Have a very Berry Christmas!

Well, it's Christmas Eve. Hopefully, all your presents are bought and wrapped, your cookies are baked and decorated, your halls are fully decked and you are set to enjoy the magic of Christmas.
If not, well... I wish you the very best. :)
I know for me, Christmas Eve means watching 'A Christmas Story' at least 3 or 4 times and enjoying tasty cookies and snacks. Growing up though, this day meant something very different. As a kid, my siblings and I would spend the day planning out our Christmas morning adventure. Usually this included trying to find all the booby traps my father set in his attempts to catch us in the act of extra early morning spying. Over the years, my old man had gotten pretty clever. Once he lifted the carpet on the stairs and installed an alarm button, that when we stepped on it, triggered a warning in their bedroom. Another year, he hid a microphone in the tree so he could hear us whispering when we snuck out to it. Needless to say, no matter how well we planned, we always got busted. But it was fun to draw our maps & plan our attack anyway. And it killed time until we went to our family Christmas party. This was always a good time. Lots of delicious food, hanging with the family that we only saw a few times a year and singing carols around the piano. The night always ended with reading "The Night Before Christmas" and on the drive home, my dad would say we needed to hurry and get to bed before Santa came or he would have to skip our house. To prove his point and speed up the program, he would point at the red light on one of the towers and say "Uh oh, that's Rudolph right there, we'd better hurry." Of course, we didn't know that it wasn't really Rudolph and Santa, so we got to bed lickety split. But it was a short term fix. Within an hour, we were all piled into one of our bedrooms, maps in hand, ready to outwit our dad. Thus insued a night long mission to catch Santa in the act and of course get the first glimpse of our gifts. These are the memories I treasure the most. Looking back, I realize the magic wasn't the actual gifts (although, don't get me wrong, getting the Strawberry Cafe was quite exciting) it was more the traditions and spending time together that has stayed with me all these years. But times have changed, and so have my traditions. I still miss the old ones, but I treasure the new ones I've made with my own family and look forward still to new ones in the future. Christmas may change as we grow older, but the magic doesn't have to. We can still enjoy time spent with loved ones and even sing a carol or two, even if it's just while you're alone in the car. The point is, Christmas is what you make of it, so make it magical.
Hug your loved ones, play with the kids, donate to charity, sing carols at the top of your lungs and rock that fabulous holiday sweater. It only comes once a year, so make it count.
I hope you all have a blessed and beautiful, very Berry Christmas. XOXO

Trash to Treasure!!

BEFORE

An old cabinet door that I rescued from the trash.



AFTER

Now a beautiful cork board/key holder for my entryway.

Let's Get Organized!

The new year is coming, so if one of your resolutions is to get organized, here are some easy ways to get started today.

Is the cabinet in your bathroom overflowing with hair dryers, curling irons, sprays, gels and more? Have to dig just to find the toilet paper? Well, not anymore! This is a great way to save space in a bathroom or any room for that matter. Over the door shoe holders work great for organizing bathrooms, laundry rooms, pantries, kids rooms, garages and more. The pockets are sturdy canvas (Mine has some mesh pockets at the top, also.) and clean up easily. They come in a wide variety of colors and styles and make getting organized a snap. If you live in an apartment or small home, you may not have a lot of closet or cabinet space, so these can be a real life saver.

 

If you are a girl, or have girls in your home, you know how hair ties and clips can turn up everywhere or nowhere. Save toilet paper & paper towel rolls and use them to hold all your ponies & barrettes. If you have the space behind a door or under a cabinet, hang a paper towel holder to hang them on for easy reach. If not, the rolls will fit nicely into the pockets of your over the door shoe holder as well. Organize them by size and colors to make finding what you need a snap.

Do you love jewelry? If so, then you are probably like me and have so much, that you sometimes forget what you have. For all that inexpensive costume jewelry (I recommend keeping your heirloom & high end pieces in a safe place.) that we women get to match each of our outfits, this is a great solution for storing it. Use mug hooks in a closet or behind a door to hang all of your necklaces from. This keeps them from getting tangled up and makes finding the right one quick and easy. Organize them by style, color or popularity. This works great for scarves, also. Hang one scarf per hook so that you can easily spot the one you are looking for.

Ice cube trays make great little organizers for any room in your home. One of my favorites is to use them for seperating my earrings. I put each pair in its own spot and I always know right where they both are. No more missing earrings. I also store rings, pins, charms and pendants in them as well. Again, organize by style or color and stack the trays on top of one another.
Do you do crafts? Ice cube trays are great for seperating beads, buttons, stones and little odds and ends that otherwise get lost. They are great for holding paint colors (the deep slots are nice for mixing) and much more. Use them in a garage to sort nails, screws, nuts and bolts. Trays slip easily into drawers for quick access and easy viewing. Don't have any ice cube trays at home? You can pick up a 2 or 3 pack at any dollar store.

These are just a few ways to start getting organized, that are easy to do but will make your life a whole lot simpler. If that big closet or junk drawer seems daunting, just take it one step at a time. Imagine how great it will be once it's done & suddenly it doesn't seem so bad. Every home and life can benefit from a little simplicity and order. Chaos in even the smallest places can add unnecessary stress to our lives. So why wait for the new year? Start uncluttering your life today! XOXO

Going Green Gift Wrap!

Run out of wrapping paper at the last minute? Or maybe gift wrap just isn't in your budget. Well here are a few ways to wrap beautiful gifts using things found around your home.

This package was wrapped in paper grocery bags. Cut along the seams and turn inside out. Use stamps or stickers to decorate, or just leave it plain. I wrapped this one with some yarn I had in my craft box and hot glued candy canes on to look like a heart. But you can use string, twine or strips of fabric or paper. Add leaves, twigs, pinecones, nuts or flowers for a nature theme. Is the gift for a golfer? Glue on a golf ball & tee for a personalized theme. Wrap with wire & glue on screws & bolts for the handyman in your life. This isn't just for the holidays, either. Great idea for birthdays, too.

I wrapped this one with aluminum foil. I then took a long piece of wax paper & folded in into a narrow strip and wrapped it around. Then I took more strips of wax paper, stacked them at angles, twisted a piece around the middle, glued it on and cut the ends into points. I used some hot glue (regular glue doesn't like to dry on wax paper) and added some designs, sprinkled them with glitter and that's it. Who knew tin foil & wax paper could look so classy? Gift wrap doesn't have to be expensive to be beautiful. Just use your imagination and get creative! I know you have it in you! XOXO

Budget Bedroom Make-Over (Around $100)

I was getting tired of the look of my bedroom and wanted something brighter and more fun, but I didn't have a lot of money to spend. I love my furniture, so that wasn't an issue, but I really wanted to change everything else.
I started with my bedspread which I got for a steal for about $10. Thank you Kohl's clearance and coupons.
Next I found the art/mirror for over the bed. ($20 at Big Lots) The deco tiles I had purchased for $1 for the set at a garage sale. They were a hideous gold color, so I painted them white and they look amazing. The other wall decor was repurposed from other rooms, or that I had in storage and wasn't currently using.

The sheer curtains on the bed, I already owned (I am getting more for all the way around the bed, but one of the bed posts was under repair at the time.) so those didn't cost anything. The tiebacks are scraps of fabric from an old t-shirt that I used to make the smaller throw pillow. Again, no cost. The 3 sheers on the windows were $5 each and the woven rug was $3. (more Big Lots finds) The hanging candelabra was a sidewalk sale find that I paid $1.50 for. It is so pretty lit and adds a touch of romance to the room. The wall paint was on sale, for $10/gallon and we used about a gallon and a half. (The color looks much brighter in person than it does in the pictures.)

My chair was on sale at Meijer for $20 and it is so soft and comfy. The throw on the chair was another steal for $3 at Big Lots and the pillow I made myself. The top of the dresser is draped with a scarf that I loved the color of, but rarely wore. The larger throw pillow on the bed was a clearance find (Meijer) for $6.
The room is my favorite place in my home and my husband calls it our Gypsy Room. Whenever guests come over, they are instantly drawn to it & often hang out in there.
I love color and this room has plenty of it. Each morning I wake up and smile. It's hard to be down in a room this happy. If you are looking to redecorate, but don't have a lot of money, don't worry. Just use your imagination and think outside the box. Do you have things you aren't using that can be repurposed? Check clearance sales, thrift stores and garage/sidewalk sales for inspiration. It's your home, so don't worry about what others might think and never be afraid to experiment. Plain white walls are for hospitals, not homes. So let your creative juices go wild and see what happens. You just might be surprised at the designer in you...

Holiday Tips!

Do you give the gift of baked goods for the holidays? If so, recycle your old jars for things like Chex mix & candies. Pringles cans make great cookie tubes. They seal tight for freshness and stacks the cookies so they don't move around and break. Cover with wrapping paper, add a bow and you're done. No expensive tins, trays or boxes needed. (Also a great method for shipping cookies.) If you do buy trays, skip the seasonal ones and go for solid colors instead. That way the recipient can use it all year. (These can be a great deal cheaper as well.)
Having a Holiday party? Use dry erase markers to write guests names on wine glasses, this eliminates the "Which glass is mine again?" confusion and wipes off easily after the party.

Knit stockings make great, decorative wine bottle holders & look adorable while sitting on the table.
Don't want to buy seasonal serving trays? Just cut pieces of wrapping paper to fit inside the ones you already have. Bonus, clean up is a snap. Just throw the paper away after the party.
Need a festive table centerpiece? Why not fill a large jar or vase with colorful ornaments, toss in a string of battery operated lights and viola! Don't have any lights? Weave some garland or ribbons through the ornaments instead.

Need an inexpensive craft to keep the kids busy? Collect pinecones from the yard and let the kids turn them into adorable ornaments. Glue on glitter, buttons, ribbons, or anything you have laying around, tie on a piece of string and you have a beautiful ornament that adds charm to any tree. To decorate long, buffet style tables, place various candles down the length of the table, wind garland around candles, place ornaments or silk flowers throughout and you're done. Once lit, the candles will make the garland shimmer and you have instant elegance.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to holiday celebrations is that it's not about being perfect, it's about spending time with the people you love. No one will care if your tablecloth is wrinkled or if your glasses don't match. Spend less time worrying about the details and more time laughing, eating and making lifelong memories. The greatest gift you can give yourself and your loved ones is a stress free, enjoyable holiday. So sit back, pour a fresh glass of eggnog and be merry. XOXO

Ultimate Kitchen Helper!

OK, so anyone who knows me, knows I love to eat, but hate to cook. I am all for shortcuts and quick meals. As we all know, the prep work can be the biggest time consumer. This is a great product & it makes cooking a snap.

Kroger brand All Natural Recipe Beginnings. They come in many varieties (these are my faves) and are chopped, cut and ready to go. No time, no tears! (Insert angels singing here) They are inexpensive and so delicious. I use them in the skillet, oven and crock pot and they make any meal better. Try them today!

Recycled Gift Tags!

Do you save your holiday cards every year because you don't have the heart to throw them out? Or maybe you toss them into the trash December 26th. Well here's a great way to recycle & reuse those old cards. Make them into gift tags!

 All you need are scissors, a hole punch and some yarn, ribbon or string.

Start by cutting out the design. I used pinking shears to give them a more unique look, but if you don't have those, don't worry, they will still look great. Then punch a hole in the top left corner to tie your string through, write your message on the back & you're done!

*Glue on glitter, beads, buttons and more for even more fun.

Not only are you recycling, but you are adding a touch of class and charm to your gifts as well.
This is a great project for kids of all ages, so get them involved, too.
Happy Wrapping!! XOXO

Berry Favorite Salad

This is my absolute FAVORITE salad and it has become a favorite among my friends & family as well. I hope you like it as much as I do, and feel free to mix it up and make it your own.

Berry Favorite Salad

Ingredients:
Iceberg lettuce
Baby spinach leaves
Diced cucumbers
Strawberries (cut into bite sized chunks)
Raspberries
Feta cheese
Sliced almonds
Tri-color tortilla strips
Top with Light Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing

*I didn't add measurements or quantities because it varies, depending on how much or how little you are making and since there's no wrong way to make a salad, just use your best judgement. Enjoy!

Picture Frame Dry Erase Boards

Ever write yourself a note, only to lose the note? Who hasn't! My solution to this is dry erase boards. I love them! I literally have them in practically every room in my home. (Hey, you just never know when you might need to write something down.) But the dry erase boards they sell at the stores are so boring & well... white. If that doesn't appeal to you, here's a simple solution. Make your own!! You can do this with any photo frame you have laying around, or buy a new one. (I like to hang mine, so I prefer the frames with a stand and hanging hook.) Here's what you will need:

*Photo frame (any size or style)
*Hot glue gun and glue stick
*Scissors
*A piece of craft paper or fabric for inside the frame (you'll want to keep the pattern simple, if it's too busy, you wont be able to read what's written on the board)
*A piece of ribbon (at least 1-2 inches in width)
* Dry erase marker(s)

Step 1. Open your frame and remove the sample photo or paper insert. (I recommend cleaning the inside of the glass at this point.) Cut your fabric or paper to the size of the frame, using the sample/insert as your template.
Step 2. Using your glue stick, glue the paper/fabric to the cardboard backer, smoothing out any wrinkles/bubbles as you go. (or if the insert is heavy duty enough, you can glue it to that instead) I do this so that it doesn't slip or move once inserted into the frame.
Step 3. Put frame back together & clean the outside of the glass.
Step 4. Take your marker & measure a small piece of ribbon to the size needed to hold it tightly. Using your hot glue gun, glue one end of the ribbon to your frame. Once that is dry, lay marker in place alongside the frame, wrap the ribbon around to hold it in place & cut off any excess. Remove marker & hot glue other end of ribbon to your frame. (This creates a holder for your marker, so that it's always handy when you need it.)
Step 5. Add embellishments to the outside of the frame if you want and you are finished. Hang in kitchens, kids rooms, entryways or wherever you want to leave a little message. :)

Make your own snowglobes!

Who doesn't love the simple beauty of shaking a snowglobe & watching the snow glitter down? Snowglobes have captured the hearts of young and old alike for over 100 years. They are a popular collectible and gift and now you can make your own!! The beauty of this project is that it is so versatile. The ones pictured below are for winter/Christmas, but they can be made anyway your heart desires, for any occasion. Use your imagination & go wild!
*This is a great kids craft as well, so get the little ones involved and make a whole bunch! :)
Getting started: You will need a jar. Any size jar will work, as long as it seals watertight. I like to recycle jars, so when that applesauce, baby food, jelly or jar of pickles is empty, wash it up and give it a new purpose. You can paint the lids if you don't like the color of them. I think it adds character to leave them alone, but that is completely up to you! You will also need glue, I use hot glue on mine, but a good heavy duty adhesive, like Gorilla Glue would work also. (Super glue might work as well, but if you are doing this with kids, I would avoid the glued fingers and use something else.)
Figurine for inside: When selecting your item, be sure to consider a few things. Will being submerged in water damage and/or change the appearance of my item? (For example, if it is metal, it will likely rust over time.) Consider the size in comparison to the jar you are using, also. If the jar is quite tall and your item is small, it will appear lost inside. Do dry runs first to be certain you like how it will look.
Distilled water: Although it is not entirely necessary, I do recommend using distilled water for this project. You want your water as clean and free of elements (AKA: nasty floaters) as possible.
Glitter/Snow: I use several colors & sizes of glitter in mine, and just a dash of fake snow, but again, this is your project, so if you want a blizzard, have at it! :)
*I will note here that some sites call for adding glycerin or bleach to the mix, but I prefer to leave them out. I have found that it works just fine without it.
Step 1. Once you have selected your focal piece, glue it into the lid. Make sure your lid is clean and dry for the best results. After the glue is dry, insert your piece all the way, just to be sure it will fit without problems. (If it fits, take it out and continue on.)
Step 2. Add your glitter & snow to the empty jar. I don't measure anything, I just toss it in, but remember, it's easier to go back and add more than it is to remove it. Just something to keep in mind.
Step 3. Fill your jar 3/4 of the way full with the distilled water. You want to leave plenty of room for your piece to fit in without spilling. (You will finish filling it after.)
Step 4. Start putting the lid/focal piece in, but do not tighten the lid. Leave some room to finish filling your jar with water. (The glitter is going to attach to your piece immediately, but don't worry, once you shake it up good, it will move around.) Finish filling your jar as high up as you can without overflowing. (Some air will remain, that's ok, these aren't meant to be perfect.)
Step 5. Tighten your lid as tight as you can & slowly turn it upside down. I recommend doing this over a sink the first time, just in case you have sprung a leak. If you are leak free, shake it up & watch it snow!
*You can also add embellishments to your jar like ribbons, bows, etc. if you want to. It can be as simple or fancy as you want. (If you are packing them away, I strongly suggest emptying the water out & filling them with fresh water each year.)

Patience please!

I am new to this blogging thing, so bear with me. Before you know it, this page will be filled with bright, colorful pics and fun ideas. But for now, it's in the VERY early stages. :) I'd like to start by telling you a little about myself. I am 32 years old (yikes), I've been in a long-term, commited relationship with my best friend, Dan, for 13 years. I have an 18 year old "step"son named Zachary and my family means the world to me. I have 5 siblings, 3 loving parents and a zoo of neices and nephews that keep me inspired and entertained.
I love to be creative. For me being creative isn't about painting a masterpiece or being able to write the next great American novel, it's about thinking outside the box. It's about doing things a little differently and trying (and often failing at) new things. If you look at an empty pickle jar and see more than trash, you know what I mean. I see snowglobes and storage containers, candy dishes and piggy banks, candle holders and.... well you get the idea. I love things with history and emotional value, so anytime I can find a new use for an old item, I'm happy. I love bargains and deals and brilliant products that make life easier or more fun.
On this blog, I hope to not just give you ideas, but inspire you to come up with ideas of your own and share them with me as well. I am far from an expert on anything, I just like to learn new things and I'm always trying new stuff. I will share my good ideas and bad ones alike, and hopefully we will learn together. Some things I post here will be my own ideas & some will be ones I have learned from others. (And some I think are my own, but find out later someone else has already done. Lol) I will share tips for the home, organizing tricks, crafts, recipes, party planning ideas, deals and more. If you like my stuff, share it with your friends, pin it (yay pinterest!) and check out my facebook page also. (Same name) If I hear about other great sites, I will happily share them with you, and I hope that you'll do the same.
Well, that's all for now, but be sure to check in often and see what's new. Thanks again for your patience as I learn what the heck I am doing.
Let's get creative today! XOXO --Teena