Happy Spring 2014 Mantel :)

I'm actually really excited about this season's mantel.

Especially because mostly everything was purchased right here in Fort McMurray, at Walmart no less! Budget-friendly decorating and craft supplies are quite hard to come by here, especially since we have no Michael's or Homesense. I was pleasantly surprised how cute some of the Walmart items were, especially the photo frames! Also, the wreath was a steal at $14!

I chose bright colours to really amp up the Spring-y-ness :) It's been a long, cold, white winter {and it's still going strong}, so our home needed a jolt of joyful and vibrant colours.

Though it's still cold and wintery outside, the calendar says it's Spring. In the famous words of "Field of Dreams" -- "If you build it, they will come" -- I figure if I decorate as if it is Spring, perhaps I can manifest it? 

Here's hoping for longer days, green grass, the emergence of flowers, and a warmer sun.

Happy Spring, indeed!

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Kitchen Update - A RUG!

I've been mulling over some kitchen updates for awhile. I want a new table, new chairs, and a new rug.

Most folks I ask wonder why I would ever want a rug under the dining table. Between the food crumbs and the kids, it may seem like not only terrible idea, but a recipe for filth. I get it. 

But there is a method to my madness.

1. I want something soft underfoot that will quiet the noise of the chairs moving. Hate the scraping tile noise. Grrrr....

2. I need to jazz up the joint a bit. It's been almost 2 years!

And NO, I didn't choose a thick pile, shag rug. I chose a rug that realistically meets the needs of our family. 

An OUTDOOR RUG! Yep, it can get wet. It's easy to clean. It can just be hosed off. No muss, no fuss. Totally durable.

See what a difference a rug makes?

I chose the Safavieh Courtyard rug from Wayfair.com in 8 ft by 11 ft. I also got it on sale! And delivered to my door in less than 2 weeks -- even way up north here in Fort McMurray!

  Here's a close-up of the rug. I love the Moroccan-esque pattern. It's bold but the colours subdue the pattern a bit.

I'm super excited for this purchase. I'm excited to have some more pizzazz in the dining area, and to finally have some quiet when we move the chairs! No more scraping on the tile :)

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Living Room Upgrade - Built-in Bookshelves! {Lots of Photos!}

So like most of you, we've been really busy this summer. We've enjoyed the amazingly long days of summertime in Fort McMurray. We've traveled a bit, enjoyed our backyard and our new hot tub {yay!}, we bought a new truck {double yay!}, explored all the trails in our area on "nature walks" with the kiddos, and spent amazing quality time with family. 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @mummymaggie to follow along in our day-to-day adventures :)

In all of this fun, we did manage to squeeze in a couple of DIY projects which I promise to post to this here bloggy blog. I guess this is the part of the post where I apologize profusely for being absent for so long. I am sorry. I missed you, my lovely readers. Thanks for understanding that life sometimes veers us of the blog-writing track, but we always come back :)

So without further ado...the Living Room Upgrade! Yes, I did give a bit of a teaser way back in March, and yes, it did take a LONG time to complete the project, but here we are. 

Not to "phone it in", but my "Do-It-Yourself, McMurray" article in the latest YMM Magazine is a feature on this project. Click here to check it out.

Here's the finished result! Ikea cabinets {originally for kitchens and bathrooms} repurposed into built-in bookshelves at a fraction of the cost. We choose sleek, high gloss white cabinets and modern stainless steel handles to set off the look.

This photo is the only one I could find of a "before".  It's from Aviva's 2nd birthday party, hence the festive pink balloons :) I love how this photo really shows how this space was a blank canvas, just waiting to be "Mummy Maggie-fied!"

An "in progress" shot, showing how quickly the awesome cabinets transformed the space as they were put up. I also want you to check out the seating. I originally had our two couches facing each other because I thought I was maximizing space. Oh, how wrong I was...see below :)

A close-up of the cabinets going up. Adair was a trooper to manage to configure these Ikea cabinets. Did you see the number of boxes from my teaser photo?! Ikea MADNESS!

Here's another "during" pic. I love how Ginger is just chilling on the couch with all the DIY craziness going on around her.

Here it is! After months {yep, it took months of stolen late nights after our kids went to bed -- and they go to sleep LATE!} of hard work -- our built-in bookshelf project is complete. We are so pleased with the results. I love the cabinets, but I especially love the tile work. It's thin strips of Carrera marble on 12 x 12 sheets. We decided to hang it vertically to maximize the height of the 9-foot ceilings, and then add strips of stainless steel tiles for visual interest. It looks amazing!

Here's another angle which highlights the change of the living room furniture configuration. This new layout created so much more space because it's open to the kitchen, so the couch at the bottom right of the photo distinguishes the space {and highlights the AMAZING chevron throw I scored at Urban Barn!}. It actually looks a bit different now, mostly because I can't leave well enough alone. But that's another post for another day :)

This last photo is a close-up of the cabinets. Adair truly put a lot of work into these babies, especially around the crown. He *had* to buy the right saw to cut the trim around the crown moulding. You can also see a bit of the close-up of fab tile work too. Thank you, Big A!

So...what do you think of our living room transformation? Was it work the wait?

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Living Room Addition - a Teaser!

I love my new house.  We've been in for about 10 months now, so we're settling in more and more everyday.

What I don't love about my house is the lack of storage.  Or at least my perception of a lack of storage. Or maybe it's just that I've always dreamed of bookshelves flanking the fireplace in my living room, so my storage complaints are a big rouse to make that dream a reality.

Whatever the real story is, the built-in bookshelves in the living room are happening! We asked my interior design friend and Ikea Guru to help us figure out a custom look on a big box store budget.

We figured that customized built-in bookshelves would probably cost us about $8-10K, especially in Fort McMurray. But incredible Ikea "built-ins" {comprised of various kitchen cabinets & drawers!} came in at just a fraction of the cost -- even with having to rent a pick-up truck and drive 5 hours to Edmonton and back. And we are always up for a good ol' DIY project!

An Instagram shot of ALL the bazillion boxes that will make up our built-in bookshelves! It literally filled the whole back of the pick-up truck!

 The update would not be complete without a tile installation! We picked up the carrera marble skinny subway tiles at Home Depot! Yay for the "The Depot" as EZ calls it! Affordable and awesome!

I'm really excited about the cool veins of gray in these tiles. It's going to be fabulous! Especially because we're tiling them vertically for an unexpected twist!

It took awhile for Big A to put the cabinets and drawers together. Ikea stuff, even as awesome as it is, is notoriously annoying to put together. Especially with two little helpers in the form of small children who want to be extremely involved, the process can be a wee bit tedious. But Big A has persevered and everything is almost installed!

 Stay tuned for our latest living room updates!

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Life Update - Winter 2013

Okay. Seriously. Where does the time go? It's been TWO WHOLE MONTHS since I last updated. Like everyone else on the planet, we're a busy family with lots going on. And frankly, after a working all day long and the hours-long drama of putting kidlets to bed, updating the blog late at night is a lot less interesting than vegging out with the Real Housewives of wherever. 

But I miss blogging. I miss recording our adventures. So here I am :)

Here's a bit of an update of the last two months:

DIY Home Projects:

• We're making GREAT progress on the built-in bookshelves -- but I guess you don't even know about that, so that's a blog post in itself!
• Remember this post from back in October about "Paint it Black"? I've been waiting for TWO months for wallpaper samples to finalize our choice because our bedroom is GOING BLACK! It'll be a huge master suite transformation that will include our room, ensuite bath AND our closet {but don't tell Big A that just yet!}
• In the Spring, we're embarking on a play room makeover too. With space being a premium in our home, we need to make better use of that space :)

Family Life:

• On top of my full-time work, my yoga teacher training, and motherhood -- I've decided to add GRAD STUDENT to my plate. Yep, that's right. I start my graduate studies on Monday! So excited!
• Kids are wonderful -- they are growing up so fast, and they deserve their own post.
• It's still FUH-REEZING in Fort McMurray - like it's -29 degrees celcius + windchill. And it snows almost everyday! We're really looking forward to Spring!!
• Big A and I ventured to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico sans kiddos for a week back in February. It was as fabulous as you can imagine.
• Yoga is now part of my life, not just something I do on weekends, and I couldn't be more grateful for the magic and power of Yoga in my life. I see it's effects rubbing off on my kidlets so I couldn't be a more happy swami mummy! 

So there you have it -- a brief overview of our busy life in #YMM. I am so incredibly grateful for our new life here in Fort McMurray. We're coming up on our one year anniversary of moving to #YMM. It was the best {albeit the CRAZIEST!} decision we ever made. Our lives have completely changed. We have met amazing people, had wonderful experiences, and have been blessed with more opportunities than we dreamed of -- and it's only been a year!     

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I'm Published!

I'm so thrilled to introduce you to the latest magazine to hit Fort McMurray:

YMM - Your McMurray Magazine

 {image via here}

...featuring an article by lil' ole me!

Yep. I'm published. Click here to read it :)

My column is entitled DIY-MM or "Do It Yourself, McMurray!"

My article for this edition was my easiest decorating and interior styling tips to make a house a home. So often in the #YMM, people don't take the time to really settle in and enjoy their home. Unfortunately, some people live here with one foot out the door, thinking they are just here to make money for a few years, then back to wherever they are from.  

But more often then not, a two year plan evolves into a 10 year stint, and they are still using Rubbermaid totes as side tables! My article is all about creating a warm inviting space wherever you are NOW. 

I hope you check it out. And please read the ENTIRE magazine too. You'll get to know a lot more about this amazing place I'm now proud to call my HOME.  

Fort McMurray, AB - The #YMM  

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Our Basement...Photos!

When we bought this new home, we decided to finish the basement. To be precise, we decide to pay the builder to finish the basement for us.

One of the perks of owning a home in Fort McMurray is that there is an amazing rental market, with prospective tenants willing to pay large sums of money for basement rental suites.  We decided to take advantage of the crazy market anomaly and rent out our basement. Really, we'd be crazy not to. It's like throwing money away, otherwise.

The builder just finished our basement in mid-September, and our {very awesome!} tenants moved in on October 1st. But before the arrived, we snapped some photos of what our basement looked like before and after!

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Backsplashes are Installed :)

In a matter of a few short hours, ALL of the backsplashes were installed. And we didn't have to do it! 

It probably would've taken us a week to do it in our free time, so it was so lovely to have it all done on a Saturday morning when we were out playing :)

 

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New Kitchen Lights - Even More SPARKLE!

Like many other things in our new home, the light fixtures were just ok. They're by no means icky, just not as awesome as they could be.

To be honest, I think EVERYONE thought I was bananas for changing the light fixtures. But I adore cool light fixtures. They totally change the feeling of a room - from ho-hum to "happening".

**I also convinced the builder to buy back ALL the light fixtures from us to put into another house -- just like I did with the tiger tail granite :) Yippee!

Needless to say, I'm having fun buying all new lights! 

Here are our kitchen lights!

 BEFORE:

AFTER:

I bought these on our first trip to Edmonton. We had about 10 minutes at the amazing light store, appropriately named "Best Lighting", before the showroom closed. I saw the light over the kitchen table first and was smitten. The light was even on sale! Totally meant to  be :)

I scoured the store for pendants and luckily these gorgeous orbs were in stock. These chrome beauties were exactly what I was looking for. And they were only $100 each!

I'm so incredibly pleased with how they transformed the room from boring to brilliant!

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New Backsplash Tiles!

When we purchased our home, it was still under construction so we had *some* say in how a few options were finished.

One of these options was the backsplash tiles for the kitchen & bathrooms. The builder had picked out a decent beige-y oversized subway tile. It was okay, just not FABULOUS. 

And seriously, when you're paying what we're paying for this house -- you want JAW-DROPPING AMAZING. Ok, that may be overkill, but you want something special.

And, let's be honest, I wanted something SPARKLY! 

One of the best things is that the builder offered to put in whatever tiles we chose! How amazing are they?!

I sourced some alright options at our local shops, but they were expensive and they did not "sing" to me. So just before we put down cash on some fancy tiles, I decided we should go to Edmonton to check out what the city had to offer.

The first place we went was to Lowes. We arrived around 10:15am {on a Holiday Monday - one of the perks of Alberta is that the shops are open on stat holidays! SCORE!} and they had JUST put out a new line of tiles that very morning! 

I LOVED EVERYTHING! And it was so affordable {like under $20/sq. ft. compared to the $40+/sq. ft. I was looking at locally}.

Since there were so many stylish options, I decided to do a different tile for every room. Here's what I came up with!

  Main Bathroom: Modern Mix of Cream, Putty & Stainless tiles

{These are a cooler & more modern version of the tiles I had already picked out! WIN!}

 Master Ensuite: White Carrera Marble 

{I've always eyed carrera marble but I never wanted to commit to it because it stains! This is a perfect alternative and will go perfectly with my new sparkly quartz countertops!}

 Powder Room: Stainless Steel penny rounds 

{I've ALWAYS wanted these so it was a treat that Lowes carried them!}

Kitchen Backsplash: Sparkly white glass, marble, gunmetal & stainless steel

{These are almost exactly the same as what I sourced here in Fort Mac - but I liked these much more - so much lighter & brighter!}

Getting this kitchen tile was a CHALLENGE. They had 100 in stock but they couldn't find them. They asked us to come back in a couple of hours so they could look for them. When we returned, they said they needed more time. We had to drive back to Fort McMurray {a 5 hr+ drive}, but waited another few hours. I couldn't leave this amazing find behind. 

We waited until after 5pm {remember we got there at 10:15am?!} and they STILL hadn't found it. They said they'd call when they located the tile, but we HAD to leave for Fort Mac since we both had to work the next day. So we left with only a faint hope they'd call.

But, true to their word {YAY LOWES!}, they did call 3 hours later. They had stayed late to find them for me!

Luckily 3 days later my brother happened to be driving through Edmonton and picked them up for me! Thanks bro!

UPDATE: The tiles went in today. Wait till you see them!

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Update & Sparkly Countertops

We've been in our new home for just over a month, and it's definitely been a whirlwind {hence the lack of posting - sorry peeps}. 

We didn't have internet or phone until 10 days ago, but I guess it's been 10 days, so that's not a good excuse! 

Anyhoo, I am absolutely DELIGHTED with the way our new house is becoming a home. We moved into the brand new house in a brand new neighbourhood {hence the lack of availability of phone or internet despite we live in the 21st century. And we still don't even have a proper postal code, let alone mail delivery service!}, and it's slowly become our home -- or "Mummy Maggie-fied", if you will.

I'll show you the changes we've made so far in various posts. In this post, I was telling you about the tragic tale of the tiger tail granite. Specifically, how much I hated it :) I'm told by many people that this granite is expensive and fabulous, but I'm sorry, it just didn't suit the house nor did it fit into my vision of how awesome this suburban house could be. 

So we had it removed. And replaced. The day after we moved in. All for the price of a small car.

But it is WORTH EVERY PENNY!

Here's the BEFORE:

 Here's the AFTER:

 We chose Cimstone quartz in Lapland. The colour on the screen really doesn't do the quartz the appropriate justice. It's gorgeous bright white with tiny gray and mirror flecks, giving it that sparkling look. 

This is a close up of Lapland:

 I am absolutely thrilled with the final results. The change is massive. The house is so much brighter and the richness of the wood is really highlighted. We changed the granite in all the bathrooms to this white quartz as well. I can't wait to show you the rest! We've been busy around here!

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Urban Barn Finds {psst...we have a new sofa!}

So you've probably figured out by now that we really love living in Fort McMurray - the only downside is {or is it a plus for my finances?} that there is not a whole lot of local home decorating retail therapy options.

I'm sure you recall my penchant for HomeSense and other retailers, like Urban Barn. I used to go to various locations a few times a week when we lived in the GTA. But now that the closest store is a 5 hour drive, I've resorted to shopping online and hoping for the best.

But even online, I still live by my home stylist motto -- 

BUY IT & TRY IT.  

So -- I bought a sofa from Urban Barn WITHOUT seeing it in person. Crazy yes, but one's perspective of crazy decorating choices changes when one is so remote.

Without further ado, here's our new sofa - the XANADU - I {heart} the name, so joyful and fun!  We purchased the floor model colour - Savvy Smoke!

{via here}

Big A saw it on a recent trip to Edmonton, and said it was comfy! It is a cool grey, so hopefully it goes well with our Smokey Gray hardwood!

I am also completely smitten by this amazing lamp {the Kelso table lamp} - it is HUGE & fabulous! I don't have a spot for it yet, but like my motto says - BUY IT & TRY IT!

{via here}

Isn't it just cool! Maybe that side table would work for us too!

A long time favourite of mine {that we recently put into my mom's house} is the Reflection Round Mirror. I think the clean lines make this mirror simply super chic. I think I'd like to put it in the powder room.

{via here}

So we definitely have a lot to do to style our new home. I'm so excited for the challenge. Luckily I have Urban Barn to help me!

PS: This post was not endorsed by Urban Barn or anything. I just simply ADORE their stylish and affordable stuff and wanted to share :)

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Real Estate Update {Photo Heavy!}

I just realized that in my neglect of the blog during the month of April, I didn't share two major things:

1) Amazing photos of our house!

2) Our house SOLD! We had 33 people in during the first 3 days and got an offer on the 3rd day! It firmed up a week later, so we SOLD it before we left for Fort McMurray. We're so blessed!

So I know you've seen photos of my house before, but I thought these HDR photos were extraordinary. Enjoy!

 

Thank you to the amazing Chris Abbott -- our Real Estate agent extraordinaire -- for letting us use these great photos, and for ALL his hard work in getting our home SOLD!

It's so hard to say good-bye to our old house, but now that it's sold, it doesn't even feel like ours anymore. Plus I'm really excited for the Adventures in Real Estate that we're about to have here in Fort McMurray, Alberta!

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