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Friends, I did it. After not coloring my hair since August in 2019, I decided to color my hair again. It was growing out and much healthier than it was before, but I didn't like the uneven color. Now my new goal is to take better care of my hair and I have pledged to invest in better color and stick to one color so I can just updated my roots as it grows out. However, I'm going to confess something that has made many stylists in my life post rants upon rants on Facebook: I color my hair at home. I don't have the time or money to see a stylist. I respect stylists---they're professionals and do great at their job. They also have better hair than me and higher hair expectations than I do. Shrugs. I know I get out what I put in. If this is the reason I'm not a model so be it. So given that disclaimer...below are real, everyday results from my average self.
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Confession: Changing a light fixture to update a room never crossed my mind as a task I was willing to take on. It seemed to tick two boxes that landed it on my Nope List: complicated and expensive. Then I fell in love with LNC Home Farmhouse Chandeliers and I just knew I had to find a way to make this happen; so I did the first thing I always do when I am about to take on a big goal: I asked my husband to give me a push. Did he think I could do it? Would he be willing to help only if I really needed it? Would he still love me if I messed up and caused us to lose electricity throughout the whole house (I now know that is not really a risk one takes when replacing a ceiling light, but I still had to quiet my rational and irrational fears). And just as I expected him to do, and part of the reason why I asked him in the first place, he gave me that nudge I needed to click Add to Cart.
Now I have not one, but two new light fixtures in my house. Both lights in my kitchen needed to match after all! You can click here to read about my first adventure. If you follow me close enough to read this blog you know that I am an average midwestern, teacher mom and I do not specialize in DIYs and home makeover. Basically, if I can do it after 30 minutes on Pinterest and YouTube, you can do it, too! The hardest part of installing the newest light (since I figured out how to purchase light bulbs with the first one) was reaching the fixture comfortably to do the install. If my ladder had one more step I would have been golden, but alas I have three ladders, two are too tall and one is too short. (insert something witty about Goldilocks here-ha!) Forty-five minutes and a few times yelling for my husband to grab something I dropped later I had installed my second light fixture in my dinning room/office area. I honestly cannot get over the amount of character these light fixtures have added to this area. It has been an affordable, simple DIY that has totally transformed our space. Our home and space may be tiny and littered with toys, but that has not stopped us from making our starter home a beautiful space we are proud of while we save up for our dream home. I know in the world of Instagram it is different to have a decor account without the dream home everyone aspires to own, but my hope is to inspire others to make whatever space and budget they have dreamy. As you can see in our mini reel home tour we have taken atypical approaches to how we use our space and we have to be intentional about every square foot as we have none to spare. However, inside this space is exactly what we need to have a life we love. We have big dreams, but we are also satisfied. 
  Earlier this month amid full swing back-to-school season I decided I was going to change the light fixture in my kitchen. Friends, when I first visited the LNC Home website I was so intimidated. I wanted nearly everything in their collection, but I didn’t trust myself to install anything except one of their rugs-ha. My DIY journey up until yesterday has been mostly crafts, glitter, and chalk paint mixed with some peel and stick tile. I also have really mucked up some of these past baby-DIY adventures (bathroom sink painting debacle I’m looking at you). I certainly hadn’t ventured in the land of lighting and electrical wires. So naturally before I committed to anything I dove deep into Pinterest tutorials and tried to hype myself up. Afterall I can do anything--except reach the top shelf. I can’t do that. So after a mini hype session of one I did it! I clicked add to cart and continued to stalk the mailman for a few days awaiting its arrival. Finally I had a box in front of me and it was my defining moment..or at least time to open her up. The hardest part? Choosing which light bulb I would use. Seriously there are way too many light bulb options. I picked a light bulb 30% on my own and I installed the light fixture 73% on my own. I’m giving the employee at the hardware store 70% of the light bulb selection process and I am giving my husband 27% credit for the installation because he surprised me by uninstalling the previous light fixture when I was on the bulb shopping odyssey. It was a sweet surprise! I also have to give him additional credit because there became a point where he had a significant height advantage on me. I could have done that part by myself if my ladder had an extra step. The best part is that this little project took under an hour and totally transformed the room. My whole tiny kitchen looks fresh and exciting. This detail was the exclamation mark I needed on my previous DIY adventures. It’s hard to describe how big of a difference this one feature made in the entire space so check out the pictures below for yourself! I can also change it up with a multitude of edison light bulb options. I still do not consider myself a DIY pro, but now I want to go change all the light fixtures! I also strongly believe that I deserve some type of adulting award for this adventure. However, in all honesty friends, if I can do it so can you. Remember that I will be here to cheer you on and get started by checking out LNC Home’s beautiful collection of unique farmhouse light fixtures (https://www.lnchome.com/collections/farmhouse-chandeliers). Kelly, their founder, is a hard working momma whose mission is to make sure luxurious and beautifully-designed home decor pieces are accessible to everyone. I can’t wait to show you what I decide to update next!  I was so excited when author, Kristy Hamby asked me if I wanted to preview her upcoming book The Gray Rainbow. It is the perfect book to explain that some days are just gray. She also spells gray with an “a,” which is an odd preference of mine--thanks Kristy!
Anyway, this book is a great way to set students up for teaching the Zones of Regulation (if you’re unfamiliar click here!). I always try to normalize the red, yellow, and blue zone and explain to students that it is unrealistic to live in the green zone. This book is a great partner when teaching that its just fine if you’re not in the green zone, just don’t hang out there! Find something that brings you joy--or in this case, brings the color back in your rainbow. You can follow Kristy’s social media and website for information about purchasing your own copy! https://chickenlipsthecow.com/
 Starting the year out online and not sure where to get started? Give this checklist a try to get your year moving smoothly. Please be sure to leave a review!
I have personally owned a Cricut Mini, Cricut EasyPress 1 and a Cricut EasyPress 2. I have had no issues with Cricut brand and it has my highest recommendation. If you believe you will only make an occasional shirt for personal use, an iron can get you by, but it will not last as long as other options.
Some prefer a heat press because it applies pressure for you. I am content with my Mini Press for small projects and unflat surfaces and my 9 x 9 press. It works well for onsies and just takes two presses for bigger projects. If you're just getting started with making shirts and etc note that adhering vinyl to fabric requires HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl). I recommend considering budget, storage space, and use when deciding size and type of heat press. 
If you're ready to make the leap go for it! :)
Commissioned links, I get a small amount if you choose to shop with me and it costs you the same!
HTV
Apply Vinyl to fabric requires HTV. HTV is not sticky on the back because you use your press to melt it to the fabric. You also do not typically need transfer tape to use HTV. You cut your image backwards and then remove the negative spaces. The HTV is stuck to a carrier plastic that keeps it in place until you press it on your fabric. The first HTV I bought was a multi-color pack. I am so glad I did, because it gave me many colors for details and layering. Then I ordered other colors in bulk as needed.
 Trust me, it is more doable than you think. Here are my general tips for starting the school year out teaching virtually.  I followed the awesome tutorial below from Emily Houch to create my own virtual Bitmoji Classroom. Be sure to give her some love for the awesome tutorial. It's more than just a pretty picture, its interactive. To check out my interactive classroom, click here! |
What you're in for...Here you will find my ramblings of motherhood, teaching, & life while like many I try to balance it all. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases, but it does not cost you any more! :)
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