Sassy Gal Glamour

Candle Love

2012-05-25T10:43:00.001-05:00

It’s Friday!! Woo woo!! It’s Friday!! Woo woo!!

It’s a long weekend!! Woo woo!!

Quick little love goin’ out here for my newest find….I LOVE these candles!

Voluspa candles

I’ve already burned one Goji Tarocco Orange….YUM!

Now, I’m burning the Burmese Rosewood and Bella Sucre.

They are so unique and make our house have that neat little boutique smell!!

LOVE Voluspa.

They are available online or in many little shops….

Ok, go forth and have a HaPPy FrIDay!!!

Good Stuff!

2012-05-24T12:34:00.001-05:00

THURSDAY! WOO WOO!!

TWO DAYS IN A ROW OF POSTING!!

You know I’m always on a quest for a great lip gloss….I need more like I need a hole in my head…..but ya know, when ya love something…..well, I found a GREAT deal on some lippies that I love!

We tease about coveting our pastor’s wife’s lip gloss looks. Let me tell you, Girl has The Shine goin’ on! So this was one of her recommends! Thanks, Trish!

This is the Ulta Brilliant Color in Sweet Nectar.

I also got this GORG pink one it is Ulta Super Shiny called Flirtini.

And Y’ALL! They were $3 EACH! OH YEA!

I think they must have a different sale going on now, but I caught them on major cheap-o deluxe.

And this is our newest food obsession, thanks to Pioneer Woman…..

Tortilla Wrap sandwiches!

(LOL! With a side of leftover Raising Cane’s! Uno’s plate!)

Anyway, Big Daddy and I put avocado in our’s plus a little Chive and Green Onion cream cheese for the spread….and I plan to get some whole wheat tortillas to make even healthier….add in tomatoes, carrots, lettuce….whatever you like and you’ve got a power packed lunch! And it’s easy to boot!

Happy Thursday!!!

I Wonder If You’d Pray For Me As I Embark On A New Workout?

2012-05-23T12:18:00.001-05:00

HOWDY!

Quick drop in…been a super busy week….and some fun comin’ this weekend! Bubby “Tater the Litigator” is coming to visit. Now that’s always crazy fun.

I can’t say that I’m coming with anything new and earth shattering these days?!

BUT, we are starting over with some new habits in our life….been eating lighter and healthier….adding lots more water to our daily intake….

AND, with Big Daddy in a more sedentary job, we have decided to try some workout videos together.

Gonna try a little Jillian Michaels! OH MY WORD. Not gonna lie…I’m scared.

I have to take it pretty easy ‘cuz still a mama cow for Baby 3.0…. and last time I started exercising, the poor child almost starved….or so he thought. All I know is that he woke up every 2 hours to nurse and I was a zombie…..

SO, I will not let Jillian steal my sleep that I’ve been praying and believing so hard for! LOL!

But this was at our library…so I checked it out….we’ll see…

And I bought this on Ebay….for CHEAP….

So, we’ll see how working out with Big Daddy goes.

The family that works out together, stays together.

LOL!

Meanwhile, I'm still rearranging the front porch….but I LOVE the $15.88 plant I got at The Walmarts. I need a few more….LOVE my flowers! Just been a little crazy to get anything done outside.

I need something on the left side of the door….and we are looking for some chairs and a outdoor table….for CHEAP or FREE….like hoping to find it on the side of the road CHEAP….we need some furniture so we can eat on our back porch….OH YEA!!

And it’s really not that we don’t have the money to buy something, I just LOVE the idea of hunting for {junk} and finding what we need….I’m all about capitalism and keeping the economy going….but I’m just believing that we need to recycle instead of buying NEW on this….we’ll see what happens!

Alrighty, well here’s a pic of what I’ve been up to lately.

SQUEEZING THIS LIL GUY TO OBLIVION!

HOW PRECIOUS IS HE?!?!

Alrighty, love and peace of the Lord to all,

You Might Wonder If I’m Alive….Or Not….

2012-05-17T12:40:00.001-05:00

Did almost two weeks really just pass by since I posted last?!

I think it did.

Oops.

To say that I’ve got this whole new baby/new house/new town/new church thing down would be a joke!

But, everyday is an adventure….I’m just missing my writing outlet these days! Time is short so I am savoring every moment with our little ones.

I am on my second round with SensatioNails LED Gel Nail Kit….and I LOVE IT!

(The Night Is Young, Red Carpet Manicure)

This is a totally goofy funky shot of my nails!

But, I did this on Sunday (Mother’s Day! Holla!) and it is still SO shiny!!!

ONLY PROBLEM?

Removal is NOT easy.

I soak in acetone and then I have to use a buffer/file to remove polish.

Although time consuming, it’s still pretty awesome to not have to do my nails for 2 weeks.

And they look AWESOME for the entire 2 weeks!

And, speaking of AWESOME, look what my boys made me for Mother’s Day with flowers from our yard…..

I am telling you that I have never loved anything more than this BEAUTIFUL homemade bouquet.

SO sweet!

Doesn’t hurt that all the rain we’ve had has helped our landscaping to grow SO lush and beautiful!!!

Alrighty, off to sleep I go!!!

Loves!

Craziness

2012-05-04T00:55:00.001-05:00

I don’t even begin to brag about the baby sleeping all night.

NO! I’m NOT bragging.

AT ALL!

Do you hear that, Baby 3.0????? I’m just letting my good friends know that you have been such a helpful little baby.

And that we are doing great!!!

Besides the stomach bug that my two older boys have battled, we are doing so much better since we decided to treat a double ear infection.

We just need to rid ourselves of all these bugs that are hitting us.

And we SERIOUSLY need to rid ourselves of these nasty moths…our area is experiencing a moth epidemic….here’s what our INSIDE front door looked like a few days ago…..

It is getting better but they will be gone when they MIGRATE to cooler climates….like Colorado….or Canada for all I care….NOW!

MIGRATE!

NASTY!

I do wanna catch you up on this little project….we’ve been slowly but surely working on the boys’ room….and even though they beg to sleep on the floor in our room, on the couch, on the floor in the bathroom, on the kitchen cabinets….

WHAT IS IT WITH THESE BOYS NOT WANTING TO SLEEP IN BEDS?????

Well, at least it’s turning into a well-organized and totally cute space….

As you can see, we still have some things to hang….but this is a space at the end of the bunk beds…and it totally works as a small desk area.

And I’m totally into collages these days.

The things we hung are special awards/momentos/things Mama likes….Big Daddy’s childhood chaps, a cross Uno made, and their awards for last year’s Old Settler’s parade, an old vintage metal shovel with chippy red paint.

It’s coming together!

A few other scenes from around our new joint….

Down the road from us….I kept passing by this cemetary….wondering why in the world there were dog statues everywhere?????

OH YES.

A pet cemetary.

I’m not even lying.

This is how we did lunch a few days back.

Smorgasbord style!

Lunchmeat, cheese, hummus, apples!

Kids loved it!

This one just preferred his toe for lunch.

After his mama milk.

He’ll be 7 months old in two days….and he has NO OTHER PREFERENCE than to nurse. My other two boys were eating some cereal by now…..and some veggies….and maybe a little applesauce.

Baby 3.0?!?!

NO SIR!

And if his thighs weren’t about to pop, I’d worry.

And let me tell you, I’m one brave lady to put this beauty on the ‘web.

But I do it only to show you that Big Daddy got our hot tub ROLLIN’!!! SO nice!!! It is seriously one of the nicest hot tubs I’ve ever been in.

JETS! SPEAKERS! SCENTS!

Big Daddy fixed it all by himself….he has worked his TAIL OFF getting’ it fixed…like tore the thing apart from top to bottom and rebuilt a part….and the boys are lovin’ it!

It is extra awesome to marry someone who can literally fix ANYTHING.

Like the garage door when you hit it!!!!

Yea, I’m not used to having a garage door.

I didn’t know that if you hit the button while it’s moving, it just stops. I thought it went back up….well, it doesn’t.

And I hit it!

And it wouldn’t go up or down.

Until Big Daddy worked on it!!!!

YAY FOR BIG DADDY!!!

(He was thrilled with me, let me tell you)

Alrighty…here’s praying that The Puke is gone from this place FOREVER!

Happy Weekend!

Caramel Latte Changes My World

2012-05-03T11:43:00.001-05:00

A did this fun little project last weekend….I needed a tray of some sort to hold some pretties next to my bed…and I LOVE it…..

I had the frame…I am so bad about taking “before” pics….but it was gold.

So I found this….

Krylon

Krylon Brushed Metallic in Caramel Latte

Y’all, this color is DIVINE.

And I found super-cute scrapbook paper from Hob Lob.

And in the ‘Wood’ department, I found some little, itty, bitty drawer pulls that made perfect bun feet for my tray. SO glued them on with wood glue after I spray painted them.

I also spray painted some frames that I’ve put next to it.

Don’t you love easy, cheap little projects that add a little sparkle to your life?

Now I Know, HE is Near….

2012-05-01T15:13:00.001-05:00

CAN I TESTIFY!?!

Do you know what all we’ve seen in the last week?!

Baby 3.0 had double ear infection, I had strep, we had a moth infestation of epic proportions, rebellion in our children, the loss of a special friend’s husband, exhaustion, a HUGE hailstorm, Uno with stomach virus (puking while we are all in the basement during the storm no less!), and a miriad of other issues that cropped up.

NO JOKE.

I ONLY tell you this to let you know….in the midst of all hell breaking loose on us….I found Jesus.

Again.

Close to me.

The brokenhearted.

Just when I thought I couldn’t get any further from Him, I call out.

And He shows me just how close He really is.

He renewed my faith….let me tell you, my faith was dead. It needed a resurrection.

And I’m reminded that Paul wrote this to the Romans in 8:11….

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because ofhis Spirit

who lives in you.

So when I need a resurrection, the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead is living in me and gives life/hope/faith/joy/peace/whatever I have need of/ to my mortal body.

My faith was resurrected!!!!!

THANK YOU, JESUS!!!!

SO, as you can see, it was some of that cray cray around here…but I’m more sure than ever that God takes care of me….and gives me everything I need to make it through this world.

And I’ll just share that God is moving….and His people may be under attack right now…I know several who are facing major issues…..but bear in mind that Pentecost Sunday is right around the corner. And I’m looking for Him to do something quite awesome from that day forward!!! Are you expecting good things from your Father????

Ok, on to ONE MORE at-home product that I cannot even put into words how much I LOVE…..

Sensationail

An at-home gel polish!!!!

It lasts for 2 weeks, is easy to apply, and for the price of 1 1/2 salon shellac mani’s….this set is your’s! I bought mine at CVS.com when they were having a 25% off sale….and it was already discounted…..so I got this set for $45!!!! OH YEA! (Thanks to cousin Amy for seeing this in her BHG magazine and telling me about it!)

I read that you can also use Red Carpet Manicure products with it….so I had an Ulta coupon and got a couple more colors to try with the base/top coat that came with the Sensationail starter kit.

So far, so good! I did it Friday night and not a chip one as of Tuesday….but I’ll let ya know more next week!!! It’s still glossy and shiny like a new mani!!

For such a low price, I give this product a thumbs up and a DEFINITE stamp of approval.

Ok, gotta bounce! Kids to tend to!

Friday Chitter Chatter

2012-04-20T12:34:00.001-05:00

So, I got the front door done….and I think it turned out just darlin’!

I hope it says “Come on in! Stay awhile!”

The only thang I wanna add are some flowers in that white bucket and a few more plants and maybe something tall on the left side….I’ll try to remember to show you the final product.

I adore this front porch and I can’t wait for Christmas. Big Daddy, on the other hand, hasn’t acted as thrilled! Why do men just see $$$?!?!

Well, I’ve done so much with stuff I already had that who can even argue??? ☺

Alrighty…my most FAVORITIST products for at-home brow wax!!!

drugstore.com

SO, here’s two options….a strip and a gel.

I LOVE them both…..the Nad’s wand is a tad bit more precise, but the Parissa strips are just as effective as Nad’s.

You know how some strips are so weak and the least amount of natural oils from your skin will render them ineffective and just come away with nothing but a skin mark???

NOPE, not Parissa strips….they have a lot of thick sticky to ‘em….work great!

The Nad’s wand comes with the cloths to lay over the gel/wax and then pull away and it does pull those coarse brow hairs right out!!!

Yay! Death to stray brow hairs! And DEATH to chin hairs!

Okie dokie, hope your weekend is full of blessings!!!!

♥,

Décor Fun!

2012-04-19T14:04:00.002-05:00

A big ol’ aqua star with a burlap bow?!

A front door?

An empty wall??

Taken from this inspiration…..

Source: bluecricketdesign.net via Cork on Pinterest

LOVE how this room turned out!!!

1. Aqua matelasse’ scored from Ebay for around $80 (which is a pretty great price for a King size quilt. Ebay is my FAVORITE source for all bedding needs!)

2. Orange/yellow/aqua accents from pillows and fabric I already had

3. Ikea scrolly frame above bed bought many moons ago at Ikea store and smaller ones scored from Hob Lob at 50% off

4. The ‘headboard’ is an old, chippy door that I got for free or SUPER cheap from somewhere that I can’t even remember!!!

4. The old shutter/mirror/candleholders arrangement on opposite wall were just ‘junk’ I also brought from our old house.

In all honesty, I collect junk that I love and then put it to use….so I don’t get or buy stuff for a certain place….I get stuff I love and then work it all together….

Misty Cook of Décor and More helped me with this room!!

Thanks, Misty!!!!

I did the same treatment to frames above the bed and scrolly candleholders on right…..these scrolly candleholders were scored on Etsy….

Here’s what they looked like before:

Homco?! Anyone familiar? They are a resin product…hmm?!

All items spray painted a sparkly bronze and then washed with either gray or turquoise acrylic mixed with water….seriously, my technique for aging/patina is SO EASY!

I use the Folk Art cheapy, little bottles of acrylic paint and add water on a paper plate until paint is runny and watery.

Then I just sponge the paint on and then wipe it off very randomly. Because these frames were so scrolly (is that a word?!), I had to run water over some places to disperse the watered down acrylic.

Loving that this room came together with very few purchases….I also purchased this dust ruffle from Ebay for around $35…..

Some Literary Talk and Gel Not-So-Perfect

2012-04-17T10:58:00.001-05:00

Woop! Zoop! Sloop!

Uno just read “Bud, Not Buddy” and he cracks me up quoting from the book! LOL! And that’s Buddy’s catch phrase…..I know I’m a total weirdo but I love when my kids use literature references! Like totally thrills my ♥!!!

I used to do the same thing….but I was in high school…it was TOTALLY! NOT! COOL!, but now, I have such vivid memories of jr high and high school English.

I LOVED Miss Havisham from Great Expectations, PonyBoy Curtis from The Outsiders, The Montag’s of Fahrenheit 451, EVERY character in To Kill a Mockingbird (FAVORITE!)….oh so many!!!

What were your favorite books?!

I just finished The Hunger Games. I’m not one to jump on bandwagons for books….but I just had to see what all the fuss was about….and it was on Kindle for $5.99….I’m seriously glad that I read it. I think I read it in just under 3 days….SO GOOD in a totally intense, heart-wrenching way….had to take a few breaks and do something lighthearted, but then I couldn’t wait to get back !!! Now I’m deciding if I want to continue the series…any opinions?!

Next, I think for the next few posts, I’m gonna do a few reviews of at-home products that you would typically go to a salon for….it just seems for me that taking time to go get my brows waxed or nails done is a total stretch….that would cut into my ALONE! GROCERY STORE! TIME!

Yep, when Big Daddy’s home, I can sometimes sneak away for a quick grocery store or Sam’s trip….none of that manicurin’ or brow waxin’! I’m lucky to get away from Baby 3.0 long enough for a haircut and highlight!

SO, here we go….

My first product review is of this at-home gel nail kit….

Gel Perfect by Nutra Nail

Well, I don’t usually find a product that I can’t say something good about….but this one? Yep, I can’t find one good thing to say about it.

It was a total waste of $11.99.

It not only chipped in less than 24 hours, it was peeling off.

I was so disappointed!

SADNESS!

SO, there ya go….I guess I can say that I really loved the color of the polish (Sheer Pink) and that maybe I didn’t do so great on the application? But I followed the directions…and it is a big BOO!!!

Alrighty….next up…waxing!!!!

Have a great day!!!

Did I Hear Somebody Say It’s Friday?!

2012-04-13T00:53:00.001-05:00

I have several projects to show you next week…..as soon as they’re all tidied up….and I’m seriously hoping to show you a painted cabinet in the laundry room.

Like for realz.

I got all the stuff to do it….did a little research….and let’s hope it works!!!! Cuz I’m so excited!

But until then, I’ll be happy to report that Baby 3.0 is holding his own in the Snooze Department.

His Pedi Dr said that there is NO REASON he can’t sleep through the night…his fat stores are SUFFICIENT.

Well, it’s like he heard her bust him all up!!!!! She said, “Cut him off!” So, I was thrilled to hear it and he must have realized that Mama got real smart on him.

SO, he’s been sleeping all night with an occasional “WAH!” to roll him back over. He likes to sleep on his tumtum, so when he gets high-centered on his back, he wakes up.

BUT HEY, WHO’S COMPLAININ’ WHEN JUST ONE WEEK AGO HE WAS UP ALMOST EVERY 2 HOURS?!?!

READY FOR HIS MIDNIGHT, 2AM, AND 5AM SNACKS?!

Can you even believe he’s 6 months old?!?!

Sittin’ up….SO CUTE I WANNA FLIP OUT!!!!

From the look on his sweet, little face I’m pretty sure Dos is about to 1)throw something at him or 2)scream something at the top of his lungs and try to make Baby jump out of his skin.

Bonkers, I tell you.

Are scarves even still in style?!?! I am praying so…cuz I have a small fortune in scarves….and even if they’re not, I’m still gonna wear them. They soften and cover Baby 3.0’s snack bar and my middle region! LOL!

(This is waitin’ at the dr’s office right before Baby got lined out! Does he look nervous?)

Oh wait! That’s not Baby 3.0!!

Haha! That’s our handsome cousin from the Easter Extravaganza last Sunday at our Gran’s house!

Yep-in addition to candy…. this family hides canned peaches! And beef jerky! And lotto tickets! And money!

Wanna come?!?!

Check this out….

Kids, kids, and more kids!!! All related! FIGHTIN’ for the lotto and money eggs! Haha! Just kidding.

But we have a super time at Big Daddy’s Gran’s house….thanks, Gran!!!! Love the Washington bunch!!!

OK and finally….I am OBSESSED with this song…..

I LOVE IT. SO MUCH. MY KIDS LOVE IT, TOO. OR AT LEAST THEY ACT LIKE IT.

And if they don’t?

Well, consider it revenge.

Have a great Friday!!!

Jumpin’ Turns Into A Sweet Memory Etched On My Heart

2012-04-12T09:42:00.001-05:00

Since we got moved and settled in, we finally bit the bullet and bought a trampoline. It was such a HUGE thing for me because I’m such a worry wart about injuries….but I realized that boys can injure themselves in an empty, padded room! LOL!

SO, they have LOVED it and it provides great exercise for our homeschool P.E. course.

The P.E. teacher isn’t all that awesome at structuring P.E. time.

The boys BEG Sassy Mama to “jump” and when I do, it just thrills them! I always tell them childhood stories and memories of when I injured myself on a trampoline…and try to scare the snot out of them….LOL….just kiddin’ but I do tell them childhood memories and they love it! haha!

So the other evening, I “jumped” ….and then the stars started poppin’ out…..and the trampoline became an awesome place to use the Star Walk app on the iPhone….and for Mama to take some pics….my only problem was keeping the boys still enough to look at Star Walk and take pics….OH MY….they are kinectic energy….anyway….that’s another post for how I slip muscle relaxers and Ambien into their Hot Pockets….(TOTALLY JOKING)

If you have an iPhone or iPad, Star Walk is soooo worth the $2.99. Now I’ve just got to get it installed on iPad, too.

But, here’s what happened…..

I LOVE this pic from the iPhone.

That little ‘star’???

VENUS.

How much do I love the outline of Dos’ crazy hair cowlick?!

More than words can say.

And how the night sky reminds me of the HUGENESS and AWESOMENESS of it’s Creator?! And how I’m just a lil speck of dust on a lil speck of Earth in a lil speck of a universe, and God is WAY BIGGER than all of it?!?! It takes my breath away.

(Check out this Louis Giglio excerpt…I SO recommend the DVD set! It will ROCK your world.)

Okie dokie!

Go outside and do some star searchin’- the April sky is just perfect for it!

I also googled “April 2012 planets” and it gave me some GREAT info! Here’s the link….

April 2012 Guide to Five Visible Planets.

You don’t have to have an iPhone or a trampoline to do something really cool!! Except if you are a city dweller, you may have to head outta town and hit a country road….and even that will do wonders for your soul. ☺

Pack a snicky snack and go outside the city limits for a little star gazing party of your own!

We’re just about 10 miles out from Lubbock proper….so you can do it!!!!

Kids' Room Ideas

2012-04-10T16:02:00.001-05:00

It’s been a busy several days for our bunch….travel, doctor visit, cleaning of the boys’ room (OH MY!)….so not much time for chatting….but the rest of the week (knock on wood!) should be pretty tame.

We’ve been sorting toys….and looking on Pinterest for some ideas….and cleaning…and putting Big Daddy to work tonite for our toy organization…..

I realized I was getting so irritated with the boys for a messy room….but really, we hadn’t provided ANY semblance of toy/gadget/junk storage or organization.

And we hadn’t really added any décor to their room. HELLO! Who can live without decor?!

Until now!

Here are some of my inspirational ideas….

Source: takethesidestreet.com via Lara on Pinterest

Source: 6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Sarah on Pinterest

(luggage tag labels! Yay!)

Source: potterybarn.com via Laura on Pinterest

And also a wire desk organizer turned wall-mounted magazine/book rack inspired by this Pottery Barn $29 job!

Pictures as soon as we're all done!

WOO HOO!!!!

A Little Here, A Little There and Happy Resurrection Weekend!

2012-04-06T11:43:00.001-05:00

Well, I haven’t gotten to paint my cabinet/shelves yet….but I am working on this….

Maybe next week on painting….in the meantime, the more I look at the $50 shelf, the more I think it may need some architectural details….just a little jazzing up…with some scrolly wood thingys or some feet….

Happy Good Friday and Happy Resurrection Day!

HE IS RISEN!

Eye Candy

2012-04-04T11:32:00.000-05:00

Good morning!!!

It’s been a little crazy around here but I can report that the baby has slept the last two nights!! Yay!!

I’ve had all sorts of projects going on around here!

From rearranging decor to some small makeover projects, it seems never ending, but I know it isn’t. I look around at the progress we’ve made in a few short weeks, and I’m amazed! I will have to give you all a tour when we get things done.

And, of course, Pinterest and Google have not failed me yet!!!

Here are some of my inspirations….

Source: bhg.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: contented-sparrow.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: sfgirlbybay.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Happy Wednesday!!!!

Yay! It’s Friday! And I Couldn’t Be Happier

2012-03-30T15:44:00.001-05:00

Just a little something we threw together with our tons of pecans….I’m not a huge pecan fan….BUT…this recipe has changed my mind.

And hopefully I’ll be able to work on this $50 Craigslist find….

And maybe hang some crystals on my egg basket light fixture.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

The LONGEST Post Ever On a Pantry

2012-03-29T11:37:00.001-05:00

Alrighty, it’s official!!!!

Hazelnut Cream by Millstone is my new favorite K-Cup!

Love my mornin’ coffee.

Just needed you to know that.

Next up….PANTRY ORGANIZATION TIPS!

Ok, I don’t claim to be an organizational guru or expert….nor did I take extra-fancy pics of my perfectly-matched, vinyl-labeled containers…..no, mine is what you might refer to as “ghetto” in the world of professionals.

And I’m totally ok with that!

Because mine are also CHEAP and done as fast as the wind….because I only have so many minutes in a day that I can organize! And decorate!

Here’s some quick *warnings* about this post ☺

-Not everyone is gonna dig this organizational business.

-Pertty sure there are way better ways to do this, but it works for me.

-Am I the only one who has to think hard to make organization work for me? It just doesn’t come natural to me so if it does to you, you’re probably gonna laugh at some of this! So LOL away!

Anyway, here’s what I did:

1. Go look at container options (I went to Dollar Tree and The Walmarts)

2. Come home and take almost everything out of the pantry so you see what you have to work with.

Then group ‘like’ things…..for me, it was cornmeal, masa, oatmeal,rice….granola bars….breads/buns…..tortillas/flatbreads/muffins…..drink mixes….canned goods (DUH!)….sauces I jacked from Chik-Fil-A and Chicken Express (OH YEA!)….anyways, you get the idea….this is probably different for everyone.

3. As I went, I jotted notes for container needs based on what I saw when I went to the stores.

(No cute labels on containers yet. Just written in Sharpie on the bottom!)

Top shelf: all mix pouches (gravy, seasoning, etc) in one container. All dip mixes in another. And all drink mixes in another.

Middle shelf: Noodles…white basket behind lemonade is packs and packs of angel hair pasta from Sam’s…..ya know, like 14 of ‘em….but always use them!

And a turntable with vinegars….rice wine, white wine, red wine, balsamic, apple cider….ridiculous really. But I do LOVE my vinegars.

Top shelf- the blue-lid containers are from Dollar Tree. They are AWESOME. They have lids that pop open and make it ‘pourable’….I also discovered that I had THREE! separate bags of pecans.

SO, I combined them all into one container.

My kids snack on pecans. I have plans to roast them with all sorts of flav-ahs! (♫What’s yo fla-vah?! I said what’s yo flav-ah!?!♫)

Orange basket….Jacked Sauces! Oh yes I do! Take a few extra each time.

I LOVE CFA’s Honey Roasted BBQ sauce.

Speaking of nuts, I also found these containers at Dollar Tree….

They are on the door of pantry for easy access for snacking.

Easy for kids to get into them.

Clear so I can see what we need!

They won’t last forever….but they’ll work for now.

LOVE these.

(see below that shelf? All oils and syrups! I’m an organizational genius!)

Floor….

1. All ‘extras’ (ketchup/mustard/chips/jelly/syrup in a basket…I mean, really, it is a tragedy if we run out of ketchup in this house. My people look at me and are all RUDE!)

2. Canned drinks out of cardboard boxes and contained in a basket.

3. Less used items/paper goods back all hidden in the back corner.

And here we have:

1. Canned goods on tiered/riser shelves.

2. Baskets from left to right….potatoes, tortilla/flatbreads/muffins and then breads/buns in pink.

Seriously, we have so many different “breads”…I was using one big basket for all bread….and it was a MESS.

TIP ALERT! Fewer, smaller baskets with like items rather than one big barrel! REVOLUTIONARY.

3. Baby food caddie, snack foods in Tupperware containers (have had those containers for many years!) and a Chip basket.

Finally…CEREAL!

The blue containers are Tupperware and the white ones are from The Walmarts. Mainstay is the brand.

LOVE.

I have a rule that we only have 3 cereals going at one time.

I know….RUDE! again.

And now that I’m all organized….there are lots of white spaces on my shelves….before I thought we were already bustin’ out of our pantry!

Yay!

General tips:

1. Put things where they are accessible to the ones using them.

-Snack food containers are all low….filled with healthier snacks….nuts/granola bars/goldfish/popcorn.

-Drink mix is FRONT AND CENTER as we go through a pitcher of lemonade per day. Especially since my awesome friend shared her “BEST LEMONADE SECRET EVER” with me! In addition to the scoops of mix, add in 1 scoop of sugar.

OHHHH!!!! I don’t do this everytime….as my family GUZZLES it down….but it’s a nice treat.

It reminds me of that good ol’ Vacation Bible School lemonade!!!! The sweet, little ladies were probably spikin’ the lemonade with extra sugar! LOL!

2. Maintenance….well, we’ll see how that goes, but I’ve already seen holes in my pantry that need to be filled…for recipes I do often….and then I’m all frustrated because I’m out of Onion Soup Mix.

NO MORE!!!

Biggest takeaway lessons on this project…

1. Group/sort like items

2. You can spend very little on containers and be very uber-organized.

3. Make it work for YOU!

4. Feel peace and freedom in your own organizational system.

YOU CAN DO IT!

Shelf Décor- Just What We All Need To Get Us Over Hump Day!

2012-03-28T11:03:00.001-05:00

We have two shelving areas in our new house….and I learned a little something when I had a sweet girl come help me….if you are local and need some décor help from someone who doesn’t charge an arm and a leg and works with what you have and makes recommendations based on a regular budget and lifestyle….check this gal OUT!

Thanks so much, Misty!!!

She helped me arrange the shelves with all of the things I love.

I only had to add some “sticks” up in the top, left-hand shelves.

Just my style….old junk with pops of color.

(Oops still gotta cover up the plug on the bottom left side.)

Varying heights and shapes of décor….but I also like how she changed the heights of the shelves….they are adjustable.

These shelves I did myself.

The baskets are more turquoise than dusty blue….but anyway, the baskets hide all of our daily paperwork/bills/mail.

I picked a theme of colors…..red, black, turquoise…..with some accents of wood….and threw my junk up until is was pleasing to MY eye.

All of this stuff except the bottom rows of baskets, I already had.

So, I use stuff that I love….turquoise glass jars, old metal martini shakers, BOOKS (the decorator’s best tool), and photos….

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the photo on the right-hand side on the middle shelf….a photographer snapped this of Big Daddy one year that he was in a ranch rodeo with a few guys….and it RAINED like no other, and you can’t see it, but the mama cow (Wild Cow Milking was the event) is sitting in the mud next to him….it’s a photo that speaks volumes….of man and beast….both tuckered out by the elements.

You didn’t know you were gonna get a lesson in photograpy interpretation today, did you?

One other quick story….the red/white checkerboard is an old cigar box that was my grandmother’s….my dad’s mother….and I LOVE it. SO cute….so my style….wish I had been able to know her better.

The metal ware –a martini shaker and a measuring cup- are my favorite things, too! Haha! I guess it’s all my favorite!

More likely than not, you’ve got collections of some sort of things you love.

It’s all about varying heights and color based on what you love.

And I always say a little prayer before I start decorating…some may say that’s weird….but I always end up with something I love!

And coming up next….I’ve organized our pantry…..and it was CHEAP! And we LOVE it!!!

WOOT!

Monday Chatter

2012-03-26T11:12:00.001-05:00

SO, our fabulous photographer, Mrs. Ballentine, is having an Easter mini-session special….and well, we signed up ‘cuz I heard there’s gonna be LIVE baby chicks….and who can resist a two handsome boys and a fat-baby and some chicks in a picture?!? No matter what happens, it’s gonna be great.

And I MIGHT have gotten one of these with Baby 3.0’s name monogrammed on it….

Big Daddy has no idea of my plans…..but I am SO into a totally sweet Easter photo…..got in the big boys’ closet and found a white oxford and a yellow oxford…..with rolled up khakis and a fat-baby in a monogrammed, blue bubble romper?!?!

SQUEEEEEEAL!!!!!

When we had Uno, we teased Big Daddy because he said (and I QUOTE!), “my kid ain’t gonna be wearin’ any of those sissy outfits!”

We wondered if he expected his newborn to start wearin’ Wranglers and a work shirt?

SO, a blue bubble suit?!

Well, let’s just say it’s way easier to get forgiveness than permission. And by Baby #3, I would like to think that he’s loosened up a little on his baby’s dress code.

BUT only in this situation…..when dressing the children….do I use the “forgiveness vs. permssion” philosophy….I’m pretty sure most people aren’t taking Sassy Gal’s marriage advice…..but a disclaimer is always good. ☺

I’ll hope to show you a final result of the photo.

And today this is my favoritist project…..thanks to Pinterest!

A shower caddy doubles as a wall organizer! (Caddy from The Walmarts for about $10-$15)

SO great for our built-in desk area!

1. Jars with pens and pencils seperated. I had one HUGE cup with pens/pencils/markers/paperclips/fingernail polish/kitchen sink. NOT good organization….you gotta separate it all out and give each category it’s own container. I’m learning!

2. Tape (we’ll see how this goes since both of my older kids have on OBSESSION with scotch tape. SERIOUSLY, they use it for EVERYTHING. I may have to put it back in it’s hiding place.)

3. Hooks on the bottom hold scissors/keys/etc.

Gets all of this stuff off of the desktop! Yay!

Tomorrow I’ll show ya some shelves and décor around the house. Maybe some tips to help you decorate shelves.

Happy Monday!!!!

Gettin' Some Perspective

2012-03-23T12:35:00.001-05:00

Just a quick note on this lovely Friday….

We are getting ready for some grillin’ o’ the burgers on the back porch tonite.

Celebrating Nana Kerry’s birthday….and a long overdue Pioneer Woman’s Chocolate Sheet Cake for her and Uno.

Some sweet friends comin’, too! (Our realtor/family friend who shares birthday month with all of our March peeps. LoVe our Pammy!)

But, this week has brought some sweet blessings….

Mammaw Barbara’s Chocolate Pie/Pudding….honestly, she gave us the shell to make a crust….and we couldn’t stay out of it long enough to make the shell!

OH IT IS DIVINE.

Thank you, Mammaw BooBoo!!!

I saw some press info on this movie….

And, of course, it’s not showing in our city.

I am DYING to see it, though.

A movie about abortion survivors….OH MY HEART.

It is taking American theaters by storm….a low-budget film about restorationg and forgiveness?

God’s truth shines through the darkness.

I read that every ticket bought is a stand against the death of an unborn child.

Tempted to buy tickets just because.

I SO should not put this pic on the ‘net….but he won’t resent me for too long I don’t think…y’all, this is our “failure to thrive” baby….

Don’t think I haven’t been EATIN’ HIM UP.

This is all mama milk, baby!!!

GO BABY!!!!

Thank you, Lord.

I read this blog entry last night.

READ THIS.

It seizes my insides every time I read it again or think about it.

I don’t really know what to do with it, yet.

But I am gripped by it.

Maybe because I just walked through the care of a newborn.

Maybe because it is supposed to grip me so that I offer myself to be hands and feet.

I’m hashin’ it out, tho.

Lord, I can’t ignore this feeling.

Or these tears that burn my eyes.

Bless you today!

Some Really Good Stuff Is Happening Around Here

2012-03-21T12:17:00.001-05:00

Don’t think I mentioned that we are taking our Spring Break this week….easy, laid-back, just hangin’ at home….

Mama has actually been able to rest!

I prayed and whimpered to the Lord about my lack of sleep….and the Lord reminded me of some wisdom we used with the other two boys….I know there’s some controversy with this method, but let me tell you, when used wisely, it is THE BEST thing for babies!!!!

I don’t stick to it hard and fast if Baby 3.0 cries or is hungry….but thus far he has slept more and more each night!!!!

Last night, he slept from 9:30PM to 9:30AM this morning!!!!!!!! He woke twice but easily put himself back to sleep both times!!!!!

BABYWISE!

For any new mamas, this blog has been very helpful!

Fresh Blackberry Pancakes for lunch.

Yes, lunch…we slept a little late and my kids aren’t ones to eat straight out of bed.

These were SO good.

The tartness of blackberries, the sweetness of syrup, a little slice of bacon, and some OJ?!

Make a girl (and a couple boys) say YEEHAW!

Uno said, “It was waaaay better than I thought it was gonna be!”

Haha, thanks!

(All I did was crush up some blackberries and add a little sugar and then mixed into Bisquick Heart Smart Pancake batter).

Something fun!

I want my bathtub area to be super girly, so I got cheap-o glass containers (salad dressing cruet from The Walmarts and soap dispensers from Tar-jay, honey!) and I ordered vinyl labels from Etsy!

How fun is that?!

No ugly plastic bottles around my tub!

How much do I love this simple idea?!

TONS!!!

And we’re settling right in with some décor and warmth on the walls.

Startin’ to feel like home.

Happy Wednesday!

Bring on the Laundry!!!

2012-03-20T02:10:00.001-05:00

Snapshots of our weekend….with Memo and Pawpaw visiting, it has been fast and furious!

Is it possible that just opening a can of glorious, creamy, aqua paint can make you feel 10* cooler????

Rainwashed by Sherwin Williams.

{♥ melting}

LOVE that color.

SO much.

The PERFECT pale aqua.

Like the egg basket light fixture?

There was an ugly fluorescent light in that spot.

Now, it’s waaaay less bright, but it’s waaaaay cuter!

Thanks, Pawpaw!!!!

What all we did:

1. Installed a bar to hang laundry

2. Painted

3. Installed new light fixture

4. And about to hang the “Loads of Fun” artwork…..

(old laundry room)

The new laundry room and house have allowed the heaviness of The Laundry to be lifted from me.

Thank you, Lord.

I was really beginning to wonder if that burden was going to take me down.

I’m thoroughly enjoying my laundry duties.

And, well, how does this not do a number on your heart?!

Did you just have palpitations????

I DID.

I just wanna scream and squeeze him!!!!

And believe me, as much poo, puke, and pee pee as he manufactures, I better have gotten a better relationship with The Laundry.

Have a lovely day!!

I Aim To Keep You Updated on My Updates

2012-03-15T11:02:00.001-05:00

SO, we are in the process of doing so many things….house hasn’t needed a ton of work or anything, just those little things to make it our own.

Like, for one, a new sofa.

Comin’ today.

I’m about to pee my pants.

SO excited that it will be here today…..and just doing some little things that I’ll soon show you….and painting ONE, LITTLE, TEE-NINESY room…..Big Daddy is NOT a fan of my painting escapades.

He swears our old house would have withstood a tornado just from the layers of paint on the walls…oh please….☺

Anyway, I decided to do a Laundry Room Makeover and with Memo and Pawpaw comin’ this weekend, I might actually get it done….I feel like that laundry room is my sanctuary….yep, I’m in it so much that it might as well be….but the new washer/dryer set helps A LOT!

Here’s what I’m lookin’ at….

A dull, khaki colored room. Not NEAR sassy enough for me.

1. LOVE our new washer/dryer set. Samsung. Top load. AWESOME. Like I didn’t know I could have such an emotional response to a washer and dryer.

2. Great cabinet space.

3. The door to the garage is on the right hand side so I LOVE entering/exiting through a laundry room with dirty kids.

4. At the tip toppy of the pic, you can see the awful fluorescent light. BOO! to fluroescent lighting. I HATE IT. It makes me look fat and old.

So here’s what I’m planning on doing….

1. Paint the walls a very light aqua.

2. Using that red egg basket to create a fun light fixture (BOO! for fluorescent lights!

3. That rug?! $39.99 at Urban Outfitters….I bought it online! I LOVE IT. It is me in rug form.

4. Metal hooks- probably gonna paint them….but lots of hooks for purses, coats, children. Yep, some days I’m pretty sure I’m gonna hook kids up and leave ‘em danglin’.♥

Alrighty, Baby 3.0 is holla-in’!!!!

♥♥♥♥!!!

Makin’ It Through….One Prayer and One Cup At A Time!

2012-03-14T10:39:00.001-05:00

Happy 10th Birthday, Uno!!!!!

We love our awesome firstborn….such a wise and wonderful young man!

One thing gettin’ me through these days?

source

Gloria Jean’s Butter Toffee K Cups

I’m starting to believe that K-Cups might be my new obsession.

That Keurig is officially one of my BFF’s! Especially during this season of exhaustion….which I am doing my best not to want to rush on out of!

I hope this will speak to someone….’cuz I been wanting to GET OUT OF DODGE on this exhaustion gig…..

But I pray during my times of perceived misery (which aren’t nearly as miserable as someone else’s pain)…..nonetheless, having temporarily faced single mom-hood….moving….transition…..illness….a screaming baby who ~~wouldn’t~~ sometimes still won’t let me sleep for more than 2 hours at a time….

Lord, have I done something to deserve this? What are You trying to teach me?

And I heard that still, small voice remind me that I haven’t done anything to deserve what I call “misery”….even when in my heart I am so frustrated….in fact, I feel God hurting because I’m hurting…..and He also gently reminds me that I have prayed to become more like Jesus.

And he ALWAYS answers our prayers- whether it’s yes, no, or not right now…..

But NOTHING I CAN FACE is anything CLOSE to the suffering Jesus faced on my behalf.

And to become more like Jesus (as I prayed ☺), I must experience some of the same things that He faced….even if just emotionally….that it will shape me and mold me and refine me like fine silver….

And did you know that if silver is left in the fire too long, it will be destroyed?

And that a silversmith knows when silver is ready as soon as he sees his image in it?

SO, I won’t be destroyed…..and His image in me?….YEAH.

You still with me?

Well, that makes my “sufferings” way more bearable.

I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’
and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’” Zech 13:6

And while I’m not NEAR perfect….that won’t happen until He returns….I am one day closer.

And I can’t imagine living life any other way…..so many will miss out on God’s perfect plan because it doesn’t look like fun. And I counter that notion by asking, “is life WITHOUT God’s protection, help, and peace REALLY fun?”

I lived a part of my life without any of the above….and it was fun for a time, but it never lasts….it only ends in our destruction…..

Back to the point…. quite often, His plan looks downright CRAZY (swap houses! sell your business! change your life plan! tell others about Jesus!).

But, in the midst of it, we cast our cares upon Him….and I have yet to meet anyone who can do what He can do….He ALWAYS keeps His end of the deal…..read His Word today and seek out His promises (Google ‘em if you need to ☺).

They are for realz.

Hoping your Wednesday is powerfully blessed!

I LOVE HARD CANDY!!!

2012-03-13T11:29:00.001-05:00

Just in case you didn’t know….Walmart has a brand of makeup called Hard Candy? Have you seen it?

Well, it used to be sold in department stores….not sure what happened there…but I sure am glad it’s at The Walmarts now.

I drool every time I walk by the display….so I try not to walk by it every single time I go to The Walmarts (which, incidentally, is quite often now).

But last time I did, I got a couple o’ things…

source

Rock Candy Glossaholic Sequin Saturated Gloss in Gorgeous

It’s a super-sized handful of glitter and shine…can’t say that it’s anything different in the way of lip glosses, but it does have some SUPER prismatic glitt-ah, baby! Even after the gloss is worn off, it leaves a pixie-dusting of sparkle on Baby 3.0’s face!

Or is that just his sweetness comin’ thru?!

It also has a minty quality that refreshes your lips.

source

Eye Def- Molten Metallic Cream Eyeshadow in Golden Earth

This stuff if just plain FUN.

It goes on and dries very quickly with a very shiny, metallic finish. You can use alone or create many looks using it as a base for your shadow.

It also makes a great base for your pigments, too.

I LOVE the Hard Candy display….many times the Hardy Candy display at The Walmarts I go to is very picked over…which is actually probably a very good thing!

Happy Tuesday!!!