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Sabtu, 04 Februari 2012

Under stairs storage and shelving ideas (Part 1)

Smart ideas for under the stairs storage and use. This is a unique shaped space which often goes underutilized for lack of creative ideas. Most people envision this as a storage space, but there are just so many ways you can utilize this space for a small kitchenette, book shelves etc. If you have a basement den, media room or games room, reclaim this empty space. Use this spare space for creating a more open roomy experience.

Once you see the possibilities of working with the shape and depth it would be an easy makeover! It is not just space smart but cost effective and a great way to get extra storage to organize your home better.

Perfect coat closet for the hallway or foyer. The space under the staircase is perfect! The bench with catch it all baskets is just so handy. Smart, but wish there were doors to keep it more private.


Another awesome take at closet space under the stairs. This storage space is so perfectly situated, throw in your shoes, shopping bag etc as you walk inside. LED closet lights would add to functionality.


If the space under staircase has a decent depth to it, make it into a smart little closet. Work with the shape and add high shelves and maximize the storage potential. Love this hidden storage surprise!


Most of us use basement for storage. Utilize every nook, use simple wooden frames to hold all your miscellaneous. This space would have been wasted, but now it just makes the basement more clutter free!


Another popular use of basement is as media room or den. Here the footage under stairs is make so slick and chic! Interesting shelving and easy reach makes it such a viable choice. Love!


One rule to aesthetics is to work with the shape instead of against it! This simple logic makes the staircase bookshelves streamlined and visually appealing. Contrast between dark wood and colorful book jackets almost looks like art!


Need some peaceful quite spot to collect your thoughts? Do contemplate on this design. Clever use of space and pleasing colors makes this nook into a cozy sitting area. Catch up on a book or work without any disturbance.


Different design, the shelves are recessed deep into the space. Light under the stairs add a cozy feel. The tucked away extra shelves are a good way to keep books within reach. An armchair and you have a perfect reading nook!


Innovative use of this alcove under the stairs! This little kitchenette is done in french country style and delicate colors. It would be perfect for a cottage in the countryside. Such a beauty :c)



Modern apartments are sometimes tight in space. This slim sleek yet functionally complete kitchen is an awesome innovative use of space. its aesthetically pleasing, easily accessible and yet such an example of space utilization!


Half landing staircases always have an alcove recessed under it. Most often its ignored, but creative design can transform it into such a friendly open kitchen! Imagine chatting away sitting on the stairs with amazing wafts of baking filling the air! Heaven :D


Great way to capitalize on small spaces is to push all furniture to the edges and leave the middle space of the room bare. It creates an open feel and its easier to move around. Suitable for basement, this laundry room is small in size but complete value for space.



Under stairs storage and shelving ideas (Part 1)

Smart ideas for under the stairs storage and use. This is a unique shaped space which often goes underutilized for lack of creative ideas. Most people envision this as a storage space, but there are just so many ways you can utilize this space for a small kitchenette, book shelves etc. If you have a basement den, media room or games room, reclaim this empty space. Use this spare space for creating a more open roomy experience.

Once you see the possibilities of working with the shape and depth it would be an easy makeover! It is not just space smart but cost effective and a great way to get extra storage to organize your home better.

Perfect coat closet for the hallway or foyer. The space under the staircase is perfect! The bench with catch it all baskets is just so handy. Smart, but wish there were doors to keep it more private.


Another awesome take at closet space under the stairs. This storage space is so perfectly situated, throw in your shoes, shopping bag etc as you walk inside. LED closet lights would add to functionality.


If the space under staircase has a decent depth to it, make it into a smart little closet. Work with the shape and add high shelves and maximize the storage potential. Love this hidden storage surprise!


Most of us use basement for storage. Utilize every nook, use simple wooden frames to hold all your miscellaneous. This space would have been wasted, but now it just makes the basement more clutter free!


Another popular use of basement is as media room or den. Here the footage under stairs is make so slick and chic! Interesting shelving and easy reach makes it such a viable choice. Love!


One rule to aesthetics is to work with the shape instead of against it! This simple logic makes the staircase bookshelves streamlined and visually appealing. Contrast between dark wood and colorful book jackets almost looks like art!


Need some peaceful quite spot to collect your thoughts? Do contemplate on this design. Clever use of space and pleasing colors makes this nook into a cozy sitting area. Catch up on a book or work without any disturbance.


Different design, the shelves are recessed deep into the space. Light under the stairs add a cozy feel. The tucked away extra shelves are a good way to keep books within reach. An armchair and you have a perfect reading nook!


Innovative use of this alcove under the stairs! This little kitchenette is done in french country style and delicate colors. It would be perfect for a cottage in the countryside. Such a beauty :c)



Modern apartments are sometimes tight in space. This slim sleek yet functionally complete kitchen is an awesome innovative use of space. its aesthetically pleasing, easily accessible and yet such an example of space utilization!


Half landing staircases always have an alcove recessed under it. Most often its ignored, but creative design can transform it into such a friendly open kitchen! Imagine chatting away sitting on the stairs with amazing wafts of baking filling the air! Heaven :D


Great way to capitalize on small spaces is to push all furniture to the edges and leave the middle space of the room bare. It creates an open feel and its easier to move around. Suitable for basement, this laundry room is small in size but complete value for space.



I am Preggers!

Hey everyone!  I have an announcement to make!!!

I am pregnant!!!

Here's the bump!!!

Yay… That’s right!  And I have been for a long time now.  Well, 5 1/2 months now. 

I announced it on facebook last week and now I am officially making my announcement here.

I am due June 1st with a little boy!

I will have 1 girl and 3 boys

After, I made my fb post, I received a bunch of prayers and support and I really appreciative for it.  I also received a whole bunch of questions like:

What supplements do you take?

How are you feeling?

What are you craving?

What exercises do you do?

What do you eat?

How do you manage kids, a home, a business and being pregnant?

I will answer all these and more coming up.  If you can think of any other questions, please leave me a question in the comments and I will answer it.

Thanks and have a great day!

Bonnie

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Rabu, 01 Februari 2012

What We Eat in a Week Party

what we eat in a week party

Yay!  It’s party time!  I am am so excited about this post and party!!!

Some of my most frequently asked questions are about what we eat.  I always wanted to write this post but to be honest, I always forget to take pictures, lol.  I know I don’t need pictures but you all know how I like them.  I decided that it would be easiest to just use my phone because that is always handy.  So I have been taking pics of my food through the week with my phone. 

My meal planning is always changing depending on the season.  I noticed during the winter season, I am making more hot, “chicken and potato” kinda meals and during the summer we eat fresh salads and BBQ almost every night.

Alright, let’s talk about meal planning! 

To be completely honest, I use a meal plan on and off!  I need to do it more but sometimes I have a hard time sticking to it.  I do think it makes it easier though.  If I do meal plan, I don’t plan out day to day exactly,  I plan more of what we will eat that week and then I pick the meal on the day.  Sometimes my husband works late so I like to make a better meal when he eats with us.  Since, I don’t own/use a microwave, I need to take my meat out of the freezer in the morning to defrost.

Many of you know that we choose to eat pretty healthy!  I buy most of our food at Trader Joe’s with the exception of our milk and eggs because we get those delivered from Oberweis.  I get all of our meal bars, protein shakes, sports drinks, and supplements from Shaklee and sometimes I go to the local farmer’s market.  We try our best to eat preservative free, very low sugar, no artificial ingredients, very little processed foods, mostly organic, dye free, low glycemic index, low carb, etc.

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I grew up eating this way and love it!  It takes more time prep time, cook time and clean up but I feel that it is worth it!!  My husband (who grew up eating tv dinners) loves how I cook and totally supports me in cooking this way.  He feels amazing and healthy!  Our kids are also great with it.  They absolutely LOVE eating fresh fruits and veggies and they don’t know anything else.

Let’s start with breakfast!

This is usually the same each morning.  I make them eggs, whole wheat toast/bagel, and a fruit (usually strawberries, oranges, blueberries, apple slices, raspberries or blackberries.)  They drink water or milk with breakfast or the occasional orange juice.  They also take a multivitamin/mineral, DHA chew, and a Vitamin C each morning.

If we are in a hurry, I will make them a breakfast protein and fruit smoothie, which they love.

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cinch shake for kids

Sometimes, I will make them oatmeal with flaxseeds.

Oats and Flax

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On the weekends, we like to eat a special, big breakfast.  My husband actually cooks breakfast on the weekend mornings.  He mostly loves to make a garbage omelet or something with eggs because that’s what he loves!

I love when he makes me my favorite… smoked salmon and egg sand on half a toasted whole wheat English muffin with cream cheese!  It is amazing!!

eggs and salmon

Sometime we will make homemade waffles or pancakes.  (We even grind our own grain.)  The kids love to help out!

strawberry waffles

I also love to drink Cinch protein shakes because it is a great meal replacement and helps me maintain a healthy weight.

I take my Vitalizer for Women and Vivix everyday!

vitalizer for women

vivix (1)

Next, let’s talk lunch!

For lunch, we eat a variety of different things.  Sometimes we eat leftovers but we mostly love to eat fresh fruits, veggies and a protein.  (I will pack similar things for Gracie’s lunch.)

Bananas Tomoatoes Grapes Raspberries almonds

lunch for kids

Sometimes, I will have another Cinch Shake but I will mostly always have my Cinch Tea because I love it and it keeps my going through the day.

cinch tea

Snacks!

We love snacks!  We eat snacks after we pick up Grace from school.

We will eat fruit, veggies nuts or popcorn. Sometimes I will have a protein snack bar.

apples and dipavocadotomatoeshomemade popcorn

I love to drink lemon water.

lemon water

Dinner Time!

Ah, dinner time!!  When I was taking pictures of our food, I had to laugh because it seems that I have been making chicken a lot, lol.  I do make it a lot but I usually mix it up a little more than this, haha!  Well, what can I say, that’s what we like.  I like to cook like my Mom and Grandma did… back to the basics!  I try to include a protein, veggie or two, and a healthy grain.  If you eat dessert, it is always a fresh fruit.

Here are some dinners that I recently made…

Baked Chicken asparagus peas potatoes Chicken and Brocolli Alfredo over gluten free spaghettichicken saladchickenbroccolicarrotsgreen peppersred peppersphoto-1photo-3photo-2photo-4BBQ Chicken Organic Green BeansSweetBaby potatos w oinions

Once in a while, usually on a Friday night, I like to have a pizza night!  We will order a pizza or go out.   Ok, I love Lou’s!!! lol

photo-5

Some other examples of our family’s favorites are:

spaghetti

tacos

chili

steak

chicken wings

lots of salads

beef stew

anything Mexican

salmon

You can see more of my recipes here!

I hope you enjoyed this post, you can follow me on facebook for more ideas because I like to post about what we are eating!

Now it’s your turn!!  Please link up your posts about what you eat in a week or tell me in the comments!!

I am excited to read about it and try some new recipes.

If you are linking up, please link back to me! Smile  Thanks

Have a great day!

Bonnie

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