Where Pinterest Meets Real Life

I've made it no secret that I'm a Pinterest addict. But pinning, like many other things, is useless if you aren't actually putting those great ideas to work. So here are two of my Pinterest-inspired pins and how I used these cool ideas in our house:

Organized utensils

I found an old milk carrier at a garage sale. I was thrilled until I saw the price tag: $18! That's not in my budget. I fudged and used an old tin container (that was for planting flowers purchased from a dollar store!) and threw in some used jam and salsa jars:

Loved this idea with the coffee beans.

Coffee Bean Tea Light Decor

One of my clients actually put something even better together using a Mason jar, so I copied her idea. Isn't this pretty? And it smells good too, I added a hazelnut votive.

Project supplies and cost:

• Coffee beans $1.79 (grocery store)
• Hazelnut votive candle $.69 (Walmart)
• Ball Mason Jar $.49 (Goodwill)
• Vintage wire container $.99 (Goodwill)

What projects have you completed from Pinterest? Would love to hear how Pinterest has inspired you!

"Life Is Better At The Lake" ~ A DIY Project

We finally moved to our lake house. We've been waiting for this for years, for the right place, the right time, etc.

But even better? I'd been waiting to make my lake house sign! I'd seen one at a store for $27 and could not get it out of my head! But I knew I could make one cheaper than that!

Husband and I purchased this sign from Goodwill for $1.99. I was looking for just the right sized board and the price couldn't be beat! It also had the hooks on it already...

I spray painted it with Rustoleum's Olive Green spray paint. It dried fast because there was a strong wind coming off the lake. It didn't matter if it wasn't perfect, because I wanted it to look older and weathered...

My friend cut out letters with her Cricut and I Modge-Podged them on...

I sanded the sides to make it look more rustic...

Ta-dah! I will probably spray it with a clear glaze. (We cannot get over the view here!)

Husband said it should hang in our kitchen so we can look at it everyday. I think he's right. Stay tuned as we remodel and decorate using very little money, repurposing what we have and getting our craft on...

Creating An Organized Home Office

We're in the process of moving, again. Which can be agonizing and exhilarating at the same time. The up side of a move is that I can use all those decorating ideas I've pinned on Pinterest!

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Unbeknownst to my family, we might actually end up with a turquoise and white laundry room. Sounds divine, doesn't it?

{from Pinterest, of course}

The other area in our home-to-be which will have to be addressed asap, is the office. I'm going to need one to house all my techie gear and paperwork. (Why oh why, do I still have paperwork?!?) Anyhoo...

As usual, this home office will have to be put together on very little money. I emphasize that point because decorating/organizing can get pretty pricey. Husband and I have always tried to be smart with our purchases, but people, we have three mouths to feed (not to mention an enormous dog!)

So this means we will be repurposing instead of purchasing. With that being said, we'll need some inspiration, read this article on how to create an organized home office with ideas from my favorite place; Pinterest.

Happy repurposing!