girls play kitchen.

I love goodwill. I could go everyday. You never know what you will find! Last week I found this kitchen for 15$ and I fixed it up real cute!!! 

t-shirt storage.

Ok.. we have a lot of clothes, and I'm constantly moving things around to make them fit in different spots perfectly! Saw this idea on pinterest and I have to admit I LOVE IT. It just makes so much sense! 

PERKS TO STORING T-SHIRTS IN DRESSER

• You can see which shirt it is by the way you fold them.
• When they are stacked, often when you pull one out the rest come tumbling down! Not a problem anymore.

you are my sunshine.

I have been singing this song to Bella since the day she was born, and now we sing it together! It's safe to say that it's our song, and the lyrics have meaning to me! So I decided to print them out and frame them in her room. I used photoshop to change the fonts, feel free to take this pdf file for yourself! I recommend printing on photo paper… the size of frame is 5x7.

(frame from Michaels)

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(drag this original to your desktop to save!)

carpet sample beds.

This may seem silly.. but Bella is always trying to make little blankets for her different toy animals, and there are a million different things you could do to accommodate… cut up fabric, kleenex, etc. But while strolling the aisles at Home Depot one day I took a second glance at the carpet samples, and grabbed a few. Bella was elated when I told her they were for her little friends to sit on! This sound so silly, even as I'm typing it.. but hey.. 

• they're free
• they're reusable
• they are getting more use than they ever would just being samples
• they aren't messy!
• and WHO cares if something spills on them, etc.

Just another great find to keep my kids happy!!!

first dance canvas.

Turn a photo of your first dance into any size canvas for your home. With photoshop or other editing software, add the lyrics of the song you danced to.. this is my favorite!! 

• canvasondemand.com is my favorite company because they awesome print quality and there are often online promotions

coffee candle jar.

 an inexpensive classic look for any room.. 

• a 10$ jar from wal*mart 
•  coffee beans (your favorite flavor) 
•  pillar candles (real ones or battery) 

( i think it looks so nice in my kitchen!)

diy wreath.

Another easy way to customize your front door.. put anything you want onto a 5$ wreath! Tie on flowers, ribbons, string, etc. There are countless possibilities. I just hot-glued everything on this one.

• wreath found at Michaels or Hobby Lobby
• burlap roses are so easy! (tutorial)

bookshelf.

Looking for a creative bookshelf without having to put one together or nail anything in the wall? Go to Hobby Lobby and get the brown bakers shelf in the furniture department (60$, but less with 40%off coupon) and paint it any color you want!! It makes a cute addition to a child's room. (I just used the cheap acrylic paint for 60c at Hobby Lobby.)

beans.

These beans are great learning tools for your toddler! Bella plays with them for an hour, burying little animals, sorting them buy color, and pretending they are food for her pet shops! I bought 4 bags of beans from Aldi, and a tupperware from Target. Cheap awesome way to start their minds growing.. throw any everyday items in and have them search and separate colors, numbers, etc.

tree paintings.

I have seen many variations of this tree style of painting on different canvases all over Pinterest & Etsy.. and I decided to try it myself! It really was easy enough.. a great start for a beginner. Pick up a blank canvas from hobby lobby at go for it. Looks GREAT in kids bedrooms. (Don't forget the 40% off coupon if they're not already 50% off!)

life-like birdies.

Are your kids always asking for pets? Mine too. :) Recently, my 3 year old daughter has shown an interest in birds. I would never want to own a real bird… sorry Bella! But scoping around Michael's the other day I saw in their garden section they have some bird decorations that look almost real! Also little nests, eggs, bedding, etc. Then I saw a little bird cage decoration for sale. Now Bella has a great little bird toy that keeps her busy. Come on… these look SO REAL!!

toy rack.

Have you noticed that your kids are entertained by simple household items and not the 30$ ones you deliberately go out and buy for them!? At times so frustrating… and yet so encouraging! If you can be thrifty with their play things you will be less stressed because if it breaks.. who cares? Plus, no more feeling guilty about overpriced toys!

I really wish I had taken a before photo of this "toy rack" I made but I forgot! Take my word... it was hideous! It was just wooden and dusty, and I found it for 50c at the Goodwill. After a few coats of acrylic paint, I stenciled some cute designs on the flat bottom part, and let it dry. My daughter sets her toys up on it all the time! Push yourself to be creative when it comes to toys because it can be such a waste of $!! Kids don't care if it cost 50c or 50$!