{I Bet You Didn't Know...}

Welcome back and Happy Friday!! Since I'm headed to the lake this weekend for a long weekend (Sat., Sun., & Mon. And yes (!!!) I get to do it again in 2 weeks but then it'll be a 4 day weekend) where there is absolutely NO time for phones or technology, I figured I'd give you my latest blog post now...

In case you didn't know, I have a Pintrest app on my phone.  When I'm bored, I like to browse through and look at the gorgeous photos. A couple of my 'pins' on Pintrest consist of some great ideas that I would have never thought of! I wanted to pass along a few of these tips I've discovered on there to you guys! Ya know, just to make your life a little simpler.

First off a few tips for the bed/sheet situation. (You can click on the photo button under each picture to follow the link & get more information on the topic)

1. Do you know how to fold a fitted sheet? Perfectly? I do! I would post pictures of my sweet linen closet, but you've already seen it! Just picture it with some perfectly folded sheets.



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2. This is a must-read tutorial on how to make your bed.  And you thought you knew how...A well-made bed just makes me smile. Love



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3. How to get grease stains out of your clothes. Chalk as a pre-treat. Brilliant!

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4. Aloe vera ice cubes? Perfect for those summer sunburns.  We try our darnest to wear sunscreen upon sunscreen but the lake always seems to brew up those sunburns!

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5. This is on my list.  If you know anything about us, then you know we loooooove our pancakes.  This would make pancakes AND waffle making so much easier!

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 6. Hang all your cleaning bottles from a tension rod! I love this idea, that way you can get little baskets to organize underneath the sink.

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7. A tab from a soda can as a picture frame/ DIY art hanger.

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and my last one...

8.  What a great solution for a stripped screw, just put a rubber band underneath.  We have no shortage of rubber bands at our house.  My husband has worn at least one on his wrist since I have known him.  I'm trying to shake him of this habit, but it seems there's no end in sight.

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I hope you will use some of these tips! I think they're all wonderful! Stay tuned for some more Pintrest posts.

{Fallin' in Love}

The iron posts were dropped off on our doorstop from Lowe's on last Wednesday; the finishing touches! It's official, we have a MUCH cooler deck! We have been looking so forward to this deck being finished, and it's finally there!  Here are some updated photos that will give you an idea of just how far we've come! Very exciting, indeed!

Please, don't worry, more to come.  We decided to keep the same outdoor furniture for a while and just get new cushions.  We really liked a pattern at Home Goods, but I didn't want to settle...you know me.  I wanted to look around some more.  We need 8 cushions total! 1 chaise lounge, 6 lounge chairs and one bench/loveseat cushion.  They don't necessarily have to match, just blend. I really am going to look at Pottery Barn too.  I always am a fan of the 'classic stripe' and I know they have some outdoor cushions in that pattern....*sigh*

While all of this deck business was finishing up, I was falling in love.  With an artist.  Her name is Katie Daisy.  *sigh* I'm going buy two prints from her website once I make up my mind. I love the messages in the prints, and I just love the feeling these prints give me.  So inspiring! When I first came across her on another blog, my heart really, no really, went pitter-patter {do you think I should get that checked out?}  Be still, my Katie Daisy-lovin' heart, be still.

I can not decide which ones to buy! I'm thinking I love the Rumi quote one {Let the beauty you love be what you do}, and the Ralph Waldo Emerson one {Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air}. I mean don't they make you happy just hearing them?

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Do these prints 'fit' with our decor? Nope not really.  We're more Pottery Barn-esque over here.  I normally have two standards for anything that steps foot in our house {decor, not people...although I guess these qualifications would work for people too}: it must have a 'place' and we must LOVE it.  If we say 'no' to one of those things, no dice.  These prints met 50% but that was still passing for me, I would say it was closer an 80% because all the love {on my part} made up for them not having a 'place'. 

These prints just cheer me right up and I know every morning before I go to work or if I'm getting ready to enjoy the day with my hubby, these will automatically put a smile on my face when walking past! You should check her out if you get a chance over at katiedaisy.com and enjoy all the eye-candy.  Prepare to leave with a smile.

Ciao!

Blast From the Past

Cozy little nook in our home...

MMMMmmm...I'm having a glass of red vino and blogging. Does it get any better? Oh wait, yes it does. Not by much though! I just love DIY projects, so I thought I would show you some of my past projects to pique your interest. I really haven't done anything EARTH-SHATTERING lately, but as you can see from my last post, I have a lot planned! YEAH!

We leave for vacation soon, (ATTN: CRIMINALS, if you're thinking of breaking in to our house, THINK AGAIN! We have a house-sitter with a mean dog, observant neighbors, and a nasty alarm that'll sound, you won't be successful) and I won't be able to post for a while. Don't be alarmed when I don't have a post for a while, I'm just enjoying a fruity drink in my hand, beautiful weather, a daily hike in the mountains, and total relaxationwonderful vacation.

These pics are VERY low quality, they were taken on my iphone. Enough with the small talk (haha), let's get to what you really come to see the pictures...drumroll puhleaze!

I made these "His" and "Hers" pillows with $5 standard pillow cases from BigLots and iron on transfer paper. Ta-da! L.O.V.E! Ahh our room gets so much natural light and I really like it.

You know I made a book wreath...or two via Cowboy Phraseology

My book wreath in action. I traced all the letters/ painted that subway art all by myself. It's still not hanging where I planned for it to. It's in the shabby chic guest room. Leaning up against the wall. Soon, my friends, soon. (Disclaimer: This is not a recent photo, as much as I love fall, I would not keep the fall decorations up year-round. Come on now!

Recent Project Alert! On my quest to try and rid our house of that terrible oak disease (What, you haven't heard of it?), I thought some Minwax would be the perfect medicine...Before


After, ugh, I need a better camera than this stinkin' phone!

This was one of my little thrift store purchases last year. This poor, poor girl had nothing to put on her big front door, until...

(Bad lighting or camera or both) I spray painted it Heirloom White and added some greenery from HobLob...swoon

Then, I did a homemade mirror for our bathroom. I still have 2 more bathrooms to do this to. SO sososo easy!

We, and by "we" I mean Mr. HubbyMan, miter cut the wood by ourselves with our huge miter saw. This is the final product. I like, I like, and I still like!

This uglybeauty was in my brother's room at my mama's house. I took it upon myself to redo/reclaim it.

Sorry Johnny Boy, but it's WAY happier and prettier now. You're forever welcome, little nightstand. (She looks so happy now right?)

I hope you enjoyed. Ciao, friends! I'm off to pack!