TOP 12 of 2010

Top-ten lists are cropping up like crazy across Bloglandia this time of year. Well, who wants to be left out? Not me! That's why I have compiled a Top Twelve (even better!) list just for you. My very favorite before and after project from each month. It was like, way hard to choose. July in particular was an especially good month. But these are the ones that tickled my fancy the very most, and my fancy does like to be tickled. That sounded gross. Let's get on with it then, shall we?

JANUARY One of my all time favorite kitchen makeovers. Great kitchen from an even greater gal, Kat. Read the full post here.

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FEBRUARY Bathroom of my dreams, how I love thee! Read the full post here.

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MARCH I love that this was done for so cheap, and similar items cost thousands of buckaroos in catalogs! Read the full post here.

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APRIL I never would have pegged myself in the past as a lover of things vintagey/shabby chic, but this bedroom made me turn the corner. Read the full post here.

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MAY Inspiration to make your outdoors as snazzy as your indoors! Read the full post here.

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JUNE Definitely a show-stopper, this one really got people talking! Read the full post here.

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JULY This one was another crowd pleaser, and I certainly count myself among that crowd. Read the full post here.

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AUGUST Now we know, carports can (and dare I say should?) be beautiful too. Read the full post here.

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SEPTEMBER How I love-ity LOVE a good chandelier redo. Read the full post here.

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OCTOBER This kitchen visits me in my sleep. And probably yours. Read the full post here.

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NOVEMBER Dark and dramatic dining. Super sexay! Read the full post here.

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DECEMBER Representin' the upholsterers, yo! This chair might just be my favorite chair this whole year. Read the full post here.

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(And did you notice how the actual words "before" and "after" got a makeover of their own throughout the year too? Ha! They started off rather large and obnoxious, didn't they? I apologize to your eyes. )

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Well that about wraps it up. But first I would like to say a BIG, FAT, HEARTY THANK YOU to you! Even after 880+ posts, you still manage to impress and amaze me everyday. I couldn't do it without you and your unending genius and creativity and the projects that you so graciously share with me.

And a MEGA HEARTY THANK YOU to all my super awesome and probably extremely good-looking readers! I couldn't do this without you either. Well, I guess technically I could, but it sure wouldn't be any fun. Thanks for keeping me going and keeping me laughing with all your great comments and emails and support. You quite thoroughly rock.

I hope you have the Happiest New Year Yet!

See you in 2011!

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So I See

Is your New Year's resolution to add more spice to your love life? How about starting with a swanky bedroom makeover that includes a steamy secret message? Better After reader Miki redid her bedroom and wanted an extra intimate mural of words on the wall. But, like, what if her grandma came to visit? Awk. Ward. Perhaps she could write it in a foreign language? Well, what if her kids started taking French? No bueno.

Then, at last, she happened upon the perfect idea, with the help of styrofoam balls. I'll let you "see" for yourself:

Miki reports that it's really not that scandalous. Just a list of things people do in bed,

like talk.And sleep.And read.And other stuff.;)

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And here's a note from Pam, my lovely Shaklee sponsor:

Shaklee's Free Membership Special and also the Six Months Free Website (for those interested in the business) will expire in two days, on December 31st! Click the links below for more info!

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Notes on the New Year

It is a freezing, frigid Friday here. Actually it's Thursday, but that throws off my alliteration. But it's cold and blustery and I just want to put on my jammies and get back in bed. Plus, extra bummer, all of my family that was supposed to come visit me for the new year are all snowed in up in the mountains. The Allen family New Year's celebration might just consist of us clinking styrofoam cups together as we watch the clock on the microwave.

Anyway, enough whining from me! Are you trapped indoors too? Now would be a great time to wander around your house with a little notepad in hand. Take a good look at your furniture and decor. Sketch some notes on what you've got, what you don't got and what you don't need. Rearrange.

Take note of what windows could use some treatments. Maybe that extra bench that just isn't working in your living room might make the perfect tub-side table! Is your baby potty-trained but you are still hanging on to the changing table? Make a note to sell it on Craigslist or set it aside for a yard sale when the weather warms up. Measure that weird cubby space at the top of the stairs and write it down. That way, when you are out and about and discover the perfect little dresser in a thriftstore, you can know right away if it will fit. Been meaning to get slipcovers for the sofas? Measure them today! Write it down, keep it in your little notebook.

Make plans for what you'd like to bring into your home in the new year and what you could stand to get rid of. Nothing like an organized, fresh start to a new year!

And speaking of tub-side tables, here's some great inspiration from Alaina at Recycled Interiors.

And a cute weathered telephone table too! See it on her blog {HERE}.

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Okie Dopey Kitchen

Gosh dang I love this kitchen. The apple green cabinetry and Pottery Barn pendants make my heart go pitter-pat. The only thing that could make this after better is if that Dopey cookie jar is allowed to come back. Wouldn't that be the perfect dash of quirky cuteness? See the kitchens entire makeover process on her blog Adorkbl. Thanks for sharing Lori!

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Deer Hunt

Planning to hunt the after Christmas clearance sales? Why not tag yourself one of these deer? Save it for next Christmas and mount it like Heather did! Fun and festive and humane! See it on her blog Decor 4 Poor.

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Chevron and on

Laura's middle son Fisher had a middle child sort of room. Random furniture and hand-me-down flowered sheets. Luckily, little boys don't give a toot about the sorts of sheets they sleep on, but Laura knew he deserved better.

So she fashioned a chevron design on the wall (a time consuming task which used up lots and lots of tape and left blisters!) and retooled everything else into what is now her favorite room in the house! I like how the chevron stripes are different widths, it makes it look much more dynamic. Lots more great pics on her blog Counting It All Joy.

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Glam it up

Hello! I hope you had a happy holiday! Thank you so much for all your sweet Christmas wishes. I am being lazy today, but will hopefully be back in blogging mode tomorrow or thereabouts. Oh, I just can't help myself. Here's a fancy buffet redo from Heidi at Glam in a Can.

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Christmas!

Funky nutcracker redo from Kim at Simple Needs And from the Allen household to yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Last Minute Metallics

Sure it's Christmas Eve, but it's not to late to run to the thriftstore, pick up a bedraggled old wreath, douse it with a sparkly coat of metallic spray paint and hang it up! From Ann Marie at White House Black Shutters.

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