Monday Night

How I spent my Monday night... How do you get through the Monday Blues?

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A few glasses of Rodeo Red Wine

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Burgers on the grill

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A new coral rosette necklace from Groopdealz! 

= Great Night!

Garden Savvy

This dash of warm Ohio weather has sent me into a gardening frenzy. I can't wait for that first week of May to be able to plant and get everything up and running. Since that is still a few weeks away I have begun the planning phase. I was able to create a virtual diagram of my teensy backyard via Smallblueprinter.com

Ive decided to tackle this tiny blah backyard and make it functional for entertaining/ gardening. Let me explain my blueprint a little more. The dark gray is symbolic of the garage. The silver circle in the bottom center is our AC unit. There are already small flower beds along the house (bottom of the picture). The wooden chairs are symbolic of a pallet couch. The square in front of them is our fire pit. The 2 garden beds in front of the garage will be raised cinder block gardens. I plan to add poles on all 3 points of the pallet corner couch in order to accommodate string lights that will be strung behind the couch on both sides. 

Here are a few of my inspirations via Pinterest:

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Cinder block garden. I plan to spray paint the cinderblocks so they are not so plain/modern:

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Cinder block strawberries:

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Some of the things I am planning to plant are:

I can't wait to get started! Come on warm weather!

Coral Obsession

Sometimes you just get hooked on a certain color that just seems to make everything look a little brighter Lately that is how I'm feeling about coral. Here are a few of my coral inspirations...I'm currently loving coral + navy, coral + gold, coral + gray, and coral + mint! 

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This Hi-Lo reminds me of the one Leslie recently wore on The Bachelor! Hate those boots though!

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Currently love coral lipstick <3 

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Aren't those branch hooks adorable?

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I just bought this L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipstick in Fiery Veil ($7.99) at Target tonight. I'm still deciding how I feel about it on my skin tone. My hair might need to go a bit darker to pull this off... we shall see. 

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I love this entire ensemble!

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Have I got you hooked yet? Check out my Pinterest Fashion Faves board for more fashion inspirations!

Check this site out!

Hello. Happy Saturday!

I come bearing a new website that will steal your time and money, but is so worth both! It's called Groopdealz. Maybe you've heard of it? It operates on "flash deals", the concept of short sales at extremely discounted rates. They have deals going on all of the time and new deals daily (sometimes hourly)! Now I'm a bargain shopper, so this is my kinda place! Here are some of my recent deals:

Custom Wax Seal Metal Necklace $8.00

Lace Camera Strap Cover $16.00

Forget Me Knot Bracelet $4.00

They no longer have pictures of some of the other things I have recently purchased. However I bought 2 large chain necklaces that are partially dipped in color (mint and coral) for $4.00 each and a pair of coral earrings for $2.00. There shipping rates are extremely reasonable too! A lot of times they will over free shipping! It's always a thrill to see what they will post next! Check it out! Share what you like!

Groopdealz.com

Just so you know...

Just so you know.... I found this fun website. It's called Tangxedo. It is a fun way to create word art for your space for FREE! You have to download the app first. Then head back to the website to run it. You can even upload your own pictures and add your favorite quotes or words. Here are a couple of examples of ones that I created.

It would be fun to create one for a child's bedroom with some of their favorite things. Or maybe a silhouette of your house with your house number, street name, and favorite memories. Oh the possibilities! 

Favorite Spaces

These few spaces look incredibly darling and cozy. What a dream it would be to incorporate these rooms into a single house. This living room is so cheerful and colorful. I love the use of patterns used in this space.

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Love the rug in this office space:

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How about this chic and clean office space?

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I love the details in these bedrooms. 

                         






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Studio bedroom with a brick accent wall.

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Inspirational reading nook... Love the branch curtain rod.

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Garden party: Entertaining space

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Check out Prudent Baby's blog! This is her backyard. She shares where she found all of these lovelies. She also provides a tutorial for the pallet couch she made.

What would you do like to do in these lovely spaces?

Saturday Motivation

On this cloudy winter morning I am going to share something that will give you a boost of motivation to be productive this Saturday. I know I need it! I woke up when Travis went to work and saw that it was cloudy. I wanted to close my eyes and drift back into dreamland. However, I knew that I had things I needed to accomplish today. So, I forced myself out of the heated blanket and decided to start the day.

Today I will share how to make my favorite vanilla latte. Just the perfect dash of energy you need to accomplish whatever it is that you have to do this morning. I will preface this recipe by stating that I am a high-maintenance coffee drinker. I cannot stomach black coffee and, therefore, require "the fixins'" in order to make mine just right. Here it goes:

You will need:

For the coffee*:
1 c. boiling water
1 French Press
2 TBSP course ground coffee (I prefer Starbucks Blonde Roast -Willow Blend)

*you can use your coffee pot if you don't own a French Press

For the cream:
a Latte Maker (such as this Back to Basics Cocoa Latte Maker) or a milk frother**
1 cup (or a little less) of your preferred milk (I use skim. It froths well)
2 packets or 4 tsp of your preferred sugar (I prefer Truvia)
1 creamer single cup
Desired amount of your favorite coffee syrup flavor (In this case, I used French Vanilla)

**If you don't own a Latte Maker try heating the creamer ingredients on the stove top.

1. Boil Water // 2. Add coffee to French Press // 3. Pour water into French Press and let set for 5-7 minutes with the handle UP (Don't press down until the time is up!)

In the meantime...prepare the cream portion:

1. Add milk // 2. Add Truvia // 3. Add creamer // 4. Add syrup // Turn it ON to blend and heat it up

Choose your favorite mug...

Press lever on French Press down. Turn "ON" Froth/Dispenser button. Add your coffee to your mug. (I usually add half coffee half cream) Then top with your cream! ...Nice and frothy!

Then cozy up with a good book for a bit, or, in my case, a nice long "To-Do" list....

I like to reward myself with something fun at the end of my lists... a little bonus motivation :)

On a side note... I made this collage of Travis and I this past weekend. It includes some of my favorite engagement, wedding, and 2nd year pictures. It is also the inspiration for the photo grid wall I will be adding to our bedroom (I'll add pictures when it's complete!).

Photo credits to LinneaLiz Photography and Carrie Whalin Photography

Now go accomplish something to cross of your list!