Summer Evenings

Grilled chicken, corn, and spinach salad.  

That sums up a lot of our summer dishes. I love our outdoor family time and so do our chiggers. Bug bites are the downfall.

Took a few photos to capture the evening. 

Hooray for the simple things. bw

Goodbye to our numerous desks

I don't really know how it happened, but some how my husband and I ended up with four desks in our smaller three bedroom house.  I had bought one from a garage sale before we got married and that was our first desk when we moved to our house. Then my husband said it was too feminine to use as his office desk, so he made one for himself. A couple weeks later he was offered a free corner desk that lasted all of 4 months. Lastly my mother decided I needed to finish taking my things that I left at their house...so one more desk.

I really liked my garage sale desk because it had ample storage for me and my teaching supplies for school and yet it had a cute shape.  We sold the desk two weeks ago. We didn't have to do much to this desk,just a fresh coat of paint and new seat fabric for the chair.

Sorry about pic, our dog wanted to be in it.

 Derek's handmade desk was designed off of this desk. Except he left the desk in it's natural wood state.

We sold another desk earlier this week and it was my childhood desk.  It's been many colors and had lots of crafts, nail polish stains, and home work tears on it.  With a little love and we made it look ready for a new owner. I was a little sad to pass this one on, but we sold both of our desks to younger teens that will give them even more attention than we were giving them.

 The fourth desk we only had for a few months and it was a cheap plywood corner desk.  Not cute really in any way.  That desk made it's was to the curb with no tears or regrets.

I still hope to find a desk later on if we had a kids playroom/craft room someday.  But, for know we are happy to be down to one desk. Lots more room and less clutter.

bw

Get organized with Recycling or vintage materials

Love these ideas for reusing and/or getting organized for around the house. Whether it be the kitchen, office, craft room, bathroom, or even bedrooms. 

There are ideas for all of them out there.

 

 

 

Happy organizing. bw

Trip to Dallas, potential IKEA run

I'm going to Dallas this Wednesday to attend my husbands graduation for management work training.  It's a three year commitment that Derek is done with.  We are going to have one down day before the flight back, soo, I mentioned about going to Ikea.  I know I won't really be able to get much because we are flying but it's always fun to think about.  Here would be my Ikea list if I had lots of money 

and a UHUAL  truck.

 Living Room Finds

 Kitchen and Dining Room Finds

 

Bedroom

Kids Rooms

source: IKEA

Maybe I can get a couple of things and cram it into our suitcase....very excited.

Suitcases for all uses

 

Ever since Nolan was born we have been using a vintage suitcase for 

his toys in the living room.  Pretty fun because it's like a toy box.  I can shut toys in it and they actually stay if I don't want them all throughout the house because there's a latch. I definitely recommend this to other parents...open shelving is in his bedroom because there is a door to let him in and out when I deem necessary :) The living room, not so much.  He comes and goes as he pleases and life is so much easier if toys aren't always all over the house. Sometimes I chose a few that he can use that night and keep the rest stored.  I have baby toys as well because I watch babies during the week and he doesn't need to drag those everywhere.

Here is our living room storage.

Closed!!Yeah!

Open, COFFEE TIME

Here are some other ways that make your home either clutter free or 

just decrease the amount of plastic bins. It can also be a creative decor statement with a little vintage touch.

clean and crisp

sewing bin...probably better than my endless supply of
plastic bags from various crafting stores

OH, to be this organized with crafting supplies. 

This was my first use for Nolan's toy case...sorry germifobs,
our dog did use it as a bed.

Love this in a little boys room

I think this is a chair.
Not very practical, but neat decor

Solid pop of color for a statement piece

Have a Happy Thrifting Weekend with your suitcase DIY projects. bw