Coffe Table Facelift

The time had finally come for me to address my coffee table.


After lifting up a tray that I keep on top, at all times, I discovered this…

I can’t tell you how I am looking forward to the day when my kiddos have kids and they have to deal with left over candy wrappers, pencils and art pieces everywhere all the time!


I'm embarrassed to say we spent WAY too much money on this table in order to get that “worn” look that could handle getting a little extra “love” from our family! So I had been holding out on touching it.


I’m pretty sure it never got a layer of poly on the top.

That’s the only reason I can explain why it now looks like this.

So I hauled it out the front door, held my breath, crossed my fingers and toes, then started to sand her down.

Applied two coats each of these.

Then placed her back where she belongs strutting her new look.

So please don’t procrastinate like I did. If you have been holding back on tackling some of your furniture don’t be afraid.

I could have had this look months ago! And the worst case scenario would have been to paint the top or start looking for a new one {smile}.

Thrift Store Finds

Wanted to share a few GW finds and how I have {or hope to} put them to use in our home.

Up first is the beyond fabulous turquoise linen floral print tablecloth that I picked up for $2.89! I plan on lining a HUGE homasote board with it to hang in our kitchen trimmed with nail heads.

I picked up these two frames at $6.99, for the pair. Painted them black and tossed in some pictures that I took on our last trip to N.Y.C. I plan to hang them in Hannah’s new room after we make it over in the next few weeks! Can’t wait to show you all the good stuff I got going on in there! Praise the Lord NO more pink!

Another little tin box, this time a recipe holder with colors that I adore.

 And this metal frame that I failed to snap a before picture of. Looks great now painted my new favorite color and lined with those old music sheets. Makes a perfect dry erase board for Hannah’s room.




I am hoping to make a trip this weekend to my all time favorite thrift store, hope to load my creative mind with a few more goodies.

Linking up here today Somewhat Simple - Shabby Chic - Thrilling Thursday - Thrifty 101 - House of Hepworths

Vanity in my Veins

For over 16 years I dreaded wearing shorts above my knee.



I was a competitive dancer in my teens {this is where my sister needs to stop laughing!}. And one day I popped some veins in my left leg while at practice, I was 16 years old. At first it was a small area but over time grew to this…

Looking at it now I see just how vain I was. Not wanting to wear shorts over that! I understand completely this is nothing compared to women and men who suffer from painful varicose veins.


So,weeks ago, just before Thanksgiving, I made an appointment with my dermatologists to do Sclerotherapy.

I almost chickened out when he told me a side effect could possibly be blood clots! Let’s face it, I have young children, this is not my time to be thinking about my vanity! I mean I could have a blood clot to my heart, lungs or brain. Leaving my kiddos without a mommy, over veins!


Then, I came to my senses and realized I was probably more at risk driving my car to the doc’s office than I was to get a blood clot.


Each one of those little pokes with a needle felt like a bee sting. The pain was short, but it was there! I kept it wrapped for 7 days and moved around just like the doctor told me too.


Here’s what I look like today! Yep, I L-O-V-E those frayed shorts!

It took almost a full 8 weeks before I could really tell the difference. But I am soooo looking forward to short season this year!

House 8810

Have you been over to House8810?


Hurry and go… now!


They have all of this…

 And more!



Too cute of a shop.

Snowklahoma 2011

It’s been a full week now sense we moved out of our igloo!



I love the seasons and the joy of a snow day…no worries about where you have to be, someone showing up at your door, staying in your pj’s ALL day!


But, then this year we had a total of 7 snow days.

We passed the time playing lots of family games

Baking, cooking and eating a lot… I swear I don’t know how the folks up north stay thin.

Sledding, all while trying to shovel a path out of our drive way.

Hannah enjoyed painting little man’s toes blue in her make shift nail salon.

He patiently watched a movie while asking me every 10 seconds when I was going to be taking it off!

Bronx staying warm right along with us.

Seeing a snow pile taller than my car…in central Snowklahoma!

And as I type the last of the snow melts into our parched ground and we await the planting of our garden.


Hopeful that we can see at least one snow day every year!

Soft Plum #40

If I was to be honest I don’t know anything, when it comes to makeup.

I am a terrible judge at trying to pick out the right shades for my skin tone. So a few years back I finally gave up and let Bobbi Brown tell me what I need to wear!

Then a little birdie told me about this

Maybelline Dream Mousse in Soft Plum…I am in love!


I just dab my fingers into the little pot and blend into my checks. It’s amazing what a natural glow it gives you, and it stays on forever. Must be loved by lots…I visited three stores before I found one that had it in stock.


Give it a try… it will be the best $6 bucks you have spent in a while.

Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

What could be better than pizza in a puff?

 I just tried this recipe out a few months ago and we all fell in love. It’s super quick and easy and freezes like a dream. I original found it here over at Everyday with Rachel Ray.

Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

¾ cup flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¾ cup whole milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded {about 1 cup}
4 ounces pepperoni, cut into small cubes {about 1 cup}
½ Cup Store-bought pizza sauce
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
1 red bell pepper, sliced


Preheat oven to 375*. Grease 1 24- cp mini-muffin pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder, whisk in the milk and egg. Stir in the cheese and pepperoni: let stand for 10 minutes.

Stir the batter and divide among the mini-muffin cups. Bake until puffed and golden, 20-25 minutes.


Meanwhile, microwave the pizza sauce until warmed through, then stir in 1 tablespoon basil. Sprinkle the puffs with the remaining basil.


• I didn’t have the basil or bell pepper so I added about 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning.


Linking up to these great blogs today Tempt My Tummy - Tuesday at The Table - Tasty Tuesday - Paisley Passions 

The Joy of My Heart

I subscribe to an online daily devotional from Anne Graham Lotz with Angel Ministries.


There have been many mornings I have opened her email and have had an additional burst of encouragement for my day.

You can find them posted all over the inside of my cabinets and doors.


With this being Valentine’s Day I wanted to share with you what she sent me today.

The Wonderful Someone

"It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."


John 16:7, KJV


The very promise Jesus gave us contains a name for the Holy Spirit that reveals the uniqueness of His nearness in our loneliness. This name, "Comforter," is equally translated from the Greek text into six other names, each of which describes a slightly different aspect of the Holy Spirit's precious, personal ministry in our lives:

Comforter: One Who relieves of mental distress

Counselor: One Who gives advice and manages causes

Helper: One Who furnishes relief or support

Intercessor: One Who acts between parties to reconcile differences.

Advocate: One Who pleads the cause of another.

Strengthener: One Who causes strength and endurance

Standby: One Who can be always relied upon

Can you imagine how wonderful it would be to have Someone with these attributes in your life? If you belong to Jesus, you do have that wonderful Someone. You have the Holy Spirit.

Blessings



Napkin Twist

Last weekend we hosted a small little family get together for the BIG game.


While I was getting everything all festive like…it dawned on me to share with you a little trick I learned years ago.

I like to call it the napkin twist!

Starting with a stack of napkins take a coffee cup and begin to rotate clockwise, while holding the stack of napkins in your hands.

After just a few twists you will have a perfectly pretty little stack of napkins.

 On a side note, I whipped up Ree Drummond’s Shrimpo de Gallo…delish!

Rug Doctor 101

A few weekends back, when the weather was a nice breezy 75* rather than a windy 9*, I got a wild hair!



Let’s face I have two kids and we really do “live” in our home. And after 5 years it was time to deep clean the carpets.


I debated on calling someone but loathe when they tell you one price then talk you into a ton of other things.


So, on a whim I ran into Homeland and rented this…

Wide mouth Rug Doctor…And a bottle of cleaner, $49.99!

I was about to start in the living room after moving the couch ,where I found all of Bronx’s dog balls that had be missing sense Christmas. Amoung MANY other little things. And thought, ya’ know I would have loved to hear about someone’s experience on using this thing. So I decided to document it and let you guys know.

Read and re-read the step by step directions.

And got busy.

I thought it would be pretty much be just like my mom’s carpet cleaner. Nope, this thing has some power!

I only made two swipes in the living room before I had to refill the tank. I was a bit worried about how much water the thing was using. But shockingly the carpet felt almost dry to the touch and within the hour was completely dry!




Let me remind you I have a thing for smells…this machine and cleaner had no odor what so ever. I really liked that part. No pet, smoke or god knows what smells and the cleaner was odorless. So overall I think this offered up just what I had hoped it would. And would be a great tool to use let’s say every 6 months rather than every 5 years!

Book Page Wreath

I fell in love with this idea months ago.

                                                                                        {picute emily jones design}



And after having a few fun filled snowed in days, I decided to tackle it!


I followed this tutorial and it worked like a charm.

At first I had hoped to use the music sheets I scored a few weeks back. But sadly the sheets were a bit large and just didn’t look right.

So I grabbed an old book I picked up at GW with super thin pages, super thin pages is the key.

I listened to a basketball game on the radio while making this. So my guess would be about two hours total to make this wreath, plus dry time.

Using a small paint brush  I trimmed the pages with silver glitter paint gel I picked up at Hobby Lobby. I think the bling bling added a nice touch, don’t you?

And that was it.


Total cost:


   Foam Wreath        $1.99
   Book                       $.79
   Hot Glue                 Had
   Sparkle Paint          Had
   Grand total           $2.78!






Linking up at these great blogs today Backyard Eden - Blue Cricket - Me and My Bucket -