$55 Living Room Makeover

My boyfriend and I moved into our house almost a year ago.

We were (and still are) on a budget, and decorating hasn't really been a priority.

We got most of our furniture from garage sales, thrift stores, craigslist, and from our friends and family.

Our friend's father gave us these couches for free.

They are in really good condition, and I like the shape, but they are definitely not our style (if we even have a 'style').

My main problem is that the pattern is so bold that it steals the show. Everything we do to the room ends up being overshadowed by the green monsters, and all the throw pillows I've made totally clash.

We aren't ready to buy new couches yet, and slip covers can be crazy expensive.

So when I saw some simple, natural-colored slip covers at Big Lots for pretty cheap, I went home and measured our sofa and loveseat to make sure they would fit.

Side note: Do you have a Big Lots near you? I've been told they are only in a few areas. I'm glad I have one right around the corner because they some really great deals and LOTS of home decor items.

The sofa cover was $30 and the loveseat cover was $25.

And after wrestling with these puppies for a little while, I was very pleased with the final result:

 The covers need to be steamed to get the wrinkles out, I know.

It looks like a blank canvas. I can do anything to it without having to accommodate dark green leaves! It feels so refreshing to walk in and not feel so bombarded. 

Now that I have a clean slate, I've got a lot of ideas for spicing this space up.

Here are some rugs that I like 

Source: None via Amy on Pinterest

Source: anthropologie.com via Amy on Pinterest

and if I can convince Brendan to part ways with his beloved recliner, I'd like to get an accent chair or two.

Source: target.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: target.com via Amy on Pinterest

...and this lamp.

Source: anthropologie.com via Amy on Pinterest

OH. MY. GAWD. This lamp... I've been admiring it forever. But I am on a serious Anthropologie boycott ever since the whole Urban Outfitters incident. This lamp looks like something I could possibly make, and customize to whatever colors end up in this room.
I'm making some pillows this week, so I will show photos of any progress that I make.

Also... any suggestions for what to do with that big empty wall? I know there are a lot of options, but the thermostat is smack dab in the middle of the wall. I'd like to have words with whoever made that genius decision...
Anyway, happy Wednesday :)

This is what I do when I'm bored.

I go on Pinterest.

I'm addicted.

I have the app on my iPhone, and even though it crashes and freezes all the time, I still use it.

Because I want to love it.

This is why...

Source: etsy.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: 13things.typepad.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: piperlime.gap.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: joeydevilla.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: aplacetolovedogs.com via Míriam on Pinterest

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

If you're not on Pinterest, you should be. GO. NOW!

& Look at my other pins and boards here.

Thanks for stopping by :)

What I Wore Wednesday {Tie Dye}

Tie dye is so fun and summery.

It reminds me of bbq's

beaches

festivals...

...just SUMMER!

I bought this dress awhile ago but never wore it. To be honest, it was really cheap and I bought it for the belt that came with it. I dug it out of my closet this morning and realized that I had used the belt for another outfit, and I couldn't find it anywhere. Darn. It was a simple black elastic belt that snapped together.

But I was able to make it work with this turquoise belt and it adds a little more color. I'm sorry the photos are so blah... I'm still using my iPhone because my camera is broken.

 The shape of the dress is kind of drapey and not something I would usually wear, but I'm all about stepping out of my comfort zone these days. I don't know what that's about, but I think it's a good thing.

Dress: Wet Seal

Belt: Ross

Shoes: Nordstrom Rack

I'm linking up to WIWW on The Pleated Poppy

I'm having a reader appreciation giveaway when I reach 50 followers! Become a follower and get a chance at winning this cute little crossbody satchel {made by me!}

Updates from the Cute Stuff Sale

If you missed the Cute Stuff Sale on NGN, we had a lot of fun! But you are not completely out of luck... all of the shops that participated in the sale are offering a 15% coupon this whole week (Enter code LOVENGN at checkout)! Of course, you can get my coffee cozies, wallets, and tote bags from Fancy Funky Fresh, but I wanted to share some of my favorite shops too.
At the sale I made purchases from Linkel Designs, and Lilac Ave. These two shops are AWESOME!

Source: etsy.com via Amy on Pinterest

Linkel Designs has such lovely jewelry, made by a mom-and-daughter team. I wanted every single piece they listed. I ended up snagging a really beautiful ring, and there are lots of other wonderful things in the shop. So go check out their Etsy shop and blog!

Source: etsy.com via Amy on Pinterest

Lilac Ave. makes the best skin care products. At the last sale I bought a lip balm, and it is my absolute favorite! My mom and sisters are really jealous. This time I got a lotion bar, which I can't wait for! Her shop has so many great items to choose from and they are all eco-friendly. You've got to see her Etsy shop, and follow Lilac Ave. on  facebook

The Cute Stuff Sale

I'm so excited to tell you guys about the news!

I'm selling some of my handmade creations at the Cute Stuff Sale hosted by NiceGirlNotes!

This sale is so much fun.... Here's how it works.

I'd be so thrilled if some of you participated. There is laughing, there is dancing, there is buying, there is smack-talking. It's a blast!

Don't worry, if you can't make it to the sale on FB, there will be a discount offered by all of the participating shops... 15% off! The discount code is LOVENGN, which you enter at checkout anytime during the week following the sale.

My shop, Fancy Funky Fresh was featured on the NiceGirlNotes blog the other day. How cool is that?! It is truly one of my favorite blogs to read for all the funny stories, cartoons, and of course, cute stuff.

All of the items featured in the Cute Stuff Sale will be discounted at least 25% and all prices include shipping. I'm selling some of my best sellers like coffee cozies and Carry-It wallets. Plus some new stuff too. Like this:

Get excited folks! Let me know if you plan on participating, I'd love to see you there.

Look What I Made... Wanna Win It?

Hi there. I'm so so SO excited to share my most recent project with you! I've been admiring these little leather cross body bags. Here are some I really like:

Anthro

Fossil

I thought since I have been working with vinyl a lot lately that I could manage something like this. So I went to work last night on a black faux leather crossbody purse.

...And I did it!

It is the perfect size to hold all of my essential items. But it's small enought that it doesn't allow me to collect junk (which I tend to do when I have the capacity of a large bag).

The inside pattern is a geometric Amy Butler Home Dec fabric... which I've had forever but hadn't got around to actually using. I think it works well here.

Here's my outfit for the day:

Top: Ragdolls

Jeans: Seven for all mankind (ebay!)

Shoes: BC footwear (Nordstrom Rack)

Necklace: Mandipidy

Purse: made by me!

Ok, wanna win the purse?

I'd like to announce my first reader appreciation giveaway! When My blog reaches 50 follwers, I'll have a giveaway and this will be the prize! As of right now, I'm at 42 follwers. So tell your friends about my blog, my shop, or just about this great purse and we'll have a giveaway!

I'm looking forward to meeting new friends :)

Click "follow" on the left ---->

Happy Birthday to me!

Hi Ya'll (I can say ya'll cause it's my birfday)!

Today is the 23rd anniversary of my birth. I'm not doing anything epic in terms of celebration because I am CRAZY busy at school. I thought I would just pop in and share a little about me with one of these fun ABC surveys I'm seeing everywhere.

Age:

23 today

Bed size: queen

Chore you hate: doing the dishes... who want to take care of that for me?

Dogs: one puggle named Forrest

Essential start to your day: deodorant. MUST. HAVE.

Favorite color: blue, yellow, purple

Gold or silver: Generally silver, but gold is growing on me

Height: 5' nothin

Instruments: nope. I just use my amazing voice as my instrument. That, my firends, is sarcasm

Job title: Full time student, part time nanny

Kids: None of my own. But I care for Max, Jayden, & Allison

Live: California

Moms name: TracyNickname: Aim, mimi, maymay,

Overnight hospital stays: I don't remember. I konked my head at age two but I dont remember staying overnight

Pet peeve: grammar/people who police grammar

Quote from a movie: "When you figure out who you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the rest of your life to start right away"

Right or left handed: Right

Siblings: one older sister (Bari), one younger sister (jessica)

Time you wake up: Usually around 6:30ish

Underwear: Yeah, I wear them from time to time.

Vegetables you dislike: I love veggies. All of them.

What makes you run late: unwillingness to get out of bed. Usually. Sometimes it's my hair.

X-rays you've had done: several... mostly on my hands/fingers

Yummy food you make: I just got this really great enchilada recipe, and got some amazing results!

Zoo animal: Giraffes

Have a wonderul day ya'll!