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Weekly Cleaning Schedule

March 17, 2015

The Persil® brand provided me with a sample of Persil® ProCleanTM laundry detergent in exchange for a product review. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.  Thanks for supporting the brands that help make this blog possible.


Well, it’s Spring for sure here in California and I have Spring Cleaning Fever. It feels like our little house fills up so quickly, and I’m ready to purge and clean.  I’m definitely a bit of a clean freak.  I can’t rest or chill out if there are messes in the kitchen or piles of laundry waiting to be done. I can relax when my home is clean.  So, technically, I never relax (ha ha).  I go through phases and plans for keeping up with all the jobs that have to be done at home, but mostly it feels like the job is NEVER done. When I get one area clean another is waiting for me.

In the early days of my blog, I shared a weekly cleaning schedule that I was trying to stick to.  Here’s that plan.  I’m sure I stuck with that plan for a few months, but I haven’t thought about it in years. So It’s time for a new plan.  I’m assigning a job to each day of the week. To take the pressure off myself of having everything done all at once, I’m going to focus my cleaning attention on one specific area per day.  And the other jobs can wait for their day.  Anyone else feel like they never are done?

I’ve created a printable chart for my laundry room wall to help keep me on track.  And if this idea appeals to you, feel free to download a copy for yourself. I’ve made a copy in black, mint (as seen on my wall), and blush as well. Now I need to try to keep myself from taking on more than the day’s task at hand.

Laundry is probably my favorite household chore.  I love to sort the clothes by color, I like the sound of the machine running and I don’t even mind folding.  I love tackling stains and the satisfaction of seeing crisp white and a pile of neatly folded towels.  It’s weird, I know.  But, you have to love what you’re doing sometimes, and maybe see the beauty in the simple everyday tasks.  I’m loving this NEW Persil ProClean line.  I’m impressed with the results I’m seeing in my washing machine.  And the new Persil Power-Pearls work wonders on my whites.  Recently I threw out a bunch of ugly old towels, it was time.  I’ve chosen to go back to all white towels.  You definitely know when they’re clean.  The Persil line is keeping them crisp, white, and spotless.  These easy to grab bottles fit perfectly in my window sill. Persil also has a great resource for stain removal. Check out this chart, I’m pretty sure it covers any stain you might encounter.  I’m pinning this for future reference.

Is there a household chore that you don’t mind doing? If you could have a maid, which job would you hand over first?

Ok how would you like to win a year supply of Persil ProClean?  Here’s the Sweepstakes.

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Food & Drink

Mini Cranberry Orange Irish Soda Breads

March 16, 2015

This is my hubby’s favorite meal of the year.  He loves St. Patrick’s Day dinner.  I’m making corned beef, cabbage and potatoes and a mountain of these Mini Cranberry Orange Irish Soda Breads with Orange Honey Butter.

Usually I make this as one large loaf, but this year I thought it would be fun to make little individual soda breads.  It’s really easy and they bake in about half the time of the whole loaf.  Just scoop the dough into greased muffin tins and bake at 375F for 20-25 mins.  This recipe makes about 20 mini soda breads.

My favorite part is the crunchy outside of the bread, so this way I get even more.

DIY

DIY Marble Shamrock Print

March 14, 2015

Need a little last minute St. Patrick’s day cheer for your home?  I whipped up this simple faux marble shamrock print this morning.  It’s a nice clean, modern take on a iconic St. Patrick’s Day symbol. And actually, I’ll enjoy having this up for quite a while. If it brings my a little good luck, even better. 
Here’s what you’ll need:
marble contact paper
a piece of green scrapbook card stock.
scissors or I used my Cricut Explore Machine
12×12″ square picture frame
I used my cricut and cut out a simple four leaf clover shape, using the vinyl setting on my machine. But, this could easily be done with a simple pair of scissors.  Once your shape is cut out, stick in in the center of your green card stock. Place the card stock in your frame and you are done!!!
Need a little more St. Patty’s day fun inspiration, here’s some of my favorite Irish inspired posts from previous years:

Design

Studio Inspiration

Now that I have a Studio, it’s time to work on a desk and office space.  I finally get to use some of the office inspiration I’ve been gathering on Pinterest.  Here’s a few of my favorite office images.
As you can see, I’m obviously drawn to mid century styled pieces.  I want my desk area to be a place that will help me be productive and efficient and I also want it to inspire me.  It’s exciting to have this space where I can express my style.  I know that my style is evolving and I’m trying to define it. What I know about my style is that I love vintage pieces, relaxed, clean interiors, monochromatic palettes, global touches, and lots of green, nature influences.
source
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Can you clearly define your style? Are you like me in that you know what you like and dislike, but just don’t have a title and good description for it.  Maybe you can help me come up with a name for the Oleander + Palm style.  

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Thrifting Thursday – Feeling Lucky

March 12, 2015

I love thrifting for holiday decor. There’s no need to spend big bucks on all the fun new stuff that hits the shelves of Target every season.You can find unique things, that no one else has in their homes for a fraction of the price.

I couple weeks ago I came across this pretty shamrock glass dish for just $3.  I’m going to enjoy taking this out every St. Patrick’s Day.

I’m filling it with my new favorite green treat, dried kiwis.  My sweet friend PJ, of A Girl Named PJ, sent me a big bag of these.  They are soooo good.  She bought them locally in New Jersey, but don’t worry, I’ve found some online for you.  
OK, so what how you found thrifting lately?  I also scored this gorgeous mint green pitcher and glass stirer for just $8.50 this week.

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BIG NEWS for Oleander + Palm

March 11, 2015

Well, I’ve got some news. Oleander + Palm now has a studio downtown Bakersfield!!!!  Yep, I’m taking a big leap and moving off the dining table and into a studio.  I can’t tell you how excited I am. It all happened really quickly.  A couple weeks ago you might have seen me post about trying to make room for a desk in our bedroom.  I think I do pretty well working from home. We do have a small house and I was working off the dining room table.  It wasn’t easy to be always dragging out stuff, making and shooting and then having to put it all away so we could eat dinner. I felt like I was wasting so much time.  Plus, all my craft stuff (or craft crap is what I usually call it) was stored all over the house because I didn’t have one place to fit it all.  My sewing machine was in Dylan’s closet, my Cricut was under my bed, party supplies where in the laundry room, and I had an assortment of styling props in drawers in both my living room and dining room.  Needless to say, this blog was taking over my house.

We rearranged the bedroom and thought through how I could at least have a desk in the corner. Then, about a week ago we decided to drive around downtown and see if we spotted any possible spaces for rent.  Just to see what is out there.  We found one in the perfect building downtown, right above a coffee shop.  And in just a day, decided to take a risk and try something new. I have felt like I needed to make an investment in my blog in order to push myself forward and really be successful.  My husband, Lonnie and I are naturally risk takers (that’s kind of how you end up living in Yemen with two little kids).  I think there are friends and family members that think we are crazy.  But, what the heck, you only live once.  I want to live with no regrets and try everything at least once.  Success isn’t going to come with me sitting on my butt waiting for something good to happen.  I’m going to be out there giving it my all and doing what I love. Success doesn’t look like me making lots of money, sure I would love to be able to pay the bills, but I just want to be happy and love what I’m doing.  So, here was go – Oleander + Palm Studio!

It’s a small space, but it’s all mine.  Don’t worry, pictures are coming very soon.  It needs some TLC, so I’ll be sharing the process. It’s a bright white room with big windows, I think it’s going to really make taking pictures so much easier.  Plus, I can have a dedicated workspace all to myself.  I can leave unfinished out and I’ll have all my supplies in one place.  And even though it’s small, I want to begin hosting regular craft workshops.  If there is anything I like more then making, it’s getting to make and create with others.  I’ll be hosting my first workshop on March 19th.  These are going to be fun, relaxed events with just 6-8 guests at a time.  You know I love to host a party, so there will be treats and goodies for sure.  If you are local, stay tuned to more information on signing up to attend.

Well, here goes nothing. Now if I can just get my girls feeling better again, so I can get out of this house and get to work on my new studio.

Food & Drink

Lemon Shortbread Bars

March 10, 2015

Well, we are picking the last of our lemons off our tree. Citrus straight from the tree is the best.  I used a couple of our gorgeous lemons to make some Lemon Shortbread Bars.  This is a recipe I’ve had in my recipe box since we first got married (almost 17 years ago). I’m not sure where I got the recipe, but It’s one of those treats that I have to make at least once a year. These are quick and easy to make. Unlike traditional shortbread that is rolled out and cut into shapes or baked in a special pan, these bars are made in a regular old 9×13″ pan.

Lemon and butter – what could be better?  Two of my all time favorite ingredients.

Lemon Shortbread Bars
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup butter
2 tbsp. grated lemon peel
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 1/4 cups flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt 
Preheat the oven to 325 F.  Grease a 9×13″ glass pan.  Beat the sugars and butter together well.  Add the lemon juice and lemon peel.  Add all the dry ingredients and mix well.  Press the dough into the prepared pan.  Bake for 35-40 mins.  Let it cool completely before topping with the lemon icing. Let the icing harden a bit before slicing them into bars.
Lemon Icing
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. light corn syrup
1 tsp. lemon peel 
3 – 4 tsp. lemon juice
Mix all the ingredients together well, making sure there are not lumps.  Spread icing over cooled shortbread.  I added little slices of lemon to each bar before serving them – just for cute.

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DIY Modern Decorative Plates

March 9, 2015

I love plates on the wall as decoration in dining rooms.  But, instead of hanging your Grandma’s china, which I’m all for as well, why not make some custom plates that are clean, modern and in colors that compliment your home.
These DIY Modern Decorative Plates were a breeze to make and I got to play with two of my favorite materials spray paint and fabric.

The possibilities are endless for the patterns and colors you could make these plates in.  I stuck with my green and pink combo and added a touch of metallic gold (of course).

Here’s what you’ll need:
Clear glass plates (I found these are Hobby Lobby)
Scraps of fabric
Scissors
Foam brush
Mod Podge
Spray paint in a couple colors
I started by picking out my favorite Design Master paint colors – Prairie Grass, Coral, Basil and Brilliant Gold.  
Start by cutting out fabric shapes that you’d like on your plates.  I played with triangles, half oval shapes and little rectangles.  
Using Mod Podge, cover the top of the piece of fabric completely and place on the back of the plate.  When all the fabric pieces are in place, brush on another coat of Mod Podge to cover the back of the plate. 
When it is completely dry, spray the back of the plate with spray paint.  Make sure the plate is on a flat surface so that none of the paint makes it onto the front of the plate.  You can paint the plate all one color, like I did with the coral and mint plates, or you can layer the colors like I did with the green and gold paint.
For the two-toned plate, I painted half of the plate gold first and then layered the green on top.  It gives a nice faded look from one color to the next.
Then, to protect the beautiful paint job, brush on another layer of Mod Podge.  When they are completely dry, you can display them on the wall or set them out just as decorative pieces on dressers and table tops. 
It’s hard to see in these pictures, but the layer of Mod Podge gives the plate a fun texture.  It’s easy to see with the metallic gold paint.  I love the lumps and bumps that give these plates a unique, handmade feel.

Be sure to check out the some of the other fun DIYs of created using Design Master Spray Paint – DIY Faux Copper Vase, DIY Ombre Give Thanks Banner, Metallic Dipped Taper Candles, Dala Horse Salt Dough Ornaments and the Gold Dipped Yarn Hanging. 
I buy my Design Master paints and my local Michaels and Joann Fabrics. Design Master paints can paint the most delicate of surfaces, such as silk and fresh flowers, fabric, ribbon, tulle, lace, paper, foam board and Stryrofoam TO the sturdy hard surfaces such as wood, metal, masonry, terra cotta, ceramics and plaster. Design Master is a great resource for products and ideas.  Be sure to check out all the craft and project ideas on their blog.  

This post is sponsored by Design Master. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible. 

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Book Giveaway!

March 8, 2015

How about a little giveaway to make the weekend even sweeter.  Victoria of A Subtle Revelry has just written a beautiful craft book, Materially Crafted.  If you love to make, then you will love this book.  You can order a copy for yourself now, or enter to win a copy below. 
This gorgeous book is packed with beautifully photographed DIYs.  Each chapter of the book focuses on a specific material and some creative ways to craft and make with it. Here’s a fun little trailer for the book. 

LOOK!  There’s my wrapping paper placemats.  I’m so honored to be a part of this gorgeous book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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5 Stylish Shamrock DIYs

March 6, 2015

I really don’t know how march is here already. But, St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. I’m not Irish, even though I look like I am. I just love the color green, so this holiday gives me an excuse to play with my favorite color even more. And because I’ve visited the beautiful country of Ireland, I feel the need to celebrate it’s special day. 
I’ve gathered 5 stylish ways to show your Irish spirit. So, bring on the luck of the Irish with these lucky DIYS.
Buttons // Geometric Shamrock
3-D Shamrocks
Shamrock Floats // Wooden Shamrock Cake Topper

I hope you have a fabulous weekend.  We are on our 3rd week of sick kiddos.  Poor Denali has Pneumonia.  I feel so bad for her.  Hopefully she is on the mend finally.  We are looking forward to a quiet weekend at home (if that is possible).  A little Spring cleaning and some yard work is all we have planned.