What's Blooming?

We all need a best friend who shares your interests and opinions,

 with just enough of a clash to keep it interesting.

 This big smiling guy is mine.

Michael Reilly and I have been BFFs for over a decade, and several years ago,

I lured him into the dark, seductive world of...

Orchids.

What did you guys think I was going to say, sheesh?

 We're married, and we hang out as a foursome.

Minds out of the gutters!

When he and his lovely bride of 30 years, 

 Carolyn, went to 

The New York Botanical Gardens Orchid Show,

they were kind enough to share.

So today's Tropical Tour is brought to you by...

 New York City!

 

Happy Sunday.

Going Shopping

Let's go, Besties, we have some ground to cover!

For one thing, Target has a shoe clearance going, and these 

soft-as-butter-babies were a whopping $10.48!

 

You'll need to hit Walmart for a pair of twin flat sheets and some trims
for Tuesday's fun little project.
Why sheets?
1. Wrinkle free
2. Wide variety of colors
3. Four bucks...need we say more?
We'll be making a Renaissance costume fit for a queen on a pauper's budget. 

But before you leave Target, stroll through the Dollar Spot
and pick up a couple of these chicken wire baskets for $3 a pop!

How handy is this for organizing and dispensing your ribbons?

I have trims galore that I snap up cheaply, stash, and forget.
This gives them a fighting chance at recognition!

Just haul it right out to your craft area.

They also corral your Crystal Light boxes turned bauble storage rather nicely!

Soooooo...

Headed for Walmart, Target, and the Dollar Tree.
BRB.
If not back, avenge death.

A Wee Bit o' Irish!

Warning:

The following video clip contains some harsh language, violence,

Mel Gibson, and men wearing more makeup than a Kardashian.

Not suitable for small children or the easily offended,

although if you're easily offended, I'm kind of wondering how you ended up over here

in the first place.

Saint Patrick's Day.

One day a year when we all set aside our nationalities and colors in favor of green.

My children are human melting pots.

Under "Race or Ethnicity" on forms they check off

"All of the Above."

So when March rolls around, we like to add a touch of Irish to the decor.

 It was also definitely time to change out the hearts and sparkly birds on the

lighted twig tree. Really, it was past time.

 Hit the Dollar Tree and grab 2 packages of glittered foam Shamrocks.

You'll also need a hole punch and some ribbon or string.

The dye is just on the table.

I did the couch slipcovers that day too.

No lounging and eating bonbons for me.

 Okay, easy stuff.

Punch a hole in the Shamrock.

 Thread through some ribbon.

Tie a bow.

Hang on existing tree.

I know, this was labor intensive, difficult, expensive,

 and beyond the capabilities of most crafters,

but it produces heirloom quality ornaments!

Fine, it was embarrassingly simple.

I like embarrassingly simple.

There are days when just making something is nearly impossible.

Remember to look exhausted when your family sees it.

Claim to have applied the glitter by hand.

Hey Ya'll, Fix This!

Edges of your bed frame jagged?

 Do you ding your shin every time you walk past?

A quick repair is just duct tape and pool noodle cut to size and slit open!

This has been another 

White Trash Moment in Home Repair History,

 brought to you by Sunny's Life in Rehab, 

the blog you're ashamed to admit you follow!

Never Leave the House Without Clean Drawers

Your mother never told you that?

 I have really been enjoying all the recycled drawer projects on the internet.

 Since I needed inexpensive (read that as "free") accessories for kitchen storage,

I started watching my favorite store (read that as "neighborhood trash")

for some drawers to use in my evil plans.

 And I did find several.

Once I had about a dozen, I added them to my stash of mismatched baskets,

wine crates, and 90% off Christmas boxes and headed for the workshop.

 A little Rustoleum in Spa Blue, Gloss White, and Apple Green

should coordinate this mess nicely.

 Wine gift boxes make GREAT kitchen storage, but we'll get to that.

 Your drawers should be in varying sizes, but make sure they are solid wood.

Be a little picky about what garbage you dig out and throw in the car, okay?

 Three coats of your color of choice will do it.

 I'm not sponsored by Rustoleum or anything, I simply love the product for several reasons:

1. The color choices are immense.

2. It has primer already in it. Skip a step? Don't mind if I do!

3. It now covers anything from metal to plastic, so I can paint almost any surface to match

 4. Cats enjoy "huffing" it.

 5. No, we did not get Hugs high. We swear. Put down the phone.

Next, I used stainless steel restaurant style storage shelving.

 Add your newly painted goodies.

 Embellishments and tags give boxes a finished look, and I know where 

my linen napkins are in a jiffy.

 The drawers are perfect for heavy items, like sets of dishes.

 (I still have to hit IKEA for matching handles)

We distressed the fronts a bit just for fun.

 *Hazy, bad photo of dessert plates safely stored*

I still have some crates and drawers that will be climbing the walls, and

we promise to share the how to on that too!