Back to Blogging?

Well, maybe. I never really meant to stop, life just got crazy and what I thought would be a short break evolved into much longer than anticipated. But, it's a good outlet for me and motivates me to accomplish things, so I've decided to participate in the 40 Bags in 40 Days challenge over at White House Black Shutters and blog about it along the way. My hope is that I will get some serious clutter out of my life and get back into the habit of blogging.

So, here goes.....

Yesterday was day one of 40 days, not counting Sundays, as the Lenten calendar goes. I printed my calendars today and am planning on filling in the planning calendar tonight. I got off to a good start though, here is my before:

The drawers were in decent shape, so I found a few things in each drawer to get rid of. Then I moved to the top shelves. Everything was removed and the shelves were cleaned. I put things back that I love or are functional. This hutch serves a lot of uses, including homework supplies and houses things that end up in the dinning room no matter what I try.

I'm still not sure I'm happy with the overall look. The paper behind the shelves is there since the wood is so dark, not much shows up on them. It was meant to help me decide if I should paint the back or the whole piece, I can't decide....

Anyways, I filled two boxes! One for donation, that is already scheduled to be picked up on Friday, and another for the PTO. The school is doing a basket auction and several of the things I got rid of are brand new so they will get used at the auction. Oh, the 2 candle sticks on the middle shelf are only temporary, they are being used in a project this weekend.

So, will you be joining the 40 bags in 40 days challenge? What is the first place you need to tackle? And the ultimate question......... Should I paint this hutch or leave it alone?

Found this on Pinterest, very similar to my hutch, I did find indications that it once had doors, but the glass doors have been gone at least my mother's whole life!  The top of mine has a bit more detail too.

Source: justagirlblog.com via Emily on Pinterest

Save Money, ShopYourWay

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ShopYourWay Program for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I've been a bad blogger lately, I've been super busy working for a friend part time and getting ready to go on vacation.  I'm so excited to go, but still have so much to do.  Obviously, the last thing I should be doing is shopping online, but well, let's fact it, it's almost 11pm and I'm not going to get some of the things I need from the mall at the moment!

Plus, shopping online allows me to compare prices, features and promotions, without leaving the air conditioning (it was over 100 degrees here today!).  What am I shopping for?   Well, tools for one thing.  I promise to have some great posts in the very near future using some of my new tools.  I have a few posts in the works and several projects to sink my teeth into when I get home from vacation.

But I've also been shopping for bathing suits, that's really what I need at the moment, for me and the girls.  I'm lucky, I live right across the street from one of our neighborhood pools.  Litterally maybe 20 yards outside my door.  It's like having a pool and not having to take care of it.  When the ice cream truck comes by, I send the kids home to grab a popsicle from the fridge and they are back before the truck even finishes serving the line of customers.

With that, and a month at Lake Erie, we need bathing suits.  Over the years, I have come to appreciate the quality and the fit of Land's End bathing suits.  I personally love tankinis and if I can mix and match the tops and bottoms, all the better.  The girls do the same thing and since they have slim fitting suits, Lands End works for my skinny minis.  And for me, I love their tummy control bottoms.

So, why am I telling you all this?  Well, I just signed up to become a personal shopper at ShopYourWay and earn rewards for the places I'm already shopping at (Lands End for bathing suits and Sears for Craftman Tools!).  Plus, as a personal Shopper, I can help others find great deals, know about up coming sales and we can both earn rewards! 

Signing up is super easy, it only took me a few minutes.  Start by Request an Invite to ShopYourWay and then check your email.  Accept the Invite and follow the simple directions to sign up.

We can even shop together on two different computers in two different parts of the world!  How cool is that?!?!?!?!?!  They even have a mobil app, yeah, another fun use for my iPad.

So simple, won't you join me in shopping online and earning rewards?

Request an Invite to ShopYourWay

 

#EclosBeauty Give-a-way!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of éclos Skin Care for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was so exicted a few weeks ago when an unexpected package arrived for me! I was even more excited to find a free sample of the éclos Anti-Aging Skin Care Starter Kit inside. The package boasts about Apple Stem Cell technology and the use of plant extracts, vitamins and anti-oxidants working together to help minimize the apperance of fine lines, wrinkels and tired skin. I'm all about natural ingrediants, especially when it comes to my skin, but I have to admit, I'd just had an awesome facial and my skin was in great shape!

So, I didn't start using the set right away. Then the little man ended up in the hospital... and a few days later we arrived home, him better and me unshowered for a little longer than I'd like to admit! The éclos set was still sitting where I'd left it, so I grabbed it on my way to the shower. The Apple Stem Cells are extraccted from a rare Swiss apple. This apple has shown the ability to stimulate skin stem cells and encourage aging skin to behave like younger skin. Now, I'm only 35, but it was exactly what I needed at that moment!

What's in the kit you ask?

• Facial Cleanser Skin Prep
• Cellular Activator Face Serum
• Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream
• Restorative Eye Cream
• Instant Radiance Facial Scrub
• Skin Renewal Clay Mask
• éclos Terry Cloth Head Band

The éclos starter kit has a value of $19.99. Previously similar products were only availabe from expensive department store brands. éclos has brought the Apple Stem Cell technology to mainstream stores at a more affordable price. For more information check out éclos Skin Care.

Normally, I don't like masks, but this one was nice. I also thought it was great they included a terry cloth head band. My favorite product is the Instant Radiance Facial Scrub, it feels lite it warms up in my hands and leaves my skin with a great polished feel.

Want to hear the best news? I have a second kit to give-a-way! Want a chance to win? First, you MUST follow my blog, after that, here's what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me which product in the kit you are most excited about. (1 entry)

2. Blog about this give-a-way, leave me a comment with a link to the blog post (1 entry)

I will select the winner on June 25, 2012, so check back to see if you won!

Mission Organization Monday - Entry Way Solutions

This post has been moved and updated to now include cut sizes!  Find it on the new Domestic Deadline! 

Fabric Rose Necklace

I have been using up a lot of my fabric scraps lately. In doing so, I have amassed a ton of fabric roses. So, I decided to put a few of them together and make a fun necklace. I really like the way it turned out and I got several compliments wearing it at Muffins with Mom at the girls school.

 

There are tons of tutorials out there on how to make these roses, they are pretty easy.  I glued them to a felt back with a chain running through the back side.

Upcycled Striped Skirt

I made this skirt a while back as a part of the Project Recycle Contest.  I love this skirt, it has become a real staple in my wardrobe.  I guess I didn't take as many pictures as I normally do when I make something, so I'm missing a few, but it was a pretty simple project either way.

Ages ago, I picked up this crazy t-shirt at a yard sale, I knew the massive size would come in handy eventually!

Lots of great black and white stripes but this "lovely" logo...

I cut the bottom off for the main part of the skirt.  The stripes running horizontal with the side seams already finished for me.  The waistband was cut from the left over, stripes running vertically.

A few gathering rows and the two parts were joined.

While the skirt had a finished hem from the shirt, I decided it needed a little something more.  Using the left over, I cut strips on the bias, about twice as long as the bottom edge of the skirt.

Here's two of the outfits I've used it with lately, and I'm pretty sure it'll get a lot of wear with solid tank tops this summer:

Peace be with you,

What I Finally Wore Wednesday

Well, after 2 full days in the hospital, my little man is completely back to normal... and already driving me up the wall! Good thing he was cleared to go back to school tomorrow.

I walked in the door, kicked off my shoes and headed straight to the shower and after 2 full days of pinterest, I knew exactly what outfit I was going to recreate:

So glad I made that skirt, it has really become a staple in my wardrobe and so comfortable!

Peace be with you,