Decor

I have a wall that is just blah! It is right at the top of our stairs and I have to stare at every day. It is part of the boys playroom and I started decorating it with cute ideas and intentions, but never finished. It has been months now and I am tired of looking at it. It was just not what I wanted it to look like and I got discouraged and just left it. So, finally I have had enough!

I have been dying to update my boys bathroom. When we moved in to our new house last summer, I just used our previous decor in the bathroom that we had before. However, now that the boys are growing up, the little jungle theme is not really fitting their personality anymore. However, I was not sure what I wanted to do. It’s a smaller bathroom, so I knew I couldn’t do anything drastic or major.

After several days of searching for ideas and inspiration, I came across these FREE printable bathroom signs from Over The Big Moon. Once I saw those, I just knew exactly what I wanted to do.

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to help plan my niece’s 3rd birthday party. After discussing themes with my sister in law, she decided upon a Mad Hatter Tea Party. I got right to work on the party. I knew I wanted something different then the traditional wild and whimsy Mad Hatter type party. I will have to admit, I haven’t seen Alice in Wonderland in many years, if at all. So, when I saw it coming on TV I recorded and watched with my boys.

I decided upon a pink and blue color theme with some golden yellows. I knew I needed to add mixed matched china, clocks, and keys to the party as well. I contacted Jennifer of BellaGreyDesigns right away and she created the fabulous cupcake toppers and the large circle centerpieces. She also created food cards and a Happy Birthday Banner that will be used in the actual party on party day!

After printing out the awesome printables from Jennifer, I attached pink and blue glitter paper to the back and matching ribbon and accents, including a key to the large centerpieces, to give each one something extra to stand out! I searched the nearby thrift store for lots of china plates, cups, and a tea pot. To create the mini topiaries, I reused old brass candlesticks, painted, and added a green grass ball from Hobby Lobby that was on clearance. I topped each mini topiary with a matching butterfly.A mushroom, snail, and pocket watch are also included in the decor for the subtle hint of wonderland. I cut a banner with the same glitter paper and matching ribbon as the cupcake toppers.

Using an old mirror I purchased at a re sale shop, I painted the frame pink and removed the glass. I lined the back with the blue glitter paper and added an A for the birthday girl. The blue cupcake stand is made from a painted candlestick and metal tray from the dollar tree, painted and adhered together.

I am lucky enough to have the fabulous Kimberly and Loren’s Sweet Treats provide the amazingly yummy cupcakes, adorably matching cookies, and delish petite fours.

I love how this party turned out and can not wait to share the rest of the photos with you. Enjoy!

Its almost December and I have always wanted to do an Advent calender. So, after searching the internet and pinterest, I decided to make my own with a little twist.

There are so many great ideas out there I couldn’t pick just one. But I knew I wanted ours to be special and our own. So, taking a cue from some fabulous blogs and pics and ideas, I created this super awesome Countdown to Christmas calender for my boys.

I found this idea from the blog, “It is what it is” by Beth Proudfoot,

I loved the bag and number idea. So I headed to Wal-Mart and found these super great holiday bags. I know brown lunch sacks would do just great as well, but I wanted something different. They were only $.25 each. I grabbed 25.

I also printed out the link for the count down circles from the same blog.

I had my bags now I just needed something special to place inside each one. Then I came across the blog “All things simple” and loved these little Things to do cards.

So now I had to come up with 25 Christmas things to do this month. One for each day. Plus a lollypop. I knew I wanted things like Look at Christmas Lights, make hot chocolate, write Santa a letter, and so on. But, I wanted something different. Something that would mean something to only them. Then I remember that I had purchased these recordable story books from the after Christmas clearance at Hallmark. They were a steal at only $9.98 each!

So, I gave each set of grandparents a book and had them record a story for the boys. Now, I can place “Read a story with Grandma and Grandpa” onto two of the cards! I know they will love this!

Now, I just needed to figure out how to display them. The Workman Family blog posted a pic of this fabulous bucket idea!

Hmmm… Now to find a bucket!!! Yikes!I have this suitcase as decor in our living room. I think it will be perfect!

Now, to put it all together and enjoy our Christmas Countdown.

I will post the final pic tomorrow morning after its all set up and when the boys discover the countdown calender. Can’t wait!!!!

***UPDATE***

Putting together our advent calender.

Boys are very excited to get started! Let the countdown begin!

Chalkboards are not just for school anymore! For the past several years, I have been decorating chalkboards to give as gifts for my son’s preschool teacher. They were a huge hit that all the teachers wanted one as well. I still make sure that each year, both the boys give one to their teacher.

The, while searching the internet for some new ideas for organization, I came across A Bowl Full Of Lemons, and they had this fab new office organization article! I saw the chalkboard displayed on the door that said, Office. I just knew I needed to do this as well!

So, I grabbed one of my mini chalkboards and got to work.

I just loved how it came out and now hangs proudly in my office! A good friend loved this too and asked me to make her one for her cake table at her wedding. Not to say office, but to say Let them eat Cake. So, of course I went straight to work.

She loved how it came out and even asked for another one for her “sweets” table at the wedding!!!

There are so many ways to decorate a chalkboard. I love trying to come up with different ways to use them!

Check out Creative Designs by Toni for more chalkboard designs.

I am so happy fall is here!! Cooler temps and all the holidays are upon us!! First up, Halloween! I love decorating and getting the house all ready!

Do you decorate for Halloween?

Here are a few pics of my Halloween decor, inside and out. Enjoy.