Good Nights Sleep

Ever wonder how some beds are more soft & comfortable than others? Or how to achieve that fluffy look? I know for me, the bedroom is my weakness for decorating! I see a lot of bed stuff I like, but can't ever create them in my room. I came across this video and thought it was SOO helpful. I especially like how she layers the lighter blanket under the heavier one so you can take away a layer if you're too hot (or add it if your cold). I hope to create this idea into my room as well as my daughters.

Check out Martha Stewart's Guest Bedroom Ideas

Check out PB Teen's layering steps

Fresh Home Ideas website

Steps to having a comfy bed:

1. Mattress

2. Mattress Pad

3. Fitted Sheet

4. Flat Sheet

5. Lightweight Blanket

6. Duvet

7. Decorative throw*

8. Pillows

*Optional 

How to trash paint

Recently I've been looking for a way to get rid of a bunch of paint buckets sitting around our house, so here's what I found out:

   1. Most recycling locations do NOT take paint
   2. Home Depot & Lowes do NOT take paint
   3. Stores like the above sell a product you can put into the paint that will dry it out in less than 24hrs
   4. If you leave the lids off of your paint cans they will dry out in 24-48hrs (depending on how much paint there is)
   5. There are places that take reusable paint. I've heard they'll mix all the paints together to make one paint, then send it to 3rd world countries.
   6. Trash-men cannot take paint in a liquid form (of course if its in a bag I'm not sure how they'd know)  :)

Owl & Bird love

Owl & Bird finds, that I'm loving:  :)

Measuring cups // West Elm

Mug // Pier one

Bank // Pier one

Butter Tray // West Elm

Plate // Pier one

Door Stop // Pier one

Birds on a wire print // cb2

Toothbrush holder // Urban Outfitters

Winter Checklist

Found this on the Organized Home website, and thought it was good, so I wanted to share!

When wintry weather blows, will your family be prepared?

Winter brings special seasonal challenges to an organized home.  Winter storms can make navigating roads and walkways hazardous; power outages and snow days highlight any family's readiness for cold weather.

Take time now to review your family's emergency preparedness with this Winter Preparedness Checklist. It'll help you prepare your home and automobile for cold-weather hazards.

Out and About

Will your home welcome winter visitors safely? Get ready for snow, ice or rain on walks and driveways with:

• Snow shovel
• De-icing compound
• Waterproof floor mats

The Inside Story

Household emergency supplies should include enough food, water and supplies to last four days without power or help. Check your home emergency kit against this basic checklist:

• Food that doesn't require heating or refrigeration, such as canned meats, soups and stews, cereal, and energy bars
• Manual can opener
• Paper plates, cups and plastic utensils
• 1 gallon of water per person per day (allow enough for four days)
• Flashlights and batteries
• Battery-powered radio
• Battery-powered clock
• Cellular phone
• First-aid kit (printable first-aid kit checklist)
• Four-day supply of prescription medicines
• Blanket and cold-weather clothing for each family member
• Pet food and additional water for household pets

On The Road:

Winter transportation can mean ice, snow, and hazardous roads. Road conditions can change in an instant. Before traveling, give cars a winter preparedness exam:

• Check antifreeze
• Check and replace older batteries
• Remember to keep the gas tank near full to avoid freezing water in the fuel line
• Check tires and spare tire for proper inflation

Make sure automobiles contain the following emergency supplies:

• Bag of sand, road salt or non-clumping cat litter. The bag's extra weight means better traction, and the contents can be spread under slipping tires.
• Ice scraper
• Jumper cables
• Small shovel (to dig snow away from wheels, or scatter sand on roadway)
• Tire chains (every driver should practice putting them on)
• Flares or reflective triangle to warn other motorists if you break down
• Blanket
• Flashlight and batteries
• Gallon jug of drinking water
• First aid kit 

When traveling by car, include emergency food and clothing for each traveler. Pack supplies in a backpack in case you need to abandon your car.

An emergency backpack should include:

• Jacket, hat, gloves and sturdy, snow-proof boots for each traveler
• Nonperishable food
• Cellular phone
• Money

Christmas time is here!

This has got to be my most FAVORITE holiday of the year!! So much to this holiday that I love, including: Christ's birth, Christmas tree's, lights, decorations, shopping, friendly people [for the most part], pretty bows & paper, desserts & SOO much more! This year I chronicled my family building our [fake] tree & decorating. Now, I am including the mantle decor because of the after shot :(  Last night my daughter was trying to change how the lights blink, and in doing so, pulled the entire contents of the mantle off....subsequently breaking all of my oh so lovely stocking holders that I WAITED and WAITED to go on sale last year. :(  Now I'm without stocking holders & I don't even know what to get because I loved these so much haha Pretty sad, I know.

Countdown to Thanksgiving // ONE

Thanksgiving Dinner:

For the Love of Cooking blog

Craft:

Thrifty Decorating blog

Countdown to Thanksgiving // TWO

Dessert:

For the Love of Cooking blog

Craft:

Cup of Delight blog

Countdown to Thanksgiving // THREE

Thanksgiving Dinner:

For the Love of Cooking blog

Craft:

Ordinary Miracles of Life blog

[love the rest of her room btw]

Countdown to Thanksgiving // FOUR

Thanksgiving Dinner:

Kalyn's Kitchen blog

Craft:

Make the Best of Things blog

Countdown to Thanksgiving // FIVE

Dessert:

Little Birdie Secrets blog

Craft:

DigiArt Cafe blog

Countdown to Thanksgiving // SIX

Dessert:

Raising Dieter blog

Craft:

Raising Oranges blog

Countdown to Thanksgiving // SEVEN

This time around I thought I'd feature other bloggers ideas, so everything you see in the next days will be from other bloggers pages. 

Thanksgiving Dinner:
Sweet Little Smoothie blog

Craft:

Shakespear's Stage blog

Tuesday's Trash to Treasure: Holiday Blocks

Holiday Block Decor Tutorial
Reuse: 2x4 wood

Materials:
*2x4 wood
*Decorative Paper
*Mod Podge
*Stickers/ribbon
*Letters

_Cut your 2x4's into different sizes for each letter. I forget my exact measurements, but mine ranged from 4"-8" tall.

_Sand the tops, edges & blemishes.

_Spray paint the blocks. 

_Cut your paper to cover the fronts of each block. Glue to wood with Mod Podge.

_Glue letters to blocks & apply Mod Podge over the entire fronts. 

_After drying, you can add embellishments if you'd like, or if not, then you're done!

Emergency Kit

I saw an article in the Parents Magazine a few months ago, and have wanted to start this ever since, but haven't. SO, after the earthquakes we got in Oklahoma this weekend, I decided it was TIME! You can find the article here. I modified it for my post :)

Assemble your Kit
   American Red Cross sells kits complete with food, water, breathing mask, etc. Each kit contains enough resources for one person. 

• Purchase 20-gallon plastic containers with lids (you can also purchase containers that fit under the bed if you're limited on space).
• Determine where to store your kit (garage, or on a lower level is idea).
• Have an emergency cash stash & don't "borrow" from it!
• Make "refresh" cards. These can be taped to the top of each box that details which items need to be "renewed". You will want to switch out food or other items that will expire. 
• You will need enough supplies for each person in your family, and to last you at least three(3) days.

KIT CONTENTS:

1. WATER - Have 3 gallons per person/pet in your home. If you are nursing, you will need more for yourself. 
2. FOOD - Buy canned, high-calorie foods. Good choices are chili, tuna, veggies, and soup; as well as peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, cereal bars, and comfort foods like chocolate or candy. Buy foods with similar expiration dates to make it easier to refresh your kit. If you have kids, you'll want powdered formula for babies, and boxed milk for toddlers. Remember food for your pet. 
3. FIRST-AID KIT - You can buy a standard kit and add to it. Add a couple pairs of gloves, gauze, tape and antibiotic ointment. You may also add over-the-counter medications (remember children's), since they don't come with standard kits either. 
4. "REFRESH" CARD - This lists the contents of the box, and the expiration date of medications/perishable items. 
5. DIAPERS & WIPES - Refresh your diaper sizes!
6. SUNSCREEN - SPF30 or higher
7. MANUAL CAN OPENER (got to open those cans!)
8. WATERPROOF MATCHES
9. FIRE EXTINGUISHER 
10. UTILITY KNIFE
11. RESPIRATOR/SURGICAL MASKS - To reduce exposure to airborne particles.
12. CLOTHING - Have one complete outfit for each person, including sturdy shoes, a hat & gloves. Change out kids clothing as they grow (put on refresh card). 
13. CHILDREN'S ACETAMINOPHEN - You may want to include your child's current dosage on a card (especially infants). 
14. MEDICATION - Get a seven(7) day supply of any med's you/your child is taking. If you/child is on any important med's, ask the doctor for a one-week-supply prescription to fill for your kit. Add the expiration date of med's to your refresh card. 
15. FLASHLIGHTS - One large for each adult and one small for each child who can hold it. 
16. BATTERIES - Have enough for flashlight & radio. Include a full set of replacements. 
17. BATTERY POWERED OR HAND-CRANK RADIO - American Red Cross sells one here. 
18. HAND SANITIZER - Enough to last a few days & your family. 
19. TAMPONS/PADS
20. GARBAGE BAGS
21. BLANKETS - Have one for each person. 
22. TOILET PAPER
23. 12- INCH ADJUSTABLE WRENCH - For turning off your gas line
24. CASH
25. CHLORINE BLEACH - As a cleaner and sanitizer
26. DUCT TAPE & PLASTIC SHEETING - To keep out airborne chemicals. The tape should be at least 10 mil thick; the sheeting, at least 4 mil thick. 
27. DOCUMENTS - Use a waterproof bag with one copy of important documents including: Passports, Bank account & Credit Card numbers, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards, and Wills. I would suggest keeping these inside in an easy-to-get-to spot that you can grab quickly. You might add family memorabilia such as photos.
28. FUN STUFF - Keep your families spirits high with a deck of cards, coloring books, stuffed animals, puzzles or board games. 
29. WHISTLES WITH LANYARDS - So you can find each other in the dark.
30. A CORDED PHONE - One that will work when power is down.

These aren't in any specific-important order, so make note & start collecting the things which you find important to your family first. 

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Two Ways to Protect Your Home Right Now

1. If you have natural gas, learn how to turn off the gas where it enters your home. If there's any disruption or damage to the gas line due to an earthquake or severe damage to your home, this will reduce the risk of fire. It's easier than I ever imagined, and so necessary. Purchase a 12-inch adjustable wrench or pliers that allow you to turn the valve. Then leave the tool at the site of the gas valve on the outside of your house, and add another to your emergency kit.

2. Familiarize yourself with the main water shut-off valve in your home. Practice turning it off so that if your water safety cannot be assured or if there's a leak in your pipes, you'll be able to quickly turn off all the water flowing into your home.

I haven't started our Kit yet, so as I add to it, I'll try & remember to add pictures, so maybe it will help you with yours! :)

Nov 10, 2011
***I just thought of these, but remember, this is YOUR survival kit, so put whatever you think you'll need in it:
>Utensils - spoons, forks or knives
>Cups - unless you want to drink right out of the gallon water bottles
>Napkins or Towels - for any clean up around cooking/food
>Bowls - one per person is sufficient. A bowl works because it can be used for any food. Plates would be hard for soup etc.