I saw this quote on Pinterest last week and I knew I wanted to use it for my next Thoughts for a Thursday! Inevitably, while you're pursuing your dreams, you'll run into some naysayers who will skeptically say, "well, don't quit your day job..." I hate that saying. It's so discouraging and mean-spirited, if you ask me. That's why I love this quote--it puts such a positive spin on that negative saying! I love it so much, I hand painted a version for my living room wall. Maybe I'll share photos soon!

Don't quit your day dream :)

Happy Thursday.

Today's DIY project is one I've actually had it in my house for awhile (if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen it here). But since I haven't shared it on the blog yet, I thought today would be a good time! I had the idea to mount a roll of kraft paper in our kitchen for menu planning, grocery lists, and to-do lists in general. But instead of buying a big roll of real kraft paper for upwards of $20, we got a roll of painter's masking paper from the hardware store for less than $5! It was the perfect size for what we had in mind, and it looks the same as kraft paper (it's just a little bit thinner).

We wanted something that would allow us to easily switch out the roll once we used up all the paper (like a one-sided towel rack). But we didn't find anything that we liked, so I had the idea to simply hang the roll from some rope! We screwed eyelet hooks into the wall, then tied the rope onto them with the kraft paper hanging in the middle. Total cost? Under $10! So easy, and I think it looks more unique and interesting than a towel bar anyways.

We use this paper for grocery lists, notes to each other, and reminders for doctor's appointments/things we need to do. It's really convenient--and when it's time for us to go grocery shopping, I just cut the list off and start over. When we're ready for a new roll, we'll just untie one end of rope, switch out the empty roll, and tie the rope back on! Easy peasy.

You could use rope and eyelet hooks to hang all sorts of things: toilet paper, paper towels, hand towels, etc. It looks cute--and best of all, it's super cheap and easy!

What do you think of this project? Have you done anything similar?

Remember last month, when I shared this photo of a wooden shelf with leather straps holding it up? Well, I made my own version a couple weeks ago for my dining room! I was really happy with how my DIY shelves turned out, and they weren't too difficult or expensive (plus they have way more character than most store-bought shelves). Definitely worth doing! I have to give credit to my husband Ben, who installed them for me after getting home from a really hard two-day bike ride. Thanks, sweetie!

For this project, you will need:
-board(s) from the hardware store, cut to the desired length. We bought a 6 ft long board and cut it in half--$7
-paint in the color of your choice & blue painter's tape (optional)--$4 for the paint, the painter's tape we already owned.
-four belts or leather straps, about 1" wide--$6 per belt
-four drywall anchors, a drill, and a philips screwdriver--$5 for a box of drywall anchors, the drill & screwdriver we already owned.

I painted the edges of my boards with gold spray paint, masking everything else with blue painter's tape. You could edge-paint the boards any color you like, or leave them wood--it's up to you. A bright pop of color would be really fun, but I like the subtlety of the gold. You almost can't tell they're painted until the light hits at a certain angle!

For the leather straps, we went to Tandy Leather to find some cowhide strips like in the tutorial I was inspired by. The ones they had were $17 apiece, which was a bit more than I wanted to spend. So I started thinking...Forever 21 and H&M are always selling cheap belts for $5-6, and I thought it might look cool to have the buckles showing anyways. I found a simple belt at Forever 21 and bought four of them, for a total of $25--a lot less than I would have spent for the plain straps!

To install the shelves:
-Cut the belt straps to the same length. I laid one of the boards on the floor against the wall, so I could see what the strap would look like before I cut it. Then I used the first strap as the template for the others.
-Fold the straps in half and screw in the screws that came with the drywall anchors, about a half inch from the top of the straps.
-Mark on your wall where the straps will mounted, starting with the top board. Make sure that the marks are level, and that there is room for the board to hang over on either side of the straps. Then, follow the instructions for using the drywall anchors.
-Once both sets of straps are installed, slide both the boards through, adjust them to be level, and admire your handiwork!

I know this tutorial isn't as simple as some of the ones I've posted in the past, where the instructions are so obvious they're practically unnecessary. So feel free to ask any questions you may have in the comments!

And if you're skeptical about shelves held up by cheap Forever 21 belt straps, I'm happy to say that (so far) these shelves feel really secure! They don't swing at all, and the boards don't tilt or move around in the straps. I'd definitely recommend trying it yourself!

Today I wanted to share another quote that has been inspiring me lately: "Don't let yesterday use up too much of today." I'd also say don't let tomorrow use up too much of today. It's so easy to reminisce on (or regret) the past, and to dream (or worry) about the future. There's nothing wrong with a little bit of that, but don't forget to live in the present! Whether yesterday was cry-yourself-asleep-horrible or the best day of your life, you've got to move forward! And while it's great to have goals and plans for the future, don't spend your whole life wishing for more. I saw another quote that really speaks to that: "People wait all week for Friday, all year for summer, and all life for happiness." I don't want to live that way! My life isn't perfect, but I don't want to miss any of it. Regardless of how great the past was or the future may be, I want to live each "today" to the fullest!

How about you? What quotes are inspiring you lately? Do you find yourself thinking about the past or the future a little more than you'd like?

See my previous "thoughts for a Thursday" posts here and here.