Our "NOEL" Staircase...

I changed our staircase a little this year...

I added some "Noel" letters that I made.  

I really like how they turned out!

I just added red & white scrapbook paper to some wood letters that I got from Hobby Lobby.

Then I just traced the letters onto the paper.

Cut them out.

I added a layer of  Mod Podge to the letters & stuck the paper on.  

Once they dried I put another layer over the top.

Then I actually put some Command Strip hooks on the back...I just hung them upside down so my wire would hook underneath & wrap around my railings. 

It worked great!

I did keep two of the wreaths that I used last year...One at the top of the staircase & one at the bottom.

It was a fun change & I like the pop of red & white color!

Here is last year's staircase...

AND
One more time....

This year!

We are almost finished decorating, I'll be showing our tree next!
I'm sharing with these blogs:
Flamingo Toes
Thrifty Decor Chick
Home Stories A to Z
The 36th Avenue
52 Mantels
Tatertots & Jello
Organize & Decorate Everything
DIY Showoff

Christmas In The Family Room....

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at our house.

Outside it's been feeling like Spring, so It's been hard to find the "spirit" to pull out all of our Christmas decor.  

It could also be this little cutie...

She really likes to help, which means it takes twice as long to put back what she pulls down!

It's been exhausting, but luckily she chilled on the couch for a few minutes to watch Dora The Explorer!! 

 It was a Christmas Miracle!!

Here's our Family Room Mantle....

 It's a little different than last year, but we couldn't put up our Santa's because the little cutie above was traumatized by a real Santa at the mall this weekend...It was so sad!

 I always keep our small tree "simple"...

 I love wreaths!

These cute block letters were given to me by my sweet sister-in-law last year...She made them & they turned out so cute!

I love my big snowflakes from the dollar store...

 My Nativity....

It was a gift from my Parent's years ago & I just love it!

  

Here is the whole room...

It's finally done, but now I have a HUGE mess in my basement to clean!

Christmas decorating is hard work, but it's so cozy when you FINALLY finish!!

I'm sharing with these blogs:

The 36th Avenue

Finding Fabulous

Tatertots & Jello

Flamingo Toes

Thrifty Decor Chick

52 Mantels

Cleaning & Sealing Travertine Tile

We added Travertine Tile to our entry, kitchen & laundry room about 6 years ago.  

Unfortunately, the grout has gotten pretty gross over the years...it's actually turned black!  

I guess we were suppose to be sealing it every year & we never had.

I couldn't stand it anymore, so I decided to see if I could clean the grout myself...Amazingly it worked!!

HOW TO CLEAN THE TILE...

I started with these supplies...

Comet, A spray bottle filled with warm water & a textured rag.

I started by shaking some comet onto the black grout, then I sprayed the water onto that & it kind of made a paste.  Just scrub with the rag.  I'm sure a toothbrush would work too, but my rag really got it off!
Then I sprayed more water & wiped it all off. 

 I was really surprised!

This did take some time & I actually worked on it a few days, but it was so worth it!!

I just did small sections at a time.

After I finished cleaning all of the grout, I mopped the floor twice before I applied the sealer.  

APPLYING THE SEALER...

After the floor is completely dry I used this sealer from Home Depot.

Then I used a small smooth roller & a disposable paint tray.

 

A little bit goes a long way, so I just poured a small amount of  sealer at a time.

 I just did a few rows of tile at a time.  

You just roll it all over the tile & grout.    

Then you let it sit for 3-5 minutes & wipe it off with a clean white towel.  

It's amazing how a few supplies can make such a difference!

I wish I hadn't waited so long to seal the floors...it wasn't as hard as I thought!
I'm sharing with these blogs:
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Home Stories A to Z
Chic On A Shoestring
Making The World Cuter
The 36th Avenue

Thanksgiving Decor...

I was so excited to put up our Halloween decorations, but I was just as excited to put it away this year! 

Once I started cleaning it all up,I was ready to put away all of my Fall decor!

I just left a few things out...

I put up my "Happy Thanksgiving" sign & put a pumpkin under it.

 This is the table in my entry/living room.

You can see how I made my initial plaque for about $3 HERE.

I changed the "Happy Halloween" sign to a "Give Thanks" sign on my wreath.

My porch all lit up at night...it gets dark so early now! :(

 Here is one of my shelves in the family room.  

I went simple because before you know it....we'll be pulling out the Christmas Decor!!

Are you ready for Christmas??

Sharing with these blogs:
Kristen's Creations
At The Picket Fence
Chic On A Shoestring
I Heart Nap Time
The Girl Creative
Making The World Cuter
Craftomaniac
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Home Stories A to Z
Organize & Decorate Everything
Fireflies & Jellybeans
Sumo's Sweet Stuff