focus: a word for 2013

Last year was the first year that I chose a ''word'' for the year. A word that described everything that I wanted the coming year to teach me....it was "self-sufficient". Maybe I cheated a little bit on the hyphen, but whatever. I'm not sure if I succeeded, but there were definitely days that pushed me into this and days that pushed me right back to where I started. I'm a very dependent person by nature, and I always have been....but I think what I realized was that sometimes its okay to need someone. On the other hand its good to have enough confidence in yourself to know that you can fill in the blank on your own. I wasn't very conscience of this as I was going through the year - honestly, I pretty much forgot that I chosen a word at all. This makes me think that maybe my word for this coming year should be ''intent'' - close, but not quite right. 

Focus.

This coming year I want to keep a steady focus.  I want to focus on my health, on my marriage, on my relationship with God. I want to focus on each day and not just "big picture'' things. I do want to live with intent, but I want it to be more than that. I want to do things because I chose to do them, not because they happened to me. I want to be proactive and not so reactive. This may sound silly to some of you, but for me its probably one of the hardest things for me to overcome.

I am pressing forward into 2013.... I have big plans and dreams and I'm feeling extremely optimistic.

Handmade Christmas

 As promised here is a little peek at our hand made gifts from Christmas!!

If you didnt already know, Craig and I make each other 1 handmade gift each year. This year I made him a cribbage board and he made me a docking station! I was so impressed with how both of our gifts turned out....and I particularly like the plate and knobs that Craig took off an old radio to fix onto my docking station. Perfection!!

I'm a little sad that Christmas has already come and gone BUT we're having a New Year's Eve party at our house this year, complete with our own photobooth! I'm so excited....but I have soo much to do before tomorrow night! So with that I will leave you - I hope that you're all having the best weekend!

Craig-isms: the perfect Christmas gift

You've all seen these Ryan Gosling funnies floating around Pinterest lately, right? Well I think they're positively hilarious. I can't help myself but to really laugh-out-loud when I read them.

Well, Craig surprised me with his own versions that he likes to call "Craig-isms" - probably the best Christmas present ever..? I think so. He gave them to me as a early present on Christmas Eve. I was laughing so hard that night...here's a little peek.
 

^ this one is a bit facetious, he hates when I do that, haha

We had a really great time at Christmas! My parents came into town and we made cookies, wrapped presents, ate all of our favorite dinners, and watched silly Christmas movies in our PJs. It was really the best time. We were having such a great time that I totally forgot to take any pictures! oopsy.

Our handmade gifts both turned out so great - it is still my favorite part of Christmas. I'll be sure to show a few pictures tomorrow of those.

I hope you all had the very best time with your friends and family too! Next up: my favorite holiday, New Years!!

I want that room...

mirrors / lamp / chandelier / drapes / bottle / sheets / bedding / flowers / pots

Last Minute DIY Gifts

Is it really only ONE week until Christmas?! I don't know about you, but it has totally snuck up on me this year! There are still a few gifts that I need to put together for some friends and co-workers, and I always love making these myself. There's just some sort of satisfaction that comes from handmade gifts, no? 

Just like every year Craig and I give each other 3 store bought gifts and 1 hand made gift. It is such a treat to see what he came up with for me....and thinking of something for him (which can be hard!!) As I type this I can literally hear him sanding and hammering in the garage while he's working on my gift. The anticipation is killing me! :) 

Here are a few of my favorite gifts that I came across online, just in case you're in need of a quick gift....or if your Christmas budget ran out a few gifts ago - like mine ;)

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Music Monday: Christmas Edition

Prepare yourselves...this list is pure magic.  Every single one of my favorite Christmas songs all together. 

And so help me (fist shake) if anyone makes fun of my N*Sync, Hawaiian Christmas, or super annoying Rudolph song......it totally wont even matter. I'll go on loving it with every ounce of my eggnog-drinking, ugly-sweater-wearing, Christmas-loving being. You know you love it too ;)

Real Life: iPhone

early morning spin class & homemade turkey noodle soup

trip to the zoo

finding a quick little resting spot

2 major DIY fails. It happens, friends.

blurry "after" pic outtakes - see the actual post here 

getting into the Christmas spirit

sneek peek into the spare bedroom & new purchases from Target

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Music Monday: The Lennings

We've made it to another Monday. How was your weekend?? Mine involved lots of high cardio workouts and room organizing. Oh, and finally decorating our tree!

I am crazy sleepy today...I went to bed around 1:30 and woke up at 4:30 for spin - that's not a lot of sleep, folks. And I really don't do well with out my beauty sleep. ugh.

Because I don't drink caffeine I think I'm going to need some extra love and cuddles today - luckily its a grey and rainy day here in Atlanta and I have lots of tasks to keep me busy at work today. I'll be wrapped up in a blanket with my Kennedy Buttons before I know it...

I have probably played this song a hundred times since I heard it this week. It gives me all the warm and fuzzies. Just try not to be crazy happy while listening to it...cause you can't. Enjoy! xx

Make This: Holiday Banner

This DIY is so much fun! If you've never used iron on transfers before you're going to love them! (but please don't make any cheesy t-shirts...unless they're for a really good cause like running a 10k for the homeless...okay?)

Supplies:

1. Fabric of Choice

2. Dowel Rod

3. Green Thread

4. Transfer Paper

Not Shown: Scissors, Iron, Sewing Machine, Twine

Step 1: The first thing that you're going to want to do is decide what you want to print onto your banner. I went with a simple HO HO HO and found a really cute font that made me think of snow. You can download it here for free! Make sure that you read the directions for the transfer paper so that you'll know which is the proper side of the paper to print onto. Mine had a purple line to help me decipher. I always print on a plain piece of paper first to check the size and color to make sure that I like it.  

Note: When printing onto iron-on paper your image must be backwards or it will print incorrectly. Now, I am fully aware that HO and OH are the same backwards and forwards but I always make a habit of doing it just as a reminder. 

Step 2: Cut out your letters. With this step you're going to want to get as close as you can to the letters to prevent it from looking too plastic-y. You'll see what I mean when you iron them on. 

Step 3: Lay out your letters to see how big to make the banner. Most of you would probably do this the other way around, but as I'm sure you've already noticed I'm really a go-with-the-flow kind of girl and decided to just wing it. Measure out the banner and be sure to leave about an extra inch up top to make a loop hole for the dowel. 

Step 4: Sew your edges. I chose green thread to stick with the holiday theme, but you could choose a color closer to the fabric of your banner if you would like to hide the seam. This is especially a good idea if you're not very experienced in sewing, if your thread is too bright you'll be able to see each and every mistake. I like the small pop of color! Don't forget the loop at the top of the banner for your dowel to fit into. I used a small dowel so it was very easy to leave a big enough gap for it to pass through.

Step 5: Lay your letters on the banner ink side down. Make sure that they are in the exact spot that you would like because once you start this step you cant go back to move them. Make sure that there is no water in your iron and place the banner onto a hard surface - not your ironing board. Iron each letter for about 90 seconds and wait for it to cool. Peek under one of the letters to make sure that it transfered and then you're free to lift! This is the fun part!

Step 6: Slide the dowel in and hang! I used some thick twine to keep it simple - and thats it!

looky looky!

You guys! I got a new toy ;)  Sorry for the lack of a real post today, I've been too busy working and playing with this guy all day. I promise to have a fun Christmas DIY for you tomorrow!

Before and After: Upholstered Chair

Before...

and After...

Lets be honest here, I can't lie to you guys.... this chair isnt completely finished. I still have to put the decorative tacks around the legs and add the dust collector to the bottom (you know that black fabric that is under the chair that will hide that awkward piece of pipeing hanging down). But I have so much going on that I'm not sure when I'll actually finish this. Honest moment...I don't always finish my projects 100%. Please tell me that I'm not alone in this....right?

I actually WILL finish these little details but my fabric for the dust collector is taking longer than expected to come in and I'm already 95% finished with another chair, which I'll show you all soon! 

What do you think? I saw a chair on Pinterest the other day that I wish I could have said was my ''inspiration'' piece, but no - haha! Even still, it's part of my spare room remodel and I really love how its neutral, but still has a fun pop of pink when you get up close. I promise that it will be 100% once I show off the rest of the room! No really, I pinky promise :)



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Music Monday: Lykke Li

Happy Monday, friends!

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! Mine went by too fast, but it was so lovely. Saturday I spent the day working on some new tutorials and making all of the pillows for my spare bedroom remodel - which I can't wait to show you! Sunday was the last day that Craig and I have off together before Christmas so we were able to go shopping and break out all of the holiday records. 

We stayed up super late last night talking about some big plans that are in the works and some very important (and fun!) decisions that we're making.  I can't wait for our next chapter - I'll be sure to share more details as the ball begins to roll. Nothing to report yet :)

And just in case you have a case of the "Mondays" heres a fun little tune to pick you up...