Scrapbook paper fixes everything

First things first, Thank you to all of you who have emailed, commented, shouted from the rooftops, telling me that you've voted! I'm so seriously thankful for each and everyone of you! Remember you can vote daily until November 5th. So any extra votes you can give me would be great! Think of all the awesome blog posts I can do if I win! A brand new basement? Geesh, that would be quite the blessing since we've decided to take the house off the market. One more time, Thank you! Still haven't voted today? Hope on over, it's just one click!

Now onto the fix ups. :) My living room is super small as you know, so anything I can bring in to add interest I try and do, for cheap of course.

The main focal point of the room is
#1 The large and in charge fantel that sits above the t.v.
#2 The T.V, say it isn't so huh? I know, but it has to go there and the couch has to face it. No fabulous fireplace for me. Boo.
#3 The bookshelf next to the t.v, these drawers are the ones that hold all the hidden toys and movies. Sneaky huh? It's not the best unit in the world, it was from Meijer. I wouldn't choose to put a bunch of heavy books on it but it serves it's purpose I suppose with the storage. I think I'll keep it. :)

But it did need a little more personalization, case in point. Scrapbook paper. This isn't any new idea, I think everyone started using it to line the back of their hutches once the Nester did hers way back when I'm just jumping on the bandwagon a little late...er, two years or so. Hate me, but I couldn't find the right paper. Until this glorious faux wood planks showed up in my life. They came from Hobby Lobby and they're fantastic.

I just used a little tape and slid them into place. Done and done. I threw some little items on it for a little bit of "pretty". A vintage milk carrier from the thrift store and some candles and the girls shilouette and a photo of my Mom and Aunt in a Ball jar. Love it. I tried to find the picture of my cousin and I in our halloween costumes from when we were little. We had those creepy old plastic masks on, I was a princess and she was Bert (sesame street) but she bit his nose off. Priceless, where is it? Gah.

 See the teeth marks from when my youngest chewed on the bottom shelf? Kids..Seriously? Sometimes I wonder about them. 

Then some of the fall magazines I want left out for the yummy recipes, plus the colors are perfect of course.

Top shelf, the scent burner. Gotta keep it away from little fingers :) A birdhouse I won from a giveaway and little lovies pumpkin from years ago. Is it perfect? No, but everything on this shelf is something I love. I'm good with that.

Sticking with the creams, blacks and hints of orange, you can see that I dress my children according to our decor.

Just kidding. But she's just too cute not so share, even when she's messing with the T.V no matter how many times I say no.

Linking up to Thrifty's Before and After party..even though I'm lame and missed out on the before part. ;)