Five simple things

This Train Sign.

Because I love how Skylar has gotten into his train collection more and more over the past year.  

This Picture of Skylar.

Because it makes me smile when I see it.

This Moonlit Walk.

Because the lighting was just right for this wonderful picture.  

This Bumper Sticker.

Because I love displays on cars that are about the love of our planet.

This Discount.

Because I just love little extras thrown into a fantastic craft kit.  Hint:  It's from Brit+Co.

These Love Leaves.

Because they were super fun to make and took all of 10 minutes to do.  A fun craft that lingered over from fall to Valentine's Day.  A white paint pen is all you need!

This Random Photo of Skylar.

Because it was back at Christmas and I just can't get over how neat the wagon from Chafin Farms looks.  

This Hurricane Simulator.

Because it was really fun to watch Skylar experiencing a hurricane.  Of course the wind wasn't as strong as it would be in an actual hurricane, but it was still fun to watch.

This Duck Supporter.

Because I have really taken a liking to the Ducks since I have lived in Oregon and I can't wait to still support them when I move this July back south.

This Pumpkin.

Because it lasted a long time for me, and I am sad to say, it was put to rest in the yard compost bin this afternoon.  I have had it since October and I was sad to see it go.

Eco-Tip:  Pack a daily lunch that's waste-free.  Try approaches such as silverware, reusable napkins, and food that doesn't require packaging such as grapes, crackers, a sandwich.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

The brave little inch-worm

This poor little inch-worm was holding on for dear life to this little twig as the rain was pounding down on top of it.  We loved the fact that the little worm was fighting with all its might to stay attached to the twig. What a brave little worm.

Eco-Tip:  Look to used items or vintage items over new.  Used and vintage items require no new materials to make and most items still have life left in them.  And vintage items are actually really neat to have around.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Spark of Loves this Week: Feeder, Flag, Sign, Plants, Bottles, Flowers, Stove, Sill, Board, and Pin

This Corn Feeder.

Because it's been feeding the neighborhood squirrels and the cantankerous blue jay that has "owned" my yard.  

This Flag.

Because it's the flag I put up during the fall and winter season till spring hits and I know I will be taking it down soon.  I can't wait for spring!

This Door Sign.

Because I wish more people would mind the sign and actually do it.  My poor area rug has had enough.  *sigh*

These House Plants.

Because I grew the succulents from other cuttings and they survived.  And my Thanksgiving/Christmas cactus is been a bit confused this season because of the weather.  It has bloomed three times already!

These Empty Bottles.

Because I love what comes in them and I love them even more when they are empty and sitting on my window sill.

These Dried Flowers.

Because they gave me a reason to keep them around and on display.

This Stove Setup.

Because I think it looks lovely and reminds me of the countryside when I cook.  

This Window Sill.

Because it's the perfect spot for my rosemary and avocado trees.

This Chalkboard.

Because it's made from a poster board frame and we love it!  It's still not finished, but it works for right now.

This HoneyBee Pin.

 Because it was given to me from an antique shop owner during my trip with John back in December   I ended up leaving it on the visor of the rental car and I was quite upset.  John called the lost and found department of Avis, as did I, and they found it, retrieved it, and mailed it promptly back to me.  I am so very grateful.

Eco-Tip:  Buy only what you need and try to live within your means.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Quick decor changes that won't break the bank

I am always on the hunt for quick, inexpensive ways to save some money when it comes to changing my home around to make it fresh and inviting.  The seasons changing is a great excuse to change our home around and I have learned, throughout the years, how to cut corners without anyone know the wiser.  Here are a few things I have learned that make your home look fresh for the seasons and won't break the bank in the end.

1.  Re-hang your window shades.  That's right, re-hang them.....Change them to either hand inside the window moldings for a smaller window look, or hang them on the outside of the frame to make the window appear wider.  If you do hang them on the outside of the window frame make sure you hang them higher than the window panel itself.  This gives the appearance of the room being taller than it actually is.

Here the curtains are hung inside the window frame as see on Pickled Tink Crafts.

Here the curtains are hung on the outside of the window frame and higher than the actual frame as seen on Canadian House & Home.  I think the black on white is lovely.

2.  To add privacy, but still get the most out of the light through a window, pair a print, solid, or patterned curtain with a sheer panel.  The sheer panel will allow for light to come through, but still add privacy and the print panel will allow for light blocking and privacy when needed.  Be sure and hang each curtain, the sheer panel and the print panel, on separate double rods.

Here you can see the double rod with the solid and sheer panel as seen from Curtain Works.  

3.  When you hang your curtains higher than the the window frames consider hanging the curtain rod longer than the molding on each side of the window.  This look make the window appear wider and in turn makes the room appear wider as well.

The rod here makes this smaller window appear as if it takes up a longer space in this room as shown here from the Pepper Design Blog.

Window treatments and curtains aren't the only way to redecorate without breaking the bank.  There are many other ways to give your home a fresh look too.

Look to ways like reclaimed wood.  One of the most popular items on the web currently is making your own Farmhouse Table.  

Thrifty and Chic provides a fantastic tutorial on how to accomplish a Farmhouse Table like the one shown above.  Of course the one above was made with new boards, but you could always duplicate the same process with reclaimed woods.  Consider railroad trestles for a smart, but reclaimed look.

You could also look to saw horses for a different table look.  I have a glass-top table and I have been on a hunt for a few different ideas to make it look different from time to time.  A couple of ideas are saw horses and even tree stumps. 

Something similar to one being sold on Etsy via the Driftedge shop.

Or the saw horse table shown here from Busy Bee Design.  This look would work for an office desk as well.

I have found that adding a bit of color to the kitchen is a great step as well.  Of course this design idea might cost you a bit, but if you already have the colorful flatware, bowls, or mugs you won't have to spend a dime more.  Pull all of your colored cookware and utensils onto seen shelves for a pop of added color.

Bringing out colorful bowls and plates that are hidden behind the cabinet doors will bring a quick change and a pop of color to your kitchen, or any room for that matter.  These colorful bowls are a nice addition to this kitchen seen here from Charles Lantz Cabinetry.

Or this colorful kitchen from Kickrs.

Adding a strip down the wall of any room will also give your home that added decor move without breaking the bank either.  Chalkboard pain is quite popular right now as well.

These vertical stripes brighten this room and also bring the room a bit of character in this photo from Shelterness.

Or this one horizontal stripe down the hallway in this photo from Fridge Coaster.  I think this look is a very nice, calm, and eye-drawing addition.

Or paint an entire wall with chalkboard paint like this one from Design Life Blog.

Or this one from Ewehooo!

I hope some of these design and money-saving ideas help you to bring a fresh and new look to your living space.  If something can be used in a new way, try it!  It's so fun to give the home a new look and even more fun using something you already have for that newly achieved look too! 

Eco-Tip:  Opt for reusable products over disposable ones.  Try with small items such as dinner napkins and toothbrushes, then venture out into large items, such as razors, dust mop heads, and even using tennis balls in your dryer over dryer sheets.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.