Cabinet Crisis

When I’m not painting closets, I’m lining my cabinets. Lately, I guess I’m doing my makeovers in the places people don’t even look.

But, the thing is, I look.

And these little things just bother me:

Do you see it? I tried to use those cabinet liner things but they just scrunched up and stuck to the bottom of glasses. So then I just got rid of them all together…but then they just looked unfinished.

I really didn’t want to lift another paint brush so my solution was buying the vinyl 12″ square sticky tiles…

…cutting them to fit and voila!

Cabinet shelves that are lined! I can not tell you how happy this makes me. What a nerd I am.

Warning: Even though I used just my scissors to cut these - don’t let the simplicity fool you. This was time consuming. I have spent many nap times working on these suckers and just when you thought one cabinet was the same measurement of the other - wrong!!

Then I got addicted and just kept going…

I couldn’t be stopped. Drawers, under the sink, pull out shelves…

And as Armstrong states, in the end, “my idea became reality!”

♥ Katie

Quiz Time!

So I know there are a lot of these decorating quizzes out there but I really liked this one for many reasons:

1. It was from Real Simple - my favorite!

2. It includes a variety of decor and other non-decor items to determine what your style is.

3. When you have completed the quiz it gives you your decor style, recommendations where to shop and other blogs for inspiration. Pretty handy!

And to get you in the mood, let’s talk couches. Which would you buy?

Versus

4. It takes about 30 seconds to complete if you follow my tip…

My tip:

In taking these quizzes I usually get a little too into it and spend lots of time analyzing the products or pictures. So here’s my tip - give your gut reaction! What are you attracted to the most right away? Ready?…Click here.

Have fun!  And I’d love to know what you were!

♥ Katie

I guess I could tell you me - right? Here’s a hint…think cozy.

Now back to my homework.

Where I’m making my “ideas a reality”! Can’t wait to show you my little cut and stick project!

On the Hunt for Bath Towels

I think Bath Towels are like hairdressers, parking spaces, men (others?)….
You can find a lot of them but the GOOD ones are rare.

So this daily find article from Real Simple sparked my wheels turning. I usually just go feel towels at my local store and make the decision based on price versus comfort.

{That’s not really true - I get sucked into the look too. Last time I just couldn’t walk away from a gorgeous design - so sad because they’re so stinking uncomfortable! Lesson learned.}

So the reason (of many) that I love Real Simple is that this email article gave me 9 bath towel ideas for every budget. I’m looking for plain white, well I was until I saw some of these towels:

Look how fun colored these ones are from Kara Weaves - so cute! Hand towels too! I love the thought for spring and for the using them with kids - but comfort? I might have to find out for myself:

Oh and then these from West Elm:

But I really hate not being able to feel them - you know it’s like the paint recommendation thing I have - I have to see it in person!

Now I really don’t believe you can go wrong with the good ‘ol Americana Ralph Lauren:

And I love the texture the white one has…

So before I impulsively go out and buy –do you have a favorite brand of towel that you love? I would love any ideas!

♥ Katie

Done with Dried Up

So in this spring cleaning/decluttering mode I’m in — I have made a bold decision.

❖ I am all done with dried up things. ❖

This is especially about my potpourri…

Here it is in a nice little apothecary jar just collecting dust. I have never really understood why I have used it. I don’t like the look or the smell and nothing about it says “alive” and “happy!”

So out it goes - and in its’ place…fake eggs.

Yep, I don’t really grow much, do I?

♥ Katie

The Home Bible

In our household this is referred to as the “Home Bible” — okay really, I’m the only one that uses it so I can call it whatever I want to and that’s the most creative name I could come up with…

This was the thing - I was tired of hunting down names of companies or people that we have used on a regular basis in our house.

I wanted ONE location where I could go to to find

phone numbers, keep receipts or other important information.

I had an old pocket binder from school and in the front cover I printed a list of important numbers - a quick go to guide you might call it. (Also, great to leave out for the babysitter!)

Then each slot I designated for one member of the family (even our dog) that way any important documents can go in the proper slot. I also labeled one pocket for house needs, and listed the numbers on each of those too. I kept the back of the portfolio open for extra receipts.

I find it has been much easier going through one folder than a bunch of them and clearing out what I need when I have the chance. Just thought I’d pass the idea on!

♥ Katie

Third Times A Charm…

Obviously, I have had a problem picking paint colors for our guest bath…

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we?

First try…Welcome to Smurfville. Ahhhh!

Second Attempt…

Yep, tricked ya, I never really liked it. It  gave off a lavendar undertone, although I must admit, I think this picture looks pretty good but it doesn’t really look this grey in person. Rats.

♦♦♦

But the third one is gonna stick people. And I know because I have a secret trick…

I’ve personally seen it in another room.

Now, this doesn’t always work but I  think it helps SO very much when you are really dealing with a problem color to see someone elses, in person, and where they have used it.

Over Christmas we were at my parents house and my mom had painted her office this color. She, like me, first liked it from seeing it somewhere else. Her work offices. See, there you go — that is how paint colors transfer. Thank you to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

I know…kinda looks the same as the 2nd one - but this one really looks like this –and this color is going no where! Ahh, doesn’t it feel great when you get it right?! The color is called Herbal Escape from Benjamin Moore. It has a greenish gray undertone and it just works beautifully with our taupe shower tub - kidding! Gotta get that painted!

Next project…

♥ Katie

Trash Talk

I have a dirty little secret.

Here it goes…when I have an extra couple minutes I like to go around the house and empty the trash containers.

Seriously – for some reason this is rewarding – don’t ask me why.

Anyone?

I blame this on a fun little tip I got from Real Simple. I have collected a number of empty Kleenex boxes, stuff them with plastic grocery bags and I simply keep them under the sinks in the bathrooms. During those extra couple minutes - I go to the nearest bathroom, grab a bag and start emptying! I know there is a million other fun things you can do – but cut loose a little and try it out – secretly I think you might like it too!

I have another trash holder that I keep under my kitchen sink and it holds the bulk of my grocery bags. I got it from The Container Store ($16.99) and I think it is very sleek (sleek in an organizing kind of way!)

♥ Katie

❖❖❖

Talking about dirty things…My good blogger friend Lindsay emailed me about spreading the word on her first giveaway! And it just so happens that she is offering a lucky reader one bottle of her Homemade detergent

Can’t get any cleaner than that right?! Head on over to Harperville Home and enter to win!

A Closet Makeover with Some “Aha!” Uses!

I’m sure when most people think about their closets they think about the need to organize them…or they might think like me and all the ‘pants on the ground‘. But after that post of mine, and a little inspiration from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, I decided that I was going to make my closet the prettiest it can be while spending the least amount possible.

To do that, I knew I had to pull out a lot of “Aha” Uses, so here it went!

❖ Using a picture frame for a jewelry holder

My Inspiration – Pottery Barn Jewelry Display Frames

I just used an old picture frame and some foam board. I covered it with fabric and poked it with some sewing pins to hold my rings and some small nails to hold thin necklaces. Then I simply stuck my stud earrings right into the fabric…

❖ Silverware holder for an accessory holder

This one was repurposed for the second time but I just needed something to compartmentalize (is that even a word?) all my bracelets and watches. A new coat of spray paint to match the frame and it was done.

❖ Boxes as sock holders

Now this was a no brainer — I just needed more space to organize my socks and be able to grab them quickly without rumaging through them to find the right one. Just painted some cardboard boxes, nothing fancy but it works.

❖ Key hooks for holding necklaces and belts

I still needed something else to hold my necklaces.

Sidenote: All this necklace talk might seem crazy to those who really see me in person since I NEVER wear necklaces, but sadly, I guess that means I still buy them.

So I found a small set of hooks for keys at Target and thought - perfect size!

Got it home and it did the trick but it was not balanced with the other side. So I ran back and bought another one and thought it would be a good belt holder.

And of course there was a bigger set of hooks that nicely took the place of the gold and white beauty that had residency in our closet since the ’70’s…

This one could hold my ‘clean’ and ‘give’ bags perfectly.

❖ Ottoman for shoe/sweater storage

And to just give it more of that true “walk in closet” feel, I brought up the ottoman from our basement. I just thought it would be a nice touch on those days that I just sit and look at my clothes wondering what to wear…yeah right - actually I want to use it to store the out of season shoes and sweaters. So I can fill it with flip flops in the winter and boots and extra sweaters in the summer. Just another way to save space.

So here is my updated and newly painted closet:

From this:

Stark and white…

To this:

Organized and bright!

And if you are reading this and have ever painted your closet, please let me know so I can tell my husband I am not the only person who does this!

And the best part…I spent a whopping 36 bucks (just on paint and hooks). Everything else I already had. Don’t you love when that happens?

♥ Katie

{Met Monday @ BNOTP}

{Make it for Monday}

X’s and O’s

I know this being around Valentine’s Day - you are probably expecting something about kisses and hugs, but instead I’m going to talk about something way more romantic around our house — a good game of Tic-Tac-Toe!

Have an extra floor tile laying around? I really can’t remember where I got this idea but I made it a long time ago and finally one boy is old enough to want to play with me! Yipee!

I used an old tile and my chalk ink white marker - which you could just use chalk or a black sharpie too. I found my rocks along the side of the highway on a trip a year or so ago - not kidding you - at a McDonalds of all places. It is good to get them as flat as possible.

Make your x’s and o’s and you are ready to play!

(Don’t let his sweet smile fool you — he is ready to win!)

♥ Katie

A “Cool”- No Spool Idea

I was in heaven at Thrifty’s “So Fresh, So Clean” Party with such great ideas from everyone. I had to run to the grocery store that night and without children, I think I spent at least 15 minutes in the cleaning section looking at new cleaning products in a whole ‘nother light!

But here is my favorite idea that I immediately tried after reading - swear, like right after I read it!

Your Cool Friend Sheryl, used dress shirt boxes, but I just had extra manila folders laying around. I cut them up in 3×5’s and wrapped the ribbon around like Sheryl said!

And I have some extras ready to go in the back right corner of the basket.

Oh my goodness how happy it made me. Not that I didn’t love everyones dowel ideas but there were some spools that weren’t big enough and some that were too big, some ribbon that was too long and my paper towel holder was just not cutting it anymore. I had the perfect extra basket for all the cards and ribbon and perfect spot for it. I guess it was just meant to be…

♥ Katie