My PINK Life

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2012-02-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

Here is my "What I Wore" post for the week!

Friday:

Yellow shirt: Plato's Closet consignment

Gray cardi: Marshall's

Jeans: Goodwill (Ann Taylor Loft)

Shoes: Goodwill

Belt: Forever 21

Saturday:

Dress: borrowed from a friend

Black cardi: Goodwill

Leggings: Target

Shoes: Ross

Love the details on this dress...

Sunday:

Gray knit dress: Old Navy

Scarf: gift (Target)

Blazer: free from a swap party (J. Crew)

Leggings: Forever 21

Boots: Plato's Closet consignment

Winter Mantle

2012-01-31T15:57:00.000-05:00

So I've recently been fluffing the family room a bit and thought I'd show you what my mantle looks like right now.

It's pretty simple really - mostly white (which I love) and I added a bit of color with the branches.

The branches were a lot of fun to make. I just cut down a branch from a tree outside and spray painted it white.

Then I made the flowers out of napkins following this tutorial. It really is the simplest tutorial and requires only tissue paper or napkins, tape, and hot glue.

I printed out this verse from Hebrews which I had pinned here, and framed it in a simple white frame with a white matte.

I found the clear and green glass light covers (at least I think that's what they are) at a barn sale.

So, that's what it looks like right now, but it will probably change soon. I think I might have ADD.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who is constantly changing things around.

Look-A-Likes

2012-01-27T10:48:00.000-05:00

I love looking through old photo albums of our families. My parents only a few pictures of them and my grandparents when they were younger, but husband's family has pretty many old pictures.

They facinate me. It's like looking into a different world, and I wonder what their lives were like all those many years ago.

Over Thanksgiving I was looking through hub's mom's old photos and I was amazed how much baby Violet looks like her. It was uncanny.

Here is Violet and her Grandma and you'll see what I mean...

Same wild, curly, dark hair, same mouth, same chubby cheeks, same eyes.

I love it!!

Have a wonderful weekend friends!

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2012-01-25T07:00:00.002-05:00

Here's my "What I Wore" post for the week!

Blue cardi: Yard sale (J. Crew)

White top: TJ Maxx

Jeans: Goodwill (Ann Taylor Loft)

Shoes: Walmart

As you can see, I find my clothes at all kinds of different places and I'm not a store brand snob. If I see cute shoes at Walmart (I know, it's rare), I pick 'em up.

My closet is a hodge podge of mostly Goodwill/thrift, Marshalls/Ross/TJ Maxx, and Target. I love the thrill of the hunt! Where is your favorite place to shop?

Go! {and don't worry}

2012-01-23T11:36:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday morning friends!

We don't have school today, so we are lazing around. Well, I should say the kiddos are lazing around. I have a hard time lazing. It's not in my DNA to laze. I'm working on the laundry, dinner for tonight, and painting some sweet canvas art pieces. And I'm listening to Pandora playing The Civil Wars station on my computer.

Outside it's a snowy, slushy mess, so we aren't going anywhere today. Which is my favorite thing to do. Not go anywhere. I love the cozy house on a cold wintery Monday.

Recently, I've had a lot of worries on my mind. Some big and some really small and dumb. But you know how it is, there are always things that need to be done, financial worries, relationship issues, sickness, stress about the kids....there's always something.

And what I've been learning about the annoying thing called "worry" is this: DON'T DO IT.

Yes, it's a command. By God. This is what He says to us (Message Bible):

^"Don't fret or worry.

Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." Phil. 4:6-7

And here's a practical thing I've been doing when I start to worry. First of all, pray.

Then focus on the present. Focus on today. It won't help to think about how I'm going to get through the next week or the next month. Take things a day at a time.

If you are going through a hard time, I encourage you (and me) that you will get through it. You will. Don't worry about tomorrow. God knows what you will need tomorrow. And he has supplied everything you need today.

Trust Him. And remember that He is by your side every step of the way. You can do it. You'll mess up sometimes, but that's ok. You are still precious, unique, and loved.

Now GO! And live an amazing life!

{The art in this post is a custom sign that I created out of a barn door for a client.}

My Jack

2012-01-19T07:15:00.002-05:00

Today we are celebrating my little guy's third birthday.

J a c k B e n j a m i n

:: Named after my dad.

:: The biggest snuggler you'll ever meet. I could hold him half the day and he would be perfectly happy. I was recently cleaning the house and he came to find me and ask if I could read him a book. I told him that I couldn't right now. And he said, "Mommy, you're too tired to sweep right now. Can you come sit on the couch and read?". How can I resist?

:: He loves food like no one else.

:: He has amazing blue eyes, just like his daddy.

:: He is very laid back and it takes him forever to do anything. His personality reminds me very much of my brother Kyle.

:: He's easy to please. Just give him some crackers and he's a happy guy!

:: His cousin Nya and his friend Asher are his favorite playmates.

:: He always needs to sleep backwards in his bed, with his head at the foot of the bed.

:: He's usually the first one of the kids to be up in the morning. And he needs his cereal pronto.

:: His favorite toys are his farm animals, his new dump truck, and Matchbox cars.

:: He loves to stay in his jammies all day.

Happy Birthday to my favorite little man!!

What I Wore Wednesday {Vacation Edition}

2012-01-18T07:00:00.006-05:00

This is the vacation edition of What I Wore Wednesday today ~ ~ ~

Friday:

Dress: Goodwill (Old Navy)

Yellow cardi: H&M

Shoes: Yardsale (Target)

Belt: borrowed from a friend (thanks Chandra!)

Saturday:

Flowered top: Marshall's

Jacket: Goodwill

Skinnies: Kmart

Shoes: Ross

And this has nothing to do with today's post but I just had to share. When I was at the beach last week, this group of college guys randomly serenaded an old women sitting in front of me. It was pretty cute.

Back to Reality

2012-01-16T10:14:00.000-05:00

Wow, it was a harsh reality coming home from sunny, warm Florida to a frigid and windy 24 degrees in Pennsylvania!

Sheesh!

But as much as we treasured our time away, just the two of us, it is really good to be home munching on my little ones, and getting back to the normal routine.

Although at one point last night when we came home, all the kids were crying at the same time for different reasons, things needed to be unpacked....well, I sorta just wanted to get on a plane right back to Florida.

Anyway, here are some photos from our long weekend.

We stayed in Sarasota close to Siesta Beach in this gorgeous place (my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's vacation house):

The pool by the house. The blue skies and warm sunshine was so amazing!

We fit some shopping into our time. And we hit one of my favorite places...

In case you aren't familiar with Plato's Closet, it's a chain of consignment stores all over the country that sells trendy used clothes geared toward younger people. The closest one in my area is in Exton, Pa.

I found this cute ruffly jacket. Totally didn't need it, but it was too cute to pass up! You know how it is.

Husband is a ginormous Baltimore Orioles fan, so we visited their spring training stadium which was close by. It was a beautiful place.

Someone left a door open in the outfield, so we were able to sneak in. Hubs ran the bases, checked out the dugout, and had a HUGE smile on his face the whole time! He totally turned into a 10 year old boy when he stepped onto the field!

Then we did some house hunting for a vacation home for ourselves. But nothing was quite large or fancy enough to suit us.

Here's my favorite. But it only has 6 bedrooms, and we need at least 10. You know, for all our kids and the staff.

This one wasn't quite palatial enough. Our house would need to have at least 5 turrets and 20 balconies.

As you can tell, we would fit right in with this neighborhood. With the gates and the luxury cars, it fits us so well.

And it would be a must to have a house right on the water with a dock for our yacht. That is a necessity.

Maybe the next time we go, we'll find the perfect home. And we'll invite you to come stay with us! I promise! :)

Happy back-to-reality Monday!!

I spy with my two eyes

2012-01-12T18:39:00.000-05:00

A palm tree. And tropical flowers.

Heaven!

The husband and I are taking a last minute trip to the Sunshine State with no kids.

No. Kids.

Amazing.

Thanks to our rock star family and friends who are taking care of our little brood, we are enjoying every minute of our little vacay.

First up: BEACH (duh)

More to come! :)

Be Strong

2012-01-09T13:38:00.000-05:00

I love, love, love the idea of teaching our boys to be STRONG.

To take care of others. To push through despite adversity.

To be motivated. To challenge themselves. To protect.

This is a custom sign that I recently made using an old salvaged barn door that I stained a dark walnut color. I took some photos of it in Jack's room, hanging above his bed.

The Latest Signs {I've Been Busy}

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

My Etsy shop was really busy over the month of December, and it was so much fun creating these signs! I thought I'd show you a few today. Most of these were custom orders that I made out of barn doors, old wood, old cabinet doors...pretty much anything I can find that I think looks interesting.

My most requested sign by far is the Zephaniah sign made out of old barn doors. I'm not currently taking new orders for this sign because it's been difficult keeping enough doors on hand. But I'm occasionally listing them in my shop when I get them made.

I loved working with these old barn doors. They are each so unique and the old rustic hinges add a lot of character.

Here is another sign I made out of a piece of fence I found in a barn. It's currently for sale in my shop. I love this quote by Robert Frost and finally found a way to use it! (If you are local, this sign is hanging at New Holland Coffee Co. and can be bought there.)

I made this sign for my brother & sister-in-law for Christmas. It's made from the lid to a grain storage bin for a barn (I think).

This old door (below) just makes me want to swoon! The wood was chunky and old and just plain perfect.

So there's a little recap of what I've been up to! I love that I get to use my creativity in my "job" ~ it's so fulfilling for me.

Have a great weekend!

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2012-01-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

It's Wednesday, which means it's "what I wore" time!

This past week has been filled with mostly pjs and not-so-attractive clothing, but I did manage to have ONE day where I put some effort into my wardrobe! The outfit is completely thrifted.

Sunday:

Yellow top: Plato's Closet consignment

Black cardi: Goodwill

Skirt: Goodwill

Boots: Goodwill

I hope this inspires you to go out and hit up the thrift stores! You'll find some fun things, I promise!

Fresh, Clean & Simple

2012-01-01T14:08:00.000-05:00

My motto for 2012.

I'm in the middle of changing things up in our home, and I am inspired by white (as always), fresh greens straight from nature, and beautiful old stuff.

Here are some images that I'm loving right now, thanks to my Pinterest board.

Happy New Year friends!!

What I Wore Wednesday {Inspired by Pinterest}

2011-12-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

Pinterest has been such an awesome tool for me to keep my ideas and inspirations organized. It can be addicting and time consuming if you let it, but I've found that it's really helped me lately.

I've planned meals better, been more organized around the house, and have gotten style ideas that I never would have thought of before.

I have a style board on Pinterest where I keep clothing and style ideas and last week I used one of my pins as inspiration for an outfit.

Here's the pin:

And here's my thrify version:

Jacket: Goodwill

Green top: Target

Striped top: Goodwill (White House Black Market)

Skinnies: Kmart

Flats: Ross

Scarf: gift from my sister (Ann Taylor Loft)

Hope you are all having a great week! It's been so nice having Avery home from school this week. No more rushing around in the mornings!

And we are pretty much just living in our jammies. What could be better??

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

2011-12-24T07:00:00.002-05:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our family to yours!

Thank you for taking the time to read this little blog, for your friendship, and for inspiring me to be a better mother, wife, and individual through your sweet comments and emails.

This year more than ever, I am so thankful for a Savior who did the unthinkable. He left His perfect home in Heaven and came to live among us in the most lowly of circumstances. Because He loved us.

It is the ultimate love story. And I am so thankful.

Wishing you much love, peace, and joy this holiday season!

One Year Ago

2011-12-22T15:40:00.000-05:00

For the past few weeks, every time I would think about this Christmas season I got a knot in my stomach.

And I would remember last Christmas. What a tough time that was.

Violet was 7 weeks old and caught a cold, which turned into a serious case of RSV/bronchiolitis. When I took her to the ER two days before Christmas, I had no idea that we would spend the next week and a half in the hospital.

Such a scary time. We had to hold her upright at all times because she couldn't breathe lying down. She had a terrible, gaspy cough that would last for hours. We spend four days at a community hospital, then were transferred to the intensive care unit at Hershey Medical Center where we spent the next week.

I was by her side almost all the time and I missed my other two kiddos like crazy. But the experience made me realize how our lives can be turned upside down so quickly and made me so grateful to have healthy kids.

And now, one year later, Violet has been so healthy and I am so thankful for her little life! She is precious.

All of the kids have had a bad case of the flu this week and now hubs and I have it too. Lots of sleepless nights, cleaning up messes, and holding sick babies!

But I am so glad that we didn't get sick over Christmas! Hopefully this year will be much more peaceful than last year.

I read back over the comments from my posts a year ago when Violet was sick and I'm amazed at the enouragement I received from you all. It was a treasure to hear your kind words while we were in the midst of that hard time.

THANK YOU for caring about our family. I'm so grateful.

I Like Old Stuff

2011-12-16T09:33:00.000-05:00

I like old stuff and I cannot lie. I think that's how the song goes. Right?

Hee, hee.

So, happy Friday people! I'm finishing up my Christmas orders, making granola, starting the laundry, and drinking homemade grape juice for breakfast. So good. I don't drink coffee (much to my husband's dismay) but I drink fruit juice like it's my morning coffee. So there you go.

Back to the topic at hand. When I watch tv shows and movies, I'm always scanning the background to see the homes and decorations on the set.

I'm slightly addicted to the new show Once Upon A Time...have you seen it? So many good stories in that show!! I have a feeling it's going to be a major hit. It's a hit with me, anyway.

When I saw the apartment of Mary Margaret Blanchard on the show I got twitterpated.

Not sure if that's a real word, but seriously. Twitterpated.

So many great things going on in this apartment. Old wood, vintagey mismatched chairs, crates, hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, farmhouse table.

Yes, I think I like old things. Very much.

I love the idea of re-using and repurposing things that most people would throw in the trash. Turning junk into something functional and useful. Totally makes my heart skip a beat.

Do you love it as much as I do??

And tell me, what are your current fav tv shows?

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! Christmas is almost here!

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2011-12-14T07:00:00.001-05:00

Popping in for "What I Wore Wednesday"! Here ya go!

Thursday:

Purple top: Ann Taylor Loft Outlet

Gray cardi: Ross

Flower pin: Amelia's discount grocery

Skinnies: K-Mart

Boots: Goodwill

Sunday:

White top: Goodwill

Skirt: Down East Basics

Flower pin: King's Victorian (local shop)

Knee socks: Target

Boots: Plato's Closet consignment

Happy Wednesday friends!

Christmas Mantle

2011-12-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

Last week I had fun fluffing up the fireplace and getting it ready for Christmas. I didn't do as much decorating as I normally do for Christmas this year, but I did manage to do a little here and there.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday I started on this coffee filter wreath (see tutorial here). After many hours of burned fingers (and maybe a few swear words), I finished it!

I used huge filters from my sister's coffee shop, so the wreath turned out really big and full, which I like.

I made this "Peace" pillow out of burlap. For the wording, I printed out the lettering onto cardstock (thick) paper, then cut out the letters to create a stencil. Then placed the stencil on the pillow and dabbed red craft paint on the burlap. Super easy.

I made these ornaments for a little Christmas tree that sets on a cabinet in our family room. I used old round ornaments that I no longer liked, covered them with strips of sheet music that I soaked in equal parts Elmer's glue and water, then sprinkled them with Epson salt to make them sparkle a bit. Then I tied them onto the tree with red ribbon.

This is a great way to re-use ornaments that aren't in great shape or are the wrong color.

Hope you enjoyed a little peek into my house!

Happy Monday!

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

My little Etsy shop has been hopping in the past few months, and I've been working a lot, trying to keep up with it.

Right now I'm on a time-crunch to get a bunch of signs and artwork orders out the door in time for Christmas.

It has been such a joy. Designing, painting, filling orders...at times it's definitely overwhelming, but I am so thankful to have this business.

If you've ordered a sign from me...thank you. My customers are truly the best.

And I couldn't work as much as I do if it weren't for my super-supportive husband. He takes vacation days off work and helps me without any complaints.

On this Monday, I am painting and shipping and hoping that I'll eventually have time to go shopping for Christmas gifts before December 25 is here!

Here's to a great, full week ahead!

Holiday Decorating Idea {Displaying Christmas Cards}

2011-12-08T07:02:00.000-05:00

I've finally started my Christmas decorating and thought I'd show you the various methods I'm using for displaying all the Christmas cards that we receive from friends and family.

This is a card display rack from a store that no longer used it. I spraypainted it black and put it on our entry dresser.

This is a fun little wreath that takes almost no crafting skills. At all. I promise.

All you need is a wire hanger, burlap, and ribbon.

Form the wire hanger into a circle shape. Cut burlap into 4-5 inch wide strips. Fold the strips into accordian-shaped stacks and poke the ends of the wire hanger through the middle of the stack of burlap. (I hope that makes sense) Repeat the process until the wreath is full and hang with a ribbon.

Another Christmas card display idea is to use a shutter.

I bought this shutter at Goodwill and painted it red. Hubs attached a wood base to the bottom so that it has support to stand up, but it could also be hung on a wall. Just put cards into the slats and you're done!

I also hung some string up and attached cards to the string with clothes pins. I actually keep this up all year round and hang random pictures that we receive. Simple and fun.

Don't you just love getting all those Christmas cards this time of year? So fun. I hope this gives you some ideas on how to display them!

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2011-12-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

So, it's that time of the week again for "What I Wore" and just one outfit to show today.

Thanks for your encouraging comments on my last post! Despite what some of you were hinting at, NO I'M NOT PREGNANT!! It is now official. If I were pregnant, at least I'd have a good excuse for being tired, right? It is totally my own fault for taking on too many things and setting my expectations way too high.

Story of my life.

Anyway, here we go...

Dress: Goodwill (Target)

Scarf: from our trip to Paris years ago (sighhhh)

Belt: Goodwill

Boots: Goodwill

I'm Tired {This Is Real Life}

2011-12-04T13:23:00.000-05:00

I don't remember when I've felt so tired. This whole "mothering-small-children" thing, coupled with all the "extras" that I tend to throw in, has gotten me worn out.

The good thing is - I know that you can relate and I'm not alone. And it's just a season of life. A season that I want to cherish, even when it's hard and when I haven't gotten a full night's sleep in a while.

The other day while I was folding and putting away laundry, Avery and Jack decided to start my Christmas decorating for me. (no, I have not started decorating yet, can you believe it?? I feel more tired just thinking about it!!)

They went outside and picked up some greens to add to the bunch of twiggy-things I have in a vase by the fireplace.

Then Avery hung some of Jack's dirty socks from the mantle. And they put books around the bottom of the "tree" and pretended they were presents.

I have to admit, I was a little bit proud of their decorating skills. It made my day.

This morning Avery asked me why I was so tired, and I told her that taking care of her and Jack and Violet is a lot of work and sometimes mommy gets tired.

She gave me a very sympathetic "Aw, that's ok mommy.".

Then two seconds later, "Can you get me a drink of water? And make sure it has ice in it.".

Kids.....you can always count on them to be understanding and helpful. Now, I'm off to take a nap!

Christmas Decorating Idea {Mason Jar Candles}

2011-12-02T09:19:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday everyone!

Here is another Christmas decorating idea from the presentation I gave a few weeks ago. It's really simple actually ~ just mason jars filled with Epsom salt and a votive candle.

The Epsom salt looks like snow inside the jar. It's a nice touch for a porch or for along a walkway outside. You can find the salt in any drug store and it's really inexpensive.

I filled three quart-sized mason jars and put them inside an old homemade flower box that I picked up at a yard sale.

I added a few greens and pinecones to the box. And, of course, I just had to paint a number on the window box! Am I obsessed with numbers? Yes, I think so.

This idea is not original to me. I think I first saw it on Melissa's blog The Inspired Room. Her blog was one of the first decorating blogs that I read years ago. Melissa has tons of great decorating ideas ~ you really should check it out if you haven't already.

This week she featured my moss wreath on the DIY section of her blog. And the decorating website Houzz will be featuring the wreath in the next few days. How fun is that!

Have a great weekend!

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2011-11-30T08:04:00.000-05:00

Here's my "What I Wore" post for the week!

Thursday:

White shirt: Target

Skirt: Goodwill

Boots: Goodwill

Belt: Goodwill

~ ~ ~

Saturday:

Striped dress: Target

Yellow cardi: H&M

Boots: Plato's Closet consignment

Belt: Goodwill

~ ~ ~

Sunday morning:

Purple tank: Target

Striped Cardi: Francesca's

Skinny jeans: K-Mart

Shoes: Ross

Belt: Goodwill

~ ~ ~

Sunday night:

Green sweater: Target

Plaid shirt: Goodwill

Skirt: Forever 21

Boots: Plato's Closet consignment

Christmas Decorating Idea {Moss Wreath}

2011-11-29T07:00:00.001-05:00

I promised I would share some of the holiday decorating ideas that I shared in my presentation a few weeks ago, so here is my first idea!

It's a moss wreath that can be used for Christmas, but it could also be changed up and used for Spring/Summer as well.

I made it for less than $5 and here's how I did it:

Supplies needed:

:: Foam wreath form
:: Bag of moss
:: Hot glue gun
:: Ribbon & embellishments

Basically, you just glue the moss onto the wreath form, covering the entire form (you don't need to do the back).

Then, glue on embellishments like berries, pinecones, ribbon, whatever your heart desires.

And hang the wreath by a ribbon.

In the springtime, you could change the embellishments and add a bird nest with some little eggs.

And here's a little tip:

I wanted to save money on wreath forms, so I bought some pipe covers from the hardware section of Walmart. They came in a pack of 4 and I think the pack cost $2.97.

I bent them into a circle shape and duct-taped the ends together. Then spraypainted them with green paint.

You can use these pipe covers as a substitute for foam wreath forms and use them for all kinds of wreaths. It saves you money, which I love!

More decorating ideas to come!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

I hope you all had a great holiday weekend! Mine consisted of food, food, and more food!

And, of course, great family times. But, oh, the food!

I thought I'd share some pics of my parents' dining room. Isn't it pretty?

They recently re-did some of the decor in this room - painted the walls, changed the flooring, and changed the artwork. The framed prints below are from Jones Design Co. via Dayspring. They are on sale right now for 30% off! Love them.

Now I need to diet and not eat for about a month to make up for all the food I just consumed over the past four days. Turkey, stuffing, corn, mashed potatoes, noodles, homemade bread...pretty much every starch known to man...

And, of course, there's the pumpkin pie. So stinking good!

How was your Thanksgiving?

My Thankful List

2011-11-24T09:03:00.001-05:00

Avery ~ my sweet firstborn.
Jack ~ my snuggly boy who makes me laugh every single day.
Violet ~ my busy little baby who keeps me on my toes.
Hubs who puts up with my shenanigans. And loves me despite me.
My job, which is also my hobby. It doesn't feel like work and fulfills the creative energy in me.
Avery's Kindergarten teacher who is just about the sweetest person I've ever met.
Amazing neighbors who have turned into friends.
Friends who travels through life with us and make our experience FUN. You know who you are.
Family ~ and can I just say that we have the best families in the world? The best.
Our church, which is also our family.

I heard the song "How Deep the Father's Love" yesterday and love the lyrics of these verses.

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

I am most thankful that Jesus, my Savior, came down from Heaven to a lost, dirty world because He loved us so much. And He would have done it just for me. And for you.

Amazing love. I have no reason to complain about anything. If all He would have done is saved me from my sins, that would have been enough. But He has blessed me beyond anything I deserve.

Everything I have is gift from Him.

Thank you Jesus.

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2011-11-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's that time of week again! Just one outfit to show today...

Dress: Goodwill

Cardi: H & M

Boots: Goodwill

Flower pin: made by me

An adorable little boy and the latest

2011-11-21T07:00:00.007-05:00

This is my newest nephew Luke, born last Friday. Is he not just the cutest thing?? His parents are my younger brother Kyle and his wife Heather.

I took Avery and my nieces Anna & Libby to the hospital to see Luke. They had so much fun holding him! Avery just adored him. Oh, that hair!

Gotta love those first few days before the "newborn-ness" has worn off! So tiny!

On the way to the hospital we played a loooong game of "Would you rather?". And there were all kinds of interesting questions asked.

"Would you rather be a clock or a calf?"

"Would you rather be a nose or a boogie?"

Gotta love funny little girls!

~ ~ ~ ~

I've been seriously busy painting signs and here are a few that I've been working on...

This is one of my favorites. One of my friends wanted me to paint a sign with this verse for her mother-in-law and she gave me free reign to do whatever I wanted. I love the challenge!

When I saw the verse I immediately got this design in my head. I used an old cabinet door that I found in a barn, painted it white and glazed it, then handpainted the lettering.

And here is another one made from a similar old cabinet door. I love all the old, original hinges and latches!

And this rustic, barn wood sign is going in the bedroom of a little boy who was born just a few weeks ago!

I'm looking forward to a fun week, having Avery home from school more than normal because of the holiday, and spending time with some of my favorite peeps - my family!

Happy Monday!

Fence Art

2011-11-18T14:39:00.000-05:00

I found an unusual piece of fence in a barn recently and was so excited about the possibilities for it! I cleaned it up and touched up the paint and stain, then added the quote.

You can find the sign in my Etsy shop here. I adore the look of it hanging on a wall above a mantle. The wood is so unusual and it's definitely one of my all-time favs!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Cheesy Enchilada Casserole Recipe

2011-11-17T14:39:00.000-05:00

Confession: I do not enjoy cooking. And I enjoy baking even less. I could eat cereal for almost every meal and be perfectly happy. Food is not very high on my priority list. It comes after my hot glue gun and my paint brush.

My poor family.

But I've been trying to do better lately and came across this FABULOUS recipe that I made this week. And it was a hit with the hubster and the kids.

So, I thought I'd share it with you.

CHEESY ENCHILADA CASSEROLE

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef ( lean)
1 large onion, chopped or season with Onion powder or minced onion
2 1/2 cups salsa
1 can (15 ounces) black beans or red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup reduced-fat Italian salad dressing
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium taco seasoning
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
6 flour or corn tortillas (8 inches)
1 small can of drained corn, or about 1 1/4 cups of frozen corn (optional)
3/4 cup sour cream
2 cups (4 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend or your favorite cheese
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro

Directions

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
Stir in the salsa, beans, corn, dressing, sour cream, taco seasoning and cumin.
Spoon a generous layer of meat mixture on bottom of 2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with grated cheese.
Place a flour or corn tortilla on top of meat mixture. Layer with half of the meat mixture, and cheese. Repeat as many layers as you like.
The last & final layer should be a healthy dose of grated cheese.
Cover with foil that has been sprayed with pam or other and bake at 400° for 25 minutes, or until hot & bubbly.
Let stand for 5 minutes before topping with lettuce, tomato and cilantro. Yield: 8 servings.

Enjoy!

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2011-11-16T06:47:00.001-05:00

It's Wednesday, so that means it's "What I Wore" time again!

Saturday:

Cardi: Goodwill (J. Crew)

Scarf: gift (Ann Taylor Loft)

Skirt: Forever 21

Boots: Plato's Closet consignment

Belt: Goodwill (Target)

Sunday:

Top & Cardi: Ann Taylor Loft Outlet

Pants: Banana Republic Outlet

Shoes: Goodwill

Flower pin: made by me

Fall & Christmas Ideas {More to Come!}

2011-11-14T14:35:00.000-05:00

Last week I spoke at a women's event at Christian Fellowship Church. It was such a fun night!

I brought along a car load (or two) of my fall and Christmas projects to show and demonstrate.

Because of speaking at this event, I've had to get a head-start on getting my Christmas decorations ready to go for the season. For once, I feel prepared!!

I'm not particularly a public speaker, but I really had so much fun and the ladies were all so encouraging. I loved meeting everyone!

In the upcoming weeks, I'll be sharing some of these projects and how I made everything. Thank goodness for Pinterest! I got so many ideas from that awesome site! :)

Seaside-Inspired Painting {a new addition to the Etsy shop}

2011-11-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I'm doing this, but I've decided to put this painting in my Etsy shop. I love the piece, but as usual I've gotten some more ideas and want to try something new for above my mantle.

The painting measures 32" x 36" and is a one-of-a-kind piece that I painted several months ago. It is made from an old wood barn door.

To purchase the painting, you can visit my Etsy shop. Let me know if you have any questions about it!

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2011-11-09T07:27:00.000-05:00

I'm linking up to the Pleated Poppy for "What I Wore Wednesday" today and just have one outfit to share. It's all about layering!

Tank: Target

White top: Goodwill (Old Navy)

Jacket: Plato's Closet consignment

Skinny jeans: Kmart

Boots: Plato's Closet consignment

Happy Wednesday!

Do not be anxious

2011-11-07T22:04:00.000-05:00

These days my life seems to be a whirlwind of trying to keep my head above water. I'm so excited for all the things that I'm doing and am involved with but it's a daily struggle to keep my priorities in correct order and to have a life that's balanced.

It's in challenging times like this that I cling to God's promises. And I ask Him for help. Continually.

Recently, I was asked to make a sign with Phil. 4:6-7. How very fitting. I think about these verses constantly throughout the day.

Do not be anxious.

Violet Turns One!

2011-11-04T13:18:00.000-04:00

Violet's birthday is tomorrow but we celebrated with a little party last night at my parents' house. It's always amazing when your baby turns one - time just seems to fly on by.

Violet is a serious little girl. Just like Jack used to be. He is now the funniest little guy you'll meet, so we'll see how Violet's personality changes. Violet fits right into our family. She loves following after the older two and loves exploring the house.

I often think about what a hard winter we had last year. She developed RSV when she was 7 weeks old and we spent Christmas and New Years in the hospital with our sick little girl. But she doesn't seem to have any effects from her illness and has been very healthy, which is a major blessing.

When I was 14 weeks pregnant with her, we thought we lost her. Every day I am so thankful for her little life and I don't ever take it for granted. She is a gift.

Her little cousin Will, who is about 3 months younger than her.

Yeah, so you'll notice that I didn't make a homemade cake. I know, shame on me. Baking is just not something I enjoy, so I took the easy route and bought one.

Have a great weekend!

A Little Entry Makeover

2011-10-31T13:28:00.000-04:00

I've bee itching to do something creative in the house lately, so I decided to change around our entry a bit. We don't have a formal entryway - it's just a little corner of our family room. But it's where everyone enters the house, so it gets a lot of use.

Here's what it looked like before. Not terrible, but not very inspiring to say the least.

And here's what it looks like now:

I challenged myself to spend almost no money but to be as creative as possible. And I wanted a functional, organized and of course pretty space.

I found these old wooden crates at a barn sale where I buy a lot of old wood for signs. They were a couple dollars each. I painted them white and my ever-handy husband hung them on the wall so that they are very sturdy. It even withstands a certain 2 year old boy who climbs on everything.

I made the baskets out of cardboard boxes and burlap. I had posted a tutorial a while ago here. They used to be in the nursery. The labels are little chalkboards I found at a craft store. I just hot-glued them onto the baskets.

This was an old mirror that I found either at a yard sale or Goodwill. I painted the frame white and painted chalkboard paint onto the mirror.

I made the hook board out of an old piece of barn wood that I painted white. I handpainted the "Beach" lettering onto the sign and added some old metal hooks that we already had.

The clock came from Goodwill. The color didn't work for me, so I spraypainted it black and distressed it.

And there you have it! It cost me around $15 to re-do the space and now I'm happy to see it whenever I come home!

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2011-10-26T07:40:00.000-04:00

It's "What I Wore Wednesday" again!

Saturday:

Dress: Forever 21

Wool Cardi: Goodwill (J. Crew)

Tights: Target

Shoes: Goodwill

Belt: Goodwill

Sunday:

Striped top: Goodwill (White House Black Market)

Jacket: free from clothing swap (J. Crew)

Jeans: Goodwill (Ann Taylor Loft)

Shoes: Goodwill

Scarf: gift (Target)

Monday:

Cashmere sweater: Goodwill (Old Navy) ~ yes, you can find NICE cashmere sweaters @ GW!

Jacket: Goodwill

Jeans: Forever 21

Boots: Plato's Closet consigment

Belt: Goodwill

Purse: Goodwill (Dolce & Gabbana)

Oh, Hello Monday

2011-10-24T09:38:00.000-04:00

Is it really Monday already? The days are just flying by lately. It might have something to do with these guys keeping me on my toes. All the time.

They also give me crazy eyes. CAAARAAAAZZYYY. (Anyone watch Parks & Rec? Remember this reference?)

The weekend was spent painting, staining, painting, and some more painting. If you've ordered a sign from me recently, thank you for your patience. I'm in constant "catch-up" mode.

Did I ever mention that my customers are the best? They really are. Everyone I've worked with has been amazing. I'm new to this sign-selling thing and am learning as I go, so I really appreciate everyone being so kind and encouraging.

I paint in my fabulous studio.

I wish. Actually I mostly paint in my kitchen. Or outside, if it's nice. Wherever I can keep one eye on my kids and one eye on the paint brush.

Avery has decided to join me. She paints the headlines of the newspaper. Love that girl. I miss her when she is in school. And her brother misses her more. He still seems lost without her here to boss him around.

Here are a few signs that I've made recently using some beautiful old barn doors...

This one is going in a boys bedroom. How cool is that verse??

I'm still working on re-doing my entryway and can't wait to show you how it turns out!

Currently granola is baking in the oven (smells great!), the laundry has been started, Avery just got on the bus, and my two littlest are still in their jammies. I can't guarantee that they won't stay in their jammies all day. Please don't judge me.

Hope you have a great week!

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2011-10-19T07:26:00.000-04:00

Hey, hey! It's another edition of "What I Wore Wednesday". As usual, most of my wardrobe is either thrifted or from Target. I'm linking up to the Pleated Poppy.

Friday:

Dress: Target on clearance for $12

Leggings: Forever 21

Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft

Belt: Goodwill

Boots: Plato's Closet consignment

Saturday:

Cardi: Goodwill (Target)

Tank: Target

Jeans: Goodwill (Gap)

Jacket: Goodwill

Tank: Target

Skirt: Goodwill (Talbots)

Boots: Plato's Closet consignment

Tights: Target

And here's my funkadelic braid...

Have a great Wednesday!

Family Pictures

2011-10-17T12:50:00.000-04:00

It's been a couple of years since we had professional photos taken of our family. And after three rain-outs in the past few months, we finally made it happen.

Shar Halverson took our pictures. And, holy bananas, she is awesome.

We just did a half-hour mini-session and she still got loads of great pics.

My Avery. She loved every minute of getting her photo taken.

All of them are smiling at the same time! Not an easy feat.

Mischievous little Jack. Can't you just see the ornery-ness?

We took the pictures at a beautiful neighborhood farm, and it was a gorgeous day.

And my busy baby Violet. She is precious. And always on the go.

Thank you for the beautiful pictures Shar! We LOVE THEM!

My Shipping Department

2011-10-13T20:51:00.000-04:00

I've been busy shipping my signs all over the place and, since I'm so busy, I've decided to hire some employees for my shipping department.

And I thought I would introduce you today.

They are small but don't let their size fool you, they are probably louder and have more energy than most people four times their size.

I need to discuss proper work attire with the girl. She tends to come to work in her pajamas which isn't very professional.

And her hair is always messy too.

And they spend most of their day popping the bubble wrap, which is so not helpful.

But they are cheap labor, and they're kinda cute, so I guess I'll keep them for now.

:)

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2011-10-12T07:35:00.000-04:00

I've been neglecting my "What I Wore" posts lately, mostly because I've been either covered in paint or children.

But I did take pics this week of one outfit I wore. And, what do you know, the entire outfit is from Goodwill! Holla!! (Dress & belt are Target, shoes are REI)

I'm linking up to the Pleated Poppy for her linky party...

A baby on my hip is how I'm rolling these days...

Happy Wednesday!

Sign Lady

2011-10-06T16:31:00.000-04:00

That's what the Amish man who supplies me with wood and barn doors wrote down on my invoice last week.

"Aimee the sign lady"

Nice.

That's what I've been reduced to these days. Ha, ha. Although it feels like it lately. I've been working on lots of barn door signs.

Can I just say, it is such a thrill to make something that people love and actually want to buy!! It is such a great feeling.

And I really love working with old barn doors.

They always have tons of character. I love all the old hinges and latches that come with them. I know it's totally cliche, but they don't make doors like this anymore.

On another note, I have the urge to create a fun new entry area in my house. This picture in particular has been inspiring me.

via Pinterest

So pretty!

And I'm determined to make the area as functional as possible, but still cute because I'm a girl and that's just how I like it.

If you are interested in any of my signs, you can check out my Etsy shop or email me maweaver1@gmail.com.

Lisa Leonard Jewelry Giveaway Winner!

2011-10-01T07:27:00.000-04:00

The winner for the Lisa Leonard jewelry giveaway is.......

Amber Bitterman, who said...

"My favorite is the "my treasure necklace". This is my first time seeing this jewelry, very cool!"

I hope you enjoy your prize, Amber! Please email me at maweaver1@gmail.com for more info.

Thanks to everyone who entered! This was a fun one!

Product Review {Easy Canvas Prints}

2011-09-30T09:59:00.000-04:00

The folks at Easy Canvas Prints asked me to do a review of their product in exchange for a canvas for myself. So I jumped at the chance to order a canvas of little Violet to hang in her nursery.

It's an 8"x10" canvas, which is a bit small to hang by itself, so I added an old picture frame to put around it.

I loved the way it turned out! If you are looking to order some photo canvas prints, head over to Easy Canvas Prints for a good deal! Right now they have 25% off all canvas plus free shipping!

And because I couldn't resist, here are a few more pictures of my little Violet Sophia. She is almost 11 months old and we love her so much!

Yes, she is definitely a thumb-sucker. She's crawling all over the house, is learning how to open doors and drawers, and is learning something new every day it seems!

She has her daddy's dark hair and her mommy's dark eyes, just like her big sister Avery. We don't know what we would do without her!

Have a great weekend friends!

Wednesday Randoms

2011-09-28T15:57:00.000-04:00

It's been one of those weeks where I'm trying to keep my head on straight and it feels like my head is spinning by the time I crash into bed at night. But despite the busy-ness, it's been good!

Every single time my kids get into the car with me, they shout "Christmas music!!".

Every. Single. Time.

They are currently obsessed with listening to the Transiberian Orchestra. Especially this song.

So, despite the fact that it's only Setember, we are rocking out to Christmas carols while we drive. Call us crazy. And you would be correct.

~ ~ ~

I've been getting lots of orders for these customized signs made from salvaged wooden barn doors.

If you would like to order one for yourself, just let me know! I can ship them all over the US and Canada. They are really unique doors and no two are alike. I really love them.

Here is another one that I really like. You can purchase it in my Etsy shop and it will be customized with the wording of your choice.

And here are some more that I've made recently...

~ ~ ~

We are going to our small-town parade tonight and Avery is super-excited! It's always a really fun time for the kids. And it's always fun to run into people that I haven't seen for years!

Oh, and don't forget to sign up for the Lisa Leonard giveaway if you haven't yet! You have until Friday to enter!

Later Gator.

Girls Weekend!

2011-09-26T15:05:00.000-04:00

The women in my family (my mom, sister, and sister-in-laws) all go away together for a weekend in the fall. In the past we've gone to the Country Living Fair and Philly.

This year we decided to go to Peddler's Village which is in historic Buck's County about an hour and a half away.

{me, my sister Sara, sis-in-law Heather, sis-in-law Andrea, mom}

Peddler's Village is a really pretty spot to spend the day! We shopped at the colonial-style buildings, ate some fantastic food, and shopped some more!

Oh, the food....I think I gained at least several pounds over the weekend. As a mom, it is a glorious thing to eat a meal at a restaurant without needing to take care of any little ones!! So fun.

Our weekend also including a dinner at PF Changs (awesome Chinese food), shopping at the PA Premier Outlets (pretty much has every store you can think of), running out of gas in the middle of a busy road (not-so-awesome and quite embarrassing), and stopping at a barn sale.

Buck's County is such a beautiful place! I just loved all the historic stone homes and pretty farms. And spending time with my girls pretty much just rocks. I love them! And my husband is awesome for taking good care of the kiddos all weekend while I was gone!

Hope you had a great weekend too!

Happy Monday!

Lisa Leonard {Giveaway!}

2011-09-22T20:48:00.000-04:00

Guys, I am seriously so excited to be offering you this giveaway today!!

Have you heard of Lisa Leonard and her awesome jewelry? Of course you have. She is a rock star in the blogging community.

Here are just some of my favs:

She is offering a $75 credit to her store for the lucky winner!

To enter, visit Lisa Leonard's shop and leave a comment here telling us which style is your favorite.

For an additional chance to win, write about this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter and come back here and leave another comment.

Giveaway ends on Thursday, Sept. 29, and the winner will be chosen randomly.

And here's a little something extra for you! My readers will be given 15% off Lisa's jewelry using this code: aimee-weaver

Good luck!

What I Wore {Down East Basics}

2011-09-21T06:00:00.006-04:00

If you live in my area and love cute, feminine, and affordable clothing as much as I do, then you're in luck!!

The clothes that I'm posting today are Down East Basics and they are sold at King's Victorian House, which is located along Rt. 30 close to Rockvale Square Outlets in Lancaster.

The Handkerchief Cardi

The John Fashion Sweater

Time of My Life Dress

Skip-a-line Skirt

The Botanical Tea & The Pick A Posy Cardi

The TimeWill Tell Tank

Aren't the clothes great?! Love them. The store's address is 2839 Lincoln Hwy, East, Ronks, PA. Head on over for some great deals!

I'm linking up to the Pleated Poppy.

The Weekend in Pictures

2011-09-19T07:37:00.001-04:00

On Sunday after church we decided last minute (as most of our decisions are) to spend the afternoon at Lake Tobias, which is a pretty cool wild-life park for kids. And the adults had fun too.

Happy Monday!

Family Room Fluffing

2011-09-16T14:16:00.000-04:00

I was in the mood to do some fluffing in the family room this week. I sewed some simple striped pillows for the couch. Like I said before, I'm a little obsessed with stripes, so that would be why I made them!

I looked for striped fabric but couldn't find exactly what I wanted. So I bought some cheap brown and white cotton fabric and just sewed strips of fabric together. And I'm really happy with how they turned out!

The other white pillows I made from hand towels from Target that I just sewed together. I created a stencil out of heavy paper and used craft paint to paint the number "5" on the pillow.

Pillows are such a fun way to add graphics, texture, and color to a room!

I bought a simple $2.99 white drum shade at Christmas Tree Shoppes to replace a broken shade, and it looked a little bit bare. So I hot glued a vintage fabric measuring tape (bought at a yard sale) to the top and bottom of the shade.

And I bought this orange-y faux-leather ottoman from Goodwill for around $3 and decided to make a slipcover for it.

And I love how it turned out! I used white cotton duck fabric and it was actually really simple to make. The pleats on the bottom were the hardest part. Although it wasn't really hard - just time-consuming.

I'm planning on making a slipcover for the floral chair this winter. I'm kind of excited but mostly terrified about making it. I'm really not an experienced seamstress, so we'll see how it turns out!

Have a great weekend friends!!

What I Wore {Transitioning from Summer to Fall}

2011-09-14T07:20:00.000-04:00

I haven't been posting "What I Wore" posts lately, mostly because I haven't had the time and because I'm sort of tired of my summer stuff.

So, this is an outfit I wore the other day and I thought I'd share it. This is an easy way to wear a summer dress into the fall.

I threw on a summery tank-dress and added a jacket, boots, and a belt. It's as easy as that.

All of the pieces came from thrift stores - the jacket, dress, and belt is from Goodwill and the boots are from Plato's Closet.

I am a little obsessed with stripes right now. Here are some inspirations from my Pinterest board...

I'm linking up to the Pleated Poppy today.

The latest

2011-09-09T10:27:00.000-04:00

Here are some of the latest signs I've been working on...

"Follow Your Bliss" - this one is for sale in my Etsy Shop. I used a very cool piece of salvaged barn wood to make it and love how it turned out.

This one will go in the bedroom of a sweet little blonde-haired girl names Faith.

And here is one that I custom made for a busy mom...

It's been quite the rainy week! Thankfully, we haven't had any water in our house, but I know there are lots of people with major water damage in our area. My heart goes out to them!! The pictures of the damage are pretty unbelieveable! Hopefully everyone will be able to recover quickly.

School has been going so well for Avery and I am so thankful!! When she's out on the sidewalk waiting for the bus to come she literally jumps up and down with excitement! She just loves it. My favorite time of the day right now is picking her up at school and hearing all about her day. So fun.

And thank you so much for all your comments on my last post. You guys are seriously the best. I loved "meeting" all of you new commenters! :)

Hope you all have a great weekend! Hopefully it will be a dry one for us!

A Little About Me {And A Little About You}

2011-09-06T10:36:00.000-04:00

Blogging is a funny thing. You get an "inside" into my life, my family, my home, my inspirations. But it's mostly just a one-way street. Sometimes it's just plain strange when I meet a stranger and they know a lot about me because they read my blog. Don't get me wrong, I've met a lot of awesome friends through my blog (mostly friends of friends) and I am so freaking flattered when someone tells me they read my blog!

Really. Flattered. (say "flattered" ten times in a row and it starts to sound really strange)

But I would love to know all of you guys too!! There have been many times when someone has sent a kind or encouraging email just when I needed it. You guys rock! Seriously.

All that to say - if you read my blog, please leave me a comment sometime if you haven't before. I'd love to know who YOU are! :)

Today I thought I'd give you a little "scoop" about me and answer some questions:

:: Introvert or Extravert?
I'm an introvert. I enjoy meeting new people, but at the end of the day, I'm shy and nervous and not comfortable being in a group of people that I don't know. I get energized by being by myself, having time to just be in my thoughts. I could be a really good fisherman. Out on the water, for days on end, just by myself.

:: When was the last time you tried something new?
I ate sushi for the first time a few weeks ago and really liked it. It's not my favorite food, but I'll try it again for sure.

:: Favorite quote?
I have many favorites and one of them is by Theodore Roosevelt. "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Sensible, encouraging, no excuses - how I like to roll.

:: What gets you excited about life?
I get the most excited about life when I feel like I'm able to use my creativity. If I feel bogged down by everyday life (preparing meals, changing diapers, cleaning the house), and I don't have a creative outlet, I can get really discouraged. I'm so thankful that God has given me an outlet where I can feel fulfilled and be someone other than a wife and mommy (although I love those roles too, don't get me wrong).

:: Which is worse, failing or never trying?
Well, let me put it this way - my husband says that I tend to "shoot, then aim" instead of "aim, then shoot". I'm not at all afraid of trying new things, but I tend to just go for it instead of thinking things through, preparing, prepping, all that boring stuff. :) All that to say, I would much rather fail at something than never trying it. Except skydiving. I want to try it, but I really, really don't want to fail at that. It would not be good.

:: Where do you find inspiration?
I get really inspired when I'm around people who are genuinely themselves and are passionate about what they do. Other people's blogs, books, magazines, the ocean, traveling - these all inspire me too.

:: What are your favorite simple pleasures?
Having someone else cook dinner, my kids falling asleep while I'm holding them, thrift store shopping, foot rubs, clean floors, putting my kids to bed for the night, dates with hub, lunches with my sister at the coffee shop, a quiet house and a loud, happy house.

Ok, so now it's your turn!

What is your favorite simple pleasure?

I want to know!

Hurricanes, New Beginnings, and Randomness

2011-08-30T09:56:00.000-04:00

I've been a bit absent from the blog lately mostly because I'm constantly trying to catch up...on everything. Work, kids, projects. Summer is winding down and I want to enjoy every minute!

Hurricane Irene swept through last weekend and took one of our big trees down in the backyard. Thankfully it was a tree that hubs was going to be chopping down anyway, so thank you Irene for doing the work for us! Although the day-long power outage was a bit annoying, I'm so thankful it didn't cause more damage.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Aaaaaand, it's a new chapter in this mama's life! My oldest officially started Kindergarten this morning. She was nervous, excited, scared, jittery, shy, but she got on the bus and waved as she went!

Jack had every intention of going to school with her and wept with disappoinment when she left without him!! Poor guy! Do you like his pink backpack?

My littles and I waiting for the bus...

It's here!! Goodness, I think I shall have a heart attack.

And off she went to the land of new friends, and teachers, and books, and learning, and all kinds of fun things. And now I need to let go. Something that is pretty hard for this mama to do. But I know that Avery has a very sweet teacher who loves Jesus and children and she is in good hands.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Yes, my children drink coffee.

Well, not on a regular basis, but the husband thinks it's his duty to make sure his children turn out to be coffee drinkers (unlike their mama). And they love it.

Excuse Shirtless Jack. He is typically shirtless and shoeless. And sometimes pantless. Such a boy.

Apparently someone cracked a joke.

And now I'm off to play outside with Jack while we wait for Avery to finish her first morning of school (she goes every day for a half-day in the mornings).

Have a great day friends!

Seaside Inspired Mantle

2011-08-24T14:38:00.000-04:00

For some reason (as if I don't have enough to do) I've been itching to change my fireplace mantle around, so I've been working on a new look for the past few days and thought I'd share what it looks like now.

Just for fun, I took a look at some old photos and this is what the room looked like just before we moved in almost six years ago.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Aaaahh, it's like a breath of fresh air! I've been working on the painting above the mantle for the past week and it's been a lot of fun.

A very sweet reader, Lisa Zimmerman, let me know that she had some old doors in her barn that she wanted to get rid of, so I picked them up. My husband cut one of the doors in half, and I used it for this painting.

The white sconces on either side of the painting came from Ikea. I covered some old books with scrapbooking paper, then tied them together with twine. And the two topiaries on top of the built-in bookcases came from a yard sale.

You can see in the "before" picture that the fireplace was brick and was really sooty. One day I just decided to go for it and paint over the brick. The paint has lasted really well and it really brightens the rooms. I painted the top of the mantle a dark brown color.

In case you were wondering, the wall has paneling on it and we painted over it.

The photo blocks are made from wood blocks that I decoupaged photos onto.

I should have done this mantle re-do a few months ago since it's a "summery" look, and I should be thinking about decorating for fall soon.

Oh, well! At this stage of my life, it's better late than never!

Away for the Day

2011-08-21T10:13:00.001-04:00

On Saturday we headed to a little spot called Tangier Island in Virginia, a tiny, peaceful little spot in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay.

We went with our pilot peeps - our friends Mark & Mary. It is advantageous to have a friend who is a pilot! And fun, too, let me tell you. He's taken us to Boston, Niagra Falls, Cape May, and Vermont in the past few years.

After a 1 1/2 hour flight, we landed on a little runway on Tangier Island. It almost looks like the Caribbean, right?

Pretty little houses dotted the coastline...

And the beach! Oh, my, was it pretty! And the water was so nice and warm. Unfortunately, we didn't have our swimming suits along. But that didn't stop us from going swimming anyway! (Thank goodness there are no photos to document THAT! It was a private beach - enough said!)

We did get stung by jellyfish, but the hilarious moments we had made up for the pain!

We ate some amazing seafood - crab bisque, crab cakes, shrimp po boys, yum, yum, yum.

What a fun time of exploring and adventure! We didn't have our kids along (which is pretty rare), so we acted like we were kids again! :)

And now it's the last week before school officially starts. It feels surreal that I will have a child in school!! Unreal.

I have a lot on my plate this week, but I want to make the most of this time to really enjoy my kids. Plans include pool time, watching their daddy play softball in the evenings, taking walks, swinging, and just having FUN and clinging to the last days of SUMMER while it's still here!

Happy Monday friends!

Shop Additions

2011-08-17T14:09:00.000-04:00

I just added a couple more wood sign into my Etsy Shop today.

Some of you had asked what I was going to do with the barn door I had pictured earlier. I decided to make a sign out of it with a scripture verse. I stained it a gorgeous dark walnut color then hand painted the lettering.

And I'm really happy with how it turned out! I especially love the original old hinge that's still attached to the door.

And I made another one with a thick slab of salvaged wood. I also stained this one a dark walnut color and hand painted the lettering.

Do you ever feel like you are being pulled in a million different directions??

Yes?

Of course. I know I'm not alone!

Right now there are so many projects that are calling my name. All of which I love doing. But the problem is, I also have a household to take care of. And meals to make. And three precious little kiddos who constantly need me. They are the most important things in the world, and today I keep repeating to myself this quote I saw on Pinterest...

"When in doubt, choose the kids.

There will be plenty of time later

to choose work."

This Monday Morning Finds Me...

2011-08-15T12:04:00.000-04:00

:: working on a painting on my dining room table. My canvas is a very old barn door. What will it turn out to be???

:: staining another old barn door. It will turn into a sign soon.

:: (and this is super-exciting, so hold your breath) laundry. And, no, I didn't photoshop this picture of my laundry room. Can you even stand how fabulous it is??

(I hope you can sense the sarcasm)

:: picking up toys strewn around the house from the weekend.

:: and helping my neighbor Chandra choose new paint colors for her house (love it).

Also on the agenda:

:: Pick up corn from a produce stand for dinner.

:: Maybe a trip to the post office.

:: Work on my "real" job while the kids nap (I'm a travel agent).

:: Try to relax a little! HA!!

Hope you are having a fabulous Monday!

Some Family Fun + A Thrifty Find

2011-08-12T13:01:00.000-04:00

Like I mentioned before, every Thursday night is Family Night at my parents' house. The weather has been so gorgeous lately and last night was no exception. It was perfect!

The little cousins played hula hoops and rode scooters and tuckered themselves out!

Little Violet watched the action from the sidelines....for now.

My neice Nya looking awfully sweet. But don't let her fool you - she's got some spunk!

In case you care (sorry about all this mommy-talk), potty training Jack has been, well, I'm not even sure what to say. It's been challenging to say the least. I don't think I've ever cleaned up so many puddles in my life. He has yet to actually go in the toilet. I don't remember that Avery was so difficult to train, but maybe I just forget.

Oh, boy...all I can do is keep trying!

Moving along....to my thrifty find for the week.

I know what you are going to say - why are you wearing a coat in the middle of summer?

Because I found it at Goodwill.

In their bargain bins.

For 85 cents.

It's a really good quality coat from French designers Marithe Francois Girbaud.

And it fits me perfectly.

Score!

If you don't shop at thrift stores, you really should try it sometime. It might just be the highlight of your week! :)

Happy Weekend Peeps!

Around the House

2011-08-10T08:49:00.000-04:00

I'm feeling like I'm in a bit of a creativity rut right now, mostly due to my frenzied cleaning and the mountains of laundry I've been washing the past few days. Plus potty training a certain little blonde-haired boy who keeps peeing right through his undies (it's not going well).

So I thought I'd just share some photos from around the house.

My summer mantle...I'm working on a painting that I think I'm going to put over the mantle - so excited to see how it turns out.

I found this lamp at Goodwill and just loved the shape of it. The shade is from Target.

I hung a bunch of old mirrors and picture frames up the staircase. I'm a little obsessed with mirrors right now.

I love this window seat in the kitchen. It's where the kids and guests hang out while I'm getting dinner ready, and there is loads of storage in the drawers below. I made the striped pillow from an Ikea rug.

This is the office/playroom. It's always a work-in-progress. I want it to be a fun space for the kids to play and be creative. They spend a lot of time in here. I hung an old ladder from the ceiling and have tissue paper pom poms hanging from it.

Happy Wednesday friends!

Monday Morning Stuff

2011-08-08T09:21:00.000-04:00

We are back from a weekend of camping and, boy, did we get wet! It was a rainy weekend, but we still were able to have fun and relax (though you might not be able to tell from the picture above).

Little muddy, wet girlies showing off the acorns they collected...

I haven't read a book for probably at least a year and got a chance to do some reading this weekend. I finished "Lone Survivor" by Marcus Luttrell. It's about a Navy Seal and, wow, that is a great book!! I think especially guys would appreciate it. It gives me a whole new appreciation for the sacrifices that some extraordinary people will make to protect our nation. Unbelievable.

Then there's Jack. Oh, my, you can imagine how much fun a 2 year old boy has at a campground, especially when it rainy and makes everything muddy. So many puddles to jump in, so little time.

So on this Monday morning, I am doing mounds of laundry. And trying to organize my week.

There is worship music blasting from the kitchen and Jack and Avery got out every utensil in my kitchen drawer and are pretending to be in a band. As long as they are having fun, I don't mind the mess this morning.

Potty training for Jack has started this morning and he is already on his 4th pair of underwear and it's only 9am. I think I might be cleaning up a lot of wet messes today. Wish me luck!

And Violet is doing what she does best - napping.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2011-08-03T06:30:00.007-04:00

It's "What I Wore" time again! Since I started posting my "What I Wore" pictures probably about a year ago, I think I've gotten a lot more comfortable with my clothes and my style.

Knowing that I will be posting pictures for everyone to see has made me much more aware of the clothing that I choose, and I'm more intentional about choosing things that I truly LOVE and represent me. I used to be afraid of wearing things that were a little "different", but at some point I've stopped caring so much about what people thought and started wearing things that I really like and that I feel comfortable in.

Probably about 90% of my clothes come from Goodwill and the fact that they are second-hand doesn't bother me a bit. It gives me a chance to wear clothes that are great quality at rock bottom prices. And of course, you can't beat the thrill of the hunt!

I'm linking up with the Pleated Poppy...

Thursday:

Top: Goodwill (H&M)

Jeans: Goodwill (Gap)

Sandals: Target + embellished with fabric ruffle

Headband: made by me

Necklace: O Jolie

Sunday morning:

Tank: Target

Green cardi: Goodwill (Target)

Skirt: Goodwill (Gap)

Shoes: Goodwill (NY&Co)

Headband: Amelia's Discount Grocery

Skinny belt: Forever 21

Sunday night:

White tunic: Ross

Skinny jeans: Forever 21

Shoes: Goodwill

Belt: Goodwill

Monday:

White tank: Forever 21

Striped sleeveless cardi: Ross (I tucked it into the skirt to create a sort of vest)

Skirt: Goodwill (Anthropologie)

Shoes: Goodwill

Belt: Goodwill

Monday Pretties

2011-08-01T14:02:00.000-04:00

Here are some pretty little things I've found recently. If you follow my Pinterest boards, you may have seen some of them.

Pillow from Love of Family & Home the Shop $24

Pillow from Love of Family & Home the Shop $26

Swimsuit from Down East Basics - $22.99

Necklace from O Jolie Jewelry - $29

Down East Basics - $24.99

Necklace from Allora Handmade - $39

And I'll end with this little pretty...

Her name is Violet and she is most definitely not for sale!

Have a great week friends!

Etsy Shop Additions & Everyday Life

2011-07-29T08:17:00.000-04:00

This week I've been working on some more painted signs to add to my Etsy Shop. I love being inspired by things around me and coming up with these designs.

Here is a wood sign that I painted with a quote from Shakespeare. I stained the wood a dark walnut color and really like how it turned out. The lettering is a cream color that I painted on with a small paint brush.

And here's another wood sign that I painted. I also stained this one a dark walnut color.

And here are a few canvases. I love these quotes...

You can find all these signs in my Etsy Shop and at the New Holland Coffee Co.

And I also wanted to mention that I do lots of custom orders as well. If you have an idea of a quote or scripture that you would like painted onto wood or canvas, just let me know and I'll be happy to work with you!

~ ~ ~ ~

And now, onto some everyday life around here!

Here is my almost-nine month old little Violet. She really is just about as sweet as she looks. I can hardly stand it.

The chubby cheeks, the curled up toes, the perfect little lips, oh, my. She melts me.

And here's the rest of the crew. These are my parents' grandkiddos. There are seven ages seven and under. And one more on the way (not mine!!).

Taking a family picture of all the kids is not for the faint of heart! And getting them to all look at me turned out to be impossible, but we did the best we could!

And this is just too funny. The kids were thrilled to get a buggy ride last weekend! Most of my extended family is Amish and my cousin's husband took them for a ride in their buggy.

There they go among the fields of corn! Lancaster County at its finest! :)

And I'll end the post on an almost-naked Jack. Doing the thing he does best - eating. It's time to start potty training, and I'm totally dragging my feet. Any advice on how to train little boys??

Have an awesome weekend friends!

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

2011-07-27T07:50:00.000-04:00

So this week I thought I would be brave, put on my big girl panties, and get out from behind the camera. Just please, please, please excuse the awkwardness, bad lighting, and everything that goes along with taking pictures of yourself.

Really, it all makes me cringe.

Most of the photos are courtesy of my five year old Avery. She was delighted that she was actually allowed to hold the camera and take pictures!

Linking up to the Pleated Poppy...

Thursday:

White tank: Target

Blue ruffley top: Plato's Closet consignment

Jeans: Goodwill (Gap)

Belt: Goodwill

Sandals: Target (I embellished them with a fabric ruffle)

Little boy who has to get in on the action: Jack

Friday:

Purple striped T: Gap Outlet from years ago

White skirt: Goodwill

Belt: Goodwill

Flats: Goodwill

Saturday:

Striped top: Goodwill (White House Black Market)

Black skirt: Plato's Closet consignment (Target)

Orange flower pin: Amelia's Discount Grocery

Jack wanted to join me in the pictures and of course HAD to hold his ever-present blanket. One of my nicknames for him is Little Linus.

Gotta love those little boy hugs! They are the best! :)

Sunday:

Blue tank: Target

Skirt: Goodwill (Talbots)

Shoes: Goodwill

Until next time...

Featured!

2011-07-26T10:00:00.004-04:00

Our little nursery was featured on the baby website babylifestyles.com. Tara, the editor of the website, interviewed me about the details of the room renovation.

They did two articles on the room. To read the first one, click here. And to read the second one, which was about how to transition from a boy's room to a girl's room, click here.

Thank you babylifestyles.com for the feature! I feel completely flattered!

Head over to their website for loads of baby inspiration!

Some more door art

2011-07-25T10:25:00.000-04:00

I've been making a few more art pieces out of old, salvaged wood doors. Here is one that I made for our friends Charlie & Liz.

I took some pictures of it hanging in their family room.

And here is one that I made with a verse from Zephaniah. It's one of my favorite verses - full of love and hope and promise.

Since the sign is so large and heavy, I decided not to list it in my Etsy Shop. If you're local and interested in purchasing this sign or want more info, email me at maweaver1@gmail.com.

Here are a few more ideas using old doors...

Creating a message center

re-nest.com

Using a door as an entry table with coat hooks

re-nest.com

Creating an original table out of an old door

re-nest.com

A door as a desk top

re-nest.com

A coffee table

junkmarketstyle.com

I propped an old door behind a chair in my bedroom.

So the lesson is, don't throw away your old doors! Hope this gave you some inspiration!

Avery's Bedroom {new desk & curtains}

2011-07-22T10:30:00.001-04:00

If you don't already know, I'm a *little* obsessed with rearranging and redecorating our home (as if that isn't obvious).

I had some ideas for Avery's room and in the past week have been working at changing a few things around. I found a little desk at Goodwill (of course!) that was painted white but in need of some TLC. Since Avery is getting older and will be starting school in the fall, I thought she could use a desk in her room.

I put Avery to work helping me paint it a light pink color.

You know I'm not picky about painting when I let my 5 year old help! She loved it, by the way! Anyone want to hire an amateur painter? She accepts ice cream, bubble gum, or Chapstick as payment. :)

I felt like the desk looked too plain when it was just painted pink, so I cut out sheets of scrapbook paper to fit the front of the drawers and used Mod Podge to adhere the paper to the drawer fronts. The edges of the drawer fronts and the desk are distressed.

I bought the glass knobs from Target and the chair was one that we were storing in the attic that I spray painted white.

The gray striped message board was made from an old corkboard that I covered with fabric that I had on hand from another project.

Ah, the wall flowers!! How I love them!

They are made from napkins and are super-easy to create! You can find a tutorial for making them on the Made blog. I bought the pink and gray/white polka dot napkins from Target.

The curtains were just ordinary tab-top Lenda ones from Ikea (really cheap at $15 for two panels). I bought one pair and cut each panel in half width-wise to create four panels instead of two (because I wanted to save $).

I bought a half-yard each of four different types of pink fabrics and cut out stripes, which I ruffled and sewed onto the curtains. This was a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of project (normal for me) and I didn't do much measuring or planning.

But I'm happy with how they turned out. Simple & sweet!

And here's what the other side of the room looks like (not much different than before)...

Let me know if you have any questions or want any more info on the projects I mentioned today.

Have a great weekend friends! Stay cool!!

My *PINK* Life

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

Winter Mantle

Look-A-Likes

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

Go! {and don't worry}

My Jack

What I Wore Wednesday {Vacation Edition}

Back to Reality

I spy with my two eyes

Be Strong

The Latest Signs {I've Been Busy}

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

Fresh, Clean & Simple

What I Wore Wednesday {Inspired by Pinterest}

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

One Year Ago

I Like Old Stuff

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

Christmas Mantle

Happy Monday!

Holiday Decorating Idea {Displaying Christmas Cards}

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

I'm Tired {This Is Real Life}

Christmas Decorating Idea {Mason Jar Candles}

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

Christmas Decorating Idea {Moss Wreath}

Thanksgiving 2011

My Thankful List

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

An adorable little boy and the latest

Fence Art

Cheesy Enchilada Casserole Recipe

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped or season with Onion powder or minced onion

2 1/2 cups salsa

1 can (15 ounces) black beans or red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup reduced-fat Italian salad dressing

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium taco seasoning

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

6 flour or corn tortillas (8 inches)

1 small can of drained corn, or about 1 1/4 cups of frozen corn (optional)

3/4 cup sour cream

2 cups (4 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend or your favorite cheese

1 cup shredded lettuce

1 medium tomato, chopped

1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro

Directions

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

Fall & Christmas Ideas {More to Come!}

Seaside-Inspired Painting {a new addition to the Etsy shop}

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

Do not be anxious

Violet Turns One!

A Little Entry Makeover

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

Oh, Hello Monday

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

Family Pictures

My Shipping Department

What I Wore Wednesday {Thrift Store Edition}

Sign Lady

Lisa Leonard Jewelry Giveaway Winner!

Product Review {Easy Canvas Prints}

Wednesday Randoms

Girls Weekend!

Lisa Leonard {Giveaway!}

What I Wore {Down East Basics}

The Weekend in Pictures

Family Room Fluffing

What I Wore {Transitioning from Summer to Fall}

The latest

A Little About Me {And A Little About You}

Hurricanes, New Beginnings, and Randomness

Seaside Inspired Mantle

Away for the Day

Shop Additions

This Monday Morning Finds Me...

Some Family Fun + A Thrifty Find

Around the House

My PINK Life