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August 30, 2013

five things {august top 5}


Hello Weekend!  Really glad to see Friday and enjoy the long holiday weekend ahead!  We have no major plans except a sleepover tonight and dinner on Saturday evening with friends.  The rest of the weekend is chill time.  I am also so, so excited that this weekend  kicks off college football season.  We already watched a couple of games last night, but really looking forward to Saturday when our teams play.
 
Moving on...I'm linking up with the five on friday group and the high five for friday and this week doing an August recap. 
 
 
 
1.  Busted out a couple of projects involving this $1 roll of wrapping paper from Target.  Made a pretty storage box for my desk, which was later swiped by my daughter for the desk in her room.  And then added some wrapping paper backing to Lyla's bookshelves.  Have you done any cute projects with wrapping paper or scrap paper?  So many pretty prints out there and such an inexpensive way to add some fun color and pattern.
 
 
 
2.  A major highlight this month was our trip to Florida.  Played on the beaches and enjoyed Disney World.  So many great memories made on this trip!
 
 
 
3.  Working on making over both kids rooms, so I started with this new wall letter board for Preston's room.   Excited to add some new colors in his room. 


4.  Shared this recipe!


5.  And finally, we are officially back in school.  So nice having both kids in the same school that is only 2 minutes from our home.  Made new belonging tags for their backpacks and lunchboxes using pic monkey.

And that wraps up August for us!  Wishing everyone a fun, safe holiday weekend!

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August 28, 2013

current faves

 
 
 
 
These three items are at the top of my current wish list!  Not sure where I would put that mirror, but I'm so drawn to that gorgeous orangey-red color lately.  You can check out my boutique page for more of my current favorites.
 
What's on your wish list?
 
Hope you have an amazing day!
 
 

August 27, 2013

first day of school



I shared these pictures yesterday on instagram, but thought I would share them here too since it was as special day for these two.  It was back to school for us yesterday and it was a fun, exciting day!  Preston started 2nd grade and Lyla is now in kindergarten.  I made these first day of school props on Sunday, so we could have something fun to take their pictures with.  Another pic monkey project.


And of course, we celebrated our first day success with these yummy peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes for snack after the kids got off the bus.

Hope all the kids and teachers out there had a great day as well!


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August 26, 2013

backpack & lunchbox name tags using pic monkey




 

 
Happy Monday Back to School Morning!  The kids are off to school and excited about a new year!  We spent the weekend enjoying the last bit of summer and also spent some time getting things organized and ready for a full week of school and after school activities.
 
I love using pic monkey to edit my pictures, but I also use it for designing menus, cards, invitations and now backpack and lunchbox tags.  I always like to write the kids' teachers names, room number and especially the new bus number on their backpacks.  And because I have terrible handwriting, I toss the little card that comes included and print a custom one. 
 
 
For Lyla's I tried to match it to her backpack and for Preston's I kept it pretty simple and added a crazy critter to it.  I also made one with our home address and phone number to slide behind this front card.  Even though the kids are pretty good about remembering all this info, it makes me feel better as they join the nearly 1000 other elementary students attending their school - yikes!
 
What about you...do you use pic monkey for reasons other than editing pictures?  What have you made?
 
Have a wonderful day!
 
 
you can also find my here:

 
 
 
 

August 22, 2013

a pretty box




Ok, one more project with this roll of wrapping paper.  Back to school shopping has brought me these nice sturdy shoe boxes.  They are a great shape...long and narrow and just the right size for my home office desk.  And the lid is attached which is also nice.


 


Loving this little box!  Not only is it functional holding several office necessities, but it adds some fun color and pattern to my desk. 
 
However, soon after I placed it here, a little girl felt like it belonged in her room on her desk since it matched her bookshelves ;)  So we'll see...might be making one more :)  But I can do that...a free box and $1 wrapping paper that has now made 2 projects already!  No problem!
 
Hope your day is a great one!!
 
you can also find my here:

 
 

August 20, 2013

soft & chewy chocolate drop cookies


Good Morning!  I was craving sweets and chocolate yesterday, so I baked these cookies on a whim using ingredients I had on hand.  I wasn't planning to share them here, but they were so, so yummy that I whipped out the camera so I could pass along this delicious recipe.  I'm more of a simple cookie lover, like sugar and shortbread cookies.  I'm not a huge fan of really sweet, rich cookies or icing.  So this simple little chocolate cookie has just the right amount of sweetness.  It's soft, chewy, chocolate goodness!  Now on to the recipe.


Ingredients

  • 4 squares of Baker's unsweetened chocolate
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2-1/2 cups flour

Method

  1. Microwave unsweetened chocolate and butter in large bowl about 2 minutes or until butter is melted.  Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
  2. Add sugar, mix well.
  3. Blend in eggs and vanilla.
  4. Add flour, mix well.
  5. Refrigerate 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle (I have no patience, so I stuck mine in the freezer for about 10 min)
  6. Preheat oven to 350.
  7. Shape dough into balls.  Roll in sugar and place on a greased cookies sheet.
  8. Bake for 8 min
*recipe from Baker's




Enjoy!


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{sharing here: savvy southern style}

August 19, 2013

organized bookshelf and $1 wrapping paper lining

 
My daughter's bookshelf was becoming a huge mess.  Packed with books, dolls, toys, trophies, etc.  I finally decided to get it in order.  Here's a quick before:
 
 
The first thing we did is remove everything and lined the back of her shelves with wrapping paper.  I walk through the Target dollar bins almost every time I go.  And I'm usually looking for the $1 wrapping paper.  I came across this roll last week and love the bright colors and chic pattern.  I get so much use out of wrapping paper other than wrapping gifts.  Love color and pattern it added to Lyla's bookshelf!
 

Next we sat down and organized her books.  We actually donated several that she has out grown and then moved many to our playroom.  And finally we minimized her accessories that would go back on her shelf to create a much neater look.



Love the new look!  I tacked the paper with double side tape in the corners, so whenever we tire of it or it gets worn...down it goes! 

Now we are off to cheer camp for the first time.  And today marks one more week until school starts - yikes!

Hope your day is great!

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{sharing at iheart organizing}

August 16, 2013

5 on friday

Hello Friday!  Even though we didn't have much going on this week, it's always nice to get to Friday and welcome the weekend!  Participating with the 5 on Friday fun group of ladies with another round-up of randomness.  So here goes:


1.  Worked on a little diy in Lyla's room yesterday, that I'm so happy how it turned out!  She was super excited as well.  She is definitely opinionated about what goes on in her room and loves to be right at my side helping.  Pop back in next week for all the details on this little project!


2.  Found these cute sandals on final sale at Loft for $9!!  Super comfortable!  P.S.  Don't mind my toes that are in major need of a pedi -- just focus on the sandals ;)



3.  Ok, I am now swooning over this watch!  Kate Spade Gramercy Grand!  And it is totally instagram and Megan's fault ;)  Megan shared a picture of it on her instagram feed and now I can't stop thinking about it!
 
 
4.  Back next week with a full round-up of pictures and details of our trip, but in one word it was magical!
 



5.  And finally number five, this crazy funny video.  Love Jimmy Fallon and the The Roots and the fun spin they put on Robin Thicke's song Blurred Lines!  It makes me smile!!  Beware...it might even cause a little chair dancing and toe taping, so view at your own risk ;)
 

5 on Friday


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August 14, 2013

back to school ideas

As we head into our final week before school starts, I've been trying to enjoy our late mornings and free evenings.  And as much as I'm trying to not to think about how busy we will be very soon, back to school thoughts keep popping in my head.  So today I thought I would share a few ideas that either helped us make our school days easier or ideas that were fun and got the kids excited about starting a new year.  So here we go!

 
1.   Last year I wanted to doing something special for the first day of school and to start the school year off fun!  So I made this little star banner and decorated the mantel with a "super star student" theme.  The kids got a kick out of it and it made for a great first day of school picture spot!

2.   And then I had a surprise after school treat ready when they got home that also kept with the "super star student" theme. 


3.   Something else that really, really helps us stay organized during the school year, are these wall baskets from World Market.  These have been a lifesaver.  It keeps all the kids' homework binders, library books and any important papers safe that I need to sort through.  My counter space stays clean and we aren't spending time looking for homework and library books.  Each kiddo has a designated basket and they can easily get to their school work out themselves.  You can go here to read more about this project.


4.  Our organized art closet has really made school projects a lot easier.  I had my husband make shelves in one of our coat closets downstairs and then headed to the dollar store for all the turquoise bins and baskets to organize all their colors, pencils, markers, paints, glues, scissors, paper, etc. etc.  They can easily get to their supplies and most the bins have handles, which make it really easy to grab the whole thing and bring it to the table and get to work!

What about you?  Do you have any fun back to school ideas or tips that helps keep everything running smoothly?  Hope some of these ideas that helped us, work for you too!

August 13, 2013

Florida...part one


We were brave and decided to drive to Disney World (more to come on this), which allowed us to be able to spend some time at the beach along the way.  I have been really wanting to visit the beaches nestled in along the 30-A stretch in the Florida panhandle and this trip allowed us to get a small taste of this area.  Oh my goodness, this area is a small piece of paradise. We have stayed in the Fort Walton/Destin areas in the past and they are great too, but the small town feel and laid back lifestyle that Seaside and Watercolor and the other beaches along this stretch offer is definitely more my style.  It was dreamy there!  I'm already thinking about going back next summer and spending more time there.  We also drove through Alys Beach, which is absolutely gorgeous!  The homes and buildings there are all simple white-washed masonry surrounded by green spaces and ocean views.  Would love to spend more time there too!

Anyways, here are a couple of pictures from our time at the beach, all taken with my phone and most I already shared on instagram.  If you are ever thinking of visiting the Florida panhandle, go to the beaches along 30-A...I guarantee you will fall in love!!


August 12, 2013

diy wall letter

 
 
Happy Monday!  We are back from our trip and in recovery mode.  We had an amazing time and after I sort through all our pictures I will share more of the details later this week.  And because I had 29 + hours in the car, I became obsessed with instagram.  Why am I so behind on this one?  I've had an account since last summer, but honestly had only used it a couple of times since then.  But boy I sure made up for it last week!  Anyways, sorry if I stalked some of you over the passed couple of days, but it was the long care ride ;)

Back to this project -- I have been itching to make some little changes in both my kids' rooms.  I really, really wanted to add some orange to Preston's room and finally got around to it.  He previously had his name spelled out across the top of his bed, but I felt like just his initial fit his age better now.  So here's what I did.
 
 
  1. The original plan was to have Grant cut me a board, but then I remembered I had this old picture that was already close to the size I needed and the edges were already routed.  So that's what I used.
  2. Picked out this fire orange spray paint for the letter and gave it a couple of coats (the letter is from Hobby Lobby.)
  3. Primed the board with kilz and then painted it white.
  4. Taped off my stripes and painted gray stripes. 
 
 
While I was at it, I also painted his lamp base and these star hooks (which I still need to hang).


 
I still have plans to add things to this wall, but this is were we are today. 
 
Here's are some other plans I have for this room.
 
I've already ordered this duet cover
 
 
And I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on these sheets
 
 

 garnet hill orange anchors (leaning toward these)
or
 
Not really planning on doing a nautical theme, but just love the prints and the colors.  Let me know what you think -- orange anchors or blue whales??  Back with updates soon!
 
 
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