6.04.2014

L O V E

If you're like me, you're probably no longer original. Let me back up. Your ideas are no longer original. Pinterest has taken over your life and, well, you're officially a loser because the same genius idea was already thought of and posted with some really cool tutorial by some chick who has more time, more money, and she is probably considering her next genius project this very moment.

I pinned this beautiful pic over a year ago.




I don't know about you, but I basically remember almost every pin I've ever pinned. I'm known as the human map according to my husband, so you can just call me the human pinterest encyclopedia. ;) 
I offered to try my hand at this bad boy to use as a decorative piece at a friend's recent nuptials. I made it the same way the linked website says, but I'll still include the gist of it for you. 

 Get your paper mache' letters from Joann's for 50% off. Unfortunately, they were out of the large "E's" so I had to go with a smaller one. Buuuut, because I got a smaller "E", I had to blend it by getting the smaller "O", too. Lucky for me, the sizing was perfect for the pallet. More on that later. (Don't mind my husband's combat boots.....or my daughter's bubble blower)


Next step: Removing the top layer of the letters. This was actually the easiest part. I planned on working in this part for a while but ended taking me less than two minutes for all the letters. I just stabbed the top of the letters with scissors to make a hole big enough for my fingers to grab through and the rest just pulled right off with clean edges.

Even though it really didn't make a big difference, I still wanted a 'sheen' look to the letters. I spray painted the sides of them with leftover spray paint. FYI, I've always said Rustoleum is the best sprayer. Krylon os good for crafts just cause that's about all they sell at craft stores.


That bent part is courtesy of my dog trampling it thinking it was trying to attack me. HUH?


I got the floral foam stuff. Forgot what it's called, but if you just walk up to a lady at any craft store and say, "I need that floral green stuff.", they'll take ya right to it. It was I think $5.


Then I organized the florals. I won't even mention that it was over a hundered dollars for all these flowers!!!!!!! Buuuut I just did, so there ya go.


Cut the foam to fit anyway you want inside the letters. I did hot glue gun them in the cause they weren't very tightly fit there.



The stems were cut about 1 inch form the bud so it's just long enough to stick tightly into the foam.


And Whallah!!



We glued them onto raised pallets as a backdrop behind the cake table. I thought they added so much girlyness!
I assumed would put them in Aubrey's room when I brought them back home, but I wasn't impressed with the result.


I even took the time to add "...is all you need" to the wall. Oh and the other creative touch would my fushcia lipstick that will not come off. I think it's time to repaint her room, no?

My next stop was the foyer......or as I like to call it: Foyaaayyy!


 It looks......normal. It's not terrible, but I've been saying I've been wanting to get brave with decor and trying new things.


So I decided to paint black and white stripes. I've been so inspired lately, albeit Pinterest, so I put on my big girl panties and went to town. Actually, I didn't change, I was still in my PJ's when I did this.....Oh and I didn't go to town. I just stayed home. 


 BAM, BABY!!! I need to clean my mirror. Each stripe is 9 inches wide and believe it or not, I did not use a level and they look pretty dang straight, if I do say so myself. 


This post isn't about the stripes so I'll try to make this quick: I started by measuring the whole wall from top of the baseboard to the ceiling. Then I found the middle measurement of my wall. That middle part is the middle part of my first stripe. Make sense? So if my walls are 100", I would find the 50" mark and count 4.5" since I'm doing 9" wide stripes and go up to 54.5" to mark the top of the stripe line. Totally confusing but I hope you get it. 

Most people think to create stipes based on making them even in amount, but you just need to make your first stripe in the very middle of the wall. Just believe me. 


If you want to know how I got such dang clean, good, bleed-free stripes, check out this post I found a few years ago. Worked like a charm. 



 I really like how it turned out. I'm thinking of doing the mirror side of the foyer wall in stripes as well. It's modern, but I think it can be taken in a traditional way, too. 



Thanks so much for reading!!

Have an incredible day!

->Ashley

5.30.2014

Panama Hat: Take 2












Top: Forever21, similar here and here - Shorts: Marshall's, tons of incredible options here and here - Wedges: Marshall's, similar here - Hat: J. Crew Factory 

Well, after my dog, Tracker, had an appetite for my former amazing-ness Panama hat, I was on the lookout for my next victim. While in Orlando for the Homeschool Convention, we so sneakishly snuck(I'm so good with my words) out of the workshops and ended up at the shops: IKEA, the Outlets, The Container Store, Millenia Mall....I found this Panama hat not only marked down, but also an additional 60% off; meaning I got it for twelve buckaroos. I will say, it's not the snuggest hat seeing as I have such a small head. And yet, I wonder where God was able to fit all that awesome brain I have...? ;) But it fits the bill.....quite lit'rally. (English accent) 
Toodles!

->Ashley

5.27.2014

Mom Jeans








Top: J. Crew - Pants: J. Crew - Purse: Michael Kors, similar here - Necklace: Kenneth Cole


I'm back from the Homeschool Convention! It was a great success. We stayed at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando which is also where the convention was held so it was ultra convenient. I roomed with three other great mommas who I've grown sooooo close to and got to know on a more personal level. Most of the time we are chatting with each other in between chasing after our babies, so I'm happy to have had the opportunity to hang with them sans babies. I'll post a few pics from the trip in a couple days. 

Happy Tuesday!!!

->Ashley




5.23.2014

Wrap it!








Dress: WAL-MART!!(Can you believe it??) similar here and here - Shoes: Cole Haan - Purse: Cynthia Rowley - Bracelet: Target - Necklace: J. Crew Factory 

I borrowed this adorable wrap dress from my mom. One of the perks of us being the same size. Of all places, she finds it at Wal-Mart. "Hhmmm, we need garlic, orange juice, bread...Oh, and a wrap dress." Sounds totally normal, right? ;)

These are my first pair of Cole Haan shoes. To some, it's not that big of a deal, but to me, it totally is. These Chelsea pumps are made with Nike Air so you can basically feel the comfort right now just reading this post. They call it the 20 hour shoe. Why someone would wear shoes for 20 hours, I don't know. Beats me, but they are pretty comfy. I have always recommended a good classic nude pair of pumps, and these are just the right ones. Invest in classic pieces and go cheap with the trendy stuff. 

I'm here at the convention. So far, so good. Last night was tiring. There weren't as many people as I thought. I anticipate today to be PACKED, though. I'm off to look at more curriculum, and possibly skip a few seminars to hit up the pool. ;)

->Ashley

5.21.2014

Florida Spring











 Jeans: TopShop, similar here and here - Top: J. Crew - Cardigan: Banana Republic, similar here - Trench: Banana Republic, flared version here and similar here - Shoes: Hand-me-down, similar here and here - Purse: Marshall's, similar here - Necklace: J. Crew Factory 

As a Floridian, I will JUMP at the chance to wear a cute, classic trench in the Spring. This particular day was rainy and cold(meaning 67 degrees ;)) so I just had to act like a typical 'Northerner' for at least 5 hours and wear the dang trench. These shoes are phenom! Honestly, most of my clothes are given to me by various god-sends or I get them dirt cheap. In fact, the jeans, shoes, and cardigan were all given to me by all different people. 
       I tried my best to find similar shoes, but I have to be honest and say they can't compare to these bad boys. 
Well, folks, I've crossed over to the mom side. I'm off to my first Homeschool Convention tomorrow. EEEEEEK! I'm like officially a MOM. Funny thing is, I grew up homeschooled, but my mom never did the homeschool conventions. haha. I'm looking forward to learning more about time management and (hopefully) determining Robey's 1st grade curriculum. 

If you will be in Orlando at the FPEA convention, please let me know. I'd love to meet ya!!!

->Ashley

5.19.2014

Classic with a twist









Top: J. Crew Factory - Shorts: Express via Marshall's, similar here - Shoes: Antonio Melani, similar here and here - Bag: Target, similar here - Bracelet: BCBG, old - Ring: Premier Jewelry 

Hey, y'all! 
I think if I had to describe my current style in fashion, it would be classic with a twist. I'm not one for color, but I do have a few colorful pieces that I bust out every now and then. I had my first shopping experience at Dillard's Clearance Center. It's like a Dillard's outlet. If you have one near you, it's worth it to take a peek and see what they have. I got these red sandals there. All their shoes (and dresses) were BOGO so, naturally, I couldn't just walk away emptied handed. Then I wouldn't be able to joyfully explain to my husband how much I "saved". :) 
If you're not one for bright colors all the time, I suggest getting a fun accessory, like these shoes or bag, and and adding them to your daily outfit. 

Happy Monday!




5.16.2014

Casual Friday









Top: J. Crew Factory - Pants: Gap, similar here and here  - Wedges: Franco Sarto via TJ Maxx, similar here  - Crossover: Marshall's, old, similar here and here - Bracelet: Sira & Mara, similar here and here -Shades: Von Zipper

Happy Friday, y'all! I've been going 'full steam ahead' for the last week and feel like the next two will be the same. I'm currently getting ready for my friend, Liz's, wedding today! Love marriages. Love when people devote their lives to become one. It's like all the married people have an inside joke when the lovey dovey couple are saying their vows. :) Marriage is soooo extremely, gut wrenching hard at times, but the other times, the times when you aren't focused on your own needs and focused on serving your spouse, it is THRIVING, and lively, and FUN, and HAPPY! From the trials that Dewey and I have been through, we have a GREAT PASSION for marriages. We've realized that we all end up marrying 'douche bags' and 'crazed lunatics', but the ones who stick it out and strive TOGETHER to better their marriage, they will become a little less douche baggish and less crazed lunatic.....ish. ;)

->Ashley