You're Throwing WHAT Away??!! {Student Desk/Chair}

Yesterday afternoon, on my way back home from picking up the boys from school, I found this fantabulous student desk/chair... curbside. Yes, as in being trashed. As in no one wanted this poor pupil seat.

It looks too knew to be an antique but it's a cool piece nonetheless. Too cool to pass up. 

This is how well Sun Kissed Boy #1 knows me. I stopped the car (I didn't say a word), he immediately pressed the button to open the hatch and got out to help me get it in the minivan. Ha! If I could only train him that well to clean his room. 

Normally, in the You're Throwing What Away series, I share some kind of make over or revamp but this desk is in great shape right now. I am sure later I will want to repaint it or maybe even beat it up some to make it look old.  But in the meantime, it looks just dandy the way it is.

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Passing On My Love for the 80s

I'm not ashamed to admit it, I LOVED the 80s! I loved everything about it, the hair (the bigger, the better), the music, the movies, and the fashion (shoulder pads and all).

I must of passed down the gene to Sun Kissed Boy #1 because he loves everything about the 80s too. Ok, maybe not everything. I don't think he has the love for Aquanet that I did. He does love the music and the movies.

Recently, we have watched all three Karate Kid movies about 852 times and all three Back to the Future movies maybe 1,003 times. Together, we have seen E.T., which they then reenacted.

E.T. was the first movie I watched in a movie theater in the United States so it has a very special place in my heart.

When I was painting my headboard, Sun Kissed Boy #2 wanted to help. After all, Daniel, in The Karate Kid, mastered painting (and built up his wrists) while painting Mr. Miyagi's fence.

All the boys were super excited when we got the Back to the Future computer game.

Before kids, I had the time to play computer games and I was a bit addicted. I was super excited too!

Specially since it meant lots of bonding time with this big guy. I was purely playing to appease him. I promise! :)

Sun Kissed Boy #1 and I recently watched VH1's The Best of I Love the 80s. If you've never seen VH1's I Love the 80s series, it's a nostalgic show where comedians, musicians, and/or actors comment on different topics, musicians, movies, etc. that occurred or were popular in the 80s. Such as Cabbage Patch dolls, the show Punky Brewster, the movie Top Gun, the group Wham!, just to name a few. VH1 made an hour episode for each year then a two hour one for the Best Of.

He would pause the show and ask me for more details on whatever they were discussing in the show. Of course, I was more than happy to go down memory lane with him. Good memories.

Do you have any 80s favorite that you like, totally wanna share?

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Jump In

This weekend, we went to my best friend's house to celebrate her birthday. The boys had a wonderful time since the party had the ingredients necessary to enjoy themselves into exhaustion. Lots of other kids to play with, a pool, and of course cake.

I don't remember the youth count in this party but I did want to gather up some of the kids to capture what they were doing all afternoon long, jumping in the pool. That, my friends, turned out to be a feat. Let's break down the task that is Capturing Seven Kids While Jumping In the Pool, AT THE SAME TIME".

There's always the one that jumps the gun.

Then there's the thrill of pushing someone in.

What about the ones that didn't here you say, GO!

Or the one that just wants to do his own thing.

Yeah, the one that didn't here ya say GO!... again.

You know what? Capturing their feet is a good picture too!

Hope yall had a good weekend.    

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Cooking at a Supermom's Blog

Today I'm visiting with Supermom, Kelli.

Yeah, Kelli flies around her house everyday looking just like that. Ok, I lie. She doesn't always wear the cape. After all, it can be a fire hazard when cooking.

I'm cooking up the perfect main dish for a Sunday brunch. Come on by for the recipe.

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I'm in a Funk {from Yanet the Human}

I've been feeling kind of blah lately. I was hoping I would snap out of it after vacation but I still feel uninspired and unmotivated to take on any projects. I think it's partly the laid-back schedule of summer. But I know it's also because I've been letting myself go down Comparison Road. Not a good path.

Source

So true. I need to remember that quote more often. In the spirit of going down Sunny Street, here are some pictures that bring me lots of JOY!

As I was going through my photographs for this post, I found lots of snapshots of my life that make my heart rejoice. I need to concentrate on that. Somehow projects don't seem as important. 

I'll be back Saturday to let you know where I'm doing a guest post. Until then, I hope you find things that make you joyful!

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I'm in a Funk {from Cooper the Dog}

This was me a little over a month ago.

Then we went on a wonderful vacation. This was me enjoying the water and salty air.

I was happy and jolly!

Now I lay here, sad and solemn.

Why you ask? This is what I look like now.

Apparently that fresh, salty air wreaked havoc on my luxurious, long hair. It left it knotted and matted. Shaving was my only salvation.

I've been compared to a Poodle. GGGRRRRRHHH!

So, I will lay here until it all grows back again and I look like the Schnauzer/Westie mix I am!

Except to maybe hang with this boy.

Hope you have better haircut days than I did.

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I Want a White House

When we first moved in to our house, all of the walls were painted off white. First thing I did was have them repainted in bright colors, each room different! Now, after several shades of oh-that's not-the-color-I-pictured-in-my-mind, I want my wall white again.

I love the look of white walls paired with white furniture and dark, rustic, accent pieces.

Image: housetohome

Image: Country Living

Image: skona hem

I also like white walls that have a hint of color but you can't really tell unless you have them paired up with a true white.

Image: Country Living

But I have 3 very active (and messy) little boys. So is it wise to have white walls?

Image: French by Design

I sure can give it a try. After all, it's only paint!

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Guest Host {Stephanie Lynn of Under the Table and Dreaming}

Good morning everybody! I am a little under the weather so today's guest is a blessing, specially since I wasn't able to get the projects I wanted to get done this weekend. 

Today's guest host is the extraordinary Stephanie Lynn from Under the Table and Dreaming. (I love that blog name, don't you?)

I want to show you Stephanie Lynn's creative space. I am not an organized person so I am extremely impressed of those who are. I dream of having an organized workspace like this someday. 

I love this art piece she made for her son. They are words for all us to always remember and live by.

For details on how she made it, click here.

This is a sneak peak of her little boy's playroom. More organization! I can really lear a lot from her!

I am now turning the table over to Stephanie Lynn!

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Hello my friends - I'm Stephanie Lynn from
Under the Table and Dreaming.
I am so excited to be visiting 3 Sun Kissed Boys today!
Thank you so much Yanet for the invite.


As Fall approaches, I love to fill my home with all the warm inviting scents the season brings along. With my precious little guy running around, it's important to try and find scented alternatives that are not only flameless but safe and non-toxic - unlike most of the commercial fragrances sold in the stores today. Reed diffusers are a great option, especially if you make your own. They work really well in smaller areas since they do not have a very powerful scent throw. They are quite simple to put together and pretty inexpensive plus you have the option to create your own favorite fragrant combinations.

Materials Needed:
Tall container - preferably glass to safely hold the oils
Corks
Reeds or Wooden Skewers
Carrier Oil {see below}
Essential Oils
Vodka


When looking for a reed container, make sure you use one that is made of glass or another material suitable for safely holding the oils. {plastics are not recommended as the essential oils can dissolve them} You want the opening of the container to be tapered as well, but large enough to hold the reeds. Cleaned recycled containers can always be used or I simply picked up some vases at the local dollar store.

There are many online retailers that sell reeds specifically for diffusers as the porous fibers work best. You can also get away with using skewers as they work as well. Dried stalks or branches from your garden, such as hydrangea branches can be used as well. The reeds should be at least double the height of the container you are using - and if you are using skewers be sure to snip off the sharp pointy ends.


Depending upon the opening size of the container, it is a good idea to use a cork if at all possible. You can find corks of all sizes at your local craft store. Using a drill bit simply drill completely through the center of the cork to create an opening large enough for the reeds. The cork helps prolong the oil mixture from evaporating.


There are three main ingredients used to create the diffuser oil for the container; a carrier oil, essential oils, and a flow agent.

Carrier Oils - Almond Oil, Safflower Oil, Jojoba oil or Mineral Oil work best. You can also use plain water if you can not find any of the above - though it does tend to evaporate very quickly. Using a heavier carrier oil makes the fragrance slow to diffuse - as a thinner base will travel into the reeds a lot quicker.

Essential Oils - Essential oils are highly concentrated and derived from true plants. An essential oil is basically the liquid distilled from the leaves, bark, roots or other elements of the natural plant. Essential oils are not the same as fragrance oils or perfumes and can usually be found in the health section of local health stores. There are many different scents available so mix it up and have fun creating a fragrance that best suits your taste.

Flow Agent - Inexpensive Vodka works as a flow agent to help the oils be absorbed by the reeds and disperse better. If using water, it also help to bind the oils.

The general mixture for the diffuser oil is 1/4 cup of carrier oil, 12 drops of essential oil, and 1 teaspoon of vodka. More essential oil may be added if you prefer. Extra diffuser oil can be made ahead of time and stored in a sealed glass container until ready to use.


For first time use, fill the container 3/4's of the way full and insert the reeds, soaking them for at least minutes. Then flip them upside down and replace them back in the diffuser.

Once a week swirl the oil in the container and rotate the reeds to keep the aroma going. The different ingredients in the mixture have a tendency to settle over time and an occasional swirl will help better diffuse the scents. Make sure the diffuser is placed in a room with good circulation to best throw the scent.

Once the reeds become totally saturated they lose their ability to diffuse the fragrance and need to be replaced.


I like the simplicity of a plain diffuser in my own home, though the container can be embellished to fit in with any decor. Some simple ideas using scraps include ribbon rosettes, fabric ruffles or added vinyl.


Thanks so much for letting me share - enjoy!

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I asked Stephanie Lynn if she could please send me a photo to use in her intro. She wrote back telling me that she was horrible at any pictures of herself. But she did include this photograph.

It's of Stephanie Lynn and her adorable little boy CJ. About 3 years ago, CJ was diagnosed with Autism. Stephanie and her family have put together a very touching video to bring Autism awareness to her family and friends. I invite you to take a look. 

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

For more information about autism and how you can help please visit www.autismspeaks.org/.

Stephanie, I can't thank you enough for joining us today. You are a remarkable individual!

For more creative do-it yourself ideas, visit Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter

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