Thursday, February 17, 2011

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

My First Reader Questions!

This week, I have had a few people ask me questions about some of my blog posts. So, I figured the easiest way would be to let everyone in on the answers. So...here goes!


Question #1: You are always moving things and organizing things. Where do you put all the "extras" that you aren't using at the moment?



Answer: I use 2 of the 4 shelves in my hall linen closet as my "accessories storage". Anything that I am not using at the time, but do not want to get rid of, goes on these shelves. I have chargers, clothe napkins, seasonal items, an extra lamp, vases, and most recently added the 6-pack of soda bottles. We used the Orange Soda bottles at my daughter's birthday party and I thought they would be cool to use this summer as vases on my deck.


Now, if the items are too big or are floral items, they go into a tub in my storage unit on my deck.



Question #2: Where did you get those sheets for your Home Management Binder?

Answer: I made them on a Microsoft Word document.



Being a teacher, I have a ton of extra fonts that I have down-loaded to my computer. I used one of those fonts to make these sheets. I will make make more sheets that have a universal font (they will open better when attached to an email!) that I can send to those who are interested. They will look the exact same accept that the font will be different. Just send me your email and I will be more than happy to share!


I am excited to share ideas and am glad you asked your questions...keep 'em comin'!



Major Sale--Time to Stock Up

I recieved an email today notifying me of Crate and Barrels Big 50% Sale! Hold me back!!
You HAVE to check it out for yourself!

Crate and Barrel

I am thinking I need a small clock in the bathroom for the mornings, new lamps in the living room and I love clothe napkins....

Monday, February 14, 2011

I {heart} This

I have admired so many pieces of Subway Art and finally printed one for myself (thanks Vicki ; )

It's just printed on regular copy paper and stuck in a matted frame that I already had on hand. Then I played around with where to put it...



First I took an art piece off the wall and hung it in it's spot.



Then I moved it to the entry way with some candles.




But, lastly, I tried the floating shelves above the couch. Here is a before pic of how it looked.



I moved just a few pieces and brought in a few pieces (all found around the house) and came up with this...




I {heart} this...



Sunday, February 13, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day

I have an amazing love in my life...my 11 year old daughter! So, to celebrate Valentine's Day, we decorated our dining table for our annual V-Day breakfast. Here is a quick 'before' shot.



And the 'after'...


I picked up the red-heart clothe napkins, Valentine platter and red, plastic bowls in Target's dollar bins!! The rest are things I found around the house...I just stuck with the read and white theme.





BUT...


then...


I got sick!!


And I haven't gone to the store to get our "Annual V-Day Breakfast" items.


However, I have the greatest kid ever and she said we could just do it another time and pretend it was Valentine's Day. {Doesn't that just make you tear up!!}



So, here is a glimpse into last years V-Day Breakfast...



Her favorite...BAGELS!! {with strawberry jam, strawberries cut into hearts, grapes and cranberry juice}

To make it up to her...we will head to Brugger Bagels for an early V-day Breakfast in the morning...figured we would stick with her favorite...Bagels!


Saturday, February 12, 2011

Switcheroo: Part 2

Like I told you yesterday, I would be on the lookout for more options to hold my kitchen utensils. While at Target tonight, I found a plethora of them...


This is a large candle holder. I love the mix of glass and metal and it came in 3 different sizes.



This one was an actual utensil holder. It was very heavy and had a wonderful scrolly look.



One of my favorite designers, Michael Graves, has a sleek, modern utensil holder with a curvy, removable divider inside. It also has a hole in the back so it can be hung on a wall...very cool! (It is tall than it appears in the picture. I was trying to show more of the inside compartments.)




I also found a wine cooler that could be used as a utensil holder. I like the shiny metal and side handles.


This picture doesn't do it justice. This holder is a melamine white with red inside. It also came in black, yellow and blue.



Here is another version of how a candle holder could be used. I like how this one has a raised pedestal base.



And last but not least...my favorite! (Another candle holder) I love the shiny metal look with the cut-out polka dot design. And if you ever tire of it being in the kitchen, this beauty could go anywhere else in your home! Even outside on a patio table with a candle for some cool lighting!


I controlled all impulses and did not buy any of them. It was hard but I will live with my vase for a little longer!


Friday, February 11, 2011

Switcheroo

A Bowl Full of Lemons asked how we store our kitchen utensils...in a container or a drawer? As I was looking at my container of utensils, I thought to myself...It could be a little cuter than that plain gray basket.



So, I looked around the house to see if I could come up with any alternatives. Here are 2 that I came up with...


This is a candle holder that has cool green glass. It's a little tall but I like the color.



This one is a porcelain vase from the side table in the Living Room. I LOVE the look of this one and may keep it for a little while.


Now I am on the hunt for some more unusual containers. To be continued...



Thursday, February 10, 2011

A New Look...

Bear with me as I play around with a new template for the blog!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

One Word...


After I got home from school today, I did not look around the house to see what needed to be picked up. I did not paint anything...organize anything...clean anything.


I could only think of one word...





Darn kids in my class...

Monday, February 7, 2011

To-Do List: Part 3

I have painted the kitchen twice already since I bought the place more than 7 years ago. And what is on my To-Do List? PAINT THE KITCHEN!! It started out with your typical dated wood cabinets and white walls. I first painted the walls and cabinets what I thought was a khaki color, but it turned out to look very peachy in the kitchen light. So, I tried again with a different tan color and this is what it is today...


The reason I was going for a tan color was to make the dated, tan-colored appliances somewhat match. The top cabinets have black chalk board paint for a little something different...thought it was too much tan. I bought new appliances this past year, and now the cabinets are looking a little tired. I am thinking a black, gray and white color scheme. I want to paint the cabinets white and the walls a light, creamy gray. Of course...thought could change tomorrow, depending on how I feel! But just look at these kitchens... here and here and here!


I tiled the back splash...all by myself!! There is a lot of gray in the tiles so it would look great with the gray walls.



I also need a new counter top. Something a little darker but have no idea in what direction I want to go yet.


So, the kitchen To-Do List is long and will need some time to save of for the counter tops and all new hardware. But I am excited for a new look!


Sunday, February 6, 2011

Front Door and Launch Pad

I have been thinking about painting my front door black for a while now and finally took the plunge! I figured...it's only paint, right? If I don't like it, I will paint it back again!

I am going to go ahead and show you a "in process" shot to give you an idea of what it's going to look like...as you can see, I need another coat or two!





The overhead light is very bright....so, here's a few with it turned off!





I am loving it so far. However, I have startled myself a few time coming around the corner. I keep thinking I have left the door open.

This brings me to my next topic...The Launch Pad.



This week's Challenge over at A Bowl Full Of Lemons was to create or show off our homes own Launch Pad.
I have shown parts of this area already...here and here.


Notice the purse on the closet door and bags by the table. This is my Launch Pad...the area that helps get us out the door in the morning and where we unload in the evening.



This small bookcase has baskets for our scarfs and gloves and is the spot where I go through the mail each day. And at night, we pile up everything that needs to go with us in the morning.


I have my laptop and work bag full of lesson plans and my daughter has her backpack loaded with her lunch bag on top (not packed yet but you know I have the snacks and lunch items ready to go!).



We are ready to go! And I don't have to look for my keys...




Thursday, February 3, 2011

Just One Little Thing Makes Such A Big Difference!


There is so much I still want to do to my place and it is hard not to change everything all at once...you know...instant gratification! However, Dave Ramsey would be so disappointed. So, I am stuffing those envelopes and saving my pennies.



However, I did make 1 little change that made a BIG difference in my daughter's bathroom.



BEFORE


The bathroom is small and I tried to make it bigger and brighter with cream paint. And I added some color to the white shower curtain with some colorful ribbons.



It was fine for a while but I decided it was TOO light and needed MORE color! I mean...it is a kids bathroom...why not make it a little more cheerful! At a recent trip to Target...browsing through the clearance items...I found a bright, cheerful, striped shower curtain.


AFTER

(Don't mind the wrinkles...I ironed it like crazy and it still looked like this...oh well!)

It was regularly $29.95, it was marked down to $9.99 and it rang up for $7.99! So for 8 big ones, the bathroom had a mini make-over.






Much better...don't you think?