Project "Table and Chairs"

We've (well, mostly my fantastic handy-dandy husband) been working on painting and sanding a few things for J-Dub's playroom as of late.  I'm super excited to show you guys the outcome!  I'm loving all the colors!

Back in November, I approached an old co-worker and friend of mine, Dennis, to see if he could build Jack a children's table for Christmas.  He happily agreed to do so and I am so glad he did!  Dennis is a super talented wood worker and let me tell you, this table is PERFECT.  The table top is made from the lumber of Ash trees that were planted in his father's backyard when Dennis was just 2 years old.  His father took great care of the trees, so when Dennis' father passed, Dennis had the trees cut into lumber and brought it with him on his move to Texas (from Michigan).  Every piece he builds with this lumber is a memory of his father.  I am SO grateful to have a piece of his family's legacy in our home, too!  Thank you Dennis!

We've had the table since Christmas and J-Dub has been enjoying it since, but we never took the time to finish it until just a couple of weeks ago.  I wish we had before and after pictures, but we don't.  Bummer.  Just imagine all UNFINISHED furniture.

The chairs we purchased through Amazon.com.  I earned a $100 Amazon gift card through MyPoints and had a $20 Amazon credit, so I was able to purchase four unfinished, FULLY ASSEMBLED (this was the best part!) chairs for about $16 TOTAL (that includes the shipping).  I'm kicking myself in the rear end because if I had purchased them the day prior, I would've gotten them for $6.  They just happened to increase their price the day I decided to make the purchase.  I guess I can't complain too much about $16 out of pocket.
Lime Green and Blue...

Red and Yellow...

Do you like?!! :)  The yellow chair is my favorite.

The little guy also got an unfinished rocking horse for Christmas from the grandparents, so we worked on him, too.  We matched the horse and table.

Now I'm ready to start on our next project!  Not sure what it is yet, but I already know Josh isn't as excited about it as I am!

Living Room/Kitchen Makeover

So back in January, we decided our house needed a little facelift and took on the challenge of repainting our living room and kitchen (they're kind of connected so we had to paint both).  Because we have a toddler, J and I were only able to work in the evenings after the kiddo went to bed.  On top of that, we only worked on the weekends.  It took us a good six weeks to finish.  Okay, maybe five.  J doesn't count the first weekend where we painted two walls and we (okay, maybe I) decided the color selection was a thumbs down.  J graciously allowed me to change colors and redo the two walls.  ANYWHO, we went from a light tan color (called 'Spiced Vinegar') to a taupe color (called 'Winter Delta').  I forgot to do before and after shots, so I pulled an old photo from Jack's birthda party last year.

BEFORE ('Spiced Vinegar' was throughout the whole living/kitchen area - the ceilings are also 'Spiced Vinegar'):

AFTER ('Winter Delta' on all the walls except the front fireplace wall, which is the color of our bedroom):

I also picked up a few fun pieces to add to our space.

I found this water can at an antique store.  I love it!  It was really gross when I got it, but I have a loving husband that cleaned out all the spider webs and junk that was in it.  YUCK.

I've had this vinyl art for a couple of years now and was waiting to put it up until after we painted.  Yes, we've been wanting to paint for a couple of years now.  It's crazy what a kid can do to your time and schedule!  (The ceilings stayed 'Spiced Vinegar'.)

I got a couple of mexican doors for Christmas to put on either side of our TV in the living room.  They are my favorite!

And I got this canvas made from Franklin Photography and Wide Format Printing (his prices are FANTABULOUS!).  Photo was taken by my sweet friend at Liana Randel Photography.

You'll have to check back soon to see what else we've been working on around here!  Okay, maybe J's been doing most of the work.  He's the handyman.  I'm his little helper. :)  Here's a sneak peak... 

RED, BLUE, YELLOW, and GREEN....

Michelle's MUST-HAVES

Kelly's Korner's Show Us Your Life this week is... Beauty Secrets.  I'm linking up even though I'm probably NOT the most qualified to share any information on beauty tips!  I don't use a lot of beauty products.  I like makeup, but use the same 5 items: concealer, foundation, eyeliner, mascara and blush.  Always the same colors.  Nothing different unless it's a special occassion.  I sometimes go to bed without washing my face.  Gross, I know.  If I wash my face, it's just a Neutrogena cleanser.  So, you may not want to read any further, but I DO have a few MUST-HAVES that I can't hardly live without.

1. Clinique Superfit Foundation

I LOVE this stuff.  UNFORTUNATELY, it's been out of stock for the last year or so.  I've been salvaging what I have left (only DROPS) and have been holding out on trying something new.  The saleswomen at the department stores kept telling me that Clinique was just having a production issue with the product and that it may go back into production "soon".  A year later... and I didn't have any luck finding it until a couple weeks ago, but didn't know my color off hand so I couldn't get any.  From their website, it sounds like they aren't going to restock the product anymore.  Bummer.  I think a few places may have just gotten a small stock of it, so I may try to find my color for one more round of this awesome foundation.

I have SUPER STRAIGHT HAIR which means my hair lays FLAT on my head.  SO, when I want to feel pretty with super model hair, I use one of these products.  They both work great!

2a. Aveda Volumizing Tonic

2b. John Frieda Luxurious Volume Lavish Lift Root Booster

I have SUPER STRAIGHT HAIR which means my hair lays FLAT on my head. SO, when I want to feel pretty with super model hair, I use one of these products. They both work great!

After towel drying my hair, I'll spray either of these products to the root of my hair, working the product in.  Then, I blow dry my hair upside down and then style it as I usually would with a round brush.  What I love about both of these products is that they aren't sticky and don't leave flakes in your hair.  I don't use hairspray in my hair because of those reasons, and the smell of hairspray is too strong for me.

3. Biosilk Silk Therapy

I also have random hairs that stick straight up at my part line. I like this stuff to tame my "fly-aways".

This product lasts FOREVER because you don't need to use a ton of it.  I can usually get away with squirting less than a dime size into my palm to work into my hair.  And it doesn't leave your hair feeling greasy.

4. Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner

I ALWAYS had trouble with smudgy eyeliner until my friend Tasha told me about this stuff. (By the way, she also introduced me to the Biosilk!)  I heart this eyeliner!  I think it's the best "over the counter" find ever!

Can't wait to read about everyone else's beauty secrets!!

My New Rainboots

I've been wanting a pair of rainboots for a while now. BUT, since we are on an allowance system (J and I get a monthly cash allowance that we can spend however we choose), I am pretty careful about my unnecessary purchases. Most of my allowance goes towards lunches for me and little J. It's always a nice treat for us to have lunch out with friends when we can. PB&J and turkey sandwiches get old quickly. I'm sure you other moms know exactly how I feel.

Target was carrying black and white houndstooth rainboots (youth size) that went on clearance about a month or so ago. They were around $10, but I just couldn't bring myself to buying the boots. They now have the black in white in adult size for full price - I think $24.99. Kind of sad I missed out on the black and white ones, but look what I found this week:

PINK houndstooth. These boots were on clearance with the black and white ones last month, but I have to say I disregarded them because I am not a lover of all things pink (sorry pink lover friends). It's a nice color - I don't hate it, but I prefer black and white. These boots were 75% off this week.That's right. A whopping $4.98. I'd rather the boots be in black and white, but I like the pink, too (especially at that price!). They had them in my size... YOUTH size 3. Yep, they fit rather nicely. If you're wondering if they'll fit you, I wear a 6 or 6-1/2 in women's shoes.

I know what you're thinking. "You saved $5. What's the big deal?!" Well, that $5 will buy me and little J lunch somewhere! :) Yay for my very first pair of rainboots ever!

Blog Makeover

I'm BACK! I was motivated to revamp my blog thanks to my friend Whitney (by the way, check out her blog here and here and click on all of her ads!). She reminded me that my last posting was in NOVEMBER. Sorry friends. Since we've been locked up the past couple of days due to major ice (brrrrrr!!), I got the chance to work on my blog... it's still a work in progress, so stay tuned! I'd love to hear what you think... all 4 of you out there.

We will see how long I last this round in the blogging world. Wish me luck!

Jack's Room

Okay, so this is my VERY FIRST link up EVER to another blog! I'm a couple days late, but oh well. So, Kelly's Korner's 'Show us your Life' this week is NURSERIES AND KID'S ROOMS. Most of you have seen pictures of Jack's room before from an older post, but I decided to take some fresh pics.

We added these shelves to one of the walls that was bare when Jack was first born. We found the fun monkey book ends and monkey picture frame at Kohl's. Fitting, because Jack is a little monkey. The Snoopy is mine. Don't tell, but I slept with my Snoopy doll up through college (and maybe for a little while after Josh and I got married). Josh thought it was time for me to "let go", so I grew up and boxed him up. So glad I was able to use it in Jack's room! Disregard the mess, but I wanted to show off the closet. Jack's room is tiny, but boy, he's got quite the closet! So, he has to share it with some of our other belongings... suitcases, old comforters, lamp shades, picnic basket... to name a few. You can't tell, but there is a black toy chest I got at Canton at the bottom right of his closet that I hope to pull out for him when he's a little older. Right now, I set diapers and wipes on it.

This bookcase came from one of my most FAVORITE furniture stores in Dallas. If you haven't been to Nadeau Imports, you need to check it out!The verse above the mirror is part of a passage in 1st Samuel that I prayed daily when we were trying to get pregnant. Because He answered our prayer, we've committed Jack's life over to the Lord. We pray daily that Jack will grow up to know the Lord and that He will use Jack in an incredible way.

A shelf I almost gave away, but fortunately had a place for it! The framed picture is from a dear friend from our church. It is of a child's hands clasp together with a special prayer written on it.My most favorite part of Jack's room are the huge letters above his crib, BUT I completely forgot to get a picture of them! Unfortunately, Jack's already in bed and I'm up WAY past my bedtime, so you can check out more pictures of the room HERE.

Hope you enjoyed your visit!

May... Jack Turns O-N-E

Our little boy turned ONE this last May. I can't believe it. I was laid off at the right time because initially, I wasn't going to throw a party. No cake, no decorations, no friends. Maybe some family, but that was it. There just wasn't any time to think about it. So, when I lost my job, I kept busy with his birthday party. It was so much fun to plan it! I didn't know where to start and had my friend Pam help guide me. I borrowed SEVERAL of her ideas, so don't think I'm creative and came up with these on my own!

I decided early on that I wanted to make Jack a matching birthday bib and hat. I made the applique (the "1" and the "jack") and got the white fabric at JoAnn's. I wanted the bib and hat to last, so my awesome friend Lisa (who also makes cute handmade children's clothing and accessories - check out her BLOG) embroidered around the appliques and ended up making the hat, too! Isn't she awesome! For the bib, I traced one we already had as a pattern and went to town!

My friend Pam did a door hanging for her son's party that I LOVED, so I made one, too. It's supposed to match the appliques above, but the green is a different color. Oh well. Jack didn't care.I went a little banner crazy for the party. We had banners galore.

Banners in the entry... In the kitchen...On his high chair...At the mantle...There was another over our living room windows, but I didn't think they were blog worthy.

I painted these block letters that I got at Hobby Lobby on CLEARANCE. Yipee! And the daylilies were from the front yard.

I personalized the party favors for the kids. We had a range of ages, so I wanted to be sure each kid got something appropriate for their age. AND I made balloon animals for each of the kids to take home.

We copied Pam's son's cake and got the same design for Jack. I just LOVED how the cake turned out! Here's his smash cake.And the main birthday cake.

The menu consisted of Crock-Pot BBQ, Potato Salad, Pasta Salad, Rolls, and Chicken Nuggets for the kiddos. I'm weird and like to wrap all my plasticware with fun napkins and tie them with ribbon. Josh thinks I'm crazy for putting in the effort.

So, on to the party.... Here's Jack before cake. He hardly wore his birthday hat. I was so sad!Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...Yummy...

After cleaning Jack up, we opened his gifts. He's trying to decide which gift to open first.Showing Bella his new truck.See and Say. Remember this when it had the pull string?Cason helping Jack get the train out of the box.This Alphabet Train is the best toy ever. He loved it instantly and was pushing it around the house during the party.This piece connects to the train and you can push your kid around while he's sitting on it. We did that for a while and got tired so disconnected the two pieces. He's wondering who's going to push him around in this picture.Our little family...Jack and the grandparents. Notice Jack is STILL on his train. This was after just about everyone had already left.

And here's a picture of a worn out momma and child. What a party! My sweet baby boy is all grown up...