A Quick & Thrifty Mailbox Makeover

Seeing as June is already coming to an end, I've been itching to do a DIY project. The trouble is life (work, kids, moving) has somehow gotten in the way! But alas, finally, a tiny project to tide me over...

I found the cutest DIY mailbox project on Pinterest and decided that our mailbox needed a makeover.

I can't believe I waited a whole month before attacking this project!

Materials used:

• Rustoleum's Oil Rubbed Bronze (ORB) spray paint. ($4.00)
• Red acrylic paint (53 cents, but already had it from another project.)
• Triple Clear Glaze spray ($3.77, I also had this on hand.)
• Elmer's Painter (marker) in white with a medium tip. (less than $2.00)

I removed the flag, painted it with the acrylic paint (because I had it,) let it dry and then sprayed the clear glaze over it to protect it. I put masking tape over the silver fixtures, spray painted the box with ORB (which took all of 30 seconds) and let it dry.

--> This is my favorite part because it was cheap and fast! 

No, I didn't stencil, no I don't own a fancy Cricut or Silhouette machine. I have a printer, that's it.

I picked a favorite font, printed our address on paper, taped it to the mailbox and wrote over the numbers and letters with a pen (slightly etching it into the mailbox) then I traced it with the white painter. This stuff is amazing. I may never use a paint brush again!

I'd say it turned out pretty cute! This was an easy (and cheap) project, hope you're inspired! What have you done lately? Leave me a link in your comment so I can see what you're up to!

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!

A Day In The Life Of A Retail Specialist

The days that I'm not working from home, I'm usually out merchandising stores. I just worked at an 8th grade Career Fair last week and tried to explain exactly what a retail specialist does. Everyday seems to involve graphic design, photography and phone calls!

Sometimes, I design plan-o-grams and wall elevations:

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Other times I'm moving things around and re-displaying them to help increase sales:

When I am at home, I might create an e-commerce store, design emails or create brochures for a client:

And if it's a particularly good day, I'm setting up client Facebook and Pinterest pages. :)

After six hours of talking, I wanted to say "Go to college and don't do drugs!" But seriously, in the end, it was a great opportunity to let students know that there are many great careers out there if you're willing to work hard and smart!

For The Love Of Turquoise!

Ever since I saw this duvet cover (from Young House Love,) I can't get it out of my head...

Unfortunately, I think West Elm no longer makes this one. :(

I've also fallen in love with turquoise, I'm finding it everywhere and not sure if Husband will agree to this color in our lake house.

Young House Love

And this kitchen, oh my...

House of Turquoise

What about this bathroom? Why is it not in my house?!?

Anyway, we'll see how it goes, maybe something small, or just one (or two) rooms...visit my Pinterest page and see what our plans are for our lake house!