It's in the Bag!

Tiny girls' nite out w/ Sister and Addy Cakes tonite at a Thirty-One party. My first one...and it was a success. Got to catch-up a bit, nibble on some nummy foods, and get some ideas for my next bag purchase. I didn't buy anything (Sister picked out a fun new purse organizer), but I do have my eye on this little number...maybe for Christmas (although, that list is quickly becoming a bit too large)...

Perfect for a weekend getaway!

Tote-Ally Awesome Beach Tote, Circle Spirals

http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog/page26_27

It's off to bed w/ me now...have to be well-rested for the What Cheer Flea Market tomorrow. Can.Not.Wait!!!!

Today

A sneak peek at my day...nothing special...but it happened nonetheless...

*4:20 a.m. -- alarm went off  :(
*5:00 a.m. -- went to the gym
*7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. -- worked
*6:00 p.m. -- Thai food with  friends, Ammon and Fifi :)
*7:00 p.m. -- came home to find that one of my flower pots had blown over...spilling its contents (I now have an extra "to do" for my list :/
*Presently -- jotting down a quick post...then off to watch Parenthood on my beloved DVR! :) :)

P.S....this was my fortune at dinner...I dig it!

I like to think that every experience I have and every person I meet has an impact on who I am...ever-changing.

Paint Your World

There is nothing I won't paint...it's the easiest and thriftiest way to transform your surroundings. Favorite make-over so far...my fridge! It was grungy and boring. In stepped some primer and chalkboard paint...and the rest is history.

The only word of warning I would give, is to maybe paint a fridge that's not running. The cold temp made it hard for the paint to stick. In the end, though, if all turned out dandy! :)

Getting Closer...

A sneak peek at the ever-ongoing project...

Hubs hung my fabric frames tonite...and they look fantastic (if I do say so myself)! He did a great job getting them just right...employed both an online fraction program and a laser level! :-) Don't want to bore everyone w/ too many pics (I'll wait 'til everything's done), so here are just a couple...for a visual. 

Ta-ta for now!

Can't Wait...

...to leave for vacation!!! All I can seem to think about is the open road...so it must be time. :) With no plans (specific destinations or even hotel rooms), we're going wherever the highways and byways take us. We could end up in Canada (I've never been...and really want to go) or possibly the U.P. in Michigan. I guess we'll see what happens!

Until then, I'll have to settle for a 'trip' down memory lane (a few pics from other adventures on the road)...

Saw the sign for Edinburgh Manor off of the interstate...so we followed a winding country road, hoping to discover some grand estate...only to find a retirement home time had forgotten. Disappointing...but HI-larious!!

'Family' Beer & Liquor...this could be the definition of irony...

Getting ready to float away on the Iowa River in Decorah *sigh*

An ill-fated, but wonderful birthday present...tickets to Lady Antebellum at the Illinois State Fair. Had an amazing time travelling there, visiting Antique Archaeology (http://www.history.com/shows/american-pickers) along the way. Alas, the concert wasn't meant to be. A huge storm blew in...forcing us to wait for over 2 hours b/f they finally cancelled. :( Another time perhaps...

The beautiful and scenic Mississippi 'Great River Road'...followed it south, starting in Prarie du Chien, WI. The pic of us was taken in Guttenberg, IA...I would live there just for the view of the river and bluffs that run parallel to the entire town. :)

~~~~~~

Have I bored you all yet??? Maybe just one more trip....????

This destination wasn't reached by car...but I sure wish it had been. Attempted a cruise to the Bahamas...and while it was so beautiful...it was not relaxing or enjoyable (at least for me--soooo motion sick). I still feel very lucky for having the experience, though...I mean, look at that water!!! :)

~~~~~~

Okay...I think I've exhausted the vaca pics for now...and probably anyone who's taken the time to look at them. ;)

Good Nite!

Gotta Love...

fall days! The weather today has been perfection...makes me so happy and full of motivation! :)

Started the morning off right w/ a walk (and some donuts)...

Milo was thrilled to be out-and-about...he wasn't too keen on sitting for this pic...but he still looks happy, right? :) He only had to be told to "sit and stay" approximately 10 times...

~~~~~

Next on the agenda was a first coat of paint in the spare bedroom. Luckily, my hubs did the trim and spackling (sp??) last nite. While he wasn't too pleased with me for asking (I'm a wee bit of a task-master)...he did admit it was nice to have done already. ;)

These are just some boring before pics...just so y'all can see how bad the situation was pre-paint. I'll post some "afters" once we do some more sprucing. :) Luckily, the second coat is done and we can move on to the fun stuff! Especially since my seamstress-extraordinaire (the one-and-only Jessica Christie) finished my curtains! Waiting with bated breath to see them tomorrow!! (P.S...can you spy our kitten, Sheldon, in almost every shot??)

~~~~~~

Last task of the day...

...give this old, fuddy-duddy mirror some new life...

and I 100% L.O.V.E. the results! I can't wait to put our new guest-room together...it's always worth the hard work. :)

~~~~~~

Now, this has absolutely nothing to do with today...or projects...but I wanted to share, anyway. Went out to dinner and a movie with Katie (long-lost friend from my freshman year of college) last nite. We dined at the newly-opened Zombie Burger...my burger was delish!

 I had the Fulci...the last ingredient on the burger (it's hard to read in this pic) is truffle mayo. The whole thing was delightful...and I would definitely enjoy it again!

After dindin, we saw the movie The Help...and I loved it; not only for the story, but for the clothes, houses, and decor. I'm pretty much in love with mid-century anything right now...and the design in this movie is spot-on!

*love*

~~~~~~

Time to whip up some cheeseburger soup and relax with movie nite!

Iowa

If you live in Iowa, it's pretty much a regular occurrence to hear people talk about: how boring it is here, how there's nothing fun to do, how unscenic it is, etc.  Well...I whole-heartedly disagree! While I've travelled to a lot of far-away places (and have enjoyed them all), I still think there are a lot of great things to do and see right here in Ioway! :)

Some for instances...

1. Did I visit India for these pics, you ask? Why, no, I did not. On our way to the high trestle bridge near Madrid, Iowa, the other nite, we happened upon this beautiful Hindu Cultural Education Center. I had no idea this building even existed...and if we hadn't ventured off the beaten path, I still wouldn't know about it. Once I saw it, with all of its wide-open space and twinkling lights, all I could think about was what kind of amazing party I could put together there...but I digress...

2. This picture surely doesn't do justice to the coolness of the high trestle bridge...but at least you can get an idea of what it's like. I'm looking forward to getting back there...maybe at dusk...so I can have a view of what's all around the bridge. Although...it seemed pretty high up...so perhaps not knowing is better. ;) (P.S...if you plan on visiting this attraction, take your walking shoes...it's a haul).

3. I enjoy history and historical buildings (a lot!!), so I'm always game to visit the state capitol. We went a couple of weeks ago to see the September 11th memorial...it was beautiful. Each time I visit, my favorite part is the view west from the capitol steps. It's amazing, especially at nite, to see all the buildings and lights!

4. I have fallen in love with Decorah, Iowa in the last couple of years. It's full of history and nature...two things I dig. :) This natural spring was so cold...but a lot of fun to see and explore. We've also done a river float 2 years in a row. It's a great way to relax, enjoy being with friends, and get out into nature! In fact...we already have reservations for next year! :)  http://www.canoedecorah.com/

~~~~~~~~~

I could post pics all day long of the adventures we've been on...and I'm sure I'll be posting many more, as we have an epic upcoming road-trip...but for now, this should suffice. :) I am constantly in awe of all the beauty in Iowa...despite the naysayers. All I can say is...get out and explore. If history and nature aren't your things, there are tons of concerts, places to eat, and great shopping here too! (My favorites on those subjects will have to wait for another day.)

Ah-choo!!!!

Allergies have taken over my body! Sneezin' like mad today (usually I love to sneeze...get a bit jealous when others get to), but this has been ridiculous!

Pretty much my best friend today...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Undeterred by my sneezing fits...I headed over to Lowe's to pick out some paint for our spare bedroom.  Ordinarily, I gravitate toward bold, attention-getting colors...but I'm really wanting something different for this room.  Came home with a warm neutral that Jason intstantly dubbed "boring". I thought this would be the perfect back-drop to the snazzy fabrics I've picked out...

Milk Toast...just sounds warm & comforting... :)

So...we are now armed for another working weekend! Of course, when this house does get done...I won't want to sit back and enjoy it...I'm gonna want to move! ;)

Oh, Valspar...I feel that I've kept you in business these last few years...

~~~~~~~~~~

Well, guess I should migrate to the kitchen and get dinner going! :)

Trip To the Dump...

Ran in my first race today...well, I ran for a good portion of it ... ;) The Metro Waste Authority hosted its Green Run at the dump in Runnells, with a choice of a 5k or 10k. Thankfully, I chose only the 5k...any more than that, and the GatorXUV-patrol probably would have been hauling my sorry-self back in. There was a d.j., food, and plenty of people watching...other than the cold, wet, and uphill running...this was my kind of party! :) 

Our tootsies b/f the race...little did they know what they were in for...

(Jason's in the crazy, out-there Vibram 5 Fingers--he was getting lots of looks from other runners...and made a new friend who wanted to talk about them!)

Ashley and I had a lot of fun! She ended up finishing 4 minutes b/f I did...which was so cool, since she kept worrying that she's not a "real" runner.

Pre-race...I wasn't so in the mood for smiling after...

In the end...the fun run was just that, fun. I got home and looked up some more 5k's to do this fall!

I Should Have....

...waited to post today.  Didn't realize I was going to get so many projects done!

Anyhoo....

Got some new curtains for my kitchen and couldn't wait to see how they'd look!  I've looked at these curtains lovingly for months at Target, but knew they weren't a necessity.  Luckily, though, they recently appeared with those little red clearance stickers that make my heart skip.a.beat.  I had bought one set for a bedroom upstairs...but that room only needs one panel (this is a package of 2).  Today, at another Target, there was a second set.  I snatched it up and had the 3 I needed for the kitchen...with 1 panel left for the bedroom! *swoon* (Total cost for 4 curtain panels $20...excellent)

Curtains hung...I turned my attention to my freshly-painted (free) frames and my new-to-me snazzy, vintage fabric. And...voila!

Projects are done for today...promise...I think...

Saturday!

Up early, plants in! They'll be even better when the mums bloom :)

Hope everyone has a great day!

Some visuals...