tutorial on making your own tufted headboard. The directions were easy to follow, clear and concise.  


So I gathered all of my materials and went to work. 

The tufting is the hardest part because I had to push the button in making sure it was tight, hold on to the string, and then climb under to staple.  I mean, NOT EASY and I have the blisters to prove it. There were even a few times that I wanted to cry and couldn't pick up anything warm because my thumbs burned(tried to butter a piece of warm bread at Longhorn..LOL). But I must say that every last effort I made was worth it, because I ended up with this....

That turned into this...

And then turned into this...

Can you see where I added a little glam and bling with the rhinestone buttons I took off last years' winter coat? Recycle right? :-)

Now when I walk in my room I literally say "Hi, bed." And gush with pride.


I promise to get a better camera soon and change these out so that you can see the navy blue, and grays and turquoise much better.  I was just so excited to show you I couldn't wait.  Do you love it as much as I do?


Most of my friends are extremely proud of me because they know how long I've been wanting to do this, but in this situation I am most proud of myself for finally doing something I've always wanted to do, and showing not only everyone else, but myself that dreams really do come true. 


I hear it calling my name now, so I'm going to sign off.  But before I go, I encourage you to do something you've always dreamed of doing, NOW.  Not next year, or next month, or tomorrow.  Do it now.  It will change your life just like it did mine. 

XOXO, Tori

Skinny Girl Trapped in a Fat Girl's Body!

Found On Pinterest via EasternSerenity.com



I am a skinny girl trapped in a fat girl's body..( I would never say that to anyone else but I can say it about myself).  I want to wear skinny jeans, skinny tights, a skinny skirt, you get my drift, right? But, on the outside I feel swollen and round...LOL... ok maybe not round, volumptous... but I want to be smaller. Not skinny-small, but healthy, thick(not fat), and toned.  And I say all that to say..THIS IS THE YEAR I LET THE SKINNY GIRL OUT TO PLAY!!!  Last year I lost 43lbs with the help of my friends, a personal trianer and a crazy co-worker whom I love dearly O-M-Gwen, but I am determined to lose 43 more. Trust me I need to. I am going to St. Lucia in Oct as a SEXY DIVA!!  But for right now those of you who feel the same way I do, please tell me what you plan to do about it.  Help the skinny girl get out!  :-)

Found on Pinterest allwomenstalk.com

Metallic Nightstands!!!!

I am re-decorating my bedroom!!  I mean what better room to re-do that your very own bedroom!  In my opinion, and this is just myyyy, opinion a bedroom should be a sanctuary, an oasis where you disregard the day and relish in how good life is.  So, I could not be more excited about creating my dream relaxation retreat. My plan is to make it luxurious, relaxing, sexy, and peaceful. I want my room to call my name when I walk by..Tori..Tori..Tori come inside and enjoy.....  LOL… ok, got a little carried away there. But really, I want it to look and feel magazine worthy. 

The first thing I did was paint. But here is what the room looked liked before I painted it. 

I know right a mess right. I don't have pics of the before decor but trust me, you didn't miss a thing.   The walls had some water damage that needed repair and I had to spackle the hell out of a few walls but hey its worth it, right?  The wall in pic one is where my bed will go.  Right in front of the window.  J  I used to have a mirror there as you can see.  Don’t ask. ;-)   But yes, bed in front of the window.  First thing, you see when you walk in the door.  Best place to give me room for my beautiful new metallic nightstands on each side of the bed (I have a thing for balance) J 

Umm..Side bar: My king-sized bed is my dining-room.  Yup, smack dab in the middle.  There is something sort of sexy about a bed being in a different room than intended.  But Yes, I know… it is in dire need of a makeover too! But that coming as well.  See?

Don't look to long at my mess, please? Thanks. ;-)

So I picked gray as the wall colors because I think it’s cool!  No really, it’s modern, classic, and clean.  And this shade can pretty much go with anything.  Purples, whites, and blues… my new color scheme.  Can’t wait to see the finished space.  Here is what it looks likes now……..

Classic Silver and Bright White by Behr---Love, Love, Love Behr paint with Primer!  You don't need as many coats because it covers so well. 

I did this all by myself.  Not an ounce of physical strength other than my own.  Are you proud of me? Yeah you should be.. that is a lot of work! Painting sucks! You have to tape, climb, clean.. mann!  It will be the first thing I will hire out when I have own business.  So serious.  J

Anyhoo... after I painted I began working on my existing nightstands.  I have dreams about owning mirrored furniture like a dresser and nightstands or a beautiful vanity.  But this girl is a on skinny jean-like tight budget.  So the next best thing would be to have silver-leafed furniture.  By no means a downgrade but a very close second.  HOWEVER, ummmm silver-leaf is a little on the expensive side too.  Soooooo, I decided since I now consider myself the spray paint queen that i would create my own metallic nightstands!! I know right, GENIUS!!

So using a tutorial I read on another great blog called  Recaptured Charm I bought Krylon metallic spray paint in Silver and SPRAYED away. :-)  I also took her advice and used an antique glaze to downplay the shininess of the metallic and make it more subdued and aged.  To those of you who know me, you know that I have been talking about doing my nightstands for ages!! Wellllllll... HERE THEY ARE!!! 

Before....Nice(before I sanded and filled the drawer pull holes), but plain white

See how bright and shiny?

 Adding the antiquing glaze..blended it much better than this though.

 AFTER...

Don't you just looovvvvee the glass handles from Restoration Hardware? The best $14.50 I have spent in a long time.  I kid you not. They look even more gorgeous in person.  And then, because I am person who believes you should be just as pretty on the inside as you are on the outside... I did this!

"I feel pretty, oh so pretty" So there you have it, my GORGEOUS METALLIC NIGHTSTANDS!!!  Are you jealous yet?  I'm kidding... no really are you?  Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.  I'll take much better pics after they are installed in the room with a better camera.  :-)  But wait before you go.... What's next you ask?  Well, next is my TUFTED HEADBOARD REVEAL!!  I am so excited I'm going to pee in my pants..no i mean pirates of panzantz(you Pretty Woman fans will get that joke..lol). YES!! the headboard is COMPLETE!  So in my best TV Host male voice “Tune in Saturday for all the juicy details and how this headboard I have been dying to make for at least 5yrs turns out!!! " Are you working on a big project that you know will change your life too?  I want to hear about it! Leave your story in comments section.

New Year, New Me.

How many people get to physically capture the moment when the world moves into the next year? Well I did.  :-) As soon as the clock on my phone turned 12:00 January 1, I snapped a photo and instantly thought about what I saw happening in 2012. It actually made me smile and very excited to know that my 2012 is slated to be life changing and amazing! Below is my new mantra.

For 2012 my motto will be Choose COURAGE not Fear. 

That powerful statement was said to me in a private session with Dr. Joanna Vann of Yecin Leadership Development(www.yecin.com).  She said to choose to show courage in Doing and never let fear and lack of faith hinder your growth.  So for 2012 I am choosing to stop letting fear, the same as procrastination, stop me from Doing my heart's desires. 

I chose courage and faith to help me dance on the beach this year in St. Lucia with two of my favorite people, courage to decorate everything I can get my hands on. Walls,. floors, rooms, rocks for that matter.  And most of all to share it all with you.  My choice of courage will help me lose my undesired weight and live the healthy lifestyle I have so longed for.(everyone has a few pounds to lose right?).  :-) and last but not least help my soul to grow. I want to be changed on the inside, too.  My plan for the New Year is to do whatever my heart desires. Whatever my gut feeling says do.  And right now its telling me to LIVE! Go for it. Make it Happen for yourself. Enjoy the endless possibilities.  So that is exactly what I am going to do.

Ok, ok, enough of the sappy stuff.  Here is why we are here today this first day of 2012.  I want to show you what I gave my sister for Christmas.  My FIRST spray paint job on furniture!  I knowwww……amazing huh!  And I must say it turned out great.  A lot and I mean a lot of ups and downs(meaning screw-ups).  Here take a look. 

This used to be that run of the mill vanity that just about every woman has as her first vanity.  Cherry colored..ha!, that brass drawer pull making an attempt to be elegant, and the mirror that tilted back and forth...lol… I'm crackin’ myself up over here.  LOL.. anyway I bought the one my landlord had in the basement for 25 cents. Yes, 25 cents, so I decided to give mine to my sister.  And she loved it.  I mean for a moment I thought she was going to shed tears..LOL!! No really, she said "umm, you didn't put a bow it"..LOL, funny. Anyway, here are the before pics.  See brown, but going to Be*You*tiful.(you’ll get that later). 





 And now... DRUM ROLL PLEASE....... The after pic...



Sorry for the bad photo.  Gave my camera away when I left it at Nascar Racing track at the mall. :-(



Anyway, so not only did I redo the vanity, I bought a chair at Goodwill for $2 and spray painted it too! Surprise!!!!(cue balloons and confetti).  Well I couldn’t just give her a vanity with no chair, now could I?  Nor could I give her mine, it’s purple and I’m going to get it re-upholstered.(see pic below and you'll see why she cant have it... it's beautiful or least will be soon). Ok, so back to my sister's vanity.  I painted it the same color as the vanity but broke up the color and brightness by choosing a fabric that was a darker tone of pink mixed with green and a light pink stripes to move the eye and tone down that bright pink.

Chair she CAN'T have....

She's a beauty right?  I knoww....

Chair she CAN have....

Ok, well that is what it looked like before. :-)  And like this,

 

See the layers of dirt and grime? I mean it's one thing to clean your own dirt, but someone's dirt you don't know? Who knows where that chair was before goodwill.  The chair of an old man before he died? The seats at a restasturant that serves fried chicken? Ugh, I swear I almost threw up 3 times trying to clean it.  LOL, not joking.  We and that chair became very intimate after it was cleaned.  I had to sand it, prime it 2x times, sand it, paint it, rub my hands across the wood to make sure it was smooth, and upholster it. How much deeper can you get with a chair? Ha, ha... So here you are, the finished chair.

Clean, Neat, Simple.

   I also spray painted the mirror but I'm not quite happy with it since its plastic.  So it won't get a lot of love here.  But is a one small pic.

And here is the set together....

The writing on the desk says Be*You*tiful!

I have never spray painted a piece of furniture before or re-upholstered a chair but I think they turned out quite well.  I’d love to hear what you think about the finished products.  Like I said she loved it, do you? Leave your comment below.

Last but not least if you live in the St. Louis area and have a piece of furniture you want transformed please contact me.  I would love to do it for you! 

Hope you enjoyed my first post! There's more to come.  I'll see you Tuesday when I show you the nightstands I did for my new room!  I made them METALLIC!!


Have a Blessed and Happy New Year!