If I had a reality series......

Thursday, October 4, 2012

A Pumpkin for Fall

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Back 2 School

Now that my tween has a locker to decorate we have been shopping for super-cute
locker stuff:
Pink Damask Locker Wallpaper Purple Zebra Locker Wallpaper Lime with Polka Dots Locker Wallpaper

Locker goodies from:http://shop.lockerlookz.com/collections/locker-wallpaper

Black & White Polka Dots and Zebra Stripe Locker Accessory Bins Pink Locker Accessory Bins

and yes my TOTAL FAV below:

Pink Locker Chandelier Black Locker Chandelier
REAL LIGHTING THAT WORKS...when u open ur locker. I have got to place an order from this
site.

Black & White Zebra Stripes Locker Mirror
mirrors to match!

Aqua with White Polka Dots Locker Toppers

and even CURTAINS.

This site seems totally affordable. I am def. ordering some of these goodies!

Monday, July 2, 2012

4th of July

4th of July cake pops
Cake pops for sale here:http://www.etsy.com/shop/bitesizedelights?ref=top_trail

   Happy 4th of July ( in a few days) and so to get you in the modd check out what I have found!

4th of July tutu

found here:http://www.etsy.com/listing/99777189/4th-of-july-tutu?ref=sr_gallery_25&ga_search_query=4th+of+july&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=all

ON SALE NOW 4th of July Lace Romper

available here:http://www.etsy.com/listing/101151898/on-sale-now-4th-of-july-lace-romper?ref=sr_gallery_36&ga_search_query=4th+of+july&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=all

Pinned Image

found here:http://allrecipes.com/Cook/Photo.aspx?photoID=428300

found here:http://www.housescouchesandbabies.com/2008_07_01_archive.html

found here:http://www.thetomkatstudio.com/cupcake-monday-4th-of-july-cupcakes-in-a-jar/

found here:http://onecharmingparty.com/

          Happy 4th of July!!!!

Childrens clothing reviews

Quality..... that is what I expect, despite the cost. If I am purchasing something I expect it to do what it claims, and to hold up. Since I have 2 daughters I am always looking for fashionable yet affordable clothing and accessories for them. Here is what Ive learned so far:

Gymboree.... is NOT expensive if you learn HOW to buy there. Using coupons, deep sales, and the clearance rack.... u can totally dress ur child in the cutest clothes ever. I will miss Gymboree as both my daughters are about outgrown it.
I can say the value is unbelieveable. It can be washed again and again, passed down thru a few kids and gymboree tops the list as a winner. It also has a high resale value. NOT everything there will be like this. It seems they get a bad batch in on average with every few new lines. But again, I highly recommend GYMBOREE.

Part of Gymboree ( sister stores) are Janie and Jack and Crazy 8

Janie and Jack is pretty pricey for us...though I have purchased from their and the quality was amazing. But never shopped reguarly. it holds its resale value and they have adorable clothing for children.

Crazy 8 is the cheapest of all 3. The quality is poor. I do buy reguarly from there but it usually fades fast and has NO resale value. But the price is hard to pass up some of the cute clothing and shoes they offer.

Gap Kids: I have a love hate relationship with this store. I love alot of their clothing but I hate the cost. Its hard to get a fair price, even with sales and coupons they remain a highly expensive store on my list. Resale is not that great! Check ebay and you can see some of Gap goes but most doesn't.
Gap does have high quality clothing for the most part. I have not had many items I was displeased with. I still continue to purchase about 50% of my tween daughters clothing there.

Speaking of tweens...if you have one, you know what Justice is. I HATE JUSTICE CLOTHING. Sure most of it is adorable, but the quality is the worst Ive ever seen. Wash it about 2 times and its done. My tween gets about 40% of her clothing there and I can't wait till she passes this phase. It is HIGHLY expensive. I mean 8.00 for a pair of panties expensive...50.00 for jeans... ect. They rock regualr 40% off sales but generally even then most is well to expensive. Resale SUCKS. No one rebuys Justice for the most part. They have the cutest accessories and room decor and my its a dream come true for tweens, but I have yet to find a mom happy with quality/price.

Most tweens ( around here anyways) love Areopostale.
I buy clothing for me as well there. Ive never had a quality issue. I think some of the tees are not made the best. I NEVER pay full price as they have a killer clearance rack and regualr sales. Usually like 5.00 for tanks and tees. I have bought jeans for as low as 3.90. Yep WATCH the clearance Ladies!My tween is exceptionally small so sometimes even xs at Aero is big on her. But I do buy alot of clothing there.

Another place the Tweens around here worship: Hollister
Hollister is expensive. But they also have sales and a clearnace section ( in the very back of store). I rarely pay full price there unless my daughter HAS TO HAVE SOMETHING that is not on sale. Quality is great so far. I have not purchased a large quanity from there but have bought sweatshirts, yoga pants, shorts, tees, tanks, and more and they all washed well. Resale value online? Iffy. Resale in 2nd hand stores is fair. Alot of consigners sell used hollister in stores with much luck.

American Eagle, Rue 21, Abercrombie & Fitch, vanity, body central, Maurices seem to be gathing attention from the teens as well as hollister and Aero. Rue 21 has horrible quality but usually has deep sales ( shirts for 4.oo, shorts for 3.00) I will never pay full price for clothing there as after only a few wears, the clothing is garbage. Body Central and vanity are hit and miss deals. Most is good quality. As for the rest listed above quality is pretty good.

There are MANY other places I would be crazy not to mention.
Matilda jane..... I am in love with. VERY expensive. High resale value and good quality.

Narrtjie comfy and cute clothes. Pretty good resale value and good quality.

Mini Boden.... I cant justify most of their clothing. Ive seen many clothing not hold well in quality. Price can be good when bought on sale.

I refuse to buy any clothing from walmart as it is almost as expensive as the mall stores and yet quality is very poor. ( target doesn't fall far from that).

There is more yet but I will stop my list here for the day!

Product Reviews

Have you ever seen the Wen Hair cleansing system informercial? I have watched it numerous times. It didn't sell me. My daughter and I have long hair ( one has short hair) and we both had very dry and damaged hair. One day I decided to try it. My logic was that it was 30.00 ( which it replaces ALL hair care needs), I spent 30.00 just on our shamppoo and conditioner.... and I was also get 4 extra items included.....so even at the hefty price...it made sense to try it. ( and they say u can return it for a refund if your not happy.....these days I dont buy much I cant return if I dont like).
So I read reviews ....handfuls of them giving bad reviews and many even claiming hair loss. I didnt hold out to much hope for the Wen. The first time I used it....i left it on maybe 3 min in the shower...did not comb it thru and did not put any in for a leave in conditioner. I got out of shower, blow dried my hair and I FELL IN LOVE. I put no more effort in than using regular products and the results were amazing. Both my daughters and I use it and all 3 of us have amazing shine, bounce and the softest hair ever. Even using a curling iron has become a breeze, my hair holds curl now. I expected it to make my hair greasy...it did not.What I can say is that we have been using it for 3 weeks. I went thru the first bottle in about 2 weeks. But again 2 of us have very long hair. So I expect that we will spend about 50.00 a month on this. ( vs 30.00 + all other products I bought like detangler, treatments, deep conditioners, mousse, gels ect) I dont even like to curl my hair or really do anything to it now...it looks so amazing naturally. So I am holding out for one last test..... hair loss!
Tons of woman complain hair comes out in clumps. A breif overview of the ingredients and Im baffled at what could cause this. Unless an allergic reaction? My entire family can not use dove...it made all of our scalps itch! So I will keep you updated thru this journey. Beware that Ive heard that refunds take forever if your not happy. Ive placed 2 orders with their online instant chat ....I found to be helpful. You are also automatically enrolled for a 4 week delivery ( and payment) unless you go in and cancel it. I did not as I was happy with it so far.

Here is what I got with first order! Ive used the styling creme and texture balm and love both!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

I don't own a cookbook, but i found Pinterest!

cakes
Found here:https://picasaweb.google.com/shannongwest/PinterestStyle?authkey=Gv1sRgCJPGyI3W5cXOUg#5623451393216759010

Wouldn't these be perfect for a small birthday party?

Yogurt Drops

Yogurt Drops: Spoon flavored yogurt into a plastic bag. Squeeze dots onto cookie sheet and place in freezer. They'll be ready in about an hour! | Such a great healthy summertime snack.
My 7 yr old and i made these last night and what I like: Healthy, convenient, and super cheap and easy to make.
What I didn't like: Within about 20 minutes of being removed from freezer, they began melting fast.

Found here:http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/frozen-yogurt-dots.html

Spices grown in your kitchen:
Great idea for an indoor herb garden. Still needs lots of sun. For draining, put stones in the bottom. For watering, use a spray bottle, ice cubes, or long-necked watering can (as per all of the comments at the bottom of the posting!).
found here:http://camillestyles.com/2011/transformed-mason-jar-herb-garden/

I will be trying this one very soon

and for Easter:
super cute hard boiled eggs
found here:http://justjennrants.blogspot.com/2010/03/eggzactly.html

Let's Talk Organization

Save space and declutter--plus, they're less likely to break than stacking them! Ev

Pic #1 found on Pintrest Pic #2 http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/09/childrens-homeworkmessage-center.html

I have been hooked to Pintrest. So many wonderful ideas. So this week is ORGANIZATIONAL WEEK.
For me that means " spring is here and if you wanna play outside in a few weeks you better get everything inside done".

Every year about Feb - March I clean and organize EVERYTHING. Every drawer, closet, shoe rack, jewelry box...every single thing. The feeling of a clean and organized house is what makes me feel like my "Feng Shui" is flowing correctly. So here is some ideas that I came across.

1~ Why us woman remove everything from its place and create a mass destruction before we can organize ..... seems silly...but many of us " work" like that. So Tip #1 is remove ALL items. If your starting in the closet or bookshelf..... REMOVE every single item.
2~ Clean the storage area
3~ De-clutter ( NOW is the time to do it). I'll spare you how to rid of items.... there is plenty of blogging on that.
4~ Clean all items before replacing them.
5~ Helpful Hint* don't store clothes more than 3 layers deep, don't store items on top of each other and don't forget that ORGANIZED has to work for you and YOUR family..... so what works best for YOU is how you need to store it.
6~ Have a "drop station" in each room. If its a storage basket, or a small dish..... know where your family drops items and utilize that to work for you.
7~ Do tackle one space, one room..... at a time.
8~ Do look for new uses for items. Before donating or throwing out...look at it and see if there is any other use or space for it. A sofa table can make great for entry way table.... antique mason jars, not only look great but serve great for storage.
9~ Take your time.... plan a room a day or longer if needed
10~ Do what makes sense for your family. If they come in the back door most often then set up an entryway by the back door, if you drop ur purse in the kitchen.... put a hook nearby. What matters is that it works for you.

Now time for some Pics:

Short on space? Need a night stand but don't have room for one? This is a great DIY bookshelf that can be customized for YOUR space and needs.
DIY Build Your Own Book Shelf, a few modfications & make it a night stand?
found here:http://ana-white.com/2010/12/high-rise-shelf

Entry way table? Desk? DIY customize for YOU
central station....
found here:http://lumberjocks.com/topics/26281

Need extra room in your closet...for purses, shoes? Need more storage in a hall closet? Look at this:

home storage solutions Would LOVE to have this on ALL closet doors... the organization is endless
found here:http://pinktoesandpowertools.com/2010/11/19/the-20-or-not-storage-closet-door-post-4-the-reveal/
Has DIY instructions, again totally customizable for your needs.

Pots & Pans a hassle..... not after you do this:

organize
found here: http://www.marthastewart.com/274196/spring-cleaning-the-kitchen/@center/277002/spring-cleaning#slide_11

I will be hooking myself up with some cheaper version of this..... SOON
found here:http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2011/01/diy-in-cupboard-pot-rack-by-between-3.html
So many ways you can do this...

Organized medicine cabinet using Stick On Pods
found on ebay or http://www.stickonpods.com/

Small Clear Paint Can
found here:http://www.containerstore.com/shop/containers/tinsCans
Perfect for a garage, kids playroom, craft room, and more

Handy tools
I actually have my spices in an old box like this and LOVE it..... but these old boxes are great for organizing many things, crafts, markers, scissors, tools..... oh it's endless.
found here:http://www.midwestliving.com/homes/decorating-ideas/decorating-with-antiques/#page=4

Over the Door Handbag Organizer
Found here:http://www.stacksandstacks.com/over-the-door-handbag-organizer?id=176&sku=16940&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase&utm_term=Jokari&utm_campaign=Closet%20%3E%20Closet%20Organizers%20%3E%20Over%20the%20Door%20Organizers&utm_content=6518

I'm not a fan of using the doors for storage but inside a closet wouldn't be bad.... also a DIY like this would allow for you to make one for hanging on the wall.

So far on my 2012 spring cleaning I have finished the Living room, Laundry room, My bedroom, and the bathroom. 8 more rooms to go!