SRKindredSpirits

Today, we are talking about closets.... Never underestimate the difference that a little change can make . I have always used plastic coated wire hangers in my closet, but over the years, I had just about every color and style and flimsy ones they make. Hubby on the other hand always used plain old wire hangers with some wood ones and yarn wrapped ones, that his great grandma made. They just looked bad. I hated hanging up clothes and I hated looking at them even more.  So, I purchased brand new plastic wire coated heavy duty hangers in white for our closets and it's amazing how much of a difference it makes!  Left - after white hangers and hung by type and color Right - before uniform hangers (hung by type, but NOT color) Another way to brighten the closet is to change out incandescent light bulbs for some bright white LEDs and to throw a fresh coat of paint on it. We just painted our shelves white (they were just an ugly stained wood) and that made a big di

Our oldest daughter turned 18 this month!!! First off, I still can't believe that I'm old enough to have an 18 yr old kid.... but anyway, ever since she was twelve, we planned on taking a trip together, just me and her, to a place of her choosing when she turned eighteen - out of school, but before college and a full time job!  She chose New York, NY and w e had a great time! Back before she was born, my ex and I used to drive truck through New York every couple weeks, so I've been there, but up until now I had only experienced it by driving through, which is completely different than being right among the people, walking the sidewalks and taking the subways! There were some things I learned about New York, that was different than I expected. So here we go, in no particular order.... (it's gonna be random!)   You will spend a lot of time riding the subway.  It's not scary. It's fun and relaxing, especially if you like to people watch! It ende

After walking by some of these cute little guys in the store the other day, I decided they'd make the perfect dessert for our Memorial Day Cookout! Here's what you need: White or Yellow cake mix = Buns Brownie mix = Patties Fondant = Cheese Colored Icing = Lettuce, Tomoato, and Mustard White Sprinkles = Sesame Seeds Make white/yellow cake mix according to box. And pour into cupcake pans - make 2 dozen. I use my USA nonstick cupcake pans (These are the best pans ever!) Bake according to box or until a toothpick comes out clean. Take cupcakes out and let them cool for at least 20 minutes and cup in half horizontally. Prepare brownie mix according to the box. Bake preferrably in a 10 x 14 pan so that the brownie patties are thin. (I baked mine in a 9 x 13 pan and they were on the thick side.) After the brownies are done cooking, let them cool for 30 minutes. Once brownies are cooled, cut "patties" with a round cookie cutter or with the ri

So it finally happened.... It's official!!! I am the momma of a college student! Our oldest graduated high school two years early (you can see her graduation party here) and took some time off.... b ut as of today, she is enrolled and is studying for her Graphic Designs Degree! In case you can't tell, I'm one proud momma!

I grew up in the 80s and 90's. I loved big hair, teal mustangs, pointed shoes, and ladies in skirt suits with shoulder pads.... when it came to my clothes and decorating my house. Everything had to match!  But here's the problem....  I could never get my house to look good.. it seamed something was always missing... or just not quite right. Over the years I've discovered a few things.... Teal cars are no longer cool, big hair doesn't work on everyone, comfortable shoes is better, shoulder pads are just yucky, and matching is way over rated. When it comes to your home, forget the matching - here's the secret to making your home look great! USE WHAT YOU LOVE Don't keep things you don't like. That means that stool you really don't like, or the ugly mug your Aunt Betty gave you, or the picture frame that's been in the family for years and you cant get rid of it, or someone will be upset.... let it go... if it doesn't bring

How many bottles do you have in your shower? I'll wait, while you go count them.... I seen on Facebook the other day that a couple had twenty, yes twenty bottles in their shower for two people! There is never a reason to have that many, or even half that many bottles in the shower, ever! Tonight, while I was complaining that our shower has no cubbies/shelves in it,  my husband reminded me that I really needed to use minimalism in our shower.... And while it would be really nice to have a couple built in shelves in the shower, he really does have a point.... The thing is, most of us are guilty of buying another shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, facial cleanser, or shower gel.... and sometimes, we often keep our old bottles that are half full along with our new ones. Just pick out your favorite and toss the rest. You don't need so many bottles.... I mean If I was rich, I'd pay to have lazer hair removal, so I could get rid of my shaving cream, sha

Dishes in the sink, toys throughout the house, stuff covering every flat surface; this clutter not only makes our homes look bad, it makes us feel bad, too. Walk into any middle-class home in the U.S. and you will come face to face with stuff—toys, trinkets, family photos, furniture, games, DVDs, TVs, digital devices of all kinds, souvenirs, nick-knacks, food, and more. We put our stuff anywhere in the house, every where there's room, or even if there's no room. We have Clutter-strewn garages, abandoned yards and families who are too busy to actually enjoy the possessions they work hard to acquire.  George Carlin famously observed that "a house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it." Buy stuff. Keep it. Get more of it. Keep that, too. Store it. Display it. Spend time on it. Spend money on it. Worry about it. Stress over it. Repeat. We are a clutter culture, and that, my friends is sad. When clutter takes over, the home, can become a large cont