Weekend Wrap-Up, and More! {DIY, Food, Thankful, Sandy Relief and How you Can Help}

I'm alive!  Of course if you are following me on {Facebook}, {Twitter} or {Instagram}, you knew this... if not, you should! *wink*

{Where I've Been...}

I took a much needed mental break.  You see, my brain works overtime coming up with awesome ideas, which I welcome... but unfortunately, along the way I sort of overwhelmed myself and had to step away to recharge.  We all need a little recharging every once in a while, right?

As you may or may not know, working from home and managing a business is a lot of work, never mind when one is also managing a family with active children and has a hardworking, yet supportive, spouse who is the main source of income for the household.   

During my re-grouping session (doesn't that sound professional?) I took a look at the big picture that is my life; I saw that I needed to re-prioritize my time to give my brain a break so that I can be present, physically and mentally, for my family, my business, this blog and for myself, too.

Here's some of what I've been up to, I'll fill you in on other goings on over the next week or so...

{DIY: My Master Bathroom Re-Do}

  It has been over a year since the fire in our home, and while most of the big work is finished, there is still kitchen back-splash to be hung, trim to be caulked and painted, and some other small painting projects.  I went through my list for the summer, and then accomplished very little... to get back into the swing I decided to take on a smaller DIY project of re-doing our master bathroom:

Un-Primed Builder Beige, blah!

Freshly Painted Grey

It was dark out when I took this photo, still the same grey!

I was excited to try homemade chalk paint for the first time with this DIY project.  I painted the shelves, which you can see were a dark cherry color in the Before picture, a light, almost-white, color called "Sweet Leaf". 

More about this re-do, including an actual After picture once it's complete, along with paint color info, the chalk paint recipe I used and my inspiration for it, coming soon.

I also lined the DIY Roman Shades from this post, and replaced the slats because our cat, Jack Bauer, jacked them all up... pun intended, ha!

The shade on the left is lined, right is unlined, see the difference?!

I'll update my DIY Roman Shade Post with How-To info along with Pros and Cons to the Mini-Blind Roman Shades!

{Good Eats: What I've been cooking}

I've been doing a great job of meal planning... well, for me anyway.  Since we are gone for gymnastics practice three evenings a week, I've been trying my best to make crock-pot and easy-to-cook meals.  But also, I've just been enjoying cooking for my family in general.  Here is some of what we've been eating.

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Thick-sliced italian bread French Toast, Baked Bacon, Mocha French Roast Coffee, Freshly Juiced Pineapple-Orange Juice.

Dinner: Country Ribs, Roasted Brussles Sprouts, Sauteed Sweet Potato w/Brown Sugar

This morning we had Steel Cut Oats- My little chicks loved this breakfast!- Inspired by this Pinterest Pin:

Source: thekitchn.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Follow Me on {Pinterest}

Want recipes? Let me know in the comments and I'll put a post up for ya!

{Thankful in November}

Everyone else is doing this, and it's a fabulous Idea, so I'm jumping on the bandwagon... I'll follow-up via Instagram & Twitter #ThankfulInNovember, but here are my first five:

1- I'm thankful for, this guy:  

I couldn't ask for a better friend, husband, and father to our girls, to spend forever with.

2- I'm thankful for, this chick: 

My first little chick-a-dee was born a preemie, at 5 1/2 weeks early, and weighed 4lbs 14oz. I couldn't be more proud of this girl, she cracks me up, loves school like it's cool, all while managing to excel in gymnastics and girl scouts. *tear*

3- I'm thankful for, this chick: 

My littlest chickie, does most everything on her terms... Miss Southern Diva, 'nuff said!

4- I'm thankful for, Coffee... because this is true:

5- I'm thankful for my Nan's Brother sewing machine, because, let's face it, it started it all!

{Hurricane / Superstorm Sandy Relief: How you can help}

I am thinking about everyone who has been affected by this storm.  Being that I am from NY, I am proud to say that if anyone knows how to pull together and get through tragedy, it's New Yorkers, but even they need a hand... here's what you can do to get involved and help everyone affected by this storm:

-Donate to the American Red Cross, here.  Or, you can text REDCROSS to 90999, which will donate $10 to disaster relief efforts from Superstorm Sandy.  It doesn't get any easier than that.

-Quilt Relief: Another way to help is to send your finished quilt tops to be quilted and donated to those in need.  So many people are still without power, and homes.  It's Novemvber and cold in the North East... a quilt can bring warmth and comfort.  Here's more info on how you can get involved: eQuilter Quilt Relief

Thank you to Lisa, @CrazyQuiltyGirl, for donating her time and tweeting about this project!

* * *

Sign up for the SoChick Newsletter, which will go out this week, for info on my Handbags Shop and Fabric Shoppe Sales for the Holidays!  (Sign up is in the right column.)

Whew!  I think that's enough for one day!  Leave me a comment if you have any questions,  would like a recipe, or just to say Hi!.  You're comments make my day, I love to know if you're reading!

XxOo~ Melissa

National Sewing Month {My Sewing Pins}

September is National Sewing Month, to celebrate I'm sharing my sewing-related Pinterest boards:

{Sewing}
Tutorials and other sewing related goodies.

{Quilts to Try}
Pretty self-explanatory, I keep inspiring quilty ideas here.

{Shop Dreams}
One day I want my own little sewing shoppe... each of these pins shares something that I'd love in my shop.

What hobby boards do you have?  I'd love to see them, share a link in the comments!

XxOo~ Melissa

Pinterest Confession: What I Pinned Yesterday

I've spent some time away from Pinterest... I know, crazy, right?! Well, the good news is that yesterday I hopped back in the Pinning Saddle, and started pinning, and repinning, some great ideas.


Here are a few of my favs:


{Family Management Center}

Source: lovelycraftyhome.com via Melissa on Pinterest

{Homework Station}

Source: sunflowerstocacti.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

{Bento Lunches}

Source: easylunchboxes.smugmug.com via Melissa on Pinterest

{Herb Garden}

Source: instructables.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Mostly, I found that I was looking forward to staying organized for the fast approaching new school year... and next years herb garden!  


What have you been pinning lately?  You can follow my boards at TheSoChickChick.

I hope to share a fun sewing project with you next week, and don't forget about the SUMMER SALE in the Shop right now! 


Have a great weekend!


XxOo~ Melissa

New Shades! [My Completed Pinterest-Inspired DIY]

Finally! Finally, finally, finally...I have finished the Roman Shades that I talked about doing, what seems like, forever ago.  And let me tell you... it feels Soooo grand to have this checked off of my DIY to-do list.  


What started as an idea to fix what my pup started turned into a necessity once we met with certain misfortune... throw in the holidays, and this project seemed it may never happen.


You can read about my original inspiration, and view the Pin, HERE.


The basic idea was to create custom Roman Shade-styled window treatments using fabric I love and mini-blinds.  The original idea is a no-sew, meaning you can just use good craft glue and make some blinds... easy peasy, right? Right... unless you are me and need to complicate your life.  Which, to me, isn't complicating, really... I think of it more as the "finishing touches"... or Icing on the cake?  I just like to have a more tailored look.


Anyway, here's what I changed from the original Pin:


I pressed and hemmed my fabric to be 1/2in wider than my blinds.  I'm not crazy about folding the fabric to the back of the blinds to glue, mostly because I'm one of those people who think about what the folks walking past my house may think.  (Note: I do not think there is a problem with folding the fabric to the back, it is just not my preference... don't judge me *wink*)

I then glued the top of my fabric to the top rail** of the mini blinds and marked for the slats every 9inches all the way down the fabric.  (This means I only needed 5 slats plus the bottom bar.)

**I glued to the back side of the top rail, meaning once my shades are mounted, the cord and little hook for the turning rod (that you don't need) will be on the window side.  This makes for a smooth finish to the front of my blinds.

Then, using fabric glue, and my trusty pointer finger, I smeared glue all along the convex side of the mini-blind slats, working with one at a time and keeping clear of the space the cord passes through. (I'd say I left 1/2in to either side of the cord, free of glue.)

I then aligned the edge of the slat with the 9inch marks and carefully rolled them onto the flat, smooth fabric.

I pressed the slat to the fabric then gently rolled up my fabric and slats so that I could smooth and press (with my hands, not an iron) the fabric on the front side of the slat as well.

Once I got to the bottom bar, I smeared the glue along the underside and short side of it and smoothed my fabric again... I trimmed off any remaining fabric.


I mounted them as I would normally install mini-blinds and here they are:

Aww, hi Marilyn! I mean, who? what? No, hunny, I don't see Marilyn on the couch! *wink* 

You must know by now that I loooove Amy Butler's Daisy Chain line and I looooove these shades.  They filter the light just enough, and the colors, the pattern... L-O-V-E.


I'm considering making a small valance to go across the top of them... what do you think?


I'm excited for the living room to be 100% finished, but that won't be until I get the sectional slip-covered... and that may take a while. *wink* 


Have you completed a Pinterest-Inspired DIY? Have you made your own version of these Roman Shades? Please tell me in the comments!



XxOo~ Melissa

Cozy Christmas Thoughts {via Pinterest}

December is here and with it has come cooler weather for eastern North Carolina.  Now that its actually a little chilly outside, I feel like it's safe to have warm and cozy thoughts of Christmas... without breaking a sweat! *wink*


I have been working on Christmas orders this week and started my Pandora Christmas Radio station yesterday.  I love, love, LOVE, the old classic Christmas music.  Sure, I like some new stuff, too... but more the old traditional.  I like the nostalgia it brings.


~Dean Martin singing 'Baby It's Cold Outside'


~Lou Monte and 'Dominick The Donkey' (if you're not from up North... you may not know this one, but it's a classic!)


~The Home Alone Soundtrack!!


~Frank Sinatra ~ 'I'll Be Home for Christmas'


~Elvis and... well, any Elvis Christmas song will do, thank you!


Here are some Pinterest Pins that also give me warm-fuzzies for the Holidays:


I am 98% sure my Nan had these mugs!

Source: flickr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I can hardly wait for my little chicks to be old enough to bring to NYC for Christmas.. I'm not a fan of super cold, but I could totally suck it up to show them the beautiful sights of the city at Christmastime... I have a lot of great memories of growing up north of the City and visiting during the holidays:

Source: ecofriend.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Yummy treats for your hot cocoa and all the joys of Holiday baking:

Source: goodhousekeeping.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Of course Rudolph makes us smile:

Source: acartoonchristmas.com via Melissa on Pinterest

The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.. a great memory of mine, I can't wait to take my girls one day...

Source: squidoo.com via Melissa on Pinterest

What gets you in the Christmas spirit?  Share with me in the comments...


XxOo~ Melissa

This Chick's Holiday Planning Guide {& Personal To-Do List}

I've been so slack in blogging and doing anything online lately.  I'm feeling sort-of lame about it... sorry.  


As any small business owner knows, the Holiday Season = Busy Season... and if you're a Handmade Business Owner who participates in Holiday Craft Shows, Holiday Festivals and Markets... then Handmade Holiday Season = Super Busy Season.


If you don't own a business, it surely doesn't mean you aren't busy this time of year... here is my {Non-Business} Holiday and Personal To-do List... because, let's face it... the Holiday Season comes with a lot of pressure and as I've said in past posts, it's best to be over prepared... And at Holiday Time, Being Prepared = Less Stress, and Less Stress = a More Enjoyable Holiday for all involved! *wink*


My Holiday Season is as Follows:
~Littlest Chickie's B-Day: Nov 22nd
~Thanksgiving
~Christmas (With random work-related festivals, girl scout events and school events thrown in the mix)
~Planning for a New Year's Commitment (I know this is WAY advance planning, I'm just tacking it onto my list, because I need to factor it in, but I'll go into it in another post.)


The SoChick Chick's Holiday Guide {& To-Do List}:


~Clean and Unclutter Your Home:
     If you are expecting guests, and even if you aren't, a clean and tidy house is going to take loads of stress out of your day and holiday prep-time.  Start now by tackling a 'serious' spot once or twice a week. 
    Tackling big jobs now will make future tidying sessions quicker and easier, which are key-words when prepping for guests.  And let's face it, who really enjoys the mad-dash to clean the day before your guests come?! (Not this chick)
  How I'm Preparing: painting trim-work, having the carpet cleaned and installing beadboard wainscot in the kitchen, organizing and decluttering the closets in prep for seasonal wardrobe change and new Christmas toys/clothes for the kids.  I would also be very happy to have the gallery wall in our livingroom up... here's an inspiration photo:

Source: google.ca via Melissa on Pinterest\

~Gather Holiday Inspiration
  Want to make a wreath for fall AND Christmas?  How about those way cute Holiday cards and handmade gifts you've been pinning all year?  Want to give handmade gifts this year? NOW is the time to start getting all your ducks in a row, if you haven't already, by going through your Pinterest Pins and gathering your dog-eared magazines together.  Sit and sort through what you can realistically manage for this season.  Be sure to save anything that may take more time, for next year... when you will start planning sooner, right?! Right!  

My go-to mags for Holiday Inspiration!

~Plan The Menu(s):
  Okay, so I know the Christmas Better Homes & Gardens and Southern Living issues aren't out just yet (soon my darlings, soon), but you can still get your Thanksgiving Menu together and an idea of what you're doing for Christmas.
  I like to plan for day-of snacks and such, the Big Meal, dessert, and the next day or two worth of leftover meals...  Okay, I'll admit that I can eat plate after plate of Thanksgiving Dinner and Turkey Sandwiches, but add some spice to life and make something different with your left overs; you never know what may become a new family tradition!  Last year, I used leftover Christmas Ham to make Cuban sandwiches... it was so easy to put a pork roast in the crock-pot the morning after Christmas Day and spend the day relaxing and unwinding from the Christmas Festivities while spending time with family. I plan to do that again this year!)

~Make Lists & Gather Supplies/Ingredients:

I love lists! Seriously, how annoying is it to have a great plan for something only to head out to the store and not find what you need?!  Very!  Not to mention, people get a little crazy around the holidays (more on that in another post).  Once you've decided on the crafts, cards, decor, and food you want to use for the holidays, make lists of what you'll need and start gathering supplies and ingredients.

Since Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away, you really should start now by picking up the things you know you'll need for the big day... and especially if you plan to bake, start stocking up on all of the things you know you'll need, even if your Christmas baking list isn't ready, you still have an idea of what you'll use the most.  Again, it's no fun to plan to make your Grandmother's Famous Cookies when you can't find walnuts at the store because you waited till the last minute!  As an added bonus, by making lists and gathering things over time, you are being easier on your wallet, and less likely to over-spend!

~Schedule Your Time & Set Deadlines:
  Of course you'll schedule your time for the Big Meal, right? Like all of the magazines tell you to?  So you aren't running around like a crazy lady on The Big Day? Well, you should!  Aside from that, i'm also talking about the time it will take to do your crafts, make your gifts, when you should send your cards... etc.
  How I'm Preparing:
  [This week] Planning home decor crafts for thanksgiving and Christmas, already made & hung my Fall Wreath, making lists for handmade gifts and scheduling time to make them, deciding on what to do for Littlest Chickie's 3rd b-day.
  [Next Week] Deciding on Holiday Cards (and making or ordering them), starting crafts and handmade gifts
 [Week of Thanksgiving] Gathering like-items together at home, along with the Menu, double-checking schedule for cooking times, etc.
 [First week after Thanksgiving] Mailing Christmas Cards (I want to send them by Dec 1st this year!), Christmas decor crafts with the kids, pulling out and putting up Christmas Decorations and Tree
 [Dec 14th] My personal deadline for mailing handmade gifts, and Christmas shopping so I can spend the last weeks baking and prepping for Christmas Eve and Day! Yippie!

I know this sounds so structured, but it's meant more as a guideline to help keep the stress down so you can really enjoy your Holidays... and not to mention, posting this keeps me accountable! *wink*

How do you prepare for the Holidays? Do you make lists?  How do you keep up with all of the commitments of your "Holiday Season" while still enjoying it and having your family enjoy a happy, stress-free less-stressed, you?

* * *

I can't wait to share the plan for my New Year's Commitment in the next few days, I'll need some input and advice for sure, that's why I'm planning ahead!

See you soon!

XxOo~ Melissa

Just Sayin' [A Pinterest Board]

Another case of the Mondays?  I can honestly say that I haven't had a serious "Case of the Mondays" since I started working for myself.  A 'Case of the Tuesdays', maybe; 'Wednesdays'.. sure, just not 'the Mondays'.

BUT, that's not to say that one of you, my fabulous readers, isn't dreading the start of the work week... and for that I decided to share this look at my {Just Sayin'} Pinterest Board, Enjoy!

Source: ffffound.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: oliverandlillys.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: society6.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: sallyanneearp.wordpress.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: sequins-stripes.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Now go out there and have a Fabulous Monday!


XxOo~ Melissa

Inspiration Workshop [Family Room]

I took a few weeks off, but today I'm back to linking with Gussy over at Gussy Sews for this week's installment of Inspiration Workshop.

The Prompt {Family Room}

This prompt couldn't have come at a better time since we are currently in the process of re-doing the downstairs of our Townhouse, thanks to the fire in our laundry room.

Our home isn't huge, but it works for us.  Our Living Room IS our Family Room.  We have two little chicks, two dogs and a cat, so space as well as functionality is big for us.  It's also important that we are able to tidy up the day's chaos to allow ourselves to relax in the evening... here are some of my most recent Pinterest Pins with my family room inspiration.

Gray walls with white trim & slipcovers 

(which I plan to make for our sectional):

Source: bhg.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I love the navy thrown in the mix here...

with the casual, yet crisp, feel of this room:

Source: houzz.com via Melissa on Pinterest

We have a living room wall that has a funny angle b/c of the stairway;

I plan to make it a Gallery wall:

Source: bhg.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Love the dark, but not too dark, wood floors in this room...

just like what I've been looking at:

Source: danielleoakeyinteriors.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Also, would love to add fun items, like this subway board,

to add more casual-ness to the gray/white scheme:

Source: asaltbox.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Finally, this is my fabric inspiration for the Family Room/Living room:
(the plan is to make roman shades with this Amy Butler fabric, flanked by white/ivory linen drapes)

Source: fabric.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I really love Pinterest for making this whole re-model thing a little bit easier!

XxOo~ Melissa

Pinterest & Fall '11 Color Inspiration

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  I'm kind-of sort-of ready for this busy week month.  I can't believe we're a week into August already?! Whaaaat?!

Lots going on in my world...
School starts back on or around the 25th, with my daughter going into 3rd grade. *sigh* They grow so fast! With that comes Gymnastics and Girl Scouts.  I'm also planning to attend the local farmer's market in two weeks; I'll be working like crazy for that, as well as trying to get some fall product up in the shop!

Needless to say, my To-Do List doesn't look like this:

Source: whereisthecool.blogspot.com via Christian on Pinterest

(10 points if you know who's list this is... hint: He's a Pink Starfish and his BFF is a fry-cook)

Fall is what I'm trying to plan for, mostly.  This is a big deal for me, it still being summer time and all... I'm big on Summer, I love the heat, the sunshine, the beach, shorts, skirts, flipflops, long days... you get the idea... I tend to not even think of fall until it's actually here, well, that's not going to work for productivity, now is it? *wink*


Enter: Pinterest
I know I've mentioned this site in the past, but if you're still not sure what it is, here's the scoop:

Pinterest is a 'virtual pinboard' where you can pin images, ideas and such from the web into one place, share your ideas/inspiration with others, use it to plan, organize or just keep track of stuff you like.

Here's their About Page

If you want an Invite, I have a few... just ask *wink*


This is what I saw this morning when I went to my Pinterest page:

Lots of pretty and inspiring stuff, right? Right!

...Get on with it, Melissa...

Okay, so I'm using Pinterest to organize my fall color inspiration... 

First, by pinning Pantone's Fall 2011 color pallete:

Source: indieprettyprojects.com via Melissa on Pinterest

(Soooo fabulous!)


Once I knew where things were going with color I started pinning some inspirational photos, so I can plan my fabric choices and designs from there.
NOTE: I am still very driven by my own, personal, style toward fabrics, design and color and will deviate from trends when I see something I like and feel other's will appreciate as well.. this is strictly a jumping-off point for me.


Here's my fall color inspiration:

♥ Bamboo

Source: etsy.com via Melissa on Pinterest

♥ Honeysuckle

Source: etsy.com via Melissa on Pinterest

♥ Phlox

Source: etsy.com via Melissa on Pinterest

♥ Deep Teal

Source: etsy.com via Melissa on Pinterest

♥ Coffee and Nougat

Source: etsy.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Off to tackle that To Do list... Have a great Monday!!

XxOo~ Melissa