Thursday, May 10, 2012

Stripe Canvas Tote Beach Bag by Simply-Bags

Early last week I received an email from Simply-Bags asking if I would be interested in reviewing their Stripe Canvas Tote beach bag. Of course I said yes. And by the end of the week, this cute bag was in my mailbox. Now that was fast service!


This bag has a fun nautical feel in red and white stripes, heavy-duty handles and grommet details.



The zipper keeps things from spilling out.



And the inside pocket is perfect for keeping track of all those little things that tend to find their way to the bottom of your bag.


The navy monogram is beautifully stitched.


You can choose your name, monogram initials or just a fun word, like beach!



Simply-Bags offers a wide variety of bags to choose from, including backpacks, diaper bags, cosmetic bags, lunch bags and more. But with summer just around the corner, I couldn't resist sharing a few more great beach bags. Aren't they just the cutest?
If you're in the market for a new bag, be sure to check out
Simply-Bags! You'll find great gift ideas too!

I love my new beach bag! Thanks so much Simply-Bags!





Wednesday, May 9, 2012

A Whole Lot of Projects Going at Once

I know there has been a serious lack of posts since our tag sale. You probably think I'm kicking back and relaxing on some sunny beach somewhere. Well, not exactly. I'm always a little wiped out after a sale, but I'm also excited to turn my attention to new and completely different projects. And that usually means catching up on my house. It looks all peaceful and quiet on the outside, right?




Well believe me, we've got a whole lot of projects going all at once! You've seen pictures of our master bathroom and the hall bathroom, but never the bedrooms. That's because they were pretty boring and in serious need of an update. So first up, we are putting in all new closet doors. All the bedrooms and the linen closet had these crazy metal doors that went all the way to the ceiling and totally overwhelmed the rooms.



And as an added bonus, they had really grungy metal tracks in the floor. Those definitely had to go.

The new wooden closet doors required new framing.



Now the entire upstairs is being painting. That required testing out colors of course. 


And moving a whole lot of stuff from one room to another, and back again. This is Megan's room at the moment.


Ryan's room.



And the guest room. And seriously, they were out-of-date, but neat and tidy before the painting started.

After the painting, comes all new carpet. I still have to make that selection. Then there will be another whole round of moving stuff around. Not convinced that we need new carpet, this house is over thirty years old and still has the original carpet upstairs. And  I step over this spot about a dozen times a day.


But as you probably know, it usually looks pretty bad before it gets really pretty! We're still in the thick of it, but here are two of my inspiration pictures. The first is a Sarah Richardson room. Megan and I just love Sarah. I would let her do whatever she wanted in my house! Megan picked this Pottery Barn duvet cover as the starting point for her room. It's going to be bright, happy and full of color! Even though my children are grown and don't actually live here, they can still have cool rooms, don't you think?



And the plank paneling in this room (from Pottery Barn Kids) is the inspiration for the wall behind Ryan's bed. (Just ignore the fact that this room is cute and girly, just look at that cool wall.) He doesn't know that yet. And actually, my husband doesn't know that either. We'll see who really reads the blog!



And one last thing upstairs (not really the last thing) is this cool pebble tile for the shower floor. Too bad the grout is chipping out in there, really too bad.


And if all that's not enough, we're also trying to finish up our landscaping project in the back. Remember the rock wall project of last summer and fall? The plants finally arrived last week, just before the rain. Here's just a peek!




And at the same time, the pond developed a leak and needs a new liner. Yes, that's a man in my pond.


We've temporarily diverted the water. Thanks goodness it's the upper pond.


Because Bubba and his friends would not be happy if it were the lower pond!


As soon as the forecast calls for a day without rain, the guys should be back to call this job complete!


So there you have it, that's what I've been up to. I'm not quite relaxing on a sunny beach. I have been crazy busy. But if you know me at all, you know how much I love a good project! And in the interest of full disclosure, we are not doing these projects without help. Then I would really be going crazy! .....  Hopefully there will be pretty pictures to share soon. And in the meantime, I may even get a piece of furniture painted!





Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Be Inspired Features and Link Party #18

Happy Tuesday! Welcome back for features and party day!


After a tag sale, I'm always playing catch-up in my real life. That would explain the lack of posts this week. But I always make a point to visit each and every party link. I am so amazed by the creative projects. You all are so incredibly talented! Thank you so much for taking the time to share. Now here are just a few of the fabulous links that caught my eye...

Rachel from Thrifty Inspirations painted her kitchen cabinets and created her dream kitchen. It is positively swoon worthy!


Allison from Fab Rehab Creations chose the perfect bold shade of orange for this sweet bamboo table. I keep pinning orange furniture. I think I need to break out some orange paint!


Another bold color choice from Lily Field Furniture. This peacock blue French dresser is going in a nursery. That will be one sweet room!



Karen from Redoux updated an old sewing table with the most wonderful wood plank top. And she shares all the details so you can try it too!


Alese from 2 Crafty 4 My Skirt took old pallets and scrap wood and created this fabulous potting table for her mother-in-law.  What a wonderful gift!


And here's a quick and easy gift idea from Barbara at 21 Rosemary Lane. You can have these chalkboard herb pots painted and planted in time for Mother's Day!



If you are planning a special dinner for Mother's Day, you'll want to include these light and tender Honey-Wheat Dinner Rolls from Country Momma Cooks.

And then you can top off dinner with the Perfect Strawberry Shortcake from Natalie's Sentiments. Mom will thank you!



Thanks so much to everyone who linked up and linked back! If you've been featured, feel free to grab a cute little button from the sidebar!




Now on to this week's party! The guidelines are simple...


* Link up your furniture makeovers, DIY projects, home decor, crafts, recipes, thrifty finds, etc... We want to see whatever is inspiring you at the moment!


* Grab a party button and please add it to your post!


* Be sure to follow along with us!


* We'll be back next week with features and a brand new party!

Now let's share some inspiration!






Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Be Inspired Features and Link Party #17

Happy Tuesday! Welcome back for features and party day!


Another great week of inspired links! Here are just a few that caught my eye...


I think my jaw literally dropped when I saw this gorgeous Kodak inspired dresser from Bliss Ranch. And this is what she creates when she's in a funk. Just imagine if she was feeling inspired!


Amazing, right?



 Sarah, AKA The Thriftress, agonized for eight months about painting her powder room black. Sometimes you just need to take a leap of faith!



Lisa from Your Stuff Only Better used tape to create the cutest flower design on this sweet little desk.


Kim from Reposhture turned ski poles into a fabulous floor lamp. And this girl has quite the sense of humor too!


Okay, now seriously, how many of you could really make something out of this mess?


Well, Katie from Craptastic certainly had some inspiration when she made her own wooden buttons - adorable, just like Katie!


I've never had the Pasta Da Vinci from The Cheesecake Factory, but I really need to try this version from Enjoyer of Grace. The boys in my family might pick out the mushrooms, but the girls would just love it!



Thanks so much to everyone who linked up and linked back! If you've been featured, feel free to grab a cute little button from the sidebar!




Now on to this week's party! The guidelines are simple...


* Link up your furniture makeovers, DIY projects, home decor, crafts, recipes, thrifty finds, etc... We want to see whatever is inspiring you at the moment!


* Grab a party button and please add it to your post!


* Be sure to follow along with us!


* We'll be back next week with features and a brand new party!


Now let's share some inspiration!