Dinning Room Make-Over

I am SLOWLY working at upgrading my dinning room area. I found these beauties at St.Vinny's for just $7 a PIECE!!! They are a little stained and in need of some love but my plan is to cover them and stain or paint the legs. Time has not been my friend lately so this project may stay on my to-do list for awhile but I had to share my Fab Find!!

Happy Hunting!!

October Menu Ideas

Here they are.................Menu Ideas for October!!!

 

Happy Planning!!

Coffe Table Transformation

I found this little beauty at a Thrift Store for $5 and felt inspired. I have been wanting a small craft table for the kids and this looked just PERFECT!!!

 

 

 

 

 Here is what I did:

STEP 1- I cleaned off the coffee table so I had a clean slate to paint.

 

STEP 2- Since this was just for my house and not anything super fancy and I only had an hour nap time to do it, I skipped the stripping part and just lightly sanded the top of my table so that my chalkboard paint would adhere.  

 

STEP 3: I used a paint roller and rolled on my chalkboard paint to the top of the table. (Note: make sure your roller is not textured, mine was, which is great looking but a little tricky to clean )

 

 

STEP 4: I waited for that to dry which surprisingly did not take long. I did do about 3 coats just to be safe, and again the directions on the can said to wait 4 hours in between coats....I didn't have that kind of time ;)

 

Then I tipped it upside down and painted the legs white. Since I did not do any stripping it took a couple of coats for my paint to stick.

 

 

STEP 5: Since I LOVE the distressed look, I took the coffee table a step further and "dry brushed" some gray paint over the legs of the table.

 

That's It!!! What do you think? Not to shabby for only $5!!!

 

 

 

Now my next challenge will be finding some chairs to go with it ;) Thanks for stopping by!!

 

Old Door- REPURPOSED : Part 1!!

 

As I stated on my Fabulous Finds page, I found a couple of old doors at my local St. Vinny's for just $5 a piece!! One of the doors I used in my bedroom as a headboard, the other door was a bit more challenging because it had a window in it that I had to work with.

 

Then inspiration struck.......I LOVE the French Script look on pillows, furniture, cutting boards, etc. So I wanted to add my own French Script twist on the window of my door. Along with the French Script I wanted to incorporate our family name and the year that our family was established.  

HERE IS WHAT I DID:

STEP 1- I created what I wanted to put onto my window in Microsoft Office using the "French Script" Style Font

STEP 2-  I was recently researching free french script templates and found this great site http://thegraphicsfairy.com/category/french-typography/, she has some great free templates that you can download.

STEP 3- Since they come in a PDF I opened the file in Adobe Reader, zoomed the size down so I could see the whole document, then I took a screen shot of it by holding down the "control" key and hitting the "prt sc" key.

STEP 4- I then opened a blank document in my Photo Shop Program. I use Photo Impact but I think you could use any photo editing program. Then I right clicked and pasted the image into the blank document.  Cropped out the pieces that I wanted to use and saved them as jpeg's so I could insert them into word as pictures.

STEP 5- Then I inserted the pictures into word and moved the images around until I found a design that I liked.

*One thing that is important when you insert the pictures into Word is that when you click on the picture make sure you right click and select "Wrap Text" and the select "Behind Text". (This allows you to be able to move your images around.)

This is what I came up with:

STEP 6- Once you have the image that you want, you can save the document. If the size is right for you, you are done. If you need to make the document bigger than an 8x11 sheet of paper you will have to keep reading.

I suggest using this website: http://www.blockposters.com/step1.aspx.  This program will allow you to upload your picture and make it bigger.

REMEMBER: The program will only upload PICTURES, so you will have to make your word doc a jpeg. I suggest the screen shot technique that I described in step 3. Make sure to measure your transfer object so you know how big you need it for your surface.

   STEP 7- Ok, so now the hard part is over, you can now print off your transfer image.On the Fairy Graphics Blog she talks about a couple of different options for transferring script to different objects. 

You can read more on that here: http://thegraphicsfairy.com/12-easy-image-transfer-methods-for-diy-projects/.

Stay tuned to see how I transfer the image onto the window!! More to follow!!



How to Save $$$ on Baby Clothes

 

As moms you know how fast kids grow, especially babies between the ages of 0-2!! I never saw the point in spending a ton of money on clothes that are only going to last a month or two. So here are my top 5 tips to get good quality baby clothes for cheap.

Tip #1 Hand Me Downs

You know what they say, "the best things in life are free".....well so are the best clothes. Especially when they are just going to get spit up on and spilled down anyways. Sometimes the price is right, when it is FREE!! 

Tip #2  Garage Sales

Make sure you hit garage sale season with a vengeance. Garage sales are the best places to find baby clothes and gear. Usually you can get clothes anywhere from .25 cents to $1 a piece. I avoid garage sales where they want $2 a piece for clothes.Especially when I usually can find clothes for $2-$3 brand new from the Department Store Clearance Rack.

Tip # 3 Mom to Mom Sales

These are great for getting not only clothes, but other essential baby gear. Check your local papers for your local Mom to Mom Sales. They are better than garage sales because you are guaranteed that there are going to be baby items.

Tip #4  Second Hand Stores ( St. Vinny's , Good Will, Salvation Army, Etc.)

I LOVE 2nd hand stores!! I love the challenge of digging and finding really great stuff for cheap prices. I allot myself anywhere from 1-4 hours to dig at 2nd hand stores depending on the size of the store and what I am looking for that trip.

You can be successful too, just follow these quick tips:

#1 Make it Worth Your While!!
 You can usually tell when you walk in if it will be a hit or a miss. Give yourself an allotted amount of time to dig and if you aren't holding anything when your time is up, don't bother wasting anymore of it.

#2 The Beloved 1/2 OFF Color Tag!!
Most 2nd hand stores have signs when you walk in that will tell you if a certain color tag is half off that week. I follow the same garage sale philosophy here, I can find brand new store items for $2 - $3 so I wont pay it at Goodwill. Know the Color and keep it in the back of your mind while shopping, sometimes you can find basically the same items in the same condition but one is 1/2 off and the other is full price.

#3 DIG, DIG, DIG!!
I have made out BIG at 2nd hand stores by getting down and dirty!! I go through every rack, and bin available. I have scored some good finds from .35 cent clothes, to .90 Cent  BRAND NEW COLUMBIA Zip-Ups, to Christmas Outfits and MORE!!

#4 Plan Ahead!!
I have tubs for both of the kids from Newborn to Age 5 Clothing. If it is in awesome condition and only a dollar or two I am grabbing it, even though they don't need it now (They will need it eventually). I especially like to do this with Winter Coats, Snow Pants, Jeans, Sweaters, and Swimwear!!

#5 Know What You Have
Since I buy everything ahead of time I had to be careful not to overbuy for one size and under buy for another.

 For example, I love little boys cargo pants and I stocked up!!! So when I saw them for .65 cents I grabbed them for Coop and threw them up in the bin in his closet. When the time came for his 18 month bin to come down he had 15 pairs of cargo pants!!! I had bought him 5 khaki, 4 Brown, 2 Gray, 2 Blue and 2 Green!! Wow!!! It was a little unnecessary. I didn't know what I had so I  ended up overbuying....not a good idea.

Just remember to dig and keep in mind what you could find brand new. (Don't pay more for used when you could get new!) With many of the Department Stores taking an extra 40%-70% off the clearance price you can find some awesome department store deals, especially if you buy out of season!!!

Here is some 2nd Hand Inspiration to get you motivated !!

Coop's .90 Cent Columbia Zip-Up

$50 Graco 4-1 Convertible Crib

$4.99 Toddler Rocker
You may have also saw on my Fabulous Find Page the Toddler Rocker that I got for Coop from Goodwill for $4.99!!

Food For Thought- Don't be Afraid to Haggle
If you feel something should be a lower price, don't be afraid to ask. Most of the time people just want to get rid of the stuff. Even if they may not take your initial offer but they may come down a little.

Happy Bargining!!!

September Menu Ideas

Here are my meals for the month of September, I hope this inspires you with your monthly menu!!!

 

 

Check back each month for more menu ideas. Also, watch for my recipe of the month....coming soon.

 

If you would like to down load my menu:

Click Here

 

The Big Sandwich Recipe

OK, Here it is what you have all been waiting for....The "Big Sandwich" recipe!!! This is a BIG hit with my manly, man husband who loves MEAT, MEAT, MEAT!! 

Here is what you'll need:

1 Loaf of French Bread or A Big Round Loaf
1 Pkg of Turkey Lunch Meat
1 Pkg of Ham Lunch Meat
1 Pkg of Roast Beef Lunch Meat
8 Slices of American Cheese
2 Sticks of Butter or Oleo (Softened)
2 TBSP Minced Onions
2 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Garlic Salt
1 tsp Mustard 

STEP 1-  Mix together the Mustard, Minced Onions, Garlic Salt, Lemon Juice, and Butter until "well blended" to make a spread for your sandwich.

STEP 2- Cut Your French Loaf in half length wise. Spread the butter mixture onto each of the 2 pieces of bread.

STEP 3-  Place 4 Slices of Cheese on each of the pieces of bread. 

( I was one short so I only used 7 slices) 

STEP 5- Layer on your lunch meat

STEP 6- Wrap in Tin Foil

 STEP 7- Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Until cheese and butter are melted. 

 THERE YOU HAVE IT....

NOT THE HEALTHIEST BUT IT SURE IS TASTY!!

 

 Happy Cooking!!

Monthly Menu Meal Ideas

Ok, so yesterday I posted about the importance of having a menu to save yourself time and money while grocery shopping. Here are my meals for the month, I hope this inspires you with your monthly menu!!!

Later this week I will be making the "BIG" Sandwich which is Clint's favorite, I will post pics and the recipe later for you to try at home. I am sure it will be a family favorite!! Happy Planning!!! 

IF You Would like to download my Menu Click Here: Monthly Menu Meal Ideas

Organization = Relaxation

I have always been a semi-organized person but since my life has become extremely busy being a new mom I find that being organized actually saves me time and money!!

How I Save Time:

One thing that I hate is the horrid question of " What's for Dinner?" .....this question holds a long battle of "what do you want?.... I don't know what do you want?" This question lingers on and on and before you know it you have spent 20 minutes trying to figure what you want to cook instead of actually cooking. So before I go grocery shopping each month I plan out my menu for the month. Not only does this save me money grocery shopping, it eliminates the need to go to the grocery store everyday/week for dinner items when you already know you have the items in the house. Now I know a lot of people that think "how do I know what I am going to be hungry for a week from now?" well it is not written in stone, your monthly menu is really just 30 different options that you have for the month. If you want to have Saturday's dinner on Monday go ahead, just plan Monday's meal accordingly. I always like to give myself a couple of extra menu meals in case I am in one of those moods where nothing sounds good to me. Along with that I also like to think up a couple of lunch and breakfast ideas as well.

Leftovers Go A Long Ways:

When planning out my menu, I like to think of ways to use my time to the fullest seeing how there is never enough of it and being a mom of a toddler I now have a little person that is eating whatever I eat, so I try to eliminate my old go-tos of hot dogs and mac & cheese and try to focus on more healthy options. For example if I am cooking up pork steaks I might throw in one more than we normally eat, take that piece and cut it up, throw it in the freezer for when I get the urge to have pork chop suey. This way I have just eliminated a step for another day. I also like to plan breakfast and lunch meals the same way, I know everyone knows that the biggest way to save money is to take your own lunch to work so our left overs rarely get thrown out, but I also like to incorporate them into breakfast. For example, if I make chicken fajitas with Spanish rice for dinner, then for breakfast I may make a breakfast burrito with Spanish rice, eggs, peppers and cheese.

How I Save Money:

I save money by cutting out daily/weekly impulse buys at the grocery store by avoiding it all together. How many times do you run into the grocery store for milk and come out $50 poorer and forgot the milk you originally ran in for?  If you can plan out your month and your meals then you can avoid the extra cost of time and money of having to grocery shop every day.  Even with this routine I still have to run weekly (Especially with a toddler) for my staple items like milk and fruit, but I keep my eyes on the prize and avoid any unnecessary purchases.

Another way to save money on your monthly grocery bill is to FREEZE, FREEZE, FREEZE!! Coming from a small town sometimes when you have to run into a grocery store for items like cheese or bread it can end up costing you double what you could get from a bigger grocery store. So when I go on my monthly shopping trips I stock up on bread, cheese, coffee creamer, butter, etc. that I can buy excess of and throw in the freezer to pull out when needed for the month.

Healthy is Key:

I like to pack healthy snacks in my lunch and try to avoid to many unfulfilling "snack" items, especially for my toddler at home. Alot of times if you can take some time out of your Sunday (Nap time is usually good for this) and pre-pack your lunch for the week you can give yourself and your family lots of easy grab snack options. Such as: cheese & crackers, fruit, yogurt, trail mix, veggie sticks, nuts and cottage cheese.

Planning not only saves you stress, it saves you money!! Before you take your next shopping trip try planning out  at least a week of meals ahead of time if doing the whole month is overwhelming to you. Later this week I will post a list of Menu Ideas that you can use when planning your monthly menu. Happy Organizing!!!

Welcome to My Life....

I have been married to my wonderful husband Clint for 4 years and we have two children; Cooper who is 2 and our newest addition Kensley who is 8 wks. Between chasing after a toddler, adjusting to a newborn, work, laundry, dinner, grocery shopping, bills, and all the other responsibilities that come with being a mom I have quite the busy life. Aside from my household and parental responsibilities I enjoy bargain hunting, cooking, crafts, photography, and when I find the time relaxing. This is my blog about all the different aspects and interests of my life and how I find the time to get to them all.