This has to be one of my most exciting projects to date! Our stairs to our basement have been unfinished, just like our basement has been. The problem was that our stairs have an open railing and are fully visible from our main floor. No matter how much our great room came together decor-wise, it always felt a little unfinished because of the stairs. A couple years ago I had the idea to try painting them to look like wood just as a temporary fix. Unfortunately, around that time was when my hip pain flared up so sitting on stairs to paint them was out of the question. But this year I am fully recovered and what better time to paint that during quarantine! Here is how I painted our stairs to look like wood.
Our New Normal
We are in our fourth week of staying home. I really wasn’t sure if I’d talk about this when this new normal first started, but I feel like I have thoughts to share. Just thoughts on what we have been doing, how we have been doing, and trying to look on the bright side while acknowledging our range of emotions.
Food
Apparently baking helps stress. I have made brownies, apple crisp, 4 dozen cookies, two loaves of beer bread, and as of tonight, two batches of deep dish cookie bowls for two.
Favorite Books to Read While Social Distancing
You know those books you read that stick with you? Not only are they often page turners but they also stay with you long after you read the last page. All this social distancing has me craving to find one of those books. And I started recalling those books I’ve already read. While I’m on the hunt for my next read, here are my favorite books that have stayed with me. Add one (or more!) to your must read list and make all this time staying home a little more exciting.
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Why You Need a Recipe Book (and How to Make One)
I have a confession. I stopped doing my month long meal planning for a short time. We were in a recipe rut and I just needed to try new things! When I found a recipe on Pinterest, I printed the recipe out to follow and it was a game changer. I started printing out all the recipes I regularly make right before making them. And the pretty recipe book I’d been trying to make for the past two years, came together so effortlessly. Since we are all home and cooking a lot more while practicing social distancing, I figured this was an easy project anyone can pull together over the next few weeks.
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DIY Reusable Produce Bags
With all the uncertainty in the world right now, I debated if I should still post this tutorial. But then I noticed Joann’s and Hobby Lobby are still open and shipping online orders. And then I realized that even if we are staying home more, we still are getting groceries. Plus, with wanting to keep social distancing at the store, maybe having access to our own reusable produce bags right now is the exact thing to share. So here is how to DIY reusable produce bags and have a welcome distraction from all the crazy happening right now.
Layered Necklaces Clasp and Simple DIY Necklaces
There are so many different things I want to cover in this post! First, a few months ago I was playing around with my jewelry making supplies and created a simple pattern using basic jewelry findings. Shortly after, a coworker had just purchased some necklaces to wear together for that new layered look trend. I then started thinking how I could take my jump ring pattern and create a look of layered necklaces with it. Here is how I made my own clasp so they don’t get tangled, as well as how I made the simple pattern.
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