Menu

Red Hot Tip # 4 Low Fat Brownies

These brownies ROCK! Have you ever seen them in the grocery? Everybody loves a brownie. I have been baking these for years... they are easy to miss in the grocery store though. It's like they are hiding. If you look in the brownie section slowly… Read More

Our Kitchen Makeover (a more detailed look)

We have been blessed with two beautiful, healthy girls who light up our lives.I started decorating my bedroom as a young girl and it wasn't until I was on my own, married, and in my own space that I really became aware of this passion… Read More

Red Hot Tip #3

Have an exterior door that doesn't have a light??? I do! I took care of that without an electrician... "Dude", our Lab, seems very proud as well... Can you see him?? I love lanterns...they are CHEAP and they are versatile! I bought this pretty funky… Read More

Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Father's Day!!! Even though it's getting pretty warm up here in Michigan, I still want to share one of my all-time favorite recipes from my one and only...  DAD!! My Dad is 78 this year and I love him dearly! My Dad has called… Read More

Julie’s Red Hot Tip #2

I am lovin this new "Hot Tip" idea... You wouldn't believe some of things I come up with while I am a a sleep even! Poor Rick.  Okay, are you ready for Julie's Red Hot Tip #2?It's kind of a decorating tip too... Oh bananas,… Read More

Julie’s Red Hot Tip #1 Beer Bottle Soap Dispenser

*** Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.  Read full disclosure policy here. I first noticed this at my sister-in law's house years ago with a coke bottle.  I'm sure most of you have seen this, but who knows...I… Read More

Bedroom Light Makeover

My family will agree that I am addicted to light fixtures.  If you shop around on line there are some very affordable light fixtures now a days that can update any room you prefer.  There is no need to spend a fortune.  I absolutely love… Read More

Best Rug EVER…thanks Dude!

The rain had come & gone, thank goodness, the candles were lit... guests had all arrived... the first sip of wine was enjoyed... we could finally relax. Then, these 2 rascals came running up to me whispering, "Mama!  There is a huge puddle in the… Read More

Rick & Julie’s Garden on Pung’s Lake

Happy Memorial Day!!It also happens to be my husband's 46th!Happy Birthday Pop! Rick & I have been married since 1994.  We lived in a couple  apartments  before we finally were able to purchase our first home in 1997.Oakmont...A cute little house that needed lots of… Read More

Laundry/Mud  Room

No one can escape laundry! It's just part of life. ***update on 05/23/2012 (For those of you just reading this post...after I read all the comments below about painting the cabinets white, I couldn't resist doing it last night. Almost finished and I will post… Read More

Daphne’s Room

I have to admit that when I noticed Thrifty Decor Chick was having a children's bedroom link party, I decided to finally do what I have been wanting to do for months... get upstairs... DUST! Yes...dust!  Does anyone else find it difficult to find time… Read More

Better Homes & Garden Pink Lemonade Cake

Original recipe by cookbook author & cake decorating innovator Karen Tack & Alan Richardson (Better Homes and Gardens May 2012) Wow!  That's an understatement for sure.  This cake was a huge hit with my Mom and the rest of the family as well...Valerie's exact words...… Read More

Happy Mother’s Day 2012

  First I would like to share these recent pictures of some babies we have right in our back yard!!!  Good timing guys!!! Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful, hardworking Mom's out there.  This means to all types of Mom's, not just biological… Read More

Painting & Distressing a Jewelry Armoire

And the winner of my face book "What color should I paint the dresser contest?" goes too...This was so easy...I hope you will try it with any piece of furniture you hate the color of. So many colors to choose from!!  Easy steps found below...… Read More

While I wait for the plumbers to arrive…

Well...finally the wait is over for me.  The Corian for our bathroom is being installed tomorrow (Home Depot), but the plumbers come today to take out the sink and faucet.  It's a 3 day process because we are also doing the girl's bathroom, the laundry… Read More

Vintage (energy saving) light bulbs

  I am obsessed with lights...no surprise that I am also obsessed with light bulbs.  I know...funny!  I see the light bulb isle in Walmart and I am drawn to it like a magnet.  Christmas time in Target is more like a kid in a… Read More

We Painted our Cape Cod Style Home Periwinkle!

Welcome to our Cape Cod style home during Spring in the Midwest!  It's still pretty cold here, but the sun is out today!  I thought it would be a great time to inspire you all with some paint!  We took a risk with periwinkle (at… Read More

Val’s Bird Feeder

Just made the cutest, easiest bird feeder with both my daughter's in honor of my little Valerie's 10th birthday tomorrow (she loves nature).  It's a great way to recycle as well, after all, it is Earth Day. We used an empty clean pop 2 liter… Read More

EASY Cupcake Ice Cream Cones

Been feeling pretty Betty Crock-er-ish around here lately.  I didn't plan on posting about these today, but when I was playing with the camera after we made these, I couldn't resist.  No wonder photographers like to take pictures of food!  These are so pretty-had to… Read More

Mama Mioni’s Pizza!

"...I love when Mama uses me as a taste tester!" "...Life is good people!" Pizza. . .Not sure about you, but pizza is a staple at our house. Sometimes I order it, sometimes I make it. Either way, every single time I announce we are… Read More

How we made our SMALL Master Bedroom work!

When I first began blogging back in February, I told Rick I would never do a piece on our master bedroom.  I mean. . . it is kind of private, right?  This was before we took a huge risk (meaning physically) and rearranged the furniture… Read More

My EASY Midweek LOW CAL Wonton (Ravioli) Soup

[printme] I am in love with ravioli's lately.  I haven't been cooking from scratch as much and am always looking for easy, low cal/fat dinners I can throw together even my little ones love.  We have these raviolis (did I spell that right?) at least… Read More

Every Blogger Needs Their Own Sign!

If you own your own business, or have a blog, this is perfect for you.  Hey, you could even do this for your daughter or son's bedroom.  I needed to personalize the dining room---> turned office with a sign of some sort.  I looked on… Read More

Dining Room—Turned Office (Completed Version)

Finally! I have something to share that isn't 1/2 way finished. This ended up being a lot of work, but well worth it.  Now my office is located directly off the kitchen instead of upstairs.  Sorry thighs, but your going to have to relax a… Read More

Linky Follower Party Hop!

  LINKY FOLLOWER PARTY HOPRULES:1. You MUST have the LINKY FOLLOWERS tool on your site to participate.If you see that your link has been deleted you need to add the LINKY FOLLOWER tool to your site and then come back over and re-enter your link{You can have both the… Read More

My “Fashionably Late” Blog Launch

My family calls me Mama Mioni! Hi!  My name is Julie and I am the redhead/stay at home Mom/decorator/ NASCAR fan (are there any NASCAR fans out there???) that developed redheadcandecorate.com back in February.  I have been participating in link parties for several weeks now,… Read More

Granite Nightmare (pictures to prove it)

  Rick and I went through a terrible ordeal almost exactly 2 years ago to date. It was supposed to be the final stage of our DIY Kitchen Makeover, however, things got ugly. We decided on granite to replace our old kitchen counter tops because… Read More

Sunday’s Mess Free Oven Baked Bacon!

Got to have bacon for Sunday breakfast, but we have a race to watch so I don't want a greasy mess!  I don't remember where I learned this, but when we have guests visiting they are usually amazed that we can cook great bacon in the oven rather than on the… Read More

Something different for your wall!

I am always looking to find something that is extraordinary and pushes the limit a bit.  I'm a sucker for anything shiny.  I found these and I knew they were perfect for a wall that needed help (not for everyone).   Our walls are painted in my dining room turned… Read More

Pussy Willows are out!

  As a child growing up in Buffalo, NY I remember my Mom having Pussy Willows in a vase this time of year. . .great memories of Easter on it's way and a Buffalo (Polish) celebration of Dyngus Day.  Grocery shopping today I came across some fresh… Read More

Mirrors are Hot!

  What a weekend!  We lost power on Friday night due to high winds and didn’t get it back on until Sunday night!  It was fun at first enjoying the fireplace and candle light, but by Sunday morning, all the dishes were really piling up… Read More

One Special Kitchen

Ahhh...the final picture.  Lots of hard work, time, and love has gone into this kitchen!  Well worth it though, because we spend the majority of our time right here.  You'll find me usually standing behind the island cooking everything from Sunday breakfast, to the girls… Read More

Screw-In Pendant Light Fixtures

These have got to be one of the coolest products I have ever seen.  The best part...they are cheap, easy, and an instant fix.  Woohoo!The first thing I admire in other homes is always the lighting-or lack of (I love lights!).  I notice  many kitchen islands with… Read More

Lamps make a space more cozy!

  Check out this cool drum shade lamp I found at Walmart in clearance for $20. (not kidding)..I got 2, one on each nightstand. These also have a dimmer. You never know what you will find in the clearance section of any store... some of… Read More

It looks like STAINED GLASS!

I love stained glass windows and doors, but they are so expensive.  I still needed some privacy so I had to figure something out for my doors.  About 10 years ago I came across Gallery Glass at Michael's and tried it in a bathroom window. … Read More

Jewelry for your blinds? She’s nuts!

 I have always hated those little plastic white things (sometimes wood) at the end of blind pull cords. Have you ever noticed how ugly they are (maybe I am the only one)? Check out my idea for Jewelry for your blinds... I love jewelry, and have… Read More

I've Been Featured Here:

Country Living
cottages-bungalows-cover-fall-2016
Country Living
Good Housekeeping