Her Southern Charm

Chippy Scale for my French Country Themed Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

If you've been following me for a while now, you'll know how much I love any and all french country/farmhouse themed kitchens and decor.

Slowly, I've been trying to get my kitchen to have that feel. It all started with the roosters. And even though I've been banned from buying any more, I still love them and seek them out. :)

The other day while I was browsing Etsy, I happened to see this beautiful vintage chippy kitchen scale. It was a great deal and I knew it would be a welcome addition to my hutch.

What do you think? My sister was confused by the little B block. I know it's not 'kitchen-y', but I think it's adorable and I'm leaving it. She can kiss my grits.

Arkansas Camping/RV Trip

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

My goodness, it's been a while, hasn't it? I'm alive, I swear. And doing quite well, thank you.

I apologize...this month was as hectic as always. I didn't take my computer on our little RV trip, so I didn't blog. Then when we got back, Southern Hubby had another full week off, so of course I wanted to spend as much time with him as I could. We did a little gardening, some shopping, and celebrated my birthday on May 1st. He went back to work this week, so I'm back to blogging.

While in Arkansas we camped at Lake Catherine State Park. It was beautiful and much different from the state parks in Texas. Not bad, just different. We'll already plan on going back and need to make a reservation asap, as their weekends fill up quickly.

This was our campsite and it was just heavenly...right by the water and under the shade. We spent our days lounging, napping, eating late breakfasts, going for walks, doing my women's bible study homework and reading. Lots and lots of reading. I brought everything I needed to go running but we only went out once! Pathetic, I know, but hey, it was a vacation!

We were right by some quite docks where you could go fishing or even do some yoga. (Now, THAT was nice and serene.) It was exactly what Southern Hubby needed. He's been really busy at work getting some major projects out and it was nice to see him not check his phone for work or bring his laptop into the bed!

After getting set up, I think camping can be some of the most relaxing vacations. There is nothing to do, as long as you leave technology behind at home, of course.

Lake Catherine is very near to Hot Springs so we went out there a couple of times to shop, eat and visit Bathhouse Row. We had some drinks at the Ohio Club and went for massages, facials, and foot scrubs at the Quapaw Bath House. (This is the part where Southern Hubby wants me to tell you where he only had a massage, not a facial or foot scrub.) Needless to say, it was wonderful and much needed to for SH.

The Fordyce Bath House was really interesting to this history ~~buff~~ nerd. The state carefully remodeled it and now it is a museum. Visitors can walk in and see exactly what the bath house looked like back in its heyday. I really wish we could have spent more time exploring but we took Jackson and Matty on our trip (one of the main reasons we purchased the RV was to be able to travel with them) and we didn't want them to be locked up in their crates too long, so we headed back home.

All in all, it was a very relaxing and fun trip. The drive wasn't too bad and we really enjoyed Lake Catherine. We definitely can't wait to get back out there next year. :) Has anyone ever camped there, or in Arkansas in general, before? I'd love to hear about your experiences!

Shabby Apple Mariposa and Coupon Code

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:38:00 +0000

If you've been around the blogosphere, I'm sure you're well away of women's dresses powerhouse, Shabby Apple. You know how cute their dresses are, how they put a modern twist on vintage inspired fashion, and how affordable they are. (( And you also know that being pro-feminine, I love all kinds of fun and modest dresses. )) But did you also know that because they are dedicated to women, a percentage of all their proceeds go to charities that benefit women and children?

So, when Dayna over at Shabby Apple sent me the beautiful Mariposa Dress to review, I jumped at the change! A super cute dress to have all to myself? Yes, please.

Somehow I got my super shy sister to model it for us so I could snap away. And I can't tell you how cute it is in person! The fit is great and the color is rich. The fabric was perfect for summer days- not too thick but thick enough to not be sheer or see through. It gives a little, too, so it's very comfortable to move around in.

We LOVE the detailing around the neckline. It definitely does remind me of butterfly wings fluttering around. :) And the neckline is modest enough so that you don't feel you're showing all your goods when you bend over.

And just because they want to make sure you become a fan, too, they're now giving 10% off to all Her Southern Charm followers and readers from now until June 8th.! Yay! Just use coupon code

SOUTHERNCHARM10OFF

Thanks again to Dayna at Shabby Apple for sending over this fabulous dress! It's divine!

Disclaimer: I was sent merchandise from the above merchant in return for a review.

glamping. and a mini RV tour.

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:46:00 +0000

I don't know if you've ever heard about the Sisters on the Fly, but let me tell you, I'm gonna be one someday. :) They're a bunch of older gals that get together in the cutest vintage trailers and go 'glamping.' Glamping is glamorous camping. I think they coined that term and I love 'em for it.

Southern Hubby says I glamp because when we go camping I always have certain things I don't leave home without: my Chi and blow dryer, my Kindle and my monogram J.Crew bag. Say it's the diva in me, but I just can't do without those things. I'm a girly-girl that just happens to really like RV camping. Can't help it.

Since we're going on a trip this spring to Hot Springs, Arkansas, I figured I might as well show you around the old girl. ;) And by the old girl, I mean our 2011 Jayco Jay Feather 24T. It was the perfect floor plan for us and we love it!

This little message center is to your left as soon as you walk in. It's so convenient. As you can probably see, I've decided to decorate the trailer with fishing and lodge stuff. Technically I don't fish, but it was manly enough for Southern Hubby and I could still have fun with it

This is where we watch TV. Right in front of the couch is the dinette where we eat if the weather isn't cooperating. The couch folds into a bed so we can have guests. On a side note, I've become such a fan of Laura Megroz's hooked wool pillows. My dream is to own a fabulous lake house and have her pillows and rugs all over the place! The cute moose pillow seen here is from her collection.

The kitchen area is what sold me on this trailer. In RV's counter space is usually pretty rare and this has lots of counter space for me to do prep work. Luckily we've upgraded to a Keurig mini now, so I can have my coffee without having to worry about the cleanup. See, I told you it's glamping!

And because you're lucky, I'm adding a sweet one of my lazy Matty bear from our last camping trip. He's such a camp bum- he barely wants to go on walks and hikes! He just likes laying around in the sun, just like his mama. :)

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!

Operation Kindness

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:04:00 +0000

Thanks for your patience while I got a little break. Things are hectic over here and with the summer coming up, I don't see them slowing down any time soon. Tis life, huh?

Recently, I was asked to shoot some pups for Operation Kindness, DFW's largest non-profit, no kill shelter. And once again, during my orientation, I was about to walk out of there with a precious baby.

Meet Abby.

She was thisclose to being mine, but seeing as we have a two week long camping trip coming up, I decided it was best not to introduce her to a new environment, two new dogs, and then whisk her away to two weeks on a trailer with her new family. As much as I longed and cried for this baby girl, I knew it wasn't fair of me to adopt her right now. I told myself that if she was still there after we got back from our trip, then I would rush to get her.

She was adopted last weekend.

My heart was secretly crushed but I was thrilled that someone else realized what a love bug she was and wanted to give her a new home.

Here are a couple of other sweetie pies I shot (as in with a camera!) while I was there. If you are interested in any of these babies at all, and are in the DFW area, by all means, go visit them and see what gentle souls they are. :)

Chopper is a cuddle bunny for sure. He wanted to be touching me somehow but I was able to peel him off for just a couple quick seconds to snap a picture of his handsome face!

Merlin had gorgeous eyes, one blue and the other blue AND brown. I'd never seen anything like it before. Very cool. And a playful pup who is in love with tennis balls.

If you have the energy required for a 6 month old Spaniel, then Calico is for you! This dog was so much fun to shoot. Check out the funny face I got while he was in mid-shake. Precious baby!

Goodbye baby girl, Abby. I hope your new family will give you all the love I wanted to give you. You deserve it. After being in the hellish nightmare of a puppy-mill, you and the rest of these dogs deserve the world.

Operation Kindness

pausing

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:27:00 +0000

hey folks,

bear with me for a little bit...I'm not feeling any love for blogging lately. nothing is wrong. we're both doing well (the pups, too!). I just felt like taking a short break. :) be back soon! xo

homemakers

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:21:00 +0000

Yes, I know I'm about a month late on this meme, but I thought this was pretty funny. :) Happy Monday, folks!

where my stitches at?

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I have been on a bit of a knitting rampage lately. I don't know what has gotten into me but my fingers feel all tired and sore, so I think I may need to take a break for a day or two.

I know one of my goals for this year was to learn how to knit mittens, but I can't seem to veer away from socks. In the past couple weeks, I've whipped up a couple of pairs for gifts, one for Southern Hubby and one for Sara is on my needles right now. Hopefully I can get them to her before the crisp mornings of early spring leave Colorado.

I think my trip to a super quaint Michigan knitting shop got my creative juices burning. There's something about a multi-generational community of women gathered in an old, creaky house that makes me feel connected to those knitters that came before us.

If you've never tried this craft, but always wanted to, I suggest you get on it. It's a wonderful stress reliever and really brings out those creative juices. I've also found that it is probably one of the least expensive crafts to start.

Here are some resources to get you going:

Very Pink
I love, love, love Staci Perry. The fact that she lives in Texas is an added bonus. (She was the one that got me past my fear of attempting socks!)

Ravelry
It's like a Facebook for knitters. Find me on Ravelry: hersoutherncharm

YouTube
Here you can find a wealth of information on any knitting technique out there.

Encyclopedia of Knitting
I reference this book often.

If anyone has any questions about picking up this wonderful craft, be sure to let me know! Have a great weekend!

love is...

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000

taken March 12, 2012

...waking your sleeping wife at 12:45am on your 7th wedding anniversary to tell her how much you love her and to show her the gorgeous moon in the night sky.

taken March 12, 2005
photo credit: Marcus Revilla, San Antonio, TX

Happy Anniversary, Southern Hubby! I love you so much and pray that God blesses us with 70 more years of wedded bliss.

photo credit

my black thumb

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:32:00 +0000

I think the time change is having an effect on me. It's been making me think about things I have no business thinking about...mainly about plants and veggies and how one of the things on my to do list for 2012 is to plant something- anything.

I think I've fulfilled that goal because I planted some flowers in my front garden bed. Of course, they were already grown and matured under the watchful eyes and hands of a skilled gardener. But, that should could, right? I mean, I touched dirt and everything!

On Sunday, we visited a local nursery (we try as best as we can to always support the mom and pop shops!) so I could purchase some herbs. Last year, I planted about six basil plants so I could have it fresh and on hand when I needed it. (For some reason, we use a lot of basil!) The lack of watering during our India trip and the first freeze of the 2011 winter did them all in, sadly, and we've been without since. And let me tell you, the organic herbs at Whole Foods ain't cheap!

This year I decided to add cilantro and parsley to the mix to see how I do with those. I have a notorious black thumb but I'm going to give it my all.

Wish me luck. I'll need it. :) But it does feel good to cross some things off my goals list!

How about you? Have you been able to meet any of your 2012 goals, yet?

no good bad day

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:23:00 +0000

It's early in the morning and I'm in a terrible mood. Yesterday was a bust. A dentist appointment and many errands left my house in a state of unpacked wreckage that I hate. An unplanned dinner (my fault) led to an unplanned restaurant meal which led to me leaving my brand spanking new Invisalign trays on the table (again, my fault.) Somewhere in between the 5 minutes it took us to get in the car and get out of the parking lot, the busboys threw them away never to be seen again.

I didn't fare any better at home.

Since it's the first of the month and I had just gotten our envelope money out from the bank earlier that day, we split the money into its desired envelope only to realize that somewhere in between the bank, Target, Whole Foods and Hobby Lobby, there was a $100 bill missing (yet again, my fault.)

I could see the disappointment in my husband's face. He didn't yell or make me feel bad. I felt bad enough for the both of us. Is $100 going to break our budget? Thankfully, no. But it was the icing on the cake of a crummy day.

Since I left this morning in such a rush, I knew I needed to journal and do some reading. For Lent, I've decided to read through the Gospels and journal about them. I admit, I'm not a daily Bible reader (or even weekly sometimes) so I'm hoping this will start something new in me.

I was also hoping it would calm my spirit. So I lit our purple Lent candle and had at it.

I'd like to say I walked away with a refreshed attitude but I felt I did what I had to do. It seemed more of an obligation and I hate when God feels that way. Because I know that it's me then, and not Him.

So today, I'm choosing joy. Even when I have to drive 30 minutes to Dallas to pick up my old trays. Even when the dentist tells me how much replacement trays are going to cost. Even when I pass the signs for rising gas prices. Even when I see how Matty had an accident in my laundry room. Again.

I'm going to choose joy.

karla dornacher

And I hope you choose joy today, too. :)

deal with me now folder

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:07:00 +0000

Hello dear readers, so sorry for the long delay. We have been very busy over here with lots going on- housework, church activities and even a trip to Michigan. :) But I wanted to mention my 'deal with me now' folder as a part of my little series on my homemaking binder.

I was given on lead on how I might be able to get my weekly sheet to you guys, so I'm working on making one available to you. Sit tight.

Here is my "deal with me now" folder:

This is simply a standard file folder. I know I could make it all pretty using some scrapbooking paper but I haven't had the gumption yet. And please excuse the horrible phone picture.

In it, I put all the paper items that you know you should deal with within the week but need a place to store. By the end of the week, it should be clean and empty and ready for the next week!

Inside, you can find:

flyway receipts that need a home
coupons that I find in the mail that I need
bills that need to be looked at or paid
papers that need to be filed
checks that need to be deposited

To make them easier to identify, I'll leave little sticky tags that let me know what to do with them.

As you can see from the picture, this folder is quite large this morning. I've got mountains of things to deal with since we've been out of town for a while. Not looking forward to this morning's paperwork sorting.

While this is very basic and simple and is just a file folder filled with stuff, it keeps the loose papers in one central location that is easily hidden instead of on my kitchen table or island. Loose papers can easily make a home look cluttered and unclean so this was my simple solution. I always know where that loose paper can be found. It is even useful for those husbands that are deathly allergic to filing papers away!

But this little trick only works if you actually do what you're supposed to do and 'deal with it'! It's not a forever catchall place. It is something that needs to be looked through and sorted on a consistent basis. While this may be a little too unorganized for some, it is the easiest system I've found that keeps me semi-organized. ;) It isn't revolutionary, but I hope it helps anyone that may need it.

Off I go to unpack!

getting ready for monday: homemaking binder

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:04:00 +0000

It is becoming a Sunday ritual to sit down in the office and begin planning my next week. As a homemaker, I think that although this requires effort on a weekend, it is important to the success of my next week.

In the next couple of posts, I hope to help anyone that is in need of managing their home by introducing my little "homemaking binder." That is such a loaded term out there in the homemaking world. Some girls live by their binder and would be lost without it. Others detest them.

While they are not for everyone, I'm working on a system that will help me run my house. It is always a work in progress and changes with my family's needs. You binder (or lack thereof) will look decidedly different. Hopefully by showing you what I do, you can be inspired to come up with your own system that works for your family.

I start by printing out another one of my weekly cleaning sheets. I used to have daily cleaning sheets but that was using way too much paper so I decided to revise the chart so it contains all the info I need during the week on one sheet of paper.

Here is a breakdown of my weekly sheet:

Morning and afternoon "blessings". I decided to use this term because it is a blessing to be able to take care of my home, and I should not view it as an obligatory chore.

Weekly meal plan. If you'll notice in my morning box, there is a note to remind me to make sure I check with my meal plan for that day

Special prayers. I included this to remind of those special intentions that I need to be praying for throughout my week.

5 Things/Appointments. These are the five things that must be done this week, without fail. These are the priorities and should be completed even if the rest of the week wasn't.

Chore chart. At the bottom, I've listed all my household chores that need to be completed under which day makes the best sense to do them. Of course this will be different for everyone.

Vitamins/Workouts/Water. I need this visual reminder for my daily 8 glasses of water and my vitamins. I have some that I take in the morning and some that I take at night, so I have divided the box into to sections that I can check off. Come Friday, it's good to see these boxes checked off. It gives me a sense of accomplishment.

Each Sunday night, I print this sheet out, gather my calendar and begin looking into the next week. I mark down the appointments I have and fill out the things that need to be done. I normally keep my homemaking binder open to this page so I can easily reference it.

I need to figure out how to make this available to everyone. I could technically send it via email but for those of you that don't have the exact same fonts I used, it will look like a jumbled mess. If anyone knows how I can save this as an Adobe attachment and make it available, please let me know. I can de-Jennifer this form and make it more universal.

In my next post, I'll introduce you to my "Deal With Me Now" file folder. :)

For more info on getting ready for Mondays and the evolution of my homemaking binder, you can click on these past links:

Are you ready for Monday?

My Homemaking Binder

kitchen update: gold frames and roosters

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:08:00 +0000

Have I mentioned how much I love roosters and hens? And how Southern Hubby would divorce me if I brought another rooster into my kitchen? Well, if the threat of divorce doesn't scare away a rooster collector, then I don't know what will. Cause, yes, folks. I got another rooster.

Introducing this super cool guy.

I had been looking for some cool vintage prints and frames for my kitchen for a long time now and every time I came across some that I liked they were either too 'done' already. I had seen them in other houses and I wanted something different and unique. I didn't want it to be too matchy-matchy either since I needed two to border our new buffet in the eat in area.

Enter the Graphics Fairy.

Y'all, if you haven't paid her a visit, then run as fast as you can! She is awesome and totally free! I went straight to the farm animals section to get him and I couldn't upload him fast enough. After browsing for a good hour or so, I found a couple more that I wanted for my kitchen and around the house. I quickly uploaded them to Shutterfly and had them printed at 8x10 sizes. I kept them matte to keep their original coloring and to hopefully keep them looking like they were ripped from an old rare encyclopedia. The matte option did the trick and they turned out beautifully.

I knew I just had to bide by time until the perfect frames came along. I had a certain look in mind and I wouldn't compromise. Thankfully, I happened to be in the right Hobby Lobby at the right time (translation: 50% off frames week.) Since the frames were literally just the frame and nothing else, I spoke with the frames department manager to see if I could get some tips on how I could frame them myself. She told me that if I purchased all the framing materials at Hobby Lobby (glass, matting, etc.) then they frame it for FREE! (Could I possibly say the word frames one more time?!) They did an incredible job and it looked professionally framed and even put some hangers on the back. Was so extremely happy I asked.

All in all, this project cost a little under $70 which is probably less than I would have spent on a matching set of framed prints anywhere else, but I was able to get the exact frames I wanted with a unique set of prints.

Prints: Free from Graphics Fairy but $4 from Shutterfly to print
Frames: originally $40 each, but half off at Hobby Lobby, so $40 total
Matting: $8
Glass: $12
*Hobby Lobby frames for free if you buy all the items there.

I'm super happy with how my kitchen is turning out. I'm still on the lookout for a rug that I like. And we are having some curtains and a seat cushion custom made for the eat in area. Of course I'll be sure to post when they finally come in. Could 6-8 weeks take any longer?! :)

It's almost the weekend! Happy Thursday, folks!

Disclaimer: The Graphics Fairy, Hobby Lobby and Shutterfly have never heard of little old me. I was not compensated for this post in any way.

ways to annoy blog readers

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

It's Monday morning.

I think I'm in a crabby mood and I don't mean to be. I'm still in a Superbowl food coma and I have lots to clean up from last night's festivities, so I'm not at my saccharine sweetest. So forgive me in advance for this snippy post.

Ways to Annoy Blog Readers

by: me

Have music playing. And then put that music player waaaay at the bottom of your page. I'm sorry. I know there are lots of you out there doing this, but I find it so dreadfully annoying. If you must have music, please turn off the autoplay.

Require them to fill out the word verifications for every comment, even though you only have 35 followers. Turn off the Captcha, people. Blogger makes it a default setting, just FYI.

Never post pictures- we're nosy. We want to see what you're up to. ;) This is okay every once in a while, but really...I want to see your pretty face!

Type your entire blog post using the center alignment so that when we decide to read from our phones, it doesn't customize it for mobile settings and we have to scroll back and forth to read it.

Never use the spel chek funkshon.

Mention TV/movie spoilers without warning your readers that you are about to reveal said spoilers.

Go on and on and on about this great company/product without acknowledging that they've compensated you in some way. (I think I've actually done this one before I knew any better so forgive me!)

Write your posts in gigantic letters, tiny letters, or ALL CAPS with tons of these -> !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the love of all things holy, please, please, please don't ever make someone login in or create an account in order to comment. Almost 100% of the time, I'll just move on.

Use your categories! It makes reading your blog so much easier!

Christmas is over. Please take off the 'snowing' Christmas trees, gift boxes, snowflakes, etc.

Ok. Rant over. Thank you, darlings, for indulging me.

Another cup of coffee and I should be good to go. I'll be much nicer next time. I promise. ;)

What are things that irk you when you're doing some blog reading?

saddle shoes

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:56:00 +0000

credit: Life Magazine

I'm doing it. I'm going to order some saddle shoes and not care what sort of weird looks anyone gives me. Unless you're doing some West Village shopping in Toms, Tory Revas, or platform heels, you're out of the fashion loop according to Dallas standards. And while I love to follow the preppy fashion rules, I also like to do my own thing every now and then.

credit

I think they are just the cutest thing and will look absolutely precious with rolled up jeans this spring. Or what about a cute spring skirt? There are just so many possibilities!

I can't make up my mind which to get? Muffy's has a great selection, but Cole Haan has a fabulously updated version, too!

Southern Hubby had an old pair from J.Crew that he wore out and can I say he always looked so darn adorable in them? His golf shoes are also saddle shoe style... is there anything more handsome than a man in golf attire? For Christmas a few years ago, he got me my own pair, but I'd like some that I can wear off the greens.

If I don't go with the classic style from Muffy's I'll keep looking around. I hear they have great customer service and are the place to get this classic style. I'll probably stay on the safe side and go with the basic color combos- black and white, navy and white, and the like.

While I don't think this is breaking any sort of fashion faux pas, they aren't the most common choice of footwear out there these days. What is the biggest fashion risk you've ever taken?

valentine's day shabby heart tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:28:00 +0000

Just fyi: This is a repeat from last year. :) Enjoy!

In my effort to put a Valentine decoration here and there around the house, I browsed Esty. For decor, I generally tend to lean towards shabby chic, or country style. As I was browsing, I came across some super cute shabby puffy fabric hearts. Normally, I'm a buyer instead of a DIY'er, but I'm trying to change my ways. I saved about $20 doing these on my own!

I knew these puffy hearts were something I could make, and I had all supplies on hand, thankfully. I'll try to quickly walk you through the steps, but they are pretty easy peasy, even with the most basic sewing skills.

You'll Need:

- tea bags

- jumbo bowl for steeping fabric

- Valentine's themed rubber stamps and pad

- cotton fabric (for hearts)

- linen or muslin fabric for decorating hearts

- sewing machine

-thread

- scissors

- stuffing/filler

Step 1: You will need to gather the fabric you'd like to use. Cut into big squares, depending on how big you'd like your hearts. Bigger hearts will be much easier to work with.

Step 2: Steep two jumbo tea bags (or 4 smaller ones) and soak your fabric. I let mine steep for about 20 minutes. Since the tea was pretty strong, the fabric got 'aged' quickly. Keep an eye on the fabric so you can monitor the color changes.

Let your fabric dry after they have their tea bath. I got impatient so I threw mine into the dryer for 20 minutes.

Step 3: While you're waiting, stamp little muslin fabric pieces ( you could also use linen if in a pinch) with lovey dovey things. I stamped te amo, my nieces name, me and Southern Hubby's pet name- Bee, xoxo, kiss me, and a cupid.

By this time, to be quite honest, I was getting impatient. These little suckers take a bit of time to make (all the waiting on the fabric) but they were fun in the process. Consider yourself forwarned. :)

Step 4: Iron your tea-dyed fabric. Make a rough outline of your heart shapes using a fabric pen or pencil. For a more primitive or shabby look, don't make your hearts super perfect. I did everything free hand and liked the way they came out.

Step 5: Cut around your heart shape, leaving plenty of border, about 3/4". You will be handsewing to close. (I cut a little too close and it made it more difficult for me to hand sew it closed.

Step 5:( Before sewing the hearts together!) Using your sewing machine, sew the small muslin stamped fabric pieces onto the front (right side) of the hearts. You must remember to do this first because you won't be able to do it after you've sewn your hearts together.

Step 6: Pin your heart shapes with the right sides together and sew along your outline. Do not sew them all the way around!

Important: Leave a 1.5-2" opening so that you can turn the hearts inside out.

Step 7: Using a pencil or knitting needle, turn your hearts inside out. Now would be the time to iron out for a finished look.

Step 8: Stuff soft cotton filler into the hearts making them as puffy as you'd like.

Then using matching thread, hand-sew the hearts closed.

That's it! :) You've got some super easy Valentine's Day decorations! I've gotten plenty of compliments on my little bowl fillers already.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions. I can try and help.

this hurts my heart

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Meet Alice, our first foster dog. She came within hours of dying at the shelter. Click on her photo to read about our story.

What hurts your heart? What makes you so angry that you're moved to actually do something? I'm going to talk about some things that get me so angry, it makes this Southern girl want to spit! This may offend some, but I can't in good conscience not say anything. Because to me, that is just as bad as ignoring the problem.

This post is going to be about animals. Well, animal welfare to be exact.

If you're a regular reader, you know my love of animals. I'll go so far as to say I love my dog more than I love some people! ;) But it's more than just love. My heart physically hurts when I see animals suffering, neglected or physically and emotionally abused. I've said it before, I can't watch those Sarah McLachlan ASPCA commercials. I put my fingers in my ears, sing, "la la la la!" and my sweet Southern Hubby will literally change the channel. I can't look into their eyes. I can't see the pain they're in because we humans are selfish.

So what am I getting at? No, I'm not asking everyone to become vegetarian. No, I'm not asking you to run out to the shelters to rescue a cat or dog. What I am asking is for you to just be more aware. Plain and simple. Realize what we do (and don't do) for animals. And I don't just mean dogs.

Have you really thought about climate change and what it is doing to polar bears?
Do you know how those KFC chickens your family ate last night were killed?
Did that majestic elephant in the circus you took your children to look happy?
Did you know that millions of baby chicks and bunnies will be gifted as Easter gifts this year to children that are not equipped to take care of such an animal- simply because they're cute and soft.
Do you know if your shampoo was tested on animals?
Do you know the disgusting hell that your sweet "puppy in the window" came from?
Is there a dog in your backyard tonight? If so, is it cold where you are? I know I can't sleep when I'm freezing...think your dog can?

My beautiful Matty Bear was rescued from an Arkansas puppy mill. The minute I saw him, I knew he was to be my baby. While he still suffers from the memories of the hellish life he endured, he's getting more confident each day! Don't shop, adopt!

I urge you to check out these links. Think about the issues and what they mean to animals. Think twice about where you shop and what you're buying. Think about how they got that elephant to do those cool tricks in that circus. (And read this book. It's non fiction and an amazingly written tale.)

One thing I often hear vegetarians say is "look at where your food comes from and how it got there." I didn't really understand that fully until I was watching a Gordon Ramsey episode with SH. He had raised a few sheep from birth so he was in full charge of how they were treated and what they were fed. He knew at some point they would be taken to slaughter and served in his restaurants. I guess in England, they don't really censor too much, because they showed those poor lambs dying. In order to be more "humane," they shocked them electrically and then slit their throats so they wouldn't really be aware. Ramsey raised them with his children. He took them to the slaughterhouse. He did not let them see the animals being killed, but he wanted them to be aware of what was going on. He wanted them to know where the food they eat comes from and how it got there. Although it was a bit too much to stomach, I thought it was an amazing lesson for his children to learn. I wish all parents would do this. Maybe it may create more compassionate children in a world full of 'gimme, gimmes' and "right now, right nows!"

Meet Nina, my sister's three pound ball of energy. Nina was a Craigslist victim, passed around from home to home. I often wonder what her fate would have been had my sister not rescued her- a bait dog, perhaps?

This probably ticked some people off (what is up with my controversial posts lately?!), but frankly I'm not too worried about it. The animals don't have very many people on their side, so I'm glad to speak for those who can't. I know I can't change the world. I know 99% of you will nod your head in sympathy and go on with your day. I know this is just one little blog in a vast sea of millions. But if I got just one person to think differently, then I succeeded.

are you a feminist?

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

The response I got to being a kept woman seemed to be that I wasn't the only one that left the 'man chores' to the man or grew up with a father that did all of the hard work regarding finances. So this made me wonder if women, in general were ok with this or if it was something that should be remedied immediately.

If we were ok with this notion (and some even attain to this status) does that make us anti-feminists?

I ask because I think I have a little bit of both in me. Yes, I know it's not cool and hip to be an anti-feminist but I can't help how I feel intrinsically.

I *love* that Southern Hubby still races to open doors for me and has me walk on the inside of the curb. I love that he takes care of the 'man chores' around the house. Do I really want to take the trash out? Absolutely not. I love being at home, taking care of my family, despite what some professional women might deem as an absolute waste of my degree. (Speaking of that degree, I worked hard to graduate with the highest honors and I'm damn proud of my achievements. It hangs, beautifully framed, in our office and when I go to dust it, I remember how strong of a person I am.)

Heaven forbid something happen that causes heartache and upheaval in our lives, I always have my degree to fall back on. I cherish the years I spent in college, learning and becoming more aware, worldly and otherwise.

I feel stuck between the era my mother grew up in, where women burned their bras and were told to go back to the workforce to feel better about themselves, and the era my grandmother grew up in, where women seemed content in their homes and the world saw the absolute value in a women's femininity and never questioned her family as her priority.

If I'm being quite blunt and honest, I don't mind being a kept woman. Although it makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one out there, I'm grateful that Southern Hubby feels like he needs to take care of me (I believe that is something God instills in men.) While I know I'm quite capable of taking care of myself, I don't feel that I have to while being married to him. He's my rock, my strong provider, and he prides himself on taking care of me. {Subconsciously I was probably looking for that same quality possessed by my father while dating in my twenties.}And I adore that. I feel cherished all the more because of it.

As a woman, I love being fussed over by him. I love that he is still attracted to my feminine wiles, my delicious smelling hair, my painted nails and soft skin. I don't curse (only in Dallas traffic, really!) in front of Southern Hubby, or burp. I use the bathroom with the door tightly shut. I chew with my mouth closed and am saccharine sweet to his friends. I don't spit or scratch at myself. I shave my legs quite regularly. And I know he appreciates all of this. What man wants to be married to someone manly?

While I'm very passionate about human/civil/equal marriage rights in America, I'm also very passionate about myself as a woman. I'm not a man, nor will I ever be one. I'm not androgynous. I'm a girl, with girl feelings and girl emotions and girl mannerisms. My soft edges are God-given and I don't want to have to feel I have to hide them in order to get ahead in the world.

In college I took a Women's History course where the obvious man-hating professor (cliche much?) required us to read The Feminine Mystique which was one of the main triggers that started the feminist movement in the 1960's. I read it. I did the work. I got the A. But all I really wanted to do have lunch with my sorority sisters and talk about the guys we had crushes on and whom was taking whom to the Carnation Ball. Was that so bad? Did that make me less of a woman because I didn't subscribe to all the feminist mumbo jumbo? Did it make an airhead or ditz because this one class didn't fascinate me the way my professor wanted me to? I don't believe so. I'm a very smart girl.

I'm forever grateful and in debt to the women pioneers that raised their voices to fight unfair and unequal treatment- without them, I don't think I would have that degree to dust off. :) But can I still be against violence against women, genital mutilation and for equal pay and equal status without actually calling myself a feminist? Do I have to have a label? Can I be thankful I have the right to vote and the right to find my own path without being viewed as some fem-nazi with combat boots?

Cause in all reality I'd much rather be who I am. Without any labels. Without any guilt for liking dresses and frilly things and for preferring to be at home with my family. Do I need to call myself anything but me-Jennifer, a girly girl that loves to go camping....as long as I can take a shower and plug in my blow dryer, that is.

********

Where do you stand on this issue? (Please be nice and respectful to others while stating your opinions!)

Do you project yourself with generally 'manly' qualities because you feel you have to do so in order to get ahead in life or because you think it is what's expected of you? Are you 100% comfortable in your innate femininity as a women? Or are you somewhere in between like me?

fixing my 'kept woman' tendencies

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:57:00 +0000

Confession #1: I don't take care of the bills.

I know that typically falls under the "housewife duty" and knowing my Type A tendencies, one would think I would be all over this one. But I'm afraid I'm not.

As a daddy's girl, I really never learned how to do things for myself. I'll admit that. He always filed my taxes when I began working at the Limited and then Abercrombie (I was 16 and this was the heyday of the early 2000's. Cut me some slack!) He paid my car insurance, cell phone bill, etc literally up until my wedding day when my husband took over them. Now Southern Hubby takes care of those things.

To say I was a 'kept' daddy's girl would be an understatement. While I'm grateful for my sweet father and all of his provisions, I'm afraid I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I was left to my own devices.

Confession #2: Please don't gasp when I say this: I have no idea how to get into our bank account. I don't know the password or even the account number.

Sad I know, but I'm trying to remedy that. In an effort to become more aware of when the bills are due, I made this handy monthly chart.

{{ Thanks to Mr. Dave Ramsey, we no longer have any debt (beside our mortgage) so the new truck, our trailer and my student loans will be paid off in full within the coming month. I'm just leaving them up there until we get the payments out. }}

Yes, I know this is very basic but it's helping me become a bit more self-sufficient. I'm taking baby steps. After living this way for so many years, taking it ALL head-on sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

I want to know what comes in and goes out and when it goes out. On the bonus side, I feel like if I see these sorts of things, I will become more thrifty. Sort of like the notion that using cash instead of credit cards helps you spend less because it hurts to see the cash leaving your hands. (Totally works.)

Southern Hubby is very patiently handing over the reigns on the bill paying. It's very scary to say the least, but the more I can take off his plate, the better.

I know I can't be the only 'kept lady' out there. Share your ideas and tips for how you became more a more "self-sufficient lady!" :)

what's in my purse?

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:30:00 +0000

These are fun! I love reading them but I've never done one so I figured I'd give it a shot.

I'm a big ol' purse girl from way back. I think it started when I used to watch Newlyweds with Jessica Simpson and she would always carry around a giganto purse. (Sue me, but I still love her blonde ditzy self.)

Kate Spade cross body purse: I'm a KS devotee and have been for many, many years. I don't get any that have any glaring insignia on them (I only wear my own initials/monogram, thankyouverymuch.) and Kate is good at providing ample selection with her very discreet Kate Spade logo, which is often only embossed. Score. :)

Kate Spade Wallet: I love this wallet. Like love, love, love. Not just because everything I need fits into it, but because the inside color is pink! :) And because it has a Lilly gift card that is itching to be used!

Clinique Pressed Powder: I've been a Clinique lover since my mother gifted me my first 3 Step Skin Care System when I turned Sweet 16. I tend to have problem skin when I stress or the weather changes (which it does often in this state!) and I've found that the Clinique powder works best for touch ups. I've tried others and couldn't find any that didn't make me look like a two-tinted powdery ghost! So, I'll stick with what I know.

Pink Braces Holder: I'm currently enduring an Invisalign treatment. I must take them out to eat and when I'm out and about I put them in here to keep them clean.

Graphic Image Planner: {in gold; personalized with name} I love this date book! It seems they've sold out of the gold though. Any planner you can personalize is alright with me!

Bath & Body Works Anti-bacterial Lotion: I never go anywhere without some sort of sanitizer. If our trip to India or being a teacher has shown me anything, it's that you don't always have soap and water readily available. In emergencies, you must use this generously!

Blackberry Bold 9900/9930: I know I'm in the minority here, but I *love* Blackberry. Aside from most of 2011, I've been a Blackberry user since one of the first models. I've never been an iPhone fan and have always insisted on a keyboard. I don't know what made me switch to an Android last year, but thankfully Southern Hubby remedied that this past Christmas. And I'm more in love then ever.

Clinique Butter Shine Lipstick: {in Delovely} This is my go-to lip color. It's creamy but doesn't make me feel like I have a layer of gunk on my mouth. I also tend to carry a wide variety of lip glosses, chap stick and balms. I kept the majority of them out of the picture, lest you think I'm gloss/chapstick/balm obsessed weirdo. Ahem. Moving on...

Handmade Coffee Cozy: I always get kudos when I mention to the Starbucks baristas that I have my own reuseable coffee cozy and I have no need to waste one of theirs. I think for my birthday I may ask for a monogrammed one.

Purple Liquid Expresso Pen: {in medium point tip} Hands down my favorite pen. Ever.

Goody Ponytail Holder: {in black} Pretty much a necessity in every girl's purse. Carry an extra for absentminded girlfriend. Be warned, you will never see it again.

There you have it folks! Nothing too crazy. I'm just a normal braces wearing, BBMing, chapstick lovin' gal.

introducing my fake british accent

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Oh yes. I've done it.

Jumped on the Downton Abby bandwagon. (Currently, I'm insisting that Southern Hubby call me m'lady. And I like to go around insisting I don't know what 'weekends' are.)

And I'm smitten! The gorgeous sets, the luscious and over-indulgent gowns, the dapper and well-heeled men... it's too much! And I can't get enough. ;)

Southern Hubby and I don't often get obsessed with TV shows. But over the break I got hooked on both Parenthood and Downton Abbey (thanks Hopsy!) It took all the strength I had to walk away from my Kindle Fire to do some dishes and laundry the other day.

But I am officially caught up...bring on this Sunday! :)

french country hutch and craigslist

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:07:00 +0000

I love quiet mornings when the sun shines through my windows...when the dogs are still asleep and Southern Hubby is still warm in bed. Before all the busyness of life starts. So peaceful.

For the past year I've been scouring home design and furniture places for an antique looking french country styled hutch/buffet for my kitchen eat-in area. The area is rather large so we had to purchase a full sized dining room set when we first moved in. While I loved the set, I wasn't too fond of the matching piece that came with it. I'm not a fan of rooms that have furniture that are from a complete set. It's too matchy-matchy for me.

Originally I wanted something that was a different color than my dining set, which is black with some dark pinewood on the tabletop. Ideally it would have been antiqued white to tie in with my large kitchen island, but I really didn't care either way.

After a good several months had passed where all the stores disappointed me, I decided to give Craigslist a whirl. I was so glad I checked that day, at that time.

An interior designer had just listed her hutch and it was exactly what I was looking for, at price that was a steal! I immediately called her up and told her I wanted it! The hutch was in great condition and smelled awesome- she had used the bottom storage to hold many yummy smelling candles. ;)

Yay for ample cookbook storage!

While I'm generally leery of Craigslist, it sometimes can be such a great tool for unique pieces. Since I'm always working on being more economical, this was a wonderful experience. What could be better than a bargain and recycling?!

The hutch has been a wonderful addition to an otherwise empty looking breakfast area. My next steps for my kitchen are framed prints I ordered using my new favorite site, Graphics Fairy, a jute rug for underneath the table, and a custom made cushion and cornice for the window seat area. Can't wait to show you the finished product!

Happy Monday, y'all and thanks for the wonderful and uplifting comments on my last post. It's good to know I'm not the only one suffering from this.

me. the rich hypocrite.

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:30:00 +0000

I've been struggling with something for the past several months. It's been hard to come to terms with within myself, let alone blog about, so please be kind to me. It is not easy to admit to flaws and open yourself up to the world.

In an effort to be more authentic, I wanted to own these emotions and the struggle in my soul. So, here goes...

I'm on the Kate Spade email distribution list. The other day I got a notice that they were taking a percentage off their sale items. What could be more exciting?! I ventured over there and settled on a gorgeous purse. It was a prize! Beautiful, well crafted and only $255. Now, if you're a fan of Kate like I am, you know that's a bargain. Something to be snatched up right away.

As I was wondering about purchasing it, going back and forth over how many purses I do have that I don't often use and if I really even needed this one ("need" being a very relative term here), I received a text from my cousin. She told me my assignment for this weekend was to pick up twenty loaves of white bread, this weekend being our turn to serve at Solomon's Porch, an outreach program that serves hot meals each weekend to the homeless in Dallas. Southern Hubby and I like to serve with others in our family once a month.

Quickly my mind went to when I could get to the grocery store before Saturday morning, when our shift started. I pulled out my agenda to make a note to myself about the loaves. Then it hit me.

I'm a hypocrite.

I was considering purchasing a high end item that I didn't need, jotting notes down in my personalized monogrammed planner, in my comfortably warm suburban home during the week and acting like I cared about the poor during the weekend.

But the heavy truth is, I do care about the needy. I do love them and want to show them God loves them and that there are people that do care about their welfare. But I also love the comfortable life I lead. I like nice things. Is there a way to reconcile the two? Can I enjoy the lifestyle afforded to me, guilt-free, while serving others?

I don't know that I can.

After all the I witnessed in India, there is no way I can go back to how I used to live...blissfully unaware of the extreme poverty people face. Over there, it isn't a matter of 'Will these food stamps carry me through to next week?' but, 'If I can't find something edible in the trash, this will be the third day that my children won't eat." And that is a hard thing to imagine for a lot of Americans. Poor here is nothing like poor there.

But 'over there' is a long way away from where I sit in my cushy office. It's easy to forget about 'over there' when I'm casually shopping at Whole Foods, because I have to have organic and local food, right? Isn't that what all the nutritionists are telling us?

But what about those that don't have the abundance that we do? Do we quietly slip their troubles under the rug while we go about our own lives, then remember them when it's convenient for us or when we want to feel good about ourselves, cause we're "helping the poor?"

So here I sit.

Stuck between a poor, dirty rock and a suburban hard place, two worlds at opposite ends. Where does one go from here? Surely I'm not the only American that struggles with this.

I can't imagine doing something as extreme (and noble) as giving up what I have to live among the less fortunate. I don't think I have that in me. I don't want to let go of my luxuries. And I feel like that makes me a terrible person.

And this will be all I can think about Saturday, as I humbly serve the forgotten poor in Dallas' inner city during the afternoon and safely return to my side of town at night.

my word of the year

noreply@blogger.com (The Southern Housewife) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:40:00 +0000

This word was months in the making. I should have known. And it didn't take me long to figure out what word I wanted this year.

be.

Be myself. Genuine and real. Always authentic, even when my bad habits appear. Claim them as mine and take responsibility for my actions, both good and bad.

Be kind. To myself and to others.

Be generous. Of my time, money and my love. This past year Southern Hubby and I gave up several things in order to go on our mission trip to India. Not that it wasn't overwhelmingly worth it, but at times I struggled with my selfishness. I'm human and not perfect. At the end of it all, I realized that I survived. I lived without so others could live with. The things I gave up were worth far less than the love I felt and took away from those girls.

Be frugal. Live simply so others can simply live. This one can be hard for me. I love things...pretty things, shiny things, expensive things, new things. But I'm slowly learning that it is not things that make me truly happy. And living in debt is no fun at all. We'd like to be completely debt free within in the next couple years and I think we have a real shot as long as we can commit to living under our means.

Be playful. I'm Type A to the core. Us type A-ers have a hard time with 'playful'. But playful is fun. It's healthy. And it makes me smile. So, this year, I want to be more playful. Will I have to schedule in time to be playful? Probably. But it's a start. ;)

Be healthy. If we do get pregnant this year, I will be sharing my body with a tiny human being. And I need to start making wiser choices.

Be Godly. With God, for God, through God. Be closer to Him, drawing even closer during the times I don't feel Him near.

Be trustworthy. A woman of my word. Someone that people can rely on.

Be adventurous. I like to be in control of my life. But where is the adventure in that? This year, I want to do things that push my comfort zone (having a baby? Um, hello!) and make me feel like I'm truly experiencing the life that God has given me.

I love my word this year. Do you have a word? I'd love to read about it if you do! :)