Okay, it's confession time.

At the last Frugal Friday, hosted by the wonderful Wendy at the Shabby Nest I showed you how I was so crafty and green thumby with real live succulents. Well, the succulents bit the dust. The one I put away from the window didn't get enough sun and it turned very yellow and yucky:

The other one by the window succumbed to my sons' miniature digger truck while I was away. Real dirt inside the house is just too much of a temptation to a 2 year old and 4 year old, I'm afraid. Soooo, I'm going back to fake for this edition of Frugal Friday. Would it have been more frugal just to go with fake in the beginning?
Yes, but that would be too easy for Melissa. She always seems to make things more difficult than they need to be.

I found these big boxwood balls at TaiPan for 9.97 a piece. I was thrilled at that price, because I have priced them on the Internet, and can't find them for less than $18 a ball. We're not stopping here though, because I have two little spots I need a green touch to.

Soooo, get out you're scissors! We're going to cut this beauty up. It actually came apart in half quite easily, then I cut another third off the half.

You know whenever Nester hosts a party, it's going to be a good time! I'm joining her lampapalooza today:

I had a lamp in my family room that needed a little ooomph, a little somefin. It kind of just blends in with the walls behind it. I got it at Target a few years ago at their Global Bazaar clearance. (it would also help to have it in focus)

When my mom, sisters and I get together, one of our favorite things to do is shop. Here are a few stores we hit (all in the Salt Lake City, Utah area):

Hello! I had a fabulous little vacation~I wanted to share something that my sister, Kristin did that I loved:
she took an old cabinet door when they replaced their bathroom vanity and painted it, then added some vinyl lettering:

I'm outta here!

I am taking my baby and we're escaping for the weekend for a much-needed break (thank you, honey!) and to visit some family that haven't even met this little guy yet~

I'm very, very excited. (can you tell?)
I wanted to share some lovelies though~Can I tell you how much I love it when you send me your projects you've been inspired to try for yourself?

You asked, and I'll try to answer:

By far the number one question:

Q: how do you find time to re-model and update with 5 kids and a husband in grad school?

A: Very slowly. And it's not a pretty process:

There are some good deals to be found for your outside decor~keep your eyes peeled at yard sales and thrift shops for pots and containers. Here are some I've found in the past few weeks:

These dwarf alberta spruces were at my Walmart for $5~planted in a yard sale terra cotta pot ($1) and added a pony pack of purple lobelia.