Busy Bees are buzzing at Butterscotch Lady’s House~

Spring has definitely sprung here at our house!

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I have been a busy bee organizing closets

{Before pic of my side of our "quaint" (teeny tiny!) master closet}

{Before pic of my side of our “quaint” (teeny tiny!) master closet}

{Mr. Cabana's side of our oh so glamorous closet}

{Mr. Cabana’s side of our oh so glamorous closet}

Several years ago we put a closet organizer from The Container Store in our closet which helped tremendously with space organization.  I love that they closet system gives us the option to change it around if we wanted.  Not that we really have any other options other than how it is now…

I am a tad OCD, so my clothes are always organized by color.  But the different colored plastic hangers drove me cRaZy!!!  I found a great deal on the space saver, “velvet” covered hangers at Burlington Coat Factory (25 for $9.99).

 

Source: burlingtoncoatfactory.com via Butterscotch Lady on Pinterest

I was surprised by what a huge difference changing the hangers would make to our closet, not only the look, but also by the space saved.  Plus, now the hangers slide on the metal bar just like at the store.

I had clear plastic boxes on the upper shelf for hats, gloves, sweaters…Sure, they were functional, but not cute.  At all!  So I just had to pick up these adorable hat boxes from HomeGoods for $20.

Who doesn’t want to feel like you are in a boutique whenever you are “shopping” in your own closet?   Too bad my wardrobe doesn’t really feel like “boutique clothing”.  But hey, a girl can fantasize, right?

So for about $65, we have a closet that functions better for us and looks WAY better!  And the best part?  I had a gift card to use!!!

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{Hat boxes from HomeGoods}

{Hat boxes from HomeGoods}

{After}

{After}

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A busy bee organizing drawers…

Buddy and Baby Girl are now old enough that it is great to have them help us out with chores around the house.  But… After they have emptied the dishwasher, it is really frustrating to not be able to actually find anything!

So my OCD kicked in again, and I thought how about if I label where everything goes?  It will make their job easier to find where everything belongs and then I can find it when I need it.  So with Mr. Cabana shaking his head at me, that is exactly what I did.  And you know what?  IT WORKS!!!!

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After several weeks, I am still able to find what I need and it makes me happy to open a drawer and it looks organized. Plus, now all of my friends can find the wine opener!

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And  a busy bee “organizing” a big spring project…

I have also been busy cutting up wood from our patio cover that we have been tearing down.  We LOVE the weather of So. Cal.  The termites that LOVE it here too?  Not so much…

{My Dad taught me how to use a Sawzall.  A saw with a long thing blade.  I am woman, hear me roar!}

{My Dad taught me how to use a Sawzall. A saw with a long thing blade. “I am woman, hear me roar!” Chicks like power tools too!}

I look forward to posting pictures of our new patio cover once we buy the wood, cut the wood, paint the wood, construct with the wood… Hopefully I can post the pics sooner rather than later!

Also, I have been a busy crafting bee  for a Spring Boutique my girlfriends and I had.  But I will save those pictures for another day. I need to get to my hive, err, I mean my house chores!

Until next time,

Butterscotch Lady

 

Baby Girl’s Annual Valentine “Tea” Party

Remember, I am all about party door decor!

Remember,
I am all about party door decor!

I know Valentine’s Day was nearly two weeks ago, so I apologize for posting this blog a tad late.  But hey, it is still February!

As I wrote in last years blog about Baby Girl’s traditional party, I started the party to help foster a fondness of the holiday by showering her friends with love.  We see it as a day to celebrate her friendships with these fabulous girls!  We believe this day should not be just about couples and kissing and holding hands… Can’t you hear the ‘tweens screaming “EEEWWWWW!” But about celebrating our friendships too.

Even though we call it a “Tea” Party, there is no tea.  We have found hot chocolate to be much more popular as a hot beverage with this ‘tween group.  We also served pink lemonade, with a choice of egg salad or peanut butter & grape jelly on heart-shaped bread (made using a cookie cutter), mini donut skewers (very popular!), strawberries (brought by Lilly and her Mama Shannon) and delicious red velvet cupcakes made by our sweet friend Kanani and her Mama Kim.

My photographer friend Tracy (Photograph’s by Tracy) took some beautiful pictures for me.  My iTouch was all I used to take pictures.  I know, I know, WHAT was I thinking?!?!?  Well, I was thinking I have about 1 hour to pull off this shin dig and I was rushing around trying to have it all set up for Baby Girl’s guests (read my blog post “My Kinda Perfect“).  Sooo, you will probably see a difference in the quality of the pictures (plus, I am not a professional like Tracy!).  I am saving for an SLR camera that will help with the quality of  my pictures and therefore, hopefully your enjoyment of my blog!

So without further adieu,

Welcome to Baby Girl’s Valentine party!

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A cut piece of gingham fabric is is perfect for an inexpensive table cloth. I have used this piece over and over for tables and table scapes. I have left the edges raw and it still looks great!

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Lanterns helped to bring the color up to the ceiling and created a focal point for above the table.

Lanterns helped to bring the color up to the ceiling and created a focal point for above the table.

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The girls LOVED the mini donuts on the skewers.

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Shredded, crinkle paper adds a little pizzaz to the glasses with the cupcakes at each place setting.

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How cute are these mini donuts on wood skewers? Another hit with the girls!

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I just adore paper straws and use them every chance I get! Mr. Cabana and I found these perfect red and white stripped straws at Target in their Christmas section. If you happened to come after us, sorry!
We bought ALL that they had!

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Close up our Valentine garland we made by embellishing a chocolate garland found at Shinoda. We used wrapping paper, fabric tape, card board, paper tags and flowers.

Die cuts from Staple's taped onto wood skewers with questions for the girls to ask one another.  A BIG HIT!

Die cuts from Staple’s taped onto wood skewers with questions for the girls to ask one another.
A BIG HIT!

Ikea frames (2 pack), wrapping paper from Paper Source, card board and fabric tape.  "Instant" table art!

Ikea frames (2 pack), wrapping paper from Paper Source, card board and fabric tape. “Instant” table art!

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This is what I have said to my children every night when they are off to bed. I love that Buddy (15) still says it back to me!

This is what I have said to my children every night when they are off to bed. I love that Buddy (15) still says it back to me!

A little bottle of bubble bath soap in a "champagne" bottle.  $1 each @ Target

A little bottle of bubble bath soap in a “champagne” bottle. $1 each @ Target

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{Playhouse mural painted by Timree Gold.}

{ Paintings in the bay window were painted by Baby Girl and me and an art class at Timree’s Newport Beach studio. Stop by her website to sign up for a class.  Also visit her Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/timreeinc}

{Please don’t forget to LIKE my Facebook page and follow me on Pinterest.  Feel free to pin my pictures!

Not on Pinterest yet?  Leave a comment and I will invite to the site.}

Total cost of party $35 (for food).  Conversation sticks were made using supplies we already had.

So new decor items were to be purchased for this party. That made Mr. Cabana VERY happy!

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~Baby Girl and her Gal Pals~

~Baby Girl and her Gal Pals~

We hope you enjoyed coming to the party and perhaps picked up a few ideas for your next shin dig!

Until next time,

Butterscotch Lady

 

The Oscar’s is our Superbowl

My family and I love to watch movies both at home and in the theater.  I like just about most genre’s of movies from classics  to scary and all that is in between.  Some of my earliest memories are of watching movies with my parents at the local drive-in (long gone) “Blazing Saddles“, “Close Encounters […]

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Organizing My Party Pantry

BEFORE~

I have been busy organizing cupboards and closets (ok, really it is just one closet so far!) the last couple of weeks.  I feel like I am slowly making some progress.  I say slowly because we are on a budget and I can not justify going a one big spending spree at The Container Store, […]

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Let’s Party (Again!)

Let’s Party (Again!).

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“They was organized I tell you!” (Quote from the movie “Chicken Run”)

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Finally!!!  We have managed to put away our many, many totes of Christmas decorations into the attic.  Why does it feel like this process takes longer every year?   I am always excited when I am able to consolidate items and have one less tote to pack and put away.  Do you ever feel the […]

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Messages in a Mason Jar

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Since it is still only the second week of January, I thought I would share a new tradition my family started in 2011. Mr. Cabana and I have always made it a point to celebrate the New Year with Buddy and Baby Girl, whether it be playing games at my brother’s house or having friends […]

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Welcome 2013!

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It is Monday morning, January 7th.  I know that we are already one week into 2013, but for me it feels like today is the first day of the year.  Why, you may ask? The kids went back to school today. With that depressing event (oh, you should have heard them last night and this […]

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Oh My Gosh, the Wait is Over!!!!

It is not often that I am excited about yet another store coming to Surf City.  We have strip mall after strip mall after…You get the idea.   We have A LOT of shopping opportunities here.  I am a woman who likes to throw fab parties and decorate, so obviously I like to shop. But […]

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A “Glamping” We Will Go!

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The BIG 1-0!!!  Baby Girl has turned double digits! Come on in!  Your invited to celebrate us! To celebrate this momentous occasion, we decided to have a Glamping sleepover.  What is Glamping you ask?  ”Glamour Camping”!  Sure girls can rough it, but why not “rough” it in style?  For the first time ever, we were allowing a slumber […]

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