A Candlelit Evening!

Hey friends! I am so sorry to have been neglecting you! I have to confess that I have been super busy lately. Tonight I had grand plans of organizing, editing photos for my sister and hopefully doing something crafty to share with you guys! And then I was informed that the power to our house was going to be shut off so that Michael and Dad could run the electrical in the basement. They did not know which breaker ran which cords because the dufus previous owner did not label them properly. So to be safe...they had to shut it all down and work by flashlight. Obviously this meant no computer and no crafting!

I decided to use this as an excuse to light all of our pretty but hardly ever used candles in the living room. I think I may have to do this more often! Isn't it beautiful?

Yeah. Tonight I have nothing fun or creative to share with you. But I am feeling really relaxed. It felt good to slow down and unplug. And to enjoy some quiet time with no technology.

Turn off your computer and your TV. (Ok I know...just shut the laptop. You don't have to turn it off) light some candles and just stop for a minute. You will be glad you did. Promise.

I {heart} Moulding. And Vinyl!

Friends, meet "empty wall" in the master bedroom. All of the other walls have something lovely on them. I will have to share the rest of this lovely room with you soon. But this wall:

Drives me nuts. Drove me nuts. We layed in bed and i stared at it thinking about the possibilities. It just felt like a big. boring vacuum that was the focal point right in front of our bed. So I had been considering hanging frames there...or vinyl words. I really am in love with vinyl quotes. But I did not want to spend $20+ on one! So one day I was browsing Sarah's blog at Thrifty Decor Chick and discovered E.A.D Designs! (Check out their blog!) I went to her blog and website and fell. in. love. And the prices are AMAZING!

I ordered this super cute vinyl that was exactly what I was looking for! And she lets you choose the color. Score! Well I have been hanging on to it for weeks, waiting to find the perfect use because I didn't want to just slap it on the wall. And as we all know...we have been trying not to spend money to save for the basement.

Well the other day Michael and I went to the Habitat for Humanity Restore. People...if you have never been...GO! Now! You will not regret it! Krylon spray paint for $2. Flooring for cheap. Light fixtures. Cabinets and counter tops. And Moulding. For $1 a piece. Oh. My. Word. I will never (never say never...but for real) pay $8 a piece for moulding again! And they have a student discount on Fridays so I got what I needed for $1.80! Glorious! I knew I decided to start my Master's for a reason!

So the other night when we were working in the basement I cut the moulding...all by myself! to the lengths that I wanted. I made it about 2.5 feet tall by 3 feet wide. It was really easy do use the saw...just make sure that you clamp the wood down well and get the exact 45 degree angle. (Our saw can turn to get the angle...easy peasy!)

Then I took the wood upstairs and found the center of the wall. Then I nailed in the top end of the right side piece. I put the level beside it to make sure it was straight and nailed the bottom end in. It looked like this:

Then, I fit the bottom piece against the corner and nailed that end. I used the level to get it straight and nailed the other end. I did this for the last two sides.

Then I took the vinyl out and carefully peeled the backing off of the vinyl. and eyeballed centered where it should go in the frame. (You should measure...I am just impatient and lucky that it was straight). Then I pressed it to the wall and rubbed it. A lot. You will want to rub much and rub hard.

Then I carefully peeled the transfer paper off, rubbing as I went. I went back and caulked my unperfect edges and covered my nail holes. This was the beautious result!

I L.O.V.E. it! Squeal! It makes the room look so much better! Here it is with the furniture back:

Yes...I took some laundry out to get the hamper to close for you all. Don't judge! Our machine's are disconnected! And my tall hubby's clothes take up lots of hamper space! Just being real with you, friends. Anyway..Hope you love it as much as I do!

An Update From Downstairs

Here was the progress as of 1am Saturday Morning (Friday Night). Waterproofing paint covering the hydraulic cement used to fill the crack in the wall. Some of the bottom boards attached to the floor. Lumber sorted by the sizes that we need for each room. New saw assembled and ready to go!

My sweet hubby spent his entire Saturday working hard. (I had to work all day! Ugh) I helped a little but 98% of the credit goes to him. This is his very first construction project too by the way. And he did this ALL by himself! SO...here is refinishing Day 2. The biggest wall framed in and half of another wall. Some more demo and basic clean-up done.

I also worked on a separate project that I will show you tomorrow or Monday. I got to use this big boy!

It involves vinyl...and moulding. I am so excited that I can't stand it!!! I have been waiting to finish this project for weeks! That's all I have for tonight. Thanks for following, friends! Love you!

A New Tradition

So...I have never been a Valentine's Day decorator. Its just never been my thing. Never. Granted this is our first home, so this is the first real chance that I have had. Well you sweet people here in the world of blogging so inspired me that I just decided I had to! But I didn't want to spend a dime on it. So here is my FREE Valentine's mantle!

I made these cute little flower pots by gluing tissue paper onto golf balls and then I just plopped them into these teeny little terra cotta pots that we had sitting around. I LOVE them!

Oh I could just squeeze them!

You may remember this guy!

I even layed my adorable comfiest blanket ever throw that Michael's aunt made me over the back of the sofa to give it a cozy Valentine's feel. 

So there you have it. Our new tradition! And I did not spend one single dime on it! 

Oh yeah! Before I forget to tell you! We. are. waterproof! I have some other really exciting basement things to show you, friends. But that is for another day!

Don't forget to link up to my 

Someone Special Linky Party!

Linking this to

Frugalicious Friday

Fridays Unfold

Flaunt it Friday

Show and Tell Friday

Feature Yourself Friday

Linky Party! Someone Special

So in honor of the upcoming holiday...I decided to create a linky party of reasons that you love your hubby/significant other! Here is my sweet hubby:

isn't he cute!?!

Michael,

I love you because you make me laugh.

I love you because you make me cry.

I love you because you do the dishes for me sometimes.

I love you because you take care of our home so well.

I love you because you take out the trash!

I love you because you lead me.

I love you because you love the Lord with all of your heart.

I love you because you ground me. You keep my feet planted. You help me focus.

I love you because you make me, me.

I love you because I can be myself with you.

I love you because you get me.

I love you because you are the best cuddler in the world!

 I love you because you are hott! ;)

I love you because you encourage me to be better.

I love you because you introduced me to Brentwood Church.

I love you because you provide for our family.

I love you because someday, you will be my baby daddy.

I love you because you are tall and have big feet.

I love you because of this (your blog).

I love you because you have beautiful eyes.

I love you because you have goals and dreams that are so much bigger than complacency.

I love you because of your drive and ambition.

I love your smile.

I love your voice.
I love you because you have given me an amazing set of in-laws! I love them too!

I love you because you fix my flat tires.

I love you because cook dinner sometimes.

I love you because you are honest with me.

I love you because you are you. And you are mine. And you are the love of my life. I am grateful for you each and every day. I hope that you read this post and are proud of yourself. Thank you for all that you are to me sweetheart.

Ladies! I hope you will link up! Please just grab my button and put it at the bottom of your post to bring others in for the fun! If you have one...include a picture of your hubby...or your hubby and you...or maybe a project that your hubby has done with/for you! Or all three! I can't wait! Let's honor those sweet men in our lives (They don't have to be your hubby..in fact if you would rather just do someone special to you that's fine too!!

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Cookies and Basements

Okay so no...I did not whip these up from scratch and hand paint them. They are break and bakes from Walmart. $2.50. But they are the cauuuuutest little cookies ever! I got these because hubbs and I really like the Nestle Toll house sugar cookies and I knew tonight was going to be frustrating. Tomorrow is D-day for the basement repairs and we have to have it all prepped and ready for them tonight. 

It has been stressful. We removed tiles that supposedly contain asbestos....and we soaked them with water to keep it from getting airborne. The water had a mind of its own and went under the piled up insulation that we are hoping to reuse. So I had to rush over with the shop vac. I slipped and fell on the water. I am SO. over. this. basement. But...Friday it will be waterproof and hopefully in the next few weeks it will be drywalled is that a word? again! And then I can start sharing the fun part with you! The make-it-home part. Tonight...we are having cookies and blogging and playing Call of Duty (I mean he is...not me). We are dealing with this mess for the last time. Tomorrow starts the fun part. Yay tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow. I have an important meeting tomorrow morning that could change a lot of things for me. It could mean something really fun and exciting. I will let you all know how it goes! Love you guys!

I Was Given the Versatile Blogger Award!

Thank you Laura of The Luckiest in Love for passing on the Versatile Blogger Award to me! She found my blog and I have started following her back. What a cutie she is! Definitely check her out!

The rules are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award
2. Answer 10 questions
3. Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy
4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award

And the 10 questions are:

1. Why did you create this blog?It was dual purposed. I really have developed a love for decorating our home and doing it very affordably. I really wanted an outlet for my creativity and this blog provides just that! Also, I have a small line of baby slings and I wanted a place to promote those.

2. What kinds of blogs do you follow?
Home decor, DIY and crafty blogs! I also have a few special interest blogs such as religion or stories of cancer struggles and victories, etc.

3. Favorite make-up brand?
Yeah I pretty much use what is the most affordable. With the exception of foundation. I buy Covergirl. But its still only like...$8 a bottle?

4. Favorite clothing brand?New York and Company. For sure. Classy and elegant but comfy and affordable.

5. Indispensable makeup product?
Foundation fo sho! I can get away with leaving off mascara...but I hate having an uneven complexion!

6. Favorite color?Pink. Definitely.

7. Favorite perfume?

Hot by Ralph Lauren

8. Favorite film?
The Twilight Movies (yeah I said it), The Proposal, PS I Love You, The Blindside, The Hangover, lots and lots of others.

9. What country would you like to visit and why?
Australia. I just think its fascinating. But kinda scary how just about every animal could kill you!

10. Would you rather forget to put mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face?

Blush. I don't put it on heavily enough for it to be noticeable.

 

Ok, and now 7 blogs I’ve recently discovered – Some of these I discovered more recently than others, and there were SO many of you that I could’ve given the award to, it was hard to choose!

 

Kelly @ Till Death Do Us Part

Tys @ H Family Happenings

Melanie @ Mel Tales

Lindy @ Cottage Hill

Kim @ Simply Domestic

Tara @ Fabulessly Crafty

Judy @ DIY By Design

 

Thanks again, Laura! :)