So every time I do a DIY project, I ask myself, is this worth the money or would I do it again? Well turns out crib bedskirts are probably worth that $20 that you are shelling out to buy one pre-made. After probably $12 in fabric costs and an additional 4 hours+ working on the dang thing, this is what I got to show for it:
Cute, yes! But if you can guess that this would sell close to $20, that means my hourly charge is just about $2/hour--Not even close to minimum wage! So, it turns out, I will stick to my day job and not go into the crib bedding industry (does such a thing even exist?) Alas, if this fits the crib and assuming everything comes together, tune in sometime the week of July 10th for an update on the twins new bedroom (which I am going to help my sister with next weekend!)
And because this little guy has not gotten much screen-time here lately...Brutus just wanted to pop in and say "Hello!" and really to show you all just how much of a cutie he really is.....
If they were giving an award for the cutest boy in the world, I think Corbin would win it, hands down (and I am not biased or anything, so I should totally be the judge)! Just look at the expression on his face when he sees the cookie I sent home with Tiffany---what a cute face and what a great surprised expression! Thanks Josh & Tiffany for capturing the memory for me!!!
So I enjoy a lot of things---reading, traveling, cooking, hanging with friends, trying new things, sleeping :) But when I get free time (which is rarely), I do enjoy a good craft project. Thus, when my sister asked me to make crib beskirts for the new babies, I was up for the challenge. Last night, since I did not have anything else planned, I got started:
First bedskirt about 2/3 of the way finished. I just have to put the two smaller sides on it!
Also, since I am going to Norfolk next weekend and my little cutie nephew loves him some Cars--particularly Lightning McQueen and Mater (for reference, he wants to name the twins after his two favorite cars, the proof is here! So alas, with the scraps from the bedskirt and with some Cars fabric, I am working on a little surprise for him too!
I better win the favorite Aunt award!
So that is what I have been up to so far during my "down time" this week! What do you enjoy doing? Do you craft when you are bored?
I actually think it has felt like summer here long before June 21st, nevertheless, on the very first weekend of summer 2013, I took full advantage of the sun and took off for a weekend at the Chesapeake Bay. As a young child, my parents had a house on the Bay and we would go there often, then my freshman year of college they sold the house and bought a place at Lake Anna. I do love Lake Anna, but the Bay will always hold a special place in my life. The sun, the sand, the ability to almost escape reality--it is a wonderful thing! So, my mom and I set off (dog-free for the weekend, Thanks CJ!) to Bavon Beach to spend the weekend with my aunt Gloria.
Welcome to Bavon!
We arrived after dinner on Friday and had enough time to unpack and watch Jeopardy before we went out to the point to catch the beautiful sunset over the bay.
This picture really does not do it justice, but you get the idea...
Then on Saturday, we got up early and went yard saling and to some cute shops in the city of Matthews. Grabbed breakfast and hit up the book store before heading back to the house to get our suits on and soak up the rays! After the day in the sun, we came back to the house for cocktails and dip and then Aunt Gloria and I went cruising in her convertible, where we caught sight of this little guy:
And caught another gorgeous sunset:
We woke up Sunday to an overcast sky, so we figured we would be packing up early to go home, but then the clouds lifted and we had a beautifully clear and sunny day on the beach again. When we came up for lunch, Aunt Gloria introduced me to her friend:
Yup, that is a frog that she is holding--ICK! Anyway, the weekend was just what I needed. Time to relax, rest, and not be so connected to my phone. The simple pleasures of life :)
So up until recently, my best experience with Breakfast at Tiffany's was this song:
But when my friend Elaine's 30th birthday came into the picture, I thought it would be the perfect theme for a birthday for her, so I decided to watch Ms. Holly Golightly in the movie, "Breakfast at Tiffany's." I have to say, it was not my most favorite movie to date but that does not mean I did not enjoy planning a party with a theme around it! My friends, Kristi and CJ helped me with the decor and food and Lisa opened up her house and arranged Elaine to come for "a quiet dinner with her." So here it is, at LONG last, Ms. Elaine's Surprise 30th birthday Breakfast at Tiffany's theme party:
Publisher Made framed art for the party!
The tablescape
Happy Birthday Elaine Banner (in Tiffany Blue--DUH!)
We had make you own Mimosas to go with the breakfast theme
Ms. Holly Golightly herself made an appearance or two....
Breakfast foods completed the evening party!
Tiffany boxes, Tiffany blue cupcakes and blueberry muffins!
What I've found does the most good is just to get into a taxi and go to Tiffany's.
I think Elaine was surprised by the party, surprised that her parents came up from Charlotte for it, and surprised by the theme (I had a pinterest board she had seen, but told her it was for a wedding shower I was throwing---a little white lie never hurt anyone). Now for some the people in attendance:
CJ and Kristi
Patrick, Anna, & Mary Ruth
The Birthday Princess herself!
Anna, Kathryn, and me (plus a few photo bombers)
Anna and me
Lila, Anna, CJ, me, Kathryn, and Kristi!
Overall, I think it was a fantastic time and I think she loved the theme and the party, so it was a success, I would say! Happy Birthday Elaine! P.S.--Sorry to everyone that now has the Deep Blue Something song stuck in your head, but it is rather catchy!
So I am back to counting points and trying to loose some weight! Well along with that is the desire to not get stuck in a rut of turkey sandwiches and apple slices, so I bring you my TWO creative lunches so far this week: Monday's Lunch: Fake it til you make it Fiji Apple Chicken Salad, complete with apple crisps and fake dressing :)
Wednesday's Lunch: Guacamole Kit--One avocado, spice packet, tomatoes (not pictured) and chips! This will probably forever be my favorite---oh how I love guacamole!
Do you have any non-sandwich recipes I should try?
On Saturday, it was going to be a BEAUTIFUL day, so a few friends (and Bonnie) decided to go to Lake Anna for the day! It was a fantastic time of relaxing and chatting. I came home with a slight massive sunburn--WHOOPS! Since we got home and it was still so lovely, we grilled out and had a lovely dinner.
Our friend Allison was having a "Poppin' Tags" (goodwill style) housewarming party! I always love a good theme party, but I was really dragging by 9:30 (because of the sunburn and probably just SUN in general) when we were headed out. So we got decked out and headed downtown for little stop in and to grab a few pictures before heading home for the night.
Allison and CJ
Me and Allison (plus photo bombers)--notice those bright red legs!!!
Did anyone else have a fun weekend? Did you over-do it with the sun?
Well, it was another beautiful Friday night, after a few days of violent storms this week, we were able to get a break from the rain (and the temperatures in the 90s) and head to Southside Speedway for the Friday night race. It was absolutely beautiful weather there---and was even a little chilly by the time we left at 11pm.
CJ joined in this time so it was her first ever experience at Southside Speedway and I think she would come back, but the rest of us just enjoyed another night of good racing with 6 races on board.
They started with a meet and greet on the track before race time.
During the Legands car race, there was an accident and one of the cars had to be "towed" off the track--it is funny to see how itty bitty these little cars are!
Under the lights!
Racing action!
The girls!
Please note how patriot everyone is dressed--it was Flag Day after all!
Another picture of us!
I must confess, I am going to miss this the last Friday in July (since I will be out of town), it has been quickly becoming my favorite summer tradition! And for those of yall that missed the action, here is a video snippet of the race:
So it should be no secret by now that I like to cook. But, I also have friends that like to cook and that is a great thing to have! On Wednesday, my friend, Kathryn invited me over for dinner. She fixed Gnocchi, salad, and HOMEMADE ICE CREAM! It was so awesome to get to kick off the summer with good food and good friends!
Gnocchi with tomato sauce and cheese!
Homemade vanilla ice cream (I added the toppings!)
So I have recently become a little obsessed with Jeopardy. Now that I am living back at home, my mom has DVR, so I have been recording them so I can watch it each day even if I am not home when it comes on. So last night, this was the question, let me know if you can answer it (CJ--no comments, I know you already know the answer!)
Hint: If you have read "Devil in the White City" you will get it, no problem :)
Well, the baby shower was not merely cute decorations and a killer theme, nope, not at all! The best part was the people! Tiffany was showered with gifts from so many people that have been a huge part of her life and I know she was feeling very blessed that day!
Let's take a peek at some of the presents:
Baby wipes, you can never have too many!
She loves these baby wipes!
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Twin outfits from Mrs. Adams (who has twin grandsons)
So I am not sure how Meagan did this, but here is the cute Thing 1 and Thing 2 hats that CJ made!
Loves it!
Matching Twin onsies!
holler! Got some sweet swag!
Bath time toys
What a cute mommy to be! I may have dressed her in the blue and red!
Twin boy charms for her Pandora bracelet from Gwen!
Matching baby clothes!
She is really excited about the new rocking craddle!
Gwen got a little shirt for Corbin with the Thing 1 & Thing 2 on it!
