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Cleaning: Grout

I kept seeing a "hack" to clean your grout using toilet bowl cleaner, and decided to put it to the test. First, to make sure it actually would clean better than just a bathroom cleaner I did a face-off test between Kaboom Bathroom Cleaner (which works very well in my bathrooms!) and Lysol Toilet Bowl cleaner. I'd like to note I didn't get the fanciest toilet bowl cleaner, I just got the cheapest Lysol one available to me.  Let the face-off begin! Product applied.  At this point I already preferred how easy it was to apply the toilet bowl cleaner. You just rest the tip of the bottle in the grout line and pull it to you or away from you in a straight line. For this test I only let the product sit for about 30 seconds before agitating it with a large tooth/denture brush (my favorite for grout cleaning). I noticed the toilet bowl cleaner seemed to turn white and "look like it was working" a little more than the other spray. After about a minute I used a wet regu...
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DIY Topiary Decor

     The finished product first:      I made two of these to set atop the shelves next to our entertainment center. I knew I wanted something more ornate. so I started by looking for two matching bases. I was able to find two perfect lamp bases at our local Goodwill for only a couple dollars. I brought them home, cleaned them up, and removed any unwanted hardware. Lamp bases from my local Goodwill.       Next, I needed to find a good deal on the perfect size topiary balls.  I checked on Amazon, Wish, and Walmart's websites looking for a good deal with no success. I eventually bought two matching topiary balls at our local Home Goods for about $5.99 each. When I brought them home I removed all tags and stickers, pushed the hanger inside the topiary and affixed them to the tops of the bases using hot glue.       I love how these turned out! I think I would want to use stronger glue if they were anywhere they might ...

Tablescapes: Halloween 2021

     I challenged myself to do a full Halloween table using only items I already had or items from the Dollar Store. I love how it turned out!   To breakdown what I had vs. what I bought here is a list:      Already had = Black Chargers, White Plates, White Napkins, Silverware, Black Goblets, Black Candle Holders, Candles, Black Sparkle Candelabras (very old from Spirit Halloween), White Pumpkins (found at Target & Amazon in 2020)      Dollar Store = Runner Material with Orange Glitter Webs, Scatter Skulls, Scatter bones, Scatter Pumpkins       Of note, Dollar Store does sell: White Plates, Silverware, White Napkins, Candles & Candle Holders, White Pumpkins      I figured I could walk you through some of my other Halloween décor as it is one of my favorites!  On the new bar cabinet I made the house, the trees were from Dollar Store, and the Nightmare Before Christmas set was from Disney....

DIY Christmas Pyramid

     The first time I ever saw a Christmas Pyramid I was at a friend's house and I instantly fell in love! I had wanted one ever since, but they were SO EXPENSIVE. Well one day I accompanied my husband to our local Goodwill and I found a horribly dirty, broken, unloved Christmas Pyramid. Upon closer inspection I saw there were two dusty bags attached that appeared to have ALL the broken off pieces! I paid $3.99! This would be quite the undertaking, look how dirty this thing was.  So broken! SO MUCH DUST     I cleaned the Pyramid with an all-in-on kitchen cleaner and gently removed anything that hadn't already broken off so I could start fresh. From there I decided I could very easily make this match my Christmas décor by painting the chipped green bases a solid white.       I quickly sanded all the bases of each character to remove any residual green.       After the paint dried I used super glue to reattach all ...

DIY Housewarming Castle Gift

    I have always thought it would be so fun to give a housewarming gift in the shape of a castle. Well in the spirit of "don't let you dreams be dreams," I made it happen!      A friend of ours had just bought his first home and was having a party to celebrate. This particular friend we know because he plays Dungeons & Dragons with us, so it only seemed fitting that he should get a housewarming gift in the shape of a castle!       Here is the finished product:      I had a general idea of how to construct the "castle" using a storage bin or two, toilet paper, and paper towel rolls. I went to the store and purchased those items along with other handy household items that he could actually use, which included: cleaning products, microfiber cloths, glade scent items, kitchen spoons, whisk, spatulas, lit roller, toilet brush, sink brush, duster, wood markers, tissues, drawer liners, and hand sanitizer. These I could just use a...

DIY Bar Cabinet Transformation

     After I finished the dining room makeover I still had one blank wall. I kept looking for some combo of functionality and décor that would fit the aesthetic and was having a hard time. Then, one day I saw a gorgeous bar cabinet from Pottery Barn that I loved the look of but NOT the price! I decided I would do what I could to make my own. I started by watching Facebook marketplace for a bookshelf or something that I could transform. I got SO excited to find the perfect piece posted for FREE! It had been custom built as an entertainment center and was huge! A very kind neighbor helped me go to pick it up and put it in the garage for the transformation.  The picture from Facebook marketplace.      There were actually three pieces, the large middle section and two smaller side sections. I started by cleaning the whole thing. Then I used a wood filler to fill in any scuffs/ holes I thought might show and sanded everything really well.  Prep work is...

DIY Outdoor Light Fixture Upgrade

     I have been working to make our backyard a great space for our family and friends to hangout, and no detail is too small. I started looking around and noticed the light fixtures were so rusty and boring. I knew I didn't want to replace the fixtures as I am no electrician, but they needed some love. I decided to grab some Rustoleum spray paint, taped them off, and made a quick, cheap, and easy upgrade!  Before During. I also used some cardboard to block the opposite side as I was spraying. After! It is a small change with a big impact.  Make sure to keep checking in for more small and large projects. I have been busy busy busy and can't wait to share all my creations with you! -Lizzy