Little Red Ladder

I found this small step ladder at a yard sale for $2. 

I saw the potential right away. 

What you need for this project: 

*Small wooden step ladder or just a regular wooden ladder

*Paint color of your choice ( for this project I used red) 

*Sand paper or a sander if you have one

*Paint brush

*Paint can opener or a screw driver to open can of paint

*Drop cloth for painting 

With just a little paint and a sander look what you can do!! 

 

I placed the ladder on top of one of my vintage military suitcases and I stacked some old vintage books, a vintage camera, bronze vintage deer on top of the ladder .

 I love how it turn out!! 

  

Painting Tip: Lowe’s often clearances out there paint if the color is wrong or a customer ends up not wanting it. You can find some great colors for a great price.

 Like $5 gallon and $1 quarts. *

Happy Painting!! Leila 

Fireworks Art Project

My sister came up with this great 4th of July art project for my son to do. It's handprint fireworks in red & blue with white finger print outlines surrounding the fireworks.

 

 All you need are a few simple art supplies and a pair of hands to get your child into the Patriotic spirit. Here is what we did:

 

Supplies

• Black sheet of paper (represents the night sky)
• Red, White, & Blue finger Paint (fireworks bursting in the sky)
• Hands and fingers (to do the work)

 

And here is the finished work!

 

 

Vintage Suitcase

My sister found this suitcase in the attic of her condo and gave it to me. I love to take things and repurpose them. This vintage 1960s brown marbled American Tourister suitcase had great potential. I really couldn't do much with the outside due to the soft pleather-like material so I came up with repurposing the inside.

I took a vintage floral pillow case, some blue and white gingham fabric, a glue gun and some fabric scissors. 

Yes that is all it took to repurpose this adorable suitcase!!  

                                                                       

I have used this at many events from baby showers (to hold books for the baby), wedding showers (to hold cards for the bride),and in the guest bedroom to hold special items for my guest like a good book to ready, extra socks, blanket, eye mask, toiletries etc. 

As Pablo Picasso once said “Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not. ” Continue to create, explore and discover the possibilities to be creative in your life!  Leila 

Journey Journals

At the end of last year I realized how fast my son (C) was growing up and how much he was changing in such a short amount of time.  So...I bought a cute blank journal and starting writing him letters about the journey of his life.

In this journal I tell him about himself at the different ages and stages of his life. I let him know of new milestones and accomplishments, about the ups and downs he may be going through, how proud I am of him, and how sorry I am (for acting certain ways when I'm having a day). I tell him his favorite things to do, say, read and play, and what a great big brother he is to his new baby sister.

It's still a work in progress but I try to write at least once a month and on special occasions (birthday) or after a huge accomplishment (potty trained)!

This is such a simple yet cherished keepsake that your child will have to remember himself by and even learn a thing or two about what you went through as you raised him into the man he is today.

Here are a few other ideas I plan to include in this little keepsake:

• Lyrics or poems (by me or ones I find)
• Scripture verses
• Pictures or personal artwork (by me or him)
• Goals and dreams (mine and his)
• Confessions over his life
• The possibilities are endless

I'm going to start one for my baby girl (K) as well and plan to give the journals to each of them one day when they are older. Maybe entering into their teenage years or as a sweet sixteen gift.  Maybe as he gets ready to graduate or as she gets ready for her wedding. OR maybe when C and K are about to embark on their own journey of parenthood. Whenever I do decide I know its going to be one of the sweetest moments for each of my precious children.

Crystal

Boring Office Space? Add Some Polka Dots

I wanted to spruce up my office space and add some new elements to it without spending any money or as little money as possible. Paint can be used to freshen things up, give something a face lift or add details to something. I added white polka dots to my green magazine files that I bought from Ikea. I already had these files but you can purchase yours at Ikea for $4.99 for a 2 pack or use the magazine files you already have.

All you need is 1/2" circle sponge painting tool(I got mine at Walmart) and white acrylic paint (also found at Walmart). 

With a little paint, magazine files and circle sponge you can do the same.  I love how they turned out! Leila   

Aqua Blast - Switch Up Your Summer Workout With a Water Workout

I have always been and will always be a runner. There is nothing quite like it!  I always feel like I had a great workout whether I just ran 1 mile easy or 10 miles at race pace.

BUT after having my second baby (4 months ago) and being left with an extra 35lbs (to my pre baby weight), running is just a little too tough on the lower half to do every day (I'm sticking to 2xs/week).

So....I decided to try something I have never done before...Aqua Blast! Its a 30 minute cardio/high intensity water aerobics class. After my first class I could barely walk the next few days without feeling my calf muscles scream at me for what they went through, but with a little foam rolling and lots of stretching...it went away. So I went back for more and guess what??? My calf muscles weren't half as bad (soreness wise)...they are building up and looking toner all ready.

Some of the best things I find about working out in the pool is that you don't sweat, there is no impact on your joints, it really works your muscles with the water resistance, and you really don't feel like your working out. Its a fun way to mix up your summer workout.

Check out the local pools in your area to see if they offer any type of water aerobics or see below for some tips on doing it on your own.


Water Workout:

• You want to be in water that comes to the center of your chest or just below.
• Start by warming up with a march or jog (in place or back and forth)
• Use your upper body to get the blood flowing more (keeping your arms in the water)
• Fingers together for more resistance or apart for lighter resistance
• Push and Pull with your arms and legs to really utilize the water resistance

Sample Aqua Blast:

• Warm up - Jog in place, elbows in moving arms front to back
• Get the knees higher - try to touch the top of the water
• Take knees wider
• Alternate between High knees and Wide knees 1 minute each 2-3xs
• Rocking Horse - Right knee forward, Left leg back
• Switch after a minute (to L forward - R back)
• Add upper body by clapping under water in front and behind (switch after a minute)
• Toy Soldier - straight arms and straight legs (this is high intensity so you are bouncing around while doing these moves)
• Mix up the direction of arms and legs during Toy Soldier...
• Straight kicks
• Front corner kicks
• Pendulum kicks (side to side)
• Back corners
• Straight back
• Do each move about 30 seconds then repeat
• Throw in some sprints - 15seconds 3-5sets
• In place get low and run as fast as you can using upper body too
• Jumping Jacks
• Frog Hops

Remember to take it at your own pace.  Jog or walk in place to recover when needed or between Blast Drills. Most importantly have fun, your body will thank you when your done!

Let me know what you think about this post. Happy working out and God Bless =)

Crystal

Big Kahuna

What a better way to bring the feel of the tropics to a father who enjoys the sand between his toes, the sound of crashing waves, and the smell of the salty breeze.  This Fathers Day, we celebrate our dad with a luau inspired themed dinner. For some great DIY tips see the pictures below.

• We took men's Hawaiian button down shirts and multi-purposed them as a back drop as well as chair covers

• A great icebreaker and fun game is Aloha Bingo with Hawaiian words for each spot like: Nai'a (dolphin) or Lei (necklace) instead of calling out bingo you call out Aloha! Super fun and kid friendly too!

• Make a fun personal banner out of bright colored card stock, a black marker, and rope or string.

Hope you enjoyed our ideas, please leave a comment and let us know what you think.

Leila & Crystal