How To Remove Spray Paint From A Vinyl Fence

Unfortunately, a few weekends ago our white vinyl fence fell victim to GRAFFITI!

When we noticed the next day it gave me a stomach ache...
Who could do such a horrible thing?

We still don't know who was responsible, but the news reported over a hundred cars were tagged that weekend in a neighborhood close to ours.   The police officer said they were building a case & took down our information.  

Who knows if they'll ever figure out who it was, but it is saddening when your property gets ruined.

I really didn't think it would come off of our fence, but I did find a miracle product!

I purchased it at Walmart, but I'm sure you can find it at most home improvement stores too.

I took the Goof Off Graffiti Remover, a bucket with warm soapy water, two scrub brushes & a pair of  plastic gloves. 

 I used one brush to scrub & the other one for rinsing (our hose wasn't hooked up yet).

I just followed the instructions on the back of the can.
   It said to spray it onto the scrub brush & wipe the fence.  That didn't take it off for me, so I sprayed it right onto the fence & then scrubbed & rinsed.

 I can think of plenty of other ways I could of spent my time, but at least it did come off!

I had to scrub off at least 12 panels & It took over 2 hours!  My arms were tired by the end, but it felt like a miracle when it actually came off!
Now we are off do spend our third weekend in a row trying to dig a hole for a trampoline...

The projects never end! :)

The Little Things...

Do you ever find that sometimes it's the "little things" that make you happy.  

I'm always dreaming up different projects that I'd love to do like remodel our kitchen, add more wood molding or build a porch on the front of our house. The list could go on & on, but I actually find that it's something as little as getting a new wreath or moving things around my house that I already have that makes me just as happy!

Here are a few of the "little things" that I love to decorate with that make me happy!

Adding a green plant or a little bird to a table...

I got tired of the same wreath I'd had for years on my hall tree, so I lined a frame with scrapbook paper & tied a metal key with some ribbon & it was just the change I needed!

I also love something as simple as decorating with an initial...

This is in my entry.  You can see more of it HERE.

Another thing that is simple that can make a big change is spray paint!

I added touches of blue to my upstairs for a much needed change.

I did a whole post about it HERE.

Then when I found this cute magazine holder to put in my bedroom...it would make me happy every time I walked in the room!

It's probably because that space now has most of the things I love to decorate with...

An initial & a wreath!  

This space is also so bright & cheery, which I love!

All of these things are fun ways to make our home feel nice, but nothing makes me as happy as these cute faces...

What are the little things that make you happy?

I'm sharing with these blogs...

Thrifty Decor Chick
Finding Fabulous
Tatertots & Jello
Suburbs Mama
Lolly Jane

Homemade Oreo Cookies

This has been a family favorite for years!
They are my Mom's favorite cookie & she always requests them when I have to bring a dessert!

Homemade Oreo Cookie Recipe

1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix

1/3 cup Crisco

3 eggs

Mix the ingredients well.  

The dough is kind of thick like a brownie mix...I actually stir & then knead the dough with my hands until it's well blended.

Drop by the spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

 (If I want more cookies, I'll make them smaller and use a teaspoon.  If you want them a little bigger I use a tablespoon) 

Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

For the filling I actually just use the whip vanilla frosting by Duncan Hines.  It's quick & easy!

Or you can use this recipe...

Filling

1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons soft butter
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 tablespoons milk
Beat until the consistency of peanut butter.
You may need to add a little more milk ( add more 1 tablespoon at a time) until it's the right consistency.

ENJOY!!
I'm sharing with these blogs:
Love Of Family & Home
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia

Easter Decor 2013

Here is our mantel this year....

 I have been loving all of the pallet art that I've been seeing all over blog land & have been wanting to make one.   Then I found this on clearance at Hobby Lobby & couldn't pass up the good deal !  

I was going to use it in my daughter's room, but decided it would look cute on our mantel for spring!

 It looked cute with a strand of eggs under it for Easter!

Then I used my egg wreath that I used last year...

Then I filled my glass jar that usually goes on my hall tree with some eggs & added a bow...

 I think it turned out bright & cheery for spring!

Then in our dining area, I  hung some Easter eggs from my chandelier...

And  put my bunny under it for the center piece...

It's one of my favorite decorations!

 I found him years ago at T.J. Maxx.

Then in my living room, I kept my decorating super simple...

I just added a plant & a bunny.


I tied a wreath to the bottom of my lamp.

I enjoy having a piano to decorate & change for the holidays.

 Happy Easter!!
I'm sharing with these blogs:
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Home Stories A to Z
52 Mantels
Lolly Jane
Fireflies & Jellybeans
The 36th Avenue
Tatertots & Jello
Thrifty Decor Chick
The House Of Smiths

Inspiring Easter Decorating Ideas....

It's hard to believe that Easter is in March this year!  I haven't gotten my Spring Decor up yet, have you?

Here are a few inspiring ideas ...I always love a cute wreath!

This one is adorable...

Source...The Ballard Bunch Blog or Pinterest

This is a creative way to make a bunny....Combine a heart wreath & two round wreaths.

Source....Pinterest

I love how colorful this one is...

Source...Two Junk Chix Blog or Pinterest

A few more decorating ideas for around the house...

This is such a simple & cute idea!

Source...Dekotante Rock My Home Blog or Pinterest

I love this basket...it's perfect!

Source...Martha Stewart or Pinterest

I think this would be a fun dessert to make...

Source...Betty Crocker  or Pinterest

Here is my Easter Mantel from last year...

You can read more about it here.

I guess it's time to start my spring decorating!

Here is a post about my 2013 Easter Decor too!

Sharing with these blogs:
Thrifty Decor Chick
Home Stories A to Z
The 36th Avenue
Love Of Family & Home
Chic On A Shoestring
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia

Simple Valentine's Front Porch

Welcome...

 I placed a heart wreath with some polk-a-dot ribbon on my door.

I'm never sure what to put in my pot holders in the middle of winter...

 So I tried to make a topiary.... 

I just placed a greenery ball on a candle stick to add some height.

 Then I tied the same polk-a-dot ribbon that was on my wreath to the top of the pots.

Here is how the whole porch looks...

Happy Valentine's Day!!

It's hard to believe it's next week!

I'm sharing with these blogs:

Mercy Ink

The 36th Avenue

Beneath My Heart

Valentine's Decor In The Living Room...

I wasn't too excited to put up my Valentine's Decor this year...

I don't know why, but I still feel a little overwhelmed from putting away all of the Christmas stuff!

I wasn't sure if I was ready to put up more "red" decor already, but I did it anyways!

Here is my piano...

 I got this adorable free printable from the blog Simply Klassic.  

You can download this chalkboard print from her blog HERE.  Then just print & frame.  

I love It!

Then I hung the hearts with some ribbon and added a red & white wreath to my wire bird cloche.

Next, I put a tissue paper pom-pom on a candle stick.

I used them on my fireplace last year, you can see it HERE.

Lastly, I  moved my wreath up & added a bird garland to my mirror.

I got it at The World Market & then I just added some paper hearts!

It was a fun little change this year!

Next up... I'll show you my front porch!
I Heart Nap Time
Tatertots & Jello
The Girl Creative
Craftomaniac
Positively Splendid
52 Mantels
Finding Fabulous
Thrifty Decor Chick
The 36th Avenue