Bathroom Update

Bathroom update: 
As usual, we are running a little behind but wanted to post an update on what we've accomplished so far.  The tile floor has been laid, the vanity has been delivered and the bathroom linen closet is painted!

I was not looking forward to painting the closet due to the fact that I either had to remove all of the shelving and brackets or try to paint around everything which I knew the outcome wouldn't jive with my type A personality.  Dreading the job, I was racking my brain of how I could create a short cut to get around removing all of those tiny brackets that held up our multiple wire shelving with still receiving an acceptable outcome.  


Then as I was casually browsing the children's section in Ikea- ha, not really I was battling with a toddler and I crying infant when I spotted the "Mala" craft brushes.  I figured that could edge each bracket using one of these tiny but sturdy brushes.  It HAD to work because I REALLY did not want to remove each bracket.  

That night, after the kids went to bed I removed all of the shelving and got to work on edging the brackets.  It worked!  It only took about 10 minutes to edge all of the brackets- a HUGE time saver!  After edging, I took a small roller to paint the rest of the closet.  The color I'm using is Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore, a beautiful bluish gray.  It turned out great! 

Below is the before and after. (We still need to add the white baseboards.)

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone!

   Today the boys and I had a very productive day.  We started the day by making a quick run into Target to pick up a few things and because its Target I always seem to walk out with a little more than I had planned :)  I picked up these adorable little "dip bowls" by Threshold.  I put them on a long plate I already had and placed it next to my stove.  They house my cooking staples- garlic, sea salt, etc.   

Next the boys and I met friends at a trampoline gym.  We LOVE going there- its something to do in the winter, gives them plenty of exercise and wears them out for nap time!

After nap, the boys had sensory play with pasta.  I love sensory play and see so many neat ideas on Pinterest, but I never seem to have all of the materials on hand.  I usually have pasta in the pantry.  Pasta sensory play is so easy and keeps the kids busy for .... 5 mins?    Jack loved pulling the pasta OUT of the bowl while Brooks wanted the pasta to be put back in. 

Then came laundry-I try to include the boys in my chores around the house.  Brooks loves to help me with whatever he can- cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.  Although it usually creates more work me in the end, I feel as though its important to make your home a team effort.  I want to raise my boys to be able to cook, clean, do their laundry, etc.  Their wives will hopefully thank me one day :)  

Hope you all have had a happy Friday :) 

Bathroom Face Lift

   

Hello!  
   Sorry I've been MIA for the past few weeks.  The following events turned me into a walking zombie just trying to get through my day!

   Both children developed colds- which lasted 2 weeks, my infant cut 6 teeth (yes 6!), had an ear infection and started to crawling, while my oldest son started preschool!  And to top it off, our bathroom face lift started!  Needless to say I haven't had much sleep as I have been stumbling between both boys rooms in the middle of the night.

We are starting to get back to ourselves and I'm SO excited for the boys bathroom to be complete.  I love our home, but it needed a TON of work.  The previous home owners loved yellow, primary blue and red.  Not a single thing (floors, countertops, walls, ceilings, etc.) were neutral colors.  I mean EVERYTHING was yellow, blue and red.  

Below is a picture of the bathroom- white and blue linoleum, white washed cabinets, horrible lighting, etc.  Not to mention the bathroom should have a double vanity in it, but instead it housed only a single.   Lovely huh?

Wanting to keep the bathroom on a modest budget we decided do everything ourselves except for the tile.  My husband is super handy and could do the tile work, but I knew it would be summer before the job was done so I hired a local handyman to keep the job moving :)

Here is my inspiration board- again I always try to keep things classic and timeless.
I'm re-using some mirrors that I already have.

Home Depot: Hampton Bay Chrome Lighting 

Lowes: American Olean White Hexagonal Floor Tile 

Paint: Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore

Vanity:  Bella 60-inch Double Bathroom Vanity 

Let the Christmas Festivities Begin!

This year we are hosting Christmas at our house.  I feel like I've ran a marathon with getting everything together and its only Tuesday! Tonight we had a much needed break to start off our Christmas.  

The boys and I meet great friends and neighbors for dinner and drinks. Her boys gave Brooks a bulldozer for Christmas (and Jack a train)- how sweet!  Brooks was in his GLORY with his bulldozer and dinner with his best friends :) What a great way to start off our Christmas!  

Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas!

I think its safe to say that he won't be letting go of this anytime soon. 

Jack's First Shoes

My youngest son Jack is almost 9 months- and is ALMOST crawling.  For a couple of months, I've been meaning to order him a pair of soft soled shoes.  I guess he doesn't truly need the shoes but he loves to take his socks off and chew on them.  Wet socks + frigid temperatures= cold feet!   I've been really good at recycling all of the clothes from my oldest son Brooks, but shoes are another story.  Plus, I think its only fair for Jack to have his own :)

There are a ton of adorable shoes out there, but I try not to spend a small fortune on clothes and shoes.  My boys seem to quickly out grow or wear out clothes and shoes.  Most of my shopping for the boy is done on Ebay, the clearance from designer websites, TJ Max, or outlet stores.  

For Jack's first shoes, I found these Monogrammed Robeez. If you get to know me you'll quickly find out that I LOVE monograms!  The shoes made from a soft leather and accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association.  Plus, my 2 year old thinks they are pretty cool :) 

Robeez Monogrammed Soft Soles 

Fun Holiday Pants for Men

During the holiday season my husband works A LOT.  To keep things fun and up beat at work he likes to wear fun holiday pants.  With the stresses that the holidays can bring, he likes to wear something that will make people stop and smile.  

Each year I add to his collection- I usually start searching right around Thanksgiving, because believe it or not stores sell out of them pretty quickly!  

My to go stores that I start my search are Vineyard Vines (they always have really fun pants), Tuckernuck, Country Club Prep, and Brooks Brothers.  

This year, I purchased the Clark Fit Holiday Fleece Embroidered Corduroys  from Brooks Brothers.  They were on sale for $64.00, plus they are having an additional 25% off your purchase until 12/23/14.  They are great quality and will hopefully be a hit this year!  

These are the pants that still brings the most laughs....

Even if your man doesn't wear these to work, they would be fun at your next holiday party!

Rubbing Alcohol- The Underutilized Disinfectant

Rubbing Alcohol is my favorite disinfectant in our home.  me, the clean freak and my husband the germaphobe -just kidding, but sometimes I wouldn't put it past him :) 

We use it ALL of the time- its works great on most any surface, is cheap, and chemical free.   It sits right next to my kitchen sink so its always handy.

Being in the middle of cold and flu season I thought I'd share my love for this inexpensive, underutilized home disinfectant.

Home Uses:

Granite Countertops  I find that my granite cleaners don't disinfect.  Great to use especially when working with raw meat, eggs, etc.

Knives After cutting raw meat, give them a little squirt then wash as you normally would.

Cell Phone Because I find my phone in my infants mouth, I try to remember to wipe down my phone daily.

Binky/ Teething Toys  I give them a little squirt before rinsing them VERY well.

Tooth Brushes and Razors  Helps prevent the spread of bacteria. Rinse well before using. 

High Chair Tray

Kitchen Table

Microwave/ Refrigerator Handels

Computer Mouse and Key Pad 

TV Remote 

Door Handels

The list is endless......