Our Kitchen Renovation: Before + After

I've been dying to show you guys the dramatic difference from frumpy 1970's kitchen, to a chic and welcoming space. It's by far my favorite room in the house since I enjoy cooking and baking frequently, and I am loving how it turned out.

Our kitchen inspiration was a light and fresh space full of colorful pops of green, yellow and turquoise. We chose to conserve our tight budget by painting our current cabinets and switching out the hardware, which added the extra light and modern feel we were going for. We painted the walls a nice neutral gray to provide a clean contrast to our fresh white cabinets. It also set the perfect canvas to play with colorful accessories!

Due to the limited space, we chose to maximize what area we had in clever ways. I can't tell you how good it felt to knock out a few unused cabinet nook and crannies.

AKA... goodbye outdated bread box and hello fabulous counter space!!

Need a good tip? I simply tried to explain to Adam that the more counter space we have means the more baked goods I'm able to whip up with the extra room. ;) Instant win.

How do you think we did?

And to wow you even more... here is a photo that was taken before Adam purchased the house almost 4 years ago. We've come a LONG way! 

We changed the little corner of dead space into a cute little coffee bar area and we love how it all came together! We took our sweet love print from our wedding to add some art deco and personalization.

I am typically not great at visualizing spaces or decorating, but I am pretty proud with the accessories that we chose. i love how the space reflects our personalities and contemporary style.

And of course, a HUGE thank you to my sweet daddy who dedicated hours and hours to re-wiring our electrical, installing our range hood, and dealing with our home's 1970's eccentricities! It was a wild ride.

Oh yeah, and his studly assistant was a pretty big help too!! Love you both!

I know a few of you have seen little glimpses on Instagram and asked where you can find certain items used, so I listed out the details below for you!

Project Materials //

Wall Color // Sherwin Williams Functional Gray

Trim & Cabinet Color // Sherwin Williams Dover White

Subway Glass Tile

Granite

Sink

Drawer Half Cup Pull

Door Handle

Accessories //

Baker's Rack

Retro Wall Clock

Green Apple

Lemons in Vase 

Scentsy Yellow Plug-In

Blue Glass Vases

Green Potted Grass

Yellow Stand Mixer

Votive Candle - sold out // similar one here

Printed Coffee Mugs - sold out // other Crate and Barrel mugs here

Lemon Towel - sold out // other Crate and Barrel towels here

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What do you guys think?!

Love Letters

Dear Sugar Britches //
Thanks for letting me call you absurd nicknames like sugar britches. Or wubber face.
You make life so fun. I love that you're up for any spontaneous adventure, like when we walked 3 miles to dinner Monday. What's even better? The fact that you've already made a spreadsheet of places within a 5 mile walking distance for more adventures.

Dear Chipotle //
You've come to the rescue once again, I'm so glad you are blocks away. I was so pumped/proud when I prepared my Pinterest-inspired BBQ crockpot chicken yesterday morning... and what a major flop. The guac tasted extra scrumptious last night for some reason... ;)

Dear Boxed Wine //
You are trouble. Pure trouble, and I love you.

Dear Friday Night Lights //
Shame on you for being so gosh darn good. You've kept me up every night this week by feeding my addiction. I mean, how can you expect me to watch just a few episodes a night, when the next one is just a click away after an intense cliff hanger?

Dear Dreamland //
Between dreaming we picked out a red headed baby with hazel/green eyes at the grocery store, horses herding runaway dogs at my cousin's house, and getting sprayed by a skunk who looked like a cheetah, you keep me wildly entertained.

Dear Hubs //
(Yes, you always get two letters) Thanks for pretending like that super dry/burnt crockpot meal was edible. Oh, and for chuckling each morning while I stumbled through explaining my wacko dreams... while I was still asleep. Love your handsome face off.

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Happy Hump Day, you little Sassy Things you!


PS - Kitchen renovation reveal coming tomorrow!! 

PPS - Don't miss out on the LaMaLu Boutique giveaway - SO many cute things!

Giveaway: LaMaLu Boutique + Awesome Blogging E-Book

Well it's giveaway day here on the ol' blog, so I hope you're in the mood for getting some sweet stuff without having to do hardly anything. A total win-win.

So many awesome things up for grabs!! First off, we have a fantastic gift card to LaMaLu Boutique! This shop is full of adorable dresses, fun fashions, and tons of gorgeous jewelry and statement necklaces!

See, I told you. 
Gorgeous.

Shop // Facebook// Instagram // Bloglovin

Next up, we have the highly anticipated, blogger friendly e-book, "Blogging at the Next Level" by the adorable Alycia Crowley at the Crowley Party blog. I've read it, and you don't want to miss these incredible tips... promise!

Blog // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest // Bloglovin // FB

And just for funsies, I am going to throw in a month long sponsor ad space on Life of Meg as a thank you! You guys are the best! Now go enter to win and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway open until Sunday, August 11th at 12 a.m., and a winner will be announced during the Mingle Monday Link-Up!

Your chance to win is super high if you tweet everyday, so spread the word to anyone and everyone!! It's definitely not irony that the last several giveaway winners were daily giveaway tweeters! So get your social media on, girl.


PS - Don't forget to link-up and gain new readers ALL WEEK at my Mingle Monday Link-Up!

Mingle Monday Link-Up!

Hey y'all!! I hope you survived you weekend shenanigans, you wild things you!

I think we should just hop right into our mingling today - enjoy!!

      
HOW TO MINGLE
 
1) Must be a Life of Meg follower to participate.   2) Click on the link below to enter your blog.   3) Go visit other blogs saying hello from Mingle Monday!   4) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below...     ** What's your favorite baked good and why? **

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// Sponsor Spotlight //

I just spent my Friday night with Sharaya from Sharaya Mauck Photography, shooting photos for my blog! She is hands down the best photographer in all of Kansas City, shot some gorgeous photos for our engagement and wedding, and I can't wait to see how they turned out!

In the meantime, go stop by her fantastic blog to get a little sneek peek inside of her world - she's so creative and she will inspire you BIG time!

Blog // Twitter // Pinterest // FB // Instagram

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** ALSO **

Personal blog RTs for your blog on Twitter all day for everyone who tweets about Mingle Monday! I'm always happy to send extra traffic your way for being so kind!! :)

PS - Stay Tuned tomorrow for an awesome GIVEAWAY by the adorable La Malu Botuique! Fun dresses, sassy accessories, and gorgeous jewelry coming your way!


Happy Monday, sassy ladies!

Let Bestie Weekend Commence!

See that sassy lady?

Yup, that's Lindsey.
My bestie.
She lives in Oklahoma.

Feel free to call her "Yins", "Yinsanator", or Linds if you'd like.. I don't think I've ever called her by her real name. :)

{via}

Isn't she stunning?

I met Linds at my very first big girl job when I lived in Oklahoma City and we clicked right away. Even though we only lived in the same city for 10 months, we developed an amazing friendship that we've kept up long distance for more than 4+ years now.

With a 5 hour gap keeping us apart, I am so ready for a reunion... and today's the day!
Adam and the dudes are hitting the road for a cabin weekend, which leaves us girls to party hardy.

Here's a little glimpse into our overly girly weekend...

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// Friday
I can't wait to bust out of here like a bat out of hell coem 5 p.m.! If it doesn't pour cats and dogs, I have a quick blog photo shoot, and then we're off to dinner on the town. Linds loves Blanc Burgers + Bottles, so we may have to go there.

Later tonight? Crafting, girl talk, Redbox, chocolate, and wine. Lots of wine.


// Saturday
Umm... sleeping in. Thank goodness that girl likes to sleep in - I'm le pooped! Once we roll around, we'll probably take Bella Beast on a super long walk or hit up my favorite Zumba class for a sweat sesh.

The afternoon will consist of a gross amount of outlet shopping (we've been know to cause serious damage), baking for my big girls night party, and crafting!

Saturday night, all the girls are coming over to my casa for a Favorite Things Party (recap next week!) - I can't wait! I've been working on lots of cute crafts, decor, and party favors!


// Sunday
Since we go to evening church, we may hit up the theater for a super cheap morning movie or head to brunch somewhere sassy.

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More than anything, I can't wait to just catch up, relax, and enjoy how effortless and easy it is to be around such a beautiful friend. Love her and can't wait to see what kind of shenanigans we get ourselves into!


What are you girls up to this weekend??

// In Case You Missed It //

+ week long link-up

+ life lately in photos

+ chocolate lover's favorite bundt cake

PS - I totally lied about posting my kitchen renovation! Dues to rainy weather and poor kitchen natural light this week, I plan to post next week! Stay tuned!!

Chocolate Lover's Favorite Bundt Cake

Hello, my name is Meg, and I'm addicted to chocolate.

Hiii Meeeggg.

It feels so great to get that stunning confession off my chest. So now that you know my main weakness, it's probably not hard for you to imagine why I wanted to whip up something extra decadent and delicious for this past Sunday's dinner at my in-laws house.

I scoured recipes, looked at what I had on hand, and this concoction is what I came up with!

{ Chocolate Lover's Favorite Bundt Cake }

Chocolate Bundt Cake 

{ via Ghirarhdeli }

Ingredients:

- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar

- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened

- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

- 2 eggs

- 1 teaspoon vanilla 

- 1/2 cup cool water

- 1/2 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

** icing ingredients/directions below **

Directions:

1. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 6-cup bundt cake pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mix the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt for 60 seconds on low speed with the electric mixer. Add the butter, eggs, oil, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of the water. Beat on low speed just until all of the dry ingredients are moist.
3. Turn the mixer to medium speed and beat for 1 minute. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. Add 3 tablespoons water and beat for 20 seconds on medium speed. Scrape the bowl and add the remaining 3 tablespoons water. Beat for 20-30 seconds until the batter is smooth. Fold in the chocolate chips. Scrape the batter into the pan and spread it evenly.
4. Bake 35-40 minutes (do not open the oven for the first 30 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted into a cakey place in the center of the cake comes out clean (except for melted chocolate chips).
5. Set the pan on a rack to cool for ten minutes. Invert the cake onto rack (turn the round cake right side up) to cool completely.

Chocolate Fudge Icing

{ via Brown Eyed Baker }

- 1/2 cup unsalted butter

- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons evaporated milk
- 3 & 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla 

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1) In a medium saucepan bring the butter, cocoa powder and evaporated milk to a boil over medium-high heat. Make sure you whisk mixture occasionally to prevent from overcooking.

2) Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt and whisk continuously until the mixture becomes smooth, about 30 seconds.

3) Immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour the icing over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Work quickly - the icing will begin to harden after it's poured!

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I just added a splash of fresh berries to the center for flavor and color, placed it on a pretty cake stand, and then it instantly looked fancy. I didn't tell anyone it was one of the easiest things I've ever whipped together!

If you haven't checked out Brown Eyed Baker's amazing food blog, please do! It's absolutely one of my go to sites for quality recipes... yum!

Looking forward to trying this ultra-easy version of the bundt cake for my girls night this Saturday!


Bon Appetit!

Life Lately - Photo Overload

Well, boy howdy, do I have some catching up to do in the photo department!

I meant to share half of these last week and time got away from me.
So today's the day... lucky you! ;)

Now that's called irony. Hahahaha.

Absolutely LOVING our weather lately!

Did some doggie sitting. Beast loved supervising the neighborhood with that big monster!

Sleepless in Seattle. Wine. Me time at it's finest.

(yes, I realize I am a walking girly cliche.)

I made this decadent chocolate beauty this weekend in our new kitchen! 

Recipe coming this afternoon!

Don't worry, I didn't let the extra chocolate go to waste! ;)

Speaking of new kitchens... I spent Saturday organizing and creating this cute little coffee station. I love how it turned out! Kitchen renovation reveal TOMORROW!

Did anyone watch The Bachelorette? Galley Bay Antigua was where we honeymooned! 

Isn't it gorgeous? Take me back!

Ice cream and beach reads in bed is totally permissible for a good time.

Sleepy puppies and furry paws make my heart happy.

Found my sister just "lounging" like this in our kitchen... because that's totally normal. #weirdo

So we went to a wedding. I had the most handsome date!

And had fun being silly with my friends...

...and successfully accomplished the poofy half up/half down!

I have been on a boxed wine kick lately. And yes, I use frozen grapes to keep my Pinot chilled! ;)

And last but not least, my husband loves his grill. And I don't mind not cooking dinner. :)

Yup, that is pretty much life in a very random nut shell! But stay tuned... kitchen renovation coming tomorrow, and updates on my big girls night party coming Friday!!

Happy Hump Day, y'all!