Blog Blogger Blogging Social Media Networking

Blog Blogger Blogging Social Media Networking with LilacsNDreams. Hello, and Welcome to all who are visiting!

I don’t quite have my valentine piece done to share the completed vision with you. I picked up a few more things to try with it. Sorry about that. So, I grabbed another topic to discuss with everyone. I know I’ve covered some of the Blogging, and Social Media Networking before, but I wanted to share a little more with it today. 

Blogging, and Social Media Networking had grown fast over time. Today it is still very much used with online sales, marketing, brick and mortar stores use different forms, and so on. So, a question is Why Blog? There are different reasons I will point out to you. 

1) Social Media Networking is one reason for it. Blogging is another form of Social Media like Pinterest, 

Facebook, Instagram, and so on.

2) Another reason to Blog is it gets you published. How you ask? By working with things in regards to like your SEO, your keywords used, topics used which helps you get noticed in search engine rankings.

3) Another reason to Blog is for you to get your message out there that you want shared with others. There is no right, or wrong words and pictures to put out there. It’s up to you what you wish to share, what you want others to see, and what the message is that you would like others to relate with. 

4). Blogging is another way to share some tips, ideas, tutorials, questions, answers, and just sharing. 

5)  This has become a great way for teachers, and students to share work, class notes, pictures, etc. Kind of like a newsletter for some companies, and places too. 

Blogging is not just for one form of profession, but for many forms and ways of things that people do. Online Sellers, Brick and Mortar Store owners, Big Companies, Small Companies, Journalists, Photographers, Publishers, Writers, etc. Many people have turned to forms of Blogging as the Social Media Networking area grew.

Choosing the right platform is a task that you yourself will have to look at, and determine the fit for you. Couple of popular ones are with Blogger.com, and Wordpress.com. Some platforms will be for free, and some will offer paid versions too. Some people have websites that they include a blog with it, and I’ve seen some use their domain, or one of their domains, for a blog too. Choose the platform that works for you, that you are comfortable using, and depending on what you want to do for your blog too. 

As you can see I use Blogger, and I have used them for years. I have wordpress too. But, I don’t spend much time with it. I am use to blogger, I’ve accustomed to the ease of use of things around here, its been easier for me to learn to do things without changes done all the time. I have noticed I can be seen in search with wordpress, and if I work things like I should my blog shows in search engines too.

I wish everyone well, have fun in all you do, enjoy, and please be safe. Thank You for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, and see you soon. Toodles . . . . . .

 

Effective Networking, Making Connections Online

Effective Networking, Making Connections Online

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Recently covered was Blogging, and Social Media. Today I will briefly cover some effective networking, and making online connections that will help us with our businesses.  

I am going to share a statement that Lisa from Market Your Creativity had shared in one of her first posts that she had shared on Etsy in the forums. What she had told the community there was "I am always your friend. We have neighboring shops and we help each other, whether you realize it or not."  

Interesting idea when you think about it as this is something we do with the different platforms we use to sell on, how we become involved with different social networks, and it would be like having a shop in the mall or one of those mini malls. So, what we do to attract customers to our shops, and places we sell can also help those around us. What you do to draw people to your shops is something others near by can benefit from as well. So, if someone comes to visit my shop, you are right next door, and could also get a visit as well. You are not trying to outsell the competition, or take their sales, but rather you are working to make sales. 

So, Lisa shares how she sees this as not pulling competition from each other, but rather how we are all pulling from the same places to make sales. It's an interesting thought don't you think?

We are all human, and sometimes we will get that sudden jolt of envy when we see someone else getting the good sales, and maybe some success too. Consider transforming some of those negative thoughts into admiration for those sellers. Take the opportunity to learn from them, and with some respectful admiration convert that into something positive for you. Get your creative juices flowing, putting your thoughts into work, and go forward to create your own success. 

Try to believe that there is enough business for all of us to have which includes some money too. This positive thinking can open some possibilities, and some potential connections around you. Feel the need to reach out to other competitors, and business owners that inspire you. When you do this you will be surprised with some of the ideas, some of the projects, and some of the exchanges that you will generate. 

This in turn will give you more confidence to build something from nothing. Brainstorming with sharing, and connecting with others can help produce many more things for you. 

I myself am a huge fan of networking in different ways. Since I live most of my time online most of my networking is done within the virtual world. The benefits, and knowledge that comes from these places can be priceless for many of us, and our careers.  

You can start this by setting some goals, reaching out to others, and maybe connecting with other business owners. Take the step, and see where it leads. It is beneficial to you, but it can also be a fun experience too. 

Remember to drop by, and visit with Lisa at Market Your Creativity. She really shares some good things there to learn from. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! Until the next time I wish you all a wonderful day. See you again soon. 

Blogging Represents Your Brand, Drives Traffic to Online Storefronts

Blogging Represents Your Brand, and Drives Traffic to Your Online Storefront.

Hello there, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Today I will talk a bit about blogging which is something I enjoy doing. I want to share with you how blogging represents your brand for your business, and how it can help drive traffic to your online storefronts. Actually it is good for those who have websites, and is a form of social media that is good to use. 

When you blog you should do it regularly. Remember, if you don't have a business yet this is still good to have for a business that you might have some day. If you don't have any intentions of starting a business I believe it is still good for people to do. As you sit down to write for your blog you will ask, like many do, what is it I want to say? Once you start sharing it only gets better for you. 

When I first started to blog online I had no clue as to what I was doing, what I wanted to say, how to get started, and then nervous if anyone would actually find me to read anything. Getting started can be hard. I didn't think I would really have anything to say, or talk about. Over time ideas would come to me, I would read something that would give me a thought, and I learned to make small notes to myself of these ideas for later uses. 

It can take a while to find your way of what you think you should say, or what you think that maybe people would like to read. Once you get started, once you find your way, you will find that blogging is not as bad as you first thought. You find that the words come pouring through you as you open more to share, and more of you is revealed for others to see you which is good for business too. You will find over time how this helps to reveal your brand. 

If the business you have chosen is meant for you then you will find yourself eating, sleeping, dreaming, and living your brand. So, share it to the world in a conversational style way by using a blog. 

The blog is an ongoing thing in conversations between you, and your readers. People can come to your blog that would like to get to know you, and maybe ask you questions too. It's great when they wish to share things with you, and the other readers who visit. With your blog they can read a full post compared to the short messages with Facebook, or with the 140 characters that can be used at Twitter. 

Don't be offended with people who are not interested in reading. Some people do not like to read which is okay. Your target audience is going to be with those who are online looking for something of substance every time they visit online. This helps those who like to dig a little deeper, and get more of a feel for things by getting to know you. Consider it like writing an email to a good friend of yours which will help you share what others are looking for. 

Some of the traffic that comes to my shop is from my blog. Once in a while I enjoy sharing items that others are offering to help boost a little traffic for them as well. You will find that the blogging community is friendly, engaged, and they are willing to help other bloggers too! Blogging is not like visiting some of the forums that we have with our online storefronts. Some of those forums can get kind of mean, people get rude, and like others I cringe when it happens to me or see it happening to others. 

The blogging community is certainly people who like to share, and are friendly writers. We all look for new stories, some inspirations, and etc. You will also find that they are happy to link with you, tweet, pin, post some of your products in return, and that they enjoy sharing as well. The more that you can share the more your links are put out there, and the more clicks you can get too. It's a revolving circle. 

So, where do you start to blog? If you have your own website sometimes a blog can be made with that. Many will use the free blog from Google known as blogger.  There is also wordpress that many will choose too. Some will start with wordpress.com, and later will switch to the wordpress.org self-hosted site. Keep in mind that you can also get your domain with a place like GoDaddy, and have that directed to your blog with blogger too. That is something I do for Me. So you might ask, which one is better, and what do I choose? Many like wordpress, and there are some that prefer blogger. Here is a little article about blogger vs wordpress. See what is being shared about the 2 places. 

My preference is with blogger as I have a hard time getting around with wordpress. I am not a computer techie person, and blogger was easier for me to work with myself. Who knows, maybe some day I'll grow up more (LOL), and venture over to wordpress. Till then I am with blogger, and have been content with it so far. I like things simple I guess.  

If you would hop on over to visit Lisa at Market Your Creativity check out Day 14 in her series that she shares about how to build your own creative business. There she gives you some links for the beginning blogger, and for the advanced blogger too.  

Well, there you have it for today everyone. If you are not blogging I hope you will consider it, and know that it truly is good for you to do. It's one of the forms of social media that is good to use when branding, and building your business. Don't forget, you don't have to have a business to blog either. Many do it to share with family, and others too. 

Thanks for sharing time with LilacsNDreams today, and hope to see you again soon. Take care, and have a Happy Day!

Monday Blogging With LilacsNDreams

Monday Blogging With LilacsNDreams

Hi, and Welcome to everyone! It's Monday again, and I hope everyone survived the weekend. It sure has cooled off here, but it has made it quite comfortable here as well. I was gone for a couple of days this weekend. Had the iPad with Me, but my nephew some how took it over using it. So, I just let him have fun. Nothing special this weekend, no thrifting, no junking, no treasure hunting, just simple days of relaxation that is sometimes needed. 

So, what are your plans for the week? Will you be creating anything, shopping, looking for some vintage collectibles, doing any listings, etc. I hope to get my week started with revising of listings I have with Etsy, Ecrater, and Ebay. Simple adjustments, but it takes time with all the places revising. You know changing pictures, adding these words, removing these words, adjusting my shipping prices, and so on. 

I wish you all a wonderful week! Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and see you all again soon. Happy Monday to all of you!

Back to Basics Pretend You Are Moving

                              Repurposed Soap Jewelry Dish Vintage Inspired

                            Vintage Inspired China Plate and Candle Holder

                                      Fairfield Rose Point Pattern Oval Platter

                         Pink Glass Oval Glass Bowl With 2 Upcycled Candle Holders

                                 Mikasa Magic Moods Cups and Saucers

                       Pyrex Butterfly Gold Small Casserole Dish With Lid

                                     Precious Moments Picture Frame

 Back to Basics Pretend You Are Moving

Do you have a lot of inventory with treasures in your homes? You have enjoyed every piece that you have found from Thrift Stores, Yard Sales, Estate Sales, and so on. Got some really good deals, sold a few pieces, repurposed and upcycled a few pieces, and you can remember how you got some really good deals with most of the pieces too. It is sometimes a haunting picture with all the inventory sitting there, right? 

Now, think above all the excuses you use to hang onto your treasures, and imagine you had to move. Oh yeah, Ouch! Some of us are really moving, some of us would like to move, some of us are making plans to move, and some of us are thinking about moving. Happens all the time. Think about if you were moving, and all this inventory that you would have to pack. Yikes! It's a haunting thought isn't it? I know it would petrify me, and the thought does sometimes cross my mind. So, what do you do? 

Over time I have been downsizing my inventory. I have been very very controlling about Not buying anything when I am out thrifting. Believe me it has been hard, much torture, and a fight with an addiction. I have only gotten what is necessary for diy projects, or to accomodate for birthdays, gifts, and that sort of thing. It truly has been very hard, but I am proud of how my inventory has come down, and I have controlled my addiction of over thrifting. Yet, there is still much there that has not sold for me, did not work for a project I thought of, have changed my mind, etc. Some of this stuff has been around for quite some time. When is it the right time to let it go? 

Think of it as Moving. You will be moving soon, and your inventory has to be downsized to make the move easier. When you think about it you got some really good prices on things from thrifting, and yard sales. You did what you could with those pieces. Some of the pieces are still sitting there from when they were bought, and maybe collecting some dust too. So, why not donate them back to charities, and the thrift stores? Let someone else find use for them that really needs them, and can enjoy them as we have. Your best bet is as soon as you think of it you should do it. Don't hesitate, and give it a second thought. You are more likely to move on your goal you have set, box it, and take it. If you leave it sitting, and have secondary thoughts, you just might change your mind, you will doubt your decision, and later the guilt with regrets. That is not the purpose of downsizing things. Remember, you are "moving"....you think you are, and keep that thought.

Just tell yourself that you "have to do it" and "you need to do this" LOL:) Yes, if you are like me you will still purge, but the feeling of downsizing, and thinking of moving really truly does help the situation. 

So, how about it? Finding yourself over whelmed with all of your treasures?  Taking the first step is hard, but so worth it when you do! One step at a time is good. So, go ahead and take it. You will truly be happy with the decision.

You can relate to this, right? LOL:) Don't let it over whelm you, there truly is some hope. I hope you all enjoyed the visit, and the thought of "moving" and "packing" today does help you. Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and see you all again soon. Take care, and Happy "Moving"

 

     

QR Codes and What Are They

QR Codes and What Are They?

On different products, business cards, in restaurants, on signs, and etc, you will see a box shape that are black and white, sometimes colored, and in a shape that you ask What is This? Those are QR codes. 

With the Wikipedia free encyclopedia online it shows the definition of a QR code as:

QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response Code) is the trademark for a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional barcode) first designed for the automotive industry in Japan; a barcode is an optically machine-readable label that is attached to an item and that records information related to that item: The information encoded by a QR code may be made up of four standardized types ("modes") of data (numeric, alphanumeric, byte / binary, Kanji) or, through supported extensions, virtually any type of data.^[1]
The QR Code system has become popular outside the automotive industry due to its fast readability and greater storage capacity compared to standard UPC barcodes. Applications include product tracking, item identification, time tracking, document management, general marketing, and much more.^[2]
A QR code consists of black modules (square dots) arranged in a square grid on a white background, which can be read by an imaging device (such as a camera) and processed using Reed-Solomon error correction until the image can be appropriately interpreted; data is then extracted from patterns present in both horizontal and vertical components of the image.

A QR Code which is short for Quick Response is a barcode which has data content that can be read with a phones camera. Most of your smart phones are equipped with the soft ware which allows you to download the QR code reader. Now, once you download that reader your camera then works like a scanner which allows you to read the barcode. 

Once these barcodes are read they can provide you with a URL for website addresses and more, your blogs, your online shops, maybe some contact information, or similar links with information right to your phone. Such places to find these QR barcodes could be on the back of products you wish to purchase, some have them on their business cards, find them on blogs or websites, sometimes a business will have a sign showing their barcode, and the list goes on.

So, do you use a barcode? Have you thought about using one, but not sure if you really need it? Does it help business for you? There are places that charge for you to have a barcode made, and there are also places online that are free for you to have your barcode made too. 

If you have a barcode I would love to hear from you your experience with it, if you have found it helpful, and do you recommend this to others as well. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again soon. Have a Sweet Monday everyone.

Have a Wonderfully Fun, and Safe Saturday Everyone

Have a Wonderfully Fun, and Safe Saturday Everyone!

So so very sorry for not being here for a few days everyone. I was working on my posts Tuesday with some research, pictures, etc. Moving right along, getting ready to post here, and zap! There went my computer monitor. Just went black, no warning, nothing. So, few minutes later I tried again. Monitor would start to come up, go black, come up, and then go black to where it finally would stay black. Had sounds, and all, but nothing else. 

Thursday I was able to get the monitor to a computer place to have it diagnosed. I was really truly hoping it was maybe a bad power cord, or vsg cord. Nope, no go! I was told I would be better off to get a new monitor. Not really what I wanted to hear. 

So, anyway, today I hit the road a bit with garage sales, second hand/thrift stores, and etc. Was in search of a screen to grab quick till I could get to a bigger city to have choices of monitors, or at least research on line more for some computer monitors.

As you have guessed I found a screen to use. Smaller than my other one, and I am still adjusting to it. But, this will do till I can find a bigger one that I like after doing some research. When that happens I will always have this monitor as a back up if I were to have another issue:)

Sorry to have missed you all the past few days. Thanks for sharing some time with LilacsNDreams. Have a sweet, fun, and wonderful weekend all! See you again on Monday!:)

WooHoo It's Friday, Weekend Here We Come

WooHoo It's Friday, Weekend Here We Come!

Whew! What weather we have been having in NW Iowa! Rain...love it, but along with it comes lightning, hail, thunder, winds, and the usual stormy weather. Daytime has been cloudy, then sunny, then cloudy which leads to the darker clouds at night, and all of the other severe storm symptons. 

Wednesday we lost power during the night, and then Thursday night we were having some severe weather again. Things calmed down a bit so that I could get on the computer, and get my posting done on site for ya'll. 

I hope everyone is surviving the weather where you are, and pray for those experiencing issues with tornadoes. They are in our thoughts, and prayers. Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams everyone, and I hope to see ya'll again soon. Take care, and have a wonderful fun weekend!

Domains Which One to Use

Domains Which One to Use

Of course many of us are blogging, some have their own websites, and some buy their domains in order to direct them to maybe their shops or market places they sell with. I have quite a few domains myself. I have LilacsNDreams.com for this blog, I have LilacsNDreamsShoppe.com for my shoppe page with my blog, I have a domain for my website, I have domains for a couple of my shops, and I have picked up quite a few to direct them with here, there, and there. I use GoDaddy for my domains. I have never had any issues with them in directing my domains, changing and directing to another address, using them, contacting them, etc. When I buy my domains there they are mine...as long as I keep renewing them. 

Anyway, there are so many places out there to get your domains with. I often seen many mentioned, and I hear good with bad about many of them too. I have seen quite a few mention 1and1.com, namecheap.com, name.com, 123.reg, and there are sooo many out there to mention I could bore you with all of them. I do have a notebook I have many of them written in, but it must be the memorial weekend holiday that is catching up with Me, and not being able to find that particular notebook.

So, do you have your domains? Have you maybe gotten your domains to help lock your brand names, but just have them parked right now not using them? That is how I started out with mine at first was just buying them. For whatever reason that you do, or don't have them I would love to hear from others what places they are using, and their experiences they have had too. 

Hope ya'll had a super Memorial Weekend! We did here as our son was home from the army for a few days. He is back to work doing what he loves to do, hubby is back in the truck, daughter and her family still with us, and I am doing what I enjoy doing as well...blogging. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see ya'll again soon. Till the next time everyone, Have a Sweet Day!

DIY Craft Handmade Repurposed Lanterns

                                           Pottery Barn Lanterns

                                             DIY Stencil Glass Lantern

                                              Make Your Own Wood Lantern

                                              DIY Picture Frame Lanterns Chandelier

DIY Craft Handmade Repurposed Lanterns

I often adore lanterns whether they are made of wood, metal, have that beachy look, and some of the simple chandeliers have the same look too. You know some of them timey old time lanterns. I love all the colors that I find, and of course how they are displayed to show giving me more ideas. I truly enjoy looking at them, and consider them till the price tag catches the eye. Go to Pottery Barn to see some of them, and how the simplest of designs can be spendy too. Starting at maybe $19.99 up to $129.00 and more! Like many other times I see something I like, don't want to pay the price, and I know it is time to go to places like the Dollar Tree stores, go out thrifting, junking, and to some how find the pieces I can put together to make this work. 

Upon researching, and spending my time lounging like I generally do . . . when I should be getting projects done . . . I came across some neat tutorials, and ideas of how to make these adorable lanterns myself. One technique I found to be quite interesting, and very easy to do was using picture frames from like the Dollar Tree stores. Yes, picture frames! Takes 4 picture frames sized at least 5 X 7. Now, you can do this project with glass, and without glass too. You can also make these lanterns with stenciled glass, bottoms and tops, you don't have to have either if you don't want to, maybe a bottom with no top, or add some wire to make a wire handle for a hanging chandelier. Neat ideas isn't it?

Please see the pictures above with their links that will better assist you with tutorials, ideas, instructions, and etc. The first picture at the top is from Pottery Barn and are priced $39 to $129. As you can see the DIY lanterns look just as good as those from Pottery Barn, but of course as noted were done cheaper too. 

Hope you enjoyed looking, and got some wonderful ideas from this today. Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! Was a pleasure, and hope to see you again soon. 

Thoughts and Prayers For People of Oklahoma

Thoughts and Prayers For People of Oklahoma

I had been planning a different blog post for today, and was searching notes along with researching for pictures too. After the devastation of what has happened in Oklahoma the past few days I decided instead to have some much needed prayers sent for all those who have been effected. My heart goes out to all those who were caught within these horrid paths of these tornadoes. All of our thoughts, and prayers go out to you during this time. Prayers are requested for your hearts to be healed as you are putting your lives back together. May God Bless you, and help you during these trying times. 

Blessings to You in Oklahoma, and those who have been in the path of this devastation!

Welcome to LilacsNDreams Blog Site

Welcome to LilacsNDreams Blog Site. Nice to see you, and glad you stopped in. 

Hello Everyone, and happy to see you dropping in with LilacsNDreams! I normally keep this site for sharing items found, likes and dislikes, informational, things I have read, business, things of interest, and etc. Generally I try not to do anything personal here, but today wanted to visit with you all shortly. 

As you have seen my posts are off this week compared to what I normally share, and I apologize to you deeply for that. I have been home in bed ill for about 2-3 days now. Starting to show signs of improvement, but still worn out from it, doing a lot of sleeping, and the usual of what comes with this stuff. So, just letting everyone know I am still around, and did not purposely forget about my postings for the week. 

Hope this finds you all doing well, and hopefully everyone had a great week! Here is the start to our weekend, and wishing you all a super weekend with all that you do! Thanks so much for visiting, and sharing your time with LilacsNDreams everyone! Appreciate it, and enjoy seeing all of you, and hearing from you too. 

Thanks again everyone, and have a super weekend! See you again soon!:)

Google Plus Is it Needed and What is It

Google Plus Is it Needed, and What is It?

Hi there, and Welcome back to LilacsNDreams! Social Media has become a very big thing over time, it's fun, there are advantages for using with business, great way to socialize, way to get your brand name out there, meet people, make new friends, and to grow your businesses too. 

Google Plus is Googles Social Network. This had revolved to make some of the exiting Google products such as Gmail, Picasa, and Blogger socially compatible. When having a Google Plus account you will not have to sign into different sites, and into different accounts to share and update activities. Information, and your functions from all of these can be integrated right into your Google Plus. 

Thanks to Google the SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) has been changing. Google is interested with how businesses encourage personal interaction with their customers, and to see how activity can be generated by the buttons and links on your sites. 

Next thing many ask is why should I have a Google Plus when I already have Facebook. As with many things how many real friends do you have on Facebook? It is generally assumed that everyone is your friend, but this is not how your social circles actually work in real life. 

Google Plus allows you to categorize your friends, acquaintences, and so on with groups or better known as circles. Doing this you can treat each circle separately too. Yes, Facebook does allow some of the same things. But, their privacy settings are confusing, and always changing too. You don't have to follow someone who is following you with Google Plus. 

Google is the most powerful search engine compared to Bing, Yahoo, and so on. Of course businesses that use their products will naturally rate higher with their pages compared to those who don't. 

To do these things you will need a Google account, and with the one account you can do many of these things from there. The security is great with a Google account, and I myself have noticed that I am not spammed quite as much with it. 

So, do you have a Google Plus account? Do you also have Facebook? Do you have a preference with these, do you use them both, or are you only using one of them? I would love to hear some input with this as to what others are using, the good, the bad, and your experiences with this. 

Hey, thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! I enjoyed you visiting, and hope to see you again soon. Take care, and have a fabulous day everyone!

Its Friday Wishing Everyone a Fabulous Repurposing Collectibles Weekend

Its Friday and Wishing Everyone a Fabulous Repurposing Collectibles Weekend!

Hey everyone, here it is Friday already! Where did this week go to, right? For me it was there, and then there it went...whew! Busy week, and not really a thing done around here. This is hoping you all had a wonderful week, and wishing you all a fabulous weekend! Time to get in some repurposing, upcycling, recycling, junking, treasure hunting, finding some vintage collectibles, and all of that fun stuff. Don't forget to relax too. Enjoy, have fun, and be safe everyone. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams. See you all again soon!

Repurpose Upcycle Liquor Bottles for Home Decor

Repurpose Upcycle Liquor Bottles For Home Decor 

Hello again, and Welcome back to LilacsNDreams! I just love it when people share their ideas, show pictures of what they have done, and knowing how we can do some of these projects inexpensively too. Ever have one of those moments when you see something, and think "Who Would Have Thought?" Don't worry, it happens to me quite often. 

Above you will see a picture of bottles that are used for decor with the bathroom. Use some lotions in them, sweet smelling bath salts or bath oils, and so on. Now, the bottles you see above are liquor bottles that have been cleaned out, and decorated for this purpose. Neat idea, huh? You know it doesn't always have to be the liquor bottles either. If you find other bottles at home that have some of the distinctive shaping for this purpose it is great to use them too. Clean the bottles out good, maybe add a printed label to decorate it, add some burlap string tied into a bow, and you get the picture. I found this picture at Pinterest, and it showed there that this came from Sublime-Decor.com. 

Sometimes these bottles are great to show on your dressers, vanities, on the counter in the kitchen filled with kitchen accents, put a couple of them on a shelf, maybe a mantel, and so many possibilities when you repurpose and upcycle different pieces. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, and that you enjoyed your visit with LilacsNDreams today. Hope I was able to give you some more ideas to either do with your own home decor, or maybe give someone a gift for theirs too. Thanks for sharing your time with Me today, and hope to see you again soon. Take care, and have a great Monday everyone!     
#LilacsNDreams

Sunday Spring Forward 1 Hour Reminder

Sunday Spring Forward 1 Hour, Friendly reminder to those who might have forgotten, or it just slipped your mind.

Hi there everyone! Coming to some a bit late with this I know....sorry I was out:) But, if you wake Sunday morning, and have forgotten, don't forget that our clocks are springing ahead 1 hour. Hope everyone remembered so you were not late to anything this morning:)

Hope ya'll are having a great weekend! Have a fun Sunday, and see you all again soon. Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams. #LilacsNDreams

DIY Ideas For Hanging Curtains and Saving Some Money

DIY Ideas For Hanging Curtains and Saving a Little Money too!

Hello, and Welcome back to LilacsNDreams! I just love DIY ideas, don't you? If I can use what I have at home, from thrift stores, second hand stores, and etc to give our home it's own character I will do it. I enjoy the low cost of doing this, and after saving money with some of these home projects it gives me more to spend some where else. Now, that is something I like!

Above you will see a couple of pictures that I had found with Pinterest again. That place is really cool. So many ideas, and instructions being shared there it is very addictive. You could spend all day looking, looking, and doing some more looking to make some notes, or as many do bookmark things too. You should give it a visit some time if you haven't already. I will worn you though, it can be addictive. 

The first picture above is from DIYideas.com. What they did there was use some napkin rings, and some ribbon. They added to curtains of their choice, and made these. I like the idea of napkin rings as there is generally a good selection of those in colors, shapes, sizes, designs, and etc. Ribbon is always a good touch to add to many things. With this method you could be creative as you can with the picture below it too. That second picture came from bhg.com. Another good place to find some ideas that are shared too. With these curtains they used to make a ring for them they used ribbon only, and tied a little bow to them. Great concept as you could use any color of ribbon, texture, and design. 

What is great with this method of doing curtains is when you feel the need for a change you won't always have to change your curtains. Instead you could just change the ribbons being used, change the napkin rings, shower curtains rings, and you get the picture. 

So, for those who like to do their own thing at home, save a penny or two doing it, this is another method of adding to your list of to dos, list of ideas, and all those wonderful notes that we all make for ourselves. I hope you enjoyed this idea shared with you, and that you find it helpful with the dressing of your homes. Hey, if you have something else that you use it would be great to hear about it, and we would enjoy having you share it here with all of us too. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams everyone. Hope you enjoyed the visit, and it would be great to see you again. Take care till the next time!