New Domain, New Home!

I'm back, but at a new home!  I hope you will join me over at

www.domesticdeadline.com

 

where I'll continue to share crafts, recipes and decorations and all the crazy things that get in the way of my domestic duties!

Peace be with you,

Streamlining the Bling

This post has been updated and moved to the new Domestic Deadline!

Join me!

Wait, What Happened to Summer?

I can't believe school starts in just a few short weeks!  I know, I know, many schools across the country have already gone back to school, but my reality is starting to sink in.  I've got a ton of work ahead of me to get my household back on track and ready for the school year, it's a big one for us.  June-Bug goes into middle school and O-Man starts kindergarten!  Tasha will be entering fourth grade and I will be going back to work.

When I started blogging, it was in the hopes of using this as a way to get myself, family and home in order for the time when I would go back to work.  I'm pleased to say the perfect job fell into my lap!  It actually happened almost two years ago and I have been increasing my hours based on my little guy's school schedule.  Plus, I only work when the kids are in school, so I have been off all summer.

After a summer away from home, we have a lot to get done.  While in away, I did get several projects done, including attempting to help my mom get a few places organized.  Sometimes the simplest tricks can be so helpful.

My mom has a ton of tools, several don't fit in the drawers and end up getting left out.  I stuck a few nails in the side of her work space and hung the tools!  Now they are out of the way, but right near by for when she needs them.

Mom's art space is connected to the bunk room where the kids sleep when we visit.  The games have been whittled down to this selection and kept under the sink, but they usually end up in a mess and the boxes fall open, resulting in no room for the towels and other things that fit when it is all put away nicely.  A simple shelf made out of scrap wood I found around her house should help.  This way instead of one big pile of games, the piles aren't too tall and much easier to put back.  Plus I labeled the shelf with a warning "put games back the way they belong on Grammy will get you in your sleep!"  Plus, there is room in the front to stack the towel when the kids aren't there.  Normally, I wouldn't want to block a space like that, but my nephew is only three and there once a week.  This way, if he opens the cabinet and sees towels, he won't get into the games.  His toys are kept elsewhere, so hopefully this solution will work!

Ok, now I'm inspired to go get a bit or organizing done in my own home.  What projects have you accomplished or plan on doing before school starts?

Working Out is Working!

A few months ago I started working with a trainer; taking Kettlebell classes three days a week.  My eating habits had gone a bit downhill a few months prior and, well, I keep having birthdays.  I've always heard it would get harder to keep excess weigh off; I was officially at that part of my life, and getting back into shape before it became even harder was suddenly a priority.

Debbie, my trainer, held a competition.  I added three more days a week of cardio and a high protein meal plan.  Eight weeks later I am proud to say I lost 14 pounds and 9 inches!  Woohoo!

Wanna see the proof?  Check out my before and after:

The after shorts didn't even go on before!  

Now that I am on vacation and not going to my class, I have decided to try running.  I have always protested running, but it seemed to be necessary to continue my success.  My goal is only to get to being able to run 20 minutes, that's it!  Week one is down (3 minutes walking, 1 minute running, 5 times total).  This week I have moved to 2 minutes walking, 1 minute ruining (7 times).

I can't say I like running, but it seems to be an effective workout.  Advice is welcome, wish me luck!

S'mores Graduation Treats

This post is being updated and moved to the new Domestic Deadline, come on over and watch for it there!

40 bags side tracked

Last week I set out to spend a few hours reorganizing the pantry....... Which turned into a major overhaul! I had a great working pantry.... Then the kitchen remodel started and the plan was to move the pantry from the top of the basement stairs to the actual kitchen, that's when things went down hill.... Fast!

So, while a few bags of expired food has left and another was donated, it still isn't finished. Here is what I started with:

Day 2, No Bags Just a Little Organizing

Day two of the challenge didn't go as I'd planned. Well, Tasha's class party went pretty well, but I managed to run over a squirrel, crack my crock pot and "break" my son's feelings a few times (ok, that last one doesn't really bother me). So, we ordered Chinese for dinner and I stayed away from everyone!

But, I did manage to organize one thing that was in need.... My vitamins. Sounds a little silly, but I haven't taken vitamins daily since September. I have found I do feel better and have more energy when I take them regularly, and since winter is always so hard for me, the ten minutes I spent getting them ready for the next week, and hopefully getting myself back into the habit is pretty valuable.

There is no before picture since I had to go around the house and find where I had stashed things. But now it is all together and my little Tupperware containers are ready with purple for the morning and pink or white for the evening. I found using these was so helpful in the past because O-man can't open them and if I can't take a dose or two at home, it's just one little reusable bin to grab when I head out the door.

I took my vitamins is morning and actually felt motivated to do a 15 minute workout! It's been quite a while since I have done that too actually. Costco shopping, fridge and pantries are on tap for this weekend, wish me luck.

What are you working on?

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,

At least there is room service

To say my past few days have not gone as I'd planned is an understatement. What started out as a busy yard sale weekend has morphed into a hospital stay with my little man. In hindsight I should have realized he didn't feel well when he didn't eat his donut Saturday morning.

O-man still spent most of the day running and playing even though he willingly took an almost three hour nap on the floor of our church. We left after another busy and successful yard sale with him a bit warm and not feeling too well but asking for tacos for dinner. I resigned to the fact that I was not going out to celebrate but hanging out with the kids and Mexican for dinner (quite fitting for Cinco de Mayo).

We walked into the house, O-man kicked off his shoes and promptly put himself to bed! By midnight he had nothing left in his stomach and by morning wasn't keeping any fluids down.

After a call to the doctor's office, we started "shots" of Gatorade every five minutes and seemed to be improving and even tried a BRAT diet later Sunday evening. Alas, it was short lived and in the wee hours of Monday morning the emergency room was discussed. As his humor was still in tact and he joked with me, we decided to wait until morning and get into the doctor first thing.

Within the hour we arrived at the emergency room and O-man was refusing to walk and didn't want to sit up on his own. Pretty quickly my baby was hooked up to IV fluids for severe dehydration and being admitted.

Fast forward 24 hours and he has slept more than I think he did in his first year of life but is on the mend. He's not too interested in much more than sleep and an occasional Popsicle but I have gotten an occasional smile.

I haven't left his side for more than a quick potty break or to grab a cup of coffee from about ten steps outside his door. I am pretty sure I smell but I really don't care. I am quite thankful for my iPad and wifi to keep me occupied while he sleeps... And the fact thatI don't have to make any food for myself!

The funny part of this? O-man thinks he is here for a broken arm! The IV port is in his arm and strapped to a board so he doesn't rip it out (again) or bend it. He is thankful for the mass of stickers he has acquired during his stay. I guess it is the little things that count!!!

Shout® it Out!

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

Laundry, I dread it.  That, and washing dishes.  They are the two chores I absolutly can't stand and will do almost anything to avoid!  But, I must admit, I am really lucky, Iron Fish does the majority of the laundry in out house.  However, he just does the laundry, whatever is in the basket, gets sorted and put into the washer and then the dryer.  

So, when a stain happens, I still need to address it before it goes into the laundry bin.  And with three kids, I am pretty sure I pretreat at least one stain a day!   I try to always treat the stain before the item of clothing goes into the landry basket (or in the general direction of it in the case of my children).

From grass stains on my son's knees to coffee stains on my own shirts, something is stained.  Have you tried Shout® Trigger?   It's a convenient trigger spray bottle of stain fighting enzymes that penetrates, breaks up and lifts away the stain.  It works in any temperature wash and is safe for all colors.  How easy is that?

I am all about anything that saves me time and doesn't require major elbow grease, especially after a long day.  I have a little list of different ways to treat stains, but it's much nicer to have one product instread of an arsinal of liquids to test on the stain.  As moms, we all have enough to do without spending hours on the laundry (even if I a lot of the work is done for me!).   Plus Shout® Trigger is available conveniently at places like Walmart.  Want to learn more, check out Shout® Trigger

What are the worst stains you deal with in your house hold?  What have you tried to get them out?  Do you have any experience with Shout® Trigger?

Also, if anyone has any ideas on how to get my laundry to fold itself and put it's self away, you'd be my hero forever!

From Garden to Table

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

I don't really have a knack for growing, anything, but I keep trying to grow my own fruits and vegetables.  Since we joined an organic CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm last spring, we get our fresh produce there weekly, but I still feel like I should be able to grow something in my back yard!

The one thing we have growing in the back yard is strawberries.  I think strawberries are truly my favorite food.  They have been spreading in one bed but I am considering planting them in the other bed too.  Wouldn't this be cool, it's a strawberry tower:

If I do, I am going to try Whitney Farms organic plant food since it is an easy and all natural way to help my plants grow even better.  I have never used any fertilizer on my plants because I try to keep chemicals out of my families diet.  Maybe organic fertilizer would actually give me the ability to grow the produce in my own back yard!  I'm salivating at the thought of more strawberries... strawberry shortcake, home made strawberry ice cream, strawberries and waffles... mmmm... wait, first I have to grow them!

I know that organic soil and organic plant food would both benefit my plants and right now Whitney Farms is offering a $3.00 off coupon on their website:  Whitney Farms®

I'd love to hear how you grow an organic garden and if you have any experience with Whitney Farms.  What grows well for you?  Any favorite fruit or vegetable that you can't go a summer without growing in your own back yard?

May Means My Birthday - With #CoronaRita?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Chili’s Grill & Bar for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

In a few short days, it will be May, and my birthday!!!!  I'm turning 35 this year, and for a while I was seriously considering throwing a big party for myself.  Thirty was a milestone year for me, but it was a terrible birthday, and I was thinking of making up for it.

But, then I realized, what I really want for my birthday is to get together with my good friends and really spend some time with them.  So, I've started informing them of Girls Night Out, oh, and I'm NOT driving!

Chili's is a great place for this, plus I happen to have a gift card AND Chilli's has an new drink, the CoronaRita which reminds me of something my one of my college roomies used to make.

I still sing the "Chili's, baby back ribs" tune in my head whenever I think of Chili's, but I am usually quite happy with appetizers and dessert!  Seriously, give me some Spinach & Hot Artichoke Dip and some Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie and I'm in heaven!

And one of those CoronaRitas, when you can't decide between a beer and a margarita, look how awesome this looks:

A Margarita with a Corona in it!  I'm just excited to see how the bottle stays upside down in the glass!

Or wait, maybe I'll just go for two desserts... Cheesecake is always good but the Oreo Topped Molton Cake sure sounds yummy too (this is what I get for being up late at night!)

Cinco De Mayo is on a Saturday this year, how will you be celebrating?  I'd love to know your thoughts on this funky new drink!

CoronaRita at Chili's

“You must be 21 years or older to drink alcoholic beverages and as always, please remember to drink responsibly”

Making Changes Before Hoarders Shows Up!

What you are about to see is real

My house is what it is.  There are five of us in a three bedroom townhouse, 3 of whom are 10 or younger.... it is what it is.

But, it's yard sale time again around here!  While I have visions of finding a great chair to add to my master disaster of a bedroom (the vision goes with it when it's cleaned up and in great shape), I'm holding strong.  I've already taken over one car load to the church and plan on taking over a few more.  PLUS, that big bulky entertainment center is getting picked up for the sale.

I've got big plans, they've been brewing for almost 9 years now, that entertainment center was supposed to be there for a few years...  So, it is going, the cubbies in my entry way (right picture above) are moving to the tv wall with the others, making a whole wall of them.  New cubbies, better suited for our needs are getting built.

BUT I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!

I can't for the life of me decide what color to stain/paint everything!!!!!  Below is a bit more of my color scheme.  I threw in the picture of my dinning room because you can see it right when you walk in the house, from the front door, right through the living room.  The clock was a wedding gift and we stained the table below it to match.  The hutch in the dining room is much darker than the "clock table."  The carpet is a shag of multiple colors of blues and browns.  Couch is a tan micro-fiber type fabric.  I have punches of red and black.  The walls are mainly a pale blue, but the wall where the tv goes, that also goes into the dinning room, is a turquoise blue.

Whatever I pick, the entertainment wall and the new entry way cubbies will stained/painted the same.

When I put these pictures together, the "cherry" color of the table (the color of the current entertainment center) is what jumps out at me as the obvious answer.  This is what my mom suggested.

However, I was also considering black because of my photo wall:

And because I love how great this looks in my entry way:

But I really love the way white built ins look, like this:

Source: honeywerehome.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Or this:

Source: ballarddesigns.com via Emily on Pinterest

But since I'm only having cabinets half way up, I'm probably going to add some open shelving on either side of the tv, so I can make them look pretty like on the wall to the left of the tv below:

Source: fivedaysfiveways.com via Emily on Pinterest

I'd love to have a fire place like this, but I do also like the combo of two colors:

Source: houzz.com via Emily on Pinterest

For a while I was considering buying new pieces and really like this:

The finish is kind of a gray-brown stain, which to me kind of blends shades of black with shades of brown.

So, please, please, please help!  Leave me a comment with how you think I should finish my tv wall and cubbies, I'm starting this weekend!!!!!!!

Peace be with you,