Project Pantry Complete

One project done a million to go...after 5 hours spent on project pantry, this includes breaks to keep my little men happy, busy, and satisfied...

my masterpiece is complete...presenting my not so new, but definitely improved pantry....

Ewwww remember before:

Not anymore! Now she is beautiful! How did I do it you ask? Well I has purchased some clearance designer contact paper not so long ago for $4.01 and one roll did the trick! I also used some leftover beige contact paper for the shelves!  

Let's get a little more in depth here...

The contact paper did take some work to put up, I had to match up the design in the middle to keep it solid, you may think that it easy, but it is a little more difficult when you have a 9 monther walking around your legs...yes, I was determined to get it done children around or not!

(Is that peg board on the side? Yes it is, it was there when we moved in, I need pegs and ideas!)

I originally wanted to do the shelves in all beige or cream, let's say cream (that goes good with coffee) . However, I ran out of it (no, but you are right, next time I will measure it out first)! So, instead of taking off the cream contact paper from the 1st shelf, I did 2 shelves in cream and 2 in the design! I'm not too worried about it!

You may also notice that little spice rack that was not utilized before, now that little spice rack is being used to not only hold spices, but also K-cups!

Next up, I want my husband to start baking so I labeled the ingredient canisters, just kidding, I just thought this would be cute! If anyone needs to start baking more, it's me...god I love to bake! Anyways...I ordered chalkboard contact paper last summer for a project that I never completed, go figure, so I cut up some rectangles, cursived on the contents and voila!

Then I thought, ok, I could spend $30 on cereal canisters or I could scrounge something up from my house! I opened the cupboards above my sink and there were 2 unused Brita pitchers sadly sitting waiting for something! I looked at them and thought omg, those look like cereal containers! After a good rinse I took an ugly bag of cereal

Poured it into a Brita pitcher

And now Cbear can be independent and not spill the entire bag on the ground so mommy can vaccum it up with the wonderful shark!

Anyways...

I did find homes for all that other junk that was in there and I was even able to add my crockpot to the pantry mix! Yay! 

So, although it only took 2 years to get around to it, my pantry is decluttered and organized! Up next: Project Linen Closet!

Why won't you get dressed?!?

Today has been one of those days when I doubt my parenting skills...and it isn't even the end of the day...After spending 9:30-2:15 trying to convince Cbear to get dressed, I finally settled with him putting on a fresh pair of underwear. I tried bribing with going to the park, chocolate, going to the store, being a big boy...mama may have also turned on the stern voice (which is of course ineffective and scares me more than him). I finally gave up and apologized to my little man after realizing how crazy I sounded.  He then explained that he did not want to go outside and he wanted to play in the house today...of course I felt awful. I know we all have our doubts as parents and sometimes I feel like I am trying to do things the way other people do them. We need to be confident in our own parenting styles and be true to who we are. My family is made up of homebodies who would rather stay in, cuddle, and play rather than go out and run errands...and there is nothing wrong with either of those...at the end of the day, you know your a good parent when your babies are healthy, safe, and if you are as fortunate as I am, they tell you "I love you." 

Project Pantry

So my pantry is a cluster of arts/crafts, baby snacks (I make my own baby meals), appliances, storage for "I have no where else to put this thing" things and of course... food. She ain't pretty!  Oh no, and eve better, I can barely see on there, there is no lighting! So, I am starting with a plan... I am giving myself one week to complete this project. "Why one week?" Do you ask? Because, my 3 year old is beginning to skip naps and it is best that I keep him awake all day and my 9 month old prefers to nap on me... So, we will be working on the pantry here and there.  I have created a 'Skitch' pic to keep me focused:

I will eliminate unnecessary items and find a new home for them. I will be moving appliances to an upper shelf, applying cute chalk tape to the canisters and moving them to a more accessible location, as well as rearranging items based on category/use.  I would like to get some sweet cereal bins and add some shelving liner, but we will see, mama's on a tight budget! Wish me luck and I will keep you posted!

If it doesn't cry, it's going to die...

Usually by this time every summer I have wasted at least $100 on plants and flowers.  This year I refused to plant anything into the ground and almost did not accept foliage gifts.  Yet, I found myself accepting gifts of flowers.  So, after leaving for a weekend in early June and killing off a gift of tulips, I decided never to let another gifted plant die again. Seriously, if Plant Protection Services (PPS) existed, I would have an open case.  Therefore, as of  June 15th I have kept 2 pots (separate gifts) alive!!!  This is a miracle!!! Without even using Miracle-Gro!!  I have kept them in the pots in which they were given, kept them watered and given them the light they need. I was recently told to keep flowers on the east side of the house...if I can keep these babies alive, I may just try to keep even more alive next year...maybe...eh...nah, if it doesn't cry, it's (probably) going to die...but I will do my best to keep it alive...

Hair-apy

So, in the last 2 years I have bought a house, started a new job, my husband finished school, started a new job, celebrated Cbear's 2nd & 3rd birthdays and had a baby.  Under these conditions I was forced to get my hair done on a whim.  Yes, I have been getting my hair done on random Saturdays or Sundays when my husband is home and the boys are napping at any random salon with openings or in the case of one Sunday, that was open! The worst part of all... one of my dear friends is a hairstylist! Eeeeek... I know...I know.  I finally made an executive decision to schedule a hair appointment... Say what!? I know, I am pretty sure this is not a big deal to the average person, but you have to understand where I come from...my mother has had her hair cut in a salon once in her entire life, no she doesn't have hair like Rapunzel, she cuts it herself. So, there is something in me that says, nah, you don't have to spend a lot of money on a good haircut (yes, I know I have mommy-hair issues)...as my favorite Beatles member (George) said, "All things must pass..." I have put an end to the quick hair cuts and have decided to go through hair-apy every 8-10 weeks (I don't put my hair through too much heat).  It is AMAZING how a professional  haircut can make you feel!  Even  better, I scheduled my next appointment   (we know how I procrastinate those sorts of things), so September 2nd brings a new do. 

After
-Thanks AR

Before