If I had a million dollars...

(or $6900)  I'd buy me this Chandelier!

Hubby and I like to sing this song and add in our 2 cents.  It makes for a pretty funny song!

Our Nest is Blessed

Our Nest is Blessed.  It has been busy these last few weeks tying our nursery together.  To save money, we've decided to paint the walls ourselves.  To some, this is a no-brainer.  Not in our home.  Needless to say, my husband doesn't paint.  And I don't mean on canvas.  I was going to go along with the pay the painter idea...but then I started thinking about all of the "extras" I wanted in the nursery...and that is adding up!  So, I have taken it upon myself to paint the walls.  This has been a task, but I think baby Davis will be proud of his/her Mama.  And yes- the walls are now painted, thanks to Mama. 

Trying to get to the fun part now!  All of the "extras"!  The chandelier, the curtains, the bedding, the artwork, throw pillows, etc.  We are fortunate that our parents have helped with most of the furniture purchased in the room.  Kevin and I mainly needed to take care of the fabric glider.  Boy, was he not expecting a big price tag for that.  I convinced him that it would be a nursery necessity...and it is.  Hopefully, it was last us through multiples.  :)  He said this is my "push present."  We'll see about that after I push his baby out!!  Most of the "extras" are ready in the room.  BUT we are still waiting on our bedding and glider to come in.  Carpet has been replaced, wainscotting installed and painted (by me), crib assembled (by Kevin), furniture in place (thanks to our helpful friends).  Now selections needed for lighting, artwork, rug and curtains.  It has been so hard making decisions for this nursery because we've decided to wait to see if Charlie Patrick or Natalie Sophia will be making an entrance in January!  Normally, I'd have this all figured out.  I don't want a nursery too girlie....or too boy-ish in fear Baby Davis will be the opposite.  I must admit, my eye for decor is more drawn to the girlie stuff.  If I'd only had a clue.  I don't want to share photos of the nursery until I have most of it pulled together. 

So, this is what I've been looking at for artwork.  I would never dream of paying for artwork, because I love doing it myself...but man have I been tempted until I found this blog.  I've had my eye set on this below.  Too girlie?  Kev thinks so.  But it's sweet, and babies are sweet.  The price tag is what is holding me back.  $250!  Way too expensive, especially for someone like me that should paint for her own first born's nursery!  Not sure if this is the route I will go, but here is an AMAZING DIY tutorial that I found to make this similiar bird painting all on my own.  Even if I decide not to use this Birdie painting on canvas, it is absolutely worth sharing!!!!  And best of all, I'd save so much!!!  See instructions here: http://thatvillagehouse.blogspot.com/2010/07/colorful-bird-canvas.html



If I decide not to use this inspiration....I may go with a more modern, unisex theme.  Decisions, decisions.  What do you think?  Too girlie?  Even if I change up colors?  Maybe it will be Natalie Sophia.  :)  And you know how obsessed I am with birds.  If only I could steal that Nest Chandelier I made for my sister last year to tie it all together....just kidding, Tina.  Not sure if I'm quite up for that project again at this point.  In case you need a reminder about that one....here was my finished product.  Find a DIY turtorial from my January 2011 post.  I'll be sharing it all from the finished nursery soon enough.  Let's just hope it's finished before January in time for Baby Davis's arrival!  Needless to say, Our Nest is Blessed.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Goodness!  I can't believe it's been over 2 months since my last post!  Life has been BUSY!  And it's not going to slow down once Baby Davis "buttabean" arrives!  These last 33 weeks have flown by!  I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving.  Looking forward to sharing our nursery decor for baby Charlie (Charles) Patrick or Natalie Sophia over the next several weeks.  It's coming along.  Well, right now...my house is a disaster while we have our flooring replaced- including in the nursery, spare bedrom, and our bedroom.  Nothing like last minute in our household!  Hopefully, furniture will be put back into place within the next week...or two, tree decorated and nursery finished!  Then I can relax!  Let the "nesting" phase continue! 

Looking forward to enjoying the Holiday this Christmas.  I feel so blessed being pregnant this time of year.  Not just because the weather has cooled off, but it just puts life and the season into perspective.  From our Nest to yours, Happy Holidays!

Take a peek at some of the things that have kept us at The Nest busy!  Get your orders in before it's too late....and then ENJOY your holiday!    http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Nest-Boutique/174353755933625

Adorable Christmas Burley's to hang on your door for the Holiday!  $25-$35

Santa Burley

Jack Frost Burley

Painted Frames for your Santa photos!  $15

Personalized Christmas Shirts- Available in many sizes, appliques, colors, etc.

Custom Christmas Dresses and Longalls for your little ones! 

Trick-Or-Tweet

No, I don't want you to smell my feet.  But something good to eat?!  Yes, I'll take two.  One for me and one for baby~

Looking forward to September leaving us and October's cooler weather and fall colors!  I just love this time of year.  Football, weather, scarves, and holiday decorations!  Don't get me wrong!  I LOVE the warm weather, but there is just something about the turn of the season to Fall.  It reminds me of great memories.  Holidays with family, birthdays, my engagement to Kevin....oh and let's not forget that extra hour of sleep!!!

Here are a few Fall items we have been working on to bring in the new season!  Check us out on our facebook page:    http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Nest-Boutique/174353755933625  or email us at iheartthenest@yahoo.com for a price list.

I'm lovin' it!

So in case you didn't catch the finished nursery from my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Nest-Boutique/174353755933625#!/pages/The-Nest-Boutique/174353755933625, take a look at some of the photos below.  I really enjoyed painting this nursery!  I liked that it was something, different...for a lack of better words.  The shape of the tree is not something that I typically would have picked at a glance.  Boy was I wrong!  I'm lovin' it!  And I loved the colors!  That's the reason why I love this hobby; it allows me to paint outside the box! 
Congrats Seana and Adam!  Garrett is adorable!  I can't wait to see him in person and hear about all of the great moments since his grand entrance! 

spunky monkey nursery

I'm working on a nursery that is so fun!  I love it!  She is using the "Ben" bedding collection from Serena and Lily for their sweet baby boy.  LOVE, LOVE the aqua and orange color scheme.   She also painted the back wall of the room a dark teal/blue color that just makes the colors in the room POP!  I am painting a tree near the crib inspired by the tree pictured below.  Her husband also found these adorable wooden monkeys and an owl to hang from the tree.  Can't wait to see it all together and show you all of the extras in the room.  Orange Crush super fabulous rug on top of the list!  Everything just flows without being matchy, matchy.  -LOVE-  On a side note, she is due TODAY!  Must get the room finished ASAP!
 

Similar colors in the nursery

The Bedding "Ben" from Serena and Lily

http://www.serenaandlily.com/Rooms/Nursery-Ben

Inspired Spunky Tree



DIY refinishing furniture

I've been following some really great home designing DIY blogs.  I could look at these blogs and ideas for hours....if only I had more time to work on my projects!  Check out these do it yourself instructions for refinishing furniture that I found on Pawleys Island Posh's blog http://pawleysislandposh.blogspot.com/  My prior blog post showed an example of one of my pieces after following her instructions (minus that bottle of wine...at least for the next 6 months!)  wink, wink!  I wish I had my Before photos...still trying to pry those from my sister.  But you may have remembered the After photos.  Here's another peek.  Be sure to check out some of the other blogs that I follow.  Sure to give you an inspiration to start that project!

Step 1

move dresser outside and take drawers out

Step 2

lightly sand using an electric sander. 

The more you sand the better, but I just did it lightly to get all the shellac finish and wax off because I'm not that strong and my arms started hurting before I got off the dark stain

dust off

Step 3

paint the entire thing using a pretty medium thick coat

Not exactly dry brushed but not globbed on either

Step 4

drink a glass of wine while it's drying

You'll find you actually have time for more than one glass but I wouldn't suggest it as it may interfere with the next several steps

Step 5

take a piece of sand paper and with a very light hand rough up your paint job a bit

It's especially nice to remove all the paint in the corners or crevices

dust off

Step 6

Go ahead and pour another glass to enjoy during the next step

Step 7

Using a lint free white cloth (you can buy them at Home Depot or Lowe's in the painting section) dip into a can of briwax in dark walnut

Working in one section at a time, wipe the corners and crevices with wax

then wipe the rest of your section following with the grain of the wood

take a second rag and wipe away any excess.

Continue with this method until you've finished the entire piece

I find it easiest to work from the top down and to do each of the drawers while they're still free standing

Step 8

Finish that bottle of wine while it's drying
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