Our Kitchen Makeover
The transformation of our kitchen and a pretty little printable for you!
As we look forward to making some changes to our new home, I have been perusing pinterest for kitchen inspiration like it's my job. The endless beautiful white kitchen photos have me feeling all sorts of nostalgia over the 1940's home we renovated and sold a year ago. After a lotta' hard work (thanks hubby and dear father-in-law) that old house became everything I knew it could be from the moment I first set eyes on it. I thought it would be fun to share some before and afters of the makeover (and give you some hand lettered art for your own kitchen)!
I loved that house from the very start. There was so much potential within those old, plaster walls. I just knew that it could be amazing!
Little by little, the transformation throughout the entire house came together, but my favorite room was always the kitchen. After all, it had great bones, not to mention shaker cabinets and a gigantic island. Man, I miss that island...
Saying goodbye to this ol' house was not easy! I still miss this view....
A gift from me to you: "Say Grace" printable
I'm working on a hand lettered art library filled with lovingly calligraphed printables just like this to bring joy to your home! For now, I'm excited to give out this pretty "say grace" printable. I love having this sweet saying displayed in my kitchen. I hope you will too! Click on the image below to print your own in pink or black! Soon, when the library opens up, you'll be the very first to know!
Not the print your own type? You can always grab an archival print from my etsy shop!
Drool with me...
Be sure to drool along with me as I keep searching for more kitchen inspiration by following EricaHammer on Pinterest! Seriously, can you believe a kitchen this amazing exists?! Somebody hide all of my light fixtures because chances are I have some hot pink spray paint laying around and I might not be able to stop myself!
Selecting the Right Custom Stamp: To Handle or Not to Handle
Ordering a pretty little hand calligraphed stamp but not sure about that fancy handle? 99% of customers choose this complementary add on, but I'll let you in on a secret: I pass on the handle for my own stamps. Without the handle in the way, I have more control over the stamp and can really get a good grip. This makes the overall impression come out a little better than it might have otherwise.
Still, there are a lot of cases where I would definitely recommend adding it...
Reasons to add the handle:
It's a gift.
When gifting a custom stamp, I love the handle add-on option. It's a little something extra that gives a polished look, making the stamp feel finished and even more special than it already was.
You're going to use it 1000 times a day.
If you're going to slap your shiny new "Fragile" stamp on a zillion outgoing packages a day, add that handle. It will speed things up, and look great at the same time!
Your stamp is huge.
If you're ordering a stamp that is too large for you to maintain a sturdy grip, the handle becomes a necessity.
You love the look.
Just like we wear uncomfortable shoes because they are so darn cute, if you really love the look of the handle, add it! It won't make a huge difference. Just be extra careful to apply even pressure.
Have any other stamping questions? Feel free to email me at Erica@Ericahammer.com!
Wedding Day Ready Lashes
How to Make Your Real Eyelashes Grow Like Crazy with ONE Product!
Let me open by saying I do NOT sell this product and was not asked to or paid to write this post. I just stumbled upon something amazing and I think it would be a crime against humanity not to share it with you!--Especially my sweet brides, wanting to know all the beauty tricks in time for their big day!
I'm not talking about false lashes!
Fake eyelashes always intrigued, yet terrified me. Who doesn't want longer, fuller eyelashes?! But I had no idea how to put them on, and was sure that they would fall off at the worst moment. So much potential for a total wedding day disaster. Can you imagine one of your falsies falling off as you gently wipe a mid-vow tear with your great grandmother's antique handkerchief?! Beautiful moment ruined. For that reason, I've always skipped fake lashes, put on about 17 layers of mascara, and hoped for the best. Thank goodness, there is a better way...
When my friend, Melissa showed me her results with this incredible stuff, I had to give it a try.
Before-ish and After (8 weeks):
Here are my totally untouched results (TOP: Two and a half weeks after starting use. I was already seeing a difference in my lashes and brows. I'm wearing several layers of a mascara containing fibers--You know, that mascara that makes eyelashes look more like tarantula legs. Yuck, but hey, what's a girl to do?? BOTTOM: Eight weeks in. In this one, I'm wearing one coat of cheap-o Maybelline mascara from Target.):
Now, I'm unsure whether or not I'm a good spokesperson for anything lash related. I'm not, in the sense that I have baby fine hair...and my lashes and eyebrows are no different. I doubt anyone would ever let me in a test group meant to show the full potential of their eyelash product. On the other hand, maybe I am? If this could help my thin and broken lashes and fill in my spotty brows so well, imagine the possibilities for someone starting from a much better place!
Are you dying to know what I used?! It was......
Officially, Rodan and Fields' Lash Boost has been proven to provide longer-looking, fuller-looking, darker-looking lashes. Results are seen in 8-12 weeks (sometimes sooner). It has been tested by 6 different ophthalmologists who found it safe for all eyes (including contact wearers), with no weird side effects (like changing eye color). Unofficially, it's flipping magic.
What I didn't know before I started using Lash Boost:
I didn't know how long it lasted. You can get more than four months out of one container.
I didn't know I would keep seeing improved results past 8 weeks. My lashes just keep growing!
I didn't know that eventually I could stop using it everyday. Once I reach a point where I'm happy with results, I'll only need to apply Lash Boost a few times a week to maintain. At that point, one vial of LB will last even longer.
I wasn't sure if it came in the form of a cream, in a dropper, etc. I snapped this photo so that you could see that it is a brush-on serum.
Just one quick swipe across my lash line each day.
Have questions?
I'm no expert, but you can drop Melissa an e-mail to get more details, ask about the money back guarantee, or find out how you can get 10% off every time you order.
Stay tuned and maybe next week you'll find out what my nose looks like. ;)
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