Why I Love the Christmas Season And It's not About the Gifts

Or that my birthday is three days before Christmas. Actually, it leaves much to be desired if you were born in this most-celebrated season. December birthday celebrant will agree that your birthday gets overshadowed by Christmas itself. Truth. So, yes, not that too. But don't get me wrong. I don't hate my birthday either. But now, on to why I love the season. Want to take a shot at guessing?

Answer? This.

DIY: How to Give An Old Square Storage Trunk Box A Modern Look

The redesigned Square Trunk Box / Photo: +Maricris G 

You know when you decide to spawn your own minions, aka have a child, you'd end up with bunch of schtuffs you have no clue what to do with after they are older. This woman here? Guilty! I've made Goodwill a very happy recipient though so, that's a win there. Now while I got rid of A LOT,  I saved some that I can repurpose for home decor at our new and bigger house. No joke, there was more space to decorate and heck, I wasn't ready to break my already broken bank by buying additional home decor to pretty up the new house. Me haz creative talent, so me haz to utilize it!

In the creative table was this old, stained square trunk box that used to house more toys that my daughter can keep up with, which I transformed into an adorable, contemporary storage box that now holds a permanent spot next to my coat tree. Go see.

DIY: Quick and Easy Way to Dress Your Walls with Coasters

Wooden Coasters Wall Decor / Photo: +Maricris G 

I have my fair share of international travels and like any travelers, I have collected ahem, a "few" souvenir items along the way. One of my favorite acquisition are these wooden coasters that bear images portraying the culture of the country it came from.  I wanted a way to display them on my wall as an accent decor but my first attempt to put them in a frame proved futile. They were about thick enough that it will simply not work. Now my second attempt proved to be the best solution. By doing so, it gave the whole ensemble a rustic feel and authentic character all on its own.  Check it out.

Watch the video for DIY instructions:

DIY Makeover: How I Updated the Look of an Old Plain Chalk Pedestal

I have this cute white pedestal with an intricate weave design around it and have been with me for about 8 years now which means, time has weathered away its look and aged its appearance. The poor thing look pathetic now but I didn't have the heart to toss it away. Which in turn means, it found itself on my creative table and got itself a total makeover.

If you've got one like it, then check this very easy DIY project to give your own dull, ugly-looking chalk pedestal a needed makeover - all you need is paint!

DIY: How to Repurpose an Old Toy Chest into a Chic Living Room Accent Furniture

Got kids? My bet then is you have the popular Circo white toy chest as well.

If I'm right, here's a fun, easy and quick DIY project for you. This is of course if you want to keep them instead of tossing them away or donating them to Goodwill. I kept mine because my daughter's toy chest not only held her toys then but also memories. Memories of her being a baby and growing up. That toy chest stayed in her room for years all the way to when we moved to our new house. She's a tween now and the toy chest is no longer appropriate. And because of that, I got to put my creative genius in repurposing her old toy chest and giving it a total makeover.

If you have the same one or similar and would rather keep it, then read on for the tutorial and turn yours into a whole new furniture that's chic and useful.

2 Fun and Trendy Fall Decor Themed Ideas For Less

Fall is upon us and Oh how gorgeous it is! And now that I've got my creative Halloween decor in place (which is getting tons of repins! Woot!), it's time to do some Fall decorating. I bet when you think of Fall the first thing that comes to your mind are the leaves of the trees changing into a kaleidoscope of gorgeous colors and Pumpkin Patches! Well, these are my immediate thoughts anyway and one I intended to replicate inside the comfort of my new home. My challenge is to create a Fall-inspired home decor that brings these two factors together in a simple, fun yet trendy decorations that are also very cost-effective! Check out my decor ideas and the inspirations that I used to create the theme.