Blog - A Charming Mess Blog

Vintage Loveseat Deconstruct Project

February 8, 2021

There's nothing like a great furniture find (the older and cheaper the better)! Now, I've attempted a couple reupholstery/furniture refresh projects that have been absolute fails. After a chalk-paint-gone-bad and a traditional-upholstery-gone-awry, I was put out and frustrated. I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars getting a professional to fix my Marketplace bargain finds -- what's the point in that? I came across an antique sofa deconstruct from my friend Mercedes over at ... VIEW POST

A Focus on Sustainability With Spending

February 5, 2021

Ugh. That's how I feel when it comes to looking at my spending habits. I am notoriously impulsive and live-in-the-moment which does not equate to sustainability in the least. It's something I can honestly say I "suck" at, friends. That's why I wanted to start my focus on sustainability with spending. To me, an attitude of sustainability means that you're both living in the moment and looking towards the future -- always considering how the choices you make will impact you, those around you, and ... VIEW POST

Easy Crock Pot Chai Tea

January 28, 2021

This is an easy crock pot chai tea recipe that has made it onto my "let's make this again" list (and that's a rarity, let's be honest). If you were to ask me "coffee or tea," I would have to lean on the coffee side. However, it is really too close to call. I've loved tea since I was a kid. My dad would wake me up before school and bring me piping hot sweet tea. Then, I would run myself a bath and slowly sip the morning blues away (yes, this is a 10 year old Jess - I have never been a morning ... VIEW POST

Drop Cloth Curtain Hack

January 15, 2021

I've been dreaming of long, textured, linen curtains that pool dramatically on the floor. Why? So the kids can play hide and seek or maybe use them as napkins? Or maybe so the cats can have a grand old time swinging from one to the other by their claws. *Eyeroll* Obviously, I have several reasons I don't want to invest in super expensive linen drapes. We can't have nice things, here (jk, jk). BUT I'm always on the hunt for different ways to get the look I love for less and this drop cloth ... VIEW POST

DIY Vintage Headboards

January 10, 2021

I'm excited to share my DIY vintage headboards, my friends! I've been on the hunt for vintage headboards for every bedroom, lately. A while back, I found two wood headboards on Marketplace. I think it was actually a head and foot board - but they were a matching set and so unique - so I jumped on them. I wanted to find two matching pieces that would work for the girls' room. They will be sharing a space, eventually, and I thought these would make the perfect little statement pieces for their ... VIEW POST

A Year of Sustainable Living

January 2, 2021

After the topsy-turvy year we had in (a-hem) 2020, I really wanted to give myself a clear focus for 2021. I've tossed around the idea of trying to make big, extreme changes. Think a year of no-spending -- or going Vegan -- or no take-out -- etc. The problem with any of those is that when change is so extreme, it just isn't likely to stick. Or, it's easier to fail. So, I've decided to give our family the goal of moving towards better choices, in general, by focusing on a year of sustainable ... VIEW POST