DIY: Valentine's Coasters

Happy Friday, I thought this day would never come. For this post, I love decorating for different holidays, but in a subtle way. So, I came up with these easy Valentine's coasters. This project is inexpensive and can be done for less than $5.00. The outcome is so cute and would make a great gift

For this project, you need the following materials: cork board round coasters (they come in packs of 6 for $2.77), regular scissors, different edge scissors, Mod Podge, foam brush, scrapbook sheets of paper (they are around 59 cents). If you are a person that scrapbooks you may have some of these materials already. I do not, but I love looking at all the paper that is available.

Step 1: I did different patterns on each coaster. For the first pattern, I used a glass and traced around it.

Step 2: Draw a heart on the back side of the paper of a second piece of paper you have selected and cut out with regular scissors.

Step 3: Put Mod Podge on the back of the designed paper and glue the front. Make sure to apply glue all over generously.

Step 4: For another pattern, I traced both sides of the glass in the same circle. When cut out it will give you this pattern. Glue back of paper and cover over the top with Mod Podge. You can have a great time designing different patterns.

Step 5: I applied 3 more coats of Mod Podge, so that the coasters have a good seal against the condensation of the glass that will be on these.

Since it's the weekend and you might have a second or two to yourself (yeah right) I have a few blogs I would love for your to check out. Two of my friends have blogs, one is Cocktails and Sales by my friend Amanda. She tells of personal experiences, style tips and sales, and great places to shop that she has learned about since her move to Connecticut.

The second one is Letters the Lucinda by my best friend Cappy Troy. If you have every lost a love one in your life this blog may help you find comfort. Cappy kept a journal after her mother passed away and includes these letters in her blog. Every time I read her posts they touch my heart, because her mother was an amazing women.

I hope you have a great weekend and I hope to get something creative done. We shall see.

Thoughts on Pleggings

I hope everyone is having a great week. I am because we had a  hint of spring weather and I found out that my thrifted Steve Madden Intyce boots in this photo, that were $4.00, are still in the stores for $129. 00. Score!! Now, to the post at hand. I was recently reading a magazine that was asking the question, "Since when, did leggings become pants?"  Personally, I have been wearing leggings more as pants. The reason for this are there is a larger variety of patterns of leggings. Now for a random thought I have been having, since I am wearing leggings more often as pants I like to call them pleggings. Actually, I looked up pleggings in the urban dictionary. It defines pleggings as leather leggings. To me, it makes more sense that pants leggings are pleggings, like jeans leggings are jeggings( just my thoughts). Now, even though I do seem to be wearing them more often as pants, I do follow the rule of covering my back side. I follow this rule for two reasons, number one I am a mom and my daughters role model. Also, because usually legging material is not as thick as denim and it can be unflattering.

F21 Floral Leggings- Similar, F21- High and Low Sweater, Thrifted Sleeveless Denim Shirt- Similar, Thrifted Intyce boots - Found them at Steve Madden

I had the best news yesterday, I was featured in Mom.me's Mom Fashion Bloggers to Watch in 2013. I am so excited to be included with these ladies that have a great sense of style and are mom's.

Do you wear leggings as pants or just for causal like working out?
I am linking up for WWIW at The Pleated Poppy.

Driving a Wedge, that is Sneaker!

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was not a productive as I had hoped, but that happens when one of your rug rats gets sick. This post is on the wedge sneaker. I wasn't sure if I was going to partake in this trend, but after my foot slipped into one of these shoes, I knew they were for me. They are very, very comfortable, but give you the height of a heel. These will go great with everything. I can't wait until the weather warms up and I can wear them with a dress. These sneakers can be found everywhere. I found mine at Target, I liked the style it was similar to the ones that I showcased by Ash and Clay, but 1/4 the price.

AE Corduroy Mint Jegging

F21- Graphic T-Shirt

Target- Xhilaration High Top Grey $34.99

Ash/ Clay Bowie Suede and Canvas Sneaker $205

Do you think you will try a wedge sneaker?

Linking up at Visible Monday and My Style, Your Style.

The weather is cold outside, so get a project on!

This post is slightly long, but I love decorating. It is something I am passionate about and lately I am getting the itch again. I think if you live on the East coast or Midwest you would agree the temps have been slightly chilly. This weekend isn't looking much better, so pick a small room or two to redo. The first picture is of my laundry room. Most people are like hmm Carrie, you do laundry in there! Yes, I do and I unfortunately spend a lot of time in there and that is why I want it to be nice. 

The lighting in this room used to be this dull light. Well, I was talking to a friend of mine telling her I wanted to put a chandelier in there and she said, "I have one in my basement you can have."

She had this sweet number in her basement that she purchased at the thrift store for $3.00! So, it became mine. Thanks Cathi!

I took all the crystals off (gave the to my mom) because I am not a crystals gal. Sprayed it black and it was as good as new.

Took down my old light and put the new on up, all by myself.

So this was my room after light was up.

 A few weeks ago, I was feeling like I wanted to repaint my laundry room. I really wanted a rust color. The best way to pick a paint color is hang the ones you are interested in on the wall for a few days. Eliminate them as you walk by and that will eventually leave you with a winner. I love the change it can make and that it can be done in a weekend. The funny thing is my daughter walked in last night and said, "when did you paint this room."

So you say Carrie, I don't feel like painting, let's go to my second room. You could give your bathroom a make over. Bathrooms are easy because they are such a small space. I decorated my  master bathroom for under $60 and that is with some new towels.

This cabinet I have had. This was a little number I picked up at the thrift store $4.00. I think it was an old t.v. cabinet. I broke off a few things and covered the back with material. For my bathroom make over I recovered the back with some new material adding some new life.

You can also display jewelry in your bathroom. I use glass vases to display my bracelets. The metal basket was in my kitchen holding nothing useful. Make-up basket in the middle, just reorganized- needed desperately.

Add a new shower curtain. I actually don't need a shower curtain , these are glass sliding doors. I just like the texture a shower curtain adds.  T. J. Maxx on clearance $16.00. I had this full length mirror already. Every one should have one to check out the front and the back!

Adding a new rug in your bathroom can make a great difference.  This rug was $14.00 at T. J. Maxx. My mom hooked me up and made my curtain. Material for that was  $4.00.

I usually only have my mercury pieces out at Christmas, but I changed my bathroom to gray and neutral tones, so I thought these would work great around my tub. I love the silhouette is oh my husband when he was little.

These are more pieces I had around the house. Also, you need a magazine when in the tub.

When I am decorating a room I try to use things around the house I already have. You really don't need to buy more stuff, just rearrange the things you have. Also, shop around at places like T.J. Maxx, Marshall's, and Home Goods you really do get more for your money. That's why I show you the prices, even at Target (which I love) you are going to pay a lot more and not get these type of products.


I want to thank all of you for your support with the Circle of Moms Fashion and Beauty Contest.

Have a great weekend? Do you have a project to tackle or plans?

Glasses from Firmoo

In December, I ran a giveaway by Firmoo. Well, after my giveaway I took them up on getting a free pair of glasses(not name brand) with free shipping. This program is offer for bloggers (so check it out). I have had name brand glasses in the past, but the kids sit on them, loose them, drop them, you get the point. Because of this, lately I have been buying less expensive glasses. The glasses I picked from Firmoo were these fashion glasses that I had made into sunglasses.

I thought their fashion glasses gave me a larger selection for my style. I picked these because they have a slight vintage feel . One thing with the fashion glasses, when you add them to your cart , there are options to get them tinted for $4.95 and add UV protection for $4.95. Besides a great price point, I thought they had a great quality feel to them. I received them quickly and they came with a glass cleaner in this great case.

The cool thing about Firmoo is  they offer a program that provides free glasses to all new customers,  you will be expected to pay for shipping.  Whether it is a hot summer day or a 16 degree winter day(like in my photo) these glasses look great.

Have you ever tried Firmoo?

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product in exchange of my review in this post. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Dot Your I's with Inspiration

Happy Wednesday! I am always interested into how people get inspired to do things. I get inspired everyday through blogs, friends, magazines, celebrities, t.v., the Internet and the list could go on and on. Recently, when I was perusing through my J.Crew catalog. I came across a pair of polka dot pants (now sold out) very similar to the Forever 21 pants below. I have been looking for a dresser cafe' style pant for everyday wear.  The J.Crew pants were fabulous, but I wanted to have the pants and few other items. So for $16.00, these pants from F21 were calling my name. These pants are so very versatile, you will definitely see them in another post.  Both looks featured below with are very similar,  by just changing your shoes your look can go from day to night. I would love to be able to wear heels to work everyday, not practical or happening. So, my first look is for work and the second with my thriftef cobalt Steve Madden pumps is a night look.

F21 Polka Dot Ankle Pants

F21 Lace Front Sweater

How do you get inspired ?

Linking up at The Pleated Poppy.

 Today is the last day to vote for The 2013 Circle of Moms Top 25 Fashion and Beauty Blogs. I would really appreciate your vote. Thanks for all your support,  I know you guys are as happy as I am that it is the last day of the contest!

A Case of the Spots and Dots

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I am lucky to have a three day weekend and have taken advantage of the long weekend. I am still on my kick to try to see every award nominated movie. I was able to see Zero Dark Thirty and I thought it was another great movie. So, I was able to check that one off my list.  I also have been working on some reorganizing, which I will posting about later. Lastly, I went and saw my mom. She altered a few of my thrift store finds, so this weekend has been very productive and I still have today!
For my post today, this would be the only time when I would recommend to have a case of the spots and the dots. For this, I have combined two prints that I love dearly animal print and polka dot. If you are a little apprehensive of the whole mixing prints trend, an easy way to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe is by using accessories. One of my best and favorite purchases has been this H&M leopard infinity scarf.

H&M Leopard Infinity Scarf- Similar

F21 Dress- Similar

F21 Polka Dot Tights - Similar

Xhiliaration Puff Sleeve Moto Jacket, Consigned Laredo Boots- Similar

Do you have a favorite accessory?  What would you say has been your favorite purchase lately?

Linking up at Visible Monday, Monday Mingle , and My Style, Your Style. Make sure to check what these lovely ladies are wearing.

The 2013 Circle of Moms Top 25 Fashion and Beauty Blogs is really close. I am currently 27th, so if you could take the time to vote. I would really appreciate it and it will only take a second to click on this link and vote.