Hey everyone! I know I have been MIA recently. I did not get abducted by aliens or anything; we have just been crazy busy around here and I have barely had time to breathe. We just got back from vacation plus we have been getting our house ready to sell and that took a lot of work. Not saying my house was a wreck or anything but anyone who has a kid (especially a toddler) knows that cleaning sometimes is like brushing your teeth with oreos. Raleigh is a big help with dishes and laundry but the girl likes to pull out every book and says "read""pwease". Who can resist or be mad at that?
I had to get a lot done to get ready for the house to show so I made a list, of course. Best tips I have found for a good showing.
1. De-clutter!
This one definitely took the longest. I went through every room and took everything off the counters or shelves that I did not need for awhile. This ended up with several boxes of stuff going into our storage shed so it's still close by if I did need something. Toys can take over your home like the plaque so take some toys out of the mix and you can rotate them back in later. I also got out large furniture items that weren't necessary or getting a lot of use so it makes your rooms feel bigger.
2. Get rid of it!
As you are decluttering your home, make a pile specifically for items to give away/donate. This will help you later when you're moving so you wont take stuff to your new house that you know you'll never use. I liked this step a lot because the more I gave away the better I felt. I had less stuff to store and clean, and somebody else will probably get more use out of it than me.
3. Deep clean!
Mmmmm, the feel of clean. I am not a huge cleaning fan either…I see a trend here ;) but when I get in cleaning mode then I get on a roll. I recommend a good deep cleaning on your whole house: base boards, ceiling fans, behind the toilet, wipe door frames, wash & vacuum carpets, pressure wash outside, etc. It makes not just your home look new but makes you feel good to have a clean home. I do recommend Shaklee. I just started using it around my house and LOVE it. Being an all natural product you think it can't clean but man…it definitely can. Bonus is that its all safe for kids and animals because it's plant based. Check it out here.
4. Smelling good!
On the day of a showing, light some candles or incense for awhile, or even have something baking. I know when I walk into a house for a tour and there is a smell of garbage or animal poop then I am immediately turned off. Have your home smelling great when someone comes in so they have a great feeling from the start.
5. Light! Light! Light!
Open those curtains and blinds. Natural light is good on so many levels. It shows the buyers the house in a totally different light…;) It also highlights all those good colors around your home. It'll make your home feel brighter without that yellowish tint of light bulbs, because we know that does not do any good for pictures so it won't be much help during a showing either…unless it's nighttime. :D
6. Pets!
Try to take all your cute little companions with you before the showing. I have personally been to a showing where their dog barked the whole time and it's very unpleasant. You can't focus on the house or imagine yourself living there if there is an animal barking at you.
7. Soothing music!
I know it's not one that is common to see, but I actually found it very nice. I put on these nice wind chimes and mixed with good smells walking in makes you just feel calmer. You can also use classical music or anything else you find calming.
8. Curb appeal!
My porches were a mess. I mean my husband had so many tools on the back porch it made me think it was a workshop. Clean it all off and make it as simple as possible. Get flowers and anything that is attractive to the eye. I put 2 pots by my door and 2 smaller ones on my back porch steps with 2 little lanterns. It's all about simplicity and colors that are appealing to the eye.
That's my list! I believe doing all of these steps will help get your home sold quickly. It will help the buyers see the potential in your home and help them to see how their home could or would look like. Praying ours sells quickly now and praying to also find a perfect new house to make our new home. Wish us luck.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Friday, May 2, 2014
Five Links Friday #3
Friday finally! This means I only have one more day of work this week and most of you are off. YAY! Hopefully it'll be a nice weekend with no rain *fingers crossed*. I won't get to go outside too much and enjoy it becuase that sickness I was feeling last week ended up being sinuses. Raleigh and I got attacked by the allergy monster this week and we definitely lost the fight. After almost a week of puffy eyes, pressure headaches, and stuffy/runny noses (it's ridiculous you can have both at the same time! WHY?!) we are finally finding a little relief thanks to medicine.
This week's list is crazy compilation.
This week's list is crazy compilation.
I love this color scheme for summer. It's so bright and cheerful. I already started doing yellow and mint green in my living room, but this is pretty close. I like the door in such a bright color.
The before and after on this dresser is AH-mazing. I wish I could do something like this. I have to get the guts to just do it one day.
This is the tutorial that I will be doing this weekend. My counter is that old white laminate…bleh. Well I was dealing with it, but after Easter a mysterious stain appeared on it and for the life of me I can NOT get it out! So I am just going to get this done and over with. I won't do it this dark though. I'll probably go with the Special Walnut that I've been in love with recently. Wish me luck.
Don't think I forgot about Cinco De Mayo! I am a strawberry kiwi lover so I had to throw this in here. I love using colorful straws too. Break out the tequila!
I am a sucker for these! I love a good 7 layer dip. The only difference is this has some ranch in it which I have never tried. I also am a little stingy…I like to make my guacamole from scratch. ;)
Hope yal enjoy the weekend and Cinco De Mayo on Monday.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Five Links Friday #2
Hey everyone! Hope you all had an awesome Easter last week. I am feeling a little under the weather today so I'll keep it short and sweet. Here's my list of blog posts I've been loving this week. They give me such inspiration to either update my home or something to make my belly grumble with need. I have actually tried both recipes this week, both are winners.
I have been racking my brain and scouring Pinterest for the best way to do outdoor curtains. This one was probably one of my favorites because it is so simple but looks so expensive at the same time.
This is too cute. I love the lights on the inside. I just built Raleigh a teepee but now I am definitely thinking about making this instead or at least adding lights.
Making a cedar fence post into this beauty was pure genius, but that's how Ana White works. She is a miracle worker.
I have tried this dessert a couple different ways, but I have to say that the pretzel crust is my favorite. It's got that salty sweet mixture on lock down. Plus who can turn down strawberries? Definitely not this girl.
This is one of the best dinner recipes I have ever made. I make it a lot. It was also one of the first Pinterest recipes I tried too. I usually eat with rice, but I ran out the last time and tried with pasta…delicious. Now I am going to have to debate over which way to go every time I make this now. Why so many choices?! AHHH ;)
That's it for this week's five. I love sharing all my finds of the week or ones I have been enjoying for years. Let me know what yal think about the links. Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Easter 2014
This week was CRAZY! I think that my Nikes have a hole in the bottom from all the running around I was doing. I am glad it's over and I'm looking forward to a few lazy days with my little girl.
We hosted my family and Koby's family for Easter so our little home was packed with people and lots of delicious food. Raleigh was all over the place but I know her favorite place was in the kitchen with the food. She did great with so many people around but heck if you have food then you're her new best friend. I suspect a few people kept food on their plates constantly just so they could here her say "Peas".
Watching her go after the eggs was just too funny. She was so good at it too, especially being her first time doing an egg hunt. Koby & I pointed the the ones that were hers and she ran over to get them. We had to give each kid a specific color of egg or my niece probably would've gotten them all.
I also got this beauty done on Saturday night. It was my first big chalkboard. I found it much easier than the little one on my fridge. We got our Easter family picture in front of it, but I am still waiting on that picture since it wasn't on my camera. What do yal think?
We hosted my family and Koby's family for Easter so our little home was packed with people and lots of delicious food. Raleigh was all over the place but I know her favorite place was in the kitchen with the food. She did great with so many people around but heck if you have food then you're her new best friend. I suspect a few people kept food on their plates constantly just so they could here her say "Peas".
Watching her go after the eggs was just too funny. She was so good at it too, especially being her first time doing an egg hunt. Koby & I pointed the the ones that were hers and she ran over to get them. We had to give each kid a specific color of egg or my niece probably would've gotten them all.
I also got this beauty done on Saturday night. It was my first big chalkboard. I found it much easier than the little one on my fridge. We got our Easter family picture in front of it, but I am still waiting on that picture since it wasn't on my camera. What do yal think?
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Five Links Friday! #1
This is a new thing I am trying out. It's going to be a few links that I liked each week. I love holidays so this week I thought it would be very appropriate to start this new Five Links Friday with an Easter theme. I will hopefully be doing/making all of these on Sunday for my family and friends.
These are all such creative ideas. I am so excited to try out all of these on Sunday. My hubby i think is most excited for the egg dying. Hes like a kid when it comes to coloful activites like that. If anyone has done any of these fun ideas then please let me know in the comments how they turned out.
This originally was posted Friday night, but for some reason my computer decided that I post on Saturday instead. Sorry for the delay.
This originally was posted Friday night, but for some reason my computer decided that I post on Saturday instead. Sorry for the delay.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Hamburger Soup
I have made this recipe again last night & was told to post the details. I know I have been slacking big time lately. Have I mentioned that I procrastinate worse than anyone I know…except maybe my hubby. Well I am finally back with a recipe that I cooked twice in 3 weeks because Koby loved it so much. It's a hamburger soup with all the veggies you could want. I loved the recipe because you can add more of one thing or take another ingredient out and it won't do damage. We liked all the ingredients and wanted a lot of different things in there to make it a hearty, warm, filling soup.
Ingredients:
1 lb hamburger
1/2 onion (chopped fine)
2 cans petite diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 cups water
1 can corn (drained)
1 can green beans (drained)
1 cup baby carrots (chop in half)
3 potatoes (chopped)
salt & pepper
oil
1. Saute onions til tender in large stockpot
2. Cook hamburger in separate skillet, drain when done (so much grease :P )
3. Add all the ingredients (hamburger, green beans, corn, carrots, potatoes, stock, water, tomatoes, and tomato sauce, seasonings) into stockpot with the onions.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Reduce heat & let simmer til potatoes & carrots are tender.
It usually takes only 2 hours for it to cook through but if you want it to go all day then you can put it all in a crockpot on low or on low on the stove without boiling. You'll know it's ready when the potatoes and carrots are cooked through.
This was our go to soup for those surprise cold nights because I had almost all of this in my kitchen. It's worry free and fool-proof which is awesome for me. I had a little helper when I dropped a potato piece off the counter too. Raleigh is a little cleaner. She picked up anything I dropped during cutting and throw it in the trash can. She may also be doing this because she knows momma has food and she wants to get on my good side. She comes up to me and says "Peas" when she wants anything to eat. She hasn't gotten a handle on the L in please yet, but it's so cute that I can't correct her. I just smile ear to ear. Her grandparents can't resist it either so we will have to watch that ;)
Ingredients:
1 lb hamburger
1/2 onion (chopped fine)
2 cans petite diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 cups water
1 can corn (drained)
1 can green beans (drained)
1 cup baby carrots (chop in half)
3 potatoes (chopped)
salt & pepper
oil
1. Saute onions til tender in large stockpot
2. Cook hamburger in separate skillet, drain when done (so much grease :P )
3. Add all the ingredients (hamburger, green beans, corn, carrots, potatoes, stock, water, tomatoes, and tomato sauce, seasonings) into stockpot with the onions.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Reduce heat & let simmer til potatoes & carrots are tender.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
PB Inspired Growth Chart
Goodbye winter weather & HELLO SPRING FLOWERS!
I hope everyone is enjoying this nice spring weather. It's raining here in Tennessee today but I'm not fretting because I know I won't freeze my toes off when I walk outside. I am excited to work on more projects now because I won't have to bundle up in 3 layers to go outside. I did manage to get in a few projects this week while it was raining, the porch has now been taken over ;) hehehe.
I have already gotten several compliments from friends that have seen my new growth chart. I got the inspiration from Pottery Barn's growth chart that's here. I was not so fond of the colors or price. I knew that I wanted it to be a beautiful wood tone, so I went with this one. I also had two other projects lined up with wood so I got the quart size.
Supplies:
Stain
Foam brush
Sock/Rag
Sander
Measuring Tape
Decal
1x6x6
First, I sanded down the board so it was perfectly smooth, then started on the stain. Now doing stain you should have a rag or old sock that you don't mind throwing away after using it. Apply the stain with a foam brush, I used one of those cheapy ones. After about 10 minutes, wipe the excess off with the sock. I did 2 coats on each side so it was a perfect walnut color on both sides.
I don't have a machine to make decals, but I know I would probably use it a lot if I had one. Hmmm…maybe I need to do some shopping. So I purchased mine off Jane.com from Shelby's Boutiques on Etsy, I got mine when it was on a great sale, but they are still on a good sale on her page…here. Most of the decals like this that I found on Etsy were almost $20, hers is only $14! She also sent great, detailed instructions on how to apply the decal too. If I ever do one of these again for friends or family then I will go through Shelby again.
I applied the decal & peeled it off. All done! It was quick and painless. I don't have a definite place for it yet, especially since I am bringing 2 other creations in this week, but I will find a permanent home on my wall for it soon. And no I don't keep it outside; I couldn't get a good picture inside because it was such a dreary, gloomy day. This was the best I could get at the time.
I hope everyone is enjoying this nice spring weather. It's raining here in Tennessee today but I'm not fretting because I know I won't freeze my toes off when I walk outside. I am excited to work on more projects now because I won't have to bundle up in 3 layers to go outside. I did manage to get in a few projects this week while it was raining, the porch has now been taken over ;) hehehe.
I have already gotten several compliments from friends that have seen my new growth chart. I got the inspiration from Pottery Barn's growth chart that's here. I was not so fond of the colors or price. I knew that I wanted it to be a beautiful wood tone, so I went with this one. I also had two other projects lined up with wood so I got the quart size.
Supplies:
Stain
Foam brush
Sock/Rag
Sander
Measuring Tape
Decal
1x6x6
First, I sanded down the board so it was perfectly smooth, then started on the stain. Now doing stain you should have a rag or old sock that you don't mind throwing away after using it. Apply the stain with a foam brush, I used one of those cheapy ones. After about 10 minutes, wipe the excess off with the sock. I did 2 coats on each side so it was a perfect walnut color on both sides.
Maybe here?
Another thing I love to do is chalkboards. I am making a big chalkboard now, but until then I use my vinyl fridge chalkboard. Here is a fridge chalkboard that I got done a few weeks ago. I learned a few new tricks & love the way it turned out. Check out my Instagram for more chalkboards I've done & some cute baby pics.
I have to say 18 months is probably my favorite age right now. Raleigh loves brushing her teeth.
Thanks for stopping by & checking us out. Let me know what yal think below in the comments. :)
Enjoy this beautiful Spring weather!
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