Hey y’all!  I hope you had a great weekend! Ours was fabulously low-key. I thought I would share the very simple tutorial for the colorful felt circle garland that I created for Ridley’s Curious George Birthday Party a couple of weeks ago.  It’s so easy!

I love how the light hits the garland in this photo!

Supplies Needed:

• 1/4 yard of three various colors {I used yellow, red, aqua}
• Pen or marker
• Scissors
• Ribbon {I used two spools.}
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Three various sized circle shapes for patterns {Mine were 3.5″, 2.5″, and 2″}

Trace a bunch of various sized circles from each piece of felt. I used about half of each piece of felt.

Then hot glue them in a random order onto the ribbon. I cut my garland into random lengths to hang vertically and then I used a second spool of ribbon for a horizontal garland for the table display!

So stinkin’ cute!!

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This garland concept would be perfect for many different events and parties!

Do you decorate with garland and banners for parties?

I’m linking up to Today’s Creative Blog, I’m Lovin’ It, and Weekend Wrap Up Party!

XO

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I’m so thankful for another Sunday. I love Sundays. They are crazy, insane days for us because we do a lot with church.  But, my heart is so refreshed as I’m encouraged to look away from myself and my issues to Christ who is the Lover of my soul.

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This past week, I read this quote from Streams In The Desert…

[Our trials] are His mountains. He puts them there. We know that God will not fail to keep His promise. “God understandeth the way thereof and knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven”; and when we come to the foot of the mountains, we shall find the way.

I’ve gotten a few emails about my favorite devotionals, so I thought I would share them with y’all who are interested.

Besides reading my Bible, I really enjoy reading Faith’s Checkbook by Charles Spurgeon.  I love the short snippets of truth that I can think on throughout the day.  I also love Streams In The Desert by Mrs. Charles Cowman.  I have both of these devotionals in book form, but I tend to read them online or on my phone.

• Faith’s Checkbook   online | iphone app | android app
• Streams In The Desert  online | iphone app | android app

I will be the first to admit that being a busy momma it is difficult to always have an hour of “sitting down quiet time” with God every single day. Maybe I’m a terrible Christian, but it just doesn’t always happen. If you’re struggling with this too, don’t give up. Don’t allow the enemy to dump debilitating guilt on you. This is a season that passes too quickly that we will miss when our children are older.

Jesus loves us. He accepts us.  ”It is enough that Jesus died and that He died for me.”

Having devotional time with God shouldn’t be a checklist of things to do each day where we do it and move on to the rest of our day. Instead, it should be an ongoing, moment-by-moment attitude of living with Him, praising Him and pouring out our hearts to Him.

By meditating on God’s word, memorizing, singing and praying throughout the day, while I’m going about my daily tasks, my heart is aligned with Him and sheltered from the enemy’s constant attacks.

God has promised that He is always with us {Hebrews 13:5}, so I whisper prayer here and sing praise there. He’s always listening because He never sleeps. {Psalm 121:4}

I hope you’re encouraged, today, to keep on keeping on. Look to Jesus. Lean hard on Him!

Do you have a favorite devotional?

XO

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Happy Friday!  Today’s giveaway is brought to you by E-Mealz!  Have you heard of E-Mealz? It is a premier menu planning system created by two sisters who were frustrated by the challenge of coming up with healthy, budget-conscious meals for their own families.

Launched in 2003, the E-Mealz program provides a consistent and reliable approach to food budgeting by factoring the weekly cost of ingredients into each menu plan. Menus are created around a budget of $75 per week for families and $35 per week for couples.

Pretty cool, right?

E-Mealz creates new dinner menus every week designed around grocery store sales, seasonal specials and diet preferences.

For as low as $5.00 per month, subscribers download a recipe plan for the week with a matching aisle-by-aisle grocery list. The easy-to-follow recipes usually contain fewer than seven ingredients to allow for prep times of less than 30 minutes.

Are you looking to add some extra texture to your home decor?  Maybe you’ve been on the lookout for a nightstand or side table accessory. Decorating with “vintage” book bundles is an excellent way to add character and texture, however, buying ready-made book bundles is not cheap.

Creating a vintage book bundle is an easy, frugal project that anyone can do!

Click to read the rest of my tutorial at Decorating…Your Way!

XO

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Happy February 1st! With only two weeks until Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be fun to share a roundup of adorable Valentine decor ideas that I’ve spotted from around the blogosphere. I love the colors, sweetness and love associated with Valentine’s Day.

I love this beautiful felt wreath from The Idea Room.

This Valentine throw pillow is simply beautiful!

Pitter-pat…yes, that’s my heartbeat over this precious heart felt garland.

Sweet DIY tea towels are an easy decor project!

Oooo, la, la! Isn’t this ribbon wreath adorbs?

Create a quilted Valentine’s Day heart pillow.

So smart! Make a cute heart wreath from folded papers.

How precious is this love bird art?!

Felt flowers set off this folded burlap wreath for V-day!

I love this Dollar Tree Heart Doily Garland. Simple and cheap!

My cupcake liner “Be Mine” topiary!

Okay, so I think I *must* do this project in the near future – Yarn Wrapped Letters. SO fab!

I don’t think you could get more simple than votive candles surrounded by valentine sprinkles!

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I hope you’re super inspired to create some Valentine’s Day decor for your home!  Check out more fabulous ideas this week over on Life…Your Way!

Did you see a V-day decor project that you’d like to replicate?

XO

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A few weeks ago, I told you about how I would be sharing budget tips and decorating advice as an official Apartment Guide Décor Blogger. I kicked off this fun partnership with my 10 Favorite Places To Shop When Decorating On A Budget! Today I’m sharing five budget–friendly kitchen updates. Whether you’re living, looking, or moving, Apartment Guide offers how-to tips for making the most of a space on a budget.

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The kitchen is often one of the last places that gets decorating attention even though it is the “hub” of our home. Everyone always wants to hangout in the kitchen! Kitchen updates can be cost prohibitive, but these kitchen update tips are both relatively simple for a DIY-er and easy on the budget!

1. Cut The Clutter

The easiest and most inexpensive kitchen update tip is to get rid of clutter. Piles of mail, magazines, bills, recipes, books and more do nothing but make kitchen countertops look messy and “small.” By clearing out clutter your kitchen will look more spacious and grand. Create an organization station to keep mail, bills, calendars etc organized and neat.

2. Get Organized

Besides organizing clutter, look for places that make you cringe and get them organized too. Kitchen cabinets {especially the plastics cabinet…ahem} tend to get “avalanche syndrome”, if you know what I mean. Having an organized spice cabinet and pantry will help you work more efficiently and you will actually enjoy being in the kitchen.

3. Paint, Paint, Paint

Painting the walls in your kitchen with a new fresh color is a relatively easy task, but painting kitchen cabinets is a more time-consuming task. Painting the kitchen cabinets is a simple way to dramatically update the look of your kitchen on a budget…lotsa bang for your bucks!

4. Replace Outdated Hardware & Fixtures

Design a grand plan of the “look” you are going for and then replace outdated hardware and fixture as your budget allows. I love to purchase cabinet hardware from Ebay at a fraction of the cost of home improvement stores.

New sink fixtures and light fixtures are inexpensive “weekend” updates that can pack a fabulous visual punch.

5. Install New Countertops/Backsplash

Obviously, this tip is a bit more complex than the previous tips, but if you save up and do-it-yourself, installing new countertops or a new backsplash is quite doable. My first choice of countertop for clients is a higher-end option like granite or marble, but when it comes to decorating for myself, I’m a “Budget-Betty” and go for Wilsonart or Formica.

Insider Tip: When purchasing laminate countertops, look for a local laminate shop who can manufacture the countertops from a template. I have found that my local shop is a fraction of the cost of the same exact laminate at my home improvement store. Booyah!

Backsplash updates can be as simple as beadboard or as complex as stone or tile. It’s up to you – your talent and your budget – as well as what you love.

Step By Step

Don’t get overwhelmed with this list. Write down your priority list and take baby steps to achieve your vision for your kitchen décor! It doesn’t matter if I love something. If you put it in YOUR house, you need to LOVE it because you’ll be living with it.

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Do you have a budget-friendly kitchen update tip to add?

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• Check out Apartment Guide on Facebook or on Twitter for real-time tips and updates on making the most of your space.  If you’re ready for a whole new space or are looking to move, Apartment Guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you find the perfect apartment community.
• Learn where to find budget-friendly furniture for small spaces and figure out your personal decorating style!

Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. have partnered with bloggers like me as Official Apartment Guide Bloggers. As part of this program, I have received compensation. They have not told me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
*image source in this post

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XO

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Hey, hey! I hope y’all had a lovely weekend!  We spent part of it in Franklin, Tennessee {one of our favorite places} at a small conference.  We were inspired and encouraged. Actually, I think my entire mindset was changed, but it’s going to take awhile to process it all.

Anyway, I thought the Valentine’s Day Vignette that I put together on my beloved apple green desk would be a perfect way to start the week.  I never thought that my desk would be so versatile when I painted it, but it is and I adore it!

I used some of the pieces and parts from last year’s Valentine’s Day display, but I threw in a pop of yellow in tulips.  Something about the green, yellow and pink together is just stunning, don’t you think?

I created this Ballard Design’s Knock-off Silhouette Vase with a profile shot of my little man.  It is one of my favorite pieces.  And pink boas make everything a bit softer and more romantic for this time of year.  I snagged this one last year at Hobby Lobby for 50% off.

This is what you see when you come to my front door.  It makes me smile…big.

Did you do any Valentine’s Day decorating, baking or planning this weekend?

P.S. In case you missed it last week, check out my Valentine’s Day Mantel!

I’m linking up to Made By You Monday,  Today’s Creative Blog, I’m Lovin’ It, Emily’s Valentine Party and Weekend Wrap Up Party!

XO

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We often sing “This Is The Day” in the car on the way to church {among other times!}.  Last week, when the sun finally came out after the storms, Ridley heard the birds singing. He mentioned this to me, so I asked him, “What are they singing?” He responded with, “This is the day…” and began singing the song. Precious.

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You know, he was probably right.

Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl…Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. – Psalm 148

Rejoice and be glad today!

XO

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Hey, hey! Yay for Friday!  I hope you’ve had a great week. The weekend is looking beautiful here with the next five days full of sunshine!

Today’s giveaway is from The Pink Zebra Bowtique!  I love monogrammed, personalized items and The Pink Zebra Bowtique is where it’s at.  From phone cases, laptop skins and cake carriers to buckets, glasses, cups and coasters…the options and possibilities are endless! Check out the cuteness…

Valentine’s Day Buckets

Easter/Spring Buckets

Team Spirit Cake Carrier

Ashleigh can make a customized cake carrier with whatever you want on it!

Adorable monogrammed cups!

Cute coasters…again the possibilities are endless!

Are you into the mustache rage?  These are the cutest!

You may remember these Curious George Cups from Ridley’s Birthday Party. They are from The Pink Zebra Bowtique!

 The Pink Zebra Bowtique is giving away a $25 gift certificate to TWO different winners!  Hooray!

To Enter:

• Leave a comment below!

Extra Entries {up to 2 and leave a separate comment for each}:

• Visit The Pink Zebra Bowtique and find your favorite product, then tell me about it!
• Like  The Pink Zebra Bowtique on Facebook

I will draw a winner on Friday, February 3rd!

**Note: If you’re reading this post via email or reader you MUST click over to the post to leave a comment to enter. Entries via email do not count.

Happy weekend! 

XO

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I hope y’all are having a great week!  I’m excited to share my Valentine’s Day Mantel 2012 with you today!  Last year, I didn’t have a mantel to decorate at our old house, so I created a little Valentine’s Day vignette on my apple green desk. This year, I’m pumped to be decorating a mantel with pink!

I love the layered simplicity of how the mantel turned out.  I kept the background {old window and vintage ceiling tile} that I used for my Christmas mantel and I switched out the printer’s drawer for another one that is a bit lighter. My hubs and I dug out the V-day decor out from last year and I had a blast making it work on the mantel!

I love my DIY “Be Mine” Topiary from last year.  I also used my Ruffled Satin Heart Wreaths and little balls.

Are you tired of seeing aqua insulators in just about every mantel I decorate? Ahem. I love ‘em, so they aren’t going away anytime soon. My Burlap Valentine’s Wreath from last year adds a fabulous texture to the mantel. The white vases with pink tulips make me smile because they are simple and calm.

An old cigar box and salvaged piece of trim {from Southern Accents} created a perfect stand for my little white vase.  The pink leather flower is part of a boutonniere from our wedding…almost six years ago. Wow.

This yellowing, falling apart framed “art” was a gift to my husband back long before he was my husband.  It is sentimental and I love seeing it every day.  Oh, if you haven’t read our story, it’s a good one!

So pretty!

And that, my friends, is my Valentine’s Day mantel!

Do you decorate for Valentine’s Day? For me, it’s a simple. refreshing change after fluffy Christmas decor!

I’m linking up to Beth’s Mantel Party, Emily’s Valentine’s Party, Hoosier Homemade, Weekend Wrap Up Party and Before and After Party!

XO

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