Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Cookie Sheets

memo board

What do you do with all those old cookie sheets with rust from washing or just baked on caked on goop? No need to toss them any longer. There are a ton of fun ways to repurpose those bad boys!

lovely tray

message center

travel games

drip pan

teaching

travel desktop

The end result may not be ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies, but these ideas are just as sweet! xo

Bang. Bang.

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Why do brunettes with bold bangs look so darn chic? And why can't I pull this off?

His & Hers: Toys

My husband is on a kick to get us healthy - juice style. Gotta love him for that (and so much more)! As for me, well, I am the beneficiary of a new Canon and waterproof case that lets me take amazing pictures even under water! Now if I can just get the hubs to download Lightroom on my computer so that I can share all my wonderful images with you guys.

HIS

HERS

waterproof case

While the juice is tasty (sometimes) and makes us much healthier, I think I got the better "toy!" Tee hee hee. xo

His & Hers series is a weekly little diddy that Alli, of Hooray, and I started for fun to give you guys a glimpse into our worlds - two images at a time. Two pics, two perspectives, no rules. Play along with us! xo

Around the House: Old & New

tension rod

One of my very favorite things in Real Simple magazine is their feature on new uses for old things. Chances are, many of the things you have in your home can be used in a number of ways.  All is takes is a little out of the box thinking.

lazy susan

magazine holder

egg carton (holds mini-muffins = great welcome gift)

double sided tape

cupcake liners

shoe caddy

Fun right? Maybe the best part about all of these crafty creations is that they require zero sewing and little time. Ahhh...now that's a happy monday post! xo

Fabulous Finds

vest $7.00

So I got to thinkin'...if I just show you all the great items I scored in Iowa at the resale/thrift shops, that would just be bragging. But if I showed you how they could go from Summer into Fall and Winter, that could be helpful and fun.

The loot:

 orange flouncy mini-skirt - $6.00

sequin shorts - $16.00 (with original tags still on)

leopard pony hair kitten heels - $3.95

I also scored a pair of men's army green khakis for $2.95. They're slouchy and wonderful. I can't wait to wear them with the leopard heels. Oh baby.  My reason for showing you this is two fold. One - you can get a great wardrobe at thrift stores and places like Plato's Closet. Don't be afraid to shop those stores and DON'T be afraid to dig! Two - your summer items can carry you into Fall and beyond. Don't pack up one seasons complete wardrobe when another rolls around. They can merge quite nicely.

SUMMER: add a white or heather grey tank and you're in business.

FALL: a bit of gypsy glamour

WINTER: add a leopard scarf and this little number is both comfy and cute.

As for the sequin shorts...

WORK:

DATE NIGHT: side note - I scored that Theory tuxedo jacket at the thrift store for $3.95.

CASUAL: add black tights and bam, you're good to go.

A little thrifting goes a long way! PS - it's also a form of recycling. wink, wink. xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Ziplock Baggies

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I know. This isn't really earth shattering news, but now that my little has a lunch packed for him every single day... well, I felt compelled. I have long been a hater of the wretched ziplock baggie. For the record, why the heck can't they make those things recyclable? Anyway, I'm really enjoying the baggies I made for Jude's lunches and will be making more soon. I got to thinkin' about all you ladies out there who might not know how to sew or have the time. Here's a list of some pretty great snack bags that you can grab for a steal!

for work

This one has a clip for diaper bags and those little stinkers that think they're so clever learning the "pick-up" game.

for baby

with a drawstring

simple and sweet

for the dudes

It's time we ditched those plastic numbers. Agreed? Happy lunching. xo

PS - this blog is absolutely adorable for lunch ideas. This momma has creativity out the yang.

Cough, Cough, Sniff, Sniff.

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I'm sick. I feel like poop on a stick. Hope you're feeling better than me. xo

Around the House: Kindergarten

Today was Jude's first day of kindergarten. My goal was to make it special and not cry. I think I succeeded in both areas. This is what he woke up to this morning.

Yesterday I spent some time with my trusty sewing machine and made some "ziplock" baggies for his lunches.

The whole crew walked sweet Jude to school.

I think if the hubs hadn't been with me, I would have lost it. It was hard to walk away from that school and just leave him there.  He said to me, "Mom, 3:00 is a long way away." I said, "I know pickle." As I type this my heart is heavy and I miss him terribly. But, as I was reminded by my MIL, they can't stay little forever. (insert sad face here)

I will say that my friends an neighbors have been awesome. Friends have called, emailed, texted and prayed for me/us. And my dear neighbor across the street brought me flowers and a sweet note. I love my neighborhood! I am blessed for sure.

Come on 3:00 - get here already! Happy Monday friends. To all you Mommies out there with kiddos starting school today, my heart goes out to you. I now know exactly how you feel. xo

Weekly Challenge: Gear Up for School

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After two weeks of vacation and a Summer full of carefree days and random bedtimes, I thought it would be wise to gear up for school this week: early bedtimes, early mornings for me and the kids.

Their bedtime: 7:30 - success.

My bedtime: 12:00am - fail. I was shootin' for 10:00.

My goal was to wake-up at 6:30 and have the boys up at 7:00...

Their wakeup time: 7:30/8:30 - fail.

My wakeup time: 8:30 - fail.

Get school supplies - success. A bloody success.  Really?  Does getting kindy supplies have to be so hard and so darned precise?

Enjoy laid-back remaining days of summer - fail. Days were jam packed with friends, playdates, last minute errands, etc.

Soak in these last precious full days with Jude - fail. He's seen so much of me lately, he just wants to hang out with his friends. I can't really say that I blame him.

So, if you look at the numbers, that right there friends is 2 out of 7. EPIC FAIL! I'm hoping crunch time will be good to me. I've got to get this timing thing down - and I ain't to proud to beg for a few prayers. Please?  Thanks homies.

Happy, happy weekend!  See you Monday with a full report on the official kindy drop off. xo

Corn Fed Estate Sale

I don't know that any of my lovely items were truly corn fed, but I did score them all at one estate sale in Iowa - the land of corn! That's butter drippin', finger lickin' goodness right there. And it gets better, most of it was $2.00 or less.

 (the paper flower was made by me, after opening my vintage package of 15 that I scored for $1.00)

 (uber cool pop-up book)

 (I begged two women for this lap board desk - even pulled the "drove all the way from Texas" card. Thanks ladies for giving up this cool map/game board. It looks great in the playroom.)

This sweet little baby ben was only a buck and it works!

Next week I'll show you my amazing clothing scores. I'm pretty much set for the Fall. Iowa did me right baby! xo