Bookshelves

So one day I was browsing through Pinterest and came across the following picture




I thought this would be perfect for DD's room.  I was having the hardest time finding her a bookshelf that would fit her room.  Everyone I found was too big or too small, and I didn't like having all the books clumped together.  These shelves would solve that problem.  So, I went to Ikea and bought their picture ledges in black. They come in white, honey, and black.  I chose these picture ledges because I wanted my shelves to have a lip on it to hold the books in place and the width of them are perfect. Plus these ledges are great price.  The 21 5/8" (the small ledge) is $9.99 and the 45 1/4" (the long one) is $14.99.





Ikea picture ledge in honey





 I bought three small ledges and three big ledges.   I then put up a small and long ledge right next to each other and made one long shelf.  I repeated this process two other times.  These shelves/ledges are also super easy to put in.

Here is the finished project.  I absolutely love them.  One, they don't take up any floor space.  Two, they display the books so nicely and DD can pick out whatever book she wants by looking at the picture. Three, it is just a nice clean, crisp look. 

- L -

One

So today my DD turned one!

Time has really flown by and I can't believe it has already been a year.

Last week I took DD for her one year old pictures and I wanted to share them with y'all. 

Of course, I had to do the traditional smash cake pictures but those are my favorite.

My DD in her birthday outfit.  We are doing a snowflake theme party.

My DD in a ruffly romper and a nice big flower.  I am addicted to putting her in flowers.  I think they are so darn cute.

DD in her gorgeous lace dress.

I also have to brag about our photographer. She is the best. Her name is Whitney Hendrix.  She owns Simply Elegant Photography.  Whitney is so talented and has such a great eye for detail.  She also has the patience of a saint and is so sweet. I am never disappointed with any of the photographs and enjoy all our sessions.

Hope y'all enjoy the pictures as much as I do.

- L -

Stylish Dry Erase Calendar

To make a stylish dry erase calendar, I bought an inexpensive 16x20 frame from Garden Ridge.

I took the frame apart, and drew a calendar on the back of the glass with a permanent marker.  Make sure to leave a space at the top for the month.

To make the small squares, I used a cut corner of a piece of cardboard.

Next I put a neutral piece of fabric behind the glass. Put the frame back together and that's it, a stylish dry erase calendar.

- W-

Peroxide - Who Knew?

I received this email a while back and found it extremely useful, so I wanted to share it with ya'll.

I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store.

Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office?  No!! Why? Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better!

Did you also know bleach was invented in the late forties? It's chlorine, folks! It was used to kill our troops in World War II. Peroxide came into popular use during and after WWI. It was used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops and hospitals. Please think about this.

1. Take one capful and hold in your mouth for ten minutes daily, then spit it out (I do it when I bathe). No more canker sores, and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs. (good one!)

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters. (Wouldn't it be nice if restaurants would do this?)

4. After rinsing your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. Kill fungus on your feet, spray a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It  will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue. (really good one!)

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change.  (hmmm!)

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. Add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary. (It really works!)

13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.

I could go on and on.  It is in a dark bottle so it will not be degraded by UV. No home should be without it!  Just think of all the money you could save by buying only one product that can do all this.  Here's a way to save tons of money while keeping your home clean and nontoxic!  Give it a try.

- W -

Tutu Cute

I am a little late in posting this since Halloween was last Monday but, I had a crazy week last week and was unable to get to my computer.  I had a sick Hubby and a sick DD (darling daughter). Now that I am rested and rejuvenated I am ready to show you guys my little ones adorable costume.  This was her first Halloween and I decided to make her costume myself since the cost of one on Etsy was a bit out of my price range.  And I am on this homemade kick right now too.  So to make my vision of making my DD a tutu witch come to life I got some help from Oh Sew Unique Designs (you can find her on facebook).  I had her embroider a onsie with witches shoes on it. 

Then I made her tutu to match it.  I used green, orange, and black tulle.  You can buy tulle at Hobby Lobby.  Tutu's are extremely easy to make.  The best tutorial that I have found on how to make a tutu can be found on www.momdot.com/howtomakeatutu.  It is a no sew technique and just uses slip knots.  To make your tutu extra fluffy and thick looking use two pieces of tulle per knot instead of one. 

I then bought a little witches hat from Hobby Lobby and decorated it with some extra tulle that I had and ribbon.  I then hot glued a barrette onto the hat so I could attach it to a headband and put it on DD and not worry about it coming off.

DD had so much fun walking around to the different houses and she got so many compliments on her costume.  I can't wait to make her costume for next year.  I already have several ideas in mind.


- L -

DIY Subway Art

Have you seen Subway Art?  It's a really cool way to display sayings, favorite songs,  quotes, or just about anything you have in mind. The idea, is you use different fonts in different sizes and put them together on one piece. They can be any size and either framed or put on canvas.  Here are some of my favorites.

 I really loved the address one from House of Smith.  So, I decided to make a piece with the addresses of the two homes I grew up in, the house my husband grew up in, and our first place together. Here's what I did.  I started by following a step by step tutorial on I am Momma Hear me Roar to learn how to make the jpeg file. I then printed the jpg file on a 16 x 20 poster from Walgreens. Next, I modge podged the poster onto a 16 x 20 canvas.  And allowed to dry for about an hour.

 I sanded the poster with fine sandpaper to make it look vintage.

And lastly I covered the front of the poster with a thin layer of Mod Podge to seal it.

 AND.................

 my very own Subway Art.
- W -