5th Year Wood.

Remember when I said that I was taking a staycation at the beginning of July? And then I only posted one time so far for the entire month of July? About my nails none-the-less.  And I forgot to do a July giveaway!  Ridiculous.  This month for be has been the epitome of summer with cookouts, back yard games of corn hole (yes I live in the south), glow stick birthday parties, and extra hangout time with my favorite people.  This past weekend I took an extra special trip to Louisville to celebrate several birthdays and an anniversary. 

In a group effort to not let our hosts Jill and Caleb’s 5^th wedding anniversary get over shadowed during the weekend birthday bash, we made them a gift of wood (the traditional 5^th anniversary gift.) 

The inspiration came from a piece of wood that I already had hanging on my wall with a half way decent peacock feather painted on it.  It took me about 2.2 seconds to realize that it would be the perfect canvas for the ‘wood’ themed gift.  So I got out my floor sander and made the top layer of wood and paint disappear.

Then I set to work using a Kentucky map, tracing paper and my favorite fonts to make a large letter ‘H’ (for their last name).  I made sure Louisville made it on the ‘H’ since that is where they call home.  To tie it all together I added their wedding year to the bottom of the wooden plaque.

 Happy anniversary friends!  It has been an amazing to see God work in your lives and marriage during these past 5 years!  We love you!

Read my nails

So my staycation ended up lasting longer than I had planned.  Oops.  Hopefully you didn't forget about my blog as fast as I did.  I got a little too comfortable watching reruns of The Wonder Years and putting off projects.  By the 10th episode, I didn't want to move off the couch but was a little ready to do SOMETHING.  So I tried to upgrade my fancy nail.

This is what my current nail situation looked like.  They were patriotic but now more like a disgrace to our country.

And this is what I needed to turn them around:

I removed the faded glory and put new coats of Sally Hansen's Shell We Dance and Barracuda on my ring finger.

Once the paint was dry I then dipped my nails into rubbing alcohol and held my finger in the cup for about 3-5 secs. (Do this one nail at a time.)

Then I carefully placed a pre-cut piece of vintage dictionary on my thumb nail.  I held it in place for about 30 sec.  NOTE: I tried different methods here.  Wetting the paper didn't make a difference.  'Real' scrapbook paper wasn't that great of a result.  Shortening the time of pressing the paper made less of a sticky mess but didn't have the greatest transfer results.

Don't be alarmed when the paper sticks to your nails.  At least this is what happened to me every time.  After applying the dictionary pages to each nail I simply washed my hands with soap and water.  An occasional paper fiber will stay behind but once I painted a clear coat I couldn't really notice anymore.

Things to keep in mind:  The font/design should be on the smaller side.  Your type will be reversed, so if you want to actually be able to read it, print off a mirror image so when placed on your nail it will be right side up.  IF you are a perfectionist I don't recommend doing this before going out in public.  It takes a couple a tries to get it right.

Also, I don't recommend doing this project near painted furniture.  My coffee table is the closest thing the to couch (remember I was vegged out pretending I'm Winnie Cooper).  So this could happen to you. 

Guess I know how I will be spending the rest of my Sunday!  Hope you guys had a glorious 4th of July, and an amazing past two weeks!

July Top 10

*JULY TOP TEN*

1* The 4^th of July- It's one of my favorite holidays!  Anything red, white and blue- sign me up!

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2* Fireworks- As long as people aren't blowing off their fingers, I can’t get enough. 

3* Searching for God Knows What- This book by Donald Miller has completely changed my attitude this week about my faith and selfishness.  This is one that I need to re-read over and over.

4* Jeni’s Splendid Ice cream- I recommend the Salty Caramel!  P.S. They ship their flavors!

5* Initial rings from Urban Outfitters- You know I got a ‘B’ and an ‘S’.

6* Nail polish Heat Wave- Nothing could describe or be more perfect for Nashville’s weather this week.

7* Braid- I would kill for my hair to look like this.

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8* Meet Lint- he thinks he is a condiment and should be put on everything.

9* Honky Tonkin in Nashville- get out to Roberts on Broadway downtown Nashville.  Someone will take you out for a two-step!

 

10*  Staycation: Taking some much needed time off to just sit and relax.  Also unplugging for a week so see you next Monday!

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Giveaway Winner!

So I probably shouldn't have my giveaway end on a Saturday... and the start to my vacation week because I almost forgot I promised a winner today!  Lesson learned.  Anyways- now on to the winner for the June giveaway! 

Drumroll please

..............................................................

(Dramatic pause)

and the winner is:

Wendy 

from Tales of Motherhood!

Thanks to everyone who entered to win and found my little blog along the way.  I hope that you stick around and stay awhile... if that's not your style just check back next month for another giveaway!

_%

The winner is chosen randomly by me writing everyone's name on little slips of paper, throwing them up in the air, and catching one name before it falls.  It's pretty much the most fun way to pick a winner! :)

Walls.

Something you need to know about me is that I love a glorious accent wall.  Last year I showed some of my favorite walls in my house.

There was the wallpapered hallway (yes I put up wallpaper in my house in 2011.  It's not your mother's kitchen grapevine border.)

My next favorite is a frame collage in my bedroom with framed fabric, chalkboard, cork board, letterpress art, and a vintage owl crossword from 1972.  The more on a wall the better.

This wall is probably my favorite and the most fun! I painted an entire wall in my kitchen with RUST-OLEUM's chalkboard paint and my only regret is that i didn't do this sooner! 

 

And I am pleased to announce that this wall is about to get its spotlight in the accent wall of fame (soon)!

Check back to see the finished laundry room and if you won HERE!

I did it!

I finally emptied a can of paint!  This may come as a shock to some (especially those who have witnessed firsthand my crazy amount of painting and David at the Home Depot paint counter) but I have never finished off a gallon of paint. 

Until now!

Also today I received a Bloggy Award!

  Whooo Hooo!!  Thanks to Paula for thinking of my when passing on the Liebster Award! 

"Liebster" means "Dearest" in German and the award is a "share the love arrangement" that is given to inspirational bloggers with less than 200 followers. There is a list of things that recipients are required to do upon receiving the award.

1. Thank the person who presented you with the award on your blog.
2. Link back to the blogger who gave you the award.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog
4. Present the Liebster Award to 5 other bloggers with less than 200 followers.
5. Let them know you've chosen them by leaving a comment on their blog.

I am happy to award the Liebster Blog Awards to:

Lauren @ The Well Crafted Home

Megan @ Insert Catchy Title

Danielle @ Love Life and Louboutins

Sonya @ So Simple Rooms

Ashley and Jourden @ Little Yellow Barn

Doors, Cake and Gift Cards!

Welcome back birdies!  I hope that your weekend was more productive than mine was!  Like every day of my life I had grand plans of knocking out something off my to-do list.  This weekend was going to be the weekend that I repainted my laundry room... but was slowed down by a stomach bug and this sweet pup Marley (aka 'Lady Diesel') instead.

My roommate Ivy however was way more inspired to create than I was!  It pays to live with a talented baker!  Hello angel food cake!

But I did manage to get off the couch long enough to grab these two doors free off a porch in East Nashers.  Project new doors is quickly coming to fruition!

 I can't believe someone didn't want these anymore!

Lastly, you will be this excited when you get these little bad boys in the mail.  Oh wait.. you have to enter to win them first... go for it!