It makes me want to freshen up my home.

So I was so excited to see so many pretty room makeovers linked up this week — here are 20 DIY Room Makeover ideas to get your Spring creative juices flowing!!

 Vestibule Reveal @ Confessions of an Add Housewife

 Powder Room Makeover @ How Sweet it is

 Living Room Redo @ Classy Clutter

Craft Room @ Classy Clutter  

 Master Room Redo @ Classy Clutter 

 Kitchen Update @ Love of Family & Home

 Kitchen Transformation @ Ask Anna

 Laundry Corner @ Hating Martha

 Craft Room Reveal @ Pitter and Glink

 Closet Reveal @ The DIY Dreamer  

 Craft Room Reveal @ She’s Crafty

 Craft Room Reveal @ Pincushion Creations

 Functional Bath Redo @ Five Days 5 Ways 

 Living Room Before and After @ Heart Maine Home

 Bathroom Redo @ Little Brick Cottage 

 Living Room Redo @ Custom Slipcovers by Shelley

 Grey and White Kitchen reveal @ The Old Post Road

 Front Porch Refresh @ Daisy Mae Belle 

 Living Room @ A Lived in Home

 Baseboards @ The Idea Room

Don’t forget Cheryl from CherylStyle is giving a TT&J reader a copy of her awesome book!

You’re So Invited: Panic Less, Play More, and Get Your Party On! which comes out May 29, 2012.

And you can be one of the first to have it — free!

And it’s a signed copy too!!

Come link up YOUR ideas and enter to win!!

Have a Happy Day!!

xoxo

My sister Wendy taught me the importance of recording these moments.

And with Mother’s Day this past weekend, you can turn those family moments into something that you will remember always.

{Family Gallery Wall}

Great Canvas Print Options from UPrinting!

UPrinting can take care of your canvas printing needs. If you’re looking for stretched canvas, you could try our stretched canvas printing option. We wrap our canvas prints on a 1.5″ wood frame. This is great for displaying largecanvas prints in your home or office. If you’re a struggling artist, you can also use this service to print on canvas some of your best work. You can also reproduce artworks with giclee canvas prints.

We also have a rolled canvas option. It only takes 1 day to print photos to canvas so you really won’t have to wait that long. With rolled canvas printing, you can have photo canvas print/s of your family or friends hanging on your wall you could show people whenever they drop by your place. You can order a custom canvas print from us if you have a specific canvas size in mind. So why settle for cheap canvas printing when you could print your very own? Call us or check out this video for more information.

Uprinting has a unique online printing option I haven’t seen anywhere else – custom printed rolled canvases. What this means is that instead of being pre-mounted on a frame, these canvases are printed and then shipped to you so you can mount them yourself, and that provides a fabulous savings compared to mounted canvases. It also allows the canvases to be ready to ship in ONE day, instead of the standard three day turnaround for stretched canvases. Isn’t that GREAT??

Plus, be sure to follow UPrinting on Facebook — where you can get great ideas, discount codes and giveaway information!!

And UPrinting is giving away  — One 16” x 20” rolled canvas print to one of you!! 

(with 2-inch border or No border)

Here’s how YOU can win:

 

• What kind of picture would YOU like to use for your 16×20 UPrinting rolled canvas – let me know in comments? one entry.

for additional entries:

• “Like” UPrinting on Twitter. one entry.
  

• Add UPrinting on your Google+ Circles. one entry.

• Tweet about this giveaway – ” I want to win a Rolled Canvas from @UPrinting on Tatertots and Jello @jenjentrixie. #giveaway.” one entry.

• Share this Giveaway — the share buttons are at the bottom of the post. one entry, per each way shared.

This giveaway ends on 5/21. 1 Business Day Turnaround. *US only. Restriction: 18 years old and above only.

 

Have a Happy Day!!

xoxo

 

{Good Moms Printable from Paper Coterie}

Whether you are a mother, daughter, sister, friend — I hope you are having a wonderful day!

I am spending time with my little family. I am so grateful for them.

I can’t image my life without my sweet kiddos.

And my little sister Ashley had a baby girl this week — she is so beautiful. Life is good!

 I’m so blessed to have the wonderful ladies and moms in my life!

My mom and I

My Mother In Law Sherrol

My sisters

My Sister in law Jamie and her girls

{Mother Printable from 52 Mantels}

And I’m grateful for all of you!!

I wish you all a Happy Mother’s Day!!

xoxo

Mother’s Day is tomorrow and there were so many delicious recipes linked up, I just had to share some with you.  What a great day to remember all of the special women in your life!  Don’t forget to check out all of the fabulous link ups!

  Orange Dreamscicle Cake @ The Diary of Dave’s Wife

 Strawberry Shortcake Recipe @ Cupcakes For Party

  Oreo Banana Pancakes @ BruCrew Life 

 French toast Breakfast Bake @ Cooking Up Good Times

 Mother’s Day Lunch @ Nap Time Journal 

 Mother’s Day Breakfast @ Pocket Change Gourmet

Strawberry Cheesecake Scones @ Lady Behind the Curtain

 Whole Wheat Crepes @ A Pretty Life in the Suburbs

 Chocolate Cookies with Salted Peanut Butter Frosting @ Design, Dining + Diapers 

 Cornmeal Buttermilk Biscuits @ Eat Cake for Dinner

 Easy Mini Cinnamon Rolls @ Eat Cake for Dinner

 Mother’s Day Lunch @ Crissy’s Crafts 

 Sticky Bun Monkey Bread @ Chocolate Chocolate and More

 Dirt Cake @ The Happier Homemaker 

 Lemon Strawberry Muffins @ Southern Traditions Boutique

Don’t forget Cheryl from CherylStyle is giving a TT&J reader a copy of her awesome book!

You’re So Invited: Panic Less, Play More, and Get Your Party On! which comes out May 29, 2012.

And you can be one of the first to have it — free!

And it’s a signed copy too!!

Come link up YOUR ideas and enter to win!!

Have a Happy Saturday!!

xoxo

Happy Friday!  I am SO excited to introduce you to
Cheryl from CherylStyle.com.

Cheryl shows you new ways to decorate using repurposed items from around the house, with unique twists that will wow guests the moment they arrive.

From mixing and matching dishes to putting together an outfit from the basics already in your closet, her ideas are fresh and simple, and easy for anyone to put to use.

 An author, speaker, and CEO of leading lifestyle media company CherylStyle, she is first and foremost a mother, wife and friend who is there when you need her with style tips and tricks for your next great gathering.

 On Cheryl’s Website, CherylStyle, learn everything you need to plan fabulous celebrations ranging from Thanksgiving to a 50^th birthday to a child’s pajama party.

Her awesome book, 

You’re So Invited: Panic Less, Play More, and Get Your Party On! comes out May 29, 2012.

And you can be one of the first to have it — free!

And it’s a signed copy too!!

 What makes Cheryl’s style fun is that she breaks the rules for “proper” entertaining.

You’ll be able to read more about it in You’re So Invited: Panic Less, Play More and Get Your Party On, (only a couple weeks away from being published!).

Cheryl’s website is so easy to navigate and allows you to window shop her six categories of gather, eat, sip, gussy-up, create and nest, or just do a simple search to find whatever you need.

If you’re looking for what’s hot, sign up for our weekly Cheryl’s Faves—it’s free, and it doesn’t get any better than free!

I also invite you to keep up with what’s happening her world via Tout and Pinterest, where you can get an inside peek.

CherylStyle has what’s new, hot, and on-trend every day, so check back daily and become a regular Cherylista!

And finally …

Cheryl is giving away a copy of her new book to one lucky TT&J reader!

Here’s the scoop from CherylStyle.com:

From a rural Missouri childhood decorating tables with cherry-tree branches, to her current and much-anticipated gatherings that always include a “cherry on the top” surprise for her guests, Cheryl encourages others to break the rules of proper entertaining.

Through Cheryl’s signature wit and creativity, You’re So Invited shares this fresh approach to planning your next—or maybe your first!—party without fretting or fussing, so you can relax and have fun with your guests.

An inspiring book for novice and experienced entertainers alike, You’re So Invited features ten beautifully photographed parties—from a chic surprise birthday to an irreverent going-away roast to an indulgent tween spa party. Every page is loaded with playful ideas that will get you thinking outside the box for your next gathering, big or small.

Make sure you stop by CherylStyle on Facebook and follow along and/or leave a comment with a big TT&J hello.

Dying to win this?! 

Here’s how YOU can win the GIVEAWAY:

• Visit CherylStyle  and check out the recipes, Mother’s Day Ideas and more! one entry; leave a comment letting me know you did.
• Sign up for the weekly newsletter Cheryl’s Faves – latest lifestyle trends. You’ll receive pinnable images—everything from great gatherings, food, drink, fashion, and décor, handpicked by Cheryl herself. one entry; leave me a comment letting me know you did.
• Share this giveaway — let me know how you shared it. one entry per way shared; leave me a comment for each.

<a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank">

<img src="http://tatertotsandjello.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/978446890_7b2ZN-O2.png" alt="" />

Please link up the Wrap Up button– the code is above, or a text link is great if you would rather do that – Tatertots & Jello. So everyone can join in the fun!
Please comment on TWO posts above you and TWO posts below you — in addition to any others that you want to visit. {we all love comments!}
Have fun!!!

I’ll start going through the links tonight.

I can’t wait to see what YOU have been doing!

xoxo

Hi Jen, and a special hello to the amazing Tatertots and Jello readers!! I am completely thrilled and honored to be here and I’d like to extend a HUGE “Thank you!” to Jen (and all her lovely followers) for inviting me into your fold. My name is Nicole from Shabby Beach Nest, a blog that is wholly dedicated to the casual beach lifestyle.

The one thing you should know about me is that I like to spend oodles and oodles of money on home decor (pfff… Um, no. I wish.) In all honesty, I’m extremely passionate about handmade DIY – on a budget. I love being able to enjoy beautiful things, but in my eyes they are even more beautiful when I got a lot of bang for my buck. I’m really excited about the project I will be sharing today, because not only is it something that we’ll be able to enjoy for a long (long) time, but it also cost less than $20 to make! ^_^ Talk about bang for your buck!!

Would you like to learn how to make this living (but totally easy to maintain) succulent and shell wreath? Great!! Here’s what you need:

I know it looks like a lot, but I promise all of this is extremely easy to obtain. One quick trip to your local craft and hardware/garden store should do the trick! And if you want to save yourself even more money, don’t bother buying your succulents; collect them from the park (or ask your neighbor for a small cuttings) instead! VIOLA! Money in your pocket. ^_-

step 1: Grab your drill (or dremel tool) and drill a hole at the base of each shell. If you’re like me and terrified that you’re going to put someone’s eye out if you even go within ten feet of a power tool, get your hubby to do it for you. =]

step 2: Put your dried sphagnum moss into the bucket of water (I used about half the bag). Make sure to submerge all of it so it’s nice and wet.

step 3: Get your wreath form and stuff the front side nice and tight with moss, squeezing the water out as you go along.

step 4: Wrap your wreath with your clear thread (or fishing line) to keep the moss in place. Don’t worry, the thread completely disappears against the moss and you won’t even know it’s there. By the way, this particular job is definitely easier with two pairs of hands. (“Oh Honey… I need you again.”) =}

step 5: Once it’s all wrapped, flip your wreath over and stuff the back side with moss. And tell your hubby to stick around; you’re going to need those strong, helpful hands again. ^_-

**NOTE: This is what happens when you try to complete your tutorial late at night after a really long day: you accidentally erase pictures of some steps thinking they are duplicates. Working bloggers, take it from me: tone that excited creative energy down a few notches, and take a nap first. lol =P

step 6: Have the hubs help you wrap your wreath with the clear thread once again.

step 7: In order to make it easier to mentally plan your design, lay your succulent cuttings out in groupings so you can clearly see what you’ve got.

I had kind of a lot…

step 8: Using your pencil, poke a hole in the wet moss.

step 9: Dip your succulent cutting into the powdery rooting hormone.

step 10: Place your freshly-dipped succulent into the hole you created with your pencil. Continue this process until all your succulents are planted, but be sure to leave some space for your shells.

**NOTE: If the succulents feel a little loose in their perspective places, use bobby pins or straightened paperclips to secure them in place.

step 11: Gather your nails…

step 12: And start placing your shells!! Don’t worry, the nails aren’t permanent – they simply act as a place holder until they’re stuck on for good.

step 13: Continue laying your shells in place until you have covered the entire wreath.

step 14: Prop your wreath on two objects (chairs, step ladders, children, whatever). ^_^

**NOTE: I waited a day in between step 13 and 14 because the moss on my wreath was sopping wet, but that’s totally your decision. It would probably work out just fine if you didn’t wait, but just be sure to work in an area you don’t mind getting wet.

step 15: Gather your scissors, jute, and a small bit of water.

step 16: Cut a 12-18” length of jute (just eyeball it, it doesn’t have to be exact).

step 17: Dip one end of the jute in the water and twist to temporarily prevent fraying.

step 18: Remove the nail keeping one of your shells in place.

step 19: Thread your jute through the hole.

step 20: Place the shell back in place and tie the length of jute tightly around the wreath, then knot it in place. (I was originally going to use clear thread for this, but I really liked the subtle visual texture the jute added.)

step 21: Cut off the excess jute, and continue tying shells onto your wreath until they’re all attached.

step 22: (Feel free to skip this step if you’d prefer your wreath to be a table decoration.) Once everything is in place, push the moss aside on the back and tie a longer length of jute directly onto the metal of the wreath form. Make this jute as long or as short as you’d like, as this will be the piece used for hanging.

And that’s it!! You’ve just created an incredibly beachy-beautiful, versatile wreath that can be laid on a table as a decoration, hung on the wall to bring the outside in, or draped over a door as a lovely welcome wreath.

Thank you so much again Jen for allowing me to share this with you and all your amazing readers! I’ve enjoyed my time with all of you SO much!! Until next time, Lovlies. ^_^

Wow – thanks Nicole!

I have been wanting to make a succulent wreath. I love yours!!

Here are a few other fabulous things I love from Shabby Beach Nest:

Upcycled Plastic Spoon and Bottle Bird Feeder

$153 Coral Knock Off Plates

101 I’m Bored Summer Ideas and Printable Jar Ideas

Be sure to check out all of Nicole’s ideas at Shabby Beach Nest!!

xoxo

PS — It’s Friday!!!! How did this happen?

Are the weeks speeding up??

I LOVE Fridays!!

Its the day I get to see YOUR ideas and feature YOU!!

I hope you can stop by for the fun.

It starts TONIGHT at 6 pm MST.

My son was hospitalized for a week when he was 3 years old. It was a scary time for all of us. But it was especially scary for him, as a little three-year-old  away from home, not fully understanding what was happening. Any warm touches to help the hospital room feel like home would have been welcome.

Kids need comfort, especially when they’re somewhere unfamiliar like a hospital and dealing with something scary and hard like being sick. Award-winning actress Chandra Wilson, who plays Dr. Miranda Bailey on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC) is the spokesperson for the Downy Touch of Comfort program. She even takes time to participate in quilt deliveries:

Working with Quilts for Kids, Downy delivers quilts to kids in hospitals to bring them a bit of the comfort of home, thanks to the quilt donations of thousands of people. There have been over 20,000 quilts donated so far — Isn’t that awesome??

And you can get involved whether you’re an experienced quilter, a beginning quilter — or someone that has never quilted at all!

• If you’re an experienced quilter, you can download the official Downy Touch of Comfort quilt pattern  and get more information about what type of quilts are needed and more.

• If you’re not an experienced quilter — like me (!) — you can order the free quilt kit from Quilts for Kids. It includes fabric and a label to help you share your story with the child who receives your quilt. I love how the Touch of Comfort quilt tag connects quilters, volunteers, hospital workers and families.

• Also, if you don’t have time to make a quilt — you can still be involved. ADOPT A QUILT. A financial donation to Quilts for Kids will go toward shipping quilts to children at children’s hospitals across the country. It will also help this program purchase fabrics for quilts for the more than 6 million children in children’s hospitals around the country. You can also get involved with your local chapter and help deliver quilts to kids in your area!

Here’s the quilt kit I received. It came with the material all cut out and detailed instructions.

I am so excited to make my quilt. I’ll share it with you when it’s done!

Will you join me in making a quilt to comfort a sick child?

You can request your FREE quilt kit here. 

xox

I would move there in a second if I could talk my husband into moving again. I love the whole concept of the area. Homes have front porches and are colorful. There are miles of paths and trails. A lake. Community gardens. Pools. Trendy shops and dining. Splash pads. Outdoor pavilions and more.

So when my favorite neighborhood contacted me about working on a home at Daybreak  — I was over the moon!!

I am thrilled to be teaming up with 4 fun DIY bloggers, (Shelley, Lara, Amy, Char ) plus Bangerter Homes and the amazingly talented Interior Designer Brian Clark to build and design the first EVER DIY Blogger House for the 2012 Salt Lake Parade of Homes!

Here’s the trick — we only have 90 days from the time they break ground on the house ’til it’s finished. No pressure – ha!!

I have seen the plans and this house is going to be beautiful. We are working on the details for the inside and I am SO excited!! This home is going to be full of amazing cabinets, finishes and DIY projects. Plus, it’s going to be for sale. Some lucky person is going to be able to buy this one-of-a-kind house. I’m already jealous.

A custom home can be expensive to build if done in a conventional way. Homeowners have been personalizing their homes on their own for years and finding innovative ways to create wow and develop wonderful spaces that don’t cost an arm and a leg. The DIY Blogger House at Daybreak aims to take that creative spirit and infuse it into the construction of a new home from the very start. The home will be built by Bangerter Homes and will be featured in the 2012 Salt Lake Parade of Homes. Daybreak is teaming up with the builder, and an award winning interior designer who will lead a team of 5 local bloggers to design the interior of the home. Each of the bloggers will design one of the rooms or be in charge of certain areas of the house, while the designer will ensure that the home’s overall design maintains a cohesive flow and character. The bloggers will chronicle their experience and the process of designing the home on their blogs beginning in May. They will have less than 90 days to work with the home builder to develop and implement a concept in time for the Parade of Homes judging on August 1st. The home will be revealed to the general public during the Parade of Homes which begins on August 3rd and runs through August 18th. The home will be available for sale once the Parade of Homes has ended.

Here’s the DIY Blogger House Team:

Aly, Char, me, Shelley, Lara, Amy, Cameron, Kathy

We announced the project at Daybreak’s Breathing Space event last weekend.

I got to wear my Chevron Dress for the first time (Forever 21 — $22!!)

It was an amazing event and deserves it’s own post, so more on that later!!

Here’s a little video about the project (and yes, why is my face blown up so big? LOL)

We are still working out who will be working on which room in the house. But I can tell you that it will be gorgeous when it’s done!!!

In the meantime, we just broke ground on the house Saturday. I am so excited to see the progress and I will be sharing it here.

It’s going to be such a fun project and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be involved!!

Stay tuned for more updates!!

xoxo

Disclosure: I am thrilled to be participating in this project. I am being modestly compensated to participate. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Here’s my latest favorite find –

Kaboo Bags!!

Kaboo Bags are so stylish.

PLUS, they have these super soft pockets,

specially designed for all of the electronic gadgets we can’t live without!!

The Tech Pouch™ features a sling shock absorber and elastic expanding sides to permit your iPad or e-reader case to remain attached (or not) yet form fits and seals shut with magnetic clasp.

I love that I can use ONE bag to carry all of the things I need everyday. There is a pouch for my cell phone, and more for my other gadgets like my iPad, a kindle, sunglasses and more! These bags are PACKED with little pouches, zippered pockets and a BIG pocket for our big devices. I can even fit my little mini-laptop in these purses. AWESOME!!

And check out the inside — CHEVRON!!

So cute.

And they come in all kinds of colors and styles.

You can get one for any type of situation — from formal, casual and anything in between.

(Hannah helped me out and modeled – she’s so cute)

Kaboo was so nice to send me two of their bags to review. I can’t decide which one I love more. They are both super comfortable and stylish.

PLUS, the first 50 orders also get these earphone buds (worth $50). I have been using them with my iPod to work out each morning and they are so comfortable.

What a GREAT graduation gift. These purses are PERFECT for a student to carry their electronic items, including a mini PC to take notes in classes. OR, for the person YOU love that enjoys traveling. I love that I can put everything I need in one bag and GO!!!

PS — if you order a bag before noon on Wednesday, Kaboo will ship it to you in time for Mother’s Day! (Continental US)

Also, be sure to like Kaboo’s Facebook page – where you can follow along with their new bags, giveaways and discount codes!! While you are there, leave them a comment from TT&J!!!

And Kaboo is giving away TWO bags to TT&J Readers!!

Here’s how YOU can win:

• Head over to Kaboo – what is the Name of Your Favorite Bag? one entry.

• Add the Kaboo widget on your sidebar and spread the love. one entry.
• Update: I’m pretty sure the code on the Kaboo site has an error in it, so copy and paste this code instead:

• <a href="http://kaboobags.com" target="_blank">

  <img src="http://kaboobags.com/ImageLibrary.ashx?id=SO80EAvh7sY%3d&w=&h=" alt="kaboobags.com" width="250" height="250" />

  </a> 

• Tweet about this giveaway –  ” I want to win a Kaboo Bag with Tech Pouch for my iPad or Kindle from Tatertots & Jello @jenjentrixie #giveaway http://bit.ly/cl0Pgd”. one entry.

• Share this giveaway. The share buttons are at the bottom of the post. Let me know how you did. one entry, per way.

This giveaway ends on 5.14.2012. Two winners will be announced. Giveaway open to residents of Continental US.

Good Luck!!

Have a Happy Day!!

xoxo