Resemblence

A picture of me and Ava at the same age.

I think Conor's feelings are hurt because she doesn't resemble him like Audrey did. You can't win em' all! :))

Pin Party

I'm sure you've all heard of Pinterest by now. I'm currently obsessed and in awe of all the amazing ideas I run across.

Here's a run down:

Pinterest~lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

I had a "Pin" Party last week and invited a few of my creative girlfriends over to create some great stuff that we've found on pinterest...recipes and all.

This is the party pitcher that I made. Recipe found here.
Regan brought over mini cheesecake tarts. Recipe found here.

I made my Skinny Girl Taco Dip. Recipe found here.

::My Pin Project::
Spruce up a lamp shade
This is the start of of Coffee Filter Lamp Shade for Audrey's room.

And here's the finished product. What do you think? It puts out a really pretty glow in the evening and I think it's adorable. One DIY project checked off my list, and MANY others to go.

I didn't get pics of Jen, my mom, or Regan's projects (shame on me) but they turned out great. Mom made pot holders. Jen made Dr. Seuss birthday hats for her son's party. Regan made sandwich bags out of oilcloths. I have to say I have some pretty crafty friends and it's so inspiring. I'm so excited about this. Next up, is our Halloween wreath Pin Party. Can't wait!!

Click here to check out my Pinboards!

Happy Pinning!!

Wordless Wednesday...Vava Love

Mantle Painting

I've had a blank canvas perched on the mantle for a few months up until a couple of Fridays ago when I finally got the inspiration, courage and time to devote to it.

I put the girls to bed, poured me a Skinnygirl Margarita, turned on It's Complicated on the dvr, and went to town on that blank canvas.

I'm so proud of the outcome and I'm loving the colors that it adds to the space.

P.S.~I found a new hobby!! :)))

10 things that rocked my world this week

1. Audrey's 1st canvas painting

2. New painting in Bedroom

3. Nephew's Birthdays

4. Girls started back school this week

5. Ava rocking my purse and lipstick, so my child.

6. Coffee filter lampshade

7. Mantle Painting

8. Watercolor Artist at work

9. Celebrating Mom's birthday with dessert at Deep Fork

10. The Howell Gallery with my Mom & Sis

10 things that rocked my world this week

In no particular order.

1. This beautiful silver coffee set that I spotted at one of my favorite antique shops. I'm not sure if I would ever use it, but it sure would be pretty to look at.

2. I'm on a sconce kick lately. This vintage crystal and gold pattern made my heart skip a beat. I think it would look fabulous at the end of our hallway.

3. I found Audrey like this after her nap. I walked in her room to check on her and she'd smeared Budrows butt paste ALL over her body like it was lotion. She added a nice touch of color with her markers as well. I couldn't help but chuckle. Trying to get it off her skin was not as funny.

4. I devoured my favorite dessert at one of my favorite restaurants.

5. An inspiration piece that I would love to try and create.

6. I enjoyed a night out on the town with a new dress and my man!!

7. Sunday Morning Donut Date with my oldest makes me very happy. She's a sprinkle kind of gal.

8. Having my family over for Conor's birthday dinner and enjoying my hub's best recipe~Fish Tacos!

9. Putting my Pinterest addiction to good use by making a lemon centerpiece.

10. Another sconce that I love. Told ya I have an obsession with them at the moment.

A Few Changes

I realize I've been neglecting my blog for a while now. Things have been super busy around here. Between summer activities, the girls, summer travels and design projects, my head is spinning. I thought I would show you what projects I've been working on lately around the house.

A few months ago I painted a white wash on our red brick fireplace. We don't have great lighting in our home and our wood work is dark, so I was really wanting to lighten up the space.

white wash~ i mixed half water and half chalk paint to create the mixture.

A few months later I decided to paint the entire fireplace with Behr Graceful Gray. I love how it turned out. I'm gathering inspiration and the courage to create a painting for the mantle, hence the blank canvas.

I would love to try and recreate this painting that hangs on the wall of my favorite restaurant, Bellinis.

This is our living room (Easter) before I painted the walls.

It was a dark beige that my mother referred to as 'baby poop'. HAD to go!

Here it is after with one coat of Behr Fashion Gray! Love it!!

My new Mary McDonald design coffee table book from my friend Callie. We both sent each other one and I adore it!!! MM is oh so talented and definitely a fave of mine on Million $$ Decorators!

Pottery Barn pillow that I bought to tie the rust colored couch in with the gray walls

On our trip to Dallas I got this tray at Z Gallerie that sits on our entry console and is filled with shells from our Florida trip this year, my Jonathan Adler vase and book I bought on a shopping trip in Atlanta, and family photos.

Before my bed side table was a dark wood. I lightened up the dark corner with Old White chalk paint. Much better.

I love the knob

A painting that was sent to us from a very talented artist in California, Dorothy Vogel. It's G Doc taking a picture of Audrey. Our first piece from her and definitely not our last!!

I've been wanting to get back into painting for quite a while now. While the girls were napping last Sunday I pulled out my paints and brushes and decided to whip something up. This is hanging in our dining room and I think it turned out great. Not too shabby for not painting in years!

Here's the second one I painted that is now in our entry.

This was a hand me down from my mom that I've had for years. Never been a hunter green fan and I'm not sure why I didn't paint it sooner.

After~ I spray painted it with metallic gold spray paint and it's now in our dining room and holds some bar accessories.

I found this great lucite candle stick lamp at Marshalls and absolutely adore it.

The mirror in our dining was silver and it's now Old White.

I now have my crystal collection as the centerpiece on the dining table.

I'm loving trays lately. This red tray I purchased at Hobby Lobby @ 50% off and it holds all my bathroom accessories. Love a bargain!

It's been fun sprucing up the place!!