tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34466472557744477932024-03-05T22:57:19.046-06:00Blue Eyed Beauty BlogI blog about a lot of random little things, but mostly my posts consist of DIY projects, home renovation & decor, and food recipes!Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.comBlogger882125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-75458354205924863582015-03-09T06:00:00.000-05:002015-03-09T06:00:02.658-05:00Save Money By Choosing CLOTH Diapers<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">People want to know how to save money... </span>I'll show you some big savings with just one simple switch:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">swap out disposable diapers for cloth diapers!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWKZQYtIzYLmmSXW8wG4cV9vMtdTIKcZ0dc7DpfbN59O_9liEQ2UM3ZF4BbxDcpLf6KjWKtHigwtr4S6E7Nw1K7MxoyTY0-6Czpmua90dRz-SYz0mr599htgZ6pba7ONZ-2Uxruu0RGgJ/s1600/BEBBlog+save+money+by+choosing+cloth+diapers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWKZQYtIzYLmmSXW8wG4cV9vMtdTIKcZ0dc7DpfbN59O_9liEQ2UM3ZF4BbxDcpLf6KjWKtHigwtr4S6E7Nw1K7MxoyTY0-6Czpmua90dRz-SYz0mr599htgZ6pba7ONZ-2Uxruu0RGgJ/s1600/BEBBlog+save+money+by+choosing+cloth+diapers.jpg" height="390" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the last 13 months <span style="font-size: large;">I've spent maybe $210 </span>on my cloth diaper collection which currently consists of the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>22 PUL covers</li>
<li>30 cotton prefolds</li>
<li>10 flour sack towels, and</li>
<li>2 AIO's (All In Ones)</li>
</ul>
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All of these diapers <span style="font-size: large;">are still in great shape</span> and would be in good enough shape to use for a future child or <span style="font-size: large;">I could sell them</span> on a cloth diaper b/s/t group on Facebook <span style="font-size: large;">and make about half that amount back in cash!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*If* we </span>had used <span style="font-size: large;">only disposable diapers the last 13 months</span>, we would have spent about $60 every month<span style="font-size: large;"> JUST FOR DIAPERS</span> (not including wipes, or diaper creams, etc).</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>60 dollars x 13 months = $780!</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That's a LOT of money </span>just for something you <span style="font-size: large;">throw in the trash!</span></div>
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So, do you want to <span style="font-size: large;">see our savings</span> in switching to <span style="font-size: large;">only cloth diapers?</span></div>
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Start with the $780 we would have spent on disposable in the last 13 months. Now subtract the $210 we spent on cloth diapers:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>$780 - $210 = $570</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">$570 MINIMUM savings </span>of switching completely to cloth diapers! </div>
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Lets take it one step further! Let me show you <span style="font-size: large;">what our monthly cost</span> for cloth diapers would be... Take the $210, of our total cloth diaper expenses, and divide it by the last 13 months:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>210/13 = $16.15</li>
</ul>
<br />
So in reality <span style="font-size: large;">we spent about $16.15 per month</span> on our cloth diaper collection. The best thing about using cloth? <span style="font-size: large;">The longer we are able to use them, the more our savings become!</span> If Little Man is in cloth diapers until he is two we would have even lower monthly costs. Lets see them... Take 210 and divide it by 24:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>210/24 = $8.75</li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Now I don't know ANYONE who uses disposables who can get away on $8.75 a month for their diapers, do you?</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What about washing them</span>, you ask. <span style="font-size: large;">Doesn't it cost more to wash the diapers</span> several times a week? Not really! <span style="font-size: large;">Our water bill has gone up MAYBE $1</span> since we started using cloth, and in all honesty <span style="font-size: large;">I can't be sure it was specifically from using the washer more</span> since we were also going through the gardening season when we switched to full cloth diapers (we did use disposables for the first few weeks) so that water bill raise *could* have been caused from using the garden hose more frequently.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, but what about the soap costs? </span>Well... we have been using <span style="font-size: large;">homemade laundry soap</span> (many people have problems with their diapers when using homemade soap so it's not one of the best recommendations, just FYI, here is my <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/02/deeds-homemade-laundry-soap.html" target="_blank">recipe link</a></i> if you want to check it out though) and use about 1 cup of liquid soap per diaper wash. I also <span style="font-size: large;">occasionally include some white vinegar</span>, but not always. I also <span style="font-size: large;">occasionally include a little bleach</span>, but rarely.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lets work with the vinegar first</span>, it costs less than $3 for a gallon at Walmart for the Great Value brand. In the past year of cloth diapering I'm pretty sure I've not used more than two gallons of white vinegar in my diaper laundry, just to be on the higher end. So 3 dollars a gallon times 2 gallons:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>3 x 2 = 6</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That's $6 I *might* have spent on white vinegar</span> just for diaper loads.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Next lets do the occasional bleach. </span>I'm not even sure what bleach costs because its been that long since I've bought any! Lets guess its about $4 a gallon. I *maybe* used 2 gallons of bleach so:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>4 x 2 = 8</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That is $8 I *might* have spent on bleach</span> specifically for diaper loads in the last year.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Okay, now for the complicated part... <span style="font-size: large;">the homemade laundry soap. </span>I'm thinking it costs me about $5 to make a bucket of soap. I wash maybe 4 loads of diaper laundry a week, sometimes 3 loads a week, since I wash every 2-3 days. That would be <span style="font-size: large;">16 loads of diapers a month. That would be 208 loads of laundry in 13 months.</span> I estimate I get around 84 loads off one bucket of homemade laundry soap. So that goes into 208 two times with 40 loads (of the 208) left over. So we'll say I went through 2 1/2 batches of homemade laundry soap in the last 13 months. So 2.5 buckets of soap x 5 dollars a bucket:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>2.5 x 5 = 12.50</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So <span style="font-size: large;">laundry soap expenses</span> the last 13 months <span style="font-size: large;">have equaled $12.50.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">What did I actually spend on washing diapers this last year? </span>And lets not factor in the $1 raise in the water bill since its really too small to give it any thought. Take the $6 for white vinegar, and the $8 for bleach, and the $12.50 for laundry soap.</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>6 + 8 + 12.50 = 26.50</li>
</ul>
<div>
Take the total above and divide it by 13 months:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>26.50/13 = 2.04</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So every month I'm spending about $2 on washing diapers. </span>Now lets add the washing amount with the amount estimated I spent every month on diapers for the last 13 months:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>$2 + $16.50 = $18.50</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">$18.50 folks! </span>That is <span style="font-size: large;">what my diapers have cost me</span> each month for <span style="font-size: large;">the past 13 months!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Final math problem for today, I promise! :) </span>Lets figure out the monthly savings we get by using cloth the last 13 months:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>$60 - $18.50 = $41.50</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">$41.50 we are able to spend on something other than diapers every. single. month! </span>Now I call<i> that</i> good savings!</div>
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Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-25816692916653649652015-03-02T06:00:00.000-06:002015-03-02T06:00:07.050-06:00Comparing Different Kinds of HoneyThis totally happened on its own and was not planned... but we recently decided to compare all the different kinds of honey we had in our pantry... honestly we weren't surprised with the results.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0g9-yDjHuNQyuZGfyMqLUeFsNWPSPudDtTYGeSA-FgIUFcKLHDuA9N0yOV-99HGtmb3pFD6yzedpFD48pm4EiYqbXzL5-V6uZIM-uyAMyaYpyyqJG0x1P4dySWqgSZ0jMMZZ5DfvCQZ87/s1600/BEBBlog+comparing+different+kinds+of+honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0g9-yDjHuNQyuZGfyMqLUeFsNWPSPudDtTYGeSA-FgIUFcKLHDuA9N0yOV-99HGtmb3pFD6yzedpFD48pm4EiYqbXzL5-V6uZIM-uyAMyaYpyyqJG0x1P4dySWqgSZ0jMMZZ5DfvCQZ87/s1600/BEBBlog+comparing+different+kinds+of+honey.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Raw Local Honey, from our town:</span> a really great taste, hint of wildflower in it. Raw local honey is good for helping fight seasonal allergies, soothing sore throats, can be used to treat burns and minor skin wounds, as a face wash and moisturizer, as a hair wash, and more <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 1)</i></span>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Raw Local Honey, from our state:</span> awesome taste as well! Before I found honey from our town, I bought some at a local store that sold raw honey from a town that wasn't anywhere close to us. While it did manage to help me with my spring and fall allergies last year, I am looking forward to doing even better managing seasonal allergies with the raw honey from our town.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Organic Wildflower Honey, from Aldi: </span>this was my first time to buy organic honey. It has a pretty decent flavor, but is REALLY sweet! Buying "organic" honey can be tricky. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 2)</i></span> I would personally stick with raw local from what I now know about its benefits.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Generic Honey, also from Aldi: </span>after smelling, and trying the above honey's.... yeah its NO comparison! We had bought this quite some time ago and rarely even use it now... after trying the other types of honey. We all decided it would be difficult to finish using this bottle of honey.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Verdict? </span>Raw Local Honey from our town won the smell and taste test!<br />
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<u>Notes</u><br />
<ol>
<li><i><a href="http://draxe.com/the-many-health-benefits-of-raw-honey/" target="_blank">The Many Health Benefits of Raw Honey</a></i>, from Dr. Axe.<br />-<i><a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/266247-benefits-of-local-raw-honey/" target="_blank">Benefits of Local Raw Honey</a></i>, from Livestrong.<br />-<i><a href="http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/dangers-benefits-raw-honey-5387.html" target="_blank">The Dangers and Benefits of Raw Honey</a></i>, from SF Gate.<br />-<i><a href="http://wellnessmama.com/23779/healthy-uses-for-honey/" target="_blank">7 Healthy Uses for Honey</a></i>, from Wellness Mama.<br />-<i><a href="http://empoweredsustenance.com/uses-for-honey/" target="_blank">15 Weird and Awesome Uses For Honey</a></i>, from Empowered Sustenance.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://livingmaxwell.com/organic-honey-certified" target="_blank">The Mystery Behind Organic Honey</a></i>, from Living MaxWell.<br />-<i><a href="http://www.marksdailyapple.com/7-foods-you-dont-need-to-buy-organic/#axzz3Sh8Pzasc" target="_blank">7 Foods You Dont Need to Buy Organic</a></i>, from Mark's Daily Apple.</li>
</ol>
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-78694344310434437172015-02-24T06:00:00.000-06:002015-02-24T12:38:59.021-06:00Breastfeeding LM: Birth to 1 Year and Beyond!Because breastfeeding has become such a huge passion of mine in recent months I thought I would share a little about my journey with LM. To get a good view of how things went we will have to start from the beginning...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNONfIo80WgkW3kBTn8prMk8KadwA1HM8dBAf6oANfvSRY6cMPUjkovNuXw8R-D9gMC7IPPLiBz3j72DGxvAiwnOSF35JkNElkzIw_xLzQZBGIZgJksJ2bs2YkCsCq8xQvqNuBCxmlUmSw/s1600/BEBBlog+breastfeeding,+birth+1+year+beyond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNONfIo80WgkW3kBTn8prMk8KadwA1HM8dBAf6oANfvSRY6cMPUjkovNuXw8R-D9gMC7IPPLiBz3j72DGxvAiwnOSF35JkNElkzIw_xLzQZBGIZgJksJ2bs2YkCsCq8xQvqNuBCxmlUmSw/s1600/BEBBlog+breastfeeding,+birth+1+year+beyond.jpg" height="400" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">In writing this post I discovered that this is the ONLY</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">breastfeeding photo I have for over 1 year of breastfeeding</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">that wasn't on my phone.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*photo was taken during a camping trip last summer!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After birth: </span>we chose to do immediate skin to skin <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 1)</i></span> once LM was born. I had read that this will encourage baby to latch and nurse within 30 minutes-1 hour after being born. I dont remember exactly, but I'm thinking LM nursed for the first time around 45 minutes after being born!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first few days:</span> while at the hospital, LM latched and nursed beautifully! I was so pleased since this was something I had really wanted to do.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next few days:</span> the day after we got home my milk came in... and then issues started. LM would not latch and nurse properly. I was in extreme pain from going through a difficult labor, I was on pain medications which made me groggy, I was trying to recover from everything I had just gone through and then to experience perfect nursing the first 2-3 days and then end up with this the 4th night I decided to pump and give LM a bottle. I continued to do this for the next handful of feedings. I called the Lactation Consultant (LC) at the hospital where we delivered and she really encouraged me to try and get LM back to nursing at the breast<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> (Notes 2)</i></span> because he was still young and that would really be easier in the long run. So... we worked on getting him to latch and nurse. And he did!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first few weeks:</span> With pumping a lot during those first days my milk came in I accidentally created a major oversupply of milk and was engorged ALL the time <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 3)</i></span>. I could get 14oz total of ONE session, and that was AFTER nursing LM. I didn't really understand what all was going on and why I was constantly engorged. I thought I had to get all the milk out to make it go away... turns out that just told my body to keep overproducing. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 4)</i></span> Fortunately, since I nursed on demand (which is RECOMMENDED for breastfeeding moms) <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 5)</i></span> LM always had plenty of milk and somehow we were blessed that he never had many of the issues associated with oversupply.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the 1 month mark:</span> LM had been co-sleeping with us (sleeping in the same room, but in his own space) at the very beginning. Through several nights of barely being able to keep my eyes open to nurse we finally gave side-lying nursing a try <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 6)</i></span>... and of course we ended up falling asleep like that using safe bedsharing guidelines <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 7)</i></span>. This became the ideal way to breastfeed and continued for the next few months.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Making it to 3 months:</span> I could have celebrated with joy when we hit the 3 month mark! I had always heard that if you could make it to 3 months it got easier from there. After having experienced this for myself, I absolutely agree with that statement! As a first time mama who had never breastfed, I had many things to learn. LM was born never having breastfed either so we both were able to learn together. This creates such an amazing bond for mother and baby. There is no way words could describe this feeling! At this point I was still pumping daily (as I had been from birth) and had an enormous stock pile of breastmilk in my freezer that I wasn't sure what to do with.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Four month (12 week) growth spurt:</span> sadly I was convinced that having my son sleep in bed with us was not good for him and we transitioned him back to his own bed around this time (I have since done a lot of research on this subject and feel that as long as you are breastfeeding, and it is working for everyone in the bed, bedsharing is the ideal thing for breastfeeding moms & babies) <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 8)</i></span>. Around this time I also discovered a quick and easy way to remember WHEN growth spurts hit <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 9)</i></span>. Its easiest to remember "They Hit in 3's". 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks (4 months). 6 months, 9 months, 12 months. As we nursed through the 4 month growth spurt I grained more confidence in my ability to feed my child, knowing that the frequent nursing <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 10)</i></span> was completely NORMAL during the growth spurt phase. Just after the 4 month mark I decided to stop pumping as much (because I didn't need the massive amount in my freezer to keep growing!). I started pumping as needed to relieve engorgement so maybe once or twice a day.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Six months, halfway to my original goal: </span>when I took a breastfeeding class through the hospital where I gave birth I learned about setting goals to aim for through the breastfeeding journey. My original goal was 1 year. Someone recommended having smaller goals along the way to help keep me motivated and excited about the breastfeeding journey. That's when I made goals of 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and finally 1 year. Six months felt like a huge accomplishment. Unlike many moms, I wasn't anxious to begin introducing solids so we continued to nurse on demand<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> (Notes 11)</i></span>. Nursing sessions took a complete change from nursing a small baby, to nursing an active baby! LM was interested in every little sound or movement that was happening around him so breastfeeding in the living room while watching a tv show with our cat running around "chasing ghosts", as we call it, was not happening. I started doing nursing sessions with no distractions (turning off tv, putting down the phone/book) and focusing on LM during his nursing sessions. Once he drifted to sleep, which happened often during nursing sessions, I would pull out the phone/book and entertain myself quietly while he finished nursing.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Also at six months, I discovered the world of milksharing! </span>I had NO idea there were moms who would be thrilled to have my freezer stash of milk. This was a completely foreign concept to me because I had never heard of it but I was interested! I started pumping several times a day again to bring my supply back up <i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Notes 12)</span></i>. This was tricky to do with having LM nursing on demand, but we figured out a pattern that worked for us and I got my extra amount per day up to 20oz. daily. Finding a mama-baby in need of donor milk took some effort on my part, and just when I was getting discouraged I found a full time baby to donate to who was just 3 months younger than LM and was a local mama! Milksharing for us was meant to be! <i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Notes 13)</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seven months, introducing foods: </span>I was finally convinced by hubby to let LM try some solids. I had read that baby cereals were NOT a good food to start with <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 14)</i></span> and my mom actually recommended mashed banana or avacado as a first food <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 15)</i></span>. Turns out these are both very popular first foods among many moms who chose to skip traditional baby cereals. We went with mashed banana and a few bites were about all LM was interested in. We later tried mashed sweet potato, mashed carrots, mashed greenbeans (those were <i>not</i> a hit!), mashed peas and the list goes on... Because I have food allergies, we introduced one food a week and waited to make sure there were no visible signs of reaction <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 16)</i></span>. Most things went well... sweet potatoes, though a favorite, caused problems as did strawberries so we have skipped both of those since. Around this time we were getting a good stretch of sleep at night lasting from 11pm-6am *most* nights. I loved it and took advantage of the much needed, extra sleep! <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 17)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ten months, sleep patterns changed:</span> LM started waking up frequently during the night. We tried bedsharing again, and for a few weeks that seemed to help... until we woke up one night and he had crawled out from between us and was sleeping at our feet!! We decided bedsharing was not a working option anymore and transferred LM back to his own space. Food intake also increased for LM. He started eating 3-4 times a day the different foods he enjoyed. At this point LM went on a nursing strike <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 18)</i></span>. This lasted about 5 weeks and was extremely difficult for me! It gave me a completely new respect for moms who have to exclusively pump <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 19)</i></span> for their babies. Milksharing was going well! I was donating 100oz a week to my donor baby consistently since I made the match up.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eleven months, thoughts about extended breastfeeding:</span> since around 6 months or so I had been thinking about breastfeeding beyond one year. I started to do research on this and found that only in the US is breastfeeding past one year considered "weird", "gross", "inappropriate", "unnecessary" and I could go on... Turns out the WORLDWIDE average age to wean is 4.2 years! <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 20) </i></span>I had no idea! Hubby had not really been open to the idea of extended breastfeeding and felt that after one year there was no point to let LM continue to nurse and that I could just pump and give him breastmilk in a bottle/cup until age 2. This made me a little worried about what the next few months would bring. I continued to do research and share with him what I found, but for the most part I didn't bring it up much because I figured he would see that LM would still very much be every bit of a baby at 1 year as he was now at 11 months.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One Year! We made it!! </span>I was so thrilled to make it to the one year mark! And guess what... hubby wasn't even phased when LM continued his regular breastfeeding habit. It was normal and natural to continue breastfeeding at 1 year, just as it had been to breastfeed at 11 months. Hubby and I have had a few conversations on this since and thought we disagree slightly on when we think the best age to wean is I am confident that we are doing the right thing to continue to breastfeed at this point. As I approached the 1 year mark I started getting passionate about helping other moms with struggles on their breastfeeding journey. I started doing research and learning about the things of breastfeeding I've never dealt with. I ordered <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Womanly-Art-Breastfeeding-Diane-Wiessinger/dp/0345518446/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424799285&sr=1-1&keywords=womanly+art+breast+feeding" target="_blank">The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding</a> book, 8th edition which is put out by La Leche League International</i>. I have looked into becoming a Lactation Consultant but that requires more schooling that I would be able to handle at this point in my life. I did discover that it might very well be possible for me to become a LLL Leader<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> (Notes 21) </i></span>so I have been working through their list of requirements to see if that might be a future option for me. In the meantime I have been helping admin a breastfeeding support group on Facebook and am loving it!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">13 months, nursing a toddler:</span> let me tell you... nursing a toddler is COMPLETELY different from nursing a newborn, 3 month old, 6 month old, and even an 11 month old! Gym-nurse-statics are a regular part of our morning nursing session. When I first heard this word around 3 months into nursing I thought it was ridiculous and why couldn't moms make their babies lay down and nurse?! Turns out this is normal and natural and to be expected of nursing a toddler <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 22)</i></span>. Around this time how often a toddler nurses depends on many things, for us we have consistently nursed first thing in the morning, right before nap or right after nap (rarely do we nurse at both unless he is on a growth spurt), and then at bedtime (around 6-7pm) and maybe once between 9-12 and maybe once between 3-6am. He's not terribly consistent with nursing anymore so I've had to keep an extra eye on the clock to make sure I am pumping regular to keep my supply up for my donor baby. One advantage to me pumping is I am able to give LM breastmilk in a cup throughout the day instead of transitioning to cows milk -which he has not had- or almond milk -which he sometimes has with lunch or dinner meals- <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 23)</i></span>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">14 months, that's were we are now!</span> I am so glad we are continuing our breastfeeding journey. As LM *chooses* not to breastfeed (I still offer, and he might nurse for a few quick seconds and then get down to go play... and then I'll go pump) <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Notes 24) </i></span>I find I'm cherishing the moments when he does breastfeed more than the "quick snack" sessions. This is truly a beautiful thing and something that will not last forever so I will enjoy it while I can!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Notes</u></div>
<br />
<ol>
<li><i><a href="http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=82:the-importance-of-skin-to-skin-contact-&Itemid=17" target="_blank">The Importance of Skin to Skin Contact</a>,</i> from International Breastfeeding Centre.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.llli.org/faq/back.html" target="_blank">Getting newborn back to breast</a>, </i>from La Lache League.</li>
<li><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/engorgement/" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Engorgement</a><i>,</i> from Kellymom. </li>
<li><i><a href="http://kellymom.com/pregnancy/bf-prep/milkproduction/" target="_blank">How Milk Production Works</a>, </i>from Kellymom.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.llli.org/nb/nbjulaug03p126.html" target="_blank">Nursing on demand</a>, from LLL.</i></li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.mother-2-mother.com/tut-layingdown.htm" target="_blank">Side-lying nursing</a>, </i>from Mother-2-Mother.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/sleep-problems/sleep-safety/cosleeping-safely" target="_blank">Safe Bedsharing</a>, </i>from Dr. Sears.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://cosleeping.nd.edu/what-every-health-professional-should-know/" target="_blank">Co-sleeping, what every heath professional should know</a>, </i>from University of Notre Dame.<br /><i>-</i><a href="http://neuroanthropology.net/2008/12/21/cosleeping-and-biological-imperatives-why-human-babies-do-not-and-should-not-sleep-alone/" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Why human babies shouldn't sleep alone</a><i>, </i>from Neuroanthropology.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/growth-spurts/" target="_blank">Growth spurts</a>, </i>from Kellymom.<br /><i>-<a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/enough-milk/" target="_blank">Is baby getting enough? Birth-6 weeks</a>,</i> from Kellymom.<br /><i>-<a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/enoughmilk-older/" target="_blank">Is baby getting enough? 6 weeks-12 months</a>, </i>from Kellymom.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/frequent-nursing/" target="_blank">Frequent nursing</a>, </i>from Kellymom.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-eating/feeding-infants-toddlers/starting-solids/faqs-about-solid-foods/solid-food-for-baby" target="_blank">Introducing Solids</a>, </i>from Dr Sears.<br /><i>-<a href="http://kellymom.com/category/nutrition/starting-solids/" target="_blank">Topics of different solids and when to offer</a>, </i>from Kellymom.<br /><i>-<a href="http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/babyfirstfoods.htm#.VOy0tPnF-So" target="_blank">First foods for baby</a>, </i>by Wholesome Baby Food.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.lowmilksupply.org/powerpumping.shtml" target="_blank">Power Pumping to bring up milk supply</a>,</i> from Low Milk Supply.<br />-<i><a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-eating/breastfeeding/while-working/19-tips-better-pumping" target="_blank">18 tips to better breast pumping</a>, </i>from Dr. Sears.<br />-<i><a href="http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html" target="_blank">Video of exclusively pumping moms that completely changed how I pump breastmilk</a>,</i> from Stanford School of Medicine.</li>
<li><i>Finding a milk donor/donating to a baby through <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hm4hb" target="_blank">Human Milk 4 Human Babies {facebook}</a> (each state has their own chapter, find the one for your state to post locally), also see the <a href="http://hm4hb.net/" target="_blank">HM4HB {website}</a>.</i><br /><i>-Through <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EatsOnFeetsHome" target="_blank">Eats on Feets {facebook}</a> (each state has their own chapter, find the one for your state to post locally), also see the <a href="http://www.eatsonfeets.org/" target="_blank">Eats on Feets {website}</a>.</i></li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/440625-side-effects-of-infant-rice-cereal/" target="_blank">Side effects of infant rice cereal</a>,</i> from Livestrong.<br />-<i><a href="http://www.breastfeedingmamatalk.com/dangers-of-rice-cereal/#.VOw2GfnF-Sp" target="_blank">Skip the baby cereal, why solids before 6 months is not needed</a>, </i>from Breastfeeding Mama Talk.<br /><i>-<a href="http://www.foodrenegade.com/why-ditch-infant-cereals/" target="_blank">Why ditch the infant cereals</a>,</i> from Food Renegade.<br />-<i><a href="http://naturaintegrativehealth.com/your-baby-doesnt-need-rice-cereal/" target="_blank">Your baby doesn't need rice cereal</a>, </i>from Natura Integrative Medicine.<br />-<i><a href="http://www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk/2011/12/nine-good-reasons-not-to-use-baby-rice.html" target="_blank">Nine good reasons NOT to use baby rice</a>, </i>from Analytical Armadillo.<br />-<i><a href="http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/dangers-rice-cereal-infants-4267.html" target="_blank">Dangers of rice cereal for infants</a>, </i>from Global Post.<br />-<i><a href="http://breastfeedingmamas.org/skip-the-cereal/" target="_blank">Skip the cereal</a>, </i>from Breastfeeding Mamas.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/babyfirstfoods.htm#.VOy0tPnF-So" target="_blank">First foods for baby</a>, </i>by Wholesome Baby Food.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://kellymom.com/health/baby-health/food-sensitivity/" target="_blank">Food allergies in babies</a>, </i>from Kellymom.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/sleep/" target="_blank">Sleeping through the night</a>, </i>from Kellymom.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/child/back-to-breast/" target="_blank">Nursing strike</a>, </i>from Kellymom.<br />-<i><a href="http://www.llli.org/faq/strike.html" target="_blank">Nursing strike</a>,</i> from La Lache League.<br />-<i><a href="http://drjaygordon.com/breastfeeding/nursing-strikes.html" target="_blank">Nursing strike</a>, </i>from Dr. Jay Gordon.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/exclusive-pumping/" target="_blank">Exclusively pumping</a>,</i> from Kellymom.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://nacd.org/health/protocol.php" target="_blank">Worldwide average age to wean</a>, </i>from The National Association of Child Development.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.llli.org/lad/talll/talll.html" target="_blank">Thinking about LLL Leadership</a>, </i>from La Lache League.<br />-<i><a href="http://www.llli.org/lad/talll/faq.html" target="_blank">Thinking about LLL Leadership, FAQ</a>, </i>from La Lache League.<br />-<i><a href="http://www.llli.org/lad/talll/steps.html" target="_blank">Steps of accreditation</a>, </i>from La Lache League.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://kellymom.com/nutrition/starting-solids/toddler-foods/" target="_blank">Nursing a toddler</a>, </i>from Kellymom.<br />-<i><a href="http://www.llli.org/faq/advantagetoddler.html" target="_blank">Benefits of breastfeeding your toddler</a>, </i>from La Lache League.<br />-<i><a href="http://nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78%3Abreastfeed-a-toddlerwhy-on-earth&catid=5%3Ainformation&Itemid=17" target="_blank">Breastfeeding your toddler</a>,</i> from International Breastfeeding Centre.<br />-<i><a href="https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/general-breastfeeding-information/breastfeeding-your-toddler" target="_blank">Breastfeeding your toddler</a>, </i>from Australia Breastfeeding Association.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/509224-alternative-for-1-year-old-allergic-to-cows-milk/" target="_blank">Alternatives to cows milk for an allergic 1-year-old</a>, </i>from Livestrong.<br /><i>-<a href="http://www.parenting.com/article/ask-dr-sears-cows-milk-for-babies" target="_blank">Introducing cows milk to toddlers</a>, </i>from Dr. Sears via Parenting.</li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-eating/breastfeeding/faqs/weaning" target="_blank">Weaning</a>,</i> from Dr. Sears.</li>
</ol>
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-44014280208874351042015-02-23T06:00:00.000-06:002015-02-23T06:00:10.421-06:00Elderberry Syrup Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGQnaFa6TPUmSVpHLB949THlVZyI4GIxVyDjosm0u1DqeLuTFtB7xWlKUrl7F-K5FnYlMmhg-_XLPBX_sv8sbWPy712-ZPkNyVqF2w_94Ttpr1-vSdMamNprxcc7UvmnpJ7JVaCSWuYCd/s1600/BEBBlog+elderberry+syrup+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGQnaFa6TPUmSVpHLB949THlVZyI4GIxVyDjosm0u1DqeLuTFtB7xWlKUrl7F-K5FnYlMmhg-_XLPBX_sv8sbWPy712-ZPkNyVqF2w_94Ttpr1-vSdMamNprxcc7UvmnpJ7JVaCSWuYCd/s1600/BEBBlog+elderberry+syrup+01.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u> Elderberry Syrup Recipe</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body">1 cup fresh or 1/2 cup (2oz) dried organic Elderberries</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body">3 cups water</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body">1 organic Cinnamon stick</span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body">3 organic Cloves, whole</span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body">1/2 teaspoon organic Ginger (optional)</span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body">1 cup raw, local honey</span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><u><br /></u></span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><u>Directions</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Place berries, water, and spices in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Smash the berries to release remaining juice and strain the mixture.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Allow liquid to cool (I put it in a container in the fridge for about 30 minutes, or until it stops steaming).</div>
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4. Stir in honey.</div>
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<u><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body">Notes</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Good source of Vitamins A & C.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-This will last in the fridge for 2-3 months.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Standard dose is 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon for kids and 1/2 tablespoon to 1 tablespoon for adults once a day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-If you do get sick, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours, instead of once a day, until the symptoms disappear.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-You can order dried, organic Elderberries from <i><a href="https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/elder-berries/profile" target="_blank">Mountain Rose Herbs</a>, </i>I buy them through <i><a href="http://www.frontiercoop.com/products.php?cn=Elderberries" target="_blank">Frontier Co-op</a></i>.</div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8R4uqGSt_E8gjK9CFlOqZC16NT_LRn5dM0i3uSwHDttCCffgb-JQmJWoGMgNLNKHB61pGDK35xtvON5m7W5mGpmXHlxK6cm8qE8teN6V3vE0Rn2Aat-_kUc8GCH7_9QLBjJ_ekEtw2Rj/s1600/BEBBlog+elderberry+syrup+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8R4uqGSt_E8gjK9CFlOqZC16NT_LRn5dM0i3uSwHDttCCffgb-JQmJWoGMgNLNKHB61pGDK35xtvON5m7W5mGpmXHlxK6cm8qE8teN6V3vE0Rn2Aat-_kUc8GCH7_9QLBjJ_ekEtw2Rj/s1600/BEBBlog+elderberry+syrup+02.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><u>What do you use Elderberry Syrup for?</u></span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body">-to help build a strong immune system in children & adults.</span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body">-co reduce swelling in mucous membranes from sinuses and help relieve nasal congestion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body">-helps settle upset stomach.</span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body">-helps relieve gas.</span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2a.1:3:1:$comment767211290005263_767211480005244:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><u>Read more about Elderberries here!</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-What are Elderberries good for? -<i><a href="http://foodfacts.mercola.com/elderberries.html" target="_blank">Mercola</a></i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Elderberry. <i><a href="http://www.drugs.com/npc/elderberry.html" target="_blank">Drugs {dot} com</a></i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Elderberry Syrup Benefits. <i><a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/115535-elderberry-syrup-benefits/" target="_blank">Livestrong</a></i>.</div>
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-31206716945331655272015-02-22T14:35:00.000-06:002015-02-22T14:35:34.608-06:00Break is Over....Hope to make 1 post a month at the very least!After my short break away, and many requests from fans, I feel like I might be ready to share my life again through blogging! I'm sure many of you will rejoice at hearing those words. :)<br />
<br />
I have not stopped journalling things that I do and I still take lots of pictures of each new project or craft I am working on. I do think I will have to just aim for one post a month because my internet access is very limited and with spring, summer, and fall on the way I will be busy with gardening, raising my son, and several fun projects we have lined up (plan to redo our kitchen/dining rooms and the laundry room this spring!).<br />
<br />
I have had a lot of life changes going on recently. Good things for sure, but different for us. I'll just go through some of it as it comes to mind:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I've discovered a love for natural living! We are currently working through daily things and finding healthier, less toxic options. Maybe one day I'll share a post on some of the changes we've made.</li>
<li>We have been cleaning up our diet for at least 6 months now. Finding healthier, non-GMO options, even buying many USDA Organic foods. I think this has been a great change for us health wise though we will probably see better results once we change our diet completely... which brings us to the next point:</li>
<li>We are looking into doing a modified Paleo diet. I can't live without dairy (at least not at this point!) so we are going to buy raw milk from a local farmer and make our own cheeses and butter and things like that (well... over time that is! lol. can't do it all at once.)</li>
<li>I've been using essential oils for quite some time now, but just recently signed up through doTerra to receive wholesale prices on their oils. At this point I dont feel comfortable making that a business opportunity for me since I am not educated enough on using oils to give advice to people I barely know or dont know at all!</li>
<li>I am looking into becoming an Aromatherapist! Unfortunately thats super expensive... so it'll be awhile before I'm able to do that, but I am learning what I can through internet research and books in the meantime.</li>
<li>I have also become extremely passionate about breastfeeding in recent months! We made it to my original goal of 1 year and are still going strong at almost 14 months now. I am just so impressed that we have made it this far. I also donate 100oz weekly to another little boy who has many intolerance and does not do well on formula and his mom was unable to breastfeed. Donating is such an amazing thing in and of itself!</li>
<li>Along the lines of my new found breastfeeding passion... I took an admin position on a breastfeeding support group in January and have been able to help many moms there with what I know from my own experiences, and what I've been able to research through the internet on things I've not experienced. This has sparked another interest in me:</li>
<li>I'm currently working towards becoming a Le Lache League leader! I've not sent in a request yet since I haven't completed everything required, but I'm working through their list of requirements and hope to one day start a group in my area (which is sadly lacking in brestfeeding support!).</li>
<li>Future children? I was dead set against having more kids once Little Man was born. We had a really rough pregnancy and a rough delivery and healing took months longer than I had anticipated. I've had many conversations with my Doula friend over my fears of having more children. She has helped me work through a lot of that and I'm now considering that possibility. I know I'm not ready for that yet so it may be a ways down the road, but it is certainly in my thoughts.</li>
<li>With LM we have been using cloth diapers, babywearing, breastfeeding and now extended breastfeeding, we do not vaccinate, and it was actually hubby's idea to homeschool... turns out this style of natural parenting is labeled "crunchy". So I'm a crunchy mama! Who knew? lol. I've joined many crunchy mom groups on facebook and have learned so much about natural parenting and living. That has made a huge difference in our lives recently (the last 6+ months). I even started a local crunchy moms group on Facebook and have been able to connect with like minded mamas near me. (I have a post on '<i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/09/what-is-crunchy-mama.html" target="_blank">what is a crunchy mama</a></i>' that I posted back in September you can check out to learn more!)</li>
<li>I have been making crochet baby blankets for friends who have babies for several years now. I've been asked if I've ever considered selling them.... and I hadn't, but I think I will make up a few and put together an online shop and see where that goes. I love making them and they are perfect for babies/toddlers. LM loves the 2 I made him!</li>
<li>I have become passionate about vaccines lately as well. Anyone on my friends list on Facebook would know that! lol. I have done HOURS of research now. Just recently though I was transferring files to my external hard drive and lost probably 100 hours worth of vaccine research. I was, and still am, very upset to have lost all of that hard work. Fortunately I didn't lose everything, and I know where to go to find the information again, but it even with knowing where to find the information it will take me hours upon hours to make new files again.</li>
<li>When we moved to the country in 2013 one of my dreams was to get chickens. That dream is very close to coming true! A lady up the road a ways has organic chickens and is willing to show me her set up. I am planning to build a chicken house and get organic chickens of my own going in the near future as well! This may also be something that pays for itself as we live on a busy highway and could sell what we cant use.</li>
<li>Once I get chickens my new goal is to get a goat to have raw goatsmilk. Hubby is not completely on board with this idea, but we have time to convince him that this would be a worthwhile thing for us.</li>
<li>I do want honeybees of my own eventually as buying local raw honey has made a huge difference in my allergies the last few years (last year I was able to go almost the full spring and fall seasons without taking over the counter allergy medication which is a really huge deal for me!). Hubby brought of the valid concern of raising bees and children together. This might be a dream for the far future instead of the near future.</li>
<li>Last fall I created a wholesale account through <i><a href="https://wholesale.frontiercoop.com/main.html" target="_blank">Frontier Co-op</a></i>. Through that I have been able to order a lot of organic products and spices I might not otherwise be able to afford. It has really been a good thing for our family! I am looking into a local food co-op to buy bulk organic foods like wheat berries and oats. I haven't signed up with them yet but probably will in the near future.</li>
<li>We have been planning our 3rd year garden. We ordered organic, non-gmo seeds this year and are looking for organic seed starter from a good company so we can get those babies growing. I have good hopes for this years garden since we have 2, rather rough, years under our belts now.</li>
</ol>
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I'm sure I could come up with more, I always do! That gives you a glimpse of what is going on and what we are seeing for the immediate future. As I said, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to blog here, but I'll try to aim for once a month at the very least. Internet access is sketchy at best so I have to take it when I get it and thats never consistent. Hope to hear from you readers! ~Helen</div>
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Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-52834388408504593282014-11-13T14:50:00.003-06:002014-11-13T14:50:49.841-06:00The EndWell ladies. I think I've come to the end of my blogging. At least for now. I am just finding it really difficult to get up to the library to schedule things and I cant do anything for my blog from my phone so I think it's time to have an end here. Its not that I don't want to blog! I still write posts all the time, I just NEVER have time to come up and schedule things and its really frustrating.<br />
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So, until further notice... this is the end of Blue Eyed Beauty Blog.<br />
<br />
I have decided to leave the blog up because there is SO much on here. Of course you can always contact me through the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlueEyedBeautyBlog" target="_blank"><i>Blue Eyed Beauty Blog facebook page</i></a> by messaging me on there (I'm not able to access my emails either from my phone).<br />
<br />
Maybe one day the county will see fit to install decent internet in our area and I can resume blogging. Until then know that I will miss blogging and interacting with you!<br />
<br />
-Helen Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-44589860813631648152014-09-02T12:00:00.000-05:002015-02-22T14:17:28.661-06:00What Is A Crunchy Mama?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxuxdwC_NKXQuUXLwQaHZrZzuNFI9xGPQOia05QSm93TBfHJ6QaunU1H0wIHaQxRjytJ6HHRWKBgK4OLX39K8qfx_-K64wAvHF5KWH-CIudiwQak_3gvHTtDu4TOj61rufdhKEm5RdMhL/s1600/BEBBlog+crunchy+mama+sticker.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxuxdwC_NKXQuUXLwQaHZrZzuNFI9xGPQOia05QSm93TBfHJ6QaunU1H0wIHaQxRjytJ6HHRWKBgK4OLX39K8qfx_-K64wAvHF5KWH-CIudiwQak_3gvHTtDu4TOj61rufdhKEm5RdMhL/s1600/BEBBlog+crunchy+mama+sticker.png" height="166" width="400" /></a></div>
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Facebook groups are my new favorite thing lately. I have learned SO much by the many groups I've joined. I have my favorites, and then I have those I like to browse on occasion. After joining the first few groups I kept seeing the term 'crunchy mom' on posts I was interested in or on things I would comment on to help a mama out. I had a feeling I was a 'crunchy mama' and didn't know what that was so I decided to Google it. Yup, I was right, but I only consider myself "semi-crunchy".<br />
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Here are some of the links you can check out:<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Crunchy+Mom" target="_blank">Urban Dictionary: Crunchy Mom</a><br />
<a href="http://thestir.cafemom.com/toddler/160660/20_signs_youre_a_crunchy" target="_blank">Blog Post: The Stir: 20 Signs You're A Crunchy Mama</a><br />
<a href="http://www.themoralesfamily.us/granola.htm" target="_blank">Fun Quiz: The Morals Family: How Crunchy Are You?</a> (I got 123!)<br />
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This is a general idea of what things make you 'crunchy'. I've collected the different things from several sources, but most everyone agrees on these topics:<br />
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Crunchy Parenting Topics:<br />
<ul>
<li>No birth control/Natural Family Planning/Fertility Awareness Method</li>
<li>Unmedicated childbirth/Homebirth</li>
<li>Placenta encapsulation</li>
<li>No Vaccination</li>
<li>No Circumcision</li>
<li>Breastfeeding/Nursing in public/Extended nursing/Tandem nursing</li>
<li>Exclusive Breast Feeding for 6+ months/Baby Led Weaning</li>
<li>Attachment Parenting</li>
<li>Gentle Parenting</li>
<li>Bed Sharing/Co-sleeping</li>
<li>Babywearing</li>
<li>Extended Rear Facing Car Seat</li>
<li>Homeschooling/Unschooling/Montessori Method</li>
</ul>
<div>
Crunchy Living Topics:</div>
<ul>
<li>Homesteading/Gardening</li>
<li>Eating Clean/Non-GMO/Organic foods/Natural foods/Raw milk & foods</li>
<li>Vegan/Vegetarian/Paleo</li>
<li>Holistic/Complimentary Medicine</li>
<li>Herbal/Homeopathic remedies</li>
<li>Wear little or no make-up/uncut hair</li>
<li>DIY Body Care Products</li>
<li>No Poo</li>
<li>Cloth diapering</li>
<li>Menstrual cups/Mama cloth</li>
<li>Family cloth</li>
<li>Natural cleaning products, etc.</li>
</ul>
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I only call myself semi-crunchy since I don't do even half of this stuff, but I still like following the Facebook groups because I think there are some interesting things to be learned from them and because, on the things I DO, I can learn or share my experiences with others.<br />
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So <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/08/gearing-up-for-another-great-blog-season.html" target="_blank">in my post</a></i> from the end of August I mentioned I had new topics for you. THIS is one of them. But if we are being honest...I've made '<a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/search/label/CrunchyMama" target="_blank">CrunchyMama</a>' posts thought the life of my blog so it's technically not a new topic, BUT it does have a label now so all the posts related to the list above can be found in a much easier way. Not everything is under that label yet (takes time to add that to all the previous posts) so do check out the links/labels below!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">*Some* OF MY 'Crunchy' POSTS</span></b></div>
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Check out my <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/02/deeds-homemade-laundry-soap.html" target="_blank">Homemade Laundry Recipe</a></i>. (<a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/search/label/DIY%20Products" target="_blank">DIY PRODUCTS LABEL</a>)<br />
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Read about my experience with the No Poo method: <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/04/beauty-tips-hair.html" target="_blank">Beauty Tips | Hair</a></i>. <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/04/baking-soda-shampoovinegar-rinse.html" target="_blank">Baking Soda Shampoo/Vinegar Rinse</a></i>. <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/08/hair-back-to-baking-soda.html" target="_blank">Lets Talk About Hair | Back to Using Baking Soda</a></i>. (<a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/search/label/LetsTalkAboutHair" target="_blank">LETS TALK ABOUT HAIR LABEL</a>)<br />
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Read about my Cloth Diapering experience (<a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/search/label/ClothDiapering" target="_blank">CLOTH DIAPERING LABEL</a>): <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/04/cloth-diapering-my-thoughts-at-two.html" target="_blank">My Thoughts at 2 Weeks In</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/05/cloth-diapering-my-thoughts-at-two.html" target="_blank">My Thoughts at 2 Months In</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/05/cloth-diapering-5-things-for-using-wet.html" target="_blank">5 Things for Using The Wet Pail</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/04/cloth-diapering-getting-stains-out.html" target="_blank">Getting the Stains Out</a>.<br />
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DIY Body Care recipes or posts (<a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/search/label/DIY%20Beauty" target="_blank">DIY BEAUTY LABEL</a>): <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/04/diy-shaving-cream.html" target="_blank">DIY Shaving Cream</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/04/baking-soda-shampoovinegar-rinse.html" target="_blank">Baking Soda Shampoo/Vinegar Rinse</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/12/diy-facial-toner.html" target="_blank">DIY Facial Toner</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/09/olive-oil-sugar-scrub.html" target="_blank">Olive Oil Sugar Scrub</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/08/homemade-whitening-toothpaste.html" target="_blank">Homemade Whitening Toothpaste</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/08/hair-healthy-hair-oil.html" target="_blank">DIY Healthy Hair Oil</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/07/lavender-lemon-lip-scrub.html" target="_blank">Lavender & Lemon Lip Scrub</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/07/lavender-peppermint-foot-soak.html" target="_blank">Lavender & Peppermint Foot Soak</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/07/diy-microderm-face-scrub.html" target="_blank">DIY Microderm Face Scrub</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/07/yogurt-face-mask.html" target="_blank">Yogurt Face Scrub</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/07/hair-olive-oil-hair-treatment.html" target="_blank">Olive Oil Hair Treatment</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/07/hair-scented-vinegar-rinse.html" target="_blank">DIY Scented Vinegar Rinse for Your Hair</a>. <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/02/homemade-body-scrub.html" target="_blank">3 Ingredient Homemade Body Scrub</a>.<br />
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I share occasional posts about my <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/search/label/Gardening" target="_blank">GARDEN</a>. No gardening tips or anything, but if you're interested in my garden then check out that label. I also do some <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/search/label/Canning" target="_blank">CANNING</a>. Again, no recipes, just posts on things I've done previously.<br />
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I was homeschooled from the beginning, all the way through high school. This has greatly affected my opinions on homeschooling. My Little Man is still much too small for hubby & I to make a decision on whether or not we will homeschool or allow him to go to public school, but until he is of age to attend school I plan on teaching him as much as I can. (<a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/search/label/Homeschooling" target="_blank">HOMESCHOOLING LABEL</a>)<br />
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BABYWEARING. This is a new one for me. I actually am getting ready to make my own ring sling carrier. I am waiting for the rings to arrive so I can put it together! I'm sure this is a future topic for this blog.<br />
<br />
I am very thankful to be able to say my Little Man was exclusively breast fed (EBF) though 6 months (a little over actually!). We are currently doing a version of Baby Led Weaning (BLW), but also do homemade baby foods with him too. I have yet to write on BLW, but check out the <a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/search/label/Breastfeeding" target="_blank">BREASTFEEDING</a> label. I have more posts in the works for both of these topics.<br />
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<u>Close</u><br />
So there you have it! These are the topics I write or will be writing about that just so happen to also fall under the 'crunchy' label. I'm looking forward to sharing with you some of the things I've been working on writing for these different topics. Hopefully it won't be too long before they are posted for you to read! (Not all of these posts have been tagged with the "CrunchyMama" label on my blog. It takes time to do that and I haven't had a change to add that label to all the above posts.)Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-4240199064702410492014-08-21T14:00:00.000-05:002014-08-21T14:00:57.343-05:00Gearing Up For Another Great Blog Season!Summer is just about over and I wanted to write a quick update for all of you lovely readers!<br />
<br />
I have had quite a busy summer and am honestly not ready for it to be over. I am trying to enjoy the last of these days before it turns cold again. I have been working on quite a few posts and have several new topics to add to my reader list for you all! I am excited about the future posts for this blog and hope you all will enjoy them as well!<br />
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Over the summer I have worked on yet another room makeover, two actually! My living room & hallway. Still haven't finished decorating ANY of the previously made-over rooms, but I have been slowly working on them as I find the things I'm looking for to complete the 'look' of each room. I will be sharing living room renovation pics when I come back from my summer break.<br />
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I have been back at making and canning homemade jelly this year! I already made two batches of Strawberry Vanilla, and a batch of Blueberry jelly. I have plans to make more strawberry, more blueberry, plus grape and blackberry jellies too! I probably wont have recipes there to share, but I might share some pics of all the canned goods! Our apple trees have not done well so I probably wont be doing much canning with them, but I did get a gallon of cherries off our trees and want to attempt homemade cherry pie filling! Homemade spaghetti sauce (canned) is another canned item I want to try and make soon too.<br />
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Our gardening experience has been less than good this year. Not only did I get started late, but I also ended up spending 2 weeks on a blueberry farm, and then two weeks on the living room/hallway makeover, and then some time on vacation to see my best friend & my sister. Needless to say, I am grateful for the green beans we have gotten out of it so far (3 quarts and counting!) and there are plenty of green tomatoes that are just needing to turn red so I can make some homemade spaghetti sauce! Our okra is not doing well at all. The plants are barely knee high and there are only a few pieces of okra all together. My corn looks terrible as well, but it might surprise me in the end. I really think we will get nothing there either. I planted sweet onions in the main garden...they have since been transplanted into the organic bed where the dirt is looser to hopefully help them grow.<br />
<br />
Cloth Diapering is going really well! I have written an update post to share more details about that with you. We are pretty much full time cloth now. In the beginning we did cloth only at home. Now I am brave and do cloth on the go, and on all-day times away from home. Still not brave enough to do cloth while on vacation, but that's okay. :)<br />
<br />
Breastfeeding is going well too! Little Man is a pro and is getting so big. I cant believe how fast he is growing, but it is exciting and I'm happy he is getting big. I recently discovered that I can donate breastmilk and have donated 206oz. so far! I'm working on getting together more to donate again. It is such a wonderful feeling! (I will also be sharing more details on this!)<br />
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I've been into healthier eating lately and have come up with a few yummy recipes which I plan to share with you all when I come back. Oatmeal is a main food for me right now with pumping to donate milk. I make oats for breakfast, muffins, cookies, put it in smoothies...its a huge part of my diet so I've had to come up with many ways to eat it in order to avoid burning out on it! I've also got a new Cajun recipe to share with you as well! Hubby has been cooking in the kitchen this summer!!<br />
<br />
Our cat Demi is doing SO well with LM. They are good play mates and LM crawls after him all over the living room and hallway. Its quite entertaining to watch them play.<br />
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I have quite a bit more that I plan to share with you during the fall months!<br />
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See y'all soon!<br />
<br />
-Helen<br />
<br />Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-34993315068035537562014-06-15T18:28:00.000-05:002014-06-15T18:28:05.397-05:00Posts on HoldI am having laptop issues again. I do believe that my hard drive is about to crash (it's caused problems in the past). I am really not happy that I've had to have it fixed so many times this past year. I'm really hoping that this next fix will be a final one as it is quite annoying to try and do stuff when it keeps breaking down.<br />
<br /><br />
I have been writing posts or starting post ideas and saving them on my external hard drive, but don't have anything really finished enough to post on the blog. I do have stuff to share, but its not ready yet and laptop issues make it next to impossible to get them finished.<br />
<br /><br />
I hope to resume posting at the end of June, but I might wait til August if things in life get too busy the next few weeks (I have a lot of stuff coming up that I have said I would help with) so just bare with me as I get through summer! :)Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-85637763450562959842014-05-21T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-21T06:00:09.523-05:00Wednesday Weekly Review #34<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MED__5iUWQo/Ucuefl0NU_I/AAAAAAAAZN8/y6mNXKLPT9Y/s1600/Blue+Eyed+Beauty+Blog+the+wwr+series+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MED__5iUWQo/Ucuefl0NU_I/AAAAAAAAZN8/y6mNXKLPT9Y/s1600/Blue+Eyed+Beauty+Blog+the+wwr+series+header.jpg" height="160" width="400" /></a></div>
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It has been awhile, but then it's difficult to put out weekly posts when you don't have internet at home! I wanted to put this post out today because I've lately taken an interest in new or recent mommy blogs. (Wonder why? lol.) Here are three blogs I've found recently and am currently enjoying reading! I hope you will enjoy looking through their posts as much as I have and do!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://www.craftychelsea.com/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM030hzVts4_LPbYpjD8gbhBxRsvByYEGfZIj1i3vADiE1-F8RjOOwZRbcOW2DvsjPsYrIm1U6tL08mmO1ssxEgIB-IP0K_1-Oq2WGZDiWg0avkthkSH1nJ6pFG3vKvYU2wiijUwNKjzh4/s1600/crafty+chelsea.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="http://www.craftychelsea.com/" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<i><a href="http://www.craftychelsea.com/" target="_blank">blog</a></i>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.craftychelsea.com/" target="_blank">Crafty Chelsea</a></span>. This is a blog I'm really excited about because she has a little boy, like me! She also does a lot of really fun ideas she's put together for Little J and I find them quite inspiring! Check out her <i><a href="http://www.craftychelsea.com/2014/01/little-js-quiet-book.html" target="_blank">Quiet Book</a></i> she put together for him. I am totally going to use some of these ideas as I am putting together LM's quiet book!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatcQQyrWn8k0_1pRf25P27HqWBpoOXNSJsVYNOYqsch8wsLrZ0NMTsVYW8EikYbfpypt3eM0U1V-UiVXdegS-zsH6kNR3wZO2OR2Aavqa5yIahKBz3sUdBY5Xom5dIlkd6kMGXsHvPVmt/s1600/domesticated+working+woman.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatcQQyrWn8k0_1pRf25P27HqWBpoOXNSJsVYNOYqsch8wsLrZ0NMTsVYW8EikYbfpypt3eM0U1V-UiVXdegS-zsH6kNR3wZO2OR2Aavqa5yIahKBz3sUdBY5Xom5dIlkd6kMGXsHvPVmt/s1600/domesticated+working+woman.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<i><a href="http://domesticatedworkingwoman.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a></i>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://domesticatedworkingwoman.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Domesticated Working Woman</a></span>. Lins & I have been on almost the exact same pregnancy and baby journey for the past 6 months or so. I found her blog quite awhile ago and it has been encouraging to read her very real posts about the things she's going through or been through. Her mini-series: <i>Things People Don't Tell You</i> is wonderful! Check out the posts (from that series): <i><a href="http://domesticatedworkingwoman.blogspot.com/2014/04/things-people-dont-tell-you-pregnancy.html" target="_blank">Pregnancy</a></i>, <i><a href="http://domesticatedworkingwoman.blogspot.com/2014/04/things-people-dont-tell-you.html" target="_blank">Breastfeeding</a></i>, <i><a href="http://domesticatedworkingwoman.blogspot.com/2014/04/things-people-dont-tell-you-back-to.html" target="_blank">Back to Work After Baby</a></i>, and <i><a href="http://domesticatedworkingwoman.blogspot.com/2014/05/things-people-dont-tell-you-bringing.html" target="_blank">Bringing Baby Home</a></i>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgkv-Npho4924LbSdzSYmwRsukbbrp_u4VlntlcsE3o1VUpmgS4ir4SXCbUJpOuZlOxFhIlzjv-SHkOrgSzaFthfTggFFhljtwus8Kzy9bSiCQm00d56yaSmnAXnyB0Fi96lXJw-_9RhO/s1600/HAPPILYbutton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgkv-Npho4924LbSdzSYmwRsukbbrp_u4VlntlcsE3o1VUpmgS4ir4SXCbUJpOuZlOxFhIlzjv-SHkOrgSzaFthfTggFFhljtwus8Kzy9bSiCQm00d56yaSmnAXnyB0Fi96lXJw-_9RhO/s1600/HAPPILYbutton.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<i><a href="http://www.happily-ever-after-blog.com/" target="_blank">blog</a></i>}</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.happily-ever-after-blog.com/" target="_blank">Happily Ever After</a></span>. Amanda's little girl has some of the cutest outfits! I love looking through her pics just to see what she is wearing! And of course it kind of makes me want to have a little girl next time around! :) Some of the latest outfits can be seen <i><a href="http://www.happily-ever-after-blog.com/2014/05/15-16-months.html" target="_blank">here</a></i>. Not only does she have a cute baby girl, but she also shares <i><a href="http://www.happily-ever-after-blog.com/search/label/Food" target="_blank">really yummy recipes</a></i> too! I really want to attempt making these <i><a href="http://www.happily-ever-after-blog.com/2014/04/chocolate-banana-peanut-butter-bites.html" target="_blank">Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Bites</a></i> (with almond butter of course!).Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-27871053862424195862014-05-19T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-19T06:00:00.810-05:00Cajun Chex MixI want to start off by saying that I've made three different chex mix recipes and this one is by far my favorite one! It is totally worth taking the time to bake chex mix! It tastes amazing and is much better than the microwaved versions I've done in the past. This recipe can be made at mildly spicy or very spicy depending on your spicyness level. The ingredients below will make it spicy enough to give you a good zing, but if you want <i>really</i> spicy I'd double up on the hot sauce! Everyone who ate this chex mix LOVED it! Even guys who weren't crazy about spicy food! (We took it with us to a baseball game with Autry's work friends.) This was an amazing recipe and one I plan to make up again here in the next week or so!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfERmkibTdtHLsEXdbspWNrYHXAP5i9cL8phBW98b0uyyDzvwE-OrGRsDIPmtBuGaaZ0IDyQpl8Fb-XxoVo-kgFan_gpK0mgWgpNMrJOaSghcGoAmaDWnBdoZbTR07c2UcqwtTP1YW1rr3/s1600/BEBBlog+Cajun+Chex+Mix+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfERmkibTdtHLsEXdbspWNrYHXAP5i9cL8phBW98b0uyyDzvwE-OrGRsDIPmtBuGaaZ0IDyQpl8Fb-XxoVo-kgFan_gpK0mgWgpNMrJOaSghcGoAmaDWnBdoZbTR07c2UcqwtTP1YW1rr3/s1600/BEBBlog+Cajun+Chex+Mix+01.JPG" height="462" width="640" /></a></div>
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<u>Ingredients</u></div>
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2 sticks butter</div>
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1 teaspoon hot sauce*</div>
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3 Tablespoons worchestershier sauce</div>
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2 Tablespoons cajun seasoning</div>
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10 cups chex cereal (corn, wheat, rice)</div>
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4 cups crackers (oyster, cheese it, etc.)</div>
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3 cups pretzle pieces**</div>
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3 cups nuts (optional)</div>
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Garlic Salt</div>
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Cajun Seasoning</div>
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<u>Directions</u></div>
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1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.</div>
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2. In a small saucepan melt the butter and add in hot sauce, worchestershire sauce, and 2 Tablespoons of cajun seasoning.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrIJKzwHaleLvn-amcYW1QQFP6NTd87YoFYkLORhfoV6CeF54RKd_fcFS35zXPzlB26w3S-399oMpqoyHSZotArVOzhOe0n94ZAXCXPmER5M4klftOSjFEef1KyYih5GbyjIgYn2pk6Wm/s1600/BEBBlog+Cajun+Chex+Mix+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrIJKzwHaleLvn-amcYW1QQFP6NTd87YoFYkLORhfoV6CeF54RKd_fcFS35zXPzlB26w3S-399oMpqoyHSZotArVOzhOe0n94ZAXCXPmER5M4klftOSjFEef1KyYih5GbyjIgYn2pk6Wm/s1600/BEBBlog+Cajun+Chex+Mix+02.JPG" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
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3. In a large bowl, mix together your collection of cereals, crackers, pretzels and nuts. You'll want 20 cups of chrunchies total.</div>
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4. When the butter mix is melted and ready to use, pour a little of it over your large bowl mix. Don't pour it all at once or it will fall to the bottom and the mix there will be extra coated while the rest is missing flavor. Pour butter mix over the chex mix and then stir it. Pour more, stir more until the butter is all gone. Make sure to get the bottom cereal moved around so it doesn't become soggy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WLc2EoK9gzpziz_5B9W3npav1Byw1q-mp__XeHw8xdpljA7RVFbwl_3sSDUNaD3lBNG5h3wNBtxL4dOe2p1kajHcuGJ39Kquc8TkZKq_EQUmqa4mE3C_KT6J9SUUEDvni0W6RdTEgymm/s1600/BEBBlog+Cajun+Chex+Mix+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WLc2EoK9gzpziz_5B9W3npav1Byw1q-mp__XeHw8xdpljA7RVFbwl_3sSDUNaD3lBNG5h3wNBtxL4dOe2p1kajHcuGJ39Kquc8TkZKq_EQUmqa4mE3C_KT6J9SUUEDvni0W6RdTEgymm/s1600/BEBBlog+Cajun+Chex+Mix+03.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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5. Grease 2 9x13 baking pans. Divide the mix into both pans. Sprinkle both pans with garlic salt. Stir the mix in each pan and add more garlic salt. Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon of cajun seasoning over each pan of mix (so 2 Tablespoons total). Stir.</div>
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6. Bake the mix in the oven for 1 hour, STIRRING EVERY 10 MINUTES!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvogYKMVFkZZ41EMXfYzqNktfcS2tJwSwr0rYQ49h5qIeRXX7SjzC1oTZrqT3qVBuiQX0Q4B1Xve4syGz2x7Xh2tqmUxFDDuXLOKWs9KA4rpoalexl-3CD0_F2YbIEaJHG8keA4jRa5az/s1600/BEBBlog+Cajun+Chex+Mix+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvogYKMVFkZZ41EMXfYzqNktfcS2tJwSwr0rYQ49h5qIeRXX7SjzC1oTZrqT3qVBuiQX0Q4B1Xve4syGz2x7Xh2tqmUxFDDuXLOKWs9KA4rpoalexl-3CD0_F2YbIEaJHG8keA4jRa5az/s1600/BEBBlog+Cajun+Chex+Mix+04.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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7. Once the mix is baked, set it out to cool. When the mix is completely cooled, store in an airtight container or ziploc baggies.</div>
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<u>Notes</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*I use Tapatio Hot Sauce.</div>
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**I used pretzel sticks and broke them in half so they would be easier to grab and munch.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Related Posts</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2013/05/microwave-ranch-chex-mix.html" target="_blank">Microwave Ranch Chex Mix</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-46624976109802783682014-05-15T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-15T06:00:12.338-05:00Master Bed & Bath Makeover, Part 2<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KnZNDY2l1c7qQCPhmQ-jJc3dz21UMhQOCRpW2lpuuTX9nulTAx5sNEJ2hGjpBeAu2P5d16PTbOZL8E7JwjoXOvW1I56ief1AP5B5X10dlDNlq_oiLGJaY1U9UQaUF7uoFJbrTP098HZ8/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KnZNDY2l1c7qQCPhmQ-jJc3dz21UMhQOCRpW2lpuuTX9nulTAx5sNEJ2hGjpBeAu2P5d16PTbOZL8E7JwjoXOvW1I56ief1AP5B5X10dlDNlq_oiLGJaY1U9UQaUF7uoFJbrTP098HZ8/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+04.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scraping off the popcorn texture on the ceiling in both bed & bathroom were a huge task!</td></tr>
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In March I posted about redoing the master bed & bath. {Read <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/03/master-bed-bath-makeover-part-1.html" target="_blank">Part 1 here</a>.</i>} The previous post shows all the before photos of the two rooms. Now I will show you the 'during' of the main part of the makeover: painting! The painting part really didn't take too long to do. I tore out the old wall paper, got the popcorn ceilings scraped off, re-textured the walls and ceilings, and finally edged & painted.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPeXxNJwicb0o7tMhUeAjGfMTvC1n4sVlg-DtXzp509l0bV_csD6_aWtjWGkh5RUCp6QMkWa5CtVuSyUKkPRqDqLtGQmB6PtsPdVr_zcU8KvFoe_l72h_c9ik8Qcxu5JoqzfScF-hTX02/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPeXxNJwicb0o7tMhUeAjGfMTvC1n4sVlg-DtXzp509l0bV_csD6_aWtjWGkh5RUCp6QMkWa5CtVuSyUKkPRqDqLtGQmB6PtsPdVr_zcU8KvFoe_l72h_c9ik8Qcxu5JoqzfScF-hTX02/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+05.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what the floor in the bathroom looked like after the ceiling texture was removed.<br />
It took lots of vacuuming to get it all clean again!</td></tr>
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I moved everything out of the bathroom and the only things left in the bedroom were our dresser (which I moved around the room so I could texture and paint the ceiling easier) and the headboard & frame to our bed. I'm really glad I took everything else out since scraping popcorn ceiling off really gets awful dust everywhere! Not only that, but it's just tons easier to move around in an empty room!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd8VNs7uHAH1K9Z5hQJ68EoBfj4hFk5bSvU89b9ZoPhSiYnsK6N21SdviKgpgKWoHzxeTHacU4mltA1pCI5PYBFqs0AaL4LufKE6ePa3bf2POZounMWuO6x06UgJM4nMwUpbG3zCxYmXo/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd8VNs7uHAH1K9Z5hQJ68EoBfj4hFk5bSvU89b9ZoPhSiYnsK6N21SdviKgpgKWoHzxeTHacU4mltA1pCI5PYBFqs0AaL4LufKE6ePa3bf2POZounMWuO6x06UgJM4nMwUpbG3zCxYmXo/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+21.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what my hallway looked like for 4 days.</td></tr>
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The painting part really went pretty fast. It took almost all of four days to tear out the wall paper, texture the walls, and then paint. I was SO glad when this project was finished because my whole house was torn apart! Not only was there one foot width of space in my hallway, but all of our stuff from the master bathroom was relocated to the front bathroom during those days too. That stuff ended up staying the the bathroom for several weeks, but the hallway returned to normal as soon as the painted had dried.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">BATHROOM</span></div>
This is the during & after of scraping off the popcorn texture on the ceiling and painting the walls. I did add one photo of some of the decor I already have in place at the very end of this post. The rest of the decor is still coming together (and may take me a few months) so I thought I'd share a sneak peek of what I have going now.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8g_KA_2BpUL33iKdx1vrohwRqIiopYmO8CX5Pq85ljl6EuFP1SkPbyF6wthBLzW82yJqQG0od289gVumNaJgkc5cnaatkkjVjPPOH0LZ_IDMtoc0ISdGzk9dr2VyiJW_o3qcrkz_RO5I8/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8g_KA_2BpUL33iKdx1vrohwRqIiopYmO8CX5Pq85ljl6EuFP1SkPbyF6wthBLzW82yJqQG0od289gVumNaJgkc5cnaatkkjVjPPOH0LZ_IDMtoc0ISdGzk9dr2VyiJW_o3qcrkz_RO5I8/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+01.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demi, our cat, wondering what is going on and where all the stuff went!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcDDG6hghvPlQyhyphenhyphenbV_Qr6AlYNu67a-h1OR80D_G4RhpGyHocSlGz05tUaioO_-iRrfaEXy-goxrP0XMW7o76Ob8IXXwIqySQupIiaepRO-AM9N0UYFUpoROKjVhKQWfUTByjkcshxxNi/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcDDG6hghvPlQyhyphenhyphenbV_Qr6AlYNu67a-h1OR80D_G4RhpGyHocSlGz05tUaioO_-iRrfaEXy-goxrP0XMW7o76Ob8IXXwIqySQupIiaepRO-AM9N0UYFUpoROKjVhKQWfUTByjkcshxxNi/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+02.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bathroom before we painted.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AakYYAOeoG1uDZuOafIefChUShsIjQ5z406eakt9aEm4e1wRSxrr-ecAzMF4Us9lwWaRko-xIpZ3VFGBG3jX11Pj1unKPbbuW4H14OId1txfMyM5kGXxIRgpX4vOqIucw4gpA5ZuoBmK/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AakYYAOeoG1uDZuOafIefChUShsIjQ5z406eakt9aEm4e1wRSxrr-ecAzMF4Us9lwWaRko-xIpZ3VFGBG3jX11Pj1unKPbbuW4H14OId1txfMyM5kGXxIRgpX4vOqIucw4gpA5ZuoBmK/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+03.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another 'before' shot of the bathroom.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOABiUl2Y6DCiB1-a68u7xYM5SKojjNajW8u-enIHdR4K_MG55SbqA9oZ1xZkjlJisj1V6l3O_hA9n_IRSlHsJ67ireGTEomBeU1tQMyTXIdE3CdAxGQR_sfGOtoADV1zI53UrHWI2vrK/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOABiUl2Y6DCiB1-a68u7xYM5SKojjNajW8u-enIHdR4K_MG55SbqA9oZ1xZkjlJisj1V6l3O_hA9n_IRSlHsJ67ireGTEomBeU1tQMyTXIdE3CdAxGQR_sfGOtoADV1zI53UrHWI2vrK/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+06.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I decided to take the tank off the toilet.<br />
That made it much easier for painting the wall behind it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAtWzXRmwfK_u99ZmM29l9BjOM_iV4vcXyMVZ4OA5fCfiD1eFtxfoiPwBmYEAKkf4vtoFl30ltSnXZ_MBQpLDOhbRIAShS4PlcxEKgvpT562-dWyLPRUPPDmkLLkm6QZW8ZZsS9Lzs7uh/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAtWzXRmwfK_u99ZmM29l9BjOM_iV4vcXyMVZ4OA5fCfiD1eFtxfoiPwBmYEAKkf4vtoFl30ltSnXZ_MBQpLDOhbRIAShS4PlcxEKgvpT562-dWyLPRUPPDmkLLkm6QZW8ZZsS9Lzs7uh/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+07.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walls and ceiling are painted!<br />
Paint stuff is everywhere!<br />
{That camo bucket is the trash can in LM's room!}</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQ95Ghqonh_9E1ZpY0yjchTeIbQkxA-CAY_o3ajQoTOaBZJUDhalOu_Q2OzltHyibQkLhX-BcihYGXeZSmXNgoH_DEtLLZV41-f5wperxre6bn_O64zfBim9Zi8lGq9RzQbgp6PflbsJi/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQ95Ghqonh_9E1ZpY0yjchTeIbQkxA-CAY_o3ajQoTOaBZJUDhalOu_Q2OzltHyibQkLhX-BcihYGXeZSmXNgoH_DEtLLZV41-f5wperxre6bn_O64zfBim9Zi8lGq9RzQbgp6PflbsJi/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+08.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting the room cleaned up.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKHzUNhzsp7qQ5QJni2RFd9ijuYJ-RGz50NLieJ9IJmAucgSwVdwRZCvF6tkTEkgT4qvkSPdyYZDQVU-prbeVMM_BNlTYCCzT6pyLIUj-wFQsCvkbIwcgXJWzlrm_xywaRWGThKrgH7d1/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKHzUNhzsp7qQ5QJni2RFd9ijuYJ-RGz50NLieJ9IJmAucgSwVdwRZCvF6tkTEkgT4qvkSPdyYZDQVU-prbeVMM_BNlTYCCzT6pyLIUj-wFQsCvkbIwcgXJWzlrm_xywaRWGThKrgH7d1/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+09.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately when I peeled off the tape, some areas messed up.<br />
This had to be redone with a fine art brush.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04MhAu62peZLUQ9hTqnz7qtp1oCfnhWfnKoBm1CO8jHn3iHEkUMLyAgFYsjF1YQb3RE3kFZlN_OGZmQC7CNhIIq7F_1tQwXDL1x9b2aXIVqOW6V0aqn8LTUKd54jOVwnrkHcSyjyO0Phs/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04MhAu62peZLUQ9hTqnz7qtp1oCfnhWfnKoBm1CO8jHn3iHEkUMLyAgFYsjF1YQb3RE3kFZlN_OGZmQC7CNhIIq7F_1tQwXDL1x9b2aXIVqOW6V0aqn8LTUKd54jOVwnrkHcSyjyO0Phs/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+10.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though I put a sheet down over the floor I still got paint all over it! :(<br />
Fortunately I do plan to eventually replace the flooring in here so it's not a completely lost cause.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">BEDROOM</span></div>
The room seemed to take forever to texture and paint. I was nervous about doing the walls and ceiling all the same color but I was brave and went for it. Result: I LOVE IT! I'm SO glad I did it all the same color and it makes our wood trim/doors and dark wood furniture stand out really nice too!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc2UUAD1X6XnrAYzsjoNvS06xH0KJFq1W1T0NJL4ZNvorv8oSyS9ioBjiYAj27AZc3V8bRWS3Qmwu06Q_f9M4hDJf6DsYgo84lRl80yTBNwR6dsY1FianWUjyVSLBd_f1WNCyzueW9r0p/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc2UUAD1X6XnrAYzsjoNvS06xH0KJFq1W1T0NJL4ZNvorv8oSyS9ioBjiYAj27AZc3V8bRWS3Qmwu06Q_f9M4hDJf6DsYgo84lRl80yTBNwR6dsY1FianWUjyVSLBd_f1WNCyzueW9r0p/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+13.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedroom without most of the furniture and previous decor.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebQJP9AV_OEYggWOn_uZvU60EulfKSDSY0hZWSmnYxI-gJpKmVLT2qi619o7EG8lhj0S7Rq48jcVxiRrMuvz0BGqf-unDWus2o_ZEH-1t-TfM33r65cOT0Iq5VuTcBmPa4v3FByjVFq3Z/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebQJP9AV_OEYggWOn_uZvU60EulfKSDSY0hZWSmnYxI-gJpKmVLT2qi619o7EG8lhj0S7Rq48jcVxiRrMuvz0BGqf-unDWus2o_ZEH-1t-TfM33r65cOT0Iq5VuTcBmPa4v3FByjVFq3Z/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+12.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wallpaper has been removed! Yay!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nZu7dp2p-kX1LH_AdHto3CMdbrW86VD-FOJE762gOdZQeDlxowFuRr_T7wtFde2FlKUrUzWvW5ttZJFTvn3Cwx4rmHEAdM2wv6qpYt8YCC4y3sOTFoEg5VcPrt5nYnzX-ZuJ1XSufu8s/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nZu7dp2p-kX1LH_AdHto3CMdbrW86VD-FOJE762gOdZQeDlxowFuRr_T7wtFde2FlKUrUzWvW5ttZJFTvn3Cwx4rmHEAdM2wv6qpYt8YCC4y3sOTFoEg5VcPrt5nYnzX-ZuJ1XSufu8s/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+14.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edges have been painted. This was quite a chore, especially around the window!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIcjcHN84Tjy6WyaWIH9NFr4TEb52A_RpkVJAtgjlaQ_hAlLnGbstsOjTMBS23xIJFV7HLjU0JyMKHSWQzgrU_QIGchqpz7KAtDUjsrRlD_6jRs0UKjlnouA6eqbV86N7OAhG3FapCAsn/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIcjcHN84Tjy6WyaWIH9NFr4TEb52A_RpkVJAtgjlaQ_hAlLnGbstsOjTMBS23xIJFV7HLjU0JyMKHSWQzgrU_QIGchqpz7KAtDUjsrRlD_6jRs0UKjlnouA6eqbV86N7OAhG3FapCAsn/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+15.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More shots of the edges being worked on. Do you like my brush stroke poka dots there on the left wall? Lol.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ8E5Fbkkd9tIChxJV3ShaSpBZbRl9xdWoae72X0uLj-5jtC20C94w_1EV7gGzCH65ZWqBy-pIZ-dr9H6WZxP3ei3R_Q5enwvJ0BQacY0KYrqzAVa0-3IXCyX2LjAQ0qgUPFib1qKI2s2/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ8E5Fbkkd9tIChxJV3ShaSpBZbRl9xdWoae72X0uLj-5jtC20C94w_1EV7gGzCH65ZWqBy-pIZ-dr9H6WZxP3ei3R_Q5enwvJ0BQacY0KYrqzAVa0-3IXCyX2LjAQ0qgUPFib1qKI2s2/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+16.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me being nervous about painting the ceiling the same color as the walls.<br />
I ended up putting a sheet over the frame and headboard to keep paint from splattering as I used the roller brush.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRLxdzhZPrn_Q5KvEcH6fqVXurPNrfV9csY2pJLQIhRZumHmid4YYDbeUxVL2t9DmMMyiP9L8HK5r_FLh49EOPz8UwAHcQdb3PQncV8R3dpYS2VXxcx9kvQIcqxKI9u_VT9EEJltx104p/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRLxdzhZPrn_Q5KvEcH6fqVXurPNrfV9csY2pJLQIhRZumHmid4YYDbeUxVL2t9DmMMyiP9L8HK5r_FLh49EOPz8UwAHcQdb3PQncV8R3dpYS2VXxcx9kvQIcqxKI9u_VT9EEJltx104p/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+17.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walls & Ceiling are painted, all the gear is cleaned up, and the floor is vaccumed! I was feeling quite accomplished.<br />
Demi was enjoying the view out the window.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EJ4x_saAYBR-Vt91Qd5K9MbZVXBv8hF4zpZQMXvXkj17NZLKw6n1-lwSJhLL9HHaIes0QKEoxCREaarw_s_piR9N5XkMIvArmTZnlQsFmxOianJKDkxSoI19cxjMHclqd24S2uTdFPnf/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EJ4x_saAYBR-Vt91Qd5K9MbZVXBv8hF4zpZQMXvXkj17NZLKw6n1-lwSJhLL9HHaIes0QKEoxCREaarw_s_piR9N5XkMIvArmTZnlQsFmxOianJKDkxSoI19cxjMHclqd24S2uTdFPnf/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+18.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demi chillin' in the chair while I clean everything up.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv2vFrmIOS4sSswV-HmjXnUtMekQ0SDq9BzroRPIBBjJEjZhhiBjSLE82t4XSSna1L8ySOoblMtoQZPPJFjmoiKeAXbzoXpCIQ-SiK-e9v5io5AmIzgzj7hsM-SaF6dPBwZQtBYOhJhx-/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv2vFrmIOS4sSswV-HmjXnUtMekQ0SDq9BzroRPIBBjJEjZhhiBjSLE82t4XSSna1L8ySOoblMtoQZPPJFjmoiKeAXbzoXpCIQ-SiK-e9v5io5AmIzgzj7hsM-SaF6dPBwZQtBYOhJhx-/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+19.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I decided to go ahead and paint over the light switches and electrical outlet covers.<br />
I'm really glad I did this. It makes them not stand out from the wall.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">SOME OF THE DECOR</span></div>
With this being the second and third room in our Country Home Makeover I have come to a conclusion: it's much easier to retexture and paint than it is to decorate!! Decorating requires a) finding exactly what you are wanting/looking for and then b) being able to afford to buy it! Thrift stores & yard sales are still my favorite places to look, but some things (new curtains and a new comforter) don't always show up at those places. At least not usually in decent shape. I have bits of decor up in both the bathroom and bedroom, but much is still needed before I can reveal the finished rooms. In the mean time, here are two sneak peek photos of what I do have up!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD79OFVrMFm6qbqr75q1uW_ykMSEHhcw1NNeLtrWyKvDpl_1RQ-L6akqlKvNY4MJTts0fPIpfCvrFVhfUwbWSJQjEOixYul7muh00nre-T-hKMKUU9mXEA6NjnCHfsLB6enPNVoAH0MRk/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD79OFVrMFm6qbqr75q1uW_ykMSEHhcw1NNeLtrWyKvDpl_1RQ-L6akqlKvNY4MJTts0fPIpfCvrFVhfUwbWSJQjEOixYul7muh00nre-T-hKMKUU9mXEA6NjnCHfsLB6enPNVoAH0MRk/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+11.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried roses in three separate Kerr jars on the shelf over the toilet.</td></tr>
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These yellow roses are very special to me. They are the first roses Autry ever gave me. I had them in a funky green vase I got at a yard sale back when we lived in the apartment. You can see the roses (and the vase) in all their glory in <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/08/keeping-your-special-roses.html" target="_blank">this post</a></i>. I had them on the dresser in our bedroom at the apartment and one day I came home to find Emerald, our black cat, had knocked them over and 'played' with them. I was SO mad! I don't remember putting all the pieces in the vase, but last week when I went to attempt decorating I was delightfully surprised to find all the bits and pieces! I divided them up and now here they sit in fun jars!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2aBkHoK8_jOe_OjK9NUgOBqT7L6wQEcMP4F-3jmmRzeUrHXfBCoEBgG1N-c6h0LEUNnfOZEL9psLoJZzVZ3YvNPxFI-PgNymrYUvq4OdVUpLpt_Hs5RR4GO_8x32rm8w417wHEhibvK6/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2aBkHoK8_jOe_OjK9NUgOBqT7L6wQEcMP4F-3jmmRzeUrHXfBCoEBgG1N-c6h0LEUNnfOZEL9psLoJZzVZ3YvNPxFI-PgNymrYUvq4OdVUpLpt_Hs5RR4GO_8x32rm8w417wHEhibvK6/s1600/BEBBlog+master+bed.bath+makeover+part+2+20.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding photos are hung in antique gold frames on both sides of the dresser mirror.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As you can see, I am still working on the decor, but you already knew that from reading above. I did finally get photos for all the empty frames printed off and I have added candles to the dresser as well. I still have quite a bit left to do for the decor in the bedroom part since it involves more work and money than the small master bathroom. The photo arrangement on either side of the mirror was magazine inspired!<br />
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I will post 'after' pics as soon as I get everything pulled together. I might do those separately though since I have a feeling the bathroom will be finished long before I get the bedroom decor pulled together. We will see!<br />
<br />
<u>Related Posts</u><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/08/keeping-your-special-roses.html" target="_blank">Keeping Your Special Roses</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/03/master-bed-bath-makeover-part-1.html" target="_blank">Master Bed & Bath Makeover, Part 1</a></li>
</ul>
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-8359669552307456332014-05-14T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-14T06:00:07.507-05:00It's My Birthday! + Outfit PostToday's my birthday! I'm having a little trouble feeling like I'm twenty-three, but I'm sure it will kick in eventually. I don't feel old, I don't feel young. I suppose that's a good thing though, right? Hubby got me a new Mossy Oak purse and wallet for my birthday (pictures to come!). I'm in love with both of them! (I got to open them early since he had to work today even though he had originally asked off and the request had been approved.)<br />
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Here is an outfit post too! I had these photos taken back in April, but I thought today would be an appropriate day to share them. Obviously it's too warm for cardigans in Missouri now that it's mid-May, but I still wanted to use the photos so here we go!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1YxBaO_cH2jCsdYh4bzbIMlAuVsvZYinl7tovhzAawTCoApLW0K-2M2b4GOX8cQqkYENkt3iBqnkm1wCLvdAb-W8T0RYu00IcGBFsyEfad3tzdU1pIdqVWkqYKSXpBnL9NadaNA7iY3T/s1600/DSCN0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1YxBaO_cH2jCsdYh4bzbIMlAuVsvZYinl7tovhzAawTCoApLW0K-2M2b4GOX8cQqkYENkt3iBqnkm1wCLvdAb-W8T0RYu00IcGBFsyEfad3tzdU1pIdqVWkqYKSXpBnL9NadaNA7iY3T/s1600/DSCN0368.JPG" height="640" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aqua Blue Cardigan: Lane Bryant.<br />
Black crop-sleeve shirt: Faded Glory by Walmart.<br />
White Tank Top: So.<br />
Aqua watch: gift from my sister!<br />
Denim Skirt: Old Navy, made by me!<br />
Sparkly Sandals: Mixit by JCPenny.</td></tr>
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I really like this color! I think it looks good with my skin tone too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTiWUiPaKwZBTA_xE23O_noSPmrKQu1nUiUvplepF_b4hdxuyBrfWzTEWhrJ4lQxUy2fblxSdQ9t_2pINBygjMY35_S0Or5nY1Ck5civP-zhdyHEaw5IUcHaHoW1Wh7V0_3U1x_DSb6Ie/s1600/DSCN0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTiWUiPaKwZBTA_xE23O_noSPmrKQu1nUiUvplepF_b4hdxuyBrfWzTEWhrJ4lQxUy2fblxSdQ9t_2pINBygjMY35_S0Or5nY1Ck5civP-zhdyHEaw5IUcHaHoW1Wh7V0_3U1x_DSb6Ie/s1600/DSCN0366.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had some pretty wild curls that day, but I really like how they turned out in this updo!</div>
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Back view of this wild hairstyle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfQ-lG1J0yIgiheO1lYqChX8doDEmhQMPFde4M5uT3o0xmo7nFXMEHLh18egC4rusMr7uURLSPulaI4bK5FaGV9iGa883YbsWsTa7pdHa0LsVmbHsqd2KH-RJAsrpmQ5W-5FHjz608Bbg/s1600/DSCN0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfQ-lG1J0yIgiheO1lYqChX8doDEmhQMPFde4M5uT3o0xmo7nFXMEHLh18egC4rusMr7uURLSPulaI4bK5FaGV9iGa883YbsWsTa7pdHa0LsVmbHsqd2KH-RJAsrpmQ5W-5FHjz608Bbg/s1600/DSCN0364.JPG" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
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And another look at the front of this style.</div>
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I hope you all have a fantastic day! :)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">May 14th is. the. best!</span></div>
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<u>Related Posts</u></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/04/diy-no-pin-skirt-hem.html" target="_blank">No-Pin Denim Skirt Hem</a></li>
</ul>
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-45451164662210514042014-05-13T12:12:00.000-05:002014-05-14T11:36:16.407-05:00A Change in LM's PostsDue to a problem of having photos of my son saved off my blog and then shared publicly on Facebook pages of people who are not supposed to be doing that, I have taken down all the posts of Little Man that have photos involved in them. In addition, his name has been shared with these photos which is something that upsets me even more as I have worked extra hard to not have that plastered all over the place either. (Obviously on the blog he is known as Little Man or LM, and even my family members who share photos of him-<i>with permission</i>-don't use his real name). It makes me sad that this person cannot respect my privacy and wishes, but this is what I will have to do for now.<br />
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I am curious to know if anyone knows how to make photos on a blog to where they cannot be 'right clicked and saved' to a computer? I've seen blogs where you cannot save their photos this way and would like to be able to set that up on my blog as well. Any info or tutorials would be great! Thank you!Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-12905708613495192572014-05-12T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-12T06:00:02.376-05:00DIY Monogrammed Spring Wreath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTInkyK5kahn0pgl2QbM55uHqE8C89-oBnFPO_JLaLN-0V1tpQNw_mlrFBelXlsj3byifBzvDXEORz0ERqEpO-37r-JMKj9zqKOgixw8_5BMxEWFf83yEBkIvzpciAGZZdYcUOWXXPpv3k/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTInkyK5kahn0pgl2QbM55uHqE8C89-oBnFPO_JLaLN-0V1tpQNw_mlrFBelXlsj3byifBzvDXEORz0ERqEpO-37r-JMKj9zqKOgixw8_5BMxEWFf83yEBkIvzpciAGZZdYcUOWXXPpv3k/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+01.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></div>
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Let me first start by saying...I have discovered a new love: the love of making wreaths! The first wreath I did was this past year for Christmas and now I have two under my belt. {See that first one <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-wreath-refashion.html" target="_blank">here</a></i>.} This wreath is one I've wanted to make for quite some time, but didn't get around to until mid-April. I love the final wreath though and am glad I got it made!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NRhNV1TI7Y1jjcbXf5NfcbjKaBbARtzUEQOAjTnO-X4lfjz_INujIdMN2IZ1xhGAaN3Io_oymYVLKCQ_XfzbTBOgguqRhQY-5XNF-8zu4zZxxjiR5LitfHXXZ1rhYLI7HvH4cIYtNZ3W/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NRhNV1TI7Y1jjcbXf5NfcbjKaBbARtzUEQOAjTnO-X4lfjz_INujIdMN2IZ1xhGAaN3Io_oymYVLKCQ_XfzbTBOgguqRhQY-5XNF-8zu4zZxxjiR5LitfHXXZ1rhYLI7HvH4cIYtNZ3W/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+02.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gather your supplies!</span></div>
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<u>You Will Need</u></div>
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a wreath</div>
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hot glue gun</div>
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fake flowers</div>
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cardboard</div>
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twine</div>
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a sharpie and scissors</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lets start with the monogram!</span></div>
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1. Before you work on cutting out the monogram, plug in your hot glue gun and make sure it's got glue in it ready to go. It might also be a good idea to put something under the glue gun, as it will drip as the glue melts and gets ready to use (for those of you who haven't used a glue gun yet).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO3yJW-zmLmXcKQ6ptGMQcXTBlyfuFKT0_pTpeow3ZmdFxCPSrBhAZ82w6zF4huAbpmp8EECMQoa3n6BnYkuGDtT4Cz4FIyWFpuvmbA2xoG-dlaYG1JCNTWsI5Sci_D9rhzkRdbPZe4C1/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO3yJW-zmLmXcKQ6ptGMQcXTBlyfuFKT0_pTpeow3ZmdFxCPSrBhAZ82w6zF4huAbpmp8EECMQoa3n6BnYkuGDtT4Cz4FIyWFpuvmbA2xoG-dlaYG1JCNTWsI5Sci_D9rhzkRdbPZe4C1/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+03.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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2. Using the sharpie, draw out the letter you wish to display on the cardboard. As you can see, I did mine free-hand so it wasn't perfect on paper, but that doesn't effect the finished letter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpP-_ZLWF3i_bPDlWhm3Wm4ABogv8eM7nh6jbdrQVR4EeE4YNlciSWFv0UX9jAXvnFaIwhrpfvYxuuFaxhcs_5Cjo4nttaKsYidt9LiOUmhEZXgyh7e1aJ8KJZhykVsHhfX1V1HQnxRuI/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpP-_ZLWF3i_bPDlWhm3Wm4ABogv8eM7nh6jbdrQVR4EeE4YNlciSWFv0UX9jAXvnFaIwhrpfvYxuuFaxhcs_5Cjo4nttaKsYidt9LiOUmhEZXgyh7e1aJ8KJZhykVsHhfX1V1HQnxRuI/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+04.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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3. Use the scissors to cut out your letter. This part can be tricky. Big scissors work best here I think. Also, shape up your letter anywhere you need to once you've got it cut out. The sharpie letter is just to assist you in cutting it out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzkli4XU2tapix_Glsa4ufiPDTovMobpaVR5j3Oto5QEbejzDGsrrHQFV-OIL1bITLSKYF0sIU_TGJabVKLa6u9zHnWhHn9ZLrqZlDI0QQTu67arXQWgNKNtpipk8wnzUTCVL7S8m3Bqn/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzkli4XU2tapix_Glsa4ufiPDTovMobpaVR5j3Oto5QEbejzDGsrrHQFV-OIL1bITLSKYF0sIU_TGJabVKLa6u9zHnWhHn9ZLrqZlDI0QQTu67arXQWgNKNtpipk8wnzUTCVL7S8m3Bqn/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+05.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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4. Flip the letter over and give it a few quick swipes with the hot glue gun. Start the twine wrapping on the back of the letter. Make sure to put the twine just over the edge so it will cover the end.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTA8HPX-mc2WFtS9rp0alFMDheKzRmz_xuPnV3DLYsF-0maZoqcVWLMhyphenhyphen0DqjvXesVZiI9hgvb6P1fLAz9ZoCD4C3hJOUOur36yC5QpPO4wuGahjmX3KH_DhdwMO-q1VrG0eVmZL7Bcki/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTA8HPX-mc2WFtS9rp0alFMDheKzRmz_xuPnV3DLYsF-0maZoqcVWLMhyphenhyphen0DqjvXesVZiI9hgvb6P1fLAz9ZoCD4C3hJOUOur36yC5QpPO4wuGahjmX3KH_DhdwMO-q1VrG0eVmZL7Bcki/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+06.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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5. Using the glue gun, work small spaces at a time. First run some hot glue (only needed on the top side of the letter) and then wrap the twine around the cardboard and secure in the hot glue. Careful as the glue can burn fingertips before it's completely dried! Continue gluing & wrapping until the letter is finished.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfcVZptxXXpgf3c4IQMqqiWOLMztoDoJyjmbHzqidU7wg1nrvgHHJJfrSiqILkFq4Q2QpYRryoX3DeNqPu4OQP8xoC8dy41Pmi5JMTMtuuwb_kURvWpqj3hySrSPIyKuU_ey1lqSlkju-/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfcVZptxXXpgf3c4IQMqqiWOLMztoDoJyjmbHzqidU7wg1nrvgHHJJfrSiqILkFq4Q2QpYRryoX3DeNqPu4OQP8xoC8dy41Pmi5JMTMtuuwb_kURvWpqj3hySrSPIyKuU_ey1lqSlkju-/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+07.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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6. Here is my finished 'S' monogram letter. I was quite pleased with how well this part of the project turned out!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Flower time!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxO-b9y0bc9Nrz2CUG-cB0EgsBf-F5Hd3qJ4BoL6AVUJTFP5mb3u18wR8QjU4mi3izsg7yT7BMrCfS0tmQP7PyTHZSozVjRgUqqp-eMsGpQOmsNKkLlPa8RJID4yfS3rUwGqgZHezRm1L/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxO-b9y0bc9Nrz2CUG-cB0EgsBf-F5Hd3qJ4BoL6AVUJTFP5mb3u18wR8QjU4mi3izsg7yT7BMrCfS0tmQP7PyTHZSozVjRgUqqp-eMsGpQOmsNKkLlPa8RJID4yfS3rUwGqgZHezRm1L/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+08.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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7. In the 'gathering supplies' photo you saw two different flowers. When I started making this wreath I wasn't sure which flowers I was going to use, obviously I went with the pink peony's. Take apart each flower. The stem should pull right out of the base of the flower so no wire cutters needed here!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRQXscELyP4WcSU3QZFSwwmpKE74dXvkdO_hQZjzgbzT5VWmQRjdbqP8ee59s7CAOHZPpuKULXhgeiPIHmIU6ftUH8_7nxkMHA-oaOc6Yi_4kz2BGBxejdEy-kaSFK21fVFIVOi3S1_dM/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRQXscELyP4WcSU3QZFSwwmpKE74dXvkdO_hQZjzgbzT5VWmQRjdbqP8ee59s7CAOHZPpuKULXhgeiPIHmIU6ftUH8_7nxkMHA-oaOc6Yi_4kz2BGBxejdEy-kaSFK21fVFIVOi3S1_dM/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+09.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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8. Now attach the 'leaves' to the base of each flower with a little hot glue. Arrange the flowers on your wreath and then glue in place. Arrange first though in case you end up not liking the way it looks the first time (I did mine 3 times before I ended up with the placement I have in the final photos). Glue the flowers down, glue the monogram down (that will take TONS of glue by the way).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGYM2ci0e0njuvRiT3C50Nkjabm1lVIuatBdRjPMZjBKJA0zn9hULRqm_ALLEaGgAb28oOn3yfVTijKhC0cYtVhzF8vR6m_EsHpSgC6L9Lk2j9p_ChV2M78vi-PD9TYKLC8Cz2_a5hDNP/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGYM2ci0e0njuvRiT3C50Nkjabm1lVIuatBdRjPMZjBKJA0zn9hULRqm_ALLEaGgAb28oOn3yfVTijKhC0cYtVhzF8vR6m_EsHpSgC6L9Lk2j9p_ChV2M78vi-PD9TYKLC8Cz2_a5hDNP/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+10.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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9. Display your new wreath on a pretty hook for all the world (or just your neighbors) to see!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More photos of the wreath!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB6pB3T8WiMI-bHU45pjI0o9NA4OHquP4eGfMLu9oiYd2QArkPYeDC7JFHjqDvmSwr4jVpEk4tfcGQv7F3Fod7bFlosWNo0NQxJKe-yXB3WVpFZ1nD0cJrMk4HuvZVB4yA9JLNxKT8wh0/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB6pB3T8WiMI-bHU45pjI0o9NA4OHquP4eGfMLu9oiYd2QArkPYeDC7JFHjqDvmSwr4jVpEk4tfcGQv7F3Fod7bFlosWNo0NQxJKe-yXB3WVpFZ1nD0cJrMk4HuvZVB4yA9JLNxKT8wh0/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+11.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the twine blends in a little too much with the wreath, but I'm still happy with how it turned out.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhCaaRLHCbs8QmhLXhaa3sI4NtI_Wr2X_uVXatyYnRQiAPtAzv8Ft3Apb9RGE4xer9pGkXmKeRGGclhtQUNBSExS9iXHd-RoT-9nchWwHm3hP_2lcL3t6Jhi8loT3gt_p44S9jm49ihzt/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhCaaRLHCbs8QmhLXhaa3sI4NtI_Wr2X_uVXatyYnRQiAPtAzv8Ft3Apb9RGE4xer9pGkXmKeRGGclhtQUNBSExS9iXHd-RoT-9nchWwHm3hP_2lcL3t6Jhi8loT3gt_p44S9jm49ihzt/s1600/BEBBlog+spring+wreath+diy+13.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-55738911401322947122014-05-09T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-09T06:00:03.116-05:00Homemaking 101 | Photo Wall Makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've had a photo wall in both our apartment, and in our new country home. I like having photos of family and friends hanging in our house, especially now that Little Man is here. I will take him over to the wall and point out different people he has met and say things like, "there is grandmommy" or "there is Aunt Mal". Right now he might be still a little young to recognize their photos, but he will eventually catch on.<br />
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When I did our Master Bed & Bath Makeover I took most of the wedding photos I had hanging on our photo wall and moved them into our bedroom. I wish I had thought to take a photo of the wall with it's blank spots where the wedding photos used to hang. It was quite hideous and stayed that way for about a month. Finally, just before Easter I decided I needed to pull the wall together before all the family came out for the holiday. I had the new photos already printed off and I had made several trips to Goodwill to find different frames so I just needed to match everything up and get it hung.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG5pgea02vA41Y2DkJaFuypiukHgS3KFBgalpSsFEfwExivg7eNHz1CD-JjO0dIu8gDXsrfq5ieEgTP_GE6iblPuWJj7OI-l7kndkaqUMmLoKf5TUzLJT2PEZ1WN3WGGhN1v0cdV8lqak/s1600/BEBBlog+photo+wall+makeover+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG5pgea02vA41Y2DkJaFuypiukHgS3KFBgalpSsFEfwExivg7eNHz1CD-JjO0dIu8gDXsrfq5ieEgTP_GE6iblPuWJj7OI-l7kndkaqUMmLoKf5TUzLJT2PEZ1WN3WGGhN1v0cdV8lqak/s1600/BEBBlog+photo+wall+makeover+01.JPG" height="488" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is awful lighting in our hallway so I couldn't get a good photo of the wall unless I had the camera flash off.</td></tr>
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This makeover process took me several days. I didn't expect that at first, but once I got through the first three steps I realized the mismatched frames looked awful on the wall and needed paint (I think I originally planned to paint them, but had forgotten about that). Once the paint was added I had a nice-looking black & gold frame theme and I think it looks fantastic!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few photos of the makeover process:</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was in the middle of several projects the week before Easter.</td></tr>
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First I gathered all the frames and photos. I matched the photo with a frame, got the glass cleaned and put the photo in it.</div>
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As I matched up a photo with it's frame I would lay it out on the living room floor.</div>
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I ended up rearranging the pattern three times by the time I got all the frames filled.</div>
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Here is the last version of how I had the photos arranged for the wall. Even then I had to do a little rearranging once I started hanging the photos because they didn't match up the same as they did on the ground.</div>
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I got all the photos up on the wall and decided that, yes, paint was a necessity! All the different color frames looked terrible together.</div>
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I pulled down the frames I wanted to paint, removed their photos & glass and went to the front porch to get them painted.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOBDfTr-7_bdTMjn0JuRj-KJYwRXDo_R1iqEiJkx5ArtN2od4TRBndTgv381a7TiG40SuPGibnxjz_mJEJZ4shMWDq9pfabWU3O2RjUl_qZOBFTeZcfVTPQYi-QBAv70JiJSRkbwdtxQx/s1600/BEBBlog+photo+wall+makeover+07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOBDfTr-7_bdTMjn0JuRj-KJYwRXDo_R1iqEiJkx5ArtN2od4TRBndTgv381a7TiG40SuPGibnxjz_mJEJZ4shMWDq9pfabWU3O2RjUl_qZOBFTeZcfVTPQYi-QBAv70JiJSRkbwdtxQx/s1600/BEBBlog+photo+wall+makeover+07.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the lamp from my <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/05/fail-painted-lamp.html" target="_blank">Fail | Painted Lamp</a></i> post? I worked on it this day too.</td></tr>
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Once I got a frame painted I put it out on the large sheet of plastic so it could dry. By the time I got done with the last frame the first one was dry enough for it's second coat. This process took quite a bit of time and was messy, but the finished product was well worth the work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YyUSS6O2bYnHg_sfhFqoQjBhpBlLG0ywRP9H3qhGszYOqcvvgVGfW-BXgukEGCWecc8ByPVFYQEXu1hJOlYyGG4ZPx0hn6VY2iAuFhAFMvmUiPl3LBZb0J9sMGLCkgVT0d2sY-X9SfKO/s1600/BEBBlog+photo+wall+makeover+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YyUSS6O2bYnHg_sfhFqoQjBhpBlLG0ywRP9H3qhGszYOqcvvgVGfW-BXgukEGCWecc8ByPVFYQEXu1hJOlYyGG4ZPx0hn6VY2iAuFhAFMvmUiPl3LBZb0J9sMGLCkgVT0d2sY-X9SfKO/s1600/BEBBlog+photo+wall+makeover+08.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm quite pleased with how well the finished wall turned out. I have more photos to add to the left side, but no frames to put them in. I guess it will be back to Goodwill for me! This project is similar to my <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2013/06/homemaking-101-add-little-paint.html" target="_blank">Add A Little Paint</a></i> project from last year.Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-9392836763579769472014-05-08T06:00:00.000-05:002014-09-02T07:13:09.663-05:00Cloth Diapering | 5 Things for Using the Wet Method<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I looked into cloth diapering I also looked into the different ways to clean them. There is a dry and a wet method. I use the wet method and like it. Cleaning diapers is not always fun, and though it does save money to use cloth diapers there are times when I have a dirty diaper to wash out that I really wish it had been a disposable one instead of a cloth one! I wrote a post called <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/04/cloth-diapering-my-thoughts-at-two.html" target="_blank">Cloth Diapering | My Thoughts at Two Weeks In</a></i> where I talked about why we're using cloth, which diapers I'm using, and how I wash them. I also wrote the post <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/05/cloth-diapering-my-thoughts-at-two.html" target="_blank">Cloth Diapering | My Thoughts at Two Months In</a></i> where I go over some thing to consider before cloth diapering.<br />
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I'm writing this post to share a few things I find necessary to using cloth diapers. When I was doing my research, a post like this would've been really helpful if I had found one since there is more to doing cloth diapering than buying the diapers themselves! Here are five things or sets of things I use every week while cloth diapering:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. A 5 Gallon Bucket.</span> This is essential in using the wet method! We bought ours at Walmart for about $2. You will be filling this bucket with about a Tablespoon of blue Dawn dish soap, 1/2 cup baking soda, and really hot water every other day or so. (UPDATE September 2014: You may also want to get a plant saucer to place under your bucket if you will not have it sitting in a bath tub. The baking soda water can wear away at the finish on your floors. I just picked up a cheap one at Walmart, but it looks <em><a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bond-Manufacturing-Round-Plant-Saucer-Set-of-25/27733028" target="_blank">similar to this</a></em>.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Hangers & Clothes Pins. </span>If you don't have the luxury of owning a clothes line or clothes drying rack, this is your next best option. Hanging diapers in your doorway's every other day or so will be a regular part of using cloth diapers. I have about 25 hangers and 10 clothes pins set aside specifically for the cloth diapers so I don't end up hanging clothes on them. I have a rod in our laundry room where I store these hangers when they are not in use. The clothes pins stay on the hangers. Keeping everything together and in one place helps you not have to hunt them down every few days and makes the whole process easier.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Homemade Laundry Soap.</span> For me, homemade soap is what I've always used. I've never purchased store bought laundry soap and don't use it. Homemade isn't hard to make and lasts our family of three about four months (with just two people it lasted longer, but now I have Little Man's clothes that always need washing and I wash diapers two or three times a week too). Check out my <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/02/deeds-homemade-laundry-soap.html" target="_blank">Homemade Laundry Soap</a></i> recipe for more details. I use 1 cup of laundry soap each time I wash diapers (which is probably a bit much, but it doesn't hurt to have so much soap in all those dirty diapers.). I've found the best way to get out the yellow poop stains is to bleach the diapers. I try not to use bleach on every load though because it will eventually wear down the diapers and they won't last nearly as long. Read more on <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/04/cloth-diapering-getting-stains-out.html" target="_blank">Getting The Stains Out</a></i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Bleach, Dish Soap, Baking Soda, White Vinegar.</span> These are the other products I use in cleaning the diapers. Baking Soda and Blue Dawn Dish Soap are used in the 5 Gallon bucket to help keep them from smelling while they are waiting til wash day, and the soap helps with the stains. I sometimes use white vinegar in the diapers if they are particularity smelly on wash day. I don't use it very often though, maybe 3 loads a month. Bleach is used to get the stains out of the diapers. Again, I don't use this every load because it will wear down the durability of the diapers. (UPDATE September 2014: I have recently discovered that Dawn dish soap can strip your washer parts of grease and eventually it will break. That is what I have heard/read online -sorry I don't have any links for you on that- so I no longer use that in my wet pail.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Patience & A Routine. </span>You can't buy these, but you'll need them! Rinsing out dirty diapers, washing diapers, having diapers in your doorways several times a week...it can be trying at times, but you just focus on getting through one day at a time. I have a pretty loose routine. I have the clean inserts in stacks of 10 on the changing table shelf. When I get to the last stack that is the day I wash diapers. It takes about a day to get the diapers washed and air dried. This happens about every two days at our house so every week I wash diapers on a different day than I did the week before. I like to have at least 10 diapers sitting on the shelf so I have time for the next diapers to finish drying before I need them.<br />
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These are the five things I find most useful in cloth diapering with the wet method. I attempted two days of not using the wet method and it was awful! I hated it. The diapers didn't smell nearly as clean after I washed them in the washer either. After that short-lived experience I have been faithful to using the wet method. I have several friends who use the wet method and love it as well.<br />
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<u>Related Posts</u><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/04/cloth-diapering-my-thoughts-at-two.html" target="_blank">Cloth Diapering | My Thoughts at Two Weeks In</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/05/cloth-diapering-my-thoughts-at-two.html" target="_blank">Cloth Diapering | My Thoughts at Two Months In</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/02/deeds-homemade-laundry-soap.html" target="_blank">Homemade Laundry Soap</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/04/cloth-diapering-getting-stains-out.html" target="_blank">Cloth Diapering | Getting The Stains Out</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2013/12/cloth-diapering-10-cloth-diapers.html" target="_blank">10 Cloth Diapers Researched</a></li>
</ul>
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-52975339733972542892014-05-07T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-07T06:00:04.019-05:00Exercise Week 4Again I've had a pretty lazy exercise week. Two in a row now, but I'm hoping to better this next week. I've decided I hate the squats challenge, but I want to see it through. I got lost on which day I was on so I aimed for 100 squats each day this week... obviously I missed a few days, but that was the goal.<br />
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Wednesday April 16th: nothing.</div>
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Thursday April 17th: nothing.</div>
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Friday April 18th: 150 squats.</div>
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Saturday April 19th: nothing.</div>
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Sunday April 20th: 50 squats.</div>
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Monday April 21st: 100 squats.</div>
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Tuesday April 22nd: 100 squats, 2 sets of 20 ab lounge.</div>
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Wednesday April 23rd: 50 squats, 2/20 ab lounge.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Related Post</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/04/workout-week-2.html" target="_blank">Exercise Week 2 (squats challenge began)</a></li>
</ul>
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-30920584346960202492014-05-06T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-06T06:00:03.891-05:00New Springy Clothes!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVsg5DNW4XKRevtGU9hUyokov7xMH7TXvNL7ia9e0pD_WqxwU3Oolr6Uk9mlux7CgY6stWffSvbgddBjHeODMxalTKfzkh1-pZdtqGjM657cnj8LJKNsKjKzQWb_1YFAAZz5rLPeVgwa-/s1600/BEBBlog+New+Springy+Clothes+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVsg5DNW4XKRevtGU9hUyokov7xMH7TXvNL7ia9e0pD_WqxwU3Oolr6Uk9mlux7CgY6stWffSvbgddBjHeODMxalTKfzkh1-pZdtqGjM657cnj8LJKNsKjKzQWb_1YFAAZz5rLPeVgwa-/s1600/BEBBlog+New+Springy+Clothes+03.JPG" height="640" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is our cat, Emerald, at my feet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I am SUPER excited about the new shirts I bought from Walmart recently ($5 each on the clearance rack!!!) and all the new skirts I've made for myself. Since having a baby none of my old clothes fit which was really depressing at first, but I did gain quite a bit of weight...especially near the end of the pregnancy (about 50 pounds total). I wrote another post talking more about After Pregnancy Style so read more about that there.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXUaLuvxCqz03kgijl0v9YRWxMzGlrMuY89nzRMApQXXzUy9s4gHsaYIIKMIjCX3dHy882ZEEsqezyAvRDBmhGuUpl7VPWWsHaeFrHT25ioMvpu8L5qpdzkW3ljxHTKmQ_5-wkc6uZ3so/s1600/BEBBlog+New+Springy+Clothes+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXUaLuvxCqz03kgijl0v9YRWxMzGlrMuY89nzRMApQXXzUy9s4gHsaYIIKMIjCX3dHy882ZEEsqezyAvRDBmhGuUpl7VPWWsHaeFrHT25ioMvpu8L5qpdzkW3ljxHTKmQ_5-wkc6uZ3so/s1600/BEBBlog+New+Springy+Clothes+02.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My face looked funny in this pic, but I wanted to show off how cute this new shirt is!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I really loved this outfit! I felt so cute when I put it on and that's a rare thing since giving birth. I am super excited to have new clothes in my closet to 'play' with this Spring. I am working out now on a regular basis so maybe one day some of my old clothes will start to fit too, but at least I have some fun stuff to wear until then (and they should still fit even if I do lose a little weight).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhlE0tlrL7ORv2gYxbV1I3soNhSSaUxOOuqFp2gDYzAVWTIQDWY9tlBNBZCFAl_jIQtZB4gT9LFLE-7s8gx0T8N0ot3oVpmSOJyXJisfVR3WlKXUQT5dJ8PrRHozWRqHmDNJmhzHw22c0/s1600/BEBBlog+New+Springy+Clothes+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhlE0tlrL7ORv2gYxbV1I3soNhSSaUxOOuqFp2gDYzAVWTIQDWY9tlBNBZCFAl_jIQtZB4gT9LFLE-7s8gx0T8N0ot3oVpmSOJyXJisfVR3WlKXUQT5dJ8PrRHozWRqHmDNJmhzHw22c0/s1600/BEBBlog+New+Springy+Clothes+01.JPG" height="640" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped Pink & White Shirt: Walmart clearance rack.<br />
Black denim skirt: Made by Me!<br />
Blue watch: Gift from my sister.<br />
White sparkly sandals: JcPenny.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've recently discovered that I LOVE wearing a watch! It's much more practical than keeping track of my cell phone (which I am <i>always</i> losing). And it's also one less thing to juggle in my hands when I'm out and about. My little sister found two watches with sparkles around the face and gave me the blue one. I love it! I love anything sparkly or glittery!!<br />
<br />
<u>Related Posts</u><br />
<a href="https://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/04/after-pregnancy-style.html" target="_blank">After Pregnancy Style</a>Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-41216619713116268782014-05-02T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-02T06:00:00.636-05:00Fail | Painted Lamp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LPGhrQk_p0yQaa_f_DfeW1D6nslhuBr1WA-XcVJ077EHzm4bpp1QgxTevb_zYYMN49jxeMtaWFfRs1aYviJ5t_9NJEVuS0ueqPMvDdQnl7Brj6VqofRdkbiYbzxnmKo3Kdf6dNjThPMU/s1600/BEBBlog,+Fail,+painted+lamp+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LPGhrQk_p0yQaa_f_DfeW1D6nslhuBr1WA-XcVJ077EHzm4bpp1QgxTevb_zYYMN49jxeMtaWFfRs1aYviJ5t_9NJEVuS0ueqPMvDdQnl7Brj6VqofRdkbiYbzxnmKo3Kdf6dNjThPMU/s1600/BEBBlog,+Fail,+painted+lamp+01.jpg" height="400" width="290" /></a></div>
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Decor for the Master Bedroom Makeover is slow in coming. I didn't really have anything on hand for the bedroom decor other than all the gold frames I knew I wanted to use. Everything else I'm either having to buy or redo so I have had to take quite a bit more time to pull this together than I thought I would.<br />
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One project I had planned on doing for our master bedroom makeover was painting some lamps for our night stands. I wanted them to be white, and as you can see in the before photo below this lamp was navy blue which totally doesn't match the dark grey and white colors I have picked out.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8bOdavQjwqhmEcLRbXQ4D6Co5qZdbCQsdNXRr0B-au0CfOYO_SbWSz274aJItbddEUB9JFHfW_NQRMMOMPqUIi4SfiuuHX9xsh16SCZe77exsB4FjjMomvqRsmfSrof6umrCx7bpsYRX/s1600/BEBBlog,+Fail,+painted+lamp+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8bOdavQjwqhmEcLRbXQ4D6Co5qZdbCQsdNXRr0B-au0CfOYO_SbWSz274aJItbddEUB9JFHfW_NQRMMOMPqUIi4SfiuuHX9xsh16SCZe77exsB4FjjMomvqRsmfSrof6umrCx7bpsYRX/s1600/BEBBlog,+Fail,+painted+lamp+02.JPG" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I did a little reading on what people had done to spray paint lamps. This lamp had been painted over before. I could tell this because of a few spots where the paint was chipped and it was white underneath (too bad I couldn't of gotten the lamp when it was still white, the color I was planning to paint it now). I got this lamp from Goodwill for $3. It is perfectly simple, but still pretty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenPMm5DUnIQ8ln_-5TmqQbhApa0fkNSKynF-2x_e37mrSOBO9wDY0xvDRC7kYITpb39aeTsYfHmF3_nLyTwmSmmYNSfZivQLR2ilX8mSxLzTrOxNwL5NSbH6KwyUIgz1JVDZvArEpCTi1/s1600/BEBBlog,+Fail,+painted+lamp+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenPMm5DUnIQ8ln_-5TmqQbhApa0fkNSKynF-2x_e37mrSOBO9wDY0xvDRC7kYITpb39aeTsYfHmF3_nLyTwmSmmYNSfZivQLR2ilX8mSxLzTrOxNwL5NSbH6KwyUIgz1JVDZvArEpCTi1/s1600/BEBBlog,+Fail,+painted+lamp+03.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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I taped off the top part so I wouldn't get spray paint all over it and the painting began. Let me just say that I HATE spray paint! It gets everywhere. I had the lamp out on my front sidewalk over some plastic and the spray paint still got on the bushes, my feet, and a little on the sidewalk too (not sure how that happened?).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42oN13UvSiiInyk6McER5r0ftIA9YrciXgxK7WCCBkTsB76f_UmETdy_S_cdfkwWRCJqqzrlh-nSCuO8vbgClgERRSdaFsk7sO5uHTBFMSs1TKQtvH0moYUsKQRqiLwpcO4QtkwmbJ0AK/s1600/BEBBlog,+Fail,+painted+lamp+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42oN13UvSiiInyk6McER5r0ftIA9YrciXgxK7WCCBkTsB76f_UmETdy_S_cdfkwWRCJqqzrlh-nSCuO8vbgClgERRSdaFsk7sO5uHTBFMSs1TKQtvH0moYUsKQRqiLwpcO4QtkwmbJ0AK/s1600/BEBBlog,+Fail,+painted+lamp+04.JPG" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the rough texture on the lamp stem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The first coat went on great. I didn't have problems with the paint running or anything. I did have to go with a second coat though since the paint didn't go on evenly and you could still see hints of the navy blue underneath...and this is where the problem came in. Some how, after I put on the second coat, the paint bubbled up and has this funky pattern on one side of it. I am quite disappointed. I was really excited with how well the first half of this project went, and then I had this happen and now I don't even want to finish it.<br />
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I think I'll have to take a scraper after this lamp now to get this bubbled paint off and then I'll have to repaint it. If I get around to fixing this Failed Project I will share another post on it. I do hope it's a simple fix because I do like the lamp and we desperately need them in our new bedroom!<br />
<br />
<u>Related Posts</u><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/03/master-bed-bath-makeover-part-1.html" target="_blank">Master Bed & Bath Makeover, Part 1</a></li>
</ul>
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-23731350754104235712014-05-01T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-01T06:00:06.696-05:00Cloth Diapering | My Thoughts at Two Months In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7HLuTFL3hyphenhyphenpsU-CwTVoS65BWYof95fbsPMYOF4SolKjyHP68gPQFHNsMMp6w7ZInghuQMfN6-u1yxCJTilKWIt2qYVn8mzngsqG5JhE4_APGRKzBM9pAI4zAPZuzl14oQDmqTOMPZbfT/s1600/BEBBlog+cloth+diapering,+thoughts+at+two+months+in.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7HLuTFL3hyphenhyphenpsU-CwTVoS65BWYof95fbsPMYOF4SolKjyHP68gPQFHNsMMp6w7ZInghuQMfN6-u1yxCJTilKWIt2qYVn8mzngsqG5JhE4_APGRKzBM9pAI4zAPZuzl14oQDmqTOMPZbfT/s1600/BEBBlog+cloth+diapering,+thoughts+at+two+months+in.JPG" height="472" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love cloth diapers! I seriously don't know how people use disposable diapers. The ones I use (on rare occasion) leak, cause diaper rash on Little Man's poor bum, and hardly last through an hour on a good day. The only time I really like disposable's is when he poop's in them instead of the cloth diaper and that's only because I don't have to clean the diaper out myself!<br />
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I wrote a post on <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/04/cloth-diapering-my-thoughts-at-two.html" target="_blank">My Thoughts at Two Weeks In</a></i> {to cloth diapering} and this is basically the sequel to that post. I've had quite a bit more time working with cloth diapers and working on getting systems down for using, washing, drying, and folding the diapers so now it all flows quite smoothly. Having everything all worked out certainly helps make cloth diapering easier!<br />
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A few things to keep in mind if you're considering cloth diapering:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-Give it a try!</span> If you can borrow some diapers from a friend, I totally recommend giving them a try before going and buying a whole bunch right off the bat. Especially if you're not sure you are going to like it. Myself: I didn't think I'd like cloth diapering, but didn't give myself much of a choice. As it turns out, I LOVE using cloth diapers!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-Do your research!</span> There are TONS of different types of cloth diapers out there and it can be hard to figure out what system you want to use, but doing your research definitely helps! Be sure to ask friends who use cloth diapers or even friends of friends (I did this with several people and it helped to have their perspective on the subject). Research brands, styles, types, prices, and don't forget cleaning techniques and diaper rash creams appropriate for using with cloth diapers. Myself: I researched <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2013/12/cloth-diapering-10-cloth-diapers.html" target="_blank">10 Different Cloth Diapers</a></i> before I settled for <i><a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Econobum-One-Size-Cloth-Diaper-Trial-Pack/16608582" target="_blank">Econobum</a></i> which is sold online through Walmart.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-Give it time! </span>You may not like cloth diapering right away, but give it at least two weeks so you can have time to get some sort of system down. Myself: Having a system for how I use, clean, wash, dry, and fold the diapers has totally helped me get to where I love cloth diapering over using disposables.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-Get organized & create a system!</span> I've found that it's a lot easier for me if I keep the diapers in the same place, rinse them out the same way, put them in the same bucket, wash them on the same day(s) of the week, hang and fold them the same way. For me, it's all about the little systems. Every little thing has a huge importance in how quickly the process works so that I spend less time working with the diapers now than I did in the beginning. Also, with time it comes easier because you are used to what needs to be done. At first it feels foreign and weird to have diapers always hanging in the doorways air drying and a stack of diapers to fold, but you will get used to it! (I will be posting soon on the system I use for getting everything washed, dried and put away.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-Final Thoughts. </span>I really love using cloth diapers. I am a stay-at-home-mama so that does give a bit of an advantage to using cloth diapers, but even if you're not, you can always just use them while you're home and you will still save money! I've had a few months on the water bill to see how that was affected and really it hasn't changed at all. We still pay the same price we did before I started using cloth diapers so I think that's a good sign too! I have a few more posts I plan to write about cloth diapering, I just have to find the time to do those, but I will be posting more on this subject in the future! Check out the <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/search/label/ClothDiapering" target="_blank">Cloth Diapering</a></i> label to read other posts I've written on this subject.Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-24883240295436395902014-04-30T06:00:00.000-05:002014-04-30T06:00:00.047-05:00Exercise Week 3I have to admit that I am getting lazy with exercising. This tends to happen to me. No matter how great I start out all that enthusiasm fades away and then it's just plain boring. I know that getting in shape is something I really want, but on the other hand I just don't want to do the work to get there. Not much exciting to report this week other than I am beginning to notice a slight difference in the appearance of my calves since starting the squats challenge last week.<br />
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Wednesday April 9th: nothing.</div>
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Thursday April 10th: nothing.</div>
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Friday April 11th: 70 squats.</div>
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Saturday April 12th: 2 sets of 20 on ab lounge</div>
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Sunday April 13th: 75 squats, 2/20 ab lounge, 80 squats.</div>
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Monday April 14th: 90 squats.</div>
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Tuesday April 15th: nothing.</div>
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Wednesday April 16th: nothing.</div>
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-64768793837540019502014-04-29T09:58:00.000-05:002014-04-29T10:29:45.636-05:003 Steps to Getting Notifications of New Posts From Your Favorite Facebook Pages<div style="text-align: center;">
Super long title, I know, but that's what this post is about.</div>
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This is to help you find out and fix why you're not getting Facebook notifications from pages you've liked.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDZeDX2xHtSFHADc9xa_Bun7tXgLbVHYNg7s0pPNkWhICxpPUzTnx8wHbJwUfvUCcUsY8BYSNZ-qzkLUcRDq9SbVYcvYbXAKUrsl50VniU96RTqq96IjKWiUy9gQd7JabNq3wupEaDj9M/s1600/BEBBlog+get+facebook+notifications+01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDZeDX2xHtSFHADc9xa_Bun7tXgLbVHYNg7s0pPNkWhICxpPUzTnx8wHbJwUfvUCcUsY8BYSNZ-qzkLUcRDq9SbVYcvYbXAKUrsl50VniU96RTqq96IjKWiUy9gQd7JabNq3wupEaDj9M/s1600/BEBBlog+get+facebook+notifications+01.png" height="328" width="400" /></a></div>
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Have you liked a Facebook page for a favorite blog, singer, actor, movie, book, etc. and then realize you never see posts from that page?<br />
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Or maybe they posts used to show up in your news feed, but now they aren't.<br />
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I'm sure there are many explanations, but here are a couple of ways to boost numbers for your favorite pages, and more importantly, for you to receive posts:<br />
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Facebok's algorithm will only show you a fraction of what your favorite pages post. But if you follow these instructions you can work around their system and see whatever your favorite page posts.<br />
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Due to Facebook pages, if you don't Like, Share, or Comment on posts, Facebook will dramatically limit, and then stop sending posts from your favorite pages to your newsfeed. (how dare they?! lol) Supposedly this is due to Facebook deciding that if you do not interact with a page's posts, it means that you have no interest in the posts; therefore Facebook with stop sending them to you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please Like, Share, or Comment on Facebook posts that you enjoy!!</span><br />
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Facebook is a business and they have the right to run it any way they want, but this is one way to get more of what you want so share, share, share! Share this with your friends so they know too. (<i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlueEyedBeautyBlog/posts/508993852538275" target="_blank">Click here</a></i> to share this blog post from my BEBBlog Facebook page!)<br />
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When you like a new page it takes just an extra click to get the notifications, but for pages you've liked in the past you'll have to go through and click 'get notifications' to keep updated on their new stuff. It might take more time to go through the old pages, but you'll probably want to go do this so you get their notifications too!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 3 Steps you can start getting notifications from your favorite pages...</span></div>
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I'm going to use <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mirandalambert?ref=profile" target="_blank">Miranda Lambert's</a></i> (country singer) Facebook fan page for the example below.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqwj2pc9DRnA3dldfV61bvb-4uTnBFIdTCvJ-kWjPzfj8Sp4mhCyLw77BdrcJ-chfYUG8Gmdqox9ml6HdBv4IYH9CHPsOAD4ytqeTORktXU75i845T8MpH8KQT4UG_3MpVWs5C4qyzaqL/s1600/BEBBlog+get+facebook+notications+02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqwj2pc9DRnA3dldfV61bvb-4uTnBFIdTCvJ-kWjPzfj8Sp4mhCyLw77BdrcJ-chfYUG8Gmdqox9ml6HdBv4IYH9CHPsOAD4ytqeTORktXU75i845T8MpH8KQT4UG_3MpVWs5C4qyzaqL/s1600/BEBBlog+get+facebook+notications+02.png" height="374" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mirandalambert" target="_blank">Miranda Lambert Facebook Page</a></i>}</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">STEP 1. Go to the page you want to 'like'.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpf-YwiLNKNKnWsdNz7MEpjs7W659DeyvC1jMuNHrNzqTvSD9W9-vTQsvr0rZK8U99DVCe98HQP8z60OOQo2AvWnPNFdSWHQGPY-4RgEWAD6VpID8wWiUQBY_Ib5W75rSJLQTa3crESkB5/s1600/BEBBlog+get+facebook+notifications+03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpf-YwiLNKNKnWsdNz7MEpjs7W659DeyvC1jMuNHrNzqTvSD9W9-vTQsvr0rZK8U99DVCe98HQP8z60OOQo2AvWnPNFdSWHQGPY-4RgEWAD6VpID8wWiUQBY_Ib5W75rSJLQTa3crESkB5/s1600/BEBBlog+get+facebook+notifications+03.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">STEP 2. Click the 'like' button.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTSBgJchoaqA363pWuVTCg7PLf9_9fHUgDdhKY4j-qMuJAEuIk8MLzkBZ53scHU7WF9eCvf3MVPYsP310Qpj8KWluEPyJJuvaIGYI_P_C-g87_ihhDIQr4A7Ay1swCh1IkmK7NFPgR0M7/s1600/BEBBlog+get+facebook+notifications+04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTSBgJchoaqA363pWuVTCg7PLf9_9fHUgDdhKY4j-qMuJAEuIk8MLzkBZ53scHU7WF9eCvf3MVPYsP310Qpj8KWluEPyJJuvaIGYI_P_C-g87_ihhDIQr4A7Ay1swCh1IkmK7NFPgR0M7/s1600/BEBBlog+get+facebook+notifications+04.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">STEP 3. Click on or scroll your mouse over the 'liked' button and then click 'get notifications'.</span></div>
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Now, do keep in mind that once you've clicked 'get notifications' anything posted on the pages you like and do this to will send a notification to your personal notification box (that's a lot of 'notifications' but don't know how else to word it). Example:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYrX7eMDS1DskVQ70iOa_-M6w4JnVPuVoJ1uO1NnLqx4lngMN4o_mKh_5vE9ZxGorHoHDQg39zyFmK8OX_K87vHT0zGiWS8CrF77h7FX52ACnAX0X8_klhKxI0Lxf__u3E2LiK6OykyeK/s1600/BEBBlog+get+facebook+notifications+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYrX7eMDS1DskVQ70iOa_-M6w4JnVPuVoJ1uO1NnLqx4lngMN4o_mKh_5vE9ZxGorHoHDQg39zyFmK8OX_K87vHT0zGiWS8CrF77h7FX52ACnAX0X8_klhKxI0Lxf__u3E2LiK6OykyeK/s1600/BEBBlog+get+facebook+notifications+05.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/OakHillHomestead?fref=nf" target="_blank">Oak Hill Homestead Facebook Page</a></i>}<br />
{<i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CountryLiving?fref=photo" target="_blank">Country Living Magazine Facebook Page</a></i>}<br />
{<i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLiving" target="_blank">Southern Living Facebook Page</a></i>}</td></tr>
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This *could* get super annoying so you may want to consider only selecting 'get notifications' for pages that you're really interested in keeping up with. Favorite blogs, magazines, local groups, etc.<br />
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Quick tip: When you do this you will be getting a lot of notifications as these pages update with new status updates and photos. If you don't want to read them all or you've scrolled through the notifications and selected the ones you were interested in but still have 'blue ones' showing up click 'mark as read' and those that have already been posted and you've scrolled through will no longer show up as new things for you to check out.<br />
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Another quick tip: now that you're getting all these notifications you may realize you don't want some of them. Just go over notification and there will be a little 'x' on the right. Click that and then click 'turn off'. This will stop the notifications from that page, post, or photo from continuing to blow up your notification box.</div>
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Hopefully this post will help you get more out of those Facebook pages you've liked but haven't been keeping up with! See my post <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/01/blogging-tips-bloggers-use-facebook-to.html" target="_blank">Bloggers: Use Facebook to Keep Up with Favorite Blogs</a></i> to see another way to get notifications without blowing up your personal page notifier (you will have to use the technique shared in this post along with the idea suggested in the linked post).</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for reading!</span></div>
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<u>Related Posts</u></div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/01/blogging-tips-bloggers-use-facebook-to.html" target="_blank">Bloggers: Use Facebook to Keep Up with Favorite Blogs</a></li>
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Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-65343585076437330432014-04-29T06:00:00.000-05:002014-04-29T06:00:08.920-05:00Sister Style | Stripes & Grey<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">Stripes are SO much fun to wear! If you don't own clothing with stripes on them then I highly suggest you at least go and try on a some that do to see if you like the way they look on yourself! Stripes in the form of shirts, cardigans or tank tops are a great way to to step away from wearing all solid colors.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzBQfcDIiz-hZiR_-W-3v1eIELuQnCUaedIUxT0WWTUFk8XjtX6ScbrqP-nAqWfgvk0_97TXPfZeHK5aWOpI0vtTVn8tm_vescC9CGY-NU2S_qBaH90tWke09xStI-ADw6gzkzzq7AeVp/s1600/BEBBlog+sister+style,+stripes+&+grey+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzBQfcDIiz-hZiR_-W-3v1eIELuQnCUaedIUxT0WWTUFk8XjtX6ScbrqP-nAqWfgvk0_97TXPfZeHK5aWOpI0vtTVn8tm_vescC9CGY-NU2S_qBaH90tWke09xStI-ADw6gzkzzq7AeVp/s1600/BEBBlog+sister+style,+stripes+&+grey+01.JPG" height="640" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped Shirt: Max Rave.<br />
Grey tank top: Arizona.<br />
Denim skirt: Old Navy.<br />
Sparkly Shoes: Faded Glory.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_GpkEE_-Cllon1ZcmI2_IYyn5hGK90q0p8Zle4hDw5O9XLAD3uVdSLUyqdHiQNCaKl2DSBjQk83II-5f-I00f1PdyoGbp2L2gC5WAXXXtMTwVKkkZ2lDolmX0Jl8mXNq6gcuN6AXUW9N/s1600/BEBBlog+sister+style,+stripes+&+grey+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_GpkEE_-Cllon1ZcmI2_IYyn5hGK90q0p8Zle4hDw5O9XLAD3uVdSLUyqdHiQNCaKl2DSBjQk83II-5f-I00f1PdyoGbp2L2gC5WAXXXtMTwVKkkZ2lDolmX0Jl8mXNq6gcuN6AXUW9N/s1600/BEBBlog+sister+style,+stripes+&+grey+02.JPG" height="640" width="514" /></a></div>
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I just love the lace detail on the edge of the tank top my sister is wearing! I think that adds a little something extra to this outfit. This shirt is nice and thick so the grey underneath isn't as visible as it would be in a thinner shirt, but that's not really a bad thing! Many shirts these days are made too thin I think. The grey goes well with the sparkly shoes too:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3f2xqES4YWGRrWTAUDdUo51niQ64oCuQCCJUc13x7oTfd3Pt2YB50BJmRSmxHSRKttsRyVKiTRXTRNpEVCexIgm0SPpM7YDg_xBgTAKh7eHnuVAakzLXRpyZg0KzmIQynyjLKnD8Amwh/s1600/BEBBlog+sister+style,+sparkly+shoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3f2xqES4YWGRrWTAUDdUo51niQ64oCuQCCJUc13x7oTfd3Pt2YB50BJmRSmxHSRKttsRyVKiTRXTRNpEVCexIgm0SPpM7YDg_xBgTAKh7eHnuVAakzLXRpyZg0KzmIQynyjLKnD8Amwh/s1600/BEBBlog+sister+style,+sparkly+shoes.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3446647255774447793.post-79730649820201567582014-04-28T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-11T08:54:56.626-05:00My Episode with Baby Blues<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins5hGeN01jIeN4ANcGqDEPoDRx5oxIH1LCuNjRlTk2grwhy5ku0fUDb_u1NDE2yvU5cYwohVkiubGQduj_YPWWwxOk8FH-sLqUuY4lYnVLJiigABIqeSSzg_1vFgLFFMvtCHxw3BakH6x/s1600/BEBBlog+my+episode+with+baby+blues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins5hGeN01jIeN4ANcGqDEPoDRx5oxIH1LCuNjRlTk2grwhy5ku0fUDb_u1NDE2yvU5cYwohVkiubGQduj_YPWWwxOk8FH-sLqUuY4lYnVLJiigABIqeSSzg_1vFgLFFMvtCHxw3BakH6x/s1600/BEBBlog+my+episode+with+baby+blues.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo was taken at the hospital. Little Man is probably 1 or 2 days old here.</td></tr>
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I don't think anyone could ever get used to depression, even if they're like me and suffer from depression on and off throughout the week (which for me is due to the brain injury I got in the <i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/p/the-car-wreck.html" target="_blank">car wreck</a></i> a few years ago). Before I had Little Man I had talked to my midwife (who oversaw most of my pregnancy care, but didn't do the delivery) about postpartum depression. I was worried about getting it because I had problems with depression already and I thought I might get really bad Baby Blues... like to the point that I wouldn't want to be around my son. This was a big worry for me before he was born. She said because I deal with depression already it was likely I would get Baby Blues, but how bad they would be is something you really can't pre-determine.<br />
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Around 5 weeks after LM was born I suddenly felt like I had been slammed with a black cloud. I knew I was severely depressed, but couldn't figure out why because the few weeks since LM was born I had been doing so much better with my regular depression than usual. I had been happy, I loved spending time with my son, and I felt like over-all life was great. A few days into this depression session though I was starting to worry. Nothing I did would shake the severe sadness, the feeling of not wanting to get out of bed to do anything, not even a shower helped ease this depression!<br />
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I think around the 5th day I ended up talking to my mom about what was going on. I told her how I couldn't figure out why I was so depressed, how I was having trouble functioning (eating, sleeping, general stuff I usually did like cleaning house), and that I just felt like a giant black cloud was taking the light out of everything around me. She suggested that it might be Baby Blues and to just keep an eye on it and see how long it lasted. At that point I had completely forgotten about Baby Blues and even at that time I didn't really think that's what it was. Looking back now I'm quite sure that was my Baby Blues. Fortunately I didn't get those feelings of not wanting to be around my child. In this case, being around him actually helped me overcome a lot of the depressive feelings.<br />
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I don't really know how long the severe depression went on, but I'm thinking it lasted about a week. I am glad that it's over and that I survived it. There were a lot of random busting into tears for no reason, a lot of laying in bed sleeping/resting (or trying to sleep!), and a lot of eating chocolate and sweets. For some reason I couldn't get enough sugary foods that week either. I ate a ton of brownies (which I made several times because A. they were easy to fix and B. they had less sugar than a lot of other things I could've made). I actually perfected the recipe and added in semi-sweet chocolate chips too which made them really fantastic (if you love chocolate then these brownies are to die for! Hubby likes them but isn't a huge fan of all the chocolate). {<i><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/03/double-chocolate-fudge-brownies.html" target="_blank">Brownie recipe here!</a></i>} I crave chocolate when I'm severely depressed.<br />
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Since that week I've only had the usual occasional depression stuff that I've dealt with for the past two and a half years. Nothing major and certainly nothing I can't handle. That Baby Blues stuff is something completely different though. I don't think I've ever experienced a depression so awful as that. Of course I may not completely remember all the depressed feelings I've had due to my brain injury which makes my memories quite hit and miss, but I'm pretty sure that's the worst depression I've ever had. I am grateful it didn't last long and that it's over now, that part was not a very fun experience!<br />
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That's my thoughts and feelings on the Baby Blues. I debated on writing this post, but I thought maybe writing about what I've been going through since having LM would help me remember some of the important things next time around and in the meantime they might help someone else who is going through the same things.<br />
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<u>Related Posts</u><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2014/03/double-chocolate-fudge-brownies.html" target="_blank">Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-car-wreck-story-part-1.html" target="_blank">The Car Wreck Story Part 1</a></li>
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Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03712980183077299482noreply@blogger.com4