Mid Autumn Hiatus

Whew!!! It has been a MINUTE since I've been on here to update you with anything hasn't it? Well, let me fill you on in on the events that have been happening in the Allen house.

First we moved!!! Yes!! We are no longer in Groton,. We are now in lovely Kittery, ME. I like the area but not the house so much. I'll get into that in a minute. The move wasn't bad. We lived in our house without furniture except for our mattresses for four days. The kids went absolutely crazy. The funny part is, we thought we packed enough for hem to keep busy. They had books and games and toys and art. They even had access to the new iPad. But they weren't having it. We were very blessed to have good friends feed us and in one case allow us to bathe our children at their home. I even got a recipe out of it that puts Olive Garden's Soupa Toscana to shame!!

Second, we were over charged for the damage in our home to the carpets. I HATE renting with carpets. But hey, now we don't have to worry about that:). We weren't charged for a few other things though so, it could have been worse.

Third, the drive was fairly easy. We drive by Gillette Stadium home of the Patriots!!! That's right baby RAISE THE ROOF. Please bear with as I take it back to the early 90's. we saw some awesome views and some really cool architecture. Sorry not many pictures, we were in quite the hurry to meet our move in appt.

Ugh, the houses. Now let me say this we're blessed to have a roof over our heads. It was only two weeks before we moved that we received news that they didn't have a house for us . That being said...
These houses are old. They creak something fierce, the walls are bowing, there is separation between the walls and ceilings, the rooms are tiny and come with no lights, our master bedroom floor was damaged prior to move in, there is paint on things that shouldn't have paint, there is no counter space in the kitchen, there is damage to the walls, we can't mount anything heavy because there's asbestos. So with all that being said lol, we're making the best of it. We do like the layout of this house. That's about it.

Now, I'm currently picking the DIY projects I hope to accomplish over the next two years. Adding a new tv console, faux fireplace mantel and gel-fueled fireplace in the living room. A new bed frame w/ a headboard(upholstered of course), night stands, dresser, faux mantel and another gel-fuel fire place in the master room. A dresser(large) bunk beds in the boys room. Turning the baby 's room into a nursery. And adding bunk beds to the girls room. Also putting a china cabinet with hutch into the dining room with refinished benches. It's a lot, I know. But it's so much more cost effective building than buying. Or refinishing than building(in rare circumstances). We also intend on painting or applying self adhesive textured wall paper.

I just wanted to thank you all for your prayers!!! And please continue praying for us as we search for a church for us to get plugged into. And finishing up getting our house situated.

Do any of you have holiday decorating plans? Anything DIY style?? I'd live to hear from you.

Hurricane/Nor'easter

Is everyone out there prepared for this crazy storm??? I cannot stress to you all how dangerous hurricanes and Nor'easter's can be. I know last year that Irene wasn't really anything to be worried about, on the coastline. But I do remember the damaging winds inland. I saw the numerous trees that were torn out of the ground or branches that were separated from a huge tree. I remember people losing power for days. Everyone needs to make sure that they and their families are prepared.

-stock up on water.

-have canned or non perishable food. If you all are milk hungry DO NOT get dry milk. That stuff is nasty. Get silk on the shelf. It's lasts for awhile and tastes pretty good.

-make sure you have adequate flashlights and batteries.

-for cell phones make sure you have a car charger.

-board games for the kids

-stay in an enclosed space on the ground floor or below. Like a basement, hallway or bathroom. Trees and branches can falls through windows, roofs and doors.

Also do not forget to check out www.weatherchannel.com or www.noaa.com or your local news affiliate for more information about Sandy. Keep safe everyone and don't forget to evacuate if necessary. It's better to be safe than sorry. And alsoo, insurance will cover it :)

Reboot

Has anyone ever needed a reboot? Seriously. I mean you have put things off for so long or life has gotten so busy that you've gotten behind on everything. So you need a reboot. Kind of like that old TV show. I'm dating myself here. But it was on Cartoon Network back in the 90's and there were robots? No? Anyone? I guess I'm older than I though. Sheesh, thanks for all your help lol. Anyways, I'm there. We're in the midst of getting ready to move. We have literally 38 until we drive away from Groton, CT. Where are we driving to you ask? Kittery, ME. Where will we be living you ask? I have no idea. The housing up there is all full up. There is no where for us to live, and all of the rental houses are too much for our measly BAH(Basic Allowance for Housing). Take that military!!!! You don't pay us poor enlisted folk enough money!!! But before I tell you how I really feel, let's get back to the topic at hand ;). Reboot. 

The hubs and I desperately need one. And it needs to come with caffeine and all of the B vitamins to boot. We have all things big things planned and little to no time and a mountain of stress to achieve them under. Basically all the DIY projects I'm tackling myself. This weekend I hope to refinish a dresser, build a screened hamper and hopefully strip and stain an antique door. Now most things are done. The door is stripped, the hamper pieces are cut and the dresser is mostly sanded. 

Have any of you out there ever needed a Reboot? Or have had to gather your wits before you lose them completely? Has anyone ever seen Reboot? 

What future DIY's are you planning on tackling in the upcoming weeks? I'd love to hear some of your crazy hairbrained schemes!!

P.S. I am devastatingly sorry about the Pinterest Picks. I have been so busy it ain't even no joke. But tomorrow morning I will have a new set of Pinterest picks up for you all to enjoy.

Loves <3

Pinterest Picks of the Day

Hey all! I'm going to be starting something new around here. I would like you all to get to know me a little bit more. And by doing so, I will be starting my Pinterest Picks of the day where I will share my top 5 Pinterest picks from 5 different categories. DIY, Women's ..., Decor, Humor and Children's. I will be explaining why I like the picks I've chosen and how they inspire me. 

I love DIY projects. I'm a little slow to completing them though. Most times it's because funds run out do to unforeseen circumstances involving children lol. I love finding something new that I can actually accomplish. It's a rush and a thrill. I also love the challenge I set before myself to put my own little spin on a project.

I think that every woman out there should be inspired in beauty, wardrobe, and just in their daily lives. That's why I'm sharing something that deals with women in general. This could be a recipe, or make up, or an outfit or article of clothing. It could also be a trend or an upcoming fad. 

Decor is something that I recently fell into. Now I don't consider myself educated in decor by any means. But it is something that I really like and will be learning about in the near furture. I am currently trying to redecorate my entire house kind over the next year. And with moving it's proving to be difficult. I'm on the DIY bandwagon for decorating my home and finding cool things at HomeGoods, TJMaxx and local thrift stores.

Humor in one's life is a good find. If you can laugh at yourself, you've got it made. People who tend to take things seriously end up more stressed and sick because there is no relief and laughter can bring relief to everyday challenges. So I will be sharing something that most of us will be able to laugh our butt's off at.

I have children. Simply put, I am ALWAYS on the look out for things to do with and for my children. I love them to death and they are the apple of my eye. Plus I know a lot of other mommies out there who would love to see inspiring things about children and activities.

No.1 DIY

DIY No Sew Tree Skirt!!!!!

I have been looking for a new tree skirt. How cute is this? And the fact that there is NO sewing!!!! I love the burlap and the red red color. It screams Christmas and holiday to me. Look at all that texture! I will be trying this one out this upcoming holiday season :) <3

No.2 Women's...

Fall Outfit of Choice.

I found this little number and I fell in love!! I absolutely adore the layering in this outfit. But I also love the sheer simplicity of it as well. It's just a simple pair of pants and shirt with a leather cropped jacket. But the chunky infinity scarf and sueded over the knee riding boots adds the final touch of this new classic. These pieces should be staples of every young women's closet. I know I have all the above minus the jacket, which is making it to the top of my must buy list this fall season.

No.3 Decor

Closet Playhouse

Ok so just for a minute...HOW FREAKING COOL IS THIS???!!!!! We're making this the moment, ok maybe not the exact moment, we buy a house! This is soo stinking cool. It's almost unfathomable until you realize that you can build this. This is something that stood out to me within the first five swipes of my mouse. It's so unique and inviting and cute and friendly and just darn adorable. I love the idea of having an indoor cottage playhouse. And beat of all, you're decorating a wall. Because it's just a closet. I mean sure they probably built some cool play furniture for the inside, but who cares about that right? I love the stable door. And the cedar shingles. I think this is my favorite home decor/DIY project ever. Ever.

No.4 Humor :)

What I love about this, is that my husband just washed our car on Saturday. I mean he cleaned and detailed it. It looks amazing, right? He spent a couple of hours on the vacuuming, washing the inside of the windows and shampooing the carpets. Now mind you, we have four children. Three that can do permanent damage. So when I say he washed the inside windows I mean he scrubbed the inside windows. And he also scrubbed the ceiling and the carpets lol. That same night a bird crapped on our car LOL!!! I mean it could have rained. But no. It was poop. At the very least it stayed in it's place. It didn't drip or anything lol.

No. 5 Children's

Dresser Re-Do 

This little DIY make over reminds me of an upcoming project that the hubs and I are about to spear head. I'll tell you more of that story in a future post *wink wink*. Our daughters need a new dresser, and we have one chillin' out in our garage. Now, I'm not going to be doing anything this bold. This dresser we remade into a storage piece for a kitchen. We're keeping our dresser's purpose the same. But, I wanted to share with you all and give you a glimpse of what we're about to do...

Now, seeing these picks I hope that you have a better feel for me and what my interests are. I hope that you visit the sites that the links(pics) are associated with. These picks came from a  lot of talented people and I hope that you enjoy their blog or websites and leave a shout out if you do visit them.

Separation Anxiety

Have any of you mommies out there dealt with separation anxiety with a 5 month old? Cause I'm going through that right now. My beautiful, independent, broke two teeth, sat up by four months, slept through the night at 2 months old little boy in going through this terrible mommy withdrawal. He EBFing(exclusively breastfeeding) on demand, wakes three times at night, wants to be held constantly and can roll out of his little bouncer chair while buckled. 

My precious bundle of joy has changed! He's still sweet, smiley and laid-back, but now it has to incorporate mommy. If I put him down to sit, even with toys, he cries and freaks out. This is so pathetic really lol. 

This little boy. Sweet faced. Happy. Smiling all the time. Now cannot be separated from his mommy. Not to mention, I have a mommy dependent two year old who, whenever she's near me, MUST hold my hand. It doesn't matter either. Which ever hand is free she'll stake her claim. Anyone else going through this? I can't for the life of me remember if my eldest two were like this. I know Maddalaena(2) was the worst by far. She just screamed and screamed All. The. Time. Any suggestions?

Four Little Gems: To-Do's to be To-Done's

Four Little Gems: To-Do's to be To-Done's: A lot of people know that we're moving this upcoming November. The lovely Navy is transferring us to the USS Miami. Which if you've read in...

To-Do's to be To-Done's

A lot of people know that we're moving this upcoming November. The lovely Navy is transferring us to the USS Miami. Which if you've read in recent news caught fire due to some selfish hap on the boat who should not have been working on the boat. Anyway, there is a mondo list of furniture to do's that need to be to done. 

First up, Seamus' dresser. A few weeks ago our darling 6 year old was innocently helping me put laundry away. *CHEERS* Mom of the year right here!! (Points to self). Well, upon doing so he explained to one of his little sisters that "In order to put laundry away, ALL the drawers on his dresser(chest) need to be opened". Now, if anyone has seen my son's room you all know that he has an Ikea Malm tall dresser. With six drawers. And Ikea furniture can be very top heavy. So with all the drawers open he proceeded to pull on the top left drawer. Now in my head I'm like "What was it about these dressers again? I know for some reason this can't be good..." And as the dresser tipped over, "Oh yeah...HEY! Are you okay?". So in a couple of weeks the hubs and I are tackling the Blake Dresser from The Design Confidential. We really like the design of this piece. We were originally going to make the Small Dresser with open storage from Ana White, but we liked the shelving opportunity more.

Next project is one I'm designing on my own. Shocking!!! I never would have thought that I, me, Portia Allen Could dream up something this cool. It is an upholstered headboard. Now, I know this is reinventing the wheel. But the hubs and I are using pallets for the structure of this endeavor. We are screwing these huge pallets together side by side. Then we'll be stapling batting to the pallets. And either a white burlap material or a linen material will be stapled on top of the batting. The headboard will be framed with stained pine boards. 1x6 on the sides and a 1x8 on top and then a 1x10 on top of the 1x8.  So something like this...

The difference would be that the headboard would be deeper and it would have continuous fabric. The frame of the bed would be from The Design Confidential as well and it would be the Hudson Bed Frame*. But it would be solid wood and no upholstery.

*pictured above

Now, I'm going to briefly run through the rest of this massive to do list. And I ask that you all pray for sanity as we try to get most of this accomplished before we move. 

There are going to be two categories. One will be furniture to be stained, the other will be furniture to be painted.

First up the stained furniture!!! Now, the goal is to get all of these pieces cut, stained and holes drilled BEFORE we move. When we get there we'll just assemble everything.

2 of these

1 of  these

2 of these

1 or 2 of these

Remember, these are going to be built BEFORE we leave and painted after we move in to the new house.

This desk will be painted Paramount White by Valspar and the legs will be 3x3's and the top will be either plywood or MDF with crown moulding around the edges

This bookcase is from Ballard Designs. Now you may remember this little beauty that we built. We'll be using that same concept except that everything will be 1x12's and 1x6's or plywood vs. the 2x12's and 2x6's we used. There will also be crown moulding along the top and bottom but not the sides. Well, maybe.

Benchmark Media Console

Benchwright Media Tower*

Benchwright TV Console*

I am so excited to get all of these projects underway!! I just hope that we don't burn ourselves out doing all of this and moving shortly after :( Have any of you waited until the last minute to do something that costs a lot of time and effort? Anyone planning and woodworking plans? Or just any home decor updates? I'd love to hear from you!!

*The Ballard Designs bookcase, PotteryBarn Benchwright Media Console and Storage Towers, Ana White's Benchmark Collection, Bedside Table, End Table and Husdon 8-drawer chest are trademarks of PotteryBarn, Ana White and Ballard Designs. These are not my pictures nor am I affiliated with them in anyway.