Wednesday, February 10, 2010

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!





13 comments:

FrouFrouBritches said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I like your idea of pitchers on top of my cabinets. I might have to try that.

Love your blog! Love the chalkboard contact paper. I wish we had a HomeGoods!

Elder Esplin said...

I love the chalkboard idea at the end of your cabinet...so cute! I have a lonely end cabinet just like that. I might have to steal your idea! As for the soap...I have that same stuff in fig and brown sugar by my kitchen sink! That is too funny! I love it too especially for a buck.

What makes me happy? New laundry detergent and fabric softener. I love folding fresh, clean smelling clothes! I know, I'm weird! Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving me some love. I'm following yours! See ya...

Jennie @ Cinnaberry Suite

Southern Fried Gal said...

Cute ideas! I am a small things kinda gal, too. I posted about bird and bunny tracks in the snow - ha! Thanks for stopping over!

BTW - the soda glass vase is Southern Living at HOME. Would you like a new catalog? Email me your address and I'll shoot one out!

Please stop over for a visit again soon!

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

I love Home Goods, too, but never saw the chalkboard contact paper! I like it-use it with no commitment!
I totally understand the pail thing-I get excited about things like that, too! I am the kind of girl that would love an appliance for Valentine's day!
~Nancy

Melanie said...

I completely understand that something as small as a garbage can can make you happy. I am the same way:) I like the phone on the wall too:)

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love all the small changes. I need a new trash can. Mine is just the cheap white plastic kind. And I love the chalkboard contact paper. Great idea. I need to go to Home Goods to see if mine still has some.

Thanks for visiting my blog & leaving me a comment.
Kim

Marianne said...

Funny we are actually lookin for a smaller trashcan! We can now recycle our plastic too and it is amazing how much plastic waste we produce.
Happy Valentines

Prior said...

LOVE your trash can, and your black board message center! Lezlee

Megandvd@Beauty in the Attempt said...

Thrifty Decor Chick -- she is the one who 1st did the conversion light kit. I only know this b/c not only am I going shopping with her on the 13th of March..but I ran around the house in search of a light I could convert. :)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the chalkboard idea on the end cabinets with contact paper. I have contact paper. I have cabinets. Hmmm...oh yes, I need some chalkboard stuff. This is on my list! Thank you my dear!!! I have to do this!

Cheers~
e

Bohemian chic said...

oohhh, I could totally do that!

Carrie Ann Eddleman said...

Just found you through McLinky. I love the idea of peel and stick contact paper. I have a huge cabinet that would be perfect for a message center like yours. Thanks for sharing.

Take Care, Carrie

His Doorkeeper said...

Can I ask a question? Where did you get your wall phone? I have one exactly like it in my kitchen bought from Pottery Barn. In fact, it is my second one. The first one didn't work and i finally traded it from PB for the second one and it doesn't work either.

I like the way it looks so I just leave it on the wall and have another phone that I use. Just wondered it you have had any trouble with yours?
Very nice blog!!

Jessi said...

Hello there "His Doorkeeper"!
We actually got our phone online from Target. It's the Crosley wall phone: http://tinyurl.com/ycx5bv7