I have to admit when I decided to go to Rancho La Puerta, in Tecate, Mexico, it was really to satisfy a brewing curiosity about the “spa experience”. Something seemed to be pulling me here and I just imagined the experience would be transformative. Setting Intention A great beginning for almost any experience is setting...
If you are anything like me, you have picked up something at a garage/estate sale or Facebook Marketplace thinking “I can do something with this” and then time goes by and you never get to it. Well, this project started out like that and when I finally got to it, the end result was a...
Bathroom makeovers can be daunting and expensive but totally doable with some diligence in sourcing materials and some elbow grease. My rental property was built in the late 1990’s and the bathroom was original, builder grade and in need of an update — on a budget. Here is a “before” photo. Materials Tile There are...
Ever find yourself needing extra table space? Take those plain-Jane TV trays and give them some color, fun and function! This DIY was so easy that I made a few pairs of trays and gave them as gifts. SUPPLIES TV Trays (I found mine on Facebook Marketplace, estate sales, Craigslist – average price was $5/tray.)...
Great lighting instantly adds warmth, texture and interest to a room. And, if given a choice on home improvement projects, many home owners prefer to update lighting due to the high impact, low effort factor. (From an unofficial Facebook poll). So, how can you shop for lighting, have fun and not be overwhelmed? I recently...
Gift giving is one of my favorite things to do and thoughtful gifts are my favorites to give! Over the years, I’ve made some several gifts for family and friends that were so fun to give and receive. Below are some of my favorite gifts put together with love! T SHIRT QUILT My son, Kevin,...
For all of you with little ones and love Christmas traditions, this Christmas cookie plate ticks the box! I made this plate more than 25 years ago for my sister and she still puts it under her tree even though her boys are old enough to have children of their own. The markings on the...
Tile, paint and molding are the key updates taking this laundry room from dated and dull to current and fresh. This laundry room is from my daughter, Kelly’s, townhouse and it was one of several rooms that needed updating. This is the room “before” the update – builder basic with white walls, linoleum flooring and...
I decided to plan a “sister, cousin, daughter, niece” get together and thought it would be fun to make a Christmas craft together. For some reason, I forgot no one is really crafty. Hmmm. I wasn’t going to let that get me distracted! Some how I landed on large Scrabble letters with Christmas-y words for...
Oak banisters and railings can really date the look of a home. Replacing or even sanding and refinishing the banister are both costly update options. So, how can you tackle the update on a budget? Gel stain! This is the banister from my daughter’s new townhome – one of many projects we tackled on a...