It Doesn't Get Better Than Free!

In the middle of moving offices at work, a set of small candle holder found their way to my desk. Since we moved into a very small space, I asked my very next door co-worker where they came from. She said she one of the maintenance men placed it on my desk and forgot to throw them away. Since nobody had claimed them, I decided to give these homeless candle holders a nice spot in my empty home. Instead of using candles, I decided to put fake apples on the candle holders to add a little color. Since my walls have nothing on them (!), I hung a sign that was given to me by my previous young womens leader as a wedding gift. So after investing $2 at Dollar Tree for the fake apples, my end result looked like this..

It turned out a lot better than I thought it would!! It was actually my husband's idea to place the candle holders next to the stove. I must admit, my husband has some awesome ideas on how to decorate our home. Funny, he usually isn't around when I do home projects. I think its to avoid being volun-told to hold up my projects on the wall in various parts of our home so I can "picture" what it would look like hanging ! (Burner Dictionary: Volun-told = Volunteered + Told) He's always so sweet to help me out, though!

So here is the decorated part of our kitchen. It's amazing how creative you can be when you get things for free! I never imagined hanging candle holders next to my stove, but now that they are there, I can't imagine anything different. So next time something free crosses your path, think twice before passing it up! You never know how it can add beauty and elegance to your home!

Lighten Up!

When I saw this project from Joy of Joys of Home I knew I wanted to duplicate it to add beauty to my own home. I had a little bit of trouble finding the necessary parts, so I'll tell you where I got mine in case you want to do it yourself! It was so much fun seeing this project come together. Here is what I started out with...

I found some fake candles at Savers (a local thrift store) - I bought three, but only two worked! From this, I learned a valuable lesson - always ask about the return policy. I tried to return the one that didnt work a day too late. But since I got them at $0.99 a piece, I just chalked it up to a beginner's mistake. After spray painting the fake candles, I bought 4" socket covers for candelabras (I got mine at Home Depot for $2.98 and they come in a package of two) that looks like a melting candle. For a light, I went to JoAnns Fabric Store and bought their "Best Value" silicone candle bulbs. It cost $0.98 for a package of two (!), which was a pleasant surprise. I expected them to cost so much more! Joy has pictures of the packages on her website, in case you need more of a visual on what you are looking for!

Project total : $ 6.93

And my finished result turned out like this...

This project was so simple and inexpensive! Even my husband was amazed at how great the candles looked without hardly any work and money! If you do decide to do the project, be sure to thank Joy on her blog for her inspiring work! And of course, let me know how yours turn out so I can share in your creativity!

Wood Canyon Lake

Last weekend, we went camping and fishing with the Craig family at Wood Canyon Lake. We had so much fun with them!

It was so nice to get out of the heat and away from stress at work. Lets do it again real soon! :)

Oh My Goodwill-ness

Confession : We have been in our home for over 1 year and I can count on one hand how many things are hanging on my walls. Yikes! And with a small "home beautification" budget , a girl has get creative in order have things to put on the wall! I went to Goodwill the other day and found these little treasures.

I saw these and instantly had a great idea. And no, the idea was not to hang them in my home in their present state! Lets take a closer look...

Doesn't this look like the well that freaky looking girl from "The Ring" crawled out of?! When I brought this home, I was just waiting for my TV to flip on with a static background and see an unpleasant visitor crawling out of my thrift store find. (Don't mind me. I let my imagination get the best of me most of the time!) Anyhoo, so of course I didn't want my home to be decorated like a freaky prop set to a horror show (a little dramatic, are we?). I knew these little treasures needed a little spray paint and scrapbook paper make-over.

And wallah-

Much better. Now to find the perfect little home for them on one of my blank walls (and yes that is my terribly painted toenail job in the bottom left of the photo). There isn't anything that a little creativity can't fix to make a thrift store treasure your own. This whole project was completed for $12. And I still have a whopping $13 left to beautify my home this month! :) Who says being cheap isn't any fun?!

Joy To the World!

I have been follow a blog, Joys Of Home, for quite some time now. I don't remember how I found it, but I'm glad I did! She has excellent ideas on how to beautify your home on a small budget. I truly appreciate her creativity because it has sparked mine! I love how she uses her gift to inspire others on how to beautify their Zion on earth in their own creative way! I don't ever comment - just silently soak her ideas and thoughts in. When you visit, be sure to take a look at her past posts too! One of her many creative inventions : an entertainment center built out of old doors. One of Joy's creative ideas involved painting and mounting a wooden letter on a plaque. I've had a large letter "B" hanging around since my wedding. I have never been quite sure on what to do with it. Once I read her post, my creative juices started flowing and I knew what to do with that letter B!

So, the project started like this....

And ended like this...

I am really happy how it turned out! My scrapbook paper wasn't large enough to cover the plaque (!) so I had to improvise. I think I'll cover the part where the paper doesn't exactly meet up with ribbon or something. But for now, its the creativity - not perfection - that counts!

Oh What Is A Girl To Do With A Wreath On Sale?

I love this wreath! I believe its beauty comes from its natural elegance. I remember admiring this wreath at spring time but not being able to justify the price tag of $29.99. And since our budget only allots $25 a month to "home beautification", this wreath was simply out of the question. I chalked it up to "it was never meant to be" and continued my search for the perfect wreath. Imagine my surprise when my most recent shopping trip brought me face to face with this beauty again. Since I always shop the clearance first, I was anxious to see what kind of deal I could get on. The price tag wasn't on the wreath so I asked the woman behind the counter to do a price check. I nearly died when she told me this beauty was $4.25! I quickly grabbed the last four, texted my husband to make sure he was ok with it (which, as always, he was) and made my purchase. Why four you ask ? For each one of the windows downstairs, of course!

I couldn't get a good picture of all four together because of the way my house is positioned but I snapped a picture of two hanging in my windows to give you an idea of how it looks. By the way, this picture was taken at 6:30 am - the sun is bright and shining already at our house!

Calling all runners...

Wanted:

A running cohort in crime for 5 am (or 10pm) runs. Needs to be versed in a wide variety of topics - from thought provoking conversations to the ongoing drama of BraJolina. Should be willing to laugh at self when drivers make crude remarks, flips you the bird or almost hits you on the side of the road. Must be willing to run aimlessly in one direction for long distances. Cheerfulness and CPR certification required.

Seriously, though - if you live near me and want to run in early mornings (or late nights) let me know! And if you are reading my blog and just barely know me from church or school, you are invited too!

You know you want to....

For the Love...

Please tell me why I have to be here, doing this...

When I would clearly rather be doing this...

When You Wish Upon A Star

Dear Jiminy Cricket (and friends),

I am a BIG fan. Really. So don't take this little note personally. It's not you, it's me. Ok...so maybe it's you. I really appreciate you visiting me nightly. With your friends. In my kitchen. Oh and in my living room. And the garage. (You get the drift.) Anyhoo, the fact that you keep doing your song and dance in my home on a nightly basis is bothering me. I figured when I brought my flip flop out and gave a couple of you a "love tap", you'd find another gig - but you haven't. And after I so lovingly bathed you in Eau de Raid I thought for sure you and your friends would find a "happier place" to live. Yet, I was mistaken. So, just a friendly reminder to please stop using my house as an all night venue for you and your friends.

Your not-so-BFF,

Rachel

P.S. Remember the story about the pioneers that prayed for the seagulls? Don't make me go there!

Ain't That the Truth, Sister!

Amen!