I’m not sure why I am obsessed with “naming” days of the week for these blog posts…maybe it’s because I’m too lazy to come up with something more creative…actually that’s probably it – so sorry, excuse the laziness of the title:)
Did you know that April and May are the best months to shop thrift stores??
Spring cleaning and folks clearing out homes after the winter creates a huge influx of donations of furniture, clothes and more at these stores in April and May. So be sure to drop in and find great deals for your home and more. Jay and I absolutely LOVE to thrift and most of the stuff in our house was bought second hand. Atlanta has my favorite thrift stores, but the Salvation Army on Central Avenue in Charlotte is a local favorite as well. Look around for yard sales too! April and May are PRIME months for yard sales. I’ve seen almost 10 or more in the last two weekends…but go early, like 6:30am…the good stuff goes FAST.
Another way to save moola this spring is to dust off your library card…or go register for one at your local bookstore. At the school I work at, our students walk once a week to Imaginon, a children’s library, to check out books. I LOVE that in the world of iPads, Nooks and more, that our students are still exposed to the paper book…they know the feeling of curling up in a chair and the smell of the musty pages in actual books. Don’t get me wrong, I will join the iPad craze VERY SOON, but for me, they won’t replace actual books…I just refuse to let it… But you can get a LOT more than just books at your local library. You can check out newly released movies or tv shows for free, most city libraries have museum passes that you can check out and go to your local museums for free AND you can check out books and books and more books without cluttering your home.
We also cut our cable almost 6 months ago and bought a digital antenna for our TV…digital rabbit ears, if you will. We’ve saved more than $300 already and haven’t missed a show. We pick up every local network station and then for cable shows, we attach our computer to our TV to watch shows via Hulu, MegaVideo or Sidereel. I recently finished the entire Sex and the City series between Sidereel and MegaVideo…hello FREE!
and my last tip for Spring Frugality…
RESIST the urge to turn on the air conditioner too soon! I know if you have babies or kids, you might decide enough is enough a little earlier but opening the windows at night and during the day and running fans will help keep your home cool. Also, try grilling food outside…cooking on the stove or in the oven will increase the heat in your home.
I’m trying to hold out until the end of June…who’s with me?!
Happy Easter Monday! I had no clue this day even existed before I started working for an Episcopal school. But I love it because it’s a day off from work. I got to sleep in a little, enjoy a nice breakfast and coffee with Jay and now I’m snuggling with my two beagles trying to plan out my day. A little of this…a little of that…a LOT of relaxing outside is on the to-do list for today.
Today’s “Make it Monday” is a little different than usual. It’s more of a “I wish I could’ve made that – Monday.” A few weeks ago, this amazing-ness came across my Twitter-feed:
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I know what you’re probably thinking…”Jess that’s great…it looks like a pretty wedding invitation…big deal?!” Well…it’s not JUST any wedding invitation…it is the most creative wedding invitation I have EVER seen to-date. This beautiful creation is from Kelli Anderson, a NYC based designer and artist and in my book, holds the “record” for most creative designer so far. Pun most certainly intended…see below:
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keep going…and get excited…
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oh yes, the goodness is about to appear…
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prepare to have your face literally…rocked off:
THIS is the stuff I want to come up with one day…this level of creativity is something I want to attain in the future…until then…Happy Monday
Let me begin by saying that I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with Easter. In the real sense, I love what it really is about…the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I love and equally hate the consumer craze surrounding Easter baskets, candy, hoopla and more. I love the crafty side of it. I love the creativity and the DIY opportunities to make some super cute stuff…I hate the generic, cheap bunnies and crap being peddled by every super store in America. Any other time of the year, pastels usually make me a little nauseous…just sayin:)
So in an effort to encourage some creativity and help you resist the urge to buy the yucky Easter crap from the store, here is my Easter Craft Roundup:
First things first…the Easter Basket
If you’re like me, somehow in the last couple of years, you probably have accumulated a number of used and unused baskets, bins or containers that are most likely just taking up space. Don’t go buy a basket JUST for Easter…reuse and recycle! Here are a few of the creative ideas I found around the web…I LOVE LOVE LOVE the terra cotta pots transformed into Easter baskets on HWTM:
1. Terra Cotta Easter Baskets from HWTM
2. Twig Nest Baskets from HWTM
3. Colander Baskets from Whiteley Creek
Second…the Grass
I cannot STAND those tiny plastic strands of Easter grass…they get all over the place and are ANNOYING…so here are some ideas for “grass” alternatives…Moss, Ribbon/Raffia, Shredded Paper
Third…the Eggs
Martha Stewart has some BRILLIANT ideas for different ways to dye and decorate Easter eggs. I mean…what’s new, right?!
But here are some others I found along the way:
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Fourth…The Decor
This Easter egg garland crafted out of paint swatches is PERFECT…especially since I, too, am a paint swatch hoarder. I just love the colors…I always grab some every time I step into a Home Depot or Lowes with the thought that I will do a craft with them. Needless to say they are still sitting in my craft room, un-crafted:) Until now…I can totally do this craft:
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and these…homemade PEEPS! How fun is that?! Click the PEEP below to get the step-by-step instructions for making your own marshmallow treats!
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And this Shabby Chic Easter feature on Hostess with the Mostess is to DIE for:) Click the image below to go see the beautiful decor on her blog!
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So that concludes the roundup – if you have any fun easter basket or decor ideas, do share! Have a Happy Easter and don’t forget the REAL reason for this season:)
Spring is in the air! So thankful for the rain this past week…more like my sinuses are thankful for the rain. I think it drowned most of the pollen and I can actually breathe again. We managed to escape the terrible storms & tornadoes on Saturday and Sunday was absolutely BEAUTIFUL…sunny, high 70′s and it didn’t get dark until 8pm. We broke in the grill and cooked out with my sister, her boyfriend and his friends for our first official cookout of the season! We played cornhole until it got too dark to see. It was glorious! It also got me thinking about today’s Make it Monday…nights like those would be PERFECT for a make-shift backyard theater.
Here’s what you need to Make Your Own Backyard Theater:
1. Space – You need an area to set up seating, the “screen”, the projecter, etc. Backyards are PERFECT
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2. A Screen – If you have an actual portable screen that would be great OR if you’re like me and do not…you can hang a bedsheet (white). Be sure to put the edges of the sheet tight so there are minimal ripples or creases…thus creating a clear “picture”.
3. Seating – Think picnic blankets, lawn chairs, tents, etc…
4. Food – Chips, Salsa, Popcorn, Dips, Pizza…finger foods are the BEST…something to munch on:) Here’s one of my favorite munchie recipes: Buffalo Chicken Dip
5. Beverages – Water, Lemonade, Coffee, Tea…whatever floats your boat
6. A Projector & Speakers – So many advanced methods now…but I’m envisioning a laptop hooked to a projector with external speakers attached for a better sound.
7. Movie – For me, I would pick a comedy or action movie to watch outdoors…I’m a wimp, so you probably won’t convince me to show a horror movie outside…where I’m fully exposed to zombies and boogey men…but if that’s your cup of tea, I could see horror movies being fun outside.
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This is perfection to me – Here’s so lovely spring nights in the backyard with movies, food and friends! Happy Spring:)
Happy Tuesday! I’ve got Easter on the brain. In addition to being a beautiful time of recognition for the greatest act of love and first step to kingdom come on earth…Jesus raised from the dead, I am kind of obsessed with “themes” in general and I LOVE Easter eggs. This year I’m looking to do a little more than just dying my eggs, so here are some fun, crafty Easter eggs I found on the web(mostly from Martha b/c she is ridiculous):
1. DomestiFluff // 2. Martha Stewart – Egg Creatures // 3. Martha – Marbelized Eggs // 4. Pinterest // 5. Martha – Stenciled Eggs // 6. Martha – Paper Napkin Decoupage
**Don’t forget to enter the Giveaway for the Super Natural Every Day Cookbook – You can enter EVERY DAY to increase your chances of winning!**
It’s Make it Monday…Allergy edition. I NEVER get sick and I’ve NEVER had allergy problems. My husband, however, has suffered from chronic allergies/sinus infections his whole life (so he has ZERO sympathy for me right now). Well 7 days ago, I got the funk. It started with a little tickle in my throat (inappropriate! you “that’s what she said”ers) and then my nose. Two days in, I got my very first and WORST sinus headache. The pressure in my head…behind my eyes was intense. I HATE getting sick and for those who know me best, I have very litte tolerance or sympathy for sickness…but dear Lord, I’ve been under attack for too long now.
The thing is, I’ve never been one to take medicine…I rarely get headaches or anything like that that most folks take meds for. I tend to let things naturally pass and avoid antibiotics at all costs. I’m sure my sister, Heather, who’s in pharmacy school hates me for saying that, but she knows…I’m stubborn.
The Culprit {source}
So when the plague hit me last week, I finally caved and took a sinus/allergy pill…I have to say…really didn’t work like I thought it should, so I’ve stopped taking anything again…I’m trying to let my body and it’s defenses win this one. I feel like my immune system is built up of little freckled Punky Brewster types and they are pretty feisty. BUT…I really want this YUCK stuff to be gone, so I’m on the hunt for some natural…more homeopathic remedies. So if you’re going through what I am, here are some natural remedies I found for today’s “Make It Monday”:
Local Honey
The “local” part is important. One remedy is to eat a couple spoonfuls of local honey each day. It’s a theory called immunotherapy. This encourages the body to produce natural anti-bodies to fight the infection and increases the body’s defenses against the real thing.
Seasonal allergies are caused by spring pollen in the air. If you have allergies, you are allergic to the pollen – and local raw honey contains the same type (same flower source) of pollen as what you’re allergic to, introducing these into your system in small amounts is enough to trigger your body to produce antibodies to the pollen. Haven’t tried this yet, but I’ve heard a lot have and they swear by it. I love honey, so this is a “must try” in my book.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Now this remedy you’re actually supposed to use as soon as you begin feeling ANY sinus/allergy symptoms and even before. It is recommended to whisk 3-4 spoonfuls into a glass of water for a week and you should be able to see a difference/or hopefully not see a sinus infection. Apple Cider Vinegar thins mucus immediately and that’s the key to kicking a sinus infection…you’ll see the yucky green turn clear in a matter of days.
Lavender Oil
Lavender Essential Oil is great at relieving uncomfortable sinus congestion. The essential oil clears your sinuses by helping to relieve the inflammation and also helps to fight the bacteria and germs that causes the infection. I’ve heard you can put a drop of lavender oil right below each nostril and it will help ease breathing. You can also use the steam pot method and add a couple drops to the water while it steams. Lavender tea also helps build your immune system.
So those are all pretty methods and remedies…this last one I’ve heard works wonders but is SO gross.
I’ve heard you can add a drop of Grapefruit Seed Extract in this bad boy and go to town. I’ve actually heard grapefruit seed extract referred to as “liquid gold” before for sinus issues…but I’ve heard crazy stories about Neti Pots, so I think that will be my last resort…
Whatever…I’m just ready to be done with the funk so I probably will try all of these THIS week!
Have a good Monday – hope you are breathing easy:)
**Don’t forget to enter the Giveaway for the Super Natural Every Day Cookbook – You can enter EVERY DAY to increase your chances of winning!**
Happy Monday to you! This weekend was GORGEOUS…but dang, living in the Carolinas has taken it’s toll on me…I now have allergies! Yuck! I’ve got two boxes of tissues stacked up on my desk to help me make it through today – anyone else feelin’ it worse this year?
In other news, this weekend we found out a handful of our friends are preggo again! So stinkin’ excited for them, so in the spirit of babies…today’s “Make it Monday” is on handmade baby mobiles. Not that there’s anything wrong with the baby mobiles you can buy in the store like this one:
But if you can make it on your own, you can save money and you can personalize it for your baby or for someone else’s. A few years ago when my buddies were starting to have their first babies, I dove right into the world of handmade baby mobiles. For my friend Nicole, I made a paper owl mobile for sweet baby Magnolia and for my friend April, I made a twig and butterfly mobile for baby Ethne. It was a great way to give something personal and it also provided fun decoration at their baby showers. If I can find a photo of either, I will try to post it soon. But in the meantime, here are some of my most favorite baby mobiles from around the web:
LOVE LOVE LOVE this Red Umbrella Mobile via Pinterest
Love the simplicity and colors in this Blossom Baby Mobile featured on Swiss Miss
This is similar to the Butterfly Mobile that I’ll try to find, but I LOVE this fabric hearts mobile via Pinterest, so precious!
and last, I wanted to feature one of the most creative mobiles I’ve ever seen by one of the most creative ladies I know, Mrs. Laura Short – Go check out her blog, ProbablyActually.com. She made this mobile for our friend, Kara, who is in the processing of adopting (hopefully soon!!) – Check out her blog too while you’re at it!
So whether you are having a baby soon or you know someone who is, think about handmaking a baby mobile…there are so many great ideas and ways to personalize it and MUCH cheaper too:) Have a good week, friends!
Good morning! Before I opened my Etsy shop, I used to spent countless…i repeat, COUNTLESS hours browsing the Etsy Treasuries featured on the home page. For those of you who don’t know yet (I apologize for playing a part in your new founded obsession), an Etsy Treasury is a member-curated shopping gallery of sorts. People from the etsy community scour the bajillion shops to find the latest and greatest and pull the listings into their own display…showcasing their “favorites” and usually giving the treasury a unique name like “Pastel Pretties” or “Let’s Talk About Home“.
What’s even cooler is if you were looking for clothes or accessories with a certain theme in mind, you can search by that keyword…for example “JCrew” “Anthropologie” “Vintage“, etc…and treasuries with those like-minded items will pull up for you. It’s seriously one of the coolest things…but do not even ATTEMPT to just go “check it out” unless you have an hour or more to spare:) Just kidding, you probably have more self-restraint and discipline than I do.
Here are my favorite two treasuries for today:
Peaceful April by Azulado
(’cause April starts on Friday…get a clue, rain…)
and my second favorite today,
Buttercreme ‘n’ Honey by Bythewayside
I hope you all have a wonderful day today! And if you have time, go buy something nice for yourself on Etsy, you deserve it!
Happy rainy day to you! With baby showers, bridal showers and fun theme parties just around the corner, I thought I would feature some of the best DIY Cake Stand tutorials from around the web. Dessert and food table design and layout is all the rage right now and a huge key to creating beautiful layouts is adding height. Cake stands are not JUST for cakes anymore! Here are some of the favs:
This super cute and super easy tutorial from TinyPrints.com is fabulous! Click here to view their easy to follow instructions.
Sleek and sturdy cake stands via theKitchn.com using wooden furniture legs and more.
Modern Moments features these tiny cupcake stands on their blog. These could be used for cupcakes, cake pops and decorations of all sorts.
Love these vintage cake stands featured on Design*Sponge. Check our their DIY here.
…and in other news:
I officially opened my Etsy shop this weekend. This is a project I started back in 2009 and kept putting off each month, but I set a goal to get my shop up and running before the end of the year. Thank goodness for the rain that kept me stuck in my house this weekend and forced me to do some of the projects I had put off for so long.
Click the button below to visit my shop. Enjoy!
I am exhausted.
I’m trying to muster the creativity to post an amazing DIY or craft idea today, but I am really just trying to “make it” through the day. If I see another paint brush or paint roller or paint can that says “Tobacco Road” I think I might go crazy…I’m already starting to twitch just thinking about it. Last week was supposed to be our Spring Break from the school my hubby and I work at, but I worked two days and he single-handedly put together the school’s yearbook in 2 days…then, we meet with our Realtor to talk strategy for selling our house this Spring.
We’ve had a good number of showings since we put it on the market in October, but with the start of Spring comes the busy (hopefully) realty season. One of the major suggestions was that we paint our “crazy color” rooms. Our kitchen, hallway, office and living room:
So based on the suggestion that “Tobacco Road” is the BEST for neutrals – we started painting walls and TRIM (hatred). We got the hallway, living room and kitchen painted after 5 full days of painting and cleaning. In all of that, I managed to learn how to make homemade cinnamon rolls (via Pioneer Woman) from my friend (and SUPER talented baker) Nicole and her sweet little Magnolia…
AND co-host a Baby Sprinkle for my dear friend, Rachael of letterstoames.com (expecting TWIN GIRLS soon!)…
AND somehow managed to keep it real on the marriage front with dinner and a movie (the Fighter!) with my AMAZING and super-hot! work-horse of a husband.
Here is the fruit of our PAINT labor…SOOO toned down from what it was before, but it is helping me detach myself from the house in order to sell it…speaking of, if you know of anyone wanting to buy a SUPER cute house in Rock Hill, SC, send them to our Web site!
All-in-all it was a great week/end, but super exhausting and I regret not spending more of it outside in the 80-degree weather, but I’m looking forward to a good week this week. I did manage to book my plane ticket to visit one of my most favorite friends from college (MARIE!) in NYC with my other favorite college buddy, Kristin, in May. I also realized that I will be there the SAME time (well, Sunday at least) as the 2011 National Stationery Show. Not sure I’ll actually make it in the building but lord knows I’ll be super close AND it is a dream of mine to attend someday…so we will see.
I’ve got 2-3 new recipes I am trying this week, so maybe one of them will be good enough to feature on Foodie Friday. Have any of you tried any of the recipes that have been featured so far?? Which ones did you like??
Have a good week, friends:)
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