My Top 5 DIY Blogs

I'm becoming obsessed with all things rustic. Before we know it, out little apartment is going to have quite the farmhouse feel to it. [Hope Sean is ok with that :)] I think it all started when I completed my first large project; our TV stand. (post here). I have a three day weekend and a paycheck headed my way, so it'll be project heaven this weekend. I will finally get to start [and hopefully finish] the gallery wall, rearrange the furniture, and complete another project I started but was unable to finish.

I've stumbled across a few blog sites that I have come to fall in love with, and would like to share with you.

 

1. LiveLoveDIY

 

Virginia and her husband moved into a home that they completely re-did. I love all the changes they've made, and the details they added. Virginia makes all the changes look so simple. I have found a lot of inspiration from her 50+ Decorating Tips on a Budget, found here. I am looking forward to putting my own spin on a few that I have picked. Virginia uses a lot spray paint for her projects, which I love, because it's not something I would ever think to use. The finish is much more neat than paint. Check out her site, and drool over all the amazing changes she has made.

Ampersand Art

 

2. Liz Marie Blog

Can I just say [AMAZING]! Everything about Liz's blog is to die for. Liz's husband is quite crafty, and I love the things he creates as well as she. Liz talks about a range of products, from re-purposing furniture, creating your own home décor for everyday or even holidays, to making your own cleaning supplies. I love Liz's style of writing. I love how she adores [as I do] everything she creates as well as her husband. Do you want to know the best part....she's live here in NC! Once you look through all the wonderful things she has to offer, check out her husbands blog also!

Ampersand Art

Deer Head



Antique Sign

Chalkboard Sign

 

3. Classy Clutter

These two...every time I have a project in mind, but I'm not sure how to start, I can go to their site and they've done it! I love how Mallory give's her take on how to use an item in one post, and Savannah will use do something completely different in another. Why are you two so amazing?! I'm itching to own a house, I love s'mores, and I cannot wait to make the outdoor serving station.  

Gallery Wall
My current project, and they are offering free printables!
I can't even right now!
 

Outdoor Serving Station

 4. Love Grows Wild

 

I really can't help but fall in love with all things rustic, and Liz brings so much to the table. I spend hours pouring through her site, pinning everything I want to try and re-create. Liz photographs her work beautifully. Everything about her blog is neat and elegant. Liz offers DIY home décor and recipes. Quite the homemaker this one.   

Framed Door Mirror

I bought a plain over the door full length mirror from Target, and am overly excited to use this tutorial and make it look like I actually spent $50. I have a stack of picture frames that I have bought from Goodwill and garage sales that I am wanting to get good use out of. I am finding far more ideas than I imagined possible.

Picture Frame Tray



 

5. Shanty 2 Chic

A DIY blog full of budget friendly ideas, you can't beat that. I'm all about making something wonderful for the least amount of money. Scrolling through their tutorials, I'm thinking...I love this! I can do this! Oh...so that's how you do that. They literally walk you through each step, making every project easy to follow and do-able. I know, you hear me say that a lot, but having something seem impossible, and realizing that it is DO-ABLE is something that can't be described. What's even more amazing, these two are coming out with their own show on HGTV! Stop it!

Wall Planter

I have two areas that I want to put a wall planter. I'm thinking succulents in one, and baby's breath in another. Oh my...I seriously wish there was more time in my days off to do more projects!

Blanket Ladder
For $10...Done!

 





There is far more available, and I could post so much more. But, I will leave it up to you to check them out, and find your own inspiration. They are all amazing, and the step-by-step tutorials they each provide makes DIY projects possible. So I encourage you to create something of your own this weekend!

 

Hope you all have a great day! 



 

Incubus Concert at PNC Pavilion

I had bought Sean and I tickets to see Incubus months ago. The day finally came, and the concert was amazing! Unfortunately Sean and I had to work the next day, so we were unable to stay for the entire set, but we had a great time with Phi-Phi all the same. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to a concert, and it was Sean’s first time [exciting]. It was fun getting to people watch; we noticed a lot of people wearing tights that were very see-through. Do we dare tell them? We decided to keep track instead. Sean and I like our beer, and neither of us were willing to pay the $11.50 the Pavilion was charging. So we paid $4 for the value market draft; Natty Light. Let me say, Natty Light never tasted so good.

It was so awesome getting to see Incubus live. What's funny is Sean and I had bought chairs at a garage sale, and totally forgot them in the car! Everyone had a blanket, or some sort of sitting device...rookies we are. We will be more prepared next time for sure. Technically we had paid for seats, but decided to sit in the lawn instead. It was a great time, and I'm so happy we were able to make it out.



 

 

Hope you all have a great day!

Gallery Wall Ideas

As I've said in the past, I have numerous projects to work on. I've decided that since one project typically takes me an entire weekend, I am only going to work on one room at a time. I am itching to rearrange the living room to incorporate more space in our one bedroom apartment. The floor plan is very open, which I love, so it's time to play with that space and see what can be done. I am planning on creating a gallery wall behind the TV, incorporating Sean and I in who we are and our life together so far.

Just a few projects that I plan to work on:

 

I can not wait to get started! I love seeing projects and knowing that I can do them! I can't help but smile, in knowing how far I've come and what I am capable of. Let me know if you have any ideas for the gallery wall...I am on the hunt and could use an extra pair of eyes.

 

Hope you all have a great day!

 

 



How to: Family Established Sign

This past weekend I celebrated my friend Stacy's birthday. Unfortunately, no pictures were taken, but we had a great time going out for drinks. I was pretty busy the last week, trying to put something together for my mom and aunt. Their birthday was Sunday, and I am happy with the way the signs turned out. The original tutorial can be found, here.

It all started off easy...

I went to Lowe's, and was able to find pre-cut pieces of wood in their lumber section. I was so happy when I found the slabs, because I didn't have measurements, and didn't want to try to guess. I had super glue, and although it worked, I wish I had bought wood glue. I went through the super glue so fast, I had to run back and forth buying more tubes. I bought the paint at Lowe's also. They have small tubs for testing that are perfect! I don't use paint for much, and didn't want to spend a lot on an entire can.

What You Will Need:

4 pieces of pre-cut wood

Wood glue or Super glue

Wood stain

Sponge and Paint Brush

Paint

Shims (used on the back, to allow for hanging)

Stencils - Letter//Numbers//Words//Birds

I laugh at that tiny tube of super glue....what was I thinking.



Add glue and hold the two pieces of wood together.

Add stain and allow to dry.

I was trying to finish quickly, and didn't take my time paint the tree. My aunt told me to take my time, and not to mess up....I was thinking - I got this....

...no I did not...

Be sure to make the trunk and the branches skinny. You want to make sure to leave enough room to add leaves. I used a sponge, and cut out a small leaf. I dipped my leaf sponge in the paint, and applied the leaves.

After looking up a picture online, I drew on a bird...of course with pencil. We all saw the tree disaster earlier. If you have a printer, I would print the bird out and use as a stencil. All the birds will be the same size, and you could print out a smaller bird for the children.

I had to use the back of the board....ignore the barcodes. Fill in the birds with your color of choice!

Use stencils for the words. I used a permanent maker for the last name.
You can also use permanent maker paint...up to you.





You may want to have something to help guide the letters. As you can see, my letter are not spaced well, and it's not straight.....unless you like that sort thing - Do your thing!

That's it! Once again, maybe use a ruler to help you get the stencils aligned. You can also print out what you want said on paper and trace the numbers using a pen to create an indention. I'll show you what I mean on the next project. It'll help keep the letters aligned. Every time I went to the library, it was close. We don't have ink for the printer...so I had to find another way. Also, maybe wait for the stencil to dry if you have to use it more than once. As you can see my 9 is a bit smeared. I love the way it turned out none-the-less.

 

Hope you all have a great day!

 



Benefits of Waxing

Some odd months ago, I worked at European Wax Center in Huntersville. During that brief time, I met the most amazing woman alive. Katie Elvington. Katie is absolutely wonderful, and made me feel so welcome, and above all...comfortable. Katie is excellent at what she does. Not only does she listen, but she makes sure that you're expecting what's to come. Being a frequent waxee, I feel that that's important. Getting waxed is painful, but with Katie, it's a walk in the park. Although Katie doesn't have the power to take the pain away, she will walk you through it. Katie provides her services at Dollface Skin & Makeup Lounge.

Isn't the place so cute! It's so Chic, and there are more pictures, as well as the services provided on the website. I don't trust any one else to wax me but Katie. I've noticed a major difference between her and other esthetician's. I don't know what is, but my skin thanks you Katie! Check out the website, set up an appointment, and get something waxed!

I promise you won't regret it, and you'll LOVE Katie!

 



      3 Reason Why You Should Wax:



1. No Ingrown HairsWhen I shave, I get a lot of ingrown hairs. If you don't know, ingrown hairs are painful and ugly. These result into black spots on my skin. Since waxing, the ingrown hairs have subsided, and with the use of Jergens, the black spots are fading.
2. Smooth Skin For LongerWaxing takes longer for the hair to grow back, due to the hair being pulled from the root. The hair also grows back finer, and the more you wax, the slower the hair grows back. Waxing will leave the skin smooth for approximately 3-8 weeks.
3.  Natural Exfoliation
   Not only does wax remove the hair, it exfoliates the skin as well. Getting rid of the dead skin cells is both reviving and wonderful for the skin. Once waxed, you should continue to exfoliate with a body scrub at least once a week to help the new hair growth. 

There are quite a few benefits for waxing versus shaving. Some of you can shave all areas of your body no problem. [I envy you!] Some of us, have sensitive skin, and extremely stubborn hair.



 

Have a great day all!

R&R Birthday Evening

As some of you may know, I just recently [yesterday] had a birthday. Still under the weather, but spent most of the day at work. To me my birthday is a special day, to most, it was just a normal Tuesday. I want to scream at people Hello! It's my birthday you know!  But I held it back, and treated the day like any other. Luckily, my loving boyfriend had planned quite the evening. He cleaned the house and led me [as well as a trail of petals] to our bathroom.

Isn't he handsome! He dressed up and met me at the door.
He's a keeper!

Ignore the mess, I have quite a few projects lounging around the house, waiting to be done. You can barely see in the top corner to the left is "Clyde." Sean's makeshift butler who took my belongings. Clyde was very helpful, although quiet. Sean was very proud of him. Sean had serene music playing, candles lit, and a bubble bath drawn. Also, for entertainment, he wrapped his phone in plastic so I could play a game.

It was so relaxing. Sean brought me wine, and sat with me to talk about my day. Is he not the best? While I soaked a little longer, Sean made me spaghetti. I don't know what happened, but when I walked into the kitchen, most of the meat and sauce was on the oven. He was in such distress with the mess he had made, I couldn't help but laugh. Of course to follow, I set my plate down on the couch, and rose to grab my phone....said plate flips onto the floor. Lovely. Easy fix, but it was so dark I'm almost positive there may be a stain. [fingers crossed the resolve worked]

 

The evening was a success, and I couldn't stop smiling! I couldn't have asked for a better evening.

 

 

Hope you all have a great day!



Feeling sick

I have come down with something ugly. I wasn't able to do anything this weekend, and may be leaving work early. Pray that I get better, because....well...tomorrow's my birthday...and I don't want to be sick on such a grand day! I will hopefully be back on Wednesday.

 

Hope you all have a great day!