October Decor 2012: Odd Ledge and Chalkboard Art {Part 3}

This ledge drove me nuts-o until a friend of mine gave me this huge chalkboard she had made for her kids. I let my kids mess with it for a while in the backyard but when we cleaned up the yard it had to go. I finally came up with this wild idea to put it up there. I asked some friends opinions and I think they think I'm crazy but I love it :) I do agree with them though that it will look better framed with some moulding or something.

I had such a fun time drawing on it, practicing my "pretty" writing. This idea was inspired by one of my favorite blogs, Dear Lillie and you can see her version HERE.

I just added some faux apples I garage saled years ago and my faux pumpkins from Michaels to what I already had up there and changed some stuff around.

I added some burlap around these candles just like the $30 ($30?! Really?!) faux burlap ones you can buy from Pottery Barn HERE. I love the warmth it adds with that lovely fall brown color!

Stick around for my 4th and final post of October decor!

October Decor 2012: Fall Mantle {Part 2}

Here is an overall view from one side of the living room. I decided to take down the wreath hanging from the curtain rod since we took down the awnings outside and now you could see the backside of the wreath from the window and it bothered me. I also covered my fun blue summer throw pillows with my favorite brown buffalo check pillow covers I got off ebay last year. You can see what the living room looked like last summer HERE. I did move a few side tables and baskets around too.

Fall is definitely my favorite time of year and I think my mantle is my favorite this season. The wall vases, mantle shelf, and candles are all from Pottery Barn either clearanced or garage sales. The branches and pumpkin bunch I got years ago from Wishing Well, the sign I made last year, the acorn was Kohl's clearance, the urn was from Anthropologie, the W was Hobby Lobby on sale and the leaf garland was from the Dollar Tree.

October Decor: Happy Fall 2012 {Part 1}

Computer problems again so I can only post 5 pictures at a time from my iphone (lame, I know).

I love how my early Fall decorations turned out! Everything is from what I already had except these new lovely pots and mums from Ace. I'm hoping they'll last through Thanksgiving! I am loving my front porch- we removed the screen door and old planter boxes from the previous house owners. I also bought I new front door mat from Hobby Lobby this Summer and it all really made a difference! Now we are thinking about painting the front door, house numbers, and light. (And exterior paint but that's crazy right now ha ha)

Here is my entry table. Fall branches from Hobby Lobby. You can see how I made my burlap ghost last year HERE.

Pumpins I made last year from beams and railroad ties.

My coffee filter wreath, countdown blocks, and burlap Autumn banner I whipped up with scissors and paint. I added fall berries to my topiaries. The crow was from the Dollar Tree.

Guest Post Product Review: Nutraluxe Lash MD {natural, full, long, beautiful eyelashes}

This post was written by my bestie, Nicole. She is a fantastic wife, mother of three, and chef behind the blog The Very Hungry Caterpillar. She asked me if I would like to feature this product review after she tried it and loved it since I like to do these types of beauty reviews here on my blog. After reading her story, I  would love to try it too! I think after you read it you will agree that the results are amazing!

(This is not a sponsered post, just something we do for fun).
Take it away, Nicole!

  
I was in getting a pedicure one day and this girl next to me had the most amazing lashes. I complimented her on them and I expected her to say she had extensions in, but instead she said she used this product "Nutraluxe Lash MD". She had tried Latise and a few others but liked this one the best. So I went home and jumped on Amazon and ordered it right away, When I received it I read: do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Great, I was pregnant then and I would be breastfeeding.... so it sat in my drawer for a year. It had a two year expiration on it and longer if never opened so I waited. I just finished nursing my baby back in the beginning of June. That day I busted this product out. It took about 4 weeks to see much difference, but then every month it keeps getting better. It will reach its optimal results in another few weeks- it said around 4 months. I have loved this product. Before I go to bed at night I take one swipe across my eyelid like a liquid eyeliner and that is it.... I read so many reviews before I started it and a few mentioned it made their eyes more sensitive or red around the skin in the morning, but I have not noticed anything. I make sure I do not rub my eyes at night though....

before and 8 months pregnant

after

It has turned my almost non-existent lashes into full beautiful lashes. The lashes are much thicker, a little darker and way longer and curlier. I just have one one coat of mascara here and I did not curl my lashes, like I normally would.... The girl who recommended it to me said each tube lasts for 6-9 months. I will probably buy another now to make sure I do not run out then go without for a while... it is under $30 per tube, it is much less expensive than extensions and more natural looking than fake lashes.....

http://www.amazon.com/Nutra-LUXE-Physican-Formulated-Ophthalmologist-Tested/dp/B001WAKUUC/ref=pd_sim_bt_1

Product Features

Alcohol FREE, Chemical FREE, Paraben FREE, Fragrance FREE, Perservative FREE, Physician Formulated, Ophthalmologist Safety Tested
Helps your lashes reach their full potential in LENGTH, FULLNESS, AND DARKNESS
Promotes hydration and helps lashes and brows to appear shiny and strong
Promotes healthy follicles, softens brittle lashes and brows & improves elasticity
Helps lashes and brows to stay longer by making lashes more flexible

Thanks, Nicole! The results are stunning. Have you tried anything like this? Have you had any great results from a beauty product that has see it to believe it claims? Let me know in the comments section.



Labor Day Lemonade Stand by the little entreprenuers

Girls Room {update}

Welcome back to the Girl's Room! Since school started today (yay!) we finished organizing their closet, bringing in their new school/fall clothes, pulling out the old play/summer clothes and getting their new desks ready for homework!

You can see the original post of the Girl's Room Reveal HERE.

So here are a few quick pictures of three updates of their room - the wreath, their desks, and their closet.

Here is the wreath BEFORE:

And the wreath AFTER:

You can read all about how I made this wreath HERE.

Here is the creative space and old table BEFORE:

And here are their new desks AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I found these desks at a county school yard sale for 10 bucks each. I originally had something wood in mind that I could paint, but this was all they had and in my small town, options are very limited. The price was right, it's always a plus finding a pair of something, and I actually really like them now! They were old computer desks. They are metal and have that modern industrial feel. They actually sell ones very similar to this at Crate and Barrel or CB2 painted a bright orange for lots more $! They are sturdy and the girls like them, so I can't complain!

And finally, here is the closet BEFORE:

And AFTER:

I thought it was such a great idea to buy one of those closet rod extender things and then the littlest girl could hang up her own clothes. After getting over the fact that she thought it was a better idea to climb on it and hang from it like a monkey and broke it, I decided I like this much better anyway. Now they each have their own "side." Toys and books are organized in an Ikea Expedit shelf. Toys that need permission before getting down or that make a big mess are stored on the shelf above. There is also a shoe shelf on the left and a laundry basket of dolls and stuffed animals on the closet floor sides that you can't see. So far, this system works the best for us.

Well that's the Girl's Room for now! Thanks for stopping by and Happy Back to School to all you moms out there!

Pre-Teen Girls Room: Pleasantly Purple {Before & After}

My niece was ready for a room makeover! There were a few things she knew she wanted: purple, purple, and purple! She was inspired by her new bedspread (see below), some PB Teen pics, and a pinterest board I created for her as I gathered tons of fun ideas and products to help her visualize what she wanted and make her room a reality. She also had some great pieces of furniture already in her room to start with, so she used what she already had and it worked out perfectly.

But first, lets take a look at a few of the "before" photos:

And now the "after":

She was so lucky to be gifted a great comfy chair that she loved for her birthday as this project began. My sister in law also found this cute little side table to go next to it for a perfect little lounge spot. They also made this jewelry board to match:

Here is her fun new bedspread. My sister in law made a ton of customized pillows for her bed. I love the monogrammed one! Above her bed is some new artwork, a framed "dream" and some fun fashion sketches her aunt (*moi*) made for her. These sketches were inspired by a PB Teen magazine picture they saw and showed to me.

I love how this turned out and I'm so happy they appreciate my humble beginning sketching and watercoloring skills!

My sis in law found these black sheers for super cheap! And added some fun purple tulle to bring it all together. Isn't my niece so cute?

I absolutely love how this wall turned out - how the desk and bookcases fit  p e r f e c t l y! You could not have planned that better! These memo boards are also my favorites - that fabric is just so fun and modern! They also were so resourceful by covering some file boxes with purple fabric...

...and embellished with nice typed labels and lil' purple flowers.

Good job! I know you worked so hard on this space and it turned out really great. It was fun "working" on this project with you over the phone and through emails and pinterest! Could you imagine the amazing things we could accomplish together if we actually lived close to each other?!
I hope you enjoy your lovely new purple room for many years to come!

Love, Aunt Rebecca :)