Thriifty Decor Chick

Camping Food

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iln47CWTwJV7ygzYrBJXOzvkVxipItj8YnIgZnlAgB1RRukrFqPrOVjhxBFZmgw5FJU0e3I6Vp5e8oIc0a1fjRlX1IKfK_IyooIKE-XtFuvteOjXB4kg5q9oUVLyjzfmIvnPTF6K-ek/s1600/bananas+on+the+grill.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Banana recipe, Grilled Bananas, Bananas on Campfire, campfire" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iln47CWTwJV7ygzYrBJXOzvkVxipItj8YnIgZnlAgB1RRukrFqPrOVjhxBFZmgw5FJU0e3I6Vp5e8oIc0a1fjRlX1IKfK_IyooIKE-XtFuvteOjXB4kg5q9oUVLyjzfmIvnPTF6K-ek/s320/bananas+on+the+grill.png" title="Grilled Bananas" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love camping! I love everything about it. I love getting up early and having a cup of coffee outside before the kids wake up. I love the kids being outside and playing all day long. I love the smell the campfire. But mostly, I love the food. I love camping food, campfire food, camping snacks - you get the idea! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every summer we go camping with my husband's family. This year we stayed in Pennsylvania, on Hammond Lake. The campground was surrounded by mountains, and it was a quick walk or bike ride to the lake - beautiful! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8rd_rO5SV35HUzxivgtk-FBOLf3FniTjnHUmgmcZ0CdrPe-Y3H5KS_i02gvcTFOEY3FIAFou9Pfei6zWv93xMadckJIL1P_b6YF_6vpqOxZwPhzEpqW2AtrRe1jVpXspoPM-i9bodH4/s1600/Hammond+Lake.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8rd_rO5SV35HUzxivgtk-FBOLf3FniTjnHUmgmcZ0CdrPe-Y3H5KS_i02gvcTFOEY3FIAFou9Pfei6zWv93xMadckJIL1P_b6YF_6vpqOxZwPhzEpqW2AtrRe1jVpXspoPM-i9bodH4/s320/Hammond+Lake.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I could tell you fabulous tales of long hikes, fishing trips and bike rides up mountain roads, but as you can see, (I'm not ashamed to admit), it's all about the <em>food</em> for me. And when we're camping it's no exception. This year there were a total of 20 of us camping, so we spent a lot of time planning our meals, cooking and eating them. Bliss!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The picture below is a typical morning in front of our camper. Breakfast included eggs, bacon, sausages, muffins, hash browns... Needless to say, we never really needed lunch! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUNoLXAxktvr0SLL0ZPD4OCkP9BIjYKdKEwy3I4PftTcTm5z5DSWY8Jc-o0YTZLjYkrP3wrVBzZ8ibhyphenhyphenkXlMFaDl_zbX1M-_BVNa5uQ_VErEXd1M3EoeU5PLx6FKuLrIjgCVj6d9HxHk/s1600/summer+2013+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUNoLXAxktvr0SLL0ZPD4OCkP9BIjYKdKEwy3I4PftTcTm5z5DSWY8Jc-o0YTZLjYkrP3wrVBzZ8ibhyphenhyphenkXlMFaDl_zbX1M-_BVNa5uQ_VErEXd1M3EoeU5PLx6FKuLrIjgCVj6d9HxHk/s320/summer+2013+050.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dinners were varied - from steak with shrimp, to burgers and corn. But of course the highlight of the camping trip is always the bonfire after dinner. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdU9qTpZ8OLaHfVB6-YAu2i1WCoqa7c2xXV4FrgWzNfunBFp-i45iG71bdSqJy4hG8MnWLbRFAtaEEY6v-XrZ4tCi1wi2LS9yI_DDANp7OW4R8r6kePRdFLbB7_3mhfEWPJ-py-p6oA4/s1600/summer+2013+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdU9qTpZ8OLaHfVB6-YAu2i1WCoqa7c2xXV4FrgWzNfunBFp-i45iG71bdSqJy4hG8MnWLbRFAtaEEY6v-XrZ4tCi1wi2LS9yI_DDANp7OW4R8r6kePRdFLbB7_3mhfEWPJ-py-p6oA4/s320/summer+2013+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We made the usual marshmallows, S'mores and popcorn.  But this year we also made two really cute and easy campfire treats. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Frozen Banana Treats</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(My Mother-in-Law found this recipe, and the bites were delicious!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ingredients: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4 Bananas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">10 oz baking chocolate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/4 cup peanut butter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Slice bananas into1/2 inch rounds. Place on parchment paper, on a cookie sheet, and freeze for 1 hour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Spread each round with Peanut butter, and top with another banana slice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile melt Chocolate in Microwave. Melt on medium for 30 seconds, stir, and repeat until chocolate is melted and smooth. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dip each banana bite in chocolate, using two forks. Place back on cookie sheet and freeze for 2 hours. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Serve and enjoy! </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Banana Boats on the Campfire</strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iln47CWTwJV7ygzYrBJXOzvkVxipItj8YnIgZnlAgB1RRukrFqPrOVjhxBFZmgw5FJU0e3I6Vp5e8oIc0a1fjRlX1IKfK_IyooIKE-XtFuvteOjXB4kg5q9oUVLyjzfmIvnPTF6K-ek/s1600/bananas+on+the+grill.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Banana recipe, Grilled Bananas, Bananas on Campfire, campfire" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iln47CWTwJV7ygzYrBJXOzvkVxipItj8YnIgZnlAgB1RRukrFqPrOVjhxBFZmgw5FJU0e3I6Vp5e8oIc0a1fjRlX1IKfK_IyooIKE-XtFuvteOjXB4kg5q9oUVLyjzfmIvnPTF6K-ek/s320/bananas+on+the+grill.png" title="Grilled Bananas" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  </div>Ingredients:<br /><br />1 just-ripe (but still yellow) banana<br /><div>1 tablespoon mini marshmallows 1 tablespoon chocolate chips</div><strong></strong><br /><div style="border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px currentColor; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Make a lengthwise slit down the inner curve of the banana, about half-way through the banana. </div></div></div><div style="border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px currentColor; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pack the chocolate chips and marshmallows into the banana flesh inside the peel. Mound any additional chips or marshmallows on top.</div><div style="border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px currentColor; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wrap the banana in a square of foil.</div>Lay on the grill rack over indirect heat and cook 15 minutes. (Grilling time will depend on how hot your fire is and how ripe the banana is.) Open the foil and see if the chocolate and marshmallow are melted. The skin on the finished banana should be extremely dark brown.<br /><br />We passed the banana boats out and ate them with spoons! <br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #45818e;">LINK PARTIES for each day of the week. 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font-size: xx-small;">What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.whitelightsonwednesday.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Wednesday Whatsits  at White Lights on Wednesday</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.greenwillowpond.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">What We Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow Pond</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Under $100  Linky Party at Beyond the Picket Fence</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.southernlovely.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Show and Share at Southern  Lovely</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; 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font-size: xx-small;">Create and Share at The Trendy Treehouse</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thelifeofjenniferdawn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">A Little Bird  Told Me Link Party at The Life of Jennifer Dawn</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://notdonegrowing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Oh What a Happy Day  Link Party at Not Done Growing</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://weliketolearnaswego.blogspot.com/2013/04/what-i-learned-wednesday-53.html?showComment=1366810746854#c8570136592418367828"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">What  I Learned Wednesday</span></a><br /><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Trendy Treehouse</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.whitelightsonwednesday.com/2013/04/wednesday-whatsits-57/#comment-3860"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Wednesday  Whatsits</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/2013/04/wicked-awesome-wednesday-107.html"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Wicked  Awesome Wednesday</span></a><br /><a href="http://thissillygirlslife.com/wp/2013/04/two-girls-and-a-party-linky-party-no-13/#comment-1366"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Two  Girls and a Party</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Party Time at The 36th Avenue</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">THURSDAY</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2013/07/18/the-weekly-creative-link-party-4.html"><span style="color: blue; 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font-size: xx-small;">Frugal Friday at The Shabby  Nest</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://redouxinteriors.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">What Have You Redone at Redoux  Interiors</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Home  Sweet Home at The Charm of Home</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Thrifty Things Friday  at The Thrifty Groove</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Simple and Sweet Fridays at Rooted </span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Faunt It Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Frugalicious Friday at  Finding Fabulous</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Show and Tell Friday at  Romantic Home</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.thecottagemarket.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Junkin' Joe Vintage and Thrifty Finds at The Cottage  Market</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; 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font-size: xx-small;">TGIF Blog Hop</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">SATURDAY</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.houseontheway.com/google-blog-hop/#comment-7766"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Google+ Blog Hop at House on the Way</span></a><br /><a href="http://cheeriosandlattes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Saturday Show and Tell at Cheerios and Lattes</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.net/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Saturday Nite Special at  Funky Junk Interiors</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">A Bouquet of Talent Party at Life on Lakeshore Drive</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://sixsistersstuff.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Strut Your Stuff Party at Six  Sisters' Stuff</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.sassylittlelady.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Show and Tell Saturday at Sassy little Lady</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://too-much-time.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Get Schooled Satuday at Too Much  Time on My Hands</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.foxhollowcottage.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Power of Pinterest Party at Fox Hollow Cottage</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.oneshetwoshe.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Your Great Idea Party at Or So  She Says</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Overflowing  with Creativity party at It's Overflowing</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://gingerbreadgem.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Craft Country Cottage  Party at Old Red Barn</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://sew-licious.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Saturday SHOW-licious Craft Showcase at Sew-licious</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: magenta; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUNoLXAxktvr0SLL0ZPD4OCkP9BIjYKdKEwy3I4PftTcTm5z5DSWY8Jc-o0YTZLjYkrP3wrVBzZ8ibhyphenhyphenkXlMFaDl_zbX1M-_BVNa5uQ_VErEXd1M3EoeU5PLx6FKuLrIjgCVj6d9HxHk/s1600/summer+2013+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Camping Food

I love camping! I love everything about it. I love getting up early and having a cup of coffee outside before the kids wake up. I love...

2:18 PM

80’s nightstand redo

<p>Hello all! How are you? Thanks for the lovely comments on my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/best-week-ever.html">last post</a>. ;) We are getting very excited! </p>  <p>Today I’m kicking off my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/july-in-review-and-no-spend-august.html">no-spend August</a> with a little redo for the bedroom. We’ve had short bookcases as our nightstands (you can see <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/our-new-bed-and-bedroom.html">here</a>) for years, but I wanted to replace them for many reasons – they were too tall for the new bed (and I was afraid I was going to lose an eye on the corner), they were SO dark in the room and the height made finding a lamp impossible. (It needed to be short but still substantial.)</p>  <p>SO. I started looking around. In my mind I’ve always wanted a small dresser on each side – maybe wood, maybe something I can paint. Something with at least a little CLOSED storage for me. (I learned from the bookcases.) I scoured Craigslist for months and nothing was coming up. I checked out antique shops and nothing was the right size and width (too wide). Then I started looking into a more traditional nightstand idea and looked at HomeGoods and TJ Maxx and nothin’. </p>  <p>Then…I shopped my house. ;) Dur. We had two that worked perfectly – I just didn’t <em>think</em> they would work perfectly. So late one night I spent the evening dragging furniture around the upstairs to see what would work. We’ve had an old nightstand in the family for years that has been passed around and it’s been sitting in our guest room: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbOXQf3Thgk7ZryWUy6fpABUMrJLEwhSzjd1ee8Ul6JhCWZKXVqwYw4qPUOC9-l2wHhjU6K-yMa8fye_bZa4A9qQ2PcLdHMI_9bGLMYDQY3l4d8GK0HvQzaieWawq3egLZ-Rwm_ewK3I/s1600-h/painting-dark-wood%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="80's nightstand redo" border="0" height="673" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj87KWTp2WZNZvitL1zThfqSqIP3g4HJdyuElsssgLBffy41TvGMGphrVyvsqxrooMhNWc3vstvbojeVCbM-FKSzD21c7g-fwm3uP6wpiZltOOxppR7BrRGZP7OF2_wlnjAtNAisoZjD8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="80's nightstand redo" width="450" /></a></p>  <p>Here’s the thing. It’s not what I would pick – but it was here and free and I was determined to make it work. </p>  <p>The thing was a MESS. Seriously gross. I wasn’t crazy about the reddish stain and it was destroyed in a few places so I knew that was going. What really bugged me was the hardware, so I took it all off: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwpAgwoKFnfL_gXw3rL-YmhwgOcnm3MUQPR-PuK-mQKJ_tIUgYjZKuLebZwWWXiHSkMlbqrbrWtjKrJ1cv7BRbVhdrvZJe0E5AQjnxnnf_mmYb74Nu06OMBnT69XL8P3gR8rh3xIYA-g/s1600-h/refinishing-80%252527s-dresser%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="refinishing 80's nightstand" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bhI7Ffc9Ioao1F8uVRxx6TaxtoMycnB8RlWTmK9QDadB2txkzVw7aSZwuHuncKqtSIc02OXG_FJtSCD-BzTrwPC8mzPskQbemxPhQRny5eXjX_A_bj47FSWi-NLE4TcNH3JS44qIdVQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="refinishing 80's nightstand" width="500" /></a></p>  <p>It was super easy to get that little jobby off – just pry it off with a flat head screwdriver then pull the nails out. </p>  <p>The nightstand got a VERY thorough cleaning: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhW6GLKn4gNGY7_-CXzLfhYoP1U54L-RpfYI54Xwjkd5-e5cLhshn7zNxpbWsiWFXwTQv1Gni8YceUnUxEp_izSrb_07tjABwsCGWP0OpGt9tEI9JVLtt2hj_tQcOOX_Op5YY-W5yKM4/s1600-h/refinishing-an-80%252527s-dresser%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="painting dark wood " border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC_Xajr0X_PPIXNZW2MluaGJAmNpXPCLdkeXcnurKcQgDIEju8P03cQxicKsFoOa_RtaK-QxuLwNauM4qGoYCBTign5KROzVJIc4ZaI38BLU8EEFrJttSM_MtdAR9KryvFMDkWie620o/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="painting dark wood " width="450" /></a></p>  <p>I cleaned in all of the little crevices – this is so important, especially when painting over dark wood. You’ll see why in a minute. Grrr.</p>  <p>Because the wood was such a mess I gave the flat surfaces a quick sanding to get that top layer off, then cleaned well again. </p>  <p>I used this BIN spray to prime the whole thing: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVuy2lDwVKAnFAQiXm6MJpNDiKJuCrcGSi3ozaXQmrMku0jGeRHjyX0OC217QgwpbskxZ7WXm2n1auGYvegngE3KaWPSNSwG3jzIITi1Dn9AT8NSnv02coeW8ohfNuKeHXoQ9BIs6tQY/s1600-h/BIN-spray-primer%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray primer over dark wood" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApcPjhJraMxVpeUjyA6BMahWtAZw9coL4D-O6wN5cS1kvsbYPst0qKPFAG0jOllkaVRbd_yCHUIX60QcCy0xPBiJkf-JpX2jpZww0bCc8IDhGWrM4r4JIhUKCdUpDZCtmrzIiXcIqdQE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="spray primer over dark wood" width="450" /></a></p>  <p>I have used this stuff for years and have a love/hate relationship with it. It is GREAT primer and I love that they offer it in a spray. But the spray can SUCKS. Every single one I’ve ever used sucks. No matter how much I shake it, no matter the angle – the spray doesn't come out evenly. It spatters, gets super watery – it’s just hard to use. But I continue to because it’s great when you need great coverage on a hard to prime piece. </p>  <p>OK, so I used chalk paint for the coat of white after the primer. Here’s the thing (that I already knew, thankfully) about using white chalk paint over a deep, dark wood – the pigment can react with the paint and make it pink. So I was cautioned awhile back to always prime a dark wood piece well before painting with that paint. (Usually with chalk paint you can just start painting without priming, but this isn’t always the case with a red/dark tone piece.)</p>  <p>So I must have missed cleaning or priming one spot well because wow, it was a <em>mess</em>. No matter what I did (I primed it, painted it twice, reprimed it, then painted it twice again), some of the pigment was coming through on one spot. It looked nasty. Grody: </p>  <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRl5X_Qqc4SqD0EONUffitri9lYR9-xJu9l4xGsADK6UH8vsMfXXqc7KBEIO1_NUvLVsNLhM_N2EaO_x6UkUN81C8pZGVVLe0edlvgN82DPdQL8BN__K_83nX_jmzEnAyEvEo1fDrGraY/s1600-h/dark-finish-coming-through-white-paint%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark stain bleeding through white paint" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwpr2Yg14E2YKk-XIS62AmI6wuO4uVlwuLxULaFbQDOZYTusLqraOgZB9c9mdcaPXr35t_Pu9odiX9nfWxGgFPXqN4GRf6gPrG8TGQG2yGPUQUlgNOZu_JM7_4j_3UAzy0z_kK5PnS00/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="dark stain bleeding through white paint" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XfwU1Qn4gatKw_tIBmPk9lh-Ffx_WyRPaPb3zFZJdua_S1y8bhZwUxt2DT9FIipXAQxO7xw3cWhOHb6NC6taDNrU9iPKZoHb6eMRA8SiDlPNOmS8TE0qZVVmfdyQR1zPCO9qEOnN6UI/s1600-h/dark-stain-coming-through-paint%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark stain bleeding through white paint after" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGflZl3vtWWMgif_7kaKisRG-PBWTSOo1d3WTAsjz9f399OSYGi3nWsDUdE2IRrN_eOO735IZ6lH6H1-DEOHUq_bS4tjIOmUXQzOyPvhBGtQ9kV8a7vgjY924zPZI-jSAt4g4JfFgZSyM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="dark stain bleeding through white paint after" width="290" /></a></p>  <p>Ugh. Gross, right? I was so dang annoyed. The rest of the nightstand looks amazing, so I know I just missed cleaning right there or something. So I got my BIN primer in the can out and put two or three coats over it with a brush (pic on the right) and so far it’s doing much better. I still haven’t even tried painting over it again with the chalk paint because I’m afraid it’s going to bring that nastiness out again. </p>  <p>That part isn’t bright white like the rest of it but I think I’m willing to live with that because I don’t want to prime again! </p>  <p>The holes for the old pulls were so big it was going to be a pain to fill them in, so I ended up just placing the new ones right over the holes: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsHM7dBRtpqH8T1I2e3G_rmUUsIg1G5yDkPmzHl5_MsWz9XZrzZqI5YI2xvzX2L5IGQ-boiyJPSE0yTOK9lU7-JMxGHdmeXkX1pnr9IiGjRAhREelqGZQ_bXp_vloB1OEb62JxUtUDMM/s1600-h/nickel-hardware-white-furniture%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="nickel pulls white furniture" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1tf0whRK7q6zhE0-Doof-g32VEYQ1-ePNMQFf2Ae1ml18Z8GRWR4FKrlj7CUvcsJ1GSUwwZ0NOIMrvvBGAZ65HMYOowIx7jbT66R7FT4flRTC4HltozujeUhKpEEjsdwH9WbDURfKzI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="nickel pulls white furniture" width="450" /></a></p>  <p>They were very strategically placed. ;) I’d much prefer them moved in a little bit on the drawer, but I pick my DIY battles. </p>  <p>I already had the pulls – got them for another project and didn’t use them there. I thought they would look so lovely against the white and I love how it turned out: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FazgLceZ3GgA_rbe3it9sXsYI1CyuqHrdsQweQemKsnnmI8jIDiN5E0J9q_t0Ef8_UerUPfaQclsfvTZ864MOzpG2a9ZDK1bFaPswoEbx63HwIgdVsK7ZR24E6VUERXDgth2Kpb7yn8/s1600-h/repainting-80%252527s-furniture%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark wood nightstand redo " border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8f5HclynvPGC1wsOdv_1c_BEq1AcaS2Hvx4LIyKIDxmH717b-7TPktKneCeC8IwqX4FoXRMEIvKpVzUXcvln8htaEGnPoGKPVqGEbF7E4AoptzTgMqNK02MhIobRYdVjjYoJUVN8Mm5k/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dark wood nightstand redo " width="500" /></a></p>  <p>I’m seriously so pleased with it! I didn’t think I would love it this much! </p>  <p>Next up, the lamps. I have no idea what I’m doing with them yet, but they aren’t staying brass:</p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJh1NjqkJO1ND4VgM5nTpG5-h8LpWMrAasEeObtKhmI-liCjnfcGRdBEfR99s6dmcdG01h51o7NeOSTxNA-ZQ7Uj7nPzo2RL9GYq93ngmQJsbGUvGSlbrK9F1zbXh4PhvB3-BLzMqQO4/s1600-h/80%252527s-nightstand-redo%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="80's nightstand redo" border="0" height="775" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQeBpmvlF4WEWhVrCVdfDXYKVXc7IowGv9azZtppLzVHeM7LuSGecYj-Sgdhus_Phe7IR5pslGN8tFUiwYhPHpgN-Vko6OPfoIwgRZwq4JmBCGFzfsPZBTqA-Mk9OVLIjry3CPZXoZfg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="80's nightstand redo" width="500" /></a></p>  <p>They were in the basement and I did a little switcharoo – SO much better this way! </p>  <p>I went with white on the nightstand for a few reasons. I’m still deciding on some accent colors in the room (I don’t want it to be all neutral), so this gives me a blank slate to work with. Plus I had the white on hand. </p>  <p>The big reason was I pulled a pedestal table that used to be in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/nursery">Bub’s nursery</a> in as the other nightstand. It was a piece I picked up from the unfinished furniture store and painted when I was pregnant and couldn’t bear to part with it. It was already white, so to pull them together I wanted them both to be white. </p>  <p>At first I thought it was going to be too tall, but it is the perfect height and size! Again…I’m trying to use what we have here. I don’t know if these will stay forever (I’d like something more substantial down the line), but for now they work great for us: </p>  <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb2Hr4-FMuLqduBvG3llehyphenhyphenmo0xT8Xoa4p6LuUhNO21umEFMZSvT2ca6Ufu-sSywFW5l7OQplib_AgLgYor_7cd2HdPBBHshZNj9zifsAFc4IWd0knp8yIJswx4hyphenhyphennT20Ep8H5f2PsKY/s1600-h/pedestal-table-as-nightstand%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pedestal table as nightstand" border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq-d2WDuQsNtREYjawtkeEeqLgd-rnrer-0GA5-txICtrrrMHDx06GVMxMssGndUPGmuZCSj14Rq84TyxsqJghfs93Mgga696famAMQzHhDeK9Wa81ZO4NJeb8w-v6XEMeuIhN9D5gDk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="pedestal table as nightstand" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDc_JB-GpqRczmlPf00oan9_TnszV1yFCdKS9VXh9bhLewNsywTGtZQ5U8Yl-dbRkSX5ChfZVyeojjI_h2HWHza63RniRdSqsaf27kWHuqksV8vAnFrN_sBd55oJh00L2BFZ9eT37w1fM/s1600-h/painting-dark-furniture-white%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="80's nightstand redo" border="0" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1DaVBfqzRCdxlgERpg3cR7xnFJSkVn9PMMBwBGjLO3FlXFlaXVW_xyWVQ7PAJYMkwjzmQkjXPRIyAgG8lxMJFQScf4Xtojm72IvIncHXQAJIKjVGZKlGT6Lt8EkbU1_EJu12VqI7Wi8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="80's nightstand redo" width="275" /></a>    </p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p></p>  <p>Yes, I still need to cut in that wall color by the floor. It’s on my list. A few other things need to happen first. :) And YES, that lamp cord will be dealt with. <em>Buwhahaaaa. </em></p>  <p>So have you tried using chalk paint over a dark wood piece? How did it work for you? It will never cease to amaze me how paint and new knobs can transform furniture! </p>  <p>The best part – we have two “new” nightstands and I didn’t spend a dime! This no-spend month is going well, so far. ;) </p>

80’s nightstand redo

Hello all! How are you? Thanks for the lovely comments on my last post . ;) We are getting very excited! Today I’m kicking off my no-spend...

8:53 AM

Best week ever!

<p>Good Monday to you all! Wow, it’s been a total whirlwind of a week! I’m not sure I’ve ever packed more into seven days in my life. </p>  <p>Bear with me as I share a little bit of it with you today – it’s been an wonderful, overwhelming, lovely week and it really couldn’t have gone much better! </p>  <p>First up – Haven 2013! For those of you who don’t know, Haven is a conference dedicated to DIY and decor bloggers specifically. It’s the first of it’s kind because we (the team) knew there was a need for it – and a few years ago we decided it was time to make it happen!</p>  <p>This was our second year and it was even better than the first!: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCoK3m9AzOG_NcYkDqhLtF-MoJdLuoDWLFR1VJJQugfwGm3qov3stckzUW0PxvFh-BINfU74D7TqgLoC75_3gJIpocnqYWImseEXenk-ee3fvfmaChKi3b0OUyRB6OPy4Y_k7oGgbbKA/s1600-h/IMG_7137%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Haven confererence " border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSbcTAbOuKkqeLUvaxh8fPP_ED7DWXw93Ay_tlQ2_gZrLG0GWy_BFZNA-qb6z1R5hnxwGp2hK0cwcLrCgiXh0rzErP1LTI-EdU-0HfPeUEkmS9OxXGxzie7UZgFp3bpQe-f3g7rwmKsg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Haven confererence " width="550" /></a></p>  <p>This is about half the group – all together we had about 450 attendees (that includes sponsors) so it was much bigger than last year. I’m not sure we’ll go too much bigger because we love the feel of this size – we still want everyone to feel like they have a chance to meet most everyone. </p>  <p>It was just a great week, really. We were just so happy with how it all turned out and are all so thrilled and humbled by it all! There was a lot of learning – I have a HUGE to do list written down – but most of all it’s just so amazing to hang out with people who totally <em>get </em>what you do. </p>  <p>We goofed around plenty: </p>  <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyquNTJEwzADuQfsF3gB6JEo4je3gKPzgChyv-b0M9XX4oN0kI-2DA-G9D3VPq2otnptRuC3hRJkJADhPSqnS8H4HWG4Cv8tvnvRSGT6PG6jxnB6f2srhS75jkYJ_Gfsg74Mqt7KGd0sM/s1600-h/Haven%252520conference.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jdKZTZtuG8G_rwItobOLTgy1Y4RYO4W9XiaiD27GhDiqpevXGcUWDkEntG_2fu99zr3Go_NC5W1pLpXZAiui9qOaEkReQ0dBWmuv5LyDuMFSTlHQBqqj1c0cUudOhoq5h45D40O2564/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCD4drKwUpUPygKphIsV2txyo7dHioGqMoZhLOzKEnHiAQfCwq8P6KNT4OeKs2mTQSeZGL0_H88zCVRZlKxT630Twoae3dia3Wmk9jIa0xV9YjLZaz0ZicGP6vIg1Cs8LOMvw2M5vcA0A/s1600-h/IMG_7183%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zAoVX3_ygPfEYv518fc5659P-Fs8Wuh88i4qqG-r3iswvZSQn862ydMynFivhisoWflAghKu5bXz92jRk3vHdTBCF3qkKs8d_EUsYzKavXtvgbOdVLxAjbCEwkb-KfTHIVEZuSeiS5c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a></p>  <p>It’s hard not to with these ladies. I laughed, a LOT. ;) </p>  <p>But most of all, like always, I walked away having learned so much from just chatting with other bloggers throughout the week. I was so happy to see old friends: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhx5MHSwc8Rfx1FDkClHQLP8riLE_inhbIHroLhseaZjq2ZcdoIFPTwBWhyTTxfkR9glvSldDTU4vZl1dLYPMErxSngj-IXge7qmHQGclg9g5KdYD5_TmwjfB7hnpyRpGc9mUPwS3HOhc/s1600-h/Haven%252520Conference%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Haven Conference " border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvyfCB9uUQOn4xfi3Z0WKWC3MBZFjJGy77RDmK0AHH0BFKrym2xl0UBhCr1cBbGwInTorlsAJSwnw58tuzW0epmE7WR8HtGLmARXlpfiEoXgLgOExGNA_efPjT8KaVaNYmP7EUr5MLDg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Haven Conference " width="550" /></a></p>  <p>And meet plenty of new ones, even though I’ve “known” them for years: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0jJvhmioUxtQ6Q9R4-mh-hoZCOVdrj1MeP1fkbn6HEywCOLpNcGa8uWGDsBqypXTHCHg5f7YszhI3gt3rIOe-WgLOoIamZKpAkL-OymwzLobmIq4yqn0sL7ZJ64pVMgyQy6uF7XCdXo/s1600-h/IMG_7123%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="blogging conference" border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqbp2saUPx4GMGWok6rH27IcaIkposkisqZd0aS_dEi2YHs9DLp4O_gr7R80Hnqq3pq0C4BZwenUJ-kLmwpVUbjsAkV0KLWonZ74Ww2OXJx5ud45Ju4kZT8uCdq8a2GTfrXZXQxrrGQQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="blogging conference" width="550" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43R0lYyQY_rIvX_VQqvlUA3kVvKN4xtSTD-7G-IKjPwwf7kOTr2BbbytOe8wJC_vvv3mkY8Vy4uL26TdccWwjs3lk9vtbilyzWG90Jw3sWbces4Yl0QNYAXy7w7r8__WVZs2BxA4Ar-w/s1600-h/IMG_7178%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="haven conference" border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TY2s1ZkotiE9divStnzBfJyqkxJxuMQ8gGgVQ1sDZIEm8GMMtgi8i2MTYV8zRvOwROdeQPw4dn4kMKpqiJBhRqTsanK9Hd4MtB4bzUoj3p8n4q4-ad49TJHdjZx7MkMaEUUYvHs2vlM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="haven conference" width="550" /></a></p>  <p>As always, I didn’t get nearly enough pictures. I know took one with many of you and I’d love a copy! (Or we have a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/haven2013/">2013 Flickr</a> account going, so you can load them there!) </p>  <p>It was an honor to have been a part of it again this year and to work with some amazing women: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rkD7-Gz5nZ39gHOur6-X1hxRmY7sEHu5U9etYFVLUoA2kwsWB3ed6HtYQ0uN77-a9lhTwU3Xj8nafs6TWFwYotySNH-98waVGiXG6E2uzNNx9CpYTQhGoFibQl_IjDKPWUnDLdTM7NM/s1600-h/Haven%252520conference%252520planning%252520team.jpg"><img alt="Haven conference planning team" border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZx5lotLhmE17gHvNYBlKFGtjwd52HEVL8V-OEPd5gUV_s0iwLOktOgVIWtbmjW9J5jIc5o_zN3iKoQ8mtlAwukTU8MvbpHvzORxGxEYP29ubUblN6g47VVtr-uBaI1fWD-GuxH_folM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Haven conference planning team" width="550" /></a></p>  <p>Our event planner, Kristin, isn’t in that pic but she is a rock star – there is NO way we could do this without her. </p>  <p>Next year’s conference is already booked for July in Atlanta! We’ll share details soon. :)</p>  <p>So I got home from the conference, slept for a few hours and then moved on to the next adventure…the NKOTB concert: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm72cJjrDS-pgpG-KMFplobHU3jhrTI-XLi5TWpsZO1C52rRnDrUrkNh8MXBCABXaRpYAAkE-7l4SL_OpcCq6dMpfDBsvUO7K1C5qnH5IHanBN72T1bXnn_z1_7o1pmvhJa3eIqvYHvw/s1600-h/IMG_7229%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cfJd9I7eL453SnBQC7-CL4zvl38B73Zksty8bXrYf4WLGypdOxZ_ILUNN9egfXmtfId3_IdAFgiH6o_qopGEtphKz0y9FXWv2KHE8cetrkA67Mrl7A2-PVMDiNM8b5qY8CHRjfDlXrA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p>  <p>I know I’m a little <em>teensy bit</em> biased, but <strong>DANG</strong>, they put on a great show! I was exhausted just from attending. </p>  <p>This time they were joined by Boys to Men (they were fantastic!) and 98 Degrees and the place was packed!: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wGC9O6JZEu_d6mZ5_7wOlc5P_-K8F26rqikWshvvo837MdNUe-2Prr6oaEanMQWvHIRBMi5zAk4Z0NqwmTZR6YpMTgAOo8skY3usufzCZAnwdJTeBVlW1ACf3u1DzqPyk3Cav7Rmn-0/s1600-h/IMG_7234%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="732" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioseGNYhbejFxaxyp_X1l9OaS1Q0vMT9aSWJ87ZHWWLANJyiILih31-FEsJstqbJ7000CkB_XiTGOH98A5N3cpto7TtwH_lgzjDA0hTFETcvF1qViu_O9o1SM5zY4Hmf_iIXWhni0HADc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="550" /></a></p>  <p>It is absolutely electric. And LOUD. Grown women can SCREAM. </p>  <p>My hubby’s cousin hooked us up with some incredible seats – six rows off the floor: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHCm9brlgT_PkHBge4g7X7fnSZgGCcJVqkIoe2GmI1inWqEnDZiEEmrevJhUIRMa4LiHdm8g1O5myh4O2u47CR6uwt0LAUHz1hdh1VLp0PtMppULMOPG3FHMCz89CkfHvxVT4noKz890/s1600-h/IMG_7276%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="NKOTB tour" border="0" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3uT8PUF7hm0DbUrveRprdQcRnL4l-fHX15-aqSF41C60emcjQdRbbgE3SDNT6nPA1YnrF2VjfEy92_bTbhqwaLZB3UHasJ1SFzN8MQZM6w6cebPHgu_72ikNNPgHnMam4v9xZMV1k8w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="NKOTB tour" width="546" /></a></p>  <p>We had one of the best views there! Excuse my Farah hair by the way. I’m bringing the 70’s back. Apparently. </p>  <p>Yet again, I came home, got a few hours of sleep and then this morning we were up bright and early for a <em>very </em>special appointment. </p>  <p>Today we learned we’ll soon have a grandson. :) Yes, I’m going to be a grandma – my stepdaughter (23) is due in December and we found out this morning it’s a boy. It was very emotional and sweet and they had a room full of family and friends there to find out the big news. Our son is THRILLED. :)</p>  <p>We are just so happy she and the baby are healthy and doing well.  I haven’t mentioned it yet just because I kind of feel like this is their story to tell, not mine. I will of course share more as we get closer to the due date and will most likely share a few pics over time, but I want to respect their privacy and desires too. </p>  <p>I can’t wait to meet this sweet boy!!</p>  <p>So, yes, I think I will set some kind of record as the youngest grandma ever. Especially being 27 and all. Or something. </p>  <p>Well…there’s my week in a nutshell. See, a little crazy huh? But every bit of it makes me so incredibly thankful – I am <strong>so</strong> grateful for this life I live. I am a lucky woman. A lucky woman who is off to take a nap for six hours or so. ;) </p>

Best week ever!

Good Monday to you all! Wow, it’s been a total whirlwind of a week! I’m not sure I’ve ever packed more into seven days in my life. Bear wi...

9:15 AM

DIY Sun Catcher

<div style="text-align: center;">The little man and I made sun catchers! Thank you Pinterest! </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-dVS3qpWkpiDyQiLbJfTKW3tLAtn3z1w7xnO9qIpYehyDsgAqp-e6KyK7WCfWQ29YsREAvB36coA_CIGtxRNDCBWthKHZsDPru5Rn1oFPjh-gh7zIAZKVNnjAE9qOIZY7fTZ4XPlmrE/s1600/suncatcher+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="suncatcher, DIY Suncatcher, Sun Catcher" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-dVS3qpWkpiDyQiLbJfTKW3tLAtn3z1w7xnO9qIpYehyDsgAqp-e6KyK7WCfWQ29YsREAvB36coA_CIGtxRNDCBWthKHZsDPru5Rn1oFPjh-gh7zIAZKVNnjAE9qOIZY7fTZ4XPlmrE/s320/suncatcher+015.JPG" title="Suncatcher" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">All you have to do is buy a few bags or see-through plastic beads. I got mine at the Dollar Store. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw-QHHXAHI7Tps74DggAh8w6sgAzuqZ5OKRG1gmddFwsKdaqvHVAqs7znInhYTaa3K7cg6_Ee5tZ61tQbbsuLzU_lR2MlAMS6_cuZigD36skzV29IVm4GgpIZuiKiCW5DTKGO6MnxoW8/s1600/suncatcher+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw-QHHXAHI7Tps74DggAh8w6sgAzuqZ5OKRG1gmddFwsKdaqvHVAqs7znInhYTaa3K7cg6_Ee5tZ61tQbbsuLzU_lR2MlAMS6_cuZigD36skzV29IVm4GgpIZuiKiCW5DTKGO6MnxoW8/s320/suncatcher+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pour them into a metal pie or cake pan. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL-Uh7hfeIBg6sRAz5y6DFZTeGGcWYvSCCFSWVjBIp4A_tPvdORLHuWARvWdl-xugB35FtoXTGWef8vHtoTq4UTWFy6P_EDSeliOI6j4oKLhxWcncmejl9v7NQBzjfFwbc1GBALzQfIQ/s1600/suncatcher+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL-Uh7hfeIBg6sRAz5y6DFZTeGGcWYvSCCFSWVjBIp4A_tPvdORLHuWARvWdl-xugB35FtoXTGWef8vHtoTq4UTWFy6P_EDSeliOI6j4oKLhxWcncmejl9v7NQBzjfFwbc1GBALzQfIQ/s320/suncatcher+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Pre-heat the oven to 400 and bake for 20 minutes. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6Vcuk2VZrm1oetfGej4GG8EeNGMBDmC9Md637kP1jb1grYkNpau3iHahDOglNxdEaVZuZ3z7ifF0oVqEvOyiIUf6Q0z9Ky-WRW7IDE1PyjyWIJBy2Pbd2XWUUnhcg0tiXyZnQFrWsWg/s1600/suncatcher+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6Vcuk2VZrm1oetfGej4GG8EeNGMBDmC9Md637kP1jb1grYkNpau3iHahDOglNxdEaVZuZ3z7ifF0oVqEvOyiIUf6Q0z9Ky-WRW7IDE1PyjyWIJBy2Pbd2XWUUnhcg0tiXyZnQFrWsWg/s320/suncatcher+010.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Presto!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU5US2z1uTz3lTXk64hNP4-Z7lyejOdNOx9oRja2W8BrFes47mz9ou6nRk90yUSj7RQmC7sZAaNSgTeGAqIEJBCgznb41dVW8zrRvjbBkGTOaMkEWelRz-XUuatfCH1j1gfLYIcRlfrU/s1600/suncatcher+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU5US2z1uTz3lTXk64hNP4-Z7lyejOdNOx9oRja2W8BrFes47mz9ou6nRk90yUSj7RQmC7sZAaNSgTeGAqIEJBCgznb41dVW8zrRvjbBkGTOaMkEWelRz-XUuatfCH1j1gfLYIcRlfrU/s320/suncatcher+011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div align="center">The beads come with a string, but fishing line would be perfect for hanging. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-dVS3qpWkpiDyQiLbJfTKW3tLAtn3z1w7xnO9qIpYehyDsgAqp-e6KyK7WCfWQ29YsREAvB36coA_CIGtxRNDCBWthKHZsDPru5Rn1oFPjh-gh7zIAZKVNnjAE9qOIZY7fTZ4XPlmrE/s1600/suncatcher+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-dVS3qpWkpiDyQiLbJfTKW3tLAtn3z1w7xnO9qIpYehyDsgAqp-e6KyK7WCfWQ29YsREAvB36coA_CIGtxRNDCBWthKHZsDPru5Rn1oFPjh-gh7zIAZKVNnjAE9qOIZY7fTZ4XPlmrE/s320/suncatcher+015.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So cute! I'm going back to the Dollar Store for more beads today! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3G2oO9KTjnGVX-dh_Hflv3eUaFcLqYH4iooiDBuFKWpuyyluaOnSg8HGqsTsmHPqVUHHu4HsaqIJumxGu9lhsuAqJaLFbDDwUpkJe3KDQFA7DF454nY1z3pF44jyZ1J6L9w8xS6jZq0/s1600/suncatcher+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3G2oO9KTjnGVX-dh_Hflv3eUaFcLqYH4iooiDBuFKWpuyyluaOnSg8HGqsTsmHPqVUHHu4HsaqIJumxGu9lhsuAqJaLFbDDwUpkJe3KDQFA7DF454nY1z3pF44jyZ1J6L9w8xS6jZq0/s320/suncatcher+016.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #45818e;">LINK PARTIES for each day of the week. I can't say I make it to every one of these, but I'd like to! </span><br /><span style="color: #45818e;"></span><br /><span style="color: #45818e;">If you have a link party I haven't listed, please email me or comment below! </span><br /><span style="color: #45818e;"></span><br /><span style="color: #45818e;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">SUNDAY</span></div><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://diyshowoff.com/2013/06/02/that-diy-party-19/"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">That DIY Party at DIY Showoff</span></a><br /><a href="http://threemangoseeds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">It's Party Time at  Three Mango Seeds</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">The Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming</span></a></div><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><a href="http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Sunny Simple Sundays  Party at Sunny Simple Life</span></a><br /><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime</span></a><br /><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Think Pink Sundays at Flamingo  Toes</span></a><br /><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><a href="http://niftythriftythings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Nifty Thrifty  Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things</span></a><br /><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><a href="http://stylishonceagain.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Restyled Sundays at Stylish Once Again</span></a><br /><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><a href="http://www.findingsilverpennies.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Silver Pennies Sundays  at Silver Pennies</span></a><br /><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">F</span><a href="http://www.ablossominglife.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">rugal Crafty Home Blog Hop at A Blossoming Life</span></a><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">MONDAY</span></div><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.huckleberrylove.com/2013/05/much-ado-about-monday-no-11.html"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Much Ado About Monday</span></a><br /><a href="http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Mop It Up Monday at I Should Be Mopping the Floor</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.alderberryhill.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Make the Scene Monday at  Alderberry Hill</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.asortafairytale.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Monday No Rules Blog Hop at  A Sorta Fairytale</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thegirlcreative.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Just  Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Metamorphasis Monday at  Between Naps on the Porch</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Making the World Cuter Monday</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Before and After at  Thrifty Decor Chick</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> (first Monday of the month)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thegunnysack.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">What's in the Gunny Sack at the  Gunny Sack</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Make It Pretty  Monday at The Dedicated House</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.modvintagelife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Mod Mix Monday at  Mod Vintage Life</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.creativecaincabin.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Budget Decorating Party at Creative Cain Cabin</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2013/04/29/made-by-you-monday-150/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Made By You Monday at Skip to my Lou</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://diyshowoff.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">That DIY Party at DIY  Showoff</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">The  DIY'ers Link Party at Home Coming</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.creativelylivingblog.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Monday Funday at Creatively Living</span></a><br /><a href="http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-round-tuit-151.html"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">A Round Tuit at Creating My Way to Success</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">TUESDAY</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.funnypostpartumlady.org/2013/07/tuesday-twitter-party.html?showComment=1372778130782#c2075237123948536603"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Tuesday Twitter Party</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.houseontheway.com/twirl-take-a-bow-party-49/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Twirl and Take a Bow</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br /><a href="http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/2013/05/the-weekly-creative-2/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">The Weekly Creative at Reasons to Skip the Housework</span></a><br /><a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-diyers-and-some-favorites.html"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">The DIYers at Home Coming</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">One Project at a Time at A Bowl Full of Lemons</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.theironstonenest.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Transformation Tuesday at  The Ironstone Nest</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Nifty Thrifty  Tuesday at Coastal Charm</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://cedarhill-ranch.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://cupcakesandcrinoline.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Project Inspired{d}at  Cupcakes and Crinoline</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.kathewithane.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">You're Gonna Love It at Kathe with an E</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://pjhdesignsoneofakind.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Transformed  Tuesdays at PJH Designs</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://cozylittlehouse.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://sugarbeecrafts.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Take a Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee  Crafts</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Be Inspired at Elizabeth and Co</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://twelveoeight.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Pretty Things Link Party  at twelveOeight</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Time to Shine at A Diamond in the Stuff</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Too Cute Tuesday  at Funky Polkadot Giraffe</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://domestically-speaking.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">The Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://therusticpig.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Creatively Tuesday at The Rustic  Pig</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Show Me What  You Got at Not Just a Housewife</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Share It Link  Party at The Winthrop Chronicles</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://naptimecreations.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Tasteful Tuesday at  Naptime Creations</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flusterbuster.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Fluster's  Creative Muster Party at Fluster Buster</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.cleanandscentsible.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">The Creative Spark at  Clean and Scentsible</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.madetobeamomma.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Homemade by You at Made to be a Momma</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Trendy Tuesday at Sweet  Little Gals</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Savvy Southern Style</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><a href="http://www.lovegrowswild.com/2013/04/time-to-sparkle-link-party-6.html#comment-form"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Love  Grows Wild</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Coastal Charm</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><a href="http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Adventures of a  DIY Mom</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><a href="http://romanceonadime.com/take-it-on-tuesday/take-it-on-tuesday-tiot-blog-hop-76/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Take  It On Tuesday</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><a href="http://ifitsnotbaroquedesignblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">If It's Not  Baroque</span></a><br /><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-131/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">My Uncommon  Slice</span></a><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-131/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> of Suburbia</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">WEDNESDAY</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flusterbuster.com/2013/06/flusters-creative-muster-party-25.html#comment-form">Fluster's Creative Muster at Fluster Buster</a></span><br /><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=989053617&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=3245909&link=aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRwcm94eS5nb29nbGUuY29tL35yL1RoZVNoYWR5UG9yY2gvfjMveUx4WmdpY3cxVkUvcm9jay1uLXNoYXJlLXdlZG5lc2RheS0zOS5odG1s&frame=1&click=0&user=0"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Rock N Share at The Shady Porch</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.blogshe.net/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-scientist-and-ninjago.html"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Wordless Wednesday at Blog She</span></a><br /><a href="http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Wildly Original Link Party at I Gotta Create</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://familyhomeandlife.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Wow Us Wednesday at Family  Home and Life</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.smartschoolhouse.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Whimsy Wednesday at Smart  School House</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.whitelightsonwednesday.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Wednesday Whatsits  at White Lights on Wednesday</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.greenwillowpond.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">What We Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow Pond</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Under $100  Linky Party at Beyond the Picket Fence</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.southernlovely.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Show and Share at Southern  Lovely</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Wow Us  Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Wow Me Wednesday at  Gingersnap Crafts</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thediydreamer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">From  Dream to Reality at The DIY Dreamer</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Its' a Party! at A  Creative Princess</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Show Off Your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://creationsbykara.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Look What I Made Wednesday at  Creations by Kara</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Create and Share at The Trendy Treehouse</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thelifeofjenniferdawn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">A Little Bird  Told Me Link Party at The Life of Jennifer Dawn</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://notdonegrowing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Oh What a Happy Day  Link Party at Not Done Growing</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://weliketolearnaswego.blogspot.com/2013/04/what-i-learned-wednesday-53.html?showComment=1366810746854#c8570136592418367828"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">What  I Learned Wednesday</span></a><br /><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Trendy Treehouse</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.whitelightsonwednesday.com/2013/04/wednesday-whatsits-57/#comment-3860"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Wednesday  Whatsits</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/2013/04/wicked-awesome-wednesday-107.html"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Wicked  Awesome Wednesday</span></a><br /><a href="http://thissillygirlslife.com/wp/2013/04/two-girls-and-a-party-linky-party-no-13/#comment-1366"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Two  Girls and a Party</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Party Time at The 36th Avenue</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">THURSDAY</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2013/07/18/the-weekly-creative-link-party-4.html"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">The weekly Creative</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/05/23/thrifty-thursday-week-12/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Thrifty Thursday at Living Well Spending Less</span></a><br /><a href="http://ahandfulofeverything.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Great Idea  Thursdays at A Handful of Everything</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://jannolson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Share Your Cup Party at Have  a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Hookin' Up with HOH at House of Hepworths</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://designeddecor.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Talkin' about Thursday at  Designed Décor</span></a><br /><a href="http://domesticsuperhero.com/2013/04/25/sharing-with-domestic-superhero-8/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Sharing with Domestic Superhero</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://livelaughrowe.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Live Laugh  Linky at Live Laugh Rowe</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://adelightsomelife.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.craftberrybush.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">The Inspiration Gallery at  Craftberry Bush</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://madeinaday.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Made U Look  Linky at Made in a Day</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.thevintagefarmhouse.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Catch as Catch Can at My  Repurposed Life</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Catch a Glimpse Party at  A Glimpse Inside</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">52  Mantels</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Creative Inspirations Linky Party at Embracing Change</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.redflycreations.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Simply Create Link Party at  Redfly Creations</span></a><br /><a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2013/05/home-sweet-home-120.html"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">FRIDAY</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Home Sweet Home at The  Charm of Home</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Simply Creations Link Party at My Simple Homelife</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://missmustardseed.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Furniture Feature Friday at  Miss Mustard Seed</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Frugal Friday at The Shabby  Nest</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://redouxinteriors.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">What Have You Redone at Redoux  Interiors</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Home  Sweet Home at The Charm of Home</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Thrifty Things Friday  at The Thrifty Groove</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Simple and Sweet Fridays at Rooted </span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Faunt It Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Frugalicious Friday at  Finding Fabulous</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Show and Tell Friday at  Romantic Home</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.thecottagemarket.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Junkin' Joe Vintage and Thrifty Finds at The Cottage  Market</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Weekend  Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots and Jello</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Shabbilicious Friday  Link Party at Shabby Art Boutique</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.504main.com/2013/03/tickled-pink-136.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Tickled Pink at 504 Main</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Anything Blue Friday  at The Dedicated House</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://homespunhappenings-tammy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Rustic  Restorations Weekend Link Party at Homespun Happenings</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.funnypostpartumlady.org/2013/04/tgif-blog-hop-linky-party.html?m=1"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">TGIF Blog Hop</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">SATURDAY</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.houseontheway.com/google-blog-hop/#comment-7766"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Google+ Blog Hop at House on the Way</span></a><br /><a href="http://cheeriosandlattes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Saturday Show and Tell at Cheerios and Lattes</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.net/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Saturday Nite Special at  Funky Junk Interiors</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">A Bouquet of Talent Party at Life on Lakeshore Drive</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://sixsistersstuff.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Strut Your Stuff Party at Six  Sisters' Stuff</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.sassylittlelady.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Show and Tell Saturday at Sassy little Lady</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://too-much-time.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Get Schooled Satuday at Too Much  Time on My Hands</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.foxhollowcottage.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Power of Pinterest Party at Fox Hollow Cottage</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.oneshetwoshe.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Your Great Idea Party at Or So  She Says</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Overflowing  with Creativity party at It's Overflowing</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://gingerbreadgem.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Craft Country Cottage  Party at Old Red Barn</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://sew-licious.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Saturday SHOW-licious Craft Showcase at Sew-licious</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: magenta; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div></div></div>

DIY Sun Catcher

The little man and I made sun catchers! Thank you Pinterest! All you have to do is buy a few bags or see-through plastic beads. I got mine a...

6:01 AM

July in review and no-spend August

<p>Hello everybody, happy Friday to you! I hope you’ve had a great week – I’m still at the Haven Conference and having a blast! Well…I hope I am anyway. I wrote this before I left. ;)</p>  <p>I’ll be back next week with some more DIY, but for now I’m reviewing the big posts from July and I have a fun little announcement at the end that I’m getting excited about. :) </p>  <p>First up last month I shared how I tackled my first true <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/building-lego-house.html">floating shelves</a>: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfki6MmKALjX8JtHs4LuegXOVVUOEIibSPj1ekxDnt9JzEEZsYHXpyFR2oyBLweTwMEHdZAURHtS-HugGbQ3Yh_vUi_MeldXhSrfaQdR4ntGX21qDgoSOrCyjLQyynk8a7RJmcoQUAUE8/s1600-h/Legoshelves3.jpg"><img alt="DIY floating shelves" border="0" height="793" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PRe4tnbWAtI6k7x-o5b_cwI2_0MJtfEWJPgqPPCS9WpqeClIkeoQpCct6VONUEJdJGq_Ba-tjdofhiDG9gUVEULo9M4ea7zJaIy7yj4cb36gwXxnVRsaDCJHviQWAqwyAAj-sdfE_-E/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY floating shelves" width="500" /></a></p>  <p>These are great storage for some of the Bub’s Lego sets – I love having them on display but these also get them out of the way. </p>  <p>Next I shared the details on the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/ikea-vanity-and-more-powder-room.html">powder room redo</a>: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeRCMLnmZodgcgXOCN5rL9tRbyWSEKJSvXk_4s_J0aMKjjVlmdBJyoYzHcoVUf3BBEvGf2TqMPEN25cfSHs7z1Ol8nKtCZUrY8DgjgJMy0U4Kt-0emVYio6j7sCg-LBGsLQOBPLDkfgE/s1600-h/ikeahemnesvanity3.jpg"><img alt="ikea hemnes vanity" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo6qdMfx5Binbgpb6m-s7oyfACW2dWi1qXfvxT_Oy7Cfo3h4O3FmeTDjvIAGvDnzutfx17W15c70s5R7d2WTSVA5F_O4VrY41E5A1tEYZiRfGtiA52bub5fIHup6uDAlelDb0PN6eIcQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="ikea hemnes vanity" width="500" /></a></p>  <p>I covered the sources and details for everything in the room, so if you had questions on anything it should be answered there!</p>  <p>I did a little organizing (and prettifying) in the dining room – those skinny little cabinets <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/dining-room-pretty-organization.html">hold a TON of stuff</a>: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkoKavDPhYUB-iKLJmUEQCx0xaK_F7V8LB3fH72REnXgPaVinNZMjxpo3Wiw7kbyAAePn6tTMZHQAc9gOFsgWCLgaX5s0CIaZxqIu4yvmlq8WlfhQ-L73HoFrHEJAjFxrzB8bGn-nrc0/s1600-h/diningroomorganization6.jpg"><img alt="dining room organization built ins" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlYco5Fguzfm4x7B_DWLhdLu8ILR0LMWo55NZ8DRMqVE3hdQdlHelBPiSke4-pzStgQyXU6Zyrd9Gi65mej0Iqv0oZZMMN_Ko8_4oSAEtI8K34JyKKoYR_qLRiyk51oG7bI7IHAK3AK8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="dining room organization built ins" width="500" /></a></p>  <p>I’m so glad I decided to incorporate that closed storage in the built ins!</p>  <p>I shared more about our latest RV trip and the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/roughing-it.html">little cabin in the woods</a> that we stayed in:</p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfEdjCLlJNxE9raxQgetS6EBAgKgE8vhjj4SSd_YTeXO6SYlTZJUNggEN2SzBPMrVt7csEDPfIcdg-elgSHbJoYGuxV90ytACh1RJKrDEfzCkzZW_usC9Go9vIb2NSZd7E7YbzoPmZKY/s1600-h/IMG_6791_thumb13.jpg"><img alt="cabin in woods" border="0" height="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAZzNrBacNo6xW05CTa4mKQEu51B2JF1fT9xg7YZnrUToFfVko6I3IVXH918wFuZlbzEkZ4y5TTB4RLiqaUU9Vfwp5QtlozcW11cHrnaAhNcNPvU_BU1HOZ2JqjIEYRINFgRc2D1O1Fs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="cabin in woods" width="500" /></a></p>  <p>Many of you asked the name of the cabins/RV park and it’s called <a href="http://www.neshonoclakeside.com">Neshonoc Lakeside</a> in LaCrosse Wisconsin. :) </p>  <p>Next up I showed you a FUN new DIY product – painters tape that comes in shapes!:</p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2rQ8bzT7zydgZH4Xl_ha_ZH4AQym3hZmW9fREFm8jogOVwgwqIKutI1JrfMtOEltTNMNSP5_3QGDnfr3X_v2HbjG5m1J4T1lK6RAvbgG8xwItIBoA7Spj9Gw19Lipcb69IbEl25i4yk/s1600-h/IMG_6020_thumb14.jpg"><img alt="chevron painters tape" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfx6EQtfe381Fy1_-bdntyAk_KoCGcmAyWfmxPUpE0tnwcJIw89eChHcTzhOsyiZdjfprLjlGHy3SRGstzBmr5MoDTXajXl1avNig5m-MB61pGuO-UfFLqMsK16lmi6IneWkhstgTM7E/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="chevron painters tape" width="450" /></a></p>  <p>This is the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-touch-of-chevron.html">first chevron</a> in our house and it <em>may</em> be the last. We’ll see – I’m still not hooked. I do like this little touch of it though. It’s staying for awhile at least! </p>  <p>Next up I hope to use the wave version of the shape tape. ;) </p>  <p>I shared my plan for our mud room redo in <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-mud-room-plan.html">this post</a>, including some lovely inspiration pics: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGaJx09zpMDP6OEU_zqgNXBBB1_VrnP1M2lGH-QL3nR7DXkmewrRGnCLDeS_Otfg-PeI06xjqaSQlErL6ER1B19JdORkNcGI40Bi19T-xh4ON4zEU6WsWwy2dd-rnEFCdT15qenTS7xk/s1600-h/0c382810fedc9658761c27402721f8d5_thu%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white mud room wood floors" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50wgw3536NWhJUaRTFhaIzXDr9dYUnH0gomhzzggy6mpshHdZ4gRTuoG925v4pd7ncEUUReBKJK9DQZXHL3dd9E3jiiGGhrOGfItuaQ-KDd1qsLyReXeSDWO9-SVi_G7T7Xo1WPDkbls/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="white mud room wood floors" width="500" /></a></p>  <p>Drool. </p>  <p>I was busy working on our master bedroom in July and I shared more about our new bed <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/our-new-bed-and-bedroom.html">here</a> and the how-to on the tufted headboard <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/diy-tufted-headboard-tutorial.html">here</a>: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR9vce6EMq3hcvuuSsNELASWAyN5eqjIKfMstjVct8SDQvc1KORXMYsW61DqpuRiu2LnHUD1JrZnMNoaXxsy6U69-CTsQtpZwtO3wwuRswITVEegvaiF3nq64nZaGv4V4b4VsyCPH4rI/s1600-h/DIYtuftedheadboard3.jpg"><img alt="DIY tufted headboard" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRvcV1SZjGN9dBrc1GgfKlEVLUehzbbm0EWBoGfRlAJTPbbxDEFK3-okheIadYIptha77D8A6cJcZ1y48zYMgnF7-FUpTm_UvjKhuUEuzIfuwe4Ctiup4mcjwhSqNSU9Ev5mJOwVAS-8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY tufted headboard" width="500" /></a></p>  <p>I’ve made a few more changes in there since and I’m SO pleased with how the room is coming together! Our bed is still my favorite part. ;) </p>  <p>Last week I shared the ways I deal when cash is low. I’ve learned over the years it’s a horrible feeling and I’ve always had a few <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/when-money-is-tight.html">tried and true methods</a> to keep my spirits up: </p>  <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvOUA5tLKjCzIa52cbcy91fR2HsAnZimISdIKviJu-pZRTHCzUGdQxw57urhLQoKVJEVZsUy0ynYY0Bz3R12nGcLIKUvJ64_X184hKvzZHUIsPv2uJcrJHAiDBrg_8kfVcBhcrva0sos/s1600-h/cleaningoutthecar3.jpg"><img alt="cleaning out the car" border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLviIuJylY2kvZcBXh3fLRFqeGL5Q7mzDRPaA-Shrf501uPhAXNy_P0Vlo_tP6yQGJKEXjhHAKYr_u639IpLrjTpLBQKKJH01u6qWYmEUnM4lltD48nTqYg4BIK3aD4d3C52fTGxy5wY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="cleaning out the car" width="550" /></a> I loved your thoughts too – there were some great ideas in the comments! </p>  <p>This week I shared how <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/growing-hydrangeas-not-killing-them.html">I’m not killing my hydrangeas anymore</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC9Ap83HC9N4xWeh0Oeoodju2UuzP_E8UYPOnZ9gXjdAVzU690gZGyOsjYHMMi7E5bllgu5NNen2H8qkRLTxgKJrbLrVSayVPL3VJxZMa_JLxleiBILgizKf-pDgsbH6uszeoKp1iqh8/s1600-h/header%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to grow hydrangeas" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUA_OGVGr4v7Jey4AD56vPqhUg-j8J-NOg62HD7ZCHbEzSGenJFuhGYSxsvrQaQskvEAoi4EeVYNTbdDoCk0JVrnTkKAmamrKrwwEYTaVN9sZvfPy5qB-xA-wHyxrkhroRwNlmj5YN38/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to grow hydrangeas" width="500" /></a></p>  <p>I’ve made a concentrated effort to learn more about them and it’s paid off! </p>  <p>So I’m excited about August! This month I’ve decided to do another “no spend” month. I first did this a couple summers ago and actually quite enjoyed it! I have <strong>so</strong> many projects that need to be finished up, so many spots that need decluttering, and I just enjoy trying to work with what we already have. </p>  <p>So this month I won’t spend any cash on DIY or decorating projects. I have one that we’ve scheduled that will probably happen, more on that later. But otherwise I hope to stick to only what we’ve got! I hope you’ll be inspired! </p>  <p>Take care all and have a great weekend! :) </p>  <p>*P.S. As soon as I get back from Haven we head out for the NKOTB concert. </p>  <p><em>AWW. yeah. </em></p>  <p>Can’t wait!!</p>

July in review and no-spend August

Hello everybody, happy Friday to you! I hope you’ve had a great week – I’m still at the Haven Conference and having a blast! Well…I hope I a...

6:30 AM

Camping Food

80’s nightstand redo

Best week ever!

DIY Sun Catcher

July in review and no-spend August

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