Decorating with an Oversized Jug

You know you're from South Jersey when... you have BOOST! sent to you in Georgia.  BOOST! is a concentrated blend of citrus fruit syrup that you mix with water to make a drink.  I grew up drinking this stuff.  When my aunt visited N.J. she surprised me by bringing me home a jug.  I'm the only one in my house who likes BOOST! and since there was no way I could finish the entire jug before the expiration date, sadly most of it ended up down the drain.  Instead of tossing the jug I decided to reuse it.  

After washing out the jug and removing the label, it reminded me of Pottery Barn's Oversized Wine Bottles.

Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn 

Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn

For fun, I added a design to the front using a rub on transfer.

I filled the jug with a  few branches from my yard.

I love how it all came together!  An inexpensive way to bring a little spring inside.


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Sew Many Ways

Use Napkins To Make Pillows

Photo courtesy of Restored Style 

Whenever I'm in Target I like to browse their table linen aisle for fun, new designs.  Although their dinner napkins would look great on any table, I thought this pattern would be perfect for a pair of pillows.

These pillows were quick to make.  No fabric to cut, I just stitched down each side.  Then after stuffing each pillow, I closed the small opening shut using my glue gun for an invisible seam.

For only $9.99 plus the cost of pillow stuffing, this was such an inexpensive way to brighten up my home.

Photo courtesy of June & Bear

PS.  I love the creative way Kara used the napkins to repair her damaged TOMS. 

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Organizing a Small Closet

My son's room is quite small.  In his room there is also a small closet.  I tried to maximize his closet space by keeping his things neat organized.

His pants and shorts are kept in his dresser, while his shirts hang in the closet. My son helps out with laundry by putting away his clothes. Organizing his shirts by color makes picking out outfits and getting dressed much easier.

To keep Caleb organized for the school week. After washing and drying his clothes I separate each outfit and place it in the hanging organizer by the day of the week.  This system makes getting ready for school each morning so much simpler.  There's no more whining about what he has to wear, since his school uniforms are already laid out for him!

I enjoy playing board games with my son.  To keep organized, we store them on a small bookcase in his closet.  We use the small blue bins to store his small toys.

Caleb enjoys reading. I try to encourage him to read by keeping his books out where he can see them.  I purchased this small  shelf from Target for his collection of books.  He keeps his room much neater because everything has its place.

I am not the most organized person, but I try to keep things in place by living by the motto, "when you're done put it back"!  

*Thanks so much to Tiffany and curbly.com for featuring Caleb's closet.



I am linking this post to: Kelly's Korner

Brown To Brass: A Table Makeover

 I've had this table for almost 16 years.  It was the first piece of furniture my husband and I purchased together as a married couple.  It was purchased as part of a set from the now defunct Bombay Company.  I gave the coffee and end tables away, but decided to hold onto the console table for sentimental reasons.

The table was originally a metallic rust color.  Then a few years ago my husband spray painted it brown.  We disliked the color, but lived with it and it sat collecting dust in the family room.

A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to give the table a proper makeover.  After a couple of coats of spray paint, I fell in love with my table all over again!  

Brass is totally back!

Frozen Lemonade Pie

For the past week I've been in Kentucky visiting my family.  After 6 hours in the car, I finally arrived home to my husband, kids and my dogs.  Boy did I miss them!  I also missed being at home cooking for my family.  I enjoy cooking.  I love searching the internet for quick and easy recipes.  This recipe is so easy and delicious.  With all of the beautiful weather we've been having lately, this pie was a perfect treat for a nice spring day!

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
7 tablespoons butter, melted

Pie Filling:
1 8-ounce packet of cream cheese, softened
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 container (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping,
lemon slices, for garnish

Directions
For the crust: In medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and the melted butter until combined and resembles a wet sand mixture.  Pour into a pie plate and press the mixture firmly along the bottom and sides.  Set aside

For the filling: Using a handheld electric mixer, in a large bowl, mix the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk together on medium high speed until the mixture is smooth.  Add the lemonade concentrate and lemon juice and continue beating.  Pour the filling into the pie crust. Place in the freezer overnight.  Once pie is frozen, remove from freezer and top with whipped topping and lemon slices.  Slice and enjoy!

recipe adapted from: http://www.preparedpantry.com

Kitchen Table Makeover

A few weeks ago, my aunt received a small, honey-oak colored round table from a friend to replace the large rectangle table she had in her kitchen.  The table had a few dings and dents, but otherwise was in great condition.  My aunt knew she wanted to give her "new" table a makeover, but she was unsure how to do it.  She called me for a little advice and I suggested spray painting it.

We went back and forth deciding on colors, in the end we chose Krylon's Brick for the table top and Almond for the base.
   
This was my first time painting such a large piece of furniture, so I went online for a little help.  I found the steps listed on Young House Love's site to be the most helpful.  We started by lightly sanding the table.  Then after wiping the table and chairs down with a dry cloth, we primed each piece with a spray primer.  We waited for everything to dry completely before we spray painted each piece. The chairs received 3 coats while the table and base needed two.  To protect the table top I coated it with a clear protective finish.    

Spray painting the furniture proved to be fast and easy, but be careful of drips.  We had a few here and there, but they can be easily fixed by sanding them smooth and re-spraying.

The table and chairs are so much nicer now.  The colors work well together in her bright kitchen.  Best of all my aunt loves it and I enjoyed helping her!

Cinnamon Streusel Topped Muffins

My kids say the silliest things!  "I hope they serve muffins in Heaven!" my son blurted out as he took a bite of this delicious muffin.  Cinnamon streusel topped muffins, what could be more heavenly?!  This is a great recipe.  Worth the effort when you bite down on the crunchy topping and the moist inside!  This is a recipe I will definitely make again!

Streusel Topping Ingredients
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions
Mix all ingredients until crumbly. Set aside


Muffin Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 egg , beaten
1/2 cup oil

Directions
Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or line with paper muffin liners.  In a large bowl sift together flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
In a separate bowl, combine egg, oil, and buttermilk, add to dry ingredients.  Stir just enough to moisten.
Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of streusel mix over each unbaked muffin.  *Using a clean utensil, gently press streusel mix into muffin batter.
Bake for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Yield: about 18 muffins

Recipe adapted from http://allrecipes.com