I have a confession to make. I get on my kids’ case all the time about cleaning up after themselves, but deep down inside, I’m pretty sure they get their messy tendencies from me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love to have a clean house, but I just don’t love making it that way. I may be a homemaker, but I’m no housekeeper. In fact, I wrote a whole post about how and why I never Spring clean. It’s worth a read too, if you’re a reluctant cleaner like me. This week, I’ve been helping a friend get her house ready to sell, which includes a lot of… Keep Reading
Get Outside! With a Free Camping Checklist
Time to go Camping! Y’all, it’s hot outside. I mean what-happened-to-Spring-how-did-we-end-up-in-the-middle-of-Summer hot. Around here, we escape to the mountains whenever the desert gets too hot and dry. One of the best things about New Mexico is the mountains are never far away, and they are always cool and refreshing. Where it All Started A few years ago, we bought our first camper, a sweet little vintage Apache pop-up camper. I really had no interest in camping before that. My husband is an outdoors-man who loves hiking, backpacking, and generally any sport that requires peeing in the woods. Me, not so much. I’ll take my “roughing it” with a side of comfort… Keep Reading
Get Ready for the Holidays with Basic Invite
Is it already that time of year again? How can that be? Here we are pulling together last minute Halloween costumes, and I’m busy thinking about Christmas cards, ornaments, and winter decor. It seems like the end of October cascades headlong into the holiday season, and I’m never ready. But this year, I’m getting ahead of the rush! Let’s just be honest, this proactive turn of events is not because I’m so organized. It’s only because Basic Invite asked me recently if I’d like to check out some of their invitations and greeting card products. I’m so thankful that they reached out to me, not just because they have a fabulous… Keep Reading
$100 Room Challenge Breakfast Nook Reveal
Reveal day is my favorite part of the $100 Room Challenge! I love to see a project come together, and it’s even better when you get to see all your friends’ projects come together! This month I gave my breakfast nook a little makeover, and I’m amazed at the difference a few little details can make. One month and $100 doesn’t seem like much to go on, but it gets the job done! Before we get to the big reveal, let’s take a quick look back. If you’re just joining us, check out my previous posts about this challenge: Week 1 ~ Week 2 ~ Week 3 Then take a… Keep Reading
Breakfast Nook Bench Makeover for the $100 Room Challenge
This week’s bench makeover project for the $100 Room Challenge is all about making storage pretty and functional, one of my favorite DIY subjects. Last week’s Farmhouse Table project was tough, so I was ready for an easier challenge this week. We all need storage. And we all want a pretty house. So when the two come together, it’s the perfect match! This week I gave my IKEA Kallax bookshelf benches a little makeover. (Did you know the Kallax, or Expedit, shelves can lie on their sides and turn into benches?) They are the perfect piece to add function, storage, and now color, to this eat-in breakfast area. ~ This… Keep Reading
WAHM Insider Secrets: Change Your Life From the Comfort of Home
What’s a WAHM, you say? It’s short for Work-At-Home-Mom. If you’ve ever wondered how I make my little business work for me, or how work-at-home-moms (WAHM’s) make money, I’m spilling secrets today. Remember last week I shared my angst over the beginning of summer, and the end-of-my-work-schedule-as-I-know-it for the next two months? I gave you my feeble attempt at attaining work-life balance as a Work at Home Mom. (Go check it out if you haven’t already.) Well, today, I’m bringing you a little something more. Actually, a LOT of something more. ~This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission, at no extra charge… Keep Reading
Save Summer with this Free Printable Calendar
Hello Summer, goodbye schedule! Work-at-home Moms of school-aged kids, I know you feel me on this one. As school winds down, you find yourself putting together teacher gifts, planning class parties, and wondering how you forget every year that the last couple of weeks of May are not a time for work, but a time for end of school activities, meaning less time to finish up all the projects you wanted to get done while the kids were in school all day. And you’re panicking about getting a running start on summer so that you can get some work done while still spending quality time with your kids. Because let’s… Keep Reading
Free Printable Paint Can Labels
I love organization. I love it when everything has a place and happily occupies that place. Labels are my friend. Marie Kondo is my spirit animal. Sadly, my love affair with organization is often thwarted by my nemesis, Real Life. I’m currently working on a mural for my office which involves 17 colors of paint. (I can’t wait to show it to you!) That’s a lot of different cans of paint. And that got me thinking about how I organize my paint cans. ~This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. Thanks for supporting The Palette Muse!~ The problem for painters Whether you’re… Keep Reading
What is a 14-in-1 Painter’s Tool?
I love multi-tools. I have a Swiss army knife, a Leatherman, and even one of those flat credit card sized tools that can do 12 different things but probably can’t be legally carried on an airplane. Today I almost bought a cute little combination flashlight/bottle opener at the checkout at Lowe’s, before I realized I was already carrying both those tools on me at the time, in the form of other multi-tools. Basically, if you can make my life easier and more efficient, you have my heart. So when I was killing time at the hardware store the other evening, waiting for my hubby to choose between two different styles… Keep Reading
How to Clean Between the Glass Door of your Maytag Oven
Today might not be one of my most artistic and creative posts, but since I’m getting my house ready to sell, you guys will have to bear with me as I drag you through some home maintenance with me. The good news is if you have a Maytag oven (or similar glass front oven) you can benefit from my messes. Disclaimer: Since posting this hack, I’ve had a few people chastise me in the comments section for doing it wrong. I NEVER want to lead you guys astray, and just because it worked for me may not mean it will work for everyone. So read on, and if you try… Keep Reading