DIY Entry Organization Shelf

 

 

 

My little family uses our side entry more than any other at our home.  Our garage still has unfinished projects sitting in it so we don't park in there at the moment. Which means we don't enter our home through the garage and mudroom.  And while I do have a large pew in our entry, along with a few hooks for keys and coats, it hasn't been sufficient to keep up with all of our things.

 

This is usually how our entry ends up looking; coats, shoes, backpacks, and various other things strewn around as we all come in and dump everything. And it was driving me crazy!

 

 

While browsing Pinterest trying to find inspiration for entryway organization, I stumbled upon this blog post, and decided to use that plan to make an entry shelf with hooks. I really liked that it had a lip on it so pictures and décor could be displayed above. It only called for 1x8, a 1x4, and a piece of base trim to make the shelf.

I already had five hooks on hand. They were a brassy gold, but not in a cute way if you get what I mean. I decided to spray paint them with Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze paint.

This was such a simple project. All we needed was a nail gun, some wood glue and spackle, and some white paint to paint the wood.

 

We used wood glue to attach the 1x8 and 1x4, then nailed it in place with the nail gun. We repeated the same thing with the trim. After filling the nail holes with spackle and a light sanding, I gave the shelf a couple coats of paint and it was ready to be hung in our side entry.

My hubby screwed the shelf into the wall so it would be nice and sturdy and would be able to hold backpacks full of books. Once it was in place, I filled in over the screw holes with spackle and painted over it. Then we added the hooks. That's all there was to it.

I am so happy to have additional hooks to hang things in this space. It is exactly what we needed to make it a little more functional for us.

Remember this fun DIY Scrabble art? (See that post here.) I moved it over to this shelf from the gallery wall. I'm not exactly sure that I'll keep the items that are on the shelf there long term, but for now I am fine with it.

My girls were so exited to have somewhere to hang their backpacks. They both claimed which hook is their own and glad to help Mama by hanging up their coats and backpacks instead of leaving everything on the floor or piled up on the bench.

Shop Your Home: Get a New Look For Less

 

 

Over the weekend, I finally had had enough! I still had "holes" around my home where I had taken down Christmas decorations and just never put anything else back to replace it. A lot of my year-round décor items had been displaced during the Christmas season and were sitting on the floor of my laundry room, just waiting to be put back where they belong. I also had a lot of items tucked away in closets that had never been used. So, I got this idea that I would lay out my décor items, take stock of what I have. Maybe I could get a new look without spending money.



 





I began gathering my items, kind of grouping things that were similar by color or material. That way, I could get a visual of what items I had, and it would also help me to see ways to group things and display them in a new way.

 

 

By shopping your home, it also gives you the perfect opportunity to clean out and pare down. Really look at what you have. Are there items that no longer reflect your style? Are there items that can be updated and used in different ways? Take the opportunity to donate or sell items that you don't absolutely love. 

 

 





If you're at a loss for what to do with some of your décor, I really recommend doing this. It helps a lot to be able to see of the items you have on hand.

Shopping your home helps with:
*Visualizing new display groupings or pairings
*Deciding if items are to be sold or donated
*Showing you what you might still need in your space
*Utilizing items that have previously gone unused

 

Try it!

Friday Faves

These amazing free fonts!

 

//Go HERE to download these FREE fonts!//

 

I can't seem to get enough of this song........

 

 

 

And I'm thoroughly impressed with this one as well!

 

 

 

 

Just do yourself a favor and go like this Facebook page! I have been thoroughly entertained by these guys this week!  {{ Post by Friends of Cheatham County Weather.}}

Naked Cakes!

 I made this one this past weekend for a tea. I love the way they look! More details on this cake, the party food and décor coming soon in Southern Holiday Life Magazine! 

10 Little Known Facts About Me

We have some new readers to Cultivate Create (WELCOME!) and I thought I would share some little known facts about me, and show you some of my quirks and experiences that I've had that make me, well, me. Some of these things, not even my close friends know.

 

 

1. I experience Raynaud's Phenomenon (also known as Raynaud's Disesase.)

 











When I get really cold, inevitably, my feet start going numb and turning white. Generally my entire big toes turn white, as well as the bottoms of my feet and other toes in splotches. The only way to get them back to normal is usually to soak in a very hot bath, which can be a little painful in a prickly pins and needles type of way. Raynaud's often affects fingers as well, but usually it is only my feet that are affected.

 

This is NOT my foot. Just an image online I found to show you what happens to my feet.

It's a really good thing that I live in South Alabama, where the winters are pretty mild. I think I might be in trouble in more Northern states.



For more information about Raynaud's Disease, go here.

2. The thought of traveling into outer space terrifies me.

I know that this a completely irrational fear, seeing as how I, in all likelihood, will never be pressed upon to travel into space. But, the thought of being an Astronaut really freaks me out. I even have a hard time watching movies about outer space. Not Star Wars or Star Trek or those that are so far fetched....I really like those movies. I'm talking about the movies like Gravity or Apollo 13 that are more realistic. The thought of being outside of a space ship in the vastness of space when you could easily drift away to never be heard of again or just the possibility of dying from no oxygen is the most awful way I can think to die! Horrible. I. CAN'T. EVEN! Just thinking of it gives me the heebie jeebies! Okay. On to the next thing because I just can't........

3. I've never, ever watched any of the Godfather movies.

 

While I do recognize a lot of the pop culture references to this film, some of which I have to attribute to the movie You've Got Mail, I have never really wanted to watch it.

4. When I was in college, I got pulled over in Montgomery, AL and the MPD film crew was with the officer that pulled me over.

So, this is a pretty funny story. For those of you not familiar with MPD tv show, it was a locally produced show featuring the adventures of Montgomery, Alabama Police Department. Pretty much Cops, but in Montgomery.

I worked at Old Navy in Montgomery when I was in school at Troy. I commuted to work. On this particular night, it was extra late when I got off work because we had to stay late and do inventory. It was close to midnight when I pulled onto 231 to head back to Troy. I had not eaten dinner and was hungry and decided to stop at a Subway since it was the only thing open. I pulled into the parking lot, not noticing that I had pulled in the wrong way to a divided side road beside the store.

Anyway, Mr. Cop thought I was drunk. He pulled up behind me and blocked me in in the parking lot just as I was getting out of my vehicle. I was completely oblivious and had no idea what I did.

Then it happened. The film crew hopped out of a vehicle and came up behind my car. I remember thinking Great! I'm going to look like a criminal on that crazy show! The officer started asking me lot of questions....why I was out so late, where was I going, where was I coming from, blah , blah, blah.

I explained that I just got off work and was heading home right after I got my Subway sandwich. He asked for my license and I gave it to him.

He laughed and said, "So, you're from Opp. Well, that explains it!"

I couldn't believe he said that. Needless to say, I didn't even get a ticket or anything. It was an honest mistake and he knew that. I wasn't very good tv and I never made the cut for the show, THANK GOODNESS!

5. Being in a group of people really energizes me. 

(Well, this may be a more widely known fact about me.) I love parties and get-togethers! I tend to get a little over stimulated and talk too much and too loud, and random things accidentally fly out of my mouth, but I just can't help it. I have to say hello to everyone and make my way around the room.  My introverted hubby always discreetly tells me to chill, but I just can't help it. Really! Thankfully, my friends love me and don't seem to mind. ( I do apologize to my more introvertive friends!)

6. I have attended a movie premiere.

 

When I lived in New York City, my roommate Brooke and I were walking down Broadway not far from our studio apartment. It was her very first day in the city and I was showing her around our neighborhood. We came up on a crowd of people at the Loews Theatre and couldn't get around. We then realized that a lot of celebrities were getting out of limos and were going into the theatre so we stood there and watched. Then this guy with a clipboard in his hand asked us if we wanted to see the movie for free. They got a group of us from outside to go in and see the movie. They led us in through a side door, and up the escalator separate from all of the movie stars. We were given free soda and popcorn and told to sit in the very front of the theatre. Like the first rows where we had to look up at the screen. All of the producers and stars and director sat in the center and toward the back. It was so surreal. During the beginning credits, when names would appear on the screen, they all clapped for each other.

I got to see Chris Rock, Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Anniston, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman just to name a few. It was so weird sitting in the same room as these people. I wish I could've had a conversation with them. How cool would that have been?

And four more things really fast.....
7. I  have recorded an EP of original songs. (It's not that good, but it was an experience nonetheless.)
8. I tried Sushi for the first time while in Hawaii.
9. I fell at my high school graduation. (Quite easily the most embarrassing moment of my life.)
10. I went to a taping of Carson's Last Call with Carson Daly when I lived in New York.

Okay. There you have it. Some (mostly) little know facts about me! Thanks for stopping by and reading Cultivate Create! Be sure to join this site so you can be sure to get every post! And follow me on Instagram and Facebook. I'd love to connect with you!

Spring Dreaming

As I'm sitting here nursing a head cold or sinus infection, swaddled in a warm blanket, I am trying to think of something other than the cold bleakness outside.

Warm, happy thoughts.Warm, happy thoughts. Warm, happy thoughts.....

 

Just like a dream montage in Wayne's World (Oh, Dream Weaver....), I am dreaming of warmer days and more color!  Can't I look forward to Spring, and hope that Mr. Groundhog was wrong and it will come sooner rather than later? These cold, grey days are quite depressing. 

 

 

I started looking online for inspiration for my yard this Spring. There are some areas in our yard that I haven't tackled yet and I can't wait to get a game plan.  The past couple of years since we moved into our current home, we have planted a good bit of vegetables in our raised beds and they haven't done very well. Instead of spending a lot of resources on that, I decided I would just buy local produce this year to can and put up, and I would focus my energy on the areas in our yard we have yet to improve.

 

Here are some posts and photos that got me excited that Spring is right around the corner.

 

Containers:



//Via Little House in the Valley//

My eye is usually drawn to bold pops of color, especially when it comes to flowers. This color palette is so pretty; vibrant orange and purple, fuschia, and lime green. So pretty.

 

//Via TuBloom//

I like the way these planters have annuals planted around an evergreen. I think that is an Arborvitae or something similar to it planted in the center. That would make it easy to keep height to this planter, while being able to change the flowers out seasonally. That way, you wouldn't have to start completely from scratch each season.

Shaded Areas


//Via Carolyn's Shade Garden//

In our yard, we have a few rather large oak trees. That keeps a good portion of our yard in shade and those areas don't look so hot. I hope to add some shade tolerant plants to our yard this year, including hostas, starting in our front landscaping. I won't get to all of the areas this year because our yard is almost two acres, but I can get started.


//Via Simple and Frugal//

I thought this was a great example of how to plant under a shade tree. There is a variation of color and texture, albeit subtle, in just planting all those hostas. I am going to base my shade plantings on this photo.


Colorful Curb Apeal

//Via Organized Clutter//

I love it when gardeners have an eye for what to plant together to make such a pretty grouping. I'm not that skilled when it comes to plants, but I can try. I'd love to find a small area to plant a grouping with lots of different flowers and colors.


Try Something New

//Ranunculus Growing Guide//

I love, love, love ranunculus! I would love to plant some and be able to clip them for fresh bouquets. I've never grown them, but I want to give them a try. They grow from bulbs, which need to be planted now actually. If I'm going to have some of these beauties this year, I need to order some bulbs asap.

Thanks for indulging my warm-weather daydreams today. I just needed to take my mind off of being sick, and to look forward to something I really enjoy each year!

Valentine Snack Mix

 

 

Each year for Valentine's Day, I like to send a treat for both of my girl's classes.  This year, I made a sweet-n-salty treat that anyone would love. And I made sure I included lots of chocolate to please Katlyn, my oldest daughter. She is our chocoholic. She could even rival me for the Lover-of-All-Things-Chocolate title. 

By the way.....what do you think about the M&M bag? I just noticed it as I type this post. Rose in the mouth, monogrammed robe. That is quite funny!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of Cheerios (or store brand)
• One bag of Mini pretzel twists
• One bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• One bag of Valentine M&Ms
• 3 cups of Cocoa Puffs Cereal

***Makes approximately 30 half cup portions. 

I love recipes like this that are simple and taste good!  Combine all of your ingredients into a large bowl, mix and your are ready to serve.

 
This year, I measured out half cup portions into re-sealable bags. Then, I added a cute Valentine sticker to the front.  Bam! Valentine's Day class treats done. (I ordered the personalized sticker and bag sets from Jane.com a couple weeks ago.)

I'm Still Here

Hello, sweet friends. I'm just stopping in today quickly to let you know I'm still here. All last month, I spent trying to catch up with housework and getting Christmas put away, and generally trying to get myself into gear. (Remember this post?) Goodness, it has just felt like my wheels kept spinning and spinning and wasn't able to gain any traction.  Now, here it is in early February and I'm just now starting to move forward a bit.

Do you ever feel that way?  Some months you just can't seem to get it in gear? And for some reason, January seems to be one of those months each year that are like that for me. I don't know if it's because of all the busyness of the holidays caught up with me and my mind/body have had enough. Or maybe it's that weird winter depression thing that people talk about. I don't know. Whatever the reason, last month was just blah.  A few of my friends said the same thing about their January.  (I say bring on Spring, already!)

Normally, my blog goals are to post three to five times a week.  I have fallen short of that mark in 2015 so far.  I do have some projects that I have completed that I have yet to even photograph to be able to share with you.  And some exciting projects coming up that I am super pumped about that I'll be telling you about soon. So, that being said. I have to run. One of those projects is staring me in the face and I haven't even had a cup of coffee this morning yet. I'm getting my hustle on so I can share with you. Here's to the hustle and making the most of this day!

Valentine's Day Wreath

 

 

 

A couple of weeks ago, I was perusing the aisles at The Dollar Tree when I spotted some bags of some adorable little pom poms. I starting brainstorming about what I could possibly use them for. I wasn't exactly sure what I would use them for, but I grabbed a few bags anyway.  When I got home, I remembered that I had some wreath forms and wanted to make a wreath for Valentine's Day. Ding ding ding!! I could make a pom wreath.

 

 

Materials Needed:

• Wreath form
• 6-8 bags of pom poms
• fabric
• hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Embellishments like ribbon is desired

 

I covered a wreath form with white fabric just in case there were any spaces that might peek through the poms. I began by hot gluing the poms all along the inner and outer edges, then began filling in the wreath.

 



The finished product is a cute, fuzzy, little wreath for the month that promotes all of those fuzzy feelings of love. To top off the wreath I added a heart shaped cookie cutter in the center by tying it to a ribbon and hot gluing to the back.

 

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