Happy March! I just love March because it’s the beginning of spring! The beginning of each season is always my favorite. And right now, the air is crisp, the veggies are ripe and the outdoors is calling my name. When I think March, I automatically start thinking DIY. I’m not a crafty or DIY type of person. At all. Ever. I don’t even own a hot glue gun. But with the cheery days of spring arriving, I start watching HGTV and get inspired to do a few things around my house.
So…I thought the perfect person to co-host this March edition of Shay’s Pajama Party is my sweet friend (and fabulous DIY-er) Cassie from Hi Sugarplum!
Hi, I’m Cassie, a DIY and design-obsessed Texas girl, and lover of travel, fashion, sarcasm and Mexican food. When I’m not hanging with my sweet and funny family, you can find me kicking the ’80s out of our home, one budget project at a time, on my blog Hi Sugarplum!
I just love reading Cassie’s blog because she’s all about fresh, simple, fun and very practical DIY ideas (along with some crazy cute fashion and yummy recipes). She also has this adorable family who love traveling together…a girl after my own heart.
I mean…look at them? What J Crew catalog did they step out of? Like the prettiest family. Ever.
Cassie is just the kind of girl you want to be friends with.
So…DIY plus March equals a night in my pjs with Cassie.
We’re curled up in our jammies, sipping coffee and eating her insanely delicious Peanut Butter Brownie Bars with a Cookie Crust and discussing her recent trip to Puerto Rico and her latest in DIY.
I’m telling Cassie about how I’m participating in Mel’s 40 Bags in 40 Days and that it’s really helping me spring clean. Then I ask her about her spring cleaning rituals.
Cassie: I’m more inspired by a new year, and I start whole-house
purging and organizing. I recently tackled our Pantry, Bathroom
Cabinets, Junk
Drawer and Garage,
and it’s been life-changing. We also created a Family
Command Center and Gift
Wrap Station and those have made life sooooo much smoother.
purging and organizing. I recently tackled our Pantry, Bathroom
Cabinets, Junk
Drawer and Garage,
and it’s been life-changing. We also created a Family
Command Center and Gift
Wrap Station and those have made life sooooo much smoother.
Me: So Cassie, what is your best organization tip?
Cassie: You
have to start every organizing project with a clean slate….so dump it all out!
Sure it’s a hot mess, but it always gets worse before it gets better! Sort
everything into Keep, Toss and Donate piles…and be ruthless! Labeling is also
key in helping everyone in the family know where stuff goes. Nobody wants to
see mommy’s head spin around!
have to start every organizing project with a clean slate….so dump it all out!
Sure it’s a hot mess, but it always gets worse before it gets better! Sort
everything into Keep, Toss and Donate piles…and be ruthless! Labeling is also
key in helping everyone in the family know where stuff goes. Nobody wants to
see mommy’s head spin around!
Me: Spring cleaning makes me think of freshening up my home with a few new decorations too. After the holiday season, where your home is full of wonderful holiday decorations, what do you do to freshen up your house for spring?
Cassie: Swap
out your throw pillows and bedding for bright and colorful patterns, add cheery
houseplants, and clear away the clutter that’s accumulated over long the Winter.
out your throw pillows and bedding for bright and colorful patterns, add cheery
houseplants, and clear away the clutter that’s accumulated over long the Winter.
I love this idea! Everyone knows how much I love swapping out my family’s bedding for each season (sheets and such). I love the idea of changing out the throw pillows too!
Me: What DIY projects do you have on your plate this month?
Cassie: I started on a
Craft Closet, and I’m determined to finish that. And after 8 years in our
house, the kids have each had two room makeovers, yet we haven’t had one (see
theirs here
and here)!?
Why do we always neglect our personal spaces? I’m excited to finally jump on that
project. Oh yeah, and I just finished a table makeover that involves gold
and snakeskin….can’t wait to share that one!!
At this point, I explain to Cassie that I am craft challenged and don’t even own a glue gun or know where exactly we keep our hammer. She assures me we can still be friends.
After chatting about what a failure I am to the craft community, we move on to a topic I can really appreciate…food.
What is our favorite treat to make for our kiddos this time of year?
Me: We love making anything with lemon! For us, spring and lemon go hand in hand. My Lemon Whoopie Pies are very popular in my house this time of year.
Cassie: As
soon as the weather heats up, we pull out the Cuisinart Ice Cream maker. It’s
the most genius little machine ever…dump in a few ingredients, and BAM…homemade
ice cream. Oh, who am I kidding…we use it year-round. We even made cinnamon
ice cream to go with our pumpkin cake last Fall!
What is our favorite thing to make for supper this time of year?
Me: My Pasta with Bacon and Corn is my very favorite thing to make. Ever. And it’s the perfect spring time pasta!
Cassie: Since
sprucing
up our back patio, we grill and eat outside a lot. And fortunately, my
husband is not a meat-and-potatoes only kind of guy…he’s just thrilled I made
dinner! So when the produce sections start exploding, our favorite meal is
fresh corn on the cob, bruchetta with crusty French bread, and fruit salad.
Don’t be fooled, we aren’t that healthy…we usually round out the meal with a
berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream.
sprucing
up our back patio, we grill and eat outside a lot. And fortunately, my
husband is not a meat-and-potatoes only kind of guy…he’s just thrilled I made
dinner! So when the produce sections start exploding, our favorite meal is
fresh corn on the cob, bruchetta with crusty French bread, and fruit salad.
Don’t be fooled, we aren’t that healthy…we usually round out the meal with a
berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream.
As we get our second (or maybe third) helping of Cassie’s yummy brownie bars, we started chatting about what we wear during the transitional month of March.
What is the most worn item in your closet during the month of March?
Me: My light military jacket and new neutral Toms seem to be what I’m wearing the most this month.
Cassie: I’m
ready to ditch the itchy sweaters and coats, and replace them with colorful,
lightweight blouses and scarves. My
fitted denim jacket will be in heavy rotation, too, since it looks great
with almost everything, and is a great transitional piece.
ready to ditch the itchy sweaters and coats, and replace them with colorful,
lightweight blouses and scarves. My
fitted denim jacket will be in heavy rotation, too, since it looks great
with almost everything, and is a great transitional piece.
Some of our favorite transitional clothes…
And our favorite transitional shoes too…
Me: Now, I know your family just spent Spring Break in Puerto Rico (fabulous!). Tell me about your love of traveling.
Cassie: My husband and I
are also big on taking kid-free trips, and have done so every year we’ve been
together…it’s a great time to reconnect, and remember we’re more than just
‘mommy & daddy.’ In fact,
traveling is why we’re so big on budget decorating and DIYing…we’d rather spend
the money eating our way through Italy. Our kids sometimes wish we had a bigger
house or newer cars, but we prefer to give them experiences and memories that
last a lifetime. You can read about some of our favorite trips here.
are also big on taking kid-free trips, and have done so every year we’ve been
together…it’s a great time to reconnect, and remember we’re more than just
‘mommy & daddy.’ In fact,
traveling is why we’re so big on budget decorating and DIYing…we’d rather spend
the money eating our way through Italy. Our kids sometimes wish we had a bigger
house or newer cars, but we prefer to give them experiences and memories that
last a lifetime. You can read about some of our favorite trips here.
Here is Cassie earlier in the week in Puerto Rico. Lucky girl!
At the end of every PJ Party, I ask my friends the same set of questions. Let’s see how Cassie answers…
1.
What is your favorite cosmetic?
What is your favorite cosmetic?
I’m not much on makeup, but you can bet I
almost always have on mascara….Falsies by Mabeline is my favorite.
almost always have on mascara….Falsies by Mabeline is my favorite.
2.
What is your favorite beauty product (not
makeup)?
What is your favorite beauty product (not
makeup)?
My hair is completely bi-polar…not straight, not curly…and
certainly not the perfect in-between beachy wave. So unless I plan on wearing a
hat, I have to tame the beast with a curling wand.
certainly not the perfect in-between beachy wave. So unless I plan on wearing a
hat, I have to tame the beast with a curling wand.
3.
What is your favorite TV show?
What is your favorite TV show?
I don’t watch a lot of ‘real time’
TV, instead we get hooked on past series and watch them as a marathon. We
recently stayed up waaaaay to late with Breaking Bad, Dexter and Homeland. We
just started House of Cards, and we’re already hooked. There was one season of
the The Bachelor we watched, but I can’t remember which one. 😉
TV, instead we get hooked on past series and watch them as a marathon. We
recently stayed up waaaaay to late with Breaking Bad, Dexter and Homeland. We
just started House of Cards, and we’re already hooked. There was one season of
the The Bachelor we watched, but I can’t remember which one. 😉
I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess this season…with that Sean guy.
4.
What is your favorite vacation destination?
What is your favorite vacation destination?
Every time we come home from a
trip, I think to myself, ‘That was my favorite place we’ve ever been.’ But,
really, I just love to go anywhere! We tend to travel to places that are so
completely different from what we live everyday…so if I had to choose, I’d say Santorini,
Paris
and Cinque Terre.
trip, I think to myself, ‘That was my favorite place we’ve ever been.’ But,
really, I just love to go anywhere! We tend to travel to places that are so
completely different from what we live everyday…so if I had to choose, I’d say Santorini,
Paris
and Cinque Terre.
5.
What is your favorite pair of shoes?
What is your favorite pair of shoes?
Shay and I are wedge-sisters…I’m
on the shortie side, so I like a little more height. My favorite boots this
winter were these,
and I can’t wait to pull these
out for Spring. After I get a pedicure, of course, yikes! Ain’t nobody wants to
see what’s been closed up in boots for 5 months!
on the shortie side, so I like a little more height. My favorite boots this
winter were these,
and I can’t wait to pull these
out for Spring. After I get a pedicure, of course, yikes! Ain’t nobody wants to
see what’s been closed up in boots for 5 months!
Cassie’s favorite booties for spring!
6.
What is your favorite nail polish?
What is your favorite nail polish?
I thought I liked a whole array of
colors, but when I organized
my polish last year, it was pretty clear I leaned towards the reddish-pinkish-coral
family. Opi ‘Cajun Shrimp’ has been my go-to since high school. (So like, 5
years, in case you’re wondering.)
colors, but when I organized
my polish last year, it was pretty clear I leaned towards the reddish-pinkish-coral
family. Opi ‘Cajun Shrimp’ has been my go-to since high school. (So like, 5
years, in case you’re wondering.)
I tell Cassie how I’m Cajun Shrimp obsessed too! It’s the perfect reddish-pink color!
7.
What is your favorite chick-flick movie?
What is your favorite chick-flick movie?
I’m not afraid to be cliché and
say, ‘The Notebook.’ When Ryan Gosling says, ‘It wasn’t over! It still isn’t
over!’ then proceeds to maul Rachel McAdams…I get all short-of-breath. And
let’s not forget the other Gosling scene in ‘Crazy Stupid Love’ where he does
the dirty dancing lift with Emma Stone! Speaking of ‘Dirty Dancing,’ I might
know every single line. Okay, I totally do.
say, ‘The Notebook.’ When Ryan Gosling says, ‘It wasn’t over! It still isn’t
over!’ then proceeds to maul Rachel McAdams…I get all short-of-breath. And
let’s not forget the other Gosling scene in ‘Crazy Stupid Love’ where he does
the dirty dancing lift with Emma Stone! Speaking of ‘Dirty Dancing,’ I might
know every single line. Okay, I totally do.
8.
What is your favorite book?
What is your favorite book?
Before blogs, I was an avid
reader. Now I find myself reading about my ‘virtual friends.’ But my fave
Summer reads are Laura Hillenbrand…and it’s hard to beat a good James Patterson
or Nelson DeMille thriller.
reader. Now I find myself reading about my ‘virtual friends.’ But my fave
Summer reads are Laura Hillenbrand…and it’s hard to beat a good James Patterson
or Nelson DeMille thriller.
9.
What is your favorite ice cream?
What is your favorite ice cream?
Haagen Daz chocolate or orchard
peach sorbet. With sugar cookies on the side, of course. Everything is better
with a cookie. You can knit that on a pillow if you’d like.
peach sorbet. With sugar cookies on the side, of course. Everything is better
with a cookie. You can knit that on a pillow if you’d like.
10.
Who would star in a movie based on your life?
Who would star in a movie based on your life?
I guess I’d be alright with Reese
Witherspoon taking the lead. Although, my husband thinks he was able to scoop
me up because the first time we met he told me I looked like Meg Ryan. Let me
clarify…pre-injections Meg Ryan.
Witherspoon taking the lead. Although, my husband thinks he was able to scoop
me up because the first time we met he told me I looked like Meg Ryan. Let me
clarify…pre-injections Meg Ryan.
I’m laughing really hard right now. Just sayin’…
11.
What is your least favorite household chore?
What is your least favorite household chore?
Anything that involves bending
over and scrubbing. And the dishwasher…why is it always full?! When my son got
old enough to pitch in, don’t think that wasn’t the first chore I put on his
list! Finally, a kick-back for having kids! #ikid
over and scrubbing. And the dishwasher…why is it always full?! When my son got
old enough to pitch in, don’t think that wasn’t the first chore I put on his
list! Finally, a kick-back for having kids! #ikid
12.
What’s one quirky fact about yourself that most
people don’t know?
What’s one quirky fact about yourself that most
people don’t know?
I don’t really think I have any
hidden quirks…they are all out there for the world to see!
hidden quirks…they are all out there for the world to see!
And for fun, I thought I’d show you three of my favorite Hi Sugarplum DIY projects…you will love all of them!
Cassie’s DIY Marble Tray looks so expensive but she made it herself!
Isn’t this DIY Confetti Vase so cute?!?!
DIY Otomi Table is perfect for patios this spring and summer!
To see more of Cassie’s DIY gallery, click here.
Thank you so much Cassie for coming to my pajama party! I just love you dearly! You can find more Cassie by visiting her blog Hi Sugarplum or finding her in these awesome places too…
And in other fun news…
Gap is having their Friends and Family sale this weekend!!
Hello?! Perfect timing for Spring and Summer essentials!! Click here to see it all and use promo code SAVE40!
And for some awesome St. Paddy’s Day treats, check out my foodie blog today!
What a fun Friday!! Have a great weekend everyone!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
YAY! I LOVE LOVE LLLLLLOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEE THIS POST! So lucky to be friends with both you and Cassie! Cassie is so talented and she totally cracks me up all the time. Cassie – let's watch Dirty Dancing together sometime really soon!
Love you girls!
April Parrish says
So much fun reading about Cassie!!!! Those brownies look so yummy and she has some really neat DIY project ideas. I'm off to spring clean! Thanks for sharing!!!
Slightly Askew Designs says
LOVE this post! Super super fun. Now I need to go make a confetti vase STAT!!!
Jen MH says
Cassie's family is gorgeous..J Crew catalog for sure!!
@CoffeeMomJen
Callie says
I am quite confident I am going to need to know where Cassie's flower skirt is from! 🙂
Callie
Tab & Erika says
That Cassie is SO cute!!! And…what a fun trip!! Loved this PJ Party!
Anonymous says
My GAP email says the code is FAF40 just in case the one you listed doesn't work.
Rachel says
OPI Cajun Shrimp is my all-time favorite nail polish! I have back-up bottles of it because I am so afraid they will discontinue it 🙂
Liz/ says
LOVE this post and I am off to check out Cassie's blog ASAP….she sounds so fun and her DIY projects…..I die! I am not crafty at all but geesh she makes it look so easy!!! Happy Friday ladies!!!
Tella says
Oh my I already love Cassie and her spunk! She has just the right amount of sass I tried so hard not to laugh too loudly at work while reading this! I too NEED to know where that skirt is from! I am on my way to her blog.right now! I loooove to DIY I am so crafty I can never get enough! Greattt Friday post!!
Alexandra says
Love that she gave Cinque Terre a shout out! Definitely my favorite place in the world! Well. There or London.
{Hi Sugarplum!} says
We had such a great time that night…laughing and eating brownies…and chatting waaaay too late!! 😉 thanks for inviting me over, it was so fun and I'm thrilled to meet your readers! xoxoxo
kristinwithani says
She's adorable. I love these posts!
Chic Coastal Living says
Love Cassie and her blog! So fun to see her featured here! XO
Jaren says
These are always so much fun!!!
mel @ the larson lingo says
This was SO fun to read! So many thoughts….1) I want to make her brownies ASAP. 2) You don't own a glue gun?!?!?! What?!?! 3) I want to go on vacation now! 🙂