New Shower Door & Front Door!

Since moving in to our house four years ago (has it really been that long already?!), we have been keeping a running list of updates we'd like to complete. And because we gutted and renovated pretty much the entire house before moving in, we knew some of the other more minor changes would need to happen over time. (If you're new to this space, you can see the before and after pics of our house renovation here.)

Two of those changes were putting in a shower door in our master bedroom and replacing our front door.

For the longest time, we just had a shower curtain in our bathroom. Even though the shower was built  new before we moved in, there always seemed to be other places we'd rather spend our money (fence, lawn, fire pit, master bedroom makeover, front porch & painting the house, nursery) than on a shower door, because in reality, the shower still worked with a curtain instead of a door.

But after a little bit of a break in house renovations, we decided it was time to put a shower door in and replace the front door while we were at it.

Closing day- yes, we bought the ugliest house on the street (we like to say it was the one with the most potential) and we worked hard to make it pretty.

Now the front door was original (our house was built in 1945) and while it was charming looking, it was installed upside down- oh how I wish our contractor never pointed that out- and over time (let's be honest, 70 years is a long time) settled in a way that created pretty large gaps that allowed cold air to come in during the winter and AC to run out during the summer.

We painted the door black and put up black shutters after we moved in.

So I got it in my mind that both things needed to be updated, and as Matt will tell you, when I get my mind on something, I don't let it go until it happens. Does that make me sound stubborn and spoiled or driven and determined? Let's go with a little stubborn and a lot determined, k?!


The inside of our front door and an up-close shot of the original hardware- faaaancy, right?!

Matt says I'm good for him because he wouldn't feel the need to change anything in our house if I didn't suggest it. Which, if you know Matt, is a very Matt way (ever nice and tactful) of saying I get impatient with keeping things how they are for too long and am not afraid to drop some money on making them look nicer. Or maybe that's how I hear it. 

Either way, it's definitely true. 

I'm not a big spender when it comes to shopping for clothes or accessories, but get me going on researching a house project and I'll have the thing done in a month if you'll let me.

Thankfully, that makes us a good team. I get an idea in my head, put the idea in Matt's head, he usually responds with a practical "Do you think we need to do that?" or "Do you think that will really add value to our house" response, after which I research and get quotes and determine what the cost will be. Then I give my best sales pitch on why the improvements will benefit us and the value of our house for resale, and usually we can decide together that the improvements will be worth it. Sometimes, (i.e. master bedroom makeover) it takes more convincing on my part, but I can't think of a single time where Matt wasn't really happy with the outcome (which I of course like to remind him of when I really want to start a new project and my negotiating skills are falling short). ;)

Anyway... here's the latest outcome to that whole decision-making process:

Shower Door

For the shower door, we used Echols Glass & Mirror. I LOVED them. They were friendly, efficient, professional, competitively priced, and the outcome is even better than what I was picturing. If you live in the Atlanta area, I highly recommend them!

Front Door

The front door, on the other hand, was not a smooth process and I did not love who we used at all. You would think that a company like Home Depot would have something like a front-door installation down to a science, but I felt like I was working with a start up company who was completing their first job. The right hand wasn't talking with the left and the process required way more input, reminders, reorders, and negotiating than a simple front door installation should.

Thankfully I'm happy with the finished product, except that we now have to paint over the trim and walls near the trim and wood base on the outside because that was not a part of the install (one of the many things not mentioned). So while I'm happy it is finished and looks nice, we will definitely never work with Home Depot on any house projects again.

I have a few more house projects brewing in my mind and have been working on quotes the last two weeks. Whether those happen now or later, I'm pretty excited about the potential and hope I'll be sharing the finished products on here soon. ;)

Don't forget about the great giveaway and awesome opportunity to support a good cause that is going on this week! You can check it out here. The winner of the giveaway will be announced Friday morning!

Handmade Wooden Art + a GIVEAWAY!

Have you ever walked into someone's house and seen something on their walls that just grabbed your attention and made you ask, "Where did you find that?!"

This was me just a few weeks ago when I was at my friend Lauren's house.

In her playroom, she had this wooden growth chart hanging on the wall:

It didn't look like something you could buy in a store- something about it looked handmade and unique. And it was!

Here sister made it for her, along with this wooden letter that she had hanging in a picture collage on a wall in the same playroom:

When I asked her about the things her sister had made, she said that she had starting making them as gifts for friends and was hoping to make and sell enough to pay for her mission trip this summer.

At that moment, a light bulb went off. 

I told Lauren that I would love to help her sister out and share her amazing handiwork with you guys because
a.) they're really impressive
b.) who doesn't love giving and receiving unique, personalized gifts, and
c.) how great would it be to buy a gift for yourself or someone else AND contribute to a great cause at the same time?!

So that's what today's post is all about. 

First, a little background on A.J. (Lauren's sister)

(Lauren is on the left and A.J. is not the right- and no, they're not twins) ;)

I am a Clemson University graduate, middle school teacher, and a lover of anything outdoors.  I originally got into woodworking because I wanted to make a friend a unique birthday gift.  I had an old drill, a hammer, and no idea what I was doing, but the gift turned out really well, and I found that I really enjoyed creating things and people really enjoyed receiving the things that I made. 

Trip Info: 

In June, I am going with a group of people from my church to serve at a camp and university in Israel.  For 10 days we will work with refugee youth who live in this beautiful country that has been filled with conflict for decades.  In order to fund the $3000.00 trip, I am building and selling handmade wooden items.  By purchasing from this store, you receive a unique handcrafted item, and 100% of your money will go towards funding this trip to Israel.  

Trip link: http://gfc.tv/snellville/ministries/grace360/international/

Y'all, I love knowing that I can buy something unique and support a great cause. I can't wait for Matt and me to take our family on mission trips in the future and serve together as a family. But until then,  we want to support our friends and family who are giving their time and money to do just that. If you'd like to help A.J. fund her trip, consider purchasing one of the items below.

Items for Sale:

Pallet wood state signs- $20.00

state outline with heart on your city
stain or natural wood optional

Pallet wood tree art- $20.00

tree painting with standard verse "Like a tree planted by streams of water" or custom verse

stain or natural wood optional

Letter Frames- $30.00

custom made with your letter of choice and color of choice

stain or natural wood optional

typical size 13x12

Growth Chart Rulers- $35.00

6 feet tall

Stain options: summer oak, Medium brown (Early American)

Jewelry Cabinet- $50.00

Wooden frame, chicken wire door for hanging earrings

approximate size is 22x14, but can be made larger

Stain options: red oak, summer oak, medium brown (Early American)

Wine Bottle Welcome Signs- $20.00

word can be customed (welcome, blessed, peace, love, lake, etc.)

stain or natural wood optional

See something you like?! What's that you say- you want one of everything?! Perfect. :)

To Place an Order:

Email A.J. - ashleyjjordan@gmail.com

You can either mail a check or send money through PayPal.

Shipping costs will be between $10-$15 for small items and $20 for large items.

If you live in the Atlanta area, A.J. said she'd be happy to meet you to help save on shipping costs!

A.J. is happy to customize any of the items shown if there is something specific you have in mind. Just shoot her an email with your ideas!

And because A.J. is so sweet, she's giving one of you a $20 credit toward any of the items shown! Just enter using the Rafflecopter below. The winner will be announced Friday morning. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#nelsendays2015 Week 15 & 16 + a WINNER!

Another two weeks of 2015 are in the books.

Here's a look at how we spent them!

Day 99:

Ryan's first trip to the zoo! He enjoyed it more than I thought he would being as young as he is. I think he's gonna be an animal lover like his mama. :)

Day 100:

They each got new toys, but Ryan wanted Tally's because it squeaked. I'm so thankful Tally is not aggressive- especially when Ryan tries to take his toys!

Day 101: 

Our nephew Jackson turned three! We celebrated with dinner at his house. It's so fun to see the cousins together. These upcoming years are going to be tons of fun!

Day 102:

Ryan's and Reynolds' first Masters watching experience. They dressed the part, ate golf balls (straight out of the golf bag- whoops), and ended the night with a bath. These two have a lot of future Masters parties in their futures I think- minus one or two of these activities. ;)

Day 103:

Our cousin Rebecca came to visit for the day and we managed a picture (missing sweet Riley girl!) all snuggled up in Jackson's bed before his nap. Gah wouldn't a daily afternoon doze be amazing?! You just don't appreciate those enough as a kid.

Day 104:

This a what every post-meal time looks like in our house. Ryan goes for the extras in his bid while Tally goes for the extras on Ryan's lap. I see it as less to clean up and just let it go.

Day 105:

I got to spend some quality time with Andrea's kiddos while she ran to a doctor's appointment. While she was gone, I taught Reynolds how to make my "hey!" face. ;)

Day 106:

Our new front door was installed last week. Thankfully it was in the middle of the work day so fewer people could see the "Danger Lead Hazard" tape they put up all around our front lawn and inside our house. Oh yes, and the installer wore a hazard suit and face mask. Ryan and I took Tally to his daycare and hung out in our bedroom and at our neighbor's house until it was finished. The process was a bit dramatic but the finished product looks great! I'll be sharing pictures of that and the shower door next week.

Day 107:

An afternoon with sweet baby Riley! Ryan was super excited about being around her- which translates into "tapping" her face and shaking her seat, so I was close by to catch his hands and hold her seat. ;)

Day 108:

Jackson's party at the airport park! That place was perfection for a little boy's birthday party. I can definitely see us having Ryan's part there is a few years! Jackson loved watching the planes go off and playing with all of his friends on the playground. It was just perfect!

And Ryan loved swinging on the swings with Papa. :)

Day 109:

The look Ryan gives when he's trying to be cool around a lady baby friend. Kidding. But really, I'm so crazy about this little standing up stud. :)

Day 110:

This was a picture that Karen took at Jackson's party (that's Matt's dad in case it wasn't super obvious by how much they look alike) but I used it this day to document RYAN'S FIRST WORD! Yes, this sweet boy, clear as day, said, "HI!" to Nonna when she walked in our house. I about died. He has said it two times since then but has yet to say it on cue. Anyway, I think it's so fitting that this boy who always has his left hand in the ready-to-wave position chose, "Hi!" as his first word. Love him.

Day 111:

My word. On an afternoon walk, we stumbled upon a working farm not far from our house. I was all excited when I saw the goats because Ryan has a few of books we've been reading lately with goats in them (and of course we always make the goat sound when we see one on a page), so I was excited to show him a real goat and see if they would make their sound. Well they didn't make a sound, but as they started to move toward us (and I'm talking they were moving sloooowly), Tally absolutely freaked out. Mind you, these goats were behind a fence. But apparently Tally felt like our lives were in grave danger and went completely beserk until I finally left Ryan in the stroller and pulled Tally to an isolated spot (not far from Ryan- don't freak out mom) where I could calm him down. And then I apologized to the people around us and the farm workers and we got gone real quick. Looks like our next visit to see the goats might have to be sans Tal.

Day 112:

Matt came home early from work on Wednesday of this week and we took Tally and Ryan on a hike. Ryan faced out in the BabyBjorn for the first time and LOVED it! He flapped his arms and legs and babbled the whole time. It was awesome.

And the winner of Sean's book For the Right Reasons is:

ARIANE!

Congratulations, Ariane!