Wine Barrel turned Rain Barrel Part 1

I'm really trying to be more green...and this find, helps me get a couple steps closer to that goal!
This weekend was good for me when it came to "Good Finds." With my hubbies help of coarse.


The best of the best finds is this huge-normous wine barrel! Yeah I said huge-normous! My hubby got it for free...mmmhmmm...


I have plans to make it into a "Rain Barrell" and it will go in between both wrought iron gates (pictured above) in my courtyard...Yep another step to being more GREEN! ♥ it!
Speaking of my courtyard, I had a little inquiery earlier today regarding the look of it, and that she hasn't seen one in many homes. I have to say I love mine. It was the biggest selling points when we bought our home! I'll throw in a few pics below...just cuz I ♥ it!

Quick rundown, my house is in a "U" shape. And is wrapped around our courtyard. Each of the rooms opens up onto it,

View from the living room opens up onto it also...So awesome with the doors open on a warm night....I promise.
Here is the water feature that is in the northwest corner. We live on a very busy street, and let me tell you, the water sound drowns out the sound of the cars :) good to have.


This is a spot that used to be a planter like the one in the back(with the crepe mertyle) but I had my hubby poor a little patio with in a "Patio" so now my little bistro table has a place to set...There is a couple more things going on, like the wood burning stove opposite the bistro table, and the climbing jasmine over the living room windows, but for some reason, I can't find any of those pics...so they will come later with Part 2...so stay tuned :)

So there was my wonderful find, and a little tour of my favorite spot of the house...I hope you enjoyed your little visit.
Check back soon, for the finished result of a Wine Barrel transformed into a Rain Barrel!

DIY Pantry Renovation!

The time has come to reveal our new pantry, that use to be our laundry room...ugh I know right...

Step 1 (put up the tracks *notice the water hook-ups for laundry, didn't want to permanently cover, so I made a door with hinges to cover, just in case)

Step 2 (arrange the shelves for the most space*note they go all the way up to the ceiling)

Step 3 ( install counter and storage below)

Step 4 (fill it up)
It has been done for some time now...but Home Depot kinda sucks when it comes to special orders...Hello one month later, and they didn't even call me, I had to call them...ugh

And now after a very impatient waiting period, here it is... I ♥ it, I ♥ them! Super organized, and Super lovely! With everything stored in its own place...I have mucho more counter space... and it gave Hubby the chance to try something too...yep Concrete Countertops...they are still curing, and will be ready to glaze soon, so stick around for that! Freakin Awesome!
Compared to the quote I originally got from Closet World, I think we payed seriously 1/4 of the price. The total for everything to redo our pantry was under $400....Mainly because thanks to Lowes for having a reset sale...only on the stuff we needed...It definitely pays to shop around!
Drum roll please!


Isn't it Awesome! I think so too! just a little bit of touch up painting to do, then 100% done!
We had to order the doors special..because the standard size was something like 1/4 inch too large to fit in the opening...Silly people who re-did the kitchen. I got them to match all the interior doors in the house... like these


Here was one of my inspirations...

The moral of this story is...Don't be lazy, you can do anything you put your mind and heart to...Go out and do it...oooh and save some major money at the same time :)

My Spaces-Baring It All

"HOME"

“Home is the place where it feels right to walk around without shoes” unknown

This is how I feel about my home. It is a place my family eats, sleeps, entertains, plays, and among all those, we LIVE in our home. Our home isn't a place you can't sit on the furniture. There is no room off limits (except to the baby who likes to flush things down the toilet.) Our home is full of toys, despite my organization baskets...they still seem to come out of the wood works, and overflow onto the floor. I {heart} my home. It is a wonderful place to come home to, even when after a hard day at work, I stumble over hot wheels...I love it, and with out the chaos, I wouldn't have what I have today!

Alright I think its about time, to share some of my spaces. And as you know, kids live here too. So brace your selves for the toys! lol (I know I do)


Livingroom from the front door


Livingroom looking out into courtyard...so sunny huh? its about time!


My Fireplace...one of my favorite things in the house!


Corner near front door. Recognize the lamp...I've got plans for that shade...just wait and see!


Inside the curio cabinet...posted here


Kitchen...shot of unfinished pantry...not for long!


Another shot of the kitchen....see up top, my collection of bottle and mason jars...I {heart} old glass!


Above kitchen cupboards...close-up...more bottles :)


Hopefully more to come soon! But first going to go see Brad Paisley tonight! Woo Hoo!