Money-saving Tips for Back-to-School Shopping

Though it seems like summer has just started, it is not too soon to begin thinking about back-to-school shopping.  Beginning this task early will ensure that you are able to get organized, take advantage of coupons and sales and will allow you to spread out your spending through the summer. We have detailed some fantastic money-saving tips to help you spend less and get more for your money.   

Thrift Store Challenge!

If there is one thing I like, it's a good challenge. Especially when that challenge involves shopping at a thrift store and creating something new out of that item.  There is a twist! This challenge requires you to purchase an item for another person, send it to them and see what they create. That means a box showed up on my doorstep of my supplies, all purchased at a thrift shop, ready to see what I could create from one of those items. 

How much fun is that?! Come check out what I sent and what I received as part of the blogger's thrift store challenge.

Easy to Make Painted Rock Cactus Centerpieces

Last month, we celebrated my son's high school graduation with a little Tex Mex taco party. He's leaving the Seattle area and heading to the great nation of Texas to attend college, and while we were visiting colleges on our college tour, he fell in love with Tex Mex. What's not to like really? I couldn't think of a better theme for his graduation party, so I created these painted rock cactuses {cacti?} as centerpieces that we used around the party. They cost me next to nothing to make and look great. It's an easy craft you can do and I promise, even the blackest thumb can't kill these plants! 

8 Tantalizing Truffle Recipes

If there was one dessert I had to pick to eat for the rest of my life it would probably be truffles. I love the way the chocolate melts in your mouth and the flavors are strong and creamy. I've got 8 tantalizing truffle recipes just for you to try. I'm going to try a few of them myself!

The Best Baby Laundry Tips

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by the maker of OxiClean™ through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about their Versatile Stain Remover, all opinions are my own.

It's been a few years since I had a little one at home, but my sister-in-law is preparing to welcome her third baby girl in the next few weeks. Those sweet little ones are adorable but they bring with them a whole lot of laundry! Heck, even as they get bigger the laundry never slows down, but there is something sweet and special about washing little onesies and miniature size pants that your hand couldn't fit in that makes laundry sort of fun. 

In the middle of a full on kitchen remodel {and general home upheaval}, I offered to help my sister-in-law wash up some of those hand me down baby clothes for her new baby girl.  I thought that I would put together the best baby laundry tips to help you in case this is the stage of life that you are in.

Delicious Summer Frozen Treats

Nothing says summer like hot days and sharing frozen treats with friends. Heck, I like cold treats all year round. Ice cream is probably one of my favorite food groups. Today, I have a few frozen treats that you can enjoy on those hot summer days. Make a few different recipes, try something new and let me know what you think. And if you need a taste tester, I'm happy to help you out!

21 Camping tips, tricks and hacks

These pictures make it seem like we are a camping family. We are not. We call this faux camping. 

On two different occasions we have worked with local photographer Stephen Matera on two separate campaigns for Kelty camping gear. The funny thing is, we don't camp. We only "camp" with the safety of a photographer nearby and we NEVER spend the night. What are you crazy?! 

We have heard though that there are families that enjoy camping. I know that summer is a popular time to pitch that tent and spend the weekend in nature, so if that's your thing, I have gathered 21 camping tips, tricks and hacks just for you. 

Master Bedroom Makeover in a Historic Mansion

In case you missed it, we've been following along with a young couple as they rehab a historic mansion in small town Indiana. The home was built in 1871 by Bright B. Harris, a scout for the civil war. I introduced you to Dea and gave you a little bit more information in this post. 

You can see the beautiful rehab of the foyer in all it's glory {even decorated for Christmas} here. 

A few weeks ago, we were able to take a step inside and see the update of their living room. While they were removing the wallpaper, they found a little surprise that changed the whole design of the room. Come see what they found and how they incorporated it.  It's genius actually.

Today, I want to take you inside this couple's master bedroom. With Victorian doll wallpaper and floral carpet, I am curious to see how Dea could look past the dated decor and see potential, but she did and the final result is amazing!

6 Ways to Get the Most Out Of Your Resort Vacation

About ten years ago, my husband and I went on our very first all inclusive resort vacation. We were instantly hooked. It was so nice to have everything we needed all in one place so that we could truly relax while we were on vacation. We checked into the resort and never left because the resort had everything that we needed. We could eat and drink all that we wanted and we never had to worry about taking our credit cards out or exchanging money in a foreign country. It's the perfect vacation for us and I wanted to share six ways that you can get the most out of your resort vacation.

DIY Cotton Stems from Pistachio Shells

I love bringing natural elements into my home. It's even better when I can give them a handmade touch. The farmhouse style has taken us all by storm and when I was visiting Magnolia Market a few months ago, I saw these gorgeous cotton stems that I regretted not buying. Then, while eating some of my lemon pucker pistachios I saw all those shells that I was just going to toss and thought that they just might make some pretty great DIY cotton stems. And might I say, they did! I simply love how these turned out and they are a fraction of the price if you were to buy a cotton stem from the Market. I'm excited to show you how to make them.

20 Patriotic Crafts for Kids

The Fourth of July is just around the corner. Now is the perfect time to start crafting those patriotic crafts with the kids. I've gathered 20 fun crafts that you can make in the next few weeks to help you celebrate the Fourth of July.

Create a Pillow That you can Color

When I was younger if you asked me what I wanted to be when I got older, I would have told you that I wanted to work as a professional colorer. I don't know if it's a thing, but I'm fairly certain I got the idea when I was at Disneyland one time peeking in on the illustrators as they worked. That ship sailed, but the adult coloring phase hit and I rekindled my love of coloring. 

I shared a round up of free coloring pages last year and have continued to enjoy coloring and thought that I would take it one step further and create a fun image to color on fabric. I have a step by step tutorial for you to follow so that you can create a pillow {or t-shirt, tote bag or whatever}to color for yourself or it would make a great gift idea for you to give.