Sizzle into Summer - It's a Party # 122

Welcome to this week's Sizzle into Summer party.  Although summer doesn't officially begin for a few more days, it's time that it began here at DIYbyDesign.  The weather is finally summer-like here in New York and school is winding down and vacation is only a few days a way.

Last week's party was filled with so many awesome ideas and inspiration.  

Here are this week's features:

HOME DECOR:

Lilikoi Joy  revealed their new master bedroom makeover.  I am in love with this entire bedroom.  You must stop by and check out all of the before and after photos.  It's not to be missed.  Stunning!

Common Ground  shared her gorgeous garden wheelbarrow tablescape.  She was inspired by a picture in a magazine, but her creation is even more beautiful.

FURNITURE TRANSFORMATIONS:

Confessions of a Serial DIYer transformed a thrift store office chair into this beauty.  I love the fabric and the nail head detail on the arms.  Awesome makeover!

House of 34 transformed a rocker she found at an antique show into this beauty.  She shares step by step how she reupholstered it.

CRAFTY CREATIONS:

The Old Post Road shared a tutorial on how to create a dorm room headboard.  Great step by step tutorial for anyone with college-bound kids.

Design Dreams by Anne  shared a tutorial on how to create a potting bench.  Love it!

TASTY TREATS:

Sara Howe shares her recipe for a pina colada protein smoothie.  Yummy!

Jodie Fitz shared her recipe for snickers ice cream pie.  I have got to try this!

If you were featured, please grab an "I've Been Featured" button (you can now find my buttons by clicking on the buttons tab right under my header).  Now let's get started with this week's party.  I can't wait to see what you have been up to.  Link up anything you have been working on...home decor, sewing, crafts, organizing, baking, recipes etc.   I will keep this link open through Friday.


<a border="0" href="http://www.diybydesign.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sgLFQPBwgBw/TyFkVe_BmMI/AAAAAAAAEvE/0nvho4f6vJ0/s128/18542134351.jpg" /></a>

A few rules:

1.  Please become a follower (if you already follow me on Google, I would love for you to follow me on Linky Followers as well).  

2.  Please grab my party button above and display it either on your sidebar or somewhere in your post.  This way word can spread about the party.  The more people at the party, the more fun we will have.

3.  Please enter the link to your actual post, not just a link to your main blog page.

4. Please visit others who have linked up.   Everyone works hard on their projects and blogs...let's show each other some love by visiting each other.  Let's have some fun and hopefully make a few new friends along the way.

Ok...Let's Party

-Judy

Sizzle into Summer

It's the last week of school and I am running around trying to get us all ready to leave for Hawaii on Friday.  Just a reminder to stop back tonight for my Sizzle into Summer link party.

DON'T FORGET TO STOP BACK TONIGHT AT 8PM EST 

FOR MY SIZZLE INTO SUMMER PARTY

Hope to see you then!

-Judy

Potato Soup with Chicken, Bacon and Cheese

I love a soup that can be a meal.  

Here's a recipe for potato soup with chicken, bacon and cheese that's sure to please the entire family.

Ingredients:
- 6 slices bacon-chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1 stalk celery chopped
- 4 cups low salt, chicken broth
- 4 cups cubed potatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
- salt to taste

I have modified this recipe from an Allrecipes version.

- Cook bacon (I like to cook bacon in a microwave...very little mess that way)
- Add olive oil to saucepan and add vegetables and cook until soft (do not brown onion)
- Stir in chicken broth and potatoes and pepper and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10-15 minutes.
- Stir in chicken and cheese, heating just until cheese is melted.  Then add bacon.  Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

-Judy

Sharing with Savvy Southern Style

Maximizing Storage Solutions for Small Bedrooms

For most of us, there is an on-going battle to create enough storage in a bedroom.  The battle becomes even bigger the smaller the bedroom is.  The bedroom seems to be the "go to" location to store everything from clothes and bags, to shoes and accessories.  

Contemporary Bedroom by Glasgow Interior Designers & Decorators The Couture Rooms

So what are some of the best ways to maximize storage in your small bedroom?

Contemporary Bedroom by Los Angeles Photographers Erika Bierman Photography

Having a chest of drawers on either side of the bed instead of a night stand provides loads of extra storage.  In a small space it's a must to have each piece of furniture provide double duty.  You can free up the space on top of the dresser by installing a wall-mounted lamp.

Traditional Bedroom by Pasadena Interior Designers & Decorators Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC.

Another important bedroom storage solution is having a closet installed, especially in a small bedroom.  

Traditional Bedroom by Hollis Interior Designers & Decorators Meredith L. Bohn Interior Design

However most small bedrooms do not have sufficient space for a closet or may not even have a closet at all.  Wardrobes provides the same function as a closet and gives the ability to store tons of items all behind closed doors.  Since it uses more vertical space than horizontal, it's a perfect solution for any small space.

Modern Bedroom by New York Architects & Designers Incorporated

I hope these solutions have inspired you in your small bedroom space.

-Judy

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Tips to Stress-Free Packing for Vacation

We are leaving for our family vacation in a week and I thought I would share some of my tips on packing a suitcase.  Packing for a trip is much easier with a little planning and organization.

1.  Make a list on paper of how many days you will be away and how many outfits you will need.  We are going to Hawaii.   This is a long vacation, so it's almost like packing for two trips.  We are visiting three islands in Hawaii, which will mean alot of packing and unpacking.   The first thing I create is a list for each member of the family.  On our computer we have a list of all of the things that we always bring on vacation (sunscreen, vitamins, cameras etc) and just print it out year after year.  Planning exactly what you will need not only keep you from forgetting things, it will also help to avoid you over or under packing.  

2.  A few days before you leave, lay out the clothes you plan on bringing.  I started this process last night and I organize the clothes by outfit, ideally aiming to have two tops for each pair of pants/shorts.  I also try to pack outfits that can use the same shoes to limit the amount of shoes as well.  Since we have so many nights that will require dinner outfits, I plan on wearing at least a few of the outfits two times.  Different islands, different restaurants...no one will know.  

3.  Now it's time to actually pack the suitcases.   I pack the suitcases by outfit for my daughter and myself. For my husband and my son, I pack all of their shorts/pants together and all of their shirts together, since they are less particular about outfits and will just mix and match while we are on vacation.

Folding clothes to fit the suitcase will maximize the amount of items you can fit.  For pants, I fold them in thirds and for t-shirts I fold them as shown to fit four columns of clothing.

4.  The last thing you want when you get to your destination is to have all of your clothing wrinkled.  To help prevent this, I wrap all of my clothing prone to wrinkling in tissue paper.

5.  I use freezer bags to protect delicate clothing and to keep items like socks together.  I also use socks being packed to stuff into shoes to prevent them from getting crushed during transit.

6.  If you follow these simple tips, once you arrive at your destination, you can just pull out the piles as you have them in the suitcase and place them directly in the drawers of your hotel room.  It makes unpacking super fast so you can start your vacation quicker and stress-free.

Hope these tips will help you next time you pack for a trip.

-Judy

Swing into Spring - It's a Party #121

Welcome to this week's Swing into Spring party.  

Last week's party was filled with so many awesome ideas and inspiration.  

Here are this week's features:

HOME DECOR:

Sunset Coast shared her kitchen makeover where she painted her cabinets black and white.  You must check out the before photos.

FURNITURE TRANSFORMATIONS:

Coastal Home Love  transformed a sideboard and turned it into this gorgeous coastal beauty.

Lilikoi Joy transformed a table into this gold and white beauty.

CRAFTY CREATIONS:

One Little Project shared a step by step tutorial on how to create black out drapes.  

The Pin Junkie created this gorgeous necklace using Martha Stewart crafting jewelry.  I just love it!

TASTY TREATS:

Jane's Adventures in Dinner shared her recipe for guacamole salad.
I love anything with avocados in it!

Day 2 Day Super Mom shared fifteen different burgers - perfect for summertime.

If you were featured, please grab an "I've Been Featured" button (you can now find my buttons by clicking on the buttons tab right under my header).  Now let's get started with this week's party.  I can't wait to see what you have been up to.  Link up anything you have been working on...home decor, sewing, crafts, organizing, baking, recipes etc.   I will keep this link open through Friday.


<a border="0" href="http://www.diybydesign.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sgLFQPBwgBw/TyFkVe_BmMI/AAAAAAAAEvE/0nvho4f6vJ0/s128/18542134351.jpg" /></a>

A few rules:

1.  Please become a follower (if you already follow me on Google, I would love for you to follow me on Linky Followers, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest as well).  

2.  Please grab my party button above and display it either on your sidebar or somewhere in your post.  This way word can spread about the party.  The more people at the party, the more fun we will have.

3.  Please enter the link to your actual post, not just a link to your main blog page.

4. Please visit others who have linked up.   Everyone works hard on their projects and blogs...let's show each other some love by visiting each other.  Let's have some fun and hopefully make a few new friends along the way.

Ok...Let's Party

-Judy