Hi you all! I am so excited to FINALLY share with you the biggest project that I have ever done. For reals! I mean, besides making my babies :) A year or so ago, I had made plans to build my girls a playhouse outside. I promised them this spring that it was going to happen. Got all my ideas and plans in place. Just needed my husband to help clear the land. Now, I know, I could totally have done this, but I didn't want to ;) ....so, days passed into weeks, and weeks into months...and well, September came and the garden was finally cleared! Even though it was late in the year, I was determined to still get it done. I knew it would be getting cold soon so I totally busted my butt to finish it in time for at least a couple of weeks of good weather. I was finished with the actual build in about 2 weeks, but it took me forever to finish all the details. In fact, I'm still not done. I work on little extras almost every day. 

Wouldn't you know though, the day after I put on my stamp of 'complete', the weather turned and we were hit with leftover hurricane rain for about a week, when that passed, another two storms came through. The playhouse never got played in! I had to board it up to help protect what I had just finished. It was a sad sight. Now that we are finally back to more seasonal weather with the temps in the 60s, it's been played in and loved ever since. I'm just sad I didn't get a chance to do any of the landscaping.

Now this is a crazy big build, so I can't really go into all the detail about how I did it in one post, but here's a progression in picture form :) If you have any questions on a certain part, I will be happy to help! I did follow these basic plans from Ana White and then customized it from there, so it's not exactly the same, but the ideas are similar. Hopefully that helps too :) I'll be sharing the inside decor in the next post! So, be sure to watch out for that. 

First, after clearing the garden from weeds and leftover tomatoes and lavender, I made sure to level the land as best as I could. I then built the base using pressure-treated 2x4s. Once I placed this on the land, I noticed that it still wasn't as level as I had hoped. To fix this, I placed more pressure-treated 2x4s below my base in the front. I then filled the foot print with gravel. 

 Next, I placed 2x6s along the pressure-treated lumber. I used 14 boards. I was going to do an 8x8 footprint, but didn't want to take away from the garden I was planning. So, it's about 7x8 instead.

 I then built the walls using 2x2s. The height of the long walls are 48" tall and 8' wide.

 For the front panel, I framed out the door and the two windows. I made the door as high as I could get away with so my oldest didn't have to duck as far.

 I then secured the siding (I used this kind) to the framed panels. This picture shows when I flipped it over. I drilled into each corner of the windows and doors, so when I flipped it over I knew where to use my jigsaw to cut them out.

 The side panels looked like this. 

 I did the same thing as the other panels, making sure to cut the siding along the top angle, sides, and window.

Next, I assembled all the panels onto the 'deck'. I screwed these into the 2x6s with 3" screws. I screwed the sides into each other using 2.5" screws.

 I then added the ridge line for the roof using a 2x2.

 I then added the roof trusses using 2x2s. I lined these up with the vertical 2x2s on the back wall to give it a little more support. These were screwed in with 2.5" screws. 

 Here's a look at the inside at this point.

 I then painted the whole thing Swiss Coffee by Behr in their exterior paint with semi-gloss -inside and out.

 I added the trim pieces. The trim is mainly 1x4s but I also did some in 1x3s. I actually loved this look and it took all I had in me to paint the trim white :)

 I painted the trim next, then added on the extras. I built a dutch door, painted it Shy Smile by Behr, also in a semi-gloss exterior. I built shutters made from 1x2s and painted them Shy Smile. Another addition was a window box on the side window made from 1x4s.

 I then cut the plywood to fit along the roof. If I ever did this again, I would definitely cut it to make an overhang on all the sides. I think it would add just a little 'extra'. 

 You can kind of see in this picture the stapled tar paper on the roof. We did that first, and then started adding the shingles. I knew I wanted to add a dormer so I stopped the shingles where the dormer would begin. Once again, if I were to do this again, I would just do whole roof first and then add the dormer once the shingles were already on.

 I built the frame for the dormer using 2x2s. 

 Then placed siding along the frame, and for the top of it. I trimmed it with 1x2s.

 I painted the dormer white and added the X to the dutch door.

 Painted the X (probably an unneeded picture :) )

 I then finished the roof shingles. We used this kind here. I wish I could tell you a how to on the shingles, but in reality, I'm surprised it ended up looking half way decent along this dormer :)

 I then added the railing. I built the railing using 2x2s. And after that, it was time to add all the accessories!

  I added flowers from Ikea to the flower box. This will change seasonally and will probably get real flowers in the spring. 

 To clean up the look of the windows, I added some 1x4 mdf boards to the ledge. 

 For the dormer, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do. I was thinking about doing a faux window and then I placed this light on top and was sold. I'll be adding a battery powered push light for this fixture, but really, my kids don't play out here at night so there's been no need for a real light yet. I also added these distressed corbels here for a little more character.

 My girls said they wanted a door bell. I knew they were talking about a real push one, but I found this kind instead. I loved the character, and what's more fun than banging on a loud bell? ...well, when you're a kid. Probably not anymore :) I'm sure my neighbors love us haha!

 I also added some numbers to give it an address. It's the age of my two littles when the playhouse was built. I also put a mailbox for them on the railing. This mailbox is from Hobby Lobby.

 I can't wait to decorate this cute porch for the holidays :) Right now it has lanterns and a topiary with just a fabric door mat in buffalo check.

 Here's a look at the door when it's opened. I love dutch doors so much and had to put one on this house. My husband asked one day, "Who is this house for really? Your or the kids?" :) Well, since this is as close as I'll ever get to a she-shed...definitely for me! lol

 I added the outside lock from Lowes and the handles from Home Depot. 

 During the spring, I'll be adding in the landscape. My plan is to do a garden on both sides of the path, a patio on one of the sides and flower beds around the the front. I'll also be putting up some bushes in the back to hide the retaining wall that is all but beautiful to look at :) And, I'm thinking about putting some giant sunflowers around there also. To finish it off, I'll be adding a little white picket fence around the whole thing. 

 For the outside deck, I stained it Dark Walnut by Minwax. I finished it with some polyurethane. This picture shows it a little worn, but it cleans up pretty nice too :)

 Here's a little peak at the inside :) As I said, I'll be sharing more of it with you soon!

We did keep the windows opened with no glass or plastic. I toyed around with the idea of this a lot, especially just to keep it somewhat nice and shield the inside from the rain and snow. My husband said no. He has ideas that older kids might want to get in there and do stuff...if you know what I mean. So, yeah. Apparently not having windows will stop that ;) lol. So, for now, when I know it's going to rain for an extended period of time or when winter settles in, I'll put up some plywood like I had to for our 3 weeks of straight rain. I did paint it white so it blend in a little bit.

I can't wait to share with you the inside. It's been so much fun to decorate! I know it will change bit by bit every month...you know, because it's just an extra space to decorate so I won't be able to help it :) I'm also excited to have another little 'house' to decorate the porch for during the holidays and different seasons. 

As for cost, I seriously lost count. I know Ana White on her blog said something somewhere about it being around $200. Mine far exceeded that. I would say it's around the $500 range. That being said, you can't buy one ready to assemble for anywhere near that. Plus, I got to make this and customize it...what's better than that? :) I totally wish I had something like this as a kid! Can't wait to see what memories this playhouse creates for my little ones. 


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Halloween is almost here and I desperately need to get some Halloween decor out soon! I felt like it just sneaked up on me this year :) But, until then, and of course after then when all the 'spook' is gone, here's a video tour of my fall dining room! I talk more about what I look for in creating the perfect fall tablescape along with the easiest place settings you can do. We are super casual around her, so truth be told, those come out only for pictures or if we are entertaining those "certain" guests...you know what I'm talking about :) I'm sure you have those 'guests' too! 

Hope you enjoy! Don't forget to ask any questions in the comments if you have any :) 



You can find the rest of the tour in picture form by checking out this post (click here).


Other links:
Jute Rug (affiliate): Amazon
Metal and Wood Chairs (affiliate): Amazon
Buffalo Check Fabric: Hobby Lobby
Faux Beam Tutorial

Now I'm off to finally finish editing the pictures for the playhouse that took me a month to build! Can't wait to share it will you all!

You can check out my front living room video tour here:

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

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Happy Fall everyone! I decided to do something crazy, new and totally out of character for me. Yep, I decided to start doing videos! Yay! I've been telling myself I needed to start doing them years ago, but just thought it would make things harder and take longer, especially projects. And, I still agree with that :) That being said, I'm going to keep my videos pretty simple, and largely about decor and tips! I'll be doing seasonal room tours of my house all on video. I'll still be sharing my normal decor posts and home tours, too. 

That being said, I'm somewhat new to this whole camera thing apart from doing a few things in college eons ago. So, bear with me. I have already had my critiques and have gotten some tips for the next videos :) So, I promise they'll get better! Also, with every video, I'll be sharing with you in posts such as this where I bought some of the items. If you see something that I don't mention, please let me know.

For today's video, I'll be sharing with you a tour of my front living room all decorated for fall. I'll be going into more detail in the videos than I may not normally do in posts, so hopefully they will be worth the watch! 

Hope you enjoy :) 

Items from this room:

Holy Shiplap shirt: Amazon

$5 Blanket Ladder: Tutorial    

Console Table: Target     

Sofa Bed: Ikea      

Bench: Target     

Rug: Rugs USA

Faux fireplace DIY: Tutorial      

Wire Hamper: Amazon    

Bench: Target

Wood Sunburst Mirror: Tutorial

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

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Fall is in the air! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love summer, but there's just something "right" about fall weather that makes you want to sit outside, sip some coffee, and chat away into the night. Fall is when all the fires and s'more roasting happens along with lots of fun fall games. 

I absolutely love outdoor games, and since there's nothing better than Fall weather, I decided it would be perfect to create a fun pumpkin themed outdoor game that would be great for the whole family! But, don't worry, this can easily become an indoor game too :) Here's how you make your very own Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe. 

Supplies: 

• 10 pumpkins (I chose small fake pumpkins from the craft store, you can use real ones if you want)

• Chalk Paint. I chose to use Americana Decor Chalky Finish in : Heritage (orange), Vintage (light blue), Everylasting (white), and Relic (dark grey). 
• 24x24 plywood piece, or wood boards screwed/glued together.
• Ruler

 Step 1: Paint 5 of the pumpkins with the orange chalk paint. Chalk paint is great, and goes on usually with one coat. You may want to do two coats for fuller coverage.

 Step 2: Paint the other 5 pumpkins with light blue or Vintage.

 Step 3: Using Everlasting or a white chalk paint, carefully paint the stems of all the pumpkins. You will probably need to do 2 coats on these.

 Step 4: Again, using white chalk paint or any other type of acrylic paint, paint your plywood or wood.

 Step 5: Now with a ruler, mark 8" and 16" on each side.

 Step 6: Connect your lines, drawing a grid. I stopped each line about 2 inches from each edge.

 Step 7: Using black paint (Relic), hand paint over the lines. If you don't like the hand painted look, you can easily tape your lines off and use painters tape to help give you straighter lines.

 After everything dries, you are now ready to play!

 My children absolutely love tic tac toe, so this is a great rendition of that and so much fun for them!

 Take the fun outdoors if you are having beautiful Fall weather, or enjoy it indoors like we currently are since it's raining cats and dogs :)!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

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