Category Archives: DIY

DIY Wall Art: Personal Picture Displays

In my previous Rehab post, I gave you a sneak peek at some DIY wall art as displayed in Kiley’s kitchen.

This photo was taken by moi down at the Hoboken waterfront. (This was even before I had my Canon Rebel and took my photo classes – this image is from a point and shoot, with the image turned black and white.) Kiley ~~stole~~ used my image to order a print-to-canvas piece online. Print-to-canvas has gotten pretty popular so you can get them pretty cheap on Groupon or even order from stores like Walmart (just be conscious of the size).

But originally, this photo was taken for my apartment (obviously). I wanted some art that reflected my town, and Hoboken art is harder to come by than the overused NYC skyline posters. So I took this picture, converted it into black and white, added a border and some text, and created my own poster.

“New York City from the Hoboken Waterfront”

Vistaprint had the cheapest printing for a full-sized poster. The frame came from Target ($30) so I ended up with an affordable, custom, personalized wall art for my kitchen that I can tell visitors is truly my own art!

And because I have an obsession with photography, I also took some of my photos and displayed them in my living room. I can’t tell you how many pictures I have of my travels that end up going nowhere other than the “My Pictures” folder on my computer. (You would typically print and frame the picture of yourself in front of the Eiffel Tower … but what about those 20 pictures you took of JUST the Eiffel Tower?)

So rather than purchase other people’s overpriced art, I made my own, utilizing sentimental photos from my travels. The best part – no Photoshop required! I found my favorite photos and used a simple iPhoto filter called “Antique” which fades the colors to look a little aged, but without removing all of the color like in sepia tone.

On the wall above my couch, I arranged all vertically aligned photos, like the above. On the opposite wall, I lined up all of the horizontal pictures.

Simple frames from Walmart and Ikea mounted the images. Now I can look at them and remember my amazing vacations and study abroad trips.

And of course, the best part is to take the credit when people ask about them.

Ikea Hack: GRANAS Dining Set

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Today’s Rehab Wednesday is an Ikea hack – taking a budget-friendly Ikea product and turning it into something that looks like a million bucks.

When Kiley moved in and started to decorate, she was on a budget when it came to furniture. So, she purchased the Ikea GRANAS Table and chairs for $99.99. Here’s what they look like when purchased:

Ikea Granas Table and Chairs – BEFORE

At first, she painted the wicker seat base with leftover paint from her cabinets so that they matched the kitchen. But, with a little extra time and inspiration, she decided to make them more functional and added a custom upholstered cushion.

The first step was adding some plywood (cut to size) to the chairs as a platform to replace the existing wicker seats. The plywood was painted dark (with some leftover cabinet paint) so that it blends in, then screwed to the chair frame. Next, some cheap chair cushions from Ikea were reupholstered in custom fabric (Mood, NYC).

Since the set only came with two chairs, she added a bench against the wall for extra seating. The bench (Overstock, $110) was reupholstered with the same fabric to match the chairs. (When reupholstering, it’s helpful to try and choose a bench or chair with a cushion that is easy to remove like the one on this bench.)

To reupholster cushions, cut the fabric in a square (or rectangle) with a few inches extra on all sides. Spread out on a flat surface or the floor and start on a straight side pulling the fabric tight as you fasten in place with a staple gun. When you get to the corners, fold the fabric in small pleats and staple with the staple gun, pulling fabric tight as you go. Trim off excess fabric and re-attatch to your frame.

ta da!

Ikea Hack – GRANAS Dining Set – AFTER

With some added table accessories, the set is almost unrecognizable as a budget Ikea dining set.

Large bowl centerpiece (HomeGoods) with potpourri; State cutting board – with a carved heart over Hoboken of course (Etsy)

Rehab Wednesday: Kitchen Mini Makeover

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Last week, we kicked off our new “Rehab Wednesday” home renovation series with the importance of paint and lighting. Today’s makeover takes this advice into account and shows off Kiley’s updated kitchen.

When you don’t have the money for a full kitchen renovation (which can be the most expensive update to your home) a little paint and new hardware can go a long way.

Kiley’s Kitchen – BEFORE

Originally, the kitchen had old white cabinets, plastic knobs, and an oven that didn’t work. (Every time she tried to turn it on the smoke alarm went off, so this was clearly a safety hazard.)

The other side of the kitchen had similar outdated white cabinetry and the same ugly beige laminate countertops.

Kiley’s Kitchen – BEFORE

The first step, before even moving in, was a fresh coat of paint on the cabinets. To compliment the new light grey walls, the bottom cabinets were painted a darker grey (Benjamin Moore Englewood Cliffs) and in contrast, the top cabinets got a fresh coat of Bright White.

All hardware was updated to be more modern and clean with simple brushed nickel knobs.

Eventually, when she was ready to invest a little more, the old wall oven and countertop stove was cut out and replaced with a single unit stainless steel stove/oven and mounted microwave (both Frigidaire). This also freed up space for the new fridge (LG), where the wall oven used to be.

Kiley’s Kitchen – AFTER

The countertops were a DIY challenge. When you don’t have the money for new cabinets and granite countertops, there is an easy alternative: granite paint. Yes, Kiley loves paint, and when she discovered that you could paint on the granite look she ordered the kit and gave it a try. And while I made fun of her while she sponged on the 3 coats of paint, I have to admit … they’re pretty snazzy. And now six months later they are still holding up well.

Painted Countertops – Giani Granite in Sicilian Sand

Since counter space is still minimal in this condo kitchen, there aren’t too many options without doing a major overhaul. Not to mention the lack of wine storage… So, Kiley ordered a standing wine rack and painted it to match the bottom cabinets and then had a custom butcher block counter made to sit on top, with an extra extended piece to wrap around the other side of the wall. The addition gave valuable extra storage and a few feet of counter space which makes a huge difference when you cook like we do (and drink wine like we do).

Wine rack from Wayfair.com

And the best part: the total cost for extra counter space was under $100.

So with some paint, hardware, decor and creativity, this little condo kitchen became more functional and personalized.

Of course, every kitchen needs a few accessories. Check back next week for some decorating ideas…

Rehab Wednesdays

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No, I’m not giving up my wine. I’m just starting a new weekly feature on J’ai La Vie that exemplifies some crafty home projects as completed by me and my sister, Kiley (who up until now, is a behind-the-scenes contributor to J’ai La Vie).

So a little about us and our projects….

Our first love is cooking – something we meddled in as part of our youth, explored further in college, and have now grown into and transitioned to be serious cooks, foodies, and wannabe sommeliers. But with age and responsibilities we were introduced to another homemaker obsession – interior design. Once you have your own place – sans roommates – this love consumes your life.

We have similar tastes, but very different approaches. To start, I am (unfortunately) a renter. I can’t WAIT to get my hands on a condo, but for now, that’s on the back burner. Kiley, however, is a first-time homebuyer on a budget. She purchased her Hoboken condo in 2011 and hasn’t stopped updating since. It’s a hobby that is practical, fun, creative, and translates into another new term we are growing to love: ROI.

So, alas, a new blog topic is born. Every week, we will be chronicling one of mine or Kiley’s (well, mostly Kiley’s) home projects.

First up: the easiest (and cheapest) ways to add some value to your new home.

After a year and a half into homeownership, Kiley’s best pieces of advice for a low-budget/high-impact change are: paint and light fixtures.

It drives us CRAZY when we watch HGTV and the property virgins complain about the paint in EVERY house. It is the easiest thing to change. And personally, I prefer a fresh coat of paint when I move into a new space. Cover up those nail holes and faded picture frame outlines and make the space your own.

Kiley’s Apartment – Before (No idea what the previous owner was thinking)

What a difference lighting and paint can make.

Kiley’s apartment – AFTER

Paint Color = Benjamin Moore Winter Solstice

Light Fixtures = Overstock.com

Taking advantage of the high ceilings, Kiley wanted to add a little bling to the entry and found this chic – and cheap – Chrome Crystal Chandelier. It took a little time and patience to put together but is surprisingly good quality and makes a great impression.

In the adjoining room, ~~Kiley~~ our brother installed another crystal fixture with the Crystal 2-Light Flush. The fixtures complement each other and add a unique and custom quality to the condo.

More home projects to come in the weeks ahead!

Give Gift Baskets … the Right Way

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With Christmas behind us, we have presents we have received that we love, like, and plan to regift later. But as a gift giver, we also have those gifts that we are proud of and plan to repeat, gifts where we just aren’t sure what the person thought, and a few where we know we could have done better.

But a safe bet – whether for Christmas, a housewarming, hostess gift, or any other occasion – is the classic gift basket. And I think, there is a right and a wrong way to do the gift basket (or bag/box/etc.).

The rule of thumb should be, baskets should contain items that people will use. I’ve posted before about wine packages which make an excellent present for any wino – it’s something thoughtful, consumable, and a little high-end. Personally, wine is the best hostess, grab bag, or thank you gift that I could get!

I’ve also mentioned Beecher’s of New York and their amazing cheese boxes which contain amazing homemade cheeses from their shop, paired with perfect sides. (We picked one up for my parents this Christmas – although you can order them online and have them shipped!)

But, I also want to call out my favorites from this holiday, all of which I gifted to some of my loved ones!

Coffee Baskets

A loaded coffee basket from Greene’s Beans in Hackettstown is usually my go-to when it comes to holiday and housewarming gifts. Everyone drinks coffee – and if they don’t they drink tea, or hot chocolate, or chai, or some type of hot beverage. Some specialty coffee from your local coffee shop is a great treat, especially when you’re visiting someone out of town. Our coffee shop does a great job of adding in teas, candies, and some little extras that fill the basket with useful – and delicious – goodies. And, unlike baskets from the chain coffee houses, they are local and unique. Plus, they aren’t stuffed with just filler – what you see is what you get in these gifts.

Coffee Basket by Greene's Beans

Plus, at my local shop, they offer different varieties depending on your needs; they come in coffee-lovers, tea-lovers, chocolate-lovers, and breakfast. You’ll see I chose the latter, which has an awesome mix of stuff!

Kitchen Baskets

This year, we wanted to give my grandparents something special, yet practical. So, we built our kitchen-loving grandma a basket full of goodies that she can use while cooking up her next meal for the whole family. Almost everything pictured – including the box – is from TJ Maxx (which could also be substituted for Marshall’s or HomeGoods). We wanted to get her a new cookbook since she’s been looking for some inspiration lately. And, as someone who is a little recipe-obsessed, I know a new cookbook is an amazing gift, even if it’s just to get a couple of fresh ideas.

So, we found Ina Garten, and wrapped it up with some Italian pasta, quality olive oil, spices, garlic stuffed olives, vanilla, and jam. Topped off with some dollar store cellophane, we built our own gift basket of gourmet – yet useful – ingredients for a fraction of the price.

Mason Jars

This is my original this Christmas – personalized gift jars. Mason jars are trending, and when I found them at the dollar store, I wanted to put together something special for my best friends for our gift exchange. We had a $15 price cap and I usually see that as a bargain hunting challenge rather than a limitation. So, I stuffed $15 worth of goodies into my mason jar, all with sentimental value.

The important thing for me was to add items that they could use, and would like, rather than little trinkets that are actually junk someone would throw out. I also added in a tea light in case they wanted to turn the mason jar into a candle once all of the mini gifts were in use. Some of the stuff I was able to buy in “value” packs (since I know I’ll be using some of these things anyway) so I had some huge cost savings per item. The Essie nail polish was my only splurge, but every girl needs a new color.

Here’s what I included:

Soft lips lip balm (Target, $2)
Palm Rabbit Wine Stopper (HomeGoods, $1.50)
Smirnoff mini ($2)
Essie nail polish (Target, $7)
Chai Tea (Green’s Beans, $2)
Lindt candy ($.75)
Tea Light Candle (HomeGoods, $.50)

And, to make it more sentimental, I dug up some old photos of the three of us and cut them to fit inside the jar lid. The mason jar ring frames and secures the photo perfectly and adds a little extra touch of nostalgia.

That’s Danielle, Nicole, and me in summer of 2002 on our school trip to Quebec. Funny to think that 10 and a half years later, we’re getting ready for Nicole’s wedding! Despite our horrible fashion sense at 13, I guess I should have known that we would be bridesmaids one day.

Topped off with some ribbon (also a dollar store find), I knew this was a gift worthy of memories with my childhood friends.

Doggie Basket

For the loved one who has a furry loved one, a pet basket will make them say “awwww.” We put this together which is a combination of a Christmas present for Olive and a “welcome home” present for our newest addition, Rosie.

Most of the items are from HomeGoods/Marshalls/TJ Maxx (noticing a pattern here?). This basket includes a dog bed ($15), dog bowl ($5), treats jar ($8), and gourmet dog cookies ($12) as seen on Urban Olive!

And of course, this gift got the ultimate approval from Olive herself (although Rosie and Lily forced her to share).

What’s the best gift basket you’ve given or received?

DIY Wine Cork Board

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I’m probably the opposite of a hoarder. I throw things out, even if there is a small chance I might need them, because I hate clutter. I don’t collect things, because it takes up space. (Ok, the one exception to that rule is my Starbucks mugs that I collect from every city … 12 and counting.) However, the one thing that I keep, for no apparent reason, is wine corks. Maybe it’s my love for wine. Maybe it’s because my parents have saved them from every bottle. Maybe it’s because they make fun arts and crafts.

I’ve seen the kits that you can buy to make your own cork bulletin board, but it’s about $50 just for the frame and glue. So I decided to make one truly homemade that I could add to my living room décor and also conveniently pin the few loose papers that I don’t throw out.

DIY Wine Cork Board

I went to Michael’s to find a shallow shadow box frame. I actually found one that had broken glass (which I didn’t need) so I got it at a discount for only $5. The frame was still just a little bit too deep for the corks to sit even with the frame, so I added some foam board to the back. Then, I just took a bunch of hot glue and glued the corks into place, alternating horizontal/vertical alignment for each row.

Pin it (the old school way). Yes, that’s Urban Olive you see pinned.

Confession: I used my parents’ saved corks for this one – otherwise every one would say “Charles Shaw”. It’s nice to show the variety of wines as indicated on the cork (and some of these bottles were memorable too) but try to line up corks that are almost identical in height so that you don’t get gaps between the corks.

After letting it dry, touching up any loose corks, I had a crafty wine-theme cork board for only $5!

Wine Themed Pins to Match

As a finishing touch I also found these adorable wine-themed push pins from an awesome seller on ebay.

Voila! Another DIY wine-themed decoration for my living room. They match my DIY wine coasters perfectly!

Try it out for yourself – you already have the corks, right?

Easy Halloweeny

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I’m just not a fan of Halloween. I say it every year. I think it’s the pressure of finding a costume, spending money, being creative, and overpaying for drinks. And I don’t really like to dress up. But, this year, Kiley and I actually planned our costumes ahead of time. I was still shopping the day of the Halloween party, but that will never change.

Given our recent obsession with Hunger Games, we got creative with DIY costumes of Katniss Everdeen, Effie Trinket, and – despite Tom’s protests – Peeta Mellark. (I mean, he looks JUST like him.)

“May the odds be ever in your favor!”

It was one of the easiest costumes I’ve had and didn’t involve me spending much money to throw it together. The only things I actually purchased were new pants and boots, which I could potentially wear again, so no big loss. Plus, I was much more comfortable than those girls in high heels and no clothes.

Peeta & Katniss

Katniss: black t-shirt, green pants, black windbreaker, and lace-up boots (Target: $35). For accessories: Bow & arrow (directions below), mockingjay pin, red rope ($1 at dollar store). Makeup: red lipstick “cut” above the eye, brown eye shadow “dirt” on the rest of the face.

Peeta: black t-shirt, green pants, black windbreaker, and lace-up boots. Accessories: plastic dagger (Rickys: $3). Makeup: brown eye shadow “dirt”.

Effie Trinket

Effie: pink dress (H&M: $50) with stuffed shoulders, yellow shirt cut into a scarf (H&M: $5). Accessories: pink hair chalk, hair flower. Makeup: green eye liner, pink eye shadow, light lipstick, and fake eyelashes (not pictured).

I couldn’t find a bow and arrow anywhere, so I used a silver sharpie to color wooden skewers from the dollar store. I then drew the ends and cut them out, taping them to the wooden skewers. For the case, I used a Pringles can wrapped in tinfoil and added some string. I put some styrofoam on the bottom to keep the arrows secure. I didn’t have a bow when I went to the party, but someone INSISTED I have one and made me a bow in about 5 minutes with a wire hanger wrapped in tinfoil and ribbon as the string. Very DIY.

Believe it or not, Kiley actually had a little bird pin which I used as my mockingjay. It’s still on my jacket.

I wanted to have Tom carry a loaf of bread in his backpack, but he wouldn’t do it. Oh well…

At the party, it seemed every girl knew exactly who we were. Only a few boys had read the books… But, I have to admit we had friends that were pretty creative. Although Mario, Luigi & Co. is a little cliche, they decided to be Mario Kart, karts with balloons and all. I’m not completely sure if any of the balloons made it to the bar.

Mario Kart

And finally, the one part of Halloween that I do love, is baking festive desserts. So, I leave you with Graveyard Brownies, courtesy of my sister. The recipe is too simple – boxed brownies (I used 2 boxes for thicker brownies), with chocolate icing and crushed Oreos on top for the dirt. To add gravestones, use extra icing in a Ziploc to pipe RIP onto Vienna fingers. And voila! If you can find them, add candy corn pumpkins – it seems Hoboken was all out.

Graveyard Brownies

DIY Wino Coasters

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We’re gearing up for the Fourth of July and last weekend certainly has me prepared. On Friday I had a work outing at Monmouth Race track down the shore. It was HOT HOT HOT but the beer was free and I didn’t have to work so there were no complaints from me. Conveniently, I was meeting college friends down in Atlantic City so I was already half way down the Parkway and ready to have an eventful outing with some of the best drinkers I know.

The party burger that 6 of us split at BB’s in Atlantic Club. Yes, it’s the size of the plate.

We stayed at Atlantic Club which, as it turns out, is exactly where we stayed last time, just with a new name. It was an awesome college reunion, complete with Harrah’s Pool partying, a freak storm that left us stranded at Harrah’s because taxis weren’t running due to flooded roads, and then a 2:30 a.m. drunk breakfast via the hotel’s backup power. It was an awesome weekend. Unfortunately, the next day I got freakishly sunburned while going further down the coast to Sea Isle City with Tom’s family. I’m a little achy, but I digress…

Let’s get down to some good old DIY projects featuring the items that are easiest for me to collect – wine bottles! I was convinced my coasters had to be homemade because they seemed like an easy sentiment to create. So, I decided to make my ~~wine holders~~ coasters out of some favorite wine labels. I admit, I had to get some help from Dad on this one, otherwise I would have had four coasters featuring Two Buck Chuck labels!

Here’s how it’s done!

DIY Wine Label Coasters

You will need:

Wine labels (the larger the better to cover the tile)
Plain white tiles (mine were 16 cents at Home Depot!)
Modge Podge (I used Puzzle Modge Podge because it was half the price for the same thing!)
Cork roll (or plain cork sheets – whatever is cheapest)
Glue gun (or any strong glue)
For $4, you can create homemade coasters that represent your favorite wines! ($1 for 4 tiles, $3 for cork – we’ll assume you have glue and scissors laying around!)

First, peel off wine labels and stick them onto wax paper until you’re ready to use them. To remove wine labels from the bottle, first try filling the empty bottle with warm water from the faucet. Let sit for several minutes and try to peel off the corner. If it still does not come easily, boil the bottle in a pot of water. Use a flat object to gently peel the label off. Let dry on waxed paper.

Once you have your labels, apply Modge Podge onto the tile. Place label in the center and add more Modge Podge to the top. Note: It looks white but it WILL dry clear!

Once dried, apply another coat of Modge Podge.

Finally, cut cork pieces slightly smaller than the tiles. Hot glue the cork onto the tile. Press firmly for a few second to make sure the cork is secure and flat on the bottom. (If you’re feeling ambitious you can try cutting wine works to make “feet” for the coasters. I couldn’t get them to cut evenly but it would add a nice thematic touch!)

And voila!