Instantly Update Your Kitchen With Cabinet Knobs

If your looking to update your kitchen but don't the excess time or money it takes to do a complete renovation, your answer could be as simple as screwing a knob into a cabinet door.

Adding cabinet door knobs to your plain cabinets don't only make it easier to open and close the doors. This simple addition lets you add a sense of style to your kitchen design. There are so many beautiful and functional choices out there, the possibilities are endless.

Cabinets Before

As for me, I decided to go with the bronze look to tie the kitchen into the rest of the house. Since all of my fixtures and door knobs are also bronze, this completed to look of my home.

All it took was an hour and a half to install the door knobs and the kitchen looked instantly dressed up and complete when done.

I bought the door knobs from The Home Depot. There were many finishes, shapes and styles to choose from.

I must say that I love the outcome!!

Have you updated your kitchen with cabinet door knobs? Send photos or comment below!!

DIY Thanksgiving Leftovers Bag

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I'm sure your getting all of your last minute dinner and party preparation in order. One largely over looked item for dinner guests are take home or "leftover" bags.

There are so many options out there for personalizing your leftovers bags. But if you find yourself in the eleventh hour of dinner planning and have no time to run out to the store and find special take out bags, no need to worry. Here is a quick and easy way to add some festivity and to personalize your guests leftovers.

What You Need:

• Any size brown paper bag. (The larger, the better)

• Chalk

• Chalkboard tags ($1, Target)

How to Make It:

• Take the paper bag and punch out a hole at the top of the bag. If you don't have a hole puncher, just use a pen and press the point through to make a hole.

• Take the chalkboard tag and chalk. Write your guests name and a funny or cute note if there's room
• Un-tie the string and fish the string through the whole in the paper bag. Re-tie string.
• Place on the side for your guests to add what they want to there bag.

 It's that easy. The whole process took me less than 5 minutes to make. This is even a fun project that you can have the kids do while your meal prepping.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! Enjoy!

My Favorite Items -November

Happy November! I thought it would be nice to start a "My Favorite Items" blog post. To let you all know what me and my family are currently loving. (I love to start a new tradition)

Here are my November Favorite Items.

Honest Kids Super Fruit Punch

Ava, 7, and Ayden, 6, are big on drinking water. But when it comes to juice they love Honest Kids. I've been buying this for them for the last 3-4 years.  I love it because its organic and low on sugar. So it's a win-win for us.

O Ball Flexi Loops Teething Toy

Little Mason loves, loves, loves this toy! Its perfect for his little hands when it comes to gripping. Now that he is smack in the middle of teething, this toy has been his best friend.

O Ball Flexi Loops Teething Toy, Amazon.com, $7

 Its also easy to clean, I usually hand wash it with warm soapy water. It can be cleaned in the dishwasher also, top rack of course.

Sassy Build and Discover Block Set

The vibrant colors and textures keeps Mason intrigued. He also gets to work in his fine motor skills by gripping the blocks in his hands. 

Sassy Build and Discover Block Set, Babies R Us

Another great thing about these blocks - they wipe down easily. Which is why I opted for these rather than the traditional wood blocks.

Olly The Essential Postnatal Multi-Vitamin

I wish I knew about this brand while I was pregnant. These vitamins taste great and don't leave me with an upset stomach. Even better, the citrus flavor it perfect in the mornings!

Olly The Essential Postnatal Multi, Target, $14

 

The Honest Company Body Wash and Body Lotion

This made my favorites list because I love that this soap is not harsh on Mason's delicate skin and there are no harsh chemicals added to it. Another plus for me is the sweet, non overbearing scent.

Honest Baby 2 - in-1 Shampoo and Body Wash, Honest Baby Face and Body Lotion, Target, $10 each

 

Covered Goods Multi-Use Nursing Covers

I'm proud to say that I've been exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months and still going strong! One thing that has helped tremendously was my Covered Goods Nursing Cover. I use the cover while were out and about and its time to nurse Mason.

Covered Goods Multi-Use Nursing Cover, www.coveredgoods.com, $35

The material is super soft and breathable. The cover can also be used as a carseat cover for infant car seats as well as a scarf for mama!

www.coveredgoods.com

JJ Cole Pacifier Pod

This little pacifier holder it large enough to hold two of Mason's pacifiers. This comes in handy now that he has taken to throwing objects. 

JJ Cole Pacifier Pod, $8, Amazon.com

You can snap the strap onto the inside of the diaper bag so its easy to locate. Its a lifesaver being able to carry around two back-up pacifiers in a clean easy to locate holder. 

So these are my November favorite items for the kids. What are some of your can't live without items? Comment below.

The Family Command Center

Imagine a place where school notices actually get "noted" and meals for the week are carefully written down. "When was that birthday party again? - Oh right, Sunday at 2pm." This is all possible when this system is put into action. If your not quite sure how to get your family command center up and running, check out these ideas below.

 

The Perfect Space 

In order for your family command center to work best for you and your family, you need to right spot for it. Some possible spaces are the mud room, right by the back door or front the entrance. The point is to create this space where your family will be able to utilize the space more.

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durasupreme.com

A Basic Calendar

This is an absolute necessity in a command center. On here you'll jot down all important dates (doctors appointments, birthdays, school events). When the new year is up, I make sure to hold onto my calendar from the previous year to copy over birthday dates and anniversary. (Because who has time to remember ever special date?) After that be sure to toss the old calendar.

A basic calendar with large spaces to write in is perfect for the family command center

An In and Out System

Wall pockets or just two baskets work perfect for this system. Label them "In" and "Out". You can even get specific by having separate sections for each of your children. These are great for placing important forms that you will need in the near future. Instead of leaving them laying around the house (on the kitchen table, coffee table, bedside table - wait - where is that permissions slip?) there is a designated spot for all paper notices.

homeplan-it.com

Opt for wall mounted baskets to save on space.

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The "Write" Tools

Whats a command center with nothing to write with? 

Be sure to make a spot for pens, pencils, highlighters and markers. If you have a dry erase board in your command center make sure to include dry erase markers.

Important Essentials

These would include your kids school/class information and any important phones numbers. Keep these items in folders, binders or accordion style folders.

Memo Board

This could be a dry erase board that doubles as a magnet board. Or a corkboard where you can stick your memos on with a push pin. And speaking of push pins...

 

Adorable Extras

Threshold Owl Push Pins Gold, target.com, $4

 Who says your command center has to be boring? Make it a point to add some character and charm to this important space. After all, you'll be using it on a daily basis - why not have something pretty to look at?

 From decorative push pins, pretty pens to sophisticated frames - the ideas are endless when it comes to adding character to your family command center.

Space for Backpacks/coats

The purpose of the family command center is to make your life run smoother. School mornings can be extremely rushed and stressful. Make these mornings easier by having your kids school items laid out. So in the morning, they can just "grab and go" on the way to the bus stop.

via serenityblognow.com

A space for book bags, shoes and coats is an essential element. You can easily create sections for each child by placing coat hooks on the wall and baskets underneath. One for each child or person in the house.























These are the essentials in creating a family command center. Every family is different and there are some items that you may need to tweak or add to make your own space work best for your family.

What are some items that work best for your family command center? Comment below!

Target Dollar Spot Haul October 2015

Hello again! On another (fairly normal) trip to Target, I passed by the dollar spot section to "see" what I could find. I was "just looking" and stumbled upon some really cool finds. So I thought to myself, I'm overdue for another Dollar Spot Haul. So...in the name of business purposes (wink wink) I thought I'd share my fabulous finds with you loveys.Here are my completely random, absolutely adorable and crazy cheap finds!!

Seriously Adorable Stationary

You can't go wrong with stationary this cute. Plus, now I have an excuse to send notes to friends through snail mail. 

"Hello" Notecards, $1

 

"Hello" and "Thank You" Notecards, $1

"To Do" Notepad, $1

 

Oh, So Sweet Office Supplies

Add some sugar sweetness to your office with these cute finds.

Pack of 2 Pens, $2

3 Pack of Folders, $1

Perfect for the Holidays

These seasonal items are perfect for the upcoming entertaining/holiday season. 

Seasonal Candles, $3 each

Pack of 2 Ramekins, $3 each

 ...And Everything Else

While I don't have a specific use for these last items, I'm sure I will find one for them soon.

Chalkboard Tags, $4

These ceramic vases would work well as a pen holder in the home office.

Ceramic Decor Vases, $3 each

Lastly, I would like to give a special thanks to my "photography assistant". Its hard to find good help out there ;-)

The best "photography assistant" ever!

 I love the items that I picked up at the Target Dollar Spot. I definitely held back on purchasing a lot more. What are some of your favorite dollar spot finds? Let me know! Comment below.

DIY Pumpkin Candle Holders

Fall is here again! Time to comfy up your home decor. Nothing sets the comfy mood of a home more than candles and candle light. After pumpkin picking with the kids, I had extra mini pumpkins laying around the house. So I put them to use by turning them into candle holders. Here's how to make your DIY Pumpkin Candle Holders for your home.

Start with these items:

Small pumpkins
Tea Light Candles
Sharp knife
Sharpie or pen (not shown)
Spoon (not shown)

Start with your mini pumpkin top side up. Break the steam off if your pumpkin has one.

Using a tea light candle, place the candle on the top of the pumpkin (where the steam would be).
Trace the shape of the tea light candle to create a circle in the middle of the pumpkin.

Using the knife, cut along the circle that you made on the pumpkin. Make sure not to cut all the way through to the bottom. Just above halfway into the pumpkin should be fine. Pop the top off.

Scoop out the inside meat of the pumpkin. Be sure to leave some of the meat inside on the bottom - so that your candle wont sink too far into the cut hole.

If your like me, you probably scooped out too much :-) If so, just turn one candle upside down and stack the other candle right side up on top.

Lastly, stick the tealight into the cut out hole.  Light your candle and enjoy!

I love this DIY! These are the perfect addition for your Thanksgiving table setting or just used for fall decor around your house.

Try this DIY and send me photos of your mini pumpkin candle holders! I'll feature it on this blog.