anthro inspiration & some nuggets of truth

Hello.

 

I'm not the only one in the world to whom this applies, but I just need to let you all know: I'm busy. Super busy. In a good, happy, productive sort of way, but also in a rather foreboding if-something-doesn't-give-I'm-going-to-regret-it sort of way.

 

You've been there, too, right?

 

I'm planning on easing up on ye ol' blog a bit. If I'm doing something fun and awesome with my house, I'll enjoy sharing it here with my typical photo-heavy ridiculousness and dry-bordering-on-sarcastic humor. If, however, life has gotten busy for a day or a week, my posting will be sparser.

 

This is a better long-term plan for me, for my family, and for my blog. Because, man, life is whizzing by, and I'm gasping to keep up lately.

My 4-year-old just registered for kindergarten today, for example. (Passed the assessment with flying colors, in case you're wondering.) (#totalmombrag) And we had to celebrate with a slice of pumpk-choc-chip bread at the bakery. And she needed someone to watch Tinkerbell with her for a few minutes when we got home while her baby sister was napping. And I didn't give a thought to anything home decor all weekend or Monday morning long. Quality time, people. My kids are way too big way too fast lately. And I don't want the moments to pass me by while I'm glued to a computer screen.

But, to reward you for reading all this way and to prove that I'm not throwing in the proverbial towel, check out this fantastic oxidized oak framed mirror from Anthro that retails for a gazillion dollars but that we could all bust out in about 5 minutes with a nasty old oak frame and some flat black paint:

 



Source: anthropologie.com via Brittney on Pinterest

You love? I do.

 

Anyway. Speaking of love: I don't love you all any less, I don't love DIYing any less, I don't love home decor any less. But, for now, my blog posting will likely be less.

 

Thanks for understanding...and for adding me to or keeping me on your reader, for those awe-inspiring (*cough*) nuggets I will undoubtedly pass your way.

 

xox

Brittney

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Racecar Stripes & Some Random Words

I don't remember much about elementary school, but one thing I do remember was from 2nd grade, where I learned that the word "racecar" is spelled the same forward and backward.

And if you're amazed at that little tidbit, well, the learning never stops here at SmartGirlStyle. Which is completely true if you replace the words "never stops" with "is going to start any minute now."
 

 

I know it seems like my DIY posts have been a little sparse lately. This isn't because I'm being lazy! It's because I've decided a few things about my blog and life and home.

 

Firstly: Contrary to what I maybe have led you to believe, I don't do deadlines in home decorating very well (as discussed in my living room design post). I don't like to force things that should, over time, come out naturally. I read somewhere that home decorating decisions should be smart and they should be honest. I've mulled those words around in my head lately, and I feel like I need to get back to them.

 

Secondly: I have no professional interior design programs under my belt, but I enjoy analyzing inspiring interiors and figuring out ways to make UNinspiring interiors better. You might see more of this here. Because I'm queen of this little interior design-ish blog, that's why. (Not to go all Napoleon on you, of course.) (Although the man did crown himself Emporer. And I may have nicknamed this blog "Frenchy." So. There is that.)

 

Thirdly: I've been working on updating my son Carson's bedroom (it's been in desperate need for quite some time now) but haven't blogged about that yet. Not-a-baby-anymore-but-not-a-teenager-either boys' room designs are a challenge, at least for me, unless you're okay with lego- and plants.vs.zombies-themed posters and tchotchkes everywhere. As a rule, I'm not okay with that. But then when I see how much it means to him, I figure there has to be a balance somewhere.

 

Fourthly: It's cold outside, and I have nowhere to paint furniture. Well played, Old Man Winter. Well played.

 

Fifthly: BUT I thumbed my nose at Old Man W and set up shop in the recently redone guest bedroom to paint my son's Ikea Hemnes. I've definitely learned a lot about how to paint furniture with oil based paint...starting with the realization that if a color is named "aluminum," chances are it's going to look like, well, aluminum. I'm now a virtual fountain of knowledge of such things. 

 

 

I'll post "real" photos when his room begins coming together, maybe later this week.

 

Anyway.

 

I don't really know how to end this post. With a joke? With an exclamation of gratitude? With an awkward silence followed by an abrupt walkaway? Yes, let's do that one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*door closes*

 

 

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Best of January 2013

Hey friends!

Can I just pause the bloggity-chat for a minute and publicly express my loathing of the cold, gloomy, iced-over season that is January in Utah? Because...ugh. I have so many projects I want to do, but it is literally too cold to do them. And so I sit eating Ricolas by the fistful as I try to stave off a cough and wait for temps to warm up to the 30s. That's right. I'm wishing for 30s. The End.
 

So. Here are your favorite SmartGirlStyle posts that went live this month. Actually, I have no idea if they're your favorites or not. Maybe you visited these posts and hated them and angrily spat a fizzy beverage onto your computer screen and then it shorted out and you had to go buy a new one and therefore you'll curse my name until the end of time.

 

If that is indeed the case, I apologize. Sincerely.

And, hey, your next fizzy bev is on me.

 

5th most viewed:

Build Your Own Bedside Table or Nightstand (out of Pallet Boards)

 

 

 

4th most viewed:

DIY Animal Bookends (out of Plastic Toys)

 

 

 

3rd most viewed:

Customized Ikea Malm Dresser with Painted Greek Key Trim

 

 

 

2nd most viewed:

DIY $7 Vintage-Inspired Reading Lamps (out of Generic Clamp Lamps)

 

 

 

and the Very Super Duper most viewed January-posted post:

Build Your Own Headboard (out of Pallet Boards)

 

 

  And, seriously, you guys? Fizzy beverage-spitting or no, thanks for stopping by. I mean it.

 

Now get out there and live like you're never going to live another 2013 January day again. Because, frankly, you ain't.

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Captain Snooze

Hey-o! It's a winter wonderland around my house.

 

 

Despite the hundreds (thousands? millions? yes. prolly millions.) of pounds of snow we've had to shovel in the past couple of days, I couldn't be more thrilled. It's magical.

 

 

I'm going to be honest with you all. (Unlike the times I lie to you photographically and make you think my house is clean. Ever.) I'm still on vacation mode. Big-time.

 

 

It was my birthday on Christmas Eve. My husband surprised me with a new camdamera. I've been a photog-shooting junkie since. Old basket? Gotcha. Leaf in a tree? Sure, why not.

 

 

Of course, the photos would be way more impressive if I was professional already. I ain't. But that doesn't stop me!

 

 

Please forgive me, friends. I'm pushing the bloggy-snooze button. Just a few more days, kay? Then I promise I'll be back in real action. But for now, I just can't get enough of these four little dudes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a lovely weekend!

 

xox

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Blog Award Acceptance...with a Twist

You all are very nice to me; have I mentioned how happy it makes me that you stop by on occasion? It does. Super happy. Makes me.

 

(And if Yoda were a blogger, there'd be a whole lot more of THAT kind of talk going on. Just sayin'.)

 

Some of you ladies have been kind enough to nominate me for some blog awards. Thank you! *blush*

 

In the interest of time and, well, interest, I'm going to do one fell blog award acceptance post and combine them. :)

This one comes from cute Allison, who blogs over at The Golden Sycamore. She has fantastic rustic-casual-chic taste and style, and I love checking out what's going on over there; you all should take a peek as well. Thanks, Allison!

 

Rules: 

1. Thank the nominator. (check)

2. Tell 7 things about yourself. (comin' up)

3. Nominate 15 other blogs. (hmm...taking an alternate route, see bottom of the post)

 

1. I used to be an Irish dancer.

 

2. My childhood nickname went from "Tank" (so dubbed as a baby by my 5 older brothers. I know. Nice.) to "Toaster Hair" (long story, too boring to relate, but it involves wet hair, a zillion braids, sleeping, brushing them out, and going to school).

 

3. #2 totally counts as two things.

 

4. I'm a major carnivore and LOVE a delicious medium rare steak; however, I rarely eat meat for health reasons. *sob*

 

5. I sometimes run marathons. But not lately. Sacrifices for my baby!

 

6. I play the piano and won a gold medal at a cut-throat piano competition in my youth. On a song called "Le Petit Ane Blanc." Which sounds super sophisticated and awesome in French...but loses some dignity when translated: "The Little White Donkey."

 

7. I watch Pride & Prejudice at least twice a year. The real deal BBC one, where you commit about a week of your life to get through it. Glorious.

 

This award comes from sweet Crystal, who blogs over at 29 Rue House. Crystal is as talented as she is kind, and she leaves the most thoughtful and genuine comments. Not just stuff like, "Awesome project! Follow me and I'll follow you," but actual stuff. I adore her classy-simple-real-life-doable style as well; you guys would love her blog. Check her out. Thanks, Crystal!

 

Also, Ashley (Living My Dash) nominated me for this one. I just "met" Ashley, and from what I can tell she's darling! Her blog is full of great home pick-me-up ideas and projects. Give her a visit, if you get a chance. Thanks, Ashley!

 

Rules:

1. Include the logo on your blog. (check)

2. Answer 10 questions about yourself. (below)

3. Nominate 10-12 other fabulous bloggers. (will do...just follow the instructions below)

4. Link the person who nominated you. (done and done)

 

Favorite Color - Sheesh, I can't even choose this. FINE. Grey, because it's a fantastic neutral.

 

Favorite Animal - Boxer (dog). Ours died this year, which was very sad.

 

Favorite Number - 3 or 7. Why? Because I arbitrarily chose those as my favorites in, like, 1st grade, that's why.

 

Favorite Non-Alcoholic Beverage - Water (no, seriously). Or Minute Maid Lemonade light. Mmmmm...

 

FB or Twitter - I'm not a guru on either one, but probably FB.

 

Obsession - Ombre. No surprise there.

 

Get or Give Gifts - Get. I'm greedy, okay? Giving is awesome, too, but if I'm being honest and HAD to choose, I'd rather get something. Heh. Judge me.

 

Favorite Pattern - Ikat.

 

Favorite Day of the Week - FridaySaturdaySunday. Or any day that my husband has off work and the kids are home from school. Because that's Family Party Time!

 

Favorite Flower - Daisy. So cheerful, genuine, and fresh.

 

 

Seriously, thank you, ladies, for the nominations! I liked filling out this info. 

 

Okay, so here's where I go rogue. Please don't think I'm a jerk, but...I'm terrible at pass-it-on stuff. My kids have missed out on no less than 14,000 sticker pages because I never passed on those chain letters. Sourdough bread starts have fermented on my kitchen counter because I never copied the instructions to pass them on. You get the picture.

So, how about this. If you're a regular girl who happens to have a blog, and you'd like me to nominate you, email me, and I'll nominate you.

 

We'll call it the One Lovely Rogue Blog Award.

 

Ready, set, go.

 

 

 

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Designs by Kids

You know something I love about doing home projects, like what I show you on this blog? The fact that my kids enjoy seeing what changes around here every week...or day, heh...

 

And, on occasion, one of them loves something so much they put in an order for me to make a similar item just for them. Like this red-and-gold folding chair specifically designed by my 8-year-old son.

 

He loves this chair, especially because he got to choose everything about it. Sure, it's not what I would've chosen, and it's something that'll never be blogged (well, I guess it is now...but it's a poorly photographed specimen that, therefore, SHOULDN'T be blogged...), but stuff like this makes my kids so happy.

 

Which, frankly, is super rewarding.

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How to Check Your Blog's Pinterest Presence

Hello. This is just a little PSA for all y'all. (And, no, I'm not from Texas. But I did babysit my nephews for a week there about 15 years ago. So I figure I'm entitled.)

 

Did you guys know that you can see what's been pinned from your blog? Here's how:

 

Type into your browser: http://www.pinterest.com/source/WEBSITENAME.COM (In the "website" part, don't type in the "www" for your website or anything...just use whatever comes AFTER the www in your blog's address. Am I making any sense?)

 

Anyways. Prolly most of you knew that already. But I just learned it a few months ago and thought maybe I'd share. Because I'm nice like that.

 

source

 

Unless it's with cookies. Then I'm all, "Share-schmare."

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