National Lipstick Day

piHappy National Lipstick Day!! And in honor of this amazingly awesome day just for lipstick I figured I would share with you how I do my red lips.

F.Y.I. the video is in two parts because during the first part I heard Chrispy starting to cry so I had to stop to check on him. It really does suck when your hubby is gone :( And the lighting is horrible because it was done in my bathroom which has no light in it so next time I will do it in my bedroom, which has some light. Also, the camera was at a weird angle in my bathroom so I look really up close which of course makes me look I'm about 20 lbs. heavier than I am!!! I will figure it out one day.

Part 1

Part 2

                                                                    Ben Nye Powder

 A picture from 2011 at a Halloween party…also know as the party that got 2 of my friends and I pregnant…yep, I blame that on the shots being taken….all night ;)

An amazing photographer and friend Sarah took this photo of me and I just wanted to show you how to wear this bold red in the day time…everything else on my face is soft and neutral.

Have a Happy Day Y'all! :)

Chrispy Turns 2

The day you were born, I was so scared and nervous for what lied ahead. I wasn't thinking too much about the crazy pain you gave me in my back, or the fact that your Dada was in another country, I was too focused on the amazing gift I was about to receive and how terrified I was of the immense responsibility that was going to be laid in my hands. And then you were born. I heard your cry and knew immediately with every fiber of my being that you were mine. You were here. And you were perfect.

The doctor laid you on my chest and you looked up at me and with just the simple phrase of "Hello" you stopped crying, you stopped being scared, and you knew I was yours. Looking back now, it seems like yesterday you came into my world and have been completely rocking it every since.

After just two years together I know this much about life, there is a God, because how could there not be some great higher being after this miracle grows in your belly, shares your body, and changes your heart completely. I had no idea I had so many more chambers of the heart until you were in my arms. I know that watching you sleep gives me a sense of peace I have never felt before. I know that you were made just for me, you are my perfect. I know that I have never been more confident as a woman until I became a mother. I know that I have never been so scared in my life over the best way to protect you. I know that you have given me more joy in a single afternoon than many have tried to give me over the years. And I know one day you will leave this nest for a bigger world, and that doesn't frighten me one bit, because you were loved and know how to love.

Happy 2 Years Christian!!! The joy you have given me I could never repay, but I can always make up for that with an endless supply of hugs and kisses. :)

And Then There Was Chalk Paint

Chalk paint!!! It's pretty amazing stuff. I literally can't get over how much I love chalk paint and wish I could use it on all my pieces but it is not meant for every piece you own. I feel like chalk paint is best used for pieces that are going to be distressed or pieces that are harder to paint otherwise, like my cane chairs that I reupholstered and painted, they were perfect for chalk paint since they were in the worst condition and sanding them would have been a real challenge with the cane.

Since I've been making chalk paint for awhile now I thought I would also share how to make it…yes I know, yet another chalk paint recipe. But it was requested and I shall deliver people! :)

I made this just for those who wanted to know but a warning….I am not good in front of a camera (hence why there are no tutorials of me), I really needed a ponytail holder the whole time (couldn't keep my hands out of my hair), and I can not make eye contact (but in person I'm all about eye contact), and for some reason I felt the need to put a high pitch voice when I say water in the beginning (WAAATTTTER)….you were warned!!!

Chalk Paint Recipe:
1 part Plaster of Paris + water = 2 teaspoons Plaster of Paris + 1 teaspoon water (give or take)
1 part paint = 2 teaspoons paint or 1/4 cup paint

Notes:
*should be a the same consistency of pancake batter
*make only a little at a time, if you need more than the amount in the recipe, double it
*even strokes with your brush will give you the most even surface
*paint the grooves and small lines first and than the larger flat surfaces
*add as many coats of chalk paint until your reach your desired coverage, allowing all coats to dry in-between, (I usually do three thin coats)
*seal with furniture wax or a water base sealer

Happy Painting Y'all!!! Would love to see other's projects!! :)

Something Green!!!

After long and hard thought, I finally decided to paint my TV stand, which is actually an antique Japanese buffet, but the color choices where endless. I really was having a hard time deciding between a classic white wash with distressing that is so popular now or  taking the wild road and finally getting a grand piece of green furniture in my home. After careful consideration from friends and the go-ahead from the hubby, it was time to get this baby painted!

I knew I wanted a similar color to Kelly Green and after going to Home Depot and taking every sample card of green home with me, I finally found the color I'd been hunting, by Behr, Snip of Parsley!!! Yes!!! And it has a cute name ;)

(My mixer man, he waits on me way too much)

I had to complete this stand in sections since I've got a toddler running around, which makes my crafting a little difficult at times. I started with the fronts of the draws by giving all the draws a quick once over with a sandpaper block, cleaned them, and taped the edges. After just one coat I was in love!!! But knew I wanted a really rich color and the wood to make a really awesome peek-a-boo effect, so I waited for the paint to dry and applied two more coats.

The brass hardware got a vinegar and water "bubble bath" in a tiny crock pot I picked up from a family dollar that is awesome for things like cleaning hardware and cheese queso…oh yeah, super yummy (it is cleaned every time with bleach after using it for hardware ;).

After the paint dried completely, I removed the tape and began sanding to distress with 60 grit paper and after I got the desired look I switched to 120 grit to make it as smooth as possible. Cleaned well with a microfiber cloth and applied a thin layer of furniture wax. After 30 minutes of waiting, went back and buffed. Attached hardware and promptly drank a beer for a job well done :).

The next day, or night I should say, I finally was able to tackle the frame as soon as Chrispy went to bed for the night. I painted in all the small lines and grooves with a paint brush first and then the larger areas. After the paint dries, added a second layer with a brush in the grooves and then switched to a small 4 inch roller to make as many smooth and even areas as possible, plus it gets quicker when you go with a roller.

 (Middle of the night "I HATE YOU" screaming through my head!)

At this point I was hitting 10:30 at night and getting hungry from all the "labor" so it was a perfect time to put in a movie, No Reservations, and heat up some roasted chicken and have a glass of wine….paint was drying and all. After a few, and the paint is dry, did one more coat for full coverage. Let it dry again…half the pain of painting furniture is waiting for paint to dry but thankfully chalk paint goes on smoothly and dries quickly.

I spent the next hour of my life distressing this beast with 60 grit sandpaper and going back over it with 120 grit, by hand people!!! It wasn't one of those pieces that I could really use and electric sander since it would have made weird distress marks. By the time I was finished distressing and putting a layer of furniture wax on, I was half a bottle of wine in and it was 1 am! Job well done!!

This morning when it was dried completely the hubby was so happy with the results as am I. I don't have crazy color pieces in my house, in fact, this is the only painted furniture we have in our house, but everything about this screams fun!! Any chalk paint pieces you have been working on? Would love to see them. Hope you feel inspired to go out and finally do something you want ;)

Thanks y'all!!! :)

Beach Bums

This past week was an awesome little adventure for us. Chrispy and I randomly decided we needed a break from Ohio, we just aren't truly in love with our new surroundings yet, and headed to South Carolina for a little Nana and beach action. Growing up in the south, and especially spending part of my childhood in Florida and South Carolina, I am naturally drawn to water. I love the beach, lake, pond, river, swimming pool, hot tub, and even a little baby pool if need be to feel normal. Living in Ohio well, I just feel all dried up if you catch my drift :)

It was Chrispy's first time ever going to the beach and I honestly couldn't wait to get him out on the sand and feel the crashing waves on his feet. When my mom and I arrived at the beach, this time we just went to Myrtle Beach, we didn't have reservations at any of the resorts or hotels so it took us about thirty minutes to finally find a place that didn't cost us our life savings and didn't have a 3 night minimum…yikes! Seriously, checking into a hotel at the beach was the weirdest thing ever for me since growing up and going to the beach all the time I always stayed with friends in a house so it was super odd being a "tourist".

As soon as we unloaded the car into our hotel room we couldn't change out of our clothes fast enough and into bathing suits to get on the beach. Chrispy was a handful at this time from just being super tired from all the traveling but once he put his feet in the sand there was no stopping him. He took off to the water as if he had done it all his life. HE LOVES THE BEACH!!! Beach Bum for Life!! :)

After hours of walking, sun bathing, and playing tag with the water, we were ready to take our party to the outdoor pools at our hotel..plus we heard they had an outdoor bar :) Chrispy was having so much fun at the pools, a first for a change, and even caught a ride with Nana and me on the lazy river. The bar ended up being right next to the baby pool, great minds think alike ;), and the Mom's and I had peach daiquiris to heal the small sunburns we started developing while Chrispy sipped on a Virgin strawberry daiquiris and played the kissing game with us…he really is becoming quite the flirt.

After cleaning up we headed to one of the best seafood places to go in Myrtle Beach called Captain George's and it is really amazing. It's all you can eat crab legs and buffet, which is almost all seafood. Unfortunately my mom and I are the worst people to take to buffets, one plate a piece and we are done, I know, so sad :( But Chrispy polished off three huge plates like nobodies business.

We spent the rest of the evening walking along the strip and listening to the local musicians and even came across an Elvis impersonator and Chrispy was completely mesmerized by this cool dude. We made it back to our hotel about 9 and couldn't resist letting Chrispy play in the indoor pools with the big kids…he really is a water baby ;)

The next picture really describes everything I feel about rides that just spin you around in circles….total disgust!! I hate spinning rides!! Pure and true disgusted face here folks!!

 We headed to the Italian restaurant in our hotel for breakfast while enjoying the splendors of being at the beach. All my mom and I could talk about is how wonderful it must be for people that retire at places like that. Maybe a future location for the hubby and I? ;) After a morning walk on the beach and quick pack up, we headed home. The ocean, sand, and sun really eased my soul and I found a happy place since moving back to the states. More to come on our little adventure……:)

 Until next time my sweet beach bum….Have a Happy Day Y'all!

5 Years Down

Happy 5th Anniversary to my very best friend. Unbelievable to think that 5 years has flown by since we decided that we were going to spend forever together. Between living in different countries, experiencing new ideas, and testing our boundaries we have really come a long way since the days of being newlyweds!

To those who don't know our love story it kinda goes like this. Girl and guy meet. Girl doesn't like guy.  Guy and girl date other people. Girl leaves work to finish school. Guy tracks girl down. They date…shortly. Guy and girl elope in the only place there is to elope, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA!!! Elvis was present at the ceremony. They live happily ever after :)

Seriously, we made a big choice 5 years ago and have never regretted a single moment of it. Of course a year later on our 1 year anniversary we did it right and had a "proper" wedding with all of our family. I'm the luckiest girl to have you as my partner. I have never wanted or needed since we have been wed and I couldn't be more grateful for the love that we share. What a privilege it is to love  you.

We spent our evening together, stuffing our faces at the Melting Pot, reminiscing about how we met, what we have done and seen in our time as husband and wife. Turns out we are a very productive and busy couple. Even with all the challenges and struggles one makes in a marriage, it reminds me how strong our love is for each other. When there are a million things that should tear us apart, we always manage to stay strong together. I love you hubby!!

the day after we eloped!

Have a Happy Day Y'all! :)