Family Pictures

This summer has been crazy!  My family made the choice not to have help with the kids this summer, so unless you want me to post pictures of me with the kids at the grocery store, or pool, I am afraid there are just not enough hours in the day for home design projects!  I am hoping Kandi and I will be able to get back to our regular posting schedule soon. 

A few weeks ago my family came for a visit, and my gracious and very talented cousin, Krista Joy took pictures for us.  The location we chose was perfect, my friend's farm where we share a garden so my family spends a lot of time here. 

I could show you all of the amazing photos of my family where everyone is looking and smiling perfectly at the camera, but lets be honest for every one of those, there are 10 of these...

 

This is my favorite series of photos;  all taken within a couple seconds.  Ahh the universal struggle of getting your children to do what you ask...(stand up, keep your hands down, and smile for the camera!)

 

Look at that face!  And I still don't know where he found that toy gun!

Here are a few of Krista Joy's tips for a great portrait session.

1. Find soft lighting.  Preferred outside, at the edge of a building that provides back lighting not in direct sun.

2. When photographing children have a distraction behind the photographer to help the kids smile.

3. Have your outfits complement your setting.  Do not change who you are as a family to fit in with a stuffy photo. Those boots are not just props, they are our work boots!

If you are interested in having a photo session with Krista Joy Photography you can contact her at kristajoylivingston@gmail.com

Boys with Libby

The entire family

 

Grandma with her boys.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer!  I look forward to sharing more projects with you soon.

Rebekah

Quick, Easy, Banana Pudding Trifle

I am pretty sure in the South there is a written law that reads something like this...

"thou shall have banana pudding at all cook outs"

People always love it!  Last time I took it they made me leave the leftovers (note to self... remind them to bring my trifle dish back!).  In my opinion it is so popular not only because it's so yummy but also because it is so darn hot down here and you don't have to turn on the oven or stove for this one!  That's right people... no cook!  What more could you want in a desert recipe?  How about the fact that it is perfect to bring when you have a time crunch too because it only takes about 20 minutes to make and 99% of the time I already have the ingredients on hand. 

There are hundreds of methods for banana pudding but this one is super quick, super easy, and super delish!

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas - sliced

2 boxes instant vanilla pudding mix - prepared

Large tub Cool Whip (thawed)

Box of vanilla wafers

Preparation:

Prepare pudding mix according to package directions.

Fold in thawed Cool Whip.

Alternate layers of pudding, bananas, wafers until you fill your container.  I end with a dollop of cool whip and a few cookies on top.  (You can also crush a couple cookies to sprinkle on top).

THAT'S IT!  Your are done!  Now go put on your cute sundress and head to your summer cookout.

Notes:

-You can make your own whipped cream using heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar if you want to add the extra step.  It does up the yum factor in my opinion but there is a chance you will be the only one to notice the difference!

-You do not need to use a trifle bowl.  Just throw it into any container you have and it will taste just the same!

-Most people like it best after it has had a chance to sit in the fridge a few hours so the cookies have a chance to begin to soften. You can even do it the night before.

-Making it in individual servings and adding a spring of mint elevates it to dinner party status!

Random Note:

-I happen to dislike banana pudding!  I'm not a banana fan!  This is a GREAT reason for me to make it... keeps me from eating desert (because licking the pudding bowl doesn't count :-)

Now, go make it!

Lastly, my baby boy started Kindergarten today!!  SAY WHAT?!?  I'm not even sure how this just happened.  I am a hot mess and am literally watching the minutes tick by until I can go pick him up!  My favorite line as we drive to school for the first time ever this morning, " Mom, I am freeeeakin out!!"  Love him!

Kandi

Linking up here:

 A Diamond in the Stuff Stringtown HomeOrganizing Home Life Tuesday Tutorials  Be Inspired Tuesday Time OutA to Zebra Celebrations My Favorite Finds The Inspiration Board 

 Polkadots on Parade  Rock N Share Clean & Scentsible  School House Scraps Sew Woodsy Savvy Southern Style Your Whims Wednesday Wow me Wednesday A Little Tipsy Women Living Well Primp your Stuff Wednesday Show and Share Mrs. Fox’s Sweet Party Whatever goes Wednesday

Live.Laugh.Rowe Adventures in Dinner Mom on Timeout The CSI Project Share Your Cup Thursday Fabulously Flawed It’s Sew Stinking Cute The Shabby Creek Cottage The Crafty Blog Stalker Christina’s Adventures Crafty Scrappy Happy Embracing Change 52 Mantels Bear Rabbit Bear The Vintage Farmhouse Bloom Designs A Turtles Life for Me The Taylor House Rhinestone Beagle The Brambleberry Cottage
The Shabby Nest Tidy Mom Joyful Stamper My Simple Home Life Remodelaholic Delicate Construction Happy Hour Projects Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 504 Main Hating Martha The Creative Paige Here Comes the Sun Cookie Nut Creations Bacon Time Joy in the Jumble The Grant Life Dotted Line Crafts Love Notes by Lauren Raising Oranges Making Lemonade Redoux Interiors Sassy Sites One Artsy Momma My Romantic Home Petals to Picots Pandoras Craft Box My Repurposed Life French Country Cottage At the Picket Fence Just Us Four Mommas Kinda Crafty Craftionary Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons Just Us 4 Sweet Tooth Friday 30 Handmade Days Lovely Crafty Home

Mama Mias Heart to Heart Homemaker in Heels Family Ever After Lady Bird Lane Serenity You The Gingerbread Blog

Cherished Treasures Re-made Just Right Under the Table & Dreaming The Sweet talk Shop Sassafrass Salvation Simple as That My 1929 Charmer Heatherly Loves The Sasse Life Joy 2 Journey The Foley



 

When life hands you lemons... go to the beach!

Sometimes life slows you down from your normal routine.  For me, three weeks ago today, it was in the form of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy which required an emergency surgery.  Through it all I was reminded not only am I beyond blessed to have two perfect beautiful children but also, my life is full to the brim with amazing friends and family who cooked, cleaned, took care of my babies, and just stepped in without being asked, to help out in any way possible.  Blessed is an understatement.

 I received an amazingly sweet card in the mail but one line stuck out to me, "I'm so sorry for your tragedy."  I struck me for some reason.  I just haven't really thought of it that way. Sure, it sucked, but that is just not the way I look at life.  Now, if I didn't have two great kids or if things had turned out a little differently maybe I would feel this way.  It is sad that I'll never have any more kids but one verse sticks out in my mind and strangely enough it has been in my head since the very day I found out I was pregnant with my third. 

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord"   Jeremiah 29:11

I am a true believer in everything happens for a reason and I am so thankful for these two perfect babies I get to spend my every day with.  Life is good today!

My doctors gave me the the go ahead to head on down to Pawleys Island less than a week after my surgery with strict instructions to relax.... uhhhh, OK!  I can totally do that!  Here are a few pics from the week.   Also, Rebekah and I plan to get back to your regularly scheduled programming ASAP!  My baby boy starts Kindergarten on Wednesday which, at this moment, seems like more of a tragedy than the surgery!!!!!!!!!  Prayers please!  I told one of my friends if I show up on her door step with mascara running down my face and a bottle of wine in my hand at 8:30 a.m. then to just let me in!  Why must the grown up so fast!!

Here's to an uneventuful week!
Kandi

Cleaning Vintage Lace

A couple of weeks ago I went to an Estate Sale and found the most delightful bag full of vintage lace.  I still have not decided what I want to make with these beautiful pieces, pillows, dresses, skirts, or perhaps  wedding garders, but I know it will be lovely with these gorgeous handmade lace! 

The only problem was this lace was in terrible condition!  It was stinky and brown from years of neglect, so before it can tranform my next project, I needed to clean it. 

I have used several methods to clean vintage fabrics and lace in the past, but the method I want to share with you today is simple and works every time. 

CLEANING VINTAGE TEXTILES

1. Use a large canning pot.  (If you don't have a canning pot, use your largest pot.

2. Fill the pot half full with water

3. Place 1/2 cup of OxiClean powder into the water, stir

4. Add fabric/lace (water needs to cover all fabric)

5. Bring water to a boil and turn off heat

6.  Let fabric sit in water stir occassionally, until water cools

7. Pour off dirty water

8. Repeat process until water pours off clean

9. Rinse fabric under facet to remove all OxiClean

10. Line dry in the sun

I use this same process for all of my vintage finds...tablecloths, pillowcases, tablerunners, napkins....

 

Thanks for joining us today.  I am sorry our post have been a  little spread out.  Kandi and I both have little ones, so summer is usy, going on picnics, the pool, beach, vacationing...and lets face it just making sure our kiddos are not sitting in front of a tv!  We ask that you hang in there with us through this season.  Fall will be here before we know it, and we will be back to our regular posting schedule!

Thanks!

Rebekah

Ice Cream Party: Free Printables

Harper Kate's party was this weekend and I think it went great.  Very low key but the kids had a blast!  In years past I've tended to blow the budget on birthday parties for Gray and Harper.  I've just realized that it is really not necessary.  The kids could really and truly care, and as long as they are having fun what more could matter?  So this year I took the fun more seriously and the decorating less seriously.  Entirely out of my nature if you know me but people evolve you know :-)

I scoured the web, well, actually Pinterest, for free printables and the magnitude of things that came up were amazing!  I narrowed it down to just 3 different projects because that would be SIMPLE!   

Project 1: Happy Birthday Harper Pennant Banner
Cost: Free

This was the easiest banner ever, but I'll give a quick tutorial tomorrow. I cut all of my pennants out of scrapbook paper that I had on hand and found this perfect letter printables on Martha Stewart. She had some other adorable ways to use them on her website (duh) but I needed a little more color.  It was just the pop I needed over the desert table.  Just enough without being over the top.

Project 2: Harper's Birthday Ice Cream Labels
Cost: $7 for the sticky labels

I went with the little cups of ice cream to save on time and fuss but wanted to dress them up a bit.  This project could potentially cost you $7 unless you have these labels on hand.  I used the two inch circles from Avery's new line of Customizable Market Solutions  and I thought there were absolutely perfect! The website is full of free templates and a super easy to use platform for designing your labels.  You can import pictures and logos and they are 100% fully customizable.  I designed these from a blank template in about 5 minutes but the possibilities were truly endless!

Project 3: Ice Cream Toppings Labels
Cost: Free

These Ice Cream Tags are by Amy Moss at Eat Drink Chic.  To save time I hand wrote the toppings onto the tags and glued them to card stock so they could stand up on their own.

The rest of the decorating came from bright linens I already had on hand, flowers from my yard, and about 20 brightly colored balloons.  

You know you have an awesome friend when she brings you a set of 12 monogrammed brightly colored napkins.  YOU ARE THE BEST REBEKAH!!  I pulled out all the colors that worked with the party for extra pops of color.  Worked perfect since our last name and Harpers first name are both H's.  The printable on the right I've had a around for a while and its a freebie from Eighteen25.  They happen to have the best collection of subway art ever!

I also reused pennants from my sisters baby shower on the lower patio. 

More on the party to come this week!

Kandi

Entry Closet Makeover Part 3: Building The Bench

Entry Closet Makeover Part 3: Building The Bench

If you would have asked me 8 years ago when I married my husband (or even 3 weeks ago...) if he would be building things I would have laughed at you.  And I think he would have laughed too.  It is truly amazing how much more "handy" he has become.  I LOVE it!  As much as I would like the credit for talking him into doing this I truly think the motivation behind him starting this project came from a couple nay saying friends if we are being honest... those friends will remain nameless but your check is in the mail :-)

Amazingly this was finished in exactly one week and was worked on only at night after kids were in the bed. After going thru my Entryway Pinterest Board he set off to Lowe's. Lets be honest... I was worried.

1. Initial Frame

2. Power tools, at night... and yes.. he is wearing a headlamp... (if any of our college friends are reading this that headlamp should bring back memories)!

3. I am now aware that he could build a pretty awesome stage.  Next project maybe?

4. The framing is done and has lots of extra reinforcement including metal brackets in the corners.  Will says this makes it "fat ass certified".  His words... not mine!

Next came beadboard.  Hung horizontally, inspired by House of Smiths.  The drawers proved to be the hardest part.  It was a tight squeeze for a 6'5" man to get in and drill them down, in hind sight, don't attach the seat top until you have the drawer hardware installed! 

Last came trim work, paint and installing the hardware. 

He added the trim around the drawers to give a little more detail and I am in love with cup pulls right now.  I really wanted the big tall "coat and hat" hooks but they just wouldn't fit.  I think these lovelies will work just fine. 

If you really really want a full tutorial leave a comment and let me know.  I can probably talk Will into it.  From the outside looking in it appears to go like this, " measure, cut board, bring board in house, plethora of curse words, re-measure, re-cut, install, praise yourself and comment to everyone who will listen that you are the most talented person on the planet, repeat."  He is pretty talented and I am very proud.  He did prove me wrong!  This project has made all the difference in the world when you enter our house.   First impressions, you know! 

Big reveal next week!

Part 1: The Inspiration
Part 2: The Soft Stuff

Kandi

Porch Transformation

I am so sorry I have been away for over a week! We have had family in town, and lets just say it has been crazy around here. Today I am finally getting a chance to sit down, and show you a space I updated last week.   We have dinner outside on the deck most summer nights, and it really needed a little updating.  As always I was on a really tight budget.  I had about $250 to make over my entire space.   I had the table, and chairs, but I needed new cushions, pillows, table placemats & napkins.  Here is my new tablescape....

My starting point was the orange cushions on my outdoor lounge chairs...

Goodness, look at that sun!  These chairs sit in full sun all day long, and I am thrilled the fabric is sunbrella!  It holds up beautifully to sun and storms.  Anyway, they are orange, so that was my jumping off point.

I found closeout Sunbrella seat cushions at my local Tuesday Morning for $19.99.  I was lucky, they only had four matching chair cushions, and one bench cushion.  Truth be told I am not crazy about the pattern, but the price had me...besides, I knew I would be adding pillows.

I had the orange pillows (they came with my orange Sam's Club chairs.  At TJ Maxx my cousin and I stumbled upon the great floral pattern pillows. (Can you see them peaking from behind the table?) These were a real bargain at $16.99.  I was only going to buy 2, but Krista talked me into buying all 4. If you knew us, you would know that that was not much of a challenge!  My poor husband he does not stand a chance against the two of us! I put two on the bench, and two on my lounge chairs (pictured a couple pictures above).

With all this color, I needed a little bit of neutral...so the placemats and napkins were a perfect find.  TJ Maxx $4.99 for a set of four napkins...same price for four placemats.

I thought the napkins needed a little personality.  So of course I added my family's monogram with my embroidery machine.

I love using flowers from my garden to create informal arrangements.  Pictured above is just a simple arrangement of Crape Myrtle and Honeysuckle.

My favorite part of this entire transformation are the monogrammed pillows at the heads of the table. 

My Hubby's

Mine

These were simple sunbrella pillows I bought at TJ Maxx for $19.99. 

Before...

I ripped the pillows apart, monogrammed each, and then added brush trim.  Voila!

Thanks for joining me today!  As always I love to read your comments!  And as always, I went a little over budget...

Rebekah

I linked up to these amazing blog parties.

Motivate Me Monday The Cure for the Common Monday Just Something I Whipped Up Polly Want a Crafter Sew Can Do Boogieboard Cottage DIY Home Sweet Home Brassy Apple Polish the Stars Serendipity and Spice Destination CraftMrs Happy Homemaker Made for You Monday Make it Yourself Monday Ask AnnaC.R.A.F.T.The Southern Institute The DIY ShowoffCraftomaniacRaising 4 Princesses Between Naps on the Porch Bedazzle Me Monday The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife Make Something Monday * A Diamond in the Stuff Stringtown HomeOrganizing Home Life Tuesday Tutorials Giggles Glitz and Glam Be Inspired Tuesday Time OutA to Zebra Celebrations My Favorite FindsEye HeartOur Delightful Home The Inspiration Board Frugal Treasures Tuesday Too Cute TuesdaySugar and DotsTopsy Turvy Tuesdays Trick or Treat Tuesday Chef in TrainingSugar Bee CraftsHope Studios Tell it to me Tuesday Your Cozy Home Party Turquoise Lovin’Tuesday To Do Party Cherished BlissAnti-Procrastination Tuesdays Type A Adventures of a DIY Mom Show Me What Ya Got Get Your Craft OnNifty Thrifty Tuesday Tuesday Confessional Teagan Travels How to Nest for Less A Bowl Full of Lemons Tuesday Trade OffTip JunkieT2T TuesdayTuesday TreasuresLadybug BlessingsCreative ItchToot your Horn Tuesday Jillify It Tutorial Tuesday Pin Cushion Creations Junk in their Trunk Polkadots on Parade * Laugh Love and Craft Rock N ShareClean & Scentsible The Trendy Treehouse Beyond the Picket Fence School House Scraps The Thrifty Home Sew Woodsy Savvy Southern Style Your Whims Wednesday Wow me Wednesday A Little TipsyWomen Living WellPrimp your Stuff Wednesday Show and Share Mrs. Fox’s Sweet Party Whatever goes Wednesday Live.Laugh.RoweAdventures in Dinner Easy Digital Scrapbooking Mom on Timeout The CSI Project Share Your Cup Thursday Fabulously FlawedIt’s Sew Stinking Cute The Shabby Creek Cottage The Crafty Blog Stalker Christina’s Adventures Crafty Scrappy Happy Embracing Change52 Mantels Bear Rabbit Bear The Vintage Farmhouse Bloom DesignsA Turtles Life for Me The Taylor House Rhinestone BeagleSchoolhouse Scraps The Brambleberry Cottage * The Shabby NestTidy MomJoyful StamperMy Simple Home Life RemodelaholicDelicate Construction Happy Hour Projects Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 504 Main Hating Martha The Creative Paige Here Comes the Sun Cookie Nut Creations Bacon TimeJoy in the JumbleThe Grant LifeDotted Line Crafts Love Notes by Lauren Raising OrangesMaking LemonadeRedoux InteriorsSassy SitesOne Artsy MommaMy Romantic HomePetals to PicotsPandoras Craft Box My Repurposed Life French Country Cottage At the Picket Fence Just Us FourMommas Kinda Crafty CraftionaryKitchen Fun With My 3 Sons Just Us 4Sweet Tooth Friday 30 Handmade Days Lovely Crafty Home Mama Mias Heart to Heart Homemaker in Heels Family Ever After Lady Bird LaneSerenity You The Gingerbread Blog Cherished Treasures Re-made Just Right Under the Table & Dreaming The Sweet talk Shop Sassafrass Salvation Simple as That My 1929 Charmer Heatherly Loves The Sasse Life Joy 2 Journey The Foley