Anne Maddox Boutique

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

The Sharing of our Passion


The beginning of our project
adding new flooring to the existing.

I thought I would try something different and share a hobby of ours.  My husband and I share a passion for redecorating and remodeling.  For years friends have tried to convince me to sell my home decorating abilities, but fear of my eclectic taste have preventing me from doing so.  Also, the fact that I have no décor training have put that to a halt.   Some say my talent (or lack of) is due to having a custom home builder father and interior design mother.  Although I do have to say our style does vary.  Growing up in the south has given me appreciation for that southern charm in craftsmanship that you don’t find everywhere.

I wouldn’t call myself a “tree hugger or hippie”, but I would fall somewhat into these categories for some people.  I LOVE to reuse unique furniture pieces and décor.  What would I call my décor style?  Antique/vintage with a twist of modern (if that is even a thing – see I told you NO training!) 

Yes, it's me!!  I did help cut pieces of flooring.
I know some of you hear antique and cringe, but you may call my style more of a vintage.  Not only do I like reusing furniture for our environment and to save some cash, but they don’t make things like they use to.  I am not afraid to repaint something I have spent little or no money on.  Older pieces are made of solid “real” wood and have curves, bevels, claw feet, and best of all…are less likely to go out of style next week.  I can’t wait to show you the tables I repainted in a future blog.

Our friends say we are always up to some project… it is almost an obsession.  This project started with some new couches and office furniture, then moved to carpet and took us back to all hardwood flooring on our first floor.  Although my husband would tell you “pay someone to do this” he really does enjoy this type of work.  I do have to say it looks a lot easier to lay hardwood floors on HGTV!  It is not for someone who does not like hard, manual labor. 

My husband is a hard worker, very visual and “follows the rules”.  My design has no rules, which can also cause problems when trying to describe what I want and all he says is “I want see a picture, Laura”.  I do have to say that sometimes his “stalling” does help me visual something even better!  He says I stress him out at times, but my mind is always racing about how I want everything to go together.  He would also secretly admit that he is addicting to manual labor.  There is no greater joy that seeing the “before” turn into the “after”.
Before
After

We aren’t finished with this particular project yet, but the pictures shown are of one of our previous projects of remodeling our oldest daughter’s room.  I wanted to give her a design that was timeless and she wouldn’t outgrow.  I will be sharing part of the remodeling process, how to repurpose old furniture, helpful color hints, etc. 

You may have a different style, but hopefully this blog with share ideas or tips to help you with your next project.  Please share any projects that you have done yourself or ask questions.  My goal is to post 1-2 times a week on Tuesday and Thursday, but sometimes life as a mom may postpone a blog.  I hope that you will stay tuned and share your own success stories.


Please keep my online store, Anne Maddox Boutique in mind for Valentine's Day Gifts.  Also, check out my new Valentine's Baby Outfit.



Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Fun Gift Ideas for Little Cheerleaders!


Its cheerleading competition time!  That means looking for gift ideas for our special little cheerleaders. 

Here is an idea I modified from Pinterest.  You can modify it to any size.  It is a fun and expensive treat she will love! 

Materials:
-12x12 thick card stock
-feather boa trim
-hot glue gun
-gum balls or candy in your team’s colors
-tissue paper

Directions: First make a template from a regular piece of paper.  Once you get the desired shape then trace onto your card stock. Cut your template out.  On a scrap piece of card stock fold it in half and cut the handle.  Hot glue the handle to the edge of the megaphone that will be on the outside, then glue the sides together. Take your feather trim and glue it to the large end of the megaphone.  Tear off enough tissue paper to stuff in the small hole at the bottom so your gumballs won’t fall out.  Stuff with gumballs in your teams colors and it is complete!

Please leave the hot gluing to adult and be careful not to burn your fingers, especially when attaching the feather boa.


Thursday, June 27, 2013

Top 10 Reasons Mommy Deserves a Night Out!

10.  We have lost 3 pairs of goggles in the past week.  Even after I threatened if they lose them they will have to buy the next pair themselves.

9.   "MOM", "MOM", "MOM"  Why must this name be screamed at the top of their lungs 100 times a day (and I am not exaggerating)?

8.   Girls are helping unload groceries and drop a jar of spaghetti sauce on the driveway and it shatters...rain, rain, please come soon!

7.  Girls drop a container of yogurt on the floor and puncture a hole in it (mental note: next time by the Gogurts like they asked!).

6.  That same container of yogurt with the hole was turned upside down on the counter because of the hole... without the lid on top!

5.  The girls help cook dinner, but most of the food ended up on the floor (Although they were good help, just messy)

4.  My oldest tells the youngest that "she only won 1st place at her dive meet because she was the only one her age".

3.  My oldest tells the youngest "I won 5 ribbons at the swim meet and you only won 1 for participating".

2.  My youngest wakes up throughout the entire night screaming with nightmares.  After putting her in my bed, she manages to kick and scratch my husband repeatedly (he wasn't so thrilled after a long, hard day of landscaping).

1.  Please refer back to 2-9, these instances seem to occur over and over again on a daily basis!

I hope this brightens your day!  I do LOVE being a mom, but sometimes I have to laugh when reflecting on a day of hard work.

These are comments from my children:
mommy is right because we drive her crazy,
love,her oldest daughter Avery

i love you mom
i love you dad
i love you avery. (by Addison, the youngest)

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Fun Summer Hair for Girls!

So you have on that cute summer outfit (hopefully from Anne Maddox Boutique :), but with hot humid weather it is hard to find easy ways to make her hair look cute.  For my oldest daughter humidity is her friend since she has wavy hair, but for the rest of us it makes styling almost impossible.

I have to say, I love this braid from Pinterest 
One of my favorites is the sock bun.  You can buy a bun tool from almost any store, but save yourself some time and money.  Use that sock who is missing its partner!  It is so simple that anyone can do it. Check out this tutorial from Mr. Kate on YouTube 

I know you have seen the chalk in the hair.  All you need is sidewalk chalk, water and a hair dryer.  Wet the section of hair that you would like to color.  Take the chalk and "mark" it on the hair.  Dry the hair with a hair dryer.  Just a warning from personal experience it may take a few washes to get it all out.  Thank you to my hair dresser, Haeven, for this great tip!

There are so many ideas out there.  From simple braids to adorable buns.  Some of my favorites I find looking through children's clothing catalogs.  If you aren't great with styling hair, check out videos on YouTube.

Have any neat hairstyles?  Please share them with us!

Check out these new items from Anne Maddox Boutique!







Thursday, June 13, 2013

Let the Summer Games Begin!

Chevron and Chiffon 4th of July Heart Shirt
Summer is finally here!  The plans for the summer include going to the pool and keeping the kids busy with activities.  The problem for me is a six year old can only swim for so long before she is completely wiped out and it can get hot playing outside.  Why not incorporate some fun activities with water?  Here are some ideas I found online.

1)  Ministry-To-Children has 10 water game ideas to play with your kids and with inexpensive water balloon kits starting at $1 it makes it a fun and affordable activity.

2) Local Fun for Kids has some other fun games such as who can fill up the biggest balloon without popping it and water balloon dodge ball.

3) Parenting has 11 water games and summer activities for kids including 101 fun things to do this summer.   Water games include such as things water limbo and ball blast.

Have a fun and safe summer!  Please share your favorite summer activities with us!

New items from Anne Maddox Boutique!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Laura's Pina Colada Smoothie

New summer pajamas from
Anne Maddox Boutique!
Since it is FINALLY warm outside and feeling a lot more like spring I thought I would share one of my favorite summer treats!  It is so easy, tastes great and is pretty good for you!  It definitely conquers that sweet temptation with a lot less calories!

Laura's Pina Colada Smoothie
Ingredients:
Coconut milk
Fresh cut pineapple
Ice

Fill blender with 1 cup of coconut milk.  Add enough sliced pineapple to fill the same amount of space as the milk.  Turn blender on until pineapple is well blended.  Add ice then blend again until smooth.  Enjoy!

Have any great summer recipes?  We would love for you to share them with us!


New items from Anne Maddox Boutique:

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Healthy Patriotic Snacks for Kids

Okay, I know I've already doomed your appetite...but wait these are good and healthy snacks that are fun and patriotic for your kids!

My first pick are Fruit Pops from Baker's Royale.  Made from watermelon, apples and blueberries!  They are super cute and delicious too!
My second pick are Honey Yogurt Berry Pops from Jolicious.  They look great and would be perfect for a hot summer day!
Check out some of our new 4th of July items from Anne Maddox Boutique:

And last, but not least other new items from Anne Maddox Boutique: