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How to Create a Storage Closet from a Coat Closet

February 20, 2019

This is the time of year, with chilly temps, when I love to watch a Rom-Com movie and clean closets. Except, this particular weekend I made the decision to create a storage closet from an entry coat closet.

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I was over the wire shelves, with missing brackets and “weak weight points.”

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It was time to relocate and/or organize the contents of our entry hall coat closet to a more useful storage closet.

My husband’s only question, “Why do we need new shelves when you just removed 30 pounds of wire shelves? With a slight tone to my voice I gave him my go-to pitch for house-related projects:

“I planned this project months ago.”

I describe our home as a brownstone in the It’s wider than a brownstone (that’s the suburbs part) but has multiple levels and lots of steps. Our main level includes the kitchen, family room, living room, study and dining room and guest bath.

The only storage is what is in the kitchen. This storage closet from coat closet makeover was in the works for years and once it made it to this list the plan was already in motion.

Moving down a flight of stairs to the entry level is the front door and a hall closet.

When guests arrive thru the front door there are two choices; to go up a flight of stairs or to go down a flight of stairs to the basement.

The basement also includes the garage entry door. You following this?

It was this accident when I saw this goo creeping (spilling) out of the entry closet that set the plan into motion. All along, our coat closet really wanted to be a storage closet.

So on a blustery winter afternoon, before the first commercial during the Proposal with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock, I pulled all the contents from the entry hall coat closet.

With a carload of melamine shelves like these and a table saw, we got to work with measurements. We took into consideration the height of the vacuum cleaner and the back up dog food bags. It’s also nice to have a place to stash Amazon orders.

I wanted shelves where I could slide in existing storage bins. I wanted the storage closet to include the everyday essentials/non-essentials in one place.

Things like light bulbs, bulk toilet paper and paper towels (remember all those stairs). It’s nice to have those supplies nearby but not next to the flour and sugar canisters.

And in a few hours and repainted interior walls, I transformed a coat closet to a storage closet.

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Homemade Puppy Chow Cookies

February 13, 2019

We adopted a Bernese Mountain puppy!! It was a multi-state rescue to adopt and we are over the moon in love. Meet Elliot! In a 24 hour window, my husband flew from Denver to Knoxville and back to Denver to bring Elliot to the mile-high city and his furever family!

Everyone breathed a HUGE sigh of relief when Elliot fit into the travel carrier! My husband’s back up plan was a car rental and 20 + hour drive back to Colorado. Whew!

As we navigate the potty training and crate training I wanted to share a homemade puppy treats recipe!

These homemade puppy chow cookies are an incentive for a job well done in the backyard.

Before Elliot arrived at his fur-ever home, we rolled up the rugs on the main level in preparation for potty training boot camp. We decided it is easier to take the rugs out of the equation.

We are in day 4 of Elliot in his fur-ever home. I think he deserves homemade puppy chow treats for a job well done (outside). I used this recipe and you can print a copy below!

Homemade Puppy Chow Cookies

Homemade Puppy Chow Treats

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

2 CUPS WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR
1 CUP SKIM MILK
1/3 CUP PEANUT BUTTER
1 1/2 TEASPOONS BAKING POWDER

Instructions

PREHEAT OVEN TO 375
MIX ALL INGREDIENTS.
ROLL DOUGH ON FLOURED SURFACE AND USE A COOKIE CUTTER. OF CHOICE
PLACE ON UNGREASED COOKIE SHEETS.
BAKE APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. STORE IN CONTAINER.

I hope your dogs of all ages and stages enjoy this easy homemade puppy treats! I would love any puppy training suggestions in the comments!

Adoption was a coordinated effort between the Chattahoochee Bernese Mountain Dog Club, Adopt a Golden- Atlanta and my sister who is a founder at Adopt a Golden- Knoxville. It took multiple foster families to get Elliot to Colorado and we are grateful!

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Cherry Crumble for Valentine’s Day

February 8, 2019

The best thing about Valentine’s Day is it’s a national holiday for chocolate. It is also a reminder of celebrating us. Except, by this time of the year I am in a chocolate 10 step program. This is why I decided to pull this cherry crumble out of the summer dessert rotation and make a cherry crumble for Valentine’s Day.

After a chocolate-fueled season behind us, this dessert is perfect to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This chilled cherry crumble is usually reserved for the summer bbq’s and holidays, but the whipped topping and cherry filling over a graham cracker and butter crust makes for a lighter dessert for Valentine’s day; if we are measuring a box of chocolates against the cherry crumble.

And, the cherry crumble gets double holiday bonus points because it is red. And, if you are like me this time of year, you might have most of the ingredients in your pantry from December when you stocked up on graham cracker crumbs and butter. And, the best part of this dessert is you can make it the night before and let it chill overnight.

So make those dinner plans and plans for dessert at home… with two spoons and the cherry crumble!

The best part of this recipe is it only has eight ingredients. And, I have most of the ingredients on hand. I keep a tub of Cool Whip in my freezer most months of the year! With the topping, cream cheese, cherries and sugars I reduce the white sugar by 1/4 of a cup. I could probably reduce it by 1/2 and not miss out on any of the taste.

Cherry Crumble Recipe

This dessert is a favorite around our house. It’s a family recipe from one of my close friend’s mother. And, now I have a reason to make it in the month of February. Enjoy! Summer will be here before you know it!

The best cherry crumble recipe

adapted from Kristin Diliberti

Print Recipe

Course Dessert

Ingredients

CRUST
2 CUPS FLOUR
1 CUP BUTTER SOFTENED
1/2 CUP BROWN SUGAR
1 CUP CHOPPED PECANS
FILLING
16 OZ CREAM CHEESE
1 1/2 CUPS SUGAR I REDUCED BY 1/4 CUP
1/2 TEASPOON VANILLA
8-9 OUNCE COOL WHIP

Instructions

MIX CRUST INGREDIENTS AND SPREAD 2/3 INTO 9X13 BAKING PAN.
SPREAD REMAINING CRUST INGREDIENTS INTO SMALLER PAN
BAKE CRUST AT 350 FOR 20-25 MINUTES. LET COOL
WHILE BAKING BLEND FILLING INGREDIENTS.
SPREAD 1/2 OF FILLING ONTO 9X13 PAN
ADD CHERRY FILLING
ADD FINAL LAYER OF FILLING OVER THE CHERRY FILLING
CRUMBLE SMALL PAN OF CRUST AND SPRINKLE OVER TOP OF FILLING
REFRIGERATE TO LET IT SETTLE

Before you go here is a homemade cherry filling.

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Repurposed Anthropologie Bags

February 5, 2019

How many of you love the Capri Blue candles at Anthropologie? How many of you cannot resist taking a sniff of the candles on the front table when you walk into an Anthropologie store? Even though you have the scent imprinted in your senses.

The jars are beautiful and the tropical and citrus scent is perfect for all seasons. I stock up on them in December when they go on sale.
I just discovered their signature candles are designed and hand poured in Mississippi? How cool is that? #madeintheusa

Last week I shared how easy it is to remove the wax from candle jars here.

While cleaning up the unfinished space in our basement; aka mom’s favorite room in the house. I found a few Anthropologie bags stashed with just a few other holiday gift bags and boxes.

I started to stash them away for next year and then took a second look at the printed image on the bag. The snowy white background with black etched trees was perfect for an inexpensive framed print.

Oh, you know how I love an upcycle project!

I had a few bags so I just cut along the center-folds and adjusted to fit the frames. The plan is to hang them side by side, but I might switch the white frames with black. I put these in my living room hutch.

What do you think? Oh, and scroll down a smidge more to see a wide shot of the hutch. Do you see what I didn’t when I took the photo? Keep scrolling.

Thank you Anthropologie! I can’t wait for next year’s Anthropologie bags! Or, maybe a spring bag! Sounds like a great reason to visit Anthropologie!

My Delightsome Life

A Stroll Thru Life

Our Hopeful Home

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The Why Behind my Blog Rebrand to Everyday Edits

February 2, 2019

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How I rebranded my blog to better reflect my life and marry my passion as a Realtor and a home and decor blogger.

Surprise! Welcome to Everyday Edits (previously Not a Trophy Wife). I know, right. A huge change with user errors, technical glitches and late nights. And, a to-do list that will take the better part of a month. Please stick with me! But, if you skip the why behind my blog rebrand, will you leave a comment on what you think of the new name or follow me on Instagram?

I will share the details and the team behind the rebrand later (once I organize all my passwords. But, let me explain the why behind my blog rebrand.

The Why Behind My Blog Rebrand

It began with a telephone conversation with my sister in a parking lot at our tennis club. A friend asked me to sub for her for a daytime tennis match. It was a last-minute ask and I pulled up with paint primer on my elbow and ceiling paint on my baseball cap. And the backseat of my car had McDonald’s french fries squished between the car seats and buckles.

I was a lot of things, but I was not a trophy wife.

With three small kids and a new Realtor’s license (to help fund my husband’s start-up), I finished my phone call with my sister with,

“Some days, I just want to be a trophy wife.”

But the truth was my blog was a side-gig to my life as a Realtor where the adrenaline of contracts, dates, and deadlines, fueled by coffee, created a bit of noise in my head.

I called it passion. Except, except that, I was increasingly uncomfortable with the blog name. I suspected the blog name, Not a Trophy Wife, was judgy with undertones.

But, I was not ready for a blog rebrand. So I danced around my thoughts and persevered thru my DSLR camera. I continued to work on my writing skills with the help of this great article from an unlikely author.

THE TIME FOR A BLOG REBRAND

When I ramped up my real estate business, I knew I had an opportunity to marry the two: the creative side of the blog with the decor and staging ideas I share with buyers and sellers.

I shared my story and how I blended my Realtor life and my blog Everyday Edits when I was featured in this Denver magazine.

It took me three years from those initial feelings of a blog rebrand to the actual decision to initiate the rebrand.

A trip to Haven placed me in a small blogging group with this lady as the leader.

But, this lady had just rebranded her blog. I followed up with her after the conference about my dilemma. Leslie was a great sounding board.

And, that is the why behind my blog rebrand. I was not the same person when I started my blog. I evolved as my thoughts and stages of my life evolved. It was time to edit me and my blog. Thank you for sticking with me! If you are new, welcome! I would love social media follows below. laura

BLOGLOVIN | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM TWITTER INSTAGRAM

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How to Upcycle Candle Jars

January 24, 2019

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I love candles and any excuse to light a few. I love to light candles on rainy evenings and snowy weekends. Just a forecast for snow gets me excited to light candles. love candles over three day weekends in the winter. But, all these candles means I had to find a way how to upcycle candle jars.

But first! Where do you love to buy candles? My favorite places to shop for candles are Bath & Body Works and the Capri candles at Anthropologie are a favorite.

And, I can’t walk into a HomeGoods without taking a peek down the candle section. All of these candles have one thing in common: great packaging! The jars are glass and metal which makes them perfect for an upcycle.

For me, candles are the closest thing to a wood-burning fireplace in a state that has largely banned wood-burning fireplaces in residential homes. I wonder if candle sales are higher in Colorado than states that allow wood-burning fireplaces?

Candles give many of us a feeling of warmth, home, comfort and peace.

So with almost empty glass jars piling up after the holidays, I figured out how to upcycle candle jars.

And, I discovered the key to cleaning out the wax was to freeze the jars, followed by hot water. That’s it! For an entire month, my freezer had a 1/2 dozen candle jars.

And, when I had a few minutes I boiled water and watched the frozen wax pop out or break down into smaller pieces. The wax residue just needed soapy water and a little elbow grease.

The results were awesome and all of sudden these beautiful candle jars can be re-purposed for new uses. Stay tuned!

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DIY Goals in 12 Months

January 8, 2019

I love lists! I make lists for the days, weeks and months. In college, I made lists by the hour like “begin poli-sci exam” followed by “finish poli-sci exam.” Those three to four days of finals generated dozens of countdown lists. It’s all about the feeling of accomplishment.

My son left for a mission trip to Belize on Sunday. I have a head cold that has settled in my lungs and sinuses so I am on day 2 of sweats and slippers. Messy hair takes on a new meaning when you have a cold. So when I ran my eyes thru his bedroom this morning to make sure he had packed all the clothes I suggested, I found this on his nightstand. He is my son. This was his packing list. #goals #proudmommoment.

I don’t know what I love more that he called his boxers, undies or that he spelled toiletries correctly.

So with a cold. my Christmas jammies and the movie The Help I buried myself into the couch nd created a list of DIY goals for 2019. It’s ambitious, but aren’t we all a little more ambitious the first week of January?

Organization will be a theme for DIY goals this year. Starting with our entry closet by the front door. This closet door looks so pretty, but what lurks behind it is a hot mess of light bulbs, batteries, extension cords and office supplies.

And, once we get the entry closet organized I will need to refresh the front door. I loved my decision to paint the stained front door white, but it gets banged up during the year. And, yes that’s a tennis racquet along the wall. Every room has at least one random tennis ball. I smile every time I find a tennis ball under the tables and window treatments. #momoftennisplayers

Next up are the cabinets on the kitchen island. I flirted with the idea when I painted the kitchen island a fun gray! And, if you follow me on Instagram you may have seen a sneak peek of my island plans! Here’s a look at the kitchen island. The cabinets are on the other side.

Another top 12 DIY goals is a major gut job of the boys’ jack & jack bathroom. I shared their bathroom here when I started dreaming of new tile, bathtub, toilet, vanity, and lighting.

Barn doors were one of the only trends we were ahead of before every other social, digital and print publication. Our last barn door project was replacing builder grade slider closet doors with barn doors. I shared a sneak peek here. But now, I want to attempt a different version of a barn door. Stay tuned!

Sharing : Pieced Pastimes

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My Favorite Tech Hack to Stay Organized

January 3, 2019

With the new year comes goals and promises. For me, my goal (every year ) is to get organized. Usually, closets are the first think on my list to organize in January. So this year I am going in a different direction with a goal to organize my files and paper trails. It won’t lead to any coverup, but it will eliminate folders and folders of receipts and immunization forms dating back to the first run of Friends. My favorite tech hack is an app on my phone.

Favorite Tech Hack

TurboScan

TurboScan elimiated the adrenaline rush when I got calls like this one, “Mom, I need a copy of my immunization forms or I can’t try out for the Varsity tennis team. ”

Or, texts like this one, “Do you have a copy of the furnace receipt from last spring?”

My “favorite” call was from my son (my righty) to tell me I forgot to sign his field trip permission slip. And, he will be the only child who can’t get on the bus unless that permission slip was received in the next 12 minutes.

TurboScan to the Rescue

And, the reason I didn’t panic is I want to share the best app for the new year! This app organized my life.

I even got my 75+-year-old mom to download the free app so she doesn’t have to fax documents.

Sidenote: My mom is a very tech-savvy grandma!

TurboScan App

You might be wondering, “Can’t I just take a photo?”

Yes, but this app saves the document as a pdf which is the format that allows adding as an attachment. And, when it asks, “What do you want to do with this document?” You can name it or email yourself a pdf copy.

The Turbo Scan app is the app to the rescue.

I have not looked for other scanner apps, so if you know of another one, please share in the comments. It takes a village to get organized.

Details

TurboScan changed my personal and work life. It’s a free app in the Apple app store. The official name is TurboScan™ Pro – document & receipt scanner By Piksoft Inc. There might be a paid version, but the free app works for my needs.

It takes a scan (photo) of a document, permission form.. anything. It creates a border around the image to make sure you capture what you need. And, even when the image looks gray or grainy it almost always captures a clear image.

Turbo Scan allows me to save documents directly to my Dropbox (another favorite) and/or email a copy in a pdf format to my email or to the recipient. It keeps a copy of any scanned documents too, but I always save a copy to my Dropbox account. I’m just a bit of a control freak. Especially in August.

My husband first shared this app with me a few years ago. And, I use it almost every day.

And, if you are just a smidge like me, your desk (my command center) begins to look like this as the new year approaches.

I just pile up the paper until January rolls around to get organized.

Clear the clutter by snapping a photo of the paper, document. It’s more professional because it saves it as a pdf for clients, the front office or service providers. The one suggestion I have with this app is to turn off the overhead light above the document or receipt. The light can add a shadow to the document.

After a week using this app, I ditched my fax/scanner (donated to one of my son’s teachers). TurboScan is the best iPhone app for the new year. Let me know if you download it and what you think? Do you have a favorite app to stay organized? Please share in the comments.

Here is another hack for Sunday.

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