DIY Zebra Party Tray

Did you know that in high school, there was a period of time that I wanted to be an interior decorator? I imagined myself creating gorgeous, perfectly curated homes filled with amazing goodies. I was eventually talked out of it, but I still have a desire to create a unique and beautiful home for my fiancé and myself. Although it's been a learning curve, I'm starting to figure out my style and realizing what works and what doesn't. I love to fill my home with one-of-a-kind, whimsical purchases. The kind of stuff that makes people want to look around and wonder where the heck I found this amazing item. But, my absolute, very FAVORITE thing to put inside my home is anything I made myself. I love telling people I made things. There's no better feeling in the world.

The reason I love this zebra tray is because there really isn't anything else like it out there! I think it adds such a fun feel to any room. You can use it on your desk to hold your paperwork, on your coffee table to hold magazines, or in your kitchen to hold flowers and a notepad. It's also a great party tray for holding cocktails! The best part of all is that it's super easy (and cheap!) to make.

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You will need:

Aluminum baking tray (mine was from the dollar store, similar here)
Spraypaint (similar here)
Primer & gloss top coat (similar here and here)
Zebra figurines (here) 
E6000 glue (here)

How To:

1. Purchase a tray. You'll want to look for something with a wide handle on either side, so that you can adhere your plastic animal. Also, be sure to avoid any trays with holes for hanging or too much branding. If you want to save a step, purchase a tray that you don't need to spray paint. For me, purchasing a baking tray ended up being the cheapest route.

2. Spraypaint your tray using the color of your choice. I chose a glossy medium pink, but I think this tray would look AH-MAZING in yellow. I just didn't have any yellow spray paint on hand, and it was one of those rare 60 degree days in February, so I had to work with what I had. Be sure to prime it first and use a topcoat. If not, it'll be easy to scratch, and the paint won't adhere as well. Trust me... I speak from experience!

3. Using E6000 glue, put a drop of glue on each hoof/foot, and wait for it to cure for 2 mins. Then place it down on the widest part of your handle. Let dry 24-48 hours before handling.

This tray is the perfect size for holding paperwork on your desk! I have a love/hate relationship with paper, so I love that this cute tray keeps everything organized while making me smile.

Psst- Interested in the printable above? Just fill out this form to get our FREE Anatomy of a Pinterest Party guide!

And, when it's time to party, you can kick those papers out and grab your drinking glasses! Let's take a moment to say RIP to the adorable pink ombre cup. My fiancé's brother accidentally broke one yesterday :(

The teal glasses are from Pioneer Woman and are awesome! The cotton candy garland, party hats, and animal drink stirrers are all projects from the blog.

So what do you think of this zebra tray? You can create it with any animal. I also bought some schnauzers, and can't waittt to make another tray with them! Do you have any DIY projects in your home decor? Let me know about them in the comments below!

Colorful Home Accessories

I'm a little bit afraid of color. I know that seems surprising, considering my blog and crafts are pretty darn colorful, but it's true. My closet is pretty monotone, my artwork is dull, and even when I wanted the bright blue iPod, I went for the gray one. I tend to play it safe when it comes to color, because what if I get tired of the bright one? I always picked the neutral option. The safe one. It's for this exact reason that my house is now gray. My dad jokingly nicknamed my house 50 shades of grey. Everyone warned me, but I didn't listen. "Don't you guys get it? It's neutral! This means I can add in any color I want and switch up the decor, without having to repaint!" Um... no, it means your house is gray, Cathy, and it looks like a black and white movie. 

To remedy the fact that my house is now the first ten minutes of The Wizard of Oz, I've decided to inject color into it any way I can. I suspect this will lead my house to be a mish mosh of color soon, but trial and error is my friend, right? I've rounded up some colorful but whimsical home finds that are sure to brighten up even the most monochromatic home. 

1. Yellow Brick Road Doormat- Let's start with a doormat that will remind us to keep it colorful. This doormat is bright, but subtle. It'll always remind you there's no place like home, to follow your dreams, and that everything you need to succeed can be found within you. Plus I guess it's a reminder to travel more? Haha.

2. Cat Candle- I love cats. I have 3 of them, which I used to think was weird, but now I get why people do it. What's the perfect way to show off your love of cats? How about this candle?! It's pretty darn amazing, but what's even better is what happens when you light it! Click the link to check it out.

3. Vases- this little vase collection would make such a cute table accent. I can see it with some small blooms, making everyday feel like spring. Plus, the mixed pinks and corals make it perfect for both the spring and fall!

4. Pink Vase- this vase is pretty, inexpensive, and a gorgeous color. Imagine it with some yellow flowers in the middle of a gray room?! So fresh and pretty. 

5. Utensils- I have these utensils and they're fabulous! My fiancé actually purchased them for me. We needed new ones and he said "I figured you'd like these". Why yes, yes I do. He's a man of few words, but I'm so lucky to have him. He gets me.

6. Balloon Animal- I guess we've established that I have an obsession with balloon animals, so clearly this is an obvious choice. It's whimsical, colorful, and adds a little party to the everyday. Win-win-win. 

7. Dog Bookends- Don't worry dog lovers- I have something for you too! These bookends will add a little extra color to a bland bookshelf. They'll take something serious like books and make it playful. Fun fact: I used to have 2 imaginary weiner dogs. I named them Princess and Pretzel.

8. Aromatherapy Diffuser- This little guy is perfect for adding a little bit of color to your home, but still keeping it simple. The wood is very neutral, and you can add essential oils to make your room calming! I think I need this in my life.

9. Rainbow Bowls- If you set your table and keep it that way as part of your decor, these would make it so cute and colorful! But if you've got 3 cats that love to lay across the table like mine do, these would look great on a shelf or in a glass cabinet. You can also spread them around the room with some candy inside. Since they're made of bamboo, they'll be less fragile than glass. 

10. Rainbow Jenga- Perfect for cheering up game night, this rainbow Jenga is so colorful, it can practically be decor! Plus, having it on display means you're WAY more likely to play it.

11. Umbrella Hooks- These are super silly, but for some reason I love umbrellas. Something about their shape I guess. Lucky for us, you don't have to worry about these umbrellas flipping upside down in a wind storm and getting yourself soaked. Not sure why opening umbrellas indoors is bad luck, but having them flip and fold outside in a rainstorm is not!

12. Orange Speaker- Both cute and practical, this speaker adds some charm without being too trendy. It reminds me of a tropical island, which is always a plus in my book. Turn it on, play some ocean sounds or tropical music, and drift away.

13. Bread Box- Having a bread box is pretty 1950's, HOWEVER, this one is aqua blue and perfect in every way. And, since bread doesn't really come in nice packaging and it'll stay fresher in the box than the bag, I think this is quite necessary for any kitchen. 

14. Yellow Cake Stand- I loveee cake stands. I have so many, but they're a great way to add a little something special to any room. Place this on your kitchen counter with cookies, on your dresser with some jewelry, or in your bathroom with some pretty soaps for a pop of color while staying classy.

15. Pantone Notebook- I know what you're thinking... a notebook isn't decor. And you're right. But it would look really cute on a coffee table, and if you ever need a reminder to keep it colorful, this notebook should do the trick! Embrace color, unleash your inner kid, and above all, have some fun! Use this notebook to jot down some decor ideas and get your colorful juices flowing.

Ok guys, now I need your help! What's your favorite way to add some color to a boring room?! Let me know in the comments below.

Add a Pop of Color- My Top Picks!

When I passed by HGTV Home's Pop of Color issue last month, I couldn't help but get it! I decided to go with neutral paint colors in my home. Since I'm not a fan of beige, I ended up choosing a lot of grays. This prompted my dad to nickname my house "50 shades of gray". HGTV Home Magazine really inspired me to add in some bright and colorful furniture items to get my house ready for summer. I decided to round up some of my favorite items to add pops of color to your home.  The best part- they're all under $250!

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I just love this turquoise stool.  It would look super cute around your kitchen island or outside on your deck.  

If you're into a subtle pop of color, this table fits the bill perfectly!

I love this rug!  It's the perfect pop of color for my neutral home.

This stool will make a big impact without taking up a lot of space.

This red bookcase would brighten up any space.

Add this mirror for a burst of energy!

Though a bit pricey, this pillow is both fun and sassy.

I want this adorable headboard for my room! How dreamy is this?

I love this colorful table! It's a perfect little writing desk that can fit in a small area or corner.

Looking for more inspiration? Be sure to follow my home decor Pinterest board!

How do you add pops of color in your home? Let me know!