A simple wreath

I'm not a big "holiday decorator" ...

not because I don't like it ... 

I do like it - a lot actually. 

It's just that I'm lazy --

and hate to take it down.

So it ends up staying WAY too long.

and since its embarrassing to have a Nutcracker on your shelf in April --

I just save myself the embarrassment and do nothing.

My poor, holiday-decoration-less children ...

 what will they tell their therapist in thirty years?

but back to the story --

Our door needed something.

So I added a little paint (more on that later!)

Then it needed something more. 

But nothing too seasonal that would NEVER get changed. 

 I needed something that would last throughout spring/summer.
I'll work on a new one for fall/winter.

(I think I can handle switching up my wreaths twice a year, haha)

So this is what I came up with --

It was very simple! I just wrapped a wreath in strips of sheet moss and attached with hot glue! 

Then I took a covered a paper mache "A" with twine that I already had on hand. :)

 I love the texture of the moss and twine together.

 So that's it. :) I kind of love the rustic simplicity.

but what I love most is that I don't have to change it for awhile.

I'm not quite done with this door makeover - stay tuned.

So, what's hanging on your front door?

Are you good about decorating for every holiday?

Chalkboard Pantry Door

Once upon a time there was a kitchen that looked like this ...

and amongst a million other problems, it had a very ugly pantry door! :) 

See it back there? Yup - pretty ugly. 

and unfortunately, a new pantry door ($100 + install) was not in the kitchen renovation budget.

so I improvised and used what we already had to create a Chalkboard Pantry! 

The Hubs wasn't convinced at first ... he didn't like the idea at all actually.

He still lives in 1995 (sometimes) when it comes to design.

but I said "trust me. What do we have to loose? It can't look worse."

His response? "I don't think it looks that bad". 

UGH! My point exactly. 1995, honey.  

So while he was at work last week -- I painted my little heart out! 

and now the pantry looks like this:

I love it! 

and Wild Man LOOOVEESS to "colyor" the walls.
and even the Hubs likes it.

 It's perfect for leaving sweet notes for the Hubs when he has an early flight!

 and it's PERFECT for toddler scribbling while you're trying to cook dinner!

 

and of course -- it's PERFECT for my grocery/to-do list!

 

 but the best part is that it didn't cost me anything, since I already had the chalkboard paint!

I love a FREE makeover that makes such a big impact!

and just because I LOVE a good before/after shot ... here it is one more time.

Chalkboard paint pantry = happy kitchen.

and then we all lived happily ever after.

THE END.

Kitchen Coffee Station

*First of all, I know I still owe you a tutorial for the grout on Subway Tile. I'm so sorry - but I had a little bit of trouble getting it all figured it - and I didn't want to give you a false tutorial! ;) But now I've "mastered" it - so tutorial coming soon! I promise! :) 

Our kitchen makeover is moving right along!

 Actually, I just have a few finishing touches - 

and then I'll be ready for the big reveal! :) 

YAYYY!

So until then, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite parts of the new kitchen!

First up? The hub's little "coffee station"! 

I'm not a coffee drinker - I hate coffee actually. I even hate the smell. 

So this area, it's all for the Hubs. 

He needed this area -- because you see, 

he ALWAYS leaves the coffee & sugar on the counter ... 

and I HATE cluttered counters! 

and I hate nagging him to "put the coffee away", EVERY DAY!

so I decided to designate an area for him & messy coffee ... 

an area where he doesn't HAVE to put anything away! :) 

But an area that still looks "organized" and intentional. 

yet practical. and cute.

that's not too much to ask, is it?! :)

I bring you -- the Coffee Station. 

aka - a place where the hubs can leave all his stinky coffee crap.

So here is it ...Nothing fancy -- but way better than the before! :) 

 It's just a super cheap-o coffee maker, some mugs, serving trays, coffee & splenda! :)

 The big white tray is one of our serving dishes - which worked out perfect, because I didn't really have anywhere to store it - and now it has a place to live until the 2 times a year that I actually need it for serving! The white coffee canister is from good ole Wally world -- only $4! :) and I just love that little spoon. It's so cute it even makes me want to scoop coffee! :) and I hate coffee, remember! :) The little bowl of Splenda is another serving dish that I relocated to this area ... perfect fit.

The mugs are hanging from cheap mug hooks that I picked up at Wally World for .97! 

I pre-drilled a teeny tiny hole and screwed them in! :)

Simple. Practical. Cute.

I love easy changes that make your life easier.

and save your marriage! :)

Have you made a simple change lately that help you stay organize?!

I'd love to hear about it!

Toddler Fun: Pipe Cleaner Colander

I've seen this idea floating all over Pinterest --

 It's been sitting in the back of my mind for awhile ...

and I finally remembered to pick up some pipe cleaners from the Dollar Store.

Today while I was trying to do dishes, 

Wild Man was going CRAZY ...

so I pulled this out and gave it a whirl! 

You just take a colander and some pipe cleaners - 

and let your toddler go to town! :) 

That's it!

Easy Peasy!

 It's wonderful for sharpening those fine motor skills -

but it's also SO much fun for them! :)

Wild Man LOVED it!
and it kept him entertained for at least 30 minutes.

that is HUGE in Wild Man time!

HUGE.

 I cut the pipe cleaners different sizes ---

so this was also the perfect time to talk about "small" vs. "big" - 

as well as the different colors!

 He was concentrating SOO hard ... trying to put TWO in at the same time.

He was SO proud of himself! :)

So what about you?
Do your littles LOVE activities like this?
What do you do to keep your toddler busy?