Cheap home update: painting an old brick fireplace

After recently flipping through a Room & Board catalog, I noticed the brick fireplace in their product shots was painted white.  The mid-century modern style + white painted brick looked beautiful and clean.  And it fit my budget as paint is one of the cheapest updates when it comes to home remodeling. After living with my stained, cracked fireplace for 8 years, I couldn't wait to give it a facelift.

I first spray painted the inside of the fireplace with a black high heat spray paint from Home Depot. I then filled the front crack on the fireplace - can't remember what product I used, but Google should suggest some or someone at Home Depot. :)

Next, after taping, I used a 3/4" thick roller to apply an acrylic primer recommended by Hirshfield's.

  

As the brick sticks out quite a bit, I then had to take a paint brush and fill in the lines which was very tedious.  I did two coats of primer, as it soaked into the brick and let each coat dry 24 hours in between. 

After the primer, I painted one coat of matte paint to give it a flat finish.  The white matte color I chose was almost exactly the same as the primer, so I would suggest skipping another can of white paint to save money and just doing the primer first to see if you are satisfied.  I still have some touch up work to do, but all in all, I'm very happy with how it turned out.  It definitely adds a cozy, modern feel to our home and compliments the woodwork around it.

Do you even lift bro?

For Halloween this year, I decided to dress up Jack as a mini-me of his dad. We decided to keep it a surprise from his dad, who thought Jack was going as a giraffe.

Jack is sporting original Chubbie's shorts just like his dad's and a pair of Converse shoes.  I picked up the fun, plastic kid's barbell from Rogue Fitness and his dumbbell is actually a rattle.  Already can't wait for next Halloween!

How to avoid buying maternity clothes during pregnancy

1.White Lodge Knitwear // 2.Brighton // 3.J.W. Hulme // 4.Prada // 5.Madewell // 6.Unkown // 7.La Garconne // 8.Nordstrom // 9.Abercrombie // 10.Hatch // 11.Bebe // 12.Madewell // 13.James Perse // 14.American Eagle // 15.American Eagle // 16.Target

Becoming pregnant doesn't mean you have to give up your style and solely buy maternity clothes.  At first I was excited at the thought of buying maternity clothes. However, I found many of the styles to be dowdy or too expensive to justify the price for an item I would only wear for a few months. I didn't buy a single maternity item and here is how I managed to get by: 

TOPS - oversized/flowy tops and tight knit shirts that stretch to show off the bump. Ponchos and cardigans for layering. 

VESTS - wear open, layered over tops and dresses.

DRESSES - bodycon and stretchy knit dresses that are bump friendly as well as loose/oversized styles to accommodate your growing belly.

SKIRTS - stretch fabrics worn with tights or knee high socks.

JEANS - low rise and stretch is key, while using the hair binder trick HERE. I wore my regular jeans the entire duration of my pregnancy.  I have bought many different denim brands in the past (Joe's, 7 For All Mankind, Rock & Republic, Gap, Target, etc.) and my favorite is...American Eagle.  It's the only brand I buy - they fit like a dream, have a great assortment and you can't beat the price.

PANTS - it's all about elastic waistbands and drawstring ties.  

LEGGINGS - pregnant or not pregnant, leggings are my best friend. Since they stretch, they were perfect for my growing belly. Wear them with tunics and dresses. Also, if you have never heard of fleece lined leggings - run to Target - they are the best!

JUMPSUITS - rompers/onesies, whatever you want to call them. I felt like a mama kangaroo. :)

OVERALLS - the adjustable straps allow for your growing belly.

JACKETS - my current wrap style jacket HERE worked great. Otherwise, I would have looked for a cape or over-sized vintage fur coat!

ACCESSORIES - they always fit.

This being said, the above might not work for everyone, but just wanted to share what worked for me.  Whatever you do, embrace your new curves and enjoy your newest accessory...your bump!

Non-maternity Style - 39 Weeks

top.FreePeople // pants.Target // gladiator shoes.Target // bracelets.Rewind

Gender Neutral Nursery

bunnyart.GroovyMagnets // crib.BuyBuyBaby // sheets.PetitPehr // pillows.CB2 // rug.HomeGoods // bookshelf.Ikea // whitemirror.HomeGoods // watercolorart.NE // brassframes.WestElm // brasssconces.ThriftStore // metalbasket.CB2 // stargarland.Etsy // dotdecals.Etsy // chair&pillow.ThriftyCottageCouture - my talented neighbor! // pouf.RestorationHardware // curtains.JoannFabrics // closetbaskets.HomeGoods // dresser.HomeGoods // goldmirror.GarageSale // brassswan.ThriftStore // wallpaper.HomeDepot

***Since we're not finding out the gender, I've been thrift store shopping for both. :) Hence the closet full of clothes.

More on wallpapering my closet HERE.