Wednesday, May 26, 2010

[Wacky Wednesday: Brassy Apple]


This past week I discovered Brassy Apple. Then, being the frame fanatic that I am, saw this amazing frame arrangement. All I can say is WOW!


I LOVE it!! Okay, so this one is going in the "project to-do" file. :0) Have a fabulous Wednesday!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

I WON! I WON!

I won a giveaway for the very first time here in blogland! I am so excited! The giveaway was hosted by Tip Junkie. If you aren't following her blog, I urge you to go visit it immediately! She has the most amazing giveaways and super fun craft ideas. The giveaway I won was a $70 Reversible Wrap Skirt from Libby Dibby.


Super cute, huh? Now I just need to choose which color I want...decisions, decisions...

[How-to Tuesday: 5 ways to eliminate stress]


Ever feel like this? Totally stressed out? Well lately I've been stressed, and so I wanted to get rid of the thing uneeded things in my life that has been stressing me out. Between the housework, the projects, the scheduling of meals, the "chasing a toddler around all day", etc. I am in desperate need of a little break. So I found some ways to help my life be stress-free. (hey, a girl can dream, can't she?)


1. Identify stressors. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is extremely important. Do the "10 in 10". Take 10 minutes out of your day to make a list (hand-write it down if that helps) of 10 things that cause you stress.


2. Learn to let go. This one is a big one for me personally. I have found out that the older I get, the more controlling I have become. I am still learning that trying to control situations and people cannot work, and only serves to increase anxiety when it doesn’t work. The only thing you can control is yourself. I heard a quote the other day that said, "You cannot control other's actions, but you can control your reaction."


3. Slow down. I believe that all moms should definitely do this. We rush through meals, activities, etc. We get all wrapped up in our day-to-day schedule, so we rush through the moments that we need to slow down and cherish. One day we will look back on these times with our children, families, etc. and wish that we just slowed down and we more in the moment.


4. Exercise and eat healthy. This is common advice for stress relief, but that's only because it truly works. Exercise releases endorphins that make you happy (which is why you feel amazing after a good workout). And the food you eat can also alter your emotions. Eating more nutriotious foods will help eliminate stress and make your body feel more energized.


5. Last but not least, laugh! Ever seen something funny on TV or had someone tell you a funny story? A good laugh always helps lighten the mood. Sometimes, when everything seems to not be going your way, you just gotta laugh at yourself and not take life so seriously (I am also working on that!).

There are many more ways to eliminate stress from your life, but I just took the top 5. I know we all become stressed sometime during the day, so I urge you to try at least one (or all!) of these ways to help make your day a little less stressful. :0) Happy Tuesday Blog Friends!

courtesy of Zenhabits.net

Monday, May 24, 2010

[Motivational Monday: Think outside the closet]

Recently we removed our master closet door. It's connected to our master bathroom, so we just couldn't find a reason to keep it. Plus, it took up space inside our walk-in closet (never a good thing!). So to give it a "softer" look, we got a tension rod, curtain panel, and some ribbon to make our own "door". We usually keep the curtain open, but just in case some unexpected guests come our way, we can close the curtain to hide our messiness. :0)


Nice, huh? Here are some other creative ideas to have a "doorless" closet.


Since I can't see the top of this picture, I am assuming that the curtain stretches all the way to the ceiling to make the closet and the room appear taller. But, of course, who needs to hide this closet when it is meticulously organized. That's my motivation!


Oh my goodness! This is such a great idea for babies, toddlers, or even preschoolers. What a fun idea to have a "closet" in a bookcase! Perfect for small rooms who aren't blessed with an actual closet. And I love the wood in the back of the bookcase.


This is almost exactly what I want to do with my daughter's "big girl" room. We also recently took down the door and wall in her closet, so looks like the photo above. And I want to add some pretty curtains to give it some style. I mean, who wouldn't want to have a closet like this as a child??


Let's just say it's a work in progress...Happy Motivational Monday!

Friday, May 21, 2010

[Frame Friday: Trial and Error]

I've got a bunch of frames that I am just dying to paint, embellish, distress, etc. So over the next month or so, I am going to have "Framed Friday" to share with you what frame project I have gotten my hands on. It should be interesting...


About 5 years ago my husband and I received this frame as a wedding gift. Ever have one of those wedding gifts that you didn't necessarily like? Well this was definitely one of them. It has always been an eye-sore in my home. I suppose it's just not my style.


However, I did like the little sentiment inside. If you can't read it very well it says,

"Our family is a circle of love and strength.
With every birth and every union the circle grows.
Every joy shared adds more love.
Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger."

Since I wanted to keep that part as-is, I decided to paint the wooden frame. I don't have anything in my home that matches that wood color. So I go with "old faithful": white. Plus I thought that it would help bring out the white inside the frame.


A couple coats of paint later (with some gentle distressing). the finished product. Hmm...not sure if I like it. Still on the fence about this one. Is there anything else I could do to make this more "eye-appealing"? What do you think? Do you like it as-is, or should I do something else to it?

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Birthday Girl and Kate Landers GIVEAWAY!!!



Birthday Girl and Kate Landers Events, LLC are giving you this amazing opportunity to win a FREE custom birthday party package for your child's next birthday party. A $250 value!! Kate Landers has a ton of inspirational ideas and suggestions to help you create such a memorable occasion.

The Courture Custom Party Theme Package includes all of the following (all to tie in with your selected theme):

3 Color-Scheme Suggestions

4 Invitation Design Suggestions

4 Couture Cake and/or Cupcake Design Suggestions

10 Menu & Beverage Suggestions (appropriate for age of guests and time of party)

4 Activity Suggestions (all with detailed "how-to" descriptions)

2 Craft Suggestions (again, with detailed "how-to" descriptions)

2 Game Suggestions

2 Tableware Suggestions (includes tablescape design, flatware, party plates, cups, napkins, table linens, centerpiece, etc)

4 Decoration Suggestions

4 Party Ware Suggestions (includes party hats, bunting, etc)

6 Party Favor Suggestions (including packaging ideas

If you are not a follower of either Birthday Girl or Kate Landers Events, LLC, then you cannot win this fabulous giveaway. So head on over there to win! You have until this Sunday, May 23rd at Midnight PST to enter! Good Luck!!!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

[Wacky Wednesday: Children's Art]

Is your child an artist? Whether your child is a young teen or a small toddler, I am sure they believe they are! So instead of just sticking it up on the fridge, there are tons of different and creative ways to display their beautiful artwork.

Simple wooden skirt hangers painted in fun colors can display your little ones masterpieces. Just put a few round drawer knobs on the wall to hang the hangers on. And the best part about it is that you can rotate new artwork as often as you like!


Framing children's art is probably the most popular way to display them. You can put them in different styles of frames. I personally like this one where the artwork is placed between the glass in the frame. Very nice! Plus, think of how special your child will feel knowing that their artwork is "frame-worthy". :0)


Another fun way to display their amazing work of art is to laminate them and use them as placemats. How fun would that be for your child to peek over the edge of their plate and see their little creation? It's something the whole family can enjoy each and every day!

These are just a few ideas. There are tons of other creative ways, like having your child choose 12 of their favorite artwork and put them in a calendar, or they could place them all in a binder or scrapbook. There are plenty of online companies (such as winkflash, snapfish, etc.) that could take a digital image of their art and print them in photobooks, mouse pads, mugs, you name it! So next time your child creates something, don't just slap it up on the fridge (or worse, throw it away). Have fun with it! It will make your child feel truly special.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Patio Lantern Transformation


Ever since we first moved into our house a few years ago, I have always hated the color of our front door patio lights. They blended in too much with the bricks, and they were just a little too "ho-hum". I wanted them to "pop" and really stand out. So learning from my snazzy blogging friends, I decided to spray paint them white.


Once I took them down from the house, I realized how dirty these things really get. I wiped them down while sometimes screaming because of a dead (or alive!) bug was in them. EEK! But I suppose I could check that off my spring cleaning to-do list. :0) Then, I got to spray paintin'!


I used ColorPlace Fast Dry Spray Paint in Flat White that I got at Walmart for 97 cents per can. Pretty cheap but it does the trick!


A couple cans of white spray paint later, voila! A new fresh look for my front patio. I am happy with how it turned out. Gives it that extra "curb appeal".

Monday, May 17, 2010

[Motivational Monday: Mudrooms]

Before entering the blogging world, I thought that a mudroom was only in select houses and only in small entryway rooms. I never knew that you could design your own mini-mudroom on a blank wall near a high-traffic door. I love mudrooms! They can be as decorative and creative as you want while still being super functional. And since I know that my toddler will soon be a little schoolgirl in a few short years, I need to prepare now for those backpacks, coats, and many other random things she will bring me home from school. Here are some ideas that I thought were inspirational.

I am loving the locker idea! And having one would make me feel uber organized! It should be simple to make out of painted wood. And I really like the baskets underneath the bench. A perfect solution for those dirty shoes.


A simple mudroom that really opens up the entryway. Look at that adorable antique bench! And that shelf with coat hooks is a great idea.


Ahh beadboard...have I told you how much I love beadboard?? Well, I do oh so much. I love the drawers on either side of the bench. Great for storing items that you don't want exposed for all the world to see.


This idea looks to be extremely family friendly. The high little cubbies are great for storing seasonal items (like beach towels for the summer, hat/gloves for the winter, etc.).


Check out these fabulous mudroom ideas from these fabulous bloggers!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

[Scrapperday]: Father's Day Cards

I know we just celebrated Mother's Day, but Father's day is just around the corner. It will be here before we know it! So to get a head start, I made a couple of fun cards. I stole got this idea from Martha Stewart, which includes a free printable template. Super easy to make!


Even if he doesn't ever wear a suit and tie, it's still a pretty stinkin' cute card. This one could be for the "patriotic dad". :0)


For the "traditional dad". :0) Now, Martha suggested using a pocket square. I didn't have one, so I just made one using pieces of scrapbook paper. That way the card would fit inside an envelope much cleaner. Feel free to make these cards to send to your dad, father-in-law, or any other dad you may know. I am sure they would love receiving them!

**Stay tuned next week for some Father's Day DIY gift ideas. It's going to be tons of fun and extremely frugal. Always a good thing!

Featured on: Frugal Friday
The Girl Creative

Monday, May 10, 2010

[Motivational Monday]: Beadboard in Bathrooms


Recently, I have found my new fascination with beadboard wainscoting in bathrooms. I have a small half bath with just a toilet and a pedestal sink that is screaming for beadboard to be put on the walls. I think it would give it much more depth and style. Plus, I hear it's much easier to clean than just walls (which is great with a busy toddler!). So, I went snooping around trying to find some bright ideas to give my small bathroom a fresh look.


I really love this bathroom. I like how the beadboard stretches up a little higher than normal leaving only a few feet of wall space. So clean. Aren't you just in love with those towel racks?? Perfect!


A perfect blend of country style wood with some modern touches of beadboard. Not just on the walls though. Check out the ceiling!


I like how the beadboard touches just under the mirror. Very nice. Hmm...can't decide. Do I want the beadboard to go up really high on the wall or just to meet it halfway?


This bathroom looks amazingly clean with all white (love it!). Can't you just smell the fresh linen scent? I cannot get enough of that hanging mirror! I might have to steal that idea since I am not too fond of the current mirror I have now. And those towel hooks are just adorable.


Wouldn't this just be perfect for your kid's bathroom? I love, love the bench at the sink. A must-have with small children. And the pretty teal with a splash of yellow...very cheerful! Again, I am liking the beadboard going high up on the wall. It almost makes the room "taller".


Well ladies, it seems I am in a "decorating pickle". Which do you think I should do: beadboard halfway up the wall or higher up closer to the ceiling? Please comment below. Thanks! :0)

Sunday, May 9, 2010

~Happy Mother's Day!~


To my fellow moms who somehow manage to do it all, have a fabulous day! You deserve it! :0)

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Last Minute DIY Mother's Day Gifts


Has Mother's Day creeped up on you this year? I know it has with me. With all the hustle and bustle for Easter, I barely had any energy for Mother's Day. (but that should be okay since I'm a mom, right?) Well, if you are like me and are scrounging around for some quick and easy gift ideas for your mom, MIL, or any other mom you may know, you have come to the right place. Here's a couple of gifts I am planning on giving this year.


I found this neat little tutorial on how to make this Mom sign at 4 Crazy Kings. It's super easy to do! Looking at it you would not believe it was made out of a cereal box! (Yes, a cereal box!!) It basically cost me nothing to make. I had some chrome metal spraypaint to make it look like it was bent metal or something. Looks even better in person!


Remember when mothers would wear a corsage that their children gave them on Mother's Day? Well, you can bring that old tradition back by making a corsage for any mom you know. Bonus: since it's a paper flower, it will last forever! Make and Takes has this detailed tutorial on how to make these beautiful corsages out of ribbon, wire, and scrapbook paper. So simple! Little Birdie Secrets has a video tutorial on how to make the paper flower that you don't have to use only in a corsage. She also gives you tips on using it on cards, gifts, or other miscellaneous crafts.


So go and make one (or both!) of these DIY gifts! **Reminder: Mother's Day is TOMORROW! 

Featured on: Frugal Friday
The Girl Creative

[Scrapperday]: Fun with Cards

Happy Scrapperday! :0) Just wanted to share a couple of cards I did this past week. My SIL's birthday was coming up, so I thought what a great opportunity to make cards! I also did a previous post on other cards I've made, if you're searching for any card-making ideas. It has become an obsession of mine lately.


Do you ever realize like the day before that someone's birthday is coming up, so you don't have time to go out and buy one at the store? Well, it's much more fun to make it yourself. Plus, who doesn't love and appreciate getting a handmade card? This birthday card was fun to make by using scraps of paper I had on hand. I thought it turned out bright and cheery.


Fun with buttons! I am up to my ears in buttons, so this gave me a great chance to put a bunch of them to good use. And since these little button flowers aren't "holiday-specific", you can basically use it anytime you like (such as Mother's Day! *hint hint*).

(card ideas courtesy of Two Peas in a Bucket)
The Girl Creative