a cute tray

I have been on the hunt for a tray to put on the changing table/dresser. A spot for things like diaper cream, q-tips, lotion, etc. I have seen tons of cute ones. But all in the $30-50 range so I was hesitant to get anything until I found the perfect one. On a stroll though Target I found a small wooden one in their dollar section. It was even an aqua color. And at $2.50 it became that perfect tray. I found some cute scrapbook paper the other night I thought would lay in it perfectly. I didn't like the idea of paper laying in here. I imagined night time changes in the dark and spilling something on it. So I grabbed a laminating pouch and trimmed it to size. Voila...now I can wipe it clean when I make a mess. Isn't it cute!?

tinted mason jars

On my search for a aqua vases I found some tutorials on Pinterest for tinting my own. I love the antique blue mason jars which unfortunately are not in production anymore. There's plenty of knock offs and people selling their old ones, but I was getting kind of annoyed at the prices. I had the jars so why couldn't I just make my own? All you need are a few simple supplies. 

~Glue. Elmer's works great. I just happened to have 

some Martha Stewart Glitter Glue on hand 

already. It's basically the same thing.

~Food coloring

~Water

~Sponge paint brush

~Bowl to mix "paint"

~Vase or jar

Mix the around a tablespoon of glue with a small amount of water. I think I could have made mine a little thicker but it worked out in the end. Add food coloring to get the color you want. The finish lightens as it dries so it took a few tries for me to get the right hue.

Paint the inside of your vase or jar in even brush strokes. The mixture will dry pretty even. I did a few coats since I was trying to get the right shade. And every 20 minutes or so I would use my foam brush to get the excess along the opening off. Dry them upside down so you don't have that excess puddle in the inside of the jar. It's much easier to even out that out along the rim.

And there you have it. I love the shade and can't wait to get some flowers in them! 

**Note: these are not meant for live flowers in water. The water will break down the coating. I plan to use some crepe paper flowers or silk flowers.

you paid how much!?!

So I admit, I am often fond of pricey things and once I'm stuck on something, I can't get it out of my head until I have it. I think the "you want what you can't have" theory just might be true! Well, clearly that just doesn't work for a family with a limited budget. On occasion I find something and it's on sale or clearance or I have found a way to create it for half the price. All of my inspiration for Ava's room have come from a number of blogs with these fantastic nurseries that are just drop dead gorgeous. Of course most of them have these big budgets I just don't have. And quite frankly I still would want to find everything at a discount even if I had tons to spend. I just can't stomach $1-2k on a tiny dresser or crib. Just think of all the shoes I can buy with that! So that brings me to my ultimate nursery splurge (ok, not really). I spotted this pillow in a nursery and it was perfect. Just perfect. Until I found out it was Serena & Lily and $88. HOW MUCH!? Yes, I said $88. For a toss pillow. Let's get real, no baby needs an $88 dollar accessory in their room. But of course I had to have it. I mean, it was perfect. So after a little time had passed I visit the website again and see this perfect pillow is on sale. For $39! Now that was getting closer to my style. But still, I waited on it. It would still be over $50 with tax and shipping and I was trying to be cheap. Well, sure enough, my cheapness paid off. I got an email with big letters "ALL SALE ITEMS, TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 40% OFF". Um, exsqueeze me? It was like music to my ears. I bought it without a single regret and it is fantastic!

Serena & Lily Punch Bloom Throw Pillow

(if you see something you love on sale, use code extra40 at checkout for an additional 40% off)

a nursery plan

You will likely see a lot of posts about the upcoming nursery. Like I mentioned before...it's on my mind constantly. Polyvore is a great web site for creating room layouts and outfits better known as mood boards. I gathered some of my favorite ideas and came up with my own mood board for the room. I love how nicely everything looks outside of my head.