Quick Fix- Mini Closet Makeover

 

 

I'm only sharing the after photo because the before is way too embarrassing. 

 

As a family of five, living in an area where it can be 70 degrees on Monday and 45 degrees on Friday, we always have a ton of jackets at the ready.  My quick fix was to add a tension rod to the bottom of the closet to hold the little ones coats.  The added benefit is that they can reach their jackets; which is one less step for me in getting them ready. 

 

I tried the tension rod on its own but found it was much sturdier if I added storage drawers under the rod.  These particular storage drawers were purchased at Target and are fairly inexpensive and are great for additional spots for hats, mittens, etc.

 

Happy Organizing!

Movies A-Z

I am challenging myself to watch movies alphabetically.  Winter is creeping in and there are a lot less things to do when you don't like to brave the cold weather.  I'm honestly not that big of a movie watcher (reality tv is more my scene) but this will help me add to my movie repertoire.

Challenge Accepted...

Letter A- Away We Go
    Comedy/Drama/Romance
       This is a great date night movie; both my husband and I found it entertaining.  There were a lot of recognizable actors/actresses cameos and it kept a good pace.  I actually laughed and cried during this film!  I would give it a 7 out of 10.

Letter B- Begin Again
    Comedy/Drama/Music
       My new favorite movie!  The very basic plot line follows an up and coming musician producing music throughout NYC (subway station, roof tops, etc.).  Adam Levin lends his voice and acting talent and it is not a disappointment.  I would give this a 10 out of 10!!!

Letter C- Chef
    Comedy
       Follow a gourmet Chef as he rediscovers himself through a career change running a food truck.  It sounds like a bit of stretch but it was honestly entertaining and funny.  I would give this a 7 out of 10. 

Letter D- Divergent
    Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi
     I'm not really into Sci-Fi but this movie was awesome!  The movie is about a world created and maintained by order in which the main character doesn't fit in.  When she finds out she doesn't fit in she begins to fight for her life.  I would give this a 8 out of 10 and would watch it again.
    
I will continue to post as we make our way through the alphabet!

Happy Watching!!!
            

Amazon.com Subscribe & Save

I will admit that I am thoroughly obsessed with Amazon.com which results in a panicked dog barking at the door almost daily as my packages are delivered.  My online obsession has included purchases ranging from printer ink to the must have little black dress.  Recently I have discovered the subscribe & save feature on Amazon.com which allows you to purchase a variety of items at a discount.

Quick Facts:

• Review eligible subscribe and save items on Amazon
• Select items that you use on a regular basis
• Determine delivery date and frequency of deliveries (options range from 1-6 months)
• Order can be changed or canceled at any time

Savings:

• In order for an item to be eligible for subscribe & save there has to be a minimum of a 5% discount
• If you sign up for 5 subscribe & save items you receive an additional 15% off you entire purchase.  Please note that all items have to be delivered in the same shipment.
• Free shipping!!

Below are some inexpensive add-ons to receive additional 15% discount listed below.  If you already have a couple items started adding these might save you money or end up being free.

*Prices include 15% discount
Colgate Kids Cavity Protection Toothpaste $2.84
Garnier Shampoo- $2.37
Lipton Green Tea- $1.82
Barilla Pasta- $1.88
Planters Creamy Peanut Butter- $2.26
Dial Liquid Soap - $2.18
Suave Professionals - $2.74
Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn (3 pack) - $2.07
Keebler Pita Crackers- $2.37
Special K Nourish Hot Cereal- $2.53

Happy Saving!

Parenthood - Entryway

 PARENTHOOD - ENTRYWAY

Kristina & Adam's House

The goal of this post is to replicate the items in this room as close as possible without breaking the bank.  Items are sourced from affordable retailers such as Target.  I will continue to update the post as I find closer matches or better prices.  

The style is very comfortable and I love how they mix and match pieces to create a warm and inviting environment. 

 INSPIRATION PHOTO

source

My favorite and most affordable find are the photo ledges (link below).  I have something similar to these in my own home and absolutely love them.  The ledge is 6 inches deep so it can hold decorative items other than just picture frames.

Ledge Link

Photo Ledge $29.99 (6" H x 6" D x 22" L w/ lip)

also available in ash, coffee and white - color shown in picture is black

This carpet seems to be a fairly close match but I did notice that the one used in the show appears to be woven and the recommendation below is more traditional carpet with 1/2 inch pile.

Rug Link 

Entryway Rug $99.00 + free shipping (4ft x 6ft)

also available as 5ft x 8ft, 6 ft round, 8 ft round and 8ft 10ft

 Pretty close match!!!  If you click on the image and follow the link you will see that these appear to be almost exactly the same as the Roman shades used in the show.

 

Roman Shade Link

Custom Roman Double Roman Shade- $50-$500

Available in a variety of shades & patterns

The table was a bit tricky to source and looks pretty custom.  This table is more of a traditional console table and is very budget friendly.

Table Link

Red Console Table $253.89 + free shipping

Also available in Grey, White & Black

 

I counted thirteen picture frames in this photo so I thought I would throw in some nice options.

Squirreling Away Cash- Acorns App Review

I'm a numbers person and I love saving money! The Acorns app is a new tool to add to my arsenal of savings methods.  When I was working outside the home my husband and I were able to save in a much different way than we are now.  I have had to take a new approach to budgets, spending and saving which has led me to work hard to save every penny we can.

The Acorns app is a program rounds up your charges to the nearest dollar and deposits the change into a portfolio of your choosing (conservative, moderate or aggressive).  For example if you spend $1.85 on a coffee then $.15 would be placed into your savings account. Per Acorns the portfolios are automatically adjusted to align with your targeted level of risk. The concept is great because it allows for continuous and painless savings.  It isn't going to produce enough cash for you to send your kids to college but it might pay for the books.  The app includes a projected portfolio value tool that helps take the guess work out of the account value based on investment and time.

I've been utilizing the application for a month with a moderate portfolio and have seen a rate of return of 1.60%.  Within the same time period the S&P has had a rate of return of 5.38%.  This is just a jumping off point as a month hasn't really allowed enough time to fully evaluate the returns.  If you download the app you can view your net return with the History tab. 


 How it works: 

-Synch up credit cards, debit cards and bank accounts of your choosing.  You will need to provide usernames and log in information so that the application can connect to your accounts. 
-Set up automatic round ups or select the expenses you want to round up**
-When the total round up meets or exceed $5 your bank account will be debited and the funds will be placed in a savings portfolio

 
Quick Facts:

• Available on ios and Android/US Only
• Rounds up each purchase and withdraws from your bank account
• Invests based on set of portfolios (conservative, moderate, aggressive)
• There is a monthly fee ($1) as well as .25 - .5 % a year.  Take some time to review the detailed fees page.

**In the beginning you will want to pick the round up expenses as it tends to add up quickly.  The application preloads a few weeks back so the initial debit amount would be large if it was not monitored.

I think I have found an app that I love...stay tuned!

Live it List

My version of the bucket list.  I better get busy...

• See the Aurora Borealis
• Become a Mom   Accomplished three times over!
• Run a half marathon
• Learn to like the taste of eggs
• Brew my own beer
• Beat my husband in a game of tennis
• Run a half marathon
• Visit New Zealand
• Reach my pre-baby weight
• Go to the Great American Beer Festival
• Drive route 1 in California
• Go on a Safari
• See the Jets play in a Super Bowl
• Swim with dolphins   Did this on my honeymoon and it was pretty amazing. 
• Go to Napa with my husband
• Buy a trailer on the ocean in Rhode Island
• Take a girls only trip
• Host a fancy dinner party
• Make my kids Halloween costumes
• Adopt a dog from a shelter   We got our dog Roscoe from a local shelter when he was three. 
• Host a Murder Mystery dinner
• Truly surprise someone with a party or trip
• Pay my kids way through college (if they want to go)
• Eat only french fries and milkshakes for dinner
• Buy something at an auction using a paddle
• Own a Hudson Bay Point Blanket