Cabin fever???

Maybe it's because of Christmas break, or the winter dreary months, or maybe it's cause of the New Year...... but I am dying to redo my bathroom! Of course I want it to look like this.....

In order to make it look like that, it's going to take a lot of money, a lot of money that I do not want to spend at this point. So I have been stalking the DIY network and coming up with different ways to remodel on the cheap. We do not really like our vanity, and will eventually replace it, but it will work for now. So I am thinking of painting it black, but then what color do I paint the walls? Light khaki, White, Tan? I want to be able to make it look romantic, elegant, and classy. I do not want the bathroom to be all black and white and would love to pull some warmer colors in. I am just wondering if it will look good with a black vanity? Yikes, I am all over the place. We are also going to replace the lights, and either frame the mirror or get new mirrors already in frames! 

This is what we are working with.....

Don't mind the mismatched drawer, it was a mess up with the sellers that we had to get fixed.

Oh I forgot curtains too! So any input is greatly appreciated! Hopefully I can figure it all out, get the hubby on board and have a redone bathroom in a few weeks! 

Totally Rad Time!

I am 30!! Unlike most people I know I welcomed 30 with open arms. I was giddy, excited, and fully ready to take on my 30's! Little did I know, my hubby and amazing friends were working behind the scenes to throw me a surprise 80's themed birthday party. They all worked extremely hard at keeping the secret, getting the decorations, and making it a memorable event. Then there was a little oops and someone told me, to their defense they did not know it was a surprise. I was surprised to say the least! I really had no clue, I was under the impression that my hubby was taking me away for the weekend. How wonderful it felt to know how much my hubby and friends loved me to do all of this. So now I know, & so the excitement was building and the costume was being figured out. My friends and I giggled like school girls over the costume details and the upcoming party. Finally the night came and I got dressed up. I crimped my hair, pulled out the hot pink & turquoise eye shadow and turned back time. My hubby went as Miami Vice and I wore a hot pink & black dress. My friends started showing up and wow! The costumes we awesome. Here are a few pictures.

Slash & his groupie

Aqua Net at it's best!

Miami Vice

Rock stars! (You can't really tell but the rocker has Blue Hair!)

Like Oh My Gosh!

A group shot!

Just the girls! (My wonderful friends!)

Michael Jackson made an appearance!

So did R2-D2!!

My strawberry shortcake cake!

We danced, ate yummy food, laughed, talked about the 80's and so much more. They got me a Strawberry Shortcake cake and even got presents! I really felt like a kid again with some of the gifts! It was a birthday to remember with my friends who have become my family. We partied til midnight then we rang in the New Year! I cannot wait to do it again! 

P.S. I got New Kids on the Block trading cards!

Time to play catch up!

It's been a little while since I have blogged.... life kind of got in the way! So let's back up and talk Christmas!! I absolutely love the holidays and love decorating for it even more. I follow the Thrifty Decor Chick 's blog and when I looked at her Christmas section I knew what I wanted to do around my house. She has these beautiful apothecary jars that are filled with trinkets. So I put my own spin on it!

I looked around my house and I could see the vision of how I wanted my house to look. So I set out in late October and shopped. Any time I had a great coupon I headed to some of my favorite stores and slowly stocked up. By December 1st my house was coming together and I must say it looked pretty good.

With it being our first Christmas in our new house, I wanted to make the outside look just as good as the inside...... but I had a little problem...... I was not allowed to use the ladder. Well, my husband made me promise not to use the ladder while he was working because of the last time I tried to use it. Picture a person stuck between the rungs while being overcome by this metal beast, while laughing so hard I could hardly stand up. So my husband being so sweet and caring said that I would probably break something if I was to be left alone with the ladder and he did not want me in traction for the holidays. So I had to come up with something for the front porch. Again I went to the Thrifty Decor Chick for inspiration. She had garland on her front porch and I thought that it looked beautiful. I just wanted to put my own twist on it. So I got 2 little trees, 1 6ft tree, garland, ribbon, and shatterproof ornaments. I sat down in the living room and started decorating! This is what I came up with........

It was really easy to make the garland. I bought 4 packages of garland at the local craft store. Then I wrapped two strands around each other to make it look fuller. Next, I fluffed it, wrapped lights, and ribbon around the garland. Last I took 3 shatterproof ornaments and put them on a zip tie. I then zip tied them to the garland, fluffed a little more and hung it around the door. Viola! It looked very good. Then I realized a little problem back inside the house. Where will I hang the stocking? YIKES No mantel or staircase so what is a girl to do??? Yep, I turned my breakfast bar into a mantel, added more garland and BAM! 

Once I was done with all my decor I realized that Santa needed help wrapping presents for Christmas morning! So I moved on to make sure every thing was ready for Christmas morning with 3 awesome kids. This is what it looked like after Santa came.......

I feel so very lucky to have a wonderful family to spend Christmas with and a beautiful home to celebrate in! I hope you all had a great holiday season! 

80's!

So recently the 80's have come up in a few conversations among my friends, and brought back so many memories! We have talked about MASH - Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House the game, Hugga Bunch, Care Bears, Debbie Gibson, Slap Bracelets, GOONIES, Jelly Shoes, Saved by the Bell(weren't we all going to marry Zach or Slater?) and Saturday Morning cartoons! Here are a few pictures of my favorite 80's items!

Getting a little festive

 This is one of my most favorite times of the year! I love driving around looking at decorations and going to friends houses to see their trees. I listen to Christmas music, drink hot cocoa, watch Christmas movies with my kids, and lay under the tree when it is all lit up! If it was up to me I would decorate every inch of my house, and every year I try to get closer to doing just that. Here are a few pictures of what is decorated so far! Happy Holidays!

Thrifty Decor Chick

So a while back my sweet cousin in law Sarah introduced me to this website. One click and I was hooked! I check it daily to see what new things the Thrifty Decor Chick has posted. She is amazing, she can take the ugliest things and turn them to gold. Her house is so very beautiful and she did it all for a cheap price. This is why I get along with her so well, I am cheap! Like really cheap, I would rather find a piece of furniture at the local Salvation Army and redo it to my liking then pay a ton of money at a big furniture store. Well not too long ago I saw her post about the Silhouette Craft Cutter........ the skies parted and I heard angels. This thing is amazing! You have to take a moment to check it out. You can make your own scrapbook pages, personal vinyl stickers, iron ons for shirts, and much more! So I am sharing the link for you all to win your very own Silhouette Craft Cutter. Just click the link below to learn more!

Thrifty Decor Chick

Veteran's Day Program

This morning I attended a Veteran's Day program at the elementary school. I love going to assemblies at the school. Watching the kids sing and have fun while putting on a show. This morning they honored Veteran's and Active Duty members by presenting them with an American Flag pin and singing an amazing song. I thought of my family members who have served or are serving. I thought of my dad and what it was like for him in Vietnam, I thought of my Uncle who received a Purple Heart, my brothers who are currently active duty, and mostly I thought of my amazing husband. My heart swells when I think about him, and how he has served his country so proudly. I think of all the times he has to leave, but even in that sad last embrace he puts on a brave face, even though I know his heart is breaking. I also think about my children who serve in their own way. They did not choose this life but handle it like little silent hero's. They do not ask for special recognition or treatment, instead they ask for extra hugs, and to email dad as often as possible. They keep their grades high, their rooms somewhat clean, and try to be the little men of the house. So this morning as I sat there watching and taking it all in, I was honored too. One teacher placed a pin on my shirt, gave me a hug, and said we give you this in honor of your husband and you! How amazing it is to a Proud Navy Wife!

To all the Veteran's and Active Duty members in the world, THANK YOU for everything you have done for me, my family and America. It does not go unnoticed in my heart. 

To anyone reading this blog, please remember if you see a Veteran or Active Member thank them. It does not have to be done on a special day, it can be done anytime. Don't forget what they have done, and also remember the families too.