Where did the year go!?

Hi! I have totally been MIA this past week - we hosted christmas at our home this year [for the second year] and it just consumed so much of my time! Once the holiday was done I spent some time cleaning our house big time, did some super bargain shopping and took down some of our decorations.. Our tree is still up though! If I could I would leave it up all year! Did you do any day after shopping?? I found the $99 ornament tree from Pottery Barn for $38!! I have been watching it all season so I scored big time!

Before the year is done I want to share the family photos I took with my husband, Z, and our dogs. I initially wanted to take the photos for our holiday cards, we have been married for almost three years and have never sent picture cards so I figured it was time! 

My friend, Hannah over at Hannah Joy Photography took these - if you are in northern California I highly recommend her!! She does AMAZING family, baby, and toddler photos!

Hope everyone had a great holiday! Ill be back before the New Year :)

Lots of Love -

Alexandra, Z, Baby, Cookie, and Cola 

Favorite Quote Wall Art

Hi! I hope everyone had a super holiday!! I know we did! Today I am Guest Posting over at Peacoats & Plaid! Please hop on over there to check out my tutorial! <3

Lately I have been on a mission to fill our boring white walls so once my Silhouette Machine arrived I decided that in stead of going to the store and buying something over priced and generic I would make a piece that is custom to us and our life!
I asked Z to give me his favorite quote and I made this to hang in our teeny tiny bathroom to help give it some life:

This project was SUPER simple and cost less that $15.00 - win win right!?

Today I will show you how I did this project so that you can create of your own!

First I started with a 22"x28" canvas from the fabric store and painted it a linen color to give it a bit more dimension that just a boring white canvas.

Then using the Cameo I cut out my letters in the right size onto vinyl - if you do not have a cutting machine scrapbooking letter or precut vinyl letters work just as good!

Then I spaced out how I wanted the words to fit on the space:

And transfered the quote using painters tape - it was cheaper than using the transfer paper. This part took a bit of time as the letters didn't want to immediately stick to the painted canvas. I just took my time removing the tape.

Then start painting over it!

I used the Martha Stewart craft paints - I mixed satin black with the silver because I am slightly obsessed with metallics right now.
I put on 2 coats total-

And once it was totally dry I peeled off the letters!
TaDa!!

**If the paint seeps under the letters a little just use some of the white paint [or whatever color you use] and do a few touch ups** :)

It adds just a bit of fun to our bathroom and I could not be happier with the outcome!

Thank you so much for reading- I hope you enjoyed seeing it as much as I did working on it! Feel free to drop by and say hi or check out my Twitter & Pinterest too!!

Favorite Five From 2012!

This week I had the opportunity to be guest blogger over at Ginger Snap Crafts! WooHOoo!! Hop on over there are check out my post: :)

I blogged about my favorite five projects from 2012!

Here are my top five favorite projects from 2012! I have learned a lot this past year and have completed projects that I never would have thought I could! Hope you enjoy them! :)

Clockwise from top left corner :)

The BEST Sugar Cookies

My Handy Dandy Little Stool

Pie Safe Make Over

Hot Pot Handle Covers

DIY Reupholstering a Love Seat

Thank you so much for reading- I hope you enjoyed viewing them as much as I did working on them! Feel free to say hi or check out my Twitter & Pinterest too!!

Stop, Look, & Link Party Week 15 & Features!

Hi! Welcome to our Linky Party - This party is hosted by Alexandra @ In Designer Jeans and Lauren @ All Things Homie. We are very excited to see all of your great projects and ideas! 

Once the party is done we will post the most viewed links and a few of our favorites so be sure to check back next week to see if you are featured.

Time sure flies when you are having fun AND prepping for the holidays!! There are so many great ideas and projects out there it is almost inspiration overload. BUT none the less it makes this time of year even more exciting. Christmas is less than a week away!! Crazy right!? 

Are you all done with your christmas shopping???

Features from last weeks Stop, Link, & Look party:


Check out How to Etch Glass from Home Sweet Butterfly:

These Pumpkin Pie bites from Teenah's Projects look super yummy!

Sweet Pepper Rose shared their Star Burst Paper Ornament:

Lauren's Pick this week was the Pantry Door Revamp from Atkinson Drive - it turned out amazing!

Alexandra's favorite this week was Festive Trees from Heather Leopard - Super cute idea!

Thank you again for sharing your great ideas and for everyone's support! <3

Now its party time!

The guidelines are simple, promise!

Please follow your lovely hosts :)

Link back in some way... Grab a button on the side bar or a text link on your page

Link projects, crafts, recipes, fun stories, or anything created in some way by YOU
Please do not link up other parties, stores, or giveaways

It is not required but would be much appreciated to check out other links and share the blog love! <3

The party will start at 10am! 
Have fun!

Stop, Look, & Link Party Week 14 & Features!

Hi! Welcome to our Linky Party - This party is hosted by Alexandra @ In Designer Jeans and Lauren @ All Things Homie. We are very excited to see all of your great projects and ideas! 

Once the party is done we will post the most viewed links and a few of our favorites so be sure to check back next week to see if you are featured.


Time sure flies when you are having fun AND prepping for the holidays!! There are so many great ideas and projects out there it is almost inspiration overload. BUT none the less it makes this time of year even more exciting. We hope that every one is have a great holiday season thus far and are not too stressed out with planning and prepping!

What is your favorite Holiday Tradition??

Features from last weeks Stop, Link, & Look party:

Home Sweet Butterfly shared a great tutorial on Handmade Ceramic Coasters!

Check out this super helpful Planner Printable from Scattered Squirrel:



Woven Home revealed their Dining Room Revamp and it turned out great!

Teenah's Projects shared adorable DIY Yarn Christmas Trees:

And finally, our favorite from last week was DIY Peppermint Vodka from Mary's Kitchen:

Thank you again for sharing your great ideas and for everyone's support! <3

Now its party time!

The guidelines are simple, promise!

Please follow your lovely hosts :)

Link back in some way... Grab a button on the side bar or a text link on your page

Link projects, crafts, recipes, fun stories, or anything created in some way by YOU
Please do not link up other parties, stores, or giveaways

It is not required but would be much appreciated to check out other links and share the blog love! <3

The party will start at 10am! 
Have fun!

Chevron Wall Art

Lately I have been incredibly bored with our cream colored walls and while I have things in the works for a few of our walls I still had bare areas. Then I found this idea on Pinterest: Chevron Wall Art. Two things I LOVE right now: Chevron Design and Gold- um perfect right!? Plus the original post found here is super helpful, has a great tutorial, and gives you a link to print our the chevron design! Score.

Here is how mine turned out:

[ I <3 them]

I started with the three pack of 20 x 20 canvas on sale at Joanns and printed out the chevron pattern 

Then using a push pin and the tutorial found here I made marks of where the tape should go:

And continued that process until all three canvases were ready to go!

Be sure to really smooth down the tape :)

I used Martha Stewart's Paint in Gold and applied a thin coat first

Then, once that dried I applied a thick coat of paint - going with the chevron pattern.

One they were totally dry I carefully pulled of the tape:

And put them up on our walls! 

The whole project cost me $25 dollars and about three hours! There are a few spots where the pain got under the tape but it is not noticeable unless you are right in front of it! I am super happy with the end result. 

What is your favorite quick and easy wall decor??

Stop, Look, & Link Party Week 13 & Features!

Hi! Welcome to our Linky Party - This party is hosted by Alexandra @ In Designer Jeans and Lauren @ All Things Homie. We are very excited to see all of your great projects and ideas! 

Once the party is done we will post the most viewed links and a few of our favorites so be sure to check back next week to see if you are featured.

Can you believe Hanukah is only 10 days away and Christmas is only 19!? This year has FLOWN by! 
How is all of your holiday prep coming along?? 

Have any super cute projects or ideas? We would LOVE to see them! :)

Features from last weeks Stop, Link, & Look party:


Check out this AMAZING master bedroom transformation for less than $300 from Home Happy Home:

 Turtles and Tails shared their On the Wall Christmas tree! Super cute!

LOVE the DIY Floor cushions from Dindin Does - these are way cuter than anything in the stores!

Lauren's pick was Prairie Girl to Southern Belle's texting Santa - what a good idea! 

Alexandra's pick was the Christmas Canvas from Teenah's Projects - perfect saying!

Thank you again for sharing your great ideas and for everyone's support! <3

Now its party time!

The guidelines are simple, promise!

Please follow your lovely hosts :)

Link back in some way... Grab a button on the side bar or a text link on your page

Link projects, crafts, recipes, fun stories, or anything created in some way by YOU
Please do not link up other parties, stores, or giveaways

It is not required but would be much appreciated to check out other links and share the blog love! <3

The party will start at 10am! 
Have fun!

Tomato Cage Christmas Trees!

I have spent the past week getting our home all ready for the holidays! I absolutely love the way everything looks all decorated and lit up. We have never put lights on the house, its a lot of work and we just dont usually have the time but I did want there to be some sort of festiveness [if thats a word] on our front porch. Then I found this idea: Alternative Christmas Trees and LOVED it!

Here is my version :)

I went to the local hard ware store and bought two tomato cages -that were stored in the back. I even got a discount because they were the last two! Score! 

They started off orange but I had a can of metallic paint so I gave them a quick couple of coats:

So they looked like this:

 Wrapped them in lights and plugged them in:

Voila! 

It was such a quick and easy project and they add the perfect amount of holiday spirit to the front of our house! 

December is my FAVORITE month!

Happy [almost] december! December is my favorite month by far because i LOVE the holidays! Honestly, love is an understatement. Its more like I could explode, literally, because Christmas makes me so happy. I think it is the festiveness of everything, everywhere! All of the people, the decorations, the lights, and the music all just bring a smile to my face. Oh and not to mention the great deals!

This is the time of giving but I could not help it - I splurged a bit on myself and purchased a silhouette machine at the killer black friday deals! I cannot wait to get it in the mail!!

I am about 75% done with my holiday shopping thanks to Etsy and other online stores! This will be our second year hosting christmas at our home and I need to start planning for that..

Here are our holiday decorations so far:

Our mantle- The stockings were made by my grandma :)

Our tree:

One of my favorite ornaments <3

This little elf.. even though we don't have kids she still likes to hang out!

How is YOUR holiday prep going??

Stop, Look, & Link Party Week 12 & Features!

Hi! Welcome to our Linky Party - This party is hosted by Alexandra @ In Designer Jeans and Lauren @ All Things Homie. We are very excited to see all of your great projects and ideas! 

Once the party is done we will post the most viewed links and a few of our favorites so be sure to check back next week to see if you are featured.

We hope that everyone had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! Can you believe December is literally right around the corner? The holidays are officially here... Are you ready??

The holidays create such an energy in the stores and when out and about, plus all of the streets look so pretty all glittered with lights. Hope you all still find time to craft and create amongst the madness :)

Features from last weeks Stop, Link, & Look party:

Check out the amazing transformation on Making My Apt a Home Tif Dresser!

Back to the Basics shared Eco Friendly Gift Giving, these drink recipes are great to have on hand too!

Turtles and Tails showed us the "Birch Bark" Painted vase and had a great tutorial too!

Lauren loved the Barn Window Jewelry Holder from Here's to Handy Andy

Alexandra's pick was the Giving Thanks Banner from Ribbons & Glue

Thank you again for sharing your great ideas and for everyone's support! <3

Now its party time!

The guidelines are simple, promise!

Please follow your lovely hosts :)

Link back in some way... Grab a button on the side bar or a text link on your page

Link projects, crafts, recipes, fun stories, or anything created in some way by YOU
Please do not link up other parties, stores, or giveaways

It is not required but would be much appreciated to check out other links and share the blog love! <3

The party will start at 10am! 
Have fun!