Stella & Dot GIVEAWAY! (now closed)

I am excited to announce my very first blog giveaway!

Don't you just LOVE Stella & Dot jewelry??  I am actually a stylist with Stella & Dot and I 

absolutely love my "job"!  As you may know, I have three year old triplets.

Two summers ago I was invited to a trunk show.  I had never heard of Stella & Dot

and was just looking forward to a fun night out with some girlfriends 

and a break from changing diapers!  I fell IN LOVE 

with the jewelry and realized that I could become a stylist with the company and share the love 

of this jewelry with other fabulous women and make a little extra money while 

I was at it.  Stella & Dot has been such a blessing in my life.  It gives me something 

else to focus on besides my kiddos and it allows me to get out of the house 

and do trunk shows with other women and have FUN! Plus, I am contributing 

financially to our family and I love having that independence.   

Here are some of my favorites from the new 2012 Spring Collection:

 The Bianca Tassel necklace

 The Serenity Necklace

(as featured in the current issue of People Stylewatch)

 Love the look of all of these bracelets stacked together!

The Serenity Stone Drops

The Capri Earrings

(these are also available in turquoise)

Rose Gold is a huge current trend and I am giving away these gorgeous 

Goddess Hoops earrings to one of my lucky readers!

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER (leave a separate comment for each and please include your email):

1. Become of follower of this blog

2.  Become of "fan" of my Facebook page 

3.  Head over to my website www.stelladot.com/jennifermccloud and tell 

me what your favorite piece is! 

I will announce the winner on Monday, February 6th

GOOD LUCK!

If you would like for me to send you some information on how you can 

start your very own business with Stella & Dot 

send me an email at jj.mccloud@yahoo.com.

I would love for you to join my team!

New Fun Find!

Last week while out shopping with my bestie I spotted this gorgeous 

table runner at my local Home Goods and just had to have it!

The colors are perfect and it was only $12.99!

We were having brown overload in this nook so it's nice to add a little color.

Hopefully soon I can get some permanent end chairs, but for now

I'm still borrowing two from the dining room.  I'm thinking a light color for sure,

maybe an upholstered linen?

I couldn't resist picking up these hydrangeas while grocery shopping this morning.

They are so summery...and I can't wait for summer!

For now, it's nice to have these little flowers as a reminder that spring is 

right around the corner.

My original plan for my morning while the kiddos were at preschool was to organize my 

closet, but I have managed to waste my entire day!  After dropping off the kids 

I stopped at Starbucks (venti skinny peppermint mocha!) and then 

went to Dollar Tree...Oh my goodness.  I literally could spend hours in there.  And, frankly, that is just

what I did today!  Then, Kroger, a little cleaning in the kitchen...and now it's almost

time to pick them back up!  Sheesh!  

I'll keep you updated.  The closet is going to be one heck of a chore!  

More Valentine Touches!

I had so much fun making my Valentine Wreath, that I decided to follow

my Pinterest inspiration and also make a topiary using the same technique.

I had plenty of red felt left over from the wreath, my mom found the 

foam ball for 75 cents at a thrift shop

and I already had the milk glass compote

so this entire project was less than a buck!  

Just as suggested in my inspiration tutorial, I only covered the top and sides 

of the foam ball so that it fits perfectly in the container.

I added some red artwork to the table as well as 

a George Rodrigue Blue Dog coffee table book that was the perfect

shade of red.  (We're a big fan of his!  In fact, if you look closely, in the mirror

you can see a glimpse of the hallway leading up to the bonus room with a 

series of Blue Dog prints hanging on the wall.  He's just so stinking cute!)

(the trunk has no purpose for being under the table other than the fact that we had

nowhere else to put it!)

Other than a few little store bought Valentine decorations and hand towels

for the kid's bathroom, I think I'm done with decorating for Valentine's Day.  That is, until 

I find some super cute idea on Pinterest that I simply must try!!!  

What about you?   Are you constantly inspired to try ideas/recipes that you find on Pinterest?

Speaking of, I recently made a Ritz Cracker Chicken casserole recipe that I found on there....OMGeeee, SINFULLY GOOD!  

Valentine Mantle and a Birthday Surprise!!!

Hi y'all!

Yesterday was my birthday and it was such a perfect day!

I had lunch with my best girlfriend and then we did some light shopping...things that I have DREAMED

of doing since becoming a stay-at-home mom three years ago but had yet to happen!

Since the kiddos started a little preschool (MDO) last week I now have a few hours

two days a week to get a little free time.  They love it and I am enjoying it too!  

Can I get an amen up in here?!?!

Anyway, back to the story.  Other than turning another year older (ugh) 

I also completed my Valentine Mantle! 

I have always enjoyed decorating for all of the yearly holidays, but now that I have toddlers who really

pay attention to details I have had so much fun trying to make the house fun and festive for them.

I found these sweet little "I heart U" vases in the dollar aisle at Target.  Love them!

My mom made me these LOVE blocks!  They are painted wood pieces covered 

in scrapbook paper and adorned with little sparklies and ribbons!

Thanks mom!  We love it!

And!  Here is my birthday present from my hubby and the kiddos! 

 This new chair from World Market!

The black wicker chair that I had there for years was not doing the room any favors!

It was like the dark sore spot that desperately needed help.  I had 

selected a chair for the space months ago and it was backordered

and I waited and waited for months until they finally cancelled my order.

But, as the old saying goes, good things come to those who wait!

To see the "before" click here. 

I really think that the chair lightened up the room and added just the right amount 

of color and helped to tie in the light blue of the new ottoman.

Thanks, babe!  I LOVE IT!!

DIY Valentine Wreath!

I did my very first DIY Pinterest project!

And I have to say, I am so happy with the result!

I found this idea and pinned it on my holiday board and I couldn't wait to recreate it myself.  

It appeared to be very simple which is a bonus for me!

The kids really missed all of the Christmas decorations and kept asking about them so I was eager

to get started on this project so that we could move on to the next holiday!

My inspiration photo used a heart floral form but after visiting 3 different stores and no luck

finding a heart I decided to just go with a round form.

Also, my inspiration used red fabric, but I had this huge section of red felt that I had no use for 

so I decided to use it instead.

I cut out TONS of red squares, probably 3 x 3 inches in size, but since my craft time is very limited I just eyeballed it.  No time to measure over here!

Then, you just stick a pencil in the middle of the square, dip it in glue (I just borrowed some of the 

kid's school glue) then push it into the foam.  

I didn't take pics of the entire process, but you get the idea.  You just cover the entire thing with the squares.  I didn't even bother covering the back, just the front and sides.  

And here is what I ended up with!

Cute, right?!?!? 

I found that cute little ornament thingie at Joann's and just pinned it to the back of the form

with a straight pin.  Then I hung it to the door using fun ribbon and a Command hook.  

I've got a few more ideas for the mantle that I'll share with you soon!

What about you?  Do you decorate for Valentine's Day?

The coffee table dilemma

As you may know, I have THREE 3-year-olds in the house.  They are very curious and rambunctious, and, well, typical toddlers.

When I gave my living room a mini-makeover back in the summer, 

a big element for me was the perfect coffee table.

I searched and stalked Craigslist and consignment stores for weeks for a round coffee table

until I finally found this little cutie on Craigslist for $15.

It was a great deal and I actually love this little table.  

But, here's the deal.  

When you have 3 toddlers in the house with you all day, you cannot leave anything out within their reach that you don't want touched or broken.  That little photo above?  I took that while they were taking a nap.  Those flowers and books would have survived about 2.4 seconds!  

So, for months now I have lived with a naked table.  And one that the kids constantly climb and sit on.

Finally, it hit me.  This just ain't gonna work.  What I need is an ottoman!

Oh yeah.  It's not really in our budget to buy a new piece of furniture.  I forgot about that part.

But, of course, that didn't stop me from online-window shopping on Saturday morning.

Then, like magic, it happened!  

I found the deal of the century!

This adorable little ottoman had managed to survive all of the Missoni for Target craze

and was on CLEARANCE for $34.98!!!  Regular price was $99!

WHAAAAAAAAT?!?!?

This is just too good to be true.

So, I ordered it.

It arrived today and here it is in it's new home!

The color was listed as "aqua" but it's really more of a baby blue.  I took that gamble knowing that it may not be the exact right color.  The colors that I've been using in the living room

 are more teal and turquoise, but I still think I can make it work.

All in all, I think it was a great deal and I'm happy with my little ottoman!  

There are still several left in different colors and designs!  Better hurry!

Hmmmm.....what to do???

So, I'm still very in love with my newly painted buffet...but, I'm not sure what to do with the MASSIVE wall above it.  It needs some artwork, a gallery wall, something.  I just don't know what?  

Any suggestions???

I just love this little acrylic tray that I found at Kirkland's for only $9!!!

So, tell me, what does this space NEED???  Help!

Toy Organization!!!

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Well, the holidays are officially over.  I took down all of our Christmas decorations and now my house looks clean and simple again.  The first thing on my "Mission Organization" list was our bonus room.  This room is technically the playroom as in all of the kid's toys are up there, but it's also where the hubs and I end each day watching TV or surfing the internet.  The triplets are all still in the same room so there is nowhere to store any toys in there and as a result the toys were really starting to take over the space.  I had no idea how to keep everything organized so we ended up having piles and piles of toys and bins that were completely overflowing.  We really wanted to teach the kids to help out by cleaning up each night before bed, but it was so hard since there was really no rhyme or reason to the organization of the toys.  Then, the kids had a birthday on December 13th and received tons of new toys and then with Christmas.....let's just say that I've seen episodes of Hoarders that looked better than this room.  Something had to be done or this momma was going to lose it!  

My father in law is in the restaurant supply business and said that he could get me a shelving unit and could position  the racks to any height that I needed.  I went to Target and picked up several canvas bins and some large tubs.  I had no idea how to label the bins so I went to Hobby Lobby to see if I could find some inspiration.  I found these packs of wood pieces, 5 in a pack for $1.99.  Then I picked up some colorful ribbon, chalkboard paint, and chalk markers.  

I had my stepdad drill two holes into each piece.  I didn't measure anything, just eyeballed it.  Then we spray painted them with the chalkboard paint.  

And, here is what I ended up with!!!  

It's huge and may not be the prettiest thing to look at, but it makes perfect sense for us!

For the tubs I just used peel and stick chalkboard vinyl.  

(You can find it in the children's section at Michael's)  

Every single toy now has a home!!!  Now, when the kids want to play with toys we take down one bin at a time.  Then, when they want to move onto other toys, we pick up the toys that are out and get down another bin.  It's also so helpful to anyone else who may come over to keep the kids...no more wondering where things go!  It has honestly worked out so well!  Not only is there no more clutter of toys taking up every square inch of the room, the kids seem to be really enjoying and playing with their toys where before I think they were just too overwhelmed.  

I have more ideas for this room so stay tuned!!!

Santa brought me a new kitchen table!!!

Yay!!  I must have been a really good girl this year!  Santa brought me this gorgeous new table and two benches for our breakfast nook!  It's the Napa Collection from World Market.

I'm really so happy with her! 

 I need to get some new chairs to go on each end, 

but for now I just pulled out two chairs from the dining room.  

Santa was so sneaky and had set up the new table before I could take any before pics of the space but this picture will give you an idea.  We had three highchairs in one corner of the nook and a pub table and four stools in the other.  Clearly we bought that pub table long before we planned on having a child, much less the surprise of triplets!  We loved the pub table, but since the kids came along it just didn't make sense anymore.  We had to eat separately from the kids and we really wanted to all be able to sit at one table and enjoy our meals together.  

I moved two of the stools over to the counter. 

Turns out that the kids are still too small to actually sit at on the bench so this is how it looks now.  Thankfully my father-in-law is in the restaurant equipment business so he loaned us these highchairs that we can scoot up to the table.

You know what?  That's okay!  At least we are all sitting together now and can eat as a family!  Highchairs are temporary, right?  (Can't say that I'm gonna miss them though!)