It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!!

Its my FAVORITE time of year.   Even the smell of Fall excites me.  Pumpkins, hayrides, apples & leaves falling, sitting on the porch drinking hot chocolate, and most importantly COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!!!!  This is the time of year that my house becomes divided and Brandon and I get "divorced" on Saturdays.  haha!

I read this blog a couple of days ago on The Pioneer Woman's site. Its pretty much describes every feeling I have about football, so i'm just going to share it with you!

"By Melanie Shankle | The Big Mama Blog
We are just a few days away from the most wonderful time of the year. And I don’t mean Christmas.
I’m talking about college football season.

Which means there is hope that temperatures will eventually begin to drop and there will be days ahead filled with twelve straight hours of football and bowls of chips and queso eaten while wearing yoga pants and a Texas A&M football t-shirt.

Or maybe that’s just me.

There is not much better than a Saturday morning filled with ESPN Gameday and rolling your eyes at Lee Corso and cheering on the team you love while desperately hoping the team you love to hate is losing to some unranked team that no one has ever heard of.

But it’s not just college ball. It’s Friday night lights at the local high school and the opening theme to Monday Night Football. It has a way of bringing people together.

And I appreciate that it usually brings people together with plenty of guacamole."

WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!



Inspiration 8.8.12

Many of you know I have been out of school for 4 years now.  I was able to teach for almost 2 years before the economy completly went south.  Since then I have yet to find a teaching job.  I have a wonderful job, but its not what I know I am called to do.  This past week I decided to take a positive approach (because obvioulsy what I've been doing wasn't working) and apply to grad school to recieve my Master's in Elementary Education.  Last night, I read this passage and knew it was meant just for me!! Don't you love God's perfect timing... I know I do, once its here. hahaha.. I am so darn impatient sometimes and wonder what God is trying to show me or what in the world he is waiting on.  But he always has a better plan for me than I could ever have for myself....

Here's your inspiration for the day, maybe this will mean something to one of you!!

My Princess…Wait on Me

Wait on Me, My Princess, My timing is always perfect. I know you’re anxious about many things, and I see your passion for all the plans I have put in your heart. I know that you long to fly, and I see your enthusiasm. However, just as a vinedresser nurtures the vine and waits patiently for the right moment to harvest the grapes, so too am I working tirelessly to prepare you to bear much fruit. Don’t run ahead of Me or try to fly before My plans are complete. Your strength will fail you, and your dreams will wither away. Trust Me that My dreams for you are far greater than you can dream on your own. You will run farther and soar higher if you will patiently wait for the season of my blessing. Draw close to Me now, and I promise that this season of waiting will bring you the sweetest of rewards.

Love, Your King and Lord of perfect timings.

Monday Love 7.30.12

I don't know about you, but I had a GREAT weekend! One of my best friends, Hannah, who I have been friends with since high school lives in Atlanta with her husband. Brandon and I decided it was time to go visit them for the weekend.  Thomas (Hannah's husband) was out of town, and we missed him terribly, but we still had a blast!

We left after work on Friday and got to her house about 10pm.  Wasn't too bad of a drive.  We stayed up late chatting and watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics (which I am super stoked about!). 

Saturday we had breakfast at a local favorite, The Flying Biscuit.  This place was packed! I guess I should say it was more of a brunch, since we didn't even sit down to eat until about 11:30.  But it was well worth it! They have these AMAZING, tall biscuits that are topped with sugar.  Yummy Yummy!

Mmmmm.... my mouth is watering just thinking about it! And look at that giant fluffy biscuit.... this is a must for our next trip!

After breakfast, we headed to Ikea.  This was my first Ikea experience, and I was in heaven.  I kept begging Brandon to take me back again on Sunday.  We will definately be taking a trip back to Atlanta for an Ikea shopping day!

That's Hannah posing with an outdoor table I fell inlove with!

I was super proud of myself though.  I only spent $126!  Brandon told me later he expected it to be a whole lot more.  Maybe if I had not been so tired I would have taken more time in the marketplace.  I had no idea how big this place was!!!!

After going back to Hannah's for nap time, it was time to go to the Braves game.  And my FIRST Braves game at that!  (and yes, I have lived only 3 1/2 hours from Atlanta my whole live, I know I have missed out on a lot!)

We were officially ready for the game! They played the Phillies and won! Great night!!  I had a blast and I know Hannah and Brandon did as well.



We had a wonderful weekend in Atlanta.  I can't wait to go back and visit again!!!! Lots more to see and do, and I need another trip to Ikea! =)

Favorites Friday | Etsy Edition

So, I am totally obsessed with Etsy! I found it about 3 years ago when I was planning my wedding.  I bought everything on there, from bridesmaids gifts to flowergirl bags and even my invitations.  I love how inexpensive they are (for the most part) and that everything is homemade.  You know I love me some DIY! I make it a point to find most of my gifts on Etsy.  My mom's last two gifts came from there.  So I thought today for Favorite's Friday I would feature some of my favorite items and designers I have come across on my Etsy adventures.

1. I bought this recipe box from rfrantzdesign right after we moved into our house.  I had tons of clippings from magazines and wanted somewhere to organize all of my recipes.  This box fit my decor and budget perfectly! I love it and it looks so cute sitting on my kitchen counter!

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2.  When my cousin's little boy turned 1 I knew I had to come up with some great gift!  He is OBSESSED with sock monkies and was having a sock monkey themed birthday party.  I found this stack of blocks that I had personalized for him from SimpleBlockSayings.  I loved that they could take off the Happy Birthday blocks and use the mokey and name blocks in his bedroom after the party.  She has blocks for all occasions!! I've got to buy some more from her!

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3.  My iPad had to have the perfect cover.  I didn't want one that just covered the back and I certainly didn't want a sleeve I had to take it in and out of.  I found ElizabethDavidDesigns and loved her folio's.  My iPad fits perfectly and plus it is super cute and stylish!!!

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4.  As many of you know I am a photographer.  I found this necklace today on Etsy and I MUST HAVE IT!! You can even get it customized with your studio initials.  I see an Etsy purchase in my future!! This necklace is from MyBeadedButterfly.

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So... what are some of your favorite Etsy shops???? Lets hear them! 

Wednesday Inspiration 7.25.12

Favorites Friday

I haven't done a Favorite's Friday in a while, so thought this would be the perfect opportunity to start again!!

Here are some of my favorite things at the moment!

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I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dutch oven from Target! Its a Giada DeLaurentiis design.  I have never had a dutch oven before and I am amazed at how fast these things heat up!! I love cooking in it now and plan to use it for EVERYTHING! 



My new favorite foundation.  Revlon Photoready Airbrush.  Its a foam and it goes on SO SMOOTH! I use it with a primer, so it stays all day.  This is the best foundation I have found in a while.

Sharpie Pens. If you know me, you know I am OBSESSED with pens.  I found these about a year ago and have been using the every since.  They come in about 10 different colors and have a fine point.  They dont bleed through your paper either! I love the way they write.  PERFECT. PEN. EVER!

Well, those are just a few of my favorites this week! I have to save something for next Friday =)  I hope everyone has an awesome weekend! My parents will be here.  I haven't seen them since Christmas so I know we are going to have a blast!!

Have fun and be safe =)



Weekly Inspiration 7.18.12

DIY | Barnwood Headboard

A few weekends ago, my wonderful husband made a headboard for our guest bedroom re-design! It turned out INCREDIBLE!!! I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get a how-to post up, but better late than never right!

So this project was pretty much FREE!!!! And I LOVE free! Especially when I had to do this re-design on a VERY VERY tight budget. 

For the wood, I put the word out on Facebook that I was looking for some old barnwood. I had one friend from high school that told me she had some we could HAVE.  Just come and get it and it would be ours!!! How awesome is that!?!?!  Her husband's grandfather had torn down a barn and they had a bunch left.  So we loaded up and headed to their house to get the wood.  Thank you Emily!!!

The yellow paint we used was some that I had left over from a table I painted in our bedroom.  And we already had the nails. 

So.. here ya go!!

 

First, we washed all the boards and let them dry.  To get all the dirt, spiders, etc etc off of them.

Then, the hubby measured out these boards for the backing. 

And attached them to the wall.

Then for each of the board, we measured the same length, and the cut them.  Then we staggered them and nailed them into the backing boards.

When it came to drawing/painting the "love" on the boards, I first drew it out with chalk and then went over it, very slowly with paint.  Its amazing how hard old barnwood is to paint.  I am so glad I drew it on with chalk first!

And finally, here is the finished product!!!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! It turned out just perfect!!

I have since painted the two brown metal pieces hanging over the nightstand the same red that is in the bedding.  They look awesome now. 

Stay tuned for a post on the finished guest bedroom re-do.  I just need to get a rug and I'll be totally done!!

Thanks for checking out the blog and I hope this helped!! If you decide to make an old barnwood headboard for yourself, please let me see pictures =)

Until next time.....

Weekly Inspiration 7.11.12

Weekly Inspiration 7.4.12

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!

The Pioneer Woman's Spicy Pop Pulled Pork

I made my first Pork Butt this weekend.  And it was pretty amazing.  Pretty much one of the greatest things I have ever tasted... and by far the best thing I have ever cooked.  I'm pretty proud of myself. 

My cousin Jill, her husband Rod, and their two kids came to visit.  What a blast we had!  But let me say.. IT WAS HOT HOT HOT outside.  So hot that we didn't go shopping, didn't sit on the back porch, didnt do ANYTHING. Seriously. My cousins are from Florida... sunshine, beaches, blue skies, you know the state where is is supposed to be hot.  They were even shocked at how hot it was here.  Even Abi had to do something about the heat....

Yep. That's Samson's kiddie pool that he NEVER uses.  It was just. that. hot.

So besides the fact that it was 150 degrees outside.  Well, at least thats what it felt like to us.  We still had fun just sitting around and visiting with each other. 

Since it was a special day and all I decided to make The Pioneer Woman's Spicy Pop Pulled Pork.  You can find it on her blog here. Brandon and I had seen her make this on her cooking show that comes on the Food Network every Saturday morning.  We bought a couple of pork butt's at Sam's Club a few weekends ago and I decided to make it for their visit. 

It is super easy to throw together  AND the Hubby bought me a new dutch oven which I am super stoked about! I love cooking with it... I want a few more in different sizes, but they are just so dang expensive...

But, back to the pulled pork...

Here's what you'll need:

*Pork Butt

*2 onions, quartered

*2 Cans of Dr Pepper

*Salt & Peppers

*A Can of Chipotle Peppers

*Brown Sugar

So preheat your oven to 300 degrees.  Take the pork butt and place it on a cutting board.  Salt and pepper both sides really well. Place the quartered onions into the bottom of the dutch oven.  Place the pork on top of the onions, fat side up. The pour your chipotle peppers on top.  Add 2 cans of Dr. Pepper.  The 3-4 tabelespoons of brown sugar (I put it on the sides of the pork, not on top).  Put your lid on and place in the oven.  You're going to bake it for AT LEAST 6 hours.  3 hours into it turn the pork over.  Then 2 hours later turn it back over and let it cook at least another hour with the fat side up.  Once its done, take it out, put it on a cutting board and shred the pork.  Skim the top of the liquid left in the pot to get some of the fat out.  The place the meat back into the liquid and serve. 

We ate it by itself, but you can put it on torillias, make a salad with it, nachos... the possibilities are ENDLESS...

It makes a TON. Seriously.  We could have fed probably 5 more people.  I will be keeping this recipe handy for football season =)

In other news..... the hubby built the headboard for the guest bedroom re-do.  The furniture is in as well as the bedding so I'll be posting all about that in the next few days!!! I can't WAIT to show you guys.  It looks AMAZING!!! Just like I wanted.  So just to tease you until I can post again... here's a picture of the bedding and the headboard.  Didn't he do a great job?!?!?!



Weekly Inspiration 6.27.12

Weekly Inspiration 6.20.12

Weekly Inspiration 6.13.12

2nd Anniversary!!!!

Today is my 2nd wedding anniversary!! I can't believe it has been 2 years, but at the same time it seems so long ago.  Our first year of marriage went by so slow, and now this year has flown by.  I am amazed at how different our relationship is, and how much we have grown as a couple.  I am so amazingly blessed to have such a wonderful husband.  He truly is a gift!

Now on to the next 2 years and many many more to come!!!

Weekly Inspiration 6.6.12

Weekly Inspiration 5.30.12

Weekly Inspiration 5.23.12

DIY To-Do List

I have so much DIY I want to do and SO LITTLE TIME... I have GOT to tackle some projects soon.  Specifically painting the chest and book shelf for the guest bedroom.

I am having a yard sale tomorrow.. so I think once that is over I'm going to head over to Sherwin Williams and buy the paint I need.  Then sand and prime those babies!

Here's my to-do list.. I probably left something off, but I think I have PLENTY of projects in my future. 

(ps, I FINALLY found bedding for the guest bedroom that you are going to LOVE!  Hopefully I can buy it after my yard sale tomorrow!!)

do you have any upcoming DIY projects you are working on?? Lets hear about them!! 

Weekly Inspiration 5.16.12

Weekly Inspiration 5.9.12

Guest Bedroom Inspiration

I am so excited about my guest bedroom redo.  I recently sold ALL of our guest bedroom furniture (Yes, I know, I'm a little crazy).  It was old (to me) and I was ready for something new.  So I have begun the process of converting our computer/junk room to a study/guest bedroom.  I cannot WAIT to get it finished!!!

I have already bought a computer desk and chair for one corner.  Here a picture of it: 

(we switched the sides though, so the computer/keyboard is actually on the left)

So yep... that is pretty much ALL I have done so far.  But I do have colors picked out and I'm ready to get to work.  Here is my color palete that I am using:

I LOVE the coral and blue together! SO PRETTY!!!!!

My friend over at Vintage Charm and Restoration found this beauty this weekend and I snagged it up from her!! She is going to paint the main part white, and I'm still deciding on a color for the drawers, either coral or blue.  I am going to be using it for a TV stand.  I cannot WAIT to see the finished product!!!

Next, the bed.  I am going to buy some bed rails and make my own headboard (with the help of my hubby of course!)  I still haven't found bedding that I want, it will probably be the last thing I buy.

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I also have a chest and a bookshelf that we purchased at Target a while back.  My plan is to paint both of these (I have no idea what color yet). 

I am going to get wire baskets for the top shelf of this bookshelf to put my craft supplies in.  I love this idea from The House of Smiths.

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Well, I think that is about it for my inspiration board for my guest bedroom!! I can't wait for you all to see the finished product!!!