2 nd week of Thanks

 

I'm on a roll!  Starting the 2nd week of Giving Thanks every day this month.  Thank you for following along last week.  Some of you made the list week!  If ya missed it, check out last weeks posting (week 1).  As with most of you, the next few weeks are going to start getting busier and busier by the day.  But I vow to keep giving thanks and sharing my thoughts...

DAY 8:

As weird as it sounds...today I am thankful for the creators of cold medicine!  

I have the ever so famous "sniffling, sneezing, sinus ache, can't sleep" symptoms that accompany the common head cold.  Unlike my husband, or most men for that matter, I believe that cold medicine really does help.  And hey...even if it's all in my head...what ever works!  Nothing is more annoying than that tingling I'm gonna sneeze feeling that lasts for days!  Ok, maybe not being able to breath through your nose at all is as annoying as that watery eyes, scrunched up, need to sneeze face.  Lucky me, I have both!

I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is the worst of it and I will be back to "normal" this weekend!  Off for my afternoon dose of cold medicine....

DAY 9:  

Although I am able to breath a little more clearly today than yesterday, which isn't saying much, it's the warm sunshine that I am thankful for today!  Driving with the moonroof open and feeling the warm sun on face somehow made me feel better today.  Taking in deep breaths of fresh air, soaking up the rays, and being surrounded by the Fall colors made me feel so blessed today.  It's not as warm as the "weathers guessers" (as my stepdad would call them) predicted but I am not complaining about the low 60s with clear skies!  

After all....I have power and a home (unlike many people further up the east coast) and it's not in the teens (like my parents are dealing with in Canada).  And for heaven's sake...my poor friends in California have a national weather alert for "colder than normal" temps.  Sorry CA friends and family, but that made me laugh when I checked on your weather earlier today.  I'm not sure that high 50s/low 60s calls for a weather advisory!  Guess they just don't want you to freeze when you put on your flip flops with your sweatshirt.  ps...they laugh at me here when I wear my favorite sandals and warm, comfy sweatshirt! Guess it's my inner CA girl shining through.  

Thank you, God, for today's sunshine that warmed my face and spirit!

DAY 10:

I know I am in the minority here, but...I am thankful for having a husband who likes to shop!  We enjoy many window shopping excursions while we people watch and sip of coffee.  He will accompany me on crazy searches for those random items you must have but just can't find.  And, there are times he is the one who "needs" to get more ____, or wants to find another ____, or would like to replace ____.  In fact, when we are out, he usually finds & buys more than I do!  Today was one of those days!  Which leads me to another  thing I am thankful for... Kohl's!!!!  OMG!  Every time we leave there I wonder how they are still in business.  Today?  I left wondering if somehow they owed us money!  With their regular sales, a 30% off coupon, Kohl's Cash and an email $5 reward...Rob got several new work slacks and 2 great sport coats for $177.  Oh wait....at the bottom of every Kohl's receipt they print how much you saved....$364.13  WHAT???  We saved waaay more than we spent?  That does mean they owe us money, right?  Wink. Wink.  Thanks, Rob, for being such a good shopping buddy!  

And thank you, Kohl's, for your fabulous savings!

DAY 11:

I am so thankful for all of the men & women who has served, and continue to serve, our country!  It is because of these brave people that we are able to live free!
THANK a veteran!  Not just today, but when ever you see them!!!

DAY 12:

Thankful for Rob's new job!  Today is the beginning of his 2nd week and was my 1st visit to the office.  They had a Thanksgiving luncheon to get families and coworkers together.  How nice is that?  I got to meet the new boss and a few of the guys Rob will be working with.  It was great to see Rob happy and surrounded by people that will help him succeed!  I know working from home has been a blessing, but it's also nice to be in an office and have that support!  

DAY 13:

What a chilly fall day!  I love it!  I am so thankful for the drop in temperature (20 degrees over night) and the light rain showers.  I know, I know...those of you who keep up with me read that just a few days ago I was blogging about the warm sun and temps in the low to mid 70s.  Well...although I was soaking up the rays and enjoyed the warmth, it didn't exactly feel like Fall.  Today, on the other hand, was a chilly, gray day with showers off and on.  We needed the rain desperately so I welcomed it with open arms!  I turned on the fireplace, made a cup of tea, threw on my sweats and cuddled with the puppies.  Ahhhh....NOW it feels like Thanksgiving is a week away!  Love it!!!!

 

my first 30 DAYS OF THANKS!

This year, I'm gonna do it!

Every year I read other people post things that they are thankful for and I think, "What a great idea!  I need to do that!"  Not that I am under the assumption that anyone else cares, but what a great way to focus of giving thanks!  After all...I AM One Lucky (Heart) Girl!!!
But then....well, it's usually 5 or more days into the month and I come up with some "excuse" that I'm already behind and I should totally remember it for next year.  Do I?  Ha!  Remembering something a few hours later is hard enough!  Remembering something over 300 hundred days later?  Not gonna happen.
You might be thinking...Well, it looks like you remembered this year!  But I didn't.  I just saw a post this morning and was reminded AGAIN!  And look...I am only a day behind!  I can totally do this!  Perhaps I can inspire some of you to join me and give thanks each day as well.  With all of that being said, let's pretend that it's November 1st.

Giving Thanks DAY 1:  

I am truly thankful for the job offer that my husband received TODAY!  What a blessing in so many ways!  Listening to the joy in his voice as bespoke to his new boss on the phone made my heart happy!

DAY 2:

I am thankful that I am able to wake up to such happy dogs who share unconditional love for us.  Their wiggly butts as they greet us with pure joy and their happy puppy kisses on our face remind us that each day is a new day with new a clean slate.  A day to be excited & wag about!  Even if the day ahead doesn't look so great, it's still another day we have been given...here together!

DAY 3:

Technically I'm late...but since I just changed all the clocks in our house before going to bed, all my clocks say it's 11:330pm (still the 3rd day of November).  My guilt got to me and I had to post before heading to sleep.  And, as my husband pointed out, I was already thankful for today's topic.  Today, I am ever so grateful for the time that I have been able to spend with him (my husband) throughout the past 2 years.  We have both been working from home and have been able to do lunch together, stop for coffee breaks, see a matinee, run errands together in the middle of the day etc.  Spending today, Saturday, wandering around town with him made me stop and think about how lucky we have been!  As of this coming Monday things will change...for the better I assume, because he starts his new job.  Woooo hooooo!!!!  That means I will cherish our weekends together even more!

DAY 4:

For I am thankful for texting.  Sounds pretty shallow, BUT it has really helped me stay in touch with Mom.  She and Mike have been busy working in Canada for weeks at a time, with a week vacationing in California.  With the time difference between here on the East Coast, Canada, and California it could have been more difficult to stay in touch!  Luckily, through texting we were able to send updates about the weather, Superstorm Sandy, great meals that make us think of each other, CA sunsets and shared old memories, travels updates, flight info, etc.  Mom and I sent texts to each other today that made me feel like she was right around the corner, not another country away!  I'm not always huge fan of technology...but today I am!  Love you Mom!

DAY 5:

 Every night before falling asleep, my husband and I say "High-Low."  For those of you have seen the 1999 mobie "The Story of Us" (staring staring Bruce Willis & Michelle Pfeiffer) you know what I am talking about.  Those of you who haven't seen it (shame on you...everyone in a relationship should see it), High-Low is a time when you share your High/best part of your day and your Low/worst part of your day.  We have been sharing our High-Low nightly for over a decade now.  Thank you Rob Reiner for directing another great movie!  My point is...that sometimes during High-Low we cheat and say that there was a tie because we just can't pick the one best part of such a great day.  So, we say our top 2 favorite things that happened during the day.  WELL...today, I have a tie for 2 things I am thankful for!  (1) I woke up to two messages from dear friends saying that they were thinking of Rob and his 1st day at his new job.  I was surprised and touched!  Thank you, Jennifer & Heather, for making me smile and feel loved!  I am thankful to have you both in my life!!!  (2) I am so thankful that Rob is having a really good 1st day!  He isn't home yet, so I don't have the final verdict, but based on messages throughout the day he is happy and blessed!!!

DAY 6:

Today, Election Day, I am thankful to live in a country where I am free to vote, free to speak my opinion, free to choose my religion, and where I have the right to enjoy many other freedoms! 

“Freedom is the last, best hope of earth.”  - Abraham Lincoln

DAY 7:

I am so grateful that I am able to take Uli to his BARKS Reading program every Wednesday.  Having hm certified for Pet Therapy was one of the best things that I have taken the time to do.  Seeing the smile on the children's face when they walk in the room and see Uli wagging his tail is priceless!  And hearing a student, who struggles with and dislikes reading, ask us, "Can we read?"  WOW!  Uli is making a difference in these children's lives!  I am proud dog mom today!

Rockin' Raspberry Bars

Now that I am back to working from home and not in the classroom, I have time to craft, cook, and clean!  My heart goes out to all my teacher friends who are beginning another year with a room full of unknowns and uncertains! 

One new recipe that I found in the past few weeks (and sorta followed) is for these yummy raspberry bars using Truvia natural sweeter.  

I say "sorta followed" the recipe because I typically add or substitute ingredients.  Which is why I am much better at cooking than baking!  Baking requires you to follow too many rules...not a fan.

BROKEN RULE #1 - The recipe calls for 2 cups of low sugar raspberry preserves.  Being that it's summer and fresh raspberries are readily available, I used a pint of fresh raspberries.  I washed the berries and smashed them in the mixing bowl with 1 tbsp vanilla and some of the Truvia that the recipe calls for.  Then when the recipe says to spread the preserves, I spread my fresh smashed berries.

BROKEN RULE #2 - Although I have not cut white flour out of my diet, I do try to use less all-purpose flour.  Not being a fan of baking makes it a lot easier.  After loosing 60 pounds almost a decade ago, I have gained ~20 pounds back after moving to "The South."  Luckily I have lost 10 of those pounds but the last 10 just won't go away!  I know many of you feel my pain!  All that being said,  I and substitute it with wheat and soy flour.  The recipe calls for 2 cups, however,  as I mentioned...I don't follow recipes very well.  

Instead, I used 

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups wheat flour 

1/4 cup soy flour

I actually made two versions...one version where I followed the rules using 2 cups of all-purpose flour and one with the combination above.  I honestly couldn't tell the difference!  

These bars turned out DELICIOUS!  All warm and gooey topped with fat free cool whip or ice cream.  YUM!  We warmed them up for breakfast the next day with a cup of coffee and vanilla yogurt.  I most certainly recommend them warmed up and eaten like a cobbler a la mode.


recipe 

Let me know if you enjoy the recipe too or tweak it to fit your needs. 

DISCLAIMER... the raspberry filling gets HOT when you warm them the next day!  Don't come cryin' to me if you burn your mouth.

 I am excited to announce the new additions to my Etsy shop! 

 Check out the fun flip flops, more summer themed hair pins, and great bridal hair accessories at my Etsy shop

Calling all local North Carolina fans, friends, and family...

my LuckyHeart Creations can be hand delivered and are customized just for you!  We all know that despite the ever changing weather here in NC, we still wear flip flops all the time!  So get your 1 of a kind sandals (and koozies or hair accessories) before the holiday rush! Just say the word and I will match your wedding colors, college colors, favorite team, upcoming holiday themes, etc.  

Sandals aren't just for summer!

Order a zookie to match your college or favorite team's colors!

Wedding accessories for fall & winter weddings!

No More Tangled Jewelry - Finale

As you read in my last two posts, tangled jewelry is on my list of pet peeves!  If you missed that post ("No More Tangled Jewelry" and "Part 2 of No More Tangled Jewelry), check it out!!!  I shared my DIY ideas for organizing earrings (post, hoop, & long dangle), rings, and necklaces.  Clever, affordable, easy to do, and fun to look at!  

As a reminder, this is what the finished space looks like -  

Watches and Bracelets.... 

I am a huge fan of watches!  It might be considered an obsession.  Instead, let's call it a collection!  I had figured out what to do with the earrings, necklaces, and rings, but I still had a pile of watches and bracelets.  Remember that trip to TJMaxx where I found the bamboo silverware divider, which I painted and used for my rings and post earrings?  I also happened to find a nifty little wire rack (which I think is suppose to hold fruit).  It was already black and was on sale!  We all know what "on sale" at TJMaxx means...it was almost free!

 The cute stand that it's sitting on was also at TJ's!  It was part of a nesting table trio but they sold them separately.  Which totally worked for me!  And since it was the smallest one, it was also the cheapest!  The legs were already black, so I painted the top and Mod Podged (check this out)  my ribbon to the edges so it coordinated with my other pieces! 

 What a great place for my watches and bracelets!  I mean...for my watches!  Bracelets slip through the cracks.  Not to mention I need to leave room for future watch finds!

As for the bracelets?  
I thought you might be wondering.  Especially since they are displayed on the most random looking holder in my jewelry corner.  Did you notice it?  It's the odd panel of  L-brackets hanging from the back of the door.

A lot went through my mind when trying to solve this issue.  I was quickly running out of wall space so L-brackets came to mind.  I was going to mount them straight to the wall, but if we ever move, this stuff is coming with me!   

Instead, I mounted them to a left over plank of Beadboard (sold in packs of 3 at large home improvement stores).  And I had a few of those same upholstery tacks from earring project, so I used those to attach the L-brackets instead of nails.  As a reminder, I couldn't find the tacks in black, so I improvised with a permanent marker!  Wooo hooo Sharpie! 

I trimmed the top & bottom of the board with the same pink and white ribbon and glued made a loop at the top to hang the board from any hook.  

I had originally intended on simply using the brackets and not padding them.  However, as I began sliding my bracelets on the L-brackets I soon realized that beads and metal of the bracelets were way too loud against the metal brackets!  I needed padding.  

 Originally I cut a sheet of styrofoam into long blocks and pushed it down onto each bracket.  The foam split, got on everything and after all that was too wide and stretched my bracelets!  So, after removing all the foam, I used left over batting from my sewing pile.  I could have wrapped/tapped it tighter for those small elastic bracelets, just FYI.  Still ugly, right? 

  Cover with a kid's black dress sock, tie off the end with the coordinating ribbon and cut off the "toe" of the sock so it's not as obvious!

Now start stacking on your bracelets!  

Any bracelet that has a clasp is the easiest to get off & on the organizer.  Otherwise, you have to take off all of the front bracelets to get to the ones in back!

 Well....Now all my jewelry is organized, easy to see, and easy to grab-n-go!  It also allows me to see what I don't have (wink, wink)!

Hopefully you found some helpful tips, ideas, trick, etc.  Please feel free to Pin the photos and direct others to my blog!

 

And remember...ideas for other DIY projects and recipes will be coming soon!

-Kacy

Part 2 of No More Tangled Jewelry!

As you read in my last post, tangled jewelry is on my list of pet peeves!  If you missed that post ("No More Tangled Jewelry"), check it out!!!  I shared my DIY ideas for organizing earrings (post, hoop, & long dangle).  Genius, if I do say so myself!  

As a reminder, this is what the finished space looks like - 

 Now I would like to share my DIY ideas for necklaces!  

 

  

There are a lot of ideas that inspired me!  One idea, (using knobs) was a keeper that I had pinned and thought about making.  Another idea (using hooks) had crossed my mind too.  I thought the idea of hooks on a rod might just work for me.  But when I priced the curtain hooks and saw how wide towel rods are, it just wasn't going to work either.  Other ideas, and there are a lot out there, were usually too wide for my space or they were designed to hold groups of necklaces, thus keeping with the tangled theme that I trying to get away from.  I wanted mine separated!  

While shopping for K-cups @ BedBath&Beyond (they have a great selection of coffee believe it or not) I saw something that would work!  Luckily, I had a coupon, so I broke down and bought this set of 3 wire dresses.  By the way, this was the most expensive thing I bought for my DIY Jewelry Organizing, but like I said, I had a coupon!  

Luckily for me each dress was already black and had a center hook.  But I wanted more than 1 hook for each dress so that I could spread out my necklaces!  After searching and searching for small black S-hooks, I decided to make my own.  The hardware stores only sold brass hooks and most of them were too large anyway.  Instead, I used a roll of black jewelry wire (found at the craft store in the DIY Jewelry section).  

I simply cut the wire (using my husbands sharp pliers) into 2-3 inch pieces and bent them into shape.  (I have quite a few left for future projects!) 

 

By adding the extra S-hooks to the dresses they can hold ~10-12 necklaces each! 

Hopefully you found some helpful tips, ideas, trick, etc.  Please feel free to Pin the photos and direct others to my blog!

And remember...ideas for WATCHES and BRACELETS will be coming soon!

-Kacy

No More Tangled Jewelry

I think we can all agree that tangled jewelry should be on everyone's list of pet peeves!
Before we get started, I think I should say that this is a judgement free zone.  I won't judge you...you won't judge me!  Unless it's to tell me how awesome I am!!!

Here is how it started -

Perhaps you can identify?  In my jewelry armoire I had 1 drawer that was a massive pile of bracelets that I rummaged through based on what I thought I had.  There were side doors with necklaces piled on top of each other, because there were only 3 hooks on each side.  I mean, really?  If I was running late, which doesn't happen often because that too is a pet peeve,  a necklace was out of the question!  Then there were those tiny compartments packed with earrings.  I tried to keep them in groups of some sort of "theme" but I was always scrambling to find the mate for the earring that was perfect for today's outfit.  I can't tell you how many years it has been since I last wore some of my entwined necklaces, or those bracelets at the bottom of the drawer that I forgot I had, or the earrings that were "lost" in the mass of tiny earrings in a cramped space.  Are ya with me?

I have continued to be faced with a jumble of jewelry for many years now!  No matter where I was living; whether it be in a tint dorm room, a cramped studio apartment, a spacious house just miles from the beach (where you would think all troubles would disappear), or a cross country move to our very own home.  I have tried tackle boxes, plastic jewelery boxes from craft stores, a nice tall jewelry armoire...and nothing made a difference!  Until now!   (drum roll please...)

My very own DIY Jewelry Organizer

Thank goodness for March Madness!  My husband would be in awe if he read that!  I am simply grateful for the time it gave me to search for ideas!  What did I find, you might ask?  Keep reading....

There are a lot of smart people out there (mostly women I might point out) with ideas for organizing jewelry!  Whether it's for hanging necklaces using knobs (Etsy site), curtain rings (blog), and upholstery tacks (blogspot).  Or ways to organize watches and bracelets  (check out this blog).  Every idea I came across was great!   But they were usually too small for my jewelry or too big for my space in the closet.  And as you know, I can be a "Penny Pincher," so I didn't want to go crazy with the PayPal account, if ya know what I mean!

After all those hours searching Etsy, Pinterest, and countless blogs, I got creative and combined a whole lot of ideas (with some tricks of my own).  Here are some ideas in case you need them!

Oh...by the way... I will be posting my Jewelry Organizing Ideas in several posts as to not overwhelm you!  There is a lot going on here!

Let's start with EARRINGS and RINGS!

Being an artist myself, I loved the idea of using an old Painter's Drawer.  I saw it on Etsy (Etsy site) and Pinterest!  But I decided it was too expensive for me!  That meant I was on a search for a local old painter's drawer that I could use for my own DIY display.  Yep...it was still a little pricey and I realized that it was also a little too large for my space.  

Then I stumbled on this bamboo silverware holder on clearance at TJMaxx.  AWESOME!  

I spray painted it black since I already had the paint at home and wanted a black, white, and hot pink theme (which a pretty girly for those of you who don't know me very well).

After the paint dried, I measured all 6 compartments and cut foam to fit in each little section.  I decided to cut 2 pieces for every section so it was double padded!  

 

Originally I was going to use foam board (the kind kids use for school projects), but I found the Foam Sheet was easier to cut plus the posts of my earrings pushed into it quite easily!  This is where you picture me in the craft store pushing my earrings through all kinds of "foam."  Shhhh.....The holes were small!  And I made a purchase!

 Ta Da...All my earrings are together in pairs and are easy to grab in the morning and put back at the end of the day!

Wondering why the long section on the left is empty?  This is where I envisioned my rings.  I had seen a pin on Pinterest for a DIY Cigar Box Ring Organizer on  (by Found In The Ali).  What a fabulous idea!  I had plenty of old fabric laying around.  Too bad none of it matched my color scheme; except for the black felt I had!  Can I get a "woot woot!"  

So I cut it into squares (after measuring the width of 1 section in the bamboo box), sewed it into a tube using fishing line (which I also already had), and stuffed it with batting (yes...I already had that too!). 

 

I made quite a few and squeezed them into the area I wanted to be the "ring section," only to find out I need to make a few more!  So I continued making tubes until my ring organizing was complete!

 

Some of you may still be thinking about the earrings and wondering what to do if you have those fabulous dangling earrings.  Not to worry!  I too had that issue and could not figure out what to do until I remember seeing how other people hang them (lots of ideas here).  Out of all the ideas out there, I found that I usually "liked" or "pinned" the ones using screen.  That would mean buying screen, finding the right frame to hold the screen, possibly painting the frame, etc.  I saw one thing leading to another, and another, and another....

Instead, I used a canvas that I already had!  

 

I simply lined it with the pink & white ribbon and pushed upholstery tacks in the corners (which they did not carry in black, but a good ol' permanent marker fixed that).  While watching TV one night I punched a whole bunch of "Double Point Staples" through the canvas.  The staples have a little ridge on one end so it was was challenging to push them through, but the ridge keeps them from falling back out too!  I think I bought a pack of 60 for ~ $1.

Ok.  So I push all the post earrings into the foam in the bamboo box and all the other earrings hang on the U shaped nails in the canvas.  

What about all the backs to these earrings?  

I solved that too!  

No more earrings with missing backs!  They are now contained and easy to find!  The craft store sold a very lightweight "tray" and small boxes in their paper mache section.  I spray painted them black and hot glued them to the bottom of my canvas.  I guess I should have glued them to the bottom of the bamboo box, but I was trying to tie in the black from the bamboo box into the white canvas piece.  I was thinking with my artsy brain not my logical brain when I had the hot glue gun in my hand.  I'm sure someone can identify!

Hopefully you found some helpful tips, ideas, trick, etc.  Please feel free to Pin the photos and direct others to my blog!

And remember...ideas for WATCHES, NECKLACES, and BRACELETS will be coming soon!

-Kacy