Organized Spices (Take Two)

One of the things I've been meaning to tackle for awhile is organizing my spice drawer.  About two years ago, I emptied all my mis-matched spice containers into 4.5 ounce glass containers (from Crate & Barrel) and affixed clear labels to them.  You can see the original post, from July 2010, here.  (Wow, one of my first posts- so funny to look back!).  My spices were prettily displayed on my countertop on a lazy susan and we were getting along very well.

Until I wanted to clear my counter space, and relocated the spice jars to the top drawer near our stove.  Problem was, I couldn't see what the spices were without picking them up.  Kind of a problem.  I saw Martha Stewart's new line of organizational items at Staples over the weekend and picked up some labels.  The small round labels I used for the spice jars fit perfectly, and although it's hard to tell in my photos, they have an aqua border on them.

It's so much better being able to open the door and know what I'm looking at.  And of course I alphabetized them. 

I didn't see how I could feed these labels through the printer, so my handwriting had to do.  I used my all-time-favorite-pen, a fine point sharpie.

The awesome thing about these jars is that the mouth is wide enough to fit a tablespoon into for easy measuring. 

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My Favorite Free Fonts

As you know, I have a thing for fonts and I don't like paying for them:)  All the fonts I use on my blog I downloaded from the internet for FREE!  Below are a list of my favorite fonts, and below that, where to find them.

Go to the websites listed below, and search for the font you want to download.

DaFont.com has the following fonts:

Angelina

Before the Rain

Black Jack Regular

Budmo Jiggler

Channel Slanted

Dear Joe

Honey Script

Many Weatz

Riskrift Clean

Scriptina

Shadows into Light

Simply Glamorous

Snickles

Fontspace.com has the following fonts:

Crushed

Disco

Handford Script

Quicksand

Respective Slanted

Vaguely Fatal

Worstveld Sling Extra Oblique

Yellowtail

Fonts101.com has the following fonts:

Hana

Saginaw

FontSquirrel.com has the following fonts:

Rock Salt

St. Marie Thin

ScrapbookingFonts.com has the following fonts:

Olive Oil

I couldn't find "Maximo" any longer, if you know where it is, please leave me a comment so I can update this post:)

On my computer, I have these fonts in a folder labeled "favorites" and I love that I can see at a glance what the font looks like.

Handmade Valentine {Heart Magnets}

Hi all!  I'm sending you a big 'ole fat Happy Valentine's wish to you today!  

I typically like to keep our refrigerator bare, but lately, I've found myself wanting to use the fridge to post notes, invites and reminders (truth is, if I don't write it down, I absolutely will not remember it).  But, when I went to pin something to the fridge, I couldn't find a magnet in our house.  So while I was at Michael's picking up some V-Day supplies, I added a pack of magnets to my basket and then glued them to the glitter hearts above and the clothespins below.  The adorable embellished clothespins were found in the dollar bin at Michaels.

Hope you have a great day filled with love.

Laundry Room Update & Repotted Faux Orchid

Wowza, talk about a busy weekend!  I've started planning James' 2nd birthday party, and if you follow me on Pinterest or Twitter, you've probably gathered by now it's going to be an Elmo party:)  I also worked on several projects around the house, cleaned, did laundry, and finished up gifts for teachers/secretary/hubby/baby Valentine's Day gifts.   I didn't make it to Urban Market or the gym, two places I had really high hopes for.  But on to some of the progress around the house . . .



I realized I've never shared our laundry room with you, mainly because there's not much to it- it's a small space with just enough room for the washer, dryer, overhead cabinets, and a nice granite sink.  I hadn't done anything to make it pretty since moving in and decided this weekend to fix it up.  I shopped the house to find a Home Goods mirror ($20), an old potted orchid (Pier One), and some scripture wall plaques that my best friend gave me years ago.

And after adding the decorative touches:

I repotted the faux orchid that I purchased ages ago at Pier One.  It originally came in a taupe/brown colored clay pot that I spray painted white during a white-obsessed phase a few years back.  During the holidays, I bought a shiny silver pot at Crate & Barrel, but never got around to doing anything with it.  I like the bigger size and color of the CB pot and ended up repotting my orchid.  

Adding a mirror, some art, and a faux plant really makes the room much more welcoming.  And don't we need some welcoming when doing laundry??  

Hope y'all have a great week!

Houston Urban Market

The Urban Market is in Houston this weekend.  It's an outdoor antiques show with lots of home decor and unique pieces for sale.  I've never been, but have always wanted to go and plan to this year.  Any of you in my area going?

via La Dolce Vita

Saturday, February 11 - 3pm-6pm

Sunday, February 12 - 9am-4pm

NEW Location:

The Bayou City Event Center

9401 Knight Road

Houston, Texas  77045

*just South of 610/Reliant Stadium

V-Day Hints

Hey hubby, hint, hint :) 

via

Of course, you can never go wrong with 

via



Or my all.time.favorite





via



What's on your V-Day list??

baby james {22 & 23 months}

These last two months have heard James talking and talking and talking. His sweet little baby voice is my favorite.  We have actual conversations and he absolutely delights me.   I accidentally bumped him the other day and he said, "Careful mama."  Then I was trying to put nose drops in his nose while he squirmed away and said sternly, "Don't like it!"



He's like a parrot repeating everything you say.  Now I know when I hang up the phone I usually say, "okay, bye" because James has been mimicking me saying the same thing.  And he carries around my old Blackberry talking on the phone all the time.  He even holds it between his ear and shoulder.

He loves to go to "Starbuck's" and drink his "chocolate milk."  He gets in "mama's car" and always wants to "drive."  Last night, he wanted to do "laundry" and pulled his laundry basket into the laundry room and opened the washing machine.

I'm always getting down to eye level because I just love looking at him and I love to look him in the eye.  He's still so little but such an individual and turning into such a little boy. 

He's really friendly to everyone and will engage anyone who pays him attention.  So funny when he spotted this little boy down below.

He gets so excited when he hits the ball.  And he loves his "Muno" shoes.  He's trying to help me get him undressed and dressed but can't quite do it yet- he wants to though.

When he reads, before he identifies something he says, "whatsat?"  I guess I've asked him a million times, "What's that?" 

He has such a sweet, fun-loving spirit.  He loves to go to "church" and "praise Jesus."  He sings the alphabet, lots of nursery rhymes (This Old Man and Old McDonald are current favorites).  He's figured out how to operate his CD player and will play his "Snuggle Puppy" song over and over. 

Love this little guy.  We say, "I love you SOOOO MUCH!!"  He melts my heart.  Hearing, "Love you Mana" is the best thing ever.  Or when he wants a "hug" and puts his little arms around my neck and lays his head on my shoulder.  He knows we "hold hands" in the parking lot and now automatically reaches for my hand.   

He will be 2 years old next month! 

Time to P * A * R * T * Y ! ! !