DIY Hoop Canopy {Tutorial}

Hello and welcome to Tuesday Talk! Meet your hosts! Becky from BYBMG, Beth from Our Pretty Little Girls, Whitney from Polka-Dotty Place, Elizabeth from All Kinds of Things, Tara from Mrs.Coach Sims, Keri from Living In This Season, Sarah from Abiding In Grace, Lauren from Simply Free , Emily from Morning Motivated Mom, and Jessica & Katie from Sweet Little Ones, Christina from Waltzing In Beauty, Amy from Go Forth and Mother & Michelle from Grammie Time
We would love to have you join the fun and link up with us this week!
Today I want to share a simple, easy, DIY project that is fit for a princess and the perfect addition to any little girls bedroom or play space.

This project started with me browsing on Pinterest WAY to much before taking my first trip to IKEA. The good news is it's quick, easy and pretty inexpensive. A win in my book!
Supplies needed are and embroidery hoop. Any size will do but I of course went with the largest I could find 23" (If you buy from Hobby Lobby don't forget to use a 40% off coupon). 3-4 panels of Sheer curtains, I used Lill curtains from Ikea. If you want an open feel in the front you can add a valance instead of the 4th panel. White spray paint, and some way of hanging your hoop. I am a HUGE fan of command hooks but you may need to use screw in hooks for a better hold against little hands. 
The first step is to spray paint your hoop white. If you chose to use colored sheers I would spray paint it a complimentary color to whatever you chose.

Next you add your curtains.  *Helpful tip: I found the edge of the hoop to be a bit rough making it hard to slide them on so I covered the end with some foil and they slipped on much easier.
I used 3 panels. I planned on putting it over a bed and wanted the front more open. If you were using it for a reading nook or wanted a more closed appearance you could use all 4 panels and not add a valance.

Next I added the valance. The connector for the hoop made it a bit odd so I simply folded the edge between the two rings before tightening. 
There are SO many possibilities with this project. Valances, fabric, tulle you could do all kinds of things.

Then I tied four loops of string around the inside ring for easy hanging. I didn't snap a photo of this step but you will see what I did in the next picture.
With everything in place tighten the nut on your hoop so the fabric is secured between the rings. 

Now it is time to hang. I used 4 Command hooks. I realize this approach may not work well for everyone but so far so good in our home. If command hooks won't work you can go with screw hooks instead. 
And just like that, your done. 

 
The perfect additions for any little princess' room. 
Are you working on any DIY projects?
Now it's your turn. Grab the button on my side bar and link up!
An InLinkz Link-up

The Man Behind The Blog {June}

Hello Monday!

Last month was my first ever man behind the blog post. Russ was less than thrilled or comfortable about the interview but he stretched out of his comfort zone and went for it. Boy oh boy am I so glad that he did! I received such so much great feed back from that post that he found it impossible to deny my request to participate in this great link up again.


*Side not before we even started he asked how many questions there were. When I told him 5 he replied "FIVE? That's like five to many." Oh my. 
1 // What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
Hmmm? (Silence)
It would probably be a toss up between Hawaii and London because they were culturally different. I mean that time I went to space.... I mean everyone that I've been on with you. 
Me: (Nice try Mr.) 
2 // If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?

(Scratching beard)

I don't like riding in planes... so it depends on if I have to sit in a plane.

Me: "That kind of just depends on where you go. You could go by boat."

What's the question? Are you going? What about the kids?

Me: "Let's just assume it's a family vacation."

Ummm.... I could drive to Alaska.
I would like to take you outside of the country but not the kids because they wouldn't appreciate it. 

3 // Are there any summer traditions that you have or would like to start? (think things like big picnics, summer activities, bonfires, or day trips!)

Summer traditions?!

(Long pause for thinking with lots of big sighs)

I'm not like a tradition kind of person, but it would be nice to go somewhere different every summer. Fireworks are fun or trying to go to a baseball game with the girls.

4 // The 4th of July is coming up…what’s a must-have picnic or BBQ food for you?

Picnic 4th of July food?

I don't care what kind of meat as long as there is Famous Daves BBQ sauce to put on it. Baked beans are pretty American, maybe some baked beans.

5 // Think about your ideal vacation…are you in a cozy cabin, camping in a tent, or hanging in a hotel?

Not a tent. That's a lot of work.
Uh..... Cabin on the beach? Or a hotel, a clean one. 

To find out more about this link up, join in and find out next months questions be sure to check out Heavens To Betsy.

He's awkward, he's a handful and he's mine.
So thankful for my guy. 

Friday Highlights 6.26.15

Hello Friday!

Friday is here and it couldn't have came sooner. We are SO ready for the weekend.

This week has been a HOT one. Apparently mother nature got the word that summer had officially arrived and cranked up the humidity here in the mid-west. We have pretty much lived at the pool this past week and it has been awesome. #noshame

Weekend plans consist of not melting, having a yard sale where I will hopefully sell all our junk valuable merchandise and just being together.

{ONE}  On The Blog This Week

This week on the blog I shared about our recent family trip to St Louis.

You can check out part one here.

On Tuesday I shared some Free & Inexpensive summer boredom busters. Who isn't looking for cheap entertainment this summer?
And Wednesday I shared the rest of our vacation in part two.

{TWO} Hellmann's
Recently I was given the chance to try out Hellmann's real mayonnaise in a new bottle courtesy of Influenster. 

Let me just say I LOVE this new bottle. Clean lock cap, squeeze bottle that is facing down and an accurate tip. Man they nailed this bottle design. Plus it's Hellmann's! It is hard to be REAL mayonnaise. They sold me on this product pretty easily and I think you will be the same way. Check it out and #squeezemore with Hellmann's this summer.

I was given this product for testing purpose however all opinions are my own.

{THREE} Fun on the 4th!
So the 4th of July is just about a week away and I couldn't possibly be more excited. There is just something about that day that makes me smile. I have recently been thinking of a few thing our 4th must include and I wanted to share a few great ideas with you to make your celebrating more fun!
If you want to do some patriotic decorating here is a super easy DIY project for a festive wreath!

Courtney at Sweet Turtle Soup came up with a cute easy 4th of July popper.  Love this!

I made this jello last year and I will DEFINITELY be repeating this fun dessert again.

We have also made these shirts before. So much fun!

What festive activities do you have planned?
{FOUR} all free clear #withmyblanket sweeps
Does your child have a blanket they are attached to. I know we have a few blanket lovers around here.

all free clear is currently hosting a #withmyblanket sweepstakes. You could be one of 5 that win a one year supply of all free clear!

There are 2 great ways via social media to enter the sweepstakes, just share how your child’s blanket becomes a best friend at bed time or a fort during play time. We all know the blanket is a precious treasure to our kids. A year supply of all free clear would be an awesome way to keep those blankets clean.

Via Facebook: Upload your photo with the hashtags #withmyblanket and #sweeps on the all free clear Facebook page

Via Twitter: Log onto your Twitter account and tweet your Photo with the hashtags #withmyblanket and #sweeps.

You must share your #withmyblanket creations by July 26, 2015 to be eligible to win.

{FIVE} Girl Mom
This week Sarah from Foxy's Domestic Side shared a post for my 'Girl Mom' series.

She talked all about her "mini fox" and the things that make her special. She is such a cutie. If you missed Sarah's post make sure you check it out!

If you're interested in sharing your story about being a girl mom fill out this survey and I will be in touch. 

Friday Linkup Parties

To see where I am linking up check out my link-up tab.
Have a great weekend!
We will see you back here on Monday.

Girl Moms Series: Sarah, Foxy's Domestic Side

Hi! I'm Sarah, I blog over at Foxy's Domestic Side. I am an engineer by day and craft loving, quilt making, DIY wanna be by night. I blog about my journey to find my inner domestic side. You'll also see an obscene amount of pictures of my two children, Baby Fox (4.5 born on Christmas morning) and Mini Fox (1.5). I'm so happy to be here writing for Beth's Girl Mom Series.

I was a boy mom for 2.75 years, I knew boy things, I knew how to handle them, and when my doctor told me he was 90% sure we were having a girl at 12 weeks, I freaked out. I wanted another boy, I prepared myself for another boy, and when he said girl, I froze. I didn't know how to handle a girl, quite frankly girl diapers scared me...my husband on the other hand was over the moon thrilled, he wanted a little princess with every fiber of his being.

Mini Fox came fast (read 2.5 hours from start to finish), and when she wanted (2 weeks early). I should have known then that she is a girl who wants what she wants when she wants it.

I love that she has an older brother, that she looks up to and wants to be around him all the time. He looks out for her and helps her any way he can. Even putting on furry vests.

They even like to snuggle each other.

Recently she's really been into Princess EVERYTHING. She won't wear anything other than princess outfits.

But on the flip side she likes to wear monster teeth and play in dirt and wrestle and sword fight.

My wish for my daughter is to be who she is, to be comfortable enough to do what she wants, play with what she wants and not worry what other people are thinking. Easier said then done, but I hope that she grows up with confidence in herself and trust that she is who she is and not apologize for it. I love being a girl Mom and I love that my daughter at age 21 months already knows who she wants to be, I just hope that I can be the Mom who doesn't judge and only supports her children with whatever they want to do in life.

Thank you so much for sharing mini fox with us Sarah. She is precious!

On a side note a Dr. accurately predicting the gender at 12 weeks, that is AMAZING. I know several ladies would would love for their Dr. to be able to do that. 

To keep up with Sarah and her little Foxes make sure you follow her along on:

Instagram // Facebook // Twitter

If you're interested in sharing your story about being a girl mom fill out this survey and I will be in touch.

Newman Family Vacation 2015 {Part Two}

On Monday I shared about part one of our 2015 family vacation. Today I wanted to finish off the details of the rest of our trip and dump a few lot more photos on you.

Day 3 started out at the St. Louis Science Center. Another free attraction that St. Louis has to offer. We arrived there before we opened and managed to snag one of the free parking places too!

The building has a planetarium on one side of the highway and the science center on the other with this walkway over the highway connecting them.

All that time building this and seconds before I snapped a photo a little kid pushed it over. 

So we built it again. 

This is their "space walk".

This photo shows their personalities to a T. Marissa unsure, Emily silly. 

Day # 3 of tons of walking. We were all feeling pretty done by this point but still smiling. 

After a quick stop by the hotel we went to have dinner with and visit Russ' Grandparents. We were also able to see his Uncle and Aunt too. It is always so nice seeing them. 

Day four was our last day and I knew I wanted to take the girls to get a close up look at the arch. We have drove past it countless times but it is pretty hard to beat getting an up close look. 

Plus you "have" to touch it.

The mighty Mississippi "Pond" as Emily called it. Tons of rain and flooding has the river pretty high right now. With all the droughts out west us Mid-westerners are feeling pretty guilty over the insane amount of rain we have had. 

And a trip down town wouldn't be complete without a look at the ball park.

Go Cards!!!

Marissa tried taking a photo of us... not to bad. 

Our last St. Louis stop was a trip to Grants Farm also known as the Budweiser farm.

We met Lee a 19 year old Budweiser Clydesdale. He was super sweet.

Checked out the Clydesdale farm

Took a train ride through Deer Park.

Fed some camels.

Rode another carousel.

Plus we made an elephant friend.

It was by far the hottest day of our trip so I decided to be a yes mom. The girls ran through the sprinklers until they were almost soaked. 

A little more walking around and we were headed to the car to make the 4.5 hour drive back home. 

We haven't made a trip like this with the girls in YEARS. It was such a blessing and so much fun. I am so, so glad we decided to get out of town together and hope we can make many more trips like this together in the future.