Map It Out

As I'm sure you've noticed on the wall of asymmetical frames in the guest bedroom there's a frame with an adorable map. I had decided that I wanted to map out all the places Neal and I have been together as a couple. We've only hit 4 places but that just means we need to get out a bit more. Here are some before and after shots of the map and how I put it together.

Before I finished my map idea:

(It's a little rough but you get the idea I was going for)

After shots:

How I made this project happen was first I picked out a map I liked online. I then printed it out and laminated it. After that I wanted to see what it would look like inside the frame which was how the purple background came about. But as you can tell by the first shots It didn't look that great. So I went out and bought cork backing

and decided to use some wrapping paper I already owned.

I glued the wrapping paper to the cork and added the map pins to the final project and it turned out just the way I wanted it!

I LOVE IT and it was so easy!

xo,
Kim

London's Happy Tummy

Neal and I decided to switch London over to a RAW natural food. These other pet foods we've tried with her have only caused problems for her digestion system and so far so good with this food. She's a very picky eater and never finishes her food, but for the first time on Saturday when we placed the soft raw food in her bowl she ate the whole thing standing over her bowl which she's never done before. Neal and I were so excited.
I did have to go out and buy stainless steel bowls for her because we were told since it is a raw food and refrigerated it cant be left out for too long . And with her bowl being a ceramic bowl, its considered a no-no! So what did mama find for her baby... The most adorable Martha Stewart pet bowls she could find. Plus they matched perfectly with the floor mat she already has.
I must admit I did get a bit emotional taking away the bowls we bought her the day we brought her home almost 3 years ago. You might say it was my hormones that are all out of whack thanks to auntie flow, but it really was sad washing her baby bowls and putting them away never to be used again. :(
She loves her new bowls though and that's all that matters; plus this food is much healthier. We'd do anything for London even drive all the way Cedar Park for pet food every month and a half, and that's what we'll be doing from here on out. This is all for you Lammies. We love you! Here are couple of pictures.

It's Yummy

My Sleepy Baby (she was only 10 wks)(So teeny!!)

Always by her daddy's side

But not always! She's a mama's girl! Even has the t-shirt that say's "I'm with my bff" he he

We'll keep you posted on how she's doing with this new food and hopefully she'll have less painful BM's. So far so good. Lets hope she keeps a happy yummy!

xo,
Kim

Look at what I come home to find!!!

Yep! I walked into the house from work and there it is, a pile of laundry on top of my just cleaned laundry room. UGH.....NEAL!!!!!

:[
Kim

Keys Gotta Home

As I cleaned the laundry room and got it in order I realized I needed a place to put my keys. I couldn't keep placing them on the dryer as I walked in everyday. Yes, its easy and convenient, but it's also messy and adds to the clutter that collects on top of the dryer as the week progresses. Luckily I had gone window shopping on my lunch break Friday afternoon and came across this adorable iron key with hooks. The first place I thought about putting it was in our guest bedroom for guest to place their keys but this afternoon (Sunday) I decided I would hang it where it would get the most use....In our laundry room. The key hook is too darn cute to keep tucked away in the guest bedroom only to be scene every once in awhile by guest. So I did a little measuring and a little hammering and then a little hanging and voila....


A new look in the laundry room! It took me less than 5 minutes to hammer it to the wall and hang it up. Neal literally got the trash to the curb and back and I was done. He was shocked. Who needs a measuring tape when you have a good eye! Not this gal! ;) I LOVE IT!!!

xo, Kim

Mini Makeover

Our laundry room is the first room to get destroyed by the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our shoes, lose change, keys, purse, etc land on top of the dryer day in and day out. So it was in much need of a little sprucing up. I'm actually quit embarrassed to show the before shot but you've got to do what you've got to do. Here it goes...

After a little organizing,moving, tucking, and placing things in their rightful spots. It's done and looks great again.

I think that it looks so much better. Lets see how long it stays that away.... Neal!!!

xo,
Kim

Movie Review Monday

Title of the week:


The Switch was such a cute movie. Equally funny with a little bit of dramatics thrown in. I love Jennifer Aniston! But I love the little boy that plays Sebastian even more! He made the movie so much more enjoyable. Those big brown eyes that sweet baby voice. Oooooh, I could have just snatched him right off the screen and put him in my pocket!! He was so darn cute!! But anyways... Jennifer hasn't mad the best movies in the past but this one was so great! Even Neal laughed and said he liked it. He never saws he likes a movie. Anytime we walk out the theater I'll ask, "so what did you think of the movie?" He'll reply, "It was all right." That's for EVERY movie. It gets annoying. I didn't even wanna ask him what he thought about The Switch knowing what most likely would come out of his mouth, but I did anyways and to my surprise he said it was good and that it was funny. WHAAAAA!! It really is a cute date movie or a fun movie to go see with your best girl friends. I recommend it and so does Neal. :)

xo,
Kim

Thank you, I have a NEW car

HA! I wish. That gorgeous Audi is my friend Gina's sweet ride she just bought. But I'd like to give a HUGE thank you to my Mother-in-law and Father-in-law for the most wonderful gift they have given Neal and I. This post comes a bit late but every time I turn on my brand NEW car I have to thank my second parents. My old car was old and sad and was starting to go sour. Papa and Mama Collins decided it was best I take her new car she had just bought. She knew Neal and I couldn't just go out and purchase a new car at this time so they handed us the keys to her 2009 Toyota Camry. I LOVE IT!!! At first I didn't want to except it but this is what they do and this is why I love them so much. Neal's parents have always rotated cars for their kids but they've never gone out and actually bought them new cars! They just get the car that gets passed down. I'm the first of the children that actually got a new car. It was used for only a couple of months and then passed to me last month. I consider it new since there was only 10,000 miles on the car when I got. I'm so lucky! I love Momma and Papa Collins, but not just for this but because they are so kind hearted. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. We love you! Here's my sweet beauty!


I've never been a fan of red cars, but I LOVE IT! THANK YOU!

xo,
Kim

House Projects

My mind has just been whirling and twirling trying to figure out what my next project is going to be. I've got all kinds of ideas.
First idea: I want to organize our mail area with more storage and functional style. I'm just about tired of the mail sitting on the dinning room table/bar/counter top, or where ever it may land upon entering the house, or until someone (meaning me) comes along and picks up the mess and puts it away. I want everything to have its own space. Now, how do I get this with out spending LOTS of pennies in the process? I'm looking to buy something similar to the Pottery Bar Office Organizer they have. That of course is beyond the amount of money I'd like to spend on this project, but so you can get the idea here is what I'm looking at for the kitchen...

Second Idea: I would like to come up with a fun art display. But what kind of art should I use? I know the cheapest and funnest way to come up with art is by taking old calendars and framing the pictures you like. Here are a couple of examples...


Third idea: In our guest bedroom I put together a shadow box of old firsts Neal and I did together. I'd like to brighten it up with color. Add color to the matting and add some unknown facts about what happened the the day we had our firsts. I think that would be a little something fun. How should I do that? Well I know exactly how I'm doing that cause I've kind of already started that project. Once I finish I'll post the pictures and the how to. I cant wait to see how it turns out.

Forth idea: I've been collecting more and more jewelry lately and am running short on places to put all my new pretties. So, the other day I came across this adorable blog and just feel in love with this girls creative idea. She made these mesh pictures frames to hold her earrings and bought old pegs to hold her necklaces. If I could be that creative I don't know what I'd do, but I'm not and since she is, I'm going to take her idea and make it my own. This little project looks super fun and easy and I cant wait to get started. The next thing I'll need to do is build up my jewels like she has. Man does she have A LOT!
Doesn't she just have the cutest set up? Check out her blog. It's so fun and honest. Here is the post about her "pretties". http://smartandsassywithsprinkles.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-i-organize-and-store-my-pretties.html

Fifth idea: If you noticed the wall of abstract frames in the guest bedroom you've noticed one frame is empty. That sad frame is my frame meant for my baby picture. The picture I wanted for the frame was not the right size I need to go to Kinko's and blow it up to an 8x10. Once I add that picture I also wanna add a couple more frames to the wall. I just love how fun the wall looks when they are placed all over. It's so fun! Guess how much I paid for those frames in the room? The most I spent was 16.99. That's right those frames ranged from 3.99-16.99 all from my new favorite store, Ikea! At first I had only bought 4 frames and then realized how reasonable the frames actually were that I went back and snagged another 4. As soon as a go to Kinko's and print out my baby picture I wanna run by Ikea and pick up another 4 frames. But what to put in those frames will be the fun part. What should I add? Neal doing what he loves, playing golf? Maybe those shots of him as a kid swinging is club for the first time. I guess you'll just have to wait and see. Say good bye to that sad little frame in the right corner!

So, there you have it, the five projects I have an itching to get started on. Which one should I start with? Should I take a trip down memory lane with my shadow box update, or maybe I should tidy up our scary mail and organize the kitchen area, but there is always "pretties" that could use a nice home. Which project would you like to see finished first? I cant wait to get started.

xo,
Kim

Guest Bedroom Redo

During Neal and I's anniversary vacation in July we decided to save money and stay home. So we took a "staycation". It was so fun since I got to redecorate our guest bedroom the way I wanted to. It was my project and Neal had NO say in it what so ever! In the end he was very proud of me. He thought I did a great job. Here are the before pictures...

After some bargain shopping and some elbow grease this was the end result...




There she is! Isn't she a beaut! I'm so proud of this room. Plus I did some DIY projects mixed in. I'll be posting those projects as well, but for now this is our new guest bedroom. The first guest that stayed in the room loved it. Michelle and Cayden slept good when they came to visit. Michelle even went home and bragged about my room. 5 Stars! I'm not quit done with the room but what a vast improvement over the before shots, don't you think?! I'm happy with it! :)

xo,
Kim