tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49673753918251774012013-05-20T14:22:57.418-06:00House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.comBlogger660125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-69755840525570099682013-05-19T18:02:00.001-06:002013-05-19T18:02:05.922-06:002013-05-19T18:02:05.922-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I&#39;m so excited for today&#39;s post. It&#39;s been in the works for a few weeks and now I&#39;m FINALLY able to share it! MY favorite things PLUS 19 more of my cute blogging friends&#39; favorites too!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnM_AQal-CA/UYhNIhiDQ8I/AAAAAAAAwag/85AfKwOESs0/s1600/LABEL+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnM_AQal-CA/UYhNIhiDQ8I/AAAAAAAAwag/85AfKwOESs0/s1600/LABEL+(1).jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2VKsqC8D3g/UYg8D5sI-fI/AAAAAAAAwZw/VpcxmMZbxF4/s1600/Favorite+Things+Giveaway+basket+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2VKsqC8D3g/UYg8D5sI-fI/AAAAAAAAwZw/VpcxmMZbxF4/s1600/Favorite+Things+Giveaway+basket+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Last year around Christmas time there were some bloggers who got together and each gave away a basket of their own personal favorite things that they love. I thought it was such a cute and clever idea; a great way for readers to get to know them a little better, so I was TOTALLY on board when I was asked to get involved with the same type of giveaway this Summer!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> If you&#39;ve been reading our blog for a while, then you already know that we compile lists of our favorite things at the end of each year, so this was quite an easy task for me</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Our Favorite Things: <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2010/12/my-favorite-things.html" target="_blank">2010</a>, <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2011/12/lot-of-my-favorite-things-2011-must.html" target="_blank">2011</a>, <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/01/my-favorite-things-2012-iphone-apps.html" target="_blank">2012</a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I really have SO MANY favorite things that it&#39;s hard for me to pick just an armful that will fit into a small mailing box, but alas... I forged ahead and selected a few of my current faves and came up with the following:</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qke9725Roo/UYhIAHNy6nI/AAAAAAAAwaI/yz7v7IOxYJ4/s1600/favorite+things+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qke9725Roo/UYhIAHNy6nI/AAAAAAAAwaI/yz7v7IOxYJ4/s1600/favorite+things+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>The Journal of Awesome - Sharpie Pen - House of Smiths Instagram tip card - <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/trinketjewelry?page=1" target="_blank">Trinkets and Butterflies simple white earrings</a> - <a href="http://www.bakeitpretty.com/" target="_blank">Bake it Pretty party supplies</a> - Ice Breakers Cubes - Mentos fruit chews - Emerald sweet and salty nut mix</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jD0Xm3d0Tnw/UYhFusP-UjI/AAAAAAAAwZ8/AcMjaPW0byQ/s1600/Favorite+Things+Giveaway+1+-thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jD0Xm3d0Tnw/UYhFusP-UjI/AAAAAAAAwZ8/AcMjaPW0byQ/s1600/Favorite+Things+Giveaway+1+-thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/FavoriteThingsBlogHop.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/qAWK1FR3ND8" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/FavoriteThingsBlogHop.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-38200714074532860462013-05-17T07:14:00.001-06:002013-05-17T07:27:06.148-06:002013-05-17T07:27:06.148-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zfOmzUEgS6o/UYf5Za5Ka3I/AAAAAAAAwZg/TQRpjX_8aCA/s1600/convertible+kids+rooms+-+Homes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zfOmzUEgS6o/UYf5Za5Ka3I/AAAAAAAAwZg/TQRpjX_8aCA/s1600/convertible+kids+rooms+-+Homes.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> As kids go through different stages of life, so do their rooms. From diapers and burp cloths to an overabundance of toys and then mountains of school work and books. While there isn't a room out there that can accommodate&nbsp;each stage of life perfectly without one single change along the way, there ARE a few things that you can keep in mind to make the transition from baby, toddler, and then teenager a little bit smoother.&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i><br /></i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMH3z0nZyR8/UYf4wFrP1mI/AAAAAAAAwZM/qjjV0w_0kpg/s1600/LABEL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMH3z0nZyR8/UYf4wFrP1mI/AAAAAAAAwZM/qjjV0w_0kpg/s1600/LABEL.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Furniture that can serve more than one purpose is a big key to having a space that will grow with your kids. There are lots of different companies jumping on the "convertible kid furniture" bandwagon, so just keep your eye out and don't be afraid to ask your local furniture retailers if they offer options such as these.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEFoOfW-aJk/UVGOcLI35eI/AAAAAAAAvVs/a3XHa6xzRJE/s1600/GROfurniture_GROUP_A_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEFoOfW-aJk/UVGOcLI35eI/AAAAAAAAvVs/a3XHa6xzRJE/s1600/GROfurniture_GROUP_A_web.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> One thing to note is that sometimes these changeable kid pieces can run quite a bit more money. The higher price tag may have you second guessing your purchase, but know that in the long run, you can really get your money's worth out of them.&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dS6YmkVE4Rw/UVGOQfSBeJI/AAAAAAAAvVk/MU0fPwVhRjM/s1600/convertable+crib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dS6YmkVE4Rw/UVGOQfSBeJI/AAAAAAAAvVk/MU0fPwVhRjM/s1600/convertable+crib.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://module-r.com/blog/design/gro-furniture" target="_blank">source</a></span></i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://blog.homes.com/2013/05/convertible-kid-room-ideas-design-for-all-of-lifes-stages/" target="_blank">Continue reading our full article on</a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://blog.homes.com/2013/05/convertible-kid-room-ideas-design-for-all-of-lifes-stages/" target="_blank">convertible kid rooms over at Homes.com &gt;&gt;&gt;</a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <center> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAUASt91xBU/UF-ArvljwwI/AAAAAAAAksY/8wAfOECgsWc/s1600/House+of+Smiths+connect+more.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAUASt91xBU/UF-ArvljwwI/AAAAAAAAksY/8wAfOECgsWc/s1600/House+of+Smiths+connect+more.jpg" /></a></center> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div> <center> </center> <center> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="http://followgram.me/houseofsmiths" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ytU9EJKr3I4/UF-KOJhu0II/AAAAAAAAku0/RfzqbVCFarQ/s1600/house+of+smiths+Facebook.jpg" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/HouseOfSmiths" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0bamUJbzEiM/UF-JmiWjsQI/AAAAAAAAkus/o5wGYfa8wo0/s1600/house+of+smiths+Facebook.jpg" /></a><a href="http://pinterest.com/shelleysmith/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BDnBA5SiKzs/UF-Iesmq1bI/AAAAAAAAkuk/n4uenz0aGsg/s1600/house+of+smiths+Facebook.jpg" /></a><a href="https://twitter.com/houseofsmiths" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_hgkGJHdm8/UF-G5O1cR5I/AAAAAAAAkuU/FMipuHcAPkU/s1600/house+of+smiths+Facebook.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/House-of-Smiths/112455755475420?ref=hl" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IY2Coi1ALYE/UF-FDLfdyTI/AAAAAAAAkuM/p2oszF4CDD8/s1600/house+of+smiths+Facebook.jpg" /></a></div> </center> <div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/yiOHeNkSppw" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com1http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/convertible-kid-room-ideas-homescom.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-78152567366989235102013-05-14T22:59:00.001-06:002013-05-14T23:02:25.739-06:002013-05-14T23:02:25.739-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> A few weeks back we showed you <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/how-to-print-your-instagram-photos.html" target="_blank">the best way to print Instagram photos</a> in lost of different sizes and paper finishes. Sometimes I get doubles of certain prints because I never know where I&#39;ll want to use them, and the other day I got the idea to put some of those extras up on our makeshift clothesline photo display wall upstairs in our entryway.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXJvU3PBtLc/UZJpnGQYa1I/AAAAAAAAwxQ/Q4D8ZdNcziM/s1600/How+to+Display+Instagram+Photos+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXJvU3PBtLc/UZJpnGQYa1I/AAAAAAAAwxQ/Q4D8ZdNcziM/s1600/How+to+Display+Instagram+Photos+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This past Fall we put a call out for <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2012/12/merry-christmas-holiday-joy-from.html" target="_blank">reader to send Holiday cards</a> so we could get to know all of you a little better, and were completely flabbergasted at the outpouring of love, kindness and inspiration that came with each one.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQxn7gPm0_4/UZEGD2l2E_I/AAAAAAAAwwU/Bp6PLdXu4ac/s1600/Christmas+cards+from+friends+near+and+far+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQxn7gPm0_4/UZEGD2l2E_I/AAAAAAAAwwU/Bp6PLdXu4ac/s1600/Christmas+cards+from+friends+near+and+far+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Since we didn&#39;t really talk much about how we made our photo wall display back then, we thought we&#39;d cover in more detail, how we rigged this card and picture hanger up!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vCrdIA253Uw/UZD9kbI1XEI/AAAAAAAAwu8/jHDI1QxFN84/s1600/Clothesline+photo+wall+display+tutorial+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vCrdIA253Uw/UZD9kbI1XEI/AAAAAAAAwu8/jHDI1QxFN84/s1600/Clothesline+photo+wall+display+tutorial+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/instagram-photo-wall-display.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/fHwuo_f6LXc" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com18http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/instagram-photo-wall-display.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-35288526231101082982013-05-12T21:47:00.000-06:002013-05-13T07:09:18.487-06:002013-05-13T07:09:18.487-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Confession: I&#39;m sort of obsessed with a good mason jar. </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Maybe it&#39;s because they can be filled with flowers, food, craft room objects, decorative home decor items or a simple drink, and look equally as cool every time. That being said, I&#39;m definitely drawn to the blue mason jar the most, which for a while was a bit hard to find because they were always rare and/or vintage. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw these beauties!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The jars can be purchased at the <a href="http://www.freshpreservingstore.com/search/blue-heritage-ball-jars/" target="_blank">Fresh Preserving Store online</a>, and also found in all other stores that sell canning products such as Ace Hardware and select Targets</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IKiPjaHrnzU/UY7IUyEN9JI/AAAAAAAAwsc/rxfHWyN_Fyo/s1600/1440069000_HeritageCollection_TrayandJars_LoRes+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IKiPjaHrnzU/UY7IUyEN9JI/AAAAAAAAwsc/rxfHWyN_Fyo/s1600/1440069000_HeritageCollection_TrayandJars_LoRes+(3).jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> They&#39;re the new, limited edition Ball brand heritage collection, vintage inspired pint sized jars. The Ball brand released them recently to celebrate their 100 year anniversary, and I&#39;ve seen others around the net using them in lots of creative, cool ways, so I wanted to come up with something of my own.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here&#39;s what I thought of...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Un2kGnExSN8/UY6zODCQBBI/AAAAAAAAwrs/KVPJj8T3Ci4/s1600/Homemade+Trail+Mix+++Blogger+Gift+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Un2kGnExSN8/UY6zODCQBBI/AAAAAAAAwrs/KVPJj8T3Ci4/s1600/Homemade+Trail+Mix+++Blogger+Gift+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Busy Blogger Bites... yummy treats to get you through a long posting night.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/blue-mason-jar-handpicked-trail-mix.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/ejVefjhxWcI" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com25http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/blue-mason-jar-handpicked-trail-mix.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-72396688371588636692013-05-08T21:28:00.001-06:002013-05-08T21:36:58.230-06:002013-05-08T21:36:58.230-06:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Alright, so a LOT of you have been making requests lately for us to do a couple of posts about our little girls&#39; hair styling and clothes. I&#39;m not gonna lie, I sort of love this topic, so I was happy to do it!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> It seams like a lifetime ago, but before I became a Mom, I was a professional hairstylist and worked in a few different salons. While it was something I enjoyed, it definitely wasn&#39;t my life calling, so I quit. Well guess what? The joke was on me. I now have three girls and I feel like I&#39;ve never done more hair in my entire LIFE! yeesh!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I definitely have my go-to hair-do&#39;s when it comes to school and church, but also love to do some more elaborate hairstyles when we have a little bit of time, so I thought I&#39;d show you some of those, along with answering one of our most frequently asked questions in this arena:</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&quot;How do you curl your girls&#39; hair?&quot;</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1XiOlgC70iw/UYhc1n5xbOI/AAAAAAAAwbk/fEArwNfzaN8/s1600/Flat+Iron+Curling+Hair+Tutorial+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1XiOlgC70iw/UYhc1n5xbOI/AAAAAAAAwbk/fEArwNfzaN8/s1600/Flat+Iron+Curling+Hair+Tutorial+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <br> Well wonder no more, here&#39;s how it&#39;s done...<br> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o3JTThDsyOc/UYsZuzwYmLI/AAAAAAAAweI/DY44qxzwFao/s1600/Hair+tutorial+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o3JTThDsyOc/UYsZuzwYmLI/AAAAAAAAweI/DY44qxzwFao/s1600/Hair+tutorial+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <br> and yes, that&#39;s a flat iron/straighter... NOT your typical, cylinder curling iron.<br> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kAxnPU2F07k/UYsECiK6BQI/AAAAAAAAwdY/i7Fp_2P82_Y/s1600/Flat+Iron+Hair+Curling+Tutorial+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kAxnPU2F07k/UYsECiK6BQI/AAAAAAAAwdY/i7Fp_2P82_Y/s1600/Flat+Iron+Hair+Curling+Tutorial+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <br> This process is super fast, super easy and only takes a few times of practicing before you&#39;re a pro. I promise, once you curl hair with a flat iron, you&#39;ll never want to go back to a regular curling iron again.<br> <br> Because pictures don&#39;t ever do a hair tutorial justice, <b>I&#39;ve put together a video below</b>, <i>with my crazy-wild 5 year old and Cason at the camera</i>, to demonstrate how quickly this hair curling technique moves.<br> </div><a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/flat-iron-hair-curling-tutorial-my.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/ll8KUQiw0TA" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com51http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/flat-iron-hair-curling-tutorial-my.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-85513623666964554792013-05-06T00:35:00.000-06:002013-05-06T18:48:58.640-06:002013-05-06T18:48:58.640-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Yup! You read it right, <a href="http://www.sassysteals.com/" target="_blank">Sassy Steals</a> and I are giving away a Cannon Rebel today!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Now tell me this isn&#39;t the perfect way to start your week.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.sassysteals.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMg_7Zjh7Rw/UYdHxOHcKRI/AAAAAAAAwWc/pA9s-G3r168/s1600/Sassy+Steals+Deal+a+Day+Site+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Around Christmas time Tori from <a href="http://www.sassysteals.com/" target="_blank">Sassy Steals</a> and I gave away a KitchenAid mixer and you guys loved it, but this time we thought we&#39;d shake things up a bit and try out a giveaway with a Canon Rebel! With summer coming up we knew you guys would have LOTS of fun, happy pictures to take of your families, and we hope that this can really help someone out!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jn0NvG5el1o/UYdDPrM7NNI/AAAAAAAAwWA/BV9TbCU94HI/s1600/Sassy+Steals+Deal+a+Day+Site+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jn0NvG5el1o/UYdDPrM7NNI/AAAAAAAAwWA/BV9TbCU94HI/s1600/Sassy+Steals+Deal+a+Day+Site+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/canon-rebel-dslr-camera-giveaway-from.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/y9TmTIwbfvI" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com84http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/canon-rebel-dslr-camera-giveaway-from.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-81528501418915970622013-05-03T20:24:00.001-06:002013-05-03T20:29:25.041-06:002013-05-03T20:29:25.041-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The other night as Cason and I were watching another hilarious episode of <a href="http://abc.go.com/watch/modern-family/SH559066/VDKA0_12w9bane/career-day" target="_blank">The Modern Family</a>, a specific story line really got me laughing/thinking...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--hzKJDi4ca0/UYRPdL4JvTI/AAAAAAAAwSk/AH0urB3dgfY/s1600/Modern+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--hzKJDi4ca0/UYRPdL4JvTI/AAAAAAAAwSk/AH0urB3dgfY/s1600/Modern+Family.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&quot;What&#39;s with the &#39;Tooth Fairy&#39; lately?&quot;</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> What do I mean by this? well, let me start from the beginning.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> When our twins were in kindergarten, they each lost their first tooth <i>(same one on the same day actually),</i> then Emberly lost another the first few weeks of first grade...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mmB_Ncj8kjI/UYRKjrO_OWI/AAAAAAAAwSA/prFN0ZNpVkI/s1600/Best+way+to+pull+teeth+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mmB_Ncj8kjI/UYRKjrO_OWI/AAAAAAAAwSA/prFN0ZNpVkI/s1600/Best+way+to+pull+teeth+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> ... and Jocelynn didn&#39;t. As you can see below, we cried a LOT about it that night.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Maybe it&#39;s a twin thing, maybe it&#39;s a sibling thing - maybe it&#39;s just a Jocey thing, but either way, I could tell that losing teeth around here was going to be an emotional journey.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>A few weeks later, Joceylnn lost another tooth.</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPXxSvg53gQ/UYRLZOaRrrI/AAAAAAAAwSI/zvnG8xLB2Rk/s1600/Losing+teeth+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPXxSvg53gQ/UYRLZOaRrrI/AAAAAAAAwSI/zvnG8xLB2Rk/s1600/Losing+teeth+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Losing teeth is a funny thing. Some kids wiggle and yank teeth out as fast as they can, once they realize there&#39;s even a hint of them being loose, and others hang on to those wobbly, weird, wonky teeth till they can&#39;t hang on to them anymore.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Twins will be twins, but Emberly is a yanker-outer-er and Jocelynn is a hanger-on-er-er.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> There are crying fits and tears E.V.E.R.Y time Jocey is on the verge of losing a tooth. I can&#39;t figure out if she gets scared, nervous, anxious about WHEN the actual tooth will fall or just overly dramatic...and no amount of coaxing helps to convince her to just pull the darn thing out!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Jocey was exceptionally freaked out to lose her first big FRONT tooth and was babying it along for a good week as it just hung on by what seemed like a single root. Luckily we had dentist appointments lined up at <a href="http://littlepeoplesdental.com/" target="_blank">Little People&#39;s Dental</a>, with Dr. Stewart <i>(our most <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2010/10/little-peoples-dental.html" target="_blank">favorite Pediatric dentist EVER</a>)</i> and surprisingly, Jocey was totally THRILLED to have HIM pull her wiggly little tooth out.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fZyy9hSprc/UYQrkdEypmI/AAAAAAAAwRM/rNvptb6p_y0/s1600/Losing+teeth+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fZyy9hSprc/UYQrkdEypmI/AAAAAAAAwRM/rNvptb6p_y0/s1600/Losing+teeth+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>What&#39;s THAT all about?</b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b></b></div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/whats-with-tooth-fairy-lately.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/ttfK7y1xzU8" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com130http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/whats-with-tooth-fairy-lately.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-83567112955924005962013-05-01T22:43:00.001-06:002013-05-03T17:06:53.117-06:002013-05-03T17:06:53.117-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We&#39;ve been getting a LOT of questions lately about personal photo display ideas in our inbox. Maybe it&#39;s just a coincidence, or maybe we just have a bunch of readers who are starting in on decorating for Spring with all those new family pictures that got taken the past few months... either way, if you know me, then you know I LOVE decorating with personal photos.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztOPK22bg54/UYG8SqFuq9I/AAAAAAAAwLg/8jhHVQnbOqY/s1600/Yellow+Gallery+Wall+Layout+with+IKEA+frames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztOPK22bg54/UYG8SqFuq9I/AAAAAAAAwLg/8jhHVQnbOqY/s1600/Yellow+Gallery+Wall+Layout+with+IKEA+frames.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2011/08/gallery-wall-decorating-tips-photo.html" target="_blank"><i>Post: Creating a Gallery Wall</i></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Framed art is great, don&#39;t get me wrong, but there&#39;s just something special and fun about seeing beautiful, happy pictures of the people you love all around your home. One of the biggest questions that we get asked though, is:</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&quot;How should I gather, group or display my photos so they look really good?&quot;</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> That&#39;s a great question, and something that isn&#39;t as hard as it seems. Below are a few awesome ways to show off your lovely family photos, with ideas on how to achieve aesthetically pleasing layouts at the same time, whether you have a large or small space.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auzPoMEOz0U/UYHtT50urDI/AAAAAAAAwNU/bbjOFF3XEe0/s1600/Photo+Display+Ideas+++Gallery+Guides+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auzPoMEOz0U/UYHtT50urDI/AAAAAAAAwNU/bbjOFF3XEe0/s1600/Photo+Display+Ideas+++Gallery+Guides+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OY21V1Ec2s/UYG6t0YF71I/AAAAAAAAwLM/ncboNg4iKtw/s1600/Photo+Display+Ideas+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OY21V1Ec2s/UYG6t0YF71I/AAAAAAAAwLM/ncboNg4iKtw/s1600/Photo+Display+Ideas+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This look, to me, is timeless. I love the evenly spaced frames, clean lines and drama that a symmetrical gallery wall gives off. I especially dig the floor to ceiling aspect as well. If you&#39;ve got a large, empty wall to fill, this sort of photo display can definitely give your unoccupied space a ton of visual interest.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IWZEAa40MqE/UYCCO0YJLHI/AAAAAAAAwKY/BdBXGPJG1GM/s1600/Photo+Wall+Collages+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IWZEAa40MqE/UYCCO0YJLHI/AAAAAAAAwKY/BdBXGPJG1GM/s1600/Photo+Wall+Collages+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://thehouseundone.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-photo-wall.html" target="_blank">1</a> &amp; <a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/736x/74/a8/e2/74a8e237e2dcf7693df42f040f7447da.jpg" target="_blank">2</a></span></i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b8tlsJY9xqs/UYCBj1MIWRI/AAAAAAAAwKI/Xn4HrcQ6gLc/s1600/Photowall+display+with+white+frames+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b8tlsJY9xqs/UYCBj1MIWRI/AAAAAAAAwKI/Xn4HrcQ6gLc/s1600/Photowall+display+with+white+frames+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JM1ZaRluSME/TS3qB7lIjbI/AAAAAAAAHhA/qWTiGgtJNfc/s1600/IMG_7682_web.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>source</i></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Planning a gallery wall, completely symmetrical or not, is probably the most time consuming type of photo display, only because you have to do a lot of measuring and planning to get it just right.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> One of the best tips that I can give here, is to make paper templates of your frames first. As you can see below <i>(in this not-so-great photo, sorry!)</i> we used this method when we planned out our <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2011/08/gallery-wall-decorating-tips-photo.html" target="_blank">large gallery wall for our living room</a>. This technique will make it effortless when it&#39;s time to work and rework things as you plan out your photo display. <b>A Piece of paper is MUCH easier to move around than a heavy, glass-filled frame.</b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uwVXGvr9INU/UYHFwVBkmqI/AAAAAAAAwL0/Pj8u8OGb6Qw/s1600/How+to+plan+a+Gallery+Wall+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uwVXGvr9INU/UYHFwVBkmqI/AAAAAAAAwL0/Pj8u8OGb6Qw/s1600/How+to+plan+a+Gallery+Wall+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/photo-display-ideas-tips-and-tricks.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/ORPToOCg6jo" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com18http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/05/photo-display-ideas-tips-and-tricks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-39255958440760459502013-04-29T23:57:00.000-06:002013-04-30T10:04:52.430-06:002013-04-30T10:04:52.430-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  Ohhhh baby, today is a particularly great day.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Not only is it 70 degrees and sunny out, but it&#39;s also the day that I get to share Josh&#39;s famous Cinnamon Roll recipe with all of YOU!!!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r26Wd687vX4/UX7dKp8vgTI/AAAAAAAAwC0/FFdPMyTtE30/s1600/The+Best+Cinnamon+Rolls+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r26Wd687vX4/UX7dKp8vgTI/AAAAAAAAwC0/FFdPMyTtE30/s1600/The+Best+Cinnamon+Rolls+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> First a little background. If you follow us on <a href="http://instagram.com/houseofsmiths" target="_blank">Instagram</a> then you might have seen our littlest chick hanging out with Zoey a lot lately, her new BFF. Seriously, these girls are inseparable. They could play for days and never get tired of each other. I think this has to do with the fact that they&#39;re both super independent, carefree and equally as obsessed with clothes, makeup and playing make believe. <i>ha!</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0IxwPJnrqP8/UX7x_dCWsVI/AAAAAAAAwEs/Z_D_DODfMdg/s1600/Aubrielle+and+Zoey+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0IxwPJnrqP8/UX7x_dCWsVI/AAAAAAAAwEs/Z_D_DODfMdg/s1600/Aubrielle+and+Zoey+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Anywho, Josh and Jamie are Zoe&#39;s parents, and through attending events together and play dates, our families have become really great friends!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vP8__WHRMHc/UX7yR-yNL_I/AAAAAAAAwE0/nKHz6DeyshY/s1600/Soucy&#39;s+and+Smith&#39;s+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vP8__WHRMHc/UX7yR-yNL_I/AAAAAAAAwE0/nKHz6DeyshY/s1600/Soucy&#39;s+and+Smith&#39;s+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Something that immediately bonded our little families together, was the fact that Cason and Josh BOTH loved being in the kitchen. Jamie, the kids and I are definitely spoiled because when we spend time with each other, it&#39;s a serious eating fest.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EBp8cErCpLU/UX7irr1e7WI/AAAAAAAAwDE/ndQcF0sL6Rw/s1600/Easy+Cinnamon+Rolls+by+Josh+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EBp8cErCpLU/UX7irr1e7WI/AAAAAAAAwDE/ndQcF0sL6Rw/s1600/Easy+Cinnamon+Rolls+by+Josh+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This past Saturday our two families got together for a combined garage sale, and Jamie talked Josh into selling his famous cinnamon rolls, right along with all the other garage sale goodies. The proceeds for the garage sale went to help raise money for Jamie and Josh&#39;s upcoming adoption.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXtk41vftps/UX7TOn8N_wI/AAAAAAAAwCY/Ie8voem_Fpg/s1600/The+Best+Cinnamon+Rolls+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXtk41vftps/UX7TOn8N_wI/AAAAAAAAwCY/Ie8voem_Fpg/s1600/The+Best+Cinnamon+Rolls+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I kid you not, his cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting were AWESOME and they sold like crazy!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GiUCCD7nwU/UX7jDBsmajI/AAAAAAAAwDM/0Wa61c817gE/s1600/Cinnamon+Rolls+by+Josh+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GiUCCD7nwU/UX7jDBsmajI/AAAAAAAAwDM/0Wa61c817gE/s1600/Cinnamon+Rolls+by+Josh+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/joshs-famous-cinnamon-rolls-call-for.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/geW64h3tSB4" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com20http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/joshs-famous-cinnamon-rolls-call-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-26684278840083179272013-04-24T12:06:00.001-06:002013-04-24T12:27:20.182-06:002013-04-24T12:27:20.182-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Waaazzzz uuuuup! <i>(do people even say that anymore?)</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Cason here, and I have to say that I&#39;m pumped to share with you guys my &quot;Four Corners Adventure&quot; that the girls and I had this past weekend while Shelley was away and <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/celebrating-bloggers-with-party.html" target="_blank">busy with the SNAP conference</a>.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> What can I say, I&#39;m a dreamer. If there was a support group for my kind I think Shelley would make me join. I have so many ideas in my head about things I want to do, see, eat and experience, that occasionally, I have to do one of them or I feel like I&#39;ll go crazy. This is a LOT of the reason that I actually enjoy the whole DIY and redecorating/renovating process. It&#39;s something fun, new and always adventurous.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <div style="text-align: center;"> Like I mentioned before, Shelley had SNAP this past week so I got the go-ahead to check the girls out of school for two days, to get my travel on!!!… Truth be told, Shelley was actually pretty excited that I was taking on this trip alone. Of course she was sad that we were doing fun stuff without her, but once I told her that the trip was going be over 1000 miles long in the car, she was <i>juuuust</i> fine with not coming.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Did you know that Shelley get&#39;s horrible carsickness? Always has. Road trips are almost unbearable for her, unless she&#39;s driving the whole time, so it was probably better that she didn&#39;t come on this little adventure. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <o:p></o:p></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <div style="text-align: center;"> Something you have to know about me, is that <i>(unlike Shelley)</i> I&#39;ve always been up for hauling three kids around wherever I go, no matter what age they are. It doesn&#39;t bother me one bit. Call me bizarre, patient or just easygoing, but Shelley used to look at me like I was crazy when I took our 19 month old twins <i>(who could barely walk, because they were so premature)</i> and newborn out to Target for a few hours to give her a break. She&#39;ll be the first to admit that she&#39;s more of a planner and likes to make sure she has control of the situations she&#39;s in, and with three babies, this was rarely ever the case.<br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uWCFRPuZoMI/UXgGzGMh7DI/AAAAAAAAwAU/mePYKs-MjTA/s1600/The+Smiths+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uWCFRPuZoMI/UXgGzGMh7DI/AAAAAAAAwAU/mePYKs-MjTA/s1600/The+Smiths+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Hopefully she doesn&#39;t get offended about that last statement, because it&#39;s not a bad thing at all! In fact, I think it&#39;s the thing that makes our marriage work so well. If I had married someone that was a dreamer like me, I think we&#39;d be living out of backpacks and hostels, with no jobs or security. And if Shelley would have married someone really similar to her, well... I&#39;d like to think that our blog may not be where it it is today, without me encouraging her to plow forward into unknown, unplanned, sometimes risky territory. I also feel like without me and my sometimes juvenile ways, she wouldn&#39;t do as much goofing-off and laughing. Boys will be boys, and as happy as I am with our situation, it still doesn&#39;t change the fact that I&#39;m the only male in a house full of girls, so whenever Shelley starts to take life too seriously or gets overly emotional about the little things, I remind her to loosen up and just relax. And yes, this could be anything from a good game of &quot;crack the egg&quot; on the trampoline, to an impromptu dance party, with just the two of us.<br> <i>If you subscribe to our little videos on </i><a href="https://vine.co/" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Vine</a><i>, then you know what I&#39;m talking about.</i><br> :)<br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rI15XAu5aNg/UXgIv4DTbwI/AAAAAAAAwAk/LY3zdkMIxOo/s1600/trampoline+family+time+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rI15XAu5aNg/UXgIv4DTbwI/AAAAAAAAwAk/LY3zdkMIxOo/s1600/trampoline+family+time+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> That being said, for the past year I&#39;d been mulling around in my head a way for me to get my little girls down to the Four Corners area. Not only did I want to get to that specific landmark, but I wanted to explore all the attractions on the way down as well. For those of you that aren&#39;t from one of the Four Corner states, it’s a little Monument run by the Navajo Nation in the middle of freaking nowhere. It has a little grid on the ground showing the intersection of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. There are also flags from each of the states as well as the Indian Tribes present in the area. <o:p></o:p></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <div style="text-align: center;"> I spent some time over the past couple of weeks finding a way to make the trip worthwhile. For me, this part is pure bliss… I get to pull out my mile long bucket list and start checking things off. The following things were on my to-do/visit agenda:<o:p></o:p><br> <br> <div style="text-align: left;"> 1 - Four Corners Monument (Middle of Nowhere)</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> 2 - Go on the house tour at “HOLE &#39;N THE ROCK” (Moab, UT)</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> 3-  Mesa Verde Cliff Ruins (Cortez, CO)</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> 4 - Aztec Ruins Monument (Farmington, NM)</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> 5 - Take a tourist boat on Lake Powell (Page, AZ)</div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br></div> </div> <div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xEpASMNxmxg/UXf6eqtRylI/AAAAAAAAv-c/swgbXr0n9wI/s1600/Four+Corners+trip+1+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xEpASMNxmxg/UXf6eqtRylI/AAAAAAAAv-c/swgbXr0n9wI/s1600/Four+Corners+trip+1+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <br></div> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <div style="text-align: center;"> That’s a lot for one trip, I know… but I was ready to make these four states in four days happen. Since I was traveling with kids, there was no way I was going to be able to do it without stopping frequently. Here are some tips if you ever plan on doing this trip, or something similar:<br> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div></div><a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/a-daddy-daughter-road-trip-memorable.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/GA4H984S2Zg" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com116http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/a-daddy-daughter-road-trip-memorable.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-55076679143126047902013-04-22T15:50:00.000-06:002013-04-22T15:50:27.552-06:002013-04-22T15:50:27.552-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We're back, we're back!&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The <a href="http://snapconference.com/" target="_blank">SNAP conference</a> was a BLAST this past weekend and it turned out fabulously! I can't wait to tell you a little bit about it, because it's filled up SO much of my time lately. Cason's also been working on a post of his own, to share with you what he and the kids were up to while I was gone... but for now, I'm just happy to be home and back to my regularly scheduled program!</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> One of the best things about helping throw the <a href="http://snapconference.com/" target="_blank">SNAP conference</a> every year, is that I get the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the most amazing brands and creative bloggers.&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-180vb_yKs7Q/UXWfU60GsnI/AAAAAAAAv8c/3QyIiTQ2_mU/s1600/Homes.com+&amp;+forrent.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-180vb_yKs7Q/UXWfU60GsnI/AAAAAAAAv8c/3QyIiTQ2_mU/s1600/Homes.com+&amp;+forrent.com.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This year we were honored and excited to have <a href="http://homes.com/">Homes.com</a> and <a href="http://forrent.com/">ForRent.com</a> as our closing party sponsors, and I can't even express how AMAZING it turned out to be.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FQGwEajoTyY/UXWkIi9XsXI/AAAAAAAAv8k/0mneUKPiMn4/s1600/SNAP+conference+party+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FQGwEajoTyY/UXWkIi9XsXI/AAAAAAAAv8k/0mneUKPiMn4/s1600/SNAP+conference+party+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Everyone had the best time and it was the perfect way to end an amazing weekend. So first and foremost, <b>THANK YOU Homes and ForRent</b> for being so supportive of all these creative women, working their hardest to fill the world with beautiful ideas and inspiring words, in the big ol' blogosphere.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">WE LOVE YOU!</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Something else that Homes.com is doing right now, that I really wanted to share with all of my readers before it ends, is their <a href="http://blog.homes.com/2013/04/crafting-for-charity-giveaway/" target="_blank">Crafting for Charity</a> online event.&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://blog.homes.com/2013/04/crafting-for-charity-giveaway/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E9sWsBpTRqk/UXWcQSAJDFI/AAAAAAAAv8U/Or3pj5CPcVY/s400/Mock-600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://blog.homes.com/2013/04/crafting-for-charity-giveaway/" target="_blank">Homes.com</a> partnered up with 8 talented bloggers to create original, amazing, home DIY projects. Each blogger has entered their project, along with their full <a href="http://blog.homes.com/2013/04/crafting-for-charity-giveaway/" target="_blank">DIY tutorials over at Homes.com</a>, in the hopes of winning $5,000 to donate to their favorite charity... <b>and if you head on over to vote for your favorite blogger project, you'll also be entered to win $500. Yup... JUST for voting, to help with this great cause!</b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1WCQFeLuZ8/UXWpH85R6mI/AAAAAAAAv8s/GQHBPX-KAYE/s1600/Crafting+for+Charity+-+Homes.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1WCQFeLuZ8/UXWpH85R6mI/AAAAAAAAv8s/GQHBPX-KAYE/s1600/Crafting+for+Charity+-+Homes.com.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> You seriously have to <a href="http://blog.homes.com/2013/04/crafting-for-charity-giveaway/" target="_blank">see&nbsp;these ideas</a>, they are genius!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> To enter the <a href="http://blog.homes.com/2013/04/crafting-for-charity-giveaway/" target="_blank">Crafting for Charity Giveaway contest</a> and to check out each project in more detail, head on over to <a href="http://blog.homes.com/2013/04/crafting-for-charity-giveaway/" target="_blank">Homes.com</a>. <b>There's only 2 more days left for voting</b>, so HOP TO IT and make someone's charity VERY happy!!!</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span></div> <center> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAUASt91xBU/UF-ArvljwwI/AAAAAAAAksY/8wAfOECgsWc/s1600/House+of+Smiths+connect+more.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAUASt91xBU/UF-ArvljwwI/AAAAAAAAksY/8wAfOECgsWc/s1600/House+of+Smiths+connect+more.jpg" /></a></center> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div> <center> </center> <center> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="http://followgram.me/houseofsmiths" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ytU9EJKr3I4/UF-KOJhu0II/AAAAAAAAku0/RfzqbVCFarQ/s1600/house+of+smiths+Facebook.jpg" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/HouseOfSmiths" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0bamUJbzEiM/UF-JmiWjsQI/AAAAAAAAkus/o5wGYfa8wo0/s1600/house+of+smiths+Facebook.jpg" /></a><a href="http://pinterest.com/shelleysmith/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BDnBA5SiKzs/UF-Iesmq1bI/AAAAAAAAkuk/n4uenz0aGsg/s1600/house+of+smiths+Facebook.jpg" /></a><a href="https://twitter.com/houseofsmiths" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_hgkGJHdm8/UF-G5O1cR5I/AAAAAAAAkuU/FMipuHcAPkU/s1600/house+of+smiths+Facebook.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/House-of-Smiths/112455755475420?ref=hl" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IY2Coi1ALYE/UF-FDLfdyTI/AAAAAAAAkuM/p2oszF4CDD8/s1600/house+of+smiths+Facebook.jpg" /></a></div> </center> <div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/NVqcZZ_3zXE" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com4http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/celebrating-bloggers-with-party.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-26180522422859225712013-04-17T09:07:00.000-06:002013-04-17T09:08:12.841-06:002013-04-17T09:08:12.841-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-idI0HovnT9I/UWzMNb6HVyI/AAAAAAAAv1s/CC1besu50G4/s1600/Tell+me+More.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-idI0HovnT9I/UWzMNb6HVyI/AAAAAAAAv1s/CC1besu50G4/s1600/Tell+me+More.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I&#39;m answering the burning question today of :</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&quot;How and WHERE do you print your <a href="http://instagram.com/houseofsmiths" target="_blank">Instagram photos</a>!?&quot;</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This is a question we get asked on a weekly basis, so I thought it was definitely time to address it properly. Let&#39;s get down to business...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xd9BD9Z89FE/UW2-zYmPIMI/AAAAAAAAv18/YxW5jXW7e6I/s1600/How+to+Print+Instagram+Photos+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xd9BD9Z89FE/UW2-zYmPIMI/AAAAAAAAv18/YxW5jXW7e6I/s1600/How+to+Print+Instagram+Photos+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> First of all, for those of you who don&#39;t know... YES! You CAN print your Instagram feed into actual, hold-able photographs! Here are a couple of important things to note though:</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">1. A camera phone picture, is a camera phone picture.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYc76MEDNrA/UW2_4pY9aoI/AAAAAAAAv2E/P7cFolOxymw/s1600/Camera+Phone+Picture+image+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYc76MEDNrA/UW2_4pY9aoI/AAAAAAAAv2E/P7cFolOxymw/s1600/Camera+Phone+Picture+image+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> What does that mean? Well... basically, for the most part, even though sometimes close, Instagram photos rarely, if ever, are going to have the same, crisp quality of a photo that you would have shot with a high-end digital camera. This is the truth no matter WHERE you print your images from. Your Instagram photos, <b>especially if you add cool photo effects to them</b>, will probably turn out a bit grainy... and THAT&#39;S OKAY!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I feel like semi-grainy, Instagram photos that I have printed out are just, if not MORE exciting to me than perfectly pixelated professional ones. My Instagram photos tell stories, help me relive that quick, special memory and for me, there&#39;s something really fun about the fact that my kids can look back at them one day and say... <i>&quot;Oh my gosh, remember when people printed photos from Instagram and they looked like this?&quot;</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">2. Having your Instagram photos IN HAND is more thrilling than you might think.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RBL2v9Z7EYE/UW3GfoqpteI/AAAAAAAAv3s/B12RVwWIS_Y/s1600/Instagram+photos+printed+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RBL2v9Z7EYE/UW3GfoqpteI/AAAAAAAAv3s/B12RVwWIS_Y/s1600/Instagram+photos+printed+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I&#39;ve been known to shed a happy tear or two when my Instagram prints come in the mail. Even though I&#39;m the one taking the photo and editing it, the feeling of actually holding that moment in your hands is something that can completely brighten my day. It&#39;s tangible. It&#39;s something that I can look at anytime I want, without holding an iPhone to my face. It&#39;s a memory OUT of my device and in front of me to enjoy.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/how-to-print-your-instagram-photos.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/BNwX6nXaOkk" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com27http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/how-to-print-your-instagram-photos.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-48400172955201373212013-04-15T02:42:00.002-06:002013-04-15T02:43:06.853-06:002013-04-15T02:43:06.853-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0vrPkaBKCc/UWufvCeMVXI/AAAAAAAAv0M/PAZC8MHg0ks/s1600/Project+Basement+Makeover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0vrPkaBKCc/UWufvCeMVXI/AAAAAAAAv0M/PAZC8MHg0ks/s1600/Project+Basement+Makeover.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> There&#39;s really no good way to start a post out for me, when this is the first picture.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Z7kNWJurrA/UWufFFF1QZI/AAAAAAAAv0E/s0YA_mqlD3M/s1600/65+inch+Vizio+TV+from+Costco+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Z7kNWJurrA/UWufFFF1QZI/AAAAAAAAv0E/s0YA_mqlD3M/s1600/65+inch+Vizio+TV+from+Costco+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Just in case you&#39;re wondering, that look on my husbands face is:</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i><span style="font-size: large;">&quot;Oh my GOSH, she let me do it, I&#39;m seriously rollin&#39; out of this Costco with 65 inches of high definition, smart TV goodness! How did I win this one?... okay, if I don&#39;t smile or make eye contact with her then she won&#39;t change her mind... just get to the checkout stand as fast as possible, go, go, GO!&quot;</span></i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I don&#39;t wanna talk about it.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> What&#39;s done is done.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Yeah, so this basement makeover is turning into a bit of a tug-o-war with Cason and I. Normally we don&#39;t have many issues deciding on what goes where, how a wall should be finished or where our budget should be spent... but this time, it&#39;s different. I&#39;m not sure if it&#39;s because the basement is the closest thing that Cason will probably get to a &quot;Man Cave&quot;, or if he just feels like being extra opinionated about everything... nonetheless, a lot of choices in this basement makeover have been his.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> While at times I&#39;ve rolled my eyes or raised an eyebrow at a few of <strike>our</strike> his &quot;final decisions&quot;... I have to say that it&#39;s sort of fun to have a little more opposition this go-around. Sounds weird, I know, but typically Cason is SO easygoing and agreeable, that it&#39;s fun to watch him get all worked up about very specific things in this space; like a SIXTY FIVE INCH TV or even Faux animal print ottomans from <a href="http://theblackgoosedesign.com/" target="_blank">The Black Goose Design</a> that he just KNOWS will totally &quot;make the space.&quot; <i>haha! I love this guy.</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmOxDc-bUE0/UWuz3xYRSQI/AAAAAAAAv0w/8i9YaKeIahg/s1600/animal+print+ottoman+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmOxDc-bUE0/UWuz3xYRSQI/AAAAAAAAv0w/8i9YaKeIahg/s320/animal+print+ottoman+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" width="320"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>PS: Don&#39;t get the wrong idea, I&#39;m definitely in love with these funky ottomans too.</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Once we had that <strike>ridiculous monstrosity</strike> TV up on the wall downstairs, I realized that I&#39;d have to find the Mother-of-all sideboards to go under it. We searched for about 3 weeks looking for the perfect piece, when we finally saw this one at a big furniture store nearby. </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ruMUfDID7aw/UWuXb_Zs9AI/AAAAAAAAvzA/V-bOlAfySB8/s1600/Metal+and+glass+sideboard+-+RCWilley+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ruMUfDID7aw/UWuXb_Zs9AI/AAAAAAAAvzA/V-bOlAfySB8/s1600/Metal+and+glass+sideboard+-+RCWilley+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> At first I was hesitant, because it looked sort of Medieval to me with all the metal and exposed studs, but then the more I looked at it... it grew on me. We don&#39;t have ANYTHING like this in the rest of our home, so I thought it would be fun to try something new and different for a change. Cason of course loved it right off the bat.<i> </i> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rklszqj5Rys/UWuwcc11rCI/AAAAAAAAv0c/nn1GfB1qQVI/s1600/Metal+and+glass+sideboard+-+RCWilley+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rklszqj5Rys/UWuwcc11rCI/AAAAAAAAv0c/nn1GfB1qQVI/s1600/Metal+and+glass+sideboard+-+RCWilley+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/project-basement-makeover-tv-metal.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/plBa43T2IRI" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com56http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/project-basement-makeover-tv-metal.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-37594401501750146622013-04-11T23:35:00.000-06:002013-04-11T23:35:25.722-06:002013-04-11T23:35:25.722-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c9sZ99ud3f4/UWTOu_Gkd2I/AAAAAAAAvr0/HCFf-EEy8q8/s1600/Spring+Fling+linky+party+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c9sZ99ud3f4/UWTOu_Gkd2I/AAAAAAAAvr0/HCFf-EEy8q8/s1600/Spring+Fling+linky+party+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Thank you so much to those of you who entered your beautiful, colorful, happy Spring ideas into our <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/spring-shelf-decorating-spring-fling.html" target="_blank">Spring fling linky party</a> last week! We had a really great time going over them, and wanted to share a few makeovers, recipes and ideas that really popped out!</div> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0aJLu89x84/UWTQGlIP3OI/AAAAAAAAvr8/V2qE7xay39k/s1600/Office+makeover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0aJLu89x84/UWTQGlIP3OI/AAAAAAAAvr8/V2qE7xay39k/s1600/Office+makeover.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This VERY budget friendly office makeover by <a href="http://lesrondabatchelor.blogspot.com/2013/03/office-reveal-built-in-book-shelves-on.html" target="_blank">Ronda at The Batchelors Way</a> will have your jaw dropping. You&#39;ll never believe how a few of these pieces actually started out!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z8VYYHYqHjY/UWTSOk8_roI/AAAAAAAAvsM/3ZB8qHNCD6I/s1600/DCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z8VYYHYqHjY/UWTSOk8_roI/AAAAAAAAvsM/3ZB8qHNCD6I/s1600/DCollage.jpg"></a><br> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> These three lovely projects are each classy and creative. Christina over at <a href="http://christinasadventures.com/2013/03/spring-mantel.html" target="_blank">Christina&#39;s Adventures</a> decorated this colorful spring mantel with classic spring flowers, and take a look at that gray tufted sofa over at <a href="http://tidymom.net/2013/gray-tufted-back-sofa/" target="_blank">Tidy Mom&#39;s</a>! At <a href="http://www.myfabulesslife.com/2013/02/spring-mantel.html" target="_blank">My Fabuless Life</a>, Jenn&#39;s spring fever extended into her kitchen and it looks fabulous! </div> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vGFn96lRV1Q/UWTQqkK09_I/AAAAAAAAvsE/0pcmYUHzKa4/s1600/Shift+Ctrl+Art_My+Easter+Display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vGFn96lRV1Q/UWTQqkK09_I/AAAAAAAAvsE/0pcmYUHzKa4/s1600/Shift+Ctrl+Art_My+Easter+Display.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here&#39;s a great spring display by K at <a href="http://shiftctrlart.com/BlogPost/ujqk" target="_blank">Shift Ctrl Art</a>. Combining a beautiful eye for decorating as well as some splashes of spring colors, coupled with a few great DIY tutorials makes this the perfect post.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tTSwEUYqc3U/UWTT5x44P2I/AAAAAAAAvsU/O-x1MJgoeoA/s1600/Classy+Clutter_Lemon+Crinkle+Cookies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tTSwEUYqc3U/UWTT5x44P2I/AAAAAAAAvsU/O-x1MJgoeoA/s1600/Classy+Clutter_Lemon+Crinkle+Cookies2.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This one goes out to Mallory at <a href="http://www.classyclutter.net/2013/03/the-best-lemon-crinkle-cookies.html" target="_blank">Classy Clutter</a>. These decadent lemon cookies are a great way to sweeten up any treat table, and she did such a cute job photographing them too!</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtbYNwl7rPo/UWTUx78x0cI/AAAAAAAAvsc/84DMLGKldx4/s1600/FCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtbYNwl7rPo/UWTUx78x0cI/AAAAAAAAvsc/84DMLGKldx4/s1600/FCollage.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This cheesy artichoke dip over at the <a href="http://www.northerncottage.net/2013/03/warm-cheesy-artichoke-dip.html" target="_blank">Northern Cottage</a> looks delish, and speaking of appetizers, Gabby at <a href="http://www.essentiallyeclectic.com/2013/03/parmesan-zucchini-crisps-easy-appetizer.html" target="_blank">Essentially Eclectic</a> has a great recipe for Parmesan zucchini crisps. They&#39;re quick, easy and a perfect healthy treat for any get together; the same goes for Heather&#39;s zucchini chip recipe from <a href="http://ourlifeinaclick.blogspot.com/2013/03/recipebaked-zucchini-chips.html" target="_blank">Our Life in a Click</a>.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/spring-fling-linky-party-recap.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/xLGCLKSMBP0" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com15http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/spring-fling-linky-party-recap.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-82117219273491037142013-04-10T20:39:00.000-06:002013-04-10T20:39:32.396-06:002013-04-10T20:39:32.396-06:00<div style="text-align: center;"> 'Tis the season for chatting about yard work, and more importantly curb appeal; so that's what we're discussing over at <a href="http://blog.homes.com/2013/04/ways-to-create-great-curb-appeal-for-your-home/" target="_blank">Homes.com</a> this month! As we confessed last week, we may not be the best at <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/our-yard-confession-tips-for-getting.html" target="_blank">maintaining the awesomest lawn</a> in town, but curb appeal is SO MUCH MORE than that! Think... outside decorating!</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Adding color, tidying up your flowerbeds and displaying a little personality to the exterior of your house and it’s surroundings, is the fun part about being a homeowner. The possibilities are endless, so over at Homes.com we're covering four simple, big-impact ways to really add pizzazz to your property this year.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kb-VsUhTv10/UWI2eltmAmI/AAAAAAAAvm0/UioFeC-LYqk/s1600/Creating-Curb-Appeal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kb-VsUhTv10/UWI2eltmAmI/AAAAAAAAvm0/UioFeC-LYqk/s1600/Creating-Curb-Appeal1.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zDAyqCZo5Q/UWI3WJUJfRI/AAAAAAAAvm8/V4d5eegbGIE/s1600/Curb-Appeal-Ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zDAyqCZo5Q/UWI3WJUJfRI/AAAAAAAAvm8/V4d5eegbGIE/s1600/Curb-Appeal-Ideas.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> If you have an older home, or live in an area where you experience extreme weather, the exterior of your house may need a bit more attention than just periodical touch-ups. Adding a fresh coat of paint to your stucco, siding or trim can really punch up your curb appeal. It’s also a great way to attract homebuyers, if you’re looking to sell. The condition of the outside of your home will probably be the first thing that potential homebuyers will see when looking for a new place, so make sure that yours is clean, fresh and stands out from the rest.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4OWNBhKZAW8/UWI4BxiNufI/AAAAAAAAvnE/oqwsShx6qzg/s1600/Fresh-Paint-on-your-home-curb-appeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4OWNBhKZAW8/UWI4BxiNufI/AAAAAAAAvnE/oqwsShx6qzg/s1600/Fresh-Paint-on-your-home-curb-appeal.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <em style="background-color: white; color: #484848; font-family: OpenSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/curb-appeal/before-and-after-home-exteriors/#page=45" style="color: #484848; outline: 0px;">source</a></span></em></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><u><i><a href="http://blog.homes.com/2013/04/ways-to-create-great-curb-appeal-for-your-home/" target="_blank">Continue reading this post here...</a></i></u></span></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/A099zJikU94" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/ideas-for-creating-great-curb-appeal.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-30323037728770980422013-04-09T00:00:00.001-06:002013-04-09T00:00:59.328-06:002013-04-09T00:00:59.328-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> There are 5 indulgences in my life that bring me instant happiness.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>in no particular order...</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: large;">#1.</span> Dark Chocolate in my computer desk drawer.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> chocolate = stress reliever</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: large;">#2.</span> Straight from the dryer, clean, yummy-smelling, new sheets on my bed.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Nothing feels better... <i>well unless I&#39;ve just shaved my legs, then it&#39;s like DOUBLE awesome!</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: large;">#3.</span> Jewelry</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">  It always fits... &#39;nuff said</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: large;">#4.</span> Random staycations with my hubby.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Usually in hotels just less than 20 minutes from home.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: large;">#5.</span> Fancy photoshoots with my little girls.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Pretty, fun, beautiful pictures of my sweet daughters throughout all different ages and stages of their little lives. It&#39;s something that I&#39;ve done since my chicks were just wee babes.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qBg45MJRUTQ/UWNU1oNp9bI/AAAAAAAAvqA/UnQ3NfVxKbA/s1600/photoshoot+collage+-+Smiths+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qBg45MJRUTQ/UWNU1oNp9bI/AAAAAAAAvqA/UnQ3NfVxKbA/s1600/photoshoot+collage+-+Smiths+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Most of our photoshoots happen just right outside of our homes front door on our small porch, so believe me, it&#39;s nothing too fancy; but that&#39;s okay, because to me, it&#39;s not really about the background being awesome in these types of situations, it&#39;s all just about capturing that moment of childhood in a beautiful way. From the clear, falwless sun-kissed skin and naturally highlighted hair, to that melt-your-heart toothless smile.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FdxrofyauaU/UWMnTkkvJ8I/AAAAAAAAvoQ/ZOWKDZ5n_Gc/s1600/Emberly+Kim+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FdxrofyauaU/UWMnTkkvJ8I/AAAAAAAAvoQ/ZOWKDZ5n_Gc/s1600/Emberly+Kim+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJiTmSQKPj8/UWMrB4QNokI/AAAAAAAAvoY/Hm0Hvei_-Gg/s1600/Polka+dot+skirt+photoshoot+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJiTmSQKPj8/UWMrB4QNokI/AAAAAAAAvoY/Hm0Hvei_-Gg/s1600/Polka+dot+skirt+photoshoot+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 90% of our photos are really casual and portray our everyday life; PJ&#39;s, messy hair, dirty fingernails, scrapes &amp; bruises, snotty noses, well-played-in clothes... and guess what?... I LOVE THAT! But every once in awhile it&#39;s just fun to get all dressed up, put on a little lip gloss, pull out your best poses and look and feel extra pretty.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CVkjJwy79o/UWMmyUmm01I/AAAAAAAAvoI/DIhgy3-MjsQ/s1600/Twins+photoshoot+-+polkadot+skirts+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CVkjJwy79o/UWMmyUmm01I/AAAAAAAAvoI/DIhgy3-MjsQ/s1600/Twins+photoshoot+-+polkadot+skirts+2.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Besides simple body location prompts and an occasional &quot;chin down a tiny bit&quot; reminder, I let the girls do whatever they please. Sometimes it makes for an interesting set of photos... like this last time when Jocelynn decided that for the first few minutes she only wanted to do &quot;REAL model poses&quot; and didn&#39;t want to smile with her teeth, because she&#39;s still &quot;waiting for the other front one to fall out, and just having ONE looks too crazy!&quot; </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>ha!</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8FOTCT5C8Qw/UWMsFTOSfSI/AAAAAAAAvoo/yr9MbgNyWmE/s1600/Girls+photoshoot+-+polkadot+skirts+Jocey+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8FOTCT5C8Qw/UWMsFTOSfSI/AAAAAAAAvoo/yr9MbgNyWmE/s1600/Girls+photoshoot+-+polkadot+skirts+Jocey+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJ0qCJC4zcY/UWMtT0xSYaI/AAAAAAAAvo4/PqurzPxBd0w/s1600/kids+fashion+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJ0qCJC4zcY/UWMtT0xSYaI/AAAAAAAAvo4/PqurzPxBd0w/s1600/kids+fashion+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Yeah, this headstrong chick took me the longest, because I was determined to get a toothy <i>(ehhrr... toothless)</i> smile in at least ONE picture if it killed me.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Mission accomplished!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>wonder who she gets that &#39;headstrong&#39; trait from... hee hee</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8BUWHSMGnM/UWMsnrMNyYI/AAAAAAAAvow/74xJl4XjAvk/s1600/Skirt+photoshoot+-+polkadots+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8BUWHSMGnM/UWMsnrMNyYI/AAAAAAAAvow/74xJl4XjAvk/s1600/Skirt+photoshoot+-+polkadots+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> And then other times, letting these girls take &quot;creative modeling freedoms&quot; is the best payoff EVER!!!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NdrB-q4MCFM/UWMuNrTa2sI/AAAAAAAAvpA/Tj3-_tpU27E/s1600/Aubrielle+photoshoot+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NdrB-q4MCFM/UWMuNrTa2sI/AAAAAAAAvpA/Tj3-_tpU27E/s1600/Aubrielle+photoshoot+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/photoshoot-traditions-polka-dot-skirts.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/IjC9Hakaaa4" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com29http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/photoshoot-traditions-polka-dot-skirts.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-10124593349615191932013-04-08T00:02:00.000-06:002013-04-08T07:08:25.589-06:002013-04-08T07:08:25.589-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://familysharephotos.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/0/4/3704501/207550_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="FamilyShareGiveawayHeader" border="0" height="300" src=" http://familysharephotos.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/0/4/3704501/207550_orig.jpg" title="FamilyShareGiveawayHeader"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Mother&#39;s Day is coming up soon, and we want to honor YOU!</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">  </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> Between kids, spring break, projects, yard work, family life and the budget...we know that things get a bit tiring right about now. With Mother&#39;s Day coming up, we couldn&#39;t think of a better time to celebrate you.</span></div> <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">   But not just you... your Mom, too!</span></span></div> <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div> <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="" style="clear: both;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We&#39;ve teamed up with some other great bloggers to bring you the </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Mother&#39;s Day Pick-Your-Prize Giveaway Extravaganza!</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div> </div> <div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One of you will celebrate Mother&#39;s Day with your choice of one of these awesome <b>prizes for you</b> and one of these <b>prizes for your Mom too!</b></span></div> </div> <div align="center"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Tahoma; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://familysharephotos.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/0/4/3704501/3831213_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 13px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="FamilyShareGiveawayPin" border="0" height="600" src=" http://familysharephotos.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/0/4/3704501/3831213_orig.jpg" title="FamilyShareGiveawayPin"></a></div> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> #1. <a href="http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/page/home" target="_blank">5 Qt. KitchenAid Mixer</a></span><br> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">#2. <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/overview/" target="_blank">iPad Mini</a></span><br> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">#3. <a href="http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25472/D3100.html" target="_blank">Nikon D3100 Camera</a></span><br> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>GIVEAWAY DETAILS:</b></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>There are just TWO {2} EASY steps to enter the giveaway...</b></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div></div><a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/kitchen-aid-ipad-or-nikon-oh-my-mothers.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/j5sRxyHVFn4" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com37http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/kitchen-aid-ipad-or-nikon-oh-my-mothers.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-87521003554932858892013-04-03T23:39:00.000-06:002013-04-05T16:43:35.215-06:002013-04-05T16:43:35.215-06:00<div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> If you could have the perfect weather... what would it be?</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Mine is sunny, with white puffy clouds, 70 degrees and a slight warm breeze.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Well guess what? We&#39;ve had an entire WEEK of weather like that here, and have been soaking up every minute of it.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RS6ZdpTNNvw/UVzTX06fC3I/AAAAAAAAvi4/sI3RiUUN4yQ/s1600/reading+in+the+sun+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RS6ZdpTNNvw/UVzTX06fC3I/AAAAAAAAvi4/sI3RiUUN4yQ/s1600/reading+in+the+sun+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>I found Emberly on the front lawn yesterday morning, reading a book out loud and bathing in the sunshine. It made me smile. I love when my kiddos spend lots of time outside.</i></div> <br> <div style="text-align: center;">  There was only one day that it rained a bit... but even then, the colors that were left behind, made that tiny, little rainstorm totally worth it</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JpetqFvMdxw/UVzT1C1GiJI/AAAAAAAAvjA/DcXecvVIjbQ/s1600/Rainbow+after+the+rain+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JpetqFvMdxw/UVzT1C1GiJI/AAAAAAAAvjA/DcXecvVIjbQ/s1600/Rainbow+after+the+rain+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <br> <div style="text-align: center;"> Like I mentioned <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/a-happy-weekend-no-work.html" target="_blank">in our post this past Monday</a>, our cousins are all in town for Spring break, so we decided, since it was so nice, to take in a little hiking while they were here. Honestly, it&#39;s still a bit wet and muddy; not ideal hiking conditions YET... but it was so nice to just be outside again, letting the kids run around and spend some time together.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvHSE9tYbzo/UV0G_Dh2UgI/AAAAAAAAvlQ/gAEDatzrBG0/s1600/hiking+with+cousins+-+sunny+days+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvHSE9tYbzo/UV0G_Dh2UgI/AAAAAAAAvlQ/gAEDatzrBG0/s1600/hiking+with+cousins+-+sunny+days+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Spring is by far my most favorite time of the year, but the only problem is... it comes and goes so quickly! Don&#39;t get me wrong, one of the best things about living in Utah is having a good dose of all 4 seasons to experience each year, but this usually means that the ones you REALLY love <i>(like Spring and Fall)</i> tend to fly by a lot faster.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> :(</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <i>... this is where our confession comes in ...</i></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Right before and during the first part of Spring is the BEST time to get your yard ready for the warm Summer months... right? Well ya know what? <b>I don&#39;t WANT to spend time working on my yard</b> when it&#39;s beautiful outside and I could be picnic-ing or hiking with my family! It would be different if we had a small little yard to keep up, but that&#39;s not the case. Our yard is HUGE, and we have to spend a good part <i>(if not most)</i> of our Saturdays whipping things back into shape after just one week of growth. When we built our home on this lot 6 years ago, we thought we were super slick for getting all this awesome land and covering it with nice, green grass.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <b>NEWSFLASH: The bigger your yard, the more TIME you have to spend keeping it up!</b></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <i>ugh</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HRnDF1lKI0s/UVzgNpmoCiI/AAAAAAAAvjc/CsbCKtjgubM/s1600/Yard+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HRnDF1lKI0s/UVzgNpmoCiI/AAAAAAAAvjc/CsbCKtjgubM/s1600/Yard+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Between work, projects, blogging, kids and their extra curricular activities, we barely have time to keep up on the INSIDE of our house... and let&#39;s get real, nobody is good at everything and yard work is definitely our weakest/most hated chore when it comes to being a homeowner. I can&#39;t tell you how many times we&#39;ve had the following conversation...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DvulPUoRF-8/UV0Lg03kiSI/AAAAAAAAvlo/pNIuFVyHz7I/s1600/yard+work+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DvulPUoRF-8/UV0Lg03kiSI/AAAAAAAAvlo/pNIuFVyHz7I/s1600/yard+work+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>ok, ok, this isn&#39;t really a conversation we&#39;ve had, but yet I feel that there is some truth behind this cartoon, when it comes to Cason&#39;s silent, comforting, calming ways... and the topic of the yard.</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/our-yard-confession-tips-for-getting.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/NDH2KOLFskE" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com12http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/our-yard-confession-tips-for-getting.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-391610727701020352013-04-01T23:31:00.002-06:002013-04-02T10:22:54.394-06:002013-04-02T10:22:54.394-06:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Just as I promised, our Spring shelf decor is finally all done and ready for us to share today!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Don&#39;t get me wrong, the holidays are great, but I&#39;m extremely excited to finally have decor on these shelves that can stay up longer than just a few weeks!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eCmwR01T-DI/UVm6tN0MfQI/AAAAAAAAves/GSDqjuLQywE/s1600/Spring+Shelf+Decorating+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eCmwR01T-DI/UVm6tN0MfQI/AAAAAAAAves/GSDqjuLQywE/s1600/Spring+Shelf+Decorating+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I wanted to keep everything really simple and clean, but full of Spring colors that I knew would pop really well against our <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2012/11/diy-wood-planked-walls-tutorial.html" target="_blank">white planked wall</a>.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I found these moss covered &quot;rocks&quot; <i>(that are really made from light foam forms)</i> at <a href="http://www.zgallerie.com/" target="_blank">ZGallerie</a> on clearance, so I picked those up and put them into a $3.00 basket that I found at <a href="http://homeagainconsignment.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">Home Again consignment</a>.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z53YqRIE9L8/UVm-DCL-jZI/AAAAAAAAvfE/OPCpatPHBYA/s1600/Moss+covered+rocks+-+spring+decor+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z53YqRIE9L8/UVm-DCL-jZI/AAAAAAAAvfE/OPCpatPHBYA/s1600/Moss+covered+rocks+-+spring+decor+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">bird - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DownEastHome" target="_blank">DownEast Home</a>, pedestal - <a href="http://www.gardnervillage.com/shopping-at-gardner-village/down-to-earth" target="_blank">Down to Earth</a>, basket - <a href="http://homeagainconsignment.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">Home Again Consignment</a>, moss rocks - <a href="http://www.zgallerie.com/" target="_blank">ZGallerie</a>, pennant garland idea - <a href="http://www.margieromney-aslett.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Margie Aslett</a></span></i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> These awesome, over sized, colored, netted mason jars were a new product from Down to Earth at Gardner Village and I immediately fell in LOVE with them. I knew I could use them as decor, straight into the summertime as well.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1QaZIA5Vsc/UVnBGsYa4zI/AAAAAAAAvfc/1-CGXy7JW6c/s1600/Large+decorative+mason+jars+-+spring+decor+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1QaZIA5Vsc/UVnBGsYa4zI/AAAAAAAAvfc/1-CGXy7JW6c/s1600/Large+decorative+mason+jars+-+spring+decor+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The thin frame that I hung this green pip berry wreath over with a piece of burlap was one that I snagged up at a thrift store. You can spray paint an empty frame any color, to coordinate with your decor. It&#39;s a super inexpensive project and only takes a few minutes + dry time.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0YyJbjrFqw/UVm_kLi0B7I/AAAAAAAAvfM/TkmP4KWu63Q/s1600/Spring+decorating+and+vinyl+decal+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0YyJbjrFqw/UVm_kLi0B7I/AAAAAAAAvfM/TkmP4KWu63Q/s1600/Spring+decorating+and+vinyl+decal+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I&#39;d love to say that this cute paper pennant banner was my idea, but I&#39;d be lying. <i>ha!</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> My really good friend <a href="http://www.margieromney-aslett.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Margie Aslett</a> hosts <a href="http://sparktheeventonline.blogspot.com/2013/02/spark-your-spring-2013.html" target="_blank">online video craft idea workshops</a> every few months and I took her &quot;<a href="http://sparktheeventonline.blogspot.com/2013/02/spark-your-spring-2013.html" target="_blank">Spark your Spring</a>&quot; classes a few weeks back. There were so many fun, adorable ideas for home and everyday crafting, and this pennant garland was one of them!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>Thanks Margie!</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWdpEpUn__o/UVmz7W5cfyI/AAAAAAAAveE/mOUXjos5Ots/s1600/Spring+Decor+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWdpEpUn__o/UVmz7W5cfyI/AAAAAAAAveE/mOUXjos5Ots/s1600/Spring+Decor+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <br> Since Cason&#39;s been teaching Aubrielle how to sew, I commissioned them to assemble my little pennants together after I punched them out with my <a href="http://www.createforless.com/Fiskars+Lever+Punch+3XL+Banner+Year+3+in/pid214140.aspx?utm_source=googlebase&amp;utm_medium=cse&amp;cagpspn=pla&amp;CAWELAID=1467844172&amp;catargetid=1552968514&amp;gclid=CJ_Rx_aIqrYCFW7hQgodY2wAig" target="_blank">Fiskars punch</a>.<br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eeVvdApnefw/UVnNlNwcZnI/AAAAAAAAvgE/RGolNkByCNU/s1600/dads+who+sew+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eeVvdApnefw/UVnNlNwcZnI/AAAAAAAAvgE/RGolNkByCNU/s1600/dads+who+sew+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> </div><a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/spring-shelf-decorating-spring-fling.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/0Uz3Bfio7kI" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com33http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/04/spring-shelf-decorating-spring-fling.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-3434379721839767692013-03-31T23:39:00.000-06:002013-03-31T23:39:00.126-06:002013-03-31T23:39:00.126-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Happy, happy Monday everyone, I hope that all of you had a fabulous Easter yesterday!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I just had to share these adorable Easter photos that my great friend <a href="http://photobyemilie.com/index2.php" target="_blank">Emilie</a> took a few weekends ago with the girls, because they turned out so cute! <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2012/04/awwwh-snap-creativity-at-your.html" target="_blank">Last year</a> was our first year doing an Easter photoshoot with her. Our little chicks have grown up so much since then... and so have the bunnies!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbcX8E09XHo/UVj9bCLBHbI/AAAAAAAAvcw/UkZbREAKGUo/s1600/Easter+photoshoot+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbcX8E09XHo/UVj9bCLBHbI/AAAAAAAAvcw/UkZbREAKGUo/s1600/Easter+photoshoot+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> If you follow us at all on <a href="http://followgram.me/houseofsmiths" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, then you know our weekend was packed full of activities since a lot of our family is in town for Spring break and the girls are out of school. We took in a girls night out to explore and enjoy some beautiful scenery in downtown Salt Lake City and even caught an awesome dance performance put on entirely by a local, prestigious children&#39;s dance company.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLi3BGS9zoQ/UVkGgrlAOiI/AAAAAAAAvdQ/-n_T_onfC3w/s1600/Temple+square+-+GNO+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLi3BGS9zoQ/UVkGgrlAOiI/AAAAAAAAvdQ/-n_T_onfC3w/s1600/Temple+square+-+GNO+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEAy1luFPeo/UVkGL5At_qI/AAAAAAAAvdI/99bEz-RAh3c/s1600/Temple+square+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEAy1luFPeo/UVkGL5At_qI/AAAAAAAAvdI/99bEz-RAh3c/s1600/Temple+square+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We had a blast, and it&#39;s always fun to hang out with our girl cousins who don&#39;t live super close to us.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOBdwIstsmc/UVkHeP17iyI/AAAAAAAAvdY/q2Dl5GaAg_s/s1600/GNO+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOBdwIstsmc/UVkHeP17iyI/AAAAAAAAvdY/q2Dl5GaAg_s/s1600/GNO+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/a-happy-weekend-no-work.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/nHRnByIZanY" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com9http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/a-happy-weekend-no-work.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-8085690568294821062013-03-27T08:48:00.000-06:002013-03-28T09:31:09.374-06:002013-03-28T09:31:09.374-06:00<div style="text-align: center;"> I&#39;m not usually one for &quot;round-up&quot; type posts, but I&#39;ve been itching to share a few projects with you that I&#39;ve seen around the blogosphere <i>(yes, that&#39;s a word)</i> lately. Some are just freakin&#39; genius and others really taught me a thing or two, so, I wanted to share them with YOU!<br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2p9ebjyRyu4/UVRiKbDO9uI/AAAAAAAAvbE/Y62428N-Vmw/s1600/8+great+posts+you+should+know+about.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2p9ebjyRyu4/UVRiKbDO9uI/AAAAAAAAvbE/Y62428N-Vmw/s1600/8+great+posts+you+should+know+about.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Here we go...</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/2013/03/how-to-stencil-on-fabric-and-a-royal-design-stencil-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Scalloped Stencil Curtains</a></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> by Jen @ <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank">Tatertots and Jello</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Um... yes please! How great are these!? They look like they&#39;re straight from ZGallerie, but cost about a fourth of the price! Jen used a <a href="http://www.royaldesignstudio.com/products/large-scallops-wall-stencil" target="_blank">Royal Design Studio stencil</a> to create these fabulous curtains and has a full tutorial on her blog with helpful tips and tricks on how to get this look yourself.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5L4wsrPPVeU/UVIJTuB3h5I/AAAAAAAAvZk/bje-TGGmc8E/s1600/scallop-stencil-curtains-at-Tatertots-and-Jello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5L4wsrPPVeU/UVIJTuB3h5I/AAAAAAAAvZk/bje-TGGmc8E/s1600/scallop-stencil-curtains-at-Tatertots-and-Jello.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/tips-2/how-to-remove-permanent-marker-from-wood.html" target="_blank">How to Remove Permanent Marker from Wood</a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> by Beth @ <a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/" target="_blank">Home Stories A to Z</a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I had a friend ask me a few weeks ago this VERY question and I was totally stumped. I had no idea! Then while browsing blog posts one day, I came upon Beth&#39;s solution and was thrilled to forward it to my friend.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Who knew that something you usually keep in your medicine cabinet could actually work miracles, like removing kid scribbles with permanent marker!?</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhEcqxGmfzg/UVILH-abstI/AAAAAAAAvZs/5lGFZ_-ZrZE/s1600/how-to-remove-permanent-marker-from-wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhEcqxGmfzg/UVILH-abstI/AAAAAAAAvZs/5lGFZ_-ZrZE/s1600/how-to-remove-permanent-marker-from-wood.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/03/balsamic-asparagus-recipe.html" target="_blank">Balsamic Asparagus</a></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> by Elyse @ <a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/" target="_blank">Six Sisters&#39; Stuff</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> If I have to eat one more piece of broccoli, I might die. <i>Okay, maybe that&#39;s a liiiiittle dramatic.</i></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> I know green veggies are really good for you, but after months and months of trying to pack them into your diet, you get bored. In an attempt to try and mix things up a bit, this last week Cason and I tried the Six Sisters&#39; Stuff, Balsamic Asparagus... and YUMMO!!! I generally like asparagus anyway, but with the added balsamic, it was super delicious and flavorful.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Taf_Kzlu8W0/UVIMfWf1lyI/AAAAAAAAvZ0/c0SH7b7mee4/s1600/Balsamic+Asparagus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Taf_Kzlu8W0/UVIMfWf1lyI/AAAAAAAAvZ0/c0SH7b7mee4/s1600/Balsamic+Asparagus.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.thehandmadehome.net/2011/09/how-to-make-a-gigantic-polaroid-frame/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Gigantic Polaroid Frame</span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> by Ashley @ <a href="http://www.thehandmadehome.net/" target="_blank">The Handmade Home</a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Instagram photos, wall art, pictures of my favorite people/quotes/moments that I&#39;ve captured through my phone, all plastered on my wall to enjoy everyday...???</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Duh... I love this idea!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXzr8nDXgqs/UVIPKhO-dUI/AAAAAAAAvZ8/jNn89IWCrjw/s1600/the+handmade+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXzr8nDXgqs/UVIPKhO-dUI/AAAAAAAAvZ8/jNn89IWCrjw/s1600/the+handmade+home.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/8-great-posts-you-should-know-about.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/CYes5ctynek" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com16http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/8-great-posts-you-should-know-about.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-51590579381816948932013-03-25T12:17:00.001-06:002013-03-25T12:17:17.539-06:002013-03-25T12:17:17.539-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCTJgabDAw8/UVBQKDbtZoI/AAAAAAAAvTI/GKn_piScM1o/s1600/A+blogger&#39;s+office+makeover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCTJgabDAw8/UVBQKDbtZoI/AAAAAAAAvTI/GKn_piScM1o/s1600/A+blogger&#39;s+office+makeover.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>Whoop-de-whoop!</i> Who&#39;s ready for another Blogger&#39;s office makeover post!?</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> It&#39;s taken me quite some time to get around to finally posting about this little area of my office, the corner reading/relaxing nook... but here it is!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TKGbEjgXt4/UVBAGDDbZ0I/AAAAAAAAvRY/B1Qnjo3fk2c/s1600/Reading+nook+in+office+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TKGbEjgXt4/UVBAGDDbZ0I/AAAAAAAAvRY/B1Qnjo3fk2c/s1600/Reading+nook+in+office+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I couldn&#39;t be happier with how it&#39;s all turned out. I love it!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Even though this basement office is quite small, I knew from the beginning that I wanted to create &#39;zones&#39; in the space. Individual, specific spots where I could do different things or accomplish tasks.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Relaxing/Reading/Visitor Corner</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>(as seen above)</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2012/08/diy-framed-fabric-pin-board-bloggers.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Writing/Blogging/Inspiration Spot</span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2012/08/diy-framed-fabric-pin-board-bloggers.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VoeeF_PqwlY/UVB542p37SI/AAAAAAAAvTY/N6q0FesOC30/s1600/Office+Makeover+-+The+House+of+Smiths+Blog+(1).jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2012/10/diy-custom-office-shelving.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Project/Storage/Display Station</span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2012/10/diy-custom-office-shelving.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BoYGNy1dB9w/UVB6MzcrNjI/AAAAAAAAvTg/6yHTn6CbyWg/s1600/DIY+office+shelves+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I think, subconsciously, when I go into ANY new project around here, I tend to have the goal of functionality at the forefront of my mind <i>(well... at least really close behind pretty design and decor, ha!)</i>. This is probably because it&#39;s a necessity, being that we live in a small house. Even though it&#39;s sometimes harder to fit everything into the space that I want to, I&#39;ve realized that it&#39;s NOT impossible, no matter what size your room is... it just takes a little planning.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tRYt3jUSX8c/UVBBSs7A-BI/AAAAAAAAvRg/LmKUBDq-L_A/s1600/Small+side+table+with+books+-+office+makeover+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tRYt3jUSX8c/UVBBSs7A-BI/AAAAAAAAvRg/LmKUBDq-L_A/s1600/Small+side+table+with+books+-+office+makeover+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">small table - HomeGoods, books - Online, pen holder - World Market</span></i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/colorful-corner-reading-nook-bloggers.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/OC36Ur_NN_g" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com42http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/colorful-corner-reading-nook-bloggers.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-4166797457169464402013-03-22T08:03:00.000-06:002013-03-22T08:03:10.558-06:002013-03-22T08:03:10.558-06:00<div style="text-align: center;"> Have you seen all the fun colors for Spring 2013!?</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSg0-xIr8Qw/UUxd1kn6k-I/AAAAAAAAvQw/pVSWGpEH_bM/s1600/P1colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSg0-xIr8Qw/UUxd1kn6k-I/AAAAAAAAvQw/pVSWGpEH_bM/s1600/P1colors.jpg"></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> I&#39;m dying over the mix of bright, bold and airy shades that keep popping up all over my favorite home decor stores! The other day I was with a friend when we decided to pop into Anthropology and quickly became mesmerized by all the crazy-awesome patterns and colors that were splashed from one end of the store to the other.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz4kRDWiN6Y/UUxjaXTfnxI/AAAAAAAAvRI/srYCRTDMCYQ/s1600/Spring+Colors+at+Anthropology+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz4kRDWiN6Y/UUxjaXTfnxI/AAAAAAAAvRI/srYCRTDMCYQ/s1600/Spring+Colors+at+Anthropology+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Yes, it&#39;s true, most of these beautiful goods were way out of my budget, but it&#39;s still so fun to look! Remember... <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/5-tips-for-stress-free-restyle.html" target="_blank">never rule ANYWHERE out when shopping for decor</a>; if nothing else than to just be inspired.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/spring-colors-for-2013-tips-for.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/v2RB4BHNGDs" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com6http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/spring-colors-for-2013-tips-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-59430032940545839602013-03-20T00:01:00.002-06:002013-03-20T00:12:59.284-06:002013-03-20T00:12:59.284-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> For those of you who are new, or maybe just never caught it, last August I did a post about my new <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2012/08/my-insta-life-2012-album-project-life.html" target="_blank">Insta-Life album</a> that I started making from all of my 2012 photo-a-day pictures that I took on <a href="http://followgram.me/houseofsmiths" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I won&#39;t rehash it too much, but for me, iPhone photography has become practically the only way that I take daily photos anymore. Yes, I love my fancy DSLR, <i>always will</i>, but the convenience and ability to capture a special, maybe even once-in-a-lifetime moment with my iPhone camera <i>(that I always have on hand)</i>, is something that I will forever be grateful for.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Taking photos of everyday moments that I want to remember has become almost habit for me... which I love. Documenting my sweet girls practicing spelling words, snapping a picture of my kids walking home from school or getting the perfect shot of a beautiful sunset, are all precious things that I don&#39;t ever want to forget. That being said, I&#39;m sure you can image how many pictures I have... <i>it&#39;s embarrassing</i>.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> But last year, I promised to get those great pictures OUT of my phone and computer and INTO some sort of memory keeping journal, so that my kids and husband could enjoy these precious memories just as much as I do.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Yw554IiUbE/UUknFro53HI/AAAAAAAAvPk/bcoKppY3ou4/s1600/How+to+start+a+scrapbook+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Yw554IiUbE/UUknFro53HI/AAAAAAAAvPk/bcoKppY3ou4/s1600/How+to+start+a+scrapbook+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Let&#39;s get real, most days, I&#39;ve barely got time to comb my hair, so the idea of scrapbooking the way I would <b>want</b> to do it, has always seemed far fetched.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJu_I5o4FsY/UUks9ooS2DI/AAAAAAAAvP8/8wk2irp_EnA/s1600/A+day+in+the+life+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJu_I5o4FsY/UUks9ooS2DI/AAAAAAAAvP8/8wk2irp_EnA/s1600/A+day+in+the+life+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">An <a href="http://followgram.me/houseofsmiths" target="_blank">Insta-update</a> from 2 days ago... just keepin&#39; it real.</span></i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This is why I&#39;m SO SO SO grateful for <a href="http://www.beckyhiggins.com/products/" target="_blank">Project Life</a>.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I know I sound like a broken record to some of you, but I get questions asked ALL the time about Instagram journaling and general picture scrapbooking <i>(being a blogger who takes a trillion photos)</i>... so I just have to keep sharing and reiterating what REALLY works for ME, in MY crazy life!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I&#39;m sure most of you already know how the <a href="http://www.beckyhiggins.com/products/" target="_blank">Project Life</a> products work, but if you don&#39;t, here&#39;s the quickest rundown ever.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Album + Cute Papers + Photo Sleeves + Pictures + Pen = Done and DONE!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mwhmBO6BeSA/UUkGkGzeY1I/AAAAAAAAvOg/xZxaOF_qBeo/s1600/PL_HSN+Sale+Image_851x315-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mwhmBO6BeSA/UUkGkGzeY1I/AAAAAAAAvOg/xZxaOF_qBeo/s1600/PL_HSN+Sale+Image_851x315-01.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The best part, is that YOU only provide the photos!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Yeah, I know, overwhelming huh?</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>(are you picking up on my sarcasm</i><i>?)</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dalGvluVzRQ/UUkHdkx98MI/AAAAAAAAvOs/Ro8_ANQt6WM/s1600/Project+Life+024+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dalGvluVzRQ/UUkHdkx98MI/AAAAAAAAvOs/Ro8_ANQt6WM/s1600/Project+Life+024+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/how-i-make-scrapbooking-work-for-me.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/cvZBn0K_lg8" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com38http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/how-i-make-scrapbooking-work-for-me.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967375391825177401.post-53911393714407703572013-03-18T15:09:00.001-06:002013-03-18T15:40:52.173-06:002013-03-18T15:40:52.173-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Lately we&#39;ve been trying to address questions that we get asked over and over again, in post form, and one that we get frequently is:</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&quot;Where should I start if I&#39;m trying to change the look of my entire house!?&quot;</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2012/09/our-home-tour-kitchen-and-living-room.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4OBsuzOUyA/UUdBdyRPqoI/AAAAAAAAvKI/BeYnIN2XQ2Y/s1600/Living+Room+Before+and+After+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">yes, we have white cabinets now, but I don&#39;t have a pic of them yet. ack! need to do that!</span></i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> First, let me just say... I am NOT an interior designer; just a girl who loves to decorate and got lucky when I married a guy who actually has a passion for transforming spaces as well!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> So when I get questions like the one above, please know that I&#39;m right there with you! I STILL feel just as overwhelmed with room restyles sometimes, and even though it may look as if we&#39;re all smiles and projects... there are definitely meltdowns and <strike>second</strike> <strike>third</strike> fourth thoughts being had around here about almost <b>everything</b> we do!<i> (hence the reason that each project/room/space takes us so long!)</i></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  Now, as true as this is, we&#39;ve also redone our fair share of spaces at this point and embarked upon more than a few &quot;scary/risky&quot; projects... and just like anything that you practice at over and over again, you get better the more you work at it! I&#39;m not going to lie and say that we&#39;re &quot;pro&#39;s&quot; by any stretch of the imagination, but the fear and doubt about what paint color to choose or even <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2012/01/project-entryway-closet-makeover-part-1.html" target="_blank">wall to knock down</a> <i>(hee, hee)</i> has subsided quite a bit.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2012/02/project-entryway-closet-makeover-reveal.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DI0RBe2Wwco/UUdCOEF4FhI/AAAAAAAAvKQ/q8NCzaxs0YA/s1600/Before+and+After+Entrway+Nook+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> For this reason, I thought it would be helpful for us to share a few quick steps that we usually go through, when approaching a new space. Hopefully these tips will be helpful for some of you!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-KscfJUsf0/UUeJyq1LGbI/AAAAAAAAvNc/JiP5zpl84MM/s1600/5+tips+for+a+stress+free+restyle+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-KscfJUsf0/UUeJyq1LGbI/AAAAAAAAvNc/JiP5zpl84MM/s1600/5+tips+for+a+stress+free+restyle+-+thehouseofsmiths.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJBCSEk0gr8/UUdKDGrDUPI/AAAAAAAAvKg/qmyhn2MAuoA/s1600/5+steps+to+restyling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJBCSEk0gr8/UUdKDGrDUPI/AAAAAAAAvKg/qmyhn2MAuoA/s1600/5+steps+to+restyling.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Did you hear that? I said SPACE. Not house, not even room... just space. For one person that could be as simple as a shelf, a table top, a corner or yes... if you&#39;re ready, an entire room. Really, just whatever YOU feel comfortable with taking on and what your budget, time <i>(and patience)</i> will allow.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <b>Don&#39;t let the fun part of restyling your home become something you dread!<br>START SMALL AND TAKE YOUR TIME.</b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q4qKV6uQlz8/UUdIIMT5U2I/AAAAAAAAvKY/FVSxwKzQ960/s1600/Stress+free+restyling+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q4qKV6uQlz8/UUdIIMT5U2I/AAAAAAAAvKY/FVSxwKzQ960/s1600/Stress+free+restyling+-+thehouseofsmiths.com.jpg"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> We&#39;re working on our basement, and while the huge, blank, empty room seems a bit overwhelming, given how much we want to integrate into this space... for now, this corner seems a lot more obtainable</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> :)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/5-tips-for-stress-free-restyle.html#more">READ THE REST OF THIS POST &gt;&gt;&gt;</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thehouseofsmiths/ulLc/~4/uMrf0aX7O0s" height="1" width="1"/>House of Smithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12099675945654977574noreply@blogger.com30http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/03/5-tips-for-stress-free-restyle.html