File This Away

Filing cabinets are ugly. Let's face it, they never really look that great. But they are functional and as you become a grown up they seem almost necessary. Suddenly you have to keep track of insurance information, credit card agreements, leases, car titles, bills, medical things... the list keeps going.

But did I mention they are ugly?

Check out the monster in my closet:

Yup. I'll admit it. It was pretty bad. It was also very messy. Over a year ago I decided it would be a grand idea to spray paint it lime green.

That was a bad idea.

I have quite a bit of paintable wallpaper left over from when I did my kitchen and have been trying to think of other ways that I could use it.

Filing cabinet, meet paintable wallpaper!

Since the usual method of applying wallpaper involves getting the paper wet and then applying it to a wall. Well that doesn't work quite the same with a metal file cabinet. So I used handy dandy spray adhesive! That stuff is amazing and it's only $6.99. You can get it at almost any craft store!

Obviously I need to cut my grass. But I laid the cabinet on the side so that I could do one at a time. I definitely suggest wearing plastic gloves when working with spray adhesive because it gets sticky and gets all over the place.

I did the same thing on the other side of the cabinet. I cut a small piece for the bottom edge of the cabinet, making sure that the tiles line up.

It was actually fairly quick and easy. To cover all the sides only took me a few minutes. I used a razor to cut down the excess on the sides to get a good fit.

After everything was attached I used regular white gloss spray paint and covered the entire thing with several coats. I also spray painted the drawers the same white color.

The plain white drawers still looked a little too "file-cabinet-y" so I added this wallpaper border I found on clearance an eon ago to give it some classic personality.

And here's the final product:

I love the difference! I think for the first time it went pretty well. It still looks a little filing cabinet-y but hey. At least now it's a classy cabinet!

Linked to:Christina's Adventures: 20 Below Thursday DIY Dreamer,   Lil Luna, Savvy Southern Style,  Primitive & Proper House of Grace House of Hepworths Beyond the Picket Fence

Colorado Summer Adventure #1

I've decided since I will be graduating college in December and really have no idea where I'm going after that fateful event, I really need to get out and explore the state and scenery that I love so much. Single lady style. So my first mini adventure was to go on a hike. I haven't gone on a hike since last summer and since I had surgery in February I've been slow getting back into a lot of activities that I love. I remember my family and I going on many long hikes in the summer and I wanted to be reminded of that.

And of course I took my camera so I could give you guys a tour!

These sweeping views never cease to amaze me... it looks almost unreal.

Just to give you an idea of how much of the Grand Valley you can see from the top of the trail....

No make up on the journey but it was a lot of fun! I had my REI SPF 30 shirt on plus SPF 100 sunscreen. My CamelBak was awesome. Had so much fun!

This trail was originally a motor way for residents that lived in an area called Glade Park to drive down into town. It's about 7.75 miles long and steep! Back in the 1920s when it was originally built there was no such thing as fuel pumps so vehicles would have to back up the mountain in order to use gravity to move fuel.

This is some of the most interesting scenery on this side of Colorado. That's what I love about it here, you can have lush green forests in one direction, in the other you can find raw landscape.

Oh! And we have lizardsss!

This sort of shows you have far down you have to hike.... pretty amazing. In less then an hour and a half I walked up and down a mountain.

I just love Colorado! I hope that you guys enjoyed going on my little journey! I'm planning to post several more of these trips so stay tuned!

One Year Blogiversary!

Happy Blogiversary!

To me!

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Today marks the one year point of my first month of blogging. I am really excited! It came up so fast it's unbelievable! I've been extremely grateful for this year first of all because I've met a few fabulous people via blogging. 

For example! Sam at The Junk House! Check her out!

I'm so grateful to have met someone else that has turned out to be a great friend and ally in the whole young DIY blogette world. Thank you Sam for being awesome!

My family has also been a major part in helping me keep the blog going. My parents both check the blog daily and even my busy brother and sister keep up to date on it.

Oh! And by the way! My baby sister just graduated from High School and will be attending Colorado State University in the Fall! Good work Ally! (I'm in the whiteish pink, Ally is in the center, my brother Aaron is in the top left, my Dad Wade is on the right, and Mom Stacy.)

This blog has been my constant in the last year and has keep me feeling empowered and motivated to get projects done and have a positive creative outlet. Sure, it's not the biggest blog, the most awesome house, or  the most mind blowing renovations or project, but it's fun!

So thank you for everyone that has hung around for the last few months, year, week, or days! You all keep me going. Thank you!