Spring/St. Patrick's Day Wreath

As February draws to a close, my friend Bonnie and I thought it would be a great idea to make a wreath for St. Patrick's Day (otherwise known as my Grandma's birthday and a holiday that gets way overlooked)!

If you remember my wreath from February, it is a simple foam wreath form wrapped in burlap. I attached a red burlap heart to it (with pins) that can easily come off. Presto, change-o, it's ready to be Spring/St. Patrick's Day-ified!

I found this amazing tutorial over at Mrs. Priss for these super cute button/flower/rosette/things and they could not be EASIER to make. Here's how!

Cut your felt into 2 inch strips.

 Hot glue the edges together (I took pictures of two different colors of felt... yeah...).

Cut itty bitty cuts about a 1/2 inch apart all the way down on the FOLD side (and only halfway through your felt fold: don't cut all the way through)!

 Start rolling and gluing.

Rolling and gluing.

 Floof and voila! Super cute button/flower/rosette thing!

I used a green polka dotted ribbon as my theme ribbon for the month.

Attach on the foam wreath with pins. Again, lifesavers! I have been adoring the wreaths that have a cluster of button/flower/rosette things on one side, so that was the look I was going for!

I did various shades of green and pops of orange in honor of St. Patrick's Day and the Irish flag. To turn it into Spring time, just trade out the oranges and the dark greens for some yellows and pinks!

I will add updated pictures of my finished wreath as soon as I remember to take a picture of it outside in the sunshine :)

(I plan on adding a banner thang that says "Lucky" across the top, inspired from this photo via Miss Lovie Creations and this website.)

Happy almost-March!

Moving On...

The moment happened on Sunday night during the Oscars...

[via]

I finished "The Hunger Games" series.

It was bittersweet. I'm so glad to have read them, but now I'm bummed they're over! I can see myself reading them again, but now I have moved on to this gem a few of my Facebook friends have been talking about:

[via]

Has anyone else read the book? Seen the movie? I wanted to see the movie when it was out (adore Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson, yes please) but never did. Let me know your thoughts!

Happy Tuesday!

Photo a Day: Week Eight

Hope everyone has had an amazing week/weekend so far!

Here is a peek at my week through photos! Join us by leaving a link to your blog post with pictures from your week! Remember, nothing fancy-schmancy, these are all phone photos!

Sunday: A member of our church trains therapy/disaster relief dogs and here is his dog, Cody! Such a sweet boy and always gives the best lovin's! He visited us after our church service!

Monday: Happy President's Day! We weren't off of school, sigh, but we did learn lots and lots about presidents to prepare us for President's Day! Gotta love a Kindergarten representation of Pres. Obama!

Tuesday: Yes, I was a nerd and looked at every page of this book at Walmart. It is the "Tribute Guide" which gives information about each tribute in the Hunger Games (kind of like a program you would buy at a game). Again, I am a nerd... BUT I started the third (and final, no!!!) book tonight. I'm going to try to read it slowww. We'll see!

***missed Wednesday

Thursday: Project going on in our bedroom! The door that leads to our backyard has been letting rain water soak into the carpet... Ugh. So Nate ripped up a portion of the carpet to lay down these wood tiles. My picture for today was going to be the finished product BUT my phone is being lame. Next week!

Friday: This moment was too precious to not capture. Chloe's paw resting on Nate's shoulder. So sweet!

Happy weekend!

One Month...

In true, fan-crazed fashion (and taking a note from Smart and Sassy with Sprinkles' post this morning), 

This is coming out ONE MONTH FROM TODAY! Can't wait for "The Hunger Games" movie! Nathan is finishing up the first book and I finished the second book over the weekend. We read them via our Kindle Fire, so I said I would not purchase "Mockingjay" (the 3rd and final book) until Nate finished the first.

If I haven't said this before, I'll say it again. This series is so addicting! The plot is so good, has every type of emotion (love, anger, secrecy, danger, etc etc etc)! AGH I can tell I'll be reading these books again and again.

Watch the trailer.

And get excited with me!

Umm, it's February...

Dear Texas,

It's February.

It's supposed to be cold.

It's supposed to be icy and snowy.

We should of had a snow day by now!

But, no. You have sent us 70 degree afternoons. Rain showers. Sunny skies.

I'm not complaining, I  h-a-t-e  cold weather and bundling up. So, to you I say thank you!

Love,
A concerned, but thankful, Texan


In honor of the steamy days we've been having down South, I have been perusing some swimsuit options for this year. Usually, I get a two piece... but I'm starting to get the "Modest-is-hottest-and-I'm-too-"old"-to-sport-a-bikini" syndrome. I'm weird, I know.

And besides, I feel VERY vulnerable in a swimsuit: do you? Plus, I like to work on my tan and there's not a really good reason to have a tan stomach... no one sees it anyways, right? I mainly want my arms, chest, face, and legs to be tanned.

Here are a few options I have found: some are waaayyyy overpriced but others are reasonable! Click on the picture to go to its website.

[from Victoria's Secret]

This is my favorite. I really like the color and the style is perfect. Strapless, which is always a must when working on ones' tan. Also, the fit is very flattering!

[from Anthropologie]

This one isn't available anymore, but I really like the mint color and its style. The gathers make it very flattering and the bust is too cute with that button adornment!

[from Target]

This is the cheap inexpensive version of my first choice. The color isn't as exciting, but the price is about $100 cheaper, so athankyou. Still flattering across the stomach and bust, and the cut is cute too.

[from Target]

This one from Target is adorable! Same cut that I like, but with the added detail of a ruffle to add some flirtiness. Also, the pattern is too cute!

[from Southbeach Swimsuits]

I've never heard of this website until I found this image via Pinterest, but isn't this swimsuit darling? Black is always a good color choice in my book and the ruffles at the bottom are cute. Again, strapless is always a good choice!

Anyone already looking forward to summer? I miss my tan!

Song for Sunday

Happy Sunday, friends! We sang this song in church today and BOY is it moving! Listen to the words and truly think what they mean. We are a blessed people!

Seated above, enthroned in the Father's love  
Destined to die, poured out for all mankind  
God's only son perfect and spotless one  
He never sinned, but suffered as if He did

All authority, every victory is Yours  
All authority, every victory is Yours

Savior, worthy of honor and glory, 
Worthy of all our praise, 
You overcame  
Jesus, awesome in power forever,
Awesome and great is Your name, 
You overcame

Power in hand speaking the Father's plan  
You're sending us out, light in this broken land
We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb  
And the word of our testimony, 
Everyone overcome

-"Overcome" by Jeremy Camp 




Have a great week, everyone! I am enjoying Christina Perri and "Catching Fire" (book #2 of The Hunger Games series, which I am thoroughly enjoying: it's so good!) this Sunday afternoon before having dinner tonight with dear friends who are almost like family!

Photo a Day: Week Seven

Time for Photo a Day (where I share one photo from each day this week: well, most days... like I said, I was busy reading "The Hunger Games" this week!)

 

 

[last Saturday]: Painting in the guest bathroom closet! Hope to have the entire closet done by next week!

 

[Sunday]: We had a church fellowship at a gorgeous lodge on a lake (owned by two church members). So fun to fellowship and take in the beautiful scenery!

 

[Monday]: Our pretty couch arrived! Our pup-nephew, Ralf, enjoyed it! My brother and his wife came to visit for three days, yay!

 [Tuesday]: Happy Valentine's Day! These are a tradition every year: my favorite! Thank you, Nate!

***missed Wednesday, that's when I started reading "The Hunger Games"!

 [Thursday]: YAY! It is so good, couldn't put it down!

 [Friday]: NOOOOO! But I immediately started book two afterwards (already into part 2 of it)!

 

[Saturday]: I made Brittany's Red Velvet Cool Whip Cookies, although I used strawberry cake mix! They are DELICIOUS, so easy, and yum yum yummy! Go to her blog to get the recipe!

Sorry I'm Not Sorry

I kind of have been M.I.A. this week on blog land... Not much posting or blog stalking or even taking pictures each day for my Photo a Day.. Wanna know why?

I. JOINED. THE. CLUB.

Oh my stars, this is probably one of the best books I have ever read EVER! Pulls at your heart strings (at least mine, anyways), has suspense, action, etc. etc. AGH and I finished it tonight (started it on Wednesday, so I read it in two days)!

Let's just say I may or may not have cried and I may or may not have given Nathan a reaaallyyyy big hug afterwards.

I'm making Nathan (who is an avid reader) start it tonight.

I can't wait to start the 2nd book (tonight). Baha!

Happy weekend!

Love Story

Check out this beautiful post by LeAna at A Small Snippet on the GREATEST love story ever!

Have a great day everyone!

Love

The most beautiful passage about love:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Happy Valentine's Day to you all: I hope that you all experience this kind of love from a significant other not only on this day, but on all days! I am so lucky and blessed to have Nate as my husband: he loves me unconditionally, let's me mess up/cry/vent/etc., he spoils me rotten, and he is the spiritual leader of our household. I cannot thank God enough for him! So glad we can share this love every day!

Happy V-day honey, love you to the moon and back!

Hello Gorgeous!

 Our new couch arrived today!

And it is gorgeous!
Now, to order fabric to re-do those throw pillows! Yuck!

[P.S. do you spy something yellow in this picture? Not sure if I "love" it yet, so that is why I have yet to share, ha!]

Easy Valentine Trail Mix

Do you have 27 students like me? No? Well this is easy enough to make for any Valentine goodie bag or Valentine get together!

Yummy (and plentiful) treats: i.e. conversation hearts, appropriate colored M&Ms, pretzels, and marshmallows...

Super cute cellophane treat bags with an adorable label (printed on Avery mailing labels)...

Stuff your baggies and add a festive ribbon: voila!

Easy.

Happy Valentine's Day!

P.S. I got these beauties from one of my students today! He was so excited when he gave them to me!