A working mom trying to do it all ....and succeeding!
Iron Man 3 will be out May 3rd! I’m so excited!! Get a sneak peek right here and on Sunday Feb 3rd during the Super Bowl!
“Like” IRON MAN 3 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ironman
“Follow” IRON MAN 3 on Twitter: @Iron_Man
Visit the website: http://marvel.com/ironman3
IRON MAN 3 releases in theaters on May 3rd!
(I love the glass cabinet we put in)
This is a partnered guest post.
“Eat, drink and be merry.”
– Famous Proverb
Without a wonderful kitchen, those famous words have absolutely no meaning. The kitchen is the most important room in the home; it is a gathering place for friends and family, a space where some of the most important events of daily life take place.
Instead of making a New Year’s resolution to exercise more or clean out the closet, why not renovate the kitchen? The winter is actually an ideal time to do so, as construction prices and the demand for building are typically lower than the rest of the year. A kitchen renovation can make an astonishing difference to the look and feel of any home, thus vastly improving the quality of life while increasing the value of the property.
Adding a new shine to the heart of the home will take a little time, effort and work – but it can be done, even without spending a lot of money. Here are some easy ways to renovate the kitchen for a fresh start to the New Year.
Change out the hardware
Spending so much time in an outdated, worn kitchen can actually be depressing, which is why something as simple as updating the hardware can make such a difference. If the countertops and cabinetry are still in good shape, there may be no need to replace them and spend all that money. Instead, try out a few new cabinet handles and drawer pulls to give the room a different look.
There is no need to hire a professional for this simple DIY project. There are tons of hardware options to choose from at local home improvement stores and décor shops. A little trick that many homeowners use is to purchase a selection of their favorite knobs and pulls and install them in the kitchen to see which they like best before investing in a complete set.
Consider upgrading the cabinetry
If updated hardware won’t do the trick, why not consider changing the cabinetry completely? When cabinets and drawers get too old, they have the potential to become dangerous as well. A loose hinge may cause the drawer to fall out or a cabinet door may become too loose and fall. Plus, who doesn’t love new kitchen cabinets? They are the focal point of the room and should capture one’s attention.
Although upgrading or replacing cabinetry may seem like an expensive way to go, it is possible to find kitchen cabinets wholesale, which means that there will be money left over for other improvements around the house. An alternative to purchasing kitchen cabinets wholesale might be to simply reface the old wooden cabinets by sanding them down and applying a fresh coat of stain or paint. That way, they still have all the character of the originals with a little added personality!
Add new appliances
New kitchen appliances can really make a difference in the kitchen, but they can also be expensive. All too often, high-end stainless steel appliances come to mind when considering a kitchen renovation, but that might not fit everyone’s budget or style.
Believe it or not, it is possible to update kitchen appliances without breaking the bank. Today, there are many great quality appliances out there that run the gamut from retro-inspired colorful options to sleek, chef-quality refrigerators, ranges and ovens. Many manufacturers are offering a wide range of styles and colors to fit every budget. Need to fix broken appliances? Check out https://www.WellingtonApplianceFix.com . They fix almost all appliances! This is a great way to change up the color scheme of the room and give the kitchen a modern boost.
Don’t forget the accessories
Home design is not just about the color of the walls, layout of the house and type of window treatments – it is also about the accessories. So, don’t forget the accessories when renovating the kitchen! Even with the best looking cabinetry, upgraded appliances and sleek hardware, without the right accessories and décor, the kitchen will look incomplete.
Take the time to consider the crocks that hold utensils and the canisters used for storing flour and sugar. Use the accessories to set the theme for the kitchen – is it country cottage, French shabby chic or ultra modern? The key is to select accessories that not only fit the look and feel of the kitchen but are also functional and easy to access.
This is a partnered guest post.
The polo shirts may be worn by anybody, since early ages. Falling into the category of “smart casual”, the polo shirts are evidently above any regular t-shirt and while they are not actual shirts, they can easily replace them in an avant-garde fashion. If invited to attend an event and you are not comfortable about wearing a classy shirt – and most modern men aren’t – then the polo shirts become the perfect choice since they are elegant but not too stiff.
Polo shirts are not as simple as the normal T-shirts but not as formal as classic shirts are. Among all outfits for men, the polo shirts may be considered as one of the greatest inventions in fashion, because it blends both concepts of casual and formal.
Talking about the modern, young man, a lot of them wear polo shirts also in a business – casual environment, either it is only a day in the office, either it is a friendly meeting with the business partners. Polo shirts look great with casual trousers and jeans. For a more formal look, they may be worn tucked in the trousers, with a trendy belt to enhance the whole picture, but under no circumstances a man should not tuck the polo into his jeans, this act being considered a major flaw in style and an insult brought to the polo.
Visionary designers also suggest men can wear polo shirts together with a suite. You will often see walking the streets the new modern generation wearing polo shirts with a thin tie and jeans, in order to show a tad of elegance but also a general attitude of relaxation.
Some combinations that stroke attention over the years are the black polo shirts matched to a white thin tie, or a dark blue polo with a red thin tie. The effects are spectacular.
One tip a man should always remember is to wear polo shirts according to his body structure and even skin tone. Short sleeved polo shirts should have the sleeves long enough to reach the biceps middle section, but not longer. The total length should not overcome the hips very much. Choose wisely the size of your polo shirts, since a large one can make a man look sloppy and tasteless, while a very straight and glued to the body one may produce similar effects. The polo shirts should cover your body in a natural way, not too large and not too tight, but to emphasize your structure.
Get a little bit more creative
If you have several polo shirts and you find them quite boring these days, give them a little touch of personality:
1) Try wearing two polo shirts in the same time, a white one over a blue one. Lift the collar of the one under and match the sleeves’ margins so they can show both colors.
2) Wear a tie and even a vest, for a retro look and maybe a hat too.
3) Wear the polo shirts under or over a formal shirt. Don’t be afraid to be judged, you will become a trendsetter before you know it.
I received a few new cookbooks from Southern Living. They have the best pictures and the yummiest foods in their cookbooks. I picked out three recipes and my cousin, Merrilee, came over and we got to work. I did substitute a few things in this recipe to satisfy my picky eaters. I got this Chicken Corncakes recipe from the Southern Living, Rotisserie Chicken Cookbook. The recipe does not say if you should drain the corn and we did, but in retrospect, I think we should not have.
These were really good and all of my picky eaters said they would eat them again for dinner!!
So what it’s another day, right? The big one was last year, so this one is easy, peasy!! (I am 41 by the way.)
Last Saturday night the girls and I went out to dinner to celebrate. It’s my friend and neighbor’s birthday too! Same day!
We went to Casa Maria, a Mexican restaurant , because I love Mexican!! We had a great time and the waiter brought over extra tequila for our Margaritas and a shot of Tequila!!
Tonight we will go out to dinner, just the family and I to my other favorite, Chilli’s!!
