Posh Kids Rugs for Under $300

Trellis Dhurrie Rug, Restoration Hardware Baby & Child $269 for 5' x 8'

Argonne Rug, Home Decorator's $199 for 5' x 8'

French Stripe Rug, Restoration Hardware Baby & Child $109.99 for 5' x 8' (on final sale!)

Ella's Toddler Room Progress

The drapes are not done... :(. Party foul on my part but we did buy a drapery rod with clear crystal finials on each end, the only problem is that I'm not loving the finish of the metal rod. It's a dark, dark color and all of the hardware in the rest of our home is finished in satin nickel. I have an idea to fix this so we'll see how it turns out.

This print has been hung:

As well as the bug's new coat rack which I completed in time for the Pinterest Challenge:

This corner of Ella's room aka the 'reading nook' is starting to take shape:

Sometimes a photograph can help you detect what's wrong... Upon clicking a shot, it became very apparent that Ella's open concept closet needs a little de-cluttering and styling overhaul. Don't judge:

Ella-bug turns 2 in 3.5 weeks and I'd like to have all the projects dunzo (minus the paint job I have yet to discuss with the Mister) by then!

Left to do:

finish sewing drapery- free already own 

makeover the drapery hardware and hang drapery- already purchased for $16.99

de-clutter and restyle Ella's closet- free (use exsisting items)

either purchase an easel or play table -or- diy or purchase a play kitchen as her birthday gift- $15-$138

paint the room- $30ish

make some heart art- free I already have a spare small canvas and paint

sew a new crib skirt(the one we have no longer fits since I've dropped down Ella's crib so that she can't climb out)- free we already own the fabric I plan to use

list and sell Ella's beloved Wendy Bellissimo crib bedding (tear) on Ebay to help fund this:

purchase a rug for the room.

And here's a shot of her bedroom inspiration board I made up again:

sources 

Pinterest Challenge Project 1

Here was my inspiration pin:

via European Chic Design by way of Ideal Home

And here is the final result:

How we did it:

I took a piece 1 x4 mdf trim that we had laying around the house and told Michael that I wanted to turn it into a coat rack with some mismatched knobs from a $1 ea. knob bin at our local custom cabinet shop. While I was at the cabinet shop picking out knobs (which they said I could have for free, yay!) Michael took a router (roman odgee) and made an edge detail on the mdf trim piece. He then took some of Ella's Melissa and Doug refrigerator magnets and traced them then carved out the letters with a 6mm straight router bit. He also attached the knobs, primed and painted the board with paint we had and painted the letters by dropping in Martha Stewart's Ballet Slipper Pink which was a sample pot purchased for Ella's dollhouse and hung it up in Ella's room.

The whole project ended up not costing us anything. Since the knobs were free I got another 5 knobs not shown since they were still in wrapping and had screws included them so we were able to use the screw from those since the random ones I picked for Ella's coat rack didn't include any.

Knobs and screws: free for me and here's what you should do go to a cabinet or hardware shop that is locally owned and see if the have any that have been taken off of old cabinets or that they don't have enough of to sell for a whole cabinet project. They will probably give them to you!

Mdf board: free since we had a piece too small to use, and you could use any piece of wood or trim you have or go to home depot and look for the scrap bin and get one for around $1

Paint: already had but you could just use craft paint or sample pots for $1-3 a piece.

Here are some other great Pinterest Challenges conquered by the hosts themselves:

Sherry of Young House Love's Beanbag Project
Katie of BOwer Power's Watercoloring
Cassie of Hi Sugarplum!'s DIY Faux Antlers
Erin of The Great Indoors' Mason Jar Chandelier

Thanks for poping over to my site guys!

DVF For GapKids and BabyGap

If you know me, read my blog, or have simply admired my child's wardrobe then you know that my love for BabyGap runs deep. Being the Textiles and Clothing graduate that I am, the partnership between Diane Von Furstenburg and Gap naturally has me eyeing some peieces for Ella-bugs wardrobe. Here are my picks for baby girls everywhere:

1

2

3

4

5

6

Shop the collection now by clicking on the numbered link beneath each photo!

Love,

Mini Meals: Tofurkey is Like Turkey

Lauren from With Two Cats, had the great idea to share ideas for toddler meals. Here's what Ella and I had for lunch today:

I cut 1/3 of the hot dog bun sandwhich off for Ella and ate the remaining portion. I love being able to share meals with Ella! The best part is not having to come up with a toddler meal and an adult meal morning day and night.