Cutest Beach Towels E-ver

I love these beach towels at Haymarket Designs.  They are so cute and you know I love a monogram.

I'm famous!

Ok, maybe not quite famous, but I'm counting it.  A tiny article counts in my book!  I only have a few pictures stolen from Facebook since I'm not in the States, but I am so excited to share this!

Now for a quick how to.  I found a nice solid wood headboard at the thrift store for about $20.  I measured the footboard and cut it in half.

 

 

My foot board was a little shorter than I wanted it so I cut off the original legs and added store bought table legs for extra height.

 

 

I used dowel rods and wood glue to connect the headboard and footboard.  Erin helped me with this step, math is not my forte.

 

 

 

 

For the seat I used 1x3 slats and rested them on the top ledge of the footboard and used corner brackets to attach them.  Then I just sanded the whole thing and spray painted it.  I used Valspar spray paint which is the bomb diggity.  It covers so quickly and doesn't run.

 

For the cushion I followed this tutorial and made quick pillows.

 

Ta Da!

 I looooove the way it turned out!

P.S. I had planned to update regularly, but Nicaraguan electricity has other plans so I will update as I can.

Busy-ness

I had a every intention of getting back to a semi regular blogging schedule the past few weeks and as you can tell it just hasn't happened.  I have a million excuses legitimate reasons for my absence though.

Exhibit A

 

 

 

Exhibit B

Fourth job-  yes I have officially lost my mind 

 

 

 

 

and Exhibit C

 

I have been some what attempting to pack and finish up a million little things before Nicaragua.  Somehow this trip has completely snuck up on me!

 

Next week I will be in Nicaragua...

 

Gardening

The weather has been so beautiful here, so I have been dying to get out and work in the yard.  I have a daily war with myself; I'm dying to work on something and am trying to keep my self-imposed break.  I keep telling myself it's crazy to do a lot of yard work this year when I won't even be here to enjoy it.  Our yard needs some major landscaping assistance though.  For now, I'm trying to just work with what we have (which is mainly a few hostas and the can-not-be-killed mint) and clean everything up a bit.

 

I would love something structured like this for my herbs.  Except you know 1/100th of the size.

 

 These are little more feasible though and super cute.

 

 

Most of my herbs from last year survived the winter, so I need to find an attractive way to pot them.  There is no way I'm planting mint directly in the ground, that stuff takes over everything!

Update

I have not fallen off the face of the earth.  I just took a mini blogging break, while I get everything in order.  I will be in Nicaragua for 6 months starting at the end of May and it just hit me how quickly that is coming up!  It seemed so far away and like I had plenty of time.  Then it hit me it's right around the corner!  All of sudden I have to get new insurance, banking, and a million other little things to take care of before I go.  Apparently, leaving the country is a little more complicated than just buying a plane ticket! :)

Since I have been rushing to get everything in before I leave, I have done my very best to put most house projects aside for now.  Even though it drives me nuts not to work on something!

And I had my first DIY disaster.  After this happened attempting to hang crown molding by myself I decided that was reason number 2 to take a break until I could get a little help.

Apparently a ceramic sink and nail gun do not mix.  I am NOT happy about this sink situation.  Now I am on the hunt for another one that will fit in the little space and trying to sweet talk my daddy into installing another sink! 

Fireplaces

My parents have just started remodeling their house and I've been throwing ideas at them left and right.  They will probably go a lot more traditional and rustic at their house.  My dad loves the idea of a stone wall or fireplace.  I spent some time looking through houzz this weekend and loved these fireplaces for them.

Traditional Living Room by Saratoga Springs Design-build Witt Construction

 

 

The way the stone is layed here is so interesting.

 

Traditional Family Room by Atlanta Architect Castro Design Studio

 

 

This one is my absolute favorite, but I've had a hard time convincing Mama and Daddy.  I am obsessed with the barndoors and the fact that you can hide the TV easily.

Traditional Bedroom by Millbrook Architect Crisp Architects

Decorating with Pink

Obviously I'm a big fan, after my pink chairs.  I still love love love them.  I never thought of myself as pink girl, I always said green or yellow were my favorite colors.  But pink has been my go to accent color for everything lately.

Here are some beautiful pink rooms that I love   Loving this old House Beautiful cover.

This little girl's China Seas bedroom is the cutest I've ever seen.


This one is from House Beautiful as well and a little more neutral.

A gorgeous sun room from Southern Living.

This one was the inspiration for my breakfast nook armchairs.http://dwellerswithoutdecorators.blogspot.com/2011/07/monday-morning-makeoverkitchen-makeover.html

I love the pink accents in this room and these drapes are so fun. 

So what do you think?  Would you decorate with pink?