Weekend Warrior Project - Guest post by Shanda Neighbors

I tend to be an all or nothing kinda gal. I'm either doing everything, or nothing at all. This weekend due to the weather and the time change, I was in do everything mode. 

We bought a house a just over a year ago. It was a foreclosure and the task of making it home on a tiny budget was frankly, overwhelming. For the longest time I did nothing... but complain. In the last few months though, the idea of starting small has gained momentum. I decided I'd tackle my "projects" one at a time. This weekend's project was to make a french mid century modern chest in the master bedroom reflective of the people that share that room. Sounds simple, but my husband taste is more like this:

Now doesn't that just scream MAN!!!! The problem is my taste is more like this:

 

I'll admit it, this is feminine. So how do I make us both happy? How do I take this:

and make it reflect us both? This is what I came up with:

It was a lot of work, but I like the results. This dresser has a mate, any guesses what (God willing) this weekend's project will be?

Cherio!

Check out Shanda's blog at www.aboutloveandtruth.blogspot.com

Quick And Easy Last Minute Centerpieces

When I was a little girl, I remember going into the back yard and cutting foliage to dress the table at Christmas time.  I was so happy that my mother trusted me to do such an important job since most of the time it was just before the guest arrived.  I would cut fresh pine which we had growing in abundance nearby and then I just went around the house collecting candles and little trinkets to help pull the look together.  The table always came together beautifully, (at least thats what mom said) and never once did we have to buy anything other than what was in the house already.  This is something that has stayed with me and I still make my own centerpieces every year.


This year, I found four centerpiece ideas that really impressed me.  I was so excited, I just had to share them with you. This apple Christmas centerpiece was featured on www.theprettyblog.com, it is sooooooooo budget friendly and easy to do.  And how fabulous looking is this! 

To make this, all you need is egg whites, granulated sugar and apples.
Coat each apple halfway in the egg white, sprinkle liberally with sugar and let dry.
Next, arrange the apples on a nice plate and attach a a banner if you prefer. (use tooth picks to keep the banner in place) Thats it, all done.

Here is two ultra easy but gorgeous centerpieces that was featured on Better Homes and Gardens.   We all have left over Christmas bulbs and decorations left somewhere in the house and that is all you need for this project.  Grab some Christmas bulbs and beads, put them in a container of your choice, add some beads and bam! You've got yourself a stylish arrangement.  I also like the second version, just add fresh leaves (artificial can work as well) and arrange the beads in between the bulbs wherever there are spaces.  And you're done!  Its so beautiful you will ask yourself "did I do that?"



Finally, this delectable centerpiece is an idea I have used with great success many times.  Just get a couple of glass vases and put candles in them. Next, you put cranberries, cherries, or nuts, around the candles.  Thats all there is to it, very elegant and very simple.


Well, there you have it, four great ideas for your table that you can do very quickly.  Let me know if you try any of them, I would love to hear how it all turned out.  Have a Merry Christmas!