Friday, February 10, 2017
Kitchen Cabinets: Halfway There
Today seems like a good day for a little kitchen update. If you’ve been following along with us we’re currently making over our builder-grade cookie cutter house in coastal North Carolina. We purchased our new home the end of 2013 and added very minimal upgrades during our design studio appointment. Nearly all our upgrades were structural, not cosmetic. Fast forward three years later and here we are making our house our home one little project at a time. We started painting our kitchen cabinets in November and built our own custom box to frame the refrigerator. The upper cabinets are done and now we’re working on the lower cabinets.
We recently found this perfect little drop down farmhouse table at a local consignment shop. It was pretty much love at first site. We love the natural color and imperfections and plan to add wheels to the bottom to easily roll it out of the way and use it throughout our living space. As for the projects in the kitchen we’ve accomplished quite a bit, but still have a ways to go. So far we’ve added trim to the bottom of the upper cabinets along with new crown moulding, pulled the cabinet above the fridge out, removed the microwave and painted the upper cabinets.
We are loving the transformation even if it moves slowly. There's a certain kind of pride that comes with taking these projects on ourselves and finishing them all on our own. Of course it would be wonderful to have this whole kitchen done quickly and steadily, but there's a big trade off. So as we continue to work one weekend at a time we are constantly looking ahead at the next step and know we will soon have this project complete.
To the another weekend of painting, sanding + moving one step closer to the finish line!
Happy Friday friends.
xo
To the another weekend of painting, sanding + moving one step closer to the finish line!
Happy Friday friends.
xo
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Current Book Favorites
Mixed into our Valentine stash a few books related to winter and snow are hiding along with a couple new ones I plan to keep out all year long. The kids are so excited and are loving them page by page.
Scroll down to see a few of our new favorites.
Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda | I came across this book during one of our many trips to the book store. I fell in love with the book as soon as I read the second page. This book is interactive and encourages the kids to be silly and takes them on a ski adventure with a bunny. The kids are asked to help create snow by shaking the book and helping the bunny down the slope by tilting and turning the book around. It’s SO CUTE! I know this book will have to be replaced eventually because it will get handled more than a typical book. Kensi and Finn LOVE this book and get so giggly every time we read it.
Pancakes by Lotta Nieminen | This is also another interactive book. I always enjoyed reading books that included pull tabs, flaps and pop-ups. Pancakes is a children’s recipe book that encourages them to get in the kitchen and try making one of our all time favorite Saturday morning breakfasts. It does have a small pancake that can be removed and put into different places throughout the book. It can easily get lost, so I’m constantly checking to see if it’s put back to together.
Love is a Truck by Amy Novesky | Mike and I gave this book to Finnley for Christmas. He loves trucks like most little boys, but I was immediately drawn to the monochromatic illustrations created by Sara Gillingham and the simplicity of the story. They’re absolutely darling. Kensi knows there's also Love is a Tutu and has asked for it several times since Christmas; maybe it will end up in her Easter basket this year.
Happy Reading!
xo
Happy Reading!
xo
Monday, February 6, 2017
Date 5: Date Night Foot Soak
We were in much need of a night off from everything, but that’s never possible here.
Whether a guy likes to admit it or not, there is no doubt he enjoys being pampered. It was my week to plan our date and I wanted to create something relaxing without and allowed us to stay home. All we really wanted to do was take a night off so I knew a night of pampering would be ideal for this week.
One thing many don’t know about Mike is he LOVES to be pampered. He thoroughly enjoys foot soaks, body massages and pedicures, all of which I enjoy giving to him. It was a perfect night for just that, so instead of heading to an expensive spa for the evening I recreated our very own in our living room.
I decided cooking was completely off the table this week and we put an order in for takeout. I sent Mike to go pick it up and while he was gone I gathered every candle we own and scattered them throughout our living room. Sometimes I daydream about eating chinese food while being pampered so I figured why not. When Mike got back he walked into a dark house only lit by candles, wine and a hot foot soak waiting.
After we had finished our food, we rubbed a YESto Miracle Oil mud mask (form Target) on each other’s face and pressed play to begin our movie. Date nights don’t have to be all about fancy food and overly adventurous. It’s good for the mind, body and soul to have relaxing dates in that can still be fun; although we are so due to get out of the house and be a little more adventurous....hmmmm thinking up something fun for next week!
Below I shared how I created our stimulating and relaxing foot soak. I used Young Living essential oils and not only did it feel great, but it also smelled amazing. Mike loved it and asked if we could do it again the next night, a definite win for a date night!
Below I shared how I created our stimulating and relaxing foot soak. I used Young Living essential oils and not only did it feel great, but it also smelled amazing. Mike loved it and asked if we could do it again the next night, a definite win for a date night!
Date Night In: Foot Soak Recipe
1/3 cup Epsom Salt
4 drops YL Peppermint Essential Oil
2 drops YL Lavender Essential Oil
2 drops YL Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
1 drop YL Patchouli Essential Oil
In a large tub or bowl, add epsom salt and essential oils. Fill with hot water to cover feet. Soak and enjoy the sweet aromas as you escape from the chaos of the day!
So why did I choose these particular oils for our Date Night In?
Peppermint \\ This oil is naturally soothing and elevates + opens the sensory system.
Lavender \\ Always one of my favorite go to oils for literally everything! Lavender promotes health, love, peace a sense of well being.
Ylang Ylang \\ This is THE go to oil for DATE NIGHT! Not only is Ylang Ylang calming and relaxing, but it influences sexual energy and enhances relationships.
Patchouli \\ Naturally digests toxic material in the body. It is also sedating, calming + relaxing which allows it to reduce anxiety. Perfect for washing away the day’s stress.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Resolutions: February
February always gets me ready for spring. It triggers a love for cleaning, purging and organizing. Earlier this week I went through the kids’ toys (again) in the playroom. It’s shocking how many little things we accumulate without even realizing it. Whether it’s stuffed animals, trinkets or the never ending drawings and stickers. We are swimming in drawings and stickers. How we keep all of it under control and not let it take over our lives, well that’s for another post, another day.
I may love cleaning and organization, but I’m faulty in the fact I am not consistent. Some days it seems as if there’s just so much that’s piled up and it’s easier to turn away and do something else. Case in point, our laundry.
I actually enjoy gathering the dirty laundry, loading it into the machine and switching it over. It makes me feel accomplished and that I have my act together. My biggest downfall is after it’s dry. I hate folding it and putting it away. Absolutely hate it and I don’t really know why. Most days if you walk upstairs to our hall it will be littered with clean laundry, sorted into each person’s pile, but rarely folded. And it will sit and sit and sit for days. It’s a terrible habit and I like to blame our lack of closet storage on this, but the reality is I just don’t like doing it. However, when I get enough motivation and courage to tackle the mountains of clothes, fold them and put them away I literally feel like Super Woman. It’s the best feeling. Doesn’t that sound ridiculous? You may very well be thinking I’m a crazy nut who is seriously complaining about putting laundry away. It’s such a simple task, but we all have our downfalls. I don’t know what yours is, but mine is laundry.
I’m using February as my starting point for getting my laundry regime down and under control. Because I want to feel like Super Woman every day and not let my high be stolen because of a pile of clean clothes. So friends and family, any and all tips for how you keep your laundry routine simple and easy to manage whether it be how you fold, organize your closet, or schedule to wash....please share and send your tips my way!
Happy February and may organizing be ever in my (and your) favor.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
