Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Shades and drop cloth drapes

So our house is almost done! This weekend I had to go out and buy new blinds and drapes for several of the windows. Now was the worst time budget-wise since our wedding is less than three weeks away, but I am not the type of person who can throw a sheet on a window and call it good. Ick. So I searched the internet for cheaper alternative as I needed 5 blinds and a huge one for the family room window. I ended up finding two that were very affordable and that I liked. I liked these and they were very similar to ones that we had in the mater bedroom. My other option were these bamboo roman shades. I really like the fabric shades because they do block out a lot of sunlight which is great for sleeping in on the weekends, however I really hate how you can see the seams and strings from the outside looking in, and since these were going on the front of the house I went with the bamboo. I was able to get 5 shades for about $130.00.

Please excuse the messy rooms, one is wedding central and the other is just a mess, I have no excuse for that!
 I like how they look. They do let in quite a bit of light, and I think that they look pretty in the daytime, but I am not sure how much people can see in. I need to test that. For now they are fine because no one is in either room.

This monster was another story, there is no way that I could find a shade to cover this for less than $100.00. I thought about getting an outdoor shade, but the choices really looked cheap. Then as my luck would have it a stumbled upon The Walton's post on YHL. She used painters drop cloths on her windows and they looked so good! Needless to say I was at Lowes that afternoon! 

Here is my very nicely {inexpensively} dressed window!

They are a little more wrinkly than I realized, but I love them! The drapes are 6x9 foot 8 oz painters drop clothes from lowes, mine were 9.79 each and I bought the drapery rings for about 6.00 each at Target because I had a gift card. You just need to wash and dry them and then hang them up with the drapery rings. It best to start with the outside and work your way in. I discovered that some were actually longer than others so I just folded mine over at the top, absolutely no sewing. If you are a major perfectionist you could use the iron hem and go that route, but folding them over was quick and easy and if I made one to short I just let it out a little. I loved the drapes so much that I went out and got more for the front living room!

I will have more pictures to come of my house transformation. They should be all done by tomorrow. The outside looks so good that I have been sprucing up the inside some more to match!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Progress


{before}
They started on our house yesterday 
and I am happy to report that ALL the windows have been installed!!
{after windows}

There isn't that much of a difference now, but by Friday it should be dramatic! I am so excited! I have been waiting for a year!! They are starting the siding today and tomorrow the carpenter comes to install the new front door, which is white at the moment but hopefully I will get it painted before this winter. Here are a few more pictures.

{before bay window} 


{after. no more bay window!}

{before}
{after}



Hopefully this weekend I will be able to show off the finished product! :)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Happenings....

So, a few things today. One, has anyone tried out Tumblr?? It seems like something that I could get into. I am not a fan a Twitter, but I love Facebook and I am trying to get into the blogging thing, and Tumblr seems like a very easy way to do that. I like that the app for iPhone is very easy.  I decided to start one up and see how it does, check me out here.

What I wore for the shower, the only pic that I got!
My wedding is in three weeks and four days!!! ahhhh! We had our wedding shower this past Saturday, and somehow I didnt get one. single. picture. Not one. Luckily my sister took some, but I dont think that she got a whole lot. It is so easy to get caught up and forget, I feel like I need a photographer following me around for these last few weeks before. Hopefully I don't forget to take a lot of pictures at the bachelorette party and the rehearsal dinner. 

The only picture that I have from the shower is one that I snapped with my phone of what I wore, along with these babies that I got Friday .........



I also wanted to share with you my new thing....I have always gotten acrylic nails when I wanted manicures. They tore up my nails SO SO bad. And I could never even go two weeks without needing a fill. I actually don't think I was ever able to get a fill, they were always to badly damaged and they would have to take them off and put on a new set which would leave my nails so thin that they were throbbing. Really ladies?? The things we do for beauty. So I discovered Brisa Gel Nails.

Brisa gel is a gel that they brush on over you existing nail and then they use a uv light to "bake" them on. They are strong and they look great!!! AND I can go at least 10 days without needing a fill!!! The only problem is, I have not been able to find alot of people who are doing this yet, and it is a bit more expensive than the traditional acrylic, but so far I am finding that it is worth it!

Another huge thing happening in our world is that they are putting new windows and siding on our house this week!!! If you read my blog you know that the inside was so bad, well the outside is bad too. 

This is what I pull up to EVERYDAY!!! minus the junk on the porch and the overgrown trees. We have been here for almost one year and I have lived with this for that long, to say that I am excited would be an understatement!!! I CAN NOT wait to get this done! I think that It will look great!!

I hope that everyone has a great day!! I will be back with after pictures of the house when it is done.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Me on Blogging

Ok so, I have been blogging, ok well I have had a blogger account, for almost one year now. I decided to start the blog because at the time Sam (my FI) was gone (see why here). But I have not really used the blogging world to its fullest potential. I have really been a silent person here in the blog world. I read my blogs every morning, and scour over fashion, decor, and ministry. I stumbled into the bloggy world when I googled "painting kitchen cabinets black". When I did that I discovered this. Emily was the first blogger that I stumbled upon and I was smitten! I read every post of hers. And then, I found her sister, you may know her as The Nester. At the point I was hooked. I kept on reading and my horizons broadened, I found Edie, and I fell in love with her quirky style, then when my life was really in a dark place I found Kelly, and read Harper's story and I was so inspired and aware of how great God's grace truly is. From there I have stumbled upon so many more, I loved reading about a Brooklyn Limestone Renovation, and I immediately wanted to move to New York and renovate a home, and walk everywhere!! I am constantly inspired to make my house my own by YHL. I cried and prayed for this sweet baby boy and his mommy Megan, she continues to be an inspiration.

I guess what I am really getting at is that I want to see what this blog world can do for me in my life. It has obviously been wonderful for so many people in one way or another. I just often wonder who really cares what I did this weekend, or What I Wore Wednesday, but someone might. Right? I guess we will just have to see! :)

Oh and did I mention I am getting married in THIRTY DAYS?!?! That's right one month. I anticipate things will begin to get crazy oh, NOW. Hope you are having a great day!!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Ode To Autumn


Dear Autumn,

You are truly a magical time of year! The cooler temperatures, the falling leaves, and of course Football!!!
So as the supermarkets stock up on pumpkin and mums, I will start burning tons of pumpkin candles, and breaking out the cardigans.
I will drink a few hundred of these...
and maybe try out a new recipe??

I did not get to enjoy Autumn to its full potential last year, so we have some makin' up to do!! September 22, I will be waiting for you! :)

Carrot Cake Cookies

Makes 12 Sandwiched Cookies

FOR THE FILLING:

  • 2 ounces bar cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

FOR THE COOKIES:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup packed, finely grated, peeled carrots
  • 1/3 cup dried currants

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Make filling: With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add sugar and lemon juice; beat until combined. Cover; chill until firm, at least 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, make cookies: In a large bowl, whisk together butter, sugars, and egg yolk. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon and salt. Add flour mixture to butter mixture; stir until combined. Mix in oats, carrots, and currants.
  3. Drop dough by level tablespoons, 2 inches apart, onto prepared baking sheets. Flatten with the palm of your hand. Bake until edges are crisp, rotating baking sheets halfway through, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.
  4. Turn half the cookies over, bottom side up; dollop each with about 1 teaspoon chilled cream-cheese filling. Top with remaining cookies, pressing gently to spread filling to edges. Serve immediately.

I got this recipe here.


Wednesday, September 1, 2010

What I Wore Wednesday

I decided to link up with Lindsey @ The Pleated Poppy for her weekly WIWW. I thought it would be fun to see what I can come up with in my closet, because even though its packed full, I feel like I never have anything to wear. Also maybe this will inspire me to loose some weight.... esh. I hope so! So here is what I wore this past week! Be sure and head on over and see what everyone else is wearing too!
Wednesday-Work

Yes I can pretty much wear whatever I want to work, which is another reason that I am doing this, to dress more presentable.

Tank-Ross $8.99
Jean-Target $24.99-my favorite
Sandles-Cato $7.99 last year
























Friday-Interview

Tank-Kohls $7.99
Cardi-NY&CO $29.00 (last year)
pants-Marshalls $15.99
you cant seem them since Molly is in the way, but super cute leopard flats-Belk $19.99
























Friday evening-Dinner with friends

Tissue tee-Target-$11.99 ( I LOVE this shirt I hope they still have them so I can get every color)
Same Jeans from Thursday
different leopard flats- Payless $12.99























Saturday-errands and cleaning house

tanks-Target last year
Shorts-Kohls $15.99























Forgot Sunday---

Monday- Work

Black Dress -Ross $9.99
Cardi-Target $14.99-They have so many cute ones this year.























Tuesday-Work

Plaid tunic- Kohls-$ 19.99
Black Leggings- Kohls $ 10.99
Black Flip Flops-JC Penny-$ 8.99ish?