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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

This year's Christmas Reality

My Smith Clan

I have to say Christmas this year didn't turn out the way I had envisioned in my mind.

I planned on having home made Christmas pajamas for all six of us this year....didn't get very far.  Too many sewing machine issues :)

I didn't host a Christmas tour of my home....
   because I barely got around to putting up the tree and a few lights around the house...sigh

We had frozen pizza for dinner on Christmas Eve.......there goes a nice "traditional" dinner :)
I didn't even get around to making a nice dinner for Christmas Day.....but that's okay.

My kids spent WAY to many hours in their comfortable PURCHASED pajamas......and we played with every toy ten million times....watched movies.....and visited family.

I am starting to realize that the best things in life are SIMPLE....

One of my main goals for 2011 is to SIMPLIFY life.
This is very hard for me since I have so many interests.....but I know in the end it will be worth it!

Here are my goals so that I have someone to answer to and I have someone to check in to :)

Take more time to pamper myself.
Smile more....because a bad attitude melts away quickly if I can just smile.
Never have more than two projects going at once :)   I NEED HELP ON THIS ONE!
Delegate ALL sewing responsibilities for my business!!
Do what I love!....blog more, create more, laugh more, spend more time with my kids and husband because they are what matters.
Serve others without a second glance.
Dare to dream and do what we want to do!
ALWAYS have a prayer in my heart......everything falls into place when we truly trust who is really in charge :)

What are your goals for 2011?

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Top Ten Color Trends for Spring 2011

Peter Som
Peter Som







As a self proclaimed fashion designer one of my jobs is to find out what the colors and trends for the new year are going to be.

If you are not familiar with Pantone Colors, it is a color forecasting company that does important research to predict and create the top colors for the year.
These colors apply to fashion as well has home decor.
Marc Jacobs


 Honeysuckle
Color of the Year!

I can definitely see this in a girls room, but not my family room.
Here are the other color trends for interior design for 2011.
Courtesy of Trendland.net.


Going from left to right they are:
Honeysuckle
Regatta
Coral Rose
Beeswax
Peapod
Blue Curacao
Russet
Silver Peony
Lavender
Silver Cloud

If you are thinking of re-doing a room keep these up-to-date colors in mind!
I am celebrating by changing the color of my blog :)
Have a Merry Christmas!












Honeysuckle - PANTONE 18-2120






Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Kitchen Wall Sneak Peak

I love this look!

I have been dying to get going on the kitchen re-do!
 I was trying to wait until after Christmas to start the chaos of redoing a kitchen, and trying to LIVE normally.

If you are new here and don't know how small my kitchen is, then you should know that it is a very LONG AND NARROW kitchen with very little cabinet or counter space.

On the other hand....that factor alone might motivate me to hurry up and get this project done!
....There are always scads of half-done projects waiting for me :)

Here is a picture of the kitchen wall right now.......
I will add a better photo once my camera is charged.  This is from photo booth on my mac....not a very wide scope of things.

It looks just like this on both sides of the window.
 This area was used as our eating area, but didn't allow all of us to sit together around the table.

  Pretty boring.  I am patching holes in the wall from some shelves that I had up at one point.   This is more of a walk way from the front eating area to the family room so I wanted some interest, but not much sticking out.  Better pictures to come!

Here is what I want it to look more like.
I ADORE board and batten!
http://www.thenester.com/2010/05/board-and-batten.html


Here is a post from the nester when she did her board and batten on her wall.  It instantly transforms a plain looking wall into something with character and dimension....the best part....it is one of the least expensive updates you can do to a home!
http://www.thenester.com/2010/05/board-and-batten.html

Here are some more of my favorites!
http://tancamjenksfam.blogspot.com/2010/03/recap-of-redo.html
http://fromhousetocozyhome.blogspot.com/2009/02/everything-room-revealfinally-done.html

This is genius for the entryway!
http://www.frugalhomedesigns.com/2010/01/board-and-batten-entrywaycoat-rack.html


Have you ever done board and batten?  Any ideas for making it easier?
Happy Holidays!







Saturday, December 18, 2010

Free Printable Christmas Tags

Looking for a cute way to dress up your gift giving?
One day when my kids no longer live at home I will have beautiful, fragile gifts under the tree...lol


I found out about some FABULOUS AND FREE Christmas tags that can be printed right off your own computer!  All you need is some cardstock and a printer!
Decorchick made a beautiful post with pictures of her own version of the tags here.

http://www.decorchick.com/christmas/dressing-up-your-gifts-free-printable-tags-alert/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Decorchick+%28Decorchick%21%29


Here is the direct link if you would like to print your own tags...
http://jonesdesigncompany.com/stationery/gift-tags/

Here are some other links for printable goodies!

http://www.mintprintables.com/gift-tags/christmas/
http://holidays.momsnetwork.com/introgifttags.shtml
http://www.freeprintablegifttags.net/category/christmas
http://www.livinglocurto.com/2009/12/free-printable-christmas-tags/

These are just a few that I googled.

I still need to wrap my gifts and show you my tags this week!!

Friday, December 17, 2010

The Winter Time Inspires Me.....

AmeliaKayPhotographyFound on Etsy.com


The winter time inspires me with beachy looking images!


Even when I should be obsessed with Christmas right now.

........What's funny is that I've only been to the beach TWO times in my entire life!
SeaLilyStudioFound on Etsy.com

I've been thinking of decorating my home in a more beachy theme lately.  I already have the aqua and turquoise down.  I want to add more white, wood tones, and starfish to my home.
House of Turquoise


I am trying to get my walls neutral so that on a whim I can decorate whatever mood I am in.
....Just throw in some accessories and you have a whole new room!
http://theletteredcottage.net/our-summer-mantel


I've never been very fond of the cold or winter time.  Maybe this is my minds way of making it through the winter!

Anyone else really not fond of the winter time?


I am even thinking of a nautical inspired design for my swimwear collection.
Hmmmm....




These are a few fabrics I found that I might do something with.

What do you think of the whole nautical theme?  Good for decor or clothing?

Thursday, December 16, 2010

The Winner of the Christmas Giveaway!


I am so excited to announce the winner of my Christmas Giveaway today!

Cerena Leigh has been chosen randomly!!!!

Cerena Leigh said...

I love the ellie polka dot top with fold down top!

Cerena Leigh

Congratulations!

If you didn't win.....there will be many, many more giveaways from my blog in the near future!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Last Chance to Win a Fabulous Pair of Shoe Clips!!!

Today is the last day to enter to win this adorable shoe accesory!
In classic black, white, and red nonetheless!
Wouldn't they look GREAT paired with your favorite black dress for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Years!?1?

Here is what to do to enter to win.
-If you already aren't a follower become one. Also leave a comment and let me know what your favorite thing is in my Etsy shop.  http://www.blackandwhiteapparel.etsy.com/

-I will enter you TWO MORE TIMES if you purchase or order something from my shop!  You also get a 10% discount for purchasing during the giveaway. 

This contest closes December 15th!  I will choose the winner and ship the winners goody off to them in time for Christmas!  Good Luck!!!
-

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Get Organized for the New Year

I received one of my favorite magazines in the mail today...Better Homes and Gardens.  I admit it. 
Not only am I a blog junkie, but also a magazine junkie!  Born and raised....so is my Mom.
I blame her for getting me started!

They have a website and some links to help you get organized for the new year...so I could not resist sharing some of my favorites with the links here.

A storage plan that is done for you already.  For the whole year!!!
My favorite is the kids rooms.  I need all the help I can get there!

http://closetresources.com/gallery/kids-room/awhite-detailed2.jpg
I love the colors in this room.  I love cubbies!
BHG.com/storageplan

For a more organized kitchen that won't break the bank.

http://0.tqn.com/d/personalorganizing/1/7/T/4/-/-/MD106055KITCHENCABINETS_SHOT1_22420.jpg
I love to have dishes displayed and everything else put away!
BHG.com/kitchenstoragetips

For a cleaner entryway.

http://www.ohdeedoh.com/uimages/ohdeedoh/2008-05-05-inspiration.jpg
I like this because it is clean enough with kids and so much fun!
Interesting how white walls are back in.
BHG.com/entrystorage

For a less messy office.

http://www.howtostayorganized.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/office.JPG
I like how there is some kind of clutter on the bulletin board, but then everything else is tucked away into compartments.
BHG.com/clutterfreeoffice

Hopefully this will help with any budding New Year's notions.
Just think.....with a plan to help you do something every week to the room of the month through the year long planner it could become more than just a resolution!! 
Good luck!  We ALL need it!!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Gift Certificates Available for Christmas!


Hello!
   I wanted to let everyone know that I now offer gift certificates to my shop!
....Perhaps for the husband who wants to get his wife something sweet but isn't exactly sure what she wants.
Personally, I love gift certificates....especially for clothes.  So talk your husband into a gift certificate for that killer swimsuit from my shop or that perfect black dress....available this week:)

I can do whatever amount you would like with a custom listing!  I will send the gift certificate within 24 hours of purchase to your e-mail...or his on a pdf.

Happy Holidays!!

Kitchen Cabinet Inspiration

House of Turquoise Blog


I have looked and looked for a picture that absolutely describes the color and style I want my cabinets to be with my kitchen re-do!
I have finally found it.....and now my husband will know what I'm talking about!

I am so excited to really get going on the kitchen re-do.

I also absolutely love the dark floors in there too.  We are hoping sometime soon to install some dark laminate or medium-dark laminate throughout our house!!

If you haven't entered my giveaway for some fabulous shoe clips yet here is the link!
http://abeautifulcottagehome.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-giveaway.html

Friday, December 10, 2010

Christmas Inspiration- Mommy Survival Kit

One of my favorite blogs that I check every.single.day.  has a great post today! 
Brooke at allthingsthrifty.com is a thrifty Utah mom who came up with the genius idea to have a kit full of things that you always need when you are out and about with your kids.  I love the idea....because I am never prepared when it comes to this stuff.




If you would love to make one yourself head over to her guest post at Infarrantly Creative for the how-to!
http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2010/12/day-17-moms-essential-kit.html

Thursday, December 9, 2010

My Motivation to Clean THE Bedroom!

I needed to have an excuse to motivate myself to clean the bedroom because it is my least favorite room and no one sees it.  Now that I can see my bedroom floor thanks to the hubby:)......I wanted to organize it a bit and add something new to it for fun.

I either threw away or curbed much of this stuff!
I feel so much better doing my semi-annual dejunk fest:)
......So today I rearranged it and wanted to show you a little project that has recently been added to my all too long list of projects.....because sometimes I think I'm ADD!

I took my dresser from an old seventies oak version to a sweeter anthropoligie like dresser.  I still have the second coat and glaze to put on it...as well as the hardware, but I had to show you what it looks like so far.

and have started to make it into THIS!

I had a before picture that was hideous, but it ended up being lost!  Oh how I wish I could show you what a transformation it has been!


I love the stripes that were so conveniently painted on the wall for me when we moved in, BUT one problem.....not much color here......
     ......hence the color inspiration for my dresser!
           ......and guess what?  I mixed this color with some paint I already had and so it cost me nothing whatsoever to do....just time.  I love to paint so that isn't a problem.
   Pretty sure that if I went more than a month without painting something I'd go into a very deep depression.


I spray painted the drawer pulls and they look awesome!  I will post when I have the whole thing done....since I like to make my rounds on all of my projects before I get the actual one done:)
Where the bed used to be.  Don't you just love the shades in the window?  I don't....still am wanting to make curtains to put up.  One day at a time....one day at a time.


I have always struggled with the layout of this room because there aren't too many ways to arrange it.
There is a door adjoining the boys' room and we have one oddly placed window and one large window on two other walls. 
So I decided to move the bed back to the one blank wall So I can maybe add something above the bed for a little ..zing!

I love the bedspread but may later change that to something lighter.  In case you were wondering where I got the bedspread it is from Wal-mart.  It came with the pillow shams and the bed skirt for like $60.00.  It is super soft and pretty!
The blue pillows with the flowers were a find at the local Big Lots a couple of years ago.
The one blue pillow is a goodwill find and the white one I made out of a full size bed pillow.
Still trying to decide what I want there.  I love the style of aeropostale and pottery barn!
   ......But the question is Can they be mixed together? 
I always felt bad for my Mom who so lovingly has tried to pin down my style for years on clothing and decor.  Sometimes she really hits the nail on the head.....I really don't have a rhyme or reason to my style.
.......I just like what I like.
My style also changes from room to room because I'm weird like that.

Any of you out there who are like this?
While going through the junk in the corner of THE bedroom I found these nifty hooks that just stick to the wall with one swoop.  This morning my hubby told me we needed a hook to hang up his wet towel after his morning shower.  The reason it is harder to hang up our wet towels in the bathroom is because the bathroom is in the back of the house and our bedroom is in the front of the house.....great floor plan right?
So here you go.

This thing was cool because it just stuck to the wall,  but it has fallen down a few zillion times.  Anyone ever hotglue anything to the wall before?  I am tempted.
I spray painted these "shutters" a while back to go on either side of the window and just now hung them up.
I am pretty much hating those blinds but I haven't quite figured out what I want to do that won't cost an arm and a leg....and I am cheap so it will have to be something really great and thrifty.
Any ideas?

The "shutters" are actually two sections of a trifold room divider that I had forever but one of the sections broke off.  So I spray painted them two summers ago and have used them all over the house ever since.  I love them because they are versatile!
 .....To hang them I added the picture hangers with the teeth.  I used two for each and then I hung them. 
..........Not sure if they are exactly straight....my husband teases me when I hang things because it usually ends up crooked:(

Check back on some more upcoming project posts!!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

31 Tips to a Less Messy Cottage- Tip 9 and FOR ALL THOSE WHO GET DISCOURAGED WITH HOUSE WORK!

This post is dedicated to all those who have felt like failures as homemakers because they couldn't keep up!  I have been feeling that way lately! 

It is really important to me to have a home that is charming, comfortable, and my families personality.  I also believe in having a clean home but sometimes it is really hard to stay caught up when I feel like I'm the only one striving for this goal. 
So this post is for trying AGAIN and having hope for a comfortable, organized, reasonably clean home.
BECAUSE let's face it....I'm not the only one who has ever felt this way!

LABELS

Some of you might think this is really really weird.....but I am a huge fan of labels. 
Not just on cookie jars, but like on everything.  So that me and my family can remember where things go.

For a while I have really struggled with organization in our new home.  Well 2 1/2 years ago it was new to us.  Before this we lived in a townhome that had a different set-up and was a little bit bigger.  I realized how much that really worked for us....after we moved out.  Don't get me wrong....I like my house but it can be really really challenging to have a place to put things here.

So I was thinking the other day about how much more organized things were when we lived there.  One of the main things was that I labeled EVERYTHING.  If you have labels then you AND your family have no excuse to put things back because IT'S PRETTY MUCH SET IN STONE. 
A very nice woman by the name of Christy Yowd came to our church one night to teach us how to be organized.  By profession she is a professional organizer and helps people with their mayhem.
She had many GREAT tips.....and one of them was to use labels.  I tell you after I started labeling things my house became so much less cluttered because if there isn't a place to put it....then it doesn't get labeled but thrown out. 
It is a great concept!  When I first heard this I thought it might be a little too OCD clean for me, but then I tried it (and it takes a long time.) and it worked! 

First of all...my house was absolute mayhem this week!  Not only that but my Mother and Father-in-law came and saw how bad it was.  Decided to throw some stuff out...again.  HELLO MR. GARBAGE, DI, AND CURB....nice to see you AGAIN!

I will not lie to you and make you think that just because I blog doesn't mean my house doesn't get awful sometimes!  It is such a process...and so much work to focus on all the time.  I have a husband, four little BOYS, and a side business that keeps me sane for the most part.  That is a lot to focus on.
But here we go again...and with the labels everything should find it's place.
....enough with the rambling and onto what I did today.

MY BATHROOM




Under the sink only held the toilet bowl brush so I thought I would make it more storage friendly.
Now no-one can complain about not knowing where their toothbrush is:)

Closeup of the labels that I made with my label maker.  Or if you have a Silhouette Machine like I wish I did....you can make the labels even cuter.  When I took this I probably shouldn't have made the toothbrushes front and center.  I only have four kids but they constantly lose their toothbrushes in random places so this is just in case.

These are the storage nooks in my not-so-charming-but-could-be-charming-bathroom.
One day I will remodel this room, but for now I can be happy it's now organized.

A basket just for my bubble bath and nail polish that hopefully is enough out of reach from the kiddos.

I pretty much removed all the extra junk and made a basket for me, my hubby, and our extra toiletries.  Then I made sure that there was a place to put extra towels and a trash can.  If you don't have a trash can in your bathroom you should because it will keep things tidy.  I had to make a label for our trash can because it always disappears.  If there is a label there will be no excuse and evidence if it is missing in action.

I hope I didn't bore you to death with my bathroom posts!  There will be something new everyday!



Christmas Giveaway!

I have a surprise for all of you out there who LOVE FREEBIES and would like the chance to win something cool just in time for Christmas!!

I am giving away an ADORABLE pair of shoe clips to dress up any outfit for the holidays.......

In classic black, white, and red nonetheless!
Wouldn't they look GREAT paired with your favorite black dress for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Years!?1?

Here is what to do to enter to win.
-If you already aren't a follower become one. Also leave a comment and let me know what your favorite thing is in my Etsy shop.  http://www.blackandwhiteapparel.etsy.com/

-I will enter you TWO MORE TIMES if you purchase or order something from my shop!  You also get a 10% discount for purchasing during the giveaway. 

This contest closes December 15th!  I will choose the winner and ship the winners goody off to them in time for Christmas!  Good Luck!!!
-

Monday, December 6, 2010

Christmas Inspiration!

    I have had so many things to blog about with pictures to add but must wait until my mac is fixed! 
Here is an absolute georgous version of Christmas in non-traditional colors that is absolutely soothing to me!
Enjoy!

http://www.houseofsmiths.blogspot.com/
Such a fun blogger!
Love the stick idea!












Tuesday, November 16, 2010

31 Tips to a Less Messy Cottage- Day 8 Be Thankful

It is that time of year again!  I think we should have an "Attitude of Gratitude"



Even so I would do this post because I am learning that the more grateful I am for my home and what I have.....the more I want to take good care of it!

There are so many days where I think to myself one of the following:
   -The toys would be more organized if I just had the right size container for them.
   -If I had a better vacuum my floors would be cleaner.......or I can't wait until we rip out the carpet so I can have nicer looking floors.
   -This room will look so much better when I finish this project.....and the next!
   -I wish my house wasn't so small then it would be easier to keep clean.
   -I hate laundry.....I want to throw all of our clothes in the garbage then I won't have to worry about it.
   -I would feel happier if I got up earlier to clean my house spotless before the kids get up.
   -If only my children would learn to put their stuff away and not throw it all over the place.
 
These are only a few.  My goal over the last couple of months has been to be more grateful for what I have.

I find myself being grateful for even the sometimes late hours my husband works......because there have been a couple of times where he had nowhere to be but home and no employer to work for.


I find joy in some of the messes my children make because of the laughter they make while doing it!
And sometimes I watch in glee as they learn a new skill.
"I" cleaning his room.  I think he vacuums better than most!  He uses the crevice attachment and everything!



I am more grateful for my laundry because my family and I have clothing to wear in abundance thanks to family.
We have much more laundry than this and I don't need to tell you if it's clean or dirty :)


I am "sometimes"  grateful for dishes because it means we have food to eat and dishes to eat off of.
Glad I got rid of half of my dishes or my kitchen might look like this.


I am grateful for our small, old home because it means that we have a roof over our heads.
Not our house.


I am grateful for things that need fixing because it means we can learn a new skill and my husband and I can work together while doing it.
Can't wait to learn to make these beautiful...and cottage like.


When I am grateful for my surroundings I find myself cleaning without feeling like it is such a burden. I feel the importance for my role and grateful for being able to stay at home with my children and make our house a home!
When we are grateful for our homes and our things we take better care of them.


Happy Early Thanksgiving!

What things are you grateful for?