Happiness and Giggles

I am interrupting the normal house-y stuff for an idea/concept/thought that I just couldn't shake. I promise these are far and few between but I just needed to get this one out and move along :)

Life had me pinned to the floor recently and I didn't like the view!! For several months now I have been contemplating many aspects of my life, analyzing my options and digging down to the core of the issues. Now I'm not going to get into any specifics here but let me just say that this week was the cherry on top and I'm not talking ice-cream folks-I wish I were!

So just when I couldn't remember the last time I had chuckled, truly laughed (ah sad, can't believe I am actually typing this) I reached for a treat, a little sweet pick me up, and this is what was staring back at me....

A cute little smiley face and I know it's hard to make out what the jell-o man is saying so I will repeat it... "Happiness is still legal in all 50 states". Wow, right on the nose I tell ya. I couldn't help but giggle; it was such a simple concept and yet very thought provoking.

Have I (or we all) become so hardened by the roller-coaster of life that we need a little inspiration (yes, even from sugar free jell-o) to smack us back into enjoyment? Have we forgotten how to smile, to say a kind word to a stranger or lend a helping hand? After all, the greatest happiness is to transform one's feelings into action (Madame de Stael).

So I urge everyone to do something that evokes true happiness within; whether that be helping out a neighbor, painting a wall in your home a bright color or eating a piece of chocolate. Whatever your source of happiness, hold on to it, keep it tucked away in your pocket for a rainy day but think back on it often and just....giggle!

Abraham Lincoln was quoted saying "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
So true! Happy Friday everyone.

I like you 'A Latte'

I wanted to get the gals at work a little special something for Valentine's Day and my original thought was something ooey-gooey, chocolatey or super sweet but then I realized this task would be a total sabotage to myself. You see, I am trying to keep portions in check and this fun little project would blow that whole plan out of the water. I had visions of the tazmanian devil whirling around in a fit, eating up all the sweets and I'm that "tazmaniac" :)

Instead I opted to make my first attempt at decorative soap. I know that many household/pantry items can be used to make soap and who doesn't like coffee, or at the least the smell of coffee.

I gathered my supplies:

• coffee
• glycerin (both clear and opaque)
• vanilla fragrance
• plastic molds
• old tupperware
• popsicle sticks for stirring

First I melted a few hunks of the opaque glycerin in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then stirred and put back in 1-2 times more for only 10 second intervals. You do not want to over heat the glycerin. Once it was all melted, I put a few drops of vanilla fragrance to the mix and then poured each mold about halfway. You don't necessarily have to use a store bought mold; you can use household items as well.  

Then I melted the clear glycerin the same way, different tupperware, and once melted I added coffee to it. I heard coffee is a good exfoliant but the main reason I did it was because it smelled good. Stir the coffee around to incorporate it throughout.

Then pour this mix right on top of the vanilla opaque mix. Let it set for about an hour; I put mine in the fridge and it took only about 35-40 minutes.

Once they are set, pop them out of the mold. I thought that this might be a challenge but the soap came right out. Easy Peasy!

For my containers I found these cutie patootie take-out boxes at Michaels for $1.00 each. I put white tissue paper in each as well.

I also wanted to decorate the soap a tad. I love the black and white contrast but it is afterall Valentine's Day and I simply cannot live without a little pink! I cut strips of hot pink scrapbook paper and wrapped it around the soap and taped it together. Then I added fun foam, glittery hearts to the top. :)

I think they are just so stinkin' cute! Now the boxes are ready to hand out to my friends at work. This is such a simple project but I think it makes a big impact.

Happy Valentine's Day! XOXO

Crush

I've compiled a small list of items that I am totally crushing on this month and thought some might peak your interest as well. Enjoy!

A trip around One Kings Lane and look what I spotted. If you have never been on this site you must check it out and besides its free to join. These throw blankets are THRO by Marlo Lorenz.

Isn't this whale one so cutie patootie! I wish I had a little one to purchase it for.

Sticking with the bedding theme...I found these great pillows at Pottery Barn and I.am.swooning. I'm a word/definition freak, maybe it was because when I was in trouble (in my younger years) my dad would make me copy words and definitions from the dictionary. At the time I hated it but now I'm very appreciative. Who would have known a punishment would ultimately turn out to be a blessing in disguise. :)

And check out these great pharmacy style, frosted jars discovered at Restoration Hardware. I love glass containers; you can do so much with them. I think these would look great in our master bath!

Dough bowls are all the rage right now. I love the simplicity and the rustic look of them. It's fascinating to think of all the hard work that went into bread making and these "bowls" (more like troughs) were the back bone of it all. The Nester talks about them too; that lucky duck has not one, but two(!) residing in her home.

image found at Pottery Barn

I've been on a search for a lovely chair for my home office. I like curvy silhouette's and they need to be "arm-less". I want the option to pull up my legs with my knees in my chest or sit cross-legged if I want; a chair without arms allows me this freedom. Check out this baby from Ballard Designs. Clearly I will not be buying it because of the price tag but it gives me inspiration to search thrift shops and Goodwill locations for something similar.

Maybe in a lovely fabric, like any one of these from Calico Corners.

So there you have it, my small series of crush worthy items for the home lover.

Stay tuned for the Valentine's Day surprise I have for a few of my gal pals at work; that is if I can manage to accomplish without totally wrecking my kitchen. :)

Crap Central

Sorry for the funky title but seriously could not think of a better way to describe this particular space in my home. Once you see the before pictures you will totally side with me and believe this name is perfectly fitting.

So as I mentioned here, I have been slowly organizing/purging my home-emphasis on the slow part. :) First things first, get rid of the eye sore that is our side cabinet area and bar. Seriously, this is one of those places that is constantly neglected and the unfortunate part is it is in the wide open for all to see.

I mean, come on...what the heck is my deal and what the heck is half of this junk?!?!

Lots of pens-half don't work, tape dispensers that should be in my craft room, Christmas cards! Oh my, its February Cass!

Random cords, plugs, batteries...even paint samples-what the what! Wow, I need to seriously get a handle on this.

And look, it isn't just confined to the one area! oh no oh no, it has now started to take over our bar! Help, stat!

So I spent a good half an hour on organizing this; I went through every item and decided what to toss out, what to keep and where to put this stuff. Funny, most of the items had a more efficient place to store them then on this small section of countertop. I asked myself "Why didn't I do this before"!?!

Ahhhhh....I can breathe! Isn't it interesting how an area that is in disarray seems to be "yelling" at you and makes a ton of noise within the confines of your own head. Well this did just that to me; I was constantly frustrated when I looked in this direction before but now...it's quiet. I shut the space up! Boo-yah!

Where did I put all the important papers and incoming mail, that seems to never cease; well folks we put it in our new wall/shelf/hutch thing. I have no idea what to call it but you get what I'm saying, right? The Hubs built it for me for Christmas, along with a side table. Isn't she lovely?

Oh and did you see...I picked out hardware...woot woot! Now I had every intention of picking from one of the selections I showed you here. You know, the ones I asked for your opinion on. Well you see what happened was, one outing to Home Depot (a different location then prior) The Hubs saw these and I couldn't resist their scroll-like features.

And aren't you proud...I didn't even have a matchy-matchy psychotic break when the hooks didn't "match" the knobs. I'm growing up...sorta :)

Love Birds

February is the month of LOVE and these cute little love birds made themselves quite at home in my "nest" this evening.

Aren't they just cutie patootie! And they are pink...love it!

Basically I found these cute little "bling'd out" birds in the dollar bin section at Michaels. I think they are intended for scrapbooking and I may use a few for that but right now I am thinking something super quick and easy.

I bought a package of magnets and went to work!

Just a tiny dab of hot glue and I have myself SUPER CUTE magnets for the fridge or maybe a future command center. Hmmmm...

Oh yeah...that's me...one bad mamajama...sitting on a "big girl bike". That's how I roll...ha ha-not really. Ignore the picture, it's really just there for contrast so that you can see the birdies better.

From start to finish, including the time to take the pics and play with the photo and arrangement, this took 5 minutes. No lie...WAY easy, which is how I like it because any more, I'm incredibly lazy. :)

Have a fantastic weekend!