Fotini, Author at Farmhouse Chic Blog

DIY Floral Crown

February 17, 2014 by Fotini Filed Under: diy, DIY floral crown, floral crown, flowers, photo shoot 24 Comments

When it comes to being the “belle of the ball”, there’s nothing better than an incredibly feminine floral crown! I wanted to create one for my little princess to wear for a photo shoot last Fall and I thought I would share the simple tutorial with you all so you can give it a try too!!

I bought a cheap greenery vine from the dollar store. The base of it was a brown wired piece that I used for the base of the crown. I measured it around my daughter’s head, cut, wrapped the ends and used the hot glue gun to glue into place. For the flowers, you can use this technique with any flowers, or a mixture! I opted for baby’s breath! Cut short lengths of the flowers and glue them into place starting in the middle of the crown. Work your way around the sides, alternating the direction in which you lay the flowers. This will prevent it looking bare in some spots. Try to use blooms that are similar in size for proportion. Continue this technique until you’re happy with the result!

Our photo shoot was the following day so to store the crown, dampen a paper towel and lightly wrap it around the flowers and store in a large ziploc bag and store in the refrigerator.

These are perfect for photo shoots, Weddings, birthday parties and more! I can’t wait to make another one for my little princesses birthday!!

Photography by Rose DeVore

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Guest Post — 9 Tips to Brighten Your Bathroom

February 15, 2014 by Fotini Filed Under: bathrooms, decor, home, home decor 4 Comments

Please help me give a warm welcome to today’s guest post, Sue!

Hello! My name is Sue Jason and I am a blogger at My-bathrooms blog. I have a passion for sharing ideas which include home improvement and décor.

9 Tips to Brighten Your Bathroom

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Having a bright and cheerful bathroom is a must and these days it is easy to find a host of small features and products that can spruce up a dull or boring bathroom in next to no time!

1) Cleanliness First!

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No matter how amazing your décor scheme, your bathroom will look unsightly and grubby if it is not kept beautifully clean. If you have stains and signs of age creeping into your bathroom, it is definitely time for a new coat of paint or a renewal of the wallpaper! Set aside a few hours and make your bathroom sparkle as best you can as this one act can make a huge difference to the ambiance and atmosphere of your bathroom.

2) Matching Accessories

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Buying a set of matching accessories from Macysfor your bathroom is such an easy task that it almost feels like a cheat! Decant shampoo, hand wash and shower gel into matching containers and keep toothbrushes and odds and ends (like earrings) in another pair of matched containers and see how pulled together and professional your bathroom can look!

3) Plenty of Storage

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Finding enough storage space in a bathroom can be a bit of a struggle, but it is a battle well worth winning. Sufficient storage means no clutter, and no clutter makes a bathroom look great! Try to allocate every member of the family their own space in the bathroom and make every responsible for keeping their area neat and tidy.

4) Fresh Flowers

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A cheerful pot plant or vase of fragrant and colorful flowers can instantly add a natural air and some much-needed color and brightness to your bathroom. There is something inherently decadent about fresh flowers anyway, and having them in the bathroom infuses it with luxury.

5) Splash of Color

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If your bathroom is predominantly neutral or plain colored, do not be afraid to add in a lavish splash of color to enliven the atmosphere and make the room pop! Many bathrooms are so muted and bland that they lose any charm or interest that they might otherwise have had: offset this by being generous with touches of color.

6) Potpourri

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To make your bathroom smell nice and look good at the same time, why not invest in a couple of bags of potpourri (or make your own!) and a pretty dish to put it in?

7) Unusual Hanging Points

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Instead of the usual towel rail or door hooks, look for hanging points with a difference. Asymmetrical hangers, freestanding towel racks and unusual hooks and hoops can all brighten up the dreariest bathroom.

8) Mirrors and Lights

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Invest in a unique and attractive mirror, such as this lovely illuminated one from My Bathrooms that oozes glamour and also helps you look good!

9) Points of Interest

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No matter how small and cramped your bathroom is, try to make space for attractive points of interest such as a jar full of shells, a vignette featuring some attractive family photos, or even just a single lovely ornament.

Fab Pins of the Week

February 14, 2014 by Fotini Filed Under: black and gold, decor, diy, fab pins of the week, glitter, home decor, Pinterest, sparkle 3 Comments

Happy Friday and Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

I hope you have a wonderful day full of smiles, laughs and best of all LOVE

Here’s a few things I’m loving right now…

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1. I’ve really been intrigued by the black, white and gold color combo lately! And it’s no wonder why this adorable decor caught my eye, it’s so bold! It’s a super sweet addition to a classy office or teenage girls room!
2. Invite your guests to your next get together in style! These particular invitations are for a bridal shower, but can be used for any occasion! I think they’re adorable, but then again, I have a slight obsession with glitter so I might just be biased 😉
3. What a cute way to add some bling to your decor! Whether it be in your office or even adding a little decor to your closet. This little gem comes from an adorable Etsy shop where you an purchase it, and/or others, to add to your space!
4. I am really in love with this color scheme for a party or bridal shower! The sparkle adds the perfect touch of class. The pops of color with the fresh flowers make this look complete!

Please visit the source links I’ve provided to pin and share!

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All Things Thursday Blog Hop #32

February 13, 2014 by Fotini Filed Under: all things thursday, all things thursday blog hop, blog hop, link party 5 Comments

Hey, hey and welcome to this week’s All Things Thursday Blog Hop!

Let me just say how thrilled I am to have you here!

I would love it if you would take a minute to check out the features from last week’s party here!

As I said last week, I’ve kind of been taking a break from crafting projects to cross some larger projects off my lists! Things are coming along, but I must say I really miss crafting! It’s my sanity!! Anyways, here’s what I’ve shared on the blog this week!

Fab Pins of the Week

For the Love of Cash Giveaway!!

Love Love Love

An InLinkz Link-up

All Things Thursday #31 Features

February 12, 2014 by Fotini Filed Under: all things thursday, all things thursday features, crafts, diy, recipes, Valentines day 3 Comments

Welcome! I’m so excited to share a few of my favorites from last week’s party! Let me just say, there were SO many amazing projects and recipes linked up! You all are ROCKING it!!

Truly inspiring! Let’s get to it….

Valentine’s Day Felt Heart Garland from Little Red Window

Valentine’s Day Ideas from The Seasoned Homemaker

Cut Out Mason Jar Valentine Treat Bags from Hoopla Palooza

Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites w. Homemade Cheese Sauce from Organizer By Day

Easy Veggie “Pasta” from Vintage Zest

If you were featured, grab our button!

This week’s party starts tonight at 9 pm EST!

Love, Love, Love

February 10, 2014 by Fotini Filed Under: free printables, Valentine's printable, Valentines day 3 Comments

Love makes the world go- round! Feeling loved and sharing love is such a special thing! With Valentine’s Day a couple days away, I wanted to create a cute printable that you could easily display or share with someone that you love!

You can simply print it out and frame it as part of your Valentine’s decor or save and print it onto a card or even just email it!

Just showing a little effort to let those special ones you love, know how much they mean to you, can mean the world to them! So get out there and share love ♥ ♥

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All Things Thursday Blog Hop #31

February 6, 2014 by Fotini Filed Under: all things thursday, all things thursday blog hop, crafts, diy, recipes, Valentines day 1 Comment

Hey you! Are you ready for a fun party packed full of DIY, crafts, recipes and more?

I am!! I can’t wait to see what you all have been up to this week 🙂

I would love it if you would check out the features from last week’s party here! Was it you?

I took a break from posting a project this week, but I’m still busy around the house! Here’s what I’ve shared on the blog!

Fab Pins of the Week

Valentine’s Crafts for Kids!

Potty Training Tips & Cottonelle

Grab our button!

All Things Thursday #30 Features

February 5, 2014 by Fotini Filed Under: all things thursday, all things thursday features, diy, recipes, Valentines day 4 Comments

Hey there and welcome!

I can’t wait to share some of my favorites linked up at last week’s party with you today!

I can’t believe Valentine’s Day is already next week, wow, where is time going!!
Lots of tasty treats linked up last week, I had a hard time narrowing it down 😉

Let’s get to it…

Decorating a Planner Cover from Homey Oh My!

How to Pretty Up a Package from 504 Main

Banana Cheesecake from Spend with Pennies

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies from Tastes of Lizzy T

Valentine Treats from One Little Project at a Time

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Please join us tonight at 9pm EST for this week’s party!

Potty Training Tips & Cottonelle

February 3, 2014 by Fotini Filed Under: ad, Cottonelle, Cottonelle toilet paper, PMedia, Pollinate Media Group, potty training, potty training tips, sponsored post

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Cottonelle but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CtnlCareRoutine http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO”

I have to admit, when it came time to start potting training my daughter I was thrilled at the thought of no more diapers, but terrified of the potty training process. I potty trained my son when he was two and a half in one weekend, he was a breeze! My daughter on the other hand is a little more headstrong and more willing to put up a fight, which I normally give into. I knew I couldn’t give into her easily when it came to the potty training or it would be a daunting task for all of us, so here’s what worked best for us!

Buy a training potty and create some excitement about it! Don’t push using it quite yet, we kept it in the kids bathroom so she saw it every time she brushed her teeth and took a bath. I let it peak her interest and use it when she was ready.
Let them go bare butt! I’m sure some won’t agree with this, but it worked like a charm. No rushing to pull down undies in time and they won’t like peeing on themselves.
Put the training potty in a place that you spend most of your time, like the living room or playroom,etc. We spend the majority of our time in our living room, so I put a towel down on our tile near the fireplace and kept the potty there at all times. This is what really sparked her using it! When she had the urge to go, she just ran right to it and then just went back to playing or whatever she was doing before!
Reward them for using the potty successfully! Whether you use a potty chart, give them a sticker every time they go potty or even a small treat will excite them!
Introduce underwear! She was so excited when we went to the store and I let her pick out her big girl undies! Buy at least two packs, you will thank me later 😉
After a little time, start to move the potty closer each day to the actual bathroom. Our half bath is on the other side of the house, so it was a long way for her to make it when she was just getting used to using the potty! Now she makes it there with no problem 🙂
Encourage using toilet paper every time after going potty for little girls and the use of a cleansing cloth after going “no.2” for both boys and girls. Encouraging and enforcing good, clean potty habits are something they will use the rest of their life!

As always, BE PATIENT! I had to wipe up a lot of pee when we first got started, washed a lot of soiled undies, but it WILL get better! Just be persistent and patient!

Now she only wears a diaper at nap and bedtime. She’s came a long way and I’m so proud of her! She loves wearing her big girl undies and using the potty by herself! When it came about to have the opportunity to write a post for Cottonelle and the new cleansing cloths, it was the perfect fit!

I keep the Cottonelle cleansing cloths in our half bath, which is the restroom we use the most. I keep it on the sink for a mid-day pick me up for ourselves and/or guests, which is still in perfect reach for Isabella to grab when using her little potty! Let’s face it, kids are lousy wipers and I encourage my son to use them for an extra clean feeling too! I was a little surprised after coming home one afternoon, my husband said he even tried it out, shhh! He also complimented the clean scent they give off!

Long story short, the wipes encourage good, clean potty habits and that keeps everyone happy 🙂

I can honestly say after using many different brands of toilet paper, Cottonelle is the best overall! It is soft, strong and affordable!

Head to Walmart and snag yours today! But, before you go, be sure to print off your coupon! Also, when you purchase both items in the month of February (toilet paper and cleansing wipes) from Walmart, you will receive a $5 Vudu offer, woot woot! You can get more information by going to: www.DRVSusa.com/cottonellemovies

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Cottonelle but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CtnlCareRoutine http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO”

Fab Pins of the Week

January 31, 2014 by Fotini Filed Under: brights, decor, fresh flowers, home, home decor, neturals, Pinterest 1 Comment

It’s Friday, woohoo! Any big plans for the weekend?

Nothing specific here, just catching up on some errands I’ve not been able to get done with the crazy Polar Vortex we’ve been having!

With that being said, I’ve been drawn to beautiful brights, I’m craving Spring! 🙂

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1. I love love love the simplicity of this living room! The beautiful bright whites pairs perfectly with the spurts of gold and metallics! Not to mention that beautiful burst of color in the painting! A room like this wouldn’t stay white for long in my house, but it sure is pretty to look at 🙂

2. I really love the thoughts of have a neutral room and using fresh flowers and something as simple as books to add color and bring life into a room! It’s basically a blank slate that can be changed up, moved around and re-decorated at any time! I’m thinking this is going to be more the route I go with for my home office! You can even take any books you may have or even books from the thrift store and wrap them in your desired wrapping paper to blend better with your decor! Target has some adorable white and metallic gold striped wrapping paper right now that would be perfect paired with some pops of color added in!

3. This would be perfect as a guest room! What a beautiful, bright and inviting design! I love the mix of pink, orange and red together! The gray and white really make these colors pop, I love it! You can never go wrong with adding a gorgeous crystal chandelier to any bedroom! It’s the perfect statement piece to any room!

4. Again, a room like this wouldn’t last long at my house, but I love the thoughts of it! White couches and chairs, ah! The pops of color and pattern in with the pillows, again, can easily be changed at any time but provide character for this room! Initially, I was drawn immediately to the gorgeous bouquet of fresh peonies! I love incorporating fresh flowers into my decor as often as possible!!

Please be sure to visit the source links I’ve provided to repin and share.
Although Pinterest is not an original source, I was unable to find direct sources for these photos. If you are aware of original source, please let me know!

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