Model Home Tour #1

One of my favorite past times is grabbing a Starbucks and walking through model homes! With the slow economy the past few years (or so) there haven't been too many new communities being built, but that is starting to change. A couple new developments are being built in my area, so I took advantage last weekend and went on a model home walk through!

What I love about model home tours are all the styling and design ideas I find! I love how they give you the map of each home and let you wander through by yourself, taking your time, without a real estate agent in your ear. You can just ENJOY.

Here are some photos I took of a four bedroom model. To make this tour even more meaningful for you (other than the design eye candy, of course) I "shopped the room" for you and found some similar pieces, or in some cases the exact item, they used in their design!

This particular model was three stories. The first story was an office and this entryway with a large desk.

 Mesh Wire Cubbies with Hooks

I loved these linen wrapped canvases with the Victorian frames! After an exhaustive search left me empty handed, the closest I found were these iron-on frames that I could use to make them myself. Let me know if you find canvases like these!


SECOND FLOOR
The second floor was the living room and kitchen! I loved their color choices and how bright the rooms felt!!

 SHOP THIS ROOM: Curtains|Damask Pillows|Geometric Pillows(fabric)|Subway Brick Wall

The kitchen was amazing! I wish I had taken pictures of every nook and cranny!! See how I missed that coffee subway art in the far left corner? I linked to it anyway! And things I couldn't find - like that blue tray, the stoneware milk jugs or the blue metal bread box... I know I've seen those kinds of items in my local Home Goods store! I bet you could find them with your sharp eye too!

SHOP THIS ROOM: Coffee Subway Art|Breadbox Idea|Terrarium {Birdhouse on the kitchen Island}

THIRD FLOOR

The bedrooms! They had four beautiful and creative rooms. Starting with my favorite... I love the colors and the four poster bed in this room!! I could dream easily in this room...

SHOP THIS ROOM: Four Poster Bed frame|Bedding

Kids rooms are also really fun...

 I think this room would be perfect for a teenager! {Which I will have SOON! Yikes!}

SHOP THIS ROOM: Metallic Letters|Trophy Cup small or large

I also loved the stripes on the wall - and did you notice the laundry bag pillow!? LOVE! It's always so hard to decorate for boys and I loved some of the subtleties in this room!

And finally - what a fun bedroom! Wouldn't this be a fun wall for a play room too?

 You can find those awesome paintbrushes here!

What I love is how a model home gives the house a cohesive look in style and color -- even down to our last stop - the bathroom! Every room was such a happy space - it makes me want to redecorate my entire home!

SHOP THIS ROOM: Subway Art|Yellow Lantern

There are probably lots of places to buy that subway art sign of "You are my Sunshine," but of course I linked to my favorite shop - Barn Owl Primitives! AND I have to say, I am pretty excited about the fact that I actually found that EXACT adorable yellow lantern! 

I hope you enjoyed this virtual home tour! Do you enjoy walking through model homes as much as I do? Were you inspired by any of the designs you saw today? Let me know! I have a few more homes to share!

Follow along on Facebook|Instagram|Bloglovin

{What I Love} by Love Our Disney

I'm so thrilled to introduce you to our last 'What I Love' guest! Becca and I bonded immediately over our love of one thing: DISNEYLAND!! If you have ever been to Disneyland or have ever wanted to go, Becca's blog is the place to be!!! (Other than Disneyland of course.) :)

 

SO, let's meet Becca!!

 

 

 

Becca was born, raised, and resides in Boise, Idaho. She is a wife, mother, photographer, full time student, and the owner and creator of Love Our Disney. She blogs about all things Disney. From craft tutorials to save money tips- if it has to do with Disney, she does it. She enjoys travel, crafting, camping, and of course- Disney!
Name your favorite...

-Restaurant: Oh goodness, I would have to say PF Changs right now

-Vacation Spot:Disneyland of course!

-Favorite thing about where you live: There is so much beautiful nature so close by.

-Book: I just started reading The Fever Series and I love it!

-Love song: “Love Like Crazy” by Lee Brice

-Movie: I am a Disney nerd- current favorite is a tie between Tangled and Brave

-Food:Honestly- I don't have one!

-Color: Eggplant Purple

-Color/pattern to craft with: Disney colors and patterns

-favorite medium to craft with: Fabric

-accessory: I hardly ever wear accessories! I am a minimalist. I don’t even have pierced ears. I don't carry a  purse either!

-clothing item: My yoga pants. I could live in them 24/7

-Valentine’s Day treat: A good box of chocolates!

-Valentine’s Day movie:I don’t watch a lot of lovey-dovey movies. But I love Sweet Home Alabama and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days- Does that count?

3. What is the best date you’ve ever been on? I married young- so most of my dates were with my husband, and they mostly consist of movies or football games, but one time he surprised me with a trip out of town for the weekend to the Oregon Coast.

4. Who is your current Blog Crush? Oh, I have so many. If I have to choose I would say “Create. Craft. Love.”

5. What is the all-time favorite post you’ve written and why? Probably my favorite post I have done would have to be my Disney Autograph Book Tutorial. I just love creating personal items for park visits that are of great quality. My Disney onthe Cheap posts are a very close second.

6. What is your favorite Valentine’s Day post? Well, since this is my first Valentine’s Day with my blog and I just shared 1 printable, I would have to say I love One Artsy Mama’s Valentines Blocks post. It is so funny and the project turned out SO ADORABLE!

7. What are you looking forward to in 2013? I am looking forward to my Blogiversary, getting to know other wonderful bloggers, lots of Disney fun, and so much more!

See what I mean? Isn't she awesome? And let me tell you, she has posts about Disneyland rides, navigating the park with kids and Disney on the cheap!! Love it! Be sure to check her out at the links below! Thanks for joining in on the 'What I Love' series everyone!!!

Love Our Disney can be found on facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest as well as at www.loveourdisney.com

{What I Love} by Kate from Life As I Know It

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I thought it fitting to share this lovely blogger today because this week is her birthday!! (Yesterday to be exact!) So let's all welcome Kate from Life as I know it!

I’m Kate. I’m a wife and mommy of three. I love Jesus, my family, crafts, DIY projects, reading, coffee and anything Harry Potter.

 

 KATE'S FAVORITE...

 

- Restaurant is Chevy’s (sad that they are becoming hard to find!)

- Book is actually the entire Harry Potter series. Love those books!

- Song is (Can’t help) Falling in Love- Elvis

- Food is Mexican/ Enchiladas

- Color is Red

- Color to craft with is I love reds, pinks and purples. They turn up in a lot of my projects lately

- Medium to craft with: paper/scrapbooking!

- Accessory is (these days it’s) my water bottle

- Clothing item is Flip flops

- Valentine’s Day treat is Chocolate covered strawberries.

- Valentine’s day movie is Sleepless in Seattle

Best Date I’ve ever been on- My first date with my husband. We only went to dinner but I knew it was the first of many and that I wanted to be with him forever.

My current blog crush- Ashley over at Better Together. Love her and her cute little family. I try not to comment too often because I don't want her to think I'm a crazy stalker!

Favorite post I’ve written and why- This post about the DIY Pom poms is one of my favorites. Mainly because they took me quite a while to make since I was just doing them here and there and I was so happy with the final result! I love how they look up in my little guys bedroom!

Favorite Valentine’s Day post- Valentine’s Day Felt HeartDIY

 

 

 

Looking forward to in 2013- Playing with my munchkins in the grass on a hot Summer day and taking a family trip to the ocean and zoo.

 

Oh my goodness! I could have written half those favorites myself! Harry Potter? YES PLEASE!! Red (favorite color) and Mexican food! I think Kate and I would get along just fine eating some taquitois and having a Harry Potter marathon!! lol

 

To learn even more about Kate (and wish her a happy birthday!) ;-) follow along here:

Life as I know it (blog)
Facebook

Pinterest

For more "What I Love" guest posts, click here!

Kate
Life as I know it

{What I Love} by Sharon from Shay Designs

I'm so excited to introduce Sharon to you today! I first met Sharon when she shared her beautiful jewelry with me. She owns Shay Designs Jewelry and coincidentally had a "Shaped by Grace" necklace that was, well, meant to be - for me! {I LOVE it and wear it all the time!}

So, without further ado, here is the lovely Sharon:

 I am a mom of three wonderful kids and blessed with a wonderful and supporting husband. I love spending time with my family in any way possible, but mostly we love to be on the water doing water sports. Being creative is a way of expression and relaxation for me. My greatest joy is seeing my creation of my stamped jewelry bring a smile to others... truly. Whenever possible I also love to use my passion for creativity to help fundraise for causes of others in need. I love all things Shabby Chic, pastels, and girly. My faith is my stronghold and force that drives me to live a purposeful life, the way I was created, to passionately create all things Cute!!

 

What is your favorite...

-Restaurant - Georges Greek Cafe

-Vacation Spot - Bass Lake in California

-Favorite thing about where you live - The weather!

-Book - Redeeming Love

-Love song - Through the Years by Kenny Rogers (it is the song for me and my hubby since we have been together since high school.

-Movie - Grease

-Food - Chocolate

-Color - Pink

-Color/pattern to craft with - pink & aqua

-favorite medium to craft with - metals

-accessory - stamped necklaces

-clothing item - comfy jeans

-Valentine’s Day treat - Chocolate, of course, but would also love a bouquet of light pink Peonies if they were in season.

-Valentine’s Day movie - Hmmmm, can't think of one in particular. Love the Notebook though!

3. What is the best date you’ve ever been on? - Dinner at the beach

4. Who is your current Blog Crush? No crushes yet :)

 

5. What is the all-time favorite post you’ve written and why? I am new to blogging and haven't written many posts yet, but my favorite would have to be the one I wrote on my friend and her connection with Project Hopeful... advocating for AIDS awareness.

 

 

6.  What are you looking forward to in 2013? Learning and growing in my business... Seeing what God has in store for me and my family in our walk with Him. 

 

 

 

Sharon

    Shay Designs Jewelry & Accessories

          shaydesigns.com

 

See - Isn't she sweet? Being a California girl as well, I agree with her that the weather is one of my favorite things about where we live too! I hope you check out her jewelry shop! She has tons of beautiful hand stamped jewelry available!! This necklace is one of my favorites. ;-)

Thanks again Sharon for sharing more about yourself and your shop!

For more "What I Love" guest posts, click here.

{What I Love} by Jourdan at Two Million Miles

What I Love ~ Today I am sharing the super creative Jourdan from Two Million Miles. This girl is TAL-EN-TED! I will let her tell you all about herself - and then be sure to check out all her fabulous sites and say hello!!

Meet Jourdan:

I am a mom, entrepreneur, DIY/crafter, and a blogger! I have three of my own businesses. 1 - Jourdan's Jewels 2 - Jourdan's {Handmade} Jewels 3 - Perfectly Posh with Jourdan. My blog is a lifestyle blog where I post about anything I can think of.. Recipes, crafts, stories of my family, business, etc.

WHAT JOURDAN LOVES:

What's your favorite...

-Restaurant I love Chuck-a-Rama, but if you don't count that as a restaurant, I would say Chili's!
-Vacation Spot Anywhere warm and beachy!
-Favorite thing about where you live I love that my family is so close.
-Book That's a hard one! I love anything that Ellen Hopkins and Brenda Novak writes!
-Love song My current favorite love song is "Til My Last Day" by Justin Moore.
-Movie Definitely Where the Heart Is!
-Food Salad and rolls
-Color Yellow
-Color/pattern to craft with I'm loving Chevron right now!
-favorite medium to craft with Any kind of mod podge!
-accessory Earrings
-clothing item Blinged out pants!
-Valentine’s Day treat Chocolate Covered Strawberries - white chocolate, of course!
-Valentine’s Day movie I love Sweet Home Alabama, too. Does that count?! (Yes! It does in my book, Jordan!) ;-)



3. What is the best date you’ve ever been on?
We went to the Daughtry concert a few years ago for Valentine's. It was so much fun!

4. Who is your current Blog Crush?
I love Jen over at COM!

5. What is the all-time favorite post you’ve written and why?
That's a tough one! One of my favorites was Pinto {Part 4} about my dog's death. It was one of the worst days ever and I hate reliving it, but it's a very raw and honest post. I loved that dog more than anything!

6. What is your favorite Valentine’s Day post.
The only Valentine's post I've written was a list of 14 Valentine's Gifts for Your Man

7. What are you looking forward to in 2013?
In 2013, I am SO looking forward to finish building our house and moving in, then of course, all of the decorating!!!!


*Jourdan

Shop Jourdan's Jewels

Facebook: Jourdan's Jewels

Shop Jourdan's {Handmade} Jewels

Facebook: Jourdan's {Handmade} Jewels

Shop Perfectly Posh

Facebook: Perfectly Posh with Jourdan

Blog

See what I mean? This girl's got talent! I personally enjoyed reading her January Recap and Bucket List!! Do you have a bucket list? I do - and Jourdan's post totally made me want to write it down and make it happen! Well, it was so fun learning about Jordan and finding out what she loves -- now go on and show HER some love at the links above! xo

Thanks friends! Read more "what I love" posts here! xoxo

What I Love: By Mark Montano

This month I am throwing a "What I Love" party! Some special guests will be sharing what they love about crafting, blogging and life!

To kick off this series I have a VERY special guest!! You may remember him from the So Cal blog Social or for giving away a copy his "Big Ass Book of Bling" recently, or maybe even as the host of TLC's  "While You Were Out!" That's right! Mark Montano is back and sharing some of the things he loves with all of you!

Let's learn more about Mark and what he loves:

1. How did you get started in the crafting business?

I have been crafting my entire life. I become a fashion designer and had my own collection for MANY years and then I started writing a column for Cosmo Girl! magazine called Cool Room which I turned in to my first book, Super Suite. I showed teen girls how to makeover their rooms with home decor craft projects and that part of my career really took off.

 

2. I remember you said that you had a lot of parent support at an early age. How did your parents support and encourage your crafting skills?

They would buy me tons of craft supplies and encourage me to be creative. My mom got me a sewing machine when I was first learning and my dad would buy me fabrics and whatever I needed. They were/are awesome parents.

 

3. You are gifted in so many areas- home decor, fashion, bling, crafting... which is your favorite?

Fashion for sure. It's such a part of my life and seeing how people dress is always exciting to me.

 

 

4. What current medium do you love to craft with and why?

I think fabric is probably my favorite medium and sewing is my favorite area. I find it so relaxing. I know a lot of people get frustrated with it but I think it's like a wonderful puzzle. When you're done you have something amazing and useful to show for it.

 

 

5. What is your favorite project you have made so far? Why?

That's hard. I have these garden sculptures that are in my house. I switched heads on birds and women so that they look like mythical creatures. They are wonderful.

 

 

6. I love watching your You Tube channel! What is your favorite video tutorial that you’ve posted?  

Hm...I think my owl shoes video is pretty cute. It was the video that helped me start getting my groove with Youtube.

 

7. Things Mark loves!

Favorite…

Restaurant:   Chez Josephine in New York City

Vacation Spot: British West Indies

Thing about where you live: My craft house

Activity: gluing things together

Pet: I don't have a pet right now :(

Book: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas or Tell Me How Long the Trains Been Gone by James Baldwin

Song: Levon by Elton John

Movie: Willy Wonka (the original)

Food: Way too many to choose from

Dessert: Peach cobbler for sure

Accessory: My 3 diamond eternity bands. The diamonds are small and still masculine (enough)

Clothing item: Blue gingham shirts. They are my favorite and I have no idea why.

Color (or pattern) to design with: Green for all time, Red because it's alive.

 

8. Who is your current Crafter Crush (or blog crush)?

Seriously? I have so many! I love Jaderbomb and Margot Potter. They'll have to share me.

9. What is your favorite Valentine’s day treat?

Russel Stover chocolates in a box. Actually I buy them all year round.

10. What favorite Valentine’s craft have you created?

My Valentine's Day Rockabilly pumps.

 

 

11. What advice would you give to a beginning craft blogger?

Do it because you love it and be consistent and remember that you cannot do this alone. You need the love and support of your peers. There is no room for bitchy on the web!

 

12. What are you looking forward to in 2013?

My new show!

 

That's awesome advice Mark! I can't wait to hear more about your new show -- and I seriously adore those Valentine's Day pumps!! Thanks again for taking the time to participate in my "What I Love" series! xo

Come follow Mark here: Facebook|Twitter|YouTube|Website for more creative ideas!