DIY Upholstered Ottoman Storage

I have been redecorating the house. I started with my bedroom but it still not done. Then did the master bathroom with one more thing left to do. Finally, I decided to redo the loft room and turn it into a fun colorful play/gameroom area!! I am about half way done with that room. Once I get it done I will post the before and after pictures.

For awhile now I knew I wanted or needed a new ottoman storage and wanted to use it for the playroom area. We have a big ottoman storage we used in our family room but then it started to get old and got ripped in some places. I ended putting it in the garage trying to decide what can I do with it. After, looking for a new ottoman the prices were crazy and especially buying a new one for a playroom where the kids will destroy it. That is when my crazy brain started to kick in...LOL I decided to upholster it myself.

I figured why not just cover it myself? It can't be that hard! So, I went to JoAnn's Fabric and got what I liked. Came home and went straight to work.

First, I took off the hinges since its a storage one.

Next, I cut out the leather around since it was ripped already.

Now I laid down the fabric and got the ottoman (top side down) made sure fabric was straight.

The fun part begun when I stapled on the longer side a little lose. Then I did the same on the other side pulling it tightly. Once done, with that I cut all the excess fabric around. I made sure all fabric is secure and even.

Last, I attached it back to the ottoman base!

Ta Daaa! Simple and easy!!

Now its in the play/game room area and my kids love it since its comfortable to sit on then a regular coffee table!! Total cost me only for the fabric $15.41

Thank you for stopping by!
Marianthi

Painted SunBurst Mirror

  Hi all! Since, my bathroom cabinets are done I decided to go ahead and do a little mini make over to my bedroom. My husband went out of town for work the whole week. I thought it was perfect time to do it then.

  I have been wanting those sunburst mirrors for a while. After, looking around from store to store  the last 3 days I couldn't find them in my price range in silver. Finally, today I had to make a stop to target for something and my mind was telling me to check the wall decor stuff to see if they have a mirror. BOOM!!, I saw this sunburst mirror for $54.99. It was in metal bronze like color. I grabbed it and told myself I will spray paint it Silver!

                              Brilliant!Idea!

As you can see it has gold color  at the tips and around mirror. So, here it is before I started to spray paint it. First, I sanded it very lightly to just take shine out. Then cleaned it very well.

 Now here is the 1st coat of spray paint. The gold tips still show a little!

Now here it is after 3 coats of spray paint!!! I LOVE IT! It's everthing I wanted!

  I am so excited to see my bedroom slowly coming together.

DIY Bathroom Cabinets makeover!!

   I finally decided to stain my bathroom cabinets. After, looking to see what is the best way to stain my cabinets and searching through the internet, I saw most people using the general stain gel Java! I took a risk using another stain from Home Depot called Varathane Wood stain in Kona color and the Polyurethane.

   This was the first time using wood stain! As a newbie I am so glad and happy with the results!

   I did 2 coats inside the door cabinets and 3 coats on the outside. Along, with 3 coats of Poly!
This wasn't a weekend job! Took a week to do. Make sure you completely let the stain dry well. Same for the Poly. As a newbie I learned a lot on this. Now I know  next time I will use cloth instead of
Foam brush. Also, the stain needs a very very thin coat. My first coat took FOREVER to Dry!! It took a good 24 hours.
 
  My hubby taking out the doors for me!

                          This was the 2nd coat of stain.

and here is the results!

I love love IT!

I do plan to put wood trim around the mirrors and will change our faucets soon!

Last here is a mini fix I did around the toilet. I put in a shelve but since I space it a little to high I will look for a picture to put under.

Have a blessed day!

Small Entry Mud Room

   I wanted to reduce the clutter in our main area of our home. With the kids being back in school and having so much clutter in the front main room it looked horrible. So, I decided to take the little entry way from the garage and turn it into a mud room. Hubby and I both had different ideas some how we managed to work it out!

   I wanted a bench storage, but my husband didn't. After, looking at so many places we finally decided to head out to IKEA. I ended up agreeing on Hubby about not having a bench storage so that we can have 8 cube storage. All storage are from IKEA even the hooks. The rest of the decor are from TJ Maxx , Marshall and Michaels.

This 1st picture shows it with all 5 hooks!

Hubby came up with an idea to put the kids Initials on the baskets. People ask me what I have inside the baskets and boxes? The 2 bottom baskets 1 is the boys soccer stuff and the other I have my small purses and kids socks. The boxes on 1st room in bottom. One has the kids library books that other is empty for now. On top shelf from left I have more kids books inside. The 2 little photo boxes I have batteries in the one and the other are school supplies like pencils, crayons, and so on. The last box is the papers I keep throughout the kids' school year!

I love how it came out and also love that my main room area has no more shoes, bags and so on in the front anymore.

Thanks for stopping by!

Marianthi

Easy DIY Easter center piece

   This year I'm behind with deocrating for Easter. As for now I just try to figure out a center piece for my table. Here is what I came up with it. It simple and cute...

and here I changed with the Cross

Have a Blessed Day

Easy DIY Peppermint foot lotion

   Just made my 2nd batch of foot lotion. I been wanting to make it for a long time. I thought it would be difficult but I sure was wrong! There is a trick to getting the butter to whip though.

   Living in South Florida and all day with sandals makes my feet cracked and dry. I made the first batch a little over 2 weeks ago. So, far I'm loving it. Softens my feet adding peppermint to hydrate, and iy increases circulation in my feet. I add this every night with socks on. This so far has been working great on me...

Peppermint Foot Lotion

1 cup shea butter
1/3 cup coconut oil
4-5 drops peppermint essential oil


1. Melt the shea butter in a saucepan on low heat until liquid then stir in coconut oil.

2. Remove and let it cool. Add your peppermint oil.

3. Once it solidifies whip with a mixer until its butter-like

(Note** Since living in Florida made it hard for me to whip it. What I did was  I put it in the freezer for about 5- 10  minutes once it turned solid. I took it out and scraped down the sides before whipping it.

4. Place in a clean jar!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cleaning Fruits and Veggies

   One day at the grocery store I was waiting in line. There was a health magazine and I was reading through it. I came to a page showing how to wash your fruits and veggies in vinegar. Well, I decided to give it a try.

   Believe it or not It really works! It's simple and takes very few minutes of your time. Here is what I did. I filled up a bowl with 3 parts of water to 1 part of white vinegar. Let them soak for about a minute or 2. Then drain and rinse with water.  Let them dry or pat dry on a paper towel or towel. This will keep them from molding and they will last for weeks!

  Oh just to let you know they do not taste or smell like vinegar either!


Thanks for stopping by!

Lavender essential oil in Mascara

  Have I told you I love using essential oils? I have so many different brands. About 4 years ago I was a buying oils from Young living. Lavender is very common oil to use for many reasons. I was told to put Lavender oil in my mascara. Placing a drop into your mascara, helps to volumize and strengthen your lashes, promotes eyelash growth and extends your mascara life. I've noticed that my mascara applies much more smoothly to my eyelashes.

Have you done this lately? If so, what do you think about this tip?

Marianthi

Oreo cookies and cream pudding

    This pudding is divine and thanks to my one friend J posting it on Facebook a while back.  My kids always ask me to make it now. Here is the recipe simple and easy...

1 bag Oreos crushed ( I use half of the 2nd bag also)
8oz cream cheese soften
1/4 cup butter soften
1 cup powdered sugar
3 cups milk
2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding
1/2 tsp vanilla
12 oz cool whip (thawed)

Cream together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar & vanilla. In separate bowl mix milk and pudding chill until set. Fold slowly cool whip after pudding has set. Add cream cheese mixure, layer with Oreas...

Chill until ready to serve!!

Enjoy!

Papaya Hair Mask.

   I absolutely love this mask. Thanks to my wonderful neighbor sharing it with me. Let me begin first by telling you that I had no clue what papaya was. It all started after having my first child. When I got home from the hospital my neighbor knew that I was having problems with bowel movements. She went to her house and brought over to me a pear like fruit calling it Papaya. Right away she made me oatmeal with it. It worked.Well, I didn't take it serious till after having my 2nd child again same problem happened and my loving neighbor made me the papaya oatmeal along with a papaya smoothie.

  After that, I started to use papaya often in my home. Now this papaya mask is from my loving neighbor again. I'm so thankful for her sharing with me this lovely mask. There are so many great benefits of using papaya. Papaya is rich in minerals, vitamins and enzymes. Papaya can also help in creating the volume by nourishing the hair. It gives my hair thick

ness.  Here are the ingredients I use for the mask..

half cup papaya cut in chunks
half cup yogurt
half ripe banana
1 teaspoon raw honey
1 tablespoon coconut oil

Blend all ingredients well and apply to damp hair. Wrap with a shower cap and allow it to stand for about 20 minutes. Now wash your hair and if you want its optional to use conditioner.


Have a Blessed day!

NV Nissan or Mercedes Sprinter Vans

    Nissan NV 3500 is our newest addition to our family! We knew we needed a new van soon. After, test driving around we tried to decide over Mercedes sprinter or Nissan NV? Once test driving was done we chose the NV Nissan. Best decision we made. We love the van. Its huge fits 12 passengers but right now I chose to remove 3 seats to make it 9 seat passengers. Every day, I drive my kids and the 2 Grandmas so this van fits us perfectly! To be honest It took awhile for my DH (husband) to decide our vehicle over the Mercedes.  After he starting reading Pros and Cons on both vans, he finally agreed with me to get the NV.

    I love that it has 2 power outlets  120 volts  in front and back for us to charge our I pads, laptops,cell phones and so on.. What sold us the most in the NV more than Mercedes was that the Mercedes didn't have air bags all around the cabin! We upgraded it to have rubber floors and back up camera with sensor. It has cup holders under every seat in the back. Since, we test drive both vans this vehicle is not as loud and noisy as the Mercedes.

   We already had it for 2 months and love it! I do get looks from people asking what is this a van or truck? Can't wait till we take our Bertie ( kids named it Bertie since it looks like a bus) on long road trips! We have done short road trips with all 8 of us comfortable. Without hearing the kids saying Mommy he is breathing on me, bothering me or so on...Now they have their space and love it. One thing it didn't come with was a built in DVD player. We do plan to add that soon so kids can enjoy watching movies. Here are  a few pictures.

Hope this helps for those who plan to buy a NV.

Thanks for stopping by..

Marianthi

3 Birthday's in January (Spongebob & Luau Theme)

    Last month in January we celebrated 3 out of 4 kids Birthdays! Now the fun part begins how do I plan it? Make them all together? 2 little ones together and have oldest son alone? What do I do now? After, discussing with my husband we just decided to do them all at once. My oldest son was OK with it. Phew!
Trying to figure out how to make it all work out close to same theme I came up with the boys to do Spongebob pineapple under the sea Birthday and for our daughter we did a Luau theme. It worked out PERFECT!
    I ordered all the cakes from Publix 2 different Spongebob cake for boy's and 1 Luau for princess. We rented a huge combo bounce house and played a couple games. Thank god my mother, mother in law, husband and couple neighbors came to help me. My kids loved the way we decorated and also they had so much fun that day! Here are a few pictures of the Birthday party!

 Cake table

 Napkins wrapped with lifesavers

 Napkin and dressing boat holder

Oldest son's cake

Princess Luau cake

3rd son's cake

 I made the Pineapple center piece

Salad in a shell

 Each tables had a pineapple in center

 Combo bounce house

 Singing Happy Birthday to each child

 Grandma's

 Our Family before the party started

 Meze table

 Blowing candles out

and last my Princess is clapping cause she had a so much fun!

Thanks for stopping by!