It's The Little Things

Yes, sometimes it's the little things that make me happiest! And lately I've made some little changes/additions to the kitchen that have really made me smile.

I brought home a new trash can over the weekend, and it's is ridiculous how happy it has made me. The one we had was a wedding gift 8 years ago and while it served its purpose for just the two of us, it was too small for our family of 3 now. Little boys make big messes!

This is the puny trash can that could no longer keep up with the amount of trash we produce:

When we were filling up the trash can every single day, I decided enough was enough and headed out to Bed, Bath & Beyond armed with a 20% off coupon (remember...they never expire!). I brought this 40 liter beauty home:

 

It is my new love. What could be more romantic than a new stainless steel trash can for Valentine's?

Did you notice my chalkboard?
It's another little thing that we added recently and it has made taking messages and remembering important things much easier. I used chalk contact paper (great because it is removable without leaving any residue) that I found at Home Goods and cut it to fit the end of the cabinet.

 

Next up on my list of little things in the kitchen that make me giddy is my new pendant light. Thrifty Decor Chick posted a while back that she had found the recessed light conversion kit at Home Depot or Lowe's and I knew I had to have one. Unfortunately, I can't remember which blogger it was that posted about it. If you are reading, let me know! I sent the hubby out, and out, and out...yeah, it took a few tries to get exactly what we needed but we ended up with this:

 

It was the perfect touch to the sink area! And I love having just that light on in the kitchen at night. 

And while I am noting the little things that make me smile, I must mention this soap:

My dear friend Meg introduced me to Johnson Parker hand soap from The Christmas Tree Shop last year. Much like the more expensive Bath & Body Works version they come in a variety of scents. I tend to change them out according to the season. And at $1 a pop, I stock up every time I get the chance!

So what little things in your home are making you happy lately?

This post is part of "Transformation Thursday" at The Shabby Chic Cottage!