~a chore chart calendar~

School is out today.

And while I love having the kids home I sometimes feel like I am always nagging at them to help clean up around the house. Not only that, but am I the only one who constantly hears, "what are we doing today?"

So, I devised a system that, crossing my fingers, I hope works. 

I painted a giant chalkboard on the wall behind our computer. 

Each day is clearly marked with the days activities, so no more bugging mom right?

 The letters for each day of the week I attached with zots. 

{clear sticky dots you can find in the scrap booking section}

They are vintage wooden letters that I got at a flea market last year. 

I framed out the edges in old moulding from a salvage shop.

 I attached cup hooks from the hardware store to each day 

and added paper luggage tags from the office supply store.

 My kids are gonna kill me for this, but each tag has a job on it.

One side is for Savannah, the other side for Cody. 

Before the leave to go swimming or paddle boarding or whatever for the day,

 their chores need to be done.

They can only take down the tag when the job is done and I have approved it. 

I am such a mean mom.

 Some are super simple.

For example, a lot of Cody's say, "read for 20 minutes"

because for him, reading is a chore.

Some others say~

Match and fold socks, vacuum carpets, clean bathroom sinks, clean out microwave, clear off the counter, take out the garbage, etc. etc. 

 I really hope this works, I will let you know.

Part of me was thinking about putting a $5 bill at each Sunday mark.

But ya know what?

They need to pull their own weight around here too~it'll be good for em! 

Do you have any great tips for keeping your kids in 

check over the summer without having to nag at them?

I'd love to hear and know I'm not the only mean mom, ha ha!

xoxo

~questions answered about our house~

Wow, I just took a look at all the comments under our home tour and realized there was a lot of questions, so I thought I would address them here in one post! If you have any more, be sure to ask in the comments section, and I will reply to you there!

First question:

What is the color in your son's bedroom?

The dark grey is Seal by Martha Stewart in a eggshell finish.

The bottom is Annie Sloan Old White.

Did you make your daughter's white pom poms in her bedroom?

Yes and no. It's a kit I bought at Michael's. They are Martha Stewart.

Other questions related to Savannah's room were about her bedding.

Most all of it is Simply Shabby Chic at Target.

I made the bed skirt out of 2 ruffly tablecloths.

I also made the euro shams.

Where did you get the sponge vase filler for your bathroom?

I really don't remember, but I know craft stores have them, I've also seen them at Aaron Brothers.

Places like Hobby Lobby I'm sure have them.

Where did you get the mirror in your sons bathroom?

I got the mirror at Restoration Hardware.

Here is the link.

Did you make the silhouettes or buy them?

I made them and here is the link to the original post.

Where did you get the dark bamboo blinds above your kitchen sink?

I actually bought these as a temp. solution until I could afford the "real deal"

but might just leave these up because they work just fine.

I not only have them in the kitchen, but also in our sons room.

They are from a local store called Fred Meyer, kinda like a Target, but not even that fancy!

Where did you get your kitchen stools?

I got them at Pier One and a good friend made the ruffled light leopard cushions.

I don't see them on their website anymore but these are similar.

Do you have an indoor laundry room and does Savannah have her own bathroom?

Yes, we have an indoor laundry room closet.

It sits right off our kitchen and here is a link to a post I did about it.

No, Savannah shares the guest bath.

Where did you find that awesome wine bottle dryer?

I have 2.

The one in this first photo is from World Market, and is around $15.00.

Here is the link to it.

The second picture which holds the mugs in our kitchen was a ebay purchase and was around $180.00

 Where are your letter mugs from?

They are from Anthropologie, here is the link.

How can you have a white couch and keep it from looking dirty with boys and dogs, and where did you get it?

Well, it is a slipcover sofa, so when it gets dirty, I throw it in the wash.

I try to keep it full of lots of pillows and throw blankets to keep it clean longer.

I got it at Pottery Barn and here is the link.

Where did you get the decal for your chalkboard wall?

It's actually not a decal, you can find the original post here on how I did it.

How do I find the post on how you refinished your hardwood floors?

Right here!

I think that's it! I hope I answered them all!

I am actually planning on doing an updated home tour shortly, as these photos are rather old.

Have a great day!

xoxo

~scissortail clothing company dress giveaway~

Scissortail Clothing Company is back with another fabulous dress giveaway.

Check out their website and facebook page here!

The lovely gals at Scissortail Clothing Company are giving away 1 dress of your choice to one lucky reader!

International readers welcome!

You must do the following for entry:

Like Scissortail on Facebook.

Leave me a comment telling me which dress you would choose and why.

Also, you must leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win.

I will pick a random winner and announce back here on Friday.

In other news, the first course begins in Jeanne Oliver's summer series!

It is the Art Of Seeing,

{a photography class} 

and you can read about it here.

If you would like to join this class for only $10, here is the link. 

Thanks to all who followed me on instagram over our fun camping weekend, we had a blast!

xoxo

~randomness around the house~

We are taking off for a few days to enjoy fathers day weekend in the mountains.

Follow me on instagram if you'd like to see way too much information :)

I always like to leave on vacation with a clean house.

A clean house means snapping some photos because it never stays clean for long.

And I better say this so my mom doesn't freak out~"yes mom, I am saying we are leaving, BUT we always have a house guest stay while we are away, we have 2 big dogs, nosy neighbors, a security gate, and a mean looking neighborhood caretaker."

Ok, now that I got that out of the way.......

This slip covered cube was a craft night project, I will have several more for sale at the French Flea July 6th in Kirkland Washington.

 I picked up this new {to me} scent of Mrs. Meyers last night and want to bathe in it.

{yes, I know I am not a countertop, but I am still tempted.}

 I went thrifting yesterday and posted about it on instagram.

Here are a few things I got, also for the French Flea.

 This leather briefcase bag arrived recently from 

Scissortail Clothing Company and 

I absolutely love it! 

Go get yourself one here.

 I also got a new betwixt pillow in black and white

{notice the ones in the above pic. too, I am betwixt obsessed it seems}

Visit these lovely ladies to get yourself one.

Also, peonies are in full bloom and I have picked a bunch,

 I think I have them in just about every room in my house.

And, on a side note, while I was prepping food for our camping trip I decided to make this, and holy smokes, you need to make it~like right now. 

It's seriously amazing!

Have a great father's day weekend!

Don't forget to follow me on instagram.

xoxo

~thrifty thursday~{equestrian inspired}

 I bought this wood horse cutout at a flea market about a year ago for around $5.00.

I immediately painted over it because someone had painted silly white eyeballs 

on it among other things. 

I finally decided to do something with it, so here you go......

First up, I painted the horse again, both sides with chalkboard paint.

{the spray chalk paint works well too}

 Then off to the salvage yard I went and picked up 2 wood pieces 

{refer to the first picture} 

 and married them

 with my nail gun and some wood glue.

Wait for a sunny day, throw on some cream spray paint, and distress.

 4 eye hooks strategically placed......

and some black chain, and we have a double sided sign that would be so cute hanging from a barn or any room for that matter for a horse lover.

 I just have it propped up for taking the photos......

 And the other side.

Hoping this will inspire you to create something fun yourself!

xoxo