Before & After: Carolyn's Dresser

Before: Cheap, ugly Wal-Mart dresser that we bought as newlyweds.



After: Same cheap dresser with added trim, paint, and new hardware.


I would have liked to use bigger trim but it would've cost twice as much and I didn't think this dresser was worth that much of an investment. I ordered the hardware on eBay. If you ever need drawer or cabinet hardware, check eBay first! It cost probably a third of what I would've paid at Home Depot. Plus I got free shipping. Overall, I think it turned out pretty nice. It definitely gives her room a different feel. Now I need to paint her walls and get some color behind it.

The First Day of School

Is it just me, or was this the shortest summer ever? I can't believe school started today. I always have mixed feelings on the first day of school. Part of me is jumping for joy, well, most of me is jumping for joy, but I have a little sadness and worry about sending my kids off into the cold, cruel world.

Carolyn and Molly were dressed and ready, shoes and all, before I even got out of bed this morning. I always make sure my kids have a brand new pair of shoes to wear on the first day of school. When I took Carolyn to her first day of kindergarten, she wore the sandals that she wore all summer since the weather was still hot. Then I saw that she was the only kid that was not wearing new shoes and I felt like the worst mom ever. Now I know better.

I have high hopes for this school year. We have a new principal that I have a really good feeling about. The girls' teachers seem nice. I have a lot of projects around the house that I think I might be able to accomplish with only half of my kids around.

For the Love of L.L.Bean Backpacks

I have been going crazy lately buying school supplies. It's an annual obsession. I can't wait to get the Sunday paper each week and see what kind of ridiculous sales the stores are having. Some of them really are ridiculous. Like a penny for a spiral notebooks. Plus a 20% off coupon. No joke. I have a giant box full of supplies because even though they're only asking for 4 glue sticks now, you know that before Christmas they're going to send home a note saying they need more. And then for teacher appreciation week they'll be asking for more supplies. And then again towards the end of the year. So I make sure I am stocked and ready.

When Carolyn and Molly each started kindergarten, I bought them an L.L.Bean backpack. Carolyn can be pretty rough on things. Her preschool backpack was shot. It's not like they're even toting around heavy books. Anyway, I knew that the Bean backpack was pretty durable since I had the same one through all of middle and high school. She has used hers the past four years and it is still in great condition. Molly has used hers for two years and it still has that new crispness. Even though Audrey doesn't start kindergarten for another year, I already ordered her L.L.Bean backpack (pictured at the top of this post). Why so early? Because they're on sale, of course. Right now all of their backpacks are 20% off plus they have free shipping with no minimum purchase. Gotta love a great deal on a great product.