Front Door Facelift

As Eleanor and I were out watering our plants yesterday morning, I looked at the "cans" that I have had sitting by our front door for a couple of years--well, actually since our wedding since they were used to hold flowers at our wedding--and they were empty. And sad looking.

I really like them but thought they needed a little something. Also, don't mind the rose bush, it isn't staying there, we just haven't decided on it's permanent home yet. I had a few errands to run and they happened to be by the dollar store in our area so I figured I would pop in a peek at their fake flower selection. I am not always a huge fan of fake flowers but I figure that not a ton of people go in and out of our front door and obviously guests won't be thoroughly examining them, so I figured for this spot it would be okay. Actually I am not a huge fan of dollar store fakes. The ones at Michael's have come a long way and can actually look quite real.

Anyway.

I picked a few out and I still need to do a bit more adjusting but I think they look pretty good and help the cans not to look so drab.

I don't know why this excited me so much. Probably because it was a quick, easy and cheap spruce. It's the little things, people! 

Any spruces around for you these days?

Etsy Dreamin'...

What better thing is there to do for a girl that is into relaxin' these days than to peruse Etsy? It's kind of like window shopping except I can do it from the comfort of my couch with my feet up. How perfect.

I was reading Miss Mommy's post this morning and she mentioned the Etsy store Brag About It and I figured I should probably check it out. What cute stuff! I love this cute, new mommy gift.

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I always love the finds in Little Miss Momma's shop and this table runner doesn't disappoint. A little rustic, a little vintage, simple yet eye-catching.

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I am also slightly obsessed with this adorable necklace. 

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I love the work in this shop as well. Whimsey & Co. has some really nice work and I am just having a hard time deciding what to personalize for the baby!

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I already ordered a couple of headbands from Simply Carly--one for me and one for baby girl--however, I came across this one the other day and feel like I may need it too.

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I think Etsy is just so great. What a great community and that it just promotes creativity and small businesses. I love that most of the stuff is original and the stores I have already dealt with--Little Miss Momma and Simply Carly-- have been very easy to communicate with and very professional.

What are you coveting on Etsy these days? What are some of your favorite stores?

"Art," A Place to Lay Her Head, Some Joes and a Random Chicken

So there is another crafting supply that I love almost as much as mod podge. It is scrapbooking paper. I know, kinda random. And simple. But honestly when I can create fun, quirky "artwork" for my daughter's {did I really just type "my daughter's"?!} room for around $5 per piece of "artwork," I really can't pass that up! I got some cheap frames in 2 packs at Ben Franklin and while I was originally going to spray paint them to make them more colorful, nothing was really standing out to me in the color department so for now, they are brown and white which look fine to me. This is the beginning of a frame collage but I just think it's so darn cute I thought I would share now.

I guess my approach to sharing the nursery is bits and pieces and then a "big" reveal when it's "finished." If I will ever say it's "finished." To see some of the furniture check out this post.

Birds on the left, then monkeys, alphabet and numbers, then
lions-hippos-alligators

I made these lil' guys a few months back with my two favorite crafting supplies plus wood and some paint and I am so happy to finally hang them up. They are just 4x4 pieces of wood with paper mod podged on and then Ben stapled some pop tabs to the backs to hang them. There are two of each style.

Ben and I went and got our crib mattress this past weekend. I know, I know, I'm sure it's pre-mature because we obviously have no intention of putting her in there right away but I couldn't resist putting her bedding on any longer.

I guess you could say our "theme" for the room is colorful. We are loving it so far!

Sunday we had philly cheesesteak sandwiches which we made out of a chuck roast with peppers, onions, and provolone.

The next night, we still had some of the roast left and for some reason, Sloppy Joes came to mind. So I looked up Pioneer Woman's Sloppy Joe recipe and it was delish. And super easy. Made from all things I had on hand plus the leftover meat and bread.

{Sorry about the weird shadow at the bottom. Still getting used to the new camera.}

Tonight's dinner. Kind of weird. I had a whole chicken on hand. So I put some barley, garlic, onions, a packet of french onion soup and some chicken broth in the crock pot and then put the chicken on top. In a couple hours I plan to add zucchini, green pepper, carrots, mushrooms and maybe some crisped up bacon. Kind of a "clean out the fridge" kind of meal. Shh, don't tell Hub, he usually likes anything that comes out of the crock pot. 

Yeah, raw chicken isn't really that appealing.

Well, except that one time I burnt something in there. Who burns something in a crockpot? Oh, I do when I put teriyaki sauce in there and it's pure sugar so it burns to the botton. Nice.

Sorry about the random post but these were all things I wanted to share and didn't think they each needed their own post.

Happy Wednesday!

CSN Stores Giveaway!

As I have become more involved with this blogging world, I see the popularity of CSN Stores more and more. I am obviously still a "newbie" at this whole blogging game but I was contacted by CSN Stores promotions and asked to do either a review or a giveaway and I figured it is a lot more fun to share with readers so I am hosting my first ever giveaway. I guess I will see how it goes! CSN Stores has over 200+ stores with everything from patio furniture, kitchen essentials, rugs and to spice up your counter seating area or have your guests belly up on a Friday night, modern bar stools. Really this website is a one-stop shop. To enter this contest, just leave a comment telling me what you would use a $20 gift certificate from CSN Stores for. The winner will be chosen at random, entries close Sunday night at 8pm Pacific time and the winner will be announced Monday morning so check back!

My Kinda Shoppin'

As I spoke about retail therapy here and about finding deals here, I am now brought to the next topic of freebies! Nothing like heading over to the parent's house to use their elliptical machine only to find my mother elbow deep in piles of her Christmas decor, grandmother-hand-knit-sweaters and old knick-knacks. I don't know if you've heard the old saying but "one man's  woman's trash is another man's  woman's treasure." I love looking at some of the stuff they have over there and now and then, I score:

Here we have a puzzle {which Hub and I have been itching to tackle one}, some snowmen {that just may not get put right away, I mean it is still wintertime}, a Hull Pottery piece, a grandma-knitted sweater and some dishtowels that I plan on making into napkins. I mean, come on, how can I pass on these treasures?! Hub kind of gives an eye-roll when I come home from the parent's because it really goes without fail that I ever some home empty handed. Here are my answers: I am still decorating our house. I can never have enough snowmen. We have been wanting a puzzle, why would I go buy one if the parents have one just sitting around?! Why would I go buy fabric if I don't have to? What a nice cozy, winter sweater that is to keep the winter chill away.

Do you find treasures at your parents? What do you think about keeping snowmen out just a little longer than Christmas decor?