Phase 2 of The House Behind The Trees ~ The downstairs #TeelsBuildaHouse

So we are starting the downstairs ... I HATE to say basement because we had a basement in our old home, where you opened a door and went down stairs separated from anything else. It was a finished basement complete with a bedroom, craft room, family/game room and we spent a lot of time there ~ our oldest son moved down there in jr high and stayed through high school ... until we finished the master suite in the attic then he moved back up to the bedroom floor with his brother and sister.  So here our downstairs is open to the rest of the house, you can see through to the outside from the top of the stairs going down because we have a wall of windows down there as well.  We really didn't plan to have a kiddo down there but since we are having to do a switch-a-roo with rooms (I'll explain later) he is moving home soon and will be downstairs. Anyhoo, our downstairs will house our main family room, our middle sons room, a full bath and kitchenette.  I thought it would be fun ...

Mothers Day Sunday May 11.2014 ~ Here are 15 Mother’s Day gifts that give back

other’s Day is fast approaching—do you have a perfect present picked out yet? This year, why not give Mom a gift that’s as charitable as it is beautiful? Click through the slideshow above to shop 16 Mother’s Day gifts that give back—without breaking the bank.

Says Sir Elton John, “I love the Woodside Garden candle because I feel that its delicate floral scents and vibrant colors symbolize hope, inspiration and renewal." To sweeten the deal, all proceeds go to benefit the musical superstar's AIDS foundation. candle, $38, nestfragrances.com

Perfect for those still-chilly spring evenings or as a beach coverup, this scarf is a great Mother's Day gift. Made using leftover raw silk in Assam, it is handspun and handwoven for a unique look and feel. Each purchase helps support rural and marginalized communities. scarf, $79, farandwidecollective.com

Want to give flowers this year? Choose a more modern arrangement from Bloom 2 Bloom. Not only do they feature incredible, non-traditional options, but for every bouquet you purchase, a second will be given to charity. From hospitals to shelters to community organizations, your second bouquet will be delivered to a community-based organization to people in need of a smile. bouquet, $50, bloom2bloom.com













TOMS' "One for One" campaign is an incredible initiative, but the fact that these shoes are both insanely comfortable and stylish? That's just a plus! Get these cute Jonathan Adler for TOMS slip-ons and they'll donate a pair of new shoes to a child in need. shoes, $59, toms.com



ONEHOPE Wine not only has a variety of wines to choose from, but also a variety of charities. From pet adoption to providing clean water to supporting our troops, you're sure to find just the right wine (and cause!) for mom. And the prices are so good that you can mix and match your giving, too. wine, $18.99, onehopewine.com

Created in 2009, this Washington ceramics studio produces on- of-a-kind vases, with 10 percent of all proceeds going to community programs. But they don't stop there—by using local material and reused or refurbished equipment, this little studio is doing great work on the West Coast! vase, $20, material-good.com

Fancy soap is one of life's little joys—and yet we rarely treat ourselves! This year share these soaps with your mom. She'll love the smell, plus you'll be giving back to children in need. For every bar purchased, Hand in Hand donates one month of clean water to a child in the developing world. soap, $22, handinhandsoap.com

While buying mom a designer bag would be great, if you're anything like us, it might be a bit out of your price range. This year, go for a My Other Bag tote, which features a screenprint of a designer carryall but goes for a fraction of the price. Sure, she won't be carrying around a real Céline, but would you really take your Trapeze tote to the farmer's market or gym? All of the styles are eco-friendly, and if you purchase the Kate bag at left, 20 percent of the profits will go towards preserving our environment via the Rainforest Alliance. bag, $35, myotherbag.com

Is mom a coffee fan? Not only is Laughing Man's java delicious, but it also benefits a great cause. Each Laughing Man purchase helps entrepreneurs around the world; revenue goes towards entrepreneurial education and global community development. coffee, $25, laughingmancheckout.com

All Raven + Lily products are entirely eco-friendly. Focused on quality and social consciousness, they employ women in Ethiopia, India, Cambodia, Kenya and the US to help break the cycle of poverty. And everything—from jewelry to soap to accessories to clothes—is handmade by fair trade standards. necklace, $82, ravenandlily.com

There's no better time than now. Remind your mom to savor the little moments with this great gold necklace. And with every purchase on Sevenly, $7 will be donated to that week's charity—this week's is Feed My Starving Children. necklace, $60, sevenly.org

Ivory + Mason partnered with Baby2Baby on these great sunglasses. Each pair sold helps benefit the Los Angeles-based charity, which supplies families in need with essential baby gear and clothing. sunglasses, $125, ivorymason.com

Chantecaille's L'Elephant eye palette features four rich, earthy tones inspired by both the catwalk and the Kenyan grasslands! Each purchase helps raise awareness and funds for orphaned baby elephants in Kenya. eye shadow, $82, chantecaille.com

From lazy weekends to pool days, this perfect summer carryall can take on anything. And when you purchase it, you'll be providing 50 school meals to children in India! bag, $50, feedprojects.com

A delicate handcrafted gift is perfect for mom's special day! Show her how much she means to you with this heart ring or earrings, and 20 percent of the proceeds will go to VDAY—a global activist movement focused on ending violence against women and girls. ring, $46, onesixfivejewelry.com; earrings, $48, onesixfivejewelry.com

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