if i had a hammer.

Most of my projects are done without shoes (and are finished by Adam). There's a really obvious dirty joke in there that i'm much too ladylike to make, but just barely. When i wake up in a project-y mood, i hit the ground running. So unless i sleep in my shoes, i will be barefoot. Plus i live in Arizona so we can do that 75% of the year (but the other 25% of the time they will be sizzled to the bone).

This week i cut and cleared out the negative space underneath the stairs to make a "secret hideout" for my kids slash place where nerdy magicians can sleep. After Adam installed the electrical (cause i don't mess with that crap) I started installing drywall...yes, barefoot. Sheamus hammered everything in sight while Elyott cleared out the screws and old soda cans left by the builders years ago. When my kids asked why there were soda cans in the walls i told them it was because the little mice had a party. Neither of them thought it was cute that i said that. Just scary. So i told them the boring truth...they never get my jokes. 

Speaking of my kids thinking i'm annoying, they also don't appreciate when i try to cheer them up by humming (actually "bling-blinging") the sad Charlie Brown tune when they are pouting with their heads hung theatrically low. Or when i start singing a lullaby in my (gorgeous) normal voice, but then my Clarabelle the cow voice takes over and makes every song hilarious for everyone involved (me). But I think they secretly love that one. 

Anyway, I am excited to finish the hideout because then Sonny can actually play downstairs again without the risk of him sucking on a nasty old Fanta can. And then i won't keep getting dust in the painful split that has developed in my big toe. I know what you're thinking...I could just start wearing shoes. But much like my immature parenting tactics, you could also ask: where is the entertainment...the STORY...in being so sensible? 

That's what i thought.

team Boo ♥'s you

dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap.

{via minor details}

Since 100+ temps are just around the corner, I am gearing up for a basement makeover. That way my kids and i will have a place to play that doesn't look like toy purgatory. A place misguided and underutilized. My problem? I have no money. like NONE. I can work miracles with budget design, but unfortunately my house is the red headed step child of my life and is always second fiddle to my creative endeavors. 


So this is where i shamelessly beg for the help of my empathetic demographic (that's you): Mandi at vintage revivals is hosting an "epic makeover" to one lucky reader (me?) where she will personally come and help revamp a space that needs some serious direction (my basement!). Plus Mandi, if you're out there, kid spaces are so fun because anything goes since kids can't stop you aren't...picky (horse mobiles, the color orange, ridiculous murals, disco balls...circus freaks!?) the weirder the better.


So whether i am chosen or not, i will sell lemonade, donate plasma, tap dance on the street corner...whatever it takes to earn the cash to spruce it up a bit. It is our only survival plan for the summer months. I will chart my progress here, and then at the end we can have a big AZ-onian blog playdate at my house! Cause there "ain't no party like a Liz Lemon party cause a Liz Lemon party is MANDATORY" (i've had that stuck in my head for like three days now) 


here is my very sad before (p.s. we've lived here six years and it still looks like an taupe box where fun goes to die):

The sky is the limit! (actually $$ is the limit...but you know what i mean) I'll let you know when the voting starts...

team Boo ♥'s you

halloween "high"

This week I worked on a "Clue" themed Halloween party, made to accommodate about 300 people on a $400 decorating budget. It was a challenge...but we pulled it off! I am basically a cardboard profesh now, as i can whip out a mystery themed mural like it's going out of style (if it ever were in style to make mansions out of cardboard??) 

I'd like to give a special thanks to Chipotle for always being there when my blood sugar got low, and to my unmatched husband for taking care of my motherless children all week. And, of course, to the checkout associate at Home Depot for agreeing to sell me more gold spray paint even though I had it suspiciously all over the underside of my nose. oopsie :)

Stay tuned for the party pics, but first the mood board:

team Boo ♥'s you

happy working song.

"elyott, if you get your backpack, you can put it on my 'mustache hooker'" (sheamus)

Everyone should have some good music while they work, here are a few songs that kept me going this weekend...

team boo ♥'s you

lets hear it for the boy.

Is it just me, or is everyone having girls??

It seems there are so many sweet little dresses and dollies online meant to inspire

but what about the boys!

 Over at this cute little site they are putting all things little boy at the top of their to do list...

look at these little pants!!

I must make some.

join me :)

or these little shirts .
So nerdy that they're cute.

team boo ♥'s you

in your face naysayer (Adam)

Adam always makes fun of me when I start a project

because I am, in his words, "odd jobs McGee"

(A title well deserved for all of my randomness)

but i am happy to say....I did it!

I finished my first quilt.

Since my most favorite childhood friend finally decided to have a baby, I thought the least i could do was make her a personal gift.  I never would have had the guts though without the very thorough tutorial by the crafting wonder....Kelly McCaleb (over at my happy little life ). She never fails to inspire and is overflowing with good old fashioned maternal talent. Don't be intimidated...you can do it too! I assure you my sewing abilities are very basic....like sewing-in-a-straight-line basic.

Here are the pics of the what i started with and the adorable little munch who now occupies it :) in all its imperfect glory....

Thanks Kelly!

team boo ♥'s you