My Summer Bucket List: 10 Things to Do Before Summer is Gone!

The weather is getting warmer and summer is just about here! And this month's issue of Better Homes and Gardens had a really great idea: Create a summer bucket list (or "sand pail list") of things you want to do before summer slips away. 

 I'm one of those people that can get so busy taking care of my kids and home that I sometimes forget to get out to that event or adventure. And, of course, summer is the easiest time to get out and have fun (at least here in the Midwest).

But, this year I'm determined to try do do as many of these as possible. And, because my kids aren't in school yet, I consider summer lasting until mid-September. So, here goes! 

My Summer Bucket List: 10 Things To Do Before It's Gone! 

1. Take the family to the beach. We don't live near the ocean, but in the Great Lakes area there are a few nice places to go that are just a short drive away. These were some of my best memories growing up and I want my kids to have fun making sandcastles and splashing around in the warm water together. 

2. Go on some family bike rides.  Our 2 and 3 year old boys have had a blast riding in one of these while daddy "drives". 

A little challenging to do right now with all of us since our 3 month old is too young for a bike trailer, but I plan on finding a babysitter for a few afternoons until little guy gets bigger so I can ride too.  And it will be fun next spring-because we can all go! 

3. Paint the older boys' bedroom. Because it's easier to do with windows open to let fresh air in. The plan is to rip up the cheap carpeting, paint the floors white, walls gray with orange and navy accents. I want to stencil cute transportation pictures, like airplanes in the air, cars on a track down lower on the wall and maybe a few chalkboard sections? Oh, and some stenciled glow in the dark stars on the ceiling, pennants and name banners. (Here's a link to my Pinterest Kids Room Idea board for their room if you're interested in taking a peek).

Source: landofnod.com via Kristina on Pinterest

4. Grow an Italian garden-with Roma tomatoes, zucchini and basil. And, at the end of the summer, I want to make and freeze big batches of homemade pasta sauce, oven-dried tomatoes and pesto with the mini harvest. This one won't be hard to do because I've done it for the past few years and everything is already planted, thanks to the hubby! 

5. Attend an outdoor concert. We have a beautiful outdoor amphitheater at our zoo and I am super excited that I got tickets to see and hear the beautiful Sarah McLachlan! I am treating myself to an early birthday present on June 27th. I've been a fan since the 90's and I can't believe in her latest tour complete with symphony orchestra she is stopping by neck of the woods!

Source: google.ca via Legacy on Pinterest

6. Go to a summer festival. Our area is full of art and culture and every summer their are festivals nearby to celebrate all of these things. My favorite one is coming up this weekend-the Old West End Festival-located in a historic district with gorgeous Victorian houses. The streets will be filled with art displays, music, huge yard sales, good food and fun kids' activities. Hopefully it won't be hot!

7. Garage/yard sales. I want to take advantage of some treasures I might find for my crafty projects as well as clothes for the kids-the best time of year for this because there are some neighborhood-wide sales to sift through.

8. Schedule out a family vacation. I'll looking into beach house rentals mid-September somewhere on the east coast-hoping to catch a good deal and visit some east coast friends along the way!

9. Schedule a fall/Christmas crafting party. Last year, I held one of these at my house in the beginning of September with a few crafty friends so we could get a head start on fall and Christmas decorating and also homemade gifts before the season got too hectic to even think about making something homemade. It was a blast and I want to do it again!

10. Me time! Being a mom to 3 little boys is more than a full-time job. It can be hard to escape and relax but it is necessary! I want really appreciate the beauty of being outdoors and take a break from all the busyness.

Like sitting on the porch at night with a few candles, laying out on my hammock under the trees, taking a bike ride all by myself, journaling, or wandering around a pretty park or beach just to unwind...

Don't let summer slip by...what are you wanting to do this season?

Printing out this list, sticking it on the fridge and hoping for a summer filled with fun, relaxation and adventure! 

DIY Stenciled Toenails

Here's a quick, fun project just in time for sandal season and showing off pretty painted toes. Last month, I had fun with a campaign where I got to play around with a huge box of Martha Stewart's new line of craft supplies to create a Mother's Day gift.

One of the stencils Plaid sent me were these cool reusable adhesive ones with tiny little flowers and patterns on them. What could I use them on? Candleholders, glasses, jars, for sure. What about my toenails? (Not sure what Martha would think...)

 I reminisced back to my junior high days of painting bright polka dots and stripes on my nails and I decided I wasn't too old for fun, colorful nails. So, I bought favorite colors together-yellow and gray and try this little experiment.

And guess what? It worked out great and was so easy to do-not to mention so much cheaper than nail stickers or airbrushed ones. And, it's pretty handy that the stencils can be reused over and over again.

Here's how I did it:

First, I painted my base color-I chose a concrete gray.


I allowed to dry completely.


Then, I pressed the adhesive stencil onto my toenail where I wanted the pattern to be.


I wiped off the extra polish, then dabbed my second color, pale yellow onto the top of the stencil completely filling in all the holes.


Finally, I carefully pulled off my stencil to reveal the pattern.


(I didn't even have to wipe off the stencil each time or wait for anything to dry before removing the stencil.)

So, there you have your easy, cute, colorful DIY stenciled nails. Thanks, Martha Stewart crafts for making it happen!

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Bathroom Progress

For those of you who've been following along, you'll know that I've been tackling the big project of repainting my bathroom and then adding updated lighting and mirror as well as replacing a door that is falling apart.

Above are some of the colors I liked-in the family of pale greens, yellow-greens, and beige all from Behr paint, who Consumer Reports gave a very good review. And, I wasn't disappointed either-I bought the paint with primer in Satin sheen and it went on really smoothly with none of the previous color showing through after just one coat of paint.

It's funny to me that I actually like paler colors on walls now-the last time I painted a bathroom I did it in a deep eggplant purple. My husband said that phase was "interesting"-but I'm glad he lets me try whatever my creative heart wants!

Well, I loved it then, and still love bright and bold colors-but more as accents colors on doors, cabinets, accent walls, and decorations against lighter walls.

Below is the color I chose called "Silky Bamboo". I love how soothing and peaceful the color is. But, I promise you it won't be boring: I plan on adding bright pops of tangerine with a painted door and handmade salvage wall art I can't wait to get started on.

Silky Bamboo by Behr paints

Here are a few of my "Pinspertions" for my bathroom remodel: 

Source: bhg.com via Kristina on Pinterest

I love the pale walls with bright tangerine pops. This looks a lot like my bathroom with the size, beadboard and window. 

Source: modernpalmblog.com via Kristina on Pinterest

I love this tangerine door and how it looks against the pale walls-like a creamsicle. I plan on painting my new door this color (and when I get to my kitchen, I will do that door tangerine, too, I think).

Here's what I'm working with:

Here's what I lived with for almost a year and a half from when we first moved in: 

Icy blue walls with a darker blue ceiling. Not terrible, but not me. 

Now, I'm cringing as I post a really ugly picture on my pretty blog: The hideous floral door with a 1980's wall papered cardboard panel that is peeling off. What the heck where they thinking?

I see no other option than replacing the whole door. On the other side is a mirror where the wooden edges are chipped. Luckily, we have a salvage warehouse in town where we can replace it with one from the 1920's-like the rest of the doors in my 1920's home.  So ready for my pretty tangerine door!

Here's the lighting and mirror I want to replace. I don't like how wide the lights are and their lack of style. Also, the mirror is pretty basic and not very safe with its sharp edges. I plan on taking a trip up to IKEA for replacements that will fit my budget but will for sure be more stylish.

Here are the first coats of Silky Bamboo on my walls:

I painted all the walls above the beadboard and the ceiling this color. I love it! It really makes my small bathroom seem bigger and it is for sure brighter and more cheerful.

Just a few touchups this week and I'll be done with the walls. I already went out and bought new bathmats and towels to compliment my new color-just need to clean up my painting mess. Next, will be the mirror and lighting replacements and the wall art I want to make. Can't wait to reveal the rest.

Thanks for tuning in and I hope you come back in the next few weeks to see the end result!

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