H A L L O W E E N

Ghoulish Photo of my lil Goblins

I don't know why I didn't think to do this

earlier.  This photo is about 3 years old, but I 

absolutely love it.  My kids have grown by leaps and bounds

with two of them looking down at this mom.

I can't wait until Christmas!

My little goblins

Halloween mantle

I love the $1 and $3 bin at Target!

gold leaves-Hobby Lobby

scrapbook paper for the banner

free deer print

 hearth room

Target wreath:

added free printed halloween flags

BOO         HISS

Summer flower pots turned F A L L

Canvas, paint, glue and glitter

Let It Go ~ FROZEN Birthday Party

Viv is 5

_________________________________

~it was bound to happen~

a Frozen party

Vivian turns 5

Bitter sweet day

__________________________________

Yesterday was a wonderful day filled with family, presents, laughter and memories in the making. I'm not sure why the 5 year mark was more difficult than others, but I found myself wondering what it would have been like to be celebrating with her twin. We were thrilled and extremely nervous to find out we were expecting twins.  This would have been our 4th and 5th child.  I never really imagined having 5 children, but embraced the idea quickly and we were thrilled. At 16 weeks during my pregnancy with Vivian I lost a piece of my soul and mind (seriously, you can ask my OB doctor, as  nurse/mom I instantly became a lunatic).  Nothing in life is more devastating than losing a child, born or unborn.  Life does move on, but I can't help but wonder what my life would be like with Vivian's other half.  I do believe she got the personality of both babies.  She is more than a handful and I am convinced I am the only one who could appreciate my basement being painted with vaseline, poop in the dryer and her many creative ventures. So, if I seem too lax with my little Viv and allow her to explore her creativeness to the extreme.  Maybe it's because she is child #4 or maybe it's because I am just thankful that she can and I can share those moments with her. 

 Happy Birthday Viv and Baby B!

_____________________________________________ 

CUPCAKES

I used Duncan Hines fudge cake mix, filled with an easy chocolate ganache and topped with the best icing I have ever made, italian meringue buttercream.   I also used my new cupcake pan and liners from IKEA. 

Cupcake recipe:  http://www.thefauxmartha.com/2011/09/12/chocolate-ganache-cupcakes/

 _________________________________________________________________________________

 Free paper banner from pinterest

Free printable:  http://www.mumsnet.com/features/frozen-printable-party-pack

 My dresser that just keeps on giving!  

 Free printable and photoshop

Handmade birthday hat from her very first birthday!

 Happy 5th Birthday Vivian!

Kitchen cabinet facelift ~ Oak to Paint

I painted my oak cabinets!

Oh no...you painted over wood?  Yep, I sure did.  Yes I understand it will be the biggest pain ever if I decide I want real wood back (I mean...I might just move before I strip kitchen cabinets).  

My inspiration:  My grad school graduation present from my mom.

I love this chandelier!

Lowes: $250.00

Link:  http://www.lowes.com/pd_589389-41368-AD033-P4_0__?productId=50244043&Ntt=chandelier&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dchandelier&facetInfo=

I love the after!   I painted them with floor and porch enamel from Sherwin Williams.  

Before, we were all oaked out!

I sanded all my cabinets before painting and sealed them with a satin poly.

Painted the ceiling two shades lighter than the cabinets, although it looks like the same color here.

         and it took 2 gallons...ughhhhh!

 Going with glass knobs and pulls

Now all I need to do is replace my countertops and change the backsplash, cha ching $$$$$

American Girl Wardrobe Closet

A M E R I C A N 

G I R L

My first ever Ana White project.  Made these wardrobes for my 2 youngest and my niece for Christmas.  Took me one night to put the wood together and another 2 weeks to complete.  

I used the plans from Ana White and took the board measurements to Home Depot (who cut all my boards). 

Link to ANA WHITE:  http://ana-white.com/2011/12/plans/star-doll-closet-american-girl-or-18quot-doll

This one was made for my daughter Paige and her American Girl Caroline.

*I added scrapbook paper to the back with modge podge for the elegant wallpaper effect.

_________________________________________________________________________________

My Home Depot haul....so thankful for the guy who cut all of this!

I used a pattern and jigsaw to cut out the star pattern for the doors.

My review for Ana White is her plans are spot on and I would venture to build another piece from her plans again!  These little wardrobes are awesome and I hope that my kids, kids will play with them some day.  The good thing about using real wood instead of buying the wardrobes from Target is I know they will hold up and not be a piece of junk in a few years.  


Merry Christmas!  

Peppermint Kiss Homemade Lipgloss

P E P P E R M I N T

K I S S

 lipgloss

Homemade

~ingredients~ 

Vitamin E

Almond oil

coconut oil

peppermint oil

beeswax

cocoa butter

This really is the best for your wintery chapped lips.  Doesn't compare to the stuff sitting close by the checkout counter.  

Made it last year with the ladies, and had to rough it on my own this year.  

1/2 ounce beeswax
2 teaspoons olive oil or jojoba oil
2 teaspoons coconut oil (solid at 74º F)
1 teaspoon shea butter or cocoa butter
1/2 teaspoon pure aloe vera
1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil
5-7 drops essential oil (like peppermint or grapefruit)

In a double boiler, combine the beeswax, olive oil, coconut oil, and the shea/cocoa butter. Heat over low heat just until oils and beeswax are melted. Remove from heat. Stir in aloe vera, vitamin E, and the essential oils.

Pour the mixture into small 0.15-ounce tubes. Allow to cool completely to set.


Makes (7) 0.15-ounce lip balm tubes.

Wah-la

C H A L K M A R K E R S

 My new fav. love!  These are awesome! 

______________________________

Now...who wants to hire me to do some chalk art???

____________________________________________________________

*Asked a lady at Starbucks who was working on one of the signs what she was using...and she showed me the chalk markers.    

You can order these off Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Chalk-Classrooms-Chalkboards-Blackboards-Whiteboards/dp/B00E5VBVE4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1416523896&sr=8-2&keywords=chalk+this+way

You have to shake and push down about 100 times to get the chalk ink out and then you are good to go!

Christmas Craft

Miniature Trees and Miniature Deer Christmas Clips

Shopping List

1. Clothes pins
2. Miniature deer - $1.99 for pkg of 5 at Hobby Lobby
3. Miniature Trees- $1.99 for pkg of 4 at Hobby Lobby
4. Glitter tape
5. Hot glue

Can be clipped on top of your gifts or on your tree.  These are So Cute!!!

Cabinet Rehab

Wood you paint it?

I love the look of all these beautiful white kitchens, but have a hard time committing color to my oak cabinets.  I know this is silly, but if any of you have ever stripped paint off wood, you totally understand.  I have yet to finish the entire kitchen because as my husband stated, once it's painted I know where this is headed...#newcountertops!  Love him, he knows me so well.  

*it all started with this lovely desk from the thrift store- $35

inspiration piece

I had an ugly built in and can't find the pic of it, but trust me, it was ugly and not functional. I tried to put a buffet there and all it did was collect all the junk I could put in some drawers ;-)

BEFORE

AFTER

Lightly sanded the all of the desk except the top and that I completely sanded and stained.  Kept the original hardware...because GOLD/Brass is back baby!