My Friday Five Week 14

My Friday Five Week 14

Ive been hacked!  Well, not really but Im going to devote My Friday Five to some of the best Ikea hacks on the web.  I love a good Ikea hack. We are lucky enough to have an Ikea close by (actually its in the next country but I drive by it a lot) and I think about shopping there all the time.  Its just a little intimidating.  Ive been in a couple of times but its so huge that I never know where to start.  I think the key is to go in with a list - and stick to it. So if you are looking for some ideas for Ikea shopping - heres a much-bigger-than-five My Friday Five.  But dont worry, Ill make it into a list of five...

Ready?

1. The Rast dresser.  Without a doubt, this piece of furniture is the most hacked item on the planet.  Why?  Because its cheap ($34.99) and made out of solid wood.  Heres it is in its raw form  

And here are some awesome afters - 

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2. The Lack side table.  Another great piece to hack at only $7.99 -

Ready for some afters?

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3. The Edland.  This piece is available in a few sizes - but at $199, its very affordable - 

Check out these hacks - 

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3. The Kura bed.  Only $199 - 

And some afters -

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5. Everything else...

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Are you inspired yet?

My Friday Five Week 14

My Friday Five Week 9

My Friday Five Week 9

Yay!  Its Friday!  Dont you just love Fridays?  I do!  Well, its also a new year.  And at the top of my to-do list this year is to be more organized.  I use to be super organized but Ive let it slip the last few years.  It actually went downhill when we moved in to this house.  And there are many excuses reasons for this.  The house is large (larger than I want but we got such a good deal on it) and I try to take care of it by myself - impossible.  Plus, Im trying to remodel it - by myself (my husband does help but Im home more so it mostly falls on me).  Im the painter, cleaner, and landscaper - all while raising four kids and all that entails.  I just run out of time and energy to do it all.  But this year thats going to change.  Im making it a priority to get back to my organizational roots.  Here are some of the tips I found on Pinterest to help me.  And maybe some of these tips will help you too!

1)  Im going to use this Declutter Calendar - 

Beth from My Simpler Life created a one day at a time declutter guide.  I think I can handle one chore a day! It doesnt feel so overwhelming when its broken down into small chunks.  And think about how great the house will function by the end of the year!

2)  I dont wear much make-up, but when I saw this idea, I fell in love.  A make-up magnetic board - 

Laura from Laura Thoughts created this using an old thrift store frame (you know how much I love thrift store stuff) and some magnets.  Awesome.  Its so easy to see everything!  And a very inexpensive way to organize all of your make-up!

3)  Speaking of inexpensive...how about using your old bread bag tags to label cords?  I love this - 

I cant tell you how many times I have crawled under my desk to unplug something and couldnt figure out which cord to pull!  Ugh.  This is so simple - and free.  I found this idea over at Unplggd.  Definitely on my to-do list this year.

4)  If you thought that keeping bread tags was the only thing you should be saving, you were wrong.  Save all of your old cereal boxes too.  They make great magazine holders - 

I love when something so beautiful is also so cheap!  Head over to Sew Many Ways to see how Karen made this magazine holder.  I really want to make a few of these from my empty Lucky Charms boxes...

5)  Heres a great twist on pasta storage - using old Pringles cans - 

I found this on Non Obvious Solutions on tumbler (I love the name - it makes me feel better that I didnt think of this stuff myself!).  And if I get around to doing this, I would dress up the cans a bit.  And maybe add a chalkboard rectangle to label the contents since it isnt see-through.  Just to be a little more organized.  ;-)

Are you inspired to get organized?

p.s.  I found out this morning that I got booted from the One Month To Win It competition.  Sad.  If you stopped over to vote for me, thanks!  And if you still havent been over there - you really should check it out!  The women have amazing talent.  Next week, Ill share the projects that I submitted in more detail.  Well, it was fun while it lasted!  :-)

My Friday Five Week 9

My Friday Five Week 27

My Friday Five Week 27

Memorial Day weekend starts tomorrow so Ive put together a few patriotic finds.  While we spend some time with our friends and family, we should also take a moment to remember our fallen soldiers.  Freedom is not free.

Ready?

1.  I love these Paper Stars - 

I found these on Hostess with the Mostess.  Arent they fun?  There are great step-by-step instructions (with pictures) on the site.  They would make great decorations for your backyard bbq!

2.  How about a patriotic treat?  Chocolate covered strawberries - 

Yum!  Delicious and pretty!  And easy to make!  Head over to Life Tastes Like Food for the recipe.

3.  Heres a patriotic wreath idea - 

Isnt it beautiful?  Check out the tutorial at Naptime Crafts.  Its amazing what what you can create with a wreath form and some yarn.

4.  Back to the snacks...Chocolate covered pretzel rods - 

You can never go wrong with these!  This version is on Cupcakes and Cashmere.  Salty and sweet - a great combination!

5.  Are you looking for something a little healthier?  And appropriate for you Memorial Day picnic?  Try this flag fruit platter - 

This idea came from Chandler and Brianne.  Very clever!  

Are you inspired yet?

My Friday Five Week 27

My Friday Five Week 21

My Friday Five Week 21

I have a collection of random projects today - no real theme.  Just cool ideas.  And pretty pictures from around the web.

And, a little inspiration - from an incredible mom.

Ready?

1.  Make a lamp out of a glass vase - 

Erin from House of Earnest can give you the step by step.  Dont you love it?  And its way cheaper than the glass lamps that you find in most stores!  I really want to try this!

2.  Make place card holder out of old glass doorknobs - 

I have a confession to make - I love glass doorknobs.  My last house had them - and I miss them.  I never thought of using them in other ways - just as decoration.  But Michelle from Petite Michelle Louise did.  Now I want to head over to Buffalo ReUse and pick up a few.  There are endless possibilities for them.

3.  Get organized with a giant chalkboard calendar - 

Ack - how cool is that?  Carmel from Our Fifth House made this awesome calendar.  I am completely in love (with this idea and her blog)!  

4.  Do you have an old unframed mirror in your bathroom (we do!), well dress it up with tile - 

Emily from Little Momma and Company gave an old boring mirror new life with tile.  For only $18! What a great idea!  And a great price.  :-)  I may give this a try when we remodel our hall bath.

5.  Now for something a little different.  I wrote about being shy all week.  But, I thought it would be fitting to cap it all off with some inspiration.  A reminder that life for some of us isnt that hard.  Oh, sure, weve all been through very tough times, but some people can show us the meaning of strength.  A couple of weeks ago, I came across a blog that really moved me.  Its an incredible story of a mothers love for her son.  I have read every post.  Check out Courtneys blog, "EB"ing a Mommy.  

Are you inspired yet?

My Friday Five Week 21

My Friday Five Week 17

My Friday Five Week 17

Whos hungry?  Just me?  :-)  Well, Ive been trying to eat a little healthier lately (that was one of my goals for the year - next week Ill update you on how Im doing on all of my other goals).  And I have spent some time on Pinterest looking for new recipes to help me along.  Unfortunately, sometimes I find some really tempting desserts instead.  And I pin them.  You know, just in case I need a little reward...So, I thought Id share some recipes that I found - and that Im dying to try...

So much for eating healthy...

Ready?

1.  SMores Croissants.  

Those look soooo good.  And easy.  Head over to Northern Cottage to get the full instructions for this tasty treat.  Mmmmm...chocolate.....

2.  Speaking of chocolate...how about a Chocolate Eclair?

Ummm yes.  Doesnt that look delicious?  Anna at Hidden Ponies whipped these up.  I am not much of a baker, but I may have to learn!  She makes it look sort of easy.  And tasty.

3.  Cake Batter Pudding Cookies.

Nikki from Chef In Training created these little guys.  I cant wait to give this recipe a try!  They look so good (and pretty too!).  Head over to her blog to get the step-by-step.

4.  Cinnamon Sugar Popovers.

I think I could eat the whole batch of these!  Yum!  Amy from Minimally Invasive can give you the details.  Check out her blog - she is amazing in the kitchen!  

5.  With Easter coming up, I thought it would be fun to share these - 

Arent these birds nests adorable?  Bridget from Bake At 350 can show you how to make them - just in time for Easter!  I love these!

Are you inspired yet?

My Friday Five Week 17