Bathrooms Renovation info

The bathroom is one of the most popular home "redo" projects. Some homeowners seek to create a luxurious spa like bathroom, while others plan basic updating to add value to their homes. Did you know that the average bathroom renovation is $5,000 but can climb to $25,000 for a high end project? Remodeling a dated or "plain" bathroom can get you a 60% + return on your investment.
Here are a few tips for updating or remodeling your bathroom.
1) Choose your color well. Stick with neutrals. Especially if you plan to sell in the near future. If you love bold color add it in with towels, rugs, and accessories instead.
2) Know the  building codes for your area. Apply for them early and get quotes and bids for all of the parts you will not be doing yourself.
3)Keep lighting in mind. You want as much natural light as possible, after all, it is where we get ready for each day. Think about the option of a sky light if there are no windows.
4) Maintain the same foot print. Moving walls can be costly as is moving sinks or toilets. Upgrade them but do not move the plumbing if at all possible to keep the cost down.
5) Do as much as you can yourself
6) Save money on cabinets. Refinish what you have or buy ready made vs custom.
7) Think function first, pretty 2nd. Remember why you are redoing the room in the first place and use that as a guideline
8) Don't feel like you need the "best " in everything. Check 2nd hand stores and discount sections to find great quality items at a discounted price. Use Faux finishes when you can to save a few bucks. 
Remember this is a project and will take time. Have fun and enjoy the process

Tradition

It's time for our annual Memorial weekend with great family and friends. You can read my post from last year about it here  One of our traditions is to make these cookies

I am reposting the recipe for you 

MONSTER COOKIES         

12 eggs

2 lb. brown sugar

4 c. white sugar

1 tbsp. vanilla

1 tbsp. white corn syrup

8 tsp. soda

1 lb. butter

3 lb. peanut butter(6 cups)

18 c. oatmeal

1 lb. chocolate chips

1 lb. M&M'S®

Mix eggs, sugars, vanilla, corn syrup, butter, soda together until smooth. Add peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips and M&M'S®. Place 6 cookies per cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

Enjoy  

I have found the best way to do this is to divided it all in half and do it  2 bowls( much easier for mixing)

Craig's list find!

Craig's list can be a wonderful resource when searching for furniture pieces. It can also get a girl in trouble if she really doesn't need anything. I was messing around just searching for "fun" on craig's list the other day and found a cupboard I didn't know I needed and guess what, it had to come home with me. As it turned out it was from someone I knew which worked in my favor to get an even better deal. I picked it up today and had to show you a picture. More photos to come as I get it decorated, but just had to share

Also, if you wanted some great deals be sure and check out my great weekly deals on my website

Mantel 101

Decorating a mantel with great tips from Willow House

A Mantel is a natural focal point in a room, but it's slim profile make it a challenge to decorate sometimes.

A few handy tricks can help you feel more comfortable decorating it with style.

#1) Start with a clean slate take everything off of it.

#2) Be inspired. "Shop" your home for a variety of items and place them on the floor in front of the mantel. Be sure the items you choose work with the look, color, and feel of the room. Experiment grouping them in different ways.

#3) Get Centered. Choose your center focal piece or pieces. It can be a picture, mirror, a large frame, clock, or large metal work. layering is good, like our window pane and clock.

#4) Work inside out. From your focal point work outward. With the item in the middle work outward. Use scale and proportion to gradually bring the eye down on each side. Try matching pieces or similar items to emphasize symmetry. 

#5)  Add Personality Introduce color texture and seasonal touches. Include your accent colors from your room too.

Don't be afraid to walk away for a bit and come back to it with a fresh perspective. You will know when it "feels" right.

For introducing great color, one of my favorite Mantel items is our 

Athena Crackle vase.

The thin footprint is a perfect fit for a windowsill, bookshelf or mantel. Reactive glaze will vary in color between pieces. (7 1/4” x 2 1/2” x 12 1/2” tall) $39.96 (buy one get one half off)

National Chocolate Chip Day!!

Did you know it's National Chocolate Chip day? Here are a few facts you may or may not know
Chocolate chips which were invented in 1937 when a woman named Ruth Wakefield of the Toll House Inn added cut-up chunks of a semi-sweet Nestle chocolate bar to a cookie recipe. The cookies were a huge success, and Wakefield reached an agreement in 1939 with Nestlé to add her recipe to the chocolate bar's packaging in exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate. Today, chocolate chips are very popular as a baking ingredient in the United States and the chocolate chip cookie is regarded as a quintessential American
dessert. Chocolate chips are also available in Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world. Nestlé and The Hershey Company are among the top
producers of chocolate chips.

So, I say we celebrate the day with a Chocolate chip cookie or this wonderful recipe for

   

 Chocolate Chip Scones

2 Cups Flour

1/4 C sugar

1/2 C butter

1TBLS baking powder

dash salt 

3/4 C milk

1 Egg

1 1/2 C Chocolate Chips

Combine dry ingredients, cut in butter with a pastry blender until pea sized, add beaten egg, milk and chocolate chips until well blended. Pat dough into a round shape and cut into 8 wedges. Bake on a greased cooke sheet 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes till lightly browned and ice with your favorite chocolate icing. Enjoy!

Linking to 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY AND A GREAT GIFT IDEA

WANTED TO SAY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL OF THE MOTHER'S OUT THERE, MAY YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.
ALSO WANTED TO  SHARE THE DEALS WITH YOU TOO!


THIS ESTATE WALL SHELF IS REGULARLY $79.96 BUT THROUGH SUNDAY IT IS JUST $26.96. MAKES A GREAT SHOWER OR WEDDING GIFT 17 3/4" x 6 1/4" x 26" tall, including hooks
FOR THIS PRICE ORDER SEVERAL TO HAVE ON HAND AS GIFTS TOO.
CHECK OUT THE FLYER BELOW FOR MORE GREAT DEALS AND THEN HEAD OVER TO MY STORE AND START SHOPPING