white house black shutters

Floor Board Breakfast Bar

posted on: March 15, 2013 13 Comments

Right now I’m competing in a competition called Creating with the Stars and this breakfast bar was our entry for Round 1. It is one of my favorite projects to date and has transformed this space – it’s practical and completely changes the way we use this room. (check out the history of our foyer and before / afters of our hard wood floors!) Lily and Ben love it because they can eat, color, paint, or play here without Adam getting into their stuff. I love it because it is right between … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY, furniture, projects

Neon Easter Egg Tips

posted on: March 14, 2013 1 Comment

In our color blocked Easter tablescape, a bowl of neon dyed eggs worked perfectly as a centerpiece. I used PAAS Tie Dye Neon tablets, but they only had directions on the back for tie dying each egg with a eyedropper. Uhhh, that won’t work in a house with little kids. If you’re using the neon tie dye kit, or lost your instructions because the kids poked out the holes in the back, here’s how to make the tablets into cups of dye: Place each tablet in a cup. We used clear plastic … [Read more...]

Filed Under: holiday decor, projects, simple tips

Color Blocked Easter Brunch Tablescape

posted on: March 12, 2013 10 Comments

I don’t do a lot of seasonal decorating, but there is just something about spring. Spring brings bright colors, whimiscal patterns, and a little bit of life into your home while the weather outside is still crummy. And you’re still getting snow. In mid-March. I’ll stop right there. ;) Come on, spring! I’ve been wanting to do a table setting for brunch and our dishes were looking shabby. Target always has the happiest stuff so I headed there for new plates. I wanted something to add a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: holiday decor, projects, tablescapes

A Lot More Doing

posted on: March 11, 2013 7 Comments

I’ve said it before, but whenever I feel like my life involves a lot of “doing”, it involves less talking and thinking about doing. Recently I found out I was accepted to Creating with the Stars over at East Coast Creative and... WHOA. Me? How the..? Huh?! Are you sure that says my name?! Uhhh... YAY!!! I was blown away by the entries, blown away with the other bloggers, and kinda sorta freaking out (in a good way). What a whirlwind the last week of creating has been! This … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, talking to you

Make the Best Iced Coffee in 4 Easy Steps

posted on: March 4, 2013 2 Comments

I don’t drink a lot of coffee, but I seem to alternate between cold and hot. I’ll make a pot and drink it hot, then the next day will drink it cold. But regular ice waters it down and regular sugar clumps at the bottom. Here are 4 easy steps to make your iced coffee better than what you’d get at the coffee shop. Best Iced Coffee in 4 Easy Steps: add coffee cubes to your cup add your coffee add half & half, milk, or almond milk (skip this step if you like yours … [Read more...]

Filed Under: recipes, simple tips

40 BAGS 40 DAYS Week Three Progress

posted on: March 2, 2013 3 Comments

This week I focused on two spaces that needed a large burst of energy rather than a quick clean up: the kids’ room and clothing and craft storage. I also cleaned up my purse and a nightstand, and focused on keeping the laundry going and keeping things put away. Shortly after I wrote last week’s progress post, I got to work cleaning out the kids’ room: their closet, drawers, room, and bins in the attic. Sure the room was clean, but drawers and closet were far from it. To avoid getting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 40 BAGS 40 DAYS 2013, 40 BAGS IN 40 DAYS, basement, cleaning, closets, hallway, ORGANIZATION

Painted Burlap Bulletin Board and Dining Room Reveal

posted on: February 27, 2013 30 Comments

Recently, we painted our the beat-up, thick wood trim in our 77 year old home in hopes that it would brighten and update the space. And boy did it ever! I’ve already shared the huge difference painting the trim made in our living room turned mom cave. I couldn’t believe the transformation the paint made in our dining room and wanted to share it, but I needed a little something in the wall art department. And yay, I finally figured it out this week, so here it is. I was struggling to find … [Read more...]

Filed Under: dining room, DIY, free projects, furniture, painting, pinspired, renovation, wall decor

Non-Stuff Things to Organize

posted on: February 26, 2013 9 Comments

With our 40 BAGS IN 40 DAYS decluttering challenge this year, I’ve been thinking a lot about decluttering the areas of life that aren’t stuff-ish. The stuff that nags on you like emails or your cleaning schedule that NEED to be organized and worked out. For me, having a flexible schedule and check off lists helps me stay in check. Once I get away from that, I get overwhelmed and unmotivated. Short-term “baby steps” goals are better than looking at the big picture, and rewards … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 40 BAGS 40 DAYS 2013, 40 BAGS IN 40 DAYS, life with kids, ORGANIZATION, talking to you

40 BAGS 40 DAYS Week Two Progress

posted on: February 23, 2013 7 Comments

Earlier this month we kicked off our third annual 40 BAGS IN 40 DAYS decluttering challenge. Want to join in? It’s not too late! Check out this post, get our printable calendar, and join the closed facebook group for support. Are you already joining us or want to see blogs who are? Link up at the bottom of this post! Saturday (3 BAGS): started the kids room. I brought bins down from the attic and started going through them. I got together a bag for Goodwill, a small bag of boy stuff for a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 40 BAGS 40 DAYS 2013, 40 BAGS IN 40 DAYS, cleaning, ORGANIZATION

Why I’m Boycotting Spray Paint

posted on: February 22, 2013 40 Comments

I didn’t know how quite how to say this, but I’ve been thinking about it about lately and I need to get it off my chest. I’ve decided I’m going to boycott spray paint. Yep, you heard that right. I’ve loved using spray paint here or there for the last few years. It’s quick, simple, cheap, they have great colors, and I get an excuse to go outside in order to do it. One might say that I was addicted to it. Not the paint fumes, but the instant satisfaction of grabbing an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY, spray painted, talking to you