My Simple Kitchen Decor

My Simple Kitchen Decor

DIY Dishwashing Detergent

There are so many recipes online for homemade dish washing detergent.  I have experimented myself and this is what I am personally happy with.


Ingredients:

2 cups 20 Mule Team Borax
2 cups Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1 cup Idolized Salt 
1 pouch of Lemon Shine








Directions:

-Mix ingredients together
-1 full tablespoon per load

This makes 5 Cups of powder and will clean 80 loads of dishes! Plenty of ingredients left to make more batches.  What a great money saver! 

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Mud Room Addition

The best decision my husband and I made when finishing our lower level is the addition of a mudroom!   With a family of 5 (and hopefully soon 1 more) we have a lot of Shoes and Jackets!  With Fall comes the kids activities and school school bags.   When it is winter forget about it!  Boots, hats, gloves in addition.  It is such a relief to have an entry area where it all falls.

Here is a Peek at it!

The top of our kitchen and back door stairs

 Fun Chalkboard for Birthday, inspiration, reminders or like here Vacation updates! 

Initials from the craft store to tell who's is who's 

A Door that leads out the garage is not seen here on the right!  

 A catch basket for hats, gloves and scarfs 

And another chalkboard!  This one is just for the kids notes to each other! 

See my kitchen Chalkboard wall here

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My New Chalkboard Wall and Magnet Board

I finally bit the bullet and painted a chalk and magnet wall in my kitchen.  I just love it!  

This is the picture from our first week with it!  I am sure it's purpose will reveal itself over time.  When It happens I will take a pic and add it to the bottom of this page! 

The Wall 

We have this awkward wall in our kitchen.

I have had the hardest time figuring out what to do with it

The magnet paint was very hard to work with.  It was in a clump at the bottom of the can.

It will take time, patience and a strong arm to mix this hardened mess.

It goes on thick and dries fast!  about 30 minutes

Kate's Tip:  Ask the store (assuming you buy it at a paint supply store) if they will open and mix it for you.

  

To condition the wall wait 24-48 hours for the paint to dry then rub chalk all over the entire wall

Next rub the entire wall with a slightly damp rag or sponge

and done!! Beautiful!

I still need to sand paper the magnet wall and decided if I should paint over it chalk paint or yellow?

Maybe an accent Deep Purple?  Time will tell! 

 

Kate's Tip: Keep in mind that the chalk dust will fall!  

The end product!   I am very happy with it

Chalk Wall

Supplies Needed

-Chalk Paint (I spent $10 at Home Depot)
-1 Good Paint brush
-Roller 3/8th thick and Pan
-Old Sheet or Painters Paper
-Rubber Gloves
-Painters Tape

Same Materials for magnet wall just use a smooth roller instead.

Steps

-Remove socket and light switch covers
-Use Painters tape and tape around all edges
-I like to "cut in" around the edges first
-Roll on 2 coats of paint letting the first coat dry for an hour in-between
-Let dry for 1 hour
-Remove Tape and touch up
-Again let dry for 24 hours
-Replace Switch plates
-Condition Wall by rubbing chalk all over
-Take a barely damp sponge or cloth and wipe Dry



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Pay It Forward

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Kate 

Aulani and Oahu Planning and Packing

This page has moved and will be updated here:

http://mommy-dreaming.blogspot.com/2014/05/vacation-planning-disneys-aulani-hotel.html

Thank You!  

My Aulani and Oahu Planning Guide for July / August 2014

We are officially booked!  After 2 years of planning we have saved and set aside our Vacation Club points to take a 10 night stay in Hawai'i at Aulani Resort and Spa on Oahu Hawai'i.

July 30th - August 9th 2014

I will be traveling with my husband and 3 step children.  Twin 14 year olds and an 11 year old.

Like many of you looking for websites and blogs I am searching the internet already for tips, tricks and secrets to stay money savvy.  This will be my 4th trip to the Island of Oahu so I already have great insight on things to do around the island.  See Here from my Post on Oahu.  The big difference this time for me is having 3 kids in tow!  

We have booked a 2 bedroom Villa Garden View.  Again, we are Disney Vacation Club members so keep this in mind when reading this.  We figure not to use our points for next year that we would need to book an ocean or pool view but it is not the "standard" view.   We hope to at the least not be staring at a wall from our lanai.  Seriously.. staying in Waikiki just a couple years ago, the hotels are so close that many face each other by just feet!  Not very private!   Now I know that Aulani will offer a better view even at it's worst!  I plan to take pictures and I will share them here!  Until then words and links will have to do.  

Tips I've Learned of the Hotel 

-Wi-Fi is on available on all Aulani Property Grounds.  If you want to use it on the Beach you will need a password from the front desk
-You can use the spa for the day when buying any treatment or paying $45pp 

-Disney Movie Nights are Tuesdays and Fridays

-Daily Calendar Here

-In the Villas they do stalk them with basics.  Some dish soap, paper towels etc.  But if you are planning to stay more than a couple nights it will not get you through.   You will have to go to the store or order groceries.  Costco, Safeway and a Super Target are all a close drive.
-Maid service like other Disney resorts do not come every day to vacation Club rooms.  This is your home away from home!  We like it this way.   

-The loop around the 3 lagoons is 2.5 miles (I like to walk and my husband runs)
-If you are a Vacation Club member you do not pay the $35 a day parking fee
-Kid activities may fill up fast so look into it early (pre book if available not sure)
-Only 1 alcoholic drink at a time per adult.  So if you are thinking of grabbing 2, one for you and one for your spouse, think again!  (this is actually a common policy throughout Oahu)
-The Day Care Center is free for those with young ones.

Things I've learned so far of Aulani Immediate Area 

Walking Distance:

-Country Store ABC Store
-Paradise Cove Luau is walking distance on the other side of the Marriott next door.  Not to be confused with the other Marriott 3 lagoons down.
-There are pools for crabbing somewhere on the other side of the Marriott - so pack water shoes
-Monkey Pod Restaurant in walking distance
-There is a Starbucks in the Marriott right next door.

Things I've learned so far of the Ko Olina, Oahu area
-Costco, Target and Safeway all in this area
-There is a Historic Train that rides once a week to Ewa Beach

-Genki Sushi  Prices start at $1.50
-Kaneaki Heiau Ancient Hawaiian Ruins
-Ma ili Beach Park
-White Plains Beach Park Great beach for the day it has bathrooms!
Katie's Tip:  In the winter the waves are much bigger than in the calmer water summer months

My Packing List To Date
General not exact yet.  Because Hawaii can be expensive it is smart to pack some things that may cost a bit there.  Also we have a washer and dryer so I will have to keep this in mind with clothing.  Last, a first for me I am packing for 3 teen and pre teenagers.

Luggage 
-flip flops and comfy walking shoes
-water shoes for tide pooling with kids next to Marriott and around island
-sweater/sweatshirts I hear A/C is cold in rooms and restaurants
-a baggie of dishwasher tabs
-shampoo/conditioner
-lotion for sun dried skin
-sun block
-small first aid kit
-ear buds for pool
-sound proof head phones for airplane
-nail kit
-deodorant
-tooth paste, mouth wash and brushes
-hair brushes and accessories

Carry on
-snacks for plane
-games, books and magazines for plane
-hair elastics
-pen and paper (you have to fill out forms on the plane to enter Hawaii a pen comes in handy)

Here are a few of my favorite sites I have found so far that offer a unique and detailed look at the Aulani and surrounding area

Interactive area map

15 Things You Didn't Know About Aulani

Tips From The Disney Diva - Packing

Delicious Baby Answering Questions about Aulani

Centsational Girl Tour of Aulani

wdwinfo A Hawaii Resort Aulani

Disney Boards One Woman Discusses her Trip

Yesterland Side Trip To Aulani

Yesterland Aulani Neighborhood

Yesterland Aulani Opens

Pearl Harbor Official Website

Hidden Mickey's at Aulani - spoiler alert!

Trekaroo - Aulani and Hawaii Review

Discover Oahu - West

See here more Oahu and Vacation Posts

Please add comments to any info tips or thoughts!   Thanks

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My Waikiki Stay On A Budget!

My Stay in Waikiki on a Budget! 

I took this in May 2009 Waikiki Beach

I have Stayed at Park Shore Waikiki 2 times now.  Once in May 2009 and once in November 2011.  I have been to Waikiki and Oahu one more time before these two and stayed on the other end of Waikiki at The Outrigger Reef on the Beach.  That hotel sits directly on the beach and is the second to last on the sand before it ends.  The last Hotel next to it is a timeshare hotel (unsure of name).
I did a ton of research online both times and found some great information.  I am inspired by all that research and how it helped me to write this in hopes to help others looking for information.  I live in Massachusetts so Hawaii is a BIG trip for many reasons.  The biggest is the difficulty getting there so.. I aways want to make sure I do my research and educate myself before I go.  There is a lot of good information out there and I would love to share my personal point of view.  Make sure you click on my links! They will bring you to other helpful sites and pictures.

Oahu.  I am sure as myself you chose Oahu for its choices!  Oahu has so much to offer from dinning to nightlife to secluded beaches.  You can really have it all on this one island.

My Tips to The Park Shore Waikiki

"Waikiki East" OAHU and Area

Location:  I love the Waikiki East location for saving money!  Looking at a map, Queen Kapiolani Park down toward Center Waikiki. The West End has Really built up since 2009 but I would certainly not look down on it!  My opinion comes from a frugal saving money point of view.  Please keep that in mind. All of the Hotels are across the street from the beach on the East End.  It is a 1 lane in each direction street.  But unlike the West end there are no hotels across the street blocking the view.  So you can pay less by being across the street from the beach and still have the rocking ocean view property.

Park Shore Waikiki and Queen Kapiolani Hotel are both on Kapahulu Ave.  Park Shore is across the street from the beach on the corner of the main Kalakahaua Ave where as Queen Kapiolani Hotel is behind it.  These hotels are across Kapahulu Ave from Kapiolani Park and the HNL Zoo and both have options for a stunning unobstructed Diamond Head View - One like no other hotel could offer.  These are not what I would consider luxury hotels.  No no no.  But Park Shore Waikiki in my opinion was clean and still nice.  I am not on Oahu to be in the room.
I believe it maybe rates 2 of 5 stars. I would give it a solid 3 Stars.

Katie's Tip:  You can Hear the Animals at night if you are facing Diamond Head and the Zoo!
Katie's Tip:  Many Hotels were built in the 40's so rooms are small even at high end hotels. Many do not come with a bath tub shower only and can be very small to the American modern standard.

I spent some time at the Hula's Gay Bar in Queen Kapiolani Hotel and it was fun as anything. (Even though I am not gay)  I did not stay at that hotel so I do not have a real review on much else there.

Park Shore has a Roof Top pool on floor 5 and as of 2011 Lulu's Resaurant and Bar does have a waitress that will serve you cocktails and food.  They also did not mind if I BYOB and snacks plastic of coarse no glass!

Make sure you look into the local parade schedules.  Both years a parade went by. One year it was a Spanish Festival another it was a Motor Cycle Rally!  Really cool to see. Also a Road Race Ran by one Day.  Another Reason to hang at the Hotel and People Watch I guess!

Katie's tips:  I like to pack a cooler and drive to Lanikai Beach. Subway or even sandwiches for sale at ABC Store are good.  The ABC Store is great!

Parking: Now I speak from personal experience so don't hold me accountable to this but each time I have stayed here parking was a breeze!  along the fence of the Honolulu Zoo and toward Diamond Head heading away from Waikiki there was plenty of parking.  Some times of the day we would be a little further but a 5 minute walk at most.  Valet is expensive and a must most anywhere on Waikiki but not this area (again personal opinion)  The hotel does offer Valet if needed but..  Never even thought of it!

Beach Cams:  There are live cameras all over the island.  From traffic cams to beach cams. My two favorites are the Duke Statue  and the pier across from Park Shore.
See here for Cameras of Oahu
I use to look at these anticipating time change and beautiful weather awaiting my trip

East Coast Bar Lulu's Waikiki:  Now I know not everyone will care about this but.. it is nice to feel a little at home.  Lulu's is located in the Park Shore Waikiki.  They have the friendliest staff! Last I heard a guy from NH ran Lulu's.  NY fans along with Boston alike (yea I know right) Shuffle board table along with an open air venue with an ocean view!   Mondays use to be industry night with live music! So much fun!

Walkable:  This is a great walkable location!  Starbucks below as well as an ABC Store.  I liked to grab a bottle of wine and a 6 pack for my lanai!  Queens Beach is across the Street for bigger waves as well as the calm protected beach by walls etc.. for kids right there!  They say Sunset on the Beach movie nights are on Queens Beach but honestly I have never seen one set up either time there or a real calendar of movies online?  I wish they did do that still. Seems like fun!  Check the link yourself.

There is a Canal that runs the back side of Waikiki.  I loved walking along it in the mornings to check out another side of the area.  Inside Tip:  you must check out the fish.  Seriously freaky.  Googly Eyes!  I must take a picture my next trip!  I still talk about it to this day.

Waikiki is large but easily to walk anywhere!  Wear comfy shoes or flip flops.  Hawaii is not a high heel kind of a place although I always bring a pair I NEVER wear them.  ..and when I do finally spot a young girl wearing them all dolled up a laugh!  (she is always limping)

Me on the right!   Duke Statue Nov 2011

Other Waikiki things to See and Do

International Market Place:  Sadly has Closed :(

Sheraton on the Beach is a must for a night cocktail.  Best live music around.  I would even recommend staying here with a larger budget!

Free Hula Show: on Tuesdays, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

Rotating Restaurant:  Top of Waikiki I honestly don't remember the food being a wow.  But you can certainly enjoy a cocktail or desert!

Waikiki Beach Walk: Shops Restaurants a must!

Catamaran Ride:  Nahokuii Catamaran

Rent A Surf Board:  Below the Park Shore is a Surf Board Rental Shop $20 for 1/2 day (don't quote me) for a surf board!  Paddle boarding available.

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