We all have dreams... {home edition}

Have you been following Emily's 20 days of Summer Giveaway posts? I have. I probably shouldn't though as I'm inspired OUT OF MY MIND to redecorate and spend tons of money and time on our house. I'm not satisfied with our home decor. It could be WAY worse. But it could be better too. I keep reminding myself to give it time. We've only been in this house for a couple years now and once both boys are bigger and we're out of the baby-phase, we can start doing more with the house.

Currently, our living room is filled with toys, a much-loved (read: stained) couch and dark furniture, woodwork and blinds. For now it works, but someday I would LOVE to brighten it up and not have so many toys laying around. I would also LOVE to have a toy room. You know, a room designated for toys. I've heard that they exist. Someday this will become a reality.

See what I mean? So dark.

Hello toys and clutter.

This toy room is too cool. I adore Land of Nod and so naturally I adore this toy room.

Via 6th Street Design School

Maybe we can clear out part of our (unfinished) basement and set aside a little nook for the boys. Right next to my husbands dream workspace.

We all have dreams.

I've always had a dream where I would have a craft room/office/girly room. That dream has only gotten bigger as I've had boys. I NEED a girly room where I can get away from the trucks, balls, batman+star wars toys and masculine colors. A room where I can accessorize with florals, fabrics and throw pillows.  The only problem is our house is tiny and the "spare bedroom" is currently our storage room...and we need a storage room. We also need a spare bedroom for overnight guests. So my goal is to try and keep the storage room, but incorporate a crafty girly-office space for me...with maybe a daybed/couch for the overnight guests. IDK. Still thinking dreaming.

1. Via Tatertotsandjello

3. Via lollyjane

2. Via Tipsy Tessie - Flickr 

4. Via Inspired-Design Tumblr

5. Via Better Homes and Gardens

6. Via Pinterest

The boys love hanging out upstairs, but only when I'm up there too. They just need to have someone up there with them, I don't know why...to feel secure and safe? I usually don't have anything to do up there, so if I were to have a crafty-room, that would be a wonderful added excuse for me to hang out upstairs with my little men-folk.

So, my {top} three goals for this house are:
1) To re-think the living room. Bring in some fun features, try and lighten up the room, gradually move the toys downstairs/upstairs....
2) Turn our spare bedroom into a fun spot for me to hang out in and let out my creative juices flow...while being upstairs with the boys
3) Make the boys {tiny} bedroom into a FUN and colorful and creative place to be...so that we can hang out upstairs more.

Via My Home Ideas

Via I heart Organizing

 Via Apartment Therapy

^^The boys have a closet just like this - only with a slanted ceiling. Right now it's full of baby/seasonal storage stuff. Someday, I'm going to paint it a cheery color and make it into a little reading nook. Only, unlike this pic - it's going to be all boy. :)

Once Miles is out of his {huge} crib, and into the bunkbed that he'll share with his big brother, I foresee my dreams coming true. Maybe another year or so. I need to start collecting ideas, start setting aside money and not twirl my thumbs so much. It'll happen, I know it will!

My newest addiction.

There are few apps that I will actually pay money for. I'm not picky and the apps I use the most are free. Ignorance is also bliss. I don't really know what I'm missing by using the freebie apps. But then I came across Rhonna Design App for the iphone. It's fairly new and I can already tell it's going to be uber popular. It's a whopping $1.99 (I know, I'm such a cheapo), but it's worth EVERY penny...and more. I'm actually surprised it's so inexpensive. I can't even begin to say how much I love this app. The design factor is amazing. There are SO many options on this app - almost too many options. I'm overwhelmed. But in a good way. Thank goodness for tutorials. I don't use photoshop, so I'm ignorant when it comes to layering and masking. Luckily, it's an easy app to figure out, and for the things that were stumping me, I turned to youtube/Vimeo.

Click here for App Information

These are the pics I've created so far. Remember, I'm totally a beginner. AND THIS IS MY FIRST DAY! Ha. Please no judgement. Someday, hopefully my pics will be way more visual and prettier too.

This was the first one I did at 12:30am. It's probably the simplest project on the app. Background, quote, color. Boom! This app is FULL of amazing and fun quotes. 

One of my firsts. It needs work.

Another one of my firsts. I'm not a huge fan. But it is what it is. Background image, a hydrangea flower. 

This is a total copy-cat from one of the youtube tutorials (layering - link found at the bottom of this post). It was fun to follow along and make. 

Another copy-cat project (Masking - link found at bottom of post).

Finally, I got a little creative...all by myself. 

My latest project. I love my boys. Again, needs help.

Here are some websites I found helpful:
Q&A with Rhonna
Layering
Masking
Getting Started