DIY - Mini Clothespin Magnets

Happy Wednesday!  Hopefully everyone's weeks are going well.  It's February break around here, which means no school, which means lots of one on one time with my favorite little guy. We've had a blast playing games, painting a bit, and trying to brave the temps for some outdoor time.  We've got a mad obstacle course running over here.

I've squeaked in a little DIY time, even without my preschool time!  It's quick, easy, and little hands can get in on the fun.

A few weeks ago, I spied these adorable little clothespins at Michaels.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them, but I knew I'd think of something...

When I made my clothespin pushpins, I suddenly knew what to do with this set...magnets! 

To make them, I cut strips of craft magnets I already had to fit the length and width of the clothespins.

Then, I hotglued the strips onto one side of each pin.  Be careful not to glue the magnetic side down!  You want to keep that part on top so it will adhere to your fridge.

Let the glue dry thoroughly before you stick them up, or you'll have to do it twice.  Lesson learned.

Voila!  I love the little splash of color they bring and you know I'm loving anything that gets me closer to spring!

They hold up my weekly meal plan beautifully.  BTW, have you guys ever tried emeals?  Check it out.  They have a ton of meal plans, low carb, traditional, gluten free, low fat, Paleo etc.  You select a plan, and every week they send you 7 meal ideas, recipes, and the shopping list.  We've been using the Paleo version (more on that in another post) and we LOVE it!

Anywho!  A quick little DIY that keeps me organized and brightens my day.

And who doesn't love that!

XO,

  Sara

Fashion Fun - My New Friend

Hi there!  Is anyone else ready for some warmer temps?  I am SOOOOOOO ready for spring.

So ready, that when I saw this spring green bag it had to come home with me.  Had to.

Isn't it divine? 

The color.  The shape.  This adorable gold polka dot interior.  It all makes me smile so much!

It may be freezing outside, but my bright green bag makes me feel like hope is in the air!  Spring will come once more!  Can you hear the chorus singing?

Do you have a bright bag that makes you smile?  What's your favorite color in a purse?  I usually go for a neutral, but branching out a little here.

Go get yourself a little something springy!  Maybe if we all do, the weather will take the hint!

XO,
  Sara

Hello Again!

Hi friends!  I apologize for my absence.  I've had a whale of a time trying to upload pictures into Blogger...

At long last, a few pics of some Valentine cookies we made to celebrate.  

Heart and lip cookies are a must in our house.  My mom always made these for my class parties, so I have to make them with Little.  They were delish!

Here's one happy customer!

He had a blast shaking on the sprinkles.

Well, these were a tad belated, hopefully you'll forgive me!  I was able to get these pictures on when I loaded them one at a time...

Hopefully I'll have many more posts to share with you this week.  I've got a new bag I'm dying to show you and a few DIY we've been working on.

Happy Monday!

XO,
  Sara

V-Day Decor

Are you ready for the day of love?  I know.  Me neither.  I have valentines to make for Little's class, cookies to bake, cards to fill out...

However, our home is ready!

You already saw my mantle last week...




...and yesterday I shared the simple craft Little Man and I did together.

Today, I'm just showing a few pics of the others lovey touches around the casa.

I'm a big sucker for seasonal pillows.  This is why I have a white sofa.  I just can't commit!  To pillows.  Don't worry Mister.

I've had the Pottery Barn red ticking pillows forever and stumbled upon the heart lumbar pillow at Ikea last year.  It makes me so happy, even if it is only out for a month.

This little tic-tac-toe game always sits here, but it's so apropos right now!  Don't you love that word?  Apropos.  I feel a little bit fancy.

                               


I made this little garland last year with some leftover red felt.  Easy-peasy.  I just cut out some hearts and hot glued them to a long piece of ribbon.  I love how it looks draped across the hutch.

I pulled out the vintage valentines from last year and put them in the exact same spot in the kitchen.  They're all food related so I thought it was fitting...

                                

And that's it.  It's kind of refreshing to not go crazy after all the hoopla of Christmas.  You know me.  I love to put it up, but I love taking it down maybe a little bit more!

Not too much longer and we'll be busting out the Easter eggs and bunnies!  But first, I have a certain almost 4 year-olds birthday party to plan.

Back to that list...

XO,
  Sara

Tissue Paper Hearts - V-Day Craft

Welcome back to another week at Nest Your Best! Hope you had a fun weekend.  My Little Man had his first baseball practice this weekend and it was hysterical.  Really.  I'm bringing a video camera next time.  he had a blast.

  We are gearing up for all things V-day.  I'm not usually too big on Valentine's Day, but having a blog and a baby makes even little holidays more of an event around here!  Little gets so much joy out of all the crafts, stories, and decorations, how could I disappoint?  Even if it means lots of glue on my Pottery Barn table...

We threw together a fun and time consuming (if you have preschoolers, you know this is awesome!) craft to bring a little fun to the kitchen.

The process was quite simple.  I used to do this with my first graders all the time.

Just cut out a heart or two out of cardboard or something else with some substance.

 Then, trim your desired color of tissue paper into little squares.

Set out a palette of glue and show your child how to scrunch up a square of tissue and dip it in the glue.  We had a big talk about the difference between a 'dip' and a 'dunk'...

Get those little hands moving and about 30 minutes later (Yes!! Fold some clothes, eat a snack, take a nap?? Just kidding, I would never...) you'll have some completely covered hearts!

*Disclaimer - I had to go back in and fill in some spots to cover the cardboard.  Little worked on this for a loooong time, but we had differing opinions on what was "finished". :)

I think they turned out pretty cute and he had a blast working on them, to a point.  Maybe we'll do some shamrocks next month!  Or some Easter eggs...hmmm.

Tomorrow I'll be showing you some more decor we have going on.  Got to go make a gajillion pretzel hugs for preschool!

                              

Hope you have a fab day!

XO,
  Sara

In-Spy-ration: Minty Madness

I was browsing through my Pinterest style board the other day and I noticed a trend.  Mint.  It. Was. Every. Where.

No longer just for bridesmaids dresses.  Here are a few ways this cool color has made it's presence known.

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Love this necklace.  Especially the rough edged stones against the smooth blouse.

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Fun color combo.  Has me pining for spring!

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Don't you just want to be a Boden girl?  They always look like they're having the best time, in really cute mint skinnies.

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Love navy and mint.  In fact, I may be doing this very soon...Top knot and all.

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This is way more intricate than I could do on myself, but it's really fun.

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And for those of you wanting a more subtle splash in the minty turquoise direction...

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Is anyone else craving mint chocolate chip ice cream right now?  Mmmmmm.

Have a fantastic weekend!  My Little Man has his very first baseball practice tomorrow.  I'm getting teary already!  How is he big enough for organized sports?  I cannot wait to see him in a little uniform.  Sigh.  Too.  Cute.

XO,

  Sara

Valentine's Day Mantle 2013

Happy Friday Eve!  Today I've got a lovey-dovey mantle to share with you, complete with an easy DIY.

I didn't spend a dime and I'm loving the touch of fun it's brought to our living room.

You may have spotted the framed Tunnel of Love ticket.  This was a quick DIY.  I found the printable from Flamingo Toes.

I just printed it on cardstock and cut a piece of burlap for it to sit on top of in the frame.  Done-zo!

The "X" and "O" are actually pieces of a tic-tac-toe game I keep on the coffee table.  Perfect for V-day!

You can see how I made the wreath here and learn more about the vintage valentines here.




I just used painter's tape to adhere them to the candlesticks and the basket.

The basket vase, botanicals, and candlesticks are from Pottery Barn.

And there you have it.  A mantle fit for a day of love.

How do you do V-day?  Just a heart or two, or do you like to do it up big?

Next week I'll be showing you some other touches of love around the house.  The big day is fast approaching!  Did you hear that Mister?  It's a week from today.  I mean, I think.  I'm not keeping track or anything...;)

XO,
  Sara