Before & After Wallpaper

Ahh. I love to check things off my list.  Especially when that list has been collecting dust for 3 years because I can't officially commit to a wallpaper.  Well not anymore!

 Ever since we moved into this house I knew I was going to wallpaper this little half wall that our tv is against.  It is weird and angular so a gallery wall wouldn't work. Our kitchen/living room/ dining room is completely open, so it is a big statement wall that was just left completely naked. Naked and afraid.

I had sourced out other wallpapers like this, this, and this but they were either overdone or didn't work in the space.  Then I found the Half Moon Wallpaper from Ferm Living and it was love at first sight.  It is graphic and bold, the pattern is weird and awesome, and there isn't a huge commitment to color so I won't hate it anytime soon. In other words it's my jam.

My mom and I (she is the best) put it up on Sunday and I love it so hard. Overall it was time consuming, but not hard to hang.  We had to sand the texture off of the wall (I wish we would've had them skim coated before we moved in) to ensure that there wouldn't be bumps in the pattern.  The only thing that freaked me out was the black moons smudge, but you can wipe off the excess with a hot damp cloth and you are good to go.

I am going to take the Foo Fighters broken guitar off the stairs and move it somewhere else.  I am stumped about the stairs.  I am almost positive I want to leave them blank because the wallpaper breaks up the space nicely and it could get cluttered. What do you think?

Also how many of you have to heavily filter the amount of guitars/music memorabilia that drifts from your loved ones music room? Tis an everyday battle here.

Socks and Hearts

I love Valentine's day. I can't shake it, and I don't want to. Some may think it is a commercial holiday and I totally get that. But that's not why I love it so much… It's the clever, cheesy, stupid valentines that  I dig. I'm especially a fan of puns and patterned socks.

Also-You won't find a pair of serious/normal socks in my drawer. Crazy socks are like a hidden secret party and I always want in on that.

So this year's valentine came to me when I was getting my sock fix at forever21. I saw these adorable guys and immediately thought of "you rock my socks." Also is that a sexual reference? I started thinking about that too. That's awkward if it is...

I just took some left over cork drawer lining and cut it for the band around the socks.  I printed the sayings on computer paper and then glued them onto the hearts. So easy!

 I love how graphic and simple they are.

If you can't find any of these at your local forever21, try their website!  Target also had some cute ones.  Of course…

Do you guys give valentines? I'd love to hear about yours! 

Changes

Welcome to the new layout and name!  

 This is something that has been in the works for quite a while, and it is so exciting to see it happen. We (and when I say that I mean my brother-in-law, Andy , doing the work while I sit there with glazed eyes and a confused look.  And then when he finishes I always say something like "That looks good! Can you make it a circle?" I love you Andy, you handle my crazy like a boss.) are still working on it, so please bear with some weirdness that might be taking place.  

I will be back a little later on to talk more about the switch!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2014! We rang in the new year with confetti cannons, crepes, and some really good dance moves.  I hope you guys had a blast welcoming the new year and kissing 2013 goodbye! I always make a couple of resolutions and I like to post them here to help make me accountable. So here we go!

1. Be Kind. 

I consider myself a kind person, but I want to really focus on this.  I want to be kind in my actions, thoughts, and words.  Lately I have just felt so bogged down by how people treat each other. I have a couple of "pay it forward" ideas like pay for a strangers coffee or leaving random notes but I would love to hear suggestions! I am seriously excited about this resolution!

2. Make a list and Stick to it

This really applies to home decor/projects.  Here is my problem-I go into a store and find things I love, buy them, and then forget that I really should've been looking for baskets because that's what I truly need.  I get really excited and then completely blank.  It's incredibly annoying and counter productive.  So I've made a list on my phone and I am sticking to it.  First off is wallpaper! I've been wanting to wallpaper a certain wall for like 3 years. It's time guys.

3. Dedicate time and energy to this blog

Last year I worked on a new design and name for the blog and it just never got off the ground.  Because I was waiting on it I really didn't blog that much. It was a huge bummer! I plan on blocking out time for pictures and posts.  Since I am graduating this year I will have so much more time and energy to accomplish this.  Let me tell you, design school is so incredibly draining.  I am going to miss it, but I am looking forward to a better schedule.

4. Quality over Quantity

This applies especially to clothing.  I love me some bargains.  However, I've noticed that in the long run it costs more money because the construction doesn't hold up as well.  I will still be looking for deals, but not for everything.  I want to work on replacing items in my closet, especially shoes.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out.  

Did you guys make resolutions? If so I would love to hear them!

Let it Fake Snow

This year I saw a fun photo on Pinterest with fake snow and knew that we had to do something like that for our Christmas cards this year.  It is SO hard to take photos with Evan around the holidays because he is usually doing fly out shows and isn't done with work until closer to Christmas.  We had a window of opportunity before Thanksgiving to take the pictures, so I bought the fake snow and had our best friends take the pictures.  Kyle threw the snow on us while Lyndi snapped away.  It was hilarious.   We are so lucky to have those two in our lives.     

Friends that climb on their cars to throw fake snow on you are keepers.   I am so excited to wrap up school next week.  I only have one semester left!  Hope you all are staying warm.  Ironically we are in the middle of a huge snowstorm while I talk about fake snow.  I have a mechanical engineering final on Saturday and there is a rumor that if it gets cancelled we don't have to make it up. Crossing my fingers for more!

We break for pie

This Saturday we had our 3rd annual pie social ( Previous years here and here )  and I am still full. But if we are being honest here, I would eat all of these pies over and over again.  Like sneak to my fridge at midnight and eat them out of the pie dish with a fork.  That's how good they all were.  And I wouldn't recover before mentioned pie with foil after the midnight binge, I know Evan would want me to mention that.  Anyways...

 We had three guys join in and make a pie, and we were all really impressed.  So impressed that I dedicate this year to the boys! Good job!  We love you!  Dusty's pie has convinced me that sweet potato pie is better than pumpkin. Try his pie and you will agree!  Sorry ladies, he is taken by the sweetest girl on the planet.

I have really grown to adore this party.  I love how our home fills with sweet friends, laughter, and unlimited pie.  After everyone has left for the evening I just can't help but be so incredibly grateful.  

**Thank you to the sweet friends who brought pie! As tradition follows, here's a list of "What's the pie, Who is it by?" (In order of top pictures) Sweet Potato Shepard's pie brought by Blake, Oatmeal Cream Icebox brought by Kyle, Peach brought by Lyndi (she also brought her much requested Chicken Pot Pie), Pecan brought by Morganne, Sweet Potato brought by Dusty and Jasmine, Brown Butter Pear Pie brought by Kate and accompanied by honey Matt and Brandy, and Apple brought by Sarah!**  I made Caramel Pecan Pie, and dang. I am making it again because it was delicious!

Textured Vase DIY

Lately I've been wanting something a little bit more on trend in the vase world.  But I have 608 normal vases and Evan would make me sleep on the sofa if I bought another.  And it's cold there. So...  Enter the easiest vase redo of all time! 

You need: Sculpey bake clay, an old vase (or candle, that's what mine is) , spray paint, hot glue and liquid gilding.  You could do the regular gold leaf version, but I have been digging the liquid gilding lately.  It's less of a hassle. 

Work your clay into the shape you want.  Keep in mind that you want it to be flush with the glass.  I found that it was easier to stick the shapes on the glass when the clay was soft causing it to have a flat side.  That also makes it easier for gluing. 

Bake your shapes until the clay is hard.  Let the clay cool for around 20 minutes.  Then glue the clay shapes to the vase in a fun design or pattern.  There are so many things you can do! Or keep it fun and random.  After everything is dry, clear all the excess hot glue off and spray paint the vase.  Afterwards paint the shapes with the liquid gilding.  This is one of those projects where imperfection looks awesome.  So tell your craft anxiety to get out of town. Then high five yourself for how reckless you are.  

These babies are kind of addicting to make.  I love how textured they are.  And there are so many possibilities for their use!   They would be great for staging bookshelves, organizing makeup, or as a last minute gift.