Wanna do your nails?

I found this awesome picture with tutorial and how-to video on Pinterest (follow me here).

Here's a link to the tutorial.

And here's how mine turned out. It really was quite easy.

And I got a ton of compliments at the pool today ;)

Hey, I've got some blankets for sale on my etsy shop

Check them out if you have a baby girl, know a baby girl, or know someone who wants to have a girl sometime.

Map Wall

Somewhere we got the idea to decorate a wall in maps. After graduation (only took me 10 years to get my BS) I finally gave myself permission to begin the project.

All these maps are stuck on the wall with liquid starch. It's super simple to apply (just roll it on to the back of the maps with a roller, stick the map to the wall, and roll over the top of the map) and completely removable. When I'm tired of looking at all the places I could travel, all I have to do is take a spray bottle of water to the wall and peel off the maps. The starch also works with fabric or anything else you want to stick!

Redoing the house

On today's redo the house

wall art

brought to you by

Sprik Space

totally fabulous, free downloads that you can just print off your computer. Frame in an IKEA frame and you're set. It does take some ink, so if you're printing a lot, think about printing them at a store.

Also check out her other freebies. They come in EVERY color.

Teach the Children

There's a woman who guest posted on a blog I read. Here's the post.

In her post, she shared some info that I want to write down but it's not exactly feasible at this exact second. So, here it is. Copied in all it's greatness. Now, when I do find a pen, I'll be able to write it somewhere.

If I had to, I could narrow it down to two things I hope my children never forget. Two things that I hope I have taught them to do. The first one is: You help the people you love when they need it. You help them when it isn’t convenient, when it isn’t easy, when it isn’t fun. You help them, even if part of you would rather be doing something else. You help them grieve or you help them celebrate. You wipe their tears or clean their bathroom. Because loving people means serving them.

The second thing I hope my children remember is this: Sometimes you have to say no. Sometimes you have to put yourself first and say ‘I can’t help you today.’ There are times you need to unplug the phone, clear your schedule and take care of you. When you truly need to do that, it isn’t selfish and it isn’t something you should feel guilty about doing. It is loving yourself. And that is as important as loving others.

I want to teach my kids something important. Right now the important thing I'm teaching is that if you're going to take the toys from your sister, make sure you "trade" so she doesn't know she's getting the short end of the stick. Also, when we eat fast food for lunch, we throw the trash away BEFORE we get home so Daddy doesn't see. I think I like her second point because a lot of the time, I want to tell everyone (kids included) that I can't help them today.

Man, this mom thing is hard. Mom, I don't know how you did it. I surely know I didn't thank you enough for it! So, THANK YOU. thanks. Thank you! Dae dum (that's how my little brother used to say it.)

Need a light?

We've got night lights coming out of our ears!

Do you want to make one, too?

1. Go to the craft store. Pick yourself up a Kraft Block (or Cube or Kube as it may be)

2. Don't forget the strand of christmas lights. (typically right next to the blocks)

3. Cover the block with anything. These are covered in a layer of tissue paper that's been Mod Podged on. Then, I took paper flowers and glued those on. Then topped it off with glitter glue dots. The black dots are puff paint. Cooper's circles are just paint. Then, both got named with the sticker letters from the scrapbook section. Simple, simple, simple.

4. Stuff the christmas lights into the hole (that's been previous drilled by the Krafty Kube people) and plug in.

TA DA!

I wish I felt this secure with my position in life