My husband and I have been spending every free second of every day, for the last month, fixing odds and ends around our house to put it on the market. Ahh, just typing that makes me nervous. I’ve always been one to get attached to things. This home was our first home, the one we were married in, had our children in and spent the last eight years together in, learning how to be husband and wife. It’s hard for me to think about letting it go. But, I have to remind myself that the memories will always be there and the new house we’re building is going to be the perfect place for the boys to grow up!
Enough with my sentiments. This post is really about the quite comical lessons I learned the hard way in my quest to get our home, selling ready.
1. There’s a brush for that. Leave it to me to be totally ignorant about the fact that certain paint brushes are used for certain types of paint and painting situations. I was trying to go pro and paint our trim without painters tape. I saw a painter doing it once and thought to myself, that can’t be but so hard. So I grabbed a brush and went to work…and smeared white paint all over my trim and wall. My husband just came in and shook his head. Then he handed me an angled brush. This angled brush made it so I could paint trim and ceilings like a pro. I had to remind myself to be slow and steady of course, but I was really pretty impressed how easy it was when I used the right brush! Plus I saved a ton of time not having to tape off the wall.
2. Don’t go caulk crazy. I thought I could just swipe some caulk in a line and go on with my day. Turns out, caulk is extremely sticky and messy and again ended up all over the wall, bathroom sink, in my hair and on our bathroom towels. I got another head shake from the hubby as he scraped the caulk off. I turned to my BFF, Pinterest and found the most genius/duh idea for my caulking woes. Use Painters Tape! Duh, why didn’t I think of that. So I taped off the areas around my caulk line, filled it in and smoothed it out with my finger. Now my caulk job is semi pro status.
3. Spot painting isn’t going to happen. For years I would run around our house with a can of paint I kept in our garage to paint over bumps in the wall. For years, it worked just fine for me. But, all of a sudden when I just wanted to touch up the wall instead of embark on a full blown painting job, just painting over the bumps wasn’t going to work. I even bought new paint thinking oh the paint is just old. I was left with shiny spots on the walls and the obvious mark of a half done paint job. So I had to paint the entire house again…fun times.
4. Check the bushes. On to my next project, landscaping. I’ve never been much of the outdoors type. I loathe spiders and bugs, so I pretty much slapped on some gloves, closed my eyes and ripped up weeds, dug holes for flowers and threw mulch on top. I was pretty proud of myself and went inside for the day. Later, my husband went outside and watered my new creation and said all the plants floated out of their holes. Good job! Apparently, my haste made for a crap plant job. But, the scariest part is right after going inside a neighbor of mine killed a Copperhead Snake beside the flower beds I had been mucking in all day. I told my husband I was going to swear off of yard work from then on out. He said, you just have to check the bushes. No thanks.
5. Bar Keepers Friend…is your friend. This one was actually a win for me and some of you may already know this. Well, some of you may have known all of the things I learned in my quest to make my home immaculate. But, I’m getting off point. Back to BKF. It’s the bomb. Your grout will look brand spanking new with only a little water to make a paste, a toothbrush and some elbow grease. It also took small rusty spots off of light fixtures, paint off of a toilet bowl (that I had dripped there years prior) and made my kitchen sink shine like new. Why didn’t I try this before?!
And because oh, hey girl, it wouldn’t be Wednesday without an outfit post, here’s something I’ve been wearing on repeat lately.
The Look: Shorts (Scarlett picked these up for me at the LP sale) | Top (similar) | Shoes
Now, the update on all of our hard work — our house was officially listed on Saturday and we received two offers yesterday! On to our next adventure. 🙂
– Brooke
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love those shorts! so stylish and colorful!
thank you for the link up!
Irene
http://www.thedailylace.com
these shorts are so cute, love this casual look.
xo
PinkSole
Suriper cute look on you, love the pretty shorts and your flats are perfect!! Lol about the lessons your learned:-) I’d be the same.
Marta
http://www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com
Yikes! I would have sworn off doing yardwork too! The print of your shorts is so pretty and I love them with the dark chambray!
Jill
Doused
In Pink
Congrats on this new chapter in your life! I would probably be attached as well, especially if it’s been 8 years.
http://www.jerseygirltexanheart.com
Those shorts are really cute – great pattern and perfect with a denim shirt.
At least you learnt a lot, and it’s wonderful you’ve got offers already! 🙂
I really like your printed shorts, they are great with the chambray 🙂
Thank you for the link up!
Away From The Blue
My husband spent his high school and college summers painting so he is pretty good at it – but he hates it(: I could paint new colors in our house every year! I hope that things go well with your sale and you find the home of your dreams! I love your printed shorts paired with the chambray! Too cute! Susan
Oh the joys of home ownership LOL!! I really love the dark chambray paired with the shorts – I have yet to find one that I really love on me but I do love yours!!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
We are still in our first home (going on 10~ yrs!) and have been wanting to move, but we’ve just been too lazy to take the plunge it. It must be a lot of work! I am sure you will make lots of wonderful memories in your future home! I love these shorts with that chambray top! I should wear chambray more in the summer with my patterned shorts.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Totally relate to loving the home where your memories started! You’re future home will be filled with that same love but it will grow as your family gets older and fill your heart even fuller! You look cute as a button, love the patterned shorts! Have a wonderful day!!!
Love this outfit! The shorts are so cute and I love it with the chambray top. I need to try Bar Keeper’s Friend. It sounds like a miracle worker.
love the shorts with the denim top!
I still sometimes drive past our first home ‘just to see’ what it looks like… hard not to get attached to a place where so many memories are made
Wow! Congrats on your offers! That is amazing! I get very nostalgic about things too. When it comes to selling our house in the future I will probably cry! It’s almost like another member of the family! I think I need to try Bar Keepers Friend now. Also, love those adorable shorts on you!
Getting a house ready to put on the market is no easy task! I had flashbacks just reading your post. I had a similar paint debacle. Love your outfit too. Great pictures!
Traci
waltzmetoheaven.com
I love this outfit and I am not one to do gardening or house work myself, but I glad you learned a few things.
Rachelsxo
http://www.garaytreasures.com/2015/07/myarmcharmsboutiquetribute/
Love those shorts! I’m a sucker for a good print. Congrats on getting two offers that’s great! Can’t wait to see what your new place looks like 🙂 And yes BKF is the bomb!
Good luck with the house!! It’s a ton of work, but will be so worth it in the end! -:)
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Congrats on the offers received on your house, you must be so excited to start a new chapter now! I love your outfit in this post by the way, the patterned shorts are so bright and playful 🙂
Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x
Congrats on getting offers on your home – it must mean the improvements you did was fantastic 🙂 Love these fun shorts on you!
Alice
http://www.happpinessatmidlife.com
Would love to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
More power to the big move – and you look awesome as always!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Oh man, home ownership is not always a fun thing. The projects are never ending. Good luck on your search and listing! Cute shorts!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Great house tips!! I just bought my first apartment and definitely will keep them in mind!
XO
Lee |
LegalLee Blonde
Love the shorts doll, they are super cute!
http://www.dressed2dnines.com
I’ve never heard of Bar Keepers Friend but you bet I’m going out and buying some IMMEDIATELY!!! Also, didn’t you just have a baby?! You look AMAZING girlfriend! Seriously! Rockin’ those shorts!
xoxo Danielle
For the Love of Leopard
Getting a house ready for sale is always hard work, but it sounds like it paid off if you got two offers already. Cute outfit! I love your dark chambray shirt.
Hi lovely, congratulations on your home selling! those are some great lesson, thanks for sharing.
I love your look, so chic and casual! It has my mane all ever it. Have a great day.
Glamoury Armory Blog
Those shorts are so cute!
Good luck on your move! Those shorts are adorable & perfect for summer!
xx,
Alyssa
http://www.kneehighsandpumpkinspice.com/
Moving is so much work, but exciting too! If I ever saw a snake in my yard, I wouldn’t step foot outside again :)! Cute outfit – love the shorts.
Whew! Sounds like you’ve been busy! What if you had seen the snake?? Oh my! I can’t even imagine. I’ve never heard of Bar Keepers Friend! Sounds like it can do it all.
Thanks for hosting! Love your blog!
Katey
http://www.twopeasinablog.com/2015/07/pink-lotus-athletic-three-thoughts.html
If I had found that snake you can bet I would have been running!!! You must try Bar Keepers Friend, it’s awesome!
Haha, me too girl! Moving is a lot of work, so many times through all of this Ive said I never want to move again!
Thanks so much Alyssa!
Thanks Mattie!
Thank you so much!!
Yes!! So far it has, now we have to go through appraisal and inspection which is nerve racking! But, I’m excited!
Aw thank you Danielle!!! Yes BKF is the best!! I normally use method cleaners because i don’t like harsh chemicals, but it can’t beat what BKF can do for grout and tubs!
Thanks girlfriend!
Congrats on your apartment!! I’ve learned quite a bit through all of this!
That’s the truth!! Thanks girl!
Thanks so much Rebecca!!
Thank you Alice! I am surprised how quickly it’s all moving along!
I’m so excited Gabrielle, I’ve been pinning home design like crazy and can’t wait to take on the new house!
Thanks so much Shauna! It totally will be worth it.
Thanks Sarah! I can’t wait to share the whole process, it’s going to be exciting!
Haha yeah the only positive to the gardening was I got a nice tan and sweated a few pounds away! 🙂 But yeah I’ll stay indoors from now on, haha!
Gosh its tough and feels totally weird having people come through your house and critique it. I think the hardest part has been separating myself from it all.
I told my husband when we do the final pack up I will for sure be crying!
I’m sure I will be the same way. I can only imagine how strange it’s going to feel to see someone else living in my home.
Thank you sweet Cynthia! I recently tore a hole in my favorite chambray, so I’ve turned to this one!
Thank you!! I really do need that reminder of what’s ahead and all of the memories we will make in the new home!
We talked about it for the last 4 years and kept putting it off, then literally two months ago my husband said, it’s time! The markets right, we’re selling.
That’s the truth! Always something new to learn and fix!
Oh man that’s awesome!!! I would love to have a pro painter on hand. 🙂
Yeah! I have lots of fun new knowledge to take to our new home.
Thanks a bunch Carrie!
Thanks girl! I’ve been wearing these flats nearly everyday this summer.
Thanks Rachelle!
Cute pair of shorts!
http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr/
This outfit is absolutely adorable! These are great tips as I am just getting ready to do some trim repainting as well!! I can totally see how you are attached to your home with all those amazing memories in it! But I am sure your new home will have just as many special times!!
Danielle
http://www.blushblossom.com
LOVE the shorts! Great print! We still in the long process of getting a home; hardest shopping of my life ever lol! Thanks for sharing the great tips!
-Tatiana
http://www.weshopinheels.com
Your posts always entertain and amuse me! just like this article ♥
New style post now posted sweetie 🙂
http://contemporaryboy.com
Lovely post and beautiful outfit.
http://www.thestylegalaxy.com
I like this tip about Bar Keeper’s Friend, will have to check if we have it in the UK!
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
When I moved into my first apartment after college I remember learning so many hard lessons. I couldn’t do much because I did not own it but I would try to fix or change things and needless to say, I ended up looking up everything in Youtube. The first time I tried using caulk………
Love this outfit! Those shorts are so cute, the pattern and the colors are perfect! I love them with your denim top!
Denise | Fashion Love Letters
I have to just keep reminding myself of that! Good luck with your painting. Once I got the hang of it without using dreaded tape, I started to enjoy it!
Caulk is something else isn’t it?! Now that I halfway know how to use it, I’ve been a caulking spree!
Aw thank you!!
Yeah! I hope they do!
Home buying is such a long process!! We shopped around for a while and decided to just build our next house. We built the first one too, so I’m excited to go through the process again and pick everything just as I want it!
Thank you!!
I really like your outfit, the shorts are gorgeous!
http://www.notesofglam95.blogspot.it/
Love yout colorful shorts!
kisses…
http://zapatosrojosmoda.blogspot.mx
very funny post. it’s a little bittersweet letting go of stuff but rest assured there are better things ahead. Good luck on your future home DIY projects! btw, you look so cute in that outfit!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
You looks amazing, and it’s lovely read
Herdiana Surachman
http://www.deluxshionist.com
You look great, I love this post!
Style by Avery
Such cute shorts! And omgosh I have a small can of paint for touch-up but haven’t used it yet. Now I know not to so thanks for the heads up!
Tina
http://www.justatinabit.com
Thanks for the reminder Jessica! I’ve been struggling with letting our home go! 🙂
Thanks a bunch!
Thanks girl!! My friend picked them up a the Lilly warehouse sale for me; they’re my new favorite!
I would not have known you had to use a certain paint brush for certain things either, haha. Cute look, too!
http://www.amemoryofus.com