Old Crate + Old Casters = New Table

Yippee for another great yard sale find...this delightful old crate...

Rope handles...

Worn letters on the front.... (5 B J 5 ......any ideas?)

The best part?  Only $6!

My hubby added some casters he had found, and turned the crate into a cute little table on wheels!

So, this space that needed a table earlier this summer....

now has one!  (And I'm loving that it can be moved super easily for when I get the urge to rearrange!)

Gotta love old stuff that can be turned into something new!

Linking to a few of my favorites ~ check them out!

It is always an honor to be featured ~ THANKS so much!

Friday Favorites #3

So many favorites, so little time!  I've been working on a million different things lately, so I haven't had much time go exploring over the blogosphere.  So instead of showcasing some of my favorite blogged-about projects, I'm going to share some of my other favorite things!  I may be doing this from time to time, but I'll attempt to stick with a theme.  This week's theme:  board games!

I have always loooooved playing games, and lucky for me, I married in to a family that loves it too!  Here's a few of my favorites....

#1:  Ticket to Ride ~ one of my newest faves....someone may actually need to host an intervention to get us to stop playing this game.  We have the European version, but there's also one from the turn of the century United States, Nordic Countries, and Germany.  I love that this game takes some strategy, but at the same time, it's easy to catch on to - even our 5 year old understands the basic idea of the game.

#2:  The Settlers of Catan ~ our previous favorite, before we were introduced to Ticket to Ride.  Collecting resources, building settlements....there's definitely strategy, but there's some luck involved too!  This game is a little different each time you play, so you never get tired of it!  There's also expansion packs and other variations available, but you always have to start with the basic game board.

#3:  Boxers Or Briefs? ~ Hilarious!  I have literally come close to peeing my pants while playing this game.  Players describe you using one of the 2000+ funny and unique statements written on cards, and you choose a true statement and a funny statement.  With phrases like "....is the hairiest beast in the room" there is definitely a lot of laughter with this one.  **A few of the statements are a smidge risque, so you might want to take that into account when you play!**

#4:  Dutch Blitz ~ not exactly a board game, but the fastest and most fun card game you will ever play.  EVER.  And just so you know, you haven't really played until you have played with Mennonites.  I have many many fond memories of crazy youth group nights playing this game for hours!

 

#5:  Last but not least, Apples to Apples, another fun party game. You can play this with a big crowd and it's easy to understand.  Not quite as hilarious as Boxers or Briefs, but very funny!

Hope you enjoyed seeing my Top 5 favorite games!  Are you a game player?  I'm always looking for more fun games to play ~ what are your suggestions?

Scrumptious Salsa

Thanks to our friend Nathan, I've been blessed with lots of fresh tomatoes!  YUM!  We've been eating BLT's, and I've been enjoying tomato/mozzarella/basil salads.  My favorite, by far though, is fresh salsa!!!

I didn't follow a recipe at all, this was one of those "I'm hungry and salsa sounds good so I'm just going to start making it" deals.  Here's the basics though:  Chop up some tomatoes, onion, jalapeno pepper, and cilantro.  Add some fresh lime juice.  Stir.  Easy enough, right?  I'm thinking of adding some other things for more variety....black beans?  corn?  The only problem:  the hubby doesn't like fresh/chunky salsa, so I pretty much have to eat this on my own.  Wait, did I say problem??  I think I should have said the best part!

Do you make salsa?  What ingredients do you use?

FREE Decor from Paper Coterie

I have another great deal to pass on to you, and this one even deals with home decor!!  Have you heard of Paper Coterie?  If you haven't already, I am insisting that you go check it out.  They offer great personalized photo products like calendars, growth charts, wall decals, and photo books.  Right now, for the entire month of August, they are offering an incredible promotional deal ~ $40 off your purchase!!  (You just pay the shipping).

The last time they had this deal, I bought two wall decals.....one for each kiddo.  I put a picture, their name, and the verse we picked for them when we dedicated them at church.  I was so impressed when they arrived!  The decals have a fabric-feel, not plastic-y at all. 

We finally put them up in the toy room tonight and I love how they turned out!

I was super excited when I saw Paper Coterie is offering the same deal this month.  Just use the code BEGINANYWHERE at checkout, and it will take $40 off your purchase (again, you have to pay shipping which varies depending on your order).  I have already taken advantage of this deal, but I can't show you what I got this time because they might end up as Christmas gifts ;)  Again though, I was totally impressed.  I put my order in last week and already received my products!  For my order, shipping was less than $5.  It's a great company that I recommend 100% - go check it out!


Side note:  often, when there are great deals like this available, the site can run slow.  I did not have this issue at all, but I have heard that it has affected some people.  If it happens to you, just try again at another time!

Disclaimer:  These opinions are my own, based solely on my experiences with the company....Paper Coterie has no idea I am writing this review.  I just wanted to pass on an amazing deal from a great company to all my friends! 

New Swagbucks Bonus Opportunity

Have you been waiting for a great time to join Swagbucks?  Now is the time!!!  Until Friday (August 12), new Swagbucks members can get a 50 Buck bonus by entering the code AUGUSTBONUS at registration (sorry, this code is for new members only)!

Heard of Swagbucks but not totally sure what it is?  Taking the description right off their site.... "Swagbucks allows web users to earn virtual currency by doing the things they do every day - searching the web, shopping at favorite retailers, and by engaging in other activities such as phone recycling, submitting polls, and completing special offers."  Basically, it's a way to get great stuff FREE - and who doesn't like that?!

Personally, I am a HUGE fan of Swagbucks.  As I've said before, my all time favorite thing to earn would definitely be the Amazon gift cards - I try to save them up for Christmas or other gift-giving occasions, and it really helps save money!  Are you ready to take the plunge and start earning great prizes?  Sign up through my referral link today - and don't forget to use the code AUGUSTBONUS for an additional 50 Swagbucks!

Friday Favorites #2

Here's a few things that have caught my eye this week...

#1:  Painted Planter at Clean & Scentsible.....love the colors and (of course) the label!

#2:  If you love a good Before & After....check out the "2 Year Homieversary" at Involving Color.  I think my favorite room is the dining room, but it all looks great!

#3:  Lighted Flower Garland at Positively Splendid....so fun!  What a great idea!

#4:  I love old windows, and I love this Bathroom Routine on an old window at OrganizeYour Stuff Now.  The colors look great ~ I would love to see the rest of this bathroom!

 

#5:  Paper Cone Wreath at Wolfe Pack...the colors Megan chose are great, but I love that you could take this idea and run with it....endless possibilities!

Ahhh.....I just love all the inspiration around blogland!  Have a great Friday everyone!  (If you were featured, feel free to grab a button!)

Table Advice Needed

I really like my living room.  It's cozy.  I like cozy. You can see the tour here.  But lately I've been thinking it really needs some more color, since everything just seems to mesh together.

I'm thinking about the painting the table.  I love it, but I think it might be one of the easiest (and least expensive) ways to add some color.

What do you think?  I thought about just bringing it down a few shades to a lighter off-white.  Then I was thinking about yellow.  I've had this picture from Liz Marie pinned for awhile....

I also thought about the Colonial Red color that I used on this chair a little while ago....

So, fellow DIYers, what is your advice?  I'd love to hear if you would paint the table, and if so....what color?  I'd also love to hear some of your other ideas for livening up the space (I am planning on putting some kind of plant in that 7up crate, and I will probably make some new pillows or a blanket for the couch).  Let me know what you think!!