DIY WEEKEND HOME MAKEOVER! MAN CAVE INSPIRATION

Monday, December 9, 2019


Today’s post is sponsored by The Home Depot and features an easy DIY home update idea you can complete in a weekend! Many of us have a space in our home that’s been needing a little attention for some time. Maybe a spare room for crafts/exercise/studying turned storage sanctuary? Often unintentional yet inevitable. Life is busy! Ours is a section of this finished basement. It’s precious square footage that has been wasted for too long. Keep reading to see how we turned this room around!

Until now, the man cave has been an array of furniture from several years and homes along the way we didn’t want to get rid of - and didn’t know if we would ever use again. I’ve jokingly called it a museum of our past home decor style phases. Chad, my husband, has always wanted to transform this space into one he can escape to. From the before photos I’m confident you will agree when I say it looks like anything but a man cave. Florals, pink, forgotten, and even regrettable decor.. you get the picture. Mismatched and out of style all scattered into one. There have always been plans to “manify” this area of our finished basement. It has taken us until now to finally make Chad’s dreams a reality!


Many of you who have followed my content over the last few years know we have done some major renovations and upgrades to our home. From bathrooms, kitchen, flooring, etc, this house has seen a total upgrade. It really is unrecognizable compared to the before photos! All of these labor of love projects have taken us to The Home Depot countless times. Too often those “countless times” have been 5,6, maybe 7 trips in one day! That’s the DIY life, though! Unfortunately for Chad the man cave has been very far down on the DIY list. His anticipation was very ready to get started!


The first step of this project was choosing the perfect paint color. To do this we used ProjectColor™ app, a recent launch brought to you by The Home Depot, to make choosing a paint color easier than ever before. This unique experience allows you to draw color inspiration from anywhere! Your Pinterest board, a gorgeous vibrant vase you can’t stop staring at, even the flowers in your garden. Simply tap “match color” and you’re on your way!


My favorite feature is the “see it in your space” option. This allows you to test out a new wall color in seconds… no brush required! After considering a few options we decided on Chinese Porcelain - The Home Depot’s color of the year! It’s a gorgeously rich blue that complements our bright white baseboards. I just love to make trim pop! What better way to do that than a room full of intense pigment? You’ll see within a few scrolls how much all of the light and white elements in this new space bounce off the wall color creating an elevated, modern feel. With the ProjectColor™ app you can also explore several different paint brands, choose a color family to narrow down your search, save favorites for future DIY projects, match a color from anything that inspires you, and again, “see it in your space”. I have to point out this feature again because it’s incredibly helpful! Upload an image of your room and choose color after color to see endless options come to life. All of this is possible from a few taps, or clicks, as this unique experience is available on both mobile and desktop.  


ProjectColor™ app is integrated with the 2019 Curated Color Palette to help you narrow down your color search and give you the motivation needed to tackle your DIY dreams. Take it from me and my before and after man cave photos - it really is unbelievable how much color can truly transform a space! It’s no secret In-Store color centers can be overwhelming. I know I’m not the only one who’s grabbed paint sample cards one after the other, only to look down at my options with uncertainty on which colors I should move forward with and swatch on the wall.


After seeing a color in your space, you can send the image to anyone you like for their insight. Sometimes all it takes is a second opinion to be sure! Order a paint sample straight from the app, or larger quantities if you’re ready to take the plunge and get started on your own DIY paint project!


Chad plans to use his “official man cave" for football, reading cookbooks, and relaxing after a long day. I imagine him hiding down here to avoid chores, too! The bold wall color is complimented by neutral furnishings to balance the space. He’s loving it and I have to say I am too! Let me know your thoughts in the comments. If your brain is buzzing with DIY motivation, I encourage you to check out the ProjectColor™ app for yourself! It’s amazing what you can create with a little determination and inspiration. Thank you again to The Home Depot for sponsoring this post.

DIY FLOWER BOX TUTORIAL WITH RUST-OLEUM SPRAY PAINT!

Wednesday, July 3, 2019




Today’s post features a DIY flower box up-cycling tutorial with step-by-step instructions featuring new colors from the Rust-Oleum 2x Spray Paint Collection! This product is the perfect way to bring life to any outdoor decor or furniture this summer, new or old! Our flower boxes had seen better days, and were starting to look lackluster. In a sunny summer afternoon I was able to easily transform them and up our curb appeal in a major way. 

Don’t miss the giveaway at the end which includes two $50 gift cards. Thank you to The Home Depot for sponsoring this post, now let’s get started!


To complete this project you will need the following items, all available at The Home Depot.

-Flowers from the Garden Section

The colors I used are:

My flower boxes are from a previous DIY made with this lumber. I include additional details on how they’re assembled later in this post. Pre-made flower boxes are also available! Check out a few amazing options here.



The Rust-Oleum Color Palette is filled with a wide variety of options from neutral to bold. Pack a punch with Cherry, or opt for Coastal Gray to fit right in to an existing serene landscape. I recommend choosing colors that both compliment your flowers inside the boxes and the color of your home. Placing the darkest color on the bottom will visually ground the flower boxes and give them a more substantial feel. If using more than one color, or creating a pattern, use painter’s tape to separate your design. I chose a horizontal stripe of the original wood, followed by Rust-Oleum 2x Gloss Pink Peony on top and Rust-Oleum 2x Satin Silver Lilac on the bottom. Depending on your surface, you may need to prime first like I did on the Pressure-Treated Cedar-Tone Board.



Next up is the fun part - spray painting! You’ll notice the formula of this line is highly pigmented and applies in an even, opaque, and bold application. I noticed less coats were needed with the Rust-Oleum brand compared to others I’ve tried. If painting on a light surface you will likely only need one coat. Because our wood flower boxes are dark, sit outside all summer long, and spend many hours in direct sunlight, I opted for two coats to be on the safe side. It dries extremely fast and has a beautifully smooth finish.



There are a few important factors when choosing the flowers for your boxes. First, some varietals are more high maintenance than others. Will you easily be able to water daily, or do you need a larger window due to your lifestyle? Will your flower boxes be in direct sunlight? Would you like them to stand straight up, or have a more relaxed feel like mine? Luckily, The Home Depot includes signs in their Garden Section to make your selection that much easier. They separate flowers by low, medium, and high sun with the amount of hours of direct sunlight clearly visible ensuring you are able to confidently select the right option for your space.

My selections included Petunias, Impatients, and Vinca Vines.


My flower boxes are on their third season, and it’s clear to see the visual impact already made by just a few minutes of attention with the Rust-Oleum line. The wood frames were designed to hold the plastic boxes by them resting on the lip of the wood frame. This way, no water is trapped inside and it’s able to easily flow through. From the front of the home, and even standing directly in front of the flower boxes, you’d never know they aren’t completely enclosed. This is a quick tip that will make your DIY boxes that much easier, and more affordable, to assemble. These easy to make flower boxes also rest on complimenting black brackets. Building your own is rather simple, and allows you to fully customize the size. Looking for pre-made flower box options? The Home Depot has several for you to choose from here.



Once my flower box frames were dried (roughly 20-30 minutes) it was time to add the flowers inside and set them on their bracket bases. I love how they pop - yet fit right in! No need to secure further either - the weight of the assembled flower boxes keeps them in place.



Be sure to check out the complete Rust-Oleum Color Palette to view all of your creative options. There is a shade for every style and look you can imagine! A quick afternoon of DIY fun has added an exciting outdoor update I’ll be able to enjoy for months to come. 

Enter below for your chance to win one of TWO $50 GIFT CARDS to The Home Depot! I encourage you to take the Rust-Oleum challenge and create something amazing! Let me know how it goes, and tag me in your reveal photos @alexandrabeuter

I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the promotional program for the Rustoleum Campaign 2019. As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own
words.

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SPLURGE VS STEAL! SPRING 2019 FASHION DUPES AND LOOKS FOR LESS

Friday, May 24, 2019


If you know me, you know I love a good deal! Lately there are endless designer look-a-like pieces for less that have such a luxe feel. I can't get over the raffia mules below! A perfect Spring/Summer staple for an everyday look. Yesterday's video featured a Louis Vuitton card case made from repurposed canvas. So many of you were like WHAT?!  How?! Basically these sellers purchase used bags, creating different items from the materials. You'll find phone cases, coasters, wallets, card cases (like mine), watch bands, pop sockets, and more. I search for the pieces made with authentic canvases only, however there are imitation items as well. You can find great quality sellers of upcycled designer items on this site. I just ordered this repurposed LV apple watch band and I CANNOT WAIT for it to come in!


My favorite seller of the authentic repurposed LV card cases is this one. Occasionally they sell out, and you can just email them requesting an expected return date for the canvas you prefer. There's tons of different designer upcycled pieces from other luxury brands like Gucci, too. If you'd like to see the card case in action check out the video below:


Next are several of my favorite designer looks for less! I included both the high end and affordable items so you're able to compare. Which is your favorite? Can you tell if all the items are designer or affordable before clicking? Let me know! The monogram tote bag is also featured in the above video, along with the rest of my handbag collection. Happy shopping.. and saving!

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