Our Spring Break

So it was that time of year again, where I had to bid my spring break holiday block. It could not have come at a better time. The week before we left was unseasonably.super.warm. We left on Tuesday and it got cold. So cold. But anyway, we were off to sunny FL and did not care. We spent the week with Matt' parents and did lots. We had such a great time and it was great to get away. I'm sure if you saw my FB you will know that United may be the worse airline to fly, but they did put us up in a suite (super awesome), several meal tickets, and a fun night of bar hopping.

But other than that the trip was great. I managed to work out 2x. First we did a family 8 mile bike stroll. Pretty easy trail but still a work out right? The second was a super.hot. jog in FL. I waited way too long and should have went in the am or later that night. 80ish degrees was too hot for me this early. We attended our first baseball game of the season, which was a spring break game for the Detroit Tigers. Super fun! We went to a beach, several bars, visited Uncle Tom, base ball and bike rides. Great time. Thanks for having us Mom and Dad. Here are some pics from our trip!

Gardens

So yesterday I turned 29, which you know what that means. Next year is the big 3 0. My bff Melissa took me to happy hour and Matt stopped in after he got off of work. We, as in Melissa and I, had way to much to drink. My parents stopped in and before you know it I was doing shots. Anyway the whole point of this post is to spring into the back yard.

For my birthday Mom got me 2 packages of bulbs in my favorite flowers. White Calla Lily's and a mix of Anemone. I need to do some research but I can't wait to plant them.We have 3 beds along the side of the garage in the back yard. 3 are full sun and 1 is part sun. Right now I have grape hythacians and pansies in the part sun bed. I also added some tulips to the bed. It doesn't look right, I didn't organize it right and my OCD is getting the best of me. Against my moms better judgement, I am going to dig them up, plant the tulips in the back, hythacians in the middle and Pansy in the front.

Found these at the local garden center. Must plant.

I want to build these

For the next bed I saw a pin, which I'm attempting to replicate it as soon as it warms up a bit again. It consist of hystas and hydragenas. I also pinned a pallet garden and am going to attempt that as well. As for the other 2 beds I am clueless. Any ideas?

Master bedroom redo

We have been in the house for almost 6 weeks. I have accomplished 2 bedrooms and I'm pretty thrilled with the outcome. First, let me say I will never wallpaper again! Second, I will never wallpaper again alone. It was super difficult to do by myself but I was too impatient to wait for hubby to get home from work. Plus we are not on the same days anyway. If I waited for that it still wouldn't be done.

So I ordered the paper and paint from lowes. I papered the wall with less obstruction, like windows and closets and what not.

Valspar paint has been good to me thus far so I went with an eggshell stone mason gray color. Depending on the time of day it can look blue. I just picked up some panels from home goods. Here is the before and afters----->>

Also right now there is nothing on the walls in our bedroom.  It was my intentions to hang something over the bed, but the headboard is super high and now withe damask print wallpaper i was thinking it would be too busy. I plan on hanging a horizontal canvas over the tall dresser and then a vertical next to the long one. The bar walls are driving me insane.

Of course occupying Eli was no eat feat. At one point I had laid down the paper on the floor, applied the paste, and who comes walking in? He stepped on the paper and slid, from the paste, about 10 ft. Looked like he was on a slip an slide. Eli also managed to steal the paint brush and dip his ear in the paint can! I'm in desperate need of a bedroom break, so April and May will focus on the yard, garden, and updating patio furniture. I even plan on making a pallet table for some plants.

how the master looked when we moved in.

another before shot

paint chip and wallpaper

color scheme inspiration



Pottery Barn duvet cover pattern

so hopefully sooner rather than later a tv will cover that wall outlet.

Pet adoption day!

So this past weekend my mom hosted a pet adoption event. I told her I would help out and use Eli for the puppy kissing booth. For .25 donations we pawned kisses out of him. He was so good. It was also the first time I got to socialize him with other dogs. He did pretty well. Together the Port Jervis and Pike County, the shelters brought up pets that were available for adoption. I think the final count was 5 dogs with new homes and about 100 lbs of dog food. I had to restrain myself from giving Eli a sister. She was an adoptable-adorable pit mix that looked like my mom's boxer Layla. Anyway my mom always manages to pull of great events and this weekend was no different. Props to you momma dukes!

Spare bedroom..done and done on a budget.

So this past week I ventured to Lowes and decided I was going to get started on some painting around here. I couldn't find anything great and then I saw an inspiration board for blue and red without being too red, white, and blue. If that makes sense? I wanted like a preppy modern look, so here is what we went with.

Sparkling lake in eggshell. Kind of like a blue/green.
I painted the room in one night. Pretty impressed with myself and only one minor accident.

Backstory* we have an 8 foot ceiling and I am 5'2. While in lowes I was attempting to figure out if I could use a step stool or a ladder. Here I am standing on a step stool. Raising my arm and hand in the air to account for 8 feet. The guy who worked at lowes thought I had a question and was raising my hand. So I tell him what I am attempting to do and he's like, well why don't I just get you a tape measure? Genius!Then he was standing on the stool trying to measure 8 feet. Not getting the concept that I needed to stand on the stool and he needed to measure 8 from from the ground to see if I could reach from the stool. Duh??? Anyway we figured it was probably doable.

So back to the accident. While taping the damn stool slipped out from underneath me and I rolled my ankle while bashing my arm. Sigh, totally not graceful.

With the walls done I was on the hunt for furniture and accent pieces. We picked red lack tables from Ikea. They are low so I had to make sure the bed is low. Bonus**12.00; Red and Corkish lamps for the side tables 20.00 each and a black bed frame 169.00. Also picked out a canvas print from tj maxx 40.00 in those colors.

All that's left is the final touches. O yea and the last piece of the bed Ikea didn't include. Once we get that I plan on moving in our mattress and some pretty linens, moving in the old Ikea dresser from our bedroom and some curtains. Right now it feels bare so I'm hoping that will finish it off well. After that on to the master...picked up the wallpaper today.

I hated the color as we were painting. The streaking drove me crazy

What we were working with before we started

because who doesnt need a drink when putting together Ikea furniture

again noting but one frame on the wall thus far. I was thinking maybe a mirror centered over the dresser

Random

 

So first I want to start out by saying this post will cover multiple topics.

First: How do I make this blog neater? It is driving me insane the way it post pictures and makes the pages look like a total mess. Husband: if you read this, do you have computer skills to fix this problem? Love your OCD wife.

Second: I need to start reading more. I am impressed with how much I have read since we got married. Prior to that I wasn’t really reading anything. I am about 40% through the lucky one and can not wait until the bloggistas book comes out in April. Also, I saw the preview for Hunger Games and now I want to read the book. I don’t know why but I usually have a hard time reading anything too serious. As a matter of fact, I am not sure I ever read anything serious. Perhaps because my job is so Debbie downer (sorry mom, I know you hate that phrase), that I need some ridiculousness reads. 

Third: I made pulled pork for Matt for Valentines day. I am pretty impressed with a- how simple it was, even making my own sauce, and b- that I like it too. Not crazy about bbq pork. I also made lasagna flortine this week. Probably the best Lasagna I have ever made. Plus now that we are moved, I can use all those really great bridal shower gifts and no longer have to cook a lasagna in a circle pie dish. Awesome! Pinterst and Real Simple Mag are pretty handy. Now if only we were home more often. Then I could cook more than 2x per week….if that.

Lastly: I ran outside today. My pace outside sucks. I know they say the treadmill is bad, terrible, awful, for you but I have been using it for so long I forgot how to run outside. It has been too long since the police academy days…those were some outside runs.  Anyway trying to build  up my outside time for the March 5k and also signing up to do one in May with my cousin. Although, she says we are walking. Hey at least I can put it down in the books as 2 5k’s this year.  On the topic of fitness, Matt (while at the bar last night) said he would do tough mudder this Oct. I should sign him up now for no backies. And baby Eli has been here for a little over a week now, the vet weighed him in at 10 lbs. I have a feeling he will be another 5 when he goes back March 1. He loves to eat and I have been reinforcing potty training with treats galore!!!

Well its time to pick up the kindle and power down the computer. Eli is already asleep and I got back to day shift tomorrow. God I am not a morning person. O and I hope to hammer out some painting, master and spare, by the middle of March.  Pics to come!!

Getting acclimated.

Eli has been ours for 2 days now. He's doing well and adjusting. It's amazing how small he is right now. I broke down and let him on the sofa and then I broke down again and let him on the bed. I feel bad leaving the little guy in a cage that's too big for him. He's such a sweet puppy. Loves to cuddle and nuzzle right in your face while he sleeps. Apparently it's super comfortable for him, me not so much. I hope he takes a liking to his cage on his own and sleeps in there soon.

We are so happy we were able to rescue him from a kill shelter in VA. I'm looking forward to a long healthy life with him.