Elle V the Builder?

I’ve always been pretty handy. Ask my mom, she’ll tell you. I was her go to fix it and put it together person for many years up until I moved.

So when I came across the Ana White site, and saw a community of mostly women building their own furniture, I said to myself, “Self, you can do that too!” And so I did.

I used the plans for her vegetable bins, but modified them slightly. They’re very similar to the ones I wanted from Land of Nod. Overall, I’m happy with the way it turned out.

I started building the shelving unit for the super hero’s closet. So far it’s been sanded and primed, but still needs to have the Kreg jig holes filled,  and be covered with a couple of coats of paint and poly. Oh, and there’s also that massive hole where one of my knots fell out

At this point though, I have to say I’m proud of myself. It was my first project, and it went fairly smoothly. But there were a couple of hiccups.

For one, a few of my boards had small cracks in them. Luckily only the ends that I didn’t end up using split. I placed my order online, and let the people at Lowes choose my wood for me. Next time, I’ll know better and choose my own.

Secondly, I did all of the cutting with my jigsaw. I do not recommend that unless you have a very sturdy hand. I wasn’t brave enough to use my circular saw this time, so my cuts are uneven, but it’s going into the closet so I’m not too bothered by it.

I still want  to build a similar piece of shelves to sit on top of this piece, and another with deeper cubbies, for this one to sit on. Then this mess containment system will be complete.

That’s all for now!

Spring Wardrobe Wish list

Of the 4 seasons, spring is my favorite…well after winter, and fall, but still. I like spring. And where I live, beautiful flowers are starting to bloom, the grass is greener, and temp is getting warmer…well when we aren’t having a random thunder storm, but I digress…spring always gets me in the mood to purge, and renew. Out with the old, and in with some new. So here’s my spring wardrobe wish list, in no particular order.

1. Cashmere Isabel sweatshirt $228, J.Crew

2. Madras Schoolboy blazer $168, J. Crew

3. Baracuda G10 jacket$325, J. Crew

4. Nolita white denim jacket $98, J. Crew

5. G. H. Bass & Company penny loafers $120, J. Crew

6. Creased Swirls Corset top $88, Anthropologie

7. Twist Bow pendant $600, Tiffany & Co.

8. Sardinia wedge espadrilles $118, J. Crew

9. Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Siracusa GM $1,440

10. Return to Tiffany Onyx Bead Bracelet $250, Tiffany & Co.

11. Old School GAP logo tee $19.50, the Gap

12. Roslyn Stachel $425, Tori Burch

13. Gucci Metal Cat’s Eye Sunglasses $325, Nordstrom

14. White Sperry Top-Siders $98, J. Crew

15. Square Miller Sandal $195, Tori Burch

So spring Santa, and all you other magical gift givers, I’ve been a very good girl, my shoe size is 7 and I wear a size small.

Thank you in advance. Yours warmly,

Easter Box Surprise!

I know it’s a few days after the Easter holiday, but my little super hero got a surprise package delivered by our mail woman today…and he loves when packages come for him!

So today we ate candy, played with jacks, play dough, colored with the markers, assembled a puzzle, and read Dr. Seuss…

and that is all. Thanks to his godmother, and one of his  favorite people in the whole world!

To everyone else, I hope you all have a very happy Cinco de Mayo!