"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" James 1:17

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

IKEA and West Elm Browsing Trip

I'm kinda down in the dumps today due to not getting a position at Tampa General Hospital that I had really really wanted : (

I'm trusting in the Lord and I know that he will bring me the perfect job when the time is right. I'm so thankful for a supportive husband to encourage me. Believe it or not, I'm the one that wants the job. Hubby is happy with me being at home. But, living in a new city, I'd really like to make some new friends instead of always hanging out with Rob's friends. Nothing against your friends baby....lol.

I may just start that business I've been wanting to do for a while. No better time than NOW!

Anyways, after I did my housework and gave Goliath a haircut and a bath, I did some browsing on West Elm and IKEA's websites and found soooo many WONDERFUL things!! Here's a few. Well....a little more than a few.



$599.00
It also comes in white but I am totally lovin this gray color. It will look awesome with white, green, black, blue or any color pillows and other accents.


 
$649.00
Here it is in white! This little loveseat also folds
out into the cutest bed! Perfect for when we have both families over.



                                                                                                                
$109.00-$749.00
How cauuute is this West Elm rug? I'm a little afraid of prints
but, this one is to die for!
I'm not sure what my husband is going to think of it, haha.
It's okay..it will grow on him.







$29.00
West Elm is the BOMB!!
I think this would look nice against the gray. The colors are
gorgeous and I love the lil birdie.






$10.00
IKEA, can I get this in the above colors?
PLEASE!!




$6.00
I'm really diggin this one for IKEA too.
You can't beat the price either!!





$9.99
I'd like to curl up with this little blanket right now!!
With a good book and a glass of wine...maybe some
chocolate. Okay, that's enough!





$14.99
Do you see that price?! These things are more
expensive at Wal-Mart. I could definitely use
this is my closet right about now.
And look at the pockets on the side!
I'm not crazy about the stripes but no one will
see it in my closet.









$49.99
This picture from IKEA would be adorable
in our master bedroom...or anywhere in the
house. Love it!





$14.99
This cutie is going in the "beach" bathroom.
I'm gonna fill it up with some TP so I don't
hear, "Babe where's the  toilet paper?!"
Who am I kidding. We all know men don't see
things that jump out in front of them, lol




So there are my random findings for the day. Now, I'm really depressed I don't have a job and money to blow on these gorgeous things!!
It's okay. I'm content with a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in and food to eat. I am more blessed than most. Thank you Jesus!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Bare Walls Dilema

I am not very good at making decisions. I'm the girl that walks around the store for hours only to put everything back and walk out with nothing. Why? I don't know! My husband is very lucky that I made up my mind about him fairly quickly...and went through with the purchase!I just couldn't pass up something sent from Heaven :) Awwww

Enough about my wonderful hubby. I would hate to cause you to be jealous.

So, here are my bare walls. There are two more in the living room but I have an idea for one. Here is Area #1


















Goliath is a camera whore. He always shows up right before I snap the picture, lol
I was going to put a painting above the bed but, I've recently come across photos of bedrooms where the walls are draped with curtains. GENIUS! Hello, why didn't I think of that? Dang it!






















This is stunning! Katie over at Bower Power is nothing short of AWESOME when it comes to decorating her home. I need to get my butt of the couch and away from Oprah and go find some fabulous curtains!!

Area #2

















This is the area above our dresser. I guess I could have added the actual dresser in the picture but, that is not the problem people. What's really sad? That photo frame still has the picture of the models in it instead of one of our gorgeous wedding pictures. It's a shame, I know. Anyways...what do I put up there? I really want some beautiful art or a large mirror that I can set on the dresser.


All ideas are welcome and so appreciated. I'm now off to the gym for some torture great fun!

Friday, January 22, 2010

A mess turned BEAUTIFUL!

I'm so happy to finally be posting again.We've been so busy around here and that has meant NO time for fun projects. BOOHOO!!!

I was, however, able to get some organizing in today. YAYY! I've been on a cleaning fit this entire week and it's been freakin AWESOME! I went to grab some hand towels out of the linen closet in our guest bathroom this morning and was disgusted at what I saw. I see this mess everyday but, today it felt like the devil was in that closet. I had to do something about it...

QUICKLY!!  

I suppose I should let you see the before, huh?


Yes, I made this picture dark and gloomy on purpose.
That's how I felt looking at it...

Everything from towels to candles holders to a snowman cookie jar to cleaning supplies and more was in there.

I headed out to BIG LOTS and Marshall's and came back with some gooooodies!!

At BIG LOTS I found some plastic containers. I got two smaller ones and a medium sized one, all for $4!!
Lucky for me, Marshall's is right next to BIG LOTS. And I couldn't pass up these beauties : )




All 3 for $7
Of course they got some spray paint!


How could I pass up this GORGEOUS thing?!
It was $13 but, it grabbed me as I walked by...and wouldn't let go...
Seriously!

While my spray paint was drying I cleaned out the closet and would you believe I had 6 bottles of Febreze?! Go here and you will receive $35 in coupons for brands like Cascade, Dawn, Febreze, Mr. Clean and Swiffer!

Time for you to see my new linen closet!! The devil is no longer in there. Now, it is...HEAVENLY!



 
Shampoo, Soap, Loofah for guests
These hand towels are what started it all



Detergent and Dryer Sheets
Cleaning supplies in the beautiful bin : )
I'm sad I got the last one...



Bath towels



Shower Curtains
Candles
Christmas and overflow hand towels




I think I will enjoy going in here now
Ahhhh


 

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Be a 10 in 2010

This post today is a bit of a mess. It's a mixture of a few different things that are on my mind. So, let's get started.

1. The title of this post is a quote from (believe it or not) Richard Simmons. Now I think he is a NUT but I thought this was such an inspirational quote. So, be a 10 in 2010!

2. Football season is over for the Tampa Bay Bucs and I am anxiously awaiting the announcement of their 2010 cheerleading tryouts. I've been training for a few months and getting really excited...and nervous!


3. Hubby and I have decided to start taking SALSA LESSONS!! You might be seeing
us on this show in the near future :o)

 
4. Lately, any extra money I have has been going to decor and things for the house. I love
when I find things for a great deal and most of the time I just can't pass it up. That has
led to a lack of clothes for me (or so I say). I haven't bought a new outfit in months, especially since
I'm not working at the moment. But, I think I might need a shopping trip soon.



 

Sunday, January 10, 2010

The Sunday Paper & Bang Bang Shrimp

One of my favorite things to do on Sunday...

Sunday paper coupon cutting!!!
I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who gets that warm
fuzzy feeling for coupons.

Now, for those of you that have ever been to Bonefish Grill,
you know exactly what Bang Bang Shrimp is.
You also know how delicious it is and my mouth is watering
right now just talking about it.
(Good thing I have some in the fridge!)
 
You don't have to make the trip to Bonefish anymore
because, I have the recipe for you right here!!

Here's what you need:
2 pounds of the largest shrimp you can find
Dry Cornstarch

1 cup Mayo (no Miracle Whip or Fat-Free stuff)
1/2 cup Thai Chili Sauce (the one with the rooster on it)
3-4 tablespoons (depending on how spicy you want it) Sriracha (also with a rooster on it)
Oil for frying  
**Thai Chili Sauce and Sriracha can be found on the oriental aisle of your supermarket** 

Directions
1. Heat your oil up to 375 degrees
2. Mix your Mayo, Thai Chili Sauce and Sriracha in a medium sized bowl
3. Coat shrimp in cornstarch and fry until golden brown
4. Drain on paper towel and coat with sauce mixture
5. You can serve on beds of lettuce if you wanna get fancy

It's so easy to make and great for parties!
Make sure your friends and family know they're pretty spicy.
ENJOY!! 

 
 


 

Saturday, January 9, 2010

God Bless Target and Office Depot

HAPPY SATURDAY

So, all of this talk about organizing and cleaning has put me in the mood...majorly! The mood to organize. (get your minds out of the gutter!)


Kate over at Centsational Girl had some fabulous tips during her "5 Days To A Fresh Start." Go check it out and be inspired like I was. 

Since I was bitten by the organizing bug at 6am on Friday and couldn't dash out to get some supplies (sad face) I got out of bed and started cleaning the room I was going to tackle...the office/guest room.  YIKES!

Let me just show you the hideousness...

 
 
 
I can't even tell you how much I hate the desk. Unfortunately, my husband loves it (and bought it) so I can't throw it in the dumpster take it to Goodwill.

When Target finally opened I rushed over a picked up a bookshelf that I had seen on sale for $26. Ended up only being $20. YAY! Good thing it was inexpensive because I had to put it together!

 



 It was a pain in the butt and Goliath kept getting in my way. You can see his cute, messy face in the picture.


I also got these super cute file boxes from Office Depot on sale for $5.41 and the clear one at Target for $1.50. I got 3 gray ones for papers and DVD's and 2 of the clear ones for supplies.



 


We also have two large file bins for important documents and all of the husbands military papers/certificates/manuals/etc. (which adds up after 6.5 years)

After many hours of cleaning and sorting through everything and tripping over my dog about a hundred times, here is where I ended up! It will have to do for now...




 Hubby's cars from like the 8th grade. PACK RAT!

I'm not loving the little basket there but, I'm sure I'll be tossing things
in it by tomorrow, haha.

Sorry this pic is so dark



All loose change now has a home : )



Just enough room to fit my Mary Kay bags
 
We'll be getting a matching bookshelf to put on the left side.
And yes, my wedding dress is still hanging up outside the closet...



This room is in SERIOUS need of some paint but, we're not allowed ..::sad face::..
The printer goes in the corner but, I didn't put I left it off for the pic.
The sewing machine was my Grandmother's then my mom's and now it's mine!
It's old but, I love that it's been passed down.

I'll be much happier when hubby let's me get a new desk. I'm content with it for now...kinda.

I hope everyone has a fun, safe weekend! Stay warm : )  


 
I'm linking up because I put this darn thing together without my Hubby!!



Wednesday, January 6, 2010

I've gone scarf CRAZY!

I live in Tampa, where it's HOT about 90% of the time. So, I get super excited whenever it's cold out and I have a chance to wear one of my scarves.


Take the month of January for instance...we are about 20-30 degrees BELOW the normal temps for this time of year. That's crazy considering it was about 70 degrees on Christmas Day. This morning, it was 17 degrees!! That's freezing for this little Florida girl! (Perfect snuggling with my husband weather though, woohoo)

So, today, I am sharing my favorite scarf tutorial by Jenny over at Anything Pretty. There are a ton floating around blog land but, this one is by far the most FAB! There are pictures galore and she's made it so easy to follow her directions. I plan on making lots of these for myself and friends. Thanks for sharing Jenny. Ladies, seriously, check out her blog.  


 That's all for today. It was so cold today that all I did was snuggle up with my dog. Sad, I know.

Hugs! 

P.S. This is the next scarf I'm tackling. Super cute, right?! Except for the $158 price tag.


 



 

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

My Fab Coasters

My husband just loves our glass coffee table. I think he loves anything that he gets a good deal on. I'm trying to break him of that, lol. Anywho, I have to Windex this thing like twice a day! It's quite ridiculous. So, I decided to make some of those super fab coasters that I've been seeing all over blog land.

Yesterday, I went to Home Depot and picked up these tiles for 16 cents a piece!! I had to talk
myself out of buying the entire box. Sorry, for the awful picture but, you get the idea.


Then, I busted out my handy dandy Mod Podge (= love) and brushed
the tiles with a thin layer.


I had some leftover scrapbook paper that I cut out to fit each tile. Then, I brushed on another thin layer of Mod Podge on top, especially around the edges. After that, I sprayed them with a Polyurethane Gloss and added the little felt tabs to the bottom.


Here is the finished product


Do you LOVE them as much as I do? I couldn't be happier! My wonderful husband told me I should have bought the entire box of tiles so I could make these and sell them. I don't think it's such a bad idea :o) Especially since these only cost me 64 cents to make. HOLY MOLY!

Hugs!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Shelves...I dispise mine

The most difficult thing about being in an apartment is I can't paint ANYTHING!! Wait, I take that back. If we want to paint, we have to pick from managements selected colors, annnd pay $50 a room! No thank you!

So, I'm trying to make the best of what we've got right now. I'm going to go paint crazy when we buy a house. Watch out!!

Here's where I am right now. I have a few other things to place in their spots but I'm still working on them.


Notice the empty picture frame. It's GORG! It's patiently waiting for a wedding picture, lol




Hubby just l.o.v.e.s the red bird. This basket is perfect for all of his junk stuff when he gets home
from work. Phone, keys, wallet, line badge, reflector belt, etc (sheesh!)


I wish I had something taller for down here. I might put the larger candle holder down
here instead of on the top shelf. Decisions...decisions



I actually have faith in my shelves. With a few more items I might just come to love them!

Hugs!