Fun @ Home

A couple of weeks ago Dallas had some crazy ice and snow. The entire city practically shut down for a week, so we were forced to come up with fun and inventive things to do indoors.

Unfortunately, I cannot take credit for this fun indoor activity, but I can say that it kept us entertained for at least 15 minutes. Ha! Actually, it was more like 30-45 minutes.

The best part about this activity - it is educational, free, and and you can do it at home when the weather is bad or your have a sick little one.

All you need are some bowls, measuring cups, spoons, rice/beans/couscous and a sheet or blanket to sit on (making for an easier cleanup.)

She poured.

And poured some more.

And measured.

And stirred.

This indoor activity is great for little toddler hands. It works on fine motor skills, cooking skills and probably lots of other useful learning skills.

New Skincare Prodcts

Whenever I travel abroad, I love to check out the local drugstores. You can find some of the best lotions, potions and creams this way. Depending on the packaging, I may not always know what I am buying, but I still end up using it. Plus, you can sometimes find stuff that is not even sold in the states. I am still on the hunt for a vial of cortisone, but don't think I will ever be able to find that.... except on the black market in Mexico, but I will pass on that.

So, when I was picking up some cheap produce last week, I grabbed some Lacura anti-wrinkle night cream to test out. And I loved it! The best part - it is German, so I don't have to travel abroad to buy it AND it is cheap.

I have been using it for almost 2 weeks now and I have been pleased. Now, I am not going to say that I look 10 years younger (because then I would be on an episode of Teen Mom) but it is hopefully helping to slow down some of those wrinkles I am bound to get as a result of my sun worshiper days.

I have also started using the Q10 day cream, Revitalizing Eye Gel and Milk and Honey Lip Balm and have liked everything so far. If you google Lacura, you will find that lots and lots of women in Europe love this brand.

What are some of your cheap beauty products that you love? Share your secrets.

**I bought all of these products with my own dimes and pennies.**

What is on my phone? #2

Miss A is napping. The Mr. has gone to get the oil changed and I am sitting here, watching Master Class on OWN and working my blog. As soon as the girl wakes up, we are probably going to go feed the ducks, then come home for some corn chowder and mexican corn muffins. Yum.



I know you are all dying to know what I have been taking pictures of lately. Well, here you go..... What is on my phone, volume 2.

A couple of weeks ago we had some ice and snow and we stuck inside for a couple of days. You start to get creative when coming up with ideas to pass the time... therefore, making a slide out of a mattress is tons of fun.

I LOVE this paper. I think I am going to order a couple pieces and either frame it or put it in the back of some bookshelves.

This is a random decor picture I saved from some blog. I just love everything about this entire setup.

Obviously someone forgot to turn off the water. This was in the middle of our arctic blast.

Last weekend I took Jake to the vet. Looks like crazy dog needed a little pharmaceutical help in calming down.

Heart sugar cookies. Have you ever decorated cookies with a toddler? You should try it someday - it is an experience. :)

A snow covered tree in our front yard.

Want to go see KK?

New shoes for the girl. Apparently we've been making her wear shoes 2 sizes too small. Oops.

Lazy Steve.

At the Fair Park Children's Aquarium, trying to pet a stingray.

The Texas Star, taken outside the stingray tank at the aquarium.

Many of these pictures were taken using Instagram. Want to follow my Instagram feed? My name is MrsPreppy.... but, you could have probably guessed that.

Nap Time, Craft Time - Bench Cushion Cover

When Miss A takes her afternoon nap I normally tide up the house, check email/blog and then sometimes work on a project. You all know I love a good project! I constantly have something going on. And since I have learned how to sew, a while new realm of crafting has opened up.


I am starting a new blog feature titled Nap Time, Craft Time.


Today I made a new cover for our front porch bench. (I found this bench months ago on the side of the street in our neighborhood... I sanded it down and gave it a couple coats of glossy black paint and it looks good as new!)


When I found the bench, the cushion was nasty. It was a faded green fabric and I knew I had to change it. I had envisioned a yellow and white stripe, but when I found this budget friendly Ikea fabric, I snatched it up.

Measure and pin the fabric, based on the size of the cushion.

Double check your measurements.

Sew the short end of the fabric.

Sew the long end of the fabric.

Now you have a long rectangular pillowcase.

Trim excess fabric. Up until now, the fabric has been turned inside out. Turn the fabric right side out.

Pray that your measurements were accurate and everything fits.

Put the old cushion inside the new cover.

Admire your new cover!

Now, our front bench has a new waterproof cushion and as soon as Spring arrives, those dead mums will be replaced with bright, new flowers!

Love Bug

I love any excuse to get crafty. Stickers, stamps, glitter, paper, ribbon.... I love it all.



Therefore, I knew I had to make Miss A's valentines for her class party.



I saw the basic idea in a blog or magazine a while back and thought they would be perfect for Miss A to give her friends. But, I knew I wanted to spruce it up, so I added stickers, ribbon and polka dot paper.

Aren't they cute?

Here is the front....

And the back...

Supplies:

paint chip samples

rubber stamps

ink pad

stickers

ribbon

scrap book paper

As with any project, there is some trial and error involved. I went through about 4 ink pads before I found one that would not bleed. I finally ended up with a permanent ink pad, so if you decide to do a project like this, save time (and money) and just buy the most permanent ink pad possible.

If you have an older kid, I think these would also be cute as bookmarks.

House Tour - Kitchen

I love seeing how people live....I want to see how their house is decorated, what their curtains look like, what color Kitchen Aid mixer they have, etc. I love it when you drive by someones house and you can see inside. These little glimpses into someones life helps you know someone. Which brings me to my first ever house tour.

@allie_in_ga suggested that I start with my kitchen. The kitchen was a big selling point for me when we bought the house. I loved how open it was and how it was connected to the main living area. Plus, the double ovens, marble countertops and stone back splash did not hurt things. So, here you go - my kitchen.

I love the little windows that are on either side of the stove. And the white cabinets - perfect. Would I change anything about it? Absolutely. More counter space, more cabinets, and maybe some wall space. The eating area has a light fixture that I would not have picked out, but it will do for now. Ordering this light fixture is high on my to-do list.

Not sure what room I will do next.... stay tuned!

New Reading Material

Are you staying warm on this chilly February evening? Maybe you are one of the lucky ones that is relaxing on the beach in a nice tropical location, but here in Dallas we are in the middle of a huge ice storm. I am one of those crazy people that actually loves cold weather, but when your street is coated in inches of ice, you are basically stuck in the house all day. We get cabin fever pretty easily, so this afternoon we bundled up and went outside to play and run in the snow/ice for a little while.

(Brrr.... Momma, it is cold!)

Earlier in the day while Miss A was napping, I worked on some stuff for her upcoming birthday party and then lurked around the Internet for a while. And, just when I thought I already read all of the good design blogs and know about all of the newest magazines, I find some new stuff. And, now I am going to share that stuff with you.

High Gloss Magazine

There are about a million design magazines out there, but who says there can't be one more? High Gloss looks pretty awesome. I especially love that you can follow links directly from the digital magazine.

How About Orange

I think Sweet T Family tweeted about this today..... I love the color orange, so I had to check out the link and boy was I excited with what I found. Part decorating, part projects and ORANGE! Love it all.

One Charming Party

I have already made some Valentine's for Miss A to send her friends this year, but these printables are adorable. I might have to print these off myself and send them to my friends.

Bungalow 5

Their entire catalog makes me have visions of redecorating our entire house..... but, not is not going to happen anytime soon. So, in the meantime, I will just look and swoon.

Do you have any websites that you are loving these days? Give me some more reading material!