Casual Elegance- Entryway Before & After

Hello!  How are you today?  Any big plans for the weekend?  Saturday is my birthday so I will be enjoying the day with my family and trying to not go into labor yet, lol!

We have another weekend contributor that I am so excited about!  I have been friends with Sarah, from Three Boys, for a long time now and think you will love her too!




Here's Sarah...

I am so excited to be visiting today, Thanks Bonnie for having me!

Almost 2 and a half years ago I started working on this entry way. I don't know why it has been such a struggle for me but I think I finally have it the way that I like it. Casual but with a touch of elegance.

Lets look back at what she looked like when we first moved in.

Please forgive the crazy pictures this was before my blogging days began.

First off I painted the trim and door antique white. Here is a picture with the primer on and one of my decorating attempts. There were MANY more...

Finally after all of this time, it FINALLY came together and it really wan't as complicated as I had anticipated. Quick chandelier makeover from silver to gold with a bit of rub n' buff. You can see my attempt at a gallery wall in the background. FAIL.

After- didn't even have to take it down to refinish, score!

I have to say I love this space, open, casual, with a touch of elegance.

The sketches on the left were done by my grandfather while he was in art school back in the 50's. I love looking at them each day when I walk down the stairs.

The rug is an antique turkish rug from a thrift store I picked up last Mother's day. The bench and mirror are from Potterybarn.

I can finally check this room off of my to-do list from 2011...

More Posts To check Out:

Dining Room Turned Library

Kitchen Makeover For $50

My Weight Loss Story- before and after

Thanks so much Sarah! :)

Don't you just LOVE her entryway?

I hope that you all have a great weekend!

Bonnie :)

MAY IS WOMEN'S HEALTH MONTH

This Month's Feature

MAY IS WOMEN'S HEALTH MONTH

 

 

 

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I take this daily and can't imagine my life without it!! :)  If you want to feel amazing, look great and get healthy, try this and if you don't like it, you can get your money back! 

Have a great day!

Bonnie :)

My Basement Office

Hello! :)  I am excited to finally share my basement office with you.  I am not done yet but this is how it looks now.  

(Sorry about the basement lighting.)

I bought these bookshelves at Ikea and love them!! :)  The desk is from Ikea too but I found it at Goodwill for only $13! The chair is Pottery Barn from my kitchen table right now, ha!

Right now, I just filled the shelves with what I already had.

On the left, I have my Tiffany bowl that I earned from Shaklee, my photo and book.  I still need to frame my Roger photo!

I put some of my books and other goodies on the shelf too!  I have more books than this but they are spread all over the house.

I still need to frame my certificate.  Ah, I love my Tiffany Box (Thanks Shaklee)!

I am just using this shelf for decor right now.

Again, I am just using what I have.

I like the nature theme, it goes with Shaklee's earth friendly business and products.

These flowers are sweet.

I put some product on the shelf for now.

I have to have a picture of Roger and me from the New Director's Conference!

Here is another photo from the trip.  I still need to frame this one too.

Here is another view.  

Next, I want to fill the walls with photos and other things.  I am not sure yet what I will do for sure.  I am moving very slow but I am in no hurry at all!

I also want to hang something on this wall.

So, this is where I am at now.  I still have more work to do down here.  

I am organizing files too! :)  I just want to move slow and do it right.

Do you have an office?  What do you like best about it?

Have a great day!

Bonnie :)

Nesting! Organized Kitchen

I hope that you all enjoyed your weekend and if you are a Mother, I hope you were able to relax and enjoy on Sunday!  

I really enjoyed myself yesterday which was way overdue! I took 4 naps in two days, lol!  I didn't know that was possible but I needed it so I took full advantage!! :)  I have been working sooo hard around the house, with the family and with my business.  The blog took a little beating but I am back!  

Last week, I re-organized my kitchen!  I try to do this several times a year because...well...it needs it, lol!

I went through all our crafts and made sure we are ready for any summer crafts activities or rainy day fun!

I also got our summer workbooks organized!  I want to do a simple, summer homeschool program with them.  I don't want to do too much but I don't want them to forget everything over the summer either.  Plus, my kids really enjoy this so it works for us! :)

I had my momma's helper help me with this cabinet.  I really can't bend over to organize this and she did a great job!  I hate organizing these so I end up just throwing them under the cabinet and quickly closing the door.  I know, I am so lame but oh well! LOL!

I REALLY simplified my cookbooks!  I mostly go online so I felt like I could cutback on the books.

The bottom shelf of this cabinet  is where I keep my camera so it is always handy!

I went through old paperwork and cleared out any junk!  

I love having open space now!

We don't really make a lot of coffee so we keep our coffee maker in a cabinet instead of on the counter.  

I enjoy an empty counter.

Our pot and pans cabinet also received a quick re-do!

I went through my baking cabinet.

I made sure everything was in the right spot!

I use the cabinet daily so I like to know where everything is.

I also did a quick re-do under my sink.  I even took out my liner and washed it.  (It really needed it!)

I love having everything so organized! :)

I bought new organizers for our silverware!  You don't even want to know what I used to do with these!! Ok, I will tell you.  I just threw everything in the drawer and that worked for me. HAHA!  I know, LAZY!!  I am better now!

This was just my kitchen!  I went through my WHOLE house and did this to EVERY room!! I even had a garage sale last weekend!  I feel great now but it was a ton of work for me.  I had some house guest last week and that was very motivating for me.  I will post all about that soon.  I also feel a little closer to having the baby so that is good too!

Did you "nest" your house?  What did you do?  I would love to hear about it.

Have a great day!

Bonnie :)

How to Pamper Yourself at Home

Hello everyone! 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

I hope that you are having a great day so far!  

What are you doing?

We went to church this morning and now we are doing nothing!!  Scott asked me what I wanted to do and I just want to relax with my family so that is what we are doing.  Scott and the kids made my awesome egg and salmon english muffin sandwich with fresh fruit (in a smilie face).

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Today, I want to share some great ways you can pamper yourself at home!

Here are my top tips…

10 WAYS TO PAMPER YOURSELF AT HOME

1. Take a 5 minute coffee/tea break.   

This is an easy thing for anyone to do.  Sometimes, just letting your mind clear and getting an extra boost is just what you need to get through the day!

 

2. Play relaxing music.  

I found an free app that has great melodies that are great for relaxing! Soft music can really relax everyone, including the kids.

 

3. Give yourself a manicure.  

This won’t take too long but totally worth it!  I LOVE having nice nails and I love the OPI nail polish.  If I am going to take the time to paint my nails, I want it to last.

 

4. Give yourself a facial.  

You should really do this once a week.  Just take your favorite skin care line and give yourself the works!!!  I like to wash my face with my rotating scrubber then mask my face.  After that, I like to tweeze and load up on all the  lotions and creams!

 

5.  Read a great magazine (or pinterest).  

I love looking/reading magazines and on pinterest.  I have my favorites that I have subscriptions to and sometimes I just pick one up at the store.  You can also find some at your local library.

 

6.  Drink a glass of wine.  

My husband and I like to have a glass with dinner sometimes.  It’s a great way to relax.  If you don’t drink wine, a cup of chamomile tea would help too.

 

7.  Workout.  

Working out is a GREAT way to relax and pamper.  You WILL have more energy too…I promise!  Exercising makes you feel great mentally and physically!  You NEED it!  Try to do at least 20 minutes a day.  You can use a DVD/Wii and workout right in your own home.

 

8.  Surf the net.  

I love going on-line.  Besides reading blogs and going on facebook,  I love looking up recipes.  I really like allrecipes.com.  I can store my favorites in my virtual cookbook.  That saves me so much  space by not having a lot recipes and  cookbooks around!  LOVE that!

9. Take a bath.  

I actually do this about once a week.  I love baths and always have.  After I put the kids to bed, I love playing my relaxing music and reading a book/ magazine....ok…maybe drinking wine too, lol!  This is my ultimate pampering favorite!

10.  Read a book.  

You all know that Organize Now! is my new favorite book.  Even a couple minutes of reading a book can help you clear your mind.

I hope that this helps you and gives you motivation to pamper yourself!

How do you pamper yourself?

What helps you relax the most? 

I hope you are enjoying your day!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Bonnie :)