Sugar Scrub

Now that so many of us are working in our gardens or the children are on summer break, we wanted to re-post our super simple recipe for a sugar scrub. We have it by all the sinks and tubs. It's great to clean and moisturize your hands and body... and smells yummy! Remember that coconut oil melts easily so you might want to keep it in a cool place, especially in the summer. It's perfect if you've been working in the garden or if you don't like to wear shoes in the summer. You can use it to clean and soften your hands and even your feet! It also makes a great gift!

1/2 c. white sugar or organic cane sugar

1/2 c. coconut oil  

                                                                                                                          

Mix together with spoon and store in a tightly sealed container. Rub onto wet skin and rinse off. Enjoy!

~Simply Angie

How to Decorate with Heirlooms

 

A simple inexpensive decorating idea is to use a shadow box and some of your favorite family items. I lined the shadow box with contact paper and placed an old paperback recipe book, spatula and hand-written recipe. We had several generations of bakers in our family so we have plenty of vintage kitchen items. I also used wrapping paper as a backdrop in a frame of old family pictures. If you don't have items handed down in your family, you can find lots of options at garage sales, flea markets or thrift shops.

Happy decorating!

~ Simply Angie

A New Look for an Old Metal File Cabinet

As long I can remember our family has been trading furniture with each other. It's a simple process, when one family gets tired of an item, you start asking the rest of the family if they want it. It can actually take several years for an item to make it's way through the entire family, but sometimes by the time it comes back around, the original owner reclaims it or it is sent away to donation land. My husband still laughs about this funny little routine we have, but it seems normal to us and it saves us money! So now that you see how it works, I was actually the fourth owner of the metal filing cabinet. My daughter called one Sunday afternoon and asked if I wanted the filing cabinet and of course I did! I needed a new filing cabinet but I really am not fond of the metal cabinets and if I got a wood cabinet, I would have to paint it! I also didn't want my home office to look like an office, so I decided I would create a new look for the old metal filing cabinet.

I started by removing the hardware and bought some shabby handles for 50% off and dry-brushed them light pink acrylic paint. Then I measured the top of the cabinet and used my old, thrift store chenille bedspread and started cutting the material to match my measurements. I brushed Mod Podge onto the top of the cabinet and laid the cut material over the top. I pressed it with my hands, so it would stick to the top. I did this for the sides, drawers and door, then let them dry.
When the cabinet was dry, I used hot glue to attach braided pieces from the bedspread to the side seams and top of the front of the cabinet. Then I cut the fringe off the bedspread and used hot glue to finish off the bottom of the cabinet. The secret is to make sure your fabric doesn't overlap onto the drawers or the door (if you have one). This way the drawers will open without getting caught on the fabric.Attach the hardware and begin using your new, old file cabinet!

Welcome to my shabby office!

Before

After

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Mantel Decorating for Spring or Summer

It's that time again to change the mantel for the season. I had so much fun making my coffee filter wreath, I decided to make a larger wreath for the wall above the mantel. I followed the instructions from our previous post Simply DIY Shabby Summer Wreath, except I used an 18 inch straw wreath and colored some of the coffee filters to give it a more shabby look. I dipped the edges of the flowers into 4 cups of water and 2 drops of red food coloring for the light pink color. They soak up the water quickly and take about an hour to dry. I put them in a flat box and set them outside so they would dry quickly. Make sure it's not windy or your flowers will fly away! Happy crafting!

Love and peace,

~ Simply Tammi