FRIDAY FIVE // ANIMALS

I feel like I'm living in a zoo lately.  My little tasmanian devil has definitely been keeping me busy - whether I'm cleaning up the destruction after Tornado Luke, helping him save the world from evil or battling him over taking a nap - and I am tired.  But, what's a zoo without a multitude of animals, right?  We already have an owl, an octopus and a fish but a proper zoo needs more. These Friday Five finds are all a bit on the wild side - just like Luke.

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I'm hoping things die down around here - or, at least, that Luke starts taking naps again because I'm really not ready for the glory days to be over.  Mama needs her breaks!

So, what animal decor makes you sing like a songbird?

GREEN THUMB - Spring Planting in February

While it's February and that means it is still winter in many parts of the world - here in my neck of the woods spring is right around the corner.  I have big plans for our yard that include a produce garden, a few new flower beds and new shrubs and trees.  We might not get to everything this year - especially since we're trying to do all this landscaping on a budget, but little by little we'll be checking items off our to do list starting this month.

We have a good base to start with and our yard has come a long way since we first moved in.  Just last year, we built a deck, installed a pea gravel pathway, built a garden arbor and added some flowers.  Then fall came calling and I dug up all the flowers I had planted around the trees and replanted them next to our arbor.

DIY DECOR: A Dark & Dated Ottoman Gets a Bright Update

Just like my trash to treasure cabinet, there's nothing better than taking a "seen-better-days" piece and transforming it into something beautiful.  This ottoman is no exception.  Plus, this had to be the one of the easiest upholstery projects in history - right up there with my chair cushion upholstery project!  If you can cut fabric and wield a staple gun then you can upholster a cushion.

I grabbed the piece from our local thrift shop for $3.99.  The floral needlepoint top was a little too traditional and dated for our home, but I knew with a little cleanup and update it could be a cool addition to our living room decor.

Clean It Up: All Natural Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

All the organizing and cleaning during the January Cure had me going through my cleaning products like wildfire.  Luckily I make my own all-natural homemade cleaners which are healthy and inexpensive.  I've already shared my recipes for liquid laundry detergent, powdered laundry detergent and lavender room spray.  In addition to those great cleaners, I also use an all-purpose spray to get all my surfaces sparkling clean.  Like all cleaners - you can add essential oils to give your home a fragrant boost.

All-Purpose Cleaner:

• 28 oz spray bottle
• 3 tsp. borax
• 1/2 tsp. liquid castille soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
  
• hot water

Mix all together in the spray bottle then shake what ya mama gave ya.  This cleaner is safe on all surfaces and works great.  I used it on some tough stains (FYI:  coffee and unsealed grout Do.Not.Mix.)  Not to mention, it smells great!

So are you a loyal commercial brand cleaner or have you dabbled in some homemade versions?  What's your favorite?

Friday Five // Lovely

With Valentine's Day only 2 weeks away, this Friday Five has gone sentimental.  But, since I'm not really the lovey-dovey, pink hearts all up in my bidness type (aside from last year's 14 Days of Valentines) - I'm doing it my way.  Whether it's two parakeets sitting in a tree or a pair of quirky Mr and Mrs highball glasses - these are all things that represent love and, frankly, that I'd love to have.

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So how are you spending the 14th?  With loved ones or hitting the town single-style?  I, for one, will be greeting my husband home from work looking fab in my sweats and my pretty much permanent top knot hair style - Eat Your Heart Out.