life.love.larson

Recent Happenings & A Getaway

2013-06-11T10:20:00.001-05:00

The summer seems to be flying by already! We are keeping busy with gymnastics, VBS, tee ball, pool time, hanging with the neighbors, and checking things off our summer list. I have been working on a few house projects here and there, and will be blogging all summer (just probably not as often or as consistently)!

Amongst other things, we have learned my sister and her family are moving to Singapore in August. We finally moved within 3 hours of each other, and now they will be 20 hours travel time away! We are really so excited for them. What an amazing opportunity and life experience to share with their kids. We are movers, so we get it. I know two years will go by so quickly. I’m trying not to think about it too much as I know when the time comes, it is going to be so hard on both of us…and the cousins…and my parents. We are lucky we have such a strong connection, and distance never seems to phase us, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Looking on the bright side, I see a trip to Singapore in our near future!

And speaking of trips, our 10 year anniversary trip is right around the corner. We are traveling to Europe with my sister and her husband, who also celebrate 10 years this year. We are so happy to be spending time away sans kids! Thank you for all of your sweet emails, texts, and comments about that anniversary post. I think it hit home for a lot of you!

Birthday party fun with my favorite girl…

A new indoor/outdoor rug for my mudroom. Loving the bold pattern. That door will be black soon!

Spending precious time with cousins before they move.

Rescuing turtles with grandma…

Donating items to the OK tornado victims…I think this hits close to home for them because they are aware of what “tornado alley” is and that we live in it. Thankful for no sirens or trips to the basement this year in KC, and happy to help out those affected.

DIY tile & wrapping paper coasters for the patio, using the same technique used here.

Dance recital and a soccer game in the same day…that’s how she rolls!

Pre-K graduation…I can hardly stand it.

In general, just growing up way too fast!

This will be my last post for a few weeks. Total travel time is almost two weeks, and I will be completely signed off. Please follow me on Instagram @amlarson3 to see travel photos along the way, and I will be sure to update you all on entire trip when we return!

As always, thank you for your visits, comments, pins, emails, etc. I am lucky to have such loyal and amazing readers!! ♥

Until then, Auf Wiedersehen and Arrivederci!! xoxo

DIY: Personalized Life Preserver

2013-06-10T08:14:00.001-05:00

Our next door neighbors threw a nautical themed one-year birthday party for their son this weekend. My friend asked if I would make something that could be used as party décor, and also go in his room after the party (his bedroom is also nautical theme). She sent me this inspiration post, and I got to work on it this past week. I love the way it turned out!

I tweaked a few things from the original inspiration, but overall, the concept is the same. Supplies needed: navy craft paint, rope, canvas drop cloth (smallest size), a wreath form, batting/stuffing, stencil or something to create your letters/numbers.

I realized later on that I did not do a good job of taking pictures along the way, so please refer back to the original post for additional pictures, instructions. I started out using a straw wreath form and covered it in some extra batting I had laying around. This will be covered, so no need to make it even. Just make it plush enough that the life preserver will look thick in the end. I used masking tape to tape the batting together.

Next, I cut a small drop cloth in half and laid it across the bottom and top halves of the wreath form (similar to original post). I started cutting, forming, twisting, and manipulating the drop cloth around the wreath form. I secured the back with safety pins. As you can see, there are creases on my final product, as that was the only way I was able to make it work.

Once the drop cloth was secured, I got to work on his name and birthday. I used the same font choice from the original post, Boston Traffic. I printed and cut out the letters/numbers, and traced around them with a pencil onto the drop cloth before painting. This was definitely the most time consuming part because this font has several different pieces for each letter/number. I used blue painters tape to make sure my spacing was even and just eyeballed.

Once the letters were painted and dried, it was time for the rope. You can buy this nylon rope at any hardware store. Mine came from Home Depot, and I bought a large pack versus buying by the foot. You will need more than you think.

Just like the inspiration, I wrapped the rope around each side 5 times and secured with a little hot glue. I then cut four equal pieces of rope to go around the preserver and also just tucked it under the rope and used a little more hot glue.

Here is a shot of how my friend styled the life preserver for the party. The bunting is made of fabric and ribbon. Too cute!

I have never made anything like this before, so it was a fun challenge for me. I also love giving handmade gifts, especially to sweet little boys! Ahoy, Matey!

Linking up with:
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/
http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/
http://lilluna.com/
http://whipperberry.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://craftionary.blogspot.com/
http://itsoverflowing.com
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/
http://lollyjane.com/

Painted Niche: SW Urbane Bronze

2013-06-04T14:08:00.001-05:00

One quick project I worked on last week was to paint the niche in our dining room. I just used a sample can of Sherwin Williams’ Urbane Bronze to make the niche stand out a bit. This is a perfect spot for a dark, moody accent wall. The rest of our house has very light walls, and I wanted to go with something bold.

I wanted something dark, but I thought true black would be too stark with the black and white curtains and the black dining table. I have read about this color, Urbane Bronze, on several blogs, and it seems to be the perfect deep brown/charcoal grey/light black color. I like how it contrasts a bit with the curtains. I think it grounds the space and makes it sort of masculine and cozy.

I love the way the bar cart looks against the darker paint. I still have some styling to do with the bar cart, and you can see the beginnings of what will be an eclectic gallery wall in the niche. More to come on that black and white piece (hint: it’s framed wallpaper)! Here is a before and after…

Updated Dining Room To-Do List:
table
chairs
lighting
curtains
piece of furniture for niche
Rug or no rug?
~~Paint the wall of the niche space or leave as is?~~
Window coverings for the front two windows
Finish styling the bar cart
Eclectic gallery wall in niche
Have a dinner party!

Gooey Pecan Rolls

2013-05-31T09:29:00.001-05:00

These rolls will always remind me of my mom and my family and special occasions, which makes me happy. She would make these for us on Christmas morning and other holidays. They were such a treat because we didn’t eat them that often. Now that I am an adult and the cook in our family, we eat these in the same way, on holidays, or when we have company. These are so delicious and Drew’s absolute favorite!!

You will need: a Bundt pan, cooking spray, frozen dinner rolls, pecans, butter, brown sugar, and cook n’ serve butterscotch pudding mix.

Gooey Pecan Rolls
frozen dinner rolls (about 18)
1 package butterscotch pudding (cook n’ serve)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup melted margarine
pecans

Spray Bundt pan. Line with pecans, then rolls cut into thirds, then dry pudding mix, melt butter and brown sugar together and pour on last. Cover and set out overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Let rolls cool for a few minutes before placing a plate on top and flipping the pan.

These are best if you can prep the night before and throw them in the oven in the morning. I have made these several times the same day, just make sure your rolls are good and defrosted.

DIY: Gold Corner Frames

2013-05-28T08:34:00.001-05:00

I saw this tutorial a few months back and knew I wanted to try and spruce up some plain brown frames I have hanging on a small wall next to our butler’s pantry. This particular tutorial used spray painted painters tape, but I decided to just put the “gold” right on the frame. These frames aren’t anything that exciting or expensive, so I just went for it, and I love the result. These photos of the kids are a few years old but something is keeping me from updating them (denial that they are getting older!), so they will stay as is for now.

For this quick project, I used Rub n’ Buff (one of my favorite products) and Frog tape.

I measured 3” from each corner and made small pencil marks where I would place the tape. No leveling here, just eyeballed it.

After you have it taped off, start applying your “gold”. I used both my finger and a small paint brush to apply the R n’ B.

Once your gold has dried, simply peel off the tape and admire your new frames!

Here is a comparison of the frames before and after.

Such a quick and easy update. It’s all in the details for me!

Linking up with:
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/
http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/
http://lilluna.com/
http://whipperberry.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://craftionary.blogspot.com/
http://itsoverflowing.com
http://too-much-time.com/
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/
http://lollyjane.com/
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

My Thoughts on Thrift/Second Hand Shopping

2013-05-23T09:01:00.001-05:00

We have always donated items to second hand stores, but it’s only in the last few years that I have become a thrifter. Once you start, and score your first “find”, it is hard to not keep going back! There is so much goodness lurking around every corner if you know what to look for and know what you are doing. In this economy, and in the age of Pinterest and DIY blogs, more and more people are flooding second hand stores (every blog I like to read has a blogger behind it that likes to shop at flea markets, on Craigslist, at thrift stores, etc). People have discovered that with a little patience and very little money (and a little spray paint), you can transform almost anything. That is the thrill of it. No one else will have what you just bought. I know it’s not for everyone, but these are my tips/tricks/thoughts on thrifting & buying second hand…

1. Don’t Just Buy Because It’s Inexpensive. Almost every item at a thrift store is relatively inexpensive so you will be tempted to throw everything in your cart. Stop. Don’t do this. Be selective about what you purchase. Do you have a spot in your house for it or are you just buying it because it’s a great deal? I think this goes for shopping at any venue!

$20 dresser – I painted it red and cleaned up the hardware

2. If you are on the fence about something, especially a piece of furniture, throw it in your cart or pull off the ticket. You can always put it back, but if you don’t pick it up in that second, someone will be right behind ready to snatch it up. Make good decisions about what you really need/want. You would be surprised how many people are in a thrift store looking for exactly what you are (especially furniture pieces).

$10 – twin headboard I painted pink for Kate’s room

3. Go often if you have the time. Second hand store shelves (especially really busy ones like Goodwill and Salavation Army) will look different from one hour to the next. It’s all about timing and all about the hunt. You will find which stores you like best. I had really great thrift stores in San Antonio, and I am kind of ho hum about those in my area in KC. You are more likely to find great stuff in larger cities, in older parts of town, so expand your thrifting radius!

Most of the books on my bookshelves were purchased at thrift stores for less than .50 each. The gold frame artwork ($5) and moss balls ($5) you see on the left are also thrift store purchases!

4. You must be able to walk away with nothing and not be discouraged. More often than not, I walk out of a thrift store with nothing in my hands. I have a good eye and have learned over time what to look for. This goes back to my point in #1. Just because it’s inexpensive doesn’t mean it’s great! You don’t want to wind up with a bunch of junk you will never use!

$15 – Outdoor clock for back patio

5. Let’s face it, 85% of items you will walk by will be junk. Look for interesting pieces. Look for books. Look for items that can be put on a shelf or displayed in your home (don’t forget you can turn ugly into chic with a little spray paint!). Look for planters and baskets. Look for frames and interesting artwork. Look for cool lamps. Look for great dishes. Look for furniture pieces that can be transformed. Toys/games/puzzles/ are also great finds (I have bought two razor scooters for less than $5 at second hand stores).

$12 - piece of large artwork with gold frame

6. Nothing could be more true here than “One Man’s Trash…”. I look at thrift stores as a win/win. I am able to donate my items and search and pay for “new to me” items. They create jobs for people, they support local churches/missions/non-profits. And, what a better way to be “green”. If it’s not your thing, I totally get it. You should just try one time, and see if you can find anything good (even something small)!!!

($2) wire basket I sprayed gold to hold limes and ($1) vintage black & white coasters for the bar cart. Those coasters are my favorite thing about that bar cart! The bar cart is also a vintage find!

I love a pulled together, eclectic look. I also have an abnormal urge to change things up in my home. Often. I’m crazy like that. I’m talking moving things around weekly. Buying inexpensive, quirky, and interesting pieces allow for me to change things up without feeling bad, because I didn’t spend a lot. I think finding little pieces, or large furniture pieces, from thrift stores can bring character to a home. When your home is filled with items from all different places and price points, it creates a collected, warm, and comfortable space filled with things you love.

Don’t forget to scope out your local Habitat for Humanity Restore, yard sales, Craigslist, antique stores, and vintage shops to find interesting and eclectic pieces. No matter how much money we make, how “new” our house is, or if I won the lottery tomorrow, I will always be interested in scoring a great “find”. It’s who I am. I don’t apologize for it. I just think everyone else paid too much!! :)

Linking up with:
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/
http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/
http://lilluna.com/
http://whipperberry.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://craftionary.blogspot.com/
http://itsoverflowing.com
http://too-much-time.com/
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/
http://lollyjane.com/

Creative Dress Up Storage

2013-05-21T09:11:00.001-05:00

I’m trying to finish up showing you all of the projects from Kate’s room (we have been talking about her room for a loooong time)! Her room has truly been such a fun room to decorate and a labor of love because almost everything is redone, refinished, repainted, recovered, DIY’d, or purchased second hand.

About a year ago, we were shopping at a vintage market, Urban Mining, in Kansas City, and stumbled upon a great piece of worn wood with knobs. After a little contemplating, we decided it would work in Kate’s room as a creative dress up storage solution. I think I paid $15-$20.

Dress up is big in our house, especially with Kate. I thought it would be the best use of space to hang these dresses in her room, on a large wall that needed a little something.

I thought about painting and changing the knobs, but in the end just cleaned it up and left it as I bought it. I like the fact that it is chippy and worn looking, and the knobs never show anyway.

Kate loves having her dress up stuff at her fingertips.

I also keep a pink basket on the floor next to the dresses with all of the crowns, shoes, gloves, etc. Everything has a specific spot in this house-it keeps me sane!! :)

I think there is only one more project to share (that I recently finished) and then I will add some pictures of her whole room. I’m hesitant to ever say rooms are “done”, but the big things are complete!

Other Project posts: Ombre Monogram, Silhouette Plates, Painted Pink Headboard, Fabric Bunting, Gallery Wall, Thrift Chair Redo, Pom Cluster, Fabric Flower Bouquet

Spicy Chicken Tortilla Roll Ups

2013-05-20T09:33:00.001-05:00

We had a neighborhood cookout this weekend and tried a new appetizer recipe, Spicy Chicken Tortilla Roll Ups, adapted via this blog. They were easy, delicious, and gone very quickly!

Throw all ingredients together, mix, spread, roll, chill, cut, and serve!

Spicy Chicken Tortilla Roll Ups

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I boiled and shredded)
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis, drained (I used mild)
12 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded cheese blend (I used a mexican blend)
1 clove garlic, minced
3 chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (I used paprika because I didn’t have this)
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
6 scallions, white and green parts, chopped
6-8 large flour tortillas (I used 7 spinach & herb tortilla)

In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, drained tomatoes, cheese, spices, garlic, cilantro and scallions. Mix together. Add cooled chicken and stir together.

Lay out tortillas and divide mixture evenly in the center of each. Spread into a thin layer leaving the edges clean. Roll each tortilla tightly. At this point, I individually wrapped each tortilla in plastic wrap and chilled them for about an hour. Cut into slices, remove wrap, and transfer to a serving platter.

*These were not super spicy, because I used mild rotel and paprika, but they were absolutely full of flavor and I will be making again for sure!

Summer Fun Chalkboard Wall

2013-05-17T08:17:00.001-05:00

Drew “graduates” from Pre-K today (I may or may not shed a tear this morning and I never thought I would be like that) and yesterday marked the last day of preschool for both kids, which means it is officially summer in our world! Moving from San Antonio, and living in the south for 10 years prior to our move to Kansas, we enjoyed very mild winters. This winter in Kansas was a long one for us, so bring on the warm temps, later bedtimes, vacations, summer wardrobe, and dirty little feet!

We worked on our summer list this week. It never really changes much, but my kids love doing it. This year, we utilized our chalk wall, and we certainly have no excuses to ever be bored!

We have room to grow a little bit as the kids keep coming up with more ideas every day. They wanted to autograph the bottom too.

I’ve never really been big on buying my kids lots of “things”. Truthfully, I am the mom that if Drew asks for something in February, I tell him to put it on his birthday list (his birthday is in August)! They have actually started saving their own money to buy things they really want (mean, mean mom, right??)!! I do, however, love to give the gift of experiences, and summer is really a great time to do this.

We never really get to everything on the list in any given summer, but this is a good blueprint to work from. I’ve said this many times, but ages 4 and 5 have been my absolute favorite stage/age, so I’m sure this will be such a fun summer!

Before it’s officially summer, Drew has to graduate this morning. On to half-day kindergarten in the fall and he could not be more ready or excited! That short haircut makes him look way too old, I can’t handle it!

This little lady will be moving on to Pre-K next year, and luckily gets to have her brother home in the afternoons to play. Because they are close in age, I know she is a bit jealous that Drew gets to go to “big school” next year. Why do kids want to rush it, and parents want to stop time in its tracks?

Drew took off his shoes and t-shirt last night and spontaneously ran through the sprinkler with a neighbor at 7:30pm. He was in heaven. Welcome to summer. xoxo

Recent Happenings

2013-05-13T09:14:00.001-05:00

Just so you are aware, I have added a hover “Pin It” button in the upper left hand corner of all pictures on the blog making it easier to pin ideas from this blog! I have also added a little space on the right sidebar of my recent “pins”. Click on that image to start following me!

I hope everyone had a fantastic mother’s day weekend, especially my mom, my mother-in-law, my sister, and all of my mom friends! Breakfast in bed, a family walk, some yard work, a picnic lunch, 4 hours of fishing, Kate’s soccer game, and it was early to bed for me! We had wonderful weather and spent some quality time making memories!

We caught six fish, and found a new family hobby in the meantime!

We are continuing to explore our new city (not so new anymore, but haven’t even come close to doing everything we want to do yet)! You can’t live in Kansas City and not love a good Boulevard beer. We took the brewery tour this weekend, and yes, we brought our kids (they are lucky we don’t have a lot of help, because they end up getting a lot of random “life” experience going everywhere with us)!

Drew even answered a question on the tour!

We are also lucky to have a MLS team in town. Our first Sporting KC game!

Demolishing a bag of cotton candy was one of the highlights…

I have found a few fun items while out thrifting recently (working on a post about my thoughts on thrifting that will be up this month). One item was this little industrial cart I bought for $5. I have been wanting a “plant cart” to display my ever growing plant collection (hoarder), and I thought this would be perfect. I’m thinking I will trim the metal out with gold Rub N’ Buff, and paint the base in a dark grey and add some new casters. I have a perfect spot by a bank of windows to place her once she is all shined up! I have a slight obsession with carts and for some strange reason I can appreciate this dusty, old thing for what she will be after I’m done with it!

I went to a dessert exchange with a friend recently and made these little fruit pizzas. The base is a chocolate chip cookie, topped with homemade cream cheese frosting, topped with fresh fruit. Very pretty and very tasty!

I pulled into the driveway last week and saw this crawling around. I freaked out. It was too big to stomp on. I ended up throwing a box over it and started stomping. I think we determined it was a wolf spider and I hope to never see one ever again!

It looked like this one day...

And we had this this next…crazy Kansas weather this year!

A special Pre-K art show with my little guy. He has changed so much this year. One week left of Pre-K and then he is off to Kindergarten in the fall. I just can’t believe it. I could cry just typing this. Oh, and he may or may not look just a little like me :)

“Take your kids to work day” proved to be a fun and tiring experience for these two…

Coach pitch is in full force now. I don’t think there is anything cuter than a little boy in a uniform and baseball cap.

We are having 70 and 80 degree temps this week and it’s the last week of preschool for my kiddos. We are working on getting our summer to-do list of activities compiled this week. I think I need to move my blogging outside…it’s just too nice to be indoors on a computer! Hope you all have a great week!

Spring Porch

2013-05-09T08:08:00.001-05:00

It finally feels like spring around here after a random snowfall in May and record breaking low temps for the month! We have been working hard in the yard, landscaping, and sprucing things up outside. For the porch, I reused an old DIY wreath, bought some new pillows for our rockers, and added a few plants/ferns.

Props to my hubby (and thanks to all the rain we’ve had) for keeping a lovely trimmed, green, edged, and weed whacked lawn! He is in charge of the lawn, and I am the resident landscaper, mulcher, weed puller/killer, and overall “presentation maker”!! :)

I love having a front porch and rockers seemed like a fitting choice. I wanted to keep the porch simple and classic looking. I love the black accents against our brown house.

I’m still looking for a little outdoor table to put in between the rockers and I will probably change up the wreath for summer.

I trimmed a couple of terra cotta pots in gold and filled them up with greens and pinks.

My mandavilla trellis plant was the only perennial that did not come back this year, so I replaced it the other day. It should be crawling up the trellis very soon!

I’m working on getting our back patio finished up and have a few more things to plant before I take some pictures. Soon it will be time to grab a drink and enjoy all of it! Happy Spring!

Painted Front Door, Modern House Numbers, Spring Wreath, Double Up a Door Mat

DIY: Confetti Inspired Terra Cotta Pots

2013-05-08T08:07:00.001-05:00

Here is the guest post I did for Lil Luna last week in case you missed it!!

I wanted to make a quick and simple craft that anyone could try for Mother’s Day. I am in full spring fever mode, and I am no stranger to decorating pots. I love indoor and outdoor plants and I love making simple pots look more festive. I always think that you absolutely can’t go wrong with gifting a plant! This craft is inspired by my love for gold and confetti inspired art.

I started with two different terra cotta pots. I love to pick up pots at thrift stores because they are already “worn” looking, which I love. This can also be purchased for cheap almost any store this time of year. I picked up three different sheets of gold scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby and a 1” circle punch. You will also need Mod Podge to complete this project.

Start punching out several circles and adhere to your pot in random order with Mod Podge. I used a small paint brush to brush Mod Podge on the back of each circle. It is a good idea to take your finger and press the paper onto the pot so it doesn’t peel back. Once all of your circles are added, add an entire thin layer of Mod Podge over the top to seal the paper circles to the pot.

Allow some drying time to make sure all of the scrapbook paper is fully adhered to the pot and add your favorite plant (begonia on the left, lemon button fern on the right).

I also made little homemade gift tags to tie to the plant. They are made from simple white tags (bought at any craft store). I added a gold circle to the end with a glue stick and hole punched a space to tie kitchen twine to the plant.

For this tag, I added a little Washi tape to embellish it even more.

I think the gold “confetti” makes these pots really festive and fun! Homemade is always a good idea, don’t you think?!

Garage Entry Door: Painted Black

2013-05-07T07:52:00.001-05:00

I’m slowly getting the the entry and exit doors painted on my first floor. The back patio door is painted black on both sides, the front door is painted blue, and now the garage entry door is painted black. My new neighbor has this door painted black, and it just confirmed that it needed to be done over here! I’m hoping to get the interior front door done very soon, as well as the mudroom door!

This particular door faces out to the garage, and though a garage is hardly an interesting or pretty place, this was an easy change and a quick “like your house from every angle” sort of project. I had some leftover exterior black paint from the back door, so all I needed to grab was a roller. Here is the door pre-paint…

I debated painting the unfinished trim around the door, but decided against it in the end. I washed the door with water and mild soap. No priming. Here is the door after 3 coats of paint.

I used a roller but didn’t bother to tape off the door handle or lock. I used a small brush to get the space between the handle and lock and around both pieces. Make sure to roll as much as you can to avoid brush strokes.

I LOVE a black door. I’m surprised what a difference this has made. This is the door I use about 20 times a day, so it makes sense that I should like looking at it! It’s all in the details…

Hope you are all having a great week!

10 Year Anniversary!

2013-05-03T10:41:00.001-05:00

Steve and I are celebrating 10 years married today! I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. A blink of an eye, really, and what a joy ride it has been! I can’t imagine how my parents and Steve’s parents each feel about their 35+ years of marriage and how it probably doesn’t even seem possible. We are thankful every day for those 4 people who found a way to show us for the last 33 years what true love, loyalty, and marriage is all about. We will forever be grateful.

I’m about to get personal and gushy with all of you, which I don’t normally do, so bear with me! I woke up this morning very emotional. When we got married at the age of 23, we were full of wonder, adventure, had no kids, two incomes, were emotional about moving away from family, and had no idea the twists and turns our lives would take. Here I look 10 years down the road, after 6 major moves, 4 houses, 2 kids (15 months apart), losing two dogs, never having the chance to live close to family, and think of not only how hard it has been, but what great joy I find in thinking of all the memories we have shared and how close we have become.

We look so young (and so skinny)!

I think making sound choices throughout life leads to good things. Marrying Steve was the best choice I have made in my life. We are tight, connected in a way that seems almost impossible. Nothing is off limits. We love hard and we fight hard. We’re blessed beyond measure.

Now…..this is not all to say that marriage is bubble gum and roses. I don’t think this could be farther from the truth. Want to test a marriage? Live in a hotel room with two toddlers and two Great Danes for 2 months in a brand new city, and then do it again 16 months later in another new city. Those were not happy times. Saying yes to six major moves? Wouldn’t change it, but each move had its difficult moments. Navigating our emotions after a miscarriage. Flooding a bathtub and delaying a move by 2 months so your house could be repaired? So.not. good. Having a 6 month old baby on your hip while you find out you are pregnant with number 2? Joy, surprise, and sheet panic! Having two kids 15 months apart with no help?? Let’s just say I think there was a period of about a year where I must have been a crazy person. My SC friends, and Steve, can weigh in on that one.

Let’s just be honest and say that marriage is hard. It takes work, and tolerance…

And because I have NEVER nagged my husband in 10 years… :)

And because we have big plans to have this marriage last a really long time…

In honor of 10 years, I have compiled a list of 10 things that I have learned about marriage. . .

1. Marriage is hard work. It just is. You must work at it in order to make it what you dream it to be.

2. Bloom where you are planted. Don’t wish you were someone else or somewhere else. Work with what you have, where you are at, and make it great.

3. Laugh a lot. If you know Steve Larson, you know we laugh a lot. It was the first thing that attracted me to him, and it will always be what I love most about him. Don’t take things too seriously. Life is hard enough.

4. Learn to say you’re sorry. That 5 letter word can work wonders in a marriage. Be humble, forgive, and let it go. Life is too short to hang on to whatever it is you are arguing about at the time (of course, easier said than done)!

5. Go on dates. After kids, it is hard to get away, and babysitters can be expensive. You must make this a priority. I am grateful to my sister for making me realize this! Going out on dates makes you remember why you liked each other in the first place. Day to day life gets routine. Plan something fun!

6. Communicate well. Find times to sit and talk about what the other person needs/wants. Be open. Explain what you need. Men need it. spelled. out. very. clearly. :)

7. Have high expectations for your marriage. We believe it should be a great marriage, so we work towards that. If you believe any less, it will be less.

8. Respect who the other person is. Steve still does things that annoy me, that also annoyed me 10 years ago, and vice versa. We are learning over time that those quirks and things about us are not going to change, so we must accept and be respectful (again, easier said that done)!

9. Show gratitude towards what each person brings to the marriage, home, family life and acknowledge it. Repeat it. Say it often. Everyone wants to be told what a great job they are doing.

10. Show love. Touch. Be nice. Hold hands. Kiss in front of your kids. Show excitement when your spouse walks through the door. Be present. Savor the good times and learn from your mistakes. We are not perfect and that is okay. Pick back up and make things work. No one else can make it great besides you!

Steve is a guy that has learned to put up with my shortcomings. He puts up with my nagging about hanging curtains and shopping for home décor. He is a fantastic father. He has an amazing work ethic that allows me to be home with my kids, the place where I want to be. He does what is right. He is loyal and committed. I’m one lucky gal.

Heading out for a sushi date tonight and celebrating big in a few weeks with a special trip. My heart is so full today. Thanks for letting me get personal and gush about Steve (he doesn’t read, but maybe I should make him today)! xoxo

Guest Posting Today (Over @ Lil’ Luna)

2013-05-02T12:46:00.001-05:00

I was very excited to be asked to guest post over at Lil’ Luna today! I made some Confetti Inspired Terra Cotta Pots with homemade gift tags to share as a Mother’s Day gift idea.

I hope you will pop on over there and check it out!

I had a special Mother’s Day treat at Drew's school today…an art show showcasing several pieces of artwork he has been working on, lunch, and a “spa day” where he painted my nails and gave me a shoulder massage! Too cute and so much fun!

Lantern/Pendant Dreaming

2013-05-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

Sorry I have been MIA for awhile! Lots going on around here, coupled with several gorgeous days in a row, means that that blog posts have been slacking. It’s back to a chance for snow tomorrow, so that should free up some more time… :)

I love the look of a lantern/pendant (inside and out) in a home. We hung an outdoor lantern on our porch last year, and I love it. I am desperately trying to find a spot inside our house that I could hang one. I am thinking of the small seating area in our master bedroom, or maybe in Kate’s room? I was at the Habitat for Humanity Restore the other day and saw several large, brass lanterns for cheap! I’m talking $15. I had visions of redoing one of these guys.

A few inspiration photos came to mind as I was pondering whether or not to buy one. This amazing lantern transformation by Emily A. Clark shows the power of spray paint. Isn’t it amazing what a little effort can do for your budget?!

emilyaclark.blogspot.com

Here is another recent lantern makeover using the same type of dated, brass light fixture we have all had at one time or another. This version shows The Hunted Interior embracing the brass, going for a little color, and adding modern light bulbs. I love this.

thehuntedinterior.blogspot.com

In the end, I decided that the pendants were too large for the seating area in our bedroom. It hurt my heart to leave the one in the top photo. I am hoping to find a smaller scale lantern/pendant and get my spray on very soon! Hope you are all having a great week!

DIY: Bow Holder

2013-04-26T07:24:00.001-05:00

I made this bow holder for a neighbor of mine who just had her second baby, and first daughter, Hannah. I knew she already had lots of clothes/toys/books, so I decided to make her something she could use in the years to come. My sister made one of these for my daughter several years ago, and it still hangs in her bathroom and we still love it. Every little girl needs a bow holder!

This is super simple and very inexpensive to make. You will need a picture frame, some ribbon, a scrap piece of fabric, a small wooden letter (I painted mine pink with craft paint), some hot glue, and of course, bows(!). I found all of my supplies at Hobby Lobby, including the frame which was 50% off. I chose this frame because it was already painted and it already had the hangers on the back.

You will first need to take off the back of the frame and wrap your scrap fabric around the glass. I did not even glue the back of mine. The burlap was thick enough that it was tight when I put it back in. Insert the back and trim up your fabric.

Next, you are ready to adhere your wooden letter on the front of the fabric. I hot glued the letter and eyeballed the center.

Lastly, you will need to hot glue two pieces of ribbon (equal length) to the back of the frame.

Add your bows and you are done! Once you have your supplies, this can go very quickly. I love a handmade gift, don’t you?! I love the monogram and the storage solution too!

Cost breakdown: “H” ($1), Frame ($7), Burlap (already had), Ribbon ($2), Craft paint (already had). I also purchased a few bows to get her started. The possibilities are endless when it comes to color combinations you could choose. In case you missed it, click here to find out how we store our headbands!

Brass + Color= Table Centerpiece

2013-04-24T08:58:00.001-05:00

The dining room is still a work in progress. I have a few more things to get for the bar cart, and the gallery wall only has one piece hanging. I did manage to put something together for the center of the table. You know I love color, and the brass obsession continues…

I found all of these brass candlesticks at thrift stores for $1, $2 each. I also found most of the colored candlesticks at thrift stores for cheap. I already had the striped candlesticks (TJ Maxx).

Clustered together, they make a statement and add some height to the table.

I was inspired by this image I found on Pinterest via Lonny.com…

Hope you’re finding some good ways to bring some color into your life!! xoxo

Attempting to Rid Of {Dog Pee Spots}

2013-04-23T07:28:00.001-05:00

I spent the better part of Sunday working in the yard. The temp was pleasant and it felt good to get my hands dirty and get some things done. Our lovable Great Dane (who passed Feb. 1st) was lovable, but boy did he do a number on our backyard. He wasn’t a digger, and for the most part did his duties in one corner of the yard, but he would pee wherever he wanted! He was a big dog, and he peed big. We were left with large dead pee spots in our backyard (around 40 to be exact…I counted) that needed some attention.

Now that we no longer have a dog, I am attempting to work on this mess. First up, dig up all the top layer (dead grass), until you reach dirt. If nothing else, this was a good arm/back workout for me!

I took a trip to a local grass/seed/feed store, and they hooked me up with some seed and peat moss. Make sure you know what kind of grass you have, so you can try to match it the best you can. Two pounds of seed and 1 cu. ft. of peat moss ran me about $14.

I spread the seed in each spot and quickly covered it with a thin layer of peat moss. I have never used peat moss before, but I am going to start using it with all of my indoor/outdoor plants. It is an fine, organic mixture that helps trap moisture and helps to keep the seed from blowing away and prevents weeds from blowing in. Have I mentioned it’s windy in Kansas?!?!

Here is one of the spots with half seed and half peat moss cover. You can see the peat moss is the texture of a fine soil.

So, I now have about 30 spots in my yard that look like this. I still have another 10 or so to dig up. After mulching and digging all day, my poor hands needed a break!

It is supposed to rain/storm/snow (yes, I said snow) in the next day or two so hopefully the moisture will be good for my new seed! Anything is better than dead grass pee spots! We debated just laying down some new sod, but everything I researched suggested planting new seed. I will keep you posted on the progress.

I also wanted to update you on Jewel’s progress. She is thriving! I guess naming her and paying attention to her is working :)! She is sprouting new leaves almost daily and she has only dropped 2 leaves total since we got her a few months ago. I have only watered it twice. Yep, twice. I have learned that 3/4 of a gallon at a time is just about perfect and then I don’t need to do anything for weeks. I think it must get just the right amount of sun in the little corner she is in, so she will stay put! I absolutely love the color, texture, and drama she adds to the space!

Have you been working out in your yard?? Our weather has a mind of its own, so we are getting as much done as it will allow. I’m hoping May will give us a real dose of spring!

Lately

2013-04-19T08:37:00.001-05:00

Could it be? Is that really the sun or are my eyes deceiving me? Yes! It’s only 30 degrees, but the sun is shining! Another week seems to have flashed before my eyes and things are busy around here.

Little Miss started soccer. She has been sitting on the sidelines watching Drew play for almost 3 years, and it’s finally her turn! She loved it! I was an athlete, so I am secretly hoping that sports are her thing :). I would never push it on her, and at this point, dance and gymnastics seem to be her thing, but hey, she’s happy in some cletes and a jersey, so I’m happy!!

You all know I love to stroll around the hardware store. This weather has made it difficult to even think of spring, but we’re gearing up for it. A few of my favorite things: kiddos, spray paint, and items for the yard!

Speaking of Home Depot, how great is this stone garden stool?? Only $60!

Apparently we had one nice day in the last few weeks…we are so looking forward to summer!

I finished my first 5k in 32 minutes! I started out thinking I would walk/run, but ended up running the whole thing. I realize this is no huge feat, but a big deal for me, someone who isn’t a “runner”. I finished 3rd in my age group, and 48 overall out of 220. There are certainly no 10k’s, half marathons, or marathons in my future, but I’m glad I completed this!

I’m working on sprucing up our back patio. This is definitely going to be on a budget, and is going to take a little effort, but anything is better than how it looks now! More to come on this in a full post.

If you haven’t heard about this, you must sign up! My brother in law introduced me to it and my kids absolutely love it! It’s Bedtime Math. It’s free. Once you sign up, you will get an email with a real-world, current event math story and problem every day. They have three levels: wee ones (my kids), little kids, and older kids. What a great way to introduce/supplement math with your kids on a daily basis.

http://bedtimemath.org/

A huge thank you to two blogs for featuring my work this week!
Lil Luna – DIY Spring Chevron Wreath
Craftionary – DIY Spring Chevron Wreath & Homemade Bubbles

I’m looking forward to a weekend of hanging out, house/yard projects, watching soccer, and hopefully enjoying more sunshine (I’m not holding my breath on that one)! Happy weekend, friends!

2-Ingredient Fruit Dip

2013-04-18T12:24:00.001-05:00

The preschool teacher’s at D & K’s school are holding conferences for the next two days, so I volunteered to bring in a little something for them to snack on. I had just bought a huge thing of strawberries at Costco, so I thought it was a good time to try a new fruit dip.

This is super simple. You will need 8 oz. of strawberry cream cheese and 7 oz. of marshmallow creme. Why does everything I make and share with you have cream cheese in it??!! :)

Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature, then whisk together with a fork. Could this be any simpler?? The marshmallow creme gives the dip just the right amount of sweetness and texture.

I found this recipe via Pinterest. You can find the original recipe and post here.

Master Bedroom Update

2013-04-16T07:56:00.001-05:00

The master bedroom is coming together, slowly but surely. You know I like to take my time, bring things home to try them, touch them, see them in the space, etc. I think I have already brought home 3 sets of lamps and 4 throw blankets, all which have since been returned. This is another reason I am not a huge online shopper which I’ve talked about before. Patience is the key for me. Find what you like, not what is convenient. Buy new when needed and be creative with what you have when you can. When in doubt, bring things home and try them out!

Since we last talked about the master, curtains have been hung, a bench for the foot of the bed has been purchased, a headboard has been installed, and new hardware has been screwed into the existing furniture pieces.

Window Treatments: We installed the light bamboo shades a few weeks ago and I love them! They add so much texture to this large space. I mentioned before that I am going to reuse four Ikea panels and trim them out. That will be one of the last things I do after everything else comes together. Until then, at least they are hung!

The curtains are long, and I might end up hemming them, but I kind of like that they pool the ground. I had hubs hang them to the ceiling to add height.

The curtain rods are from World Market. They had these on sale one day when I was there, and I had an additional 10% coupon, making them very inexpensive. I decided to go with these Wooden Ball Drapery Rods. They are dark wood which is a good contrast to the lightness going on with the shades and drapes. They also coordinate with the furniture we are reusing.

Bench: I also found a bench at World Market that I fell in love with! It’s intended to be a dining room bench, but it works equally as well as a foot of the bed bench, or a casual bench to sit on in a living room. It was also on sale for $229 (originally $279), and I had another 10% off. I love this bench for several reasons. It’s long. It almost extends the entire length of our king sized bed. It’s tufted. It’s neutral. It’s classic. It’s sits on brass casters. It looks more expensive than it was. It sort of reminds me of our RH dining room chairs.

Headboard: I randomly stumbled upon this next purchase last week while browsing the aisles of Tuesday Morning. Who knew they sold large, tufted, linen, KING sized headboards in store?? With a price tag of $349, we borrowed a truck and snatched one up! We were going to reupholster our old headboard (which was a DIY), but for this price, we thought it was a no-brainer to go ahead with this one. I will be reusing and reupholstering our old headboard and using it in the guest bedroom (let’s be honest and say I won’t be getting to that for a while)! This headboard attached right to our bed frame and we have been enjoying it for a few days now. Instant texture and drama!

Things are still very random in the master, so I will show pictures in the room as more styling occurs!

Hardware: We decided to reuse a dresser and night stand from the set we have had for 11 years. It is dark wood, and actually is a good contrast against our very light carpet and smokey blue walls (and now light headboard). It is one of those sets that is still sold in every furniture store across America, but nothing I would ever actually choose nowadays. Over the years, we ditched the sleigh bed and armoire, but we very much still use the night stand and dresser and it’s in great shape even after 11 years and 6 moves! So, in an effort to reuse what we have, we decided to purchase new brass hardware (I’m brass obsessed!). I needed 14 of these new pulls for both pieces of furniture, and at $6 each, this update came in at about $85. These are from Lowe’s!

You can find these pulls here. Shipping was fast, and we love them! Again, they are classic and the brass adds a little “jewelry” to the furniture. So much better than the dark, ornate pulls that were original! Dare I say I don’t even mind the furniture anymore? Love when that happens!

Here is what the progress looks like in list form (I ♥ lists, if you don’t know by now…):
~~New window coverings~~
~~hang curtains~~
Trim curtains
New curtain rods
New bed skirt
New sheets
New bedding (a white down alternative comforter has been purchased)
Blanket/throw for end of bed
Pillows for bed
~~Long bench or two x-benches for foot of bed~~
~~New hardware for existing furniture~~
Art for above bed
Large mirror to lean against large wall (or figure something out for the wall)
New wall sconces for bed sides OR find two matching lamps
Accessorize bedside tables
Accessorize dresser and wall above it
New chair/ottoman/floor lamp for seating area
~~New headboard~~
New overhead light fixture for seating area
rug?

My heart goes out to those affected by the bombings at the Boston Marathon yesterday. What a horrific tragedy. I’m trying to field questions from an inquisitive 5.5 year old the best way I know how. A good reminder to always keep things in perspective and to remember what matters most in life…

Simple Spring Snack Idea

2013-04-12T07:10:00.001-05:00

Drew’s pre-k class is studying bugs, and we were up for bringing snack this week, so I thought it was a good opportunity to make these cute Pinterest-inspired treats!

Grapes on one side, mixed cereal on the other. You could use whatever you have on hand to fill the wings. We embellished our wooden clips with with markers, a little happy face, and some curled pipe cleaners (secured to the back with hot glue). Most images show these snacks with googly eyes, but I already had everything on hand and didn’t want to make a trip to the store!

Kind of a fun way to spruce up a snack!

One day my kids will look back and appreciate all this cheesy stuff I do for them, right?!?!?! :)

Homemade Bubbles

2013-04-10T11:38:00.001-05:00

We have been wanting to try homemade bubbles for awhile and we finally got around to it last weekend. This is a very easy process, and the bubbles turned out perfect!

You will need: 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1 cup liquid dish soap, and 1 1/2 quarts of water.

I bought the cheapest version of both ingredients (around $4 for both) and have so much leftover. This should last us throughout the spring/summer.

Mix water and corn syrup together, then add dish soap. Store in a sealed container (this red one is from Dollar Tree). The large bubble wands are also from Dollar Tree.

These bubbles are much better than the cheapo bubbles you can buy! I don’t think we will ever go back to store bought!

Some of our bubble mix spilled onto our walkway and it left a discolored area. Once the area dried, the spot went away. It rained here last night, and I saw that the spot shows up when it is wet. Just wanted to put that out there so you can be careful not to spill!

You can find the original post where I found the recipe here.

Chevron + Burlap + Moss Spring Wreath

2013-04-08T10:25:00.001-05:00

My very good friend, and next door neighbor, asked me if I would make her a spring wreath for her front door. Of course, I said yes! I am currently reusing a wreath that I made last year, so it was fun to create something new for her. They just so happen to be an “L” family too!

This picture was taken with the wreath on my front door before I delivered it to her. My friend’s door is a dark brown, so the pink looks really pretty off of it. I’m pretty sure her door is soon to be painted though, so I will keep you posted on the color she chooses! I know how people love a painted front door!

I went to Hobby Lobby one morning to try and get inspired. I found this fun chevron/burlap ribbon and thought it would be easy to wrap around a straw wreath form. They also had lime green, grey/blue, and yellow chevron. Simply start wrapping, overlapping a little with each wrap. This will secure it enough that you won’t even need to use anything else to secure it. I used a dab of hot glue at the end of the ribbon. I used 1.5 rolls of ribbon for an 18” wreath form.

Undecided on what to embellish it with, I searched through my craft stash at home. I found a wooden “L” and a sheet of moss from old projects and thought that would be the perfect combo. When you use a sheet of flat moss, you can simply trace the letter onto the moss, cut, and adhere with some hot glue around the edges. Done in no time! Moss is also very forgiving, so if you need to fill in a little space, add some hot glue and press it down. You will never see where you have filled it in.

After wrapping the wreath form, and getting the “L” made, it was time to assemble. I decided to hang the wreath by a large, burlap bow. You can purchase large rolls of burlap (that is soft and easy to tie) at Michael’s for cheap (with coupon, of course!).

It was clear that the “L” needed to be secured to the wreath because it was a little smaller than the diameter of the wreath (and kept falling out). I grabbed some brown raffia and looped it through a staple that was already on the back of the letter. I then weaved and tied it up through the burlap bow. You can see the raffia peeking through a little bit, but the “L” is secured, which is what we needed.

I love how it turned out and it looks so cute from the street!

Happy Spring!

Linking up with:
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
http://www.tipjunkie.com/
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/
http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/
http://lilluna.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://craftionary.blogspot.com/
http://itsoverflowing.com
http://too-much-time.com/
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/