The Power of Spray Paint

I love how spray paint can make just about anything fresh and new again. I especially love it when used in unexpected ways, like to turn a cuckoo clock into a modern piece of art or to upcycle mismatched bottles into uniform vases.

Jeff and I use spray paint on home decor projects all the time (lamps and small furniture), but these images have inspired me to look for a few more things I can transform (I have an ornate mirror and a set of antlers that may be geting facelifts soon).

What other things might look better spray painted?

Images: Chandeliers, Clock, Antlers, Bottles, Toys, Mirror

Spring Cleaning Roundup

This week I have the urge to do some spring cleaning, and since the invention of Pinterest, I know there are lots of people with great cleaning ideas that I may not have thought of.

Here are some helpful tips from other blogs for cleaning around the house.

• Scum proof your shower doors.
• Clean your dishwasher.
• Get your windows (and their sills) extra clean.
• Clean your top-loading washing machine.
• Clean out your dryer ducts.
• Money-saving cleaning products (and ways to use them).

Here a few of my own tricks:

• Use sticky lint rollers to clean lampshades.
• Wash windows with newspaper.
• Use SOS on sliding door tracks.
• Wash small rugs in the washing machine on gentle cycle, then let them air dry -- they come out looking like new.

If you're in the mood for some spring cleaning too, here's a thorough checklist that can help keep you on track.

Happy cleaning!

Painted Wooden Spoons

I don't even own one wooden spoon, but if I had lots of them, I'd paint them like these. They'd be so pretty sticking up out of a utensil crock, don't you think? And, they'd make a fun housewarming gift (bundled in new dish towels and wrapped in ribbon).

Read more about the DIY project on Little Bit Funky.

Image via.

Thrifty Thursday - Filling the Piggy Bank

Jeff and I are planning a ski trip with some of our friends later this winter. We're super excited for a vacation, but less excited about saving for it. We've started filling a big jar with loose change and loose dollars, and are putting bigger bills in when we can. We're going to use this as our "fun money" for when we get there. In a month, we've saved over $100!

Redbook.com gathered some money-saving tips from savvy women. Here are a few of my favorites.

"Even if I have room in the closet, I store away my off-season clothes. They always feel surprising and new when I get them out again, so I don't feel like I 'need' to shop for as many new things at the start of each season."
-- Leslie Yazel, 39, Brooklyn, NY

"Our family has set weekly budgets, and we use an envelope system to keep the grocery money, entertainment money, and children's necessities separate. If we have extra in an envelope, then we can have some 'wants.' Otherwise we stick with 'needs.'"
-- Donna Jo Salhany, 58, Marietta, GA

"If I see something and really want it but it's a bit more than I'd like to spend, I wait at least a week. Ninety percent of the time it's on sale the next time I see it. If not and I still really want it, I will buy it. But I do force myself to always wait at least seven days."
-- Rachel Lewis, 39, Columbus, OH

"My hubby and I get to have one treat each pay period, whether it's eating out, going to a movie, or getting a massage. I get one thing, and that's it. And I enjoy every second of it, so it's a reward for working hard and saving money other places."
-- Maria Dennisia Whisler, 29, Salt Lake City

"I try not to grocery-shop when I'm hungry. And I always shop with a specific list to keep me from impulsively buying anything."
-- Ivy Pittman, 51, Montclair, NJ

Redbook also asked about things they'll never scrimp on.

"Meat. Low-quality meat is terrible! We've tried it, and I just can't do it. We always go to a quality store with a good butcher/department manager who knows their stuff."
-- Dawn Nelson, 33, Lomira, WI

"Bras. I have learned my lesson when it comes to buying cheap bras. Poky underwire, underwires that snap, bras that fall apart... terrible. If the bra costs under $10, there's usually a reason."
-- Wenona Napolitano, 32, Flint, MI

"Big-ticket items. More often than not, you'll end up replacing it sooner than if you had gotten a quality product. We learned the hard way with our water pump. While a $100 pump was cheaper at first, we had to replace it in less than a year. We could have saved ourselves the expense and the headache if we'd bought the quality one to begin with."
-- Nicki Reimer, 34, Weston, OH

See the rest of the money-saving strategies here.

Photo via.

Organizing the Linen Closet

January is a great time to get reorganized and the linen closet seems like an easy place to start. To start, we got rid of old towels and linens we weren't using, now I'd like to find a home for toilet paper, cleaning products and other things that get tossed in there. I like how the above closets use labeled containers or baskets to put those things in. I also like the towel rods installed on the inside of the closet door. It's a good place to hang linens that you don't want to get wrinkly, like table cloths and runners.

The linen closet in our master bath doesn't have a door so I used a tension rod and a cheap curtain to hide the mess that's back there. The funny thing is, every time I give a tour of our house, people look behind it ... so much for my genius mess-hiding curtain. At least now I have some inspiration on how to get our linen closet in shape. Maybe I won't be so embarrassed the next time someone looks back there.

Photos via HomeGoods and Deliciously Organized.

               

The 17 Day Diet

If you're like me, your ashamed of everything you ate over the holidays. It was delicious while it lasted, but now I'm back in my fat pants and need to do something about it. I guess you can say my new year's resolution is to lose weight (as cliché as it is).

This is going to sound like I'm making excuses already, but after visiting family last week, I now have a cold/sinus/throat thing happening and I didn't feel like leaving the house to go buy groceries this morning. So tomorrow I'm starting The 17 Day Diet. I've done it before while trying to lose a few pounds before my wedding. It worked, and I'm excited to start up again.

Here's the plan - along with regular posts, I'll update you on what I'm eating and if I'm losing weight. I'm going to think of you as my accountability partners. If I don't update you, assume I'm not dieting and yell at me for it.

Here's tomorrow's menu if you'd like to join me.

Breakfast:
2 scrambled egg whites
1/2 grapefruit
1 cup green tea

Lunch:
Large green salad topped with tuna, drizzled with 1T olive oil and 2T balsamic vinegar
1 cup green tea

Dinner:
Lots of grilled chicken and steamed green beans
1 cup green tea

Snacks:
6oz. plain yogurt (sugar free) mixed with 2T sugar-free jam
2 clementines

Photo via.

Bathroom Christmas Decorations

If the rest of the house is festive, why shouldn't the bathroom be, too? Since there isn't room for many decorations in the guest bathroom, I used a few ornaments and some twine to add a little Christmas cheer.


The ornaments are clipped to the shower curtain hooks.
I also added some Christmas candles to the shelves.



The same ornaments are hung from the vanity lights.



Simple Grocery Bag Storage

I love this idea for a quick way to help organize under the sink. If you're like me, you save way too many plastic grocery bags. If there's ever a shortage, I'd be able to supply one for every household. Unfortunately, that massive supply is exploding from underneath my sink. This recycled coffee can idea is a super inexpensive way to solve the problem.

With some spray paint, a knife and some scissors, you can get that bag disaster under control. Now I just have to get through a big can of coffee.

Get the full how-to here.

Adorable Online Shop

I’m always a sucker for cute packaging, glittery embellishments and clever cards. D.Sharp has a shop that’s adorable, inspiring and makes me wish I had a letterpress machine.

See all the products here.

Chocolate Monogram Placeholders

What better way to mark a reserved place setting than with chocolate? These cute chocolate monogram placeholders could be used for any event – from weddings to birthday parties, maybe even Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Spotted on Oh Happy Day. Get the full how-to here.

Bookshelf Inspiration

I am crazy about bookshelves and wish my house had one (that's where Pinterest makes me happy and sad at the same time). When I get one, I can't wait to fill it with pretty books and thrift store treasures.

 

I really like the combination of big books, little books and different sized knick
knacks. Also, I need that chair.

The pillows are an interesting choice, but I love the bar shelf and the framed
and matted black and white photos.

I really like thow they used color to create uniformity.

They broke up the shelves perfectly with photos, storage containers, books and fun objects.

Really, I'm just jealous of this entire room.
I need a fireplace. Bad.

I love library ladders. I really like the furniture, too, but I'm afraid of white.
And, I've been seeing a trend of hanging pictures or mirrors on the outside of the
bookshelves. I like it, but I think I prefer smaller things to hang. Thoughts?

(photos via Pinterest)

Personalized Wine Lables

I'm crazy about these personalized wine bottle labels from Pinhole Press. I keep thinking of reasons I need to make my own. I think they'd be a fun way to celebrate holidays, birthdays, a family reunion or simply to impress guests with your own "brand."

They also make personalized goodie bag labels, calendars, notebooks, stationary and much more. I think their products would make great wedding or Christmas gifts!

(Photo’s via Pinhole Press)

Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

Last week I was thumbing through the October issue of Country Living magazine and was inspired by their fun Halloween/pumpkin decorating ideas.

As much as I hate to admit it, I’m one of those people who decorates for holidays too early. I just get excited and can’t help myself. I'm trying really hard to wait until Oct. 1 to put pumpkins on my patio. I guess it gives me time to plan which of these beauties I'll decorate with this year.

These gilded gourds and pumpkins make me swoon (top) (bottom).

Black and white pumpkins! I’m in love. Get the how-to here.

This bookshelf pumpkin tree made my jaw drop.

This decoupage pumpkin is genius.

See more of Country Living’s pumpkin decorating ideas here.

(photos via countryliving.com)

Thrifty Thursday - movie night

This may come as a shock, but going to see movies in theaters can be expensive! OK, so not that shocking, but you may not realize how much you're spending until you compare renting a movie versus going to the theater.

Jeff and I occasionally go see movies, but generally we rent or buy DVDs. We are big fans of Redbox and $5 DVD bins.

Here's a breakdown of what we might spend on an at-home movie night.

Rebox movie - $1.07 (sometimes less if I have a coupon code)
Big bag of M&Ms - $3.50
Air popped popcorn - under $1 for a giant bowl
Soda - .59 cents for a 2-liter (we buy the store brand)
Total - $6.16 (I suppose we could live without the M&Ms and cut the cost to $2.66)

Here's what we might spend if we went to the movie theater.

Two movie tickets - $18 (sometimes more for IMAX or 3D)
Small bag of M&Ms - $3
Large popcorn to share - $7
Soda to share - $4
Total - $32

If we had an at-home movie night every weekend we'd spend $24.64 in a month. If we went to a theater each weekend, we'd spend $128 a month! That's an electric bill payment!

Get a free Redbox rental here by reserving a movie online!

(Photo found here.)

Dinner Party Guidelines

Growing up in a bed & breakfast/restaurant, I quickly learned what it takes to entertain dinner guests. With a little preparation, you’re party is sure to be a success. Here are my tips to help you be the hostess with the mostess.

Plan ahead. Even while hosting, it’s easy to enjoy the party while preparing food.

If I’m serving an hors d'oeuvre, I always make something I can prepare ahead of time – either something cold I can pull right out of the fridge (like a cheese plate or pinwheels) or something hot I can put in a small crock pot or have baking when guests arrive (like cocktail weenies in BBQ sauce, bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, baked brie, or stuffed peppers).

For the main course, let’s say the menu includes twice-baked potatoes, stuffed pork loin and baby carrots. Earlier that day I would’ve prepared the potatoes and have them on a baking sheet ready for the oven. For the pork loin, it would be stuffed, seared, seasoned and in a baking dish ready for the oven. The carrots would be in a pot on the stove, covered in water and ready to boil – the butter and seasonings would be nearby. The trick here is timing. The potatoes will take the longest – put them in the oven first. Since the pork is already partially cooked from searing, it won’t take long to finish. Generally it works to put the pork in the oven and boil the carrots at the same time. The takeaway – everything should be ready together. 

Offer a drink. Often guests will bring a hostess gift of wine, but always have something on hand. If you offer wine, plan for one or two glasses per person (knowing my friends, I plan for three or four). My husband and I keep a well-stocked liquor cabinet and make sure our guests know they’re welcome to anything they’d like. We also keep mixers on hand and offer a yummy recipe for whatever alcohol they choose.

Play music. Good food and good friends are a great place to start when having a party, but setting the atmosphere with music can take it to the next level. The music (and its volume) can set the tone for the evening – it’s important to take both into consideration. In my experience, mellow, upbeat tracks at medium volume work great for a casual get-together. Here’s some of my go-to dinner-party playlist.

Everything’s Right – Matt Wertz

Make You Feel My Love – Adele

Down By The Water – The Decemberists

Electric Bird – Sia

Your Song – Elton John

Cry Me A River – Diana Krall

1234 – Fiest

Green Screens – Sleeping At Last

I’d Rather Be With You – Joshua Radin

Let Go – Frou Frou

She’s Mine– Brett Dennen

The Way I Am – Ingrid Michaelson

Love and Some Verses – Iron and Wine

Miss Magnolia – Matt Costa

Orange Sky – Alexi Murdoch

Skinny Love – Bon Iver

Come Away With Me – Nora Jones

1901 – Phoenix

I Have and I Always Will – Dave Matthews

Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magentic Zeros

You Are The Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne

I Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty

What do you do to make your dinner parties special?

(Photo via The Sweetest Occasion)

Genius Wine Rack

I love a good do-it-yourself project, and this is too cool (and easy!) to pass up. I love that the design options are endless. It can be painted and repainted to always match your kitchen's color scheme. I'm going to start collecting cans!

Get the full how-to from Michelle Kaufmann's blog here.

(Photo via Michelle Kaufmann)

A penny saved ...

The Backstory:

Growing up, my mom (whose name happens to be Penny) was determined to find everything our family needed at a thrift store or at least at a discounted price. I’m proud to say, I try to do the same. My mom still is the thrifting queen.

Taking cues from my mama, Jeff and I are always trying to save a few dollars to help pay down those pesky student loans, save for a vacation or have a fancier-than-usual night out. Starting today, each Thursday I’ll plan to share with you a way we are trying to make the most of our money. Maybe some will work for you, too! Also, if you have tricks for saving cash, I’d love to hear them!

Thrifty Thursday Post:

Last Saturday morning I made a thrift store run. I’ve been trying to find a less-than-10-inch-wide console table (for under $50) so I’ve been checking there regularly. One of the stores is a consignment shop so I usually take a bag of things I’m not using anymore. So far I’ve made over $125 by consigning unused items!

After I dropped of my bag of consignments, I scanned the furniture for a narrow console table … no luck. I moved on to the clothing racks which are conveniently coordinated by size then color. It’s like a giant clothing rainbow in there. I scanned the racks until a shirt in the medium red section caught my eye. I went to the dressing room with a red knit dress; a red, black and white sweater; two red silk blouses; and two black blazers.

After trying everything on, I narrowed my selection to the red things. I loved the Ralph Lauren blazer I tried on, but it just didn’t fit right. (Thrifting tip: don’t buy something just because it’s inexpensive – make sure it fits well and looks good on you. You’ll never wear it otherwise, and even though it was a bargain when you bought it, it’s not if you never wear it.)

When I checked out, the grand total for all four items was just over $12 (woohoo!). Wanna know the best part? The red knit dress I bought for $3 was a St. John by Marie Gray – the same dress can be found on eBay for $149.97. The original retail cost was around $500. It's one of my best finds so far.

My thrift-store finds. Yes, I know it looks like I'm ready for

Christmas – it's because I am (I'm already planning my decorations).

Lovely Surf Shack

I’m obsessed with this eclectic, colorful surf shack. It’s so relaxed and comfortable. I especially love the living room furniture, the colored glass hanging from the tree and the bonfire pit with blankets ready. Yep, ready to move in now.

As seen here.

The Last Lecture

I’m not much of a book worm, but something happens almost every time I pick up a book – I can’t put it back down.

Almost a year ago, on a recommendation from a co-worker, I bought The Last Lecture by Randy Paush. I finally read it last night and made it through the 206 pages in a few hours. During those two hours, as cliché as this will sound, I laughed and cried (mostly cried) and was so glad I started reading it.

In a nutshell, it’s the story of a man with pancreatic cancer who’s given the news he only has months to live. When Carnegie Mellon, the college where he was a professor, asked him to give a lecture about his life journey, he rose to the challenge. He titled it “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.”

I won’t tell you much more, but that it was incredibly inspiring, heartwarming, and something I’m definitely going to read again. I really can’t recommend it enough. 

Watch his lecture below, and learn more at lastlecture.com.