Monday Motivation

I'm finding that the more I smile, the better I feel. And not just because I have a great smile (I know how much that cost, dad! I appreciate it!). Smiling at other people and getting a smile in return makes everyone involved feel good! And seeing yourself smile triggers certain things in your brain that tricks it into thinking you're happy.) So even when things are rough or getting you down, don't show it! Smile your way through it, and sooner than later, you'll forget why you weren't in a fantastic mood.

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And if that doesn't work, get the Nutella.

Maxi Dress/Skirt

Here's the latest thing I'm into and need want to get one or two of for the summer; the maxi dress/skirt! So cute, so versatile and so comfy. And apparently, so easy to make (included are some DIY links!)

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 Love this gal, and the simplicity of this whole outfit, colors and all.

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 This is so effortless paired with a basic white tank top.

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 I'm also really getting into jean jackets (and kicking myself for getting rid of the one I had in high school!)

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 Love this gal too, and her comfy airport style!

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 Throw a big chunky belt into the mix, and you've got a fancy, and more fitted maxi dress!

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Love the blue and white and beautiful pattern. So beachy!

Roman Shades

In decorating our home, I'm finding I have a bit of a different vision for every room in the house. Recently, I've developed an infatuation with do-it-yourself Roman Shades from mini-blinds, which we have an abundance of (on every single window). However, I don't want to ruin all of our blinds, in case my ever-changing mood decides I don't like Roman Shades anymore, or the potential renters we have down the line hate them. So in the interest of completing a piece of my vision for the back room, I'm going to try to rescue the blinds already on the door, as they have taken a beating with the construction being done back there and would probably be thrown out/replaced anyways.
Here's my inspiration, as well as a couple of DIY links!

The quality of this picture sucks, but this is literally exactly what I would like the back room to be. A place to come in, leave out coats, shoes, bags, etc. with a nice door and window. Hopefully, this gets done sooner than later!

 Love the simplicity of the gray, and white stripes.

 Not sure how I feel about the colors, but the boldness of these stripes? Love.

Instructions

Instructions

 I would kind of love to the kitchen window too, especially since it looks out onto the backyard so we don't really need the privacy factor in a window covering.

 Love the black and white of these. Goes with any decor!

I'd love to find to some toile fabric, maybe...

So many ideas!

{All images via}

Monday Motivation

My dad came across this and sent it to me speedy quick! I'm so thankful for my parents guidance throughout my life. I truly don't know where I would be without it. So, I'll share some of it with y'all.

This sums it up pretty well, and helped me take a step back, a deep breath and really think about things.

"Patience child, patience. Remember, life is a journey. If you got everything you wanted all at once, there'd be no point to living. Enjoy the ride and in the end, you'll see these "setbacks" as giant leaps forward, only you couldn't see the bigger picture in the moment. Remain calm, all is within reach; all you have to do is show up everyday, stay true to your path and you will surely find the treasure you seek."

- Jackson Kiddard (or - Totally something my parents would say)

Be patient, remain calm and have a great week!

Playdate with Duke

Yesterday we went to the farm to change my oil, and because I was pretty much no help at all, I decided to capture the adorable and hilarious playdate Duke had with Hurley, a sassy English lab. He's getting so big and call really hold his own (most of the time) with bigger doggies.

The trouble begins...

Somebody looks a little surprised!

Are you takin pictures, mama?!

Attack!

Sneak attack!

Kisses!

And punches to the face.

Aaaaand nap time.

Uses for Scrap Wood

So we have an entire room full of leftover pieces of wood from the bed project (we're planning to tear that room off and make an extended patio area, don't worry) and I've got about a million ideas for what to do with them. Most of them are shelves, which stemmed from this project I came across on the same site that I found our bed plans on;

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These are made to look like barn beams, and I was so happy with our staining abilities, I was really drawn to these for something else to use our leftover stain on! Which led to some other shelving inspirations...

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 I have some quotes/pictures that I would love to frame and display throughout the house on something simple like this!

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 How gorgeous are those brackets?! I'm seeing a Hobby Lobby run in my future.

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 I'd love to do this on the stairs in the living room. The space seems so empty and wasted now.

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 This would be perfect in the bathroom with the extra tall ceilings, I don't think something like this would take away from the space, but add storage over the door frames.

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 We have a shelf in the laundry room now but it's a bit industrial looking. I would love something with a little more character like these contrasting white shelves.

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 I'm really thinking about doing this in a corner of our kitchen! How darling!

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And then I found some not-so-shelving inspirations...

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 We could make a fake vintage gate to display a saying, quote, bible verse, etc.

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 Or a fake vintage sign for the kitchen.

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 Or a fun sign (boasting my last name) to put just about anywhere.

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Or a Southern sign for the kitchen!

So many ideas and possibilities! Hopefully I find the time to make at least one of them a reality and a more useful additional to our home.

Monday Motivation

Whether it's at home, work, at Walmart, a parking lot, we need let the small things go and focus on the big picture. Over the weekend, anything that could have gone wrong, did. We originally planned on being super productive... we didn't even make it out of the driveway and my check oil light came on. We later tried getting a dog license for Duke but were apparently in the wrong county so they recommended a place an hour away (needless to say, that didn't get done). I totally forgot to get some allergy medication for my ever worsening allergies. So I had to work until midnight all weekend with a super cute manly cough and a stuffed head too focused on being sick to think about much else. And it when came time to pay for the things I did remember, I couldn't remember any of my pin numbers. On the way home, we passed the car wash (which is normally a bit out of the way) so I decided to pull in and finally wash my poor car. Instead, a guy (and that's putting it nicely) gunned it and cut me off, taking the last open spot in the whole stinking place. Trying to salvage the outing, I figured I'd get gas before work... completely missed the pump, had to reverse, pull up, then reverse again. I could have let these things get me down, gone home and curled up in a ball and called it a day (okay - I did all of these things). But it didn't make me feel better. It sucked. And I yelled at the boyfriend, who didn't deserve it in the least. It wasn't until I was in the fetal position on the couch and Duke climbed into my lap, rested his little head on my shoulder that I realized we can't (and shouldn't) focus on the dumb small things, but the good and adorable small things in our lives. I'm going to remember how precious Duke was when he does stuff like that for much longer than I'm going to remember that "guy" at the car wash.

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Granted, how I handled those situations today may have had an effect on my day, but not my life. And how we treat those around us is what will matter in the long run.
So this week, remember to not sweat the small stuff, but cherish and enjoy the good small stuff. This will have a much more lasting effect on us than trivial things (and stupid people).

Rainy day

It's gross out. The sun will peek out for a second or two, and then it'll rain. My allergies are out of control, so I skipped the jog this morning and have been relaxing to the on-and-off sound of rain. Not too bad for my last day off this week.

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Days like to day also make me want to go out in rain boots. Although I tried rain boots once- I had to come home in between classes to change shoes. They were awful and way to heavy for me. But maybe a better fitting, and super cute rain boot would work...