As it is summer Baby Love needs a place to splash around on those hot days. So naturally we set out to our local toy stores searching for a compact tub or table for him to use this summer. We saw things like:
and...
All of which were easily in the $40-$75 price range, not to mention very large and well, um...."colorful". Our outdoor space in our wonderful city apartment is compact (read small) and we use it constantly. The thought of having our outdoor space overtaken by the plastic toddler gods made us both cringe. But we knew that Baby Love needed something. Then we had a light bulb moment and pulled out a fabulous tin centerpiece bowl that we had used in our wedding and ever since.
It stores easily under our outdoor loveseat, does double duty to float candles when Baby Love is asleep and he LOVES it! When it is left out it isn't an eye sore and it didn't cost us a penny.Our advice to other parents in situations like ours? Look around at decoration stores instead of toy stores and don't feel bad if it looks like it belongs in your space. Your kid will love it just the same!
One of the projects we worked on in our week absence was the addition of a table and chairs for baby love. We had been looking online, at consignment sales, craigslist, you name it we searched there. Being that our budget is squeaky tight we really didn't want to spend more than $30 on this addition. After much debate we made the trek to Ikea where we found our little lifesavers on accident and THE table and chairs.
Priced at $19.99 they fit our criteria for cost and were smaller than some of the other ensembles. After Abbey's pregnant self tested out the chairs they were approved for adult use as well. And from Drab and Sterile they were transformed to a pretty Fab little set. If we do say so ourselves.
Want to do it yourself? Here is what we did with a few tips and tricks included free of charge. <wink>
~We found a vintage map that we loved on this wonderful website with all sorts of vintage maps and animal prints.
~After saving the image to our computer we opened it with our favorite photo program of the moment, Picasa. In this program you can make the image into a poster and it will allow you to split the image, which we did, into four pieces. ~Then we printed the four pieces onto normal paper, having the image bleed over to the edge.
~Using Modge Podge
we quickly smothered the backs of the pieces of paper, lined them up and adhered them to the surface. We knew it would be almost impossible to keep it wrinkle free and loved the distressed look wrinkles can add to a finished project. So we pressed some of them out and embraced other sections that became very wrinkled. ~Using a large paint brush we spread Modge Podge all over the top surface as well, even the surrounding sections that didn't have the map on them which ensured that the surface was level at the end of the project. Over two days we applied multiple layers, giving a great seal and gloss to the table top. At the end we realized, UH OH. Any wetness, aka spilled water cups from snack time, would make the surface sticky. We searched online, thank you google, and found many recommendations for using a spray adhesive,Krylon's Matte Finish 1311
, which we had on hand. After three layers of this the tabletop was sealed and ready for use. Note: we did let it air out on our deck so the house didn't smell like fumes. Use your judgement on this aspect and don't keep it inside if it is still stinky.
I am making a list of things I need/want in our house so that I can be on the lookout for great deals. As I was pondering items that would be the most compact and efficient, as I mentioned here, I decided to search some of my favorite on-line deal sites. Just in case.
Jackpot! Look what I found at Zulily for $17. I am already imagining paper cones filled with popcorn or sweets at a party. And I must say it will look great next to the cupcake stand I already own that was featured here. This deal ends tomorrow, so pop on over and pick one up if you are interested. Also there is $10 off a purchase of $30 or more using this code: BABIES10 at checkout. What a great deal! Do you have a favorite find or discount website? Let me know!
In our tiny apartment there is one thing missing: a dishwasher. While the charm and accessibility, not to mention price, more than make up for this tiny flaw, it is still an issue.
When we moved in we were shown many units that had their own portable dishwashers. The concept seemed brilliant and seamless. So of course we obtained the necessary details and Kevin set out on a craigslist journey to find the perfect dishwasher. Now my husband is a resell, bargain hunter, extraordinaire. His hunt for the perfect jogging stroller is legendary; see the post here for details. That story is too good to miss. Needless to say he is very good and precise.
His hunt led to the acquisition of two different washers. The first was the size of a standard inset. The issue there, the size. It ended up obstructing the window and my view and light. The plus, it held EVERYTHING. After about two weeks of trying to make it work, it ended up being resold on craigslist.
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| The Beast |
The second was much smaller and fit under the end of the table. This made it discreet and me much happier. Due to its micro-ness though it had a shorter everything, including the cord and hose. For those of you unaware of the intricacies of a portable dishwasher they have a plug for an outlet and a hose that you carefully hook up to your sink. Since this one was compact in all ways lovely and nice it had to be mounted, yes mounted, to a cart that I then had to roll on our uneven floor closer to the sink. Mind you it was always full at this point. After it was done I would carefully unhook and unplug everything and then roll it back. Usually the hose continued dripping though and I would then be cleaning up a puddle every so many hours.
Well this one lasted a little longer, about a month. Finally I put my foot down. I had found myself doing more work than it was worth. So out the dishwasher went and in returned my old dishwasher, whom I much prefer. Mind you, I am now the head assistant to the dishwasher, but still much happier with the end result.
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| Most Dashing Dishwasher and Assistant |
