bits + pieces

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsSrTD1KcLvHliXjiwqXmZ5Xg3CMaQ0h8QdePKKWMpHrS3SsqlLpFRo5g1HgxVucnYiqKDxGT3ycWMMG7m8LjdjWDMO2Vv4qA78s3KBUMWa4XxLjeWQakYyKmgQDgcMv2ItV4IIaXfYg/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsSrTD1KcLvHliXjiwqXmZ5Xg3CMaQ0h8QdePKKWMpHrS3SsqlLpFRo5g1HgxVucnYiqKDxGT3ycWMMG7m8LjdjWDMO2Vv4qA78s3KBUMWa4XxLjeWQakYyKmgQDgcMv2ItV4IIaXfYg/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /><div>Happy 2013. :) It's pretty quiet over here. I'm trying to keep it that way before I get back to work next week. Anyways, here are some bits + pieces from around the house right now. I'll be back later on next week with some fun developments for 2013 which include renovations, travel and decorating projects. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[1] </b>We bought Oscar some train track from HomeSense (<a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/toys/Imaginarium-Construction-Train-Set/0706943174760-item.html?ikwid=imaginarium&ikwsec=Home" target="_blank">it's now on sale at Chapter</a>s). I wasn't too impressed with the quality for the full price we paid. When we opened it up on Christmas morning I discovered a lot of the main pieces were plastic. But, if you can grab the set at the 50% off at Chapters - you get a lot for that sale price. So I wouldn't recommend shelling out $40 - $50 like we did - but at $25 it's fun. [The picture shows other track mixed in with the set]</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[2] </b>Before Christmas I made Oscar some rocks and logs out of brown <a href="http://www.sculpey.com/" target="_blank">sculpey </a> It is a ridiculously easy project that adds a whole new level of play to Oscar's train board. Oscar went BANANAS. The trains come and pick up rocks, the rocks block the track, other trains come to help clear the track. So if you have a little one who loves trains and their train board - pick up some brown <a href="http://www.sculpey.com/" target="_blank">sculpey </a>and make some boulders and large logs. It adds a whole lot of fun for not a lot of money. </div><div><br /></div><div>[3] This was a surprising hit at Christmas, so I thought it was worthwhile to show. I picked up this <a href="http://www.beyond123.com/playme/pluck-carrot.html" target="_blank">Pluk Carrot game</a> for Oscar from <a href="http://www.zulily.com/invite/lstephenson886" target="_blank">Zullily</a>. I had some credits on the site so it reduced the sale price to pretty much a steal so I decided to try it out. You cut the carrots into slices and you follow the book and make different colour patterns, which is a fun teaching tool. I'm REALLY impressed with the quality. The <a href="http://www.diapers.com/p/playme-pluck-carrot-134283" target="_blank">regular price is pretty reasonable </a>considering the quality but you may be able to grab it on sale on one of the shopping sites. If you see it, it is pretty fun. </div><div><br /></div><div>[4] I absolutely love this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/117449221/soldier-doll-soft-stocking-stuffer-for" target="_blank">little soldier doll </a>that Santa put in Oscar's stocking...but I think it maybe was more for me, than Oscar. ;) </div><div><br /></div><div>See you next week. xo Linds</div></div>

bits + pieces

Happy 2013. :) It's pretty quiet over here. I'm trying to keep it that way before I get back to work next week. Anyways, here are so...

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Bonne année! (et bravo au dernier gagnant...)

J'espère que vous avez tous passé de très bonnes fêtes de fin d'année! Pour moi, c'était des fêtes tranquilles en famille qui m'ont permis de recharger les batteries pour l'année à venir. L'année 2012 était une année géniale pour La Maison d'Anna G., avec l'ouverture de l'<a href="http://www.lamaisondannag.com/fr/" target="_blank">e-shop</a> et près de 50 000 visiteurs uniques par mois sur le blog! Un immense merci à vous tous, chers lecteurs et clients, sans vous La Maison d'Anna G. ne serait rien ♥<br /><div>2013 promet déjà d'être riche en développement et nouveaux projets, alors j'espère que vous voulez bien continuer à me suivre dans cette aventure!</div><div><br /><b>Je vous souhaite à tous une excellente année 2013 remplie d'amour et de bonheur!</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year! I spent some relaxing time with family in order to recharge the batteries for the coming year. Year 2012 was a great year for La Maison d'Anna G., with the opening of the <a href="http://www.lamaisondannag.com/fr/" target="_blank">webshop</a> and close to 50 000 unique readers per month on the blog! A huge thanks to all of you, dear readers and customers, without you La Maison d'Anna G. would be nothing ♥</i></div><div><i>2013 already looks very promising when it comes to development and new projects, so I hope you want to continue following me in this adventure!</i></div><div><i><br /></i><i><b>I wish you all a fantastic 2013 filled with love and happiness!</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmsAIoNdvyKFkrSldVsrVJHxV2cJ-rbWzb2ts3zfowaPPy5INFNvgZZ8Wyo_f3n5R_mtOdJhHVeUFyIivL4DPiI_yyE2iTmhHcSYkiiCzXdGl7KRmnfxNq0jmcrVkzQqoUqkCZF5za8M/s1600/FOLD+UNFOLD+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmsAIoNdvyKFkrSldVsrVJHxV2cJ-rbWzb2ts3zfowaPPy5INFNvgZZ8Wyo_f3n5R_mtOdJhHVeUFyIivL4DPiI_yyE2iTmhHcSYkiiCzXdGl7KRmnfxNq0jmcrVkzQqoUqkCZF5za8M/s1600/FOLD+UNFOLD+02.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fond de l'image: <a href="http://www.lamaisondannag.com/fr/cuisine-et-table/111-nappe-fold-unfold.html" target="_blank">nappe par Hay</a> / Back of the picture: <a href="http://www.lamaisondannag.com/fr/cuisine-et-table/111-nappe-fold-unfold.html" target="_blank">table cloth by Hay</a></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Mais avant de démarrer 2013, félicitations à Winter Cherry qui a gagné <a href="http://lamaisondannag.blogspot.fr/2012/12/calendrier-de-lavent-n4-et-une-gagnante.html" target="_blank">le dernier concours du Calendrier de l'Avent</a>! Envoie ton adresse postale à contact@lamaisondannag.com et tu recevras sous peu les posters de Hugo et Betty. Merci à tous ceux qui ont participé au calendrier tout au long du mois de décembre, j'ai adoré lire vos commentaires drôles et touchants!</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>But before starting off 2013, congratulations to Winter Cherry who won <a href="http://lamaisondannag.blogspot.fr/2012/12/calendrier-de-lavent-n4-et-une-gagnante.html" target="_blank">the last giveaway in the Advent Calendar</a>! Please send your postal address to contact@lamaisondannag.com and the Hugo and Betty posters will soon come your way. Thanks to all those who participated in the calendar throughout December, I loved reading your fun and touching comments!</i></div>

Bonne année! (et bravo au dernier gagnant...)

J'espère que vous avez tous passé de très bonnes fêtes de fin d'année! Pour moi, c'était des fêtes tranquilles en famille qui m...

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Ten whole years

<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 640px;"><div style="position: relative;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/you_have_my_heart/set?.embedder=2675664&.svc=copypaste&id=67368979" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="You have my heart" border="0" height="445" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/LYSpC5TriL1zyP0gX0GZA/cid/67368979/id/srXdW1-oSVWjFqGzX7JEBA/size/c640x445.jpg" title="You have my heart" width="640" /></a></div></div></div><br />Justin and I met ten years ago today! I feel old even saying that, but it's true. Check out <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/12/you-have-my-heart.html">my pos</a>t on My Greatest Hits to see how the last ten years have gone.

Ten whole years

Justin and I met ten years ago today! I feel old even saying that, but it's true. Check out my pos t on My Greatest Hits to see how the ...

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Roundup of my Favorite 2012 Posts

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Doubledecordoor_zpsa2aef862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Doubledecordoor_zpsa2aef862.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A front door in Charleston, South Carolina, welcomes the new year. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I chose to feature these posts based on how helpful they would be to you if you have a home for sale. Is that you?<br /><br />Let's start with getting it organized. In January I wrote about the dozen rules that help <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/01/dozen-rules-for-organizing-your-home.html" target="_blank">organize your home.</a><br /><br />In February, just in time for Valentine's Day, the blog featured a post on capturing the hearts of buyers -- <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-get-buyers-to-fall-in-love-with.html" target="_blank">how to win buyers</a>, seduce them, appeal to their senses, and not let them forget you.<br /><br />One of my March posts had to do with window treatments -- <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/03/listen-up-its-easy-to-make-no-sew.html" target="_blank">curtains and drapes that require no sewing, all designed especially for home staging</a>. I wrote a $5 eBook of 15 tutorials for No-Sew Window Treatments. Why let your windows go bare when it's time to stage, and why give your valuable window coverings away to the buyer?<br /><br />During the following month, April, I wrote about the most important <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/04/home-improvements-that-deliver-most.html" target="_blank">things you can do to help sell your home</a>. This story is packed with helpful statistics, experts' advice, and shortcuts. You're bound to get some new ideas for simple home improvements.<br /><br />Since I get more questions about furniture arrangement than any other topic,  May's winning piece has to be Handy Formulas that Make <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/05/handy-formulas-that-make-diy-home.html" target="_blank">DIY Home Staging</a> Easy. You'll find measurements, ratios, formulas and other space and sizing tips to make rooms look and feel more comfortable. Bookmark it!<br /><br /><a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/06/painting-furniture-dont-make-these.html" target="_blank">Painting furniture</a> is another hot button topic around here. I collected my favorite tips in a post for one week in June, and I concentrated on the most common mistakes made when DIYers paint furniture. I'm a professional painter, so I gave you all the insider secrets to get the job done quickly but expertly. The <a href="http://www.thediyadventures.com/2012/12/13/diy-basics-painting-furniture/" target="_blank">DIY Adventurers Blog</a> liked this post so much they featured it on their site.<br /><br />Although it may not be an option for you, many people are considering the pros and cons of <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-pros-and-cons-of-renting-your-home.html" target="_blank">renting their homes until they can sell</a> them. I researched and opined about this topic in July. There's lots to weigh before making a decision.<br /><br />I could have called my August article, The Five Tricks Professional Stagers Use, something like <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/08/five-tricks-professional-stagers-use.html" target="_blank">All You Really Need to Do to Sell You Home</a>. It's that succinct and helpful.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2011/07/08/4c49a0629e47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2011/07/08/4c49a0629e47.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The white-on-white color scheme, done by Sarah Richardson. One blog post I didn't feature <br />here but that I suspect may help many DIY stagers decide on <br />paint colors, is <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-all-white-color-palette-is-it.html" target="_blank">my advice on an all-white color palette.</a> </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />In September, I attacked another common problem -- mantel staging, and I listed my smartest steps for <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-abcs-of-staging-seasonal-mantel.html" target="_blank">staging a mantel </a>that actually helps sell your home.<br /><br />Does your home have some Wow Factors? That's the question I asked in an October post. Wondering <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/10/does-your-home-have-some-wow-factors.html" target="_blank">what wow factors are</a> and which ones might be do-able for your home, your market and your budget? See my advice and illustrations.<br /><br />My favorite post from November is called Ten Tips to Improve Your Autumn <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/11/ten-tips-to-improve-your-autumn-curb.html" target="_blank">Curb Appeal,</a> but no matter what the season, you'll find pointers here to improve the way your home looks all year long.<br /><br />This past month I concentrated on decorating and protecting your home for the holidays. I so enjoyed making the <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/12/this-seasons-darling-tabletop-christmas.html" target="_blank">tabletop Christmas trees</a> I wrote about, that I am going to call that one my favorite December post. In a home on the market that needs to look festive but not crowded, these adorable tabletop trees fill the bill.<br /><br />Is selling your home and moving on to your next adventure part of your plans for 2013? Then take a moment to download my $5 <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar</i>. It's over 150 pdf pages of illustrated tips and techniques, checklists and formulas, to take the work out of staging your own home. Kick off the New Year with staging that works! <br /><br /><br />

Roundup of my Favorite 2012 Posts

A front door in Charleston, South Carolina, welcomes the new year.  I chose to feature these posts based on how helpful they would be to you...

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Ikea Hack - How to make a cookbook shelf

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_xEz83svVZ3yjEX71Z013l02-jxjLOm0_2cjzAJaU0cb0Izm9wStJo8YINz6jgwOamp_3jNMieFFdK6t63w-iG9EBCr8yGM2GmpaoE3iEUw7UPvEM3QzDL4GH21ApTbptDGySai1pyw/s1600/IMG_7467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_xEz83svVZ3yjEX71Z013l02-jxjLOm0_2cjzAJaU0cb0Izm9wStJo8YINz6jgwOamp_3jNMieFFdK6t63w-iG9EBCr8yGM2GmpaoE3iEUw7UPvEM3QzDL4GH21ApTbptDGySai1pyw/s1600/IMG_7467.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />The cookbook shelf is one of my <i>favourite </i>elements of the kitchen. I really do think that it it is one of the main details that makes our ikea kitchen look custom. Up until now I haven't had an chance to describe how you can recreate this look - but thanks to some vacation time and Aubrey helping me with some "how to" details, I have put together this post just in time to end 2012. This post is long with diagrams ... I'm really hoping that it is clear and helps you design your own Ikea kitchen in the future. xo Lindsay<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hScIc6HDIfQyUn3Vy0SB_QGH7aFXGXPZcMJXR1ocUhmWW7KmcYthd1_QZPWtM_C7ouOTSUGNJYbQZ6yfplt3hCX9avU7Vrn0hCtQ28shkT6LbN6bG_b141p-tAxg_mOcl3byJMows_g/s1600/intro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hScIc6HDIfQyUn3Vy0SB_QGH7aFXGXPZcMJXR1ocUhmWW7KmcYthd1_QZPWtM_C7ouOTSUGNJYbQZ6yfplt3hCX9avU7Vrn0hCtQ28shkT6LbN6bG_b141p-tAxg_mOcl3byJMows_g/s1600/intro.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />If we had gone with a custom kitchen this kind of element would have been easy. But when you're working with big box cabinets, something like this takes a wee bit of "hacking". The <em>easy</em> way to create a shelf would be to put up an Ikea cabinet in that space above the sink and just leave the doors off. The problem with this method is that you would see all of the fronts of the cabinet`s walls and also all the holes on sides that are supposed to allow for adjustable shelves. In our case this way defeated our hope of making our Ikea kitchen look <em>custom</em>. So although it was the easy route, it wasn't the right route for us.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYz3bhsCu6Dpqn0cs976bRVI0S1oBTzRW56yMjYzbHQ6xaOSh-CMrGaqcDj7U6WxP9Tdve8akIkaCJcIBPoB0bAKi3wR3u3n5RvjqVkooBx2TBKvUb2cobHjxC8Gcax16S-1CkozusIQ/s1600/diagram1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYz3bhsCu6Dpqn0cs976bRVI0S1oBTzRW56yMjYzbHQ6xaOSh-CMrGaqcDj7U6WxP9Tdve8akIkaCJcIBPoB0bAKi3wR3u3n5RvjqVkooBx2TBKvUb2cobHjxC8Gcax16S-1CkozusIQ/s1600/diagram1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Before diving into the instructions, I wanted to show you a diagram that shows the basic measurements that we were working with. This will hopefully help you with understanding the instructions that follow. Keep in mind that your measurements will differ as each home has different ceiling heights.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmSUZeRXB2GuSw_aElTMIzbeTpKWXVh0wsNccRfhywdgENtmB8h-d0aE_R1ovz-szg3NWUkTNjaHaP37FwhE77wq7L06x4RP-Y6T-Ld_efrqdz-_VFNuEShKTVp0-y_20hv_OfW6GaG0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmSUZeRXB2GuSw_aElTMIzbeTpKWXVh0wsNccRfhywdgENtmB8h-d0aE_R1ovz-szg3NWUkTNjaHaP37FwhE77wq7L06x4RP-Y6T-Ld_efrqdz-_VFNuEShKTVp0-y_20hv_OfW6GaG0/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNBikqKKFyRLuqq9W_DeqlmxFHqOFk9uGpVxF_9UJDtgCUoRp5QV9nQiZkDqQxY1j2yqNU9VIzQsJa0_nK-gCnNchswez-d_5oDEq34bdT-Vp3-zPxNoHsFdZoKFkh4z5fMiz2oQzhDU/s1600/diagram2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNBikqKKFyRLuqq9W_DeqlmxFHqOFk9uGpVxF_9UJDtgCUoRp5QV9nQiZkDqQxY1j2yqNU9VIzQsJa0_nK-gCnNchswez-d_5oDEq34bdT-Vp3-zPxNoHsFdZoKFkh4z5fMiz2oQzhDU/s1600/diagram2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />You need two larger cabinets [Fig A and C shown below] on either side of a shorter upper cabinet [Fig B]. We used the tallest cabinets possible for our main cabinetry [A and C], as our ceiling height allowed for it. You don't order any additional cabinetry for beneath the middle (shorter) cabinet [Fig B].<br /><br />The shelf itself is nothing other than an Ikea cover panel. Cover panels are sold for the purpose of adding to the end of cabinets. The cover panels were the perfect colour - they are made to match the colour of your cabinetry (so no extra painting required) In addition to being the right colour, they were the right depth as they are already designed to fit the depth of cabinetry.<br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR30wcNOEXZqJfqvFFw58Gip3yGOqAiVOqYyyqfdgXn8grD8Rk_6YVt-NnLsEj_OQpvKem5btJXJm8tgI5nSFnWuV_7QgkVhRTJBtABOlyuPPue7UBBlF5o7mnwmMpYFNvOh_RLJ8tBJg/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR30wcNOEXZqJfqvFFw58Gip3yGOqAiVOqYyyqfdgXn8grD8Rk_6YVt-NnLsEj_OQpvKem5btJXJm8tgI5nSFnWuV_7QgkVhRTJBtABOlyuPPue7UBBlF5o7mnwmMpYFNvOh_RLJ8tBJg/s1600/2.jpg" /></a><b></b><br /><b><b><br /></b></b><b><br /></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80nW77hrp_gbbydZfD1PudVzwpNbdqyFPmwGja7-8IPcw7lwgoE-GsZF83RM_ydGDnj1L6RaWyuQDmEamifNGuF8dVrXioOnBecyVdJ02nUhiy0cSfXdjPRIeX8YNT4I2Hu4fY0SNwgM/s1600/diagram3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80nW77hrp_gbbydZfD1PudVzwpNbdqyFPmwGja7-8IPcw7lwgoE-GsZF83RM_ydGDnj1L6RaWyuQDmEamifNGuF8dVrXioOnBecyVdJ02nUhiy0cSfXdjPRIeX8YNT4I2Hu4fY0SNwgM/s1600/diagram3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80nW77hrp_gbbydZfD1PudVzwpNbdqyFPmwGja7-8IPcw7lwgoE-GsZF83RM_ydGDnj1L6RaWyuQDmEamifNGuF8dVrXioOnBecyVdJ02nUhiy0cSfXdjPRIeX8YNT4I2Hu4fY0SNwgM/s1600/diagram3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />We cut both panels to the right width which was 30 inches in our case (the width of the cabinet in figure B above). One panel was attached to the bottom of the upper cabinet to hide some of those fasteners that are exposed on Ikea cabinets. This was done by screwing down from inside the top cabinet with the right length screws (too long and they`d show and ruin your custom look, so be careful there.) The other panel became our shelf.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7vZrycPH2ZrhP-ML_kUH-JOC2YAMZsSMNMq2JJ_Yi-oLXu3hCKe-gnfVd25G7FMWt1Yc0M7LYP4TXqQ_nS8UoIiqpUkXA0DhBiX5g1pt53mwH-5O8HPDUEr1s2foqZXzBX_uGx1O9lM/s1600/shelf_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7vZrycPH2ZrhP-ML_kUH-JOC2YAMZsSMNMq2JJ_Yi-oLXu3hCKe-gnfVd25G7FMWt1Yc0M7LYP4TXqQ_nS8UoIiqpUkXA0DhBiX5g1pt53mwH-5O8HPDUEr1s2foqZXzBX_uGx1O9lM/s1600/shelf_a.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsf5ENtE0WKjo6RJEyjW1bG4DRnGcONBwFKjGleSPNHCGuRClFvY0SwgJ2mwhE1wqectzGVsQ8njhbjbsYDTZ5NeNxvD0O4MCcZPlG8F8a-ozrbnfk1TBxwTMsLROKD1wVqDCBqietd4/s1600/diagram4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsf5ENtE0WKjo6RJEyjW1bG4DRnGcONBwFKjGleSPNHCGuRClFvY0SwgJ2mwhE1wqectzGVsQ8njhbjbsYDTZ5NeNxvD0O4MCcZPlG8F8a-ozrbnfk1TBxwTMsLROKD1wVqDCBqietd4/s1600/diagram4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>To support the shelf we installed supports along the back wall (small `L` bracket`s) and along the sides (neatly cut strips of scrap cover panels) so that the shelf sits 5-6 inches higher than the bottom of the high cabinets to the left of right of the sink area. [Picture below shows a view from under the shelf]<br /><br />One thing we didn't account for was that these cover panels are not very sturdy because they aren't very thick. In order to make sure the shelf didn't sag in the middle because of the weight of the cookbooks we used a solid piece of wood (1x2 inches that was not finger-jointed) as our valance.<br /><br />Since we had chosen a valance profile that was more traditional and not from Ikea it worked very well and added to the overall custom look. If we had chosen an Ikea valance (that also wouldn't be too sturdy) we would have had to add in a supporting beam behind it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEwTGv_54I-aAKK9f-lWessD3DX5tVOPnAbzP89qsF5QNszrZzxrzS6dmU0DEt_IJ8jZ8Zwasu_LrVru05ldpb4PqAWptlO4-LPTUWO3zPg_EetrmeQYcqO1UkWXmjZL1xWDHigjcl_c/s1600/01+%2528412%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEwTGv_54I-aAKK9f-lWessD3DX5tVOPnAbzP89qsF5QNszrZzxrzS6dmU0DEt_IJ8jZ8Zwasu_LrVru05ldpb4PqAWptlO4-LPTUWO3zPg_EetrmeQYcqO1UkWXmjZL1xWDHigjcl_c/s1600/01+%2528412%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_sTCMTVI6yIpRxddaUuz5DhcKEoNADNPcjwEKlcRC4XZSkkKGKLdPfM1KrWJ59XXOPTIWlVhQ517Glt088MbKS6a5zvRE8cNqg1e6dMwUF8FnvtDxr-LZU3r1qeFjfWy0VErA7IJU9I/s1600/diagram5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_sTCMTVI6yIpRxddaUuz5DhcKEoNADNPcjwEKlcRC4XZSkkKGKLdPfM1KrWJ59XXOPTIWlVhQ517Glt088MbKS6a5zvRE8cNqg1e6dMwUF8FnvtDxr-LZU3r1qeFjfWy0VErA7IJU9I/s1600/diagram5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Aubrey and I held up books that were the size we needed the shelf to hold and made sure they`d fit and that there was enough space above them.The space that we ended up with (the height of the inside of the shelf, ended up being <b>15 inches.</b>  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4FWz0U6xpYdN-4EPR5dCiQpYUtIB39kyzRmsYzttsPYwmO3zohvKLMc0IN4Z0npmcWubV89dOwaVIwkDB3SBP4qy7v6Tg_Dyak5FbdERRxFlf5zEWsZ_PZS5eUAO3pEvop3rlpBgdus/s1600/height.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4FWz0U6xpYdN-4EPR5dCiQpYUtIB39kyzRmsYzttsPYwmO3zohvKLMc0IN4Z0npmcWubV89dOwaVIwkDB3SBP4qy7v6Tg_Dyak5FbdERRxFlf5zEWsZ_PZS5eUAO3pEvop3rlpBgdus/s1600/height.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPizS4UN9B4yf1_PDlvfHJ-b9o1UmY4I3TeokvOp9NuNJtqZ7nZy6yVEWsS4OxxQOq2o_-jmJLniWhY_mpJf-Y6lenQ2b187JuOQqAQjvpaE5iNfhXdu7_tB5bALK0BaUPCshgmsQ6g8/s1600/diagram6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPizS4UN9B4yf1_PDlvfHJ-b9o1UmY4I3TeokvOp9NuNJtqZ7nZy6yVEWsS4OxxQOq2o_-jmJLniWhY_mpJf-Y6lenQ2b187JuOQqAQjvpaE5iNfhXdu7_tB5bALK0BaUPCshgmsQ6g8/s1600/diagram6.jpg" /></a></div><br />As for the back of the shelf, you have a few options. You could extend your backsplash up so it becomes the backdrop for whatever you put on your shelf. However we elected to go with another cover panel that was a bit larger that we cut to the right size and glued to the wall with PL. Although you can hardly see it, it`s that little detail that makes it seem like custom built cabinetry.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>There you go. I hope this helps! xo Lindsay<br /><br /> <script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- BIG Ad for posts --><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1823932887598627" data-ad-slot="9770787480"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script>

Ikea Hack - How to make a cookbook shelf

The cookbook shelf is one of my favourite elements of the kitchen. I really do think that it it is one of the main details that makes our ik...

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The Best of 2012

2012 has been a damn good year. So much so that I wanted to relive it with all of you. Here are the Best of 2012 Awards. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22623969@N03/8318601217/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Best Of by klacowsky, on Flickr"><img alt="Best Of" height="102" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8221/8318601217_7e3e2c6da3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><strong>Best New Hobby:</strong> <a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2012/12/things-i-cant-wait-to-diy.html" target="_blank">DIY'ing</a>. Moving back into our house means lots of DIY projects and decorating around the house. So I've scoured tons of amazing home blogs for new ideas on what to do and have started making our house a home.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22623969@N03/8324114242/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_6400-001 by klacowsky, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6400-001" height="458" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8324114242_e9ec903c37_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto; width: 640px;"><div style="position: relative;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div></div><br /><strong>Best DIY Project of the Year:</strong> My favorite DIY is our new <a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2012/11/diy-color-chandelier.html" target="_blank">pink chandelier</a>. I LOVE it. I love how the color pops against our mint walls and how trendy it is! I still can't believe that I almost gave this chandelier away.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong>Best Home Rennovation Project:</strong> <a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2012/10/were-tearing-down-walls.html" target="_blank">Tearing down the walls!!!</a> Big thanks to Justin for being such a handy guy and tearing down a couple of walls in our house to make it more livable. <br /><br /><em>Now, since this blog has only been around for a matter of months, I've decided to share a few of The Best Of's from <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Greatest Hits</a> so you can see how my whole year looked. Check em out! </em><br /><br /><strong>Most Eye Opening Moment</strong> <strong>that lead to the Best Life Changing Moment:</strong> If you've followed this blog for long, you'll know that Hubby and I were struggling with our life in Virginia. So this <em><a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/07/appreciating-what-i-have.html" target="_blank">Most Eye Opening Moment</a></em> lead to this <em><a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/07/im-not-dead.html" target="_blank">Change of View</a></em> which lead to this <em><a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/08/i-have-some-big-news.html" target="_blank">Best Life Changing Moment</a></em>. Needless to say, we're in a much better place now that we've put ourselves first. <br /><br />Oh, and <a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2012/10/i-cant-believe-were-doing-this.html" target="_blank">this</a> was a pretty important moment that was closely related!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22623969@N03/8324112844/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Best Husband by klacowsky, on Flickr"><img alt="Best Husband" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8492/8324112844_d5e5320c1c_z.jpg" width="639" /></a></div><strong><br /></strong><strong>Best Husband of the Year:</strong> He cooks. He cleans. He moves across the country (a couple of times) for me. And he even rips down walls. I mean, you can't get much better than this guy.<br /><strong><br /></strong><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22623969@N03/8323054879/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Biggest Crybaby by klacowsky, on Flickr"><img alt="Biggest Crybaby" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8213/8323054879_fa285454c9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><strong>Biggest Crybaby:</strong> I don't cry often, but when I got this letter in the mail I went hysterical.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22623969@N03/8324184930/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Desktop6 by klacowsky, on Flickr"><img alt="Desktop6" height="457" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8358/8324184930_266f3b5827_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><strong><br /></strong><strong>Award for Finishing What You Started:</strong> This award goes to me (and my friend KFields!) who stuck it out and finished the <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-big-weekend.html" target="_blank">Virginia Beach half marathon</a> in September. 99 degrees with 90% numidity made this race the hardest thing I've ever done, hands down. I almost quit, but didn't. I walked though....oh boy, did I walk. Image <a href="http://blog.imbreannarose.com/wallpaper-03-finish-what-you-start/">source</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Weirdest Vacation Ever:</strong> Hubster and my trip to the Dominican Republic was the weirdest vacation we've ever taken. But we don't need to relieve <em><a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/10/vacation-in-style.html" target="_blank">this</a></em> again. <br /><br /><strong>Best Work Trip:</strong> One of the things I love about my job is the fact that I get to see the world. Well, maybe not the <em>world</em>, but the country. This year I got to visit <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/02/past-26-days.html" target="_blank">NYC for the first time ever</a> (and three times after that!). My favorite trips were in the winter <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/11/its-almost-thanksgiving.html" target="_blank">before Thanksgiving</a> and <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/12/merry-christmas.html" target="_blank">before Christmas</a>. NYC is so pretty in the winter! <strong>Runner up:</strong> <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/03/travel-day.html" target="_blank">Vancouver Canada</a>!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22623969@N03/8323054941/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Best Weekend by klacowsky, on Flickr"><img alt="Best Weekend" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8323054941_301f18bc1d_z.jpg" width="612" /></a></div><strong><br /></strong><strong>Best Way to Spend the Weekends:</strong> While living on the East Coast, hubby and I had some amazing weekend trips spent with friends. We had a few trips to <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/05/reason-i-love-dc-367.html" target="_blank">DC</a>, two to <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/09/relocating-home.html" target="_blank">Baltimore</a>, a dozen or so to <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/08/mix-and-match.html" target="_blank">Virginia Beach</a> and one to <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/07/im-not-dead.html" target="_blank">Charlotte</a>!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22623969@N03/8324112502/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="The Wall by klacowsky, on Flickr"><img alt="The Wall" height="458" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8084/8324112502_8b90b8cb87_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><strong><br /></strong><strong>Most Artistic:</strong> One thing Richmond did right was having <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/08/all-pretty-things.html" target="_blank">local artists paint murals on the sides of buildings</a>, and boy are they gorgeous. And they sure worked great as backdrops for my photos!<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong>Most Terrible Luck:</strong> I get the award for this one! If you remember back a few months before we left Richmond, <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-i-wore-day-i-got-hit-by-car.html" target="_blank">I got hit by a car</a>....WHILE WALKING TO WORK!. Now, this may be a combination of my own bad luck and Richmond's terrible drivers, but I've given Richmond a lot of flack in the last year, so I'll chalk this up to my own bad luck. <br /><br /><strong>Best Concert:</strong> <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/05/its-not-my-fault.html" target="_blank">The best concert</a> we went to this year was definately AWOLNATION. The show was at The National in Richmond, VA which is a small and intimate venue with the beauty of being a historical building. There were maybe a hundred of us there, so Hubby and I were able to stand close to the stage yet feel comfortable enough to move and dance around. And AWOL was amazing!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22623969@N03/8323054999/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Best Surprise by klacowsky, on Flickr"><img alt="Best Surprise" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8356/8323054999_3372a29ae2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><strong><br /></strong><strong>Best Surprise:</strong> After a stressful few months of work, I decided to surprise Justin with a cake to show him how much I appreciated his putting up with my shit. He thought it was hilarious and I got to enjoy some of the cake too!<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong>Best Book I've Read This Year:</strong> I've read tons of books in 2012 that I've shared with you through my Sunday Storytime posts, and <em>11/22/63</em> by Stephen King is by far my favorite. I gave it five stars in my review <a href="http://fashionsgreatesthits.blogspot.com/2012/11/sunday-storytime-112263.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /><br /><strong>Money best spent:</strong> I can't believe it had taken me so long, but in September I finally hired a designer to update the design of my blogs. They look SO much better and I couldn't be happier. If only I knew how to code.... <br /><br />What are some of your favorite parts of 2012?

The Best of 2012

2012 has been a damn good year. So much so that I wanted to relive it with all of you. Here are the Best of 2012 Awards. Best New Hobby: DI...

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DIY weekend projects

I've had a pretty fun week so far. Even though I've had to work the past few days, they are total sluff off days filled with clearance shopping, browsing new design blogs I've found and having lunch with friends. So let's keep the fun going into the weekend! <br /><br />Here are a couple of small (yet awesome!) DIY projects that could be done in a weekend. I'm not sure which I'll do yet, but I've got some pretty great options. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22623969@N03/8318082345/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DIY Weekend Projects by klacowsky, on Flickr"><img alt="DIY Weekend Projects" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8318082345_419245535c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="http://blog.imbreannarose.com/do-it-yourself-dotty-jeans/" target="_blank">Patterned jeans</a> are all the rage right now, so why not make polka dot ones yourself with a pair of old jeans you don't wear anymore? I know I have a few of them laying around. Breanna outlines simple step-by-step instructions on how to do them yourself! <br /><br />And DIY doesn't have to just be arts & crafts, baking is included! I'm a sugar fiend, so these <a href="http://www.highheelsandgrills.com/2012/08/sugar-cookie-bars.html" target="_blank">Sugar Cookie Bars</a> look <em>to die for.</em> <br /><br />Enjoy DIY'ing this weekend!

DIY weekend projects

I've had a pretty fun week so far. Even though I've had to work the past few days, they are total sluff off days filled with clearan...

Read more »