What We Were Up To This Weekend...

This weekend I got to spend a whole lot of time with my Mr (read: handsome hubby) working on this:

 

Isn't she a beauty?!

It all started last Christmas when my Mr and I had been shopping for the perfect wooden kitchen for the littles with three things in mind: affordability (read: It's gotta be cheep!), design, and durability. We really liked these (among others)...

Reto Kitchen  (158.00) from KidsKraft

Retro Complete Kitchen ($249) from Company Kids 

...however we weren't too crazy about the price-tags that came with the ready made kitchens that we liked and I was pretty attached to having some counter space (you know for things like mixing, chopping, and preparing food...etc) ...so we decided to make our own! How EXCITING!



We were completely inspired/blown away by some of these homemade kitchens...

Erin over at Ink Tree Press made this beauty. See how she did it here.

This big guy was made by Amy over at Giggleberry Creations from an old entertainment center! See how here.

And I just can't get over this little ditty made by Becca over at Bug Bites Play Food from a little footed nightstand! See how she did it here. I just think this is beyond ADORABLE! (I think I would have done something like this if I wasn't so darned attached to having counter space)

After pouring over hundreds of pictures of play-kitchens we began designing exactly what we wanted. We formatted our dream play kitchen on a program called Google SketchUp which we just plugged our measurements right into. Download it for FREE here.

With our design and measurements in hand we took a trip to home depot to purchase our wood. We spent about $35.00 and got one huge sheet of plywood (4'x8'), two 4''x1'' planks, two 2"x1" planks, and one 2"x2" plank.

We also bought all of the little accessories (knobs, oven handle, and dowel rod) as well as paint, sandpaper, bolts, screws, hinges, nails, etc...

I didn't know I'd be blogging about this later so I didn't take all of the step by step pics : ( Sorry to let you down folks.

This is what the kitchen has looked like since Christmas and we hadn't worked on it since until this weekend (we haven't been busy or anything).

(I promise I'll add these pics tonight soon!)

So this weekend we painted it and made and hung curtains! Now the only thing left to finish are the burners and knobs for the stove! We're almost there!


It was such a gift to create this project with my Mr and I had such a great time putting it all together. It was almost like a date (well...with the littles...so not quite...). I think the reason it was so special and unifying to build this toy together (besides the absolutely exhilarating feeling of using power-tools side-by-side) was because it is the first "handy" project that we have been completely united in and have created/worked on together from thought/design/dream to completion (well almost completion). So...maybe we will be able to build our dream-home together someday...you never know.


....I know you're all dying to know how much this pretty little plaything cost us...so I'll tell you. Our total cost for this project was right around $75.00!!!  That is approximately HALF the cost of anything we found while shopping!

So go grab your hubby and take a trip to Home Depot...where dreams can come true.

Oh! And do you want to see some of the kitchen accessories that we thrifted? Well I can't wait to show you!...But you'll have to wait for another day for all of that.

The Best of Boots!

Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat ' or 'What will we drink ' or 'What will we wear for clothing ' ... for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

Matthew 6:31-32

Today was a great day! I ran around town doing all sorts of crazy errands that needed to get done...phew!

While I was out and about I decided to take a peek in at our local Goodwill and see what was new.

Have I told you yet how much I LOVE to shop at thrift stores? It is so exhilarating! I never know exactly what is going to be there or if something is waiting patiently on the shelf just for me. The possibilities are endless!

My two favorite people to go thrifting with are my Mr. and my little sister Jeanne. We just have WAY too much fun. (I will add, lest you wonder/worry, that I have a VERY strict budget for such places and am in no danger of becoming a "hoarder"... I even have a thrift store "philosophy" which I may share in a later post...perhaps).

I think that the main reason I love these stores so much is that many times I will find exactly what I need (clothing for the littles, maternity clothes, coats, shoes, home items, ect) for a fraction of what it would cost to buy them new at the mall or any other store. Shopping at second-hand stores makes me feel like I am using our money wisely and enables my Mr. and I to provide for our families "needs" and even a couple of "wants" here and there.

When your budget is very tight (as ours most definitely is) it is very difficult to think of yourself and you very rarely allow yourself to purchase anything that you don't absolutely "need". I know that's how I get anyway and sometimes counting every little penny, all the time, and denying yourself EVERY "want" can make you go a little crazy. I think that allowing yourself to "splurge" a little for something you "want" every once in awhile is completely acceptable as long as it doesn't mean your family has to go without something they "need". I'm lucky my Mr. agrees ; ) For me there is a sense of freedom in having the ability to buy something I simply "want" for my Mr., my littles, or myself...every now and then.

Well today I found two terrific treasures (for me). You will not believe me when I tell you so I'm just going to show you.

I'm super excited about these because white boots can be worn all Spring and Summer!

...and these black beauties zip all the way up the back! Fun!

I know! God must really love me! I mean REALLY love me.


Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart's desire.Commit your way to the LORD; trust that God will act. 
Psalm 37:4-5

God has certainly acted! These boots are H.O.T.! Just what I wanted. They are both made of pure, genuine, marvelous, leather (drool), are made in Brazil (almost anywhere is better than China right?), and are just. my. size. (!!!!!!!)

I'd been scouring the internet for boots similar to these but couldn't afford (or justify) spending the $50+ that it would cost for the knock off brands that would only last 6-9 months and anything leather...psh...well that was completely out of the question.

My boots are very similar to these...

Lanvin Knee-High Leather Boots (these beauties cost over a grand!)

Sierra Leather Boots - Kate Spade

and these...

Black Leather Mina Flat Boots - Ann Taylor

Corso Como Dame - Racheal Zoe

...which would have cost $$$$.




So do you want to know how much I paid for my leather lovelies? I know you do.


My total cost for two, amazing, nearly new, pairs of leather boots was only $11.98!


Yes folks, fashion is at you fingertips and it can even be AFFORDABLE! What a concept!


Happy Shopping!



I am always eager to admire fab finds from afar. I'd love to see what kinds of deals you come across. Do share!



For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of eating well or going hungry of facing either plenty or poverty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me.
 Philippians 4:11-13