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this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Words (and inspiration) by Amanda Soule.

Homemade Playdough

I've been wanting to make play dough since I saw this post on Bambino Steps.  This weekend, I finally got it together.  Being the avid chef that he is, Jude helped me make the dough, which is super easy, by the way.  And then, after demonstrating and explaining the importance of putting the dough away when finished (lest it dry out), the real fun began ...

 

 

I'm not sure who had more fun, him playing, or Jason and I watching him.  And when he was done, he did in fact clean it all up!  Homemade play dough is where it's at!  Next time we make a batch, I want to try natural dyes like this dough in Rhythm of the Home.  I also plan to try this sorting idea from Oh Baby O!  Then of course, there all the fun kitchen tools - garlic press for playdough doll hair anyone?  

Here's to simple play with endless possibilities! 

Midsummer Night's Dinner

Here's to meals not just homemade, but homegrown.  

Save on Suds

We wash our hands a lot in this house.  I mean A LOT.  We also happen to love nice smelling, natural liquid hand soap.  Such products are not budget friendly for a family with minor OCD.  So, I came up with a solution that sends less cash down the drain, but doesn't sacrifice the nice-smelling-natural bit.  Here's how:  We invested in a few Method foaming hand wash pumps and a big bottle of Dr. Bronner's Soap (the almond is my favorite).  

When the Method pumps are empty we fill them with about an inch of Dr. Bronner's and the rest of the way with warm water, mix, and voila!  Saving some serious change, one sweet smelling pump at a time.  As an added bonus, the foam makes it easier for independent little hands to get clean.

Happy hand washing! 

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Words (and inspiration) by Amanda Soule.

What A Difference Some Paint Makes

I decided I wanted to update our entry, and after realizing that cute entry tables are pricey, I turned to my good friend Craig and his list.  This little bookcase had the perfect dimensions and the perfect price ($15).

 One coat of primer and six coats of Benjamin Moore Advance High Gloss paint in Million Dollar Red later:

The color isn't as dark as the paint chip I picked, but I actually like it better; gotta love a happy accident!  We have so many books that I was able to sort through and pick the ones that look the best with the color. 

I picked up a mail sorter at Target in the hopes that the top of this bookcase could be reserved for flowers.  I would like to thank Jude for respecting books (and Jason for collecting them); without them, this entry bookcase would not have been possible.   

Here's to a welcoming entry that's just my style: Cheap and Chic!

Happy Decorating!

Polka Dot Paper Bag

I sewed my first skirt!  I saw this tutorial and thought, I could do that.  And then I saw this photo, and I thought, I know what fabric I could use!  (Yes, the skirt matches the chair.)

I learned a lot from this silly little skirt.  I learned how to install an invisible zipper (without a special foot).  I learned how to take the sides WAY in when it came out looking like a giant bubble.  And I learned that when it comes to fabric at my hips the mantra must be: "Don't add, subtract."  Oh, and duh, IKEA fabric isn't the best choice for women's clothing.  

It's still a little more bubbly than I would like and to be honest, if I tried it on in a store, I wouldn't buy it.  That said, it was fun to make, cost me next to nothing, and the lessons learned were well worth it.  (Not to mention the laughs I got before I took it in.)

Here's to sewing with a sense of humor!    

Dinner Plate Dahlias

Nothing thrills me quite like growing flowers the size of my child's head.

This particular variety is called Show N' Tell. I got it, and many of my other dahlias, from Corralitos Gardens.  If you are interested in growing your own, I highly recommend this nursery: they are very nice, super helpful, and the plants come as cuttings instead of tubers, which I found much easier to plant and grow.

Happy Gardening!!!

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