Decor

Sertodo Copper

August 31, 2020April 16, 2021by sweetsoutherngracesLeave a Comment

[This post contains sponsored links. The items featured and linked, in this post is provided by Sertodo Copper; opinions and reviews are my own.]

Sertodo Copper: Benefits

Did you know that copper has anti-microbial proberties? I also can appreciate that 65% of all copper mined today has been recycled over and over to make new pieces! I enjoy having a product in my home that is anti-microbial and is recycled!!

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Sertodo Copper: History

Over 23 years ago, Jonathan Beall founded Sertodo Copper and began selling it throughout the United States from the back of his truck! He even nicknamed his truck “El Macho”. Since 1997, Sertodo Copper has been bringing the highest quality copper goods made by the master artisans in their shops located in Austin, Texas and Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacan.

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Sertodo Copper products are designed to become heirlooms for generations to use with cooking, socializing and enjoyin with family and friends. The first pieces that Sertodo Copper sold in 1997 are still in use today because the first customers are still customers today!

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Whipping Egg Whites in Copper Bowls

The really cool thing about whipping egg whites in a copper bowl is that as the whisk hits the bowl, tiny bits of copper break off from the surface of the bowl and mix in with your egg whites. Since copper can bind sulfur groups, those tiny bits of copper bind to the egg white proteins and therefore, sulfur groups are unable to form the strong disulfide bonds that can leadd to gritty, dry whipped egg whites. The egg whites whipped in a copper bowl stay glossy and firm without as much risk of becoming grainy or overwhipped. Pretty cool, right! So tell me, have your tried whipping egg whites in a copper bowl?

Recipe: Whipped Egg Whites

It is best to use fresh eggs, since the proteins are more conductive to forming an airy, porous foam when they are new. Seperate your egg yokes from the whites. If you accidently drop some yolk into the egg whites, the fat will prevent the egg whites from foaming up. To avoid this, use two seperate bowls-one for yolks and one for whites. Place your egg whites in your copper bowl and begin whipping the egg whites with your whisk. As you beat, do not rush adding the sugar. The slower you add your sugar, the better it will dissolve. I recommend using one tablespoon at a time. Also, take weather into account, as it is best to make meringues on a dry day. On humid and hot days, they can become limp or sticky.

Ingredients:

* 4 large egg whites

* 1 cup sugar

*1/2 tsp of cream of tartar IF you do not have a copper bowl.

Directions:

Beat egg whites until foamy with a whisk or mixer. If you do not have a copper bowl, now is the time to place the cream of tartar into the foamy egg whites. Try not to overbeat the egg whites at this point or they will have a harder time combining with your sugar. Slowly add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat until you no longer hear the sugar in the egg whites. (No sound of the sugar hitting against your bowl as you mix.) Once all of the sugar has been added, you can stop worrying with overbeating. Beat until stiff peaks form. How to tell if you have stiff peaks? Test by lifting your whisk from the bowl. The peaks of the egg whites that rise as you lift should stand straight up. Also, as you tilt the bowl, the whites should not slide. You should not see any clear watery egg at the bottom. Double check to make sure the sugar is dissolved. Pinch some meringue between your fingers. It should feel sliky and smooth.

Sertodo Copper: My Favorite Copper Pieces

I am loving their Bisotun Water Pitcher! I think it is a great conversation piece as well!

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I also love their Alicante Paella Pan. Perfect for whipping up something for dinner!

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Of course, I love my Sertodo Copper! Perfect for the meringue recipe!

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I hope ya’ll have enjoyed reading about the benefits of copper, the meringue recipe and about the history of Sertodo Copper. Please check our thier website. I know you will love their copper!

❤️~Shae

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DIY

Homemade Powdered Laundry Soap

August 10, 2020April 16, 2021by sweetsoutherngraces1 Comment

Homemade Powdered Laundry Soap

Making your own homemade powdered laundry detergent may take a few extra minutes of your time, but it’s a lot cheaper than store bought. Plus you’re keeping your home chemical free. Continue reading for full instructions and cost break down.

Ingredients:

I’ve been making my own laundry detergent for years! It saves so much money plus y’all know how much we try to live without those yucky chemicals! Plus, it’s super easy with just three ingredients: washing soda, borax and Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap .

What you will need to purchase:

• (1) 3 pound box of Super Washing Soda

• (1) 4 pound box of Borax

• (2) Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap Bars

• Container for the detergent

• Grater

• Wooden Spoon for stirring

• Tablespoon for measuring

Directions:

Pour the washing soda and borax into a large bowl. Grate both bars of the Dr. Bronner’s soap, on the fine side of the grater, then add to the washing soda and borax bowl. Stir the detergent until it’s all mixed in really well.

How Much Detergent to Use Per Wash?

I use 1-3 tablespoons per wash, depending on the load size and how dirty the load. In a normal load, I normally use 2 tablespoons but if a load is really dirty, I will use 3 tablespoons.

Cost Break Down:

Let’s break down the cost to compare pricing of store bought.

•Washing Soda $4.12

•Borax $4.47

• Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap $3.62

• Total= $12.21

This receipt will make 112 loads, giving you 7 pounds of detergent. Break that down to $0.11 cents per load!

Compare Natural Name Brands: Conclussion:

Now, if I were to buy a natural detergent, let’s compare the costs of those! Let’s compare costs to Whole Foods 365, Molly’s Suds and ECOS.

• Whole Foods 365 for 80 ounces at $11.99 with 53 loads = $0.23 cents per load.

• Molly’s Suds for 70 ounces at $20.99 with 120 $0.30 per load.

• ECOS for 57 laundry square pods at $25.26 for 57 loads = $0.44 cents per load.

Conclusions: Savings, No Chemicals and How Long Will the Detergent Last

Y’all! The math don’t lie! I love saving my family money and we are using a detergent that is not full of chemicals! I call that a win win! This detergent will last us for a month! Can y’all believe that I’m only spending a little over $12 per month on detergent for a family of 6?!

Sensitive Skin:

Yes! We use this on our sensitive skin! Several of our family members have sensitive skin with skin issues like eczema, ect. I have even used it in replace of the expensive baby washing detergent! I have been using this recipe for the last 16 plus years!

Liquid Laundry Detergent: Final Thoughts

When I first began making my own laundry detergent, the first recipe I used was for liquid detergent. I used that recipe for the first couple of years since we had a HE Washer and were told to only use HE soap. One day I decided to test a couple loads with the powdered detergent and never went back to the liquid. We have never had a problem with using either recipe’s in our HE washer’s!

Final Thoughts:

Have you ever made homemade laundry detergent? If so, what have been your thoughts? Hope y’all enjoyed the recipe and enjoy the savings!

❤️-Shae

DIY

Updating your Bathroom on a Budget

August 3, 2020April 16, 2021by sweetsoutherngraces2 Comments

Updating Your Bathroom on a Budget: It’s EASY!

[This post contains sponsored links. The items featured and linked, in this post is provided by LNC Home; all opinions and reviews are my own.]

Bathroom Mini Reno on a Very Small Budget: Make the impossible, possible!

We had one last item to add to this bathroom after a mini bathroom renovation and that was our 3 Light Modern Wall Sconce .

The before picture below is the day we purchased our home. It has really come so far on such a low budget!

Decor Through the Years: Styles can Change!

I would like to say that my decor tastes and styles have changed over the years. Some may believe I am scared of color because most of my home is now neutral but if you look closely, you will see color throughout my home! The photo below is what our bathroom looked like before the mini bathroom reno began. We had a very bright pink in the bathroom along with a black and white accent colors. Paris was the theme that my girls wanted!

We decided to have a very small budget when it came to this mini reno, since it was the upstairs bathroom and is rarely used!

Budget Reno Details: DIY’s

For this mini reno, we removed the popcorn ceiling along with patching, painting the ceiling. I painted the walls in Lazy Gray from Sherwin Williams. I also painted all the baseboards, window and door with Ibis White from Sherwin Williams. I had the trim paint on hand.

I stripped the varnish/black paint off the vanity cabinet and painted the inside and outside with my DIY Chalk Paint. I applied a product called Ardex to the existing countertop, which is similar to concrete countertops. I added three coats of a clear sealer on it as well! I did purchase new knobs and drawer pulls from Hobby Lobby when they were 50% so they were only $10! I re-used the existing shelf liner to the inside of the drawers and cabinet.

I purchased small plastics bins to help organizer the inside of the drawers and cabinet form Target. They were very budget friendly at $2 for a four pack!

My husband made a frame for the existing mirror and I stained it. The wood and stain were items that we had on hand from other various projects!

We also added new hardware throughout the bathroom! I added a shower curtain and rug from Wal-Mart. I also added several baskets/greenery from Hobby Lobby. Most all of the decor were items that we basically already had on hand. The amber glass dispensers were only $14 from Amazon. I added the labels with my Silhouette Machine!

I painted the little table with my diy chalk paint. It was an inherited item from my Mom-Maw. I did purchase a new lamp shade for $8 for the white lamp. I sewed the curtain and added the monogram. (I made the curtain years ago.) We hung a vintage window that we got for free off of Facebook Marketplace. The wood frames with greenery were a DIY with items we already had on hand. We found the hanging light fixture at a local thrift store for $6, several years back. I spray painted it black with spray paint that we already had on hand.

Budget Friendly Bathroom Light Fixture: 3 Light Modern Wall Sconce

Lighting is a huge part of any room transformation. A well-chosen vanity light becomes a focal point, setting the scene.

I knew I wanted to replace the existing vanity light because it did not flow with our mini reno. Here is where my friends over at LNC Home into play! I found the 3 Light Modern Wall Sconce and knew it would be perfect for our bathroom!! Plus it was the finishing touch to this mini bathroom reno!

3 Light Modern Wall Sconce: Farmhouse Style

This vanity light is made of metal with a silver painting finish. The simple lines and colors are full of retro style, creating a great atmosphere for you, which is ideal for your farmhouse style bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, doorways, barns and entryway.

One of the best things about this light fixture is that it is budget friendly at only $89.99!! We are so happy with how the 3 Light Modern Wall Sconce finished up our mini reno in our girls bathroom!! Please check out LNC Home! They have many decor items for your home at budget friendly prices; from rugs to light fixtures to furniture and cushions! I know you will enjoy browsing their store!

Total Cost: Budget Friendly

Ardex-$30

Clear Sealer for Countertop-$25

Citri Stripe-$0-Had on hand

Cabinet & Table Paint-$0- Had on hand

Lazy Gray SW Wall Paint-$45

Cabinet Knobs/Pulls-$10
Plastic Storage Drawer Bins-$6

New Fixtures/Hardware-$0-Collab with Pfister

Amber Dispensers-$14

Lamp Shade-$8

Shower Curtain, Rug and towel-$50

Other Decor Items-$0-Had on hand

Hanging Light Fixture-$0-Had on hand

3 Light Sconce-$0-Collab with LNC

Total-$193

Hope you’ve enjoyed reading about our mini bathroom reno on a budget! We are making our home decor dreams come true, one at a time and of course on a small budget!!

❤️~Shae

Decor

Let the Sun Shine In with Kirklands

July 20, 2020April 16, 2021by sweetsoutherngracesLeave a Comment

Let the Sunshine in with Kirklands

[This post contains sponsored links. The items featured and linked, in this post is provided by Kirklands; all opinions and reviews are my own.]

Adding a Touch of Sunshine:

With everyone spending more time at home, I wanted to bring a little more sunshine into our dining room space. I am slowly adding more touches of boho to our home. Come along and see what I found at Kirklands that helps just bring a smile to my face every day!

Large Macrame Handwoven Wall Hanging:

I have been looking for a large macrame wall hanging for quite some time! I fell in love with this Large Macrame Handwoven Wall Hanging . It gives your wall a bohemian, textured look! I am enjoying its natural appeal because it’s eye catching as you walk into our dining room!

The Large Macrame Handwoven Wall Hanging can fit many different decor styles from bohemian to vintage to cottage or farmhouse! I love how versatile it is for different types of decor!

Succulent Arrangement in Clay Pot:

I am loving this little Succulent Arrangement in Clay Pot . It is so realistic looking and it feels real to the touch! I am enjoying its hues of white, green and tan!! The Succulent Arrangement in Clay Pot will add a touch of greenery to any decor!!

Sunshine Well Received:

I am thankful to be enjoying these beautiful pieces in my home from Kirklands. They have decor to fit so many different styles and at great prices too! If you have any questions, please let me know! Which is your favorite item? Let me know in the comments!

❤️-Shae

Travel

Exploring St. Augustine, Florida: History and Culture

July 8, 2020April 16, 2021by sweetsoutherngraces4 Comments

This post contains sponsored links. The item featured and linked, in this post is provided by St. Augustine Lighthouse (six admission tickets); all opinions and reviews are my own.]

St. Augustine: History

In June of this year, we had the pleasure of visiting St. Augustine, on the Atlantic cost of northeastern Florida. St. Augustine is a gem situated neatly along the shores of the Matanzas River and holds heavy historical significance! The Southern and Spanish-influenced St. Augustine, Florida was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers and it is the oldest inhabited European-established settlement in the United States. When you are walking around on its centuries-old cobblestone streets, you will instantly feel like you are either in Europe or Old Florida, depending on which street you’re on! It’s a charming escape for anyone wanting to take a vacation!

St. Augustine: Arrival

The Bridge of Lions will take you across the Matanzas River to the heart of the historic old town. Once across the bridge you have the choice of turning left on Avenida Menendez to the marina and sight-seeing cruises or right to the Castillo de San Marcos. You can also continue straight ahead on Cathedral Street into the heart of downtown.

St. Augustine: Beaches

One of the reasons we wanted to travel to St. Augustine was for the beaches! The beaches are so pretty! With a historic city being one of its main attractions, don’t forget about the beaches near St. Augustine! From their sunrises to sunsets, they are stunning!

Located on Anastasia Island, a barrier island off the mainland, St Augustine Beach has a natural feel with a wide beach and lots of good surf and shorebirds!

St. Augustine: Lighthouse & Museum

While traveling, one of our family goals is to visit every lighthouse we come by! The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum was a highlight for our entire vacation! When we arrived at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum , we were greeted by Daniel Lee, who took us on a tour of the property and we learned quite a bit of history about the lighthouse. He was very welcoming and informative on the history of the lighthouse.

History: Pre-1862

The story of the the current lighthouse in St. Augustine is not the original St. Augustine Lighthouse. The Spanish constructed the tower that became the first lighthouse in 1737. They used a naturally occurring stone called coquina to construct the original tower. The coquina tower replaced wooden watchtowers the Spanish built dating back to the beginnings of Spanish Florida.

A map of Francis Drake’s 1586 raid on St. Augustine reveals the presence of a small tower on Anastasia Island. The map refers to the tower as “a Beacon or high scaffold standing on the sand hills, wherein the Spaniards did use to discover the ships at sea.” In 1823, John Rodman, Collector of St. Augustine, wrote to Stephen Pleasonton, Fifth Auditor of the U.S. Treasury, that despite the tower’s presence, “…it was never built for a lighthouse or used as one, but merely a look-out-house. The location is well suited…but a great proportion of the tower, nearly one half, is not sufficiently strong to bear any greater elevation either if wood or stone work.”

John (Juan) Andreu became first keeper of Florida’s first official U.S. lighthouse in St. Augustine. Not only is he one of the first, he also holds the distinction of being the first Hispanic-American to serve in the Coast Guard and the first to oversee a federal installation of any kind.

Juan Andreu served as keeper until 1845 and the records are unclear as to who took over and served as lighthouse keeper from 1845 to 1849. John (Juan) Carrera served as keeper from 1849 until his death in 1853. Joseph took care of the lighthouse until his death, which he fell, while painting the lighthouse.

Joseph’s wife Maria Mestre de los Dolores Andreu was appointed keeper in place of her deceased husband. The Coast Guard recognizes Maria Andreu as the first Hispanic-American woman to serve in the Coast Guard. Maria was the lighthouse keeper from 1859-1862.

History: Current

The current St. Augustine Lighthouse is nestled among live oaks and beautiful Spanish moss making a stunning nautical canopy. Also located on the property is Maritime Museum, along with the light keepers house.

There is also the Maritime Hammock which is a natural area that the coastline formed when it receded, creating stabilized beach dunes that allowed for larger growth trees.

There is even a cute gift shop located on the property as well!

St. Augustine Lighthouse: Climbing the lighthouse

To climb the lighthouse, you will need to climb 219 stairs! Trust me when I say that is is worth it! There are eight landings and even one with a bench. Plenty of space for others to walk past you and if needed, space for a break!

When you walk into the lighthouse, walk to the first set of stairs, go to the very middle and look up! This is the view that you will see!

The view from the top is amazing! We had a couple that were a little nervous to be up so high, yet is not our first time on the top of a lighthouse either!

Amazing view of St. Augustine from the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse!! If you decide to come to visit St. Augustine, don’t forget to stop by the lighthouse!

St. Augustine: Downtown Old City Gates & St. George Street

The Old City Gates are a site to behold toward the north end of St. George Street. The Old City Gates were at one time the only entrance into St. Augustine. The two ancient columns made of coquina were built in 1808 as a line of defense for the city.

After visiting the Old City Gates, walk through to enter St. George Street, which is a historic street, that is filled with galleries, shops, restaurants and popular St. Augustine attractions.

St. Augustine: Castillo de San Marcos

The Castillo de San Marcos is the largest masonry fort in the continental United States and was built to protect Spain’s claim to the New World!

Unfortunately due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the fort was closed on the inside. We did walk around the exterior of the fort!

St. Augustine: The Fountain of Youth

The Fountain of Youth was believed that anyone who drank from the fountain would have their youth restored. In 2,400 BC, the Native Americans, a tribe known as, Timucua, were amount the first to inhibit the land. Ponce de Leon was the first Spanish explorer to find the Fountain of Youth. The grounds at the Fountain of Youth are beautiful and you will also find several peacocks throughout the property!

Drinking from the Fountain of Youth is wonderful experience that our family will never forget!

I could honestly go on and talk about St. Augustine for a long time! We love this city so much! It is such a pleasure to visit the historical St. Augustine and we know we will definitely be back!

❤️~Shae

Decor

Refresh For Less Challenge with Kirklands

June 17, 2020April 16, 2021by sweetsoutherngraces4 Comments

Refresh For Less Challenge with Kirklands

[This post contains sponsored links. The items featured and linked, in this post is provided by Kirklands; all opinions and reviews are my own.]

Challenge Deets:

Kirklands challenge was to buy four items under $100 to refresh a space in my home!

Challenge Accepted: Shopping Time

When I arrived at my local Kirklands, I made a quick loop around the store then decided to do a refreshed space in my kitchen!

Ceramic Script Cookie Jar:

Since our kitchen is a Farmhouse style with whites and woods, I knew that the Ceramic Script Cookie Jar would be perfect in my kitchen! Plus, it was only $19.99!! If your kids are like mine, from the adults to littles, our family loves homemade cookies! What a perfect way to savor that freshness with this cookie jar!

Ceramic Vinegar and Oil Dispensers:

As soon as I saw the Ceramic Vinegar and Oil Dispensers for $19.99. I knew they would be perfect us! We love vinegar and oil on our salads, as we eat them almost every day! The dispensers match the cookie jar with perfection!

Sansevieria Snake Plant: Farmhouse Black Checked Kitchen Towel:

I think my favorite find is the Sansevieria Snake Plant for $29.99. I love that it looks so real!! It has a silk finish on the leaves and it’s planted in a ceramic planter! This would look beautiful anywhere in your home, from the bathroom to a bedroom or the kitchen!

Farmhouse Black Checked Kitchen Towel:

The latest item I picked up for the challenge was the Farmhouse Black Checked Kitchen Towel for $8.99. It is so cute and farmhouse shabby chic! You could hang it over the handle of your stove like I have or over your farmhouse sink!

Challenge Complete:

I enjoyed this Refresh For Less Challenge with Kirklands! All of my items were under $100!! Which item is your favorite? Let me know in comments! I hope you enjoyed stopping by!

❤️-Shae

Decor

Spring Outdoor Space with Kirklands

May 23, 2020April 16, 2021by sweetsoutherngraces2 Comments

This post contains sponsored links. The items featured and linked, in this post is provided by Kirklands; all opinions and reviews are my own.]

Styling a Outdoor Space with Kirklands

I love creating beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy in the warmer months with my family. With just a few decorating hacks, you can make your space feel more stylish!

Outdoor Seating

Add a couple chairs in for seating. I love the metal and wood look right now! You can find these chairs just about anywhere online!

Outdoor Mat

Add in a cute welcome mat! Kirklands has so many stylish welcome mats for your home to fit almost any budget! Mine is the Home is Where We Gather Mat and it was under $15!

White Wood Metal Planters

I am really enjoying my Kirklands White Wood Planters on Black Metal Stands . I love the distressed wood and the geometric flair they add to our back deck. The large pyramid planter is 11L X 11W X 19.75 H inches. The small pyramid planter is 9.5L x 9.5W x 15.75H inches. I chose to add a couple Everest plants to my planters. It’s similar to monkey grass.

Plants

Add in your plants! I love plants! They are a labor of love, after all! I always have ferns in the spring through fall months in my outdoor spaces! Ferns are pretty easy to take care of, with watering small daily in the summer months, here in the south!

Outdoor Space

It really is easy to create a budget friendly outdoor space with Kirklands! Create that space that you and your family can enjoy during the warm summer months! I hope I have inspired you with our outdoor space!

❤️-Shae

Decor, DIY

Updating Door Knobs and Door Hardware with Kwikset & National Hardware

May 12, 2020April 16, 2021by sweetsoutherngracesLeave a Comment

[This post contains sponsored links. The items featured and linked, in this post is provided by Kwikset and National Hardware; all opinions and reviews are my own.]

We have been working on many projects during quarantine! A couple easy and affordable ways to update your home is with door knobs, deadbolts and hinges! They may not be the first thing your eyes jump to when walking in a home but it can instantly breath new life into a home, while making it feel unified and cohesive. Take new door knobs, hinges and new paint on your doors /trim and you’ve got a winner winner chicken dinner!

Door Knobs Before

Our door knobs were the brass door knobs from the 90’s with a mixture of updated lever satin nickel door knobs.

Now…I thought I would do a “smart” thing, several months back and spray paint my door knobs/hinges, well let me tell ya, that did not work! Complete fail!

Kwikset

When we began the process of looking for door knobs, I researched all the companies that carried door knobs, dead bolts and all the things! What I found was a company that has been around since 1946. Kwikset is a company that is committed to delivering unmatched security features to homeowners and puts their customers’ safety above all else. Kwikset continuously improves the security features in its products to meet or exceed industry standards. Plus, with Microban and the lifetime mechanical and finish warranty, it’s a win win in my book!

Selecting Hardware Finish

When I began looking for what style of door knob we wanted, we knew we wanted to go with satin nickel hardware throughout our home. We also wanted a style of door knob that we felt would be classic and timeless!

Electronic Deadbolt

For our front door, we decided to try a electronic deadbolt.

We chose the Satin Nickel 888 Smartcode Electronic Deadbolt with Z-Wave Technology for our front door and absolutely love it!!!

Reasons We Love Our Smartcode Electronic Deadbolt:

Z-Wave Plus Certified with the Z-Wave 500 chipset
Extended wireless range and superior 128-bit wireless encryption
Up to 30 user access codes for family and guests to use at the door
Secured keyless entry convenience
One touch locking
Dramatically reduced interior size and sleek metal design
30 user codes plus master code feature for added security
5 digit keypad with dedicated lock button
SmartKey® technology – the lock you can re-key yourself in seconds in three easy steps
30 user codes plus master code feature for added security

Exterior Doors

For our other exterior doors we chose Cameron Security Set in Satin Nickel. One of the best features about these sets is the Smart Key feature, which allows you to re-key your lock with any KW1 Keyway Key!!

Bedroom & Bathroom Door Knobs

We choose the Satin Nickel Cameron Knob for our bedrooms and bathrooms.

Love the finish and it also installs so easily!

Beautiful quality for your home!

”I feel like hardware is like the “jewelry” to your home! It adds just the perfect finishing touch!” ~ Quote from my friend, Cindy .

Close up!

With Microban, germs are scared to hang around on our door knobs!

I feel like the Cameron line flows seamlessly throughout our home!

Last bedroom (full view).

Girls Bathroom

Close up!

Closet/Hall Knobs

We also chose the Satin Nickel Cameron line for our Closet Knobs. I love the Cameron line so much!!

Walk-In Attic Door Knobs

For the attic doors, we wanted to make sure we had a door that locked with a key. With little ones still running around, we didn’t want them to get into a space that they didn’t belong!

We chose the Satin Nickel Cameron Knob Keyed featuring SmartKey for all three of our walk-in attic doors!!

Close up!

National Hardware

National Hardware prides itself on being an industry leader, continuing to launch high quality, innovative products that exceed industry standards. Their products are meant to withstand the harshest weather elements with WeatherGuard™protected products. WeatherGuard™ provides superior long-lasting corrosion protection – 3x more than standard zinc.

Security Latches

One other item we knew that was needed since our youngest child likes to open exterior doors, is security latches on all of the inside of the exterior doors.

We chose the Security Guards in Satin Nickel.

Satin Nickel is my favorite finish! Can you tell?

Hinges: Interior

Updating the hinges were a breeze!

In fact, our oldest adult daughter actually installed all of the interior door hinges & knobs! Girl power!

We chose the 512rc Door Hinges in Satin Nickel.

Hinges: Exterior

For the exterior hinges, we chose the 512rc Door Hinges in Satin Nickel.

All of our doors and trim received a fresh coat of paint as well! I just feel like these updates make a huge impact on our home’s appearance, overall! I truly love making our house into a home!! Thank you so much for taking your time to read today! If you have any questions, please reach out!

P.S. If you can spot the “blooper” or the item (s) out of place, comment here and if your correct, I will send you one of our handmade wood cutting boards!

❤️-Shae

Decor, DIY

Modern Farmhouse Master Bathroom Renovation

May 8, 2020April 16, 2021by sweetsoutherngraces3 Comments

[This post contains sponsored links. The items featured and linked in this post were all provided by Pfister, Kwikset , National Hardware and Jill & June; all opinions and reviews are my own.]

The day is finally here! Your going to be shocked at the transformation of this modern farmhouse bathroom reveal! This renovation has all of the modern farmhouse elements- classic white subway tile, glass accessories with modern satin nickel hardware, warm wood tones, tile flooring and vintage shiplap ceiling. Come see how we transformed this room!

{Full sources available at the bottom of the page for your convenience.}

I still remember the first time we walked into this house. We knew the house had “good bones” and the layout, front porch and land is what drew us here. We knew from our Realtor that most people were passing on this house because the master bathroom was not updated. My husband and I have been diy’ers for twenty plus years so we knew we could transform this home into the home of our dreams. All we needed was a little faith, a lot of patience and some hard work!

First things first. You can’t have a reveal without a few before pics, right?!

Before Photos:

Bathroom Full Shot

Vanity & Mirror View

Shower View

Renovation Process:

First things first! Demolition of the old shower insert and tub.

The hubs working with his saw-zaw to tear out the the insert.

Getting there!

After everything was torn out, some of the walls needed to be re-framed to accommodate the size of the new shower, along with a frame for the shower seat.

Next was installing the shower pan liner, along with the mud bed.

Framed shower seat with shower bed liner & mud bed.

After the mud bed was completely dry, about 3 days later, the shower walls went up!

The red guard was rolled on and it’s a rubber membrane material to protect against water.

Shower Tile:

I have always wanted to learn how to tile, so my husband taught me how during our renovation! I tiled the first two walls, all by myself, with my husband making the cut pieces.

I really enjoyed tiling our shower and having my hand in the work of our bathroom! When I got tired, my husband would help apply the thinset!

Making sure each tile was lined up just right!

My husband cutting the tile pieces.

My husband tiled the 3rd wall and the shower seat, along with the shower floor.

Shower Wall 3

Shower Floor

Removing Old Flooring:
There was two layers of flooring. The first layer was put on by the previous homeowner. It was the pre-cut square linoleum tiles with a layer of sticky glue underneath. The bottom layer was the original linoleum to the house. It was a sticky mess!

Painting the Cabinets:

We decided to keep the vanity to save costs. I decided to paint the inside and outside of my cabinets with my diy chalk paint. You can find that recipe here . I used Sherwin Williams in Snowbound.

Floor Tile:

First on the agenda was adding the backer board then adding the thin set with tile.

Removing Popcorn Ceilings:

This was the last room to remove popcorn ceilings in our house 🙌🏼 We removed the popcorn then patched and painted!

Shower Ceiling:

We chose to do a shiplap ceiling with vintage board & batten to the ceiling! We also added two recessed lights and a fan. This picture is beginning to add the wood.

The boards had what we originally thought was several layers of dirt. What we were surprised to find was several layers of dirt with a layer of mold underneath. It took several applications to treat the mold and remove it completely!

Making progress!

Almost done! Just need to add the other recessed light.

Wood Countertop:

We had a huge red oak tree fall on property a little over a year ago. My husband had an idea to mill the wood! We have already made several shelves & wood cutting boards from this wood! I had the idea to use the wood for a wood countertop in our bathroom. It would basically be at no cost, just our time.

Removing old countertop and sinks.

Out with the old and in with the new!

New countertop installed and I am applying the first coat of matte poly. I applied four coats of matte poly while sanding lightly in between and no sanding on the final coat.

Installing the Shower Door:

Installing Mirror Frame:

We decided to keep the existing mirror. We made a wood frame and painted it the same color of the cabinets.

Installing our Jaida Pfister Faucets:

Installing Cabinet Knobs & Drawer Pulls:

We installed glass drawer pulls and glass knobs.

After Photos:

Bathroom Full Shot

Bathroom Vanity Before & After

~Before~

Bathroom Countertop

Accessories:

My husband and I designed and built a towel ladder rack. All of my Turkish towels are from Jill + June and they are so soft plus oversized! Loving the tassels!

Shower View with shiplap ceiling

Shower View with Shower Seat

Master Closet & Linen Closet:

During the renovation, we also renovated our master closet and master linen closet.

Master Closet Before

Master Closet After

Master Linen Closet:

Bathroom Organization:

And a renovation wouldn’t be complete without bathroom drawer and and cabinet organization!

Bathroom Drawer Organization

Final Thoughts:

We are enjoying our newly renovated bathroom so much! It is so nice to have a master retreat! This is a wonderful gift to be able to give to each other. We have never taken a trip alone together or had a honeymoon! It’s about time, since we are celebrating our 22nd wedding anniversary this month! Also, this bathroom would not have been completed yet if it wasn’t for the help of our two oldest (adult) daughters! They truly helped make our dream bathroom come true!! Team work really does make the dream work!

List of products and links used during our renovation:

Jaida Faucets in Brushed Nickel with Spot Defense and Push ‘n’ Seal are from Pfister . Spot Defense is perfect for a busy mama like me!

Ladera Towel Rings with Spot Defense in Brushes Nickel are from Pfister . Love their sleek design!

Ladera Tissue Holder in Brushes Nickel is also from Pfister . My favorite feature is how you can just lift up and change out the roll like a easy breezy summer day!

Our Cameron Bed/Bath Door Knobs in Brushed Nickel are from Kwikset . I love its simplicity!

Our Interior Door Hinges in Satin Nickel are from National Hardware .

That concludes our renovation! Thank you so much for taking the time to read about our master bathroom renovation! If you have any questions, please let us know!

❤️-Shae

Decor

How to Style Around Your TV

May 6, 2020April 16, 2021by sweetsoutherngraces21 Comments

[This post contains a sponsored link. The item featured and linked, the “better together” sign in this post is provided by A Simple Place on Main; all opinions and reviews are my own.]

Today, I was invited on a blog hop with my friend and host, Terrie plus a few of our blogging friends! We want to share how we style around our tv! Lots of people struggle with decorating around their tv, I, myself, am included!

A Little Decor Background:

When we decided to get out of our 90’s decor style vibe, not knocking it because I will always have a heart for 90’s decor style, we decided to go the farmhouse decor route. The farmhouse decor style reminded us a lot of yesteryear and of simpler times, like of those that our grandparents had as children. A lot of the vintage decor you see in our home will be from one of our grandparents. We feel so blessed that they wanted to give us something of their own that meant so much to them!

Farmhouse Style:

Farmhouse TV Cabinet:

One of the very first pieces of farmhouse style furniture we built was our farmhouse tv cabinet. I originally stained the wood a gray color but recently painted it with my diy chalk paint. Styling the inside of those shelves and styling above the tv has not been my strong suit but I love how everything has turned out in this space! I don’t usually have a vision, my ideas usually just come to life with some changes here and there!

White Shiplap:

Next we added vintage shiplap to our wall. What made it even better is it was fo’ free 🙌🏼 I started off by painting one coat of white paint but a year later, decided to remove the white paint with Citristrip. Since all of the paint would not come off, it gave the wood and white wash look, which we loved! It gave the space such a warm feeling!

Styling Plus Functionality In Your TV Cabinet:

Styling inside the tv cabinet, I wanted decor plus functionality. Vintage books from a local thrift shop along with Target’s line of Hearth & Hand Faux Fern Arrangement and Faux Locus Arrangement .

Very budget friendly at a couple dollars per book and $5 for the Target arrangements. On the bottom shelves is where my functionality comes in with Hobby Lobby’s Wire & Metal Galvanized Baskets .

If you catch them on their 50% off sale, they are only $12.50 each! In those baskets, we store games and controllers for the Nintendo.

The middle of our tv cabinet is the boring stuff like the cable box, ect that I wanted to hide. The bottom basket holds a basket I purchased from Target about 15 years ago which stores dvds and remotes, so hence the sliding (or should I say “hiding”) doors.

Now, above the tv is my most favorite space!! My sweet friend Linda from A Simple Place On Main makes the most absolutely BEAUTIFUL wood word signs!! I actually met her at our local Vintage Market Days and we chatted for at least 30 minutes or more, along with my friend Cindy .

Each wood sign is made with baltic birch that is 1/2 inch thick, then it is custom cut, painted and shipped to you! Linda even has an Etsy Shop where you can purchase your wood word sign and right now there is free shipping with orders over $35!! Can y’all tell how much I love her signs?! Now I need one for our newly renovated master bathroom!

I hope that I’ve been able to inspire you on How to Decorate Around Your TV! Please check out my friends to see how they’ve decorated around their tv’s as well!

❤️-Shae

Sertodo Copper: Benefits

Sertodo Copper: History

Whipping Egg Whites in Copper Bowls

Recipe: Whipped Egg Whites

Ingredients:

Directions:

Sertodo Copper: My Favorite Copper Pieces

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Homemade Powdered Laundry Soap

Ingredients:

What you will need to purchase:

Directions:

How Much Detergent to Use Per Wash?

Cost Break Down:

Compare Natural Name Brands: Conclussion:

Conclusions: Savings, No Chemicals and How Long Will the Detergent Last

Sensitive Skin:

Liquid Laundry Detergent: Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts:

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Updating Your Bathroom on a Budget: It’s EASY!

Bathroom Mini Reno on a Very Small Budget: Make the impossible, possible!

Decor Through the Years: Styles can Change!

Budget Reno Details: DIY’s

Budget Friendly Bathroom Light Fixture: 3 Light Modern Wall Sconce

3 Light Modern Wall Sconce: Farmhouse Style

Total Cost: Budget Friendly

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Let the Sunshine in with Kirklands

Adding a Touch of Sunshine:

Large Macrame Handwoven Wall Hanging:

Succulent Arrangement in Clay Pot:

Sunshine Well Received:

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St. Augustine: History

St. Augustine: Arrival

St. Augustine: Beaches

St. Augustine: Lighthouse & Museum

History: Pre-1862

History: Current

St. Augustine Lighthouse: Climbing the lighthouse

To climb the lighthouse, you will need to climb 219 stairs! Trust me when I say that is is worth it! There are eight landings and even one with a bench. Plenty of space for others to walk past you and if needed, space for a break!

St. Augustine: Downtown Old City Gates & St. George Street

St. Augustine: Castillo de San Marcos

St. Augustine: The Fountain of Youth

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Refresh For Less Challenge with Kirklands

Challenge Deets:

Challenge Accepted: Shopping Time

Ceramic Script Cookie Jar:

Ceramic Vinegar and Oil Dispensers:

Sansevieria Snake Plant: Farmhouse Black Checked Kitchen Towel:

Farmhouse Black Checked Kitchen Towel:

Challenge Complete:

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Styling a Outdoor Space with Kirklands

Outdoor Seating

Outdoor Mat

White Wood Metal Planters

Plants

Outdoor Space

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Door Knobs Before

Kwikset

Selecting Hardware Finish

Electronic Deadbolt

Reasons We Love Our Smartcode Electronic Deadbolt:

Exterior Doors

Bedroom & Bathroom Door Knobs

Closet/Hall Knobs

Walk-In Attic Door Knobs

National Hardware

Security Latches

Hinges: Interior

Hinges: Exterior

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Before Photos:

Renovation Process:

Shower Tile:

Removing Old Flooring: There was two layers of flooring. The first layer was put on by the previous homeowner. It was the pre-cut square linoleum tiles with a layer of sticky glue underneath. The bottom layer was the original linoleum to the house. It was a sticky mess!

Removing Old Flooring:
There was two layers of flooring. The first layer was put on by the previous homeowner. It was the pre-cut square linoleum tiles with a layer of sticky glue underneath. The bottom layer was the original linoleum to the house. It was a sticky mess!

List of products and links used during our renovation:

Jaida Faucets in Brushed Nickel with Spot Defense and Push ‘n’ Seal are from Pfister . Spot Defense is perfect for a busy mama like me!