Nifty 50 Fabulous

Fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blog for women over 50

Categories: Lifestyle, Uncategorized

Preparing To Be First Time Grandparent

Today’s Topic is Preparing To Be First Time Grandparent. I am going to be a Mimi! My tennis gals told me years ago that it is best that I pick out my “grandmother name” early on, even before my first grandchild arrives. So I have been Mimi to my granddogs for years, but now I have a new granddaughter due at the end of October. Oh, and Dan is going to be… Daddy Dan.

Preparing To Be First Time Grandparent

Preparing To Be First Time Grandparent

Preparing To Be First Time Grandparent

We are so excited for my son, Matt, and his wife, Emily on the impending arrival of their first child, a daughter, Leighton Anne. After the news that I was going to be a Mimi to my first grandchild, I started thinking about some of the changes I needed to make to be prepared. As a matter of fact, it was the news that we were getting a grandchild that prompted my husband, Dan to go ahead and have his hip replacement surgery this summer. He wants to be healthy and able to get down on the ground and play.

Preparing To Be First Time Grandparent- I am going to be a Mimi
Matt and Emily gave me this great insulated tumbler with my “grandmother name”, Mimi on it when they told us the good news.

Baby Announcement- It Is A Girl!

Our first grandchild is due in October
Matt and Emily, and my granddog, Bo are excited to announce a new member of the family, coming in October.
It's A Girl- Leighton Anne
Our first grandchild is a girl! Baby Leighton Anne is going to join our family.

Time For A Baby Shower!

My sister-in-law, Sheri, so graciously offered to host a baby shower for Emily. Sheri has an amazing house and we were thrilled to have her as a hostess. The ladies in my family outdid themselves to create a beautiful Sunday afternoon that we could celebrate and shower Matt and Emily with gifts for the new baby.

Preparing To Be First Time Grandparent- Baby Shower Time- All In Pink!
Mimi, Emily, and Gigi
Our Official Greeter for the Baby Shower
Our official greeter!
Baby Shower- Table full of delicious nibbles
A delicious spread of cheese, crackers, rolled pinwheel sandwiches, and some sweet treats.
Table decor included a collection of Peter Rabbit figurines
If you carefully look into the decor, you will see Sheri’s collection of Peter Rabbit miniatures. Even the napkins had a Peter Rabbit motif.
Baby Shower- Ladies enjoyed afternoon to meet and greet
A great turnout of family and friends. The ladies enjoyed the food and getting to opportunity to explore Sheri’s home with her incredible decor and art collection.
Not games, just time to relax and enjoy spending time with guest
The two hours went by fast and it was a great opportunity to share words of wisdom with the mother-to-be.
Presents are opened by hostesses and displayed for guest to see
Birmingham is famous for its “Tea Style” parties for bridal and baby showers. Held on a Sunday afternoon from 2-4, it is a come-and-go affair. Guests enjoy mingling, fabulous food, and talking with friends.
Hostesses open gift while mom to be is enjoying spending time with her friends and family. Each gift is carefully recorded so thank you notes can be written
The hostesses open all the presents and display them for the guest to look at, carefully making a list so that Emily can write thank you cards. The mother-to-be can just rest and enjoy her guest, with no awkward moments playing games or opening gifts. Don’t worry, many gifts were delivered ahead of the shower to their home, and they had lots of opportunities to open presents.

At the end of the afternoon, everyone had a wonderful time getting the opportunity to visit with family and friends. So many baby gifts were brought to the shower, but many more were sent ahead of time. I love how they now have baby registries that the new parents can register for what they need/want from many different stores. So helpful in getting just what they need. After the shower was over, Matt came by and loaded his SUV up with presents for the baby, I don’t know where they are going to put everything.

Next On The List- Preparing A Grands Room

I wanted to have a space for the new baby and other grandchildren to come. Some place they can sleep when they come to “Mimi’s House”. But, after Baby Shower Weekend, I realized that I still needed to have another bedroom for guests. So, with the help of my daughter Anna, we created a multi-generational bedroom.

What is a Multi-Generational Bedroom Look Like?

Part guest room/part bedroom for my new grandchildren is the goal. Before we started the room was a junk room, full of furniture that was dumped from the kids’ college apartments. So cleaning out the room was first priority. After that, a plan was made.

The goal was that this room not be “too baby or kiddie” so that I could not use it as a second guest room. I already have a fabulous guest bedroom/suite (check out my post here). Also, this new Grands Room will not be a playroom, it will be only for sleeping (nighttime or napping). I have another space that is designated as a playroom.

Grands Room- Start With A Plan

First I made an emergency call to my favorite online e-designer, Anna at Homzie Designs (she is my daughter). My dilemma is that I need another guest bedroom for the weekend that I could use for my grandchildren too. Quickly we came up with a plan, and I started by shopping what I already had and some of the extras from Anna’s house.

Preparing To Be First Time Grandparent- Creating a multi-generation guest room.

Preparing Grands Room- A Wall Of Books

Because I did not want this room to be too “kiddie or baby” I decided only to add a few touches to make this room soft and cozy. This room’s main purpose is sleep, whether it is night or nap time. So my touches, I added a wall of some of my children’s favorite books, easily accessible on an acrylic shelf.

Preparing For First Time Grandparent- Grands Room creating a small reading nook
Acrylic bookshelves with some of my children’s favorite books, ready for Daddy Dan to read to them
Now I lay Me Sign sets tone for this room- sleeping and napping only.
The sweet Nighttime Prayer Sign From Etsy

Preparing Grands Room- A Bed Full Of Lovies

Waiting for my grandchildren to visit is a bed full of Lovies. These are some of the softest stuffed animals on the market. I can vision the grands giving them names and making up stories about them. But mostly snuggling down with them as they spend the weekend at Mimi’s House.

Creating A Guest & Grands Room- A Bed Full of Soft Stuffed Animals ready to by snuggled
The softest stuffed animals (we call them “Lovies”) await my grands.

I can take off the stuffed animals and store them easily if I have adult company that needs the guest room. For now, they are ready and waiting to be loved on

Weekend Paint Project- Preparing Grands Room

Wanting to use old furniture, I decided to paint a dresser and chest of drawers that was in one of the twin rooms. Now, it is very important to note that I am not a crafty person and painting is not my forte. But painting these furniture pieces transformed the room, from a darker masculine room to a lighter slightly feminine but definitely brighter room.

Preparing To Be First Time Grandparent- Reusing furniture by painting
I did not get this completed for Baby Shower Weekend, but the next weekend my project was to reuse the old furniture that was in the boy’s room. I painted it white using chalk paint. This paint is a part primer/part chalk paint. By using this product I did not need to sand or prime, which made the task so much easier.
Krylon Chalky Finish Paint in Ultra Matte White
I am not very “crafty” so I found this product easy to use, Krylon Chalky Finish Paint in Ultra White, purchased from Lowes My furniture soaked up the paint so it took several coats to get the look I wanted. I watched several youtube videos to get the technique right and have the proper supplies.
Crystal Knobs were added to drawer to change the look
Removed the old knobs and added these Crystal Clear Arcylic Drawer Knobs from Amazon
Finished project included a coat of wax to give the look of an antique piece
The mirror is the Naturalist Mirror from Pottery Barn Kids. I will be changing out the chair for a rocker/swivel style (waiting for it to go on sale)
Finished Chest of Drawers with crystal knobs
After using the Chalk Paint to paint the chest of drawers, I gave it a final coat of wax, Krylon Chalky Finish Sealing Wax. This gives the piece almost an antique look and protects it.

Preparing For Grands- Not Over Buying

After talking with other grandmothers, I decide not to put a crib in the bedroom. Instead, I will be using a Pack N Go Crib. This will work for when the grandchildren are babies/toddlers, then the “big bed” will be the favorite spot (with all the stuffed animals to love on), adding a stepping stool.

Decided against traditional crib, will use a Pack N Go Crib and store it under the bed when not in use
The Graco Pack and Play will take us from baby to toddler for all the grandchildren. Easy to set up and take down, storing under the bed for when it is needed.

Officially On Baby Watch!

We are one week til the “Due Date” so we are officially on Baby Watch! I am down at the beach this week, enjoying the gorgeous fall weather. I have bought an extra Pack And Play to have here at the beach for when they visit. Our first official beach trip with our new granddaughter will be after the Christmas holidays. Trying not to go crazy buying all the cute clothes and toys. Can’t wait to show my new granddaughter all the wonders of the beach.

Categories: Lifestyle

Updating My Guest Bedroom

Hello, Darlings! Today’s topic is Updating My Guest Bedroom. I have been slowly updating rooms in my house. Making them lighter and brighter, less fussy, and more functional for my empty nest lifestyle. After my son and daughter-in-law stayed in my guest bedroom, I realized it was time for an update. So I turned to my favorite online, e-designer, Homzie Designs to create my updated guest bedroom.

Updating My Guest Bedroom

Working With Online Interior Designer

I have had some bad interior designer experiences. Expense, overpriced items that I did not like but felt pressured into buying. But at the same time, decorating is not my “thing” and I do not enjoy shopping for decor and furnishings. I want someone to do it for me, come up with a plan, and all I have to do is buy it.

So I turned to Homzie Designs, an online interior decorating service that will help you create a functional, cohesive space that you will be proud to have your friends and family over. It helped that my daughter Anna Davidson was the owner and lead designer. But even then, I had to wait about a month for my design call. Yes, she treated me just like any other client.

I had a Zoom Design Call where we talked about the space and how I needed it to function. We discussed what pieces in my space needed to stay, and what could go. But most importantly, we talked about how I wanted the space to feel. My keywords were Light, Airy, and Cozy. I wanted hotel functionality but with a more homey feel.

Step One In Updating My Guest Bedroom- Look At Function

Add Workspace

Covid has changed everything, the need to have work-from-home office space is crucial. Even though Covid restrictions have gone, many people still work from home. My son and daughter-in-law both need spaces to work while they visit. So adding a desk was a crucial need in my new updated guest bedroom

Updating My Guest Bedroom- Adding workspace for guest
Guest Bedroom Workspace included Desk/Chair/Lamp/ArtWork

King Bed Is A Must

Once you sleep in a king bed, it is almost impossible to go back to a queen. My guest bedroom is long and narrow with plenty of room for a king bed. So updating the bed from queen to king was high on my priority list. At the same time, I needed to update the bedding and pillows. Nothing is worse than going to a hotel and the pillows are uncomfortable. I also went for washable bedding instead of custom (that had to be drycleaned).

Updating My Guest Bedroom- Using existing furniture and adding updated bedding and decor
Design Plan For Guest Bedroom- Work with existing nightstands. New items include rug/headboard/coverlet/duvet/pillows/lumbar pillow/artwork/lamps/sheets

Sitting Area

The room needed a designated sitting area where you could read. I currently had several chairs in the room, cast-offs from other updating projects. We discussed using those chairs but decided to sell them instead. They were heavy and made the room look outdated.

Updating My Guest Bedroom- Adding sitting area
Sitting Area- chair/curtains/frames/artwork

What To Keep, And What Must Go

Here is where the “Sandwich Generation” can cause an issue. My home has too much furniture. Furniture from my kids’ apartments, furniture from my deceased in-law’s home, furniture from bad buying decisions. I need to sell, and donate many of the pieces and have not gotten around to it. The guest bedroom has been a holding place for many of those items. Creating a cluttered, uninviting space.

What To Keep

I did not think it was financially responsible to start from scratch. So I was excited to hear that Homzie Designs could work with many of my furniture pieces and still create the feel I wanted in the space. After our initial discussion, I decided to keep the following pieces in the guest bedroom

  • Nightstands
  • Dresser

What Must Go

Changing out the items that really dated the space was key. The bedding was stained and the prints on the pillows dated the space and made it feel “heavy”. Light, Airy, and Cozy are my keywords. The first thing to go was my drapes. When I took them down, they had years of dust (and dead bugs). The room was immediately lighter and brighter, just removing the heavy, no function, outdated drapery. This first change made me excited. The other items on the Must Go List are:

  • Lamps (too small and very dated)
  • Random Art (not even mine)
  • Extra Chairs- (will sell on Facebook Marketplace)
  • Queen Bedding- including all the throw pillows
  • Queen Headboard (will sell on Facebook Marketplace)

After removing the “to go” items, I did a deep cleaning of the room. It had been years since I really gave this space some attention. Afterward, the clean smell make me even more excited to begin the project.

Step 2 Making A Budget

This is an important step that I had not taken into consideration. You can spend a lot of money decorating your home. My goal was not to overspend, to be responsible. One lesson that years of experience have taught me, designs and trends change quickly. So I don’t want to spend a lot of money just to have the space outdated quickly.

Homzie Designs Budget Calculator to come up with budget for my guest bedroom project
Download and print the Budget Calculator to help you make a realistic budget before you start your home decorating project.

Knowing what things cost was important. Homzie Designs gave me their Budget Calculator to help me know what items cost. This is key to creating a design budget. Certain items you will want to go higher quality and pay more for, other items you will not. Because of supply chain issues, some items will cost more just because they are hard to get.

Step 3 Updating My Guest Bedroom- Create A Plan

This is where I have gone wrong in all my self decorating projects. I just go and do and hope it will all come together, and most of the time it does not. So when working with Homzie Designs, Anna created a PLAN. She created a 3-D rendering of my space, showing me how my current items will look with the new items she had chosen. This really helped me “SEE” what the finished space will look like.

Updating My Guest Bedroom- Having a plan before you shop is key to not making expensive mistakes

After seeing my project in 3-D, I was able to “tweak” some of the items to come up with a final plan. After I finalized my plan, Anna sent me the shopping links. Then all I had to do with click and pay. I ordered several items on Monday and many of those pieces will be here on Friday.

Step 4 Shopping Online For Home Decor

Covid taught us to embrace online shopping for all things. I have been shopping online for clothing for years so I am well aware of some of the important things you need to know before you buy. Those same things such as return policy, shipping cost, and reviews also apply to home decor. Even though I used Homzie Designs shopping links (she received a commission from those links at no extra cost to me) I was still able to use additional coupon codes for discounts. That really helps because many home decor and furniture companies do not have free shipping.

I did have the freedom to shop on my own for items, either online or in-store. After Homzie Designs gives me my plan, how I shop and execute is up to me.

Shopping For Home Decor online
After I received and approved the items in my project, I was given shoppable links. Ready, set, go! It was so easy.

Using Homzie Designs was key in my home decorating project because Anna knows what retailer to purchase online home decor from, the quality, and the shipping. She has relationships with several smaller online-only companies that deliver unique products you will not find in big-box retailers.

Homzie Designs game me all the shoppable links to my project
Homzie Designs gave me all the shoppable links to my project so I could purchase them online and have them sent to my home. Several items I purchased on Monday, arrived by Friday.

With supply chain issues, and low inventory. Anna told me what items I needed to purchase quickly, and others I could wait for. Initially, my pillows were out of stock. But Anna called the owner and they were able to get some fabric (just enough) to do my pillows.

Some items will take time to come in. My king headboard is 4-6 weeks out. Many items such as couches can take 6-8 months to get in. Patience and planning are key in making all come together.

Small Changes Can Make Huge Difference

Adjoining the guest bedroom is a full bathroom. I made some small changes in the bathroom to give it the same feel as the new guest bedroom. Buying all new white towels immediately made the space feel airy and clean. Changing out the rugs, and getting rid of all decor that made the space feel cluttered and outdated.

Added new Spa Towels from Target to give bathroom a fresh look
Adding new Spa Towels from Target helped to refresh my guest bathroom. Old towels were donated to the humane society.

In this space, I thought like a guest in a hotel. What would I want or need? I created almost a “hotel” feel with extra shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and hairdryer. The only things I don’t have are an ice bucket and a coffee maker. I still want them to come down and spend time with us!

Create A Guest Room Your Family Will Want To Stay In

I saw this video before I started my Updating My Guest Bedroom project. It reminded me of when I would go visit my grandmother/parents and how uncomfortable the bedroom was and how weirdly personal the space felt. My goal is NOT to have this in my home. No scary dolls or knitted toilet roll holders!

Shop My Guest Bedroom Project

Need to do some updating in your home? Here are some of the shoppable links from my guest bedroom project.

  • Headboard -comes in 9 colors, 4-5 weeks shipping
  • Desk -great size, I also have this same desk at the beach
  • Desk Chair-Quick shipping and easy to put together
  • Rug– Great looking rug, not many sizes left
  • Canvas Art-Quick ship, but shipping cost high (got discount code that covered it)
  • Coverlet– Gorgeous high-quality coverlet
  • Chair-Wait for it to go on sale
  • Wooden Frames– be careful on ordering, order by size of the inserted picture
  • Lumbar Pillow– LOVE all pillows from this Etsy Shop
  • Printed Art– Had several prints printed on paper to insert into wooden frames.

What Is Next?

Currently, I am knee-deep in Spring cleaning. Not a lot of fashion photos as I am keeping my good clothes far away from bleach as possible. Spent the weekend pressure washing and cleaning cushions at the lake, and on the to-do list for this week is doing the same at my home. Looking to replace some of the worn cushions but having trouble (supply chain issues) with finding what I want or having it made in a timely manner.

Pollen has “all most” finished falling with the weather turning much warmer. I have completed my planters and my pool is clean and ready for summer weather (but still quite cold).