The Power of Spray Paint

I love how spray paint can make just about anything fresh and new again. I especially love it when used in unexpected ways, like to turn a cuckoo clock into a modern piece of art or to upcycle mismatched bottles into uniform vases.

Jeff and I use spray paint on home decor projects all the time (lamps and small furniture), but these images have inspired me to look for a few more things I can transform (I have an ornate mirror and a set of antlers that may be geting facelifts soon).

What other things might look better spray painted?

Images: Chandeliers, Clock, Antlers, Bottles, Toys, Mirror

Rooftop Star Gazing

Did any of you stay up to watch the meteor shower last night? Jeff and I decided we'd try to spot a few, so we climbed up on our roof around 10 p.m. to lay back and watch.

I shakily made my way up to the roof in the dark, with Jeff's help, of course, and we snuggled because it was windy and chilly up there (so romantic, I know). I spotted a few small shooting stars, but there was a thunderstorm to the North that was putting on an impressive lightening show. We didn't know whether to watch for meteors or see the amazing strikes of lightening. After about an hour, we finally saw a few big shooting stars and decided to head back in the house. Just in time, too. As soon as we started on our way across the roof, it started pouring! We started laughed because we'd joked about that happening. We scrambled off the roof to get inside, still laughing about getting caught in the rain. Even with the rain, it was a fun hour on the roof.

How about you? Did you do any meteor watching?

Images via.

Have a Great Weekend!

Hello! This week has been great for a few reasons; Local elections are over (thank you, Jesus), I got a free lunch on Thursday and I started a new part time job! Yep, I'm a two-job woman now, doing something I really never thought I would -- retail. But, selling clothes may come naturally ... I mean, I love clothes! Now if I can only figure out where everything goes in the store and keep my OCD at bay, I'll be fine (Seriously, I'm already obsessed with straightening the racks and sweeping the dressing room floors).

So, If you're ever in Osage Beach, stop by BCBG in the outlet mall and see me!

I hope you have a great weekend! Here are some posts from around the Web.

A clock worth a "fortune."

Cool corner gallery.

Apparently, this happens.

Creepy, but cool Halloween idea.

The cutest chicken coop on Earth.

Purrrrfect pillowcases.

The perfect tacky Christmas party outfit (it's never too early to start planning)

Awesome necklaces.

Fun brown paper sack idea.

Chevron DIY roundup.
Image via.

Nailed It

First things first: I've been a nail bitter my whole life. I've tried a million times to quit, trying all kinds of things to get myself to stop, but nothing ever worked. Then last month my cousin made a comment about how distinctive my hands were... even that she could pick them out from others. She said she loved it about me, but I took it like, "yes, I know my nails are hideous." That was almost a month ago, and I haven't bit my nails since. I guess all it took was some reverse psychology -- she liked my hands before, but I knew they were ugly so I made a change. Now all I need is someone to tell me I'm super skinny... haha.

And now to the nail color. Since i have nails to paint, I'm obsessed with it. But, one color all around was too boring, so I picked two purples, gold, white, and gold glitter, then got a little creative.

First, apply bottom coat and main color and let them halfway dry. Apply a little clear coat to the tips of the nails you want to put glitter on (one at a time). I used a toothpick dipped in clear coat to apply the glitter to my nails. Apply the top coat to the glittered nails to keep it from flaking. Then I used another toothpick to dip in the white polish and make the polka dots. Let the dots dry and apply a top coat.

Viola!

Can you imaging more color combos? The possibilities are endless!

Mason Jar Salads

I love this idea for easy, ready-to-go lunches. The sealed mason jar keeps the ingredients fresh for up to five days. So, you can make them on Sunday and they're ready to grab from the fridge all work week long!

The secret is in the layering, starting with dressing on the bottom, your toppings in-between, then lettuce on top. So smart.

Here's one recipe from The Daily Muse.

 

Caprese Pasta Salad

2 tbsp basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1 ½ oz fresh mozzarella, chopped into bite sized pieces
2 oz cooked penne pasta
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup fresh basil, chopped

Head here or here for more recipe ideas.

Happy lunching!

Image via The Daily Muse.

Optical Illusions

Isn't that amazing? Here's another cool one.



See the dancing dots?

These chalk illusions are amazing.





More moving things.



Image 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Things You Learn at the Dentist

Yesterday I went to the dentist, and I learned a few things:

1) It's not as scary as I once believed.

2) I grind my teeth at night (and that's why I always wake up with headaches, not because I'm hungover from drinking in my sleep, as I first suspected).

3) Apparently teeth grinding is caused by stress. So, now I'm stressed out.

4) Having your teeth cleaned feels nice (and makes you happy when the hygenist tells you your teeth are nice and clean)

5) Going to the dentist is very expensive... especially when you cracked one of your teeth on some whole-grain wheat bread and have to get a crown.

6) Not every dentist will drill on you before you're numb (so far, my new dentist is the only one and that's why I used to hate the dentist).

7) Spider bites on your cheek the week before you go to the dentist will scare you into believing you have something terribly wrong with your teeth, when really, your cheek and jaw are just swollen to twice their size from the spider bite. (see photo)

8) You don't have to hate eating ice cream because of overly-sensitive teeth. Ask your dentist about super-duper flouride "gel." (the FDA won't even classify it as toothpaste, it's so good).

9) Apparently some dentists can give free fancy Sonicare toothbrushes (one per family) to patients. I got one, and it's awesome. I can't wait to brush my teeth again.

10) The question left unanswered:

Image via.

The Problem with Flat Screen TVs

Kevin is mad (that's probably why he lays behind the TV and glares at us from underneath it).

Comic via Mashable.

Peach Mojito

I'm a mojito lover. They're simple, and great mixed with a variety of flavors. Here's a recipe for a refreshing peach mojito.

4 mint leaves

2-3 lime wedges

2-3 T simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water dissolved)

1 1/2 fl. oz. white rum

1/2 fl. oz. peach schnapps

1 C Ice

Club soda

In a medium glass, muddle mint, lime and syrup. Add ice, rum and schnapps. Fill glass with club soda and enjoy!

For a tropical twist, substitute coconut rum for the white rum and schnapps.

Welcome.

If you come visit us, this is now what you'll see at our front door. Since our wedding, I've known I wanted to use some of the iron decorations we used as wedding decor to decorate our small outdoor areas. Well, it's a year later and I've finally done it. Here are some photos of our newly redecorated front porch (It's tiny, I know).

I was particularly excited about the welcome mat I found at Target that matched my existing bird, turquoise, purple and green color scheme. I'm so happy the $12 dollar rug could tie it all together.

The iron yard stands and wreath were purchased at Hobby Lobby (when iron was 50 percent off), then painted, used in our wedding and now adorn our stoop. The planter was a thrift store find, and the plants were bought on sale at the end of last season. Total re-do, including the cost of the re-used iron, was about $45.

Stay tuned for the back patio. It too is tiny, but at least it's cute and inviting. :)

Thrifty Thursday -- Target REDcard

I’ve written about how much I love Target before, but if you can believe it, they have another reason for me to love them.

If you’ve been to Target in the last six months or so, they’ve probably asked you if you want to sign up for their REDcard. I always say no to store cards, but this one is different. You have the option for it to be a debit card that comes straight out of your checking account (no credit!), and you get 5 percent off your purchase every time you use it! That’s $5 you get to keep for every $100 you spend!

It seems like I’m at Target a lot (I am), and if I spend $50 there each month, that’s a $30 savings in a year! It’s like having a coupon every time I go in … and I love coupons.

Bonus: it’s easy to sign up for! Just take in a blank check (it took me for. ev. er. to remember one), they’ll run it through a machine, give you a temporary card, and your real card comes in the mail around a week later. Then, let the savings begin!

The card has other benefits, including free shipping from Target.com, 1 percent donation to an area school of your choice, pharmacy rewards and more.

Want one? Head to Target (with a blank check) or visit Target.com.

Visiting Home

Recently I took a few days off from work to visit my parents at their farm in Iowa. I got in some quality time with mom and the resident cats and dogs, which always are welcoming.

We spent a day celebrating my birthday (more like trying to get over the fact that I’m 25 now… when did I get so old?). Anyway, it was a great day that included hour-long massages; lunch and wine at La Buvette , my favorite little place in Omaha’s Old Market; shopping; and more wine (of course).

Another day was spent lounging in an unlikely place – a horse tank. It’s not very often that I say I hung out all day in a horse tank, but that’s exactly what mom and I did.

We used it as our personal pool-for-two and put our lawn chairs, umbrella, and patio table right in it. We even used a calf bucket as our cooler and hung it from the side. Mom deemed it her “redneck pool.” Pretty fitting, I’d say.



Our frog friend. He lived on the umbrella for the day.



This year mom planted a gorgeous garden, and when I was there, the veggies were sprouting up everywhere. I’m still trying to get through the four grocery bags of food and herbs she sent home with me. Here are some photos of the garden (and the sweet cats and dogs).



Momma cat, Callie, with her twins, Pinky and Brain




Woody roaming the garden




The amazing cabbage patch




Bailey taking a break from a strenuous game of fetch




Woody, the dog and Mister, the cat.




Peppers




Mister




Mister and Pumpkin Head (she has an orange face)




Green tomatoes




Pumpkin Head resting in the shade under the tomato plants




A view of the garden




Baby corn (and some sort of malformed ear of corn)




The cabbage was so pretty.




The bag of herbs mom sent home with me



I love getting to visit home, and don't get to do it enough. I already can’t wait to go back.

Adding Some Sun

Between Pinterest, blog stalking and photographer friends, I spend a lot of time looking at pretty pictures and being inspired by editing techniques. Since it's a year ago this week that Jeff and I were married, I wanted to re-edit a few of our photos... just for fun. I've seen so many "sunny" photos lately that I wondered what some of our might look like with the same edits applied.

Here are a few before and afters.