Scorcher Day Projects

The weather here has been unbelievably hot. I almost feel like I'm back in New Mexico. Throw in the humidity of Florida and that's our weather. So after working the midnight to 8am shift the other night/morning... I didn't feel like doing much of anything outside like Duke and I normally would (go for a jog then tan at the beach). But instead of sitting around in the cool house, I decided to get some things done for my mini office (can you tell I'm super duper excited about this thing?!). On top of getting everything out of the closet that I plan on utilizing in my office, I also got these two projects done.

A nice quote to remind us to keep working hard and that we have a lot (a LOT) of things to look forward to. These frames are from when I worked at Target (in high school). That little piece of wall next to the closet just needed something. This'll be a nice reminder every night and every morning.

And a to-do list that I used an old Dollar Store frame for; dry erase markers work wonderfully (the boyfriend was pretty impressed). The swirl design that I added can be found here. I can't live without lists and this will be a good one to break things down by the day, and week. Much more manageable.

I felt so productive after getting these things knocked in under an hour (including measuring for and hanging the picture frames)! Imagine what I can get done once I have a mini office!!! ;)

Happy Weekend!

Cork Boards

In setting up my mini office, I'd like to have reflect a little more my style. You may remember in my office inspirations a painted cork board, which I desperately wanted to try! So I did! And I couldn't be more impressed. No, really. It was so easy (even with a puppy licking the cork to make sure the tape wouldn't stick).
All I had to do was tape off the pattern I wanted with masking tape. The hardest part was the chevron pattern but I found it to be much easier to pre-cut the tape using the first piece as a guide, ensuring everything will be even. I free handed the stripes and used scrap paper and masking tape for the polka dots.

Everything taped off. (I did it the evening before and painted the next afternoon- the tape came up a bit but not enough to ruin the patterns).

This is after two coats of white spray paint. Go over the boards with short, even strokes of paint in both directions- horizontally and vertically. This just ensures that everything is covered.

I let it dry for about 20 minutes (in 92 degree heat) and...

Tadaaa! I'd love to show them to you hung on the wall, but we haven't gotten that far yet. Soon!
Don't worry is the air from the spray paint lifts the tape up- I kind of like the faded look of the polka dots. Such an easy, creative and personal addition to something so functional. And one more thing crossed off my mini-office to do list!

Office Love

So I've finally come up with a plan for the "middle room". A place to sit, relax, and organize!

Because of the placement of the stairs and the closet, a small space in the back of the room wasn't really being utilized. Instead of making a huge office in the laundry room, I'm realizing all I need is an old desk, and a couple of bookshelves. Of course, we're gonna need a sectional, an ottoman and a new tv (!) but we're going antiquing for an old desk soon to get started. I'm so excited to get bulletin boards up and things organized. Here are some inspirations for my little office space!

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 Paint an old desk whatever color you'd like (white) and add your own accents with paint, new drawer pulls and accessories.

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 I'd love to add wallpaper to the back of a bookshelf for contrast.

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 I like this idea for lists (which I love).

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 Adding scrap book paper to filing cabinets adds a touch of texture, and class.

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 Love the boxes and baskets! This would be great behind the sectional as an additional room divider.

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 Chevron and frames with dry erase markers for notes, due dates, etc.

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 DIY mouse pad!

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 I already taped off my cork boards to spray paint this week- I'll include a tutorial tomorrow!

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 Love chalkboard. And baskets. Again.

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 This is an old dresser with the drawers removed = bookshelf!

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I really want open shelving above the desk, with the cork boards and frames on the other wall.

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Sort of like this!

Things I Need

These are some things I'm pretty sure that I need today.

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 To move/visit (but hopefully move) to the beach.

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 Have a place big enough to open a kennel. I need more puppies.

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 To take a vacation. To the Happiest Place on Earth.

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 This phone case.

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 More wine. And/or SkinnyGirl Cocktails.

Some more Junk Gypsies in my life!

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 Some bling like this.

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And a job where I can dress like this. all. the. time.

Let's make it happen.

Monday Motiovation

This one is pretty simple.

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Be in the moment, in the present. Do not dwell on the past; learn from it and move forward. Stop looking back at what could have been and focus on what is, and what is going to be.

Key West Shrimp

It's (shrimp) recipe time again! I made this one tonight for the boyfriend and I.

Shrimp
- 2 to 3 12 oz bottles of your choice of beer (I've used Blue Moon, Yeungling and Dos Equis- all amazing)
- 1 pound shrimp, unpeeled
- 2 tbsp Old Bay
Dip
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup dijon mustard
- 1/4 lime juice
- dash of pepper

Bring the Old Bay and beer to boil. Add shrimp. Boil for about 5 minutes.
Mix all dip ingredients together.
Peel, dip, and fall in love.

The boyfriend and I have found it's much easier to pile the shrimp on one plate, put the peels on another, have the dip in a shared bowl and a roll of paper towels handy, cause it gets messy y'all. So worth it though (and don't worry about having to peel your significant others shrimp when he gets tired of doing it; you'll be such a pro at it, you can sneak a shrimp in for yourself while he waits. You know, for your trouble.)

Hope you like!

New kicks

So I know I've been m.i.a. again. My apologies. Again, blame the lack of inspiration and being a single parent to Duke this week, which leaves me about an hour or two of energy at the end of the day (which I try to save to cook myself something before collapsing into bed with my new phone and a free downloaded book). Life is good, really, but exhausting.
Anyways! I managed to get away on my day off yesterday and do a little shopping- and I do mean a little. I got three pairs of flip flops. For a grand total of $15. Phew! Watch out. So when I got home, I was feeling a little unsatisfied. I really wanted some wedges for the summer, and something that I could also wear to work. While I hate not being able to try things on before purchasing, I found the cutest canvas wedges with a touch of espadrille, that I'm so into right now. They even have the nautical stripe I was looking for and are a neutral enough color to wear with pretty much anything. They were a little pricier than I'd prefer, but if they fit, it'll be so worth it. Here's hoping!

Buy here!

Monday Motivation

First of all, sorry for the lack of posts lately. You can thank my lack of inspiration, and/or time to find any. We've been pretty busy. But the boyfriend is leaving tonight to head to Pittsburgh for a week to get his Captains license. So I should have some free time to get back on track with this thing.
Anyways, today's motivation is about not letting the little things get in the way of the big things. Little things can range from stubbing your toe, having to empty the dishwasher, losing the dog's leash when he really, really has to go potty, getting chased by a bee while trying to jog (apparently, they can sense fear-and hear screaming), dealing with petty sh...stuff. Now, take a step back and let's look at the big things. Your toe nails weren't painted so you didn't chip your nail polish (phew!). At least you have a dishwasher these days-remember that one bedroom apartment not too long ago? You have an adorable puppy who is potty trained and patiently waited for you to find the leash then cracked you up when he ran around the yard with a 5 ft long stick and still managed to hang on to it while going potty. That bee made you run faster and longer than you thought you could and now you're nine pounds away from your goal weight and that spray tan you're going to reward yourself with. Petty stuff (and people) will always be there, and will always try to bring you down. Don't let it. Remember who you are and keep doing what you do. Don't forget to keep working towards what you want and don't let the small crap get in the way. (This goes for attitude too-those around you don't deserve to be pummeled by your small stuff either.)

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Now go have a good week!

Monday Motivation

In talking to certain people and not talking to certain people recently, I'm realizing that a lot of who we are has to do with the company we keep. There are bad influences (as childish as that sounds) everywhere. Don't be so desperate to have friends that you waste time with the wrong people. And if you have (like I have), quit it. And soon. You have no idea how much better you'll feel. I used to be sad that I lost touch with people from various places over the years, but it was meant to be. Those who meant anything have stuck around. And I couldn't be more pleased with the cream of the crop. :)
The number of people in your life is not what matters. It's the quality of the few that are. I'm glad that I have been able to weed out the bad and the ugly (just kidding), and hold on to the good. Not only does it make me a better person but...

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