May 2014 End of the Month Sponsor Wrap Up

Summer is just around the corner and we have been very busy getting everything ready. From cleaning the outdoor patio, getting ready for summer entertaining and a complete front yard make over to be more drought tolerant.

Getting the Front Yard Planted!

Last week I shared with you the big reveal of our native, drought tolerant front yard and landscape. I worked closely with our landscaper and had many requests for what I wanted from our yard. I'm going to share some of the costs for hiring a landscaper, so that you can see realistically what to expect. Now, let me be honest, I started out this project when I heard our city was offering a $1 per square foot rebate to take out our lawn, but we ran into some problems...

Teaching Kids to Be Hospitable!

About a month ago, I was in Salt Lake City for a creative blogger's conference {called SNAP}. I had such a great time and learned so much, and one of the things that came home with me was a lot of crafting stuff. A LOT! My daughter loves to craft and I suggested she invite some friends over and plan a craft party using some of the goodies I got there. My ten year old daughter...

Gift of Clean Came to MY House!

This post sponsored by Scotch-Brite but all opinions and views are my own. 
I was compensated for my partnership with Scotch-Brite...but don't 

let that make you think that I didn't really want this for Mother's Day!

My kids are amazing. I am so blessed. My husband has been so good about showing his appreciation to me, as a mother to his children. Life hasn't always been easy. As many of you know, my son has autism. This is a lifelong process. Autism doesn't go away. But, to see he and his sister actually cleaning for me on Mother's Day makes my heart very happy! Of course, little sister is the one who leads the way, but her brother is happy to follow along and help!

Amazing Front yard Make-Over!

It.Is.Done!!!! Yay, my front yard make-over is done! I can't believe it and it's so amazing to think that my yard went from this {where I left you last time}....

A Few of My Favorite Things {May}

Do you have things you use everyday that you just LOVE? I do...I want to share just five of my favorite things each month that I love, both organizing related and not! Plus, I'll show you...

Our Outdoor Fireplace Ready for Entertaining!

Growing up in Northern California, I remember many nights eating outside on the deck that my dad built, especially in spring and summer. It was one of my favorite things to do - to eat outside. There is something so special about being outside in the evening, just enjoying family. I've now lived in Southern California since I went to college and then married my college sweetheart, who grew up here, for almost 25 years. When we bought this particular house in 2006, it was special to us right from the start. My husband envisioned a deck right outside...

More Pinterest Inspiration with Fashion!

Do you ever have one of those days where you wore the RIGHT thing and you just felt good all day {follow my Instagram for more ideas}? And then...

Organizing All Over the House + Giveaway!

This is a sponsored post from Post-it® Brand but all opinions and views are my own. 
I was compensated for my partnership with Post-it Brand, 

but I promise that you'll LOVE the ideas I have for you! 
They are inexpensive and organized!

My husband and I recently had the opportunity to go on a short trip to Portland, Oregon. He works in the credit union industry and is an executive there and sometimes things come up that we are privileged to attend. This particular event was fundraising for children's hospitals up in the Oregon/Washington area and it's a really fun and fancy event. Another company flew us up there and gave us tickets to attend. Well, every time I've had to do these events, I'm terrified to do my own make-up or hair - especially the make-up! I decided to finally get over it and I got an appointment at my local Sephora store with a beauty consultant/make up artist to teach me how to do a smokey eye...are you wondering where this is going? I wanted to look...

11 Ways to Organize with Magnets!

Everytime I look around my house, I notice that there are more and more ways I've been organizing with magnets! Yes, magnets! Think I'm crazy? Well, I've found 11 ways and you can try this inexpensive, easy way to organize, too!

All I Want for Mother's Day...

This post sponsored by Scotch-Brite but all opinions and views are my own. 
I was compensated for my partnership with Scotch-Brite...but don't 

let that make you think that I don't really want this for Mother's Day!

Each year, my hubby and kids try to figure out what I want for Mother's Day. Sometimes they do a great job figuring it out - like when I got a spa gift card {oh yeah!} - and sometimes it's a miss - when I got a back-up program for my computer {yes, really!}. It's okay because I know that they meant well and I love that they try to come up with something for me. So, this year I KNOW what I want...

How to Make a Lighted Marquee

So, I go on Pinterest and see these amazing large letters with big, bright lights in them. I don't know why, but I have been totally drawn to them. They look fun and I LOVE personalized stuff - like initials and such. I have them all over my house - just ask my friends! I found that there were a few tutorials on how to make them and I told my husband that I was SURE this would be seriously easy by doing a little of this and a little of that and we'd have this thing done! He actually liked my idea of the marquee, which usually takes me some convincing whenever we have a project that I dream up. Well, last week...