Pinterest Pin Test: Chalkboard Art or Where do you keep your Stuff and Junk? Just askin'

So I'm feeling quite full of myself because I actually have a second edition of the Pinterest Pin Test.  Shocking that I could keep my tiny little brain focused on one idea for more than a week.  I have found that 40 something-induced ADD might be a real affliction.

Have you seen all of the Chalkboard or Subway Art out there on Pinterest?  It pops up all over the place and for me it's very appealing simply because......

1.  I'm a doodler
2.  I love words and letters.

I would love to meet a "real" Subway artist (graffiti artist.)  Maybe I know one and I don't even realize it. Maybe one of the PTO moms is an underground graffiti artist..... imagine the possibilities.  Back to Pinterest.  The ideas I have seen are more related to holidays or words of encouragement which are great and I'm pro all of this things.  For example,

So true.... 

Adorbs, right?

Love them.  They are darling.  So perfect and amazing.  Can I replicate this?  Doubtful but I'm ambitious.  I love a good challenge.  So I went looking for something to paint..... I've got enough crap laying around here at the hive.  I must have something to slap some Subway art on to...... for sure.

FOUND IT!!!!!

Okay, look at this thing.  A great metal container with the word "HERBS" printed on it.   This is the biggest "HERBS" container I have ever seen and why do I own it?  What kind of "HERBS" do you keep in a container this size?  How much marjoram, fennel or sage can one kitchen house?    Well, I feel I can get rid of the "HERBS" and doctor this bad boy up a bit.  I love me some doctoring.....

So, there's primer.  One must prime.  Seriously, priming is important and clearly I did it when the sun was behind me.

Okay, primer did it's job.  Congratulations Primer.  We, Here at the Hive, are very proud of you.  Now, how about a little Chalkboard Paint? (flat black, let's face it.)


 Ready for some font?  Can't hand draw it?  Who can?   So I chose to print out some Fonts that aren't readily hand drawn.  Please.   And trace.  Tracing is GOOD!  I chose the saying "STUFF and JUNK" it fits our life.

So Print, add to it with fancy hand drawn scrolls and embellishments.  Then cover the back of it with chalk to make an imprint.  You are going to trace the Printable over your chalkboard with a pencil and pray to the Crafty Gods that it shows up enough that you can only do a little touch up.  Being honest folks, it takes some time and some erasing and some patience.

So Dudes!  It looks pretty good, it's all chalk.  I can change the message whenever.  Chalkboard Art is not easy but I am so glad I tried it.

What do you think we have in the "Stuff and Junk" container?  Guess away.  Where do you keep your Stuff and Junk?

Swanky. Swankiness. Swankiful.

We live in a swanky place.  I cannot, will not, shall not disagree.  Outside Magazine let the whole world know by naming my town as "The Best Town in America."  Thanks a lot A-holes.  Now everybody and their mother is moving here and there are 31students in my kid's 3rd grade class.  Wait... did I say that out loud?    I mean, it's a super great place and everybody should come visit once a year and then go back to their towns and tell their friends to VISIT.

Okay back to it's swankiness.... it's swankiful.  There are a lot of fancy hotels, high-end restaurants, expensive shops and some "rolling stock"  in town.  We also have a Walmart, a McDonald's and a Bed, Bath and Beyond.  So, our town is keeping it real, kind of.  Our neighborhood is modest and I love that. But, our "keeping it real"  is not really real.  Mr. Handsome and I are totally aware of that.  Our bees are living in a fantasy. It's apparent to us that they don't have a clue that the rest of the world looks different then we do.  Most of world doesn't get new stuff even when they need it.  A huge part of the world  doesn't have a full belly every night when they go to bed.  The bees got it good.

It's Homecoming at the High School.  Yep, high schoolers here are getting creative with candles and candy and poems and kittens (yes, kittens) and who knows what else to ask each other to what is sure to be the dance to end all dances.  Aren't all high school dances billed as that?  This year's Homecoming theme is Casino Royale.  Don't you just love it?  Because gambling for teens is so chic, because most 15-18 year olds totally understand Craps, because Sports Betting should be highly encouraged.

We asked Ladycakes what she thought about all of this since she is eligible for an asking. (Btw, just typing that made my stomach cramp up and I'm pretty sure I have hives on the back of my arms now.)  Her attitude is good, she doesn't care.  She's sitting back watching her friends get asked by boys  young men who are dorktastic and friends who are so desperately anxious to be asked that they themselves are becoming dorktastic.  It costs money to go to Homecoming.  It's being held at one of the fancy hotels I mentioned earlier.  Not the school gym, Heavens no.  We are talking 5 stars.  Frommer's, Zagat or whoever takes notice of these kind of things, well they've noticed this venue.

She explained that she could go as an individual for $30 and maybe a group of them could go.  It's $50 for a couple.  I'm thinking they need to get creative with their potential group and save themselves some money by breaking off into couples..... but I'm cheap and five bucks a piece seems like a lot of money.  Think of how much $5 gets you at Walmart or McDonald's or Bed, Bath and Beyond.....

However, this did get me thinking and you know what kind of trouble we can get into when the synapses are firing.  Oh, it can be dangerous.

The old anniversary is just around the corner.  It's a big one.  It NEEDS to be celebrated.  Luxury travel is not in the cards (we are not planners.)  However,  we could find ourselves at a LUXE hotel with gambling (which is generally illegal here in this state of ours, don't tell Outside magazine, they might change their vote.)  And all for FIFTY BUCKS!  Seems like a full on bargain to me.  I could get a new dress and Mr. Handsome could rent a tux.

Now if I could only get him to ask me to our anniversary dance with candles and candy and kittens and poems and a big old bottle of rum.  ahhh, rum.

Pinterest Pin Test: Getting inspiration from my Pinterest Boards

I waste spend quite a bit of time on Pinterest.  It's such an interesting phenomenon.  I love watching what other people are "pinning."  I find great inspiration there.

Angry Kitty Memes..... tattoo ideas..... wedding favors that would make you go bankrupt..... 365 days worth of Paleo recipes.  You name it, I'm inspired.

So to feed my inspiration, I have a "Making Rather Than Just Pinning" board.  I figured if I am going to hoard these ideas, I might as well try using them to fuel my creativity.  Twice a month, I have decided to tackle a Pinterest project.  Some may work, others may fail.  The only criteria is that I am not allowed to go out and spend a bunch of money.  I have endless supplies in my creative studio/ craft lab and if I can't find what I need in there, I probably should move on to a different project!   And, I need to tweak or change each project so that I make it my own.  I don't want to be a copycat.  What fun is that? Reach toward originality without reinventing the wheel, you know?

This week I decided to play into the graphic trend of using the outline of a State you love.  I see it a lot of Pinterest.  On pillows, on mugs, in jewelry and fashion.  No doubt it's a trend, so if I can make something without spending any money, I won't feel bad when the trend moves on.

Here is my inspiration......

To the Craft Lab Batman!   Remember.... only supplies on hand.  Yep, I have these on hand.

Choose your State(s.)  Find an image to outline from your computer or trusty atlas.  What?  You don't have an atlas?  Well, I won't judge.  I went with 4 of my favorite States, just to be different.  Or because I am different and I want to make it my own (MIMO.)  Then, trace the shape on to a piece of card stock.

Cut out your traced shape.  Lookin' good States!  Are you ready for some sparkle?  You bet they are ready for some sparkle.

This is where you paint each shape with a thin layer of Mod Podge using your foam brush.  Sprinkle glitter over the Mod Podge evenly and then allow to dry.  I found my States curled a bit but don't panic. You will be gluing them to another piece of card stock with hot glue so they will lay flat eventually.  No pictures here.  Want to know why?

Because my hands were covered in Mod Podge and Glitter.  That's why.

Now, here's where I really MIMO.  (make it my own)

I have this fabulous vintage gold stamping machine.  It uses heat to press the lead type into gold foil onto paper.  I haven't used it in a while and this was perfect project to get reacquainted.  In the inspiration pin, they used a heart to pinpoint the city they love.  Since I was using 4 States, I felt that would be way too many hearts and make it look "cutesy."  No thanks.   But, I wanted to acknowledge the cities that make these States extra special to our family.  Gold stamping away, I spelled out each city.  Plus, I have to be honest.  I love letters.  Letters and words make me happy.

I picked an apple yellow background card stock and glued my dried glitter States to it.  Then I placed each city on their respective State.  I went with one tiny little felt heart to show the States my love.  It's small but makes a big statement.  Once the glue was dry, I slapped this bad boy in a frame and VOILA!

It turned out GREAT!  Easy, fast, fun and on trend.  It will be hung in our kitchen and I will bask in it's glory.  My first Pinterest Pin Test was a success.  Now I shall head back to Pinterest to waste more time do some research for my next Pin Test.

Okay go gather up some supplies, make a something.  Then give me a link in the comments.  I'll visit you and shower you with kudos!


For even better instructions go straight to the website for my inspiration.

Etching Glass with Martha Stewart Etching Cream. Oh and deciding I should give this spot a little attention.

Well, Howdy.  Thanks for stopping by.  I've been negligent. Actually, I've been parenting and living.  But I've forgotten to take care of this little spot.  My spot.  So, welcome back, to both of us.

I've decided to open with a revisit.  I left you (and myself) hanging on a project that I was so excited about a year ago!  So without further ado, I'd like to show you how my doorway to Hell turned out.

What?  What did this crazy woman just say?   Well, last I left you, I had a door that looked like this.....

And then after additional sketches and a whole lot of cutting with an Exacto knife, it looked like this.....

Then, I enlisted Martha and her Etching Cream.   Now, Martha usually uses her cream on small little pieces.  A monogrammed wine glass?  yep.  A vase with a jazzy design?  you betcha.  But a big old door with big old letters?  It was a leap of faith people.  A LEAP OF FAITH!

It turned out great!  It totally worked!  Don't be afraid to try Martha's etching cream on a big project.  This was a big project and we are thrilled with the results.  Our see through pantry (careful how you read that) now has a fun graphic message and gives a bare wall A LOT of interest.   The cream is not cheap but if you save your Michael's coupons it's completely do-able.

Alright..... get your creative on.  Wednesdays are now my "Pinterest Test" days.  So keep your eye out. I will be trying out a "pin" that I think is interesting and see if it really works.  

Hugs all around.  I've missed this.  This Stella is thinking about getting her groove back....... seriously.

Operation Ass-Kicking Overdrive (which is just a tough way of saying "Responsible Parenting" but what fun is that?)

It's been awhile.  It was nice to take a little break from this here bloggy boo.  When it feels like a chore, it's time to step away for a bit.   But wait.... I shouldn't say that because then this whole post is a huge waste of time!!

I'm feeling inspired today.  I've been editing some things in our lives Here at the Hive.  While editing, I found some things that reminded me of the energy and creativity that has been dorment for awhile.   My summer goal is to wake up that sleepy energy and foggy creativity and revisit my old self.


Today, I finalized the Summer Chore Lists for the children in this household.  For those that asked, I am posting them here.  This is generally a very successful program for us.  So, here goes.  Sorry it's long.

The 8 year old's Chore List

1. Feed the dog everyday.

2. Scoop dog poop. (Mon,Wed,Fri)

3. Pick 2 slips from the Chore Jar everyday.

4. Make sure your room is picked up daily, including the closet.

5. Sort, Fold and Put Away your laundry.

6. Decide on one Family Activity for the week.

7. READ, READ, READ!

8. Sweep the kitchen floor everyday.

The 12 year old's Chore List

1. Mow the lawn weekly.

2. Plan and Prepare one dinner a week with your sister.

3. READ! READ! READ!

4.  Clean your bathroom once a week.

5. Decide on one Family Activity for the week.

6. Dust, Vacuum and Straighten your bedroom weekly.

7. Sort, Fold and Put Away your laundry.

8.  Write a letter to one person of your choice once a week. Mail and wait for a response.

9. Choose 3 rooms to vacuum other than your room once a week.

10.  Work with Mom and Dad on home improvement projects. 

11. Vacuum and Detail Mom's car once a week.

12. Pump gas into Mom's car at each fill-up

The 15 year old's Chore List

1.  Keep your room clean and organized.  Re-organize your closet.

2. Plan and Prepare one dinner a week with your brother.

3. READ! READ! READ!

4. Clean your bathroom weekly.

5. Pick one Family Activity for the week.

6.  Participate in Driver's Education and get Driver's Permit.

7.  Learn basic car care, operation and gas pumping.

8.  Babysit, Pet-sit or any job outside of our house.  Invest in your savings account.

9.  Memorize your Social Security Number.

10.  Sort, Wash, Fold and Put Away your laundry.  

11.  File paperwork for Mom and Dad.

12.  Take an art class.

13.  Assist Mom and Dad with home improvement projects.

14. Pick one room other than your bedroom to dust weekly.

The Family Activities can be anything from going on a hike to roasting marshmallows.  It is my hope that the ideas they come up with will be creative and not cost much or any money.  I put this one in because as parents we feel like we play "Cruise Director" a lot.  We want the kids to take on some of this responsibility.  Oddly enough, Ladycakes announced that the Family Activity chore is the hardest one on her list.

The Chore Jar is something that I learned from my mom.  Years ago, she made a chore jar for herself.  It was her way of doing those odd chores that you don't always think of or aren't part of the regularly scheduled chores.  When my kids were little, I made a chore jar to introduce the idea of chores and to help us with activities for the summer months.  It felt more like a game if you had to reach into a jar!

Chore Jar Examples

Sweep the front porch

Clean out the coupon folder

Wash the dog

Set the table for dinner (make it fancy!)

One thing Mr. Handsome and I are realizing is the shift that is taking place in our parenting.  Of course, as parents our styles and methods change as often and as quickly as our children grow.  However, we have been in a pretty comfortable routine for quite a few years now but we see a need for a change.  Because we are parenting a teen and tween, we are becoming more aware of the life skills they need. The things that come naturally to us as adults (pumping gas) are totally new to them.  You forget this when you are living the daily grind.  So, if some of the things on the list seem strange, stop and think.....Does my kid know how to do that?  You might be surprised.

Happy Summer Peeps.  We won't be "choring it up" all the time. We plan to kick back and have some fun and just enjoy each other's company!

Add "Working 9 to 5" by Dolly Parton to my Life Soundtrack.

Losing your Mojo. Hoping the condition is simply LoJo and not Nojo.

It's challenging when you hit a rut, a rough patch, tough times.  My times are not as tough as many.  I have a roof, I have food, I have a beautiful family.  We are just in a spot.  Some of it self induced, some of it bad timing, some of it just.... well just.

I'm lucky to have support.  SoMeone to hOld me up, soMeone to remind me that it's going to be okay.  Someone to pull me or tug me or just gently coax me from that edge.  I've been edge dwelling, and not in a Lady Gaga glorious kind of way, not at all.  It's not pop-rocky or sexy or weird or award winning.

I hope that I am that someone to someone at sometime or anytime.  I understand.  I love.  I respect.  I listen.  I am here.

Love the ones your with, love the ones you have.  Appreciate what you have. Be kind, be patient, be thoughtful.  It's worth it.

Dear Blog,
       I apologize for my absence.  I have not forgotten you.  You really are important to me.  I have been so overwhelmed with the real world that my digital world has been negelected.  Please forgive me.

       Yours faithfully,

             Jennifer



Okay, thank you letting me take care of that little piece of business.  I have so much guilt and needed to make a formal apology.  Soooooo, what's new???  Everybody good?  Good.


I'm inspired to be here because Ladycakes has her own little bloggyboo and I want to help her stay inspired.  Believe it or not, she has an incredibly progressive, creative Honors English (brag,brag) teacher who has his students produce their own blogs. So Lily's Craft Cloud is alive and kickin'.   And that means, this post is about to take a crafty turn.... HOLD ON TIGHT.


Via Instagram.... I shared this little teaser.

The costume Ladycakes is constructing requires green leggings.  I have found through experience buying "blanks" (white items) and dying them is the most cost effective way to go.  Dharma Trading is my go to supplier for this type of stuff.


Now, for another teaser.  And as it may seem, NO!, we are not still working on the kitchen, but it's still not done.  Don't ask.

This is another costume in progress.  Give it your best shot.  What do you think?


The boys have costumes in the developmental stages.  I will share sneek peeks of those when the time comes..... maybe November 1.


How are you haunting at your Hive?  (alliteration attracts an audience)







Add "Faithfully" by Journey to My Life Soundtrack.

All aboard the Breakfast Bandwagon or I'm bringing Breakfast Back! #Sundaymorningbreakfast

A family that cooks together stays together.  I think it's actually if you makes sure you eat together as a family everyone will be happier, healthier and in the know.  In other words, your kids are more likely to talk to you about the stuff that's going on in their lives.

Mr. Handsome and I totally agree with this.  We make it a habit of eating together as a family.  Often that puts our dinner time later than we like but it's a sacrifice we are willing to make.

Mr. Handsome and I also really like to cook and now that we are cooking in a new kitchen, we are enjoying it even more.

I have invited a new tradition into our Sunday mornings.  I make quiche.  And because Mr. Handsome, Q and Elvis are "real" men.... they eat it.  Not just eat it, DEVOUR it.  Ladycakes and I are lucky to get a slice, although Ladycakes makes eating her business.  She isn't one to get walked all over, God I love that girl!

Last night I posted a list of ingredients on my Facebook wall for voting.  Friends helped us with their choice of ingredients and also shared their ideas for #Sundaymorningbreakfast with me.  Then in the morning, we took a picture of our finished dish on Instagram and shared it via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.   SO FUN!

If you would like to join the fun, put it on your calendar for Saturday night.  Then post your ingredients, get some friends to give their input.  Join me on Instagram @hereatthehive with a picture of your breakfast and if you want to show me on Twitter @hereatthehive I would LOVE it.  Use #Sundaymorningbreakfast to label it and lets see if we can inspire others to jump on the breakfast bandwagon.

It's a great way to get some new food ideas, share the way you are hanging out with your fam and give our social media skills a little workout.

Win, Win, Win.

Putting Lipstick on a Pig

It's a funny thing, remodeling a kitchen.

It requires a lot of patience.

It requires a good sum of money.

It requires a lot of decision making and then flexibility in those decisions.

And then once complete, it requires you to wear blinders when looking at the rest of your home.


Mr. Handsome and I discussed this when we first threw around the idea of remodeling the kitchen.

           *He said, "You know it will make the rest of the house look like shit."

           * I said, "Maybe, it will inspire us to work on some other plans for the rest of the house."

           * He said, "Really?  You know you are going to want to change everything."




Hrrrrumph.


I totally want to change everything.   However, we are flat broke.  There is no more cabbage.  The wallet chirps like crickets upon opening.  It's goose eggs in the ol' bank account.  Nada, no more.  Gonzo.


So I have to make cheapo changes.   Like, re-arrange vs. re-do.  clean-up vs. demolition.  vacuum vs. replace.  spray paint vs. re-frame.  All oldies but goodies and most can be done for Zero Dollar$.


Let's start here shall we?  This is Elvis's closet.  Elvis is a hoarder.  Elvis will perhaps be on a TV show one day about kids who never really learned the fine art of "playing."  Just the fine art of dumping every bin of toys they own into a giant pile.  You could not even open the door.  Frightening.

So in an effort to keep me from calling in the contractor to build an elaborate set of shelving and then bringing in the professional organizer to set up a system that works for the average hoarder, I dove in with a trash bag.

Truth be told, it's a rare day that I "call in"  the experts.  I have a very high regard for my skills and blindly believe I can pretty much take on any task.  Seriously, maybe it's too much HGTV, maybe my self-esteem is better than I lead on but I'm willing to tackle a task before consulting an expert.

Open heart surgery, anyone?


With garbage bags full and vacuum plugged in, I am proud to say, this is how it looks now.

And then I went and did this.

Tomorrow I shall paint.  Because I have it in the garage.  So essentially it's free.  And it will be fresh and new and I will be happy.  

On a side note,  the kitchen is nearing completion but not complete.  Once it's done, I promise to provide a final reveal.   

Racing to the Finish Line

Remodeling a kitchen is all consuming.  It is pretty much all I think, talk and worry about.  Our remodel has probably taken the "normal" amount of time but it seems like it's moved at a snail's pace.  Some of the foot dragging was my fault.  Spending large amounts of money makes my head spin.  Finding the best deals takes extra time.  I had to do some research to get the most for our money.

With that being said, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  It's getting to the end and I am so pleased with the results.

I am a big fan of the blog www.younghouselove.com.  I wish I could DIY the way they do.  I've relied on sub-contractors for most of this project.  I did some drywall work and I painted but the rest has been left to the hand's of experts.  Mr. Handsome did bust out his tools yesterday and attached all of the cabinet pulls.  He fashioned a template and did an amazing job.  Not only did it save us some money but it gave us both a sense of accomplishment.

We do realize that some this work could be done by us.  We are smart individuals, we just lack a little confidence.  In the future, we have decided that tackling some the work ourselves will be step one of any project.


From here:

To here:

And from here:

To here:

Today the appliances go in.  Seeing the finish line........ MUST PUSH FORWARD!!!

When Pinterest and Real Life Collide....that's supposed to happen right?

I hang around Pinterest.  Not too obsessed but when I can't sleep it's a great joint.  And I don't mean "joint" in a "doob" kind of way more of a "library" kind of way.    I find some interesting stuff there.  Food, nail polish, hot guys in a creepy kind of hot guy way (not my fav), some religious stuff I could do without but what the hell, it's there and I can skip over it and I see some GREAT ideas that suit my current sitch (as Kim Possible would say.)

So today,  I took one of those "sitches" and am making it my own.   I am re-using my pantry door in a new spot.  It's a door with a glass front.  Back story, we live in a "model" home  (oh how far I could take that nonsense.)   As a model, having the pantry door with clear glass obviously opens the space.  In real life, a clear glass pantry door drives one crazy.

With the remodel, the entrance to the pantry is in a new place.  Awesome.  Because we are counting our pennies, we are using the old pantry door.  I don't want it to be see through anymore.  I'm taking care of that.  Thank you Pinterest.

Door, covered in black contact paper with lines and math and lines and stuff.

Door from another angle.  And yes,  it is currently the door to HELL which sadly is so appropriate and inappropriate at the same time.

Praying to Hades that my door way to HELL turns out.  I meeeaaannn, here's hoping that step one leads to a great step two and that when you come to my house you always, always feel welcome.

Progress people.  Progress.

Please add Kim Possible Theme Song to my Life Soundtrack.  Beep Me. Anytime you need me.


 

Fifty Shades of Gray..... my review.

Wait, what?

 There's a book?

 A book about WHAT?!

So not what I'm talking about.  Wow!  I'm talking Gray.  Not Grey.  There's a difference.

I think I have officially looked at 50 shades of gray.  At least.  There are so many variations in gray and I have had a hard time nailing one down.  The cabinets in the new kitchen are gray.  A very light shade of gray, it's very hard to see.  When you hold something white up to them,  it becomes more obvious. While it is subtle, in a weird way it's a very obvious part of the kitchen.  With that said, making a color choice for the walls has been challenging.  Those who know me (all 22 of you) understand that this is something I can lose sleep over.  Have lost, might still lose, and subsequently losing.

Initially I headed in a blue gray direction.  But we are not really blue people.  We like blue but living with blue is not something we do.  We head more in a warmer direction.  If you can possibly imagine, there are grays out there that have golds and reds and umbers in them.  Who knew!

After throwing some paint on the walls, we think we've come to a decision.

Which color would you choose?  Let us know.
To vote, go like this
A.
B.  C.
     D. E.
F.

Go ahead, tell us.


I am SO NOT a professional blogger!

One Step Closer to Being the Home of the Worldest Largest Refrigerator

I've been hiding.


Hiding from the dust, the filth, the financial impact.


 I've been hiding from the kitchen remodel.


 Let's face it.  It's ugly.  It's messier than you expect, it takes longer than you expect and it ALWAYS costs more than you expect.

I know, this is not new information.  But we all jump into these ideas with pictures pulled from magazines, a Pinterest board overflowing with loveliness and full on blind ambition.  It's so fun to be naive and childlike until you get a big fat smack in the face by a piece of crown molding that cost you more than your 14 year olds braces.

Okay not really, Mr. Handsome put the kibosh on the solid gold crown molding.... he felt it might, oddly enough "cheapen" the space.

But because all 22 of you are dying to know what the hell is going on here at the hive.... I will pleasure you with some pictures (I figured going with an "adult" metaphor I might pick up a few comments or followers.)


So for your viewing pleasure (to make the experience even more exciting see the post before this to get the full effect, kind of like a flip book from the olden days)

WAS:

IS:

WAS:

IS:

WAS:

IS:

I realize my photography skills are not ideal.  I would have mapped it out if I were a professional blogger.  I would have put an X on the floor and shot from the same spot.  But wait, oh that's right ...

1. I am not a professional blogger.
2. I am currently not living in the space and wait for it......
3. I have 3 children that are so busy it's mind blowing!  Okay, I'm good.

It looks lovely.  We are thrilled with what is happening.

For those of you curious about sources or how we are doing this on a TIGHT budget, ask away.   I am happy to share what I am learning, what I am sacrificing and how I think you can do this without spending what the professionals tell you to spend.  It certainly isn't DIY.  Sadly, we just don't have the time for that but someday I could see Mr. Handsome and myself taking on a few projects by our little ol' selves.


Party on people.  Next time you see me perhaps there will be countertops.  If you are good, I might do a dance on them for you (totally not meant to be an adult metaphor.)

C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E S-O-N-G Song, it just might help if you sing along.

There was a time when Mr. Handsome and I were going to become avid campers.  We were going to tackle the challenge of becoming experts in the field of camping or camping in a field.  A pop-up camper or even a larger "hard-walled" camper was an investment we considered.  The Utah, The Matterhorn, The Cascade.... the options are endless.  We had dreams of camping with the kids, finding that perfect campsite next to a bubbling brook.  Campfires, smores, our own "glam"ping menus that we planned out ahead of time.  We could come up with great meals, perhaps author a cookbook of gourmet food that people could make while camping.   Well, it's not happening.  Not happening AT ALL.  We would be terrible campers.  We would like it for about 36 hours and then we would be ready to turn that "investment" right around and head home.

Instead of the great outdoors,  we are camping out in Mr. Handsome's parent's house.  It's kinda like a little vacation.  Funny how just a change of scenery can change your point of view.

The kitchen reno is underway.  Slowly but surely.  Slowly by design.  It's SSSSOOOO expensive and I do not do well handing out money left and right.  Also, because it's pricey, we are being extremely thoughtful with our choices.  It's out of nece$$ity.  Plus, who doesn't love to get the most out of their money?

I promised myself I would document the progress.  So as I promised..... here you go.  I sold our old cabinets on our local classified website.  The new owners of our old cabinets came and removed them.  And did it quite expertly..... thank goodness.  The granite came out in whole pieces.  Hallelulijah.  We will either attempt to use the pieces in bathrooms or will put them up for sale as well.

BEFORE:

CURRENT:

BEFORE:

CURRENT:

BEFORE:

CURRENT:

Next step?  Well, the new cabinetry is scheduled to be delivered.  The island (see it up there, in the corner of that picture, right there?)  needs to be removed and the refrigerator needs to find it's new home in the garage.  We have some tile to pick out for our backsplash and some appliances to order.  That heinous(!) wallpaper that was expertly painted over with textured paint,  needs to be removed.

After typing that last sentence, might I add......

1. Be careful where you choose to put wallpaper people.
2.  If you don't like existing wallpaper, take time to remove it properly.
3.  Seriously, textured paint?  Sorry Ralph Lauren, it was a bad idea.  BAD RALPH! VERY,VERY BAD!

In the meantime, we have a comfortable place to stay that doesn't involve pooping in the woods or washing our clothes in a bubbling brook.  We made microwave s'mores last night and I have to admit they were pretty good.  All in all, this investment is a much better choice for this crowd.

Just to prove that we aren't complete home bodies..... here are the kids enjoying some time in the great wide open.  We love nature.  It's just nice to come home to a snuggly bed.

Add "The Campfire Song" to my Life Soundtrack.

A Few of My Favorite Things..... go ahead just start singing it. I am.

Okay, I'm a fan of a lot of stuff.  Puppies, clean sheets, black olives, coupons.  But I have a couple things that are my favs.


1. KIDS ARTWORK!  It's the only artwork I own.  Not entirely true but it's a statement I use broadly.  I'm that person that has a rotating gallery of frames that showcase my kids' artwork.  In all seriousness, I love their art and I believe showing it off is good for everybody's self-esteem.


2.  BLANK NOTECARDS .  You can use those bad boys for any occasion.  Birthday? yes.  Graduation?  yep.  Congratulations on the new job?  you betcha.  Sorry to hear about the wart?  Absolutely!

3.  RUBBER CEMENT.  I'm almost positive I have mentioned this somewhere on this here little ol' blog but I'm too busy to research that.  It is the best bonding agent for paper and it's super fun to peel away. It just is.  

4.  HAND WRITTEN, SENT IN THE MAIL, THANK YOU NOTES.  While I spend a good amount of time on the computer with email, Facebook, Pinterest blah de blah blah, I still LOVE getting snail mail.  So, making my children write thank you notes is pretty much the reason for which I live.  I'm a task master for this.  It will make them better adults, I'm sure of it.

Elvis is a year older.  He's got some thank you notes to write!  I picked a piece of his artwork that makes me smile and made copies of it.  Slapped the copies on some blank notecards I had around the house with trusty rubber cement and we are 1/3 of the way there.

Experience has made me wiser.  I know that little people find this task, well, tedious!  So I try to ease their pain by taking care of the sentence structuring.  It's way more fun to fill in the interesting parts.  It makes the task quicker, less painful and something they aren't turned off to for life.

Elvis completed four thank you's in 15 minutes.  He's proud of his accomplishment.  The gift givers will be psyched to receive the thank you and I am proud of his work.

I know you can buy something similar at almost any big box store these days.  Don't bother.  Make your own from original artwork and about 5 minutes on the computer.  You can customize the inside to fit your child's personality.


Okay I'll get off my Emily Post soapbox.  Rock on people.

Pushing my buttons, so to speak

I've been trying to work some creativity into my daily life lately.  I easily fold 2 baskets of laundry a day, make a bunch of beds, contemplate 3 meals and 2 different snacks, push around a bunch of papers and waste at least an hour on Facebook daily.  I forget that taking the time to be creative is truly a psychological outlet for me.  Hence, the altar.

These little cuties are bracelets I've been making.  I have a button machine dedicated to making silly swimming buttons.  The kids decorate their swim backpacks with them and I've made a little money selling them at swim meets.  When I saw the bracelet concept in the button supply catalog (yep, there's a catalog of those kinds of things)  I couldn't resist trying it.  Super FUN!

I went throught some other catalogs I had around the house.  You probably have the same bunch, Garnet Hill, Pottery Barn, West Elm.  I found patterns that were appealing and got busy.  They are really cute and add a little punch to any outfit.  You know me and bracelets and the people who wear them.


Lookie there, money saved on therapy.

Vivir la vida al maximo!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I have created this altar for a friend.  She proves to be an inspiration to me time and time again.  It has been a pleasure to try an art form that is outside of my heritage but definitely follows my

 "use what you have" philosophy.   It's my hope she loves it.

The theme revolves around tequila.  Tequila is one of the things that brings us together.  The vintage bottle in the middle is filled with the lovely gold goodness inspired by tequila, note the worm crawling out of the bottle.  The sides of the altar are wallpapered with "One Free Drink" tickets.  The skeletons represent our friends with sharp dress and angel wings.  It's a fun and different way to thank them for just being them.

Live life to the fullest!  Every day.  Seriously, every day!

The one where I use my noggin and don't go to Hell.

I have a list of to-dos that could wrap around my house about 30 times.  I cross one thing off and then add 5 things.  I know I'm not alone.  All of you out there deal with the same stuff.  I actually have become more lenient on myself.  A few years ago, if I didn't get a birthday present out in time, I was probably going to Hell.  Seriously, in my mind there was judging..... lots and lots of judging.

Well, that's where today's story begins, a birthday present.  And you thought it was where I was going to Hell, silly you.

My darling nephew is turning one year older TOMORROW.  Look what's sitting on my ironing board.  Yep, it's his present.  And guess what, I have to ship it.  Yep, it's gonna be late.  But, that isn't even the real story.  Look at that cool Skylander (as seen here) and then a stack of candy which any good Aunt would send, then look at that snazzy boyish, yet hip gift bag.  No licensed characters.  Just a great combo of turquoise and red.  Complimentary colors.  Yum.

Well one cannot have a gift bag full of Great Gift, if there isn't tissue paper to fluff it, stuff it and make you work for said gift.  It breaks gift wrapping rules in some universe.  My universe.

Solution?  Indeed.

I came home with the infamous Target plastic bags.  Apologies to my friends out there who remember to take their reusable bags into the store.  I am not one of you, I forget.  EVERY TIME.  I love that bullseye design.  It's just nice and graphic and WAIT! the colors are perfect for what I am doing.

Armed with my scissors, I cut up those bags and created my own pieces of "tissue paper."

NICE!  The remaining parts of the bag will go into the shipping box as packing material or will be recycled tomorrow curbside.

The package is stuffed, fluffed and ready for delivery.  The gift tag is obviously a paint swatch/color sample.  Turns out it works beautifully.

I cannot wait for his gift to arrive at his doorstep.  He won't care that there is "tissue" paper but I do.  Happy Birthday, Roman.  Don't eat all that candy in one sitting and welcome to the addiction that is Skylanders.  It's my way of torturing your Dad.