DIY : SHOWER CURTAIN TO WINDOW DRAPES

So for my kiddos mini room makeover I was working on a budget and with a black and white theme in mind. I hunted around a bit, but just couldn't find any curtains I liked to work with within the budget I had planned. Needless to say I wasn't about to give up. I spot a few shower curtains I loved, and I have converted shower curtains into drapes (an other things - a skirt, pillow cases, plush toys) a few times before, so I decide I'd do the same this time around. I found the curtains pictured below at Target on sale for 12.99 an knew instantly this was the one I would use. After taking window measurements, and precisely cutting my fabric, I was able to use one shower curtain to create two drapes. If you cut the curtain up the middle, an hem each open side, bend over each top piece to form a tub like opening for your curtain rod to slide thru and hem, you will make a total of 4 passes on your sewing machine with a straight stitch, and have yourself 2 new curtains. Good luck and happy sewing!

SHOWER CURTAIN via TARGET

MINI KIDS ROOM MAKEOVER

So my kiddos travel home for 4 weeks of each Summer to stay with their grandparents an visit both sides of their family. With them being gone for a bit this gave me the opportunity to try to plan a mini room makeover. I live in an apt, and I really hadn't decorated their room much before this point. There was a larger dresser which they shared on one wall, some artwork hanging on the wall above this, an their bunk beds on another wall near the windows, a chair tucked in a corner, and that was pretty much it. We have a basement which is where their toys are located so the room decor was very plain aka nada. Carpeting is just not my thing, an very uninspiring to me. The wall paint (tan) is blah, an I really am not up for painting in my apartment, and overall I just didn't know how to decorate this space for them... My room kinda faces the same dilemma currently (that's another story though). But needless to say, I set a bit of a higher budget, an took it upon myself while they were out of town to redo the room and move things all about to give them a more friendly space. I really wanted to stick to a black and white theme, though I wasn't up for painting furniture so this was a bit hard, so I tried to add these pops elsewhere like in the rug, wall art, bedding, and other decor. I knew I would be spending a bit more because I wanted to give them each their own dressers, and a floor rug for the space, hence why my total below seems a bit higher. But all in all, they were so happy to return home to their new little space, and it seems to be enjoyed today and played in a bit more now so, so it was all worth it! Thanks for peeking into a corner of our home.

BEFORE PHOTOS // Sadly, I forgot to take before pictures, but if I come across some they will be attached to this post at a later date and noted below.

BUDGETED ITEMS // Unless noted below all other items I currently owned
Cubbie for Lego people (above bed) // $4.99 thrifted
Cragger Lego Chima Clock // $7.99 on sale Half Price Books
No Whining Postcard by Hammerpress // $3.50 
Wonder Woman Vinyl Toy // $7.99 on sale Half Price Books
Penny's Dresser // $72 from Revival Home Furnishings (local new/used consignment shop)
Desk Lamp // $9.99 from Target
Wyldstyle/Lucy Lego Clock // $24 via Amazon
Wire and hardware supplies for hanging school artwork // $7 from True Value
Star Wars Tin Art // $9.99 on sale at Hobby Lobby
Shadow Box for "Its the Little Things" handmade artwork // 99¢ thrifted (I'll share a DIY on this on a later date)
2 black and white cubes // $3 thrifted
4 Various frames for wall art // $5 thrifted
Wooden Book case // $4.99 thrifted
Can of black and white spray paint // $5
Cabana Rug // $54 from Home Goods
Jonathan Adler Pillow covers // $3 thrifted
White Down Alternative Comforters // $65 for the two, via Amazon
Curtains made from shower curtain // $13 from Target (I'll share a DIY on this on a later date)
Set of 2 black floor baskets // $3 from Target
Budgeted $300 // Total 304.34 from above items // spent a little more on new books, stickers and welcome home toys not pictured...

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY PENELOPE

So not just one, but two kiddos celebrated birthdays this month 6 days apart from each other. Completely unplanned that way, but thinking back about it now, I like that their birthdays are so close together. Maybe in the future it will help each of them remember the others special day. Little Miss P (Penelope) turned 4 yesterday though. In honor of her special day she ate donuts, received gifts, went out for lunch (her choice), ate cupcakes (princess, Disney Frozen themed and purple... the only way imaginable), took her new bike her dad bought her out for a spin and played around the house some. The day before (Saturday) she enjoyed plenty of time with friends and family in a bouncy house, jumping and acting all silly for her brothers birthday bash. And the weekend prior to that, the guy I'm dating, the kids and I all traveled to the Omaha Zoo, so it's been a few fun weekends of activities. So all in all, I'd like to think she had a pretty great birthday weekend(s). I still can't figure out where the time has gone, and though I miss that little baby she once was, I really love how this little lady has grown, and the age she's at now is probably my favorite. Happy Birthday P. I love you!

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY WYETH

In the blink of an eye time has gone by… An six years ago, on a Monday similar to today (a bit sunnier though) at 145pm you decided to arrive… You were early, an a little 6 lb 8 oz baby, which was tinier than I had been told you'd be, and I recall being beyond nervous to even hold you for the first time… but I did know that I was so excited to finally meet you. I never knew I could feel so much love for someone I had never meet before. And because of you, my life has changed for the best, and you have taught me to love, and to have patience's like I had never had before. There's no hiding the fact that it's hard at times to be a parent, but it is surely so rewarding too. An at the end of the day, as I step back and reflect on the time past and how things are today, I have seen you grow a little bit more each day into this little person all your own that I'm so incredibly proud of. I love you sweet Wyeth, and thanks for picking me as your mom, an Happy 6th Birthday!!!

THESE TWO...

These two are quite the characters. An most days they are the best of friends. Like all kids they have their moments, an disagree about things, don't we all, but non the less they make me so incredibly happy that I can't imagine my life before them. They're silly smiling faces, and the way the feed off each other at times, is pure entertainment to sit back and watch. Today we are celebrating their birthdays with a trip to the Omaha Zoo. Wish us luck, and as long as we all survive a few hours in the car together, it should be a great day! I'm not to sure where the times gone, and how they grew up so quickly on me, but I'm enjoying these days with my motley little crew more than ever. Happy weekend sweet friends!

LIFE : THE COMEDIAN

Life's been very busy over here lately as I am juggling a bit more than a bit… but all in all life is good, adventurous and filled with lots of laughs these days. This photo above, was from our weekend outing. We went to see Mr. Peabody & Sherman (which was great btw) and then hit up the local McDonalds (that's right I feed my kids fast food at times) to snatch ourselves some Mr. Peabody toys in honor of the movie. Meal time is a constant adventure (if you have children (picky eaters to be more precise) then you exactly what I mean) and though it wasn't going as smoothly as it could have been, we still managed to make it thru it with a few laughs along the way. This girl, if you meet her in person, if you can't tell from the above photo, you'd quickly realize she's the comedian of our little clan. An in all honesty, I personally love it! I hope she always stays this silly, as she's always doing her best to make others smile thru humorous endeavors. The weeks almost to a middle point, but I hope it's been great so far. Best! :)

THE COUNTDOWNS ON

Are you ready for Christmas? The countdowns on. And could you guess that these two little people over yonder are beyond excited this holiday season, which makes my holidays that much more enjoyable. I can't wait to see these faces in a few days after Santa arrives with some gifts they have been dreaming of. These photos I took as we waited to see Santa, and though there was all this hype about "I'm gonna tell him all that I want" when getting up to see the big man, the little voices changed a bit, and the faces of awe and excitement left them a little speechless (an a wee bit nervous) about what they had initially come there to ask. Good thing mom double checked the Santa wish lists before hand an I'm pretty sure they'll be pleasantly surprised come Christmas day. :)