Headboard Project- Part One

I'm moving in a couple of weekends. Every time I move is time for a bedroom makeover. So, I set out to do a classy/cottage/shabby/adorable room. My first task for my makeover was selecting the perfect light blue, but not too blue, and not too baby shade of light blue. It was difficult. But thank God for Laura Ashley and her darling designer colors at Lowe's.

With paint color out of the way, it's on to my new headboard. Watching HGTV compulsively can give a girl a few too many ideas. When I saw them make a headboard out of an old mantel, I was sold. So, off to craigslist I went. I scored a full wood mantel for a hundred bucks and set out to make it cottage-chic.I'm in the final stage of upholstering this weekend. I'll shoot up some final pics when it's all done.

Here's the progress so far. I'll try by best to be as step-by-step as possible.

This is the Mantel. I painted it "Fence Post" white. You can also see that my Dad and BF added three pieces of ply wood to the inside of the mantel. This will hold an upholstered piece of fabric.


This is the plywood cut to fit the opening of the Mantel. This will be upholstered and the bed will scoot on up all cozy against it. Use the cheap stuff, no need to break the bank if you are just going to cover it.


We created these lil box guys to add some height to the headboard. They will be primed and painted the same color of white, which is a WONDERFUL shade by the way. Not too chalky, not too ivory.


The plywood piece will then get a good coat of spray adhesive and this ball of foam will soon be spread out nice and flat across the plywood, providing some nice bedtime reading cushiony goodness. I will then cover the foam-stuck plywood with batting, and then fabric.


TIP: Foam is very expensive by the yard at the craft store. This plywood piece is almost 6 foot x 4 foot. That's a lot of foam. We're talking 15.99/yard and 3-4 yards needed. Big Bucks. So, my mom and I had the great idea to search the dorm section of Target for cheap foam bed toppers. SCORE! We were able to cut this XL twin topper to fit perfectly for only $19.99 total. A good deal just makes me want to go have a snow cone, or something equally as celebratory!

This is my favorite part. GET A LOAD OF THIS FABRIC!!! I love love love you Waverly. This great upholstery fabric (the kind that comes on the big rolls) was 40% off at my local fabric store. I feel in love instantly.


Here it is all laid out tablecloth style so you can get a good look at its gorgeousness. This pattern will be spread tightly across the foam board, and inserting into the Mantel opening. Think about how much this fabric will pop against the white mantel. I'm getting all giddy just thinking about it!


I can't wait to show you guys the finished product!

Come back and see me!
~Kara

My Mac Wants This

I recently got a Mac Book after my PC crashed. It's so pretty, and white and....clean. I have a fear of removing it from my home. Stupid, I know, that's what laptops are made for. Anytime I have to put the lil' guy in a tote bag, I wrap it in an old t-shirt as to not deface my adorable white ball of technology with a stray pen mark or a glob of gum that escaped from its wrapper.

This little gem is from applesac.com. Has anyone tried one? Do you think this would work out ok? I just want a case with a little spunk and personality. However, I'm hesitating hitting the "check out" button. Let's hear your thoughts....



Come back and see me!
~Kara

Unique Wall Decor

If you are a person who loves home decorating, I implore you...

1. Go to etsy.com
2. In the search box type "Wall Decal"
3. Look through all 86 pages of pure cuteness
4. Start dreaming up all the wonderful possibilities for your space.
5. Celebrate at how inexpensive these are!

Here are a few of my favorites:













I seriously had to stop myself from uploading TONS of photos on here. They are all sto stinkin' cute. Man, if any of you are in the market to decorate a nursery, I think you just found a JACKPOT!!! Soooo many cute kid-friendly designs.

Which is your favorite?

Come back and see me!
~Kara

A New Web Obsession: Howcast

This website rules!! If you are a visual learner, like me, you will find howcast.com quite entertaining. It teaches you how to do anything!! You can learn how to clean your i pod, fold a fitted sheet, and even how to ask out a flight attendant, for all you single folks out there! Seriously, this site has everything and I love it quite a bit. Just another way to pass the time.

I found this video pretty helpful, as I'm getting ready to shabby up my maple dressers by painting them white:



Want to know how to peel a potato in ten seconds? I learned that as well. Check it out at my Cooking Blog.

Come back and see me!
~Kara

My Best Friend's Wedding

One of my best friends Tracy just got engaged a few weekends ago, and I have been invited to be a special part of the ceremony by being a BRIDESMAID. Now, most girls aren't usually elated to be a bridesmaid. I, on the other hand, can't wait!! This is my first really good friend to get married, and my first experience at being in a wedding. I could not be more happy to share with Tracy in this exciting day!!! Let the planning begin!

Now, I kind of love weddings too much and I love event planning a little too much as well. So, what does Kara do when Kara gets bored? Well she plans things out. So, what better way to pass the time than to make an inspiration board for Tracy's wedding?! She is getting married at a winery, most likely, and will be going with a kind of "rustic" theme.

Here's what I threw together. What do ya think?? I love the wine bottles as table numbers.

Anyone have any great ideas for a cute little engagement present? I'm heading to Rochester to see Tracy over labor day weekend.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kara

Early Saturday Morning

It's not even 7:00 on Saturday morning and I'm already up, showered and ready to walk out the door. Why? You might as. GARAGE SALES!!!!! It's true that one man's junk is another man's treasure.

Last Saturday I picked up:

- A 2 year old bagless vacuum for five bucks

- A wine rack and decorative vase for five bucks

- An old latter to convert into a towel rack.

I'll keep you posted on what I find today!!

~Kara

Apartment Envy- Carrie Bradshaw

I just saw Sex & The City last night so forgive me. I'm a little overly obsessed right now...

I have a severe case of apartment lust most anytime I visit any one's place for the first time. I don't know what it is but I always think the grass is greener on the other side, that or everyone else has better decorating taste than me.

Carrie Bradshaw is NO exception. Carrie's apartment gets a facelift in the movie. However, let's be honest. I was lusting after her apartment through every HBO episode. I loved the old apartment's shabby "lived in" style. Everything seemed thrown together but somehow it worked, and made me want to pick up, move to New York, and some how live her lifestyle. Clearly my Midwest ways immediately kicked in and brought me back down to reality.

Here's Carrie's place pre-movie makeover:




Now, I REALLY love Carrie's new place, and there a couple of elements from her place I'm dying to work into my new apartment when I move in July.

Here's Carrie's Place Post-Makeover, let the lusting ensue:


What I love:
- The random mis-matched frames above the bed, I'm definitely doing this!
- The blue/white combo will also make an appearance in my new bedroom, but in much a more pale way
-That rug! What girl on earth wouldn't love that rug?!

What's your favorite part of Carrie's place?

Thanks for stopping by! Come back and see me!

~ Kara

A New Blog!!

Hello Everyone!!!

Welcome to my new blog!! You may know me from my cooking blog, or most likely because you are one of my friends I convince to read my cooking blog.

I found myself wanting to blog about several random things that didn't really fit into the "Kara Cooks" theme, so I started this blog as a place to catch my random thoughts, let you guys in on my current decorating/home projects, and talk about anything else I want to. Because it's my blog and I'll post if I want to! (I'm pretty sure that is inexcusable, but I'm leaving it there).

So welcome, come back and visit anytime.

~Kara