Welcome to a new mini-series here on the blog, all about hosting your own vacation rental property! While I’m normally all about DIY Projects, Crafts, and Flipping Houses, today I’m kicking off a new series that goes along with my latest project outside the blog. But first, a little background information. Let me tell you a little story about how I accidentally became a landlord. As you may know, my design partner Jana and I flip houses as a little side business. I say “little” because we’re not a big operation like the HGTV gurus who do dozens of homes a year. We don’t have a lot of time or… Keep Reading
Progress in the Office for the $100 Room Challenge
This week’s $100 Room Challenge post is all about progress, not perfection. If you’re new to the $100 Room Challenge, check out the first post in this series to get an idea of what’s going on. Then come right back here and I’ll catch you up. Inevitably in any project there comes a time when you’re just working. And working. It’s not pretty, it’s not glamorous, and it’s not really photo-worthy, but it’s got to be done. That’s the moment when I like to look for small victories and celebrate them, because I believe all the big things in life are really just made up of lots and lots of… Keep Reading
9 Genius Cleaning Hacks from a Messy Mama
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