DIY

My 3 year old is a lot like most 3 year old girls, obsessed with all things dressy, and sparkly, and princessy. As the tutus and crowns started to pile up, I found myself needing a good storage solution.  Her dress-up box was bursting at the seams. Of course, I started by scouring the internet.  After checking out all of the options, I decided that DIY was the way to go.  I found examples made out of old entertainment centers and dressers. Despite my best Craigslist skills, I couldn't quite find anything that met all of my criteria.  Then it hit me! The perfect piece was already in her room.  Her bookcase was exactly what I was looking for...

Other possible titles for this blog post included Chalk Paint for Beginners or Chalk Paint for Preggo in the Third Trimester…all three descriptors accurately reflect me at the present time, however I'm pretty much always a slacker when it comes to DIY projects. Which is why Chalk Paint has always been so appealing. Ever since a friend discovered it years ago and redid her bedroom set from in the 80s in a day with ease and amazing results, I have wanted to try it myself. I have PLENTY of pieces that could use a paint job. But it was the changing table I recently salvaged (and a baby on the way) that was the motivator to finally give it a try. My friend was...

A few years ago, we bought some bell pepper plants. “It’ll be fun for the kids,” we said. We created a circular garden in the side yard for these plants, and we fell. Hard. For suburban homesteading. Five years later as you look down the row of backyards through the chain link fences on our street, it’s like playing the old Sesame Street segment called, “One of These Things is Not Like the Others.” Those innocent little bell peppers that we planted for fun led to raised cinder-block beds, several fruit trees, a compost, a bee feeder, and a portable chicken tractor complete with four lovely laying ladies. Our yard sticks out amongst the beautifully manicured lawns complete with yappy...

  Summer is officially upon us! The temperature (and humidity) is steadily rising, and  your little darlings are home from school for the summer and constantly searching for ways to beat the heat. Popsicles are surely one of childhood's simplest pleasure, but unfortunately the boxed grocery store variety can contain ingredients that are less than appealing. With multiple teaspoons of sugar per popsicle, your kids may find sweet relief from the heat but with some pretty unhealthy ingredients. Making your own popsicles is quick and easy, (seriously, you can have a batch ready to go into the freezer in about 5 minutes) and a great way to combine healthful ingredients with a tempting sweet treat that even adults will enjoy! I'll...

Mother's Day. Such a well deserved day but usually forgotten by the ones who deserve it most.  I can say that I am absolutely guilty of pulling the "Oh, I don't want anything" card when it comes to Mother's Day.  I seem to always find something better money can be spent on, and time with my boys is all that really matters.  But what I'm also guilty of is down right spoiling all the mommas in my life. I absolutely love it!  In my opinion, if most moms are like me and don't see the need for any special treatment, it truly means that much more to be surprised with a little unexpected happy. In our family, we have a lot...