tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22144615540268477212024-03-13T01:42:17.544-07:00The Belle AccountAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-10388323043852577132014-03-14T19:10:00.001-07:002015-01-02T13:45:22.328-08:00the blog is moving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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yep. </div>
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a new name. new direction. new look. </div>
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i started the belle account years ago as a way to document my move from alabama to texas. i'd always journaled in one way or another, and it felt like a good way to keep family and friends up to date on my life while i was 100s of miles away. </div>
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now that i've gotten married, changed names, and finished school, it seemed like a good time to make the blog switch one final time. i'm calling it my grown up blog. :]</div>
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i'll continue to craft, decorate, and post a nauseating number of pictures of the fur babies, but i'm also hoping to blog more about our life and family in general...</div>
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so if you'd like to follow along, click <a href="http://staciosborn.blogspot.com/">here</a> or the picture above to visit!</div>
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11944545/?claim=2zvcx5zj9q7">You can also follow our blog at bloglovin!</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-55191576290728753022014-02-20T18:03:00.003-08:002014-02-20T18:03:41.733-08:007/52<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY5Ql73TCMwfgnVnHr5ogF6L38aRMayfEwlKo7kdXgOPrgGJtyWv9XZldM-8E7IJkowI-oAtCv2Jezu1Q90q7zy1ABa0AMY_DhYmGe9rB-FTaHt4flduEYVuoqHPBX_R_NHzqzRO2-2MJ/s1600/2014-02-14+17.33.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY5Ql73TCMwfgnVnHr5ogF6L38aRMayfEwlKo7kdXgOPrgGJtyWv9XZldM-8E7IJkowI-oAtCv2Jezu1Q90q7zy1ABa0AMY_DhYmGe9rB-FTaHt4flduEYVuoqHPBX_R_NHzqzRO2-2MJ/s1600/2014-02-14+17.33.49.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our Griffin monster is a crier...pretty much every single second of every day. Last week I finally broke down and got him a <a href="http://www.thundershirt.com/">thundershirt</a> hoping that it would help with some of his anxiety. This little grey shirt has been an epic success in the Osborn household. Grif seems much more calm and comfortable, and I no longer want to pull my hair out every evening. He also rocks the shirt look pretty well! We may have to invest in some additional colors and styles. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-12937091007488727242014-02-10T17:24:00.001-08:002014-02-10T17:24:35.013-08:006/52<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There is nothing Miss Stella loves more than a toy battle.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-12198272676496305022014-02-04T06:41:00.000-08:002014-02-04T06:41:08.692-08:0010,000 steps: one month in<div style="text-align: center;">
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One of my resolutions for 2014 is 10,000 steps a day. </div>
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Husband and I have made a pact to be more active this year and 10,000 steps a day is our way of making that a measurable reality. Back in August we were both gifted <a href="http://www.fitbit.com/">Fitbits</a> as early Christmas gifts (thanks Mom!). The Fitbit is so stinkin' nifty. It's a wristband pedometer that allows you to track your steps, calories, etc., and lets you measure your own progress against any friends that also have a Fitbit using an app on your phone. This thing has changed the way we spend our evenings. No more coming home and turning into a couch potato, because now I can see what that looks like in terms of daily activity...and so can all my friends. It's really motivated me to spend more time on my feet during the day. I am officially a pedometer convert. </div>
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So 10,000 steps. Daily. No excuses. To keep us moving on those not-so-motivating days, we added a little reinforcement. If we meet our goal everyday during the month, then we get to treat ourselves to a little something that we normally wouldn't splurge on. My reward this month was a <a href="http://www.polar.com/us-en">Polar heart monitor</a>, and Tanner treated himself to router table.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mTaKLblZxL0cxKJYXE07DTbCGcGRYIJXiMa7-jYSja_8ngmEOLpFuM_RNQxYMhLGs36mvIxlpPu254HBeOopTQ_QivRbGkdV00-4hkJjRVuViMd3W_p9nNRUH6qNBF110spDh5mRJz2P/s1600/2014-02-03+19.56.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mTaKLblZxL0cxKJYXE07DTbCGcGRYIJXiMa7-jYSja_8ngmEOLpFuM_RNQxYMhLGs36mvIxlpPu254HBeOopTQ_QivRbGkdV00-4hkJjRVuViMd3W_p9nNRUH6qNBF110spDh5mRJz2P/s1600/2014-02-03+19.56.51.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqlZMSXj1KlH8VNohOlZXxaGIaqRl83qqUA4ncJBUOn08-QqKV7YEomgXIkqnpGrS0Frk0zCeBGI-4e0anoXTBp7AO9_qgn0JlB0WhZFZeGouKpnRYmgL1u0sCM-xasaTMNwZDkcEkd-D/s1600/2014-01-28+17.44.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqlZMSXj1KlH8VNohOlZXxaGIaqRl83qqUA4ncJBUOn08-QqKV7YEomgXIkqnpGrS0Frk0zCeBGI-4e0anoXTBp7AO9_qgn0JlB0WhZFZeGouKpnRYmgL1u0sCM-xasaTMNwZDkcEkd-D/s1600/2014-01-28+17.44.22.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I know. I know. I look a hot mess. I'd just finished running! It's allowed. Anyways.</div>
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I thought it would be nice to take a little look back at the end of every month by answering a set of questions. So here's how I'm feeling one month in:</div>
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<b>What's been the hardest part of meeting your daily goal this month? </b>Getting my steps in when days weren't routine. We hosted some friends from Alabama for a couple days earlier this month, and it was definitely a challenge to hit 10,000 on those evenings when all I wanted to do was hang out on the couch and watch movies with my friends.</div>
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<b>What did you choose as your reward?</b> A <a href="http://www.polar.com/us-en/products/improve_fitness/fitness_crosstraining/FT40">Polar FT40</a> heart rate monitor. It is ridiculously awesome.</div>
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<b>What time of day do you get most of your exercise?</b> I'm still doing most of my moving and shaking when I get home from work. I'd love to be a morning exerciser, and I did wake up early a few days this morning, but I'm just not there yet. Sister likes her sleep.</div>
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<b>What activities are you doing to meet your goal? </b>A lot of treadmill walking (mostly a 3.5 mph) so far. I've also done some interval running/walking with a 10k training app, walking through our neighborhood, and FocusT25 workouts.</div>
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<b>Noticing in differences in the way you feel or look? </b>Nope, not really. Just proud that we made it through month one!</div>
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<b>Best moment? </b>Making it to the "twenties" this month. I knew I was going to meet my goal when we hit those last days.</div>
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<b>Worst moment? </b>The first day back to work from the holidays was ROUGH. I spent most of my day at my desk and got home that evening with about 1,300 steps total. That was my one really tough push-through moment this month. I cried as I got ready to leave the office and was so certain that I wouldn't be able to make my goal. I'm thankful for my supportive mister <strike>and for trashy television</strike> that helped my trudge through that rough spot.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-11281112039577091072014-02-03T18:51:00.000-08:002014-02-03T18:51:04.853-08:005/52<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuX-VcmxOyGcW370_AEF-Wjxj27URc9s-daVhzHAY6a9Imx1adC3yiWz0nO-PlALCzfQVAVXwCDeh8JmJFY3Hk9xdCjgYknWxXxsNzhh8SQy1zpZaApyT2GmK75zmKxXxWZ4Ysc8UmlUbL/s1600/2014-02-01+15.19.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuX-VcmxOyGcW370_AEF-Wjxj27URc9s-daVhzHAY6a9Imx1adC3yiWz0nO-PlALCzfQVAVXwCDeh8JmJFY3Hk9xdCjgYknWxXxsNzhh8SQy1zpZaApyT2GmK75zmKxXxWZ4Ysc8UmlUbL/s1600/2014-02-01+15.19.36.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once January hits my spring fever gets to going and I absolutely cannot wait for sandals and sunny days. Unfortunately old man winter is not quite ready to give it up. It's been COLD around here lately, and in an attempt to liven things up around here, I planted some flower seeds! I've never been much of a green thumb. Last year I killed 2 trees and multiple potted plants...but every spring I feel the need to give it a go one more time. This is my first year of sprouts! It's pretty amazing how quickly these little guys have been growing. Every morning they look visibly taller. I'm pretty proud. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-45969664703305630562014-01-31T09:38:00.001-08:002014-01-31T09:39:31.731-08:00i'm ready for my close up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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those little gappy griffin teeth just get me.</div>
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happy friday!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-62834389640972796452014-01-27T16:38:00.001-08:002014-01-27T16:39:38.953-08:004/52<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tanner and I visited a new "cocktail craftery" in wacotown last weekend to hear some live music and have a couple drinks. Muddle was such a cool little place. The atmosphere was nice--crowded but not overwhelming--and the drinks were great. Our favorite was called Strawberry Fields Forever, which was a whiskey and muddled strawberries mixture. Good, good stuff. I'm loving the changing face of our little city on the river. There are so many new places opening these days! We may just have to try another this weekend.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-83657793291084812912014-01-21T09:11:00.000-08:002014-01-21T09:11:46.541-08:003/52<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We hosted some of my favorite Alabamians this past week/weekend who were in town for theater auditions at Baylor. I love having people from my first home come visit me at my second. It was fun to act like a tourist in ole' Wacotown for a few days and visit some of the spots that you seem to forget about when you pass them everyday. Fingers crossed that Miss Beka joins the BU family this fall!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-89472736804630566672014-01-17T11:22:00.000-08:002014-01-21T09:11:55.926-08:001&2/52<div style="text-align: center;">
I need more pictures in my life. This is a fact. In an attempt to be more cognizant of my surroundings and what we're doing with our days, I'm embarking on a little photo-project for 2014. Like <a href="http://bleubirdblog.com/category/life/the-52-project/">bleubird</a> said last year, I'm just not ready to commit to a 'picture a day for a year' kind of thing. That's quite the lofty goal for this picture taking novice.... So instead, I'm going to stick with one picture a week. </div>
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Naturally I am late. We're half way through week 3 -BUT- thankfully I've been taking pictures. Maybe I knew I was going to attempt this project before I really 'knew'...ya know? Hm. </div>
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Week 1:<br />
I got a vitamix for Christmas and it is amaaaaaaaazing. It's my new favorite kitchen toy.</div>
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Week 2:<br />
Stella in her natural habitat.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-85998133193071101302014-01-05T08:16:00.001-08:002014-01-05T08:18:05.441-08:00resolutions and such<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Rq7otKniq5x6J19Sm8feJYwGSLPlUwZd5Yvt0mv8h4ugevfoe5jXxt-cXCpxX17hJeXQWxMsqyrFLRb1c3Dfl7ythU8JznXYxy5RQhiztMGIeUEsPln0zvOaqL4l45NXqkUeyHPWgDmz/s1600/2014-01-05+09.55.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Rq7otKniq5x6J19Sm8feJYwGSLPlUwZd5Yvt0mv8h4ugevfoe5jXxt-cXCpxX17hJeXQWxMsqyrFLRb1c3Dfl7ythU8JznXYxy5RQhiztMGIeUEsPln0zvOaqL4l45NXqkUeyHPWgDmz/s640/2014-01-05+09.55.52.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">our chalkboard for the new year </span></div>
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Goal setting is one of my favorite things to do. I love this time of year and try my best to take advantage of the new year enthusiasm to simplify, organize, and make room in my life for better, healthier habits.<br />
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This year my goals all revolve around a central theme: stress relief. Fall was a draining season. Work was tough, and I spent a lot of time anxious and unsettled. I picked up a lot of unhealthy habits (like copious amounts of television in the evenings) in an attempt to decompress, which didn't help one single bit. Shocking, right?<br />
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I decided that this new season would be different, and I've chosen goals that will hopefully be simple, healthy, and stress relieving. Here is what I've committed to:<br />
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<li>Taking my work email off of my phone. Such a handy tool...so anxiety provoking. No more Friday evening emails to stress over for the next 3 days. I'll only be answering (and looking at) work-related emails during work hours.</li>
<li>Walking/running at least 10,000 steps a day. I feel so much better when I'm active. I've put a reward system in place (like a new pair of lululemon pants!!!) for each month that I get my 10,000 steps every day. Hopefully this will encourage me to push through the early months when habits are still forming. </li>
<li>Clean eating 80% of the time. Like exercise, I just feel better when I eat well. "Clean eating" can be so vague, and honestly, I'm still trying to figure out what it means for my life. Where I think we are headed is non-processed, organic foods that nourish. Lots of vegetables and lean meats. Foods that are high in fiber and protein. No added sugars. Smaller amounts of dairy. My thoughts on clean eating are still changing and forming...and so what this looks like for our family may very well morph in time.</li>
<li>Unplugging at least 30 minutes before bed. I love my social media, but sometimes it just stresses me out. Nobody needs that right before sleep. That time is much better spent reading, preparing for the next day, or catching up with the mister. </li>
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So there you have it! My goals. I'm sticking to them so far! We've been eating well, exercising most days, and moving all days. I took work email off of my phone on the 1st, and I instantly felt lighter. It's been so nice. Unplugging at night as been difficult, but I'm confident it will get easier with time.<br />
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We start back to work on Monday and I feel more peace about going back than I have in a long time. I think that's a good start. :]<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-88327293595015548192013-12-29T17:31:00.002-08:002013-12-29T17:31:36.986-08:00coming out of the holiday coma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tomorrow I will unpack bags, trek to the grocery store, and begin the long process of packing away Christmas decorations in preparation for a new year. It's always a little bittersweet...a mix of sadness over leaving family and friends states away and excitement for what all the coming year may hold. There's also so much to do when we return from our holiday travels that it always feels a little overwhelming. (<strike>Not so</strike> awesome example: our deep freezer died while we were gone. hello garage full of rotting food. yikes.) Tonight though...tonight I'll have a glass of wine, burn my final Christmas candle, and enjoy these last sweet holiday moments. Everything else can wait until tomorrow. (Except the rotting food. We definitely handled that first thing.)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-78364778787324673242013-10-07T17:55:00.001-07:002013-10-07T17:57:36.019-07:007 things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You know what makes for a pretty great Monday? Let's make a list. </div>
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1. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1389137/">we bought a zoo</a> movie night</div>
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2. a short (THREE day) work week. yay for conferences!</div>
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3. marking things off my to do list</div>
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5. copious amount of tea</div>
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6. fall scented...everything</div>
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and last but not least...</div>
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7. late afternoon snuggles with this lady ^^</div>
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seven days into october and it's been glorious thus far. huzzah!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-86863405642012506132013-10-01T18:48:00.004-07:002013-10-01T18:49:43.583-07:00coming out of the daze<div>
I get sick at the beginning of school every year. Never fails. Always sucks. I've been nursing some version of the allergy monster / stomach bug / achy joint old person crud preeeeetty much since the beginning of September. </div>
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BUT it's October now, and I am claiming that this mess be gone. Done-zo. Not gonna do it anymore. </div>
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So there. </div>
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I will say there are some parts of being sick that haven't been so bad. There have been lots of puppy cuddles, cool nights with spicy candles, and quite a few afternoon naps.</div>
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I'll leave you with a picture of my favorite napping buddy. </div>
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She's my favorite. Happy October!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-23100313906625261982013-09-08T18:08:00.003-07:002013-09-08T18:28:48.558-07:00this weekend I...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEDHW2T2Srby_UOiKzdV2lUhKGhpWLZZjDdmdKDfLh-am6q98K4QKiEhV2Gah2t-2-wPZAEb-znbBdvPk9urBUwE2pAalwhHPfuRczEtvzkWD0U_PqSwkhWs7hCaO1-wukEvhuLksA_7f/s1600/2013-09-07+19.01.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEDHW2T2Srby_UOiKzdV2lUhKGhpWLZZjDdmdKDfLh-am6q98K4QKiEhV2Gah2t-2-wPZAEb-znbBdvPk9urBUwE2pAalwhHPfuRczEtvzkWD0U_PqSwkhWs7hCaO1-wukEvhuLksA_7f/s640/2013-09-07+19.01.56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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hosted an old roommate and dear friend for an evening</div>
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decided it may be time to reread the Harry Potter series</div>
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had the laziest saturday afternoon on the planet</div>
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watched so much football I thought my head might explode</div>
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received hand-written notes from friends (and replied!)</div>
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started decorating for fall</div>
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completed THREE crafty pants projects</div>
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took my winter clothes out of storage...even though it's still triple digit temps around here</div>
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a successful weekend in my book! tomorrow is back to work, and i'm definitely wishing we could relive labor day every monday. i'll be back later this week with some new project recaps. hope you all had wonderful weekends! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-82480408051669519532013-09-05T20:11:00.002-07:002013-10-02T15:02:11.583-07:00weekend recap and some pictures of life latelyNow that it's back to work time, I take advantage of every opportunity in my brief, precious long weekends. This weekend my mom came into town!<br />
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You just don't know how much you'll miss your momma until you move away, y'all. I'm telling you. It was so, so good to have her here. Even if the weekend didn't go exactly as planned.<br />
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Promptly after my sweet madre arrived on friday night, our air conditioner compressor decided to die. Welcome to Waco, Mom! On a friday evening. Of a long weekend. During the hottest week of the summer. The temperature in our house at midnight was 90-freaking-degrees. Gag. We moved our adorable industrial fan into the living room and snacked on watermelon while we discussed what in the world we were going to do if the air conditioning man couldn't visit us until tuesday. Did I mention that is was opening weekend for football in our sweet little college town? Three cheers for sold out games and no vacancy hotels! Sic em.<br />
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In a beautiful twist of fate, Mr. Air Conditioning Man was working the weekend! And we had a beautifully working AC by dinner time on saturday night.<br />
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We spent our day hiding out from the heat in shopping malls while we looked for the perfect fabrics to knock out a little ottoman slipcover diy. (Curtain panels are where it's at!) And we spent the evening watching a little Baylor football with some dear friends. On sunday, my sweet mother-in-law came into town for breakfast and then we spent the rest of the day being gloriously lazy, which is truly the best way to spend a sunday.<br />
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We broke out the sewing machine on monday and ended the day with two new slipcovers. I loooooooove them. And will post pictures soon.<br />
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Having family in town makes me a the happiest. They should probably just move here.<br />
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Some pictures of life lately. :)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-40724220654697930492013-08-29T18:32:00.000-07:002013-08-29T18:32:26.568-07:00a little glimpse into our front room...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/9404655754_e2e0901adc_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/9404655754_e2e0901adc_k.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Which is coming right along!</div>
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Next up on the list I hope to see our wood floors extended into this room and something fun on the ceiling. Feeling inspired by these RIDICULOUS images. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.mydesignchic.com/2013/08/things-we-love-barn-doors.html">1</a> / <a href="http://www.houseofturquoise.com/2013/08/karista-hannah-and-lauren-harp.html">2</a> / <a href="http://www.gusandlula.com/2011/02/wallpapered-ceilings.html">3</a> / <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2010/08/sneak-peek-best-of-bedrooms-part-1.html">4</a></span></div>
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Happy sigh. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-52706787770364137622013-08-28T18:40:00.001-07:002013-08-28T18:41:31.423-07:00a summer bbq<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While we were in Alabama for my sweet cousin's wedding, we had the chance to get together for a small, family barbecue at <a href="http://thebelleaccount.blogspot.com/2013/07/bathroom-envy.html">my aunt and uncle's home</a> on our last night in town. It was a warm, nearly perfect, July night complete with three kinds of pie, cheddar biscuits, and the sweetest sangria to ever touch your lips. We told stories and caught up on each others lives under twinkle lights while thunder rolled in the background. It was one of those nights I won't soon forget. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-65342707494611000562013-08-26T09:32:00.000-07:002013-08-27T19:13:19.384-07:00list love: back to school...er...work.<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<img alt="back to work" border="0" force="1" height="489" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/lfCFgRPSnoUa8cvh7gIU2w/cid/95299822/id/BkAHbbzMQE2T2FYs0ED7uQ/size/c600x489.jpg" title="back to work" width="600" /></div>
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I'm in the market for a new office chair after a cat took its claws to the arms of mine...<a href="http://www.madeindesign.co.uk/prod-meridiana-swivel-armchair-driade-ref9851890.html">this one</a> would make me happy every time I sat down. / My <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Camelbak-Bottle-0-75-Liter-24-Ounce-Charcoal/dp/B006ZT8MKU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377655973&sr=8-2&keywords=camelbak">water bottle</a> is attached to my hip while I'm visiting campuses. Cheers to staying hydrated! / A happy print brightens any work day spent in front of a computer. I'm thinking I need to add <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/115197082/steve-jobs-quote-wall-decor-16x20">this one</a> to my collection this year. Maybe in a bright, cheerful frame. / A large work tote is a much for carrying files, snacks, and electronics around to campus meetings. I love how structured <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=Hy3bqNL2jtQ&mid=36785&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.loefflerrandall.com%2FLRProduct.aspx%3FProductID%3D812%26CategoryID%3D200&u1=5c0a96e1fae14f69829d94cd4f19c0a7">this one</a> is! / My <a href="http://www.erincondren.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=1454_1455&products_id=4472">Erin Condren Day Planner</a> is --hands down-- my most favorite work item. It's my birthday present to myself every year, and I couldn't stay organized without it. I can not recommend this handy little book enough. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-69994145458048106702013-08-15T16:42:00.001-07:002013-08-30T20:59:50.434-07:00quickie updateThis is just a quick post to say that going back to work is HARD. I know. I know. You don't feel sorry for me. That's okay. Just let me be sad for a minute and mourn for my summer. And for the fact that our office has moved into a tiny, tin building being held up by cinder blocks. I'm missing my window something fierce right about now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4fLBaB_5P9DopRWXiitG_l4dRQ0lyaudrXjhbP-UtNPK92l249zq1GTaiC0aWq2D0XdkVhuvuda79w58lbwtDUZBjq1DzjQpg37YLgO2uxrf753rlPIx-QDz-fuLjeJ_O8xM2z-muLK3/s1600/2013-08-12+17.11.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4fLBaB_5P9DopRWXiitG_l4dRQ0lyaudrXjhbP-UtNPK92l249zq1GTaiC0aWq2D0XdkVhuvuda79w58lbwtDUZBjq1DzjQpg37YLgO2uxrf753rlPIx-QDz-fuLjeJ_O8xM2z-muLK3/s640/2013-08-12+17.11.10.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is also a quick post to say that I painted our bedroom twice in one week. First green, then <strike>purple</strike> grey. Also that I should make my pillows prettier before taking photos. That's real life, y'all. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgzLlQ-kSCdjx6zKrFKt1YqlqFdSXvPvgdALet1ORWl5oA5yvtP0E-M3WPGLWghtSpph7p21Q79SKD-yaYB95Rk3EPo1PHgBHZzZjnEOMGHt3feJadRGe8bGep09zi1kwGsRtvvwKxfwz/s1600/2013-08-12+13.42.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgzLlQ-kSCdjx6zKrFKt1YqlqFdSXvPvgdALet1ORWl5oA5yvtP0E-M3WPGLWghtSpph7p21Q79SKD-yaYB95Rk3EPo1PHgBHZzZjnEOMGHt3feJadRGe8bGep09zi1kwGsRtvvwKxfwz/s640/2013-08-12+13.42.21.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And that I started a new project with an old mirror! Go ahead and disregard the crap in the floor. K thanks. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbixsTxgF3ZfzwKBXZFD0KGD2e1eaKlh9PjD9LWJKebWOYhtzNevwuJz9tntMEQCgrT1WGNvGW4kOXsMfeNGZAuAe-JOIHTYhJWWTxnFZTsvRbh0EJyobx1oBU8ZElP-oAxBPO5bddEP3O/s1600/2013-08-14+16.45.04-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbixsTxgF3ZfzwKBXZFD0KGD2e1eaKlh9PjD9LWJKebWOYhtzNevwuJz9tntMEQCgrT1WGNvGW4kOXsMfeNGZAuAe-JOIHTYhJWWTxnFZTsvRbh0EJyobx1oBU8ZElP-oAxBPO5bddEP3O/s640/2013-08-14+16.45.04-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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AND that the lemon tree we thought we killed has come back to life with a vengeance! My black thumb is feeling quite green and a bit self righteous right about now. </div>
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Will be back with a finished product, prettier pictures, and wittier words just as soon as I come up for air from the first-week-back-to-school crazies. Which, lets be honest, last much longer than a week. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-48042035781711981322013-08-08T07:43:00.000-07:002013-08-09T12:34:55.527-07:00welcome to slipcover hell...(or the story of how I came to spend my birthday cleaning furniture)Y'all. It's bad.<br />
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I haven't shared much about my current living room furniture exploits, because....honestly, it's been a bit of a sore spot. Lots of highs and lows. I've cried a few times. I consumed a lot. of wine. A lot. Today things got a bit out of control, and so I decided it was finally time to put it all out there. I need a frustration outlet other than the fella. I think he would appreciate that.<br />
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So settle in...this is bound to be a long one.<br />
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We'll start with a quick review of my dream living room. When we moved into the new house it was obvious we needed new furniture. We had all this extra space and a bunch of old, dirty furniture we'd collected separately and then just thrown together once we were married. We were definitely due for a grownup upgrade. And so I started pinning my little heart out and dreaming of ways we could beautify our new space. I pinned a lot of things like this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_bodysoul_ss3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_bodysoul_ss3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://img4-2.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2013/01/let-there-be-white/family-room-sectional-l.jpg?400:400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://img4-2.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2013/01/let-there-be-white/family-room-sectional-l.jpg?400:400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/decorating-style/cottage/citrus-color-scheme-family-cottage/#page=6">1</a> / <a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/bodyandsoul/couples-retreat_ss3.html">2</a> / <a href="http://www.lauraleeclark.com/Gallery/21/Kitchens/">3</a> / <a href="http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/decorate-with-white-00417000080927/page9.html">4</a></div>
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Anyone else seeing a pattern? Hello, slipcover obsession. Get.in.my.living room.</div>
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So naturally we went out and bought a giant, expensive leather couch. That's right. #idiot #idiot #idiot </div>
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It was just so comfy in the store....and so easy to clean...and it came in an extra large depth that would be perfect for curling up and watching movies. And so we spent all our pennies to buy this rustic monster of a couch, which I am now trying to make fit with my light, bright cottage home dreams. </div>
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Terrible decision. But it's okay. We have a leather couch. I've accepted that. We'll own it until we die, because I intend to squeeze every last penny out of those extra deep cushions. </div>
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We also have a pair of (p)leather club chairs in our living room that we picked up at target a few years back. I've never intended for these guys to stay in the living room...it's just too much leather. And coupled with the dark floors it feels like living in a dungeon. I've been on the hunt for the perfect chair or love seat to complete the space for a while now, and after getting some color on the walls earlier this summer I was ready to finally commit to my love of slipcovers. I stalked the internet for the best slipcovered furniture out there and read every comment I could find comparing the Pottery Barn collections to the Ikea Ektorp collection. I read and researched until I thought my brain would explode. </div>
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Finally, I convinced the boy to road trip to Ikea with me last weekend (for my birthday! whoop!) to sit on the Ektorp and Hovas armchairs. The prices were so great...we just needed to see for ourselves. The verdict--we hated the Ektorp. The cushions were so thin! We felt like we were sitting on a wooden bench. Terrible. The Hovas though....it had a deeper seat and a thicker cushion. If felt like a chair I could curl up in. The only con to the Hovas line was that it didn't come in the linen blend like the Ektorp collection, and I really had my heart set on linen. In the end, I decided to let go of my love for linen and just get the chair anyway. They had a nice off-white color that we both really liked, and I figured I could always have a linen slipcover made at a later date if I really wanted. And so we trekked down to the warehouse section to buy two of the Hovas chairs in "white". </div>
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You know where this is going.... </div>
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Unfortunately, everyone on the planet also thought the Hovas armchair in white would look good in their living room. In fact, so many people had this idea that Ikea had sold out of the slipcover in this color. Indefinitely. I could still get the chair if I wanted to buy one with a horrid corduroy cover on it. No thanks. We left empty handed. Happy birthday to me. And so we made the trip back to Waco where Tanner proceeded to take a nap while I scoured the internet for the perfect slipcovered furniture. Like a dog with a bone. At some point I found myself on Craigslist looking at an ad for a slipcovered chair, ottoman, and love seat with "normal wear and tear" for a bargain. !!! It was even marked down, because she was moving the next day! It felt like a special birthday miracle. </div>
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I texted the owner immediately (which is something I never do), who told me the furniture was still available but that we would need to come see it that evening. I woke up the boy, bouncing and carrying on about the marvelous deal I found and how we were going to end up with three pieces of furniture for the price of one. He wasn't nearly as excited as I was, but he humored me and we worked it out where we could borrow a friend's truck to go check out the goods. The entire drive to the lady's apartment I kept thinking about how I couldn't believe my luck. Tanner kept trying to prepare me for the possibility that the furniture may not be what we were looking for, but I wasn't hearing him. In my mind, there was absolutely no way we were leaving without that furniture. I'd seen a picture! It couldn't be in that bad of condition. </div>
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It was bad, guys. Really bad. The woman was a smoker with cats. The slipcovers, which she reported as being "off-white", were now a rusty red color. "Normal wear and tear" included disintegrated cushions, cigarette burns, and stains that I can not even describe to you. There are no words. I had a small panic attack in this poor lady's apartment. Tanner was looking at me...she was looking at me...the smoke smell was making me queasy... We bought the furniture. She just looked so pitiful and nice...I couldn't tell her no. I'm a sucker. It was awful. And so we paid (what I now consider an outrageously overpriced amount of money) for this furniture, packed it into the truck, and took it home. I am never allowed to go on a Craigslist run again. </div>
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I tried to be positive. I told Tanner that I thought we could probably get by with just replacing the back cushions and slipcovers. I told him I still thought we could save the furniture and that in the end it would be worth it...but it smelled so bad. It was so stained and dirty and stinky that I refused to take it any further than the garage. And after removing and disposing of the slipcovers, we discovered that none of the cushions were salvageable. </div>
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At this point I was no longer hopeful. I felt stupid and foolish and I was pretty sure we had just made a terrible mistake. Tanner still felt like the pieces could be saved, bless him, and we spent the next day (my actual birthday) deep cleaning our new furniture. We rented a carpet/upholstery cleaner from our local grocery store and got to work. We cleaned...and we bleached...and we sprayed with Odo-Ban...and we sprinkled with baking soda...and by the end of the day the smoke smell was gone as were nearly all of the stains. I didn't take any before pictures of the furniture, mostly because I didn't think any of our friends would sit on it if they knew how it looked before. Much better to just leave that to their imaginations, right?</div>
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All three pieces looked much better after their deep cleaning and my confidence returned. I ordered some upholstery foam and batting for cushions and started researching slipcovers. We settled on a set of linen slipcovers from Ballard Designs. They were beautiful and much more affordable than other places I had looked. Well...those slipcovers showed up today, and wouldn't ya now it, they don't fit. Now, I'm not the greatest at working with numbers, but I measured and counted and checked and checked and checked my math on this. I was certain I had it right--down to the half inch. But no...no, I missed one little thing. Let's take a look.</div>
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Here is an awesome iphone photo of our newly cleaned chair hanging out in the living room:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlxFLtuyDnbT-35gnl3TweYVXWhrdSQ-43oNctlOKUe6OTxUBbSs6299E-FFTX0G6xX6jvev0SuPLDvbOzzjVKMMP3HaatqHSC_o_Y2zoJ5fNrDNB-zZvO-J49OnzNHm9FSVpvF_xYGSb/s1600/2013-08-08+09.06.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlxFLtuyDnbT-35gnl3TweYVXWhrdSQ-43oNctlOKUe6OTxUBbSs6299E-FFTX0G6xX6jvev0SuPLDvbOzzjVKMMP3HaatqHSC_o_Y2zoJ5fNrDNB-zZvO-J49OnzNHm9FSVpvF_xYGSb/s640/2013-08-08+09.06.52.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Notice it's still discolored in some areas. I am not a wizard. </div>
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And here is the slipcover we purchased from <a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/davenport-club-chair-slipcover-ballard-essentials-fabrics/14768?redirect=y">Ballard</a>:</div>
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<a href="http://ballarddesigns.scene7.com/is/image/ballarddesigns/T_WithoutZoom?$w400$&$src=UA068_main&$B1=blank" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://ballarddesigns.scene7.com/is/image/ballarddesigns/T_WithoutZoom?$w400$&$src=UA068_main&$B1=blank" width="640" /></a></div>
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How about those extra short arms on the Ballard chair? Yea. That took us hours to figure out. HOURS. The slipcover fit perfectly along the back and over the arms, but we couldn't get the sucker to fit over both at the same time. No wonder, right? Le sigh. </div>
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So we're sending them back. I spent some time researching other options last night...I called our local Pottery Barn and talked to the most unhelpful salesperson ever. I read and reread return policies. (Heads up--special orders (like slipcovers) can not be returned to Pottery Barn.) I looked up information on custom slipcover makers. I cried for our bank account. When Tanner suggested we wrap the frames in fabric and staple it to the bottom I started feeling a little desperate. Finally, I came across a set of JCPenney slipcovers for their Linden Street line, which is very similar to the Pottery Barn collections in style and size. (Yay!) And I can return them to our local store if they don't work. (Double Yay!) Sadly, they do not come in linen...but at this point I do not care. Bring on the twill! All in all, I'm feeling a little better about things this morning. I can't say at this point that my slipcover obsession is worth all this trouble. I'll let ya know once the new covers are in and I've tried my hand at making cushions. Our leather monster of a sofa is looking pretty good about now. </div>
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Kudos to those of you who made it to the end of my little novel rant! It was quite therapeutic. </div>
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Today I'll be chilling in front of an industrial fan trying not to sweat my face off while waiting for the air conditioning man to pay us a visit. In the midst of last night's slipcover drama, our AC unit started leaking water everywhere. A little internet research suggests that some duct thing located somewhere is clogged. Awesome. Tanner swears he saw a frog living in the pipe. I guess we'll see?</div>
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***UPDATE***</div>
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AC man came and it went and it was not the frog! Just a run of the mill clog. Easy fix! </div>
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Live on little froggie, live on. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-21758403587886596922013-08-07T07:01:00.000-07:002013-08-07T07:05:19.585-07:00for nostalgia's sake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Two years of family photos!</div>
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Year One</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3KVOtnpwR3zk5VbWTYQf9ODGLauAOGuXr4lGvPIH1gQ52bMhmUaMKGcyMCVF1H4fy5iNuH1oV6pawGRExlb-ebGVUQetieFZmlLow61DQkpELQtEpBuADL7oFEO_NVnMSW20fEKrA6HS/s1600/375869_3616622144425_865835702_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3KVOtnpwR3zk5VbWTYQf9ODGLauAOGuXr4lGvPIH1gQ52bMhmUaMKGcyMCVF1H4fy5iNuH1oV6pawGRExlb-ebGVUQetieFZmlLow61DQkpELQtEpBuADL7oFEO_NVnMSW20fEKrA6HS/s640/375869_3616622144425_865835702_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Year Two</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BhOfhr79U99Ch_vzeATOqrlrhKbCS-b8uSll91GkH9xXdBl6ifmakHiG1CuRLvsRuRxj-DFpe7DUqYhziZVlNd9oO-ohIyxNaTEf7r8xaOQzNYnHe1J6k7TRxwzrJm87y0YFXsytYCp7/s1600/2013-07-27+15.22.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BhOfhr79U99Ch_vzeATOqrlrhKbCS-b8uSll91GkH9xXdBl6ifmakHiG1CuRLvsRuRxj-DFpe7DUqYhziZVlNd9oO-ohIyxNaTEf7r8xaOQzNYnHe1J6k7TRxwzrJm87y0YFXsytYCp7/s640/2013-07-27+15.22.56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyone else notice that Tanner is wearing the same shirt in both photos? Weird. And totally not planned. Now though...now I may have to make him wear it again next year. Marriage is good and I love my little family. I'm so thankful for my sweet, kind-hearted mister. Doing life with him is fun! Even on the not-so-fun days.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-86811977676094410772013-08-06T17:32:00.001-07:002013-08-07T07:02:57.850-07:00because every good list maker needs a birthday list...Here's mine!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBCyI5aAuwZd6j4tRCKpfnjgRArxuiB46vpb25jn6sTZU1arUAAflxYKGSkLudHR28uuj4I3Hrdg7hdaXmw72IKWaYEscVuVKHxSyickSbvCa4PmQumJFb5emyH5Ne1ODrxB38Tc9O6bF/s1600/27before28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBCyI5aAuwZd6j4tRCKpfnjgRArxuiB46vpb25jn6sTZU1arUAAflxYKGSkLudHR28uuj4I3Hrdg7hdaXmw72IKWaYEscVuVKHxSyickSbvCa4PmQumJFb5emyH5Ne1ODrxB38Tc9O6bF/s640/27before28.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<ol>
<li style="text-align: left;">Buy something at an auction</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Paint something for our walls</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Read a new book</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Stay at the <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/577410">Dixie Daisy</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Learn to use my sewing machine</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Give our backyard a makeover</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Make a cake from scratch</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Nest! Continue making our home a place we love living</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Take a doggie obedience class</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Eat somewhere new in Waco</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Go on a boat ride</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Take a photograph worthy of displaying in our home (and display it!)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Tour a winery</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Attend a Baylor sporting event</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Surprise a friend</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Buy a new board game</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Attempt something out of my comfort zone</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Go hear live music</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Attend my 10 year high school reunion (YIKES.)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Take my BCBA exam (and pass it!)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Plant a herb garden</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Volunteer my time</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Throw a dinner party with a theme</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Divergent the movie!</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Upcycle a thrift store treasure</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Visit a beach</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Make a new friend</li>
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I gotta say, I'm feeling pretty excited about this list. Here's to a great year! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-72523327765520785872013-08-02T07:20:00.001-07:002013-08-02T07:21:51.203-07:00life recently according to my iphone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPt_4hyO8JurK500YLbRsz33eWZKZuJaqtPwSTTSq22k4hJQC7ZCnPzt6ixNOWQFDtXsnsP9ySVpkDnpvG8xRJXzlAz7dMF9mFO3kZ2hnlNE0n8Pd2aVk5Cwyk6H4l1Iq6eefnHSQvqC6/s1600/2013-07-11+07.50.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPt_4hyO8JurK500YLbRsz33eWZKZuJaqtPwSTTSq22k4hJQC7ZCnPzt6ixNOWQFDtXsnsP9ySVpkDnpvG8xRJXzlAz7dMF9mFO3kZ2hnlNE0n8Pd2aVk5Cwyk6H4l1Iq6eefnHSQvqC6/s640/2013-07-11+07.50.49.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Y8ALkT7IvvkJ8WV3AfaGDPIQjXD690JH7pLOWqFj0UP3gwI1LJaN6i_kQwq5tN7QijXPg8XmGpxnYCgm1oXmT4QXvTI9a9ehHW87aLP4GXgtSNpTcp0hf295-NakF7u_l6z6u_7d0nif/s1600/2013-07-13+10.01.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Y8ALkT7IvvkJ8WV3AfaGDPIQjXD690JH7pLOWqFj0UP3gwI1LJaN6i_kQwq5tN7QijXPg8XmGpxnYCgm1oXmT4QXvTI9a9ehHW87aLP4GXgtSNpTcp0hf295-NakF7u_l6z6u_7d0nif/s640/2013-07-13+10.01.04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ti5m2Ws39lxEt75elSIE2f7Vdz4hzynDRHPdlXTeQFyItL1ZT735UcFB5XusSqALsUfUH2RKOKQ7GKE5HxmgPVvtxVVZ3wBxZqQAM5aVMhLlJxUsbgILsPf0fSqZ4NQxxo5K42eEHmi7/s1600/2013-07-13+10.01.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ti5m2Ws39lxEt75elSIE2f7Vdz4hzynDRHPdlXTeQFyItL1ZT735UcFB5XusSqALsUfUH2RKOKQ7GKE5HxmgPVvtxVVZ3wBxZqQAM5aVMhLlJxUsbgILsPf0fSqZ4NQxxo5K42eEHmi7/s640/2013-07-13+10.01.20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_YXxa4vrNVtHSXoRKIV1E3_rgYrL6NPbb3CkalfFe1gKHyBklHsoygRMbJPMH_ZZ6b9pZDN23rbIaJD4o4BvD3tYK2mo2vfbLp4atnbaVmhyphenhyphenZut2YZBIMg3vPSbELOD55NZ9O_wX7TxA/s1600/2013-07-13+10.01.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_YXxa4vrNVtHSXoRKIV1E3_rgYrL6NPbb3CkalfFe1gKHyBklHsoygRMbJPMH_ZZ6b9pZDN23rbIaJD4o4BvD3tYK2mo2vfbLp4atnbaVmhyphenhyphenZut2YZBIMg3vPSbELOD55NZ9O_wX7TxA/s640/2013-07-13+10.01.46.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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a simple breakfast/sweet in-laws/a homestead tour/visiting a greenhouse/my weird sleeper/a sweet father daughter dance/cool mornings on the harbor/family visits/a new pillow</div>
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It's my birthday weekend! I'm excited for pool time, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Carry-Warrior-Thoughts-Life-Unarmed/dp/1451697244/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375453192&sr=1-1&keywords=carry+on+warrior">a new book</a>, and maybe a sushi date. I guess life really does simplify with the age.:)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-14573535561092504712013-07-31T19:16:00.001-07:002013-07-31T19:38:20.147-07:00bathroom envySo I have this aunt who is amazingly crafty. She's been making rugs and wreaths and other pretty things for as long as I can remember. She's also a landscape designer and has a yard that looks like it's straight out of a magazine (waterfalls and all). And she has the cutest little shop on her property where she sells candles, lanterns, and other little knick knacks. She's pretty adorable.<br />
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We had a chance to gather at my aunt and uncle's home while I was in town for my cousin's wedding last weekend and I was BLOWN AWAY by her new bathroom remodel. After I picked up my jaw, I grabbed the camera and started taking pictures. Lookit!<br />
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I am so sad I don't have a before picture to share. The bathroom was about half this size with no window, a tiny one person vanity and a shower/tub combo against the back wall. My uncle borrowed some extra square footage from a back bedroom to make this space roomy and inviting. My aunt found the buffet-turned-vanity while at thrifting one day. She didn't even have to paint it! They saved pennies by buying scratch and dent with the tub and shower doors and doing all of the remodel themselves. So cool. I also fell in love with the floors, which are a hand-scraped tile. I'd like to do something similar in our kitchen. And the wall paneling? That's from my great grandmother's home that was torn down earlier this spring. Amazing. And so special!<br />
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I love pretty much everything about it. The colors worked beautifully together and I want to live in that bathtub.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2214461554026847721.post-6176229637529674252013-07-31T07:45:00.000-07:002013-08-19T13:21:47.375-07:00Jute Jute de LoopIt's been the summer of light fixtures here at Casa de Osborn. A few weeks ago, Tanner's parents came into town for the weekend and somehow between taking them on a tour of all the awesomeness that is Waco we completed two, that's right TWO, new light fixtures for the house.<br />
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I. am so excited. to be sharing one of those today! So excited.<br />
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But first, meet our breakfast area.<br />
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Not awful, right? It's really come a long way. New paint on the walls and table have really helped brighten things up in there. That light fixture though...kind of a theme happening throughout the house. And not really my favorite.<br />
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So we're updating! Fixture by fixture. Slowly but surely. With a little DIY lovin' along the way.<br />
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Our updated color palette is on the cool side. Lots of muted blues and greens. A little bit cottage. A little bit coastal. Keeping this in mind, I started looking for the perfect light fixture to complete our space. I found myself swooning over beauties like <a href="http://www.laylagrayce.com/Products/Regina-Andrew-Lighting-Jute-Chandelier__RA47134.aspx">this</a>, <a href="http://www.horchow.com/p/Jamie-Young-Macrame-Jute-Chandelier-Chandeliers/cprod94550026_cat000099_cat1590731_/?isEditorial=false&index=33&cmCat=cat000000cat1590731cat000099">this</a>, and <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/78039006016364035/">this</a>. Those price tags though...that made me sad.<br />
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So I decided to make my own. After reading through a couple other blog tutorials (<a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/2012/05/knockoff-diy-chandelier/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.vintagerevivals.com/2010/08/pottery-barn-chandy-knock-off.html">here</a>), I felt pretty confident that I could pull this off and set out to find the perfect chandelier. I knew I wanted upward facing candelabra bulbs and so the current light fixture wasn't going to work. As luck would have it, our local Goodwill carries a large selection of chandeliers that are new and still in the box! AND they just so happened to be 50% off the week I found myself looking for one. Score. Fifteen bucks later, I hurried out of the store with my treasure.<br />
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I also headed over to Walmart and picked up a couple 20 pound <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/24621877?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=21486607510&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=19880599990&veh=sem">hemp balls</a>. I chose to use hemp instead of jute, because hemp tends to be more durable. So says the web, anyway. Once I had all of my supplies together, I grabbed my hot glue gun, a good pair of scissors, and settled in for a long day of wrapping.<br />
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Please note the wine and Vampire Diaries on Netflix for the win!</div>
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I chose to attack the chandelier in sections and used a long, single cord of hemp for each section. I started from the bottom, moved to each of the arms, and then attacked the curvy middle section one bar at a time. I tried to begin each section in the most concealed place possible, usually a crevice or corner. Once I had the end of my cord glued in place, I began wrapping. I added glue to the side of the chandelier as I went. The glue would spread pretty evenly beneath the hemp, so there wasn't any need to cover the whole base in glue.<br />
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This project took for.freaking.ever. I worked on it from breakfast to bedtime on a Saturday. While it would have been easy to break the project up over a couple days, it's rather monotonous and I just wanted it finished. So I powered through.<br />
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I had originally wrapped the "candle sticks" in hemp as well, but decided the next day to remove this part. Some friends of ours noted that this could be a possible fire hazard...hot bulbs and all...so I got a little spooked and decided to play it safe.<br />
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One thing I would do differently next time...I would use super glue instead of hot glue. I loved how quickly the hot glue dried, but I acquired quite the collection of burns. Super glue would have accomplished the same without the injuries. The hot glue also tended to pool above the hemp in places, which required me to peel the glue globs away once dry. Not a huge deal. Just an extra, avoidable step.</div>
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I am so happy with how it turned out! And while I had originally planned for this to serve as a $30 quick fix until we could save up for what we really wanted, I may just keep it around for the long haul! It fits our space and our personality perfectly and I am so excited to finally have one little corner of the house nearly finished! Even if it is just a corner. ;)<br />
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Linked up to these parties:<br />
<a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/uncategorized/tutorials-tips-link-party-120.html">Home Stories A to Z</a> / <a href="http://cityfarmhouse.com/2013/07/inspiration-exchange-linky-party-10.html">City Farmhouse</a> / <a href="http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-scoop-link-party-decor-and-so-much.html">The Farmhouse Porch</a> / <a href="http://www.thewoodgraincottage.com/2013/08/15/inspiration-gallery-link-party/">The Wood Grain Cottage</a> / <a href="http://www.somuchbetterwithage.com/2013/08/give-me-the-goods-party-no-22/">So Much Better With Age</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168497541782425553noreply@blogger.com20