A Guest Bedroom Transformed With Sauder Furniture

This post is brought to you by Sauder. All ideas and opinions are my own

Mr. B and I are doing all that we can to make his mother feel at home while she is living with us.  We are lucky in that we have two guest bedrooms and we let her choose which one she wanted to make hers.  She choose the one in the finished basement. It is big, has a full bathroom attached and allows her some privacy.

As you can see from the before photo, the bed was pretty boring. It was just a bed really. Mr. B & I have plans for when she finds her own place to go with a world traveler theme in the room.  Perfect theme for guests, right? We had been searching for just the right headboard and then, I was contacted by Sauder offering to send me something from their website. We've had Sauder in our home in the past and have always loved the quality and durability of their products.  We've had desks and bookcases from Sauder but have never really looked into other types of furniture pieces.  Well, after looking through their site for about 10 minutes, we found the headboard we had been searching for!  Who knew? Sauder carries all kinds of bedroom furniture!  Headboards, nightstands, you name it!  In addition, they also have pieces for bathrooms, dining rooms and garages! Whatever room in the house, Sauder is sure to have something to suit your needs and style.

The headboard we wanted for this room needed to be in a warm tone and had a rustic feel to it. The Carson Forge headboard met our wants and then some!

I don't know how Sauder did it but, it looks and feels like real wood! I mean it is is wood but we were not expecting this high of quality. And, it is not flimsy, take my word for it!  It took Mr. B & I both to get the box down the stairs. 

All of the pieces are clearly marked so putting it together was a snap!

And, Mr. B wanted me to make sure I mentioned that he likes that they used metal cams.

The instructions provided were clear and easy to understand. We've put together our share of assemble it yourself furniture and this was by far the fastest and easiest piece we have ever done.  No cussing needed!

I totally squeed when I saw the little design touches that make this headboard the perfect choice for this room!

Adore the metal detail! And yes, it IS metal, not cheapy plastic!

The shelf across the top adds depth and style.

Swoon!

And the frosting on the cake?  Mr. B's mother LOVES it too!  She just can't get over how much it makes her room feel more finished, warm and comfortable.

So much better than the before, wouldn't you agree?

After:

I am so happy to have found out that Sauder creates such wonderful pieces outside of the standard bookcase or other organizational furniture! It's nice to know that they also have available such wonderfully stylish furniture to create the room/ home of your dreams! 

Like what you see? 

Well then, follow me by email and never miss a new post

Click here to see where I may be partying this week. 

AND

Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's

for the link party.

How To Style A Christmas China Cabinet

I wasn't even sure if I was going to decorate the china cabinet for Christmas but then, as I was going through my dishes, I found some that I have had forever and have never displayed.  The china cabinet seemed to be the ideal place to show them off!

On the bottom shelf I layered some bright red chargers and added these cardinal plates I got on clearance from Macy's several years ago.  The cardinal candy dish is from Kirkland's.

Even though I have never seen one in real life, cardinals are one of my favorite birds. And their red coloring is perfect this time of year.

I kept the top of the cabinet simple.  Just a few of my favorite pieces. Santa was a gift from my mother-in-law, The reindeer came from clearance at Stein Mart and the decorated sled is from Goodwill.  I added holiday picks to fill it in.

Gosh, I just love Santa!  And this one just speaks to me.

For the inside shelves I used some square red plates from Safeway years ago and placed ornament plates from Pier 1 in front of them. Several Godinger Shannon goblets hold red and gold ornaments.  Judging by this cabinet and my mantel decor, red and gold seems to be my theme this year. A shiny gold bowl sits in the center.

On the top inner shelf I used some white Johnson Bros dinner plates from Goodwill to anchor more of the ornament plates. 

Another Santa, shiny red mercury glass at that, sits on the right side. He was another gift from my MIL.  I'm guessing she does really know me! 

I'm really pleased at how my digging through dishes helped me to create such a pretty display in the china cabinet for Christmas!

Like what you see? 

Well then, follow me by email and never miss a new post

Click here to see where I may be partying this week. 

AND

Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's

for the link party.

You're Gonna Love It Link Party

Happy 3rd week of December dear friends!  I hope this finds you all in the holiday spirit?  I finally got all of my decor done and am now thinking of baking! Nothing better than a home filled with the scents of the season, am I right?  I will have some extra free time on my hands as I was let go from my job last week...yeah, Merry Christmas to me!  Those that have been following me know that this is not my first time at this rodeo and it is the nature of working in sales. So, I am keeping positive knowing that the rest of this month is not when anyone is looking to hire.  My resume is up to date and I have already sent several out. I'm thinking this is a good excuse to party!  

It's Time For 

The Features of the Week

The most viewed link last week came from Angela at Simply Beautiful by Angela

Angela showed how taking some simple items from the dollar store she could change them into high end decor! I love the painted vase!!  So, going to knock that off for myself!

My favorite was this beautiful Christmas sign from Our Second Hand House

Maybe during my time off I will finally master the Silhouette that has been gathering dust on my desk for 2 years and make one of these for my own!

If you have been featured here, or over at my freakin' fabulous 
co-hort Kim's blog, (she has a different Pick of the Week so go check it out...was it you?) make sure to grab an I've Been Featured button here.

Now, are you ready to party??

Here are the rules:

Feel free to link up anything you have created.

Recipes, decor, crafts, written or photographed.

Anything you are so proud of you just gotta share it with others.

I will reserve the option of deleting any post that I do not feel fits the

theme of my blog.

You can follow Kim & me on social media, but it NOT required. (We want you to follow us because you want to, not because you have to.)

Kathe: Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+

Kim: Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+

We would love it if you would link back in some way so that others come and party with us.

Either grab the the party button or add my blog link to your blog party page. 

Again, it is not a requirement.

We do ask that you do not link up Giveaways, Etsy Shops or anything for sale. Save those posts for the first Tuesday of the month when, Anything Goes!

We will reserve the option of deleting any post the we do not feel fits the theme of our blogs.

*By linking up your post, you are giving Kathe With An E and/ or The Kim Six Fix permission to use your photos as a feature on their blogs and other social media outlets.

**Please remember, this is a party.  After you have linked up, mingle around and visit some of the other party guests**

An InLinkz Link-up

Christmas Mantel Reveal

I bet you thought I was never going to share any of my Christmas decor this year didn't you!   It's been kind of a hectic season this year, but now I am ready to reveal to you today the mantel decorated for Christmas.  I will also be showing off other areas of the house that have been dressed up for the holiday over the next week so, be sure to check back in when you have time.  Or, better yet, sign up to get new posts delivered right to your email using the sign up form over on the sidebar --->>

My MIL was there again to help with the details. That's her snowman stocking. She loves blue and snowmen and she now has one to hang with ours. 

We had picked up a few poinsettia plants at Lowes for .99 right after Thanksgiving and The red leaves and gold foil set our color theme for the mantel. I covered some books in gift wrap and used them to elevate one of the plants.  I have put my MIL in charge of keeping them alive because although, I can grow veggies and flowers outside, I have a brownish thumb when it comes to plants inside!

I've had these red & gold mercury glass spires for years and have used them in my holiday decor every year since.

My MIL wrapped a box in the same gift wrap and placed small gold and red ornaments on top of it.  She then added my 3 little favorite old world Santas in front of it. 

A battery operated beaded lit garland sits in the front of it all to brightened it all up at night.

To the left of the fireplace is a shelf that surrounds the TV. 

We had so much fun decorating this spot!  Even Mr. B lending his touch by adding the stuffed snowman. We had picked up the little trees at Hobby Lobby and Linda (my MIL, yes, she does have a name LOL) set to decorating them while I added white fluff and snowflake lights that I purchased at IKEA last year. We added a few wrapped boxes to add more color.

Mr. B & I agreed that the clock has to stay in it's spot in at the mantel which means my beloved Santa piece needed a new home this year.  He fits perfectly above the TV shelf!

On the dining room side of the shelf I have my angel collection along with a couple of my little nutcrackers.  Oh wait!  Stop right here!  LOL!  I seriously did not notice until just now that my Michigan State University Sparty garden gnome (a gift several years ago from my son and daughter-in-law) snuck into the Christmas decor!  LOL!  I am guessing that was Mr. B's doing!! You know what?  He staying right there!! Christmas time needs to have some fun and whimsy, am I right?

Again, be sure to stop back by as I will be sharing the china cabinet all decked out for Christmas. In fact, here's a sneak peek just to make sure you do!

Like what you see? 

Well then, follow me by email and never miss a new post

Click here to see where I may be partying this week. 

AND

Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's

for the link party.

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday

Welcome, my friends, to the second You're Gonna Love It Party of December! You know what that means right?  It means that I am sitting behind the scenes stressing out because Christmas is only 2.3 weeks away!!  Hold on......breath in....breath out...Whew!  Much better.  I cannot let my failure to plan ahead better take away the specialness of this wonderful season!! One thing that helps me relieve stress is partying with YOU!  So let's get to it!

It's Time For 

The Features of the Week

We had a tie for the most viewed so, first up is a recipe for Cranberry Coffee Cake from Memories by the Miles

I can always be wooed by cranberries and for Wanda Ann to use them in a coffee cake?  Yeah, I'm a goner!  Yum!

Next up is a recipe for Creamy Pumpkin, Sausage and Kale Soup from My Life Cookbook

I really need Denise to bring me over a pot of this!  There goes another belly growl from me!

My favorite was linked up by Julia from It's Always Reutten

I know that she made this as a card but I would love to do it on a piece of canvas as Christmas art!  Beautiful Julia!

If you have been featured here, or over at my freakin' fabulous 
co-hort Kim's blog, (she has a different Pick of the Week so go check it out...was it you?) make sure to grab an I've Been Featured button here.

Now, are you ready to party??

Here are the rules:

Feel free to link up anything you have created.

Recipes, decor, crafts, written or photographed.

Anything you are so proud of you just gotta share it with others.

I will reserve the option of deleting any post that I do not feel fits the

theme of my blog.

You can follow Kim & me on social media, but it NOT required. (We want you to follow us because you want to, not because you have to.)

Kathe: Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+

Kim: Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+

We would love it if you would link back in some way so that others come and party with us.

Either grab the the party button or add my blog link to your blog party page. 

Again, it is not a requirement.

We do ask that you do not link up Giveaways, Etsy Shops or anything for sale. Save those posts for the first Tuesday of the month when, Anything Goes!

We will reserve the option of deleting any post the we do not feel fits the theme of our blogs.

*By linking up your post, you are giving Kathe With An E and/ or The Kim Six Fix permission to use your photos as a feature on their blogs and other social media outlets.

**Please remember, this is a party.  After you have linked up, mingle around and visit some of the other party guests**

**Before or after you link up, be sure to head here for a HUGE giveaway I am a part of!  22 bloggers giving away our favorite things**

Now, show us what you've got this week!

An InLinkz Link-up

MY Favorite Things Christmas Giveaway

Are you ready for some holiday fun?  Want to take a chance at winning not 1 but possibly 22 chances to win some freaking awesome stuff?

22 amazing bloggers from 2 countries have gotten together to offer 22 prize packages for this year's Christmas Wish List Giveaway! Each blogger has gathered some of their favorite items from their own wish list and put together a gift for you!

Visit each blog to see what items are included in their prize.  Every blogger has a separate giveaway that you must enter on their own site, to win their prize package.  You might win more than one!

Giveaways that are open to Canada will have a little Canadian flag in the top corner of their image (above).  If there is also an American flag that means that giveaway is open to both countries. Most of the giveaways are open to the U.S. only (no flag on image).

Blog Hop 1. Raising Memories // 2. Ginger Snap Crafts // 3. Rustic Refined // 4. Kleinworth & Co.// 5. 7 Alive // 6. A Momless Mom // 7. Dukes & Duchesses // 8. Happy Hour Projects // 9. It Happens in a Blink // 10. Create. Craft. Love. // 11. The Kim Six Fix  // 12. Crafting in the Rain // 13. create it. go! // 14. Bubbly Nature Creations // 15. Working Mommy Journal // 16. Fern Avenue // 17. B is 4 // 18. inkhappi // 19. Kathe with an E // 20. The Mommy Mix // 21. Play. Party. Pin. // 22. Frenchie Here's what you could win from My Favorite Things Christmas Giveaway!

Along with some of my favorite kitchen toys from Cost Plus World Market, color coordinated of course, a few of my blogging buddies donated some items from their own stores and shops.1. A lovely 3 bead necklace from Kim at justbyou2.Another lovely Eiffel Tower necklace from Australia from KirstyGirl at Keepings

3. An assortment of natural herbs from my dear friends at Dtl Herbs

4. Adorable gift bags from Pam at Pam's Party And Practical Tips

5. Beautiful star earrings from Kim at justbyou6.Chalkboard labels from Dtl Herbs**My giveaway is open to U.S. mailing addresses only and no basket will be included, just the fun items you see above**

1 Winner will be selected at random & contacted within 24 hours of the Giveaway ending

The winner will need to respond back with 5 business days or a new winner will be chosen

The giveaway runs from 12/8/14 12:01 am EST to 12/15/14 11:59 PM EST

Once you have entered, using the Rafflecopter form below, be sure to visit the other blogs and enter to win THEIR favorite things giveaways! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Christmas Wish List For My Mother-In-Law

This post is brought to you by the awesome people over at Wayfair. All opinions in this post are mine. 

Since my mother-in-law moved in with us last month and is no longer working, she has been helping out in the kitchen while I am at work. Let's just say I am getting a tad spoiled by having dinner on the table when we get home. That's not to say I haven't cooked up a few things of my own, but she is enjoying using some of my favorite tools and has expressed that when she finds a new place of her own, there are few things she'd like to have. So, since Wayfair asked me to put together a kitchen Christmas wish list, I decided to create one just for her!

John Boos Maple Butcher Block Cutting Board - She has been cutting up veggies up a storm and loves my butcher block cutting board so, why not get her the best? This Boos cutting board is top of the line and will last her many years!

Le Creuset Cast Iron Oval French Oven - Just the other day we came from work to a bubbling pot of stuffed cabbage, one of Mr. B's favorites. She went on and on about how much she loved using my cast iron dutch oven and how she was going to have to get one for herself. Hint taken!

Calphalon Tri Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan with Lid - I am a huge fan of Calphalon pots and pans and now, she is too! Especially the stainless steel saucepans I have.

Wusthof Gourmet 18 Piece Knife Block Set - A good knife set for her is a no brainer! I have used her knives before and they are dangerously dull.  Getting her a great set like this Wusthof one will give me peace of mind!

Cuisinart 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker - She was amazed at how safe and fast my electric pressure cooker is!  I made both Mongolian Beef and the rice for it for dinner over the weekend and she was shocked at how tender the beef came out.  Dinner was on the table in less than an hour and I only used this tool to get it there. 

Calphalon Unison Nonstick 2 Piece Fry Pan Set - She mentioned in passing that she wished she had some smaller good non stick frying pans, since it will be only her that she will be cooking for most of the time. This two-piece set from Calphalon should be just the ticket!

Lodge Skillet with Assist Handle - She also mentioned (hinted?) that she wished she had a better cast iron skillet with a better way to move it from the stove to the table. Lodge is my favorite brand for cast iron and when I saw this one with the assist handle, I knew it had to be added to the list.

Bialett Taste of Italy3-qt. Stoneware Lasagna Pan - I believe every kitchen should have a good lasagna pan and this 3-qt stoneware one is the perfect size for when she invites us over for dinner...mom's lasagna? Oh yeah!!

I can't wait to wrap up some of these and have them under the Christmas tree! I think she will be thrilled to get any of them to add to her kitchen at her new home! 

Now tell me, what is on your kitchen wish list?

Like what you see? 

Well then, follow me by email and never miss a new post

Click here to see where I may be partying this week. 

AND

Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's

for the link party.

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday - Anything Goes!

Happy December 2014!  Wow!  Only a few weeks left of this year!  I cannot believe it!  Before you know it, it will be Spring!  Okay, that's just wishful thinking on my part LOL!  I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend? We had warm weather everyday except Sunday.  That meant we got to get outside and get the house dressed up for the holidays! Have you been by yet to see our Snowman Christmas Tree? 

I am pretty sure we will be seeing some incredibly creative holiday crafts this week!  Not to mention, it's the first party of the month so, 

ANYTHING GOES!

It's time now to see what everyone else has been up to.  As a reminder, a few of our absolute favorites went up on Kim's Facebook Page and on my Facebook page (just look for the hashtag: #YoureGonnaLoveIt)  

This week's most viewed was from Mommyzoid

Stephanie gave us 7 great tips on how to get noticed in the big blog world!

My favorite from last week was these mid century modern step end tables redone by Joan at Nicer Than New

I will own a couple of these tables myself someday and I just may use Joan as my inspiration!

If you have been featured here, or over at my freakin' fabulous 
friend Kim's blog, (she has a different Pick of the Week so go check it out...was it you?) make sure to grab an I've Been Featured button here.

Now, are you ready to party??

Here are the really easy party rules: 

Feel free to link up anything you have created (recipes, decor, crafts, written or photographed). Anything you are so proud of you just gotta share it with others. It is the first Tuesday of the month so ANYTHING GOES!!  (Etsy shops, giveaways, contests.. you name it!) 

You can follow Kim and I on social media, but it is not required. (We want you to follow us because you want to, not because you have to.)

Kim: Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+

Kathe: Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+

We would love it if you would link back in some way so that others come and party with us. Either grab the party button or add my blog link to your post or on your blog party page. But again, it's not required.

As always, the links are in random order so that your submission(s) gets a great chance of getting seen!

The party starts now!

An InLinkz Link-up