A Farmhouse Living Room Makeover: Heather

     Heather and I go waaaaaaay back; practically to the birth of our daughters. We met through a Connecticut Mommy Group and, here we are, nearly 7 years later, still really good friends. A couple of years ago, Heather and her family purchased a farm up in Pittsfield, Maine and she's been anxiously awaiting the day she would give their beautiful farmhouse an interior face lift. The house was built in 1969 with the good ol' wood paneling throughout. Heather reached out to me shortly after I started my blog looking for insight and just an extra set of eyes as she began her farmhouse makeover. 

     Heather decided to start with their living room. Before the makeover, there was barely anything on the walls, and what was there had no meaning to Heather or her family. The beautiful, bright room was made dark by the brown couch and dark wood furniture. Speaking of the furniture, it somewhat clashed with the gorgeous wood floors. I was excited to help Heather brighten and freshen up this space.

     She began by purchasing a light, super comfy rug to break up the brown of the couches and the floors. She re-faced the coffee table and two side tables with chalk paint and some distressing. She then turned her attention to the walls. Something you should know about Heather is the fact that she's super crafty; a trait of her's I totally envy. Here I am over here perusing Etsy, spending a small fortune, and waiting several weeks for my newest treasures and Heather, on the other hand, decides what she wants and whips it up that day lol!

     She really wanted a picture in the living room of her favorite pig from their farm, so she set about having that made. While awaiting her pig canvas, she set to work making her very own quilt square and wooden, rustic sign that reads: "Always stay humble and kind." She added a rustic shelf and a few other similar knick knacks and then moved on to the TV stand. She repainted the black stand to lighten the space even more. She then set to work removing the clutter and adding a backing to the shelf unit. She put great thought into the detail of the items she put back on the shelves (painting wooden eggs to match those of her very own chickens); so beautiful and meaningful. I'm in love with her "new" living room space. 

     Believe it or not, this room makeover cost Heather less than $500! The biggest splurge in the room was the carpet that retailed for $299 (which was actually a Christmas present), so under $200 for the remaining changes, purchases, and DIY details. Heather has proven to us all that a nice change in your home doesn't have to break the bank.

     Continue to follow Heather's journey, here on my blog, as she  continues throughout her farmhouse giving it a new and amazing look...what room will she choose next?

Find out more about her and her husband's farm here:

www.outlandfarm.com

     If you or someone you know is considering making over a room in your house or are gutsy enough to take on your whole home, I'd love to be apart of it. Near or far, I love this stuff and would be happy to help, give my opinions, or just be another set of eyes on this adventure together.

Peaches & Petals Review March 2017

1. Yes to Cucumbers: soothing, sensitive skin, gentle milk cleanser. Yes to soy proteins and green tea for a moisturizing cleanse that won't strip skin.

*LOVE LOVE LOVE this so much! My skin is so sensitive. This cleanser is incredibly gentle and does not dry out my skin. There's even the slightest hint of a cucumber scent leaving you feeling refreshed and ready to start your day! 

2. Janis & Melanie Vanilla Wafers; USDA organic. Simple Ingredients Family Favorite.

*These were a huge hit with my kiddos. A nice after-school snack or throw a few into a baggie while we are out and about. They're very similar to Nilla Wafers. Personally, I prefer the taste of these J&M Wafers over Nilla. Super light, healthy snack that everyone can enjoy.

3. Sprigs Carry-All Belt in purple. Easy adjustable belt. Three pouches store valuables, hands-free.

*I'm not even going to lie. I died laughing when I pulled this lovely little thing out of the box. People, it's a fanny pack no matter what the packaging says it is ha! Although I love purple, it's not really something I'd get any use out of...then it dawned on me...I always struggle with a place to put my phone, license, money, etc when running = BAM! This pouch is small, stretchy, and can easily be hidden when worn. I have yet to use it but will let you know what I think after I have.

4. DCWV Lifebök. Daily Dose Journal. 7.5in x 9in. 36 sheets.

*I looooove a cute journal!! I may not always have time to sit down and jot down my thoughts, but this thing is so adorable that I'll make sure to find the time lol. Each page has different designs and decor and it's super bright and colorful! Just opening it up makes me feel super cheerful :)

5. Hello Breath Spray; Mojito Mint. Naturally friendly. 0.24 fl oz us/7 mL 

*I love this little guy! He fits right into my handbag/diaper bag and it's a refreshing replacement to gum or mints when I'm out of both of those items. Considering I love coffee and with three kiddos, don't always have the time to brush my teeth (ha just kidding...or am I?)...a little, refreshing spritz and good to go! 

     Several of you have reached out over the past few weeks and have informed me that you too have begun your search for the perfect box subscription for YOU. I love it! My boxes are fun, sweet surprises amidst a crazy, busy life and most of them are filled with little treats JUST FOR ME! I'd love to hear more about the boxes you chose and some of the treats you've received! Send pictures and details my way :)

I'll Show You What Makes Me Happy

     Soooo...I have even more exciting blogger news for you. I have recently teamed up with some other amazing bloggers and once a month we all come together for a collaborative link-up. Each month there will be a different topic up for discussion and this month we're talking about the things that make us happy. So, without further ado...

     Things that make me happy? Such a loaded question when I sit down and truly think about it. My answer can go one of two ways: selfishly or thought-provokingly? Is that even a word?

The easy answer to this is something along the lines of:

1. Money...money makes everybody happy, doesn't it?
2. Coffee, because coffee definitely makes an exhausted mother of three super happy...and gives me a huge burst of energy which is important too.
3. Shopping...shopping definitely makes me happy. About 99.9% of the time I certainly don't buy anything for myself, but that's not the point! Retail therapy always helps lift the spirits ha!
4. Food...any food really, but sweet food, especially chocolate!! Yeah, chocolate definitely makes me happy.
5. Sleeping in = DELIRIOUSLY HAPPY! 
6. Mani/pedis! I often don't do things for myself but a relaxing mani/pedi most certainly doesn't make me sad...
7. Vacations...who doesn't love vacations? Have you ever seen someone miserable on a vacation? I didn't think so...

     However, after sitting down and really thinking about it, I wasn't truly happy (coincidence? I think not ha) with my answer. Sure, all of the above do make me happy, but do you want to know what truly makes me happier than anything I typed above?

1. My beautiful babies' huge grins first thing in the morning and their sweet, contagious laughter throughout the day. Their genuine happiness and the fact that I'm blessed enough to witness it, makes me overjoyed!
2. A good, clean bill of health from our doctors and pediatrician means we're blessed to see another day. In the grand scheme of things, there really are not many days in one's lifetime, so being gifted another one with my family makes me feel happy and oh so blessed.
3. A clean and organized house makes me happy (and sane). It means we have a home to clean and organize. Having a home to call our own, to grow in, to make memories in, to make messes in, to learn in, and to love in...makes me happy.
4. Loving, caring, and loyal people in our lives and by our side...makes me happy. 

     Sometimes I have to remind myself of the hidden gems in my life. It's not the material things we own, it's not the money in our bank accounts, it's not the size of our home, or the amount of acquaintances in my life. It's the true, genuine friendships. It's good, healthy food in my belly. It's a roof over my head. It's clean clothes on my back. It's a happy and healthy family ❤️ With these things I'm the happiest, richest person in the world!

Our Coffee Bar

     

     If you don't know by now, coffee is an integral part of our lives. People and things that are important to Ken and I, deserve their own, special place in our home (for instance, our children have their own rooms)...also hence, The Coffee Bar ha.

     We knew, prior to moving into our new home, that a Coffee Bar was a must-have...no, in truth, it was NEED. The majority of our friends and loved ones are also big coffee drinkers so the Coffee Bar was a win-win, in my opinion. 

     A part of our new home that has not made an appearance on the blog thus far is our beautiful sunroom. Right now the space serves as a playroom for my littles and the State-approved daycare space for my daycare children, but I'm slowly working on dividing the room into 1. a relaxing, non-media family room and 2. a mudroom; both spaces will still continue to serve my daycare families. 

     The first project,that I quickly made a priority in this room transformation, was The Coffee Bar. I researched many different ideas on Pinterest and came across one that I loved and knew would work best for us. Finding all of the small, perfect details proved to be rather easy (the "R" for Rollo, the rustic Coffee Bar sign, a cinnamon bun candle, baskets, etc) but the actual Coffee Bar itself? Well...that was another story and took me several months of searching. Thank goodness for my patience, because I'm truly so happy with the piece we finally found. 

     This piece is originally from Canada, where it was pieced together from pallet wood; old, salvaged wood; recycled doors; and, finally, vintage church windows:

     "Bookcase sides are made with a recycled door bottom.  It has one fixed shelf made from salvaged wood.  The sides have been left their original chippy colours and the top is made from pallet wood (maple) and painted a combination of colours for a soft beach/cottage style.  The drawer pulls are reclaimed brass handles removed from chaple windows."

     There was a post circulating around FB a couple of months ago in regards to depression and the words written in that post couldn't be any more true when it comes to me and my home:

     "My door is always open, the coffee pot is always on, and my sofa is always warm and a place of peace and non-judgement. You are welcome anytime..."

From Farm to Table: Cheddar Baked Chicken

     I had a million and one other recipes to post before this one, but I made this for the first time the other night and it was such a huge hit with my family that I had to share it immediately. There was absolutely nothing left to save for leftovers. My family of 5 devoured it all.

     When I grocery shop, I will stock up on chicken breast when it's on sale, but then I'm always lost on how to prepare it. There's only so many ways to make chicken and I feel as if I've exhausted all of the options. That is...until I came across this recipe. Not only did my house smell amazing while the chicken breasts were baking, but it was so scrumptious! Hope you all enjoy this just as much as we did!

Cheddar Baked Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ready In: 50 minutes

Serves: 6

Ingredients

* 1/4 cup butter, melted

* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

* 1 teaspoon salt

* 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

* 1 teaspoon garlic powder

* 1 egg

* 1 tablespoon milk

* 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

* 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

* 1 cup crispy rice cereal

* 3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut in half

* 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a medium baking dish with 1/4 cup melted butter.

2. In a bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a separate bowl, beat together the egg and milk. In a third bowl, mix the cheese, bread crumbs, and cereal. Dredge chicken pieces in the flour mixture, dip in the egg mixture, then press in the breadcrumb mixture to coat. Arrange in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle 2 tablespoons butter evenly over chicken.

3. Bake 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until coating is golden brown and chicken juices run clear.



Spring Farm Table Centerpiece: Rustic Herb Garden

     

     One of the many reasons I couldn't wait to own a farm table was to interchange centerpieces for the different seasons. I love perusing Pinterest for all kinds of different rustic, farmhouse decorating ideas. I fell in love with this idea I found, because I love seeing greenery around our farmhouse. It gives our space a fresh look. It's also super convenient, while cooking, to pluck fresh ingredients right from our very own, little herb garden on the table. 

     Let me be real frank here, I do not have a green thumb at all. I tried my hand at gardening a couple of years ago and had so much fun with my kiddos. We planted strawberries and tomatoes. We failed, miserably, at the strawberries, but the tomatoes were delicious!! It was so fun bringing something to life and then enjoying the fruits of our labor on a delicious summer salad. My goal for next year is to have our own, huge garden blooming with tons of fruits and veggies but, for now, we'll see if we can keep these herbs alive ha.

     This was actually a very inexpensive project. I found the rustic box and herb labels on Etsy but the mason jars are cheap and can be found at any local craft store and the herbs were only a few dollars each. I decided, this year, to buy already blooming herbs to see if I even liked the final product. Next year I will attempt to grow them, myself, from seeds.

     I'm so thrilled with the way it turned out. It's pretty to the eye and smells so fresh and delicious when enjoying our meals at the table. In my opinion, this was a total Pinterest win!

Kloverbox Review March 2017

     I apologize for the delay in posting. Our family had a very busy weekend and I've also been busy, preparing and editing my blog post for CT Working Moms which is due to be published on Thursday. I'm getting a little nervous. This brings back memories of a Public Speaking class I took while living over in Germany. My fear of speaking in front of others has diminished quite a bit since then, but it still gives me butterflies nonetheless. I think there's a natural fear of judgment in us all. We want to be liked and accepted by everyone but, in truth, it's impossible to please everybody...

     My Kloverbox arrived on Friday, St. Patrick's Day. It's timing was perfect due to this month's theme: Stop and Smell the Klovers. It was a sweet surprise after such a cold, snowy week. 

 

 

Harvey Prince - 8.8ml Sincerely Mini Roller - $23.00 this eco-conscious fragrance is cruelty-free, vegan and safe for even pregnant mamas! Stay enlightened with Sincerely; the scent that opens mind and awakens your senses. Exotic, inspiring, and full of surprises. Sincerely whisks you away from the day-to-day. Find out more about all the wonderful products at https://www.harveyprince.com use coupon code HPK40 for 40% off entire purchase, valid for 30 days.

 

*Absolutely love this perfume. Mine is not a roller, it's actually a spray and not very mini, in my opinion. The scent is fabulous, not overly floral, which I'm happy about and not overbearing either. I wore it this past weekend and love the scent.

 

Love Myself Organics - Forever Lavender Blend Natural Organic Deodorant - $11.95 Discover "Forever" the most clean, organic, and natural deodorant that actually works! Coconut oil based, aluminum free, vegan, all natural and organic deodorant that keeps you fresh all day! It's great for me, women, teens, and kids. Forever deodorant is a beautiful lavender blend, scented with essential oils to detox the body while soothing and calming the skin. Use KLOVERLOVE20 for 20% off in the month of March. Go to www.lovemyselforganics.com and check out all the different deodorants and perfumes!

 

*I have yet to try this deodorant yet, but it certainly smells amazing. I'm a sucker for lavender. However, I am a bit of a skeptic when it comes to deodorants. Over the years, I've experimented with many different brands and only one has really worked best for me (Dove), so I'll be sure to come back and let you know my thoughts, once I've given this one a try.

 

 

Vag Magic - 7 count - $7.99 VagMagic is the fastest feminine care fix on the market - a concentrated, homeopathic, boric acid suppository system. Vag Magic can be used to treat and relieve symptoms of vaginal yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV). It's also intended for the general maintenance of vaginal pH. Eliminate unpleasant odor, relief from irritation, swelling, and infection, freshness without harmful douching! Vag Magic says "our mission is to make the world a fresher place by balancing its most delicate environment from the inside out." Find out more at www.vagmagic.com and use coupon code GETLUCKY for 17% off!

 

*...<hiding from pure embarrassment>...I am proud to say I have not had the need to test this product out and hope that I won't ever have to <continues to blush>...moving on...

 

 

Cuccio Somatology - Elixir Calming Spray - $8.95 This lavender and cardamom calming spray can refresh any room! The scent is relaxing and calming for a wonderful yoga experience or refreshment as a mid-day pick me up. This elixir spray can be used as a room spray or on a moist towel for a spa experience. Use coupon code KLOVERBOX25 for 25% off visit www.cucciosomatology.com and check out all the wonderful products Cuccio has to offer!

 

 

*Love this spray! I've been keeping it in the master bedroom and spritzing it every now and again. It's such a refreshing scent of lavender and may also help in relaxing us at the end of the day and providing us with good sleep.