Happy Green Day!

Here is my beautiful boy before school...I ironed the underneath shirt...he added the flannel...puzzling since it was in the high 50's today??  But he's SO cute and SO good and SO wonderful...who cares!  He could wear a paper bag and be adorable!  He's so busy these days with the middle school play...Cinderella.  He's also working on his second degree black belt in TaeKwonDo and in a number of other school activities so I miss him...A LOT!  

This is my cute girl after a long day of school and hip hop dancing...I made her model headbands so I could post my activities on facebook!  She did wear a headband similar to this today for green day...she also wore a shamrock shirt and rainbow socks...she looked ADORABLE!  Yesterday we had a girl day and I let her play hooky.  I will post about that later...(here's a hint...it was FUN!)

Anyway...happy St. Patrick's Day to you...we celebrated with surprise shamrock shakes Chris brought home...yum!

Spring Cleaning...and other Stuff!

It's March.  Just a few more days until it's "officially" Spring.  To many this means birds chirping, trees budding, flowers breaking their beautiful green stems through the dirt preparing to dazzle us all with their  beauty...a relief after a L..O..N..G  winter.  To me it means it's TIME TO CLEAN!  

A few of my favorite blogs are challenging readers to purge while cleaning.  I love this idea!  Of course this idea is presented days before I start teaching kindergarten full time until the end of the school year so I have to vastly scale down such an ambitious plan.  I started with our Master Bath with hopes to just wipe away all the baby powder and throw out some expired toiletries...well...4 garbage bags later (and 2 hours) I was done and it felt GREAT!  I didn't take "before" pictures on purpose...too gross!  But here are some snazzy "after" shots for you to admire!

                                               

Most of the bags came from this closet.  I downsized many of the bins from medium to shoe box size!   I threw out all those OLD little shampoo and lotion bottles from hotels we visited YEARS ago (yuck!)  I also unearthed a First Aid kit given to us before we married...almost 18 years ago!  We've NEVER used it...good bye!   Now our closet is home to necessary supplies.  Everything is labeled and the bottom shelves house my cleaning supplies.  Nice!

                                                    

This drawer is home to all my hair-doing supplies and it was a tangled MESS!  Now it's clean and organized.  I will no longer spend time in the morning untangling cords so I can dry my hair or plug in my flat iron...AHHHH!

                                                  

On a regular day I would NEVER show ANYONE my bathroom cabinet but I am so proud of my newly organized...clean...space!  I am hoping this will shave 5-10 minutes off my morning routine!

                                                    

Here is the view under Chris' sink...he's so pretty he doesn't need all the beauty supplies I need!  (Isn't that the truth...guys just get better with age...ugh!)

Although I only cleaned and purged one room in my house I am hopeful I can hit a few more spaces before summer officially starts...I'll keep you posted.  Until then check our this and this...these girls are getting it done!!!

Terrariums...BEAUTIFUL!

     Well...if you've gotten the latest Pottery Barn catalog you know that terrariums are all the rage this spring.  I actually made a few this past weekend and I am REALLY impressed with the results!  Terrariums are easy to make...and FUN!  (This is a good spring project for those anxious to get outside and start digging in the dirt!)

I've been on the prowl for information about terrariums...looking for cool little factoids and what to include in a children's piece I am working on...but there are also tons of great YouTube videos as well!   Pretty much everything I've read led me to make the following supply list...

1.  potting soil
2.  ground charcoal (I'll explain this in a bit.)
3.  gravel or small rocks
4.  clear glass containers with or without lids
5.  plants with the same growing requirements
6.  decorative elements (optional)

(Total side note...looking at these photos just solidifies my decision to repaint my laundry room this summer...a soft cool blue maybe?  I don't like the red anymore...AT ALL!)

I have these FABU glass containers I bought a few years ago at the local Home Goods.  They've traveled all over my house and been home to glass ornaments, pine cones, and fake lemons.  They are so versatile... I had to have them...and...they make PERFECT terrariums!!   I decided to make terrariums in all 3 so I could spread them out around the house and add a bit of green in anticipation of spring!

I headed to Home Depot thinking I'd be able to purchase everything on my list.  Here is where it got tricky.  I found potting soil (obviously) and some great succulents but I couldn't find the charcoal (and I knew I could find stones cheaper!)   While doing research I found out that charcoal is an important ingredient because it helps keep your terrarium mold-free.  I know I can use all the help I can get when it comes to growing anything so I brought my succulents home and checked online as to where I would find charcoal.  (Here is where I give BIG kudos to my WONDERFUL husband because he told me I should go to the pet store.)  I headed to Pet Co and purchased the last 2 items on my list...charcoal ($10.99)  and gravel ($3.99 a bag)  which I found in the aquarium section.

The first step for me was to rinse out my jars and dry them well.  I made sure not to use any chemicals to clean out the jars for fear this may hurt the plants.  Next, I put about one inch of gravel in the bottom of each jar for drainage.

                                               

Then sprinkle about 1/2 an inch of charcoal over the gravel...

                                                 

                                                     

After the charcoal goes the potting soil.  These three items should take up about 1/3 of your glass container.

Finally...the FUN part...the plants!  When selecting my plants I tried to pick a variety of color and again, pick plants with similar growing requirements.  Before you place each plant in your terrarium you want to gently shake off excess soil and loosen the root ball a bit.

Finally...I chose to use a squirt bottle to water my plants.  You never want to over water a terrarium.  A spritz with a bit of water should do the trick...and then the cover...and I was DONE!

These beauties now live in my family room ...and I LOVE how they turned out.  I made another one with a skinny, taller glass container but I had to add one more plant to that one so back to Home Depot for another plant.  The third terrarium is on a table at the top of my stairs and it looks so cute!  

As far as my research about children's terrariums I learned that kids can make them in glass jars that can be recycled like pasta jars.  I also read that some terrariums can house small pets.   This was a fun project and one that I intend to repeat with my kids.  I think the kids will most likely want to add decorative elements like favorite stones or mini figures.  

One last bit of important info...when your terrarium plants start to grow bigger, they can be split and replanted.  You don't want the plants to completely take over all the space in the container...it should look like a tiny habitat!  

I am linking up here...

                                            

Kids Summer Clothing...How I Organize (and Make Money)

I don't know about you but my DARLING daughter likes to wear summer clothes ALL YEAR LONG!  I swear she was born that way.  She thinks it's always shorts weather and would go without a coat all winter long if she could.  Well...sister...we live in the Midwest so it's cold 9 months of the year and we can't live in shorts.  I actually had to start packing her summer clothes away right before Halloween.  I've been doing it for years so I have a system down and I'd like to share it...for all of you who tend to have piles and pile of out of season clothes sitting around that make you feel overwhelmed.

Step 1:  Around October I set aside a few hours to  pull out all the kids summer clothes and go through them.  I usually find this easiest to do in their rooms so I always am sure to do 2 things... 

(Above pile is for "give away" but boy has some little cousins who will love getting some of his character shirts!)

1.  Make sure your children are not home or are occupied so as not to disturb you worse yet, cry when you decide it's time to let go of that FAVORITE cover up that has seen better days!

2.  You will need 1 tub per child and then a larger tub to store Consignment Store items.   I only use tubs with lids so while they are in storage all winter they are stackable.  So, for 2 children I will need 2 medium bins and 1 larger bin.  My consignment bin is white to blend in with my closet and the kids bins are clear on the bottom so I can see what items are in each from a glance.  I got the flatter, rectangular bins that can easily slide under a bed.  Don't get me wrong, I can't actually put my daughter's bin there because then she would pull out her hippest sundress in the middle of a blizzard.  Nope, I put her bins on the top shelf of her closet so even with a chair she cannot reach it!  (Mean Mom!)

(Top bin goes in daughter's closet...big white bin gets put in my closet.  If my closet wasn't big enough I'd put it in the basement or attic.)

Step 2:  I go through each item and decide if it's bound for  consignment or can make it another year in my child's wardrobe.  As they get older lots of summer items can actually make it more than one year.  Especially if it was roomy the summer before.  If it's a keeper it goes in the smaller bin folded to lay VERY flat.  You can get more items in the bin that way.  If it's bound for the consignment shop I check VERY carefully for stains.   If there are stains or if the items needs any repairs then it goes in a pile for later attention.  If not it goes in the bin.

Step 3:  I am sure to wash and treat stains RIGHT AWAY.  This is key because when it's time to send these items to the consignment shop I don't have to worry about them being rejected for stains.

Step 4:  Put your items away.  I am sure to call the Consignment shop a few months before each season to find out when they are taking new items.  For example, it's March 2nd and I just dropped my spring/summer bin off today.  I use a Consignment shop in Morris, IL called "Still Stylin"  They have a big following and fair prices.  Here is my trick though...BEFORE I drop off my items I iron/steam each one.  Dresses from the dry cleaners are still hanging on the hangers and items are looking their best.   This is the best way to ensure that the shop owner will want to keep and sell your items.  I also think items go faster when they are in good shape and look like they've been cared for.  

(My ironing pile for today...makes the clothes look like new.)

That's it.  Pretty easy if you have a plan and execute it all in one day.  I had both kids try on the items I kept for this summer and it gives me an EXCELLENT idea of what each child needs and sizes so if I'm out and I see a good deal I can be a confident shopper.

(Here are the Consignment Store items.)

(These bags are Goodwill or BUST!)

I hope my system helps you out even a little bit.  I feel better knowing that I am recycling my kids clothes.  BTW... the clothing items that have permanent stains or are out of style go to a local charity.  I make a little money to put toward new clothes and I'm not wasting money on clothes my kids don't need.   Now if I could just convince my kids that even though it's March...it's still 39 degrees and they need their winter coats and hats!!!  (but that's for another day!)

Fun Weekend and Cute Bags! (What Could Be Better?)

Here's a little 411 on this past weekend...it was SO much FUN!  Let's go in the way back machine to last November.  We traveled to Champaign, IL (in the in-laws' RV) to visit my cousin and her family and attend a U of I football game.  The husbands were psyched to tailgate with the RV for the mere fact that they wouldn't have to travel far to use the bathroom (really?)  We left on a Saturday morning and picked them up in our glorious ride to head STRAIGHT for the tailgating area.  When my fabulous cousin loaded her tailgating items in the RV I immediately noticed her AWESOME bags!  I was in awe.  I couldn't stop drooling over them...but the big question..."WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE CUTE CUTE CUTIE CUTE BAGS??"  Mind you, I think I said that before I even said "hello" because I LOVE A CUTE BAG!!!  (I'm sorry but...who doesn't?)

My cousin told me about a company called "31"...I'd never heard of it but I was TAKEN with all the CUTE bags in their catalog!  She'd been to a few shows so she had LOTS  to show me.  I was hooked...I needed some 31 bags...but HOW?  I'd never heard of the company.  ME!  The girl who has had almost every home party known to mankind!  I knew I'd have to do some investigating.  Well...I didn't have to look far...a few months later my cousin called me to tell me she was becoming a 31 consultant...YIPEE!  I immediately told her I'd have a party and the planning began.  It had to happen soon because Momma wanted a cute polka dot purse for spring!

This past weekend we hosted a 31 party while the dads and kids went to a local pizza joint to hang out.  We had a GREAT time!  I had a wonderful group of women over to oooh and ahhh over the catalogs and all of my cousin's demo bags....what do you think happens when you get a group of women together with cute bags and endless possibilities?  Loads of shopping!

  But we weren't the only ones who had fun...the kiddos turned my basement into play central and even had a sleepover down there!  

We all got to catch up and it was a wonderful weekend!  Thanks Sara and John for making the trip simply to  sell some bags!  Kate and Griff...your cousins love you tons!  Here's to another fun weekend sometime soon!  If you are interested in 31 bags or just want to check out the catalog go here.  My cousin, Sara Doyle will be VERY HAPPY to help you.  

I will post when all the cute loot comes in!  Until then...I will hopelessly stalk the UPS delivery man!

Pink Room Projects....Take 1,000!!!!!

Yes...another project in the "Pink Room!"  When I FINALLY finish this room my darling daughter will want to change it.  I just know it!  Oh well!  We rearranged her furniture after the holidays and it left me with this blank wall in the corner...

I don't like blank walls but what to do?  What to do?  I decided to take a cue from Centsational Girl and try an edited version of this.  The girl creates a lot of art and decorating her room with it would really be a "win-win" for us both.  Now...here is the FRUGAL part....I already had all the items to create the idea I had in my head....

1.  frames

2.  white spray paint

3.  clips

4.  IKEA shelves

5.  art!

I had my WONDERFUL hubby hang 2 IKEA picture ledges I got from my sister....about 2 years ago!  (I knew they would come in handy some day!)  

No, he's not scowling...he has a something in his mouth.  "Bad idea, honey!"  Anyway...he was quite THRILLED with another "honey do" job...really!  I don't think I give him enough (HA!).  So, I had all the frames...just add a bit of white paint and some Tim Holtz bronze mini clips and "Tah Dah!"

I have yet to hang art in the 3 empty frames because I have yet to get my handy man back in there to put the necessary hardware in to hold them up....(shhhh!  They are currently just hanging there via some Sticky Tack!   Not the frames...the clips.  The frames are mounted on the wall with Command Velcro picture hangers...LOVE them!)  I got the idea to hang empty frames and put clips in them from Family Fun magazine.  I think it was in an issue last year.  The idea behind it is so that children can hang their own art and switch it out by themselves.  GENIUS!  I thought so and this idea has been tucked in a corner of my little brain for months....now I can free that corner up for something important!  The empty frames were from my local thrift store, the other 2 frames were hand-me-downs from my Mother (thanks Mom!) and they originally came from Pottery Barn (score!)  I love that my sweet little pink thing can create something new and display it immediately...not when Mommy gets around to it!  (whew!)  

Now...would you like to hear about our next little project in this pink room?   Well...this one kind of came about because SOMEONE...I won't name any names...decided to hang from her curtains and PULLED THE HARDWARE AND MOLLIES RIGHT OUT OF THE WALL!!!! (ugh!)  Look!

Here is where the CUTE Pottery Barn tie backs USED TO BE!!!!

But wait!  I start thinking..."Look at how clean it looks.  Uncluttered...no more yaya around the window...hmmm....maybe that little turkey did me a decorating favor???"

After a mini conference with hubby the executive decision was made to spackle...paint...and leave it bare!  The trim is beautiful...and the magazine rack that I hung a year AFTER the curtains is now not so crowded.  I think maybe a cute handmade pennant banner would be fun hanging at the top of this window???  Maybe with some of the old curtain fabric along with fabric from the  NEW upholstered headboard we are making this summer...OH THE PROJECTS KEEP COMING!!!!  YIPEE!  (Insert groan from husband here!) lol!  Oh well!  Bring on the spackle!

I'm having a 31 Party tonight...ever heard of it?   If not...go here and check it out!  My amazing cousin Sara would be happy to help you out!  She's driving here as we speak from Champaign, IL just to do a party for me!!!  xoxo to Sara!  So...enjoy your weekend!  I know I will!

p.s.  Look what we did with the knobs off the PB tie backs...so cute!!!

I am linking up here:

I Am Not A Killer! (Proof Below!)

Here is the "plant in question" right before his transplant.

OK...the title is dramatic but you have NO IDEA how excited I am right now!  I am kicking myself for not taking the ever popular "Before" pics because I NEVER NEVER NEVER in a million years thought I'd ever be posting about how I SAVED a plant. Yes, me...the black angel of plant death!  I SAVED not one but...TWO...YES TWO...COUNT THEM...1....2...PLANTS!  Here is how the story played out.  

A few months ago I was in hubby's basement office (if you've read previous blog posts you know...not my favorite space so I must REALLY love him...or need something).  I noticed that the ivy plant I bought him at IKEA was for lack of a better term...dying.  I decided since I'd spent good money on this plant...and I did go to college for goodness sake...I should be able to keep one tiny house plant alive.  Right?  Well, I tried anyway.  I brought it upstairs to the kitchen.  A much much MUCH sunnier place, trimmed off the brown leaves and gave it a big drink of water.  Then I set it on my kitchen island and waited.  Before I knew it the little guy came back to life.  And...a few months later he's GROWING!!  Yipee for me but not really blog worthy material...until yesterday! 

 I do really feel bad sometimes that my sweet, tolerant husband is stuck in the basement all day and I actually had 3 plants in his office.   I purchased  1 cactus (a U of A reminder for him...can't really kill those), one ivy that was now on my kitchen island and a mini philodendron.  Those are the wonderful plants for people like me.  Beautiful, green and can't be killed even if you douse them in gasoline and start them on fire...ok...maybe then but let's just say those babies have a will to live like no other house plant on the planet!  Anyway, 2 days ago I took one look at his mini philodendron and decided I had to be the paramedic.  It was PATHETIC to say the LEAST!  Here is where the kicking of myself comes in because if I were on my A-Game I would have snapped a "Before" shot.  I guess I have an extremely low self image when it comes to all things green because I NEVER thought I'd actually save the thing...BUT I DID!!!!  YES I DID!  IT LIVED! I gave it some water and put it under my pretty glass bell thing (no idea what the real name is...but they are CUTE!)  

I had the glass dome thing in the basement.  It is usually the cover for the guy I affectionately refer to as "Sparkly Santa"...but I may have to make other plans for the guy in the red suit because look at this...

(insert "ooohhhs and aaaahhhhs" here!)

Here are the two beauties I saved from sure basement death!  Aren't they GREAT?!  I actually replanted the philodendron once I was sure he was going to live.  He now resides happily in a Crate & Barrel chili bowl (I registered for like 50 when I got married 17 years ago..why??)  filled with a bit of tiny pebbles on the bottom...like this...

I didn't even need to add any more dirt.  I cleaned up the glass dome thing-y...here is what it looked like before a tubby...all humid and wet...

(note the brown paper bag in the background...I am making a trio salad for dinner...found it here...and I need them to ripen ASAP!)

Anyway, to some of you this may be no more than the ramblings of a crazy lady.  To those of you who know me well I hope your mouths are gaping open over the wonder of it all!  I think there will be more live green things around here soon...just to ward off any more snow and remind me that spring time and outdoor planting is really just around the corner!  (And yes, Mom, since you are enjoying sunny Marco Island...they may even come from you house...HA!)