British Colonial Retreat

The Slater family recently left a huge home in the country of 17 years to downsize to a more manageable home in old town Katy. Sometimes coming into a new place with a bunch of old things can seem overwhelming but a little thinking outside the box can transfer standard boxed room into something truly unique.

So here's the break down of what i did with things they already owned in their house. All they would need to buy now is bedding. thats a total win.

• I added an 8x10 old rug to bring color to the room it fit like a glove.  This concept has become my new obsession and i might have to add this element to every home i set my hands to decorate. Rethinking the placement of this rugs is also a great way to repurpose an old rug.  
• Old rugs can be overwhelming in color or dated in design, so my tip is flipping over the rug so you get a muted version of it that can be less daunting in your makeover adventure.

You can see here the difference in the sides of the carpets. 

• After laying carpet down i set up antique twin beds they had in storage. Instead of using a head board and foot board I used the two end pieces to create a daybed. I secretly want to shove this amazing bed in my purse and take in home with me. I love it! 
• i took them apart and added white shutters (that the Slaters had bought at a thrift store) to the walls instead of using them as blinds I repurposed them as art to set off the bed bringing dimension to the room.
• I took a table they were using as a tv stand in another room to add as a night stand. The height of table is perfect because its high enough to be able to reach over bed post bars.

• I grabbed this beautiful desk they had in the master hiding under a tv, its so perfect in this little room of adventure. It makes me want to go old school and write a handwritten love letter to someone. Old sap right here. 
• One of my favorite things is to add as many personal items in a rooms as possible. You want to make your home feel like a. someone lives there and b. you're that someone. I hate going into home where it looks like someone walked in a room and bought the whole set...gag. Sorry if thats you but seriously its so boring.  I asked the Slaters if they had any instruments in their house that i had not seen, (most people have instruments are in their cases collecting dust, so its just not you, you're in luck there are others) and they did. i love bringing them into the design because it adds funk and hopefully inspires the owner to pick up and get their groove on. So insert their banjo... which has to be one of the coolest looking and playing instruments out there. I swoon for banjos. 

• I then grabbed the armoire that was in the other room with a queen bed and brought it into the room. It fit better in this space because of the smaller bed and because of the size and it's function, it grounds the look. I personally think are like an oversize travelers trunk. 
• Found this boat baskets in storage, we were going to use for bread, and decided they'd be better on the wall. Carbs will kill you. :) 
• The more interesting non-matching lamps the better. Using lamps instead of over head lights literally will change the feel of the room. It will bring a glow to one's face rather than beating down on one's head.  
• Lastly I grabbed a live plant to tie up the room. I'm a totally advocate for adding live plants to  rooms to reminds us that we are among the living not the dead. It also brings color and freshness to a dull or an older home. 

In 4 hours beautiful transformation can happen, just have an open heart and mind and who knows what you will create.  

Happy travels even if its to the other room.

kjoy

welcome baby jonah

A couple months back some friends and I were waiting for our dear friends, Jonathan and Lauren Camey's, arrival of their baby boy Jonah.

So the best way to wait is to have a party!!! We set the theme for baby boy and bow ties, keeping it fun loving yet classy because have you met his mother Lauren?

Anyway it turned out beautiful and all the work was worth it because we are in love with little mr. jonah.

Keeping the front simple with non-complicated entertainment is great. Guest sign in with space for addy and gift. Diapers to write message on for late night changing encouragement. And a blessing for the sweet baby to come. 

Personalized lightboxes. Click here or the how to.

 Chalkboard paint on mason jars is a great way for guest to keep track of their glass and not get cooties. 

 Brown paper sacks cut in half and sewn around edge to hold silverware.

Paper pom poms over table are a great alternative to a centerpiece as well as creating patterns with strips of your fabric.

Welcome to the world Jonah Camey. We love you.

Kjoy

shrinky dink a dink

Does this look familiar?

I don't know about you but growing up i LOVED shrinky dinks and easy bake ovens and when i got a chance to revisit my childhood I seized my opportunity. 

Check out my latest segment on Livewell Network's Mirror Mirror where I showed Rebecca Spera how to bring back your childhood while getting crafty and being green. (as in re-purposing your throw-aways) 

>>>>Here's the link to the Shrinky Dink Jewelry On Mirror Mirror<<<<

Shrinky Dink bracelets 

Supplies

#6 Plastic Takeout Containers
Permanent Markers
Scissors
Jump Rings
Bracelet Clasp
Hole Punch
Fingernail Clippers
Small Needle-Nose Pliers (Optional)

Make sure you have a recycled #6 plastic container. Cut the flat part out of your to-go container.

Color a pattern or scribbles with your markers onto the plastic container.

There are so many different colors with permanent markers so its easy to get creative!

Cut large circles (for earrings) or squares/rectangles (for bracelets/necklaces) out of the plastic. Use nail clippers to round the corners of your pieces. 

Arrange pieces on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. 

Pop in the oven for about 30 seconds to one minute on 350-degrees. Watch them until they shrink up and lay back down flat. 

Let the pieces cool. Use jump rings to connect the pieces to make your jewelry! 

Bubble Wrap Bracelet

I didn't take pics of the bubble wrap bracelet but you can always follow along the segment and/or the step-by-step instructions below.

Supplies:

Bubble Wrap
Scissors
Parchment Paper
Pen/Pencil
Pearls for jewelry (with holes punched)
Circle Pattern (optional)
An Iron
Jewelry Supplies (bracelet chain, necklace chain, jump rings, clasps)

How to:

Preheat iron on wool setting, no steam (dry).
Cut bubble wrap into eight large equal pieces.
Layer two pieces of bubble wrap on top of each other, inside two pieces of parchment paper (or folded piece).
Iron both sides of the parchment paper until the bubble wrap melts together into a thin sheet.
Put two more pieces of bubble wrap around the piece you just ironed, put back in between the parchment paper and iron on both sides again.
Repeat with the rest of your bubble wrap (two more times).
Cut circles out of the flattened bubble wrap sheet.
Punch holes at the top of each piece with a thick needle.
Attach pearls and bubble wrap charms to your bracelet or necklace in any pattern you choose!

Thanks Rebecca and Sabrina for another great segment!

That's a wrap!!!

kjoy

Lightboxes

I love lightboxes. I wish i could have them for every occasion and in every room. They remind me of the carnivals I never went to growing up. To me they convey whimsy and warmth.

When my dear friend Brandi Lisenbe asked me to inspire bloggers for the Houston Blogger Symposium Holiday party, I thought what a great opportunity to build my own lightbox.

So here I am sharing my lightbox love...

• First get a foam board and cut to size of whatever you are going to frame it out with, I cut mine to fit this awesome antique frame. Also, I have found that foam boards run between $4-6 at most places but if you hit up the Dollar store you can score by paying only....you guessed it $1.00. 

• Next you want to wrap your board in wrapping paper, I choose a gold foil for the holidays. Then write out what you are wanting to display. My personal choice was Kristenjoy.com but the options are endless...Congrats, Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas...you get the drift. I added circles within the letters where I would wanted to see the lights shine through.  

• Grab a handy dandy ice pick and poke holes where you put those conveniently placed circles within the letters.

•  Now it's time to flip over your board and start pushing through Christmas lights wherever you see a hole.

• From the back it might look like a hot mess but when you turn it around its a masterpiece in the making. Kristenjoy.com took 200 lights, which means you will probably use tons of lights depending on how long your words are, so choose wisely. 

• Flip it back around and place it in your frame of choice and Wham-o Bam-o a personalized lightbox!

Let there be light!

I couldn't just do one, could I?!

I absolutely love it and I'm sure all you fellow friends out there will be seeing one of these gems at my next party. 

So lets Party, Karamu, Fiesta, forever...All Night Long!

kjoy

Enhance Your Holiday Table

Tis the Season to Get Festive... Click on link for my latest segment on Mirror Mirror's Holiday Special

>>> Hostess with the Mostess <<<

( I come in on the scene with tips at 4:25)

1. The Foundation.
Using wrapping paper as your tablecloth for your event is not only great bc of the diverse variety but also its an easy clean up at the end of the night...we'll call that a huge WIN!

2. Reflection.

Who doesn’t have a mirror in their home? Adding mirrors are great for décor, reflecting light and can also be re-purposed as platters. And if needed, a convenient way to check for food in your teeth...Always need to be picture ready just in case. You're welcome. 

3. Let there be light.
Incorporating Christmas lights as your light source for your table and turning off all overhead light will not only bring a festive feel but also add some texture to your table. Throw a mesh ribbon on top of the lights to hide wire and soften the light for a heavenly glow.

4. Personalize.
Anything you can add to your table that makes it uniquely yours and shows how you put a personal touch to it will make it a royal hit. I love using mason jars adding a swipe of chalkboard paint on them and allowing guest to write their names on it so no one gets cooties... I mean who wants cooties? Also, you can use the chalkboard paint on mirrors, vases, platters, ect. as your personal party label maker. Its easy cleanup up with soapy water and a plastic scraper.

5. Glit-Dazzle.

By just adding glitter to things you already have can create a sparkle to any party; bottles, tree limbs, candles, platters, ect… hello Glit-dazzle or Glit-dazzle me pretty.

Last suggestion: Throw parties with people you love. Not only will they be a great help to you, but memories will be made and love will be shared. Special thanks to my beautiful and dear friend Kelly who came out to help!

Thank you Rebecca, Sabrina, and the LiveWell Network for having me on and thanks for continued education on bettering oneself.

Merry Christmas Ya'll. 

kjoy

BIRCHBOX

The little pink box of love called BIRCHBOX ...

I think if I asked any woman if they would love to get box full of beauty samples the answer would most definitely be yes... I mean doesn't everyone love samples from the ones at Sam's on a weekend or packets at the makeup counter?! Well there is a great company out there that is meeting our love/ needs called BIRCHBOX . Once a month for $10 bucks you can get a box full of samples of new products that are out on the market, some of which are full sized products. How rad is that?!

So I finally got the arrival of my first box and it was truly a lovely moment. I was all smiles as I laid my eyes on that pretty pink box. Let the fun begin...

the brown box

Ta Dah....

the insides

 First product I got was Benefit's Refined Finish and Foaming Clean face wash. The face wash has a silky feel and a delightful scent; it cleansed my face pretty decently. I still don't look like Angelina Jolie. whatevs. The Refined Finish was equal in a pleasant smells as the face wash but had a light scrub to exfoliate dead skin. Didn't feel much different and I remain a fan of my Sally's Queen Helene's Apricot Scrub. :) But it was fun to branch out of my norm.

Benefits facial wash & polish

 Next I received Caudalie Vinexpert  Firming Serum. I really like this product, I wish it was a larger sample. I think time will tell if it truly will effect my face but so far so good.  People have waxed poetic about this brand and I was so happy to finally have a go at it myself.

Caudalie firming serum

 The color club nail polish was legit..."status update" was the title and slate grey was the color. The photo doesn't do it justice. It's really a rad fall 2012 color...that quite possibly will last for years to come.

Color Club "status update"polish

Ok so I have totally bought into the whole glorified tinted moisturizer "BB" cream. I like to think that its making a diffence and my face is glowing but truth is in the states we do not create a true BB cream its more like a tinted moisterizer. True BB creams do not come as dark as the ones here, Dr.Jart+ cream came to me in such light form that it could have passed off as a real one. I ended up giving it to my mom because I looked like a ghost with it on. If you are wanting a BB cream/ tinted moisturizer I suggested Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer or Dior BB cream or Too Faced beauty balm. Just sayin'.

Dr.Jart+ BB cream

 And now for the Twistband hair tie...I'm not gonna lie somebody is making bank on these things. Seriously, it's a glorified colored piece of elastic. The upside is when you use in hair, though it doesn't have a tight hold on a ponytail, it won't leave a crease in your mane.

Twistband

Lastly, I got a plastic bag from a brand called Tili. Very hip on design but its literally a overpriced Zippy lock bag, sandwich size.

Tili bag

I really enjoyed getting this extremely girly box full of goods & I am way looking forward to next month's surprises. And fellas you are so in luck, they totally have a box just for the male gender...now you can join in on the fun. Lucky. 

Enhance your beauty bur from the inside out. 

kjoy